Session Two: Grace Dec 19

     This past sunday was an interesting Christmas lesson. We had great discussion in the early and late classes. I was able to have a significant conversation with a student concerning the topic that ended in tears and an understanding of their brokenness before God. It was a great Sunday! Here's an overview of what we talked about:
     The Christmas story is a story of grace. Grace meant God came close. Grace meant that every one of us can connect with God through Jesus in a more personal way. Christmas was the tipping point, much like a scale tips with barely too much weight on one side. But God didn’t become less holy, and more grace. In fact, He was and is still both. And we are challenged to live our lives in the balance of both holiness and grace in how we interact with God and the world around us.

Parents: Over these holidays from school, take a quiet moment in front of the Christmas tree or a crackling fire to discuss some things with your student. Particularly you can ask them this question: In the Christmas story, how do you see both the holiness of God and the grace of God? 

Help them draw the conclusion that the God of the Old Testament who was holy and would kill you if you saw His face, is the very same God incarnate born on a cold night in a manger so that He could come close to us and identify with us.

It may be out of left field. It may not be the way you've ever thought. Consider it.

Merry Christmas and a very happy new year to all of you!

Jordan 

“He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.” Proverbs 14:26b

Session One: Holiness (Dec 12)

Sometimes you can talk about something without talking about it all. (For example, that last statement.) This week, we’re not going to talk about Christmas. Yes, that’s right. And there’s a reason—we need to go back to the Old Testament. Because while Christmas was an “O Holy Night” moment, we can’t fully understand what “holy” means until we see how people interacted with God in the Old Testament. When we do, we get a glimpse of a God who is more than just a buddy, more than just a friend, more than just an advocate—He is holy. And that’s a very good thing.  

Parents, Here's a question that you may want to work in to a conversation this week with your kids to prep them for our Sunday School topic:

"When you think of God, do you think of Him as approachable or distant? Why?"  

(REMEMBER: Just bring it up in conversation while you cook supper, over ice cream... or hot chocolate. Let your kids know that you care for them without coming to them with an agenda... just... talk because you care. And definitely don't mention Sunday school!)

It may be out of left field. It may not be way you've ever thought. Consider it. 
Jordan
“He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.” Proverbs 14:26b