Lucky You - Jesus Loves You!

Well if you love Jesus, it's not luck. It's a gift - free from him for your taking - no questions asked except, "Do you love me?"

Here's a fun St. Patty's craft to do with your kids that incorporates Christ into their hearts in a simple way yet again.

You will need;
Green Paper
Markers
Scissors
Bible - see verse Romans 1:7 "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

Draw your best 4-Leaf Clover. Have the children cut out the leaf.
Then on the four leaves write;
FATHER
SON
SPIRIT
_______ (Child's Name)

Talk to your children about how they are so "lucky" to have been chosen to be a part of God's plan for the world and that they are forever tied to God, Jesus and the Spirit. And just as it's rare to find a four-leaf clover - they are a rare and special creation of God.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Let Them Talk About God

I am always amazed at how innocently children seem to be connected to God. The words they say not only make us laugh and smile, but there is a truth in them that just isn't the same if it were to come from an adult. Here's some examples;



Princess (Age 6)

"I don't need to pray right now because he already knows what I'm thinking."

"Just because you can't see him doesn't mean he's not there."

Tee (Age 5)

"When I get to heaven, I'm going to play checkers with Jesus."

"Thank you for this beautiful day even though I got a spanking."

"But I thought God made Spring come and now it's snowing again."

The Perfect Valentine

This simple craft shows us that Jesus really is the PERFECT valentine.



You'll need construction paper, scissors, marker, Bible.

Cut out your heart.

Write VALENTINE down the center of the heart.


Refer to John 3:16.


Place the verse along the Valentine for the perfect message of love.


Decorate as desired.

Happy Valentine's Day & may God's love live in your heart always!

Give Thanks - In Everything!

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I Thessalonians 5:18

"When the American pilgrims celebrated three days of thanksgiving in 1621 they were doing what came naturally for them: honoring God in the daily course of events. Many had perished. Food was scarce. Their Indian neighbors were hostile. But they survived. It only seemed normal to them to give God thanks. They weren’t instituting a public holiday—they were manifesting a lifestyle of gratitude. In the Old Testament, seven days were set aside for feasts of thanksgiving. In 1621, three days were set aside. Today, we set aside one day—and spend most of that day focused on food and football. A national day of Thanksgiving is certainly better than none at all, but how much better would be if every person lived a life of gratitude toward God—365 days a year. No special meals would be required—just daily gratitude for the Bread of Life. No unique decorations would be called for—just the fragrant aroma of thankfulness. And no invitations would need to be sent—other than inviting people to taste and see that the Lord is good. If you are grateful to God for His blessings, make sure it’s an everyday kind of gratitude—beginning today. God is never less than generous, even when we are less than grateful."

*Written by John Blanchard

Remember "God Says"

This is a verse reference sheet we've printed out for each of us in our family to keep at our fingertips for any moment... I hope you find use for it too. Print it out, carry it with you, hang it in a cupboard or on a mirror - see God's word and let it breathe life into you when you're feeling troubled.

You Say - It's Impossible
God Says - All things are possible
The Word Says - See Luke 18:27 - "Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with men is possible with God."

You Say - I'm too tired.
God Says - I will give you rest.
The Word Says - Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."

You Say - Nobody loves me.
God Says - I love you.
The Word Says - John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son so whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

You Say - I can't do it.
God Says - You can do all things.
The Word Says - Philippians 4:13 - "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

You Say - I'm afraid.
God Says - Do not be scared.
The Word Says - Hebrews 13:6 - "So we say with confidence the Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid, what can men do to me?"

You Say - I feel alone.
God Says - I will never leave you.
The Word Says - Hebrews 13:5 - "...never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."

You Say - It's not worth it.
God Says - It will be worth it.
The Word Says - Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for good for those who love him and have been called according to his purpose."

You Say - I can't go on.
God Says - My grace is enough.
The Word Says - 2 Corinthians 12:9 - "He said to me, my grace is sufficient for you."

You Say - I'm worried.
God Says - Give me your worries.
The Word Says - I Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

You Say - I can't forgive.
God Says - I forgive you.
The Word Says - Romans 8:1 - "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

The Fish Legend - Weekly Study

Teach children the history of the fish symbol and why it is important to Christians yet today.


You will need;
Bible
Various types of papers, materials
Paint and brushes, markers
*Or opt for suggested field trip

Read Mark 1:17 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

Ask children what the above fish symbol means. Ask if they know what it represents, when it started and why it's important. Talk to children and pass on the following legend;

The outline of a fish is a symbol for Christ. In Greek fish is said "ichtys". This fish symbol was a secret for Christians during a time when they were being persecuted. So when two strangers would meet, one would draw an arc on a rock or in the sand with his foot. If the second person completed the fish by drawing other half of the fish, then they knew both were Christians. And since they were then in "good company" they could trust one another.

For more in-depth discussion of ICHTYS; Ichtys means fish in Greek. The fish is a symbol used by followers of Christ since the early days of the church as explained above. Ichtys is an acronym for Jesus Christ God's Son Savior. Here's how it breaks down;

Iota (i) is the first letter of Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς), Greek for Jesus.
Chi (kh) is the first letter of Khristos (Χριστóς), Greek for "Christ" or "anointed".
Theta (th) is the first letter of Theou (Θεοῦ), that means "God's", genitive case of Θεóς, Theos, "God".
Upsilon (u) is the first letter of huios (Υἱός), Greek for Son.
Sigma (s) is the first letter of sōtēr (Σωτήρ), Greek for Saviour.
*anagram details sourced from wikipedia.com


After discussing the symbol and it's importance to Christians yesterday and today, complete the craft or field trip by having children practice drawing, painting or marking the fish symbol on different papers, materials and/or sand. Hands AND feet optional!!


*Field Trip Option; If you are near a sandy location, take a field trip and let children mark the symbol in the sand just as the first Christians did. Also have them write ichtys or Jesus in their fish creations. (If there is snow on the ground, go for it!)

*Road Trip Fun; The Jesus Fish Game is similar to the slug bug game (VW Bug punches), as in if you see a Jesus fish on a vehicle, sign or passer-byer, you get to punch (or preferably high-five)another player in the car.

Worry Jar - Weekly Study

Teach children worry is a waste of the beauty in life God has given them. Help them understand they shouldn't keep worry to themselves, but rather give it all to God and he'll carry their burdens.

You will need;

Bible

Worry Container - Jar/ Shoebox/ Juice Pack / Cereal Box / Soup Can

Fabric, ribbons, stickers, markers

Glue

Slips of paper and Pencil

Read;

Matthew 6:25, 27 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear... Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

-OR-

Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God."

-OR-

Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Talk about the verse(s)... not worrying, worry doesn't change things, praying and asking God for help, trusting God, and most importantly praising God!!

Craft;

*Give each child (and yourself) a worry jar or box - we used the 10-pack juice boxes.

*Have everyone decorate their own box as they choose.

*Write one of the above Bible verses on your box.

Cut a small hole/slit in the top of each box.

Have everyone write a "worry/prayer" on a slip of paper and place it in their box.

Remind them once it goes into their jar/box - it is in God's hands and He will take care of it according to His will.

Close your evening in prayer.