Our elementary curriculum builds on the biblical foundation laid for kids in preschool. We want them to see the excellent character of our all-powerful God and why He is the hero of every story. We do that by looking at 36 godly character traits – one per month – with weekly Finish Lines that teach kids about God, His Word, and how He can help us reflect His character to the world. Our character trait for June is DILIGENCE.
Definition: Consistently working with all my heart to bring glory to God
This week's Finish Line: God gives us what we need for work
Looking for this week's Preschool content? Click here.
WATCH This:
READ & DISCUSS This:
Acts 2: 1-12 NLT
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome
11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.
1. Who was in Jerusalem and why were they there? (Pentecost was a Jewish holiday celebrating the first crops of the harvest. It was so important, Jews from all over the Roman empire came to Jerusalem to celebrate and afterwards go back to their own cities.)
2. What happened when the believers were meeting together? (The Holy Spirit came to all the believers.) What ability did the Holy Spirit give to the believers who were in the room at Pentecost? (He gave them the ability to speak in a language they hadn’t learned so they could share the Gospel with the visitors in Jerusalem.)
Acts 2:38 NLT
38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
3. How did the Holy Spirit give Peter what he needed to be diligent in the work Jesus called him to do? (The Holy Spirit gave Peter the right words to say, the ability to speak to people in their own language and the courage to boldly share about Jesus.)
4. Do remember what we learned last week? ((Hint: Matthew 28:16-20) Just like Jesus gave a task to His disciples, He calls every believer to be a witness for Him and live in a way that honors Him. The good news is that God will give us what we need to be diligent and do the work that He calls us to do!)
DO This:
Doing Hard Work: Work is good and glorifying to the Lord. But sometimes work can be hard, and that’s ok. This week as a family, choose some work that you need to get done that isn’t your favorite and even something that you do not enjoy doing. Maybe that’s exercising, or maybe that’s pulling weeds and doing some yard work. Whatever it is, pray and ask the Lord to give you what you need to be diligent in the work you have to do so that you can work hard with a good attitude for God’s glory. Let’s get to work!
NARNIA Study Guide
The Knights of Narnia are challenging families this summer to read through the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Click here to download the Narnia Study Guide. This PDF will walk you through which chapters to read each week and then give you questions to answer as a family.