ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES For Sunday, July 3, 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 EVERLASTING FATHER Paul and Barnabas Acts 11:19–29; 14—15 Paul and Barnabas shared the good news of Jesus Christ with both Jews and Gentiles. One one occasion they told about how God is the Everlasting Father who created all things and continues to show love and care.
JUST FOR FUN As you read this part of The Big God Story, use a map (found in the back of your Bible or online) to show your children the various places that are mentioned in the passage. Read Acts 14—15, and retrace the steps that Paul and Barnabas took while sharing Jesus with those around them.
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 5
DID YOU KNOW? • Barnabas and Paul were the first global missionaries, spreading God’s Word for hundreds of miles on foot! • Acts 11:26 tells us that during this first missionary journey, when Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch, believers were first referred to as Christians. • Barnabas and Paul worked as a team and used their unique gifts to reach both the Jews and the Gentiles with the good news of Jesus. • Paul and Barnabas continued to tell others about Jesus Christ even though they experienced opposition.
YOUNGER KIDS Being reminded of God’s love and care helps a child feel secure. This week, invite your child to think of all the ways God shows His care to him during the week. Encourage him to praise God for the gifts God has given him such as food, shelter, and clothing.
OLDER KIDS Your child can recognize different feelings such as fear and joy. Discuss how God provides for both our tangible needs such as clothing, but also joy. Suggest she look for different ways she can see God’s hand in creation as well as relationships with those around her. How is He providing for her?
TEACHABLE MOMENTS After reading the Scripture passage, discuss the following together: • If you could take a missionary journey anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why? • Do we know any people who don’t know Jesus? Who are they? • How might we share the good news of Jesus with those people?
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 know God as your everlasting Father. May you rest in His care and unfailing love. © 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.