ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES For Sunday, April 17, 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.
Spring Lesson 7
DID YOU KNOW?
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• The Jewish people detested the Samaritan people and considered them “halfbreeds.” Samaritans descended from Jews who had intermarried with people from other nations that they’d conquered. • The Samaritan people were pagan and did not worship the one true God. • When Jesus used a Samaritan as an example of someone who showed true compassion, it was especially painful for the Jewish leaders to hear. • Jesus used this story to remind His people that we should be an example of His kindness and love to all people.
GOD IS LOVE
YOUNGER KIDS
Parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25–37 Jesus tells a parable about a good Samaritan. The Samaritan helped a hurting man, cared for his wounds, carried him to an inn, and paid someone to take care of him.
JUST FOR FUN Create a small care package. Include granola bars, bottled water, toiletries, fast food gift cards, etc. Place the items in a large plastic bag labeled “Blessings Bag.” Encourage your family to be on the lookout for someone you could bless with this package. Read Luke 10:25–37. Explain that Jesus was teaching about how we should show God’s love to everyone. Jesus tells us that when we love God, we will love our neighbors, and when we love our neighbors, it expresses our love for God. Encourage your children to be on the lookout for ways to show God’s love to those around them.
REMEMBER VERSE This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9
Your older child can learn to show God’s love to others through her friendships. Encourage her to be a good friend and to build bridges of friendship with her classmates — especially those who aren’t well liked by others.
OLDER KIDS Your older child can learn to show God’s love to others through his friendships. Encourage him to be a good friend and to build bridges of friendship with his classmates — especially those who aren’t well-liked by others.
TEACHABLE MOMENTS After reading the Scripture passage, discuss the following together: • How do you think the experts on the Law felt when they heard this story? • Why do you think Jesus told this parable? What was the point He was making? • Whom does God call us to love?
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: May God fill you with His love so you know how completely He loves you. May God’s love in you pour out onto others.
© 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.