ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES For Sunday, October 25,, 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.
DID YOU KNOW? • During the Exodus, God led His people by revealing Himself as a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. • God used the pillar to lead the Israelites. When the pillar moved, the people moved with it. • When they reached the Promised Land, the Israelites found it to be a land of milk and honey, but they would have to defeat giants in order to inhabit it. • The Israelites grew discouraged and chose to complain instead of trust God. Because of their mistrust, God didn’t allow an entire generation to enter the Promised Land.
REMEMBER VERSE
GOD IS IN CONTROL Part of The Big God Story Numbers 9—20 Wandering in the Wilderness
JUST FOR FUN Talk with your children about God’s leading in your lives. How have you seen Him lead your family? Try to think of specific ways you’ve seen Him lead and how your family followed His lead. Then read Numbers 9:15–23. Ask your children how God led the Israelites, and talk about how the Israelites had to depend on Him completely. They could trust Him because He is God—and He is in control of everything. Pray about some of the ways you need to trust His control over your lives and circumstances.
“Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 9:24
TEACHABLE MOMENTS • How do you think the Israelites felt when they saw the pillar move? • Why do you think it was so difficult for the Israelites to trust God? • Has there been a time in your life when you chose complaining over trusting God?
YOUNGER KIDS
BLESSING
Your child may feel nervous or anxious in unfamiliar situations. Offer some “practice” before your child takes part in a new experience. If he’s nervous about meeting new people, help him learn to shake hands, or give him some conversation starters. Talk to him about what he might see, hear, or feel to help him ease the transition into something new.
For more information about blessing your child see the Blessing section in HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource.
OLDER KIDS As your child experiences difficulties in life, it’s normal for her to question whether God hears her prayers. Remind her that God sees her, hears her, and loves her. Walk through these experiences with her, pray with her, and encourage her to rely on Him, trusting that He will use even tough experiences to grow her.
© 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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A blessing to pray over your child: (Child’s name), may you know that God is in control of every moment of your life. May you receive His comfort and peace each day.