"Never Read a Bible Verse"
Parent’s Corner- November 18, 2018
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
Never read a Bible verse.
What just went through your mind when you read the previous sentence? Shock? Confusion? Questioning the author’s credibility? Hope that there would be a good point to be made. . . at least there had better be!
All of those same thoughts went though my mind when my husband spoke those words in front of an elementary Sunday school class we were teaching. We were newer to the church and had been asked to fill in for the regular teacher. We were excited for the opportunity to do so. . . that is until my husband spoke those words. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I just have something I feel led to share before we get to the lesson. It will only take a minute.”
“Never read a Bible verse.”
Heads snapped to attention. Drawings stopped. Eyes widened, and my heart started pounding. I could already see it in the eyes of many, “Who is this guy, and what is he saying? Never read a Bible verse? I can’t wait to tell my parents about this one!” I was certain we would never be asked to do anything like this again, especially given that many in church leadership had kids in this class!
“Never read a Bible verse. On its own. Never read a Bible verse on its own. Always know the context, always know the audience, and always know the bigger picture in which it rests.”
Oh, the relief that washed over my mind and heart! Once the initial shock dissipated, I was able to realize the truth of his statement. . . that all Scripture works together to convey God’s greater message. The pieces and parts that we are so quick to pull apart only when when they work together, as part of a larger whole.
Each week as I write of the scripture passages and lessons covered in the classes in Children’s Ministry, remember to view them as parts of a whole. Every three years, our children’s classes cycle through the Bible in its entirety, with the prayer that the children would learn about the pieces and parts, as well as the whole.
Try out this statement on your kids this week. . . it might prove to be a good laugh, as well as a good teaching opportunity.
This week in Sunday School-
2/3s- Jonah
Scripture- Jonah 1-3
Lesson Truth- God sees us and cares for us everywhere.
Aims for the Children- to do at least one of the following during the lesson
1. Affirm that God sees us everywhere
2. Identify illustrations of obedience and disobedience
4s-K- God uses Gideon to deliver Israel
Scripture- Judges 6-8
Lesson Goal- Students will humble and gratefully obey God, who chooses to deliver His people.
Bible Truths-
1. The Israelites were disobedient to God, so God allowed them to suffer under the Midianites.
2. The Israelites were not sorry about their disobedience and did not deserve to be delivered.
3. God used an undeserving man named Gideon to defeat the Midianites.
4. God chose only 300 men to defeat Midian to demonstrate His power.
Key Verse- “Arise, for the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.” Judges 7:15b
1st-2nd Grade, 3rd-5th Grade- God uses Gideon to deliver Israel
Scripture- Judges 6-8
Lesson Goal- Students will humbly and gratefully obey God, who chooses to deliver His people.
Lesson Objectives- Students will be able to
1. Explain why the Israelites were suffering under the Midianites.
2. Describe Gideon’s character before and after the Midianite defeat.
3. Explain why Israel did not deserve deliverance.
4. Summarize the events of the Midianite defeat
Key Verse- “Gideon returned to the camp of Israel, and said, ‘Arise, for the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.’” Judges 7:15b
Children’s Church- Jesus Promises Rest
Scripture- Matthew 11:20-30
Lesson Goal- The child will come to Jesus, take up His yoke, and learn from Him.
Bible Truths-
1. Jesus is God
2. People saw Jesus do miracles.
3. The people did not believe that Jesus is God.
4. Jesus warned the people to repent.
Key Verse- “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28