This weekend the children learned the biblical account of the healing of the ten lepers. We also helped the children recognize the need for giving thanks and we taught them to give thanks for all God’s blessings.

The lesson this weekend was about the one man who gave thanks for Jesus healing him of leprosy. Leprosy is a term for a variety of skin conditions which may or may not be serious. Persons who had leprosy were considered “unclean” because they may have been contagious. Some lepers were required to live away from other people. They often lived in groups outside populated areas where they would beg for money.

On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus encountered a group of ten lepers who asked for mercy. Jesus sent the lepers to the priests because the priests were responsible for monitoring and certifying anyone who suffered from leprosy as “clean” (Leviticus 13:45-46). While on their way, all ten were cured. One man returned to Jesus. With enormous gratitude, the man shouted his thanks and bowed down before Jesus. The man who returned was a Samaritan. That he alone should return is striking since Jews did not associate with Samaritans or expect pious or humanitarian behavior from them. (A similar surprise is found in Jesus’ parable of the good Samaritan—Luke 10:29-37).

The Bible lesson this weekend is as much about gratitude as it is about healing. Have you ever wondered why only one man returned to tell Jesus thank you? Perhaps the other nine were too focused on being back in the mainstream of society again. Maybe they were focused on confirming their healing with the priest. Whatever they were focused on did not leave room for them to return and say, “Thank you, Jesus.” The one who showed gratitude may have been focused on all these things too. And after focusing on them thought, I could not do any of these things, return to society; live a normal, healthy life had it not been for Jesus. Jesus is the source of my healing. And with those thoughts, this former leper was compelled to return and offer gratitude to Jesus.

As a parent you may be dealing with the fact that your child may be dealing with a family member’s serious illness and may be concerned or angry that God has not cured that person. Remind the children that God does not cause people to be sick. Nor does God withhold healing because of anything that person has done. Ask others for help if you are unsure how to answer any questions or if you are unsure of a child’s situation.

This week as you interact with your children, remember your source Jesus. Offer a prayer of gratitude to God for all the blessings that God has given you, and encourage your children to do the same.

“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds”. Psalm 9:1

This weekend we taught the children the biblical account of the Hebrew people’s escape from Egypt and Miriam’s song of thanks. We also gave the children opportunities to celebrate God’s power and salvation.

This weekend’s lesson tell of the Hebrews’ escape from Egypt. Pharaoh let the people go, and God led them across the desert toward the Red Sea. Egyptian military outposts marked the land of the most direct route, and Moses avoided this for obvious reasons. God protected the Hebrews, providing a cloud by day and a column of fire by night to guide them. When Pharaoh realized that he had let all of his slaves go, he decided to bring them back to Egypt. Pharaoh, who led the pursuit of the Hebrew people from his chariot, was followed by his entire army of horses, chariots, and soldiers. What a sight that must have been!

When the people of Israel saw Pharaoh’s army coming closer and closer to their camp at the Red Sea, they began to complain and say it would have been better to have remained as slaves in Egypt than to die in the desert. Moses reassured the people of God’s power and, doing as God told him, Moses stretched his hand and staff over the sea so that God’s people could escape. Once they had escaped, Moses and Miriam gave thanks to God with songs of praise. Some scholars believe that the verses were first ascribed to Miriam, and that they are among the most ancient examples of Hebrew poetry that we have. This is the same Miriam who watched her baby brother float in a basket and into the arms of Pharaoh’s daughter. Miriam is described as a prophet, which tells us that she held her own place as a leader in the spiritual lives of her people.

It is important for the children to understand that the celebration in the Bible story came from gratitude for what God has done. Celebration follows thanksgiving. As a parent, we encourage you to look for opportunities to model and teach thankfulness with your children. Show appreciation for the things they say and do and, most of all, for them as children of God.

The account of the Hebrew people’s deliverance from Pharaoh is a story of God’s care. God cared for the Hebrew people by providing the pillar of cloud by day. God cared for the Hebrew people by providing the pillar of fire by night. God cared for the Hebrew people by providing a strong east wind that turned the sea into dry ground. So Miriam’s thanks were a celebration of God’s care: “Miriam led them in singing, Sing to God—what a victory!” (Exodus 15:21, THE MESSAGE).

This week as you interact with your children, think about God’s care. How has God’s care manifested itself in your own life? What has God done for you that would cause you to burst into song and celebrate God’s power and salvation? Think on these things and give thanks to God.

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

This weekend we taught the kids that God is a great big God, who loves us with a great big love, and that we are part of God’s great big world. The children heard the account of Noah and the ways Noah gave thanks. We also taught the children ways to give thanks to God in their lives.

The account of Noah is one of the most popular accounts to be found in the Bible. It is filled with delightful images of animals and boats and rainbows. The background of the story, however, is one of wickedness, destruction, and heartbreak. After leaving the garden of Eden, people continued to grow apart from God. They began to depend more on themselves and less on God. The perfect world that God created was returning to a state of chaos. Instead of merely starting over with creation, God chose the best of creation and set it apart for a special purpose. The rest was to be destroyed. The account of God destroying the world can be frightening for children. Because we want children to know that God is a loving and caring God, this lesson focused on how Noah trusted God to take care of him, his family, and the animals, and then thanked God for this care.

The ark was a kind of houseboat. It was built of cypress wood and had three decks. It was very large, 450 feet long. That is longer than a football field! It was 75 feet wide and 45 feet tall. The Scriptures only mention one door and one window. The rainbow that appeared after the Flood is a sign of the covenant established between God and humankind. Aside from the Creation account, this is the first covenant in the Bible. Unlike later covenants made with Abraham and Israel, this covenant is universal in scope. Noah and his family, along with the animals of the ark, were the remnants of creation that would repopulate the entire world.

Flood stories are found in the literature of many ancient cultures. What makes this story stand out above the others is Noah’s faith and God’s promise to give humankind a second chance. Offering thanks to God was a priority for Noah. When Noah departed the ark after the Flood, perhaps he thought of building a home for his family and establishing himself in his new world. Everyone and everything had been destroyed, so he would have to start all over again. Yet his mind was on worship. Noah built an altar and offered thanks to God.

This week as you interact with your children provide them with opportunities to give thanks to God. You as a parent, think about the ways you give thanks to God. How does giving thanks make you feel? What does giving thanks do for you? Then talk to your children about it.

“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds”. Psalm 9:1

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.

This weekend we taught the children the biblical account of how God rested from Creation. We helped the children explore what it means to praise God through worship, rest, and reflection.

The Bible tells us that at the end of the Creation account, God rested. God’s rest serves as the basis for two central elements of faith. First, rest is a necessary and sacred part of life. God’s day of rest established the practice of the sabbath, a weekly sacred day of rest. (The word sabbath means “to cease.”) The practice of a day of rest helps us recognize and remember that creation does not depend on us; creation depends on God. When we rest in imitation of God, we honor life as a gift.

Second, many scholars say God’s day of rest demonstrates the faith God has in creation. God is an ever-present part of creation, but God chooses not to keep tinkering with it. God has faith creation will work. (Even in the story of the Flood, found later in Genesis, God shows faith in creation by saving Noah’s family and the different species of animals.)

Keeping the sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments. “Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God” (Exodus 20:8- 10).

The Jewish sabbath begins at the appearance of the first evening star on Friday night and continues until sunset on Saturday. It is considered a time of joy and thanksgiving. As Christians, we celebrate the sabbath on Sunday. It is a reminder of the resurrection of Jesus on Sunday morning. Like the teachings of our Jewish heritage, we remember the sabbath and teach our children how this day of rest helps us to serve and celebrate God.

This week as you interact with your children, think about what the sabbath means to you. Think about things you do to relax. Thank God for rest. In Mark 6:31, Jesus said to the disciples, “‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” Aren’t our lives just this busy at times? In the midst of your busy schedule, ask God to give you the balance you need between rest and work. Pray for your children. They, too, feel the pressure of rushed and hurried lives. Pray for your home environments and guard your time of rest.

God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. Genesis 1:31

This weekend we helped children recognize that they are made in the image of God.

Being made in God’s image is frequently taken to mean “looks like.” God’s image is much more complicated than that. When we talk about the image of God, first we have to get beyond the idea of physical characteristics. Obviously as the children look around themselves, they see people who are a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. So which group, the children will ask, represents the image of God? We will answer, “They all do!” God has given people the ability to choose, not merely act on instinct or training. Being made in God’s image means that humans are a reflection of the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual characteristics that are attributed to God.

This weekend we helped the children make the biblical connection that we are made in the image of God. We engaged in activities that showed that each one of them is special and unique. Have you thought lately about your own uniqueness and how special you are to God? There’s no one else in the universe like you. What you will offer your children, your gifts and talents, faith, personality, manner of interaction with them is unlike any other parent. Take a few moments and thank God for you. Don’t think about your failures or shortcomings we all have them. Rather, concentrate on what wonderful gifts you bring to the relationship with your children. Let your gifts be an inspiration to your kids.

This week as you interact with your children help them see how special they are, expand their thoughts to the diversity of the world. Take time to thank God for all the different abilities, cultures, ages, and qualities of people throughout the world. Emphasize to them that all people everywhere are created in the image of God.

“God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good”. Genesis 1:31

This weekend we helped the children recognize that God created the world and that our world is a gift from God. We helped children understand that it is our responsibility to care for God’s creation.

Last week our lesson left the stage prepared to receive the next step in God’s creation, living creatures. God filled the sky with birds and the seas with sea creatures. With the creation of animals in the waters and in the air comes a blessing. While creation has been affirmed as good, this is the first time that a blessing is given. The blessing is a meaningful image in the Old Testament. With a blessing, one person gives power and vitality to another. In creation, this blessing shows us that animals of all kinds have an important value to God.

This week as you spend time with your children, help them to think about how God richly provides for us through creation. Spend time in prayer, thanking God for His provisions. Also ask God to fill you and your kids with awe and wonder at His creation. You might want to study with your kids an unusual animal, fish, or bird, and discover how awesome God really is. Spend some time thinking about ways you and your kids can be good caretakers of God’s world.

“God saw everything that He had made, and indeed, it was very good”. (Genesis 1:3)

This weekend the kids heard the account of Creation. They were encouraged to respond to God’s amazing love and the wonder of His creation.

As Christians we believe that God created the world. He said let there be light and there was. As adults we often lose sight of the wonder of God’s creation because we come to view nature, the seasons, and animals as routine and mundane.

Kids are full of questions about the “how” of creation. This weekend we answered those questions by reading the Creation account in the Bible. We also explained to them that is OK to have questions and to not understand certain things about the Creation account. We explained to them that is in these times when we trust and have faith even if we don’t fully understand.

This week as you interact with your children let them experience the wonders of God’s creation and remember to point out to them that everything that is around them was created by God. Remind them and yourselves that God’s presence is with us in all the world around us. And of course Jesus teaches us, that from the dawn of creation to the dawn of life everlasting, God will always be there.