ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES
Did You Know?
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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 access the app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Younger Kids
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• 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.
Older Kids
• Jesus was born humbly, in an animal’s stable in the seemingly insignificant, small town of Bethlehem.
Jesus Is the Promise Part of The Big God Story
• 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.
Matthew 1:2–16; 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.
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© 2012 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.
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.
Teachable Moments
Remember Verse for the environment of STORYTELLING God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Grab a flashlight, bundle up, and y. If it’s too cold to read this part of The Big God Stor where you can ow, wind a with out, gather in a room ren that what look at the stars. Share with your child t, while the nigh at ed pen hap read you’re about to s. Then field the in shepherds watched their sheep ren if child r you ask rd, rwa Afte 20. read Luke 2:8– d news “goo this said they remember whom the angels all for was it said y The for. was of great joy” the people!
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.
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 experience deep thankfulness that God kept His promise to send a Redeemer—His Son, Jesus. May you be inspired by God’s faithfulness to His promises and share the good news with others.”