ALL – Psalm 80:1-19
ALL – Proverbs 25:1-5
OT – Jeremiah 14:11-16:15
NT – 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13
Interesting passage for the day: We can bear anything as long as we know that you remain strong in him. – 1 Thess. 3:8, The Living Bible
Thought: There was another school shooting Friday (google “Kelly Elementary School shooting”). This time it was some crazy man, shooting at elementary kids. Thankfully, none were killed, and several construction workers reacted quickly to subdue the man.
I would do just about anything to protect kids from a shooter—at least, I hope I would. Especially my own kids. To keep my kids strong and healthy, I wouldn’t mind the risk (and possibility) of suffering.
I think that’s kind of Paul’s thought here. His spiritual children were facing persecutors—grown-up bullies. And Paul couldn’t get there to help the people he loved. So he was just in agony. But then he was finally able to get the news that their faith was still strong. And the news that his spiritual children were healthy was enough to set his heart at ease, even though the circumstances that had kept him from getting to them were still in place. He could put up with his own troubles if he knew that the Thessalonians were doing ok.
Question: Is there anyone for whom you would go through just about anything to make sure of their spiritual safety? What is keeping you from helping them grow closer to Christ right now? What are you free to do to help them?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
A Father’s Dream for His Son
ALL – Psalm 58:1-11
ALL – Proverbs 11:12-13
OT – Numbers 22:21-23:30
NT – Luke 1:57-80
Dads love to imagine how great their sons will become, what they will accomplish, how respectable and honorable they will be. Zachariah had the best gift a father could have; he didn’t have to dream (though he could still imagine)—he knew!
And you, my little son, shall be called the prophet of the glorious God, for you will prepare the way for the Messiah. – Luke 1:76, The Living Bible
On the one hand, Zechariah knew that his son would not be the greatest man who ever lived. Bummer.
But on the other hand, Zechariah’s son John would be the man who had the joy of preparing the way for the Messiah. Zechariah knew it. John would know it. No matter how difficult his life might become, this boy’s work would have great value, because it would point the world toward the Christ. Even today, 2000 years later, John’s ministry is evidence to the world that Jesus really is the Christ! Amazing!
I have two boys, and neither of them has any hope of being the greatest man of all history. Jesus, the Christ, has already come, and they can’t top Him. Still, as a father, I dream of seeing them grow into the kind of men whose lives point the world to Jesus. May my sons lives be significant because people come to know that Jesus is the Christ through them!
What are some other great hopes we can have for our children? What are some favorite prayers you pray for your kids?
Note: The rest of the week's readings can be found below.
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
March 16, 2010
ALL – Psalm 59:1-17
ALL – Proverbs 11:14
OT – Numbers 24:1-25:18
NT – Luke 2:1-35
March 17, 2010
ALL – Psalm 60:1-12
ALL – Proverbs 11:15
OT – Numbers 26:1-51
NT – Luke 2:36-52
March 18, 2010
ALL – Psalm 61:1-8
ALL – Proverbs 11:16-17
OT – Numbers 26:52-28:15
NT – Luke 3:1-22
March 19, 2010
ALL – Psalm 62:1-12
ALL – Proverbs 11:18-19
OT – Numbers 28:16-29:40
NT – Luke 3:23-38
March 20, 2010
ALL – Psalm 63:1-11
ALL – Proverbs 11:20-21
OT – Numbers 30:1-31:54
NT – Luke 4:1-30
March 21, 2010
ALL – Psalm 64:1-10
ALL – Proverbs 11:22
OT – Numbers 32:1-33:39
NT – Luke 4:31-5:11
ALL – Proverbs 11:12-13
OT – Numbers 22:21-23:30
NT – Luke 1:57-80
Dads love to imagine how great their sons will become, what they will accomplish, how respectable and honorable they will be. Zachariah had the best gift a father could have; he didn’t have to dream (though he could still imagine)—he knew!
And you, my little son, shall be called the prophet of the glorious God, for you will prepare the way for the Messiah. – Luke 1:76, The Living Bible
On the one hand, Zechariah knew that his son would not be the greatest man who ever lived. Bummer.
But on the other hand, Zechariah’s son John would be the man who had the joy of preparing the way for the Messiah. Zechariah knew it. John would know it. No matter how difficult his life might become, this boy’s work would have great value, because it would point the world toward the Christ. Even today, 2000 years later, John’s ministry is evidence to the world that Jesus really is the Christ! Amazing!
I have two boys, and neither of them has any hope of being the greatest man of all history. Jesus, the Christ, has already come, and they can’t top Him. Still, as a father, I dream of seeing them grow into the kind of men whose lives point the world to Jesus. May my sons lives be significant because people come to know that Jesus is the Christ through them!
What are some other great hopes we can have for our children? What are some favorite prayers you pray for your kids?
Note: The rest of the week's readings can be found below.
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
March 16, 2010
ALL – Psalm 59:1-17
ALL – Proverbs 11:14
OT – Numbers 24:1-25:18
NT – Luke 2:1-35
March 17, 2010
ALL – Psalm 60:1-12
ALL – Proverbs 11:15
OT – Numbers 26:1-51
NT – Luke 2:36-52
March 18, 2010
ALL – Psalm 61:1-8
ALL – Proverbs 11:16-17
OT – Numbers 26:52-28:15
NT – Luke 3:1-22
March 19, 2010
ALL – Psalm 62:1-12
ALL – Proverbs 11:18-19
OT – Numbers 28:16-29:40
NT – Luke 3:23-38
March 20, 2010
ALL – Psalm 63:1-11
ALL – Proverbs 11:20-21
OT – Numbers 30:1-31:54
NT – Luke 4:1-30
March 21, 2010
ALL – Psalm 64:1-10
ALL – Proverbs 11:22
OT – Numbers 32:1-33:39
NT – Luke 4:31-5:11
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Child, You’re Welcome In This House
ALL – Psalm 44:1-8
ALL – Proverbs 10:19
OT – Leviticus 22:17-23:44
NT – Mark 9:30-10:12
If you’re a mom or dad and don’t believe that children are disruptive, you need to start helping your spouse take care of your kids! Or else you need to reclaim your kids from the daycare center. Children are cute, but they definitely cut down on productivity—at least, on what most people consider to be productive.
Jesus says something about children. We usually read it to our Sunday school and children’s church workers, or perhaps at Christian teachers’ conferences. We almost never think about reading it to parents. But you, moms and dads, are probably the first people who ought to hear Jesus’ words, the first people who find applying them to be a challenge, the first people who have the opportunity to experience the promise Jesus leaves behind:
Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming my Father who sent me! – Mark 9:37, The Living Bible
Are your children welcome in your home—in their home? Do you view serving them as an opportunity to serve your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? I’m not talking about caving to every one of their childish demands; that would be foolish and inappropriate, and ultimately wouldn’t really serve your children beneficially. But listening to them, responding to them, caring for them, playing with them, interacting with them, teaching them?
Let’s welcome our own children into our lives, no matter how frustrating they sometimes are, rather than shutting them out. Let’s welcome them, our Jesus, and the Father Himself!
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:19
OT – Leviticus 22:17-23:44
NT – Mark 9:30-10:12
If you’re a mom or dad and don’t believe that children are disruptive, you need to start helping your spouse take care of your kids! Or else you need to reclaim your kids from the daycare center. Children are cute, but they definitely cut down on productivity—at least, on what most people consider to be productive.
Jesus says something about children. We usually read it to our Sunday school and children’s church workers, or perhaps at Christian teachers’ conferences. We almost never think about reading it to parents. But you, moms and dads, are probably the first people who ought to hear Jesus’ words, the first people who find applying them to be a challenge, the first people who have the opportunity to experience the promise Jesus leaves behind:
Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming my Father who sent me! – Mark 9:37, The Living Bible
Are your children welcome in your home—in their home? Do you view serving them as an opportunity to serve your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? I’m not talking about caving to every one of their childish demands; that would be foolish and inappropriate, and ultimately wouldn’t really serve your children beneficially. But listening to them, responding to them, caring for them, playing with them, interacting with them, teaching them?
Let’s welcome our own children into our lives, no matter how frustrating they sometimes are, rather than shutting them out. Let’s welcome them, our Jesus, and the Father Himself!
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
"added to their number"
On Saturday I had the opportunity to help out with children at Sojourn while the church hosted an event. The Bible lesson for the children covered the story of Pentecost. When we got to the end of the story and asked for questions, the kids asked what it meant that three thousand were "added to their number."
Later, during the games, I helped to come up with a game that taught the kids the meaning of "added to their number." Two people would go away from the group, turn around, and then one would say something true (the sky is blue) and the other would say something false (the sky is purple). The kids' goal was to "add themselves to the number" of the person telling the truth. So they learned that "added to their number" means "joined themselves with the group," and they also learned that they should only "add themselves to the number of" those who are telling the truth.
So why did I write about this? For one thing, I don't often do such activities with kids, so I was rather excited about having come up with an idea like this on the spur of the moment, and excited that it went really well. For another thing, I had lots of fun. Maybe I'll do some children's ministry someday? I wouldn't want to base my plans on one fun event, but still...
Later, during the games, I helped to come up with a game that taught the kids the meaning of "added to their number." Two people would go away from the group, turn around, and then one would say something true (the sky is blue) and the other would say something false (the sky is purple). The kids' goal was to "add themselves to the number" of the person telling the truth. So they learned that "added to their number" means "joined themselves with the group," and they also learned that they should only "add themselves to the number of" those who are telling the truth.
So why did I write about this? For one thing, I don't often do such activities with kids, so I was rather excited about having come up with an idea like this on the spur of the moment, and excited that it went really well. For another thing, I had lots of fun. Maybe I'll do some children's ministry someday? I wouldn't want to base my plans on one fun event, but still...
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