12.21 Family Experience Resources

Christmas Vacation - Week 3

Grab your sandals, sunblock, and swim gear because it’s time for a Christmas Vacation! We’ll be making sand angels and roasting chestnuts around an open bonfire on our tropical getaway. You’ve never experienced Christmas like this! In this five-week series, our families will focus on the birth of Jesus and the way God had been planning things from the very beginning. We’ll see how God sent Jesus for a reason, learn to trust God’s timing, and see how Jesus is why we celebrate because Jesus is God’s gift to the world.

JOIN US FOR Christmas Brunch AT 10AM IN PERSON

AND

Family Experience Worship  AT 10:50!

 

BIG IDEA: Jesus is why we celebrate!

BIBLE: Luke 1:26- Luke 2:1-20 

 

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world." John 1:9 (NIV) 

 

Toddler Twist: "Jesus brings light to the world! John 1:9

 

SONG: Celebrate and Light of the World

 

PARENT DEVOTIONAL

12.14 Family Experience Resources

Christmas Vacation - Week 2

Grab your sandals, sunblock, and swim gear because it’s time for a Christmas Vacation! We’ll be making sand angels and roasting chestnuts around an open bonfire on our tropical getaway. You’ve never experienced Christmas like this! In this five-week series, our families will focus on the birth of Jesus and the way God had been planning things from the very beginning. We’ll see how God sent Jesus for a reason, learn to trust God’s timing, and see how Jesus is why we celebrate because Jesus is God’s gift to the world.

BIG IDEA: We can trust God’s timing.

BIBLE: Luke 1:5–25; 2 Peter 3:8–15

 

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world." John 1:9 (NIV) 

 

Toddler Twist: "Jesus brings light to the world! John 1:9

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

 

SONG: Celebrate and Light of the World

 

DISCIPLE: 

Play a round of charades by having each family member take turns acting out clues. Create a list of words using characters from the Bible story (angel, Zechariah, Elizabeth, baby) and words related to a tropical Christmas (beach, island, palm tree, waves, surfing, sun). 

* Whisper the word or provide images for non-readers.

 

Say: It’s really tough trying to communicate without being able to speak if that’s what we’re used to. Just imagine — Zechariah had to do this for nine months while he waited for baby John to be born! 

Of course, this doesn’t mean that anytime we don’t believe something about God right away, we will go through what Zechariah did. But it seems this might have been what Zechariah needed to experience in order to fully accept God’s promise. Once the baby was born and Zechariah could speak again, I bet he was speechless anyway. 

How incredible that God allowed John to come into the world, but even more incredible that John would prepare the world for the savior, Jesus? We can trust God’s timing.

 

Pray: "God, we know that we get impatient waiting for you sometimes, but remind us that your timing is perfect, so we can trust that always. Thank you for patiently waiting for us as we learn and grow each day. Remind us that we are a part of a bigger story. Thank you for including us in that bigger story. Amen"

 

PARENT DEVOTIONAL

 

12.7 Family Experience Resources

Christmas Vacation - Week 1

Grab your sandals, sunblock, and swim gear because it’s time for a Christmas Vacation! We’ll be making sand angels and roasting chestnuts around an open bonfire on our tropical getaway. You’ve never experienced Christmas like this! In this five-week series, our families will focus on the birth of Jesus and the way God had been planning things from the very beginning. We’ll see how God sent Jesus for a reason, learn to trust God’s timing, and see how Jesus is why we celebrate because Jesus is God’s gift to the world.

BIG IDEA: God sent Jesus for a reason.

BIBLE: John 1:1–17; Psalm 80:1–7

 

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world." John 1:9 (NIV) 

 

Toddler Twist: "Jesus brings light to the world! John 1:9

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

 

SONG: Celebrate and Light of the World

 

DISCIPLE: 

Give each family member a piece of black construction paper and a white crayon. Have them try to draw a light source (sun, light bulb, candle) with their eyes closed. On the back side, have them try it with their eyes open.

 

Say: Wasn’t it so much easier to draw with “the lights on?” Following God isn’t easy as it is, but doing it without Jesus is like drawing with the lights out. Having Jesus makes all the difference! God sent Jesus for a reason.

 

Read or paraphrase John 1:1-17 together and pray.

 

Pray: "God, thank you for sending Jesus as the savior we so badly needed and still need today. Help us to step out of the darkness and draw closer to your light. Help this Christmas season to be different so that we can show others how much you love this world. Amen"

 

PARENT DEVOTIONAL

 

11.30 Family Experience Resources

On the right track - Week 4

Racers, start your engines! In a race, you might need to navigate obstacles, pit stops, and tight turns in order to stay on the right track. As you’re zooming through the track, there’s so much to think about and it can be hard to stay focused on what’s most important! In this four-week series, our families will learn some important stories from Joshua about how obstacles are no problem for God and courage comes from knowing God’s words. No matter how long the race, God can use someone like you because with God, there is victory!

BIG IDEA: With God, there is victory!

BIBLE: Joshua 5:13–6:25; Psalm 100

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23  (NIV) 

Toddler Twist: "God will always be there for me!" Hebrews 10:23

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video 

SONG: My Lighthouse and See A Victory

 

DISCIPLE:

Show this clip from “Cars” or this clip from Cars 3 (or both, if you have time). 

  • FOR BIGS: You might want to pull a racing scene clip from movies like Speed Racer (2008), Wreck-It Ralph (2012), Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), or The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023).

Lightning McQueen in the Cars movies started out as a fresh rookie racecar whose only purpose was to race and win. But as his story went on, he started to care about others more than he cared about winning. So, even in those instances when he didn’t really win, he was still able to have some kind of victory.

 

If the Israelites had only cared about winning, they would not have marched around the Jericho walls blowing trumpets. But they knew that God would give them the win in the right way and at the right time. Remember Rahab? She believed it, too. She helped hide the spies that were scoping out the land. That’s why she was saved when the walls came down. 

 

God gave the Israelites victory over Jericho because they trusted God’s instructions and believed that only with God, there is victory!

Pray: Dear God, there is nothing you cannot do! We love and praise you because you give us victory! Amen.

 

PARENT DEVOTIONAL

11.23 Family Experience Resources

On the right track - Week 3

Racers, start your engines! In a race, you might need to navigate obstacles, pit stops, and tight turns in order to stay on the right track. As you’re zooming through the track, there’s so much to think about and it can be hard to stay focused on what’s most important! In this four-week series, our families will learn some important stories from Joshua about how obstacles are no problem for God and courage comes from knowing God’s words. No matter how long the race, God can use someone like you because with God, there is victory!

BIG IDEA: God can use someone like me.

BIBLE: Joshua 2; Matthew 25:14–30

 

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23  (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "God will always be there for me!" Hebrews 10:23

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

 

SONG: My Lighthouse and See A Victory

 

DISCIPLE: Read Joshua 2

Show a video of safety vehicles like tow trucks at a racetrack (you can show the first few minutes of this video). 

  • FOR BIGS: Speaking of how God uses us this week, take the time to encourage your older kiddos about their various gifts. Some gifts might be more conspicuous and others might be somewhat hidden. Spend time with them to learn their strengths and ways they can help out in your ministry.

How important are the jobs of these vehicles at a race? It’s easy to overlook them because they’re not flashy racing cars, but without them, what would happen if an accident took place? It would be a mess! 

Rahab might not have been someone whom people looked up to or recognized for her place in society, but she turned out to be exactly the right person to help God’s people plan their entrance into the Promised Land.. 

All of us have something we can do that is useful. God can use someone like me and you for amazing things, no matter how small of a contribution you might think it is. 

Pray: Dear God, thank you for using someone like me! Teach me to help and do good toward others. Amen.

 

PARENT DEVOTIONAL

11.16 Family Experience Resources

On the right track - Week 2

Racers, start your engines! In a race, you might need to navigate obstacles, pit stops, and tight turns in order to stay on the right track. As you’re zooming through the track, there’s so much to think about and it can be hard to stay focused on what’s most important! In this four-week series, our families will learn some important stories from Joshua about how obstacles are no problem for God and courage comes from knowing God’s words. No matter how long the race, God can use someone like you because with God, there is victory!

BIG IDEA: Courage comes from knowing God’s words.

BIBLE: Joshua 1; 24:14–25; Psalm 78:1–7

 

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23  (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "God will always be there for me!" Hebrews 10:23

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

 

SONG: My Lighthouse and See A Victory

 

DISCIPLE:

Show a clip from the movie “Cars” to your family, where Doc advises Lightning about drifting, like this one (stop at 2:30 if short on time).

  • FOR BIGS: Instead of or in addition to showing this clip, talk with your kids about any advice they’ve been given that they felt resistant to follow. Why was that? Was it because it was bad advice or because of other reasons? Then talk about any resistance they might feel about learning from Scripture.

  • FOR LITTLES: At the beginning of this movie, Lightning McQueen is convinced he’s the greatest rookie racer and doesn’t need anyone’s advice. It’s only when he realizes one of the advice-givers was racing legend, Doc Hudson, that he starts paying attention. Then he not only learns a valuable skill — “go right to go left” — but he also becomes more compassionate, too. 

There are times when we might feel like we know what God is saying to us . . . we’ve heard it so many times before. But knowing is not enough. When we trust that courage comes from knowing God’s words, we can be really courageous and go out and do the things we know. 

What are some of God’s words from the Bible that you remember?

 

Pray: Dear God, thank you for your words. Please give me the courage to do what you teach us to do through your words! Amen.

 

PARENT DEVOTIONAL

11.9 Family Experience Resources

On the right track - Week 1

Racers, start your engines! In a race, you might need to navigate obstacles, pit stops, and tight turns in order to stay on the right track. As you’re zooming through the track, there’s so much to think about and it can be hard to stay focused on what’s most important! In this four-week series, our families will learn some important stories from Joshua about how obstacles are no problem for God and courage comes from knowing God’s words. No matter how long the race, God can use someone like you because with God, there is victory!

BIG IDEA: Obstacles are no problem for God!

BIBLE: Numbers 13–14:9; Psalm 107:1–7,33–37

 

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23  (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "God will always be there for me!" Hebrews 10:23

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

 

SONG: My Lighthouse and See A Victory

 

DISCIPLE: Read Numbers 13-14:9 together. 

For this activity, you will need a bunch of random supplies: yarn, tape, pipe cleaners, cotton balls, wax sticks, and any crafty thing you find in your house. Give each family member a shallow card board box or a large paper plate and a small marble (or mini car). Have them create a maze out of these materials, with creative obstacles. Afterward, have them navigate their marble through the maze by tilting the box strategically to get the car to the finish line. (See a worked example here.)

  • Even better than you are able to get your “car” to the finish line, God is able to steer you in the right direction, especially when obstacles are involved. Because obstacles are no problem for God!

Pray: Dear God, thank you for being bigger than any obstacle. Obstacles are no problem for you! Amen.

 

PARENT DEVOTIONAL

11.2 Family Experience Resources

Are We There Yet? - Week 5

Can you imagine needing to walk through the desert? You’d be surrounded by cacti, sand, snakes, and more sand. With the heat of the sun, we’d wind up so thirsty and wondering “Are we there yet?” That’s probably how the Israelites felt as they wandered around the desert, waiting to enter the Promised Land. But no matter how tired our feet get, we can focus on what’s happening in our lives right now rather than just on where we’re going. In this five-week series based on stories from Exodus, our families will explore how we can choose to be thankful, love God and others, turn to God when we’re lost, go to God when we need rest, and remember God’s promises.

BIG IDEA: We can remember God’s promises.

BIBLE: Numbers 20:1–13; Deuteronomy 34:1–12; Psalm 90

 

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19B  (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "Jesus makes a way for me!" Isaiah 43:19

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

 

SONG: Way Maker and Same God

 

DISCIPLE: Read or summarize Numbers 20:1-13

Show your family an image of the Antarctic desert. Then give a copy of the printable and some drawing supplies to each family member.

When you think of a "desert," what are the things you think of? Right — sand, sun, camels, cacti, tumbleweed, scorpions. 

But did you know that this is also a desert? (Show image of Antarctic desert)

  • Antarctica is also considered a desert because it gets even less rain than the Sahara Desert. Even though it looks nothing like a typical desert, it's still a desert! 

  • God's promises sometimes don't look the way we imagine they would. 

    • I'm sure when they started the journey, the Israelites thought they would get to the Promised Land right away with very little difficulty. But the Israelites traveled a long time in the desert to get to the land God had promised to them . . . forty years, in fact. 

    • And not everyone made it all the way to the Promised Land. As we read in our Bible story today, Moses and Aaron didn't end up in the Promised Land, but God's promise didn't change. Even though mistakes were made along the way, the Israelites eventually still arrived in the Promised Land. 

  • Even when things don't work out exactly the way we had hoped, we can remember God’s promises. In our memory verse for this month, God says in Isaiah 43:19b, "I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

    • Look at the empty desert drawing in front of you. 

    • How can you turn it into something different and unexpected? 

    • Maybe it's a desert with a playground. Or a freezing one with penguins and whales. Or maybe it's not even a desert . . . it's a beautiful beach! 

  • God can do anything beyond what we think is possible . . . like making an Antarctic Desert! 

 

PARENT DEVOTIONAL

10.26 Family Experience Resources

Are We There Yet? - Week 4

Can you imagine needing to walk through the desert? You’d be surrounded by cacti, sand, snakes, and more sand. With the heat of the sun, we’d wind up so thirsty and wondering “Are we there yet?” That’s probably how the Israelites felt as they wandered around the desert, waiting to enter the Promised Land. But no matter how tired our feet get, we can focus on what’s happening in our lives right now rather than just on where we’re going. In this five-week series based on stories from Exodus, our families will explore how we can choose to be thankful, love God and others, turn to God when we’re lost, go to God when we need rest, and remember God’s promises.

BIG IDEA: We can go to God when we need rest.

BIBLE: Exodus 33:7–23; Matthew 11:25–30

 

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19B  (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "Jesus makes a way for me!" Isaiah 43:19

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

 

SONG: Way Maker and Same God

 

DISCIPLE: Read or summarize Exodus 33:7-23

INSTRUCTIONS: Show an image of a bushcraft shelter. Have you family try to build a tent using blankets, towels, clothespins, rubber bands, and other supplies you have on hand. 

On a scale of 1 to 10, how challenging was the building process? Now, imagine trying to build a shelter with things that you find in the wilderness around you. That takes it to a whole new level!

When you train to go out into the wilderness, one of the survival skills you learn is how to build a shelter. You can't always carry a tent with you so you have to use the materials you find in the wild to build your shelter. A shelter protects you from the weather and whatever wildlife might be camping nearby. When you feel safe, it's easier for you to rest. 

 

In today's Bible story, Moses was promised two things: God's presence and rest. But these were not unrelated things. Moses was able to experience rest because he was in God's presence. He was able to calm his worries when he talked with God in the tent of meeting, and even more when he saw God's glory . . . at least from the back. God's presence was like a shelter that gave Moses rest. 

God does this for us too. We can go to God when we need rest. 

 

PARENT DEVOTIONAL

10.19 Family Experience Resources

Are We There Yet? - Week 3

Can you imagine needing to walk through the desert? You’d be surrounded by cacti, sand, snakes, and more sand. With the heat of the sun, we’d wind up so thirsty and wondering “Are we there yet?” That’s probably how the Israelites felt as they wandered around the desert, waiting to enter the Promised Land. But no matter how tired our feet get, we can focus on what’s happening in our lives right now rather than just on where we’re going. In this five-week series based on stories from Exodus, our families will explore how we can choose to be thankful, love God and others, turn to God when we’re lost, go to God when we need rest, and remember God’s promises.

BIG IDEA: We can turn to God when we’re lost.

BIBLE: Exodus 32:1–14; Philippians 4:4–9

 

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19B  (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "Jesus makes a way for me!" Isaiah 43:19

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

 

SONG: Way Maker and Same God

 

DISCIPLE: Read or summarize Exodus 32:1-14

Play this modified version of "Simon Says." Give your family commands where every movement is designed to get them to a specific destination ("Take two steps to the left," "Hop once to the front," "Turn to your right"). Your family has to follow every command preceded by "Siri Says" but must ignore the others. Anyone who moves when they're not supposed to has to sit down. 

If we were ever lost in the desert, that would be bad news because there aren't a lot of places where we can stop and ask for directions. Now if we had some sort of smart device with a maps app and GPS, we'd have a better chance of finding our way. We could be like, "Hey Siri, where am I?" and right then and there, we'd have help!

When Moses was up on that mountain, God's people got worried and lost. They immediately started turning to other solutions when they could have paused and said, "Hey God, where are you?" We can turn to God when we're lost and trust that God will not only find us, but also give us directions to our destination.

 

PARENT DEVOTIONAL

10.12 Family Experience Resources

Are We There Yet? - Week 2

Can you imagine needing to walk through the desert? You’d be surrounded by cacti, sand, snakes, and more sand. With the heat of the sun, we’d wind up so thirsty and wondering “Are we there yet?” That’s probably how the Israelites felt as they wandered around the desert, waiting to enter the Promised Land. But no matter how tired our feet get, we can focus on what’s happening in our lives right now rather than just on where we’re going. In this five-week series based on stories from Exodus, our families will explore how we can choose to be thankful, love God and others, turn to God when we’re lost, go to God when we need rest, and remember God’s promises.

BIG IDEA: We can love God and others.

BIBLE: Exodus 20:1–4, 7–9, 12–20; Matthew 22:34–40

 

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19B  (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "Jesus makes a way for me!" Isaiah 43:19

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

 

SONG: Way Maker and Same God

 

DISCIPLE: Read or summarize Exodus 20:1-4; 7-9; 12-20. 

  • Prepare a large cutout of a heart. Write "God" on one side and "Others" on the other side. 

  • God’s rules tell us how to love God and love others. Sometimes it’s hard to do both when we don’t follow God’s rules. God gave us these commandments to help us see how God loves. God doesn't love part-way. God always loves completely. 

  • When we don’t show love to people or God, it breaks God’s heart and it breaks our hearts too. (Tear the heart in half.)

  • Sometimes it can be really hard to love the people right in front of us. Maybe you can think of a time recently when you haven't been loving to a friend, sibling, or parent. As we learn to love those around us, we learn to love God. 

  • The flip side of that is true too. As we keep learning to love God, we are better able to love others. 

  • God loves completely, so we can trust that when we don't feel like we can love completely, God will help us by providing guidance for our us. As we follow God's commandments, we will see our love for God and others come together and grow.

    • Love God. (Hold up the "God" half of the heart.)

    • Love others. (Hold up the "Others" half of the heart and tape it together with the other part to complete the heart.)

  • Even though it might seem difficult sometimes, with God's help, we can love God and others. 

 

PARENT DEVOTIONAL

10.5 Family Experience Resources

Are We There Yet? - Week 1

Can you imagine needing to walk through the desert? You’d be surrounded by cacti, sand, snakes, and more sand. With the heat of the sun, we’d wind up so thirsty and wondering “Are we there yet?” That’s probably how the Israelites felt as they wandered around the desert, waiting to enter the Promised Land. But no matter how tired our feet get, we can focus on what’s happening in our lives right now rather than just on where we’re going. In this five-week series based on stories from Exodus, our families will explore how we can choose to be thankful, love God and others, turn to God when we’re lost, go to God when we need rest, and remember God’s promises.

BIG IDEA: We can choose to be thankful.

BIBLE: Exodus 17:1–7; Philippians 2:5–16

 

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19B  (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "Jesus makes a way for me!" Isaiah 43:19

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

 

SONG: Way Maker and Same God

 

DISCIPLE: Read or summarize Exodus 17:1-7

  • Give each family member a small stone.

  • Let's see who can squeeze the most water out of their rock? (Let them try)

  • Were you able to get any water out of your rock?

  • How did Moses get water from the rock in today's Bible story? 

  • God provided water through a miracle. The Israelites started out complaining, but I wonder if they were more thankful after they had water to drink. 

  • Complaining can happen. Sometimes there are difficult things in life and talking about them out loud helps us process what's happening to us. But even when we have every right to complain, we can choose thankfulness instead.

PARENT DEVOTIONAL

9.28 Family Experience Resources

Lead the way - Week 4

In the jungle, every day is an unpredictable adventure! But to safely navigate the vines, animals, and tricky terrain, we’ll need a guide to help lead us. This four-week series follows the life of Moses and his journey to leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Through his story, our families discover how God teaches us how to lead, and learn how to follow God’s lead as God leads us to safety, and to what we need.

BIG IDEA: God will lead us to what we need.

BIBLE: Exodus 15:22–25, 16:1–16; Isaiah 41:17–20

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths." Psalm 25:4 (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "God, teach me to follow you!" Psalm 25:4

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video 

SONG: Trust in the Lord and I have Decided to Follow Jesus

DISCIPLE:

Hide pretend food (scrapes of colored paper) around your house. Have your kids find and collect the food. If you want to play again, rotate family members hiding the food while the rest search and find. Challenge your kids by using a timer or make it a race to see who can collect the most food.

 

Say, great job, explorers! You collected enough "food" to feed some grumpy monkeys out in the jungle who were getting very hungry. What sound do happy monkeys make? 

 

God’s people were grumpy because they needed food. But they didn’t have to look far — they just had to look to God. God gave them enough food for every day and God will lead us to what we need, too!

 

Pray: God, thank you for leading the way. You give us everything we need and more, so we can always trust in you. Amen.

 

Parent Devotional

9.21 Family Experience Resources

Lead the way - Week 3

In the jungle, every day is an unpredictable adventure! But to safely navigate the vines, animals, and tricky terrain, we’ll need a guide to help lead us. This four-week series follows the life of Moses and his journey to leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Through his story, our families discover how God teaches us how to lead, and learn how to follow God’s lead as God leads us to safety, and to what we need.

BIG IDEA: God leads us to safety.

BIBLE: Exodus 13:17–15:21; Psalm 91

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths." Psalm 25:4 (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "God, teach me to follow you!" Psalm 25:4

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

SONG: Trust in the Lord and I have Decided to Follow Jesus

DISCIPLE:

Read or paraphrase Exodus 13:17-15:21. 

Next, lay blue construction paper over a large portion of a room in your house. Place brown pillow cushions or construction paper one step away from each other. Your family will need to step and jump only on the brown steps and not in the water to get to safety. The game is complete when all family members have crossed to the other side.

Say: .Let’s pretend we are stuck in the middle of the jungle and have come across a pretty big cliff with water under it. We need to get to the other side, and this is the only way to safety.

 

In our story today, God’s people were stuck in a scary situation. Pharaoh’s army was chasing them from the back, and there was the huge Red Sea in the front. But God made a way through the water to keep the people safe.God leads us to safety.

 

Pray: God, thank you for leading the way. When we are scared or lost, you always lead us to safety. Amen

 

Parent Devotional

9.14 Family Experience Resources

Lead the way - Week 2

In the jungle, every day is an unpredictable adventure! But to safely navigate the vines, animals, and tricky terrain, we’ll need a guide to help lead us. This four-week series follows the life of Moses and his journey to leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Through his story, our families discover how God teaches us how to lead, and learn how to follow God’s lead as God leads us to safety, and to what we need.

BIG IDEA: We follow God’s lead.

BIBLE: Exodus 7:14–10:29, 12:1–14; 1 Peter 1:13–21

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths." Psalm 25:4 (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "God, teach me to follow you!" Psalm 25:4

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

 

SONG: Trust in the Lord and I have Decided to Follow Jesus

 

DISCIPLE:

Read or paraphrase Exodus 7:14-10:29, 12:1-14 

 

Print or project the images from the printable. For each image, have your family yell out “plague” if it’s one of the ten plagues from the Bible story or “fake” if it’s not. Help your kids keep guessing and give hints if needed until all ten plagues have been guessed. 

 

Pharaoh didn’t want to let God’s people go. Each time Pharaoh said no, a terrible plague came upon the land. Which of these is one of the plagues we learned about? Pharaoh didn’t follow God’s lead, but God’s people did, so they were safe from the plagues. We follow God’s lead.

 

Pray: God, thank you for leading the way. Help us to follow your lead no matter what comes our way. Amen.

 

Parent Devotional

9.7 Family Experience Resources

Lead the way - Week 1

In the jungle, every day is an unpredictable adventure! But to safely navigate the vines, animals, and tricky terrain, we’ll need a guide to help lead us. This four-week series follows the life of Moses and his journey to leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Through his story, our families discover how God teaches us how to lead, and learn how to follow God’s lead as God leads us to safety, and to what we need.

BIG IDEA: God teaches us how to lead.

BIBLE: Exodus 2–3:15; Romans 12:9–21

 

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary:   "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths." Psalm 25:4 (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "God, teach me to follow you!" Psalm 25:4

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

 

SONG: Trust in the Lord and I have Decided to Follow Jesus

 

DISCIPLE:

Read or paraphrase Exodus 2-3:15.

In this activity, your families will call each other’s names to lead them out of the “ jungle.” You can use a play tunnel or tape together a few cardboard boxes make one yourself. Have one family member enter the tunnel at a time, wearing a blindfold. Have a one family member call the name of another from the opposite end of the tunnel to help them find their way out. For more fun, play the song, “Thank You Lord for Making Me,” and act out the jungle animal sounds and movements with your family as you sing together. 

 

God called Moses to lead his people to be free and safe. Moses didn’t think he could be a good leader, but God told him it was okay — God would show him how to do it. God teaches us how to lead.

 

Pray: Dear God, thank you for leading the way. Please teach us how to lead our friends and family to you. Amen. 

 

Parent Devotional

8.31 Family Experience Resources

Recess - Week 5

For a lot of us, recess is one of our favorite parts of our kids school day. Our kiddos get to play dodgeball, hopscotch, or race friends around the play area. Recess helps our kids to stay active so they can grow strong, but it also gives them a chance to grow in their relationships. In this five-week series, our families will discover through the stories in the books of Judges, Ruth, and 1 Samuel the unexpected ways God can help them grow. As they do, they’ll learn how God helps us grow stronger, helps us belong, answers our prayers, tells us what is true, and can use anything we give.

BIG IDEA: God can use anything I give.

BIBLE: 1 Samuel 9–10:1; 2 Corinthians 8:7–15

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary: "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God." 1 John 3:1A (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "We are part of God's loving family." 1 John 3:1

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

SONG:  Friend of God, and In You Alone

 

DISCIPLE:

It’s time to slow down and think about everything we talked about today.

Let’s practice taking in some deep breaths as we focus on the word “give.”

Let’s breathe as we say the Big Idea.

Breathe in — God

Breathe out — can

Breathe in — use

Breathe out — anything

Breathe in — I

Breathe out — give.

Now say all the words that come to mind when you hear the word “give.”

Why do you think God wants us to give?

Should we only give when there’s something in it for us? How come?

If we could build a playground that wasn’t just for play but was a place where giving happened, what would it look like?

(This activity might have been imaginary but the use of your gifts to help others is not). What are some gifts you have that you can give to God?

How do you think God can use it? 

Because you know God will use it . .. God can use anything I give!
Pray: Dear God, thank you for freely giving us the best gift ever — Jesus. Help us to open our hands and to give the gifts you’ve given us willingly to those around us because you can use anything we give. We love you. Amen.

 

Parent Devotion

8.24 Family Experience Resources

Recess - Week 4

For a lot of us, recess is one of our favorite parts of our kids school day. Our kiddos get to play dodgeball, hopscotch, or race friends around the play area. Recess helps our kids to stay active so they can grow strong, but it also gives them a chance to grow in their relationships. In this five-week series, our families will discover through the stories in the books of Judges, Ruth, and 1 Samuel the unexpected ways God can help them grow. As they do, they’ll learn how God helps us grow stronger, helps us belong, answers our prayers, tells us what is true, and can use anything we give.

BIG IDEA: God tells me what is true.

BIBLE: 1 Samuel 3:1–20; Job 38:1–11

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary: "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"  1 John 3:1A (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "We are part of God's loving family!" 1 John 3:1

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

SONG:  Friend of God, and In You Alone

 

DISCIPLE:

It’s time to slow down and think about everything we talked about today. Researchers say the average person has 6,200 thoughts per day! That’s a lot! We get thoughts from friends, movies or shows, books we’ve read, social media, family . . . everywhere.

If we’re not careful, we can believe that all the thoughts that pop into our heads are true. They might help us understand what we’re feeling, but God helps us know what’s true when we are confused, worried, or unsure.

Let’s practice taking in some deep breaths as we focus on the word “true.”

Samuel wasn’t sure where the voice was coming from in the middle of the night at first. Once he learned it was God, he listened to what God had to say. It wasn’t happy news he received, but God gave him words to let him know what his job would be in the future.

Sometimes we can hurt people when we don’t tell them the truth. Even when we think we’re trying to protect them, when we lie or cover up the truth, it often does more damage than good. Even when the truth you need to speak is hard to say, you can find a way to deliver it in a kind way.

What are some examples of when you might have to tell someone something true from God? 

God tells me what is true, and that means I need to tell others what is true, too.
Pray: Dear God, in a world full of so much information, we are so thankful that you tell us what is true. Help us to hear your voice and choose the truth over what is harmful or wrong. Amen.

 

Parent Devotion

 

8.17 Family Experience Resources

Recess - Week 3

For a lot of us, recess is one of our favorite parts of our kids school day. Our kiddos get to play dodgeball, hopscotch, or race friends around the play area. Recess helps our kids to stay active so they can grow strong, but it also gives them a chance to grow in their relationships. In this five-week series, our families will discover through the stories in the books of Judges, Ruth, and 1 Samuel the unexpected ways God can help them grow. As they do, they’ll learn how God helps us grow stronger, helps us belong, answers our prayers, tells us what is true, and can use anything we give.

BIG IDEA: God answers my prayers.

BIBLE: 1 Samuel 1; Psalm 20

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary: "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"  1 John 3:1A (NIV)

 

Toddler Twist: "We are part of God's loving family!" 1 John 3:1

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

SONG:  Friend of God, and In You Alone

 

DISCIPLE:

Let's get into “prayer mode” by slowing down our breathing and clearing our minds. Let’s practice taking in some deep breaths as we focus on the word “prayer.” Keeping your palms together like prayer hands, reach straight up and breathe in. Separate your hands and move your arms down to your side and breathe out. Let’s try this a few more times.

Now say all the words that come to mind when you hear the word “prayer.”

What are some things you pray for?

How does God answer our prayers? How can we respond when the answer is “no” or “not now?”

Today's Bible story is about how God hears our prayers. For some people, this is very easy to believe and understand. Maybe you have even experienced the joy of an answered prayer! For others, we may feel like our prayers are going nowhere, and we are growing tired of praying the same prayers. God hears and

answers your prayers.

Even when it doesn’t feel like much is happening on the surface, God is in your corner. God answers my prayers, and God answers yours, too!
Pray: Dear God, thank you that you answer our prayers. You hear us when we cry out to you, and even when the answer doesn’t come as fast as we’d like or it’s not the answer we expected, help us to trust that you give us what is best. Thank you for being with us, for remembering us, and for loving us. Amen.

 

Parent Devotion

 

8.10 Family Experience Resources

Recess - Week 2

For a lot of us, recess is one of our favorite parts of our kids school day. Our kiddos get to play dodgeball, hopscotch, or race friends around the play area. Recess helps our kids to stay active so they can grow strong, but it also gives them a chance to grow in their relationships. In this five-week series, our families will discover through the stories in the books of Judges, Ruth, and 1 Samuel the unexpected ways God can help them grow. As they do, they’ll learn how God helps us grow stronger, helps us belong, answers our prayers, tells us what is true, and can use anything we give.

BIG IDEA: God helps me belong.

BIBLE: Ruth 1; Mark 3:31–35

MEMORY VERSE

Elementary: "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"  1 John 3:1A (NIV)

Toddler Twist: "We are part of God's loving family!" 1 John 3:1

 

WATCH:

Preschool- teaching video

Elementary- teaching video

SONG:  Friend of God, and In You Alone

 

DISCIPLE:

Whenever you feel any kind of anxiety or negative emotion, the first thing you can do is take deep breaths.

Let’s practice taking in some deep breaths as we focus on the word “belong.”

Now say all the words that come to mind when you hear the word “belong.”

What do you think it means to belong?

How does God help you belong?

Give each family member a puzzle piece. Look at your puzzle piece. Your piece might not match or fit with another person’s piece. In fact, there are only a few pieces that your piece really fits together with — and that’s okay. All the pieces are part of the same puzzle. Even when you don’t fit together, you belong together. Just like how we all belong in God’s family!

So when we say, “God helps me belong,” that means God welcomes you and loves you exactly as you are. God will surround you with people who will do their best to remind you of your belonging.

Ask: When a new “puzzle piece” shows up, what can you do to help them belong?
Pray: Dear God, thank you for helping me belong. Even when I feel alone in this world, I know I am never truly alone. I belong in your family, and I can welcome others to join in. Amen.

 

Parent Devotion