PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN KIDS & FAMILIES date
2.1
Funny, but faith always seemed like it would be painful, not freeing.
Inspire (for parents) I just couldn’t believe it. The contract was signed and I was heading off to a new adventure in my professional life. God had given me the rare privilege of opening a preschool on a church campus. The little school had quickly become a part of my heart and leaving it would be difficult, but I knew that God was directing me to do something new. I closed the gate to my beloved little school. Within 24 hours of leaving, I was told the new position for which I had been hired was being cut due to finances. However, I was also told the church would do everything within its power to find funding for this position. Hopefully, I would be able to start in two months. As crazy as this sounds, I showed up as a volunteer in my new position on Monday morning. Why not? God called me and He would provide—I was counting on it. So, for two months I volunteered in my new position. True to who God is, He provided for every one of my needs. In two months, I officially started in my paid position on staff. While I was walking through this season, people were saying I had such
great faith. It didn’t feel like great faith to me; it didn’t hurt. Funny, but faith always seemed like it would be painful, not freeing. I just believed what I knew God told me and felt true freedom in my belief. One consistent theme in Scripture is that God is looking for people with faith. Faith in Him and who He is. He always does what He says. He will never break a contract He makes. He always keeps His promises. He is The Promise. by Cristi Thomas
ted Gettinukge 1:S1–t56a(Ar ngel Visits Mary)
Scripture: L ise, Part I s Us The Prom ive G od G t: in to Main Po low your family designed to al n is re ce ild ur ch so re This fore your s God’s Word be nt in re e pa r tim fo is ve ha God’s plan se au ec B , . ith ch fa children’s attend chur rturers of their nu al n tu re iri ild sp ch e to be th iritually, your as you grow sp we know that l. ally as wel will grow spiritu
Equip (for parents) Many Jewish people were not exactly awaiting the arrival of the promised Messiah and King. They were living under Roman law, with the Jewish high priests or political Sanhedrin ruling Judea with the support and leadership of the appointed Roman governor. While concentrating on political gain and the mastery of Jewish law, few remained faithful waiting for The Promise of God. Zechariah and his family were among the faithful. As Zechariah was serving as priest for his division of the people, the angel Gabriel came to give him a message from God. The angel told Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth was going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. They were to name him John. Gabriel continued, “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous— to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). John would be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. God was preparing the way for The Promise. God then sent Gabriel to give a message to Elizabeth’s cousin, a young woman named Mary. How incredible it was that this woman, while still a virgin, would give birth to the Son of the Most High. The Promise had been presented. God has a promise and a plan for our children. We may not fully understand this plan, but His plan is real nonetheless. When we feel discouraged or unsure as to what He is doing in the lives of our children, faith is required. We can take hope in knowing that the God who worked out every detail of His promise to bring the Messiah is the same God who is working out all of the details of our children’s lives.
REMEMBER VERSE
“Cheer each other up with the hope you have. Build each other up. In fact, that’s what you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIrV)
Support (for parents & kids) Sometime this week, read with your child the biblical account of the angel Gabriel proclaiming the coming of the Messiah in Luke 1:26–38. Before reading, pray together as a family and thank God for the chance to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Then think of a question that reviews what you just read such as, “What did the angel tell Mary was about to happen?” JUST FOR FUN, we suggest reading this passage to your children at bedtime. Gather together on the bed and cuddle up together. After you have read, talk to them about how surprising and incredible it must have been for Mary to see an angel before her in her house. Ask them to imagine if an angel came and started talking to them right now. How would they feel; what would that be like? When you’re finished, share with your children that what they just heard is a part of The Big God Story in the Bible, and they’ll hear it in church. Ask your children if they have any questions about what they just heard. Close your time by praying and asking Jesus to help each of you notice Him more at this special time of year.
© 2010 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.