MONTHLY ARCHIVES: August 2015

Conversation Starters: Lead with Confidence

Posted by Karah

IMG_7615THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We all encounter opportunities to move outside our comfort zone. To do something we’ve never done before. Do you hesitate in those moments, or do you take a flying leap? Joshua was called to a difficult challenge: to lead the people across the flooded Jordan River into the land God had promised them. This was a significant test for Joshua because he had just become the leader of God’s people. He was brand new to leadership. Joshua’s response teaches us how to lead well when we’re outside our comfort zone.

Concept: Lead with Confidence

Preschool

Joshua 3:1-4:17

LIFE POINT: Joshua and the people of Israel set up their tents near the Jordan River. The people packed up their tents. God told Joshua to lead the people across the river. God would be with them. The priests went ahead of the people. They carried the ark of the covenant, a special gold-covered box that held the Ten Commandments. When the priests stepped into the river, the water stopped flowing. The priests stood in the middle of the river until all the people crossed on dry ground. Joshua told 12 men to pick up stones from the dry ground and carry them to the other side. The men obeyed. Then the priests crossed. As soon as the priests stepped out of the river, the water began to flow again. Joshua stacked the 12 stones the men brought out of the river so that the people would remember that God took care of them.

LIVE IT OUT: Read the verses in The Message translation of the Bible. Choose a verse for you and your child to memorize together. Give your child stickers to decorate the verse. Comment throughout the week that God wants us to do what He says.

Kids

Joshua 3:1-4:17

LIFE POINT: Joshua and the people of Israel set up their tents near the Jordan River. The people packed up their tents. God told Joshua to lead the people across the river. God would be with them. The priests went ahead of the people. They carried the ark of the covenant, a special gold-covered box that held the Ten Commandments. When the priests stepped into the river, the water stopped flowing. The priests stood in the middle of the river until all the people crossed on dry ground. Joshua told 12 men to pick up stones from the dry ground and carry them to the other side. The men obeyed. Then the priests crossed. As soon as the priests stepped out of the river, the water began to flow again. Joshua stacked the 12 stones the men brought out of the river so that the people would remember that God took care of them.

LIVE IT OUT: What are the qualities of a leader? Help your child research Joshua and what made him a great leader. Help your child to understand that Joshua was a great leader because he listened to God.

Students

Joshua 3:7-17

THE POINT: Lead with an attitude of confidence in God. Do you run toward or away from new opportunities? Explain. Tell your student about a time you ran toward or away from a new opportunity. Discuss this quote:

“Do not strive in your own strength; cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and works in you.”1 —Andrew Murray

LIVE IT OUT: Your student has been encouraged to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete Dive In:
• Share with your student an area where you find it difficult to trust God. Then ask him or her to do the same.
• Pray together about your fears, asking God for strength to step into the water.

If he or she plans to complete Bad Company:
• Talk with your student about the people he or she listens to. Help him or her identify which of those influences are positive and which are negative.

1. Andrew Murray, Living a Prayerful Life (Bloomington: Bethany House, 2002), 33.


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Conversation Starters: Lead Well

Posted by Karah

unnamed (4)Everybody leads in some capacity—everybody. And as leaders, we must always be prepared to lead well. As one who had been called to leadership, Joshua found himself standing on the banks of a body of water with his enemies waiting on the other side. He was full of questions about the role he’d been given and anxious to make the right decisions. We can learn much from Joshua about how to lead well in whatever role we’ve been given.

Concept: Lead Well

Preschool

Joshua 1:1-9

LIFE POINT: Joshua had been Moses’ helper for many years. After Moses, God chose Joshua to lead the Israelites. God said to Joshua, “I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will never leave you.” God told Joshua to get the people ready to cross the Jordan River. The time had come for the Israelites to live in the land God promised them long ago. God told Joshua to always remember the instructions He had told Moses to give to the people. God said, “Obey My instructions and you will do well in all that you do. Be strong and brave, not afraid or sad. Remember that I will be with you wherever you go.”

LIVE IT OUT: Talk to your child about what she wants to be when she grows up. Give her paper and crayons to draw a picture of it. Help her understand that God loves her and has the perfect plan for her life.

Kids

Joshua 1

LIFE POINT: Joshua had been Moses’ helper for many years. After Moses, God chose Joshua to lead the Israelites. After Moses died, God spoke to Joshua. “Get the people ready to cross the Jordan River. Take them to the land I am giving them.” God promised Joshua that no one would be able to stop the people. God promised to be with Joshua the whole way. God gave Joshua instructions. “Be strong. Do not be afraid. Obey Me. Study the instructions I gave to Moses.” God repeated His promise to Joshua. “I will be with you no matter where you go.”

LIVE IT OUT: Help your child make a list of things he would like to do when he is grown. Remind him that God has a definite plan for his life.

Students

Joshua 1:1-9

THE POINT: Leaders surrender to God’s authority and direction. In what ways do you see yourself as a leader? Discuss with your student characteristics of leaders who lead well. Discuss the following quote:

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”1 —John C. Maxwell

LIVE IT OUT: Your student has been encouraged to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete Lead Well:
• Share with your student someone you look up to and how this person has been a positive influence in your life.
• Talk about the people who have been positive influences in your student’s life, and help your student see how he or she can in turn impact the lives of others.

 

1. “ John C. Maxwell Quotes,” ThinkExist [cited 18 November 2015]. Available from the Internet: https://www.thinkexist.com.


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Conversation Starters: Acceptance

Posted by Karah

38fa0f32-8032-484f-af6e-bd3ef1234a11THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Some people feel like they can’t have anything to do with a person who believes differently. At the other end of the spectrum are those who say we must not only accept any differences, but we must agree with those differences. This suggests that it’s not OK to have an opposing view. We need to recapture what it means to love and accept another person, even when you don’t share the same views. The Book of Romans gives us practical direction on how we do this, especially within the body of Christ.

Concept: Acceptance

Preschool

Luke 17:11-19

LIFE POINT: One day Jesus walked into a village. He was met by ten men who were ill. The men did not stand close to Jesus because of their illness. Instead, they called out to Him. “Jesus, Jesus!” the men shouted. “Please help us. Please make us well.” The men had sores all over their bodies. No one could help them. But the men knew Jesus could make them well. “Go show yourselves to the church leaders (priests),” Jesus said. The men hurried away. As they went to the church leaders, they saw that they were made well. One man ran back to Jesus. He said, “Thank You for making me well.” Jesus was happy the man thanked Him for making him well.

LIVE IT OUT: Make the effort to make friends with a family of a different ethnicity than your own. You and your child will enjoy learning that family’s customs. Help your child learn to accept (be kind to, welcome) people who are different, just as Jesus loves everyone.

Kids

Luke 17:11-19

LIFE POINT: While traveling to Jerusalem, Jesus passed between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, 10 men with skin diseases met Him. They stood at a distance and called, “Jesus, have mercy on us!” When Jesus saw them, He told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” While they were walking, they were healed. One of the men, realizing that he had been healed, returned and gave glory to God. He fell at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus said, “Were not 10 cleansed? Where are the rest? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” Jesus told the healed man, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has made you well.”

LIVE IT OUT: Make the effort to become friends with a family of a different ethnicity than your own. Your family will enjoy learning that family’s customs. You can all learn to accept people of all nationalities.

Students

Romans 14:1-4,13-19

THE POINT: Strong relationships are not hindered by differences of opinion. How do you respond when someone disagrees with you? Ask the Lord to help you love others even when you don’t see eye to eye on certain opinions. Discuss the following quote:

“It’s OK to disagree, but it’s not OK to be mean.”1 —Kid President

LIVE IT OUT: Your student has been encouraged to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete Let Love Be Your Guide:
•Encourage your student to ask for your input about the different opinions he or she is surrounded with daily.
•Pray for your student to have discernment and to always show the love of Christ.

If he or she plans to complete Reputations Matter:
•Talk about how to be a peacemaker and love others without compromising convictions.
•Remind your student that his or her actions matter.

1. “Kid President on the 20 Things We Should Say More Often,” Huffington Post, 22 November 2013, [cited 14 September 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.huffingtonpost.com.


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