Elementary // Diligence Week 4
Memory Verse:
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Definition
Diligence: Consistently working with all my heart to bring glory to God
Teaching Truth
God’s work through us is never useless
Questions to Ask Your Child
Read Jonah 1:1-6, 15-17. What “work” did God give Jonah? (Go to Nineveh and tell them God is going to judge them because they are so wicked.) Who were the Ninevites? (They were Israel’s enemies, part of the Assyrian empire. They didn’t follow God and did whatever they wanted because they were wicked.)
What did Jonah do instead? (He got on a boat heading the opposite direction and tried to run away from the Lord.) How is Jonah doing so far with being diligent for the Lord? (Not well. He refused to do God’s work and even tried to run away from Him.)
Read Jonah 3:1-5,10. After the big fish spit Jonah out onto the beach, what did the Lord tell Jonah to do? (The same thing as before. Go tell Nineveh that they will be judged for their sin.) What did Jonah do differently this time? (He obeyed, went to Nineveh and gave them God’s message.)
How did the people of Nineveh respond? (They believed Jonah’s message from God. They repented of their sins and stopped doing evil things.) Was Jonah thankful or upset about what happened? (He was angry. He wanted God to destroy these people because they were his enemies. He thought God’s work was useless.) Jonah praised God when He saved him with the big fish instead of punishing him for his sins (See Jonah 2) BUT he was upset that God forgave the people of Nineveh for their sins. What seems wrong to you about Jonah’s heart? (He was more focused on himself and what he wanted than about saving the Ninevites or glorifying God.)
Activity
Practice the memory verse (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV) for the month with your kids before you put them to bed. Pray that you and your family will “always give (yourself) fully to the work of the Lord” and bring Him glory as you work for Him with all your heart.