Driving Home Point

Week of June 22, 2008

This week children learn how we can have compassion for those who don't know God from the story of Jonah. Oftentimes children might feel difficult to have the same compassion for people that God does. However, by helping children see the love and compassion that Jesus shows us, we allow them open a perspective beyond themselves. Children were also encourage to pray to God that He would help them to see the world with not "My Eyes," but "God's Eyes.

Ask children about;

• What would you do if someone who was always mean to you and your friends suddenly asked you for forgiveness? Why?
• Why was Jonah angry that God forgave the people of Nineveh?
• How does God love people who do bad things?

Bible Point: Have Compassion for people who don't know God

Bible Story: Jonah Complains About God's compassion (Jonah 3:10-4:11)

Key Verse: "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some under stand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

PRESCHOOL Play and Pray

Sing a favorite praise song - "Jesus Love Me," for example - with your preschooler. Then ask your preschooler to think of people who don't know a bout God. Ask how singing the song to people and talking about God might help others know about God. Discuss why God wants everyone to know about Him.

ELEMENTARY Truths

If your church participates in a missionary program to a specific country or part of the world, talk with your elementary-age child about the people who benefit from the program. Look on the Internet or in a reference book to learn about the country and its customs, and talk about why God wants everyone to know Him. Encourage your child to think how he or she might help with your church's missionary program. Or help your child do some research about any country with a non-Christian majority, and find our about Christian outreach to that country.

Time with TEENAGERS

Ask your teenager to think of one person who doesn't know God and one way to help that person understand God's compassion. The person might be someone at school or in the neighborhood, a homeless person, or someone far away. Help your teenager think of something specific and "doable" to do, then encourage your teenager to do it. For example, your teenager might invite a non-Christian school friend to a church activity, volunteer in a soup kitchen and make time to talk to a homeless person there, or send his or her won money to a Christian group that gives away Bible around the world.