No matter what job you have, you can probably come up with some good things and bad things about working. Money to provide for your family? Good! Crazy hours and/or endless piles of laundry? Not so much. In our lesson this week, we learned that God created us to work, even before sin entered the world and that God has entrusted us with one of the most important jobs on earth. Keep reading!
DILIGENCE: Consistently Working With All My Heart to Bring Glory to God
MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor for the Lord is not in vain!" 1 CORINTHIANS 15:58__
This Week’s Finish Line: God Created Us to Work
“In the beginning God created…” work (Genesis 1:1). What?! Yes, that’s right. The bible tells us that God Himself worked for six days and that God gave Adam and Eve work to do in caring for the animals and Garden of Eden. Have you ever considered that all of this happened before the fall? When man sinned, among the consequences of sin was that work would now be hard. Perhaps you’ve experienced disdain for a job, putting in long hours and wondering if you will ever catch a break? This was not God’s intent when He created work and gave it to man. While it’s common for day jobs to come to mind when we hear the word “work,” Jesus gave His disciples the job of making more disciples in Matthew 28:16-20. So, even when the nine to five seems monotonous, for the believer there is a deeper work within the work. Let’s get to it!
Family Questions:
- READ GENESIS 1:26-2:3, 2:15 What does it say that God had been doing? (He worked for 6 days to create the world) What are some of your favorite things that God created? What did God say about the people He made? (He said they were very good)
- Reread verses 1:28 and 2:15. What did God tell Adam and Eve to do? (Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, rule over all the animals, tend and watch over the garden. He gave them work!) Why is work a good thing? (God Himself worked for 6 days to create the world and we know that everything He does is good. He created man and woman in His own image and gave them work to do in the garden.)
- Reread Genesis 3:17. What was one of the consequences for sin that you see in this verse related to work? (God gave people work to do but now, because of sin, it became hard. From that point on, work would be difficult and challenging.) ?
- Read Matthew 28:16-20. What work did Jesus give all His disciples? (Go tell everyone about Him, make disciples, baptize and teach them) We can be His disciples too when we put our faith in Him so we have the same job as the first disciples! Does this mean we all must move to a different country to be missionaries? (No, but God may want some of you to go. Jesus is telling us we can make disciples wherever we go.)
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Meal Time
READ MATTHEW 28:16-20 What Good News did Jesus want His disciples to share with others? Discuss answers as a family. Parents, this is a great opportunity to share the gospel with your kids and talk through any questions they may have! (John 3:16 – We are all sinners and deserve to die because of our sin, just like Adam and Eve. Jesus, who was God, came to earth and lived a perfect life. Because He loved us so much, Jesus chose to die in our place and take the punishment we deserve. He came back to life 3 days later! He promises that anyone who believes in Him and asks for forgiveness can live with Him forever! We can have a perfect relationship with God, just like Adam and Eve did before they sinned.)
Friend: Drive Time
Hey parents, what did you want to be when you grew up? Share with your kids about your childhood aspirations as you drive around town. Talk about what your job is now and the gifts that God has given you to do your work. Keep the conversation going by asking your kiddos what they want to be when they grow up and how they can work diligently to bring God glory thru that work.
Counselor: Bedtime
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells His disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations.” That means Jesus wants people who believe in Him to tell other people the good news that He loves them so much that He died for their sins. Who could you share this good news with (a neighbor, friend, swimming teacher, etc.)? Pray for them tonight, that God would help them believe in Him and give you an opportunity to talk with them about Him.
Coach: Anytime
Learn the memory verse as a family. Write it with wipe off markers on your bathroom mirror. Practice “popcorn style,” where each family member says one word until the entire verse is completed. Write it on an index card and keep it in the car or make up your own hand motions.
Prayer
Thank God for all the work He allows you to do. Thank Him for the work He has done in your life and the generations before you. Ask Him to help you work diligently this week on whatever He has planned for you to do.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will continue the month of June with the godly character trait, DILIGENCE. We will learn that God gives us what we need for our work.
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