PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN KIDS & FAMILIES date
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I also want my son to know that just as I am waiting to talk with him, his FatherGod is waiting to have a conversation too. Inspire (for parents) There are many firsts in life: first steps, first kiss, first broken heart, but one of the more interesting firsts in life is the first word we choose to speak. Parents and those around them give so much attention to this singular word. What will it be? Mama? Papa? Or will it be something completely unexpected?
one man, God created a nation of men so we would seek Him, reach out to Him, and find Him. As I look at my son, I can’t wait to hear what he will call me. And I am looking forward to years and years of conversations with him. But I also want my son to know that just as I am waiting to talk with him, his Father-God is waiting to have a conversation too. And I am praying that he chooses to acknowledge and speak to God as his Father, provider, protector, healer, and so much more.
As a new father, I am anxious to hear my son speak to me in words I can understand. In fact, I spend most of the day speaking to him in a voice that no sane person would use on a regular basis. It is a high-pitched, cartoonish voice that seems to rise and fall at the speed by Tommy Larson of a roller coaster. I speak to him as if he can understand, and as he looks back up at me, I get more and more excited for the day he will say something back to me. That moment is still several 13 months away, but the anticipation of atthew 6:5– Scripture: M er) ay hearing him speak to me is building. Pr (The Lord’s Him e to Talk with M ts od Wan If we as earthly fathers are excited Main Point: G your family to signed to allow to hear our children speak to us, how de is ren ce ur so This re fore your child much stronger is God’s desire for God’s Word be nts in re e pa r tim fo is ve ha God’s plan se au ec B . ch us to speak to Him? How elated He ildren’s faith, attend chur rers of their ch rtu nu al n tu iri sp must be when we first choose to say: ly, your childre to be the u grow spiritual yo as at th ow “I believe in You, I love You, I choose to we kn ally as well. follow You!” Acts 17 tells us that from will grow spiritu
ted Getting Star
Equip (for parents) “Lord, teach us to pray …” Jesus answered this request by teaching the disciples—and us—how to pray. “Our Father …” The word Jesus uses for Father in Aramaic is the informal word Abba, translated to mean “daddy.” “Hallowed be your name” establishes who God is and retains positional authority of the I AM. “Your kingdom come, Your will be done …” When we pray we’re to ask our heavenly Father to use us in His coming Kingdom—which Jesus had just outlined for the disciples in the previous chapters of the Beatitudes. “Give us today our daily bread …” The Father cares for our needs, for He is our provider and will give us what we need in each day. “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Jesus offers us forgiveness of sins. For much as we have been forgiven, by the same measure we must forgive others who hurt or sin against us—for in forgiveness is freedom. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” As we journey through this world we’ll be faced with decisions whose outcomes will affect our lives, and often, the lives of others. We need the guidance and covering of the Lord to go before us.
When we pray we’re to ask our heavenly Father to use us in His coming Kingdom.
REMEMBER versE
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24
Support (for parents & kids) Just for fun, choose a night this week to read and pray with your children at bedtime. As you’re tucking them in, read together the biblical account of Jesus teaching us how to pray in Matthew 6:9–13. Try reading the passage verse by verse. After you’ve read a verse, stop and explain to your child what it means. Then offer your own personal prayer modeled after that verse. Continue to pray verse by verse until you’re through the passage. After you’ve finished this part of The Big God Story, ask your children which part of the Lord’s Prayer stood out to them, and why. 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, or if there is anything else they would like to talk to God about. Close your time by once again praying and thanking Jesus that He gave us an example of how to pray.
© 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.