ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES date:
This resource is designed to allow your family to have time in God’s Word BEFORE your children attend church. Because God’s plan is for parents to be the primary spiritual nurturers of their children’s faith, we want YOU to be the one to introduce this part of The Big God Story to them. For additional support in spiritual parenting and to learn more about creating transforming environments in your home, be sure to pick up HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource from your church, or download it at HomeFrontMag.com. You can also access the HomeFront app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
1.10 God’s Spirit Dwells with His People Part of The Big God Story Exodus 25—40
Building of the Tabernacle
Younger Kids
Did You Know? • When God called Moses to go up Mount Sinai, He revealed His instructions for the tabernacle, the ark, and other structures. • Through Moses, God gave His people exact measurements, weights, sizes, colors, proportions, and more for every curtain, hook, beam, covering, and decoration to go in the tabernacle,
Older Kids
• Just as God’s Spirit dwelled in the tabernacle and His glory filled the temple after Solomon’s dedication, “[we] are God’s temple and … God’s Spirit dwells in [us]” (1 Corinthians 3:16a).
Remember Verse With a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever. Psalm 136:12
Your older child is becoming an abstract thinker and is beginning to form deep convictions concerning faith and morality. Many children in this age group who have grown up in the church will begin to make real professions of faith at this time.
Teachable Moments
Fun table. Just fograrou nd the dining
Read Exodus 40 while sittin table, and tell your children Have an empty chair placed at the dwells, or lives, with us. God that them it’s there to remind if He was sitting right Ask them what they might say to God the Holy Spirit does live that them ind rem Then . them with there y day! Share with them within us, and we can talk to Him evertabernacle, His Spirit can the in lled dwe it that just as God’s Spir live inside of us.
Your younger child is developing the ability to separate myth from reality. As he does so, he may have many questions about the historical Jesus. The answers to these questions will help his faith grow and deepen.
After reading Exodus 40, discuss the following together: • Why did God want His people to build a tabernacle? • How is God closer to us than He was to the Israelites? • How does God dwell with us today?
Blessing
For more information about blessing your child see the Blessing section in HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource.
A blessing to pray over your child: (Child’s name), may you rejoice in the fact that God’s Spirit is always with those who believe in Him. © 2014 David C Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.