Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guDeSYcwRYg (visual depiction - have the kids explain what is happening)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZEO_Ls2ERs (Saddleback Kids)

“The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted” (Matthew 13:23)!

The stories Jesus told used everyday life experiences so that the people would be able to understand better what the stories meant. In one story, he told about a farmer who planted his field with seed–some of it fell on the good soil, but some seed fell on the footpath, some fell on rocky soil and some fell among the weed patch. Where the seed fell determined what would happen next. Would the seeds grow and produce more or not?

Jesus told the disciples that the four different areas that the seed fell are like the different ways that people can believe God’s good news. They can reject what they hear (hard foot path); accept it but let worries distract them or don’t make the effort to build a relationship with God (weed patch and rocky soil), or they can accept it and grow in their belief so that they too share the good news (good soil). I want to be good soil, don’t you?

Think about it...

• Who is the farmer who spread the good seed?
• What is the good seed?
• What happens to the seed on the different areas it may fall–foot path, rocky soil, weed patch or good soil?
• How we receive the good news is determined by our attitudes and our actions. Do we really believe? Are we willing to spend time with God? Will be allow God to change us? Do others see a the difference that believing in God has made in our lives?
• What kind of ground are you?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that we can be good soil. Help me to believe you are who you say you are. Help me to get to know you as my friend who is always there to help me and listen, as my Heavenly Father who loves me and as my boss who I need to obey. Help me to share the wonderful news that everyone can have a relationship with you!

Season 2: Only the Messiah Could...
Episode 11: “Jesus Could Heal a Man Born Blind”
Today’s Bible Bite: John 9:1-38

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4qZ2KSbdxI (Saddleback Kids)

“Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. If this man [Jesus] were not from God, he couldn’t have done it” (John 9:32-33).

One day as Jesus was walking with the disciples, they came across a man who had been born blind. The disciples thought he was born this way as a punishment–God must have punished him or his parents for some wrong act. Jesus corrected their thinking and said that the man’s blindness was not because God was punishing anyone, but because God wanted to demonstrate His great power through him!

Jesus then made some mud and put it on the man’s eyes. He told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam, which he did and amazingly he could now see. This got everyone talking. They had known this man for years as the blind beggar, but here he was able to see! What happened? The man told them Jesus had healed him, but because many of the religious teachers didn’t like Jesus, they refused to believe him. But the man knew who Jesus was–He was the Messiah!

Think about it...

• Sometimes people think that bad stuff only happens because God is punishing someone. Why did Jesus say this man was born blind?
• Jesus made mud and put it on the man’s eyes then told him to go wash. Why didn’t Jesus stick around?
• The people took the man to the religious leaders. Who did the man think Jesus was?
• After the man was kicked out by the religious leaders, Jesus found him. What did the man do when Jesus introduced himself?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that you gave this man his eyesight. Thank you that he had the courage to stand up for Jesus, even before he knew who he was. Help me to be ready to stand up for you, too, and be quick to thank you when you help me.

Season 2: Only the Messiah Could...
Episode 8: “Jesus Could Heal by Passing By”
Today’s Bible Bite: Mark 5:21-34

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS7noEiD7NI

“He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering’” (Mark 5:34).

One day, Jesus was asked to go and help a very sick girl and He agreed. Lots of people followed along because they wanted to see what Jesus would do. There was a woman in the crowd who had been sick for a very long time–12 years! She had gone to many doctors, but she had only gotten worse, not better. She believed if she could just touch Jesus’ clothes she would get better.

It sounds crazy, but that’s exactly what happened. The instant she touched Jesus, she could feel that she was healed....and Jesus felt it too! He turned around to the crowd and asked who had touched Him. Jesus’ disciples thought this was a really strange question to ask; Jesus was surrounded by a large crowd and many people had! But Jesus knew that only one person had touched Him and had the faith that it would heal her. When the woman admitted it was her, Jesus assured her that God had healed her because of her faith and because He loved her.
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Think about it...

• This lady had been sick for a long time, but still hoped she could get better. Have you ever been sick like that?
• She heard that Jesus was nearby and believed that He could heal her. Is there something you need Jesus’ help with?
• Jesus wanted to know who had touched Him. Why do you think He insisted on her coming forward?
• She had faith that just by touching Jesus she would be made well. What did Jesus tell her had made her well?

​Prayer: Thank you, God, that you promise to help us. Our faith in you is very important to you. Please help us to trust you and believe in your ability to do so, just like this woman did.

Season 2: Only the Messiah Could...
Episode 6: “Jesus Could Calm a Storm”
Today’s Bible Bite: Matthew 8:23-27

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYLHqdSO9OY (Saddleback Kids)

“The disciples were amazed. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked. ‘Even the winds and waves obey him’” (Matthew 8:27)!

After a very busy day of teaching people and healing the sick, Jesus was tired and needed some time to rest. He told the disciples to take their boat to the other side of the lake; once they were on the water, Jesus fell asleep. And He would have continued to sleep except that the disciples woke Him up. They were in a panic! A storm had begun and was threatening to sink the boat...how could Jesus sleep at a time like this?

Jesus saw how scared they were. Why hadn’t they woken Him up in the first place to help them instead of trying to get through the storm on their own? Why were they so scared when He was there to help them? He got up, told the storm to settle down and everything turned instantly calm. The disciples were astounded...Jesus could not only heal people, He could make the weather obey Him too!

Think about it...

• Jesus was very tired and needed rest, but that doesn’t explain how He could sleep through a terrible storm. Why do you think Jesus could sleep at a time like this?
• Sometimes we have ‘storms’ that scare us. What ‘storms’ have you experienced?
• The disciples tried to get to the other side without Jesus’ help, but couldn’t. Why was Jesus disappointed with them?
• When we ask God to help us with a problem, we have confidence that God will help us. What ‘storms’ would you like Jesus to help you with?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that You are bigger than any storms. Thank you that You are always ready and willing to help us. You don’t always take the storm away, but we can have confidence that You will help us. We don’t have to be scared!

​Season 2: Only the Messiah Could...
Episode 5: “Jesus Could Raise the Dead”
Today’s Bible Bite: Luke 7:11-17

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHZ3dirlHdo (Quiz Worx)
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“When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. ‘Don’t cry!’ he said” (Luke 7:13).

Jesus traveled to many towns and villages. One day, when He arrived at Nain, He noticed a large crowd of mourners coming out of the town. A boy had died and his mother and the mourners were going to the place where his body would be buried. Jesus knew that this was the only son of this widow, who had already lost her husband, and He felt sorry for her.

He told the boy to live again...and he did! Jesus then gave the boy back to his astonished mother. All the people who witnessed this miracle were amazed. Many recognized that Jesus was someone special and gave thanks to God for what He had done for this woman and her son.

Think about it...

• This story is about how Jesus cared for this woman. How does Jesus feel when He sees her?
• She had already lost her husband and now her son had died. How did Jesus show her that He cared for her?
• Jesus told the boy to live again...and he did! Have you ever seen God do a miracle?
• The people recognized that it was God that had performed the miracle. Can God still do miracles today?

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Prayer: Thank you, God, for helping this lady and for making her son live again. Thank you that you can help us too, even when things seem impossible. Please help me to always trust that you care for me.

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cmppSIQUX4 (Saddleback Kids)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL8DThllZAY (The Chosen)

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven. Pick up you mat and go home’” (Mark 2:5,11).

Word was spreading quickly that Jesus was healing people, so much so that it was hard for Jesus to get any quiet time–the crowds just kept coming! One day, He was teaching the people from a house, but it got crowded really fast. Some men had heard that Jesus was there, so they brought their friend who couldn’t walk to the house; when they arrived there were too many people to get to Jesus. But that didn’t stop them. They climbed up onto the roof, made a hole and lowered their friend down on ropes right in front of Jesus.

Jesus saw that they believed He could heal their friend, but He also saw that he needed one more thing...to be forgiven! So Jesus both forgave the man and healed his body too–He made the man well both physically and spiritually. The man did as Jesus told him–he picked up the mat his friends had carried him on, walked out through the crowd and headed for home. Everyone was amazed and thanked God for this wonderful miracle.

Think about it...

• This story is about a paralyzed man; that means he couldn’t walk. What did his friends do for him?
• Do you know someone who can’t walk or do other things. What can you do for them to help?
• The friends believed Jesus could heal the man. Why did Jesus first forgive his sins?
• The religious people thought Jesus was committing a crime against God by telling the man his sins were forgiven. What did Jesus do to prove He was allowed to forgive people’s sins?

Prayer: Thank you, God, for healing the man who couldn’t walk...you made his body healthy and his spirit too. When I need help, please remind me to ask you. Thank you for my friends and family, and the ways that they take care of me.

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)!
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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.