Time with Jesus
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.” —Matthew 19:14
For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
—Luke 19:10
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Time with Jesus
Sparx Time with Jesus
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
All articles are adapted from Our Daily Bread (ODB) readings.
Publisher:
RBC Ministries
Writers:
Chia Poh Fang, Connie Cheong, Chung Hui Bin, Lillian Ho, Khan Hui Neon, Catherine Lee, Sim Kay Tee, Mary Soon, Song Shuling, Stephanie Tan, Tham Han Xim, Yong Soo Li
Editor: Alyson Kieda
Graphic Designers:
Narit Phusitprapha, Day Day, Mary Tham, Audrey Novac Ribeiro
Art Director: Alex Soh
Illustration Models:
King’s Kid, Educational Toys & Decorations, Chang Mai, Thailand
© 2011 RBC Ministries
All rights reserved.
Dear Caregiver and Child,
is a special devotional book written for both parent or primary caregiver and child.
To help you enjoy this new publication, we introduce four fun and easy steps:
Step One: Set aside time each week for you and your child to do the activities in this book. Begin by reading the story together.
Step Two: Making God’s Word a part of your life is important. “My Memory Verse” will get you started. What better way to memorize Scripture than through a simple activity!
Step Three : A great way to reinforce the lesson is to let your child “Try It Out” by playing a simple game or doing a simple activity. Instructions are provided for the parent to guide the child through it.
Step Four: “Let’s Talk About” helps both parent and child make an appropriate response to the lessons learned. Spending time talking to God through prayer is encouraged.
God desires His children to respond to His love by getting to know Him. We hope this book will be the spark to light up your relationship with God and with each other.
Come to Jesus 1 Chapter
Jesus said, ”Let the children come to me.” —Matthew 19:14
Come to Jesus
Some parents saw the love Jesus had for others. They brought their precious children to Him. They hoped Jesus would pray for them. However, His followers wanted to protect Jesus, who was very tired. They thought the children would bother Jesus. They were wrong! Jesus loves children. He welcomes all children. Jesus loves you! He wants to spend time with you and be your friend. Do you want to be Jesus’ friend?
Try It Out!
My Memory Verse
J
sus said, “L t th childr n com to m “
— Matthew 19 : 14
Making Our Way
Daddy or Mummy wants to give me a hug. But I must first make my way across the room to my dad or mum without stepping on the floor. I can use two pieces of paper to help me. What should I do?
Key Lesson
Help your child understand that to know how much God loves us, we must first go to Him.
We can be sure that as we make our way to Him, He will help us reach Him.
Let’s Talk About:
Share with your child how you have gone to Jesus for comfort, guidance, and protection in your own life. Discuss with your child how he or she can talk to Jesus as a friend, share his or her fears, ask Him for help and protection, and thank Him.
Clue:
A special letter of the alphabet is missing in the sentence above. Can you guess the missing letter?
Learning More About God
At 12 years old, Jesus’ parents brought Him to the house of God. Jesus spent time with people who knew God’s Word. He wanted to learn more about God. He listened, talked with them, and asked many questions. Jesus grew up to be a person who did what is right, following God’s Word. Do you want to know God? Then, read His Word and talk to someone who knows Him!
Luke 2:52
My Memory Verse
Clue:
Match each of the pictures above with a word given below.
Try It Out!
Growing Tall
I want to grow some green bean seeds. What must I do? Rearrange the steps below to find out! Number them in the correct order.
Measure how tall my plants h ave grown after two weeks.
Spread out the green bean seeds on the cotton.
Place my container near the window where there is light. Water daily.
Place a piece of soaked cotton sheet in a container.
Key Lesson
Just as it takes sunlight to grow a beautiful plant, we need to be in the light to become a person who does what is right. God’s Word is the light.
To grow to become a person who pleases God, we need to listen to His Word.
Let’s Talk About:
Can you think of someone who could teach you more about God? What would you want to ask him or her? Jesus knows you. He wants you to know Him too!
Jesus Can Use You
Thousands of people came to hear Jesus teach about God. They were hungry but there was no money to buy food. A little boy gave Jesus his five loaves of cheap barley bread and two tiny pickled fishes. Jesus used his dinner to feed all the people. Everyone had enough to eat. God can use little children to help people! God can use you to help people if you share what you have. Are you willing?
Read John 6:2-11 “Where’s the Piccolo?” from ODB, 17 Nov 2002
Clue:
Rearrange the words to find out this week’s memory verse.
to bodiesyourGiveGod
Romans 12:1
My Memory Verse
What Do I Have?
I am going to make a list. I will walk around my room and list five items I have. Then, I will count them. For example, Toy cars: 5
Marbles: 10 Try It Out!
Key Lesson
Some of us may only have a few things, while some have been blessed with much more than we need. Either way, God is pleased when we share what we have with others. With Jesus, even the smallest of things can become amazingly great in service to others.
Let’s
Talk About:
Share with your child how some people have served God in small and big ways. Discuss how your family can give to Jesus. It can be collecting books, toys, and clothes for the poor. Even spending time to encourage a troubled friend is a way to serve Jesus.
Believe in Jesus
Jairus’ daughter was very sick. He begged Jesus to go to his house and heal her. Before Jesus could go to her, she died. Jesus told Jairus not to be afraid but to trust Him. He would make everything right. When Jesus reached Jairus’ house, he went to the dead girl. Then Jesus made her well again. Does anything scare you? You can trust in Jesus, your Friend! Read Luke 8:41-42,49-55
Clue:
Close one eye, hold this book horizontally, and read it at eye-level
Don’t be afraid. Just have faith .
Luke 8:15
My Memory Verse
Try It Out!
Walking by Faith
I cannot see. I am blindfolded. I need to make my way from one end of the room to the other. The room is full of things, which I must not step on or knock into. How can my mummy and daddy help me?
Key Lesson
When we are afraid, we can turn to Jesus for help. He knows everything. We can trust Him to help us.
In every big, scary thing and in every little, ordinary thing, we can trust Jesus too.
Let’s Talk About:
Is there something you are afraid of? Write it down and talk to God about it.
I am afraid of . . .
I will trust Jesus and not be afraid!
Jesus Is Looking for You
There was a shepherd who had 100 precious sheep. One day, a sheep was lost. He searched everywhere for it in the wild and dangerous land. He would not give up. When he finally found the sheep, he celebrated with his friends. Like the loving shepherd, Jesus is searching for people who are outside of God’s family. He wants to bring these lost people home. Are you in God’s family? If not, Jesus is looking for you!
My Memory Verse
Can you find these words? SEEK, LOST, SON, SAVE, and MAN.
B K S L S
M S O N A
N S E N V
T A V E F
N V M A K
S E E S T
Clue: You need to look up, down, backwards, and diagonally.
Using the words above, try to complete the sentence!
For the of came to and those who are .
Luke 19:10
Try It Out!
Lost and Found
Can you find the lost sheep?
Start
Finish
Key Lesson
The Bible teaches that all who are outside of God’s family are lost. That is because we do not obey God and have strayed away from Him. This makes God very sad, but He never gives up on us. He keeps searching for us.
Let’s Talk About:
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is looking for you. Would you return to God’s side? Make Jesus the Lord (King) of your life! Follow what He says, just like a sheep would!
Say “I’m Sorry”
Two men were praying to God. The first man boasted, “Dear God, I am a good man. Unlike others, I have not done anything really bad.” God did not hear his prayer, because he was too proud to admit his wrongdoings. However, the second man simply prayed, “Dear God, I’m sorry. I have done things that make you unhappy.” God heard him and remembered his sins no more! Will you pray like the second man?
Luke 18:13 My Memory Verse O God, be to me, for I am a . Write the beginning letter of each picture to spell out the missing words.
Stacking Up
I am going to create a tall tower. For every good thing I can say about myself, I will add a block. Where shall I start?
I am kind and helpful to others . . . I give money to help the poor . . .
I go to church on Sunday . . . I read my Bible every day . . .
I obey my parents . . . I feed my pet . . .
Key Lesson
Whenever we think we should be accepted by God based on our own good points, we are heading for a fall!
We become God’s children not on merits but on humility—by admitting before God that we are not good enough for Him.
Let’s Talk About:
How do you pray—like the Pharisee or the tax collector? Try It Out!
Take Me to Heaven
When Jesus was suffering on the cross, two thieves were on crosses next to Him. One thief did not believe that Jesus is God. He made fun of Jesus. But the other thief knew that he had done bad things, unlike Jesus. He believed that Jesus is God and could help him. He wanted to be with Jesus forever. So, he asked for Jesus’ help. Jesus heard him and received him into God’s family. No one is too bad to be forgiven. You can be with Jesus too. Ask Him now!
Did you get the verse right? Now, replace the word “me” with your name. Read the verse again.
No Way Across?
There are two circles on the floor about two metres apart. I must jump from one circle to the other in one hop. Can I make it on my own?
If I admit that I cannot do it and ask for help, someone will place a plank between the two circles. Now, I can walk across the plank to the other side.
Key Lesson
When we do not obey God, a huge gap exists between God and us. No one can make it across to God by his or her own effort. But God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to help us.
Jesus is the bridge that helps us to reach God.
Let’s Talk About:
Do you want to be with Jesus forever? If so, pray right now. Ask God to forgive you of your wrong deeds and thoughts. Then, He will make you His child!
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them!”
—Matthew 19:14
What Jesus Did for Me 2 Chapter
The Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. —Luke 24:46
Jesus Is the King
In the Bible, God told His people: Your King will come, riding on a donkey. So when Jesus entered the city on a donkey, everyone came to look. God had sent their King, Jesus! He came to defeat sin by dying on the cross. Because the children believed, they shouted, “Praise God for the Son of David!” Jesus is the King who died to take away your sins. Do you believe?
My Memory Verse
To find your memory verse, cross out the boxes with words that have a “b” or “k”.
Haven’t you ever bananas read the Scriptures? kings
For they say, lamb “You have make member toothpick taught locker children and infants baker to give you praise.”
Matthew 21:16
Try It Out!
Childlike Faith
I will ask Mummy or Daddy to read Mark 10:13-16 to me.
I will raise my hand and shout, “Praise the Lord!” when I hear the word children or child.
Key Lesson
Do you know what God wants you to do? He wants you to believe in what He says in His Word. Every child can do that. You will make Him happy when you do.
Let’s Talk About:
Do you believe what God says about Jesus? If you do, say a prayer of thanks to Him now.
Show Love
We show our love to others at different times and in many ways. The best way and time is when they are with us. This was how Mary showed her love to Jesus. One day, when Jesus was eating in Simon’s house, Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ head. In this way, Mary showed Jesus her love while He was still alive. Show someone your love today by doing something nice for them.
My Memory Verse
Rearrange the hearts from smallest to biggest to put together the memory verse.
throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.
Wherever the
Good News is preached
Matthew 26:13
Try It Out!
Love in Action
I am going to surprise my mummy and daddy. I will do something nice for them. I will give each of them a hug, or I will draw them a picture or tell them a joke to make them laugh.
Key Lesson
Love comes from God. It is an action word as well as a “now” word. This means doing something good for someone right now. Look around, can you find someone to show God’s love? Act now.
Let’s Talk About:
Discuss with your child how he or she could show God’s love to someone today.
Serving Like Jesus
One night after dinner, Jesus began to wash His disciples’ feet. One of His disciples was named Judas. Judas did not love Jesus. He was planning to harm Him. Yet Jesus still washed his feet. Jesus wants us to be like Him and to be willing to serve everyone—not just our friends and family. Will you follow Jesus’ example and serve someone today?
Read John 13:1-8,12-15
“The Feet of Judas” from ODB, 24 Mar 2004
Try It Out! My Memory Verse
Match each pair of shoes to the person who would wear them. Decode the verse by saying the word that goes with each pair of shoes.
John 13:15 given done Do follow example
I have you an to . as I have to you.
Willing to Help
Today, I will ask my mummy to sit on a chair. Next, I will help her to take off her slippers or shoes. With care, I will wash her feet with a damp cloth and then apply powder or lotion. I will do the same for daddy.
Key Lesson
Are you surprised that Jesus washed Judas’ feet—someone who would later betray Him? We usually only help the people we know and love. But Jesus is different. He helps others because He wants to. It doesn’t matter who that person is. Are you willing to follow Jesus’ example?
Let’s Talk About:
Helping others begins from the heart. Once the heart is set, we no longer choose whom to help. We just reach out. Ask your child if he will set his heart to help others.
Obeying God
Obeying God is not always easy. We want to do what we like. Jesus wanted to obey God because He loves God. But when God asked Jesus to do something very difficult—to die on the cross for you and me—Jesus had to choose between following His own way or God’s way. In the end, Jesus chose to obey God. Will you also gladly choose to obey God—even when it is hard?
My Memory Verse
Trace each line to a balloon. Each balloon contains a phrase. Write each phrase in the correct box.
Follow and Obey
I will make a list of things my mum or dad asked me to do today. I will rank them in order of difficulty (1 being the most difficult).
Example:
1. I mu st eat my ve getables.
2. I mu st finish my homework before I play any games.
Key Lesson
Have your parents ever wanted you to do something you didn’t want to do? Did you obey? If you believe your parents are right because they know best, then you should obey them even when you don’t want to. This is the same when it comes to obeying God. It’s always best to obey Him.
Let’s Talk About:
Share one experience with your child that shows how obeying God is not always easy, but it always is the right decision.
Jesus Can Forgive Us
Sometimes we make mistakes without knowing how bad they are. This was what happened to those who treated Jesus cruelly and killed Him. Some insulted and spat on Him. Soldiers whipped him. They put a crown of thorns on His head. They nailed His hands and feet on a wooden cross. Yet, before He died, Jesus asked God to forgive them. No matter what mistakes you’ve made, Jesus can forgive you if you ask Him.
My Memory Verse
Decode the memory verse and fill in the blanks.
Jesus said, “6 LETTERS , forgive them, 7 LETTERS 8 LETTERS
4 LETTERS 12 LETTERS .”
Luke 23:34
Humpty Dumpty Colour the picture. Try It Out!
Clues:
don’t know for they
Key Lesson
When Humpty Dumpty fell, the king’s horses and men could not put him together again. Sometimes we feel like that after we do something wrong. But Jesus can mend our hearts and put things right if we ask Him for forgiveness. Is there something you need to ask Jesus to forgive?
Let’s Talk About:
Isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus can forgive all our sins—big or small? This shows how much God loves you and me. Once we are forgiven, we can live without shame. Praise God!
Do You Believe?
When Jesus hung on a cross, two thieves hung next to Him. One of them mocked Jesus. He did not believe Jesus is the Son of God. He did not believe that Jesus came to die for us so we could be in heaven with Him. The other man believed. Jesus said to him, “Today you will be with Me in paradise.” When we believe in Jesus, we can go to heaven when we die. Do you believe in Jesus?
My Memory Verse
The memory verse is hidden in the jumble below. Search for the words and colour them. Some have been done for you. But 6 words are still missing. Can you find them? F AND THKJESUSCEPPCEJSAID,AWTL
Luke 23:43
Try It Out!
The Only Key
The door to the house is locked. To enter the house, I need to use the right key to unlock the door. My parent has a bundle of keys. Which one is the right one?
Key Lesson
How do we enter a locked room? We need the right key. How do we enter heaven? We need the right key too! Do you know what this key is? Jesus.
When you believe in Him and what He says about Himself, He becomes your key to heaven.
Let’s Talk About:
Heaven is a wonderful place because that is where God lives. Do you want to go there? If you do, you need Jesus. Pray and tell Him that.
Jesus Is Alive
Jesus died and was buried in a tomb. His enemies were afraid that Jesus’ followers would take His body and then say that He rose from the dead. So they posted guards around the tomb to keep that from happening. But it was useless. On Sunday morning, Jesus rose from the dead. No one could stop Him. Many people today still say that Jesus never rose from the dead. But He is alive! Do you believe?
Matthew 27:62–28:8
My Memory Verse
Can you find 5 words scattered in the field? Use the words to complete the verse below: Matthew 28:6
He isn’t __________! He is ________ from the _______, just as He _______ would _______.
Try It Out!
Jesus Is Alive!
• Make an empty tomb. Paint t he bottom half of a paper plate brown and the top half black. Let it dry.
• Cu t the plate in half.
• Gl ue the back of the brown half to the front of the black half along the round edge.
• Cu t out a doorway and glue a picture of an angel in the door. Use a picture from an old greeting card.
• Us e a black crayon or marker to draw a large stone next to the doorway.
• Di splay your picture to remind you that Jesus has risen!
Key Lesson
Have you ever tried to do something impossible? Trying to keep Jesus in the tomb was impossible. Many people tried and failed. Today, people are still trying. But nothing anyone could say or do could disprove that Jesus has risen. He is alive!
Let’s
Talk About:
The Bible tells us that Jesus rose from the dead. Many of His followers saw Him alive. He can be alive in our life when we invite Him into our heart. Lead your child to invite Jesus into his or her heart.
Light Up for Jesus 3 Chapter
Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength. —Psalm 89:13
God Knows You
Many people hated Zacchaeus. He was a tax collector. He cheated people of their money. One day, Zacchaeus met Jesus. Jesus already knew his name.
Zacchaeus’ life was changed after he met Jesus. He gave half of his money to poor people. He gave back money to those he had cheated.
God knew Zacchaeus, and God knows you. He knows your name. Would you like to know Him too?
My Memory Verse Psalm
139:1
O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me.
Try It Out!
I Know You
I am going to show you that I know all my favourite toys. Go ahead and cover some of them with a blanket while I close my eyes. Just by feeling with my hands, I can name each toy.
Key Lesson
We know best the people and things that are closest to us. Even without looking, we can tell a person by his voice and a thing by feeling its shape.
Clue: Close one eye, hold this book horizontally, and read it at eye-level.
We can be sure that our all-knowing heavenly Father knows us even better.
Let’s Talk About:
List or name what God knows about you. The list is really long!
God knows everything . . . even the number of hairs on our head! There is nothing we can hide from Him. So I will make Him my friend forever.
God Watches Over You
Hagar was a maid of Sarah. Sarah was mean to her. So Hagar ran away to the desert. God knew Hagar was sad. He told her He would take care of her. Hagar called God, “the God who sees me”. When you are alone and afraid, talk to God. God watches over you. He cares for you.
My Memory Verse
How Far Can I See?
I open my favourite book to the centre page and prop it upright on a table. Then I take 2 steps back and read aloud what’s on the page.
Now I take another 4 steps back while someone turns the page. Can I read what’s on it?
Now someone turns the page again, while I take another 10 steps back. Can I still read what’s on the page?
Key Lesson
No matter where we are and no matter what is happening, God sees and knows.
We cannot see everything, but God can. That is why He can watch over us all the time.
Let’s Talk About:
Have you ever felt afraid or lonely? Sometimes you feel all alone and that nobody understands. Since God is always watching over you, what can you do . . .
When you feel afraid?
When you feel lonely?
God watches over us all the time.
Be Ready to Listen to God
Samuel was a little boy. He helped Eli in the temple. Eli was a priest. One night, Samuel heard someone calling his name. This happened three times. Eli told Samuel that God was calling him. God called a fourth time. Samuel said, “Yes, Your servant is listening.” Samuel was ready to listen to God. Today, God tells us what to do in the Bible.
Be ready to listen to Him.
Read 1 Samuel 3:2-6, 8-10
My Memory Verse
How Well Can I Hear?
Do I have good ears? Can I guess who is calling me? Let me find out. I will close my eyes tight and listen as each member of my family calls out my name. Can I tell who is calling me?
Now, while everyone is talking, someone will call out my name. Without peeking, can I tell who is calling me? Did I just use my ears? 1 Samuel 3:10 Clues:
Key Lesson
Listening to God requires concentration, and that means spending time and effort to pick out God’s voice from all the sounds around us.
Reading the Bible, thinking about it, and doing what it says are the best ways to listen to God.
Let’s Talk About:
Share how a Bible verse has guided you. Encourage your child to share a verse he/she has learnt that will help him/her.
God’s Word is a lamp for our feet and a light to our path.
You Can Trust God
Lazarus, Martha, and Mary were good friends of Jesus. Lazarus was sick. His sisters asked Jesus to come to their house. They knew Jesus could make him better. Before Jesus got there, Lazarus died. He was buried for four days. But Jesus brought him back to life. You may not know lots of things about God. But you can trust Him. He knows what is best for you.
My Memory Verse Hebrews 13:6
“The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear.”
Clue: Let the mirror reveal the secret.
Try It Out!
Trusting Without Looking
I can follow instructions. Let me show you. Wearing a blindfold, I can find a candy or toy at the far end of the room. As someone calls out instructions, I will make my way across the room to find my “prize”.
Key Lesson
The activity is designed to let your child experience first-hand what it means to exercise total trust in someone who loves him. To make it a bit more difficult, you may put some obstacles between him and the prize. We can trust our loving heavenly Father.
Let’s Talk About:
Think about something you had to do that was not pleasant. Maybe you had to take some awful-tasting medicine or had a shot that hurt. Even though it hurt or tasted bad, how did it help you?
Not all things that are good for us are nice or pleasant at first. But God always gives us what is best at the right time.
If You Love Jesus, Follow Him
Peter was Jesus’ friend. Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” Jesus asked him two more times. Each time, Peter said, “Yes, I love You.”
Jesus wanted to teach Peter. He had to do more than say he loved Jesus. Peter needed to obey Him. Do you love Jesus? If you do, will you follow and obey Him?
My Memory Verse
If you love Me, obey My commandments.
John 14:15
Clue: Stand on your head.
Try It Out!
It’s What You Do
That Counts
I am pretending to be very hungry and looking for food. So I get someone to hide a small ball or object in her fist behind her back. Then I guess which hand has it. If I guess wrongly, she will say, “I love you very much”, but do nothing. But, if I get it right, she will feed me with yummy “food”. I will stop when I am full.
Key Lesson
Words do not really mean anything if they are not backed up with actions.
Today’s activity seeks to reinforce this lesson: How do we love Jesus?
When we obey God’s commandments we are loving Him.
Let’s Talk About:
There are many ways to show love. Spending time with someone or asking how their day was are some ways. I can show love to (name) __________________by __________
Obeying God and loving Him means loving others too.
Everlasting Arms
Jesus is always there to help us. His strong arms hold us up and keep us safe. We have arms too. We can do many things with them. But our arms can get tired. Jesus’ arms never get tired. Because Jesus’ arms never get tired, He can protect us always. We can safely put our life in His hands.
Read Deuteronomy 33:1,3,26-29
Arms” from ODB, 27 Feb 2006
Hanging On
What do the symbols say?
I am going to find out how long I can hang in the air by grabbing my mom or dad's arm. It’s not very long before I feel tired. Now, I am going to find out how long I can hang when my parent holds me up with his arms. Try It Out!
Key Lesson
Make sure your child hangs onto your arm with his legs off the floor so as to let him feel the effect of physical exertion. Time how long he can hang on to you. When he tires, carry him while telling him Jesus’ arms are stronger than yours, and they never tire.
Let’s Talk About:
It would be wonderful to have a friend who is very strong. Do you know who’s the strongest person in the world? It’s not Superman but Jesus.
Jesus wants to be your friend. Would you like Him to be your friend too? If so, just tell Him!
Be a Good Example
Do you know someone you want to be like? Someone who does what is right and good. Paul was a good example to many Christians. He followed Jesus and did what Jesus did. God wants us to be good examples too. He wants us to do good things like Jesus did. When others begin to follow us, they will follow Jesus.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10 “Models for Imitation” from ODB, 9 Feb 2001
Write the words on the correct lines below.
4me
3 imitate Christ.
5 should imitate 1 just as I 2And you
Follow Me
Let me show you I am a good follower. I pick a leader and line up behind her. I do whatever the leader does as she skips over, walks around, or steps across objects in the room.
Now we change roles and I am the leader.
Key Lesson
A believer does not just follow Jesus, he also shows others how to follow Him. Others are watching us. If we model after Jesus, they will also want to know and follow Him.
Go through the activity a couple of times and help your child learn this important lesson.
Let’s Talk About:
Jesus shows us how to behave: He obeys His Father. He does what is right in God’s eyes. He loves us, and He cares for us.
When we do what Jesus does, others will understand what it means to follow Him.
If you love Me, obey My commandments. —John 14:15
A Son is given to us. —Isaiah 9:6 My Christmas
A Promised Gift
Have you ever made a promise to someone? Were you able to keep your promise? Sometimes we don’t keep our promises, but God always does. Many years ago, He promised to give us a very special and wonderful gift— His Son. He is our Wonderful Advisor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. Jesus, who was born to fulfill that promise, wants to be our friend forever.
My Memory Verse
Close one eye, hold this book horizontally, and read it at eye level.
Isaiah 9:6
Try It Out!
Promising a Gift of Love
I am going to make a Christmas card for mummy and daddy. In it, I will write down something I will do to make them happy and show that I love them.
What will it be?
For example:
• I will make them happy by e ating all my vegetables.
• I will make them happy by tidying my bed.
• I will make them happy by doing my homework.
Key Lesson
Sometimes people break their promises because they change their minds or do not have the means to keep them.
Not with God. He is both willing and able to keep His promises.
Let’s Talk About:
Ask your child to tell you how he or she feels when someone does not keep a promise. Help your child understand that once God makes a promise, He keeps it, no matter how long it takes.
Jesus Was Born
Just before Jesus was born, His parents went to Bethlehem. When they arrived, they looked for a room. But all the rooms were full. In the end, baby Jesus was born in a stable because there was no room for them to stay. Today, Jesus is looking for a place to stay in your heart. Does your heart have room for Him?
Read Luke 2:1-7
My Memory Verse
Unscramble the words below and fill in the blanks. For example: LIHDC = CHILD
“She gave birth to her _______1 Child, a __________2 . . . and laid Him in a ____________3, because there was no lodging available for them.”
Luke 2:7
Try It Out!
Make Room
I have a jar full of candy and soft toys. As my mum or dad hands me a new candy or toy to put inside the jar, I must decide what I need to remove from the jar before I can put in the new gift.
Key Lesson
To make room for someone, we must remove things that stand in the way. Jesus wants to come into your heart. Can you think of some things that stand in the way?
The biggest thing that stands in the way is our sin. When we ask God to forgive us, we make room for Jesus.
Let’s
Talk About:
Discuss with your child how he or she can make room for Jesus. How can your child follow Jesus by obeying what He says in the Bible?
Good News!
God wants everyone—rich or poor, good or bad—to know His love. On the night Jesus was born, God sent an angel to tell the shepherds the news. Many people did not like shepherds. But God cared for them. He came to tell them where to find Jesus. Just as God cares for them, He cares for you too. He wants to be found by you. Are you willing?
My Memory Verse
Finding Sparx
Ask someone to hide this Sparx book.
Next, go and look for it. Ask the person to give you clues to help you find Sparx.
Key Lesson
Just as you needed help to find this booklet in our game, we need help to find God. He tells us to find Him by praying and reading the Bible. Have you found Him yet? God promised that we will find Him if we seek Him.
Let’s Talk About:
Pray with your child and thank God for loving us and telling us how we may find Him.
Born With a Purpose
Christmas is a celebration of Jesus’ birth. Do you know why we celebrate? Jesus was born with a purpose—to help us become God’s children. But before we can become His children, God has to forgive us of all our sins. Sins are the wrong things we do. Jesus was born so that He could take away our sins. In this way, we can receive God’s forgiveness and become His children.
My Memory Verse
The memory verse has been printed with some missing vowels. Put the correct vowel in each space.
Matthew 1:21
Try It Out!
Treat or Freeze
I hold a sweet in my hand and put it behind my back. Mummy and Daddy will guess which hand holds it. If they guess it right, they will get a kiss from me. If they get it wrong, they will face the wall for 10 seconds. I will let them know how many kisses or minutes they have to face the wall they receive after 10 attempts.
Key Lesson
The purpose of Jesus’ coming was to save us from our sins. He did it by paying the price of sin in full.
Help your child learn this important lesson by asking if he or she is willing to take all the forfeits for you. Watch your child’s response.
Let’s
Talk About:
Jesus loves us. He is willing to take the forfeits of sin for us. Do you want Jesus to take your place and save you from your sin? If you do, tell Him.
God Gave His Only Son
The story of Christmas is about the birth of baby Jesus. Jesus grew up to save us from our sins so that we could become God’s children. Once we become God’s children, our lives are never the same. Do you want to be God’s child? Make Jesus your best friend today! Follow Him by doing what He says in the Bible.
My Memory Verse
Clues:
Can you decode the memory verse? Fill in the blanks. loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. For God so much
John 3:16
Pepper Run
I will fill a bowl halfway with water. Next, I will sprinkle just enough black pepper to lightly cover the surface of the water. Then, I will dip a toothpick into liquid detergent and insert it into the centre of the bowl.
What happens to the pepper?
Key Lesson
Just as the pepper “runs” quickly to the sides of the bowl, leaving the water in the centre clean, when we let Jesus into our life, He drives away the sin. He wants us to live a clean and pure life.
Let’s Talk About:
Discuss with your child how he or she can follow Jesus by doing what He says in the Bible.
Telling Others About Jesus
It is wonderful to celebrate Christmas. But once it is over, we go back to doing what we do every day, such as going to school and attending lessons. So what’s so great about Christmas? Christmas is special when we make Jesus our best friend. As your best friend, Jesus will always be with you. So you can go back to school with joy.
Read Luke 2:15-20
My Memory Verse
Each blank heart in this memory verse represents a word. Colour in each blank heart the correct colour.
Luke 2:20
Clues:
flocks angel heard seen praising shepherds
The went back to their , glorifying and God for all they had and . It was just as the had told them.
Try It Out!
Not the Same
My Mum or Dad has placed one hard-boiled egg and one uncooked egg on the table. Just by looking, can I tell which is the hard-boiled egg?
To tell the difference, I will spin an egg and pay close attention to how it spins. If the egg spins well, it’s hardboiled. But if it wobbles and spins slowly, it’s uncooked.
Key Lesson
The eggs may look the same. But because the insides are different, each produces a different result.
Jesus is the heart of Christmas. With Him in our hearts, every day can be as joyful as Christmas.
Let’s Talk About:
Even when Christmas day is over and we must return to our daily routines, we can take Jesus with us and enjoy His presence always. Share with your child some ideas on how he or she can stay close to Jesus.
Birthday Presents for Jesus
On birthdays, we always give presents to the birthday boy or girl. What can you give Jesus this Christmas? Have you prepared your present for Him? What do you want to give Him? A gift is like a window to your heart. It shows how much you love Him. You can give yourself to Jesus. And when you belong to Him, you can listen to what He says.
My Memory Verse
The Bible verse below is in a jumble. Write it in the correct order in the boxes. Some words are already filled in.
Give He has done to God your
bodies
because of all for
you.
because you.
Romans 12:1
Try It Out!
Christmas Presents
I am going to write a funny list of Christmas presents for everyone in the family. For example, if someone in the family is a real tough guy, I could put something like “a puppy” on the list.
Key Lesson
People give all sorts of presents on Christmas. What can we give to Jesus this Christmas? Have you prepared your present for Him? The best way to find out what Jesus wants on His birthday is to read the Bible and to talk to Him in prayer.
Let’s Talk About:
What do you think Jesus wants for His birthday? Help your child to understand that what Jesus desires most is that we give Him our heart and love Him by obeying His Words.
For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us.
—Isaiah 9:6
It’s never too early to help little ones come to trust in Jesus and learn to spend daily time with God in His Word.
In Sparx: Time with Jesus, stories in the Bible come alive on every page with artful illustrations and fun-filled activities. Written for children ages 5 to 7, this book is designed to draw families into experiencing a closer relationship with God together. It contains Bible stories accompanied with a memory verse and a simple activity to emphasize the truth. It will be the spark to light up your relationship with God and with each other.
