Jesus and His Followers

Bible Story: Jesus and His Followers | Luke 5:1-11, 27-32; 6:12-16; 8:1-3
Bottom Line: Jesus wants us to work together.
Key Question: When have you seen people work together?

We start the month in Luke 5:1-11, 27-32; 6:12-16; 8:1-3. Here we see Jesus has started His ministry by gathering Hisdisciplestogether.Thiswasthemostunlikelygroup of people, all from different backgrounds, but Jesus still called them to bring about His mission.

Sometimes it may feel easier to work alone than with others, especially when you don’t agree or get along. But those moments are exactly when we need to learn how to cooperate with others. Just as Jesus gathered a group of VERY different people to help Him accomplish His mission, we too are created to work together, differences and all.

Joshua Wins the Battle Over the Amalekites

Bible Story: Joshua Wins the Battle Over the Amalekites | Exodus 17:8-13
Bottom Line: Work together to help someone succeed.
Key Question: Who do you work well with?

In week 2, we head to Exodus 17:8-13 where Joshua and the Israelites were facing the Amalekites in battle. Anytime Moses held up his staff, the Israelites did well, andwhenhedroppedthem,theywouldstarttolose. So Aaron and Hur came up with a plan to help Moses succeed. Moses needed people to literally hold him up in order for Joshua to lead the Israelites to victory.

Just as Aaron and Hur created a plan together to help Moses succeed, kids can learn how working together doesn’t just impact themselves but it impacts those around them as well. Together, you can work with others to help those around you accomplish something no matter how big or small it is.

Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls

Bible Story: Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls | Nehemiah 1–4; 6:15
Bottom Line: Work together to solve problems.
Key Question: How has someone helped you solve problems?

In week 3, we head to Nehemiah 1–4; 6:15, where Nehemiah and the Israelite people face a HUGE problem. They had returned home to Judah where the city walls had crumbled. Nehemiah rallied the people together and led them to work together to rebuild the wall in just 52 days!

Have you ever been stumped by a problem and no matter how many times you faced it, couldn’t figure out a way to solve it? Sometimes all it takes is another pair of eyes. When you work together with someone else, you can do BIG things, just like the people of Israel did in our story.

Four Friends Work Together

Bible Story: Four Friends Work Together | Luke 5:17-26
Bottom Line: Work together to help someone.
Key Question: How can you work together to help someone?

For week 4 we head to Luke 5:17-26. Here we encounter four friends and their cooperation to help another friend see Jesus. Their friend was paralyzed and could not walk, so they did everything they could to get him to Jesus – even tear down a roof! Because of the four friends’ faith and cooperation, Jesus did something incredible, changing the life of the man who was paralyzed, forever.

Some needs may seem intimidating or too big for you to truly make a difference — and they very well could be if youtackleitalone.However,whenyoucooperatewith others and work together, you have a better chance of making a lasting impact on someone else’s life.

One Body, Many Parts

Bible Story: One Body, Many Parts | 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Bottom Line: Work together to point people to Jesus.
Key Question: What part can you play?

We end the month in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 with the early church. Arguments had broken out and sides were taken as the believers struggled to come together. Paul wrote to them, encouraging them to use their differences as they work together to tell others about Jesus because their gifts work best together.

When we work together, many people will have a chance to see Jesus’ love in action. Accomplishing Jesus’ mission for the world is a HUGE undertaking. However, when we practice working together, we can help others and show them Jesus along the way.