MONTHLY ARCHIVES: October 2015

Conversation Starters: Prayer

Posted by Karah

_MG_6711THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We can try to avoid bad news. We can pretend it’s not there. But that doesn’t change reality. We have to face up to bad news when it happens. That’s what Nehemiah was faced with in today’s Scripture: a mountain of bad news that hit him like a truck. Nehemiah’s example invites us to do as he did: Nehemiah responded by turning to God in prayer. His example can help us do the same. Whatever we’re facing, we should seek God and turn to Him in prayer. God has given us prayer as a way to have constant communication with Him.

Concept: Prayer

Preschool

Matthew 4:23-25; 5:1-2; 6:5-13

LIFE POINT: Jesus traveled, taught in the churches (synagogues, temples), preached about God, and helped people. Large crowds followed Jesus. One day, Jesus went up the mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him. Jesus taught everyone. He said, “When you pray, go to a special place by yourself and talk to God. God will see you and hear you. Remember, God knows what you need before you ask Him.” Jesus said, “Pray like this: ‘God, we love You. Help us do the things You want us to do. Give us the food we need. Help us remember to love those who hurt us just as You love us. Help us to make the right choices. Amen.”

LIVE IT OUT: Pray with your child and begin teaching her to pray. Help her learn, not by using memorized prayers, but by praying in simple words she can understand.

Kids

Matthew 6:5-15

LIFE POINT: Jesus taught His followers many things. One thing He taught them was how to pray. Jesus told them not to pray just so others would see them. He told them not to use lots of words that did not mean anything. Jesus said that God knows what people need even before they ask Him. Jesus told His followers to pray by talking to God their Father in heaven. He taught them to pray that God would be honored. He wanted them to pray for God’s will to be done. Jesus taught people to ask God for what they need. He taught them to ask God to forgive their sins. He taught people to pray that they would not keep sinning. Jesus also told the people that they must forgive others if they want God to forgive them.

LIVE IT OUT: Jesus modeled how we should pray. You can model prayer for your child. Give him many opportunities to pray at home. The more he prays, the more comfortable he will be with praying in public.

Students

Nehemiah 1:3-10

THE POINT: Push forward by leaning into prayer. What do you pray for? Talk about the difference in praying for what we want versus praying for what God wants. Discuss the following quote:

“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.”1 — Brother Lawrence

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 Push Back:
• Talk to your student about how God wants us to come to Him with our fears, worries, and problems.
• Set an example by leading out in prayer, showing your student what it looks like to lean into God through prayer.

If he or she plans to complete Focus, Focus, Focus:
• Your student will study more about fasting in a couple of weeks, but you can begin laying the foundation by helping him or her understand how fasting from something can help us connect with God.

1. Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God as quoted in Joel Balin, The Spirit, Soul & Body of Worship (Norcross: Ampelon Publishing, 2006), 39.


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Conversation Starters: Our Love for Jesus

Posted by Karah

11c14a06-5719-42b6-a54c-e027524f71a9THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: As we go through different stages in life, we change. And as we change, our interests change. Old interests take a backseat, and we find new interests. We find new, exciting things we love to do and lose our love for the former things. It’s all a part of growing and maturing. But what if this happened in our relationship with Jesus? In Revelation 2, we get a glimpse into a church that had been busy doing many things for God but ultimately lost their “first love” for Jesus. It can happen to us too, but there is a solution.

Concept: Our Love for Jesus

Preschool

John 4:1-30

LIFE POINT: Jesus and His disciples traveled through the land of Samaria. Jesus knew the Jewish and Samaritan people did not like each other, but He chose to rest in Samaria. Jesus was tired and thirsty. His helpers went into town to buy food. A Samaritan woman came to get water from the well. Jesus asked her for a drink. The Samaritan woman was surprised that a Jewish man would ask her for a drink. Jesus told the woman about God. The woman was interested in what Jesus said. She said, “I know that God will send someone who will explain everything about God to us.” Jesus told the woman, “I am He.” The helpers were surprised to find Jesus talking with the woman. The woman went into town and told everyone that she had spoken with Jesus. The people came to see Jesus.

LIVE IT OUT: Help your child make a book about Jesus. Fold two sheets of paper together to make a book shape. Provide markers to draw pictures of Jesus. Help him print I Love Jesus on the front of his book.

Kids

John 4:1-30

LIFE POINT: Jesus and His disciples traveled through the land of Samaria. Jesus knew the Jewish and Samaritan people did not like each other, but He chose to rest in Samaria. Jesus was tired and thirsty. His helpers went into town to buy food. A Samaritan woman came to get water from the well. Jesus asked her for a drink. The Samaritan woman was surprised that a Jewish man would ask her for a drink. Jesus told the woman about God. The woman was interested in what Jesus said. She said, “I know that God will send someone who will explain everything about God to us.” Jesus told the woman, “I am He.” The helpers were surprised to find Jesus talking with the woman. The woman went into town and told everyone that she had spoken with Jesus. The people came to see Jesus.

LIVE IT OUT: Ask your child how she can show that she loves Jesus. Take her suggestions and help her plan a few activities that show Jesus’ love through her.

Students

Revelation 2:1-7

THE POINT: Come back to a love for Jesus that fills your life. What are the things in your life that have drawn you away from your love for the Lord? Tell your student about a time when something distracted you from your passion for Christ. Discuss this quote:

“God’s gifts put man’s best dreams to shame. ”1 —Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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 Never Forget:
• Share with your student a memory of something great God did for you. Then ask him or her to do the same.
• Talk about how recalling these memories can help draw you back to God when you wander from Him.

If he or she plans to complete A Helping Hand:
• Spend time praying with your student for a friend who has wandered from God. Talk about how he or she hopes to reach out and help that friend.

1. “ Elizabeth Barrett Browning Quotes,” BrainyQuote [cited 18 November 2015]. Available from the Internet: https://www.brainyquote.com.


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