This weekend we taught the kids the biblical story of Jesus and the woman at the well. We also helped them discover that Jesus loves and accepts all people, we showed them ways that they can accept persons who may appear different from themselves.

This weekend we learned from a popular story in the bible, the story of the woman at the well. The woman at the well was an outcast from society. As an outcast, her habit was to come to the well during the hottest part of the day rather than in the cooler morning, when most of the women went to the well. This way she was able to avoid the people of the village and the ugly way they treated her.

When Jesus spoke to the woman at the well, he was going against customary social practices of his time. Although they shared a common heritage, Samaritans and Jews differed greatly on several religious traditions and did not associate with one another. Samaritans and Jews disagreed on the place where one could truly worship God. It was a major rift between the two sects of people. They went out of their way to avoid one another. It was considered a defilement for a Jew to enter a Samaritan’s home, to drink from the same cup, or even to speak to a Samaritan. It was also customary for a rabbi to avoid speaking to a woman in public. As a Jew who was often called “Rabbi” by his followers, Jesus should not have spoken to the woman at the well; the woman herself was surprised that he did.

Jesus spoke to the woman about living water, the kind that comes through him and quenches spiritual thirst. The woman did not fully understand him because she could not get past the idea of the physical need for water. It was only when Jesus told her what he knew of her background that she began to realize that something was different about him. Even then, she thought he was just a prophet. Finally, she hesitantly referred to the promised Messiah. Jesus confirmed that he was the Chosen One.

Jesus brought a radical change to the religious practices of the day. Even though Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy of the Messiah, God did not send Jesus exclusively for the Jews. Jesus came as Savior for all people, bringing God’s message of salvation to the whole world. This story is only one of several accounts of Jesus’ disregard of established customs in favor of spreading his message to all people.

This week as you interact with your children, remind them how Jesus loves all people regardless of race, creed, or color. Think about the power of a person having the ability to accept and love all people. With the prejudices, injustices, and discrimination that exist in the world, it seems nearly impossible to show that type of love. But Jesus commands it. He doesn’t care where we’ve been or what we’ve done. He just needs thirsty Christians.

This weekend the children discovered that they are important to Jesus and that Jesus wants to have a relationship and a friendship with them. We also taught the children the way to build a relationship with Jesus.

As we continue to learn about who Jesus was as a person and about Jesus’ love for us, this weekend lesson was crucial in learning more about who Jesus is to us today. Our Bible account is about Jesus’ disciples turning away the children because the disciples thought Jesus didn’t have time for children. Surely they were surprised when Jesus called the children back so he could love and bless them! Jesus’ actions showed the disciples then, and us today, just how special children are.

God loves us with a great big love, and so does Jesus. It is important for your children to experience that love as much as they can. Children can learn to understand God’s unconditional love by experiencing love from the adults in their lives. Show your children you care for them by listening to them and involving them in family plans. You can help create an environment where all children feel accepted and included. Praise your children when you see them including others.

Another important aspect of this Bible account is what Jesus said to the disciples: “Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15). A child’s faith is amazing and, as a parent of children, you know this. Allow yourself to learn from your children. You don’t have to know all of the answers. If a question is asked and you don’t know the answer, don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know, what do you think?” Show your children that you value their thoughts and opinions. Learn about God’s great big love together!

So this week take time to get involved with your children. It’s okay to get down on the floor and play games or to take a role in acting out a Bible story. At this time in their lives, children are establishing their own identities. They no longer look to adults for a lot of instruction. Instead, they look for support and encouragement. Help encourage your children to step out on their own and become unique individuals, loved and blessed by God!

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. Matthew 16:16

This weekend we helped the children connect with the biblical account of Jesus calling the disciples to follow him. We also helped the children to identify ways that they can follow Jesus and be his disciples in today’s society.

One of the first things Jesus did, according to the writer of the book of Mark, was to gather disciples. Having disciples was not an unusual activity for a teacher in Jesus’ day. Many teachers had disciples who stayed with them for years, learning. Sometimes a teacher would make arrangements for an especially bright student to be a disciple, but more often students asked a teacher for the honor of studying under him.

Jesus gathered disciples in a different way. Not only did he do all his own choosing and calling, but he also looked for disciples in uncommon places, mostly in the workplace. Jesus asked men who had shown no prior interest in spending their days in intellectual pursuits to be his disciples. Jesus’ first disciple was Simon, whose name he changed to Peter, the rock the man who would be important in founding the church. Peter’s brother Andrew was also called to be a disciple. Jesus’ next choice was another set of brothers, James and John. Some Bible scholars feel that because they are identified in the Gospels as the sons of Zebedee, their father may have been an important member of the early church. Peter, James, and John are mentioned at every important juncture in Jesus’ history from this point on.

The Bible does not tell us why these guys followed Jesus. But we do know that whatever their reasons, they followed without question. No, “Where are you going?” or “Who are you?” or “What kind of deal do you have to offer?” They simply followed. It was obvious that they were convinced that what Jesus was calling them to do was more important than what they had been doing up to that time.

Most Bible scholars feel that these men had been acquainted with Jesus prior to his calling them, that they were familiar with his ideas, and that they were not saying yes to a stranger. It is important that children understand that Jesus called friends to be his disciples. Do not let your children get the impression that it is okay to follow strangers because the disciples followed Jesus.

When Jesus invites us to be a disciple, he doesn’t place stipulations on the call. Jesus does not say, “In order to follow me, you must have a healthy bank account, be a certain race, be in a certain profession, or have a Harvard education.” Jesus’ invitation is open to all who are willing to be his disciple.

This week as you interact with your children help them in identifying ways they can be disciples today. And, as their parent, you are an excellent example. That is, you as a follower of Jesus are showing the children how they can follow Jesus too. You are passing on the teachings of Jesus Christ, so never underestimate what you do. As you teach your children, they will grow up and teach their children and others and influence not just their families, but a generation. What an influence! So go forth by the grace of God and fulfill your calling to be a parent. Remember to always pray for God’s guidance as you teach, and pray, too, for the children the Lord has given you.