Immigrants arrive in our country every day in search of a better life – increased opportunities for education and employment, a safe environment to raise their children, freedom from government restrictions, and a brighter future for their descendants. Many come from countries that are closed to the gospel. Missionaries cannot go to them so God is bringing internationals to us, placing them in an environment where they can hear and respond to the gospel without fear of persecution. As believers, we have the opportunity to befriend them, help them navigate a new culture, and demonstrate the love of Jesus. Those immigrants who receive Jesus may someday carry the gospel back to their home country.
Family Activity:
Teaching Time: 12 minutes
Materials: a Bible, pole (broomstick, yardstick) laid across two chair seats to form a barrier
Have children stand on both sides of the pole. Give the children on one side a Bible. They are believers in Jesus. The children on the other side have never heard about Jesus. Tell the believers that it is against the law for them to enter the other country to tell the people there about Jesus. You cannot go in, but they can come out. Lift up the pole and direct the unbelievers to enter the other country. Talk to the unbelievers. You are moving to this new country for a good education or a better job to provide for your family. Coming into a new country to live is called immigrating. Talk to the believers. While these people are in your county, you can tell them about Jesus. Have the believers open the Bible and share it with the unbelievers. They may become believers. God uses immigration to move people from a place where they cannot hear about Jesus to a place where they can.
Discuss:
- Read Exodus 22:21 and Deuteronomy 10:19. How did God want the people of Israel to treat foreigners who lived in their land? Why? As believers in Jesus, how do you think God wants our family to treat people who move to our country?
- Do we know someone who has moved to our school, church, or neighborhood from another country? What are some ways we could make them feel welcome and show God’s love to them?
Pray:
Ask God to make your family more aware of people who have moved from other countries and give you specific ways to serve them.
