Old Testament – Ezekiel 33:7-11
Who was Ezekiel? He lived sometime in 600 B.C. So he lived over 2,600 years
ago. He is believed to have prophesied at the same time as Jeremiah. Ezekiel’s
name means “God strengthens.” He and his wife lived in Babylon along the
Chebar River during the time of the Jewish exile. He is recognized as a great
prophet by Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
God tells Ezekiel that he is to warn wicked people so that they turn away from
their sins. God also tells Ezekiel that if Ezekiel doesn’t warn wicked people and
they die still being wicked, God will hold Ezekiel responsible for their deaths.
Old Testament – Psalm 119
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the entire Bible. It is known by the name “The
Glories of God’s Law.” This was Martin Luther’s favorite psalm. Wilber
Wilburforce who ended the slave trade in the British empire would recite the
entire Psalm 119 as he walked back home every night from Parliament.
Parliament is what the English call their Congress. It is not known who wrote
Psalm 119.
The writer of Psalm 119 asks God to keep him on God’s path. He asks that God
keep him obedient to God’s commands. The writer asks God to keep him from
chasing after material things and pursue God instead. The writer asks God to give
him wisdom and to affirm His promises. These verses are true for us too. We
can also ask for God to give us wisdom and for God to affirm His promises.
Listen to these verses being sung below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgVS4Oir2i4
New Testament – Romans 13:8-14
Paul tells us that God wants us to focus on Him. We are not to run after material
things and spend our entire lives chasing after what is bigger and better. Instead
God wants us to love Him and love others as we love ourselves.
Paul also says that we don’t know when Christ will return and He will return
someday. So we are to be ready for Christ’s coming doing good deeds and loving
God.
New Testament – Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus is speaking to His disciples. He is saying to them and us that we are to work
out arguments with each other. We understand this. What Jesus says next is
hard for us to understand. He says if our friend or family member won’t work out
the argument with us we are to go to church members and work out the
argument in the presence of church members.
The most important part of this lesson is we forgive people who hurt us and do us
wrong. We are not hold grudges from day to day or year to year.
Listen to this explanation of Jesus’ words.
https://ministry-to-children.com/fixing-friendship-sermon-for-kids
