Day 23 March 19

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matthew 24:42

Read

Matthew 25:-13

Discussion

Jesus was a great teacher. He used to tell stories to His disciples to help them understand what he wanted to teach them. He used this story of the ladies in waiting to give the disciples an idea of how to be prepared. Jesus was talking to His disciples about what would happen when He came back to earth to take them to Heaven. Did you know that Jesus is going to come back one day? He taught us so many things to do to be ready for His return. One is to love our neighbors. Who are your neighbors? What are other lessons Jesus wanted us to know? (to tell others about God's love, to forgive one another, teach children, to have faith)

Hymn

I want to be ready

Quick Prayer

Dear Jesus, we don't know when You are coming again. Help us obey, so whenever that day is, we will be ready. We want You to be pleased when You come for us. Keep our lights shining every day. Amen

Lenten Symbol for your Easter Tree

Activity Idea

*light a candle at night and see how much light is given with one flame. When Jesus asks us to be lights for the world we should think of our hearts holding a light for Christ. How bright would your light be?

*At our house we like to light a candle in the morning to remind us of Jesus being present in our lives. Recently as I was reading the verse Psalm 119:105, I thought about how our Bibles are also like lights in our lives. The more we open our Bibles the more light we let in our lives. Open your Bibles and look up this verse. Talk about the Bible, what are the different parts(old and new testaments) What is a chapter or a verse. Who wrote the different books?

Day 22 March 17

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a person remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Read

John 15:1-17, Galatians 5:22-26

Discussion

There are many titles God has-Father, Creator, Healer, have you ever thought of God as a gardener? God is the gardener of our lives and Jesus is the vine. From Jesus, God wants us to grow and produce beautiful fruit. If we trust Jesus and stay in Him, everyone will know we belong to God. Things will happen in our lives that we don't understand or that may hurt. Like when a gardener prunes a bush to help it to thrive. It seems strange to cut back perfectly healthy branches but sometimes the gardener knows what's best for a plant, just as God knows what's best for us. When we trust in Jesus and start to let Him feed your soul the fruits of the spirit will be able to thrive. Have you heard of the fruits of the spirit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control- that's a lot of fruit.

Which fruits are already growing well in your life? Which fruits need to be tended more? How could you help God prune your life to fit in more of the fruit that feeds your soul?

Hymn

This is my commandment

Quick Prayer

Dear God, I want to show Your fruit to the world. I can't do it alone, and I need Jesus to help me. I know you love me and will take care of me when I stay close to You. Thank You Amen.

Lenten Symbol for your Easter Tree

a vine with branches

Activity Idea

*Do you have any trees or plants that need to be pruned? Have you seen in the neighborhood anyone working in their yards. Look around at the bushes that have been pruned and watch in a few weeks and see how the bush or plants have grown. In our Neighborhood, they have trimmed back the rose bushes and they are already growing very well.

*Draw a picture of yourself and list the fruits of the spirit as how they are in your life- like a big pieces of joy and love and maybe a medium piece of patience. Or draw a tree with the fruits of the spirit as a different piece of fruit on the branches.

Day 21 March 16

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." Proverbs 29:25

Read

Matthew 8:23-27

Discussion

Are you afraid of anything? There were times when the disciples were very afraid. They would forget that Jesus was there and had promised to take care of them. In this story the disciples couldn't believe what they had seen. Here was a man who could order the sea to be still and it would obey. Jesus had gently asked them, "Why don't you believe? Why are you so afraid? " You see, He knew He was God's Son, and He could do impossible things. He wanted them to remember how much He loved them and how He could take care of them in all things. If Jesus could make the sea rest, He could surely make the people He loved feel safe. Sometimes we may not understand why things happen the way they do, but don't forget, our Father knows everything, and He is in control. He is beside us all the time, and when we trust Him we can feel safe that He is taking care of us. What are some things you are afraid of and want Jesus to help you with?

Hymn

Through it all

Quick Prayer

Dear Jesus, sometimes we are afraid. We forget that You are with us and love us. Help us to remember You are taking care of us. Help us to trust You all the time. Amen

Lenten Symbol for your Easter Tree

a boat

Activity Idea

*Jesus did many things to show He loved His disciples. Do something nice for someone you love.- Maybe just giving your parents a hug.

*This story shows many emotions. First the disciples were afraid, worried, doubtful. Then they were amazed, in awe, full of thankfulness, grateful. Finally, they may have been ashamed for they doubted, and sad they let Jesus down. Have the children show you their different faces to interpret the story. Or have them draw the part of the story they liked.

Day 20 March 15 Half way through Lent

Mary said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." John 2:5

Read

John 2:1-11

Discussion

Have you heard this story of Jesus first miracle? Can you imagine what the servants were thinking? 'why does he want us to fill these jars with water?' The servants could not understand how this cold help, but they obeyed Jesus. When we believe in Jesus and obey Him, miracles will happen in our lives today. Think of a time in your life when God asked you to do something and you were thinking it sounded strange. But you had faith and did it anyway. What happened? One time I was called to lead a bible study for middle school children. It was something I was not trained for or particularly wanted to do. But God kept putting it on my heart. So I volunteered to lead a once a month bible study and fellowship night at our church. The first meeting there were 6 kids and one of the boys was quite a handful. I thought to myself that this is nuts I'm going to quit. But God asked me to try again and He'd send help. Another meeting came the next month and I had one mom who wanted to help and there were 10 kids. I thought cool, my prayers were answered. I have help, but I still was not sure what God was doing with me.?! Another month came and there were 18 kids! I was totally blown away by the work God was doing through me. By the end of the year we had grown to two nights a month and a good 15-18 kids every meeting. What an experience to see God provide a night of fellowship for kids who needed to hear they are loved. Thanks God for giving me the courage to do your work!

Hymn

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus

Quick Prayer

Dear Jesus, You have given us so many blessings. Help us obey You every day. Thank you for your miracles.

Lenten Symbol for your Easter Tree

a jar of water

Activity Idea

*Miracles are all around us. Some are very obvious like the water into wine, yet some are very hard to know they are miracles. New life around us at spring is a wonderful reminder of the miracle that Jesus came back to life after being in the dark tomb. Have you experienced a miracle, maybe with your health, or with a relationship. Talk about them with your children

*Make a miracle wind sock, with a piece of paper turn to a tube, write miracles around the top. Draw pictures of miracles you know of or would like to happen and hang them from the bottom of the tube with string.

Day 19 March 14

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Mark 1:17

Read

Luke 5:1-11, Mark 1:14-20, Matthew 4:18-22

Discussion

Have you seen the 'Jesus Fish' around? Many people see the symbol as a way to tell others that they know Jesus from the stories Jesus told to the first disciples in the Bible. Fishermen were hard workers and always needed to be prepared to catch fish. Even when no fish were caught, they had to be patient because their families depended on the fish to eat. Peter knew being a fisher of men would not be easy, but he saw that Jesus believed in him. And so he left his boat, along with Andrew, John and James, and began to follow Him.

Jesus wants all of us to be fishers of men. There are many people who have troubles and need to know God's love. It's up to us to throw our nets out to all people we know and try to bring them to God. There are ways to show we are Christians-we can go to church, we can sing praises to God, we can show others by our actions.

In these different versions of the story of the first disciples there are little variations to the story. Discuss why there are the same stories in different books of the Bible.

Hymn

I will make you fishers of men

Quick Prayer

Dear Jesus, I want to follow you. Help me be a fisher of men and to tell others about You in everything I do. Amen

Lenten Symbol for your Easter Tree

A Christian fish

Activity Idea

*Learn about the story of how the Jesus fish was used.

*reenact the story of first disciples

*The days after the first Easter was a scary time for those close followers of Jesus. They were so afraid that they locked themselves in a room. But When Jesus came to see the disciples, they were filled with courage and went out to face the world. Some children are needing to know facts about the story of "Did Jesus really come back alive?" Now if the disciples had been so afraid that they locked themselves in a room, they must have had doubts. Jesus did come to them. How else could you explain them continuing on their mission. Does your child have questions about sharing their faith? Think of ways that you could encourage your child to tell others about their love of God.

Day 18 March 13

"I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever." John 14:16

Read

Luke 3:21-22, John 14:15-18

Discussion

There is only one God, yet there are three parts/persons of God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God the Father is the one who created us and lives in Heaven. God the Son is the person who came to earth as a baby and later died on the cross for us. On Easter, Jesus rose from the tomb and now sits beside God in Heaven. God the Holy Spirit is the one who lives today in our hearts if we believe in Jesus. God the Holy Spirit is the one who brings us peace and works with power in us to live good lives.

There was a special day when God showed Himself as the 3 persons. It was the day when Jesus was baptized. There John Baptized Jesus with water. All of a sudden, the heavens opened up and somthing that looked like a dove came down and rested on Jesus. Do you know who the dove represented ?God the Holy Spirit in a form of a dove. At the same time a voice was heard that said, " You are my Son, whom I love ; with you I am well pleased." What a day! To have all parts of God in one place. We can feel God in our hearts as the Holy Spirit. All three parts of God work to help us be better children of God. God sent Jesus to be an example of how to be Christian brothers and sisters. Have you ever seen a 3 leaf clover? Sometimes people compare how God is like a three leaf clover. Discuss how you connect to the different parts/persons of God. This idea can be very confusing and frustrating to understand for children, especially those who want to know the facts. Be gentle and honest with them, if they still have questions find someone who can help satisfy their curiosity.

Hymn

Sweet Sweet Spirit

Quick Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for loving us and comforting us. May we follow the example Jesus has given us and may we be willing to respond to the callings of he Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lenten Symbol for your Easter Tree

a Dove

Activity Idea

*There are many examples of explaining how God is one yet three. Another is the apple. God the core, Jesus the flesh, Holy Spirit as the protector peel. Sometimes giving children a finite definition could inhibit them from knowing God as infinite. Don't worry if they have lots of questions, God is at work on their little hearts. Make a drawing of how God is like something, an apple, a clover, and then talk about how the parts can be one and yet separate.

* Make a list of questions they still feel need answers. Share with a Pastor or elderly church member, or Sunday School teacher.

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Day 17 March 12

"Praise the Lord, O my Soul. O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. Psalm 104:1

Read

Psalm 104

Discussion

 It is so easy to be thankful for the wonderful beauty all around us. It's easy to be amazed at how large and wonderful God is and how detailed is every living things. God is truly Awesome. Many of Psalms were written by David, but a few have no authors. Psalm 104 is one of the 'author unknown' category. It's nice to read this chapter and just feel connected to the joy and awe of someone who was inspired by God's greatness. With our world going so fast and many devastating events occurring, it's hard sometimes to just let yourself be swept in the moment of now. Feel God's presence. Take some time and talk about how majestic is God

Hymn

Our God is an Awesome God

Quick Prayer

Dear God, Thank you for your creation. Thank you for the details in the lady bug spots and the sweet potato vine. Thank you for the songs of the birds and the chirping of crickets. Thank you God for the mountain tops and ocean floors. We are so thankful. Amen.

Lenten Symbol for your Easter Tree

Earth

Activity Idea

*God's creation is full of lovely and amazing things. Take a walk and enjoy creation. Bring along some paper to write about what you see, or draw a tree budding or a bird building a nest.