MONTHLY ARCHIVES: January 2017

Conversation Starters: Transformed in My Worship

Posted by Karah

img_9639THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Some people say religion is a private matter, and they keep any hint of faith from public view. Some people make a very public display of their religiosity, especially if it benefits them politically or in their business dealings. Some people may derive a sense of good standing or self-righteousness from publicly practicing their religion, but they miss the point of doing the acts—the spiritual disciplines—presented in scripture. Jesus shows us a better way to worship.

Concept: Transformed in My Worship

Preschool

Judges 4-5

LIFE POINT: The Israelite people did not obey God, so God let the Canaanites rule over the Israelites. The Canaanites’ ruler, or leader, was not kind to the Israelites. The Israelite people prayed to God
for help. Deborah was a judge in Israel. She sat under a palm tree and helped people solve their problems. A man named Barak came to Deborah. God had told Deborah that Barak should fight against the Canaanite army. God would help them win. Barak gathered an army of 10,000 men. He asked Deborah to go with him to the battle. Barak led the fight. God helped Barak’s army win the battle. After the battle Deborah and Barak sang a song. They thanked God that they were able to win the battle, even against soldiers who rode in chariots.

LIVE IT OUT: Talk with your child about the word obey and help her understand what it means. Remind
your child when she obeys her parents she is obeying God.

Kids

Judges 4-5

LIFE POINT: Deborah was a judge. God’s people came to her and she listened to them. She made decisions. She helped the people know what to do. One day, Deborah called for Barak. “God wants you to take your army and fight the enemy,” she said. “God will help you win the battle.” Barak was afraid. The enemy had a huge army with 900 chariots! “You must go with me or I won’t go,” said Barak. “I will go,” said Deborah. “God will win this battle for us.” “It is time for battle,” Deborah cried to Barak. “This is the day God has given to you!” God confused the enemy army. He helped the Israelites win the battle!

LIVE IT OUT: How well does your child obey? Help your child list some ways he obeys God. Talk about ways your child could improve. Emphasize that obeying God is one way to worship Him.

Students

Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18

THE POINT: Worship is a daily practice of giving, praying, and fasting. How do the priorities we give our
lives to reflect what we worship? Since God already knows ours needs before we ask, what is the point of
practicing consistent, private prayer? Discuss the following quote:

“Worship is the believer’s response of all that they are – mind, emotions, will, body – to what God is and says and does.” 1 —Oswald Chambers

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 Fast With Focus:
• Help your student determine if God is calling them to give up something for a time, to learn what it means to fast. Continue to help your student develop a plan to seek God’s wisdom through fasting.

If he or she plans to complete the Daily Reading:
• Take time to discuss your student’s scripture readings this week from Matthew 6.

1. Warren W. Wiersbe, Real Worship: Playground, Battleground, or Holy Ground? Second Edition (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2000), 26.


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Conversation Starters: Our Need for Purpose

Posted by Karah

dsc_4821THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: God gives gifts, and He knows exactly what you need. You may not know it at the time, but the gifts He gives—spiritual gifts—are perfect for you. You might wonder at first how you’ll use it, but God has a plan for you and your gift. And He expects you to use it. Our God given gifts serve as a good reminder that we were lovingly created us for a purpose.

Concept: Our Need for Purpose

Preschool

John 21:1-14

LIFE POINT: Peter, John, and some other disciples went fishing on the Sea of Galilee. They fished all night but caught nothing. A man on shore called to them, “Have you caught any fish?” “No,” the helpers answered. “Throw your net on the right side of the boat,” the man said. The fishermen threw their net, but when they tried to pull up the net, it was so full of fish they could not lift it into the boat! John
said, “That man is Jesus!” Peter jumped into the water and swam to shore. The other men brought in the boat and the fish. The men saw a fire, cooking fish and bread. Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you have caught. The net was full of 153 large fish! “Come and eat breakfast,” Jesus said. He gave bread and fish to His friends.

LIVE IT OUT: Put some plastic fish in a tub of water. Give your child an aquarium net to catch the fish. Comment that Jesus helped His friends catch some fish.

Kids

Acts 1:4-11

LIFE POINT: Jesus told the believers to stay in Jerusalem. He wanted them to wait for the Holy Spirit that God had promised to send. The men asked Jesus, “Will You restore Your kingdom now?” Jesus said to the believers, “It is not for you to know the times God has set. You will receive power from the Holy Spirit. Go to all parts of the worlds and tell others about me.” Then Jesus was taken up into heaven while the people watched. A cloud covered Him, but the people kept watching. Suddenly, two men in white clothes stood by the people. They told the people, “Why are you looking into heaven? Jesus has been taken into heaven. But He will come back in the same way you have seen Him leave.” Jesus is coming back!

LIVE IT OUT: Jesus went back to heaven and promised He would return. Talk about how it is important to remember that Jesus will return one day. Remind your child that it is important for Christians to tell others about Jesus so they also will know that Jesus will return one day.

Students

John 15:1-8

THE POINT: Jesus empowers us to live productive lives for God. When was a time that you realized you were too busy? How did you realize it? What steps will you take this week to remain in Jesus? Discuss the following quote:

“The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.”1 —Martin Luther

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 Who vs. What:
• Read Colossians 3:17 with your student and talk about how we can reflect Christ through our work.
• Pray that God would be clearly seen as the motivation and strength for each task your student undertakes this week.

If he or she plans to complete Daily Reading:
• Take time to discuss the daily Scripture readings in John 15.

1. “Martin Luther > Quotes > Quotable Quote,” Goodreads [online], [accessed 16 July 2015]. Available from the Internet: www.goodreads.com/quotes/924405-the-christian-shoemaker-does-his-duty-not-byputting-little.


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Conversation Starters: Our Need for Peace

Posted by Karah

img_3928THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: God gifts His followers in a way that is far different—and far greater— than any giftedness typically celebrated in modern culture. The Holy Spirit works through believers with a diversity of spiritual gifts, and He places us in different ministries to use those gifts. Your gift is not for your personal benefit. God has given us these gifts so that we might build up, strengthen, and encourage the church; reveal Christ; and glorify Him.

Concept: Our Need for Peace

Preschool

Luke 24:13-35

LIFE POINT: Two men walked on the road to a town called Emmaus. The men talked and argued about the events of the past week. As they walked, Jesus joined them, but the men did not recognize Him. Jesus asked the men why they were arguing. The men began to tell Jesus what happened: “Jesus died on a cross. Three days later some women went to the tomb. The tomb was empty. An angel said that He was alive!” Jesus taught the men as they walked. Near Emmaus, the men asked Jesus to stay with them. He did. As they sat at the table, Jesus took bread, thanked God, and shared it with the men. Then the men understood that it was Jesus sitting at their table! The men returned to Jerusalem that night to find Jesus’ disciples. The helpers had seen Jesus. They knew He was alive!

LIVE IT OUT: Help your child say the Life Verse for this week, “God sent Jesus.” (1 John 4:14). Remind your child that Jesus lives in heaven with God. Pray, thanking God for Jesus.

Kids

Luke 24:13-35

LIFE POINT: Two men walked along the road. Another man joined them. “What are you talking about?” the man asked. The men did not recognize Jesus. They were surprised he did not know what had happened. Cleopas said, “We hoped that Jesus was the Messiah. Some of the women went to the tomb today. They didn’t find His body! An angel told them Jesus was alive.” Jesus taught the two men as they walked. The men asked Jesus to stay with them. They sat down to eat. Jesus blessed the bread, tore it into pieces, gave the bread to the men. They knew the man was Jesus! Then Jesus disappeared! The men hurried back to Jerusalem and found the disciples. The disciples said, “It is true! Jesus is risen! Peter has seen Him.” Then the two men told how Jesus had been with them.

LIVE IT OUT: Help your child review the Bible story about the men on the road to Emmaus. Find other examples in the Gospels of Jesus appearing to His disciples. Help think of ways Jesus shows today that He is alive.

Students

Luke 24:13-35; John 14:1-7

THE POINT: We can live in peace because Jesus is the way to the Father. What is the craziest thing you
worry about every week? How do you determine if someone is trustworthy? Discuss the following quote:

We cannot enjoy peace in this world unless we are ready to yield to the will of God in respect of death. Our times are in His hand, at His sovereign disposal. We must accept that as best.”1 —John Owen

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 Trust Exercise:
• Help your student understand that trouble is unavoidable, but we can have peace by trusting Christ
in the middle of a trial.
• Pray out loud with your student about their struggles. Pray that the Lord would be their peace as they walk through trials.

If he or she plans to complete Daily Reading:
• Take time to discuss the Scripture readings listed above.

1.”19 Beautiful Quotes about God’s Peace,” Christian Quotes [online], [accessed 16 July 2015]. Available from the Internet:www.christianquotes.info/top-quotes/19-beautiful-quotes-about-gods-peace/


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