ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES For Sunday, June 19, 2016
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. HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource This monthly magazine gives your family ideas for creating fun, spiritually forming times in your home—setting aside sacred space in the midst of your active, everyday lives. Visit www.HomeFrontMag.com to subscribe to the print edition or to have a digital copy sent directly to your inbox.
GOD IS THE ONE TRUE GOD Stephen Is Martyred Acts 6:8—7:60 Because Stephen believes in and follows Jesus, he is able to share his faith in the one true God with others. Stephen remains obedient to his faith even when it costs him his life.
JUST FOR FUN On a piece of paper, write, “GOD IS THE ONE TRUE GOD.” Invite each person in your family to share how God has shown Himself as the one true God in their life. Write down the answers all around the piece of paper. Then read Acts 6:8– 10 and Acts 7:51–60. Talk about how Stephen knew God as the one true God through The Big God Story and how he was willing to die because He trusted the one true God with his whole life. Hang the piece of paper in your home as a reminder of God’s work in your family.
REMEMBER VERSE But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
Summer Lesson 3
DID YOU KNOW? • Stephen’s speech covered most of The Big God Story. • The apostle Paul was present at the stoning of Stephen. This event may have had a dramatic and lasting effect on Paul. • The stoning of Stephen led to a great persecution of the early church. • Persecution of the early church resulted in the believers being scattered throughout various regions. This ultimately helped the spread of the gospel.
YOUNGER KIDS It’s important for children to be able to confidently speak with those around them. When possible, encourage your child to honor others and her own ability to speak up by looking others in the eye when she speaks and focusing on the person talking to her.
OLDER KIDS As your child prepares to share Jesus with others, it may help him to write out a personal story of how God is working in his life.
TEACHABLE MOMENTS After reading the Scripture passage, discuss the following together: • Why do you think the Sanhedrin falsely accused Stephen? • What was Stephen’s response when he was stoned? • Why do you think Stephen chose to die for his faith?
BLESSING A blessing can be a spoken prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement and guidance over your child. For more information about blessing your child, see the Blessing section in HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource @ HomeFrontMag.com A blessing to pray over your child: (Child’s name), may you worship the one true God with your whole life. May you serve and follow Him with great joy.
© 2016 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.