Sarah’s Story

 

Our Advent Song

God, tell me a story about…a woman

Sarah

“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

James 5: 8

Click here for Sarah’s story, directly from the bible (for older kids) 

Click here for a very simple version of the story (for youngest kids) 

Or watch the video

1 – What was Sarah waiting and hoping for? Is there anything you’re hoping to get for Christmas? What sort of things do you have to wait for?

2 – Do you like having to wait? What does it mean to wait patiently? Are you good at waiting patiently for things? Do you think Sarah did a good job of waiting patiently?

3 – At one point, Sarah gives up hope. She had been waiting about 50 years to be mother and still nothing. Have you ever given up? Does God ever give up on us?

4 – Even though Sarah had lost hope and even though it was now impossible for her to become a mother,  God kept His promise. And, remember that nothing is impossible for God. So, at the age of 90, Sarah finally becomes a mother. How do you think Sarah felt?

5- Can you think of another story where a woman has a baby, even though it was impossible for her to have a baby since she did not have a husband? What was the baby’s name?

6 – The good news is that Jesus is coming back. But we, like Sarah, will have to wait; and we don’t know how long we will have to wait for. What will you do while you wait?

This week’s challenge

Practice waiting patiently.

And look up these verses to help inspire you.

• Lamentations 3:25-26
• Psalm 27:14
• Psalm 130:5-6
• Micah 7:7
• Isaiah 33:2
• Romans 12:12

God, tell me a story about…a woman

Abigail

“So, let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”

Galatians 6: 9

Read 1 Samuel 25: 2-42

1 – In today’s story we met three people: Nabal, Abigail and David. Quickly describe each of them with a couple words.

2 – Our story begins by telling us that David had been kind towards Nabal’s shepherds. How does Nabal respond to David’s kindness?

3 – Have you ever been kind to someone but they were mean to you in return? If so, how did it make you feel?

4 – Well, Nabal’s response made David angry and David decides that Nabal should be punished. How does Abigail react when she finds out? What does she do?

5- Was Abigail’s response to this situation wise or foolish? Why?

6- When we make wise choices, or act wisely, like Abigail did, we are showing God that we love Him. At the end of the story, who does God reward? Nabal or Abigail?

7- Has someone ever been unkind to you. How did you respond?

8- There are many situations, every day, where we have to make a choice between acting wisely and acting foolishly. Can you be like Abigail? Can you act wisely? What would you do if…

• you spilled your milk
• your friend spilled their milk
• you fall off your bike
• you hear someone teasing your friend
• someone pushes you off your chair
• your parents tell you it’s time for bed

This week’s challenge

Role Play – Sit down with your family and write out different situations like those listed in the question above. Then take turns acting out what the foolish response would be and what the wise response would be.

God, tell me a story about…a woman

Deborah

“This is what the Lord says: ‘let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of the their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Read Judges 4-5

or click here for a summarized version of the story

Questions

1 – The Bible tells us that Deborah was both a prophet and a judge. What does a prophet do? What does a judge do?

2 – In Deborah’s story, were the Israelites happy? Why or why not? (verse 3)

3 – God tells Deborah His plan to help the Israelites, what does He tell her? (verses 6-7)

4 – Deborah delivers God’s message to Barak and Barak obeys, mostly. What condition does Barak place on his obedience, what is the “if”? (verse 8)

5- Who wins the battle, Israel (Barak) or Canaan (Sisera)? What allowed them to win?

6- In Judges, chapter 5, who does Deborah sing praises to? Why is this important? (you can read Jeremiah 9:23-24 for a hint if you want)

7- Deborah could have said that her bravery or her wise leadership won them the battle, but she didn’t. She acknowledges and praises God for the win. This shows humility. We need to do the same, we need to be humble, we need to acknowledge and praise God every day for what we have. What are ways you can do this?

 

Deborah listens to God, and in turn, this allows her to be wise, brave and trustworthy. The Bible tells us that she was “leading Israel” (verse 4). Wow! What an important person. That would be comparable to our prime minister perhaps. But, even though she was a very important person, she did not forget about the most important person. Our Creator, God. She remained humble, giving all the praise to God. And, I believe, that this is what set her apart. The fact that she is female, is important, but not the point of the story. Deborah shows us that leaders, above all, must listen to God, obey God and praise God. Being male or female, is not important. Having a humble heart however, is.

 

This week’s challenge

This week, before you pray, think of things you have or have done that day. Perhaps it’s the meal in front of you, the hockey game you played, the spelling test you passed, the lego castle you built… and remember to thank God for those things as you pray.

God, tell me a story about…a woman

Ruth

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28

Read Ruth

or click here for a summarized version of the story, easy to read to little ones.

If you prefer to watch a video rather than read, this video has kids retelling the story of Ruth.

Questions

1 – Where is Ruth from?

2 – Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, suggests that Ruth go back to her family. What does Ruth decide to do instead? Why do you think she made that choice?

3 – Ruth and Naomi do not have any money or food, so Ruth decides she should glean in the fields. What does “gleaning” mean? Do you think this was easy work?

4 – Who takes notice of Ruth as she is working in the field? What traits of Ruth does he notice? (Ruth 2:11-12) What do people notice when they look at you? (besides your appearance) Are you kind, compassionate, a hard worker? What are things you can do to show kindness and compassion?

5- How does Ruth’s story end? Why do you think God chose Ruth? Shouldn’t God have chosen a beautiful, powerful, wealthy rock star?

The story of Ruth is a great story. It is the story of a kind and compassionate, hard working outsider, whom God uses and rewards in a big way. The story of Ruth reminds us that God’s promises are for everyone and that although His plans for us are not always clear or easy, they are always good.

This week’s challenge

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

We, as believers, are called to show compassion. Just as Ruth did, just as Christ did. Think for a minute, surely there is someone in your home, in your family, in your school, or in your community that could use some compassion? Go ahead, reach out, care, share. Maybe it’s a hug, maybe it’s a sandwich or maybe a note of encouragement, whatever it is, let them know you care.

Now if your child is insisting you watch the version where Ruth’s first husband dies at the hands of an iguana, check out the video below.