FAMILY DEVOTIONAL ACTIVITY:

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Gwendolyn Wilson
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Sunday, March 15, 2015 Daniel and his Friends Obeyed God Daniel 1 What did Daniel do in cap vity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Daniel chose to obey God no ma er what.

Over the next few weeks, we will take a look at the exile through the eyes of Daniel and his friends. Before the exile, prophets had warned God s people to stop sinning, but the people did not listen.

They became cap ves in the enemy na on of Babylon.

1 Sunday, March 15, 2015 Daniel and his Friends Obeyed God Daniel 1 What did Daniel do in cap vity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Daniel chose to obey God no ma er what. God blessed Daniel and his friends. Daniel wasn t perfect, but he reminds us of someone who was. Jesus obeyed God perfectly and He always pleases God. We please God when we trust in Jesus. Over the next few weeks, we will take a look at the exile through the eyes of Daniel and his friends. Before the exile, prophets had warned God s people to stop sinning, but the people did not listen. The na on of Judah was consumed by idol worship; the kings did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So God kept His word He allowed His people to be taken from their land. They became cap ves in the enemy na on of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, called for the best young men from Judah to be trained for service in the palace among them, Daniel and his three friends. The boys were given new iden es new names, new educa on, new culture. They were indoctrinated to be good Babylonians. But Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah stayed faithful to the one true God and did not make themselves unclean by ea ng the king s food. Daniel and his friends chose to obey God no ma er what. God blessed Daniel and his friends. They were smarter than all the other young men in Babylon, and the king recognized their gi s. Daniel wasn't perfect, but he reminds us of someone who was. Jesus obeyed God perfectly and He always pleases God. We please God when we trust in Jesus. Prepare a meal of nothing but vegetables with only water to drink. Ask who in the Bible ate this type of meal for at least three straight years. Invite each family member to share a me when obedience wasn t easy. Share your kids reac ons below.

Sunday, March 22, 2015 Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Daniel 3 Who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God was with them in the fire.

Jesus sacrifice on the cross provided the way for us to be rescued and have eternal life. This week, our journey takes us to Babylon during the exile.

Nebuchadnezzar built a tall gold statue and issued a new law: When you hear music, you are to fall down and worship the statue.

2 Sunday, March 22, 2015 Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Daniel 3 Who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God was with them in the fire. Only God could rescue Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fire. Jesus is the only One who can save us from our sin. Jesus sacrifice on the cross provided the way for us to be rescued and have eternal life. This week, our journey takes us to Babylon during the exile. Kids will learn about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Daniel s three friends who stayed faithful to the one true God. Nebuchadnezzar built a tall gold statue and issued a new law: When you hear music, you are to fall down and worship the statue. Whoever did not bow to the statue would be thrown into a blazing furnace. (Daniel 3:6) So when the music played, all the people bowed down and worshiped the gold statue. Well, almost everyone. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down and worship the statue. They loved and worshiped the one true God. Only He was worthy of their worship. The Chaldeans a group of astrologers and dream interpreters (see Daniel 2:2,4) told on Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. But not even the threat of death could convince the three friends to renounce God. Their trust in God enabled them to stand firm even as they were ed up and thrown into the fire. The Lord not only rescued Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, He was with them. Nebuchadnezzar saw four men in the fire, walking around unharmed! Only God could rescue Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fire. Jesus is the only One who can save us from our sin. On the cross, people mocked Jesus: He saved others; He cannot save Himself! (Mark 15:31). Jesus was not physically unable to save Himself; He chose to do the Father s will. Jesus sacrifice on the cross provided the way for us to be rescued and have eternal life. Review your family s fire safety plan. If you don t have one, develop one. Tips and templates are available online. Talk about how God was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire. Share an experience where you had to demonstrate faith during a difficult me.

Sunday, March 29, 2015 The Triumphal Entry Ma hew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19 How did people act when they saw Jesus? People welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem as their King.

Jesus was the Messiah spoken about by the prophet Zechariah: Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey

Today s Bible story describes Jesus entry into Jerusalem during Passover week, riding on a donkey like the prophet Zechariah foretold. (Zech.

3 Sunday, March 29, 2015 The Triumphal Entry Ma hew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19 How did people act when they saw Jesus? People welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem as their King. During Jesus triumphal entry, the people welcomed Him as King. Jesus was the Messiah spoken about by the prophet Zechariah: Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). We are taking a break from the chronological study of the Bible to tell the stories of Easter. Today s Bible story describes Jesus entry into Jerusalem during Passover week, riding on a donkey like the prophet Zechariah foretold. (Zech. 9:9) Waving palm branches and shou ng Hosanna, the people welcomed Jesus as King. They believed He would overthrow Roman oppression. Jesus sent a different message when He arrived in Jerusalem. Jesus entered the temple complex. He turned over the tables of the money changers and those selling doves. Jesus said the temple was supposed to be a house of prayer for all na ons (Isaiah 56:6-7), declaring His kingship would be over all people. Jesus healed the blind and the lame. Jesus wasn t just an earthly king, He was God! (Isa. 35:4-6) Help your kids connect the dots between God s promises of a Messiah and Jesus arrival in Jerusalem. How did the people act when they saw Jesus? The people welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem as their King. Celebrate why Jesus came: to save people from their sin! Take a family trip to a local store. Go to the department with Easter supplies, and invite family members to search for items that connect with the real Easter message. Discuss the items you found. Talk about how easy it is to get distracted from the true story of Easter.

Sunday, April 5, 2015 Jesus Crucifixion and Resurrec on Ma hew 26:36 28:10; John 18:1 20:18 What did Jesus do for sinners?

We deserve to die because of our sin, but Jesus died in our place. He was the blood sacrifice made once and for all for the forgiveness of sin.

Thank you for entrus ng your child to us throughout this year. We celebrate with you and your family the joy of Easter.

4 Sunday, April 5, 2015 Jesus Crucifixion and Resurrec on Ma hew 26:36 28:10; John 18:1 20:18 What did Jesus do for sinners? Jesus death and resurrec on paid the penalty for sins and provided the promise of new life. The crucifixion and resurrec on of Jesus is the center of the gospel. We deserve to die because of our sin, but Jesus died in our place. He was the blood sacrifice made once and for all for the forgiveness of sin. God was pleased with Jesus sacrifice and raised Jesus from the dead to reign as King over all crea on. We are forgiven only through Jesus. (Acts 4:12) Jesus is alive! Thank you for entrus ng your child to us throughout this year. We celebrate with you and your family the joy of Easter. This week s story in The Gospel Project for Kids was all about Jesus death on the cross and His resurrec on three days later. Why did Jesus have to die? God is holy and just, and He requires due payment for sin. To simply forgive without receiving a payment would be unjust. The wages of sin is death. (Rom. 6:23) Jesus came to earth was to save us from our sin (Ma. 1:21), to show God s love to us (Rom. 5:7-8), and to give those who believe in Him eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus came to die so that we would be forgiven (Eph. 1:7), and to bring us to God. (1 Pet. 3:18) Jesus resurrec on proved that God accepted Jesus death as payment for our sins. Jesus crucifixion and resurrec on are not the end of the story, but the climax. Pray with your family, thanking God for sending His Son, Jesus, to be the Savior of the world. Ask a pastor or church secretary for the name and address of a family that visited your church recently or came for Easter services. Make a welcome package with snacks or even a small gi. Deliver the gi as a family. Discuss your experience.

Sunday, April 12, 2015 Jesus Appeared to the Disciples Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29; Acts 1:3,9-11 What did Jesus do a er He was raised from the dead?

For 40 days, Jesus presented Himself to at least 500 people and proved that He is alive. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) Jesus is s ll alive today.

Talk about how the disciples must have felt when Jesus appeared in the locked room with them. Jesus told them not to be afraid!

5 Sunday, April 12, 2015 Jesus Appeared to the Disciples Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29; Acts 1:3,9-11 What did Jesus do a er He was raised from the dead? Jesus appeared to many people as proof that God had raised Jesus from the dead, and He is s ll alive today. God made Jesus alive again! For 40 days, Jesus presented Himself to at least 500 people and proved that He is alive. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) Jesus is s ll alive today. A er Jesus resurrec on, Jesus graciously appeared to the disciples, proving that He was alive. Even though Jesus had told His disciples that He would die and rise again, they believed by seeing. Talk about how the disciples must have felt when Jesus appeared in the locked room with them. Jesus told them not to be afraid! To prove that He had a real, physical body, Jesus let them touch His hands. He even ate some fish! Jesus gave the disciples the Holy Spirit and equipped them to proclaim the gospel. The resurrec on is essen al to the gospel. If Christ remained dead, His death would have meant nothing more than any other human being s. God gives us victory over death through Jesus. Emphasize to your kids that Chris ans have a special purpose: to tell others that Jesus is alive! Set up a fun crime scene. Consider the case of the missing cookies. Decide who the culprit is going to be. Spill a li le flour on the kitchen floor. Take the culprit s shoe and make a par al print in the flour. Then place crumbs in the culprit s room and a piece of clothing that will match the bandit s descrip on. A er everything is set up, invite the family to join you. Explain that someone in the family has taken a plate of cookies. Give a loose descrip on of the ar cle of clothing, and invite family members to look at the crime scene in the kitchen. Explain that evidence can be found in other rooms of the house, but no one needs to open any drawers or closets to find it. A er the culprit is revealed, discuss about how cases are solved using evidence. Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. Talk about the evidence that Jesus rose from the dead.

Sunday, April 19, 2015 God Gave Daniel Wisdom Daniel 5 What does God do to the proud? God humbles the proud. God used Daniel s wisdom to get the king s a en on about his pride.

When we humble ourselves and trust in Jesus, God will raise us up too, and we will be with Him forever in heaven. Today s Bible story takes place many years a er Nebuchadnezzar s reign ended.

King Belshazzar and those closest to him drank from the holy vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the house of God in Jerusalem.

6 Sunday, April 19, 2015 God Gave Daniel Wisdom Daniel 5 What does God do to the proud? God humbles the proud. God used Daniel s wisdom to get the king s a en on about his pride. The king acted like he was be er than God. God humbled the king. Jesus humbled Himself by dying on the cross for our sin. God raised up Jesus and gave Him honor. When we humble ourselves and trust in Jesus, God will raise us up too, and we will be with Him forever in heaven. Today s Bible story takes place many years a er Nebuchadnezzar s reign ended. King Belshazzar hosted a grand banquet for a thousand of his nobles. King Belshazzar and those closest to him drank from the holy vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the house of God in Jerusalem. King Belshazzar and his friends drank and praised their false gods. The party was suddenly interrupted when a human hand appeared; its fingers wrote a message on the wall. The king couldn t understand the message, neither could the astrologers and wise men. The queen remembered Daniel and his God-given ability to understand dreams and visions. (Daniel 1:17) Daniel read the words on the wall: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN. These words mean numbered, weighed, and divided. God had evaluated Belshazzar and found he wasn t good enough. God would bring Belshazzar s reign to an end that very night! God used Daniel s wisdom to get the king s a en on about his pride. The king acted like he was be er than God, so God humbled the king. Jesus humbled Himself by dying on the cross for our sin. God raised up Jesus and gave Him honor. When we humble ourselves and trust in Jesus, God will raise us up too, and we will be with Him forever in heaven. Invite family members to write a special talent they have below. Remind the family that God gives us talents to give Him glory, not ourselves. Talk about how each family member s talent can be used for God, and help each family member plan a me and place to use it.

Sunday, April 26, 2015 Daniel was Rescued from the Lions Daniel 6 Who rescued Daniel? God rescued Daniel. God saved Daniel from the lions. God is powerful!

Today s Bible story takes place a er the Persians defeated King Belshazzar and Darius was made king. By this me, Daniel was an old man, probably in his early 80s.

So good, in fact, that King Darius planned to put him in charge of the en re kingdom.

7 Sunday, April 26, 2015 Daniel was Rescued from the Lions Daniel 6 Who rescued Daniel? God rescued Daniel. God saved Daniel from the lions. God is powerful! God sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from something scarier than lions. Jesus rescues us from sin and death. Today s Bible story takes place a er the Persians defeated King Belshazzar and Darius was made king. By this me, Daniel was an old man, probably in his early 80s. Daniel served the new king as one of the three leading supervisors in the kingdom. Daniel was very good at his job. So good, in fact, that King Darius planned to put him in charge of the en re kingdom. The other supervisors and satraps beneath them were jealous; they tried to catch Daniel doing something wrong so they could complain to the king. But Daniel was trustworthy, and they couldn t find any negligence or corrup on in him. They also knew Daniel was devoted to the one true God. If they couldn t catch Daniel breaking a law, they would convince the king to make a law that Daniel would break. Under their malevolent persuasion, King Darius passed a law that no one could pray to anyone but him. Daniel con nued to pray to God, and the jealous officials turned him in. The king stayed up all night trying to find a legal loophole, but the law couldn t be undone. (Daniel 6:15) Daniel was thrown into the lions den, but God shut the lions mouths. Daniel wasn t hurt. His accusers received the very punishment they sought for Daniel. Daniel trusted the Lord to save him; he knew he didn t stand a chance figh ng off the lions in his own strength. God showed His power to rescue Daniel from the lions, but Daniel was just a small part of a much bigger story. We all have sinned and deserve punishment far worse than a lions den: hell eternal separa on from God. God ul mately rescued us from a much bigger problem sin and death through His Son, Jesus. Take a trip to a local zoo and pay special a en on to the lion exhibit, or look up Internet sites that talk about lions. Find 10 facts about them, and share them below. Remind the kids that no ma er how amazing lions are, God is much greater. Read Daniel 6:26-27 together.

E MAIL. Unit 16, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God. Dear Parents,

E MAIL. Unit 16, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God. Dear Parents, Unit 16, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Unit 16, Session 2: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Unit 16, Session 3: Daniel Was Rescued Unit 16, Session 4: God Brought His People Home Unit 16,