Author: Shelly Harris
Last saved by: Sam Poore

Parent/Guardian Emails
Fall 2026

Session 1

Subject: Keep Exploring the Bible – Session 1 recap and review ideas!

Greetings Parents/Guardians!

Today marks the beginning of your kids’ fall quarter studying God’s Word with Explore the Bible! We are beginning with a four-week journey through the book of Genesis. This week, your kids learned about God calling Abram and his family to obey Him by moving to an unknown place. 

As you’re sitting around the dinner table or riding in the car this week, ask your kids: “If you could move anywhere in the world, where would you move? What would you take with you? Who would you want to come with you? What would be fun about moving? What would make you nervous about moving?” Let your kids dream aloud about what it would be like to move. “How would you feel if God wanted you to move to a place you had never seen and knew nothing about?” Talk about why you believe God can be trusted and why it’s important for God’s people to follow and obey Him. Don’t forget to read and answer the questions on the back of this week’s Family Card. If your kids took home a craft, display it somewhere in your home so the whole family can enjoy it. 

For an extra challenge, try memorizing the Memory Verse as a family and let me know how it’s going! 

Below, I have included the exact resources your kids studied in this week’s session: the Text Truths, Memory Verse, and Bible Story. You can also check out the Explore the Bible At Home family resources for this week on Ministry Grid.* 

As always, thanks for exploring the Bible with us! 

Bible Passage: Genesis 12:1-9; 13 
Memory Verse: Genesis 15:6 
Text Truths:   
Younger Kids: God’s people follow Him. 
Older Kids: God’s people trust His Word and follow Him. 

Abram and Lot
Genesis 12:1-9; 13
God chose a man named Abram for something special. God said, “Leave your land, your relatives, and your father’s house. Go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. All the people of the earth will be blessed through you.”
Abram was 75 years old when he left for the land of Canaan with his wife, Sarai, nephew Lot, servants, and possessions. When they arrived in Canaan, God promised Abram, “I will give this land to your future family.” So Abram built an altar to God in the place where God had spoken to him.
Abram moved his family near Bethel and set up his tents. Abram built another altar and called upon God’s name before continuing on to the Negev—a desert area in the southern part of Israel.
Because of a famine, Abram left the Negev and traveled to Egypt. Abram later left Egypt and traveled back to the Negev before returning to the place where he set up his tents near Bethel. 
Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. Abram’s nephew Lot was traveling with him. Lot also had many flocks and herds of livestock. The land did not have enough food, water, and space for all of Abram and Lot’s animals. This caused arguments between Abram and Lot’s herdsmen.
Abram said, “Please, let’s not argue since we are family, and let’s not have our herdsmen arguing either. Isn’t there plenty of land for both of us? If you go to the right, I will go to the left.” Lot chose to live in Jordan. Abram lived in Canaan.
God spoke to Abram again and said, “Look all around you. Look north and south, east and west. I will give you and your family this land that you see. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust of the earth, they could count your family members. Get up and walk around the land I will give you.”
Abram moved his tents near Hebron and built another altar to God. Because Abram trusted God, he obeyed and followed God.

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Session 2
Subject: Keep Exploring the Bible – Session 2 recap and review ideas!

Hello Parents/Guardians!

We are in week two of studying the book of Genesis! In this week’s lesson, your kids learned about how God kept a very special promise to Abraham and gave him and his wife, Sarah, a son named Isaac.

Make some time for a conversation with your kids about promises. Ask: “What is a promise? Have you ever made a promise to someone? Has someone every made a promise to you? Have you ever broken a promise? Why is it hard when someone breaks a promise to you?” If your kids claim that you have broken a promise, respond in love and use the moment to admit that people (even parents) can break promises, but God never does! Share with your kids a favorite promise from the Bible. Pray and ask God to help you believe that He keeps His promises no matter what. Don’t forget to check out this week’s Family Card. Ask your kids to explain this week’s object to you!

I hope you are finding time to memorize this month’s Memory Verse. As an alternative to memorizing, try reading it aloud together at the dinner table several times this week. Ask your family to discuss what God intends for us to understand in this verse. 

Here are this week’s Text Truths, Memory Verse, and Bible Story. You can also check out the Explore the Bible At Home family resources for this week on Ministry Grid.*

It is a joy to explore the Bible with your kids! 

Bible Passage: Genesis 15; 17; 21 
Memory Verse: Genesis 15:6 
Text Truths:   
Younger Kids: God always keeps His promises. 
 Older Kids: The Bible shows us that God always keeps His promises. 

God’s Covenant and Abraham’s Son
Genesis 15; 17; 21
God told Abram to move to a new land. Abram obeyed God, and God promised to bless Abram.
After Abram settled in the new land, God took Abram outside and said, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Your family will be that big.” Abram believed God.
God said, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.”
Abram said, “Lord God, how can I know that I will possess it?”
After it became dark, a smoking fire pot and flaming torch appeared in front of Abram. On that day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram to give him the land.
When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him. The Lord said, “I am God Almighty. I will establish My covenant between Me and you. Your name will no longer be Abram but will now be Abraham. I will make you the father of many nations.”
God also told Abraham, “As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai anymore. Sarah will be her name. I will bless her; indeed, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will produce nations. Kings of people will come from her descendants.”
Abraham fell facedown. He laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man that is 100 years old? Can Sarah, a 99-year-old woman, have a son?”
God said, “Your wife Sarah will have a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will continue the covenant I have with you with Isaac. This time next year, Sarah will have your son Isaac.”
God kept His special promise to Sarah. Abraham named his son Isaac. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.
Sarah said, “God made me laugh, and everyone who hears will laugh with me. Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would have a child? Yet, it has happened.”

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Session 3

Subject: Keep Exploring the Bible – Session 3 recap and review ideas! 

Greetings Parents/Guardians!

Thank you so much for trusting us to teach God’s Word to your kids. Can you believe we are already in week three of exploring the book of Genesis? This week, we learned that when Abraham needed a sacrifice, God provided it. 

During a car ride this week, ask your kids to name things they need every day. Ask: “What is something you need every day?” Let kids share their answers. Follow up the discussion with: “How do you get the things you need?” Give kids time to really think about and discuss where everything they need comes from. Choose a few examples from things they named. Together, trace how those things ultimately come from God. Tell your kids that later in the week, you will ask them to name something that God provided for them, and then you will pray together as a family to thank God for meeting your needs.

Don’t forget to check the back of this week’s Family Card for more questions and Bible Skills. Speaking of Bibles, remind your kids to bring their Bibles to church next week! 

I hope you are continuing to memorize Genesis 15:6. Challenge your kids to recite the verse without looking. 

Below are the same resources your kids studied in this week’s session: the Text Truths, Memory Verse, and Bible Story. You can also find Explore the Bible At Home family resources for this week on Ministry Grid.*

Take some time to let me know how you are exploring the Bible at home together! I would love to hear from you. 

Bible Passage: Genesis 22:1-18 
Memory Verse: Genesis 15:6 
Text Truth:   
Younger Kids: God knows what we need. 
 Older Kids: God knows and will provide what we need, when we need it. 

Abraham’s Sacrifice
Genesis 22:1-18
Abraham and Sarah named their son Isaac, just as God told them to do. Baby Isaac grew into a boy. One day, God said, “Abraham.”
“Here I am,” Abraham replied.
God told Abraham to take Isaac to Mount Moriah and offer Isaac as a sacrifice.
Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two helpers and his son Isaac.
On the third day of their trip, Abraham looked up and saw the mountain in the distance. Abraham told the two helpers, “Stay with the donkey. Isaac and I will go to worship and then we’ll come back.”
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and gave it to Isaac to carry. The two of them walked on. “My father,” Isaac asked. “We have the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the offering?”
Abraham answered, “God will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.” They kept walking.
When they arrived at Mount Moriah, Abraham built the altar, arranged the wood, and placed his son Isaac on the altar.
Just as Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, the angel of the Lord spoke, “Abraham, Abraham! Do not do anything to the boy. I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your only son.”
Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the bushes. Abraham took the ram and offered it to God. He named the place, “The Lord Will Provide.”
God said, “Because you have been faithful to Me, I will bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. All the earth will be blessed by your descendants because you obeyed Me.”
Abraham and Isaac returned home. God knew Abraham needed a sacrifice. God gave Abraham exactly what he needed.

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Session 4

Subject: Keep Exploring the Bible – Session 4 recap and review ideas!

Hello! Thanks so much for opening my email! 

This is our final week in the book of Genesis this quarter. Your kids have learned so much while exploring the Bible! In our Bible story this week, your kids learned that some people were not happy that God was blessing Isaac. In fact, they were mean to Isaac! But, instead of getting angry, Isaac chose to have peace with his enemies. 

Ask your kids: “What is the difference between disagreeing and arguing? What kinds of things do you argue about with others? Why do arguments start? Why is peace so important?” Ask your family to brainstorm ways to keep disagreements from becoming arguments. For example, if two people are disagreeing about what show to watch, how can they work toward a compromise? Talk about specific ways your family can reduce arguments and work toward peace with one another. Ask God to help you.

Ask your kids to explain this week’s object from the Family Card! Don’t forget to answer the questions on the back. 

Celebrate the end of our study of Genesis by quoting the Memory Verse as a family. Discuss why it’s important to believe God’s Word.   

Below, please find this week’s Text Truths, Memory Verse, and Bible Story. You can also find Explore the Bible At Home family resources for this week on Ministry Grid.*

Next week, we will begin exploring the book of Acts! Ask your kids if Acts belongs in the Old or New Testament. Review the answer with them and tell them to remember it for our next session! 

Bible Passage: Genesis 26:12-33 
Memory Verse: Genesis 15:6 
Text Truths:   
Younger Kids: God helps us live at peace with others. 
 Older Kids: God helps and blesses us when we try to live at peace with others. 

Isaac Chose Peace
Genesis 26:12-33
Isaac planted seed, and it grew over 100 times what he planted. God blessed Isaac, and Isaac became rich. Isaac had lots of property and livestock. The Philistines became angry that Isaac was rich. The Philistines put dirt in all of Isaac’s wells. He had no water. The leader of the Philistines, Abimelech, told Isaac to leave the land.
Isaac left and settled in a new place called the Valley of Gerar. He reopened some wells that his father Abraham had dug long ago. Isaac’s servants dug and found a well of spring water. But the herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac’s herdsmen over the water. Isaac’s servants dug another well, but the herdsman argued over that well too.
So Isaac moved and dug another well. Isaac knew that God was with him and would take care of him. Isaac and his family moved to Beer-sheba (bee ehr-SHEE buh). That night, God appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not be afraid. I am with you. I will bless you and your future family.” Isaac built an altar to praise God. Then Isaac set up his tent and his servants dug a new well.
Later, Abimelech came to visit Isaac. Isaac asked him, “Why have you come? You told me to leave.”
Abimelech said, “We have seen that God has been with you. We want to make a promise of peace with you.” Isaac agreed to have peace. After the men left, Isaac’s servant came to tell him that they had dug a new well and found water.
Even when people took or destroyed what belonged to him, Isaac chose peace. God was with Isaac and took care of him.

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Session 5
Subject: Keep Exploring the Bible – Session 5 recap and review ideas!

Greetings Families!

We turned to the New Testament this week to begin exploring the book of Acts! Your kids should know that Acts is in the New Testament, and it belongs to the history genre. It’s never too early to emphasize this Bible skill with your kids! 

This week, your kids learned about Saul, a very important Bible figure who is also called Paul. Saul was hurting people who loved Jesus. Then, Saul heard a voice on the road to Damascus. God saved Saul, even after all the terrible things he had done. God can save anyone! 

Ask your kids to name some things that are impossible. Encourage your kids to think creatively. Ask: “What are some things Jesus did that might seem impossible to most people?” Remind your kids about miracles Jesus performed in the Gospels. Ask: “Why does it seem impossible that God would save someone like Saul?” Take some time to talk about the gospel with your kids. Remind kids that because Jesus died and rose again, He can save anyone! 

Check the back of this week’s Family Card for more questions and ideas. If your kids brought home a craft, display it proudly so the whole family can enjoy it!

We have a new Memory Verse this week! Sit down and have each family member find the verse in his or her own Bible. Read and discuss the verse together. 

Below are the same resources your kids studied in this week’s session: the Text Truths, Memory Verse, and Bible Story. You can also find Explore the Bible At Home family resources for this week on Ministry Grid.*

I love exploring the Bible with your kids! See you next week! 

Bible Passage: Acts 9:1-22 
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:13 
Text Truths:   
Younger Kids: God can save anyone. 
 Older Kids: God can save anyone, no matter what they have done. 

Saul’s Conversion
Acts 9:1-22
A man named Saul was very serious about God’s Law. He did not believe that the disciples’ words about Jesus were true. Saul began to hurt people who followed Jesus.
One day, Saul asked the high priest to send him to Damascus. Saul wanted to search the synagogues and arrest anyone he found who was teaching about or believed in Jesus.
As Saul traveled on the road to Damascus, a light from heaven flashed around him. Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why are you hurting Me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, the one you are hurting. Get up and go to the city. You will be told what to do.”
The men traveling with Saul were speechless. Saul got up, but he couldn’t see anything. The men helped Saul to Damascus.
In Damascus, there was a disciple named Ananias (an uh NIGH uhs). The Lord appeared to Ananias in a vision and told him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight. Go to the house of Judas and ask for the man named Saul. He is praying there. Saul has seen a vision of a man named Ananias coming to place his hands on him so he can see again.”
Ananias was confused and said, “Lord, I have heard about this man and that he has hurt people who follow You.”
But God told Ananias to go see Saul. God had a plan for Saul. Saul would go to the Gentiles (the people who weren’t Jewish) and tell them about Jesus.
Ananias went and placed his hands on Saul. Something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. Saul was baptized and spent time with Jesus’ followers in Damascus. He also went to the synagogues and began telling people that Jesus was the Son of God. The people were confused and said, “Isn’t this the man who came to take followers of Jesus to prison?” But Saul learned more about Jesus and kept telling people that Jesus was the Messiah!

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Session 6

Subject: Keep Exploring the Bible – Session 6 recap and review ideas!

Hello Parents/Guardians!

Exploring the Bible with your kids is one of my favorite times of the entire week. Thank you for bringing them to church! 

This week, we turned to one of Paul’s letters, 1 Corinthians. The kids learned that even in Bible times, it was challenging for people in the church to get along and work with one another. Paul wrote a letter to encourage God’s people to each use the gifts God gave them as they served the church together. 

Choose a family chore, such as cleaning the kitchen or clearing the yard of leaves. Let everyone volunteer for one task to complete the chore together. When the chore is finished, ask: “What was fun about working together? What was challenging? Why was it important for everyone to focus on their own task? Who encouraged you as you worked? Why does God want us to work together and get along?” 

Examine the Family Card together this week. Try asking the questions on the back of the card during a car ride or a meal. Encourage your kids in their Bible knowledge! 

Below are the same resources your kids studied in this week’s session: the Text Truths, Memory Verse, and Bible Story. You can also find Explore the Bible At Home family resources for this week on Ministry Grid.*

I hope to see you and your kids next week! I pray that God provides you many opportunities to study His Word as a family this week. 

Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 1; 3; 4; 12 
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:13 
Text Truths:   
Younger Kids: God wants people in His church to love and work with one another. 
Older Kids: God wants the people in His church to love one another and work together. 

The Church in Corinth
1 Corinthians 1; 3; 4; 12
Paul wrote a letter to the church in Corinth. Paul had once lived in Corinth and served this church. Paul reminded them that God had called him to the special job of helping churches and preaching Jesus’ message. Paul wrote that he was thankful for how God had blessed their church in many ways.
Paul said he had heard they were having disagreements and not getting along. Some people in the church cared more about which preacher was the best than they cared about the message of the gospel or one another. Paul told the church that their pride should be in the Lord Himself, not in their favorite leader.
Another man, Apollos, had also traveled to Corinth. While there, he told many people about Jesus and helped many people grow in their faith. Some people in the church were not getting along because one group followed Paul and another group followed Apollos. Paul reminded the believers that both he and Apollos were servants of Jesus. God used both men to help people learn about Jesus. Paul described his and Apollos’ service to God and the church by talking about a garden. Paul said, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered the seed, but God made the seed grow.”
Paul encouraged the people to think of him and the other apostles as servants. Paul said it was not very important what people thought of him. What truly mattered was what God thought of him. Paul reminded the Corinthians that he and the apostles tried to live humble lives. He encouraged them to follow his example and not be proud. Paul did not want to shame the Corinthians but wanted to warn them about pride.
Later in his letter, Paul explained that God has given each believer special gifts. While everyone is different and serves God in different ways, all believers serve the same God.
Paul compared the church to a body. Paul said, “Indeed, the body is not one part, but many. God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted.”
Each person in the church is different. God has given everyone different abilities, talents, and gifts. We are all a part of God’s family—the church.

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Session 7

Subject: Keep Exploring the Bible – Session 7 recap and review ideas!

Greetings Families! 

Thank you for bringing your kids to church. We are having an incredible time learning more about God and His Word! 

This week, your kids studied 2 Corinthians. Paul wanted the Corinthians to realize that their lives had changed because God had saved them. They were Jesus’ examples to the world! 

List different categories—such as sports teams, types of candy, and songs—and ask your kids to give an example from each one. Name categories that will inspire your kids. Let kids take turns giving their own categories and overseeing the activity. Ask: “Who do you think of when thinking of people who love Jesus? What does this person say and do that reminds you of Jesus? Why is it important for people who love Jesus to be His examples to those around them?” Think of ways your family can be Jesus’ examples in your community. Find a meaningful service to participate in together and pray that God would let others see you as Jesus’ examples as you serve. 

Examine the Family Card this week. Ask your kids to explain this week’s object and why it is significant to the Bible story! 

Below are the same resources your kids studied in this week’s session: the Text Truths, Memory Verse, and Bible Story. You can also find Explore the Bible At Home family resources for this week on Ministry Grid.*

Keep exploring the Bible with your kids! See you next week. 

Bible Passage: 2 Corinthians 1–13 
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:13 
Text Truths:   
Younger Kids: People who love Jesus are His examples to others. 
 Older Kids: Believers represent Jesus to one another and the world. 

The Book of 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 1–13
Paul wrote another letter to the church in Corinth. Paul wanted to help the believers in the church understand some things they were confused about.
First, Paul reminded the Corinthians that God is the God of comfort. God gives us comfort in tough times, so we can comfort others.
Some people in the church at Corinth had been upset with Paul because he did not come to visit them as he planned. Paul told the Corinthians he wanted to visit them, but during his journey, Paul changed his mind. Paul believed it would be a greater blessing for the Corinthians if he did not visit them. Paul reminded the church to forgive anyone who hurt or sinned against them. 
Paul said, “For to God, we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” Paul was telling the church that their lives remind others of God and the gospel. 
Then, Paul said, “Now we have this treasure in clay jars.” Paul was telling the Corinthians that the message of the gospel is a treasure that belongs to believers! People who belong to the church carry this treasure with them and share it with others through the things they say and do.
Paul told the Corinthians that believers walk by faith, not by sight. Paul was encouraging them to let their faith in God, not what was happening around them, guide how they live.
Paul said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” Paul reminded the Corinthians that because Jesus saved them, they were brand new people, and their lives were changed.
Paul explained more, “Through Christ, God is bringing the world to Himself instead of counting their sins against them. Now, God has given us this message. We are messengers for Jesus. We share the good news of Christ with others. We tell people, ‘Be right with God.’ God gave our sin to Jesus so that we could become right with God.”
Paul wanted the believers to understand that they have a special ministry—to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ.

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Session 8

Subject: Keep Exploring the Bible – Session 8 recap and review ideas!

Hello Families!

One book, one session! This week, we focused on the book of Philemon from the New Testament. Your kids learned that even when people sin against us and hurt us, God wants us to forgive them. 

Gather everyone together to sit or stand in a circle. Toss a ball or another safe object to one another. If someone drops the ball or object, everyone will say in unison, “I forgive you!” Play several rounds. Ask: “Was it hard to say, ‘I forgive you’? Why or why not? When someone hurts or sins against us, why is it important to ask for God’s help to forgive them? Why is it important to practice saying the phrase ‘I forgive you’?” Take some time to share the gospel with your kids. Remind them that we can only forgive others because God has forgiven our own sins through Jesus. Encourage your kids to be honest if they are having a hard time forgiving someone. Share an appropriate example of a personal experience forgiving someone. Pray that God will help them as they try to forgive. 

Check the back of this week’s Family Card for more questions and Bible skills. Ask your kids to tell you all about this week’s object. If your kids brought home a craft, ask them to share about it.  

Keep practicing the Memory Verse! Can your kids quote the verse yet? 

Please check out the resources from this week’s session: the Text Truths, Memory Verse, and Bible Story. You can also find Explore the Bible At Home family resources for this week on Ministry Grid.*

Take some time to explore God’s Word with your family this week!

Bible Passage: Philemon 
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:13 
Text Truths:   
Younger Kids: God wants us to forgive others. 
Older Kids: God wants us to forgive someone when they sin against us. 

The Book of Philemon
Philemon
Onesimus (oh NESS ih muhs) was a servant of Philemon (figh LEE muhn), but he ran away. Onesimus probably stole from Philemon when he ran away. Later, he became a Christian. Paul wrote a letter to encourage Philemon to forgive Onesimus and to treat him as his brother in Christ, not as his servant.
Dear Philemon,
I am so thankful for you because I hear how you care for other believers. I hear of your faith in Jesus. I have something to ask you.
I am asking for Onesimus. I have become like a father to him. Once, he was no help to you, but now he has become a helper to both of us. I am sending Onesimus back to you. Because I care for Onesimus like a father would, it is like I am sending you part of my heart. I wanted to keep him here to help me, but I wanted to check with you first. Now he is more than a servant to you. He is your brother in Christ.
Please welcome him as you would welcome me. If he owes you anything, I will pay it. I know that you will be kinder to him than I have asked you to be. Please prepare a guest room for me so I can visit you. Mark and Luke say hello!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you,
Paul

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Session 9

Subject: Keep Exploring the Bible – Session 9 recap and review ideas!

Greetings Parents/Guardians!

Can you believe we are in the final stretch of our fall quarter? We still have more Bible books to explore! 

This week, your kids explored the book of Job. Of course, no Bible book can be fully explored in one session! Kids learned the over-arching story of Job’s life, which was full of very tough times. After conversations with his wife, friends, and God, Job remembered that God is always good and in charge, no matter what is going on. God blessed Job in the end, and Job praised God. 

Ask kids to name things that make for a really bad day. Examples might be having lots of homework, having an argument with a friend, losing a favorite piece of clothing, and so on. Next, ask kids to name things that make for a favorite day! Give kids time to explain their favorite days. Ask: “Why do we need to ask for God’s help on both our good days and bad days? How can we know that God is good and in charge, even when we have really bad days?” Share with your kids an age-appropriate example of one of your bad days. Share honestly about trying to trust in God even on your bad days. Remind your kids that when they have bad days, they can turn first to God and then to you! 

Examine this week’s Family Card together. 

We have a new Memory Verse! Don’t forget to highlight this with your kids and offer to learn it with them. 

Take some time to examine the resources your kids studied in this week’s session: the Text Truths, Memory Verse, and Bible Story. You can also find Explore the Bible At Home family resources for this week on Ministry Grid.*

As always, thanks for exploring the Bible with us! See you next week! 

Bible Passage: Job 1–42 
Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 31:6 
Text Truths:   
Younger Kids: God is always good and in charge. 
Older Kids: God is always good and in charge, no matter what is happening. 

The Book of Job
Job 1–42
Job (JOHB) was going through tough times. His animals had been stolen. His children had died. Job was sick with sores all over his body. Job knew that God was in control, but he was confused.
Three friends came to visit Job. Job shared with his friends that he was confused. His friends said that Job was being punished for a sin he had committed and that Job should repent so God would make everything right again.
Job was upset. Job did not think God was punishing him. But Job could not explain why he was suffering. Job wanted answers from God. Job started wondering whether God was just and why God was silent and would not answer Job’s questions. Elihu (ih LIGH hyoo), a fourth friend of Job’s, was upset because Job was focused on himself instead of God. Elihu reminded Job that God was righteous, merciful, and just.
Finally, God spoke to Job through a whirlwind, “Where were you when I created the earth? Have you ever commanded the morning? Have you traveled to where the sea began or walked in the depths of the oceans? Can you bring out the stars in their season and lead the bear and her cubs? Who put wisdom in the heart or gave the mind understanding? Does the hawk fly by your understanding and spread its wings to the south? Does the eagle soar and make its nest on high because you tell it to?” These are some of the questions God asked Job to help Job remember that God is in charge of everything. He is always in control. God is good in all that He does.
Job could not understand everything God did and allowed, but Job learned to trust that God was good and in charge. God used Job’s tough times for his good.
God blessed the end of Job’s life more than the beginning of Job’s life. God restored all of Job’s wealth—14,000 sheep and goats, 6,000 camels, 1,000 pairs of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. Job had seven sons and three daughters. His beautiful daughters were named Jemimah (jeh MIGH muh), Keziah (kih ZIGH uh), and Keren-happuch (KEHR uhn-HAP ihk). Job lived to see his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up.

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Session 10

Subject: Keep Exploring the Bible – Session 10 recap and review ideas!

Hello Families!

Thank you for trusting us to teach God’s Word to your kids. It is one of my greatest joys to explore the Bible with them! 

This week, your kids began learning about the prophet Elijah! This is the first of three sessions focused on Elijah’s life from the book of 1 Kings. In this week’s Bible story, Elijah experienced God’s provision and protection in a few miraculous ways. In every instance, Elijah saw the faithfulness of God. 

Ask your kids to list some ways God has been faithful to your family. Examples could be in healing a family member who was sick, providing the food and clothes you need, and so on. Ask your kids if there is a person or family in your church or neighborhood who would be encouraged by something you could provide for them. Examples could be a handwritten card telling them that God loves them, a gift card for groceries or a meal, a visit, and so on. When you have chosen who you will give to and what you will give, ask your kids: “How might this person or these people experience the faithfulness of God through what we are going to do?” 

Try answering the questions on the back of this week’s Family Card. 

Don’t forget to check out the resources your kids studied in this week’s session: the Text Truths, Memory Verse, and Bible Story. You can also find Explore the Bible At Home family resources for this week on Ministry Grid.*

May God bless you and your kids this week as you explore the Bible together! 

Bible Passage: 1 Kings 17:1-16 
Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 31:6 
Text Truth:   
Younger Kids: God is faithful. 
Older Kids: God is faithful to His people. 

God Cared for Elijah
1 Kings 17:1-16
King Ahab (AY hab) worshiped false gods, and he led the Israelites to worship false gods. God was not happy. The prophet Elijah went to talk to King Ahab. He had a special message from God. Elijah told Ahab, “There will be no dew or rain during these years unless I command it.”
Then God told Elijah, “Go and hide by the Wadi Cherith (WAH dih KEE rith) where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the wadi. I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.”
Elijah obeyed God. He lived by the Wadi Cherith. The ravens brought Elijah bread and meat in the morning and the evening. Because there was no rain, the wadi dried up after a while.
God again spoke to Elijah, “Go to Zarephath (ZAR ih fath) and stay there. I have commanded a widow woman to provide for you there.”
Elijah traveled to Zarephath and arrived at the town gate. He saw a widow woman gathering wood. Elijah said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup.” As the woman went for the water, Elijah said, “Please bring me a piece of bread.”
The woman replied, “I don’t have any bread baked. I only have a handful of flour and a little bit of oil. I am gathering wood to bake bread for my son and me. After we eat it, we will die because we do not have any more food.”
Elijah told the woman, “Don’t be afraid. Go and do what you have planned, but first make me a small loaf of bread. After that, you can make some bread for you and your son. God has said that the flour jar will not become empty, and the oil will not run out until the day God sends rain again.”
The woman did as Elijah told her. For many days, Elijah, the woman, and her son had food. The flour jar did not become empty, and the oil did not run out, just like God promised. God was faithful to Elijah.The two Israelite men did not show love to the injured man. They ignored the man and allowed him to continue to suffer. But the Samaritan man had loved the injured man when he stopped and cared for him. God has called His followers to love others through their words, thoughts, and actions.

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Session 11

Subject: Keep Exploring the Bible – Session 11 recap and review ideas!

Thanks for reading my email, parents/guardians!

We are learning so much from the book of 1 Kings! Ask your kids what they can tell you about the prophet Elijah, either from this week or last week’s session. This week, kids learned about Elijah’s challenge to the prophets of Baal. In a quest to show everyone that there is only one true God, Elijah organized a contest to see whose altar would catch fire. God heard Elijah’s prayer and showed everyone that He is the one true God and there is no one like Him! 

Fill your kitchen sink with water. Ask your kids to gather different objects from around the house. With your approval, they will test to see which objects sink and which objects float. Give kids time to enjoy testing the objects. When the tests are done, ask: “What did the tests prove? Which objects surprised you by either sinking or floating? How did Elijah test the false god Baal? How has God proven that He is the one true God, not just in Elijah’s time but after?” Explain to your kids that because we know God through His Word, we do not need to test God. Pray and thank God for proving who He is by sending Jesus to die for our sins. 

Take a look at this week’s Family Card and answer the questions together. Ask your kids to tell you about this week’s object. 

Please use the resources from this week’s session to spend time with God: the Text Truths, Memory Verse, and Bible Story. You can also find Explore the Bible At Home family resources for this week on Ministry Grid.*

Remind your kids: exploring the Bible is never a chore!

Bible Passage: 1 Kings 18:20-39 
Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 31:6 
Text Truths:   
Younger Kids: God is the one true God. 
Older Kids: God is the one true God, and there is no other. 

Elijah at Mount Carmel
1 Kings 18:20-39
Israel had an evil king. King Ahab did not worship God. He and his wife Jezebel worshiped false gods. They even killed many of the prophets who served the one true God. They did not like God’s prophet Elijah. One day, God spoke to Elijah and told him to take a message to King Ahab.
Elijah told Ahab, “Bring the people and the false prophets to Mount Carmel.” Ahab did. Elijah told the people, “Choose who you want to follow—the false gods or the one true God.” The people said nothing. Elijah said, “I am the only prophet of the Lord left. The false god, Baal (BAY uhl), has 450 prophets. Bring two bulls. They will choose one and offer it as a sacrifice to Baal. I will offer the other bull to the Lord, the one true God. But we will not light the sacrifices on fire. Baal’s prophets can call on Baal to light their sacrifice. I will call on God to light His sacrifice on fire. Then we will know whose ‘god’ is the one true God.”
The people agreed, and the prophets began to call out to Baal to set fire to their sacrifice. They continued dancing around the altar and calling out to Baal. But Baal did not answer. Elijah began to make fun of them and said, “Maybe your god is sleeping. Shout louder to wake him up!” All morning and afternoon the false prophets called out to Baal, and there was no answer.
Then Elijah took 12 stones, one for each tribe of Israel, and repaired the altar of God that had been torn down. Elijah dug a trench around the altar. Elijah ordered four water pots to be filled and poured over the wood and the sacrifice on the altar. Elijah ordered the water pots to be filled and poured on the altar three times! Water ran down the altar and filled the surrounding trench. Then Elijah prayed, “God, let everyone understand that You are the one true God of Israel. Answer me, Lord, so the people will see that You are the one true God.”
Then God sent fire. The fire burned up the offering, the wood, the stones, the dust, and all the water in the trench. When the people saw the fire from God, they fell down and said, “He is God! He is God!”
Everyone present witnessed that Elijah’s God was the one true God.

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Session 12

Subject: Keep Exploring the Bible – Session 12 recap and review ideas!

Hello Families!

This week is our final week studying 1 Kings. Today, we continued learning about the prophet Elijah. After the display on Mount Carmel, Elijah’s opponents tried to kill him. Even after all of God’s faithfulness to Elijah, he was afraid. Even when Elijah was afraid, God cared for him and gave him courage.

Put several different snacks, pieces of fruit, or other foods in separate brown paper bags. Choose foods that are safe and appropriate for your kids and their tastes. Include a few things they enjoy eating and a few things they may not like. Ask your kids if they have the courage to choose a bag and eat whatever is inside! Play a few rounds. Ask: “Why did you need courage to eat a mystery food? How would you describe courage? What other times do you need courage? How can God give us courage?” Tell your kids about times when you need courage and how God is faithful to give it. 

Check out this week’s Family Card for Bible story questions and Bible skills ideas. 

Can your kids quote our Memory Verse? Look it up and read it together. 

Here are the resources your kids studied in this week’s session: the Text Truths, Memory Verse, and Bible Story. You can also find Explore the Bible At Home family resources for this week on Ministry Grid.*

Enjoy your time exploring the Bible! See you next week! 

Bible Passage: 1 Kings 19 
Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 31:6 
Text Truths:   
Younger Kids: God gives us courage. 
Older Kids: God gives us courage when we are afraid. 

God Protected Elijah
1 Kings 19 
King Ahab told Queen Jezebel everything that happened on Mount Carmel. Jezebel was very upset, and she sent a message to Elijah that she wanted to kill him.
Elijah was afraid and ran away. He escaped into the wilderness and sat down under a broom tree. Elijah was frustrated and deeply sad. Elijah prayed, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life.” Then he laid down and slept.
Suddenly an angel touched Elijah and said, “Get up and eat.” Elijah saw a loaf of bread baking on hot stones and a jug of water. Elijah ate, drank, and rested. The angel of the Lord came again and touched Elijah and said, “Get up and eat or the journey will be too much for you.” Elijah ate and drank. Then Elijah walked for 40 days and nights to Mount Horeb. Elijah entered a cave in the mountain and stayed the night.
The Lord came to Elijah and asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Elijah answered, “I have been very passionate for the Lord, but the Israelites have abandoned Your covenant. They tore down the altars built to worship You. They killed Your prophets. I am the only prophet left, and they want to kill me too.”
The Lord said, “Go outside and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.” Then the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind blew at the mountain, but the Lord was not in the wind. Next came an earthquake shaking the mountain, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. Then there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. Finally, there was a soft whisper.
When Elijah heard the whisper, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went to stand at the entrance of the cave. Elijah heard a voice ask, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
“I have been deeply passionate for the Lord, but the Israelites have turned away from the Lord. I am alone and they want to kill me.”
The Lord explained to Elijah that there were 7,000 people in Israel who had not worshiped the false gods. God was still working in the Israelites. God was still in control even when it seemed like evil was winning.
So Elijah left the mountain and found Elisha plowing a field. Elijah walked by Elisha and threw his cloak on him to signal that God was choosing Elisha to be His prophet. Elisha said goodbye to his family and left with Elijah.
God was with Elijah on Mount Carmel when Elijah bravely faced Ahab and the false prophets. God was with Elijah when he was scared, sad, and lonely as he fled from Queen Jezebel. God gave Elijah courage and He gives us courage too.

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Session 13

Subject: Keep exploring the Bible – Session 13 recap and review ideas! 

Greetings Families!

This is our last week of the fall quarter. This week, your kids learned from not one but two minor prophets, Zechariah and Malachi! Because two Bible books is a lot to cover, take some time to review both Bible stories with your kids. Both Zechariah and Malachi were chosen by God to give people His messages. The prophets spoke many things. Both books point to the arrival of a king who is worthy of worship. Jesus is that king! 

Using pencil and paper, write a simple message to your kids using pictures, images, or emojis. Give them the message and challenge them to decode it. Encourage them to write a response using pictures, images, and emojis. Ask: “What’s fun about getting a message or letter? Why is it important to understand what the messenger intended to say? If you had to tell someone the message of the Bible in one sentence, what would you say?” Remind your kids that the Bible is God’s Word and with His help, we can understand God’s message for us.  

Check the back of this week’s Family Card. Ask kids to show you this week’s object. Encourage everyone to quote this week’s Memory Verse! 

Please use any of the resources your kids studied in this week’s session: the Text Truths, Memory Verse, and Bible Story. You can also find Explore the Bible At Home family resources for this week on Ministry Grid.*

It’s been a gift to explore the Bible with your kids this fall!

Bible Passage: Zechariah 1–14; Malachi 1–4 
Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 31:6 
Text Truths:   
Younger Kids: God promised us a king who deserves our worship. 
Older Kids: God promised to send us a king who is worthy of our worship. 

Zechariah and Malachi
Zechariah 1–14; Malachi 1–4
God’s people had been conquered and exiled because they had not kept their covenant with God. A group of God’s people had been allowed to return to their homeland and begin rebuilding the temple and Jerusalem.
Zechariah shared this message with the people using visions God had given him. God used a vision of a gold lampstand to show Zechariah that God would empower His people to rebuild His temple. Although the people felt unimportant and opposed, God was with them. God would help Zerubbabel (zuh RUHB uh buhl) and the people rebuild the temple. Zechariah had eight different visions that included four horsemen, a flying scroll, and four chariots. Zechariah’s visions helped the people understand that God was in control and He was with them.
Zechariah also made an important promise about the future. Zechariah prophesied about the Messiah. He said, “Rejoice! Shout in triumph Jerusalem. Your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious. He is humble and riding on a donkey.”
Another prophet, Malachi, was sent by God to give the Israelites a message. They struggled to obey God. They were going through tough times. Instead of trusting God, the people had bad attitudes. God loved His people, but they had forgotten how God had cared for them in the past. The priests offered bad sacrifices to God. They didn’t care about doing what was right.
God told the people, “My name will be great among the nations, from the rising of the sun to its setting. Pure offerings will be given in my name because my name will be great among the nations.”
God is a great king who deserves honor, respect, and worship. God reminded the priests of His covenant with them. God warned the priests that there would be serious consequences if they did not start to honor and obey Him.
The people were not giving offerings and tithes to God as they should. God told them, “Return to me and I will return to you. Bring your tithes and see if I will not bless you. A day is coming when those who fear My name will see righteousness rise like the sun with healing for My people.”
Through Zechariah, God promised to send a humble and righteous King, His Son, Jesus, to rescue people from their sin. Malachi reminded God’s people to be faithful to God. God deserves the worship of His people.

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