When we open the Bible together, we can learn about Jesus, God's Son, who shows us what God is like.
Print the lesson picture
Use the full-colour picture to teach, or revisit the lesson together with the colour-in page.
Get ready
Have beside you: a Bible open at Hebrews 1, a broad strip of paper to use as a bookmark, and the picture below. You can show the picture on this page or print it. If you cannot show it, use your own open Bible and bookmark as you describe the family reading together.
There is one true God. How can we know what he is like? God has made himself known. Today's reading introduces Jesus as God's Son, through whom God has spoken to us. The bookmark gives your child a simple way to find the words you have read together.
Open the Bible together
Bible background
Read Hebrews 1:1–4 before you begin. God spoke through the prophets, people entrusted with his message. Now he has spoken through his Son, Jesus. Jesus shares God's nature and reveals him perfectly; he is more than another messenger. The passage also tells us that the Son made the world, dealt with sin and reigns. As you teach, show where the words come from: your own ideas and instructions are not automatically God's words.
Let your child see the open Bible. Point to verse 2 and say, “Let's listen to what the Bible tells us about Jesus.” Read the whole of Hebrews 1:2 from your Bible, then return to its opening sentence:
“In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son.”
Explain in your own words:
“God sent his Son, Jesus. Jesus is God, and he shows us truly what God is like. The Bible tells us about him. We can listen and learn.”
Keep the Bible open beside you as you explore the picture.
Look at the picture together
“This family has opened the Bible together. What can you find?”
- Find the open book. Let your child point to it, then to your Bible. “We are reading from the Bible too. It tells us about Jesus.”
- Find Dad's pointing finger. “Where is he looking as he reads?” Trace the connection from his finger to the page. “He is helping the children listen to the words in the Bible.”
- Find the bookmark. “What is the girl putting beside the words?” Show your paper strip. “We can mark our place too, so we can find these words again.”
Mark the place together
Bring the open Bible within reach and point again to Hebrews 1:2. Invite your child to lay the paper bookmark beside the reading. You can hold the book steady or place the bookmark where your child points.
Ask, “Who has God spoken through?” Help with “His Son, Jesus.” Say, “We read that here in the Bible.” A child who is ready can tell you why this book helps us know about Jesus; for a younger child, point to the page and supply the words together.
Explain the good news from the passage: “Jesus also came to save us. Sin is the wrong we do against God. Jesus gave his life to take away sin. He rose from the dead and is alive. We can trust him.” Hebrews 1:3 begins this explanation; Hebrews 9:26–28 and 13:20 tell us more.
Leave the bookmark in place for your next reading. If you use the colour-in page later, invite your child to find the pictured Bible while you recall what it tells us about Jesus.
Pray together
Thank God while your child listens, inviting them to join a word or add their own words if they wish.
“Father, thank you for making yourself known through Jesus, your Son. Thank you that he came to save us. Help us to listen to your word and trust him. Amen.”
Remember during the day
When you next open the Bible, let your child find the bookmark. Recall, “We read here that God has spoken through his Son. Jesus helps us know what God is like.”
Notice the connection: Ask, “Can you show me where we read about Jesus?” A point towards the Bible gives you a place to continue: “Yes, the Bible tells us about him.” For a child ready to explain, ask, “Who shows us what God is like?” Listen for Jesus, God's Son, and help your child connect that answer with what you read.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.