Conversation Starters: God is With Us
Posted by Karah
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Third graders everywhere dream of becoming veterinarians, doctors, presidents, and maybe even superheroes. At their age, the sky is the limit and it’s always OK to hope for a better tomorrow. We all need hope. That’s universal. But there is an even greater universal truth: hope is possible. Through Jesus, no matter who we are, what season of life we’re in, or how we feel, we are not beyond hope.
Concept: God is With Us
Preschool
2 Samuel 9:1-13
LIFE POINT: David was king of Israel. He remembered Saul, the king before him, and Saul’s son Jonathan. Because of Jonathan, David wanted to show kindness to any members of Saul’s family. Jonathan had been David’s good friend. David learned that Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, was still living. Mephibosheth had two hurt feet. David sent for him. David said to Mephibosheth, “Do not be afraid. I will show you kindness because of your father, Jonathan. I will give you back your family fields. You will eat at my table every day.” David had servants work the fields for food. Mephibosheth ate with David every day. Mephibosheth had hope because David had shown him kindness.
LIVE IT OUT: Take your child with you to the grocery and allow him to choose items to be donated to a food pantry in your community. Together, choose a verse from the Bible and write it on labels to attach to each food item to be shared. Talk with your child about how God gives hope and how your family can help.
Kids
2 Samuel 9
LIFE POINT: David: Is anyone of Saul’s family left? I want to show kindness to that person. Ziba: There is Saul’s grandson. His name is Mephibosheth. Both his feet are injured. David: Bring him to me. Mephibosheth (bowing down): My king, I am your servant. David: Do not be afraid. I will show you kindness because of your father, Jonathan. I will give your grandfather’s land back to you. You shall always eat here at my table in the palace. Mephibosheth: I don’t know why you would help someone like me. David: Ziba, you will take care of Saul’s lands for Mephibosheth.
LIVE IT OUT: As a family, identify someone who has faced struggles over the past few weeks or months. Decide on a way your family can secretly encourage that person by performing a random act of kindness.
Students
2 Samuel 9:6-13
THE POINT: You are never beyond hope. Tell your student what you are most hopeful for in his or her life. Ask your student what he or she is most hopeful for in his or her future. Have a conversation around this quote:
“Oft hope is born when all is forlorn.”1 —J.R.R. Tolkien
LIVE IT OUT: Your student has been encouraged to do one or both Live It
Out activities. If your student chooses to do Visual Journal:
• Ask your student to journal times in their life when they felt without hope.
• Pray for your student to live in the new hope Christ provides each day.
If your student chooses to do Forgive Yourself :
• Share a regret you have had with your student and how you are trusting Christ to overcome it.
• Encourage your student with the truth that hope is always available
through a relationship with Jesus.
1. J.R.R. Tolkien. The Return of the King. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. http://books.google.com (19 July 2013).
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