Heart Connex Parents Page - January 1-3, 2012 - A God
Truth Flowing from One Generation to the Next—Through Strong Heart Connections
PA R ENTS PAGE January 1-3, 2012 A God of Second Chances—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Say: Of all the places I’ve been, my favorite place to visit has been . . . One place I’ve never been that I’d like to visit someday is . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read John 21:15-17. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of this passage. Truth • God loves us and gives us second chances to live for Him. Untruths • God doesn’t care about me. • God doesn’t give second chances to anyone. • There is no way to get right with God when I mess up. 3. Explore Scripture: Read aloud John 21:15-17. Explain that Jesus was appearing to some of the disciples after His resurrection. Remind family members that Peter had denied Jesus three times before His crucifixion. Say: Jesus knew Peter had denied Him, but He also knew Peter’s potential. He gave Peter a second chance to affirm his love and heal their relationship. Emphasize that Jesus also knows all about our failures—even if we’ve been disloyal to Him multiple times. Say: Jesus expects those who love Him to love His followers. He used His questions to check Peter’s heart and intentions. Point out that Jesus did not ignore Peter’s denials, but restored him so he could minister to others. Say: Jesus knows our sins, but He is willing to give us second chances. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Say: Peter went out of his way to distinguish himself and his devotion to Jesus. He hesitated to let Jesus wash his feet in John 13 and drew his sword to defend Jesus in John 18. He stepped out of a boat and walked on water to meet Jesus in Matthew 14. But Peter also had a tendency to boast about his love for Jesus. Share that Jesus knew Peter’s heart and wanted him to rethink his words and commitments. Say: Jesus gives us second chances when we fail. He forgives us when we ask Him, then He looks into our hearts and says, “Feed my sheep.” Encourage family members to use the new year as a time to start fresh with a second chance from God. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you every time you ask for forgiveness and move closer to Him. Parent Tip: As a parent you may need a “second chance” from your children, as well as from the Lord. As you look forward to the new year, examine your life to see if there are some areas where you need to humble yourself and ask your children for forgiveness. If so, don’t hesitate to follow through with whatever God reveals to you.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
PA R ENTS PAGE January 1-3, 2012 A God of Second Chances—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Say: Of all the places I’ve been, my favorite place to visit has been . . . One place I’ve never been that I’d like to visit someday is . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read John 21:15-17. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of this passage. Truth • God loves us and gives us second chances to live for Him. Untruths • God doesn’t care about me. • God doesn’t give second chances to anyone. • There is no way to get right with God when I mess up. 3. Explore Scripture: Read aloud John 21:15-17. Explain that Jesus was appearing to some of the disciples after His resurrection. Remind family members that Peter had denied Jesus three times before His crucifixion. Say: Jesus knew Peter had denied Him, but He also knew Peter’s potential. He gave Peter a second chance to affirm his love and heal their relationship. Emphasize that Jesus also knows all about our failures—even if we’ve been disloyal to Him multiple times. Say: Jesus expects those who love Him to love His followers. He used His questions to check Peter’s heart and intentions. Point out that Jesus did not ignore Peter’s denials, but restored him so he could minister to others. Say: Jesus knows our sins, but He is willing to give us second chances. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Say: Peter went out of his way to distinguish himself and his devotion to Jesus. He hesitated to let Jesus wash his feet in John 13 and drew his sword to defend Jesus in John 18. He stepped out of a boat and walked on water to meet Jesus in Matthew 14. But Peter also had a tendency to boast about his love for Jesus. Share that Jesus knew Peter’s heart and wanted him to rethink his words and commitments. Say: Jesus gives us second chances when we fail. He forgives us when we ask Him, then He looks into our hearts and says, “Feed my sheep.” Encourage family members to use the new year as a time to start fresh with a second chance from God. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you every time you ask for forgiveness and move closer to Him. Parent Tip: As a parent you may need a “second chance” from your children, as well as from the Lord. As you look forward to the new year, examine your life to see if there are some areas where you need to humble yourself and ask your children for forgiveness. If so, don’t hesitate to follow through with whatever God reveals to you.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
