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 access the app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
God Is the Beginning and the End Part of The Big God Story Revelation 21—22
God gives John a vision of a new heaven and a new earth. John sees what the world will look like at Jesus’ return, with no more death, mourning, crying, or pain.
4.11
Did You Know? • In the beginning, it was God who created the celestial heavens and the earth we now inhabit.
Your child can listen to and recall the stories she hears. Tell your child the ending to a familiar story or fairy tale. Allow her to guess what the story is. Remind her that from beginning to end, the Bible is The Big God Story.
• At the end of the age, the heavens and earth will be destroyed, and it will be God who creates new heavens and a new earth.
Older Kids
• What we refer to as heaven will actually be the new earth that God is preparing for us. • The new earth will be perfect, unmarred by sin. There will be no weeping, mourning, or crying.
Remember Verse for the environment of SERVING
Your child has a sophisticated vocabulary and is capable of telling inventive and entertaining stories. Create a fun story together by giving her the beginning of a story and then allowing her to make up her own ending. Discuss with her how God was at the beginning and He will be at the end with His gift of the new heavens and earth.
Teachable Moments
Whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his l ife as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:44–45)
Just for Funlitter in
Spend some time cleaning up d. a local park or in your neighborhoo how ren child r you with Imagine all different the earth might be without it. ed troy des e hav we s the way Read Revelation 21:5–7.
Younger Kids
After reading Scripture, discuss the following together: • What will it be like to be with God forever? • What are you most looking forward to about heaven? • Share with your children that God desires to be with them forever in heaven. Remind them that it is Jesus’ death and resurrection that makes it possible for this to happen.
Blessing For more information about blessing your child see the Blessing section in HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource.
(Child’s name), may God restore your heart so you can be truly unified in your relationships with one another. May He restore us to unity so the world will see us as a family that truly loves one another. © 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.