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.