Teaching

Have you ever said you would do something but failed to do it?

Sometimes we simply forget, run out of time, or discover that we don’t have the money or ability to do something we wanted to do. Has that ever happened to God?

Hold up the small white board with the phrase “God’s Word” written in permanent marker.

No, God’s Word doesn’t fail. His Word is eternal—it will last forever.

Let’s read what the Bible says in John 1:1. Optional: have a child read the scripture aloud.

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Think about that—God’s Word was already in existence before the world was made!

Let’s read the next verses, in John 1:2–5. Optional: have a child read the verses aloud.

² He existed in the beginning with God. ³ God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. ⁴ The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Use the colorful dry-erase markers to draw a simple picture of the things you talk about. You may draw the picture. God spoke His Word to create the sun, and the world with its grass, flowers and trees. God spoke His Word and created people!

This very same Bible passage, which tells us how God created the world with His Word, goes on to talk about John the Baptist! Let’s read John 1:6–9. Optional: have a child read the scripture aloud.

⁶ God sent a man, John the Baptist, ⁷ to tell about the Light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. ⁸ John himself was not the Light; he was simply a witness to tell about the Light. ⁹ The One who is the true Light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Hold up the dry-erase board. One of the ways God prepared the world for the coming of Jesus was to send His word through Gabriel to Zechariah, Elizabeth and Mary. They experienced God’s Word being fulfilled in their lives. After Elizabeth gave birth to John, Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and was able to speak. He began prophecying about how his son would prepare the way for Jesus, the Savior of the world. See Luke 1:76–79. In his prophecy, Zechariah referred to something the prophet Isaiah said hundreds of years earlier:

Optional: have three fifth or sixth grade volunteers take turns reading two verses each of Isaiah 40:3–8:

³ Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! ⁴ Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. ⁵ Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!” ⁶ A voice said, “Shout!” I asked, “What should I shout?” “Shout that people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field. ⁷ The grass withers and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the Lord. And so it is with people. ⁸ The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Isaiah said that people are like grass and flowers. They wither, fade and disappear. Slowly erase the drawing of the sun, grass, flowers, and stick figures as you speak.

Yet God’s Word stands forever. That means God Word never fails! Attempt to erase “God’s Word”; but since it was written in permanent marker, the words will remain.

You see, the living things that God created will come and go. Their lives have an end. However, God’s Word does not; His Word is eternal and stands forever! God’s Word is not an “it”—God’s Word is a person. Can you guess who?

Let’s go back to John 1 and read verse 14:

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's One and Only Son.

Who is God’s Word? Jesus.

Yes, Jesus is God’s Word. And He has given us His Word! Romans 10:8b (niv) tells us:

“The Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.”

His Word and His promises last from generation to generation—they never fail. God had a plan and a purpose for Zechariah and Elizabeth, for John the Baptist, for Joseph and Mary, and for Jesus. And guess what? God has a plan and a purpose for you!

Read Philippians 1:6:

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Hold up the dry-erase board. God’s Word existed before the beginning of time and will live on for all eternity. And when we ask Jesus into our hearts, we have His eternal Word living inside us!

Try to erase the board again. That reminds me of our SuperTruth. Who remembers it?

Let’s shout it together: “God’s Word never fails!”

Now, let's talk about our Discipleship Challenge Prayer Journals!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give a Prayer Journal Pattern and materials to children who missed Lesson 1. Have them follow the instructions on the pattern to assemble their craft at home. Show them the sample craft that is assembled.

Did you use the Prayer Journals we made last time?

What kinds of things did you praise God for?

Would anyone like to share something that you prayed about?

Can someone tell us how He answered one of your prayers?

Keep using your Prayer Journals at home. Simply write down your praises and prayer requests in each section of the journal. You can also write down any thoughts God gives you as you spend time with Him in prayer. As your prayers are answered, be sure to make an entry in that section of the journal. You will be amazed over time to see how God answers and speaks to your heart!

Remember, God’s Word never fails, and nothing is impossible with God! Prayer is a powerful tool that God has given us! It’s like a direct line right to heaven, and it’s always available to us—24/7!