June 26

Fighter Verse info is after the graphic.

The supported ministry this week is the Phillips family.

Children's Church Lessons.

Toddlers:  A healed man praised God - God loves to hear us praise Him.  The passage is Acts 3:1 - 11.  The memory verse is Psalm 111:1

4 & 5-year-olds:  The Church's Prayer - Christ answers our church's prayer.  The passage is Acts 4:1 - 31; 5:12 17-42.  The memory verse is Acts 4:31

1st - 5th grade:  Rules for God's Spiritual Leaders - God's holiness requires that we approach Him with respect.  The passage is Exodus 28:1 - 3; 39; 40:12 - 16.  John 15:9, 10

During July (no class on July 3), the classes will not be the same.

The classes for the children 2 years old through 5th grade will be VERY different.  

These classes will join for one class in the Kid's Chapel (1st - 5th grade Big Room) WITH THEIR PARENTS AND/OR GRANDPARENTS.

Children and parents will be meeting together for an intergenerational study.  This combined time will provide opportunities for families to meet together and learn about / practice family worship.

I (Pastor Dave) will be teaching/facilitating this kids/parents' time with the prayerful goal of equipping parents in their disciple-making role of their children.  We will spend time in God's Word each Sunday and will be encouraged to spend time throughout the week in His Word.

HERE IS THIS WEEK'S FIGHTER VERSE INFO:

The Fighter Verses for this week's Sunday School Hour are 1 Peter 5:9 - 10 [11]

Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. [¹¹To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.]

BIG IDEA:   When temptations to do wrong come, ask Jesus to help you resist.

SIMPLE PHRASE:  Resist the devil.

This week's Fighter Verses is a continuation of last week's verses 1 Peter 5:6 -8.  

BIBLE-BASED PRAYER:

God, help me resist the devil and stand firm in my faith, knowing that there are believers all around the world going through suffering and challenges.

Lord, God, restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish me. 

Amen.

HERE is the Teacher/Parent Resource link 

Look at the Book videos connected with this passage:

• Kept By God Day By Day - https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/kept-by-god-day-by-day
• Can Satan Devour Christians? - https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/can-satan-devour-christians
• How to Fight the Devil - https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/how-to-fight-the-devil
• The God of Amazing Grace - https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/the-god-of-amazing-grace
• How Long Must I Suffer? -  https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/how-long-must-i-suffer

June 19

Fighter Verse info is after the graphic.

The supported ministry this week is the Phillips family.

Children's Church Lessons

Toddlers:  Peter Healed in Jesus’ Name – God has amazing power.  The passage is Acts 3:1 – 11.  The memory verse is Psalm 111:1

4 & 5-year-olds:  The Church’s Preaching – Christ is the focus of preaching.  The passage is Acts 3:1 – 19.  The memory verse is Acts 5:42

K – 5th:  A Place for God to Dwell – God Indwells those who trust in Him for Salvation.  The passage is Ex. 25:1-9; 35:30-35; 36:1-38:8.  The memory verse is John 15:9, 10

This week's Fighter Verse is 1 Peter 5:6-8
Don't forget to check out this week's Fighter Verses page - https://www.fighterverses.com/verses/1-peter-5%3A6-8

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. ⁸Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

BIG IDEA:   When you are afraid, pray, and God will help.

SIMPLE PHRASE:  Humbly pray.

Last week's Fighter Verse (2 Timothy 1:7) reminded us that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control.  

This week's Fighter Verses (1 Peter 5:6 - 8) remind us to humble ourselves and to cast all our anxieties (worries, fears, concerns) on God because he cares for us.  We don't need to fear or worry because God cares for us.  

1 Peter 5:6 - 8 prayer...

Lord God, you are mighty, perfect, loving, and victorious.

Because you are mighty, help me live a humble life for your glory.

Because you are mighty and perfect, help me remember that your mighty hand will lift me up at the proper time.

Because you care for me and love me, help me cast my worries and anxieties upon you.

Help me be sober-minded and watchful.

God, I know that you are so mighty and powerful and I also know that our enemy the devil wants to destroy me.
Thank you for the victory over sin and death I have because of you.

In thinking about what humility looks like, consider reading Tim Challies' post about the 10 Sure Marks of Humility - https://www.challies.com/reading-classics-together/10-sure-marks-of-humility

Also, in New Morning Mercies, Paul Tripp has many quotes about the purpose of corporate worship.  The following two quotes connect corporate worship with humility. 

“Corporate worship rescues us again and again by reminding us that there is only one glory worth giving our lives to—the glory of God.”  

“Corporate worship is designed to humble you by pointing out the depth of your need and enthrall you by pointing to the glory of God’s provision.”

In the adult class, we watched a Look at the Book video
Here are the links to each of the videos on this passage of scripture:

• Four Reasons God Hates Pride -www.desiringgod.org/labs/four-reasons-god-hates-pride
• How Not to Battle Anxiety - www.desiringgod.org/labs/how-not-to-battle-anxiety
• Are You a Passive Christian? - https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/are-you-a-passive-christian (This is the one we watched in class)
• Stay Alert Against Satan - www.desiringgod.org/labs/stay-alert-against-satan
• Kept By God Day by Day - www.desiringgod.org/labs/kept-by-god-day-by-day

VBS Fourth Night

It has been a great week of fun and learning God's Word together.  
Parents, thank you for bringing your kids to the church. 
Kids, thank you for bringing your energy and attention each night.
Volunteers, thank you for your hard work each night.  

As the pastor overseeing the children's ministry here at Trinity, I want to invite you and your family to Trinity on a Sunday morning for our Morning Worship Time every Sunday at 11:00 am.

We also have Sunday School for all ages and a nursery for those under the age of 2 years old.
Currently, we are doing a memory verse program called Fighter Verses.  The kids, 2 years old through 5th grade, and the adults are working on memory verses to help them know God better and fight sin.  You can find out more HERE

We will  be posting more about what is going on for the youth on this page next week.

Here is a four-day snapshot of what we learned and the gifts that went home.

Monday - We sent bugs home with the kids.  We learned that God is the awesome Creator. 

Tuesday - We sent fruit snacks home with the kids.  We learned that because we were created in God's image and loved by God, we should love others

Wednesday - We sent home chalk with the kids.  We learned that Jesus is the only one who saves.

Thursday - We sent home glow sticks with the kids.  We heard from the Mayo's Trinity supported missionaries in Australia and learned that we are created and saved for good works.  

Click HERE for other VBS posts.

VBS Third Night

Each kid went home with a piece of sidewalk chalk.  They were challenged to share some encouragement with their neighborhood.  Here are some ideas:  a Bible verse learned at VBS, a picture of God's amazing creation, 

If your child draws something and you email it to me at dave @ tbcgr.org or post OR share it on facebook using @trinitybaptistgr , before 4:00, it will be part of tomorrow night's slide show.  Be sure to include their name.

O.K.  Breaking News from Trinity Baptist Church!!!!

The GIRLS WON!!!!!

In EVEN BIGGER NEWS!!

Tonight the kids heard the GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL and the fact that there are two ways to live!!!

There are two ways to live. Taken from Two Ways to Live and for kids Who Will Be King? and 

You can say "NO" to God, and keep pretending to be your own king - but God will punish you by shutting you out of his good kingdom forever.  BUT if you do that, you won't win, because God is God.

Or you can say "Sorry" to God (REPENT), start living with Jesus as your king (TRUST AND OBEY), and enjoy being in God's kingdom forever.  God will forgive you and welcome you as his friend. Because Jesus died to take your punishment, God promises that he won't be angry with you anymore.  You will be with God in His good kingdom forever.  

 The booklet concludes with how to respond. 

• Say SORRY to God for not treating him as your king (Repent of your sin) 

• Say THANK YOU u to God for sending Jesus to die so that you could be forgiven  

• Ask God to PLEASE forgive you, and help you to live with Jesus as your king.  You can trust Jesus. 

 We gave out a "Who will be king?" booklet to some of the parents.  Talk through the verses and the message inside

Here are some pictures from the third night and a link to the Trinity Baptist Church Facebook page that has A LOT more. -  https://www.facebook.com/trinitybaptistgr 

Click HERE for other VBS posts.

VBS Second Night

 It was a HOT one but a GREAT one also!!

We are at $309 for Alpha Grand Rapids (https://alphagrandrapids.org/about/)

The BOYS have won both nights! 

Each child will earn a quarter for their team by saying tonight's memory verse to a leader tomorrow. 

Encouage your child to think of other ways to earn money to help Alpha Grand Rapids! 

We learned another great Bible truth - Luke 6:31

We had a visitor who was born in Australia and now lives in Australia.  

Lisa Koppenhofer shared about growing up in Australia, the blue-ringed octopus, the fact that there are 3 times as many sheep in Australia as there are people, and THE AMAZING, LIFE CHANGING TRUTH THAT JESUS IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD!

She also introduced us do an Australian Christian singer Colin Buchanan and his song Isaiah 53:6.  You can find this song and others on his youtube page -  https://www.youtube.com/user/colinbuchananmusic

We also sang some other great songs.  Here is our song list for the week - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX7zYtCh0kMk0mt684bnNr6t0zpqoldy1

Here are some pictures from the first two nights and a link to the Trinity Baptist Church Facebook page that has A LOT more. -  https://www.facebook.com/trinitybaptistgr

Click HERE for other VBS posts.

1. 
   

VBS First Night

Our first night of Vacation Bible School is done.

We will post some pictures from the evening in tomorrow night's post.

We are rasising money to help Alpha Grand Rapids!   

To find out more about Alpha go to https://alphagrandrapids.org/about/

I forgot to mention it tonight but will be sure to remind the kids tomorrow to see what extra chores or work they can do to earn some money to help with Alpha.  

We learned a great Bible truth - Psalm 139:14

We learned about how creative mankind can be by looking at the Sydney Opera House and oraange peels and also the Point Moore Lighthouse.  The front of the chapel has reminders of these two buildings.

The architect was inspired by peeled oranges.  Read about it HERE

We learned about an "ugly" animal - the blobfish.  God designed this fish in an "ugyly" but beautiful way.

As I watched this science video, I couldn't help but be amazed at God's creation.

We learned about the amazing creation of the human body.

About the smallest bone in the human body!  It is in the ear and is the sixe of a grain of rice.

About the quart of mucus the human nose produces! 

About praising God because he made our amazing bodies. 

Talk to your child about things we can praise God for like taste, hearing, and our bones.

Click HERE for other VBS posts.

 

June 12

Keep reading and using the Fighter Verses resources.  See the end of this post.

Don't forget to register for VBS (June 13 - 16) - tbcgrkidz.myanswers.com/

Supported ministry this week is the Philipps family.

Children's Church Lessons:

• Toddlers:  Peter Preached about Jesus – God wants children to talk about Him..  The passage is Acts 2:14 – 40; 5:40 – 42.  The memory verse is Hebrews 9:14
• 4 & 5 year olds:  The Church’s People – Christ adds people to our church.  The passage is Acts 2:40 – 47.  The memory verse is Acts 2:44
• K – 5^th:  God’s Law – God’s law shows us that we need a Savior.  The passage is Exodus 19, 20.  The memory verses are John 15:9, 10

Bottomline:  We approach God his way not our way because we need a Savior

Exodus 20:2 shows us the Gospel Pattern,  God loves us, so we obey him.  The gift of God’s law comes after the act of God’s redemption.  “God’s people desire to do God’s will because they have already been saved, not to earn salvation”  CCE

 Ten Commandments 4 - 6 pattern:  

• The first four commandments – love God- vertical 

• The second six commandments – love others – horizontal 

The commandment are not just a list of rules.  They are a reflection of God  “Our hope doesn’t come from our law-keeping but from His law-keeping.” 

Commandment #1	God is a jealous God (see Romans 1:18 – 25).
Commandment #2	God is a jealous God and he is over all ceation.
Commandment #3	God is worth of high praise.
Commandment #4	The focus is on resting in God.
Commandment #5	God establishes authority.  The promise show how God generously provides.
Commandment #6	God gives life.  Man was created in God’s image
Commandment #7	God is faithful and holy.  God’s commandments are for your good as well as the good of others
Commandment #8	God is a gracious provider (see 1 Timothy 6:17)
Commandment #9	God is truthful and cannot lie (see Titus 1:2)
Commandment #10	“This command teaches us about God’s faithfulness, goodness and provision.”

This week's Sunday School Lesson:  2 Timothy 1:7

[For] God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

BIG IDEA:   When I am afraid, I can ask Jesus for courage and to help me not be afraid.

SIMPLE PHRASE:  Because of God, be courageous.

Remember to review last week's verses, Philippians 4:11-13, through talking to God and talking to one another.

Last week you might have started talking about a missionary story.  You could continue that discussion this week using Torchlighters or another resource.  This week's focus would be on the power, love, and self-control these individuals showed.

There are other teacher/parent resources at https://tbcgrkidz.blogspot.com/p/week-24.html of scary-looking animals. 

In the Observation part of studying this passage, remember the context, specifically who it is written to.  Timothy was a young man Paul discipled and trained.  Paul refers to him as his “son.”  Timothy joined Paul right before they went to Philippi.  Also, Timothy’s mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5) were Christians who shared Jesus with Timothy.

Just like Philippians, this is a letter Paul writes from prison to Timothy shortly before Paul’s death.  Paul wants to encourage his young friend, who was a pastor of a church, to live for God no matter what. 

Here are some big words you can talk about with friends or family:

Fear is contrasted with power, love, and self-control.

As you think about living out 2 Timothy 1:7, remember the Bible contains many reminders about not being fearful (Psalm 23:4; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 56:9- 11; Joshua 1:9; Matthew 6:34).  Think and talk about different ways fear shows itself in your life  (Some examples:  anger and worry).

2 Timothy 1:7 prayer

God, thank you for giving us

Power over sin and death

Love that is so great that it should cause us to love others even those who are hard to love

Self-control that shows we are trusting in you and we want others to trust in you.

Proclaiming the Gospel

This is the fourth of seven posts from the book Zealous: 7 Commitments for the Discipleship of the Next Generation.  Podcasts and other links are at the bottom of this boast.

For more about this series of posts go to the Introduction post

Each post contains a summary of a commitment along with some ways we are trying to implement that commitment at Trinity Baptist Church.  

The fourth commitment is "Proclaiming the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ"  

"The most God-centered, gospel-focused curriculum and the most funded, age-appropriate, parent-integrate program in the world cannot raise our children from spiritual death...  Ultimately, the salvation of children is in God's hands."  (p. 59)

I am writing this post the week before Trinity's VBS and we are praying God would use the excitement and teaching during this unique week of the summer to help kids know what it means to be saved.  At the same time, we need to focus on faithfully teaching God's Word, clearly proclaiming the Gospel, and glorifying God in all we do and say.  Our goal is not to get kids to say a prayer or make a decision.  Our goal is faithful teaching and clear proclamation.

"We are to lay a solid, deep foundation by clearly and patiently presenting the key essential truths of the gospel found throughout the Bible." (p. 60)  This is done during Vacation Bible School, weekly in Sunday School and Children's Church, and regularly during family conversations.

Tracts and Gospel presentations can be helpful resources that point people to the truth of God's Word and the glorious hope found in the Gospel.  However, we must also remember that these tracts and types of presentations are merely attempts to summarize or illustrate the amazing truth that is the Gospel.  There are several reasons why we are using Matthias Media's Who Will Be King?  Gospel booklet in VBS.  First, it begins with God, the creator and the ruler.  Second, it ends with God.  The question "Who will be king?" is not just a momentary, fire-insurance decision.  It is a response that shows a clear understanding of who God is, what sin is, why we need Jesus, and how we should live in response to these truths.

Truth 78's The 10 Essential Gospel Truths expands these points even more.

1. God is the sovereign Creator of all things.
2. God created people for His glory.
3. God is holy and righteous.
4. Man is sinful.
5. God is just and is right to punish sin.
6. God is merciful.  He is kind to undeserving sinners.
7. Jesus is God's holy and righteous Son.
8. God put the punishment of sinners on Jesus so that His righteousness might be put on them.
9. God offers the free gift of salvation to those who repent and believe in Jesus. 
10. Those who trust in Jesus will live to please Him and will receive the promise of eternal life - enjoying God forever in heaven.Jesus

Every lesson we teach the kids at Trinity Baptist Church needs to be communicating one or more of these truths. 

• Two Ways to Live, which is the adult version of "Who Will Be King?"
• Proclaiming the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ podcast link
• The 10 Essential Gospel Truths pdf
  Free God is the Gospel ebook
• Free God is the Gospel ebook

Commitment #4 podcast

June 5

Keep reading for Fighter Verses resources.

Don't forget to register for VBS (June 13 - 16) - tbcgrkidz.myanswers.com/

Supported Ministry for this week is Reach the Forgotten - https://jailministry.org/.

Children's Church Lessons:

• Toddlers - Peter Followed Jesus.  God wants us to love Jesus.  The passage is John 21:1 - 17 and the memory verse is Hebrews 9:14
• 4 & 5-year-olds - The Church's Power.  Christ sent the Holy Spirit to empower His church.  The passage is Acts 1:4, 5, 8, 2:11 and the memory verse is Acts 1:8
• 1st through 5th grade - God gives provisions and Victory.  God provides for our needs.  The passage is Exodus 15:22 - 17:16 and the memory verse is John 15:9, 10.

This week's Sunday School's Fighter Verse for 2 years old through 5th grade & the adults is Philippians 4:11 - 13.

Philippians 4:11 - 13 is a great verse to begin our summer study because it is a great place to begin our fight against sin and our spiritual growth.  Contentment and Strength in the Lord. 

The BIG IDEA for this week's passage is "Being content means trusting that God will give you what you need."

In thinking about this passage did you ever realize that the book of Philippians is a letter that Paul wrote from prison around 62 AD to a church in a city, Philippi, where he was arrested around 49 AD.

His writing "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content" was not merely a dry teaching comment.  It was a life experience they witnessed.  Read about it Acts 16.

In verse 11, Paul writes that he has learned that he has to be content.  Then in verse 13, he writes "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  Because Paul "learned," he could "do."  And he encourages the Philippians a contented life through the book.  Here are some examples.  

• Paul is writing from prison to encourage the Philippians to find joy and contentment. (1:7)
• Paul's suffering has advanced the gospel (1:12)
• Paul tells them to "do all things without grumbling." (2:14)
• Paul says "whatever gain I had, I counted as loss" (3:7)
• In one verse Paul tells them twice to rejoice (4:4)

There are a lot of resources for teachers and parents to talk with kids about this passage.

Gimme Heart vs. Happy Heart activities, missionary resources.

Parents, you can check out the teacher resource page for things to talk about or do you with kids this week -  https://tbcgrkidz.blogspot.com/p/week-23.html

With all the activities remember the two main things to do are learn the verse and remember the BIG IDEA - "Being content means trusting that God will give you what you need."

Official Fighter Verses resources for Philippians 4:11 - 13 

https://www.fighterverses.com/verses/philippians-4%3A11-13

FREE Thankfulness online booklet.  A great quote from Susan Lutz "When you are thankful, it helps you to realize that you are not defined by your problems or your circumstances."