The Parent Weekly for October 20th, God Cares for Me (part 2)

God has given parents the privilege of being the primary spiritual nurturers of their children’s faith.

The Parent Weekly is designed to reinforce that truth by allowing your family to have time in God’s Word before your child attends church each week. It will provide you with ways to introduce The Big God Story and have age-appropriate conversations with your little one as you prepare her for what she will be experiencing in church for the next four weeks.

Research has shown that children between the ages of two and four learn best through repetition. Because of this, TruBlessings will spend two weeks on the same part of The Big God Story and the Big Idea.

Each week you will receive a new Blessing. A blessing is a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement and guidance. While giving the blessing, you may desire to lay hands on your child as you speak the Scripture or pray a prayer over him.

Hamilton the Hedgehog will play a role in your child’s experience in church each week—be sure to ask about him. He loves to Dig into God’s Word. The passage of Scripture provided will assist you as you reinforce the Big Idea. Did You Know? has fun facts about this part of The Big God Story for you to share with your child. And Connect as a Family is simply a conversation starter to assist you as you spiritually parent.

What we learned today

Big Idea: God Cares for Me (part 2)

Exodus 16; Numbers 11v7–9. After leaving Egypt, the Israelites had a long road ahead of them. The people started complaining early in the journey. God heard their grumbling and told Moses He would send food from heaven. He also gave special instructions about taking only enough food for each day. When the people woke up the ground was covered in manna. God cares for His people.

Where we’re headed next time

Big Idea: God Speaks (part 1)

1 Samuel 3. As a young man, the prophet Samuel lived in the temple studying under Eli the priest. One night, as Samuel was sleeping, he heard someone call his name. Eli realized it was God’s voice Samuel was hearing. He told Samuel to tell God that he was present and listening.

Dig into God’s Word

• Read 1 Samuel 3v1–9. Remind your child that God spoke to Samuel and He can speak to us too!

Connect as a family

Young children are rarely still for extended periods of time. Encourage your child to play fun, simple games with you that allow him to practice being quiet in small time increments. This will help your child as he grows and learns to listen for God’s voice.

• Spend a short period of time in silence with your child. See what sounds your child can identify that he may not have heard otherwise (a bird chirping, the wind blowing through the trees, etc.)

• Ask: “How does God speak?”

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.

Open a Bible and read Psalm 40v8: “I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.”