October 2023 Children’s Ministry Guide
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The World Is Against God (Ephesians 6)
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
Babies & Toddlers: Jesus won the fight against evil.
Younger Preschool: Jesus won the war against evil when He died on the cross and rose from the dead. God gives us power to fight against evil. We fight against sin each day, knowing that Jesus already won for us.
Kids: Paul told believers to be ready to fight a spiritual battle every day. People and powers who are against God will be against us too. But Jesus died and rose from the dead. He had victory over evil. We can fight the battle against evil, knowing Jesus already won the war.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
Younger Preschool: Why do people not choose Jesus? People choose what they want rather than what God wants.
Kids: Why do people reject Jesus? People reject Jesus because all people are born with a sin nature and want to please themselves rather than obey God.
KEY PASSAGE
Babies & Toddlers: People were unkind to Jesus. Isaiah 53:3
Younger Preschool: People turned away from Jesus and were unkind to Him. Isaiah 53:3
Kids: He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. Isaiah 53:3
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People Welcomed Jesus as King (Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12)
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
Babies & Toddlers: Jesus is the good King who rescues His people.
Younger Preschool: Jesus came riding on a donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah said He would. (Zechariah 9:9) One day, Jesus will come back, riding on a white horse as King over everything.
Kids: Jesus is the Messiah spoken about by the prophet Zechariah: “Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). One day, Jesus will return to earth on a white horse as King over everything.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
Younger Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus tells us God’s message.
Kids: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus perfectly reveals God the Father and fulfills what the prophets spoke.
KEY PASSAGE
Babies & Toddlers: We can listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
Younger Preschool: God wants us to listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
Kids: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15
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Leaders Wanted to Trick Jesus (Matthew 22)
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
Babies & Toddlers: Jesus spoke with wisdom that comes from God.
Younger Preschool: Jesus always spoke with wisdom. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. He came to show us what God is like.
Kids: When the religious leaders questioned Jesus, He answered with wisdom and power. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. He is the Word of God, who came to show us exactly what God is like.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
Younger Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus tells us God’s message.
Kids: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus perfectly reveals God the Father and fulfills what the prophets spoke.
KEY PASSAGE
Babies & Toddlers: We can listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
Younger Preschool: God wants us to listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
Kids: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15
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Jesus Warned about Not Loving (Matthew 23)
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
Babies & Toddlers: When we trust in Jesus, He makes us right with God and changes our hearts so we can love and obey Him.
Younger Preschool: Jesus said to love God and love others. (Matt. 22:37-39) The religious leaders loved themselves most of all. When we trust in Jesus, He makes us right with God and changes our hearts so we can love and obey Him.
Kids: Jesus said that the greatest commandments are to love God and love others. (Matt. 22:37-39) The religious leaders loved themselves most of all. When we trust in Jesus, He makes us right with God and changes our hearts so we can love and obey Him.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
Younger Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus tells us God’s message.
Kids: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus perfectly reveals God the Father and fulfills what the prophets spoke.
KEY PASSAGE
Babies & Toddlers: We can listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
Younger Preschool: God wants us to listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
Kids: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15
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Jesus Warned about Not Acting (Matthew 25)
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
Babies & Toddlers: Everyone who believes in Jesus will live with God and be happy with Him forever.
Younger Preschool: Everyone who believes in Jesus can serve Him as Lord. Jesus’ followers will live with God in heaven and be happy with Him forever.
Kids: Every believer, as a servant of Christ, has the task of serving God with his or her life. We eagerly wait for the day we can share in the joy of our Master. Heaven is the joy of knowing, worshiping, and enjoying Jesus forever.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
Younger Preschool: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus tells us God’s message.
Kids: How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus perfectly reveals God the Father and fulfills what the prophets spoke.
KEY PASSAGE
Babies & Toddlers: We can listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
Younger Preschool: God wants us to listen to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15
Kids: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15