Know our Covenant Benefits — David & Goliath

1. Story:

• Tell the story of David & Goliath based on 1 Sam 19.

• God deals with His people through covenants
• Covenant = promises between 2 parties to become 1 (e.g. a marriage) — “you = me”; whoever touches you, touches me; till death do us part.
•  The Israelites were part of the covenant God made with Abraham. They were circumcised — a mark of the covenant. They belonged to God. But sometimes they forgot that.

Jesus clears the temple

Lesson: Jesus is the Ultimate Sacrifice and the New Temple

1. Lesson:

• Tell the account of Jesus at the Temple based on John2:13-22 and Mark 11:17
• After Jesus went into Jerusalem on the donkey, one of the first things He did was to go to the temple.
• The temple was where the Jews would go to offer their sacrifices to God in worship and for their sins.
• But when Jesus was at the temple, what did He see? He saw people selling cattle, sheep and doves and exchanging money. Someone who wanted to offer sacrifice at the temple would have to change their money into special “temple currency” before they could buy the animals for sacrifice.

Jesus Enters Jerusalem

Lesson: Jesus is our King of Salvation and Righteousness

1. Story:

• Tell the story of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry based on Luke 19:28-40 and Mark 11.

2. Lesson:

• Jesus had been preparing his disciples for His death. He knew that after He got to Jerusalem, He would be arrested and crucified.
• Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was a time of celebration because it was part of God’s plan of salvation, and righetousness.

Parable of the Ten Minas

1. Lesson:

• Tell the Parable of the Ten Minas based on Luke 19:11-27.
•  The noble man who was made king is Jesus
•  Jesus wanted to prepare His disciples that He was not going to be “king” immediately (as many thought He would)
•  He would have to go to the cross first, then back to heaven before returning one day
•  But in His absence, and until His return, He leaves us with valuable treasures (minas, talents) — the gift of His righteousness and the blessings that accompany it, which we can all receive by grace, through faith

Thanksgiving Tree

It's the New Year. One way to celebrate it is to look back and give thanks to the Lord for all He's done for us in the past year.