July 17 in KidQuest and FirstLook

This Month's Memory Verses:

FirstLook -- Isaiah 6:3

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

KidQuest -- Romans 10:9

"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

July 17 in KidQuest

The disciples were called “Christians” for the first time in Acts 11 (before this, they were known as followers of “The Way”). The word “Christian” came from the phrase, “Christ Ones.” The title was given to them by outsiders to identify (or perhaps mock) them. But early Christians felt the name was fitting and adopted it.

They also embraced the symbol of the fish as a way of identifying their fellow Christian brothers and sisters from persecutors. At the time, Christianity had many connections to fish or fishing (for instance, Jesus used two fish to feed five thousand people, and He called His disciples to be fishers of men).

Historians tell us that upon meeting another person on a path, early Christians drew an arc in the sand with their toe. If the other completed the image of a fish by drawing a second arc, both were assured of their brotherhood. This gave them a sense of safety and camaraderie in the midst of great persecution. Early Christians also wrote the word ichthus (which means fish in Greek). The word ichthus formed an acrostic (a word composed by the first letter of several other words) that meant “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior.”

Even today, the ichthus is an icon for the modern church, though now more commonly known as the “Jesus Fish.” It is still widely used to identify fellow brothers and sisters, the “Christ Ones,” who still spread the good news that God wants everyone to know Him.

Just for fun, find a place this week outside the front of your home (it could be the front yard, the front porch, the front of your apartment building, etc.) to read together the biblical account of the first Christians in Antioch in Acts 11:19–30. Then think of a question that reflects on what you just read, such as, “Who were these people telling the good news to?” or “Why were they called Christians?”

After you have finished, reread verse 29, and explain to your children the disciples’ hearts had been changed because they knew God. Out of that heart change came tangible actions that displayed God’s love. Look around your neighborhood, and talk about ways you
might be able to provide help to your neighbors.

Share with your children that what they just heard is part of The Big God Story, and they will hear more at church this week about how God wants everyone to know Him. Spend some time praying for people who live in your neighborhood. Pray God would continue to show your family how to live out the good news and love your neighbors.

July 17 in FirstLook

The Lord sent His prophet Elijah to the evil King Ahab. His message was clear: Not one drop of rain or moisture would fall on the land until He sent word ending the drought. After Elijah delivered the message, the Lord sent him into hiding. He provided for Elijah by directing the ravens to bring him bread and meat.

After three years, God revealed His plan to end the drought. Once again, the Lord sent Elijah to challenge King Ahab. The king was to gather the people of Israel and the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah (a Canaanite goddess) who associated with Queen Jezebel, and meet him on Mount Carmel. Elijah prayed, asking God to show the people that He was, in fact, the Lord Almighty. Scripture tells us that immediately God responded to Elijah’s prayer. The fire of the Lord fell down, consuming not only the sacrifice, but the wood, the stones, and the soil, and licking up every drop of water around the altar. When the people saw this, they fell on their faces professing that the Lord was God!

Elijah seized the false prophets of Baal and executed them. Then, God sent rain upon the parched land. Jezebel, after hearing all that had happened, made an oath to have Elijah killed. Elijah fled in fear. Elijah was tired and discouraged, and asked God to take his life. While he slept, God sent an angel to care for him. After his time of rest, Elijah journeyed to Mount Horeb, or the mountain of God (also referred to as Mount Sinai, where Moses met with God and was given the Law for the people). There, the Lord spoke to Elijah in a whisper. God spoke truth over Elijah and helped him to know Him and trust Him to be his safe place.

This week, just for fun, ask your children what their “safe spot” is in your home—the place where they feel most comforted and protected (for example, it could be their bed, your bed, a soft corner on the couch, etc.). At this “safe spot,” read together the biblical account of Elijah fleeing from Jezebel in 1 Kings 19:9–18.

After you’ve read the passage, explain to your kids that, just like they might feel safe in your bed or under their covers, Elijah was kept safe by God at the mountain. Ask them to share with you about things that are scary in their lives right now.

Tell your children that what they just heard is a part of The Big God Story in the Bible, and they’ll hear more at church this week about how God is their safe place. Close your time by inviting your children to pray and invite God into those scary places in their lives.