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Home , John 14, Nicodemus

June 21, 2020

Elementary Parents, We are starting a new unit this week as we study as “God Among Us”. We will see Jesus’ interactions with a variety of people as he tells them he is the , the way to eternal life. Our lesson this week is about Jesus meeting with , a religious leader who Jesus says must “be ” to get to heaven. Have you been “born again” or have a personal relationship with Jesus? This week, talk with your children about what it means to be “born again” and why it is necessary to get to heaven.

For this month, I encourage you to try one or two of the following: 1. Create a collage of pictures or words about your experience during Stay Home, Stay Safe. (If you are willing to share, email a picture to [email protected] or tag @wckidsbellevue on Instagram.) 2. Watch Sunday services online at 9:00 or 10:00 as a family. Pick one word or topic to discuss during the week. 3. Invite an elementary friend to come to Zoom Elementary Sunday school (@noon). PLEASE NOTE: Contact me to let me know they are coming or for the password or meeting ID if you are not able to enter via the Zoom desktop or app. 4. Explore the lesson from Sunday school more during the week.

Please Note: Today is Father's Day! Parents, it is not too late to print this and help your kids fill out and color the sheet. Take a picture and email it to me by the end of Father’s Day. You will then be entered into a random drawing where 3 lucky families will win a prize!

If you have a specific prayer request that you would like to share, feel free to contact me at any time.

Have a great week! Clay, Elementary Director, [email protected]

Our Lesson This Week OVERVIEW FOR PARENTS: Jesus’ ministry had begun. His first miracle was at a wedding, turning water into wine. He cleansed the temple in and performed signs, and “many trusted in His name” (:23). Jesus likely spent a large part of His day teaching. When the day was done, He spent time alone or with His disciples. One night, however, a man named Nicodemus approached Jesus.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews; that is, he was a religious leader who taught God’s law, and he was a member of the —a Jewish governing body. Nicodemus was part of an exclusive group of apparently moral men. He held to the belief that if a person was a law-abiding Jew, he would be accepted by God. Jesus gave Nicodemus a lesson that would turn his belief system on its head.

Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3), so the religious teachers likely assumed He didn’t know theology. But they had seen Jesus’ miraculous signs in Jerusalem. Nicodemus had to conclude, “You are a teacher come from God” (:2).

Nicodemus initiated the conversation, but Jesus chose the subject. His words perplexed Nicodemus: “Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Jesus explained that spiritual birth is not unlike physical birth in that a person cannot do it himself. It is something that happens to him.

Jesus reminded Nicodemus of an Old Testament account, the disobedient Israelites and the bronze snake. The Israelites could not help themselves, but when they trusted in God and looked to the bronze snake lifted up on the pole, they were healed. (Num. 21:4-9)

Nicodemus needed new life—eternal life—but he could not do anything to earn it. Eternal life is a gift that comes only from God. God showed His love in this way: He sent His One and Only Son to save the world. Everyone who believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life.

Emphasize with your kids that every person is born a sinner—spiritually dead and alienated from God. It is by God’s Spirit—not our own effort—that we are born again. We look to and His finished work on the cross for our salvation.

SESSION TITLE: God Among Us: Jesus Met Nicodemus BIBLE PASSAGE: John 3:1-21 MAIN POINT: Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again. KEY PASSAGE: :6, “Jesus answered, “ the way and the and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Who did Jesus say He is? Jesus said He is the Messiah.

SOME WAYS TO LEARN AT HOME: 1. Watch Story Video and discuss the questions with your family – JESUS MET NICODEMUS • A religious leader named Nicodemus met Jesus at night. • Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again. • Nicodemus was confused; how could an old man be born again? • Jesus explained that God made it possible by sending His only Son.

FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS: • Why was Nicodemus confused when Jesus said he must be born again? • What kind of birth was Jesus talking about? • How can we be born into God’s family?

2. Do a Family Activity: Track the date of your kids’ spiritual birthdays and celebrate them with special dinners or other treats. Remind them what it means to be born again. 3. Practice John 14:6 as a family – Display John 14:6 somewhere everyone can see it. While holding a pillow, one person says the first word and then tosses the pillow to another person. They must say the second word as quickly as they can before tossing the pillow to a third person. Continue until your family has said the key passage. Play again as time allows. Consider using a stopwatch to time your family. Play again to see if kids can improve their time. You could also do this with John 3:16. 4. Do an Activity Sheet – There is an activity sheet and coloring page on pages 1 and 2.

OTHER RESOURCES RightNow Media There are many great learning opportunities for all ages on RightNow Media. We encourage you to explore what is available. If you do not have an account, sign up for a RightNow Media account. It is FREE! You can CREATE AN ACCOUNT ONLINE or by TEXTING RightNow WESTMINSTER to the number 41411.

Ephesians Series – “What is God’s Plan?” with Phil Vischer – 15-week family devotional. Each session takes less than 15 minutes and includes discussion questions for the whole family.

A Few Resources on Racial Inequality and Bias: Resources for Parent – • Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race - Debbie Irving • I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness - Austin Channing Brown • Podcast: Scene on Radio: Seeing White • Podcast: ParentCue.org - Why You Need to Talk About Race With Your Kids • YouTube Video: Race in America - A Holy Post Video by Phil Vischer Suggested Books for Children (I have not actually read them) – • Colorfull (Dorena Williamson) • The Colors of Us (Karen Katz) • God's Very Good Idea (Tales That Tell the Truth) (Trillia Newbell) • Let’s Talk About Race (Julius Lester) • Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice (Celano, Collins, Hazzard)

Resources on Discipling our Children/Making Resilient Disciples Resilient: Child Discipleship and the Fearless Future of the Church – Valerie Bell Faith for Exiles: 5 Ways for a New Generation to Follow Jesus in Digital Babylon – David Kinnaman/Mark Matlock Show them Jesus: Teaching the to Kids – Jack Klumpenhower Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids – Kara Powell/Chap Clark A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today's World - John Stonestreet, Brett Kunkle Make Resilient Disciples Online Experience (YouTube video)

FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM - WC Kids is on Facebook (www.facebook.com/WCKidsBellevue) and Instagram (@wckidsbellevue).