February 25th Lesson

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

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9:00am DiscipleLand

3rd-4th grade 
Powerful Messengers Lesson 11—Earthquake

Acts 16:11-40

 The Holy Spirit brings great victory out of great difficulty.

Verse: “but you give us victory over our enemies,    you put our adversaries to shame.”

--Psalm 44:7

Focus:

~Some people tried to hinder God’s work.

~Believers can choose to praise God even in difficult situations.

~God gives believers victories over their enemies.

Missionary Biography: Ki-Poong Yi—1942, Cheju Island, Korea

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10:45am TRU

1st-4th grade

Remember and Celebrate: Feast of Harvest

Celebrating God as Provider

God provides all our needs.  God blesses the Israelites abundantly.  The Israelites were commanded to celebrate the Feast of Harvest, which is also called Pentecost.     Pente, in Greek, means 50.  Pentecost lasted for 50 days after Passover.  The first Pentecost after Jesus raised to heaven, there was a great harvest of 3,000 souls by the coming of the promised Holy Spirit.  God continues to bless His people with abundance, provides all that we need today and commands us to participate in the harvest of winning souls for Christ.

Worship with Youth Band
Game: What's In My Tummy

Memory Verse: 

"with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever." --Psalm 136:12

Review Sunday

Every quarter, our TRU children participate in the review game of ZONK! to help them remember what they've discovered during the past several weeks in the Big God Story.

February 18th 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

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9:00am DiscipleLand

3rd-4th grade 
Powerful Messengers Lesson 10—Branching Out

Acts 15:36-16:10

 The Holy Spirit directs the steps of obedient believers.

Verse: “In their hearts humans plan their course,    but the Lord establishes their steps.”

--Proverbs 16:9

Focus:

~God works through conflicts and disagreements.

~God wants churches to be strengthened and grow.

~Believers can trust God for specific guidance as they seek Him.

Missionary Biography: John and Betty Stam—1934, Anhui Province, China

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10:45am TRU 1st-4th grade 

Main Focus: God Redeems
(Nehemiah--Nehemiah 1-4; 6-9)

Anticipate: The Great Wall of Prayer

Today, in The Big God Story, we will hear about how God’s people in Jerusalem first turned their hearts away and eventually received God’s redeeming love. The hearts of God’s people had hardened, but Nehemiah remembered God’s promise to save them. He asked God to save them and keep them safe from enemies by rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. The Israelites worked together and built a wall higher and stronger than ever. It had only taken them 52 days—when they had been in the process of rebuilding their city for 100 years! Let’s build a strong wall of
prayers to God to strengthen our faith and trust that God redeems the broken parts in our lives.

Worship with singing:  Youth Band
Game: Speedy Redemption Rock Paper Scissor
Memory Verse:

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

In today's story, we learn more about Queen Esther who began her life as a normal, Jewish girl in captivity and found out God had prepare her to be Queen and to save all her people. It wasn’t easy. She had many choices to make and a lot of thinking to do to figure out how to deliver her message to the king. She had to be brave AND smart AND pretty.  Through out the book of Esther, even though there was no mention of God, we can see God's power at every turn.   This isn’t a girl story, it’s a GOD story! God was in control in every situation Esther had to face.  God is still in control today. 

RESPOND: Heart Puzzle

The pieces of the heart puzzle symbolize all the brokenness in us, our world, around us that only God can redeem. During trying times or times we witness the brokenness in our world, we may feel our hearts are broken, but we can always remember that our righteous God has mercy, grace, and the power and desire to redeem us because He is a loving, forgiving, patient God. Isn’t that something to be comforted by?

Bless:

May God redeem every part of our lives.  May our children tell others the story of how God has redeemed them.

Feb. 11th 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 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 Is In Control
(Esther--Esther 1-10)

Anticipate: What's Inside?

Just by looking at the jars, it's impossible for anyone to know what's on inside.  But if we tip and jars over or shake the jars, we can hear and make a logical guess.  Just like those jars, we do not know what characters or strength God has put inside of each one of us until we are tested.  Esther did not know the courage and wisdom God had given her until she was put to the test.  

Worship with singing:  Youth Band
Game: Choose Thy Option
Memory Verse:

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

In today's story, we learn more about Queen Esther who began her life as a normal, Jewish girl in captivity and found out God had prepare her to be Queen and to save all her people. It wasn’t easy. She had many choices to make and a lot of thinking to do to figure out how to deliver her message to the king. She had to be brave AND smart AND pretty.  Through out the book of Esther, even though there was no mention of God, we can see God's power at every turn.   This isn’t a girl story, it’s a GOD story! God was in control in every situation Esther had to face.  God is still in control today. 

RESPOND: Esther Puzzle Challenge (Hard or Harder)

 Esther was put into a difficult situation.  She not only had to be brave enough to go face the king, but also be smart enough to figure out the best way to reveal she was Jewish AND Haman had tricked the king into destroying the jews.  Lastly, she had to know what to ask for in order to defeat Haman's evil plan, because the king's decrees could not be changed.  Those are not easy puzzles to figure out!  God gave her every answer and every spiritual gift she needed to do the job He put before her.

Bless:
May our children trust that God is in control of every area of their lives.  May our children be filled with His peace.

Feb. 04 Lessons

9:00am DiscipleLand

1st-2nd grade 
Why We Got the Bible Lesson 8--The Bible Reaches Europe

Elisha and the Army—2 Kings 6:8-23

God empowers people He has called to serve Him.

Verse: 

" “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”"—2 Kings 6:16

Focus:

~Elisha saw God’s power all around him.

~God wants everyone to know Him.

~God worked a miracle to help Brother Andrew reach the people of Romania

Inspire Action: Brother Andrew —Missionary to Romania

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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 Real
(Daniel--Daniel 6)

Anticipate: 5 Finger Prayer Journal

Daniel trusted in God and knew He was real.  He never stopped praying to God and knew He could save him from anything.  Let's learn from Daniel to put God first and place others before ourselves.

Worship with singing:  Youth Band
Game: Strange Laws Quiz
Memory Verse:

"Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” --Luke 4:8

In today's story, Daniel faced a monumental test choosing between praying to God and facing death.  Daniel's choice put his life at great risk.  But Daniel knew that God is real.  He continued to pray and trust in God.  The outcome was that Daniel was protected and unharmed and King Darius praised God and issued a decree that everyone in his nation should fear and honor the God of Daniel.  God is real and He still saves today.  God sent Jesus to die on our behave and raised Jesus back to life on the 3rd day so we can have eternal life in Him.  Through out God's Word, He continues to show us He is in control and that we can trust Him.  

RESPOND: Lifted Out

 King Darius discovered God is real when he found Daniel still alive in the lions' den.  The king had Daniel lifted from the pit, and the king praised God for being the God who rescues and saves.

Bless:

"Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” -Luke 4:8

May our children know that God is real that He is the living God, and that He has the power to save and rescue.  May our children see God's work in their lives.