Bible Readings
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left. (Matthew 19:13-15)
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that come by trusting in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
Thought
For many years I taught mathematics to children aged between 9 and 18 years old. When planning any lesson, regardless of the age of the pupils, you have to decide what it is that you want the students to have learnt by the time the lesson is finished. Most lesson plans start with an ‘Aim’ at the beginning in which you try to sum up, often in just one sentence, the learning that you hope will take place during the lesson. One measure of a successful lesson is seeing if the pupils have achieved your aim by the time the bell rings.
More recently I have been preparing craft activities for young people to do either at Messy Church or now during our online morning services. As I consider the bible passage that David is preaching on I again have to consider what I want the young people to learn from doing the craft activity. Can I sum up in just one sentence the most important message, the one I hope they will not forget. Last Sunday we were looking at Noah and I decided that what I really wanted the young people to take away from the story was that Noah trusted God. If they remembered nothing else I wanted them to know that the story was about trust. When reading a passage of scripture we can ask ourselves what have we learnt from this passage, could we sum it up in just a few words?
I was very blessed to grow up in a Christian family and attended Sunday School from a very early age. Like Timothy I was taught the holy Scriptures from childhood and it is the truths that we were taught when we first came to faith, whether as a child or an adult, that we need to hold fast to when things are difficult, as they are for many at this present time.
There is a song by Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend, the last verse of which says “Still, my soul, be still; do not forsake the truth you learned in the beginning. Wait upon the Lord, and hope will rise as stars appear when day is dimming.” I often use this song in my quiet time when I want to still my thoughts and turn to God. A link to the song is at the bottom.
In these unsettling times we need to be like Noah, to trust God and hold fast to the truths that we know.
Prayer
Loving Heavenly Father, help us to trust in you through all of our lives. Fill us with your love and surround us with your peace.
Amen
Still, My Soul, Be Still (Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend)
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