Waiting Times:
Lent is the church season where we remember that Jesus Christ was in the
wilderness for forty days and nights without food and water preparing to do
God’s work. Jesus was all alone in the desert with no shelter, no food, no water.
Jesus did not leave the desert before it was time. He didn’t leave on the 39th day.
Jesus left when it was time for Him to leave and begin the next chapter in His life.
Jesus’ wilderness time teaches us very important truths. This last year has been
unlike any year most of us have experienced. It has been a year since our lives
changed. Have you been living in suspended animation? Or did you choose to
use this time of waiting to learn more about God and yourself? Waiting times are
part of God’s plan. Waiting times also known as wilderness times teach us to be
obedient and open to God’s plan. God’s plan doesn’t look like our plan in many
situations. As our waiting time comes to an end, it’s time for us all to ask
ourselves questions. What did God teach me? How will I use it in my life? Never
waste waiting time. Waiting times are gifts from God.
Old Testament – Exodus 20:1-17
The Israelites were in a waiting time as they traveled in the desert for forty years.
The Israelites wasted their waiting time. They were not open to God’s plan and
they did not learn anything about themselves. So they kept on making the same
mistakes over and over again. This is very sad. Here is today’s lesson God gives
the Ten Commandments.
Most people think the Ten Commandments begin with “Do not kill.” This is not
the first commandment. The first commandment is “You shall have no other gods
before me.” The next several commandments are how we are to respect God.
Take this time in Lent to learn the Ten Commandments. Watch the video and
learn how a box of donuts is like the Ten Commandments.
Old Testament – Psalm 19
This is a very popular psalm. Many people have memorized the last verse “May
the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart always be acceptable to
You, my God and Redeemer.” Today we focus on verse 8 which tells us “the laws
of God are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of God is pure,
enlightening the mind.” The verses of Psalm 19 that praise God’s laws are sung
below. Listen and enjoy.
New Testament – 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Today’s lesson teaches us that God is stronger than the strongest human. His
wisdom makes the smartest human look dumb. Paul writes that the only thing
that is important is knowing that Jesus died for our sins and believing in Jesus as
our Savior. Amen!
New Testament – John 2:13-22
Today we see Jesus chasing people and animals out of the Temple by making a
whip. Our focus in this story is normally Jesus’ anger. We don’t understand why
Jesus is upset. Our focus in this story needs to be on respecting God. Imagine you
and your family came home. Inside your house, there were cows, sheep, and birds
everywhere and people selling things. How would you feel and react? You
wouldn’t be happy and would make them leave immediately. Jesus, God’s Son,
came to His Father’s house and found this happening. The people who were
doing these things (selling animals and making money) were not respecting God
or His house. So this week think about how you may be not respecting God and
ask God to help you change. Watch the video below and listen to the song at the
end.
Younger Children's Lesson:
Waiting:
This year we have waited a lot. We have waited to be with friends and family.
We have waited to go to school. This has been hard. God has a plan for us and
the world while we wait. Our job is to learn while we wait. What did you learn?
Tell someone what you learned.
God’s rules:
God gave us rules a very long time ago. They are called the Ten Commandments.
They teach us how to treat God and others. Take two pieces of paper and draw
tablets on them. Watch below and see Moses getting the Ten Commandments.
Jesus and the Temple:
Today we see Jesus get mad. People are not treating God’s house, the Temple,
without respect. We need to know God deserves our respect. Do some of the
crafts below.
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