December 1

Day 1 | Shoot from Jesse

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-5

God has a plan for everything. Long before Jesus was born there lived a man named Jesse. Jesse had seven sons; the youngest was named David. When David grew up, he became a great king of Israel. God had a plan for Jesse and for his son David, even before they were born.

Jesus was also part of Jesse and David’s family tree, born many, many years after David. People waited a long time for the birth of the Savior. The season of Advent is a season of waiting for us, too. We wait for Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is hard to be patient, especially when we are waiting for something wonderful like Christmas! But it is important to learn to be patient, and to trust that God has a plan for us, too.

Talk About:
• Why is it important to know God has a plan for us?
• God often calls us to wait as He unfolds His plan for us. Why is waiting so hard?

Prayer: Dear God, we thank You that You have a plan for each of us. Help us to be patient as we wait for Jesus’ birthday, and help us to keep our hearts and thoughts focused on Him.

Additional Scriptures:
Jeremiah 23:5
Romans 15:4-13

Age-Focused Discussion

Preschool
• Who has a plan for you?
• In what book do we read about God’s plans for us?
• an we always trust in God’s plans for us? 

Elementary
• Have a deeper discussion about God’s plan. Why is it important to know God has a plan for us? How should it change the way we live, knowing God has a plan for us?
• Talk a little more about the shoot growing from the stump of Jesse. What does this mean? Why is it important that new life was growing from something that looked dead or hopeless? 

Middle and High School
There will be times when your life will be difficult and might look hopeless. It’s in these moments that we can remember God’s promise of new life. It might take years before you are able to make sense of how God was working in those difficult times, but know that God does have a plan for you. He loves you and desires for you to put your faith and trust in Him in all situations. 

Gospel Conversation
The Shoot from Jesse is an Old Testament prophecy that is fulfilled by Jesus in the New Testament. As a shoot represents new life coming from the stump of a seemingly dead tree, Jesus brings new life to all those who put their faith and trust in Him.