** Unlocked은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 원본으로 듣고 싶으신 분들은 홈페이지 Unlocked.org로 들어가시면 < October 20, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**
Acknowledging Anger
• Psalm 4, Ephesians 4:17–32
What makes you angry? Lots of things make me angry. Sometimes, I don’t even know
why I feel angry, and I try to figure it out. Other times, I do know why, but I don’t think my anger is justified. Either way, I usually end up feeling frustrated...and it becomes a whole huge angry mess. What are we supposed to do when we’re angry?
One day I was going for a walk outside, and I noticed that I felt angry and I didn’t know why. But then I remembered hearing someone say that being angry is not wrong; however, the right thing to do with anger is to submit it to God. I didn’t really know how to do that. So, I thought I’d just start by acknowledging my anger to God. I don’t know if I used words in my prayer, but the posture of my heart was this: "God, I’m angry. I don’t even know why. Here it is."
And then, I immediately had this sense that He knew. And He understood. And just knowing that He knew made me feel less angry. I even started to feel calm. For no reason except that I had come before God.
Isn’t our God so merciful? I’m filled with gratitude when I ponder how patient He is, how compassionate, how gentle. My anger is not too much for God. It may be too much for me, but that’s okay. I belong to God, and He sees me. He wants to take the things that are too heavy for me to carry. Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Maybe submitting my anger to God is simpler than I thought. Maybe all I need to do is come to Him. • Hannah Howe
• When do you feel angry? Have you ever felt like you weren’t allowed to be angry?
• Sometimes anger is a good thing that can lead us to pursue justice and holiness. But it’s not healthy for us to stay angry for long. What helps you when you’re angry?
Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. Ephesians 4:26 (CSB)
** Unlocked은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 원본으로 듣고 싶으신 분들은 홈페이지 Unlocked.org로 들어가시면 <October 29, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**
Planting Seeds of Love
• Matthew 22:34–40, Matthew 28:18–20, 1 Corinthians 3:6–7, Acts 1:8
Part of being a Christian is sharing the gospel with others. Many of us are familiar with Matthew 28:18-20, which some call “the great commission.” We know the good news: that Jesus saves and forgives us, sinners who can’t save ourselves. He came to earth as a human and made a huge sacrifice out of love for us. He died, and then He rose again! It’s some pretty great news! But how do we tell others?
It can be awkward to bring up the good news about Jesus around others, especially when a lot of people have preconceived ideas about who Christians are and what they believe. My college pastor had some great advice about this, and I’m going to tell you what she told me.
The key is love. And trust. This is not about lecturing people or shouting the gospel at them. This process begins with demonstrating the love of Christ to people you interact with. This includes having relationships with people. Even more than being a good friend and a good neighbor, you can share life with people who aren’t Christians.
Keep in mind, we don’t just have relationships to convert people; that wouldn’t be genuine. Instead, we honestly share life as equals, as friends. Being in community with people means learning from them and receiving their help, even as you offer what you have. And this is way better than dumping good news and leaving.
After being in each other’s lives for a while, you may have opportunities to share the good news naturally in conversation with these friends. Because they’ve probably noticed you acting lovingly toward people, even people who are mean to you, they might be more likely to listen to what you have to say. Then you can begin to plant seeds of the good news. You get to share the “why” behind how you have hope, and that “why” is the gospel. Through it all, God is with you, guiding and equipping you through His Holy Spirit in you.
Remember, God can use simple acts of love and small conversations to grow good fruit. Also remember that people might reject Christ, and that’s not your fault. This approach is about planting seeds and watching God help them to grow. • Naomi Zylstra
• How did you learn about the gospel?
• How have you seen other people share the gospel? Was it effective?
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere...” Acts 1:8a (NLT)