September 2023 Children’s Ministry Guide
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Jesus Taught about God’s Kingdom (Matthew 13)
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
Babies & Toddlers: One day, Jesus will come back and set up His kingdom forever.
Younger Preschool: One day, Jesus will come back to earth and set up His kingdom. Until then, we obey Him and tell others about King Jesus, who rescues sinners.
Kids: The kingdom of God is growing in the world. This kingdom is valuable and worth giving everything for. While we wait for Jesus to return and fully set up His kingdom, we carry out the mission of telling others about King Jesus, who rescues sinners.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
Younger Preschool: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God.
Kids: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom. He taught that all Scripture is about Him.
KEY PASSAGE
Babies & Toddlers: Lord, You are great and powerful. 1 Chronicles 29:11
Younger Preschool: Lord, You are great and powerful. Everything belongs to You.1 Chronicles 29:11
Kids: Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11
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We Are Part of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 22; Luke 14)
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
Babies & Toddlers: Jesus invites everyone to live with Him forever.
Younger Preschool: Heaven is like a great wedding feast, and Jesus invites everyone to come. Jesus makes a place for people who say yes to His invitation, and they can be with Him forever.
Kids: Jesus invites us to join Him in heaven—the great wedding feast. When we receive His invitation, Jesus gets us ready by clothing us in His righteousness. Salvation is a free gift for everyone who trusts in Christ.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
Younger Preschool: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God.
Kids: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom. He taught that all Scripture is about Him.
KEY PASSAGE
Babies & Toddlers: Lord, You are great and powerful. 1 Chronicles 29:11
Younger Preschool: Lord, You are great and powerful. Everything belongs to You.1 Chronicles 29:11
Kids: Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11
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Jesus Knew He Would Be Rejected (Luke 13)
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
Babies & Toddlers: Everyone who trusts in Jesus will enter God’s kingdom.
Younger Preschool: Everyone is invited into the kingdom of God, but not everyone will go in. People are saved only by trusting in Jesus.
Kids: Everyone is invited into the kingdom of God, but not everyone will enter. People are saved only by trusting in Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
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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Jesus Raised Lazarus (John 11–12)
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
Babies & Toddlers: Jesus showed that He has power over death.
Younger Preschool: Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. He showed that He has power over death. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. Everyone who trusts in Jesus will live forever with Him.
Kids: When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He showed that He has power over death. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. He gives eternal life to those who trust in Him.
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