Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Adventure Series Day: 6

STEP ONE – READING THE BIBLE
Materials:
Bible and journals or handout that follows
Catching On:
1. Play: Lead a short game of Simon Says (this can be fun at any age level if you make it challenging enough!)
2. Say: On any adventure, things go better if you have a guide. We’re going to read a passage of Scripture today where Jesus invited Matthew to become part of the same adventure that we are on – to seek God’s heart. Just as I was your leader/guide in Simon Says, so Jesus was Matthew’s guide and will be our guide.
Digging In:
1. Hand out sheets from appendix, or have students turn to Matthew 9:9-13 in their Bibles.
2. Ask, Before we read the Bible, it’s good to prepare ourselves to listen. We need to become “quiet” so we can hear God. Take a deep breath to calm your body. Calm your mind by thinking of Jesus – try to imagine him on his throne in heaven or in your favorite story about him. Then, prepare your heart by asking God to speak to you and telling Him that you are ready to listen. (have students do this – be sure they speak aloud to God, asking Him to speak to them. This is good practice for independent Bible study.)
3. Read: Begin reading passage aloud. Ask students to follow along and imagine the scene as you read it the first time.
4. Ask, Can you picture it? What do you see? (allow students to share with group or a partner)
5. Explain, Tell students that you will read this passage again but this time ask them to share their questions, realizations, connections, or responses as you read aloud. Tell them to raise their hand if they want to share something.
6. Read slowly. Read the passage again, pausing to allow students to share their responses.
7. Write: Give students time to write down the connections that they made.
8. Explain that when God speaks to us as we read His Word, He teaches us something that will apply to our lives. That is, it’s something we should do. Have students share ideas of “application” and then record what they believe God was speaking to them as they read His Word today.
Wrapping Up:
1. Tell students that their Heavenly Father really wants to speak to them, and if they spend time reading His Word they will hear from Him often. Challenge them to spend some time reading the Bible on their own like we did today, listening to God from their hearts. Doing this is taking an independent step on their adventure of seeking God’s heart!
2. (Optional) Allow students to share what they believe God was speaking to them as they read.
by Stephanie McIntyre
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Saturday, February 23, 2008

Yopps Heard

Hope for Mongolia

Far-reaching events were being set into motion by God as a nine-year-old girl selected Mongolia to be the topic of her report for a home school assignment. As she gathered resources she came across an article from Mountain Movers magazine. The article mentioned that there were very few people who followed Jesus in Mongolia and how they placed alters to other gods in the felt tents in which they lived.
God placed a burden on this nine- year old so much so that for TWO years she prayed that these alters would be replaced with bibles. After TWO whole years of praying she saw the words “Hope for Mongolia” on the front of another Mountain Mover’s magazine. (This magazine by the way is the official missions magazine for the Assemblies of God Church.)
The article “Hope for Mongolia” described a revival meeting in Mongolia where 500 people had come to know Jesus. She knew this article was God’s way of telling her that He had answered her prayer. You see the girls name was Hope, Hope Smith. She said. “That day, I learned that there was another “hope” for Mongolia.”
During the following year these 500 new believers grew to 1000 as they shared the love of Jesus with their neighbors. Then  they started a church. Guess what the name of the church was? “Hope assembly!”
of course. As many as 2,000 people have attended services at Hope Assembly and they have even started another church. A few years later they started 2 Christian orphanages with the name of H.O.P.E. which stands for “Homes Of Peace Enterprises.” Do you think it is a co-incidence that Hope was the name for all of these places?

Which Keys of the Kingdom can you see that Hope used?

Perserverence…she didn’t give up.
Compassion… for the people of Mongolia that didn’t know about Jesus Love.
Witness…her prayers were one of the things that led to the revival meetings where the gospel was shared and people came to know Jesus.

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Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Adventure Series: 5

An Adventure of Seeking the Heart of God
A series focusing on seeking God by practicing spiritual disciplines

STEP ONE – READING THE BIBLE
Materials:
 Bible, handout showing questions
Catching On:

  1. Open with prayer, asking God to direct you as you speak.
  2. Say, Stand up if you would like to talk to your favorite sports player. Stand up if you would like to talk to your favorite singer. Stand up if you would like to talk with the Prime Minister/President. Stand up if you would like to talk to God.
  3. Say, We would all love to talk with our heroes, but not many of us have an opportunity to do so. The good news is, God, who is greater than all our heroes, would LOVE to speak to us and is waiting for us to come and listen to Him. He has written us a letter that tells of His love for us and a guide for how to live our lives. He is our Father and He longs to be close to us. Today, we are beginning the adventure of seeking God’s heart. We are going to take the first step towards Him by reading the letter He wrote to us.

Digging In:

  1. Say, I’m sure you all have something you like to read, whether it’s a favorite book, a funny comic, or an interesting article in a magazine. I love to read lots of things, but reading God’s Word is different because when I read His Word, He speaks to me. He can speak to us anytime, but it’s especially easy for us to hear His when we are reading His letter to us!
  2. Say, I want to share with you something God spoke to me about when I was reading the Bible recently.
  3. Hand out the following sheet to students: Explain: When we read God’s Word, He speaks to us. My problem is that I often forget what God has said to me almost as soon as I close the Bible. If I want to remember it throughout the day, I need to write it down. Also, when good readers read, they always think about what they’re reading, asking questions, making connections to their life, visualizing what the author is talking about, or putting things in their own words. I was doing this as I read the Bible, so that I wouldn’t miss anything God wanted to tell me. Here’s some of what I was thinking.”
  4. Read John 11:1-5 aloud. Stop after v.1, v. 4, and v.5 to read “thoughts & response.”
Wrapping Up:

  1. Explain: When we read the Bible, we can’t turn our brains off. God says He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. God rewarded me by speaking to my heart about things I was wondering about as I read this part of the Bible. I kept on going for two chapters, writing almost two pages, because I was so excited about what God was teaching me as I read.
  2. Challenge: Have you ever said that you would like to hear God’s voice, loud and clear? If that is really something you want, I challenge to open your Bible with your “brain turned on,” and write down questions, connections, and realizations as you read. Those realizations are often the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart, loud and clear – but in a still, soft way. Sometime today, take a few minutes – it dooesn’t have to be long – to read some of Jesus’ words in the Bible and write about it.
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Saturday, February 16, 2008

Story of Daniel: continued

Finally the bus arrived and Daniel climbed up the steps. He felt like he should walk to the back of the bus today and wondered if it was Father guiding him there so he went for it and sat in the middle of the back bench. He could see almost everyone from here and started to wonder if there was anyone here who Father was referring to as “poor and thirsty”.

Two boys came onto the bus looking mad at each other. Daniel knew they were brothers. They must have had a fight or something Daniel thought. One of them sat down with another boy and the other one came to the back and sat beside Daniel.

Daniel recognized him from the playground. He was a year younger than Daniel but pretty nice. His name was Greg and Daniel noticed that he was reading a book called, “The Golden Compass”. Daniel had heard of it and asked Greg if it was good. Greg answered, “Yeah it’s really good”. Daniel asked “What’s it about?” Greg began to tell him about the story and Daniel realized as Greg said, “I wonder what it would be like to have little creatures with you all the time telling you what is happening and helping you figure life out”, that Greg did not know his Father King.

Daniel immediately felt his Father’s hand and knew this was someone who was thirsty as well as poor. Daniel discerned that Greg was thirsting for true water. He now understood that this was someone who needed to be set free from the power of the evil servant.

Daniel said, “Boy Greg, do I have a story for you! My story will answer that question. Meet me at lunch. Daniel could see Greg was impressed that someone older than him wanted to have lunch with him, so he quickly agreed.
Greg continued to read for a bit as they drove to the school and Daniel prayed that Father would open Greg’s heart and do for him what he had already done in his own heart. Daniel also prayed he would have the right words to share the wonderful story as he had heard it told to him.
Peace came over Daniel as his heart filled with compassion for Greg and he knew for the first time Father’s love for another person.

He felt like there was nothing he wouldn’t be willing to take so that this one person could become a Son of Father/King. Was this how the Son, Jesus felt toward everyone?

Wow! Daniel realized that when God’s love comes into you like that, you are no longer afraid about what to say or of how dumb you might sound.

He felt strong and full of truth and realised that someone needed this truth to be free from the lies and prison chains!

The Son had already made the way easy. Now Daniel only had to tell about it. It was the best story ever written because it was totally true!! Daniel could hardly wait for lunch, but knew he must also do his very best in class as a faithful son.
At recess Daniel got out a book he had received as a present after Father spoke his name.
He had told the boy what Father said, and the next day the Pastor had handed him a bag with a book and a note saying, “This book will tell you a lot about “Names”. Enjoy it Daniel and tell others.” Daniel decided to look up Greg’s name in it before lunch.

Daniel learned that Greg’s name came from the Greek and meant “Guardian”. The Spiritual meaning was “God’s Trustee”. There was a verse under it from 1Corinthians 16:13

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.”

Wow! Daniel realized that Greg had a very special purpose in the kingdom of his Father! How Cool!!!

Daniel met Greg at lunch and told him his story. He told him of the Kingdom and all about the evil servant and the Son of Father/King. Daniel noticed that Greg was as fascinated with this story as Daniel had been and he also noticed that once he began the story it was as though it just told itself. At times, he seemed to be listening to himself tell the story and knew that Father was with him and Holy Spirit was speaking through him.

When he told Greg about his inside eyes called the “Eyes of His Understanding”, Greg said it reminded him of the way the little creatures helped the children in the Golden Compass, but he was beginning to wonder if the evil servant had the children under his power in this story. Daniel told him that the evil servant continues to try to draw all people away from truth and from Father King’s protection by taking their hearts captive when they accept his lies. He said their eyes become blinded to truth, their ears don’t want to hear it either, and their minds have trouble figuring out what they should do. God has to come and break the evil one’s power over you before you can listen.

He explained that even though the evil servant, had been beaten, he continues to lie whenever he can so he can have even a little power over us. We must stay close to Father and listen to him every day, so that we don’t find ourselves falling into his traps and so that we can be part of Father’s work to bring the truth about this to everyone he shows us.

Daniel told Greg that Father had broken that power over Greg today so he could hear the truth and understand it. He told him how Father spoke to him that morning and how he had sat in a different seat than usual on the bus. Greg realized he had also sat in a different place, but the best part was when God’s spirit came on Greg. Greg wanted to become a Son and to be free from the evil servant’s world and prayed with Daniel that day.

Daniel showed Greg his Name Book and together they read the meaning of his name. Daniel agreed to meet with Greg tomorrow so they could pray and read from Father’s book together.
Greg gave Daniel his book The Golden Compass and said, “I don’t want to read anything that doesn’t teach me how to be Father’s son right now.” Daniel gave him a booklet that had been given to him. It tells you how to grow as a son, to have special times with Father each day and to read the Bible book.
Daniel went home that day realizing that the Son was creating a Special Forces Unit like when the army sends in help after a war has been won to protect and take care of people, making sure the enemy does not try to take back land he has lost.
Daniel wondered if perhaps it was going to carry His power within his school, even on his bus. He wondered what would happen if the whole bus was set free. Tonight he would ask Father for the bus. He would thank Him for Greg.
He had felt God’s power moving through him today. He had also felt great love – God’s love – for Greg.

Another prisoner set free…..

What would tomorrow bring?

Story by Elizabeth Poulson

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Adventure Series: 4

Day 4: Understanding our Goal

Materials:
Downloaded version of “Father’s Love Letter” from www.fathersloveletter.com.
At this site you can download an audio or numerous visual versions of the Love letter.
Catching On:
1. Explain: This week we have taken a look at steps we can take on our adventure of seeking God’s heart. Today, we’re going to watch a short video that expresses God’s heart. He calls Himself a Father, and He invites us to be close to Him. This video is based on God’s Words all through the Bible. As you watch, listen to what God is saying to you.

Digging In:
1. Show video.

Wrapping Up:
1. Explain: We’re going to pray, and I’m going to give you time to talk to your Heavenly Dad right now. Tell him whatever you want. I’ll leave a couple minutes of silence and then I’ll pray out loud to end.
2. Pray.

Option: If you have more time, this would be an excellent time to allow students to write a letter addressed to “My Dad, Almighty God,” thanking Him for His love or explaining their hurts, fears, or hopes.

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad.
‘Father’s Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2006 www.FathersLoveLetter.com’
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Sunday, February 10, 2008

A story for Daniel: Chapter Nine

A story about the Kingdom for children, by Elizabeth Poulsen

As Daniel waited for the bus,  he remembered the verse he had read this morning. Father had begun to teach him truth. Each day as he talked with his Father, Daniel would have a thought enter his mind. Sometimes it was a question. Sometimes it was something Father wanted to say to him. When it was a question, Daniel knew that something had been worrying him and Father wanted to help him sort it out. Daniel spent time sitting quietly or lying down each night now before getting ready for bed. This was his special time to go over his day and to learn from Father.

As Daniel sat in his room, he felt the warm hand of his Father touching his head. He knew Father would give him instructions if he waited a little longer. Daniel opened his heart to Holy Spirit to receive Father’s thoughts. The boy from Africa had taught them to say, “Holy Spirit I open my heart to You. Please cleanse me and remove any blocks to your voice. I give you my mind, my emotions and my will today and ask you to teach me all I need to know as a Son. Give me your strength and open the eyes of my understanding to discern what is right and good. Use me to build Your Kingdom Father.”

As Father’s love began to fill Daniel, his eyes felt clean and Father’s thoughts started to come into his own thoughts. It was funny how he always thought when God spoke it would be like when anyone spoke and you heard them with your ears, but he learned that now that he and Father are one, the thoughts of Father simply flowed into his own thoughts. He could tell they were Father’s because they were filled with so much love and they were always things he didn’t know or wouldn’t ever think of by himself.

This morning he had read Isaiah 41:17. “The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.”
As Daniel sat still, Father said, “Daniel my son, today I am going to teach you how to see the “poor” and the “thirsty”. Do you remember when I taught you that being poor don’t always mean having no money? It means having no relationship with me as your Father as well as many other things that are missing in a person’s life. Now I want you to think of what it might mean to be thirsty the same way. There are many things a person can thirst for Daniel. Did you know that you carry within you a special kind of water? It is “living” water. When I show you someone who thirsts, it is because I want you to give them this water to drink.  When people are searching for answers to important questions, it is living water or truth that fills them then. Because my Spirit lives within you now, you have the power to answer those questions as my spirit flows through your spirit. Just turn to me for the answers.  Remember, I am with you and love you. I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says “Do not fear”. I will help you.
Daniel felt strength from his Father fill him as he ran out the door to wait for the bus.

To be continued…
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Thursday, February 7, 2008

Kingdom Adventure Stories: Jennifer Toledo

 Born and raised in a small farming town called Dinuba in California, 26-year-old Jennifer Toledo has taken the call of the mission field to heart, and since the age of 16 has been courageously travelling the world, reaching out the heart and hand of Jesus to the young, the poor, the needy and the lost. Empowered by deep compassion, and a strong resolve to see God’s will expressed on earth as it is in heaven, Jennifer witnesses incredible miracles everywhere she goes.

AJ: Interviews Jennifer Toledo.
AJ: What would you say to the parents who might be concerned that children could become disappointed and disillusioned if they don’t see the miracle they are believing for.
JENNIFER: You know, one time as I was teaching the children that Jesus heals the sick and that He took all infirmities on Himself… I wanted to just drop in there that, Well, sometimes people don’t always get healed. Just as that almost slipped out of my mouth, I felt the strongest rebuke of the Lord overwhelm me.
God told me very clearly, “Jennifer, don’t you think I can defend myself? I asked you to teach the children what My Word says. Do not add your religious unbelief to truth.”
 I was so shocked, because I thought I was doing the children a favour by protecting them from disappointment, but really I had totally offended the Holy Spirit. One of the greatest gifts that children have is their child-like faith - and we have to be so careful to nurture that and not to quench it.

‘This interview was used with permission from AJ Butel’s website - www.ajbutel.com.’

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Monday, February 4, 2008

Keys of the Kingdom: Day Twenty-nine

HELPER #3
But whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave to all. For even the son of man did not come to be served but to serve. Mark 10:43-45 (NASB)

After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to his disciples a few times. During these times He had long talks with them about the Kingdom, and how they needed to wait in Jerusalem. They needed to wait until they had the Helper’s wisdom, guidance and power, WHY, to be His witnesses. We have talked about that already.

Now, Jesus didn’t tell them or us that we needed to wait for the Helper to fill us so that we would become better people. Neither was it to help us get rid of bad habits, and selfishness. It also was not so that we could have an ‘awesome’ worship service with clapping and dance and passionate speakers and so on.

All these things may happen but that was not the MAIN reason that God sent the Helper. Jesus’ top priority was to witness, or tell the world what you know and saw about Jesus’ love to a world bound by the kingdom of darkness. The Holy Spirit will not come to us in His fullness until we agree with His priority and make it ours.

He doesn’t listen to our excuses; like, “I’m not good at talking to people,” or “I’m only a kid.” After all isn’t that what the Helper is there to help us with? When God’s Spirit lives inside of us, HE will help us speak. He doesn’t care what age you are either.

Or what about, “I’m busy playing Nintendo right now and have to get to the next level.” or “I have too much homework and I’m Tiiired!”  But God never said he wouldn’t interrupt you, or that when he asked you to do something it would only be something you were good at. 

So are you STILL on board? Are you willing to be a “living sacrifice” and go wherever, whenever God tells you to go or do or say something, EVEN if it is inconvenient, scary, or strange? WHEW, is this more than you bargained for?

Remember the object lesson Jesus gave before He died? What was it? RIGHT! He clothed himself with a towel and washed his disciple’s feet, and dried them with love. Do we think that we are more dignified than that, or have better things to do?

No, Jesus still wants us to reach out to the needs of the people in the world. That is why He healed so many, and cast out demons, and fed them and raised the dead. He had compassion on them, remember that word?(The gut feeling that you feel the pain of the people that you see?) That is why he sent the Helper to give us kingdom goggles, and hearts of compassion. Now he only asks that we use these with His help and set some people free. What an adventure! MUCH better than Nintendo, actually doesn’t even compare.
ACTIVITY;

You can print off and enlarge this picture and color it if you like.
PRAYER:
If you up for this kind of Kingdom Advendure then pray something like this.
O Lord Jesus, I can see that my adventures with You haven’t even begun until I am willing to go to work for You. All my excuses are a hill of beans. It shows that I don’t trust you to work through me as You please. So Lord, here I am once again.  Please use me to bring Your kingdom to earth.  I trust You to give me the gifts of the spirit that I will need to do Your will, and to be a witness of your love to the people around me.

*Some ideas gleaned form Cathrine Marshall’s book”The Helper” Word Books Publisher
 

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