The ark and what it represented was temporal and pointed forward to the substantial reality of God who would come and live among His people.
Dear families,
The ark of the covenant was a physical reminder of God's tangible presence with his people. Rather than treat the ark with reverence, they treated the ark as a sort of good luck charm. In our Bible story today, we see what happened when the ark was taken from the people of Israel.
Except in times of war or when the people of Israel were on the move, the ark was kept in the holy of holies in the tabernacle. Once a year, a priest would approach the ark and sprinkle blood on the mercy seat on the ark's top for the forgiveness of the people's sins. The ark and what it represented was temporal and pointed forward to the substantial reality of God who would come and live among His people.
When we realize that Jesus lived a perfect life and then died in our place, we see that Jesus is better than the ark because He is always with us. We are filled with thankfulness.
Jesus is better than the bulls and goats whose blood was sprinkled on the ark because His sacrifice is once, for all time (Heb. 10:10). This should move us to worship.
Finally, we should be humbled and filled with confidence when we realize that Jesus, who lived perfectly in human flesh, died and then was resurrected and ascended into heaven where He, in His glorified human body, prays for us.
This should give you confidence in this life that no matter what we face, God's Holy Spirit is with us. The Son is interceding for us. Because Jesus stands between the Father and us, we can "approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time” (Heb. 4:16). We can go before God daily because of Jesus.
Check out the resources below designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. You can also find the Adult Daily Discipleship Guide that accompanies our adult groups.
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
Preschool: The ark of God reminded the Israelites that God was with them. Many years later God sent His very own Son, Jesus, to be with His people.
Kids: The ark of God reminded the Israelites that God was with them. Years later, God gave His people something greater than a sign that He was with them; God gave them His Son, Jesus—God in the flesh. One of Jesus’ names is Immanuel, which means “God with us.”
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Preschool: What is the punishment for sin? The punishment for sin is separation from God.
Kids: What is the fair payment for sin? The fair payment for sin is death.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Preschool: [God] made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5 adapted)
Kids: But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved-. (Ephesians 2:4-5)
At Home
Family Prayer
Mornings: Worship God as the one true God! Praise Him because there is no one like Him. How do you see God’s superiority in this week’s Bible story? What other stories in the Bible show us that He is the one true God?
Evenings: Thank God for His power. Thank Him for the comfort and confidence that comes with knowing the Almighty God. How does this Bible story show us the one-of-a-kind power of God? How does God’s ultimate power help us to trust in Him?
Family Activities
For Fun: Go for a walk or run as a family. Allow kids to pick the route. Talk about God’s promise to be with Joshua wherever he went. Ask kids how God has extended that promise to anyone who believes in Jesus. How is God with them wherever they go?
To Serve: Volunteer to plant flowers or complete another beautification project at your local church. Talk with kids about how God might use the church to draw people to Himself. Be sure to explain that God’s presence is not limited to the church building, but the building can still be a reminder for the community of God’s presence and activity
Family Worship
Adult Daily Discipleship Guide
** Next week: God Takes Sin Seriously (Ephesians 2)