Jesus is the Joy of the world. The Angel said to the shepherds in the field that night “I bring you Good News of Great Joy!” Jesus is our great joy! May this week before Christmas be one where we see the Joy that is Jesus!
Also make sure and check out the Advent idea “You’ve been Tinsled!”
Click HERE to download a printable version of Advent Week Three.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.
The peace of God that surpasses all understanding! Ahhhhhh! Doesn’t that kind of peace sound good? That peace is Jesus! Jesus is Peace.
Click HERE to download a printable version of Advent Week Two.
Advent literally means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. Today the season of Advent (including 4 Sundays) leading up to Christmas is a time when the church reflects on the long-awaited, planned out, and thought through arrival of Jesus.
This season lends itself to an opportunity to connect spiritually as a family as well as to spend some time in God’s word. The Christmas season is full of hustle and bustle. Grace Life has put together some Advent reflections. Each week we hope you find something for everyone! There is no pressure to do it all or any of it but simply to use it as it helps. There are scripture readings, devotional questions, music and movies suggestions for all ages, a mission opportunity, an advent experience, and a suggestion to share on social media. Our heart through these Advent pages is to offer some options that may help our families be reminded and our minds be renewed on the Person of Christmas.
As we read the stories this Advent season, we remember what God did to win us back and celebrate that Christ has come! It is finished! The work of the cross has been done! And we have been made new! We can experience all of Christ today.
We hope you enjoy this season of Advent as we remember the work that God has done and continues to do in and through us today. May this be a resource for you to share your faith and connect spiritually with your family and friends.
Here is a fun Advent Trivia Fact:
Did you know the Advent Wreath tells a story? The wreath is a circle that reminds us God is eternal. The wreath is green which reminds us of our hope in Christ. It has candles in it, and when lit reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the World.
Note: If a daily scripture reading is something you would enjoy this holiday season, The Jesus Storybook Bible has exactly 25 stories from creation to the birth of Christ. It is a great read for kids or adults.
Bible Recommendations:
All of these bibles may be purchased at the bookstore at GLF
-Families with children 2yrs of age – 3rdgraders: The Jesus Storybook Bible
-Families with children 4th-8thgrade: NIV Adventure Bible
-Families with teens: new NIV or ESV Teen Study Bible
-Adults: NASB or ESV
Merry Christmas. Advent Week 1 is NOW!
Click HERE to download a printable version of Advent Week One.
Remember that song “Material Girl” by Madonna? This post title reminds me of the tune to that song. “Cause we are living in a technology world And I am parenting a girl… (or boy). While dancing to that song may sound more fun that parenting in this technology driven world. God has chosen us to parent the kids that live in our home. Listen in from a recent class where we discussed some tips and tricks for parenting in a technology world.
Click HERE to listen in as Grace Life Lead Pastor: Tim Chalas, Family Ministries Director: Emily Soule, and Youth Director: Kayla Simoneaux talk about the important of discussion sex and purity with our kids and teens.
For more on this topic, check out these other posts…
Jesus is the Joy of the world. The Angel said to the shepherds in the field that night “I bring you Good News of Great Joy!” Jesus is our great joy! May this week before Christmas be one where we see the Joy that is Jesus!
Also make sure and check out the Advent idea “You’ve been Tinsled!”
Click HERE to download a printable version of Advent Week Three.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.
The peace of God that surpasses all understanding! Ahhhhhh! Doesn’t that kind of peace sound good? That peace is Jesus! Jesus is Peace.
Click HERE to download a printable version of Advent Week Two.
Advent literally means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. Today the season of Advent (including 4 Sundays) leading up to Christmas is a time when the church reflects on the long-awaited, planned out, and thought through arrival of Jesus.
This season lends itself to an opportunity to connect spiritually as a family as well as to spend some time in God’s word. The Christmas season is full of hustle and bustle. Grace Life has put together some Advent reflections. Each week we hope you find something for everyone! There is no pressure to do it all or any of it but simply to use it as it helps. There are scripture readings, devotional questions, music and movies suggestions for all ages, a mission opportunity, an advent experience, and a suggestion to share on social media. Our heart through these Advent pages is to offer some options that may help our families be reminded and our minds be renewed on the Person of Christmas.
As we read the stories this Advent season, we remember what God did to win us back and celebrate that Christ has come! It is finished! The work of the cross has been done! And we have been made new! We can experience all of Christ today.
We hope you enjoy this season of Advent as we remember the work that God has done and continues to do in and through us today. May this be a resource for you to share your faith and connect spiritually with your family and friends.
Here is a fun Advent Trivia Fact:
Did you know the Advent Wreath tells a story? The wreath is a circle that reminds us God is eternal. The wreath is green which reminds us of our hope in Christ. It has candles in it, and when lit reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the World.
Note: If a daily scripture reading is something you would enjoy this holiday season, The Jesus Storybook Bible has exactly 25 stories from creation to the birth of Christ. It is a great read for kids or adults.
Bible Recommendations:
All of these bibles may be purchased at the bookstore at GLF
-Families with children 2yrs of age – 3rdgraders: The Jesus Storybook Bible
-Families with children 4th-8thgrade: NIV Adventure Bible
-Families with teens: new NIV or ESV Teen Study Bible
-Adults: NASB or ESV
Merry Christmas. Advent Week 1 is NOW!
Click HERE to download a printable version of Advent Week One.
Gather your family and head outside to look at the stars! (Don’t forget the bug spray!)
This coming Sunday, Grace Life Kids will look at the story of Abraham from Genesis 15. Wether you attend Grace Life or not, this guide can be used anytime you see stars to help start a spiritual conversation with your kids.
Hopefully, the stars are visible where you are. If not, try using this app: Night Sky or SkyView Lite
(The app will help you see planets that are not visible to the naked eye in the city as well!)
Ask your kid(s): How many stars do you think there are? See if you can count them.
In the Bible, God asked Abraham that same question. Abraham came to the same conclusion we did – TOO MANY TO COUNT!
Abraham was 99 years old and he didn’t have any kids. Most people have kids at a much younger age. God promised Abraham’s family would number more that the stars in the sky! That was an incredible promise for God to make: that his family would be so large!
Do you feel like God has promised you anything?
(Adults, you share first.)
God also told Abraham, his family would be a blessing too many. Abraham probably didn’t know exactly what God meant by that BUT we do today!
One of Abraham’s great-great-great grandchildren is JESUS!
“So Abraham trusted what God said more that what His eyes could see. And he believed.”
(The Jesus Storybook Bible, pg. 59)
God keeps HIS promises! Even when the promise sounds out of this world!
The Bible says, Abraham trusted God.
How do you know you can trust God? (Adults: You share first.)
As your family admires the stars together – take a pic – to remember the moment. If you share on social media, please tag Grace Life Kids so we can enjoy with you.
Here are a few quality items that you may want to consider adding to your kids’ Easter Basket AND the great news is you can buy them all online! We are not receiving any form of payment for recommending these. Scroll down to find your child’s age group. We just really like them and thought you might too…
Kids ages 6-8
Kids Read Romans: by Kids Read Truth – take a trip through the book of Romans with Mr. Mosse and his students. Your six – week adventure will include a different Bible verse to read each day, plus a fun activity, coloring page or puzzle to go with it. At the end of each week, you’ll uncover a new step on the Romans Road, where you’ll learn about Jesus and play with fun sticker versions of new animal friends.
ABC Bible Flashcards: Use the flashcards to hide God’s word in your heart! Practice memorizing the verses on the back, then hold up the letter side and quiz yourself or your family to see who remembers the verse for that letter.
Indescribable:100 devotions about God and Science. It’s impossible to out-imagine God. He orchestrates time, creates light, and speaks things into existence—from the largest stars to the smallest starfish. God is a powerful, purposeful, personal, unparalleled Creator.
The Jesus Storybook Coloring Book: Filled with inspiring content that has made The Jesus Storybook Bible one of the most beloved children’s Bibles ever created, this book of beautiful, award-winning illustrations from Jago is ready to be colored in any way a child can imagine.
New Covenant Kids Book Collection: This bundle contains Grace Life Teaching Pastor, Frank Friedmann’s three kids books, including Who Am I?, and If I’m Right, Why Do I Keep Doing Wrong, as well as I Was Wrong, But God Made Me Right! Through these books, children can learn about their identity in Christ, being plugged into Jesus, and what it means to have Christ live in you!
Kids ages 9-12
I Will Thank You Art Journal: This Art & Scripture Journal gives kids 35 ways and reasons to thank God. Each day includes a short verse that kids can copy, then a creative art prompt for them to use to respond to God.
Indescribable: 100 devotions about God and Science. It’s impossible to out-imagine God. He orchestrates time, creates light, and speaks things into existence—from the largest stars to the smallest starfish. God is a powerful, purposeful, personal, unparalleled Creator.
Together, a journal for mom and me: Together, a Journal for Mom and Me: A Guided Experience Connecting Moms and Kids to God and Each Other provides an inviting place for moms and kids to talk about both important and everyday stuff. Whether it’s favorite vacations or Bible verses, this unique journal gives families space to learn about each other and presents opportunities for growth in relationship with God together.
NIrV Adventure Bible: The NIrV Adventure Bible® will get kids excited about reading the Scriptures! Kids will be captivated with the full-color features that make reading the Bible and memorizing their favorite verses engaging and fun. Along the way they will meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of things about the Bible. It comes in faux leather blue and pink, and hardback.
Teens ages 13 – 18
A Journaling or Illustrating Bible: There are lots of great ones out there. Some considered more girly and some more manly. We recommend ESV, NKJV, or NIrV versions. These Bibles give more margin space for writing or word art.
Life According to Perfect: Come join a story too great to imagine, but a story that’s surprisingly yours. Terrific stories have been written about following and meeting with Jesus. They happen on a high place or in a magical land. But what if the meeting didn’t happen in a distant or magical place, somewhere you had to go? What if it occurred inside of you—every day, at any moment—and you were God’s happiest, most magical place to be? Meet Elliot Samuelson. He’s 12 and lives in the little town of Sarx. He has already learned to cope. He copes with his dad’s expectations. He copes with his mom’s need for a sparkling family image. He copes with his teacher’s rules. He copes with the bully’s threats. He’s a coper. In fact, everyone in Sarx has from a young age learned how to cope—and that’s the problem. They all know how to cope. But no one knows how to truly live, until Elliot meets a stranger on the edge of town, who shows him a better way. A Perfect way. And Elliot’s life, and the town’s, are never the same. Yours won’t be, either.
MONEY – They ALL want money in their Easter baskets!
Young Adults: 19 – 25-year-olds
Trust for Today: 365 Days of Encouragement. Trust is vital in our families, communities, businesses, churches, and daily life, yet many of us struggle with trusting other people and even God Himself. We may have been hurt or had our trust broken in a key area, so we choose to try to do life by ourselves. We may not understand what trust really looks like in our everyday lives. Yet trust is what frees us to enjoy the life God has intended for us.
Unashamed: FOR GIRLS Take a fresh look at dating for a new generation of young women. This conversation will encourage you as Tracy Levinson shares grace infused insight, wisdom, laughter and liberating truth. unashamed is for young women, and people in their lives who adore them. This list includes moms, dads, brothers, grandparents, boyfriends, and church leaders. Tracy Levinson candidly explores pivotal questions asked by this millennial generation.
MONEY – They ALL want money in their Easter baskets!
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