JOIN THE JOURNEY JR.
Families Abiding in Jesus together
With shorter reading assignments and kid-specific focus areas, Join The Journey Jr. is designed to help parents disciple their kids and engage with Scripture in the best ways for their age.
This month's memory verse
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
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So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.
2 Samuel 5
David Becomes King of All Israel
1Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2In the past,* when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’”
3So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.
4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all. 5He had reigned over Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months, and from Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
God had always been the ruler of his people, Israel, but they didn’t like just having God in charge. They wanted to look like the other nations, so they demanded a king. Saul was chosen by God, but Saul didn’t want to follow God. God then chose another man, David, to take over the throne. David mostly walked in step with God, and he set the example of how God’s king was to rule.
Though David was considered to be a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), God promised David that an even greater King would come from his family and that King would rule forever. This moment in 2 Samuel is the beginning of the line of kings from which Jesus would eventually come.
Jesus is the only perfect King because he is fully God and fully man, ruling with perfect righteousness and fulfilling every promise God made. David served and took care of his people like the shepherd that he was, but Jesus will shepherd the people perfectly (John 10:11-16). David was known as a mighty warrior, but Jesus will be the ultimate conquering King (Revelation 19:11-16). David was king for forty years, but Jesus’ rule will last forever (Luke 1:31-33).
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas, we also look forward to his return and perfect kingdom. Like the people of Israel who excitedly celebrated their new King David, everyone who has accepted God’s free gift of salvation will one day worship around the throne of Jesus, the one who conquered death and sin and will make all things new again (Revelation 21:5).
1. What people in your life do you consider to be great leaders? What makes them great?
2. What are some character traits of Jesus? What makes him the perfect leader?
Draw a picture of a crown to remind you of God’s promise to David that his throne would last forever.
Just like sheep, we need a Good Shepherd to guide us. Pray for the leaders in your life, and thank God for giving us Jesus, our perfect King. Then, play Follow the Leader with your family as a reminder that, although earthly leaders are imperfect, we can always trust Jesus, our perfect King.