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.
2.2 Jesus Is God’s Gift
Younger Kids
Did You Know? • Through the prophets, God continually reminded His people of the promised gift of the Messiah. • God sent one particular message for His people to Zechariah through the angel Gabriel. The angel told Zechariah he would have an heir—a son who would turn the hearts of many Israelites back to God. • Of Zechariah’s son, the angel said, “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God” (Luke 1:15b–16). • Zechariah’s son was John the Baptist, who paved the way for the ministry of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Part of The Big God Story Luke 1:5–25, 57–80
Zechariah and the Angel
n Just for Fu with tissue and gather
Wrap an empty box or fill a gift bag “gift” and pass it to each the members of your family. Take the s the gift, invite her to family member. As each person take d Luke 1:26–56 together. share about her favorite gift ever. Rea the gift in this passage. tify iden can they Ask your children if them that God gave His ind Rem s! Share with them that it’s Jesu of us. each one and only Son for
Remember Verse The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
Blessing
Your younger child is growing more independent and may pride himself on being a “big kid” who can do things on his own. When you assign chores at home, give your child tasks that he can do independently and with limited supervision from an adult.
Older Kids Your older child can be trusted to take on larger, more important tasks around the home—for example, caring for a pet or doing the laundry. Though she may complain about these tasks, help her to understand that she’s a valued, contributing member of your family.
Teachable Moments After reading Luke 1:26–56, discuss the following together: • For what gift was God preparing His people? • How can we thank God for His gift of Jesus? • How can we share God’s gift of His Son with others?
For more information about blessing your child see the Blessing section in HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource.
A blessing to pray over your child:
© 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.
(Child’s name), may you fully experience the gift that Jesus is to us. May your heart be open to accept and receive all that Jesus is, and may you be filled with thankfulness for God’s amazing gift.