Dear Parents,

Our KidLife Preschool and Elementary Class are currently studying through the entire Bible while focusing on the Gospel. As they learn the incredible stories of Scripture, they’ll be taught how Christ is connected to all of it.

We have a deep desire to come along side you, the parent, and help you disciple your children. We want to help you teach them about God’s Word. Every week, we will send home information about the lesson your child learned. We also plan to include the lesson in our church program and post a weekly summary here, on the Grace Life Blog.

Take the time each day to go over what they learn, memorize the Scripture verse with them, and continue to show them Jesus. The greatest responsibility we have as parents is to disciple are kids and to show them how to follow Jesus. For more information on the importance of Family Discipleship, here’s a quick Facebook Live video or you can listen to this sermon on Family Discipleship from Pastor Matt.

Want the weekly KidLife lesson recap and other blog post delivered right to your inbox? Be sure to signup to receive post from the Grace Life Blog.

Here is this week’s summary:

Israel Taken Captive

2 Kings 17

Story Point: Israel ignored God’s prophets and was captured.

Big Picture Question: Why should we obey God? We should obey God because He made us, He loves us, and His plans are good.

Christ Connection: When the Israelites disobeyed God again and again, God punished them by removing them from His presence. We disobey God, but Jesus took the punishment for our sin upon Himself. Jesus brings us into God’s presence and keeps us there.

Key Passage: 2 Peter 3:9

God’s people had a history of disobeying God. Sin separated them from God. But man was created to know and love God, and God was working out a plan to bring His children back to Himself. Like any good father, God knows that disobedience needs to be punished. “For the LORD disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights” (Prov. 3:12).

After the tribes of Israel split into the Northern Kingdom and Southern Kingdom, God sent prophets to both kingdoms to warn the people to turn from their sins and obey God. Over the course of 200 years, the prophets Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Amos, and Hosea spoke to Israel and warned them of the consequences of their idolatry. They called for Israel to repent and turn back to God. But Israel did not listen.

God had been very patient with the Israelites. He had helped them in times of trouble and delayed their punishment because He is gracious and compassionate. (See 2 Kings 13:23.) But God knew His people would not love Him with all their hearts.

Finally, God had had enough. Evil King Hoshea ruled over Israel, and God allowed Israel’s enemies to send the people into exile. The king of Assyria attacked Israel and laid siege to Samaria. Assyria captured Samaria and forced the people to leave the city. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was destroyed and the people were scattered, just as God had said it would be. (See 1 Kings 14:15.)

Israel’s exile was God’s judgment on their sin but God was not finished working among His people. God was still working out His plan to keep His covenant promises. As you talk with your kids this week, point them to Jesus, the answer to God’s promises. When the Israelites disobeyed God again and again, God punished them by removing them from His presence. We disobey God, but Jesus took the punishment for our sin upon Himself. Jesus brings us into God’s presence and keeps us there.

Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS

• Babies and Toddlers
  • The people of Israel would not obey God.
  • Assyria captured Israel.
  • When Jesus comes back, He will bring people together.
  • God’s plans are good.
• Preschool
  • Why should we obey God? We should obey God because He made us, He loves us, and His plans are good.
  • Israel did not listen to God’s warning.
• Kids
  • Why should we obey God? We should obey God because He made us, He loves us, and His plans are good.
  • Israel ignored God’s prophets and was captured.

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

● 2 Peter 3:9

NEXT WEEK

● “Isaiah, Prophet to Judah” (Isaiah 6,53)