Fiery Courage

We live in a world that confuses us. The media, peer pressures, technology make it seem that money, popularity, fame, possessions, and nice clothes should all be important. Yet, we have people in our lives that teach us differently, that these items are not important. At some point, we all yearn for these items; or as God calls these items; IDOLS. I like to describe idols as distractions from what God is really trying to teach us and how God truly wants us to live. Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm against King Nebuchadnezzar, we, too are reminded to stand firm against the many “fiery idols” around us. We need to ask for God’s help and we need to stick together as we put God first, not idols.

Bible Text: Daniel 3

Key Verse: Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him. Daniel 3:28a

Faith Trait: Honesty

Talk Points:
*How do you feel when someone pressures you into something?
*How do you feel when you give in to the pressure? What’s at risk if you don’t?
*Who do you know who lives honestly?
*In your life, what have you grown to idolize?

Reminders:
*We have Club 56 through Lent (Feb. 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24), 6-7pm.
*Soup Suppers start this week from 5-7pm.
*March BUGs Event- we will be going to Feed My Starving Children. Check out the kiosk for further details.

Enjoy your week! Blessings!<><

No Club 56 this week!

Jesus Welcomes Children

There are times in our lives when we feel unwelcome, out of place, unwanted. In Jesus’ time, this was true for the children. They were considered humble, lowly, and unimportant. The disciples tried to control the children so that they could not go to Jesus and see Him. However, Jesus rebuked the disciples and welcomed the children with open arms. Jesus calls us to accept all people and not to care about what they may look like, the type of clothes they may wear, the type of house they may live in, etc. Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven belongs to the children and he invited them to come to Him. Part of accepting all people is also showing them respect. Why can it be difficult to show respect to the poor, the weak, the unsuccessful? Think of your own friendships…do your friends accept you for who you are? Do they treat you with respect? Do you treat them with respect like Jesus respects us?

Bible Text: Matthew 18:1-5; 19:13-15

Bible Verse: But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” Matthew 19:14

Faith Trait: Respect

Talk Points:
*How do I follow Jesus’ example of welcoming and lifting up children?
*Describe a time when someone did something to make another person feel unwelcome. How do you think the other person felt? How did you feel?
*Have you ever felt unaccepted or unwelcome? What was that like? What did you do?
*Describe a time when you felt welcomed and accepted. Where were you? Who welcomed you? What happened?
*Why do you think Jesus loved and welcomed children?
*What does respect mean? Who do people often respect the most? Who do people seem to respect the least?

Reminders:
*BUGs Event on Feb. 21 from 1:45-5pm. We will be going tubing at Afton. Cost is $13.00. Sign up at the kiosk.
*NO Club 56 next week- Feb. 17. Please consider attending one of the Ash Wednesday services (5:30 or 7pm)
*We will continue to have Club 56 during the season of Lent (Feb. 24, March 3, 10, 17, and 24) PLEASE make note of this!!!

Take time for your children as Jesus did! Blessings!

Jesus Calms a Storm

This lesson was always one of my favorites as a child. What amazing faith and power Jesus has! Jesus’ power of calming the storm, commanding leprosy, fever, and demons are a true testimony of being the Son of God. If the disciples knew how to boat on the sea with stormy weather, why did they panic when a storm rolled through? They allowed their fear to come before their faith. Jesus was even in the boat with them and yet they panicked. Jesus however calmed the storm and rebuked them from fear to faith. How would we have responded if we were in the boat with Jesus and a storm came? Would we have panicked like the disciples or trusted in God to protect us?

Bible Text: Matthew 8:23-27

Key Verse: And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. Matthew 8:26

Faith Trait: Boldness

Talk Points:
*What is a “storm” for you as 5th and 6th graders?
* Think of storms or “stormy” situations. Have you felt God’s help and presence during those times? How?
*Have you ever considered that Jesus really is with you when you’re scared? What is it like to know that?
*Imagine you witnessed the calming of the storm. How might you have reacted?
*Can Jesus help you when you encounter a scary situation? Why or why not?

Reminders:
*Feb. 21- BUGs Event- Snow tubing at Afton from 2:30-4:30pm. Sign up at the kiosk! Cost is $13.00.
*No Club 56 on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Please encourage your child to attend the Ash Wednesday services.
*We will continue to meet for Club 56 during Lent (Feb. 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24)

Make it a good week
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