For Mom & Dad: A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. In such a congregation, each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons.
The New Testament also speaks of the church as the Body of Christ, which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.
Read Together: Ephesians 2:19-22; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:19-20
Big Idea for Kids: The Church is made up of all Christians. Jesus is the leader of the Church. Our job is to love Jesus and tell others about Him.
Learning Question: Who all is in the Church? Who do we know who is a part of the Church? Who should we listen to? Who is our leader?
Activity Link:
http://www.sermons4kids.com/body-of-christ-colorpg.htm
“To Do” Today: Ask your child if they can recall the names of people they know from church. Ask them if they know others who are Christians who don’t go to your church. Discuss with them that the Church is made up of everyone in the world who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ—they may go to your Church or live somewhere else in the world. Help them to understand that the church is international and is made up of all Christians and that we all have the same purpose and mission: to know Christ, to follow Christ, to love like Christ, and to make Him known in the world.
Make some of Lottie’s cookies and discuss her legacy in missions. Discuss ways that you and your family can support the mission of the Church and be on mission.
https://www.imb.org/generosity/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/09/Lotties-Cookies-All-Languages.pdf
https://www.imb.org/generosity/lottie-cookie-recipe/
Pray Together: Ask God to help your local church be on mission in the world. Pray for your Pastor and other Church Leaders. Ask God to show your family how you can be on mission to your community and your world.
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.
