Conversation Starters: Jesus Provides
Posted by Karah
CONNECTION POINT: The Bible tells about Jesus’s care for people.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Many people relegate Jesus to solely the spiritual realm—as though the spiritual life is separate from all other areas of life. Jesus saves the whole person. He seeks to help us and sustain us in every area of every life—and we can trust Him to do so. As Jesus meets our every need, we can be a conduit of His care in the lives of others.
Concept: Jesus Provides
Preschool
LIFE POINT: Josiah was 8 years old when he became king. He loved God and wanted to obey Him. Josiah became a man and wanted to obey God. The temple (church) needed to be cleaned and repaired. King Josiah told one of his helpers, “Give money to carpenters, builders, and stone masons to repair the temple.” The workers found a Bible scroll. The worker gave the scroll to the king’s helper. The helper read words from the Bible scroll. When Josiah heard the words, he was upset. “The words of this Bible scroll tell what God wants us to do,” Josiah said. “We have not been doing these things.” King Josiah called the people to the temple. The people listened to the words from the Bible scroll. Josiah promised he would do the things God said. The people promised God they would do what God said, too.
LIFE POINT: As Thanksgiving approaches, use this time to talk to your child about ways Jesus has provided for him or her. Use resources like the Jesus Storybook Bible to help guide your conversations while using Bible verses.
Kids
LIFE POINT: Josiah became king when he was eight years old. When Josiah was older, he told his helper, “Tell the priest give the money the people have given for the temple. Give money to the builders. Buy wood and stone for the repairs.” When the helper met the priest, the priest said, “I found the book of the law here in the temple!” He gave the it to the helper. King Josiah listened to what was written in the book. He was sad and tore his clothes! Josiah realized that he and the people had not obeyed God. King Josiah tore down the altars where people prayed to other gods. The law said the people must celebrate the Passover. This feast had not been done for many years! King Josiah led the Passover feast. He turned to God more than any other king before him.
LIVE IT OUT: Provide several different translations of the Bible and use them to read the verse, Psalm 136:1. Help your child memorize his favorite translation of the verse. Ask your child to list one thing each day this week that he or she is thankful for.
Students
Mark 6:34-44
THE POINT: Jesus cares and meets the needs in our lives.
• What was something provided for you as a child that you didn’t appreciate at the time?
• Where do you see evidence of God’s compassion in the world today?
• How do we balance the importance of meeting physical needs and spiritual needs?
• Where do we have opportunities to participate in God’s provision for others? Discuss the following quote:
“Hope is the poor man’s bread.”(1)—George Herbert
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 thanking God for the good things and the blessings He has provided.
• COMMUNITY: Begin by talking about ways God has used someone recently in your life to meet a need. Then consider ways you and your family can meet the needs of others in your community leading up to Thanksgiving.
• CULTURE: Discuss ways you may be trusting in others or even yourself above trusting in God to provide for your needs.
(1) George Herbert, “Entire Quotes Database,” Christian Quotes [online], [accessed 23 May 2017]. Available from the Internet: https://www.christianquotes.info/search-for-a-quote/?listpage=2&instance=2#participants-list-2.
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