Church: We Belong to God.

September 7, 2024

Bible Readings

Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.

Ephesians 2:19-22, Acts 2:43-47

Memory Verse

Ephesians 2:22

“And you are part of that building Christ has built as a place for God's own Spirit to live.” (CEV)

written by Ron VandenBurg
illustrated by Chad Thompson

Mrs. Hall is talking to Mrs.Visser (Milo’s mom). Sophie and Casey politely interrupt their after-church conversation with Casey giving a tug on Mrs. Hall’s coat. Casey asks, “Excuse us, but Mrs. Hall, is it okay if we give you a hug?”

We see the four hugging as Mrs. Hall gets down to the girls’ level. Sophia says, “You taught us that we belong to God as part of his family.” Casey says, “And families give hugs to each other!” Mrs. Hall says, “They sure do!” We see Mrs. Visser looking on and smiling.

As they finish up, Casey moves to Mrs.Visser with arms wide open and says, “And Mrs. Visser, your turn is next!” Mrs. Visser smiles and bends down with her arms open. Sophie and Mrs. Hall finish the hug.

Print Comic

What are your favorite pizza toppings? What would not taste good on pizza?

Garry's family always had two discussions on pizza and movie nights. The first was about what toppings to get on the pizza; some wanted mushrooms on their pizza, and some did not. Others wanted pineapple on their pizza, and some did not. They let Mom pick the toppings this week since they went with what Garry wanted last time. The next was about what movie to watch: action flick, comedy, or princess movie? Dad and Mom decided to introduce Garry to one of their old favorite movies. Even though it might not have been his choice for toppings or movies, Garry was happy to have a family night together.

Church time can feel a lot like pizza and movie night. Everyone is excited to be together and worship God, but there are different ideas about how that looks. Tall people, short people, younger people, older people, pineapple-on-pizza people, and no pineapple-on-pizza people all make up the church. God brought all of us together so that we could be thankful for Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and to help each other live like him. Just like Garry knew he belonged to his family even though he liked different pizza toppings, the church reminds us that we belong to God as part of his family.

As you sit in church this week, look around and say thank you to God for the different people he has used to teach you about him.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for the church. Thank you for the pastors, Sunday School teachers, family, and friends you have given me to help me learn more about you. Amen

Related Resources

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The New Improved Kayla

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Church in Action Comic Book

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Bible Story Coloring Packet 7: Holy Spirit and Early Church

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The Story of Lydia

Philip Vander Windt

Philip VanderWindt is the pastor at Champlain Valley Christian Reformed Church. In his free time he enjoys building “tall-tall towers” with his kids, analyzing worldviews of films and music with his wife, photographing the beauty of God’s creation, dabbling in leathercraft and woodwork, and writing.