ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES For Sunday, December 20, 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.
JESUS IS THE PROMISE Part of The Big God Story Matthew 1:1–16; Luke 2:1–20 God’s people, the Israelites, knew God would send a Messiah. But they weren’t expecting God to send Him to earth as a humble servant. Yet that was God’s plan. Instead of being born in the palace of a large city, Jesus was born in an animals’ stable in the small town of Bethlehem.
JUST FOR FUN Grab a flashlight, bundle up, and go outside at night to read this part of The Big God Story. If it’s too cold out, gather in a room with a window, where you can look at the stars. Share with your children that what you’re about to read happened at night, while the shepherds watched their sheep in the fields. Then read Luke 2:8–20. Afterward, ask your children if they remember whom the angels said this “good news of great joy” was for. They said it was for all the people!
YOUNGER KIDS Your child enjoys hearing stories, especially those told by a parent. Tell your child parts of The Big God Story often, emphasizing that these are all real people and real situations. As he learns to read on his own, encourage a love for Scripture by showing him where he can find these stories in his own Bible.
OLDER KIDS Your child uses language to express feelings and tell stories. Remind her that God has a special place for her in His big story and encourage her to share stories about how she sees God in her everyday life.
© 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? • God’s first promise of Jesus occurred in the Garden of Eden, when He promised Eve that her offspring would bring redemption to mankind and crush death (Genesis 3:15). • The Israelite people expected God to send the Redeemer in the form of a king who would come with a great show of power. • Jesus was born humbly, with animals, in the seemingly insignificant, small town of Bethlehem. • Jesus is the promise God gave us in the beginning. He is the One who is with us in our earthly distress and gives us eternal redemption.
REMEMBER VERSE Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. Luke 1:68
TEACHABLE MOMENTS After reading Scripture, discuss the following together: • What was the good news? • How did Mary respond to the news the angels told the shepherds? • How does this good news affect your life?
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 celebrate this week that Jesus is The Promise. May you know His great love for you.