In light of not meeting on campus this week, we've provided the full small group lessons, family discussion questions, and activities for families to do together at home. Mix it up! Walk throught the lesson during your normal service time. You can choose to do the K1 Race lesson or the 2-5 grade lesson. Throughout the week, pick a family disussion question to talk about or an activity to do together.
When asked to describe yourself, what words come to mind? Some might start with physical appearance, others with personality traits or skills. For some, it’s easier to come up with positive traits but for others, we more easily see the parts of ourselves we deem less glamorous. One thing we must not forget is that the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-seeing Creator of the universe sculpted each of us uniquely. God does not make mistakes so no matter the length of your legs, the color of your hair, the level of your IQ, or your athletic skill, He looks at you, all of you, and loves you deeply. Trusting that can give you peace with how He made you.
PEACE: An Untroubled Heart that Comes from Trusting God
MEMORY VERSE: “I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line: Trusting God Gives Us Peace With How We Are Created
Psalm 139 records David’s praise of God for making him “so wonderfully complex.” While it’s easy to read this psalm and think about ourselves, a closer look helps us learn more about God’s character. He is omniscient (v.1-6), omnipresent (v.7-12), and omnipotent (v. 13-18). This means God knew exactly what He was doing when He created each of us. Paul explained more of God’s perfect design in 1 Corinthians 12 where he used a word picture of an entire body being made of all one part. This seems ridiculous at first but, it does show to us what would happen if we tried to be something other than what God created us to be. Paul wanted us to remember that the body of Christ is not meant to be made of all one part, but of many. God is the designer of the body and puts each part just where He wants it. Trusting God gives us peace with how we are created.
Family Time:
- Read Psalm 1-6, 13-18. What do these verses tell you about how God made you? When is it hard for you to trust the way God made you?
- What does it say about God that He made each of us so carefully complex?
- Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-20. What do these verses tell us about why God made us all different? Talk about the ways God made each member of your family different and celebrate the unique aspects of each person’s wiring and gifting.
- What can you remember is true when you’re tempted to compare yourself to others and not be at peace with the way God made you?
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Meal Time
While at dinner this week read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 aloud to your family. After reading, have them answer a few questions.
- How does Paul compare all believers to a body?
- Do you ever think you are “less-than” because you don’t have the same gifts as someone else?
- When are you tempted to think that your God-given gifts are better than another’s?
Next, read Psalm 139:14 to your family. Teach them that God deserves praise for how He has made us and remind them that He does not make mistakes.
Print out the K-1 Race coloring page and let them draw or write all of the things about themselves that they can thank God for.
Friend: Drive Time
As you are driving have your kids name all of the different makes and models of vehicles that you drive past. Make it a game to see who can name as many different types of cars (sedan, SUV, mini-van, truck, motorcycle) as possible in ten minutes! Ask them why they think there are so many different styles of vehicles. Why don’t all those different companies just make cars? Why don’t they just make trucks? After they have answered, point them back to how God also made many different people with so many different gifts. He made us on purpose, with purpose, and has a specific plan for EACH of us in His kingdom work.
Counselor: Bedtime
As you are putting your family to bed, spend time encouraging each of them. Tell them specifically why you are thankful for the way that God has made them. Encourage them with the unique gifts that you have seen in them and tell them that you cannot wait to see how God will use them! Pray for them and praise God for their life and how He made them.
Coach: Anytime
Encourage your family to look for ways they can celebrate how God has made and gifted others. Brainstorm with your kids ways they can look for opportunities to encourage kids when they are back at school! Explain to them that their words have influence and they can use them to build others up. Remember to follow up and ask if they have any stories of how they encouraged others in how God made them when normal daily activities resume.
Prayer
Thank God for specific ways He made you unique. Thank Him for how He fits you into His body & uses your gifts for His glory. Ask Him to help you trust Him when you are tempted to not be at peace with how He created you.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will continue the month of March with the godly character trait, PEACE. We will learn that trusting God allows us to be at peace with others.
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