Saturday, May 24, 2008

Today in Children's Ministries - Sunday May 25, 2008

Matthew 6:25-34
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

One day a large group of people was gathered around Jesus on a hillside and he began to teach them a lesson about worry. He mentions that God takes care of the birds in the air and the lillies of the field, and that we are so much more precious to Him that these things.

Does this mean that we can sit around and wait for clothes, food, and shelter to drop from the sky? No, God provides food for the birds, but they must go find it. God provides jobs for our parents to make money to buy what we need. But Jesus tells us that before we expect God to provide what we need we must "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." The more we follow the ways of the Lord, the more we will be provided for. And Jesus tells us not to worry, when we worry we are shoing a lack of faith in God!

Notice the word NEED...what is the difference between WANT and NEED? In our world we have so many of our wants, that we must be conscious of the difference between wants and needs.
  • Yes, we need food...but do we NEED ice cream or do we WANT it because it tastes so good?
  • Yes, we need clothes...but do we NEED the coolest new sneakers or do we WANT them because everyone else has them?
  • Do we NEED cars?
  • Do we NEED games?
  • Do we NEED toys?

Yes, God will provide for us. But he also asks those who have much to take care of those who have little. We in Mount Pleasant have much. How can we take care of those who have little?

  • UTO Boxes - put coins in your box as you thank God for all you have.
  • Donate to Meals on Wheels or ECCO so that people who need food can be fed.
  • Donate used baby equipment or clothing to HALOS to help children in need.

PARENTS, YOU CAN CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AT HOME Follow the link for activities which will reinforce the lesson today: http://www.sermons4kids.com/lilies_of_the_field_group_activities.htm

SHINE SUNDAY COMING JUNE 1st!

Contact Robin Quick with questions about Children's Ministries at Christ Church: rquick@christch.org

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