Hessel Kids Monthly Update

January 2026

Congratulations!  You made it to 2026—another year in the books.  As we turn the calendar to the month of January, I wonder what ‘new beginnings’ are in store for you and your family this year?  Perhaps you and your family are going through a move, a change at work, a relationship challenge, or a growing child who is learning how to use ChatGPT.  Regardless of your stage of life, one thing remains constant - the God who has made us holds us.  By the same hand that God has woven you and your children together in the womb, you are carried into this new year.

As I reflect on the ‘new beginnings’ that come from a new year, I can’t help but be reminded of Lamentations 3:22-23, which states: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Each and every day, God wakes us up with mercy.  To use a theological word, our God is immutable, meaning He never changes.  If God has loved you in the past, guess what, He will keep loving you… and you can take that to the bank.  There is no question, no doubt in my mind, that His mercies will carry you through this year.

One passage of Scripture that I would encourage you and your family to meditate on this year is the Shema, perhaps the most important and most memorized passage in the Old Testament.  Here’s Deuteronomy 6:4-9:

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Let’s think about this amazing text for a moment.

First, the foundation of your family must be worship of the one true God.  In verse 4, God declares that there is only one God and He ALONE is to be worshiped.  We cannot mix our faith with worship of materialism, work, comfort, etc.  Our families must know that God is the center of everything.  Perhaps this looks like praying to God as a family before dropping your kids off at school every morning.

Second, in order to grow as a healthy family and raise children in the way of the Lord, you must seek to grow in love.  The great St. Augustine said, “So anyone who thinks that he has understood the divine scriptures or any part of them, but cannot by his understanding build up this double love of God and neighbor, has not yet succeeded in understanding them.”  It is this ‘double love of God and neighbor’ that we are to exemplify to our kids and encourage them to mature in.  Perhaps this means showing grace to our kids when they spill milk all over the counter.

And thirdly, the Word of God is to surround all of life.  The Shema makes clear that we are to talk about God’s Word and ways regularly in a rhythm of life that seeks to put God’s glory and grace on display for our kids.  When you walk.  When you sit.  When you lie down.  All the time.  God’s Word is a gift - treat it as such.  Let it guide your family this year as you seek to do His will.  Perhaps this means reading a few verses before bed.

So, my prayer for the families of Hessel as we begin 2026 together is that we would take this opportunity to reflect on the blessings God has given us and strive, by faith, to take hold of the promises of His Word for the building up of God’s Kingdom.

Please check out this page for helpful resources, upcoming events, and to keep up with what your kids are learning!

Kingdom-building starts in the home.

Your home is a mission field, a small group, a family.

Blessings,

Julian Marcel | Pastor of Children’s Ministry | Hessel Church | julian@hessel.org