Conversation Starters: Unstoppable Message
Posted by Karah
CONNECTION POINT: You show God love when you love and respect each other.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: There are many good groups and organizations in our communities seeking to benefit society in some way. The Church, however, is unique. Many organizations today are short-lived or diminish as the need they seek to meet is realized. Or they change when the leadership changes. The Church is different. Christ gave His Church one unchanging message to proclaim: the message of salvation in Christ.
Concept: Unstoppable Message
Preschool
Genesis 25:19-28
LIFE POINT: Abraham and Sarah’s son, Isaac, was now a man. He married a woman named Rebekah. Rebekah and Isaac could not have children, so Isaac prayed to God for a baby. God answered Isaac’s prayer and gave them two babies—twins! God told Rebekah the younger son would be stronger than his older brother. The time came for the boys to be born. The first twin was born, and his parents named him Esau. Right after him, the younger brother was born, and his parents named him Jacob. Even though the two brothers were twins, they were different. Esau loved to spend time outdoors hunting. Jacob was quiet and stayed around the tents and his family. Isaac and Rebekah took care of their boys
and loved them.
LIVE IT OUT: Help your child make a book. Fold two sheets of paper together to make a book shape. Print, or help him print, God Gave Me a Family on the front of the book. Give your child a picture of each family member to glue on the pages. Print the family member’s name under each picture.
Kids
Genesis 26:1-6, 12-33
LIFE POINT: Isaac moved to the land of the Philistines. God spoke to Isaac. God promised to be with Isaac and to bless him in this land. Because God blessed him, Isaac became rich. He had sheep, cattle, and servants. The Philistines around him were jealous that Isaac was rich. They began stopping up wells that Isaac’s father had dug. Abimelech asked Isaac to leave. Isaac moved away. He reopened other wells his father had dug. Then Isaac’s workers dug in the valley and found more water! Each time the Philistine herdsmen argued that the water was theirs. Isaac never argued. He moved and dug other wells. God told Isaac, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid because I am with you. I will bless you.” Isaac and Abimelech promised not to hurt each other. That day, Isaac’s workers dug another well and found water!
LIVE IT OUT: Give your child construction paper, markers, and other art materials. Guide him to write Romans 12:18 in the center of the paper. Talk about the verse and how it can be implemented each day.
Encourage him to decorate the page and display it in his room.
Students
Acts 2:22-24, 32-33, 36-38
THE POINT: Jesus died for our sins, was resurrected, and reigns as Lord. What can we learn from Peter’s approach to sharing the gospel? When we recognize Jesus as Lord, how does that affect our daily life? How can we share the gospel with the goal of bringing conviction rather than condemnation? Discuss the following quote:
“Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life.”1—Ravi Zacharias
LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to take practical steps to take 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 serve in your local church. Serving as a family is also an excellent opportunity to challenge your student to grow by setting godly priorities.
• COMMUNITY: Guide your student to make wise decisions in how he or she uses social media. It is one of the broadest platforms to reflect the gospel.
• CULTURE: Discuss how your student gave their life to Christ, and how he or she can share with others this week. Some starter questions include: How did Christ change your life?; Why is it important to others?
1. Ravi Zacharias, “Baccalaureate Address” (presentation, Liberty University 40th Commencement Ceremony, Lynchburg, VA, May 10, 2013).
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