Conversation Starters: Life in Christ
Posted by Karah
CONNECTION POINT: People live for Christ because He is alive.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: People find different ways to define their lives. Family gives my life meaning; work gives my life purpose; life is whatever I make it to be. The truth is that we only have real meaning and lasting purpose when our lives are grounded in Christ. “All things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:16-17). All of life is wrapped up in Jesus.
Concept: Life in Christ
Preschool
Matthew 19:13-15
LIFE POINT: People followed Jesus wherever He went. They wanted to hear Him teach about God’s love. One day when Jesus was teaching, some parents brought their children to see Jesus. They wanted Him to put His hands on the boys and girls and pray. Jesus’ disciples saw the parents and told them to go away. The disciples thought Jesus was too busy to see the children. This did not please Jesus. He told His helpers to let the children come to Him. Jesus loves children. They are important in God’s plan. He told the people that everyone should love God just like the children love God. Jesus held the children and showed them how much He loved them. The people learned that everyone is important to Jesus. Jesus loves children just as He loves all people.
LIVE IT OUT: Print Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me” onto index cards, one word per card. On the edges of two cards that are consecutive, draw a matching symbol. Help your child put the verse in order, matching the symbols. Say the verse together. Thank Jesus for loving children.
Kids
John 20:19-31
LIFE POINT: On the day Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples met together in a locked room. Suddenly, Jesus was in the room! He greeted His friends. He showed them His hands and His side. The people knew it was really Jesus! They were so happy! Thomas was not with the other disciples when they saw Jesus. The disciples told him they had seen Jesus, Thomas said he would not believe unless he could see Jesus’ hands and touch Jesus’ side Later, the disciples were together again. The doors were locked again,and Thomas was there too. Suddenly, Jesus was in the room again. Jesus spoke to Thomas, “Touch My hands. Touch My side. Believe in Me.” “My Lord and My God!” Thomas answered. Jesus said, “You believed because you saw Me. Blessed are people who believe in Me even if they have not seen Me.”
LIVE IT OUT: Does your child understand that Jesus is alive today? Jesus lives in heaven with God. Jesus left us evidence that He is still alive. Talk about this with your child. Assure him that the Bible gives us plenty of evidence that Jesus is alive
Students
Luke 9:18-26
THE POINT: My identity is found in Christ.
• What word or phrase do people use to describe you?
• What are some words or phrases people use to describe Jesus today?
• What would your reaction have been to hearing Jesus’ instructions as one of His disciples?
• What does it look like on a practical level to daily take up a cross and deny ourselves?
Discuss the following quote:
“The Christian life is the life of the Lord Jesus Christ lived two thousand years ago, lived now by Him in you!” ¹—W. Ian Thomas
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: Alongside your student, consider some of the sacrifices Jesus has made for you and the sacrifices He is calling you to make.
• COMMUNITY: Make a commitment with your student this week to die to your self and live for Jesus. Encourage one another as you live out this challenge.
• CULTURE: Chose someone in your community that you and your student can be a witness to and sacrifice for the gospel.
¹ W. Ian Thomas, “At His Disposal,”Christ in You Ministries, [accessed 13 September 2016]. Available from the Internet: http://www.christinyou.net/pages/ianthomas.html.
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