Dear families,

Many agree that sin is often, if not always, contrived from selfish ambitions. We can see how our actions, thoughts, and words that disregard God’s instructions for our lives develop from our desire for more, better, or different than what we currently have. Our sin is a statement that we believe that our ways are better than God’s and that we ultimately know better than Him.

The implications of our selfishness in sin don't stop there. They don’t only disregard God’s instruction, God’s authority, and God’s design for us. They don’t only seek our own pleasure and comfort. Our sinful actions, thoughts, and words also tell a story to those around us of what we believe is most important and where we find direction for our lives.

Sin is always problematic and self-serving, but it also has an impact on others far greater than our circumstances often reflect.

When we build or follow an idol (something we put in the place of God), we are actually confusing the world around us. Our desire for something else to take the place of God in our lives.

Isaiah 44:9 reads, “All who make idols are nothing, and what they treasure benefits no one. Their witnesses do not see or know anything, so they will be put to shame.”

Our love of things other than God testifies to the world around us that God is not good enough, that He does not satisfy, and that He won’t do what He says He will do. For an ambassador of Christ, this is not the message the dying world should hear from us.

The next time you think that your love of something other than God is just a personal problem, reconsider how it may very well be proclaiming to those around you a gospel of hopelessness. And remember that God does satisfy, He is enough, and He always does what He says He will do.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

Babies & Toddlers: We are to worship only God. God sent Jesus to save us from our sins.
Younger Preschool: We are to worship only God. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and save us from our sins. We can turn from our sin and celebrate because God saves.
Older Preschool: We are to worship only God. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and save us from our sins. We can turn from our sin and celebrate because God saves.
Kids: God alone is worthy of our worship. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and save us from our sins. We can turn from our idolatry and evil ways to rejoice in the God who saves.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

Younger Preschool: What is idolatry? Idolatry is loving something else more than God.
Older Preschool: What is idolatry? Idolatry is loving something else more than God.
Kids: What is idolatry? Idolatry is a sin of the heart in which we love and value something else above God.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

Babies & Toddlers: Love the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 6:5
Younger Preschool: Love the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 6:5
Older Preschool: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5
Kids: “Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5

** Next week: Joash Wanted to Obey God (2 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 24)