Stories Of The Bible Junior - A Saddleback Kids Podcast: Recent Episodes
Saddleback Kids | Lumivoz
Hi parents! Want to share the Bible with your toddler and preschooler? Join us each week to hear easy to understand Bible stories in a fun exciting podcast!
And to go even deeper, check out Happy Harbor! Come play with us each week and join our friends Arlo the Bear, Tilly the penguin, Kelby the Octopus as we learn that God made us, God loves us, and God wants to be our friend!
Storms can be scary... unless you know you're safe. Then they're kind of fun! But how can you know if you are safe? The disciples were scared of a storm in this episode. But they didn't need to be! Find out why they were so safe.
Jesus is more powerful than any storm
Jesus Calms the Storm
“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39)
Mark 4:35-41
Jesus told us in scripture that we will face many trials in this life (John 16:33). This is a fact of life – not an “if,” but a “when.” Maybe you have not experienced trials yet or maybe you have been through more than your fair share of struggle. Whatever the case may be, God can handle it.
Jesus demonstrates His power to the disciples by effortlessly calming a raging storm after suggesting He and the disciples cross the lake in a boat. Soon after setting off on their journey, a storm, described as “fierce,” comes upon them. The boat began to fill with water and, understandably so, the disciples began to panic. They looked around for Jesus, but could not find Him. Eventually, they found Him sleeping peacefully in the back of the boat. He was unfazed by the storm because He was not afraid. The disciples began yelling, “Don’t you care that we are going to drown?” Jesus woke up and using only His voice, instructed the waves and wind to be still. Immediately, the storm subsided.
Once the storm had ended, Jesus turned to His disciples and asked, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” In the midst of a raging storm, Jesus felt peace because He knew He was stronger than the storm. He would not let it bring down the ship. Yet, the disciples let fear consume them when they faced the storm, not believing that Jesus could save them.
When trials or “storms” enter our lives, it is easy to let our fear lead us. Let this miracle be a testament to the power of Christ in our lives. By calming the dangerous storm, He showed us that He can calm any type of storm we are facing. When something scary happens, we do not have to be afraid because Jesus has proved that He is more powerful than anything we will face, including nature.
Questions to think about:
What storm are you facing?
What stands in the way of you handing over your fear to Christ?
Is there a time in your life when Jesus has calmed a storm you faced? Trust that He can do it again.
David wasn't even a grown up, but one day he found himself in the middle of a war. And suddenly there was a giant! A real one! What would you do? What did David do? Find out now!
David And Goliath
Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson, David and Goliath, with your child after they’ve listened to the show!
- What was your favorite part of the story?
- Was David afraid of Goliath? Why did he feel this way?
David wasn’t afraid of Goliath because he knew God was bigger and stronger. He was confident in God! - Why was David confident in God?
David remembered the times that God had taken care of him before – like when he rescued David from lions and bears. He knew that God was bigger and stronger than all things – even Goliath. David didn’t need to be afraid because he knew that God would still do great things. - What are some great things God has done?
Spend some time thinking with your child about the good things God has done in the Bible and some good things God has done for you and your family! - Pray with your child. You might say something like this:
Dear God, thank you for the great things you have done for me. Help me to remember those great things, and to always know that you will do great things again because you are a good God, and you love me. I love you! Amen.
Parent Devotional
Hey parents! We have something just for you to enjoy this week’s Bible story for yourself. Read over this devotion sometime this week as a way for you to reflect on the Bible story your child saw from Church at Home. We love you!
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Early Childhood Craft
Your child will create their own pouch filled with stones like the pouch David used to hold his stones. Each stone will represent a part of the Bible story and remind them they can be confident like David.
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Early Childhood Coloring Page and Activity Sheet
Each week we have a new coloring page and activity sheet for your child to remember the Bible story for the week and learn more about our Big Idea.
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Navigating Parenthood
Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out this blog post all about building our kids’ confidence – not only in themselves but as children of God, too.
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CREATION
Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson, Creation, with your child after they’ve watched the video service!
- What was your favorite part of the video we just watched? Do you have any questions about what you saw?
- What are some of the things God created? What is your favorite? Why?
Light, sky, land, seas, plants, moon, sun, stars, birds, animals, people. Give your child a few minutes to talk about their favorite parts of creation. - How can I know God is real and his plans are good?
I can look around me and see all the things he made and how amazing the world is. - What can you do if you aren’t sure about God’s plan or things don’t seem good?
You can talk to God by praying. You can read your Bible and look for answers. You can talk to a parent or grownup for help understanding God’s plan. Even if things don’t seem good right now, God makes all things good one day in Heaven. - Spend a few minutes talking with your child about how today’s story shows us God’s creativity. Talk about how we are made in God’s image and can be creative too. Encourage creativity in your child in ways that fit their personality. Some ideas: drawing, singing, dancing, building, writing stories… the possibilities are endless!
Parent Devotional
Hey parents! We have something just for you to enjoy this Bible story for yourself. We encourage you to read over this devotional sometime this week as a way to reflect on the Bible story your child saw from Church at Home. We love you!
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Elementary Activity Sheets
Each week we have a variety of activity pages to help your child remember the week’s lesson. They include new coloring pages and activity sheets to enjoy!
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Navigating Parenthood
Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out this Two-Minute Tip, The Universal Talk, all about communicating your child’s value as someone created by God.
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Once upon a time there was a queen named Esther. Being a queen sounds great, but sometimes it can be dangerous! What would you do if you found out someone was planning to do something bad? Listen to hear what Esther did!
Esther
Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson about Esther with your child after they’ve watched the video service!
- Who was today's Bible story about?
Esther. God made Esther and she loved God. - What did Esther wear on her head?
A crown! The crown showed everyone that Esther was a queen. - One day, she heard someone was going to do something bad. Uh oh! Did Esther stop the bad thing from happening?
Yes! She stopped the bad plan. Shake your head “no” because the plan was not good. - Esther had to do something brave and tell the king to stop the bad plan. Can you be brave, too?
Yes! God helps us be brave. Show me your strong arms because God made us to do good and brave things. - Take some time to pray with your toddler. Encourage your toddler to sit with you and fold their hands, saying something like:
God, thank you for loving us and wanting to be our friend. Thank you for making us. Help us do good things and be brave like Esther! We love you! Amen.
Parent Encouragement - Esther
Hey parents! Here's something for you to be encouraged by and get ideas to bring this Bible story into your everyday conversation with your child at home!
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Toddler Craft – Esther Character Stick
In this craft, your toddler will create their own Esther Character Stick to remind them of the main character from the Bible story. God made Esther, and God made them!
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Toddler Activity – Talk Like Esther
In this activity, your toddler will bring the craft they made to life. They will practice saying and doing things with their Esther Character Stick to remember this Bible story about Esther.
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Toddler Coloring Page - Esther
We have a variety of coloring pages to help your child remember familiar faces from this month’s lesson!
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Navigating Parenthood - Esther
Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out this blog post all about how to foster healthy obedience in our children that comes from a place of love and respect rather than rules they follow out of obligation
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At Saddleback Kids we believe every kid should be known, connected, equipped and empowered. KNOWN by another kid and a leader. CONNECTED to a group where they can grow spiritually. EQUIPPED with the tools and the knowledge to develop a strong faith in Jesus. EMPOWERED to serve others and share Jesus in the world.
To sum it up, Saddleback Kids exists to connect kids to God and others while helping them live a purpose driven life.
Stories of the Bible Jr is a part of the Lumivoz Podcast Network for more great shows like Stories of the Bible Jr and others, just search "Lumivoz" in your favorite podcast app!
Rawrr! Prayer is good, right? But what happens when someone makes it against the law to pray?!?! Find out in this great episode!
Prayer is talking to God
Daniel would continuously talk to God through prayer. Even when he was threatened to be thrown into the lion’s den, Daniel would continue to pray to God.
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
– Colossians 4:2
Daniel 2, Daniel 6
Daniel and the Lion’s Den
Daniel was a very good, faithful man, who always obeyed God. He would pray to God consistently, three times a day. Daniel had a very close relationship to God due to how often he would talk to God through prayer and because of his unshakable faith. God also gave Daniel an incredible gift—Daniel was able to interpret dreams. This gift led Daniel to successfully interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The king then gave Daniel a high up position in the kingdom and gave him many gifts. Because Daniel was so smart, other wise men in the kingdom were very jealous. Their jealousy led them to convince King Darius to make a new law—that the people were only allowed to pray to the king. If people chose not to obey this law, they would be thrown in the lion’s den. These jealous men knew that Daniel would never obey this law since he would pray to God several times a day.
Daniel continued to pray in his room, even when he had heard about this new law. After the jealous men saw him do this, they told King Darius. This made King very upset because he cared for Daniel and tried to get him out of trouble, but knew there was no way around it. Before throwing him in the den, King Darius told Daniel “Your God, to whom you are so loyal, is going to get you out of this.” The next morning, King Darius went to check on Daniel and heard Daniel say “My God sent his angel to shut the lion’s mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have wronged you, Your majesty.” Daniel had not been harmed! They both knew that Daniel was protected because he had completely trusted God and had faith in Him. Daniel had a great amount of love for the Lord. Daniel also had a deep and personal connection to God because he would intentionally talk to God all the time through prayer. Regardless of the situation he was facing, he would make time to pray. Sometimes, we can get so caught up in our daily routine, that we neglect to prioritize our quiet time with God. But the truth is, God wants to hear from us—He wants us to talk to Him because of His love for each and every one of us.
I can talk to God.
Questions to think about:
- Why did Daniel continue to pray, even when he knew his life would be threatened?
- Why did Daniel have such a close relationship with God?
- How can I remember to talk to God on a daily basis?
Have you ever lost something? How important was it to you? Jesus told a story about losing a little sheep one time. It turns out that the Shepherd in the story cared a LOT about that sheep.
Talk It Over
The Parable Of The Lost Sheep
Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson about The Parable of the Lost Sheep with your child after they’ve listened to the episode!
- Who was today's Bible story about?
Jesus. - A man had 100 sheep. What sound does a sheep make?
Baa. - Uh-oh. What happened when he lost one of his sheep?
He looked and looked all around to find it. Let’s play peek-a-boo! You can pretend to be the sheep and I’ll cover my eyes then find you. Ready? Peek-a-boo sheep! - How did the man feel when he finally found the lost sheep?
He was happy! He asked everyone to come celebrate. Let’s jump and clap our hands and celebrate, too. - Take some time to pray with your toddler. Encourage your toddler to sit with you and fold their hands, saying something like:
God, thank you for loving us. Thank you for making us. Thank you for wanting to be our friend. Thank you that you will take care of us. We love you! Amen!
Parent Encouragement - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Hey parents! Here's something for you to be encouraged by and get ideas to bring this Bible story into your everyday conversation with your child at home!
Download
Craft – I-Spy Bag
In this craft, your toddler will make an I-Spy bag filled with hidden items from the Bible story. As they look for the items in their bag, they will be reminded that the shepherd looked for the sheep. He loved the sheep, and God loves us!
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Activity – Balloon Sheep
In this activity, your toddler will have fun as they find all of the sheep like the shepherd found his lost sheep in our Bible story. The shepherd loved his sheep, and God loves us!
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Coloring Page - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
We have a variety of coloring pages to help your child remember familiar faces from this month’s lesson!
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Navigating Parenthood
Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out part 2 of this Two Minute Tip series all about how we can help our kids hold onto faith.
Download
What does it mean to be a good neighbor? Find out in today's episode! Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan, let's find out what that even means!
Zacchaeus was not popular. A lot of people thought he was a liar and a cheater. Who knows why people thought that, except for the fact that he WAS a liar and a cheater. But then one day Jesus invited himself over for dinner. Find out what happened next!
Noah And The Flood
Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson, Noah and the Flood, with your child after they’ve watched the video service!
- What was your favorite part of the video we just watched? Do you have any questions about what you saw?
- How was Noah different from the people around him?
Noah was the only man on Earth who still walked with God and made the right choices. All of the other people were evil and were doing things God says are wrong. - What were God’s instructions to Noah? Why might that have seemed strange?
God told Noah to build a boat and put two of each animal on it. It was strange because God warned of a flood, but it had never even rained like that before! Noah had to have faith and trust God’s plan. - What did God promise Noah? How did he show this promise?
God promised he would never flood the Earth again, and he put a rainbow in the sky to show his promise. - What are some of God’s plans for me?
To love him forever, to love other people, and to be a part of his family. - Think about this part of our Bible verse: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” What does it mean that God directs your path?
It means he tells us what is best and the right way to live. He does that by speaking to us through the Bible, through his helper the Holy Spirit, by talking to us through other Christians, or by talking to him in prayer.
Parent Devotional
Hey parents! We have something just for you to enjoy this week’s Bible story for yourself. Read over this devotion sometime this week as a way for you to reflect on the Bible story your child saw from Church at Home. We love you!
Download
Coloring page and Activity Sheet
Each week we have new activity sheets and coloring pages to help your child remember the Bible story and learn more about how they can step up in faith.
Download
Navigating Parenthood
Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out part 3 of this Two Minute Tip series all about how we can help our kids hold onto faith.
Download
Today's Bible Story Comes Genesis 6-8 (from Bible Gateway)
6 Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them. 2 The sons of God saw the beautiful women[a] and took any they wanted as their wives. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not put up with[b] humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.”
4 In those days, and for some time after, giant Nephilites lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God had intercourse with women, they gave birth to children who became the heroes and famous warriors of ancient times.
5 The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. 7 And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” 8 But Noah found favor with the Lord.
The Story of Noah
9 This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. 10 Noah was the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. 12 God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. 13 So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth!
14 “Build a large boat[c] from cypress wood[d] and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior. 15 Make the boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.[e] 16 Leave an 18-inch opening[f] below the roof all the way around the boat. Put the door on the side, and build three decks inside the boat—lower, middle, and upper.
17 “Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. 18 But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives. 19 Bring a pair of every kind of animal—a male and a female—into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood. 20 Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive. 21 And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals.”
22 So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.
The Flood Covers the Earth
7 When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous. 2 Take with you seven pairs—male and female—of each animal I have approved for eating and for sacrifice,[g] and take one pair of each of the others. 3 Also take seven pairs of every kind of bird. There must be a male and a female in each pair to ensure that all life will survive on the earth after the flood. 4 Seven days from now I will make the rains pour down on the earth. And it will rain for forty days and forty nights, until I have wiped from the earth all the living things I have created.”
5 So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him.
6 Noah was 600 years old when the flood covered the earth. 7 He went on board the boat to escape the flood—he and his wife and his sons and their wives. 8 With them were all the various kinds of animals—those approved for eating and for sacrifice and those that were not—along with all the birds and the small animals that scurry along the ground. 9 They entered the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah. 10 After seven days, the waters of the flood came and covered the earth.
11 When Noah was 600 years old, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the underground waters erupted from the earth, and the rain fell in mighty torrents from the sky. 12 The rain continued to fall for forty days and forty nights.
13 That very day Noah had gone into the boat with his wife and his sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and their wives. 14 With them in the boat were pairs of every kind of animal—domestic and wild, large and small—along with birds of every kind. 15 Two by two they came into the boat, representing every living thing that breathes. 16 A male and female of each kind entered, just as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord closed the door behind them.
17 For forty days the floodwaters grew deeper, covering the ground and lifting the boat high above the earth. 18 As the waters rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on the surface. 19 Finally, the water covered even the highest mountains on the earth, 20 rising more than twenty-two feet[h] above the highest peaks. 21 All the living things on earth died—birds, domestic animals, wild animals, small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people. 22 Everything that breathed and lived on dry land died. 23 God wiped out every living thing on the earth—people, livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and the birds of the sky. All were destroyed. The only people who survived were Noah and those with him in the boat. 24 And the floodwaters covered the earth for 150 days.
The Flood Recedes
8 But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede. 2 The underground waters stopped flowing, and the torrential rains from the sky were stopped. 3 So the floodwaters gradually receded from the earth. After 150 days, 4 exactly five months from the time the flood began,[i] the boat came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. 5 Two and a half months later,[j] as the waters continued to go down, other mountain peaks became visible.
6 After another forty days, Noah opened the window he had made in the boat 7 and released a raven. The bird flew back and forth until the floodwaters on the earth had dried up. 8 He also released a dove to see if the water had receded and it could find dry ground. 9 But the dove could find no place to land because the water still covered the ground. So it returned to the boat, and Noah held out his hand and drew the dove back inside. 10 After waiting another seven days, Noah released the dove again. 11 This time the dove returned to him in the evening with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. Then Noah knew that the floodwaters were almost gone. 12 He waited another seven days and then released the dove again. This time it did not come back.
13 Noah was now 601 years old. On the first day of the new year, ten and a half months after the flood began,[k] the floodwaters had almost dried up from the earth. Noah lifted back the covering of the boat and saw that the surface of the ground was drying. 14 Two more months went by,[l] and at last the earth was dry!
15 Then God said to Noah, 16 “Leave the boat, all of you—you and your wife, and your sons and their wives. 17 Release all the animals—the birds, the livestock, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—so they can be fruitful and multiply throughout the earth.”
18 So Noah, his wife, and his sons and their wives left the boat. 19 And all of the large and small animals and birds came out of the boat, pair by pair.
20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and there he sacrificed as burnt offerings the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose.[m] 21 And the Lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things. 22 As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.”
Parents, it’s time to celebrate! The new On Purpose Parents: A Saddleback Parents Podcast has just arrived and we’re here to help you win at parenting! As parents ourselves, we know that parenting is the toughest, most important job on the planet! You can’t possibly do it alone. And now you don’t have to because we’re your people! Subscribe and listen every Wednesday for tips, ideas, and encouragement to help you win at being an On Purpose Parent! Available now on your favorite podcast app!
https://onpurposeparents.com
Have you ever gotten into a disagreement with your brothers or sisters? So did Joseph. But even with trouble at home, Joseph still dreamed big!
Parents, it’s time to celebrate! The new On Purpose Parents: A Saddleback Parents Podcast has just arrived and we’re here to help you win at parenting! As parents ourselves, we know that parenting is the toughest, most important job on the planet! You can’t possibly do it alone. And now you don’t have to because we’re your people! Subscribe and listen every Wednesday for tips, ideas, and encouragement to help you win at being an On Purpose Parent! Available now on your favorite podcast app!
https://onpurposeparents.com
The new Saddleback Kids Worship album, Side By Side, is a collection of ten songs that declare our identity in Jesus’ resurrection power, the goodness of God, His promises, and so much more. The prayer from our team is that these songs are planted in the hearts of kids now so they can speak to them throughout their lives. We pray that these songs would be the soundtrack to the everyday lives of families, provide words and music for kids to worship with at church, and fill homes with children singing out to God. We hope that this album will be a reminder that the presence of God is available not just to adults, but to every child for the Kingdom of God belongs to them!
Stream Side by Side and the whole album wherever you listen to music!
Parents, it’s time to celebrate! The new On Purpose Parents: A Saddleback Parents Podcast has just arrived and we’re here to help you win at parenting! As parents ourselves, we know that parenting is the toughest, most important job on the planet! You can’t possibly do it alone. And now you don’t have to because we’re your people! Subscribe and listen every Wednesday for tips, ideas, and encouragement to help you win at being an On Purpose Parent! Available now on your favorite podcast app!
https://onpurposeparents.com
Storms can be scary... unless you know you're safe. Then they're kind of fun! But how can you know if you are safe? The disciples were scared of a storm in this episode. But they didn't need to be! Find out why they were so safe.
Jesus is more powerful than any storm
Jesus Calms the Storm
“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39)
Mark 4:35-41
Jesus told us in scripture that we will face many trials in this life (John 16:33). This is a fact of life – not an “if,” but a “when.” Maybe you have not experienced trials yet or maybe you have been through more than your fair share of struggle. Whatever the case may be, God can handle it.
Jesus demonstrates His power to the disciples by effortlessly calming a raging storm after suggesting He and the disciples cross the lake in a boat. Soon after setting off on their journey, a storm, described as “fierce,” comes upon them. The boat began to fill with water and, understandably so, the disciples began to panic. They looked around for Jesus, but could not find Him. Eventually, they found Him sleeping peacefully in the back of the boat. He was unfazed by the storm because He was not afraid. The disciples began yelling, “Don’t you care that we are going to drown?” Jesus woke up and using only His voice, instructed the waves and wind to be still. Immediately, the storm subsided.
Once the storm had ended, Jesus turned to His disciples and asked, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” In the midst of a raging storm, Jesus felt peace because He knew He was stronger than the storm. He would not let it bring down the ship. Yet, the disciples let fear consume them when they faced the storm, not believing that Jesus could save them.
When trials or “storms” enter our lives, it is easy to let our fear lead us. Let this miracle be a testament to the power of Christ in our lives. By calming the dangerous storm, He showed us that He can calm any type of storm we are facing. When something scary happens, we do not have to be afraid because Jesus has proved that He is more powerful than anything we will face, including nature.
Questions to think about:
What storm are you facing?
What stands in the way of you handing over your fear to Christ?
Is there a time in your life when Jesus has calmed a storm you faced? Trust that He can do it again.
Parents, it’s time to celebrate! The new On Purpose Parents: A Saddleback Parents Podcast has just arrived and we’re here to help you win at parenting! As parents ourselves, we know that parenting is the toughest, most important job on the planet! You can’t possibly do it alone. And now you don’t have to because we’re your people! Subscribe and listen every Wednesday for tips, ideas, and encouragement to help you win at being an On Purpose Parent! Available now on your favorite podcast app!
https://onpurposeparents.com
Who made you? Who made the world? Who made everything and how did it get here? Today we're going to hear about how God made it all!
David And Goliath
Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson, David and Goliath, with your child after they’ve watched the video service!
- What was your favorite part of the video we just watched?
- Was David afraid of Goliath? Why did he feel this way?
David wasn’t afraid of Goliath because he knew God was bigger and stronger. He was confident in God! - Why was David confident in God?
David remembered the times that God had taken care of him before – like when he rescued David from lions and bears. He knew that God was bigger and stronger than all things – even Goliath. David didn’t need to be afraid because he knew that God would still do great things. - What are some great things God has done?
Spend some time thinking with your child about the good things God has done in the Bible and some good things God has done for you and your family! - Pray with your child. You might say something like this:
Dear God, thank you for the great things you have done for me. Help me to remember those great things, and to always know that you will do great things again because you are a good God, and you love me. I love you! Amen.
Parent Devotional - Big and Strong Week 3
Hey parents! We have something just for you to enjoy this week’s Bible story for yourself. Read over this devotion sometime this week as a way for you to reflect on the Bible story your child saw from Church at Home. We love you!
Download
Early Childhood Craft – David Story Stones
Your child will create their own pouch filled with stones like the pouch David used to hold his stones. Each stone will represent a part of the Bible story and remind them they can be confident like David.
Download
Early Childhood Coloring Page and Activity Sheet
Each week we have a new coloring page and activity sheet for your child to remember the Bible story for the week and learn more about our Big Idea.
Download
Navigating Parenthood - Big and Strong Week 3
Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out this blog post all about building our kids’ confidence – not only in themselves but as children of God, too.
Download
Prayer is talking to God
Daniel would continuously talk to God through prayer. Even when he was threatened to be thrown into the lion’s den, Daniel would continue to pray to God.
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
– Colossians 4:2
Daniel 2, Daniel 6
Daniel and the Lion’s Den
Daniel was a very good, faithful man, who always obeyed God. He would pray to God consistently, three times a day. Daniel had a very close relationship to God due to how often he would talk to God through prayer and because of his unshakable faith. God also gave Daniel an incredible gift—Daniel was able to interpret dreams. This gift led Daniel to successfully interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The king then gave Daniel a high up position in the kingdom and gave him many gifts. Because Daniel was so smart, other wise men in the kingdom were very jealous. Their jealousy led them to convince King Darius to make a new law—that the people were only allowed to pray to the king. If people chose not to obey this law, they would be thrown in the lion’s den. These jealous men knew that Daniel would never obey this law since he would pray to God several times a day.
Daniel continued to pray in his room, even when he had heard about this new law. After the jealous men saw him do this, they told King Darius. This made King very upset because he cared for Daniel and tried to get him out of trouble, but knew there was no way around it. Before throwing him in the den, King Darius told Daniel “Your God, to whom you are so loyal, is going to get you out of this.” The next morning, King Darius went to check on Daniel and heard Daniel say “My God sent his angel to shut the lion’s mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have wronged you, Your majesty.” Daniel had not been harmed! They both knew that Daniel was protected because he had completely trusted God and had faith in Him. Daniel had a great amount of love for the Lord. Daniel also had a deep and personal connection to God because he would intentionally talk to God all the time through prayer. Regardless of the situation he was facing, he would make time to pray. Sometimes, we can get so caught up in our daily routine, that we neglect to prioritize our quiet time with God. But the truth is, God wants to hear from us—He wants us to talk to Him because of His love for each and every one of us.
I can talk to God.
Questions to think about:
- Why did Daniel continue to pray, even when he knew his life would be threatened?
- Why did Daniel have such a close relationship with God?
- How can I remember to talk to God on a daily basis?
Esther
Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson about Esther with your child after they’ve watched the video service!
- Who was today's Bible story about?
Esther. God made Esther and she loved God. - What did Esther wear on her head?
A crown! The crown showed everyone that Esther was a queen. - One day, she heard someone was going to do something bad. Uh oh! Did Esther stop the bad thing from happening?
Yes! She stoppped the bad plan. Shake your head “no” because the plan was not good. - Esther had to do something brave and tell the king to stop the bad plan. Can you be brave, too?
Yes! God helps us be brave. Show me your strong arms because God made us to do good and brave things. - Take some time to pray with your toddler. Encourage your toddler to sit with you and fold their hands, saying something like:
God, thank you for loving us and wanting to be our friend. Thank you for making us. Help us do good things and be brave like Esther! We love you! Amen.
Parent Encouragement - Esther
Hey parents! Here's something for you to be encouraged by and get ideas to bring this Bible story into your everyday conversation with your child at home!
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Toddler Craft – Esther Character Stick
In this craft, your toddler will create their own Esther Character Stick to remind them of the main character from the Bible story. God made Esther, and God made them!
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Toddler Activity – Talk Like Esther
In this activity, your toddler will bring the craft they made to life. They will practice saying and doing things with their Esther Character Stick to remember this Bible story about Esther.
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Toddler Coloring Page - Esther
We have a variety of coloring pages to help your child remember familiar faces from this month’s lesson!
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Navigating Parenthood - Esther
Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out this blog post all about how to foster healthy obedience in our children that comes from a place of love and respect rather than rules they follow out of obligation
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At Saddleback Kids we believe every kid should be known, connected, equipped and empowered. KNOWN by another kid and a leader. CONNECTED to a group where they can grow spiritually. EQUIPPED with the tools and the knowledge to develop a strong faith in Jesus. EMPOWERED to serve others and share Jesus in the world.
To sum it up, Saddleback Kids exists to connect kids to God and others while helping them live a purpose driven life.
Stories of the Bible Jr is a part of the Lumivoz Podcast Network for more great shows like Stories of the Bible Jr and others, just search "Lumivoz" in your favorite podcast app!
This week we are going to be learning the story of a really helpful person. Even though the Jewish people and the Samaritan people did NOT like each other, only the Samaritan man helped the Jewish man when he needed it. Find out how YOU can be a good neighbor too!
For more great podcasts and stories, visit https://lumivoz.com
Noah And The Flood
Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson, Noah and the Flood, with your child after they’ve watched the video service!
- What was your favorite part of the video we just watched? Do you have any questions about what you saw?
- How was Noah different from the people around him?
Noah was the only man on Earth who still walked with God and made the right choices. All of the other people were evil and were doing things God says are wrong. - What were God’s instructions to Noah? Why might that have seemed strange?
God told Noah to build a boat and put two of each animal on it. It was strange because God warned of a flood, but it had never even rained like that before! Noah had to have faith and trust God’s plan. - What did God promise Noah? How did he show this promise?
God promised he would never flood the Earth again, and he put a rainbow in the sky to show his promise. - What are some of God’s plans for me?
To love him forever, to love other people, and to be a part of his family. - Think about this part of our Bible verse: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” What does it mean that God directs your path?
It means he tells us what is best and the right way to live. He does that by speaking to us through the Bible, through his helper the Holy Spirit, by talking to us through other Christians, or by talking to him in prayer.
Parent Devotional - Step Up Week 3
Hey parents! We have something just for you to enjoy this week’s Bible story for yourself. Read over this devotion sometime this week as a way for you to reflect on the Bible story your child saw from Church at Home. We love you!
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Step Up Week 3: EL Coloring page and Activity Sheet
Each week we have new activity sheets and coloring pages to help your child remember the Bible story and learn more about how they can step up in faith.
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Navigating Parenthood: Step Up - Week 3
Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out part 3 of this Two Minute Tip series all about how we can help our kids hold onto faith.
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Today's Bible Story Comes Genesis 6-8 (from Bible Gateway)
6 Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them. 2 The sons of God saw the beautiful women[a] and took any they wanted as their wives. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not put up with[b] humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.”
4 In those days, and for some time after, giant Nephilites lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God had intercourse with women, they gave birth to children who became the heroes and famous warriors of ancient times.
5 The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. 7 And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” 8 But Noah found favor with the Lord.
The Story of Noah
9 This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. 10 Noah was the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. 12 God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. 13 So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth!
14 “Build a large boat[c] from cypress wood[d] and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior. 15 Make the boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.[e] 16 Leave an 18-inch opening[f] below the roof all the way around the boat. Put the door on the side, and build three decks inside the boat—lower, middle, and upper.
17 “Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. 18 But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives. 19 Bring a pair of every kind of animal—a male and a female—into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood. 20 Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive. 21 And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals.”
22 So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.
The Flood Covers the Earth
7 When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous. 2 Take with you seven pairs—male and female—of each animal I have approved for eating and for sacrifice,[g] and take one pair of each of the others. 3 Also take seven pairs of every kind of bird. There must be a male and a female in each pair to ensure that all life will survive on the earth after the flood. 4 Seven days from now I will make the rains pour down on the earth. And it will rain for forty days and forty nights, until I have wiped from the earth all the living things I have created.”
5 So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him.
6 Noah was 600 years old when the flood covered the earth. 7 He went on board the boat to escape the flood—he and his wife and his sons and their wives. 8 With them were all the various kinds of animals—those approved for eating and for sacrifice and those that were not—along with all the birds and the small animals that scurry along the ground. 9 They entered the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah. 10 After seven days, the waters of the flood came and covered the earth.
11 When Noah was 600 years old, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the underground waters erupted from the earth, and the rain fell in mighty torrents from the sky. 12 The rain continued to fall for forty days and forty nights.
13 That very day Noah had gone into the boat with his wife and his sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and their wives. 14 With them in the boat were pairs of every kind of animal—domestic and wild, large and small—along with birds of every kind. 15 Two by two they came into the boat, representing every living thing that breathes. 16 A male and female of each kind entered, just as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord closed the door behind them.
17 For forty days the floodwaters grew deeper, covering the ground and lifting the boat high above the earth. 18 As the waters rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on the surface. 19 Finally, the water covered even the highest mountains on the earth, 20 rising more than twenty-two feet[h] above the highest peaks. 21 All the living things on earth died—birds, domestic animals, wild animals, small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people. 22 Everything that breathed and lived on dry land died. 23 God wiped out every living thing on the earth—people, livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and the birds of the sky. All were destroyed. The only people who survived were Noah and those with him in the boat. 24 And the floodwaters covered the earth for 150 days.
The Flood Recedes
8 But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede. 2 The underground waters stopped flowing, and the torrential rains from the sky were stopped. 3 So the floodwaters gradually receded from the earth. After 150 days, 4 exactly five months from the time the flood began,[i] the boat came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. 5 Two and a half months later,[j] as the waters continued to go down, other mountain peaks became visible.
6 After another forty days, Noah opened the window he had made in the boat 7 and released a raven. The bird flew back and forth until the floodwaters on the earth had dried up. 8 He also released a dove to see if the water had receded and it could find dry ground. 9 But the dove could find no place to land because the water still covered the ground. So it returned to the boat, and Noah held out his hand and drew the dove back inside. 10 After waiting another seven days, Noah released the dove again. 11 This time the dove returned to him in the evening with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. Then Noah knew that the floodwaters were almost gone. 12 He waited another seven days and then released the dove again. This time it did not come back.
13 Noah was now 601 years old. On the first day of the new year, ten and a half months after the flood began,[k] the floodwaters had almost dried up from the earth. Noah lifted back the covering of the boat and saw that the surface of the ground was drying. 14 Two more months went by,[l] and at last the earth was dry!
15 Then God said to Noah, 16 “Leave the boat, all of you—you and your wife, and your sons and their wives. 17 Release all the animals—the birds, the livestock, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—so they can be fruitful and multiply throughout the earth.”
18 So Noah, his wife, and his sons and their wives left the boat. 19 And all of the large and small animals and birds came out of the boat, pair by pair.
20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and there he sacrificed as burnt offerings the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose.[m] 21 And the Lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things. 22 As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.”
For more great stories and things to do, head to Saddlebackkids.com
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Talk It Over
The Parable Of The Lost Sheep
Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson about The Parable of the Lost Sheep with your child after they’ve listened to the episode!
- Who was today's Bible story about?
Jesus. - A man had 100 sheep. What sound does a sheep make?
Baa. - Uh-oh. What happened when he lost one of his sheep?
He looked and looked all around to find it. Let’s play peek-a-boo! You can pretend to be the sheep and I’ll cover my eyes then find you. Ready? Peek-a-boo sheep! - How did the man feel when he finally found the lost sheep?
He was happy! He asked everyone to come celebrate. Let’s jump and clap our hands and celebrate, too. - Take some time to pray with your toddler. Encourage your toddler to sit with you and fold their hands, saying something like:
God, thank you for loving us. Thank you for making us. Thank you for wanting to be our friend. Thank you that you will take care of us. We love you! Amen!
Parent Encouragement - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Hey parents! Here's something for you to be encouraged by and get ideas to bring this Bible story into your everyday conversation with your child at home!
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Craft – I-Spy Bag
In this craft, your toddler will make an I-Spy bag filled with hidden items from the Bible story. As they look for the items in their bag, they will be reminded that the shepherd looked for the sheep. He loved the sheep, and God loves us!
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Activity – Balloon Sheep
In this activity, your toddler will have fun as they find all of the sheep like the shepherd found his lost sheep in our Bible story. The shepherd loved his sheep, and God loves us!
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Coloring Page - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
We have a variety of coloring pages to help your child remember familiar faces from this month’s lesson!
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Navigating Parenthood: Step Up - Week 2
Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out part 2 of this Two Minute Tip series all about how we can help our kids hold onto faith.
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