April 3 in KidQuest -- Faith of the Centurion

Memory Verse -- Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Environment --  Out of Comfort Zone
As children are challenged to step out of their comfort zone from an early age, they learn and experiecne a dependence on the Holy Spirit to equip and strengthen them beyond their natural abilities and desires. We believe this environment will cultivate a generation that, instead of seeking comfort, seeks a radical life of faith in Christ.

In Matthew 10:5–6, Jesus told His disciples, “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.” It is interesting to note that Jesus did not actively seek out Gentile converts during His earthly ministry. Even Paul mentions in Romans 15:8 that Christ became “a servant of the Jews.” Jesus’ mission for the lost Jews was prophesied hundreds of years before by the prophet Isaiah (49:5–6):

"And now the Lord says—
he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
and gather Israel to himself,
for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord
and my God has been my strength—
he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Although Jesus’ earthly ministry was aimed at lost Jews, God obviously had an eye on lost Gentiles as well. But God decided that the right time for pursuit of the Gentiles was after Jesus had finished His mission on earth. The Gentile mission was central to the book of Acts, the early church, and the church today. In fact, right before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told His disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18–19).

God did not overlook the people He had originally chosen. He opened up the gift of His salvation to everyone through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. He remembered and loved everyone in the way that they most needed His attention and His love.

Great faith is sometimes a hard thing to come by—even in our own hearts—but God would love to help us increase our faith if we desire it.

During this lesson, the kids will experience a time of response in which they can pray for more faith. Kids will not only pray for their own faith, but pray for other kids who desire more faith. What would it look like to see a generation of kids filled with great faith?

Before this lesson, pray God would increase your faith. Then pray your children will also experience great faith in God—faith that will carry them through the storms of their adolescence and young adult life. Pray they would be deeply rooted in faith, even at this age, so as they grow older they will not stray.