Parents, think back on one of your celebrity or famous athlete role model from when you were little. Where are they now? Some might still be living a life worth looking up to, but most of us would say otherwise. Not many celebrities can handle the pressure of the world's expectations of them to be the most inspiring role model, and they inevitably disappoint us. You might even be able to remember how it felt when they did! Or maybe the person who disappointed you most was someone closer to you, not a far-off celebrity, but a real life everyday disappointment, and you discovered you had placed your hope in a person rather than in God Himself.
HOPE: Having confidence in God's promises.
MEMORY VERSE: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line: People will disappoint but God always keeps His promises
This week, we looked at the story of Elijah at Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18. The people of Israel, God's chosen people, had chosen to fall away from God and put their hope in idols and false gods. They started to believe all the false prophets that had risen up, and Elijah was a strong opposing voice in this day. This chapter tells a pretty crazy story of how God proved He always keeps His promises, and anyone or anything else will disappoint us.
Family Questions:
- Read 1 Kings 18:20-39 together as a family. What kind of contest did Elijah suggest?
- As they were setting up, what did Elijah do differently than the prophets of Baal?
- What happened in the contest? How did God show His power?
- What did the people say when they saw what happened?
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
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TEACHER: Memorize God's Word
At dinner this week, read the memory verse together as a family (Romans 15:13). This verse is a great one to have stored away, because we can remember that God gives us joy as we trust in Him! Practice it together by each saying a phrase of the verse as you go. Ask your kids when they think they might need to remember this verse.
FRIEND: Role Models
While driving in the car this week, ask your kids a simple question of who their role models are? It could be a famous athlete, a singer, a coach or teacher, or even a friend. Have everyone go around and name a few of the people they look up to- including you! Ask your kids how they would feel if that person let them down. Is it possible they might? Of course it's important to have role models, but talk to your kids about the importance of having all of our hope in God!
COUNSELOR: Disappointments
During bedtime this week, ask your kids if they've ever been disappointed by someone. What happened? How did they feel? Share your own stories too. What could help next time? Pray together for those people, and also pray for yourselves, that you would keep your eyes on Jesus even though you might disappoint others too.
COACH: Start a Fire
One day this week, have a family campfire! Before you start the fire, ask your kids if they can remember the story of Elijah we talked about this week. Review what happened in the challenge. If you've got space for 2 fires, set up 2 different ones, and douse the first one with several buckets of water. Show your kids how miraculous it was that God lit that fire! Enjoy the dry wood campfire together, and roast some s'mores as you celebrate having our hope in God!
Prayer
Thank God for never disappointing you. Ask Him to help you to trust Him when you’re tempted to put your hope in a person instead of fully on Him. Thank Him for all the promises He has kept & all His promises that are waiting to be fulfilled.
Looking Ahead
Next week continue to study HOPE, and look at Luke 12:16-21. The world's promises are temporary but God's promises last forever!
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