Season 2: Only the Messiah Could...
Episode 1: “Water to Wine”
Today’s Bible Bite: John 2:1-11

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7plJa_qnVug (Saddleback Kids)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhjvAAkXbj0 (The Chosen - real life depiction)

“Turning water to wine at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11).

Jesus and his friends went to a wedding. His mother, Mary, came to Jesus and told her that the hosts had run out of wine for all the guests. Why was this such a problem, you may wonder. Well, imagine going to a birthday party where they ran out of cake. It would be terrible. Running out of wine at a wedding in Jesus’ day was just as bad! Mary was concerned that her friends would suffer embarrassment from not having provided enough for the guests to drink.

She told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to. So when He instructed them to fill jars with water and then to scoop some out for the Master of Ceremonies to taste–he was responsible for making certain that the wine served was good–they did. Imagine their surprise, when the water now turned wine turned out to be some of the best wine he had ever tasted. When Jesus’ friends heard about it, they became even more convinced that He must be the Messiah!

Think about it...

• A wedding is supposed to be a happy occasion. Why would running out of wine have been a problem?
• Initially, Jesus seemed reluctant to perform a miracle. Why do you think He may have hesitated? Why did He change His mind?
• Jesus told the servants to scoop out the water and take it to the Master of Ceremonies. Would you have done it? What if the water hadn’t changed?
• Jesus did change the water to wine. What do you think about the fact that it was the best wine that the Master of Ceremonies had ever tasted?
• God loves us and wants to help us. Are you facing a problem today that you need help to solve? What can you do about it?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that you care about us and are willing to help us. It is amazing that Jesus could change water to wine. Thank you for this miracle that helped to convince His friends that Jesus was your promised Messiah, the rescuer. Thank you, that you can help me too!

Through the Bible in 2020

Jesus died on a cross to pay the penalty for the bad things we have done and continue to do, but He didn’t stop there. He rose from the dead! And promised us that whoever believes in Him will live forever in heaven with Him. He proved He was alive for forty days, before He went up to heaven with His disciples watching. They were sad to see Him go; but He told them to cheer up because He had a wonderful surprise for them. They needed to go back to Jerusalem and wait for His special gift to arrive–the Holy Spirit!

Today’s Lesson: Jesus Sends His Gift from Heaven

The Reason Jesus had to die
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit and the Church begins...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwJJJoSGw84 (Sharefaith Kids)

Lesson Overview:
Acts 2:1-3 - The disciples, Mary the mother of Jesus and His brothers and all the other believers were meeting together praying when suddenly they heard the sound of a loud rushing wind, like a powerful windstorm. As they looked around they saw little flames dancing above the heads of everyone present. Jesus’ gift, the Holy Spirit, had come. But that wasn’t all that happened.

2:3-13 - Everyone in the room began to speak languages–languages they had never known before. Outside of the house, people heard the noise too and came running. They were shocked. Many visitors from other countries were in Jerusalem that day and they heard people speaking in their languages and were amazed. What did it mean? There were some in the crowd who didn’t understand what was going on and they accused the believers of being drunk!

2:14-41 - Peter boldly got up and explained what was happening. They weren’t drunk–this was a special work of the Holy Spirit. Here was proof that Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for. Many people in the crowd were convinced and became believers of Jesus too. In fact, 3000 people were baptized that day and the Church was born!

Through the Holy Spirit, the believers experienced new abilities from God, Peter preached powerfully and explained the truth of the Scriptures and those who hadn’t believed before were able to understand. The Holy Spirit helped the believers spread the good news about Jesus; He also helped the Church, those who believed in Jesus, grow!

This week’s verse:
1 Corinthians 12:7 - “The Holy Spirit works in each person in one way or another for the good of all. ”

Today, the Holy Spirit continues to help those who believe in Jesus. He teaches us and helps us understand the Bible; He guides us and shows us the right decisions to make; He comforts us and helps us keep our hope in God, when we experience difficult times; He gives us gifts and special abilities, so that we too can help the Church of Jesus grow!
~Pastor Jane

Theme Verse for 2020:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16+17

Season 1: Stories of Jesus
Episode 8: “Jesus’ Students”
Today’s Bible Bite: John 1:35-51

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWiqXIn9tyg (LifeKids - Jesus chooses His first disciples)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk8ERxqCZqQ (ccodyguy - What does it look like to be Jesus’ disciples today?)

“We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41)!
​
As Jesus began His work as the Messiah, He collected a group of followers who would spend time with Him, learning from Him and helping Him to do the work. Many people followed Him wherever He went, but He specially chose twelve men to be receive special training–He would be their teacher and they would be His students. Their job was to learn everything they could from Jesus, so they too could carry on His work.

Jesus chose brothers Simon (renamed Peter) and Andrew, James and John (also brothers), Philip, Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew), Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), Judas (son of James) and Judas (the Iscariot) from amongst His many disciples and called them apostles, because of the special training and job He was giving them. These men came from all sorts of backgrounds, but gave up everything so that they could follow, learn from and help Jesus in His work.

Think about it...

• John saw Jesus walking by and told everyone, “That’s the Messiah!” Andrew followed. What would you have done?
• Andrew is convinced and gets his brother, Simon. If you had been Simon, how would you have responded to Jesus if He gave you a new name?
• Later on Jesus meets up again with Simon and tells him to try to catch some fish...again. Peter was the expert fisherman and had caught nothing all night, why should he listen to Jesus?
• After the miracle catch of fish, Simon is ready to follow Jesus too. He was convinced. Are you convinced that Jesus is the Messiah?
• If you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, you are one of His disciples. What does it look like to follow Jesus today?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that we can be your disciples. Teach us how to live our lives for you. Show us how to tell others about this wonderful truth we know–Jesus, God’s promised Rescuer, has come and we can be God’s friends!

Season 1: Stories of Jesus
Episode 7: “Jesus Is Put To the Test”
Today’s Bible Bite: Luke 4:1-13

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch… (Saddleback Kids - What happened when Jesus went to the Wilderness)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGm3D1htVKs (Lifekids - Why did Jesus go to the Wilderness?)

“Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days” (Luke 4:1-2a).

Jesus had just been baptized and God had spoken out loud to Him, “You are my son. I love you and I am very pleased with you.” Jesus felt the Holy Spirit leading Him to a remote place where Jesus could spend more time alone with God, so that Jesus could pray and really know how God wanted Him to begin His work as the Messiah. But Jesus wasn’t alone. Satan came to cause problems for Jesus.

Satan, who used to be one of God’s angels, is now God’s enemy. He likes nothing better than to mess with God’s plans. So when he saw that Jesus had gone to the wilderness to spend time with God, he decided to tempt Jesus to do things his way, not God’s way. Three times Satan tried to get Jesus to act on His own authority–make bread from rocks, prove He was really the Messiah or take the easy route rather than God’s way–but each time Jesus said, “No!” Eventually, He even told Satan to leave and Satan had to go. In the wilderness, Jesus had spent time with God and passed the test when Satan tried to get Him to choose His own way over God’s way. He was ready to begin His work as the Messiah!

Think about it...

• The Holy Spirit directed Jesus to go to the wilderness. Why?
• Jesus spent forty days talking to God, but not eating. How long do you talk to God?
• Jesus was very hungry. Why would it have been a problem for Him to turn rocks to bread?
• Satan wanted Jesus to ignore God’s plan and choose to do things His own way. Are you ever tempted to do things your own way, even though your mom or dad have given you directions?
• Jesus told Satan, “No way!” How can you choose to do what is right?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that Jesus showed us how important it was to pray. He needed your advice and a relationship with you, just like us. Help us to be able to tell Satan, “No” just like Jesus did when he tries to get us to do wrong things.

Season 1: Stories of Jesus
Episode 6: “God Announces His Son”
Today’s Bible Bite: Luke 1:5-25; 57-80; Luke 3:1-23

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VMNO2MAmwA (Saddleback Kids)

“When all the people were being baptized by John, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’” (Luke 3:21-22).

Before Jesus was born, another special baby was born whose name was John. He just happened to be one of Jesus’ cousins. God gave John a special job–he was to prepare people for Jesus’ coming as the Messiah! So when John grew up, he began telling people that they needed to prepare their hearts for God’s Rescuer. As people believed John’s message, they said they were sorry for the bad stuff they did and were baptized to show that they wanted to live differently...they wanted to live for God. That’s why John became known as John the Baptist.

When Jesus was thirty years old, it was finally time for Him to begin His work as the Messiah. So the first thing He did was to go to the Jordan River where John was baptizing people. John recognized who Jesus was, not just his cousin, but who He really was and thought that he should be baptized by Jesus not the other way around. But Jesus assured John, that this was the right thing to do, and as soon as Jesus came up out of the water, a dove landed on Jesus (it was the Holy Spirit) and God the Father said from heaven for everyone to hear, “You are my Son. I love you and I am very proud of you.” Wow! God let Jesus know that He was ready to begin His work as the Messiah.

Think about it...

• How old was Jesus when He began His ministry as the Messiah? Jesus knew even as a teenager who He was, so why did it take so long for Him to begin telling others?
• What was the special job that John was born to do?
• John obeyed God, but some people didn’t like his message. What was his message? Why did some people not like John’s message?
• Sometimes we do bad things, too. Do we like it when people point it out? What might you have thought about John’s message if you were in the crowd?
• Now that God has announced that Jesus is ready, what do you think will happen?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that you love us and even though we mess up and do bad things you will forgive us when we say we’re sorry. Help us to be like John...ready to obey you and to tell others about your good plan. Thank you, Jesus for coming. Thank you that I can be God’s friend.

Season 1: Stories of Jesus
Episode 5: “Jesus Knew His Father”
Today’s Bible Bite: Luke 2:41-52

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WtVZe5gc7w (Saddleback Kids)

“But why did you need to search?” Jesus asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house" (Luke 2:49)?

Every year, Joseph and Mary made a special trip to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover with their family. But on the year that Jesus was twelve something unusual happened. They began to travel home with their relatives from Nazareth, but didn’t realize until they had traveled an entire day that Jesus wasn’t with them. Mary and Joseph may have been busy taking care of their younger children (we do know that Jesus eventually had four brothers and at least two sisters, Mark 6:3) and assumed that Jesus was hanging out with some of his older cousins. Whatever happened, we know that Mary and Joseph quickly returned to Jerusalem to search for Jesus.

After three days, they finally found him. He was at the Temple listening and asking questions of the teachers, who were amazed at how well He understood things. Mary and Joseph were relieved but also upset. Mary asked Jesus, why He had worried them so badly. That had not been Jesus’ intent–He hadn’t been trying to disobey His parents–and her question left Him a little confused. “Why didn’t you know where to find me? Didn’t you know I would be in my Father’s House?” He knew that God was His Father and because the Temple was God’s House, He had chosen to go there when He got separated from the group. Mary and Joseph didn’t understand, but Jesus returned to Nazareth with them. The Bible tells us that just like any kid, Jesus grew up, became a carpenter like Joseph, learned the lessons he was taught and everyone liked him–after all He was a really nice guy. What was there not to like?

Think about it...

• Why did Mary and Joseph take their family to Jerusalem each year?
• How might Jesus have gotten lost? Why did He go to the Temple?
• Have you ever gotten lost? Where would you go so that your parents could find you?
• How do you think Jesus’ parents felt? How would your mom and dad feel if they lost you?
• Jesus obeyed His parents. Do you always obey your parents?
• What would it have been like to have Jesus as a big brother?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that you know what it’s like to be human. When we need advice we can always turn to you. Help us to make wise choices like Jesus did.

Through the Bible in 2020 - After Jesus died many of His disciples were left confused. They had thought He was the Messiah, but now He was dead and, having been His disciples, they were in danger from being arrested and killed too. But Jesus didn’t stay dead! He rose again and He proved to His disciples that even though they hadn’t understood God’s plan, He was really the Messiah!

Today’s Lesson - “That’s Not a Ghost–That’s Jesus!”

The Reason Jesus had to die
Jesus rose from the dead–and He proved it to His followers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyA4xoi70zU

Lesson Overview:
Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20; Acts 1:1-11 - Unlike other stories in the Gospels (the books of the Bible that tell us about Jesus’ life on earth–Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), the story of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead shows up in all of them. Though the narratives differ a little in the exact retelling, each emphasizing different parts of the story, one thing is clear–Jesus didn’t stay dead!

On the third day, very early in the morning, some women set off for the tomb–there had been such a rush to bury Jesus before the Sabbath that they hadn’t had a chance to attend to His body properly. They knew that a large stone had been rolled in front of the tomb and didn’t know how they would be able to move it. But when they got there the stone had already been rolled away.
Instead of finding a sealed tomb containing Jesus’ body, they found it opened and empty. An angel told them they wouldn’t find Jesus there because He had risen...just as He had told them He was going to. They rushed off to tell the disciples, but the men had difficulty believing what the women told them–no one had expected Jesus to come back to life.

Later that day, Jesus appeared to two men on their way to Emmaus, but they didn’t recognize Him. He explained to them how His death was part of God’s plan and when they sat down to have a meal together, they finally recognized Him...and quickly went back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples! And while they were speaking to them, Jesus showed up. Some were afraid that He might be a ghost, but He assured them that He was real and even ate some food with them to prove it.

Over the next forty days, Jesus would appear to over 500 witnesses before returning to heaven. He promised to come back, but in the meantime He was going to send them a special gift. What could this special gift be...that’s a story for next time!

This week’s verse:
1 Thessalonians 4:14- “ For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. ”

Jesus didn’t stay dead. In fact, He is in heaven right now preparing a place in God’s House for everyone who believes in Him. Because Jesus is alive, we know that those who believe in Him will live forever with Him as well! That was the work of the Messiah all along–not just to bring peace to the Jewish nation, but forgiveness for the whole world and to remove the virus of sin from God’s wonderful creation. When He comes back He is going to make everything new again–just like it was at the beginning... ‘very good!’
~ Pastor Jane

Theme Verse for 2020:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16+17

Season 1: Stories of Jesus
Episode 4: “Adoring and Dangerous Kings”
Today’s Bible Bite: Matthew 2:1-23

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk1LhnqROCM (Saddleback Kids)

“Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too" (Matthew 2:8)!

The night that Jesus born, God caused a special star to begin shining. Wisemen in the East understood this to mean that God’s promised Messiah, the King of the Jews, had been born. They were so excited they packed up special gifts and traveled for weeks, maybe even months, to get there...we don’t know exactly how long, but it was a long way to go. When they found Jesus they presented Him not with gifts that were meant for a baby, but with gifts that were meant for a King–gold, frankincense and myrrh!

But there was another king that wasn’t so happy about the news, King Herod. When he discovered that the Messiah had been born, he tried to trick the wisemen into telling him where to find Jesus, but God warned them and they didn’t tell Herod a thing. Unfortunately, this did not stop King Herod. He ordered that all the boys in Bethlehem, two years of age and under, should be murdered! Jesus and His family escaped just in time, because God sent an angel to warn Joseph of Herod’s plan. They moved to Egypt and didn’t return until they found out that King Herod had died and was no longer a threat to Jesus.

Think about it...

• The wisemen were so excited to meet the new king that they were willing to travel a very long way to meet Him and give Him gifts. What gifts would you have brought Jesus?
  
• King Herod wanted to get rid of the new king. Why do you think that was?
  
• When he didn’t get the information from the wisemen, what did King Herod do to try to get rid of Jesus?
  
• God protected Jesus and sent a message to warn Joseph. How does God talk to you?
  
• Joseph listened right away and the family escaped from Herod. How does God protect you from dangers?
  
• Jesus lived as a refugee in Egypt and came back when it was safe. What is a refugee? How can we help people who become refugees?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that you protected Jesus. We know you can protect us too. Help us to help others who find themselves in hard times just like Jesus did when He was just a little kid.

Season 1: Stories of Jesus
Episode 3: “Instant Recognition”
Today’s Bible Bite: Luke 2:21-40
​
Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leN-xNrkjbo (Crossroads Kids Club- Simeon & Anna)

“Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived." (Luke 2:21).

One of the first things that Mary and Joseph did after Jesus was born was to take Him to the Temple. God had a law that if a woman’s first baby was a boy, he was to be brought to God for a special dedication. While at the Temple, though only eight days old, He was recognized as God’s promised rescuer, the Messiah...not just once, but twice!

Simeon was a righteous man who lived in Jerusalem; he loved God and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah–God had even told him that he would get to see Him before Simeon died. On the day that Joseph and Mary went to the Temple, Simeon decided to go as well...and was he ever glad he did! He recognized that the baby Jesus was the Messiah and praised God for the privilege of being able to meet him. He prayed a special blessing on the whole family.

But he wasn’t the only one. There was also a prophet, Anna, who was in the Temple that day. Actually, she had been in the Temple day and night for years praying and worshiping God. She too instantly recognized who this special baby was and started telling everyone. But no one else seemed to get very excited about the fact that the Messiah was in the Temple. However, Simeon and Anna knew and that was enough. They praised God and thanked Him for Jesus, the Messiah!

Think about it...

• Why did Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the Temple?
  
• Who was Simeon?
  
• How do you think he was able to recognize that this baby, Jesus, was the Messiah?
  
• Who was Anna?
  
• How did Simeon and Anna get so good at hearing God speak?
  
• God wants everyone to have a relationship with Him. Do you spend time talking with Him like Simeon and Anna?
  
• How do you know when God is speaking to you?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that I can speak to you like Simeon and Anna did...and hear from you, too! Thank you that we can trust your promises. Help me to recognize how you are working in my life, so that I can be quick to obey you, tell others about you and praise you for everything you are doing.

Fun Activity: How well do you listen?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S7nG6S1isM (‘telephone’ craft activity)

Season 1: Stories of Jesus
Episode 2: “Born in a Barn?!”
Today’s Bible Bite: Luke 2:1-20

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5m2GE6DFeM (Saddleback Kids - Luke 2:1-20)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83huFAMOte0 (“Come and Worship” Bebo Norman - “The Nativity” live action)

“‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’" (Luke 2:10-11).

Mary and her fiancé, Joseph, had to travel to Bethlehem because the Roman Emperor, Quirinius, had decided he needed to have everyone counted for taxation purposes. Even though the time was close for Mary to have her baby, they didn’t have an option but to do what the government said and they had to make the difficult trip. Lots of other people had to make the same trip and by the time Joseph and Mary got to Bethlehem, the little town was bursting at the seams. In fact, all the available spaces for visitors were gone! An inn keeper felt sorry for Mary and allowed them to stay in the stable where the animals were kept. That’s right...Jesus was born in a barn! The special God-man wasn’t born in a palace, but among stinky animals!

But God still wanted people to know that Jesus was born and sent angels to some shepherds who were awake taking care of their sheep–nearly scared them to death! But the angels told them not to be frightened...and even invited them to be the first to go and see the brand new baby. They would know they had found the right baby because He had been born in a barn...something that did not happen everyday even in first century Palestine! What a special privilege for the shepherds. They were so pleased, they made certain to tell everyone.

Think about it...

• Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth, but had to travel to Bethlehem to be taxed. Even this was part of God’s plan–hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Micah had told everyone that God’s promised rescuer was going to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)! What other clues did God give about Jesus before He was born?
• Jesus was born in a barn. Why? What message might God have been giving people when Jesus, the God-man, wasn’t born in a rich palace?
• Shepherds in Jesus’ day were not considered to be very important people. Why did the angels not choose more important people to tell?
• How would you have responded if you were one of the shepherds?

Prayer: Thank you, God, for loving people enough to send Jesus to clean up the mess we made of the world. Thank you, too, that you didn’t just come for ‘important’ people, but for everyone! Help me be like one of the shepherds who went and told everyone about you.