KIDS ARE YOU A LOVING PERSON?

  FOUR KINDS OF VALENTINE LOVE?

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Patricia the Sunday school teacher speaks, "We're celebrating Valentine's Day."

Girl named Mele says, "St. Valentine in prison, sent a love letter to the jailer's daughter who was healed of blindness."

Boy named Pono remarks, "Valentine was put in prison because he promoted marriage, and the Emperor Claudius II, wanted men to remain single to fight his wars."

Patricia adds, "He was executed on February 14th, 270 AD...Valentine's Day.  Do you know in God's Word, there are four different types of love?  Class, can you name one?"

Girl named Mele talks, "Storge love!  It's affectionate love within a family."

Patricia reads, "Love each other truly like brothers and sisters. Be really happy to respect other Christians."  (Romans 12:10 EASY - Easy English Bible)   "We're a family with Storge love."

Boy named Kalani raise his hand, blurting out, "Eros love."

Girl adds, "I like Romantic love!  Hugging and kissing."

Patricia adds,  "Eros is physical love. Romantic when you're single and intimate love when you are married."  Who knows another type of love?"

Pono stands up, stating, "Phileo love."

Patricia smiles, "What is Phileo love?"

Pono continues, "It's loving your best friends."

Patricia speaks, "What is the greatest love in the Bible?"

Mele speaks, "Agape love. "For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16  ESV - English Standard Version)

Patricia reads, "After they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you Agape love me more than the other disciples do?”

Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I (Phileo) love you.”

Jesus told him, “Feed my lambs.”

Jesus asked him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you (Agape) love me?”

Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I (Phileo) love you.”

Jesus told him, “Take care of my sheep.”

Jesus asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter felt sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you (Phileo) love me?” So Peter said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I (Phileo) love you.”

Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep.

(John 21:15-16  GW - Gods Word)

Patricia concludes,  "Everyone needs love.  Love God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as you love youself"

"That is how you can be a loving person!  HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

SOMEONE TRIED TO STEAL GOD'S IDENTITY

  PARABLE of IDENTITY THEFT

February 9th - National Pizza Day

Celebrating National Pizza Day, four Pastors meet monthly to discuss topics.

Pastor Dave opens saying, "Someone posted an AI video of me putting words in my mouth of things I never said.  As soon as I had it taken down, someone posted another fake video."

Pastor Frank comments, "Identity Theft is a huge issue in our world today.  I caught someone trying to steal my phone number.  I called my carrier and had my number locked."

Pastor Manuel adds, "Someone tried to steal my credit card, but I got a phone alert and froze my account immediately."

Pastor Jun De remarks, "If they can still your identity, they can steal you bank account, title to your car, house and ruin your credit score."

Pastor Dave speaks, "Did you know Jesus predicted that one day men would try to steal His identity?"

Pastor Frank reacts, "You got to be kidding?"

Pastor Jun De reads: "And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.  For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many."  (Matthew 24:4-5  NKJV - New King James Version)

Pastor Manuel says, "I have relatives named Jesus and there are other people named Jesus in the Bible.  But there is only one Jesus Christ, God the Son."

Pastor Dave adds, "Throughout history there are a lot of people calling themselves Jesus Christ.  These people are mortal men, pretending to be God."

Pastor Jun De, "Jesus ascended to heaven on the Mount of Olives and at His second coming He will return to the Mount of Olives."

Pastor Frank adds, "Didn't Jesus appear face to face with Saul?"

Pastor Manuel reads: "And as he was traveling, it happened that when he was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;  and falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”  And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,"  (ACTS 9:3-5  LSB - Legacy Standard Bible)

Pastor Dave adds, "Jesus talked from above, just like the conversation Jesus had talking to the God the Father at His transfiguration.  Jesus will return to earth at His second coming on the Mount of Olives, not America.

Pastor Frank smiles, "What about all the False Prophets?  Aren't they trying to steal the true identity of God?"

Pastor Jun De reads, "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many."

Pastor Dave adds, "Old Testament Prophets were God's spokesmen, communicating laws, judgements, blessings, and prophecies...including the coming of the Messiah.   What was the test of the false prophet in the Old Testament?"

Pastor Manuel reads: "When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him."  (Deuteronomy 18:22  ESV - English Standard Version)

Pastor Jun De reads: "Prophets or those who tell the future with dreams might come to you and say they will show you a miracle or a sign.  The miracle or sign might even happen, and then they might say, “Let’s serve other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let’s worship them.”  But you must not listen to those prophets or dreamers. The Lord your God is testing you, to find out if you love him with your whole being.  Serve only the Lord your God. Respect him, keep his commands, and obey him. Serve him and be loyal to him.  The prophets or dreamers must be killed, because they said you should turn against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and saved you from the land where you were slaves. They tried to turn you from doing what the Lord your God commanded you to do. You must get rid of the evil among you."  (Deuteronomy 13:1-5  NCV - New Century Version)

Pastor Manuel adds, "False prophets want you to serve other gods."

Pastor Dave says, "The apostle Paul states: "For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, this you tolerate very well!"  

(2 Corinthians 11:4  NASB - New American Standard Bible)

Pastor Manuel adds, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed."  (Galatians 1:8-9  ESV - English Standard Version)

Pastor Frank blurts out, "Everyone interprets scripture differently.  Some literal and some as allegories.  Who is right?"

Pastor Jun De replies, "We understand the author and interpret His word according to the context of what was spoken and written."

Pastor Dave concludes, "Jesus had prophesized he would have Identity Theft.  As we draw near to the end times, there will be many people calling themselves Jesus Christ or God.  And many false prophets are distorting words of Jesus, Bible, and the Gospel of Grace through Faith."

Pastor Manual adds, "My kid's memory verse: "Be careful of false prophets. They come to you and look gentle like sheep. But they are really dangerous like wolves."  (Matthew 7:15  ERV - Easy To Read Version)

Pastor Jun De adds, "We all agree we need to protect each other's Identity.  Let's protect God's identity and tell people the truth found in God's word the Bible."

Pastor Frank gets up, "I better check my computer for viruses and trojans."

KIDS DO YOU WANT A JOB IN PARADISE?

DID ADAM AND EVE HAVE JOBS?

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Mary the Sunday school teacher asks the class, "Did Adam have to work for a living and have a job?"

Silly Billy replies, "I thought Adam stayed beside the pool and waterfalls all day."

Mary continues, "God wanted Adam to learn work ethic by being His Head Gardener."  "The Lord God took the man and he put him in the Garden of Eden. God wanted the man to work in the garden and to take care of it." (Genesis 2:15 EASY)

Cindy asks, "What was Eve's job?"

Mary states, "Adam named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all human beings."  (Genesis 3:20 GNT - Good News Translation)  "Eve was in charge of Parenting. Every mother knows that's a full time job!"

Mary continues, "When you're on a hike, do you see fruit or berries and desire to eat them?

Bob speaks, "My dad wants to see what I have in my hand, before I put it in my mouth."

Mary says, "Good!  Birds will eat berries that might be poisonous for us.

The Manchineel tree has fruit that looks like small green apples that tastes sweet; but the sap causes blisters to the skin, and you might die if you eat.  Yet a Black Spined Iguana can eat the fruit and live."

Margo speaks, "My brother ate something he shouldn't have, and had to be taken to the hospital to pump his stomach."

Mary teaches, "The Lord God commanded the man. He said, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden.  But you must never eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because when you eat from it, you will certainly die.”  (Genesis 2:16-17  GW - Gods Word)

William asks, "Why did God plant the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil both in the middle of the Garden?  Was God tempting Adam and Eve?"

Mary replies, "And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else."  (James 1:13  NLT - New Living Translation)

Silly Billy blurts out, "Maybe God made the scary serpent  to keep Adam and Eve from getting too close."

Margo adds, "All the girls I know love to be scared, watching movies.  Maybe Eve enjoyed that scary feeling by talking to the serpent." 

Scott speaks, "I believe God wanted to keep the serpent out of the Tree of Life, so it wouldn't live forever.  So He planted another tree close by with sweet tasting, addictive fruit to attract the serpent."

Mary reads, "Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?”  (Genesis 3:1  HCSB)

William adds,  "Satan tempted Jesus when he was fasting 40 days in the wilderness, by asking Him to turn stones into bread."

Mary continues, "The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden.  But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’”

 “No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:2-4  HCSB)

Cindy speaks, "Was the serpent possessed by Satan?"

Mary replies, "Lucifer committed the sin of Pride wanting to be God, and he was deceiving Eve, telling her if she would eat the fruit, she would be like God."

Scott remarks, Jesus said, " And He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning. (Luke 10:18  NASB - New American Standard Bible)

Mary continues, "Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.  (Genesis 3:1-6  HCSB - Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Mary reads, "Then they heard the Lord God walking in the garden. This was during the cool part of the day. And the man and his wife hid from the Lord God among the trees in the garden.  But the Lord God called to the man. The Lord said, “Where are you?”

Cathy smiles, "My dog hides from me every time she's in trouble."

Mary continues reading, "The Lord God said, “Who told you...have you eaten fruit from the tree I commanded you not to eat from?”

The man said, “It’s the fault of the woman you put here with me. She gave me some fruit from the tree. And I ate it.”

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What have you done?”

The woman said, “The serpent tricked me. That’s why I ate the fruit.”  (Genesis 3:11-13  NIRV - New International Readers Version)

Mary asks, "What should have Adam and Eve done?

Silly Billy blurts out, " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  (1 John 1:9  NIV - New International Version)

Cathy adds, "If Adam was a real man of God he would have taken all the blame and repented from His sin."

Mary reads, "The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures;  upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”  (Genesis 3:14-15  NRSVUE - New Revised Standard Version Updated)

William speaks, "Jesus will crush Satan's head and suffer on the cross for our sins."

Mary reads, "To the woman he said, “I will greatly increase your labor pains; with pain you will give birth to children. You will want to control your husband, but he will dominate you.”  (Genesis 3:16  NET - New English Translation)

Mary continues, "And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face   you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”  (Genesis 3:17-19  ESV - English Standard Version)

Silly Billy remarks, "Did Adam and Eve lose their jobs?  

Cathy adds, "Were they evicted too?"

Mary reads, "The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken.  So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.  (Genesis 3:21-24  NASB 95 - New American Standard Version 95)

Scott speaks, "The first sacrifice for sin was when God killed two animals to make Adam and Eve clothing."

Bob asks, "I still don't understand what the Tree with Good and Evil knowledge was all about?"

Mary replies, "Good knowledge came to Adam and Eve directly from God.  Evil knowledge came from communicating with a Satan possessed serpent."

Scott adds, "Adam and Eve went to the dark side!"

Cindy speaks, "Why was this Adam's sin and not Eve's sin?"

Mary replies, "Eve was deceived, and Adam knew better when he sinned.  

William asks, "Why did Adam's sin corrupt the world?"

Mary speaks, "Satan has come to kill, steal and destroy.  People were infected by every sin imaginable when they turned their backs on God.  You can't serve two masters."

Scott says, "Adam was the CEO of the garden and he lost his job when he sinned.  They were evicted from paradise, and sent to a place of rocks, thistles and thorns."

Cindy adds, "They had to plant their own crops, and even make there own clothes for all the family."

Mary concludes, "Because of Adam's sin, disobeying God and listening to the dark side, all humans have a sin nature.  All of us have sinned and the wages of sin is death.  But God sent His only begotten Son to pay for our sins dying on the cross, if we believe and trust and allowing Him to be the Lord of your life.  Would you like to have everlasting life with Jesus Christ today?"

All the children raise their hands saying, "YES."

MYSTERY OF REVELATION'S 144,000

PARABLE 144,000

PASTORS ENJOY LUNCH

Enjoying an India buffet, four pastors gather each month for a Bible discussion.  Pastor Dave with red hair lifts his hands saying, "Who are the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation?"

Pastor Jun De replies, "Depends on how you interpret the Bible; whether literal, allegory, or Bible codes."

Pastor Dave speaks, "Let's look at the backstory.  The sixth seal was broken.  There was a great earthquake, a great wind storm, islands and mountains were moved out of place, and men hid in their bunkers in the mountains. What did God do next?"

Pastor Manuel speaks, "And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short."  (Matthew 24:22 ESV - English Standard Version)  "God wants to protect his elect, the Jewish nation."

Jun De reads: "After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree."  (Revelation 7:1 LSB - Legacy Standard Bible)

Pastor Frank comments, "The 144,000 can't be taken literal.  Revelation is symbolic, poetic, and full of allegories."

Jun De adds, "I search for Bible codes and hidden meanings in numbers.  In the Old Testament there were 12 tribes, and in the New Testament there were 12 apostles.  12 x 12 = 144.  And if we times 144 by 1000 we have a multitude of all nations seen in Revelation 7:9."

Pastor Manuel remarks, "I examine scripture face value, reading God's word in context.  Not everything in Revelation is an allegory or literal.

Pastor Dave adds, "Remember the letters to the seven churches and book of Revelation were sent to Gentiles who may not have had understanding of gematria and Bible codes."

Pastor Manuel reads: "Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:  “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”  Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel."  (Revelation 7:2-4 NIV - New International Version)

Jun De adds, "12,000 were sealed from each of the 12 tribes of Israel: Judah, Rueben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin."

Pastor Frank blurts out, "What happened to the tribe of Dan and Manasseh and why is Levi included here and not other passages in the Bible?"

Pastor Dave replies, "That's a rabbit trail we can discuss on another day."

Pastor Frank responds, "If you read verse 9, it talks about a great multitude of every nation and tribe.  144,000 can't be literal!  Is there only one ethnic group being saved?"

Pastor Jun De, replies, " Apostle John saw the 144,000 being sealed on earth, then in the next vision he saw the multitude in heaven.  Both the dead in Christ and those who had been raptured are present worshipping God at His throne."

Pastor Dave says, "In Revelation 14, the 144,000 worship Jesus, and judgment is declared on those who worship the beast."

Manuel reads: "Then I saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.  And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of mighty ocean waves or the rolling of loud thunder. It was like the sound of many harpists playing together.

This great choir sang a wonderful new song in front of the throne of God and before the four living beings and the twenty-four elders. No one could learn this song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. They have kept themselves as pure as virgins, following the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been purchased from among the people on the earth as a special offering to God and to the Lamb.  They have told no lies; they are without blame." (Revelation 14:1-5  NLT - New Living Translation)

Pastor Frank says, "144,000 virgin men can't possibly be literal.  This would exclude women and married couples from entering heaven."

Pastor Dave replies, "God is going to fulfill his promise with the people of Israel, establishing a kingdom with a new temple, with Jesus the Messiah ruling the earth during the Millennium.  God has gathered pure and holy unmarried men from all twelve tribes in preparation of His coming kingdom."

Pastor Manuel adds, "Unbelievers who believe and trust in Jesus Christ any time during the Tribulation will be sealed by the Holy Spirit,  being Born Again.  Satan seals unbelievers with the mark of the beast.  The 144,000 Jews will be sealed with the name of God the Father."

Pastor Jun De adds, "The 144,000 have Jewish DNA.  The Church has not replaced Israel as God's chosen people, superseding the Old Covenant promises to the Jewish people."  

Pastor Dave adds, "Revelation 4, Christ's church will be in heaven worshipping God throughout the Great Tribulation.  During the 7 year tribulation Jews are going to find their Messiah, Jesus.  And Gentile unbelievers receiving Jesus will be call Tribulation Saints.

Pastor Frank takes a napkin wiping his mouth, standing with a grin on his face, saying, "I can't take all of this...LITERALLY!"

Pastor Dave concludes, "If the two witnesses are a literal number, can you tell me why 144,000 can't be a literal number too?

Pastor Manuel's final remarks, "Will the 144,000 be sent in groups of 2 men to evangelize the world during the second half of the Great Tribulation?  

Pastor Jun De adds, "Will they be gather in Jerusalem and on the Temple Mount to Worship God, before the antichrist defiles the Temple and later flee to the wilderness?"

Pastor Dave remarks, "Is this a gathering after the Tribulation, worshipping God on Mount Zion at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?  

Pastor Manuel adds, "Are they gathered on Mount Zion to be raptured to escape the last years of the Great Tribulation?"

Pastor Jun De add, "I am going back for seconds."

HAVE A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO EXCHANGE?

 I'M CARRYING A VALUABLE FREE GIFT

CLIMBING TO SUNDAY SCHOOL 

In the remote Sichuan Province in China, Debra a blond hair missionary takes some of the children that live below, up an 800 meter climb to the village above on Sunday morning. Debra smiles, "Are you excited about Christmas?  Did everyone bring a gift to exchange for your classmates?"

A boy named Dong speaks, "I love to make paper crafts.  Everyone's going to like my gift."

Debra replies, "Dong, keep you gift a secret."

A cool morning breeze blows as the children climb, one run at a time.  Mei a young girl shouts, "I love to paint, can anyone guess what gift I'm bringing?"

Ying, another girl guesses, "Could it be a painting of a bird or animal?  My gift is something a girl would like to wear."

Debra adds, "I wish we had gloves to wear, my hands are cold holding onto the metal ladder.  I wonder who would like to receive a valuable free gift today?"

A quiet girl named Fen waves one of her hands, saying, "Me!"

Debra shouts, "Keep both hands on the ladder.  Let's get to our classroom and celebrate Christmas!"

Fen replies, "Sorry!  My gift is something good to eat, everyone will love."

Beautiful birds fly by as they climb up the ladder.  Chun with red cheeks, "God's birds are here to bless us.  I love to make gifts made of wood.  It's going to be the best gift."

Dong adds, "Is it a gift for girls only?"

Debra interrupts, "Don't say another word, I want each gift to be a surprise and I want everyone to be happy what they receive."

Debra reaches the top, offering a hand grip for each of the children to reach to safety.  All the children clap their hands after everyone is on top the plateau.

Later in the classroom, Debra serves Sticky Rice Balls and Juice for all of the students. Debra begins, "Does anyone know why we celebrate Christmas?"

Dong replies, "It's Jesus Christ's birthday!"

Debra continues, "Who is Jesus?"

Ying speaks, "He's the Son of God."

Debra continues, "Yes, Jesus is totally God and totally Man.  God humbled Himself to become a man, so he could live with us."

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

All of the gifts the children brought were gather on a table with a red table cloth.  

Fen grins, "Debra, can I be first to chose my gift?"

Debra shakes her head 'no.'  "Look at all the wonderful gifts you have brought.  I don't want anyone opening their gift until everyone has received their Christmas present and I tell you when to open it."

Debra points her finger, one child at a time as they wander over to the table and grabs a gift.

Fen is the last one to walk to the table, seeing her gift still remaining there."

Fen says, "That's my gift on the table."

Debra smiles, "Fen, you can trade your gift with anybody, just be happy!"

After trading gifts with Dong, Debra speaks, "Open your gifts and say 'Thank You!"

Dong stands up, "I got a yummy nut roll.  I'll take it home and eat it later."

Mei adds, "Someone made me a new scarf!  I wonder who made this fantastic gift!"

Ying talks, "I love this wooden house, thank you!"

Chun giggles, "Look at the paper bird."

Fen marvels, "I adore this painting of flowers."

Debra is silent for a moment, "I have one more gift.  It is very valuable.'

Dong, "Is it made of gold, silver or gems?"

Debra continues, "It is a valuable free gift from God.  All the gold, silver and gems in the world cannot buy it."  Debra hold a small box wrapped in red paper.  "And it's no longer a free gift if you have to work for it."

Ying questions, "What is it?"

Debra continues, "It's your choice if you want this gift, but you must be willing to receive it."

Mei is the only one brave enough to walk over Debra and take the gift.  Mei says, "Can I open it now?"

Debra smiles, as she opens it.  All eyes were staring at the present, waiting to see what she would pull out.  It was a wooden plaque with and a ancient nail to hang it on the wall, with the word "GRACE," engraved, and painted in red.

Debra reads:

"All people have sinned and are not good enough for God’s glory.  People are made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ."  (Romans 3:23-24  ICB - International Children's Bible)

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

(Ephesians 2:8-9  NKJV - New King James Version)

Dong asks, "I see the word 'GRACE' on the plaque; but what does it mean?"

Debra replies, "Grace is a free gift from God, that you never worked for or even deserved.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  (John 3:16 NKJV)

Mei asks, "How can I receive the gift of Grace?"

Debra adds, "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from death, then you will be saved."  (Romans 10:9  ICB - International Children's Bible)

Dong stands, "I want that gift of Grace too."

Debra concludes, "We are all sinners on a pathway to eternal destruction and our righteousness is like filthy rags.  We become righteous when we have faith in Jesus Christ, asking forgiveness, turning away from our sins, and receiving His free gift of Grace." 

All the children in the class stand up to receive Jesus.

 

Debra continues, "Our sins make us guilty and we should have been the one dying on the cross.  God gave his only son Jesus to die in your place if you receive this free gift.  Anyone want this gift?  Do you believe in Jesus?  Are you willing to turn away from sin?

The class shouts, "I do!"

Debra holds the Grace plaque, saying, "Do you have faith believing in Jesus Christ?

Stand up if you would like the most valuable gift in the world, God's Gift of Grace.  And you will receive the Holy Spirit and eternal life with Jesus!"

DID EVE HAVE A BELLY BUTTON?

 QUESTIONS KIDS ASK

SUNDAY SCHOOL 

Debra a missionary to the Philippines brings her class to the beach, Sunday morning.  An eleven year old boy, Benjie, wearing no shirt asks her a question.

Benji says, "Teacher, all the girls tease me because I have a big belly button.  They laugh and point their fingers at me."

Debra replies to the class, "God has made each one of us unique.  If Jesus was standing here, would you laugh at Him?"

Everyone says, "No."

Benji adds, "Debra, did Eve have a belly button?"

All the girls, GIGGLE.

Debra speaks, "I'll answer your question, if you can answer mine.  Which did God create first, the chicken or the egg?"

Benjie is silent.

Debra asks the class, "Raise your hands if you think God created the chicken first."

Only a few raise their hands.

Debra continues, "Raise your hands if you think God created the egg first."

Benjie and the rest of the class raise hands.

Debra speaks, "Hens sit on the eggs to keep them warm called brooding, until the baby chicks hatch.  Did God leave baby Adam and baby Eve in the Garden of Eden all alone?

Benjie replies, "Who would feed them and change their diapers?"

Rachel a 10 year old asks, "What about our Heavenly mother?"

Debra replies, "God's word says..." then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.  And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.  (Genesis 2:-9  ESV - English Standard Version)"  There is no Heavenly mother.  God created Adam from red dirt."

10 year old Rachel blurts out, "Are you telling me that Eve never had a mother either.  If she was here right now, I would ask to see her belly button."

Debra continues, "Smile, Eve was not formed out of red dirt, like Adam.  Does anyone know how God made Eve?"

Everyone remains silent.

Debra reads, "The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

"Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.

But for Adam no suitable helper was found.  So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh.  Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man."

"The man said, “This is now bone of my bones    and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” 

(Genesis 2:18-23 NIV - New International Version)

Rachel adds, "Was God like a doctor, putting Adam to sleep to have a rib surgery?  Did he use the DNA from the rib's bone marrow to create Eve?"

Debra continues, "I guess, Adam and Eve didn't have belly buttons.  We believe God is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit who made the heavens and the earth.  Sorry, there are no heavenly mothers, aunts, uncles and grand parents...only one God."

Benji smiles, "My belly button is living proof I had a mom."