Here's a really neat short film about how the coming of the Messiah fits into God's story, from Creation to Abraham to the Prophets to Jesus.
"The Beginning" (2010) is a terrific 8-minute film produced by the same folks who created the Jesus Film. It starts with a high-quality 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. "Prophets promises," including those from Isaiah, are featured.
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 or stream the video. Did I mention its free?
Below is the 8-minute YouTube version of "The Beginning." Be sure to view or download the high-def version from the Jesus Film website.
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
I could easily see this clip being used with John 1:1-18 -- John's "Birth - 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 Isaac 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.
ATTENTION SUPPORTING MEMBERS!
Our Writing Team incorporated this terrific short video in its ISAIAH PROMISED ~ JESUS FULFILLED Video Workshop. After viewing the film and studying Isaiah's scripture in a creative way, students use a fun "super hero" movie script to make their own "movie trailer" announcing the Coming of the Messiah, what he will be like and and what he will do.
