Monday, January 28, 2013

Be A World Changer - Acts I, II, and III


This week, we completed the third of a four (possibly five) part series called "Be A World Changer".  

I know what you must be thinking...

"Part three?  What happened to parts one and two?  So much for keeping us in the loop, Christy!"  

Sorry, guys.  I promise to try to do better at keeping you updated.  I am only a lowly graduate student, you know.  But to make it up to you, I'll start from the beginning.  

The inspiration for this series came from Mr. Josh and I's desire to instill purpose and vision in our kids.  We want them to understand that they were made for BIG things - to dream big dreams, think big thoughts, move big mountains, go big places, make big changes; to be movers and shakers; to step outside the box, look outside their own backyards, open their eyes wide; to realize there's more, to realize they are more...you get the drift.  

But how to do that?  

We started here with 1 Timothy 4:12.  In case your curiosity didn’t compel you to click the link (or your eyes are a little tired and you’re now thinking, “What link? I didn’t see a link?”), here’s what it says:

"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faith, and purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)

We spoke about how God uses EVERYBODY to share His story, love on His people, and increase His kingdom and how that changes the world.

The disciples were nothing special – really just a few fishermen and tradesmen and a tax collector. 

Joseph was only a boy when he was sold into slavery.

It’s no secret that this lot of unlikely characters changed the world.

To reinforce the lesson, each child began a "Be A World Changer" necklace with one charm that said "YOU can change the world!" and another that said "God uses EVERYBODY!" (My only picture is from this week, so you'll have to read on and scroll down before I reveal my masterpiece.)

Oh!  And we also played a game that required the cooperation of each child in attendance.  This showed them that even the smallest among us (sweet little Seth) is needed to fulfill God's purpose. 

  

And so it was the first week: God uses EVERYBODY to change the world.

On week two, we began a discussion about what we have to do in order to be used by God to change the world.  That landed us here with Psalm 51:10 (If you aren't already, you should really be trying out these links; I'm including some neat little graphics). 

To change the world, God changes our HEARTS.  

This led to an exploration of the sin in our hearts.  Dr. Josh used his stethoscope to listen to the childrens' hearts.  We talked about how even though our lives sometime look great from the outside, as a fallen people, it is our tendency to be greedy, jealous, prideful, selfish, etc.  

But God takes us and cleans out the gunk with Jesus.  He gives us new hearts and fills them with love and a purpose.  

In small groups, the kids talked about things they needed God to clean out of their hearts and added yet another charm to the necklace.  

And so it was the second week: To change the world, God changes our HEARTS. 

That brings us to last night...wait, the night before last.  The weekend went too fast.  This week, we focused on the words of the prophet Jeremiah:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)


After a short illustration using pirate ships and treasure maps...

(Confused? So were my volunteers at first.  Your children can explain.)

We jumped into the story of Jeremiah, the context surrounding the verse.  The kids caught on pretty fast, because we've already covered the story of the exile in Egypt and this story is quite similar.  Here's the gist:

God's people (the Israelites) had rebelled against Him (again) in a big way. Judah was attacked.  The people were taken from their homes and sent into exile (this time in Babylon), and God said they'd be there for 70 years.  He'd restore them after that.  Long time, huh?  The words of Jeremiah are essentially saying, "This doesn't nullify God's promise to ya'll.  He has everything under control.  It's just not coming in your timing or on your terms."  God would fulfill His promise.  The people needed to know that.  But they also needed to know that this meant they had to be flexible.  Of course they were unhappy.  Of course they were complaining.  Living in exile wasn't exactly the plan they had cooked up; they had to adjust and serve the Lord under the new normal.

What do our kids expect out of life?
What do they plan to be when they grow up?
Where do they want to live?
Do they want to get married and have kids?
Do they want to be doctors or lawyers or teachers?
What is their plan?

What would they do if God told them that was not His plan?
How would they feel if He said has something entirely different in mind?
Would they trust it was better?  

The kids shared their thoughts with the small group leaders and the small group leaders shared back.  It seemed to encourage them when they heard that all of us would not be here if we had followed our own plans instead of God's plan.  If God brought us here, then He must know what he's doing.  Good insight from our little ones.

We added another charm.  Here they are!  Only one (or maybe two) to go and then they'll be sent home so you can chat about what we've been up to.




 And so it was the third week: To change the world, God changes our PLAN.

I know you are all chomping at the bit to hear what the fourth week has in store, but I can't tell you that,  It would ruin the surprise.

I realized this post is quite text heavy.  I will (a) post more often so they don't have to be so long and (b) make sure to snap a few more shots of the kids in action.

M'ale! I'm out!

C.