MONTHLY ARCHIVES: April 2017

Conversation Starters: Love Gets Involved

Posted by Karah

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Anyone can be nice, and the world applauds random acts of kindness. Random acts of kindness are a good thing, but are they enough? It’s easy to be nice and kind when we feel like it, but the needs of others are not always convenient. Jesus called us to a higher standard: a standard of love that goes the extra mile. He shared a parable to illustrate what loving compassion looks like.

Concept: Love Gets Involved

Preschool

Luke 10:25-37

LIFE POINT: To help people understand the importance of helping others, Jesus told this story:
A man was traveling down a road. Some robbers hurt the man and robbed him. They left the man lying beside the road. Two different men came down the road. When they saw the hurt man, they both crossed the road and kept walking. Then a Samaritan man came along. He wanted to help. The kind man put medicine and bandages on the man. He put the man on his donkey and took him to an inn. The next day the man gave the innkeeper some money to take care of the hurt man. Then Jesus asked, “Which of the three men was kind?” The man listening to the story said, “The one who helped the hurt man.” Jesus said, “Go and help others, too.”

LIVE IT OUT: Clap hands with your child and say the following chant: “H – E – L – P; I can help.” Ask your child to name a way he can help. Continue to clap and chant and encourage your child to name ways he can help.

Kids

Luke 10:25-37

LIFE POINT: An expert in the law asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered by telling a story.
As a man came down the road, robbers attacked him. They robbed him, beat him, and left him almost dead. A priest came by. Then a Levite came. When each saw the hurt man, he crossed to the other side of the road and kept walking. Then a Samaritan man came along. He wanted to help. The Samaritan put medicine and bandages on the man. He put the man on his donkey and took him to an inn. The next day the man gave the innkeeper some money to take care of the hurt man. Then Jesus asked, “Which of the three men was kind?” The man listening to the story said, “The one who helped the hurt man.” Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”

LIVE IT OUT: Guide your child to choose someone and show Jesus’ love to that person. He could provide lunch for a homeless person or invite a new friend to a play date. Encourage him to reach out and form a new relationship.

Students

Luke 10:25-37

THE POINT: Love for God includes a costly love for others. When have you seen a random act of kindness?
• What is the relationship between loving God and loving others?
• What prevents us from taking action to love others rather than just talking about it?
• How do we move from random acts of kindness to an intentional lifestyle of costly love?
Discuss the following quote:

“Our love to God is measured by our everyday fellowship with others and the love it displays.”1 — Andrew Murray

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do the Live It Out Activity for the week. Here is
a suggested way to help your student:

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

1. http://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-fellowship/


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Conversation Starters: Give Generously

Posted by Karah

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: There is great value and virtue in working hard, earning money, and managing it well without waste. But our money is not for ourselves alone. The Bible calls us to be generous. We belong to God and, therefore, all we have belongs to Him. We are to earn, use, and manage our money wisely, but our money is ultimately for His glory. We express our trust in Him and further His kingdom by meeting the needs of others.

Concept: Give Generously

Preschool

Luke 21:1-4

LIFE POINT: One day Jesus and His helpers were at the temple. Jesus was sitting by the boxes where people gave money. He watched as people dropped their money into the boxes. Some rich people put in a lot of money. The coins made a loud sound as they fell into the boxes. Then a poor woman walked up to a box. Jesus watched as she put two tiny pieces of money into the box. These coins hardly made a sound as they fell into the box. Jesus said to His helpers, “This woman gave two small coins. She gave more money than anyone.” Jesus’ helpers probably wondered what Jesus was saying. How could the woman’s two coins be more than all the money given by the rich people? Jesus explained that the rich people had only put in some of their money. The woman had given all the money she had.

LIVE IT OUT: Does your child see you giving an offering at church? Begin to foster a giving attitude in
your child by giving him money each week to give in Sunday School or put in the offering plate in worship. Remind your child that God wants people to give money to help the church.

Kids

Luke 21:1-4

LIFE POINT: As Jesus was teaching in the temple, He watched the rich people there. Many came and dropped money into the temple treasury. They had much money. The coins made a loud noise as
they dropped. Then, a poor widow came. She dropped in two very small coins. The coins made very little noise. Jesus turned to His disciples. He said, “This poor widow has put in more than all of the people.”
The disciples may have been surprised. The rich people had dropped a large amount of money into the offering jar. Jesus said, “The rich people gave from their extra money. This widow put in all she had to live on. She gave everything!”

LIVE IT OUT: Elementary and preteen kids are able to give to church, especially if they have an allowance or part-time job. Explain to your child that giving to help God’s work is one way to obey Him.

Students

Proverbs 11:23-29

THE POINT: Use what you have to invest in the lives of others. What’s the most generous act you’ve witnessed? What moves you to be generous? Why is it vital for Christians to be known as generous?
Discuss the following quote:

“Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours.”1 —C.S. Lewis

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do the Live It Out activity. Here are
some suggested ways to help your student:

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

1. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: HarperCollins, 1952).


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Conversation Starters: Invest Resources Wisely

Posted by Karah

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” The origin of that phrase is at least 400 years old, but the principle is far older. Even the Bible speaks to the wisdom of diversifying our investments. That may not seem like a “spiritual” matter, but the Bible call us to be good stewards, and therefore, it calls us to be wise in all aspects of our life and finances.

Concept: Invest Resources Wisely

Preschool

Acts 18:1-4, 11, 18-19, 24-28

LIFE POINT: Paul went many places teaching people about Jesus. While Paul was in the city of Corinth, he met a man named Aquila and his wife, Priscilla. They loved Jesus and wanted to learn more about Him. Aquila and Priscilla invited Paul to stay at their house. During the day, Aquila and Priscilla worked to make tents. Paul knew how to make tents, too. Paul worked together with Aquila and Priscilla to sew tents while he was staying at their house. Aquila and Priscilla traveled to another city with Paul to help
him tell people about Jesus. Aquila and Priscilla met Apollos. He loved Jesus. Aquila and Priscilla invited Apollos to come to their house where they taught him more about Jesus. Apollos was very glad to learn more about Jesus. Apollos then began traveling to other cities to tell people all he had learned
about Jesus.

LIVE IT OUT: Ask your child’s teacher to share a picture or story of your child working with someone in
her class. Show the picture to your child or share the story with your child at home. Congratulate your
child for working with others to help care for the church.

Kids

Matthew 25:14-30

LIFE POINT: A man was going on a trip. He gave one servant five talents, a second servant two talents, and a third servant one talent. Then the owner left. The first two servants used their talents to make more. The third servant took his one talent and buried it! When the owner came back, he asked for his money. The first two servants showed the money he had. The owner said, “Very good. You have done well with a little. I will put you in charge of more things.” The third servant said, “I was afraid. I took the talent you gave me and buried it. Here it is for you.” The owner was not happy. “You are lazy and wicked. At least you could have put the money in a bank. Give this man’s talent to the servant with ten talents! Take this man away from me.”

LIVE IT OUT: Does your child understand how to use money wisely? If she has an allowance, begin teaching her to save and give in addition to spending her money.

Students

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

THE POINT: When it comes to your resources, plan and use them wisely. What are different ways people respond to the uncertainty of the future? How have you reacted to misfortune in the past? In what areas of life do you feel uncertain about the future? Discuss the following quote:

“The world asks, ‘What does a man own?’ Christ asks, ‘How does he use it?’”1 —Andrew Murray

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to study Ecclesiastes 11 this week. Take time to find a few study materials for your student to use as they read this scripture.


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Conversation Starters: Live Productively

Posted by Karah

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Everyone wants income, but not everyone is willing to work—or work hard—for it. An entitlement mind-set leads some to believe that they should have all the needs and luxuries of life without necessarily working for them. The Book of Proverbs paints a different picture. Work is not a bad thing. Work is not always easy, but it is a noble—and Christ-honoring— thing to work and earn the money we need for daily living.

Concept: Live Productively

Preschool

Matthew 20:1-16

LIFE POINT: Jesus taught people about God through stories. He knew that everyone understood that people work to make money, so He told this story:
There was a man who owned much land and grew grapes on that land. He needed people to work the land. He agreed to pay workers to help him. At the beginning of one day, he agreed to pay a group of
workers a certain amount of money. Later that day, the man brought in more workers to help. He agreed to pay them the same amount of money as the workers who started at the beginning of the day. The workers who started first were not happy. However, the owner reminded them that he had kept his promise and paid each of them what he had said he would.

LIVE IT OUT: Ask your child if she knows the meaning of the word promise. Help her understand that
a promise is something someone says he will do. Guide your child to make a promise to you. Follow up
to make sure she keeps.

Kids

Matthew 20:1-16

LIFE POINT: Jesus told this story to His followers to help them understand what heaven is like:
A man had a vineyard. Early in the morning, he found men to work. “I will pay you one denarius if you work all day for me.” Later in the morning, at noon, at three o’clock, and at five o’clock the owner found more men to work for him. At the end of the day, the men got paid. Everyone received one denarius. The men who started early wanted more than the ones who started later in the day. “Didn’t you get what you agreed on?” the owner asked. “Are you jealous because I was generous to the other men?” Jesus said, “The last will be first and the first will be last.”

LIVE IT OUT: Remind your child that everything she has comes from God. Encourage her to thank
God for the generous gifts God has given her.

Students

Proverbs 6:6-11

THE POINT: Our work reflects our relationship with God. What’s the toughest job you’ve ever done What is the is the most difficult job for you to complete with excellence? How is laziness a spiritual
problem? Discuss the following quote:

“Laziness may look inviting, but only work gives you true satisfaction.”1 —Anne Frank

LIVE IT OUT: Take time to discuss your student’s scripture readings out of Matthew 20:1-16 and Proverbs 6:6-11 from this week.

1. Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl (New York: Doubleday, 1991) 325.


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