Posted on Thursday, January 30, 2014

Persevering Despite Circumstances

Daniel

Read: Daniel 1:1-7, and Daniel 6:1-28 (omit verse 24 for young or sensitive children).

Questions for discussion:

Do you think Daniel was lazy, or a hard worker?

When Daniel found out that he would be thrown into a lion’s den if he continued to pray, what did he do?

Why do you think Daniel continued to kneel down to pray instead of praying quietly in his head so that others could not see that he was praying?

How did God reward Daniel’s perseverance?

Key concepts:

Daniel was captured, along with many more of God’s people, and taken to live in a foreign country. In this country they had different traditions and customs and it was not acceptable to worship God. But Daniel chose to continue serving God. Even though it meant that he was risking death, Daniel knelt down and honored God by praying three times a day.

When the king discovered that Daniel was breaking the law by praying to God, he had Daniel thrown into a den of hungry lions. God stood by Daniel and rewarded his unwavering commitment to righteousness by protecting him from being eaten by the lions.

All these lessons are from: http://www.kidsofintegrity.com/lessons/perseverance/bible-stories

Posted on Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Good Job Done

The farmer’s son was returning from the market with a crate of chickens his father had entrusted to him, when all of a sudden the box fell and broke open. Chickens scurried off in different directions, but the determined boy walked all over the neighborhood scooping up the wayward birds and returning them to the repaired crate. Hoping he had found them all, the boy reluctantly returned home, expecting the worst.

“Pa, the chickens got loose,” the boy confessed sadly, “but I managed to find all twelve of them.”

“Well, you done a good job, son,” the farmer beamed, “because you only left with seven.”

Posted on Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Persevering in Prayer

The Widow

Read Luke 18:1-8 and Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Questions for discussion

1. If you really want something from your parents, what do you do?

2. What did the widow do?

3. What was she asking for?

4. Why did the judge grant her request?

5. Is it okay with God if we ask for the same thing over and over again?

6. Do you think God would answer any prayer just because you asked over and over?

7. What kind of prayers do you think God likes to answer?

Key concepts

Usually when children really want something from their parents, they keep asking and asking over and over again. Similarly, in this story, a widow went to see a judge every day, asking him to grant her justice against someone who had treated her unfairly.

The judge did not fear God, nor care for men, yet he granted the widow’s request because he did not want her coming back day after day. God does care for His people and He will bring about justice for those who ask. God delights in kindness, justice and righteousness.

This lesson is from: http://www.kidsofintegrity.com/lessons/perseverance/bible-stories

Posted on Thursday, January 23, 2014

The Perseverant Builder

This lesson is from: http://www.kidsofintegrity.com/lessons/perseverance/bible-stories

Noah

Read Genesis 6:5-22.

Questions for discussion

What is the biggest project that you have built out of Lego®, wooden blocks or something else?

How long did it take?

How long do you think it took Noah to build an ark that was 450 feet long? (If you have time, visit a soccer or football field. Walk around the perimeter to give your children an idea just how big the ark was.)

What would have happened if Noah had given up and left the ark half built?

Has God ever given you a hard job?

Key concepts

God gave Noah a pretty big job; God asked him to build a huge boat. Even though he didn’t live near a lake or ocean, Noah persevered in finishing the job that God gave him.

Someday, God might give one of us a hard job to do, too. God might ask you to be friends with a kid who everyone else is choosing to ignore. He might ask you to forgive a brother or sister who teases you every day. God was pleased with Noah’s perseverance, and God will also be pleased with you when you persevere in doing what is right.

Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Biblical Examples of Perseverance

Moses perseverant in battle

Exodus 17:9-13 says,

“So Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.’ Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

Nehemiah persevered in building the wall

Nehemiah 2:19 – 13:31

The Perseverance of Love

1 Cor 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. NIV

Heb 11:24-28

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. NIV

James 5:10-11

10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. NIV

The Church in Ephesus

Rev 2:1-3

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. NIV

Posted on Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Books about being Perseverant

Perseverant…

The Little Engine That Could

~ by Watty Piper

Overview “I think I can! I think I can!” This well-loved classic tale of the Little Blue Engine who isn’t afraid to try has and will continue to inspire and entertain generations of children. Although he is not very big, the Little Blue Engine agrees to try to pull a stranded train full of toys over the mountain.

Today I Will Fly! (Elephant and Piggie Series)

~ by Mo Willems

Overview Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. Today, I Will Fly! is the funny introduction to the characters. Piggie is determined to fly. But Gerald the elephant knows that’s impossible–isn’t it?

Carrot Seed

~ by Ruth Krauss, Crockett Johnson (Illustrator)

Overview Everyone is certain it won’t grow, but a little boy remains confident in his carrot seed’s potential. Watch as he carefully plants, tends to, and eventually harvests a carrot whose size is in direct proportion to his unflappable faith in it. Despite everyone’s dire predictions, a little boy has faith in the carrot seed he plants.

Otto Goes to the Beach

~ by Todd Parr

Todd Parr takes the frustration out of finding new friends in this sunshiny picture book starring Otto! When “Poor Otto” decides that he doesn’t like staying home by himself, the dog hops in his car and zooms off to the beach. The pooch then tries to get some quality time with other beachcombers, but the crab he meets is just too crabby to build a sand castle, and a surfing cat laughs at him when his bathing suit falls off. Fortunately, though, Otto meets a purple poodle who’s busy digging up bones, and the two spend fun time together swimming and balancing beach balls on their noses. With a super-friendly message about not getting down (“there is always someone out there who will like to play with you”) and his brilliantly electric artwork, Parr delivers a winning pick-me-up that will leave kids confident and refreshed. Matt Warner

I Believe in You

~ by Marianne Richmond

“Whether it’s sunny or stormy, whether you’re happy or blue, I’m here to say, without a doubt that I believe in you. “I Believe in You explores the powerful feeling in every parent’s heart as you watch a child take on the big job of growing up. This inspiring and meaningful book puts into words the little moments that reveal just how much you believe in them, no matter what life throws their way. Growing up is a roller coaster ride of emotion and adventure, asking a child to show self-confidence and courage that they may not know they have. Showing you will be by their side can mean the world to them and give them the strength they often so desperately need. Award-winning author and illustrator Marianne Richmond uses her signature uplifting style to show that your support and unconditional love is always there as children navigate the road of life. I Believe in You encourages kids to look within to find they have all they need to succeed-and to know they always have someone cheering them on.

Posted on Friday, January 17, 2014

Bible Verses on Being Perseverant

Bible Verses About Perseverance- Perseverance is vital to growing in your faith, and God wants his people to persevere no matter what happens, so we have to learn how to overcome obstacles, difficulties, trials, and tribulation to experience victory in Christ.

From: http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/perserverance-bible-verses/

Prov 6:1-5 1 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger—2 if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said—3 follow my advice and save yourself,for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased. 4 Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do.5 Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Colossians 1:11-12 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Revelation 3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

1 Corinthians 15:1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.

2 Corinthians 1:21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

2 Peter 3:15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

Hebrews 6:11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.

Luke 21:19 By standing firm you will gain life.

Psalms 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Posted on Thursday, January 16, 2014

Run the Race with Perseverance

This lesson is from: http://www.kidsofintegrity.com/lessons/perseverance/bible-stories

Run the Race with Perseverance

Hebrews 12:1-11.

Questions for discussion

Have you ever run/biked/swum in a long race? If so, what was it like? How did you feel at the end?

Were there spectators?

What pushed you to finish, even though you were tired?

In Hebrews 12:1-2, what is living the Christian life compared to?

What would it be like to run a race wearing a heavy backpack? Or trying to race with your legs tangled in a rope?

What could “hinder” us from honoring God with our lives?

What do elite athletes do to help them perform their best?

What does the Bible suggest that we focus on to help us with our goal of living the Christian life to honor God?

Why might God allow difficult things to happen to us in our lives?

What kind of discipline do you receive from your parents?

When we are disciplined by God, what are we to do?

What does God’s discipline produce in our lives?

Key concepts

Elite athletes are very disciplined in their training, enduring strenuous practice routines, because they are focused on the goal of succeeding in their chosen sport. The Bible compares living the Christian life to running a race.

Just as running a race wearing a heavy backpack would slow a runner down, so sin gets in the way of our ability to live our lives in a way that honours God. Sin consumes our time and energy and takes our focus off God, slowing us down in our life race.

The Bible tells us that God does allow life to get difficult at times so we can be made holy. Even though God’s discipline is painful, it produces righteousness and peace. Just as elite athletes push themselves to endure pain during a race by focusing on pre‑planned thoughts and goals, we are to rely on Jesus for encouragement and strength when we are running our life race.