January 17th lessons

9:00am DiscipleLand

1st-2nd grade 
Why We Got the Bible Lesson 6--The Bible Calls to Everyone

Abraham’s Blessing—Genesis 12:1-3; 15

God’s Word extends around the world when Christians show Jesus’ love.

Verse: 

" We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."—1 John 1:3

Focus:

~God promised to bless every nation through Abraham’ offspring.

~God wants the Good News about Jesus proclaimed to everyone in every nation.

~God’s Word will be alive forever.

~Bruce Olson brought God’s Word to the Motilone people.

Inspire Action: Bruce Olson—Missionary to Colombia

9:00am DiscipleLand

3rd-4th grade 
Powerful Messengers Lesson 4—Changes

Acts 11

 The Holy Spirit charges believers to take Jesus’ message into new regions.

Verse: 

“When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life."

—Acts 11:18

Focus:

~Some believers who obey the Lord’s leading may be criticized and misunderstood.

~Some may resist change, even when God directs it.

~The Gospel message must not change, but the methods used to share it will vary.

Missionary Biography: Roque Gonzalez de Santa Cruz—1628, Paraguay

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10:45am TRU 

1st-4th grade 
Main Focus: God Looks at the Heart

1 Samuel 16:1-13 (Samuel and David)

ANTICIPATE:  "What Is It" (part 2) 

Samuel knew God chose one of Jesse’s sons to be the new king of Israel.  As each son came before him, Samuel was tempted to guess whom God had chosen based on their physical appearance.  God corrected Samuel by reminding him that God looks at the heart. 

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

Game: "Looking for 'the Best'"

Worship Response: A Heart like His

When God looks at our hearts, He sees who we really are.  But He also sees who we can become in Him.  God tells us that what impresses Hi isn't what impresses people.  God looks at the heart.  He isn't looking for perfect people, but for those whose hearts are like God's. That means you care about what God cares about and what saddens God also makes you sad.  

May our children know that God sees them, cares for them and knows them.  May our children have a heart like God's.

Memory Verse Jan. 17-31

January 10th Lessons

January 10th

9:00am DiscipleLand

1st-2nd grade 
Why We Got the Bible Lesson 5--The Bible Reaches My Friends

King Asa’s Messengers—2 Chronicles 17:1-10

God’s Word reaches my friends when I share the Good News about Jesus’ love and forgiveness.

Verse: 

" We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."—1 John 1:3

Focus:

~King Jehoshaphat followed God when others did not.

~God wants believers to tell their friends about Him.

~Daniel and Janet Matthews brought God’s Word to the aborigines in Australia.

Inspire Action: Daniel and Janet Matthews—Missionaries to Australia

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9:00am DiscipleLand

3rd-4th grade 
Powerful Messengers Lesson 3—Gentiles for Jesus

Acts 10:23-48

 The Holy Spirit fills Gentiles who believe the message about Jesus.

Verse: 

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

—Romans 1:16

Focus:

~God does not show favoritism, and neither should His followers.

~Peter, a Jew, obediently shared the gospel of Jesus with Cornelius and other Gentiles.

~All who receive forgiveness of sins through Jesus also receive the Holy Spirit.

Missionary Biography: Ali Wallayat, 1857, Delhi, India

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10:45am TRU 

1st-4th grade 
Main Focus: Remember and Celebrate God as Trustworthy

(Review and Feast of First Fruits)

Celebrate Game: What Is It?

The Festival of the First Fruits was the 3rd of the harvest festivals for the Israelites.  During this festival, God called the Israelites to bring their "first fruits" (or the first of their crops) of their harvest to Him as a dedication to the Lord in declaring that they trusted God to provide for all their needs.

Zonk

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

Review Lessons:

~God Prepares the Way and He Will Provide (Mary--Luke 1:25-55)

~Jesus Is the Promise (The Birth of Jesus--Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 1:1-16)

~God Is Redeemer  (Ruth and Naomi--Ruth 1-4)

Respond Activity: Wave Offering

January 03 Lessons

January 03, 2016

9:00am DiscipleLand

1st-2nd grade 
Why We Got the Bible Lesson 4--The Bible Guides My Future

God’s Word Guides--Psalm 119:105-128

God equips me to serve Him when I choose His way.

Verse: 

" Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path."—Psalm 119:105

Focus:

~God’s Word lights our paths and explains God’s way to live.

~When people are willing to choose God, He guides them in His ways.

~Missionary Cameron Townsend desired to provide people with God’s Word in their own language.

Inspire Action: Cameron Townsend—Missionary to Guatemala

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9:00am DiscipleLand

3rd-4th grade 
Powerful Messengers Lesson 2—Double Vision

Acts 10:1-22

 The Holy Spirit reveals that the Good News of Jesus is for everyone.

Verse: 

" Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right."—Acts 10:34-35

Focus:

~God hears everyone’s prayers.

~God began to break down barriers between Jews and Gentiles.
~The Holy Spirit guides believers to make decisions that are consistent with the teaching of the Scripture.

Missionary Biography: Little Wang and Liang—1996, Hainan Island, China

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10:45am TRU 

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

Ruth 1-4 (Ruth and Naomi)

ANTICIPATE:  "Gleaning" 

Ruth's obedience in going to glean food brought her to Boaz's attention.  Gleaning was backbreaking work and not easy as she would only be able to pick up what the hired harvesters' left behind.  Alone, it would take her all day to get enough grain for one meal.  

Memory Verse: "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come to His people and redeemed them. "  (Luke 1:68 )

"Redeem" means to "buy back".  Our opening game gave us a picture of how we are unable to get out of sin and death on our own.  But through God, our Redeemer, we can be bought back and be free from sin and the penalty of sin.
In today's Big God Story, Ruth and Naomi were left without husbands to take care for them.  They barely had money and had to glean in the fields for food.  Yet, God led them to Boaz, who became their kinsman-redeemer and took care of them.  God is Redeemer and He sent Jesus to pay the debt of our sin by dying on the cross and rising again.  We can praise God for being our Redeemer. 

Engage: "Friends Stick Together"

God uses unlikely friendships to do great things.  At first glance, Ruth, a foreign woman and her elderly mother-in-law, Naomi had little in common but the fact they were both widows.  God used their friendship to bring blessings to them both!  And through this family line came our ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  Making this craft reminds us that 2 unlikely creatures can still be good friends if they "stick together."

May our children know how much God cares for them.  May our children experience Him as their Redeemer this week.