Early Elementary
Today your student learned the good news that Jesus is alive. Jesus’
followers went to His tomb but He was not there. We can have forgiveness
of our sins because of His death and resurrection. We also know that God’s
words and promises never fail. Jesus is worthy of our praise.
Upper Elementary
Today your student learned the good news that Jesus is alive! Jesus’
followers went to His tomb but He was not there. We can have forgiveness
of our sins because of His death and resurrection. We also know that God’s
words and promises never fail. Jesus is worthy of our praise.Listen to God: Read John 20:1-31
The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the event that changed everything.
When chapter
19 of John ended, it seemed all hope was lost. Christ was dead and because the Sabbath
was approaching, His burial was hastened. Chapter 20 allows John to tell the exciting
story that never gets old. Mary Magdalene and several other women, according to other
gospel writers, headed to the tomb early on the first day of the week to demonstrate their
love for Jesus by completing the necessary burial preparations that had been postponed
due to the approaching Sabbath. Once they arrived the issue would be how to get into
the sealed tomb. Imagine how the concern must have quickly turned to amazement when
they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Lead your family in a discussion of
the many emotions and reactions Jesus’ friends must have felt during that time.
Talk to God
The reality of the Resurrection compels us to demonstrate our faith in the Lord
and share the message of God with others. Your family will likely encounter
family members, neighbors, and others this week who do not know the Savior.
How will you share the story with them? Pray together for opportunities to share
the message of the cross with those God puts in your path this week. Perhaps there
are specific people the Lord is placing on your heart. Pray for them to be receptive to the
true meaning of the celebration of Easter.
Walk With God
Option 1: The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation for the Christian faith. In the midst of
candy and egg hunts, be intentional in sharing the true meaning of Easter with others you know.
Plan a family dinner, activity, or playtime and invite a non-Christian family to visit. Use this as an
opportunity for your family to display the love of God that you are telling them about. Before your visitors arrive,
talk with your child about the importance of telling others about Jesus, and encourage him or her to do the same.
As a family, pray for different unsaved individuals every day.
Option 2: Visit a local bookstore or look online to order a set of “Resurrection Eggs.” If you can’t find them, you
can make your own. (The Internet will help with this.) In this set are 12 eggs, each containing something relevant
to the account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Label the eggs 1-12. Pass them out to family members
and instruct them not to open them until you call the number. Call out each number, asking the person with the
corresponding number to open the egg and explain the significance of the item inside. Be prepared to help with
explanations where needed. Proceed until all eggs have been opened. Once you’ve reached number 12 and the
final egg is empty, you will have retold the Resurrection account from a simple, easy to understand point of view.
Children can do this even with friends in an effort to share the real meaning of Easter.
Week 6
April 8, 2012
D6 Family Theme: REsurrection
The Point: Christ’s resurrection calls us to faith in Him.
SPLINK
Too Good to Keep to Yourself
Make a yummy treat and declare that you have an announcement. "I have good news! I made a yummy treat. But I have decided that I will eat it all myself." After hearing groans and complaints, act surprised and then ask: "Would you like me to share this with you?"
Share the treat and talk about the good news that Jesus is alive.
Students should have come home with a tool or tract to share the good news. If they didn't, buy one at a Christian book store or ask them to make one by writing a Bible verse(s) about the Resurrection on a card; 1 Corinthians 15:3b, 4 is a good one.
Discuss with whom they might share this good news and make a plan to do so. Say a prayer for the person who will receive the card.
The good news about Jesus is just TOO GOOD to keep to ourselves.
Resurrection Rolls
Make resurrection rolls to keep the celebration going and remember that Jesus' tomb was empty!
Items needed:
8 large marshmallows
1/4 cup melted butter
Sugar/cinnamon mixture (approximately 2 tablespoons cinnamon to 2 tablespoons sugar)
10 ounce can of crescent rolls
1. Open can of crescent rolls and separate into triangles. The rolls represent the linen cloths used in covering the dead.
2. Dip and roll one marshmallow (representing the body) into melted butter. The butter represents the oils used in anointing the dead body.
3. In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar together. Roll the marshmallow in the mixture. The mixture represents the spices used in burials.
4. Place the marshmallow in the center of the crescent triangle and carefully fold the dough around the marshmallow. (Pinch the edges tightly to seal in the marshmallow as it melts.) Put each crescent-wrapped marshmallow on a slightly greased cookie sheet or in a greased cupcake pan.
5. Bake the rolls in a 350 degree preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes or until they are golden brown. The oven represents the tomb.
Let them cool. When the kids bite into them, they will see that the inside is empty!
Scripture Egg Hunt
Items needed: plastic Easter eggs
Slips of paper
Bible (with a marker at John 14:6)
If you have older children, let them look up the Bible verse (John 14:6) and write each word on a slip of paper. Put one word in each plastic egg and hide them. You might divide into two teams and one team will hide the eggs for the other team; kids love, not only finding, but also hiding the eggs. Don't forget to count them before you hide them.
After all the eggs have been found, open them and put the words of the verse in correct order. Say the verse together.
Put the word slips back in the eggs and repeat for the other team.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Easter
Dear Parents,
If your family is anything like mine, or the family I saw at Wal-Mart yesterday, you are busy! Not just regular busy, but springtime busy!
Busy getting to baseball, tennis and soccer practice! Busy getting to dance, cheer and guitar lessons! Busy buying groceries, helping with spelling tests and doing laundry. Busy working and volunteering at your child's school.
As if all that isn't enough- Easter is so early this year! (Who decides that anyway?!) Easter only adds to your busy schedule! Now, in addition to your "regular busy" you are "extra busy" getting ready for Easter.
Maybe, like the family in Wal-Mart, you are busy buying dyeing and hiding eggs. Busy trying to get haircuts for your boys and busy finding matching outfits for your "little bunnies" for Easter pictures!
You are busy locating Easter baskets... (Where did you put those things last year?) Busy cleaning house for relatives to come for an ill-timed visit (After all, don't they know? It's Easter! You are BUSY!)
I know I feel this way a lot. Busy, Busy, Busy!
But, I want to invite you to join me in slowing down, taking a breath and reflecting on the magnitude of what Jesus Christ did for us all those years ago on the cross.
Christ's resurrection, was indeed a game-changer. Let's talk with our children about Easter, and why it's the reason for our faith. Jesus is alive. He is who He said He was. It's staggering to try to comprehend that kind of love... The enormity of the sacrifice... and the fact that it was given freely on my behalf. (and yours) That's worthy of a pause in all of our busy schedules.
I want you to know that if the boys don't get haircuts and if your kids don't have matching clothes this Easter, it's ok. Make time to get your heart right and to lead your family in getting their hearts prepared for Easter.
Then, reach out to a family who may not have ever heard the good news of Jesus Christ and invite them to join you at church this Sunday. There is nothing on your list more important than helping more families meet Jesus this Easter!
Our mission at Live Oak is to Grow More and Stronger Followers of Jesus Christ. How is your family engaging with our mission this Easter?
If your family is anything like mine, or the family I saw at Wal-Mart yesterday, you are busy! Not just regular busy, but springtime busy!
Busy getting to baseball, tennis and soccer practice! Busy getting to dance, cheer and guitar lessons! Busy buying groceries, helping with spelling tests and doing laundry. Busy working and volunteering at your child's school.
As if all that isn't enough- Easter is so early this year! (Who decides that anyway?!) Easter only adds to your busy schedule! Now, in addition to your "regular busy" you are "extra busy" getting ready for Easter.
Maybe, like the family in Wal-Mart, you are busy buying dyeing and hiding eggs. Busy trying to get haircuts for your boys and busy finding matching outfits for your "little bunnies" for Easter pictures!
You are busy locating Easter baskets... (Where did you put those things last year?) Busy cleaning house for relatives to come for an ill-timed visit (After all, don't they know? It's Easter! You are BUSY!)
I know I feel this way a lot. Busy, Busy, Busy!
But, I want to invite you to join me in slowing down, taking a breath and reflecting on the magnitude of what Jesus Christ did for us all those years ago on the cross.
Christ's resurrection, was indeed a game-changer. Let's talk with our children about Easter, and why it's the reason for our faith. Jesus is alive. He is who He said He was. It's staggering to try to comprehend that kind of love... The enormity of the sacrifice... and the fact that it was given freely on my behalf. (and yours) That's worthy of a pause in all of our busy schedules.
I want you to know that if the boys don't get haircuts and if your kids don't have matching clothes this Easter, it's ok. Make time to get your heart right and to lead your family in getting their hearts prepared for Easter.
Then, reach out to a family who may not have ever heard the good news of Jesus Christ and invite them to join you at church this Sunday. There is nothing on your list more important than helping more families meet Jesus this Easter!
Our mission at Live Oak is to Grow More and Stronger Followers of Jesus Christ. How is your family engaging with our mission this Easter?
Home Connection & Splink
Early Elementary
Today your student learned how Jesus had compassion on a widow whose
son had died. Jesus saw the woman crying and raised her son from the
dead. Jesus has perfect love. Your student learned that we are able to
show love and compassion to others as well. Use the ideas on the Home
Connection to connect what is learned at church to your daily lives.
Upper Elementary
Today your student learned how Jesus had compassion on a widow whose
son died. Jesus saw the woman crying and He raised her son from the dead.
Jesus has perfect love. Your student learned that we can show love and
compassion to others as well. Help your student learn Matthew 22:37-39.
Listen to God: Read Luke 7:11-23
Luke 7:11-23 records more examples of Jesus making time to show compassion to
others and make a difference in their lives. Once again, He set a powerful example for
His followers to emulate. While we can’t do what Jesus did here, there are thousands of
other things we can do to minister to people’s physical and spiritual needs. Compassion
is not merely feeling sorry for someone, but rather taking action. Lead your family
in a discussion of what compassion means. Remind them of times when your family
experienced or witnessed compassion being shown to someone.
Talk to God
Christ’s compassion led Him to act. Whether it was feeding a hungry
multitude or healing blind eyes, His compassion always prompted Him
to do something meaningful. We must do likewise. Lead your family in
prayer, asking God to reveal ways to show compassion this week. Ask
Him to help you demonstrate it within your home as well as to others.
Walk With God
Option 1: Schedule a time for your family to be involved with a ministry of compassion.
Possibilities include a local homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, a Boys and Girls Club,
cleaning the home or yard of an elderly widow, etc. Be creative and make this a
priority event. Encourage suggestions from family members as you make your
selection. After the activity, be sure to discuss the experience and how it felt to follow
the Lord’s example of compassion. In addition to this specific service project, look for
ways to show compassion on a regular basis. As you hear of needs, include your family
in following through by showing compassion. Ideas include writing a note of encouragement,
taking a meal, cleaning a house, purchasing a needed item, etc. Being intentional to act when
you hear of a need is a great way to foster a spirit of compassion.
Option 2: Mark 6:34 tells us when Jesus saw the large crowd, He was overcome with compassion
toward them because they were like a sheep without a shepherd. Gather your family together
to look up examples of God’s compassion in the Bible. Read John 11:28-44, Matthew 9:35-
38, Isaiah 40:9-11, and Exodus 14:10-18. After reading these passages, talk with your child
about ways God has shown compassion to your family. Discuss ways your family can show
compassion to others around you and find effective ways to accomplish this.
Week 5
April 1, 2012
D6 Family Theme: compassion
The Point: Christlike compassion takes action.
SPLINK
What is Compassion?
If your kids are old enough, interview 10 people and ask:
When you are sad, what makes you feel better?
Discuss the answers.
Read the story of Jesus showing compassion by raising a widow's son to life. (Luke 7:11-17)
Ask:
What is compassion? (Compassion means feeling sad for someone, but acting on the feeling by doing something to help. There are two parts to compassion—noticing and feeling the suffering of another person AND doing something to ease that suffering.)
How did Jesus and even the other people show compassion to the widow? (Jesus noticed her; He spoke kind words to her; He comforted her; He raised her son from the dead; the other people walked with her and even wept with her)
2
A Blues Bandaid
Items needed: slips of paper
Pencils
Bag to put paper slips in
Ask each family member to write on a slip of paper one situation where something bad has happened (anything—from crashing a bike to losing a favorite toy).
Put the slips in a bag and take turns choosing one. After each situation, ask:
How could you show compassion?
Compassion is noticing someone else's suffering and doing something about it.
3
Walk a Mile in My Shoes
Put everyone's shoes in a pile in the middle of the room. At a signal to go, ask everyone to grab a pair of shoes (not their own), put them on and, be the first to walk to a designated spot.
Ask:
Have you ever heard the saying, "Walk a mile in my shoes"?
What does it mean? (It means not to criticize someone until you have walked or lived in their situation; we don't know how someone feels if we haven't been in their circumstance.)
People need compassion, not criticism. We can't always know how or what they feel, but we can show them kindness and try to help them.
Today your student learned how Jesus had compassion on a widow whose
son had died. Jesus saw the woman crying and raised her son from the
dead. Jesus has perfect love. Your student learned that we are able to
show love and compassion to others as well. Use the ideas on the Home
Connection to connect what is learned at church to your daily lives.
Upper Elementary
Today your student learned how Jesus had compassion on a widow whose
son died. Jesus saw the woman crying and He raised her son from the dead.
Jesus has perfect love. Your student learned that we can show love and
compassion to others as well. Help your student learn Matthew 22:37-39.
Listen to God: Read Luke 7:11-23
Luke 7:11-23 records more examples of Jesus making time to show compassion to
others and make a difference in their lives. Once again, He set a powerful example for
His followers to emulate. While we can’t do what Jesus did here, there are thousands of
other things we can do to minister to people’s physical and spiritual needs. Compassion
is not merely feeling sorry for someone, but rather taking action. Lead your family
in a discussion of what compassion means. Remind them of times when your family
experienced or witnessed compassion being shown to someone.
Talk to God
Christ’s compassion led Him to act. Whether it was feeding a hungry
multitude or healing blind eyes, His compassion always prompted Him
to do something meaningful. We must do likewise. Lead your family in
prayer, asking God to reveal ways to show compassion this week. Ask
Him to help you demonstrate it within your home as well as to others.
Walk With God
Option 1: Schedule a time for your family to be involved with a ministry of compassion.
Possibilities include a local homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, a Boys and Girls Club,
cleaning the home or yard of an elderly widow, etc. Be creative and make this a
priority event. Encourage suggestions from family members as you make your
selection. After the activity, be sure to discuss the experience and how it felt to follow
the Lord’s example of compassion. In addition to this specific service project, look for
ways to show compassion on a regular basis. As you hear of needs, include your family
in following through by showing compassion. Ideas include writing a note of encouragement,
taking a meal, cleaning a house, purchasing a needed item, etc. Being intentional to act when
you hear of a need is a great way to foster a spirit of compassion.
Option 2: Mark 6:34 tells us when Jesus saw the large crowd, He was overcome with compassion
toward them because they were like a sheep without a shepherd. Gather your family together
to look up examples of God’s compassion in the Bible. Read John 11:28-44, Matthew 9:35-
38, Isaiah 40:9-11, and Exodus 14:10-18. After reading these passages, talk with your child
about ways God has shown compassion to your family. Discuss ways your family can show
compassion to others around you and find effective ways to accomplish this.
Week 5
April 1, 2012
D6 Family Theme: compassion
The Point: Christlike compassion takes action.
SPLINK
What is Compassion?
If your kids are old enough, interview 10 people and ask:
When you are sad, what makes you feel better?
Discuss the answers.
Read the story of Jesus showing compassion by raising a widow's son to life. (Luke 7:11-17)
Ask:
What is compassion? (Compassion means feeling sad for someone, but acting on the feeling by doing something to help. There are two parts to compassion—noticing and feeling the suffering of another person AND doing something to ease that suffering.)
How did Jesus and even the other people show compassion to the widow? (Jesus noticed her; He spoke kind words to her; He comforted her; He raised her son from the dead; the other people walked with her and even wept with her)
2
A Blues Bandaid
Items needed: slips of paper
Pencils
Bag to put paper slips in
Ask each family member to write on a slip of paper one situation where something bad has happened (anything—from crashing a bike to losing a favorite toy).
Put the slips in a bag and take turns choosing one. After each situation, ask:
How could you show compassion?
Compassion is noticing someone else's suffering and doing something about it.
3
Walk a Mile in My Shoes
Put everyone's shoes in a pile in the middle of the room. At a signal to go, ask everyone to grab a pair of shoes (not their own), put them on and, be the first to walk to a designated spot.
Ask:
Have you ever heard the saying, "Walk a mile in my shoes"?
What does it mean? (It means not to criticize someone until you have walked or lived in their situation; we don't know how someone feels if we haven't been in their circumstance.)
People need compassion, not criticism. We can't always know how or what they feel, but we can show them kindness and try to help them.
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