The Promise
TABLE TALK
Conversation starters, prayers, and practices to help you grow in Christ
The Promise
Here’s a short description of our current sermon series.
Long before the manger, God was already telling the story of Jesus. From the earliest pages of the Bible, God promised a Deliverer who would overcome evil and bring blessing to the world. As the story unfolds, that promise becomes clearer through the hope of a coming King whose reign would never end and a suffering Servant who would bring healing through his own sacrifice. In this series, we'll trace these ancient promises and discover how God was preparing the way for the One who would ultimately make all things new.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE - Prayers of Lament
We believe that Jesus’ teaching is more than just knowledge for our minds (though it certainly includes that). It transforms us from within and flows outward into our actions. By practicing the ways of Jesus, we are being shaped into a people who look more and more like Him.
As God’s people waited for their promised Deliverer, they often experienced hardship, suffering, and brokenness. Likewise, as we wait for Christ to come again to complete His work of renewing all things, we grieve the pain, loss, darkness, and death that impacts us and those we love. What can we do with our sorrow and frustration? We may be tempted to respond in despair, apathy, or denial. Alternatively, we may seek to control our emotions, stuffing them down as we “keep calm and carry on.” But the biblical authors invite us to bring our real, raw, and authentic selves to the Lord. In the face of pain, loss, grief, injustice, and suffering, they practiced prayers of lament.
We can find many examples of these prayers in the book of Psalms; in fact, prayers of lament make up over half the book! Each of these prayers is unique, but there are some common elements that are frequently included:
The author directs their complaint to God.
The author describes their suffering.
The author depends on God to come to the aid of His people.
The author dwells on God’s faithfulness and goodness.
(The Gospel Coalition, “The Art of Lament”)
This progression names our very real troubles, emotions, and experiences while simultaneously declaring that they will not have the final word. Our hope in God’s goodness is secure, and He will put an end to all suffering. As Adele Calhoun reminds us, “Tears and prayers of lament…stanch the raw nerve of pain by throwing us into the arms of God” (Adele Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook).
Is this a hard season for you? If so, we hope you will consider beginning or deepening a practice of prayerful lament to the Lord. Depending on your background and experiences, this kind of prayer may feel uncomfortable. In addition, it can be hard to find words to pray when we are hurt or grieving. In such cases, it can be helpful to borrow the words of our brothers and sisters of faith by praying a psalm of lament from Scripture (see the list below). Of course, God also welcomes us to bring our own words, thoughts, and cries to Him. His arms are open wide, and He loves to comfort His children!
Psalms of Lament:
Individual: Psalm 3, 6, 13, 22, 31, 39, 42, 43, 51, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 64, 69, 71, 77, 86, 88, 102, 109, 120, 130, 140, 141, 142, 143
Communal: Psalm 12, 44, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83, 85, 89, 90, 94, 123, 126, 129
ENGAGING WITH THE TEXT
Read the listed passage individually or as a group. Use the questions below to explore the passage together. The conversation starters are typically applicational questions that can be used to further your discussion during mealtimes or other connection points throughout the week.
What stands out to you in this passage? (a word, phrase, image, or idea that caught your attention)
What does this passage reveal about God? (His character, heart, actions, or promises)
What questions does this passage raise for you? (anything confusing, challenging, or unresolved)
What response does this passage invite from us? (a way of seeing, trusting, living, or hoping differently)
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your unwavering faithfulness and love toward us. From the earliest pages of the Bible, you already had a plan to redeem what we had broken, restoring our relationship with you and overcoming the evil we allowed into the world. Through your Word, you showed your people, as you now show us, that you always planned to send a Deliverer, a King who would rule with perfect justice and compassion, establishing a kingdom of peace. We stand in awe of your wisdom as we see each prophesy, promise, and detail come together in the person, life, and work of Jesus, your Son and our Messiah. May we live in the hope of his victory, the healing of his sacrifice, and the promise that he is making all things new.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
November 8th: "The Promise Begins" (Genesis 3:15, 12:1-3, 22:15-18)
SERMON SUMMARY: From the earliest pages of the Bible, God makes a promise that evil will one day be overcome and the brokenness of the world will be made right. That promise begins to take shape through Abraham and his family, as God sets in motion a plan to bless all nations. Long before Jesus is born, the story of redemption is already unfolding.
CONVERSATION STARTERS:
Kids
What’s the largest puzzle you’ve ever put together? What was it like to work on that? Did you look at the picture on the box to help you? How does seeing the finished picture help you figure out where the individual pieces belong?
In Genesis 12, God makes a promise to Abraham that seems like just the beginning of a much bigger story. How do you think Abraham might have felt knowing that God had a plan for his family but couldn't yet see everything that would happen?
When we read stories in the Bible, we're seeing different pieces of one big story about God's plan to rescue and bless the world. How does knowing the big picture help you understand the stories of people like Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus?
Students
What's the largest puzzle you've ever completed? What strategy or plan did you use to put it together?
Imagine trying to put together a puzzle when you could only see a few pieces at a time. How might that compare to Abraham's experience when God called him and made promises about what would come through his family? What might have been difficult about trusting God without knowing how the whole story would unfold?
In Genesis 3:15, God first promises that evil will ultimately be overcome. In Genesis 12 and 22, he begins to reveal that this promise will unfold through Abraham and his family, bringing blessing to all nations. What connections do you see between these promises, and how does seeing them together change the way you understand Abraham's place in the biblical story?
Adults
Think about a long-term project, goal, or undertaking you've been part of. What was it like to see something gradually take shape, especially when the finished result was difficult to imagine at the beginning?
Genesis 3:15 introduces God's promise to overcome evil, while Genesis 12 and 22 begin to reveal how that promise will unfold through Abraham's family. What comes to mind as you meditate on this promise, tracing it across these passages?
God’s promise to Abraham was both deeply personal and part of a much larger plan to bless all nations. How does observing God’s work in Abraham’s life help us consider His work in our own lives and stories?
