Conversation Starters: Distinct in My Character
Posted by Karah
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Advertisers are always trying to sell us “happiness.” It makes sense—who doesn’t want to be happy? So we chase after this elusive happiness. But what if being “happy” isn’t the ultimate goal? Jesus told His followers what life in His kingdom would be like. Would we be “happy” in Jesus’ kingdom? Not exactly. We would be something better—“blessed.”
Concept: Distinct in My Character
Preschool
Luke 2:40-52
LIFE POINT: When Jesus was 12 years old, He went to the temple in Jerusalem with His parents. They traveled with friends and family. When it was time to leave, everyone started home together. After a day of travel, Mary and Joseph could not find Jesus. Mary and Joseph hurried back to Jerusalem to look for Jesus. After three days, they found Jesus in the temple. He was listening to the teachers and asking them questions. The teachers were surprised by how much Jesus knew about God. Mary said to Jesus, “Why are You here? Your father and I have been worried about You. We have looked for You everywhere.”
Jesus answered, “Why were you looking for Me? Didn’t you know I would be in the temple talking about God?” Jesus went home with His parents and did what they told Him to do. Jesus grew older and stronger.
LIVE IT OUT: Help your child make a book of things he likes to do at church. Fold two sheets of paper
together and guide him to draw pictures of things he likes to do. Remind your child that he learns
about God at church.
Kids
Luke 2:40-52
LIFE POINT: When Jesus was 12 years old, He went to Jerusalem with His family for Passover. They worshiped for a week. Jesus’ family and friends started for home. They traveled for a whole day without realizing Jesus was not with them. Mary and Joseph tried to find Jesus, but no one knew where He was.
Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem. They searched and on the third day they found Him! Jesus was sitting in the temple, listening to and questioning the priests and their helpers. Mary asked, “Why have You done this to us? We have searched everywhere for You.” Jesus answered His mother kindly. “Why were you looking for Me? Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father’s house?” Jesus went home with His family. He obeyed His parents. Jesus grew to be wiser, taller, and pleasing to God and to people.
LIVE IT OUT: Just as Jesus learned at the temple, your child can learn at church. Talk with your child
about Bible stories he hears, Bible verses he is learning, and songs he is singing. Help him discover
what these things are teaching him about God.
Students
Matthew 5:1-12
THE POINT: Choose actions and attitudes that are blessed by God. What was the happiest time in
your life? What do you think it means to be blessed? Discuss the following quote:
“I’m not perfect. I’m never going to be. And that’s the great thing about living the Christian life and trying to live by faith, is you’re trying to get better every day. You’re trying to improve.”1 —Tim Tebow
LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student 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 The Heart of the Matter:
• Pray together that your family would not hold tightly to the things of this world, but would instead focus on Christ.
If he or she plans to do Don’t Wait!
• Share with your student a time when asking for forgiveness brought reconciliation to a relationship
in your life. Encourage him or her to also ask for forgiveness to those they’ve wronged.
1. “Tim Tebow Quotes,” BrainyQuote [online], [accessed 11 June 2015]. Available from the Internet:
www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/timtebow550712.html
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