Jan 1 2023

Happy New Year

This week's Fighter Verse is Joshua 1:9

 

Toddler
David loved God
God wants us to love Him.
1 Samuel 16:1-13
1 Jn 4:11

PreK/ K
Jesus is worthy of sacrifice
Jesus is worthy of our sacrifice and service
Matt 2:12
Lk 2:11

1^st  SS
Jesus was praised
Jesus came to earth to provide redemption for sin
Luke 2:21-38
Luke 2:11

2^nd-3^rd SS
God is true
God is the only true, living God
Ex 7:14 – 10:29
Ps 86:8

4^th–5^th SS
Abraham’s Call and Covenant
God faithfully keeps his promises
Gen 11:1 – 12:8
Gen 12:1, 3

1^st–5^th  CC
Jephthah:  Rejected & Selected
God values our willingness to serve Him.
Judges 10:6 – 11:28, 32, 33
Judges 10:15, 16

God wants our service but doesn't need us and our service.

While Japhthah service was not perfect, throughout his life, he knew God was the one who did the work!

New song we are introducing to the kids.

August 28

 Fighter Verse info is after the graphic

The Supported Ministry this week is Faith In Deeds

Toddlers Children's Church:
God Cared to Paul – God always cares for us.  The passage is Acts 28:1 – 6.  The memory verse is Psalm 56:3

4 & 5-year-olds Children's Church:
Jesus Will Live with Believers Forever.  The passage is Rev. 21:1 – 22:5.  The memory verse is Rev. 21:3

1st - 5th graders:  Review of this past year.  Genesis 1 - Numbers 24

This Sunday is the last week of our combined Summer study.

 

 Fighter Verses - Review 91:1 - 16

The hiding place of protection and safety is shown to those who place complete trust in God—those who are confident that He is their only salvation, those who adore Him and desire Him above all things, and those who acknowledge His truth as the only truth. God promises to reveal treasure beyond imagination to those who commit themselves to seeking Him—to those who love Him with their whole hearts.  (Sharefaith)

"Even as the author of this Psalm was praising God and sharing his personal experiences as a child of God, this psalm finds its greatest fulfillment in Jesus, who undoubtedly learned this psalm as a young Jewish boy.  The comfort, help, and promises of the psalm spoke to Him personally as He lived on earth and was fully committed to doing the Father’s will.  This psalm was written for our encouragement as well since we who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ are in Christ and are beneficiaries of the promises of God."  (Fighter Verses Discussion Guide)

"Psalm 91 is a song of God’s deliverance, protection, and security to those who place their trust in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He alone is the one who delivers from Satan’s traps, is the place of refuge from all danger, and is the promise of eternal life. Salvation from the curse of sin and death is found in Him alone. Say to the Lord, 'He is MY refuge and MY fortress, MY God, in whom I trust.'”  (Sharefaith)

"The hiding place of protection and safety is shown to those who place complete trust in God—those who are confident that He is their only salvation, those who adore Him and desire Him above all things, and those who acknowledge His truth as the only truth. God promises to reveal treasure beyond imagination to those who commit themselves to seeking Him—to those who love Him with their whole hearts."  (Sharefaith)

A great verse to remind the children of Romans 8:31.

Prayer based on Psalm 91:1 - 16

God, my refuge, my fortress, my protector, my shield,
We have been reminded over and over again these last two months that you protect your children.
Help us remember that in everything we go through. 
Amen.

Additional video the pre-kindergarten through 5th graders watched - "Almost Home" by Mercy Me.

August 21

Fighter Verse info is after the graphic.

The Supported Ministry this week is Faith In Deeds, an orphanage in India we support

Toddlers:  God Kept Paul Safe – God wants us to trust Him always.  

The passage is Acts 27:17 – 37.  The memory verse is Psalm 56:3

4 & 5-year-olds:  Jesus Will Return with Believers – Christ will return to set up His kingdom. 

The passage is Isaiah 2:2, 4; 11:6 – 9; Rev. 19:11 – 21; 20:1 – 6.  The memory verse is Rev. 20:4.  

1st - 5th grade:  Balaam’s Blessing – God’s plan cannot be overcome by anyone.  

The passage is Numbers 22 – 24.  The memory verse is Psalm 25:4, 5

For the 1st - 5th-grade lesson we connected the September 5, 2021 lesson with the August 21, 2021 lesson.  

The lesson on September 5 was God created from Genesis 1.

Last week's lesson on August 21 was God controls His creation for His glory.
God's creation, Balaam's donkey, spoke to Balaam.

The craft the class made was a paper bag talking donkey NOT a talking cow.  Even though the kids correctly observed that it did look like a donkey.  

Next Sunday, September 28, will be a review Sunday, Genesis 1 through Numbers 24, and the book of Job.

This Week's Fighter Verses are Psalm 91:14 - 16

Combined Sunday School Class.

This is the last passage we are doing as a combined class.  
Next week, August 28, will be a review week of Psalm 91 and some of the other summer verses.

Psalm 91:14 - 16
"Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

BIG IDEA:  God helps those who hold on to Him in love

SOMETHINGS TO THINK ABOUT THIS WEEK (we will talk about these next class time)

• What does it mean to hold fast to God in love?
• What does it mean to know God's name?
• What does it mean to call to God?

REMEMBER:

• Christians have a personal, real, experiential relationship with the Lord.
• Because Christians are redeemed and trust God out of grateful love for Him, they will receive His presence with them, His deliverance, protection, rescue, answers to prayer, and meaningful, satisfying life on earth.
• Christians look forward to the day when they will experience the salvation that the Lord has prepared for them in heaven.

Prayer based on Psalm 91:14 - 16

God, my deliver,
I thank you that I can know your name.
I think you for your protection.
You are the one who is always with me.
May I find satisfaction in the life and salvation you have given me.
Amen.
 
Additional Resources:

• Official Fighter Verses post - www.fighterverses.com for Psalm 91:14-16

August 14

Fighter Verse info is after the graphic

Toddlers:  Paul and Timothy Served God – God gives us teachers to explain God’s Word.  The passage is Acts 16:1 – 5; 2 Timothy 1:5.  The memory verse is 2 Timothy 3:15

4 & 5 year olds:  Jesus is Coming for Believers – Christ is coming to rapture and reward believers. The passage is 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18; 2 Cor. 5:9 – 15.  The memory verse is John 14:3

1st - 5th grade:  Salvation from Fiery Serpents – God requires faith in Christ’s death.  The passage is Numbers 21:1 – 9.  The memory verse is Psalm 25:4, 5

Psalm 91:11 - 13

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.  On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.  You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

BIG IDEA:  God sends His angel to protect us

REMEMBER:

• God protects Christians from and in difficult situations by sending angels to guard them. 
• Angels are sent by God to protect His children.  They are never to be worshiped as if their power came from themselves.  They are created beings who do their appointed job.
• Christians can take confidence in the fact that no evil; no enemy, no disease, and no natural disaster can take their life without God's permission.
• Hebrews 1:14 states that angels are "ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation."  Angels do this by participating in 
• answering prayers (Acts 12:5, 7)
• encouraging believers (Acts 27:23 - 24)
• observing Christian's experiences (1 Corinthians 4:9; 11:10; 1 Timothy 5:21; 1 Peter 1:12)
• This ministry is not through one guardian angel assigned to each person but rather angels.  Acts 12:15, which is often used to prove guardian angels, may be interpreted incorrectly.

Additional Resources:

• Official Fighter Verses post -www.fighterverses.com for Psalm 91:11-13
• 5 Questions about Angels by John MacArthur

August 7

Fighter Verse Info is after the graphic

The Supported Ministry this week is

Toddlers:  Timothy Learned God’s Word – God wants us to learn God’s Word.  The passage is 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15.  The memory verse is 2 Timothy 3:15.

4 & 5-year-olds:  God protects His missionaries – God shows His power in the lives of missionaries.  The passage is Acts 27.  The memory verse is Mark 16:20

1st - 5th:  Mose’s Strike out – God wants us to obey Him with a submissive attitude.  The passage is Numbers 20:1 – 13.  The memory verse is Psalm 25:4, 5.

Fighter Verses:  Psalm 91:9 - 10

Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place

—the Most High, who is my refuge— 

no evil shall be allowed to befall you, 

no plague come near your tent.

BIG IDEA:  God takes good care of his children.

Prayer based on Psalm 91:9-10:

Lord, Gods,

My dwelling place,

My refuge,

Your word says that in this world we will have trouble

But you have overcome the world.

Ultimately, you will not allow evil to befall us.  Thank for your protection and help us remember what you have given us.

Amen.

In Psalm 91:1 – 8, the psalmist says that his experiences living in God’s presence have given him full assurance that nothing can destroy the relationship and protection he has with the Almighty.  He gives us examples of many kinds of enemies, calamities, and situations that might try to move us into giving way to fear, but in the end, we will still be safe and the wicked will receive their punishment.  In verses 9 – 13, the writer reiterates that, from his place of safety in the LORD’s presence, he does not need to fear the problems that will occur in his life.  Neither do we if we dwell securely in the Almighty.  This section of the psalm mirrors what the writer said in verses 1 – 8. 

From Fighter Verses Discussion Guide

Here are a couple of activities you and your family can do.

Get To Safety:

• Draw pictures of a shelter and hang them on the wall
• Choose someone to be blindfolded, then spin them in the center of the room, & start a timer.
• Adults will give commands to direct the blindfolded person to touch the shelter of safety (like "take 3 steps forward").
• As the blindfolded child gets closer, the adults can be more specific like, “Lift your arms about eye-level.”
• Once the blindfolded child touches the “shelter,” make note of how long it took.
• Give them the opportunity to perform the same activity by giving adults the directions.
• Talk about how it feels to reach your safe place. 

A place of Safety 

• If you have an aquarium of fish, be prepared to talk about what you have learned while observing and caring for them  OR other fishbowl related activities. 

• Why is water the safest place of the fish? 

• What would be the greatest danger to the fish?  [to be left unattended out of the water for more than three or four minutes] 

• Who is responsible for feeding, caring for them and for their safety? 

• What will eventually happen to all fish? 

Check out this week's Fighter Verses link at www.fighterverses.com

July 31

The Fighter Verse info is after the graphic.

The Supported Ministry this week is Nick and Dana Harmon

Toddlers:  Paul Followed Jesus – God wants us to serve Him..  The passage is Acts 9:1 – 22.  The memory verse is Hebrews 9:14.

4 & 5-year-olds:  God Sends His Missionaries – God sends missionaries around the world.  The passage is Acts 13:1 – 3; 14:8 – 20.  The memory verse is Mark 16:15.

1st - 5th grade:  Budding Leadership – God gives us leaders to help us and guide us.  The passage is Numbers 17.  The memory verse is Psalm 24:4, 5.

Fighter Verses:  Psalm 91:7 – 8

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, 

but it will not come near you. 

You will only look with your eyes and 

see the recompense of the wicked.

BIG IDEA:  God’s children are safe from the eternal punishment for sin

SIMPLE PHRASE:  With God, you are safe.

The psalmist speaks confidently of God’s protection even in the most dire circumstances, as we live under God’s “wings.”  God does not promise us that we will be exempt from the impacts of a sin-filled world but rather assures us that, in this world, we will have troubles and calamities (John 16:33).  However, we will not be alone or destroyed because He will be a strong and faithful refuge for us and will bring us victoriously to ultimate eternal safety.  Last week in verses 5 – 6, the psalmist reminded us that those who live in the “shadow” of God do not have to fear all the troubles that will come to them, because He is in control of all that happens and His plan is to help them to grow spiritually (sanctification).  From FIghter Verses Discussion Guide

Prayer based on Psalm 91:7 - 8

God, you are the Holy One who judges sin,

Help me be a quicker repenter.

Remind me of the great gift your salvation is.

Give me confidence in sharing the Gospel with those who desperately need to hear it.

Amen.

 Check out this week's Fighter Verses link at www.fighterverses.com

July 24

Fighter Verse is after the graphic

The Supported Ministry is the Harmon family in North Carolina.

Toddlers:  Peter Wrote God’s Word – God told people what to write in the Bible.  The passage is 1 Peter 1:1; 5:7; 2 Pt 1:1, 21.  The memory verse is 1 Peter 5:7

4 & 5-year-olds:  God Helps His Missionaries – God meets missionaries’ needs.  The passage is Acts 12:1-19.  The memory verse is Mark 16:20.

1st - 5th grade:  Rebels Swallowed Up – God takes sin seriously and judges rebellion against Him.  The passage is Numbers 16.  The memory verse is Exodus 34:13, 14.

Fighter Verses Psalm 91:5 - 6.

You will not fear the terror of the night, 

nor the arrow that flies by day, 

nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, 

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

BIG IDEA:   Trusting God and His promises can help you not to be afraid.

SIMPLE PHRASE:   Trust God and His promises.

This morning in class, we used a water bottle to illustrate this truth.

I punched an empty water bottle with the cap off.  The bottle was smashed in.  Then I blew in the bottle so it was back to its original shape.  Then I put the lid on the bottle and punched it again.  This time it was not crushed. 

When you have the Holy Spirit and God's Word in you, the fears of this world will not crush you.

As you read these two Fighter Verses for today, notice verse 5 talks about the night and the day and verse 6 talks about the darkness and the noonday.  We are commanded not to fear during the day or night because God is our refuge, fortress, deliverer, shield, and buckler.

The Fighter Verses Discussion guide asks the following questions and give the answer.

Does that mean that you will never be concerned, unsure of what to do, or have a feeling of being nervous or afraid in a dangerous or evil situation?  

There is a difference between having a feeling of fear and being so overwhelmed by fear that you are paralyzed by it and unable to think and act in the fact and strength God gives.  Being unsure or concerned in difficult situations should cause you to call out to the LORD for help in knowing what to do and how to trust in His promises of help and protection. 

Let us pray this prayer as we live out Psalm 91:1-6 this week.

God, Light of the world,
Because of you, I will not fear the terror of the night,
God, my shield and my buckler,
Because of you, I will not fear the arrows that are sent against me.
God, the one who gives and sustains life,
Because of you, I will not fear pestilence or destruction.

Amen

July 17

Fighter Verse info is after the graphic

The Supported Ministry this week is the McMasters in Brazil.

Toddlers:  God Answered Prayers for Peter – God answers our prayers.  The passage is Acts 12:5 – 17.  The passage is 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

4 & 5 years old:  God calls His Missionaries – God saves people so they might.  The passage is Acts 9:1 – 19.  The memory verse is Mark 16:15.

1st - 5th grade:  A Giant “NO” to the Promised Land – God is trustworthy even when He asks us to do hard things.  The passage is Numbers 13; 14.  The memory verse is Exodus 34:13, 14 .

Fighter Verses Study during Sunday School

Psalm 91:3 – 4

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. ⁴ He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

F.V. - Just like a mother bird protects her babies, God protects His children.

Bible-based Prayer:

God, our deliverer,

You are the one who has saved me from the devil and my sin.  Thank you!

Thank you for your protective care.

You are faithful in everything you do.

Help me trust you more and more!

Amen.

These verses have several words we don't commonly use:  fowler, pinions, and buckler.

A fowler is a sportsman who pursues wild birds and kills them for food.  God delivers you from the traps the devil sets.

The pinions are the outer parts of a bird's wings.  God protects you just like a mother bird protects her chicks.

A buckler is a small round shield held by a handle at arm's length.  God protects you like shields of various sizes protect you in battle.

"We must remember that God sees the whole picture of our lives, whereas we see only a short time, in comparison to eternity."  (Fighter Verses Discussion Guide)

"If, as Christians, we consciously seek to live in a close relationship with God, we can have confidence in His protective care regardless of our surroundings or enemies."   (Fighter Verses Discussion Guide)

July 10

More about the Fighter Verses Lesson and the combined Parents/Kids class after the verse graphic.

The Supported Ministry this week is Kelli and Deb McMaster

Children's Church Lessons:

Toddlers:  People Prayed for Peter – God wants us to talk to Him in prayer.  The passage is Acts 12:1 – 6.  The memory verse is Psalm 111:1.  The memory verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

4 & 5-year-olds:  God Directs His Missionaries – God guides His missionaries.  The passage is Acts 8:4 – 8, 12, 26 – 40.  The memory verse is Acts 8:26.

1st - 5th grade:  Whining for Meat – God desires for us to be content with what He gives us.  The passage is Numbers 10:11 – 13; 11:1-23, 31-34.  The memory verse is Exodus 34:13, 14

This Sunday, July 10, we are beginning a 4 week combined Parents & Kids (2 years old - 5th grade) Class.  This is in place of our regular classes.  If you have children under 2 years, you are welcome to join us for this.  There will be a nursery available but the class could be helpful in establishing some disciple-making patterns for your family.

We will be singing, playing, creating, and learning Psalm 91 together!!  This learning experiment is designed to help families

memorize portions of scripture together

learn how to do and to improve in family devotion time

and

connect with other Trinity Baptist families who have similarly aged kids.

Here are the details you need to know:

1. Read Psalm 91:1 – 2 together sometime before Sunday morning.
2. Plan to come to the combined class in the kid’s chapel (Big Room) on Sunday.  The class starts at 9:50 but there will be some things to do before we start.
3. Be sure to check in your child, especially if they are downstairs for the children’s church.
4. Take some time during the week to talk about the verses and what we are learning from them.
5. Plan to come back next week to be part of this family time again.

Be sure to check out http://tbcgrkidz.org/ after Sunday’s class for more family resources.

This week's Fighter Verses are Psalm 91:1, 2

For more devotionals and other related resources go to www.fighterverses.com

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust"

BIG IDEA:  Ask God for help when you are fearful, sad, or in need of courage.

Your Family Activity Time could include the follow:

scary experiences:  share an experience of danger or extreme difficulty that you had and the lessons you learned from the situation
building experiences:  BUILD A FORTRESS OR TOWER and email a picture to Pastor Dave;  share some of the biggest and/or strongest buildings you have seen and talk about what made them strong.

Bible-based prayer:

LORD, my refuge and my fortress.
You are the one who shelters and protects.
Help me rest in you!  Make me stand firm on you.
You are the one in whom I must trust.

Amen.

For more go to Week 28's notes.

July 3

For Next Week, and throughout July, there will be a combined Sunday School class for the 2 years old through 5th graders and their parents and grandparents.
Plan to come out and learn Biblical truth as a family. 

Fighter Verse Info is after the graphic

The Supported Ministry this week is 

Toddlers:  Dorcas helped People – God uses people to help us serve.  The passage is Acts 9:36 – 42.  The memory verse is Galatians 5:13.

4 & 5-year-olds:  The Church’s Problem – Christ uses us to meet church needs.  The passage is Acts 6:1 – 7.  The memory verse is Galatians 5:13.

1st - 5th grade:  Israel Breaks God’s Commands – God alone is worthy of our worship.  The passage is Exodus 32 – 34.  The memory verse is Exodus 34:13, 14

In the 1st - 5th grade lesson, we will be connecting the lesson with the Fighter Verse.  Be sure to talk with your child about the connection.   

This Week's Fighter Verse is Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

BIG IDEA:  God is strong and helps those who run to him.

This week there is no Sunday School BUT there is still a Fighter Verse.

And here are some things you can do with your family:

• What's in a name? 
• Talk about the significance family members names.  What they mean?  Why they were chosen?
• Build a fort (two options)
• Build a fort you can review the verse and do family devotions
• Build forts using blocks and test them to see which is the strongest.
• ABC's of God
• List names and characteristics of God that begin with each letter of the alphabet.

This verse is not saying you will not have hardships or difficult times.  It is saying the souls of the righteous are kept safe for all eternity.

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

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.