Conversation Starters: Redeemed from a Critical Spirit

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE:Christians aren’t meant to simply be in the mix of the world, or even to stand out in the mix; they’re meant to influence the world around them. That’s what Christians do. We mix with the world, retain our distinction, and we end up influencing every situation we’re in. With God, we can have the courage to stand apart from the world and influence others for Christ.

Concept: Redeemed from a Critical Spirit

Preschool

John 4

LIFE POINT: Jesus and His disciples traveled through the land of Samaria. Jesus was tired and sat by a well. His disciples went into town to buy food. A woman came to get water from the well. Jesus asked her for a drink. The Samaritan woman was surprised that a Jewish man would ask her for a drink. Jesus told the woman about God. The woman was interested in what Jesus said but did not understand it all. She said, “I know that God will send someone who will explain everything about God to us.” Jesus told the woman, “I am He.” The disciples were surprised to find Jesus talking to the woman. The woman left and went into town to tell everyone that she had spoken with Jesus. The people came to see the man the
woman talked about—Jesus, God’s Son.

LIVE IT OUT: Sit on the floor with your preschooler. Clap and chant the following: “K-I-N-D, I can be kind.” Then ask your child how she can be kind using her hands. Clap and chant again, asking how she can be kind with her voice and then her feet.

Kids

John 4

LIFE POINT: As Jesus traveled through Samaria, He sat down beside a well to rest. The disciples went to town to buy food. One woman came to get water. Jesus asked her for a drink. The woman asked, “Why are you asking me for a drink?” The woman knew that Jesus was a Jew and that Jews usually would not talk to Samaritans. Jesus told her that if she knew who was speaking to her, she would ask Him for a drink. He told her that He had living water! Jesus told her that He was the Messiah. The woman left her
water jar and ran to the town. She told the townsmen, “Come. See the man. Is He the Messiah?” So they went to see Jesus. Jesus stayed two days and later the people said now they believed Jesus was the Savior because they heard Him for themselves.

LIVE IT OUT: Does your child know someone who needs kindness? Talk about an act of kindness your child can do for this person. Help her follow through on this kindness.

Students

Numbers 12:1-11, 13-15

THE POINT: A critical spirit damages our lives. When have you been thankful for criticism? How can we help one other avoid a critical spirit? Discuss the following quote:

“When you’re in a situation, you can complain about it, you can feel sorry for yourself, you can do a lot of things. But how are you gonna make the situation better?”1 —Tony Dungy

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete Garbage in, Garbage Out:
• Ask God to reveal times that you have spoken to your student with a critical or unloving spirit. Use this as a way to engage your student on the power of speaking loving truth, instead of tearing one another down.
• Work with your student to find ways to communicate hard truth in love.

1.”Tony Dungy,” Brainy Quote [online], [accessed 17 July 2015]. Available from the Internet:
www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/tony_dungy.html.

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Conversation Starters: Redeemed from Broken Relationships

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Advertisers are always trying to sell us “happiness.” It makes sense— who doesn’t want to be happy? So we chase after this elusive happiness. But what if being “happy” isn’t the ultimate goal? Jesus told His followers what life in His kingdom would be like. Would we be “happy” in Jesus’ kingdom? Not exactly. We would be something better—“blessed.”

Concept: Redeemed from Broken Relationships

Preschool

Exodus 2:1-10

LIFE POINT: The king wanted to hurt the baby boys. So Miriam’s family hid their new baby for three months. As the baby grew, Miriam’s family had to think of a way to keep the baby safe. Miriam’s mother made a basket and covered it with sticky tar. She laid the baby in the basket, and placed the basket in the tall grass at the edge of the river. Miriam watched her baby brother. As the king’s daughter neared the river, she saw the basket. She and her helpers opened the basket and saw the baby. He was crying. She felt sorry for him. Miriam asked her, “Do you want me to get someone to take care of the baby for you?” “Yes, go,” she answered. Miriam ran and got her mother. Miriam’s mother was happy to take care of her own baby. When the boy was older, the king’s daughter named him Moses.

LIVE IT OUT: In large letters on a sheet of white paper, print OBEY. Give your child watercolor markers
to trace the word. Comment that obey means “doing what God says.”

Kids

Numbers 12

LIFE POINT: Miriam and Aaron began to say bad things about Moses even though Moses was a good man. The Lord heard what they said and called for Moses, Miriam, and Aaron to come to the tabernacle. God appeared to them in a pillar of cloud. The Lord was angry with Miriam and Aaron. “Why have you spoken of him in this way?” God asked. “He is my faithful servant.” The Lord struck Miriam with a skin disease called leprosy. Aaron asked Moses not to hold the sin against them. Moses prayed that the Lord would heal Miriam. The Lord told Moses to confine Miriam outside the camp for seven days and then she would be healed. After the seven days the Israelites moved on to another place.

LIVE IT OUT: Does your child have a good attitude? Discuss how he feels about certain things or people.
Remind him that God wants our attitudes and thoughts to honor Him. Help your child pray to keep
his thoughts pure.

Students

Genesis 27:41; 33:1-11

THE POINT: Showing humility is critical to restoring relationships. What’s a silly argument you had
when you were a kid? What obstacles hinder you from demonstrating humility? Discuss the following quote:

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”1 —C.S. Lewis

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete Check Yourself:
• Explain to your student that forgiveness does not mean acknowledging someone’s actions as being right when they are wrong; it means understanding the depth of His love and forgiveness when we wrong Him in the same way.

If he or she plans to complete Daily Reading:
• Encourage your student to read part of the story of Jacob and Esau every day this week. Take time to discuss the daily Scripture readings together.

1. “Quotes About Humility,” Goodreads [online], [accessed 17 July 2015]. Available from the Internet:
www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/humility

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Conversation Starters: Redeemed from Poor Choices

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Children, the elderly, the weak, and the helpless often become victims in a society that places far too little value on human life. Psalm 8 shows us that God’s perspective is completely different. His perspective is wrapped up in His glory. God can do great things through those people the world calls weak, helpless, or unnecessary. He has chosen the weak things of the
world to defeat the mighty and glorify His name.

Concept: Redeemed from Poor Choices

Preschool

Genesis 13

LIFE POINT: God led Abram and his family to a new home. His nephew, Lot, went with him. Abram and Lot lived in tents so they could move from place to place. Abram’s and Lot’s animals needed grass to eat and water to drink. Their workers began to quarrel with each other about the grass and the water. Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not quarrel or fight with one another. We are part of the same family.” They decide to divide the land. Lot looked and chose the land near the Jordan River. Abram took his family and animals toward Canaan. God told Abram to look in every direction. God said, “I will give this land to you and your children forever. Your family will be so big that you cannot count them.” Abram thanked God. Abram was glad that he and Lot had worked together as a family.

LIVE IT OUT: Let your child begin to make his own choices. He could choose what clothes to wear or
snack to eat and other appropriate choices for his age. This will lead to making right choices when he is
older.

Kids

Genesis 15-16

LIFE POINT: God spoke to Abram in a vision and told him that he would have a son. Abram didn’t know how this would happen because he was getting very old. God promised Abram that the number of
people in his family would be as many as the stars in the sky. Abram’s wife, Sarai, became tired of waiting on God for a child. She told Abram to have a child with Hagar, her maid. When Hagar became pregnant, Sarai was mean to her maid. Hagar ran away to the desert. An angel told Hagar to go back
home and to name her son Ishmael. The angel also told Hagar her son’s descendants would be too numerous to count. Hagar returned home. When her baby was born, Abram named him Ishmael.

LIVE IT OUT: Down the left side of a sheet of paper print UNCONDITIONAL. Talk about the
meaning of the word, that God loves us no matter what happens. Help your child think of words about God’s love that begin with each letter.

Students

Genesis 15:1-6; 16:1-5; 17:18-19

THE POINT: God’s plans are always better than our own. Share a funny time when things didn’t turn out like you planned. What expectations do we typically have when we take steps to follow God’s leading?
Discuss the following quote:

“God’s plan and His ways of working out His plan are frequently beyond our ability to fathom and understand. We must learn to trust when we don’t understand.”1 —Jerry Bridges

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete My Story:
• Share how God has redeemed poor choices in your past. Explain to your student that God’s way is always best and that those poor choices can bring glory to the truth of God’s Word.
• Remind your student that God wants His best for them and that no choice is beyond His redemption.

1. “Trusting God Quotes,” Goodreads [online], [accessed 17 July 2015]. Available from the Internet: www. goodreads.com/work/quotes/123695-trusting-god-even-when-life-hurts

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Conversation Starters: Distinct in My Love

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We love … everything. Think about all the things we use this four-letter word about during a given week. We love burgers, puppies, ice cream, fall days, vacations, action movies, and lots of other things. But Jesus is calling us to something more. As Jesus’ followers, we are called to love in the way He does—unconditionally.

Concept: Distinct in My Love

Preschool

John 6:1-15

LIFE POINT: Jesus traveled across the lake. A crowd followed Jesus. The crowd saw Jesus heal many sick people. Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with His disciples. He saw the crowd coming. Jesus knew the people were hungry. Jesus asked Philip where they could buy bread for everyone. Philip said it would take a lot of money. Andrew, another disciple, said that a boy had a lunch of five small loaves of bread and two small fish. Jesus told the people to sit down. About five thousand men were in the crowd. Jesus took the bread and fish, prayed, and thanked God for the food. Jesus had the helpers give people food. Jesus fed all of the people with the boy’s small lunch. When all the people had eaten all they wanted, the helpers gathered twelve baskets of leftover food.

LIVE IT OUT: Print the words “Thank You, Jesus” at the top of a sheet of paper. Tell your child that
Jesus loves her and helps her have what she needs. Provide markers or crayons for her to draw pictures of things she needs.

Kids

John 6:1-15

LIFE POINT: Many people followed Jesus wherever He went. They wanted to see the miracles He did healing the sick people. Jesus sat on a mountainside with His disciples. Jesus saw the crowd coming. He asked Philip, “Where will we get food for these people?” Philip knew they would not have enough money.
Andrew said, “Here is a boy who has five small loaves of bread and two small fish, but that couldn’t feed this many people.” Jesus said, “Tell the people to sit down.” There were 5,000 men! Then Jesus took the loaves of bread and gave thanks to God. He gave pieces of bread to the people. Then Jesus did the same thing with the fish. Everyone had plenty to eat. After everyone had eaten, Jesus said, “Gather up the leftover pieces.” The disciples did just as Jesus told them. They filled twelve baskets with the leftover fish and bread!

LIVE IT OUT: Has your family ever been the recipient of a miracle? The Bible records many miracles
performed by Jesus. Find some of these miracles in the Bible and read about them. Guide your child to
illustrate her favorite.

Students

Matthew 5:43-48

THE POINT: Love everyone without limits. What is something you love to do? If you loved and prayed for someone who hated you, how do you think it would it change you both? Discuss the following quote:

“Love is counting someone else’s needs and interests as more important than your own needs or interests or comfort.”1 — Timothy Keller

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete Priority Prayer:
• Help your student understand the importance of offering and accepting forgiveness.
• Pray for your student, that they would forgive as God has forgiven them.

If he or she plans to do Kindness:
• Help your student come up with ways to love and serve his or her peer group this week.

1. “Quotes › Authors › T › Timothy Keller › Love is counting someone else’s needs and…,” AZ Quotes
[online], [accessed 11 June 2015]. Available from the Internet: www.azquotes.com/quote/672402

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Conversation Starters: Distinct in My Reactions

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We can’t stop the interruptions or demands other people make, but how we react to them is totally in our hands. Jesus is concerned about our reactions. The ways we react in these situations will—or won’t—show us to be distinctly Christian. Jesus calls us to a standard that is consistent, honest, and grace-filled.

Concept: Distinct in My Reactions

Preschool

Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25

LIFE POINT: Jesus and His helpers sailed in the boat to the other side of the lake. Jesus laid down in the boat to rest. He fell asleep. A storm began. Wind and waves rocked the boat back and forth. Water came over the sides and into the boat. Jesus’ helpers were afraid. They woke up Jesus. Jesus stood in the boat and told the wind to stop blowing and the waves to be still. Then the wind stopped and the water became calm again. Jesus asked His helpers why they were afraid. Jesus wanted them to know that He would take care of them. Jesus’ helpers were surprised by what they saw. Jesus stopped the storm! Now they knew that Jesus was special.

LIVE IT OUT: Read today’s Bible story to your child. Ask who needed help and who helped them? Remind your child that he can ask Jesus for help. Discuss some times when your child might need help.

Kids

Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25

LIFE POINT: One evening, Jesus said to the disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” They got into the boat and set sail. Jesus went to sleep in the back of the boat. During the trip, a terrible storm came up. The wind blew hard. Waves broke over the boat and filled it with water. The men were
afraid that the boat would soon sink. The disciples woke Jesus. Jesus got up. He spoke to the wind and the waves. “Silence! Be still!” Jesus said. And immediately, the wind stopped. The sea was calm. Everything was quiet. Jesus turned to His disciples. “Why were you afraid? Where is your faith?” The disciples were frightened by Jesus’ power. The asked each other, “Who is this man? Even the wind and water obey Him!”

LIVE IT OUT: Sometimes trusting God is hard. Explain to your child that God wants us to grow
throughout hardships. Talk about a time your child may have had a difficult time trusting God. Talk
about ways God could use that time to help her grow.

Students

Matthew 5:33-42

THE POINT: Choose grace and integrity when others are demanding. What was the last thing you felt
totally prepared for? Why are we often quick to make promises we’re not certain we can keep?
Discuss the following quote:

“I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent of how I react to it…”1 —Charles R. Swindoll

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete Check the Tape:
• Discuss the importance of keeping Christ the priority of your life.
• Ask the following question: how can we make sure that our family keeps our focus on Christ, not on our
schedules or activities?

If he or she plans to do It’s Time:
• Participate with your student in a challenge to share the gospel in three ways this week.
• Pray for each other that you would have the opportunity and boldness to share.

1. “Charles R. Swindoll > Quotes,” Goodreads [online], [accessed 11 June 2015]. Available from the
Internet: www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/5139.Charles_R_Swindoll

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Conversation Starters: Distinct in My Relationships

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Busy, noisy lives keep us from hearing the truth of what’s inside us. Greed, selfishness, lust, and a host of other things are hiding in our hearts. But God calls us to live pure lives. It’s not just a call to purity in terms of our actions, but in our very being. It’s a call for absolute agreement in our thoughts, feelings, and subsequent actions. As Jesus lived a 100% pure life, we too
are called to absolute purity in our thoughts, feelings, and subsequent actions.

Concept: Distinct in My Relationships

Preschool

Mark 2:1-12

LIFE POINT: Many people gathered in the house where Jesus was teaching about God. Soon people crowded outside the door. Everyone wanted to hear Jesus. Four friends brought a man who could not walk. The men wanted to get their friend inside to see Jesus. The crowd was so large they could not get to the door. The four men carried him up the steps to the roof of the house. They dug a large hole in the
roof. Carefully, they lowered their friend down through the hole until his mat touched the floor and he was right in front of Jesus. Jesus said, “Get up. Take your mat and go home.” The man got up, took his mat, and walked. Jesus made the man well! The people who saw the man walk could hardly believe it. They said, “We have never seen anything like this!” The people thanked God for what they had seen.

LIVE IT OUT: Help your child choose a favorite friend and plan a special surprise for that friend.
Comment that Jesus wants people to love their friends.

Kids

Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9-13; Mark 1:16-20; 2:13-14; 3:13-19

LIFE POINT: Jesus saw two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, fishing in the Sea of Galilee. He called out to them. “Follow Me! You will fish for people!” Immediately, Peter and Andrew followed Jesus.
A little further on, Jesus saw James and his brother John on the shore, repairing their fishing nets. Jesus called to them, too. They left their boat and followed Jesus. Another time, Jesus saw Matthew sitting at the tax office. He said, “Follow Me!” Matthew got up and followed Jesus. One day Jesus went up on a mountain. He called His followers to Him. Jesus appointed twelve of the men to be His disciples,
men He would send out to preach. Jesus called Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.

LIVE IT OUT: Jesus’ disciples chose a life of service to others. How does your child serve Jesus? What acts of service does your family participate in? During a family time, talk about ways your family could be better servants of Jesus.

Students

Matthew 5:27-32

THE POINT: Hold on to purity at all costs. When was the last time you felt like you couldn’t hear yourself think? How do you draw the line between pure and impure in your daily life? Discuss the following quote:

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in You.”1 — Augustine of Hippo

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete Tempted:
• Help your student understand that purity is an issue of the heart.
• Lead your student in coming up with a plan of action to help them fight against temptation.

If he or she plans to do Marriage Inspection:
• Discuss with your student God’s view of marriage versus our culture’s view of marriage.

1.William Angerman, “Blessed by God,” C.S. Lewis Institute [online], [accessed 11 June 2015].
Available from the Internet: www.cslewisinstitute.org/node/441

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Conversation Starters: Distinct in My Approach to Conflict

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: As Jesus continued to teach through His Sermon on the Mount, He came to
the subject of anger. But anger isn’t just a surface issue. Like everything else in Jesus’ sermon, anger is a
matter of the heart. When we fail to look at the heart behind the anger, we are treating deep, internal
issues with surface-level band-aids. The way we handle anger and respond to conflict set Jesus’
followers apart from the rest of the world. And God has not left us to figure this out on our own—He
has given us His Word and His Spirit to convict and teach us to respond in a manner that honors Him.

Concept: Distinct in My Approach to Conflict

Preschool

Luke 4:14-22

LIFE POINT: Jesus went many places telling people about God. One day Jesus went to Nazareth. Nazareth was the town where Jesus’ family lived when He was a boy. While Jesus was there, He went to church (the synagogue). He stood where everyone could see Him. A church helper handed Jesus the scroll of Scriptures. Jesus carefully unrolled the scroll and began to read. Jesus read, “God sent Me to teach people about Him. God sent Me to help people.” Then Jesus rolled up the scroll. He gave it to the
church helper and sat down. Everyone was watching Jesus. Jesus looked at the people and said, “These words in the Scriptures are about Me.” The people were surprised at what Jesus said.

LIVE IT OUT: Does your child see you read the Bible? If your child is young, help him turn the pages in
the Bible. Talk about favorite Bible stories as he turns pages.

Kids

Matthew 4:1-11

LIFE POINT: After Jesus was baptized, God’s Spirit led Jesus into the desert. For forty days and forty nights, Jesus ate no food. Satan said to Jesus, “If You really are God’s Son, make these rocks into bread.”
Jesus might have wanted that bread, but He said, “It is written. People must not live on just bread. They need every word that comes from God.” Satan took Jesus to the top of the temple in Jerusalem. He
said, “If You really are God’s Son, jump off because God has said that His angels will care for You.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: People must not test God.” Then Satan took Jesus to a high mountain. He showed Jesus the kingdoms of the world. He said to Jesus, “If You will just bow down and worship me, I will give You all these kingdoms.” Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Worship only God and serve only Him.’”

LIVE IT OUT: Learning to be responsible for choices is a stepping stone to asking forgiveness for sins.
Do you hold your child responsible for his choices? Wrong choices should always have consequences.
Keep your child responsible for his choices.

Students

Matthew 5:21-26

THE POINT: Be the first to resolve conflict. When have you regretted choosing the “quick fix” instead
of working through an issue? What are happens when we let conflict go untreated? Discuss the following quote:

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in
you.”1 —C.S. Lewis

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete Calm Down:
• Hold your student accountable to memorizing Proverbs 15:1-2 this week. Help him or her in the memorization process by making flash cards.

If he or she plans to do Listen Up!:
• Discuss the importance of listening with your student.

1. “C.S. Lewis > Quotes > Quotable Quote,” Goodreads [online], [accessed 11 June 2015]. Available
from the Internet: www.goodreads.com/quotes/103229-to-be-a-christian-means-to-forgive-theinexcusable-because

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Conversation Starters: Distinct in My Influence

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Christians aren’t meant to simply be in the mix of the world, or even to stand out in the mix; they’re meant to influence the world around them. That’s what Christians do, too. We mix with the world, retain our distinction, and we end up influencing every situation we’re in. With God, we can have the courage to stand apart from the world and influence others for Christ.

Concept: Distinct in My Influence

Preschool

Luke 1:1-25, 57-80; 3:1-22; John 1:19-37; Matthew 3:13-17

LIFE POINT: Zechariah and Elizabeth did not have any children. The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that they would have a baby boy. Because Zechariah did not believe Gabriel, Zechariah could not talk until
after the baby was born. The time came, and Elizabeth had a baby boy. Elizabeth said to name him John. The men asked Zechariah. He wrote the name John. After he wrote the name, he could speak again. John grew up to tell people about Jesus. He told the people the right things to do and about the good news of Jesus. John baptized (to lower someone under water and raise up) many people including Jesus. As Jesus prayed after being baptized, a voice from heaven was heard saying that Jesus was God’s Son.

LIVE IT OUT: Memorize this verse today, “I love You, God. Psalm 18:1” Help your child learn the verse by repeating it several times. Remind your child that people should love God.

Kids

Luke 1:1-25, 57-80; 3:1-22; John 1:19-37; Matthew 3:13-17

LIFE POINT: Priest Zechariah was quite old when an angel told God’s promise to give Zechariah and Elizabeth a special son. This son would prepare people for Jesus coming as the Messiah. A son was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth. His name was John. When John grew up, he lived in the wilderness. He preached to crowds of people, urging them to change by repenting. John baptized many people who heard him preach. People thought John was the Messiah, but he told them he was not. Later, Jesus came to John to be baptized. At first John didn’t want to baptize Jesus. Jesus explained, “Do it this way because this is what is right.” When John heard that, he baptized Jesus. As Jesus came out of the water, a dove came down and settled on Jesus. A voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My Son that I love. I am delighted with Him!”

LIVE IT OUT: Every day your child can do things that honor God. Assist your child in making a list of
actions that honor God. Find a time each day to review and compare her actions to the list she made.

Students

Matthew 5:13-20

THE POINT: Make your influence count for what matters. What flavoring could you not live
without? Salt improves taste and preserves food. How do Christ followers improve and preserve the world? Discuss the following quote:

“The world needs to see Christians burning, not with self-righteous fury at the sliding morals in our country, but with passion for God.”1—Kevin DeYoung

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete Whatcha Thinkin’?:
• Ask your student to make a list of positive influencers in the world. Point out the ways in which
the positive influencers live. Encourage your student to live in such a way that he or she has a positive influence for Christ.

If he or she plans to do Sooner or Later:
• Discuss the importance of living in such a way that others can see Christ through your life.
• Pray for your student to have this type of influence.

1. “Quotes about Gospel,” Goodreads [online], [accessed 11 June 2015]. Available from the Internet:
www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/gospel

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Conversation Starters: Distinct in My Character

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Advertisers are always trying to sell us “happiness.” It makes sense—who doesn’t want to be happy? So we chase after this elusive happiness. But what if being “happy” isn’t the ultimate goal? Jesus told His followers what life in His kingdom would be like. Would we be “happy” in Jesus’ kingdom? Not exactly. We would be something better—“blessed.”

Concept: Distinct in My Character

Preschool

Luke 2:40-52

LIFE POINT: When Jesus was 12 years old, He went to the temple in Jerusalem with His parents. They traveled with friends and family. When it was time to leave, everyone started home together. After a day of travel, Mary and Joseph could not find Jesus. Mary and Joseph hurried back to Jerusalem to look for Jesus. After three days, they found Jesus in the temple. He was listening to the teachers and asking them questions. The teachers were surprised by how much Jesus knew about God. Mary said to Jesus, “Why are You here? Your father and I have been worried about You. We have looked for You everywhere.”
Jesus answered, “Why were you looking for Me? Didn’t you know I would be in the temple talking about God?” Jesus went home with His parents and did what they told Him to do. Jesus grew older and stronger.

LIVE IT OUT: Help your child make a book of things he likes to do at church. Fold two sheets of paper
together and guide him to draw pictures of things he likes to do. Remind your child that he learns
about God at church.

Kids

Luke 2:40-52

LIFE POINT: When Jesus was 12 years old, He went to Jerusalem with His family for Passover. They worshiped for a week. Jesus’ family and friends started for home. They traveled for a whole day without realizing Jesus was not with them. Mary and Joseph tried to find Jesus, but no one knew where He was.
Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem. They searched and on the third day they found Him! Jesus was sitting in the temple, listening to and questioning the priests and their helpers. Mary asked, “Why have You done this to us? We have searched everywhere for You.” Jesus answered His mother kindly. “Why were you looking for Me? Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father’s house?” Jesus went home with His family. He obeyed His parents. Jesus grew to be wiser, taller, and pleasing to God and to people.

LIVE IT OUT: Just as Jesus learned at the temple, your child can learn at church. Talk with your child
about Bible stories he hears, Bible verses he is learning, and songs he is singing. Help him discover
what these things are teaching him about God.

Students

Matthew 5:1-12

THE POINT: Choose actions and attitudes that are blessed by God. What was the happiest time in
your life? What do you think it means to be blessed? Discuss the following quote:

“I’m not perfect. I’m never going to be. And that’s the great thing about living the Christian life and trying to live by faith, is you’re trying to get better every day. You’re trying to improve.”1 —Tim Tebow

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete The Heart of the Matter:
• Pray together that your family would not hold tightly to the things of this world, but would instead focus on Christ.

If he or she plans to do Don’t Wait!
• Share with your student a time when asking for forgiveness brought reconciliation to a relationship
in your life. Encourage him or her to also ask for forgiveness to those they’ve wronged.

1. “Tim Tebow Quotes,” BrainyQuote [online], [accessed 11 June 2015]. Available from the Internet:
www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/timtebow550712.html

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Conversation Starters: When Opposition Strikes

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: There was a time when Christians in America only knew about opposition to Christianity from what they heard was happening in other countries. Increasingly, American culture has allowed—and even supported—opposition to Christian faith. How we respond to such spiritual opposition says as much about our faith as our beliefs do. The early church experienced opposition and their prayerful response shows how we can respond when others oppose our faith. Because God is in control, we can be confident in the midst of opposition.

Concept: When Opposition Strikes

Preschool

Jonah

LIFE POINT: God told Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach to the people. Instead, Jonah got on a ship going somewhere else! Soon a storm came. Jonah told the sailors to throw him overboard. When they did, the storm stopped. God did not let Jonah drown. He sent a big fish to swallow Jonah. For three days Jonah prayed from inside the fish. God directed the fish to spit Jonah out onto the shore. Jonah obeyed God. He went to Nineveh. He told the people they had done bad things to God. The people were sorry for
what they had done. God was glad they stopped doing bad things. God forgave the people.

LIVE IT OUT: Find a missionary that your family could pray for. Invite your preschooler to decorate a card or draw a picture to send to the missionary to thank him for telling people about God.

Kids

Jonah

LIFE POINT: God told Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach to the people. Instead, Jonah got on a ship going somewhere else! Soon a storm came. Jonah told the sailors to throw him overboard. When they did, the storm stopped. God did not let Jonah drown. He sent a big fish to swallow Jonah. For three days Jonah prayed from inside the fish. God directed the fish to spit Jonah out onto the shore. Jonah obeyed God. He went to Nineveh. He told the people they had sinned against God. The people were sorry for what they had done. God was glad they stopped sinning. God forgave the people.

LIVE IT OUT: Think of a family friend that is in need of Jesus. Work as a family to share Jesus with that
person or family. God wants people to tell others about Jesus. You can be an example to your child.

Students

Acts 4:23-31

THE POINT: We can boldly face any opposition because God is in charge. How can we strive for unity in the presence of opposition? What does it look like to demonstrate spiritual boldness in today’s world?
Discuss the following quote:

“Opposition is not only evidence that God is blessing, but it is also an opportunity for us to grow.”1 —Warren Wiersbe

LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:

If he or she plans to complete Conflict Management:
• Ask your student to make a list of ways to support your church. Assist them in their efforts to be more
connected in the church, and encourage them as they faithfully serve.

If he or she plans to complete Living with Courage:
• Help your student come up with a list of friends/peers they can talk to about Jesus.
• Pray with your student that God would give them the boldness and opportunity to share, and remind them that you are praying for them daily.

1. Warren Wiersbe, “Search For A Quote,” Christian Quotes [online], [accessed 16 March 2015]. Available from the Internet: www.christianquotes.info/search-for-a-quote/#ixzz3QavM3Q4C

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