9am & 11am: September 3
4pm: August 27

Dear families,

The Gospels record dozens of descriptions of the works that Jesus did. We learn about how He served, saved, and showed His power in miraculous ways for the sake of revealing His divine authority to His disciples and others. 

Yet even with all the astounding works of Jesus that are described through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the Gospels still don’t contain the whole of all that Jesus did. In fact, John concludes his Gospel by declaring, “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25). 

However, in several moments throughout the Gospels, we find Jesus’ works stacked on top of one another in such a way that we can see the magnitude of His miraculous works and powerful teachings. One of those chapters is Luke 5. In just 39 verses, we see how Jesus provided, healed, forgave, called, and taught. This account ought to stir our hearts toward a deeper love and worship of Jesus. 

When reading a chapter like Luke 5, two types of questions may come to mind. First, when you think about Jesus, what do you believe about what He has done and how He continues to work? Do you find yourself only convinced of what you have experienced Him doing in your own life? Do you limit yourself to believing only what you can imagine is possible? Or do you trust with confidence all that the Bible describes of Jesus’ works? 

Second, does reading about these works of Jesus cause your heart to swell with worship? Do you respond to reading these accounts or seeing Jesus’ work with mild acknowledgement or with grand astonishment that leads your heart to love and worship Jesus more? 

What is it that causes your heart to be drawn to God? What is it that causes you to worship? The discovery of the amazing works of Jesus ought to lead us to the answers for these questions. And if it does not, spend time praying and asking God to change your perspective, soften your heart, and draw you to Himself.

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 us to follow Him. He shows grace and kindness to those who trust in Him. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus invites us to follow Him. He shows grace and kindness to sinners who trust in Him. 
• Older Preschool: Peter realized that he was a sinner and that Jesus is God. He saw Jesus’ kindness and followed Him. Jesus invites us to follow Him too. He shows grace and kindness to sinners who trust in Him. 
• Kids: Peter understood that he was a sinner and recognized that Jesus is God. He responded to Jesus’ grace and kindness by following Him. When we understand that Jesus is God and that we are sinners, we can turn to Him for forgiveness and follow Him by faith. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool:  How can we be saved? We are only saved by trusting in Jesus. 
• Older Preschool: How can we be saved? We are only saved by trusting in Jesus. 
• Kids: How can we be saved? We are only saved through faith in Jesus. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Believe in God. Hebrews 11:6  
• Younger Preschool: Believe in God. Hebrews 11:6 
• Older Preschool: Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6 
• Kids: Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 

** Next week: We Are Saved by Faith in Jesus (Hebrews 11)

August 20: 4PM Discipleship Hour Lesson
August 27: 9 & 11AM Lesson

People Were Amazed by Jesus (Luke 4)

Dear families,

“I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how he could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean.” These words from Charles Hutchinson Gabriel’s classic hymn “My Savior’s Love” have been sung and treasured for more than a century. When Gabriel first released this song in a 1905 hymnbook, it served as a reminder to the church of the deep love of God, His work through Christ, His presence in all circumstances, and their cause for celebration and amazement. 

In all the rich truths of the five stanzas of this great hymn, the first line may be most striking: “I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.” Why? Because it reminds us of the unfathomable reality that we are able to stand in the presence of God by no other means than God’s gracious work through Jesus. Paul reinforced this idea in his Acts 17 address at the Areopagus: “For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’” (Acts 17:28) 

What causes you amazement? What brings a sense of awe? Are you guilty of being captivated by a sunset but being indifferent to the Savior? Are you left breathless by the miracle of new life, only to be largely unaware of the miracle of sustained life? 

We rightly experience moments of wonder as we witness some of the incredible ways that God works in our lives; however, we often miss the everyday opportunities for amazement of the same degree. 

This week, set your mind to remember that gift of God’s grace found in being able to stand in the presence of God because of the work of Christ applied to you. Take time to remember the gracious gift of God’s sustaining power in your life—keeping breath in your lungs, relationships in your life, and function to every other part of your being. Stand amazed in the presence of Jesus, who sustains your very life and has cast such incredible love on an undeserving sinner.

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’ miracles helped people and showed that He is God’s Son. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus’ miracles helped people and showed that He is the Son of God. 
• Older Preschool: Jesus cares about people. Jesus’ miracles helped people and showed that He is the Son of God. Through Jesus, God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He provides forgiveness and life with God forever. 
• Kids: Jesus’ miracles proved that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. His miracles strengthened people’s faith and met their needs. Through Jesus, God did what is impossible for us to do on our own. He provided forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool:  How can we be saved? We are only saved by trusting in Jesus. 
• Older Preschool: How can we be saved? We are only saved by trusting in Jesus. 
• Kids: How can we be saved? We are only saved through faith in Jesus. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Believe in God. Hebrews 11:6  
• Younger Preschool: Believe in God. Hebrews 11:6 
• Older Preschool: Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6 
• Kids: Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 

** Next week: Peter Worshiped Jesus (Luke 5)

Unit Description: As Jesus began His ministry of miracles and teachings, not everyone responded in the same way. Some rejected Jesus outright. Others were amazed by Jesus but didn’t understand Him. But some came to place their faith in Him and worship Him for who He is: the Son of God.

Preschool Big Picture Question: How can we be saved? We are only saved by trusting in Jesus.. 
Elementary Big Picture Question: How can we be saved? We are only saved through faith in Jesus.

Key Passage: Hebrews 11:6
Elementary: And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Preschool: Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Toddlers: Believe in God.

SESSION 1: People Rejected Jesus (Luke 4)
SESSION 2: People Were Amazed by Jesus (Luke 4)
SESSION 3: Peter Worshiped Jesus (Luke 5)
SESSION 4: We Are Saved by Faith in Jesus (Hebrews 11)

(August 13- Discipleship Hour; August 20-Preschool Sunday Morning)

Dear families,

Some have described the journey of walking with Jesus as one of highs and lows, mountain tops and valleys. Even as a believer, there are good days and bad days. There are times when remaining faithful comes easy. There are days when doors open for sharing the gospel and other days when a door is slammed shut. 

Two truths remain in every moment of every day for the believer: God remains faithful, and Jesus has been there. 

In the highs and the lows, God is faithful. He is present and active in all circumstances. He is involved and working out His plans in all things. There is not a moment of past, present, or future that God is not intricately involved in. And in addition to this, He is working for our good and His glory in all things. He has promised to not leave or forsake those who trust in Him. 

The believer can also find great hope in knowing that when we are tempted, rejected, or discouraged, Jesus Himself has been there. In Luke 4, we find Jesus experiencing the high of widescale praise and affirmation at His teaching followed immediately by a gut-wrenching dismissal by those in His own hometown. 

After Jesus taught in the synagogues of Galilee, news of His teaching spread and people gathered to hear from Him. They praised Him as He read from the Scriptures. But the response He found upon entering Nazareth was quite different. 

Jesus stood up to read from the scroll of Isaiah and teach how the Scriptures pointed to Himself. Rather than being received with praise, He was questioned. Though they were amazed at the power of Jesus’ words, they doubted that Jesus—the son of Joseph who had grown up among them—could be the Savior of the world. They became even more enraged by His claims as Jesus confronted their unbelief with His unwillingness to perform signs, and His desire to take the good news to all people. Jesus’ next stop? Capernaum to share the same message. 

Some people will accept Jesus, but many will reject Him. Regardless of how people respond to the gospel, believers can find encouragement in knowing Jesus remains faithful to His purpose and plan In our highs and in our lows, we can find comfort in the Lord’s presence with 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 is the Messiah God promised to send. Jesus brings good news and helps people who are hurting. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus is the Messiah God promised to send. Jesus would bring good news and help people who were hurting. 
• Older Preschool: Long before Jesus was born, Isaiah the prophet talked about God’s plan to send a Messiah to earth. Jesus is the Messiah God promised to send. Jesus would bring good news and help people who were hurting. 
• Kids: Jesus read Isaiah’s words and announced that He is the promised Messiah. The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus because of their unbelief. God invites us to trust in His Son, Jesus. Jesus came into the world to rescue sinners. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool:  How can we be saved? We are only saved by trusting in Jesus. 
• Older Preschool: How can we be saved? We are only saved by trusting in Jesus. 
• Kids: How can we be saved? We are only saved through faith in Jesus. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Believe in God. Hebrews 11:6  
• Younger Preschool: Believe in God. Hebrews 11:6 
• Older Preschool: Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6 
• Kids: Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 

** Next week: People Were Amazed by Jesus (Luke 4)

Unit 20, Session 3
God Loves All People (1 Corinthians 13)

Dear families,

God is loving. God is love. What’s the difference between these two statements? If God is simply loving, then He fits a particular definition of love; however, if God is love, then He Himself is the definition. For God to be loving does not necessitate that He is love, but if God is love, then He most certainly is loving. 

Why does this matter? Well, a simple observation of culture demonstrates that there are multiple definitions of love. Some may suggest that love is a feeling or an action. Some may suggest that love is a noun or a verb. But if God is love, then we ought to look no further than Him and His Word to discover what love truly is. 

In light of this, where Scripture describes God, we find imagery of what love is. And when Scripture describes love, we discover more of who God is. First Corinthians 13 utilizes a litany of adjectives to describe love, ultimately describing God Himself. 

In this text, we find how God loves and, in particular, how He loves us. God loves us with patience, kindness, satisfaction, humility, thoughtfulness, sacrifice, truthfulness, and hope. This description ought to stir our hearts toward the worship of the God of love and move us in the direction of this type of love toward others. 

The ultimate example of God’s love is Jesus, who said, “Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another” (John 13:34). First John 4:16 says, “And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.” 

God is love and God is loving; therefore, to know God is to know love. As we grow in this understanding, we can begin to demonstrate the type of love that we see in Him. And, Lord willing, others will see Him through our reflection of His love.

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 loves all people. He wants everyone who trusts in Jesus to love Him and love others. 
• Younger Preschool: God loves all people. He commands everyone who trusts in Jesus to love Him and love others. 
• Older Preschool: God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God is love, and God loves all people. He calls everyone who trusts in Jesus to love Him and love others. 
• Kids: God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God is love, and God loves all people. He calls everyone who trusts in Jesus to love Him and love others. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: How do we know God loves us? We can know that God loves us because He sent His Son Jesus. 
• Older Preschool: How do we know God loves us? We can know that God loves us because He sent His Son Jesus. 
• Kids: How do we know God loves us? We can know that God loves us because He gave us Jesus to forgive the sins of the world. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: God sent His Son Jesus. Romans 5:8 
• Younger Preschool:  We know that God loves us because He sent His Son Jesus. Romans 5:8 
• Older Preschool: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 
• Kids: But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 

** Next week: People Rejected Jesus (Luke 4)

Jesus Told a Woman about Living Water (John 4)
Unit 20, Session 2

Dear families,

A clear reality that echoes throughout the New Testament is that God sends those He saves. Jesus commanded His disciples to go and tell others about Him. (Matt. 28:18-20) The story of Jesus and a Samaritan woman in John 4 also provides reminders of this idea. 

Upon the Samaritan woman’s hearing that God Himself was standing before her, she left her water—the very thing she had come to the well for—and returned quickly to her town to tell of this man. 

Her response was not to run from Jesus but to expend her energy bringing others to Him: “Come, see.” At the very least, she concluded that He was the Messiah. At the very most, she had surrendered to His authority over her life and was now trusting in His power to forgive. Either way, she was moved to go and tell. 

Immediately following this, Jesus used the question of His need for food to exhort the disciples to go and tell as well. After telling the disciples that He is fulfilled by doing the work of God, Jesus shared with His friends that they too were created to participate in the work of God— sowing and reaping by bringing men, women, boys, and girls to Jesus. 

Ultimately, Jesus called these men to follow Him so they would experience joy in His presence forever, glorify Him, and invite others to do the same. He saved them to participate in the mission of God to make known the hope found only in Him.  

And the same is true of us as well. Those whom God has saved are also sent by Him so that people in their communities and all over the world can receive the invitation to come and see the Savior—Jesus Christ. 

Jesus calls us to Himself and then He sends us to go. When we take part in the mission of God, we are demonstrating that we love Jesus more than anything. Before He ascended to heaven, Jesus also promised that we don’t take on this mission alone. He will surely be with us—by the gift of the Spirit. 

The Lord saves us and commands us to share the hope of the gospel. As we participate in His mission, He promises to be with us and produces joy within us as others come to faith in Him. Jesus is worthy.

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 loves everyone. Anyone who trusts in Jesus will be saved from sin. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus loves everyone. He came to give people salvation from sin. When we trust in Jesus, we worship Him as our Lord and Savior. 
• Older Preschool: Jesus is different from other people. Jesus loves everyone, and He came to give people a free gift: salvation from sin. When we trust in Jesus, we worship Him as our Lord and Savior. 
• Kids: Jesus offers something better than physical water; He gives us Himself. Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to everyone who comes to Him by faith. We can worship Him as Lord and Savior wherever we are. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: How do we know God loves us? We can know that God loves us because He sent His Son Jesus. 
• Older Preschool: How do we know God loves us? We can know that God loves us because He sent His Son Jesus. 
• Kids: How do we know God loves us? We can know that God loves us because He gave us Jesus to forgive the sins of the world. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: God sent His Son Jesus. Romans 5:8 
• Younger Preschool:  We know that God loves us because He sent His Son Jesus. Romans 5:8 
• Older Preschool: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 
• Kids: But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 

** Next week: God Loves All People (1 Corinthians 13)

Jesus Told Nicodemus about Eternal Life (John 3)

Dear families,

Light and darkness are contrasted throughout the Scriptures. In John 3, Jesus explained to Nicodemus the hope and grace of God and the means by which He saves. Consider what Jesus was saying as He emphasized this contrast in this conversation. 

In John 3:19-21, Jesus said, “This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.” 

Jesus said that judgment is coming—and has arrived—because people loved the darkness more than the light. Ultimately, Jesus was referring to Himself, having entered the world to overcome the darkness. But as John 1 says, He was not recognized as the light, even by His own people. 

Some two thousand years later, the question is, do we too love the darkness, or have we truly received the light? And how can we know? Jesus helps us answer this question. 

One might summarize Jesus’ response this way: if you love the darkness, your deeds will be evil. If you love the light, your works will be obvious evidence of the power of God. The evidence of whether we love the darkness or the light is found in the way we live. 

Do you live in a way that expresses your love for light or for darkness? Is there a clear picture of the power of God in your decisions, actions, and words? Do people see the work of God and hear of His power when they interact with you? 

It’s easy to answer these important questions with aspirations, but we cannot convince God of what is not true. And even further, our aspirations mean nothing without a deep dependence on God’s transformation for our lives. Though we find evidence of what we love in how we live, ultimately God looks at the heart. Our lives will be evidence for loving God above all else. In our faithful pursuit of the light, the evidence will show itself.

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 gives us life forever with God. 
• Younger Preschool: God showed His love by sending His one and only Son to rescue people from sin. Jesus gives us life forever with God. 
• Older Preschool: Nicodemus wanted life with God, but he could not do anything to earn it. Eternal life is a gift. God showed His love by sending His one and only Son to rescue people from sin. Everyone who believes in Him receives God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus. 
• Kids: Nicodemus needed new life—eternal life—but he could not do anything to earn it. Eternal life is a gift that comes only from God. God showed His love in this way: He sent His one and only Son to save the world. Everyone who believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: How do we know God loves us? We can know that God loves us because He sent His Son Jesus. 
• Older Preschool: How do we know God loves us? We can know that God loves us because He sent His Son Jesus. 
• Kids: How do we know God loves us? We can know that God loves us because He gave us Jesus to forgive the sins of the world. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: God sent His Son Jesus. Romans 5:8 
• Younger Preschool:  We know that God loves us because He sent His Son Jesus. Romans 5:8 
• Older Preschool: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 
• Kids: But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 

** Next week: Jesus Told a Woman about Living Water (John 4)

Unit Description:  Jesus’ early encounters with people revealed that He had come to be the Savior of all people—Jew and Gentile, male and female, rich and poor. All people have been made in God’s image and are loved by Him.

Preschool Big Picture Question: How do we know God loves us? We can know that God loves us because He sent His Son, Jesus.

SESSION 1: Jesus Told Nicodemus about Eternal Life (John 3)
SESSION 2: Jesus Told a Woman about Living Water (John 4)
SESSION 3 (Big Truth Session): God Loves All People (1 Corinthians 13)

Key Passage: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Key Passage Song:

Jesus Came to Be the Sacrifice for Sin (Hebrews 10)

Dear families,

The phrase “take away” has many different connotations and applications. For a four-year old, it means someone stole their toy. For a basketball player, it means a steal. For a math teacher, it means subtraction. So, what does it mean that Jesus came to “take away the sin of the world”? 

In John 1:29, as John the Baptist saw Jesus coming along the banks of the river where he had been baptizing people and calling for repentance, John said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” 

This statement raises a question that’s important for every person: What does it mean that Jesus came to take away the sin of the world? A look to Hebrews 10 brings clarity as we seek to allow Scripture to help interpret the question. 

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that the Old Testament sacrificial system was good, but not enough. Though this system proved to be a faithful response to the call of God for His people prior to Christ’s arrival, it was never intended to be a permanent means of atonement for the sin of God’s people. 

Hebrews 10:12-14 says, “But this man [Jesus], after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. He is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified.” 

Jesus was the perfect sacrifice because He lived a sinless life and died once as a single offering for sins. All who trust in His death and resurrection are eternally forgiven as His sacrifice has satisfied the wrath of God on their behalf. 

This is what it means that Jesus takes away the sin of the world: Jesus died once for all, that those who trust in Christ would no longer be held captive by their sin and that they would be able to stand before God, redeemed by the blood of Jesus shed for sins. This is the greatest “take away” the world has ever known.

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: When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin forever. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. When we trust in Him, God forgives our sin forever. 
• Older Preschool: Jesus came to be the sacrifice for sin. He lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. When we trust in Him, God forgives our sin forever. 
• Kids: Jesus came to be the sacrifice for sin. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. In Him, we have complete forgiveness once and for all. 

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 do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. 
• Older Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. 
• Kids: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
• Younger Preschool: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
• Older Preschool: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
• Kids: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

** Next week: Jesus Told Nicodemus about Eternal Life (John 3)

Jesus Called His Disciples (John 1)
Unit 19, Session 5

Dear families,

New Christians may find themselves wondering, Now what? What do I do? To answer these questions, we may talk with those new believers about Bible reading, prayer, community, and mission. Though these are all good and essentials things, they alone do not capture Jesus’ initial call to His disciples. 

When Jesus first began calling disciples, He used two words: “Follow Me.” He didn’t say “Clean yourself up” or “Work harder.” He said, “Follow Me.” 

The call to follow Jesus is a call to our souls to find rest. He invites us to be with Him and enjoy Him. Jesus’ invitation is not to be amazing, to do great things, or even to get to work. Jesus’ initial invitation is to follow Him. 

Jesus has most certainly called His followers to go and do good works, but the order in which we heed His calling and instructions is vital to our spiritual health. 

It’s easy for us to get caught up in the activity of God, the work of His mission, and the effort we must engage in to grow as He desires for us; however, these are not to be first. 

God calls us to come to Him; draw near to Him; and to see a glimpse of His goodness, beauty, splendor, and grace. And it is only in seeing these realities that we will go and do faithfully. For if we seek to go and do before we come and see, we will find ourselves in a spiral of constant despair feeling like we are falling short or equally as dangerous, feeling like we must earn our way to God. 

Jesus’ call to His disciples to come and see is the same invitation that we have today. Whether we have walked with God for decades or are new to the faith, our greatest need is to draw near to God and experience His glorious grace. It is then that we will see Him for who He truly is, understand ourselves more fully, and then live faithfully for His glory.

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: We are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus came to earth to save people from their sins. He called disciples to follow Him. We are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him. 
• Older Preschool: Jesus, the Son of God and true King of Israel, came to earth to save people from their sins. He called disciples to follow Him. We are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him. 
• Kids: Jesus, the Son of God and true King of Israel, came to earth to show what God is like and to save people from their sins. He called disciples to follow Him. We are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him. We can invite everyone to come and see the good news about Jesus. 

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 do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. 
• Older Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. 
• Kids: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
• Younger Preschool: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
• Older Preschool: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
• Kids: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

** Next week: Jesus Came to Be the Sacrifice for Sin (Hebrews 10)