Unit 17, Session 1
God Delivered His People (Ezra 1)

Dear families,

Rest. It’s a word that conjures up different thoughts in different people from different circumstances. For some, rest brings to mind a desire to momentarily break from the chaos of life to sleep, relax, and even recover. For others, rest is an unrealistic hope as they navigate a non-stop schedule of busyness. Yet for others, the word rest suggests an uneventful, quiet life of the mundane.

Whether it’s a nap, a vacation, or boredom that comes to mind when you think of rest, it is likely a word that triggers some desire or response. And almost universally, the thought of rest is primarily physical. 

The Bible teaches that rhythms of rest are good and even necessary for us; however, the Bible’s primary teaching on rest refers to the spiritual. In Ezra 1, God’s remnant is instructed to recover from their exile with … work. 

This work would be costly, demanding, and long; but this work actually aimed to bring rest. How could this be so? Because their work was to build the place where they would encounter the living God, the One who gives true rest to the soul. 

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Though God clearly teaches us the benefits of a rhythm of physical rest—Sabbath—He ultimately uses physical rest to teach us of our need for a greater spiritual rest—a rest for our soul, a rest that comes in understanding that we cannot save ourselves, but God has done everything necessary through Christ to save us. We are invited into this rest through the substitutionary atonement of Jesus. 

The people of God are instructed in Ezra 1 to begin the arduous work of building God’s dwelling place. But this work would ultimately lead to their place of rest—in God’s presence.

We too may find ourselves physically exhausted from the demanding work of faithfully following the Lord in the context He has placed us. But take heart, there is rest for your soul in the presence of God and the person of Christ.

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 keeps His promises. God chose King Cyrus as part of His plan. God chose Jesus as His plan to rescue and bring us home to His kingdom forever.
• Younger Preschool: God keeps His promises. He chose King Cyrus as part of His plan to bring His people home from Babylon. God chose Jesus as His plan to rescue sinners and bring us home to His kingdom forever.
• Older Preschool: God keeps His promises. He chose King Cyrus as part of His plan to bring His people home from Babylon. King Cyrus reminds us of Jesus. God chose Jesus as His plan to rescue sinners and bring us home to His kingdom forever.
• Kids: God always keeps His promises. God chose to use King Cyrus in His plan to graciously deliver His people from exile. King Cyrus’ action to free the people reminds us of Jesus, whom God chose to rescue sinners and bring us to our true home in His kingdom of grace.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: Can God be trusted? Yes, we can trust whatever He has said.
• Older Preschool: Can God be trusted? Yes, God cannot lie, so we can trust whatever He has said.
• Kids: Can God be trusted? Yes, God cannot lie or ever be wrong, so we can trust whatever He has said.

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Trust in the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7
• Younger Preschool: The person who trusts in the Lord is blessed. Jeremiah 17:7
• Older Preschool: The person who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence indeed is the LORD, is blessed. Jeremiah 17:7
• Kids: The person who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence indeed is the LORD, is blessed. Jeremiah 17:7

** Next week: Zechariah Gave Hope (Zechariah 13–14)

Unit Description: 
God’s time of disciplining His people had been completed, and true to His word, He returned them to the land of promise. Once there, they began to rebuild the temple—the important reminder that God was with them, that He is faithful, and that He can always be trusted.

Big Picture Question & Answer:
Younger Preschool: Can God be trusted? Yes, we can trust whatever He has said.
Older Preschool:  Can God be trusted? Yes, God cannot lie, so we can trust whatever He has said.
Elementary: Can God be trusted? Yes, God cannot lie or ever be wrong, so we can trust whatever He has said.

Key Passage:
The person who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed. Jeremiah 17:7
Key Passage Phrase: The person who trusts in the Lord is blessed.

Schedule:
April 2 (9am, 11am & 4pm): God Delivered His People (Ezra 1)
April 9 (9am & 11am only): Zechariah Gave Hope (Zechariah 13-14)
April 16 (9am, 11am & 4pm): The People Rebuilt the Temple (Ezra 2-6)
April 23 (9am, 11am & 4pm): God Can Always be Trusted (Jeremiah 31)

Unit 16, Session 4
God Is Present with Us (Isaiah 7)

Dear families,

Have you ever heard someone say something along the lines of, “God’s promise of the future should give you hope today”? Maybe you’ve heard it dozens of times or said it just as many. In part, this saying stands because we believe the Bible teaches this principle; however, at the gut level, this idea can be challenging to hear and believe.

In Isaiah 7, God reminded Ahaz through the prophet Isaiah that he had ample reason to trust God. The evidence? A future promise. In a moment where it would have made sense to the human mind to reference a past experience or previous fulfillment, God chose to offer hope with a word about something that had not yet happened.

That future promise was the incarnation of Jesus Christ. God promised Christmas would come in order to encourage Ahaz to trust the Lord in that moment.

In hindsight, it is easy for us to read this and understand that God was forecasting a promise that we know He would ultimately keep. However, at the moment, this must have been perplexing to hear.

When we make our way through the New Testament and discover some of the beautiful and hopeful promises of the second return of Christ, the eternal joy of God’s people, and the faithfulness of God through trial and tribulation, we too might be tempted to wonder if it will actually happen.

Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that he might lie, or a son of man, that he might change his mind. Does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?” God is faithful. We can look to the past and find a record of this truth, which means we can look to the future with continued confidence. God is not a liar.

Though not overt, our faithlessness in the face of His future promises suggest that we at least think there may be a chance that He is not always true to His Word and faithful to fulfill His promises. Yet He will not waver, and we can set our faith in that.

Yes, be thankful for God’s faithfulness in the past, but also be confident in His future promises. God is present with us. He will not change His mind, His character, or His Word.

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 told Isaiah about His plan to send a baby named Immanuel. One of Jesus’ names is Immanuel. Immanuel means “God with us.”
• Younger Preschool: God told Isaiah about His plan to send someone named Immanuel. Jesus is the One God promised to send. One of Jesus’ names is Immanuel. Immanuel means “God with us.”
• Older Preschool: Isaiah said that God was going to send someone named Immanuel. God’s promise came true when Jesus was born. One of Jesus’ names is Immanuel. The name Immanuel means “God with us.”
• Kids: God is present with us. He sent prophets to His people, even in captivity, and promised to send Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Jesus fulfilled this promise when He came to earth and was born of a virgin. Jesus is our Immanuel, God with us.

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 Delivered His People (Ezra 1)

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)