“And He was asking them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.”  And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve to them, and they served them to the people” (Mark 8:5-6).

How many?  Seven.  In one week, seven days, the Lord created all that is around us.  Without becoming too literal, see the connection with seven.  It is a number that is often called the number of perfection or completion.  God will complete us according to His will.  We walk by faith trusting that the Lord will accomplish all that He has purposed.  He will give us all that we need.

Lord God, Creator of the universe, not from a little, but from nothing You have created all things.  From what we may call a little, You provide for all who are in need.  Though this story is about feeding a multitude, it also applies to my life of faith.  From the little I have received, grow in me what You intend.  Help me to understand that You are creating me to be a child of the Heavenly Father.  You will make of me what You will.

Lord Jesus, Savior of my soul, guide me in this new creation which You have brought to me through faith.  Lead me to gain wisdom on the journey and learn how to walk according to all of Your ways.  Amidst the daily struggles, remind me that You, through whom all things have their being, are more than able to accomplish what You have purposed through the circumstances in which You have placed me.  Amen.

Scripture

Matthew 5:13-20

Script: 

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone!

Pastor: How are you doing today, Sammy?

Sammy: I am doing great! Today we are talking about salt. I know all about salt. There is a ton of it outside.

Pastor: What do you mean, Sammy?

Sammy: There’s salt all over the sidewalks and parking lot here at church. Haven’t you seen it, Pastor?

Pastor: Yes I have. It’s a special kind of salt that helps melt the snow and ice. We don’t eat it.

Sammy: Oh. That’s good to know.

Pastor: You tasted it, didn’t you?

Sammy: Yep.

Pastor: Boys and girls, we put a special salt for eating on our food. The salt on the ground outside is not good to eat, but salt that your parents and grandparents give you is good to eat. I have some salt with me here. Let’s talk about it. What are some things you notice about it?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: What kinds of foods do you put salt on? 

Pastor: I put salt on every dinner cooked at home.

Sammy: Do your dinners need salt? Aren’t they just fine the way they are?

Pastor: Yes they are wonderful.

Sammy: Boys and girls, what kinds of foods do you put salt on?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Talking about salt is really important. We all eat and use salt. Jesus is talking about salt and how his followers need to be the salt of the earth. 

Sammy: What does that mean?

Pastor: That means that we need to go into the world and spread the good news that Jesus is Lord. We are called to love God and each other.

Sammy: That’s a big job.

Pastor: Yes it is, but there are a lot of us, and we have the power of the Holy Spirit to help us and to guide us.

Sammy: Every time I eat salt, I’ll be thinking of Jesus calling us to be the salt of the earth.

Pastor: Wonderful, Sammy. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, help us to be the salt of the earth. Help us to share your message with everyone we meet. Thank you for being Lord and Savior of our lives. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone!

Pastor: Sammy, today we have scripture from the Gospel of Matthew.

Sammy: Yes, it’s one of my favorites: The Bee-Attitudes.

Pastor: The what?

Sammy: The Bee-Attitudes. You know, like honey bees, and bumblebees, and carpenter bees, and not like wasps or hornets or yellow jackets or anything like that.

Pastor: Here we go again.

Sammy: All right everyone! Can everyone help me with the Bee-Attitudes? Can you buzz like a bee? 

[Allow children time to buzz like bees]

Sammy: That was really good. But let’s do that again, but louder. Ready?

[Allow children to buzz like bees]

Sammy: Great job! That’s just the warm-up!

Pastor: Sammy, I don’t think you understand what Jesus is talking about.

Sammy: Of course I do, Pastor! We just had to warm up. Okay everyone! Are you ready for the next part?

Pastor: I can only imagine…

Sammy: Repeat after me: Be comforted. Be filled. Be merciful. Be pure. Be peaceful. Let’s try again. Ready? Be comforted. Be filled. Be merciful. Be pure. Be peaceful. Great job! See, Pastor. These are the Bee Attitudes.

Pastor: Oh I get it. The Beatitudes. Jesus is teaching us about who is and what he does. He is merciful in his forgiveness. He mourns over our sins and comforts us in our guilt. He is pure in heart and he makes peace between us and God.  What he is saying helps us to know how much he loves us. Even though we fall short of his love. People hearing these words for the first time would be surprised. 

Sammy: Why’s that? 

Pastor: Jesus says that those who are sad will be comforted. The meek will inherit the earth. The pure in heart will see God.

Sammy: These are big promises.

Pastor: Yes they are. They are promises that are filled by Jesus. He loves each one of us, and his love is a gift.

Sammy: The Bee-Attitudes are fun. Can everyone buzz with me one more time?

Pastor: Great job, little bees. Let’s say a prayer and then you can buzz like a bee back to your seats. Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, Thank you for teaching us how to live. Thank you for helping us with our Bee-Attitudes. We love you and praise your name. Amen.

Sammy: Buzzzzzz.

“If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance.”  And His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” (Mark 8:3-4)

What does Jesus know that we do not know?  Do we think of the author and finisher of our faith as someone who’s suggestions we follow or do we just ponder the possibility?  Jesus shows us time and again that He operates from knowledge, whereas we react from experience.  The question before us all is whether or not we will trust Jesus and trust His word to us.  He does know and when He asks, it is from knowledge.

Lord God, how many times have I doubted?  How many times do I not trust what You say?  Help my unbelief so that I would put into action the things that You say.  Guide me in the way of life so that I live according to Your word above all things.  You know what we need even before we ask.  You, from whom all things came into being, are more than able to do what You say You will do.

Lord Jesus, You have set into motion all that is needed so that we may be forever united with You.  Guide me so that I may learn how to obey all that You command.  Take me beyond my doubts and fears so that I may humbly walk with You all the days of my life.  Guide me in the way of salvation knowing that You will complete what You have purposed.  You, the author of my faith, finish what You have come to do and complete me according to the Father’s will.  Amen.

“In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples and said to them, “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat” (Mark 8:1-2).

By now the disciples have begun to learn that to obey Jesus is always the best thing.  Yes, there were many more lessons that would be learned, but they were beginning to see that with God all things are possible.  This is a consistent message of the Gospel.  Learn to trust that with the Lord all things are possible.  If He asks you to do something, step out in faith and seek to do what the Lord asks.

Lord, help my wavering feet and uncertain mind.  I know in my mind that all things are possible with You, but I waver and doubt.  Remove the doubts so that my belief is in You and the word You have spoken.  Amidst all the conflicting thoughts that roll around in this world, guide me to abide in You and Your word and live in the faith You have given me.  You must be the One who leads me. Lord.

Lord Jesus, You had compassion on the crowds.  Help me to have compassion for others, even those who are hostile to me and to You.  Help me to always be willing to share the food of the Gospel with all whom I meet.  Help me to look to You and be led by Your example in order that I may live my life as You would have me live it.  Guide me by Your Holy Spirit all the days of my life.  Amen.

“And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it.  They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak” (Mark 7:36-37).

In the way of this world, many are unable to contain themselves and be fully obedient to the Lord.  The notoriety did get in the way.  How often in our desire to do what is pleasing to the Lord, we get in the way by not obeying His command.  “But this is good,” we say.  To obey is better than sacrifice.  Yes, we have grace but learn to obey the Lord even when it may not make sense to you.

Lord, You have a purpose in everything.  You speak Your word to me and sometimes I go to a place You would rather not have me go.  Help me to be discerning and listen to all Your word so that I may mature in this faith You have given me and obey all that You command.  There are times when You ask silence from me when I would like to shout from the rooftop.  Help me to do what You ask me and not just do what I think is right.

Lord Jesus, You have given me Your Holy Spirit, Who speaks to me each day.  I know there are times when I have gone another way from the direction You have given.  Help me in order that I may learn to be faithful in all things.  You must be the One who directs me, for You alone know all that is needed and what will happen with each of my actions.  Guide me to live following You in all things.  Amen.  

“Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva; and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!”  And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly” (Mark 7:33-34).

Very physical and very real — this is the way Jesus chose to do this healing.  What was it that was in the way and why was it done this way?  Everything Jesus does is intentional.  The Lord will walk with us and work with us in the way we need for things to be done and will do so for His reasons.  Everything Jesus did was unique for the person with whom He was dealing.  Is it not the same for each one of us?

Lord, in this world, I tend to think in terms of sameness, but I often do not see that this is true in Your dealing with individuals in the Gospel.  You dealt with each individual and often acted upon them in different ways.  Help me to understand that it should be the same with those around me.  Each person is unique and an individual.  Help me to meet others as the individuals that You have made them to be.

Lord Jesus, I have looked at You and wanted to sit in a class as You teach me, but You walk alongside me and teach me every day.  There are many lessons You have taught me and many more I need to learn.  Help me to live into the life You have given me so that I may learn and become more like You according to Your leading.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go.  Amen.

“Again He went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis.  They brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they implored Him to lay His hand on him” (Mark 7:31-32).

Of course, Jesus can do things.  All things are possible with God.  With great intentionality, the Lord will do what the Lord will do.  There are many needs in this world, so we ought to be careful of making anything of one healed and another not.  The Lord loves us all equally.  However, do ask and trust that the Lord is more than able to do whatever He determines.  He will lead all who hear His voice and follow Him.

Lord help me to learn how to have unconditional faith.  You can heal me.  Where I do not hear and have a closed mouth, open my ears and mouth to hear You speak and then speak Your word of truth.  Lead me to do what is in accordance with the Father’s will.  Help me through all the obstacles that get in the way so that I learn how to be faithful in all that You give me to do.  Be the One who guides me along life’s journey.

Come, Holy Spirit, and open my mind and heart to receive Your instruction.  Open my eyes to see, my ears to hear, and my tongue to speak the truth of Your word.  Through Your ministry, help me to minister to others.  Guide me along the right path so that I become faithful through all things.  Teach me and help me learn the lessons You will teach.  Guide me step by step today and every day to learn to be faithful.  Amen.

“And going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having left” (Mark 7:30).

If Jesus says something is done, it is done.  It took faith for the woman to leave Jesus and trust in what she could not see.  Her faith was affirmed and her daughter was healed.  We know no more of her, but one cannot help but wonder about the preparation this created for the spreading of the Gospel after this when Jesus was raised from the dead.  There is purpose in everything, and the Lord is purposeful in all that He does.

Lord, grant that I would come to have faith such that when You tell me something, I believe and act on the faith.  In this world of constant questioning, I often continue the query and do not act on what You have given me.  Thank You for the examples of the faithful who trusted Your word.  Lead me to equally trust that Your word will never come back void but will accomplish what You have intended.

Lord Jesus, author of my faith, You are the Word made flesh that has spoken with power and authority.  Help my unbelief so that I become a person of action.  Guide me through the barriers that come my way in order that I would move beyond what hinders me to trust in Your word above all others.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go and help me to follow wherever You take me.  Amen.

“But she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children’s crumbs.”  And He said to her, “Because of this answer go; the demon has gone out of your daughter” (Mark 7:28-29).

We all should have such an attitude.  “I am unworthy of anything You would give me, Jesus.”  The sinful reaction of becoming indignant is too often present.  Are we content with whatever the Lord will give us?  Do we rejoice and give thanks for all His gifts?  This woman had great faith and trusted the Lord for whatever He was willing to give her.  She and her daughter received the greatest gift of all in knowing that Jesus has the power to cast out all demons.

Lord, I often act as if I were someone special.  I am not.  I am who You have made me to be.  Lead me away thinking in terms of worthy or unworthy to understand that You have called me to follow You.  Help me to be content with whatever scraps You give me.  You know what is needed and all that You give me are good gifts according to Your perfect will.

Lord Jesus, I see that You will go to whatever length to bring out in me genuine faith.  Help me to be a willing participant in the journey of faith that You have set before me.  Guide me through those places where I feel slighted or indignant to be thankful for all that You give.  Cast out the demons in my life and set me free to be Your disciple.  Through all things, help me to do the Father’s will.  Amen.