Best Friends

This week’s lesson is about Jonathan and David; two friends who were extremely faithful to each other. Jonathan put his friend David first, helping him hide from being killed knowing that David would inherit from God the position to become the King of Israel. This was a position that Jonathan would otherwise inherit. Their lives were changed because of their friendship for one another. David’s life was saved.

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we often times think of gifts; gifts we give to others and also gifts we receive. Friendship is a gift God gives to us. As Christians, each one of us is called to, “lay down our life” for friends. What might that mean? It means putting other people’s needs before our own. It means giving up something for a friend. It means showing loyalty, trust, and an abiding love towards our friends. Ask God to help you be a faithful friend by being aware of how your actions affect others. God changes our lives through friendship!

Bible Text: 1 Samuel 20

Key Verse: The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants, forever. 1 Samuel 20:42b

Faith Trait: Loyalty

Talk Points:
*How does the story of David and Jonathan encourage you to take a new and deeper look at the friendships in your life?
*How do your friendships reflect concern for others, loyalty, trust, and abiding love?
*How do you show friends you care for them?
*Have you ever given something up for a friend? What?
*Think of one thing you can do to make a friendly difference in your family, your community, your church, the world.

Reminders:
*We will have a short rehearsal for those Club 56 youth participating in the upcoming Christmas Program on Wednesday, Dec. 9th at 5pm in the Youth Room.
*Large group worship on Dec. 16th with Pastor Liz from 6-6:30pm.
*December BUGs event- Christmas Caroling on Dec. 20th from 4-6:30. Sign up at the kiosk.
*No Club 56 on December 23rd and 30th.

May God fill your week with His presence!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Reminder there is NO Club 56 this week. We will meet again on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, from 6-7pm.

Please encourage your child to get signed up for a part in the upcoming Christmas Program. Sign up is on the kiosk.

December BUGs Event- we will be going Christmas caroling on Sunday, Dec. 20th from 4-6:30pm. Sign up at the kiosk.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!!

Faithful Friends

What type of friend are you? Are you kind? Do you treat everyone fairly? Do you hold true to promises? Are you accepting of others despite your differences? God wants to be our faithful friend as He shows us kindness and fairness, listens to us, and certainly accepts us for who we are. This is the type of friend He wants each of us to be. He wants us to be a faithful friend like Ruth in this week’s lesson. Ruth was not born of the people of ancient Israel. She was a Moabite. Despite the differences she had with the people, she developed faithful relationships with the people. She stuck by Naomi’s side and said, “Where you go, I will go.” Ruth was a faithful friend!

Friends are a high priority for 5th and 6th grades. Often times their world revolves around their friendships and what their friends are doing. Although friends are an important part of their world, sometimes they forget the kind of friend that God wants them to be. How does this week’s lesson about Ruth challenge you to be a better friend?

Bible Text: Ruth 1

Key Verse: Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16b

Faith Trait: Loyalty

Talk Points:
*How can people who are so different become friends?
*Do friends always have to match or agree? Why or Why not?
*Do differences between two people hurt a friendship or make it stronger?
*How might you show love for a member of your extended family?
*Who is a loyal friend to you?
*What is faithful friendship?
*Do you have a friend who sticks by you even when times are tough?
*When is it easy to be a faithful friend? When is it hard? How does God help?

Reminders:
*No Club 56 next week, Wednesday, November 25 because of Thanksgiving.
*Continue to encourage your child to sign up for a part in the Christmas Program. There are many spots that need to be filled yet.
*December BUGs Event- we will be going Christmas caroling on Sunday, December 20th from 4-6:30pm. All info is at the kiosk.
*HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! Remember to share your blessings with others.

God Guides Deborah

This week’s bible story is about a prophet named Deborah. Deborah had an important job, but we often times don’t talk much about her. God guided Deborah to lead the Israelites to victory against Jabin’s army. God gave Deborah the ability to guide the Israelites through difficult times.

When have you been faced with a difficult situation and needed to make a wise decision? What helps you make a wise decision? How has God helped you through these difficult times? God wants us to make wise decisions based on our faith just as Deborah did.

Bible Text: Judges 4

Key Verse: Then Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day on which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. The Lord is indeed going out before you.” Judges 4:14a

Faith Trait: Wisdom

Talk Points:
*Where do you see evidence of God’s presence within the turmoil of today?
*Who is like a “judge” in your life today?
*How do these people help you make wise decisions?
*What does it mean to be wise?
*What do you do when faced with a deep decision?

Reminders:
*No Club 56 on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 because of Thanksgiving!
*Encourage your child to get signed up for a part in the Christmas Program
*I need volunteers to donate fabric to make costumes for the Christmas Program. If you are willing to donate fabric, come see me!! Thanks!

Strong and Courageous

Do you like being a child or do you often times wish you could have the same freedoms and responsibilities as an adult? 5th and 6th graders are at a threshold between childhood and adolescence. As our youth try to figure out their place in life, let’s remember Joshua at Jericho. He remained strong and courageous; he continued to persevere as God told him to take over the land for Moses (who had died). God promised him the resources he would need in order to lead the people; God’s own presence and the book of the law, which Joshua was to lean on every day.

When have you persevered? While running a race? Doing a school project? Practicing an instrument or sport? God reminds us to “be strong and courageous” for God is with us wherever we go even during those moments of trying to figure out who we want to be.

Bible Text: Joshua 1:1-0, 6:1-20

Key Verse: I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Faith Trait: Perseverance

Talk Points:
*Has your faith helped you face obstacles with courage and perseverance?
*When is it most difficult to persevere? How does God help?
*When have you persevered? During a race? Practicing an instrument? Taking a test?
*Who do you know that is strong and courageous? How are you like or unlike that person?
*Would you have liked to have been Joshua? Why or why not?

Reminders:
*All 5th graders and parents will attend the 5th Grade Martin Luther milestone event in the Ready, Set, Grow rooms from 6-7pm.
*November BUGs event- we will go to the Woodbury 10 Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 15, (time to be announced) to attend “A Christmas Carol” movie. Sign up at the kiosk!
*Christmas Program- encourage your child to sign up for a part in the upcoming Christmas Program. All information is posted on the kiosk.
*NO Club 56 on Wednesday, November 25th because of Thanksgiving!

Have a spirited-filled week!!