Family Worship (Oct 25)

Crooked Sticks, Faithful God
Have you ever picked up a crooked stick and pretended it was a sword, a fishing pole, or a conductor’s baton? Someone else might see a branch on the ground, but in your hands, it becomes part of an adventure!
Our family does not always get things right. We argue, get jealous, and sometimes grab what we want instead of loving each other. Isaac’s family had problems like those. Isaac and Rebekah prayed to God, but they also played favorites. Jacob took advantage of his brother, and Esau traded something precious for a meal.
Yet God kept working through this messy family. His promise would lead to Jesus! Jesus died for our sins and rose again so we could be forgiven and belong to God. We do not have to be perfect for God to love us or work through us. We can trust him, ask for forgiveness, and follow him.

Read Genesis 25:21-34

Discussion Questions

1. How did Isaac and Rebekah turn to God for help, and what hurtful choices did their family make?
2. God announced his plan before the twins were born. What does this show us about whether his plan depended on their good behavior?
3. Because Jesus forgives us, we can tell the truth about our sins. What do you need his forgiveness and help with today?

Family Activity
Give each person a bent pipe cleaner. Dip it in washable paint and use it to stamp a straight line on paper. Work together to make a colorful picture from your lines. Talk about how God works through imperfect people to carry out his good purposes. End by thanking Jesus for forgiving your family and asking him to help you love others.


Pray together as a family

Memory Work:

New City Catechism
43. What are the sacraments or ordinances?
The sacraments or ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs and seals that we are bound together as a community of faith by his death and resurrection. By our use of them the Holy Spirit more fully declares and seals the promises of the gospel to us.

Memory Verse
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.