The Parent Weekly for July 30th, God calls us His own
What we learned today
Big Idea: God calls us His own
Paul in Ephesus. Acts 19; Ephesians 1. Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Ephesus.
Where we're headed next time
Big Idea: God calls us to life with Him.
Paul in Rome. Acts 27—28. Paul survived a shipwreck and then went to Rome.
Did you know?
Share these facts to get the conversation started:
In order to take up his new identity in Christ, Paul would no longer cling to his worldly identity as a Pharisee, a man from Tarsus, and a Roman citizen—three titles that carried a lot of status in his day.
Pharisees were some of the most revered men in Jewish society. The word Pharisee means “set apart.”
Tarsus was a widely known center of excellence in philosophy and literature. Association with Tarsus would have been a badge of honor.
Roman citizenship was coveted during Paul’s time. Citizenship allowed one to travel without restraint, gave one the right to vote, and exempted one from the death penalty (except in cases of treason).
Connect as a family
Gather your children and tell them they’re going to hear about a time that Paul was on a ship. Read Acts 27v27–43. As you read, encourage your children to close their eyes and imagine what the shipwreck might have been like. Remind them that the storm lasted for 14 days! Ask them to describe what they might have done if they’d been there.
After reading the Scripture passage, discuss these questions together:
What happened when the ship struck land?
What were some of the things that happened to Paul as he journeyed with God?
What do you think is the most exciting part about living with God?
These questions can easily extend into the rest of the week. Look for opportunities to bring conversations about how God calls us to life with 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 you live by faith as you walk with God.
