THE BROAD AND NARROW WAY

Matthew 7:13-14

A Christian woman was shown a very fearful vision one day, she saw a very wide road and at the end of the road was a big gulf like a bottomless pit. On this road she saw great multitude of people moving towards this pit, she stood in the middle of the road warning people about the bottomless pit at the end of the road. A few people listened to her and turned back. Unfortunately majority refused to listen. They continued moving while dancing and partying until they got to the end of the road. The woman saw that as soon as the people got to the end of the road, they fell into the pit, before they could realize what has happened they were gone forever. The vision continued for a while and the woman woke up sweating. This is the broad way that leads to destruction.

         There are two ways opened to everybody. These two ways also lead to two different destinations which way do you choose? The message is in three parts:

1.   THE BROAD WAY: Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:24-30

The broad way is the way of sinners. It is the road that is wide enough to accommodate both the sinner and his load of sins. This broad way is filled with sinful habits such as stealing, lying, witchcraft, idol-worship, covetousness, immoral behaviors, envy, love of pleasure, fighting, cheating and every form of disobedience to God’s word. It is very sad to know that majority of children in the world today are walking in the broad way. They have no regard for God’s word; they are blind because they do not know that the broad way leads to eternal suffering in hell fire.

        If you are still a sinner, you are in the broad way. You are to repent and come out of this way now because there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

2.   THE NARROW WAY: Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:24-30

The narrow way is the straight road that leads to heaven. It is the highway of holiness. Sin or even any appearance of evil can never enter into the narrow way. For a sinner to walk in this narrow way, he must repent of his sins, ask for forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus. Then he must turn away from sin and make Jesus his Saviour and Lord. The child must now continue to follow Jesus by (a) sincerely obeying God’s word (b)Earnestly seek His Kingdom and His righteousness (c) Persevere until the end in true faith, unity and love.

There are very few people on the narrow way, you can join them today. Delay may be dangerous.

3.   BLESSING OF WALKING IN THE NARROW WAY: Matthew 7:14

When a sinful child turns from the broad way and repent of his sins, he becomes a candidate for the narrow way. All these blessings and more will come to his life; Perfect peace, God’s presence, Favour and Preservation, Good health, at last he will get to heaven and live with Jesus forever and ever. Do not follow the way of the majority. Come out of your sins and follow the narrow road. Jesus is waiting to receive us at the end of the narrow way.

QUESTIONS:

1.          The broad way is the way of………………………………………………………………

2.          Mention five things you will find in the broad way…………………………………

3.          The broad way leads to……………………………………………………………………

4.          How can a sinful child turn from the broad way to the narrow way………………

5.          Mention three characteristics of people on the narrow way………………………

6.          The narrow way leads to………………………………………………………………………

Activity: Children should be lead in prayers for grace to walk in the narrow wa

JESUS HEALS A SICK BOY

John 4:43-53

Aliu was 18 months old when he fell sick. Suddenly he became weak in his legs and could not walk again. His mother was very sad, she tried all she could but there was no relief for Aliu. Then she was advised to take him to the teaching hospital. At the hospital, the doctor examined Aliu and found that there was no bone in his left leg. Medical science could not solve the problem because the leg is all flesh. Aliu’s mother wept bitterly. One day, her brother came across the publicity about the great miracle crusade organized by Deeper Life Bible Church. She was encouraged to take Aliu to the stadium where the crusade took place. During the prayer of the man of God, Aliu felt a sensation in his left leg and in a flash he threw away his walking stick and started walking and jumping and praising God. That was how a boneless leg got new bones from the Lord.

God is still doing wonders in the lives of people today, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Whatever be the sickness in your life, Jesus will heal you and you will be whole. The message is in three parts:-

1.   THE ORIGIN OF SICKNESS: Genesis 3:1-7, John 5:14

Sicknesses and diseases came upon the human race as a result of sin. As soon as Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they lost the perfect nature that God has given them. Therefore, man is opened to all forms of affliction from Satan. The original plan of God was for us to be healthy all the days of our lives. However, Satan who is the originator of bad things deceived man to commit sin and then he lost his healthy state.

If you are a sinner, you are spiritually sick. You need to repent and turn from your bad ways. Ask Jesus for forgiveness and cleansing so as to be free from sin and sickness.

2.   THE HEALING OF A SICK BOY: John 4:43-53

The boy in our Bible passage was very sick almost at the point of death. When the father heard that Jesus was around in their community, he wasted no time in going to seek for the Lord. He believed that when Jesus speaks to his boy, he will be made whole. Jesus told him to go because his son has been made whole already. The man believed the word of Christ, went back home and met his son perfectly well. The man did not doubt Christ, he believed and his son was healed. Jesus is a loving and compassionate saviour. He is always moved when He meets with those that are suffering. Are you sick or is anyone sick in your family. Pray in faith and you will receive quick answers.

3.   JESUS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER: Hebrews 13:8

During His earthly ministry, Jesus went about doing good, healing the sick, setting captives free, delivering the oppressed and giving hope to the hopeless. There is nothing too hard for Him. To receive healing and total deliverance from sickness, you must pray in faith. It is very important to trust His promises in the word of God. There is nothing too hard for Him. As He heals in the Bible days, so He is healing today. You ought not to be sick. Jesus has paid the price for our healing. Believe God for your healing; pray also for people around you who are sick. Jesus will hear and heal you now. Take time to pray.

QUESTIONS:-

1.          …………......... brought sickness into the life of man.

2.          The father of the boy in our Bible passage believed the word of Jesus and his son was healed Yes/No.

3.          What should (a) sinner (b) a friend of Jesus do to receive total healing and deliverance from sickness?

4.          Jesus is the same ………………………., ………………… and ……………………………..

LUKEWARMNESS (NOT COLD NOR HOT)

Revelation 3:14-22

When something is not hot, we say that it is cold, and when it is not cold, it is had. But if it is neither hot nor cold, it is called lukewarm. When some children give their lives to Jesus, they will have great zeal to serve Him. As time goes on because of one thing or another, their love for Jesus will become low. Such children are said to be lukewarm in their Christian beliefs. Today, Jesus will set you free if you are one of them.

Lukewarmness is a condition where a child who has been a friend of Jesus

begins to show less interest is the things of God. Such a child will not like to attend fellowship regularly, and when asked, He will give excuses. He will not read his Bible or pray as before. He no longer tells others about Jesus. He now loves the things of this world more than God’s word. He loves sports, watching T.V, wearing worldly dresses and games.

Lukewarmness is caused by so many things: (a) The bad things happening around us (Matthew 24:12) (b) Prayerlessness (c) Problems and love of money, food, fashion and other things.

Jesus is not happy when any of His friends are neither cold nor hot towards the things of God. As Jesus warned the church in Laodicea, so also He is warning and

encouraging young children today to be fervent in serving Him. Do not stop loving Jesus. Overcome lukewarmness by reading, thinking on and obeying the word of God. Pray regularly and tell others about the love of Jesus. You must determine to continue to follow Jesus to the end.

Jesus has prepared good things for those who will overcome. You will sit and reign with Jesus forever.

QUESTIONS:

1.      When something is not cold or hot, it is called________________________

2.      Mention two things you will see in the life of a child who is lukewarm.

3.      What does Jesus want such a child to do?

4.      How can a child overcome lukewarm attitude?

MEMORY VERSE: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot” Revelation 3:15.

ACTIVITY: Children should prayerfully sing this song “In to my heart” then pray for grace to love Jesus till the end.

RUN AWAY FROM TEMPTATION

Text: James 1:12-16

         You are all welcome to today’s fellowship in Jesus’ name. Our topic today is very important for every child who desires to remain as friends of Jesus and also live with Him in heaven at last.

         What is temptation? Temptation is the suggestion from the devil to do bad things. It is also the test or trial of faith which friends of Jesus must face in their Christian journey. The devil is the source of every temptation. His aim is to stop believers from following Jesus and thereby miss heaven. The devil uses people and things around you to tempt you to either steal, fight, tell lies, disobey or even fight back when offended. But you must not surrender to him.

         It is important to know how you can run away from temptation:

(a) Whenever the devil suggests to you to sin and disobey God, you must say “No”

(b) Run away from the devil the tempter and every object of temptation (1 Peter 5:8-9) (c) Watch and pray always (Matthew 26:41) (d) Read God’s word, think on it, hide it in your heart and obey it (Psalm 119:11) (e) Determine to stand for Jesus in every

situation (Daniel 1:8) (f) Attend fellowship meetings regularly (Hebrews 10:25)

 (g) Run away from every appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

         Some friends of Jesus in the Bible overcame temptations. This show us that we too can overcome by God’s grace (a) Joseph (Genesis 39:7-12) (b) Daniel (Daniel 1:8)

(c) The three Hebrew children (Daniel 3:1-30) (d) the Rechabits (Jeremiah 35:1-10)

(e) Job (Job 2:9-10). God will also make you an overcomer in Jesus’ Name.

         There are lots of rewards for the overcomers: (a) God will be happy with you.

(b) God will strengthen and empower you more (Matthew 4:11) (c) You will always enjoy Jesus’ presence (Daniel 3:25) (d) Divine favour and promotion (Genesis 41:37-44;

Daniel 2:48:49) (e) You will receive a crown of life and (James 1:12) (f) You will reign and rule with Jesus in Heaven (Revelation 3:21).

         For a sinful child to overcome temptation and receive the rewards for overcomers, he must do away with sin, believe on the Lord Jesus and become His friend. Then ask for grace and help to live a holy and overcoming life.

QUESTIONS:

1. What is temptation?

2. Who is the source of temptation?

3. What should be your attitude during temptation?

4. Mention three people that overcame temptation in the Bible?

5. What are the rewards for overcomers?

6. Can a sinful child overcome temptation?

7. What must he do to become Jesus’ friend?

MEMORY VERSE: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” James 1:12.

ACTIVITY: A boy and a girl should share how they were once tempted and how they overcome.

TWO KINDS OF SINNERS

Text: Luke 18:9-14.

Our study today focuses on two people who came to the house of God to pray. One of them was a Pharisee, a self righteous, self conscious kind of sinner. He thought that his religious activities and good works are enough to save him. The other who is a publican came humbly and asked for God’s mercy, knowing that only God can forgive him and save him from eternal suffering in hell.

     The Lord used this parable to illustrate the two kinds of sinful boys and girls who come to the house of the Lord today. The question is, who among these worshippers do you represent?

     Our study shall be considered under three sub-topics:

1. SELF-RIGHTEOUS SINNERS: Luke 18:11,12.

     The Pharisee was a self centred, self-conscious, proud and arrogant sinner. He felt that his participation in religious activities was enough to take him to heaven. He was not conscious of his sinful state, his own unworthiness and constant need for God’s help, mercy and grace. This kind of self-righteous sinners are common in many places of worship today. They always claim they are born again because their fathers are pastors and their mothers are women leaders. Some think because they have been attending church since their infancy, they are automatically qualified for heaven.

     They may be gentle but they have never accepted Christ as their personal Lord through sincere repentance. Although, they have been in the church for long, they cannot live above sin. They abuse, fight, are stubborn, self-willed and disobedient to their parents. They even bear christian names, sing in the church, pay their tithes, lead prayers but they are not born again. These kind of boys and girls are not different from the Pharisee. Are you like the Pharisee? You must repent now.

2.  SINCERE SINNERS: Luke 18:13,14; 19:1-10.

     The publican who is a tax collector is an example of a sincere sinner. He did not think of what people would say. He knew that he was a sinner. He also acknowledged that he could not save himself from sin, neither can his good works, religious activities and efforts deliver him. He knew that all his righteousness was like dirty rags before God (Isaiah 64:6). He came humbly with sorrow and cried out for God’s mercy. He received forgiveness and pardon from the Lord.

     The door of God’s mercy is open to you, come to Jesus now!

3. SINCERE SEEKER RECEIVED PARDON: Luke 18:14; Psalm 34:18; 51:17; Isaiah 66:2.

     The Pharisee received pardon and went back home with peace in his heart. The Lord Jesus wants us to come to His presence with humility, sincerity and open heart so as to receive the best. Do not blame others for your bad doings. Accept that you are a sinner who need the Saviour. Come to the Lord today, because tomorrow may be too late (II Corinthians 6:2). As you come humbly, confess your sins, ask for forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus, ask the Lord to come into your heart to be your Lord and Saviour. God will pardon you, cleanse you and give you a new nature.

QUESTIONS:

1.  Who is a sinner?

2. Mention two different kinds of sinners in our study today.

3.  Who among the two is a sincere seeker?

4.  Can a sinful boy/girl be saved by paying tithes and offering, Yes/No?

5.  What should a sinful child do to be saved?

MEMORY VERSE: “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18).

ACTIVITY: Children should pray to be genuinely saved.

VICTORY THROUGH A LIFE OF HOLINESS AND PRAYER

Text: Psalm 24:3-6; 15:1-5; Luke 18:1-8

Victory is success achieved in a contest or battle against an enemy or opponent. It also means to win, succeed or overcome a difficult situation or an obstacle. We are living in a corrupt, sinful and wicked world. Friends of Jesus are in constant battle against the enemy of their souls, self, Satan and his messengers. They are also struggling to overcome bad attitudes like laziness, prayerlessness, fear and temptations to live worldly. God wants you to be victorious and never practice the evil ways of the children of this world (1 John 2:15-17).There is need to have victory in every area of your life. Our message is divided into three parts.

1. THE FIRST STEP TO VICTORY: John 3:3-8, 36; 1 John 1:8, 9.

Victory is not easy to achieve. No wonder people often use the term “hard won victory” whenever a person achieves victory after much struggles. The pressure of worldly activities such as indecent dressing, immoral friendship, watching of dirty pictures, dancing to worldly music, cheating to succeed in examinations and other bad things, are drawing many children away from God. How be it, God is our only help in time of trouble. You can only overcome by taking the right step or decision at the right time. The Bible is your guide to a sure way to victory. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. (1 Corinthians 15:57). The first step to victory begins with your decision to love Jesus and accept Him as your Saviour and friend (1John 5:4-5). You must pray and tell Jesus all the bad things that you have done, turn away from them and ask Him to abide and rule in your heart as Saviour and Lord. The salvation of your soul is the very first step to victory in this corrupt and wicked world. After salvation you must press forward to become holy and be like Jesus Christ at all times.

2. GOD’S COMMAND TO BE HOLY: 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Leviticus 11:44, 45; Hebrews 12:14-17.

God is righteous and holy in all His works (Psalm 145:17). He therefore commands all His children to be holy like Him. It is a must for every true child of God to be holy. Living a holy life is not for Pastors, Teachers and your Parents alone but also for boys and girls who are friends of Jesus. Without holiness, no one, child or adult shall see or live with God (Hebrews 12:14). You must therefore have a strong desire to be holy. You will also seriously pray to receive a pure heart and the power to constantly live a holy life. When you become holy, you will love God with your whole heart, soul and with all your mind, you will also be free from inward and outward sin. You will be loving, gentle, honest, meek and lowly like Jesus Christ. Your life and speech will attract and win others to Jesus Christ. A life of holiness is powerful. God loves the righteous and has promised to give every good thing to those who are holy (Psalm 84:11).

3. VICTORY THROUGH HOLINESS AND PRAYER: Psalm 24:3-6; Luke 18:1-8; Psalm 146:8.

In order to enjoy constant victory through holy living, every child of God is commanded to pray.

Many friends of Jesus have been defeated in times of temptations, trials and problems because they do not pray fervently.  Children who cannot tell their troubles to Jesus will not enjoy the victory that Jesus has promised His friends. Holiness and prayer are two essential weapons for daily victory over sin, Satan and the world. We receive and enjoy all things that God has promised us in His word by living holy and being prayerful (Psalm 34:17; 106:3). Holiness and prayer make you to become a very close friend of God. You must be holy and also prayerful. Prayer without living a life totally free from sin is a fruitless exercise. God wants us to come to Him in prayer with clean hands and pure heart (Psalm 24:3-5). Move on to victory by living holy and being prayerful because Jesus has conquered for us (John 16:33b). Rise up and let us pray.

THE CHILD THAT CONQUERS

Text: Romans 8:35-37; Ephesians 6:10-18

The word conquer means to be victorious, to defeat, overcome, win or to rule over a certain people or situations. Who is the child that conquers? Gently beat your chest and say to yourself, “I am the child that conquers”. The child that conquers is a friend of Jesus who lives a daily life of victory. He always thinks of how to glorify and please Jesus His friend, who has promised to come and take him to heaven. The child that conquers can be likened to Samuel, Joseph and Daniel in the Bible. They had victory over temptations, tests, persecutions and pains in their evil environment and over Satan and the flesh. They passed through all these and were not defeated. They are now in heaven and will live forever with God. You can also decide and determine to be the child that conquers.  We shall divide the message into three parts:

1. DANGER AND TROUBLES IN THE LAST DAYS: Matthew 24:4-13; 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

The times we are living now are dangerous times. These are the last days. There are many bad things happening around us today. Some of the characteristics of this present time which you MUST run away from are: (a) disobedience and being rebellious to parents, godly teachers and leaders. Children are no longer willing to take instructions from their teachers. (b) Watching of bad films and magical cartoons which introduce children into the art of magic and evil things. (c) Violence, killings and crime. Innocent children and adults are being killed because of their faith. (d) Wickedness, hatred, ungodly practices and lack of love.

Some friends of Jesus are no longer committed to telling others about Jesus. Their love for Jesus is getting cold. Sinful children are doing all they can to influence friends of Jesus to copy their bad way of life. When friends of Jesus refuse to join them, they mock, make jest and sometimes threaten to kill them. They form gangs (peer groups) and refuse to play with friends of Jesus and do all they can to make them unhappy and feel sorry for being friends of Jesus. Many Parents discourage their children and do all they can to make them stop following Jesus. All these have put fear in the hearts of many friends of Jesus and some of them are already turning back from following Jesus. Remember that only those who will endure to the end shall be saved.

2. DECISION AND DETERMINATION TO CONQUER: Daniel 1:8; Romans 8:35-39.

The word “conquer” is a military word. You must make up your mind and determine to break away from every ungodly friendship and temptation to sin (Proverbs 1:10). There are many boys and girls in the Bible that conquered: (a) Joseph conquered the hatred of his brothers by showing them love and overcame the temptation of Potiphar’s wife because of his love and fear of God (Genesis 39:8,9). (b) Moses refused to accept the ungodly wisdom and idol worship in Egypt. He rather chose to remain with the people of God. He had faith in God (Hebrews 11:25-26). (c) Esther conquered the enemies of the Jews through prayer and trust in God (Esther 4:16. 7:3-7). (d) Daniel and his friends overcame the wickedness and idol worship in Babylon because of their prayer and obedience to God’s word (Daniel 1:8; 3:16,17). (e) Mary the Mother of Jesus Christ, conquered immorality and uncleanness in her time and kept herself pure.She later became the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. (f)  Timothy conquered by turning away from his bad ways, believed in Jesus as his Saviour from his childhood and grew to be a great pastor who preached the love of Jesus to others (2 Timothy 1:5; 4:2). God will make you a conqueror and bless you as you learn from the examples of these boys and girls.

3. DAILY LIFESTYLE AND WEAPON OF CONQUERORS:I Corinthians 15:57-58; Ephesians 6:11-18

A child who remains as a sinner and rejects the word of God cannot conquer in these trouble filled life. To be a winner and continue to conquer, you must first be a friend of Jesus and continue to live a daily life of obedience to the word of God and be His permanent friend till the end. This is what it means to abide in Christ (John 15:4-8, 14). In order to remain strong and be unbeatable in the battles of life every day, you must also: (i) daily read, listen to and think on God’s word. (ii) Pray always and have faith in God. (iii) Live daily by God’s word and trust Him. (iv) Keep away from evil friends and the ways of this world (I Corinthians 15:13). (v) Follow peace, speak the truth and be holy at all times. (vi) Daily expect the coming of Jesus and tell others about the good news of His love and salvation. This is what it means to put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Are you living a life that conquers? Arise, go forth and begin to conquer for Christ.