Conversation Starters: Be Ready to Stand

Posted by Karah

CONNECTION POINT: God works in people’s lives through the influence of the Holy Spirit.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We often seek jobs, positions, and opportunities for our own benefit. We gravitate toward those jobs and responsibilities that we might feel especially skilled for and certainly the ones we’d enjoy. There’s nothing wrong with that, but we need to realize that God has placed us in a specific situation—working a certain job, living in a particular location, or surrounded by different people—for a greater purpose: to point to Him and further His kingdom.

Concept: Be Ready to Stand

Preschool

Acts 2

LIFE POINT: Jesus’ friends were meeting together. Suddenly they heard a sound like a strong wind. It filled the house where they were meeting. The men began to speak in different languages. Jesus’ friends were able to tell people from different parts of the world about Jesus. The people could understand them and were surprised to hear them speaking. Peter told the people about Jesus. Many people believed what Peter said. They wanted to obey God and be baptized. The people who believed began to meet together every day. They learned more about what God wanted them to do. They met at the temple (church), and in each other’s homes. The church friends shared everything they had. They ate meals together. They helped each other whenever someone had a need. The church continued to grow every day.

LIVE IT OUT: Talk with your child about the things he did at church this week. Talk about friends in his class. Help your child begin to understand that the church is the people who meet together as well as the building. Read together the Bible Verse: “The church met together. Acts 2:46”

Kids

Acts 1:4-11

LIFE POINT: Jesus met with the disciples again. “Do not leave Jerusalem,” He said. Jesus wanted them to wait there for the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised the disciples that when the Holy Spirit came to them they would receive power—power to tell people about Him! He said, “You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem. You will be My witnesses in Judea and Samaria. You will be My witnesses to the ends of the earth!” Then, the disciples saw Jesus going up into the air. They saw Him disappear into a cloud. They kept watching the sky to see what would happen. Suddenly, two men stood by the disciples. The men were dressed in white. They said, “Why are you looking up? Jesus has been taken to heaven. But He will return the same way He left!”

LIVE IT OUT: Talk with your child about the Holy Spirit. Encourage her to tell you what she knows about the Holy Spirit. Find several verses in the Bible that tell about the Holy Spirit and read them with your child. Pray, thanking God that the Holy Spirit lives in each Christian.

Students

Esther 2:5-10, 15-17

THE POINT: God is always at work behind the scenes.
• When have you been at the right place at the right time?
• When have you recognized God at work in your own background?
• When have you found yourself completely outside your comfort zone?
• What opportunities exist for you right now to be a person of influence? Discuss the following quote:

“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.”(1) —Billy Graham

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: Share with your student times when you have felt God bringing you closer to Him. Consider how you felt in the midst of those times and whether it seemed big or small.
• COMMUNITY: God equips His children with specific gifts. Take time to help your student determine some of his or her gifts and how he or she can use them to help the church.
• CULTURE: Pray with your student this week for those experiencing difficulties and that God would use those circumstances to accomplish His purposes.

“Billy Graham > Quotes > Quotable Quote,” Goodreads [online], [accessed 27 August 2017]. Available from the Internet: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/717403-courage-is-contagious-when-a-bravemantakes-a-stand.


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Conversation Starters: I Am a Light

Posted by Karah

CONNECTION POINT: Christians should forgive others to show the love of Jesus.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Sin and darkness abound in our world. It always has, but our culture has become more open and blatant about sin. Worse, our society is increasingly embracing and endorsing sin, no longer even calling it sin. But sin is still sin. When we come to Christ, the Light of the world, and live as light, we present a sharp and inviting contrast to the darkness of sin.

Concept: I Am a Light

Preschool

Luke 15:11-24

LIFE POINT: Jesus told a story about a father and his two sons: The younger son told his father he wanted his part of the family money. The father gave the son what he asked for. The son moved far away and began to do many wrong things. He spent all of his money. He had no food to eat. So he went to work taking care of pigs. The son remembered that his father’s workers had food to eat. He decided to go home and work for his father. While the son was still far away, the father saw him. The father ran to him and hugged and kissed him. He called to his helpers to bring the best robe and sandals for his son. He told the helpers to cook a big dinner. The father wanted to celebrate because his son had come home.

LIVE IT OUT: Print in the center of a sheet of paper: God loves me. Give your child dot painters to decorate the paper. Read the words to him. Remind him that God loves him no matter what he does or what happens. Say a prayer together thanking God for His love.

Kids

Matthew 18:21-35

LIFE POINT: Peter came to Jesus one day and asked, “How many times should I forgive my brother, seven times?” Jesus answered that seven times would not be enough, but 70 times seven. Jesus told a story to explain. A king wanted his servants to pay back money they owed. One servant owed with no way to pay the king. The king told the servant to sell everything he owned. The servant fell to his knees and promised that he would pay the king everything. The king felt sorry for the servant. The king forgave the debt found a fellow servant that owed him money. The servant would not forgive his debt, but threw him in prison until he could pay what he owed. When the king heard, he was angry and sent the first servant to prison. When he finished the story, Jesus told Peter that everyone should forgive others the way God forgives them.

LIVE IT OUT: Remind your child that we should forgive others because God forgives us. Help your child memorize this week’s verse, Ephesians 4:32. Challenge her to recite the verse if she is in a situation requiring her to forgive someone.

Students

Ephesians 5:8-14

THE POINT: Shine the light of Christ.
• According to Paul, what are the signs that we are living in the light?
• When have you seen someone really light up a room?
• What are some of the shameful and unfruitful works of darkness you see in the lives of nonbelievers?
• Where do you see opportunities to shine the light of Christ in your community? Discuss the following quote: “Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining—they just shine.”(1) —Dwight L. Moody

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 you can fill your entire life with light. How could this influence your relationship with Jesus?
• COMMUNITY: Share with your student the need for an accountability partner. If he or she does not already have a person to share with, help your student to create a list of potential people.
• CULTURE: Identify areas of darkness in your community. How can you and your student act as lights in those places of darkness? Commit to praying for those dark places this week.

(1)“16 Glorious Quotes About Living in the Light,” Christian Quotes [online], [accessed 31 May 2017]. Available from the Internet: https://www.christianquotes.info/top-quotes/16-glorious-quotes-aboutlivingin-the-light/#axzz4jLe1MtBd.


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Conversation Starters: I Am Just Passing Through

Posted by Karah

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We all have a place we call home; it shows up on legal documents as our place of residence. Even though we may live there all our lives, that place is temporary for the follower of Christ. We have a permanent, eternal home in Christ. While we have obligations related to our current residence, we can live our lives in such a way to remind ourselves and others that we have a greater home in Christ.

Concept: I Am Just Passing Through

Preschool

Matthew 14:22-23

LIFE POINT: Jesus told His disciples to go to the other side of the lake in a boat. Then Jesus went up the mountain to pray. After many hours, the boat was far from land. A strong wind was blowing the boat. Jesus came to His disciples, walking on the water. When the disciples saw Him, they were afraid. Jesus spoke to them and said, “Do not be afraid.” Peter said, “Jesus, if it really is You, let me walk to You on the water.” Jesus replied, “Come.” Peter began to walk on the water to Jesus. When Peter saw the wind blowing the water, he became afraid. Peter began to sink. He cried out for Jesus to help him. Jesus took Peter’s hand. Jesus and Peter got into the boat, and the wind stopped blowing. Jesus’ disciples were amazed. “It is true. He is God’s Son,” they said.

LIVE IT OUT: Does your child imitate you? Have you heard your words coming out of her mouth? Imitation is one of the ways children learn. Talk with your child about some of the things Jesus did. Ask her how she could do some things like Jesus.

Kids

Matthew 14:22-23

LIFE POINT: Many people were following Jesus. He went up on the mountain to pray. Jesus asked the disciples to get on a boat and go across the water. After dark, the boat was far from the land. The wind was blowing and waves hit the boat. Jesus came to the boat, walking on the water. The disciples saw Jesus and were afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus called to them to be brave and not to be afraid. Peter looked at Jesus and asked if he could come out on the water. Jesus told Peter to come to Him. Peter started walking on the water, but when Peter saw the storm, he began to sink. Peter yelled for Jesus’ help. Jesus caught Peter. Jesus asked the boat began worshiping Jesus.

LIVE IT OUT: Talk with your child about some of his favorite Bible stories about Jesus. Discuss what Jesus was teaching through these stories about following Him and how people should live. Remind your child that, as Christians, we should strive to be like Jesus.

Students

1 Peter 2:11-17

THE POINT: Our lives in this world should reflect our eternal home.
• What place feels most like home to you?
• What does it look like for Christ-followers to live as strangers and exiles in our culture today?
• How can we navigate the tension between submitting to earthly authorities and submitting to God?
• What does it mean to be a slave to God yet live in freedom? Discuss the following quote:

“My home is in Heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.”(1)—Billy Graham

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: Our freedom was bought by Jesus in order for us to serve and glorify Him. Evaluate how you have been successful in this and how you have failed. Discuss with your student ways you an express thanks for your freedom from sin.
• COMMUNITY: Consider ways you can use your freedom to serve Jesus by helping someone in your community.
• CULTURE: We all fail sometimes to live as Jesus would. Discuss this concept with your student and create a list of ways you can deal with failure and glorify God.

(1)Billy Graham, “Billy Graham > Quotes > Quotable Quote,” Goodreads [online], [accessed 25 May 2017]. Available from the Internet: http://ww.goodreads.com/quotes/370772-my-home-is-in-heaven-i-mjusttraveling-through-this


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Conversation Starters: I Am a Minister

Posted by Karah

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: While we can be thankful for the work of our pastors, church leaders or camp counselors, ministry is not just for a select few. Some people are set apart for specific offices and ministries within the church, but we are all given the privilege of doing the work of a minister. The call to follow Christ is a call to serve Him, and we serve Him through the opportunities He gives us to serve others.

Preschool

Matthew 3:1-6, 13-17; Luke 3:1-22; John 1:18-37

LIFE POINT: God had a special job for John. God wanted him to tell people about Jesus. John lived in the desert and wore a leather belt around his waist. His clothes were made of camel hair, and he ate locusts and wild honey. John told the people, “Someone who is more powerful and greater than I will come.” He wanted the people to understand that God had sent him to tell about Jesus. John baptized many people. One day Jesus went to the river where John was. John knew that Jesus was God’s Son. John baptized Jesus, placing Him under the water for a few seconds. Then a dove appeared, and God’s voice was heard saying that Jesus was God’s Son. John did what God told him to do. He taught people about Jesus.

LIVE IT OUT: Your child may want to know more about baptism after hearing this week’s Bible story. If she has never seen a baptism, make an appointment to visit the baptistry in your church. Remind your child that God sent Jesus to earth because He loves us.

Kids

Matthew 3:1-6, 13-17; Luke 3:1-22; John 1:18-37

LIFE POINT: John the Baptist was given a special job by God. He was to tell people about Jesus. John traveled all around the area of the Jordan River, teaching that Jesus was the Savior, the one and only Son of God. He told people to ask for forgiveness for their sins and to be baptized. John told everyone the good new that Jesus was coming soon. One day Jesus went to the Jordan River. John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the God’s Son, who takes away the sins of the world!” John was talking about Jesus. Jesus asked John to baptize Him. John was surprised, but he baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. After Jesus was baptized, the Spirit of God came down from heaven like a dove. Then they heard a voice from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him!”

LIVE IT OUT: Depending on the age of your child, the Holy Spirit may be new information for your child. Tell your child that when he became, or becomes, a Christian, the Holy Spirit will always be present in his life.

Students

2 Corinthians 3:4-12

THE POINT: God works through us to make a difference.
• What’s a chore you’d love to “outsource” to someone else?
• What do these verses teach us about our role in God’s work?
• How do we make sure that God gets the glory for our ministry?
• What does it look like to serve Christ with boldness in today’s culture? Discuss the following quote:

“Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.”(1)—Corrie Ten Boom

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student 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: We serve and love others just as Christ first loved and served us. Discuss with your student ways Christ has ministered to him or her.
• COMMUNITY: How can your family come together this week to serve and minister to others in your community? Consider inviting another family to join you or including other students in your church family.
• CULTURE: People that are not a part of God’s family do not always understand a culture that is not self-oriented. How can your family demonstrate service that is other-oriented?

(1) Corrie Ten Boom, “26 Corrie Ten Boom Quotes,” Christian Quotes [online], [accessed 25 May 2017]. Available from the Internet: https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-author/corrie-ten-boomquotes/#axzz4j62imZnw.


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Conversation Starters: I Am a Child of the King

Posted by Karah

CONNECTION POINT: The Bible helps people know they are part of God’s family.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Parents generally love their own children to a greater degree than they love other children. Parents may wish the best for others, but they will take care of their own first. God desires the best for us, even when we are outside His family. Through Christ, He made it possible for us to become a part of His family. Those who trust Jesus are no longer on the outside looking in; they are His children.

Concept: I Am a Child of the King

Preschool

Jonah

LIFE POINT: God told Jonah, “Go to the city of Nineveh. Tell the people they have been making wrong choices.” Jonah got on a boat to sail far away. God sent a great storm that almost broke apart the boat. The sailors were afraid. The men woke Jonah and told him to call out to God. They knew Jonah was running away from God. Jonah told the men to toss him into the sea and they would be safe. The men threw Jonah into the water. God sent a big fish to swallow Jonah. While he was in the fish, Jonah asked God to help him obey. After three days and nights, the fish spit Jonah onto land. Jonah went to Nineveh. He told the people that God was not happy because they had been doing wrong things. The people listened to Jonah and obeyed God.

LIVE IT OUT: Help your child look through the Bible to find God’s name. Allow him to use a yellow crayon or highlighting marker to mark the name. Say a prayer thanking God for giving us the Bible that helps people know about Him.

Kids

Jonah

LIFE POINT: God told Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach. Jonah didn’t want to go. He chose to get on a ship going to another place. A strong storm came that nearly sank the ship. Jonah knew that God sent the storm. He told the sailors to throw him overboard. The sailors threw Jonah overboard. Now Jonah was inside a fish. God had sent the fish that swallowed him. Jonah began to pray to God. After a time, God told the fish to spit Jonah out on dry land. Again, God told Jonah to go to Nineveh. This time Jonah obeyed and went to Nineveh. Jonah preached all over the city. The people believed God’s message. They turned from their sins. God told Jonah that He loved and cared for the people of Nineveh.

LIVE IT OUT: Help your child memorize 2 Timothy 3:16. This verse gives an overview of how the Bible impacts our lives. Ask your child to name some things she has learned from the Bible.

Students

Galatians 4:1-7

THE POINT: Jesus makes us full members of His family.
• What comes to mind when you hear the word “royalty”?
• What milestones have you reached that help you realize you are no longer a child?
• What are the implications of being adopted into God’s family?
• What are some ways we can rely on the Holy Spirit in our daily lives? Discuss the following quote:

“God’s family, which comes into being by regeneration, is more central and more lasting than the human family that comes into being by procreation.”(1) —John Piper

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: We are a part of God’s family and it’s amazing that He considers us His and celebrates that love. Consider ways you can celebrate being a part of Jesus’ family within your own family.
• COMMUNITY: Our church is also a part of our family. How can you serve another family in your church this week?
• CULTURE: Even though we tell others about Jesus and they hear the gospel, they do not always chose to join God’s family. Discuss this possibility with your student and consider ways you can pray for friends who are choosing to live outside our family.

(1)John Piper, This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008) 117.


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