RELATED VERSE: OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME

A Letter to Read/Use As A Guide With Your Children

Dear Children,I want to tell you a little story:There once was a little boy who was a little bit naughty. He told little lies now and then, and he also liked to be destructive. He would even steal small things occasionally. Well, as he grew, his naughtiness grew too. His lies became bigger and his destructive behavior grew from tearing up his own things to tearing up and vandalizing other people’s things. His stealing, as well, became a very serious problem.Well, one day he got caught one day. He was arrested by the police and taken to jail. During the time he was waiting for his trial to see the Judge, he became very sorry for all the things he had done. He wished he could have a second chance, but he knew it was too late. However, during the night, a Stranger with a strong, yet gentle voice came to him and asked, “Are you sorry for what you have done?”“Oh, yes,” said the boy.“And if you were to be free from jail, what would you do?”The boy quickly replied, “Oh, I would turn from my evil ways and do good. I have learned that the road to wickedness leads nowhere, and I don’t want to walk on this road anymore.”The gentle Stranger sat quietly and listened to the outpouring of the young boy’s heart.Well, the next day at the trial, the boy was standing sadly before the Judge with his head hanging low. He waited for what he knew would be a long-term prison sentence. But, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the kind Stranger walking into the courtroom. With a determined look on his face and compassion in his eyes, he stood directly in front of the boy! He then looked steadfastly at the Judge and said, “I will take his place. Let the boy go free!” In amazement to the boy, the Judge agreed with this offer. The Judge then turned and looked the boy in the eyes. And to his surprise, he had the same caring gaze as the Stranger. The Judge said to him, “You may go. But go with a changed heart, determined to pursue good things, not evil.”The boy wept with both gratitude and sorrow, as he saw the gentle Stranger led silently away. This innocent Man was choosing to bear the punishment for the boy’s own wrongdoing. He said earnestly to himself, “I will live my life for that Man, since He has given His life for me. I will strive to be like Him—gentle and kind, caring and good, and most of all self-sacrificing.” The young boy turned and walked out of the courtroom, now... a free man.Children, do you know the message behind this story? Do you know who the gentle Stranger represents? Yes, He is Jesus. And who is the gracious Judge? Yes, He is God, our Father. Do you see who you are, and who I am? We are that boy. There is no good in us, dear children, none at all. We were born in sin, and should die because of our sin! Yet, Jesus Christ comes in and stands in front of us, all glorious and pure. He covers us with His prefect love, so that God, the Judge, can see only the redemptive blood of His Son, which is worthy of life forever and ever! He is your Redeemer, dear ones. Believe in Him. He is the Son of God, the Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice. Please believe He did die for you, and that He conquered death by rising again! He truly was led away silently, in all his gentleness, mercy, and love. He was crucified, taking the punishment we deserve. Do you believe this truth? Know that when you confess your sin and repent of your ways, you are washed completely clean by His blood!Now, let me ask you another question. What are you going to do for the One who gave His life for you? If you choose to live for Him, then He will come and help you. He will provide His Holy Spirit to live in you. You will not be left alone to “do good” by your own effort. (Remember, we can’t even do that!) Your Redeemer lives, dear ones. Let Him live through you!

I love you

Teaching Tools/Activities For Your Children

• Gather three pieces of construction paper: one purple, one black, one white.
• Inform your child the purple paper represents God, the Royal Judge; the white paper represents Jesus, the Great Redeemer; and the black paper represents all sinners.
• Illustrate the story above by placing the white paper over the black one. Discuss with your child how Jesus covers our sin from a Holy and Righteous Judge, when we believe and confess His name.

A Prayer To Pray Over Your Children

Dear Heavenly Father,Thank You for sending us a Redeemer, strong and pure, gentle and kind, full of mercy and grace. Sometimes my soul cannot grasp the awesome LOVE that was lavished on me by Your living and holy sacrifice, Jesus Christ. Thank You, dear sweet Jesus, for offering Yourself, a Lamb without blemish, and for enduring the cross for me, a human heart spattered full of stains. Although One with God, You chose to deny Yourself and take my punishment, my afflictions, my iniquities, and my death. What amazing and unconditional love of both God, the Holy Father, and Jesus, His obedient Son.Dear sweet Jesus, may my children fully understand this mighty act of love from You, their perfect Redeemer. May Your love prompt them to give You every beat of their heart, which was purchased by Your blood. May they realize it is only because of the cross that they can now have the comfort, the power, and the guidance of Your Holy Spirit. I pray You will give them a continual sense of reverence and gratitude towards You, the One who is mighty to save. May they pledge to lovingly live for the One who lovingly died, giving His life as a ransom, in order to set them FREE!

Amen

Scripture references in letter:

Is. 30:1, II Cor. 7:10; John 8:1-11; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 3:10-11; Matt. 27:27-31; Rom. 6:23, John 14:26; I Cor. 10:13; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 6:4

Scripture references in prayer:

Eph. 1:7-8; I Peter 1:18-19; II Cor. 5:21; Is. 53:4-10; Rom. 5: 8-9; I Cor. 6:20; Gal. 3:13-14; Matt. 20:28.

RELATED VERSE: OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME

A Letter to Read/Use As A Guide With Your Children

Dear Children,I am grateful to be able to say that God has generously blessed me with wonderful friends throughout my lifetime. They have not all come at one time, but they have been sprinkled over the years of my life. From a young age like you, through my teens, my twenties, and now my thirties, I have been blessed with true friends. When I think of each one, she warms my heart, brings a smile to my face, or even a tear to my eye. Friendship is such a cherished possession. Such a strong bond is formed between hearts that neither time, nor distance, nor change, can ever break it.Children, I pray you will have these kinds of friends, ones who will last for eternity. I want you to have friends you can laugh with and cry with. You need friends you can trust, and friends who will hold you accountable. I pray God will provide these soul-mates for you, when you seek Him. He graciously knows we need each other.And guess what? He has already provided the greatest Friend you could possibly have, Jesus Christ. It is from Him, my dear ones, that all other true friendships begin. He knows you like none other. He came for you, even in your sin. He understands you, because He made you! Talk to Him, dear children, and walk with Him. Then you will be sure to find out, He is the One who is the greatest lover of your soul.

I love you

Teaching Tools/Activities For Your Children

• On a sheet of paper, have your children list their friends. Also, write down an adjective describing each friend (kind, sweet, funny). Tell them their friendship with Jesus far exceeds the friendships they will make throughout their lifetime.
• Now write down the name, Jesus. Beside His name, fill the page with adjectives describing His character.
• Finally, put two paperclips together. Have your child hold them, pull them, “study” them. Discuss how Jesus is bonded to their heart. He is their true Friend (who never has to “go home”)!

A Prayer To Pray Over Your Children

Dear Lord Jesus,I pray that my children will know You as a friend that sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24). Open their eyes to see how much You care for them and listen to them; how much You pray for them and love them. You died to be their FRIEND! Thank You for the promises You have given us that will never be broken.You give: the Bread of Life to those who hunger,Living Water to those who thirst,Comfort to those who are hurting,Peace to those with a troubled heart.Thank you, dear Jesus, for never leaving us nor forsaking us. Draw my children to You, sweet Savior, and take hold of their hand with Your gentle one. Convince them, they are walking with a Friend that intimately loves their soul. Give them the desire to walk with You alone in the quietness of their day. And there, teach them of Your unconditional and sacrificial love. May their companionship with You be filled with joy, laughter, and song, as well as comfort, compassion, and grace. Thank You for giving us Your all in order to call us “friends.”O God, I also pray my children would consider this loving bond with You as a responsibility on their part as well. Convict them, and then help them to be a friend to You, dear Jesus, the One who died for them. I pray they will not be ashamed of You, deny You, ignore you, or do anything that will dishonor their relationship with You. May they also give their all, so they can sincerely call you “Friend.”And finally, impress on their hearts one of your greatest teachings: being a friend to others, in reality, is being a friend to You. May they realize, when they give their time, energy, and effort to someone in need, they are not only doing this for just a human being, but they are also doing it for You, dear Jesus. May this truth challenge them to be a great friend to others throughout their lives, knowing this is a mere reflection of their love for You. Thank You, for loving us first, sweet Savior, and dear Friend. May my children pour Your love into the hearts of others.

Amen

Scripture references in letter:

Ecc. 4:9-12; Ex. 33:9-11; Pr. 27:6; John 10:14-15; Ps. 12:39:1-3, 17-18

Scripture references in prayer:

I Peter 5:7; Ps. 145:18-19; Heb. 7:25; John 15:13-17; John 6:48-51; John 7:37-38; II Cor. 1:3-4; John 14:27; Josh. 1:5; Ps. 37:23-24; II Tim. 2:11-13; Matt. 25:35-40; I John 4:19,21

RELATED VERSE: OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME

A Letter to Read/Use As A Guide With Your Children

My Dear Children,When I think of the term “master,” I tend to think of an evil man, holding a whip in his hand, yelling insults while mistreating his slaves. In biblical times, the Egyptians treated the Israelites like this when they were in bondage. They had no heart towards the Israelites, no compassion whatsoever. The slaves were only there to fulfill the objectives of their masters. Yet the harder they worked, the more they were pushed.Well, I would like you to know another Master. He is so opposite of what I have just described, it is like comparing night and day. Do you know Whom I’m talking about? Yes, His Name is Jesus. Oh children, He is so gentle and kind and humble in heart. His desire is to give you rest for your souls! He does not have a whip for those who love Him; instead, He has a rod and staff to comfort and guide all who trust Him. Did you know that God, Jesus’ Father and Equal, goes to the wonderful extreme of adopting us as His own sons and daughters? We are not slaves wearing filthy rags. We are children of the Most High God, wearing righteous robes as His ambassadors! He does not order us to be removed from His royal presence; as a matter of fact, it’s just the opposite. He invites us to His own banqueting table. He has prepared a feast of you, dear ones.I encourage you to know this Master. There is none like Him. You will find all other masters will be very similar to the Egyptian rulers—abusive, demanding, and full of sorrow and pain. Children, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve (Josh. 24:15).

I love you

Teaching Tools/Activities For Your Children

(Role play with your children. You are the “master”, and they are the “slave.”)

• First, act like the evil master. Give strict orders, no words of encouragement, and stale bread and bitter water (imaginary or real) as food and drink. Discuss some “evil masters” that might exist today: money, pride, selifishness, envy.
• Now “become” the Gentle Master, Jesus. Love them, encourage them, and give them fresh fruit (representing the fruits of the Spirit), and pure water to drink.
• Discuss and compare the two masters while you enjoy your fruit together.

A Prayer To Pray Over Your Children

Dear Lord God,I ask that my children would serve You alone as their Master. I pray nothing in this world would take the place You so jealously desire in their hearts. Please keep them from developing a love for money, a prideful spirit, an unhealthy relationship, or anything else that might lure them from completely submitting their hearts to You as Lord of all. Instead, may they flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace (II Tim. 2:22). Allow them to become a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to You as their Master (II Tim. 2:21). And as they submit to You, dear Lord, please continually show them what a gentle and loving Lord You are. May they see that Your desire is to bless those who live in obedience to You.Thank You, dear Father, for longing to lavish your love on us; and even more, thank You for choosing to call us Your own children. You have made us Your heirs, O great High King! Please dear God, help my children to live accordingly. May they serve You with joyful hearts, recognizing that all other masters on this earth come with weighted chains. But You, Abba Father, Lord of life, have come with magnificent truth— tremendous Truth that will cause those who live by it to soar like an eagle in freedom!My prayer again, dear Lord, is for you to continually reign in the hearts of my children. I want them to have a driving desire to serve You alone as the Lord of their life. Through Your word, may they respond quickly to Your teaching, Your reproof, Your correction, and Your training in righteousness; that they may be adequate, equipped for every good work (II Tim. 3:16-17). May they bring glory to You, dear God. Be their Lord and their Master.

Amen

Scripture references in letter:

Ex. 1:6-14; Is. 40:11, Matt. 11:28-30; Ps. 23; Song of Sol. 2:4; Ps. 46:10-11; 1 Tim. 6:10-12

Scripture references in prayer:

Ex. 20:4-6; James 4:4-8; Josh. 1:7-8; Rom. 8:15-16; Matt. 6:19-21; John 8:34-36; Is. 40:28-31; Gal 5:1.