Preschool (2yrs to PreK)

“Continuing to pray, keeping alert, and always thanking God.”
Colossians (4:12, NCV)

When was the last time you witnessed a 40 year old prayer come true?

Well… we’re actually not sure how long the lame man prayed for healing, but we know he was lame from birth.  And he was a Jew.  And as a Jew, he would normally join his peers for prayer in the temple if he were not lame.  You see, according to Jewish law, he could not enter the temple because he was ceremonially unclean.  Which meant he could not enter the temple until he was healed.

According the Acts 3:1-11, this man was lame from birth. Daily his friends carried him to the entrance of the temple to ask for handouts.  I can only imagine how many times over the course of years, he asked God to heal him.  And I can only imagine how many times over the course of years his prayer for complete healing was reduced to a simple prayer for just enough to eat today.  Life has a way of eroding our dreams over time.

Then one day he encounters Peter & John.  Asking for money, this man assumed Peter and John would meet his immediate need… money to get through the day.  He had no idea that Peter and John possessed a truth that would meet his ultimate need… spiritual healing.  And as a result of that healing, this man go to do what he watched so many others do over the years… walk into the temple and pray.

This man did the very thing we want our preschoolers to learn to do… pray, talk to God and thank Him for all He’s done.

This week, Make It Personal, by investing some time praying and talking to your Heavenly Father.  Allow Him to remind you of the miraculous things He can do in your life.

 

Elementary (K-3rd grade)

Our Bible teaching helps us understand the principle of work (Colossians 3:23-24). As we work, we can be determined to finish the job right and with a good attitude, because we know we’re always serving God.  This week our Bottom Line is:

Be the one who works hard, because God sees your heart.

God pays attention to all the work that we do, even the smallest things.  And it really pleases Him when we do those things with a good attitude!

So when we’re tempted to whine about a task, or give up because it’s too hard, we can remember this month’s memory verse: “Let us keep on running the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1b, NIrV.  Keep on doing math homework.  Keep on helping with chores around the house. Keep on being kind to our friends and neighbors. Not because we’re motivated by the best grade, a higher allowance, or feeling popular, but because we know that our determination honors God.

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

This week, Make It Personal, by sharing with your kids a time when you chose to keep working out of sheer determination.  Did you know at the time that your actions honored God?

 

Club 45 (4th & 5th grade)

Under the Radar

How Temptation and Sin Sneak Up On Us

This week we’re talking to your 4th and 5th grader about SIN and it’s sneaky nature.  Last week we briefly talked about how the world moves the line of appropriate, normal and acceptable but the Bible clearly draws a line that doesn’t move. This week, we’re talking about the same concept applied to movies and TV.

We all have our favorite movies and shows, and we want to help your preteen ‘fine tune’ their radar to recognize when something within our favorite movies and shows is worth watching.  No matter the rating the movie industry places on a movie, if it doesn’t line up with Philippians 4:8 it isn’t worth watching.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.”  Philippians 4:8

This week, Create a Rhythm, by talking with your preteen about the movies and shows they enjoy watching.  Allow them to speak openly about what they like about the shows.  Let them explore reasons why the shows may or may not align with Philippians 4:8.  Then empower them to make a decision regarding what they should or should not watch.  By allowing them to take part in the decision making process you have a greater level of accountability with them and a greater chance at compliance.