This resource is designed to allow your family to have time in God’s Word BEFORE your children attend church. Because God’s plan is for parents to be the primary spiritual nurturers of their children’s faith, we want YOU to be the one to introduce this part of The Big God Story to them.

Blessing

Did You Know?

For more information about blessing your child see the Blessing section in HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource.

Teachable Moments

For additional support in spiritual parenting and to learn more about creating transforming environments in your home, be sure to pick up HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource from your church or download at HomeFrontMag.com. You can also access the HomeFront app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

After reading Scripture, discuss the following together:

Remember Verse for the environment of

Jesus Saves

Part of The Big God Story

Younger Kids

Older Kids

3.11

Luke 23:32–43The thief on the cross recognizes that Jesus is God. In response, Jesus tells the thief that they will be togther in paradise.

• Scripture sometimes refers to heaven as “Abraham’s bosom,” a place of comfort for those who have been saved.

• In contrast, hades—which comes from the Greek word sheol—was a place of torment reserved for the unsaved dead.

• The thief on the cross didn’t live a righteous life, but Jesus still told him they would be together in paradise.

• The thief on the cross was saved because of his faith in Jesus—not because of anything he did on earth.

• Why did Jesus die on the cross?

• How did the responses of the two thieves differ?

• How does the response of the second thief model faith in Jesus?

As parents, you’re the primary role models for your children. Intentionally invite them to spend some time with you during your worship or quiet time. Model for your kids what a life with Jesus looks like.

Your older child needs to see what it looks like to put his faith into practice. Allow him to be a part of the service opportunities you take part in as you regularly model a life that puts faith into action.

© 2013 David C Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.

A blessing to pray over your child:

(Child’s name), may you always remember how much God loves you. He chose to send His Son Jesus to die on the cross so you could be in relationship with Him forever.

But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”1 John 2:5–6 (NLT)

MODELING

Just for FunBuy a package of circular hard candy with a hole in the middle

and give one to each family member. Share that the candy’s

shape is similar to that of a life preserver used for saving

people who’ve fallen from boats. Discuss together other types of

objects used to “save” people. Then tell your kids you’re going

to read a part of The Big God Story in which Jesus saved

someone from an eternity of being separated from God. Read

Luke 23:26–43. Pray together as a family, and thank God for

sending Jesus to save us.

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