Table Talks

Message

This week we are introducing the Lightglider value of humility. We learned last week about the Lightglider value of purpose and how our lives matter because God created us. Even though God has uniquely created each of us to shine like stars in the universe, we must come to an understanding that we are not perfect. The sin and selfishness that began in the Garden of Eden carries on today in every human heart and causes division, brokenness, and strife. Admitting our need for God's love and forgiveness requires humility. Living with humility means to acknowledge our weaknesses and to live with dependence upon God's love, and not upon our own talents and successes which will eventually fail us. Only with humble hearts can we take the focus off ourselves, receive God's love, and truly focus on the needs of others.

Verse

"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take interest in others, too."~Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does it mean to be humble?
• In what ways did you take an interest in others today?
• What is one area of weakness where you need God's help?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: The Value of Humility
• Prayer Video: He Must Increase
• Bible Study: Philippians 2:3-5

Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does rebellion mean?
• What does sin mean?
• In what ways do we rebel against God?

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Message

We are continuing in our unit called The Far Greater Story. We are teaching the kids the components of a biblical worldview and how it shapes our values, decisions, and behaviors. This week we are talking about Rebellion and how every human being has fallen short of God’s standard for goodness.

We use the language of “rebellion” because we understand that we, too, are sinful humans. Whether we like to admit it or not, we rebel against God and His standards of love and goodness every day. Sometimes it is unintentional, other times it is outright disobedience.

Verse

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard."~Romans 3:23 (NLT)

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Knowing that we have all sinned puts us on a level playing field with one another. No one is better than the person next to them. Proper understanding of our nature leads us to humility and a recognition that, without a perfect, sinless Savior, we are all destined for an eternity separated from our good, holy Father in heaven.

Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Rebellion
• Prayer Video: The Greatest Commandments
• Bible Study: Rebellion - Romans 3:23

Meaningful Conversation Starters

• Who inspires you? Why?
• What do you think it means to be creative?
• How can you be creative and inspired today?

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Message

The last two weeks we have learned that God is our Creator.  Because of this, we have tremendous purpose. We can live with the knowledge that our lives matter because they do! If God took the time to make us, then we are extremely valuable.  

We also learned that God created us in His image. Because we are made in the image of a creative God, we can be inspired to use our imagination to create. We can think of ways to use our unique gifts to put a smile on other people’s faces. We can dream of ways to make an impact on the world around us. We can live with passion. We can pursue beauty.  We can do everything we do with excellence.  This is being creative and inspired.  As we live creative and inspired, others will follow!

Verse

"In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well."~Romans 12:6a (NLT)

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: God Gives Purpose
• Prayer Video: Filled with the Spirit
• Bible Study: Creative & Inspired - Romans 12:6a

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• In what ways do you live with a sense of purpose?
• What does it mean to you to be 'God's masterpiece?'
• How do you or could you impact the world in a positive way?

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Message

To live with purpose means to live with the belief that your life matters and that you can make an impact on the world around you. We want kids to catch a vision of what it means to live a life of purpose at a young age. Every day Lightgliders go on missions to impact the game world. In the same way, kids have opportunities each day to make an impact on the real world in the ways they respect, love, and serve others. This begins by believing the truth that there is a God, that He loves you, and that He created you for a purpose.

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."~Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: The Value of Purpose
• Prayer Video: Living with Purpose
• Bible Study: Ephesians 2:8-10

Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What beauty do you see in the world?
• How does knowing God created the world give you purpose?
• What does it mean to you to be created by God?

Message

This week we begin a new unit called The Far Greater Story. We are teaching the kids the components of a biblical worldview and how it shapes our values, decisions, and behaviors. This week we are talking about Creation and how being made by God and in His image is the anchor upon which our dignity and purpose rest.

Verse

"So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."~ Genesis 1:27 (NLT)

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The Bible begins by telling us that God created the world and everything in it, and that he made every human being in His image. All people were made in the image of a good, holy, and loving God. We want Lightgliders to know that understanding this truth has incredible implications. Because of it, we have reason to respect ourselves and everyone else. We can live knowing that our lives matter.  We can seek to reflect the One in whose image we are made by being a vessel of creativity, beauty, goodness, and love.

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Creation
• Prayer Video: Praise for Creation
• Bible Study: Creation - Genesis 1:27

Message

The Lightglider story points to the Far Greater Story of God’s love for us revealed in the ministry of Jesus. Within the game of Lightgliders, our goals are to RESPECT, RESCUE, and RESTORE. We have these goals because we want to teach kids the Far Greater Story of God’s love. He created us in His image, so we all are worthy of respect. He rescues us from our sin through His Son, Jesus Christ.  And He will restore this broken world one day. Knowing the Far Greater Story enables us to live with purpose, hope, and love.

Verse

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God."~Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• How can we best learn about and imitate God's love?
• How can Jesus be our example?
• How does knowing God's story help us to live ours?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: An Example to Follow
• Prayer Video: Why We Love
• Bible Study: Ephesians 5:1-2

Message

Did you know that a majority of kids today grow up thinking that life has little to no purpose? It is for this reason that we want kids worldwide to know that they were “Made To Shine.” This is why Lightgliders exists! Kids were uniquely created by God (i.e., Made) to love Him and love others (i.e., to Shine). Their lives have incredible purpose and, once they discover this powerful truth, they will begin exploring how their unique interests, personalities, and talents can be used to make an impact on the world around them. God loves His children and created them to live lives of purpose. It is a responsibility and privilege to talk with kids about how they were uniquely created to shine!

With a lot of darkness in our world, that can feel like a big responsibility. The good news, though, is that we have Jesus Christ as our example! The Bible tells us that Jesus shares light that will never go out:

Verse

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."~John 1:5 (NLT)

God sent His Son Jesus to shine in the world and save us. To show and to share God's love is to shine light in the darkness!

Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What do you think it means to shine?
• How were you uniquely made to love God and love others?
• How could your interests, personality or talents be used to shine?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: The Power of Light
• Prayer Video: Courage to Shine
• Bible Study: John 1:4-7

This Week's Table Talk: Lightgliders

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Message

This week the kids are learning about what it means to be a Lightglider. Lightgliders is a story that they get to enter into and become one of the characters. They rescue Gliddles, battle Machines, and clear the blight. It's a lot of fun, but it's so much more than that.

Lightgliders is a story that points to a far greater truth. Kids were made to live lives of hope and purpose. Kids were made to shine. As a Lightglider, your kids will learn to respect, to rescue, and to restore.  We respect each other in Lightglider Academy.  We rescue Gliddles from the clutches of the Machines.  And we restore the land from the blight that is causing so much destruction. It makes for fun gameplay, but it also points to the Far Greater Story, the story of God’s love for us found in the Bible.  

We want kids to know that every time they put others before themselves, they are shining light in the darkness. 

Verse

"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."~Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What do you think it means to put others before yourself?
• What is an example of sacrificing something you want so that you can give someone something they want?
• In what ways are you a Lightgider?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: What is a Lightglider?
• Prayer Video: Hear My Prayer
• Bible Study: Matthew 5:14-16

Meaningful Conversation Starters

• Do you give your best in everything you do?
• Are you a responsible person?
• What does responsibility look like to you?

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Message

Our last Gliddle Principle is Responsibility! That is a big word that can be carried out in small ways. To be responsible means to do the very best we can in everything that we do and everything we have. This includes schoolwork, homework, friendships, extracurricular activities, and even the time in our day. Being responsible in the “little” things will lead to greater responsibilities to come. When we are responsible it shows that we are living with respect for everything we’ve been given. When we use our time and talents in ways that please God, we are acting responsibly!

Verse

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."~ Colossians 3:23 (NLT)

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Stewardship
• Prayer Video: Prayer for Responsibility
• Bible Study: Colossians 3:23

Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does kindness look like to you?
• When has someone been kind to you?
• Where could you show more kindness?

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Message

Our next Gliddle Principle is Kindness. Lightgliders look to show kindness to others through their words and acts of service. In the game world, Lightgliders show kindness to others by giving out boosts and by rescuing Gliddles. Kids need to know that their acts of kindness are not always grand gestures for all the world to see. Kindness can be demonstrated in small ways, like smiling or giving a friend a high-five or introducing yourself to someone new at school. Showing kindness is a Gliddle principle that we all can choose to live with every day. Kindness shines light in dark places!

Verse

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."~ Colossians 3:12 (NLT)

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Kindness
• Prayer Video: Prayer for Kindness
• Bible Study: Colossians 3:12

This week we’re starting a new unit called “Gliddle Principles!” Over the next three weeks, we will focus on three character qualities to live with - Honesty, Kindness, and Responsibility! 

Message

As Lightgliders, we want to grow in our love for God and for those around us. One way we can show love and care to people in our lives is by being honest. Being honest means always being truthful in our words. Honesty with ourselves and one another shows respect for what God has created. Kids are sometimes quick to protect themselves by telling “little white lies” to keep from getting in trouble. They can see protecting themselves as a better option than being honest and accepting a consequence. But, kids need to know that being honest encourages others and shows that they can be trusted. Speaking the truth is a powerful way to show respect to others and to honor God. 

Verse

"Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.'"~ Colossians 3:9 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• Are you an honest person?
• When has dishonesty hurt you?
• How can you grow in honesty?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Honesty
• Prayer Video: Prayer for Honesty
• Bible Study: Colossians 3:9

We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own way. They each have a word that describes their uniqueness.  

Message

As kids catch a vision for how they were uniquely made to shine, it is important to understand that God wants to do good things in and through them. Through the Lightglider goals of Respect, Rescue and Restore, we hope to give some examples of what good things could look like in daily life. God’s goodness can be displayed to the world through our thoughts, words and actions. When kids believe the truth that God has designed them to do good things that only they can do, their lives become purposeful adventures filled with faith, hope, and love.  

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'"~ Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What are some of the good things God has done through you?
• What makes it hard to do good things sometimes?
• How do you know when you are doing good things?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Good Things
• Prayer Video: The Lord Directs My Steps
• Bible Study: Ephesians 2:10

We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own way. They each have a word that describes their uniqueness.  

Message

Last but certainly not least, we are ending our introduction of the Lightglider leaders with the one and only Santiago! From Honduras, Santiago is creative and joyful, and spreads beauty and life to the world. With all that is serious and challenging in life, Santiago reminds us of the importance of laughter, singing and expressions of creativity. He seeks to spread joy wherever he goes and he looks for the beauty in everything and everyone. Santiago seeks to spark joy and hope in others because he knows it can spread like a fire.  

Verse

"The joy of the Lord is your strength.'"~ Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What brings you joy?
• How do you spread joy?
• Who in your life could you give joy to this week?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Santiago's Story
• Prayer Video: The Lord Has Done Great Things
• Bible Study: Nehemiah 8:10

We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own way. They each have a word that describes their uniqueness.  

Message

We want you to meet our favorite adventurer, Tova. From the United Kingdom, Tova brings a carefree and loving attitude wherever she goes. And she goes to lots of places! Tova sees each day as an opportunity to embark upon purposeful adventures, and she looks to show care and compassion along the way. Tova is always open to new experiences, even ones without much planning or structure. She knows that every situation and interaction offers an opportunity to be a sample of God's love. She doesn't need a plan or strategy. She knows that what she needs is a caring heart led by God's Spirit.

Verse

"Jesus replied, 'You must love your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the greatest commandment. A second is equally important, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"~ Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does it mean to go on a purposeful adventure?
• Have you ever been helped by someone you didn't know very well?
• Think of three hurting people or situations. How can you bring love to them?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Tova's Story
• Prayer Video: A New Commandment
• Bible Study: Matthew 22:37-29

We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own way. They each have a word that describes their uniqueness.  

Message

This week, we want to introduce you to Marlon. From the United States, Marlon is smart and confident and seeks to learn and defend truth. Kids will find Marlon hanging out in the Lightglider Academy Library. Marlon loves having discussions about why we believe the things we do. He will encourage you to think and ask questions. In a world of competing ideas and philosophies, Marlon is confident that a biblical worldview explains reality and answers life's biggest questions better than any other philosophy or religion.

Verse

"Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and all the people."~ Luke 2:52 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• Why can we trust the Bible?
• What are ways to grow in wisdom and stature?
• Who do you go to when you have questions?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Marlon's Story
• Prayer Video: Prayer for Understanding
• Bible Study: Luke 2:52

We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own way. They each have a word that describes their uniqueness.  

Message

Our next Lightglider leader comes to us all the way from India. Nisha is quiet and wise and seeks to serve through prayer and hospitality. Here we have another example for kids of a type of leader who may not have the most prominent role, but makes a tremendous impact using her uniqueness. One who is quiet and listens can better understand and serve the needs of others. Nisha didn't know what she had to offer until someone thanked her for always doing the little things that seemed to go unnoticed. Now she understands that the little things make a big difference!

Verse

"But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must first be your servant..."~ Mark 10:43 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• Who do you know who is quiet and wise?
• What does it mean to show hospitality?
• In what ways might you serve those around you today?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Nisha's Story
• Prayer Video: Love is Patient and Kind
• Bible Study: Mark 10:43

We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own way. They each have a word that describes their uniqueness.  

Message

Meet our behind the scenes innovator, Kwan! From South Korea, Kwan is humble and encouraging and seeks to use his gifts to assist other Lightgliders on their missions. From Kwan, kids who may not feel comfortable in the spotlight can identify ways they too can make a significant impact on a team. Kwan uses his gifts to support others. He knows that the greater mission to Respect, Rescue, and Restore our broken world requires that everyone work together using their unique gifts.

Verse

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love."~ Galatians 5:13 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does it mean to work behind the scenes?
• Who is a good example of someone who leads with humility?
• Who needs your support and encouragement today?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Kwan's Story
• Prayer Video: Fruit of the Spirit
• Bible Study: Galatians 5:13

We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own way. They each have a word that describes their uniqueness.  

Message

The next leader we are spotlighting in Lightglider Academy is Tambika! From Tanzania, Tambika is ambitious and outgoing, and seeks to serve in leadership roles. Tambika encourages Lightgliders to discover their gifts and passions so they may lead the way God uniquely designed them to lead. Tambika is a great example of leadership being first and foremost about serving others.

Verse

"If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."~ Romans 12:8 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does it mean to be a leader by first becoming a servant?
• In what ways could you be a servant leader?
• What are your gifts and talents and how could you use them to love and serve others?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Tambika's Story
• Prayer Video: Following God
• Bible Study: Romans 12:8

We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own way. They each have a word that describes their uniqueness.  

Message

The first leader at Lightglider Academy is Bryce. He directs fellow Lightgliders on missions into the Yonders where they rescue Gliddles and restore the land. From Australia, Bryce is bold and winsome, and is passionate about sharing truth with his friends. Bryce teaches kids that living for something greater than themselves is the secret to living a life of purpose. It takes courage and faith, but it is an incredible adventure to love others and share the good news of the gospel. The word that summarizes Bryce is "Go."

Verse

"And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone."~ Mark 16:15 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What meaningful moments has God used in your life?
• What does it mean to live for something greater than yourself?
• Who do you know who needs to hear the good news of the gospel?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Bryce's Story
• Prayer Video: Love is not Rude
• Bible Study: Mark 16:15

Message

A role model is defined as "a person looked to by others as an example to be imitated." Kids adopt role models based upon what appeals to them on a daily basis. That is why athletes, actors, and musicians are often chosen. Culture is inundated with these celebrity personalities.

However, kids are also greatly attracted to the feelings associated with being known and loved. No one knows and loves a child more than an engaged parent. You could be the greatest role model your child ever has. That is both a daunting challenge and an awesome opportunity!

One of the greatest responsibilities of parents is to be a role model for their children and to steer them toward other positive role models. In Lightgliders right now the kids are learning about the seven leaders in Lightglider Academy. From left to right they are Santiago from Honduras, Kwan from South Korea, Tova from Great Britain, Tambika from Tanzania, Bryce from Australia, Nisha from India, and Marlon from the United States. Each has a unique personality, set of gifts, and story. They aren't perfect, but they were created to showcase what it means to live a life of purpose and service.

A life of purpose and service is worth imitating. Thank you, parents, for modeling this in your home and for making your children feel known and loved.

Verse

"Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith."~ Hebrews 13:7 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• Who do you look up to?
• Who can show you how to walk with God?
• How can you be a role model for others?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: What does it mean to shine?
• Prayer Video: Prayer for Strength
• Bible Study: Hebrews 13:7

Message

This week we are talking about the value of love. Love is significant because it motivates everything we do both inside and outside Lightglider Academy. God wants us to live knowing that we are loved. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is the proof that God loves us. Only when we live truly knowing that we are loved can we love others in return. We can love God. We can love others. We can love ourselves. An important question to always be asking is "What does love look like here?" Lightgliders look for ways to be a sample of love wherever they go.

Verse

"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."~John 13:24 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• How can we know that God loves us?
• Why should we love others, even when they don't seem to love us back?
• What does love look like here?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: The Value of Love
• Prayer Video: Strength to Love
• Bible Study: John 13:34

At Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Unlike most philosophies or religions, at the heart of Christianity is a historical event.  So, it can be investigated.  If true, it validates Jesus’ teachings, his claim to be God, and his authority to call us to believe in him and receive eternal life.  If false, it is the most impactful hoax, whether intended or not, in all of human history.

Like any investigation, we have to look at the facts of the Easter event.  Despite different beliefs and opinions concerning the gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus, the following events are considered knowable history by virtually all scholars:

• Jesus was a man who lived in the 1st century and claimed to be God, the promised Messiah.
• People who heard him speak saw him do things that appeared to be miracles.
• He convinced many of his disciples that he was God.
• He died due to the rigors of Roman crucifixion.
• He was buried.
• His death caused his disciples to despair and lose hope.
• He was buried in a tomb that was discovered to be empty just a few days later.
• The disciples and others had overwhelmingly real experiences that they believed were literal appearances of the risen Jesus.
• Because of these experiences, the disciples were transformed from doubters afraid to identify themselves with Jesus to bold proclaimers of his death and resurrection.
• Many of these disciples were killed proclaiming their belief in the message of Jesus’ divinity, death, and resurrection.

Now it’s our turn. It’s time to put the resurrection on trial and prove it wrong. How do we account for the empty tomb or the changed lives of Jesus’ disciples? Let the investigation begin! Here are a couple of quotes from prominent scholars that indicate that the resurrection could not have been an elaborate hoax.

If Jesus remained dead, how can you explain the reality of the Christian church and its phenomenal growth...All the power in Rome and of the religious establishment in Jerusalem was geared to stop the Christian faith. All they had to do was to dig up the grave and to present the corpse. They didn’t.

~Henry Schaefer III, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Georgia

Why would the apostles lie? Liars always lie for selfish reasons. If they lied, what was their motive, what did they get out of it? What they got out of it was misunderstanding, rejection, persecution, torture, and martyrdom. Hardly a list of perks!

~Peter Kreeft, Professor of Philosophy at Boston College

The resurrection is a game changer. It is the anchor upon which faith, hope, and love rest. Take time to investigate it and talk about it with your kids!

Message

Happy Easter Week! In Lightglider Academy, your kids go on rescue missions every day. But at Easter, we want to turn attention to the greatest rescue mission of all time. At the cross, Jesus lay down His life for our sins, so that we could be forgiven and live forever. And on Easter Sunday, God raised Jesus back to life. This is the most important story we can ever share with kids. It is the anchor upon which our faith and hope rest. This week we celebrate this miracle.

Verse

"They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus."~Luke 24:2-3 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• How does your family celebrate Easter?
• What miracle happened at Easter?
• Why is the cross important?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Easter
• Prayer Video: Easter
• Bible Study: Luke 24:2-3

Message

Hope is the belief that the future is bright. It is a core value of the Lightgliders. Because of God’s promises of life everlasting and a future restoration, we always have reason to live with hope no matter how hard things are right now. Hope is contagious and can be a tremendous source of encouragement to others.

Verse

"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say."~2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What are ways to live with hope and spread it to others?
• How does Jesus' love for us give us hope?
• What do you hope for in life?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: The Value of Hope
• Prayer Video: Hope in Hard Times
• Bible Study: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Message

Lightgliders live with confidence because we believe that we are extremely valuable. It is important to know that our confidence does not come from our abilities, our friends, or our moral performance. Our confidence comes from God's immeasurable love for us, which was showcased at the cross! When Lightgliders understand that their confidence is anchored upon the unchanging rock of God's love, they will walk with the courage and boldness required to shine in dark places, to stand up for what is right, and to repent to God when they make mistakes.

Verse

"Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence."~Ephesians 3:12 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• How does understanding God's love impact our confidence?
• What is the difference between worldly confidence and godly confidence?
• What is an example of a time when you stood up for what was right?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: The Value of Confidence
• Prayer Video: Confidence in God's Love
• Bible Study: Ephesians 3:12-13

Message

To live with purpose means to live with the belief that your life matters and that you can make an impact on the world around you. We want kids to catch a vision of what it means to live a life of purpose at a young age. Every day Lightgliders go on missions to impact the game world. In the same way, kids have opportunities each day to make an impact on the real world in the ways they respect, love, and serve others. This begins by believing the truth that there is a God, that He loves you, and that He created you for a purpose.

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."~Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• In what ways do you live with a sense of purpose?
• What does it mean to you to be 'God's masterpiece?'
• How do you or could you impact the world in a positive way?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: The Value of Purpose
• Prayer Video: Living with Purpose
• Bible Study: Ephesians 2:8-10

Message

This week the Lightgliders are starting a new unit about the importance of values. Values are defined as principles upon which we build our lives. They help guide our thoughts, decisions, and behaviors. Most every family, community and culture lives by a set of values.

Lightgliders seek to live with five values: purpose, humility, confidence, hope, and love. And these values are supported by a biblical worldview:

• Purpose: Because God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27), our lives matter. They have purpose.
• Humility: No one is perfect; we all fall short of God's moral standard (Romans 3:23). A deep understanding of this produces a life of humility.
• Confidence: Knowing that God loves us and that Jesus paid for our sins at the cross despite our shortcomings generates a strong sense of confidence (Ephesians 2:8-10). We are greatly loved by the only One who matters!
• Hope: Because the future is in God's hands and that He promises to restore the brokenness, we can always look to the future with hope believing good things are coming. When we live with hope, we give hope to others (Romans 15:13).
• Love: With Jesus as our example, we seek to love. Such love is not a feeling. It is a choice that inspires action by putting the needs of others before our own (John 15:13).

Just like a good seed properly nourished helps to produce a beautiful tree, good values help to produce beautiful lives.

Verse

"A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit."~Matthew 7:17 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What are values and why are they important?
• What are some examples of values?
• What are our family's five core values?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: What's a Value?
• Prayer Video: Thank You For My Family
• Bible Study: Matthew 7:17-20

Message

The third and final goal of a Lightglider is to RESTORE. To restore means to bring something back to the way that it was meant to be. The Scriptures tell us that one day God will restore this broken world. To serve as a signpost of what is to come, Lightgliders seek to restore the beauty, purpose, joy, and dignity of this world and the people in it. We teach the goal to restore in the Lightgliders game world through missions to restore the land from the blight. Blight is a dark, gloomy substance that can only be cleared with the light from a Lightglider. In the same way, God’s light can shine through His kids in ways that inspire help, healing, and hope to a world that needs it. Talk to your Lightgliders about how they were uniquely made to shine!

Verse

"For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets."~Acts 3:21 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does it mean to restore something?
• How can we work for restoration in the world through our words and actions?
• What are some things in your world that are broken and are in need of restoration?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: The Goal to Restore
• Prayer Video: Love Cares
• Bible Study: Acts 3:19-21

Message

The second goal of a Lightglider is to RESCUE. Because of sin, there are forces in us and around us that take away joy, freedom and dignity. Kids need to understand that they will encounter sin and selfishness in the world and in their own hearts as well. This sin and selfishness is the cause of the pain and hurt in the world and in their lives. By God’s grace, Jesus came to earth and rescued us from all sin and brokenness. We want each kid to know this hopeful news and that they are actually invited to join the example of Christ by laying down their lives for the sake of others. It begins by loving those around them.

Verse

"Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live."~Galatians 1:4 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• Why do we need to be rescued?
• Who has been affected negatively by sin and selfishness?
• How could you lay down your life to help another this week?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: The Goal to Rescue
• Prayer Video: Prayer for Another
• Bible Study: Galatians 1:3-5

Message

The first goal of a Lightglider is to RESPECT. Because God created each human being in His image, everyone is valuable and worthy of honor and respect. Therefore, Lightgliders seek to live with RESPECT for themselves and for each other. We can acknowledge God’s image in others through respect. A friendly face, a listening ear, and a word of encouragement are some of the many ways to show respect. No matter what they look like or where they are from, everyone bears the image of God.  

Verse

"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."~Romans 12:10 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• Why does everyone deserve respect?
• What are ways to show respect to yourself?
• What are ways to show respect to others?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: The Goal to Respect
• Prayer Video: Forgive One Another
• Bible Study: Romans 12:9-11

Message

This week we are starting a new unit about goals. And we are discussing the three goals of a Lightglider -- RESPECT, RESCUE and RESTORE. Lightgliders seek to live with respect for themselves and for each other, to help rescue those facing dangerous situations, and to work to restore the world to its intended beauty and purpose. There are intentional ways that kids pursue these goals in the gameplay that would be a fun conversation starter with your Lightgliders. But, the important thing to know is that these goals are informed by a biblical worldview in the following manner:

• Respect: Because we were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), there is an inherent dignity within us all. For this reason, every human being is worthy of respect.
• Rescue: To rescue means to save another from a dangerous situation. Jesus rescued us from the destruction caused by our sin and selfishness when he took our sins upon himself on the cross (II Corinthians 5:21). When we seek for others to be rescued, we are mirroring the mission of Jesus.
• Restore: To restore means to bring something back to the way that it was meant to be. The Scriptures tell us that one day God will restore this broken world (Acts 3:21). To serve as a signpost of what is to come, Lightgliders seek to restore the beauty, purpose, joy, dignity, and freedom of this world and everyone in it in small ways each and every day.

Setting goals is a helpful way to focus the time, energy, and gifts that God has given us.

Verse

"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."~Philippians 3:14 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What are goals and why are they important?
• What goals would you like to pursue?
  
• What is one way you can show respect today?
• What did Jesus come to rescue us from?
• What does it mean to restore?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: Lightglider Goals
• Prayer Video: Prayer for Wisdom
• Bible Study: Philippians 3:12-14

Message

The Lightglider story points to the Far Greater Story of God’s love for us revealed in the ministry of Jesus. Within the game of Lightgliders, our goals are to RESPECT, RESCUE, and RESTORE. We have these goals because we want to teach kids the Far Greater Story of God’s love. He created us in His image, so we all are worthy of respect. He rescues us from our sin through His Son, Jesus Christ.  And He will restore this broken world one day. Knowing the Far Greater Story enables us to live with purpose, hope, and love.

Verse

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God."~Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• How can we best learn about and imitate God's love?
• How can Jesus be our example?
• How does knowing God's story help us to live ours?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: An Example to Follow
• Prayer Video: Why We Love
• Bible Study: Ephesians 5:1-2

Message

Did you know that a majority of kids today grow up thinking that life has little to no purpose? It is for this reason that we want kids worldwide to know that they were “Made To Shine.” This is why Lightgliders exists! Kids were uniquely created by God (i.e., Made) to love Him and love others (i.e., to Shine). Their lives have incredible purpose and, once they discover this powerful truth, they will begin exploring how their unique interests, personalities, and talents can be used to make an impact on the world around them. God loves His children and created them to live lives of purpose. It is a responsibility and privilege to talk with kids about how they were uniquely created to shine!

With a lot of darkness in our world, that can feel like a big responsibility. The good news, though, is that we have Jesus Christ as our example! The Bible tells us that Jesus shares light that will never go out:

Verse

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."~John 1:5 (NLT)

God sent His Son Jesus to shine in the world and save us. To show and to share God's love is to shine light in the darkness!

Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What do you think it means to shine?
• How were you uniquely made to love God and love others?
• How could your interests, personality or talents be used to shine?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: The Power of Light
• Prayer Video: Courage to Shine
• Bible Study: John 1:4-7

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                                            This Week's Table Talk:

                                                      Lightgliders

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Message

This week the kids are learning about what it means to be a Lightglider. Lightgliders is a story that they get to enter into and become one of the characters. They rescue Gliddles, battle Machines, and clear the blight. It's a lot of fun, but it's so much more than that.

Lightgliders is a story that points to a far greater truth. Kids were made to live lives of hope and purpose. Kids were made to shine. As a Lightglider, your kids will learn to respect, to rescue, and to restore.  We respect each other in Lightglider Academy.  We rescue Gliddles from the clutches of the Machines.  And we restore the land from the blight that is causing so much destruction. It makes for fun gameplay, but it also points to the Far Greater Story, the story of God’s love for us found in the Bible.  

We want kids to know that every time they put others before themselves, they are shining light in the darkness.

Verse

"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

~Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What do you think it means to put others before yourself?
• What is an example of sacrificing something you want so that you can give someone something they want?
• In what ways are you a Lightgider?

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Things To Do With Your Kids

Click on the “Theme of the Week” button located on the front page of Lightgliders. Inside it are videos and activities to spark good conversations. This week’s include:

• Spark Video: What is a Lightglider?
• Prayer Video: Hear My Prayer
• Bible Study: Matthew 5:14-16

                             This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                 Love

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Message

We are talking about the fifth and final Lightglider value this week, the value of love. Love is significant because it motivates everything we do both inside and outside Lightglider Academy. God wants us to live knowing that we are loved. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is the proof that God loves us. If we live truly knowing that we are loved, we can love. We can love God. We can love others. We can love ourselves. An important question to always be asking is "What does love look like here?" Lightgliders look for ways to be a sample of love wherever they go. 

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Verse

"So now I am giving you a new commandment: love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."    ~John 13:34 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• How can we know that God loves us?
• Why should we love others, even when they don't seem to love us back? 
• What does love look like here?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: The Value of Love

To love means to put the needs of others ahead of your own. That is a choice you have to make. 

Prayer Video: Prayer For Healing

We learn from the Scriptures that we can ask for healing of hearts, minds and bodies!

                             
                                         This Week In Lightgliders: 

                                                          Hope

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Message

This week we are learning about the Lightglider value of hope. To live with hope means to believe that the future will get brighter no matter what. We want kids to know that our hope comes from the resurrection of Jesus and His promise to return to restore God's kingdom. We can look forward to a day with no more pain, suffering and sadness. The great thing about living with hope is that it can spread to others as we live, serve and love one another! We want to see kids living with hope because, no matter how hard life gets, there is a reason to look forward to the future ahead.  Because of Jesus, the future will get brighter!

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Verse

"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say."      ~II Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• How did God give us a "wonderful hope?"
• What does it mean to live with hope?
• What are ways to spread hope to others? 

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: The Value of Hope

No matter how hard life gets, with Jesus our future always looks brighter.

Prayer Video: The Lord Has Done Great Things 

We worship the Lord when we are able to give thanks and celebrate the great things God has done in our lives, and when we live with hope for what He is going to do.

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                                         This Week In Lightgliders: 

                                                     Confidence

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Message

Lightgliders live with confidence because we believe that we are extremely valuable. It is important to know that our confidence does not come from our abilities, our friends, or our moral performance. Our confidence comes from God's immeasurable love for us, which was showcased at the cross! When Lightgliders understand that their confidence is anchored upon the unchanging rock of God's love, they will walk with the courage and boldness required to shine in dark places, to stand up for what is right, and to repent to God when they make mistakes. 

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Verse

"Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence."      ~Ephesians 3:12 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• How does understanding God's love impact our confidence?
• What is the difference between worldly confidence and godly confidence? 
• What is an example of a time when you stood up for what was right?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: The Value of Confidence

We all need to remember that our security and value comes from God and not from the world around us. 

Prayer Video: As Far As The East Is From The West

Pray this prayer of repentance and ask God for His forgiveness.

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders: 

                                                         Humility

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Message

This week we are introducing the Lightglider value of humility. We learned last week about the Lightglider value of purpose and how our lives matter because God created us. Even though God has uniquely created each of us to shine like stars in the universe, we must come to an understanding that we are not perfect. The sin and selfishness that began in the Garden of Eden carries on today in every human heart and causes division, brokenness, and strife. Admitting our need for God's love and forgiveness requires humility. Living with humility means to acknowledge our weaknesses and to live with dependence upon God's love, and not upon our own talents and successes which will eventually fail us. Only with humble hearts can we take the focus of ourselves, receive God's love, and truly focus on the needs of others.

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Verse

     "Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.                             Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."    ~Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does it mean to be humble?
• When did you put someone else's needs before your own today? 
• What is one area of weakness you need God's help?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.

Spark Video: The Value of Humility

We all have our own strengths and weaknesses. To be humble means to not think of yourself as better                 than others.

Prayer Video: Prayer of Repentance

We all fall short of the glory God intended. God calls us to repent, which means to turn from our sin and                turn to God.

                                          This Week In Lightgliders: 

                                                        Purpose

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Message

To live with purpose means to live with the belief that your life matters and that you can make an impact on the world around you. We want kids to catch a vision of what it means to live a life of purpose at a young age. Every day Lightgliders go on missions to impact the game world. In the same way, kids have opportunities each day to make an impact on the real world in the ways they respect, love, and serve others. This begins by believing the truth that there is a God, He loves you, and He created you for a purpose.

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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."      ~Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• Do you know that God loves you? How do you know this?
• How do you or could you live each day with a sense of purpose? 
• How do you or could you impact the world in a positive way?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.

Spark Video: The Value of Purpose

When you live with a sense of purpose, your actions become significant and impactful. Every day provides a new opportunity to make a difference.

Prayer Video: The Prayer or Jabez

We should strive to do everything with excellence. We need God's help and blessing to do so.

                                          This Week In Lightgliders: 

                                                        Five Values

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             We are beginning a new unit in Lightgliders learning about the Five Lightglider Values. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The theme verses are found in Matthew 7:17-18.

                      "A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't 

                                            produce bad fruit and a bad tree can't produce good fruit."

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Message

This week the Lightgliders are learning about values. At Lightglider Academy, values are defined as principles upon which we build our lives. Values help guide thoughts, decisions, and behaviors. Most every family, community and culture lives by a set of values.

Lightgliders seek to live with five values: purpose, humility, confidence, hope, and love. And these values are supported by a biblical worldview:

• Purpose: Because God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27), our lives matter. They have purpose.
• Humility: No one is perfect; we all fall short of God's moral standard (Romans 3:23). A deep understanding of this produces a life of humility.
• Confidence:  Knowing that God loves us and that Jesus paid for our sins at the cross despite our shortcomings generates a strong sense of confidence (Ephesians 2:8-10). We are greatly loved by the only One who matters!
• Hope: Because the future is in God's hands and that He promises to restore the brokenness, we can always look to the future with hope believing good things are coming. When we live with hope, we give hope to others (Romans 15:13).
• Love: With Jesus as our example, we seek to love. Such love is not a feeling. It is a choice that inspires action by putting the needs of others before our own (John 15:13). 

Just like a good seed properly nourished helps to produce a beautiful tree, good values help to produce beautiful lives.

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Verse

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."                                                                                 ~Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What is a value? 
• What are some examples of values?
• What are our family's five core values? 
• What are the Lightglider values? 
• How do the Lightglider values come from a biblical worldview? 

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.

Spark Video: What is a Value?

A value is a principle upon which we build our lives. It helps guide our thoughts, our decisions, and our behaviors. Values can inspire us to do great things!

Prayer Video: The Fruit of the Spirit

Take time to pray for the Fruit of the Spirit to be evident in your hearts today. 

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                    Caring for Self 

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                                                           Caring for the world around us!

Message

While we've been talking about caring for the people and world around us, it is equally important to care for our own selves. The greatest thing that God has given us to manage faithfully is our own lives!Sometimes it can be hard to love our selves when we mess us and hurt others, or when we are disobedient to God. However, it is important to remember that God loves us and sent Jesus to die for our sins - He cares for us and loves us even though He knows we are sinful people!If God can continue to love us, then we must love ourselves!We love ourselves by: eating healthy, taking time to rest, spending time in play/doing things we love, spending time with people, and spending time with God.

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Verse

"A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'."   ~Matthew 22:39 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does it mean to love yourself?
• How can knowing that God loves you - and will always love you - help you love yourself?
• How can loving yourself help you love those around you?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.

Spark Video: Time to Rest

Taking time to rest will help us to keep shining.

Mission Video: A Prayer for Peace

God wants us to be at peace and not worry about things in our live that can make us anxious.

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                       Stewardship

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                                                           Caring for the world around us! 

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Message

To steward means to manage God's resources faithfully. He has put each of us in charge of different things: our passions, talents, abilities, and the world around us. Managing each of these things means that we don't waste what God has given us and we take care of the things He has trusted us with.With the gifts He has given us - wisdom, hospitality, service, encouragement - we can faithfully steward them by using them to love and serve the people and world around us! We can use our gifts and passions to bring glory to God.

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Verse

"God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another."   ~1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What have you been given to steward?
• What is one action you can take this week to care for the world around you?
• How can you use something you are good at to bring glory to God?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.

Spark Video: Stewardship

We have the responsibility to care for the things that have been given to us.

Mission Video: Prayer of Jabez

We should strive to do everything we do with excellence, and we need God's blessing and support to do so.

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                       Faithfulness

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                                                           Caring for the world around us! 

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Message

Last week we talked about how our motivations can lead us to either restore through love or destroy through hate. God has given us the great responsibility to restore the world around us out of love, and to be faithful in that quest! We are to be faithful even in the smallest of things, because God has been faithful to us.

Even when we mess up and sin against Him, God is faithful to continue to love us and restore us.

We can be faithful because God is faithful!

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Verse

"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities."   ~Luke 16:10 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What are all the areas of your life that require faithfulness?
• When is it hard to be faithful?
• Has anyone ever shown faithfulness to you?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.

Spark Video: Faithful

We manage what we are given faithfully with wisdom and generosity.

Mission Video: A Prayer for School

With God's power, we can make an impact on our schools.

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                      Motivations

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                         In our next unit, we are learning about caring for the world around us.

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Message

Over the next four weeks we will be looking at caring for the world around us - recognizing that everything we have is God's, and we have the responsibility to manage it faithfully. We are starting with Motivations. All of our actions are motivated by something. When we are motivated by love, we seek to restore. When we are motivated by hate, we seek to destroy. As Lightgliders, motivated by God's love for us and our love for the world around us, we seek to use our talents to help others, to care for the world around us, and to honor God with what He's given us. When love motivates our actions, we will shine out to the world around us!

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Verse

"For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus...what is important is faith expressing itself in love."   
~Galatians 5:6 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What are you motivated by?
• What is something you can do out of love to shine your light in the world this week? 
• What makes you frustrated or angry?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.

Spark Video: Motivated by Love

Love motivates restoration. Hate motivates destruction.

Mission Video: Why We Love

God's love is the foundation for our lives. God showed us His love by sending Jesus to pay for our sins on the cross.

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                     Restore Week

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We are learning about the Three Goals of a Lightglider--to respect, to rescue, and to restore. The theme verse for this Unit is Proverbs 16:9 (NLT).

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps."

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Message

The third and final goal of a Lightglider is to Restore. To restore means to bring something back to the way that it was meant to be. The Scriptures tell us that one day God will restore this broken world. To serve as a signpost of what is to come, Lightgliders seek to restore the beauty, purpose, joy, and dignity of this world and the people in it. We teach the goal to restore in the Lightgliders game world through missions to restore the land from the blight. Blight is a dark, gloomy substance that can only be cleared with the light from a Lightglider. In the same way, God’s light can shine through His kids in ways that inspire help, healing, and hope to a world that needs it. Talk to your Lightgliders about how they were uniquely created to shine!

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Verse

"For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets."   ~Acts 3:21 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does it mean to restore something?
• What are some things in your world that are broken and are in need of restoration?
• What are some ways for you to work for restoration in the world?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week. 

Spark Video: The Goal to Restore

The broken world around us needs to be restored. We can work to be a part of this healing in our lives and in the world around us! 

Mission Video:  Restore

Gliddles take time to explain the heart behind the mission to Restore!

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                     Rescue Week

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We are learning about the Three Goals of a Lightglider--to respect, to rescue, and to restore. The theme verse for this Unit is Proverbs 16:9 (NLT).

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps."

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Message

The second goal of a Lightglider is to rescue. Because of sin, there are forces in us and around us that take away joy, freedom and dignity. Kids need to understand that they will encounter sin and selfishness in the world and in their our own hearts as well. By God’s grace, Jesus came to earth and rescued us from all sin and brokenness. We want each kid to know they are invited to join the example of Christ by laying down their lives for the sake of others. It begins by loving those around you.

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Verse

"Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live."   ~Galatians 1:4 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• Why do we need to be rescued?
• Who has been affected negatively by sin and selfishness?
• How could you lay down your life to help another this week?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.

Spark Video: The Goal to Rescue

One goal of a Lightglider is to rescue those in dangerous situations. We do this because Jesus first rescued us.

Mission Video:  Rescue

Gliddles take time to explain the heart behind the mission to Rescue!

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                                         This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                    Respect Week

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We are  learning about the Three Goals of a Lightglider—to respect, to rescue, and to restore. The theme verse for this Unit is Proverbs 16:9 (NLT).

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps."

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Message

Over the next three weeks, we will be teaching the kids the Three Goals of a Lightglider. We are starting with the goal to Respect. Because God created each human being in His image, everyone is valuable and worthy of honor and respect. Therefore, Lightgliders seek to live with RESPECT for themselves and for each other. Inside the game world and outside in the real world, Lightgliders acknowledge the inherent dignity given to all of God’s beloved image-bearers.

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Verse

"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."   ~Romans 12:10 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• Why does everyone deserve respect?
• What are ways to show respect to yourself? 
• How did you show respect to another today?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.

Spark Video: The Goal to Respect

It is the mission of a Lightglider to treat others with respect, even when it is difficult to do so.

Mission Video: Respect

Gliddles take time to explain the heart behind the mission to Respect!

                                            This Week's Table Talk:

                                                      Three Goals

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Message

This week we are learning about goals and, specifically, the three goals of a Lightglider -- Respect, Rescue, and Restore. Lightgliders seek to live with respect for themselves and for each other, to help rescue those facing dangerous situations, and to work to restore the world to its intended beauty and purpose. There are specific ways that kids pursue these goals in the gameplay that they can tell you about. But, the important thing to know is that these goals are informed by a biblical worldview in the following manner:

• Respect: Because we were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), there is an inherent dignity within us all. For this reason, every human being is worthy of respect. 
• Rescue: To rescue means to save another from a dangerous situation. Jesus rescued us from the destruction caused by our sin and selfishness when he took our sins upon himself on the cross (II Corinthians 5:21). When we seek for others to be rescued, we are mirroring the mission of Jesus.
• Restore: To restore means to bring something back to the way that it was meant to me. The Scriptures tell us that one day God will restore this broken world (Acts 3:21). To serve as a signpost of what is to come, Lightgliders seek to restore the beauty, purpose, joy, dignity, and freedom of this world and everyone in it in small ways each and every day.

Setting goals is a helpful way to focus the time, energy, and gifts that God has given us.

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Verse

"No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."   ~Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What are goals and why are they important?
• What is one way you can show respect today?
• What did Jesus come to rescue us from?
• What does it mean to restore?
• What goals would you like to pursue? 

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.

Spark Video: An Example To Follow

Lightglider Academy was created for the purpose of teaching the goals of Respect, Rescue and Restore.  Jesus is the perfect example of one worth following.

Prayer Video: Forgive One Another

Ask the Lord to help you forgive people in your life that have hurt you. 

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                                         This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                   Made To Shine

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Message

Did you know that a majority of kids today grow up thinking that life has little to no purpose? It is for this reason that we want kids worldwide to know that they were “Made To Shine.” This is why Lightgliders exists! Kids were uniquely created by God (i.e., Made) to love Him and love others (i.e., to Shine). Their lives have incredible purpose and, once they discover this powerful truth, they will begin exploring how their unique interests, personalities, and talents can be used to make an impact on the world around them. God loves His children and created them to live lives of purpose. It is a responsibility and privilege to talk with kids about how they were uniquely created to shine!

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Verse

"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."   ~Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What do you think it means to shine?
• How are you uniquely made to shine?
• How could your interests, personality or talents be used to shine?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.

Spark Video: Made To Shine

How does God want to use the way He created you to impact the world and serve others?

Prayer Video: He Must Increase

Sometimes we must humble ourselves in order to make the name of Jesus great!

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                  Show God's Love

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We are doing a three-part series called "Know, Grow, Show." This discipleship model is helpful in equipping kids to follow Jesus. All of life is about knowing, growing in, and showing God's love!

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Message

We've learned about how to better know God's love through the Scriptures and how to better grow in God's love through prayer. Now we get to talk about how to show God's love. Filled with the knowledge and presence of God, we should in every situation ask the question, "What does love look like here?" The answer will look different in every circumstance and conversation, but it will lead to purposeful adventures each day. It may mean giving encouraging words, sharing the gospel, lending a helping hand, providing a listening ear, or being a friend to someone who needs one. Kids need to know that it will look different every time, but God can give them ideas for each and every situation. Life becomes a purposeful adventure when we live to show God's love.

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Verse

"This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace."   ~ Colossians 1:6 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What are some fun ways to share God's love with others?
• Ask this question this week: "What does love look like here?"
• Give an example of a time when you showed God's love to another.

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page in Lightgliders this week.

Spark: Purposeful Adventures

God takes us on purposeful adventures to show us where we can shine!

Prayer: Prayer For Your Neighborhood

Sometimes the best place to start showing God's love is right in your own back yard!

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                                         This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                Grow In God's Love

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We are doing a three-part series called "Know, Grow, Show." This discipleship model is helpful in equipping kids to follow Jesus. All of life is about knowing, growing in, and showing the love of God!

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Message

This week we are talking about the importance of growing in God's love. Lightgliders was designed to encourage moments of prayer because it is the best way to grow in a relationship with God. We have the opportunity every day to take what we know about God and turn it into a relationship with Him through prayer and listening. This is an on-going practice that we can take advantage of day and night. We have ultimate access to God because of what Jesus did at the cross. One of the most important things a parent can do is to teach his or her child to pray. 

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Verse

"Never stop praying."   ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) 

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What are some of your favorite ways to pray?
• What is one prayer of praise you can pray today?
• Who needs your prayers this week?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page in Lightgliders this week.

Spark: Ways to Pray

There are many ways to use prayer to grow in your relationship with God!

Prayer: Prayer of Repentance

One way to pray is to say a prayer of repentance. Pray this way today. 

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                  Know God's Love

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We are doing a three-part series called "Know, Grow, Show." This discipleship model is helpful in equipping kids to follow Jesus. All of life is about knowing, growing in, and showing the love of God!

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Message

The first part in the "Know, Grow, Show" series focuses on the importance of knowing the love of God. Kids need to know that they know that they know that God loves them and stopped at nothing to have a relationship with them. At the cross, Jesus paid the ultimate price so that our lives could be rescued from sin and secured for all eternity. The Bible is God's love letter that shares the story of God's love and plan for humanity all centered upon Jesus. Reading the Scriptures is the best way to know and be reminded of God's love. Before you can grow in or show God's love, you must know it! 

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Verse

"And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."   
~ Ephesians 3:18-19 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What Bible verse will you use as a reminder of God's love for you?
• What is one question you have about the Bible?
• With whom do you like to read the Scriptures?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page in Lightgliders this week.

Spark: Reading the Bible

The Bible teaches us what is true and important. It prepares us for a life of purpose.

Prayer: Prayer for Understanding

This is a prayer that asks for help in understanding the significance of Jesus to our lives.

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders

                                                  Santiago: "Enjoy"

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We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own unique way.

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Message

Last but certainly not least, we are ending our introduction of the Lightglider leaders with the one and only Santiago! From Honduras, Santiago is creative and joyful, and spreads beauty and life to the world. With all that is serious and challenging in life, Santiago reminds us of the importance of laughter, singing and creative expression. He seeks to spread joy wherever he goes and he looks for the beauty in everything and everyone. Santiago looks for ways to spark joy and hope in others because he knows it can spread like a fire.  

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Verse

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."   ~ Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT) 

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What brings you joy?
• How do you spread joy?
• Who in your life could you give joy to this week?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page in Lightgliders this week.

Spark: Santiago's Story 

Our final Lightglider leader is Santiago. He brings joy and life everywhere he goes!

Prayer: Fruit of the Spirit

This is a prayer that names the Fruit of the Spirit and reminds us of the need to cultivate these attributes in our lives.

                                          This Week In Lightgliders

                                                      Tova: "Care"

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We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own unique way.

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Message

We want you to meet our favorite adventurer, Tova. From the United Kingdom, Tova brings a carefree and loving attitude wherever she goes. And she goes to lots of places! Tova sees each day as an opportunity to embark upon purposeful adventures, and she looks to show care and compassion along the way. Tova is always open to new experiences, even ones without much planning or structure. She knows that every situation and interaction offers an opportunity to be a sample of God's love. She doesn't need a plan or strategy. She knows that what she needs is a caring heart led by God's Spirit.

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Verse

"Jesus replied, 'You must Love your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the greatest commandment. A second is equally important, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'."   
~ Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT) 

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does it mean to go on a purposeful adventure?
• Have you ever been helped by someone you didn't know very well?
• Think of three hurting people or situations. How can you bring love to them?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page in Lightgliders this week.

Spark: Tova's Story

Meet Tovar as she goes on purposeful adventures to care for those she meets.

Prayer: The Lord Directs My Steps

This is a prayer that God would guide us where He wants us to go, and that we might be obedient to His call. 

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders

                                                   Marlon: "Think"

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We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own unique way.

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Message

This week, we want to introduce you to Marlon. From the United States, Marlon is smart and confident and seeks to learn and defend truth. Kids will find Marlon hanging out in the Lightglider Academy Library. Marlon loves having discussions about why we believe the things we do. He will encourage you to think and ask questions. In a world of competing ideas and philosophies, Marlon is confident that a biblical worldview explains reality and answers life's biggest questions better than anything.

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Verse

"Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and all the people."   ~ Luke 2:52 (NLT) 

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• Why can we trust the Bible?
• What are ways to grow in wisdom and in stature?
• Who do you go to when you have questions?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page in Lightgliders this week.

Spark: Marlon's Story

Meet Marlon. He seeks to find the truth and to defend it, especially when it comes to the gospel.

Prayer: Prayer for Purity

This is a prayer that we might learn more about God's word and have it be a part of our daily lives. 

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders

                                                    Nisha: "Serve"

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We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own unique way.

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Message

Our next Lightglider leader comes to us all the way from India. Nisha is quiet and wise and seeks to serve through prayer and hospitality. Here we have another example for kids of a type of leader who may not have the most prominent role, but makes a tremendous impact using her uniqueness. One who is quiet and listens can better understand and serve the needs of others. Nisha didn't know what she had to offer until someone thanked her for always doing the little things that seemed to go unnoticed. Now she understands that the little things make a big difference!

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Verse

"But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must first be your servant..."   
~ Mark 10:43 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• Who do you know who is quiet and wise?
• What does it mean to show hospitality?
• In what ways might you serve those around you today?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page in Lightgliders this week.

Spark: Nisha's Story

Meet Nisha, the gentle and quiet spirit who is loving and serving others in the Academy.

Prayer: Love Cares

This is a prayer that we might have a heart for others just like God's heart for us. 

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders

                                                      Kwan: "Help"

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We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own unique way.

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Message

Meet our behind the scenes innovator, Kwan! From South Korea, Kwan is humble and encouraging and seeks to use his gifts to assist other Lightgliders on their missions. From Kwan, kids who may not feel comfortable in the spotlight can identify ways they too can make a significant impact on a team. Kwan uses his gifts to support others. He knows that the greater mission to Respect, Rescue, and Restore in our broken world requires that everyone work together using their unique gifts. 

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Verse

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love."   ~Galatians 5:13 (NLT) 

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does it mean to work behind the scenes?
• Who is a good example of someone who leads with humility?
• Who needs your support and encouragement today?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page in Lightgliders this week.

Spark: Kwan's Story 

Meet Kwan, the behind the scenes innovator at Lightglider Academy.

Prayer: Following God

Sometimes, following God means not following what other people are doing. Pray for a mind to only desire pleasing the Lord.

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders

                                                  Tambika: "Lead"

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We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own unique way.

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Message

Our second Leader in Lightglider Academy is Tambika! From Tanzania, Tambika is ambitious and outgoing, and seeks to serve in leadership roles. Tambika encourages Lightgliders to discover their gifts and passions so they may lead the way God uniquely designed them to lead. Tambika is a great example of leadership being first and foremost about serving others. 

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Verse

"If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."   ~Romans 12:8 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• In what ways could you be a servant leader?
• What does it mean to be a leader by first becoming a servant?
• What are your gifts and talents and how could you use them to love and serve others?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page in Lightgliders this week.

Spark: Tambika's Story 

Meet Tambika, the leader and administrator of Lightglider Academy.

Prayer: The Prayer of Jabez

Ask God to be with you and bless you in all you do today.

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders

                                                       Bryce: "Go"

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We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as examples to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own unique way.

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Message

The first leader at Lightglider Academy is Bryce. He directs fellow Lightgliders on missions into the Yonders where they rescue Gliddles and restore the land. From Australia, Bryce is bold and winsome, and is passionate about sharing truth with his friends. Bryce teaches kids that living for something greater than themselves is the secret to living a life of purpose. It takes courage and faith, but it is an incredible adventure to love others and share the good news of the gospel. The word that summarizes Bryce is "go." 

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Verse

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."   ~Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What meaningful moments has God used in your life?
• What does it mean to be a leader by first becoming a servant?
• Who do you know who needs to hear the good news of the gospel?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page in Lightgliders this week.

Spark: Bryce's Story 

Meet the first Lightglider leader at the Academy.

Prayer: Love is Not Rude

We can ask God to help us to love even when it is hard to do so.

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                      Good Things

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We are introducing our seven student leaders from around the world. They serve as an example to Lightgliders everywhere that they were designed by God to impact the world around them in their own unique way.

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"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

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Message

As kids catch a vision for how they were uniquely made to shine, it is important to understand that God wants to do good things in and through them. Through the Lightglider goals of Respect, Rescue and Restore, we hope to give some examples of what good things could look like in daily life. God’s goodness can be displayed to the world through our thoughts, words and actions. When kids believe the truth that God has designed them to do good things that only they can do, their lives become purposeful adventures filled with faith, hope, and love. 

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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."   ~Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters 

• What are some of the good things God has done through you?
• What makes it hard to do good things sometimes?
• How do you know when you are doing good things?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: Who are you thankful for?

Take some time to think about who you are thankful for today!

Prayer Video: Thank You For My Friends

Pray for your friends who walk alongside you each day.           

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                     Easter Week

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Message

Happy Easter Week! In Lightglider Academy, your kids go on rescue missions every day. But at Easter, we want to turn attention to the greatest rescue mission of all time. At the cross, Jesus lay down His life for our sins, so that we could be forgiven and live forever. And on Easer Sunday, God raised Jesus back to life. This is the most important story we can ever share with kids. It is the anchor upon which our faith and hope rest. This week we celebrate this miracle. 

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Verse

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and privately told them what was going to happen to him. "Listen," he said, "we're going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and teachers of the religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.~Matthew 20:17-19 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• How does your family celebrate Easter?
• What miracle happened at Easter?
• Why is the cross important?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: An Example To Follow

Jesus is our ultimate example of living with purpose, humility, confidence, hope and love. Get to know Him!

Prayer Video: Prayer for Understanding 

We want to learn from the life of Jesus. His actions and teachings help us to know the character of God.

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders:

                                               The Power of Light

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Message

One of the primary goals of a Lightglider is to clear the dark, gooey substance that is covering the land. We call that stuff the "blight" and it is destroying the land's beauty and purpose. Lightgliders use their light to clear the blight and restore the land. Use this as a teaching tool to remind your kids that light always wins over darkness.At the cross, the light of God's love penetrated the darkness and it was defeated. We can live in God's light because of what Jesus did for us at the cross. 

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Verse

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."   ~John 1:5 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What happens when you are in a dark room and someone turns the light on?
• What does it mean to live in God's light?
• In what ways can you bring light to dark places?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: The Power of Light 

God is light. He has and will defeat any and all darkness. We have an opportunity to live in God's light because of what Jesus did for us at the cross.

Prayer Video: He Must Increase

As we use our gifts and talents we must remember who gets all the glory. God gave us gifts to make his name great.

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                                          This Week In Lightgliders:

                                                Motivated By Love

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We are beginning a new 3-week unit in Lightgliders learning about the importance and power of "The Cross." The theme verses are found in Matthew 20:17-19.

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him...."they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead." 

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Message

In our cultural and political climate today, kids are seeing anger and discord be motivators for change. We want kids to be motivated by love and not hate.  Hate motivates destruction, while love motivates restoration, selflessness and other courageous actions. The cross was motivated by God's love for us! 

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Verse

"What is important is faith expressing itself in love."   ~Galatians 5:6b (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What are you motivated by?
• How can we become motivated by love?
• Why is the cross the greatest example of love?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: Be Motivated By Love

Only love can produce loving outcomes. Love motivates all the goals of a Lightglider. 

Prayer Video: Love Cares

We live in a world with a lot of brokenness and hurt. We know God will restore it all one day, but until then we seek His help and justice.

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                                           This Week's Table Talk:

                                              Relationship Part II

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Message

Trust is vital to any important relationship. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, God has proven Himself worthy of our trust. This week we are teaching Lightgliders another word for trust-- faith. To have faith in God means to trust that He exists and that He loves us. Our relationship with Him grows when we choose to believe this each day.

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Verse

"And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."   ~Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does it mean to have faith?
• What does it look like for you to put your faith in God today?
• How do we know that God is trustworthy?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: Ways To Pray

There are many ways to talk to God. The most important thing to remember is that God loves us and wants to hear our prayers. 

Prayer Video: Hope In Hard Times

There are times when it seems everything is going wrong and God is far away. We must remember that God is close to us even in hard times. 

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                                            This Week's Table Talk:

                                                Relationship Part I

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Message

Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we can have a close relationship with God. This week we want to give Lightgliders a vision for what it would look like to have a close relationship with God. When they have questions, thoughts, or just want to talk, we want Lightgliders to know they can always connect with their Father in heaven. 

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Verse

Jesus said, "Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me."   
~John 15:15 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• How do you talk to God?
• When do you find that you talk to God the most?
• What does it mean that Jesus is your friend?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: What Does It Mean To Have Faith

To have faith means to trust and believe. Just because we can't see God, doesn't mean he's not there! 

Prayer Video: Prayer for Guidance 

We can spend time dreaming about the plans God has for our future. He will guide us in all of our decisions if we let him.

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                                             This Week's Table Talk:

                                                      Restoration

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Message

When Jesus comes back, God will fully restore this broken world. And because of this promise, we can live with hope for the future. Total restoration is coming. To restore something means to bring it back to what it was meant to be. In Lightgliders, kids go on missions to restore the land from blight and bring it back to its original beauty, purpose and goodness. And we have opportunities in the real world to work for restoration around us. Actions motivated by love for God and love for other people is the way to start. We have opportunities every day to encourage beauty, purpose, and goodness.

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Verse

"Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things..."   
~Acts 3:19-21 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does it mean to restore?
• What are small ways you can work for restoration in the world around you?
• What does it mean to live with hope?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: The Goal to Restore

All of us can work for restoration in the world around us. In doing so, we serve as a signpost of what is to come.

Prayer Video: Prayer for my Neighborhood

We can make an impact in our own neighborhoods! Sometimes the best place to start living out our purpose is in our own back yard.

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                                            This Week's Table Talk:

                                                      Redemption

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Message

Now it's time for the good news! Last week we learned how fallen and stuck we are in our sin and selfishness.  But God had a master plan to rescue us. Jesus lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died, so that we could be forgiven living forever in a relationship with God. This week we are teaching the Lightgliders about 'redemption.' To redeem something means to buy it back. We want kids to know that God purchased our lives through the precious blood of Jesus on the cross. This is the ultimate rescue!

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Verse

"For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."   ~John 3:16 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does it mean to redeem something?
• If God gave his only Son for you, what does that mean about how valuable you are to God? 
• What does it mean to have eternal life?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: The Goal to Rescue

To rescue means to save another from a dangerous situation. God rescued us from our selfishness when He sent Jesus to die for our sins.

Prayer Video: Prayer for Strength

When we are having a hard time, it helps to know that when we are weak, God is strong. Where do you need God's strength today?

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                                            This Week's Table Talk:

                                                         Our Fall

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Message

This week, Lightgliders are learning that all of us, each and every one, have fallen short of God's standard. Though it is tough news to hear, it is important to acknowledge that even those who love God have contributed to the brokenness of the world. Understanding this truth is vital to believing that God is good all the time, but we can't be. Therefore, we need a Savior and we need to be rescued.

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Verse

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard."   ~Romans 3:23 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What is sin?
• Why is sin so dangerous to our relationships and our world?
• What was God's plan to save us from our brokenness?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: The Value of Humility

Being humble does means not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. True humility is taking the focus off yourself in order to focus on helping and serving others. 

Prayer Video: Prayer of Repentance

God calls us to repent, which means to turn away from our sin so that we may turn towards God. What do you need to repent for today?

                                               This Week's Table Talk:

                                                     Creation Part 2

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Message

Last week Lightgliders everywhere learned that they were created by God. The implication of this truth is that there is purpose for their lives.  This week we want kids to know that they were also not only created by God, but they were created in the image of God.  Because of this all-important truth, every human being has an inherent dignity and is worthy of respect.  Therefore, Lightgliders are to live with respect for themselves and for others.

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Verse

"So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."   ~Genesis 1:27 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What does the word respect mean?
• What are some ways that you reflect the image of God?
• What are ways to show respect to yourself and to those around you?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: The Goal to Respect

It is the goal of a Lightglider to treat others with respect. This is not always easy, especially when people are unkind. However, if we choose to honor the image of God that every person reflects, we can find a way to show respect. 

Prayer Video: Love is Patient and Kind

To better understand how to love others well, it is helpful to know what love looks like in action. Choosing to show patience and kindness in the midst of busyness or even rudeness is a way to show love. And we need to ask for God's help with this! 

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                                            This Week's Table Talk: 

                                                           Creation

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Message

This week at the Academy, we are looking at God's story from the very beginning. In order to know where we are going, it helps to know where we started! The Bible begins by telling us that God created us. If God created us, then our lives have purpose! This is such an important truth to instill into your kids each and every day.

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Verse

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."   ~Genesis 1:1 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What amazes you about God's creation?
• What does it mean to live with purpose? 
• How has God uniquely created you?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: God Gives Purpose to Life

Just as an inventor has purpose for an invention, so God the Creator has purpose for His creation. To learn more about our purpose, we must get to know our Creator. 

Prayer Video: Praise for Creation

We are grateful for the many different aspects of God's creation, so we praise Him for his creativity and power!

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                                            This Week's Table Talk: 

                                                      God's Story

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Message

This week we are talking to Lightgliders about the greatest book of wisdom and truth ever published--the Bible.  We want kids to know that the Bible was inspired by God and that it shares the story of God's love for this world and for everyone in it. The Bible reveals how God created, loves, rescues, and restores people like you and me. It is a book to read, study, and enjoy.

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Verse

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."   ~II Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What is your favorite Bible story? 
• Who is your favorite Bible character? 
• What is your favorite book of the Bible and why?
• What story or stories in the Bible show us God's love for us?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: Reading the Bible

The Bible is a book that has everything: history, adventure, wisdom, poetry and most importantly, it was inspired by God. The Bible teaches us what is true and what is important. It prepares us for a life full of purpose. 

Prayer Video: A Prayer for Understanding

The Bible tells us the story of the life of Jesus. His life and teachings help is to know God. We can ask for help in understanding God's word.

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                                            This Week's Table Talk: 

                                                       Five Values

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Message

This week the Lightgliders are learning about values. At Lightglider Academy, values are defined as principles upon which we build our lives. Values help guide thoughts, decisions, and behaviors. Most every family, community and culture lives by a set of values.

Lightgliders seek to live with five values: purpose, humility, confidence, hope, and love. And these values are supported by a biblical worldview:

• Purpose:  Because God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27), our lives matter. They have purpose.
• Humility:  No one is perfect; we all fall short of God's moral standard (Romans 3:23). A deep understanding of this produces a life of humility.
• Confidence:  Knowing that God loves us and that Jesus paid for our sins at the cross despite our shortcomings generates a strong sense of confidence (Ephesians 2:8-10). We are greatly loved by the only One who matters!
• Hope:  Because the future is in God's hands and that He promises to restore the brokenness, we can always look to the future with hope believing good things are coming. When we live with hope, we give hope to others (Romans 15:13).
• Love:  With Jesus as our example, we seek to love. Such love is not a feeling. It is a choice that inspires action by putting the needs of others before our own (John 15:13). 

Just like a good seed properly nourished helps to produce a beautiful tree, good values help to produce beautiful lives. 

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Verse

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."   ~Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What is a value? 
• What are some examples of values?
• What are our family's five core values? 
• What are the Lightglider values? 
• How do the Lightglider values come from a biblical worldview? 
  
  

Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: What is a Value?

A value is a principle upon which we build our lives. It helps guide our thoughts, our decisions, and our behaviors. Values can inspire us to do great things! 

Prayer Video: 

The Fruit of the SpiritJust as fruit is produced on the branches of a healthy tree, so is the fruit of the Spirit produced in people who walk with God.

                                             This Week's Table Talk: 

                                                     Made To Shine

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Message

The theme this week is "Made to Shine."  We want Lightgliders to recognize that they were uniquely created to make an impact on the world around them.  Every one of us was made by God to shine.  With our unique personalities and gifts, we shine the brightest when we love God and love others with all our hearts.

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Verse

"Jesus said, "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."   ~Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

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Meaningful Conversation Starters

• What do you think it means to shine?
• How are you uniquely made to shine?

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Videos to Watch With Your Kids

These videos will be located on the front page of your child's Lightglider account this week.  

Spark Video: What Does It Mean To Shine?

The only thing strong enough to defeat darkness is light. God is light and He will shine through us if we let Him! Every day we have the opportunity to be a vessel of light in our communities.

Prayer Video: He Must Increase

As we use our gifts and talents, we must remember who gets all the glory. God gave us gifts to make His name great, not our own.

The time has finally come! The newly updated version of Lightgliders, along with the Lightglider Academy MMO, is available! 

If you are currently a Lightglider linked to a Parent email address, you should migrate successfully to the newly enhanced Lightgliders.

Sign in using your Parent email and password at www.lightgliders.com. The app will be rolling out in the next few days to give you access on all your devices.

If you are new to Lightgliders, WELCOME! We are glad you are here and we hope you sign up for a free trial.

If you have any questions, email us at info@lightgliders.com.

  Glide on!

Lightglider Parents!

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It's Christmas in Lightglider Academy. The tree is up and Lightgliders from near and far are dressing up like snowmen.

We wanted to pass along a few Christmas conversation starters for you and your Lightgliders.  Our hope is that this season brings about a lot of meaningful conversations in your family.

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1. What's the best thing that has happened to you since last Christmas?
2. What's the most meaningful Christmas gift you've ever received?
3. What Christmas gift were you the most excited to give to someone?  
4. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
5. What is your favorite Christmas song? 
6. What is your favorite Christmas movie? 
7. What has been your biggest prayer over this past year?
8. Why do we celebrate the birth of Jesus?  
9. Why do you think Jesus came to earth?
10. What should we do as a family to keep Christ the focus of Christmas?  
    
    

Use one or two of these this Christmas at the dinner table or before bed. You never know when your child's heart will be open to having a meaningful conversation. We pray that the season of Christmas provides lots of opportunities to talk about Jesus. 

We wish you the merriest Christmas, Lightglider Parents! You are our heroes.  

Glide on! 

Lightglider Parents!

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When we hear the phrase "reality hit" or "reality set in," it usually has a negative connotation. It often subtly or not so subtly implies that circumstances just got more difficult and that outlook on life has reason to be bleaker. Though this is often true, it doesn't have to be.

It is possible to approach the more difficult realities of parenting in the 21st century with a sense of hope as each reality poses an awesome opportunity. For example...

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• Reality: More kids grow up today believing that life is meaningless than kids who believe life has purpose.
• Opportunity: Pre-teenagers are in a developmental stage in which they are looking for a paradigm for how to engage the world. There is no greater explanatory resource for meaning and purpose than the biblical narrative of creation. The idea taught in Scripture that God purposefully made each of us in His image with the ability to reflect His goodness in and to the world offers a powerful reason to believe that life is significant. Impress this truth into your kids' minds and hearts each day.
  
  
• Reality: Fundamental perspectives on truth, morality, integrity, and even whether life has purpose are firmly in place by the age of 13.
• Opportunity: Every car ride, meal together, and bedtime offers a unique opportunity for a meaningful conversation during a child's formative years. Seeds of hope and truth planted during these pre-teenage years yield the greatest fruit long-term. You have the most important voice in shaping your child's worldview. Meaningful conversations provide layers to the foundation of faith and values that you wish to reenforce in your child's life.
  
  
• Reality: Kids are spending more than 7 hours digitally-connected and about 20 minutes of quality time with their parents each day.
• Opportunity: If digital experiences are shaping kids today, make sure your kids' digital experiences are supporting your efforts to lay a foundation of Christian faith and values while you can. Lightgliders is here to help. Watch the video below to learn more.

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Parenting in the 21st century is not easy. The cultural and digital voices influencing children require parents to be more aware and proactive than ever. Yet, these difficult realities provide awesome opportunities to actively shape the next generation.  

Glide on!

Lightglider Parents!

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The dictionary defines a role model as "a person looked to by others as an example to be imitated."

Kids adopt role models based upon what appeals to them on a daily basis. That is why athletes, actors, and musicians are often chosen. Culture inundates us with these celebrity personalities.

However, kids are also greatly attracted to the feelings associated with being known and loved. No one knows and loves a child more than an engaged parent. You could be the greatest role model your child ever has. That is both a daunting challenge and an awesome opportunity!

One of the greatest responsibilities of parents is to be a role model for their children and to steer them toward other positive role models. In Lightgliders right now the kids are learning about the seven leaders in Lightglider Academy. From left to right they are Santiago from Honduras, Kwan from South Korea, Tova from Great Britain, Tambika from Tanzania, Bryce from Australia, Nisha from India, and Marlon from the United States. Each has a unique personality, set of gifts, and story. They aren't perfect, but they were created to showcase what it means to live a life of purpose and service.

A life of purpose and service is worth imitating. Thank you, parents, for modeling this in your home and for making your children feel known and loved.

Glide on!

Lightglider Parents,

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The Lightgliders app will be released soon!

For the first time ever, Lightgliders will be a cross-platform product accessible on cell phones and tablets, as well as computers. Lightgliders will also be expanded beyond its current virtual world game experience. It will include a variety of branded games, videos, and digital activities for kids designed to encourage faith, reflection, meaningful conversations, and fun.

See the below trailer to catch a glimpse of the Lightgliders experience that will be available.

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Needless to say, we are more than excited about this. Our hope and dream is not just that Lightgliders be cross-platform, but that it be a "cross platform." We want it to point kids and families to the truth, love, and hope found in the message of the cross.

Sure, it it may be considered cheesy to think of Lightgliders as a "cross-platform cross platform." But, does it indicate what Lightgliders aspires to be?

App-solutely.

Lightglider Parents,

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Today's culture is teaching kids that truth is an illusion and that life is an accident. The Scriptures teach that God loves and created kids in His image. 

Click HERE to read which teaching is more helpful to a child's sense of identity and self-worth. (Hint: It's not culture.) 

You'll also get to preview of the types of videos that will be included in the Lightgliders app coming out soon. Each one was designed to spark meaningful conversations with your child.

Glide on!

Lightglider Parents,

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We conducted the first-ever Lightgliders Club earlier this year where kids learned about entrepreneurship, game design, and biblical stewardship. Click HERE to read about it.

Kids begin dreaming about their future by the age of 10. Biblical stewardship offers a powerful framework by which to channel dreams, freedom, and creative energy into service unto others. 

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."   ~Galatians 5:13 (NLT)

Lightglider Parents!

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There will be a series of blogs written for your Lightgliders in the coming weeks about prayer. The series is called "Never Stop Praying." 

Our theme verse comes from I Thessalonians 5:16-18 which says,

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

The Lightglider leaders will be sharing their favorite ways to pray. For example, Marlon uses the Psalms when he can't find his own words, Tova writes out her prayers in a journal, and Nisha has a set time to talk to God every morning. 

Please use this as an opportunity to explore with your kids how they were uniquely created to connect with their Heavenly Father in prayer. 

It may look a bit different for each child, but the goal is the same -- intimacy with the One who made us!

  Never stop praying!  Glide on!

Lightglider Parents!

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The Lightgliders team is hard at work developing a cross-platform gameplay experience, so that your kids can experience Lightgliders on phones, tablets, and computers.

And you will be able to access discipleship tools such as prayers, devotionals, and conversation starters at the touch of a button. 

Kids' lives are impacted through pivotal experiences and meaningful conversations. Lightgliders will be a helpful tool on any device. 

You will hear more about this in the days ahead!

                                                                                    Glide on!

Lightglider Parents,

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The concept of grace, God's unmerited favor, separates Christianity from other world religions and philosophies. This idea that God's love is freely given and cannot be earned by our performance is both life-changing and world-changing.

Click HERE to read about and watch a short video clip from the movie Les Misérables. It offers a powerful and beautiful example of how grace can transform enemies into friends.

Watch this with your kids and talk about what it means to give and receive grace. Helping your children understand God's grace is one of the most important things you can do.

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God."   ~Ephesians 2:8 (NLT)

Glide on!

Lightglider Parents,

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We hear a lot in our culture today about the importance of living with values. Yet, so few of us know what our values are or how they affect our lives.

A value is a principle upon which we build our lives. It helps guide our decisions and behaviors. 

What are your family's values? Have you as a family identified and discussed them? This would be a wonderful exercise to do with your family. Our values consciously or unconsciously affect the very life that we live.

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"A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit...Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions."  ~Matthew 7-17-20 (NLT)

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Just like a good seed produces a beautiful tree, a positive value helps to produce a beautiful life.

Take time to identify your family's values and to even role play situations whereby the values you identify would affect your potential behaviors. Let this subject drive some meaningful conversations in your home.

And, in case you want to borrow from Lightgliders, the five Lightglider values are purpose, humility, confidence, hope, and love.

Lightglider Parents,

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We are often told that values are universal across the world's religions and philosophies. This is just not true.

Click HERE to read about how the Lightglider values of purpose, humility, confidence, hope, and love are substantiated by Christianity as taught by the Bible.

Values are not universal, but the right ones can provide a wonderful foundation to guide our decisions and behaviors.

Glide on!

Lightglider Parents!

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The creator of Lightgliders was recently asked to speak at a youth retreat for kids about spiritual warfare. He learned rather quickly that the enemy is attacking them at a young age. 

Click HERE to read about it. 

Remember to talk with your kids about the armor of God. The enemy is real, but so is the victory found in Jesus. 

Glide on! 

Lightglider Parents!

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There will be a series of blogs written for your Lightgliders in the coming weeks about the Armor of God found in Ephesians 6:10-18. Please use this as an opportunity to discuss important topics such as evil and spiritual warfare. Talk about each piece of armor God provides and what it means to wear it daily.

1. The belt of TRUTH
2. The breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS
3. Shoes fitted with the GOSPEL of PEACE
4. The shield of FAITH
5. ‍The helmet of SALVATION
6. Sword of the Spirit, the WORD of GOD

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Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we know that the war for God's people and this world has been won. But we are still in a battle to know, love, and obey God each day. We need the Armor of God!

Lightglider Parents!

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The creator of Lightgliders was recently asked why he believes what he believes. Click HERE to read how he responded.

Your Lightglider may ask you a similar question some day (and hopefully will). What will you say?

Glide on!

Lightglider Parents!

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Happy Easter! Easter Sunday is a very special time as it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus.

Christianity is different than every other philosophy or religion, in that its central claim is a historic event. If Jesus was raised from the dead, then the good news of the gospel is true. And that gospel is this. God loves and rescues sinners like you and me.

For those who do not believe that there is such a thing as sin, this news is irrelevant. But, for those who recognize the destructive disease that is their sin, this is the greatest news of all time!

Start a conversation this week with your Lightglider about the meaning of Easter. It may be the most important conversation you ever have.

Lightglider Parents!

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One of the strategic features in Lightgliders is the "Boost." These are resources that Lightgliders give to each other in the game to help each other out.

There are red power boosts, blue gliddle boosts, green speed boosts, yellow light boosts, and purple armor boosts. Each one gives a special ability for missions in the game. Lightgliders cannot boost themselves, they can only boost other players.

In the same way, you have the power to boost your Lightglider every day through your words. Words of encouragement. Words of truth. Words of love. The Scriptures tell us that the power of life and death is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).

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This is a strong statement that requires careful consideration. With our words, we have power to boost others up or tear them down. 

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Give your Lightgliders a boost today. And remind them to boost others -- both in the game and in real life. Words have power!

Lightglider Parents!

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Discipleship and mentoring begins in the home. It takes place through a series of meaningful conversations where life, wisdom, and experience is poured out into others.

Click HERE to read how the recent Rocky movie can teach us about the importance of mentoring.

It's never easy, but it's always worth it. 

Glide on!

Lightglider Parents!

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Last week we had "Dream Week" in Lightgliders. All of the conversations in the game were focused on dreams and aspirations.

Did you know that children begin to dream about their future around the age of 10? This offers incredible opportunities to have meaningful conversations.

Take advantage of this and ask questions about the future: 

• What do you dream about?
• What do you want to be when you grow up?
• What do you think God uniquely created you for?
• How could your dreams impact others?
• What do you think heaven is like?
  
  

When your child's heart is open, a meaningful conversation may just take place. Listen closely and treat these moments as holy...because they are.

Glide on!

Lightglider Parents!

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The #1 reason Lightgliders was created was to impact kids in a fun way. The #2 reason was to give you catalysts for meaningful conversations. In other words, we designed Lightgliders with you in mind!  Therefore, you need to know about Lightgliders Table Talk. 

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Lightgliders Table Talk is a daily email that you can choose to receive when you purchase a membership for your child. It contains an overview of the faith and values content in Lightgliders on that particular day. Whether your child accesses that content or not, you have the opportunity to use your Table Talk email as a way to start a purposeful conversation.

• Use the Gliddle Challenge as a conversation starter to spark some meaningful reflection.
• Use the Spark to discuss a biblical principle or value.
• Use the Prayer to guide a time of prayer with your child.
  
  

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  ~Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NLT)

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We are encouraged, actually commanded, by Scripture to talk with our kids about what really matters. Let Lightgliders Table Talk help!

Lightglider Parents!

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Remember that you, more than anyone, have the opportunity and the responsibility to speak wisdom, counsel, and purpose into your kids' lives.

Click HERE to read how a father's blessing on Christmas day ignited the creation of Lightgliders.

Glide on!

Lightglider Parents!

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Remember to pray with and for your kids.

The daily prayers in Glidebook are designed to encourage a habit of prayer in every Lightglider.  Each day there is a new one.  Review today's prayer in your Parent Account and know that Lightgliders all over the world are praying that prayer today.

                                An example of a daily prayer in Glidebook.

                                Prayer Overview Relayed in the Parent Account.  

                                                           Click "View Prayer" to see the prayer itself (shown above).

Lightglider Parents!

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Every day there is a new devotional in Glidebook for you and your Lightglider to review. These are called "Sparks". They have been designed to do the following:

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Impart a Biblical worldview

Sparks use the characters and adventures from the Lightgliders game to teach an overview of God's story as revealed in Scripture and how it relates to the world around us.

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Teach the Scriptures

Each Spark uses Scripture as its foundation.

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Encourage reflection and practical application

Sparks seek to promote thoughtful reflection and direct application. The "Response" section of a Spark encourages a journal entry, a prayer, or both.

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An overview of the day's Spark is provided to you in your daily Table Talk email (if you've signed up for those) and in your Parent Account.  

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Sparks are a unique tool that can be used daily to "spark" meaningful conversations between you and your Lightglider. 

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Login to your Parent Account today! 

Lightglider Parents!

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Every day there is a new Gliddle Challenge in Lightgliders.  These are open-ended questions that encourage Lightgliders to reflect and write a journal entry in their Glidebook. Whether your Lightglider accesses today's Gliddle Challenge or not, you have the opportunity to review it in your Parent Account or through the daily Table Talk email.

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Use the Gliddle Challenges to spark a conversation! You never know what might happen.

Lightglider Parents!

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Remember to access your Parent Features. These were designed to spark conversations with your kids at the dinner table, before bed, or during the car ride home from school. Login to your Parent Account to review the past week's activities in Glidebook. They include conversation starters (called Gliddle Challenges), devotionals (called Sparks), and daily Prayers.  

With every meaningful conversation, you are planting a seed of hope and purpose!

Lightglider Parents!

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Never forget that kids spell "love" T-I-M-E.

Spending time together is one of the greatest ways to show kids that you care. 

Click HERE to learn how the creator of Lightgliders came to a better understanding of this truth.  

Lightglider Parents!

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Did you know what Johnny Cash said about the Bible?  He said this:

"I read novels but I also read the Bible. And study it, you know? And the more I learn, the more excited I get."  ~Johnny Cash

Click HERE to read a defense of the worldview relayed through the Bible. Johnny Cash found it to be full of truth, beauty, and help. You may too!