First Look Week of May 6, 2019

What would you do if you were assigned a huge building
project to manage? Or told to step into the leadership
role for an entire nation where every person would
depend on you to make the right decisions? How about
helping someone else accomplish a big job where you’re
not going to get much recognition? Or, do the one thing
you would be most afraid of doing, while everyone you
know watches?

All of these are pretty big things and would intimidate most
of us. However, God can help us do really big things. When
our preschoolers are faced with big things, we want them to
remember to hop to it, because God will help them.
Our world is filled with things that are big and sometimes
scary. When our preschoolers face these big things, we
don’t want them to run. We want them to hop to it because
they know God is bigger and will help them do big things.

The Bible story this week was:
1 KINGS 5-6 –
Solomon leads the people to build a temple for God.

SAY THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S STORY:
Who helps you do big things?
God helps me do big things.

DO THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S STORY:
MORNING TIME
When you go into your child’s room this month, say, “Good morning, [child’s name]! It’s time to wake up and do big things! Who helps you do big things?” Say with child: “God helps me do big things!”

REMEMBER THIS:
“We have the Lord our God to help us.”
2 Chronicles 32:8, NLT

BASIC TRUTH: GOD MADE ME.

First Look Week of April 29, 2019

Yesterday, weeones heard JOHN 21:1-14 –
Jesus prepares a meal on the beach for His friends, the disciples, after He comes back.

SAY THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S LESSON:
Who is your friend?
Jesus is my friend.

DO THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S LESSON:
BATH TIME
Add a small ball that floats to bath time this week. Show your child how to push the ball under the water and let it go to see it pop back up on top of the water. Each time the ball pops back up say, “It came back!” When you’re done, tell your child that Jesus came back, just like He promised. Jesus is alive, and He wants to be our friend forever!

REMEMBER THIS:
“A friend loves at all times.”
Proverbs 17:17, NIrV

BASIC TRUTH: JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER.

Week of April 29, 2019

Our Bible story for week four in 252 Kids was JOHN 20:19-23 –
Jesus Appears to Thomas.

SAY THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
Whatever happens, remember God is bigger than your questions.

DO THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
DRIVE TIME
Play the question game! Each person take a turn asking each other a question. Finally, end the game with a question you would have for God. See if anyone in the car can help answer those questions!

REMEMBER THIS:
“In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged!
I have won the battle over the world.”
John 16:33b, NIrV

LIFE APP:
HOPE—Believing that something good can come out of something bad.

Week of April 22, 2019

Our 252 Kids Bible story for week three was JOHN 18:1—20:18:
The Crucifixion and Resurrection

SAY THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
Whatever happens, remember Jesus is alive.

DO THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
BED TIME
Every one of us has done wrong things. But God loves us so much that He sent His own son, Jesus, to live among us. Jesus willingly entered into death and separation from God. When God raised Jesus back to life, He defeated death and made a way for everyone who believes in Jesus to live forever with God. Pray that you would live each day in the hope that comes from knowing Jesus is alive.

REMEMBER THIS:
“In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged!
I have won the battle over the world.”
John 16:33b, NIrV

LIFE APP:
HOPE—Believing that something good can come out of something bad.

Parent Cue – Texting Guide – April 22, 2019

Texting does not have to be a negative tool in your home. It also can be a tremendous opportunity and a blessing to stay connected as a family.

If your child has a cell phone, check out this helpful post about kids and texting:A Parent’s Guide To Texting

The article shares common acronyms (some were quite eye-opening to me [GNOC] Yikes!) as well as tips on monitoring services and ways to use texting to encourage your children.

First Look Week of April 22, 2019

Our Easter Sunday Bible story for weeones was Matthew 26:20-30; 27:45-50; 28:1-7
Jesus dies, is buried, and comes back, just like He promised, so He can be our friend forever.

SAY THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S LESSON:
Who is your friend?
Jesus is my friend.

DO THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S LESSON:
CUDDLE TIME
Cuddle with your child and pray, “Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to be our friend forever. Help us tell other people the good news that Jesus is alive and He wants to be their friend forever too. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

REMEMBER THIS:
“A friend loves at all times.”
Proverb 17:17, NIrV

BASIC TRUTH: JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER.

Parent Cue – Hope Boomerangs Back – April 22, 2019

It’s now four years since my son was diagnosed with autism. He still doesn’t have functional speech and works very hard to play and learn, but he releases more joy than anyone I know. I’ve learned from him about the power of releasing, and know he will fulfill a powerful destiny.

Autism and Down Syndrome are different, but I can relate to parents who fear for their child’s future because of a diagnosis. This article really struck a chord with me because at a time when I was hopeless about Nathan’s future, I received encouragement from so many people that I didn’t even know. It was amazing.

Read the full post here and if you are a parent with an autistic child check out the book Josiah’s Fire.

First Look Week of April 15, 2019

The Bible story for Palm Sunday was MATTHEW 21:1-16 –
People praise Jesus by shouting, waving palm branches, and spreading their coats on the ground.

SAY THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S LESSON:
Who is your friend?
Jesus is my friend.

DO THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S LESSON:
DRIVE TIME
As you drive, listen to your favorite children’s worship music. Sing along to the songs with your preschooler. After several songs, ask your preschooler: Who you are singing about? Who are you praising? Who wants to be your friend forever?

REMEMBER THIS:
“A friend loves at all times.”
Proverbs 17:17, NIrV

BASIC TRUTH: JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER.

Week of April 15, 2019

Our Bible story for 252 Kids was JOHN 12:9-16:
Palm Sunday.

SAY THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
Whatever happens, remember God keeps His promises.

DO THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
MEAL TIME
Q&A for Kids: Fill in the blanks. I hope___________(something personal). I hope___________(something for a friend). I hope___________(something for the world).
Q&A for Parents: When was a time when hope carried you through something difficult?

REMEMBER THIS:
“In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged!
I have won the battle over the world.”
John 16:33b, NIrV

LIFE APP:
HOPE—Believing that something good can come out of something bad.