John the Baptist

As a family read Luke 1:5-25; 57-80. Afterwards, share the following discussion.

What happened?

Zechariah was a priest who served God in the temple. He and his wife Elizabeth loved God and were faithful in serving Him. They had been married for a very long time and were getting older, but they didn’t have any children. In their culture, not having children was looked down on. In fact, people thought Elizabeth must have displeased God in some way.

God’s plan was to give them a son in their old age, but the way they learned about it was very unusual. The angel Gabriel spoke to Zechariah while he was serving in the temple. The angel told him that he and Elizabeth would have a son, and they were to name him John. He would be a miracle! God also let Zechariah and Elizabeth know that He had a very special plan for John – he would help many of God’s people come back to Him even though they had gone away. John would also let people know that the Messiah, Jesus, was coming!

Zechariah found the news very difficult to believe. After all, he and Elizabeth were old enough to be grandparents! Gabriel told Zechariah that because he didn’t believe what he had been told, he wouldn’t be able to speak until John was born; and that’s exactly what happened. Everyone who heard about John’s birth knew that the Lord had something special for John to do.

Why is this important to us today?

God had a plan for John even before he was born. God told John’s parents what that plan was, and they helped him grow up to be all that God wanted him to be. Zechariah and Elizabeth weren’t perfect; Zechariah proved that by doubting what Gabriel told him. But it was still important for John to listen to his parents. Also, it was important for Zechariah and Elizabeth to listen to the Lord and follow what He told them to do. As Zechariah and Elizabeth obeyed God, and John obeyed his parents, God’s plan for John was accomplished.

The same is true today. Parents play a huge role in helping their kids be all that God has designed them to be. Children learn how to honor the Lord as their parents demonstrate a lifestyle of love and service to God. As parents discipline and guide their kids through the ups and downs of everyday life, God’s plan for each child begins to unfold. Like John, God has a unique plan for each person. God uses parents and other godly adults to help kids discover exactly what God wants them to do in life.

Spend a few minutes talking about what you just read by answering these questions together:

1. If you had nothing to hold you back, what would you want to be when you grow up?

2. Why do you think God uses parents to help their kids be all that He wants them to be? How have you seen this to be true in your own family?

How can we better follow God this week?

Kids, God wants you to honor and obey your parents, even when it’s hard, and even though they aren’t perfect. Honoring and obeying them shows that you honor and obey God. Parents, your children will follow what you do far more than simply what you say. Your commitment to honor and obey God sets an example for our kids and provides you with wisdom in your relationship with them.

No family is perfect. Parents mess up from time to time, and kids sometimes disobey. Ask each other’s forgiveness for mistakes that have taken place this week or in the past. Take turns naming things you can do to better honor God in your parent-child relationships. Then, pray together, asking God to help each member of the family love and honor Him.