The Parent Weekly for February 27th (God is in control)
What we learned today
Big Idea: God is in control
Esther. Esther 1—10. God protected His people by working through Esther.
Where we're headed next time
Big Idea: God redeems
Nehemiah. Nehemiah 1—4; 6—9. Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to build a wall around the city.
Did you know?
Share these facts to get the conversation started:
The hundred-year process of restoring the city of Jerusalem and its temple symbolized how God redeemed broken things—not just the physical city, but also the hearts of His people.
Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. Although Jerusalem had been resisting Nebuchadnezzar’s army for about a year and a half, the Israelites eventually gave in, and Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city along with its temple.
All of this happened to Jerusalem because God’s people had disobeyed His covenant.
Regathering God’s people took place in three separate waves over about 100 years. Under the decrees of Persian kings, the exiles were permitted to return to their homeland.
Connect as a family
Gather your family outside near a wall or fence. Then read Nehemiah 1v1–10. Explain to your children that God used Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Next, read Nehemiah 9. Ask your children if they think that the Israelites recognized what they had done wrong. Then discuss what this portion of Scripture tells us about God.
After reading the Scripture passage, discuss these questions together:
What did Nehemiah do when he heard about Jerusalem?
What did the people do when they heard God’s Word?
Is there anything in your life that you need God to redeem?
These questions can easily extend into the rest of the week. Look for opportunities to bring conversations about how God redeems into your everyday life as a 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 God redeem every broken part of your life, and may you see where He is at work in you today.
