The Parent Weekly for June 9th, God’s Spirit Unifies, part 1
The Parent Weekly is designed for you to use during the week with your son or daughter. You’ll find out what they learned today at church and can help them prepare for next week by exploring the theme (or Big Idea) and spending time together in God’s Word.
What we learned today
Big Idea: God’s spirit unifies, part 1.
Philip. Acts 8v1–8, 26–40. Philip told an Ethiopian eunuch the good news about Jesus.
Where we’re headed next time
Big Idea:God’s spirit unifies, part 2
Peter and Cornelius. Acts 10—11. God’s Spirit led Peter to eat with a Gentile named Cornelius.
Did you know?
Share these facts to get the conversation started:
When Peter agreed to fellowship with Cornelius, it wasn’t just a casual lunch. Something as simple as eating a meal with Gentiles was something devout Jews never did.
When God set apart Israel as His people in the Old Testament, He gave several means for them to keep themselves separate and holy from the nations around them. One of the primary ways involved dietary laws and purity practices. Over time, though, the Jewish teachers went beyond what God had intended and forbade even keeping company with Gentiles.
When Messiah came, the makeup of the people of God changed. They were now many peoples from many different nations.
Connect as a family
One morning, gather everyone in the kitchen and give each person one or two ingredients for your favorite pancake recipe. Build excitement for making the pancakes together. Then tell them they can’t mix the ingredients together! Ask them how they might make the pancakes without combining ingredients. After a brief discussion, set the ingredients aside and read Acts 10v1–38. Share with your children that before Jesus came, Jewish people couldn’t eat certain foods, and some Jews decided they shouldn’t have any contact with Gentiles (non-Jews). Discuss what God told Cornelius and Peter. God’s Spirit brought unity—He brought Gentiles and Jews together! After your discussion, “unite” the pancake ingredients and make breakfast together.
After reading the Scripture passage, discuss these questions together:
How did the Holy Spirit speak to Peter and Cornelius?
How did God’s Spirit bring people together through Peter and Cornelius?
How can we hear God’s Spirit in our own lives?
These questions can easily extend into the rest of the week. Look for opportunities to bring conversations about how God’s Spirit unifies 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 experience the unity God’s Spirit brings. May you share God’s love with those who are different from you and invite others to be a part of God’s faith community.
