Living for Jesus

Living for Jesus

Wednesday, May 22nd & Sunday, May 26th

Key Passage: Ephesians 4: 20-24

Basic Truth: God wants us to know Him.

Memory Verse: I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. Jeremiah 24:7

Think about it:

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. ¹⁰I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

 ¹²Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 3:7-14)

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: How can you tell if you have a heart to know God?

A: You will want to spend time with God, praying and reading His Word and worshiping Him.

Grade 1-2

Q: What does God want us to do until He takes us to heaven?

A: God wants us to continue to learn more about Him and continue to grow to be more like Jesus.

Q: God doesn't take us to heaven because we try to be good! Why does God take us to heaven?

A: if we trust Jesus to forgive our sins He will allow us to be in heaven with Him...forever!

Q: Why does God want us to know Him better? 

A: Because Jesus is our Savior, He wants us to grow to be more and more like Him, because He is perfect and He should be glorified. 

Grade 3-4

Q: Why does God want us to know Him?

A: Knowing God's love and grace changes our hearts so we will want Him as our God.

Q: God loves you and wants you to love Him. What will cause us to love Him? 

A: 1 John 4:19, knowing His love for us and what He did will cause us to love Him. 

Q: How do we keep on getting to know God?

A: Read the Bible...pray...talk with others about God...

Grade 5-6

Q: Why do we need to continue seeking to know God?

A: Knowing God is a lifelong process that transforms our lives, causing us to live for Him and willingly fulfill the purpose for which He created us. 

Q: What will cause us to live the kind of life Jesus wants us to live? 

A: knowing Him!

Q: Who notices when we do what's right, and what will happen?

A: Unbelievers notice Christians who are willing to live for Jesus and do what's right, and this will by glory to God!

Family Activities:

1) Make a commitment and a plan to have a summer study partner

2) Talk about ways to keep God as the central, most important thing in your family. (How can you help each other to worship God?)

The End--Revelation

The End--Revelation

Wednesday, May 15th & Sunday, May 19th

Basic Truth: All of God's plans and promises will be fulfilled

Memory Verse: In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:2-3

Think about it:

Years ago there was a boy who really enjoyed reading scary mystery stories.  Some one gave him one scripted to cause alarm, and even nightmares; but later the donor saw the boy reading the mystery with a smile on his face.  When asked why the fearful account did not bother him, the boy said, “Oh, I already read the last chapter!”

God in His grace allows us to visualize the horrible results in this world when sinful mankind rebels against His perfect plan.  But He also tells us in advance how the story ends in the triumph of love, joy and peace for those who receive His cleansing from their sin, and choose to do His will.  Our true hope rests entirely on the righteous faithfulness of our Holy Creator God.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

May hope and excitement permeate your teaching!

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: Who will Jesus take to be with Him forever?

A: Only those who have trusted Him to forgive their sins.

Grade 1-2

Q: How can we be sure that there really is a heaven?

A: God said so! God is the highest authority and able to keep all of His promises.

Q: Why will Jesus take people to heaven? 

A: It's not because we do anything to deserve it. It's because of God's grace and His promise to be with Him if we have faith in Him.

Q: Why is God able to do everything He promises?

A: God has the power and authority to make everything happen exactly as He says it will. 

Grade 3-4

Q: What is heaven like?

A: Everything in heaven will be the way God planned it to be. There will be no sin, and we will have the perfect relationship with God that He intended.

Q: Why can we trust that God will return just as He promised? Can you think of other examples of how God kept His promises?

A: God is sovereign and everything He says is true! Some examples: Noah saved from the flood, Jesus was crucified and rose again, Adam died because he disobeyed God....

Q: Why have some of God's promises not yet been fulfilled?

A: God isn't ready to do it quite yet! But when the time is right, He will do everything He said He would do!

Grade 5-6

Q: Why does God tell us that this world will end?

A: God tells us about the end of this life to give us a proper perspective about the sin and troubles of this world and so we can tell others what will happen. They need to know about Jesus!

Q: What is the most exciting and special part of heaven? Why?

A: Being with God is the most exciting part! Why? What do you think it will be like to live with Him?! Revelation 21:3

Q: Why is it so important to live for Jesus?

A: So others will see His glory and be saved!

Family Activities:

1) Dump the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle in a pile. That's not what the puzzle was meant to look like!! Put the puzzle together while talking about things in heaven that will be the way God meant them to be. 

2) Think of someone who needs to know about Jesus. Pray for an opportunity to share the Gospel. 

The Church of Jesus

The Church of Jesus

Wednesday, May 8th & Sunday, May 12th

Key Passages: Selected verses from Acts

Basic Truth: The church is God's plan to tell all nations about Jesus

Memory Verse: Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 5:42

Think About it:

Amid changing standards and collapsing values, some professing Christians in every generation are enticed to turn from the bedrock principles of Scripture to the sparkle of the “New”.  Material excesses, glamorous spiritual novelties, new thrills, new relationships, new “lovers”, new “gospels” - all serve Satan’s purpose to weaken the Church, the Body of Christ, and to block its vital witness to a perishing world.

Despite the incessant temptations, the Holy Spirit continues to direct all who walk by faith, and who yield to His guidance through repeated heartaches and trials.  Although sudden blows can lead even the faithful to questioning and doubts, our loving Lord stands firmly by His own: “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10)

Pray for your students to have a clear vision of their place in the body of Christ – and steadfastness to faithfully carry out His commands.

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: Why is it good news that Jesus is the Christ?

A: "Christ" is the Greek word for Messiah- meaning the One anointed, or chosen, by God to rescue sinners. Jesus came to rescue sinners!

Grade 1-2

Q: What is the church?

A: The church is the family of God made up of loyal followers who are committed to learning and obeying the teachings of Jesus.

Q: Can children be apart of God's family? If they can, how can they help?

A: Yes they can! All believers are part of God's Church, and are apart of God's family. The Church is God's plan to make disciples of all nations. Children can learn what Jesus taught and believe in Him, and obey His commands too!

Q: What happens when people tell others about Jesus?

A: more believe and become disciples, and the family of God grows!

Grade 3-4

Q: How do believers participate in God's plan to build His Church?

A: God's plan to build the Church of Jesus will succeed without our help, but we have the privilege of sharing in His work as we obey His commands.

Q: When do you think the Church of Jesus will stop growing?

A: When Jesus takes His Church out of this world! But that won't be until all nations have been told about Him!

Q: How can we participate in building the Church of Jesus right where we live? 

A: We can learn and obey Jesus' teachings, tell others about Him, and live for Jesus wherever we are!

Grade 5-6

Q: How does the church continue the work of Jesus?

A: As the church faithfully proclaims the Gospel, new disciples are made. As the church faithfully passes on the teachings of Jesus, believers are equipped to obey Jesus and continue His work. 

Q: Why does our church need to proclaim that Jesus is the Christ? 

A: People need to know that Jesus is the One who can rescue them from their sins! (Acts 5:42)

Q: How is the church like the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 12:12)

A: The church is many people working together, like the parts of our bodies work together, to do the work of Jesus. 

Family Activities:

1) Write a note thanking your pastor and/or teachers for helping you to learn about God's truth.

2) Practice telling the Good News of Jesus to each other. 

Family Discipleship Resource

God's Names by Sally Michael

Traditionally (in the past 100 years) curriculum and books for children have focused on mankind being the hero's of the biblical stories - "Dare to be a Daniel," or "Be a Ruth in your generation." Penn Valley Church has created the God Alone Curriculum that seeks to partner with parents in teaching theology - the Triune God - in the Person of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit the rightful heroes of each story in the Bible. The Bible is a book about God, not us. It's about our need for Him, not His need for us. It's a book that shows that History is His-story, not ours.

God's Names hones in on God's character and nature through His names.  This book is relational, interactive, understandable, theological, applicational, and encourages prayer, Bible study and worship in each lesson. There are 26 short lessons that are packed with God at the center of it all.

If you want your children to be God-focused, and others oriented, then look no further than this book. In a man-centered culture and church, it is absolutely essential that we get back to the core teaching of the Bible - the centrality of Christ, the Gospel, and God at the center of all things. I highly recommend this resource as great tool for discipling your family!

---Pastor Andrew

Cornelius

Cornelius 

Wednesday, May 1st & Sunday, May 5th

Key Passage: Acts 10

Basic Truth: God's salvation is for all who believe in Jesus.

Memory Verse: For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be save". Romans 10:12-13

Think About it:

People across America delight in belonging to organizations - fraternities, clubs, circles, teams, unions, associations - each with some particular appeal.  And a measure of exclusiveness adds to the attraction.

God sees each and every one of us as guilty sinners, facing the fury of His righteous wrath.  But He, through the sacrifice of His Son, now opens the door to forgiveness and eternal blessing to each one who believes His Word.  When we believe, we receive permanent membership in the unique and most exclusive society of all - those redeemed by the shed blood of our Savior.  “You have come to God, the Judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant…” (Hebrews 12:23-24).

Pray that this lesson would cause your students to treasure the precious message of salvation.

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: What does it mean to be saved?

A: To be rescued from eternal punishment and receive eternal life.

Grade 1-2

Q: Why did Cornelius need to hear about Jesus?

A: God loves all people, but faith in Jesus is the only way to have eternal life.

Q: What did Peter tell Cornelius?

A: Can students retell the important facts about Jesus: He is God, He died to pay for our sin, He was raised again, Anyone who trusts Jesus as the way to be forgiven will live with God forever...

Q: How did God tell you about Jesus?

A: Encourage students to tell about how they heard about Jesus. 

Grade 3-4

Q: Why is it wrong to judge others?

A: God is the only rightful Judge and according to His standard people are all sinners and equally unworthy.

Q: Peter could only see the outward appearance, but what does God look at? 

A: God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7b)

Q: Did Peter have the right to say the Gentiles were "bad"? Do we have a right to say that someone is bad and shouldn't be rescued by God?

A: No, Peter didn't and we don't either! We need to see that all people were created by God, belong to the same God, are loved by God, and have all sinned and are separated from by. God's grace is our only hope. 

Grade 5-6

Q: What sets believers apart as God's people?

A: Those who are saved are called to be different in the way they live. The new life we have in Jesus causes an entirely new lifestyle. 

Q: How will loving one another identify us as God's people? 

A: It's not a natural way to respond to others! Don't you think people would notice if we loved each other the way Jesus loves us?! John 13:34-35

Q: It's not easy to live this way! How can we live as God has called us to? 

A: God gives all believers a new power or way to live according to His plan. This power we have is the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is not just seen in outward behavior. The power of God changes people's hearts and motives so that our whole lives are transformed- totally changed!

Family Activities:

1) Discuss ways we can demonstrate unacceptance of others. Why is such behavior wrong? How does excluding others indicate pride in our lives? 

2) Use a concordance to find verses of how much God loves you. How will knowing His love help us to love others?