Can you think of anything today that promised instant satisfaction? Maybe it was your lunch- it was quicker to go through a drive-thru than to cook a four course meal for the family. Or maybe you can think of something clearer from your own childhood... Maybe you can remember those fancy super-trendy shoes that EVERYONE had, and now you can't remember where they are? I bet there's a lot of things you can remember that you HAD to have years ago, and now they're in the trash or collecting dust somewhere. Isn't it interesting how the world's promises are always just temporary?
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: This world's promises are temporary, but God's promises last forever
This week, we looked at the "Parable of the Rich Fool" Jesus tells in Luke 12:16-21. By using a story like this, Jesus could share that we should not put our hope in the promise of things here on earth. The man in the story wasn't wrong to save up crops for later (there are plenty of Proverbs on saving ahead), but the man was placing his hope in having plenty of things on earth instead of caring about his own soul. It's easy to see from this story how silly it would be to invest all of his time and energy into something that he won't even get to enjoy tomorrow.
Family Questions:
- Read Luke 12:16-21 together. Why do you think Jesus told this story? And why was this man a fool?
- When you die, do you get to take any of your stuff with you?
- What does Jesus say is the most important thing? (verse 21)
- How can we have a relationship with God?
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
TEACHER: Eternal Activities
At dinner this week, make a list of various activities that each of you did during the week. These can be small things (took out the trash for mom, read my Bible, played a new video game), or bigger things (had the neighbors over for dinner). Think of lots of things- not just "impressive" things, and write them all down. Then, go through each item on the list and decide if the activity was temporary or eternal. Try to be intentional even in how you think about daily activities together! How can you as a family do more eternally significant activities?
FRIEND: Temporary Promises
While driving in the car this week, tell your kids funny memories of things you HAD to have when you were a kid. They'll love hearing stories of the silly things you wanted, but also be sure and tell them where those things are now! Those things probably didn't satisfy you for long.
COUNSELOR: God's Forever Promises
During bedtime this week, read Revelation 21:1-7 together. Ask your child to tell you what they think that passage means, especially verses 4-5. Ask your child if they understand how amazing heaven will be (none of us do!), and discuss together why it's important to have an eternal perspective every day. What are ways you can have an eternal perspective this week?
COACH: Memory Verses!
One day this week, have a contest to see who knows this month's memory verse best. (Romans 15:13) For extra points, ask who can explain what it means? If everyone in the family knows it, go out for ice cream together to celebrate!
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 we will start a new unit on COURAGE. We will look at Peter & John in Acts 4.