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.