Preschool (2yrs – PreK)

God is with me so I can be brave.

This week’s Bible story is found in Exodus 13:17–14:31 where the Israelites cross over the Red Sea.  What a great story to demonstrate the continual presence of God in our lives.  We want your preschool to know that wherever they are, whatever they do God is always with you.  Why?  Because God Loves You!

Create a Rhythm this week by using your Drive Time to sing a fun song with your preschooler.  Go to amberskyrecords.com and download one of our Preschool worship songs “Wherever, Whatever”.  Watch your preschooler as they light up singing this song with you.

Elementary (K-3rd grade)

Contentment – choosing to be happy with what you’ve got

Our Bible story is about a spoiled king, Ahab who is seriously upset when his neighbor Naboth won’t sell his family’s vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-19, 27). We’ll unpack the story like a murder mystery, WhoDunIt?, to discover all the people involved and their motives.

At its heart, this story is not only about wanting things that other people have; it’s also a cautionary tale about what happens when we compare ourselves and our unique situation to the people around us. So the Bottom Line is:

When you want what someone else has, it can make you miserable.

When we struggle with contentment, we start to complain and grumble; some people are even tempted to steal! The apostle Paul learned over time that contentment is really a choice and a good habit to develop, so he encourages us to be able to say like our monthly Memory Verse says, that “I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me. I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens.” Philippians 4:11b-12a, NIrV

Make It Personal by looking in the mirror and being completely honest with yourself.  You don’t have to have this conversation with anyone but you.  “Are you content with what you have… really?”  This is a tough question to ask because when I’m completely honest with myself I have to say “No, I’m not”.  This is a truth you don’t have to share with anyone else.  But knowing it puts you in the position to look to your Heavenly Father for contentment.

Club 45 (4th & 5th grade)

School Days

This week we focus in on Mathew 8:1-4 where we learn about an encounter between Christ and a leper.  There is so much more to this story than the simple fact that Jesus healed the leper.  And if you don’t pay attention, you might miss it.

In that moment, surrounded by what the Bible refers to as a “large crowd”, Jesus is supposed to put great distance between himself and the leper.  You see, the leper was unclean.  And as a rabbi (especially as a rabbi) Jesus had to remain ceremonially clean.  Once again, Jesus does just what crowd does NOT expect Him to do.  He reached out and touched the leper.

The significance of the story is in the touch of our Savior.  He didn’t have to do that.  He could have stood from a distance, spoken a word and the leper would have been healed.  But Jesus went beyond that.  He reached out and physically touched the leper.  An intimate action this leper and the crowd didn’t expect.  Bridging a gap between the accepted and the unaccepted.

This week we challenge your 4th & 5th grader… who can you accept “as is” this week?  How can you show acceptance to him/her?

Create a Rhythm this month by finding a community service opportunity like the FISH Pantry and serve alongside your child.  Discover the rich conversations you will have with your child when they experience a work of God through them.