Names of God (week of feb 7)

start here This week's name - Adonai - is the plural version of the word Adon which means ‘master’ or ‘ ruler.’ Adonai is pluralized because God is made up of plurality - Father, Son, Holy Spirit. This name, perhaps more than any other we have covered so far, has a deep impact on how we live our lives - because God is Adonai - or ruler - that means we are people who are being ruled. It means we are called, as God’s own creation, to submit to his rule over our lives. This can be a scary thing to think about and it can be a hard thing to let go of the control we have over our own lives, especially when we as humans tend to fall into the trap of thinking that we know best. Helping our children learn from a young age that submitting to God as our ruler isn’t scary at all - but it is actually freeing. READ THIS Psalm 97:5, Psalm 50:10. In this passage, the word Lord is translated into Adonai. The second reading from the Psalms reveals that he is claiming himself as the owner.

dive deeper This week we are learning about the name Adonai - there are two important things to note about Adonai. First, it is a name that is plural. The original word is Adon, which means master. Adonai is the plural of the word Adon. It is important to know that this name is plural - because it is speaking about God in three ways - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! This means that God is our ruler, Jesus (son) is our ruler, Holy Spirit is our ruler. The second thing that is important about the name Adonai, is that it has a deep meaning for us! If God is Adonai - our ruler - that means we are being ruled by God! In our world today, we are taught that we are in control and that we know what is best for ourselves. But God tells us otherwise - even with his name! God is our ruler - and the best thing about this is that God is a loving ruler who cares about every detail of your life- even the ones that seem so small! It isn’t hard to listen to God when we know that he has a good plan and purpose for our lives! Not only that, but God has given us Jesus as a co-ruler in our lives. When you accept and welcome Jesus into your life as your savior and ruler - it means that you are choosing to put Jesus first in your life. Above anything else! It’s more than just believing in him - it’s about giving him every part of your life and your heart. When we do this we can live a life of freedom, knowing that our ruler - Adonai - has promised to take care of us and be there with us every step of the way! Names of God (week of february 7)

Discuss This would be a good time to talk to your children, who are old enough to understand, about praying and asking Jesus to be the ruler of their lives. If they feel ready to pray a prayer of salvation, you can follow along with the prayer below - or you can pray on your own. A prayer of salvation has four parts :

1.Acknowledging that Jesus is God and that he came to earth to die the death that we deserve for our sin and that he defeated death 2.Confessing our sin to God and admitting that we have been living for ourselves instead of obeying God 3.Asking God to forgive our sins and 4.Asking Jesus to come into our hearts so that we can live our lives for him)

Dear God, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to take the punishment for my sins that only I deserve. I realize that I sin against you every day and I need Jesus to come into my heart and life to help me every day of my life from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit into my heart to help me live my life in obedience and love for you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Names of God (week of FEB 7) activity Color as you listen to your favorite worship songs.