Conversation Starters: Christ’s Teaching

Posted by Karah

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: When a person wants to learn a certain skill or profession, there are certain schools or universities that come to mind. They have the best teachers in that area of study. But where do we go when we want to learn about life? Although many people see Jesus as a religious figure, He didn’t come to earth to teach us religious things; He came to show us and teach us about how to live life.

Concept: Christ’s Teaching

Preschool

Mark 10:17-23, 27

LIFE POINT: One day as Jesus and His helpers (disciples) started on a journey, a man came up to ask Him a question. “How can I go to heaven?” the man asked Jesus. Jesus said, “You know all the commandments. Do not kill. Do not lie. Do not steal. Honor your father and mother.” The man said he knew and obeyed these commandments since he was a young boy. Jesus looked at the man and felt love for him. “There is one more thing you must do,” Jesus said. “Sell everything you own, give it to the poor, and follow Me.” When he heard this, the man was sad. He wanted to follow Jesus, but he did not want to give up all that he owned. Jesus told His helpers, “With men it is not possible to go to heaven. But with God, everything is possible.”

LIVE IT OUT: Help your child think of things he knows about God, such as He loves us, He knows everything, and He made the world. Read together stories in the Bible that tell about those traits.

Kids

Luke 19:28-40; Mark 11:1-10

LIFE POINT: After Jesus went to Jerusalem. As He came near a town called Bethany, He told two of His disciples to go into the city and bring a donkey to Him. If anyone asked what they were doing, the disciples were to say that the Lord needed it. They brought the donkey to Jesus. They put their own coats on the donkey, so Jesus could ride it. People began to lay their coats on the path for the donkey to walk on. When Jesus started to come down the Mount of Olives, the crowd began joyfully praising God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen! Some of the Pharisees in the crowd were upset by what was happening. They told Jesus to rebuke the disciples. Jesus responded to the Pharisees by saying if the disciples kept quiet, the stones would cry out!

LIVE IT OUT: Talk with your child about some of her favorite ways to praise Jesus, such as Bible reading, singing, praying, and so forth. Incorporate those ways into a family devotion.

Students

Mark 1:21-22, 10:17-22

THE POINT: Jesus teaches us how to live and calls us to follow Him. What’s one of the lessons Jesus has taught you about how to live? How has Jesus helped you live out the Christian life? Discuss the following quote:

“Radical obedience to Christ is not easy…It’s not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world…But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And He is more than enough for us.”1 —David Platt

LIVE IT OUT: Your student has been encouraged to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete Let It Go:
•Evaluate your own life. Are you a model for your student of what following Jesus looks like?
•Discuss the motivation of the rich young man in this story.

If he or she plans to do Walking in Authority:
•Talk with your student about what it means for Jesus to be Lord of our lives.
•Encourage your student to evaluate whether he or she is truly surrendered to the Lordship of Christ.

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