February 21st Lessons

9:00am DiscipleLand

1st-2nd grade 
Why We Got the Bible Lesson 11--The Bible Reaches South America

Jeremiah and the Cistern—Jeremiah 38

God uses those who are willing to follow Him regardless the cost.

Verse: 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a]have been called according to his purpose."—Romans 8:28

Focus:

~Wicked men threw Jeremiah into a cistern for speaking the truth.

~People have troubles in life and must wait for God.

~Jim Elliot was martyred by the Auca Indians.

Inspire Action: Jim Elliot —Missionary to Ecuador

9:00am DiscipleLand

3rd-4th grade 
Powerful Messengers Lesson 9—Welcome!

Acts 15:1-35

 The Holy Spirit guides the Church to embrace Gentile believers.

Verse: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.”

--Ephesians 2:8-9

Focus:

~Some Jewish believers thought Gentile believers should obey the Jewish rules.

~Church leaders believed that Gentile believers did not have to obey Jewish rules strictly.

~Salvation is by grace and through the work of Jesus on the cross, not by one’s effort.

Missionary Biography: Carlo Spinola—1622, Japan

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10:45am TRU 

1st-4th grade 
Main Focus: God Restores

Jonah to Nehemiah (from Exile to Jerusalem)

ANTICIPATE:  Build It Up

Jerusalem’s wall was broken down and left in ruins, leaving the city unprotected. God 
stirred the heart of Nehemiah to lead the people in rebuilding this massive structure. 
God’s people came together with a weapon in one hand for defense and their tools in the other to repair the wall. Children will work together to build a wall as they prepare to hear how God restores His people.

 

 

The story from Jonah to Nehemiah shows a God who is righteous, yet looks on us with mercy and works to restore us to Himself.  God wanted to restore more than a fallen city; He wanted to restore people's relationship with Him. 

Memory Verse: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. "  (Proverbs 16:9 )

Worship Response: Beauty for Brokenness

In The Big God Story today, we heard how God restored Jerusalem and its people from brokenness to strength.  We know that God restores all things. He is able to rebuild and repair whatever has been damaged.  God is close to the brokenhearted and how He can bring beauty back into our lives.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”—1 Peter 5:10

May our children come before the God of all grace in their brokenness.  May they trust in God to make they strong, firm and steadfast.  May our children always hope in the One who restores His people back to Himself.

February 14th Lessons

9:00am DiscipleLand

1st-2nd grade 
Why We Got the Bible Lesson 10--The Bible Reaches North America

Joseph the manager—Genesis 41:33-57

God provides for people’s needs through the skills and talents of His followers.

Verse: 

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."—Proverbs 19:21

Focus:

~Egypt had grain during the famine because of Joseph’s hard work.

~God wants His provision to reach all nations.

~David Brainerd reached Native Americans with God’s Word.

Inspire Action: David Brainerd —Missionary to Native Americans

9:00am DiscipleLand

3rd-4th grade 
Powerful Messengers Lesson 8—Unstoppable

Acts 14

 The Holy Spirit gives Jesus’ messengers strength to persevere under hardship.

Verse: “On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

--Acts 14:27

Focus:

~Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly in the towns they entered.

~Paul and Barnabas revisited churches on their way back to Antioch.

~Paul and Barnabas remained faithful through hardships and encouraged believers to do the same.

Missionary Biography: Blind Chang—1900, China

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10:45am TRU 

1st-4th grade 
Main Focus: God Is Merciful

Jonah 1-4 (Jonah)

ANTICIPATE:  Origami Whale 

Jonah the prophet tried to run away from God.  But when he did, Jonah ended up in the belly of a giant fish!  God used the great fish to show Jonah how he truly had been called to speak God's word to the Ninevites.

We saw in today's Big God Story how God showed mercy to Jonah and the Ninevites even though they did not deserve it.  God showed mercy to Jonah by allowing a big fish to swallow him whole.  God used the fish to save Jonah's life.  God also showed mercy to Jonah by providing him with a plant to help keep him cool.  God Is Merciful and wants everyone to know Him.  Just like it brought God joy to show mercy to the Ninevites, it brings Him joy to show mercy to us today.  

Memory Verse: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. "  (Proverbs 16:9 )

Worship Response: Making A Mercy Ship

When Jonah got on that ship to run away from God he hoped it would take him far away.  God doesn't want us to run away from Him.  He wants us to sail TOWARDS Him and to do so by remembering how merciful He has been to us and by showing mercy to others.

"But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved."--Ephesians 2:4-5

May God show our children mercy and grace whenever they need it.  May they rejoice and worship God when God shows mercy to those around them.

February 07th Lessons

9:00am DiscipleLand

1st-2nd grade 
Why We Got the Bible Lesson 9--The Bible Reaches Africa

Isaac’s Wells—Genesis 26

God reaches new people through the persistent obedience of His disciples.

Verse: 

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."—James 1:12

Focus:

~God rewards those who persist in His will.

~Isaac trusted God to do what God had promised.

~Johanna Veenstra brought the gospel to Africans in Nigeria.

Inspire Action: Johanna Veenstra —Missionary to Nigeria

9:00am DiscipleLand

3rd-4th grade 
Powerful Messengers Lesson 7—Jealous or Joyous?

Acts 13-13-52

 The Holy Spirit inspires believers to speak to all who will listen.

Verse: For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
    that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’

--Acts 13:47

Focus:

~Jesus’ resurrection is supreme evidence that He is Lord over all.

~Believers who share the Gospel will not always be well-received.

~There is joy in sharing Jesus with others.

Missionary Biography: Bernard Mizeki—1896, Zimbabwe

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10:45am TRU 

1st-4th grade 
Main Focus: God Is the Lord of Life

2 Kings 5 (Elisha and Naaman)

ANTICIPATE:  "Hidden Pictures" 

Sometimes it's easy to take every day life for granted.  In today's story, we will find out that God is the Lord of Life and He gives us life both for our bodies and our souls.

Naaman was a Gentile commander who grew up without knowing God.  God used prophet Elisha to not only physically heal Naaman from leprosy but also spiritually heal him from sin.  God became the source of life for Naaman.  God is still the Lord of life today.

Memory Verse: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. "  (Proverbs 16:9 )

Worship Response: "Fingerprint Creatures to Tell Others About God"

God used people around Naaman to tell him about the Lord of Life.  God wants to use us to encourage, warn or tell others about Jesus.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!"--2 Corinthians 5:17

May the Lord of Life meet al the needs of our children.  May the old ways of our children be washed away and may our children live the new life God has for them in Christ.