ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES For Sunday, May 22, 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.
JESUS IS THE GOOD NEWS Great Commission Matthew 28:16–20 After He rose from the dead, Jesus appeared to His disciples to tell them what to do next. The good news of Jesus is for everyone and we are called to share it with others.
JUST FOR FUN Talk about methods of communication such as telephones or the internet. Discuss how your family likes to share news with each other and with others. Read Matthew 28:16–20. Ask your children how Jesus communicated His message to His followers while He was on earth. Jesus both taught His followers the words of God and also lived out God’s commands with them each day. Jesus told His disciples to “go” and tell others about God. He didn’t give a method; just told them to go. The possibilities for sharing that Jesus is the Good News are endless! Pray and ask God to show you how He is calling your family to “go” and make disciples this week. How can you communicate the good news?
REMEMBER VERSE Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18
SUMMER U Over 250 elementary kids are registered for Summer U and some courses are full, so sign up today for Summer U, if you haven’t, at Summer U.org. Parents, we can always use your help to staff this event. You can register on the website to help when you sign up your child(ren). © 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.
Spring Lesson 12
DID YOU KNOW? • The eleven disciples knew to meet Jesus in Galilee because He told the women who found the empty tomb to give them the instructions. • In Matthew 1:23 Jesus is called Immanuel, which means, “God with us.” In the last verse of Matthew, Jesus promises to be with His followers as they go to the nations. • The Greek word for disciple is mathetes, which means “student” or “learner.” • Baptism is an outer sign of trust and obedience to God.
YOUNGER KIDS The good news is not only that Jesus died and rose again. It’s that He is with us no matter where we go. Encourage your child to remember Jesus’ words at the end of Matthew as they go different places this week. He is always there!
OLDER KIDS Your older child is approaching a time when technology may be her preferred way to talk with friends. Discuss how important it is to both listen and talk with others in a one-on-one setting. Ask your child about a time when they shared a good conversation with a friend and what made it so special.
TEACHABLE MOMENTS After reading the Scripture passage, discuss the following together: • What did Jesus’ disciples do when they saw Him on the mountain? • What are some of God’s commands? • What is the good news of Jesus that we can share with others?
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 celebrate that Jesus is the Good News and may you share His love with others.