MONTHLY ARCHIVES: April 2019

Conversation Starters: Our Peace

Posted by Karah

CONNECTION POINT: Because of Jesus’ death and sacrifice we can have peace with God.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Who doesn’t long for peace? We’d love an absence of conflict in our lives, a time with no squabbling or obstacles. Even when we have those moments of “peace and quiet,” they are often short-lived. But God offers us a far greater and lasting peace, even while facing conflict with others or battling our circumstances. In Gideon’s encounter with God, he discovered he could trust God to give the Israelites peace because of who God is.

Concept: Our Peace

Preschool

Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19

LIFE POINT: Jesus and His disciples were walking to Jerusalem. Jesus told two disciples, “Go to the next town, and there you will find a young donkey. Bring it to me.” The disciples obeyed Jesus. They found the donkey like Jesus said they would. They brought the donkey to Jesus. The disciples spread their coats on the donkey. Jesus sat on the donkey’s back and rode into Jerusalem. Along the way, many people were waiting to see Jesus. When they saw Him coming, some people spread their coats on the road. Other people laid down palm branches. As Jesus passed by, the people shouted, “Hosanna.” The people shouted happy words to God. They were happy to see Jesus. They knew He was special and had done many miracles. They wanted to show their love for Him!

LIVE IT OUT: Review the Bible story with your child about the way people welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. Give your child a simple instrument, such as two craft sticks or a coffee can drum. Lead a praise parade as you play the instruments to worship music.

Kids

Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19

LIFE POINT: Jesus sent two disciples into a town to find a donkey. The disciples found the donkey and started untying it. “Why are you untying the donkey?” the owners asked. The disciples said, “The Lord needs it.” The disciples took the donkey to Jesus. They put their robes on the donkey. They helped Jesus get on the donkey. Jesus rode into town. The people were excited to see Jesus. People put their robes and branches on the road in front of Him. The crowd shouted joyfully in loud voices, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! ” Some temple leaders said, “Stop these people. They should not praise you!” Jesus answered, “If the people stop, the stones will cry out!”

LIVE IT OUT: Review today’s Bible story with your child. If you or your child have ever seen a celebrity in a parade, talk about how that felt. Compare with how your child thinks the people felt when seeing Jesus ride into Jerusalem.

Students

Judges 6:11-24

THE POINT: God’s peace helps us rise above our circumstances.
• Where do you go when you need some peace and quiet?
• What causes us to sometimes doubt God’s presence in our lives?
• How do we recognize when God is calling us to a task?
• Where do you need peace in your life right now? Discuss the following quote:

“Because of the empty tomb, we have peace. Because of His resurrection, we can have peace during even the most troubling of times because we know He is in control of all that happens in the world.”(1) —Paul Chappell

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your students to take practical steps to take his or her faith and Live It Out in the Personal Study Guide. Here are some ways you can encourage your students to live out their faith with Christ personally, in community, and in their culture:
• CHRIST: By trying to please the sinful world, we separate ourselves from wholeness and peace with God. Discuss with your student ways that he or she is trying to please the world instead of God.
• COMMUNITY: Create a list of people you know who need God’s peace in their lives. Make a plan to serve and help them to experience the peace of Christ.
• CULTURE: Help your student to discover ways he or she can share the gospel with lost friends at school.


(1)“16 Amazing Quotes About Peace,” Christian Quotes [online], [accessed 27 August 2017]. Available from the Internet: https://www.christianquotes.info/top-quotes/16-amazing-quotes-aboutpeace/#axzz4r4oBjR4N.


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Conversation Starters: Our Banner

Posted by Karah

CONNECTION POINT: Through Jesus’ death and sacrifice we are covered by God’s protection.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: “We stand better when we stand together.” “There’s strength in numbers.” We generally agree with those statements, but sometimes life can feel so insurmountable that no amount of help and support makes a difference. Thankfully, God stands over the world, and He stands over every single issue we face. As the Israelites discovered, God is a banner over us, covering us with His protecting presence.

Concept: Our Banner

Preschool

Exodus 17:8-16

LIFE POINT: The disciples knew it was time for a special celebration called Passover. They asked Jesus, “Where do You want us to prepare the supper?” Jesus sent them into the city. He said, “Tell the man you will meet that I want to celebrate at his house.” Jesus’ disciples prepared for the special supper. During the supper, Jesus took some bread. He thanked God for it. Jesus tore the bread into pieces. He gave bread to each disciple. Jesus took a cup and thanked God for it. Jesus shared the cup with each disciple. Jesus told His disciples to remember the things He did and to remember this special supper. Jesus and the disciples sang a song before they left the special supper.

LIVE IT OUT: Use the tune “London Bridge” to sing the following words with your preschooler: Jesus said, “Remember Me, Remember Me, Remember Me.” Jesus said, “Remember Me.” I love Jesus.

Kids

Matthew 26:17-30; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

LIFE POINT: Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Corinth. He told the people in Corinth about Jesus’ last supper with the disciples. The disciples were together for the Passover feast. At this feast, the people ate lamb. They ate flat pieces of bread. This was the last time the disciples would eat together. The disciples had questions about what was to happen. During the feast, Jesus took some bread. He thanked God for the bread. He shared the bread with His disciples. Jesus said, “This is My body which is for you. Remember Me when you eat this.” Then Jesus picked up a cup. He said, “This cup is the new promise in My blood. When you drink this, do it to remember Me.” Jesus and the disciples sang. Later Jesus was arrested.

LIVE IT OUT: Explain to your child how the Lord’s Supper helps us remember that Jesus died for our sins. Ask your child to tell things she remembers from Bible stories about Jesus.

Students

THE POINT: We are always covered by God’s protection.
• What are some things we rely on for protection?
• When have you felt like you were under attack?
• How do you make sure you’re relying on God when the battle is long?
• What does God’s banner of protection look like in your life? Discuss the following quote:

“It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.”(1) —George Washington

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: How does your student see you living by faith and trusting in Jesus? Talk with your student about ways you can each grow in trusting Jesus more.
• COMMUNITY: Reach out to friends and neighbors that are experiencing difficult times and minister to them. Make sure they know God is their protector.
• CULTURE: Consider ways you and your student can share God’s goodness with those that do not know His love.

“Thanksgiving Proclamation, 3 October 1789,” National Archives [online], [accessed 27 August 2017]. Available from the Internet: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0091.


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Conversation Starters: Our Healer

Posted by Karah

CONNECTION POINT: Jesus performed miracles through the power of God.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We are broken people. We may be broken by our circumstances or surroundings, or we may be broken by our sin and failures. Regardless of our best efforts, we remain broken people. But God steps in. He heals our brokenness and restores us when we trust in Him. The Israelites were continually called to trust and obey God. In so doing, they would experience His healing and wholeness.

Concept: God is our healer

Preschool

John 9:1-34

LIFE POINT: Jesus saw a man who had been blind since the day he was born. The blind man begged for money as people walked by. Jesus made mud and put it on the blind man’s eyes. Jesus told the man to go and wash his eyes in the pool of Siloam. The man obeyed Jesus. He went to the pool and washed the mud off his eyes. He could see! Jesus had healed him. People were surprised that the man could see. They asked, “Are you the man who used to sit in the street and beg? What happened?” The man said, “I was blind, and Jesus healed me.” He told the people what Jesus had done.
Some men were angry. They did not believe that Jesus could heal a man who was blind. The man insisted that it was Jesus who had healed him.

LIVE IT OUT: Play doctor and patient with your child. Encourage her to doctor a doll or stuffed animal. Comment that doctors help people get well but Jesus did special things that even doctors cannot do.

Kids

John 9:1-34

THE POINT: Jesus saw a man who had been born blind. He told His disciples, “This man’s blindness will show God’s works.” Jesus spit on the ground and made mud. He spread the mud on the man’s eyes. “Go wash in the pool,” Jesus said. The man washed his eyes. He could see! The man’s neighbors were surprised the man could now see. “Jesus made me well. Now I can see!” the man said. The temple leaders did not believe what happened. They kept asking the man what happened. “We don’t know about this Jesus,” they said. The healed man said, “We know God listens to people who love Him and obey Him. No one has ever heard of a person who was born blind being healed. If Jesus were not from God, He wouldn’t be able to do anything!”

LIVE IT OUT: Does your family know someone suffering with an illness? Remind your child about Jesus’ healing miracles. Help your child understand that Jesus can still heal people today, but He often works through doctors to help sick people. Thank Jesus for His gifts of healing.

Students

Exodus 14:29-31; 15:22-27

THE POINT: God is the only one who can restore us and make us whole.
• When have you admired a renovation project?
• What prevents us from turning to God during impossible situations?
• How does complaining impact our connection with God?
• What are some different ways God heals and restores His people? Discuss the following quote:

“The more desperate thy disease, the greater is the glory of thy physician, who hath perfectly cured thee.”(1) —Abraham Wright

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 and thank God for the healing in your lives. Take time to look up special verses of healing that you can read together.
• COMMUNITY: Create a list of people in your church or neighborhood that are in need of help and healing. Discuss ways you can help them and follow through.
• CULTURE: The world is full of suffering people. Consider ways that your family can use its specific blessings to minister to those in need. Make a plan that you can continue to follow in the weeks and months ahead.

(1)“16 Amazing Quotes About Healing,” Christian Quotes [online], [accessed 27 August 2017]. Available from the Internet: https://www.christianquotes.info/top-quotes/16-amazing-quotes-abouthealing/# axzz4r4oBjR4N.


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