Lent Devotion

Our Covenant With God

Today the Lord has obtained your agreement: to be his treasured people, as he promised you, and to keep his commandments; for him to set you high above all nations that he has made, in praise and in fame and in honor; and for you to be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.  - Deuteronomy 26:18-19

The book of Deuteronomy names precisely the basis for all our choices in following God's ways: the agreement, or covenant, that God will love us in a special way ad that we, in turn, are to walk in God's ways.  God's love for us means that not only do we have a special dignity, so does everybody else.  God's love in our lives makes a difference in how we act and how we treat other people.  We respond to God's generous covenant of love with us by treating others with the dignity and respect they deserve as sons and daughters of God.

Loving God, help us to appreciate your covenant of love with us.

Resources: Led by Christ by Kathleen Finley and Follow the Way by Susan Senechal

Lent Devotion

Forgiving Others

So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother and sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.   Matthew 5:23-24

Those who are closest to us - our brothers and sisters, our parents or children, even our coworkers - can irritate us and get us so upset and frustrated.  Jesus reminds us that forgiveness is a decision - not an easy one, but one that makes a difference in the love and the energy we have available to be able to show to God and to others.   He tells us that if things aren't settled with those around us, we won't be able to fully show God our love either.  Being at odds with others may seem like "no big deal" sometimes, but Jesus makes it clear just how important it really is.

Forgiving God, help me to make peace with others.

Resources: Led by Christ by Kathleen Finley and Follow the Way by Susan Senechal

Lent Devotional

We Need Only Ask

Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.  For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.  - Matthew 7:7-8

Jesus reminds us how much God loves us and how much God wants to give us whatever we ask.  But why do we need to ask if God already knows what we want?  Because the very act of asking shows our trust in God's goodness and our awareness that what we ask may not actually be the best for us.  God knows what we really need and will give it to us, even when we don't know exactly what that might be.  God is willing to give us what we need most because, in a very real sense, each one of us is God's beloved, more precious than we can ever begin to imagine.

Loving God, thank you for your deep love for each of us.


Resources: Led by Christ by Kathleen Finley and Follow the Way by Susan Senechal

Cell Phone Contract

Cell phones are a privilege to have and with privileges comes responsibility.   Responsibility needs to be modeled and taught.   Sometimes boundaries have to be drawn.  This is why the youth and children have rules and a contract that they sign when they have phones.   I had a few parents ask if there was a cell phone contract for home.  Yes there is!   Here is the link to it:
stickyfaith.org/family/blog/cell-phone-contract

Lent Devotion

A Clean Heart

When we have failed to live up to the way Jesus asks us to live, we can feel disappointed and discouraged.  But God is always ready to help us start again to give us a "clean heart" to make the choices that are loving and caring rather than the selfish and lazy choices we are tempted to make instead.  In fact, God has more patience with us and with our mistakes and sins than we tend to have with ourselves.

Give us clean and renewed hearts, O God.

Resources: Led by Christ by Kathleen Finley and Follow the Way by Susan Senechal

Story Lesson 15 and 16

LESSON 15: God’s Messengers

Timeless Truth: God is more powerful than any other god.

Bible Basis:   1 Kings 17:1-6, 18:1-39, 19:3-18, 2 Kings 2:1-15, Amos 3:1-11, 4:2-10,  5:14-15, 9:8

Key Verse:     [Elijah said] “I serve the Lord. He is the God of Israel” (1 Kings 17:1).

Get the Point:

Preschool: God encouraged Elijah in hard times. God encourages me.

Elementary: God encouraged Elijah in hard times. God encourages me.

Middle School: God raises up mighty people—such as Elijah and Elisha—in hard times to point people to him.

High School: God raises up mighty people—such as Elijah and Elisha—in hard times to point people to him.

Table Talk

Preschool/Elementary

• Elisha was an awesome man of God. He did many miracles, including making the blind see and raising a child from the dead. In 2 Kings 2:23-24, it tells of a time that some young people made fun of Elisha’s bald head. Elisha called down a curse on them, and two bears came out of the woods and attacked 42 of the young fellows. What do you think is the main point of this story?

• Has anybody ever made fun of you?

• What did you do?

• How do you think God would want you to act when other kids make fun of you?

• Is it ever a good idea to make fun of people?

Middle/High School

• Elijah often felt alone—maybe because Ahab and Jezebel killed all of God’s other prophets and birds fed him when he lived alone in a valley. Have you ever felt alone in your stand for God?

• Have you ever prayed for God to show his mighty power, like Elijah did? What was the result?

• There are a lot of temptations that pull teens and tweens away from God—drinking, drugs, rebellious music, sex—what area is the biggest problem at your school or among your friends?

• What area would you like to make a difference in? Pray to ask God to help you make a difference in your world in one of these areas. Then find teachers, parents and adults who can help you.

Living Faith

When Ahab became king of Israel, he did more evil things than any of the kings who had ruled before him. God sent Elijah to tell Ahab that he was judging the land because of the king’s poor choices. Elijah told Ahab that the living Lord is the God of Israel and to prove it “there won’t be any dew or rain on the whole land” (1 Kings 17:1). For three years it didn’t rain.

Have your family make it rain by gathering a clean glass jar with a metal top and ice cubes. Begin this activity by filling the jar half-full with super hot tap water. Put the lid upside-down on top to trap the heat. Place several ice cubes in the lid. In about 15 minutes, raindrops will start to splash inside the jar.

As it starts to rain, ask these questions:

• What would the biggest problems be if it didn’t rain for three years?

• What was God’s point in stopping the rain?

• What are some ways mentioned earlier in The Story where God showed his power in mighty ways?

• Rain is one way that God provides for our needs. What are some other ways that God provides for us?

• Have family members talk specifically about an area of their lives where they’re especially grateful of God’s provision.

At the end of the draught, Elijah had a showdown against the 850 prophets who worshiped false gods. He challenged the false prophets to pray and have their god send fire down to earth. The false prophets tried and tried, but nothing happened. Elijah had the altar doused with water three times. Elijah prayed and God sent fire from heaven that burned up everything—even the water! The people of Israel turned back to God and he sent rain.

Extra Mile

Do you like walking in the rain? How about singing in the rain. Elijah enjoyed running in the rain. In fact, he outran Ahab’s chariot from Mount Carmel to Jezreel—and that’s over 20 miles!

In honor of Elijah’s amazing feat mentioned in 1 Kings 18:46, go jogging as a family. Run around your neighborhood or a local park. You may even want to race each other. God gave Elijah amazing power to beat Ahab to Jezreel. You could put somebody on a bike and have him stay on the sidewalk as another family member sprints across a field. See who wins to a predetermined point.

Make an effort to get outside and exercise as a family a few times this week. It could be jogging, running, biking—anything. And it doesn’t have to be for long, even 15 minutes can be beneficial. Maybe it’ll become a habit. As you exercise, use the time to talk about what’s happening in your life and how you see God moving.

LESSON 16: The Beginning of the End

Timeless Truth: God’s saving power is great.

Bible Basis:   Isaiah 3:1-13, 14:1-5, 49:8-9, 53:1-12

Key Verse:     “When it is time to save you, I will help you. I will keep you safe” (Isaiah 49:8).

Get the Point:

Preschool: God doesn’t give up on his people. God won’t give up on me.

Elementary: God doesn’t give up on his people. God won’t give up on me.

Middle School: God punishes, instructs and guides his children to help them grow more like him.

High School: God punishes, instructs and guides his children to help them grow more like him.

Table Talk

Preschool/Elementary

• Israel and Judah followed other gods and ignored the one true God. The sins of the people of Israel caused God to allow them to be taken to Assyria. The prophet Isaiah warned the people of Judah about what would happen if they continued their bad decisions. He told the people the truth, even though the truth was difficult. Have you ever told the truth, even though it was hard?

• Have you ever stopped a friend from making a bad decision?

• What did you say or do to change your friend’s mind?

• Why is it so important to always speak the truth?

Note: Young readers will enjoy hearing this story in the Jesus Storybook Bible on page 144.

Middle/High School

• Isaiah’s name means “God to the rescue.” What does your name mean? (Parents share with your children how you chose their name.)

• Isaiah tried to rescue the people by telling them God’s truth. What would you have to do to live up to your name?

• How does it feel when people try to change you by telling you things that you’re doing wrong?

• Is it easy to take advice? Is it easier to follow if you know it’s from God’s Word?

• What is the best way to share difficult truths with people?

Living Faith

God gave Isaiah great insight to write about the future and the coming of Jesus the Messiah. Test your ability to predict the future by playing this game as a family. All you need is a coin. Have family members pair up. If there’s an odd number of people, the person who sits out automatically wins and advances to the next round. Have one person flip and the other person call “heads” or “tails.” The winner is the one who guesses the best three-out-of-five flips correctly. Continue playing until there is one grand champion. When you’re finished, read this:

            The book of Isaiah is filled with prophecies about Jesus.

            • Isaiah 7:14 says Jesus will be born of a virgin.

            • Isaiah 35:5-6 says when Jesus comes the blind will see and the deaf will hear.

            • Isaiah 53:12 says Jesus will die with criminals.

            There more than ten different prophecies recorded in Isaiah. The chances of guessing a flipped coin correctly are 50 percent. That means you have a 1 in 2 chance of being right. Mathematician Peter Stoner figured out the chances of one man in all of history fulfilling just eight prophecies. The probability is 1 in 10¹⁷, or a 1 with 17 zeros behind it. Stoner wrote that if you took 100,000,000,000,000,000 silver dollars and put them in Texas, it would cover the state two feet deep. “Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly,” Stoner says. “Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets would have had of writing eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man."

            Jesus is truly amazing. He didn’t fulfill just eight prophecies written hundreds of years before his birth—he fulfilled nearly 50! That’s an awesome God. It didn’t happen by chance. It was all part of God’s plan.

Extra Mile

Isaiah 53 says a lot about Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Watch this 4:49 video on YouTube: “Jesus the Messiah – Via Dolorosa - Isaiah 53.” Some of the illustrations may disturb younger children. But if your children are old enough, have them watch the video as you read Isaiah 53 out loud.

The power of Isaiah’s words and the images will bring home Jesus’ sacrifice in a tangible way. God gave his only son and Jesus gave everything for us.

Ask the following questions:

·      Why Jesus was willing to go through all that?

How was Isaiah able to write these words more than 700 years before Jesus was born?

Lent Devotional

As We Forgive Others

Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.  For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.  Matthew 6:11-15

Matthew's version of the Lord's Prayer makes it clear that we will only experience God's forgiveness and mercy to the extent that we are willing to "cut others some slack."  It can  be so much easier to ask God for forgiveness for ourselves than to put up with the people - perhaps in our own family - who irritate and frustrate us.  But Jesus reminds us that the way we put love into practice by the decisions we make shows God how we wish to be loved and forgiven in turn.

God, help me to be understanding and forgiving toward others.

Resources: Led by Christ by Kathleen Finley and Follow the Way by Susan Senechal

Lent Devotional

Jesus' Brothers and Sister

Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?  And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing?  And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?"  And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."   Matthew 25:37-40

Jesus gives us a vivid picture of the end of time and the final judgment.  Here we learn what a great opportunity we have right now to show our love for God.  In our lives, the least of Jesus' brothers or sisters may look like a child at school who seems to be picked on a lot or perhaps someone in our midst who seems to irritate us so easily.  But remember: the way we treat that person is the way we treat Christ.

God of all, help me to see how to care better for those in need.  Amen

Resources: Led by Christ by Kathleen Finley and Follow the Way by Susan Senechal

Lent Devotional

God Will Lead Us

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.  He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.  Psalm 25:8-9

God will show us how to live and how to make good choices in our lives - all we need to do is ask.  When we ask for God's help, God will be there to help us learn, especially from our mistakes.   We may not realize until much later that God was teaching us what we needed to learn.  God has promised to be there for us always, offering us guidance all the days of our lives.

I am reminded today, Lord, that prayer is not a posture; it's a conversation between you and me.  Whether I look to the heavens or have my face to the ground, whether in a room full of people or in my closet at home, open my ears that I may hear you.  When I follow Jesus in prayer, I simply come to you.  Father, whenever I am, and open up my heart.  Amen


Resources: Led by Christ by Kathleen Finley and Follow the Way by Susan Senechal

Lent Devotional

The Gift of Joy

If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom by like the noonday.  The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.    Isaiah 58:10-11

The reading of Isaiah continues from yesterday with promises of the joy and delight that we will experience as a result of helping others.  We can tend to think of our relationships with God as something private, just between us and God, but Isaiah reminds us that God delights in our caring for others, so much so that our true joy depends on how our faith in God affects our whole life.  God will be as generous with us as we are with one another.

Jesus, when you healed the paralytic man by first forgiving his sins, you remind us that with forgiveness comes healing:  a healed heart, healed relationships, and healing through releasing guilt and burdens to you.  Though it's incredibly difficult at times, and the opposite of what we think and what the world says, help us to remember that with the three little words "You are forgiven" we can take up our mat and be free.  Thank you for your gift of grace.  Amen

Resources: Led by Christ by Kathleen Finley and Follow the Way by Susan Senechal

Lent Devotional

A Real Fast

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?  Isaiah 58:6-7

The prophet Isaiah tells the Jewish people that God doesn't really want lots of pious actions; what God wants are results.  It's a though God is telling the people: show me how much you love me by how you treat one another, especially those who need your help.  This means we need to open our eyes to those around us who may be in need and then respond to those needs generously.  If there were one word to summarize what Isaiah is telling the people, it is: share.  Share what you have with those most in need.

For the umpteenth time that my spouse is late, for all the times my children repeat the same wrong behavior, for my co-worker who took credit for my idea, again... Jesus, help me to forgive.  For, Lord, on the way of forgiveness you teach me not to number the sins of others, but instead to count the many ways you have shown grace and mercy to me.   Amen


Resources: Led by Christ by Kathleen Finley and Follow the Way by Susan Senechal

Lent Devotional

Choosing Life

I have set before you a life and death, blessings and curses.  Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him.
 - Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Moses put the choice facing the Israelite people - and us - in the clearest possible terms when we choose to follow God and his love, we choose life over death, we choose to live more fully and to allow others to do the same.  It is amazing that the creator of all heaven and earth allows us to decide how to live, to say "yes" or "no" to God's love.  God reminds us that our choices lead to certain consequences but leaves the choice up to us.  As we make choices today and every day, let us be thankful for the ability to choose what we will do and how we will do it.

O Jesus, I want others to know how much they have hurt me.  I play the martyr while I await an admission of guilt and words of contrition.  But, Lord, from the cross show us that they way of forgiveness doesn't require that they know they have sinned, only that my heart would turn to you and echo three words: "Father forgive them."  Help me to freely offer the forgiveness I have already received from you.  Amen


Resources: Led by Christ by Kathleen Finley and Follow the Way by Susan Senechal

Ash Wednesday

Action Begins in the Heart

Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your whole heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing.  Return to the LORD, your God..Joel 2:12-13

As we begin this season of Lent, it's tempting to decide what we will give up or what we will do extra to show God - and maybe other people - how serious we are about our faith.  But the prophet Joel reminds us that what is most important is what happens deep within our hearts.  What happens there will show in our actions.  If we listen closely to Jesus during Lent, he will speak to our hearts and teach us how to make good choices, even if no one else notices a change in our behavior.

How do you hope God will change your heart this Lent?

O Jesus, following your ways always begins here: with forgiveness.  With the words you spoke the night you were betrayed.  It begins with me acknowledging that your blood was shed for me, for the forgiveness of my sin.  For, Jesus, if I don't see my own sin, I won't see you as my Savior.  So Jesus, as I seek to follow your ways, let me first remember that you shed your blood for me.  I love you, Jesus, Amen.

Resources: Led by Christ by Kathleen Finley and Follow the Way by Susan Senechal

The Story Part 13 and 14

Part 13: The King Who Had It All

Timeless Truth: God’s faithful love continues forever.

Bible Basis:   1 Kings 3:1-15, 4:29-30, Proverbs 3:1-18, 2 Chronicles 6:12-7:3, 2 Chronicles 9:1-8, 1 Kings 11:9-13

Key Verse:     “Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Have respect for the Lord” (Proverbs 3:7). 

The Point:

Preschool: God made Solomon a wise leader. God can make me wise, too.

Elementary: God made Solomon a wise leader. God can make me wise, too.

Middle School: Man’s wisdom—even Solomon’s—is limited. God’s love endures forever.

High School: Solomon was the wisest man alive, but he failed to follow his own godly teaching and that led to his downfall.

Table Talk

Preschool/Elementary

• God appeared to Solomon in a dream and offered to give him anything he asked for. If God gave you the same offer, what would you ask for?

• Solomon asked for wisdom, so he could be a good king. Do you think that was a good request?

• God liked Solomon’s answer so much that he gave him wisdom, fame and money. What’s the best reward you’ve received for a good answer?

• If you could ask your parents to give you one thing, what would it be?

Middle/High School

• Solomon’s wisdom is legendary. Many of his saying can be found in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. He begins Proverbs by writing, “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). What does that mean to you?

• Would your teachers and friends agree that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”?

• What would modern-day science say about that statement?

• Is Solomon’s wisdom out of date or does it still apply today? Why?

Living Faith

This activity requires a 20-ounce plastic bottle, warm water, vinegar and baking soda. It’s best to complete this activity outside or in a sink. As you watch the baking soda and vinegar react and fizz out of the bottle, think about what it would’ve been like to watch God’s presence come down and fill the temple.

            Start by putting about two tablespoons of baking soda in the bottom of the bottle. Quickly add a ½ cup of vinegar and ¼ cup of warm water. Step back and watch the bottle fill with foam that bursts out of the top.

            When Solomon prayed for the temple, God’s presence came down. Second Chronicles 7:2 says, “the priests couldn’t enter the temple of the Lord. His glory filled it.” Can you imagine God’s tangible presence filling a building? It was so powerful that people who witnessed it, dropped to their knees and worshiped God.

            For a bonus activity after discussing God’s powerful presence at his temple, get a plastic zipper bag to demonstrate that God’s glory can’t be contained. Be careful as the bag will explode and may create a mess.

            This time put a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in a paper towel and fold it up. Pour a ½ cup of vinegar and a ¼ cup of water into the plastic zipper bag. Drop in the paper towel and quickly zip the bag closed. Give a quick shake to start the reaction, then put the plastic bag on the ground and step away. The bag should puff up and pop with a loud bang.

Extra Mile

Idea #1: Money wasn’t an issue for Solomon. God blessed him with such vast riches that the Bible says silver had little value in Solomon’s kingdom and that the king drank out of a gold goblet. So when Solomon built God’s temple, he spared no expense.

            Even though Solomon had 180,000 workers and 4,000 supervisors on the project, the temple took seven years to complete. It was one of the most majestic structures of the day. Nearly 500 years after the Israelites left Egypt, God’s temple was complete.

            Take a digital video tour of the temple by going to YouTube and watching the 4:58 video called “Solomons Temple.” Read 1 Kings 6 as you watch.

            • Did anything stand out to you in the video?

            • Is there any part of the description of the temple that seems especially majestic?

            • How does Solomon’s temple compare to your church?

            • Does God’s presence still fill buildings today? (Look at Matthew 18:20 for an answer.)

Idea #2: Read the Proverb that mirrors today’s date. (So if it’s the 10^th, read Proverbs 10.) After you’re finished, have each family member discuss her favorite verse from what was just read. Encourage each person to memorize one verse from Proverbs. Try this for one day or do it all week!

Part 14: A Kingdom Torn in Two

Timeless Truth: God detests idol worshippers.

Bible Basis:   1 Kings 12:1–33; 14:22–23, 26–28; 15:11–24, 16:29-33

Key Verse:     “Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (1 Kings 15:11).

The Point:

Preschool: God uses bad things to teach his people. I can learn from mistakes.

Elementary: God uses bad things to teach his people. I can learn from mistakes.

Middle School: When you follow the lie that God can’t give you what you need, it’s easy to turn to idols.

High School: Idol worship isn’t limited to golden cows; many things can pull your attention away from God.

Table Talk

Preschool/Elementary

• The people of Judah started fighting against Israel and decided to start their own country. Have you ever had two of your friends fight and decide not to be friends anymore?

• What happened because of this fight?

• Was there a way your friends could’ve settled their differences better?

• In the midst of all these bad kings in Israel and Judah, Asa became king of Judah and “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (1 Kings 15:11). Do you think it was hard for him to do good things when everybody around him was making bad choices?

• Tell about a time when others were making poor choices and you decided to follow God. Was it hard? How did it make you feel?

Middle/High School

• Proverbs 13:20 says, “Anyone who walks with wise people grows wise. But a companion of foolish people suffers harm.” Rehoboam’s dad, Solomon, wrote those words. But Rehoboam must’ve been spacing out when Solomon said them, because instead of listening to the counsel of wise elders, Rehoboam listened to his friends when it came to the treatment of the people of Judah. His friends encouraged Rehoboam to tell Jeroboam that bigger whips would be used to beat them. (That’s not a good way to make friends.) Jeroboam went back and split off a new country, Judah, where he was king. What do you think was Rehoboam’s biggest mistake?

• Could Judah splitting from Israel been prevented?

• Have you ever listened to your friends instead of your parents? (Note: Parents you can share a story here, too, from your growing up years.)

• Do you think Solomon’s advice in Proverbs 13:20 is true?

Living Faith

You don’t run into a lot of golden cow worshipers at church these days. But the problem of idols still plagues God followers. Anything that comes before God in your life could be an idol, especially if you look to that thing for comfort or satisfaction. Have all family members fill out the chart to see how they spend their time. At the end, answer some questions to see if any idols have crept into your daily life.

On average how much time each day do you spend doing these things?

Activity:	Watching TV	Playing Video Games	Texting/ talking on phone	Reading Bible and praying	Shopping	Being on the Computer
Time Spent:

None of the activities are in and of themselves sinful; however, if they consume all your time and pull you away from God, they could become an idol. In today’s society money, fame, possessions, career advancement, popularity and other things rule people’s lives. Ask:

            • What area in your life do you think has the greatest possibility of becoming an idol?

            • How can you prevent that from happening?

            • What changes can you make in your schedule to show God that he’s first in your life?

Extra Mile

Only the one true God is worthy of our worship. King Solomon opened the door to idol worship, and then Israel and Judah forsook the Lord to follow false gods.

            Go to YouTube and watch the 4:29 video showing the lyrics of the song “I will worship You – Matthew Ward.” Have a pencil and paper ready. Write down all of the characteristics of God mentioned in the song. “My God is faithful, truthful . . .”

            • Think about the things people worship today (fame, money, etc.). Can any of those things boast the same characteristics that God possesses?

            • One of the lines says, “I will worship you for the things you’ve done in me.” Have family members share something the Lord has done in them.

            • Deuteronomy 6:13 says, “Worship the Lord your God. He is the only one you should serve.” Write that verse on an index card and stick it on the refrigerator. Encourage everybody in your family to memorize it this week. Plan something fun as a family if everybody accomplishes this goal.

Story Part 11 and 12

Chapter 11

What are the giants in your life?   As you read the story of David and Goliath put aside all the things you remember from that story and focus on where God is and what might be going on in Davids mind.  God is always with us and will help us defeat any giant in our life if we just let him.

Chapter 12

Sin is the topic of this lesson.  It is the theme of the story.
Yet it is said that David was a man after God's own heart.  Even when we mess up there is grace.  There is love.  David shows us through the Psalms how much God loves us and wants to see us follow His will.

The Story Part 9 and 10

Story Part 9
Read the book of Ruth

Bible Basis:   Ruth 1-4:17

Key Verse:     “May the Lord reward you for what you have done. May the God of Israel bless you richly” (Ruth 2:12).

Parent Tips:

Use the Table Talk questions to start a discussion around the dinner table during the week. The Living Faith activity is designed to show your family the benefits of being kind, even when nobody knows about it. The Extra Mile will get your family involved in the life of a child who’s having a difficult time.

Get the Point:

Preschool: Boaz and Ruth were kind to others. I please God when I am kind.

Elementary: Boaz and Ruth are kind to others. I please God when I am kind.

Middle School: By loving God first, you can better love your family. 

High School: God calls us to go beyond ourselves to serve other people, even when it appears that it won’t profit us.

Table Talk

Preschool/Elementary

• When Naomi’s husband and sons died, why did she want to move to Bethlehem? (That’s where she was from. She had family there and had heard the Lord was helping his people.)

• Did Naomi want Ruth and Orpah to come with her? (No, she encouraged them to go back to their parents’ homes and marry different men.)

• Why did Ruth stay? (She loved Naomi and wanted to serve her and her God.)

• How did God bless Ruth’s actions? (He provided food for her and Naomi. He allowed her to marry Boaz.)

• How does God bless us when we do nice things for people?

Middle/High School

• Boaz and Ruth’s relationship teaches a lot about dating and the characteristics of a future spouse. What first attracted Boaz to Ruth? (She was hard-working. He had heard about the kindness she showed Naomi.)

• What attracted Ruth to Boaz? Was it his awesome biceps? (No. He offered her protection by having her glean in his field. He provided for her.)

• As parents, tell your children what first attracted you to your spouse. Ask them what characteristics are most important to them in a future mate.

• How does Boaz marrying and redeeming Ruth mirror what Jesus did for us?

Living Faith

Have a kindness competition. Depending on the ages of your children, you may have to make teams of two. If every family member is old enough, make it an individual competition. The idea behind this game is to show kindness to each other without expecting anything in return. Ruth showed great love and kindness toward Naomi, even though she couldn’t give her anything in return. In a similar way, Boaz showed amazing kindness toward Ruth. God blessed both Ruth and Boaz for their actions.

            Encourage your family to show kindness to each other in tangible ways. Maybe it’s a kind word or a back rub. Maybe it’s something done in secret. You can tape special notes to the mirror in your kids’ bathroom. Your daughter can organize the garage. Your son could offer to baby-sit for free or drive a younger sibling somewhere without complaining. A child could clean up the family room or vacuum without being asked. A husband could buy flowers for his wife. The ideas are endless. At the end of a week, reconvene as a family and talk about what meant the most. Discuss what it was like being the giver and what it was like being on the receiving end of the kindness.

            • Did being kind to each other change any family dynamics?

            • What was the best part?

            • How can kindness and unconditional love be shown all the time?

            • How does intentionally showing kindness improve family relationships?

            • Read Ephesians 4:32. What does it teach about kindness and how we should treat each other?

Extra Mile

Get together as a family and look at the lives of your neighbors and your children’s friends. Chances are you know another family that’s going through a difficult time, whether it’s divorce, serious illness, job layoff or death. If you can’t think of anybody who’s struggling, call your church and ask for the name of a child who needs to feel loved and encouraged. Once you find a child who’s going through a hard time, come up with a plan to show him love and acceptance—just like Boaz showed Ruth love and acceptance. Invite this child over for dinner. Offer to pick him or her up and pay for him to join a sports team or club with your child. Bring her to the amusement park with your family. Make him a consistent part of your family during a difficult time in his life. Be Jesus with skin on for this child. Boaz changed Ruth’s life forever, and your family can do the same thing! 

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Story Part 10
Read 1 Samuel 1:1–2:2, 21; 3:1–10
When Hannah prayed for God to give her a son, she promised to give the son back to God. That little boy was Samuel, who grew up to be one of the greatest leaders God’s people ever had.

What is the hard part and the easy part about praying?   What is the first prayer you would like to write in your journal?