Family Worship Guide for June 28, 2026
Prepare for Songs and Psalms
A Song to Learn This Week
Practice this hymn with your children, and talk about what it means.
628 | “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” Elisha A. Hoffman, A. J. Showalter
From The Sing! Hymnal: “Inspired by Deuteronomy 33:27, ‘The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms,’ this hymn has brought comfort to many by taking that picture and applying it to the life of faith. Showalter wrote the chorus in response to two friends, both of whom had been through the pain of losing spouses. The song has become synonymous with the gospel tradition and has been recorded by artists from Mahalia Jackson to Alan Jackson. It allows us to ask questions about all our fears then reply (we recommend in harmony) with this chorus.”
Responsive Reading: Psalm 100
Read the Psalm together. Practice saying it responsively. Try memorizing one or more verses.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Talk About the Songs and Psalms
Choose a verse from a song or psalm. Read it together and discuss these questions using the “Swedish method:”
- What do you notice about these words? What do you like? What is surprising?
- Is there anything you don’t understand? Is there anything you wonder about?
- What do these words tell you about God? What do they tell you about yourself?
- Talk to God together about what you’ve discussed. Praise Him, thank Him, and ask for His help.
Prepare for Children’s Worship
Use this guide to prepare your children for their time learning in the classroom on Sunday morning (and for the Old and New Testament readings).
Unit 12 Memory Verse | Proverbs 3:7 – “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”
Unit 12 Big Picture Q&A | What does God know? | Preschool: God knows everything. | Elementary: God knows everything about the past, present, and future.
Bible Story | “The Queen of Sheba Visited Solomon,” 1 Kings 10. Read this story to your children from the Bible or from a storybook Bible. Prompt your children to describe the characters and events of the passage.
Christ Connection | The queen of Sheba was amazed at the wisdom God had given King Solomon. The people who heard Jesus teach were amazed at His wisdom, authority, and power. Jesus has all wisdom, authority, and power because He is God’s Son who came to live, die, and rise again.
Introduction to the Story
By 1 Kings 10, word had spread to the queen of Sheba about the amazing wisdom of King Solomon. She traveled to his courts with an entourage of great abundance—camels, spices, gold, and precious stones. Solomon’s acclaim, however, served a greater purpose for the queen: blessing the Lord of Israel (1 Kings 10:9).
What did the queen of Sheba discover during her visit? How does the queen’s amazement demonstrate the same amazement that the crowds experienced through the teachings of Jesus?
When the queen of Sheba surveyed the king’s wisdom in conversation, as well as the splendor of life in his palace, it took her breath away. The rumors of his wisdom and prosperity didn’t offer the full picture of what life in his kingdom was really like. She recognized the king’s justice and righteousness. She acknowledged God’s eternal love for His people and how happy Solomon’s men were because of his wisdom. The queen recognized how people who have a wise leader and a loving God are truly blessed.
Jesus is the all-wise and perfect Ruler, surpassing Solomon in all his wisdom. Just as the queen of Sheba was amazed at Solomon, the crowds Jesus spoke to were also amazed at His wisdom and authority. And yet, unlike the queen of Sheba who blessed the God of Israel, many refused to believe in Jesus. Jesus spoke about the wisdom of Solomon, but regarding Himself and His own wisdom said, “… something greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:42). Jesus had come to lead people into true wisdom: faith in Him.
Lead the children in your care to see that Jesus is who He says He is: the mightiest King with the greatest wisdom, authority, and power. Pray they would be amazed by King Jesus and trust in Him. Ask the Lord to show them how to walk by faith in His wisdom.
Try this Scripture song to learn Proverbs 3:7
Watch the Biggest Story video about Solomon
Prepare for Pulpit Ministry
This Week’s Text | Colossians 4:2–6
Some Context for Adults | From the Gospel Coalition Commentary: “The ‘word’ may be best understood as ‘the message,’ as in 1 Corinthians 1:18, ‘the word of the cross.’ Paul further clarifies the content of the message with reference to the ‘mystery of Christ,’ a phrase he has used earlier in the letter. It is on account of proclaiming this message that Paul is imprisoned. Paul clearly understands openings for the proclamation of the gospel to be orchestrated by God and so to be prayed for. … Given that Paul is apparently in captivity, his request that God would ‘open a door’ makes this modern interpreter smile!”
COMA Questions
Context, Observation, Meaning, Application
- Do you know what the Great Commission is? Why should we tell people the Gospel?
- What do you notice about this passage? Are there any words you don’t know?
- What do you think is the message or story of this passage?
- What do you think God wants you to think or do after reading this passage?
Pray | After you have read and discussed the passage, thank God for His Word and ask Him to apply it to your life. Ask for the specific applications you identified in your discussion.
