Week 4 Top 150 Bible Stories

 The Flood

Genesis 7:1-24   

Everybody knows about Noah and the ark.  You might even hear this story told, when you are not at church.  Yes, everybody knows about this story, but not everybody believes that it is true (can you believe that?).  Yes, this is a true story about real people, a real big boat, real animals, and really a lot of water!  This true story is about two very real things. First, it is about God who does not like wickedness (v. 23).  God’s dislike of the world’s ways shows us His righteousness and glory.  Second, it is about how God loves His people so much that He saves them.  In this story God loves and saves through families (v.1,7,13,23).  You need to know that His saving grace is commonly given to people in their families.  Aren’t you glad you live in a family who loves God (and His Son, Jesus)?   So what are we to do to show God our love for Him?  Our Heavenly Father desires us to be righteous (v.1) as Noah was righteous.  For us, that means we are to believe in Jesus and trust in Him.

God Remembers Noah

Genesis 8:1-19             

Do you have a good memory?  Probably, sometimes you do, sometimes you don’t!  We usually have a good memory for things like taking time to play, making sure we watch television, or even remembering about our favorite subject in school (like recess, just kidding).  But we don’t have a good memory for really hard things like making our bed, cleaning our room, doing math homework, or obeying our parents.  Aren’t you glad that God has a perfect memory (v.1)?  God remembers His promises.  He has made a covenant with us (like He did with Noah).  Some of what “a covenant” means is that God makes promises (and remembers them).  God is a promise-keeper.  God has promised to be our God through all types of situations - good and bad.  In this story, God remembered Noah and saved Noah’s family by sheltering them in the ark.  Today, God promises to shelter us as we commit our lives to Christ.  May we seek the shelter of Christ often.   We can remember to be patient just as Noah did in the days when the waters were going down.  We tend to forget our faith in times of great floods (when things are hard for us). But remember just like God sheltered Noah and his family during the great flood and brought them safely to dry land, He will care for you. May we remember God and His promises, like He remembers us.

Praying

Matthew 6:5-24             

What is God’s most favorite thing?  I’m not exactly sure what God would choose, do you?  I can guess!  Since God is love, maybe His most favorite thing is for us to love Him back.  Or since God made us “in His image,” maybe His most favorite thing is for us to reflect His image to our friends.  Or since God sent his only Son to earth, maybe God’s most favorite thing is for us to believe in Jesus.  Or since God is a Spirit and cannot be seen, maybe His most favorite thing is for us to trust in Him instead of only those things that we can see (which is very hard for us to do).  All of these things are good, don’t you agree?  Even so, I wonder if He would choose “praying?”  I think God loves for us to speak with Him by praying.  It must be among His most favorite!  When we pray we are reminded that God is with us and is not absent from our lives (v.10).  When we pray we show our abiding faith and dependence upon Him (v.11). When we pray our faith is helped.  In this story, Jesus is teaching us (through His disciples) how to pray (vv.9-13).  To pray means that we are hoping in the care and deliverance provided by our Savior.  We are reminded that we are God’s children when we pray.  We must desire to be faithful in prayer.  A good prayer life helps us to remain focused upon God and it helps us to be relying on His care.  God is big and we can talk with Him at any time, I think prayer is one of God’s most-favorite things. 

Week 3 Top 150 Bible Stories

Top 150 Bible StoriesWeek 3 January 20 Cain and Able
Genesis 4:1-16
Have you ever closely watched a cat? When a cat is trying to catch something like the end of a string, the
cat will crouch-down and when the time is just right will quickly and suddenly spring forward before you can pull the string away. This story tells us that sin is much like that (v.7). It is crouched-down, hiding, and RE- DAY to catch us. In this story, one man (Cain) got so angry with his own brother (Able) such that he killed him – Cain killed his brother, Abel. Sin caught Cain. We certainly know that anger and murder is sin, but did you know that sin is anything in your heart that is against God’s heart (v.5)? And did you know that all people sin (Romans 3:23)? Just like Cain we need saving from our sin. God looks upon His people with grace and saves them with His Son, Jesus. May we worship God with a pure heart like Able did (with his good offering). And may we remember to follow the path of righteousness and to turn away from any wrong that is in our hearts.
Noah and the Flood
Genesis 6:5-22
I wonder if you have ever been watching television and a parent comes in and says, “that’s not a good show, please change the channel.” So you change the channel and they say, “that’s not a good one either, please try another.” So you change the channel again. They say, “Wow, that’s a terrible movie, too. Aren’t there any channels that are good?” This story is like that. EVERYWHERE that God looked,
he saw the wickedness of man. People on the earth had grown to be that bad (v.6)! God is so holy (holy is the opposite of wicked). So holy in fact, that He cannot stand any wickedness (wickedness is also called sin). So God decided to do right by making an end of all that sin on the earth (v.13). But we see how Noah, a righteous man, walked with God (v.9). So while ridding the earth of sin by a great flood, God stepped in and saved Noah and his family (v.18). This story reminds us that God stepped in to rescue us, not with an ark but with His Son Jesus. And like Noah may we be found faithful, by walking with God and doing what He commands (v.22).
Beatitudes
Matthew 5:1-16
Have you ever tried a little salt on your green beans? Without a little salt (or some other tasty flavoring) they would taste like.......well, green beans! Probably, your Mother does something special to them while they cook to help them taste a lot better. This story (that comes straight from the mouth of Jesus) asks us to be like salt. Not like salt on green beans, but salt on the world! We read here about all the many types of people that God blesses (vv.3-11), and we are awed with His kindness and care. These types of people are: poor in spirit, those who morn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those persecuted for righteousness’ sake, those reviled, those who are talked about. These are all very lofty positions to have. Even though the world may not think they are important types of people, Jesus does. Just look, God grants the “kingdom of heaven” to those He blesses (vv.3,10-11). God also reveals Himself and promises His presence with His people. May God give us the strength to endure the persecution (mistreatment) in this life, because we are looking forward (with great hope) to God’s coming Kingdom. May we rejoice and be glad (v.12) that we are God’s people. May we be salt (v.13) and light (v.14) in the world.....that God might be exalted and His kingdom expanded. 

New Wednesday Nights & Mark Your Calendars!

We have a lot going on in our Children's Ministry...with one goal in mind...teaching your children about Jesus Christ, His Word, and that they are woven into a great adventure living out the plans the Lord has for them!

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to share Christ with your children each week!
We LOVE it!

NEW WEDNESDAY NIGHT FORMAT STARTING JANUARY 16!!

6:00 - 7:15 PM 

Kidz Club & Music Club in one FUN hour!

3k-5k in room C221 @ 6 PM 

(will remain in C221 until 7:15 PM pick-up)

1st - 6th Grades in room C316 @ 6 PM

1st - 6th Grades will move to their Kidz Club classrooms at 6:30 PM. 

Please pick up at your child's Kidz Club classroom.

Here are some dates of upcoming events:

• 4th-6th Grade Girls' Lock-in - Friday, January 25 at 6 PM - RSVP by clicking here
• 4th-6th Grade Boys' Lock-in - Friday, February 15 at 6 PM - RSVP by clicking here
• VBS - June 10-14 - Rising 4K - 4th Graders - Wild Wild West - VOLUNTEER by clicking here 
• Bonus Days - June 24-28 - Rising 5th & 6th Graders
• Game On - Session 1 July 15-20 & Session 2 July 22-26 - Rising 1st - 4th Graders
• Created for A Purpose - June 17-21 - Camper Application here

Week 2 Top 150 Bible Stories

The Fall of Man

Genesis 3:1-13

Sometime you might say to another kid, “You’re not the boss of me!”  And you are right, they’re not the boss.  The truth is: they’re just another kid!  But the truth about God is: He is the big boss!  God is above all that He creates, including the crafty serpent (v.1).  And God is all-wise.  He knows all-things; both things good and things evil (v.5)…..yet He is only good.  Another truth about God is: God follows-after those He loves (v.9).  Because of His grace, God wants to be with us and help us fight our enemies (like Satan).  If He did not come to our aid and help us, we would be in big trouble. God wants us to obey him (v.3).  We know that we have a responsibility to do what He directs.

The Serpent

Genesis 3:14-24   

What would you do if someone told lies about you?  You might want to punch them or call them names!  As we read about how God dealt with Satan’s rebellion (did you know it was a rebellion?) and man’s and woman’s sin (did you know what Adam and Eve did was sin?), we learn that God is a God of fairness.  God always does what is right.  But what is cool is…..God does not treat us to the level that our sin deserves. He is gracious to us (v.21).  He saves us from what we deserve.  Jesus is the one who is finally victorious over Satan (v.15).  We know that God’s big plan is to save those who love Jesus and who are God’s own.  God wants us to continue to join Him in the fight against Satan, and to always stand firm.  We are to fight the good fight and whole-heartedly follow Jesus, as He leads us. 

Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11    

What would you do for $1,000,000?  A million dollars is a lot of money!  Would you give-in to the temptation to tell a “little white lie,” or “not tell the whole truth,” or “cheat just a little bit?”  That’s kind-of what Satan is trying to do with Jesus in this story!  But, it is easy to see in this passage that God is Lord of all things (vv. 3, 6, 8) and that the devil is not.  Satan has no authority over God.  So, we serve the One Who has the greatest authority , and we are glad to be under His kind rule.  God is mighty to save!  He protects through any temptation….no matter whether the temptation attacks our basic needs like food (v.4), or our safety (v.7), or how important we may be (v.10).  God protect us daily; may we live boldly on His promises.  And may we do as Jesus did: May we live on every word that comes out of God’s mouth.  May God help us to keep from wrongly putting Him to the test.  And may God help us to worship and serve Him alone.

Week 1 of Top 150 Bible Stories

Week 1 January 6

Top 150 Bible Stories

God Creates All Things

Read: Genesis 1:1-25

You might not know that a long time ago there was absolutely nothing in the world!  Of course there was God, but there was nothing else.  We learn in this story that God is the Almighty Creator (v.1).  All things come from Him.  God created all things (out of nothing) to reveal His mighty power.  God created all things good, and He did so for His own glory (vv.4,10,12,18,21,25) so all things are worthy of saving.  It is a return to His good creation that God always works (sin had messed up things).  We know how our sin is not good in His sight.  We know that the creature should always worship the creator.  God is the creator and we (God’s creation) must worship Him. Remember that God is a spirit (v.2), and that it is our pleasure to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Creation of Man

Read: Genesis 2:1-25

Everybody knows that all people are babies at first…then they become children…then they grow-up to be adults.  But how did that work in the very, very beginning?  This story tells us in the very beginning, that even man and woman were created by God.  God the Creator, made mankind in His own image (Gen 1:27).  Did you notice how God made man and woman to be with each other (v.18)?  So we know that God cherishes family and marriage; and wants the family to be the normal place (v.24) where you are to learn about Him. This passage tells us that human beings are God’s most important creation…such that He gave mankind the responsibility to oversee all of creation (v.19).  God tells us that we are so important that He works throughout all of time to save us from sin’s guilt and penalty.  We know that we should gladly honor Him in all that we do in order that His image might be reflected in us.   Remember to glorify God in all that you do. 

Word is a Lamp

Read: Psalm 119:105-120

Most of us don’t like it when it’s totally dark!  Why?  Because we can’t see anything!  We might even trip (and fall) because we can’t even see the huge hole in front of us.  We learn in this Psalm that God’s Word is a lamp to our feet (v.105).  That means the Bible, God’s Word, is our guide to life.  So God is looking out for us to keep up from tripping-up.  He protects us, too.  God is our hiding place and our shield (v.114).  He gives life and saves us from our troubles (v.107) and keeps us from those who may do evil to us (v.115).  So remember we are to follow His commandments (God’s Word), for the commandments are good for us, we must learn to walk in His ways. 

Top 150 Bible Stories - Weekly Reading

Top 150 Bible Stories

To Parents:

G.K. Chesterton, an English writer and defender of the Christian faith once wrote, “I had always felt life first as a story; and if there is a story there is a storyteller.”

Kids love stories!  If there is one thing that I have learned in my years of working with children, it is that kids love stories.  And I know why!  It is because God gave stories to us.  God Himself is the Master Storyteller.  He created life as a story and has preserved these individual life stories for us in the sacred Scriptures. 

Real life is full of stories that pose specific problems that, in turn, create personal, emotional and spiritual tension that need resolution.  Bible stories, in particular, tell us about the history of the problem of sin; the tension it causes in personal lives; and how God is always working toward a resolution.  That resolution comes in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of His Son—the story of the life of Jesus Christ. 

Kids love Bible stories!  They need to know them.  As they read, they learn at least three things.  First, they learn who God is.  They need to know the Storyteller.  Second, they learn that God is active in history as He works to redeem His people.  And third, they learn what God requires of them, in other words, how to think and act.  Bible stories are essential to the education of the next Christian generation.

So I have compiled my top 150 (actually 156) of them and set them in a format that can be used for their reading in one year.  If your family reads three stories per week, you can accomplish this important task. 

On this blog, the stories will be posted each week along with a short devotion to highlight the three categories of learning suggested above.  I have underlined my suggestions to highlight them and to make them simple to see. 

I pray that your family’s time in these stories will be blessed by God.  

Dan Edwards (Mr. Dan)

Pastor to Children & Families 

Lock-ins...Lock-ins...Lock-ins!

It's finally feeling like winter! So if you're looking for a warm fun place for your kiddos to spend a Friday night...we would LOVE for them to hang with us at one of the Children's Ministry Lock-ins!

Mock Lock for 1st-3rd graders on Friday, January 11 from 6-10 pm. Register by emailing ltucker@covpres.com.

Girl's Lock-in for 4th-6th graders on Friday, January 25 starting at 6 pm. Register by emailing ltucker@covpres.com. 

Boy's Lock-in for 4th-6th graders on Friday, February 15 starting at 6 pm. Register by emailing ltucker@covpres.com.

Be on the look-out for an Evite to RSVP through and to forward to your friends!!!

For more information contact Karen Yendle at kyendle@covpres.com or 871-7002!

THANK YOU!

The Children's Ministry Team wants to give a big thank you to the many many volunteers that share the Gospel with our children each Sunday morning, Wednesday night, and during many other events too!

Some of our volunteers have children participating and others do not, but all give their time, energy, and gifts to help teach our children the Word of God!

We appreciate the hours, smiles, hugs, preparation, songs, silliness, patience, and above all LOVE that you give week in and week out!

Thank you so much for being a tool for Christ. He is using you to do His good work!

(P.S. If you're not a volunteer yet....when you see the list of FABULOUS volunteers below... I am sure you will want to help out too... who wouldn't want to hang out with these great people on Sunday mornings & Wednesday nights!)

THANK YOU!
(We hope we did not forget anyone (if we did blame it on the blog administrator), because we truly truly appreciate each and every volunteer!!!)


Amy & Eric Pruitt


Anna & Mark Averyt


Ashley Mince


Blair & Edwin Moss

Bryan Flores

Burney Johnson

Caroline & Byron Woods

Cindy Watson


Darlene Shults


Dawson & Will Cooper

Elizabeth Ragland


Emily Getty

Emily Giffen


Emily Joy & Miles Gresham


Emily Lassiter


Eva & John Shank


Ian Hart


Jami & Jim Bennett

Jana & Ben Walker

Jennifer Sheppard

Jenny & Wes Gaylard


Jessica & Jeff Dyess

Jodi & Jeff Adair


Julie & Russell Martin


Julie Hall

Karen Edwards

Kate & Tom McKnight 


Katherine & Zach Turnage

Kathryn & Patrick Strubel

Katie & Brandon Bishop


Kelly & Heath Henderson


Kim & William Siegel 

Kitty & Bryan Willet


Kristin & Preston Sartelle


Lauren Hayes


Leslie & Michael Brooks

Leslie Edwards

Lindsey & John Abernathy


Maggie Mince

Maria and Emilie Alonso


Mark Hogewood

Marne & John Wood

Martha Hare


Marty Martin

Mary Anna & David Malone

Mary Laslie Balough

Mary Williamson


Mary Wilson

Meg Dedmon


Megan Yendle


Melanie & Alan Spooner


Melinda Peevy


Melissa & Chris Freeman

Molly Stone

Patti Sitton

Patti Vines


Paula Midyette


Raley Kilgory


Ramona & Don Robertson

Rebecca Sibley


Rebekah Fitts

Roy Ann Andrews

Rushton & Derek Waltchack 


Ruth Jones


Sharon Mumm

Sherri & Michael Oberding


Simon Yendle

Stacey & Paul Loyless


Stephanie Alonso


Susan & Walter Weingarten

Susan Ragland


Tara & Rob McCallum

Terri Yates

Tookie Hazelrig


William Boyd