The Parent Weekly for July 2nd, Remember & Celebrate. Celebrating God's Abundant Blessings

What we learned today

Big Idea: God's son changes everything

Paul's Conversion. Acts 9v1–31. Jesus spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus.

Where we're headed next time

Big Idea: God wants everyone to know him. Paul in Antioch. Acts 11v19–30. The good news about Jesus spread beyond Jerusalem, and many people became believers.

Did you know?

Share these facts to get the conversation started:

• In Acts 11, the disciples were called Christians for the first time.

• The word Christian came from the term meaning “little Christs.”

• Before this, early believers identified themselves as “The Way” and adopted the fish as an identifying symbol.

• The ichthus is an icon for the modern church, though it’s now more commonly known as the “Jesus Fish.” It is still widely used to identify fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Connect as a family

Find a place outside the front of your home. It could be the front yard, the front porch, the courtyard of your apartment building, etc. Then read together Acts 11v19–30. When you’re done, reread verse 29, and explain to your children that the disciples’ hearts had been changed because they knew God. Out of that heart change came tangible actions that displayed God’s love. Look around your neighborhood and talk about ways you might be able to provide help to your neighbors.

After reading the Scripture passage, discuss these questions together:

• To whom were these people telling the good news?

• Why were they called Christians?

• How do you think God might use you to show others His love?

These questions can easily extend into the rest of the week. Look for opportunities to bring conversations about God wanting everyone to know Him 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 the Holy Spirit help you as you tell others about God.