MONTHLY ARCHIVES: March 2018

Conversation Starters: He is Risen

Posted by Karah

CONNECTION POINT: Jesus is alive!

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We are bombarded with information—often touted as news—that too often is unsubstantiated. When you begin to research the information, it often turns up that facts are skewed and opinions are presented as fact. Many people view Jesus Christ in the same way. What they hear presented as truth gets written off as opinion or simply what someone wants to believe. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, however, is solidly grounded in fact.

Concept: He is Risen

Preschool

Matthew 26:36-28:10

LIFE POINT: Jesus died on a cross. Then Jesus was buried in a tomb. Three days later, Mary and Mary Magdalene went to the place where Jesus was buried. As they got near the tomb, the ground began to shake. An angel came from heaven and rolled away the stone that was in front of the tomb. “Do not be afraid,” the angel told Mary and Mary Magdalene. “I have good news for you. Jesus is not here. He is alive!” The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples that Jesus is alive. Mary and Mary Magdalene were happy. They ran to tell the disciples what they had learned. Suddenly they saw Jesus. They ran to Him and worshiped Him. Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My disciples to go to Galilee. They will see Me there.” Mary and Mary Magdalene ran to tell the disciples the good news.

LIVE IT OUT: Part of today’s Bible story involved a stone that was rolled away from the tomb. Provide a smooth stone. Give your child paint or permanent markers to decorate her stone. Tell your child she can remember that Jesus is alive when she sees the rock.

Kids

Matthew 26:36-28:10

LIFE POINT: Jesus prayed in the garden. He was very sad. He knew He was about to be killed. Then, Judas came to the garden. He brought men with swords and clubs. Judas kissed Jesus. The men grabbed Jesus and took Him away. Jesus was put on trial before the high priest and the Roman governor, Pilate. Pilate did not want to kill Jesus, but the crowd kept yelling, “Crucify Him!” Pilate sent Jesus to be killed on a cross. The soldiers put Jesus on a cross where he died. A man named Joseph buried Jesus. A stone sealed the grave. The disciples were so very sad. Three days later, women went to the grave. An angel rolled the stone away. The grave was empty! The angel said that Jesus was gone. He was risen! The angel told the women to go tell the disciples the good news.

LIVE IT OUT: Has your child made the decision to follow Jesus? God sent Jesus to provide salvation for the world. There are many resources available to help lead a child to Christ and to help children deepen their relationships with Him.

Students

Luke 24:1-8, 36-40

THE POINT: Jesus is alive and present with those who trust in Him.
• What’s the most surprising thing that’s ever happened to you?
• When did you first understand that Jesus is God’s Son?
• Why is it significant that Jesus knew in advance what would happen to Him?
• What makes the resurrection so important for believers today?
Discuss the following quote:

“The key to our lives as Christians today is how clearly we ‘see’ by faith the resurrected Christ.”¹ —Dave Hunt

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to take practical steps to take his or her faith and Live It Out. Here are some ways you can encourage your students to live out their faith with Christ personally, in community, and in their culture:
• CHRIST: Pray with your student this week for peace in difficult circumstances, strength over temptations, and faith amid doubts.
• COMMUNITY: Spend time with your student reviewing his or her talents and how those talents could better be used to serve the church.
• CULTURE: With your student, consider the ways you can live in light of the resurrection every day.

¹Dave Hunt, “They Knew Him Not,” The Berean Call, 1 January 2001, [accessed 13 September 2016]. Available from the Internet: https://www.thebereancall.org/content/they-knew-him-not.


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Conversation Starters: Life in the Church

Posted by Karah

CONNECTION POINT: The Holy Spirit helps people serve Jesus.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: American culture focuses on the individual. Businesses seek to cater to our individuality and give us what we want. The Christian life, on the other hand, is not about the individual. When a person comes to Christ, that person also comes to Christ’s body: the church. Therefore, to serve Christ, we serve His body. Serving the church and the needs of fellow believers is serving Christ.

Concept: Life in the Church

Preschool

John 21:1-19

LIFE POINT: One night Peter, John, and some of the other disciples were fishing in the Sea of Galilee. They fished all night but had not caught any fish. A man standing on the shore asked the fishermen, “Don’t you have any fish?” The men told Him they did not. The man told the men to put their net over the right side of the boat. After they did what the man said, their net was filled with fish. It was heavy and they could not lift it into the boat. They had caught 153 fish. John realized the man was Jesus. Peter jumped into the water and swam to shore. The other men followed in the boat, pulling the net full of fish. Jesus told them to bring Him some of the fish. Jesus was cooking fish and bread. He invited His friends to eat breakfast with Him. After breakfast, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Peter told Jesus he did love Him. Jesus told Peter to love others and tell them about Jesus.

LIVE IT OUT: Help teach your child that showing love for Jesus means showing love to others. Encourage your child to think of a family friend or neighbor and plan a kindness for that person. You could gift some food or give a card drawn by your child. Be sure to share with the person that Jesus loves him or her.

Kids

Acts 1:4-11

LIFE POINT: Jesus taught His disciples many things after He rose from the dead. He told them to stay in Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “When you have power from the Holy Spirit you must tell others about Me everywhere. You must tell about Me in Jerusalem. You must tell about Me in Judea. You must tell about Me in Samaria. You must tell about Me all over the world!” Jesus stopped talking. While the people watched, Jesus was lifted up into the sky. He disappeared into a cloud. The people stood looking at the sky. Two men dressed in white robes said, “Why are you looking into heaven? This Jesus, whom you saw taken into heaven, will come back in the same way.” Then the disciples went to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit as Jesus had commanded.

LIVE IT OUT: Does your child understand who the Holy Spirit is? If your child is a Christian, the Holy Spirit lives in her. Look at an online Bible (ex. Blue Letter Bible) and search for verses that tell about the Holy Spirit and how He ministers to people.

Students

1 Peter 4:7-11

THE POINT: We love Christ by serving His church.

• What has been your most memorable church experience?
• When have you seen prayer impact someone’s life?
• What are the challenges and benefits of maintaining love for one another over time?
• How can we ensure that our service results in glorifying God rather than ourselves?
Discuss the following quote:

“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork [pitch] are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord…”¹—A. W. Tozer

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to take practical steps to take his or her faith and Live It Out. Here are some ways you can encourage your students to live out their faith with Christ personally, in community, and in their culture:

• CHRIST: Discuss the gifts and talents of your student and determine how he or she can use them for God’s glory.
• COMMUNITY: Combine your own spiritual gifts with those of your student to prayerfully impact your community and the kingdom.
• CULTURE: Combine your prayers with your student’s for three specific people that are lost to the gospel and need His love and grace in their lives.

 

¹. A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God (New York: Ichthus, 2014) 64.


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Conversation Starters: Life in Christ

Posted by Karah

CONNECTION POINT: People live for Christ because He is alive.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: People find different ways to define their lives. Family gives my life meaning; work gives my life purpose; life is whatever I make it to be. The truth is that we only have real meaning and lasting purpose when our lives are grounded in Christ. “All things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:16-17). All of life is wrapped up in Jesus.

Concept: Life in Christ

Preschool

Matthew 19:13-15

LIFE POINT: People followed Jesus wherever He went. They wanted to hear Him teach about God’s love. One day when Jesus was teaching, some parents brought their children to see Jesus. They wanted Him to put His hands on the boys and girls and pray. Jesus’ disciples saw the parents and told them to go away. The disciples thought Jesus was too busy to see the children. This did not please Jesus. He told His helpers to let the children come to Him. Jesus loves children. They are important in God’s plan. He told the people that everyone should love God just like the children love God. Jesus held the children and showed them how much He loved them. The people learned that everyone is important to Jesus. Jesus loves children just as He loves all people.

LIVE IT OUT: Print Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me” onto index cards, one word per card. On the edges of two cards that are consecutive, draw a matching symbol. Help your child put the verse in order, matching the symbols. Say the verse together. Thank Jesus for loving children.

Kids

John 20:19-31

LIFE POINT: On the day Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples met together in a locked room. Suddenly, Jesus was in the room! He greeted His friends. He showed them His hands and His side. The people knew it was really Jesus! They were so happy! Thomas was not with the other disciples when they saw Jesus. The disciples told him they had seen Jesus, Thomas said he would not believe unless he could see Jesus’ hands and touch Jesus’ side Later, the disciples were together again. The doors were locked again,and Thomas was there too. Suddenly, Jesus was in the room again. Jesus spoke to Thomas, “Touch My hands. Touch My side. Believe in Me.” “My Lord and My God!” Thomas answered. Jesus said, “You believed because you saw Me. Blessed are people who believe in Me even if they have not seen Me.”

LIVE IT OUT: Does your child understand that Jesus is alive today? Jesus lives in heaven with God. Jesus left us evidence that He is still alive. Talk about this with your child. Assure him that the Bible gives us plenty of evidence that Jesus is alive

Students

Luke 9:18-26

THE POINT: My identity is found in Christ.
• What word or phrase do people use to describe you?
• What are some words or phrases people use to describe Jesus today?
• What would your reaction have been to hearing Jesus’ instructions as one of His disciples?
• What does it look like on a practical level to daily take up a cross and deny ourselves?
Discuss the following quote:

“The Christian life is the life of the Lord Jesus Christ lived two thousand years ago, lived now by Him in you!” ¹—W. Ian Thomas

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to take practical steps to take his or her faith and Live It Out. Here are some ways you can encourage your students to live out their faith with Christ personally, in community, and in their culture:
• CHRIST: Alongside your student, consider some of the sacrifices Jesus has made for you and the sacrifices He is calling you to make.
• COMMUNITY: Make a commitment with your student this week to die to your self and live for Jesus. Encourage one another as you live out this challenge.
• CULTURE: Chose someone in your community that you and your student can be a witness to and sacrifice for the gospel.

 

¹ W. Ian Thomas, “At His Disposal,”Christ in You Ministries, [accessed 13 September 2016]. Available from the Internet: http://www.christinyou.net/pages/ianthomas.html.


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