Anchor Bay Diving Deep #19

This week’s question is: How should I serve others?

We learned in class this week how Jesus served his disciples in an incredible way. You can read about it again in John 13: 1-17. Imagine having no paved roads or sidewalks and wearing sandals all the time! In Jesus’ time servants would wash people’s feet. It was a lowly job. But Jesus washed the disciples feet himself! He showed that we should serve others.

Grab an old towel and a permanent marker (get permission from your parents!) and write the name of a few people that you want to serve and why you want to serve them. You can hang the towel in your bathroom to remind you to follow through on your idea.

Then discuss these questions with your family:

Why was Jesus willing to be a servant?

Why does Jesus want us to follow his example of servanthood?

What are ways our family members can serve each other?

How can we encourage each other to remember to be servants?

Pray together to ask God to remind you to be willing and cheerful servants.

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #18

This week’s question is: What do I do when I have a disagreement with someone in my church?

Great question because just like in any family, there are going to be times when you disagree with someone at church. Read Matthew 18: 15-20.

This outlines how to handle disagreements.

Step 1. Go talk to that person one on one. The temptation is to talk bad about someone when we argue with them but that’s not what God wants. He wants us to love each other. Most of the time this solves the problem since most arguments are because of misunderstandings.

Step 2.  If the person doesn’t want to listen to you or if step one doesn’t solve the problem then you can get someone else (someone who is a mature Christian is best) to talk to that person with you. Having another person there can help both of you see the other person’s point of view.

Step 3. If there is still a problem then you can take it to a pastor.

Step 4. Still  not working? Verse 17 says to treat the person like a pagan or a tax collector. What does that mean? Basically, it means not to hang out with that person any more.

But that’s not the end of the story. Read Matthew 18: 21- 35. Its all about how to forgive your brothers or sisters.

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #17

This week’s questions is: How can I be happy when I’m worried about something?

If you are alive then you’ve got worries. Go to Philippians 4: 6-7 and read about how to get rid of your worries!

Finished reading? Ok, good! When you pray instead of worrying, your worries will start to melt away. It’s kind of like this project.

You’ll need: cornstarch, water, bowl, spoon, measuring spoons. Look out this is going to be messy!

1. Mix one heaping tablespoon of cornstarch with two teaspoons of water. (you may want to do this in the sink or over a piece of newspaper so you don’t get in trouble!)

2. Pick up the goo and move it around your finger quickly.

3. Set the goo ball in the center of your hand.

Imagine that this goo is something you’re worried about. The more you keep trying to handle your fears on your own, the more anxious you will become. Now STOP! See how quickly your “worries” melt when you stop trying to handle your problems on your own?  Cool huh? Think of one thing you’re worried about today. Now pray and quit worrying!

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #16

This week’s question is: once I become a part of God’s family what do I do next?

Becoming a Christian is the most important decision in your life, but it’s only the first step in your relationship with God. Being a Christian means growing in Christ, following God in everything you do, and living for Jesus here on earth. If you’ve just begun your adventure with God, way to go! But get ready because God has so much more for you on your way to eternal life with him!

The book of Ephesians is a great book in the Bible that talks about what it means to be a Christian. It tells about a new family, new gifts, new life, and new responsibilities!

Have you ever gone to a game or a concert and gotten really horrible seats? Well, good seats aren’t a problem for God. He has the best seats in the house reserved for you! Check out Ephesians 2:4-10 to found out about the seats in heaven!

Its not a super-vitamin or a sports drink or a diet but it IS a proven formula to help you enjoy life! Read Ephesians 6: 1-3 for the secret!

Before you go boarding or biking you get geared up right? I mean, you wouldn’t ride without protection! Well, God wants you to gear up and protect yourself too. Go to Ephesians 6: 10-17 to read about God’s gear.

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #15

This week’s question is: What if I don’t understand God?

Have you ever felt your life is unfair? Have you ever questioned God? Well, guess what, you’re not the only one! After all the terrible things that happened to Job he questioned God too. And guess what! God answered him with a few questions of his own! Read them in Job 38-41. GO AHEAD I DARE YOU!

Finished reading? Tough questions huh? Choose your favorite verse out of this passage, and draw a picture of what you read. Hang your picture in your room to remind you that God knows everything and can do everything.

No matter what happens, we don’t need to question God- whatever he has planned for his people is best!

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #14

What are some verses about being born again?

We looked at John 3: 3 already, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

Here are some other verses to look up:

John 3:7, “you must be born again…”

1 Peter 1:3, “we have been born again…”

1 Peter 1:23, “you have been born again…”

Colossians 3:10, “be renewed as you learn to know…”

If you want to look up even more verses about this or another topic you can always look in the back of your Bible to see if it has a concordance.

A concor-what? A concordance is actually a lot like a dictionary. It’s an alphabetical listing of important words that you can find in your Bible. Just use it like you would use a dictionary at school. It will tell you scriptures you can look up that uses that word. If your Bible doesn’t have a concordance you can look up verses using key words on different websites like www.biblegateway.com or www.biblestudytools.com.

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #13

This week’s question is: What if I’m worried about going to Heaven?

Making you worry about your salvation is one of the tricks that the devil tries to play on Christians sometimes. You can use this list of verses to tell him to be quiet the same way Jesus did when he was tested by the devil in the wilderness, using God’s Word. These verses will also help you if you aren’t a Christian yet, they will show you what to do to get to heaven.

John 3:16, “for God so loved the world…”

John 3: 17-18,” God sent his son…”

Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death…”

Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth…”

Ephesians 2: 8-9, “God saved you by his grace…”

1 John 4:10, “This is real love- not…”

1 John 5:12, “Whoever has the Son has life…”

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #12

this week’s question is: Does God answer all our prayers?

God does always answer our prayers, but he doesn’t always give us the answer we want. Suppose you really wanted to go away to summer camp one year. You pray and pray, but Dad and Mom decided they needed you to be at home to help the family. Did God answer your prayer? Yes, even though it wasn’t the answer you wanted.

We should always remember that God is a lot smarter than we are. He knows the future, and he knows what’s best for you. Next time you pray for something and God says no or not right now, thank him for knowing what’s best for you. That’s what the Apostle Paul did when God told him no one time. Read about it in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9.

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #11

What do I do when I don’t know what decision to make?

Like we learned in class this week, one of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to remind you of God’s Word. But you can’t be reminded of something if you don’t learn it first so here is a list of scriptures that you can look up to help you when you need to make a decision (I’m putting the reference and the first few words of the verse). Look them up, pick a couple to memorize, and watch how the Holy Spirit reminds you of these verses when you need them:

Deuteronomy 6:5-6, “and you must love the Lord your God…”

Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withers and the flowers…”

Matthew 19:19, “Honor your father and mother…”

Luke 6:31, “Do to others…”

John 14:26, “But when the Father sends the Advocate…”

Romans 12: 1-2, “and so, dear brothers and sisters…”

Galatians 6:7, “don’t be misled- you cannot mock…”

Ephesians 6: 11-12, “put on all of God’s armor…”

Philippians 4:8, “and now dear brothers and sisters…”

James 1:5, “if you need wisdom, ask…”

Anchor Bay Diving Deep #10

This week’s question is: What are demons? Should I be afraid of them?

Demons are angels who rebelled against God at the same time the devil, the prince of demons, rebelled. God threw them out of heaven but has permitted some of them to be active in the world until the time he has planned to banish them to hell. Demons can sometimes trouble people through temptation or other forms of harassment such as illness. That’s why the Bible tells Christians to be ready by putting on their spiritual armor (see Ephesians 6: 10-12).

It’s important to remember that although demons try to work against God’s plans, they are totally powerless against him. When Jesus was on earth, he cast out many demons from people, and when he died and rose again, he won the final victory over the devil and the demons.

So Christians can be sure that God will protect them from harm by demons (see 1 John 5:18). But we are called to be on guard against the temptations and suffering the devil and his helpers can trouble us with (see 1 Peter 5:8-9). So put on that spiritual armor- and don’t be afraid because God is way bigger and way stronger than any demon and Jesus has already won the battle!

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