A Tree Top Bible Blast!
Every tree in the forest will sing joyful songs to the Lord. 1 Chronicles 16:33
Day 1 (During Children’s Church and the Church Picnic) — We Share
Ruth 2:1-17
Share every good thing you have. Galatians 6:6
The story of Boaz sharing his harvest with Ruth, an outsider, is a perfect example of how we can share with others what we have and what God has given us, and still have enough for ourselves. Boaz has a bountiful harvest and shares what is left with Ruth. Like Boaz, we can share with others and still have enough for ourselves.
Day 2 — We Give
2 Kings 4:42-44
If we can give, we should be generous. Romans 12:8
This day’s story and theme focused on giving. With a gift of some grain and twenty loaves of barley bread, Elisha is able to give food to the 100 people gathered around him, without taking any for himself. A precursor to the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000, this story shows us how God provides for us and how we can give these provisions to others. Like Elisha, when we give to others, we don’t keep any for ourselves.
Day 3 — We Grow
Mark 4:30-32
Grow and be happy in your faith. Philippians 1:24
The focus for this day’s activities was on how we grow both physically and in faith. Jesus uses the image of how a mustard seed grows from a tiny seed to a wonderful tree to illustrate how God’s kingdom grows. As the tree grows, it provides enough shade and space for birds to nest in its branches.
Day 4 — We Love
John 15:1-5, 7-17
We love because God loved us first. 1 John 4:19
Through songs, games, crafts, drama, science, and other fun activities the children learned that we love. It is our dependence on Jesus and his love for us that was the focus of the day’s story. Jesus refers to God as the gardener and himself as the one true vine that connects us all together. In discussing this metaphor, Jesus expresses his love for us and commands us to love one another.
Day 5 — We Praise
Mark 11:1-10
[We] will praise you and thank you, Lord. Psalm 35:18
This day’s story centered on Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Men, women, and children sing and shout praises to Jesus as he enters Jerusalem on a donkey. Kids learned this day about the importance of taking time to praise and thank God. Every activity in which they participated reinforced the Bible story and praise theme.
Mission Project
The mission project selected for Rainforest Adventure: A Treetop Bible Blast! had a strong connection to caring for God’s creation and meeting real needs of God’s people. Our Global Missions Committee helped support and implement the mission project this year. The offering collected each day supported the Living Waters for the World – a mission of the Synod of Living Waters of the PC(USA), a ministry that addresses the most important physical need of growing children in Peru and everywhere around the world – clean water!
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