Published 6/30/19
By: Michael and Tiffany Ross
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
Family Quest
Before today’s lesson, familiarize yourself with Exodus 32:1–24. In your own words—and in a way that’s appropriate for your child’s age—share this story. Be creative and use props: puppets, stuffed animals, and sound effects.
Talk It Out
· What did these people do that made God so angry?
· What does the word jealous mean?
· Why do you think God is jealous when it comes to our hearts and what we worship?
Parent-Child Connection
Jealousy is often seen as a bad thing. Kids are correctly taught not to be jealous or envious. But God’s jealousy of us is different. He loves us so much and wants us to love Him, too. He continues to pursue us even when we want nothing to do with Him. And His heart is broken every time we walk away and embrace something else. Let your children know that His love continues to reach out to us regardless of our actions. It is when we worship only Him that we make Him happy.
Talk to God
As you pray, encourage your child to (1) thank Jesus for setting us right when we go wrong and (2) ask the Lord to help us put Him first.
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