The Church at Eastern Oaks Family Worship Guide
Song of the Week: O Come All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels!
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv'n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
Scripture Memory for the week:
“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)
Suggested Catechism Question:
What is idolatry?
Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator for our hope and happiness, significance and security.[1]
Devotional 1 – Jerusalem Hears
Read: Matthew 2:1-3
For Adults: Why was Jerusalem troubled as well? What did the Jews want the Messiah to be?
Older Children: Who is King Herod? Who does he eventually kill?
Younger Children: What reaction did King Herod have to the news of Jesus? Does Jesus make you happy or sad?
Family Application: “Jerusalem’s response to the announcement of Christ’s birth shows us the reality of our sinful hearts. The good news does not appear to be good until the Holy Ghost opens our ears and hearts to receive it as good news. Our hostility against God by nature runs deep. Like Herod, we would rage against Christ lest He would reveal our sin. Yet in spite of man’s exceedingly wicked thoughts, God will fulfill all His counsel (Isa. 46:10). How does man’s opposition to Christ appear today?”[2]
Pray: God thank you for being faithful to Your promise to come and save us. Help us to trust in Your faithfulness forever.
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 – Magi Commissioned
Read: Matthew 2:4-8
For Adults: Why doesn’t Herod go himself? Why does Herod send others to go see the Messiah?
Older Children: Who does Herod ask for help to find the location of the Messiah? Why does he ask them?
Younger Children: Who does Herod send to go and find the Messiah?
Family Application: The religious leaders knew where the Messiah was to be born and Herod did too. The most natural and proper response would be for them to go a short distance to Bethlehem and worship the King. What is your response to the birth of the Messiah? Are you content with letting others experience His glory or do you want to as well?
Pray: God give us the desire and ability to worship you.
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 – Messiah Worshipped
Read: Matthew 2:9-12
For Adults: What was the first action of the Magi? Why?
Older Children: Why did they give Jesus gifts?
Younger Children: How many wise men were there?
Family Application: When coming to a King, one always brought gifts, it is no different when the wise men approach the King of Kings. What do their gifts mean? “The gold was presented to the infant King in token of His royalty; the frankincense in token of His divinity, and the myrrh, of His sufferings; or that they were designed to express His divine and human natures; or that the prophetical, priestly, and kingly offices of Christ are to be seen in these gifts.”[3] The wise men probably did not know the meaning of their gifts but they did know they came to worship the King of Kings with their best.
Pray: God help us to give You the best we have.
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 17.
[2] The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible, 1358.
[3] Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2, 7.
Song of the Week: O Come All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels!
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv'n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
Scripture Memory for the week:
“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)
Suggested Catechism Question:
What is idolatry?
Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator for our hope and happiness, significance and security.[1]
Devotional 1 – Jerusalem Hears
Read: Matthew 2:1-3
For Adults: Why was Jerusalem troubled as well? What did the Jews want the Messiah to be?
Older Children: Who is King Herod? Who does he eventually kill?
Younger Children: What reaction did King Herod have to the news of Jesus? Does Jesus make you happy or sad?
Family Application: “Jerusalem’s response to the announcement of Christ’s birth shows us the reality of our sinful hearts. The good news does not appear to be good until the Holy Ghost opens our ears and hearts to receive it as good news. Our hostility against God by nature runs deep. Like Herod, we would rage against Christ lest He would reveal our sin. Yet in spite of man’s exceedingly wicked thoughts, God will fulfill all His counsel (Isa. 46:10). How does man’s opposition to Christ appear today?”[2]
Pray: God thank you for being faithful to Your promise to come and save us. Help us to trust in Your faithfulness forever.
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 – Magi Commissioned
Read: Matthew 2:4-8
For Adults: Why doesn’t Herod go himself? Why does Herod send others to go see the Messiah?
Older Children: Who does Herod ask for help to find the location of the Messiah? Why does he ask them?
Younger Children: Who does Herod send to go and find the Messiah?
Family Application: The religious leaders knew where the Messiah was to be born and Herod did too. The most natural and proper response would be for them to go a short distance to Bethlehem and worship the King. What is your response to the birth of the Messiah? Are you content with letting others experience His glory or do you want to as well?
Pray: God give us the desire and ability to worship you.
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 – Messiah Worshipped
Read: Matthew 2:9-12
For Adults: What was the first action of the Magi? Why?
Older Children: Why did they give Jesus gifts?
Younger Children: How many wise men were there?
Family Application: When coming to a King, one always brought gifts, it is no different when the wise men approach the King of Kings. What do their gifts mean? “The gold was presented to the infant King in token of His royalty; the frankincense in token of His divinity, and the myrrh, of His sufferings; or that they were designed to express His divine and human natures; or that the prophetical, priestly, and kingly offices of Christ are to be seen in these gifts.”[3] The wise men probably did not know the meaning of their gifts but they did know they came to worship the King of Kings with their best.
Pray: God help us to give You the best we have.
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 17.
[2] The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible, 1358.
[3] Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2, 7.