Kids of the King, Arise!

In the early church, the followers of Jesus were known by the way they lived and how they acted. They were called followers of “The Way” and sometimes people would ask, “Are you a follower of “the way” too? What was it about them made them different from other people?

Let us look at the following verses.
(John 5: 19-23 GNMN) I tell you the truth: the Son can do nothing on His own; He does only what he sees His Father doing. What the Father does, the Son also does.

Jesus obeyed Father God and didn’t do anything unless He saw the Father doing it. That is called submitting your will.  Because of that God gave Jesus the power and authority to heal the sick, raise the dead, and forgive sin…because that is what the Father wanted as well.  (Matt. 28:18) They were one in heart.

Here on earth God has given us the chance to practice that. He has also given us the Holy Spirit to help us. (Look up John 16:13 again)  But the Holy Spirit can only give you as much help as you want.

Let me tell you a story. There was once a little girl who hated being told what to do. She would do what was expected of her, but only would do it the way SHE wanted to do it. She also had a temper and would stamp her feet and sometimes even scream when she didn’t get her own way. After awhile though, she learned to control it. She pretended to be obedient, to smile at the right times, and would not let anyone know when she was angry…or tried to. She wanted to be good but didn’t want anyone to tell her what to do. She wanted to be the boss and make her own decisions. Because of that God was not able to talk to her very well as she didn’t really want His advice either.

When she grew up she was finally on her own and could do as she pleased.  She had a good job and lots of money. She could party as much as she wanted, and no one would tell her to be careful.  But she wasn’t happy.

She had a friend at work however, who always smiled and seemed happy inside as well as outside. One day, the little girl, now a big girl asked her friend what her secret was as she was visiting her at her home.
“Well” her friend said, “I know I am a daughter of the King. It doesn’t matter where I live or what I have because He is always close to me and loves me. I love listening to what is on His heart and I try to be obedient. ”
She paused and after awhile continued. “You however have something in your life that is keeping you from being close to God. You think you don’t need anyone else and can do it on your own. You seem too proud to take any advice or help from anyone.”
Well frowned the little girl, now a big girl, “HOW DARE you insult me, I am not proud”…see she didn’t like to be criticized any more than she liked anyone telling her what to do.
“You have been going your own way all your life,” continued her friend “When you were a little girl and couldn’t run away from home, you quietly resisted what your parents told you in your heart by doing things your own way, even though you pretended to obey, isn’t that right?”

OUCH! The girl stormed away and slammed the front door as she left. After awhile she stopped pacing and sat down on a park bench, and quietly started to cry. Her friend was right. She wasn’t close to anyone, not her parents her friends, or God. (adapted from Ch 53 “The Homecoming” Michael Phillips)

God gave us some steps to follow to become sons and daughters. He gave us parents so that we would learn to love, honor and obey them and then to take those same attitudes to learn to love, honor obey and trust Him. When we have a wrong attitude towards our parents, that same attitude will come out in our relationship with God.
You need to learn to submit to your parents, and those over you, and obey them while you are young. That is how God planned to teach you to learn how to obey Him.  This is what Jesus did with His Father; He submitted to His Father and obeyed everything Father God told him to do.  THAT gave him the authority to do the things He did on earth.

Think for a moment what it would have looked like if Jesus wanted to do his own thing.  God saw someone crippled and wanted to heal him, but Jesus got a text message about a neat show that was on T.V. and felt like going to hang out with his friends instead.  Jesus didn’t even see the crippled man as He didn’t have on His kingdom goggles.  So the man didn’t get healed.  Now there is nothing wrong with hanging around with your friends, Jesus loved parties and hanging out, some people even criticized him for doing that.  But as a King’s Kid we need to spend time with Jesus and ask Him to show us what is on His heart for us to do as well.

To be able to bring God’s kingdom on earth we need to learn these things. If Eve had obeyed and not wanted to try things her own way, the close relationship with God, would not have been broken.

This is very important to understand.  Often as children you are encouraged to be independent and think for yourself, and that is o.k. but you are often only told of your rights, but not your responsibilities.  What is the result? A nation where families are falling apart, kids drinking, lying and on drugs and all sorts of trouble all because they didn’t learn to listen and obey.  They thought that rules were old fashioned and lame and wanted to do their own thing.  God still knows best and HIS guide book has not changed.

Are any of you like that little girl in your heart?  Ask Jesus to show you. This is a secret sin that often doesn’t really hurt someone else, at least at the beginning, but it keeps you from being close to your family and to God.  It is a seed of something that could lead to complete rebellion and being involved in all sorts of things when you are older that could seriously harm you and pull you far away from Father God.  Let us co-operate with God and start to practice to an even greater degree than you are doing now to be obedient to your parents, and to honor them.

The new keys for today are submission and obedience. Those are keys that lead us to the authority of the Kingdom and walking in God’s power. (John 14; 15) When you are yeilded as a son or daughter in love with Jesus, then God can do AMAZING things through your life.  You will find joy SO SWEET, FAR  more than you could ever dream of. You get to be God’s hands and feet to bring His love to a hurting world.

Prayer: Think about what I have shared in this devotional. When you are ready, pray a prayer like the following one. “Dear God, I’m sorry for trying to always do things my own way.  Please show me the way to come close to You. I realize I can’t do things on my own and need your help.  Please Holy Spirit, I want to accept your offer of help, so that I can become more and more each day like the first ambassador, Jesus.”

Danni watched the boy from Africa with new feelings inside. He felt like he wanted to be his friend and knew this boy would never make fun of him for not having cool running shoes. Danni also knew he wanted to keep this new feeling that was growing inside him, a feeling of peace, and a feeling of hope for his own life. He listened to the boy closely as he continued his story.

The boy told how the King’s son had to leave his father to go on a very important mission.

An evil servant of the King had tricked the man and woman by offering them a way to make them just as powerful as their King. This idea sounded so good to the man and woman that they listened. He told them if they ate the fruit from a special tree, the only tree that the Good King had told them they must NOT touch, that they would be wise just like the Kng. He said the King was being selfish not to share it with them and just didn’t want them to have His wisdom and power. The evil servant told them the fruit from this tree was the best fruit and tasted very sweet. Though the kind and loving King had always shared everything, sadly the woman had believed the evil one and both of them decided to eat the fruit. Now they were held captive, for the evil servant knew that if he could just get them to listen to his lie, and believe it; he could win power over them and all their children.

This evil servant had been driven from the kingdom of God long ago, but now had returned to tempt the new children of the King. He had persuaded one third of all the king’s servants to believe his lies and now he was called, “The Father of Lies”. The King was very sad that the man and woman had not trusted the love of their creator to give them everything they would ever need. He was sad that they had chosen to trust and follow the evil servant’s tricks and to believe his lies.

“You see,” the boy continued, “the good King had given the man and woman the freedom to choose to follow anyone but had always hoped they would follow the good King.” The King knew that if they left his kingdom, their life would be very hard and filled with problems and sadness. His heart longed for those he had created. He knew they were sad and lonely. But the Father King waited, for he knew a day would come for them to be together again. He knew the hearts of those he had made. He knew that their life would be hard. He knew all things, for He was the Creator.

In the kingdom of the evil servant, the man worked hard to remove the weeds each day, only to find more the next. Thorny vines grew everywhere in his yard choking his plants. It sometimes did not rain for a long time and plants would die. There was not always water for the animals. The woman cried and was afraid and so sad.
In the Father’s kingdom, the animals drank from the quiet brook that flowed through the garden. He noticed that the animals had become unkind to each other here, where before they were always happy and playful.
He and his wife had children now and they too were also fighting and arguing with each other. No-one fought in his Father’s kingdom. It was filled with kindness. He KNEW this was because of the evil servant’s power over their hearts and minds. He was very sorry he had listened to the evil one.

He missed the kingdom of His creator. He knew, however, that he could not go back. He had disobeyed the King and could not break free of the power of the evil one. At night, he would look at the stars and he thought about his Father who had made him. Longingly he remembered the talks they had each day, His gentle hand on his shoulder, his laughter as they had named the animals. He missed those times so very much. In his heart he began to pray for help. He needed to be rescued. He told his Father that he was sorry for choosing not to listen, for following another voice.
His Father, heard his heart’s cry. He forgave his created one, and made a decision. He called his son and they talked all night about the plan to save the man and his family. They would have to have the best plan ever made, for the evil servant might find a way to trick others in the future. Their plan must work for all time.

Danni sat listening to every word of this boy’s story. He began to wonder about his mother and father. Their life was filled with problems and they were often sad. He wondered if they needed to be rescued like the king’s children. He wanted to hear the rest of the story.

… to be continued.

Kids we need your help! Danni’s story needs pictures!

Can you draw a picture to illustrate something in this part of the story? You can respond in the comment section of the blog and we will let you know how and where to send it.

When you do we will put the pictures in the story on the Blog!

We can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!

GO BACK TO THE FIRST PART OF THE STORY TO SEE THE PICTURES BEN AND CHRISTINA SENT IN. They’re great! (June 9th)

O.k. now that you prayed Paul’s’ prayer about being an ambassador, how are YOU actually going to BE ambassadors, or witnesses or representatives of the Kingdom? Paul heard Jesus, saw a BRIGHT light, and the disciples saw Him and lived with Him, but what about us?  Whew….it sounds PRETTY hard.

The good news is that God has not left you alone to figure this out. He set up a plan, even before Jesus went back to heaven. You see Paul was not the first of God’s ambassadors. Who was? You’re right, Jesus, and Paul was just following His example.  Jesus was the first ambassador or witness that God sent to represent Him and His kingdom on earth and HE showed us how to do it.

When a new ambassador begins to work, he doesn’t have to figure out how to do the job on his own. The old ambassador leaves his assistant to help. The assistant can tell the new ambassador what he needs to know, introduce him to the people he needs to work with, and even show him the customs and habits he’ll need to understand in this new country. The assistant knows how the King wants things done, because he was there with the old ambassador. God, our King, also gives us the help we need as we take over the job of representing Him. The assistant he has sent along for us is the Holy Spirit, and he is committed to prepare us for our job as the new ambassadors. (Taken from pg 11, Home Qualifying material for king’s Kids, Target World 1996)

Look up the following verses that talk about how the Holy Spirit will help you, and fill in the blanks.
• John: 14;26 NIV: But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will_________ you all things, and will __________ you of everything I have said to you.
• John 16:13 NIV: But when he, the spirit of truth, comes, he will _________  you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; the will speak only what he hears, and will___________________________________.
• Galatians 5:22-23 NIV: But the fruit of the Spirit is __________________________________.
• Romans 8: 26-27 NIV: In the same way, the Spirit__________________. We do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself _________________________________. 

ACTION:

Begin to think of yourself as an ambassador of the King to the people around you. There are people in your life right now that you can be a witness to of the wonderful things that Jesus has done for you. Think of one person you can focus on for the next month.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live in such a way that people would ask ” Are you a follower of Jesus too?”

By: Stephanie McIntyre 

Bible basis: 1 Sam. 16:7, Job, Psalms
Key theological concept: Friendship with God requires honesty before Him.
Bible verse: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” - 1 Sam. 16:7

Materials:
Copies of “Something in Common” activity for each student
Bible
Notebooks/journals for each student
Mask (a real one or made out of a paper plate)
Small hand mirrors (one for every child)
Vaseline, shaving cream or other cream
Windex
Paper towels

Objectives:
Students will…
 Know:
• That God is looking for people who will be “best friends” with Him, people who are “after His own heart.”
• God chooses His friends by looking at the heart
• God made us and loves us equally, He calls us beautiful
• Wants true friends who are honest with Him, even to express doubt, fear or discouragement
 Feel:
• Special because God made them and desires to be their friend
• Comfortable asking God questions and expressing doubts honestly
Act:
• Ask God questions you would like Him to answer (in prayer)
• Use a mirror as an object lesson in prayer

Spiritual Formation:
Honest prayer

Focus:
– Tell group that we are talking about being friends with God.  We are going to begin with a game.  This game will help them find out about each other in a fun way.
– Give each child a copy of the list and read it together, discussing meaning (For kids who can’t read).  Tell them to put a checkmark beside things that describe them.
– Tell group that they will now be looking for some friends who have something in common with them.  Allow about 10 minutes for the kids to play and find several people that they have something in common with.

Procedure:
– Did you find anyone that you had something in common with?  Did you find anyone that you had LOTS in common with?  Have you ever met someone (today or another time) that you seem to have EVERYTHING in common with?  You just “click”? Someone you can share secrets with, and who will always understand you?  If you haven’t, I bet you wish you have!
– Have kids suggest a couple of things they look for in a friend.
– Did you know God is looking for people who will be “best friends” with Him?”  He is looking for people who are “after His own heart,” or “kindred spirits,” as Anne of Green Gables would say.  The Bible even tells us how God looks for a friend.
– Open your Bible to 1 Sam. 16:7 and read: “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
– What does this say about what God looks for? (he looks at the heart)  How does this match with how we look for friends?  Our list of things in common was very “surface-y”, wasn’t it? Sometimes at school it’s kids who look pretty or are good at sports that are popular, and everybody wants to be their friend.  But that’s not how God chooses His friends!  Where does He look again?  (THE HEART!)  He doesn’t care what you look like – He loves you anyway. He made you and He thinks you are super-special.  He really wants to be your special friend – your best friend!

How many of you have a best friend?  What kinds of things do you do with him/her?  Why is she your best friend? (we like the same stuff, we can tell each other secrets, we do things together).
It’s really important and special to share secrets with our friends, isn’t it?  And do you want your friends to be honest with you and share everything?

– Hold up a mask over your face.  How would you like to be friends with a mask?  I mean, with somebody who never let you see who they really are, but always pretended? Probably not. Like, if you ask them if they like soccer, they say yes, but anytime you ask them to play, they make some excuse.  You start to figure out that they’re not being honest with you – they’re just putting on a mask.  Do you think your friendship would last a long time? 

– Take the mask away as you talk.  If available, hold a piece of glass in front of your face.  Wouldn’t you rather be friends with somebody who was real?  If you ask them if they like soccer, they say yes, but they also tell you that they’re scared to play with people who are better than them.  Wouldn’t you rather be that person’s friend?  And wouldn’t you want to help them get over their fear?  That’s exactly like God is with us.  He wants us to be honest.  Instead of wearing a mask, he wants to be “transparent” - like if I held a window in front of my face, it wouldn’t matter, you could see right through it to the real me, anyway!  The window is transparent (not clouded over, easy to see through).  God wants us to be transparent with Him. That means sharing honest feelings, doubts, and concerns with Him.

If you think you might be scared to be honest with God, listen to this story: 
“The Bible tells us about Job, a man who was going through a really hard time.  His friends were giving him all sorts of advice, most of it not helpful at all.  God in turn told Job’s friends off for not being real, and at the same time defended Job for his honesty.  God told them,
‘You haven’t been honest either with Me or about Me – not the way My friend Job has.’”   Pretty cool, eh?

God can handle it when you complain, are discouraged, or get angry, because real friends share their hearts.  The psalms, many of which were written by King David, are full of every kind of emotion, and David was called ‘a man after God’s own heart.’  If you have doubts, you’re normal!  Moses, David, Abraham, Elijah and others of God’s closest friends had times when they doubted, too.  But it doesn’t help to hide behind a mask and pretend that everything is ok.  God can see through the mask anyway!  These guys didn’t try to hide: they told God exactly how they felt.  Sometimes, expressing our doubts and questions is the first step in drawing closer to God.

Closure:
– Hand out a small mirror to each child.  Place some Vaseline, shaving cream or other cream on the table.  Have them cover their mirror with the cream.  Note how hard it is to see clearly with cream on the mirror – just like us when we’re not honest with God.
– In their journals or a notebook, have the kids write down any questions that they would like God to answer and/or anything that is bothering them.  Assure them this is just between them & God.
– Together, take paper towels and Windex and start to clean off the mirror.  As you do, ask God to help us to be transparent, totally honest, with no secrets between us and Him.  Pray that God will help us see who He is more clearly, too.

Adapted from: Sadler, Carolin.  Warrior Bride Arise.  Belleville, ON: Essence Pubilishing, 2004.  pages 17-34.

Something in Common…

Instructions:
1. Place a checkmark beside any of the things in the list that describe you.
2. Walk around and look for people that you have something in common with. When you find someone who likes the same thing you do, write his/her name in the blank. 
3. Repeat until you have found something in common with everyone in your group.

Descriptions:(Make a chart using the following suggestions. Print off copies to hand out to each child)

Description                           This is me!                        Name of Friend

Likes to play basketball                      
Has brown eyes  
Has blue eyes              
Likes to sing  
Can play guitar  
Can play piano  
Can play a different instrument  
Likes to play volleyball  
Likes to play soccer  
Likes to play hockey  
Likes to play all sports  
Likes to play video games  
Has long hair  
Has short hair  
Has a younger brother or sister  
Has an older brother or sister  
Is an only child  
Likes to watch movies  
Likes to draw  
Likes to tell stories  
Likes to talk  
Likes to listen  
Likes to help others  
Likes to be outside 

In the Daniel Prayer group material on the blog, we talked about how Jesus calls us to be witnesses of the Kingdom. (Acts 1:8) Do you remember the verse? Say it out loud!

What is A WITNESS?  Montana in our Daniel prayer group came up with a really good answer. She said “A witness is someone that tells the truth about what they saw or heard.”
Now an ambassador can be is another name for a witness, but it goes a bit farther in that an ambassador’s job is to represent the kingdom.

Jesus was the original ambassador of the Kingdom of God.

So let’s take a quick look at what Jesus was like and what He did. When we do we too can know more about what the Kingdom of God is like.
O.k. It is really pretty simple:
Because Jesus is love, the Kingdom shows love.
Because Jesus was obedient to His father the people in His kingdom are obedient.
Because Jesus spent time in prayer and sought His father’s will in every thing so must we if we want to be close to God and bring joy to His heart.
Because Jesus believed that God would raise him from the dead and trusted God, trust and faith are a part of the Kingdom.
Because Jesus gave up heaven and all its glory and became a servant, the people in God’s kingdom should not hang onto positions of importance but would be willing to give up their comforts and be a servant.
Because of that pride has no place in God’s kingdom as well.
Jesus spent lots of His time with all kinds of people and didn’t try to hang out ONLY with the cool or important people. We need to look out for the hidden treasures among people, like He did and go to places where we are not as comfortable. If we don’t we will miss the Zacheuses, the Mary Magdalenes, and the women at the well in our communities.
Because Jesus confronted sin and told people when they were wrong, we need to be willing to speak out for truth.
In God’s kingdom truth is very important. The devil is called the father of all lies, so if the kingdom is opposite to the kingdom of darkness then truth is an important key.
Jesus also showed that he had authority over nature and sickness, death and hunger. If that is a part of the kingdom of God then when Jesus tells us that we would do these things and greater things, should we believe him? Remember that truth is KEY in this kingdom. Jesus would not lie about that.                                             

Whew…did you get all that? All of these are Keys to the kingdom.                  

So just like God is great and God is good, so is Jesus and so is the Kingdom.
RIGHT? 

Jesus has brought us back to the way things were in the garden and we can once again draw close to God and hear His voice. As sons and daughters God has asked us to follow Jesus’ example, and be ambassadors or witnesses of the Kingdom.

 Make this Bible verse of Paul’s your prayer. Insert your name in the blank spaces.
And pray also for me,_________ that God will give me___________ a message when I am ready to speak, so that I__________ may speak boldly and make known the gospel’s secret. For the sake of this gospel I_________ am an ambassador… Ephesians 6: 19-20

  Can you imagine the change we would see in the world if we really followed Jesus’ example: if we loved like Jesus loved, if we always told the truth, if we served others instead of making sure we got the best. Can you just imagine what would happen? As you think about this, write down your thoughts or draw a picture of how the world would be different.

ACTION
How about thinking of one way you can follow the example of Jesus in the real world you live in today.  Follow through with your idea. It would be really neat if you could share what you did and how it made a difference in the comment section below.

WORSHIP, A love Song to Jesus

We have talked in different ways about being a New Creation, and Sons and Daughters of the King. This is REALLY AMAZING!  The God who created the world and keeps it running loves you, chooses you, sets you apart, and rejoices over you.  BUT In any relationship there needs to be a response.  It says in 1 John 4:19, “We love (God) because He first loved us.”

Let us look at a few responses of love in the Bible. Mary the mother of Jesus, after being told by an angel that  she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, and how much she was loved, responds to these things by writing a song..

“My soul exalts in the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior…for the mighty One has done great things for me; and Holy is His name.”  Luke 1: 46-49

Whay don’t you close your eyes now and try to imagine how you would feel if God had told you what Mary had been told. Now you are not chosen to be the mother of Jesus, But He HAS chosen you (remember…why?)… that you go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you. John 15:16

O.K. what does that mean? What do you think? Doris is going to give us all sorts of clues as to what fruit is all about later this month! Remember the Kingdom is a Mystery. So hang onto that verse. It’s a keeper! But in the meantime know that God has chosen you for a very special task. 

Now let’s look at Miriam, Moses’ sister. After God rescues the Jewish people out of Egypt by parting the Red Sea so they can walk though unharmed, Miriam writes a song as well.

 “I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has hurled into the sea; the Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. This is my God and I will praise Him!”  Exodus 15: 1-2

Then look at David in Psalm 40: Vs 3 + 5:
 “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord. Many O lord my God, are the wonders which Thou hast done, and thy thoughts towards us; there is none to compare with Thee…”

I thought of an old hymn as I wrote this. “All creatures of our God and King, Lift up your voice with praise and song…Oh Praise Him, Hallelujah.”

There seems to be a lot of singing doesn’t there!

Activity:
1. Can you think of some songs that you sing at church that talk about who God is what He has done, or a song that just tells God how much you love Him?
2. Maybe you can get out your CD player and listen to some worship music and sing along. While you do thank God for all he has done for you and for His love for you!

Worship is when we see what God has done and we praise Him for it. It is also telling God how much we love Him, for who He is. Mary wrote a song after God spoke to her about what He was asking her to do, and realizing how much God loved her. Miriam wrote a song in response to seeing how great and powerful God was in saving her people. David wrote a song after God encouraged him and got him out of a sticky situation. He actually wrote OODLES of songs.

Can you pick a quiet place where you can be by yourself?  If so just and sneak off and go there now, or as soon as you have some free time. 
Look at the three examples above, then quiet your heart and think back on a time when God encouraged you, or you realized how great and powerful He was, or you felt God asking you to do or be something.  Think of how much He loves you and what He has done for you.
Now make up a song from your heart to express your thoughts.  You say, well I can’t make up a song! Sure you can, ask Jesus to help you, to hear the sounds of heaven.

Worship doesn’t only have to happen in church and you don’t have to sing it to anyone else, or with anyone else, as it is a song just for King Jesus who loves you!   

DEVOTIONS BY KIDS FOR KIDS   

By Rachel (12)
London, Ontario

Scripture: Romans 12: 3-5,
For through the grace given to me, I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgement, as God has given to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

The Most Talented Kid (Story by Rachel)

“Class don’t forget that tonight after school there are auditions for the
Christmas play.” the teacher said. 
“Riiiiiiinnnngggg”. “Class dismissed!”

“Hey Tommy! Are you trying out for the play?”
“Of course! Isn’t everybody?”
“Yeah, but you know that they won’t all get in, and you and I have been taking those special drama classes, and well I know we’ll get in, cause well we’re better then the other kids.”
“Hey Chris you shouldn’t be bragging, you know that Mr. Thompson doesn’t like that and besides we aren’t better then anyone, we are all equal and made in God’s image.”
“Well okay… but I still think we’re better at drama, and that we’ll get in.”
“Okay, whatever.”

Well the auditions went on until 5:00. Then Mr. Thompson went up to the front.

“Well this is the moment you all have been waiting for. So here are the results…
Jane Richardson, you are Mary.”  A girl with brown piggy tails smiled and jumped up and down in her seat.
“Joseph is Michael Stevenson.” A boy in the back smiled  as all his friends congratulated him with high five’s and slaps on the back.
But Chris scowled.
“And the angel part goes to Tommy Handlesman.”  He paused and added,”I am sorry, but I will have to confirm the rest and get back to you on Monday.”

After the auditions Tommy and Chris approached Mr. Thompson.

“Mr. Thompson…why did you give Mike the part of Joseph and not me? You know I worked so hard for that part and I am certainly a better actor then Mike.”
“Yes, that is true,” said Mr. Thompson “but then again he could very well learn.
You know I heard you backstage bragging to Mike, so I figured that since you were very snotty, I would give the part to someone who is humble and not boastful, because that shows me that you can’t work well with your peers.”

So you see, the moral of this story is that we should be humble, and not bragging and boastful, cause then you will end up with nothing.  Maybe you will even lose friends, because no one wants to be friends with a “show-off’ friend… so be humble and kind.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, help us not to think we are better than anyone else. Help us to have servant hearts, and look out for the needs of those around us.  Help us to promote unity by our actions. Amen

By Elizabeth Poulsen (A story of The Kingdom for young children)

Daniel stood on the street outside his house, just as he had done every day before school as he waited for the school bus. Today, however, things looked different. It was like something had happened to his eyes and the colors had changed. He could see things he had never been able to see before. His heart raced with excitement!

What secrets would he learn today?
Where would he be sent?
Who would he rescue?
What power would he learn he had been given?
Would Father share a secret with him today?

Daniel’s life wasn’t always this exciting. As a matter of fact, Daniel’s name wasn’t even Daniel until Father God adopted him into His kingdom as a son. That was the day that everything changed. That was the day Father touched his eyes so he could see.

Before that day, Daniel’s world was very grey. There was no light, as far as he could see, you know the kind that made you happy inside. His parents had lots of problems and Danni could not figure out a way to help them.

Every day, Danni left his house to catch the bus with a heavy heart. Danni’s dad wasn’t earning enough money to pay the bills. His parents argued a lot now. Danni wished he could help pay bills but there wasn’t anyone who needed a boy to work.

It was hard going to school too. Most of the guys had better clothes than Danni. They always seemed to have money for things and cool stuff to show everyone at recess. Danni wished that just once he could have something to show everyone.

Now, everything had changed!

Two weeks ago, a boy visited his church and Danni knew there was something different about him. He came from Africa where many people have no jobs and they never have enough to eat. He told us about the day he walked all day to find a place where they will give you food. His father had gone far away to find work. His mother had died the year before. After walking ALL day, he saw children playing and a kind looking lady smiled at him. She gave him food and drink and then she told him a story.

It was the story of a king who lived in a great kingdom with only one son. This king longed for many children, as did his son. They had so much to share but no one to share it with them. The king also had the power to create.

He created many things from nothing. His power was not magic for magic power always has a trick attached to it and it puts the person in a type of prison. HIS power always brought freedom and happiness.

The king LOVED everything he created. He EVEN created the world and everything in it. He then created his greatest treasure. He created a man and a woman. Then he gave power to the man and woman to take care of the world and he commanded the entire world to obey them. The reason he could trust the man and woman was because he breathed HIS life into them. Now they could SEE what the king wanted them to see and they could do something even more important. They could love everything God made.

Danni listened to the boy tell the story that was told to him in Africa. He saw how big the boys’ eyes grew as he told the story. He saw the amazement in his eyes and he heard it in his voice.

But, the most important thing Danni noticed was the peace and quiet happiness this boy seemed to have. He had to wonder how he could feel so peaceful when his mother had died and his father had moved away. Danni never felt happy anymore, but he could feel the peace from this boy coming into his heart. He knew he needed to listen carefully to this story. He had something growing inside him that he hadn’t felt for a long time. It was the feeling of “HOPE”.

To be continued……..

by: Stephanie McIntyre

Topic:  God delights in us & cheers for us; we respond by cheering for Him!
Goals & Objectives:
Students will…
– encourage others by cheering them on in a game
– cheer for God using Zeph. 3:17 & a song
– understand that God delights in them and the unique way He made them
– create a collage illustrating their uniqueness
– use their bodies to worship God (cheering, bowing, spinning, lifting hands)
– understand that “using our bodies to worship God” includes being kind to others, telling the truth, and obeying parents.

Materials:
– magazines, paper, glue, scissors, pencil crayons
– obstacle course (may include chairs, rope, balls, or whatever is available)
– poster of Zeph 3:17
– CD with “Meet with Me”

Warm-up:
Time Instructions:
10 min 
4. Ask children if they have ever played a game (sports or otherwise) where they had fans cheering them on.  Allow several volunteers to share.
5. Tell children that we’re going to start with a game today, and we’re going to cheer one another on – loudly!
6. (Go outside or set up inside)
7. Divide children into 2 teams and play game (demonstrate obstacle course first).
8. As children play, get really into cheering – jump up and down, jump up and twirl (if you can), and yell out “Go ____ go!  You can do it!  Keep it up!  You’re doing great!”  Be exaggerated enough that other children will notice you cheering.

Dig in:
10 min 
6. Teach children the verse as a cheer, by saying one line and having the class repeat:

a) The Lord your God is with you (repeat)
b) He’s mighty to save (repeat)
c) His delight is in you (repeat)
d) He’ll calm you with His love (repeat)
e) He rejoices in you (repeat)
f) He sings a loud song (repeat)
g) Yeah, He rejoices in you (repeat)
h) And He sings a loud song!!! (repeat)
7. Try repeating the cheer in a whisper, in a shout, in a squeaky voice, “underwater” by brushing finger over lips while you say it, etc.  Have children do body movements to match (e.g. Crouch down when whispering; stand tall when shouting, etc.)

15 min 
8. Ask children if they are surprised to learn that God cheers for them like this.  Can they imagine God getting so excited?

9. Tell children that “God delights in you just the way you are.  He created your unique personality and gifts and said it was good.  It brings Him joy when you do the things He created you to do.  It doesn’t matter if you are different than those around you or in your family – if He had wanted you to be the same, he would have created you that way.” 

10. Spread out some magazines and ask children to cut out pictures they like or that tell something about them.  For example, if they like soccer than they can cut out a picture of a soccer ball or a field.  If blue is their favourite colour, they can pick out lots of blue things, if they like to sing, they can find something about music.  Give children paper, scissors, & glue to make a collage about them.

11. As children create their picture, talk about what makes them unique and remind that God made them and delights in them.

 SERVE SNACK AS CHILDREN FINISH COLLAGE

10 min 
12. Ask children if they can think of ways to tell God that they love Him (words, singing, being kind to others, actions). 
(Could give illustration of a mom telling her child that she loves him, taking care of him, feeding him, making his lunch, helping him clean his room, etc, and then the son saying, “I hate you” or not doing anything at all – not very kind!  And of course the son would appreciate what the mom did for him.  He wanted to say, “I love you, too.”)

13. Tell children that when we tell God we love Him, we can use our bodies, too!  We can cheer for God, just like He cheers for us. 
Read Ps 13:5 -6 (NLT) – But I trust in your unfailing love.  I will rejoice because you have rescued me.  I will sing to the LORD because he has been so good to me.
  
14. God rescued David when he was in trouble, and David was cheering for God!  We can do the same thing.  We can lift up our hands (surrender, admitting everything we have comes from God), bow down (shows respect, like to kings), spin around, jump, clap (celebrates how good God is), etc.
 
15. Play game of calling out “Lift your hands!  Bow down!  Spin around!  Jump!  Clap!” Mix these up and have children do the action you call out as fast as they can.

16. Tell children that we can do these actions and remember their meanings when we sing in worship with the church.  They help us “show and tell” God that we love Him.  We can also show God we love Him be being kind to others, telling the truth, obeying our parents, etc.

Wrap-up:
10 min 
Teach song “I’m Here to Meet with You” and use actions described in Warrior Bride Arise, p. 195.  Discuss the meanings of the actions as you teach it. (Found on “Shout to the Lord Kids 2″ Integrity Music)

Extra Info:
Gooling also mentioned in: (not an exhaustive list – only searched Psalms)

Ps. 2:11, Ps 9:14, Ps 13:4, 5, Ps 14:7, Ps 21:1, Ps 32:11, Ps 35:9 *be joyful), Ps 51:8, Ps 53:6, Ps 65:12, Ps 89:16, Ps 97:1
Ps 118:24

Resources:
Sadler, Carolin. Warrior Bride Arise, Belleville, ON: Essence Publishing, 2004.

The Bible. “Strong’s Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon.” <http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html>.  Accessed March 10, 2007. 

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me!” That is what we used to say at my school when I was growing up whenever someone called us names. Have you ever heard that?
At school what do they think about you? Do they call you names, or label you; ugly, fat, nerd, slow, super kid, chicken boy and so on. What are some that you have heard? What about at home; looser, weird, you are just like your uncle, stupid.  Whoever said that names don’t hurt is WRONG! 

Have you seen the “Got Milk” commercial that was playing last year? It starts out by listing some of the nasty “names” people are called, and shows people stumbling or falling, or missing a basket in Basketball, and then ends up showing the same people with new labels like ‘winner’, ‘champion’, ‘student’ etc.

There are also labels that society gives the different generations. Like your mom may be called a Gen X or a Boomer, and you a Gen Y. What does that mean?  See people were trying to describe what people of certain age groups had in common. Now there is truth to it, but does that mean that you are automatically just like all the other people that are Gen Y or Gen X?  Does it mean that you HAVE to act like the label says?
 
In God’s kingdom, we have already seen that God sees you as a New Creation, a SON or DAUGHTER. As if that wasn’t enough 1 Peter 2:9 NIV says;

“You are a chosen people, (or generation) a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, THAT you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into wonderful light.” That is what God sees when He looks at you.
That means you are CHOSEN, ROYALTY, HOLY (or set apart), YOU BELONG! 

In the Bible there was a very special custom that happened every Friday, on Shabbat. This is still practiced in Jewish homes today. Shabbat is a day set apart from all the other days of the week to rest, to worship God and be with family, and friends. One of the things that happens is that they have a special supper, and during the meal the Dad blesses each of the children and His wife. Let’s drop in and watch!
 
Watch as Papa gets up from the table and walks to where his wife is seated:  He lays his hand on her shoulder and tells her, “You are a blessing, and you are worth more than rubies or diamonds.  You take such good care of the family and even reach out to those in need.  You are wise and beautiful.” …
After a minute or two, both Mama and Papa get up and go to their children.  Each one gets a turn.  They do not rush but take their time.  Carefully they place their hands on each child’s head and say: “Isaac, may you be like David who loved the Lord with all his heart.  Sarah, may you be like Ruth who loved her family and was a blessing to all.  Gabriel may you be like the angel Gabriel who was God’s messenger of good news.  May you, like him, tell many people about God’s love.”
Then they lay their hands on all the children at once and say:
 
”The Lord bless you and keep you.  The Lord makes His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.  The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace” (Numbers 6: 24-26).
 

Today, on Friday, Shabbat, memorize:  (Num. 6:24-6)
 
Ever since you were little, Satan has spent a great deal of his time trying to convince you that there’s something really wrong with you. He uses the lies that people have told you, or whispered about you to discourage you and make you feel that you could never do or be anything important or special. You know why? He is afraid that if you listen to God and believe God that the kingdom of darkness will be pushed back. And He REALLY doesn’t want that to happen.
Satan is a liar, right? So, should we be looking to find the truth about who we are in lies?  Of course not!  God’s words are truth and life. Only He loves us enough to tell us who we really are. Only He clearly sees what we can do and the great plans He has in store for us. Look up (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

ACTION
Now take the negative words that people have called you, write them down on some tissue paper, and wad them into a ball and then flush it down the toilet! That is where these words belong.
 
Then take the words, you are CHOSEN, ROYALTY, and HOLY (or set apart), YOU BELONG! And write them on a nice piece of paper and put it on the mirror where you will see it first thing every morning and let it go down deep into your heart. Remember all the other names you may have been called are lies, (unless they are nice names).  But God cannot lie so He is telling the truth! As you think on this truth let it change who you are and how you act; SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE KING