This Week's Activities

Elementary: I WILL USE MY GIFTS THE WAY GOD WANTS!

Write down each word of the Main Point on an index card
and lay them out in order. Say the Main Point together as a
family. Take away one of the index cards and say the Main
Point again. Repeat this process until all of the index cards
are taken away and your family can say the Main Point
without them.

READ:
Judges 13 - 16 about Samson’s gift of strength. Samson was given
the gift of strength, but he did not use it for God’s purposes.
Samson could have done so much more if he had not been
selfish with his gift.

MISUSE IT AND LOSE IT
God gave Samson the gift of super strength so that he could help
free the Israelites. However, Samson did not use his gift in the way
God wanted. Because he misused his gift, God took the gift away.
God also gives each of us gifts, but we should use them in the ways
He wants. Gather some items that you might give to family members
to do specific tasks. For example you might give someone a bunch
of silverware to help set the table. You might give someone a book
to read to a younger sibling. You might give someone a vacuum
cleaner to help clean the living room.You might give someone a
hammer to help hang pictures. Imagine wrong ways to use the items.
Someone might use the silverware to dig in the dirt. Someone might
use the book to hit someone else. Someone might use the vacuum
cleaner to chase the family pet. Someone might use the hammer
to bang on pots and pans. Have the family members imagine what
would happen if they didn’t use the things for the reason you gave
them. If your family members did those things, you would punish
them and take the item away. Explain that the quickest way to lose
a gift is to refuse to use it the way that God wants you to. We can
lose the gifts that God gives us just like Samson lost his gift. Don’t be
like Samson and use your gifts in the wrong way! Instead, remember
that each gift is from God, and we need to use our gifts in ways that
please Him.

Remember the MEMORY VERSE:“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” Luke 12:48b (NLT)

Pre-K and Toddlers: I Will Help Others!

Read the Bible Story:
Abram Rescues Lot (Genesis 13:1, 14:11-16)

This Week we learned that we should help others. Lot, Abram’s nephew, had been taken captive. When Abram heard this, he went out with his trained men to rescue Lot. Abram was able to help Lot and all of his relatives by rescuing them. God wants us to help others, too! As a family, talk about some ways each person can help another person in the family. Ask family members to choose one thing they can do to help someone else this week. Set a deadline day to check with everyone to see if they have done what they decided to do. If not, work together to help each other that day. As you go through the rest of the week, encourage your children to always look for ways to help other.

Remember the MEMORY VERSE: “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)