MONTHLY ARCHIVES: July 2016

Conversation Starters: Distinct in My Influence

Posted by Karah

IMG_4530THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Christians aren’t meant to simply be in the mix of the world, or even to stand out in the mix; they’re meant to influence the world around them. That’s what Christians do, too. We mix with the world, retain our distinction, and we end up influencing every situation we’re in. With God, we can have the courage to stand apart from the world and influence others for Christ.

Concept: Distinct in My Influence

Preschool

Luke 1:1-25, 57-80; 3:1-22; John 1:19-37; Matthew 3:13-17

LIFE POINT: Zechariah and Elizabeth did not have any children. The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that they would have a baby boy. Because Zechariah did not believe Gabriel, Zechariah could not talk until
after the baby was born. The time came, and Elizabeth had a baby boy. Elizabeth said to name him John. The men asked Zechariah. He wrote the name John. After he wrote the name, he could speak again. John grew up to tell people about Jesus. He told the people the right things to do and about the good news of Jesus. John baptized (to lower someone under water and raise up) many people including Jesus. As Jesus prayed after being baptized, a voice from heaven was heard saying that Jesus was God’s Son.

LIVE IT OUT: Memorize this verse today, “I love You, God. Psalm 18:1” Help your child learn the verse by repeating it several times. Remind your child that people should love God.

Kids

Luke 1:1-25, 57-80; 3:1-22; John 1:19-37; Matthew 3:13-17

LIFE POINT: Priest Zechariah was quite old when an angel told God’s promise to give Zechariah and Elizabeth a special son. This son would prepare people for Jesus coming as the Messiah. A son was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth. His name was John. When John grew up, he lived in the wilderness. He preached to crowds of people, urging them to change by repenting. John baptized many people who heard him preach. People thought John was the Messiah, but he told them he was not. Later, Jesus came to John to be baptized. At first John didn’t want to baptize Jesus. Jesus explained, “Do it this way because this is what is right.” When John heard that, he baptized Jesus. As Jesus came out of the water, a dove came down and settled on Jesus. A voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My Son that I love. I am delighted with Him!”

LIVE IT OUT: Every day your child can do things that honor God. Assist your child in making a list of
actions that honor God. Find a time each day to review and compare her actions to the list she made.

Students

Matthew 5:13-20

THE POINT: Make your influence count for what matters. What flavoring could you not live
without? Salt improves taste and preserves food. How do Christ followers improve and preserve the world? Discuss the following quote:

“The world needs to see Christians burning, not with self-righteous fury at the sliding morals in our country, but with passion for God.”1—Kevin DeYoung

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 Whatcha Thinkin’?:
• Ask your student to make a list of positive influencers in the world. Point out the ways in which
the positive influencers live. Encourage your student to live in such a way that he or she has a positive influence for Christ.

If he or she plans to do Sooner or Later:
• Discuss the importance of living in such a way that others can see Christ through your life.
• Pray for your student to have this type of influence.

1. “Quotes about Gospel,” Goodreads [online], [accessed 11 June 2015]. Available from the Internet:
www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/gospel


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Conversation Starters: Distinct in My Character

Posted by Karah

3a3964a2-27a6-4cb5-b069-6554ff3b8838THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Advertisers are always trying to sell us “happiness.” It makes sense—who doesn’t want to be happy? So we chase after this elusive happiness. But what if being “happy” isn’t the ultimate goal? Jesus told His followers what life in His kingdom would be like. Would we be “happy” in Jesus’ kingdom? Not exactly. We would be something better—“blessed.”

Concept: Distinct in My Character

Preschool

Luke 2:40-52

LIFE POINT: When Jesus was 12 years old, He went to the temple in Jerusalem with His parents. They traveled with friends and family. When it was time to leave, everyone started home together. After a day of travel, Mary and Joseph could not find Jesus. Mary and Joseph hurried back to Jerusalem to look for Jesus. After three days, they found Jesus in the temple. He was listening to the teachers and asking them questions. The teachers were surprised by how much Jesus knew about God. Mary said to Jesus, “Why are You here? Your father and I have been worried about You. We have looked for You everywhere.”
Jesus answered, “Why were you looking for Me? Didn’t you know I would be in the temple talking about God?” Jesus went home with His parents and did what they told Him to do. Jesus grew older and stronger.

LIVE IT OUT: Help your child make a book of things he likes to do at church. Fold two sheets of paper
together and guide him to draw pictures of things he likes to do. Remind your child that he learns
about God at church.

Kids

Luke 2:40-52

LIFE POINT: When Jesus was 12 years old, He went to Jerusalem with His family for Passover. They worshiped for a week. Jesus’ family and friends started for home. They traveled for a whole day without realizing Jesus was not with them. Mary and Joseph tried to find Jesus, but no one knew where He was.
Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem. They searched and on the third day they found Him! Jesus was sitting in the temple, listening to and questioning the priests and their helpers. Mary asked, “Why have You done this to us? We have searched everywhere for You.” Jesus answered His mother kindly. “Why were you looking for Me? Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father’s house?” Jesus went home with His family. He obeyed His parents. Jesus grew to be wiser, taller, and pleasing to God and to people.

LIVE IT OUT: Just as Jesus learned at the temple, your child can learn at church. Talk with your child
about Bible stories he hears, Bible verses he is learning, and songs he is singing. Help him discover
what these things are teaching him about God.

Students

Matthew 5:1-12

THE POINT: Choose actions and attitudes that are blessed by God. What was the happiest time in
your life? What do you think it means to be blessed? Discuss the following quote:

“I’m not perfect. I’m never going to be. And that’s the great thing about living the Christian life and trying to live by faith, is you’re trying to get better every day. You’re trying to improve.”1 —Tim Tebow

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 The Heart of the Matter:
• Pray together that your family would not hold tightly to the things of this world, but would instead focus on Christ.

If he or she plans to do Don’t Wait!
• Share with your student a time when asking for forgiveness brought reconciliation to a relationship
in your life. Encourage him or her to also ask for forgiveness to those they’ve wronged.

1. “Tim Tebow Quotes,” BrainyQuote [online], [accessed 11 June 2015]. Available from the Internet:
www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/timtebow550712.html


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