Splink | New in Christ

A New Baby!

Bring out the baby pictures and birth certificates and talk about the day each child was born into your family. (Kids never seem to tire of hearing about themselves.) Look at the pictures together and talk about how happy you were. If your kids were adopted, talk about the happy day they became part of your family.

Ask:

How do you become part of God’s family? How are you born again?

Note: Just as Nicodemus didn’t understand how he could be “born again,” your children may need some explanation. Their answer should give you some insight into their understanding and their readiness.

Read John 3:1-16 to review Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus.

Simple truths about being “born” into God’s family:

God loves you and wants you to be in His family (John 3:16).

We have all sinned and gone our own way (Romans 3:23).

Jesus came to earth and died on the cross for our sins (John 3:16).

We have to believe He died for our sins and came alive again (Romans 10:9).

Tell God we want to receive Him into our lives—we need to receive His forgiveness for our sins.

Say thank you to Him. Celebrate!

If they understand the basic truths about salvation, individually ask:

Would you like to receive Jesus’ free gift of salvation? (Doing this on a one-to-one basis is best, not in a group.)

Write down the date they received Jesus. CELEBRATE it every year!!!!! Make it a fun day! Two birthdays every year! (They will be the envy of all their friends and it will be a great chance to share the gospel with them.)

What’s New!

Gather some small items and place them in a random arrangement on a tray or cookie sheet. Adjust the amount of items you start with based on the age of your kids. (Birthday candle, pencil, paper clip, comb, small toy, spoon, etc.)  Show the tray to your family and encourage them to take 30 seconds (adjust as needed) to scan the items and attempt to memorize what is on the tray. Then take the tray to another room (or somewhere out of sight) and add one thing to the assortment.  Challenge family members to identify the new item and try to be the first to name it.

Play the game several times, adding a new item each time.

You did a great job identifying what was new each time. We added something new because our game required it. But the Bible teaches that we need to have new life in Christ because life without Him is broken.

Discuss the concept of new life in Christ with your family and share about your own experience receiving new life in Him.

Quick Change

This activity requires everyone to be wearing shoes and socks. In addition to what they are wearing, provide a second pair of socks for each person. (This might be a good time to surprise everyone with a new pair of socks.)  Place the second set of socks in a pile on one side of the room and have family members line up on the other side. Allow kids to race one another or do a family relay and see how quickly you can complete the challenge all together. Maybe you can try it a second time and try to beat your time.

Players race to the pile of socks and see how quickly they can change from the socks they wore to the new pair waiting for them.

What was the hardest part about this challenge?

When we make the choice to follow Jesus, we are immediately new in Christ. We don’t have to run a race or beat someone else in a challenge.  Jesus paid the price for us—he did the ultimate challenge for us. We are new in Him as soon as we choose to accept Him as Savior. We don’t become perfect though. Sometimes we can see quick changes in our lives but we will always experience change as we follow Him. Jesus changes us every day as we grow closer to Him and learn more from His Word.