Simply Loved
In the Beginning
A Flood Covers the Earth (Genesis 6:9–9:17)
Bible Point: God always loves us.
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.” (Ephesians 3:18)
Purpose
Walk the aisles of a department store or browse online and you might see Noah’s ark-themed gift bags, paintings, and even bedsheets. When did this story of God’s judgment become so soft and cuddly? Beyond boats, animals, and rainbows, Noah’s story tells of a sin problem and God’s extreme approach to washing it away. Why so extreme? Because God loves us and wants to be close to us, and sin gets in the way.
Ultimately, God loved us so much he sent Jesus to “wash our sins away.” Like the ark rescued Noah and his family, Jesus is our rescuer who got rid of the power of sin in our lives once and for all.
Prayer
God, thanks for do-overs. Even when I’m drowning in sin, I know you’ve forgiven me because of Jesus and that you want to be my friend. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
River Ridge Kids
Dig In to the Bible
Read: 1 Kings 19:1-18
In This Passage: Elijah is tired. He feels defeated, scared, and alone. But God gives him rest and food and then speaks to him in a gentle whisper, addressing Elijah’s concerns. God is comforting, and he helps Elijah see that he’s not going to lose, he has nothing to fear, and he’s not alone.
Bible Point: God is comforting…
Application: …so we comfort others.
Summary Verse: “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
Dig Deeper
• God is comforting. Even young kids can face serious problems. They may struggle with loneliness or bullying. Perhaps they’re aware of your marital or financial problems. They may be dealing with long-term illness in themselves or loved ones. Help kids see that throughout life’s troubles, they can turn to the God of all comfort, who is whispering words of love.
• Think About: What’s troubling you right now? Pause and listen for God’s whisper.
Dig In to Prayer
• Pray specifically about any difficult situations you know your kids are facing. Ask God to give kids his comfort.
Be Bold
Do People Become Angels When They Die?
TODAY’S BIBLE BASE
Bold Bible Truth
The Bible is true.
(2 Timothy 3:16) “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man that you should care for him? Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.” (Hebrews 2:6-7)
• What life will be like after death, in heaven.
Matthew 22:29-30; 1 Corinthians 15:40; 1 Corinthians 15:52-53
