"The Fall" and "The World"
Sometimes in church, we use words or say things that are sometimes confusing. For example, maybe you’ve heard of someone say that we should be “in the world, but not of the world.” What does that mean?
Or earlier this week my 8 year old asked me what “the fall” meant. Is it like when someone tripped in the Bible and it was super embarrassing so we still talk about it to this day? No, no. No one remembers when you trip, I promise.
Anyway, I wanted to talk about what those 2 terms, ‘the fall’ and ‘the world,’ and what they mean just to make sure we aren’t confused.
Powerful Bible
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You know how in lots of movies, they are searching for some object that has great power or even like a treasure that has great value? Like the genie lamp in Aladdin that would give whatever was wished or desired. Or in the latest Minions movie when they are after the Zodiac stones that would give unlimited power. Lots and lots of movies have an object like that – one that is powerful and legendary. I’m sure you can think of other examples from your favorite movies.
Well, I started thinking the other day that we should think of the Bible like that. We should think of the Bible as a treasure. A powerful object. An ancient artifact of great value.
Because that’s what it is!! Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God’s word is sharper than a double-edged sword. And it’s not just any sword, it’s a sword that can divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow; and judge the attitude of the heart. That sounds really powerful!
And it IS powerful! Did you know that when Jesus was tempted by Satan, and they were having this sorta spiritual fight, that Jesus fought back with Satan by using words from the Bible? Isn’t that crazy?
Jesus didn’t use jiu jitsu moves or Hulk smash punches to beat Satan. No, Jesus used the most powerful tool He had – which was God’s word. The Bible.
Psalm 119:105 also tells us that the Bible is so powerful that it’s a lamp to our feet and a light for our path. The guy who wrote Psalm 119 goes on to say that God’s word makes his heart tremble – which means to shake or shiver because it’s so powerful.
The Bible really is a powerful treasure. And most of us have it right in our house! How great is that?! We don’t have to go on a long quest or fight off bad guys to get this powerful treasure, like they do in the moves. No, we just have to open it and read it. You see the power of the Bible, doesn’t come from just owning a Bible. That’s not how this treasure works. This treasure is powerful when we read the words or hear the words.
So, here are some questions to talk about. You can pause after each question and discuss. Oh, and there’s no wrong answer to these. The point is to get conversation flowing. So don’t overthink it!
- In what ways do you think the Bible is powerful?
- What gives the Bible it’s power?
- How might this change the way that you think about reading the Bible every day?
Now, let’s practice our verse together. We talked about a few verses today, but lets reread Psalm 119:105 together. You can repeat after me. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105
New Creation
Think with me for a minute about your school supplies at the END of last school year. What did they look like? Did they look like the same supplies that you took on the first day of school?
No way!!! If you are like my kids, they ended up coming home with a dirty looking pencil box full of broken erasers, half pieces of crayons, and dull markers. Everything they had started school with looked a little worn out by the end of the year.
Thankfully, the beginning of a new school year means a fresh set of school supplies. And honestly, the new school supplies is probably my favorite part of starting school.
The picture of the old worn out school supplies and then the fresh set of school supplies is similar to what happens in our life when we become a Christian.
You see, before we come to know and follow Jesus, our hearts are like the old dingy supplies. Rough and used and worn down by sin.
But, the Bible tells us that when we come to know and follow Jesus then we become like those brand new school supplies! He makes us new! How? Because of Jesus’ love for us and because He has the power to make our hearts new!
Don’t believe me? Listen to this! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
Can’t you hear the excitement in that verse?! I think Jesus gets so excited to see someone’s heart go from old to new. From dirty, old and worn out to bright, shiny, and fresh.
So, here are some questions to talk about. You can pause after each question and discuss. Oh, and there’s no wrong answer to these. The point is to get conversation flowing. So don’t overthink it!
- What do you think it means to be a new creation in Christ?
- Why do you think God would want us to be a new creation?
Now, let’s practice our verse together. You can repeat after me. Oh, and since we are about to start school where you’ll have to use inside voices, let’s take this opportunity to use a crazy loud voice when you repeat after me. Just to send summer out with a bang and get us excited about starting school. Okay, repeat after me in your loudest voice. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Good Morning God
In this episode, I interview Avery (5 years old) about why she loves to sing a song called "Good Morning God" every morning when she wakes up. She gives insight on how we can praise God and talk to Him at any time during the day, but how it's special to start our day off by praising the Lord and asking for Him to "show us the way," as the song says.
The focus verse for this episode is Psalm 143:8 that says, "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”
Dry Bones
Ezekiel 37 tells us the cool story of the vision that Ezekiel saw where a bunch of dead bones came together piece by piece and came to life. This story was used to prophesy to Israel but is also useful for us today to remind us that when we are without Christ, we are just like those dead dry bones. But when we believe in Jesus and ask Him to be in charge of our life, we receive His Holy Spirit which gives us life! It's like we are those dry bones coming to life when Jesus fills us up!
Romans 6:11 says "Count yourselves dead to sin, but alive in Christ.” Let's talk about this cool story and the visual that it gives us to what the Lord does within our hearts when He gives us spiritual life!
Freedom
Do you know what freedom is? Well, in case you don’t, I looked it up for us. According to Google, if you have freedom then it means you are allowed to act the way you want to, say the things you want to and think however you’d like to without anything holding you back.
It also means you’re not trapped. Like the lizards my kids keep catching and putting in our bug catcher. Those lizards are NOT free. They are trapped until we decide it’s time to play something else and let them go.
Anyway, freedom is a big deal! Lots of countries have worked and fought very hard for the freedom they have in their country. I live in America and freedom is a celebrated thing. The fact that we are free to go where we want to, say the things we want to talk about, and think however you’d like about different things. It’s a big deal!
There’s all different types of freedom. Maybe it’s summer now and you have freedom from school! Or if you were ever quarantined for COVID and felt the freedom after you got out of quarantine. Maybe freedom is as simple as being free to play the games you want to play every day. Or being free to sing a song when it’s in your head.
There’s all different types of freedom.
But, the most important freedom we can have is the freedom that Jesus gives us. The freedom from the consequences of our sin.
2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
When we are a follower of Jesus then we have the Holy Spirit and that means that we have the best kind of freedom. We will be free FOREVER and won’t ever be trapped by our sin. We will be free FOREVER with a freedom that is bigger than a freedom that we will find in any country in this world. The freedom found in Jesus is the best freedom!
Here are some questions to talk about. You can pause after each question and discuss. Oh, and there’s no wrong answer to these. So don’t overthink it!
- In what ways do you have freedom in your own life? Like what are you free to do?
- Let’s fill in the blank….The Bible verse, 2 Corinthians 3:17 said that “where the ________ is, there is freedom.” Can you fill in the blank?
- Let’s talk about why we are so thankful for freedom both in this world but also forever. Why are you thankful for freedom?
One last time before we sign off, let’s practice our verse together. You can repeat after me. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
*Music: "Forest" by Vlad Gulschenko
DIY
How much fun would your kid have making their own Backseat Bible Nuggets episode? You can help them follow these steps:
1. Choose your favorite Bible story or verse and read it!
2. Find out what the story/ verse teaches you about God.
3. Apply it! How does the story/ verse change your life?
4. Ask questions about the story or verse that will get people talking!
And remember to have fun while you do this and as always...don't overthink it!
You can let me know how your episode turns out @backseatbiblenuggets on Instagram or Facebook!
*Music: "Forest" by Vlad Gulschenko
Walking on Water
Peter, who was one of Jesus’ closest friends, got very scared in this story. Being scared and fearful is something we’ve all felt before. But guess what? When Peter called out to Jesus to save him, then Jesus was right there ready to reach out and save Peter.
We can learn from this story that Jesus is always with us. Especially when we are afraid. No matter what we are scared of, He is there! And we can ask Him to help us!
Here are some questions to talk about. You can pause after each question and discuss. Oh, and there’s no wrong answer to these. So don’t overthink it!
- When was the last time you were scared?
- What did Peter do when he was scared?
- What can you do the next time you’re scared and afraid?
One last time before we sign off, let’s practice our verse together. You can repeat after me. “Right away Jesus called out to them, “Be brave! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:27
Puzzle
Figuring out just who God is can often feel like putting a puzzle together. We learn Him piece by piece and overtime we start to make connections as we know Him more. Just as its fun to put a puzzle together, it can be fun to learn all the pieces of the Lord and put those pieces together! But He is so awesome and profound that He is a puzzle that we will never complete as humans. And that's okay! Just as we enjoy the process of working on a puzzle, we should enjoy the process of learning more and more about the Lord.