Family Matters

Lesson Topic – Family Matters

That’s Good to Know – Be Committed to Your Family

Bible Lesson – Truthful Ruth, Ruth 1:6-2:23

Spoken Word – Obey your father and mother, and you will have a long and happy life. – Ephesians 6:2-3

Parent Corner – The story of Naomi and Ruth is a powerful demonstration of the sovereignty of God. Naomi’s experiences were Job-like: the family farm failed, forcing her family of four to move to a neighboring country. In Moab, Naomi’s husband died. Several years later both of her sons died, leaving Naomi with only her two daughters-in-law. When Naomi finally returned to Bethlehem, her old friends could hardly recognize her. The women asked, “Can this really be Naomi?” (Ruth 1:19)

Naomi replies, “I had everything when I left, but the Lord has brought me back with nothing” (v.21)

Almost nothing, she should have said. For now she had a devoted daughter-in-law, Ruth, who would stick with her to the end. And the end would not be bitter! Eventually Naomi was blessed with a grandson whom she loved dearly. Their relationship was so close that the neighborhood women call him “Naomi’s Boy.”
Little did they know that little Obed was an ancestor of Israel’s Messiah. (See Ruth 4:14-17.) Despite all the heartbreak, God was working His plan in Naomi’s life.

God wants to work His perfect purpose in your family too. Your family may be experiencing great difficulty, as did Naomi’s family. But there is hope! Just as Ruth refused to leave Naomi in the midst of her tragedy, so God wants families today to stay together and mature during hard times. Encourage your kids to support your family during tough times. They need to know that God has not forsaken them. He can help them through every trial. Your kids should understand the power of commitment. Be Committed to Your Family.

Kids Choir Christmas Offering 2008

Love in Action

Lesson Topic – Love in Action

That’s Good to Know – When I Love Others, I’m Loving God.

Bible Lesson – 1 Corinthians 13

Spoken Word – For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13

Parent Corner – God is love! It’s not just a characteristic of His nature; it is His nature- totally and completely. Everything He does is motivated by His nature, by His love for mankind. It isn’t the kind of love that changes or shifts with time. The Bible clearly shows that true love is selflessly concerned about others, regardless of how lovable or unlovable a person is. The greatest example of this love was Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. His example is our command. We are to love others-not because they deserve it, but because we are obedient to God.

When we love others, we show that we love God (1 John 4:16). One of the most basic tenets of our faith is love in action. When we love others with God’s love, people see Jesus in us because of our love. It’s the greatest power in the universe (1 Cor.13:13), and God has graciously let us share and experience it for ourselves.

This week was all about love. We shared what love is according to 1 Corinthians13- that it’s patient and kind. Then we shared how loving others with God’s love brings us closer to Jesus, because others witness Him in us. We went a step further and brought your kids to today’s That’s Good to Know: When I Love Others, I’m Loving God. It may be quite an eye-opener for your kids to realize that when they encourage someone else, they are literally loving God Himself. Bringing that point home can produce life-changing results in your children.

Christmas

Lesson Topic – Christmas

That’s Good to Know – Jesus was born to be an example for how we are supposed to live.

Bible Lesson – Luke 2:1-20

Spoken Word – Jesus told him, “I was born into this world to tell about the truth.” – John 18:37

Parent Corner – It was the Sunday before Christmas, and it was an extremely cold day in New York City. One of the Sunday school teachers was late for church. To make matters worse, when he got outside, his car wouldn’t start. His kids were cranky. He was thinking of all that he had to do on that day. After teaching a class that he didn’t feel prepared for, he had to go shopping and fight the crowd at the mall. He was stressed and overwhelmed.

As he was driving down one of the neighborhood streets, he saw a young boy waiting outside in the snow. He drove past the child and noticed that he didn’t have a coat on. Something caused him to stop and turn around. He drove back to where the boy was standing. As this Sunday school teacher rolled down his window, he realized that the boy was from his church. “What are you doing outside with no coat?” the teacher asked. The boy explained that he was waiting for the church bus, and he didn’t own a coat. The teacher drove him to church.

He helped the boy get a coat from the church’s clothing ministry. The boy said, “This is the best Christmas present ever!”

This is what Christmas is supposed to be about. It’s not about hustle and bustle and stress. It’s all about Jesus and His love. Jesus was born to be an example for how we are supposed to live. What would Jesus have done for that little boy who didn’t have coat? We know exactly what He would have done, because Jesus came and lived among us. He was born for a reason. Let’s teach our kids not only why Jesus died but also why He lived. He died to cleanse us from sin, but He lived to show us how we are to live.