Do you remember the first Bible story you ever heard? Maybe Noah’s ark, Daniel and the lion’s den, Jesus being born in a manger, or the Gospel? This weekend, we focused on the Bible, not as just a book of stories, but as the alive and active written Word of God. Because of who our God is, we can trust it and let Him use it to tell us His story and change our lives.
This week is our first of five “We Believe Weekends,” where we learn what we believe about doctrines essential to the Christian faith. Our first “We Believe Weekend” centers around the Bible and focuses on three questions and answers, pairing scripture with each. The Bible is the written word of God, composed of 66 books, physically written by many different men, but all inspired by the Spirit of God. Because God never changes, His Word, the Bible, never changes. We can trust it because it is true now, then and forever. The Bible tells the story of God’s people, the need for His Son, Jesus, and His plan to redeem the world and make a way for us to be restored to a right relationship with Him. Use the handout your kids got this week to review all 3 questions, answers, and verses!
READ 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17
READ NUMBERS 23:19
READ JOHN 20:30-31 Why did John write this Gospel? (So we can know Jesus is who He says He is, the Messiah, and have life by believing in Him.) Practice the 13 eras of our Bible Timeline (including the hand motions) with your family. (Creation, Patriarchs, Exodus, Conquest, Judges, Kingdom, Exile, Return, Silence, Gospels, Church, Missions, Future) You can even print out our Bible Timeline to help you remember all of the eras!
Parents, ask your kids what questions they have about the Bible. Share with them questions you’ve had before about the Bible or questions others have asked you in the past about God’s Word. Helpful hint: If you’re not sure of the answers, gotquestions.org is a great resource to help answer tough questions about God, the Bible, and theology.
Pray and thank God for the amazing gift of His Word. Ask Him to help you diligently read and study it so you can know Him better. Thank Him for how He has used the Bible in your life to teach, protect and guide you.
One of the spiritual disciplines is Bible Study. But before we study the Bible, it’s important to know what it’s all about! Check out the take-home page your kids got this weekend and review all 3 questions, answers, and verses together as a family. You can also use the journal page to help you while you’re practicing your spiritual disciplines this week.
Thank God for the gift of His Word. Ask Him to help you diligently read and study it so you can know Him better. Thank Him for how He has used the Bible in your life to teach, protect and guide you.
Next week we will begin our first character trait of the 2019-2020 school year, RESPECT!