Hunger and Thirst - March 2, 2012

Pray:  Ask god to give me an open mind and open heart in hearing God’s word.

Read:  What is the point of the scripture?

Reflect:  What is God telling me through the passage?

Practice:  How does the scripture apply to my life today?

Matthew 6:19-7:28

 

Treasures in Heaven

    ¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

   ²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,^[a] your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy,^[b] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

   ²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

 

Do Not Worry

    ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[c]?

   ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

 

Judging Others

 ¹ “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

   ³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

   ⁶ “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

 

Ask, Seek, Knock

    ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

   ⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

 

The Narrow and Wide Gates

    ¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

 

True and False Prophets

    ¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

 

True and False Disciples

    ²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

 

The Wise and Foolish Builders

    ²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

 ²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,

Hunger and Thirst - March 1, 2012

Pray:  Ask god to give me an open mind and open heart in hearing God’s word.

Read:  What is the point of the scripture?

Reflect:  What is God telling me through the passage?

Practice:  How does the scripture apply to my life today?

Matthew 5:13-6:18

 

Salt and Light

    ¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

   ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

The Fulfillment of the Law

    ¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

Murder

    ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister^[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

   ²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

   ²⁵ “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

 

Adultery

    ²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’^{[e] 28} But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

 

Divorce

    ³¹ “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’^{[f] 32} But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

 

Oaths

    ³³ “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ ³⁴ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷ All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.^[g]

 

Eye for Eye

    ³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^{[h] 39} But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

 

Love for Enemies

    ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[i] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children 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. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

 

Giving to the Needy

 ¹ “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

   ² “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

 

Prayer

    ⁵ “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

   ⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

   “‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
   as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,^[j]
   but deliver us from the evil one.^[k]’

   ¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

 

Fasting

    ¹⁶ “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Hunger and Thirst - February 29, 2012

Pray:  Ask god to give me an open mind and open heart in hearing God’s word.

Read:  What is the point of the scripture?

Reflect:  What is God telling me through the passage?

Practice:  How does the scripture apply to my life today?

Matthew 5:1-12

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

 ¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

    He said:

   ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

   ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Hunger and Thirst - February 28, 2012

Pray:  Ask god to give me an open mind and open heart in hearing God’s word.

Read:  What is the point of the scripture?

Reflect:  What is God telling me through the passage?

Practice:  How does the scripture apply to my life today?

Luke 4:16-30

Jesus’ First Sermon

¹⁶ He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷ and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

   ¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
   because he has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
   and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
   ¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”^[a]

 ²⁰ Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. ²¹ He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

 ²² All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

 ²³ Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”

   ²⁴ “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. ²⁵ I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. ²⁶ Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. ²⁷ And there were many in Israel with leprosy^[b] in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

 ²⁸ All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. ²⁹ They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. ³⁰ But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

Hunger and Thirst - February 27, 2012

Pray:  Ask god to give me an open mind and open heart in hearing God’s word.

Read:  What is the point of the scripture?

Reflect:  What is god telling me through the passage?

Practice:  How does the scripture apply to my life today?

Luke 5:1-11

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

 ¹ One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,^[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. ² He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. ³ He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

 ⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

 ⁵ Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

 ⁶ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ⁷ So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

 ⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” ⁹ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

   Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” ¹¹ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Feb. 25 & 26: Tell God What You Need

This Weekend in MC Park, in Sunday School and Elementary Worship, your child will learn the story of Blind Bartimaeus.

Jesus Heals the Blind Man

You can review the story in Mark 10:46-52. A great memory verse for your family this week is Titus 3:5a — “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy”

Questions for review with your child:

1.    How do you think Bartimaeus felt when Jesus healed him and he suddenly could see?

2.    Is it OK to ask God for things we don’t really need?  Why or why not?

3.    Why do you think God wants us to tell him what we need?

4.    What things would you like God to give you?  Explain.

5.    What things do you need Got do help you with?

6.    How has Gold helped someone you know who needed something?

7.    How has Gold helped you when you’ve asked him for what you need?

8.    We can tell God what we need.  How do we tell God we need to be saved?

9.    What can you do to show God that you need him?  Explain.

10. What can you tell God you need the next time you pray?

_____

In Kindergarten Worship and Wonder at 11 a.m., this week's lesson:

The Parable of the Two Sons

Verses for this lesson: Matthew 21:28-32

Questions to wonder about with your child:

1.    I wonder how the priests and elders are feeling bout Jesus’ parable?

2.    I wonder how the priests and elders feel about the two sons?

3.    I wonder how the father feels about his two sons?

4.    I wonder what it’s like for them to work in this vineyard?

5.    I wonder how the first son feels when his father tells him to work in the vineyard?

6.    I wonder why he said no?

7.    I wonder how the father feels when his son said no?

8.    I wonder how the father feels when his son comes to the vineyard?

9.    I wonder how the son feels working with his father?

10. I wonder how the father feels waiting for his second son to come to the vineyard?

11. I wonder why the son said yes, but didn’t go to the vineyard?

12. I wonder if this son will ever change his mind and go to the vineyard?

13. I wonder how the brothers feel about each other?

14. I wonder how Jesus feels when the priests and elders keep trying to trick him?

15. I wonder why the priests and elders didn’t believe John the Baptist and change the way they live?

_____

In Worship and Wonder on Saturday night, 9 a.m. Sunday, and 3s and 4s W&W at 11 a.m. on Sunday, this week’s lesson:

The Sower

Verses for this lesson: Matthew 13:3-8; Mark 4:3-8; Luke 8:5-8

Questions to wonder about with your child:

 1.     I wonder how the seeds felt that fell on the path?

 2.      I wonder how the birds felt?

 3.      I wonder if the birds have names?

 4.     I wonder what the seed felt about the birds?

 5.        I wonder how the seeds felt that fell among the rocks?

 6.        I wonder how the sun felt about the little seeds?

 7.      I wonder how the seeds felt that fell in the thorns?

 8.       I wonder what the thorns felt about the little seeds?

 9.       I wonder how the seeds felt that fell in good soil?

10.     I wonder how the good soil felt about the little seeds?

11.  I wonder how so much grain could come from the little seeds?

February 18 & 19 -Friends Bring Friends to Jesus

This week in Elementary worship and Sunday School, your child will learn the following:

Four Friends Help a Paralyzed Man

You can review the story in Mark 2:1-12. A great memory verse for your family this week is 1 John 1:9a - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins"


Questions for review with your child:

1. Why is bringing a friend to Jesus so important?

2. Do you think Jesus wants to know our friends? Why or why not?

3. How do you think it makes Jesus feel when we bring our friends to him?

4. What other messages can we use to bring friends to Jesus?

5. Why do you think it is hard for some people to confess their sins to Jesus?

6. Why do you think Jesus wants us to bring our friends to him?

_____

In Worship and Wonder at 11:00 am on Sunday, the kindergarten class will be studying the following:


Jesus Makes Lazarus Alive Again

Verse for this lesson is John 11

Questions to wonder about with your child:

1. I wonder how Mary feels when her brother is so sick?

2. I wonder how Martha feels?

3. I wonder how Martha and Mary feel as they watch Lazarus die?

4. I wonder what they might be saying to each other as they prepare Lazarus's body to be placed in the tomb?


5. I wonder how they feel that Jesus didn't come before Lazarus died?

6. I wonder how they feel when they see Jesus?

7. I wonder how they feel when Lazarus is alive again?

8. I wonder why Jesus loves Lazarus, Martha and Mary?

9. I wonder why Martha, Mary and Lazarus love Jesus?

10. I wonder how Martha knows Jesus is the Christ?

11. I wonder who Mary thinks Jesus is?

12. I wonder who Lazarus thinks Jesus is?

13. I wonder why some of the people love Jesus and follow him?

14. I wonder why some of them will not follow Jesus?

In Worship and Wonder on Saturday night, 9:00 am Sunday and 3's and 4's W & W at 11:00 am on Sunday, we will be studying the following:

The Good Samaritan

Verses for this lesson are Luke 10:25-37

Questions to wonder about with your child:

1. I wonder if the person who was left by the side of the road half dead has a name?

2. I wonder where the road was really going?

3. I wonder who was a neighbor to the robber?

4. I wonder who was a neighbor to the priest?

5. I wonder who was a neighbor to the Levite?

6. I wonder who was a neighbor to the Samaritan?

7. I wonder how a Samaritan could be a neighbor?