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Family Discipleship Resources​
Welcome to our Family Resources page! We hope that you'll use the ideas below to engage your family in discussions about the Bible, God and Jesus as you disciple your children, leading them closer to Jesus and centralizing your family on God.
How to use this Resource
The resources below can be used anytime during the week. You'll find age appropriate prayer prompts, Bible story retellings,discussion questions, and activities to complete as a family, helping everyone dive deeper into the previous Sundays Bible story and keeping God in your families heart and mind throughout the week.
Use the steps below as a guide while you engage with the age appropriate resources provided.
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1. Pray-Use the prayer prompt or say your own prayer
2. Read the Bible Story- Use the Bible Story Retelling or read from the Bible.
3. Ask one or all of the family discussion questions
4. Plan a time to do the suggested activities
Prayer Prompt
Dear God,​
You are worthy of all our praise. We give you praise and glory for all the ways you take care of us and love us. Fill us with your Spirit so that we can be your hands and feet to our friends and neighbors. Guide us as we study your Word together. Amen
Bible Story Retelling
Jesus Was Dedicated
Luke 2
Mary and Joseph’s baby—God’s own Son—was a few days old when Mary and Joseph named Him Jesus, just like the angel had told them to do. One day, when Jesus was a few weeks old, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem.
Mary and Joseph wanted to obey God and His law. The law that God gave Moses said, “When a woman’s first son is born, his parents must dedicate him to the Lord.” The law also said that the child’s parents should give a sacrifice. At the temple, Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the Lord and offered two birds as a sacrifice.
Another man was at the temple. His name was Simeon. Simeon loved God, and He trusted in God’s promise to send a Messiah to save people from sin. God’s Spirit was with Simeon, and God had told Simeon that he would not die until he saw the One who would rescue people from their sin.
That day, God’s Spirit had led Simeon to the temple. Simeon saw Jesus and picked Him up in his arms. God’s Spirit showed Simeon that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Simeon was so happy. He praised God and said, “Lord, you can let me die now. You kept Your promise, and I have seen the One who will save people from sin.” Simeon said that Jesus would save God’s people, the Israelites, and Jesus would also save people from other nations.
Mary and Joseph were amazed at what Simeon said. Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph. He told Mary that being Jesus’ mother would be a very good thing, but it would also be very hard. Some people would love Jesus, but others would hate Him. Things were going to happen that would make Mary very sad.
A woman named Anna was at the temple too. Anna’s husband had died, and Anna was very old. She stayed at the temple and worshiped God all the time. Anna came up to Simeon, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and she began to thank God. Anna talked about Jesus to people who were waiting for God to keep His promise to send a Savior. She told them the good news: the Savior was here!
Mary and Joseph finished dedicating Jesus and making sacrifices to God. They obeyed God’s law. Then they went back home to Nazareth. Jesus grew up and was strong and healthy. He was wise, and God was happy with Him.
Preschool Resource
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Family Discussion Starters
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How did God keep the promise He made to Simeon?
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Why do you think Simeon said being Jesus’ mother would be good but hard for Mary?
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What did Simeon and Anna do that we get to do now?
Family Activity
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If any of your children were dedicated before your congregation, tell them about the experience. Show pictures and explain the purpose of the dedication. Talk about how Jesus’ dedication was different because He is God’s Son.
Younger Elementary Resource
Family Discussion Starters
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How did Simeon know who Jesus is?
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What did Anna do after meeting Jesus?
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How can we worship Jesus as the Messiah?
Family Activity
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Play a game with your kids to encourage and demonstrate patience. Offer them half a treat, explaining that they can have the full treat if they wait five minutes before eating the offered half. Discuss why waiting for Jesus would have been difficult but worth the wait.
Older Elementary Resource
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Family Discussion Starters
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How can we know for sure that Jesus is God’s Son?
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Discuss your family’s commitment to following and serving the Lord together.
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How should we spend our time waiting for Jesus’ second coming?
Family Activity
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Play a game with your kids to encourage and demonstrate patience. Offer them half a treat, explaining that they can have the full treat if they wait five minutes before eating the offered half. Discuss why waiting for Jesus would have been difficult but worth the wait.