Full of the Spirit, John the Baptist Prepares us for the Coming of Jesus
Get Ready--Get Ready!!!
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: John 1:1-9, 15-28 and Matthew 3:1-12
Memory Verse: The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God." (Isaiah 40:3) (Pre-K to grade 3)
John's birth and whole life were a calling from God. "He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb"...and would "go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah…and make ready for the Lord a people prepared." An angel had spoken to his father about his son's birth and calling which included the fulfillment of prophecy in Malachi 4:5 "Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes and he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse." In Matthew 11:14 Jesus said "And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear." John also fulfilled Isaiah 40:3. All of God's past dealings with his people were coming to a climax in John and Jesus.
God called John into the wilderness to preach. He was dressed like a prophet of old. He was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah given 750 years before: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God." Word received: You live in a wilderness, it is a wilderness of lies and deceit that your culture is telling. I want you to make a straight path through that wilderness to me. I want you to help make a highway for me.
"In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:1-2) A word received: John pointed to my kingdom. You are to do the same. It is not a kingdom of men, it is the kingdom of heaven. John faithfully points to Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our job also is to bear witness to Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. "For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight."'" (Matthew 3:3) A word received: You in your time and your generation are called to do what John did -- prepare the way for me.
John's message was first of all to "Repent", which means not only to turn away from sin but to return to their God and the covenant Israel had made with God. "Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins." (Matthew 3:5-6) A word received: I want my people to come forward in repentance, confessing their sins. You speak of the people of the Hill [Hamilton Hill in Schenectady] confessing their sins; I want my people at Christ Church to do that as well.
NOTE: Another passage about repentance in Isaiah is in 30:15. "In returning and rest you shall be saved in quietness and in trust shall be your strength, and you would not". The context is God talking to his rebellious, stubborn people. "Returning" means return to God but "rest" is interesting. It means to come down, be broken (as a horse is broken). As in (come down off your high horse and be obedient to your master).
Lots of the common people came out to John, confessing their sins but John had a stern message of warning for the religious leaders of his people. "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, 'Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?'" (Matthew 3:7) A word received: Who is speaking plainly to the church leaders in your day about the wrath that is to come? John told the leaders to bear fruit that fits repentance and don't count on saying to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our Father." (Remember the saying, "God has no grandsons!) A word received: What excuses are you giving for the lack of fruit in your life? Look at the fruit of my Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I want these to be evident in your life.
What kind of fruit is "in keeping with repentance"?
Are we ready to hear John's message in our day? It is pretty easy to see the faults and sins of others. What uncomfortable truth might Jesus be saying to us? Pray for ears to hear and a heart to respond to what the Spirit is saying to the churches in our generation! Word received: Are you ready? Are you ready to hear the words of My prophet John? If you are truly ready, then you will act on the words of John when I call you to act.
Now look at John 1:1. Word received: That is My Son Jesus who I am talking about. I speak about him first because he is first. John pointed to Jesus. I want all things and all men to point to Jesus. That is what their testimony should be: to point to Jesus. Read verses 6-9 &15-28. "He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me." Word received: John was willing to be used by Me to point to My Son. Are you willing to be used by Me? Word received: John humbled himself before men. I want you to humble yourselves before men. John answers all the questions about "Who are you?" of the priests and Levites from Jerusalem. He answers NO to all their questions, even the question about Elijah, but Jesus saw it differently (Matthew 11:14) John's answer to "Who are you?" is to quote the verse from Isaiah. (Memory Verse) Look at all the things John has to say about Jesus: vs.15, 27,29 "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world., vs.32 "I saw the Spirit descend on him like a dove and remain on him.", Verse 33, "He is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." Word received: It is through My Spirit that John is able to witness about My Son. John was meek in Spirit, but strong in body and soul.
John was under the discipline of the Holy Spirit. Word received: What kind of discipline are you willing to live under? John lived under the discipline of these words: "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:76-79)
Now go back and read the Memory Verse again. Word received: Get ready! Are you prepared? I want to prepare you to meet My Son Jesus. Are you ready?
In times of God's visitation he brings both salvation and judgment. See Matthew 3:12. "His winnowing fork is in his hand and he will clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. Word received: Pray for the day of My threshing. Pray that none of the wheat will be lost with the chaff. Pray for My little ones who are being led astray by lies. Pray for My will to be done.
NOTE: later, after John was put in prison by King Herod, he sent word to Jesus, "Are you the one who is to come or shall we look for another?" We don't know exactly what John expected, but he was beginning to doubt. Jesus sent word through John's disciples about all the signs and wonders he was doing that the prophets spoke about. (Luke 7: 18-23) "Go tell John what you have seen and heard." Part of the problem was that John was sitting alone in prison, isolated from what was going on. We need to note this. When we isolate ourselves from the body of believers we are much more vulnerable to doubt. We need the body of believers and we need to do what John did--take his doubts to Jesus.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 12
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones
1.God's WORD, the Bible, often tells about people and events that will come in the future. Those who do this are called prophets. Isaiah and other prophets told about Jesus and John the Baptist hundreds of years before they came.
2. John pointed to God's promised Messiah, Jesus. God wants us to point to Jesus and help make a way for people to come to know him. One way we can help make a way for Jesus is to follow him ourselves and to point to him.
3. John told people to get ready for Jesus and his kingdom. God wants us to get ready to receive and celebrate Jesus' coming the first time as a baby at Christmas and to receive him NOW as our King and Savior. (We call this time of preparation ADVENT which means "coming". What are you doing to get ready?)
4. John talked about repenting and being baptized. What does repent mean? If you are going down the wrong path in the woods, repent would mean going back (returning) to where the path divided and going the other way.
(For people who have not received Jesus in their hearts, it means asking Jesus into their hearts and going in his direction instead of their own way. Baptism is to seal that choice.
For people who have received Jesus it means to daily compare the way we have acted and thought with what Jesus tells us to do and think. If we have failed (sinned) we need to daily repent, tell Jesus we are sorry, ask his forgiveness, ask him for his Holy Spirit to help us choose his way the next time. The sooner we repent, the sooner we will get back on the right path.)
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 11 November 18, 2007
Jesus Teaches and Lives Out the Fruit of the Spirit
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: Matthew 18:1-4, 21-22; John 13:3-17; Luke 23:34
Optional: Acts 7:58-60
Memory Verse: "Have this mind in you, which is yours in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5
Read the Memory Verse. Jesus is not only our Savior, teacher and Lord (master), he is also our model/pattern. When he washed his disciples' feet he said, "I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. " In John 13:34 Jesus says, "a new commandment I give to you, that you should love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Rabbis in the time of Jesus expected their disciples to live with them and not only learn what their teacher taught but also model their lives on his. Jesus called his disciples (as distinguished from other hearers and followers) to "FOLLOW ME". Jesus calls us to be his disciples, to follow him, to learn from him, to follow his example and, even more, to abide/remain IN him and to be filled with his Spirit.
In this lesson we are looking at examples of the fruit of the Spirit in Jesus. In Matthew 18:1-4, Jesus' disciples are having a discussion about who is greatest in the Kingdom of God (Heaven); We know from other references that they were jockeying for the highest places in Jesus' Kingdom, even the night before he died! James and John even got their mother involved! Jesus turns things upside down by putting a little child in their midst and telling them that unless they turned/repented/were converted and became like a little child they would never even get into the Kingdom. [It was not "childish" behavior Jesus meant but like the relationship of a little child with its father. Jesus modeled that relationship also.] What do you think this involves? "Then Jesus called a little child to him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:2-3) A word received: I said, "Assuredly," and I meant it. It is a sure thing that unless you are converted as that little child, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ("Converted" here means to turn quite around, to turn self about).
We are all so anxious to be first. Word received: Do you know what it takes to be first? I had to be willing to die for all the sins of the world. I want you to love others as I did. Prayer: Lord, help me to see what Jesus had to go through to be first. Lord, show me how to humble myself and become as a child, trusting you with everything. "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (Matthew 18:1) A word received: I want you to take your attention off yourself and turn it to me. I had to learn to put my father's will before my own. I want you to do the same. (See Hebrews 5:8) "Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered…"
The Philippians passage in the Memory Verse, points to Jesus' humility, love and obedience to his heavenly Father. Prayer: Jesus, I want to have your mind about things. "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:4) A word received: I humbled myself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. How far are you willing to humble yourself?
"Then Peter came to him and said, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22) A word received: I want you to pray for my Holy Spirit to reveal to you the many times you have sinned against others. Then you will begin to know how often you need to forgive others. What does the Lord's prayer say about this? Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive a sin against him -- thinking that he is being very generous to say 7 times. (Seven was considered the number of completeness.) But Jesus says, "70 times 7", (a Rabbinic phrase for "without limit") and tells the parable of the unforgiving servant.
Look at the example Jesus actually set when he was in the agony of the cross. (Luke 23:34) As they were crucifying him, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Word received: I want you to show mercy and forgive others when they hurt you. That is what I did. The most powerful example of forgiveness in the early church is Stephen who let go of his hurt and pain by forgiving those who were stoning him to death! (Acts 7:59-60) Word received: Give the hurt and pain to Me when others hurt you. I AM the only one who can heal you.
Another example of Jesus modeling the fruit of the Spirit is joy (John 15:11) "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."
Also an example of Jesus teaching as well as modeling love is in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Also, "If you keep my commandments [obedience], you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love."
Jesus set the example for serving others with humility and love as he washes his disciples' feet. Word received: What I want you to do is to care for others the way that I cared for all. As you do that I will care for you.
Peace is a fruit that Jesus had in himself and offers it to his disciples. (See John 14:27 and16:33) "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you." "I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." The peace of Jesus is not fragile and it does not depend on circumstances. He wants to give us his peace.
Jesus sets an example for us of faithfulness and self-control as he daily chooses to say and do only what the Father show him -- even to the Garden of Gethsemane and the cross.
Jesus wants to give us HIS SPIRIT so that we will have the desire and the power to follow his example. "Apart from Me you can do nothing. " (John 15:5)
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 11
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1.Jesus is the best example we have. God wants us to receive him into our hearts, to follow him and act like him.
2. God wants us to serve and care for others the way Jesus did. As we do that Jesus will care for us. He wants us to think of others before ourselves.
3. God wants us to forgive others when they hurt us. That is what Jesus did. Then Jesus wants us to give the hurt to him so he can heal us.
4. God wants us to become more and more like Jesus as we grow up.
5. Which fruit of the Spirit do you find hardest? Ask Jesus to send His Holy Spirit to help you when it is difficult.
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: Matthew 18:1-4, 21-22; John 13:3-17; Luke 23:34
Optional: Acts 7:58-60
Memory Verse: "Have this mind in you, which is yours in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5
Read the Memory Verse. Jesus is not only our Savior, teacher and Lord (master), he is also our model/pattern. When he washed his disciples' feet he said, "I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. " In John 13:34 Jesus says, "a new commandment I give to you, that you should love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Rabbis in the time of Jesus expected their disciples to live with them and not only learn what their teacher taught but also model their lives on his. Jesus called his disciples (as distinguished from other hearers and followers) to "FOLLOW ME". Jesus calls us to be his disciples, to follow him, to learn from him, to follow his example and, even more, to abide/remain IN him and to be filled with his Spirit.
In this lesson we are looking at examples of the fruit of the Spirit in Jesus. In Matthew 18:1-4, Jesus' disciples are having a discussion about who is greatest in the Kingdom of God (Heaven); We know from other references that they were jockeying for the highest places in Jesus' Kingdom, even the night before he died! James and John even got their mother involved! Jesus turns things upside down by putting a little child in their midst and telling them that unless they turned/repented/were converted and became like a little child they would never even get into the Kingdom. [It was not "childish" behavior Jesus meant but like the relationship of a little child with its father. Jesus modeled that relationship also.] What do you think this involves? "Then Jesus called a little child to him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:2-3) A word received: I said, "Assuredly," and I meant it. It is a sure thing that unless you are converted as that little child, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ("Converted" here means to turn quite around, to turn self about).
We are all so anxious to be first. Word received: Do you know what it takes to be first? I had to be willing to die for all the sins of the world. I want you to love others as I did. Prayer: Lord, help me to see what Jesus had to go through to be first. Lord, show me how to humble myself and become as a child, trusting you with everything. "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (Matthew 18:1) A word received: I want you to take your attention off yourself and turn it to me. I had to learn to put my father's will before my own. I want you to do the same. (See Hebrews 5:8) "Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered…"
The Philippians passage in the Memory Verse, points to Jesus' humility, love and obedience to his heavenly Father. Prayer: Jesus, I want to have your mind about things. "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:4) A word received: I humbled myself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. How far are you willing to humble yourself?
"Then Peter came to him and said, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22) A word received: I want you to pray for my Holy Spirit to reveal to you the many times you have sinned against others. Then you will begin to know how often you need to forgive others. What does the Lord's prayer say about this? Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive a sin against him -- thinking that he is being very generous to say 7 times. (Seven was considered the number of completeness.) But Jesus says, "70 times 7", (a Rabbinic phrase for "without limit") and tells the parable of the unforgiving servant.
Look at the example Jesus actually set when he was in the agony of the cross. (Luke 23:34) As they were crucifying him, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Word received: I want you to show mercy and forgive others when they hurt you. That is what I did. The most powerful example of forgiveness in the early church is Stephen who let go of his hurt and pain by forgiving those who were stoning him to death! (Acts 7:59-60) Word received: Give the hurt and pain to Me when others hurt you. I AM the only one who can heal you.
Another example of Jesus modeling the fruit of the Spirit is joy (John 15:11) "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."
Also an example of Jesus teaching as well as modeling love is in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Also, "If you keep my commandments [obedience], you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love."
Jesus set the example for serving others with humility and love as he washes his disciples' feet. Word received: What I want you to do is to care for others the way that I cared for all. As you do that I will care for you.
Peace is a fruit that Jesus had in himself and offers it to his disciples. (See John 14:27 and16:33) "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you." "I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." The peace of Jesus is not fragile and it does not depend on circumstances. He wants to give us his peace.
Jesus sets an example for us of faithfulness and self-control as he daily chooses to say and do only what the Father show him -- even to the Garden of Gethsemane and the cross.
Jesus wants to give us HIS SPIRIT so that we will have the desire and the power to follow his example. "Apart from Me you can do nothing. " (John 15:5)
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 11
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1.Jesus is the best example we have. God wants us to receive him into our hearts, to follow him and act like him.
2. God wants us to serve and care for others the way Jesus did. As we do that Jesus will care for us. He wants us to think of others before ourselves.
3. God wants us to forgive others when they hurt us. That is what Jesus did. Then Jesus wants us to give the hurt to him so he can heal us.
4. God wants us to become more and more like Jesus as we grow up.
5. Which fruit of the Spirit do you find hardest? Ask Jesus to send His Holy Spirit to help you when it is difficult.
Friday, November 2, 2007
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 10 November 11, 2007
David displays the Fruit of the Spirit
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: 1 Samuel 24
Memory Verse: "You have heard it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:43-45 (Pre-K to grade 3)
Background David had been anointed as future king by Samuel. After David the Shepherd boy had killed Goliath, King Saul added him to his household and David sometimes played music for Saul when Saul was in a bad mood. David was also a warrior for Saul, but soon Saul began to be very jealous of David because people were singing songs like, "Saul has killed his thousands and David has killed his ten thousands". Saul began to try to kill David. Finally David's close friend Jonathan, Saul's son, made a covenant with David and helped him escape. David hid out in the wilderness near Engedi (see map) which had lots of caves and sheep were often pastured there. Part of it is real desert.
David is now living in the wilderness and keeps moving around. He had about 600 men with him who were also hiding there. (1 Samuel 25:26, 31) King Saul comes after David with 3,000 picked soldiers! Clearly the purpose of this show of power is to make David and his men fearful and give up. This is just one of the times Saul hunted David. Not only was he jealous but he feared that his son would not inherit the throne.
Saul picks a cave that David and his men were hiding in (very far back) to go to the toilet. David's men tell him, now's your chance to kill Saul. God has given him into your power. David does not kill Saul, but quietly cuts off a piece of Saul's royal robe without Saul noticing anything. David immediately feels he has done wrong to do this because Saul is God's anointed king. "Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe." (1 Samuel 24:5) A word received: I want you to respond as David did when he was troubled by what he did: he confessed his sin and repented.
David also forbad his men to attack and kill Saul. Saul leaves without knowing what had happened. "He [David] said to his men, 'The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD'S anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.'" (1 Samuel 24:6) A word received: I want you to have the same respect for my anointed servants that David had. I want you to honor them. In David's time kings and priests were anointed with oil, representing the Holy Spirit. David knew all the bad things that Saul was doing but he honored and respected the office Saul held (king) and God having set him apart. Who are "God's anointed" today? (priests, bishops).
Notice that this does not mean David excused Saul's wrong doing but he respects Saul's office and leaves it to God to deal with Saul's wrong doing. In the Old Testament Psalm 94 says, "O God who avenges, shine forth…Pay back to the proud what they deserve….But the Lord has become my fortress, … He will repay them for their sins." Notice that in the Psalms, David and the other writers are asking God to punish those who have wronged them. They do not try to get even themselves! (CS Lewis pointed this out.) In the New Testament, we are told by Jesus and Paul to go one step further, because God is the one who is the Judge. Read Romans 12:17-21 "Vengeance is mine; says the Lord. I will repay" and "if your enemy is hungry, feed him…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Now look at the Memory Verse for what Jesus tells us. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Matthew 5:43-45) PRAYER: Holy Spirit, please help me to hear what Jesus is saying to me. We will need to ask Jesus for the power of the Holy Spirit to do this, because it is the opposite of what the world says and does! Jesus is showing us the better way, to do good instead of evil, by forgiving even 70 times 7 (stop counting). Forgiving does not say that what the person did was OK but it gets the poison of unforgiveness out of us and gives the situation to God. We are to leave it to God, ask God to deal with the ones who treat us in an evil way. This is God's kind of love (agape) that does what is best for the other person but not a warm fuzzy feeling. Word received: Use David as your example of how to treat your enemies. Be wise and the truth will shine forth in My time. Do you remember what happened to King Saul? Did David become King in God's time??
Notice how David forbad his men to attack and kill Saul. Saul leaves without knowing what had happened. "With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way." (1 Samuel 24:7) A word received: I am calling on you to restrain your friends when they contemplate doing evil.
Now look at what David did next. (vs.8f) "Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground." (1 Samuel 24:8) A word received: "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. " (Matthew 5:44) David did this many times; can you count the times you have loved and blessed those who persecute you and spitefully use you? David risks his life to tell and show King Saul that he is not a traitor or wrong doer. He proves to Saul, by waving the piece of Saul's robs, that he could have easily killed him. David says, "I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it." Then David tells Saul that he is asking God to punish Saul but that he would not touch the King. Again in vs.15, David is asking God to deal with the situation. [ An interesting parallel is between what David says, "but my hand shall not be against you."… "may the Lord therefore be judge…and deliver me from your hand" and the three young men facing the fiery furnace. In Daniel 3:17 they refused to worship the King's golden image and told King Nebuchadnezzar "Our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace…and out of your hand. (vs.18) But if not, be it known to you, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image." The King threw them into the furnace and God rescued them.]
Then David said, "May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you." (1 Samuel 24:12) A word received: Are you willing to leave judgment in my hands? I want you to let me deal with those who have hurt and abused you. Then Saul repents (for a little while) and declares, in front of his own men, that David has returned good for evil and acknowledges that David will be ding some day. Then he asks David to promise not to kill his family and David does.
Notice that in vs.22 David was wise, not foolish. He didn't trust Saul. He went back to one of his strongholds in the wilderness.
In the next chapter, Abigail keeps David from taking revenge on Nabal. Even David needed to hear "restraining advice" sometimes.
Now look at the fruit of the Spirit in David. Look at how David answered Saul's desire to kill him with kindness and agape love. David was faithful in trusting and obeying God and trusting God for his future. That was also goodness. He had self-control to resist any desires to get even or kill Saul. That also showed David's patience in waiting for God's time. David chose peace over revenge.
NOTE on "sons" in the Memory Verse. Jesus says to love enemies and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Jesus calls us to follow him and walk (do) as he did. The word "son" in the Bible means not only to be a biological son of someone but to be like someone/something as in "sons of thunder". It also means to have a relationship with them and obey them. A "son" is one who obeys/acknowledges the father's authority and has his character. Colossians 3:6 (in some translations) talks about the "sons of disobedience." Jesus talks about the "sons of this world" in Luke 16:8 and the "sons of light." As Christians we become "sons" (includes women) of God by adoption (Galatians 4:5) which God does by sending the Holy Spirit of His Son, Jesus, into our hearts.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 10
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1. When Saul tried to kill David, David did not try to get even or hurt him. That is showing the fruit of the spirit: mercy and kindness, and self-control.
2 Even when David could have killed Saul, he didn't do it because David respected God's anointed one. That doesn't mean that what Saul did was OK, but David trusted God to punish Saul and protect himself.
3 God blessed David because he respected his enemy and returned good for evil.
4 God wants each of us to act like David did , when someone hurts us or makes fun of us. Jesus said to "love your enemies". What does that mean? We don't have to like or trust them but we are to return good for evil, pray for those who are mean to us, forgive them and ask God to deal with them. The Bible says, if your enemy is hungry, feed him!
5. David was not foolish. He kept on hiding from his enemy Saul, who hadn't really changed.
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: 1 Samuel 24
Memory Verse: "You have heard it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:43-45 (Pre-K to grade 3)
Background David had been anointed as future king by Samuel. After David the Shepherd boy had killed Goliath, King Saul added him to his household and David sometimes played music for Saul when Saul was in a bad mood. David was also a warrior for Saul, but soon Saul began to be very jealous of David because people were singing songs like, "Saul has killed his thousands and David has killed his ten thousands". Saul began to try to kill David. Finally David's close friend Jonathan, Saul's son, made a covenant with David and helped him escape. David hid out in the wilderness near Engedi (see map) which had lots of caves and sheep were often pastured there. Part of it is real desert.
David is now living in the wilderness and keeps moving around. He had about 600 men with him who were also hiding there. (1 Samuel 25:26, 31) King Saul comes after David with 3,000 picked soldiers! Clearly the purpose of this show of power is to make David and his men fearful and give up. This is just one of the times Saul hunted David. Not only was he jealous but he feared that his son would not inherit the throne.
Saul picks a cave that David and his men were hiding in (very far back) to go to the toilet. David's men tell him, now's your chance to kill Saul. God has given him into your power. David does not kill Saul, but quietly cuts off a piece of Saul's royal robe without Saul noticing anything. David immediately feels he has done wrong to do this because Saul is God's anointed king. "Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe." (1 Samuel 24:5) A word received: I want you to respond as David did when he was troubled by what he did: he confessed his sin and repented.
David also forbad his men to attack and kill Saul. Saul leaves without knowing what had happened. "He [David] said to his men, 'The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD'S anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.'" (1 Samuel 24:6) A word received: I want you to have the same respect for my anointed servants that David had. I want you to honor them. In David's time kings and priests were anointed with oil, representing the Holy Spirit. David knew all the bad things that Saul was doing but he honored and respected the office Saul held (king) and God having set him apart. Who are "God's anointed" today? (priests, bishops).
Notice that this does not mean David excused Saul's wrong doing but he respects Saul's office and leaves it to God to deal with Saul's wrong doing. In the Old Testament Psalm 94 says, "O God who avenges, shine forth…Pay back to the proud what they deserve….But the Lord has become my fortress, … He will repay them for their sins." Notice that in the Psalms, David and the other writers are asking God to punish those who have wronged them. They do not try to get even themselves! (CS Lewis pointed this out.) In the New Testament, we are told by Jesus and Paul to go one step further, because God is the one who is the Judge. Read Romans 12:17-21 "Vengeance is mine; says the Lord. I will repay" and "if your enemy is hungry, feed him…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Now look at the Memory Verse for what Jesus tells us. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Matthew 5:43-45) PRAYER: Holy Spirit, please help me to hear what Jesus is saying to me. We will need to ask Jesus for the power of the Holy Spirit to do this, because it is the opposite of what the world says and does! Jesus is showing us the better way, to do good instead of evil, by forgiving even 70 times 7 (stop counting). Forgiving does not say that what the person did was OK but it gets the poison of unforgiveness out of us and gives the situation to God. We are to leave it to God, ask God to deal with the ones who treat us in an evil way. This is God's kind of love (agape) that does what is best for the other person but not a warm fuzzy feeling. Word received: Use David as your example of how to treat your enemies. Be wise and the truth will shine forth in My time. Do you remember what happened to King Saul? Did David become King in God's time??
Notice how David forbad his men to attack and kill Saul. Saul leaves without knowing what had happened. "With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way." (1 Samuel 24:7) A word received: I am calling on you to restrain your friends when they contemplate doing evil.
Now look at what David did next. (vs.8f) "Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground." (1 Samuel 24:8) A word received: "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. " (Matthew 5:44) David did this many times; can you count the times you have loved and blessed those who persecute you and spitefully use you? David risks his life to tell and show King Saul that he is not a traitor or wrong doer. He proves to Saul, by waving the piece of Saul's robs, that he could have easily killed him. David says, "I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it." Then David tells Saul that he is asking God to punish Saul but that he would not touch the King. Again in vs.15, David is asking God to deal with the situation. [ An interesting parallel is between what David says, "but my hand shall not be against you."… "may the Lord therefore be judge…and deliver me from your hand" and the three young men facing the fiery furnace. In Daniel 3:17 they refused to worship the King's golden image and told King Nebuchadnezzar "Our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace…and out of your hand. (vs.18) But if not, be it known to you, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image." The King threw them into the furnace and God rescued them.]
Then David said, "May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you." (1 Samuel 24:12) A word received: Are you willing to leave judgment in my hands? I want you to let me deal with those who have hurt and abused you. Then Saul repents (for a little while) and declares, in front of his own men, that David has returned good for evil and acknowledges that David will be ding some day. Then he asks David to promise not to kill his family and David does.
Notice that in vs.22 David was wise, not foolish. He didn't trust Saul. He went back to one of his strongholds in the wilderness.
In the next chapter, Abigail keeps David from taking revenge on Nabal. Even David needed to hear "restraining advice" sometimes.
Now look at the fruit of the Spirit in David. Look at how David answered Saul's desire to kill him with kindness and agape love. David was faithful in trusting and obeying God and trusting God for his future. That was also goodness. He had self-control to resist any desires to get even or kill Saul. That also showed David's patience in waiting for God's time. David chose peace over revenge.
NOTE on "sons" in the Memory Verse. Jesus says to love enemies and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Jesus calls us to follow him and walk (do) as he did. The word "son" in the Bible means not only to be a biological son of someone but to be like someone/something as in "sons of thunder". It also means to have a relationship with them and obey them. A "son" is one who obeys/acknowledges the father's authority and has his character. Colossians 3:6 (in some translations) talks about the "sons of disobedience." Jesus talks about the "sons of this world" in Luke 16:8 and the "sons of light." As Christians we become "sons" (includes women) of God by adoption (Galatians 4:5) which God does by sending the Holy Spirit of His Son, Jesus, into our hearts.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 10
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1. When Saul tried to kill David, David did not try to get even or hurt him. That is showing the fruit of the spirit: mercy and kindness, and self-control.
2 Even when David could have killed Saul, he didn't do it because David respected God's anointed one. That doesn't mean that what Saul did was OK, but David trusted God to punish Saul and protect himself.
3 God blessed David because he respected his enemy and returned good for evil.
4 God wants each of us to act like David did , when someone hurts us or makes fun of us. Jesus said to "love your enemies". What does that mean? We don't have to like or trust them but we are to return good for evil, pray for those who are mean to us, forgive them and ask God to deal with them. The Bible says, if your enemy is hungry, feed him!
5. David was not foolish. He kept on hiding from his enemy Saul, who hadn't really changed.
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 09 November 4, 2007
The Fruit of the Spirit
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: Galatians 5:13-26 and Luke 6:43-45
Optional: John 15:1-17
Memory Verse: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23b
Paul is writing to new Christians about how to walk by the Spirit of God, how to live in and by the Holy Spirit. We receive new life through Jesus and the Holy Spirit but we have to make a daily choice to walk by the Spirit and abide (live, stay put) in Jesus. We remain living in Jesus and let him live in us by doing (obeying) what he tells us. This will produce results (fruit) that glorifies God and points to Jesus. There is no other way. See theme verse for the year. Word received: I want My people to turn to Me for what only I can supply--My Spirit for daily living.
Look at Galatians. God wants us to have freedom in Christ to live as He created us to live, not misusing our freedom to indulge our sinful nature. Word received: When you know and follow Me, you are truly free. God wants us to use the new life and freedom Christ gives to serve one another with agape love. [Agape love is not a feeling but a choice. It is a love that does what is best for the other person. It is the kind of love God the Father and Jesus had when Jesus came to live as one of us and die and rise for us. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 lists what agape love is like.]
Paul says in Galatians (vs.13-14) that the law, the commandments of God are fulfilled in loving with agape love and serving each other. If we do the opposite we can hurt and destroy each other! That is what happens when we don't serve and love one another. Word received: By serving, you are pointing to Me. I want your fruit to always point to Me. Word received: I want what you do to lead others to Me. When you live your lives in the fruit of My Spirit, then others will be drawn to Me.
Reread the fruit of the Spirit (vs.22-23a). Word received: You cannot have the fruit unless you plant a seed that will grow. What are you doing to plant and grow the fruit of My Spirit? I want you to make a list of the seeds that you plant each day. Offer these seeds to Me for My blessing. The seeds are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.
"I say then: walk in the Spirit" (vs.16). Word received: This is the way to daily cultivate a life in My Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit.
Fruit does not develop overnight. It grows from a seed or on a tree that has been cared for over time. The seeds we sow day by day determine the results--the fruit. Apples and grapes have seeds in them that will produce more of the same if they are cared for.
Notice the contrast between the works of the flesh/sinful human nature (vs.19-21) and the fruit of the Spirit of God working in us. The works of the sinful nature are the result of the choices we make to indulge that sinful nature. The result of daily living/choosing to live according to our sinful nature is that we won't inherit God's Kingdom! However if we have asked Jesus to live in us and fall into sin, and then repent, God will forgive and restore us, but the bad fruit will still have consequences. As Christians we have the power of the Holy Spirit available to us but we have to daily choose to walk in it. We have to daily choose to remain living in Jesus and his Spirit.
Compare the works of sin and the fruits of the Spirit. Are some of them opposites? Word received: Make a choice everyday to walk in My Spirit. There is true freedom. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (vs.25). Word received: Life is a choice you can make. (Deuteronomy 30:19) I want you to choose life. I want you to walk in My Spirit.
Now look at the John 15:1-17 passage for a different perspective on bearing fruit. Bearing good fruit results from being attached to the true vine -- Jesus. God the Father is the gardener who tends the vine and its branches. When branches do not bear fruit he removes them and he prunes the one that do bear fruit. Wild grapevines or ones that are not pruned have very few and small grapes and lots and lots of showy leaves. Pruning doesn't hurt the vine (though it looks like it) but actually helps it bear more and better fruit.
Jesus says we have to abide/remain living/stay attached to him to bear the fruit we were created to bear. The life comes to the branch through the vine. Jesus says, "Apart from Me you can do nothing." Branches that do not remain attached also wither. Part of the way we stay living in Jesus is to keep/obey what he tells us. That is the way Jesus lives/abided in the Father's love by obeying/doing exactly what the Father told him during his earthly life. (John 8:28-29) "I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him."
Jesus wants us to do/obey what he tells us in order to live in him. "You are my friend if you practice what I command you". (vs.14) This is what God the Father, the one who cares for the Vine and branches wants. He has "appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide" so that God will be glorified. (vs.5)
Now look at Luke 6. Jesus talks about testing fruit, knowing a good 'tree" from a bad one by the fruit/results that come from it. If we want to know if something a person is teaching or doing is good we are told to test the fruit, whether it is good or bad. Jesus did tell us not to judge others but he DID tell us we are to test, to examine what a person does, the fruit of the person's life, whether it is good or bad. As Bishop Dan used to say, We are called to be fruit inspectors. God wants us to discern by his Spirit whether something is good or bad. Word received: You test the tree by testing its fruit. Look at the evidence, look at the deeds. Don't just listen to the words of others. Word received: To test the fruit, you ask Me and I will tell you the truth. We can ask Jesus to help us see clearly whether the fruit of something or someone is good or not.
(Testing: The first test is always whether or not it agrees with Scripture. If it does then we have to have God's help in discerning whether it is from him or not.)
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 09
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1 What are the fruit/fruits of the Spirit of God? Can you get grapes from a thorn bush? What we plant is what grows. If we plant seeds (actions) of temper tantrums or being mean to others, what will grow? Seeds of the fruit of the Spirit always grow good, sweet fruit.
2. Ask the kids what love looks like (God's love(agape)--not feelings)? What does the fruit of kindness look like? etc.
3.What happens to a branch of an apple tree or grape vine that is broken off? Does it grow fruit? In the same way we have to stay attached to Jesus (by talking to him (prayer) and obeying him every day if we want to grow the "fruit of the Spirit" in our lives.
4. God can help us when nobody else can. He will help us to grow the fruit of the Spirit (name it) if we ask for his help, his Holy Spirit, every day. God can also help us to stop planting bad seeds too.
5. Even when we have the Holy Spirit living in us, we still have to choose to listen and obey God each day.
Object lessons: some spoiled fruit and some good fruit. Also consider planting some seeds and watching them grow this year.
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: Galatians 5:13-26 and Luke 6:43-45
Optional: John 15:1-17
Memory Verse: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23b
Paul is writing to new Christians about how to walk by the Spirit of God, how to live in and by the Holy Spirit. We receive new life through Jesus and the Holy Spirit but we have to make a daily choice to walk by the Spirit and abide (live, stay put) in Jesus. We remain living in Jesus and let him live in us by doing (obeying) what he tells us. This will produce results (fruit) that glorifies God and points to Jesus. There is no other way. See theme verse for the year. Word received: I want My people to turn to Me for what only I can supply--My Spirit for daily living.
Look at Galatians. God wants us to have freedom in Christ to live as He created us to live, not misusing our freedom to indulge our sinful nature. Word received: When you know and follow Me, you are truly free. God wants us to use the new life and freedom Christ gives to serve one another with agape love. [Agape love is not a feeling but a choice. It is a love that does what is best for the other person. It is the kind of love God the Father and Jesus had when Jesus came to live as one of us and die and rise for us. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 lists what agape love is like.]
Paul says in Galatians (vs.13-14) that the law, the commandments of God are fulfilled in loving with agape love and serving each other. If we do the opposite we can hurt and destroy each other! That is what happens when we don't serve and love one another. Word received: By serving, you are pointing to Me. I want your fruit to always point to Me. Word received: I want what you do to lead others to Me. When you live your lives in the fruit of My Spirit, then others will be drawn to Me.
Reread the fruit of the Spirit (vs.22-23a). Word received: You cannot have the fruit unless you plant a seed that will grow. What are you doing to plant and grow the fruit of My Spirit? I want you to make a list of the seeds that you plant each day. Offer these seeds to Me for My blessing. The seeds are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.
"I say then: walk in the Spirit" (vs.16). Word received: This is the way to daily cultivate a life in My Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit.
Fruit does not develop overnight. It grows from a seed or on a tree that has been cared for over time. The seeds we sow day by day determine the results--the fruit. Apples and grapes have seeds in them that will produce more of the same if they are cared for.
Notice the contrast between the works of the flesh/sinful human nature (vs.19-21) and the fruit of the Spirit of God working in us. The works of the sinful nature are the result of the choices we make to indulge that sinful nature. The result of daily living/choosing to live according to our sinful nature is that we won't inherit God's Kingdom! However if we have asked Jesus to live in us and fall into sin, and then repent, God will forgive and restore us, but the bad fruit will still have consequences. As Christians we have the power of the Holy Spirit available to us but we have to daily choose to walk in it. We have to daily choose to remain living in Jesus and his Spirit.
Compare the works of sin and the fruits of the Spirit. Are some of them opposites? Word received: Make a choice everyday to walk in My Spirit. There is true freedom. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (vs.25). Word received: Life is a choice you can make. (Deuteronomy 30:19) I want you to choose life. I want you to walk in My Spirit.
Now look at the John 15:1-17 passage for a different perspective on bearing fruit. Bearing good fruit results from being attached to the true vine -- Jesus. God the Father is the gardener who tends the vine and its branches. When branches do not bear fruit he removes them and he prunes the one that do bear fruit. Wild grapevines or ones that are not pruned have very few and small grapes and lots and lots of showy leaves. Pruning doesn't hurt the vine (though it looks like it) but actually helps it bear more and better fruit.
Jesus says we have to abide/remain living/stay attached to him to bear the fruit we were created to bear. The life comes to the branch through the vine. Jesus says, "Apart from Me you can do nothing." Branches that do not remain attached also wither. Part of the way we stay living in Jesus is to keep/obey what he tells us. That is the way Jesus lives/abided in the Father's love by obeying/doing exactly what the Father told him during his earthly life. (John 8:28-29) "I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him."
Jesus wants us to do/obey what he tells us in order to live in him. "You are my friend if you practice what I command you". (vs.14) This is what God the Father, the one who cares for the Vine and branches wants. He has "appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide" so that God will be glorified. (vs.5)
Now look at Luke 6. Jesus talks about testing fruit, knowing a good 'tree" from a bad one by the fruit/results that come from it. If we want to know if something a person is teaching or doing is good we are told to test the fruit, whether it is good or bad. Jesus did tell us not to judge others but he DID tell us we are to test, to examine what a person does, the fruit of the person's life, whether it is good or bad. As Bishop Dan used to say, We are called to be fruit inspectors. God wants us to discern by his Spirit whether something is good or bad. Word received: You test the tree by testing its fruit. Look at the evidence, look at the deeds. Don't just listen to the words of others. Word received: To test the fruit, you ask Me and I will tell you the truth. We can ask Jesus to help us see clearly whether the fruit of something or someone is good or not.
(Testing: The first test is always whether or not it agrees with Scripture. If it does then we have to have God's help in discerning whether it is from him or not.)
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 09
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1 What are the fruit/fruits of the Spirit of God? Can you get grapes from a thorn bush? What we plant is what grows. If we plant seeds (actions) of temper tantrums or being mean to others, what will grow? Seeds of the fruit of the Spirit always grow good, sweet fruit.
2. Ask the kids what love looks like (God's love(agape)--not feelings)? What does the fruit of kindness look like? etc.
3.What happens to a branch of an apple tree or grape vine that is broken off? Does it grow fruit? In the same way we have to stay attached to Jesus (by talking to him (prayer) and obeying him every day if we want to grow the "fruit of the Spirit" in our lives.
4. God can help us when nobody else can. He will help us to grow the fruit of the Spirit (name it) if we ask for his help, his Holy Spirit, every day. God can also help us to stop planting bad seeds too.
5. Even when we have the Holy Spirit living in us, we still have to choose to listen and obey God each day.
Object lessons: some spoiled fruit and some good fruit. Also consider planting some seeds and watching them grow this year.
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