The Parent Weekly for July 9th, God wants everyone to know him
What we learned today
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.
Where we're headed next time
Big Idea: God Delivers.
Paul and Silas in Prison. Acts 16v16–35. God delivered Paul and Silas from prison by sending an earthquake
Did you know?
Share these facts to get the conversation started:
Paul and Silas encountered a slave girl who “followed Paul … shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved’” (Acts 16v17).
The girl’s words might have been a distraction and a nuisance, not a positive proclamation.
The people in Philippi worshipped many gods, including Apollo, Zeus, and Artemis. To these people, many different gods were supreme.
In this passage, as well as in Mark 5, the demons knew Jesus’ identity. And in both cases, people were delivered from their bondage in Jesus’ name.
Connect as a family
Ask your children to choose a song to sing loudly to God this week. Join them in singing praises to the Lord. Then read the biblical account of Paul and Silas in prison in Acts 16v16–35. Explain that even while Paul and Silas were in jail, they still chose to sing and pray to God! Invite your children to share some things about following Jesus that feel hard for them. Spend some time in prayer about these things, and ask God to remind your kids that He is always with them.
After reading the Scripture passage, discuss these questions together:
Why were Paul and Silas put in jail?
Why do you think Paul and Silas sang praises to God in jail?
How did God deliver Paul and Silas?
These questions can easily extend into the rest of the week. Look for opportunities to bring conversations about how God delivers 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 be your Deliverer and your safe place.
