Hosanna! Celebrate Jesus

Think of the celebration this must have been….Jesus entering Jerusalem. The people gathered around to watch as Jesus rode upon the donkey. There were people who were excited to see Him, yet there were people who wondered who Jesus was.

Jesus was a celebrity to the people and those who followed Him. They knew Him as a teacher, healer, prophet, and leader. How might we react if Jesus were to parade through our community? Would we recognize Him? Would it be a huge celebration? Is Jesus a celebrity for you?

Bible Text: Matthew 21:1-11

Key Verse: The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:9

Faith Trait: Joy

Talk Points:
*What are some of the ways that you celebrate Jesus in your everyday life?
*What are ways that you experience joy in Jesus?
*What brings you great joy?
*Who brings you great joy?
*Describe the most amazing party you’ve ever attended.
*What would it be like to have a celebrity come to your school?
*What would you say to Jesus if he paraded through your neighborhoods today?

Reminders:
*There is NO Club 56 on Wednesday, March 31st. We will meet again on April 7th.
*There will be a Good Friday Family Service on April 2nd at 10:30am in the sanctuary. Many youth will be involved with this service.
*The Ten Commandment Milestone for all 5th graders and their parents will be held on April 14th, 6-7pm in the Multipurpose Room. (this is a change in the date…originally we were scheduled to have this event on March 24th)
*April BUGs event- we will be going to a MN Twins game on April 18th. Check out the kiosk for further info.
*We will have large group worship on April 21st in the sanctuary from 6-6:30pm.
*Fall registration forms are out for Club 56.

Make it a great week!

Don't Worry

Worry….what is worry? In our fast paced world filled with commitments and schedules to keep up with, it is no wonder our lives are filled with worry. It is no wonder that we have stomach aches, headaches, and that our overall health is affected. Jesus teaches us that there are no benefits to worrying. Rather, He asks that we rely on his reign and righteousness. Jesus teaches that what we need comes from God; therefore there is no need for us to worry about having food, being clothed, etc. I challenge each of us to think of times when we should trust God rather than worry. Jesus wants us to worry about NOTHING!!

Bible Text: Matthew 6:25-34

Key Verse: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25

Faith Trait: Self-discipline

Talk Points:
*What do you worry about?
*Who do you turn to when you’re worried?
*What would it feel like to let go of your worries and give them to God?
*What does Jesus want us to worry about?
*What are some things Jesus said about worry?
*Who can help us when we worry?
*Do you know someone who is filled with worry? What might you do to help?
*What are some healthy ways to deal with worry?

Reminders:
*We do NOT have Club 56 on March 31st due to Spring Break.
*We will have large group worship on April 21st rather than on April 14th.
*April BUGs Event- we will be going to a MN Twins game on April 18th. Check out the kiosk for more details.
*The Ten Commandment Milestone for all 5th graders and their parents has been changed to April 14th rather than March 24. Please make note of this change!

Enjoy the beautiful weather! May you find a quiet moment to hand your worries over to God. Blessings!

Growing in Faith

In this lesson, Jesus teaches us the importance of growing in faith like the seeds that were planted in good soil. The seeds that fell on good soil were able to bear fruit just as our faith can grow if we choose to nurture it and care for it. However, those seeds that fell on the path, on rocky ground were eaten, scorched, or choked. Jesus uses parables (a story that uses familiar things in new ways) to communicate to the great crowd of people. Jesus wants us to not only hear His words (his parables), but to be able to understand them and live them out in our daily lives. As the 5th and 6th graders grow, they are seeking new responsibilities and making new choices. In a sense, they are trying to plant new seeds. As adults, it is our job to encourage them, to pray for them, and to allow them to search out options. As our lesson states, “Being a follower of Jesus means being drawn into new understanding, new questions, a new slant on things, and a new way of life.”

Bible Text: Matthew 13:1-9

Key Verse: Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matthew 13:8


Talk Points:
*What things do you do to stay healthy and strong?
*What kinds of faith nutrients are you surrounding yourself with so that you can grow?
*What do seeds and sewers of seeds have to do with God’s kingdom?
*How can we care for the earth?
*What prevents people from hearing God’s story?
*What are some things you can do to nurture your faith? How can people help you? How can you help others?

Reminders:
*We will continue to meet through Lent (March 10, 17, 24).
*There is NO Club 56 on March 31st due to Spring Break.

God's blessings on a spirit-filled week!

Amazing Faith

What is faith? This might be a difficult question for 5th and 6th graders. Faith is believing in something even though it can’t be seen. This is what makes faith difficult. We like concrete answers. We like to be able to see things so that we can better understand them. God has the desire to work wonders through the faith of those who believe in Him. Faith in Jesus’ power is what matters the most. He was able to heal and cleanse because people had faith in him. What kinds of things might help you remember Jesus’ healing power? By believing in Jesus, all things are made possible! How cool is that?!!!!

Bible Text: Matthew 8:5-13

Key Verse: And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.” And the servant was healed in that hour. Matthew 8:13

Faith Trait: Humility

Talk Points:
*What kinds of amazing things can God do in and through you?
*What is the best thing that’s ever happened to you?
*What are you hoping for?
*What does it mean to have faith?
*If you got to experience a miraculous healing like the centurion’s servant, how might you feel?
*What does it mean to be humble?
*Do you think Jesus still works through people of faith? How?
*What kinds of things might be valuable to have around to remind you of Jesus’ healing power? What comforts and calms you?

Reminders:
*March 24th- All 5th graders and parents are invited to attend the Ten Commandment Milestone during Club 56 time, 6-7pm in the Ready, Set, Grow Rooms.
*We continue to have Club 56 during Lent (March 3, 10, 17, 24)
*We do NOT have Club 56 on March 31st due to Spring Break.

Enjoy your week and have faith!!