Conversation Starters: Battle Plan

Posted by Karah

CONNECTION POINT: Trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior is God’s plan for people.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Everybody encounters temptation, but what may be a strong temptation for one person may not tempt another person. Satan knows us well enough to know what he can use in his attempts to get us to sin. We might assume that, because a certain temptation feels unique to us, no one knows what we’re going through. However, Jesus knows. He faced the same types of temptation we face. We can stand against temptation in the same way He did.

Concept: Battle Plan

Preschool

1 Samuel 16

LIFE POINT: Jesse had eight sons. His youngest son, David, was a shepherd. David helped his father by taking care of the sheep. Sometimes, while watching the sheep, David would play music on his harp. Saul was the king of the country where Jesse and his sons lived. King Saul was not happy. His helpers said, “Let’s look for someone to play the harp. The music will help you feel better.” King Saul thought this was a good idea. One servant told King Saul about the shepherd who played the harp. King Saul sent his helpers to Jesse. The king’s helpers said to Jesse, “King Saul needs your son David. David can help the king.” Jesse packed bread and other food on a donkey for David to take to the king. David began to help King Saul. When the king felt upset, David played his harp. The music helped King Saul feel better.

LIVE IT OUT: Tell your child that God made him special and he can help others. Help him think of a neighbor or friend who needs help. Decide on a way to help that person; then follow through.

Kids

1 Samuel 16

LIFE POINT: God spoke to Samuel. “Get the oil. I have chosen a king from Jesse’s sons. I am sending you to Bethlehem. ” Samuel went to Jesse in Bethlehem. He saw Jesse’s oldest son. “This must be the one God has chosen,” Samuel said. “No,” God said. “Do not think about how he looks. You cannot see what I see. I can see what he thinks and feels.” After Samuel had seen seven sons, he still had not found the new king. Jesse sent for David, youngest, a shepherd. Samuel poured oil on his head. From that day on, God’s spirit was with David. Soon after, David came to play the harp for King Saul when he did not feel well. The music made the king feel better. The king liked David. Saul kept David stay with him to play the harp.

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your child by telling her that God has a plan for each person’s life. God’s plan for every person is to trust Jesus as Savior.

Students

THE POINT: We can follow Jesus’ example in defeating spiritual attacks.
• Where do you turn when you need a foolproof plan?
• What have you found helpful in preparing to face physical temptations?
• Why is it dangerous to test God?
• What can we learn from Jesus’ example about overcoming temptation Discuss the following quote:

“Many deceptions only appeal to us because there is something inside us that ‘wants’ to believe them. They are seductive because of darkness and wrong motives in our own lives. We must search our hearts and root these out.”(1) —Andrew Strom

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: Pray with your student over any difficult trials he or she is facing. Pray for the strength to live in obedience to God.
• COMMUNITY: Jesus faced the cross alone, but we have the church and other Christ-followers as support during trials. Discuss with your student any friends that he or she has that may be in need of support and encouragement.
• CULTURE: The desire to have things now often clashes with God’s standards. How can you and your family live this week in a way that demonstrates that your satisfaction comes not through worldly things, but through God’s plan for your life?

(1)“28 Quotes About Deception,” Christian Quotes, [accessed 22 February 2017]. Available from the Internet: https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-deception/#axzz4ZRhmyfA5.


Posted in Just For Parents | Tagged , , ,

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *