God has made us his children, so let's be fair, love mercy, and be humble
Sun 27 October 2024
| Bible Bite | God has made us his children, so let's be fair, love mercy, and be humble |
|---|---|
| Date | 2024-10-27 |
| Passage | Micah 6 |
| Tags | faith, works |
Leader: Hello kids. We're going to talk to Stinky soon, but I have to tell you something sad. I'm feeling cross with Stinky, because he has been calling me a nickname I don't like. I've told him I don't like it, so he knows it's not right, but he's kept doing it. I need to talk to him about it, so let's knock and call him.
[ Introduction: leader picks child to knock on bin, everyone calls 'come out Stinky!', Stinky comes out singing his intro tune ]
Stinky: Hello little friends! Hey, how's it going Vanilla Breath?
Leader: Hello Stinky. I'm actually feeling hurt.
Stinky: Oh, what's wrong Vanilla Breath?
Leader: I'm feeling upset with you, because you keep calling me that nickname, and I don't like it.
Stinky: Oh, you mean 'Vanilla Breath'?
Leader: Yes. I have told you many times that I don't like being called that.
Stinky: But your breath smells so ... nice! Urgh. Anyway, we're friends! Why can't I call you whatever I like?
Leader: Being friends doesn't mean you can do whatever you like.
Stinky: Oh.
Leader: You're not acting like my friend. I've been a good friend to you. You're my friend, so I want you to act like my friend.
Stinky: OK ... What does 'acting like your friend' look like?
Leader: Well ...
Stinky: I know! I just made a milkshake. I'll give you ... a banana peel!
Leader: You can't buy my friendship with a banana peel Stinky.
Stinky: How about ... 10? 100?!
Leader: No. Our friendship is worth much more than that.
Stinky: So ... What does 'acting like your friend' look like?
Leader: Well, I can think of three things that friends do: We are fair with each other. We're happy to say sorry and forgiving each other. And we're not all proud and bossy. We don't take each other for granted.
Stinky: Oh, OK. Wait, Miss Pat, I have a question!
Leader: Yes?
Stinky: What does "acting like God's children" look like?
Leader: Good question! Let's see what the Bible says.
[ SLIDE: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8 ]
Leader: This comes from a book in the Bible called Micah. Micah was God's prophet. God's people were disobeying God.
Stinky: So they weren't acting like God's people?
Leader: No. God told Micah to warn His people that they were disobeying God. God reminded them how good and kind he's been to them: He saved them from slavery in Egypt and made them his people. He has told them how to act as God's people, and how to treat Him. He had shown His people what was good. They knew what is right, but they weren't not doing it.
Stinky: What could they do?
Leader: Micah wondered that too. Would sacrificing a thousand animals be enough? A river of olive oil? No.
Stinky: Not even banana peels!
Leader: No. Stinky, what are the three things God wanted from them?
Stinky: Eh... act justly!
Leader: Yes, that means to do what's fair, good and right.
Stinky: Love mercy!
Leader: That means to love God's forgiveness and forgiving others.
Stinky: And to walk humbly with God!
Leader: Yes, to remember He's God, and he knows best.
Stinky: OK, but what about us now?
Leader: Well, God has made us his children, and he wants us to act like his children. We have Jesus, and he shows us how.
Stinky: Oh, did he do those three things?
Leader: Yes! He always acted justly, loved mercy, and walked humbly with God his father. We can ask God to make us more like Jesus.
Stinky: That's amazing! I'm ready for the Bible Bite ...
Leader: Let's see ...
Slide: Bible Bite: God has made us his children, so let's be fair, love mercy, and be humble.
Leader: "God has made us his children, so let's be fair, love mercy, and be humble." Stinky, can you say that?
Stinky: Eh... Miss Pat has made me a banana milkshake, so let's be fair and add some vanilla!
Leader: Oh, let's help Stinky everyone and say it together.
ALL: God has made us his children, so let's be fair, love mercy, and be humble.
Stinky: Miss Pat, you have been a good friend to me. I'm sorry I called you that nickname. I won't do that again, because I want to act like your friend.
Leader: I'm glad! Let's pray: "Good Father, thank you for making us your children. Please help us to be fair, love mercy, and be humble, just like Jesus did. Amen."
Stinky: OK, I better go now ... Bye!