Dear families,

Daniel 5 contains several notable instances that are reasons to stop, pray, and consider our own lives. One of the most perplexing questions is derived from the words of the queen who entered the scene following Belshazzar’s inability to make sense of the writing inscribed on the wall by an unfamiliar hand.

Following the mysterious inscription, the king called in those who would have been culturally identified as experts at explaining and creating the unseen. To Belshazzar’s disappointment, none of them could explain the inscription or its meaning.

Then the queen stepped in with a brilliant thought, derived from past experiences. She recommended Daniel, a man who formerly had profound influence and insight and provided this type of help to the previous king—Belshazzar’s own relative, Nebuchadnezzar.

Consider the personal challenge that arises at the mention of Daniel’s name. It was Daniel’s past faithfulness that opened the door for present opportunity. And the natural question that flows from this realization is this: Does my faithfulness today lay the groundwork for future opportunities?

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus described His followers as the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” These descriptions of the people of God lend themselves to cultural influence that shows the power, mercy, grace, and goodness of God. And this type of influence always leaves a mark. In Daniel’s case, the mark was so significant that gave greater influence to his witness.

We can’t undo the past, but we can be decisively committed to the next step, the next moment, and the next opportunity. What if you committed to faithfulness one day at a time? And what if your faithfulness marked the people around you in significant ways? Then I would imagine that your faithfulness will lead to future opportunities for greater influence.

Don’t waste today. Be faithful to your purpose to live as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. And God will use you today and, Lord willing, multiply your efforts and opportunities tomorrow.

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.

• Babies & Toddlers: The king of Babylon did not love and obey God. God punished the king. King Jesus obeyed God and gave His life to rescue us from sin.
• Younger Preschool: The king of Babylon thought he was better than God. No one is better than God. God punished the king. Jesus obeyed God and gave His life to rescue us from sin.
• Older Preschool: The king of Babylon thought he was better than God. No one is better than God. God punished the king. Jesus obeyed God and gave His life to rescue us from sin. God raised up Jesus to give Him honor as the true King forever and ever.
• Kids: God humbled the proud king of Babylon by taking away his kingdom. King Jesus willingly humbled Himself by dying on the cross for our sin. God raised up Jesus and gave Him honor forever. When we humble ourselves and trust in Jesus, God will raise us up to enjoy Jesus in His kingdom forever.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Younger Preschool: Where is God? God is everywhere and is always with us.
• Older Preschool: Where is God? God is everywhere and is always with us.
• Kids: Where is God? God is in all places at all times and is always with His people.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: The Lord your God is with you. Zephaniah 3:17 
• Younger Preschool: The Lord your God is with you. Zephaniah 3:17
• Older Preschool: “The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness … He will delight in you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
• Kids: “The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

** Next week: God Is Present with Us (Isaiah 7)

Daniel Was Faithful (Daniel 1)

Dear families,

I’m sure you’ve been there: That moment of decision when you weigh the risk versus the reward or the cost versus the benefit to determine what you will do.

These moments may come in regard to something simple like whether to eat one more helping of mashed potatoes, if it is worth it to take a detour to try and avoid traffic on your way to the grocery store, or if it is the right time to buy that new pair of shoes.

We may also face moments of discernment on much more significant questions: Do you take the new job opportunity that would relocate you and your family? Should you laugh at a colleague’s derogatory joke? Should you obey God even if it is costly or uncommon among the culture?

These major points of decision require a degree of confidence and conviction. The question is not if we have confidence or conviction, but what our confidence is in and where our conviction comes from.

In Daniel 1, Daniel has a deep confidence in the Lord and a conviction derived from the same. Psalm 71:4-5 models the pattern that I imagine Daniel progressed through in determining what to do in this moment of decision: “Deliver me, my God, from the power of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and oppressive. For you are my hope, Lord GOD, my confidence from my youth.”

The psalmist displays a deep confidence in the Lord to rescue and a deep conviction to remain hopeful and faithful. This confidence and conviction propel him toward a God-honoring response to his circumstances and direction in his decision making.

May this be our mode of decision making as well in all things, where our confidence in the Lord propels us forward and our conviction from the Lord steers our direction for His glory and our joy

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.

• Babies & Toddlers: Daniel was faithful to God, and God helped him. Jesus was always faithful to God. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sins and helps us follow Him.
• Younger Preschool: Daniel wanted to be faithful to God, and God helped him. Jesus was always faithful to God. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sins and helps us follow Him.
• Older Preschool: Daniel wanted to be faithful to God, and God helped him. In a greater way, Jesus was always faithful to God. He came to earth to rescue sinners. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives us and helps us follow Him.
• Kids: Daniel was faithful to God, and God blessed him. In an even greater way, Jesus was always faithful to God. He came to earth and followed God’s plan to save sinners. Those who trust in Jesus receive God’s forgiveness and blessing.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Younger Preschool: Where is God? God is everywhere and is always with us.
• Older Preschool: Where is God? God is everywhere and is always with us.
• Kids: Where is God? God is in all places at all times and is always with His people.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: The Lord your God is with you. Zephaniah 3:17 
• Younger Preschool: The Lord your God is with you. Zephaniah 3:17
• Older Preschool: “The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness … He will delight in you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
• Kids: “The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

** Next week: Daniel Served God (Daniel 5)

Unit 16, Session 1
Jeremiah Encouraged God’s People (Jeremiah 29–30)

Dear families,

God’s Word is living, active, sharp, powerful, and profitable. (Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17) The Bible indicates that by the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s words teach, rebuke, correct, and train us so that we are fully put together for the work that God has created us for. The Bible is full of stories, illustrations, commands, warnings, and heart-provoking questions that provide for us everything we need.

Yet, throughout our lives, we intentionally disregard God’s words for us. We are guilty of the same thing that Jeremiah 29:19 describes—not listening to God’s words.

When we know God’s words and know that God’s words are good for us, why do we continuously neglect them? The answer is simple: we prefer our own way.

Throughout the Bible, God warns us by direct command and historical example. We find explicit instructions to obey God’s words and explicit assurances of the pending consequences for refusing to obey His words. We find instances where God executes His justice on those unknowingly ignorant toward His instructions and those blatantly defiant toward Him.

God takes His words seriously and expects that we do the same.

What is your relationship to God’s words given to us in the Bible? Are you distant, aware, knowledgeable, or in awe? Are you dismissive, forgetful, interested, or obedient? God’s expectation is that we would hear and obey His words, that we would seek His truth and live His truth, and that we would know His instructions and heed them.

The reality is that we all will fail to do this, but there is hope because of the One who has the title “The Word.” Jesus, the living Word of God, lived a perfect life in full obedience to God and His words, yet He died the death that we deserve so that in our failure, we might find hope.  

The answer to our struggle to listen and obey God’s words is not better listening, but a greater love of God, a greater hope in His Son, and a greater trust in His Spirit. His expectations are great, but His mercy is more. 

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.

• Babies & Toddlers: God saves His people. One day, God will send a new, forever King—King Jesus.
• Younger Preschool: Jeremiah the prophet told God’s people that God was going to save them. God would send a new King—a forever King—Jesus.
• Older Preschool: God did not give up on His people. Jeremiah the prophet told God’s people that God was going to save them. Later, from David’s family, God would raise up Jesus to be a new King—a forever King.
• Kids: God did not abandon His people. The prophet Jeremiah encouraged God’s people. He said God was going to save His people from captivity and raise up a new King—a forever King—from David’s family.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Younger Preschool: Where is God? God is everywhere and is always with us.
• Older Preschool: Where is God? God is everywhere and is always with us.
• Kids: Where is God? God is in all places at all times and is always with His people.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: The Lord your God is with you. Zephaniah 3:17 
• Younger Preschool: The Lord your God is with you. Zephaniah 3:17
• Older Preschool: “The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness … He will delight in you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
• Kids: “The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

** Next week: Daniel Was Faithful (Daniel 1)

Unit Description: The people were far away from the land God had given them, but they were not far from the God who had given it. Even in exile, God was with His people watching over them and promising them that one day, they would return to the land, and when they did, they would return to Him as well.

Preschool Big Picture Question: Where is God? God is everywhere and is always with us.
Elementary Big Picture Question: Where is God? God is in all places at all times and is always with His people.

Key Passage:
Preschool: Zephaniah 3:17 (CSB)  “The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness … He will delight in you with singing.” 
Elementary: Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV) The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

SCHEDULE:
March 5* No 4pm Discipleship Hour
SESSION 1: Jeremiah Encouraged God’s People (Jeremiah 29–30) 
March 12
SESSION 2: Daniel Was Faithful (Daniel 1) 
March 19
SESSION 3: Daniel Served God (Daniel 5) 
March 26
SESSION 4 (Big Truth Session): God Is Present with Us (Isaiah 7)

@Home Family Worship Guides
Note: the family worship guides are out of order. Follow the above schedule to stay aligned with what kids are learning in church.

Unit 15, Session 4
Every Person Matters (Psalm 139)

Dear families,

From the garden of Eden to the great restoration of the last days, men and women have attempted to hide themselves from God, seeking safety and avoidance of the consequences of sin due to those who think, speak, and act contrary to God’s good design.

We first find this in the garden following the initial sin of Adam and Eve. After seeking their own pleasure, satisfaction, and authority, they felt the onset of conviction over their sin. Their solution to this sense of wrongdoing was to hide from the One who made them, loved them, and had given them the instructions they rebelled against. No surprise to us, God knew where they were. He drew them out of their hiding and confronted them in their attempts to hide their sin.

Even in the last days, this effort to hide from God won’t be successful. In Revelation 6 as the seals are being opened, verse 15 speaks of kings, nobles, generals, rich, powerful, slaves, and free people hiding in caves and among the rocks as the wrath of God for sin becomes more and more imminent. In an effort to hide from the God, they run for cover hoping they can escape the looming punishment. In the subsequent chapters of this apocalyptic letter, that coming wrath is revealed against the ungodly and their hiding proves to be to no avail.

Reading these accounts of people seeking to hide from God brings to light at least two very important truths. First, we cannot hide from God. There is nowhere we can go in His creation that He will not be aware of. Second, God knows not just where we are, but every other detail of who we are as well.

In light of this, Psalm 139 provides the most freeing of assurances to our failed attempts to hide, giving the reader a beautiful understanding of the sovereignty of God and the value of every human life. Not only is there no where we can go to hide from God, but every other detail of our lives is known to Him, and even determined and directed by Him.

The next time you are tempted to hide from God because of sin, guilt, or shame, remember these central truths. There is nowhere you can go to flee from God. He knows you better than you know yourself. And He wants you to accept that, willingly confess your sin to Him, and trust that He is gracious and merciful to forgive His children because of His Son, Jesus.

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.

• Babies & Toddlers: God made us and cares for us. He sent Jesus to save us from our sins.
• Younger Preschool: Every person matters. God created us and cares for us. He sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins. God commands us to show love to everyone.
• Older Preschool: Every person matters. God created us and cares for us. He sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins. As we love and follow God, He commands us to show love to everyone.
• Kids: Every person matters. God created us and cares for us. He sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins. As we love and follow God, He calls us to love others and show respect to everyone.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Younger Preschool: What makes people special? People are special because God made us.
• Older Preschool: What makes people special? People are special because God made us in His own image.
• Kids: What makes people special? People are special because we are made in God’s image, as male and female, to know Him.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: God made me. Psalm 139:14
• Younger Preschool: I will praise God because He made me. Psalm 139:14
• Older Preschool: I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. Psalm 139:14
• Kids: For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. Psalm 139:13-14

** Next week: Jeremiah Encouraged God’s People (Jeremiah 29–30)

Unit 15, Session 3
God’s People Were Taken Captive (2 Chronicles 36)

Dear families,

Throughout 2 Chronicles 36, it is easy to see that God is the one who raises up and removes kings and rulers and all who are in authority. But this reality can sometimes shake us in profound ways. It may cause us to ask why. This question is fair considering that we often see rulers who don’t love God making decisions that display their lack of belief in God, and it is hard to imagine that God is the One who placed them in leadership.

Why would God allow bad leaders to be in charge? This is a tough question, but Scripture speaks to it in several ways. For one, Romans 13:1-2 remind us to submit to those in authority since they are instituted by God himself. Therefore, to resist authority is to oppose the commands of God, so long as the authority doesn’t demand disobedience to God.

Another place we see this principle play out in Scripture is with Daniel. We find Daniel rebelling against the king’s demand to worship something other than God. But we also find Daniel willfully subjecting himself to the king’s leadership in other circumstances that do not demand his disobedience. Further, we find Daniel actually praying to God and confessing that He is the One who changes brings about the rise and fall of leaders.

Daniel 2:21 says, “He changes the times and seasons; he removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”

The Bible teaches us that God stands sovereign over all things, even the rise and fall of leaders. That includes the most godly of leaders and even those that are most opposed to the things of God. The Lord, in His good purposes may be seeking to wake us up, bring consequence, or refine His people, but His purposes are always good.

God is always working in all times and seasons. And though we may wonder about His purposes in certain circumstances, we can trust that they are always ultimately for His glory and our good, even when that is hard to understand or believe.

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.

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus took the punishment for our wrong choices.
• Younger Preschool: God was right to punish His people because they sinned. Many years later, God sent His Son, Jesus. Jesus took the punishment for our sin.
• Older Preschool: God was right to punish His people because they sinned. But God still loved them, and He was going to give His people a good king, just like He said He would. Many years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to be our King forever. Jesus took the punishment we should get for our sin.
• Kids: God was right to punish His people for their sin, but He kept His promise to provide a king through David’s family. Ultimately, God punished our sin through His Son, Jesus, and made Him our King forever.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Younger Preschool: What makes people special? People are special because God made us.
• Older Preschool: What makes people special? People are special because God made us in His own image.
• Kids: What makes people special? People are special because we are made in God’s image, as male and female, to know Him.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: God made me. Psalm 139:14
• Younger Preschool: I will praise God because He made me. Psalm 139:14
• Older Preschool: I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. Psalm 139:14
• Kids: For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. Psalm 139:13-14

** Next week: Every Person Matters (Psalm 139)

Unit 15, Session 2: Nahum Warned of God’s Judgment (Nahum)

Dear families,

Our hyper-vigilant culture is full of warnings: warnings of what will happen if you take certain medicines, warnings not to use forbidden words in particular places, authoritative warnings against actions deemed inappropriate or illegal, and many more.

Though at times these warnings may feel harsh, unnecessary, or far too limiting, they exist to guide people to right decisions that are often best for them and the people around them.

The same is true with the warnings we find in the Bible, both those directed toward people in a particular place at a particular time and those generally made for all readers of all times. They exist as God’s reminder to us of what is ultimately for our good.

The warnings of Nahum fit this bill as well. These warnings come as stern and even harsh language through the prophet, intended to wake up a group of spiritually sleepy people who had again turned to their wicked ways. Nahum warned of a coming judgment and painful punishment. He warned of devastation and destruction as a consequence for sin.

Yet, these warnings stood as God’s gracious gift to rebellious people. Through the prophet Nahum, God told these people of His holiness, their sin, His pending consequences, and the urgency with which they ought to take heed to these warnings.

I can imagine that these people could have received these in much the same way that we often receive warnings today: frustrations with the limitations, severity, and apparent inconvenience they present; however, as we see throughout the pages of Scripture, these warnings serve as an invitation to people far from God to turn to Him for hope, joy, and peace that can only be found by His grace.

The next time you read the warnings of Scripture, celebrate the hope they bring as they demonstrate His good grace to show us a better way, the way to Him. Remember, God doesn’t desire devastation but true repentance that results in ultimate deliverance.

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.

• Babies & Toddlers: One day, Jesus will take away all bad things.
• Younger Preschool: Nahum told God’s people good news. He said that God loves His people and takes care of them. Jesus also has good news for people who know and love Him. One day, Jesus will take away all bad things.
• Older Preschool: Nahum told God’s people good news. God loves His people and takes care of them. Jesus has good news for people who love and trust Him. All of the enemies of God and His children were defeated at the cross. One day, Jesus will take away all bad things.
• Kids: Nahum brought a message of comfort to God’s people, reminding them that God loves His people and will protect them from their enemies. Jesus also brought a message of comfort, salvation, and peace to His people. All of the enemies of God and His children were defeated at the cross. One day, God will finally judge all evil.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Younger Preschool: What makes people special? People are special because God made us.
• Older Preschool: What makes people special? People are special because God made us in His own image.
• Kids: What makes people special? People are special because we are made in God’s image, as male and female, to know Him.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: God made me. Psalm 139:14
• Younger Preschool: I will praise God because He made me. Psalm 139:14
• Older Preschool: I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. Psalm 139:14
• Kids: For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. Psalm 139:13-14

** Next week: God’s People Were Taken Captive (2 Chronicles 36)

Unit 15, Session 1: Jonah Warned of God’s Judgment (Jonah)

Dear families,

If we spend time contemplating what it means to belong to Jesus, the reality is a mystery. How can we who are sinners be forgiven and redeemed? The more we recognize the depth and darkness of our own sin, the greater we understand the magnitude of God’s gift to us: Through His Son, He reached down to display His great love and mercy. Because of Jesus’ wounds, we can have full and forever forgiveness.

The Book of Jonah demonstrates this powerful truth on at least two occasions. One is highlighted in Jonah’s prayer in the midst of his desperation. After running from God and being hurled into the sea, fully expecting to die at the bottom of the ocean, Jonah is swept up and swallowed by a great fish. It is from there that he cries out, “I called to the LORD in my distress, and he answered me” (Jonah 2:2). Jonah, knowing the extent of his own sin and the issue of his own disobedience, cries out in desperation to the Father and finds great comfort in a loving God receiving His desperate plea.

Later, in Jonah 3, we find a similar movement of God’s reaching down and bringing about repentance among the people of Nineveh. In His grace, He relented from the looming punishment they deserved in light of their change of heart.

In both instances, the mercy and grace of God to withhold punishment due to vile sinners brought hope, and this hope ought to be ours today as well.

Isaiah 59:1 says, “Indeed, the LORD’s arm is not too weak to save, and his ear is not too deaf to hear.”

Though much has changed in our world since Jonah’s day, the Lord has not changed. He is not too weak nor too distant to save. No matter how far you or someone you know has strayed, no matter how distant the Lord might feel, His arm is not too short to save. His love can reach down to even the darkest and vilest of all sinners. Praise be 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.

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus obeyed God’s plan.
• Younger Preschool: God told Jonah to go tell people to stop making wrong choices. Jonah did not want to go. Later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to tell people to stop making wrong choices. Unlike Jonah, Jesus wanted to obey God.
• Older Preschool: God told Jonah to go to his enemies and tell them to stop sinning. Jonah did not want to go. Later, God sent His own Son, Jesus, to go to His enemies and tell them to stop sinning. Unlike Jonah, Jesus wanted to obey God. He died on the cross to save us from sin.
• Kids: God called Jonah to go to his enemies and call them to turn away from their sin, but Jonah refused. Instead, he ran away. Later, God sent Jesus to His enemies to call us to repentance. Jesus willingly obeyed. Jesus died on the cross to rescue us from sin.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Younger Preschool: What makes people special? People are special because God made us.
• Older Preschool: What makes people special? People are special because God made us in His own image.
• Kids: What makes people special? People are special because we are made in God’s image, as male and female, to know Him.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: God made me. Psalm 139:14
• Younger Preschool: I will praise God because He made me. Psalm 139:14
• Older Preschool: I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. Psalm 139:14
• Kids: For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. Psalm 139:13-14

** Next week: Nahum Warned of God’s Judgment (Nahum)

New Unit starting February 5!
Click Here for the @Home Family Worship Guides to support the weekly lessons or download them below.

Unit Description: Although God had continued to warn His people, they continued to rebel. By contrast, when God warned Israel’s enemies, they responded in repentance. In this we see God’s heart for all people and also His justice in what He would do next: discipline His people by sending them into captivity in a foreign land. 

Big Picture Question: What makes people special? People are special because we are made in God’s image, as male and female, to know Him.

Key Passage: I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14
Key Passage Phrase: God Made Me.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

February 5: SESSION 1: Jonah Warned of God’s Judgment Jonah; 2 Chronicles 24

February 12: SESSION 2: Nahum Warned of God’s Judgment Nahum;

February 19: SESSION 3: God’s People Were Taken Captive 2 Chronicles 36

February 26: SESSION 4: Every Person Matters Psalm 139

We Are to Repent of Sin (Matthew 3)

Dear families,

The popularity of true crime shows reveals something interesting about people. Whether it be a television show, a streaming series, or a podcast, audiences love a good thrilling episode that takes you on a journey from the mind-captivating details of a crime, through the exploration of the evidence, to the identification of a suspect, and concluding with the resolution of who did it, how they did it, and whether or not they are found guilty.

One shared characteristic between each story is this: there is no case if there is no evidence. Evidence is everything to making a determination about a suspect and building a case.

When it comes to repentance, we understand from this biblical word and its contexts throughout Scripture that it requires both an internal and external turning from sin and movement toward God. Repentance is something that takes place inside someone’s heart and mind while also bringing visible evidence of sorrow about sin and the desire to change.

Matthew 3 contains a subtle but direct indication that true repentance always produces evidence of change. Matthew 3:10 says, “Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Just two verses earlier, Matthew warned the Pharisees and Sadducees to produce fruit consistent with repentance. And all of this seems to indicate that there is something that happens in the life of someone who is repentant that is visible to those around him. Where there is true repentance, there is always evidence.

We cannot see the thoughts and intentions of the heart; however, we can look for evidence of repentance. What begins in the heart will certainly impact the life of the believer. When this happens, it becomes visible that change has occurred.

Take time this week to ask the hard question of whether or not there is fruit, or evidence, of repentance in your own life. Has the change of heart that repentance begins led to visible change in your life? If so, find great confidence in the grace of God that led you to repentance. And if not, ask the Lord to help you understand why.

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.

• Babies & Toddlers: John told people to repent—to turn away from their sins—and turn to Jesus.
• Younger Preschool: John told people to repent—turn away from their sins—and turn to Jesus. When we trust in Jesus, Jesus changes the way we think and act to help us love God and people.
• Older Preschool: John called people to repent—to turn away from their sins and turn to Jesus. When we trust in Jesus to rescue us from sin and death, Jesus changes the way we think and act to help us love God and people.
• Kids: John called people to repent. When we realize that our sin deserves God’s punishment and trust in Jesus to save us, we can turn from our sins and live for Jesus. Jesus changes our hearts so we can love God and people.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Younger Preschool: What is repentance? Repentance is choosing to stop making wrong choices and choosing Jesus.
• Older Preschool: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
• Kids: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: Turn away from your wrong choices. Acts 3:19
• Younger Preschool: Turn away from your wrong choices. Acts 3:19
• Older Preschool: “Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out.” Acts 3:19
• Kids: “Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out.” Acts 3:19

** Next week: Jonah Warned of God’s Judgment (Jonah)