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 download at HomeFrontMag.com. You can also access the HomeFront app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
God’s Plan for Me Is Best Part of The Big God Story Luke 6:46–49; Matthew 7:24–27
Jesus tells the story of a wise builder who built on a rock and a foolish builder who built on sand. Through this story, Jesus teaches His followers not just to hear His words but also to put them into practice.
n Just for Fu the wise man hears His
Read Matthew 7:24–27. Jesus said foolish man also hears The words and puts them into practice. . Find a small rock for each them obey n’t does but s word s’ Jesu permanent marker to write person and encourage him to use aneeds the Holy Spirit’s help he re whe area on the rock one him to do. Discuss these to obey what God might be asking the rocks. Place them over areas together and then pray help you remember that somewhere you’ll see them often to ys best. alwa is plan ’s God ing obey
Younger Kids
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Your younger child needs guidance as he learns to put God’s Word into practice. Provide opportunities for him to make his own choices between right and wrong, and help guide him onto the right path whenever necessary.
• The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ longest and most in-depth teaching recorded in Scripture. • Jesus ends this sermon with a very clear warning to not just hear His words but also act upon them. • In this passage, the Greek word petra, which means rock, doesn’t refer to small stones or pebbles but instead describes the strength of bedrock upon which we should build our lives. • A foundation built on ammon, the Greek word for sand, is a shaky foundation that will wash away when storms come.
Remember Verse for the environment of Course Correction
Older Kids Challenge your older child to put God’s Word into practice in new ways. Read a passage of Scripture with her and discuss ways to practically apply its wisdom this week. At the end of the week, talk with her about her choices as they related to the truths she learned in the passage.
Teachable Moments
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. (Isaiah 53:6 NLT)
After reading Scripture, discuss the following together: • What did Jesus want to teach us through the parable of the wise and foolish builders? • How can we put Jesus’ teaching into practice? • Why do you think it’s important for us not just to hear God’s words but also to obey them?
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), by the grace of God, may you be like the wise builder and obey Jesus Christ, the solid Rock. May the Holy Spirit be the helper and guide from whom you receive the strength to stand firm in Him.