Dear families,

Each year, numerous local churches fill backpacks for children in their communities who have limited access to school supplies. They may schedule a Saturday morning to pack hundreds of backpacks full of pencils, paper, notebooks, scissors, erasers, and more to ensure that children are well-equipped for school.

Imagine if they filled the backpacks with candy, toys, tools, and dirt. Imagine that instead of paper and pencils, kids received empty soda cans and grass seed. Sure, those children may be ready to swing by the recycling center and start a landscaping project, but they would not be ready for what was in front of them.

In Ephesians 6, at the conclusion of Paul’s letter to his friends in Ephesus, Paul reminded the Ephesians of the tools they needed to remain faithful in the combative culture they were living.

The tools Paul described are not a hammer and nails. In fact, the tools that Paul exhorts them to use are metaphors for the spiritual characteristics and disciplines that are essential to guarding against the spiritual attacks of the devil and actively combating the lies of the evil one.

Paul reminded the Christians at Ephesus to put on truth, righteousness, readiness to take the gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. We can pursue and hold tightly to these distinctive characteristics of those whose hope is in the gospel of Jesus Christ; and in so doing, we’ll be equipped to stand firm in the faith.

Why are these things so essential? As Paul says in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” Paul says you’re not fighting a physical battle, but a spiritual one. Be sure you are equipped with the right tools for the task at hand.

In the same way, the kids in our communities need pencils and paper to be equipped for school, we need these spiritual characteristics and disciplines to grow and be equipped for the spiritual battle that we are facing each day. Be sure you gather the right supplies; it will make all the difference.

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 won the fight against evil.
• Younger Preschool: Jesus won the war against evil when He died on the cross and rose from the dead. God gives us power to fight against evil. We fight against sin each day, knowing that Jesus already won for us.
• Older Preschool: Jesus won the war against evil when He died on the cross and rose from the dead. God gives us what we need to be strong against evil. We fight against sin each day, remembering that Jesus already won for us.
• Kids: Paul told believers to be ready to fight a spiritual battle every day. People and powers who are against God will be against us too. But Jesus died and rose from the dead. He had victory over evil. We can fight the battle against evil, knowing Jesus already won the war.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: Why do people not choose Jesus? People choose what they want rather than what God wants.  
• Older Preschool: Why do people not choose Jesus? People are born with sin and choose what they want rather than what God wants.
• Kids: Why do people reject Jesus? People reject Jesus because all people are born with a sin nature and want to please themselves rather than obey God. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: People were unkind to Jesus. Isaiah 53:3 
• Younger Preschool: People turned away from Jesus and were unkind to Him. Isaiah 53:3  
• Older Preschool: He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. Isaiah 53:3 
• Kids: He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. Isaiah 53:3 

** Next week: People Welcomed Jesus as King (Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12)

Jesus Raised Lazarus (John 11–12)

Dear families,

The account of Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead is a foundational passage in the New Testament. Not only was a dead man brought back to life, this passage in John 11 also contains the shortest verse in the Bible and a glimpse into the humanity of Jesus. John 11:25 says, “Jesus wept.”

In this historical account of the death of Jesus’ dear friend, Jesus is questioned three times for not arriving sooner. The primary reason He is questioned can be found in the words of both Mary and Martha: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” (John 11:21,32)

Mary, Martha, and others around them had seen and heard of the miraculous things that Jesus was doing. They had only seen Him miraculously prevent death. Their framework for how Jesus worked was limited to their experience with Him.

Martha showed a glimmer of hope in John 11:22 when she said, “Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” However, she still seemed to limit what Jesus could do to her previous experience.

It can be easy to put God inside of a box, to limit what we believe He can do to what we’ve seen Him do before. Yet Jesus’ delay served a greater purpose: to give Him the opportunity to perform an even greater miracle—and thus display God’s glory.

Today, we often struggle to pray with confidence that God could heal physical ailments or save those that seem most unlikely to repent. In our minds, we limit what God can do to what we have seen or can explain.

What if we prayed with the confidence that God is a wonderworker, doing more than we could ever ask or imagine? What if we believed that God isn’t bound by our opinions or perspectives? What if we demonstrated our confidence in a God who is beyond our full comprehension, but is always within our reach? Not only would this type of faith change us, but it would also greatly impact those around us.

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 showed that He has power over death.
• Younger Preschool: Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. He showed that He has power over death. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. Everyone who trusts in Jesus will live forever with Him.
• Older Preschool: Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. He showed that He has power over death. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. Those who trust in Jesus will live forever with Him.
• Kids: When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He showed that He has power over death. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. He gives eternal life to those who trust in Him.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: Why do people not choose Jesus? People choose what they want rather than what God wants.  
• Older Preschool: Why do people not choose Jesus? People are born with sin and choose what they want rather than what God wants.
• Kids: Why do people reject Jesus? People reject Jesus because all people are born with a sin nature and want to please themselves rather than obey God. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: People were unkind to Jesus. Isaiah 53:3 
• Younger Preschool: People turned away from Jesus and were unkind to Him. Isaiah 53:3  
• Older Preschool: He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. Isaiah 53:3 
• Kids: He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. Isaiah 53:3 

** Next week: The World Is Against God (Ephesians 6)

Jesus Knew He Would Be Rejected (Luke 13)

Dear families,

As the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth was drawing nearer, large crowds of people followed Him from each town and village. So the question someone raised in Luke 13:23 may seem unusual: “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”

Jesus had spent time with the crowds. He had fed them, taught them, and healed them; yet He knew that relatively few would follow Him as true disciples. He knew He would ultimately be rejected by the crowds.

Jesus said that the gate is narrow, and few will find it. Most people will not taste and see that the Lord is good. The simple answer to this probing question is, “Yes, the number of people who will be saved is significantly less than those who will not.” Many people knew about Jesus. They had shared meals with Him and listened to Him, but they did not know Him personally as Lord and Savior.

Jesus was clear that being a Jew by birth or a zealot for the law was not enough to enter God’s kingdom. God’s heart is both for Jews and Gentiles. Jesus’ honest response offers hope to those who will hear. He tells them that no matter the numbers, make every effort to be one who enters that narrow gate. You do not want to be left outside the entrance.

We are surrounded by people who wonder about this very same thing. Who will be saved? Though we are not armed with the eternal knowledge of God, we do have pictures like this in Scripture that remind us to point to the hope of Christ in all things. We don’t know the future—and it’s not for us to know—but we do know where hope is found. The subject line of our message should be as hopeful as the gospel that saved us. The invitation to God’s kingdom is for all to place their trust in Christ, the One who was rejected and killed on a cross—so that we may be justified and fully accepted by His sacrifice on our behalf.

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: Everyone who trusts in Jesus will enter God’s kingdom.
• Younger Preschool: Everyone is invited into the kingdom of God, but not everyone will go in. People are saved only by trusting in Jesus.
• Older Preschool: Everyone is invited into the kingdom of God, but not everyone will go in. People are saved only by trusting in Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
• Kids: Everyone is invited into the kingdom of God, but not everyone will enter. People are saved only by trusting in Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: Why do people not choose Jesus? People choose what they want rather than what God wants.  
• Older Preschool: Why do people not choose Jesus? People are born with sin and choose what they want rather than what God wants.
• Kids: Why do people reject Jesus? People reject Jesus because all people are born with a sin nature and want to please themselves rather than obey God. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: People were unkind to Jesus. Isaiah 53:3 
• Younger Preschool: People turned away from Jesus and were unkind to Him. Isaiah 53:3  
• Older Preschool: He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. Isaiah 53:3 
• Kids: He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. Isaiah 53:3 

** Next week: Jesus Raised Lazarus (John 11–12)

 Unit Description: Even though Jesus performed amazing miracles, including raising someone from the dead, the religious leaders rejected Jesus and managed to turn the people against Him too. Their sinful hearts were hard. Even this rejection, however, was part of God’s plan to bring salvation to the world.

Younger Preschool Big Picture Question: Why do people not choose Jesus? People choose what they want rather than what God wants.

Older Preschool Big Picture Question: Why do people not choose Jesus? People are born with sin and choose what they want rather than what God wants.

Scripture Memory Verse:  Isaiah 53:3 
Key Passage Phrase: People were unkind to Jesus. Isaiah 53:3 

We Are Part of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 22; Luke 14)

Dear families,

What makes someone worthy? Have you ever wondered that? What makes someone worthy of the situation they find themselves in? What makes someone worthy of high degrees of responsibility or leadership? What makes someone worthy of recognition or acclaim?

For someone who has been exposed to the things of God, it’s common to ask, what makes someone worthy of the blessings of God?

Jesus told a parable in Matthew 22 that speaks to this question. The answer is that they have responded to the invitation of the King. Metaphorically, this parable teaches that, “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” And those that are chosen are worthy.

Contrary to what our culture tells us, what makes someone worthy is not their accomplishments, their position, or the acclaim. The ultimate answer to this question is not found in what someone does, but by the grace of the King of the universe.

Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”

The good that we do is an outflow of our worthiness, given to us by the grace of God through faith in Him. It is not the other way around. We do not do good works to earn His grace or to prove our worth.

We ought to be careful to understand that worthiness comes out of a gift that has been given by God. And that He is the only King able to assign us worth. He did that when He created all of us. Let us seek to find our worth in nothing less than this.

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 invites everyone to live with Him forever.
• Younger Preschool: Heaven is like a great wedding feast, and Jesus invites everyone to come. Jesus makes a place for people who say yes to His invitation, and they can be with Him forever.
• Older Preschool: Heaven is like a great wedding feast, and Jesus invites everyone to come. Jesus makes a place for people who say yes to His invitation, and they can be with Him forever.
• Kids: Jesus invites us to join Him in heaven—the great wedding feast. When we receive His invitation, Jesus gets us ready by clothing us in His righteousness. Salvation is a free gift for everyone who trusts in Christ.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God.  
• Older Preschool: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom. 
• Kids: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom. He taught that all Scripture is about Him. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Lord, You are great and powerful. 1 Chronicles 29:11 
• Younger Preschool: Lord, You are great and powerful. Everything belongs to You.1 Chronicles 29:11 
• Older Preschool: Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory … for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. 1 Chronicles 29:11 
• Kids: Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 

** Next week: Jesus Knew He Would Be Rejected (Luke 13)

Jesus Taught about God’s Kingdom (Matthew 13)

Dear families,

Jesus often used parables to teach about the kingdom of God. These were fictional stories that illustrated larger points, and those who heard them were often perplexed by their meaning. In Matthew 13, Jesus gave clarity to two important questions that readers of the parables often ask: why does He teach this way, and what do these things mean?

Jesus had a specific purpose in everything He did. Not one moment in the life of Jesus was purely accidental or circumstantial. Jesus had clear intention in all that He did.

Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Why are you speaking to them in parables?” Jesus explained that He did this not to confuse them but to fulfill the prophecy that those who belong to the kingdom of God will hear and understand, but those who do not will hear and not understand.

In this same chapter Jesus also explained some of these parables. All of them were intended to show the unique, surprising, and powerful nature of the kingdom of God. As you consider this week’s Bible story, reflect on two realities illustrated by these parables about the kingdom of God.

First, the kingdom of God will appear to be made up of those who are true believers and those who are not. There are some good fish and some worthless fish, some wheat and some weeds. But in these parables, we learn that there is no confusion for God in who His children truly are. In the end God will separate the two, which means we don’t have to. God will take care to guard His eternal Kingdom.

Second, the kingdom of God may look small or weak, but in the end, it will prove to be larger, more powerful, and more beautiful than we can imagine. The kingdom of God is worth giving up all you have, though starting from a small seed it will grow to be the most prominent tree, and the leaven of the kingdom will impact every bit of the flour.

God’s kingdom is unlike anything else we’ve ever known, and the way Jesus sought to explain that was through parables that demonstrated the beauty and power of the Kingdom. These parables allowed God’s people to hear and understand, yet left those of this world to hear and wonder.

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 come back and set up His kingdom forever.
• Younger Preschool: One day, Jesus will come back to earth and set up His kingdom. Until then, we obey Him and tell others about King Jesus, who rescues sinners.
• Older Preschool: God’s kingdom is growing in the world. His kingdom is valuable and worth giving everything for. While we wait for Jesus to come back and set up His kingdom, we obey Him and tell others about King Jesus, who rescues sinners.
• Kids: The kingdom of God is growing in the world. This kingdom is valuable and worth giving everything for. While we wait for Jesus to return and fully set up His kingdom, we carry out the mission of telling others about King Jesus, who rescues sinners.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God.  
• Older Preschool: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom. 
• Kids: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom. He taught that all Scripture is about Him. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Lord, You are great and powerful. 1 Chronicles 29:11 
• Younger Preschool: Lord, You are great and powerful. Everything belongs to You.1 Chronicles 29:11 
• Older Preschool: Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory … for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. 1 Chronicles 29:11 
• Kids: Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 

** Next week: We Are Part of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 22; Luke 14)

Jesus Taught about God’s Love (Luke 15)

Dear families,

Let’s set the scene: It’s Monday morning, you’re running late for work, where you have an important meeting scheduled first thing. But before you can make it to work, you have to drop off the kids at school. And before you can drop the kids off at school, you’ll need to get everyone in the car, which means you’ll need the car keys. And therein lies the problem. Where are the car keys?! A panicked search ensues, sofa cushions are tossed to the ground, bags are emptied, pockets are turned inside out. You have the car, you have the kids, you have the backpacks, lunchboxes, and your wallet, but without the keys, no one is going anywhere.

Every time I read the three parables that Jesus shares in Luke 15—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son—I can’t help but imagine such a scene. A valuable target that’s worth the risk and resources to go and get.

From these three stories, it’s fair to ask, “Who is it that Jesus is after?” A close look at the context where Jesus shared these parables helps us understand.

Jesus has been approached by tax collectors and sinners. These are the worst of the worst in the eyes of the religious people of the day. But there’s another audience as well. The Pharisees and scribes had gathered. And while they complained about Jesus being with such terrible sinners, Jesus started to make a point that leveled the playing field.

These three parables illustrate that Jesus is concerned about the far-off sinner who has either wandered from faithfulness or has yet to taste and see the goodness of God. But He is also concerned with the outwardly righteous, inwardly sinful Christians who consider themselves deserving of the grace of God. Both are in great need of the love of God.

As we read Luke 15 it should stir our hope for those around us that are far from God and in need of salvation or restoration. But it should also cause us to see our own need for the love and grace of God.

The love of God is relentless, coming after us in our time of need. Whether He is leading us to Himself in salvation or leading us to repentance from our sin, Jesus is in pursuit. We are all always in need of his love and grace.

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 is a loving Father who sent His Son to rescue people from sin.
• Younger Preschool: Jesus told stories to teach about God’s love. Jesus loves people who do not know Him. Jesus gave His life to rescue people from sin.
• Older Preschool: Jesus told stories to teach about God’s love. Jesus loves and looks for people who are lost, people who do not know Him. Jesus gave His life to save people from sin.
• Kids: Jesus told these parables to teach about God’s love. God sent Jesus so sinners can be forgiven. As Savior, Jesus loves and seeks sinners. He paid the ultimate price—His own life—to save people 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 did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God.  
• Older Preschool: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom. 
• Kids: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom. He taught that all Scripture is about Him. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Lord, You are great and powerful. 1 Chronicles 29:11 
• Younger Preschool: Lord, You are great and powerful. Everything belongs to You.1 Chronicles 29:11 
• Older Preschool: Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory … for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. 1 Chronicles 29:11 
• Kids: Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 

** Next week: Jesus Taught about God’s Kingdom (Matthew 13)