Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury is a story about a boy living with Autism, but it is so much more than that.  It’s a story about loving people who are different from you.  It’s a story about friendship, loss, reconnecting and if you look closely, it’s also about forgiveness.  Unlocked is a story that gives hope where parents find little.  It’s a story about encouragement, changing hearts, and making a difference.  It’s a story about faith.

Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury

Holden Harris is 18 years old and living with Autism.  He was perfectly healthy when he was three year old.  He was happy and his future looked bright.  His friend Ella was also three.  Their parents were the best of friends so Holden and Ella spent a lot of time together during those early years.  Their parents even dreamed about a day when Holden and Ella might date.  Maybe they would grow up, go to the Prom together, and even marry someday.

Then, Dan and Tracy Harris’ world changed.  Holden started withdrawing into his own world, an inner world where no-one could reach him.  No matter how hard Dan and Tracy tried, Holden continued to slip away until he became unresponsive to them.  He became non-communicative.

Holden’s diagnosis was hard on everyone who loved him.  Ella’s parents responded in such a way that separated Holden and Ella . . . maybe forever.  Dan and Tracy’s marriage changed in such a way that would challenge even the most devoted couples.

15 years pass and Holden is now in high school.  He only communicates through PECS cards but those are new to him.  He exhibits behaviors that puzzle his mother, his teacher, and his therapists.  Is he progressing or regressing?  Will he someday be unlocked and released from his private world and reenter the world of those who love him?

Holden loves music.  One of the girls in the drama class pushes the teacher to allow Holden to sit in the room during rehearsals for the Spring play, Beauty and the Beast.  She has noticed the boy in the hallways . . . perhaps being bullied . . . by her own boyfriend, but there is something about him, something about his deep blue eyes, like maybe she should know him somehow.

Ella grew up to be a popular girl with popular friends.  That was true until she realizes the truth, the way her friends treat others who are “different.”  They bully kids like Michael Schwartz who plays the flute in the band.  Michael’s story is one that will rip your heart into a million pieces.

Unlocked is a story about Autism, friendship, hope, and all the things mentioned in the first paragraph here.  It is also a story about bullying and teen suicide.  Unlocked is an inspirational read about hard things in life.  It’s a story about a deep faith in a God who loves us through all the hard things . . . and sometimes He grants us a miracle.

I enjoyed the book.  It was an inspirational read but it was also a hard one at times.  Autism, bullying, and suicide are themes that have affected me personally.  At first, I wondered if Karen might have assumed too much when telling parts of Holden’s story from his own point of view, but after asking my own cousin who is currently raising a boy with Autism and several other moms and teachers of autistic children, they all agree that Karen does a fantastic job of writing the character and private personality of those living with Autism.  I learned a lot about the minds and thought processes of my precious relative and a few friends with Autism.  At the end of the story, Karen writes a letter to the reader which explains how she learned about Autism.  I think Unlocked is a great book for people who know little about it but want to gain a deeper understanding.

Some stories were left open.  I’m wondering how some of them turn out.  Perhaps a sequel in the future?  I”m new to Karen Kingsbury books but I know she has written several series novels so maybe there will be more to this one.  I hope so because if there is, I’ll be one of the first to read it.

Get your copy of Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury here.

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Visit Karen Kingsbury’s website here.
 
Connect with Karen on Facebook and Twitter. 

Image Credit – Burningkarma- Joey and Rory – CC BY 2.0 – via Wikimedia Commons.org

I love movies but these days, good family films are getting harder and harder to come by.  Last night, my husband, my daughter and I decided to utilize my Pureflix subscription and we watched To Joey, With Love.  I didn’t really know much about Joey and Rory until I started seeing posts in my Facebook feed about Joey’s cancer diagnosis.  Something about her story struck my interest so I started following her story.  I also read several of Rory’s blog posts.  Even though I had known nothing about this musically talented couple, Joey’s story captured my heart’s attention.  I followed all the way to the end.

To Joey, With Love

I had heard that To Joey, With Love was an awesome film, a real tear-jerker, if you will.  Since I already knew how things turned out, I wasn’t surprised to learn that I would likely need a box of tissues to get through the movie.  Whoever told me that was correct.

I was a little bit confused at first.  I had expected the film to be more of a movie about Joey and Rory’s life together.  I thought the movie was a MOVIE with actors playing the parts of Joey and Rory.  It’s probably obvious to others right away, but it took me a few minutes to realize that this film is actually footage Rory took with his personal video camera.  It’s actually a documentary as Rory documents their story as the scenes play out.

The film documents some things about their personal lives – the farm, Joey’s chickens.  You’ll learn about the barn they turned into a concert venue so that they could perform close to home.  They wanted to take a year off so they could spend a year at home with their new baby, Indiana.  You’ll fall in love with this family as they fall in love with their Indiana who happens to have Down’s Syndrome.  You’ll grab a tissue here and there as you follow their story all the way to Joey’s goodbyes.

Here’s a look into the film with the official movie trailer.

Joey and Rory’s faith is evident in their story.  Rory started out telling his audience that he started documenting their lives because he believed God was going to give them a great story – and He did.

The film might be hard to watch for some but it is an inspiring story rooted in deep faith in God.  I recommend a mature audience because this really is a film about a dying woman’s last days.  However, as a family film, it brings up several opportunities for family discussions around the topics of faith and family, special needs children, death and dying, and eternal life after death.  Families might draw a wealth of inspiration and strength from Rory’s example as he prepares for Joey’s death and as he becomes Indiana’s primary caregiver.

Amelia Who Could Fly by Mara Dal Corso and Daniela Volpari

When I was a little girl, I remember reading about Amelia Earhart.  In 1932, she was the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean flying solo.  I thought she must have been so cool.  I also remember how sad I felt when I learned that she disappeared somewhere over the Pacific Ocean 5 years later, in 1937.  She was attempting to fly around the world.  Now, young children can read a newer story about Amelia Earhart in Amelia Who Could Fly by Mara Dal Corso and Damiela Volpari.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Amelia Who Could Fly

In the child-friendly story, Amelia is ten years old.  She already knows that someday she will fly.  She admires other women who have already done great things.  The story goes on to describe all the things Amelia loves to do as a child.  She loves to dig for worms and watch frogs.  She enjoys climbing rocks and all sorts of outdoor fun but she can’t stop thinking about flying.  One day, her uncle helps her build a launch pad for her wooden box airplane.  She crashes and skins her knee but it is worth it.  Later in the story, Amelia sees an airplane while visiting the state fair with her family.  She insists that someday she will fly.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

The last two pages of Amelia Who Could Fly include pictures and facts about the real Amelia Earhart.  Children learn a little more about young Amelia and her determined spirit.

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 After reading the story about young Amelia Earhart, parents and teachers can teach their children more about the adventurous young woman.  You’ll find more information and photos on the official Amelia Earhart website here.

Other places to find information about Amelia Earhart:

This History Website

The Biography Website

Amelia Earhart Educational Resources and Activities

to Supplement Amelia Who Could Fly

 

Amelia Earhart Mini Unit (Includes a Freebie) from In All You Do

Amelia Earhart Lesson Activities from Kids Creative Chaos

Amelia Earhart Unit Study Series by Surviving a Teacher’s Salary

Amelia Earhart Unit Study Printables by Embark on the Journey 

You might also like Volcanoes by Stephanie Turnbull.

Volcanoes by Stephanie Turnbull

On Every Side by Karen Kingsbury was written in 2001 but it could have been based on today’s headlines.  It’s a story about life and death, love and loss, good versus evil, fragile relationships, the hard things that happen in life, and the controversial topic that never sleeps – the question of the separation of church and state.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

 On Every Side By Karen Kingsbury

The story centers around an old but popular Jesus statue that has graced the center of Jericho Park in Bethany, Pennsylvania for more than a hundred years.  The statue is special to many people in Bethany including Faith Evans, the local TV news reporter.  However, a visitor arrives to file suit against the town of Bethany, claiming the statue implies a government endorsement of Christianity.  Jordan Riley, the visitor who filed the suit claims the statue forces Christianity upon park visitors; but Jordan is not just a visitor.  His history in Bethany has left him angry at God.

Jordan’s anger seems firmly planted in soils of resentment with roots running so deep that he might never return to his former self – one who once loved God (and Faith Evans) with all his heart.

After many years of separation, Faith and Jordan meet at a diner on the day of Jordan’s arrival in Bethany which begins a roller-coaster ride of emotions as the story plays out.  Obviously, Faith’s excitement over seeing Jordan doesn’t last long.  How can two people who find themselves on opposing sides of a spiritual battle remain friends?

There is sort of a play on an old Bible story wrapped up in the pages of  On Every Side.  The park’s name is JERICHO Park.  Jordan Riley asked for a WALL to be erected around the Jesus statue.  The attorney representing religious freedom for the city of Bethany is named . . . Joshua.  Readers who are familiar with the Bible story about Joshua and the Battle of Jericho will understand what I’m talking about.

Faith, still recovering from her own hurts and in spite of her feelings for Jordan, remains true to her convictions.  She develops a plan to save the statue, but will her plan work?  Can Faith and Joshua convince the judge to not only order the temporary wall to be “torn down,” but to also allow the stature to remain visible forever for the people of Bethany?

Will Jordan Riley remain on the wrong side of religious freedom?

There’s more.   Jordan had a family, a mother and a sister.  You’ll need lots of tissues as you travel through the pages and memories of Jordan’s past.

There’s still more.  Faith has a soft and special place in her heart for a little foster child named Rosa.  Part of Faith’s job at the news station is to run her weekly Wednesday’s Child segment.  Rosa is precious and Faith can’t understand why God has not provided her with a forever family.  God has a plan for Rosa too and although they don’t understand it for most of the story, His plan for Rosa has everything to do with the battle over the Jesus statue.

On Every Side addresses many issues and questions we face in our own lives every day.  Why do bad things happen to good people?  Why isn’t God answering my prayer the way I want Him to?  Whey am I suffering through this hard battle right now?  My situation seems hopeless.  Does God really have a plan in all of this?

One of the threads of encouragement woven through the pages of the battle-story is based on Deuteronomy 31:8.

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

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As I read the story, I thought about circumstances in my own life, both past and present, and how the Lord has promised to “go before me.”  When the battle rages “on every side,” the Lord says, “I will go before you.”  All we need to do is be obedient.  The Lord will do the rest.
 
I enjoyed On Every Side by Karen Kingsbury and I think you will love it too.  The book is available here if you would like to add it to your home library.

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Reasons to Get Involved in a Small Group Bible Study

Yesterday, we talked about 5 reasons worship is important.  Today we are talking about the reasons it is important to get involved in a small group Bible study.  This post is based on the notes I took during my pastor’s sermon. 

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There are several types of small group Bible studies.  The most common type is Bible Fellowship.  I still sometimes call it Sunday School but somewhere along the way, somebody thought the name “Bible Fellowship” worked better.  It’s the same thing.  Small groups meet at church either before or after the main worship service to study the Bible and “fellowship” together.  We always have food in our Bible Fellowship class so that makes the fellowship official.  It’s a Baptist church, after all.  🙂

Another type of small group Bible study is a discipleship group.  Discipleship groups usually meet at sometime other than before or after the main Sunday morning worship service.  They can meet on Sunday nights, Wednesday nights, or any other night of the week – whatever works best for the group.  Discipleship groups generally focus on a specific topic for a pre-determined number of weeks.  Then, when the study is done, they start over again with a different topic of study and/or an entirely different group of people.  Other types of small group Bible studies include women’s studies, men’s studies, and youth studies.

Reasons to Get Involved in Small Group Bible Study

Now that you know a little bit about the different types of small group Bible studies, let’s talk about the reason it is important to get involved in some type of small group Bible study.

Remember the graphic from yesterday?  We are looking at three areas of growth in the Christian life.  The first area in the first circle is “worship.”  We are to gather together in worship.  Now look at the next circle, the big on in the middle.  The middle circle represents small group Bible studies such as Bible Fellowship and Discipleship groups.  Getting involved in a small group Bible study is a great way to get plugged into your church fellowship, as represented by the smaller circle at the top – the one with the plug in it. Get it?  🙂

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The disciples modeled for us a good example of the importance of small group Bible study in Acts, chapter 5.

And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. – Acts 5:42

Notice they went from “house to house?”  They kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ both in the temple and from “house to house.”

Small Group Bible Study Guards Us Against Isolation

 

Isolation is not encouraged in scripture except for particular times of prayer.  Jesus  spent most of is time with people.  He was only alone when He prayed.

He who separates himself seeks his own desire, he quarrels against all sound wisdom. – Proverbs 18:1.

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.  For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?  And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him.  A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 

Isolation is dangerous.  If there is an addiction, a person will not get over it alone. We ALL need encouragement.  We need to be around people of God.

Small Group Bible Study Groups Support Us During Hardships

After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,  strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” – Acts 14:21-22

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

 Small Group Bible Study Groups Grow Us Through Discipleship

 

We grow in Christ when we get together with other believers.  We are never completely mature.  We always have growing to do.  There are 4 stages of spiritual development.

The Infant Stage:  This is a brand new believer.  Someone who has been a Christian for a long time can also be in this infant stage.  We stay in the infant stage when we neglect to grow in Christ.

The Child Stage:  In this stage, a believer is beginning to grow.  He or she is starting to apply God’s Word to his or her life.

The Young Adult Stage:  During this stage, the believer is developing a deeper relationship with Jesus.  He or she is nurturing a deeper understanding of God’s Word.  The spiritual young adult realized that God has made him or her for a purpose.

The Parent Stage:  The spiritual parent has reached a stage of maturity which allows him or her to disciple others.

Small Group Bible Study Bible Study Groups Sharpen Us with Accountability

 

We, as believers, should welcome accountability.  Living without accountability can be compared to traveling down a dangerous mountain road without guardrails.

At the end of his sermon, our pastor asked us a very important question.  Now let me ask you:

If your life ends this week, maybe even today, do you know for certain that you will be with Jesus?

We are never promised tomorrow.  Earlier this week, thousands of people got out of bed and got dressed.  They probably took great care to pick out special clothes for that day.  They were excited.  They needed to dress appropriately for that evening because they were going to attend a concert in Las Vegas.  While they were preparing for the evening, I doubt any of them thought for a single second that someone would open fire on them, killing 59 people and injuring more than 500 others.  Some of them were prepared to meet Jesus.  Others were not.  Are you ready?  If you’re not sure, click here.

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5 Reasons Worship is Important

Image Credit – Benjamin Eggen – CCO Public Domain Image – via Freely Photos

 The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.

We learn about the first churches in the book of Acts.  Did you know the disciples were first called Christians in the ancient city of Antioch?

And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.  Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;  for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.  And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;  and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. – Acts 11:21-26

For the next few weeks at my church, we are going to be learning about three areas of growth in the Christian life.  They are visually explained to us on the following diagram.

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Today, we are talking about the first circle - gathering together in worship.  The decision to attend a worship service is intentional.  Sure, you might decide at the last minute to go, but you still made an intentional decision to go.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.  Hebrews 10:23-25

Hebrews 10:23-25 teaches us to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds.”  We are to “not forsake our own assembling together,” in other words, go to church.  We are also to take part in “encouraging one another.”

Be an encourager!

Points to Ponder Concerning Worship 

Worship is Our Identity

Everyone worships something.  For some, whether they realize it or not, it might be money, fun, success, science, knowledge, beauty, popularity, love, sex, and so many other material things or ideas; but we were made to worship just One.

But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. – John 4:23

Whatever you worship, you become just like it.

Worship is Commanded by God

The first of the Ten Commandments reads “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”

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This commandment still applies today.  Our idols, our “gods” just look different from 1st century worshipers.  We need to teach our children to become Biblical worshipers.

But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14

Essential Things Happen When We Worship

When we attend church, we often experience the public reading of God’s Word.  We cannot have Biblical worship without God’s Word.

We pray.  At our church, we pray for one another.  If prayer is not an essential part of your church worship environment, then find another church.

At the end of our worship services, we have an “alter call.”  This gives worshipers an opportunity to go to the alter in response to the Holy Spirit.   People respond to an alter call for several reasons.  They respond when they receive Jesus, when they are prompted to pray for a loved one, when they accept a new calling on their lives – just to name a few reasons.

Tithing is part of our worship service.  Giving people an opportunity to give back to the Lord is an important part of worship.

We sing.  We enjoy lots of wonderful music at my church.

Encouragement and Ministry:  The messages we hear during a worship service can and do speak to our hearts.

God is in our midst.  He really is.  He promises us that He is with us when we worship with others in Matthew 18:20.

For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. – Matthew 18:20

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The Heart of Worship

Worship is not about what we prefer but what God prefers.  God prefers a pure heart.   Worship is about the glory of God.

Worship is Invitational

Anybody can come to a worship service.  If you are not sure where to worship, you can start with my church.  There is always an open door to our physical building and also online.  I am inviting you to worship with us every Sunday morning right here at 11:00am eastern time.  Sometimes we live-stream evening services as well.  I highly encourage you to find a place where you can worship with other believers in person.  You need to gather together with other believers.  Remember the first circle in the graphic above?  Then, you’ll need to get connected with a small Bible study group within the church (the second circle).  In the meantime, please consider this a heart-felt invitation for you to join my church in worship.

If you are a believer and you attend a Bible-teaching church, then be intentional about inviting other people to your church.  People need Jesus.  They can meet Him where you are.

At the end of my pastor’s message, he gave us some good advice.  We, as believers, can be – and should be – intensely passionate about God’s truths.  However, sometimes we respond to others, especially on social media, in ways that might burn bridges instead of building them.  Let’s resolve to not do or say anything that will cause someone else to not come to faith in Jesus Christ.

Don’t burn bridges.  Build them.

Image Credit – Benjamin Eggen – CCO Public Domain Image – via Freely Photos

 

The Joy of Authentic Community

We recently enjoyed a special Ladies Night at our church.  Our pastor spoke on the topic of “The Joy of Authentic Community.”   The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.

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Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.  Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  Romans 12:9-10 (NLT)

We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship, and formed for a family, and none of us can fulfill God’s purposes by ourselves.  Rick Warren

Authentic Community - Points to Ponder

God is all about joy and so desires to give it to us in abundance.

God is not a kill-joy.  He is a giver of joy.

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.  John 15:11

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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  Nehemiah 8:10

Authenticity is rare which is why it is so desirable and valuable.

Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.  1 Thessalonians 2:8

The didn’t share the scriptures only, but they shared themselves.

True community is rooted in the gospel and embraces acceptance and rejects exclusion.

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,  so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.  Romans 15:5-7

Do good to our enemies.

God's Word gives a perfect picture of the joy of authentic community as seen in Acts 2:42-47.

*Expressing Love and Receiving Love

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Acts 2:42

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.  C.S. Lewis

The only place outside of Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and  perturbations of love is Hell.  C.S. Lewis

 *Trust and Transparency

All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Acts 2:44

*Serve One Another

. . . and we’re sharing them with all, as anyone had need.”  Acts 2:45

 *Grace Flowing and Contagious Joy

Every day they continued to meet together . . . broke bread in homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.  Acts 2:46-47

Are you personally experiencing the joy of authentic community?  Are you promoting it in your own life?

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The Heart of the Church

The Power of God's Word

A Bible-teaching church is passionately committed to preaching, teaching, and living out the scriptures as our guide to truth and Godly living.

The Joy of Authentic Community

A Bible-teaching church share in the joys, burdens, and adventures of life by creating friendships/relationships that go deeper than Sunday to impact every day.

The Expectation of Ministry Excellence

A Bible-teaching church strives to do everything with Jesus-Exalting passion and excellence so that it will bring God all of the glory.

The Blessing of Generous Living

A Bible-teaching church believes that God owns everything.  We look for opportunities to be conduits of His blessings in the way we use our time, abilities, and finances.

The Priority of Reaching People

A Bible-teaching church pursues its neighbors and the nations with the gospel so they can know God in a personal way.

Scripture Verses Related to the Heart of the Church 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.  Acts 1:8

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So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.  The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off  to Antioch.  Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.  And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;  and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.  Acts 11:19-26

We will not conceal them from their children,
But tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,
And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. – Psalm 78:4

To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.  Ephesians 3:21

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.

What is the most important thing in your life?  What is the most important thing in the Christian life?  As Christians, what is important to us should be what is important to God.

 Prioritizing, Personalizing, and Protecting What is Most Important in the Christian Life

Aubrey Malphurs said,

You won’t do ministry that matters until you define what really matters.

At our church, we are focusing on a mission statement:

Discipling one another to reach and raise the next generation to live out God’s truth.

In order to disciple one another to reach and raise the next generation to live out God’s truth, we must define what really matters and do what matters.

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Our focal passage for today is Matthew, chapter 28.

Why is it important to disciple one another to live out God’s truth?  Because the Bible tells us to.

Disciple One Another

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 28:19

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Live Out God's Truth

Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.  Matthew 28:20

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The most important thing we can do as Christians is to share God’s truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that others will know Him.  The next important thing is to disciple one another to live out God’s truth.

Points to Ponder Regarding What Is Most Important 

We must prioritize what is most important

Instead of saying. “My church is doing . . . ,” say, “I am doing . . . ”

We must protect what is most important.

We must be diligent about prioritizing, personalizing, and protecting what is most important – sharing the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and discipling one another to live out God’s truth.

God’s Word is Our Foundation: Answers in Genesis Bible Curriculum

God's Word is Our Foundation

I’ve finally unpacked all the materials from the Answers in Genesis Bible Curriculum for Pre-K thru 1st Grade.  I’ve spent some time going through the Teacher’s Guide, looked through all the printables, games, pictures, and posters.  This curriculum comes with a lot of materials!  I’ve looked forward to the first lesson with my daycare/preschool kids.  Unit 1 includes lessons 1-10.  Lesson 1 is titled God’s Word is Our Foundation.

*Note:  This post was not sponsored by Answers in Genesis.  I was not paid to write this post.  I was not given any materials in exchange for writing this post.  I was not required to write a positive review.  I purchased the ABC Answers Bible Curriculum because I wanted to use it in my in-home daycare/preschool.  I think it is a valuable tool for parents and church ministers so I want to share it with you.  🙂

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

I love that the first lesson teaches that God’s Word is Our Foundation.  Kids learn a valuable lesson from the very beginning.  If they don’t believe the Bible is true, then everything in it is useless to them.  It’s important that children believe the Bible is absolute truth first.  Then, they’ll know everything in it is true and valuable to them for the rest of their lives.
 

The teacher’s guide instructs us to begin our lesson in prayer and they provide a great visual for teaching children 4 important parts of prayer:  Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.  Now, those are some big words for such little kids.  You can see from the flip chart visual in the picture above that the graphics are child-friendly and each picture shows children what each “big word” means in simple child-like language.

Remember that the purpose of lesson 1 is to teach children that God’s Word is Our Foundation.  I placed my Bible in front of the children.  We discussed that the Bible is the most important book ever written.  It’s the best book ever!

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove

The next page of the flip chart shows the kids a graphic of the Bible in the middle of some material things that kids might generally think are valuable.  As the kids look at the graphic, the teacher can use the group conversation guide on the other side.  The children discovered that the Bible is better than gold jewelry, ice-cream, and even better than chocolate.  The most important thing they learned is that the Bible is perfect, sure, right, and pure.

The focus Bible verse for this lesson is Psalm 19:7-8.

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. – Psalm 19:7-8

My group is very young.  I only have one 4 year old.  This curriculum is intended for Pre-K thru 1st Grade.  I didn’t have my little ones memorize the scripture passage above.  The curriculum Teacher Guide provides a lesson for Kindergarten and 1st grade, but there is an adapted lesson for Pre-K.  Younger children can more easily memorize Psalm 119:89-90.

Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the Heavens.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
You have established the earth, and it stands fast. – Psalm 119:89-90

Y’all, guess what?  When you purchase this curriculum from Answers in Genesis, you get to download songs, but you can use the music videos here to teach preschoolers to memorize the Bible verse above (Psalm 119:89-90)!

OK, back to the lesson. 

This curriculum comes with plenty of visuals, but they suggest you add some things from home to enhance the lesson.  I filled two jars with water.  I added dirt to one jar and left the other jar clean.  The clean jar represents God’s Word because it is pure and perfect.  The dirty jar represents water that is not perfect.  You can’t clean with dirty water, but God’s Word is clean.  It changes us, cleans us, and makes us love God.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

Today, the kids were introduced to Justin and his family.  We read the story “Sand Castles and Clean Hearts.”  It’s a story about how we think we are clean but we’re not.  You’ll have to read the story when you get the curriculum, but just know that it’s a short, cute story that the kids will enjoy.  It helps them realize that even though we think our hearts are clean, there is still “dirt” there that needs cleaning.  God’s Word can clean our hearts.

If you don’t want to print off the story, you have two options.  The story is located on the back of a poster that is included in the teacher kit or you can read it from the computer.  The links to downloadable materials, songs, and stories are included in the Teacher Guide.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

The curriculum is set up so that you have so much flexibility.  If you are teaching older kids, you can use all of it.  If you have younger kids, you can use what works for them and save the rest.  The video below explains how to use the curriculum. 

  

Today, we chose to do the “jar sheet.”  This picture below is my example.  We colored one jar blue to represent clean water (God’s Word is Pure).  We used a glue stick on the second jar and then sprinkled dirt on it.  Now the kids have something to take home and talk to their parents about the things they learned.  Hopefully, they will tell them that they learned that God’s Word is perfect, sure, right, and pure.  Maybe they can recite the Bible verse or sing the song.  🙂

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

Since we are learning that God’s Word is our foundation, we get a great poster to use during the entire unit which helps us learn all the books of the Bible.  I’ll probably have this laminated and use it for years because it is a great resource for any age.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

If you are purchasing this curriculum to use at home with your own children or an in-home preschool, it’s important to note that this curriculum is a Bible curriculum.  It is intended to teach children the Bible.  You’ll have to add your own academic activities, but it is so easy to do.  For example, today’s focus is God’s Word.  You can focus on the letter B for Bible.  Do activities that teach the letter B.  Use the Books of the Bible chart above to count the books of the Bible.  If you choose to do the clean/dirty jar sheet, you can teach the letter J for “jar.”  As you move through the curriculum, there are multiple opportunities to integrate academics into your preschool or grade school.  However, Answers in Genesis also offers a lot of home-school curriculum choices.  You will want to check those out here.

If you think ABC Bible Curriculum is great for teaching children that the Bible is perfect, sure, right, and pure and that God’s Word is our foundation, please pin the image below!  We always appreciate some Pinterest love!  Then, scroll on down for more resources from Answers in Genesis.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)