MONTHLY ARCHIVES: October 2019

Conversation Starters: Battle Plan

Posted by Karah

CONNECTION POINT: Trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior is God’s plan for people.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Everybody encounters temptation, but what may be a strong temptation for one person may not tempt another person. Satan knows us well enough to know what he can use in his attempts to get us to sin. We might assume that, because a certain temptation feels unique to us, no one knows what we’re going through. However, Jesus knows. He faced the same types of temptation we face. We can stand against temptation in the same way He did.

Concept: Battle Plan

Preschool

1 Samuel 16

LIFE POINT: Jesse had eight sons. His youngest son, David, was a shepherd. David helped his father by taking care of the sheep. Sometimes, while watching the sheep, David would play music on his harp. Saul was the king of the country where Jesse and his sons lived. King Saul was not happy. His helpers said, “Let’s look for someone to play the harp. The music will help you feel better.” King Saul thought this was a good idea. One servant told King Saul about the shepherd who played the harp. King Saul sent his helpers to Jesse. The king’s helpers said to Jesse, “King Saul needs your son David. David can help the king.” Jesse packed bread and other food on a donkey for David to take to the king. David began to help King Saul. When the king felt upset, David played his harp. The music helped King Saul feel better.

LIVE IT OUT: Tell your child that God made him special and he can help others. Help him think of a neighbor or friend who needs help. Decide on a way to help that person; then follow through.

Kids

1 Samuel 16

LIFE POINT: God spoke to Samuel. “Get the oil. I have chosen a king from Jesse’s sons. I am sending you to Bethlehem. ” Samuel went to Jesse in Bethlehem. He saw Jesse’s oldest son. “This must be the one God has chosen,” Samuel said. “No,” God said. “Do not think about how he looks. You cannot see what I see. I can see what he thinks and feels.” After Samuel had seen seven sons, he still had not found the new king. Jesse sent for David, youngest, a shepherd. Samuel poured oil on his head. From that day on, God’s spirit was with David. Soon after, David came to play the harp for King Saul when he did not feel well. The music made the king feel better. The king liked David. Saul kept David stay with him to play the harp.

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your child by telling her that God has a plan for each person’s life. God’s plan for every person is to trust Jesus as Savior.

Students

THE POINT: We can follow Jesus’ example in defeating spiritual attacks.
• Where do you turn when you need a foolproof plan?
• What have you found helpful in preparing to face physical temptations?
• Why is it dangerous to test God?
• What can we learn from Jesus’ example about overcoming temptation Discuss the following quote:

“Many deceptions only appeal to us because there is something inside us that ‘wants’ to believe them. They are seductive because of darkness and wrong motives in our own lives. We must search our hearts and root these out.”(1) —Andrew Strom

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 over any difficult trials he or she is facing. Pray for the strength to live in obedience to God.
• COMMUNITY: Jesus faced the cross alone, but we have the church and other Christ-followers as support during trials. Discuss with your student any friends that he or she has that may be in need of support and encouragement.
• CULTURE: The desire to have things now often clashes with God’s standards. How can you and your family live this week in a way that demonstrates that your satisfaction comes not through worldly things, but through God’s plan for your life?

(1)“28 Quotes About Deception,” Christian Quotes, [accessed 22 February 2017]. Available from the Internet: https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-deception/#axzz4ZRhmyfA5.


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Conversation Starters: Jesus Cares

Posted by Karah

CONNECTION POINT: The worship of God brings healing to the wounded.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: When we experience pain or hurt, we turn to doctors and pharmacists. After all, they have remedies for much of what ails us. But we all experience pain and hurt—physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual—that are beyond the scope of science. We need Jesus. In all things, we are to come to Jesus, because He brings healing we can’t imagine. We can trust Jesus to take care of us.

Conversation Starters: Jesus Cares

Preschool

Matthew 2:1-12

LIFE POINT: Wise men watched the stars. They saw a new star shining brightly. This new star meant that God’s Son had been born. They wanted to see the special child and give Him gifts. The wise men followed the star to Jerusalem. They asked about the special baby. King Herod was not happy to hear about Jesus. The prophets wrote a long time ago that a special baby would be born in Bethlehem. King Herod told the wise men to go to Bethlehem. He told them to tell him where they found the baby, because he wanted to see Jesus, too. The wise men followed the star to the house where Jesus and His family lived. They bowed down and thanked God for sending Jesus. The wise men gave Jesus gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men returned home a different way.

LIVE IT OUT: Remind your preschooler that the wise men knew that Jesus was a special child. With your child, talk about what makes Jesus special. Say the Bible Verse: “Thank You, God, for Jesus. Luke 2:38.”

Kids

Matthew 2:1-12

LIFE POINT: After Jesus was born, wise men came to Jerusalem. They asked,
“Where is the new King of the Jews? We saw His star. We want to worship Him.” King Herod called the priests and asked them where the Messiah would be born. The priests reported that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. King Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem. He said, “When you find the child, tell me. I want to worship Him.” The wise men followed the star until it stopped over the house where the child was. They were filled with joy! The wise men went in the house. They saw Mary and Jesus. They dropped to their knees in worship. Then the wise men gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Later, the wise men took a different way back to their country.

LIVE IT OUT: Does your family worship Jesus at home? The wise men worshiped Jesus by bowing down to Him and presenting Him gifts. Discuss with your child what gifts they could give to Jesus.

Students

Mark 5:22-24, 35-43

THE POINT: Jesus brings healing to our lives.
• What are some home remedies you rely on when you’re sick?
• What are some alternatives we typically pursue before turning to Jesus with our needs?
• How can we express trust in God even when problems get worse instead of better?
• What situation in your life is requiring you to trust in God and wait on His timing? Discuss the following quote:

“Health is a good thing; but sickness is far better, if it leads us to God.”(1)
—J. C. Ryle

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 with your student ways that he or she can cultivate a closer relationship with Jesus. How is he or she demonstrating trust in Him?
• COMMUNITY: Meet with a student leader in your church to discover how your student can become more involved and ways he or she can meet the needs of others.
• CULTURE: Following Jesus takes courage and for our students standing against a worldly culture may come with costs. Pray with your student for the strength to stand in the face of criticism and doubts.

(1)“20 Quotes About Illness,” Christian Quotes [online], [accessed 23 May 2017]. Available from the Internet: https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-illness/#axzz4iaLtd8kc.


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