February 2023 Children’s Ministry Guide
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God Delivered His People (Ezra 1)
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
• Babies & Toddlers: God keeps His promises. God chose King Cyrus as part of His plan. God chose Jesus as His plan to rescue and bring us home to His kingdom forever.
• Younger Preschool: God keeps His promises. He chose King Cyrus as part of His plan to bring His people home from Babylon. God chose Jesus as His plan to rescue sinners and bring us home to His kingdom forever.
• Kids: God always keeps His promises. God chose to use King Cyrus in His plan to graciously deliver His people from exile. King Cyrus’ action to free the people reminds us of Jesus, whom God chose to rescue sinners and bring us to our true home in His kingdom of grace.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
Younger Preschool: Can God be trusted? Yes, we can trust whatever He has said.
Kids: Can God be trusted? Yes, God cannot lie or ever be wrong, so we can trust whatever He has said.
KEY PASSAGE
• Babies & Toddlers: Trust in the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7
• Younger Preschool: The person who trusts in the Lord is blessed. Jeremiah 17:7
• Kids: The person who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence indeed is the LORD, is blessed. Jeremiah 17:7
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Zechariah Gave Hope (Zechariah 13–14)
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
• Babies & Toddlers: God would one day set up a new and better kingdom with a new and better King—Jesus. God kept His promise by sending Jesus. Because of Jesus, we can have hope and forgiveness of sins by trusting in Him.
• Younger Preschool: Zechariah spoke a message of hope to God’s people. God would one day set up a new and better kingdom with a new and better King. God kept His promise by sending Jesus. Because of Jesus, we can have hope and forgiveness of sins by trusting in Him.
• Kids: Zechariah spoke a message of hope to God’s people. God would one day set up a new and better kingdom with a new and better King. God kept His promise by sending Jesus. Because of Jesus, we can have hope and forgiveness of sins by trusting in Him.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
Younger Preschool: Can God be trusted? Yes, we can trust whatever He has said.
Kids: Can God be trusted? Yes, God cannot lie or ever be wrong, so we can trust whatever He has said.
KEY PASSAGE
• Babies & Toddlers: Trust in the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7
• Younger Preschool: The person who trusts in the Lord is blessed. Jeremiah 17:7
• Kids: The person who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence indeed is the LORD, is blessed. Jeremiah 17:7
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The People Rebuilt the Temple (Ezra 2–6)
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
• Babies & Toddlers: God’s people rebuilt the temple where they could worship God. Years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to be with His people on earth.
• Younger Preschool: God’s people rebuilt the temple so they would have a place to worship God. Years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to be with His people on earth.
• Kids: God's people rebuilt the temple so they would have a place to worship God. Years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to be with His people. Now, God does not dwell with His people through the temple. Instead, God dwells directly with His people through His Spirit. Jesus provided something better than the temple; He gives us Himself.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
Younger Preschool: Can God be trusted? Yes, we can trust whatever He has said.
Kids: Can God be trusted? Yes, God cannot lie or ever be wrong, so we can trust whatever He has said.
KEY PASSAGE
• Babies & Toddlers: Trust in the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7
• Younger Preschool: The person who trusts in the Lord is blessed. Jeremiah 17:7
• Kids: The person who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence indeed is the LORD, is blessed. Jeremiah 17:7
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God Can Always Be Trusted (Jeremiah 31)
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
• Babies & Toddlers: Jeremiah told of God’s plan to forgive sin and help people want to obey God. Jesus made God’s words come true. God forgives our sin through His Son, Jesus.
• Younger Preschool: God’s words are always true, so we can always trust God. Jeremiah told of God’s plan to forgive sin and help people want to obey God. Jesus made these words come true. God forgives our sin through His Son, Jesus.
• Kids: God’s words brought hope to God’s people because His words were true. God can always be trusted. Jeremiah told about a day when God would forgive sin and change people’s hearts. Jesus’ death and resurrection provides forgiveness of sins. Through Jesus, we have new hearts and life with God forever.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
Younger Preschool: Can God be trusted? Yes, we can trust whatever He has said.
Kids: Can God be trusted? Yes, God cannot lie or ever be wrong, so we can trust whatever He has said.
KEY PASSAGE
• Babies & Toddlers: Trust in the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7
• Younger Preschool: The person who trusts in the Lord is blessed. Jeremiah 17:7
• Kids: The person who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence indeed is the LORD, is blessed. Jeremiah 17:7
