Read the Bible texts using different translations or age-appropriate children’s Bibles, act it out, use puppets or visual aids.

• Isaiah 40:1-11
• Psalm 85:1-13
• 2 Peter 3:8-14
• Mark 1:1-8

Memorize

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” Isaiah 40:1

Listen to and sing the songs that will be a part of this week's worship service.

• “Hark a Thrilling Voice Is Sounding” (Lutheran Svc. Book 345)
• “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People” (LSB 347)
• “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” (LSB 344)

1. Close to Your Heart-Gather lambs (or other beloved stuffies) in your arms and carry them close to your heart. Read Isaiah 40:11 and talk about how God carries us.
2. Math?-Read 2 Peter 3:8. Do some math to calculate how many days are in 1,000 years. (1,000x365) Talk about what is means that with God 1 day=1,000 years and 1,000 years=1 day…that math seems off!
3. Make Paths Straight- Build some mountains and valleys with pillows, blocks, chairs, or other items in a pathway. Read Isaiah 40:4 and Mark 1:3. When kings were arriving to town, the roads would be made level and straight for them so that the path wouldn’t be bumpy. Now level your pathway. John the Baptist’s job was to prepare the way for Jesus, not by making a literal pathway smooth, but by pointing out the rough places of sin in people’s hearts and smoothing them by showing their need for repentance and a Savior. How has God prepared your heart for Him?

Recitation: The Ninth Commandment & Meaning [Luther’s Small Catechism, Blue p. 87, Maroon p. 89, Black-p. 115]

Q & A: Assign one person to be the catechizer to ask questions and allow others to answer. (Guide them/provide unknown answers.)

• Luther’s Small Catechism, 2008 Questions 63-65 (Blue p. 87-88, Maroon p. 89-90)
• Luther’s Small Catechism, 2017 Questions 88-89 (p. 116)

 Need a catechism? Let us know!

1. Share highs and lows of the day.
2. How have you seen God at work lately?
3. What does the Scripture reading teach about God?
4. What does it teach about people?
5. What is the key theme of the Scripture reading?
6. What do you learn about the key theme? How can you apply it to your daily walk with the Lord? (Yourself, your relationship with God or your relationships with others?)
7. Any cautions to heed? Any promises to anticipate?

• Adoration (Wow, God!): Proclaim at least three things that amaze you about God today.
• Confession (Sorry, God!): Confess, repent, and ask for forgiveness.
• Thanksgiving (Thanks, God!): Thank God for blessings, lessons, gifts, etc.
• Supplication (Please, God!): Ask God to intervene where you know of needs.