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Defending the Faith

Bible Passage: Jude

Kids Church: August 1, 2021

Volume 12: All Things New. Unit 35: Finishing Strong. Session 5 of 5

Leading Parent, please read below for an overview of today's lesson (drop down) ----->>

Defending the Faith

Jude, along with James, was a younger half-brother of Jesus. And like James, it wasn’t until Jesus rose from the dead that Jude believed Jesus was the Son of God. Sometime between AD 65 and AD 80, Jude wrote a short letter to warn believers about false teachers. False teachers had secretly made their way into the church, and Jude urged his readers not to abandon their beliefs but to “contend for the faith” (Jude 3).

Jude warned the early Christians that some people would try to divide them by sinning and by teaching things that weren’t true. Jude wanted them to not only defend the true teachings but also to actively share the gospel. He told his friends to show mercy to those who doubt, to lead others to Jesus, and to hate sin.

There are still false teachers today, and some of them still try to sneak into the church itself. God loves us, and He warns us through Scripture to be on guard. We can study His Word to know what is true, and we can rely on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment.

Such a strong warning about false teachers might be reason for panic among believers, but Jude ended his letter reminding them of God’s promise. Ultimately, Jesus is the One who protects His people from sin. Throughout history, God has been working out His plan to bring a people to Himself. God will keep us, and He calls us to not only remember His truth but to encourage other believers to defend the faith.

Because of Jesus, we will be able to stand before God with great joy. In the words of Jude, “to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen” (Jude 25).

Opening Prayer for Kids Church Worship

Dad (or Mom) lead your family

(You may ask all the kids to take turn to pray as well)

Praise God for His attributes: holiness, greatness, grace, love, mercy, etc.
Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to save us from our sins.
Thank God for His goodness, provision, forgiveness, etc.
Thank You God for sacrificing Your Son Jesus on the Cross to take our just punishment of death. Thank You Jesus for Your obedience to the Father and suffer the pain and death on the Cross. Thank You for the victory over death by raising Jesus from the grave on the third day! Because He is risen, the children of God shall inherit eternal life. Thank You God!
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits to worship God and learn the lesson He has for us today.
God, we are here to worship, adore, and exalt You. Speak and teach us through Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Pledges - recite out loud together

Right hand to your heart

Bible raised high in the air

Praise & Worship singing to God together

Let's dwell on the holiness of God and His expectation of us, too.

Leader - Ask the Big Picture Question

Everyone reply with the Big Picture Answer

Everyone memorize the Scripture verses CSB version

NIV

Leader Say: Who wrote these words to the church at Philippi? (Paul) We will hear later in our Bible story today that Jude urged believers to stand up for what is true. One way we can know what is true is by memorizing God’s Word. Let’s sing our key passage song.

Let's all sing “I Am Sure of This" (Philippians 1:6).

Everyone sing the Scripture song CSB version

Everyone open your Bible and read aloud 1 Peter 3:15.

Leader Say: To defend the faith, we need to know what we believe. Where can you find the truth about God? (the Bible) We defend the faith and look forward to our future with Jesus. One day, He will make all things new.

Let’s sing together “All Things New.”

Praise & Prayer Time

Invite kids to pray items below:

Share praises from this past week of what God did in your lives.
Confess and repent of our sins. Pray to God for His holiness and purity in our lives.
Ask God to forgive us, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us in self-control.
Share prayer requests with each other. Pray for each other.
Lord, Your Word is trustworthy and true. Give us a desire to read the Bible every day. Help us remember Your truth. Thank You for always being with us. In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Bible Lesson Time

Leader - Read the main story point below

Watch the Bible Story video

Christ Connection: Jude warned the early Christians that some people would try to divide them by sinning and by teaching things that weren’t true. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life—the One who protects His people from sin. Because of Jesus, we will be able to stand before God with joy.

Apply the Bible Lesson

Guide kids to open their Bibles to the Book of Jude. Point out that this book is only one chapter long.

Choose a volunteer to read aloud verse 3.

Leader Say • Jude wrote this letter because certain people were challenging the Christian faith. Jude urged believers to stand up for what is true.

Ask the following questions. Lead your family to discuss:

(Take your time to ask, let the kids to ponder and answer the following questions)

1. What threat to the church did Jude address in his letter? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Help kids recall that Jude warned the early Christians that some people would try to divide them by sinning and by teaching things that weren’t true. Point out that there are still false teachers today, and some of them still try to sneak into the church itself. God loves us, and He warns us through Scripture to be on guard.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Rom. 16:17.)

2. How can we know what is true? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Prompt kids to make the connection that in order to stand strong in the faith, we have to know what is true. The best way to know God’s truth is to read it in the Bible. We can study His Word to know what is true, and we can rely on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read John 17:17.)

3. How can we have the confidence to stand strong in our faith? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Guide kids to realize that we can stand strong in our faith because we are confident in what God’s Word says. The Bible is God’s truth. God gave the authors His words as He inspired their writings. We can trust the Bible for all areas of our lives.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Heb. 13:6.)

Application: Questions from Kids

Leader Say: As you watch this video, think about what they can do if someone asks them questions about Jesus that they don’t know the answer to.

After the video discuss whom they can ask questions about God, Jesus, and the Bible.

Sing the Song of Response below

A Missions Moment 4

Leader: Jude urged believers to stand up for what is true. Let’s watch how missionary Jorge Santiago was obedient to start a church in Puerto Rico and how God used him to stand up for what is true. By preaching the gospel, Jorge was able to lead people to Jesus.

Watch the missions video.

After the video ask kids to pray and praise God for what He is doing in Puerto Rico.

Closing Prayer - Leader

Praise and thanksgiving to God that the Holy Spirit helps us to listen and obey God.
Thank you, our Heavenly Father for our earthly fathers and mothers.
Protection from COVID-19 throughout the summer especially for people who are traveling.
For those who are sick or looking for a new job.
For our family, our church, our nation our leaders to repent, to honor and to follow God.
For missionaries Ms. Dora & Aunt Darlene with Reaching Kids ministry in Houston!

A Missions Moment 3

Leader: Remember the Santiagos who serve Jesus in Puerto Rico? Jorge Santiago planned to start a new church, but after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, he knew he needed to find ways to minister to the people’s needs while sharing the gospel. He treated others as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s see what he did.

Watch the missions video.

After the video ask kids to pray for the Santiagos and the people of Puerto Rico.

A Missions Moment 2

This is Jackie Chen, 2nd of 2 missionaries under the care of the Children Ministry.

Jackie's been in Taiwan with CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship) since 2019 sharing the Gospel to the children of Taiwan, and teaching adults how to do it.

You can read Jackie's latest newsletter that I have by clicking the picture above.

Jackie's Prayer Requests

• Praise the Lord, I will come back home next year! For a break of about 6 months, but as of now I am not sure of the exact time.

• Please pray for my relationship with the local workers. I need to be setting the example of following the rules.

• Please pray for me, sometimes I still get angry with the local workers here, because of culture difference and attitude toward sins. They are not perfect just like me. I need to love them just like Jesus loves me. I really need it at the moment.

• Please pray for the expansion of our ministry, thank the Lord that He is growing the ministry, but the local office needs more workers as well as finances to hire more workers to share the Gospel

• Thank you for the continued prayer for my future wife. I think I have someone on my mind. I pray a lot for her already. I haven’t start pursuing her yet. She doesn’t know anything at this stage. We will see what the Lord will do. I want to be patient and wait for the Lord's direction.

A Missions Moment 1

Leader: Missionaries are willing to do hard things to share the gospel. The missionary we are going to hear about today had to do some very hard things, like show people how Jesus had changed his life, when he went back to his homeland of Puerto Rico.

Watch the missions video.

After the video ask kids how Jorge’s (HOR-hayz) life changed when he met Jesus.

Enjoy a full 30-minute mini-movie family night!

Get out the popcorns and chips!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

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