From the Mouths of Children Study Guide

Sermon study guide
From the Mouths of Children
October 15-20
This week was celebrating Children’s Sabbath, but recognizing that we are all God’s children. I encourage you to read and let these questions challenge and encourage you this week. You can also respond or use the website for conversation as well.
Blessings! Pastor Melissa
www.sheridannorwayum.blogspot.com


Monday, October 15, 2007
Exodus 2:6-9
2:6
When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. "This must be one of the Hebrews' children," she said.
2:7
Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?"
2:8
Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Yes." So the girl went and called the child's mother.
2:9
Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed it.
Pharaoh’s daughter could have left Moses in the river or ordered him to be killed like the other Hebrew babies at that time, but she chose to take care of the child, raise him and nurture him.

Last week you thought about someone who has nurtured you in your faith. Can you think of someone that you are nurturing in their faith? How did you meet them?


Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world it leaves to its children.Dietrich Bonhoeffer

What kind of world are you leaving for your children? If you have no children, what kind of world are you leaving for future generations?


Wednesday, October 17, 2007
“We are not called to advocate for our children because, or when, it is convenient, or comfortable, or even because we know the difference it makes. We are called to advocate for our children because we know a God who never says ‘I don’t care’ or ‘It doesn’t matter’.” Shannon Daley-Harris, Children’s Defense Fund

How did you encounter God today? Where did you hear God say to you, “I care.” Or “It matters.”? How did you share that with someone else?
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Matthew 18:1-5
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

Have you asked someone older than you how their week was? Have you asked someone younger than you how their week was? How was your week?


Friday, October 19, 2007
Let All the Little Children Come
By Marian Wright Edelman
Let the little children come unto me and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven, Jesus said.
He did not say let only rich or middle-class White children come.
He did not say let only the strapping boys but not the girls come.
He did not say let only the able-bodied children come.
All the children he bade come.
He did not say let all my children or your children or our friends’ children or those in our
families and neighborhoods and who look and act like us come.
He did not say let only the well-behaved nice children come or those who conform to society’s norms.
He did not say let a few, a third, half, or three-fourths come—but all.
Jesus said let the little children come and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven.

Are there any of God’s children that you have seen that haven’t been welcomed? How have you welcomed them? How can we as a church welcome them?




Saturday, October 20, 2007
Prayer: Creator God, Source of Life, you have made us in your image. Each child reflects your handiwork, bears the imprint of your hand, the reflection of your face. Open our eyes to see each child as a unique and precious gift from you, beloved and irreplaceable, a sacred trust. Amen.

Did you see God reflected in someone this week? Who was it and what did you see?


*Some of the quotes and prayers can be found in Covering All Children: An Achievable, Smart, and Right Goal distributed by the Children’s Defense Fund.