Gospel Project Parent Connect Oct 28 (1st-5th Grade)

The Promise Reaffirmed  

Dear Parents,

In Children’s Church, we again tied everything we have learned so far together using the 7 C’s of History. Quiz your children on these big words and their correct order. The children drew pictures from Creation. They will be posted on a wall in the children’s hall. Your child will want you to see what they know about the event of Creation in history from their beautiful drawings.

Creation 
Corruption - Refers to our lesson about sin coming into the world through Adam and Eve's disobedience
Catastrophe - Refers to our lesson about the worldwide flood that wiped out everything but Noah, his family, and select animals.
Confusion -  Refers to our lesson about people trying to make a name for themselves by building the Tower of Babel and God confusing their languages.
Christ - We haven't gotten to this lesson about the birth for Christ, but it will come in December.  However, Christ Jesus has been discussed in every lesson so far. We did review Abraham and discussed God choosing him and his descendants to be the family in whom Christ, our Messiah, will come.
Cross - We haven't gotten to this lesson about Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross, but it will come in March. However, we did review last week’s lesson about Abraham sacrificing Isaac is a portrait of God sacrificing His Son, Jesus, on the cross.
Consummation - I don't know when we will get to this lesson. We did not discuss what this word means yet. I'm sure we will discuss it soon.

In Sunday School, we moved to next installment of God’s story, we learned that God’s plan that began with Abraham extended far beyond his lifetime. When Isaac grew up, he started a family of his own. Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, had twin boys, Jacob and Esau.

The lesson is about the promise God gave Abraham. Abraham passed the knowledge of the promise to Isaac, who told the promise to his son, Jacob. In order to reaffirm the promise, God gave the promise to both Isaac and Jacob.

God’s plan didn’t stop with the promise He gave to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The promise was extended to Jacob’s descendants—and ultimately to an entire nation—leading to the birth of a baby boy named Jesus. Jesus fulfilled God’s plan to provide salvation and redemption for all of God’s people.

Just in case the “Family Journal Page” didn't make it home:

Bible Passage: Genesis 25:19-26  Encourage your child to read these chapters or read it with them or to them.

Big Picture Question: How did people know God’s plan? God communicated His plan in different ways.

Key passage: “Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15  Encourage your child to memorize this verse for the next 4 Sundays. We will have a new verse in December.

Christ Connection: God’s wonderful plan to Abraham extended well beyond his lifetime. The plan was shared with Rebekah, Isaac, Jacob, and eventually an entire nation leading to the birth of a baby boy named Jesus. Jesus fulfilled God’s plan to provide salvation and redemption for all God’s people.

Family task: Parents, show photos of yourselves growing up, and tell stories to go with the pictures. List ways your kids know about you as a child. (They see pictures; you and others tell them stories.) Compare that to how we know about God and about His plans. (We see His creation; He tells us in the Bible.)  

Next week's lesson: Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45

Words in italic are copied and pasted from The Gospel Project Curriculum

For more about The Gospel Project, www.gospelproject.com

HELPING PARENTS SUCCEED

There are three primary ways you can help parents succeed in their role as their children's faith developers.

1. Encourage parents to do these simple faith-building activities with their children.

• Pray daily with and for your children.
• Memorize one verse together as a family each week.
• Review Sunday school take-home papers. Do the activities together. Talk through the recommended discussion questions.
• Be with your children daily -- talking, listening, and applying Bible truths to your lives and theirs.
• Read Scripture together. It doesn't have to be much, but it has to be clear that God's Word is an important resource and part of daily life.

2. Provide faith-building connections between homes and your church.

• Give a copy of your curriculum's scope and sequence to each family so parents know what Bible personalities and stories children are studying in Sunday school.
• Create a prayer room at your church where entire families can go and pray together.
• Organize family outings such as day trips, outreach opportunities, and service projects.

3. Recommend these parent-partnering resources to parents.

• 52 Fun Family Prayer Adventures by Mike and Amy Nappa is a creative mixture of ideas for families to use as they pray together.
• Collect-N-Make Crafts for Kids by Susan Lingo includes questions that drive home the point of the craft.
• Family Night Tool Chest Series by Jim Weidmann and others brings families together for an evening of learning and fun.
• Not-So-Quiet Times: 240 Family Devotions by Tracy Harrast is a book of devotions based entirely on Jesus' words and lessons.
• Praying the Bible With Your Family by David and Heather Kopp includes 100 kid-friendly prayers with Scripture and devotions.

Gospel Project Parent Connect Oct. 21

God Tested Abraham 

Dear Parents,  

This week in Children's Church we reviewed what we have learned over the last several weeks. We went right back to Creation to tie everything together. My family and I took a trip to Kentucky a couple of weeks ago to visit the Creation Museum. It is scientifically educational and inspirational. The Gospel is presented through the exhibits. I picked up some wonderful ideas to help the kids grasp the concepts we have learned so far and piece them together. It is called the "7 C's of History." I shared these C's with them on Sunday.

 

Creation  - This was our first lesson

Corruption - Refers to our lesson about sin coming into the world through Adam and Eve's disobedience

Catastrophe - Refers to our lesson about the worldwide flood that wiped out everything but Noah, his family, and select animals.

Confusion -  Refers to our lesson about people trying to make a name for themselves by building the Tower of Babel and God confusing their languages.

Christ - We haven't gotten to this lesson about the birth for Christ, but it will come in December.  However, Christ Jesus has been discussed in every lesson so far. We did review Abraham and discussed God choosing him and his descendants to be the family in whom Christ, our Messiah, will come.

Cross - We haven't gotten to this lesson about Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross, but it will come in March. However, this week's lesson about Abraham sacrificing Isaac is a portrait of God sacrificing His Son, Jesus, on the cross.

Consummation - I don't know when we will get to this lesson. We did not discuss what this word means yet. I'm sure we will discuss it soon.  

To find out more about the Creation Museum and Ken Ham's ministry, go to www.answersingenesis.org.

Check out the new park they are building that is scheduled to open in the spring of 2014, www.arkencounter.org.  

In Sunday School, God’s story continued this week in The Gospel Project for Kids with the story of God testing Abraham. Imagine being Abraham, trusted in old age with the son God had promised. Now God instructs you to offer your son as a sacrifice. What would go through your mind? The sacrifice of a child was not common among God’s followers, but Abraham obeyed God.  

Think about your children. Not only was Abraham obedient to God, Isaac was obedient to his father, likely not knowing what was happening but trusting that his father knew what was best. Isaac was willing and ready to do what his father asked him to do.  

God provided a ram as a sacrifice instead of Isaac. This story is a clear depiction of what God was willing to do when He sent Jesus as the sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Jesus was willing to do what was necessary for God’s plan to succeed. God spared Isaac by providing a substitute. Likewise, we need a perfect substitute for our sin; that substitute is Jesus.  

Just in case the “Family Journal Page” didn't make it home:

Bible Passage: Genesis 22:1-19 Encourage your child to read these chapters or read it with them or to them.

Big Picture Question: How can we show we believe God's plan? We obey God even when He asks us to do things we don't understand.

Key passage: “I will make my covenant with you. It will last forever…” Genesis 17:7a   Encourage your child to memorize this scripture. New scripture on Oct. 28. 

Christ Connection: Abraham showed his faith in God when he was willing to sacrifice Isaac. Isaac also showed he was ready to do what his father said. This is a clear picture of God who was willing to sacrifice His only Son, and of Jesus who was willing to do what was necessary for God's plan of salvation. Isaac's life was spared because God provided a substitute. We need a perfect sacrifice as our substitute for sin. God provided a perfect sacrifice in His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Family task: Invite each family member to give up something special (a toy, or electronic device, a food item, and so forth) for the entire week. Take some time to share the difficulties of sacrificing that one thing. Talk about how Abraham must have felt when he was asked to sacrifice his son or how God felt when He gave us His Son. Write down some of those thoughts. 

Next week's lesson: Genesis 25:19-26; 26:1-6; 28:10-22 

For more about The Gospel Project, www.gospelproject.com 

Blessings,

P.S.
Words in italic are copied and pasted from The Gospel Project Curriculum

Gospel Project Parent Connect Oct 14- Children's Ministry

The Sons of Abraham

Dear Parents, 

This week in The Gospel Project for Kids, we heard the story of Abraham’s sons! That’s right, two sons!  

Abraham and Sarah took into their own hands the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring a son into the world. God, as always, did not need their help—only their faithfulness.  

God fulfilled His promise to Abraham, but only in His timing, not Abraham's. Isaac was the hope of Abraham and Sarah for a future. The ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham is the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the hope of the world for salvation and redemption. 

Just in case the “Family Journal Page” didn't make it home:

Bible Passage: Genesis 16:1-16; 17:15-22, 21:1-7

Big Picture Question: Who always keeps His covenant? God is always faithful to keep His covenant; people should always trust God.

Key passage to learn this month: "And I will make an agreement between me and you and all your descendants from now on; I will be your God and the God of all your descendants." Genesis 17:7

Christ Connection for this week's lesson: God fulfilled His promise to Abraham by giving him a son. Isaac was the hope of Abraham and Sarah for a future and a legacy. God fulfilled His promise to the world by giving  us His Son. Jesus ultimately fulfilled God's promise to Abraham, and He is the hope of the world for salvation and redemption. 

Family task for the week: At the beginning of the week, encourage each family member to make a promise to God (to pray each day, memorize a Bible verse, show someone God's love, read the Bible every day, and so forth). Write down the promises. At the end of the week, share and document how well each person did at keeping that promise. Talk about how God always keeps His promises.

Gospel Project Summary, Lesson 7 (Week of October 14, 2012)

      “On my worst days of sin and failure, the gospel encourages me with God’s unrelenting grace
        towards me. On my best days of victory and usefulness, the gospel keeps me relating to God
       solely on the basis of Jesus’ righteousness and not mine.” ~A Gospel Primer, by Milton Vincent)

   Have you ever felt, no matter how hard you tried, it’s just never good enough? Every person in the world, including you and me, must face the question: “What will it take to be acceptable to enter eternal life?”
    All other religions answer that question by saying: you must do something to become acceptable.   
   Christianity is the only worldview that says “the work has been done.”

   We all desire to be accepted. Because our first parents decided to walk away from the very relationship for which they were created, we lost that sense of belonging. Now we strive to be accepted by others which is a distortion of the desire God has placed in each one of us to be accepted and affirmed by Him. We are always left longing; aren’t we? We fear rejection desperately, but there is good news! God Himself provided the way by which sinners can become totally acceptable in His sight again! We do not need to fear being rejected by God! God said, “I would rather die than to ever live without you.” God Himself left heaven and was tortured in our stead, so that we could be made forever acceptable in His sight by trusting in the work that He accomplished for us!

   Jesus was perfectly obedient to the Father. He succeeded where we failed. Jesus was acceptable and God affirmed Jesus in Luke 3:22 by stating, “You are My beloved Son. I delight in You!” By faith in Jesus Christ, we are acceptable to God and receive the same affirmation Jesus did. Imagine God announcing to you: You are my beloved and I take great delight in you.” (Zeph. 3: 17)

Quote for Discussion: Discuss this quote together.
       “In religion, we try to obey the divine standards out of fear. We believe that if we don't obey we are
         going to lose God's blessing in this world and the next. In the gospel, the motivation is one of gratitude
         for the blessing we have already received because of Christ.” – Tim Keller

How does this change your understanding of a relationship with Jesus?

Conversation Questions:Use these questions to begin thinking through and applying the lessons to your family life:


1. How often do we discuss the uniqueness of Christianity as a family?
2. Where are you most motivated by others’ acceptance and affirmation? What are some things you do that is
     motivated by affirmation?
3. How do people try to overcome the fear of not measuring up to God’s standard? To the standard of people
    around them?
4. Do you struggle with believing the Father has accepted you in Christ?  Are you fully trusting in the work
    Christ accomplished for salvation?
5. How can we ensure our family knows the distinguishing marks of the Christian faith?


6. How can we point any discussion of religion back to the gospel of Christ?

God’s Covenant with Abraham

Dear Parents,

"We had another great week at The Gospel Project for Kids. Today your kids learned that when sin entered the world, God already had a plan to provide a Savior. God’s plan to provide a redeemer for His people began through the person of Abraham.  

God called Abraham to move away from his home and land to a place that God Himself would show him. Abraham obeyed and God would use Abraham to bless all people, even you and me. Abraham had much faith in the promise God had given him, and God credited Abraham’s faith as righteousness.  

Kids heard that all people are sinners, but through the family of Abraham, God sent His Son Jesus, who never sinned, to bring salvation to God’s people. Boys and girls learned that through the family of Abraham, Jesus was born."

                                                                                                                                  Gospel Project

Just in case the “Family Journal Page” didn't make it home: 

Bible Passage: Genesis 12:2-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-9 

Big Picture Question: Why did God choose Abraham? God chose Abraham to be a part of His covenant plan to send Jesus to earth to bring us salvation. 

Key passage to learn this month: “And I will make an agreement between me and you and all your descendants from now on; and I will be your God and the God of all your descendants." Genesis 17:7 

Christ Connection for this week's lesson: God chose Abraham to be the father of the nation in which Jesus would be born. In this way, Abraham would bless all nations, as God had promised. God also saw Abraham's faith in God's promises and counted it as righteousness. It is faith in Jesus' perfect righteousness that brings salvation to God's people.  

Family task for the week: Give each family member five star stickers or cutouts. Find a map or globe, and encourage each person to put a sticker on a place as a reminder to pray for the people there to see God's covenant plan to send Jesus. Repeat each day. Write your prayers.  

Next time you are at church, look at the Operation Christmas Child bulletin board in the children's wing. Areas of the world where OCC boxes go are listed on the bulletin board. You might want to pray for these locations as you are preparing your boxes. 

Gospel Project Summaries, Lessons 5 & 6: Why the Law Then?

Why did God give the Law and how does it really fit into “His Grand Story”? If salvation really cannot be earned and grace is God’s unmerited favor graciously offered to those who believe in Him, then where does the Law fit into that context? I have wrestled personally with this question for years and unfortunately, I think the church has had it confused for years as well. I think it is absolutely crucial that we nail this one down! (Questions for discussion will be in bullet points throughout.)

•In what ways does understanding God’s intention behind the law help our desire to be obedient?
•How does this help us from reducing the law to just a list of rules and regulations?

What does the Law do? First, the Law reveals His character . It is like a mirror that reflects who He is. It shows us what absolute holiness and perfection looks like. (Exodus 20:1-2)

“The first word God spoke at Sinai (Exodus 20:1-2) was a word about grace (redemption) and covenant to which an obedient response was demanded…He is their God, and He has saved them. On this basis, the law is given’” (Goldsworthy)
They had a new identity! They were saved from slavery for God!

• Does our identity shape our behavior or does our behavior shape our identity? (In other words, does’ who you are’ determine ‘what you do’ or does ‘what you do’ determine ‘who you are’?)
•If we are God’s people, shouldn’t we follow God’s rules for life?
•What freedoms are given through the Ten Commandments? In what ways do rules in your house actually provide freedom for you and your siblings?
•What is your honest response when you read the Ten Commandments?

The last point is probably the most important. We read the Ten Commandments; we see absolute holiness demands of us and we immediately respond by saying, “There’s no way I could live up to that.” Get this. If we do not understand that what God is requiring of us is absolute perfection, then we do not understand His holiness. That’s exactly right: No matter how hard we try, we can’t do it! (Romans 3:23; James 2:10)

The Law reveals our need for grace. God’s purpose for the law was always to show us our need for Christ. (Gal.2:16) God gave these explicit standards and demanded obedience in order to show us our need for Christ.” What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son…in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us.” (Rom.8:3-4) Christ kept what God demanded of us in the law. God provided in Christ all that He demands from us!!! Hallelujah! We can’t; He never said we could! He did! He always said He would!

•What adjustments do you need to make in your understanding of the law? Understanding this correctly will cause you to love Christ even more!

1st-5th Grade Gospel Project Week 5: Job

Dear Parents, 

This week in The Gospel Project for Kids, we heard the story of Job! It might seem strange to present the story of Job this early in the chronology of Scripture, but most biblical authorities believe, based on subject matter and language, that Job was a contemporary of the patriarchs. Job fits chronologically into this period of history.  

Before we got into the story of Job we reviewed our foundations:

God Exists  

                   God created us in His image to glorify Him

                   We sinned

                   God sent Jesus to rescue us

                   The Bible is the story of God and what He has

                   done for us 

The story of Job helps Christians see that God alone is all-powerful, sovereign, and good. Job’s story is one all people can relate to, as everyone will suffer in his or her lifetime. God’s dialogue with Job reveals His characteristics clearly. 

Throughout all of Job’s suffering, Job never stopped trusting God. Listen to Job’s response to God’s questions: “I am so insignificant. How can I answer You?” (Job 40:4) Job didn’t understand his suffering, but he understood who God is.  

While the Book of Job speaks volumes to the problem of human suffering, it is also an important picture of how a suffering person should relate to God. Though Job sometimes doubted God, he never turned away. Job’s suffering actually brought him closer to God. 

Kids discovered the true Suffering Servant, Jesus, who was truly innocent. He suffered greatly so that we could be brought closer to God in our suffering. The Bible says Christians will suffer in their lifetimes, and Job reminds us that following Jesus is worth it. God is all-powerful, sovereign, and good. We can trust Him when we don’t understand the pain we experience. At the cross, God used the ultimate pain to bring about the ultimate good: our future and final salvation from sin.  

Just in case the “Family Journal Page” didn't make it home:

Bible Passage: Job 1-42

Big Picture Question: Who is in control? God is all-powerful, sovereign, and good.

Key passage to learn this month: “So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.” Genesis 1:27   

Christ Connection for this week's lesson: God knew we would sin, and Jesus, our Creator, came to redeem us and protect us from the wrath of God by suffering for us.

Family task for the week: Ask each family member to share moments when he or she may need help remembering that God is all-powerful, sovereign, and good. Record these moments as prayer requests for your family to pray about during the week.

Next week's lesson: Genesis 12:2-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-9

For more about The Gospel Project, www.gospelproject.com