Fundamental #4

Memory Scriptures 

I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty. —2 Corinthians 6:18

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. —Revelation 21:7

 

Summary Statement 

There’s a reason why people are different than any other creation on earth. It’s because God made us special and for a special purpose—God is building a family. Like children who resemble their parents, we are made in God’s very image. Being created in the image and likeness of God means more than just that we physically look similar to God, having a head, arms, hands, legs etc... It also means that we have some capabilities similar to God but in a very limited way. Things such as imagination, language, etc. He also wants us to have a beautiful parent-child relationship with Him that we develop by living His way and talking to Him often in prayer.

Some of the best gifts that God wants to give us haven’t even happened yet. He wants to give us eternal life and have us reign as kings and priests when Jesus Christ returns to rule! He wants to give each of us a crown and make us part of His spiritual, royal family!

 

Begin your study

Read the memory scriptures together with your children, then read through the summary statement (remember to simplify the statement, if necessary). Have your children cut and paste the summary statement from this page in their “Fundamentals Bible Study Journal” (as suggested in the Memorizing Scripture resource “The Fundamentals”).

Next have your child write the memory scriptures, 2 Corinthians 6:18 and Revelation 21:7, in his or her journal. Remind your child about Fundamental #3: What are humans? and how you talked about God creating Adam and Eve in His image. Ask your children, Why do you think God created you? Tell your children that God has an incredible purpose for them—to be part of His family and be a king and priest with Jesus Christ!

Have your children write the memory scriptures on a piece of paper (they can choose one or both scriptures). Around the scriptures, have your children draw and decorate a crown, like a king or queen would wear. Then have your children cut out the scripture in the crown shape and hang it up on the bathroom mirror so that when they look in the mirror it looks like they’re wearing a crown. (You can use painter’s tape or removable mounting putty for easy clean-up.)

 

Digging Deeper Interaction #1

Explain that today you are going to focus on how God is building His family. Ask your children to name members of your family, including extended family. Ask if they know how many members are in God’s family now. (You may wish to review Fundamental #1 if they’re struggling with this question.)

Now ask if they know how many people God wants in His family. Everyone who has ever lived (2 Peter 3:9)!  God loves us so much and wants us all to be part of His family. Have your children read 1 John 3:1-2 out loud. On a new page in their journals, have them draw a picture of their immediate family. Identify all the members as they draw. Then discuss how there is one God the Father and one Lord Jesus Christ and that they are members of the God family.

God is building a very large family (you could even look up the estimated number of people who have ever lived). Take with your children about how the Church is a family (Ephesians 2:19). Help your children choose someone in your local Church family and have them write or draw a card for that person. Your children could mail it or give it to the Church family member on the Sabbath at services.

For further ideas to teach your children about God and His family, see the resource “A Type of God’s Family.”

 

Digging Deeper Interaction #2

Begin by having your children say the memory scriptures for Fundamental #4. Remind your children that part of God’s purpose for us is to be kings with Jesus Christ. Have your children create a poster of a city they imagine they’ll be ruling over when Christ returns. For ideas, think out loud with your children about all the good things we are looking forward to when Christ returns—peace, no more war, everyone has enough food and water and land, animals living in harmony. Read through Isaiah 11:6-10 or sing the hymn “It Won’t Be Long Now.” Children can draw or paint pictures, cut out pictures and glue them on the poster, or print pictures to cut and glue.

 

Bible Story: Hebrews 11 and the stories of the faithful

In order to be kings and priests in God’s family, we all need to remain faithful. Read through the faith chapter, Hebrews 11. Next create a “Heroes of Faith” chart using the EEI template, or create your own.

Ask your children what they can learn from the examples of those listed in Hebrews 11. Discuss how you as a family can apply those lessons in your own lives. Ask your children if they understand what it means to be faithful toward God. What does this look like in daily life?

 

Bonus Ideas

There are several more scriptures in the Bible that provide examples of this Fundamental. Challenge your children (and yourself!) to find another example in the Bible and add it to their “Fundamentals Bible Study Journal.”

There are several hymns in the Church of God hymnal that cover the topic of God as a family (“God Our Father, Christ Our Brother” is one). Choose one and sing it together.

 

Wrap-up Activity

Have your children carefully remove their paper crowns from the mirror and glue them to a piece of poster board or card stock. Choose a place in the house to display the poster.

To end your study, have your child recite the memory scripture for a small audience, perhaps for guests at the beginning of a special Friday evening meal.