MORNINGSIDE KIDS
Volume 8: The World is Against God
The World is Against God (Ephesians 6)
Each year, numerous local churches fill backpacks for children in their communities who have limited access to school supplies. They may schedule a Saturday morning to pack hundreds of backpacks full of pencils, paper, notebooks, scissors, erasers, and more to ensure that children are well-equipped for school.
Imagine if they filled the backpacks with candy, toys, tools, and dirt. Imagine that instead of paper and pencils, kids received empty soda cans and grass seed. Sure, those children may be ready to swing by the recycling center and start a landscaping project, but they would not be ready for what was in front of them.
In Ephesians 6, at the conclusion of Paul’s letter to his friends in Ephesus, Paul reminded the Ephesians of the tools they needed to remain faithful in the combative culture they were living.
The tools Paul described are not a hammer and nails. In fact, the tools that Paul exhorts them to use are metaphors for the spiritual characteristics and disciplines that are essential to guarding against the spiritual attacks of the devil and actively combating the lies of the evil one.
Paul reminded the Christians at Ephesus to put on truth, righteousness, readiness to take the gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. We can pursue and hold tightly to these distinctive characteristics of those whose hope is in the gospel of Jesus Christ; and in so doing, we’ll be equipped to stand firm in the faith.
Why are these things so essential? As Paul says in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” Paul says you’re not fighting a physical battle, but a spiritual one. Be sure you are equipped with the right tools for the task at hand.
In the same way, the kids in our communities need pencils and paper to be equipped for school, we need these spiritual characteristics and disciplines to grow and be equipped for the spiritual battle that we are facing each day. Be sure you gather the right supplies; it will make all the difference.
Christ Connection: Paul told believers to be ready to fight a spiritual battle every day. People and powers who are against God will be against us too. But Jesus died and rose from the dead. He had victory over evil. We can fight the battle against evil, knowing Jesus already won the war.
Volume 8: Jesus Raises Lazarus
Jesus Raises Lazarus (John 11-12)
The account of Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead is a foundational passage in the New Testament. Not only was a dead man brought back to life, this passage in John 11 also contains the shortest verse in the Bible and a glimpse into the humanity of Jesus. John 11:25 says, “Jesus wept.”
In this historical account of the death of Jesus’ dear friend, Jesus is questioned three times for not arriving sooner. The primary reason He is questioned can be found in the words of both Mary and Martha: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” (John 11:21,32)
Mary, Martha, and others around them had seen and heard of the miraculous things that Jesus was doing. They had only seen Him miraculously prevent death. Their framework for how Jesus worked was limited to their experience with Him.
Martha showed a glimmer of hope in John 11:22 when she said, “Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” However, she still seemed to limit what Jesus could do to her previous experience.
It can be easy to put God inside of a box, to limit what we believe He can do to what we’ve seen Him do before. Yet Jesus’ delay served a greater purpose: to give Him the opportunity to perform an even greater miracle—and thus display God’s glory.
Today, we often struggle to pray with confidence that God could heal physical ailments or save those that seem most unlikely to repent. In our minds, we limit what God can do to what we have seen or can explain.
What if we prayed with the confidence that God is a wonderworker, doing more than we could ever ask or imagine? What if we believed that God isn’t bound by our opinions or perspectives? What if we demonstrated our confidence in a God who is beyond our full comprehension, but is always within our reach? Not only would this type of faith change us, but it would also greatly impact those around us.
Christ Connection: When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He showed that He has power over death. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. He gives eternal life to those who trust in Him.
Volume 9: From Death to Resurrection
Volume 9: From Death to Resurrection
The gospel story unfolds through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus—our perfect Prophet, Priest, and King—rose on the third day. The final days of Jesus’ ministry on earth showed how He is the true Redeemer who rescues us from sin.
Unit 25: The Warnings of Jesus
As the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry drew near and His rejection was at hand, He continued to warn all who would listen to turn from sin and trust in Him. Failing to believe in Jesus and to love God and live accordingly has consequences.
How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? Jesus perfectly reveals God the Father and fulfills what the prophets spoke.
Jan 28 Session 1: People Welcomed Jesus as King (Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12)
Feb 4 Session 2: Leaders Wanted to Trick Jesus (Matthew 22)
Feb 11 Session 3 3: Jesus Warned about Not Loving (Matthew 23)
Feb 18 Session 4: Jesus Warned about Not Acting (Matthew 25)
Feb 25 Session 5 (Big Truth Session): Jesus Is Our Perfect Prophet (Deuteronomy 18)
Unit 26: The Arrest of Jesus
The time for Jesus’ rejection was at hand. After sharing a special meal with His disciples, Jesus was betrayed by one of His own and was arrested. Even as His death approached, Jesus continued to act as a perfect Priest, loving His followers and praying to the Father on their behalf.
How is Jesus the perfect Priest? Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for sin, and He speaks to God the Father for us today.
Mar 3 Session 1: Jesus Was Anointed (Matthew 26; Mark 14; John 12)
Mar 10 Session 2: Jesus Shared a Last Meal (Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22)
Mar 17 Session 3: Jesus Was Arrested (Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22)
Mar 24 Session 4 (Big Truth Session): Jesus Is Our Perfect Priest (Hebrews 7)
Unit 27: The Death and Resurrection of Jesus
The darkest day the world has ever seen became the brightest day one glorious Sunday morning. After Jesus was unjustly convicted of a crime, He was crucified and His body was placed in a tomb. But on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin and death and rising again as the conquering King.
How is Jesus the perfect King? Jesus perfectly rules over the universe as the King of kings.
Mar 31 Easter Escape Room
Apr 7 Session 3: Jesus Was Raised (Matthew 27–28; Mark 15–16; Luke 23–24; John 19–20)
Apr 14 Session 4 (Big Truth Session): Jesus Is Our Perfect King (Colossians 1)
Volume 8: Jesus Knew He Would Be Rejected
Jesus Knew He Would Be Rejected (Luke 13)
As the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth was drawing nearer, large crowds of people followed Him from each town and village. So the question someone raised in Luke 13:23 may seem unusual: “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
Jesus had spent time with the crowds. He had fed them, taught them, and healed them; yet He knew that relatively few would follow Him as true disciples. He knew He would ultimately be rejected by the crowds.
Jesus said that the gate is narrow, and few will find it. Most people will not taste and see that the Lord is good. The simple answer to this probing question is, “Yes, the number of people who will be saved is significantly less than those who will not.” Many people knew about Jesus. They had shared meals with Him and listened to Him, but they did not know Him personally as Lord and Savior.
Jesus was clear that being a Jew by birth or a zealot for the law was not enough to enter God’s kingdom. God’s heart is both for Jews and Gentiles. Jesus’ honest response offers hope to those who will hear. He tells them that no matter the numbers, make every effort to be one who enters that narrow gate. You do not want to be left outside the entrance.
We are surrounded by people who wonder about this very same thing. Who will be saved? Though we are not armed with the eternal knowledge of God, we do have pictures like this in Scripture that remind us to point to the hope of Christ in all things. We don’t know the future—and it’s not for us to know—but we do know where hope is found. The subject line of our message should be as hopeful as the gospel that saved us. The invitation to God’s kingdom is for all to place their trust in Christ, the One who was rejected and killed on a cross—so that we may be justified and fully accepted by His sacrifice on our behalf.
Christ Connection: Everyone is invited into the kingdom of God, but not everyone will enter. People are saved only by trusting in Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
Morningside Kids Bible Reading Plans 2024
As your child grows in grace, there are good resources available to help them develop in reading God’s Word. In this new year, encourage your child to know and love God more by digging into His Word in bite-size pieces on their level using one of these Bible reading plans. These Bible reading plans are also available in print format outside our Kids’ Wing.
If your younger child is isn’t quite reading independently, read along with them and talk about the what the passage is saying about God and then discuss what God wants us to do with His help as a result of knowing more about Him. Pray together praising the Lord for who He is and for grace to love and obey Him.
If your child is an independent reader, support them each day as you talk together about what God is teaching him or her. Share what God is teaching you through your own personal time with God.
Volume 8: We Are Part of God's Kingdom (Matthew 22; Luke 14)
We are part of god’s kingdom (matthew 22; Luke 14)
What makes someone worthy? Have you ever wondered that? What makes someone worthy of the situation they find themselves in? What makes someone worthy of high degrees of responsibility or leadership? What makes someone worthy of recognition or acclaim?
For someone who has been exposed to the things of God, it’s common to ask, what makes someone worthy of the blessings of God?
Jesus told a parable in Matthew 22 that speaks to this question. The answer is that they have responded to the invitation of the King. Metaphorically, this parable teaches that, “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” And those that are chosen are worthy.
Contrary to what our culture tells us, what makes someone worthy is not their accomplishments, their position, or the acclaim. The ultimate answer to this question is not found in what someone does, but by the grace of the King of the universe.
Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”
The good that we do is an outflow of our worthiness, given to us by the grace of God through faith in Him. It is not the other way around. We do not do good works to earn His grace or to prove our worth.
We ought to be careful to understand that worthiness comes out of a gift that has been given by God. And that He is the only King able to assign us worth. He did that when He created all of us. Let us seek to find our worth in nothing less than this.
Christ Connection: Jesus invites us to join Him in heaven—the great wedding feast. When we receive His invitation, Jesus gets us ready by clothing us in His righteousness. Salvation is a free gift for everyone who trusts in Christ.
Volume 8: Jesus Taught About God's Kingdom (Matthew 13)
Jesus Taught About God’s Kingdom (Matthew 13)
Jesus often used parables to teach about the kingdom of God. These were fictional stories that illustrated larger points, and those who heard them were often perplexed by their meaning. In Matthew 13, Jesus gave clarity to two important questions that readers of the parables often ask: why does He teach this way, and what do these things mean?
Jesus had a specific purpose in everything He did. Not one moment in the life of Jesus was purely accidental or circumstantial. Jesus had clear intention in all that He did.
Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Why are you speaking to them in parables?” Jesus explained that He did this not to confuse them but to fulfill the prophecy that those who belong to the kingdom of God will hear and understand, but those who do not will hear and not understand.
In this same chapter Jesus also explained some of these parables. All of them were intended to show the unique, surprising, and powerful nature of the kingdom of God. As you consider this week’s Bible story, reflect on two realities illustrated by these parables about the kingdom of God.
First, the kingdom of God will appear to be made up of those who are true believers and those who are not. There are some good fish and some worthless fish, some wheat and some weeds. But in these parables, we learn that there is no confusion for God in who His children truly are. In the end God will separate the two, which means we don’t have to. God will take care to guard His eternal Kingdom.
Second, the kingdom of God may look small or weak, but in the end, it will prove to be larger, more powerful, and more beautiful than we can imagine. The kingdom of God is worth giving up all you have, though starting from a small seed it will grow to be the most prominent tree, and the leaven of the kingdom will impact every bit of the flour.
God’s kingdom is unlike anything else we’ve ever known, and the way Jesus sought to explain that was through parables that demonstrated the beauty and power of the Kingdom. These parables allowed God's people to hear and understand, yet left those of this world to hear and wonder.
Christ Connection : The kingdom of God is growing in the world. This kingdom is valuable and worth giving everything for. While we wait for Jesus to return and fully set up His kingdom, we carry out the mission of telling others about King Jesus, who rescues sinners.
Advent Resources for Families
What is Advent and How is it Celebrated?
Advent can be a wonderful time of year for families! Advent is a four-week season for the Church to reflect on the arrival of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. Many Christians around the world celebrate this time by reading daily Scripture passages about events leading up to the arrival. They meditate on the hope, peace, joy, and love ushered in by our Emmanuel, God with us. Christian families also plan intentional hands-on activities to involve their children in learning about the Messiah’s arrival. Maybe you’re a new parent looking for a way to participate in the advent season. Or maybe you’re looking for a change in your current advent plan because your children are growing older. Below are some advent resources for families. We pray you will make this upcoming advent season more reflective of our Messiah than the presents under the tree. Jesus came to rescue his people from sin. What an ultimate gift to celebrate!
Volume 8: Jesus Taught About God's Love (Luke 15)
Jesus Taught About God’s Love (Luke 15)
Let’s set the scene: It’s Monday morning, you’re running late for work, where you have an important meeting scheduled first thing. But before you can make it to work, you have to drop off the kids at school. And before you can drop the kids off at school, you’ll need to get everyone in the car, which means you’ll need the car keys. And therein lies the problem. Where are the car keys?! A panicked search ensues, sofa cushions are tossed to the ground, bags are emptied, pockets are turned inside out. You have the car, you have the kids, you have the backpacks, lunchboxes, and your wallet, but without the keys, no one is going anywhere.
Every time I read the three parables that Jesus shares in Luke 15—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son—I can’t help but imagine such a scene. A valuable target that’s worth the risk and resources to go and get.
From these three stories, it’s fair to ask, “Who is it that Jesus is after?” A close look at the context where Jesus shared these parables helps us understand.
Jesus has been approached by tax collectors and sinners. These are the worst of the worst in the eyes of the religious people of the day. But there’s another audience as well. The Pharisees and scribes had gathered. And while they complained about Jesus being with such terrible sinners, Jesus started to make a point that leveled the playing field.
These three parables illustrate that Jesus is concerned about the far-off sinner who has either wandered from faithfulness or has yet to taste and see the goodness of God. But He is also concerned with the outwardly righteous, inwardly sinful Christians who consider themselves deserving of the grace of God. Both are in great need of the love of God.
As we read Luke 15 it should stir our hope for those around us that are far from God and in need of salvation or restoration. But it should also cause us to see our own need for the love and grace of God.
The love of God is relentless, coming after us in our time of need. Whether He is leading us to Himself in salvation or leading us to repentance from our sin, Jesus is in pursuit. We are all always in need of his love and grace.
Christ Connection: Jesus told these parables to teach about God’s love. God sent Jesus so sinners can be forgiven. As Savior, Jesus loves and seeks sinners. He paid the ultimate price—His own life—to save people from sin.
Miracle Hill Art Bags
During the month of November, Morningside is collecting art supplies for Miracle Hill foster kids. Our Morningside Kids will be assembling art bags on December 10 in the Kids Wing. Donations accepted at the Welcome Center.
Activity books
Stickers
Spiral-bound drawing books (small)
Colored pencils
Markers
Crayons
Chalk
Watercolor paints
Paint brushes
Pipe cleaners
Foam shapes and letters
Pom poms
Popsicle sticks
Morningside Kids Holiday Schedule
Morningside Kids Holiday Schedule
November 15 - Awana - Missions Night!
November 22 - Happy Thanksgiving! No Awana
November 26 - 10 & 11am children’s programming
November 29 - Awana - Western Night!
December 3 - A Night in Bethlehem! - Annual Children's Christmas Event (10am-12pm)
December 10 - Adult Christmas Program 10 & 11am children's programming
December 13 - Awana - Pajama Night! Awana Christmas parties
December 17 - 10am nursery & children's programming; 11am Children's Christmas Specials (nursery only; sign up here); 5pm Children's Christmas program; 6pm Christmas Cookie Fellowship
December 20 - Merry Christmas! No Awana
December 24 - 10am nursery & children's programming only; 5pm Candlelight Service
December 27 - Happy New Year! No Awana
December 31 - 10am nursery & children's programming
January 3 - Awana resumes
Volume 8: Jesus Taught About Behavior (Matthew 6)
JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT BEHAVIOR (MATTHEW 6)
Have you ever wondered, Does Jesus care more about what I believe or about what I do? That’s one of those questions that can’t be answered in a word.
We learn in the Bible of the danger of a “belief” that is only external. We find warnings like Matthew 15:8: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” On the flip side, we also learn in the New Testament that “Faith without works is useless” (James 2:20).
This is not evidence of the Bible contradicting itself but of the Bible teaching that these two are not mutually exclusive. So, what is it that the Bible tells us God is looking for? Scripture seems to suggest both belief and action: faith and works.
In Matthew 6, Jesus used the Sermon on the Mount to emphasize this further by spelling out some of the specific actions that true belief will produce. Jesus speaks of giving, prayer, fasting, and holding a right perspective on our possessions.
The irony of Jesus’ explaining the appropriate actions that flow out of genuine faith is that elsewhere in the New Testament we learn that Jesus is the central ingredient in the faithful production of these behaviors in our lives.
Second Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that the Word of God is able to teach, rebuke, correct, and train us so that we are fully equipped for the work that God created us for. Considering the whole counsel of God, Jesus is identified in John 1 as the living Word of God. Therefore, Jesus does not simply teach us about the behaviors He calls us to, He is the very One equipping us to live out of these behaviors.
In 2 Peter 1, we find this idea spelled out even more directly: “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3).
Jesus is deeply concerned with what we believe and what we do. His expectations are high, but He promises to give us everything we need for both faith and works. This is a promise we can count on.
Christ Connection: Jesus taught people what it means to follow Him. He taught how people should interact with God and others. Believers live to honor God—not to earn God’s favor but because they already have it.
Volume 8: Jesus Taught About Character (Matthew 5)
JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT CHARACTER (MATTHEW 5)
What do you think would happen if you stomped on a ketchup packet? Would you expect only air to escape the contents of the packet? Undoubtedly, the pressure of the stomp would result in an explosion of ketchup, and perhaps a messy shoe.
Oddly enough, we don't always predict our responses to specific situations accurately. In moments of extreme pressure or challenge, we are surprised at our own responses and decisions.
The beginning of The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 contains what we often call the ‘Beatitudes.’ In these eight verses, there are specific descriptions of people who could be seen in a negative light. Poor, mourning, humbled, hungry, thirsty, and persecuted are all words that describe a posture seen as less than favorable in our culture. Yet, this text speaks of the blessing of each of them.
The blessings result through a God-centered perspective. The poor in spirit, hungry, humble are those who have set their hope in God and His eternal kingdom. The poor in spirit have recognized that they are utterly lost without God. Those who mourn acknowledge the guilt of their sin and the pain of a broken world. The hungry and thirsty understand that nothing in this world will satisfy like Jesus. The character of the people of God reveals a response of faith in Him.
Who we are isn't determined by how we respond to pain and hardship; however, our character is often displayed in these moments. The choices we make and the way in which we fill ourselves during times of peace and rest are often revealed during high-pressure situations. Those being transformed by the power of God will display faithfulness and virtue in these times. Those not gripped by the Spirit of God will display their graceless state.
Don’t be surprised that what you have filled yourself with comes out when you are pressed. And don’t be surprised when God shows Himself to you in a distinct way in these times of trouble.
Christ Connection: Jesus taught people what it means to follow Him. He taught how people should live. People who trust in Jesus live to honor God and show what His kingdom is like.
Volume 8: Jesus' Miracles Prove He is God
JESUS’ MIRACLES PROVE HE IS GOD (JOHN 14)
When we study the miraculous works of Jesus—Jesus’ calming a storm, healing sickness, multiplying food, walking on water, turning water into wine, helping blind people see, or any of the other miracles that Jesus performed—it's possible to miss the larger story being told and the purpose of these encounters. Like standing too close to a painting, our view of the larger picture becomes obscure, and we can lose sight of its grandeur. While details are important, Jesus' miracles reveal a glorious truth about who He is—God in flesh.
John 14 provides us with one of many reasons to keep a broader focus as we study Jesus’ miracles. In preparation for His death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus offered words of comfort and encouragement to His disciples. Soon He would no longer be visible to them with their eyes or available to reach out and touch. Yet, Jesus calls them to see with eyes of faith as He urges them to "Believe in God; believe also in [him]." (John 14:1).
As the disciples grappled with where Jesus' is going, Jesus underscored His oneness with the Father and that He alone is the way to the Father. He patiently reminds the disciples of the authority of His words and the miraculous works He performed–all of which prove He is God. It was a grace for the disciples to behold the works of Jesus and be able to look back and remember what their eyes had seen and their ears had heard when Jesus walked among them.
When they faced times of turmoil, they could recall Jesus calming the storm and believe. When they were hungry, they could remember Jesus' feeding the crowd and believe. Not only were the words and works of Jesus evidence of His divinity during His time on earth, they were also a means to persevere in their faith after He went to heaven.
As you focus on the works of Jesus, consider their true purpose. Jesus’ miracles give us a picture of who He is and the hope of life with Him in His kingdom. As we read of Jesus' miracles and grow in knowledge of Him, we can ask God to deepen our faith and love for Him. And when we seek to view the big picture of the Bible, we come to better understand the miraculous works of a God who gave His only Son to save sinners.
CHRIST CONNECTION: God has always existed as three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father sent the Son to rescue us from sin. He gives us the Holy Spirit to comfort us, show us our sins, and guide us as we live for God’s glory.
Volume 8: Jesus Fed Many People (Matthew 15, Mark 5)
Jesus fed many people (Matthew 15, Mark 5)
As you read of the miraculous multiplication of bread and fish in Matthew 15 pay attention to what captures your attention. What stands out most? Consider these astonishing observations: Thousands of people had been following and listening to Jesus for three days with nothing to eat. The disciples doubted Jesus’ ability to provide something substantial enough to meet the needs of this crowd. With seven loaves of bread and a few small fish, the disciples were able to feed a crowd of thousands. At the end of this simple meal, the people had food left over.
But one observation seems to showcase the heart of Christ in this story–He had compassion on the crowd. The hungry multitude had nothing to eat and would surely collapse on their journey home. From this compassionate heart, Jesus performed His miraculous works that not only satisfied their hunger, but produced an abundance of leftover food. Such is the heart of Christ, to show compassion, give generously, and seek to satisfy.
Jesus' miracle demonstrated both His power and His love. Just as He had power to multiply the loaves and the fish, so does He have power to save us from sin. And just as He displayed His love toward the crowd, so does He display His love toward sinners by way of the cross. The Bread of Life gave His body to be broken so that our hungry souls would be satisfied and find life.
Through Jesus' miracle of feeding the crowd, we find the gospel message: set your heart to feast on Jesus and you will live. (John 6:51) Only in Christ will we find forgiveness, satisfaction, and life eternal. We can turn to Jesus and be reminded that in Him we have all we need.
As you study the miraculous works of Jesus, don’t lose sight of the love of God on display through these acts. To know the works of Jesus is to know the tangible evidence of His unsurpassed love.
Christ Connection: By feeding the crowd, Jesus provided for the physical needs of the people. Later, Jesus called Himself the bread of life. (John 6:35) Only Jesus can satisfy our souls forever by providing forgiveness, peace with God, and eternal life.
Volume 8: Jesus Healed Sickness (Matthew 9, Mark 5, Luke 8)
Jesus Healed Sickness (Matthew 9, Mark 5, Luke 8)
When someone you know is sick, how do you respond? Do you press in with compassion and prayer, offering to take a meal? Are you tempted to withdraw and leave their needs to others? In today's passage, we will see Jesus repeatedly draw near to people in their time of need.
The Gospel accounts provide a powerful picture of Jesus’ compassion toward the needs of people. Some of these suggest His intentional pursuit of people, while others demonstrate a pause—or even a detour—to meet someone's needs. Yet, in both cases, as Jesus provided for the physical needs of people, He also demonstrated His power as the Son of God through His miraculous works.
Jesus had become known for His ability to bring dead things to life, heal the incurable, and bring change where no one else could. As a result, people gathered around Him everywhere he went.
In this week’s story, we see the great faith of a desperate woman. She literally reached out to Jesus, seeking healing from a long-term disorder. The woman believed in Jesus for the same reason Jesus commanded Jairus to believe: because Jesus holds the power to save—to bring the dead back to life, both physically and spiritually.
Jesus was always in pursuit of people and was never too busy to pause to meet the needs of others along the way. But Jesus came to offer much more than physical healing. The life He came to give them would result in eternal salvation.
Jesus' encounters with Jairus and the woman remind us that God cares about the brokenness of this world. We can be confident that His promise to undo the curse of sin will be fulfilled. As we read Jesus' miracles, we see glimpses of a fallen world being redeemed as the Son of God heals and brings life. Greater still is the hope we have to trust in Jesus' power to renew our hearts and bring salvation. He is working now to sanctify us and bring inward transformation until the day we will see Him and be like Him.
Christ Connection: By healing the woman and raising the little girl from the dead, Jesus showed His power as the Messiah. Jesus died on the cross and rose again to save people from sin and death. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sins and changes us to be more like His Son.
Volume 8: Jesus Healed and Forgave (Matthew 9, Mark 2, Luke 5)
jesus healed and forgave (Matthew 9, Mark 2, luke 5)
As Jesus worked miracles, people were curious and amazed. Large crowds started following Him. Among those most interested in the works of Jesus were the Jewish leaders who looked unfavorably upon both the actions of Jesus and the following that he was gaining. Though they were interested, they felt increasingly threatened.
The Pharisees and teachers had gathered to see the power of Jesus for themselves and would later attempt to build a case against Him. But Jesus’ authority to forgive sins served to reveal their hardness of heart and evil intentions.
When Jesus told a paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven and then asked these religious men the question, “Which is easier … ?,” the point wasn’t for them to do a scientific assessment to determine which act required greater power. The point was to show them His authority. Therefore, Jesus followed His question with the true answer: “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” He commanded the man to get up and walk.
Jesus affirmed His authority to forgive sins by healing the paralyzed man. All of Jesus' miracles provided the evidence for His teachings and His authority. What's more, Jesus' authority is not constrained to only the physical world, but also reaches deep into the spiritual component of every person. While healing the man's physical condition was a beautiful act of grace, what the man needed most was to have his sins forgiven. And this was the truth the religious leader's hard hearts failed to understand.
As we reflect on Jesus' words in this passage, we can ask Him to examine our hearts. Unlike the religious leaders, whose prideful hearts kept them from submitting to Christ's authority, we can joyfully ask the Lord to reveal any sin. Then by His grace, we can repent and find forgiveness.
Just as Jesus demonstrated His authority to forgive the man's sins by offering the evidence of healing, so has He also shown us His power to forgive our sins through the cross. Not only can we be confident that He will forgive, but we can rejoice that He has met our greatest need.
Christ Connection: The man who was paralyzed needed to be healed. Jesus did something even greater; Jesus forgave his sins, and then He healed the man. Because Jesus is God, He has the power and authority to heal and forgive. Jesus forgives everyone who trusts in Him.
Christmas Boxes for Miracle Hill Foster Care
Donate Christmas gifts for Miracle Hill foster children during the months of October & November. Our children's ministry will be boxing the donations on Wednesday, November 15 during Awana. We will then deliver the Christmas boxes to Miracle Hill for foster families to pick up during the holidays. See the donation list below. Donations can be dropped off in the lobby. We look forward to being a blessing to many foster children and their families this Christmas!
Toothbrushes (not multipack)
Toothpaste
Small toys
Stickers
Mini composition notebooks
Colored pencils
Volume 8: Jesus Calmed the Storm (Matthew 8, Mark 4, Luke 8)
JESUS CALMED THE STORM (MATTHEW 8, MARK 4, LUKE 8)
In the Gospel accounts of Jesus calming the storm, we learn that Jesus' disciples experienced tremendous fear. Their fear was so great, they believed they would perish in the storm. Yet, Jesus experienced the same violent storm, and rather than quake in fear, He slept.
The disciples’ fear emerged from a lack of faith in the One who slept in the boat. While they worried about their circumstances and allowed fear to overtake their hearts, Jesus remained confident in His control over all things–including the raging sea. Not a drop of an ocean wave or a gust of wind escaped His authority. The Word made flesh, who spoke all creation into existence, rules every inch of this world according to His sovereign will.
At the sound of His voice, the wind and the waves were stilled. And the disciples' fear of the storm was redirected to a fear of another kind–one of reverence and awe. The power of the storm was no rival for the power of the Lord, and the disciples’ perspective was shifted to wonder at the holiness, power, and authority of Jesus.
The disciples’ fear toward Jesus was different. This fear was one of awe and reverence—a humbled perspective regarding the holiness, power, and authority of Jesus.
We all resonate with their timidity, for it is commonplace in our daily lives to be shaken by concerns in the face of trying circumstances. This story is about a storm and the different feelings that came out of it. But from that storm, and even the storms within our own lives, we see the character of a Savior. It is about our need to bow our hearts and our lives to the beauty, holiness, power, and authority of Jesus as we trust in His authority—for His glory and also for our good.
We all have things that cause us worry and concern, but do you have a reverent awe toward the God who made you and loves you and has promised to be with you through every circumstance of your life?
Christ Connection: Jesus’ disciples knew Jesus was a good man and a good teacher. When Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, He showed His disciples that He is also God. God rules the sea and stills its waves.
Volume 7: We Are Saved By Faith in Jesus
WE ARE SAVED BY FAITH IN JESUS (HEBREWS 11)
Faith is a common theme throughout the Bible. We may not find the word faith on every page; however, in nearly every description of what God expects of His people, there is at least an indication of faith. Throughout Scripture, we read that faith is the means by which God is pleased with His people as they chose to trust Him.
Hebrews 11 emphasizes the significance of faith by unpacking how God has been saving His people through faith from the beginning. From creation to the first family and on and on throughout the lives of individuals, tribes, and nations God uses faith as the evidence of who belongs to His kingdom and the means by which He gives hope.
So, what exactly is faith? According to the author of Hebrews, “Faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen” (Heb. 11:1).
To be clear, this does mean that it is possible to have faith in something other than the truths of the Bible, the work of Christ, and the promises of God. We may place our faith in a future spouse, job, experience, or accomplishment; however, according to the Bible, only one object of faith is truly saving before God, and that is Jesus.
What is the object of your faith? Do you have hope in the unseen promises of God? Does the object of your faith look more like a whimsical desire for your own good, or is it confidence in the wonderful work of a life-giving Savior? In the grand picture of life, there is no more important question than this because the object of your faith will most certainly determine the direction of your eternity.
The individuals described in Hebrews 11 put their faith in God’s promise of a coming Christ; therefore, their actions revealed their trust and dependence on the Lord. Ultimately, this produced faithfulness in their lives and blessing from God.
Hundreds of years from now, will your life be associated with this type of faith? Let the faith of Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and others inspire you to take risks in obedience to following Christ. Pray for a faith that actively trusts that God is who He says He is and holds tight to the confidence that God keeps His promises.
Christ Connection: The Bible gives examples of people who had faith, but the true hero of the Bible is Jesus. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. We are saved from our sins by faith in Jesus.
