Big Idea: I can trust God, He is strong and will help me.

Judges 6-8

This week the kids learned about Gideon. He was the youngest man in the smallest family in his tribe. He felt like a nobody, but God called Him to great and mighty things to deliver the people of Israel from their misery. At first Gideon is uncertain, and so confirms time and time again that God is really who He says He is before he obeys Him. When we meet Gideon he's hiding in a winepress working, so His enemies can't find him! He is an unlikely hero and yet God uses Him for His glory and to save His people. Eventually, Gideon (meaning: valiant warrior) goes into war with his army and God tells him to send most of the men home – leaving only 300 men to win the war against thousands of enemies – and they do! God is mighty, and He won the victory for the people so that they would also know He is Who He Says He is.

Our God has promised  "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you," (Hebrews 13:5), so even if we feel small and weak, like Gideon, we can follow wherever God leads. Even if we are afraid, we can know that God will go before us and has won the battle over sin and death for us through Jesus, so He can surely help us with whatever we need!

Family Activity

God said to Gideon to send the men who drank from the river 'by lapping it up like dogs' home from the battle. Play a game with your children and give them a bowl of water. Tell the children to choose how to drink the water – either by lapping it up or drinking it like from a cup. Turn your back and say 'Ready, Set, Go!' and turn around and call out one of the ways. Whichever way you call out – all the children who drank that way are 'out'. Play again until there is a winning child or as long as you like. Talk about how when God sent the men home, there were only few men left, but that God won the battle for Israel to prove He was with them, He was mighty to save them, and they could trust Him. Ask children what they find it hard to trust God with, or what they worry about, and pray together that they would be able to trust God just like Gideon did.

Big Idea: God uses broken people to bring about His plan to save the world.

Bible Passage: Judges 1-3

This week the kids learned about a book of the Bible called 'The Judges'. The Judges were the leaders of the people of Israel after Joshua died. It spans about 250 years, and documents the many failures and unfaithfulness of the people of Israel, as well as the faithfulness of God. God gave the people of Israel a Covenant, and a mission.

 In this covenant, God promises to make the Israelites his treasured possession among all people and "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation", if they follow God's commandments. Unfortunately, the people of Israel did not follow God's commandments. Nor did they complete their mission. They were instructed by God to drive out the enemies from the promised land He gave them, but they did not. Soon they were serving, following and worshipping the false gods of the people living in the land. This brought about a 'cycle' we read over and over again in the stories of the judges. 

Check out this video about the 'Cycle of Apostasy' for kids.

The Judges were leaders that God raised up to deliver the people from their trouble. God raised up His Son, Jesus, as our deliverer for our sin and unfaithfulness. We now live under a New Covenant, that means now, we can turn back to God or repent when we are in trouble, and know that because of Jesus' sacrifice, we are accepted, loved, forgiven and rescued from our trouble. We likewise have a new mission – to go into all the world and tell people the good news of the gospel and help them to follow Jesus, too. 

Family Activity

Watch the video on the link above and talk about what kinds of things make us 'forget' about God. Ask children what makes it hard to remember God's love for them? What distracts them? What's one way they can remember God when they forget? (Deuteronomy talks about writing God's commands on our foreheads- maybe not a great idea for our kids, but a great example of somewhere you would see it everyday!)

Big Idea: Christmas is WILD!

Bible Passage: Luke 2, Isaiah 54:10, Hebrews 13:5-6, Philippians 2:9, John 8:36

This week we talked about Christmas! Our theme for the day was 'Christmas is WILD', focusing on how even though we hear the Christmas story every year, we should never let it cease to amaze us! So many WILD things happened – a virgin giving birth, angel appearances — filling the sky with praises! Stars appearing, wise men visiting a new baby from far away lands. Crazy stuff! Watch this video together if you'd like to see what we heard: https://vimeo.com/70354897

We talked about how all these crazy things happening could only mean one thing: God is at work. He is unstoppable! When we celebrate Christmas, we can remember how much God loves us by remember these 4 things:

Way-maker: God's plan is unstoppable! Nothing gets in His way, and nothing could stop His plan to send Jesus the Rescuer to save us. (Isaiah 54:10)

Immanuel: We celebrate at Christmas that God in heaven came NEAR to His people! He didn't just dwell far away, but He came to BE WITH US. Immanuel is the name given to Jesus because it means: God With Us. Our God is always with us, no matter what we do or where we go! (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Lord: Jesus came to earth to prove that He is Lord over all. Even though He is God, he became a baby! A tiny, weak little baby – to demonstrate that not only is He Almighty God, but He came to live here on earth as we live and to be one of us, so that we can know our God knows and loves us! His Name is above every Name and it's why we worship Him as LORD at Christmas time! (Philippians 2:9)

Deliverer: Jesus is the Saviour we need. There is nothing we could do on our own to make ourselves worthy of God's love. It is all because of what Jesus did on the cross for us that we can be set free from our sin. Jesus is our Deliverer! (John 8:36)

These are 4 awesome, WILD reasons to not get bored by the Christmas story this year, or let it pass by again without stopping to acknowledge just how amazing our God is.

See you next week for our Christmas party!!!

BIg Idea: We are called to be God's big family together.

Bible Passage: Luke 15:3-7, John:1-4

This week we talked about family. We learned that God calls himself our Father, and that all those who turn to trust God as Father and Jesus as Lord are called children of God. We are called 'brothers and sisters' in the family of God and called to love and serve one another as Jesus has loved and served us.

We talked about the story of the Lost Sheep, and how the Shepherd left the 99 to seek out and rescue the one sheep he loved. He carried the sheep all the way home, and when the lost sheep was home, they celebrated with a party. We talked about for those who put their trust in Jesus, it is like 'coming home' to the family of God. We belong to Him, and are safe with Him, and can trust God for all we need. 

Jesus also describes heaven like a house, or a big party, and that one day, all those who trust Him will be with Him to celebrate His victory forever. There is a seat at the party-table of heaven for all the children of God! We then challenged kids to think about who else they could invite to the party. We asked kids to think about someone they could 'make room for at the table'. Making room at our table and helping others belong helps demonstrate the love of God for us.

Family Activity

Over next week or so, design an invitation to a Christmas activity you might do as a family. (Christmas light-looking, carols by candlelight, parades, a special family dinner, or our Christmas Day church service). Then pray and think together who God might be laying on the hearts of your kids, and make an invitation for them to come along with your family. Pray together that you would 'make room at the table' for these people, and that God would use your family to demonstrate His love and bring more people into His Big Family. 

See you next week!

Big Idea: We can see all that God has done and choose to serve Him only. 

Bible Passage: Joshua 23 & 24

This week we came to the end of the book of Joshua. Joshua at this stage is a very old man, and he gives one final speech to the assembled people of God. He reflects over the whole story of God's faithfulness to the people, starting right back at Abraham, and all the way up until their recent victories in the Promised Land. He proves that God always keeps His promises, and shows the people how faithful He has been. He then challenges all of Israel to reflect on who they serve, and commit to serving only God always. 

"Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness." 24:14

This is likewise the same for us – we can read the Scripture and see all that our Mighty God has done for us in forgiving us of our sins because of Jesus. We too, can see all these things and commit to serving Him with all faithfulness.

Family Activity

Praise God that we can come together and know His great and mighty acts by reading them in His word. Joshua commends the people to keep their commitment and places a rock near an oak tree. This week, find a special spot in your garden under a tree to take a knee together, and pray a prayer of commitment that God would help your family to follow and serve Him only. Repent together of the times you've gotten it wrong, and celebrate with stories of the times God has been faithful to your family. Then thank Him for His forgiveness and commit together to following Him as a household and encourage one another. 

See you next week!

Big Idea: Nothing is impossible for our God.

Bible Passage: Joshua 9-10

This week we learned about an incredible miracle that our God did for Joshua and the Israelites. A miracle is something that only God can do. Even though Joshua made a mistake and did not consult Him, God still showed mercy to His people and gave them victory in battle. When Joshua called out for the sun to stand still in the sky, God stopped the sun and gave the Israelites daylight until the battle was won. Our God is unstoppable and almighty. We can trust Him to work miracles to acheive His purposes, which He promises are always for our good.

Family Activity

This week, depending on your family schedule, aim to watch one sunrise or sunset together. As you do, imagine together what you could do with a whole day of daylight. Remind children who made the sun, the moon and all the stars, and talk about how big and amazing they are – and how they point to how big and amazing our God is. Ask children what they would ask God for if He could give them anything. Encourage children to think deeply about problems they see in the world, and what they would ask God to fix. Then remind children that God can and will restore all things for good, and that He asks us to be a part of the restoration for the world. Help children pray prayers asking for these miracles (things that only God can do) so that many will come to know His greatness. Remind children that even when they forget to consult or talk to God (like Joshua did) that God is merciful and forgives us and still calls us to be a part of what He is doing in the world. We can ask God for these things knowing that God already performed the greatest miracle for us, in raising Jesus from the dead and forgiving the sins of His people. Praise our almighty God!

Bible Passage: Joshua 8

Big Idea: We come together and celebrate God's victory over sin and death because of Jesus!

This week we learned that God gave Joshua and the Israelites victory over the battle of Ai. The people honoured God for their victory and gave Him glory for the battle. Afterwards, the people gathered together, "The foreigners, and those who were native born there….and the women and children," and worshipped God. They brought offerings, sacrifices and read the book of the Law that Moses gave to the people. There in front of Mt Gerazin and Mt Ebal, the people celebrated God and the victory He gave them, and they promised to obey and be like Him.

We too, come together to celebrate the victory that God has given us. When the people of God gather as the church, we also bring our offerings and worship Him together. We celebrate the victory God has given us through Jesus over sin and death. We likewise, hear from His word and commit to obeying and be like Him. Our gatherings are to celebrate Jesus and the victory we share in Him. Consider baking a cake or some other yummy food to celebrate together our victory in Jesus!

Family Activity

Use this week to hold a 'family gathering' and ask children how they feel about going to church gatherings on Sundays. What are some of the things they enjoy? What are some things they find hard? Talk about the importance of joining together with God's people to hear from Him, and worship Him together, and commit together to be more like Him. Think about how you can do this together in your home as a family. How can you worship/celebrate God together each week? (Prayers, meals, family walks, singing together in the car, holidays, Christmas, birthdays)  What offerings do you bring Him? (Our money, our time, our gifts and talents) When do you gather around or read His word and talk about how to be more like Jesus? Gathering is an important aspect of our faith so that we can grow together to serve one another and be more like Jesus!

See you next week!

Big Idea: God has made a way for us to be forgiven from all our sin!

Bible Passage: Joshua 7

In this story we learned that a man named Achan stole something and hid it, thinking that he would get away with it. God commanded all his people not to take anything from the cities they over took, but Achan disobeyed God and lied about it. The next time Israel went into battle, they lost. They were afraid, so Joshua cried out to God. God told Joshua, "Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep." Achan and his whole family were punished for their sin. 

God was angry at the people's sin: God had commanded them to keep the covenant He gave them. Even though the people broke the covenant and were not perfectly obedient, God kept saving them from battle. The people repented, and God forgave them and protected and saved them. 

God keeps His promise to us, too. He knows we cannot be perfectly obedient, so He sent Jesus to die for our sin, so that we can repent and be forgiven and be made holy as God is holy. Our God didn't have to keep His promise to save us. He hates sin. Yet, He took the punishment our sin deserves so that we could be forgiven. We can bring our sin to Jesus knowing He sees it all, and loves us anyway. There is no shame for those who call on the name of Jesus.

Family Activity

Hide some gold coins around the house and have a treasure hunt. Remind children when they find the money that God can see all things, even things we think we can hide. Ask children what are some things they feel like they need to hide? Remind children that nothing is hidden from God, and that because of Jesus, we don't need to feel ashamed or hide our sin from God, because He always loves and forgives us, no matter what we do. Encourage children to bring the things they want to hide from God to him in prayer together. Remind them that there is no shame for those who call on the Name of Jesus.

Big Idea: God is almighty and He fights for his people.

Bible Passage: Joshua 6

This week the kids learned the story of the battle of Jericho. God's people had made it (finally!) into the Promised Land. They were now faced with the task of defeating mighty armies to claim the land God had promised them. Jericho was a city with fortified walls around it, and a strong army to defend it. But God told Joshua He would give the people the victory over the city. He gave Joshua special instructions to march around the walls with the army, and finally, give a shout. When the people obeyed, and they shouted, the walls fell down – at just the sound of their voices! God knocked the walls down, and he gave them the victory. 

It would have seemed silly to the people of God to try to defeat a walled city and a great army by simply marching and shouting. It would have taken great faith of Joshua to trust God with such an instruction. But he did, and God showed His mighty power to save His people. Sometimes trusting God in the face of danger or in hard circumstances feels very silly. Sometimes it doesn't make sense at all, and yet, we are told that our mighty God never ever lets us down or leaves us alone. 

We can trust God that He never changes, and that He is mighty to save us now as He was mighty to save His people then. We can trust this because we see his power over all things displayed on the cross for us. Jesus died and rose again to prove that God alone has power over all things – even death- and that we can trust Him to carry us through all things, even if all we have is our voice to sing His praises.

Family Activity

Make a tower out of anything you can find in your home – pillows, boxes, blocks, laundry, whatever you can find! Then, have children march around (without touching the tower) and make loud noises until the tower falls down. When the tower doesn't fall down, remind children that the people who yelled at the tower did not have the power, but God did. As the people followed God, he fought for them. Remind children that our God also promises to never leave or forsake us, and that He has already rescued us from sin and death, and that we can trust Him for whatever we need. 

Big Idea: When we sin, we can turn back to God and be forgiven because of Jesus.

Bible Passage: Numbers 20-21

This week the kids learned that the people of God once again chose not to trust Him. The people complained to Moses about the food and water, and spoke out against God. God sent snakes into the camp of the people because of their sin. When the people repented, and Moses prayed to God on behalf of the people, God made a way for them to be saved. God told Moses to put a bronze snake up on a pole, and all who looked at the bronze snake would be saved from the venomous snakes.

We talked about how we also deserve to die because of our sin against God when we choose not to trust Him. But instead of sending punishment on us, God punished Jesus for the sins of the whole world when He died on the cross. Just as the Israelites looked to the bronze snake to be saved, all those who look to Jesus for salvation will be saved from sin and death. Jesus was lifted up on the cross for us as the bronze snake was lifted up for the Israelites as a way to be saved. Our God is the only one who can save us from our sin and death.

Family Activity

This week, if your kids complain about the food or drink you provide for them, use it as an opportunity to talk about the story. Ask children about other things that they are tempted to complain about. Remind children that it wasn't just that the people of God whinged about the food that God was punishing, but that they chose not to trust Him as their God and provider. How often do we also forget to trust God for all that we need? Thank God together that we are not punished for our sin as the Israelites were, but because of Jesus, when we sin, we can be forgiven. Help children to 'REPENT & REALIGN' as we discussed on Sunday – to REPENT means to turn back to God, and REALIGN means to follow Him once again. We 'REPENT' when we say we are sorry for our sins, and REALIGN when we ask for forgiveness and ask for help to trust Him.

See you next week!