Preschool

The Basic Truth we are teaching your preschooler this month is…

“Jesus wants to be my Friend Forever”

This weekend we are using the story of Jesus healing a blind man from John 9:1-7.  Now, with our preschoolers we will keep the story very simple.  The man was blind and Jesus helped him see.  However, there is so much more to this story! 

In John 9:1 the text immediately states the man was blind from birth.  Culturally people believed that if you were physically disabled in any way then it was a result of sin.  Either your own sin or the sins of someone in your lineage.  So, the question the disciples immediately ask, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  Jesus immediately replied stating the blindness had nothing to do with sin, but everything to do with God’s glory.  In fact, the NIrV states, “It isn’t because this man sinned,” said Jesus. “It isn’t because his parents sinned. This happened so that God’s work could be shown in his life…” 

Do you find yourself wrestling with something?  Physical illness, financial stress, family challenges?  Whether your circumstance is a result of mistakes you’ve made or simply “life” happening… is it possible that your posture could be as Jesus describes?  So that God’s work could be shown in your life? 

Make it Personal by allowing your kids to see how you strive to grow by writing down the things you’re most challenged by and how God work might be shown through that circumstance.  When appropriate, share these things with your kids so they can share and encourage you along the way.

This story reveals a great truth that we need Jesus to help us.  With your preschooler, we’ll use the question, “Who will help you?” consistently over the next 3 weeks to help kids remember that “Jesus will help me”.

Create a Rhythm and tap into the power of quality moments together.  While driving in the car this week randomly ask your child, “Who will help you?”  Then teach them to say “Jesus will help me”.  Imagine how the difference that will make as your child grows older if they know and believe that Jesus will help when they need help.  Why?  Because Jesus wants to be my friend forever.

Don’t miss your Small Talks this week for a fun Play Time activity. Connect with your child in this special way this week.

Elementary (K-3^rd & Club 45)

We’re focusing on Courage for the next few weeks. 

Courage is being brave enough to do what you should do even when you’re afraid. 

We’re focusing on the story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel 17:1-50.  We want kids to remember that, “When you’re afraid, remember God is with you.”  Let’s look deeper at this story…

Imagine for a moment what it was like to be a young boy that had already seen some “action in the field”.  Consider what David did on a daily basis.  Herding sheep is not for the faint of heart.  You spend day and night caring for a flock of sheep, leading them to water, leading them to green pastures to eat, leading them to safe places to sleep.  Today we can make a shepherd seem very meek and mild.  But I don’t think that is the image of a true shepherd.  At this point in David’s life, he had already fought off bears and other predators in order to keep his flock safe.  There’s nothing meek or mild about fighting a bear.  Clearly David had some experience defending himself with a sling & a rock.  Being a good shot wasn’t just job security… it was life-protection.  So I wonder how David felt about defending his flock from a bear.  I wonder what he thought of sleeping in the field the following night, knowing potential attack could come again.  I can imagine David had some experience in facing situations just like Goliath.  And having the courage to do what he should even when he was afraid.  David had experience that reminded him that God was with him even when he was afraid.  We want our kids to learn that, as well.

Make it Personal and allow your kids to see how you strive to grow.  Talk about times in your life when you were brave enough to do what you should do even when you’re afraid.

Create a Rhythm and tap into the power of quality moments together.  Grab your God Time card this week and head to Starbucks for some Hot Cocoa.  Complete one of the activities together and see what kind of conversation comes.