September 2018

• Traditions – Families Who Serve Together
• Create – True North
• Family Time Recipe – Saturday Surprise
• Student ID – Eyes Up!

We live in a broken world. Opportunities to serve surround us, but far too often we live self-focused instead of others-focused. Because of this, we are blind to the needs around us. The environment of SERVING teaches us to ask God to show us what needs to be done. When we do, it won’t take long to see these opportunities magnifed and in plain sight.

This month, in GOD’S WORD (page 28), we recount the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman from John 4. Jesus served this woman and her whole village when He offered them the living water of God’s kingdom. Our FAMILY TIME VERSE (page 5) encourages us to search for what Christ offers: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be give to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

In MARRIAGE (page 46) we meet a couple who has made it a habit to ask each other one simple question that comes from a heart to serve one another the way Christ served His church—“What can I do for you today?” Simple, yet oh so profound! You’ll want to try out both of our recipes this month—FAMILY TIME RECIPE (page 24) and KIDS IN THE KITCHEN (page 26)—and make them for your family or make them to give to someone else as an act of service.

Our goal was to fill this issue with creative ways to remind children (and adults too!) to search for what needs to be done in every situation. When we learn to live in this posture, God will meet us, magnify the needs He has placed before us, and equip us to serve!