Blueprints for Parents:

I’m so excited about October and our journey to discover where true creativity comes from. The first week, we’re going back to the beginning to explore the original Creator and it’s no surprise that there we find a very imaginative God (Genesis 1:1-2:1). He really did speak something into nothing! So where does that leave us? In Genesis’ description of the Creation process, the Bible says specifically that we are created in God’s image. We were made out of God’s imagination. The bottom line is that “You were created so you can be creative.” In fact, we’d go so far as to say that Christians have unlimited potential to be the most creative people on earth!

Later, the apostle Paul says it this way (in what will be our monthly memory verse): “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).

We are created by a creative God in His image, but unfortunately the older we get, the less we believe that we are creative and the more narrow our view of creativity becomes. So this month, we’re discovering a variety of ways to be creative. The second week, we’ll expand our definition of creativity to include the idea of how God empowers us to solve problems and lead in out-of-the-box ways. The bottom line is “Use your imagination to think BIG.” We’ll discover noteworthy examples in Miriam and her mother as they work together to save baby Moses (Exodus 1:22-2:10) for the future God intended even though it seemed impossible at first.

And then in week three, we’ll learn about how we can creatively express ourselves through our words, music, art and more to point people to God. We’ll study the life of David, one of the most creative examples in God’s big story. Did you know that in one Biblical translation David is described as living his life as a poem back to God? (2 Samuel 23:1-2) David was more than an artist- he used not only his natural creative gifts, but his learned skills and other life experiences to lead others and show God’s goodness. So the bottom line is “Use your imagination to make your mark.”

But there’s more to creativity than just problem solving and expressing ourselves. God created us to reflect Him and be the type of light that helps others see Him more clearly. We can do that when we learn more about what Jesus shared in His Sermon on the Mount about Salt and Light. (Matthew 5:14-16) Remember God promises that He has big plans for us in the world! Bottom line: “Use your imagination to do more good”.

In fact, to take it even a step further, we can make more of an impact when we get creative and share our resources (Acts 2:1-47). Bottom line: “Imagine what could happen if everyone used their gifts together.” It’s such a timely faith skill to focus on this fifth week of October--what worshipping with your life looks like--praising God and giving generously every day with other believers.

Creativity: using your imagination to do something unique!

Memory Verse:

 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph 2:10

Monthly Overview:

Oct 2    - Creation Story

Oct 9    - Moses and Miriam

Oct 16   - Davids final Words

Oct 23  - Sermon on the Mount

Oct 30 -   Believers share Life together