For Mom & Dad:
“Humanity is the special creation of God, made in His own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God’s creation. In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice humanity sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan humanity transgressed the command of God, and fell from their original innocence whereby their posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation. Only the grace of God can bring humanity into His holy fellowship and enable them to fulfill the creative purpose of God. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created humanity in His own image, and in that Christ died for humanity; therefore, every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.” – Baptist Faith and Message, Part III
Read Together: Genesis 1:31a; Romans 3:23, Psalms 53:2-3; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:8
Big Idea for Kids: God has made each of us and made each of us special. When God made us He gave us the freedom to make our own choices. Each of us has chosen to rebel against God (rebel means to turn against or disobey what God wants). This is called sin. Our sin has broken our friendship with God. But God still loves us—He wants have a friendship with us the way He wanted it to be when He made us.
Learning Question: Have you ever done something that you know was against God? How did you feel? What do you think God thinks about that? How do we know that God loves us?
Activity Link:
http://www.teacherhelp.org/color.htm — Find the link to either Romans 3:23 or 6:23
“To Do” Today: Affirm that your child is made by God and is indeed special to God and you. Look for opportunities to discuss how everyone sins—mommy, daddy, and children. Ask them about ways that they understand that they have sinned. Allow them to share with you their failings. In these conversations emphasize that even when we sin, God loves us and wants to be friends with us. God has, in fact, made a way for us to be in right relationship with Him. He sent Jesus!
Pray Together: Ask your child to be honest with God about their sin—help them share with God ways that they have sinned. Thank God for the love that He has for us even when we sin. Thank God for sending Jesus to take away our sin.
State Missionary Jerrod Brown serves Alabama Baptists as a Baptist Campus Minister at the University of South Alabama. He may be contacted at jbrown@alsbom.org.
Editor’s note:
December 13 through December 24 we will post a daily guide that you can use with your family to help reclaim the Christmas season.
by Dogwood