Preschool (2yrs-PreK)

Jesus is my good friend!

This weekend we will be sharing the story of the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her perfume.  In Luke 7:36-50, we see a room full of men, many of them religious.  They are eating with Jesus when a woman who had made many bad choices (like all of us) falls at Jesus’ feet and begins to worship him.  She is moved to tears and continues to clean His feet with her tears, hair and then her most prized possession, her perfume.

Why did she do this?  Because she recognized His love for her, despite her bad choices.  She knew she was forgiven and she was overwhelmed with thankfulness.  We want your preschooler to know that Jesus loves them the same way, even when they make a bad choice.  One of the most obvious ways they can understand the love of Jesus is by how we as parents react to what they do.

Fight for the Heart this week by choosing not to be angry when your child makes an unwise choice.  Love on them FIRST, the way Jesus loved on the woman.  Our kids want to please us.  They will make good choices as a response to the great love we display to them, the same way people change when they realize how much Jesus loves them.  Talk to your child about the wise choice they could have made, but tell them you love them no matter what.  Help them understand that Jesus is their friend, NO MATTER WHAT!

Elementary (K-3^rd Grade)

Jesus has overcome the world!

We’re continuing to talk to your students about how something good can come from something bad.  Some of the disciples still had doubt after Jesus was resurrected (Matt 28:17).  Jesus answered that doubt with a declaration of the authority that he carries.  All authority in heaven and on earth had been given to him (v18).  He didn’t just leave it at that.  He then sent the disciples out in that power to make more disciples and baptize them into the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit (v19).

 

That means that even though Jesus leaving earth seemed really bad, it was actually the best thing!  Once Jesus went back to heaven, the Holy Spirit came and gave all believers access to the throne!  God made something great out of what seemed like something very bad.

 

For some of us, it can take a lot of effort to see the good in a situation.  We are conditioned by the world to focus on the negative, to be “Debbie Downers” and “Negative Nellies”.  As a believer though, we are supposed to be constantly looking for the GOOD in situations!  Take the time to Create a Rhythm with your student and help them change the way they think until it is the natural response to look for the good things in all situations!  You’ll find your own ways of “stinking thinking” changing too!

 

Club 45 (4-5^th grade)

BULLIES: TAKING DOWN GOLIATH

Were you ever bullied?  Maybe you still are?  Maybe, you ARE the bully!  What is a bully? This weekend, your student will be learning what a bully is and what they can do about it.

Bullies are people who DEMAND things from others.  In school, they want lunch money, bus seats, locker space, basically anything that doesn’t belong to them.  They cause turmoil for all those around them.  As grownups, they want to be served.  They feel entitled to things.  They continue to be demanding.  Sound familiar?

Our flesh wants to fight back.  We want to get even with these types of people.  We want to see them get what they deserved.  Did you know that if it wasn’t for Jesus, we would all get what we deserve?  And it wouldn’t be pretty.  Jesus has called us to another level of living as a believers.  We are not supposed to desire for harm to come to ANYONE.  Rather, we are to “love our enemies, treat well those who detest you and pursue you with hatred” (Luke 6:27).  How do you love your enemies?  By “…praying for the happiness of those who curse you…” (Luke 6:28).

Say what?!?!?!  Yep, we have to love the bullies.  We have to pray for the people who cause us the most grief in life.  Imagine the End with your student by talking about ways they can pray for the kids who are bullies.  Imagine how different life would be if that person had a relationship with Jesus?  Do the same for the enemies in your life.  Watch what God will do!