God Guides His People!
During the month of July, we will follow the Israelites as they continue on their journey towards the promised land.
During each lesson we will trace how God continually guides his people on the way to the place where he has chosen for them to dwell in his presence. The goal of the exodus and wilderness journey is for Israel to find a home to be with God. But the running them is actually that God is already present with them along the way! Read the Unit 7 overview.
For Teachers
June was a very important month in our children’s ministry, particularly as we hosted VBS. For those who served on that team, thanks again! And for those who have helped “keep the trains running” in our Sunday-to-Sunday children’s ministry, many thanks to you, too! We have had several visitors and many full Sundays, so your efforts are greatly appreciated.
VBS recap: In case you missed it, check out our recap of VBS with loads of photos, songs, and shout-outs to all the volunteers. We’re already thinking ahead for next year!
Teaching tip for July: New supply station! Many thanks to both the workday crew (from April) and, in particular, our Children’s Ministry Coordinator Jenn Canady for the hard work getting the hallway closet in the main church building cleaned out and organized. It is now fully re-designed to be a supply closet dedicated to weekly children’s ministry, with spare supplies, craft materials, paper, handouts, etc. We have a few finishing touches to make, but feel free to check it out when you’re teaching to see if it has what you need for a classroom activity. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jenn during the week to ask for help prepping any specific things you’d like to do.
Training videos: Check out these Gospel Project videos for each of the upcoming lessons in July. Click on the date and lesson title to expand and show the video.
July 7: Session 6.3, Rules for Sacrifices
July 14: Session 7.1, Joshua and Caleb
June 21: Session 7.2, The Bronze Snake
July 28: Session 7.3, Balaam and Balak
For Parents
Thank you for your ongoing support of our children’s ministry. It continues to be a privilege for our church to minister to your family and children!
Family worship tip for July: Make strategic use of vacation time. Yes…we all need a break. And vacations (even with small kids) are a good thing in the rhythm of family life. But the disruption can also make ongoing spiritual growth and patterns of family worship be really hard — even attending corporate worship. Such disruptions can be a turned into a good thing, though. You can approach vacation times strategically: to start a new family worship tradition (such as doing a family Bible reading on the beach at sunset), to use the natural world as a discussion starter (“how does the beauty of the mountains point to the Creator?”), or to find ways to have low-key spiritual conversations with your kids as you play board games during vacations. You can also take advantage of the time simply to pray more to refresh your relationship with God and each other. For helpful suggestions, read “How to Pray when Preparing for Family Vacation.”
Devotional Questions for July 7-13
- Read Leviticus 17
- How did people in the Old Testament pay for sin?
- Why don’t we offer sacrifices to pay for our sin? Who can take away our sin?
- Write a thank-you prayer to Jesus for being the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
Devotional Questions for July 14-20
- Read Numbers 13-14
- Do you think it was easy or hard for Joshua and Caleb to take a stand for God? Why?
- What do you have a hard time trusting God with?
- Talk about other times when God has kept His promises.
Devotional Questions for July 21-27
- Read Numbers 20-21
- How were the Israelites healed? (See Num. 21:9.)
- Can people save themselves from sin? (See John 3:16.)
- Recall a time this week when you grumbled. Then share a way God has provided for you!
Devotional Questions for July 28-August 3
- Read Numbers 22-24
- How can what we say with our mouths affect others?
- Tell about a time someone’s words blessed or encouraged you.
- Use your mouth to say something true about God.
