KidSpring Connections
February 4
Love Forgives
1 Corinthians 13 tells us that "love does not keep track of wrongs" or in other words "love forgives". This week preschoolers are learning that love forgives by looking at John 21, Peter's restoration.
Before I ever stop to think about my behavior (am I forgiving?), I think about the character of the Lord because that's where transformation happens. What I love is that God forgives us, but even more He RESTORES! There are so many details that He weaves together. This place on the beach where Peter was restored is lined with sycamore trees that you'll see if you ever go to Israel. In Hebrew, the sycamore is known as the "restoration tree." With His words, His actions, the setting, Jesus is declaring restoration over Peter.
Peter had the faith to believe that Jesus could really forgive him. He RECEIVED forgiveness, he RESPONDED in thankfulness, and then his ministry is his REACTION to what Jesus did for him. When you truly receive forgiveness & realize the magnitude of "grace multiplied all the more" then it's so much easier for you to respond to others with forgiveness. In Matthew 18, elementary kids are learning about the unforgiving servant and what we're reminded of is the fact that God's forgiven far more than we'll ever have the opportunity to forgive. Forgiveness is a bold move that happens in our hearts when we react to what the Lord has done for us!
Reflect
- Spend some time before Sunday sitting in the forgiveness that the Lord has extended to you and let yourself respond with thankfulness.
- What we're teaching kids is a big deal! We get to live lives that show that because Jesus forgives me, I can forgive others. We're teaching them how to exercise this spiritual muscle that can change how the walk forward in faith for the rest of their lives!
Do You Have a Story to Share from Serving?
On Sunday we heard this story from a parent who's child moved up to their new KidSpring room!
"We picked Elsie up from her new room and she was SO excited! She said 'Can I come back to this class from now on?!' And has told us at least 5 times throughout the day how much she loved her new teachers! Yay!!!
We know there are so many stories that happen every single week, and we'd like to hear yours!