The Old Testament Points to Jesus
(Luke 1; John 1)
August 16th, 2026
Sunday Recap
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Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
As we turn the page in the Bible from the Old Testament to the New Testament, we remember that the Bible tells one grand story, and at the center of that story is Jesus. From Genesis to Malachi, the Old Testament weaves a story of God's love and compassion for His people and of their inability to be faithful to Him. The Old Testament leads to the moment when God sent His Son to fulfill His plan to save people from their sin.
The first verse of John echoes the first verse of Genesis, reminding us of the cohesiveness of the Old Testament and the New Testament. This echo also reveals that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a teacher—He is God Himself, who became human. The Word of God, who spoke creation into existence, humbled Himself, taking the form of man, and dwelt among sinners so that those who believed in Him would become children of God (John 1:11-14).
In another Gospel account, Luke 1 introduces us to another person vital to God's plan. An angel appeared to a priest named Zechariah. Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, like many couples in the Old Testament, had not been able to have children. The angel told Zechariah not only would they have a child, but their child would have the power of Elijah and would be the forerunner to God's Messiah. John's birth and ministry was the fulfillment of Isaiah and Malachi’ prophecies, where God promised to send a messenger to prepare the way for the Messiah. John's ministry can be viewed as a bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Reflect on the foreshadowing of Christ seen all throughout the Old Testament and help kids see how it revealed what was to come in the New Testament. The sacrifices of the law point toward the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. To David, God promised an everlasting kingdom—a promise that finds its fulfillment in Christ's everlasting reign. Jesus is the Prophet, Priest, and King that Israel longed for throughout their history. The Savior God promised in the garden of Eden—the One who would crush the serpent’s head—had finally come. Jesus would defeat evil and sin and make the way for people to be saved. But this victory would come at a great cost—His own life.
***Next Week: Jesus Was Born (Matthew 1; Luke 1-2)
Family Discipleship Plan
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Family Discipleship Plan •
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Read Luke 1 and John 1 from the Bible.
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In the Old Testament, the prophets spoke God’s messages to encourage people to turn away from sin and back to God. But after the prophet Malachi, there were no more prophetic messages from God for 400 years. It was silence until God sent a new messenger named John the Baptist.
John spoke God’s message to the people. He told them to turn away from sin because the kingdom of God was very near! John’s message broke the silence and signaled the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. Later, when John saw Jesus coming, he said to the crowds, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
God spoke through His prophets in the Old Testament, like Isaiah and Malachi, and shared His plan to send Jesus into the world to save people from sin. When the time had come, God called John to be a witness for Jesus. Anyone who trusts in Jesus will be saved.
Pray: Jesus, You are the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Help us to turn away from sin and turn to You. Give us opportunities like John to point others to You. Amen.
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Preschool:
“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah.”John 20:31
1st-5th:
“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. If you believe this, you will have life because you belong to him.” John 20:31 NiRV
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Mornings
Pray for your teachers, classmates, co-workers, or family members who need to hear about Jesus. Ask God to give you the opportunity this week to tell them who Jesus is and what He has done to save us.
Evenings
Take time to repent and ask God for forgiveness of sin. Ask for His help in turning away from the sins that are repeated in your life. What does it mean to repent? Why is it good to confess sin to God and to one another?
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For Fun
Use cardstock and craft sticks to make paper puppets for Zechariah, Elizabeth, the angel, and baby John. Practice retelling the Bible story using the paper puppets.
To Serve
Purchase or collect baby items to donate to a local ministry who supports foster and adoptive families. Pray for the children and families who will receive the donations. Ask God to help the children experience His love and to ultimately know Jesus as Savior.
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