"Filled Full" February Week 1 Learning Together

    Hello again! I am glad you could join us for this, the first of three lessons for February. The new story, found in The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally- Lloyd Jones on pages 244-249, is called “Filled Full.” As always, you, along with your whole family, are invited to listen and read and create and pray around this selected story.
     Children: Let’s begin with the listening part. The oral reading of this story has been video-taped for you, so as you listen to it, I would like you to imagine the described scenes inside your head, or you may want to draw your own pictures as you listen.
     You know, food is actually a remarkable thing, when you think about it. When we eat food, our body breaks down what we put into it and turns those little munched bits into things that can be used for strength and energy. We don’t really have to think about it. We just eat something (hopefully something healthy), and our body does the rest of the work. In some ways, our relationship with God is similar. We give to Him whatever we might have, and He can put it to work to do amazing things!
     That’s what happened in the story today. Jesus was teaching, and there was a big group of people that had come to listen to what He had to say. Well, it happened to be dinnertime, and the disciples brought it to Jesus’ attention that the crowds might be getting hungry. Jesus told the disciples to find something for the people to eat! That seemed a bit astonishing. There were more than 5,000 people present, and to give everyone even a tiny bite of food would cost more than any of them had. What were the disciples to do?
     Questions? Comments? Opinions? Pastor Steve would love to hear from you on this blog!
     Adults: The Biblical references for this story are from Matthew 14, Mark 6, and Luke 9.
     Can you relate to the boy with five loaves and two fish? Do you feel that your resources are so little and wonder what God could ever do with them? Don’t get discouraged. Keep your hands open. Here are the first two of five things we learn from the boy who shared his lunch in John 6.
         1. God is in control. In verse 6, we read these words, “But He was saying this only to test him, for He Himself knew what he intended to do.: Jesus had asked Philip the question about buying bread, not because he wanted a solution, but because he wanted faith. None of what was transpiring caught Jesus off guard. He wasn’t concerned. He was in control. The boy with the five loaves and two fishes saw this firsthand.
     God doesn’t need the money we possess to accomplish His mission. He isn’t in heaven, anxiously wringing his hands, wondering if we will step up financially so His mission can proceed. And if we don’t leverage our resources for His purposes, God will not throw up His arms in exasperation and walk away from the mission dejected. No, God doesn’t need us for His already victorious mission, but He does invite us to participate, to join Him in victory. He is in control. The boy learned this on that day.
     2. God is about multiplication. As the boy handed his meal to the disciples and Jesus, he likely wondered what difference such a small amount of food could make among the large crowd. It would not be surprising if the boy assumed he and his meal would be turned away, asked to return to his friend or family. His meal was small, and the need was so great.
     But then, Jesus took hold of the food and began to break it into pieces. The small meal turned into a feast that was more than enough to fill the stomachs of the crowd. He takes that which is insufficient and uses it to accomplish His purpose. Our God can take whatever is given in faith and multiply its impact in unfathomable ways for His mission. God is about multiplication. The boy learned this on that day.
     As with the children, Pastor Steve would love to discuss any questions or comments you may have about any of the stories or our lessons; just respond on this blog.
This week’s prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for caring for my ordinary human needs. Thank you for my “daily bread.” Amen
     Two more on-line lessons will follow this month based on the five loaves and two fish story. Sunday School will gather on the fourth Sunday of the month, February 25, 2024, at 11 a.m. following services. For an hour (approximately), we will orally read and discuss the story and end with a fun craft. You are invited to join us!
Enjoy the warm weather,
Margo Greer