Today we learned about when God helped Nehemiah rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Parents, want to extend the discussion with your kids? Here are some discussion questions:

For your kiddos ages 2-4, say: What did Nehemiah and God’s people build? Walls can make a city feel safe. What makes you feel safe?

For your kiddos ages 5-9, say: Nehemiah didn’t get too discouraged when enemies tried to stop him and trick him. He prayed to God for help! What do you do when you feel discouraged? What could you do?

For your kiddos ages 10-12, say: Do you understand how the story of Nehemiah fits into God’s big story? Why do you think God continues to help His people even when they disobey him?
Here’s our big question this week: Did you enjoy this podcast? Did you learn something new about God or the Bible? Did your family talk about God for the first time together?

Please share your feedback and stories with us by emailing jmccoy@messiahnetwork.org Have a great summer!

Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/

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Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/

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We've reached the end of Old Testament section in The Story. We’ve seen the cycle of the story- God’s people sin, receive judgment, cry out, God saves them, and they fall back into their old patterns of sin again. Now that they've been rescued from slavery, it might seem like we'll know what happens next- God's people fall back into idolatry. But they don't. Gods people never fall back into the habit of idolatry. They lost their kingdom, they're weak, they're subservient to other worldly powers. But God used this weakness to change their hearts. By their own power, they couldn't achieve righteousness, but by the power of the Spirit, they've been changed. We today are powerless to change ourselves. We find ourselves unable to break free from our sin and our destructive habits. Listen to this week’s episode as Ryan Pfendler explains by the power and work of Jesus, we are changed. By his power we are transformed and made new.

If you’d like to dig deeper, check out these discussion questions. You can complete them on your own, with your Community Group, or with family and friends.

Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/

Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normalgoesalongway/

Normal Goes A Long Way Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Normal-Goes-A-Long-Way-110089491250735

Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/

Normal Goes A Long Way is hosted on Zencastr. Create your podcast today! Get 20% off when you choose Zencastr for your podcasting needs: https://zencastr.com/?via=jill

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Today we will learn about Esther and the amazing story of how she became a queen and helped save God’s people. Parents, want to keep talking? Here are some ideas:

Ask: Who was Esther (Esther was a Jewish girl who was made a queen) What hard things might you have to do? Who can help you? (ages 2-5)

What do you think Esther made for the big dinner with King Xerxes and Haman? What would you have made? If you were in Esther’s place, what would you have asked the king to do? (ages 6-10)

Esther prepared for her meeting with the king by fasting and encouraging others to fast with her. What does it say about Esther that she went to God with her request first? Talk about a time when you went to God in earnest prayer before making a decision. What happened? (ages 11-12)

One last thing! This week April asked, “How can you SHOW God’s love to the people around you?”. Simply record a voice memo and send it in a text to 636-280-5433. You may even be featured in an upcoming episode. *By sending in a voice memo, you’re providing consent for your minor’s voice to be on the podcast*

Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/

Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normalgoesalongway/

Normal Goes A Long Way Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Normal-Goes-A-Long-Way-110089491250735

Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/

Normal Goes A Long Way is hosted on Zencastr. Create your podcast today! Get 20% off when you choose Zencastr for your podcasting needs: https://zencastr.com/?via=jill

#madeonzencastr