THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO SAID YES TO VBS! Getting Ready to Launch! GHC VBS 2023 - STELLAR SHINE JESUS' LIGHT will CLOSE 5/14/2023 Dear families,
Many agree that sin is often, if not always, contrived from selfish ambitions. We can see how our actions, thoughts, and words that disregard God’s instructions for our lives develop from our desire for more, better, or different than what we currently have. Our sin is a statement that we believe that our ways are better than God’s and that we ultimately know better than Him. The implications of our selfishness in sin don't stop there. They don’t only disregard God’s instruction, God’s authority, and God’s design for us. They don’t only seek our own pleasure and comfort. Our sinful actions, thoughts, and words also tell a story to those around us of what we believe is most important and where we find direction for our lives. Sin is always problematic and self-serving, but it also has an impact on others far greater than our circumstances often reflect. When we build or follow an idol (something we put in the place of God), we are actually confusing the world around us. Our desire for something else to take the place of God in our lives. Isaiah 44:9 reads, “All who make idols are nothing, and what they treasure benefits no one. Their witnesses do not see or know anything, so they will be put to shame.” Our love of things other than God testifies to the world around us that God is not good enough, that He does not satisfy, and that He won’t do what He says He will do. For an ambassador of Christ, this is not the message the dying world should hear from us. The next time you think that your love of something other than God is just a personal problem, reconsider how it may very well be proclaiming to those around you a gospel of hopelessness. And remember that God does satisfy, He is enough, and He always does what He says He will do. Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. FAMILY TALKING POINTS CHRIST CONNECTION This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
KEY PASSAGE This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
** Next week: Joash Wanted to Obey God (2 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 24)
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THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO SAID YES TO VBS! Getting Ready to Launch! VBS 2023 IS OPEN! Prepare for a Stellar adventure through space and learn how we shine Jesus’ light in the world! Sign-ups for participants and volunteers OPEN Dear families,
Miracles are often found in Scripture as a means of God doing what nature cannot explain to show His own power and authority over all things. This portion of 2 Kings 4–6 is no different. But these miracles don’t just teach us about God; they also demonstrate our human nature—to doubt when circumstances appear to leave us with little to no control. Many of the miracles performed by Elisha in 2 Kings 4–6 come in moments when the human dilemmas of sin, death, fear, worry, and lack are realized and people are overtaken with doubt. Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever felt as if your back was against the wall, your limits had been reached, and there was no way and no reason for hope in a particular situation? If so, you’re not alone. We all have moments when it seems as if we’re done and there’s no way out. The reason we all experience these things is because we are humans. Our limitedness leaves us lacking and in moments where that lack prevents us from saving ourselves, we cannot help but feel doubtful. But God. It is often in these moments that we are reminded of just how self-reliant we tend to be and just how God-dependent we truly are. God in these moments of doubt becomes our only hope, our beacon, our help. And though we ought to have some sense of confidence in this all the time, the reality is that we often lose sight of how deeply we need the Lord until He is our only way out. What if we lived dependent on God to this degree all the time? What if we lived knowing that our only hope was God’s provision, even when it doesn’t feel like we need it? What if we saw that even our own ability to find a way out of a dire situation was a gift from Him? The mystery that God wants to make known to those around us is this: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). Is your confidence so firm in the Lord as provider and sustainer that it demonstrates the hope of Christ to those around you? If not, be reminded today that He isn’t just your help from time to time, but your only hope time and time again. Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. FAMILY TALKING POINTS CHRIST CONNECTION This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
KEY PASSAGE This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
** Next week: We Are to Worship God Alone (Isaiah 44) THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO SAID YES TO VBS! Getting Ready to Launch! VBS 2023 IS OPEN! Prepare for a Stellar adventure through space and learn how we shine Jesus’ light in the world! Sign-ups for participants and volunteers OPEN Dear families,
Miracles are often found in Scripture as a means of God doing what nature cannot explain to show His own power and authority over all things. This portion of 2 Kings 4–6 is no different. But these miracles don’t just teach us about God; they also demonstrate our human nature—to doubt when circumstances appear to leave us with little to no control. Many of the miracles performed by Elisha in 2 Kings 4–6 come in moments when the human dilemmas of sin, death, fear, worry, and lack are realized and people are overtaken with doubt. Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever felt as if your back was against the wall, your limits had been reached, and there was no way and no reason for hope in a particular situation? If so, you’re not alone. We all have moments when it seems as if we’re done and there’s no way out. The reason we all experience these things is because we are humans. Our limitedness leaves us lacking and in moments where that lack prevents us from saving ourselves, we cannot help but feel doubtful. But God. It is often in these moments that we are reminded of just how self-reliant we tend to be and just how God-dependent we truly are. God in these moments of doubt becomes our only hope, our beacon, our help. And though we ought to have some sense of confidence in this all the time, the reality is that we often lose sight of how deeply we need the Lord until He is our only way out. What if we lived dependent on God to this degree all the time? What if we lived knowing that our only hope was God’s provision, even when it doesn’t feel like we need it? What if we saw that even our own ability to find a way out of a dire situation was a gift from Him? The mystery that God wants to make known to those around us is this: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). Is your confidence so firm in the Lord as provider and sustainer that it demonstrates the hope of Christ to those around you? If not, be reminded today that He isn’t just your help from time to time, but your only hope time and time again. Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. FAMILY TALKING POINTS CHRIST CONNECTION This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
KEY PASSAGE This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
** Next week: We Are to Worship God Alone (Isaiah 44) Today, we remember Jesus' sacrifice and give thanks! "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." (John 11:25) Rejoicing in the hope this Easter season! Thankful to all of our NPM Team, Volunteers, and Families who prayed & prepared, who walked with our little ones, who loved our little ones, and celebrated God's great miracle and gift - JESUS! VBS 2023 IS OPEN! Prepare for a Stellar adventure through space and learn how we shine Jesus’ light in the world! Sign-ups for participants and volunteers OPEN Dear Parents,
Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are essential to the Christian faith. If we teach Jesus as a respected teacher and miracle-worker who claimed to be the Messiah and who was crucified on the cross—but who was not resurrected—then we are teaching the Jesus of Judaism. If we teach Jesus as a wise teacher and prophet who ascended into heaven—but who was not crucified—then we are teaching the Jesus of Islam. Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins. (Matt. 1:21) He died to show God’s love to us (Rom. 5:7-8) so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus died so that we would be forgiven. (Eph. 1:7) Jesus died to bring us to God. (1 Pet. 3:18) The time between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning must have been dark hours for Jesus’ disciples. Fear, doubt, and confusion certainly overwhelmed their thoughts. Jesus, their Lord, was dead. He had been unjustly arrested, falsely accused, and severely beaten. Even worse, He had been killed in a horrible manner: by crucifixion. The story doesn’t end there. Jesus’ body was laid in a tomb. The tomb was sealed and guards watched over it. The Jews remembered Jesus’ claim that He would rise from the dead (John 2:19-21), and they made sure no one could steal His body and insist He had risen. Imagine their surprise when Jesus did rise from the dead! Jesus’ resurrection gives us joy and hope for our own resurrection. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will raise our bodies to life. (Rom. 8:11) As you share this Bible story, emphasize the gospel: the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done. We do not worship a dead Savior. Jesus is alive! Sadness turns to joy. There is hope for sinners. Jesus’ death and resurrection is the center of the gospel. Jesus died to pay for our sins. Jesus is alive! God gives hope and true joy to everyone who trusts in Jesus. FAMILY STARTING POINTS ● Babies and Toddlers ○ The good news is about Jesus. ○ Jesus gives us true joy and life with God forever. ○ Jesus was put on a cross. ○ Jesus died and was buried in a tomb. ○ Jesus rose from the dead and is alive! ● Preschool ○ Jesus died on the cross and is alive. THIS WEEK IS HOLY WEEK - Enjoy your time with our little ones this week as we walk through Holy Week together! Our NPM Sunday Worship for our little ones can't happen without a FEW MORE Volunteers who will SAY YES to Serve with GHC NPM CLICK BUTTON To Partner with us in sharing the Gospel with our little ones! VBS 2023 IS OPEN! Prepare for a Stellar adventure through space and learn how we shine Jesus’ light in the world! Sign-ups for participants and volunteers OPEN Dear Parents,
The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday—the day Jesus entered Jerusalem as the King of kings the week of Passover. Many of God’s people traveled to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus and His disciples traveled to Jerusalem as well. Near Bethphage (BETH fayj) and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead into a village. Jesus told them, “You will find a young donkey tied there. No one has ever sat on it. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” Jesus would fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy: “Look, your King is coming to you … humble and riding on a donkey” (Zech. 9:9). Jesus made a spectacular entrance into the city. He rode a donkey, and people laid branches and their robes on the ground in front of Him. The people welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem believed He was the promised Messiah, but they expected Him to overthrow Roman oppression and set up an earthly throne. Jesus sent a different message. The next day, Jesus entered the temple and turned over the tables of the money changers and those selling doves. Jesus referred to Isaiah 56:7, declaring that His kingship would not just be over the Jews but over all people. While Jesus was in the temple, He healed the blind and the lame. Jesus’ actions declared, “I am not just your King; I am also your God” (Isa. 35:4-6). Finally, the priests and the scribes heard the children in the temple worshiping Jesus as their King. “Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. Jesus replied, quoting Psalm 8:2. Jesus gladly received their praise because He was worthy of their praise. Jesus is the Son of God who came to overthrow sin and set up an eternal throne. As you prepare for and celebrate Easter, help your kids connect the dots between God’s promises of a Messiah and Jesus’ coming. Help them understand why Jesus came: to save the world from sin! During Jesus’ triumphal entry, the people welcomed Him as King. Jesus was the Messiah spoken about by the prophet Zechariah: “Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). One day, Jesus will return to earth on a white horse as King over everything. (Revelation 19:11) 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 alive. ○ Jesus is God’s Son. ○ God sent Jesus to earth because He loves us. ○ People praised Jesus as their King. ! Preschool ○ Who saves us from our sin? Jesus saves us from sin. ○ God chose a family for Jesus. ! THANK YOU! To all of our amazing volunteers who came out to Spring Clean 2023! So grateful for all of the help given to clean up and clean out our classrooms and resource rooms! A fresh new feel to our NPM Area! So ready to continue loving, caring, and sharing JESUS with our little ones! Our NPM Sunday Worship for our little ones can't happen without a FEW MORE Volunteers who will SAY YES to Serve with GHC NPM CLICK BUTTON To Partner with us in sharing the Gospel with our little ones! VBS 2023 – coming this summer! Prepare for a Stellar adventure through space and learn how we shine Jesus’ light in the world! Sign-ups for participants and volunteers OPEN Dear families,
Even a dim light is visible in the darkness. There’s no denying that the world today can be described as a dark place where sin is endorsed and idolized, mistreatment of others for any reason may be viewed as a necessary part of life, and some of the most egregious dismissals of God’s standards are championed in many pockets of culture and have taken root at younger and younger ages. But darkness isn’t new. In fact, the Bible reminds us that darkness has been a reality since the fall of man. And though the darkness often seems the darkest in our current reality, history tends to repeat itself. First Kings 16 is one of many places in the Bible where the depth of darkness in the world is painted vividly: leaders who sought their own satisfaction at the expense of others, people who sought power and were willing to kill to gain it, pleasure and fulfillment as justifiable reasons for any decision. These were only some of the markers of the culture of the day. But, as God often does, He enabled and equipped a voice of light to pierce the darkness. Elijah, a prophet sent from God to speak truth, lived with boldness in the midst of a desperate and depraved generation. In the past, God communicated through the prophets. He sent fire from heaven and multiplied flour and oil. Today, He commissions His people to proclaim His message in the midst of a dark world. This is actually part of our purpose in the world: to make visible the power of God, to be a light in the darkness, to shine bright—breaking through the sickness of sin so prominently on display in our culture and offering the hope of a God who never sleeps or slumbers and always finds a way to make Himself known. It’s easy to grow weary when looking at our world, but take heart, for Christ has overcome the world and given us the ministry of making Him known. In the midst of the darkness, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God. Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. FAMILY TALKING POINTS CHRIST CONNECTION This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
KEY PASSAGE This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
** Next week: PALM SUNDAY - Jesus' Triumphal Entry |
GHC NPMPARTNERING WITH PARENTS Archives
August 2023
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