The Parent Weekly for August 18th, God is the Living God (part 2)

Just for Parents

Time has a way of speeding up as you watch your children grow. Days seem to pass like hours, and years feel like weeks. As you go about the everyday tasks of parenting your quickly growing children, you must make the conscious decision to slow down. Set aside time to remember and celebrate the things God is doing in your own life and the lives of your children. Remembering helps you connect with where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you’re headed. Celebrating helps maintain perspective, being mindful that “every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1v17).

This week your children will remember and celebrate how God made them, loves them, and is with them. It’s important for children to learn these powerful, foundational truths early in life, and it’s also important for all of us to celebrate them regularly. God made each of us unique and gave each of us special talents and gifts. He loves us deeply, so much that He sent His only Son to take the penalty for our sin. As you prepare your children to celebrate these truths in their lives, take some time to remember and celebrate these simple yet profound truths in your own life. Be sure to spend time in prayer, thanking God for His presence and activity in your life and the lives of your children.

What we learned today

Big Idea: God is the Living God (part 2)

Daniel 6. The king passed a new law that forced the people to pray to him only. Daniel loved God and prayed only to Him. When the king found out, he had no choice but to put Daniel in the lions’ den. God protected Daniel. He was saved, and the living God was praised.

Where we’re headed next time

Big Idea: Remember and Celebrate. God Made Me, Loves
 Me, and Is with Me.

In Leviticus 23, the Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed feasts … which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.’” These seven festivals are: Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Festival of First Fruits, Feast of Harvest, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths). In addition, the Israelites would gather weekly to celebrate the Sabbath. These were times to remember what God had done for His people and to celebrate His goodness. They were times for the entire faith community to gather together without the burden of work to simply worship and celebrate. During the feasts, the Israelites ate, danced, sang, played instruments, prayed, and offered sacrifices to God.

The Feast of Passover was fulfilled by the death of the Messiah; the Feast of Unleavened Bread was fulfilled by His sinless sacrifice; and the Festival of First Fruits was fulfilled by the resurrection of the Messiah. The Feast of Harvest began with a great harvest of three thousand souls by the coming of the promised Holy Spirit, who continues to harvest souls today. The Feast of Trumpets will announce Christ’s return; the Day of Atonement will usher in His judgment of the nations; and finally, the Feast of Tabernacles begins the journey to our new home in a new heaven and new earth.

Did you know?

• Several times a year, the Israelites gathered together for a festival to remember and celebrate God.

Connect as a family

Your child may enjoy listening to songs and music. Sing “Jesus Loves the Little Children” to her. Remind her God loves every single one of us. Tell her that His great love led Him to send His Son Jesus to earth.

Create a party to remember and celebrate what God has done for your family. Use leftover party decorations, streamers, and balloons to create a festive atmosphere. Celebrate God’s love and the unique ways He’s created each person in your family.

Blessing

Blessings are often used in the Bible. A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words to encourage and guide.

A blessing to pray over your child; (child’s name), may you always remember to celebrate that God made you, God loves you, and God is with you.

Open a Bible and read Psalm 59v16: I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love.