God Reveals Himself

ScheduleAnticipate

5–10 minutes

Celebrate & RespondLarge Group

35–55 minutes

Respond & BlessSmall Group

20–25 minutes

Bible Passage: Exodus 1—4(Calling of Moses)

Environment: IDENTITYIn this lesson we see the environment of IDENTITY in how God heard His people groaning and made a plan to rescue them because of His love for them.

REMEMBER VERSEFor he chose us in him before the creation of the world

to be holy and blameless in his sight.Ephesians 1:4

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© 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.

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Tori FunkhouserTruStory Team

InspireMy pastor once said something about the Holy Spirit that really stuck with me. He said that when God revealed Himself to the people in the days when the Old Testament was written, He chose to speak to His people and dwell among them—in the form of fire in a bush or in the tabernacle at the Israelites’ camp. But this wasn’t good enough for God; He wanted to be closer.

My pastor went on to say that when Jesus came to earth as a man, God ate with us, hugged us, and wept with us. But this still wasn’t good enough for God; He wants to be closer. God sent His Holy Spirit to fill us—mind, body, and soul. He wants to be closer to us than our own breath!

God reveals Himself to us in more subtle ways. After we spend time in God’s presence, we’re different. We have a clearer perspective of what really matters and our identities in Him. God may not speak to us through a burning bush, but He still miraculously reveals Himself to us.

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EquipGod revealed Himself to Moses in an amazing way. Moses lived no ordinary life—during his early years, Moses participated in three cultures: Hebrew, Egyptian, and Midian. As a Hebrew, he was condemned to death; as an Egyptian, he was the adopted son of the princess of Egypt (and watched his kinsmen slave away in the hot sun); as a Midianite, he was an outlaw who married into a foreign tribe.

Certainly there must have been days, or years, when Moses was greatly distressed about his identity. He even named his first son Gershom, saying, “I have become an alien in a foreign land” (Exodus 2:22). But all along, God knew who Moses was—a Hebrew, one of God’s chosen people. But Moses was also a Levite, a descendent of the priestly tribe of Levi, one of Jacob’s sons. Wow!

Moses was a direct descendant of Abraham and God’s covenant promise. Moses began to understand who he was the moment God revealed Himself in the burning bush. God called Himself the God of Moses’ father and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. By saying this, God reminded Moses of his heritage—physical and spiritual.

God called Moses to be the hands and feet to bring about His incredible plan to reveal Himself to His people and save them from bondage. Moses would have remained an alien in a foreign land had God not revealed Himself and reminded Moses of his heritage, and given him his true calling: service to the one true God. Truly, Moses found his identity in God.

Environment of IDENTITYThis environment highlights who we are in Christ. According to Ephesians 1, we have been chosen, adopted, redeemed, sealed, and given an inheritance in Christ … all of which we did nothing to earn. This conviction allows children to stand firm against the destructive counter identities the world will offer.

The 10 Environments guide us in creating a climate that puts God on display. Encourage your families to discover more about creating the environment of IDENTITY in their homes by checking out HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource and Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony.

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SupportIn ancient Egyptian culture, people believed in and worshipped hundreds of gods. When Moses asked for God’s name in Exodus 3:13–14, Moses was trying to understand God’s place in his culture. God responded in an unexpected way—God said, “I Am Who I Am.”

God doesn’t always fit in our boxes and paradigms. He can’t be constrained by our expectations. What would it look like for us to shift our expectations? After all, God never promises that we will fully know or understand who He is. That would be impossible. Instead, God assures us that He completely knows and understands us. He sees our full and complete identity in Him, and He deeply loves us as His children.

It’s easy to desire to serve and be used by God without ever pausing to receive from Him first. However, we’ll be ineffective in God’s kingdom if we try to participate without receiving His love first. That leads to burnout. As you prepare to serve God this week, take time to meditate on God’s truth about you. Set apart time to simply receive His love. Consider using these Scriptures as a launching pad: Ephesians 3:14–21, Isaiah 61, Psalm 36:5–9, and Psalm 116. As you read, ask yourself what stands out in each of these passages. Spend a few moments in silence, thinking over what you just read. Ask God to continue revealing to you the depth of His love for you.

ADAM & EVE

SUSEJ

OUR FUTURE WITH JESUS

YOU & ME

NOAH

ABRAHAM

ISAACJACOB

MOSESJOSEPH

JOSHUA

SOLOMON

JOHN THE BAPTIST

CENTURIONNICODEMUSPETERLAZARUS

PAUL

JOSEPHMARY

DAVID

TIMELINE

400Y

EA

RS

OF

WA

I TING

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Lesson Overview

Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare (Master Supply List at tru.davidccook.com)

Anticipate//Small Group Check-In

5–10 min.

Encourages interaction among kids, leaders, and parents; engages the kids in curiosity and anticipation of the lesson; and creates an inviting atmosphere.

Option 1: All Grown Up (for Younger Kids)• clothing and props related to careers

(white coat or robe for doctor, rubber boots for firefighter, textbooks for teacher, etc.; costumes available at www.amazon.com or www.orientaltrading.com)

• optional: full-length mirror

Option 2: Who Am I? (for Older Kids)• shoe box• scissors (1 pair)• paper (1 sheet per child)• pens or pencils

Celebrate//Large Group

20–35 min.

Establishes community andtells stories both personaland biblical in a fun andengaging way.

Traditions• mementos for your church Traditions

(rocks, marbles, gumballs, etc.)• Remember Verse cards, slide, and animation

(see tru.davidccook.com)

Connect Question• Connect Question slide (see tru.davidccook.com)

Connect Activity: Funny Voices• Connect Activity slide (see tru.davidccook.com)

The Big God Story • Bibles (1 per child)• Timeline slide and animation (see tru.davidccook.com)• Moses costume (suggestion: robe, rope belt, sandals,

walking stick or cane)• slides: “I AM WHO I AM,” staff

(see tru.davidccook.com)• optional: scene of burning bush from The

Prince of Egypt movie

*To make metric conversions, search the Internet for a metric conversion chart or calculator.

A Storytelling video is available for this lesson. See page 10 for details.

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Lesson Overview

Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare (Master Supply List at tru.davidccook.com)

Respond//Large Group

15–20min.

Creates space for childrento respond to the Holy Spiritin worship and communityas a large group.

• large wooden cross• sticky notes (3 –6 per child)• pencils or pens• God Statement cards (see tru.davidccook.com)• card stock (to print God Statement cards; enough for

1 card per child)• scissors (1 pair)• worship music (suggestion: “Thank You,” TruWorship

Sincerely Yours)

Respond//Small Group

15–20min.

Discusses truth, reflectson the lesson, engages inrelationships, and createsa project or a piece of artindividually or together.

Reflect: God Reveals Himself• Bibles (1 per child)

Create: I Am Loved• roll of primed canvas• scissors (1 pair)• tempera paint (any color)• paintbrush• markers or paint pens

Bless//Small Group

5 min. Sends the kids out with a sense of peace and blessing so they can be a blessing to their families and others.

• Bible• printable images of stars and space

(see tru.davidccook.com)• HomeFront Weekly (1 per child; tru.davidccook.com)• HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource

(1 per family; tru.davidccook.com or www.HomeFrontMag.com)

*To make metric conversions, search the Internet for a metric conversion chart or calculator.

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ANTICIPATE | CELEBRATE | RESPOND | BLESS

Anticipate// 5–10 min.

An energizing time for parents and kids to start engaging with the material that will be presented in the lesson.

It is intentionally designed to spark curiosity and cultivate a sense of awe and wonder about God.

Encourage parents to participate in this time with their kids.

Small Group Leaders

SMALL GROuPS E C T I O N

God created each of us to be unique. During the elementary years, children develop a more advanced sense of self, which includes an awareness of their unique skills and individual hopes and dreams. Today your children will participate in activities that enable them to focus on the ways they’ve been individually created.

Option 1: All Grown up (for Younger Kids)SUPPLIES• clothing and props related to careers (white coat or robe for doctor, rubber boots for

firefighter, textbooks for teacher, etc.; costumes available at www.amazon.com or www.orientaltrading.com)

• optional: full-length mirror

ENGAGEAs the children arrive, point out the clothing, props, and costumes and encourage them to dress up in attire related to the career they might like to have one day.

Today we’ll hear how God used a man who had several different identities in the world. No matter what people thought of him, God knew him—not just for his job or his family, but for who he really was inside. What kinds of people did you dress up as today? (Allow answers; interact with responses.) Who do you want to be when you grow up? (Allow answers.)

It’s really fun to think about the future and what we might do for work someday. But it’s also important to think past what you want to do for work and think about who God wants you to be. Does He want you to be strong and courageous? Does He want you to be a good leader? Does He want you to be kind and loving? (Allow answers.) Great thoughts! God wants to reveal Himself to you so you can learn from Him and become more like Him.

Option 2: Who Am I? (for Older Kids)SUPPLIES• shoe box• scissors (1 pair)• paper (1 sheet per child)• pens or pencils

SET UPCut a small slit in the shoe box lid, large enough to allow a folded sheet of paper to pass through.

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ENGAGEAs children arrive, allow each of them to take a sheet of paper and a pen or pencil. Encourage them to spend a few minutes writing about themselves. Explain that they can write their name at the top of the paper but not in the description of themselves. If kids struggle to think of things to write, suggest they share how many siblings they have, what they look like, what sorts of sports or hobbies they participate in, their favorite colors and foods, etc. Each child should write about four to 10 sentences. When the kids finish writing, have them fold up their papers and stick them inside the shoe box.

Encourage the kids to gather in a circle and listen as you pull out the sheets of paper one at a time. After you read each description (but not the name) invite the kids to guess who they think the paper describes. Continue until you’ve read every child’s description.

God created each of us to be unique. Today we’ll hear a bit more about how God uses our strengths—and sometimes even our weaknesses—as part of His story.

ANTICIPATE | CELEBRATE | RESPOND | BLESS

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Celebrate//20–35 min. Host/Storyteller

LARGE GROuPS E C T I O N

ANTICIPATE | CELEBRATE | RESPOND | BLESS

Welcome and Traditions

ConnectQuestionWhen in your life have you felt most afraid?

Activity: Funny VoicesSUPPLIES• Connect Activity slide (see tru.davidccook.com)

ENGAGEMoses didn’t believe he could carry out God’s plans for him. But God knew He could make up for anything Moses lacked. He knew Moses was the right person for the job, even when Moses didn’t.

God created each of us uniquely—from the way we look, to the things we like, to the way we sound! As the children greet one another and make new friends, encourage them to talk to each other using fun and silly voices.

Kids get to be a part of the faith community of God’s family.

They participate in traditions and share them with newcomers, connect through fun and interaction, and experience The Big God Story through Storytelling.

REMEMBER VERSEThis week’s Remember Verse comes from the environment of IDENTITY, which says “I belong to God, and He loves me!” The environment changes every four weeks.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4

Hoppin’ High Fives A Community Tradition

Have the children hop on one foot and give as many high fives as they can to other children before putting their other foot down for balance. Each time they give someone a high five, they should say, “High five, [child’s name]!”

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ANTICIPATE | CELEBRATE | RESPOND | BLESS

The Big God Story

Ponder Point: God Reveals HimselfBible Passage: Exodus 1—4 Storytelling Technique: Monologue with Props

SUPPLIES• Bibles (1 per child)• Timeline slide and animation (see tru.davidccook.com)• Moses costume (suggestion: robe, rope belt, sandals, walking stick or cane)• slides: “I AM WHO I AM,” staff (see tru.davidccook.com)• optional: scene of burning bush from The Prince of Egypt movie

SET UPYou’ll be sharing today’s portion of The Big God Story from the perspective of Moses.

ENGAGEToday’s part of The Big God Story begins in Egypt—long after Joseph’s family arrived in Egypt during a time with little food. The king of Egypt, or Pharaoh, later made the Israelite people slaves!

You might be wondering why I’m dressed this way. Let me introduce myself. You’ve probably heard of me before. My name is Moses. I was born an Israelite, but an important Egyptian family adopted me. Later in my life I ran away from home and became a shepherd. Talk about identity crisis! But all along God knew who I really was and had big plans to use me in His story.

God’s Word says, “God heard [the Israelites’] groaning and he remembered his covenant … [He] looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them” (Exodus 2:24–25). My people, the Israelites, were slaves crying out for help. Of course, God heard them. But before He saved us, we needed to know Him. God would reveal more of Himself—His love, might, and greatness—so the world would know Him.

Leader TipBefore sharing this part of The Big God Story, tell your kids they’re about to hear a true story that’s recorded in the Bible. Open your Bible to Exodus 1, and invite children to follow along in their own Bibles as you storytell.

Resource Tip A Storytelling video is available for this lesson. Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users may access this resource at tru.davidccook.com.

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One day I was out tending to my flock. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I saw something very strange. I saw a bush on fire, but it wasn’t burning up! Then I heard God speak from the burning bush! Can you imagine? God asked me something kind of strange. Let’s open our Bibles to Exodus 3:5 –6 to see what He said. (Encourage older kids to help younger children in finding passage.) God said, “Take off your sandals (take off your shoes or sandals), for the place where you are standing is holy ground” (v. 5). (Show optional scene from The Prince of Egypt.)

Then God spoke to me again, saying, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (v. 6). I’ll admit it—I was terrified! In fact, I hid my face because I was so afraid! I mean, God was right there talking to me from a fiery bush! How do you think that would make you feel? You’d probably feel confused, frightened, and amazed all at the same time!

Let’s skip down a few verses to see what happened next. (Read Exodus 3:10–15 as kids follow along.) I’ll be honest. I didn’t think I was the right man for the job. But God assured me He would be with me. Still, I asked, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” (v. 13). (Show “I AM WHO I AM” slide.) God said to me, “I am who I am.” What do you think that name means? (Allow answers; interact with responses.) This is a very important name. It shows that God is the only one true God. Then God told me again to go speak to God’s people and to go to speak Pharaoh and tell him to let God’s people go so they could worship Him.

But do you think I went? (Allow answers.) Nope! I was too scared! So God asked me, “What is that in your hand?” (Exodus 4:2). I looked down and remembered I was carrying my shepherd’s staff. (Show slide of staff or walking stick/cane prop.) God told me to throw my staff on the ground. What do you think happened? (Allow answers.) When I threw the staff on the ground, it turned into a snake! And when I picked it up, it became a staff again! It was amazing! God made it possible to turn my everyday, normal staff into a snake so the people would know God had appeared to me.

You’d think that miracle would make me feel more at ease, right? (Pause.) Wrong. I gave God even more excuses. (Read Exodus 4:10 –13 as the kids follow along.) I told God, “I am slow of speech and tongue” (v. 10). I was worried that I couldn’t do it! I But God was patient with me. He told me that my brother, Aaron, could speak for me.

Finally I felt ready to go. I gathered my wife, my sons, and my brother and went to tell the Israelite leaders what I had heard from God. The Israelites were excited and thankful that God had heard them, so they bowed down and worshipped God.

ANTICIPATE | CELEBRATE | RESPOND | BLESS

The Big God Story

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God revealed Himself to me as the one true God who heard the cries of His people and came to free them. Every time I responded with fear or uncertainty, God reassured me that He would be with me. He had chosen me, and I belonged to Him.

I bet there are great things about each of you—different personality traits and hobbies you’re good at. But let me tell you something I’ve learned: The best thing about you is that God loves you, is with you, and has saved you. God wants to reveal Himself to you. God wants you to know that He loves you and wants to use you to play a part in His big story. (Share a story about a time God showed you your identity in Him.)

ANTICIPATE | CELEBRATE | RESPOND | BLESS

The Big God Story

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ANTICIPATE | CELEBRATE | RESPOND | BLESS

This time allows kids to worship through silence, prayer, singing, giving, sharing, thanksgiving, and other ways.

Make plans for your worship time, but prepare yourself and your team to hold them loosely if the Holy Spirit leads the group in a different direction.

Respond// 15–20 min. Host/Worship Leader

LARGE GROuPS E C T I O N

SUPPLIES• large wooden cross• sticky notes (3 –6 per child)• pencils or pens• God Statement cards (see tru.davidccook.com)• card stock (to print God Statement cards; enough for 1 card per child)• scissors (1 pair)• worship music (suggestion: “Thank You,” TruWorship Sincerely Yours (available at

tru.davidccook.com for Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users; or iTunes)

SET UPPlace the cross in an easily accessible place near the front of the room. Print the God Statement cards onto card stock and cut them apart, making sure you have one card for each child. Place the cards near the cross. Cue the music.

ENGAGEMoses never could have imagined that God would use him in such a big way. God’s plan was bigger and better than anything Moses could have dreamed! The same is true for us. God’s Word says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

As His children, God gives each of us specific gifts and puts us in specific places. Isn’t it amazing to know He wants to use us to carry out His plans? Moses didn’t think he could carry out God’s plans. Moses didn’t think He could do what God asked him to do, but with God, Moses was able.

I’m going to pass out a card, a few sticky notes, and a pencil or pen to each of you. Take a few moments and think about the talents and skills God has given you. Maybe you’re good at math or a star soccer player or a good listener. Write those things on the sticky notes. Then look at the God Statement card, and spend some time talking with God about what He says about you. Ask God to reveal to you how He sees you.

When the music begins to play, quietly come up to the cross and stick your notes to it. While you do this, pray that God will use what you have—whatever talents, relationships, and responsibilities you have in your life right now—to make Himself known to others. Also pray that you will know God more—know Him as a loving Father who listens to you when you pray, cares about you, and wants to use you, just as you are.

Before we begin, let’s take off our shoes, as Moses did, to remember that this is a holy space. (Start the music and begin this response time.)

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Reflect: God Reveals HimselfAllow kids to share freely about their personal response time with God. Lead them in a time of reflection about what God is doing in their hearts. Discuss how God revealed Himself to Moses and how He might reveal Himself to them. If you have a story of how God revealed Himself to you in your own life, tell it. (Leaders: Encourage the kids to open their Bibles and read the suggested passages.)

Questions for Younger Kids• How did God reveal Himself to Moses on the mountain? (Exodus 3:1 –4)• Why did God ask Moses to take his sandals off? (Exodus 3:5) • Why do you think Moses was afraid at first?• (Read Exodus 3:11–12.) Have you ever felt that you weren’t good enough to do

something? How does God’s response to Moses make you feel?

Questions for Older Kids• When God told Moses to go speak to the Israelite leaders and to Pharaoh, how

did Moses respond? (Exodus 3:13)• How would you have responded in the same situation?• How did God respond to Moses after he acted afraid and uncertain? (Exodus

3:12,15–20)• What do you think it means to be used by God?• Are you afraid, like Moses, of what people might think or say when you talk

about God?• Why do you think God called Himself “I Am”? (Exodus 3:14 –15)• How does it make you feel to know that, through Jesus, you’re God’s child?

(Ephesians 1:3–6)

Create: I Am LovedSUPPLIES• roll of primed canvas• scissors (1 pair)• tempera paint (any color)• paintbrush• markers or paint pens

SET UPCut a section of canvas that’s big enough to allow each child to trace her hand on it. Paint the words “I AM” in the center of the canvas. Place the canvas on a table.

ANTICIPATE | CELEBRATE | RESPOND | BLESS

A time to engage in relationship, reflect on the lesson with spiritual conversation, and/or create a meaningful project or piece of art.

Respond// 15–20 min. Small Group Leaders

SMALL GROuPS E C T I O N

Resource Tip “Science Experiments” activities are available for this lesson. Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users may access this resource at tru.davidccook.com.

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ANTICIPATE | CELEBRATE | RESPOND | BLESS

ENGAGEWhen Moses asked God for His name, God replied, “I Am.” What do you think that means? (Allow answers; interact with responses.) Those are all great responses. God was trying to show Moses that He is the one and only God, and that He is big and powerful—big and powerful enough to free the Israelites from slavery!

When we trust and obey Jesus, we’re rescued from slavery to sin. We’re also adopted into God’s family. Isn’t that amazing? You’re a child of God! Let’s look together at some Scriptures that talk about this. (Read Ephesians 1:3–6 aloud or ask a volunteer to read it.) As God’s child, who does He say you are? (Discuss this with the kids.)

You are God’s child. He loves you. He treasures you. He wants to protect you and care for you.

Invite each child to take a marker or paint pen and trace his hand on the canvas. Also encourage kids to write inside the handprints who they are in God’s eyes. When they’re finished, you might hang the canvas in the room or hallway so parents can see what their children created.

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ANTICIPATE | CELEBRATE | RESPOND | BLESS

Bless// 5 min. Small Group Leaders

SMALL GROuPS E C T I O N

A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement or guidance.

Blessings can be offered in order to ask God’s Spirit to overflow from the child’s life to bless others or prayed over a child for the purpose of declaring God’s protection, joy, or wisdom.

SUPPLIES• Bible• printable images of stars and space (see tru.davidccook.com)

PREPARE AHEADPrint the images of stars and space.

ENGAGEAs children are blessed, tell them that they have the opportunity to also be a blessing to others. Encourage them to freely give away to others the joy and love they have received from God.

Invite the children to sit in a circle.

God is so big. His power extends beyond what we can even imagine and comprehend. God’s Word says that God’s qualities can be seen in His creation (Romans 1:20). God reveals Himself to us in many ways. He revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush, and He also reveals Himself to us in the beauty and wonder of His creation. (Read Romans 1:20 aloud or ask a volunteer to read it.)

Before we receive a blessing today, let’s spend some time looking at images of God’s creation to remember how big He is. As you look at these images, remind yourself that God is so big and powerful that He created the world and everything in it. God’s love is so big that He sent Jesus to earth so we could be saved from our sins and adopted into His family. Because of Jesus, we can belong to God. Because of Jesus we can be called children of God!

Begin to pass the images of stars and space around the circle. Encourage the kids to look at each image in silence, focusing on the powerful creativity of God. After each child has had a chance to view the images, invite the kids to stand with their hands in front of them, palms up. Then open a Bible and read Psalm 57:9–11:

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

May God reveal Himself to you daily. May you know that He chose you to be His adopted child through Jesus!

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ANTICIPATE | CELEBRATE | RESPOND | BLESS

HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource: This magazine gives families ideas for creating fun, spiritually forming times in their homes—setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives! As the new issue becomes available each month, you may choose to print them for families or encourage them to visit www.HomeFrontMag.com to subscribe to have the magazine sent directly to their inbox. HomeFront is also available as an app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

HomeFront Weekly: Be sure to send home the HomeFront Weekly for next week’s lesson! This preteaching tool for parents encourages families to spend time in God’s Word together before children arrive at church.