Sharing Today’s Reading with Your Family
Zephaniah 3:14-20.
To fully understand the word pictures in this poem, the hearer must have detailed knowledge of Old Testament history. Most children do not. However, if they are told that when the prophet spoke of Jerusalem and Zion, he also was speaking of all God’s people (even us today), and if they are challenged to listen to the passage as if it were addressed to each of them as one of God’s people (which it is), then they can grasp the prophet’s message that God’s plan has a good ending for them and that God has the power to make this plan a reality.
CHILDREN: Sometimes things don’t go our way. What hasn’t gone your way lately? God says that one day He will make everything work out. How does that make you feel?
YOUTH: What do you do when things don’t go your way? In this scripture, God says he will address our troubles with His love. How can love make things better?
ADULT: This Christmas, you will try to please your family. Do you think you will be successful? Can we satisfy a person that is not already content? Our text offers the atonement of Christ as the final solution. Are you satisfied with your salvation?