"God Makes a Way" - September, Lesson 2

Hi Friends! Here is the second September week of Learning Together and
another opportunity to listen and read and imagine and pray around this
month’s selected story, “God Makes a Way”, found on pages 92-99 of The
Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones.
Children: At the close of the first lesson, I asked you to imagine you are
one of God’s people who had made it to the Red Sea only to look back and see
the Pharaoh, his chariots, and his soldiers coming to re-capture you! What
words came to mind?
Listen to the story being read aloud to you again, but this time, I would
like you to follow along in your own books. Check out each picture, which is
also called an illustration, as you listen. You can always pause the video if you
need more time. Maybe you would like to draw your own illustration(s) or
write out the story in your own words. (Remember, books are available for
free at our church or could be ordered online.)
Can you answer the following important story questions about the miracle
of the parting of the Red Sea?
*How were God’s people trapped? (The pharaoh and his soldiers were
coming from behind, and the Red Sea, too large to swim, was in front of
them.)
*How did God save His people? (God caused a strong wind to blow that
parted the water into two towering walls on either side, and God’s people
could walk through on dry land to the other shore.)
*What happened to the Pharaoh and his soldiers when they tried to
follow God’s people through the pillars of water? (The walls of water
crashed back down on them, and they all drowned.)
We will discuss each of these questions at our Sunday School meeting on
9/24 at 11 am.
If you would like to ask Pastor Steve, our interim pastor, any questions or
offer any comments about this story, please do so on this blog. He will
respond to you.
Adults: The Biblical reference for this story is Exodus 14-15.

As you may recall, the adult section of last week’s lesson spoke of the
first of three truths that we as adults can learn from the miracle of the
parting of the Red Sea (God Can Trusted). Here is second truth: Focus on
God, Not The Problem.
The Israelites were afraid of Pharaoh and the Egyptian army storming
behind them, but they did not need to be ruled by fear because they had
Someone the Egyptians didn’t - God. 
Sadly, the Israelites created a historical habit of doubting God and
grumbling against Him and Moses, yet God did not punish them, but rather,
He parted the Red Sea and delivered His chosen people despite their sin.
Instead of focusing on the problem (Pharaoh and his army), the Israelites
needed to focus on God. In our lives, we need to do the same.
In our present-day, hectic lives, it can be hard not to obsess over our
problems, but the Lord does not want this for His children. Anxiety, stress,
and worries need to be given over to the Lord. Give all of your concerns to
Him. God will give us peace if we ask. No matter what your problem is, God is
bigger. We should always keep our eyes focused on Jesus.
Like the Israelites, we have Someone too!
As with Pastor Mary, our interim pastor. Pastor Steve, will welcome and
respond to any adult questions or comments on this blog.
~This week’s prayer: I pray that I will put my fears and worries in
God’s hands each and every day. Amen
There will be one more online lesson for “God Makes a Way” next week,
and then Sunday School is meeting on September 24 at 11 am. for discussion
and a craft.
So long for now, Margo Greer