Hello Story Keepers and welcome to Christchurch Kids. Today's episode is called "Sink or Swim" and the Story Keepers meet an old friend. When they hear his story, they decide to take action and go and help where they can but, once again, things don't go as smoothly as they expected.
It's great that we can be Story Keepers too. By watching the video and learning the stories from the Bible we can share them with others and pass them on. Today, maybe it's enough to watch this video. If you would like to find out a bit more, keep reading...
Our BIG question today is...
How do we react when something unexpected happens?
In the episode of The Story Keepers today, the family find themselves aboard a Roman ship setting sail for battle! They were not expecting that to happen when they went on board to bring bread to the slaves. Did you notice that Ben and Helena didn't hide and try to escape but went to the kitchen to help feed the hungry slaves instead.
Ben told the story of the four men who brought their friend to see Jesus to ask him to heal him. When they got there, there was such a huge crowd that they couldn't even get close to Jesus. They weren't expecting that but they knew it was so important for their friend to get to Jesus that they climbed up on to the roof and lowered their friend down into the house on his mat.
This was such an extraordinary thing to do that the story appears in the books of Mark and Luke in the Bible and we are still talking about nearly 2000 years later! They were friends who did something unusual in an unexpected situation because they really believed Jesus could help their friend.
What does this mean for us?
I think everyone could say that this year has been unexpected. We've had lots of unexpected things happen. Maybe some of those things have been really hard, like when we haven't been able to see friends or family. Perhaps some of those unexpected things have been good, such as spending more time together with our close family and finding new ways to have fun together.
At church, we have found new ways to help each other. We have been sharing food with those who need it. We have been speaking to each other online or on the phone. We have sent cards in the post.
In the parable of the two builders that we heard in today's episode, Jesus said that those people who listen to him and make a choice to do something are like the man who built his house on the rock. If we listen to what God says and make a choice to follow him, when unexpected things happen, we know we can trust Him and He will help us to help people around us.
Psalm 18 :2
The Lord is my rock, my protection, my Savior.
My God is my rock.
I can run to him for safety.
He is my shield and my saving strength, my high tower
Prayer
Look at your poppy.
Poppies are bright and cheerful flowers: give thanks to God for the lives of those who have died in war, remembering all the joy they brought to families and friends, and all the good things they did for their home and their country.
Then look at the red petals
Red reminds us of danger and harm. Ask God to be close to those who are still facing danger each day, to give courage to the armed forces, and compassion to all who help others.
Place your whole hand over the poppy
Poppies are also fragile and need to be handled gently. God cares for those who are hurting and those who are sad. Ask God to comfort all who are grieving the loss of someone they love.
Finally place a finger on the centre of the poppy.
Ask God to help you play your part in working for peace in the world.
We've got a new song today. We can join in with the words or the actions as we praise God for who He is.
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