April 3 in FirstLook -- Heaven

Memory Verse -- Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
"I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

Environment -- Out of the Comfort Zone
As children are challenged to step out of their comfort zone from an early age, they learn to experience 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 John 14, Jesus comforts His disciples after they learn of His impending death and departure. He assures them of the covenant He is making—much like a marriage covenant between a betrothed couple—and promises His return. “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1–3 NASB).

Jesus often uses the metaphor of a bridegroom and his bride as a way to describe the relationship between Himself and the church. In ancient Jewish traditions, when a man was to be married, his father would choose the bride for his son. If she accepted the proposal, the bridegroom would then begin to prepare a place for her in his father’s house, where he would bring his bride to dwell with him. The betrothed woman would wait with the oil of her lamp burning as a symbol to her groom that she was faithfully waiting for his return. Once the father of the bridegroom saw that all of his son’s preparations were completed, he would send the groom after his bride for the completion of the wedding ceremony.

Today, Christ Jesus is preparing a place for us to dwell with Him in His Father’s house. We too must wait faithfully, knowing He will return and bring us to Himself, where we will dwell with Him for all eternity.

This weekend, we will be talking about Heaven and this place that Jesus has went to prepare for us. Here is a prayer you can pray with your kids this week to start preparing their hearts for the lesson on heaven:

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us so very much. May we always trust in You and Your Word. Please fill us with Your hope as we wait expectantly for You. Please allow us opportunities to share Your promises with those we meet. Give us courage to follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit. May we only move forward in love—Your love. May the words we speak, and the work of our hands and feet, be Yours alone. We will wait faithfully for Your return—please come soon. 

Amen.

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.

March/April Edition of HomeFront Monthly

I am so excited about this month's HomeFront Monthly and the topic you will be talking about at home that I will support at the church from week to week.  For the next four weeks, together we will be challenging our kids to step out of their traditional comfort zones and into an understanding of what it means to rely on the Holy Spirit.

This month, with the help of HomeFront and weekly teaching, your family will examine the routines and boundaries you've come to take comfort in. Our prayer is that you would risk stepping outside of this comfort and experience a new dependence on Christ and His love.

This Month in HomeFront

• Comfort Jars
• Freeze Dance Marathon
• Wisdom on Marriage
• Family Food Time (Mystery Fruit Salad)

The Next 4 Weeks in KidQuest

• March 20 -- Jesus Heals the Paralytic
• March 27 -- Jesus Heals the Leper
• April 3 -- Faith of the Centurion
• April 10 -- Remember and Celebrate

The Next 4 Weeks in FirstLook

• March 20 -- Lost Sheep
• March 27 -- Zacchaeus
• April 3 -- Heaven
• April 10 -- Remember and Celebrate

Memorizing Scripture can be an incredible practice to engage in as a family. But words in and of themselves will not necessarily transform us; it is God's Spirit in these words that transforms. We come to know God more when we are willing to open our hearts and receive the Holy Spirit throug the words we memorize. Have fun with these verses, and think of creative ways to invite your family to open up to God as they commit these verses to memory.

KidQuest Memory Verse
"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." -- Galatians 2:20

FirstLook Memory Verse
"I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." -- Philippians 4:13