Conversation Starters: Jesus Rules
Posted by Karah
CONNECTION POINT: Jesus gives people hope for the future.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: If you’ve ever been in an area hit by a flood, tornado, or hurricane, you know you can only do so much to protect yourself. The forces of nature are powerful, but Jesus is more so—and He is present with His followers in everything they face. Mary, the mother of Jesus, also had to trust the Lord when her world turned upside down. During any storm, the Lord is with us, and He invites us to trust Him.
Concept: Jesus Rules
Preschool
Luke 1:39-56
LIFE POINT: An angel had told Mary that she was chosen to be the mother of God’s Son. Mary went to visit an older relative named Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary speak, Elizabeth knew something special was going to happen to Mary. Elizabeth told Mary how special she was because of the baby she was going to have. Mary sang a praise song to God. She sang, “You do great things. You are kind to all people. You keep your promises.” Mary thanked God for the promises He had given. Mary knew God would keep the promises He told her. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then she returned to her home in the town of Nazareth.
LIVE IT OUT: Christmas is a happy time to celebrate with your preschooler. Locate some happy Christmas songs you can sing with your child. Enjoy singing them together in the car or at home. Tell your child that Mary was happy and sang a song to God.
Kids
Luke 1:39-56
LIFE POINT: Mary traveled to see Elizabeth, part of her family. The angel Gabriel had told Mary that Elizabeth was going to have a baby, even though Elizabeth was old. Mary called out a greeting to Elizabeth. As soon as Elizabeth heard the sound, the baby inside her jumped! God’s Spirit filled Elizabeth. Elizabeth said to Mary, “You are the most blessed of all women. Your child will be blessed! How wonderful that the mother of my Lord has come to me! When I heard your voice, the baby inside me jumped for joy! You are blessed because God will do what He said!” Mary began to praise God. She told of the greatness of God. She told how God had been good to her. She thanked God for what He had already done and what He would do. Mary stayed for three months. Then Mary went home.
LIVE IT OUT: Does your family celebrate Jesus during Christmas? Discuss with your child ways to make Jesus the focus of all you do during the season. Read an Advent study together, like Kids Read Truth, or think of ways to show the love of Jesus to those less fortunate.
Students
Mark 4:35-41
THE POINT: You can trust Jesus in the storm.
• What’s the craziest weather you’ve ever experienced?
• Why are we often surprised when we encounter difficult circumstances?
• How do the trials of life compare and contrast with a physical storm?
• What lessons can we learn from Jesus’ calming of the storm? Discuss the following quote:
“God brings storms into your life to show His strength and to gain glory from His providence.” (1)—Paul Chappell
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: Challenge your student to name examples of how God has proven to be faithful to him or her in the past. Share some examples from your own life.
• COMMUNITY: Discuss with your student people who may be encouraging in his or her faith journey. If they do not have someone to fill this role, pray with your student for the right person to come along. Pray that your student would also fulfill this role for someone else and encourage others in their faith.
• CULTURE: How can you help your student clearly see the blessings of living by faith when surround by worldly concerns?
(1) Paul Chappell, “24 Paul Chappell Quotes,” Christian Quotes [online], [accessed 21 May 2017]. Available from the Internet: https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-author/paul-chappellquotes/#axzz4hvckTNH7
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