Preschool (2yrs to PreK)

I can show…

“I love you!”

This weekend we open up Luke 7:36-50 and read about a moment where Jesus forgives.  In the life of your preschooler, they long to know that no matter what they might do… they will be forgiven.

As we read in the story, a woman had much to be forgiven in her life.  Her actions toward Christ (pouring expensive oil on his feet and washing them with her hair and tears) displayed extreme gratitude.

And all of that gratitude comes from one simple act of forgiveness.

Granting forgiveness to someone that is guilty is one of the most powerful things we can do for someone.  It’s the most powerful true expression of love.  And if Christ can demonstrate it to us… we can demonstrate it through us to others.

This week, Fight for the Heart, by creating an environment of unconditional love in your home.  Although it’s important to ensure our kids understand actions and consequences, your child learns best how to receive grace from their Heavenly Father when they receive grace from you.

Elementary (K-3rd grade)

Determination is deciding it’s worth it to finish what you’ve started.

In this week’s Bible story, Ruth is determined to stick by Naomi during the very hardest times (Book of Ruth).  Both women were widows, but when Naomi decided to go back to her hometown, Ruth insisted on going with her.  Ruth didn’t want Naomi to feel alone and overwhelmed with how her life turned out.

Sometimes when we decide to help someone, it gets harder than we expected it would.  Our Bottom Line is: be the one who sticks by someone in need.  We may have to give something up.  We may have to go someplace we really don’t want to go.  We may have to courageously speak up when it’d be easier to stay quiet.  But be determined to help however long and in whatever way is needed.

Our memory verse this month is:

“Let us keep on running the race marked out for us.”
(Hebrews 12;1b, NIrV)

For a while, the race marked out for us might actually go alongside the race marked out for someone else.  We can stick with them, and encourage them to keep on helping each other not give up.

This week, Widen the Circle, by inviting someone from your group of friends or your small group to tell your child about a time they thought about giving up on something yet decided to stick it out.

Club 45 (4th & 5th grade)

Under the Radar

How Temptation and Sin sneak up on us

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything s excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. (Philippians 4:8, NLT)

This scripture is a great tool for making decisions about what kinds of things we should listen to, watch, do/play and say. It can function as a ‘radar’ to help us discern what is worthy of our time and focus.

We want your preteen to know that sin can happen when we give in  to temptation.  But if our “radar” is on then we’re less likely to be caught off guard.

Teaching our kids how to filter the world around them through God’s word is the best way to recognize what God wants us to do vs what our enemy tempts us to do.

This week, Create a Rhythm with your preteen by spending some time talking about the TV shows, movies, music &/or video games you choose to watch/play.  Talk about what you like about each and what you think is questionable sometimes.  Decide together if any adjustments are needed and why.  You may decide that nothing needs to change.  That’s great.  The point is the conversation.