God was with David and led him to many victories over Israel’s foes. God also showed His amazing grace to David when he sinned against God. It is what we learn about God’s character and promises that make it worth spending time learning about King David in 1 & 2 Samuel.
We don’t mind justice when we’ve been wronged, but judgement when we have wronged others is unpleasant. When God brings judgement on those who have sinned, does this mean God doesn’t love us anymore? On the contrary, it is because God loves us that he judges sin. An unloving God would be permissive and dismissive of our actions, thoughts and words. God is good to judge sin.
When I was teaching as a primary school teacher I was looking for an age-appropriate kids Bible that was faithful to scripture. I taught in a Christian school where we had frequent time for bible devotions. I had used the Jesus Storybook Bible which is great for younger kids, the kids in my class were older primary. It was at this point that I stumbled across this book - One Big Story Bible Storybook.
It is suitable for kids who are ready to read on their own, but not quite up to reading whole books and chapters independently in the Bible. It has a clear and consistent format showing the scripture reference, with each story fitting on a double-page spread. It features a comprehensive overview of the different books in the bible, even most of the minor prophets. What set this bible apart from others I investigated is the “Christ Connection” included with each story, helping readers see that the bible really is one big story all about Jesus. The Big Picture questions and answers are also helpful for any adult reading along to encourage understanding beyond comprehension. There is a lot of cross-over with The Gospel Project for Kids, the new curriculum now being used at HBC:Kids.
After using the One Big Story Bible Storybook with my class, the appropriate detail for this age prompted an increase in questions about God as students sought to understand God’s Word comprehensively rather than a collection of individual stories. They really did start seeing the One Big Story of the bible. I even found myself looking for the ‘Christ Connection’ in my own bible reading, making for a richer experience for me too.
I’d recommend this book for children who are ready for something "next level ", but not quite ready for reading whole chapters and books of the Bible. It is also helpful for adults wanting to up-skill their own knowledge of how some of the more obscure Old Testament passages point to Jesus and/or how to explain this to kids.
- Fiona Thomson
Australian church survey statistics show that 75% of adults came to know Jesus before the age of 20, so the kids and youth of HBC, this generation and the ones to come, will be the ones heralding the return of Jesus in the Hunter long after we have gone!
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 2 Thess 4:16-18
With this eternal perspective established last week, now it begs the question, “What is really important then?”
Heaven is our home,
Here is not our own,
Remember Jesus Christ!
Soldier Sam had forgotten he had a job to do, he was too busy enjoying life.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
We’ve been given a job to do too while we wait for Jesus’ return, and it is the same as the one given to Jesus’ first followers. Tell our friends about Jesus, careful to obey Jesus ourselves too, but remember grace - this is the gospel.
Let’s keep remembering this new home for everyone is exactly that, a home for ALL people in Newy and LakeMac, not just us. This is not our building, it is Jesus’ building, and it’s for them too.
Here are some activities you might like to do at home this week with your kids:
Helping with the shopping - this might sound like a nightmare, but giving kids the shopping list and ticking off the items as they go in the trolley is a good exercise in staying on-task. How can we stay on-task for Jesus while we wait for His return? What written reminders do you have around home?
2 Tim 2:8 - Help the kids with their memory verse for this series. Print it out, help them remember it, discuss how remembering Jesus’ eternal perspective helps us keep one too. This is the gospel!
Sing-along - We’ll be singing these few songs in Kids Church, looking forward to joining together with kids from all around HBC on Big Sunday for a special Church4Kids for all Kindy-Yr 5:
Colin Buchanan: This is the gospel
Colin Buchanan: Go go go in the gospel power
Colin Buchanan: survival man
Colin Buchanan: John 14:1-4
Talk about your job - Do your kids know what you do when you go to work? Talk about having specific responsibilities that are expected of you. How does this help as we think about the job Jesus has given us to do?
Throughout this series the kids are also learning more about our future than just the new site God has graciously given us. During Kids Church the kids are learning that even this new property will pass away -
Heaven is our home,
Here is not our own,
Remember Jesus Christ.
Here’s some of what the kids have been learning to help your discussions at home.
U5’s are following several parts of God’s Big Picture:
Part 24 - God’s New Kingdom Spreads (May 16)
Heaven is our Home,
Here is not our own,
Remember Jesus Christ
He’s given us work to do,
tell people about Jesus!
Part 25 - Letter to Live By (May 23)
Heaven is our Home,
Here is not our own,
Remember Jesus Christ
He’s shown us how to love one another
Part 26 - The Very Good Ending (May 30)
Heaven is our Home,
Here is not our own,
Remember Jesus Christ
He’s gone to prepare a place for us.
We’ll also be enjoying some great songs along the way:
Colin Buchanan: This is the gospel
Colin Buchanan: John 14:1-4 (particularly on May 30th)
Australian church survey statistics show that 75% of adults came to know Jesus before the age of 20, so the kids and youth of HBC—this generation and the ones to come—will be the ones heralding the return of Jesus in the Hunter long after we have gone!
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
—2 Corinthians 5:1-5
School kids this week were reminded of our temporary nature, even our new church home in Garden Suburb.
Heaven is our home,
Here is not our own,
Remember Jesus Christ!
Like soldiers on assignment we live light, we have a job to do and we look forward to going home.
This is a helpful perspective we can all keep as we get excited about establishing a home for Jesus to be made known in Newy and LakeMac. Here’s some activities you might like to do at home this week with your kids:
Build blanket forts - they’re fun, but they’re temporary.
2 Tim 2:8 - Help the kids with their memory verse for this series. Print it out, help them remember it, discuss how remembering Jesus’ eternal perspective helps us keep one too. This is the gospel!
Sing-along - We’ll be singing these few songs in Kids Church, looking forward to joining together with kids from all around HBC on Big Sunday for a special Church4Kids for all Kindy-Yr 5:
Colin Buchanan: This is the gospel
Colin Buchanan: Go go go in the gospel power
Colin Buchanan: survival man
Colin Buchanan: John 14:1-4
Camp out in the Backyard - camping is a great adventure and a break from screens and technology. Sitting around the campfire is an awesome opportunity to keep chatting about what the kids are looking forward to about the new building and discussing how your family might be generous in making it happen.
To discuss what it means to love God with all your heart, and to love others as you love yourself.
To explain the second half of the Lord’s Prayer to the children, and see applications for their own prayers.
To explain the first half of the Lord’s Prayer to the children, and see applications for their own prayers.
To help children understand that we can trust in God in all situations.
To teach the children some of what Proverbs says about being a friend. In particular, to focus on forgiveness, honesty and love.
To teach children the wise words in Proverbs. Be reminded that God watches over everything and we can trust in him. Illustrate the importance of focussing on God and other people rather than ourselves.
To help the children learn some precious truths that are in Proverbs about speech—what we say and how we say it. These are wise words written by King Solomon.
To help children understand the importance of sharing the good news of King Jesus. Increase an awareness of one missionary, missionary family or familiar country of focus. Recognise that we can all be missionaries wherever we are.
To help the children understand the importance of the Bible. It is through the Bible that we learn about God and his Son, King Jesus.
To help children understand that King Jesus is not just the king but he is our king. Illustrate the importance and the supreme worth of being part of God’s kingdom through the retelling of the parable of the Hidden Treasure.
To explain about God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom isn’t a visible, geographical kingdom with distinct boundaries. This makes the idea of God’s kingdom somewhat difficult to understand, particularly since there is the present kingdom of people who live with Jesus as king and the future reality of the heavenly kingdom.
This lesson will tell the children about Jesus calming the storm, a story that they may have heard before, but worth hearing again as a demonstration of Jesus’ power and greatness. One day Jesus will come back and everyone will know that he is king.
As you know we were planning to relaunch Kids Church along with our Sunday gatherings.
What is happening now? Will Home Kids Church continue? Listen to this update from Horse who answers all these questions and more....
Up until now we have looked at kings (King Saul, King David, King Solomon, etc) who were ‘traditional’ kings—kings who lived like kings. When Jesus lived on earth, Jesus was a totally different king—a king who didn’t wear a crown, didn’t live in a palace, a king who lived as a servant and fully obeyed God, even when that meant death.
