PHOTO CAPTION: “I’m strong.”
Most young children like to show you how big or how strong they are. It makes them feel important to know that they are growing taller and stronger. My grandkids often tell me, “I’m almost as tall as you are.” (I know that’s not saying much since I’m only five feet tall!) And the kids at church love to show their muscles when I talk about being strong. Yet what can we do when we don’t feel big, strong or adequate for the task ahead?
We can count on God! We can count on God to help us and we can let our voice be heard as counting for God. When we stand up and stand strong even when others aren’t, then God will come through as only He can. When we stand for God, others will notice; others will see the one, true and living God within us.
That’s what Elijah did. He continued worshiping God even when others in his country were not. Not only did he continue worshiping, but he challenged others to turn back to God and worship Him too. When Elijah did what God asked him to do, God came through in a big way.
Anyone can flex their muscles. Anyone can go along with the crowd. Anyone can pretend to be big and strong. It’s only as we wait on the Lord, trusting in His mighty power and depending on Him to make us strong, that we can truly stand strong. It’s only then that we can accept the challenges that God places before us because we are not going in our own strength, but in our God’s mighty strength.
What challenge are you facing right now? What has God asked you to do? Count on Him. Count on Him to give you wisdom on how to stand strong at work. Count on God to help you face those parenting challenges and be the parent He wants you to be. Count on God for the words to say to your friend. While you are facing these challenges, don’t forget to pray. It’s as we spend time in God’s presence that we will receive the strength to face whatever challenges come our way. In God’s presence, we learn to depend on His mighty power.
The world needs people who are strong and brave; people who are willing to stand against the flow; people who are willing to stand for God. Let’s count on God and stand strong. Let’s challenge others to stand strong too. No, we can’t stand in our own strength, but we can count on God’s mighty power at work within us and we can stand strong.
PARENT PRAYER:
God,
I know your power is amazing! You are strong and able to accomplish great and mighty things. Nothing is impossible with you. I count on you God. I count on you to help me everyday. Be strong within me. Let your strength flow through me to others. Let me lift up your name everywhere I go. Although I am counting on you God, I don’t feel very strong. I forget that you live within me. Wow! I have the power of the everlasting God living within me. Teach me to depend on you daily and to serve you faithfully, whatever it is you ask me to do. I want to always be ready to say yes to you Lord. I pray for others too. Lord, help others to know you and depend on you everyday. Teach us to count on you, no matter what. Show me how to encourage my kids to depend on you and not on their own strength or wisdom. I need to remember to look to you and not my own strength too. Amen
COUNT THESE WAYS TO VALUE
CHILDREN
* Value children because they are important to God.
* Greet children with a smile and a hug or “high five”. Let them know that they are welcome.
* Watch for opportunities to give words of praise or encouragement.
* Watch for teachable moments to share God’s love.
* Focus on the positive whenever you can. Try to state your classroom rules in a positive way.
* In the classroom, create a safe, caring environment for each child.
* Provide a hands-on learning environment for each child at their own level of understanding and development. Remember not all children learn in the same way.
* Arrive in your classroom early so that you are prepared and ready to welcome the kids as they arrive.
* Listen to them whenever you can.
* Interact with them. Get down on their level to talk with them.
* Make learning fun – play games with the kids, sing songs, dance to music, do some fun finger plays, etc. Be silly and just have fun.
Kid’s Section
STORY:
This story is about a prophet named Elijah. Elijah was brave and trusted God with all of his heart. One day, God told Elijah to go meet King Ahab. King Ahab didn’t like Elijah. He was a bad king! He didn’t obey God. Instead King Ahab worshiped an idol called Baal. Baal wasn’t really a god at all. Baal was only a statue. When Elijah met King Ahab, he told the king to tell all the people and the prophets of Baal to meet him on Mt. Carmel.
On the mountain, Elijah said to the people, “You must decide what you are going to do. Are you going to follow God or are you going to follow Baal?” Then Elijah told the prophets of Baal to build an altar and put their sacrifice on the altar. Elijah would build an altar to God. Then they would see who would answer their prayers. Would God answer their prayers or would Baal? The prophets of Baal built their altar and put their sacrifice on it. Then they prayed and prayed to Baal but Baal didn’t answer.
Elijah said, “Maybe you need to pray louder. Maybe Baal can’t hear you!” So they did. They shouted and jumped around, but still no answer because Baal really isn’t a god at all. Baal is only an idol or statue. Then Elijah rebuilt the altar to the real God with 12 stones. He dug a ditch around the altar, put the sacrifice and the wood on the top and asked the people to pour water on the sacrifice three times! Then Elijah prayed, “Lord, I ask you to show that you are God and that I am your servant. Answer my prayer.”
Guess what happened? God sent fire from heaven. It burned up everything and even dried up all the water! Then the people knew who was really God! Elijah trusted God and God showed that He was the one true God. God helped Elijah to do what He asked him to do. He answered Elijah’s prayer and helped him to be brave. You can trust and count on God to help you too. You can be sure that He will always help you do what He asks you to do because God is real and He does amazing things. He can do anything!
PRAYER:
Dear God,
I’m glad that you love me. You are BIG and strong. You do amazing things when we look to you for help. Help me to remember that I can always count on you. I know you will help me to be brave and stand strong for you. I want to be brave when I tell others about you too. Amen
KNOW: God is the one true God. King of everything.
TALK ABOUT: What can God do?
God can do anything. What are some amazing things God has done for you?
ASK: Who is with you? God is with me.
How can you count on God this week?
AND DO: Stand strong and trust God to help me.
MEMORIZE: Proverbs 3:5 NIrV – (Hands open like holding a book.)
Trust – (Hands open, pull back into fists.)
In the Lord – (Make and L and touch shoulder then hip.)
With all – (Hands out wide to sides.)
Your heart – (Place hands on heart.)
Do not depend – (Clap hands.)
On your own understanding – (Touch fingers to forehead.)
FUN IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK
* Ask God for help with something you are learning to do.
* Ask God to help you tell someone about Him.
Faith Steps and More 