Brite Monthly – February 2024
This month’s biblical theme is:
Miracles of Jesus
Jesus loved everyone He came across while on Earth. One of the ways He showed that was by performing miracles. Jesus cared about how people were feeling and what they were going through. He was there when they were lonely, hopeless, scared and sad. Jesus met people where they were at. He still comforts us and shows us His love today!
Monthly Bible Verse: The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. Psalm 145:18
The Man at the Pool of Bethesda: Jesus healed a man who could not walk. The Pharisees were angry that this happened on the Sabbath. Jesus told the man to stop sinning and follow God.
Calming of the Storm: Jesus was asleep in a boat with His disciples when a great storm arose. The disciples woke Jesus, terrified. He calmed the storm. The disciples were amazed that the wind and waves obeyed Jesus.
A Daughter & a Woman: Jesus was on His way to see a little girl when a woman who was ill touched His clothes and was healed. The little girl had died but Jesus raised her from the dead. Jesus brought hope to hopeless situations.
Lazarus: A friend of Jesus, Lazarus, was very ill. While Jesus was waiting to go see him, Lazarus died. Jesus wept and prayed at the tomb of Lazarus and then raised him from the dead.
This month’s Unit Title is: Work in Progress
This month, we are focusing on how we are all a work in progress. Our intro videos will feature a dad and son building something together as a surprise for someone special. Decorate using building materials, tools, caution tape, construction materials and more!
Check out our pinterest board at https:// pin.it/19hEwMH
This month’s Leader Training Topic is: Discussing Tough Topics
In the course of our lives, we all wrestle with tough topics and questions related to our relationship with God. At times, these surface because we find ourselves facing difficult or painful circumstances or we witness the struggles of someone else. We may not know how to make sense of what we are experiencing or observing in the world around us and how this intersects with God’s plans and purposes. Other times, our wrestling might arise from questions that surface as we study God’s word. We might wonder how a particular passage reflects God’s character or what it means for us today. When we find ourselves coming face to face with tough topics and questions, we can be encouraged that we are not alone. We need to look no further than Scripture to be reminded that those who have gone before us have had questions, too. The Psalms serve as a wonderful reminder that we can bring our authentic struggles and questions to God and look to Him for guidance.
It is important for kids to have a safe space to explore tough topics and questions that surface as they are learning about God and living in the world. You have an opportunity to reflect God’s heart of care and hospitality as you listen to their thoughts and feelings and gently guide your group’s conversations. This month, we’ll consider how to best approach tough topics that arise within your time together.
Throughout the month, we’ll explore the following topics:
- Week 1 – Seeking the Holy Spirit’s Guidance
- Week 2 – Keeping Conversations Kid-Friendly
- Week 3 – Facilitating a Respectful Dialogue
- Week 4 – Encouraging Kids to Look to Scripture
Teaching kids about the gospel:
The gospel is the good news. God wants everyone to know this good news and to not miss out on this invitation!
Here’s the gospel in four main words: God, Us, Jesus, Trust.
God
God is a loving God who is all-powerful and holy. He knows and sees everything, and rules over everything. God created all people in His image, and we are valuable to Him.
Us
But we have sinned, and our sin separates us from God. What is sin? Sin is anything we think, say, or do that disobeys God. The penalty for sin is death and separation from God forever.
Jesus
But because God loves us so much, He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus died in our place. But He did not stay dead—He rose again three days later. Because of Jesus, we no longer have to be separated from God and we are offered the free gift of eternal life!
Trust
God gives salvation, rescuing us from our sin, to everyone who places their trust in Jesus as their Savior. What is trust? It means that we rely on what Jesus did. You cannot be saved from sin by doing good things, but only through what Jesus did for you.