“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:7 NIV
*Last week Monday some of us had the amazing opportunity to view the 2017 Eclipse and Totality. I was in the Midwest and the view was spectacular. Several commented about the darkness at the time of Jesus death.
The darkness brought on the street lights, but did not last long. Jesus death did not bring darkness but brought us hope and light. His amazing grace makes us an heir to the throne.
***A couple of things you need to know:
The Advanced Certification Training is September 16 at the Florida Conference Office in the Community Room starting at 10:00AM.You need to register by sending me an email to the address below.It’s FREE and lunch is provided.
Couples Retreat featuring Mike Tucker “Mad about Marriage” is October 20-22 @ Camp Kulaqua. Register at Camp Kulaqua website under events. Looking forward to seeing you there. Mike Tucker is the Director of Faith for Today.
Don’t miss either of these events. Please let your churches and friends know about both events. You are the best advertisement for Children and Family ministries.
God’s Amazing Grace
Aug 19, 2017 07:00 am
One of the main lessons of Galatians 4:1-11 for modern Christians is that we need to remember who we were and who are have become as Christians. Before we met Christ we were enslaved to false ideas and inadequate ways of getting right with God and condemned by the penalty of the broken law. But through faith in Christ and His solution on Calvary, we have become a part of the family of God and heirs of the kingdom promises made to Abraham.
If we are to make true progress in our walk with God, we need to avoid the “weak and beggarly” things as a way of getting right and staying right with God. The only thing that we can truly rely on is God’s amazing grace. And that we can receive only through faith.
Activities to Teach Children about being a part of the Family of God:
FAMILY LINE UP: Give each child a piece of paper and for younger children, the teacher can have 4-5 “stick” figures drawn for children to color and decorate. Older children can draw their own… connect all the papers of “family” pictures and hang on the class room wall. Write FAMILY OF GOD above the “family” figures.
AVAILABLE GRACE TO ALL: Give children ink pads and let them put finger prints all over a piece of paper. Each child can have a pen or thin marker to draw hands and feet, face, etc on each finger print on the paper. Make eyes big, slanted, slit and make hair curly or straight, long or short. Write GOD’S GRACE AVAILABLE TO ALL at the top of the paper for a title.
CHILD OF GOD HEADBAND: Paper strips in various colors (about 3″ x 20″, etc) can be given to children to color, decorate and add stickers and the words CHILD OF GOD, or FAMILY OF GOD, or GOD’S GRACE FOR ALL. Place on child’s head and over lap and tape for child to wear like a headband or crown.
FAITH ENVELOPE: Decorate an envelope and write FAITH in big colorful letters. Let children fill out a recipe card that says CHILDREN OF GOD on one side and some of the words from today’s Bible verse or the teacher can have slips of paper with the Bible verse on it for children to glue to the back side of the recipe card. Slip the card inside the FAITH envelope and encourage children to share their FAITH envelope with others.
SNACK TIME: Give each child a ticket or a small coupon for a free snack at the end of class. Ask each child what the BEST FAMILY is to be a part of. After they answer – the FAMILY OF GOD – children can purchase a cupcake or cookie with their FREE ticket. Ask each child what it costs to become a child of GOD? It’s FREE!!!!
The “TEAM” will be a Family Camp at Camp Kulaqua this weekend. Please pray for the families that will be attending family camp and for the “TEAM” as we minister to them.
Take time to rest on this long weekend. Enjoy some personal time or family time.
I will be back in the office next Tuesday. May God be your guide in your ministry.