Listen to God: Read Matthew 12:1-8
The Law prohibited working on the Sabbath, but it made provision for those who were
poor or hungry. They could pick heads of grain and eat the kernels provided a scythe was
not used (Deuteronomy 23:25). The disciples did exactly that. They got just enough to provide
nourishment and strictly obeyed the letter of the Law. Unfortunately that was not acceptable
in the eyes of the Pharisees. They hated Jesus and said His followers were breaking
the Law. Jesus did not allow their attacks to keep Him from focusing on His purpose,
though. Discuss with your family the ways Satan tries to distract people today.
Talk to God
It’s easy to get distracted by things that don’t really matter and lose focus on
the things that do matter. Jesus masterfully avoided the Pharisees’ attempts
to distract Him from His purpose. We must follow His example to do the
same. Pray together that God will help each family member resist the temptations
that come along and remain faithful to God’s purpose for his or her life.
Walk With God
Option 1: Explain to family members why we should follow God’s rules. We should follow God’s
rules because we love Him. Obeying His commands does not save us. Only belief in His death
and resurrection can give us salvation. We obey God’s rules because we want to please Him
and make Him happy. We have a relationship with God, so we follow His rules because we love
Him, but more importantly because He loves us.
Option 2: What does your family do to honor the principle of the Sabbath? It’s important to remember that
hundreds of laws regarding what could or couldn’t be done on the Sabbath were created with good intention—to
be sure people kept the Sabbath holy. The results were far less noble. In fact, it became almost impossible to rest
on the Sabbath due to the demands and restrictions placed by the many laws. Even though those laws do not
exist for Christians today, we are still expected to honor the principle of the Sabbath—one day of rest and worship
each week. Discuss with your family how to do that. Set some goals or expectations together to help your family
honor the Sabbath principle and achieve God’s purpose for the day.
Week 4
March 25, 2012
D6 Family Theme: PURPOSE
The Point: Nothing should distract us from fulfilling God’s purpose.
The one page for every age
HO E c o n n e c t i o n
TM
curriculum FTE 4-4
Infant/Toddler
Today your child learned how to share with his or her friends. Use the
Cuddle Card to reinforce the Heartprint: I Can Share.
Preschool
Today your child discussed the Heartprint: I Can Obey Jesus by learning
what, when, and how to obey. Discuss obedience with your child and what
it means to obey with a happy heart.
Early Elementary
Today your student discussed how Jesus is the only way to salvation. Jesus
taught the disciples, the Pharisees, and the crowds that He was God’s Son.
He performed miracles to display His power and authority. Talk with your
child about accepting the gift of salvation.
Upper Elementary
Today your student discussed how Jesus is the only way to salvation. Jesus
taught the disciples, the Pharisees, and the crowds that He was God’s Son.
He preformed miracles to display His power and authority. Talk with your
student about accepting the gift of salvation.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
SPLINK
The Only Way
1.
Items Needed: copy or construction paper and pencils
Bible
Ask kids to draw a map. (Pick a familiar starting place and an ending destination: house to library, school to home, house to church, etc.) Assign each one a different starting point and destination.
Why was it easy to draw the map? (Knew the way, been that way many times, etc.)
Read John 14:6–the new Bible verse elementary students began learning this week.
Jesus said, "I am the way." His purpose was to make a way for us to have our sins forgiven and go to Heaven. He knew the way; He came from Heaven and went back to Heaven.
Say the verse several times playing echo. One person is the leader and says a phrase of the verse while the others echo what they've just said.
2.Tell Someone The Good News!
Item Needed: tract (some elementary classes have one to give away) or an invitation to church (perhaps to a special Easter event or service)
*Tracts are on parent resource table under THC bulletin board and invitations to the Easter service will be ready April 1st
Jesus knew His purpose. He always did His Father's will. He came to the earth to die and give His life so we could have our sins taken away. What good news!!! To whom can we tell this good news?
Ask each family member to think of a friend or someone who might need to know the way to Heaven. Think of a statement to say as you hand the tract or invitation to the person. (Would you read this and tell me what you think? Would you like to come to church with me on Easter? Would you like to hear some good news?)
Say a prayer for the person giving and for the person receiving the tract.
3. Keeping Warm Under Water
Items Needed: rubber glove
Large bowl or sink full of very cold water
Some warm water in a cup
Towel to mop up any spills
Do a simple experiment to understand the purpose of a dolphin's blubber (to help keep its body warm in cold water).
Ask a volunteer to put his bare hand in the water. (Then dry off his hand)
Now fill the glove with warm water and tell the volunteer to put his hand in it. (Some water will probably spill out so hold it over the bowl or sink.) Keeping his fingers pointing down tell him to put his hand back in the cold water (with the water filled glove on).
How does it feel? (This is a little how the dolphin's blubber keeps it warm.)
God designed the dolphin's body with a layer of fat, or blubber under their skin to help them stay warm in the very cold water. Scientists have also discovered that blubber helps the dolphin to swim. God was a very wise designer who made everything for a purpose.
1.
Items Needed: copy or construction paper and pencils
Bible
Ask kids to draw a map. (Pick a familiar starting place and an ending destination: house to library, school to home, house to church, etc.) Assign each one a different starting point and destination.
Why was it easy to draw the map? (Knew the way, been that way many times, etc.)
Read John 14:6–the new Bible verse elementary students began learning this week.
Jesus said, "I am the way." His purpose was to make a way for us to have our sins forgiven and go to Heaven. He knew the way; He came from Heaven and went back to Heaven.
Say the verse several times playing echo. One person is the leader and says a phrase of the verse while the others echo what they've just said.
2.Tell Someone The Good News!
Item Needed: tract (some elementary classes have one to give away) or an invitation to church (perhaps to a special Easter event or service)
*Tracts are on parent resource table under THC bulletin board and invitations to the Easter service will be ready April 1st
Jesus knew His purpose. He always did His Father's will. He came to the earth to die and give His life so we could have our sins taken away. What good news!!! To whom can we tell this good news?
Ask each family member to think of a friend or someone who might need to know the way to Heaven. Think of a statement to say as you hand the tract or invitation to the person. (Would you read this and tell me what you think? Would you like to come to church with me on Easter? Would you like to hear some good news?)
Say a prayer for the person giving and for the person receiving the tract.
3. Keeping Warm Under Water
Items Needed: rubber glove
Large bowl or sink full of very cold water
Some warm water in a cup
Towel to mop up any spills
Do a simple experiment to understand the purpose of a dolphin's blubber (to help keep its body warm in cold water).
Ask a volunteer to put his bare hand in the water. (Then dry off his hand)
Now fill the glove with warm water and tell the volunteer to put his hand in it. (Some water will probably spill out so hold it over the bowl or sink.) Keeping his fingers pointing down tell him to put his hand back in the cold water (with the water filled glove on).
How does it feel? (This is a little how the dolphin's blubber keeps it warm.)
God designed the dolphin's body with a layer of fat, or blubber under their skin to help them stay warm in the very cold water. Scientists have also discovered that blubber helps the dolphin to swim. God was a very wise designer who made everything for a purpose.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
SPLINK & HOME CONNECTION
SPLINK & HOME CONNECTION
The Best Leader to Follow
Play “Follow the Leader.”
Take turns being the leader.
Ask:
Why is it important to follow the leader? (So you will know what to do)
What might happen if you closed your eyes while playing the game? (You might get hurt or lost)
Jesus is a great leader.
When Jesus told His disciples to let their nets down into the water, what did they do? (They obeyed)
What happened? (They caught A LOT of fish–Luke 5:1-11)
Why is it important for us to obey what God has told us in the Bible? (We will be happier, we will be blessed, we will please God, etc.)
Peter Rabbit
If you have young children, read or tell them The Tale of Peter Rabbit (by Beatrix Potter) and ask them some questions.
Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter.
They lived with their Mother in a sandbank, underneath the root of a very big fir tree.
"Now, my dears," said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, "you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden–your Father had an accident there. He was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor."
"Now run along, and don't get into mischief. I am going out."
Then old Mrs. Rabbit took a basket and her umbrella and went to the baker's. She bought a loaf of brown bread and five currant buns.
Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail, who were good little bunnies, went down the lane to gather blackberries.
But Peter, who was very naughty, ran straight away to Mr. McGregor's garden and squeezed under the gate!
First he ate some lettuces and some French beans, and then he ate some radishes.
And then, feeling rather sick, he went to look for some parsley.
But round the end of a cucumber frame, whom should he meet but Mr. McGregor!
Mr. McGregor was on his hands and knees planting young cabbages, but he jumped up and ran after Peter, waving a rake and calling out, "Stop thief!"
Peter was most dreadfully frightened; he rushed all over the garden, for he had forgotten the way back to the gate.
He lost one of his shoes among the cabbages, and the other shoe amongst the potatoes.
After losing them, he ran on four legs and went faster, so I think he might have got away altogether if he had not unfortunately run into a gooseberry net, and got caught by the large buttons on his jacket. It was a blue jacket with brass buttons, quite new.
Peter gave himself up for lost, and shed big tears; but his sobs were overheard by some friendly sparrows, who flew to him in great excitement, and implored him to exert himself.
Mr. McGregor came up with a sieve, which he intended to pop upon the top of Peter, but Peter wriggled out just in time, leaving his jacket behind him.
And rushed into the tool shed, and jumped into a can. It would have been a beautiful thing to hide in, if it had not had so much water in it.
Mr. McGregor was quite sure that Peter was somewhere in the tool shed, perhaps hidden underneath a flowerpot. He began to turn them over carefully, looking under each.
Presently Peter sneezed, "Kertyschoo!" Mr. McGregor was after him in no time, and tried to put his foot on Peter, who jumped out of a window, upsetting three plants. The window was too small for Mr. McGregor, and he was tired of running after Peter. He went back to his work.
Peter sat down to rest. He was out of breath and trembling with fright, and he had not the least idea which way to go. Also he was very damp from sitting in that can.
After a time he began to wander about, going lippity . . . lippity . . . not very fast, and looking all around.
He found a door in a wall, but it was locked, and there was no room for a fat little rabbit to squeeze underneath.
An old mouse was running in and out over the stone doorstep, carrying peas and beans to her family in the wood. Peter asked her the way to the gate, but she had such a large pea in her mouth she could not answer. She only shook her head at him. Peter began to cry.
Then he tried to find his way straight across the garden, but he became more and more puzzled. Presently, he came to a pond where Mr. McGregor filled his water cans. A white cat was staring at some goldfish; she sat very, very still, but now and then the tip of her tail twitched as if it were alive. Peter thought it best to go away without speaking to her; he had heard about cats from his cousin, little Benjamin Bunny.
He went back towards the tool shed, but suddenly, quite close to him, he heard the noise of a hoe–scr-r-ritch, scratch, scratch, scritch. Peter scuttered underneath the bushes. But presently, as nothing happened, he came out, and climbed upon a wheelbarrow, and peeped over. The first thing he saw was Mr. McGregor hoeing onions. His back was turned towards Peter, and beyond him was the gate!
Peter got down very quietly off the wheelbarrow, and started running as fast as he could go, along a straight walk behind some black currant bushes.
Mr. McGregor caught sight of him at the corner, but Peter did not care. He slipped underneath the gate, and was safe at last in the wood outside the garden.
Mr. McGregor hung up the little jacket and the shoes for a scarecrow to frighten the blackbirds.
Peter never stopped running or looked behind him till he got home to the big fir tree.
He was so tired that he flopped down upon the nice soft sand on the floor of the rabbit-hole, and shut his eyes. His mother was busy cooking. She wondered what he had done with his clothes. It was the second little jacket and pair of shoes that Peter had lost in a fortnight!
I am sorry to say that Peter was not very well during the evening.
His mother put him to bed, and made some chamomile tea; she gave a dose of it to Peter!
"One tablespoonful to be taken at bedtime."
But Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail had bread and milk and blackberries, for supper.
Ask:
Who was obedient in the story? (Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail)
Who was disobedient? (Peter)
How did he disobey? (He went to the garden when his mother told him not to go)
Why is it good to obey your mother? (She wants what is best for you, she wants to protect you, she will help you do what is right, etc.)
If you want to listen to a reading of it and see pictures, go to: http://www.wiredforbooks.org/flash/PeterRabbit.swf
HOME CONNECTION
Listen to God: Read Luke 5:1-11
This Scripture offers a glimpse into the life of Peter and illustrates several levels of his
obedience to Christ. Peter was obedient to share his resources with the Lord as he allowed
his boat to be used as Jesus’ speaking platform. He was also obedient to drop his nets on
the other side of the boat when it didn’t make any sense to him. (Galilean fisherman usually
fished at night, not in the middle of the day. They also usually fished in the shallow waters
near the shore—not the deep waters where Jesus told Peter to let down the nets.) Lead your
family in a discussion about how it’s sometimes easier to obey some instructions than it
is others. Also discuss how Peter’s obedience to the Lord might have impacted the many
people who were watching on the shore.
Talk to God
Obedience is sometimes described as doing what you are told to do, when
you are told to do it, and with a happy heart. To be completely obedient
means you are obeying right away and with the right attitude. Our natural
desire to sin keeps us from automatically showing the right attitudes
sometimes. God can help with that. Pray together that you will all seek God’s
help in showing appropriate attitudes with obedience. Encourage family
members to continue that prayer on a personal level this week.
Walk With God
Option 1: Ahead of time, make a recipe without following all of the listed instructions.
(For example, make brownies but leave out the eggs.) When your family members notice
something is wrong, tell them you followed the instructions you thought were important and
only left off one thing you did not think was needed. Discuss the importance of that one missing
ingredient and the parallel of obeying the Lord with every part of your life except a few. Is there a
similarity? Can partial obedience be considered obedience at all?
Option 2: Peter’s whole career changed as he accepted the call to follow the Lord to become a “fisher
of men.” We should consider what God may be calling us to give up in order to obey Him and where
He may be taking us on life’s journey. Encourage family members to consider what ministry God
may be calling them to. Ask children what they hope to be when they “grow up,” or encourage
older members of the family to discuss their “dream” jobs. Have fun painting word pictures of what
those dreams might look like, and end your time together in prayer. Ask the Lord to help each family
member be willing to do what He desires for his or life.
Week 3
March 18, 2012
D6 Family Theme: Obedience
The Point: Obeying Christ will transform our lives.
Early Elementary
Your student learned about the 12 disciples who followed Jesus. Since Jesus
knows what is absolute best for us, we can trust Him. Encourage your child
to follow Jesus as leader. Remember to encourage your student to use the
Adventure Guide to develop the habit of spending time each day with God.
Upper Elementary
Your student learned about Simon Peter’s obedience to Jesus as well as
the results of his obedience. He or she also learned Jesus is our Leader.
Encourage your student to use the Explorer’s Guide to develop the habit of
spending time each day with God.
Young
The Best Leader to Follow
Play “Follow the Leader.”
Take turns being the leader.
Ask:
Why is it important to follow the leader? (So you will know what to do)
What might happen if you closed your eyes while playing the game? (You might get hurt or lost)
Jesus is a great leader.
When Jesus told His disciples to let their nets down into the water, what did they do? (They obeyed)
What happened? (They caught A LOT of fish–Luke 5:1-11)
Why is it important for us to obey what God has told us in the Bible? (We will be happier, we will be blessed, we will please God, etc.)
Peter Rabbit
If you have young children, read or tell them The Tale of Peter Rabbit (by Beatrix Potter) and ask them some questions.
Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter.
They lived with their Mother in a sandbank, underneath the root of a very big fir tree.
"Now, my dears," said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, "you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden–your Father had an accident there. He was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor."
"Now run along, and don't get into mischief. I am going out."
Then old Mrs. Rabbit took a basket and her umbrella and went to the baker's. She bought a loaf of brown bread and five currant buns.
Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail, who were good little bunnies, went down the lane to gather blackberries.
But Peter, who was very naughty, ran straight away to Mr. McGregor's garden and squeezed under the gate!
First he ate some lettuces and some French beans, and then he ate some radishes.
And then, feeling rather sick, he went to look for some parsley.
But round the end of a cucumber frame, whom should he meet but Mr. McGregor!
Mr. McGregor was on his hands and knees planting young cabbages, but he jumped up and ran after Peter, waving a rake and calling out, "Stop thief!"
Peter was most dreadfully frightened; he rushed all over the garden, for he had forgotten the way back to the gate.
He lost one of his shoes among the cabbages, and the other shoe amongst the potatoes.
After losing them, he ran on four legs and went faster, so I think he might have got away altogether if he had not unfortunately run into a gooseberry net, and got caught by the large buttons on his jacket. It was a blue jacket with brass buttons, quite new.
Peter gave himself up for lost, and shed big tears; but his sobs were overheard by some friendly sparrows, who flew to him in great excitement, and implored him to exert himself.
Mr. McGregor came up with a sieve, which he intended to pop upon the top of Peter, but Peter wriggled out just in time, leaving his jacket behind him.
And rushed into the tool shed, and jumped into a can. It would have been a beautiful thing to hide in, if it had not had so much water in it.
Mr. McGregor was quite sure that Peter was somewhere in the tool shed, perhaps hidden underneath a flowerpot. He began to turn them over carefully, looking under each.
Presently Peter sneezed, "Kertyschoo!" Mr. McGregor was after him in no time, and tried to put his foot on Peter, who jumped out of a window, upsetting three plants. The window was too small for Mr. McGregor, and he was tired of running after Peter. He went back to his work.
Peter sat down to rest. He was out of breath and trembling with fright, and he had not the least idea which way to go. Also he was very damp from sitting in that can.
After a time he began to wander about, going lippity . . . lippity . . . not very fast, and looking all around.
He found a door in a wall, but it was locked, and there was no room for a fat little rabbit to squeeze underneath.
An old mouse was running in and out over the stone doorstep, carrying peas and beans to her family in the wood. Peter asked her the way to the gate, but she had such a large pea in her mouth she could not answer. She only shook her head at him. Peter began to cry.
Then he tried to find his way straight across the garden, but he became more and more puzzled. Presently, he came to a pond where Mr. McGregor filled his water cans. A white cat was staring at some goldfish; she sat very, very still, but now and then the tip of her tail twitched as if it were alive. Peter thought it best to go away without speaking to her; he had heard about cats from his cousin, little Benjamin Bunny.
He went back towards the tool shed, but suddenly, quite close to him, he heard the noise of a hoe–scr-r-ritch, scratch, scratch, scritch. Peter scuttered underneath the bushes. But presently, as nothing happened, he came out, and climbed upon a wheelbarrow, and peeped over. The first thing he saw was Mr. McGregor hoeing onions. His back was turned towards Peter, and beyond him was the gate!
Peter got down very quietly off the wheelbarrow, and started running as fast as he could go, along a straight walk behind some black currant bushes.
Mr. McGregor caught sight of him at the corner, but Peter did not care. He slipped underneath the gate, and was safe at last in the wood outside the garden.
Mr. McGregor hung up the little jacket and the shoes for a scarecrow to frighten the blackbirds.
Peter never stopped running or looked behind him till he got home to the big fir tree.
He was so tired that he flopped down upon the nice soft sand on the floor of the rabbit-hole, and shut his eyes. His mother was busy cooking. She wondered what he had done with his clothes. It was the second little jacket and pair of shoes that Peter had lost in a fortnight!
I am sorry to say that Peter was not very well during the evening.
His mother put him to bed, and made some chamomile tea; she gave a dose of it to Peter!
"One tablespoonful to be taken at bedtime."
But Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail had bread and milk and blackberries, for supper.
Ask:
Who was obedient in the story? (Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail)
Who was disobedient? (Peter)
How did he disobey? (He went to the garden when his mother told him not to go)
Why is it good to obey your mother? (She wants what is best for you, she wants to protect you, she will help you do what is right, etc.)
If you want to listen to a reading of it and see pictures, go to: http://www.wiredforbooks.org/flash/PeterRabbit.swf
HOME CONNECTION
Listen to God: Read Luke 5:1-11
This Scripture offers a glimpse into the life of Peter and illustrates several levels of his
obedience to Christ. Peter was obedient to share his resources with the Lord as he allowed
his boat to be used as Jesus’ speaking platform. He was also obedient to drop his nets on
the other side of the boat when it didn’t make any sense to him. (Galilean fisherman usually
fished at night, not in the middle of the day. They also usually fished in the shallow waters
near the shore—not the deep waters where Jesus told Peter to let down the nets.) Lead your
family in a discussion about how it’s sometimes easier to obey some instructions than it
is others. Also discuss how Peter’s obedience to the Lord might have impacted the many
people who were watching on the shore.
Talk to God
Obedience is sometimes described as doing what you are told to do, when
you are told to do it, and with a happy heart. To be completely obedient
means you are obeying right away and with the right attitude. Our natural
desire to sin keeps us from automatically showing the right attitudes
sometimes. God can help with that. Pray together that you will all seek God’s
help in showing appropriate attitudes with obedience. Encourage family
members to continue that prayer on a personal level this week.
Walk With God
Option 1: Ahead of time, make a recipe without following all of the listed instructions.
(For example, make brownies but leave out the eggs.) When your family members notice
something is wrong, tell them you followed the instructions you thought were important and
only left off one thing you did not think was needed. Discuss the importance of that one missing
ingredient and the parallel of obeying the Lord with every part of your life except a few. Is there a
similarity? Can partial obedience be considered obedience at all?
Option 2: Peter’s whole career changed as he accepted the call to follow the Lord to become a “fisher
of men.” We should consider what God may be calling us to give up in order to obey Him and where
He may be taking us on life’s journey. Encourage family members to consider what ministry God
may be calling them to. Ask children what they hope to be when they “grow up,” or encourage
older members of the family to discuss their “dream” jobs. Have fun painting word pictures of what
those dreams might look like, and end your time together in prayer. Ask the Lord to help each family
member be willing to do what He desires for his or life.
Week 3
March 18, 2012
D6 Family Theme: Obedience
The Point: Obeying Christ will transform our lives.
Early Elementary
Your student learned about the 12 disciples who followed Jesus. Since Jesus
knows what is absolute best for us, we can trust Him. Encourage your child
to follow Jesus as leader. Remember to encourage your student to use the
Adventure Guide to develop the habit of spending time each day with God.
Upper Elementary
Your student learned about Simon Peter’s obedience to Jesus as well as
the results of his obedience. He or she also learned Jesus is our Leader.
Encourage your student to use the Explorer’s Guide to develop the habit of
spending time each day with God.
Young
Monday, March 12, 2012
D6 Home Connection
Early Elementary
Your student learned Jesus is full of grace and truth. When Jesus was
teaching in the temple, He restored a man who was possessed by
demons. Jesus has authority over Satan. We can trust that Jesus will
protect us from Satan as well. He cares for everyone. Talk with your child
about faith.
Upper Elementary
Your student learned that Jesus is full of grace and truth. When Jesus
was teaching in the temple, He restored a man who was possessed by
demons. Jesus has authority over Satan. We can trust that Jesus will
protect us from Satan as well.
Listen to God: Read Mark 1:29-34
With human beings, authority always has its limitations. However, with God, that is not the
case. These verses provide a good picture of Jesus exercising His authority over sickness
and disease. He needed no medicine and the healing was instantaneous. It’s interesting to
see how many people gathered once word spread of the healings. Lead your family in a
discussion about the faith that was demonstrated as people witnessed the authority of
Jesus over sickness and disease.
Talk to God
Since Christ has ultimate authority over our lives, we should have no
problems or reservations submitting to Him. This includes submitting our
finances and time to Him. Spend some time in prayer asking the Lord to help
your family submit to His authority in every area of your lives. Also, thank Him
for the resources and abilities He provides for you daily.
Walk With God
Option 1: Read Exodus 20 to your family. Gather markers, brown paper bags, and a poster
board. Crumple the paper bags, cut them apart, and glue them onto the poster board. As a
family, write each commandment on the poster. Talk with your child about God’s authority.
Explain to your child that God has ultimate wisdom and He knows best. Place the poster in a
common place so your family can be reminded of God’s authority.
Option 2: Play a game of “Simon Says,” or “Mother May I” together. Allow each member of
the family to have a turn as the authority figure in the game. Follow up with a discussion
about people who have authority over us on a daily basis (parents, teachers, bosses,
policemen, etc.). Then discuss the limitations of that authority. (Example: A teacher can
dictate how time is spent in the classroom, but not on a vacation your family takes). End the
discussion by reminding your family that God has limitless authority over our lives. There is
no boundary for Him.
Your student learned Jesus is full of grace and truth. When Jesus was
teaching in the temple, He restored a man who was possessed by
demons. Jesus has authority over Satan. We can trust that Jesus will
protect us from Satan as well. He cares for everyone. Talk with your child
about faith.
Upper Elementary
Your student learned that Jesus is full of grace and truth. When Jesus
was teaching in the temple, He restored a man who was possessed by
demons. Jesus has authority over Satan. We can trust that Jesus will
protect us from Satan as well.
Listen to God: Read Mark 1:29-34
With human beings, authority always has its limitations. However, with God, that is not the
case. These verses provide a good picture of Jesus exercising His authority over sickness
and disease. He needed no medicine and the healing was instantaneous. It’s interesting to
see how many people gathered once word spread of the healings. Lead your family in a
discussion about the faith that was demonstrated as people witnessed the authority of
Jesus over sickness and disease.
Talk to God
Since Christ has ultimate authority over our lives, we should have no
problems or reservations submitting to Him. This includes submitting our
finances and time to Him. Spend some time in prayer asking the Lord to help
your family submit to His authority in every area of your lives. Also, thank Him
for the resources and abilities He provides for you daily.
Walk With God
Option 1: Read Exodus 20 to your family. Gather markers, brown paper bags, and a poster
board. Crumple the paper bags, cut them apart, and glue them onto the poster board. As a
family, write each commandment on the poster. Talk with your child about God’s authority.
Explain to your child that God has ultimate wisdom and He knows best. Place the poster in a
common place so your family can be reminded of God’s authority.
Option 2: Play a game of “Simon Says,” or “Mother May I” together. Allow each member of
the family to have a turn as the authority figure in the game. Follow up with a discussion
about people who have authority over us on a daily basis (parents, teachers, bosses,
policemen, etc.). Then discuss the limitations of that authority. (Example: A teacher can
dictate how time is spent in the classroom, but not on a vacation your family takes). End the
discussion by reminding your family that God has limitless authority over our lives. There is
no boundary for Him.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
KID'S NIGHT OUT Friday, March 23rd
This is a fundraiser for the Kilgoris Project- Kenya Mission Trip. The McNelly family heads this up this beautiful ministry.
Cost for KNO is $20 per child and includes dinner and sports instruction for the boys and dinner and dance/cheer instruction for the gals.
Call 704-996-7863 (Suzie McNelly) to sign up
Cost for KNO is $20 per child and includes dinner and sports instruction for the boys and dinner and dance/cheer instruction for the gals.
Call 704-996-7863 (Suzie McNelly) to sign up
Home Connection & SPLINK
Early Elementary
The Adventure Guide should have come home with your student. Encourage
your student to spend time each day in God’s Word. Help younger students
develop this important habit by helping him or her with the Daily Bible
Readings and devotion. Today your student learned how Jesus was the
fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior. He is the Promised One.
Upper Elementary
The Explorer’s Guide should have come home with your student. Today your
student learned how Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a
Savior. He is the Promised One. We can have faith that Jesus is who He said
He was.
HOME CONNECTION
Listen to God: Read John 4:46-54
It is hard not to notice this father’s faith. When Jesus told him his son was alive and
instructed him to return home, this “believing” father obeyed, no questions asked. He
simply took Jesus at His word even though he had not yet witnessed any action. We
must also respond in faith to Christ’s declaration of good news. After all, the author of
Hebrews describes faith as having the assurance of things that will come to pass even
though it has not yet come to completion (Hebrews 11:1).
Talk to God
The miracles of Christ were not done merely to cause awe, but were
primarily intended to produce and strengthen faith. Our faith in Christ’s
Word will not always be met with such immediate results as with this
father. In fact, we will not see the fullness of our redemption this side of
eternity. But our faith will become fact in God’s timing. Pray together for
God to increase the faith of each family member.
Walk With God
Option 1: Develop (or add to) a family prayer list. Prayer is our greatest resource in
meeting the needs of others. Using a list with your children will help them learn how
to pray for others and not be so “self-consumed” that they forget or fail to recognize
the needs of those around them. Demonstrate love and encouragement this week in a
tangible way to someone from your prayer list. Involve each member of the family in
what you choose to do (a note, a special treat, an act of service, etc.).
Option 2: Be sure to remind your children that stories in the Bible are different from
stories they might read in other books. The Bible is 100 percent true. None of it is makebelieve
or pretend. This week’s Scripture passage tells a true story of amazing faith. This
faith is what God longs for us to have. Talk to your child about how we can’t see or hear
God but we can believe Him. We can read His Word to learn more about Him. It will help
us to know more about God. Encourage your child to ask God for faith.
Week 1
March 4, 2012
D6 Family Theme: faith
The Point: Christ’s good news calls us to faith in Him.
SPLINK
Surprise Guest
Kids started a new series about the miracles of Jesus. Long before Jesus came to earth, God promised to send One who would deliver them from sin; He them many clues so they would recognize Him.
Invite a special guest (family, friend or neighbor) to drop by your house at a specific time in the evening. Tell the kids at breakfast about the special guest, but don't reveal his or her identity. Give them clues about the person throughout the day, starting with general clues and ending with more specific ones. (It's a person. It's a man. He has two eyes. He wears glasses. He is tall. He has gray hair. He is kind. He will play a game with you; choose your clues to fit the person.)
When the person arrives, ask:
Did the clues help you figure out our guest's identity? Why or why not? (They helped us to recognize him when we saw him)
How did God give clues to the people BEFORE He sent Jesus to the earth? (The prophets gave many facts or clues about Jesus–where He would be born, who would be His mother, what He would do when He grew up, etc.)
Read Isaiah 61:1-2 to find some clues about Jesus written hundreds of years before His birth. He did all those things and even more!
God wanted the people to recognize Jesus when He came to earth, but many did not. He gives us reasons to believe in Jesus. Faith is believing in Jesus even though we have not seen Him. We may not have seen Jesus, but people who were eyewitnesses wrote their experiences in the Bible so we could know what He is like and what He did. Yes, we still have to have faith, but it is a faith built on facts and truth.
Optional: Ask your guest to bring a special treat or play a game with the kids so it will be a happy event.
More Than A Man
Items needed: poster board
Crayons, stickers, jewels, or any other materials to decorate the crown
Students learned that Jesus was not just a man, but He was also God–the One who is to be worshiped.
Make a crown and hang it on a chair at the dining room table as a reminder that Jesus is more than just a man–He is God. Only God can do the miracles Jesus did while on earth.
Ask:
What would it have been like to actually live on the earth when Jesus did?
What question would you have wanted to ask Him?
What would you have liked to ask Him to do?
Even though we can't see Jesus with our eyes, we can read in the Bible about all He did while He was on earth. We can have faith and believe it and then worship Him as the One True God.
3 Prayer Jar
Items needed: small box or jar with lid
Slips of paper and pencil
Kids also learned about the nobleman's faith when he asked Jesus to heal his son who was dying. (John 4:46-54)
How did this man show faith? (He believed that Jesus could heal his son, he asked Jesus to heal his son, and he obeyed when Jesus told him to go home because his son had been healed)
Faith is believing even before you see it. God can do what He says He will do. When Jesus came to earth, He did miracles. Jesus had power to heal people who were sick, blind, and crippled. He has the power to help us.
We show our faith when we pray to God. We believe He can help us, so we ask Him.
Make a prayer jar. When you hear or think of a special need, write it on a slip of paper and put it in the jar. Pray for the requests each night after dinner (or at breakfast). Ask God to answer the requests as He thinks best.
The Adventure Guide should have come home with your student. Encourage
your student to spend time each day in God’s Word. Help younger students
develop this important habit by helping him or her with the Daily Bible
Readings and devotion. Today your student learned how Jesus was the
fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior. He is the Promised One.
Upper Elementary
The Explorer’s Guide should have come home with your student. Today your
student learned how Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a
Savior. He is the Promised One. We can have faith that Jesus is who He said
He was.
HOME CONNECTION
Listen to God: Read John 4:46-54
It is hard not to notice this father’s faith. When Jesus told him his son was alive and
instructed him to return home, this “believing” father obeyed, no questions asked. He
simply took Jesus at His word even though he had not yet witnessed any action. We
must also respond in faith to Christ’s declaration of good news. After all, the author of
Hebrews describes faith as having the assurance of things that will come to pass even
though it has not yet come to completion (Hebrews 11:1).
Talk to God
The miracles of Christ were not done merely to cause awe, but were
primarily intended to produce and strengthen faith. Our faith in Christ’s
Word will not always be met with such immediate results as with this
father. In fact, we will not see the fullness of our redemption this side of
eternity. But our faith will become fact in God’s timing. Pray together for
God to increase the faith of each family member.
Walk With God
Option 1: Develop (or add to) a family prayer list. Prayer is our greatest resource in
meeting the needs of others. Using a list with your children will help them learn how
to pray for others and not be so “self-consumed” that they forget or fail to recognize
the needs of those around them. Demonstrate love and encouragement this week in a
tangible way to someone from your prayer list. Involve each member of the family in
what you choose to do (a note, a special treat, an act of service, etc.).
Option 2: Be sure to remind your children that stories in the Bible are different from
stories they might read in other books. The Bible is 100 percent true. None of it is makebelieve
or pretend. This week’s Scripture passage tells a true story of amazing faith. This
faith is what God longs for us to have. Talk to your child about how we can’t see or hear
God but we can believe Him. We can read His Word to learn more about Him. It will help
us to know more about God. Encourage your child to ask God for faith.
Week 1
March 4, 2012
D6 Family Theme: faith
The Point: Christ’s good news calls us to faith in Him.
SPLINK
Surprise Guest
Kids started a new series about the miracles of Jesus. Long before Jesus came to earth, God promised to send One who would deliver them from sin; He them many clues so they would recognize Him.
Invite a special guest (family, friend or neighbor) to drop by your house at a specific time in the evening. Tell the kids at breakfast about the special guest, but don't reveal his or her identity. Give them clues about the person throughout the day, starting with general clues and ending with more specific ones. (It's a person. It's a man. He has two eyes. He wears glasses. He is tall. He has gray hair. He is kind. He will play a game with you; choose your clues to fit the person.)
When the person arrives, ask:
Did the clues help you figure out our guest's identity? Why or why not? (They helped us to recognize him when we saw him)
How did God give clues to the people BEFORE He sent Jesus to the earth? (The prophets gave many facts or clues about Jesus–where He would be born, who would be His mother, what He would do when He grew up, etc.)
Read Isaiah 61:1-2 to find some clues about Jesus written hundreds of years before His birth. He did all those things and even more!
God wanted the people to recognize Jesus when He came to earth, but many did not. He gives us reasons to believe in Jesus. Faith is believing in Jesus even though we have not seen Him. We may not have seen Jesus, but people who were eyewitnesses wrote their experiences in the Bible so we could know what He is like and what He did. Yes, we still have to have faith, but it is a faith built on facts and truth.
Optional: Ask your guest to bring a special treat or play a game with the kids so it will be a happy event.
More Than A Man
Items needed: poster board
Crayons, stickers, jewels, or any other materials to decorate the crown
Students learned that Jesus was not just a man, but He was also God–the One who is to be worshiped.
Make a crown and hang it on a chair at the dining room table as a reminder that Jesus is more than just a man–He is God. Only God can do the miracles Jesus did while on earth.
Ask:
What would it have been like to actually live on the earth when Jesus did?
What question would you have wanted to ask Him?
What would you have liked to ask Him to do?
Even though we can't see Jesus with our eyes, we can read in the Bible about all He did while He was on earth. We can have faith and believe it and then worship Him as the One True God.
3 Prayer Jar
Items needed: small box or jar with lid
Slips of paper and pencil
Kids also learned about the nobleman's faith when he asked Jesus to heal his son who was dying. (John 4:46-54)
How did this man show faith? (He believed that Jesus could heal his son, he asked Jesus to heal his son, and he obeyed when Jesus told him to go home because his son had been healed)
Faith is believing even before you see it. God can do what He says He will do. When Jesus came to earth, He did miracles. Jesus had power to heal people who were sick, blind, and crippled. He has the power to help us.
We show our faith when we pray to God. We believe He can help us, so we ask Him.
Make a prayer jar. When you hear or think of a special need, write it on a slip of paper and put it in the jar. Pray for the requests each night after dinner (or at breakfast). Ask God to answer the requests as He thinks best.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Home Connection
Early Elementary (K-2)
Sunday,your student learned God leads us through His Word, the Bible.
He or she also learned that God wants us to love Him with all our heart,
all our soul, and with all our might. As Christians, we are to treasure His
commands because He gave them to protect and guide us. Encourage
him or her to spend time each day in the Bible. The Adventure Guide,
which comes home with your student at the beginning of each quarter,
is a tool that can help develop this life-changing habit. Review the Ten
Commandments with your student.
Upper Elementary (3-5)
Sunday,your student learned what it means to follow God. He wants us to
love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. He wants to have a
close friendship with us. We are to talk about His words in everyday events.
Encourage your student to spend time each day in the Bible. The Explorer’s
Guide, which comes home with your student at the beginning of each
quarter, is a wonderful tool that can help your student develop this lifechanging
habit.
YoungListen to God: Read Deuteronomy 6:4-19
When the children of Israel were getting close to entering the Promised Land, Moses
thought it was important to recount all that had happened on the journey they had been on
for 40 years. He also reminded them of the Ten Commandments and other laws they were
expected to follow. Moses encouraged the people to tell the stories to every generation so
they would not forget what God had done for them. Lead your family members in a
time of remembering how the Lord has provided for and blessed your family.
Talk to God
The church can serve as a contingency plan for broken homes and as a support
for solid homes, but Christian parents should be the primary spiritual influence
in the lives of their children. Lead your family in a time of prayer, asking
the Lord for guidance in this awesome responsibility. Also, spend some time in praise
and thanksgiving for all the Lord has done for your family this year. Encourage each family
member to mention at least one thing.
Walk With God
Option 1: A disciple is one who learns. Jesus chose 12 men as disciples; men who would learn
from Him and take the good news to the whole world. Teach your children a new skill this week.
Ideas: Let them pick something they would like to learn, such as: sew on a button, bake a cake, make an omelet,
set the table, change a tire, draw an animal, make a campfire, etc. Ask these questions: As a learner, what did you
have to do first? (Listen to the instructions) Once you knew what to do, what was next? (Do what was told).
In order to be a good disciple you must learn to listen carefully and then do what you are told. God teaches us
many things in His Word. It’s up to us to listen to Him and do what He says. Let’s be better disciples this week!
Option 2: Establish a regular family discipleship time or make enhancements to what your are already doing. Depending
on the ages of your children, identify a biblical character or a story from the Bible to study in depth. For
example, if you study about Noah and the ark, go to the trouble of marking off an area that represents the actual
size of the ark to help your family visualize its enormity. Choose and animal or two to study about and go to the
library or use the Internet to get more information. No matter what topic you choose for your discipleship time,
make it fun and include your children in the process as much as possible.
Sunday,your student learned God leads us through His Word, the Bible.
He or she also learned that God wants us to love Him with all our heart,
all our soul, and with all our might. As Christians, we are to treasure His
commands because He gave them to protect and guide us. Encourage
him or her to spend time each day in the Bible. The Adventure Guide,
which comes home with your student at the beginning of each quarter,
is a tool that can help develop this life-changing habit. Review the Ten
Commandments with your student.
Upper Elementary (3-5)
Sunday,your student learned what it means to follow God. He wants us to
love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. He wants to have a
close friendship with us. We are to talk about His words in everyday events.
Encourage your student to spend time each day in the Bible. The Explorer’s
Guide, which comes home with your student at the beginning of each
quarter, is a wonderful tool that can help your student develop this lifechanging
habit.
YoungListen to God: Read Deuteronomy 6:4-19
When the children of Israel were getting close to entering the Promised Land, Moses
thought it was important to recount all that had happened on the journey they had been on
for 40 years. He also reminded them of the Ten Commandments and other laws they were
expected to follow. Moses encouraged the people to tell the stories to every generation so
they would not forget what God had done for them. Lead your family members in a
time of remembering how the Lord has provided for and blessed your family.
Talk to God
The church can serve as a contingency plan for broken homes and as a support
for solid homes, but Christian parents should be the primary spiritual influence
in the lives of their children. Lead your family in a time of prayer, asking
the Lord for guidance in this awesome responsibility. Also, spend some time in praise
and thanksgiving for all the Lord has done for your family this year. Encourage each family
member to mention at least one thing.
Walk With God
Option 1: A disciple is one who learns. Jesus chose 12 men as disciples; men who would learn
from Him and take the good news to the whole world. Teach your children a new skill this week.
Ideas: Let them pick something they would like to learn, such as: sew on a button, bake a cake, make an omelet,
set the table, change a tire, draw an animal, make a campfire, etc. Ask these questions: As a learner, what did you
have to do first? (Listen to the instructions) Once you knew what to do, what was next? (Do what was told).
In order to be a good disciple you must learn to listen carefully and then do what you are told. God teaches us
many things in His Word. It’s up to us to listen to Him and do what He says. Let’s be better disciples this week!
Option 2: Establish a regular family discipleship time or make enhancements to what your are already doing. Depending
on the ages of your children, identify a biblical character or a story from the Bible to study in depth. For
example, if you study about Noah and the ark, go to the trouble of marking off an area that represents the actual
size of the ark to help your family visualize its enormity. Choose and animal or two to study about and go to the
library or use the Internet to get more information. No matter what topic you choose for your discipleship time,
make it fun and include your children in the process as much as possible.
SPLINK!
Follow the Leader
Play an old favorite, Follow the Leader.
Choose one person to be the leader and the others (join in, Mom and Dad) follow that person and do what he or she does. (March, skip, jump, swing arms, put hands on head, etc.)
Ask:
Do you like being the follower or leader best? Why?
What would have happened if you had gone your own direction instead of following the leader? (You would have been left behind, you wouldn't be part of the game, you would be alone, etc.)
Why is it important to follow God? (We don't always know the right way to go; He knows what is best; He can be trusted, etc.)
2
Drawing in the Dark
Items Needed: blindfold
White board and marker or paper and crayon
Slips of paper with a name of something to be drawn on each one (dog, refrigerator, bicycle, computer, elephant, house, etc.)
Draw pictures to illustrate that others can help us, if we only listen.
Choose two volunteers. Designate one to draw and the other to guide. Let the guide choose an item to be drawn while the other one is blindfolded. The guide must help the person drawing by giving him or her instructions on where to place the marker, what to do draw, etc. When finished take off the blindfold and see the creation. Take turns guiding and drawing.
Ask:
What helped when you were drawing the picture? (The other person's instructions, having someone who could see what I was doing give me advice, etc.)
Would it have been harder if you didn't have someone helping you? (Yes)
How does God help us? (He gives us the Bible so we can know the right way; He gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us; He gives us people [parents, teachers, etc.] to help us.)
God wants us to know the right way to go, but we must be willing to listen and do what our parents, teachers, and others in authority tell us.
Ten Commandment Toss
Items needed: a ball
Marker (write the numbers 1-10 around the ball or write numbers on small pieces of paper and tape them to it)
The entire family should know the Ten Commandments by now. Gather the family in a circle. Toss the ball to someone. He or she must say the commandment that matches the number that is on top of the ball. (If the number 5 is at the top of the ball, he must say commandment number 5—Honor your father and mother.)
We must first learn the commands of God, so we can know what to do. When we follow and keep His commands, God is pleased with His disciples.
Play an old favorite, Follow the Leader.
Choose one person to be the leader and the others (join in, Mom and Dad) follow that person and do what he or she does. (March, skip, jump, swing arms, put hands on head, etc.)
Ask:
Do you like being the follower or leader best? Why?
What would have happened if you had gone your own direction instead of following the leader? (You would have been left behind, you wouldn't be part of the game, you would be alone, etc.)
Why is it important to follow God? (We don't always know the right way to go; He knows what is best; He can be trusted, etc.)
2
Drawing in the Dark
Items Needed: blindfold
White board and marker or paper and crayon
Slips of paper with a name of something to be drawn on each one (dog, refrigerator, bicycle, computer, elephant, house, etc.)
Draw pictures to illustrate that others can help us, if we only listen.
Choose two volunteers. Designate one to draw and the other to guide. Let the guide choose an item to be drawn while the other one is blindfolded. The guide must help the person drawing by giving him or her instructions on where to place the marker, what to do draw, etc. When finished take off the blindfold and see the creation. Take turns guiding and drawing.
Ask:
What helped when you were drawing the picture? (The other person's instructions, having someone who could see what I was doing give me advice, etc.)
Would it have been harder if you didn't have someone helping you? (Yes)
How does God help us? (He gives us the Bible so we can know the right way; He gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us; He gives us people [parents, teachers, etc.] to help us.)
God wants us to know the right way to go, but we must be willing to listen and do what our parents, teachers, and others in authority tell us.
Ten Commandment Toss
Items needed: a ball
Marker (write the numbers 1-10 around the ball or write numbers on small pieces of paper and tape them to it)
The entire family should know the Ten Commandments by now. Gather the family in a circle. Toss the ball to someone. He or she must say the commandment that matches the number that is on top of the ball. (If the number 5 is at the top of the ball, he must say commandment number 5—Honor your father and mother.)
We must first learn the commands of God, so we can know what to do. When we follow and keep His commands, God is pleased with His disciples.
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