May 15 in FirstLook

Its time for a new environment. The past 4 weeks, your elementary student was exposed to the compassion of Jesus and how he served those he came in contact with. Over the next 4 weeks, they will begin to see how Jesus loved and respected them as well.

For us the environment of "Love & Respect" means this:
Without love, our faith becomes futile. Children need to experience love and respect in order to receive and give God's grace. Innate in this environment is the value that children are respected because they embody the image of God. We must speak TO them, not AT them, and we must commit as parents and as a church, to an environment where love and acceptance are never withheld due to one's behavior.

In the early days after Jesus’ ascension, God’s love compelled many people to respond in  faith. With a population of over 500,000, Antioch enjoyed a prosperous economy due to the strategic placement of the city at the crossroads for highly trafficked trade routes to the south (Palestine and Egypt), east to Persia, and west to the Asia Minor Peninsula. This ancient metropolitan city was a blend of many cultures, beliefs, and practices whose value for art and literature was praised by many. The city referred to as “Queen of the East” was also known for its extravagant, wasteful, and reckless behavior.

When the church in Jerusalem heard what was happening in Antioch, they sent Barnabus—a godly and faith-filled man—to visit. During his stay, Barnabus was a witness to the blessing of God upon this gathering of believers. He was a witness to all that was happening among the people. During his first stay, many more turned and put their faith in the Lord. Barnabus left Antioch long enough to bring Saul—who had once persecuted and killed followers of “The Way”—to Antioch to stay with him for a year teaching the Word of God.

It is from this time of God’s Spirit moving in Antioch that we see the beginning of the Gentile movement: the first Gentile church, the first missionaries, and the first act of generous financial giving for another local church community. It is here in Antioch that believers were first named Christians—Christianoi, which means “partisans of Christ.” What citizens of the city may have intended as a coining in jest, the followers of “The Way” embraced as a fitting title to describe their new identity.

JUST FOR FUN

Find a place in your home where you can move about easily. Explain to your children that as you read this portion of Scripture, you’re going to be moving from room to room in your home. Invite them to pretend that each room is a different city the disciples traveled to or from. Begin reading Acts 11:19–30, standing in one room; each time you get to a part where the people “came” or “went” to a new city, move to a different room in your home.

Once you’ve finished reading, ask your children why they think the people scattered. Discuss together what Barnabas told the people to do.

Explain to your children that just like God gave His disciples unique abilities, He has also given each of us special abilities to be used to build His kingdom here on earth. Ask them to share what some of theirs might be.

Remind your children that what they just heard is part of The Big God Story, and they’ll hear more about God’s love in church this week. Pray together thanking God that His love helps us respond to all He desires for us to do.

May 15 In KidQuest -- Love and Respect

Its time for a new environment. The past 4 weeks, your elementary student was exposed to the compassion of Jesus and how he served those he came in contact with. Over the next 4 weeks, they will begin to see how Jesus loved and respected them as well.

For us the environment of "Love & Respect" means this:
Without love, our faith becomes futile. Chidlren need to experience love and respect in order to receive and give God's grace. Innate in this environment is the value that children are respected becasue they embody the image of God. We must speak TO them, not AT them, and we must commit as parents and as a church, to an environment where love and acceptance are never withheld due to one's behavior.

God’s desire is for restoration: spiritually, physically, and emotionally. In Genesis, God created man “from the dust of the ground.” By healing the blind man with mud, Jesus demonstrated again that He is the Creator. He was revealing the Truth of John 1:3:

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”

That fact didn’t escape the blind man, because he said in John 9:33, “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” This might be a confusing statement, considering the fact that we see magicians performing signs throughout Scripture. However, the blind man realized, through faith, that Jesus is God.

Jesus did not just heal the blind man physically; He also healed him socially. After he was healed, his physical ailment no longer excluded him from the community or (according to the religious leaders) condemned him as a sinner. But most importantly, Jesus healed the blind man spiritually.

In John 9, we first saw the blind man as a beggar, condemned as a sinner by his community. Then, we saw him progress to a state of dignity—even to the point of standing up to the Pharisees. Finally, we watched as Jesus loved and respected the blind man enough to restore him—mind, body, and soul. Then, we rejoiced with him as he came to a state of belief, worshipping Jesus, the Son of Man.

JUST FOR FUN
This week take turns blindfolding yourself and your children while trying to do something that is in the normal rhythm of your everyday life (folding a shirt, sweeping the floors, making your bed etc.). Discuss how hard it is to work when you can’t see! Then, read about how Jesus healed a blind man in John 9:1–12.

After reading this part of The Big God Story, ask your children how they think the blind man might have felt after Jesus healed him? Did Jesus have to touch the man to heal him? Talk together about why they think Jesus touched the man. Together as a family, thank God that He loves us so much and desires to heal us. If someone in your family has specific needs for healing, take this time to lift these up to God in prayer.

Share with your children that what they just heard is a part of The Big God Story in the Bible, and they will hear more about how Jesus restores in church this week.

May Parent Link -- Create a Rhythm

Value -- Create a Rhythm
Bottom Line -- God wants to be part of our everyday life.
Application -- God should be like the everyday dishes, not the fine china.

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May 1 in KidQuest and FirstLook

This is a weekly post that introduces you to what we are going to be teaching about in KidQuest and FirstLook this weekend.  We pray by reading this that you receive some insight to the Bible story are are able to answer any questions that may arise in your home as you talk about God's Big Story with your kids. For other insights into talking to your kids at home check out our other Parent Resources.


KidQuest -- Jesus Shows Compassion

After the people saw the miraculous signs Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. (John 6:14–15)

Jesus’ miracle of feeding about five thousand men, women, and children was a sign to the Jewish people that the Messiah had come. The miracle might have reminded them of God feeding His people through Moses and Elijah (in the wilderness and during famine) in Exodus 16 and 2 Kings 4. Because of this connection, they may have been thinking about the prophetic promise in Deuteronomy 18:18, which reads, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth.” Jesus Himself said He is that prophet (John 5:46), and He is God. He is the Word incarnate, but they were not ready to receive Him (John 1:10–11).

Those who acknowledged Jesus was the Messiah also thought He would be a political figure. Because of this, they instantly wanted to make Jesus their king. Though they seemed to understand who Jesus was—the Messiah—the people did not fully understand what that meant. So Jesus had no choice but to retreat from them while they sought to “make him king by force” (John 6:15). Even so, He continued to teach them about Himself, God’s kingdom, and His purpose on earth. He continued to have compassion on these people who were “like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34).

The account of Jesus feeding the five thousand is recorded in all four gospels—each one an example of Jesus’ great compassion for the crowd. In each example, Jesus’ feeling of compassion is followed by an action.

In the original Greek language, the word for compassion is splagchnizomai. It comes from the word for the vital inner organs—the stomach, heart, lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys. This means that when Jesus was moved with compassion, His inner being was stirred, compelling Him to act not just sympathize. Jesus shows us that compassion is more than a feeling. It is meant to be a catalyst to action.

How many times have we felt compassion and not followed God’s call to act on it? Pray God will give you the strength to respond the next time He calls you to have compassion. Pray also your kids would hear God calling them to follow Jesus’example and live a life full of compassion. Pray they will know compassion not only as a feeling, but as an action.

FirstLook -- God's Power Changes Everything

Throughout Scripture there are times when God chooses to display His mighty power. He intentionally makes Himself known and draws people to Himself. We see this clearly in the early days of the church when at Pentecost, the followers of Christ received the Holy Spirit. As they experienced God’s power alive within them, they did miracles in the name of Jesus. This new power is demonstrated in the miracle of Acts 3.

As Peter and John were walking into the temple, their eyes were diverted toward a crippled man begging for money. This man would not have been unfamiliar to them. As the Bible puts it, he was “laid daily at the gate of the temple” (3:2 ESV). The disciples must have walked past this man hundreds of times. However, this day was different: The Holy Spirit was prompting them. When Peter healed him in the name of Jesus, the man began leaping and praising God. The word “leaping” used in verse 8 is the Greek word hallomai. This word is rarely used in the Septuagint, or Greek Old Testament. Its use in Acts alludes to a messianic passage in Isaiah 35:

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear; your God will come,
he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. (vv. 3–6)

The prophet Isaiah was speaking of the coming messianic age: a promise established in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus which will find completion at His second coming.
 
The use of rare words is significant in Jewish texts, bringing to mind the passage in Scripture where the word is first found. The author of Acts was intentional with the language and words he chose. By employing hallomai, he was cueing the audience that something major was to happen: God’s kingdom was at hand. The messianic age they had longed for was unfolding right before their eyes.
 
Today, as we wait expectantly for Christ’s second coming, we are also watching God’s kingdom unfold. We are called to ask, “What needs to be done?” By the guiding of the Holy Spirit, we play a part in the story. We can watch God’s power change everything.
 
In the Old Testament, the Israelites made a habit of reflecting on their past. It was a way to strengthen their faith. Looking back on history reminded the people of the almighty power of God. In times of struggle or doubt, remembrance allowed them to embrace the truth once again and act with boldness on behalf of the gospel.

Spend some time embracing this habit in your own life. Make a list of ways that God’s power has changed your life, or the lives of those close to you. Pray beforehand for God to bring to mind important memories.
 
When your listing of things begins to slow, take time to pray over them. Praise God for what He has done for you. Thank Him for being powerful and mighty to save you and restore your life. Celebrate His work!