It has been said that the only constant is change, that everything flows and nothing stands still. We look around us and that seems to be true. Seasons change. People age. Civilizations rise and fall. Is there anything truly consistent? Is there any firm Truth we can hold on to in a world that is always shifting? Yes! God Himself tells us that He does not change (Malachi 3:6) and will always do what He says He will do (Numbers 23:19). Time does not affect God. He is still the same holy, amazing, kind God He was when He created the world. No matter how uncertain your life looks, you can trust in God’s constant love and faithfulness (Psalm 100:5). He has always been here and He always will be. God remains the same yesterday, today, and forever!
CONSISTENCY: Doing what pleases God each time, every time, for a long time
MEMORY VERSE: “You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees. Then I will not be ashamed to compare my life with your commands.” PSALM 119:4-6 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line: God is the same yesterday, today and forever!
After the Israelites escaped from Egypt but before they entered the Promised Land, God gave Moses commands for His people to follow. God loved them so much that He gave them these commands because He knew it was the best for them. In Deuteronomy 6:1-7, He said the most important command is that they love Him with all their heart, soul and strength. Hundreds of years later, Jesus was questioned by a teacher of the law and asked what the greatest command was. Mark 12:28-34 show that Jesus, who was God, had not changed what He called truth and reminded the people that the most important thing was to love God with all that they are and do because He loved us first. Both Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8 declare that God is the same always and never ever changes. He is always good, always loving, always all-powerful. No matter how this world changes around us, we can trust God is consistent. He is the same yesterday, today, and Forever!
Family Questions:
- What qualities do you learn about God in the Old Testament? How does Jesus also show these same qualities in the New Testament?
- Why do you think the most important command is to love God with all you are and do? What did God do first to show that He loves you?
- What are some things in your life that are changing or uncertain? How does knowing that God is consistent help you through these times?
- Deuteronomy 6 is only one of many Old Testament passages quoted in the New Testament. What other OT verses can you find in the NT?
Bring It Home: 3 Activities to Remind Kids God Never Changes
1. God’s Constant Character
Our God never changes because He is already perfect. Have your kids brainstorm a list of all the words they can think of that describe God. If you have rocks in your landscaping in your yard, grab enough of them for all the words on your list. Using a black or silver permanent marker, write one character trait of God on each rock and put them back in your yard as a reminder that God never changes. Even when the marker fades, He is consistent. An alternative is to create a rock jar for your house. Purchase some river rocks and a glass jar. Write the words you came up with on the rocks and put them in the jar. At meal time, grab a few rocks out of your jar and thank God for those parts of His character and that He will always stay the same!
2. Change or No Change
We live in an ever-changing world. This week, find time to talk with your kids about how things in their lives change. Have them to find random things around the house and brainstorm how those things have changed in the past and how they might change in the future. Challenge them to try and find something they think doesn’t change. Talk with them about the truth that everything on earth changes but God is consistent!
3. Secret Message Memory Verse
Gather newspapers, lemon/grapefruit juice, small paint brushes or cotton swabs. Have your kids write out the verse with juice on the paper. Allow the paper to dry. Heat it carefully over a light bulb. The verse will reappear! Practice the verse CONSISTENTLY every day this week! Check out this memory verse resource for fun and creative ways to learn the memory verse this month.
Prayer
Thank God for always staying the same and that you can trust He will always be there for you, no matter what. Ask Him to help you hold on to His Truth when your life looks uncertain. Thank Him for being the same yesterday, today and forever.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will look at the consistency of God’s Word and how it guides our actions. We can trust in Him and His Word, just like Daniel did, even when thrown into a den of lions. Everything the Bible says is absolutely true!
Talk Back
What’s your kid’s favorite thing about God? What’s YOUR favorite thing about Him?