For the Home
Younger Elementary
Session
8
Isaiah’s Message of Renewal
Isaiah 40:1–11, 28–31
In class today . . .
. . . we learned about Isaiah’s
message of renewal. We talked
about how God is like a shepherd, caring for and
holding God’s people close to God’s heart. Through
song, art, and games, we learned how God’s
message of renewal and love is so amazing that it
should be shouted from the highest mountaintops.
Talk with your child about . . .
. . . different ways that you and your family can
share your faith with others. Talk together about
ways you have seen God present and active in your
life. Share personal experiences where God has been
strong where you have been weak. Share with your
child any examples of God’s love for you being like
the love a shepherd has for his sheep.
Go on a Wilderness Walk
If you have a wooded area near
your home, enjoy walking and
talking about the wilderness.
Have each person in the family describe what the
wilderness in Isaiah 40:3 might look like. As you
walk, look for a rock that is large enough to write
Isaiah 40:3 on it. When you return home, look up
the verse in your Bible and write it on the rock
using a permanent marker. Place the rock on your
kitchen counter or in your home office and use it as a
paperweight. As you collect papers and items in the
coming weeks, remember that God is good! God is
a God who restores and renews God’s people. Pray
together as a family giving thanks to God for God’s
love and faithfulness to all people.
Fun with Clay
Read the Scripture passage from today’s lesson.
Create an animated version of the passage out
of clay. Use modeling clay or use the following
recipe to make your own salt clay for the modeling
material. Work on this project together and use the
completed piece as a centerpiece for your family
table. Continue to discuss the importance of today’s
Something to Remember
A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare
the way of the Lord, make straight in the
desert a highway for our God.”
—Isaiah 40:3
Catechism Question
Question 21. What did God do to bring them
back to the covenant?
Although God judged the people when they
sinned, God still loved them and remained
faithful to them. God sent them prophets to
speak God’s word. God gave them priests to
make sacrifices for their sins. God called kings
to protect the needy and guarantee justice. At
last God promised to send the Messiah.
—Belonging to God: A First Catechism
Main Idea
The prophet Isaiah proclaims that God will
renew and restore God’s people.
message. God’s desire to renew and restore God’s
people is awesome! Celebrate that with your child
and give thanks to God for God’s love and grace!
Salt Clay Recipe
1 1/2 –1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup salt
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons cooking oil
Food coloring (optional )
Waxed paper
Extra flour for work surface (optional )
Mix the flour, salt, water, and oil in a bowl until
well blended. Add food coloring if desired. Place
clay on a work surface covered with waxed paper.
You may want to sprinkle a small amount of flour
on the work surface to prevent sticking. Make objects
with the clay and bake them on a cooking sheet at
350°F for 30–60 minutes (time varies depending on
clay’s thickness) or until the pieces have hardened.
Cool completely before handling.
Enjoy, but do not eat!
© 2010 Congregational Ministries Publishing, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation.
Permission to reproduce this page granted to purchasers of this material.
6810CD