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.
1.1
Younger Kids
Did You Know?
Your younger child may still rely on you to help develop healthy friendships. Continue to provide play dates and other opportunities for your child to connect with his peers outside of school or church.
• God created us to live in the garden of Eden, to be in perfect relationship with Him, and to worship Him with all of our hearts, minds, and souls. We weren’t intended to live in a broken world. • In Genesis 3:15, God said to Satan, “ I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” • Jesus would be Eve’s offspring, and He would have victory over Satan.
God Created Us to Be with Him Part of The Big God Story Genesis 2—3
Need for a Redeemer
n Just for Fu your children, preferably
Read Genesis 2:8–22 outside with a tree, or near flowers. while sitting on green grass, next toyour children that when tell age, pass the read ve you’ r Afte garden of Eden, they Adam and Eve lived with God in the that Adam and Eve ain Expl . Him with d walked and talke e their relationship with eventually disobeyed God and brok re that relationship. Him, but God sent Jesus to resto us forgiveness so rs Share that we also sin, but God offeHim. we can be close to
Older Kids Your older child has a great need to have friendships with peers who share her faith. These friendships help her know that she’s not alone as she navigates her culture.
• The words of Genesis 3:15 are called the protevangelium, “the first gospel,” because they were God’s first promise to send the Redeemer—Christ.
Remember Verse
Teachable Moments
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
After reading Genesis 2:8–22, discuss the following together: • How did God create Adam? • What do you think it might have been like to live in the garden? • What command did God give to Adam?
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 God strengthen you with power through His Spirit, and may Christ dwell in your heart through faith. © 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.