The Parent Weekly for February 4th, God is Real

What we learned today

Big Idea: God is real

Daniel. Daniel 6. God saved Daniel from a den of lions.

Where we’re headed next time

Big Idea: God Is in control.

Esther. Esther 1—10. God protected His people by working through Esther.

Did you know?

Share these facts to get the conversation started:

• The book of Esther records the founding of the Feast of Purim, a feast that celebrates how God used Esther to save His people from the schemes of the wicked Haman.

• In Esther 9, we read that Purim is celebrated “annually [on] the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration” (vv. 21–22).

• Instead of this date being one of genocide for God’s people, it became a day of victory.

Connect as a family

Sometime this week, before gathering with your children, read the book of Esther. Later, set up the dinner table so it feels like a banquet. When you sit down for dinner, retell the story of Esther saving her people. Then read Esther 8 as a family. Ask your children if they’ve ever been treated poorly because they’re part of God’s family. Invite them to share about a moment when they were thankful that God is in control. Share a moment or two of your own.

After reading the Scripture passage, discuss these questions together:

• What did Esther do to save the Jewish people?

• How can we know that God is in control of our lives?

• In what area of your life do you need to trust that God is in control?

These questions can easily extend into the rest of the week. Look for opportunities to bring conversations about God being in control 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 you trust that God is in control of every area of your life. May you be filled with peace as you trust Him.