Conversation Starters: Unstoppable Mission
Posted by Karah
CONNECTION POINT: God helps families.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Living the Christian life on our own is impossible. Thankfully, when the Holy Spirit came, He empowered the disciples for an unstoppable mission. From one small dot on a map, they took Christ’s message across the world, and we continue this mission today. Christ never expected us to live this life on our own power. Jesus lived His earthly life connected to and empowered by God. Jesus lived and died in a way that no person could, so we can live in the freedom of His grace and power.
Concept: Unstoppable Mission
Preschool
Genesis 15; 21:1-6
LIFE POINT: Abraham and Sarah were married and very old. They did not have any children. They wanted a family, but God had not given them a child. One day God told Abraham he would have a son. Abraham and Sarah were old enough to be great-grandparents, but Abraham believed God. Abraham and Sarah had to wait and trust God. When the right time came, Sarah discovered she was going to
have a baby. God gave them the baby they had been waiting for. They named their son Isaac. Sarah was so happy. God kept His promise to give a child to Abraham. Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac were a family.
LIVE IT OUT: Talk to your child about what happens when a new baby comes into the family. If you have or know someone who has recently had a baby, let your child be involved in the care of that baby. Remind your child that babies are a gift from God and God loves her family.
Kids
Genesis 22:1-19
LIFE POINT: God asked Abraham to take his only son Isaac to a certain mountain. Isaac was to be a special offering. Isaac would die. Abraham loved Isaac, but he also trusted God. Abraham took his servants and his son with him to the mountain. When they reached the mountain, Abraham told the servants, “Wait here with the donkey. Isaac and I will go up to worship.” Isaac carried the wood. Abraham carried the fire and a knife. Isaac mentioned that they had wood and fire but nothing to
sacrifice. Abraham replied that God would provide the sacrifice. Abraham and Isaac arrived at the place of sacrifice. Abraham built the altar and arranged the sacrifice. The Angel of God told Abraham not to hurt Isaac! He provided a ram to use instead of Isaac. The Angel of God blessed Abraham for his obedience.
LIVE IT OUT: Help your child memorize Jeremiah 29:11. Show him that this verse shows a promise that
God always has the best plans for His children, and we can trust Him to protect us.
Students
Acts 1:4-8, 12-14
THE POINT: The Holy Spirit empowers us to spread the gospel. What are some promises we wait for in life? What does it look like to wait on the Lord? Why is the order of Jesus’ promise so important (Receive Power, Be Witnesses, Tell Everyone)? Discuss the following quote:
“Christ said it is better for us that the Spirit came, and I want to live like I know that is true. I don’t want to keep crawling when I have the ability to fly.”1—Francis Chan
LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to take practical steps to with 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: Encourage your student to set aside time to read and study God’s Word. Help them select a Bible reading plan in the Bible app.
• COMMUNITY: Create a prayer list as a family about what you’re asking God to do in your family, city, nation, and world. Pray together as a family over that list to be unified and growing together in prayer.
• CULTURE: Discuss how the different promises of the Holy Spirit will change your student’s daily life this week. How will your student live out His or Her faith confidently because of the power and promise of the Holy Spirit?
1. Francis Chan, Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2009), 37
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