Season 3: Jesus the Storyteller
Episode 4: “The Prodigal Son”
Today’s Bible Bite: Luke 15:11-32

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJgROx4wFKM (Saddleback Kids)

“We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found’’ (Luke 15:23b-24).

Jesus wanted people to understand that no matter how badly someone behaved, if they became sorry and asked God to forgive them, then He would. In order to teach people this lesson, Jesus told the story of a son who treated his father really disrespectfully–the son told the father he wanted his share of the inheritance, which was the same as wishing his father was dead! The father agreed and the son left home, partied away his money and ended up in a really bad place–he had no money, no friends, no food and the only job he could get was to feed pigs.

Jesus said that after a while the son came to his senses. What was he doing? Even his father’s servants got better treatment then what he had. He headed for home, determined to ask his father to allow him to work for his as a servant; but, the father saw him coming and got so excited he ran out to meet him. The father immediately forgave him, replaced his clothes, gave him back his family ring and threw him a party. Jesus said that the father accepted back his son the same way that God will accept us back, when we decide to live for Him.

Think about it...

• The son in this story wanted to live by his own rules. What did he demand that his father give to him?
• The son left home and used up all his money. What happened next?
• The son really messed up his life and realized that even the servants in his father’s house enjoyed a better life than he was. What did he decide?
• When the father saw his son coming home, what did he do?
• We sometimes do bad things too. What does this story tell us about what we should do?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that even though we mess up, you will forgive us when we ask you to. Help us to remember that life with you as our Father is so much better than trying to live by our own rules. We make mistakes and can never make things better without you.

Season 3: Jesus the Storyteller
Episode 3: “The Man Whose Dept Was Forgiven”
Today’s Bible Bite: Matthew 18:21-35

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED3fzkS-bhA (Saddleback Kids)

“Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven’ (Matthew 18:21-22).

Jesus told the story about a man who had been forgiven a huge amount of money, yet refused to do the same for someone else who owed him little. He said that God, like the king in His story, is very generous and compassionate–He has made a way to forgive us for the bad things we do. We could never be good enough to earn God’s forgiveness. Because of this, we should never withhold forgiveness from someone who wrongs us. We have experienced God’s full forgiveness and should do the same for others. Other people may hurt us a lot and it means that it takes a lot to forgive them; however, we’ll never have to forgive someone as much as God forgives us.

Jesus story also contained a warning. If we refuse to forgive other people, God will not forgive you. But when we forgive others, we can be certain that God forgives us too!

Think about it...

• Have you ever done something you know you shouldn’t have. What happens when we ask God to forgive us?
• People hurt us sometimes, just like we hurt others. What does God want us to do?
• Sometimes we’re very angry with other people. What does God say will happen if we refuse to obey other people?
• Even though it can be hard, we need to forgive others. What does God promise to do?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that you forgive us when we ask you to. Please help us to forgive others who hurt us. Help us to say sorry when we hurt others. Thank you that you made a plan so that we could experience your forgiveness and that no matter how we’ve messed up, you help us start new.

Through the Bible in 2020

The early Church continued to grow as more and more people believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah. So many people joined that the Apostles just couldn’t do all the work that was necessary. So, the believers chose seven men who would take care of some of the leadership responsibilities. Stephen was one of those men.

Today’s Lesson - “Standing Up For Jesus!”

Story of Stephen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u9eN72iFjo (Crosswords Kids’ Club)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B9CJZCVguM (Central Kids)

Lesson Overview:

• Acts 6:1-7 - Stephen and six others were chosen to be deacons. They ensured that the needs of the poor people would be taken care of.
• 6:8-15- Stephen was a godly man and was able to do miracles and teach others about the way of Jesus. Some people didn’t like the influence Stephen was having and began to spread lies about him.
• 7:1-53 - These men took Stephen to be judged and he was asked if what they were saying was true. It wasn’t and Stephen told them all the truth about Jesus. But part of the truth included telling them how they had killed the Messiah and needed to repent. They really didn’t like that!
• 7:54-60 - They were so angry with Stephen they dragged him out of the city and stoned him...to death! Before he died, Stephen saw Jesus in heaven and he was encouraged. He asked God to forgive these men, even as he was dying. One of the men watching was Saul...but we’ll talk about him next week!

This week’s verse:
Acts 7:56 - ““Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man, Jesus, standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” ”

It is very sad that people killed Stephen just for telling the truth and sharing about Jesus. However, Stephen knew he had done the right thing, especially when he saw Jesus! Sometimes people don’t want to hear the truth or they won’t believe us when we tell them about Jesus. They may call us names or threaten not to be our friend. But we can know, just like Stephen, that Jesus will never leave us, He is our friend, and He is pleased when we talk about Him with others.
​~Pastor Jane