This time of year, we’re always searching for that “perfect” gift for someone. When that “perfect” gift is for a child, it’s almost a guarantee that it won’t stay perfect forever though! Think back on those beautiful white baby blankets… How long did they stay white? Most likely, it got stained the first day it was used. We rarely see things stay pure and perfect in our messy world, and this week we’re not just talking about white baby blankets, we’re talking about our hearts!
PURITY: A life that reflects a heart washed clean by God
MEMORY VERSE: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
This Week’s Finish Line: We are not pure because sin stains us.
Look at Genesis 3 together as a family. How does this story compare with what we studied last week in Genesis 2:15-20? This story is repeated often, but this time, try to see how Adam and Eve viewed God. They outright disobeyed his commands (Genesis 3:6), but even more than disobeying Him, they did not trust God in that moment. If God is perfect and pure, and what He makes is perfect and pure, He also does not make mistakes. The serpent convinced Eve God had made a mistake, and they would all then reap the consequences.
Family Questions:
- What did God say in Genesis 2:17? How does that compare with what Eve said in Genesis 3:2-3?
- What did Adam and Eve choose to do? Why?
- What would you have told Eve if you were standing there with her?
- Were Adam and Eve still pure? Why or why not?
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
TEACHER: Slow Down
At dinner this week, spend time preparing your hearts for Advent. We’ve put together some great resources, available here. Whether you decide to do a formal devotional plan (like Jesse Tree) or not, take time to slow down with your family and talk of advent. Why was it important for Jesus to come? Why did He come as a baby? Pray together for hearts that are ready to celebrate the coming of our Savior.
FRIEND: Practice the Memory Verse
While driving in the car together this week, see if everyone can learn the memory verse (Psalm 51:10). Practice by going around and everyone just saying one word at a time. Make it a game! Spend some time discussing what it means to have a “pure heart” and a “steadfast spirit.”
COUNSELOR: God Had a Plan!
During bedtime this week, talk more about this week’s lesson from Genesis 3. Take a few minutes also to look at what the Bible says about Jesus in Isaiah 53. Even way back at the beginning, right when Adam and Eve sinned for the first time, God had a plan to make us pure again (Genesis 3:15). The plan is seen more fully in Isaiah 53, then it comes to fruition when Jesus comes to earth. How does it make you feel to know God already had a plan to make us pure?
COACH: Stain a Shirt
One afternoon this week, have your kids make a stain on an old white t-shirt or sheet. Use coffee, chocolate, grass stain, etc. Let it sit for at least 24 hours, then have your child try to remove the stain without using any kind of soap or bleach. Could they make it look like new? Then use bleach to remove the stain (and probably make the shirt look brighter than before!). Explain how no matter how hard we try on our own, we can’t remove the stains on our hearts from sin.
Prayer
Thank God for never leaving you and for providing a way to restore your relation- ship with Him. Thank Him for revealing your depravity apart from Him and the freedom that comes from an abiding relationship with Him.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will continue discussing purity, by looking at God’s plan to save us with a perfect Savior through Jesus!
Image via Flickr Creative Commons
Looking for an opportunity to serve with your family this Christmas? Check out the Serving Opportunities we have listed on our website!