The Parent Weekly for February 19th, Jesus is Powerful (part 2)
What we learned today
Big Idea: Jesus is Powerful (part 2)
John 9v1–12. Jesus displayed God’s power by healing a man who had been born blind.
Where we’re headed next time
Big Idea: Remember & Celebrate
God Loves Me
Just for Parents
If you could bottle a typical day, what would it look like? Do you find yourself running from activity to activity without a moment to pause and reflect?
As you prepare to create space for a time of remembrance and celebration with your children, try to take some time away to remember and celebrate the most simple and yet profound truth—God loves you. Ask your spouse or another caregiver to watch your children and, whether it is an entire day or just a few hours one morning, get away to personally celebrate the love of your heavenly Father.
One way to remember and celebrate God’s love is to take a Sabbath—to rest.
Take a break from work. Anything you consider to be work, stop during this time. Go for a leisurely walk, read a book, listen to music—do whatever it is that fills your soul and does not resemble work in any way. As you take your Sabbath, ponder the love of God. Think about how He has uniquely created you, provided for you, and been faithful to you. Breathe deeply and just be present in this moment with your God and His love.
Did you know?
Several times a year, the Israelites gathered together for a festival to remember and celebrate God.
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.
Connect as a family
Your child will be able to associate a heart as a sign of love. Make a special treat in the shape of a heart—cookies, rice cereal treats, her favorite sandwich, even pizza can be easily shaped into a heart.
Ask your child if he knows who loves him. As he begins sharing his list, guide him to remember how much God loves him. Remind him of all the ways God shows love to your family. Share with him that God created him and takes care of him. Then give him his treat and tell him, “Today is a special day. It is a day to remember and celebrate God’s love for us.”
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.
Open a Bible and read Psalm 107v15: Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
A blessing to pray over your child; (Insert child’s name), give thanks to the Lord because He loves you and takes care of you.
