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All Hands on Deck
Today we will take a look at goodness by hearing the story of Ruth and Naomi. Ruth was Naomi’s daughter-in-law. When their husbands died, Naomi urged Ruth to go back to her own family, but Ruth stayed with Naomi instead. Ruth demonstrated goodness when she showed love to Naomi beyond what would be considered normal or expected. Naomi and Ruth lived at a time when women did not have many rights. Without a husband to provide for them and protect them, women did not have many options for supporting themselves. Widows, such as Naomi and Ruth, had no socially acceptable way to support themselves other than begging and gleaning. Gleaning refers to the practice of going through the fields after harvesting has been completed and picking the unharvested grain. It was the custom at the time for the harvesters to leave some stalks of grain in the field for poor people to pick up. Leaving grain in the fields to be gleaned was a way to do good.
Dive Deeper Together
Read the Book of Ruth together in the Deep Blue Kids Bible. OR Read “Goodness”: A man, his sons, and his wife, Naomi, left Bethlehem to go to the territory of Moab. In Moab, Naomi’s sons married Moabite women. Naomi’s husband died, leaving Naomi alone with her sons. Then Naomi’s sons died, leaving Naomi alone. Naomi heard there was plenty of food in Bethlehem, so she began the journey home. Naomi’s daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, both went with her. Naomi told her daughters-in-law to return to their families. Orpah did return to her family, but Ruth told Naomi, “Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” So Ruth returned to Bethlehem with Naomi at the beginning of the barley harvest. Ruth was told by Naomi to go to the fields to glean barley. Ruth was gleaning in Boaz’s fields. Boaz was a close relative of Naomi. Boaz took interest in Ruth and offered her food for her lunch. At the end of the day, Boaz told Ruth to only glean in his fields and he would protect her. Ruth told Naomi all that had happened. Naomi told Ruth that Boaz was a redeemer, one who would care for Naomi and Ruth. Boaz married Ruth and cared for Naomi. Ruth and Boaz had a baby boy and they called him Obed.
Pray Together
Share joys and concerns, and then say this prayer: Dear God, help us to do good in your world. Amen.
August 7 Unit 3: Fruit of the Spirit: Part 2
BV: Galatians 5:22-
23—The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.
AP: The Holy Spirit
helps me act in good ways.
Goodness
(Book of Ruth)
The games in the Deep Blue Adventures app are awesome! Check them out here: https://itunes.apple. com/us/app/deep-blue-adventures
Jump In
All Hands on Deck
Our Bible story is about Josiah, one of the few kings that was faithful to God. After King David, Israel did not fare well when it came to kings, and the kingdom divided into two parts: Israel and Judah. After the split, the kings didn’t do well. A few of Judah’s kings tried to do right by God, but even those kings did not uphold the Torah. Then along came Josiah. Josiah receives praise from the writer of 2 Kings. “He did what was right in the Lord’s eyes.” One of the things Josiah did during his reign was order the Temple to be restored. During the renovation of the Temple, the high priest, Hilkiah, discovered an “instruction scroll” that had been hidden away. Upon hearing the contents of the scroll read, Josiah is overcome with grief because the people have not been following the law. King Josiah was faithful to God with all his heart.
Dive Deeper Together
Read 2 Kings 22:1-23:23 together in the Deep Blue Kids Bible, as well as “Lighthouse: Heart” on page 451. OR Read “Faithfulness”: Josiah was only eight when he became the king of Judah. Josiah was a great king. He loved God, and he tried his best to always do what God asked him to do. When he got older, he decided to restore the Temple so the Israelites could worship God. While Josiah and the workers were cleaning, they came across a scroll. The scroll contained God’s rules. Josiah needed help reading it, so he sent for the prophetess, Huldah. Huldah helped Josiah read the rules God had given the people a long time ago. Josiah was sad. The Israelites were not following God’s rules. Josiah called all of the people together, and read God’s rules to them. He promised to follow them, and so did the people of Israel.
Grow Stronger Together
Together on a piece of paper make a list of all of the characteristics you can identify for Jesus. Is Jesus loving, kind, and caring? How does he treat people who are different than him? What does he do for other people? What does he teach? What does he learn? Write it all down. Make a promise to try to follow Jesus’ example.
Pray Together
Share joys and concerns, and then say this prayer: Dear God, help us to be faithful followers of Jesus’ example. Amen.
August 14 Unit 3: Fruit of the Spirit: Part 2
BV: Galatians 5:22-
23—The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.
AP: The Holy Spirit
helps me act in good ways.
Faithfulness
(2 Kings 22:1-23:23)
The games in the Deep Blue Adventures app are awesome! Check them out here: https://itunes.apple. com/us/app/deep-blue-adventures
Jump In
All Hands on Deck
To talk about gentleness, we once again turn to the Psalms. Psalm 23 is possibly the most familiar scripture passage. “The Lord is my shepherd…” In ancient times, kings were known as shepherds of their people. It was the king’s responsibility to provide for and protect the people, though they frequently failed to do so. To profess God as our shepherd declares our intention to live under God’s reign. Unlike earthly kings, God is a responsible shepherd, and provides life and security for God’s people. The images of resting in grassy meadows, being led beside still waters, and being guided on the proper path convey a sense of tranquility and gentleness. The primary intent of these verses is to reinforce that God provides for all our needs and keeps us alive. For a sheep, grassy meadows mean plenty of food, still waters means having something to drink, and being on the proper path means danger is absent.
Dive Deeper Together
Read Psalm 23 together in the Deep Blue Kids Bible, as well as “Life Preserver” on page 626. OR Read Psalm 23 here “Gentleness”: The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He lets me rest in grassy meadows; he leads me to restful waters; he keeps me alive. He guides me in proper paths for the sake of his good name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me. Your rod and your staff—they protect me. You set a table for me right in front of my enemies. You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over! Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live.
Grow Stronger Together
This week take a break together over a favorite snack. Psalm 23 praises God for the blessing of a running over cup. That means that God provides all we need. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for your overflowing cup and then rest together in God’s love.
Pray Together
Share joys and concerns, and then say this prayer: Dear God, help us to rest in your gentle love. Amen.
August 21 Unit 3: Fruit of the Spirit: Part 2
BV: Galatians 5:22-
23—The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.
AP: The Holy Spirit
helps me act in good ways.
Gentleness (Psalm 23)
The games in the Deep Blue Adventures app are awesome! Check them out here: https://itunes.apple. com/us/app/deep-blue-adventures
Jump In
All Hands on Deck
Today we discuss self-control and take a look at the story of Daniel. The book of Daniel tells about men who chose to be faithful to God at a time when that was not an easy choice. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego lived during the period of the Babylonian Exile. This meant they were living in a foreign land, among people who worshipped different gods and had different religious practices. As part of the Babylonian training, Daniel and his friends are to receive the same food and wine as the king. Daniel refuses, deciding to continue to follow Mosaic food laws. It may be that the meat and wine being offered had been used in sacrifices to Babylonian gods. Although the choices are different than those faced by Daniel, being a Christian often requires having the courage not to conform to societal pressures.
Dive Deeper Together
Read Daniel 1:1-21 together in the Deep Blue Kids Bible. OR Read “Self-control”: Nebuchadnezzar instructed his high priest to bring the wisest to the king’s court. They would be taught the Chaldean language and its literature. They would eat the king’s food and serve the king. Those chosen were Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel and his friends did not want to eat from the king’s table and requested to eat fruit and vegetables. The chief official said no because if they did not look healthy, the king would be angry. Daniel talked with the guard and made a deal. If after ten days of eating fruit and vegetables they looked ill and not healthy, then they would eat the king’s food. For the next ten days, the guard traded the king’s food for vegetables and fruit. After ten days, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego looked healthier than any others, so the guard continued to provide fruit and vegetables for them. When it was time for the king to review the young men, no one was found to be as good as they were.
Grow Stronger Together
This week practice self-control together. This could be around food choices, social media choices, or anything else that keeps you from being fully present to God and to each other.
Pray Together
Share joys and concerns, and then say this prayer: Dear God, help us practice self-control. Amen.
August 28 Unit 3: Fruit of the Spirit: Part 2
BV: Galatians 5:22-
23—The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.
AP: The Holy Spirit
helps me act in good ways.
Self-control
(Daniel 1:1-21)
The games in the Deep Blue Adventures app are awesome! Check them out here: https://itunes.apple. com/us/app/deep-blue-adventures
All Hands on Deck
Today we will take a look at goodness by hearing the story of Ruth and Naomi. Ruth was Naomi’s daughter-in-law. When their husbands died, Naomi urged Ruth to go back to her own family, but Ruth stayed with Naomi instead. Ruth demonstrated goodness when she showed love to Naomi beyond what would be considered normal or expected. Naomi and Ruth lived at a time when women did not have many rights. Without a husband to provide for them and protect them, women did not have many options for supporting themselves. Widows, such as Naomi and Ruth, had no socially acceptable way to support themselves other than begging and gleaning. Gleaning refers to the practice of going through the fields after harvesting has been completed and picking the unharvested grain. It was the custom at the time for the harvesters to leave some stalks of grain in the field for poor people to pick up. Leaving grain in the fields to be gleaned was a way to do good.
Dive Deeper Together
Read the Book of Ruth together in the Deep Blue Kids Bible. OR Read “Goodness”: A man, his sons, and his wife, Naomi, left Bethlehem to go to the territory of Moab. In Moab, Naomi’s sons married Moabite women. Naomi’s husband died, leaving Naomi alone with her sons. Then Naomi’s sons died, leaving Naomi alone. Naomi heard there was plenty of food in Bethlehem, so she began the journey home. Naomi’s daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, both went with her. Naomi told her daughters-in-law to return to their families. Orpah did return to her family, but Ruth told Naomi, “Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” So Ruth returned to Bethlehem with Naomi at the beginning of the barley harvest. Ruth was told by Naomi to go to the fields to glean barley. Ruth was gleaning in Boaz’s fields. Boaz was a close relative of Naomi. Boaz took interest in Ruth and offered her food for her lunch. At the end of the day, Boaz told Ruth to only glean in his fields and he would protect her. Ruth told Naomi all that had happened. Naomi told Ruth that Boaz was a redeemer, one who would care for Naomi and Ruth. Boaz married Ruth and cared for Naomi. Ruth and Boaz had a baby boy and they called him Obed.
Pray Together
Share joys and concerns, and then say this prayer: Dear God, help us to do good in your world. Amen.
August 7 Unit 3: Fruit of the Spirit: Part 2
BV: Galatians 5:22-
23—The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.
AP: The Holy Spirit
helps me act in good ways.
Goodness
(Book of Ruth)
The games in the Deep Blue Adventures app are awesome! Check them out here: https://itunes.apple. com/us/app/deep-blue-adventures
Jump In
All Hands on Deck
Our Bible story is about Josiah, one of the few kings that was faithful to God. After King David, Israel did not fare well when it came to kings, and the kingdom divided into two parts: Israel and Judah. After the split, the kings didn’t do well. A few of Judah’s kings tried to do right by God, but even those kings did not uphold the Torah. Then along came Josiah. Josiah receives praise from the writer of 2 Kings. “He did what was right in the Lord’s eyes.” One of the things Josiah did during his reign was order the Temple to be restored. During the renovation of the Temple, the high priest, Hilkiah, discovered an “instruction scroll” that had been hidden away. Upon hearing the contents of the scroll read, Josiah is overcome with grief because the people have not been following the law. King Josiah was faithful to God with all his heart.
Dive Deeper Together
Read 2 Kings 22:1-23:23 together in the Deep Blue Kids Bible, as well as “Lighthouse: Heart” on page 451. OR Read “Faithfulness”: Josiah was only eight when he became the king of Judah. Josiah was a great king. He loved God, and he tried his best to always do what God asked him to do. When he got older, he decided to restore the Temple so the Israelites could worship God. While Josiah and the workers were cleaning, they came across a scroll. The scroll contained God’s rules. Josiah needed help reading it, so he sent for the prophetess, Huldah. Huldah helped Josiah read the rules God had given the people a long time ago. Josiah was sad. The Israelites were not following God’s rules. Josiah called all of the people together, and read God’s rules to them. He promised to follow them, and so did the people of Israel.
Grow Stronger Together
Together on a piece of paper make a list of all of the characteristics you can identify for Jesus. Is Jesus loving, kind, and caring? How does he treat people who are different than him? What does he do for other people? What does he teach? What does he learn? Write it all down. Make a promise to try to follow Jesus’ example.
Pray Together
Share joys and concerns, and then say this prayer: Dear God, help us to be faithful followers of Jesus’ example. Amen.
August 14 Unit 3: Fruit of the Spirit: Part 2
BV: Galatians 5:22-
23—The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.
AP: The Holy Spirit
helps me act in good ways.
Faithfulness
(2 Kings 22:1-23:23)
The games in the Deep Blue Adventures app are awesome! Check them out here: https://itunes.apple. com/us/app/deep-blue-adventures
Jump In
All Hands on Deck
To talk about gentleness, we once again turn to the Psalms. Psalm 23 is possibly the most familiar scripture passage. “The Lord is my shepherd…” In ancient times, kings were known as shepherds of their people. It was the king’s responsibility to provide for and protect the people, though they frequently failed to do so. To profess God as our shepherd declares our intention to live under God’s reign. Unlike earthly kings, God is a responsible shepherd, and provides life and security for God’s people. The images of resting in grassy meadows, being led beside still waters, and being guided on the proper path convey a sense of tranquility and gentleness. The primary intent of these verses is to reinforce that God provides for all our needs and keeps us alive. For a sheep, grassy meadows mean plenty of food, still waters means having something to drink, and being on the proper path means danger is absent.
Dive Deeper Together
Read Psalm 23 together in the Deep Blue Kids Bible, as well as “Life Preserver” on page 626. OR Read Psalm 23 here “Gentleness”: The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He lets me rest in grassy meadows; he leads me to restful waters; he keeps me alive. He guides me in proper paths for the sake of his good name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me. Your rod and your staff—they protect me. You set a table for me right in front of my enemies. You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over! Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live.
Grow Stronger Together
This week take a break together over a favorite snack. Psalm 23 praises God for the blessing of a running over cup. That means that God provides all we need. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for your overflowing cup and then rest together in God’s love.
Pray Together
Share joys and concerns, and then say this prayer: Dear God, help us to rest in your gentle love. Amen.
August 21 Unit 3: Fruit of the Spirit: Part 2
BV: Galatians 5:22-
23—The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.
AP: The Holy Spirit
helps me act in good ways.
Gentleness (Psalm 23)
The games in the Deep Blue Adventures app are awesome! Check them out here: https://itunes.apple. com/us/app/deep-blue-adventures
Jump In
All Hands on Deck
Today we discuss self-control and take a look at the story of Daniel. The book of Daniel tells about men who chose to be faithful to God at a time when that was not an easy choice. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego lived during the period of the Babylonian Exile. This meant they were living in a foreign land, among people who worshipped different gods and had different religious practices. As part of the Babylonian training, Daniel and his friends are to receive the same food and wine as the king. Daniel refuses, deciding to continue to follow Mosaic food laws. It may be that the meat and wine being offered had been used in sacrifices to Babylonian gods. Although the choices are different than those faced by Daniel, being a Christian often requires having the courage not to conform to societal pressures.
Dive Deeper Together
Read Daniel 1:1-21 together in the Deep Blue Kids Bible. OR Read “Self-control”: Nebuchadnezzar instructed his high priest to bring the wisest to the king’s court. They would be taught the Chaldean language and its literature. They would eat the king’s food and serve the king. Those chosen were Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel and his friends did not want to eat from the king’s table and requested to eat fruit and vegetables. The chief official said no because if they did not look healthy, the king would be angry. Daniel talked with the guard and made a deal. If after ten days of eating fruit and vegetables they looked ill and not healthy, then they would eat the king’s food. For the next ten days, the guard traded the king’s food for vegetables and fruit. After ten days, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego looked healthier than any others, so the guard continued to provide fruit and vegetables for them. When it was time for the king to review the young men, no one was found to be as good as they were.
Grow Stronger Together
This week practice self-control together. This could be around food choices, social media choices, or anything else that keeps you from being fully present to God and to each other.
Pray Together
Share joys and concerns, and then say this prayer: Dear God, help us practice self-control. Amen.
August 28 Unit 3: Fruit of the Spirit: Part 2
BV: Galatians 5:22-
23—The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.
AP: The Holy Spirit
helps me act in good ways.
Self-control
(Daniel 1:1-21)
The games in the Deep Blue Adventures app are awesome! Check them out here: https://itunes.apple. com/us/app/deep-blue-adventures
