Conversation Starters: Think Commitments Through
Posted by Karah
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We live in a culture of instant gratification. We don’t like to wait, and we want things now. Credit cards and loans can make it easy to get something now, even if we can’t afford it yet. Although a debt may seem manageable now, circumstances can quickly change and work against us. The Bible offers dire warning and shows us the consequences of foolishly going into debt or taking on financial obligations irresponsibly.
Concept: Think Commitments Through
Preschool
Matthew 5:1-2; 6:25-34
LIFE POINT: Jesus was the best teacher. He could tell people about God’s love so they could understand. One day He was with a group of people on the side of a mountain. He sat down with them. Jesus began, “Don’t be afraid that you will not have enough food to eat or enough water to drink. Also, don’t be afraid that you will not have clothes to wear. God knows what you need, and He will give you what you need.” Jesus used stories about His creation to help the people understand. He reminded them how God feeds birds. God also makes flowers beautiful, and they don’t have to worry about how they look. Jesus told the people that just like God takes care of all of His creation, He will take care of people.
Jesus wants people to remember that God knows what we need. God loves us. He wants us to be happy with what He gives.
LIVE IT OUT: Ask your child to name his favorite toy or book. Then ask him to name a favorite friend or family member. Talk about favorite foods your child likes to eat. Comment that God gives all good things. Pray, thanking God for what He gives.
Kids
Luke 12:13-21
LIFE POINT: A man asked Jesus to make his brother share his wealth and property with him. Jesus told the crowd, “Don’t be greedy. Your life is more than what you own.” Then Jesus told this story: A rich man’s land grew a big crop of grain. The man thought, “What should I do? I don’t have any place to store my grain. I know! I will tear down my barns. I will build bigger barns. I can store my grain in them. Then I will tell myself, ‘You have enough to last many years. Take life easy!’ ” Then God spoke to the rich man. “You are foolish. You will die tonight. Then who will own the grain? That’s what happens when men think more about their wealth than they do about God!”
LIVE IT OUT: Help your child memorize Hebrews 13:5. As you read the verse together, assist your child in understanding that God should be the most important part of his life.
Students
Proverbs 6:1-5; 22:7
THE POINT: Evaluate commitments now, so you aren’t over committed later. Why are so many people willing to over commit their time? How do we navigate the tension between avoiding entanglements and wanting to help those in need? How can obeying the principles in these passages free us to serve and honor God in our daily lives? Discuss the following quote:
“All these toys were never intended to possess my heart. My true good is in another world, and my only real treasure is Christ.”1 —C.S. Lewis
LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do the both Live It Out activity. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:
If he or she plans to complete the Daily Reading:
• Take time to discuss your student’s scripture readings from this week.
1. C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (New York: HarperCollins, 1940).
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