Every Sunday morning at 9:00 am
Every Sunday morning our Sunday School classes provide biblical instruction for all ages. From infant to adult, the Bible comes alive through stories, activities and in-depth Bible study.
For the kids we have:
Nursery,
Combined Pre-K/1st Grade class,
Combined 2nd-5th Grade class, and
Combined Middle School/High School class.
There are also two adult Sunday School classes offered.
All Sunday School classes begin at 9:00 am and we'd love for you to join us on Sunday mornings.
The Shepherds
Read together: Luke 2:8-18
Sheep when left alone can get into a lot of trouble. Sheep may wander off in search of grass. Wild animals may attack sheep because they are easy prey and very tasty. Other shepherds may try to steal them. A good shepherd would never leave his sheep alone in the field overnight.
Shepherds worked together or maybe with others in their family. That way some could rest and sleep, while others would stay awake to keep an eye on the sheep. Perhaps they made a campfire to stay warm and scare away other animals. On the night Jesus was born, the Bible tells us that a group of shepherds was out in such a camp in the fields near Bethlehem.
When they looked into the night sky to watch the stars, they suddenly saw a great light. Suddenly there was an angel with them, and God’s glory was shining all around. They were terrified! None of the shepherds had ever seen an angel, and this angel was speaking directly to them.
The angel told them not to be afraid. God’s Son had been born in Bethlehem. They would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. As they watched, a great company of angels filled the sky, praising God.
After the angels went back into heaven, the shepherds talked together and decided to go see this miracle. After they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby, they praised God and ran off to tell others the good news. They shared their joy and became the first to tell the world that the Savior had been born. God wants you to spread this joy. Are you sharing Jesus with others this Christmas season?
Think about this verse – Luke 2:17
"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child," (NIV)
Pray together
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the Good News of Jesus. I want to share this good news with others who do not know Him. Help find ways to lead them to Jesus. Amen.
Bethlehem
Read together: Micah 5:2
Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’s birth was a small town, located in the territory of Judah. The town and the region around it was also known as Ephrath or Ephrathah. Bible scholars number its residents between 300 -1,000 people (for comparison, most elementary schools today have about 300-500 students). It was on a fertile ridge of land. Grapevines, figs, and almonds were grown in the area.
Bethlehem is famous for other events in the Bible. It was where Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel was buried. It was where Ruth traveled with her mother-in-law Naomi, met her husband Boaz, and lived as a family. It was the town where King David was born.
At the time of Jesus’s birth, Bethlehem was part of the Roman Empire and Roman soldiers occupied Judea. Roman emperor Caesar Augustus ordered a census be taken of the empire. Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, who was from Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary needed to travel there to be registered and counted for Caesar.
The word Bethlehem comes from the Hebrew word Beth’lechem. This translates as House of Bread. In John 6:35 Jesus declares that He is the Bread of Life. Remember, nothing God does is by accident. It is not just a coincidence that Jesus was born in a town named House of Bread. Truly, Bethlehem points toward the savior who would be our Bread of Life.
Think about this verse – John 6:35
"Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."(NIV)
Close in prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus that first Christmas morning. During this busy holiday season, help me remember that He came to be the Bread of Life for me. Amen.
Waiting for Jesus
People in the world have needed Jesus ever since Adam and Eve bit into the fruit of a forbidden tree in the garden of Eden. The crafty serpent tricked Eve, and she picked the forbidden fruit. She shared it with Adam. They ate some, even though God had told Adam he must never eat the fruit of this tree. This was the first sin and mankind found it impossible to stop sinning ever since.
God was angry and He put Adam and Eve out of the beautiful garden.
God loved his people (Zep 3:17), even though they sinned again and again. In His anger He punished them. In time, God’s children would feel sorry for what they had done (repent) and would return to the Lord. When his children looked to Him for guidance, all went well, but sooner or later they would forget and sin again. This cycle of sin, repentance, and forgiveness would continue generation after generation. Over and over!
God had a plan to solve this problem. He spoke to His children through the voice of the prophets. One of these prophets was Isaiah.
Isaiah lived in sinful times. People worshipped false gods made of gold and silver. They did evil things. They did not follow the laws God had given them. God spoke to Isaiah through a vision. Isaiah told the people everything that God had shown Him. He told them about coming wars and destruction that would punish kingdoms of the earth for the sins they continued to do. This was truly bad news for God’s children.
But Isaiah had good news of comfort for them, too. God would not let them be separated from Him forever. God was sending a Savior to bring His children back to Him and cover the price of their sins. He said a virgin would give birth to a baby and he would be called Immanuel, which means, "God with us."
God’s people waited…a very long time…over 400 years. God's promises are true and Jesus came. Jesus came for you too! This is why we remember His birth this Christmas Season! Advent is beginning. Think of God’s great gift. Get ready to celebrate!
Think about this verse – Isaiah 9:6
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (NIV)
Pray together
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this Christmas season. We praise you as we wait and watch for Jesus. Amen.
Thanksgiving Lesson from Jesus
Read Luke 10:38-42
What is your favorite holiday? Mine is Thanksgiving! I love the family gatherings. I love the food, especially the turkey and stuffing. I love thinking about all that God has given us. We have so many reasons to thank God.
I enjoy cooking for my family and friends, but it does take a lot of work and planning. What would they like to eat? Do I need to do more shopping to pick up ingredients for my favorite recipes? Should we have apple pie and ice cream, or pumpkin pie and whipped cream, or both? Is the house cleaning done? Are the good towels out in the bathroom? When should I set the table? What games would the kids like to play while grown-ups are watching football? Etc.? Etc.? Etc.?
Once when Jesus visited his friends Mary and Martha the sisters had a little disagreement. While Martha did all the work to prepare the meal, all Mary did was to sit and talk with Jesus. Martha complained and asked Jesus to tell Mary to get to work and help. Jesus knew what was most important. He said that Martha should not be so busy. Martha was spending so much time making everything just right, that she was forgetting what was really important. Spending time with her friend Jesus!
Next time I have company I will have a different plan. Things will not have to be perfect. No more worrying about the details. Shopping, cleaning, and cooking are not the best part of being with friends and family. Just being together makes the day special. Before we eat, we will say a prayer together and thank God for the blessings He has given us. Then we will enjoy our time together. Happy Thanksgiving!
Think about this verse: Luke 10:42
"but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (NIV)
Close in prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for family and friends. Please give us more time together. Bring our hearts together as we celebrate the many gifts You have given us. Amen.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride
Read Daniel 4:31-33
Nebuchadnezzar II was the king of Babylon in the time of the prophet Daniel. The Babylonians were a fierce nation of warriors and Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest leader of the Babylonians. The Babylonians captured Jerusalem and destroyed the temple that Solomon built. They captured the Israelites and took many of them to Babylon. The prophet Daniel was among those taken away. There he became an adviser to Nebuchadnezzar.
Nebuchadnezzar was also known for his building projects. He rebuilt many buildings in Babylon, including a new palace and street for royal parades. Modern archeologists have found that 90% of all bricks in Babylon have a stamp showing they were made for Nebuchadnezzar.
Nebuchadnezzar was a proud man, boasting about all he created. One night he was strolling on the palace roof, overlooking his city. Instead of praising God for all he had, Nebuchadnezzar declared that the city was magnificent because it was built on his own wisdom. It reflected his majesty rather than God’s. Can you picture a proud king puffing out his chest and boasting about the grand things he had done?
God was not pleased. God had sent a dream to warn Nebuchadnezzar about his pride. Daniel had even warned the king that God would punish him for this. God told Nebuchadnezzar that his power and glory would be taken away until he repented. For the next seven years Nebuchadnezzar lived like a wild animal. He ate grass and lived as a wild person left outside, alone in every kind of weather.
After seven years Nebuchadnezzar remembered what Daniel had told him. He lifted his eyes to heaven and praised God. He called Daniel’s God the King of Heaven. He told his subject to worship the Lord and lead a humble life. Because Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself, God restored him to the throne. He told his people to worship the true God. God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to continue to rule Babylon for many more years.
Do you brag about the things you do? Do you think this pleases God? It is OK to feel good about doing your best and finishing a job well but always let others know that God is the real source of your strength, talents, and success. All that we have and all we do comes from God’s power. Remember that God wants you to give Him the glory. Do not brag about what you can do. Tell others how your success comes from God and give Him the glory!
Think about this verse – Daniel 4:37
"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble." (NIV)
Close in prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, You have created the world. You have created me and given me wonderful gifts and abilities. Help me always remember You are the source of what I can do. Let me praise You always. Amen.