It’s always a great opportunity to evaluate needs and start fresh. Here at Metro Life Church, we’ve done the same with our Children’s Ministry, Truth Quest. ...

God kept His promise to send the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit’s help, Jesus’ disciples could begin their work to share the gospel with the entire world. God gives the Holy Spirit to those who trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit gives us power to do God’s work, and He changes us to be more like Jesus....

Nothing we do is enough to pay the debt we owe God and take away God’s punishment for our sin. Jesus came and died on the cross to pay for our sin and take the punishment we deserve. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin completely. We can forgive others because God has greatly forgiven us. ...

Jesus is the Sower who shared the truth about God’s kingdom. His followers continue to share the truth today, and those who understand and accept the gospel become more like Jesus. ...

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote about God’s plan to send a Messiah. He would bring good news and redeem people who were broken and hurting. Jesus read Isaiah’s words and told everyone who was listening that He is the promised Messiah. ...

Jesus offered the woman something no one else could give her...

John the Baptist had told people to get ready for Jesus, the promised Messiah. Now that Jesus was on earth, John’s mission was complete. John the Baptist joyfully stepped aside as Jesus began His earthly ministry. ...

Nicodemus needed new life...

Jesus was tempted, but He trusted God and never sinned. Jesus is perfect and righteous. A perfect sacrifice was required to take away sin. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice. He died on the cross to free us from sin and to give us the power to say no to temptation. ...

Jesus never sinned, but He obeyed God and was baptized like sinners are baptized. Baptism reminds us of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It reminds us that when we trust in Jesus, we turn from sin and start a new life...

Even as a child, Jesus wanted to do His Father’s plan. As Jesus grew up, He became strong and wise. God blessed Jesus as He got ready to follow His Father’s plan: to die on the cross and rescue people from sin. ...

The birth of Jesus was good news! Jesus was not an ordinary baby. He is God’s Son, sent to earth from heaven. Jesus came into the world to save people from sin and to be their King forever. ...

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is the center of the gospel. We deserve to die because of our sin, but Jesus died in our place. He was the blood sacrifice made once and for all for the forgiveness of sin. God was pleased with Jesus’ sacrifice and raised Jesus from the dead to reign as King over all creation. We are forgiven only through Jesus. (Acts 4:12) ...

During Jesus’ triumphal entry, the people welcomed Him as King. Jesus was the Messiah spoken about by the prophet Zechariah: “Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). One day, Jesus will return to earth on a white horse as King over everything. (Revelation 19:11)...

Mary was willing to follow God’s plan, even though being Jesus’ mother would not be easy. Mary wanted to bring praise to God. Likewise, Jesus brought praise to His Father by willingly dying on the cross to save people from sin. ...

Jesus came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem. Jesus had earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, but His true Father is God. Through Jesus, God kept His promises to Abraham and David. Jesus saves people from their sin and adopts them into God’s family. ...

Are you a Metro Life Church member wanting to join the fun of VBS this year? We'd love to add you to our team! ...

Malachi was a messenger...

God's Word is powerful. When Ezra read God's Word, the people changed their ways and loved God more. The Bible says that Jesus is "the Word." Jesus is God who came to live with people on earth. Jesus has the power to change our hearts. ...

Nehemiah led the people to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem to protect them from their enemies. Jesus came to protect us from our enemies. He died on the cross and rose from the dead to rescue people from sin and death. ...

Nehemiah trusted that God would keep His promise to protect His people and give them a home. When we trust in Jesus, we believe God will keep His promise to give us...

God was in control over Haman’s evil plan to destroy the Jews. Like Haman, Satan wants to destroy believers. Satan thought he had won when Jesus died on the cross, but God raised Jesus from the dead and defeated Satan once and for all. ...

God’s plan all along was to send the Messiah through Abraham’s family. Haman’s evil plan might have stopped God’s plan, but God was in control. He was working out a plan to use Esther to rescue His people and make the way for His Son, Jesus, to come into the world. ...

God's people rebuilt the temple so they would have a place to worship God. Years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to be with His people. Now God dwells not in the temple, but directly with His people. Because of Jesus, we don't need a temple anymore....

Zerubbabel led God's people back to the temple to rebuild it. The temple was the place where God met with His people on earth. Jesus came to earth to rescue God’s people. One day, Jesus will return to restore a greater home for all of God's people, and we will spend eternity with Him....

God showed His power to rescue Daniel from the lions, but Daniel was just a small part of a much bigger story. God ultimately rescued us from a much bigger problem...

God was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire. Only He could rescue them. God rescues us too, through His Son, Jesus. Only Jesus can save us from our sin. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provided the way for us to be rescued from sin and have eternal life....

Daniel chose to obey God no matter what, and God blessed Daniel and his friends. In an even greater way, Jesus always obeyed God. He came to earth and followed God’s plan to save sinners. Jesus never sinned, but He died the death we deserve. Jesus rose from the dead, and those who trust in Him receive God’s forgiveness and blessing. ...

The birth of Jesus was good news! Jesus was not an ordinary baby. He is God’s Son, sent to earth from heaven. Jesus came into the world to save people from sin and to be our King. ...

Isaiah and many other prophets in the Old Testament told about a King who would come and rule forever. Jesus is the promised Messiah. He will make all these words come true. ...

God showed Ezekiel a valley of dry bones. The dry bones remind us what we are like when we sin. God showed Ezekiel His power to make dead people alive. We see God’s power at the cross. Jesus died to save sinners. God raised Jesus from the dead, and He gives us eternal life....

God was right to punish His people for their sin, but He kept His promise to provide a king through David’s family. Ultimately, God punished our sin through His Son, Jesus, and made Him our King forever....

Jeremiah told about a day when God would forgive sin and change people’s hearts. Jesus made these words come true. God forgives our sin through His Son, Jesus. He changes us and gives us power through His Spirit to obey His commands....

God had a plan for Jeremiah before Jeremiah was born. God called Jeremiah to share God’s message about sin. In a similar way, God had planned all along to send His Son, Jesus, to show them what God is like and to rescue them from sin....

Joel warned God’s people about the Day of the Lord...

God called Jonah to go to his enemies and call them to turn away from their sin, but Jonah refused. Instead, he ran away. Later, God sent Jesus to His enemies to call us to repentance. Jesus willingly obeyed. Jesus died on the cross to rescue us from sin....

Hosea’s relationship with Gomer reminds us of God’s relationship with the people of Israel and with us. Even though God’s people are unfaithful and love other things more than they love God, God still loves us. God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sin and bring us back to Him....

Hezekiah prayed that God would save His people from their enemies so that everyone would know that He is the one true God. God answered Hezekiah’s prayer. Jesus also prayed for His people to be saved. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus brought glory to God by rescuing people from sin and death....

God planned all along that Jesus would die on the cross for our sin. Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote that this would happen! Jesus is the Servant who suffered so that those who trust in Him would be forgiven....

Isaiah had a vision of God’s glory and realized his own sin. God forgave Isaiah’s sin. Like Isaiah, when we see how holy God is, we see how sinful we are. God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay for our sin. We can find salvation only in Him....

Naaman was sick with a skin problem. His disease went away when he trusted God’s instruction from Elisha and washed in the river. All people have a sin problem that leads to death. We all need a Healer. When we trust Jesus as Lord and Savior, God forgives our sin and heals us....

As a prophet of God, Elijah faced enemies who wanted to hurt him. Elijah’s life points forward to Jesus, the greatest Prophet, who was hated and killed for sharing and teaching God’s Word....

The people who worshiped the false god Baal danced and cried and cut their bodies to show that they loved Baal. But the one true God is not like the false gods. Instead, He showed His love for us by sending His Son, Jesus. Jesus bled and died to rescue us from sin when we trust in Him....

In the Old Testament, whenever God’s people cried out for mercy and forgiveness, praised God, or thanked Him, God heard their prayers. He promised to answer them, and He did when He sent His Son, Jesus. Jesus meets our greatest need by providing salvation from sin so we can be forgiven and have eternal life....

Job suffered and wanted a mediator...

Apart from God, life does not make sense. God created everything, and He gives everything a purpose. Jesus gives us purpose for living. Jesus came so that we might live for Him and have full, meaningful life. (John 10:10)...

King Solomon failed to lead God’s people perfectly. God’s people needed a better king, a perfect king! Through David’s family, God would send His own Son, Jesus Christ, to be a perfect King over God’s people forever. Jesus brings His people together and leads them back to God....

Because God is holy, only the priests could approach God...

Wisdom comes from God. He made the world and knows how it works best. Everyone is born a foolish sinner, but God sent His Son to earth to save us. The Bible says that Jesus is the wisdom of God. Jesus makes us wise and holy. He frees us from sin. (1 Cor. 1:24,30)...

Solomon was a wise king who wanted to do God’s plan. God planned to give His people a greater and wiser king...

When David sinned against God, God forgave him, but sin always comes with a price. God spared David’s life, but David’s son died. When we sin, we can receive God’s forgiveness because God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sin. Jesus died the death we deserve so that we could be made right with God....

God promised David that every future king of Israel would come from David’s family, and David’s kingdom would last forever. God kept His promise by sending His Son, Jesus, to be one of David’s descendants. Jesus is our King who will never die; He will rule over God’s people forever....

David and Jonathan were true friends. Their friendship points to an even greater friendship...

David was not a big or strong warrior, but he trusted God. God gave David power. When God sent His Son to earth, Jesus did not look like a strong warrior either. But by dying on the cross and coming back to life, Jesus showed His power to save sinners....

King Saul sinned by giving a sacrifice that only the priest was allowed to give. God rejected Saul as king, but He had a plan to send His Son, Jesus. King Jesus gave up His own life as a good and perfect sacrifice so sinners would be forgiven and accepted....

God does what is for His glory and our good. (Psalm 115:3; Romans 8:28) God fought for the Israelites and used Deborah, Barak, and Jael to defeat Canaan. In a similar way, God uses people and events to not only save us from our enemies, but to bring about our ultimate good: salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ....

God intended for a heavenly king to rule over Israel, but the Israelites did not trust God’s plan. So God chose Saul to be their king. God had a plan to one day send His Son, Jesus, to rule the entire world. Jesus would be the perfect King who would bring peace and salvation to the world....

We are SO excited to have your kids join us as we learn that GOD IS WITH ME WHEREVER I GO. Please read through this post as it will help you know what to expect next week related to check-in, daily routines of camp, special details for Friday and our special presentation for families...

The judges saved the people from the consequences of their sin, but not the cause of it. God’s plan was to one day send a true Deliverer...

Boaz was a family redeemer. That means he would help his close relatives who were in trouble. Boaz cared for Ruth and Naomi because their husbands had died. In a similar way, Jesus is our Redeemer. We need help because we sin. Jesus bought our salvation for us by taking our punishment when He died on the cross. ...

Samson’s sin led to his own death, but God used his death to deliver the Israelites from their enemies. Samson’s story reminds us of Jesus. Jesus never sinned, but God sent Him to die on the cross and rise again to rescue believers from sin and give them eternal life....

The Israelites cried out to God because they knew they could not save themselves. Even Gideon was not enough to save them; God used Gideon to save His people, but God fought the battle for them. The people needed someone who was mighty to save. Jesus Christ came to save us from sin because we cannot save ourselves. Only God, through Christ, can save us. ...

As Joshua prepared for his own death, he left a legacy of obedience to God. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, He appeared to the disciples and left them with a legacy: to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded. (Matthew 28:19-20)...

The punishment for Achan’s sin was death. It seems harsh, but the Bible says that the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) Because we sin, we deserve to die too. Jesus came to die in our place. When we confess our sins and trust in Jesus, we are forgiven and saved from spiritual death....

God fought for His people and led them into the promised land. Just as the Lord defeated Jericho for the Israelites, Jesus defeats His enemies and leads believers into the promised land of eternity....

God kept His promise to give land to the families of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As the Israelites stood at the edge of the promised land, God reminded them of His covenant. He commanded them to be holy and to obey Him, but He knew they would not. God was working out His plan to send Jesus to rescue people from sin and bless the whole earth. ...

Moses commanded the people to obey God so that they would live. He told them to worship only God...

The sacrifices God required of His people were a hint of what God was going to do to forgive sinners. We no longer need to offer sacrifices because we trust in Jesus. Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice that takes away our sin once and for all....

Thank you for all of the ways that you’ve been flexible as we’ve been making adjustments to Truth Quest over the past few years. We wanted to let you know about another change happening this week that we think your Kindergarten through 5th grader will be excited about...

God instructed the Israelites to build a tabernacle so that He could dwell with them. God desires to be with His people. As part of His plan to save sinners, God sent Jesus to “tabernacle,” or dwell, with people on earth....

God’s law shows us what He requires—perfect righteousness. Everyone has sinned against God and against each other. God sent His Son, Jesus, to live the perfect life we have not lived and to take the punishment we deserve for our sin. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin and gives us eternal life. ...

God is holy and separate from sin. His law shows us what He requires...

God’s people sinned against God, and Moses asked God to forgive them. Moses acted as their mediator, standing for them before God. Moses could not do anything to make up for their sin, but we have a better Mediator...

In the New Testament, Jesus said that He is the Bread of life. (John 6:31-35) God provided manna from heaven for His people’s physical hunger, and later He provided His Son, Jesus, for our spiritual hunger. The Israelites needed bread to live for a little while, but whoever has Jesus will live forever! ...

At Passover, God spared the Israelites from judgment by requiring the blood of a lamb. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, and God provided a way for them to escape through the Red Sea. The Bible says that Jesus is greater than Moses. (Hebrews 3:3) Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. People who trust in Jesus escape the penalty of sin and have...

God had a plan for Joseph’s life. He allowed Joseph to suffer in order to rescue a whole nation. God planned for Jesus to suffer so that many...

God sent Joseph to Egypt and blessed him so that he rose to a position of great power. God used Joseph to help Joseph’s family and many others. Jesus gave up His position of great power to be the Savior of the world....

God changed Jacob’s life and gave him a new name, Israel. Because Jesus died and was raised from the dead, He made the way for us to be adopted into God’s family. When we are adopted into God’s family, we get a new name, too...

Jacob’s story reminds us why we need a Savior. Jacob lied, and he tricked Isaac to get the blessing that wasn’t his. Jesus shares His blessing with us. We do not have to lie or trick God to get it. Jesus paid for our sins on the cross and gives us eternal life....

God’s wonderful plan to Abraham extended well beyond his lifetime. The plan was shared with Rebekah, Isaac, Jacob, and eventually an entire nation leading to the birth of a baby boy named Jesus. Jesus fulfilled God’s plan to provide salvation and redemption for all of God’s people....

Abraham trusted God. He was willing to give up his son Isaac when God asked him to. Isaac didn’t have to die because God provided a ram instead. God was willing to give up His Son, Jesus, to save the world from sin. We don’t have to die for our sin because Jesus died instead....

God told Abraham to leave his home and go to another land. God promised to bless all the people in the world through Abraham. God sent Jesus to earth as part of Abraham’s family. Jesus blesses all the people on earth because He saves people from their sins....

People chose to make themselves famous instead of God. They ignored God and did not do what He wanted them to do. God mixed up their language and spread out the people all over the earth. One day, Jesus will bring His people back together. People from every group and every language will worship Him together. (Revelation 7:9-10)...

God sent a flood to punish the world for sin, but God rescued Noah and his family. Later, there was an even greater rescue! Jesus came to save people from sin. If we trust in Jesus, He saves us from the punishment for our sin....

After Adam and Eve, everybody has sinned. Sin keeps us from God, but it won’t keep God from us. He loves us anyway, and He promised that someone from Eve’s family would take away sin. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue people from sin and bring them back to God. ...

God created people in His own image. Adam was like God in some ways, but he was not exactly like God. God sent His Son, Jesus, to show us exactly what God is like. (Colossians 1:15) Jesus is exactly like God because He is God. (Hebrews 1:3)...

The Bible says that Jesus is Lord over all of creation. Everything was created by Him and for Him. The Son has always existed, and He holds everything together. (Colossians 1:16-17)...

The promised return of Christ should fill believers with hope, strengthening them to persevere through the trials of this life and remain faithful to the Lord. When Christ returns, those who trust in Him will be with Him and enjoy Him forever. God will undo every bad thing caused by sin...

Jesus loves the church. The church is made up of people who have trusted in Jesus, who are committed to one another, and who meet together to worship Jesus and share the gospel. Jesus loves the church as His bride. (See Eph. 5:25-27; Rev. 19:7-9.) Jesus’ message to seven local churches called them to turn away from their sin and remain faithful to Him. The Lord is slow t...

No one knows when Jesus will return except God Himself. Believers can stand firm through persecution and live in peace because on the great and glorious Day of the Lord, unbelievers will be punished for their sin and those who trust in Jesus will be saved. ...

Here's your way to review everything that we learned and did at this year's Vacation Bible School: Bible Blast to the Past. Take a step back in time, all the way to last week, and discover the INCREDIBLE, FAITHFUL, INVINCIBLE, UNCONDITIONAL and REAL love of God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ....

Jesus gave all who follow Him a great and important job. It is an honor to share about Him! We can share the Good News about His life, death, and resurrection so that they, too, might know and follow Him! Think about the people you will come into contact with today. Who might need you to tell them about Jesus or to bring hope to a hard situation? Talk with them today. ...

Jesus’ disciples had denied knowing Him and ran away when Jesus was arrested. Even though they had not stood by Jesus during that time, Jesus showed as He served the disciples breakfast that He loved them and that through His sacrifice, He has made all things right again. Jesus still wanted to use them in God’s plan, even though they had messed up. Ask kids to talk abo...

After Jesus was raised from the dead, He appeared to more than 500 people! Jesus’ resurrection is proof that God was pleased with His sacrifice and had granted pardon to any who love and trust in Him. Jesus is alive today! Ask kids if they would have a hard believing that someone had seen Jesus after His crucifixion if they had been in Jerusalem that day. Ask them what t...

In Luke 24:13-35, Jesus met two men on the road to Emmaus. This was after His resurrection, but the men did not recognize Him. They were reading Scripture, and Jesus helped them understand that all Scripture tells about Him! After Adam and Eve sinned, God began working out His plan to send Jesus to rescue people from sin. The Old Testament points forward to Jesus’ life, ...

In our Bible story this week, a poor widow gave the two copper coins to worship God (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4). She made a huge sacrifice to worship Him! Jesus has given us the greatest gift. Jesus gave up everything He had in heaven to come to earth and save us from our sins. Jesus gave up His own life, dying on the cross in our place. When you know and love Jesus, you ...

This week we learned about Jesus cleansing the temple (Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48). Jesus was angry when He found people misusing the temple by selling items unfairly. The temple was the place that people went to meet with God. When Jesus died on the cross as the final payment for sin, He removed the need to go to a temple to meet with God. Now, God’s...

Parents - this Sunday begins our use of electronic single point of entry check-in for Truth Quest, our children's ministry. We wanted to make sure you had all of the information that you need so we gathered the 5 most important things you need to know for this week....

This week, we talked about Mary anointing Jesus with oil from an alabaster jar (Matthew 26:5-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8). Pouring the very expensive oil on Jesus was not a waste; it was worship. Talk with your kids about ways they can worship God this week. Emphasize that they can worship God any time. They might worship Him by working hard at a sports practice, through ...

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is the center of the gospel. The entirety of our faith hinges upon it as the truth. We deserve to die because of our sin, but Jesus died in our place. He was the blood sacrifice made once and for all for the forgiveness of sin. God was pleased with Jesus’ sacrifice and raised Jesus from the dead to reign as King over all creation...

Jesus entered Jerusalem, which ultimately began His march toward the cross. Jesus’ entry was triumphant, and people welcomed Him as they would welcome a king. Jesus was the King, not like an earthly king who might deliver his people from oppression, but the King of all, who would deliver His people from sin! Do you live your life with Jesus as the King of all? Who do you...

At the Last Supper, we see Jesus as a picture of the One who came not to be served, but to serve. He kneeled before His disciples to wash their feet, which was a job that the most lowly servant in a household would do. Jesus showed His love for His disciples, and even washed the feet of Judas, who would soon betray Him. Jesus didn’t just die for His friends or for people...

“Well done, good and faithful servant!” Every believer, as a servant of Christ, has the task of serving God with his or her life. We eagerly wait for the day we can share in the joy of our Master. Heaven is the joy of knowing, worshiping, and enjoying Jesus forever....

Lazarus was saved by faith, but the rich man was consumed by his wealth. He devoted his life to living in luxury, and he did not love God or other people. Those who receive salvation from Jesus have changed hearts; they treasure Jesus above any earthly treasure. Getting into heaven has nothing to do with who you know, what you wear, or what you do. Entering into heaven req...

In the parable of the faithful servant, the master is Jesus. Jesus gives believers the responsibility of caring for His world and sharing the gospel. No one knows the exact time Jesus will return to earth. We must always be ready. When Jesus returns, those who faithfully work for Him will be rewarded, but those who do not will be punished....

Salvation is a free gift. We can’t earn our way into heaven. Jesus did all the work when He died for our sins on the cross. The parable of the wedding feast reminds us that we need to be clothed in Christ's righteousness. Jesus invites us to join Him in heaven - the great wedding feast. When we receive His invitation, Jesus gets us ready by clothing us in His righteousne...

Like the vineyard owner and his wealth, God is free to share His grace as He desires. Does God act fairly in saving people who have not followed Him their entire lives? The reward - eternal life - is God’s grace to those who believe, whether they believe at the first or at the last. Jesus’ parable teaches about God’s grace. God is generous, and He loves us. We deserv...

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus interrupted Lazarus’s funeral knowing His would soon follow. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He showed that He has power over death. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus died on the cross for our sin and rose from the dead. He gives eternal life to those who trust in Him....

Jesus has power over evil. Only Jesus had the strength to control the man with the evil spirits. Jesus used His power to free the man. He has power over everything. Jesus came to earth to destroy the Devil by dying on the cross. One day, Jesus will end evil forever....

The prophet Isaiah wrote that the promised Messiah would open the eyes of people who were blind. (Isaiah 35:5; 42:7) He was here! Jesus was the promised Messiah. Even if we are not physically blind, we are sinners. In our need, we can cry out like Bartimaeus, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Sinners can’t see the truth about God until Jesus opens our eyes and saves ...

Jesus’ didn’t intend to only meet the people’s physical needs. He came to satisfy their spiritual needs as well. By feeding the five thousand, Jesus provided for the physical needs of the crowd. The next day, Jesus called Himself the bread of life. (John 6:35) Only Jesus is able to satisfy our souls by providing forgiveness, friendship with God, and eternal life....

Who is this man? the disciples wondered. Jesus' disciples knew Jesus was a good man and a good teacher. When Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, He showed His disciples that He is also God. God rules the sea and stills its waves. (See Job 12:15; 28:25; Ps. 33:7; 89:9; 107:25-30; Amos 4:13.) ...

The birth of Jesus was good news! Jesus was not an ordinary baby. He is God's Son, sent to earth from heaven. The purpose of Jesus' birth was twofold: to bring glory to God and to make peace between God and those who trusted in Jesus' death and resurrection to provide salvation. Jesus came into the world to save people from their sins and to be our King....

The announcement of Jesus' birth is not the beginning of the gospel; God had been planning for this moment since before the beginning of time. (See Eph. 1:3-10.) The baby Jesus fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy, as well as other prophecies of the coming Savior throughout the Old Testament. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled God's plan of redemption that G...

The prophets Isaiah and Micah spoke specifically of the Messiah’s birth. Isaiah told King Ahaz “The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14). Micah named the specific town"Bethlehem"in which Jesus would be born. (Mic. 5:2) God’s plan to save people from sin and death was not a secret plan. God used the prophets to give...

Advent - a time of expectation and anticipation. This is a great tool for Advent Readings with our children using the Jesus Storybook Bible. ...

1 Chronicles 16:34 says, "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good..." We are a blessed people and have so much for which to be thankful. ...

What does it mean to be lost? In Luke 15, Jesus told three parables to the crowd of tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees, and scribes. Jesus’ teaching brought gospel truth to the tax collectors and sinners - those whose unrighteousness separated them from God - and to the Pharisees and scribes - those whose relied on their own righteous efforts for salvation. A shephe...

The parable of the sower had a deeper meaning. It contained a lesson about God’s Word and the responses of those who hear it. Jesus’ lesson still holds true today. Not everyone believes the truth about Jesus. Some don’t understand it, some believe in Jesus for selfish reasons, and some only want part of Jesus because they love other things more. But th...

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught about a righteousness that comes from the inside. God’s people had the law of Moses, but some of them - the Pharisees, in particular - were concerned mostly with the appearance of being righteous. The scribes and Pharisees looked righteous on the outside, but Jesus taught His disciples about a righteousness that comes from th...

Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, meaning that He has control. But Jesus hadn’t come to get rid of the Sabbath; He wanted to remind the people that God intended for the Sabbath to be a blessing to His people, a day of rest from their hard work. By healing on the Sabbath, Jesus showed that God’s laws were meant to help people, not to hurt them. Jesus acted in ...

Jesus asked the Pharisees, “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” Simply saying, “Your sins are forgiven,” seems to be the easier thing, but to actually forgive sins is harder, something only God can do. The man who was paralyzed needed to be healed. Jesus knew this and did someth...

A man with leprosy approached Jesus and fell down before Him. “If You are willing, You can make me clean,” he said to Jesus. The man’s words were more of a truthful declaration than a request. He clearly trusted in Jesus’ power to heal people, and he longed to be healed himself. Jesus reached out and touched the man. “I am willing,”...

The prophet Isaiah wrote that the promised Messiah would bear our sickness and carry our pain. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy as He healed people. Sickness exists because the world is broken by sin. One day, when Jesus returns, there will be no more sickness because Jesus dealt with sin on the cross. Jesus’ healings brought a glimpse into the kingdom of God, the worl...

We are excited to announce that we are putting together a Children's Christmas Musical this year. Emily Morgan and Melanie Santamaria have graciously volunteered their time and talents to lead our children in song as they proclaim the birth of our Savior. ...

Among Jesus’ healing miracles, Jesus drove out demons, or evil spirits, who are enemies of God. When Jesus was preaching at the synagogue in Capernaum, an evil spirit began to shout through a man. Jesus commanded the spirit to be quiet, and He drove the demon out of the man. Jesus is the King who has come to make all things right. By commanding the evil spirit to co...

Jesus’ miracles are one of the main ways God brought people to faith in Him. The official wanted Jesus to save his son from death, and it was not until Jesus did so that he understood who Jesus is: the promised Messiah. It took faith for the official to believe Jesus’ words - that his son was healed. In healing the official’s son, Jesus showed His auth...

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote about God’s plan to send a Messiah. He would bring good news and redeem people who were broken and hurting. Jesus read Isaiah’s words and told everyone who was listening that He is the promised Messiah. Jesus had performed miracles in Capernaum, and the people of Nazareth wanted Jesus to do mi...

Jesus broke down social barriers when He traveled to Galilee by way of Samaria and asked a Samaritan woman for a drink. Jesus was kind to the woman, and He offered the woman something no one else could give her - "living water. He wasn’t talking about water that she could physically drink; Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit who would satisfy her spiritual thir...

Quick update regarding Promotion Sunday....

John the Baptist had told people to get ready for Jesus, the promised Messiah. Now that Jesus was there, John’s mission was complete. John the Baptist joyfully stepped aside as Jesus began His earthly ministry. Jesus’ earthly ministry had begun, and He would obediently do God’s will to bring salvation to sinners. ...

Every person is born a sinner. It is by God’s Spirit - "not our own effort" - that we are born again. Without Jesus, we are spiritually dead. Sin separates us from God. When people believe in Christ and are "born again," they receive new life and become God's children. Jesus offers new life to those who trust in Him for salvation. Nicodemus was part of an exclusive...

Rather than waiting for students to come to Him, Jesus sought out His disciples among the people who followed Him. He approached these ordinary men and said, “Follow Me.” The Twelve - Peter; James, son of Zebedee; John; Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon; and Judas - spent time with Jesus during His ministry. ...

The Devil’s aim was to get Jesus to sin, to disqualify Him from the role of sinless Savior. Jesus did not give in to temptation. Each time Jesus was tempted, He remembered God’s Word. Our high priest - Jesus - can sympathize with our weaknesses. Jesus was tempted, but He never sinned. Jesus is perfect and righteous. A perfect sacrifice was required to take aw...

Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by John in the Jordan River. Wait a second. John was calling people to a baptism of repentance. Sinners need repentance, but Jesus never sinned. (See Heb. 4:15; 2 Cor. 5:21.) So why did Jesus come to be baptized? Jesus answered John, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:1...

Mary and Joseph did not understand why Jesus stayed in the temple after the Passover feast. The teachers of the law did not understand how a 12 year old boy could show such insight into Scripture. Jesus wasn’t just Mary and Joseph’s son, He is God’s Son. Jesus went to the temple to worship. He is God’s Son, and He came to do God’s work. J...

While Mary and Joseph were at the temple, God graciously revealed to a man named Simeon and a woman named Anna that Jesus was the One - the promised Messiah they had been waiting for. Imagine their joy! Throughout the Old Testament, God promised the arrival of a king who would redeem God's people. When Jesus arrived, Simeon and Anna knew He was the promised Messiah. Today,...

The Bible says Mary wondered about all of the events of Jesus’ birth and treasured them in her heart. Do you think the shepherds may have done the same? The birth of Jesus was good news! Jesus was not an ordinary baby. He is God’s Son, sent to earth from heaven. Jesus came into the world to save people from their sins and to be their King....

Here is a recap of the lessons we've learned this week as a part of our 2014 Vacation Bible School titled Jungle Safari. We hope this was a wonderful week for your family, we had a great time with all of the children that were able to participate and look forward to continuing to learn all about God in Truth Quest each Sunday as well...

John would grow up to be an evangelist. He would be spiritually strong. John's ministry would be brief, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, he would lead thousands to repentance. He would humbly prepare the way of the Lord. A long time before Jesus was born, prophets said that Jesus would come. The prophets also said another man would come first to say, "Jesus is ...

The angel who told Mary that she would be the mother of God’s Son also told Mary that her relative Elizabeth was having a baby, even though Elizabeth was barren and past child-bearing age. Mary hurried to visit Elizabeth. When Mary called out a greeting, Elizabeth’s unborn baby leaped in her womb in the presence of the unborn Messiah. God kept His promise ...

While Zechariah was offering incense to God in the temple, an angel appeared and told Zechariah that he would have a son, and the boy’s name would be John. The angel told Zechariah that God’s Spirit would be with John. John would get people ready for the Lord’s coming and turn them back to God. Compare Malachi 4:5-6 to Luke 1:16-17. God had big plan...

The prophecies concerning Jesus’ birth are numerous, and many of them refer to Jesus’ lineage. Old Testament prophecies tell of the promised Messiah being born from the seed of a woman; from the seeds of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; from the tribe of Judah; from the line of Jesse; and from the house of David. The prophecies said He would be born of a virgin and...

Yesterday’s Bible story takes us to the last book of the Old Testament, the Book of Malachi. After living as prisoners in Babylon for many years, God’s people had returned to Judahâ€"their promised land. They had worked hard and overcome opposition to rebuild the temple and the walls around Jerusalem. Surely God would restore them … finally! But noth...

This week in Truth Quest, our journey takes us to Jerusalem as Nehemiah led God’s people to finish rebuilding the city walls. City walls and gates were very important in Bible times. Walls were built to be several feet thick. They protected a city from its enemies and provided a sense of safety and security. Gates were the center of city life, the meeting place for ...

Thank you for continuing the journey with Truth Quest; we have certainly come a long way together! From creation and the fall all the way through the Babylonian exile, God’s promises stand firm. This month, kids will continue with the story of the returning exiles, now known as Jews"people from the kingdom of Judah. Two or three million Jews had originally been depo...

After Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus graciously appeared to the disciples, proving that He was alive. Even though Jesus had told His disciples that He would die and rise again, they believed by seeing....

Why did Jesus have to die? God is holy and just, and He requires due payment for sin. To simply forgive without receiving a payment would be unjust. The wages of sin is death. (Rom. 6:23) Jesus came to earth was to save us from our sin (Matt. 1:21), to show God’s love to us (Rom. 5:7-8), and to give those who believe in Him eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus came to di...

This week’s Bible story describes Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem during Passover week, riding on a donkey like the prophet Zechariah foretold. (Zech. 9:9) Waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna,” the people welcomed Jesus as King. They believed He would overthrow Roman oppression. Jesus sent a different message when He arrived in Jerusalem....

I’ve recently spent time with the admin teams and lead teachers that serve in Truth Quest and it’s been wonderful to see and interact with the community of volunteers that serve our children. I’ve quickly found them to be a group of people that regularly encourages and supports one another. I’m grateful that this is the example being put before ...

We are excited to announce that this Summer, June 23rd - 27th, we will host our annual Vacation Bible School titled: Jungle Safari! Putting an event like this together takes a lot of support from our church. We wanted to make you aware of openings for serving this year's Vacation Bible School...