April 21, 2013

Dear Parents,   

Today in Children’s Church we watched part of “What’s In The Bible?” Vol. 4 to get us familiar with where we left off after Deuteronomy. We reviewed what we learned so far Joshua. We had a great time reenacting the scene from Joshua chapter 8 when the Israelites ambush the people of Ai. We talked about how important it was for the Israelites to obey God to get victory. The Old Covenant required obedience to gain victory. 

We turned to our side of the covenant, the New Covenant, and learned that God gave us our victory when Jesus came and took the punishment for our sins. He offers us eternal victory over sin and death. It was explained that each of us need to accept God’s gift of victory to be saved. Jesus did it all. We just have to take it!!! 

Isn’t it great that God goes above and beyond what we think is possible to keep His promises to His people? Today’s Bible story in Sunday School, “The Day the Sun Stood Still” relates something that seems absolutely impossible. But nothing is impossible for God!

Joshua and the Israelites were tricked by the men of Gibeon into forming a peace treaty. As a result of the peace between Israel and Gibeon,  five kings of Canaan attacked Gibeon. God reassured Joshua that He would be with the Israelites as they defended Gibeon. Not only was God with them, God fought for them! God sent the Canaanite armies into confusion, then He dropped hailstones on them.  

Joshua and the Israelites were fighting, but Joshua noticed it wouldn’t be long before the sun began to go down. In front of everybody, Joshua cried out to God and asked Him to keep the sun standing still in its place until the battle was over. Guess what? That’s exactly what God did! God held the sun in place for almost a full day until the Israelites defeated their enemies. 

What does God do when we pray? God answers the prayers of His people and saves them. This story points ahead to another time God saved His people in a greater way: God sent His Son, Jesus, to fight the battle against sin and death.  

Just in case the “Family Journal Page” didn't make it home:

 Bible Passage: Joshua 10:1-15 

Big Picture Question: What does God do when we pray? God answers the prayers of His people and saves them.

 Key passage: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15       

 Christ Connection: Joshua’s name means “Yahweh is salvation.” God fought for Joshua and the Israelites, saving them and giving them victory over their enemies. God brought us salvation by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross, giving us victory over sin and death.

 Family task: Share a sunrise for a sunset together as a family. Talk about what you would do if the sun stopped and you had extra time that day. Now, share some things God would want you to do that day. Write some of those things and determine to do some of them this week.

Next week's lesson:  Joshua 23:1-24,28  (We are skipping several chapters in Joshua, you are encouraged to read over some of the chapters with your children to see how God divides up the Promised Land among the 12 tribes. Next week, we will hear Joshua’s final words to the Israelites)

April 14th

(See info about Look Up Lodge at the end of this email)

Dear Parents, 

In Children’s Church, we celebrated raising $44. 54 by having a party complete with a confetti explosion!! It was a great time. The money will be sent to “Food for the Poor” to feed one child in Guatemala for an entire year. The confetti was a wonderful idea.  I think we will continue to find some every day for a year. Encourage your children that each time they find a piece of confetti they should remember that a child in Guatemala is getting fed. Thanks to Mrs. Belinda Roberts for giving us this inspiring and important project.

Today, we also celebrated an answer to our prayers. Over the last several months, we have been praying for Tobi and Josiah Quiambao to come home. Marvin and Angel Quiambao brought them home from the Ukraine last week and they were in church today. Praise the Lord for answering this prayer. We are thankful for this sweet family and these two precious boys to love.

A few weeks ago before we jumped up to the New Testament to learn what Jesus did for us on the cross to Rescue us from sin, we learned in the Old Testament (Joshua) that God hates sin and punishes sin. Achan’s sin resulted in the Israelites’ defeat the first time they attacked the city of Ai. In today’s Bible story in Sunday School, God told Joshua not to be afraid. Achan’s sin had been dealt with. God graciously gave the Israelites a second chance to attack Ai. God promised to be with the Israelites this time

God gave Joshua specific instructions to defeat Ai. Joshua followed God’s instructions completely, and God gave the Israelites complete victory! After the battle of Ai, God allowed the Israelites to plunder Ai, keeping whatever goods and livestock they wanted for themselves. Joshua built an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Joshua read the book of the law to the people.

How does God respond to our obedience? God blesses obedience to His will. Because of our faith in Jesus Christ, God is always with us, and we are victorious over our enemies of sin and death. Remind your kids we don’t have right standing with God because we obey. We obey because He sent His Son, Jesus, to die in our place so we may be forgiven.

Just in case the “Family Journal Page” didn't make it home:

 Bible Passage: Joshua 8

Big Picture Question: What does God do when you obey Him? God blesses people who obey Him in faith.

 Key passage: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

 Christ Connection: The Israelites were under a covenant in which their obedience was directly related to God’s presence with them. We are under a new covenant through Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for our sin on Himself. Because of Christ, we are in right standing with God. We are victorious over our enemies because of our faith in Christ. (Romans 8:37)

 Family task: Parents, make an extra effort this week to reward obedience. Also, write down things you appreciate about your children (how they obey, care for others, and so forth). Share these things with your children and talk about how God has blessed your family.

Next week's lesson:  Joshua 10:1-15

 

Look Up Lodge

August 4-7, 2013

$219

If your child is interested in going to Look Up Lodge, please let me know. The $50 deposit was due today, April 14. Spaces are filling up.

There are some that have told me they want their child to go but Tasha has not received any money or forms.

If there is a financial difficulty, let me know. Please email me or call to confirm that your child is planning to go and when we can expect your deposit. I know it is early, but camp spaces fill up fast. It is full the whole summer. Check out www.lookuplodge.com for info, health forms, and what to bring.