Teaching Notes

Did you know the words you take inside begin to build up the type of heart you will have?  Did you know if we speak words of kindness, love and encouragement to the heart it will be built up strong?  If we speak words of hurt, hatred and discouragement, the heart will become callused and hurt?  How do you want to build up a heart today?

What's In Your Heart?

Deuteronomy 4:7-10 (The Message)

7-8 Yes. What other great nation has gods that are intimate with them the way God, our God, is with us, always ready to listen to us? And what other great nation has rules and regulations as good and fair as this Revelation that I'm setting before you today?

9 Just make sure you stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves. Don't forget anything of what you've seen. Don't let your heart wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live. Teach what you've seen and heard to your children and grandchildren.


10 That day when you stood before God, your God, at Horeb, God said to me, "Assemble the people in my presence to listen to my words so that they will learn to fear me in holy fear for as long as they live on the land, and then they will teach these same words to their children."

Notes: The scripture is reminding the people of the wonderful things that God has done for them as a nation. The scripture talks about how God has always been ready to listen to the needs of the  people and not only ready to listen, but ready to answer.

Question: What does it mean, not to let your heart wander off?

Answer: The instruction is to keep alert to the things of God and not to become comfortable in them, thus allowing yourself to think about other things.  If you begin to think about other things other than God and his mercy, you then will allow your heart to follow suit.  Your heart will begin to dwell where your mind dwells.  If your thoughts are on things other than God, you will begin to desire those things you are thinking of.  They will gain your affection.  So the writer is warning, do not let your heart wander off after those things that your mind would try to move it towards.  We must seek daily to keep our minds on God so that our hearts will continue to desire the things of God.

Prayer: Lord help us to keep our minds on you so that we can keep our desires in the right place.  Help us to be watchful so that our hearts do not wander after ungodly things.  Strengthen us, amen.

Teaching Notes

Do you know whatever kinds of seed you plant, that is what you will grow?  It would seem quite strange to have planted a rosebush and gotten something else.  So it is with our heart.  Whatever we plant in our hearts, is what will come up from the soil of our hearts.  If we water bitterness, hatred or lies, from our hearts will come the fruit of that seed.  If we plant love, joy and peace, from that seed will come the fruit.  What fruit do you want?

What's In Your Heart?

Proverbs 3:1-3 (The Message)

Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands. They'll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well. Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.

Notes: The writer of this Proverb is reminding the reader to keep that which has been given to him in his heart. He gives the reason why it is important to keep the Lord's commands.

Question: What were the reasons given for taking the commandments of God to heart?

Answer: The writer is encouraging the reader to keep the commandments of God because they help one to have a long life and to live in the fullness of God's promises. He also tells that it is when one keeps the commandments of God that they are able to hold on to love and to stay loyal to the things of God. He says to tie them around their necks.  This is really telling the reader to make God's commandments so much a part of who they are, that it goes wherever they go.  God's word is what leads them, what motivates them and what helps them.  The question is, what is in your heart?  The answer to that should be God's word.  If you put it in your heart it will help you to live God's way.

Prayer: Lord, today we ask you to help us.  Help us to take your word to heart so that we can receive the benefits of living a life for you.  Help us to hold onto your word and allow it to lead us every step.

Teaching Notes

You are worthy of my praise!  You took my punishment.  This should be me, nailed to the cross for my sins.  Instead you took the pounding, the beating, the weight that I could not carry.  You are the hero of this story, you can and saved the day!

Things About God

He is Worthy

John 1:25-27 (The Message)

25Those sent to question him were from the Pharisee party. Now they had a question of their own: "If you're neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet, why do you baptize?"


26-27John answered, "I only baptize using water. A person you don't recognize has taken his stand in your midst. He comes after me, but he is not in second place to me. I'm not even worthy to hold his coat for him."

Notes: John the Baptist is known as the "fore runner" for Jesus.  He came to prepare the hearts of the people for Jesus (the Messiah).  He is asked a question from the Pharisees why he is baptizing if he is not the Messiah or Elijah. 

Question: What Does John's answer reflected about his understanding of the Messiah?

Answer: John understood that he was one preparing the way for Jesus.  He knew that Jesus, the Messiah was coming and worthy of the honor.  Jesus is so worthy of the praise that John says he is not even worth himself to carry the Messiah's coat.  He realizes that God is far greater than he is.  This is called reverence.  We talked about that last week, but it is always good to remind yourself about how good God is.  God is greater than you and I and he is always worthy of our praise and our honor.

Prayer: Lord today we simply want to say thank you for your greatness.  You are worthy of all praise, all honor all that we can give you.  Let us start first with giving you our complete hearts yielded to you. 

Lord help me to be what you have called me to be.  Help me to be all that I can be for you.  I love you Lord today.

Teaching Notes

What a picture!  A big cat relaxing, sleeping peacefully.  Well it is a reminder to you and I that we should find rest and relax in the hands of God so that no matter what rain falls on us, or snow or anything, we still can rest because we are trusting in the God that knows us.

Things About God

He is All-Knowing

Romans 8:26 (The Message)

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Notes: This verse states that even as you pray, God knows the moans of your heart and His Spirit understands them to help us by taking our sighs to God on our be half.

Question: Based on this verse, how are we to see God as all-knowing. 

Answer: If God can understand the things on my heart, the unspoken words that are not even truly words but simply groans, then he knows everything about me.  He even knows that which I will request before I have need of it.  He knows every detail of my life.  This then gives us assurance about who God is and how much we can trust in him.  We can trust him to direct us, love us and do what is best for us.  Now what we want best, but what he thinks is best for us.  We can trust him.

Prayer: Lord, today we thank you for being the all-knowing God that is aware of my every groans.  You not only know them but you care about me enough to take care of me and gather my prayers to yourself.  Continue to draw me closer to you and help me to find that comfort in your presence.

Teaching Notes

We took a picture of the clouds on our way to Washington, DC and we watched them make shapes and do strange things.  They simply just reminded us of God's handiwork.  That is what people should think about when they see us.  They should see the many different sides of us (all the gifts in us being used) and simply be reminded of God's handiwork on display in us.

Things About God

He is Pure

1 John 3:2-3 (The Message)

2-3But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own.

Notes: What is so wonderful as shared in this scripture is there is a reward promised for those that wait on God.  To wait on Jesus' return we are promises to be just like Christ.

Question: What is meant by "glistening purity of Jesus' Life as a model for our own"?

Answer: The writer is telling us that Jesus is pure.  He walked this earth without any sins.  His life was pure and so it is glistening, the light of that purity shining from him. This life then becomes the model for us to live our lives.  You might say but we cannot be without sin or we cannot be faultless.  That is the beauty of why Jesus came, he came to give us the strength through his Spirit to live a  holy life.  You and I cannot live for God his way without His Spirit equipping us to do it.  So you and I can glisten like a bright light if we allow God's Spirit in us to show us in the image of Christ.

Prayer: God, we seek you today to help us live a holy life because you are holy.  Help us to be that glistening example of Christ as your Spirit dwells within us.  May we be the light that is sat on the hill, shining before all me.

Teaching Notes

Have you seen this picture?  Is it real?  Is it a real place?  I don't know.  However what I do know is this, no matter how large a face we carve in the side of the mountains, it can never be more breath taking than seeing the face of God.

Things About God

"He is True"

Jeremiah 10:10 (The Message)

10 But God is the real thing— the living God, the eternal King. When he's angry, Earth shakes. Yes, and the godless nations quake.

Notes: Jeremiah was a prophet from the Old Testament and he continually spoke God's word to the children of Israel.  His purpose was the correct the people and turn them back to God's ways. God told the people through Jeremiah if they did not repent (ask for forgiveness of their sins) he would allow them to go into captivity in Babylon.  And that is just what God did because they people did not return to him.

Question: What message is the prophet trying to give to the people in this verse?

Answer: He is telling the people that God is real.  There is no one like him.  He can move the earth with his wrath and make the godless shake.  God is the real thing.  He is not an image sitting on a side table without life.  He is alive.  What Jeremiah is trying to help the people understand is that God is true.  He will not continue to allow foolishness to go unanswered.  Nor will he allow his children to go unprotected.  Today we can rejoice and know that God will take care of us and that his ways are good and true.

Prayer: Lord, today we needed to be reminded that you are true and that you will take care of your children.  You will protect us, you will keep us and you continue to direct our path.  You are the one and only TRUE God.

Teaching Notes

Surely this bird must be worried about where he will get his food?  Or does he simply show up and wait to recieve?  If we could have the simplest of trust.  Why do we worry so when we can rest in what God will do for us?

Things About God

"He's Everything We Need"

Psalm 33:20-22 (The Message)

20-22 We're depending on God; he's everything we need. What's more, our hearts brim with joy since we've taken for our own his holy name. Love us, God, with all you've got— that's what we're depending on.

Notes: In a world where most things let you down, what can you put your trust in?  Who can you put your trust in?  The Psalmist tells us who we can trust in, God. The Psalmist tells us that we can depend on God.

Question: What does the Psalmist tell us about trusting in God?

Answer: First, the Psalmist tells us that we can depend on God for everything.  That means we can depend on him in our troubles as well as in our good times. He also tells us that we can experience God's joy because we have taken the name of God. We have the love of God and what can be more exciting than that?

Secondly, God is so concerned with your life that he loves you and you can depend on him for all that help you need.  If you need help in making decisions, God is the one to go to. God is in fact waiting to have time with you to guide you, love you and be what you need to make it in this life.

Prayer: Lord today help me to depend on you. I can depend on you because you love me and you have given me your name.  Help me to face whatever is before me, and I know I can depend on you.  Today, help any doubt in my heart so that I can truly trust you more.

Teaching Notes

The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 19:22-24 (The Message)

It's only human to want to make a buck, but it's better to be poor than a liar.
Fear-of-God is life itself, a full life, and serene—no nasty surprises.
Some people dig a fork into the pie but are too lazy to raise it to their mouth.

Notes: This Proverb or saying of wisdom is talking about greed.  It is talking about how many want to make money, but it is better to be poor that to sell yourself short and become a liar.  This kind of behavior is not becoming of one that wants to serve the Lord. 

Question: Why does the writer says that the fear of God is life?

Answer: To fear the Lord is where wisdom first starts.  It is not until we begin to respect God, reverence him, love him and adore him that we begin to seek his way regarding the things in our life.  When we do not fear God, then we do things which are not becoming to the Lord.  It we do not fear him we have a life full of "nasty surprises" or results from sinful behavior.  We also become lazy and do not even want to take care of things when we do not have the fear of God.  It takes the fear or reverence of God to help us want to do what is right before God.

Prayer: Lord today help me do what is right before you.  Help me to allow that reverence for you to direct everything I do.  Help me not to do what is wrong so that I can have things, but help me to be content even when I don't have if it is during my times of being obedient to you.  Help me to give you the respect you are do.

Teaching Notes

The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 29:25 (The Message)

25 The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.

Notes: This verse of scripture isn't long but it tells us much.  This fear is associated with people. 

Question: What happens when you fear human opinions?

Answer: When you fear humans opinion what you are doing is giving that opinion a greater place than God.  It is God that you should be most concerned with what he thinks about your life.  When people take that role, what happens is the disable you from doing those things that may not be easy or against popular opinions.  It may be popular to drink and if you are afraid of what others say, you may drink so that you will not be a stand out. However, is you put your fear, respect and trust in God you will not care what others think about you because your desire is to please God.  What this verse tells us is when you put your trust in God, that trust in him protects us from being crippled by what others think about us.

Prayer: Lord help me to come to the place that I do not let what others think about me bother me.  Help me to trust in you and you will help me overcome that.  Help me to do what is pleasing to you at all times so that I can walk in victory.  Help me to let go of what others opinions are and to trust in what your word says.

Teaching Notes

The Fear of the Lord

Joshua 24:14 (The Message)

"So now: Fear God. Worship him in total commitment. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped on the far side of The River (the Euphrates) and in Egypt. You, worship God.

Notes: Joshua is giving instructions to the children of God before they go in and possess the land that God has given them.  They have fought battles and now they are ready to take what God has for them.  So Joshua tells them to fear God.  And he tells them to worship God in total commitment.

Question: What doe you think Joshua means by total committment?

Answer: If you fear the Lord, have a respect and reverence for him you will want to do as he tells you to. The command that came down was to let go of the wrong worship.  They people had grown accustomed to worshipping the idols that their parents had worshipped when they were in Egypt.  God says, get rid of them.  He tells them this because he knows if they do not, they will lose heart and begin to do those things that are displeasing to him.  They will do this because they have lost the reverence or respect for who God is.  Do you know if you do not continue to develop your relationship with God you will lose your reverence for him because you forget who he is.  But if you do as the people did and listen (read) to the word of God it will help you to continue to fear God and his holiness.

Prayer: Lord, you are mighty.  You are better than anything else we can turn our attention to.  Help us not to turn away from you to lesser things.  Help us to turn to you and know that you will continue to protect us if we trust in you.  You are worthy of our praise.  Help us to praise you.

Teaching Notes

The Fear of the Lord

Deuteronomy 4:10 (The Message)

That day when you stood before God, your God, at Horeb, God said to me, "Assemble the people in my presence to listen to my words so that they will learn to fear me in holy fear for as long as they live on the land, and then they will teach these same words to their children"

Notes: When the people of God stood before him they listened to the word of God and the word helped them to learn to fear the Lord.  They learned through listening to the word of God to reverence him.  It is through the word of God that we are taught the ways of God.

Question: What do you think it means by "holy fear"?

Answer: This holy fear is that reverence we have been speaking about.  That is the desire to show an attitude of deep respect for God.  They learned to reverence him not only for themselves but also so they could go and tell others about God.  Did you know that the Bible talks about how people are saved, it is through the hearing of the word of God.  God's word not only saves us, but our reading it is very necessary so that we can grow.  As we grow in our understanding, we also grow in our respect (awe) of who God is.

Prayer: Lord today, help me to reverence you or show holy fear for who you are.  Help me to listen to what your word is speaking to my spirit so that I can learn to respect you even more.

Teaching Notes

The Fear of the Lord

Leviticus 19:31-34 (The Message)

 "Don't dabble in the occult or traffic with mediums; you'll pollute your souls. I am God, your God. "Show respect to the aged; honor the presence of an elder; fear your God. I am God.

Notes: The Levitical Law called for the children of God to obey that which he handed down to them.  They were the laws they lived by. There were many Laws but the way the people were to remember them was to continually repeat them and say them pass them on so that those coming behind would also understand them.  This was the "Oral Tradition".  The word was passed on orally from one generation to the next.

Question: What does it mean to fear God?

Answer: It is not the same way we think about fear as in being afraid of something and running from it.  It means to reverence or respect God.  The children of Israel were told to flee from anything that was not in line with God.  No other worship should take the place of God.  While you might say we are not worshipping idols today.  But if you allow your music, friends, relationships or habits to be more important than God then you have made that a "mini-god" and placed it in the place that God should hold.  So in this scripture the lesson is to show respect to those that are your elders and you do this because you fear (respect or are in awe) God. You should want to please God so much that you desire to seek excellence for him.  It is excellence that God displays through you, not a excellence of your own.  This will be something you seek only if you fear the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, today help me to show my reverence, respect and love for you.  Help me to do so by following after those things which are important to you.  It is important to you for me to respect my elders, help me to do so.  Help me to love them, even if they are not so loving to me.

Teaching Notes

Do You Have Any Friends?

Luke 5:18 (The Message)

Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn't find a way in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus. Impressed by their bold belief, he said, "Friend, I forgive your sins."

Note: Some men were so concerned about their friend they took him to Jesus to have him healed.  They did not let the crowded room stop them.  They took the very roof off and lowered him down to Jesus.
 
Question: What was Jesus response when he saw this love of the friends for their sick friend?
 
Answer: He then calls the man his friend and he heals him.  Did you know that sometimes when we love someone so much and we take them to Jesus when they are not able to get there themselves, Jesus accepts our care and will call our friend his friend also?  He will call them friend and give to them that which we are seeking.  If he will do that because of the love of a friend, how much more will he do it for us, since he calls us his friend.  What a wonderful blessing to be called a friend of Jesus. Do you have any friends?  If you have only one friend, that friend should be Jesus.  This is the friend that can help you in difficulties, in dispair and when you are feeling alone.  This is a true friend and one worth having.
 
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for calling us your friend.  We are thankful to you that you not only love us, but you love those we love.  If we come to you with our concerns for our friends, you will hear us.  Today I pray for myself that I become a better friend like you where you are concerned about the well-being of others.  I also pray for a close friend of mine.  One that I ask you to help them become all that you want them to be in you.  Today the gift I share with them is my love and concern for their well-being.  So help us to be what you want us to be.

Teaching Notes

You are never alone.  It does not matter what you are facing, God is always with you.  Jesus is the kind of friend that is true no matter what the weather.  He is there in the good, as well as the bad.  Can you trust him today?  Yes you can, so let him be your friend.

Do You Have Any Friends?

Job 19:13-22 (The Message)

13-20 "God alienated my family from me; everyone who knows me avoids me. My relatives and friends have all left; houseguests forget I ever existed.
The servant girls treat me like a bum off the street, look at me like they've never seen me before.I call my attendant and he ignores me, ignores me even though I plead with him. My wife can't stand to be around me anymore. I'm repulsive to my family. Even street urchins despise me; when I come out, they taunt and jeer. Everyone I've ever been close to abhors me; my dearest loved ones reject me. I'm nothing but a bag of bones; my life hangs by a thread.


21-22 "Oh, friends, dear friends, take pity on me. God has come down hard on me! Do you have to be hard on me, too? Don't you ever tire of abusing me?

Notes: Job is having a rough time?  Everything that he had has been taken away, family, possessions, everything.  To make things worst his friends have come to him to tell him what he has done wrong.  How hard it must be when you are looking for comfort from friends, to recieve rebuke instead.

Question: What does Job express regarding his friends treatment?

Answer: Job ask them aren't they tired of being hard on him and abusing him.  Job was frustrated because he had not done anything wrong but his so called friends were not there to comfort him, but were adding to his misery.  This is something you might have felt before yourself.  You were going through something hard and was looking for your friends to be understanding, instead they made things worst.  Yet, we can find comfort in this one thing, that even when friends leave you, God won't.  He promises to be the kind of friend that never leaves us nor forsakes us.  So in your times of trouble when no one else will stand with you, know you are not alone.  You have a friend, his name is Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, I need a true friend today, I need you.  You promise you will never leave me nor forsake me.  You promise me you will love me even when I am not always so loveable.  When I am weak, you will still love me.  Today, Lord I need your help because somethings are difficult and I need your guiding hand to help me through.  Thank you for being my friend.

Teaching Notes

Did you know that when God gives you gifts, they are not for you to keep all to yourself?  Did you know you are to share those gifts?  For example, my daughter learned that she had a gift of drawing but what would it have benefited anyone had she kept it to herself?  It wasn't until she gave it away, that it really became a blessing, to her and to others.

Do You Have Any Friends?

Joshua 22:6-8 (The Message)

6-7 Then Joshua blessed them and sent them on their way. They went home. (To the half-tribe of Manasseh, Moses had assigned a share in Bashan. To the other half, Joshua assigned land with their brothers west of the Jordan.)



7-8 When Joshua sent them off to their homes, he blessed them. He said: "Go home. You're going home rich—great herds of cattle, silver and gold, bronze and iron, huge piles of clothing. Share the wealth with your friends and families—all this plunder from your enemies!"

Notes: As you read this scripture Joshua is sending some of the men home with wealth that they have gained from the battle.  He sends them away, but he tells them something important.  He tells them to share their wealth with the friends and family.

Question: Why do you think Joshua told them to share?

Answer: This was not the kind of answer we would hear in our time.  We believe in getting for ourselves and let everyone get their own.  In fact, we do not always trust people that want to come around you now that you have wealth and fame.  You are told just the opposite, to keep it to yourself.  Yes, it is true we do have people that are greedy and are waiting to take advantage of you.  Yet, Joshua is telling them to go and share with their friends and family, why.  The reason is because God has given them much and Joshua does not want them to forget to turn around and bless someone else.  They did not deserve this blessing but God opened it up to them.  This scripture is a reminder for us to be mindful of our true friends and those that we love and that love us.  We should not be selfish. It does not only have to be money but in whatever way the Lord blesses you.  If God blesses you with peace, then turn around and share that news with someone else that is in need, do not keep it all to yourself.  Be willing to share the blessing of the Lord with others (spiritual as well as physical).

Prayer: Lord you are the giver of good gifts so we ask that you would help me to have a heart to give just as you give to me.  Help me to share with others the blessings you share with me.  Help me not to be selfish but to have a generous heart.

Teaching Notes

Did you know that you can have all types of friendships?  Some are long term and mean a lot to you.  Some are short term and add a blessing to your life just the same.  No matter how long the friendships are God still requires us to treat everyone we meet rightly. The people that meet you often times serve to change your life, mold you and help you to become more of what God desired for your life.  Did you know those friendships, relationships and brief encounters are often used by God to help grow you up, to help you "graduate" in life.  Don't you want to graduate or do you want to have to keep repeating the same grade again and again?

Do You Have Any Friends?

Leviticus 19:12-14 (The Message)

"Don't swear falsely using my name, violating the name of your God. I am God. "Don't exploit your friend or rob him. "Don't hold back the wages of a hired hand overnight. "Don't curse the deaf; don't put a stumbling block in front of the blind; fear your God. I am God.

Notes: The book of Leviticus is the book of Laws that were given to Moses by God for the children of Israel to live by.  In this list of commandments are some behavioral things God is requiring of them.

Question: Why do you think it was so important to God that he would make a requirement to treat friends fairly?

Answer: God is a just and fair God, so therefore he would want his children to reflect him.  I believe it is also important because God wants us to cherish friendship.  If we would do those we say we love wrong, how much worse would we treat our enemies?  God's requirement is for us to treat our friends right.  Sometimes we do not keep friendships because we do not treat each other right.  If you have a good friend, today let them know how much you appreciate them.

Prayer: Lord help me to cherish my good friendships that you have allowed me to have. Help me not to rob them of not only physical things, but of things that would hurt them emotionally.  Help me not to treat them wrong.  This is your requirement of me, to treat others rightly.

Teaching Notes

One thing about good friends is they will make you laugh and do not mind being silly in front of you.  Friends want the best for you and they will love you in all times and through all situations.  What a blessing to have a good friend.

Do You Have Any Friends?

1 Samuel 20:41-42 (The Message)

40-41 Jonathan gave his quiver and bow to the boy and sent him back to town. After the servant was gone, David got up from his hiding place beside the boulder, then fell on his face to the ground—three times prostrating himself! And then they kissed one another and wept, friend over friend, David weeping especially hard.



42 Jonathan said, "Go in peace! The two of us have vowed friendship in God's name, saying, 'God will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!'"

Notes: Jonathan was the son of Saul, whom hated David.  Saul wanted David killed, but Jonathan pledged friendship with David and nothing stood in the way of that friendship. When Saul was plotting to kill David, Jonathan told him and spared his life.  He vowed a friendship to David before the Lord.

Question: Why do you think this pledge was so important to Jonathan that he even defied his own father?

Answer: David was anointed by God and Jonathan felt a connection to him.  He knew David was anointed by God and Jonathan took his friendship very seriously.  He would not go along with his father, because of the things he did were wrong.  We sometimes may feel like David that there is no one we can trust.  However, God has allowed someone to recognize that you are anointed.  They take their friendship with you seriously because they know that God is the one that has ordained that friendship.  They will not be willing to let anyone or anything get in the way.  What a blessing to have and to be a good friend like this.  Today if you need to be a friend like this or to have a friend like this, let us pray.

Prayer: God, we thank you for making friendship something very important in the hearts of some people.  May you first help me to be a good friend that will help your anointed along their journey.  Also, Lord  help me to find a great friendship like this that will encouragement along my path.  Thank you for showing us how to be good friends.

Teaching Notes

Like a beautiful garden, each one of us can receive what we need from God to draw closer to him and grow.  What a beautiful sight it is to see the diversity of God's people as they grow together. Like God's Garden!

How To Draw Closer To God

Luke 10:26-28 (The Message)

He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?" He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself." "Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live."

Notes: One of the vital things in our relationship to God is our love for him and his people.  What we say about our relationship with God is important but even more so is what we "show" in the world we live in.

Question: If we say we love God, how does it show itself?  What is Jesus' response to us when we do that?

Answer: If we say we love God then we should love others as well as we do ourselves.  This then is pleasing to Jesus.  He says, it is good and when we do so we will live.  This means we will live a life that is pleasing to God.  God is please that we show our love for him in what we do.  It does not matter if we say that we love God but are not kind, loving or charitable to others.  And who are those that we should be loving to?  The scripture says our neighbors.  A neighbor is anyone next to you.  That does not just mean the people that live on your block or in your neighborhood.  That means anyone you find yourself next to.  Next to in class, or work or any activities.  God wants us to show our love for him to others.  This is evidence that his love is alive in us and working through us.

Prayer: Lord help us to draw closer to you. We want to show our love for you to those that we find ourselves close to.  Help us to trust you, obey you and show forth your love to this world. Help us to pray for wisdom and understanding so that we can discern your truth.  Help us Lord this day, because we want to draw closer to you.

Teaching Notes

Prayer, is it only for the preacher?  Is it only for the pastor or the older people?  No prayer is for all God's children.  Prayer is what draws each of us closer to our Father.  It is having a conversation with our heavenly Father so that he can tell us his will.  It is just like the preacher.  He or she helps you understand God's word.  Prayer helps us to understand God's will.

How to Draw Closer To God

Ezra 8:23 (The Message)

23 So we fasted and prayed about these concerns. And he listened.

Notes: This small verse speaks a very important message about how we can draw closer to God.  It has to do with our relationship with God.

Question: What did they do and what was God's response?

Answer: The scripture says that they fasted and prayed about "these concerns".  And when they did, God's response was to listen to them.  This speaks to a relationship.  When God's people bring concerns to him to seek his answers, he will listen to them.  Not only will he listen, but he will answer.  God's people were willing to take this time of bringing concerns to him seriously.  This is one way of drawing closer to God.  When you take your prayer life seriously, God will listen to you.  When you pray you draw closer to his will.  This is done because you are asking him what is his will regarding the concerns you have.  Not simply asking him to fix something your way, but also asking him, what do you want me to do in this situation.  Prayer draws us closer to God because it helps us to understand better the will of the Father.

Prayer: Lord help us to trust you as we obey you will and your way.  And for those things that we do not know, help us to bring them to you in prayer because you will hear our concerns.  You listen to your children.  You have an answer for your children. Thank you, Amen.

Teaching Notes

Do you know why a rose is so beautiful, yet has thorns? We do not know even the simpliest things at time, yet we sometimes want to refuse to trust God when he tells us to trust him. Help us Lord.  We do not always understand things, help us to trust your wisdom and give us understanding.

How to Draw Closer to God

Deuteronomy 9:23 (The Message)

The most recent was when God sent you out from Kadesh Barnea, ordering you: "Go. Possess the land that I'm giving you." And what did you do? You rebelled. Rebelled against the clear orders of God, your God. Refused to trust him. Wouldn't obey him. You've been rebels against God from the first day I knew you.

Notes: There is something interesting in this verse of scripture. It is the message the children of Israel are receiving before the cross over the Jordan.  This is a reminder to them about their disobedience to God.  What is interesting in this verse is it ties "trust" and "obedience" together.

Question: What does it say about trust and obeying?

Answer: The scripture says that children rebelled and because of that, they did not trust God.  When they did not trust God they did not obey him.  Trust and obedience is something that goes together.  Is we say we trust God, then we will obey what he instrusts to do.  The same is true on the opposite.  If we do not trust God we will disobey him.  When we do not trust God's word to be true, we do not obey it.  When we do not trust that God will do what he says, we disobey him. Even our fears can make us lose trust.  If we do not trust that God will take care of us, then we will disobey and trust ourselves and not God.  To trust and obey goes hand in hand.  This is one way of growing your relationship with God. When you trust him and believe what he says, then you will want to obey his word.

Prayer: Lord help us to trust you so that we willingly obey your word.  Help us to obey even when we do not understand why we must do it a certain way.  Help us trust your word is true and obey because you call us to. Amen.

Teaching Notes

It's easy to tell what this is, it is a traffic signal.  When it's working and we are watching it, it let's us know when to go, when to stop and when the light is about the change.  That is what God's directions does for us when we are watching.  He tells us when to go, when to stop and when things are shifting and we must stand still.  Help us to be able to discern your signals.

How To Draw Closer to God

Proverbs 3:5 (The Message)

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction. It's the child he loves that God corrects; a father's delight is behind all this.

Notes: Have you ever wonder about people that seem to have such a love for God, how they got that way?  Have you ever wondered what you needed to do, to have the same kind of close relationship?  Well there is something you can do to obtain a closer relationship with God.  Let us look at that this week to help you in your walk with God.

Question: What does the writer encourage you to do?

Answer: He says trust. To trust in God means you put your belief or faith in him.  The writer also encourages you to understand you do not have to figure everything out by yourself.  The writer says that if you trust God you will let him direct you, and even if it is difficult where you will have to go, you will still obey him.  If he corrects you, you will not become discouraged but continue to trust him.  This is one of the key steps in how to build your relationship with God.  You may not know all the reasons you are going through the things you are, but trust God and seek his answers for the direction of your life.  Ask him to help you understand and he will.  Trust him for everything in your life and do not depend on your own smarts, or ideas, but on his way.

Prayer: Today God help me to learn to trust you even more than I do right now. Help me through those things that I really do not understand.  Help me to trust when it is difficult.  Help me to trust when I am lonely.  Help me to trust when I am confused or upset.  Help me to trust you in all things and through all things. I will trust you more. Amen.