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 at HomeFrontMag.com. You can also access the HomeFront app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
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Jesus Saves Part of The Big God Story Luke 23:32–43
The thief on the cross recognizes that Jesus is God. In response, Jesus tells the thief that they will be togther in paradise.
Just for Fun
y with a hole in the middle Buy a package of circular hard cand Share that the candy’s ber. mem ly fami and give one to each erver used for saving shape is similar to that of a life pres together other types of uss people who’ve fallen from boats. Disc tell your kids you’re going objects used to “save” people. Then y in which Jesus saved to read a part of The Big God Stor rated from God. Read sepa someone from an eternity of beinga family, and thank God for as ther toge Pray 3. 6–4 23:2 e Luk sending Jesus to save us.
Younger Kids
Did You Know? • Scripture sometimes refers to heaven as “Abraham’s bosom,” a place of comfort for those who have been saved.
As parents, you’re the primary role models for your children. Intentionally invite them to spend some time with you during your worship or quiet time. Model for your kids what a life with Jesus looks like.
• In contrast, hades—which comes from the Greek word sheol—was a place of torment reserved for the unsaved dead.
Older Kids
• The thief on the cross didn’t live a righteous life, but Jesus still told him they would be together in paradise. • The thief on the cross was saved because of his faith in Jesus—not because of anything he did on earth.
Remember Verse for the environment of MODELING
Your older child needs to see what it looks like to put his faith into practice. Allow him to be a part of the service opportunities you take part in as you regularly model a life that puts faith into action.
Teachable Moments
But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:5–6 (NLT)
After reading Scripture, discuss the following together: • Why did Jesus die on the cross? • How did the responses of the two thieves differ? • How does the response of the second thief model faith in Jesus?
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:
© 2013 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 always remember how much God loves you. He chose to send His Son Jesus to die on the cross so you could be in relationship with Him forever.