Dear Parents:
Faith conversations with children can be full of wonder and curiosity. This guide is here to help you continue—or start—those conversations with your child about the big ideas we’ve been reflecting on Romans 3:1-20. The goal isn’t to arrive at perfect answers but to encourage your child to ask questions, reflect, and engage creatively. We want these conversations to be a fun and meaningful part of your family’s daily life.
As your family begins to build a “rule of life”—a shared rhythm that makes space for God—remember that this is a journey, not a sprint. You don’t have to use the whole guide at once. Here are some ideas to help spark creativity:
- Pick just one question to explore this week.
- Invite your child to respond through drawing or storytelling.
- Think of a Jesus Follower your child enjoys spending time with. Maybe they can join in a conversation or share their thoughts.
Let’s take this journey one step at a time and enjoy the process!
Key Themes from the Sermon
1. Everyone Makes Mistakes (Romans 3:10)
We all make mistakes, and no one is perfect—that’s something Paul reminds us of in Romans 3. It’s okay to mess up. God knows we aren’t perfect, and He loves us no matter what. The important thing is to be honest when we make mistakes and trust that God will always help us start fresh.
2. God’s Treasure in Us (2 Corinthians 4:7)
Paul says that we carry God’s love like a treasure inside us. Even though we aren’t perfect, we are still very special to God. Like a clay jar with cracks, it’s sometimes through our mistakes that God’s love shines through us. God made us to share His love with the world, even when we don’t feel perfect.
3. We Are Loved Even When We Mess Up (Romans 3:3-4)
Paul also reminds us that when we aren’t faithful, God is still faithful. God’s love doesn’t depend on us getting everything right. Even when we make mistakes, God is always ready to forgive us and love us through it.
Reflection Questions for Children
These questions are meant to be fun, simple, and open-ended. Let your child share their thoughts and ideas. Feel free to add some hands-on activities like drawing or storytelling to make the experience more engaging.
- God’s Treasure in Us: We learned that God’s love is like a treasure we carry inside us, even though we aren’t perfect. Can you think of something special you love that you’d want to share with a friend? How can you share God’s love with others this week?
- Activity Idea: Draw a picture of a “clay jar” and talk about what treasures (like love, kindness, or friendship) God has placed in your heart.
- Missing the Mark: Sin was explained as “missing the mark,” like aiming for something but not hitting it. Can you think of a time you tried to do something right but it didn’t go the way you planned? What did you learn from that? How do you think God feels about you when you make mistakes?
- Feeling Loved by God: We sang Father Abraham in Sunday school, and it reminds us that we’re all part of God’s family. How does it feel to know you are loved by God, even when you make mistakes? What’s one way you can show someone else that they are loved by God too?
- Making Mistakes and Being Forgiven: Everyone makes mistakes, and that’s okay! Can you think of a time when you made a mistake and someone forgave you? How did that feel? Remember, God forgives us too, and He helps us start fresh every time.
Spiritual Practice: Create a “Treasure Jar”
This week’s practice is hands-on and creative, designed to help children understand that they carry God’s love, even when they don’t feel perfect.
How to Do It:
- Get a simple jar (or make one from paper) and label it “Treasure Jar.”
- Throughout the week, encourage your child to put slips of paper in the jar with one thing they’ve done to show God’s love to others. It could be sharing a toy, helping a friend, or saying something kind.
- At the end of the week, open the jar together and celebrate all the ways God’s love has shone through them.
- Finish with a simple prayer: “God, thank you for helping us share your love with others. Even when we make mistakes, we know your love is always with us.”
Conclusion
Remember, these conversations are meant to be enjoyable and part of your family’s growing rhythm. Take it slow—there’s no need to rush through all the questions or activities at once. The important thing is creating space for your child to reflect and express their faith in their own way. As you build this “rule of life” together, celebrate the small moments and enjoy the journey.
Additional Reflection Guides on Romans 3:1-20