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Parents' Corner

Dri Bayer

FPCSS Director of Family Ministries and Christian Education

Family Worship Guide: Week 10

8/17/2020

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​Ephesians 6:10-20
Paul gives us such an appropriate mental image of the Christian life. Not only do we sit in our position of Christ, and walk in his ways, but we stand, as soldiers, outfitted properly, against the devil’s schemes to distract us. His depiction gives us a vivid image of a Roman soldier, but these tools are things every soldier needs. The belt, breastplate, boots, helmet, shield, and sword cover all of the vital physical organs, but they also each serve a purpose, metaphorically, of our vital spiritual organs.

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Ephesians 6:10-20
​

Memorize: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
- Ephesians 6:11 (ESV)
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  • What are the physical organs each of the pieces of the armor of God protecting? 
  • What are the spiritual organs each piece of armor is metaphorically protecting?
  • The “schemes of the devil” sound like a conspiracy theory. But more accurately, they’re ways that he distracts us, even with good things, from the one thing God has called us to: himself. Ask your children what things distract them from God. Share some things that distract you as well. Commit to each other to minimize those distractions.

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Continue to pray for our schools across the country as many return in the coming weeks. Pray for wisdom and protection, for administrators, teachers, paras, nutrition and transportation staff, for parents, students, extended families, and those that are vulnerable.
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​Call to worship:
We will say to the Lord, “Our refuge,
Our fortress, our God, in whom we trust.

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Play Simon says, but with a twist. Use the terms “sit in Christ,” “walk like Christ,” and “stand for Christ” as you play. Mix in others, like “buckle your belt of truth,” “jump in your boots of readiness,” “take up your shield of faith,” “raise your sword of the Spirit,” “put on your helmet of salvation,” and “tap your breastplate of righteousness.” You can also mix in silly ones, like “pick your nose,” or “stick out your tongue” and others to catch them off guard. 

Also, if you didn’t have a chance last week, consider a prayer walk or bike ride this week, to keep our schools surrounded in prayer as JBU starts this week and Siloam School District starts next! 
For more info on how to use this guide, here's our "How To."
For a printable version of this week's guide, click here.
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Family Worship Guide: Week 9

8/10/2020

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​Ephesians 5:21-6:9
​This weeks passage give specific instructions to children and to parents. But it starts with a call to everyone, husbands and wives, children and parents, masters and slaves, to submit to each other. Not to say who was in charge in each situation, but as a way of saying “after you,” like Pastor Jonathan said in his sermon. When children submit and honor their parents, it looks like obeying their rules, even when we don’t always like them. When Parents submit to and and keep from provoking anger in their children, it looks like listening and understanding before mandating the rules.

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Ephesians 5:21-6:9
Memorize: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
-Ephesians 6:1 (ESV)
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  • What does it mean to honor your parents? Give some examples.
  • Parents, give an example of how you honor your own parents, even though you are an adult now. Talk about a time when you did not, and share how you might have done it differently.
  • For older kids, have a conversation about when they are provoked to anger, and how they might handle it, or communicate that respectfully to you, as parents.

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This week’s prayer emphasis is also our Family Activity.
​See below!
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Be Thou my Vision - Hymn #562
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art--
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

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With school starting soon, during a pandemic, let’s cover our schools and our town in prayer! We would love for each family to go on a prayer bike ride, or prayer walk to and around their own schools this week. Pray for the administrators, teachers, paras, guest teachers, students, and parents at each school. Pray that they will stay healthy and make wise decisions. Pray for God’s protection over the building and all of the people that will be in it. If your children are too young for school, walk around your neighborhood praying for the same. Be sure to share your pictures or prayers on our private Facebook Group to encourage others in the FPCSS family to participate. 
For more info on how to use this guide, here's our "How To."
For a printable version of this week's guide, click here.
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Family Worship Guide: Week 8

8/3/2020

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​Ephesians 4:17-5:20
This week, Paul writes about putting off our old selves, like an old stinky outfit, and putting on our new selves, like a brand new set of clothes. Much like trying to stop a bad habit, we will never be successful unless we replace it with a good, new habit. For every bad thing we take off of our old selves, we must replace it with something good and new. 

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Ephesians 4:17-5:20
Memorize: Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children.
-Eph 5:1 (ESV)
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  • Paul gives several specific examples of what to stop doing and what to do instead. (Stop lying and speak truth. Stop stealing and work.) Can you think of other examples of things we, as Christians, shouldn’t do, and what we should replace it with.
  • Paul mentions speech a lot in this passage. He talks about lying, clamor, slander, corrupting or foolish talk, crude joking. Why do you think he focus so much on this specifically? Talk about what power words have. God created the world with words. Jesus is called the Word. Our words matter.

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Review the Lord’s prayer again. Ask your children if they can tell YOU what each line means. Go line by line to review what exactly we pray each Sunday together and hopefully each day at home.
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O Worship the King  - Hymn #104
O worship the King, all glorious above,
And gratefully sing His wondrous love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, 
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.

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If you have young children have a dress up party. Put on frilly dresses or hero suits. Let them primp by doing their hair or putting on lipgloss. Talk about how first they had to take off their old, plain clothes to put on the fancy clothes. Be sure to share picture on the Facebook Group!

If your children are too old for dress up, take time during your back-to-school shopping to talk about that new “first day of school” outfit they probably picked out. Help them make the connection between clearing out old things in their closet to make room for their new clothes and Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.
For more info on how to use this guide, here's our "How To."
For a printable version of this week's guide, click here.
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Family Worship Guide: Week 7

7/27/2020

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​Ephesians 4:1-16
​Jesus wants YOU! He calls you by name, just like Samuel. He calls you to join his people, the church. But he doesn’t just want you to join a bunch of people for no reason. He wants you to participate, to use your gifts for the good of the church. He wants us to use our gifts to grow the church. Like a healthy body, we need to take in good food (God’s word) and get exercise (using our gifts) so we can grow into people who look and act like Jesus.

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Ephesians 4:1-16
Memorize:
​Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.
-Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)
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  • God knows you by name. He knows the number of hairs on your head. How does that make you feel? Talk about what is a fitting response.
  • What is a special talent or ability that only you can do? (Serious or goofy is ok.) What is something that only you can do that makes the world more like Jesus’ kingdom in heaven? Something that helps your family or your friends? Something that helps your church? Explore some of your passions.
  • Vs 15 says we must grow up in every way. What does “growing up in Christ” look like? Talk about what a mature believer does.

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A prayer of praise is just that, only praise, not asking God for anything, but thanking him. Have each person write or say a prayer of praise to God for making them with all of the gifts and special abilities he gave them. 
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​Call to worship refrain:
Sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing to the Lord all the earth.
Sing to the Lord and bless his name.
Tell of salvation today!

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​Put together a puzzle. It can be a giant floor puzzle, a simple four piece puzzle, 100 pieces, 1000 pieces, and as hard or easy as you like. You could even draw your own picture, cut it into pieces and put it together again! Talk about how in the box, apart, the pieces don’t really have any purpose. But when they are put together, they create a beautiful, full picture. We as the church are the same. We aren’t meant to exist apart, but together for a full picture of the glory of God. Share a picture of your completed puzzle on the FPC Facebook Group!
​For more info on how to use this guide, here's our "How To."
For a printable version of this week's guide, click here.
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Family Worship Guide: Week 6

7/20/2020

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​Ephesians 3:1-13
​Often, it is good to think of the world as God’s stage, where he is the star actor, center stage. But sometimes the metaphor shifts, where God is the playwright and we are the actors on the stage. The angels, saints who’ve gone before, and even the demons watch and marvel, as God works out redemption in our lives on his grand stage. One of the most amazing plot twists, other than Jesus’ death and resurrection, is that we, as Gentiles, are invited into this story!

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​Ephesians 3:1-13
Memorize: “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Eph 3:12 (NIV)
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  • What does it mean for someone to be an heir? Why does it matter that Gentiles are included as heirs with Israel? 
  • In verse 8, Paul says that Christ’s riches are “boundless” (NIV) or “unsearchable” (ESV) What does that mean? Why is that important? What would it mean if Christ’s riches weren’t “boundless” or “unsearchable?”
  • According to verse 10, what was God’s purpose for the church? What does that mean for us today? 

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​Take a prayer walk together. Spend time praying aloud, blessing God for his beautiful handiwork. Praise him for the green grass, the tall trees, the beautiful butterfly, or anything else you come across during your walk.
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I Sing the Mighty Power of God #128
I sing the mighty pow’r of God that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command and all the stars obey.

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Sunday Pastor Jonathan spoke about how mundane things can be rebellious acts against the darkness. Simple acts of obedience or kindness, even when no one is looking are still legitimate ways to praise God in view of the heavenly hosts. This week, find a mundane act that you can do to serve someone else. Have your children write and mail cards to elderly friends (contact the church office for mailing address, if needed). Bake bread or cookies together to leave on someone’s doorstep who is lonely. Call or video chat with someone you know who is vulnerable. 
For more info on how to use this guide, here's our "How To."
For a printable version of this week's guide, click here.
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Family Worship Guide: Week 5

7/13/2020

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Ephesians 2:11-22​
There used to be a dividing wall between us and God, because of our sin, but God has broken down that wall. When we were far away from him, he brought us near. And now, he’s connecting us together, like legos. He’s building a temple for himself, using each of us, as unique blocks, joined together through the blood of Jesus. God is the foundation, and Jesus is the first brick laid to secure each of the others to it, and the Holy Spirit binds us together.

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Ephesians 2:11-22
Memorize: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10 (ESV)
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  • What words does Paul describe Gentiles, before Jesus intervene? How does Jesus reverse each? 
  • How do you think the Jews and Gentiles treated each other in Ephesus? How might each group have felt? Who do you identify with more?
  • Do you think that Christians in the US act more like the Jews or the Gentiles in this scenario? How do we treat each other in the body of Christ? Outside the church?
  • Is it hard to be “built” together with people who are different than us? Why or why not? Why does it matter if we are at peace with one another?

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The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
Have each child pray for siblings, friends and classmates by name. Ask God to help us love each one well and to get along well.
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​The Doxology:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise father, son, and holy ghost

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Break out the legos, Mega blocks, wooden blocks, or other building toys, or digitally with Minecraft. Even older kids can get on board with this family challenge. Build a Temple for God. Start with a firm foundation, that is God, and a cornerstone, Jesus, the first brick you lay. Make it as detailed and intricate as you wish. Then, share a picture or screenshot of your creations on the new private FPC Facebook Group! We want to see your house for God!
For more info on how to use this guide, here's our "How To."
For a printable version of this week's guide, click here.
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Family Worship Guide: Week 4

7/6/2020

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Ephesians 2:1-10
Has your family ever done a remodel or renovation? Or even just reorganizing a room? Did you take before and after pictures? What a major difference! Or have you watched TV shows about home makeovers? Sometimes the before and afters are unrecognizable. That’s exactly what the Holy Spirit does in us. He tears out the bad, old stuff and installs new, clean things. It’s a process called sanctification and it takes our whole lives. He never gives up working on us and bringing new life to our dead hearts.

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Ephesians 2:1-10
Memorize: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 
Eph 2:8-9 (ESV)

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  • Do you have any dead plants in your yard? What are they like? Can a dead plant do anything to save itself? If a gardener revives a dying plant, who gets the credit? 
  • ​What are some thoughts, attitudes, or behaviors that God is removing from your life? What good thing is he reinstalling in its place?
  • What does verse 7 and 10 say is the end result, the reason for all this renovation in our lives? Review the 4th question from the New City Catechism.

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Pray through Psalm 51, David’s prayer for a clean heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to remove bad thoughts, attitudes and behaviors and replace them with a clean heart.
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​Hymn of Reflection: 
Take My Life and Let It Be #597 v3
Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine
Take my heart, it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne
Take my love, my Lord I pour at Your feet, it's treasure store
Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee

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Find some before and after pictures to compare. If your family has lived through a renovation, reminisce about how hard it was, but how the end result was worth it. If not, find a friend or family member (to make it personal) who has. Alternatively, if your kids’ room or playroom is particularly messy after a hard day of playing, take a picture. Then, depending on your child’s attention span, spend 10-20 minutes tiyding up. Take another picture afterwards to compare. Show them what a difference even their 10 minutes of cleaning can make. How much more can the Holy Spirit do in our hearts?
For more info on how to use this guide, here's our "How To."
For a printable version of this week's guide, click here.
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Family Worship Guide: Week 3

6/29/2020

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Week 3: Ephesians​​ 1:15-23
Verse 11 says we were chosen before God made the world, so we know our past. Verse 14 says we are guaranteed an inheritance, so we know our future. But what about right now? We have security to live and serve others, just like Jesus did by washing his disciples feet. We can use our security, knowing who we belong to, to give to others, to serve others, and to do things that are “beneath” us, because our reputation is not at stake. We already belong to God, so we don’t have to worry what others will think.

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Ephesians 1:15-23
Memorize: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”  - Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV)
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  • Jesus shocked his disciples by washing their feet, something only the lowliest servant would have to do. Think of some examples of what that might look like today.
  • What are some chores no one in your family ever wants to do because they’re “gross” or not fun? Would Jesus volunteer to do those things, in order to serve his family? Could you?
  • Thinking in terms of power, Jesus showed his power, not be abusing others, but by serving. Talk about ways we see power being abused in our world and how we can use our own power to serve and protect those with less power.​

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The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
Focus on praying for our nation and world. There are many big problems that make us feel helpless, but we are not. We can always pray!
Call to Worship refrain:
Sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing to the Lord all the earth.
Sing to the Lord and bless his name.
​
Tell of salvation today!

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Do a family service project. If possible, do it secretly. Mow an elderly neighbor’s yard, or wash their car. Pick up trash on a family walk. Drop off a goody bag for a family in need. Collect gently used toys to donate. Leave a treat for your postal service worker or delivery person. Pay for the person behind you in the drive thru, but make sure to include the kids in the discussion. Better yet, let them make donations to the cause from their own money. Ask your kids for other ideas of people they see in need that they can help.
For a printable version, click here.
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Family Worship Guide: Week 2

6/22/2020

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Week 2: Ephesians 1:3-14
​This passage repeats the phrase “in Christ” or “in him” NINE times. Paul is trying to make it clear that no matter what is going on around us in the culture, our location as Christians is always in Christ! Because we are hidden in Christ, we can have the boldness we need to go against the culture and live as Paul instructs later in this book. If we know who’s we are, we can withstand anything.

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Ephesians 1:3-14

Memorize: “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes..” Eph 1:4 (New Living Translation)
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  • Review the 1st Catechism: What is our only hope in life and death? We are not our own but belong to God.
  • Why does that give us hope?
  • What does it mean to be hidden in Christ?
  • When you’re hidden, you’re safe. What does it mean for us to be safe? Is it a promise that bad things won’t happen to us? Or are we safe in a different way?

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Continue to practice The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).

If your family already supports a missionary or ministry, pray together each day for specific needs for that missionary or ministry. You can also pray for this month’s Outreach emphasis: Jake and Sarah Waid at the For the Nations Refugee Outreach Center.
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The hymn of Commitment:
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored.
​

And they'll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love,
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

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Play hide-and-seek with your whole family. Try to include even the youngest members by having them hide with mom or dad. It might take some practice, but even tiny tots can hide under a blanket, in a closet or behind a tree in your yard. Bigger kids can find some pretty creative hiding spaces!

Later, perhaps at naptime or bedtime, talk about how fun it was. Use it as a transition to talk about how we are “hidden in Christ.” Jesus literally covers us, like a blanket. He covers our sin and we can have confidence to live boldly!

AND, as a way to connect the FPC community, take a picture and tag @fpcsiloam on Facebook!
For more info on how to use this guide, here's our "How To."
For a printable version of this week's guide, click here.
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Family Worship Guide - Week 1

6/15/2020

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 I'm so excited to roll out this new Family Worship Guide! This is a tool to help your family establish and continue worship rhythms and routines together, not just during the Corona Virus Quarantine, but long after as well. While it’s not all inclusive, each element corresponds with our Sunday Morning Worship Service. Since this is our first edition, please click here first to learn more about how to use this guide! For a printable version, click here.
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Week 1: Ephesians 1:1-2 & 6:18-24
Paul writes to the Christians in Ephesus about what it means to be distinctly Christian in a world that wants to say “Jesus plus…” For them, it was Jesus, plus Diana/Artemis, or Jesus plus the Emperor. Paul says it’s only Jesus.

Paul also writes to the Ephesian Christians to ask them to pray for him. He, being in prison, was probably going to have to testify soon, and make a decision between standing for Jesus and saving his own life. Paul asks them to pray for the courage to speak boldly about Jesus.

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Ephesians 1:1-2 & 6:18-24

Memorize:
 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. - Ephesian 6:18 (NLT)
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  • Some questions for review: Who wrote the book of Ephesians? Who did he write it to? Where was he writing from? What were the 2 purposes of this book (mentioned above)?
  • What does it mean to be a Christian? What makes us different from other worldviews and religions? (You can use the Apostles Creed for reference.) 
  • ​What are some things our culture tells us we need to add to Jesus? Jesus plus what?
  • Share about a time you had to be bold and speak up about Jesus.

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Continue to practice The Lord’s Prayer
​(Matthew 6:9-13).


Take time throughout the day to stop and pray with your kids for a variety of things, “on every occasion,” being happy, sad, scared, frustrated.
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God of justice, love, and mercy
Pour your wisdom on our souls;
By your all-sustaining power
Keep our spirits strong and whole.
Lift our eyes to see your vision
Of a world in urgent need;
Grant us courage, then, to follow.
Bringing comfort with each deed.
(To the tune of Come Thou Fount)

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Because knowing what Christians believe is important to how we live, let’s memorize the Apostle’s Creed together. For the youngest children, you can start by teaching one line at a time, with lots of repetition. For older elementary kids, make it a game. Have siblings take turns with every other line or quiz each other. Talk about what each part means and why it’s important. For teens, try asking them to explain it back to you. Ask them to journal about how these beliefs are counter cultural.
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