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.

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Here is this week’s summary:

Hezekiah and Josia

2 Chronicles 29; 34-35

Story Point: Hezekiah and Josiah led the people back to God.

Big Picture Question: How did God plan to fix what sin broke? Before He created the world, God planned to send the Messiah to save sinners.

Christ Connection: Hezekiah and Josiah loved God and wanted to follow His commands. They wanted God’s people to love God and obey the law too. When Jesus came to earth, He fulfilled the law by obeying it perfectly.

Key Passage: 2 Chronicles 7:14

After God’s people split into two kingdoms—the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah—each nation was ruled by a series of kings. The Southern Kingdom of Judah was ruled by mostly bad kings (like Ahaz who worshiped idols and did not respect God, God’s law, or God’s prophets) and a handful of good kings. Hezekiah and his great-grandson Josiah were two notable reformers who had a lasting impact on Judah.

Hezekiah took the throne after evil Ahaz. During Hezekiah’s reign, the kingdom of Israel—which had endured more than 200 years of bad kings—was captured by Assyria and ultimately destroyed. Hezekiah “did what was right in the LORD’s sight just as his ancestor David had done” (2 Chron. 29:2). He destroyed the places of idol worship and cleansed the temple. The Lord was with Hezekiah, and Hezekiah prospered.

Then Hezekiah’s son Manasseh became king. For 55 years, he led the people of Judah away from God, essentially reversing the progress Hezekiah had made. Manasseh’s son Amon followed in his father’s evil ways but was assassinated by his own servants. The people of Judah made Amon’s son Josiah king when he was just 8 years old.

Unlike his father, Josiah began to seek God. He tore down the altars and idols of false gods, and he initiated the repairing of the Lord’s temple. During the temple repair, the discovery of the book of the law of the Lord led Josiah to make a covenant to follow God and obey His commands. Those who heard the law vowed to do the same. When Josiah died, he was remembered as the greatest king in Judah. (2 Kings 23:25)

As you talk with your kids this week, remind them that Hezekiah and Josiah loved God and wanted to follow His commands. They wanted God’s people to love God and obey the law too. When Jesus came to earth, He fulfilled the law by obeying it perfectly.

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
  • Hezekiah and Josiah loved God.
  • Judah obeyed God when the king obeyed Him.
  • Jesus helps His people obey God.
  • God planned to send Jesus.
• Preschool
  • How did God plan to fix what sin broke? God planned to send Jesus.
  • Hezekiah and Josiah led the people back to God.
• Kids
  • How did God plan to fix what sin broke? Before He created the world, God planned to send the Messiah to save sinners.
  • Hezekiah and Josiah led the people back to God.

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

2 Chronicles 7:14

NEXT WEEK

“Jeremiah, Prophet to Judah” (Jeremiah)