CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
"Whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven, And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."
(Matthew 18: 4-5)
Bible Reading Week 1
Hebrews 11:29 - 12:3
What is Faith?
The Bible talks about faith, and says some great things about people who demonstrated faith. The Bible says that faith is being confident and assured of things we hope for, but cannot see. Having faith means that we believe even if we cannot be physically a hundred percent sure. Can we see God? Not necessarily…we see evidence of what He has done and continues to do. But we cannot always see His face or touch him with our bodily hands.
Faith means we still know He is there and that He does wonderful things for us. The Bible talks about people who demonstrated faith. There were people like Noah, who built an ark in anticipation of a flood that hadn’t started yet…or there was Abraham, who left his home to follow God; or Rahab, who trusted God when her whole city was collapsing around her. And we can be like those faith “heroes”, too!
But do you know the truly wonderful thing? We don’t have to do anything special to have faith. It does not depend on us or any sort of actions we might do. Faith is not about us; it’s about God. It is about what He has already done and what He promises to do. You see, trust has to do with what we are believing. To trust someone, it helps to know they are worthy of trust. If you know me well, and you know I tell the truth, you might not have much difficulty believing there was a cookie in the bag. But if you had just met me, it might be harder to trust me.
We know that God is worthy of our trust. He has already proven it, because every promise of the Bible came true! Because of Jesus, we have all we need and our lives are covered in God’s grace. That’s a pretty amazing thing to put our faith in.
It’s also important to know that faith gives us hope.
Children's Church
Each Sunday, we gather together to learn about God's love for us with fun and uplifting lessons that help nurture children's faith.
Children's Sunday School meets during the 9 a.m. worship service. Children of all ages are welcome!
BIBLE READING WEEK 2
Matthew 13:1&2
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
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Jesus uses the example of a tiny mustard seed to illustrate the profound growth that can occur from small beginnings. By comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to the mustard seed, Jesus teaches us significant lessons about faith and the incredible potential it holds. As the story goes, Jesus tells his listeners that the mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. However, when it is planted in the ground, it grows into a tree that becomes the largest of all garden plants. This imagery portrays how something seemingly insignificant and unremarkable can transform into something exceptional and influential. The mustard seed represents the potential within us to cultivate a strong and flourishing faith, even if it starts small. Just as the mustard seed grows into a large and sturdy tree, our faith has the capacity to grow and bear fruit, impacting not only our lives but also the lives of those around us. Ask questions such as, “Why do you think Jesus used a mustard seed as an example?” and “What does this parable teach us about having faith?” Guide the discussion, allowing the children to express their ideas and learn from one another’s perspectives. Next, provide learning activities that enhance their understanding and application of the parable. For instance, you could have them plant their own mustard seeds and witness the growth process firsthand. Alternatively, create a craft where they can make a small seed growing into a large tree as a visual reminder of the lesson.Finally, lead the children in a prayer that emphasizes the importance of faith and asks for God’s guidance in nurturing their own faith. Encourage them to consider how they can apply the lessons learned from the mustard seed parable in their daily lives.
BIBLE READING WEEK 3
Luke 17:5-10
A Mustard Seed Faith
Have you ever seen a mustard seed? (Pause.) The mustard seed is one of the smallest of all seeds. (Let kids pass around some mustard seeds so they can all see and feel the size.) Some people think of faith when they think of mustard seeds. Faith is when we believe in God and His power. What do you know about why people use mustard seeds as a symbol of faith?The reason some people use mustard seeds as a symbol of faith is because of something Jesus said in the Bible.(Open your Bible.) When Jesus’ friends asked Him how they could have stronger faith, Jesus said, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!” (Luke 17:5-10)Wow! (Hold up one mustard seed and look closely at it.) Jesus said that God is so powerful that if our faith is even as small as this little seed, then we can do incredible things with His power. Maybe we should try that. (Place the plant in front of the children.) If Jesus said we could pray and ask God to move a tree from our front yard to the sea, then we need even smaller faith to just move this plant a little bit. (Invite kids to discuss whether they can do it. If some would like to try it, then decide on where they’d like to move the plant, and lead them in all saying prayers to move the plant.)Jesus didn’t say someone with the faith of the mustard seed can move trees to the sea so that a bunch of people would start uprooting trees. That wasn’t His point. He was teaching us that it doesn't take a great faith for great things to happen. Why? Because what happens doesn’t depend on us, but instead on God. God has the power to do anything, and God is for us so we can trust whatever He does.God, we ask for a mustard seed sized faith. Help us to believe and never doubt Your mighty power. In Jesus’ name, amen.