Look back: Look back over Psalm 43 and remember Christians often wonder what God is up to, especially when it seems like our enemies are winning the war. What is our hope when we are demoralized and disillusioned by the persecution and oppression of our enemies? Ultimately, our vindication will come through Christ and that is cause for great hope in God. 

Look ahead: This coming Sunday, Pastor Michael will be preaching from Psalm 44. Read the passage during the week with your family.

Ask: How and why did God win the land for Israel? What do you think that means for his work in our lives today?

Pray: Pray that you would recognize your purpose is to glorify God in all things and ask him to help you pursue that joyfully.

Sing: Visit the blog for this week's music. You can also find our music playlists on Spotify.

Monthly Missions Focus: Click here to learn about our monthly missions focus (South Dakota).

Catechize: (New City Question 42)
Q: How is the Word of God to be read and heard?
A: With diligence, preparation, and prayer; so that we may accept it with faith and practice it in our lives.

From Sunday School June 11:

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus has the power to heal and to forgive sins.
• Younger Preschool: Jesus forgave the man’s sins. Jesus also healed the man. Jesus has the power to heal and to forgive sins.
• Older Preschool: The man who was paralyzed needed to be healed. Jesus forgave the man’s sins. Jesus showed that He can forgive sins because He is God. Jesus also healed the man so he could walk. Jesus has the power to heal and to forgive sins.
• Kids: The man who was paralyzed needed to be healed. Jesus did something even greater; Jesus forgave his sins, and then He healed the man. Because Jesus is God, He has the power and authority to heal and forgive. Jesus forgives everyone who trusts in Him.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Younger Preschool: Is Jesus God or a person? Jesus is both God and a person.  
• Older Preschool: Is Jesus God or a human? Jesus is both fully God and fully human.  
• Kids: Is Jesus God or a human? As the Son of God, Jesus is both fully God and fully human. 

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus is God’s Son. John 1:18 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus shows us what God is like. John 1:18 
• Older Preschool: No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son … has revealed him. John 1:18 
• Kids: No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him. John 1:18 

** Next week: Jesus Healed Sickness (Matthew 9; Mark 5; Luke 8)