Download a PDF copy of the April Family Faith Conversation

Pear-fect questions to jump into the fruit bowl! 

Let’s continue to explore the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23.)  These are the amazing, God-given traits that grow in us through the Holy Spirit. 

This month, we are going to learn more about faithfulness. It’s one in a melon!  

Bunch up for a grape question time with your family. 

• Who is someone you know who is very faithful? How do they show their faithfulness? 
• What is faithfulness? How is it different from faith? 
• When have you been a faithful friend? 
• When is it difficult to be faithful to God? What holds you back from expressing your faithfulness to God sometimes?
• I wonder…what colour is faithfulness in your mind? What sound do you hear when you think of faithfulness?
• Can someone learn to have faithfulness? What would they need to know?   

Puppies remind us of faithfulness.  Did you know that a puppy in Japan used to see his owner off at the commuter train every morning, and then meet him at the station again at the end of the day?  That’s faithfulness!  After the dog’s owner died, the dog stayed at the station waiting for his return. Wow!  That’s a faithful companion.

Download the April Colouring Page with Pascal Puppy who shares the message of our memory verse for this month.  

Watch these videos to learn more about puppies. 

God’s Story 

Jump into the story! In the book of Daniel, we learn all about a man who shows faithfulness to God.  Daniel also tells us about three men who are so determined to be faithful to God, that they end up in a fiery furnace!  Let’s take a look at the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Check it out in Daniel 3. 

Let’s look deeper at what is going on in this story… 

King Nebuchadnezzar decided to have a big idol of gold created.  He wanted people to worship the idol whenever they heard a horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe or all kinds of music.  I wonder why he wanted this? What was in it for him? 

King Nebuchadnezzar sets up a pretty horrible consequence if people didn’t obey his decree and bow to the idol.  People would be thrown in the fiery furnace!  Why do you think the consequence was so huge?   

Some astrologers (v.8) came to the King, and told him that three of the people who the king had put in charge of the business of Babylon would never bow to the idol or obey the King. They were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  Who were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego loyal to? What did they understand about God that King Nebuchadnezzar didn’t? 

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow, the king burned with anger.  He commanded that the furnace be hotter than ever before!  He ordered that they be tied up and put in the furnace.  Why did he react in such a strong way?  Why did their faithfulness to God make him so angry? 

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were in the furnace, they walked around and freely.  What was God communicating to King Nebuchadnezzar by doing this?   

Who was the fourth person in the furnace?  Why is it important that he showed up then? 

When they came out of the furnace, they didn’t smell like fire, nothing was singed,  their robes were clean and they were not harmed in any way!  What does this show us about God’s love and protection over us?   

I wonder why King Nebuchadnezzar chooses to worship God in the end? 

King Nebuchadnezzar issues a really violent decree (v29) against anyone who speaks against God. What do you think King Nebuchadnezzar learned from this experience with God?  Where do you think he still might be able to grow? 

Imagining Story 

What do you think it is like to be a citizen of a country where the King makes violent laws?  What might some of your frustrations be in that situation? 

The astrologers tell the king about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  They tattle on them to get them in trouble!  Have you ever tattled on someone?  I wonder what the consequences of tattling are in a relationship? How does it feel to be tattled on? 

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego choose to stay loyal to God, and only worship him.  Do you think this was a difficult decision for them?  Are there times when you choose God over something else? What is that like?  What does faithfulness look like for you? 

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego entered a furnace, trusting God to keep them safe.  When is a time you had to be trusting and brave?   

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not alone in the furnace. Who was with them?  What does it feel like to be alone? What helps you not feel alone? What is comforting to you? Is Jesus a comfort to you?  

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego come out of the furnace, unharmed, what do you think they were saying to each other?  This is a big deal wow moment! It doesn’t tell us exactly what they said, but what do you think they said to each other?  How do you think they made sense of their experience? 

King Nebuchadnezzar ordered that no one speak against God. He also said that if they did, they would be torn to pieces and their homes would be ruined.  Have you experienced a person who understands a piece of the puzzle, but doesn’t understand the bigger picture? I wonder if you feel that way sometimes.  What can you do to keep seeking the bigger picture? 

Make your own story! You could write it down, or create it in drawings. You could create it out of play dough or lego bricks.  Be creative! 

Story prompt:  

Pascal  Puppy, Jesus and I went to visit our friend, Stella, at her house.  Stella loved having friends over to play in her big backyard. Stella’s family always had yummy ice cream treats for sharing.  Everyone was so happy to be together! 

“Kick the ball to me!” yelled Jesus.  Pascal laughed, and sent the ball Jesus’ way. 

Everyone was having a wonderful time in the spring sun. 

“I know!” said Stella, “Let’s put on a movie!  It will be so much fun! This one!” 

When we all looked at the movie, our faces dropped. We all knew this one had bad language and stuff that our parents thought was inappropriate for us to see. 

“Ummm,” Pascal muttered, “I’m not sure…” 

Prayer time… the cherry on top! 

God thank you for your faithfulness to me.  I praise you because… 

Thank you that your faithfulness is such a gift. Help me to show my own faithfulness to you by… 

Help me share how awesome your faithfulness is with… 

I confess that sometimes I don’t have show the faithfulness I would like to.  Help me to be faithful to you when… 

God, thank you that your faithfulness is seen in so many ways. Help me to see it… 

God, help me be a faithful person by also being a person who forgives, shows grace and trusts.  Forgive me, and help me forgive… 

God, help me practice mercy. Please continue to show me your mercy…