God's Global Community

January 22, 2022

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.

Genesis 1:26-31

Memory Verse

Colossians 1:16

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (NIV)

written by Ron VandenBurg
illustrated by Chad Thompson

The word “Global Studies” is written and a map of China is on the whiteboard. In front of the whiteboard, there is a table with plates full of dumplings. Milo and Casey come into the classroom. Casey asks, “Mrs. Zhang, what’s all this?”

There is a close up on the dumplings. “These are dumplings. My grandmother was from China. She taught me how to make them. I brought some for everyone to try.”

Both kids are eating. Milo with his mouth full says, “I love trying food I’ve never eaten before. My taste buds are so happy!”

Print Comic

Did you know that God made every person on earth? And that no two of us are the same? When our family went to China to adopt our youngest three children, Chinese culture felt very unfamiliar to us. For our new children, however, it was home! Just because we were different from each other didn’t mean we couldn’t get to know each other. And it didn’t mean that we couldn’t become a family! Seeing so many different foods and traditions gave us a new respect for God’s creativity and how much he loves variety.

In Colossians 1:16, Paul reminds us that God created everything. God made every person, every mountain, every continent, and every ocean. The book of Genesis tells us that God created us “in his image.” That means all people are loved and valuable in God’s eyes! Some people want to say one type of person is better or more valuable than others, but God made everyone and loves everyone. Because he made us different from each other, we need to respect every person’s value, because that value was given to us by God himself!

God created an incredible global community, and you are a part of it. Remember that God loves everyone equally. So go ahead and reach out and help others who might be different from you. Show respect and you may learn something fascinating. Maybe you have a new best friend out there that you haven’t even met yet! Who knows what you will find when you are open to all that God has created?

Prayer

God, help me to remember that you created everyone and you love us all. Thank you for making so many interesting things! Help me to appreciate all you’ve created, and to be a good friend even when someone is different from me! Amen.

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Jennifer Shaw

Jennifer Shaw is a Telly Award-winning speaker, author, and singer/songwriter and a 5-time top 40 Billboard artist. Her children's book, "Dumplings Mean Family," is a true story based on her family's journey of adopting three children from China. Shaw is a Compassion International artist, and has been featured on Insight for Living, FamilyLife Radio, and Joni and Friends. Her previous book "Life Not Typical: How Special Needs Parenting Changed my Faith and my Song " was used as a resource by Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization.