Happy New Year! As you’re looking forward to the New Year, you may be thinking about making resolutions to “get it right” this year or “be better” or maybe leave behind some old habits. Despite how many New Year’s resolutions we make or goals we set, we can’t make ourselves into the person we think God wants us to be or just “be better” on our own. And guess what? That’s good news! God wants to change our hearts to make them more like His, but that’s work He must do, not us. Yes, we have choices we must make every day, but for those of us who have trusted in Christ’s saving grace on the cross, we don’t have to make the choices alone. God has given us the Holy Spirit. Really, He’s given us Himself, to be with us and do the work in us that we can’t do for ourselves. So, as you look forward to this next year, make your New Year’s resolutions, but do them with your Creator in mind, knowing that only He can make the true change you hope for in your life.
REVIEW WEEKEND: Respect, Responsibility, Fear, Faith & Timeline
MEMORY VERSE: “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line: Respect, Responsibility, Fear, Faith & Timeline
As many people do at the beginning of a new year, this weekend we took the opportunity to start the year by looking back. We wanted to remind ourselves what God has taught us so far this school year. Over the last 4 months we’ve learned about the Godly character traits of respect, responsibility, fear, and faith. We also reminded ourselves about the big story God tells thru the bible by looking at the first 3 eras of our bible timeline: Creation, Patriarchs, Exodus. Through everything we’ve learned, we’ve gotten so see how amazing and wonderful our all-powerful, all-knowing, all-seeing creator God is.
Family Questions:
- What are the first three periods of the timeline?
- What are the four key words for Genesis? (Creation, Fall, Flood, Tower)
- What are the key four words for Patriarchs? (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph)
- What are the four key words for Exodus? (Slavery, Rescue, Law, Wandering)
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: RESPECT
As a family spend some time this week reviewing our last three character traits of God. While at dinner, spend a few minutes talking about respect. Read 1 Peter 2:17 out loud. Then ask your family, "Why is it important to honor what God says is true about Himself, others, and you?"
Friend: RESPONSIBILITY
While driving in the car, ask your kids to tell you what responsibility is. Then have one of them read Galatians 6:4-5 aloud. Have your kids explain how those verses tell us to be responsible. Then ask them, "What are some of the things God has called you to do? How can He help you be responsible?"
Counselor: FEAR
As you are putting your family to bed ask them if they think fear can be a good thing. Explain to them that some fear is not bad but rather means having great respect for something or someone. Then read Deuteronomy 10:12. Have your kids answer these questions. What does it mean to fear the Lord? What do you remember is true about Him?
Coach: FAITH
As you get your family ready for the day read Hebrews 11:1 to them. Ask them what it is called when we trust God, His Word, and His promises? If they are unable to give an answer explain to them that it is character trait of Faith. What are some promises He has made and kept for you?
Prayer
Thank God for another new year to continue growing and learning about Him! Thank Him for His characteristics of respect, responsibility, fear, and faith, and for making us in His image.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will continue the month of January with the Godly characteristic of RIGHTEOUSNESS. We will learn that only God is righteous.
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