ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES For Sunday, November 15, 2015
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. HomeFront Magazine: A Spiritual Parenting Resource This monthly magazine gives your family ideas for creating fun, spiritually forming times in your home—setting aside sacred space in the midst of your active, everyday lives. Visit www.HomeFrontMag.com to subscribe to the print edition or to have a digital copy sent directly to your inbox.
GOD IS WITH US Part of The Big God Story Judges 4–5 God uses Deborah, Barak, and Jael to deliver the Israelites from a wicked king and his commander. As they serve God, these three people help bring about restoration after the Israelites repent of their sins and cry out to God. And God rushes in to save them—in fact, He’d never left them.
JUST FOR FUN Let each person in the family name something she worked hard to learn. Discuss what problems, obstacles, or fears made it hard to succeed. Then tell your children you’re going to read a part of The Big God Story that describes when God led His people to victory in battle. Read Judges 4:1–16 and Judges 5:31. Discuss why Barak wanted Deborah to go with him. Ask your children, “Did God ever leave His people?”
YOUNGER KIDS Your encouragement is extremely important to your child. When your child makes mistakes, he needs to know you still love and accept him. Be sure that when you correct your child, your words are bathed in love and understanding.
OLDER KIDS Your child may struggle with the fear that God won’t accept her when she makes mistakes. Remind her that God never leaves His people, and that even though we may experience His discipline, He continues to love us and accept us as His children.
© 2015 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.
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DID YOU KNOW? • The Israelites had fallen into a cycle of rebellion, repentance, and restoration. • Deborah was a prophetess, a woman chosen by God to be a judge and to help deliver Israel. • When Israel chose to turn away from God, He turned them over to the hands of their enemies. • When Deborah encouraged the Israelites to return to God, He immediately delivered them from the hands of their enemies.
REMEMBER VERSE Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut. 31:6
TEACHABLE MOMENTS After reading Scripture, discuss the following together: • Why was God allowing the Israelites to suffer? • How did Deborah serve the Israelites? • How do you think God could use you to serve other people?
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 know God is always with you. May you turn to Him when you feel afraid or sad.