Parent Newsletter

Belonging to Jesus changes everything. In our ‘Because I Belong to Jesus’ series, children will learn about their identity in Christ and discover what they have because of Whose they are. They will learn that they need Jesus, have been made new in Him, and have the Holy Spirit living in them. As we continue through the series, children will discover that they can walk in freedom, choose peace, and live victoriously through Christ. Our prayer is that every child would know, “I belong to Jesus,” and learn to live confidently from that truth.

This week, children learned that because they belong to Jesus, they can have His peace even when difficult or upsetting things come their way. Through John 14:27 and Ephesians 6:10–18, we learned that God has given us His Word and the armor of God to help us stand strong and guard our hearts. Children were reminded that they get to choose what they allow into their “heart house” and can choose to hold on to the peace God has given them. During our shield of faith activity, children practiced blocking a ball that represented various peace-disrupting circumstances as they declared, “I choose God’s peace!” to help them remember that they can trust God and guard their peace.

Foundational Verse:
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27, NKJV

1 John 3:1 NLT‬‬
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.

Our heart is to partner with you in nurturing your child’s faith. We believe discipleship begins in the home, and when families talk about God together and involve Him in daily life, it makes a lasting impact. These simple ideas can help you keep the conversation going throughout the week:

Talk with your child about things that can sometimes make them feel worried, afraid, angry, or upset. Remind them of how they can choose what they allow into their “heart house” and can choose to hold on to the peace Jesus gives.

When something difficult happens this week, encourage your child to say, “God gives me peace, and I can guard my peace!” Remind them to trust God and His Word instead of allowing their emotions to control their hearts.

Take a few moments to pray together and thank Jesus for giving us His peace. Ask God to help your family recognize the things that can disturb your peace and choose to trust Him in every situation.

Use simple, ongoing conversations to help your child remember and apply what they learned. This can be easily incorporated in your day-to-day routine. Try asking these questions during dinner, in the car, or right before bed:  

• “What did you learn about your ‘heart house’ and the things you allow into it?”
• “What are some things that can try to steal your peace?”
• "In the game you played at church, what did you say when you blocked the ball [of fear, worry, anger, frustration, etc.] with your shield?” (I choose God’s peace!)