It's Not Fair! Bible Club March 2016

"But God commendeth His love for us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Good morning, dear friends,

It's been a while since we've had a Bible club update, and with Easter Sunday coming up soon, this past Saturday we had our Easter club!  As always, so thankful for the children who show up, and another occasion to share God's good news with the children in our neighborhoods here in France.

Since we have our children (who know a lot about the Easter story) and French children (who know very little about the Easter story), it is always a challenge to find a common thread that will help them both.

This year, I had some help, from an issue that pops up periodically in discussions with my family, and maybe in yours.  With more than one child, comes the inevitable thought:  "It's not fair!" Since we have been battling this issue as of late with our own children, it got me thinking about the Easter story.  I am so glad that Jesus was willing to be treated unfairly, to take my place on the cross, and die for my sins, aren't you?

I had some help with the lesson ideas, especially the object lesson about being treated fairly.  (To see the original source for this idea, click here.)  The children had to imagine a hurt somewhere on their body, and since our daughter said that her hurt was on her hand, she got a Band-aid on her hand.  Then, everyone who said they were hurt, no matter where on their body it was, got a Band-aid on their hand.  It was a good visual to tell the children that although they were all treated the same, it wasn't "fair."

This led us to our lesson, about the two thieves and Jesus dying on the cross, and about grace and mercy. The thieves were being punished justly for their crimes, and deserved to be there.   Jesus was not treated fairly, but because of His unfair treatment, we are able to go to heaven, just like one of the thieves on the cross, who obtained grace (receiving what he did not deserve)  and mercy (not receiving what he did deserve) from God.

The children listened very well, and I hope it will be a lesson they will not soon forget.

Damaris helped the children to make "Ressurrection cookies," made from crescent roll dough with a marshmallow inside.  When baked, the marshmallow melts, leaving a hollow space inside the cookie, to represent the empty tomb.  As always, our kids enjoy anything that they can eat!

A special thanks to all of you who pray for our clubs!  We are so thankful for each opportunity the Lord gives us to share the good news with these children!

See you in a few weeks for our next club update!