Normal Goes A Long Way

Today we will learn the epic story of Samson. Listen with your kids as we learn about a strong and powerful man who knew he needed God's help. Want to keep talking? Here are some ideas: *Build towers of blocks together with your preschooler and then knock them down like Samson did. Talk about how we can use our strength to help others.(ages 2-4) *God gave Samson great strength. He has given you sp...

Have you ever considered the downsides of peace and prosperity? Believe it or not, a life of comfort in which our needs are met and our wants are satisfied can be problematic. We saw this last summer when we went through the Book of Judges. Over and over the Israelites lost their way when life was going well. They became complacent and stopped relying on God. They had too much of a good thing. May...

Today we used our imagination hats to hear from Rahab! She was brave and helped God’s people. Parents, here are some fun conversation starters you can use this week: *(Ages 2-4) Ask, “What did God do that was amazing in this story?” The walls of Jericho fell down when the people waked around it and blew horns *(Ages 5-10) Ask, “What do you think the God’s people thought about His battle plan?” “Do...

The past few weeks of our journey through "The Story" has brought us to some pivotal moments in our faith history. We see the Israelites escape slavery, witness an awe-inspiring miracle at the Red Sea, and create a covenant with God. Then they wander in a desert for 40 years. The grumbling and complaining got too much for God. This week, they finally get the chance to claim the land that was promi...

Today we will learn about explorers sent into God's promised land.  Some responded in great fear, but Caleb and Joshua demonstrated great courage and faith! Parents, want to keep talking? Here are some ideas: *Ten explorers were scared. Tell about a time when you were scared.  Joshua and Caleb had courage.  Tell about a time when you had courage (ages 2-4) *By focusing on earthly th...

Episode 129: Wandering Sometimes it's hard to see God at work in our lives. When pressures weigh us down, it's easy to give up. And that's when God steps in. In this week's message, Ryan Pfendler will walk us through how God is with His people, fighting their battles. He's with you every step of the way! If you’d like to dig deeper, check out these discussion questions . You can complete them on y...

In this episode, you’ll hear about how God gave us His rules for living – we call them the 10 Commandments. Parents, want to keep talking? Here are some ideas: *Ask: What are some rules that we have at home? What are some rules you have at school? Are they good? (ages 2-4) *Ask: What would the world look like if no one followed any of God’s rules? What would the world look like if all of God’s rul...

Can you recall a time this past week when you lived up to God's law? When you kept His commandments, loved Him with all you had,  and  put the needs of your neighbor above your own? Probably not, but you tried, right? Unfortunately, it's in our nature to sin. It's very easy for all of us to go our own way and decide right from wrong based on our desires. We're a very unruly lot. So...

Today we will learn about the amazing life of Moses.  Listen with your kids as we learn about God watching over him from the time he was a tiny baby.  In this part of God's Big Story, God shows up for his people in powerful, jaw-dropping ways! Want to keep talking?  Here are some ideas: *Ask: How did God watch over his people?  (He sent Moses to lead them out of Egypt) (ages 2-...

This week we enter the Book of Exodus and meet Moses. For hundreds of years, the Israelites have been enslaved in Egypt. Their deliverer is one of their own who was raised in Pharaoh's household and lacked any notable qualifications to lead a revolt. But with God, anything is possible and Moses comes to lead his people to the Promised Land. Take a listen as Pastor Jim Mueller walks us through this...

Today we will learn the story of Joseph. This part of God's Big Story reminds us that God is with us, taking care of us during good time and hard times. Parents, want to keep talking? Here are some ideas: For ages 2-4: Sing the following song to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”.   God takes care of me, God takes care of me! God took care of Joseph, and God takes care of me! For ages 5-9:...

Life is full of ups and downs. No one knows this more than Joseph, the apple of his father Jacob's eye and a man in possession of a very colorful coat. For Joseph, life was going very well, and he had that fancy outerwear to prove it. But then he gets sold into slavery and things start to go south for Joseph. Life improves...and then it knocks him down again. Can you relate? The hits can seem unre...

Today we will learn the story of Abraham and how God blessed him beyond measure.  Listen with your children and reflect on the blessings that God has lavished on you!  This part of God's Big Story reminds us that God's dreams for us are bigger than we can imagine! Want to keep talking?  Here are some ideas: *Pretend to move with your preschooler.  Pack a backpack with favorite...

What does it look like to heed God's calling? If He told you to sell all your possessions and move to a foreign country, would you do it? That's just what He asked of Abram! In this week's episode, Ryan Pfendler will be guiding us through these questions as we look at Abram's calling: What does it mean to be a disciple? Can I follow Jesus and still stay the same as I was? What is Jesus calling me...

Today,  we’ll learn about the very first story in the Bible, Creation! Listen along with your kids as Hannah tries to capture the awe and wonder of this amazing part of God’s Big Story! Want to Keep Talking? Here are some ideas: Play “I spy” and then say, “God created that!” (ages 0-4) Ask, “How can you see God’s amazing workmanship outdoors? Where are some places you’d like to visit?” (ages...

Today marks our first episode of our new series based on "The Story", which will take us through our history from beginning to end. We'll get going with the creation account in Genesis. You've probably heard it before. God creates the heavens and the earth and everything in it. That's what He did, but what about the why behind it? The answer there puts humans front and center of the narrative and...

New to Normal Goes A Long Way this season is the addition of a KIDS VERSION episode, which will be released on Thursdays over the course of 31 weeks. Families, you’re invited to join our hosts, Hannah Lang and April Mueller, and follow along as they bring kids into God's big story through engaging storytelling. Why do we have a KIDS VERSION episode? The following information from Zondervan, a worl...

Happy New Year and welcome to Season 7 of Normal Goes A Long Way! This season, we will be releasing weekly episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays (KIDS VERSION) over the course of 31 weeks. We invite you to join our host, Jill Devine, and follow along as we go through the story of the Bible through the words of “The Story”. At the end of Season 7, our hope is you’ll be able to say your spiritual life...

‘Twas the night before Christmas ... Merry Christmas Eve! Joining Jill Devine for a special Christmas Eve episode are three 2nd Graders; Luella, Lu, and Stella. They shared what they know about why we celebrate Christmas, their family traditions, ways to learn about Jesus, and much more. From everyone at Normal Goes A Long Way, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Normal Goes A Long...

This week’s episode was inspired by Louie Giglio’s Waiting Here For You, An Advent Journey of Hope . “Advent is a season of expectant waiting and preparation. This devotional is perfect for those who are in periods of waiting or facing uncertainty. Through the story of the coming of Jesus, Advent teaches that waiting is the means God often uses to carry His plans in our lives. Pastor and author Lo...

As you prepare for Thanksgiving, Dr. Laura Fleetwood invites you to be still and reflect on the goodness of God, to meditate on the blessings in your life, to give yourself grace, and to give thanks to God. Her prompts in this week’s episode will help you do all those things. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/ Normal Goes A Long Way Insta...

Jesus was a master storyteller. Through the use of parables, He could reveal His true nature and communicate important spiritual truths. The stories His followers recorded hold our attention, stir our emotions, and help us remember His teachings. The most popular are recognized by those outside the faith (e.g., the Good Samaritan) and the teachings they contain continue to challenge Jesus’s follow...

Jesus was a master storyteller. Through the use of parables, He could reveal His true nature and communicate important spiritual truths. The stories His followers recorded hold our attention, stir our emotions, and help us remember His teachings. The most popular are recognized by those outside the faith (e.g., the Good Samaritan) and the teachings they contain continue to challenge Jesus’s follow...

Join Laura Fleetwood as she invites you to spend time with God in this guided prayer for SELF-CONTROL, one of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5. Click here for Messiah’s message series on the Fruit of the Spirit. https://messiahstcharles.org/what-the-world-needs-now/ Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/ Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.insta...

Join Laura Fleetwood as she invites you to spend time with God in this guided prayer for GENTLENESS, one of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5. Click here for Messiah’s message series on the Fruit of the Spirit. https://messiahstcharles.org/what-the-world-needs-now/ Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/ Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagr...