Great Walls of Water!

Your Children Will Learn: God turned the sea into dry land. God saved His people.

Memory verse for unit 9- Moses sang, "Lord, who is like you? You are majestic and holy. You do wonderful miracles." Exodus 15:11

Just for Parents -
Exodus records God dramatically saving His people in a miraculous way. Everything was timed perfectly. The sea parted so His people could cross over on dry land. The water closed up just as Pharaoh’s army crossed over, swallowing them up in an instant. God fought the battle for His people! They were so grateful! They sang, danced and rejoiced! At least for a little while, until they became hungry. This is difficult to admit, but we’re just like that in our own walk with God. God is always working for us, showing us mercy and saving us. And we rejoice when that is evident, but then we begin grumbling again. It’s only by faith that we can follow Him, and we even have to ask for more of that. So, ask God today to increase your faith so that no matter what happens, you will know that He is with you and that He will take care of you. We have an incredibly merciful, patient and loving God! Right now, thank Him for being so faithful to you!

Monday - Read & Do

Read Exodus 14:21-31. Ask your child: “What happened when God’s people came to the Red  Sea? What did Moses do?”

Tuesday - Out & About

Go for a walk outside and look for things that are amazing. Allow your child to linger over anything he or she finds amazing. Your child may find an ant on the sidewalk, a beautiful flower, or a neighborhood cat. Say, “God made everything! God made this ____. God is amazing!”

Wednesday - Art

Cover the kitchen counter or table with plastic, and pull out the shaving cream! Spread the shaving cream like it’s water and then have fun making a path through the shaving cream. Walk toy people through the clear area. Talk about the way God parted the Red Sea in our Bible story.

Thursday - Snack

Make “chariot wheels” out of round crackers. You can add cheese, carrots, lunchmeat, olives or cream cheese. Talk about who rode on horses and chariots in the Bible story. Ask your child, “Did God save His people from the chariots of the mean king’s army?”

Friday - Play
After Moses and God’s people made it through the Red Sea, they had a big party! They sang their praise to God for what He had done for them! Praise God for the things He has done for you and your family! Speak those things out loud to God! Sing “God is so Good” together. Make up some of your own verses and sing to God about what He has done for you.

Adapted from ©2009 Little Son Catchers, Year Two, Spring Quarter

Passage: Esther 1-3

What we talked about:

• How Esther became King Xerxes’ queen.

• How brave Esther was.

• That we can honor God with our character qualities.

Activity:

In the Bible Account today, the children learned that Esther had to go through an entire year of beauty treatments before being crowned queen. In fact, she had to go through a year of beauty treatments before even meeting the king! Read Esther 2:12. “Before a girl’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.”Your child learned that Esther had to learn how to be a proper queen. That included how to eat, sit, and walk. All members of the family will work on their proper walk, balance, and posture by competing in a race. Each person will place a book on his or her head, and race to the opposite side of the room. Next, find random objects around the house (such as pillows) to balance on the participants’ heads in a race. The family members can also balance a pillow on their heads and compete to see who can stand on one foot the longest without setting a foot down! Enjoy this time together.

Object Lesson:

Use a fast food cardboard crown as a pattern or turn it over to the plain side. The kids can use craft items you have around the house to decorate their crown. Buttons, rhinestones, pom-poms, yarn, cereal, and pasta make great things to use. When you put the crown on, how do you feel? How do you think Esther felt the first time the crown was placed on her head and she heard “Queen Esther”?

Family Bible Time:

Look up each one of the following scriptures and tell what character quality is men­tioned there. Then, tell how Esther lived out this character quality.

2 Corinthians 9:13

Proverbs 28:1

Psalm 119:1

Matthew 5:8

1 Peter 1:14

Adapted from @2012 The Kitchen, Year 3, Quarter 2.

A Fire Bush and a Slippery Stick

Your Children Will Learn: God spoke to Moses. God gave Moses special power.

Memory verse for unit 9- Moses sang, "Lord, who is like you? You are majestic and holy. You do wonderful miracles." Exodus 15:11

Just for Parents -
“What do you have in your hand?” That question has been asked more than once in the pages of scripture. From the little boy who had a few fish for his lunch to Moses, mighty man of God, who answered God’s question with these simple words, “A wooden staff.” What do you have in your hand? Amazing talents or a simple love for children? Faith that can shake the halls of your church building or the willingness to obey God even when you don’t want to show up? What you have in your hand isn’t really important. God can take the most ordinary thing we have and turn it into something that is extraordinary, anointed with the power that created the earth. Go before God with your hands open. Visualize what you have to offer, as if it is sitting in your palm. Imagine that God picks it up and molds it into something that changes lives for eternity. Read Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 2:3-5.

Monday - Read & Do

Read Exodus 3:1-9, 11; 4:1-5, 17. Ask your child: “Where did God speak to Moses? What did God look like? Then what happened?”

Tuesday - Out & About

Take your children to a petting zoo or a farm to visit some real sheep. Talk to them about how Moses took care of his sheep.

Wednesday - Art

Talk about how God showed His power by talking through the burning bush and the walking stick that turned into a snake. Cut out pictures to show powerful things such as lightning and waterfalls. Glue them onto a sheet of paper. Place the paper into a box or plastic bin. Squirt a small blob of tempera paint on the picture. Place a marble or a golf ball in the box. Rock the box back and forth  so the balls roll around in the paint making streaks on top of your collage.

Thursday - Snack

Make some yummy s’mores. As you roast your marshmallows, talk with your child about the  burning bush in the Bible story. Ask, “Where did Moses see the burning bush? Then what  happened?”

Friday - Pray & Praise
Practice the memory verse together. You can talk to God the way Moses did by having a  conversation with God. We can have conversations with God, too. Praise God because He loves to talk with us!

Adapted from ©2009 Little Son Catchers, Year Two, Spring Quarter

Passage: 1 Kings 5:1-9

What we talked about:

• The story of Solomon building the Temple.

• That God’s presence filled the Temple.

• That God’s presence can fill us.

Activity:

The kids will locate things around the house that are empty (dog food bowl, shampoo bottle, cookie jar). What’s wrong with all these things? What will make it right? Each one of these things needs to be filled. They’re not doing what they’re supposed to do, because they’re empty. If you have the supplies, the kids can refill the empty objects. We are also empty. We’re empty until we admit our sin to God, ask for His forgiveness because of what Jesus did, and begin a new life living for Him. We can’t do that, though, without the help of the Holy Spirit—God’s presence living in us. The Holy Spirit comes and lives inside of us … because we were empty. Now, it’s possible, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to live a life that honors God.

Object Lesson:

Inflate a balloon and draw a happy face on it with a Sharpie marker. Let the marker dry before deflating it. Hold up the deflated balloon. This balloon represents our lives, without God’s presence. What we have here is emptiness. Without God’s presence, we’re all empty and flat like this balloon, because only true life comes from God. Blow up the balloon. Before God’s presence came into the Temple, it was just a building. But once God was there, it was a special place. It was a house of worship. We are now the Temple of God—where He lives. When we inflate the balloon, we fill the balloon with life. That’s kind of what happens when the Holy Spirit comes into us and fills our hearts. He breathes life into us. He gives us new life and fills our hearts with love, grace, and forgiveness. The presence of God did not fill the Temple until the Ark of God was brought in. It’s like God was invited. The balloon doesn’t blow itself up, and God doesn’t force us to ask for His presence in our lives. We have to ask Him—we have to invite Him—to come into our lives.

.

Family Bible Time:

Psalm 139

Why can’t the person get away from God’s presence?

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

What do these verses call believers?

What does it mean by “the temple is holy”?

Adapted from @2012 The Kitchen, Year 3, Quarter 2.

Tisket, Tasket, a Baby in a Basket

Your Children Will Learn: God took care of baby Moses. God takes care of you.

Memory verse for unit 9- Moses sang, "Lord, who is like you? You are majestic and holy. You do wonderful miracles." Exodus 15:11

Just for Parents -
Babies are helpless creatures, totally dependent on the help and protection of a loving parent. Spiritually, we are similar, helpless and dependent on our loving Father, God. Without Him, we can do nothing! This analogy is magnified through Moses, whose mother courageously entrusted her baby to God’s care. In his basket of reeds, baby Moses floated past hungry crocodiles, through rushing waters, and into enemy territory. He was totally vulnerable and powerless against  everything. But his basket was guided by the hand of God, Who protected him and granted him favor among the enemy. Moses was absolutely dependent on God’s plan, a precursor to his entire life. As we go through life, we might be more aware of the dangers and difficulties around us. But we know that we can depend on the same loving God. We, too, can enjoy the ride as our Father guides us around and through the tough places.

Monday - Read & Do

Read Exodus 1:11-14,22; 2:1-11. Ask your child: “Why did baby Moses’ mother put him in the river? Who found him? What happened next?”

Tuesday - Art

Use blue watercolors and paint on paper. Don’t try to paint anything in particular, just paint blue pictures. After you and your child have made several pictures, use tape to connect them in a line to make a river. Talk about the Bible story and how Moses’ mother put him in a basket and left him in the tall grass by the river. Tell the rest of the story together using your blue pictures.

Wednesday - Pray & Praise

Thank God for giving you people who take care of you. Take the time as a family to name people who have helped take care of you. It could be parents, grandparents, other family, or friends. Praise God for providing those people in your life. Pray and ask God to bless all of them.

Thursday - Out & About

As the weather gets warmer, find a creek or river you can take a walk near. Point out different features of the water, banks, plants, and animals you see. Talk about the story of baby Moses together. Ask your child if they know what happened after Moses’ mother left him by the river.

Friday - Play
Play a game of “Hide the Baby” using a small laundry basket and a baby doll. Pretend to be Moses’ mother, hiding him along the river.

Adapted from ©2009 Little Son Catchers, Year Two, Spring Quarter

Passage: The book of Psalms overview

What we talked about:

• That David worshipped God despite his circumstances.

• That I can worship God no matter what is happening in my life.

• There are many ways to worship.

Activity:

This week your kids learned that David worshipped God despite his circumstances. We learned to worship God through journaling, prayer, drama, music, rap music, and even playing with our food! Talk with your kids about how you can make your home a place of worship. Use the following questions to help guide your conversation. When do we make time for worship at home? What is something we do every day that we can turn into worship time with God?

When do you find it hardest to worship? How can we help support one another in leading a life full of worship?

Craft:
Read Psalm 63 as a family. Using sidewalk chalk, each family member will draw or write something on the sidewalk, driveway or patio that sticks in your mind from these verses. These will be your family’s sidewalk testimony. Talk about how God is all we’ll ever need. He is the only one who satisfies our “thirsty soul!”

Activity:

Read Psalm 8 as a family. Talk about how creation is evidence of God’s majesty and glory. Go on a photo scavenger hunt for pictures that represent the images found in Psalm 8. Print the pictures and put them together in a scrapbook or collage with a few verses from Psalm 8 that represent the images in the pictures you took.

Activity:

Building a tent with sheets draped over chairs and other pieces of furniture is always fun. Many times David hid from his enemies and found refuge—safety—in knowing that he served a God more powerful than any enemy.

Each person will choose a Psalm to share with the family by flashlight in your tent. Enjoy God’s Word!

Family Bible Time:

Read Psalms 1

• What type of mood do you think the writer was in when wrote this?
• How can you worship today?

Adapted from @2012 The Kitchen, Year 3, Quarter 2.

A Cloud with a Promise

Your Children Will Learn: Jesus promised a gift. The gift was the Holy Spirit.

Memory verse for unit 8- "I'll always be with you," said Jesus. "Even to the very end of time." - Matthew 28:20b

Just for Parents -
During the forty days Jesus walked on the earth, after His death and resurrection, He spent time with His special friends eating, talking, praying and continuing to teach them. They had witnessed His heartbreaking death on the cross. They had witnessed His burial. They had witnessed the joyful angel at Jesus’ empty tomb. They actually spent time with Jesus after His resurrection.  Finally, standing on a mountain, Jesus lifted His hands and blessed them. Then they witnessed His ascension into heaven. Close your eyes and imagine what it must have really been like for Jesus’ friends. What do you see? How does the air feel? What sounds surround you? What does Jesus say when He looks you in the eyes and blesses you? What was it like when Jesus began to rise from the ground? Are you amazed or afraid? Do you stand gazing at the sky or do you worship Him? Remember the angel’s promise: “Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. But He will come back in the same way you saw Him go.” (Acts 1:11b)

Monday - Read & Do

Read Acts 1:4-11; 2:1-4. Ask your child: “What did Jesus promise? What was the gift? What  happened when the Holy Spirit came?”

Tuesday - Play

In the bathtub or sink your child can use cups to fill up with water and pour out. Tell your child that the Holy Spirit can fill you up just like you are filling up your cups with water. Say to your child, “The Holy Spirit helps us to do God’s work and makes us more like Jesus.” Ask God to fill your family with the Holy Spirit, so you can know Him better and do His work.

Wednesday - Art

Pull out some odds and ends of bows and ribbons and have fun sticking them all over a box, all over each other, or decorate your refrigerator. Ask your child: “What is a gift? How does it make you feel? What gift did Jesus promise? Is this a gift for us, too? How does the Holy Spirit help us?”

Thursday - Snack

Serve pudding with whipped topping. Pretend that the whipped topping is a cloud. Talk about the Bible story together and how Jesus went up into heaven in the clouds.

Friday - Play
The concept of the Holy Spirit can be difficult for young children to learn in a concrete way. Here is a very simple way to explain the Holy Spirit to your child: “The Holy Spirit helps us to do God’s work and makes us more like Jesus.” Pray with your child: “Dear God, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit as a gift to us. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we can do Your work and be more like Jesus. Amen.”

Adapted from ©2009 Little Son Catchers, Year Two, Spring Quarter

Jesus Undercover

Your Children Will Learn: Jesus came alive again. Jesus made a surprise visit.

Memory verse for unit 8- "I'll always be with you," said Jesus. "Even to the very end of time." - Matthew 28:20b

Just for Parents -
You may have heard people say; “I’ll have to see it to believe it.” It’s easy to feel that way in the world we live in, especially with all the scams and con artists that are all around us. We often wonder if we can believe something that seems too good to be true. Can it be real? Two of Jesus’ followers, who walked and talked with him, were trying to understand the events of the last three days of Jesus dying on the cross, and the women finding the tomb empty. They heard what the women said about the empty tomb. But, they struggled to understand and believe it could be true. Jesus said: “Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe.” (John 20:29b) As long as we live, no matter how smart we are, there will always be more of God to understand. He doesn’t ask us to understand. He only asks us to believe just like a little child would. Watch your children and see how simply they believe what you tell them about Jesus. That’s how we need to believe in Jesus.

Monday - Read & Do

Read Luke 24:13-35. Ask your child: “Who did Jesus visit? Where did He visit them? What were they doing?”

Tuesday - Art

Make a mask out of a paper plate, cutting holes for eyes, nose and mouth. Decorate the mask and use yarn or string to tie around your child’s head.“Ask your child: “Do you look different wearing your mask? Did Jesus look different when He came alive again? Did the two friends know who He was? What were they doing when they realized they were talking to Jesus?”

Wednesday - Pray & Praise

Review the memory verse together. Ask your child: “How long will Jesus be with us?” Take some time to thank Jesus for always being with us. Praise Him with a familiar worship song, or make up one on your own using the words from the memory verse. He loves to hear our praises!

Thursday - Out & About

Pretend that you are taking a walk to the city of Emmaus with your child. Ask your child, “What should we talk about while we are walking?” Talk about whatever they bring up. Then say, “Let’s talk about Jesus’ two friends who had a surprise visit from Jesus on the road to Emmaus.” Talk about the Bible story from Luke 24:13-35.

Friday - Play
Play with toy cars with your child. Say “I’m going to drive to the city of Emmaus today. I want Jesus to come with me.” Take turns thinking of other cities or places such as church, the grocery store, grandparents’ or school. Remind your child that Jesus is with us everywhere we go.

Adapted from ©2009 Little Son Catchers, Year Two, Spring Quarter

In and Out of the Tomb

Your Children Will Learn: Jesus is alive again! Tell everyone that Jesus is alive!

Memory verse for unit 8- "I'll always be with you," said Jesus. "Even to the very end of time." - Matthew 28:20b

Just for Parents -
In 1851 Matthew Bridges wrote these words, creating one of Easter’s most jubilant hymns of  exaltation, "Crown Him with Many Crowns:"

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne,
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
and hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.
Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,
who died, eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Meditate on this great hymn and praise the One who triumphed over the grave! The One who
saved you and gave you eternal life: Jesus.

Monday - Read & Do

Matthew 27:57-60, 65-66; 28:1-10. Ask your child: “Did Jesus stay dead? What happened to Jesus? How did the people find out that Jesus came alive again?”

Tuesday - Play

Cover a table with a sheet so it looks like a tomb. Let your child pretend to be the different  characters in the Bible story, like Joseph who laid Jesus’ body in the cave-grave or the angel who told the women that Jesus was not there. Say, “Tell everyone that Jesus came alive again!”

Wednesday - Art

Decorate a shoe box together as a treasure box. Then accordion-fold a 1” x 6” piece of construction paper and tape one end inside the bottom of the box. Place a small “treasure,” such as a butterfly sticker on the top end. Now suppress the paper and close the lid. When you open the lid, your “treasure” will spring out and you can surprise people and share that Jesus is alive!

Thursday - Snack

Enjoy some cinnamon toast together. Let your child help sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Talk about how Joseph in the Bible story used sweet-smelling spices on Jesus’ body. Then Joseph wrapped His body in cloth and laid Him in the cave-grave. Ask, “And then what happened?”

Friday - Pray & Praise
Write out the word “Easter.” Point to each letter and read the following: E is for Easter, coming again soon; A is for angels near the tomb; S is for the stone which was rolled away; T is for the tomb  found empty that day; E is for early morning, the women are glad; R is for the risen Lord, no need to be sad.

Adapted from ©2009 Little Son Catchers, Year Two, Spring Quarter

In the Garden on the Mountain

Your Children Will Learn: Jesus was sad and prayed. You can pray when you're sad.

Memory verse for unit 8- "I'll always be with you," said Jesus. "Even to the very end of time." - Matthew 28:20b

Just for Parents -
“A Doe, hard pressed by hunters, sought refuge in a cave belonging to a Lion. The Lion concealed himself on seeing her approach, but when she was safe within the cave, sprang upon her and tore her to pieces. ‘Woe is me,’ exclaimed the Doe, ‘who have escaped from man, only to throw myself into the mouth of a wild beast?’” (from Aesop’s Fables, The Doe and the Lion) When we try to escape pain or hard times, we usually end up in more pain. The pain we experience in life’s trials can make us feel like we’re being chased by hunters. But God is using it to strengthen us and shape our character. Life’s trials can be like a surgical procedure, which may produce pain. But the end result can be life-changing. If we try to avoid pain, it may put us in the position of the unfortunate doe. But to endure it will bring greater joy and health than we can imagine. Jesus could have run away from His pain of anticipated death. He bravely walked through it, because His Father wanted Him to. And the Father gave Him strength. “My heart says, ‘Look to him!’ Lord, I will look to you. Don’t turn your face away from me.” (Psalm 27:8,9a)

Monday - Read & Do

Read Mark 14:32-46. Ask your child: “What can we do when we feel sad? What can we do when someone else feels sad?”

Tuesday - Art

Cut out pictures of flowers from a garden magazine and glue them onto a paper plate. Then glue a picture of a person onto another paper plate. Cut out the person. Attach the person to your garden plate using a brad fastener. Spin him around to make him “asleep” or “awake.” Talk about Jesus special friends who were “asleep” and “awake” in the garden.

Wednesday - Pray & Praise

We can show our children how to pray like Jesus prayed. It doesn’t have to be just at our “official” prayer times. We can talk to God anytime through prayer. Show your children they can pray anytime. Pray with them when they feel sad, upset or happy. Pray with them often.

Thursday - Out & About

Take a prayer walk around your neighborhood. Pray for people you know or people who pass you. Pray for your family, friends, and church. Pray for whatever comes to your mind.

Friday - Play
Sit in front of a mirror to play this game. One person can call out, “sad face!” or “happy face!” Everyone else will try to make the saddest or happiest face they can. Say: “We can pray when we are sad and we can pray when we are happy. We can pray all the time.”

Adapted from ©2009 Little Son Catchers, Year Two, Spring Quarter

The Sheep Follow the Shepherd

Your Children Will Learn: Jesus is your shepherd. Jesus knows your name.

Memory verse for unit 7- Jesus said, "I am the good shpeherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me." John 10:14

Just for Parents -
When Jesus established Himself as the Good Shepherd, He laid out the role He is to play in our lives. We are Jesus’ sheep. He loves His sheep individually and cares for each one of them as if they were the only sheep in the flock. He knows each one of their names. Do you find it hard to believe that Jesus knows your name? The One who created everything keeps your name in His heart and on His hand. Do you realize that your name is written on the hand of God? It is! Listen to what the Bible says in Isaiah 49:16a, “I have written your names on the palms of my hands.” God actually knows you by name! This week, ponder the fact that the God of the universe has your name written on the palms of His hands. Such knowledge is wonderful and life changing!

Monday - Read & Do

Read John 10:1-16. Ask your child: “Who takes care of sheep? Who knows the names of sheep? Who knows your name? How is Jesus like a shepherd?”

Tuesday - Play

Make a “sheep pen” by arranging chairs or other furniture in a square. Add a “gate” with cushions or pillows. Pretend to be sheep going in and out. One person can pretend to be the robber that Jesus talked about in the Bible story. When that person tries to get into the pen every way except the gate, say to them, “Get out of our sheep pen—Jesus is our shepherd!”

Wednesday - Art

Make a fluffy sheep cup. Glue cotton balls to a disposable cup. Make eyes, ears and feet out of paper and glue them on. Talk about sheep while you are working. Ask, “Why do sheep need a shepherd? Does the shepherd know the names of the sheep? Who knows your name?”

Thursday - Snack

Make edible sheep with your child for snack time. Use large-sized marshmallows for the sheep’s body, and use pretzel sticks for legs. Talk about where sheep live. Aask your child, “Who takes care of the sheep? Who finds them when they get lost? Who knows their names? Who knows your name?”

Friday - Pray & Praise!
Say the memory verse together. Praise Jesus for being your Good Shepherd. Tell Jesus you want to know Him and follow Him more each day. Sing this song, “Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him in the morning, praise Him in the noontime! Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him when the sun goes down!”

Adapted from ©2009 Little Son Catchers, Year Two, Spring Quarter

We usually remember to thank God for our families and material blessings. But often we overlook how God, in his wisdom, has given us each unique talents and spiritual gifts. He wants us to show our gratitude for these gifts by using them to their full potential—and to his glory (see Colossians 3:17).

Throughout the New Testament, we read how people have varying gifts and capacities for using them (see Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; and Ephesians 4). Instead of burying our talents, God wants us to hone them. Teenagers may need help recognizing their special gifts and how they can apply them for God’s kingdom. Young people will lead more fulfilled lives when we help them discover and give out of their strengths.

Leadership is just one of many gifts young people may have. But leadership potential in teenagers often goes unnoticed and undeveloped. Here are five common indicators of a high leadership aptitude: 1.) Peers listen to a teenager and pursue him or her for ideas. 2.) The teenager has lots of opinions and ideas about how things should function. 3.) The teenager has already been singled out by other adults for leadership roles. 4.) The teenager isn’t satisfied with the status quo and always has several projects on his or her plate. 5.) The teenager is sometimes disruptive; leaders by nature are noncompliant.

Stats:

Although 66% of teenagers can identify at least one “spark” (talent, passion, or gift) they have, fewer than half get support for these sparks from outside their families. (Search Institute)

Fifteen-year-olds who develop strong relationships and receive adequate opportunities have a sense of hopeful purpose, express caring values, are actively engaged in school, and take on leadership roles. (www.at15.com)

Talents are nurtured most successfully when parents guide kids at an age-appropriate pace, gradually allowing young people to make responsible choices on their own. But parents must communicate they’re “there” for teenagers by providing some structure and setting limits, when necessary. (University of Michigan)

Questions to ask your student:

1. What talents has God given you? Which of these might people be surprised to learn about, and

why?

2. How well do you use your talents? Do you use them to serve yourself? others? God?

3. Think about a talent you’d like to work on: What would it take to further develop it?

4. What leadership qualities do you have, and how are you using them?

5. How can you make a difference with the gifts God has given you?

What we talked about:

• The story of Elisha restoring life to the Shunammite woman’s son.
• Elisha had compassion for the determined Shunammite woman.
• That we should be compassionate people that do what we can to help others.

Activity:

Elisha knew this Shunammite woman well. He had been a guest in her and her hus­band’s home so often that they built a special guest room onto their house for him. Elisha had been with them when God told them they would have a child, despite their old age. Elisha had walked with them. It’s difficult for us to understand someone else’s need, because we haven’t experi­enced it. It helps if we can try to put ourselves in their situation. Sometimes people use an old saying when they talk about understanding how others feel. They say, “To understand someone you have to walk in his shoes.” That means, you have to understand his day-to-day life. Give the kids shoes that belong to their parents, which they will wear for a full hour around the house. Then, talk about how it felt. Was it a little uncomfortable? Were the shoes a heavy load to carry?

Family Bible Time:

In the Bible account today, Elisha had compassion on the Shunammite woman and he did what he could to help her. She was laying at his feet in complete stress, and his compassion for her turned into action. Let’s open our Bibles to find out what God says about compassion.

Psalm 116:5

As you read the following scripture, fill a clear glass with water until it is overflowing.

God’s compassion for people is like this glass of water. It is overflowing and never ending! We want to be filled with His compassion! We want to be more like Him! How can we be more like God, filled with His compassion for all people?

Mark 1:40-41

Empty the glass of water for this reading and refill it to overflowing when you read the word FILLED. What did Jesus do because He was filled with compassion? Are you so filled with compassion for others that it causes you to do something?

Adapted from @2012 The Kitchen, Year 3, Quarter 1.

The Runaway Son

Your Children Will Learn: The son ran away. The father forgave the son.

Memory verse for unit 7- Jesus said, "I am the good shpeherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me." John 10:14

Just for Parents -
There can be no doubt in this story of the runaway son that Jesus is teaching that the heavenly Father welcomes and forgives returning sinners. True biblical forgiveness is a wonderful gift for both the offender and the offended. It is a struggle, for most of us, to forgive the people who have hurt us. Most of the time, we are hurt by the people we love and who love us. But if we truly love one another then we must also forgive. Too often our attitude is that of the older brother. We become self-righteous in who we are, what we do and how faithful we have been. Unfortunately, we don’t know how the older brother resolved his anger towards his little brother. But, we can still do the right thing. We can still rejoice, love and forgive the ones who have hurt us. “Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13b)

Monday - Read & Do

Read Luke 15:11-24. Ask your child: “What happened to the son when he came home? What did his father do? Did his father forgive him? Did God forgive him? Does God forgive you?“

Tuesday - Art

Draw a picture of a pig on construction paper. Use instant chocolate pudding to finger paint the pig. The son in the Bible story ran away from home. He got a job taking care of pigs but then he wanted to go home. The father forgave the son.

Wednesday - Play

Make a line down the middle of a clear floor space with masking tape. Place several soft play balls or folded up socks on the line. Sit on one side of the masking tape while your child sits on the other side. On the count of three, throw all the objects as fast as you can onto the other side of the line. Talk about the son in the Bible story who spent all of his money as fast as he could. When all his money was gone, he realized that he had been wrong. He went home to his father. The father forgave the son.

Thursday - Pray & Praise

Use bedtime prayers as a time to teach your child about God’s forgiveness. First, let them listen to you pray. Confess one thing you did today that was wrong and ask for God’s forgiveness. Then invite your child to try it too.

Friday - Out & About
Start teaching your child about the value of money. Give them a piggy bank so they can save their own money. Then, on your next shopping trip, let your child pay for something they would like. Explain to your child how God gives us everything we have, including our money. Thank God together for the money He gave you.

Adapted from ©2009 Little Son Catchers, Year Two, Spring Quarter