Dear Kingdom Kidz & Parents: Welcome to the “HOPE” Of
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Dear Kingdom Kidz & Parents: Welcome to the “HOPE” of Christmas” edition of the NO LIMITS Devotion book! We call it “NO LIMITS” because with God, there are NO LIMITS!!! We want to encourage parents to do these devotionals with your child (children). Scripture passages are included (NASB) or you may choose to read Scripture from your Bible directly. The devotions are short and most of the time very simple to understand. Talk with your child about the meanings and life applications of the truths that are taught. As we prepare for the musical, we hope to teach the children about TRUE worship. We say again and again that true worship begins in the heart. Another truth we want to teach the children is that God has a “Picture, perfect plan” for each of their lives. One of the most important aspects of the NO LIMITS devotions is the fact that children learn scripture for every song. We want the children to continue to “hide God’s Word in their hearts.” To encourage learning, children may earn 10pts for each verse they say each week. We would love for them to say their verse/verses to a choir worker every week! Everyone who completes the devo book will receive a special pin to wear in the musical. It is our prayer that as each child and their family work through the NO LIMITS devotion book, hearts would be challenged to worship God in spirit and in truth! Please pray with me that souls will be saved, lives will be changed, and God will receive all praise and honor and glory through this year’s Christmas Musical – The HOPE of Christmas! In His Service, Mrs. Teri SOURCES USED: The Women’s Study Bible (NKJV) Holman Bible Dictionary www.biblegateway.com 1 RSES E VE SCRIPTUR The Whole Story Today ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ Oh give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not name; make known His deeds among the for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’ peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk JEREMIAH 29:11 of all His wondrous works! PSALM 105:1&2 God With Us The people who walk in darkness will see Little Drummer Boy a great light; those who live in a dark land, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ the light will shine on them. For a child will Jesus for good works, which God prepared be born to us, a son will be given to us; and beforehand so that we would walk in them. the government will rest on His shoulders; and EPHESIANS 2:10 His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. We Worship You ISAIAH 9:2&6 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Tell Me the Story spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word to worship Him. was with God, and the Word was God. And JOHN 4:23 the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the King of Glory (Finale) only begotten of the Father, full of grace and …The LORD your God in your midst, The truth. Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you JOHN 1:1&14 with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Hope Was Born That Night ZEPHANIAH 3:17 (NKJV) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. LUKE 2:10-11 2 The Whole Story “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares EK 1 the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity WE to give you a future and a hope.” JEREMIAH 29:11 Jeremiah 29:11-13 11‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares DAY 1 the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’ 12Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. God has a Picture Perfect Plan for your life. How does that make you feel? Isn’t it amazing to know that God cares about us so much that He wants our lives to be prosperous? He wants us to have hope—that hope comes through knowing Jesus. As awesome as verse 11 is, sometimes people only read that verse and think everything in life should be great! But, did you keep reading? Verse 12 tells us that God will listen when we do what? ______________________ What does verse 13 say? “You will _______________ Me and ______________ Me when you __________________ for Me with_______________________. It is important to realize that we cannot just expect our lives to be perfect. How would we ever learn to depend on God if we never had struggles. The Lord will use these struggles to create heart-and-life change. We need His transforming grace every day of our life. God has a plan for your life, but you must seek His will with all your heart! How do we seek God? Through reading our Bible. Are you seeking God’s plan for your life everyday? Are you reading God’s Word each day? Use your NO LIMITS book through the year to help you be in the habit of seeking God with all your heart! Dear Jesus, Thank You for having a perfect plan for my life. Thank You for giving me people in my life to teach me more about You and what the Bible says. Please help me to read the Bible every day and to seek You with all my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 3 Luke 2:8-20 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out DAY 2 in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. This passage of Scripture is very familiar to many people at Christmas. So here are some simple questions: Who were the first group of people the Angels told about Christ’s birth? _______________________________ What kind of animals were they keeping? __________________________ What is a baby sheep called? __________________________ (told you these were simple) Now, Read John 10:11 Jesus says, “I am the good __________________.” Read verse 14. Who does the Good Shepherd know? __________________________ Those are people who have committed their lives to Jesus. Read John 1:29. What name of Jesus is used in this verse?____________ ______ ________. In part of the opening song, we sing a traditional Christmas carol written in the 15th century. The 1st verse says the angels told the shepherds to leave their flocks and go to Bethlehem to find the “lambkin blest.” “Lambkin blest” is definitely not a phrase we hear much. The word “lambkin” just means a young lamb, a very young sheep; and “blest” is a different spelling of blessed. Jesus was born as a baby; and Jesus is the “Lamb of God.” Jesus is also the “Good Shepherd” and those who have given their lives to Jesus are His “sheep.” Do you see how cool that is! God chose the shepherds to be the first ones to hear about the Good Shepherd! Dear Jesus, Thank You for being born as the Holy “lambkin.” Thank You for being the precious Lamb of God. Thank You for being the Good Shepherd and promising that You will lead. Help me to listen for Your voice and to follow. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.