Parent Resources

From the very beginning, God has shown patience with people.

Deuteronomy 6:1-2,5-7 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

At Jesus’ final meal, He spoke with His disciples about what it meant to have a lasting friendship with Him. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, NIV)

God told Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation of people—he was. God told the Israelites that He would provide for them in the desert—He did. God told Joshua that the wall of Jericho would fall if the people marched around it for seven days—it did. God told Mary that she would have a baby boy—she did.

When sin entered God’s Magnificent Paradise, our relationship with Him was broken. God’s love for us was so great that He was willing to sacrifice to restore the relationship. God proved He cared about peace when He sent His Son to pay for our sins.

Our lives are like a big Amazing Race, and when we practice determination, we can be the one who goes the distance and finishes strong.

Parents, our hearts and prayers are with all those who suffered such loss recently in Connecticut. We pray for peace and comfort during this difficult time.

If you want to understand who God is, if you want to learn more about His character, there may be no better place to start than the Christmas story.

God can do ANYTHING. There is literally nothing God can’t do. He knows everything and He sees everything, and He is powerful enough to make anything happen.

This month's David stories teach preschoolers that, "God gives me good friends."

Our God is a unique, one and only God. There is nothing and no one like Him in all the universe. It only makes sense that everything He creates is also unique and one-of-a-kind. No two people are exactly alike. Even identical twins have uniquely different fingerprints. We are each an original—even you!

October introduces the theme “David’s Story” to preschoolers. This theme will continue through November and share some of our favorites stories of David while teaching children that God has one Big Story. Not only will they learn that God has a Big Story, but they will see that they are a part of that story!

I can depend on God because He’s bigger than my fears.

Creation Day 4 - sun, moon and Stars

Creation Day 3 - Land, Plants and Sea

I can depend on God because He’s bigger than my problems.

I can depend on God because He provides for me.

Creation Day 2 - Sky and Water

I can depend on God because He has a plan for me.

Creation Day 1 - Light and Dark

Daniel and the Lions

Daniel’s Diet

Joseph Forgives His Brothers

Joseph Does What Is Right

Whatever happens, tell others what God has done.

Jesus wants to be with me forever.

I love Jesus.

Whatever happens, remember Jesus is always with you.

Whatever happens, remember God has a bigger story.

Jesus is a good friend.

Easter—Jesus loves me.

Whatever happens, God is stronger than anything.

Whatever happens, remember what Jesus promised.

Everyone can praise Jesus.

Get in the habit of standing for what’s right.

Everyone needs Jesus.

Jesus wants me to love everyone.

You can stand for what’s right, even when it’s not popular.

When you stand for what’s right, others can see God.

Jesus loves us when we do something wrong.

Jesus loves everyone.

When you know what God says, you can stand for what’s right.

Honor God in front of others.

Honor those who are over you.

Honor others more than yourself.

Honor those who are overlooked.

Use the Bible to guide your thoughts.

Select your words carefully.

Pause before you lose your temper.

God can give you the power to control yourself.

God gave the greatest gift when He gave us Jesus.

Some ideas and tangible ways to help your kids make Christmas count.

Don’t let stuff get in the way of loving Jesus.

People are always more important than stuff.

Take time to celebrate what God has done.

Take time to say thank you.

Take time to adjust your attitude.

You always have something to be grateful for.

Imagine what could happen if everyone used their gifts together.

Use your imagination to do more good.

Use your imagination to make your mark.

Use your imagination to think big.

You were created, so you can be creative.

Discover the creativity that God has given you, and find a way to put your remarkable creativity into practice.

When I discover what God says, I know how I should treat others.

When I discover what God says, I can make wiser choices.

When I discover what God says, it helps me trust Him more.

Since God knows everything, I should discover what God says.

Do you have a heart for worship?

Extraordinary things are possible when ordinary people serve God.

When life seems impossible, remember what God wants to do in you.

When life seems impossible, remember what Jesus did for you.

When life seems impossible, remember what others did.

You can trust that God can do the impossible because He’s God.

You can trust God to be with you in bad times because you’ve seen how faithful He’s been.

You can trust that God will keep His promises because you can see the promises He’s kept.

You can trust in a God you can’t see because you can see what He’s created.

You can talk to God about anything.

Don't wait to start making things right with others.

When you want to get even, do the opposite.

When people are forgiven, it can change them.

Since God forgives you, you should forgive others.

Resurrected - You should put others first because Jesus is ALIVE!

Crucified - Jesus put you first when He died on the cross.

Arrested - To put others first, you may need to put God first.

Served - Treat others like they're more important than you.

Remember God is with you when you are the only one doing the right thing.

Remember God is with you when you speak up for what’s right.

Remember God is with you when you do the right thing.

When you’re afraid, remember God is with you.

God wants us to do for our enemies what they wouldn’t do for us. When we do, there’s no telling what God will do in people’s hearts.

Courage—being brave enough to do what you should do even when you’re afraid.

Jesus wants us to treat others kindly: to show them they are valuable to God.

God wants us to treat others the way Jesus would treat them. It shows others what Jesus is like..

kindness—showing others they are valuable by how you treat them. It sets us apart and can lead to real changes in the hearts of others.

This week we want to practice hiding God's word in our hearts, as we memorize 2 Timothy 3:16-17

We can faith in Jesus and know that we can ask Him to forgive our sin and heal the sick.

kindness ['kaIndnIs]
n
1. the practice or quality of being kind
2. a kind, considerate, or helpful act

Jesus teaches us how to pray.

Sometimes the race marked out for us is hard. Paul teaches us how to run the race even when things get hard.

Have you ever been in a situation in which you thought, I’m the only one—no one I know has been through this... This is too hard—I can’t do it . In today’s Bible lesson we learned that God has an answer to each of these excuses.

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Are you on mission?

Jesus was baptised by John the Baptizer. When he came out of the water the spirit of God descended on Him like a dove. A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

The Israelites suffered some major desert blues as they spent 40 years in the wilderness. But their determination ensured that they wouldn't miss something good in the Promised Land.

This month we will be talking about determination, which is deciding it’s worth it to finish what you’ve started. What can we learn from God and Moses as Pharaoh was compelled to let His people go.

This week we learned about Jesus in the Temple.

Are you in the race to finish it as we start 2011?

Christmas may be over, but joy lasts forever, because God has a master plan to make things right

At this time of year, when so many are overwhelmed with the stresses of the holidays and so few understand the true reason for the rejoicing, people need to hear the good news.

Rarely does our faith in God shine through more than when we have joy despite our circumstances. Everyone, even those who don’t know God, is drawn to a person who is truly joyful.

Joy can be defined as finding a way to be happy, even when things don’t go your way. Have you ever thought about what makes God joyful?

God made everybody different, He made everybody a somebody, and He can use anybody to share His message.

God wants to use our uniqueness to communicate His message with others. What are we “telling” others about God with our words and actions?

What would happen if parents spent more energy, more time trying to make sure their kids didn’t miss having a relationship with God than they did in trying to make sure they didn’t miss any experiences that they felt they should be involved in.

We learned about how God cared for Elijah (feeding him from the raven’s mouth) and how God spoke to him (in a gentle and quiet whisper).

We want kids to see God’s truth as the basis for decision making, to be be able to discern not only what's right or wrong, but what is the wise choice to make.

God made everybody a somebody, like Gideon who...

If you're new to the idea of using the Crosswalk GodTime cards at home, read on for a few simple steps to assist you, in leading your child to spend time with God.

We know that every child, as they get older and as they move towards independence, will actually care more what other adult influences have to say than what their parents have to say.

uniqueness, which is learning more about others so you can know more about yourself. As others notice our uniqueness being lived out in our lives, we have opportunities to tell them about God.

This week’s Bible story was "Elijah and the Prophets of Baal" from 1 Kings 18. The story describes the awesome power of our God and that He hears when we pray. It’s a story of God being the one true God! What a beautiful thing for our children to grasp.

As parents we recognize that as our children get older, their friends have a lot of influence about their faith and lifestyle. So it’s so important to build the right kind of community around our kids now. people who believe what they believe.

If someone asks what you believe, what will you say?

So what are the five things every child needs. We'll discuss these over the next 5 weeks.

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4

When there are people in need, don’t wait for someone else to help them. How can we demonstrate God’s love this week by responding to the needs of others. It May be a “Box of Hope”, or hats and scarves for needy children, or maybe even your neighbor that needs…

Initiative—seeing what needs to be done and doing it. “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4, NIV When there’s a job to be done, don’t wait for someone else to do it.