SPROUTS

,

Nov. 3rd Sprouts + Rooted :: I Can Pray for My Friends

,

Simple Truth: I Am Made for Community

Theme Verse: “Consider others as more important than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3b)

Theme: Get Connected

Bible Story: Peter’s Friends Prayed (Acts 12:1-17)

Families,

We’re excited to Get Connected this November as we teach kids the Simple Truth, “I Am Made for Community.” Kids will learn that God is relational, and He made us to be relational too. We can pray for our friends, help our friends, cheer on our friends, and learn from our friends.

This week, kids will learn I Can Pray for My Friends. In our Bible story from Acts 12:1-17, Peter’s friends prayed. Peter was imprisoned for telling others about Jesus. The night before he was about to be executed, Peter’s friends prayed diligently to God for him. God answered their prayers by sending an angel to free Peter and help him escape. They were amazed! We get to teach kids that when they pray for their friends, they can know God listens.

Invite your kids to name five of their friends. Write each name on a different day of the calendar this week. On the way to school or at the dinner table, pray for the person of the day. Help your kids know that they can pray for their friends.

Session 1: I Can Pray for My Friends

Read: Acts 12

Highlight: Acts 12:5 and 16-17a

Reflect: Which friend can you be intentional to pray for this week?

A)    A friend going through a difficult time

B)    A friend I want to grow deeper with

C)    A friend who needs to hear the good news of Jesus

Pray: Thank You, God, that You hear my prayers. Thank You that I can talk to You about the needs of my friends and know that You listen and respond. Help me to be consistent in praying for my friends. Amen.

Connect: What is an amazing answer to prayer that you’ve seen or heard about? How does that encourage you when it comes to your own prayers?

,

Sprouts + Rooted - Session 2: I Can Be Forgiven - Oct. 13th

,

Simple Truth: I Am Forgiven

Theme Verse: “I will forgive their wrongdoing.” (Hebrews 8:12a)

Theme: Switch It Up

Bible Story: Jacob and Esau (Genesis 27–33)

Families,

This week in Switch It Up we will teach kids that we can be forgiven. In Genesis 27–33, we will learn about two brothers named Jacob and Esau. Jacob hurt his brother deeply through a series of wrong choices. Jacob ended up running away because he was afraid of Esau. Years later, when God told Jacob to return home, he found that Esau had forgiven him. No matter what, we can know that God forgives us as well. We can be forgiven!

Challenge your kids by asking them if they can do different things. Ask questions like, “Can you jump and touch the top of the door? Can you say the alphabet in less than 10 seconds? Can you walk across the room with a book balanced on your head?” Remind your kids that one thing we can all do is be forgiven. God loves us, and we can always be forgiven, no matter what.

Check out Hyfi At Home for fun family engagement around last week’s Bible story.

Session 2: I Can Be Forgiven

Read: Genesis 27–33

Highlight: Genesis 32:9-10a

Reflect: How can you respond to the gift of God’s forgiveness today?

  • A)    Thank God for the gift of forgiveness.

  • B)    Forgive someone else.

  • C)    Confess when I’ve wronged someone and ask for forgiveness.

Connect: When have you experienced forgiveness? How can remembering God’s forgiveness help us in our relationships with others?

“Pray: God, You show incredible love and kindness by forgiving me. Thank You that Your love makes a way for me to have a relationship with You. Help me walk in the joy of Your forgiveness today. Amen.”