Skip to main content

Author: MattMacNaughton

Family Discipleship: David’s Kindness

Written by MattMacNaughton on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Family Discipleship: David’s Kindness

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:

David’s Kindness

2 Samuel 9

Story Point: David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son.

Big Picture Question: How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of kings.

Christ Connection: King David showed surprising kindness to Mephibosheth even though he didn’t have to. In a greater way, God shows surprising kindness to us. Because of Jesus, He invites us into His family and gives us life with Him forever.

Key Passage: Psalm 145:13

Dear Parents,

Though King Saul was an adversary to David, Saul’s son Jonathan loved him as much as he loved himself. (See 1 Sam. 18:1.) Before David fled from King Saul and journeyed toward Moab, Jonathan appealed to his friend David, “If I continue to live, show me kindness from the Lord, but if I die, don’t ever withdraw your kindness from my household” (1 Sam. 20:14-15a).

Following the deaths of King Saul and his son Jonathan, David was made king over Israel. The Lord was with David, and he experienced numerous military victories. David remembered the promise he made to his best friend Jonathan and was determined to keep it.

David asked a servant of Saul’s family if anyone remained from Saul’s family. The servant mentioned Jonathan’s son. Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth (meh FIB oh sheth) had been injured when he was five years old, so his feet were crippled. (2 Sam. 4:4) David brought Mephibosheth to his house. Mephibosheth fell facedown before David. As a descendant of Saul, he was right to fear the king. But David said, “Don’t be afraid.”

David showed kindness to Mephibosheth, promising to restore to him all of Saul’s fields. He appointed servants to work the fields. The fields would provide an income for Mephibosheth. David also announced that Mephibosheth would eat meals at David’s table, just like one of the king’s sons. So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem and always ate at the king’s table.

King David showed surprising kindness to Mephibosheth even though he didn’t have to. In a greater way, God shows surprising kindness to us. Because of Jesus, He invites us into His family and gives us life with Him forever.

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
    • Jesus is our King.
    • David remembered his promise to Jonathan.
    • David showed kindness to Mephibosheth.
    • One day, Jesus will eat with us at His table.
  • Preschool
    • How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over everything.
    • David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son.
  • Kids
    • How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of kings.
    • David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son.

 

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

● Psalm 145:13

NEXT WEEK

● “David Sinned and Was Restored” (2 Samuel 11–12; Psalm 51)

Family Discipleship: God’s Covenant with David

Written by MattMacNaughton on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Family Discipleship: God’s Covenant with David

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:

David Showed Mercy

2 Samuel 6-7

Story Point: God promised that the Messiah would come from David’s family.

Big Picture Question: How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of kings.

Christ Connection: God promised David that every future king of Israel would come from David’s family, and David’s kingdom would last forever. God kept His promise by sending His Son, Jesus, as one of David’s descendants. Jesus is our King who will never die; He will rule over God’s people forever.

Key Passage: Psalm 145:13

Dear Parents,

The path to Israel’s throne was not easy for David. Saul had tried multiple times to kill him, and David had to flee for his life, leaving behind his good friend Jonathan. But God had appointed David to be king, and God was faithful. Leading up to 2 Samuel 7, Jonathan was killed in battle against the Philistines. Saul fell on his own sword, and David became the king of Israel.

David moved the ark of God to Jerusalem—a cause for joyous celebration—and settled into his palace there. God blessed David and gave him peace from his enemies. But when David looked around, something didn’t seem right. He was living in a majestic palace while the ark of God was in a tent! David determined to build God a temple. That night, God gave the prophet, Nathan, a message for David. “Have I ever asked you to build Me a house?” God said. No, for four hundred years—since God brought the Israelites out of Egypt—He had dwelled in a tent.

David had been a shepherd, but God made him a king! God promised to give the Israelites a place to stay so they wouldn’t need to move around anymore. God promised to give His people rest from their enemies so they could stop fighting. Though God denied David’s desire to build God a house, God promised to make a house for David: a dynasty of his descendants and an everlasting kingdom.

God promised David that every future king of Israel would come from David’s family, and David’s kingdom would last forever. God kept His promise by sending His Son, Jesus, as one of David’s descendants. Jesus is our King who will never die; He will rule over God’s people forever.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS

  • Babies and Toddlers
    • Jesus is our King.
    • God made a special promise to David.
    • God promised to make David’s family kings.
    • God sent Jesus through David’s family.
  • Preschool
    • How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over everything.
    • God promised that every king of Israel would come from David’s family.
  • Kids
    • How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of kings.
    • God promised that the Messiah would come from David’s family.

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

Psalm 145:13

NEXT WEEK

“David’s Kindness” (2 Samuel 9)

Family Discipleship: David Showed Mercy

Written by MattMacNaughton on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Family Discipleship: David Showed Mercy

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:

David Showed Mercy

1 Samuel 24

Story Point: David showed mercy even though Saul hated him.

Big Picture Question: How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of kings.

Christ Connection: David showed mercy to Saul, his enemy, because David trusted God’s plan. Jesus also trusted His Father’s plan. He died on the cross so His enemies could experience God’s mercy and live forever as part of God’s family.

Key Passage: Psalm 145:13

Dear Parents,

David’s relationship with King Saul was complicated. Early on, David served the king by playing the lyre for him whenever he felt unwell. After David killed Goliath, he became good friends with Saul’s son Jonathan. But David’s success made Saul jealous. Saul could see that David was rising in popularity. He won victory after victory. Saul made several attempts on David’s life, and David fled to the land of Moab.

David wasn’t alone. His family and other men—anyone who was “desperate, in debt, or discontented” (1 Sam. 22:2)—joined David, and he became their leader. About 400 men were with David. Once in Moab, the prophet Gad instructed David to return to the land of Judah. When Saul found out David’s location, he pursued David, intending to kill him. Yet God protected David from Saul.

Saul was in pursuit of David when he stopped to relieve himself. Imagine David’s surprise when Saul entered the very cave in which David and his men were hiding. This was David’s chance! Saul was outnumbered and could easily be defeated. David got up and secretly cut off the corner of Saul’s robe, but he did not allow his men to hurt Saul.

When Saul left the cave, David followed after him. He acknowledged Saul’s authority—”My lord the king!” (1 Sam. 24:8)—and showed Saul the corner of his robe, proof of David’s passed-up opportunity. Saul wept upon realizing David’s mercy toward him. God had put Saul in David’s hand, and David let him go unharmed. Saul realized God had clearly chosen David to be Israel’s king.

David showed mercy to Saul, his enemy, because David trusted God’s plan. Jesus also trusted His Father’s plan. He died on the cross so His enemies could experience God’s mercy and live forever as part of God’s family.

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
    • Jesus is our King.
    • King Saul wanted to hurt David.
    • David showed mercy to King Saul.
    • Jesus shows us mercy when we do not deserve it.
  • Preschool
    • How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over everything.
    • David showed mercy to Saul.
  • Kids
    • How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of kings.
    • David showed mercy even though Saul hated him.

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

Psalm 145:13

NEXT WEEK

“God’s Covenant with David” (2 Samuel 6–7)

Family Discipleship: David was Anointed

Written by MattMacNaughton on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Family Discipleship: David was Anointed

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:

David was Anointed

1 Samuel 16-17

Story Point: God chose David to be king instead of Saul.

Big Picture Question: How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of kings.

Christ Connection: David did not look like a king or a mighty warrior, but God chose him to be king over Israel and gave him victory over Goliath. The Israelites were too weak and afraid to face Goliath; they needed David to fight on their behalf. In a similar way, though Jesus did not look like a warrior or king, we need Him to fight for us. Jesus gives us victory over sin and death.

Key Passage: Psalm 145:13

Dear Parents,

Samuel had anointed Saul as king over Israel, but it wasn’t long before Saul’s disobedience led God to reject him as king. God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to meet Jesse—a man in the family line of Judah. God had chosen one of Jesse’s sons to be Israel’s king.

When Samuel saw Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab, he thought, “This must be the one God has chosen!” Eliab was likely tall and good-looking. Why wouldn’t God choose someone like that? But God doesn’t make decisions like people do. Read what God said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7.

Jesse’s sons took turns passing before Samuel, one by one. Samuel was probably eager to hear which son God had chosen to be Israel’s next king! Abinadab? No, not him. Shammah? No. “The Lord hasn’t chosen this one either.”

It seemed Samuel was out of options, but Jesse had one more son; his youngest, David, was out tending the sheep. David came in and God said, “This is the one.” Samuel anointed David, and the Spirit of the Lord was with David.

David did not become king right away. Saul was still on the throne, and David was still young. One day, David found himself at the battle where the Philistines had gathered to fight the Israelites. The story of David and Goliath is one of the most well-known accounts in the Old Testament. When the Israelites cowered in fear, David—with God’s power—stepped up and defeated the enemy with just a sling and a stone.

David did not look like a king or a mighty warrior, but God chose him to be king over Israel and gave him victory over Goliath. The Israelites were too weak and afraid to face Goliath; they needed David to fight on their behalf. In a similar way, though Jesus did not look like a warrior or king, we need Him to fight for us. Jesus gives us victory over sin and death.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS

  • Babies and Toddlers
    • Jesus is our King.
    • God chose David to be king after Saul.
    • God gave David power to fight Goliath.
    • Jesus has power to fight sin and death.
  • Preschool
    • How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over everything.
    • God chose David to be king.
  • Kids
    • How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of kings.
    • God chose David to be king instead of Saul.

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

Psalm 145:13

NEXT WEEK

“David Showed Mercy” (1 Samuel 24)

Family Discipleship: Israel’s First King

Written by MattMacNaughton on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Family Discipleship: Israel’s First King

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’s First King

1 Samuel 8-15

Story Point: God’s people wanted a king like the nations around them.

Big Picture Question: Is anything or anyone greater than God? No, God is greater than everything and everyone.

Christ Connection: God intended for a heavenly king to rule over Israel, but the Israelites did not trust God’s plan and wanted a king like the nations around them. God gave them a king, but Saul did not obey God. God had a plan to send His Son, Jesus. King Jesus trusted and obeyed God perfectly and died so sinners could be forgiven and accepted.

Key Passage: Jeremiah 10:6

Dear Parents,

This week’s Bible story picks up more than 20 years after the Philistines returned the ark of God to the Israelites. During that time, Israel began to seek God again, and Samuel led them to remove their foreign gods and worship God only.

Samuel had judged Israel throughout his lifetime, but he was getting old. So Samuel made his sons, Joel and Abijah, judges over Israel. But like many sons before them, Joel and Abijah did not follow the example of their father. They disobeyed God and caused problems for Israel. The elders of Israel spoke to Samuel about his sons and demanded a king. All the other nations around them had kings, they pointed out. Samuel knew their desire to imitate the nations around them was sinful, and he prayed to God.

“Give them what they want,” God said. “They have not rejected you; they have rejected Me as their King.” Samuel explained to the Israelites what rights a king would have over them; he warned them that when they regretted asking for a king—and they would regret it—God would not help them.

The people insisted on having a king, so God chose a man named Saul to be the king. By all appearances, Saul was a good king. He was handsome, taller than most people, and God had blessed him. But Saul failed to obey God. First, Saul sinned by burning offerings in Samuel’s absence. Later, when the Israelites defeated the Amalekites, Saul did not follow God’s instructions for destroying everything. The Lord regretted making Saul king.

Help your kids understand that Saul was not the king the people needed. God intended for a heavenly king to rule over Israel, but the Israelites did not trust God’s plan and wanted a king like the nations around them. God gave them a king, but Saul did not obey God. God had a plan to send His Son, Jesus. King Jesus trusted and obeyed God perfectly and died so sinners could be forgiven and accepted.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS

  • Babies and Toddlers
    • God is greater than anything.
    • God’s people wanted a king to lead them.
    • Saul was the first king of Israel.
    • God sent Jesus to be our Savior and King.
  • Preschool
    • Is anything greater than God? No, God is greater than everything.
    • God’s people wanted a king.
  • Kids
    • Is anything or anyone greater than God? No, God is greater than everything and everyone.
    • God’s people wanted a king like the nations around them.

 

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

Jeremiah 10:6

NEXT WEEK

“David Was Anointed” (1 Samuel 16–17)

Family Discipleship: The Ark was Captured

Written by MattMacNaughton on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Family Discipleship: The Ark was Captured

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:

The Ark was Captured

1 Samuel 4-6

Story Point: God showed the Philistines that He is the one true God.

Big Picture Question: Is anything or anyone greater than God? No, God is greater than everything and everyone.

Christ Connection: The ark of God reminded the Israelites that God was with them. Years later, God gave His people something greater than a sign that He was with them; God gave them His Son Jesus—God in the flesh. One of Jesus’ names is Immanuel, which means “God with us.”

Key Passage: Jeremiah 10:6

Dear Parents,

The ark of God (also called “the ark of the covenant”) was an important symbol in the lives of God’s people. Not only was the ark the original container for the Ten Commandments, it symbolized God’s presence with His people.

In Exodus 25, God gave Moses instructions for creating the ark. It was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold. God forbade anyone from touching the ark, so it was carried by two poles. God would speak to Moses from between two golden cherubim on top of the ark, which was called the mercy seat. (See Num. 7:89.)

During the time of the judges, the Philistines were a near-constant threat to Israel. Under Samuel’s leadership, the Israelites went out to fight the Philistines. But Israel was defeated because of their sin.

The elders of Israel realized that God had allowed their defeat. He hadn’t fought for them against the Philistines. So they did what seemed logical to them; they took the ark—the symbol of God’s presence—and carried it to the battlefield. But the ark was not a good luck charm. Not only was Israel defeated, the Philistines captured the ark and killed Eli’s sons. When Eli heard the news, he fell over and died.

Having won the victory, the Philistines concluded that their god, Dagon, was better than the God of Israel. They moved the ark to Dagon’s temple, where God showed His power over Dagon. (See 1 Sam. 5:1-5.) As the ark moved between Philistine cities, God afflicted the people and made them sick. The message was clear: No one is like the LORD. God is greater than everything and everyone.

The Philistines returned the ark, which was a great encouragement to God’s people. The ark of God reminded the Israelites that God was with them. Years later, God gave His people something greater than a sign that He was with them; God gave them His Son Jesus—God in the flesh. One of Jesus’ names is Immanuel, which means “God with us.”

FAMILY STARTING POINTS

  • Babies and Toddlers
    • God is greater than anything.
    • The Israelites took the ark of God to battle.
    • The Philistines took away the ark of God.
    • God is more powerful than anything or anyone.
  • Preschool
    • Is anything greater than God? No, God is greater than everything.
    • God showed the Philistines that He is the one true God.
  • Kids
    • Is anything or anyone greater than God? No, God is greater than everything and everyone.
    • God showed the Philistines that He is the one true God.

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

Jeremiah 10:6

NEXT WEEK

“Israel’s First King” (1 Samuel 8–15)

Family Discipleship: Hannah and Samuel

Written by MattMacNaughton on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Family Discipleship: Hannah and Samuel

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:

Hannah and Samuel

1 Samuel 1-3

Story Point: God called Hannah’s son to share God’s plan.

Big Picture Question: Is anything or anyone greater than God? No, God is greater than everything and everyone.

Christ Connection: Samuel used God’s words to tell the people what God is like. John 1:1 says that Jesus is the Word. Jesus—the Son of God—told the world about God’s plan and showed what God is like.

Key Passage: Jeremiah 10:6

Dear Parents,

The time of the judges was turbulent for God’s people. The Israelites had conquered the promised land of Canaan, but after Joshua’s death, they fell into a cycle of sin. This was the culture in which Hannah and her husband Elkanah lived. They were ordinary Israelites—Elkanah, a devoted worshiper of the Lord; and Hannah, a woman who wanted nothing more than to be a mother. But the Lord had closed her womb. (1 Sam. 1:5)

One year, when Elimelech went to make sacrifices and worship God, Hannah went too. She could no longer hide her grief over being childless. She prayed so fervently to the Lord—asking for a child and vowing to dedicate him to God—that Eli the priest rebuked her because he thought she was drunk.

God answered Hannah’s prayers, and she named her son Samuel, which means “requested from God.” When Samuel was old enough to wean, Hannah presented him to Eli. First Samuel 2 records Hannah’s triumphant prayer. Hannah glorified God for His sovereignty; then she went home with her husband, leaving Samuel to serve God under the leadership of Eli.

Hannah visited Samuel each year and brought him a robe. Samuel faithfully served God. On the other hand, Eli’s sons—though they were priests—had no regard for God. They did not listen to Eli, so God rejected Eli’s family. This hard news came to Eli through the boy Samuel.

Review 1 Samuel 3. Note how Samuel responded to God’s call: “Speak, for your servant is listening.” This week, help your kids identify Samuel’s role as God’s messenger. God called Hannah’s son to share God’s plan. Lead them to them connect Samuel to Jesus. Samuel used God’s words to tell the people what God is like. John 1:1 says that Jesus is the Word. Jesus—the Son of God—told the world about God’s plan and showed what God is like.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS

  • Babies and Toddlers
    • God is greater than anything.
    • God heard Hannah’s prayer.
    • God used Samuel to tell His words to the people.
    • Jesus told people God’s words.
  • Preschool
    • Is anything greater than God? No, God is greater than everything.
    • God spoke to Hannah’s son Samuel.
  • Kids
    • Is anything or anyone greater than God? No, God is greater than everything and everyone.
    • God called Hannah’s son to share God’s plan.

 

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

Jeremiah 10:6

NEXT WEEK

“The Ark Was Captured” (1 Samuel 4–6)

Preparing for Our New Sermon Series

Written by MattMacNaughton on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Preparing for Our New Sermon Series

In January, we began a series in the book of John, intentionally taking our time through John’s account of Jesus’ earthly ministry. I mentioned at the beginning of the series that we would take a break over the summer. This break will now allow me to address various questions and conversations that I have had recently within our church. As I started writing down the different topics, I started noticing a theme: “How do I live for Christ in this world?”

We are living in a society that promotes an anti-christian worldview. The questions that have been asked and the conversations that I have had are in response to recognizing that a Biblical world view is in complete contrast to the world view of our media, family members, co-workers and friends. There is a desire to stand for Christ on difficult issues while at the same time loving one’s neighbor without compromising Biblical truths. But how can we do this?

This summer, we are going to look at the book of First Peter. Peter, the disciple of Jesus, begins this letter by stating, “To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you (1 Peter 1:1-2, ESV).

The CSB Study Bible begins its commentary on First Peter by stating, “First Peter provided encouragement to suffering believers living in northern Asia Minor who faced intense persecution. The Letter encourages faithfulness while under oppression. Specifically, God’s holy people should lead distinctive lifestyles as temporary residents in a foreign land. Although they will suffer for Christ while in this non-Christian world, they should remember that heaven is their future homeland”.

To help you prepare for this series, I want to encourage you in five ways:

PRAY

God’s Word is living and active and it is sufficient for us today. In his Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem states, “The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained all the words of God he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains all the words of God we need for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly”.

The sufficiency of Scripture means we can answer the difficult questions in our modern context. As we prepare to look at God’s Word for these answers, take the time now to (1) pray for your heart to respond to the preaching of God’s Word, (2) repent of the sins that are hindering your Christian walk, and (3) pray for me as I preach through First Peter and answer these questions.

INVITE

Everyone wants to know what is wrong with the world. Everyone one is looking for answers and everyone is looking for hope. Invite them to sit with you during this series. But don’t just invite them, invite your skeptic co-worker who doesn’t understand why you’re content in the midst of suffering and invite your family member who thinks you have antiquated views. This is a series for everyone.

TAKE NOTES

Each week, I encourage you to take notes during the sermon. This is so you can take what you have learned and use it in your conversations throughout the week. You can also write down how the Holy Spirit is pressing into you and moving you towards a response to what you have heard from God’s Word. Find a nice notebook or purchase the First Peter ESV Scripture Journal for the series. We’ll also have our normal space on the back of the program and a pen available if you need one.

ASK QUESTIONS

Throughout this series, I’m sure you will have additional questions. That’s okay; I know I won’t be able to answer everything in the time allotted. Do not hesitate to ask me your questions. Ask me after church, send me a text, or email me and I’ll do my best to answer your question. And don’t think that your question isn’t important. If answering it helps you grow in the Gospel or helps you communicate the Gospel to someone, then I want to answer it.

ATTEND & (when you can’t) LISTEN TO THE PODACT

It’s very easy to fall into a casual mentality to attend church during the summer. The beach, the pool, and the fishing pond are all calling for us to embrace their presence, but we must stay faithful to attending our Sunday gathering each week. Don’t take a break from the gathering of God’s people. You need them and they need you. You need the preaching of God’s Word too. Satan sees the ease of summer and tries to distract God’s people with it. Don’t skip church for the pool.

I also recognize that many of you are going on a vacation during the summer. Good! Enjoy your rest, your family, and your time away. While you rejuvenate physically and mentally, do so spiritually as well. Spend more time in prayer and in the Bible. And when you do miss our gathering while you’re traveling, listen to the sermon podcast some time that week.

I’m looking forward to studying through First Peter with you this summer. I pray we are strengthened in Christ and renewed by the Holy Spirit. We are exiles living in a foreign land but we can rejoice because “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”.

By His Grace,

Pastor Matt

Family Discipleship: Ruth and Boaz

Written by MattMacNaughton on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Family Discipleship: Ruth and Boaz

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:

Ruth and Boaz

Ruth 1-4

Story Point: God provided a redeemer for Ruth and Naomi.

Big Picture Question: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.

Christ Connection: Boaz was a family redeemer. He helped his close relatives who were in trouble. Boaz cared for Ruth and Naomi because their husbands had died. In a similar way, Jesus is our Redeemer. We need help because we sin. Jesus bought our salvation for us by taking our punishment when He died on the cross.

Key Passage: 1 John 1:9

Dear Parents,

Only two books in the Old Testament bear the name of a woman: Ruth and Esther. Ruth’s story occurs at the time when judges ruled over Israel. God’s people were characterized by rebellion and immorality. At a time when the Israelites desperately needed a king to lead them back to God, Ruth’s story of faithfulness points us to Jesus Christ, a coming Redeemer who will make all wrong things right again.

Ruth was the daughter-in-law of Naomi, a woman from Bethlehem who settled in Moab with her husband and two sons to escape a famine. Naomi’s husband died, and her two sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. They lived in Moab for 10 years; then Naomi’s sons died.

Naomi heard that the Lord had provided food for His people during the famine, so she decided to go back to Judah. Naomi encouraged Orpah and Ruth to return to their families. Orpah returned home, but Ruth clung to Naomi. Ruth said, “Wherever you go, I will go … your people will be my people, and your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16). So Naomi and Ruth traveled back to Bethlehem together.

Naomi permitted Ruth to gather fallen grain in a field. The owner of the field was Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband and a family redeemer. A family redeemer was someone who would help his close relatives if they were in trouble. Boaz noticed Ruth and told her she could safely gather grain in his field. At Naomi’s urging, Ruth sought to be redeemed by Boaz. Boaz bought back the land Naomi and Ruth had lost when their husbands died, and he married Ruth. They had a son named Obed, whose grandson would be King David.

Boaz was a family redeemer. He helped his close relatives who were in trouble. Boaz cared for Ruth and Naomi because their husbands had died. In a similar way, Jesus is our Redeemer. We need help because we sin. Jesus bought our salvation for us by taking our punishment when He died on the cross. God gave Ruth—a foreigner—a special place in the lineage of Jesus Christ. As you talk about this story with your kids, introduce them to Jesus, our Redeemer. He bought for us salvation, paying the price with His very own blood.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS

    • Babies and Toddlers
      • God helps us obey Him.
      • God used Boaz to take care of Ruth and Naomi.
      • God sent Jesus to earth through Ruth’s family.
      • Jesus died on the cross and came back to life to redeem us.
    • Preschool
      • What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
      • God provided for Ruth and Naomi.
    • Kids
      • What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
      • God provided a redeemer for Ruth and Naomi.

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

    • 1 John 1:9 (1 John 1:9a for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers)

Family Discipleship: Samson

Written by MattMacNaughton on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Family Discipleship: Samson

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 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:

Samson

Judges 13-16

Story Point: God gave Samson strength to defeat the Philistines.

Big Picture Question: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.

Christ Connection: Samson’s sin led to his own death, but God used his death to save the Israelites from their enemies. Samson’s story reminds us of Jesus. Jesus never sinned, but God sent Him to die on the cross and rise again to rescue people from sin and give them eternal life.

Key Passage: 1 John 1:9

Dear Parents,

Samson was the last of the major judges of Israel. He was born to parents who dedicated him to the Lord as a Nazirite after the Angel of the Lord announced that Samson would be born to save the Israelites from the power of the Philistines. Samson grew up, and God blessed him with great strength. But when Samson requested to marry a Philistine woman, his parents were confused. Samson was supposed to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines. Why would he want to marry one of them? But God had a plan in all of this. (See Judg. 14:4.)

As Samson prepared for the wedding, he gave a riddle to the men with him about an event that occurred on his way to Timnah. (See Judg. 14:9-14.) Days passed, and the men convinced Samson’s wife to tell them the answer to the riddle. This action sparked a series of events that would eventually lead to the death of Samson.

When the men solved his riddle, Samson was so angry that he torched the fields of the Philistines. He used the jawbone of a donkey to kill 1,000 men, and he left his wife. The Philistine leaders determined to kill Samson. When Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah, the leaders bribed her into telling them where Samson’s strength came from.

A man came and shaved the braids from Samson’s head. He lost his strength and became helpless. The Philistines gouged out his eyes and took him prisoner. They had him stand between the pillars of a pagan temple. In a final plea to God, Samson asked for his strength back. God gave him strength, and Samson knocked over the pillars, collapsing the temple. In his death, Samson killed more Philistines than he had killed in his life. (Judg. 16:30)

Though Samson disobeyed God, God used him to accomplish His purpose of delivering the Israelites from the Philistines. As you talk to your kids about this story this week, remind them that Samson’s sin led to his own death, but God used his death to save the Israelites from their enemies. Samson’s story reminds us of Jesus. Jesus never sinned, but God sent Him to die on the cross and rise again to rescue people from sin and give them eternal life.

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
      • God helps us obey Him.
      • God made Samson strong to help God’s people.
      • Samson made wrong choices, but nothing could stop God’s plan.
      • God sent Jesus to be our Judge.
    • Preschool
      • What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
      • God made Samson strong.
    • Kids
      • What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
      • God gave Samson strength to defeat the Philistines.

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

    • 1 John 1:9 (1 John 1:9a for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers)

NEXT WEEK

    • “Ruth and Boaz” (Ruth)