Old Testament Heroes: Gideon, Week 3

This year in FamilyQuest we’ll be looking at some Old Testament heroes of the faith. We’ll see how God took flawed human beings and accomplished great things while showing many, including us, just who He is. These famous heroes faced many hard choices and had to trust God to do miraculous things. We pray that as you study these real, live heroes your families will be encouraged that you, too, can trust God to do the big things that seem impossible to us.

During this unit, we will be looking at Gideon. When we first meet Gideon he is hiding out, frustrated that God has abandoned His people. When God meets with him, he calls him Mighty Warrior. Gideon looked nothing like a mighty warrior at the time! BUT GOD can take even the most insignificant member of the weakest tribe and make him a mighty warrior when that man is willing to trust and obey God. God can do the same with you!

Here are some fun ideas for remembering the story of Gideon with your family:

In the Dark with Gideon

Advent Idea

Advent starts Nov. 27! Not sure what to do? Here's a great idea for your family:

Printable Names of Christ Advent Calendar

Old Testament Heroes: Gideon, Week 2

This year in FamilyQuest we’ll be looking at some Old Testament heroes of the faith. We’ll see how God took flawed human beings and accomplished great things while showing many, including us, just who He is. These famous heroes faced many hard choices and had to trust God to do miraculous things. We pray that as you study these real, live heroes your families will be encouraged that you, too, can trust God to do the big things that seem impossible to us.

During this unit, we will be looking at Gideon. When we first meet Gideon he is hiding out, frustrated that God has abandoned His people. When God meets with him, he calls him Mighty Warrior. Gideon looked nothing like a mighty warrior at the time! BUT GOD can take even the most insignificant member of the weakest tribe and make him a mighty warrior when that man is willing to trust and obey God. God can do the same with you!

Here is just one way to help you remember this month's memory verse:

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6b

Write each word of the verse onto a popsicle stick. Have the kids put the verse in order and then read it together three times. Do this once a day until your kiddos (and you!) have it memorized.

Old Testament Heroes: Gideon, Week 1

This year in FamilyQuest we’ll be looking at some Old Testament heroes of the faith. We’ll see how God took flawed human beings and accomplished great things while showing many, including us, just who He is. These famous heroes faced many hard choices and had to trust God to do miraculous things. We pray that as you study these real, live heroes your families will be encouraged that you, too, can trust God to do the big things that seem impossible to us.

During this unit, we will be looking at Gideon. When we first meet Gideon he is hiding out, frustrated that God has abandoned His people. When God meets with him, he calls him Mighty Warrior. Gideon looked nothing like a mighty warrior at the time! BUT GOD can take even the most insignificant member of the weakest tribe and make him a mighty warrior when that man is willing to trust and obey God. God can do the same with you!

Today, here's a short family devotion from Rustin Green:

Imagine this:  Your school is going to participate in a race with another school. The other school is known for their fast runners. Every year they win the track championship. Your principal is going to choose one student to represent your entire school against the other school’s top runner. So, your principal goes to the youngest children, say Kindergarten. Then, out of that grade, the principal chooses the slowest child to run. Does that make sense? No! She would choose the student with the BEST ability. 

In the story of Gideon, we see as one man learns, it is not our ability that matters, but God’s power. God sent a surprising message to an Israelite man named Gideon. The message was that God had chosen Gideon to save the Israelites from the Midianites.

"But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I possibly save Israel? My family group is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh. And I'm the least important member of my family." - Judges 6:15

Gideon thought there must be some mistake. 

Why would God choose him? 

He was not a warrior.

The Lord answered, "I will be with you. 

So you will strike down the men of Midian all at one time." - Judges 6:16

God promised to be with Gideon. We have heard these words before. God said these same words to Moses (Exodus 3:12) and to Joshua (Joshua 1:5). 

Now He was saying them to Gideon.

It is very important for us to keep our focus on God. Gideon did not have the ABILITY to go to war and defeat a fierce army, but God certainly did! God promised to be with Gideon, and God ALWAYS keeps His promises.

When were you called on to do something that you didn’t think was possible?

What is a promise God has kept to you?

Old Testament Heroes: Joshua, Week 5

This year in FamilyQuest we’ll be looking at some Old Testament heroes of the faith. We’ll see how God took flawed human beings and accomplished great things while showing many, including us, just who He is. These famous heroes faced many hard choices and had to trust God to do miraculous things. We pray that as you study these real, live heroes your families will be encouraged that you, too, can trust God to do the big things that seem impossible to us.

During this unit we will be learning about Joshua. Joshua was the man chosen to follow Moses as the leader of the Israelites because he believed God's promise to lead them to their new land, even when that land looked impossible to take. Through trust in God, obedience, and choosing God over all the other things around him, Joshua became one of the best leaders the Israelites ever had.

Here's a quick idea for family devotions from FamilyQuest curriculum writer, Heather McSmith:

Does your family struggle to spend time in the Word together? I think we all have, at some point. Our days are busy and full of so many things. It seems like God's word is always the first thing to go. Here's one thing we've done to try and make sure that we get even just a few minutes in the word together each day (not that we get it done every day, but having the plan helps me to be intentional with getting it done!) We bought a Family Reading Bible that has several reading plans in it. We chose the reading plan we want to follow and it provides questions and discussion points for us to follow. Each morning when we sit down to eat breakfast (or you could do it at lunch, dinner, or even bedtime) we read our set of scriptures for that day. Each day is usually about a chapter and includes three fairly easy questions and two questions that make us think a little deeper. It is taking us through the Bible chronologically. All three of us are really enjoying it!

Here are links to two great options for family devotions:
The Bible is My Best Friend
The Family Reading Bible

Also, here's a great way to spend this month being a grateful family. Grab a big pumpkin and a Sharpie. Each night before bed have each family member write one thing they are thankful for on the pumpkin. By the end of the month your pumpkin, and hearts, will be full of thanks!

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!
It's time for another giveaway!!! Today, our giveaway is the book Case for a Creator for Kids by Lee Strobel. This book, written in kid-friendly language, will help answer some of the most common questions people have related to creation and where life came from. It would be great for family devotion time or to read together before bed. For those with older kids, they could read it on their own and you could then discuss what they've read. For a chance to win, leave a comment on this blog sharing your favorite Bible verse.