RISEN

The focus of this family time is to use five easy steps to teach your family that God showed His love by giving us Jesus. Jesus was the very first Christmas present. 

MEMORY VERSE: 

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

Learn the Memory Verse together and say it throughout the week to help your family remember and apply what they have learned.

STEP 1. GATHER!

Pose the following “I’m curious” questions. Say “I’m curious …” before each question and give kids a chance to think about and answer each one. After each question, consider having kids share their ideas with a neighbor before you call on one or two of them to share with the group. 

I’m curious ... 

What makes something “good news” instead of just “news”?

What good news have you received from God? 

STEP 2. READ THE BIBLE AND WORSHIP

STEP 3. DISCUSSION !

Use these questions and points to have a conversation with your children about the Bible story.

REVIEW THE BIBLE STORY  

Use these questions and points to have a conversation with your children about the Bible story.

• In God’s big story, Ezekiel had a vision about dry bones coming to life. This vision has a special meaning. What do you think it is?
• God made a promise to His people in this passage. What’s that promise? 
• How did God keep His promise to His people? 
• God made sure His people knew He hadn’t forgotten them. How does God make sure you know He hasn’t forgotten you? 
• What’s a promise God has made to you? Why can you trust Him to keep it? 
• What would you say is the best news God has for you? 

The vision Ezekiel shared with God’s people held good news: one day they’d be set free, have a home again, and God would put His very Spirit of life in them! God sent Jesus with good news for us too: we can be set free from sin, have a home in heaven, and be filled with God’s Spirit, who gives us life! Let’s thank God for sending Jesus and tell Him how we feel about His good news.

Mission Moment

Adoniram Judson

(1788-1850)

Who first told you about Jesus? Your parents? Your friend someone at church or school?

Adoniram Judson didn't become Jesus' friend until he was a grown-up. but he had always known about Jesus - from his parents, from church and from school. But Adoniram knew that some people in the world would never hear about Jesus from their parents, from church or from school. He knew that there were places in the world where almost nobody had heard about Jesus at all - places like Burma. No one from America had ever gone overseas to tell people about Jesus before - but Adoniram decided to go.

Burma was very different from America. The people spoke a different language - so Adoniram learnt it. The people wore different clothes - SO Adoniram wore them. No one knew about Jesus - so Adoniram told them. He told lots and lots of Burmese people - but nobody wanted to be Jesus' friend. He told more and more Burmese people. Finally, after six whole years of telling Burmese people about Jesus, one Burmese man became Jesus' friend.

Adoniram kept going. He put the Bible into the Burmese language so more people could find out about Jesus. He was ill, he was put in prison, his wife died, his children died - but Adoniram kept going. By the time Adoniram died thousands of Burmese people had become Jesus' friends.

STEP 5. Pray!