Share the Word
Ways to present Isaiah 42:1-9
A version of the story for under 5s
Share the story
As you start to tell the story, roll out a sheet of blue material and a piece of yellow material on top. Add one play figure as you begin. Add extra people as you say ‘everyone’ and shiny stars as you talk about heaven.
Here are special words from one of God’s messengers – Isaiah – that we can read in the Bible.
God said,
‘Here is my servant.
I have chosen him.
He won’t shout or call out.
He won’t give up.
He will do right for everyone.
I am God.
I made heaven and earth.
I chose you to bring light and hope.’
CHILDREN
Read the story and pause at the 
to share these points with the children (see Stop and share below). Then use the activity to explore the passage together. (10 mins)
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Stop and share
The exiles had been forced to leave their home country (Israel) and were prisoners in faraway Babylon.
In the first half of the passage, the servant seems to be a person and many Christians have interpreted this as Jesus; in the second half, God speaks directly to the servant, who now seems to be the nation of Israel.
Justice means what is fair and right.
Idols are other gods, images of other gods, or anything that takes the place of God in people’s lives.
God’s hope in actions W S
- Work with the children to create some actions for the key words that occur in the passage: Spirit, justice, protected, promise, light, sight, freedom, bring out, Lord, new.
- As you read, encourage the children to listen out for the key words and use those actions.
YOUNG PEOPLE
Springing forth W S
You will need: bowl of water and a Jesus figure.
- Tell the group that today we remember Jesus’ baptism.
- Choose one person to read the first and last verses of the Isaiah passage; divide the remaining verses between the group. As the first verse is read, place the Jesus figure in the bowl of water. As the last verse is read, bring it out again.
- Discuss: What hope does Jesus’ baptism bring and how does this connect to the Isaiah reading?