Acceptance

Grafting branches

Getting into nature

Investigate the practice of stem grafting in horticulture.

Discussion point: God “grafts” those who believe in Jesus the Son into His family; we must accept each other just as He accepts us.

Take a book out of your local library or talk with your children about how branches are grafted. Explain that in nature, a tree trunk will accept and nourish the branch of another tree. For example, a tree that grows red apples only will allow a tree branch from another apple tree to grow from its trunk, together with its own branches.

In Romans 11:17-24 we read about how God’s kingdom is like a tree. Some branches were broken off to make room for others. The branches that were broken off represent the people who did not believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. God’s plan is that anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God can become part of His family (John 1:12). The Bible also tells us that we must accept each other just as He accepts us and whoever loves God must also love his brother (Romans 15:7, 1 John 4:19-21).

Read the verses cited in the previous paragraph, then review the following questions to stimulate further conversation.

Questions for discussion
  • Did we deserve to be grafted into God’s family tree?
  • Have you ever been tempted to reject someone?
  • What does God expect you to do?
Relevant Scripture

John 1:12 “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

Romans 15:7 “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

1 John 4:19-21 “We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”