When we consistently use a “God-sized” lens to share God’s Word with our family, it broadens our children’s understanding of who God is and how He acts in our world. It also changes how our children view themselves, their blessings, and their purpose. 

Sharing the Bible with our children through a “God-sized” lens is not difficult. It just requires that we consistently frame every story with these truths:

-God is the main character of every story.
-God is always at work to make Himself known.
-God blesses His people for a greater purpose that includes others. 

Bible Time Tip:

Our children may not make a connection between the Old and New Testament. In their minds, these titles separate the Bible into two different parts–God’s work before Jesus came and God’s work after Jesus came. As your family explores God’s Word together, reinforce the idea that the Bible is one continuous story and that God’s purposes remain the same throughout. God desires to be gloried among all peoples, both Jews and Gentiles, and was working to bring both groups to Himself, both before and after Jesus came to earth.

Bible Story:

Jesus’ ministry plan was strategic. God had prepared the Israelites to understand the gospel, so Jesus first made significant efforts to reach them. Jesus revealed this part of God’s mission by sending His twelve disciples to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Later Jesus revealed more of God’s mission by sending 70 others to “every city and place to which He Himself was going to come.” This included regions with many Gentiles. Jesus’ actions paralleled His future commissioning of believers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).Grab your Bible and gather your family together. Remind your children that the Bible is one continuous story of God bringing people into a relationship with Him. Read Matthew 10:1-8 and Luke 10:1. Then do the following related activity.

Family Activity:

You will need: drawing paper; crayons, markers, or colored pencils

Invite each child to draw a picture that covers his entire piece of paper, making sure that no one sees it. (You may wish to send your children to separate rooms.) Have a parent collect and roll up the papers so that the pictures are hidden on the inside. Take turns unrolling each paper a little at a time, stopping to guess what the picture is. Re-read Matthew 10:5-6 and ask who would hear the gospel first. Then re-read Luke 10:1. Where did Jesus send His followers next? Explain that many Gentiles lived in these areas. Refer back to the gradual process of unrolling the pictures. Share that God always planned to reach both the Jews and the Gentiles with the gospel, but He revealed His plan a little at a time. 

Use a “God-sized” lens. How did Jesus’ ministry plan reflect God’s love and concern for all nations? Pray that God will give your family a heart for all peoples, especially people groups who have never heard the gospel.

(This Bible story activity is framed with a “God-sized” lens. For more stories and activities shared through a “God-sized” lens, download One Big Story.)