The Church of God of Carmichael

This past week at BST we had a party with lots of cookie decorating. Was lots of fun. Hope to see you next week!

This week at BST we explored the story of Jesus in the garden, Judas seeking for money, and what it may have been like when Jesus went to the cross. We talked about how Jesus had to pray for the grace necessary for his journey to the cross and how we have to seek God for grace in our difficult trials. We looked at how Jesus went to the cross as a replacement for us because we had sinned...and He took our punishment. We talked about what it means to be a "Christian" or Christ-like, and how that means we might be faced with suffering just like Jesus was. We learned about prayer and how important it is for each of us to use that avenue of prayer to have the grace we need for our trials and problems. Next week we will learn about what happened on the cross and how Jesus rose again!

This week at BST we learned about the Three Little Pigs and how we need to build right for God. The classic children's story is also an excellent illustration of how if we are careless, spiritually, we will end up unprepared and exposed to the devil. The last little pig was careful and planned his dwelling to withstand any storm that might come his way. The first two little pigs learned that it is very important to be diligent when building their homes. We explored this story in a spiritual perspective and learned how carefully we must build out spiritual "house" for God. We discussed how important the foundation was to Christians, and how that foundation must be Christ.

Our verse is "Except the Lord build the house; they labor in vain that build it." Psalm 127:1.

Galatians 6:7: "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

This week we our series on BST Charlie with his adventure up Shadow Mountain. Charlie learned to be careful to work for God for His glory and not for himself. Charlie was tempted to try and bring glory to himself and got in quite a bit of trouble in the process. Out main verse was Galatians 6:7: "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Charlie learned to leave the trial in God's hands and not to try and make things happen in his own strength. In the process he made a new friend and learned to be humble.

This week at BST ee started the series on BST Charlie and his visit to his grandparent's farm near Shadow Mountain. His grandfather teaches him and his two friends about the law of sowing and reaping. We discussed different seeds and how you get what you plant!  We explored what we are sowing in our lives and how we will all get a spiritual harvest from the things we sow.  Our verse is in Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

This week we learned about the three trees living on the hillside near Jerusalem.  Although parts of the story are pretend, there are parts from the Bible. The children's job was to find the pretend parts and the biblical parts.  One of the trees dreamed of being a majestic cradle for a royal baby. But one day he became the manger for Jesus to be laid in the night He was born. Not exactly what the little tree dreamed of...but much better! The second tree wanted to be part of an enormous ship that traveled the high seas across the ocean. But, instead, he was part of a little fishing boat that a man named Peter owned. One day the little boat had the opportunity to have in side of it's humble design the Son of God! Not what he had planned, but so much more!  The last tree only wanted to stand on the hillside and point people to the Heavenly Father. One day men came and roughly cut him down and made him into a crude cross.  The little tree was s o disappointed! Many days later he was the cross that held Jesus during his crucifixion.  What an awful event for those who witnessed such agony.  As time went by the little tree realized that for all of time he would be one of the symbols that point men to a Heavenly Father for redemption.  It wasn't what he would have planned, but it was a way to fulfill his desire to see men look to God.  Often in our own lives we have plans that are upset or changed.  Do we allow the Heavenly Father the freedom to do as He thinks is best?  See if you can find the pretend parts of the story and the biblical parts! Enjoy!

This week at BST we discussed what it was like for the shepherds when the angel spoke to them that night on the hillside. We talked about how God chose lowly shepherds to send this great message to man.  We learned how much God loves us no matter what our station in life is.  Shepherds were considered the most base of positions at that time.  We also talked about how Mary and Joseph must have been tempted to be unthankful for their circumstances in Bethlehem the night of Jesus' birth. We need to try to be thankful no matter what happens because we know God is looking out for us and wants the best for us no matter how it might appear to others.  Out verse was "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given," Isa 9:6.

This week we talked about how Jesus was very tired and needed some time alone with His disciples so they took a boat across the water.  As they were sailing, the multitudes came around the lake and were waiting for them when they arrived on the other side. Jesus spoke to them, healed their sick, and encouraged them to seek God.  When the day was almost done, everyone was hungry. A young boy came forward, with a willing heart, and offered his lunch to Jesus. With the willingness of the boy fresh in His mind, Jesus looked up to Heaven and thanked God for the food that was provided. All those present were filled with God's provision.  We talked about how Jesus only asks for willingness and a little faith, and He will do the rest.  Think of what potential lies inside a single seed and it gives you an idea of what God can do with what little we can offer in the way of a willing heart. Our verse was: "Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks..." Psalm 75:1.

This week we explored about all of the important people we know.  Then we talked about who Jesus thought was important. In the new testament Jesus told his disciples that they had been mistaken to turn the children away when he was speaking to the multitudes.  He told them to let them through and he would show us how we need to be...just like a child...to receive the kingdom of God!  Our verse is found in I John 4:19 "We love Him, because He first loved us."