July in the Tree House Club

We're following our Basecamp theme in July.

Jesus’ followers witnessed so many amazing things while He walked the earth with them. They saw Jesus perform miracles and they heard Him teach a whole new way of thinking. Through it all, God was preparing them to carry Jesus’ ministry into the world. He was teaching them the basics:

Wisdom – I need to make the wise choice.
Faith – I can trust God no matter what.
Friendship – I should treat others the way I want to be treated.

When we focus on these ideas, we can also begin to discover what God is doing in us to change the world around us. We’ll learn from Jesus’ teachings that we, too, can make a difference.

The monthlymemory verse is: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can’t be hidden,” Matthew 5:14, NIrV. When we choose to love God by loving others, you will help God’s love shine on all people.

In Week One’s Bible story, Jesus loves and forgives Peter for denying Him (John 18-21). Our Bottom Line is: God is doing something in me so I will love the people around me. When we love the way Jesus loves us, we forgive when others wrong us, we serve and help meet others’ needs, and we sacrifice what we want for what’s best for others.

In Week Two’s biblical principle, Jesus is teaching the people how to be kind to others, even people who mistreat you (Matthew 5:41-41). In Jesus’ time, the Roman guards could force people to carry their belongings for a mile. But Jesus taught that, to show God’s kindness to the guards, the people should go an extra mile. Our Bottom Line is: God is doing something in me so I will love people who are hard to love.

In Week Three’s Bible story, Jesus commands His followers to go into all the world and tell about God’s love (Matthew 28:16-20). Our Bottom Line is: God is doing something in me to show the world who He is. Each of Jesus’ followers had a story of when God had shown them love, and they were able to share that story with other people.

In Week Four’s Bible story, Jesus commanded that we should love God with all our hearts and love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:34-40). Our Bottom Line is: God is doing something in you to change the world around you. Often, one of the best ways we can love God is by loving His people. Regardless of who the person is or what they’ve done, God still loves them, and we can too.

By Jessica McKee ©2013 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com *Used by permission.

Basecamp!

When we look at the life and teaching of Jesus, we’re reminded how important it is to go back to the basics. Luke gives us some insight into how Jesus grew up. Luke 2:52 notes that Jesus grew in wisdom and in favor with God and others. Throughout our lives, we should also circle back to these ideas as we seek to live like Jesus.

These are the basics: Wisdom—I need to make the wise choice; Faith—I can trust God no matter what; Friendship—I should treat others the way I want to be treated.
When we return to these ideas, we can begin to discover what God is doing in us to change the world around us. This summer we’re heading back to Base Camp where we’ll learn from the life of Jesus, His teachings, and His example.

The monthly memory verse is: “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men,” Luke 2:52, NIrV. When we respond to God and follow where He leads, we will see ourselves develop in wisdom, faith, and friendship. Then we will be able to set the example for other people.

In Week One’s biblical principle, Luke tells us how Jesus grew up (Luke 2:52). Jesus grew closer to God by growing in wisdom, faith, and friendship. Our Bottom Line is: God is doing something in you to change the world around you. We can’t change the world until we allow God to change us on the inside and make us more like Jesus.

In Week Two’s Bible story, Jesus heals a blind man (John 9:1–38, NIrV). This miracle causes the Pharisees and other Jews to wonder if Jesus is the Messiah they had been waiting for. And Jesus tells the healed man exactly who He is. Our Bottom Line is: God is doing something to show me who He is. God is continually doing things around us that help us know Him better.

In Week Three’s Bible story, Jesus’ friend, Lazarus, dies (John 11:1-44). At first,Lazarus’ sisters couldn’t understand why Jesus didn’t help, but they soon realized Jesus had everything under control. Our Bottom Line is: God is doing something big to help me trust in Him. God may not fix all our problems, but He’ll give us the strength to get through it.

In Week Four’s Bible story, Jesus calls Matthew to leave his post as tax collector and follow Him (Matthew 9:9–13). Matthew was hated by most of the Jews, but when Jesus accepted him, it showed that anyone could follow Jesus. Our Bottom Line is: God is doing something in me to help me follow Him. No one is too bad or too good to follow Jesus.

And finally, in Week Five’s Bible story, Jesus tells a story about a farmer who sows seeds in different types of soil (Matthew 13:1–23). The seed is like God’s Word, and the soil is like people who hear God’s Word. If we listen to God and do what He says, we will be good soil and see great growth. Our Bottom Line is: God is doing something in me when I do what He says.

By Jessica McKee ©2013 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com *Used by permission.

This Weeks' GodTime Card! May Week 3

We've been talking about Patience!  I don't know about you, but we could all use a refresher in how and why to be patient.

This weeks bottom line was: When you think you can't wait, tell God about it.

Parents try this yourself and remind your kids about it too.  Click HERE for some Family Time to practice together.

May: Play It Cool, Patience

From the very beginning, God has shown patience with people. All the way back in the garden, when Adam and Eve first chose their own way instead of God’s, God started His plan to give all of us a chance to come back to Him. And time and again, God is patient with us when we make daily choices that separate us from Him. He waits for us to turn back to Him.
As a fruit of the Spirit, patience is a foundational way that we reflect God’s character. When we show patience, we are less likely to hurt our relationships with others. We are more likely to trust that God has something better for us in the future.

Patience is waiting until later for what you want now. Waiting isn’t always easy. When having patience seems too difficult, the Lord will give us strength to wait. At its core, patience is fueled by faith. We trust that what we’re waiting for is best for us.
But patience is more than just waiting. It’s also about our attitude while we wait. A patient person can wait with joy even when the situation might be stressful or anxious. A patient person avoids searching or settling for a quick fix.

The monthly memory verse is: “Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don’t lose hope. Wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14, NIrV Sometimes it feels too hard to be strong while we wait, but our trust in God gives us the strength to wait well.
In Week One’s Bible story, Esau comes in from hunting and is very hungry (Genesis 25:24-34). Because he can’t wait, Esau ends up trading his entire inheritance for a full stomach. Our Bottom Line is: When you think you can’t wait, think twice. Don’t give up what’s best for something immediate.

In Week Two’s Bible story, the Israelites grew impatient waiting for Moses to finish meeting with God (Exodus 32:1-35) and asked Aaron to build an idol for them. Our Bottom Line is: When you think you can’t wait, don’t forget what’s true. God had put Moses in charge of the Israelites and led them out of slavery. But in a moment of impatience, they forgot everything they’d experienced.

In Week Three’s Bible story, Hannah wants to become a mother but is waiting for a baby (1 Samuel 1:9–2:1). Even through the sadness of her prayers, God gives her the strength to wait until the time is right. Our Bottom Line is: When you think you can’t wait, tell God about it. God wants us to talk to Him when we’re facing a difficult time.

In Week Four’s biblical principle, we learn the wisdom of being patient (Proverbs 14:29). Our Bottom Line is: When you think you can’t wait, don’t lose your cool. We can work hard to keep control of our words, actions, and attitudes while we wait. That way we can avoid doing something we might regret.

For God, it seems as though patience is all about relationships with people. Even after we sinned, He still pursued us. He waited time after time for people to repent and work to make things right. Something He still does today.

 By Jessica McKee ©2013 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com *Used by permission.

Stuck Like Glue: Friendship

Our curriculum in the Tree House Club is based on a new attribute or virtue of God every month. This week is: Friendship. One of the main goals of our time with your kids is to let them know that they should treat others like they want to be treated. That's a focus this month!

At Jesus’ final meal, He spoke with His disciples about what it meant to have a lasting friendship with Him. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, NIV)

Days later, Jesus allowed Himself to be crucified on a cross to take the punishment for our sins, setting the example for ultimate friendship. But Jesus demonstrated friendship throughout His life. He walked alongside His friends. He helped their hurts. He never shied away from discussing important topics. He surprised them with acts of service.

Friendship is spending time with someone you trust and enjoy. Just as Jesus spent time with His friends so they could get to know Him better, we can build trust and have fun with our friends as we spend time with them.

But we often take friendship for granted. We have friend requests on Facebook and conversations through email that make us feel hyper-connected with anyone on the other side of the Internet connection. However, real friends are Stuck Like Glue and won’t let go when times get tough.
The monthly memory verse is: “A friend loves at all times. He is there to help when trouble comes.” (Proverbs 17:17 NIrV). Everyone needs encouragement, especially in tough times. A friend will be ready with helpful words and simple actions to strengthen his friends.

In Week One’s Bible story, Paul writes to the believers in Rome teaching them about accepting one another (Romans 14:13; 15:7; Acts 9). Our Bottom Line is: Friends accept one another. Even if someone has different interests than us, has a different background, or makes a bad choice, we can still accept and help them.

Week Two’s biblical principle comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:11a. Paul wrote these words to instruct his friends in Thessalonica to give each other hope, even though they faced persecution for their belief in Jesus. Our Bottom Line is: Friends encourage one another. It’s important for friends to encourage each other with positive words; to cheer each other on when we’re tired or hurt.

In Week Three’s biblical principle, Paul instructs the believers to use their new freedom given by God to care for the poor, widows, orphans, and others in need (Galatians 5:13b). Our Bottom Line is: Friends serve one another. When we get to spend time with our friends, we can serve them by thinking about what they would like to do, eating snacks they would like to eat, and looking for ways to help them.

In Week Four’s biblical principle, we learn that friends worship God together (Hebrews 10:25; Colossians 3:16). The early believers would meet in each other’s homes to worship God. They would sing praise songs, learn of Jesus’ teachings, and look for ways to help each other. Our Bottom Line is: Friends worship with one another. It is important for us to gather with our Small Groups on a regular basis.

Despite a culture that may define friendship differently, we can know what true friendship is all about. God went to the ends of the earth to make our friendship with Him possible. He sacrificed His only Son, Jesus, to bridge the gap in our relationship.
 
 By Jessica McKee ©2013 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com *Used by permission.

Moment of Truth

Parents, this months virtue is Honesty: Moment of Truth you can watch the preview video here: http://vimeo.com/56712116

God told Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation of people—he was. God told the Israelites that He would provide for them in the desert—He did. God told Joshua that the wall of Jericho would fall if the people marched around it for seven days—it did. God told Mary that she would have a baby boy—she did.

Jesus said He would die and rise again three days later—He did!

Honesty is important because it builds trust. Honesty is choosing to be truthful in whatever you say and do. What God says is true; He has shown us that time and time again. And that’s one of the reasons we know we can trust God.

But the same should be true in our own lives. If we want other people to trust us, we need to live honest lives. When we tell the truth and we follow through with our promises, other people learn to trust us. But when we cover up who we are, what we’ve done, or we constantly break our promises, then the people around us stop trusting us. They begin to wonder if, in the Moment of Truth, can you be trusted?

The monthly memory verse is: “An honest person has respect for the Lord,” Proverbs 14:2a, NIrV. Living a life of honesty shows that we respect God and the people we care about. We can find a way to be truthful and still careful of the feelings of those we care about.

Living an honest life may sometimes be hard. It might mean admitting when we’ve done something wrong or made an embarrassing mistake. It might mean passing up a chance to sneak an extra turn and win the game while your friend isn’t looking. Or it may be as simple as following through on the things we have promised. Whatever the circumstances, this month look for ways to be honest so that others can trust you.

Camp KidJam

Live Oak Families:

What do you think about this camp?  http://www.whatisorange.org/campkidjam/  We're pretty excited about it and would love to attend with your kids. Check it out as well as the two Texas locations and dates and let us know if you're interested!

Email: kimberly@live-oak.org if your interested or would like some more information!

Gettin' in Rhythm

Raise your hand if you feel like the holiday season was a blur of frenzied activity. Yah, me too. Don't we all sometimes worry that, in all of the busyness, we miss connecting with the ones we love the most? So now that we've closed the storage tub to end another holiday season, let's start thinking about reestablishing a family routine.

By creating a rhythm in our families, we have the chance to strategically use the time we already spend together. Most families have certain times of the day that they're together, maybe in the morning before the day gets started, or the quiet of bedtime. Often, with a little effort we can use that time to connect with each other and teach our kids to connect with God.

This month's Parent Link Live podcast on www.OrangeParents.org suggests that we reclaim one ealtime each week. Use the questions on your weekly Parent Cue to start conversation as a family. Or, if you're out at mealtime, download the Parent Cue app on your smart phone for mobile mealtime discussion guides.

For more ideas about strategically creating a thythm in your family, check out www.OrangeParents.org

With you,
The Tree House Club Leaders

New Year, New Heart

This is a wonderful blog post on Orangeparents.org  Click HERE.

The Amazing Race.

My dad is a runner. I have many fond memories of spending Saturday mornings cheering for Dad as he ran local 5K and 10K road races. His first marathon was particularly big. Dad had been training for months but finally the weekend came. Our family traveled with him to Nashville to cheer him on.

We chose different spots along the course to cheer. At the first mile, all the runners were enthusiastically smiling as they passed us. But farther down the race, many of the runners looked a lot less cheerful. By mile 20, the runner’s faces showed nothing but sheer DETERMINATION, which is deciding it’s worth it to finish what you’ve started. As runners crossed the finish line, their faces reflected the pride in having gone the distance.

Our lives are like a big Amazing Race, and when we practice determination, we can be the one who goes the distance and finishes strong.

The monthly memory verse is: “Let us keep on running the race marked out for us,” Hebrew 12:1b, NIrV.

When God asks us to do something, He’s often guiding us step-by-step in a certain direction that we may not even see or realize. Our determination to be the one who follows God leads us closer to the good things He has in store for us!

In Week One’s Bible story, God tells Noah to build an ark (Genesis 6:5-22). It took him years, but Noah was determined to make the wise choice and follow God no matter how long it took! Our Bottom Line is: Be the one who keeps doing what’s right. Since we trust that God is in control, we are motivated to keep doing what we know is the right thing.

In Week Two, our Bible story tells when God met Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-12). Moses gained the determination he needed to lead God’s people out of slavery because he trusted our powerful God. So when He asks us to do something, we can know He will give us the strength to see it through and be with us through the journey. Our Bottom Line is: Be the one who does what God says because He’s AWE-some.

In Week Three, our Bible story shows how Ruth is determined to stick by Naomi during the very hardest times (Book of Ruth). Ruth didn’t want Naomi to feel alone and overwhelmed with how her life turned out. Our Bottom Line is: Be the one who sticks by someone in need. Sometimes when we decide to help someone, it gets harder than we expected it would. But we should be determined to help however long and in whatever way is needed.

In Week Four, Colossians 3:23-24 helps us understand the principle of work. As we work, we can be determined to finish the job right, and with a good attitude, because we know we’re always serving God. This week our Bottom Line is: Be the one who works hard, because God sees your heart. God pays attention to all the work that we do, even the smallest things. And it really pleases Him when we do those things with a good attitude!

When you put your faith in God, He’ll give you the strength you need to keep doing what you should do—even when it’s hard and even when others give up. Because when you have the determination to finish what you’ve started, you won’t miss out on the good things God has in store for you.

 By Jessica McKee ©2012 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com *Used by permission.