This Week in NewLife Kids

Elementary

Main Point: I Will Keep Doing What Is Right And Not Get Distracted!
Bible Verse: “... let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1b (NLT)
Bible Story: Enemies try to distract and trick Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 6:1-16)

Main Point Review Activity:
Write each word of the Main Point on a large piece of paper. Place the papers around the house. Take more paper and make a pile of crumpled paper balls. Place these in your living area. Take turns and have each family member race around the house collecting all the words of the Main Point and then come back to the living area. Once in the living area, the family member should work at putting the words in the correct order. While he or she is doing this, throw the paper balls and try to distract him or her.

Try This!
Nehemiah had a job to do, but there were three men who were determined to stop him from finishing the wall. Nehemiah would not be distracted, though, and he continued doing his job. This week, take a family trip to a local park.

• Create an obstacle course on the playground and take turns letting each family member run the course. For instance, you might have to swing 10 times, go across the monkey bars twice, and run around the playground three times.
• While a family member is racing through the course, have the other family members try and distract the racer.
• They could try to entice the racer to another part of the playground, try to show the racer something, or jump up and down singing.
• The racer should try to stay focused and finish the obstacle course without getting distracted.
• After each person has had a turn at the obstacle course, let everyone do it again and keep time to see who is the fastest racer. Take a picture of the winner.
• Place the picture on the refrigerator as a reminder that God wants us to endure temptations and distractions, and keep doing what is right.



Pre-K & Toddlers

Main Point: I Will Not Give Up When Things Go Wrong!
Bible Story: Paul’s Shipwreck (Acts 27)
Bible Verse: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.” Galatians 6:9a (NLT)

Family Activity Something Is Missing!

Plan a family game night. Ahead of time, hide something that’s important from the game. You might hide the dice, the playing pieces, or the cards that go with the game. Begin to play the game and when something goes wrong, stop and talk about how you might want to give up. Encourage the children to think of a way to get around the problem and not give up.
For example, if you hide the playing pieces, ask the children to find other objects around the house to use instead. If you have hidden the dice, you could make a spinner or use numbered cards to designate how many spaces to move.
After you have played the game, talk about times when you might want to give up. Encourage your children to not give up when something goes wrong. Instead remind them to pray and ask God to help them keep going.