Well, this past week we finished part 3 of our iWorship series. We talked about why its important to worship God through our actions.Jesus said that the world will know that we are his followers by our love... and love is an action! How else can we show the world that we love Jesus if our actions don't match up with our words?
This week we talked about Paul and Silas, and how they were put in prison in the city of Philippi. The Bible says that around midnight, Paul and Silas started praying and singing to God!
When they did this a violent earthquake came that shook the foundations of the jail causing all of the cell doors to fly open and the prisoner's chains to fall off.
When the jailer saw this, he was really upset because he thought that all the prisoners had escaped, but Paul yelled for him and assured the jailer that they were all still there. The jailer was shocked that they were still there and because of their actions, he knew that there was something different about Paul and Silas.
He asked them, "what must I do to be saved?" They told him about Jesus and he believed.
The jailer and his whole family came to know Jesus that night because of Paul and Silas' actions. His life was forever changed!
Actions speak louder than words, and if our actions aren't telling others that we love Jesus, then we are not worshipping God through our actions!
Bible Story: Acts 16:16-34
Memory Verse: "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.'" Matthew 22:37-38
Q's for the Family:
1. Have you ever been in a situation where you had a poor attitude? What happened as a result? Were there negative consequences? Was the way you acted showing worship to God?
2. Choosing to worship God is an everyday choice and some days it is easier than other! Why is it important that we worship God in the midst of the tough things we go through?
3. What is one thing that you are GOING to do this week, to worship God through your actions?
[Challenge]
Lower Elementary: Go home this week and draw a picture of what today’s story made you think about. If you bring it back to church next week you can get a prize!
Upper Eelementary: I want you to go home this week and think about a specific situation that makes you mad. I want you to pray about it and ask God how he can use you in that situation. Talk to your parents about it and if you bring back a slip of paper, with a parent signature, saying that you talked to them about the situation, you can get a prize!
