The Gospel Project

Sunday, October 17, 2021

We love to measure the health, success, or sustainability of pretty much anything and everything. We measure our kids by their grades in school. We measure teams by their wins and losses. We measure people by their influence and following on social media. In a world obsessed with measuring “success,” we ought to be assessing in our own lives something we cannot see: our motivation. 

We can define motivation simply as the reason we do something. Motivation is the driving force behind the decisions we make. There is a reason for everything that we do—both big and small—but what that motivation is might not be obvious to those around us.

In Genesis 11, Noah’s family had grown and began to rebuild the earth’s population. At some point along the way, they decided to ignore God’s command to spread out and subdue the earth for God’s glory. Instead, the people decided to build a tower to show their greatness. Their motivation was both obvious and arrogant.

Read Psalm 127:1-2. These verses provide a blatant reminder that God is the only true builder. His glory is our only proper motivation. Additionally, this psalm gives us a promise that those who love God will be able to rest from being driven by selfish motivation. 

Doesn’t it sound pretty attractive to be able to rest from selfish motivation that plagues so much of our thinking and behavior? In God’s economy, He’s less worried with the outcome of our decisions and more concerned with the reason for our decisions. That’s not to say that it doesn’t matter what we do. Rather, if our motivation is right—if our hearts are right—our actions will follow. And not only will our motivation and behavior honor God, but much of the anxiety of life will fade away too.

When was the last time you measured your motivation? Is the driving force behind what you do making a name for yourself, your kids, or even your church? Or is the primary desire driving your life boasting in the name of Christ? Read Psalm 127:1 again. May we be driven by God’s glory and not our own.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: People will worship Jesus. 
• Younger Preschool: People disobeyed God, so God mixed up their language and spread the people over the earth. One day, Jesus will bring His people back together. People from every language will worship Him together.
• Older Preschool: People tried to make themselves famous instead of God. God mixed up their language so the people spread out over the earth. One day, Jesus will bring His people back together. People from every group and language will worship Him together.
• Kids: People wanted glory for themselves instead of God. They ignored God’s plan, so God confused their language and scattered them all over the earth. One day, Jesus will gather together all of God’s people—from every tribe and language—and they will worship Him together.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Younger Preschool: What does it mean to sin? We sin when we disobey God.
• Older Preschool: What does it mean to sin? To sin is to go against God and His commands.
• Kids: What does it mean to sin? To sin is to think, speak, or behave in any way that goes against God and His commands.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Babies & Toddlers: We all make wrong choices. — Romans 3:23
• Younger Preschool: Everyone makes wrong choices. — Romans 3:23
• Older Preschool: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. — Romans 3:23
• Kids: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. — Romans 3:23

** Next week: God Made a Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12–20)

Sunday, September 26, 2021

Does the story of the fall surprise you? How could Adam and Eve—who had everything they needed—rebel against a loving God? Do you think you would have acted differently? 

Adam and Eve’s story is our story. Think about the last time you blatantly sinned. What lies were you believing in that moment? Satan wants us to believe the same lie that Eve believed: Maybe God is holding out on me. Maybe He isn’t good or loving. Maybe I would do a better job than Him. Do you ever wonder if you know better than God?

Before the fall, Adam and Eve enjoyed a loving, two-way relationship with God. The garden was a true paradise. God filled the garden with good gifts so that they might enjoy them and give Him thanks. This glorifies God. All of that changed when Adam and Eve gave in to the serpent’s temptation.

Adam and Eve desired something more: the wisdom the fruit offered. But when their eyes were opened, they didn’t get what they hoped for. Instead, they were aware of their nakedness. They felt ashamed. Surely the Lord’s heart broke at their act of disobedience and rebellion. Can you think of a time your own sin produced regret and sorrow?

Because of their sin, God cast Adam and Eve out of the garden. Though they did not die right away, sin’s effect was immediate and thorough. Their lives and their children’s lives—and the lives of all of humanity—would be forever affected by their choice. We see this in the world around us. We experience God’s grace, but we are very aware that the world is broken. It was not meant to be this way.

Sin is a big problem that needs a big solution. At just the right time, God sent His Son into the world, born as a baby. Matthew 1:21 says, “You are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 

As your kids become increasingly aware of the bad news—that we are all sinners from birth—rejoice with them over the good news: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15).

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: God planned to send Jesus to make everything right. 
• Younger Preschool: Since Adam and Eve, all people have been sinners. God sent Jesus to rescue us from sin.
• Older Preschool: Everything was different after Adam and Eve sinned. Since then, all people have been sinners. Sin keeps us from God, but God never stops loving us. He sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue people from sin and bring them back to God.
• Kids: Ever since Adam and Eve sinned, all people have been born as sinners. Sin separates us from God, but God still loves us. God promised a Rescuer would come from Eve’s family. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue people from sin and bring them back to God.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Younger Preschool: What does it mean to sin? We sin when we disobey God.
• Older Preschool: What does it mean to sin? To sin is to go against God and His commands.
• Kids: What does it mean to sin? To sin is to think, speak, or behave in any way that goes against God and His commands.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Babies & Toddlers: We all make wrong choices. — Romans 3:23
• Younger Preschool: Everyone makes wrong choices. — Romans 3:23
• Older Preschool: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. — Romans 3:23
• Kids: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. — Romans 3:23

** Next week: Sin Spread to People (Genesis 4–5)

Sunday, September 12, 202

Humans are at the center of everything God created. Only God Himself is more important. That is why the creation of the first man and woman—Adam and Eve—deserved its own session. 

As you talk with your kids about this week’s session, there are two words that might be unclear or even confusing. The first is our in Genesis 1:26. “Let us make man in our image.” This can be confusing because the Bible is clear that there is only one God (see Deuteronomy 6:4 and 1 Timothy 2:5). Why then does God say our image and not myimage? 

Bible scholars have long debated what is meant by this word, but here are two of the most common explanations. The first is that this word is affirming the doctrine known as the Trinity—that God is one in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Our in this verse is drawing from that important aspect of who God is. This would make sense here because a common, but wrong, belief of why God created people was because He was lonely. But God as three Persons in one is never alone. He has always enjoyed a perfect relationship of love within who He is. It would make sense that God wants to make that clear here.

A second explanation for our is that it is the use of what is called the “plural of majesty.” In this case, God is establishing from very early on how glorious He is, even in how He refers to Himself. 

The second word that deserves a note is image. Once again, scholars have debated for ages about what this word means. But we can know what it does not mean: physical form. God is spirit (see John 4:24), so we are not made with a body like God’s body; He has no body. Instead, being made in God’s image includes attributes of people that separate us from the rest of creation (such as our ability to reason, our morality, our will, and our emotions) and our unique role in creation as ruling over it under God’s greater rule.

While we might not know what these two words mean exactly, we do know this for sure: our glorious God has made people to be special in all of His creation and designed us to be in relationship with Him. 

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. 

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: We can know and love God.
• Younger Preschool: People are special because God made us to know and love Him. Through Jesus, we can know and love God.
• Older Preschool: God created people in His own image. He loves us and gives us everything we need. People are special because God made us to know and love Him. Through Jesus, we can know and love God just as He planned.
• Kids: God created people in His own image and provides for everything He made. People are special because God made people to live forever in a relationship with Him. Through His Son, Jesus, we can have eternal life with God just as He planned.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Younger Preschool: Why did God create everything? God created everything to show He is great.
• Older Preschool: Why did God create everything? God created everything for His glory.
• Kids: Why did God create everything? God created everything for His glory and our good. 

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Babies & Toddlers:The heavens show God is great! — Psalm 19:1
• Younger Preschool: The heavens show God is great! — Psalm 19:1
• Older Preschool: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. — Psalm 19:1 
• Kids: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. — Psalm 19:1

** Next week: Creation Glorifies God (Psalm 19)

Sunday, May 23, 2020

• During his second missionary journey, Paul started several churches in Galatia. Some time later, false teachers crept into these churches and began teaching that there was more to salvation than faith in Jesus. They said that obeying the law of Moses was essential too. 
• Many of the Galatian believers became confused and believed the lies of the false teachers. They turned away from the gospel Paul had shared with them. Paul wrote a letter—the Book of Galatians—to correct them and reemphasize a proper understanding of the gospel. 
• Paul asked the Galatians how their salvation could be started by an act of the Holy Spirit but then completed by their own conduct. That was foolishness! What the Holy Spirit began, He would also complete.
• Jesus’ half-brother James had written a letter to early believers, concerned about Christians’ interpreting grace to mean they didn’t have to obey God. In Galatians, Paul addressed the opposite problem: Christians who focused so much on obedience that they forgot grace. 
• James’ message was that grace will always lead to obedience. Paul’s message compliments James’ message: Obedience is impossible apart from grace. Grace and obedience work together in perfect harmony. 
• This week’s Bible story provides a wonderful opportunity to help your kids understand that obedience matters. The Bible is full of instructions and commands that we are to obey; however, the beauty of the gospel is that our ability to obey comes not through our own effort but through the Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit changes our minds and hearts so that we want to obey God, and He also empowers us to obey. All of salvation—from first trusting to faithful obedience—is God’s gift to us through Jesus. The Holy Spirit changes our minds and hearts so that we want to obey God, and He gives us power to obey. Our righteousness does not come through faith in ourselves but through faith in Jesus.
• Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.
• FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ The Bible is God’s Word.
  • ○ Faith in Jesus is a gift from God.
  • ○ God loves all people and sent Jesus to save them.
  • ○ People are saved when they have faith in Jesus.
  • ○ Jesus loves us and gave Himself for us.
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Paul taught that believers are saved by faith in Jesus alone.
  • ○ What is the Bible about? The Bible is about God’s plan to save people through Jesus.
• ● Kids
  • ○ Believers are saved and grow in godliness by faith in Jesus. 
  • ○ What is the Bible about? The Bible is the story of God’s plan to save people through Jesus.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● Acts 4:12
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “Paul Gave Hope” (1–2 Thessalonians)

Sunday, April 18, 2021

In the first century, Corinth was an important destination in the Roman Empire. The city was located on a narrow area of land connecting the southern end of the Greek peninsula with the mainland to the north. When Paul visited Corinth on his missionary journeys, the city was full of people with various cultural and religious backgrounds.

Corinth was a strategic place to plant a church. Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half with Aquila and his wife, Priscilla. On the Sabbath, Paul went to the synagogues to teach God’s message to the people. When the Jews refused to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, Paul preached to the Gentiles. Many Corinthians believed and were baptized. (Acts 18:1-18) Finally, Paul returned to Antioch in Syria.

About six years passed. Paul was in Ephesus when he heard a report that the church in Corinth was struggling. The people in the church were arguing and suing each other. In some ways, they lived just like the people in Corinth who were not believers. So Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian church—the Book of First Corinthians—not only to instruct them on how to live but to answer questions they had about the faith.

As you talk with your kids about 1 Corinthians, focus on church unity: Because of Jesus and what He has done, believers can humbly come together as one body. Emphasize that Paul gave practical instructions so that the believers would know how to live—not as a way to earn God’s favor, but to live in light of their salvation. 

Paul spent a significant portion of his ministry meeting with believers and encouraging them to keep the faith. Jesus’ mission for the church is for believers to come together to worship God and to share the gospel.

Paul told the believers in the Corinthian church to come together because of the gospel. He reminded them that Jesus saves sinners. Because of Jesus and what He has done, believers can humbly come together as one body.

Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ God gives us a mission.
  • ○ Believers come together as one body.
  • ○ Paul wrote a letter to the church in Corinth.
  • ○ Paul told the believers to remember Jesus.
  • ○ Believers are to do everything with love.
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Believers come together because of the gospel.
  • ○ What is our mission as Christians? Our mission is to make followers of Jesus from every nation by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• ● Kids
  • ○ The gospel unites all kinds of people in love. 
  • ○ What is our mission as Christians? Our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● Matthew 28:19-20
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “Letters to Church Leaders” (1–2 Timothy, Titus)

Sunday, April 4, 2021

Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are essential to the Christian faith. If we teach Jesus as a respected teacher and miracle-worker who claimed to be the Messiah and who was crucified on the cross—but who was not resurrected—then we are teaching the Jesus of Judaism. If we teach Jesus as a wise teacher and prophet who ascended into heaven—but who was not crucified—then we are teaching the Jesus of Islam.

Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins. (Matt. 1:21) He died to show God’s love to us (Rom. 5:7-8) so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus died so that we would be forgiven. (Eph. 1:7) Jesus died to bring us to God. (1 Pet. 3:18)

The time between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning must have been dark hours for Jesus’ disciples. Fear, doubt, and confusion certainly overwhelmed their thoughts. Jesus, their Lord, was dead. He had been unjustly arrested, falsely accused, and severely beaten. Even worse, He had been killed in a horrible manner: by crucifixion.

The story doesn’t end there. Jesus’ body was laid in a tomb. The tomb was sealed and guards watched over it. The Jews remembered Jesus’ claim that He would rise from the dead (John 2:19-21), and they made sure no one could steal His body and insist He had risen. Imagine their surprise when Jesus did rise from the dead!

Jesus’ resurrection gives us joy and hope for our own resurrection. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will raise our bodies to life. (Rom. 8:11)

As you share this Bible story, emphasize the gospel: the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done. We do not worship a dead Savior. Jesus is alive! Sadness turns to joy. There is hope for sinners.

Jesus’ death and resurrection is the center of the gospel. Jesus died to pay for our sins. Jesus is alive! God gives hope and true joy to everyone who trusts in Jesus.

Check this session’s Activity Page for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ The good news is about Jesus.
  • ○ Jesus gives us true joy and life with God forever.
  • ○ Jesus was put on a cross.
  • ○ Jesus died and was buried in a tomb.
  • ○ Jesus rose from the dead and is alive!
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Jesus died on the cross and is alive.
  • ○ What is the gospel? The gospel is the good news that God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to rescue sinners.
• ● Kids
  • ○ Jesus’ resurrection gives true joy to believers. 
  • ○ What is the gospel? The gospel is the good news that God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to rescue sinners.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● 1 Chronicles 16:31 
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “Peter Escaped from Prison” (Acts 12)

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Hebrews was a letter written to encourage believers to not only stand strong in their faith, but also to grow in their faith. More than anything else, though, the writer of Hebrews preached the superiority of Jesus: Jesus was present at the creation of the world. He is the heir of all things and God spoke to the people through Him.

Because the writer of Hebrews was writing to a mostly Jewish audience, he used the history and heroes of the Old Testament to show how Jesus fulfilled all of God’s promises to send a Messiah to save His people. As you introduce your kids to the Book of Hebrews, concentrate on a major theme found in chapters 1–8: Jesus is better.

Jesus is better than angels. He is the Son of God. He is better than Moses and the Mosaic covenant. Jesus completely fulfilled the covenant of the Old Testament; that made Jesus’ new covenant far better. Jesus is better than the tabernacle and the priests. 

Because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, the people no longer needed priests to speak to God for them or to offer sacrifices to take away their sins. These Old Testament figures, laws, and traditions pointed forward to someone better: Jesus.

Emphasize to your kids that Jesus is better than anyone and anything. He is the better Prophet, the better Priest, and the better King. Everyone who trusts in Jesus has salvation from sin through His perfect life, death, and resurrection. As the church, Jesus calls us to share the gospel with the world. Jesus is the superior solution to the problem of sin. He is all that is needed for salvation.

Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ The good news is about Jesus.
  • ○ Jesus is better than anyone and anything.
  • ○ Jesus is God the Son.
  • ○ Jesus became a human being to rescue us.
  • ○ Jesus is the greatest!
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Jesus is better than anyone and anything.
  • ○ What is the gospel? The gospel is the good news that God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to rescue sinners.
• ● Kids
  • ○ Jesus, our great High Priest, brought a better covenant. 
  • ○ What is the gospel? The gospel is the good news that God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to rescue sinners.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● 1 Chronicles 16:31 
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “The Hall of Faith” (Hebrews 11)

Sunday, February 28, 2021

In New Testament times, Corinth was an important city in ancient Greece. About eighteen years after Jesus’ death on the cross, Paul preached the gospel to the Corinthians and established the church there. (See Acts 18.) He stayed in Corinth for at least 18 months.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote to help believers solve some problems within the church. In his second letter, written just a few weeks later, Paul wrote to encourage the church and to assure them that God loved them—even when they had troubles. Of all Paul’s letters in the New Testament, none reveals his heart as much as 2 Corinthians. In it, Paul showed his passion for Christ as he fiercely defended his ministry against false teachings.

Paul wrote of the dangers he faced as a disciple of Christ—stonings, beatings, imprisonment, hunger, and hardship. But he also wrote of the comfort and the strength to endure that Jesus gives to those who trust in Him. Nothing could keep Paul from sharing the good news of Jesus—a  lesson for the believers at Corinth and for all believers everywhere.

As you talk about 2 Corinthians 11, emphasize that God gives us power to stand up for the gospel. Paul cared about the believers in Corinth, and he wanted them to be faithful to Jesus and remember the gospel. Paul may not have been an eloquent speaker like those who preached lies, but he refused to back down. Paul suffered and nearly died to share the gospel.

Second Corinthians teaches us that sharing Jesus with the world is not always easy. There will always be some who try to stop the good news from spreading. God calls believers to follow and obey Jesus no matter what. Like Paul, we guard the truth because God, the Father of the Lord Jesus, deserves to be praised.

Check this session’s Activity Page for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ False teachers were saying things that were not true.
  • ○ Paul wrote a letter to the church at Corinth..
  • ○ Paul wanted people to remember what is true about Jesus.
  • ○ Believers follow Jesus and obey Him no matter what.
  • ○ The church worships God.
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Paul wanted people to remember what is true about Jesus.
  • ○ Why does the church exist? The church exists to glorify God.
• ● Kids
  • ○ God gives us power to stand up for the gospel. 
  • ○ Why does the church exist? The church exists to glorify God by worshiping Him, showing His love, and telling others about Jesus.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● Colossians 1:18
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “Peter and Cornelius” (Acts 10)

Sunday, February 7, 2021

The believers in the early church faced intense persecution. After Stephen was killed, Jesus’ followers at the church in Jerusalem scattered; however, they did not stop talking about Jesus. They continued to share the good news. One man, Philip, took the gospel to Samaria. The crowds there listened and believed, and they had great joy.

In today’s Bible story, Philip was instructed by an angel of the Lord to go to a certain road in the desert. Philip obeyed. The Spirit led Philip to a chariot, where an Ethiopian official was reading the Scriptures from the prophet Isaiah. The Ethiopian man did not understand what he was reading, so Philip explained it to him.

The man was reading from the prophet Isaiah: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter … In his humiliation justice was denied him … For his life is taken from the earth” (Acts 8:32-33). The official wondered if Isaiah was speaking about himself or another person. Philip told the official that Isaiah’s words weren’t about Isaiah; they were about the Messiah—Jesus! The official believed in Jesus and was baptized.

Guide your kids to consider the role of the Holy Spirit in this interaction between Philip and the Ethiopian official. Who was responsible for Philip’s going to the desert? Who helped Philip explain the Scriptures? Who changed the heart of the official so he would believe?

The Ethiopian official knew what the Old Testament prophets said, but he did not understand that they spoke about Jesus. The Holy Spirit led Philip to help the official understand the good news about Jesus: Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead, just like the Old Testament prophets said.

After his interaction with the Ethiopian official, Philip continued sharing the gospel in all the towns on his way to the town of Caesarea.

In our mission of making disciples, believers must be willing instruments to be used in the hands of the Lord. Philip didn’t go into the desert today with a strategy for converting another man; the Holy Spirit led Philip, and he obeyed. As believers, we can be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and willing to follow His lead. He will go with us.

Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ The Holy Spirit told Philip to go to an Ethiopian man.
  • ○ Philip told the man the good news about Jesus.
  • ○ The Holy Spirit helps people believe the good news.
  • ○ The Holy Spirit helps us tell the good news.
  • ○ The church worships God.
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Philip told the Ethiopian man about Jesus.
  • ○ Why does the church exist? The church exists to glorify God.
• ● Kids
  • ○ The Holy Spirit led Philip to tell the Ethiopian man about Jesus. 
  • ○ Why does the church exist? The church exists to glorify God by worshiping Him, showing His love, and telling others about Jesus.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● Colossians 1:18
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “Paul Met Jesus” (Acts 8–9)

Sunday, January 24, 2021

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ Jesus came to save people from their wrong choices.
  • ○ While we were sinners, God sent Jesus to rescue us.
  • ○ The good news about Jesus is for everybody.
  • ○ Jesus saves everyone who trusts in Him.
  • ○ The church serves God.
• ● Preschool
  • ○ God loves us and sent Jesus to save us. 
  • ○ What is the church? The church is all Christians everywhere.
• ● Kids
  • ○ God sent Jesus into the world to rescue sinners. 
  • ○ What is the church? The church is all Christians everywhere, who gather together in their communities to worship and serve God.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● Romans 12:5
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “Doers of the Word” (James 1–2)

Sunday, January 3, 2021

Sunday, December 13, 2020

• With the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Jesus’ disciples were empowered to carry out Jesus’ mission for them: to take the gospel to all the nations. More and more people believed in Jesus. They met together at the temple to praise and worship God, and the first church began.
• One afternoon, two of Jesus’ disciples—Peter and John—went to the temple to pray. They encountered at the gate a man who could not walk. Rather than give the man money, Peter gave him something much more valuable: immediate physical healing in Jesus’ name.  
• As you teach this Bible story to kids, keep three things in mind. First, Peter’s healing the beggar was not magic; it was a miracle. Beginning in Acts 3:12, Peter responded to the people who were amazed at what had happened. “Why are you amazed at this … as though we had made him walk by our own power?” The man wasn’t healed because Peter was a super-believer. Peter explained that it was by Jesus’ power the man was healed.
• Second, the man’s healing made him happy and thankful. He entered the temple and rejoiced! Consider the wonderful miracle of salvation. We are dead in our sin, and God makes us alive in Christ! How we should rejoice and give thanks to the Lord!
• Finally, Peter and John were bold in their witness. When confronted by the religious leaders, they did not shy away. Peter and John preached about the salvation found in Jesus. In fact, they said they were “unable to stop speaking about what [they had] seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
• After Jesus returned to heaven, the Holy Spirit gave the disciples power to begin working. With the power of Jesus’ name, Peter healed a man who was lame. Not even the religious leaders could stop Jesus’ followers from sharing the good news about Jesus.
• The same power that enabled Peter to heal the man who was lame—the power of the Holy Spirit—enables believers today to live on mission for Jesus. Pray that God would give your kids a willingness to be used by Him for His glory and for the fame of Jesus’ name. 
• Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.
• FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ Peter and John went to the temple to pray.
  • ○ They healed a man in Jesus’ name.
  • ○ Only Jesus rescues and heals people.
  • ○ The Holy Spirit gives us power to do God’s plan.
  • ○ The Holy Spirit helps us.
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Peter healed the man who could not walk. 
  • ○ WHow does the Holy Spirit help Christians? The Holy Spirit comforts us, shows us our sin, and guides us as we live for God’s glory.
• ● Kids
  • ○ The Holy Spirit gave Peter power to heal a man. 
  • ○ How does the Holy Spirit help Christians? The Holy Spirit comforts us, shows us our sin, and guides us as we live for God’s glory.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● 2 Peter 1:3
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “CHRISTMAS: Jesus Was Born” (John 1)

Sunday, November 22, 2020

The disciples were devastated that Jesus had died. They believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but they had abandoned Him and Jesus was killed. How could He save anyone if He was dead? But now some people were reporting that Jesus was alive! Was it true?

The disciples were talking about these things when Jesus stood among them. “Peace to you!” He said. Imagine how Jesus’ words might have calmed the disciples’ anxious hearts. Their Lord, whom they had deserted, didn’t show up to scold them for their failures or shame them for their lack of faith. He spoke peace to them.

Thomas, who was not with the disciples when Jesus came, had a hard time believing. Thomas wanted physical proof. A week later, Jesus showed Thomas His hands and His side. Thomas immediately believed, and Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (John 20:29).

With His resurrection, Jesus’ mission was accomplished, but the disciples’ work was just beginning. Jesus gave His followers a job to do: “As the Father has sent me, I also send you” (John 20:21). This verse contains the Gospel of John’s version of the Great Commission. 

Jesus, the One sent from the Father, sent the disciples to be His messengers and representatives. Jesus equipped the disciples with the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel—the good news of what Jesus has done—to the world.

Emphasize to your kids that for 40 days, Jesus presented Himself to more than 500 people and proved that He is alive. Jesus is still alive today. We have not seen Jesus, but if we believe in Him, we will be blessed. He sends out believers to tell others about Him and gives us power through the Holy Spirit.

Check this session’s Activity Page for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
• ○ The friends were hiding in a room.
• ○ Jesus showed His friends He is alive.
• ○ Jesus told Thomas to believe.
• ○ We have not seen Jesus, but we believe He is alive.
• ○ Jesus is alive in heaven.
• ● Preschool
• ○ Jesus appeared to His disciples.
• ○ Where is Jesus now? Jesus is in heaven.
• ● Kids
• ○ Jesus proved He is alive. 
• ○ Where is Jesus now? Jesus ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father.

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● John 11:25

NEXT WEEK 

• ● “Jesus Returned to Heaven” (Matthew 28; Acts 1)

Sunday, November 8, 2020

The time between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning must have been dark hours for Jesus’ disciples. Fear, doubt, and confusion certainly overwhelmed their thoughts. Jesus, their Lord, was dead. He had been unjustly arrested, falsely accused, and severely beaten. Even worse, He had been killed in a horrible manner: by crucifixion.

The story doesn’t end there. Jesus’ body was laid in a tomb. The tomb was sealed and guards watched over it. The Jews remembered Jesus’ claim that He would rise from the dead (John 2:19-21), and they made sure no one could steal His body and insist He had risen. Imagine their surprise when Jesus did rise from the dead!

John and Peter saw the empty tomb. Jesus appeared to Mary. The disciples believed Jesus had risen from the dead. Even though the guards at the tomb were bribed to lie about what happened (they said the disciples stole Jesus’ body), the truth spread. The disciples wouldn’t have dedicated their lives and died for something they knew was a lie.

If Christ had remained dead, His death would have meant nothing more than yours or mine. Humanity would still be dead in sin. But God gives us victory over sin and death through His Son, Jesus. The resurrection gives us hope that we too will one day be raised and changed. (See Rom. 6:5; 8:11.)

Paul addressed in 1 Corinthians 15:17 just how essential Jesus’ resurrection is to the gospel: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” The resurrection is proof that God was satisfied with Jesus’ sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and that God’s new covenant had begun.

Emphasize to your kids that Jesus is alive! Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but He didn’t stay dead. God was pleased with Jesus’ sacrifice and raised Jesus from the dead to reign as King over all creation. Jesus provides salvation from sin and the promise of eternal life. We believe this by faith. Today, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God and reigns as King over all of creation. (Phil. 2:9-10)

Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ On the third day, God made Jesus alive again.
  • ○ John saw the empty tomb and believed Jesus was alive.
  • ○ Mary saw Jesus, and He was alive.
  • ○ God raised Jesus from the dead to be King over everything.
  • ○ Jesus is alive in heaven.
  • ● Preschool
  • ○ Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. 
  • ○ Where is Jesus now? Jesus is in heaven.
  • ● Kids
  • ○ God raised Jesus from the dead to defeat sin and death. 
  • ○ Where is Jesus now? Jesus ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father.

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● John 11:25

NEXT WEEK 

• ● “The Emmaus Disciples” (Luke 24)

Sunday, October 18, 2020

Sunday, September 20

On the heels of His miraculous feeding of the five thousand, Jesus encountered crowds who erroneously concluded He was worth following because He could use His power to fill their empty stomachs. But Jesus recognized their motives and challenged them to go after something greater—not to work for food, which does not last long, but to receive eternal life by believing in Him.

Over and over again, people misunderstood Jesus’ words. They asked what they could do to get the food that lasts forever. Eternal life is a gift that God gives—not to those who perform certain deeds, but to anyone who believes in Jesus. Then the crowd asked for another sign. If Moses had provided bread for 40 years, couldn’t Jesus do that too? Jesus pointed out the bread didn’t come from Moses; it came from God. The crowd was so determined to get bread to eat that they didn’t understand recognize that God had now provided true bread from heaven by sending His Son.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” He wanted to give people more than food. He wanted to give them true life. Jesus continued, “If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever” (John 6:51). As you teach, emphasize to kids that God invites us to come and eat. We partake in the bread of life by believing in Him.

The Jewish leaders struggled with Jesus’ teaching. How could this man, whom they knew as the son of Joseph, be the Son of God? Furthermore, Jesus talked about giving His flesh and blood. To the Jews, this didn’t make any sense. Jesus wanted to do more than fill people’s stomachs; He wanted to give them true life. Jesus’ teachings were hard to understand. When Jesus talked about His flesh and blood, He was talking about His death and resurrection. When we trust in Jesus, He gives us the gift of eternal life.

Many people stopped following Jesus because they could not accept His teachings. Yet Peter, one of the Twelve, grasped the truth: “You have the words of eternal life. … You are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69). When we trust in Jesus, He gives us the gift of eternal life.

Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
• ○ People wanted Jesus to give them bread from heaven.
• ○ Jesus said He is the bread of life.
• ○ Anyone who believes in Jesus will have life forever.
• ○ Jesus’ words tell us how to have life with Him forever.
• ○ Jesus is our King.
• ● Preschool
• ○ Many people did not understand Jesus’ teaching. 
• ○ How does God care for His creation? God loves and rules over all He made.
• ● Kids
• ○ Many people misunderstood Jesus’ teaching. 
• ○ How does God care for His creation? God loves and rules over His creation according to His perfect plan.

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● Colossians 1:13-14 (PS: Colossians 1:13)

NEXT WEEK 

• ● “Jesus Raised Lazarus” (John 11)

Go to our website, stonewaterchurch.com, scroll down to the Kids’ Service button and click on “Parents” for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

Sunday, September 6

Go to our website, stonewaterchurch.com, scroll down to the Kids’ Service button and click on “Parents” for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

Sunday, August 23

Jesus had just fed more than five thousand people on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. After sending away the people and directing His disciples to go back across the sea, Jesus went to a mountain to pray. It was late, and He sought to be alone with His Father. Jesus was preparing to fulfill His Father’s plan. Before long, He would die on the cross and rescue people from sin.

While Jesus prayed, the disciples struggled to cross the sea. A storm came and tossed their boat up and down. They didn’t make any progress against the waves. Then, in the early morning hours, they saw a figure walking toward them on the water. They thought it was a ghost, but it was Jesus!

Peter asked Jesus to command him to come out on the water, and Jesus called to him. Peter walked on the water too—until he remembered the storm. Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, and he began to sink. Peter cried out to Jesus, “Save me!”

Jesus took Peter by the hand, and they got into the boat. The wind and waves calmed. Though Peter had doubted, the disciples worshiped Jesus. Clearly He was no ordinary man; this was the Son of God—the promised Messiah!

Jesus proved that He can be trusted. His miracles, teaching, death, and resurrection showed that He is who He says He is. Only Jesus can save us when we look to Him in faith.

As you talk with your kids, encourage them to look to Jesus in faith every day. We can seek Him for our salvation and for help as we live in this world. Even in the midst of fear and doubt, we can hold out our empty hands and cry, “Lord, save me!” He will answer, and we can respond in worship of our Lord and Savior.

Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ Jesus walked on the water to His friends.
  • ○ Jesus rescued Peter when he started to sink.
  • ○ Jesus’ friends believed He is God’s Son.
  • ○ Jesus showed that we can trust Him.
  • ○ Jesus showed He is God’s Son.
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Jesus walked on water.
  • ○ Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus performed miracles to show He is the Son of God.
• ● Kids
  • ○ Jesus showed He is God by walking on water. 
  • ○ Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus performed miracles to glorify God, to show He is the Son of God, and to care for people.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● Psalm 40:5
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “Jesus Showed His Glory” (Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9)

Go to our website, stonewaterchurch.com, scroll down to the Kids’ Service button and click on “Parents” for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

Sunday, August 9

After a long day of teaching, Jesus and His disciples got into a boat to cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. When their short sailing trip was interrupted by a violent storm, the disciples found themselves in danger with nowhere to turn—except to the One who created all things.

Several of the disciples were experienced fishermen. They had spent significant time on the Sea of Galilee, but this storm was so strong that the waves overtook the boat. The disciples were afraid they would drown. As the disciples panicked, what was Jesus doing? He was sleeping!

The disciples woke Jesus. The situation was out of their control, and perhaps they felt forsaken by God. But their reaction was full of irony: “Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die?” (Mark 4:38).

The disciples obviously did not know why Jesus had come to earth. Jesus had come to rescue people from sin. In dying on the cross, Jesus would truly be forsaken by God. (See Matt. 27:46.) Jesus would die the death the disciples—and all sinners—deserve so that they could live forever with God. Did Jesus care that the disciples were going to die? Absolutely. But He was going to rescue them from something worse than drowning. Jesus would save them from spiritual death.

Jesus calmed the wind and the waves. He displayed His power over creation and demonstrated that He is truly God. God has power over the wind and the waves. (See Job 12:15; 28:25; Ps. 33:7; 107:25-30; Amos 4:13.) 

Jesus’ disciples knew Jesus was a good man and a good teacher. But when Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, He showed His disciples that He is also God. God rules the sea and stills its waves. (Psalm 89:9)

As you talk with your kids, seize the opportunity to share the gospel. Help them understand the truth the disciples did not yet fully grasp. Who is this man? He is the Messiah, the Savior, and the Son of God.

Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ Jesus and the disciples were in a boat during a storm.
  • ○ Jesus told the wind and waves to be still.
  • ○ Jesus showed His friends that He is the Lord.
  • ○ Jesus has power over everything He made.
  • ○ Jesus showed He is God’s Son.
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Jesus calmed a storm. 
  • ○ Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus performed miracles to show He is the Son of God.
• ● Kids
  • ○ Jesus calmed a storm to show the disciples He is God. 
  • ○ Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus performed miracles to glorify God, to show He is the Son of God, and to care for people.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE
• ● Psalm 40:5
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “Jesus Fed a Crowd” (Matthew 14; Mark 6; Luke 9; John 6)

Go to our website, stonewaterchurch.com, scroll down to the Kids’ Service button and click on “Parents” for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

Sunday, July 26th

A very large crowd—thousands of people (Luke 12:1)—had gathered around Jesus as He taught His disciples. The people recognized Him as a rabbi (teacher), so it was not unusual that someone called out, asking Jesus to settle a financial dispute. But Jesus knew the man was motivated by greed, and He told a story.

In Jesus’ parable, a rich man had so many crops that he decided to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. That way, he could store everything he had and take it easy. But the man was foolish and short-sighted. He didn’t consider he could die that very night. The saying is true: “You can’t take it with you.” Rather than storing up treasures for ourselves, we should live to glorify God and live generously, using what we have on earth to make an eternal impact.

Jesus also addressed worry with His disciples. Jesus’ followers should not be anxious about their basic needs. God takes care of the birds and the flowers. People are God’s most valuable and beloved creatures; we can trust Him to provide for us!

Jesus contrasted the way the unsaved Gentiles lived with how believers should live. Unbelievers seek wealth and possessions as if that was the main goal in life. They act like God does not care about their needs. But our focus should not be on ourselves, our wealth and our possessions; we should focus on God’s kingdom. We do not need to worry. God will provide. He is glad to give us what we need!

God gives us good gifts on earth. We can steward these gifts for His glory. Earthly treasures will not last forever. Jesus is our greatest treasure. Jesus left His place in heaven to live humbly on earth. Jesus obeyed God to set up His kingdom. We can give generously and trust God to provide everything we need.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ Jesus taught about the things we own.
  • ○ Jesus said to seek God’s kingdom first.
  • ○ When we treasure Jesus, He gives us what we need.
  • ○ Jesus is our greatest treasure.
  • ○ Jesus taught about God.
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Jesus taught people not to worry.
  • ○ What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom.
• ● Kids
  • ○ Jesus taught people not to worry because God provides for our needs.
  • ○ What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom. He taught that all Scripture is about Him.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● John 14:25-26 (Preschool: John 14:26)
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “The Good Shepherd” (John 10)

Go to our website, stonewaterchurch.com, scroll down to the Kids’ Service button and click on “Parents” for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

Sunday, July 12th

The benefits of following Jesus are wonderful: justification from sin, lifelong sanctification, and adoption into the family of God. But following Jesus also comes at a price. People had waited so long for the promised Messiah to come into the world, so many were eager to follow Him. Yet as Jesus taught, He urged people to consider the cost of being His disciple.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus explained to one disciple that following Him might involve giving up worldly comforts. He told another disciple that following Him should be higher priority than anything else—even one’s commitment to his parents. (See Matt. 8:18-22.) In Matthew 16 and Luke 9, Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

Jesus shared two examples in Luke 14 of people who must count the cost of doing something. If a person is building a tower, he must first calculate the cost. If he begins the project and is unable to complete it, onlookers will ridicule him. In a similar way, a king counts the cost of going to war before sending out his army. If he is not able to oppose the enemy, he doesn’t foolishly send out a small group to fight a larger group. Instead, he seeks peace.

Many who wanted to follow Jesus changed their minds. Jesus even asked the twelve disciples if they wanted to turn away as well. Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

Jesus taught that following Him is not easy. It requires commitment and sacrifice. When we trust in Jesus, we give Him complete control of our lives. True life is found in Jesus, who gave up His life to rescue us from sin and death. He is worth it.

Paul acknowledged the difficulty of following Jesus in 2 Corinthians 4 but kept his eyes on eternity: “For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory” (v. 17). As you share with your kids, emphasize that following Jesus is not not easy, but He is worth it.

Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ Many people wanted to follow Jesus.
  • ○ Jesus told people they must love Him most of all to follow Him.
  • ○ People who follow Jesus will have life with Him forever.
  • ○ Following Jesus means letting Him be in charge.
  • ○ Jesus taught about God.
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Jesus taught that following Him is not easy.
  • ○ What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom.
• ● Kids
  • ○ Following Jesus is not easy, but He is worth it.
  • ○ What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom. He taught that all Scripture is about Him.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● John 14:25-26 (Preschool: John 14:26)
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “Jesus Taught About Prayer” (Luke 11; 18)

Go to our website, stonewaterchurch.com, scroll down to the Kids’ Service button and click on “Parents” for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

Sunday, June 28, 2020

In the Old Testament, Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah. Isaiah 35:5-6 tells about a time when “the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy.” When God the Son came to earth, He came as a Healer—removing skin diseases, raising the dead to life, making the lame walk, and giving sight to the blind.

John 9 gives us a glimpse of the kingdom of God, where creation is redeemed, and opens our eyes to the greater purpose of suffering in our lives. The disciples asked Jesus a question that many still wrestle with today: Why is this person suffering? (In this case, why was this man born blind?) Was it because of sin?

Jesus’ answer gives hope to anyone facing suffering: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned. This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him” (John 9:3). Because Jesus is Lord over everything, all suffering in this life has meaning and purpose.

Miraculously, Jesus gave sight to the man who was blind. The man’s neighbors noticed the change, and he told them what Jesus had done for him. But the reaction of the religious leaders—skepticism and unbelief—reveals a different kind of blindness: spiritual blindness. Sin keeps us from seeing what is true about God. Jesus came as light into a dark world. He helps us see what is true so we can know God.

Our sin makes us unable to see the truth about God. Jesus came as a light in a dark world. He came to give us sight—true understanding of God and His kingdom. Those who trust in Jesus see who He is and worship Him.

Those who trust in Jesus are freed from sin and worship Jesus as Lord. We can live fully in the light of Jesus as we seek to make Him known to others so that their eyes might be opened to the truth of the gospel as well.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ Jesus healed a man who could not see.
  • ○ Jesus’ friends thought the man did something wrong to be blind.
  • ○ Jesus said the man was blind to show God’s power.
  • ○ Jesus helps us see what is true about God.
  • ○ God created people for His glory.
• ● Preschoold
  • ○ Jesus healed a man who could not see.
  • ○ Why did God create people? God created people to love Him and give Him glory.
• ● Kids
  • ○ Jesus gave sight to a man who was blind. 
  • ○ Why did God create people? God created people to worship Him, love Him, and show His glory.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● Isaiah 53:4-5 
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “The Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5–7)

Go to our website, stonewaterchurch.com, scroll down to the Kids’ Service button and click on “Parents” for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

Sunday, June 14, 2020

Jesus had just returned from the region of the Gerasenes, where He had healed a man with an unclean spirit. He crossed the Sea of Galilee and came on shore, where He was surrounded by a large crowd of people. News of Jesus’ teachings and healings was spreading, and people wanted to see Jesus. They wanted to learn from Him and be healed.

Jairus, a leader in the synagogue, came to Jesus in crisis. His daughter was at the point of death. Without Jesus’ help, she would surely die. Jesus went with Jairus, but as He walked, a woman in the crowd came up behind Him and touched His robes. She too was desperate for healing. The woman believed that Jesus’ power was strong enough to heal her even if all she did was touch His robes. Because she had faith, Jesus healed her.

Imagine Jairus’s devastation when he heard that his daughter had died. The people suggested that Jesus was too late to help her, but Jesus proved them wrong. He went to Jairus’s house and raised the little girl from the dead.

By healing the woman and raising the little girl from the dead, Jesus showed His power as the Messiah. Jesus died on the cross and rose again to save people from sin and death. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sins and changes us to be more like His Son.

As you talk with your kids, point out that the woman and the father of the little girl came to Jesus in faith. They needed Jesus’ help, and they trusted in Jesus’ power to heal. After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, He ascended to heaven. Even though Jesus is not physically on earth today, we can pray and ask God to heal people who are sick. Whether or not God grants physical healing, we can rest knowing that He brings ultimate healing through His Son, Jesus.

Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ A woman touched Jesus’ robes to be healed.
  • ○ Jesus made a girl alive again.
  • ○ Jesus showed His power as the Messiah.
  • ○ Jesus can heal and give dead people life.
  • ○ God created people for His glory.
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Jesus healed a woman and brought a girl back to life.
  • ○ Why did God create people? God created people to love Him and give Him glory.
• ● Kids
  • ○ Jesus healed a woman and raised a girl from the dead.
  • ○ Why did God create people? God created people to worship Him, love Him, and show His glory.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● Isaiah 53:4-5 
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “Jesus Healed a Man Who Was Lame” (John 5)

Go to our website, stonewaterchurch.com, scroll down to the Kids’ Service button and click on “Parents” for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Dear Parents,

At the time Jesus was on earth, Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along. The strife between the two groups stretched back hundreds of years, to the Babylonian exile.

When the Babylonians attacked Judah, they moved a large group of God’s people away from their homes. But some of the people—the poorest, sickest, least able to work—were left behind in the region that became known as Samaria. The exile lasted 70 years. During that time, those left in Samaria began to mingle with their neighbors to the north. They intermarried and practiced foreign customs. While the Samaritans still believed in God, they adapted foreign beliefs as well.

The Jews who returned home from Babylon to rebuild God’s temple in Jerusalem rejected this new way of life. They were dedicated to obeying and worshiping God, so they didn’t agree with the Samaritans’ practices. The Samaritans opposed the Jews’ efforts to reestablish their nation. In time, the Jews’ hate for the Samaritans grew—so much so that a Jew traveling from Judea to Galilee would take a longer route to travel around Samaria rather than through it.

Jesus broke down barriers when He traveled to Galilee by way of Samaria. Even more surprising, Jesus stopped at a well around noon and asked a Samaritan woman for a drink. Jewish men did not speak to women in public.

But Jesus was kind to her, and He offered her a gift: living water. The woman didn’t understand, but Jesus revealed His knowledge of her past. He even gave her a glimpse of the future. The Samaritan woman expected a Messiah to come and fix everything. Jesus said, “I am He.”

Explain to kids that the living water Jesus offers is the Holy Spirit. (See John 7:37-39.) The Holy Spirit is a gift that He is eager to give us when we ask Him. Those who receive His grace will never be thirsty again.

Jesus offers something better than physical water; He gives us Himself. Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to everyone who comes to Him by faith. We can worship Him as Lord and Savior wherever we are.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ Anyone who trusts in Jesus will be saved.
  • ○ Jesus cared for people.
  • ○ Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman.
  • ○ The woman told people to come and hear Jesus.
  • ○ Many people believed Jesus is God’s Son.
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Jesus loves all people.
  • ○ What makes people special? People are special because God made us in His own image.
• ● Kids
  • ○ Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to those who believe. 
  • ○ What makes people special? People are special because we are made in God’s image, as male and female, to know Him.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● John 3:16
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “Jesus Healed Ten Men” (Luke 17)

Go to our website, stonewaterchurch.com, scroll down to the Kids’ Service button and click on “Parents” for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Jesus was about 30 years old when He began His earthly ministry. After John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, Jesus was tempted in the desert. Jesus traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover. Then He headed north to Galilee. He went through the region of Samaria, stopping at Jacob’s well to talk to a Samaritan woman.

After, Jesus went to the town of Nazareth, where He had grown up. Nazareth was a small village in the hills between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea. On the Sabbath day, Jesus went into the synagogue to teach. He read aloud the words of the prophet Isaiah. (See Isa. 61:1-2.) Jesus sat down. Everyone’s eyes were on Him as He explained, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.” Jesus was saying, It’s Me. The words Jesus read were coming true. Some people remembered Jesus from His youth. They asked, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

Jesus knew their thoughts; Jesus had performed miracles in Capernaum, and the people wanted Jesus to do miracles in His hometown too. Jesus reminded them of two Old Testament accounts. Many widows lived in Israel when the prophet Elijah was there, but God sent Elijah to help a widow in another country. And Elisha likely encountered Israelites who had leprosy, but he healed Naaman the Syrian.

Jesus wanted the people to understand that His miracles were an act of grace—a gift. No one deserves God’s grace, so God may show grace to whomever He pleases—even Gentiles. The people were angry about that last part. They drove Jesus away, intending to kill Him, but Jesus escaped through the crowd.

As you share with your kids, explain that Jesus came to give sight to the blind and to set the captives free. He came preaching good news to all the people groups. Finally, the Messiah had come! Jesus was God’s plan to save sinners.

 Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote about God’s plan to send a Messiah. The Messiah would bring good news and redeem people who were broken and hurting. Jesus read Isaiah’s words and announced that He is the promised Messiah.

Go to our website, stonewaterchurch.com, scroll down to the Kids’ Service button and click on “Parents” for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS 

• ● Babies and Toddlers
  • ○ Jesus saves people from sin.
  • ○ Jesus cared for people.
  • ○ Jesus read Isaiah’s message in Nazareth.
  • ○ Jesus said God sent Him to preach good news.
  • ○ God sent Jesus because He loves us.
• ● Preschool
  • ○ Jesus taught that He is the Messiah.
  • ○ What makes people special? People are special because God made us in His own image.
• ● Kids
  • ○ Jesus taught that He is the Messiah. 
  • ○ What makes people special? People are special because we are made in God’s image, as male and female, to know Him.
• UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• ● John 3:16
• NEXT WEEK 
• ● “Jesus and Nicodemus” (John 3)