Here's a really neat 8-minute film about how the coming of the Messiah fits into God's story of redemption from Creation to Abraham to the Prophets to Jesus.
"The Beginning" (2010) was produced by the same folks who created the Jesus Film. It starts with a high-quality visualization of the Creation Story then moves into the story of Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac as a way of laying the groundwork for the coming sacrifice of the promised Messiah.
The language is kid-friendly. It's free and can either be viewed online in HD, or downloaded as an MP4 video and played on any DVD player or computer. Did I mention its free? Below is the version posted on YouTube. Be sure to view or download the high-def version from the Jesus Film website.
"Prophets promises," including those from Isaiah, are featured in the film. John 1:1-18 is not used but is very much in the prophetic tradition of Isaiah --announcing God's coming into the world and what God will do, and using the metaphors of LIGHT.
The film asks, "who was the Messiah?" "Did his life fulfill what was predicted of him?" "Was Jesus more than a prophet?" John 1 answers those questions.
Lesson Idea:
After viewing the Beginning film once, go back to about the 6-minute mark where Isaiah is talking and the birth of Jesus is just about to be shown. Turn off the sound and play the video as a student reads John 1:1-18 aloud.
Don't read it too fast.
Most of our kids are just beginning to learn Jesus' story is part of God's "Great Story Arc" --a story of redemption stretching from Creation to the Cross. This short film makes that connection. Advent was not an isolated event. It was a promise that began with the creation of light, and fulfilled by the coming of The Light at Advent.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
Isaiah 9:2
John 1:1-18 has been called John's Genesis Story
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
...In him was life, and that life was the light to all people.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Quick Outline
- The opening minutes begin with the Creation story and scenes from Genesis.
- Minutes 2:50 to 5:10 are a great visual summary of the story of Abraham and Issac and an explanation of how their story fits into God's redemptive theme.
- Minutes 5:43 to 7:10 visualize and explain the predictions of various prophets about the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah is featured.
- The 8-minute video ends with a nod to the Jesus film. At 7:44 the narrator says, "An actor portrays Jesus..." In that respect, the clip serves as an introduction to the Jesus, but doesn't have to be used that way, especially if you stop just before that narration at 7:44.
