The Church at Eastern Oaks Family Worship Guide
Song of the Week: The First Noel
The first Noel, the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay, they were keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
The shepherds looked up and they saw a bright star
Shining there in the east, beyond them far
And to the darkened Earth it gave a great light
And so it continued through day and through night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
Scripture Memory for the week:
“But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
Suggested Catechism Question:
Will God allow our disobedience
and idolatry to go unpunished?
No, God is righteously angry with our sins and will punish them both in this life, and in the life to come.[1]
Devotional 1 – Immanuel Promised
Read: Isaiah 9:6-7
For Adults: What government do these verses talk about?
Older Children: What do the titles mean?
Younger Children: Who is this talking about?
Family Application: “Four titles reflect His deity and gracious work as Mediator. Wonderful, Counsellor. Extraordinary revealer of divine wisdom, of whom Solomon was a shadow. The mighty God. God, the powerful defender; a phrase used only of the Lord God everlasting Father. “The Father of eternity,” not referring to the Son’s relationship to the Father in the Trinity but to the Son’s benevolent authority and eternal care of His people. The Prince of Peace. Not a king-in-waiting but the chief ruler and administrator of peace; His work of reconciling sinners into harmony with God and each other.[2]
Pray: Jesus thank you for all that you have done and are yet to do. Let us see you clearer today than ever before!
Meditate: Write this week's memory verses on a whiteboard in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.
Devotional 2 – Joseph Directed
Read: Matthew 1:18-21
For Adults: What is the role of the Holy Spirit here? Why is that important?
Older Children: Why didn’t Joseph want to marry Mary?
Younger Children: What does the name Jesus mean?
Family Application: The reality of Christmas hinges upon the immaculate conception. Discuss what it would mean if Jesus was born of Joseph. Ultimately, the only way was through the miraculous conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. The only way that Jesus could be the Better Adam was to not be born as any other baby; He is born as the Eternal One who took on flesh. The exactness of this work is not known, which is why it is called a miracle.
Pray: God help us see Your work and the Trinity clearer.
Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week's memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from Day 1 that may have been lost.
Devotional 3 – Joseph Obeys
Read: Matthew 1:22-25
For Adults: Do you think Joseph struggled to obey the Lord with this big commandment?
Older Children: Why is it important that Jesus and His birth fulfill Scripture?
Younger Children: What does Immanuel mean? How is that different from Jesus?
Family Application: “The name Jesus means “Saviour” and comes from the Hebrew name, Joshua (“Jehovah is salvation”). There were many Jewish boys with the name Joshua (or, in the Greek, Jesus); but Mary’s Boy was called “Jesus the Christ.” The word Christ means “anointed”; it is the Greek equivalent of Messiah. He is “Jesus the Messiah.” Jesus is His human name; Christ is His official title; and Immanuel describes who He is—“God with us.” Jesus Christ is God!”[3]
Pray: God help us to understand that all Scripture finds its ultimate end in You.
Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week's memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.
[1] New City Catechism, Question 18.
[2] The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible, 968.
[3] The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1, 14.
Song of the Week: The First Noel
The first Noel, the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay, they were keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
The shepherds looked up and they saw a bright star
Shining there in the east, beyond them far
And to the darkened Earth it gave a great light
And so it continued through day and through night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
Scripture Memory for the week:
“But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
Suggested Catechism Question:
Will God allow our disobedience
and idolatry to go unpunished?
No, God is righteously angry with our sins and will punish them both in this life, and in the life to come.[1]
Devotional 1 – Immanuel Promised
Read: Isaiah 9:6-7
For Adults: What government do these verses talk about?
Older Children: What do the titles mean?
Younger Children: Who is this talking about?
Family Application: “Four titles reflect His deity and gracious work as Mediator. Wonderful, Counsellor. Extraordinary revealer of divine wisdom, of whom Solomon was a shadow. The mighty God. God, the powerful defender; a phrase used only of the Lord God everlasting Father. “The Father of eternity,” not referring to the Son’s relationship to the Father in the Trinity but to the Son’s benevolent authority and eternal care of His people. The Prince of Peace. Not a king-in-waiting but the chief ruler and administrator of peace; His work of reconciling sinners into harmony with God and each other.[2]
Pray: Jesus thank you for all that you have done and are yet to do. Let us see you clearer today than ever before!
Meditate: Write this week's memory verses on a whiteboard in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.
Devotional 2 – Joseph Directed
Read: Matthew 1:18-21
For Adults: What is the role of the Holy Spirit here? Why is that important?
Older Children: Why didn’t Joseph want to marry Mary?
Younger Children: What does the name Jesus mean?
Family Application: The reality of Christmas hinges upon the immaculate conception. Discuss what it would mean if Jesus was born of Joseph. Ultimately, the only way was through the miraculous conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. The only way that Jesus could be the Better Adam was to not be born as any other baby; He is born as the Eternal One who took on flesh. The exactness of this work is not known, which is why it is called a miracle.
Pray: God help us see Your work and the Trinity clearer.
Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week's memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from Day 1 that may have been lost.
Devotional 3 – Joseph Obeys
Read: Matthew 1:22-25
For Adults: Do you think Joseph struggled to obey the Lord with this big commandment?
Older Children: Why is it important that Jesus and His birth fulfill Scripture?
Younger Children: What does Immanuel mean? How is that different from Jesus?
Family Application: “The name Jesus means “Saviour” and comes from the Hebrew name, Joshua (“Jehovah is salvation”). There were many Jewish boys with the name Joshua (or, in the Greek, Jesus); but Mary’s Boy was called “Jesus the Christ.” The word Christ means “anointed”; it is the Greek equivalent of Messiah. He is “Jesus the Messiah.” Jesus is His human name; Christ is His official title; and Immanuel describes who He is—“God with us.” Jesus Christ is God!”[3]
Pray: God help us to understand that all Scripture finds its ultimate end in You.
Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week's memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.
[1] New City Catechism, Question 18.
[2] The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible, 968.
[3] The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1, 14.