The Parent Weekly for July 23rd, God is the Living God

What we learned today

Big Idea: God is the living God

Paul in Athens. Acts 17. Paul preached to a crowd about the living God.

Where we're headed next time

Big Idea: God calls us His own

Paul in Ephesus. Acts 19; Ephesians 1. Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Ephesus.

Did you know?

Share these facts to get the conversation started:

• Much of the content of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians focuses on the believer’s identity in Christ.

• Ephesus was the third most populated city in the Roman Empire. It was located on a bustling trade route.

• The Ephesians were surrounded by Greek customs, so they were well-rooted in the lifestyle and culture of pagan worship.

Connect as a family

One morning, before your children go to school, read Ephesians 1v1–11 to them. Make a list of all the things the Ephesians were blessed with in Christ. Explain to your children that we’re also blessed in Christ. Have each person share the blessing that means the most to her right now. Then reread verses 3–11 to your children, substituting their names wherever the passage says “us” or “we.” Remind your kids that as they go through the day, no matter what anyone else says, their identity comes from being a chosen and beloved child of God.

After reading the Scripture passage, discuss these questions together:

• How does it make you feel to know that God “chose [you] in Him before the creation of the world” (Ephesians 1v4)?

• What are some words that describe our new identity in Christ?

• How does knowing that you’re God’s child impact your life?

These questions can easily extend into the rest of the week. Look for opportunities to bring conversations about God calling us His own 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 know, through Jesus, that you’ve been chosen to be God’s own and that He loves you just as you are.