Gospel Project At Home Family Discussion! April 20
Dear families,
This week in class we celebrate Palm Sunday as Jesus makes His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and we begin Holy Week leading into Easter. However, if your family has been following along with our Gospel journey, included is the next story in the one BIG story that is the Bible.
Judges 4 and 5 reveal God’s heart for delivering His people despite the consequences their sin deserved. Again, the Israelites sinned by committing evil in the sight of the Lord. Even still, God provided victory for His people against Sisera and his army.
How did Deborah’s leadership bring glory to God? Why is Jesus worthy of all glory?
In the prophecy she shared with Barak, Deborah revealed that God had already promised the Israelites victory in battle. Deborah rallied Barak to lead Israel’s army against Sisera. Even though Barak was hesitant to go without Deborah, he eventually led 10,000 troops to fight the enemy army. The Lord threw Sisera’s army into confusion, demonstrating His promised power. Forced to flee, Sisera died in an unsuspecting tent of a woman named Jael. On that day, Deborah and Barak praised God in song for the victory He alone accomplished.
Deborah and Barak’s song of praise revealed a right response to God’s rescue: worship. God was glorified because He alone provided rescue. Likewise, Jesus alone is worthy of worship for how He has provided the only way for sinners to be saved. God has exalted Jesus above every name because of His humble obedience to die on the cross for sinful people. One day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord.
We, like the wayward Israelites, are sinners who deserve punishment for our sins against God. Yet, by choosing to put our faith in Christ and in His perfect obedience and finished work on the cross, we receive the gift of everlasting life in place of the condemnation we deserve. In His goodness, God made the way for us to receive the grace we did not earn and allowed for His Son to bear the consequences our sin deserves. May it likewise be true for the boys and girls who hear this story and place their faith in our greatest deliverer—Jesus.
Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
- Babies & Toddlers: God used Deborah, Barak, and Jael to help His people. God sent Jesus to help us by dying on the cross and coming back to life.
- Younger Preschool: Like God used Deborah, Barak, and Jael to help His people, God sends people to help us and teach us about Jesus. Jesus won the greatest battle against sin by dying on the cross and coming back to life.
- Older Preschool: God used Deborah to lead His people and help them win battles. God sent His Son, Jesus, to win the battle against sin by dying on the cross and being raised back to life.
- Kids: God used Deborah to lead Israel in victory over their enemies, andGod received the glory. God sent Jesus to reign victorious over sin and death. Jesus is worthy of all honor, glory, and power (Revelation 4:11).
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
- Younger Preschool: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
- Older Preschool:What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
- Kids: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
- Babies & Toddlers: If we pray, God will hear and forgive our sins. 2 Chronicles 7:14
- Younger Preschool: If my people pray and turn from sin, I will forgive them. 2 Chronicles 7:14
- Older Preschool: [If] my people pray and turn from their evil ways, then I will forgive their sin. 2 Chronicles 7:14
- Kids: [If] my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
** Next week: Gideon Led Israel (Judges 6-7)