What does it mean to be a good person? Someone who is generally nice to others? Maybe they volunteer with a nonprofit reads their Bible every day without fail. The truth is that we can never be good on our own. No matter how many “good” things we do, we will never measure up to how amazing our good God is. He is the only one who can make us good. Our goodness is an overflow of God’s goodness to us. This week, the story of Peter reminds us that a relationship with Jesus means being forgiven and given opportunities to reflect His goodness to others!
GOODNESS: A Heart that Reflects the Excellent Character of God
MEMORY VERSE: “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart." LUKE 6:45 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line: Our Goodness Is an Overflow of God's Goodness to Us
The rooster crowed. The Messiah turned and looked at Peter. Peter wept bitterly as he remembered Jesus’ words, “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me” (Luke 22:61 NLT). After He rose from the dead, Jesus appeared to His disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. Three times Jesus asked Peter if Peter loved Him, and three times Peter affirmed his love for Jesus. Three times! Jesus loved Peter and never gave up on him. He even gave Peter the important job of helping to lead the church and caring for other believers. What an encouragement to know that God loves to use imperfect people, fill them with His goodness, and give them opportunities to share His goodness with others!
Family Questions:
- Read Luke 22:54-62. What did 3 different people say about Peter?* (Three different people said they thought he was one of Jesus’ disciples.)* How did he respond to each person? (Peter denied it. He said they were wrong.)
- Read John 21:15-19 What question did Jesus ask Peter 3 times? (Do you love me?) How did Peter respond each time? (Yes Lord, you know I love you.)
- How did Jesus show GOODNESS to Peter? (Jesus loved Peter and forgave him. Jesus didn’t give up on Peter even though Peter had sinned.)
- What did Jesus tell Peter to do? (Feed my sheep.) What do you think that means? (Jesus was telling Peter to take care of the people who believed in Him. Jesus wanted Peter to teach, lead, and care for the early church because they would need someone to care for them.) Why do you think Jesus gave Peter this job? (Maybe to show how God’s goodness can shine even through imperfect people.)
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Meal Time
Read Luke 6:45. Talk about things we feed our minds and hearts and how we see them come out in what we think, say, and do. Examples: TV shows, video games, people we’re friends with, what we read, music choices, etc. Talk about what you are putting in your minds and hearts right now. What things do you need to stop feeding your mind? What do you need to start feeding your mind? Brainstorm ways your family can encourage each other to put good things into your hearts and minds this week.
Friend: Drive Time
We’ve been learning all month about God’s goodness, so take some time as a family to praise Him for it. Turn the volume up and sing a favorite song together! Here are a few of our favorites:
- Super Wonderful
- Unstoppable God
- Never Be Shaken
Counselor: Bedtime
As you are putting your kids to bed, spend some time in prayer thanking God for His goodness and how He has shown it to you. Ask Him to show you how you can share His goodness with others in creative ways this week. Remind yourself and your kids that our goodness is an overflow of God’s goodness to us!
Coach: Anytime
Learn or review this month’s memory verse, Luke 6:45, as a family. Here are a few suggestions: Write it with wipe off markers on your bathroom mirror and erase one word at a time. Practice “popcorn style,” where each family member says one word until the entire verse is completed. Write it on post-it notes and stick them up around your house.
Prayer
Thank God for the goodness He has shown to you and ask Him to help you share His goodness with others this week.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will jump into a new month and new character trait: Humility.
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