We've been learning that God has a plan for us just like He had a plan for Moses and the people of Israel. We've also learned that God loves us and He cares about us and listens to us when we are sad, mad, happy, excited, scared and all sorts of feelings.
This weekend we will be learning that part of God's plan and love for us means that we need to obey Him. God came to Moses in a burning bush and told him to go to Pharaoh and tell Pharaoh to free His people. We often think of Moses as this great man of God who did mighty things for Him like parting the Red Sea, making water come from a rock, and convincing God to not wipe out the disobedient children of God. Yet, here we find Moses, whose life had been miraculously saved as a baby, trying to come up with every excuse he could to avoid obeying God. Bottom line: Moses didn't want to go. He didn't want to do what God commanded.
And you and I, even as adults, are many times no different. It can be hard to love others like Christ told us to. It can be hard to not be selfish and open up our wallet and give to others. It's hard to surrender your wants for the needs of another. But this part of Moses' story should be an encouragement to us all. God didn't leave Moses when Moses balked at God's command to go to Pharaoh. God gave him tools, helps in the form of a staff and the form of a brother.
Yes we are called to obey God. Yes this is His desire for us as His followers. But He doesn't leave us alone to do it on our own. He is there to help us carry through with what He asks.
This week spend some time with your child reviewing their memory verse: Philippians 4:13.
We call it the 10 Fingered Prayer.
I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME!
There is a word for every finger and we can pray this anywhere, anytime. Christ came not only to save us but to give us the power to live a life that shows His love and purpose for the world.
As you go over this verse with your child, talk about some real life situations that they encounter where it's hard to do the right thing. Walk through ways they can do the right thing and how God might help them. Be willing to share with your child some things you sometimes struggle with such as being nice to grandma or saying kind words to dad or being tired and not wanting to cook dinner, or getting mad at the man who cut you off in traffic. Talk about what you could do, both the right thing and the wrong thing. Ask your child how God can help you do do the right thing.
Parenting Tips
Also for some fun ideas that you can try to get the wiggles out of your child before bedtime, before story time, before dinner, before a family activity, before going on an errand check out this post at our leader blog. You'll also find a fun way to help your child learn to pray and thank God through their sense of touch.
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