Grades 1-5 January 13, 2013

This resource is designed to allow your family to have time in God’s Word BEFORE your children attend church. Because God’s plan is for parents to be the primary spiritual nurturers of their children’s faith, we want YOU to be the one to introduce this part of The Big God Story to them.

Blessing

Did You Know?

For more information about blessing your child see the Blessing section in HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource.

Teachable Moments

For additional support in spiritual parenting and to learn more about creating transforming environments in your home, be sure to pick up HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource from your church or download at HomeFrontMag.com. You can also access the HomeFront app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

After reading Scripture, discuss the following together:

Remember Verse for the environment of

God Calls Us to a Greater Purpose

Part of The Big God Story

Just for Fun

Younger Kids

Older Kids

2.7

1 Samuel 15—20Saul chooses to go against God’s greater purpose by trying to hurt David. However, Saul’s son, Jonathan, answers God’s call to follow Him. Instead of getting angry because he won’t ever be king, Jonathan chooses to love and protect David. In this way, God uses Jonathan to play a very important role in The Big God Story.

• BecausehewasKingSaul’sson,Jonathan—notDavid—wastheheirtothethrone.

• JonathanhumblyacceptedthatGodhadchosenDavidtobekinginsteadandsurrenderedtoHiswill.

• JonathanandDavidhadaverystrongfriendship.JonathanmadeacovenanttoalwaysbeDavid’sfriend,vowingtotreathimasabrother.

• GodusedJonathantosaveandprotectDavidwhileSaulthreatenedDavid’slife.

•WhydoyouthinkGodrejectedSaulasking?

•WhatwasGod’sgreaterpurposeforJonathan?ForDavid?

•WhatdoyouthinkGod’spurposeforyoumightbeinTheBigGodStory?

Yourchildwillbeveryloyaltohisfriends,andhemayevenchooseabestfriend.Encouragehimtoinviteoverhisfavoritefriendssoyoucangettoknowthemtoo.

Yourchildmayhaveagreatinterestinsocialactivitiesandmayhavemanyfriends.Encouragehertodevelophealthyandpositivefriendships.Helphertoknowhowtodiscernwhenafriendshipmaynotbeapositiveinfluence.

date:

Haveeachfamilymembersharewhohisbestfriend

isandwhy.Askeachpersontothinkcarefullyabout

whyshelovesthatfriendandwhatitisaboutthat

friend’scharacterthatmakeshera“best”friend.Next,

tellyourkidsyou’regoingtoreadabouttwobest

friends,DavidandJonathan,inTheBigGodStory.

Read1 Samuel 20.Afterward,askyourkidswhat

JonathandidtosaveDavid.SharewiththemthatGod

usedJonathantocontinueHisplantobringJesus

toearththroughDavid’sfamilyline.Askyourchildren

whatthistellsthemaboutGod.

©2013DavidCCook.TruResourcesaredevelopedinpartnershipwithROCKHARBORChurchandanationalnetworkoffamilyandchildren’sministryleaders.Allrightsreserved.

A blessing to pray over your child:

“(Child’sname), may you live as a child called to God’s greater purpose, spreading God’s kingdom here on earth.”

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

STORYTELLING