Playing By The Rules

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Parent’s Corner- January 22, 2023


“This is love for God: to obey His commands.  And His commands are not burdensome.”

1 John 5:3


“That’s not fair!  Those aren’t the rules!  You can’t do that!”

Have you ever played a game with a child or a group of children and heard these words?  If someone doesn’t play the game by the rules, it isn’t going to be much fun for the others who are playing.  I once played the game Monopoly with a child who insisted that every time he passed “Go” he received money. . . one of every color!  We joked that these were the “five year old rules” but not the rules of the game.  

In the Bible, God gave many expectations for our behavior, both towards Him and each other.  While we know that Jesus came to set us free from many of these elements of the law, obedience has always been an important element of our relationship with the Lord.  God is glorified through our obedience to Him, and we should be thankful for the guide He has given us for our lives.  


This week in Sunday school. . . 


2/3s- The Samaritan Woman

Scripture- John 4:3-30, 39-42

Lesson Truth- Jesus loves all kinds of people.

Aims for the Children- to do at least one of the following during this lesson:

  1. Give evidence of understanding of the contrast between the way some people treated the woman and the way Jesus treated her

  2. Demonstrate how Jesus made the Samaritan woman feel

  3. Indicate how they feel because Jesus loves them

  4. Tell what kinds of people Jesus loves (all kinds)!


4s-K, 1st-2nd, 3rd-5th- God Requires Obedience

Scripture- Deuteronomy 4

Principle- God requires obedience from His people.

Ask Your Child- How is God glorified through obedience?

Apply- By thanking God for giving laws to guide our lives.

This Week- As a family, Deuteronomy 4

Next Week- Deuteronomy 6:4-9


Children’s Church- God humbles Nebuchadnezzar

Scripture- Daniel 4

Principle- Believers humble themselves before God Most High.

Ask Your Child- Why was Nebuchadnezzar punished?

Apply- By praising God for how he has made us and for what He has given to us.

This Week- As a family, read Daniel 4

Next week- Daniel 5