MONTHLY ARCHIVES: March 2016

Conversation Starters: Pray Fervently

Posted by Karah

IMG_3581THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: It’s common for all of us—even non-Christians—to pray and ask God for help when a problem arises. That’s OK, because God invites us to pray and talk with Him. But we should ask ourselves: am I seeking God or am I just seeking an answer from Him? Daniel and his friends needed God’s help. They prayed, God answered, and Daniel kept the focus on God—not just on the answer He gave. God had a plan for Daniel, and He has a plan for us. He is trustworthy, and we can count on Him to lead us.

Concept: Pray Fervently

Preschool

1 Kings 17:1-16

LIFE POINT: Elijah told King Ahab that God said there would be no rain until God sent
it. God told Elijah to go and hide near the small stream. God sent Elijah food. God told Elijah to go to the town of Zarephath. God said to find a widow lady who would help. Elijah found the woman and asked for water and bread. Elijah told the woman to make him a loaf first and then a loaf for her son and her. Elijah said that God would give
flour and oil until it rained again. The woman did what Elijah told her to do. She and her
son had enough food to eat each day. She did not run out of flour or oil, just as God promised.

LIVE IT OUT: Assist your child in making a book. Fold two sheets of paper together to make a book shape. Provide markers and stickers. Draw pictures with your child of things God gives us.

Kids

Daniel 2

LIFE POINT: The king was worried. He had a bad dream. He asked his wise men to
tell him what the dream meant. He even asked them to tell what he had dreamed!
The wise men could not tell the king what he dreamed. Daniel asked his friends to pray with him. They prayed that Daniel would know the dream. That very night God told Daniel the dream and helped him understand what the dream meant. Daniel said, “O King, God has shown me your dream.” Daniel told what the dream was and what it meant. The king praised Daniel’s God!

LIVE IT OUT: Help your child understand that God communicates with people through their prayers. Work with your child to compose a special prayer to God.

Students

Daniel 2:13-21,26-28A

THE POINT: Our prayers connect us with God’s plan. When have you encountered the
power of prayer? How can we more fully incorporate prayer into your life? Discuss the following quote:

“I realized that the deepest spiritual lessons are not learned by His letting us have our way… but by His making us wait …until we are able to honestly pray what He taught His disciples to pray: Thy will be done.”1 —Elisabeth Elliot

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student 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 Prayer Partner:
• Be intentional about asking your student what he or she needs prayer for.
• Offer to join in on your student’s prayer time. Designate a time each week for you and your student to commune with God and lift up others in prayer.

If he or she plans to complete The Lord’s Prayer:
• Model the importance of prayer to your student by making prayer a priority in your life.

1. Elisabeth Elliot, “Elisabeth Elliot > Quotes,” Goodreads [online], [accessed 16 March 2015]. Available from the Internet: www.goodreads.com/quotes/360361-i-realized-that-the-deepest-spiritual-lessons-are-not-learned


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Conversation Starters: Higher Standard

Posted by Karah

IMG_1471THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We have all assimilated to some degree to the culture we live in. Our understanding, customs, and traditions all grow out of our culture. That’s not necessarily bad, but it becomes an issue when those customs and practices conflict with the biblical standards to which God calls us. The Book of Daniel shows us a man who had convictions and lived out those convictions in a culture that called for a different standard. Likewise, Christ calls us to live to a different standard in our daily lives.

Concept: Higher Standard

Preschool

Daniel 1:1-20

LIFE POINT: Daniel, his three friends, and other men lived in the palace with King Nebuchadnezzar. The men were learning to be the king’s helpers. The king wanted all of the men to eat the same kind of food that he ate. Daniel knew the
kinds of food God wanted him to eat. Daniel wanted to obey God and eat the right kinds of food instead of the king’s food. Daniel asked the king’s helper if he and his friends could eat only vegetables and drink only water. After 10 days, Daniel and his friends were healthier than the other men. The king was pleased that they were so healthy. Daniel and his friends became the king’s best helpers. God helped Daniel and his friends learn many things.

LIVE IT OUT: Obedience is hard for some children to learn. Remember that your child is a work in progress. Pray for guidance as you teach your child. By learning to obey parents, children learn to obey God.

Kids

Daniel 1:1-20

LIFE POINT: Daniel and his three friends were taken from their homes to a strange
land. They were given new names and a new language. The king’s servant brought food from the king for Daniel and his friends. Daniel knew the food had not been prepared as God had commanded His people to prepare food. Daniel challenged the king’s helper to a test. Daniel and his friends would drink only water for 10 days. They would eat only vegetables for 10 days. Then the helper could decide if they
looked healthy. After 10 days, Daniel and his friends looked better than all
the others! The helper kept bringing them the food they asked for.

LIVE IT OUT: Talk to your child about ways to honor God. Emphasize that one way to honor God is to obey Him. Pray with your child that she will honor God in many ways.

Students

Daniel 1:3-5, 8-13, 17-19

THE POINT: Live your life with uncompromising conviction. When have you felt like you were going against the flow? How might others benefit when you stand your ground?
Discuss the following quote:

“Having convictions can be defined as being so thoroughly convinced that Christ and His Word are both objectively true … that you act on your
beliefs regardless of the consequences.”1 —Josh McDowell

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 Character of Christ:
• Encourage your student to memorize Romans 12:2 as a reminder to pursue Christ, not the things of this world.

If he or she plans to complete Stand on Truth:
• Point out that Scripture can be especially helpful in reminding us of God’s love and faithfulness when we are going through trials. Consider sharing a personal story
that demonstrates this truth.

1. Josh McDowell, “Quotes About Conviction,” Christian Quotes [onine], [accessed 16 March 2015]. Available from the Internet: www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by topic/quotes-aboutconviction/# ixzz3QayxxEIo


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Conversation Starters: God’s Promise of a New Home

Posted by Karah

_MG_0844THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: None of us have an idyllic life. We’re pulled down by failures,
disappointing relationships, and problems in a world full of sin and insecurity. Thankfully, this world is not all there is. The closing chapters of the Book of Revelation show us that God provides a permanent home where He will dwell with those in His family. It is a home with no health issues, insecurities, or sin. In Christ, we are promised the perfect home with Him.

Concept: God’s Promise of a New Home

Preschool

2 Samuel 5-8

LIFE POINT: David became king over all of Israel. David took over Jerusalem and lived there. When some people (Philistines) heard David was king of Israel, they decided to fight against him. David asked God if he should fight them. God told him “Yes.” God led the Israelites to win the fight. David led the people to worship God. David and all of the
Israelite people were happy when the box with God’s rules (ark of the covenant) was carried into Jerusalem. The people played musical instruments while David danced. David gave things to God in love and thankfulness and said good words about the people to God.

LIVE IT OUT: Tape a photo of your child onto a piece of construction paper. Let her decorate around the picture using markers. Print I am special to God at the top of the page. Display the picture where your child can see it.

Kids

2 Samuel 5-8

LIFE POINT: After Saul died, the leaders came to David. “God said that you should be our king,” they said. They crowned David as their king. David led the army in many battles. He was brave and smart. He trusted God to help him. He took care of his people. David led his people to bring the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem. David helped the people worship God. He praised God. He gave offerings. He gathered things for the building of a place to worship God.

LIVE IT OUT: Did you know that God has a plan for your child’s life? Help your child know that God’s plan is for everyone to know Jesus and accept God’s forgiveness. Help your child think about other plans God may have for his life.

Students

Revelation 21:1-8

THE POINT: A life in Christ means a life with Christ forever. What tough experiences have you had that make you look forward to heaven? How can the truths we read
about heaven influence our lives now? Discuss the following quote:

“My home is in Heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.”1 —Billy Graham

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 Eternal Perspective:
• Share a prayer of thankfulness with your student.

If he or she plans to complete Eternity-Focused:
• Adopt an eternity-focused perspective in your family by serving together.

1. Billy Graham, “Billy Graham > Quotes,” Goodreads [online], [accessed 16 March 2015]. Available from the Internet: www.goodreads.com/quotes/370772-my-home-is-in-heaven-i-m-just-traveling-through-this


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