May 1st: Lesson Two God's Call To Holy Living and Lesson Three Christ's Strength in Our Weakness

There was trouble in the church in Corinth. Divisions, immorality, false teaching, and wrong practices had arisen since Paul's visit there on his second missionary journey. Corinith, a port city in Greece and a link between Rome and the East, was filled with more than 500,000 people of various ethnic and religious backgrounds. At first, Paul preached the gospel in the synagogue there. But when the Jews rejected his message, he went to the Gentiles with the good news.

Jesus told Paul in a vision that Corinith contained many of God's chosen people and to keep preaching. Through Paul's ministry, Christ established a thriving church in Corinith and the apostle stayed for 18 months to disciple the believers. Some years later while in Ephesus on his third missionary journey, Paul heard troubling news about the church in Corinith and also received a letter from them, asking him various questions. The church had divisions in it caused by pride, immaturity and lack of love. So Paul wrote to deal with the problems, to answer questions, and to emphasize the centrality of the cross of Christ and Christ's resurrection.

Paul addresses the Corinthian church as "sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy." He expresses thanksgiving for the believers because of God's grace on them, pointing out that God could be trusted to complete his work in their lives.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians, Acts 18:5-11

Bible Truth: Paul wrote to the church in Corinth to correct bickering, wrong doctrine, immorality, rebellion and lack of love. He emphasizes the centrality of the cross in preaching the gospel.

Memory Work: If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2

KID CONNECTION: Choosing to Forgive

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:13-14

Are you the kind of boy or girl who has a tough time of forgiving and forgetting? If so, welcome to the club. Most of us find it difficult to forgive the people who have hurt us. And that's too bad because life would be much simpler if we could forgive people "once and for all" and be done with it. Yet, forgiveness is never easy. Forgiveness is a journey that requires effort, time, never giving up and prayer.

If there exists one person whom you have not forgiven (and that includes yourself), obey God's commandment: forgive that person today. And remember, anger is not part of God's plan for your life. forgiveness is.

If you sincerely wish to forgive someone, pray for that person. And then pray for yourself by asking God to heal your heart. Don't expect forgiveness to be easy and quick, but you can be assured with God, you can forgive...and you will.

MoRe StUfF To THiNk AbOuT...

Each week when we do the Lord's Prayer reflect on:
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors

If we are asking God to forgive us, shouldn't we forgive others???

HeY OnE MoRe ThInG....

Holding a grudge? Drop it. Remember the best time to forgive is now.

Don't forget to pray and what did you thank God for lately?

May 1st Lesson Three: Christ's Strength in Our Weakness

Months after writing his first letter to the Corinthians, Titus brought Paul encouraging news regarding the Corinthians. Filled with gratitude and relief, Paul wrote the church again, this time a tender and personal letter from the heart. Writing from Macedonia, Paul begins by discussing the joys, concerns, hopes, and assurances he has for the believers in Corinth, expressing thankfulness for their repentance and spiritual progress, and sharing at length about his own life and ministry. Paul then exhorts the Corinthians to give generously to meet the needs of Christians in Jerusalem. In his closing section, Paul defends his apostleship, warns against false teachers, and urges unity.

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians

Bible Truth: Paul used his own life and ministry as examples of how Christ comforts his people in suffering and how Christ shows his grace and strength when they are weak.

Memory Work: If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3

Vacation Bible School Volunteers Needed!

All Aboard! We are looking for volunteers to help with this year's VBS which will be held June 20-24 from 9:00 to noon each day. This is a wonderful way to meet others in our church and help young people grow or be introduced to Christ. If your schedule permits and you would like to help please click the link on the bottom of the blog or you may contact Kelly Coy at the church office. Thank you!

Let's Sing...But Remember To Think

Parents I want to urge you to take time during all services, but especially the Easter services to sing and worship. While singing in services, due to we have sung some of the songs many times we sometimes get caught up in the music beat or sing the words without really thinking about what we are singing. The Easter Choir has been reflecting on this for the past few weeks and taking the time to really concentrate on what we have been singing has been a blessing. There are very powerful words in every song that will be sung. We are sure there will be many people in attendance who do not come to worship regularly, those who may not know Christ, those struggling with a difficult situation in life, or those who have lost their way. Ponder these lines from a few of the songs:

"Come those whose joy is morning sun, and those weeping in the night. Come those who tell of battles won, and those struggling in the fight. For His perfect will will never change, and His mercies never cease, but follow us through all our days with the certain hope of peace."

"See Mary weeping "Where is He laid?" as in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb. Hears a voice speaking calling her name - it's the Master, the Lord raised to life again! The voice that spans the years speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us, will sound till He appears, for He lives Christ is risen from the dead!"

"Thank you for this love Lord. Thank you for the nail pierced hands. Washed me in your cleansing flow, now I know  - your forgiveness and embrace. High and lifted up, Jesus Son of God the treasure of heaven crucified"

"Scorned by the one's He came to save. Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied, for every sin on Him was laid. Here in the death of Christ I live."

"Jesus is Lord whose words sustains the stars and planets. Yet in His wisdom laid aside His crown. Jesus the man who washed our feet, who bore our suffering became a curse to bring salvation's plan. Jesus is Lord the tomb is gloriously empty. Not even death could crush this King of love. The price is paid, the chains are loosed and we're forgiven and we can run into the arms of God.

Powerful words for those who know Christ and for those who do not. Powerful words for the rich and the poor, those hurting and wondering why and those who are searching for something missing. Please sing from your heart and reflect on the words you are singing as you are doing so.

We wish you a blessed Easter   - He Is Risen! Risen Indeed!

KID CONNECTION: The Decision to Be Thankful

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord,

for he is good; his loves endures forever.

Psalm 160:1 NIV

As you reflect on Easter and the love God gave us by providing His Son to take the suffering for our sins so we could become right with the Father and live with Him in heaven one day - think about this:

Are you basically a thankful person? Do you appreciate the stuff that you've got and the life that you're privileged to live? You most certainly should be thankful. After all when you stop to think about it, God has given you more blessings than you can count.So the question of the day is this:

Will you slow down from playing, sports, dance, and other things you may do long enough to thank your Heavenly Father...or not?

Sometimes life here on earth can be complicated, demanding on kids and adults, and frustrating. When our schedules and demands of life leave us running and rushing from place to place without a moment to spare, we may fail to pause and thank our Creator for the countless blessings He has given us. Failing to thank God I guess can be understandable...but it's wrong.  So here's something to remember: when it comes to knowing God, a thankful heart isn't just helpful, it is very important!

MoRe StUfF To ThInK AbOuT....

"A Christian who walks by faith accepts all circumstances (stuff that happens to them) from God. He thanks God when everything goes good, when everything goes bad, and for the "blues" somewhere in between. He thanks God whether he feels like it or not." - Erwin Lutzer

HeY....OnE MoRe ThInG....

When is the best time to say "thanks" to God? Any time! God never takes a vacation, and He's always ready to hear from you. So what are you waiting for???

Here is a prayer I said this morning - don't worry about how your prayer sounds, it can be short like "Thank you God for my friend" - just remember to take time to thank God!

Father, thank you for this day. When good things happen I will praise you. When bad things happen, I will praise you. Thank you for the children who attend our class. Thank you for their parents, who love them. Thank you Father for Jesus, your Son, who we are forever thankful for. Father thank you for your promise to never give up on me and you're constant reminders that you are not finished with me yet. Thank you that by grace alone I am saved. Thank you Lord. It is in your Son's glorious name I pray - Amen!

John 3:16

FOR GOD

SO LOVED

THE WORLD

THAT HE

GAVE HIS

ONE AND ONLY SON

THAT

WHOEVER

BELIEVES

IN HIM

SHALL NOT

PERISH

BUT HAVE

ETERNAL

LIFE

JOHN 3:16

He loves. He gave. We believe. We live.

There was a GLO to the Easter Lesson Today

Today, using an Ipad and the Glo Bible App, the children were able to experience many things in class that revolved around Easter. The Glo Bible App provides the ability to take Virtual Tours, Watch Video, View Pictures and much more.

Today the children were able to view a short video on the Crucifixion and learned what it was like for Jesus as he was led to the cross. This video gave the children a great understanding of the love Jesus has for us and what he endured for us.

One of the questions the children had was "What did the tomb look like?" Using the Virtual Tour feature of the Glo Bible App the children were able to view the stone in front of the tomb and then by using their fingers go inside the tomb. As a follow-up to a past "Question of the Week" the children also had the ability to see the Tabernacle from far away, then zoom in and see how the people's camped outside the Tabernacle. As they drilled deeper they were able to enter the Tabernacle, see the rooms and see the curtain. It was a great tool that the children could visualize many of the things they are learning. We were also able to see what these locations looked like today.

After viewing this material Mr. K then followed up with more instruction on Easter with a great "Because of this..." lesson that tied in Christmas (birth of Jesus) and Easter (Resurrection of Jesus).

We hope you have a wonderful Easter! When class resumes the week after Easter we will be combining two lessons to get back on track with the lesson plan.

KID CONNECTION: Carefully Choosing The Words You Speak

Hey it's Mr. B...each week as your parents are checking out our blog, I will be putting something just for you. Make sure you check it out each week - deal?

 Carefully Choosing The Words You Speak

Read Matthew 12:36-37

Someone ever get you so mad that you just blurt out something that you really did not mean? Boy, I sure have. Sometimes we get in a bad mood and we are just "mad". Sometimes we treat people bad when we use words to say bad things or make someone feel bad. Sometimes someone treats us bad, and we just want to say things back to them to hurt them. Or maybe sometimes we think we are "cool" when we try to get others to like us by making someone else feel bad.

The world can be a difficult place (for kids and adults), a place where many of our friends and family members are troubled by the challenges of every day life. And since we can never be certain who needs our help or a word of encouragement, we should be careful to speak helpful words to everybody who crosses our paths. In the book of Ephesians (4:29 NIV), Paul writes, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen". Paul reminds us when we choose our words carefully we can have a powerful impact on those around us.

Give this a try: Today let's share kind words, smiles, encouragement, and hugs with family, with friends, and with the world!

MORE STUFF TO THINK ABOUT:

"The battle of the tongue is won not in the mouth, but in the heart" - Annie Chapman

HEY...ONE MORE THING...

Cool off before you spout off: If you're too angry to talk to someone in a way that is nice and loving, put things on hold until you simmer down...

That's it for this week gang - remember to pray and feel free to leave a comment on the blog if you have a question.

Reminder - No Class Next Week Easter Sunday

Just a reminder there will be no class next week. We hope to see you at the Easter Service. The songs being sung at the services are wonderful! Classes will resume the week after Easter!

We Have a Winner!

Thank you to all the parents who entered their children in the contest to win the Adventures in Odyssey CD Set.! The winner received her prize this morning!

Next Week - April 17th - Pulling the Old Switch-A-Roo

We decided this morning that next week rather than doing the scheduled lesson, we will provide the children a lesson on Easter. Please note there will be no classes on Easter Sunday but we look forward to seeing the children in the services in the "Big Church". Look at the Easter choir carefully and you just may see two people you know...

With this change, Lesson 2 (1 Corinthians) God's Call to Holy Living and Lesson 3 (2 Corinthians) Christ's Strength in Our Weakness will be combined into the first class after we return after Easter.

April 10th Lesson One Review: How Paul's Letters Are Structured

This lesson introduces us to Paul's letters to the churches. We discussed how each of the letters has an opening, body and closing and why Paul was writing these letters (he could not be in two places at the same time, display thankfulness and needed to provide instruction).

The children were able to use Paul's structure to write a letter to a parent, friend or anyone they wanted. This lesson sets the stage for us to dive into Paul's letters to the churches and will help the kids understand what Paul was trying to accomplish.

As an added surprise to us all, Mr. K made it back from vacation very late last night but was able to join the class! By the looks at Mr. K it was very sunny where he was at....

THE YOUTH WORKER'S CREED

This past Saturday I attended the Center of Parent/Youth Understanding's Hope and Healing for Broken Kids seminar in Pittsburgh. Over 200 Youth workers assembled for an incredible one day seminar by Dr. Marv Penner and Rich Van Pelt. In our workbook was The Youth Worker's Creed which I would like to share with you:

The Youth Worker's Creed

We believe in the dignity and value of every young person in our care

gifted for greatness

made in the image of God

and deeply loved by Him.

We believe that young people are the church of TODAY

called to reach their generation

with a hope eternal.

We celebrate community

and want to provide a safe place for every young person to belong.

We believe that as lovers of young people

we can accomplish more together

than when we work alone.

We believe that youth ministry is a unique privilege

and that God has called us for such a time as this.

We believe that effectiveness is measured one kid at a time

and that we are called to a ministry of obscurity

with immense eternal consequences.

We believe in the power of prayer

the power of presence

and in the power of God to transform young lives

through ordinary people like you and me.

Amen.

Win Adventures in Odyssey The Truth Chronicles Right Here!

Parents - here is an opportunity to win your child a 4 CD set of the Adventures in Odyssey's "The Truth Chronicles" - over 5 hours and 11 stories of  The Power of God's Truth with a bonus 16 page family discussion guide! To enter send an email to h-bruno@sbcglobal.net stating "I want (child's name) to win! Please list your first and last name (as well as your child's name).

The four CD set includes:

1. Here I Am - Christian Worldview
2. The Truth Be Told - Absolute Truth
3. The Science Club - Intelligent Design
4. Three in One - The Trinity and Natural Order
5. In My Image - False Gods
6-8 Kidsboro - Responsible Self-Government - Parts 1,2, & 3
9-10 Stepping Stones - The Founding of America
11. The Final Call - Compassion For Others

What is Adventures in Odyssey?
It's original audio stories brought to life by actors who make you feel like part of the experience. These fictional, character building dramas are created by an award winning team that uses storytelling to teach lasting truths. Over 20 million products have been distributed worldwide. Dust off your imagination and join the kids of Odyssey for inspiring adventures that are flat out fun!

How Will a Winner Be chosen?
Everyone who responds with an email will be entered into a random draw (one entry per child). Responses will be put in a bowl and a winner chosen.

Date of Contest:
Entries can be made up until Saturday, April 16th. Prize will be provided to the child during class on April 17th. Good luck!

Student Question of the Week

"When did the curtain in the Tabernacle tear?"

Great question! The tabernacle consisted of an outer area, a room called the Holy Place, and a room called the Most Holy Place. The Most Holy place had a curtain that separated it from the Holy Place and only once a year could the High Priest enter the Most Holy place and come before God. When Jesus died on the cross, God tore the curtain and gave us direct access to him - we no longer needed a High Priest (or anyone else) to speak directly to God! God demonstrated Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and and provided a way for all to individually go directly to God. Go God!

Keep the "Questions of the Week" coming!

Books of the Bible Lesson and Game

This week upon arrival to class the children discovered the floor of the room had been turned into a giant board game and they were going to be human game pieces! The object of the game was to review the books of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and see if they could move all the way around the "board" and land on the Cross which was the winning space. The children had to role a dice and move to a space that had the name of the books of the Bible and they had to answer correctly (Old or New Testament) to remain there. The game was very fun as the children also learned they could land on a spot and become "Stuck in Sin", lose a turn for "A Day of Rest" and also land on "Pick A Card" which the cards had person from the Bible and could move them forward or backwards on the board game. Lastly the "Chance" spots gave the children an opportunity to roll again if they could explain sin, justification or sanctification. The children had help as we listened to two "Books of the Bibles" songs as we played. Congratulations to our winner!

April 10th: Lesson One - Paul's Life and Letters

In the first century, letters were the main form of communication between people who lived far apart. People wrote them on papyrus or parchment and then rolled, tied, and sealed them for hand delivery. In his wisdom, God led Paul and others to write 21 of the 27 New Testament books as letters to teach and apply the gospel of Christ to particular churches and to address the struggles they faced.

We have already studied Paul's letters to the Romans and we will now begin studying Paul's 12 remaining New Testament letters to discover how Christ continued to provide for, grow, and protect his Church through Paul and his ministry.

This lesson's Scripture is selected verses from 1 Corinthians to Philemon and we will discuss the Bible Truth that Paul wrote 13 books of the New Testament. They were letters written to teach, encourage, and correct the early churches and their members. Paul shows the sufficiency of Christ for our lives in this world. He includes application and answers for the problems and needs of the churches.

Memory Work: If I speak in tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1

Spring Quarter Begins April 10th

Letters: 1 Corinthians to Philemon

Lesson 1: Introduction: Letters - Paul's Life and Letters
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians - God's Call to Holy Living
Lesson 3: 2 Corinthians - Christ's Strength in Our Weakness
Lesson 4: Galatians - Justified By Faith Alone
Lesson 5: Ephesians - Putting on the New Self
Lesson 6: Philippians - Rejoicing in the Lord
Lesson 7: Colossians - Christ is Supreme and Sufficient
Lesson 8: 1 and 2 Thessalonians - Living for Christ's Return
Lesson 9: 1 Timothy - Life in God's House
Lesson 10: 2 Timothy - Guarding the Gospel
Lesson 11: Titus and Philemon - Practicing the Faith
Lesson 12: Review - God Used Paul's Life and Lessons
Lesson 13: Review - God's Story from Genesis to Philemon