Dig Deeper

February 7

God, tell me a story about…animals

Balaam and the Talking Donkey

Wealth and honour come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

1 Chronicles 29:12

Read Numbers 22: 1-38

1 – Why was the King of Moab afraid of the Israelites? What was his plan to get rid of the Israelites? Was it a good plan? Why or why not?

2 – Balaam asked God a question, what was God’s answer? Did Balaam listen to God’s answer? Have you ever asked God a question? Did you listen to the answer? Why is it important to listen to God and follow His directions?

3 – Balaam did not want to obey God. Have you ever disobeyed? Why?

4 – God has the power to control everything and everyone. Think of some of our recent stories. How did God show His power to Noah? to Jonah? Why did God not just stop Balaam from leaving?

5 – Although God allows Balaam to leave home and head to Moab, He still shows Balaam that He is in control. What does He do? (verse 22-29)

6- Was Balaam expecting his donkey to talk? Why not? God’s message does not always come from expected places or people, so it’s best to keep our eyes and ears open at all times.

This week’s challenge

Sit down together as a family and play your favourite board game. Try playing with everyone following the rules and play again with everyone making up their own rules. Which way was better?

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January 31

God, tell me a story about…animals

The Lost Sheep

“And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.

Matthew 18:13

Read Matthew 18:10-14

Or click here for an animated version of the story.

Today we look at one of Jesus’ parables. This is our first parable of the year, so let’s review what a parable is. A parable is a teaching aid or a word picture that Jesus used to aid in His work here on earth. Jesus used things that were familiar to people at that time so that they could understand the lesson. An “earthly story with heavenly meaning”.   If He were to tell a parable today it would probably be linked to technology since that’s something WE’RE familiar with.

Questions

  1. Who do the sheep in this story represent?
  2. Who does the shepherd represent?
  3. How many sheep did the shepherd have in this story?
  4. Why did the shepherd look for his lost sheep?
  5. What did the shepherd do when he found the lost sheep?
  6. Why would God celebrate when he finds one of us who are lost?

Bonus Stuff

This video helps us see why Jesus chose to use sheep in his story, rather than chickens or pigs.

And this video is a song which was once commonly sung in children’s churches. It does remind us that we are like sheep and God is our shepherd.

 

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January 24

God, tell me a story about…animals

Jonah and the Big Fish

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21

Read Jonah 1-3

Or click here to watch the video

1 – In the past couple weeks we’ve seen that God sometimes asks us to do things that are unpopular, difficult, scary. He asked Noah to build a boat in the desert. Daniel obeyed God instead of the king, even though he knew it meant he would be thrown into the lion’s den. In today’s story, God asks Jonah to go to Nineveh, a city filled with wickedness. How did Jonah respond to God?

2 – Jonah said no to God. Why do you think he said no? Have you ever said no to God? Why?

3 – How did God respond when Jonah tried to get away? Why do you think God sent the storm? What happens to make the storm stop?

4 – God does many things to remind us that He is in control, that He wants us to obey, and that He loves us. What does God do next to remind Jonah of all these things? (verse 17)

5 – How do you think Jonah felt inside the belly of the fish? How would you feel if you were trapped somewhere dark and smelly? What does Jonah do next? What do you do when you’re scared? Why?

6- How many days was Jonah in the belly of the fish? Have you seen that number before in the bible? Someone very famous was also in the dark, in a sense, for three days, who was it?

7 – Even though Jonah disobeyed God, God did not forget about him. God was in control and God kept Jonah safe. This is important to remember. Do you ever disobey God? Remember, that even though we sometimes make mistakes, God still loves us. In the end, Jonah obeys God and goes to Nineveh. This is also important. It’s never too late to obey and follow God’s directions. What is God asking you to do now?

This week’s challenge

Take some time this week to listen to God; pray, meditate, or read your bible and listen to God. What is He asking you to do?

 

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January 17

God, tell me a story about…animals

Daniel in the Lion’s Den

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4: 13

Read Daniel 6

Or click here for the video

1 – Last week we met one of God’s friends, Noah. This week, we meet another friend of God, do you remember his name? What kind of person was he? (verses 3-4)

2 – The king’s other assistants were jealous of Daniel and so they decided to trick the king into punishing Daniel. What did they do?

3 – Did Daniel obey the king’s new rule? Why or why not?

4 – Sometimes people ask us to do things that aren’t right. Things that might go against the rules at school, the rules at home, or the rules in the Bible. Has anyone ever asked you to do something that wasn’t right? What was it? How did you respond?

5- Being obedient isn’t always easy. Daniel obeyed God even when he knew the consequence would be going into the lion’s den. He must have been scared. What are things that you are scared of?

But, Daniel was friends with God. His trust in God strengthened him. It made him brave and helped him to continue to obey God, no matter what. Remember that God is bigger than anything or anyone. God even controls the lions. So, the next time someone asks you to do something that isn’t right or the next time you are scared, remember the story of Daniel and remember that God is the BIGGEST.

This week’s challenge

There are many examples in the Bible where God provides strength. This week, start to work on the memory verse and find other verses about how God strengthens us when we trust in Him.

  • Deuteronomy 20:4
  • Deuteronomy 31:6
  • Isaiah 10:31
  • Isaiah 41:10
  • Joshua 1:9
  • Psalm 18:2

This is a fun song about how God helps us when we’re scared.

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January 10

God, tell me a story about…animals

Noah’s Ark

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.

Matthew 5: 16

Read Genesis 6:5-9:17 (older kids may enjoy Genesis 5 to see how we got from Adam to Noah)

Or click here to watch the video

1 – Our story begins with a “deeply troubled” God. Why was God troubled, sad?

2 – However, there was one person who was friends with God. What was his name? How do we know he was friends with God? (Gen 6:9)

3 – God asks Noah to do something pretty crazy, what did he ask? God’s instructions were very specific, read the instructions in Genesis 6:14-21. How does Noah respond? (verse 22)

4 – Do your parents or teachers ever give you instructions? How do you respond? Are you like Noah, do you do exactly what they ask? Why or why not? How would God like you to respond?

5- How do you think Noah’s family reacted when Noah began to build a giant boat in the desert? How do you think his neighbours reacted? Sometimes, God asks us to do things that aren’t popular, He asks us to do things that some people would consider crazy. What does God ask you to do? Do you think that you will be able to do to “crazy” things for God, even when others are laughing at you? Why or why not?

6 – Once the ark was built and the animals were safely inside with Noah’s family, what happened? Noah, his family and the animals stayed on the ark for how long? How did they know when it was finally safe to come out?

7 – Our story ends with God establishing a covenant. What was it? Who does it apply to? (Genesis 9:12-17)

This week’s challenge

Pray that God will help you obey fully, just as Noah did.

 

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December 20

God, tell me a story about…a woman

Mary

But nothing is impossible for God

Luke 1: 37

Read Luke 1: 26-38

1 – In today’s story we meet Mary. What do you know about Mary?

2 – Now Mary’s story is very popular, we tell it every year at Christmas because it is the story of how God sent us His Son, Jesus. But, for a moment, let’s focus on how Mary may have felt over the course of her story.

  • #1 – (verse 27) She sees an angel. Have you ever seen an angel? How do you think she felt when the angel first arrived in front of her?
  • #2 –  (verse 28) The angel tells her she has been chosen by God. Wow! How do you think Mary felt at that point? How do you feel when you get chosen for special tasks?
  • #3 – (verse 31 and 34-35) The angel tells her that she will become pregnant, but this is impossible, because she is not married. Do impossible things happen? Pigs don’t fly. Flowers don’t grow without sunlight. Fish don’t speak. Do you think Mary believed in the impossible? What is she thinking at this point?
  • #4 – (verse 32) She is told her son would be God’s son and he would be a king. Try to imagine what Mary would have been thinking at this point. What does a king baby that belongs to God look like? What would he need?
  • #5 – (verse 38) Mary agrees. She tells the angel that she is God’s servant, therefore she will do whatever He asks. Have you ever agreed to do something, even though you really didn’t know what you were agreeing to? Gone to a new school? Had a new teacher? Tried a new food? A new babysitter? A new sport? How do you think Mary felt at this point?
  • #6 – Now, the angel leaves, but Mary’s story doesn’t end. Remember, the impossible has just happened. She now needs to try to explain the impossible to her family, her friends, Joseph her fiancé… Have you ever tried to convince someone that pigs can fly? How did it go? Did people believe you? Mary must have had a lot of difficult conversations and probably been called a lot of mean names. How do you think she felt at this point?

3 – So, now we’ve seen that Mary probably had feelings of fear, confusion, disbelief, doubt, wonder, etc… But, in the end, she does trust God, she shows us that she was courageous and faithful. Do you have courage and faith like Mary? Do you do the things God asks you to do? God had a plan for Mary and He has a plan for you too. Are you ready to serve God just like Mary did?

This week’s challenge

Pray that you will be courageous and faithful like Mary and that you will trust God and serve Him always.

This is a nice little video on the story of Christmas.

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