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:

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

Daniel 4

Story Point: God humbled King Nebuchadnezzar to show that He is in control.

Big Picture Question: Why do we pray? We pray because we trust God, and we know He hears us.

Christ Connection: Pride steals God’s glory. God humbled King Nebuchadnezzar so he could see that God alone deserves glory. Jesus is the King of kings who humbled Himself by coming to earth and dying on the cross. Jesus saves sinners so we can live for God’s glory.

Key Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar had witnessed the power of the one true God when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were delivered—unscathed—from the fiery furnace. (See Dan. 3.) Daniel 4 records a proclamation from the king, a first-person account for all nations of a dream and its life-changing fulfillment.

Nebuchadnezzar dreamed about a strong, mighty tree that was cut down. Only the stump and roots remained. God got Nebuchadnezzar’s attention. His wise men could not explain what the dream meant, but Daniel—who came to Babylon with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—was able to interpret the dream. Like the tree, Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom would be taken away. But the dream gave an element of hope to the king: His kingdom would be restored when he acknowledged God as ruler over everything.

A year later, just when everything seemed to be going right for Nebuchadnezzar, the dream came true. He was walking on the roof of his palace making prideful statements when God suddenly spoke to him. Nebuchadnezzar’s arrogance and pride resulted in his humiliation. He was driven away from people, he ate grass like cattle, his hair grew long, and his nails were like birds’ claws. After some time, Nebuchadnezzar experienced complete transformation. He looked up to heaven and praised God. He acknowledge God as “the King of the heavens” (Dan. 4:37).

As you share with your kids, emphasize that pride steals God’s glory. Point out how God humbled King Nebuchadnezzar to show that God is in control. Nebuchadnezzar learned the lesson we must remind ourselves daily: God is God, and we are not. He alone deserves honor and glory. Rather than proudly seeking our own fame and glory, we seek His fame and glory.

Nebuchadnezzar was a sinful man who exalted himself, and God humbled him. Point kids to Jesus—the sinless, eternal Son—humbled Himself, and God exalted Him. We can trust Jesus as King and live for God’s glory.

Pride steals God’s glory. God humbled King Nebuchadnezzar so he could see that God alone deserves glory. Jesus is the King of kings who humbled Himself by coming to earth and dying on the cross. Jesus saves sinners so we can live for God’s glory.

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
    • We can talk to God.
    • Jesus is greater than anything or anyone.
    • Nebuchadnezzar thought he was better than God.
    • God made Nebuchadnezzar think and act like an animal.
    • We praise God because He is great.
  • Preschool
    • Why do we pray? We pray because we trust God, and we know He hears us.
    • King Nebuchadnezzar learned that God is greatest of all.
  • Kids
    • Why do we pray? We pray because we trust God, and we know He hears us.
    • God humbled King Nebuchadnezzar to show that He is in control.

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

• • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (PS: 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)

NEXT WEEK

• • “Daniel in the Lions’ Den” (Daniel 6)