BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER WHAT IS A MIRACLE? A miracle is something God does that usually cannot be done so that we can know He is all-powerful. By faith, Rahab believed God would win the battle. When the Israelites attacked Jericho, Rahab and her family received mercy and became part of God’s people. Rahab was saved when she put her faith in God. Faith in Christ is our only hope. Jesus has won against sin and death. Everyone who trusts in Jesus receives mercy and becomes part of God’s family forever. MEMORY VERSE READ THE STORY:
In our Bible story, we see not just mercy, but courageous mercy. Rahab by faith, courageously trusted God and hid the Hebrew spies. Mercy is not courageous until being merciful costs us something. Rahab’s mercy was pushed to the testing point. She had compassion and, in doing so, risked her life. She showed mercy; as a result, she received mercy. Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone when it is within one’s power to punish or harm that person. Mercy was a key mark of Jesus’ ministry. He modeled mercy for us on earth, showing numerous times compassion and forgiveness to those who didn’t deserve it. Mercy often involves courage because you have the power—and often the right— to punish rather than forgive. In our world today, the act of forgiveness is often seen as a weakness. It’s risky. Mercy that lacks courage will be sporadic in its application. We, like Pilate, will forgive until it costs us something. We will have compassion, but only from a distance. This is the beauty of Christ that we see in stories like Rahab. The God we serve is lavish in His mercy and rich in His kindness. What Rahab experienced is a glimpse of God’s mercy we see in Christ. Jesus is the full expression of the mercy and kindness of God. Jesus isn’t concerned from a distance; He took on human flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus didn’t just act mercifully when it was convenient. He laid down his life so that we could be forgiven. Rahab modeled for us what Jesus preached in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matt. 5:7). Let us today be extenders of mercy to others because of the tender mercy of God in Christ we have received because of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. GOSPEL APPLICATION
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BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER WHAT IS THE BIBLE? The Bible is God's Word that tells us what is true about God and ourselves. Paul wrote to teach Timothy how to live for God. The Bible tells us about God’s plan for people to have forgiveness through His Son, Jesus. Jesus obeyed God’s Word perfectly. We can follow Jesus’ example to read, believe, and obey the Bible as we live for God’s glory. MEMORY VERSE READ THE STORY:
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul points out that Scripture is enough for us. It is our source for godliness and our final authority in matters pertaining to doctrine. The confessions of every Protestant denomination affirm the sufficiency of Scripture. Why does this matter for kids? We need to teach our kids that even though the Bible may not mention everything in life, it mentions everything we need to know about God, His plan to save us, and how we can live a holy life to please Him. It is important in a world that has become increasingly hostile to biblical truth that we teach our kids the value of reading it and applying it to our lives daily. What is important for us to remember and for kids to know about the Bible? 1. The Bible is how God speaks to us. The words of the Bible are not like any other document on earth. They are the way God chose to tell us what He is like. 2. The Bible is about God and for us. One common misunderstanding about the Bible is that the Bible is about us. As we are reminded each week in our Christ connection, the Bible is about Jesus, but it is for us. It is how we can understand, apply, and teach others what God is like. 3. The Bible is how we can know how to love God and live for God. God speaks to us through His Word, shows us what He is like, and tells us how life works best and how we can live for Him in the world He has made for us. Take a moment to thank God for the Bible as you prepare to show your kids the beauty of Christ in the pages of Scripture. Paul told Timothy that all of the Bible is important for us to grow and to know. This is just as true for kids. The question is not what parts of the Bible we should teach kids but how we should teach all of the Bible to kids. GOSPEL APPLICATION
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER WHAT IS THE BIBLE? The Bible is God's Word that tells us what is true about God and ourselves. God encouraged Joshua and promised to be with him as he led the Israelites into the promised land, where they would be victorious and find rest. We have victory over sin and rest for our souls in Jesus, who is with us always and leads us into the promised land of God’s kingdom. MEMORY VERSE READ THE STORY:
The children of Israel often gave in to worry and bitterness. Their attitude revealed deeper heart issues: their belief that God had failed to take care of them and would fail in the future. It was in the 40 years of wandering in the desert that God showed them over and over that He was worthy of their trust. Yet they still did not trust Him. When God provided supernatural food for them to eat, they craved the food of Egypt. (Num. 11:4-6) When they first encountered the inhabitants of Canaan, they were filled with fear because they didn’t trust that God would be with them. (Num. 13:33) God went out of His way to deliver His people, protect them, and provide for them. He showed He is all-powerful and trustworthy. Read Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 6:20-24. Moses implored the Israelites to remember what God had done and testify to their children of His faithfulness. God had brought them out of Egypt to keep His covenant with Abraham. He gave them instructions for their good. Meditate on Moses’ proclamation: “We were slaves in Egypt, but God, by his grace, set us free.” This truth is particularly helpful for us when we face difficulties and periods of anxiety. We can have peace in the present by looking backward in gratitude and forward with hope. When we look back at our lives and the millions of ways God has provided and protected us, our hearts should be filled with gratitude. Based on God’s character as revealed in Scripture and in our lives, we can look forward with hope, knowing that God, who has preserved us, will continue to do so until He comes to bring us home. As you get ready to teach, prepare your heart by reminding yourself of God’s faithfulness. Tell the kids in your group how God has shown Himself worthy of your trust. They too can put their hope in a God who never fails. GOSPEL APPLICATION
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December 2023
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