Kid's Ministry Coffee Break | A Few Minutes of Spiritual Refreshment for Children & Youth Ministers.

Kids Ministry Coffee Break 96: We're taking a small break from this effort to launch a new project we hope you find useful: Bible Verse of the Day Podcast (found everywhere you find this one)

https://anchor.fm/10-bible-verses

We thank you for your continued support. Check out our new podcast and let us know what you think about all of it.

https://kids-bible-lessons.org/

Genesis 31:22-31 REFLECTION (part 2) - "We Are Israel" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 91: We are the people who 'struggle with God,' and this is a good thing! Struggling means we are growing.

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

https://youthgroupministry.com/

Music by The Muse Maker

https://www.reddit.com/r/10bibleverses/

Genesis 31 REFLECTION "What is your name?" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 90: We are made to be who we are, but we spend so much time trying to be something/someone else. Let's be ourselves & engage God.

Jacob wrestles God: what a story!

I often jokingly refer to Jacob as my spirit animal due to this exact story.

He wrestles a man…who turns out to be God.

He beats God in a wrestling match.

The sun is about to rise meaning Jacob is about to gaze fully upon God’s face which is a threat to Jacob—he could die.

God demands to be let go…but Jacob will not until he is blessed.

Jacob DEMANDS blessing from God…and gets it.

That’s not the part I identify with, but it’s a great part in the story.

The part I identify with is when God asks, “What is your name?”

This isn’t the first time Jacob’s identity has been requested of him. At the beginning of his story he is standing before his dad, Isaac, trying to steal his brother’s blessing—Esau was the firstborn and so the birthright belonged to him even though Jacob was his twin.

Isaac can’t see and asks who is standing before him.

“It’s Esau,” Jacob says.

Jacob means “swindler” or, literally, “Heal-grabber”

He swindles his brother’s birthright from his father with a lie.

He then flees and spends years outside of the land away from all he’s ever known.

But then it’s time to come back.

He arrives across the border to his homeland and sends all of his belongings and family across first as a sign of peace to his brother.

He’s alone…and he wrestles God…and he is asked again, “What is your name?”

Jacob, for the first time in the story, doesn’t try to swindle.

He says, “Jacob.”

He then gets a new name, Israel, and receives a blessing.

He also gets a limp, because an encounter with God will always change things in your life.

God had made the divine presence known when Jacob had initially set out on the run.

He saw the stairway at Bethel and knew God was in that place.

But he didn’t engage this God in any way.

He left.

It’s as if God was waiting for him to engage.

It’s as if God was waiting for him to stop trying to swindle or be someone who he is not.

At Peniel Jacob is finally ready to be who he is…and he gives his name.

It’s then that God blesses him and the promise given to Jacob’s grandfather long ago can now proceed.

God needed Jacob to be who he was to then be able to engage God and walk the path prepared for him.

___________

There are many days, especially as a minister, where we are so busy trying to be someone else that we forget to be who we are.

You may see another minister or leader and try to emulate them.

You try to achieve what they have done…

you try to mirror their actions…

become what they are…

And, so often, God is there waiting for us to give up this kind of pursuit…because we were made to be who we are…not someone else.

We can only truly engage God in the path of our lives and journey of our faith when we’re ready to stop trying to be anyone else but who God made us to be.

So…my friends… “What’s your name?”

Are you ready to be free of all the “stuff” you have accumulated to show your success and status?

Are you ready to engage God?

Are you ready to be you?

Because God made you YOU…and called YOU to be in ministry for Jesus Christ.

Trust God’s leading.

Trust you are everything you need to be for the calling God has for you today.

And be blessed, my friends!

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://10bibleverses.com/?s=genesis

Genesis 31:22-31 READING Kids Ministry Coffee Break 89: We read the story of Jacob wrestling with God. Where is the Spirit leading you through hearing and reflecting upon this passage?

The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

Genesis 37:2b-8 REFLECTION - "What kind of dream is this?" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 88: We can learn a great deal from Joseph; in this particular passage, it's to be more tactful with people.

Oh, Joseph… The last stories of Genesis feature Joseph and the process by which Israel ended up in Egypt to prepare the main scene and the main story of the Hebrew Scriptures—the Exodus In the story of Joseph we have a slew of events with a myriad of emotions and decisions that we can uplift as an example of both great and terrible decisions. Today’s is not a great decision. Joseph has a dream — now…the first dream makes it clear that Joseph thinks more highly of himself. If we just jump into this story for what it features and presents without questioning it or comparing it to our own theology…then we take dreams as a way God communicates and reveals things to us. God’s dream for Joseph is him standing over his brothers. This doesn’t sit well with the brothers—go figure! So then Joseph has another dream which is only going to aggravate his brothers further…and HE TELLS THEM! It’s no wonder they hated Joseph. It’s no wonder their anger was stoked to the point where they did some terrible things to him  Yes! And God gives us vision about what the ministry can do or become. God might even give you a grand vision of the fruit…whether it’s more students participating or their faith discovering a new level of understanding or commitment…or maybe that the people of your church will start to take the ministry you do and the students for whom you do it more seriously. Good dreams, for sure. God gives us grand visions. The Holy Spirit stirs our hearts to be passionate and take wonderful risks for our faith and programming. Jesus leads us through the Spirit as well as our Scripture and Word. Sometimes…many times, if we’re honest, we come to learn things that others around us may not understand. I mean, if you are investing so much time and energy into learning and growing in your faith…or in getting an education about ministry, the church, and the Bible…then you are going to know some stuff. You’ll also realize that other people—adults, leaders, colleagues, etc.—don’t know some stuff that maybe they really should know, right? It happens. There are times that we realize what we’re seeing or hearing is just not right. So…the temptation is to just blurt it out and let people know where they’re getting it wrong. Does this ever go well? If you present a vision for the ministry that you KNOW is the right step, but people don’t quite get what you’re trying to do or say…or they get it but don’t agree for whatever reason…we have a choice. We can just assert ourselves and speak the truth with no tact… or we can exercise tact and speak the truth gently in ways people can start to buy-in and understand. Or maybe we present our idea very invitational-ly rather than, “This is how it needs to be done” kind of way. What if Joseph had been a bit wiser and more mature with his presentation of his dreams? What if his goal was to involve his brothers in God’s plan in a way that didn’t make him look like an arrogant jerk? This is a great story with some great lessons. When we have a dream for the Kingdom which involves our ministry, ask yourself from the perspective of others, “What kind of dream is this?” Is it a dream that is an invitation? Is it a dream that is a demand? Is it YOUR dream…or will you find a way to make it OUR dream? God gave us brains for a reason. Jesus instructed us to be shrewd and innocent all at once. Let’s learn from Joseph about how NOT to do it… and let’s continue to reflect and pray for the days ahead and all of the beautiful dreams that God is going to bring to fruition in and through your work as a minister for Jesus Christ. Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store. https://youthgroupministry.com/youth-group-lessons/

Genesis 37:2b-8 READING Kids Ministry Coffee Break 87: We turn to the story of Joseph to learn and grow through the story of his decisions, emotions, and adventures.

Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives, and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children because he was the son of his old age, and he made him an ornamented robe., But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.

Once Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream that I dreamed. There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright; then your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Are you indeed to have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more because of his dreams and his words.

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Luke 19:1-10 REFLECTION - "He ran ahead and climbed..." Kids Ministry Coffee Break 86: This story reminds us of both our calling to pursue Jesus as well as our role to be ready to receive Zacchaeus.

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Luke 19:1-10 READING Kids Ministry Coffee Break 85: We reflect upon a very popular story with hope that the Holy Spirit speaks to us in a new way. Let's spend time reading and reflecting together.

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

https://sundayschool.store/products/jesus-and-zacchaeus-lesson

Music by The Muse Maker

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 REFLECTION (part 2) "Rescued/Saved" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 84: Being rescued/saved doesn't always mean we don't experience trouble, but that God will be with us through it.

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2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 REFLECTION "Poured Out" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 83: Paul encourages us to endure and live a life poured out for God. Being poured out is worth reflecting upon further.

Poured out — what an image!

We are not as familiar with this image as Timothy would have been.

We have seen scenes in music or movies where someone honors another person, almost always someone who has died, by pouring out a drink onto the ground in their honor.

It’s something like that.

A common image Paul uses for his writings involves temple worship in the more gentile regions. Often times there was the pouring out of a libation to the god being worshiped.

It’s a way of uplifting honor—which was a huge part of the culture.

Paul is viewing himself as a life lived in honor of God.

He is being poured out — what he does, says, and is all points to God with honor.

It’s quite a statement.

Would you sum up your life in this way?

Maybe a chunk of your life, right?

Maybe a significant chunk at that…but your whole life?

It’s common in our culture to compartmentalize our faith from other aspects of our lives.

It’s been more and more common over the last 70 years to marry our national culture to our faith to the point where we no longer distinguish them.

But…we still clock-in to our faith.

When we get home or around friends we feel the opportunity to “take off the mantle of ministry,” which is a healthy thing to do. Be a spouse when you are home. Be a parent. Be a child to your parents. Be a friend to your inner-circle.

But sometimes we feel we can take off the mantle of faith.

Paul would encourage us to NEVER do this.

Faith doesn’t have to be so wrapped up in dogma and symbols and rituals, but it runs deeper in our hearts than all of that stuff.

We want to have a hope…like Paul did.

No matter what we are facing, Paul wants us to endure.

The crown image he offers has nothing to do with a golden crown of honor or power.

Rather, the word refers to the crown you win by finishing a race in that day. Furthermore, when you see the word “conquer” in our new testament, it’s always referring to finishing a race—not winning a war.

Conquering never refers to exerting power or dominance, but by enduring and finishing the race not allowing anything to get you off track.

Paul encouraged Timothy and encourages us to continue to grow in our faith so that we can endure whatever comes…that our lives can be poured out in honor to God.

Pouring ourselves out does not mean always giving of yourselves in an outflowing of energy and time.

Pouring ourselves out for God can mean finding rest, embracing joy and time with friends and family, finding good balance…but also giving our hearts in ministry to others.

My prayer for you is that you are poured out for God without totally exhausting yourself.

Empty yourself of ego, power, status, and honor…but make sure you let the grace and love of God fill you back up. Make sure you are honoring your mind, your body, and your soul by receiving the good things life has to offer.

Be poured out, my friends.

Endure and finish the race.

And let the joy you find in doing so be a reflection of light to others that they can’t help themselves but to join in.

Thank you for serving Jesus Christ, my siblings.

May that service continue to bring you grace and peace.

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

https://sundayschool.store/products/pray-for-all-people-lesson

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 READING Kids Ministry Coffee Break 82: We take time to breathe and center ourselves on the reading of scripture to all the Holy Spirit to stir our hearts so that we may respond.

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

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2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 REFLECTION - "Inspired" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 81: We are a part of what God is doing to instruct people for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

This week’s passage is loaded with opportunities for discussion.

Paul is specifically referring to the Old Testament passages in his instruction to Timothy. The only scripture that existed when he wrote this was the Old Testament — and although Jesus had renewed and redeemed everything, Paul wants his good Jewish Christian protege Timothy to know that the Scriptures have a great deal of use in helping people be instructed for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Scripture instructs, but it’s faith in Jesus Christ that brings salvation.

Inspired is also a great source of conversation.

Inspired means “God-breathed.”

The Scriptures are God-breathed.

The word for breath is the same word for spirit.

You know what else is God-breathed and blessed with the work of the Holy Spirit?

You and I, friend.

All human beings receive the breath of God—the life that goes beyond our physical breath.

So…what exactly is Paul saying here?

Well…like every single act God does in all of the Bible (except the very first acts), it involves human beings.

It was Moses who had to physically say and do things as the way God instructed him so that miracles and liberation could occur…

It was prophets bringing physical voice to the people to bring the Word of God to light for them.

It was through rulers and judges like David, Gideon, and Deborah that God acted.

God came to us as Word revealed through physical flesh in Jesus.

So…it should’t surprise us that God uses physical writings by physical people to instruct us in faith in Jesus Christ.

God takes the physical…and gives it divine spirit and breath to bring an entirely new and powerful life to it.

And…here you are

Physical…

Devoted…

Called…

Empowered…

Inspired…

You are the ones God has called to do something new and faithful in the lives of those to whom you minister.

You are an active, living, breathing, thinking, embodied source of God-spirited, God-breathed life which instructs people for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

It’s a high and holy calling, my friends.

Don’t take it lightly…

We are to be attentive to the work of the Spirit through the inked words on the pages of our Scripture.

We are to continue our training every single day trusting that we have what we need for today knowing full well that we will learn more tomorrow and the next day…

In a year from now we’ll know so much more.

In 5 years…even more.

This is exciting!! and it is ongoing.

This life of ministry is a living thing which breathes and continues to be inspired.

Take it seriously, but also take it joyfully.

God has called YOU.

Trust that God will work all things for good through you—you God-breathed inspired source of goodness, you!

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

https://sundayschool.store/collections/free-downloads

Music by The Muse Maker

"2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 80: We continue on in the Paul's letter to Timothy prayerfully opening ourselves to the Spirit's leading through the reading.

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"2 Timothy 2:8-15 REFLECTION - "Wrangling Over Words" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 79: Words and intentions are important and worth articulating, but sometimes we can lose our focus and push others away.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 78: Sometimes we forget to ask what people want. We can learn a great deal from ourselves & others if we take the time to simply as, "What do you want?"

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"2 Timothy 2:8-15 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 77: Prayerfully hearing the passage, we are discerning how the Holy Spirit is speaking to us through the Word.

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9/29 76 - Genesis 15:5-7 REFLECTION “Count the stars…if you think you can” I took a class in my undergraduate program called “World Religions.”  The opening scene of the main book we read from was the story of anyone who has ever lifted their eyes to the night sky for the first time. Taking in the vastness of infinite space dotted with billions of enormous burning stars is overwhelming for us all. Inevitably, the Religions book said, we cannot take in the beauty of the night sky without pondering our place and purpose in all of Creation and life. Every person’s religious yearning begins with the question of “why?” and “who?” or some variation of these things.
 It’s no surprise to me that the great redemption story in our Bible begins with God having Abram look up into the night sky.  Genesis 15:5 says, “Then [God] brought Abram outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars if you think you can count them.” Such an odd little dare to be a part of the conversation about the future of Abram’s family as well as the future of the world itself. “Count the stars…if you think you can count them.”
 Any one of us would immediately recognize the fallacy of thinking we might even try. But the descendants of Abram are going to match the infiniteness, God says. “Your future will be beyond count…unless, of course, you think you could actually count that high.” Abram probably felt like most of us would in the moment when we stare into the darkness of deep space–very small and filled with both humility and awe.
 I wonder if we have done a disservice to ourselves by sleeping under roofs and lining our streets with lights. When was the last time you looked up into the sky? If you have recently, then you know that the pull to be humbled and awed never goes away. We cannot help but to let our eyes and hearts be completely captivated by the same night sky Abram peered upon so long ago. As he pondered his future, the light from those same stars produced in that moment has barely traveled 1% of the way to our own eyes (that will blow your mind if you ponder that too long.)
 I wonder if the lack of star-gazing has hindered our chance to continue in our growth of faith. If we aren’t caught up in the overwhelming beauty and size of it all, might we miss the chance to be humbled and swept up in awe? If we don’t have the infinite space against which we can compare ourselves, might we be tempted to imagine ourselves to be much bigger than we really are? Perhaps sleeping in our own separate four walls has limited us by obstructing our understanding of one another every bit as much as having those roofs has obstructed our view and lesson of the heavens.
 We are standing here together looking into the great unknown of tomorrow…and next year…and next decade…and next century. We have come a long way. https://sundayschool.store/ “Why are we here?” and “Who is God calling US to be TODAY?” are questions still worth pondering. Left on our own, the World Religions book said, we tend to develop our own answers forming our own versions of religion. But… together,… discerning,... sharing,... connecting,... listening,... and making a real effort to understand one another’s perspective on the deep and foundational questions about our purpose and identity here and now… we just might, once again

"GENESIS 15:5-7 REFLECTION - "Count the stars...if you think you can" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 76: We are all invited into the unknown God has for us. Have we taken the time to look up lately?

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"CHECKING IN" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 75: Ministry is a wonderful calling, but it can be uniquely difficult. Holding ourselves accountable to healthy practices is crucial.

How are you, friend? Just wanted to check in and remind you that you are not alone. You and other ministers may feel alone at times, which is why it is SO important for us to check in with ourselves and others.

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"GENESIS 15:5-7 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 74: We read a passage when The LORD reveals the promise to Abram and the response is an act of faith.

We’ll read through it 3 times as you are probably becoming more familiar with our pattern here.

Reading 1: just listen

Then The LORD brought Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars if you think you can count them.” the LORD continued, “This is how many children you will have.” Abram trusted the LORD, and the LORD recognized Abram’s high moral character.

The LORD said to Abram, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as your possession.”

Reading 2: which phrase or words are sticking out to you?

Reading 3: how is the Holy Spirit calling you to respond through this word or phrase?

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://sundayschool.store/

"LUKE 16:19-31 REFLECTION - Walls and Crevasses" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 73: We are in the ministry of boundary-crossing to help bring reconciliation and connection to our communities.

Now…this parable…wow

Remember…this IS a parable

Jesus is getting a point across using images that work together.

The Pharisees are being addressed (we know this from 14-18)

We all have some Pharisee in us, don’t we. If we don’t think we do…then we will miss the point of the passage.

The wall in the first part of the story becomes the crevasse in the second

The rich man never crossed the boundary he made between himself and Lazarus. He must’ve passed by Lazarus every single day he went out from his home.

He had so much food at his disposal and never offered a crumb.

He could have viewed Lazarus as a human being and honored his worthiness at any time…but he didn’t.

Even in the second scene, he addresses Abraham to have Lazarus go and get him some relief. He won’t even talk directly to Lazarus. He’s still above him and looks down. All he sees is something that can go and serve his needs.

The crevasse cannot be crossed…because the wall was never crossed.

Or…the rich man will never have the capability to see Lazarus for what he is…a brother…a fellow human being deserving every bit of honor and sustenance as anyone else.

Not only is the rich man separated form Lazarus, but Abraham also.

He is separated from the face of his own people and way of life.

He has separated himself from the very life of faith and devotion to God to which he has been called as an Israelite.

Of course…he’s talking to the Pharisees.

They have all they need right in the Law of Moses and promise of Abraham…and they will not cross the walls they have put up between the poor around them.

Jesus is inviting them to life, but…sadly…even his resurrection will not be a strong enough sign for them to accept that invitation.

_______________-

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So what are the walls we see in our own church?

Our own life?

In the lives of the families we serve?

Where are the walls in our community?

We have many walls in our culture today.

We have not only built walls in our politics and relationships, but we see so many people digging into their trenches and ready to defend themselves.

They see the people not “with” them as enemy and as less than human.

Friends, part of our ministry is to be the first to step beyond the walls around us.

We MUST be the pioneers of boundary-breaking.

Frankly, adults struggle to see things anew…

but kids! youth!

They are always hungry to learn and grow and be a part of creating fairness and justice.

Be the example for the world around you…because if the church doesn’t do this work…who will?

IF you are doing this work…keep going. I know it takes a long time to see the fruit of such efforts…but the fruit is there.

Some people could see someone rise from the dead and still not change their ways. That’s just part of it, friends.

Focus on Jesus Christ and the invitation to life and invite everyone you can to join you.

One day…may there be no more walls or crevasses between any human beings.

It’s coming…one day…maybe sooner.

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

"LUKE 16:19-31 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 72: Lazarus and the Rich Man is a parable LOADED with meaning. Let us hear it 3 times and reflect upon how it is speaking to us today. https://sundayschool.store/products/the-rich-mand-and-lazarus-lesson

Reading 1: just listen

There was a certain rich man who clothed himself in purple and fine linen, and who feasted luxuriously every day. At his gate lay a certain poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. Lazarus longed to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Instead, dogs would come and lick his sores.

The poor man died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. While being tormented in the place of the dead, he looked up and saw Abraham at a distance with Lazarus at his side. He shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I’m suffering in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received good things, whereas Lazarus received terrible things. Now Lazarus is being comforted and you are in great pain. Moreover, a great crevasse has been fixed between us and you. Those who wish to cross over from here to you cannot. Neither can anyone cross from there to us.’

The rich man said, ‘Then I beg you, Father, send Lazarus to my father’s house. I have five brothers. He needs to warn them so that they don’t come to this place of agony.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets. They must listen to them.’ The rich man said, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will change their hearts and lives.’ Abraham said, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, then neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’”

Reading 2: which phrase or words are sticking out to you?

Reading 3: how is the Holy Spirit calling you to respond through this word or phrase?

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

"LUKE 16:1-13 REFLECTION (part 2) - Dishonest Wealth" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 71: Jesus invites us to repurpose worldly tools for heavenly good. What are the opportunities you have to do so? https://sundayschool.store/products/true-contentment-lesson

I know…this is unusual.

I couldn’t help but keep reflecting on this passage and the whole idea of “dishonest wealth” or “worldly wealth” or “dishonest mammon” depending on what translation you use.

What did Jesus mean?

Act Cleverly is certainly something we should focus on and put into practice, but this idea of dishonest wealth stuck with me.

We are in ministry, you and I.

We are always trying to think through new ways to do things.

We are often confronted with situations we really have to be prayerful about.

Money is no exception.

It has been said, “We put ‘In God We Trust’ upon the god we trust.”

Is it Christian to be rich?

Can we justify being rich when there are so many people dying of perfectly fixable issues like needing clean water or mosquito nets?

Is Jesus going to have questions for us when we enjoy a life of excesses, like ice-cream and new phones and new clothes…all while people around the world struggle to survive?

These are questions that haunt me.

Should the church be concerned with spending $13,000 on restoring stained-glass windows…9 of them!…when the world needs so much help?

We ALL have a love for money.

And, if you think you don’t, pay attention just how much you are working to protect an image of yourself verses your real self.

Don’t think I’m judging…because I’m not.

This is a struggle for me, too.

But making friends with dishonest wealth is such a beautiful challenge by Jesus.

Take something that is not a heavenly tool…and use it for a heavenly purpose.

The dishonest manager used money for his own gain throughout his career and then used money for his gain once he was being fired.

His actions were all about him and taking care of himself.

We aren’t to emulate that, necessarily, but we are to be clever in how we use this tool called “money” or “mammon.”

We have the opportunity to use this worldly tool in a heavenly way.

We can use it not for its intended purposes…because we belong to a God who uses all things for good. Right?

It’s not just money either.

What kind of worldly tools are at your disposal…that you can use for the Kingdom?

What are ways we can commandeer the tools around us to serve God?

Social media is one that comes to mind.

Maybe a less reputable establishment has opened its doors near your church…

—so then, how can you be clever and seize this opportunity to build the Kingdom?

Jesus invites us to look at everything through a different lens. Even dishonest wealth can become a tool for making friends, he says.

As a minister, you are obviously a creative person. You have to be to do your work.

So expand your vision of creativity. Spend time in prayer with your volunteers and colleagues.

In what ways can you take “dishonest tools” and use them for God?

Let’s keep going with this passage and see where it might take us next.

Have a great weekend, friends.

May your Sunday plans go to perfection as God would define it…even if it doesn’t go to perfection as you would define it. Amen!?

"LUKE 16:1-13 REFLECTION 'Act Cleverly'" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 70: In the serious moments of our lives we often can focus in on what is more important--a practice we should take seriously now. The parable of the shrewd manager is one of the more puzzling of our 3rd Gospel account. Understanding it as a parable helps us let go of this being solely about money. While the following passages are about money, this is about something deeper. Essentially, we could treat this as an example of someone in a desperate situation having a willingness to act in a way that they wouldn’t otherwise. It’s commonly understood that accruing debt in olive oil and wheat was a tactic used by the rich man to accrue interest without breaking the biblical which forbade accruing interest from loaning money. The law referred to money, not goods…so accruing interest in goods was a loophole. The common thought is that the manager reduced the interest amount of the goods…which is why the reduction is a different amount. The rich man commends the manager because he knows he reduced an amount which the rich man will not add back because the debtors could accuse him of breaking the interest law. It’s strange…but it helps it make sense. Why wouldn’t the manager have reduced the amount before now? Because he earned off of the interest. But if he’s losing his job, what does it matter anymore? Actually, reducing it would earn him favor in the eyes of the debtors who would feel obligated to take care of him if he approached them with a request for help. It was a brilliant move. The rich man even acknowledge that much. So…it’s a parable. We presume the rich man represents God and the manager is Israel. Israel has been squandering the property of God (notice this is the same phrase used in the previous parable of the lost sons). Israel has not been faithful and now things are getting dire. This Gospel account was written in the context of the world post-Jewish Revolt where Rome eventually destroyed everything including the Temple. Jesus was always trying to get Israel to STOP picking a fight with Rome—he knew that wouldn’t end well. When things are dire…focus on what really matters and ACT CLEVERLY!! —people not of the faith are clever…so people of faith should be that much more clever!! So what are we facing today that is dire? Where are things headed in the wrong direction in our ministry? Where are things headed in the wrong direction in our relationships? It’s not too late to re-focus our priorities and make sure that we seek to heal relationships over whatever else often steals our focus. It’s relationships that matter, for Jesus. Make peace with your accuser on the way to the judge, he says… Don’t offer a sacrifice until you’ve made peace with your sister or brother with whom you have a quarrel, he says another time… ACT CLEVERLY. Be commended. Be trustworthy with what really matters in our lives. Do it now…before things get worse. This is a strange parable, but when we are in a time when this message is needed, it makes all the sense in the world. I hope you’re not in a situation where there is a dire need to heed this call, but if you are…ACT CLEVERLY my friends. Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford). Music by The Muse Maker https://sundayschool.store/products/true-contentment-lesson

"Luke 16:1-13 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 69: Jesus tells a parable about a clever household manager as a continuation of his response to those who grumble about Jesus' company with "sinners."

Reading 1: just listen

Jesus also said to the disciples, “A certain rich man heard that his household manager was wasting his estate. He called the manager in and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give me a report of your administration because you can no longer serve as my manager.’

“The household manager said to himself, What will I do now that my master is firing me as his manager? I’m not strong enough to dig and too proud to beg. I know what I’ll do so that, when I am removed from my management position, people will welcome me into their houses.

“One by one, the manager sent for each person who owed his master money. He said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil.’ The manager said to him, ‘Take your contract, sit down quickly, and write four hundred fifty gallons.’ Then the manager said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ He said, ‘One thousand bushels of wheat.’ He said, ‘Take your contract and write eight hundred.’

“The master commended the dishonest manager because he acted cleverly. People who belong to this world are more clever in dealing with their peers than are people who belong to the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves so that when it’s gone, you will be welcomed into the eternal homes.

“Whoever is faithful with little is also faithful with much, and the one who is dishonest with little is also dishonest with much. If you haven’t been faithful with worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? If you haven’t been faithful with someone else’s property, who will give you your own? No household servant can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be loyal to the one and have contempt for the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

Reading 2: which phrase or words are sticking out to you?

Reading 3: how is the Holy Spirit calling you to respond through this word or phrase?

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

"LUKE 15:1-10 REFLECTION - More Joy in Heaven" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 68: We are all tempted to appease the flock...but Jesus was all about seeking and finding the lost and then celebrating!

Luke 15 is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible. I have many favorites, I must admit, but this is the only chapter for which I wrote a paper in my collegiate work.

Now…we don’t have the final story of the triplet in the lectionary reading, so I’m not going to talk about the parable of the father who had two lost sons. That’s not what the lectionary focuses on, so let’s honor this ancient framework we’ve been given.

Focusing on the first two stories forces us to remember who Jesus is telling the story to and for.

We know the story of things getting lost and found.

We’ve heard that a thousand times…and we’ve probably told it ourselves dozens. It’s a pretty common theme when you’re in ministry.

But…how many times have you told the story about “more joy in heaven” over one being found than the 99 who were already found??

More joy in heaven?

Is there a measurement to take?

I don’t think that’s the point. Jesus uses a great deal of humor in this story that would certainly have brought snickers to the listeners.

What Jesus is doing is an echo of what God is doing. They are one and the same…but Jesus is our flesh and blood example of heavenly reality.

—God is all about reaching people

While God certainly has joy for those who turn the direction of their lives to the divine will and reign as exemplified in Jesus…

their reward is a life lived in new depth of love and grace and compassion and goodness.

While Jesus uplifts the beauty in such a life…he will also leave the group behind to go after those who are still wandering in the darkness…the ignorance…the unawareness…the life of ego and distraction…those who have been so wounded or rejected that they have no idea of the reality available to them in the Kingdom.

When one of those comes to their senses and is found…

It is right to rejoice.

Jesus is rejoicing everywhere he goes…because people are finally seeing the truth of what God is all about through Jesus.

Not the religious leaders and all of their zeal and bible memorizations or anger towards people who don’t measure up…

People are seeing the beauty and life of God through the touch, love, meals, forgiveness, and freedom in Jesus Christ.

But we can understand that there is ignorance on the side of those who think they are already righteous enough…

those who think Jesus should just only hang out with them and not THOSE people…

_______________________

It’s deeply saddening how often we hear the echos of the religious leaders of Jesus day in our own.

THOSE people aren’t worth the time

THEY don’t follow the right rules

I hope you have ministries full of people who have seen the light…

but don’t stress too much if, every now and again, you step away from tending to them to reach out to those who are still wandering.

Dream of risk-taking ways to reach out to them for the sake of the more joy in heaven that awaits you all.

And for those of you who do this kind of work…don’t let the words of the scoffers deter you one bit.

Keep seeking out, keep finding, keep rejoicing, and keep going in your Kingdom-building, my friends! All of heaven celebrates with you.

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker https://sundayschool.store/products/true-contentment-lesson

"LUKE 15:1-10 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 67: We read about Jesus' parables in response to complaints that he is keeping the wrong kind of company.

Reading 1: just listen

All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose someone among you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them. Wouldn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it? And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders. When he arrives home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives.

“Or what woman, if she owns ten silver coins and loses one of them, won’t light a lamp and sweep the house, searching her home carefully until she finds it? When she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, joy breaks out in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who changes both heart and life.”

Reading 2: which phrase or words are sticking out to you?

Reading 3: how is the Holy Spirit calling you to respond through this word or phrase?

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://sundayschool.store/collections/single-lesson-plans

"LUKE 14:25-33 REFLECTION - "Counting the Cost" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 66: In ministry it's important to always put our calling to serve others first; we must calculate the cost of what we do.

Happy Thursday, my siblings in Christ!

We are tackling a strange passage this week about hating your parents and children and life…to follow Jesus.

So much has been said about this passage that we might have some pretty serious pre-conceived notions.

The history of 1st century Israel helps us here. Herod had begun the renovations of the 2nd Temple and Israel was on the brink of war with Rome.

Would the Temple ever get completed?

Do the militia groups in Israel have any idea what they are up against picking a fight with Rome?

Jesus is calling people onto a new path of thinking about…well…everything.

And we are being called to this new path, too.

In fact, we are giving our lives to be on the path and calling others to join us, too. That’s ministry!

We may not be building a Temple today or fighting a global super-power, but we all have our choices we make every day.

I know there have been people at every one of the several churches I have served who, at one time or another, have expected me to take some sort of stand about an issue or choose a side on an argument or debate.

And, honestly, I used to get suckered into that when I thought I knew it all and when I thought it was my job to get everyone thinking alike.

But…when I did take a stand or choose a side… I immediately caused damage to the relationship of families I was called to serve.

I didn’t calculate the total repercussions and consequences of my actions.

I put my own personal opinions ahead of my calling.

I chose to appease a group of people who had convinced me that everything was black and white and dichotomous…

But…when we read scripture…Jesus never played that game.

The various religious leaders would present this type of situation to Jesus and say, “CHOOSE!”

Jesus never responded in turn.

He would tell a story or offer a third perspective which spun the game on its head.

He was not going to draw a barrier between himself and anyone.

In fact, any time someone drew a line in the sand…it seems that Jesus erased it or pointed out that all they did was draw a line between themselves and God.

I know the pressures of ministry can draw us into the games of politics and biblical sparring on a variety of issues.

It’s important to turn to Scripture…

but it’s also important to remember our calling; to love God with all we are…and to love our neighbor as ourself.

To do this…we may have to say “no” to the games we are asked to play by our superiors, colleagues, family, and even friends.

That will, at times, result in pain and shame…which is what “picking up your cross” was really alluding to.

Ministry is hard, but it’s the path we’ve been called to walk. We aren’t perfect and we don’t have all of the answers, but we follow the one who shows us the way.

There is no urgency to have the right answer immediately.

Time and prayer are always good places to spend time in when things get difficult.

I hope you are taking care of yourselves, friends.

We are called to be the salt of the earth and to reveal all of the goodness baked into this beautiful experience we call life.

Calculate the costs…consider the calling…and choose to follow Christ.

Grace and Peace

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

"LUKE 14:25-33 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 65: A passage from Luke brings the seriousness of discipleship into full view for us all. Let us read and consider the meaning.

We’ll read through it 3 times as you are probably becoming more familiar with our pattern here.

Reading 1: just listen

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. Turning to them, he said, “Whoever comes to me and doesn’t hate father and mother, spouse and children, and brothers and sisters—yes, even one’s own life—cannot be my disciple. Whoever doesn’t carry their own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

“If one of you wanted to build a tower, wouldn’t you first sit down and calculate the cost, to determine whether you have enough money to complete it? Otherwise, when you have laid the foundation but couldn’t finish the tower, all who see it will begin to belittle you. They will say, ‘Here’s the person who began construction and couldn’t complete it!’ Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down to consider whether his ten thousand soldiers could go up against the twenty thousand coming against him? And if he didn’t think he could win, he would send a representative to discuss terms of peace while his enemy was still a long way off. In the same way, none of you who are unwilling to give up all of your possessions can be my disciple.

Reading 2: which phrase or words are sticking out to you?

Reading 3: how is the Holy Spirit calling you to respond through this word or phrase?

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ

https://sundayschool.store/collections/single-lesson-plans

"LUKE 14:1, 7-14 REFLECTION - Un-repaid" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 64: Jesus invites us to give up the games we play which is centered on honoring ourselves and, instead, to honor others for God.Alright, so I made this word up.

At the end of this passage Jesus talks to the religious leaders at this dinner and tells them to invite those who cannot repay them to dinner.

He began with explaining the negative consequences of playing the game of taking seats of honor.

In an honor/shame culture like 1st century Israel, the message is clear. We lose the message in our culture because we don’t function by honor/shame.

We hold SOME value in what others think about us, but we put more stock into what we think about ourselves or, in the case of the church, our understanding of what God thinks about us.

In Jesus’ day, what the community thinks about you is key.

If you are thought highly of, your family name is given great honor through you. Hence, there is a great emphasis on being a part of the family of God in the Kingdom for the purpose of bringing God honor.

Jesus is watching the chair game unfold amid the bigger dinner game.

People invite each other over for dinner to basically pass honor back and forth within the closed circle.

Rev. Pat invites Rev. Chris and Rev. Alex over to honor them with a seat at the table while they honor Rev. Pat by their presence. Then Rev. Chris hosts the next dinner for the same game followed by Rev. Alex. The cycle continues.

Then…at each dinner, these guests vie to take the seats of honor by the host to be more highly regarded by those at the table.

So this wonderful occasion for fellowship and connection becomes, instead, a game to bolster one’s own status.

What a waste!

Jesus watches the whole thing and then exposes the silliness of the game by flipping it on its head. “Why not take the lowest seat so that then you are invited up to a better seat in front of everyone?” If everyone started fighting over the lowest seat…how funny would that be?

And…what if they aren’t invited up to a higher seat. Then they just look silly.

Jesus then invites them to abandon the entire game.

Invite those without any honor. You will host the dinner and offer your honor to them…but your honor will go un-repaid. They cannot honor you back.

But you will be repaid by the just in the resurrection.

_____________________-

We get invited into similar games in the church.

We want people to come and be a part of our activities who look like us, dress like us, drive cars that look like ours.

We want the right kind of people to come through our doors.

We want MORE people to come because it will make our ministries look more valid.

We will appear to be better leaders if we grow the right kind of attendance.

Jesus invites us to stop all of those games.

Instead, invite those who will leave you un-repaid.

What might the people we are reluctant to invite and minister to actually have to teach us in the humility which comes with ceasing to play the game?

May we seek no repayment of esteem and status on earth and, instead, trust that God will see the genuineness of a ministry which is perfectly comfortable being un-repaid.

As you consider what this means for you in your context, may you find freedom from the games we are all encouraged and inclined to play.

—and may this Kingdom freedom fill you with life and joy.

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://sundayschool.store/collections/single-lesson-plans

"LUKE 14:1, 7-14 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 63: Through multiple readings we let the passage read us and speak to our hearts.  Come and let the Word breathe upon your heart, should, and being.

Reading 1: just listen

One Sabbath, when Jesus went to share a meal in the home of one of the leaders of the Pharisees, they were watching him closely.

When Jesus noticed how the guests sought out the best seats at the table, he told them a parable. “When someone invites you to a wedding celebration, don’t take your seat in the place of honor. Someone more highly regarded than you could have been invited by your host. The host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give your seat to this other person.’ Embarrassed, you will take your seat in the least important place. Instead, when you receive an invitation, go and sit in the least important place. When your host approaches you, he will say, ‘Friend, move up here to a better seat.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.”

Then Jesus said to the person who had invited him, “When you host a lunch or dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers and sisters, your relatives, or rich neighbors. If you do, they will invite you in return and that will be your reward. Instead, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind. And you will be blessed because they can’t repay you. Instead, you will be repaid when the just are resurrected.”

Reading 2: which phrase or words are sticking out to you?

Reading 3: how is the Holy Spirit calling you to respond through this word or phrase?

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://sundayschool.store/collections/free-downloads

"LUKE 13:10-17 REFLECTION - Hypocrites!" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 62: Jesus offers us a chance to be trusted and trusting to know where we and others can find life-giving moments.

Luke 13:10-17

Hypocrites! was the word that grabbed me. That word usually does. It’s such a heavy and loaded word meant to pack a punch. We hear it used about the church and you may have even heard it said about you or someone you care about. Church people LOVE to throw this word around…and non-church people LOVE to throw this word around too.

So…here in Luke…it’s Jesus throwing this word around.

Upocritays is the Greek word from which hypocrite comes.

In Greek it means “play-actor.”

That’s important to understand because we often use this word as someone who does something that they claim to be bad.

While that can be an accurate use of the word, it isn’t always a given.

What I mean is, I do things I shouldn’t. I do them all of the time. As hard as I work to be better and do better, I have my stumbling blocks which I continually trip over.

This doesn’t make me a hypocrite if I lift up my stumbles and explain how they are not things people should do.

That’s not play-acting.

Play-acting is when I lift stumbles up as something we should do with absolutely no intent of trying to avoid them in my own life.

Being a hypocrite is putting on a show, not struggling to do what is right.

This passage is such a great microcosm of what we do. We all have rules we follow more than others. We uplift certain practices of our faith or beliefs or truths or whatever…all the while not uplifting others that are more important to other people.

We all have our focus which differs from others.

Some people will happily speed down the highway with no sense of guilt while becoming livid when someone tosses trash out of their car window. The person who tosses the trash out thinks nothing of it, but gets really made when the person at the 4-way stop goes out of turn. The person going out of turn doesn’t see the big deal, but then gets upset when someone speeds.

Everything changes when we see it through our lens.

This synagogue leader had his particular focus when it came to Jesus and the synagogue, but no qualms with untying ox and donkeys on Sabbath.

Different focus on the same ritual.

What Jesus does to turn this ritual into a focus on what is life-giving rather than what is defined as “work” by any one person is such a breath of fresh air.

Trust yourself and trust others to know what is appropriate and life-giving on Sabbath.

So, my friends…trust yourself to know what brings you life today. Take your Sabbath, if you aren’t in the routine of doing so. Figure out what feeds you…and give your trust to God to keep the world spinning around while you take time to rest.

And…encourage others to do so too. We all need a voice of encouragement in our overworked, guilt-laden, and stressed culture.

Be the voice for others…and don’t be a play-actor, be that voice for yourself too.

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

"LUKE 13:10-17 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 61: Through multiple readings we let the passage read us and speak to our hearts.  Let us listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking.

Reading 1: just listen

Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. A woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and couldn’t stand up straight. When he saw her, Jesus called her to him and said, “Woman, you are set free from your sickness.” He placed his hands on her and she straightened up at once and praised God.

The synagogue leader, incensed that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, responded, “There are six days during which work is permitted. Come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath day.”

The Lord replied, “Hypocrites! Don’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from its stall and lead it out to get a drink? Then isn’t it necessary that this woman, a daughter of Abraham, bound by Satan for eighteen long years, be set free from her bondage on the Sabbath day?” When he said these things, all his opponents were put to shame, but all those in the crowd rejoiced at all the extraordinary things he was doing.

Reading 2: which phrase or words are sticking out to you?

Reading 3: how is the Holy Spirit calling you to respond through this word or phrase?

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://sundayschool.store/collections/free-downloads

"LUKE 12 REFLECTION - Casting Fire Upon the Earth" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 60: Fire is a good thing. Embracing the work of fire in our own lives leads us to life--and we can lead others too.

Jesus says he didn’t come to bring peace, but fire.

What a line!!

Start your next sermon or meeting out with that line.

Fire is such an interesting image used in Scripture time and again.

We often first go to the image of fire as a bad thing, but there’s so much more going on.

In Malachi 3, among other places, we get this image of the refiner’s fire.

Fire is used to heat up metals.

When the metal heats up to the right temperature, the impurities of the metal rise to the top and can be scooped off so that what remains is a pure version of the metal. You discard the impurities and move on with the metal.

John the Baptist talks about fire when giving the image of separating the wheat from the chaff. The winnowing fork is used to toss the picked grain into the air so that the breeze will blow away the lighter chaff and allow the grain to fall back to the ground. You do this enough, and you will only have grain at your feet. You then gather the chaff and burn it, because it has no use. You have purified the harvest and discarded what didn’t belong.

Jesus is going to baptize us with fire, John the Baptist says.

Not to burn or punish us, but to purify us.

To sort out what doesn’t belong in our hearts and lives and remove it…forever.

To refine us back into what we were always meant to be.

Fire…is a blessing.

It might not feel like it in the moment though, right!?

Nothing peaceful about being tossed into the air with a winnowing fork or blazing a fire to melt down a metal.

We all crave to be purified and refined.

God craves to purify and refine us.

Jesus didn’t come to bring peace, but to bring refinement to the whole world through the church.

So…where do you recognize The Holy Spirit bringing fire into your own life?

Where is God working to remove impurities in your heart, mind, and being?

It may hurt, but let us praise God for loving us enough to do this work.

As ministers, you are called to be a vessel through which Jesus brings the wonderful work of fire to the lives of others…

to help them sort out what doesn’t belong.

It’s a tough calling,

it’s easy to get impatient,

it’s easy to feel overwhelmed,

but your ministry is bringing the fire of God into people’s lives.

It may not always look like it…and people may not always like the way it feels,

but keep prayerfully serving, friends.

keep your eyes open and look for where we see signs of the change in our own lives and the lives of others.

And lift up the things you come to see with great praise to God.

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

"LUKE 12:49-56 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 59: Through multiple readings we let the passage read us and speak to our hearts. Devote yourself to the scripture and the Holy Spirit will speak.

Reading 1: just listen

“I came to cast fire upon the earth. How I wish that it was already ablaze! I have a baptism I must experience. How I am distressed until it’s completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, I have come instead to bring division. From now on, a household of five will be divided—three against two and two against three. Father will square off against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Jesus also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud forming in the west, you immediately say, ‘It’s going to rain.’ And indeed it does. And when a south wind blows, you say, ‘A heat wave is coming.’ And it does. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret conditions on earth and in the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret the present time?

Reading 2: which phrase or words are sticking out to you?

Reading 3: how is the Holy Spirit calling you to respond through this word or phrase?

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://sundayschool.store/collections/curriculum

"LUKE 12 REFLECTION - Giving You the Kingdom" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 58: We are invited into the Reign of God to see everything through a different perspective & to live an entirely different way.

First a true story:

There was a remote village that was a closed society. This village, as the story goes, was in the rain forest in South America.

They were close enough to civilization that they had local government money. They used this money to buy and trade and live in their village.

One day, thieves came and stole most of the money from the village treasury.

The people of the village spent time discerning what they should do in response. What they did was make their own money. They no longer used government-issued money. The reason was that they only did business with each other and no thief would come and steal something that was worthless beyond their borders.

Ingenius!

We wrestle with money in our lives.

Our society is all about money.

We use money language to talk about everything in life.

We put great value on saving and spending time with loved ones.

We invest energy into our calling.

We all have to plan for retirement and other normal things.

We are vested into the government-issued money of our day. And that’s okay! The disciples were, too.

What Jesus is inviting us into is something counter-cultural.

The Kingdom of God is a new way to understand all of reality.

We can gain, save, and give all the money we can and still participate fully in the Kingdom of God.

But the way we do all of life will change when we accept the Kingdom life Jesus offers us here and now.

The way I talk about the Kingdom of God is to refer to it as the Reign of God. The word of Kingdom is better understood as the Reign or Rule of God.

When God is in charge of our lives in every way, we are living into the Kingdom. It’s a different way to do everything and see everyone and even see ourselves.

But…we can’t have it both ways.

We have to choose to let go of our whole life and our family traditions (and sometimes family values) and be willing to let people walk away from relationship with us because they are too committed to another Reign and Rule in their life.

To be a disciple, we must choose the Kingdom over everything else.

May this invitation bring you peace…because, when you live by the Reign of God’s will and way, everything changes for the way of Life as Jesus Christ defines it. Is there any better way??

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://sundayschool.store/collections/on-sale

"LUKE 12:32-30 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 57: Jesus stresses the importance of paying attention to where you devote yourself in life.  Be alert and be ready to encounter Jesus.

Reading 1: just listen

Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights in giving you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Make for yourselves wallets that don’t wear out—a treasure in heaven that never runs out. No thief comes near there, and no moth destroys. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too.

Be dressed for service and keep your lamps lit. Be like people waiting for their master to come home from a wedding celebration, who can immediately open the door for him when he arrives and knocks on the door. Happy are those servants whom the master finds waiting up when he arrives. I assure you that, when he arrives, he will dress himself to serve, seat them at the table as honored guests, and wait on them. Happy are those whom he finds alert, even if he comes at midnight or just before dawn. But know this, if the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he wouldn’t have allowed his home to be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Human One is coming at a time when you don’t expect him.

Reading 2: which phrase or words are sticking out to you?

Reading 3: how is the Holy Spirit calling you to respond through this word or phrase?

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://sundayschool.store/collections/single-lesson-plans

"Luke 12:16-21 REFLECTION" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 56: We have the opportunity each and every day to invest ourselves (heart, soul, and being).  Let's invest wisely and grow rich toward God.

We have the opportunity to invest ourselves today. In what…or to whom will we invest?

We are ministers who have given our lives to God in a unique way. This doesn’t mean we aren’t human beings who are attracted to the many wonderful offerings of the world.

We all like houses, cars, toys, and a variety of stuff.

Stuff is not inherently bad.

Money is not bad.

Love of money is, but not money itself.

This parable offers us insight into the wrong way to invest ourselves.

So…how will you invest yourself today? In you? In others? In God?

May you invest wisely and be rich toward God.

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://sundayschool.store/products/treasure-in-heaven-lesson

"Luke 12:16-21 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 55: The parable of the rich man invites us into a soul-search concerning how we focus on our material wealth and ideas of work.

Reading 1: just listen

Then Jesus told them a parable: “A certain rich man’s land produced a bountiful crop. He said to himself, What will I do? I have no place to store my harvest! Then he thought, Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. That’s where I’ll store all my grain and goods. I’ll say to myself, You have stored up plenty of goods, enough for several years. Take it easy! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself. But God said to him, ‘Fool, tonight you will die. Now who will get the things you have prepared for yourself?’ This is the way it will be for those who hoard things for themselves and aren’t rich toward God.”

Reading 2: which phrase or words are sticking out to you?

Reading 3: how is the Holy Spirit calling you to respond through this word or phrase?

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://sundayschool.store/products/treasure-in-heaven-lesson

"LUKE 11:9-13 REFLECTION" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 54: Asking, Seeking, and Knocking are crucial according to Jesus. Praying for the Holy Spirit to help us live will always be answered by God.

Ask, Seek, and Knock

These are all Jewish words for prayer.

This whole passage is about prayer.

Prayer is a tricky thing.

We sometimes pray for our wishlist

Other times we pray for others

Sometimes ourselves

I hope you have times in prayer where you just sit and listen too.

This passage comes right after Luke’s offering of The Lord’s Prayer

Jesus teaches the disciples to pray…and then tells them to pray.

Because God, like any good parent, wants to give good things to us as children.

But there is something important about us doing our part to ask, seek, and knock.

We could surmise that we won’t receive, find, or have the door opened unless we first ask, seek, and knock.

But we can trust that when we do, God will give us good things.

One quick note: it’s common belief that the stone and bread mentioned here would have looked very similar. Also, the scorpion and egg would have looked similar. That sounds weird, but that’s what we find when we use trusted resources to help us understand this passage in its original setting and context.

The idea is that God won’t fool you.

If you ask for the Holy Spirit to work in you to make the Lord’s Prayer a reality for you—trusting in God, committing to living the Kingdom life in the world around you, knowing you are forgiven just as you forgive—God will OF COURSE answer that prayer for you.

If human parents in all of our flaws know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will God, the perfect parent, know how to give US good gifts when we ask.

When is the last time you prayed for good things—Holy things?

Have you centered yourself lately in who you are and whose you are and then asked for guidance to live into that foundational reality as a child of God?

If not…do that right now.

Ask, seek, and knock…

and allow God to bless you with a good response.

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

https://sundayschool.works/sunday-school-lessons/

"LUKE 11:9-13 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 53: This passage about prayer and receiving from God is a deep well of wisdom, grace, and sustenance for us.

We’re going to read through another familiar story from Luke.

We’ll read through it 3 times as you are probably becoming more familiar with our pattern here.

Reading 1: just listen

And I tell you: Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. Everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door is opened.

“Which father among you would give a snake to your child if the child asked for a fish? If a child asked for an egg, what father would give the child a scorpion? If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Reading 2: which phrase or words are sticking out to you?

Reading 3: how is the Holy Spirit calling you to respond through this word or phrase?

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://10bibleverses.com/daily-devotions-prayer-for-today/luke-11-1-devotional-on-prayer/

"LUKE 10:38-42 READING" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 51: The story of Martha and Mary and the one necessary and better thing offers us a chance to consider many ways the Spirit draws us in closer.

https://10bibleverses.com/scripture-quotes/martha-and-mary-bible-verses-and-meaning-for-today/

We’re going to read through another familiar story from Luke.

We’ll read through it 3 times as you are probably becoming more familiar with our pattern here.

Reading 1: just listen

While Jesus and his disciples were traveling, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his message. By contrast, Martha was preoccupied with getting everything ready for their meal. So Martha came to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself? Tell her to help me.”

The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part. It won’t be taken away from her.”

Reading 2: which phrase or words are sticking out to you?

Reading 3: how is the Holy Spirit calling you to respond through this word or phrase?

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://sundayschool.store/products/mary-and-martha-sunday-school-lesson-luke-10-38-42-free-sample-lesson

https://sundayschool.works/lessons/martha-and-mary-luke-1038-72-sunday-school-lesson-and-activities/

"LUKE 10:25-37 REFLECTION" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 50: Jesus gives clear instructions to the scribe seeking eternal life; go and do like the compassionate samaritan. Go and do are the key to life.

The story we call the Good Samaritan is so familiar to us that it can, sometimes, be unfamiliar.

We have heard it so many times that we can kick into cruise control and assume we know the story and its meaning based on what we’ve heard others say about it 100 times. When we do that…we can miss the details.

We could miss that the priest and levite were following purity code and obeying an interpretation of scripture by moving to the other side of the road. They were maintaining their purity as they made their way to Jerusalem…probably to fulfill their roles which would’ve been tainted if they had touched a dead person.

We could miss that Jesus never answers the question of the scribe.

Who is my neighbor?

Jesus doesn’t answer that question at all.

He says, “Who was the neighbor to the beaten man?”

Being a neighbor, as Jesus defines it, is an action we assume towards people…not a definition of someone else’s relationship toward us.

The last words are “Go and do likewise”

So the answer of the question “Who is my neighbor” is “You are to be the neighbor to others, not define which of the others are your neighbor.”

What makes someone your neighbor has nothing to do with them and everything to do with you.

Be the neighbor.

Go and do.

This scribe was trying to believe things the correct way…or at least test to see if Jesus believed the correct way.

Jesus constantly fights off this kind of thinking.

It’s not all about believing the correct way.

It’s about LIVING the correct way.

Go and do are actions.

Be is an action.

Sometimes we learn what to believe to know how to go and do…

but sometimes we go and do to learn what to believe.

The scribe was invited to see the answer to his question by an illustration of compassion and action of a person that, on the surface, was a hated enemy.

The ACTIONS taught him how to BELIEVE

The scribe accepted the invitation on the surface—he knew who the neighbor was to the beaten man.

Will he accept the invitation to put this newfound BELIEF into ACTION in his own life?

Will I?

Will you?

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Be the neighbor to all and know that this is how Jesus instructs us to live.

If you want eternal life (which is the original quest of the scribe), then go and do like the neighbor from the story.

Go and do…and you will live.

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

"LUKE 10:1-11 REFLECTION" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 48: A life of a minister can be tricky.  Jesus' instructions to the 72 disciples offers us great wisdom in discerning how we serve our people.

I hope you have found some treasure in the passage we are focusing on this week. It’s tough to know what to do with these passages at times because they are SO demanding and, seemingly, irrelevant to our own day and practice.

But…

Some context.

For much of Luke’s middle portion, Jesus is establishing the parameters for what it is to be a disciple. Jesus has begun the famous Lukan journey to Jerusalem—after the Transfiguration, he sets his sight on Jerusalem and the reminder to the reader that he is ultimately headed there is repeated again and again. Jesus has a task. Jesus is set on completing that task.

Along the way he reveals part of the ultimate plan of creating a new Israel, by calling 12 disciples to match the 12 tribes of Israel.

He then gives them a new set of instructions on the Sermon on the Plain.

Then Jesus encounters religious leader after religious leader. Maybe Pharisees, maybe Bible experts (legal experts/scribes), and even Sadducees. He is always juxtaposing how the life of a disciple is different than the religious leaders they are used to looking up to.

As Jesus sends the 72 out, he gives them instructions that are all about NOT benefiting from the work.

They can receive a place to stay and food to eat, for a worker deserves their pay, BUT…they are not to be picky.

Whoever receives them in a town, they are to stay there and eat the food they prepare. If a more affluent person with better lodging and food offers them a place to stay on day 2, they are NOT to take it.

Jesus doesn’t want them to be confused with the religious leaders of the day who often expected pay for their presence and work.

The work is about offering peace and healing to those who will receive it.

If they won’t receive it, then move on.

How often do we all get caught up in the benefits of our work?

Yes, most of the time we shoulder great burdens in ministry, but there are always people who want to offer us benefits beyond the expected.

Yes, some people will not receive your peace and healing…because you may not bring what they expected.

Yes, we can sometimes be tempted to play games and reap bigger rewards and blessings for what we do.

Ministry is tricky.

It’s wonderful…but it’s tricky.

Any time we work with people, things have the potential to get more complicated than they have to.

Some days you may feel like a lamb among wolves…

Others you may feel like a well-attended to disciple of Jesus Christ…

No matter what you are feeling and experiencing today in your ministry, trust that you are working for the Kingdom of God which comes to us and through us to those whom we serve.

What happens from there is hardly in our control…except how we choose to respond.

If you are facing trial today, brush off your feet the unnecessary burdens you may feel drawn to carry due the issues others are trying to place upon you.

If you are struggling to discern what issues are yours vs. theirs, seek out help from colleagues and mentors.

If you are witnessing blessing today, revel in the joy of serving Christ…and know that this too shall pass.

Be blessed my friends.

Trust in Jesus and serve the Kingdom no matter what…because the harvest is bigger than we can imagine… and the workers are few.

Message brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://sundayschool.store/collections/free-downloads

https://10bibleverses.com/bible-verse-of-the-day/