Week of 09-11-22

We encourage you to use the resources below to follow up on what your kids and teens learned at Sunday School and Wednesday's Student Ministry Gathering and as a guide for having some Christ-centered conversations with your family this week.

For Kids:
Unit 12: Session 2 - Solomon Built the Temple

Bible Story Summary:

• King Solomon built the temple like God had promised King David.
  
• The temple took seven years to build, and it was beautiful. Solomon covered everything inside the temple with gold.
  
• As King Solomon and the leaders gave an offering to God, the priests brought the ark of God into the temple.
• The people praised God. Solomon said, "God there is no one like you!"

Christ Connection

• The temple was a place where God was with His people and people could worship God. When we trust in Jesus, He forgives us and is always with us, ready to help us.

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This Unit's Key Passage Phrase: The Lord is a kind and loving God. - Exodus 34:6

This Unit's Big Picture Question: What is mercy? Mercy is when God does not give us the punishment that we deserve.

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​For Students:
“Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You!” —Psalm 67:3

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1) How has God blessed you physically and spiritually?
2) What are some of the blessings of God that you are tempted to hoard for yourself?
3) With whom can you share this week about the source of your spiritual and physical blessings?
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QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS:
1) How has God blessed you and your family?
2) How is your family using God's blessings to bless others?
3) How do you use your blessings to benefit people all over the world who have never heard the name and gospel of Jesus?

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For Family Worship:

New City Catechism Question 38: What is prayer?
Prayer is pouring out our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving.

Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

Reading:
Prayer is the way you walk by the Spirit. Prayer is the way you walk by faith. In other words, it’s the breath of the Christian life all day long. Just breathe in, breathe out. It’s the way you live.
Let me illustrate for you with four elements from the catechism: confession, petition, praise, and thanks. I’m commending to you that any time you face any situation when you feel I need help here, you do it by prayer using these four elements.
Suppose I have to speak in front of a group, and I am nervous (you can pick your particular challenge). As the moment approaches, I wonder, “Am I going to be able to do this? Will I remember what I have to say? Will I make a fool of myself?” And at that moment I confess my need to God. I say, “Lord, I’m a sinner. I don’t deserve your help, but I need your help. I can’t do anything without you.” That’s the confession step of prayer.
And then I turn my confession to petition. “Lord, please help me. I need memory. I need articulation. I need the right spirit. I need humility. I need to look the people in the eye. I need all these things. I want to be helpful to my listeners. But I don’t have it in me to be all that they need. Help me.” That’s the petition step of prayer. A cry for help.
And then I need to reach out and take hold of something about God that will be worthy of my praise and worthy of my trust. Like God says, “I’ll strengthen you. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you up with my victorious right hand” (see Isa. 41:10). I take hold of that promise, that power, that love, that mercy, and I hold onto it. And I trust him and praise him. “You, oh Lord, can help me. I trust you to help me. I praise you for being the kind of God who is willing and able to help me!” That’s the trust and praise step of prayer.
Then I give my talk, trusting him. And when I am done, no matter what, I thank him. Since I trusted him for his help, I believe that he is going to use my effort, no matter how well I think I did. “Thank you, Lord!” That is the thanksstep of prayer.
There they are—four key words from the catechism.
First, continually confess your need to the Lord. “I need you.”
Second, cry out in petition. “Help me.”
Third, lay hold of God’s promises with trust and praise for his ability to fulfill them.
And then when he helps you, go on your face and say, “Thank you.”
That’s the rhythm and the breath of the Christian life.
- John Piper

Pray:
Our Great Refuge, thank you for calling us to prayer. You are not far away; you are near, and you hear us when we pray. Let us pour out our hearts to you without ceasing. Let us pray without guile, bringing our true selves before your throne of grace. Amen.