Foes of Death Penalty Offer Spiritual Support at Executions

November 4, 2021

NEW YORK (AP) — After Sister Barbara Battista, a Roman Catholic nun staunchly opposed to the death penalty, agreed to accompany a condemned man at his execution in federal prison, she wondered doubtfully, “Am I just part of this whole killing machine?”

“The answer is ‘No,’” she decided, proceeding with her mission to the death chamber in Terre Haute, Indiana, where in August 2020 Battista said a silent prayer while witnessing the lethal injection of Keith Dwayne Nelson, convicted of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and killing a 10-year-old girl.

“No matter how heinous the act, no matter how much I’m opposed to it, that person deserves to have someone who is there simply because they care,” she said.

Battista’s name is now on a friend-of-the-court brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court by the American Civil Liberties Union. Along with other spiritual advisers and former corrections officials, Battista argues against a Texas policy that prohibits a Southern Baptist pastor from praying aloud and laying hands on a condemned man, John Ramirez, as he is executed.

Ramirez, sentenced to death for the 2004 murder of a convenience store clerk, was scheduled to be executed Sept. 8, but the Supreme Court ordered a delay to consider claims that restrictions on the pastor’s role would violate his religious liberties. Oral arguments are scheduled for next Tuesday.

The ACLU has a long history of opposing the death penalty and also says that condemned prisoners, even at the moment of execution, have religious rights.

“If the state is going to engage in this practice, it should make every effort to honor the dignity and religious liberties of those it plans to kill,” said Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief

Intriguingly, the ACLU’s position in the Ramirez case is echoed by some conservative religious groups which support the death penalty and are often at odds with the ACLU on other issues, for example in cases where religious conservatives believe they have a right to discriminate against LGBTQ people.

The Southern Baptist Convention has an official position supporting “the fair and equitable use of capital punishment.” Last month the SBC joined six other faith-based groups in a friend-of-the-court brief making the same argument as the ACLU — that Ramirez’s pastor, Dana Moore, should be able to lay hands on him and pray aloud during the execution.

“Religious freedom doesn’t end as you approach the moment of death,” said Brent Leatherwood, acting president of the SBC’s public policy arm. “The state has yet to make a compelling reason for why Pastor Moore cannot minister to Mr. Ramirez in these final moments.”

Rachael Denhollander, Liberty Students to Hold Rally Calling for Abuse Investigation

Bob Smietana

November 4, 2021

(RNS) — A group of Liberty University students and alumni plans to hold a prayer rally on the school’s campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Thursday (Nov. 4), calling for an independent, third-party investigation of Liberty’s handling of sexual assault and harassment cases.

Abuse advocate Rachael Denhollander will speak at the rally, which will coincide with a dinner for Liberty’s board of trustees, which meets this week.

Denhollander, a former gymnast whose testimony helped lead to the conviction of former USA Gymnastics coach and serial abuser Larry Nassar, has become a leading voice in addressing sexual abuse among evangelicals.

This past summer, a group of 12 women, including former Liberty students and employees, sued the evangelical Christian school, alleging that its policies made it “difficult or impossible for students to report sexual violence.” In late October, the school’s former spokesman also filed a suit, claiming he was fired after criticizing school leaders, including President Jerry Prevo, for how they responded to sexual assaults on campus.

In addition, a recent ProPublica story said that several students who reported assaults were warned that they could be punished for violating the Liberty Way, the school’s honor code, which limits meetings between male and female students.

Under former Liberty President Jerry Falwell Jr., speakers who called for prayer rallies that criticized the school were banned from campus. In 2018, campus police escorted Christian author Jonathan Martin off school property the night before a planned protest, a decision Falwell later defended. Author and speaker Shane Claiborne was also barred from campus.Denhollander plans to hold a news conference at the Craddock Terry Hotel in Lynchburg before the rally, with Dustin Wahl, founder of the Liberty alumni group Save17; former Liberty professor Karen Swallow Prior; and members of Justice for Janes, a student group calling for campus reforms at Liberty.

Wahl said he hopes school officials will allow the prayer rally to go forward.

“We feel that someone of Rachael’s caliber will be listened to,” said Dahl.

A university spokesman said outsiders are not allowed to protest at the school.

“Liberty University’s campus activities are reserved for residential students, faculty and administration. Demonstrations that are planned well in advance, for which space is requested and reserved are permitted on Liberty University’s campus, as long as they involve residential students, not the general public,” the spokesperson told Religion News Service in a statement.

Organizers said they still plan to move ahead with the rally despite the statement from the university and that Denhollander still plans to be there.

Mike Pence Cites Impact of Faith on His Politics – Including Decision to Certify 2020 Election Results

Dale Chamberlain

November 4, 2021

Former Vice President Mike Pence recently spoke to a group of students at the University of Iowa as part of the “Preserving American Liberty and Freedom” lecture series organized by Young America’s Foundation.

In his speech, Pence described the impacts his personal faith in Christ as well as the presidency of Ronald Reagan have had on his political journey, recounting his early days as a Democratic community organizer and eventual transformation into the Republican Vice President of the United States.

In the question-and-answer session that followed the speech, Pence again referenced his faith while defending his decision to certify the 2020 presidential election results, quoting Psalm 15.

Pence Tells His Story, Encourages Students to Study the Constitution

After being introduced and welcomed to the stage, Pence began his remarks by mentioning that he preferred a shorter introduction, saying, “I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order.” Pence has often repeated this statement throughout his political career.

Pence went on to tell the students in attendance that as a young man, he was a Democrat and a community organizer for candidates, describing his love for the American Constitution and his undergraduate studies in history.

Referencing his faith as part of his eventual shift from the Democratic Party to the GOP, Pence said, “It was in that time — also a time that I came to a personal faith in Christ — that my politics and my thinking about America began to shift.”

“And much of that was also impacted by the voice and the values and the optimism of the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan,” Pence added. “I have to tell you that when I heard Ronald Reagan’s vision for this country, a vision for a strong national defense, for a limited federal government, for traditional values, the words of my immigrant grandfather, the words of my father who built a small business in a small town in Indiana resonated in my heart.”

It was at that time that Pence said he “joined the Reagan revolution.”

“When I think of the impact Ronald Reagan had on my life and the life of this nation, it’s accurate to say that President Reagan was truly one of a kind. While he’s nearly universally admired today, those of us that are old enough to remember it know that it wasn’t always that way,” Pence said, calling Reagan “a conservative outsider who vigorously opposed the moderate Republican establishment in his day.”

“I think today we actually find ourselves in a very similar position, because President Donald Trump was also one of a kind,” Pence added as the crowd applauded. “Think about it. He too disturbed the status quo, challenged the establishment, invigorated a movement. And, once again, there is no turning back.”

Top 10 Marriage Ministry Mistakes

John McGee

November 4, 2021

When I first started working in marriage ministry nearly 20 years ago, I admittedly did not know what I was doing. I was a young guy at a young church that didn’t even have a marriage ministry before I got there. Experience is a great teacher, and I’ve since learned a lot from mistakes—both mistakes I’ve made myself, and lessons learned from other marriage ministers who have shared their stories with me.

The Top 10 Marriage Ministry Mistakes

To help you learn from and hopefully avoid making those same errors, here are the top 10 mistakes I’ve observed in marriage ministry:

#1 – Separating Marriage and Discipleship

The vast majority of couples enter marriage ministry believing they have a “marriage problem,” that something must be wrong with their marriage. They are going to look to you to “fix their marriage.” However, this is usually only the case until they realize they actually have a “Jesus problem.” This is why marriage ministry ultimately needs to be about more than getting along. It needs to be about discipleship. It will be in discipleship to Jesus that marriages are truly healed. We cannot make the mistake of separating marriage from discipleship.

#2 – Starting by Writing Your Own Content

Many churches begin marriage ministry with the lofty goal of doing everything from scratch, including writing their own content and curriculum. While this ambition is not a bad thing by any means, it can take precious time that could be spent in implementation and leader training. Your ministry may be best served initially by content off the shelf. This gives you time and resources to work out issues and understand how you want to eventually communicate concepts in your own words.

#3 – Lacking Buy-in from Senior Leaders

One of the most frequent mistakes we see marriage ministries make is pursuing a ministry plan without buy-in from the senior leaders or elders. Ideally, marriage ministry will be a partnership of those involved in the ministry and those in authority over the church. So, when you pitch marriage ministry ideas to your senior leaders, remember to be respectful and share ownership. Know what motivates and scares your senior leaders and adjust your ministry goals accordingly.

#4 – Lacking Authenticity in Leadership

It is only when couples are able to be truly vulnerable that change truly occurs. In order for that to happen, someone needs to go first. That someone has to be those in leadership. Passages like 1 Thessalonians 2:8 tells us we should desire not just to share the gospel in marriage ministry but our lives as well. When couples see their leaders being authentic, they will be more compelled to be authentic themselves.

#5 – Selling the Church Short

Matthew 16:18 tells us that nothing, hell included, will prevail against Jesus’ church. Therefore, we should be confident that our marriage ministries can be a conduit for real change. Doubting your impact can quickly become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Although there might be times to partner with outside professionals such as marriage counselors, outsourcing ministry shouldn’t be your default move when things get tough. 2 Peter 1:3 encourages us that we have everything we need to live a godly life and encourage others to do the same.

#6 – Avoiding Tough Issues

Divorce, remarriage, premarital sex, cohabitation, separation, same-sex marriage, and pornography are all difficult topics that the church too often remains silent about. If you are aiming to have a faithful marriage ministry, your couples need to know what to believe on these issues—before they become an issue in your church. Spend time with your senior leadership in prayer and study to determine what God would have you believe. It may be helpful to publish position papers or even cover these topics during weekly teaching to force clarity.

#7 – Forgetting What Year It Is

Marriage demographics look very different today than they did twenty years ago. Rather than assuming nothing has changed, our marriage ministries need to adapt to the new challenges. For example, the number of couples who cohabitate before they marry is higher than ever. 90-95% of people will not be virgins when they tie the knot. A secular sexual ethic is communicated almost constantly in the media. Marriage ministry needs to know how to respond to all of this with grace and truth.

#8 – Not Normalizing Pain and Struggle

One of the only promises about marriage in Scripture is that those who marry will have trouble (1 Corinthians 7:28). This should encourage us more than it discourages us. Communicate often how normal it is for marriage to be hard. Even when a couple is completely surrendered to Jesus, there will still be pain and struggle. Don’t let couples in your marriage ministry feel alone by communicating the goal is an absence of difficulty. The goal of marriage ministry needs to be full devotion to Jesus Christ.

#9 – Not Leveraging Stories

The stories of what God is doing in your marriage ministry need to be told. Sharing stories of life transformation gives others hope that it can happen in their lives as well. Encourage couples who find healing in your ministry to share their stories often, both in the marriage ministry and outside of it. We often see that transformation in marriage ministry tends to spread to every area of the church. You just need to help it happen.

#10 – Building Ministry Around a Person

The final mistake we see marriage ministries make is building the ministry around one couple. Doing this does everyone involved a disservice. It places a burden on the couple in leadership while setting the ministry up for failure if that couple needs to step away for any reason. Plus, having only one couple lead means that people only get one perspective. If you instead have multiple couples share leadership, participants get to see a variety of positive examples, and they are more likely to have someone that they can closely identify with. Work to create a plurality of leadership and disciple new leaders so that you can confidently replace yourself someday.

If you are working to build or revitalize your own marriage ministry, re|engage can help you avoid many of these mistakes. re|engage is a turn-key Christ-centered marriage ministry that’s essentially free to churches; the only cost is the workbooks that participants pay for themselves. Join us and over 450 other churches running re|engage as we seek to restore Christ to the center of marriages across the nation.

Voices with Ed Stetzer: “Silent No More? Political Activism in the Asian American Church”

Rev. Andrew Lee

November 4, 2021

Asian American — Unsplash.com: @Jason Leung

In light of the Atlanta shooting of six Asian women on March 16, 2021 and the subsequent outrage and rallies over racist attacks against Asian Americans, are Asian Americans now ready to fully engage in public demonstrations against social injustices? One significant event already occurred on June 28, 2020, as well over 1,000 Asian American Christians in Chicagoland gathered for a demonstration in support of black dignity and pride which was initiated by the Asian American Christian Collaborative. The killing of George Floyd, coupled with the recent deaths of other African Americans, had galvanized the Asian American community to participate in a two-mile march against the violence perpetrated on the black community. The march began on the outskirts of Chinatown, stopped for prayer vigils at several points including the historic century old Chinese Christian Union Church, and eventually ended at a historic century old African American church (Progressive Baptist Church).

A study was recently conducted to determine whether the Chicago march was an indication that the younger generation of the “model minority” was now engaging in political activism, or whether it was an aberration. These results were presented on March 5 at the World Christianity Virtual Conference at Princeton Theological Seminary.

This study surveyed Asian American believers in Chicagoland, both those who participated in this march and those who did not, with the intention of answering several pivotal questions:

What were the primary reasons why these demonstrators joined the Chicago march?
What were the primary reasons why others did not join?
Did the church leadership of immigrant congregations endorse this expression of social justice?
Is age a significant factor influencing attitudes and actions?
Are Asian American evangelicals now ready to engage in political activism or was this an isolated event?

What were the primary reasons why these demonstrators joined the Chicago march?

Out of a list of seven reasons, the two overwhelming choices were Wanted to demonstrate against the racism experienced by the Black community (88%) and Wanted to march as an expression of my spiritual faith (85%). In fact, 76% chose both these primary reasons.

Only 40% felt supported by their Family, church or community, indicating that fewer than half felt supported by their churches in this march. In actuality, this figure is far fewer than 40% as there were three sources of support which were suggested.

Was age an important factor in determining how one answered?

These results were further broken down by age groupings. As a number of recent Asian American church plants are essentially mono-generational at their inception, consisting primarily of those in their early post-college years, the first age bracket mimics this trend by incorporating those from 16-34 years of age (Only four respondents were under the age of 21.). The second bracket consists of more seasoned adults from ages 35-49. The final cluster of mature adults follows the AARP designation of those 50 years of age and above as seniors.

There were no wildly dramatic differences in the results from which one can draw definitive conclusions based on age. For example, to the question of why these marchers chose to take part, the responses were highly similar across the age segments as seen in the next two graphs.

What were the primary reasons why others did not join?

Those in the Asian American community who did not march were also surveyed to determine why they chose not to participate. Concern for one’s personal safety, whether due to contracting Covid-19, potential confrontations with others during the march, or the possibility of degenerating into a riot, was the number one concern with more than half checking that box at 58%. The second most chosen reason at 49% was that the march was not convenient to attend. The remaining six options returned single digit responses.

Voices with Ed Stetzer: Standing Between White Privilege and Black Disprivilege: An Asian American Perspective

Rev. Andrew Lee

November 4, 2021

As protests have swept across the United States in the aftermath of the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Brionna Taylor and others, the sign Black Lives Matter has been on prominent display. The tipping point has been reached. Demonstrators have marched in all 50 states calling for the end of racial violence against black people.

There is the occasional rejoinder, White Lives Matter or All Lives Matter. These statements are certainly true in and of themselves as the life of every individual is precious in God’s eyes. All lives do matter to Him regardless of color. However, what these latter statements miss is the context of the racial situation in our country.

To say that white lives also matter minimizes the reality of white privilege in the United States. Those who are born white experience institutional benefits not available to those of other ethnicities. They gain access to power and resources purely on the basis of skin color as they resemble those in the upper echelons of society. Those who are privileged may struggle with this concept. They might not recognize that they enjoy untold benefits not granted to others whereas those in the minority see it very clearly.

The Black Lives Matter movement began as a response to the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2012, and the subsequent acquittal of his shooter, George Zimmerman. Being black carries with it a stigma. They are disprivileged. One automatically becomes suspicious of anyone who is from the black race whereas whites are seen as individuals and judged on their personal merit.

Thus Trayvon Martin was deemed suspicious and followed by Zimmerman who was on neighborhood watch. Similarly Armaud Arbery was targeted for jogging in a community which had experienced previous robberies. Hence Gregory and Travis McMichael hotly pursued him. Quite often in the past, discourse on race has been largely binary seen through the lenses of white and black. However, the human race comprises a spectrum of colors. How do I as a Chinese-American view the protests that have swept across our country?

As a minority immigrant, I’ve personally encountered racism in both overt and subtle ways. I’ve witnessed the glass ceiling, aka bamboo ceiling, limit Asian Americans even in religious organizations.

The recent PBS series Asian Americans documented the struggles of Asian Americans in this country. These ranged from acts of violence and murder perpetrated by individuals, to discriminatory laws passed by Congress. The 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act is but one example. It has the distinction of being the first significant law restricting immigration as it banned Chinese labor immigration and denied naturalization to the Chinese.

Ed Stetzer: Pastors and Power, Part 4 – Gospel Power

Ed Stetzer

November 4, 2021

In this short series, I’ve briefly addressed recovering a biblical understanding of power as well as how the better way of Jesus helps us guard against the abuse and misuse of power. Here you can view Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

In this final post, I want to address practical ways pastors and church leaders can properly and biblically use power to help foster healthy churches and communities.

I suggest five key elements you can implement.

First, Structure a Church with Pastoral Accountability

If the church structure does not have pastoral accountability, we need to question that structure, regardless of denomination or ecclesiological association. Good pastors recognize the need for accountability and their own tendency towards brokenness and sin.

Godly pastors with developed heart character long to shepherd well and want to mitigate their own sin so it does not run amuck and damage the church. They are thoughtful, careful, and they structure churches with pastoral accountability. If you want to be a good pastor, structure your church so your decisions are held accountable.

Second, Seek Accountability

It’s one thing to structure a system with accountability, but it is a whole other thing to actually seek and be open to receiving accountability.

I can offer some personal experience on this point specifically. I have a boss; she is the Wheaton College Provost, the college’s Chief Academic Officer. She can and has called me out and shut me down, because she’s my boss. We all need someone like that.

However, the reality is that most pastors don’t have an identified group of people who actually hold them accountable. And the accountability must be fostered and received. For instance, pastors should want to surround themselves with leaders who are willing to tell them “No” to protect them from blind spots and for the overall health and direction of the organization. Pastors also need people to help them in their walk with Christ and spiritual growth.

If you have a group of leaders surrounding you who never tell you “No,” then you don’t have leaders or accountability; you have people who think you’re awesome and who ultimately are just a part of the power structure.

Put another way, if your elders never tell you, “No,” you don’t have elders; you have cheerleaders.

Mature leaders purposefully set up structures for accountability and then seek and receive genuine accountability within those structures. They understand that it is easy to be drawn into inappropriate use of that power and will engage in honest and transparent accountability. Every person with power and influence needs to submit to an accountability structure and seek accountability somewhere in some way.

Dear Church, It’s Time to Stop Playing Defense and Advance the Gospel

Greg Stier

November 4, 2021

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it,” said Jesus to Peter in Matthew 16:18.

We are in a cultural moment where the church is reeling. Morally fallen pastors, Post-Covid-Lockdown church attendance plunges, congregations divided over politics, masks and vaccines, BLM, CRT, OMG…we are living in crazy times.

And many pastors are reeling, running from one dumpster fire to the next trying to throw a cup of water on each of them. And all to no avail.

So what’s a pastor to do? What action can a church leader take that will put the fires out once and for all?

The answer is this…none. Dumpster fires have been around since Adam took a bite of forbidden fruit and will be around to Jesus finally makes everything right.

But the good news is this…it’s not our job to put the fires out. It’s our job to preach the Gospel and to get our congregations doing the same. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “It’s the whole business of the whole church to preach the whole Gospel to the whole world.“

Jesus put it this way, “go and make disciples of all nations….“

Pastors, church leaders, youth leaders, it’s time to play some offense.

The church has been too busy running around, trying to put out fires when our business is building wells that produce Living Water. Build enough of them and all those fires will eventually get doused by a flood of hope.

Now is the time to mobilize your congregation to advance the Gospel. Now is the time to energize your people to share the cure for racism, division, confusion and delusion.

The cure is the Gospel. You know it and I know it. So let’s do something about it!

Henry David Thoreau once said, “For every thousand hacking at the leaves of evil, one strikes at the root.” Only the Gospel can strike at the root of evil.

Our Most Destructive Assumption About Heaven

Randy Alcorn

November 4, 2021

Of all the misconceptions we have about Heaven, which is the most destructive? That’s a difficult and important question to tackle.

Once, while preaching about the New Earth, I cited passages about feasting together in our resurrection bodies. Afterward, a veteran Bible student asked if I really believed we would eat and drink in the afterlife. I told him yes, since Jesus said so. Visibly shaken, he replied, “Engaging in physical activities in heaven sounds terribly unspiritual.” Standing there with a body God promised to raise, he was repulsed by the thought of living forever as a physical being in a material world.

And he’s not alone. Many Bible-believing Christians would die before denying the doctrine of the resurrection — and yet they don’t fully believe it.

I’ve dialogued with lifelong evangelicals who don’t understand what resurrection means. They really believe they will spend eternity as disembodied spirits. God’s revelation concerning the resurrection and the New Earth — our forever home — eludes them. A Christian university professor wrote, “I was floored and dismayed to discover the vast majority of my students don’t believe in the bodily resurrection.” Some evangelicals even believe we become angels when we die.

If I could eliminate one belief about Heaven, it would be the heresy that the physical world is an enemy of God’s redemptive plan rather than a central part of it.

Dangers of Christoplatonism

I coined the term “Christoplatonism” to capture how Plato’s notion of a good spirit realm and an evil material world hijacked the church’s understanding of heaven. From a Christoplatonic perspective, our souls occupy our bodies like a hermit crab inhabits a seashell.

Plato’s statement Soma sema, “a body, a tomb,” reflected his belief that the spirit’s ideal state is freedom from the body. The first-century Jewish philosopher Philo tried to integrate Plato’s view with Judaism. In the second and third centuries, some church fathers — including Clement and Origen — followed Philo and reinterpreted Scripture.

But the Bible contradicts Christoplatonism from beginning (Genesis 1, God created the heavens and earth) to end (Revelation 21, God will remake the heavens and earth). The gospel itself centers on the resurrected Jesus who, as part of His redemptive work, will resurrect His people and the world He made for them.

Genesis 2:7 says, “The Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” Adam became alive when God joined his body and spirit together. Your body doesn’t merely house you; in concert with your spirit, it is you.

Jesus redeems our whole person. When believers die, our spirits go to the present Heaven while our bodies go to the grave, awaiting resurrection. We will never be all God intended until body and spirit are reunited in Heaven. And just as our new bodies won’t be non-bodies, but real bodies, so the New Earth will be a real earth, not a non-earth.

Miracles of Jesus for Kids: 7 Key Lessons From the Bible

ChildrensMinistry.com

November 3, 2021

When you’re teaching the miracles of Jesus for kids, it’s helpful to consider various categories. The Bible records more than 30 of Jesus’ miracles! Through these works, Jesus raised people from the dead, fed thousands, controlled nature, cast out evil spirits, and healed the sick. Even Jesus’ birth was a miracle!

These seven categories below describing miracles of Jesus for kids reveal who our Savior is. Make these Bible accounts a cornerstone of your Sunday school and children’s church lessons.

7 Categories: Miracles of Jesus for Kids

1. Jesus fed thousands of people.

Jesus fed more than 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. (Matthew 14:15-21)
Jesus fed more than 4,000 people with seven loaves and a few small fish. (Matthew 15:32-39)

2. Jesus cast out evil spirits.

Jesus cast an evil spirit out of a man who shouted at him as he taught. (Mark 1:23-28)
Jesus cast out demons from two men who were so violent that no one could pass through the area where they were. (Mark 8:28-33)
Jesus cast out a demon from a mute man, and the man was able to speak again. (Matthew 9:32-33)
Jesus healed a demon-possessed girl whose mother had great faith. (Matthew 15:21-28)
Jesus cast out a demon from a boy with seizures after his dad asked him to heal him. (Matthew 17:14-21)

3. Jesus healed blind, deaf, sick, injured, and infirm people.

Jesus healed a government official’s son who was about to die. (John 4:46-47)
Jesus cured Simon Peter’s mother-in-law of a high fever. (Mark 1:30-31)
Jesus healed a leper who came to him and asked to be made clean. (Mark 1:40-45)
Jesus healed a Roman officer’s servant who was paralyzed. (Matthew 8:5-13)
Jesus healed a paralyzed man whose friends lowered him through the roof of a house where Jesus was teaching. (Matthew 9:1-8)
Jesus cured a woman who’d bled constantly for 12 years. (Matthew 9:19-22)
Jesus healed two blind men who followed him by touching their eyes. (Matthew 9:27-30)
Jesus cured a man who’d been sick for 38 years at the pool of Bethesda. (John 5:1-15)
Jesus healed a man’s deformed hand. (Matthew 12: 9-14)
Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and couldn’t speak. (Matthew 12:22)
Jesus healed a deaf man with a speech impediment by putting his fingers in the man’s ears and touching the man’s tongue. (Mark 7:31-37)
Jesus healed a blind man by spitting on the man’s eyes. (Mark 8:22-26)
Jesus healed a man who’d been born blind by spitting in the dirt and creating a mud to put on the man’s eyes. (John 9:1-34)
Jesus healed a woman who’d been crippled by an evil spirit for 18 years. (Luke 13:10-13)
Jesus cured a man of dropsy. (Luke 14:1-4)
Jesus healed ten lepers. (Luke 17:11-19)
Jesus healed two blind men on the side or the road by touching their eyes. (Matthew 20: 29-33)
Jesus healed the high priest’s slave after Peter cut off his right ear. (John 18:10 and Luke 22:47-51)

4. Jesus turned water to wine.

At a wedding where the wedding party ran out of wine, Jesus changed water into a good-tasting wine. (John 2:1-11)

5. Jesus controlled the water and other elements of nature.

Jesus and the disciples were in a fierce storm and Jesus made it stop. (Matthew 8:23-27)
Jesus made a fig tree wither and never bear fruit again. (Matthew 21:18-22)

6. Jesus caught a surprisingly large amount of fish.

After Simon and his crew has fished all night and caught nothing, Jesus told them to cast their net again. They caught so many fish it almost sunk their boats. (Luke 5:1-11)
After Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus caused the disciples to catch 153 fish after they’d fished all night and caught nothing. (John 21:1-11)

7. Jesus raised people from the dead, including himself.

Jesus brought a young man back to life. He was the son of a widow who had no other children. (Luke 7:11-17)
Jesus brought a synagogue leader’s daughter back to life. (Matthew 9: 18-26)
Jesus brought Lazarus back to life after he’d been in the grave for four days. (John 11: 1-46)
Jesus rose from the dead. (Luke 24:5-6)

Looking for more great kidmin ideas? Check out these posts!

This article about the miracles of Jesus for kids originally appeared here.

Virginia Pastor Arrested in Prostitution Sting Appears Onstage at Church Two Days Later

Dale Chamberlain

November 3, 2021

John Blanchard, lead pastor of Rock Church International in Virginia Beach, VA, is one of 17 men arrested on Friday (Oct 29) for solicitation of prostitution from a minor after law enforcement conducted an online sting.

Blanchard, 51, appeared onstage at Rock Church on Sunday, October 31. His arrest and charges were not disclosed or addressed from the stage. According to the church’s website, Blanchard has been the lead pastor of the church since 2013.

Blanchard Arrested

According to NBC affiliate WAVY, Blanchard and the other suspects thought they were corresponding online with minors, whom they were soliciting for sex, but were actually speaking with detectives from the Chesterfield County Police Special Victims Unit.

Each of the suspects arranged to meet with the fictitious minors, and they were met by police upon arriving at the agreed-upon locations.

Blanchard was later released on bond and is being charged with solicitation of prostitution from a minor age 16 or older and using a vehicle to promote prostitution or unlawful sex.

Blanchard Appears Onstage at Church Two Days Later

Blanchard appeared onstage at Rock Church two days later on Sunday, October 31. While Blanchard did not preach, he did play a shofar during the church’s worship set, then led the congregation in prayer.

“God, we humble ourselves today under Your mighty hand. We ask you, Lord, to heal the land. God, as Your church, we claim this day as Your day,” Blanchard prayed. “Let us be a witness. Let our testimony shine bright.”

Blanchard later appeared onstage to present pastor appreciation gifts to members of his ministerial team.

At the end of the service, Blanchard addressed the congregation in an altar call. Walking back onto stage, Blanchard said, “Can we praise the name of the Lord? Hallelujah! Who’s in that secret place of God? Abiding in those heavenly places — the heavenly place at the right hand of God with Christ, in Christ, with Christ in you.”

“Even the principalities and the powers are beneath you when you’re in Christ,” Blanchard continued. “Every demon, every system of man, it’s all beneath you, because your authority comes from Him, comes from the Lord, from the Master. He’s so awesome.”

Faith in God’s Plan ‘Will Never Fail You,’ Says Victorious Braves Shortstop

Stephanie Martin

November 3, 2021

After helping his hometown of Atlanta clinch a long-awaited World Series title Tuesday night, Braves player Dansby Swanson praised “the good Lord,” who has “blessed me so much.” The 27-year-old shortstop, who calls himself “an Atlanta lifer,” was just a toddler when the city last celebrated a championship, in 1995.

“I wouldn’t be here without [God],” Swanson said after the Braves defeated the Houston Astros in Tuesday’s deciding game six. “Just the peace that he gives me, it’s remarkable. Especially in moments like this, you can never go wrong trusting in that. I’m just so thankful.”

Dansby Swanson: Spiritual Growth Contributed to On-Field Success

Dansby Swanson has been vocal about efforts to improve his mental health and strengthen his relationship with God. On a Sports Spectrum podcast earlier this year, he opened up about struggles with anxiety and fear that “paralyzed” him at times. The shortstop credits several people with helping him better cope with tough emotions while growing closer to God.

Swanson and his girlfriend, U.S. soccer star Mallory Pugh, started a Bible study with the Braves chaplain. A mental wellness coach helped Swanson build a routine that included regular time digging into Scripture. And pastors at Cross Point Church in Nashville prayed over Swanson when he attended a worship service there.

In addition, Brooks Webb, general manager of the baseball team at Vanderbilt, where Swanson played college ball, mentored him spiritually. The advice from Webb that “really stuck with me,” Swanson says, is that his best year career-wise would follow his strongest year faith-wise. “I don’t think it’s any coincidence that it’s because of how much my spiritual life had grown,” the athlete said about his strong performance last season.

Dansby Swanson Embraces God’s Calling and Timing

By spending time in prayer and Bible study, Dansby Swanson says, he felt more connected to God and to God’s calling. “I really was embracing who he had made me to be,” he says. As he grew spiritually, the athlete says he began to trust God more and put his worries into God’s hands.

Winsome Sears Becomes Virginia’s First Female Lieutenant Governor

Matthew Barakat

November 3, 2021

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Republican Winsome Sears, who returned to Virginia politics after an absence of nearly two decades, has become the first female lieutenant governor and the first woman of color to win statewide office in Virginia.

Sears defeated Democrat Hala Ayala in Tuesday’s election. Ayala also would have been the first woman of color to hold statewide office if she had won.

The Republican rocketed out of political obscurity earlier this year when she won the GOP nomination on the strength of a campaign photo in which she posed holding a military rifle.

Sears will succeed Democrat Justin Fairfax, who unsuccessfully ran for governor. Her role as a tiebreaking vote in a closely divided state Senate has become even more important given GOP victories in other races. Republicans won the governor’s mansion, and the party is also claiming that it has regained control of the House of Delegates, though several key races are still too early to call.

If Republicans do gain control of the House, the only thing blocking them from total control of state government is a narrow 21-19 Democratic advantage in the state Senate. Senators are not up for reelection until 2023.

One statewide race remained too close too call. Incumbent Attorney General Democrat Mark Herring is seeking a third term against Republican Jason Miyares, a delegate from Virginia Beach.

Democrats have been particularly concerned about abortion legislation. Ayala made supporting a woman’s right to an abortion a key issue in her campaign, noting that the Senate is already an even 20-20 split on the issue. Sears has long opposed abortion, something she links to her Christian faith.

“I’m a Christian first, and a Republican second. I don’t want to hear about your economic policies and you’re going to build the country if we have to kill babies along the way,” she told an interviewer in 2019.

A former Marine, Sears had a brief stint in electoral politics 20 years ago as a one-term delegate in the General Assembly, representing parts of Hampton Roads. Her return to politics after a two-decade absence began when she served as national chairperson for Black Americans to Re-Elect President Trump.

Early Wednesday, Sears stood with her family in front of cheering supporters at a victory party in Chantilly, saying, “What you are looking at is the American Dream.”

Throughout the race, Sears also highlighted her background as a Jamaican immigrant, campaigning against illegal immigration and rejecting the notion that the nation is plagued by systemic racism.

“In case you haven’t noticed, I am Black and I have been Black all my life,” she said. “But that’s not what this is about. What we are going to do is we are now going to be about the business of the commonwealth. We have things to tend to.”

41 U.S. Cities Ban Abortion as Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn

Diana Chandler

November 3, 2021

LONGVIEW, Texas (BP) – There are 41 local governments across the United States that have adopted ordinances banning abortions and declaring themselves Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn since the grassroots movement launched in 2019, movement founder Mark Lee Dickson said.

Dickson was on hand when Mason, Ohio, a town of about 33,000 people 30 minutes northeast of Cincinnati, became the latest city to declare itself a sanctuary for the unborn. The Mason City Council adopted the ordinance by a 4-3 vote Oct. 25.

“When I meet people who are interested in outlawing abortion in their city I always ask them if their community is ready for such a task. I ask them about what resources they have in their community to help women who find themselves in an unexpected pregnancy and I ask them if the area churches are involved in supporting those local efforts,” Dickson said Tuesday (Nov. 2). “If they do not have that in line, then they have some work to do.”

Several people have approached Dickson about the initiative, he said, since Waskom, a small Texas town, became the first to adopt such an ordinance in 2019. The director of the grassroots Right to Life of East Texas was senior pastor of Sovereign Love Church in Longview when he initiated Sanctuary Cities for Life. He currently describes himself as more of a church missionary.

“Most of the time when I go to cities, I am meeting with pastors and elders and deacons and speaking at churches about the importance of being involved in our communities; not just on the abortion issue, but on a whole variety of issues,” he said. “This isn’t just about loving our unborn neighbor, but loving our born neighbor as well.”

He sees value in working through local governments to fight abortion.

“I would hope that all of our cities would consider what they do and do not want taking place within their city gates. If a city does not want an abortion facility in their city then I think they need to consider passing an ordinance which would state, very clearly, that abortion is not allowed within the city limits,” he said, quoting Amos 5:15.

“For too long we have expressed our hatred for evil and our love for what is good, but we have neglected that part of Scripture which speaks of establishing justice in our city,” Dickson said. “I believe all of our cities need to have laws which protect pregnant women and their unborn children from the horrors of abortion.”

Lubbock, the only city among the 41 sanctuaries for the unborn that has an actual abortion clinic, survived a legal challenge in June when a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas and the American Civil Liberties Union. In Lubbock, residents approved the ordinance by 62 percent in May after the local government declined to enact the measure.

Similar to a statewide Texas abortion ban the U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing, Lubbock’s ordinance allows relatives of unborn children to sue abortion providers.

The only other lawsuit filed in response to sanctuary cities is a 2020 challenge by the ACLU against seven local ordinances in February 2020, but the lawsuit was dropped after the cities amended their measures to decriminalize the organizations that brought the lawsuit, with both sides viewing it as a victory, Forbes reported in June.

Explainer: Supreme Court Denies Religious Exemption Request From Maine Healthcare Workers

Brent Leatherwood

November 3, 2021

The U.S. Supreme Court denied a request for a religious exemption to the state of Maine’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers on Oct. 29. The mandate, announced in August by Gov. Janet Mills, required that all healthcare, nursing home, and EMS workers receive their final vaccine dose by Sept. 17, 2021. A group of healthcare professionals at Northern Light Health opposing the vaccine requirement filed suit on religious grounds.

Earlier in October, a federal judge ruled against the challenge and a three judge panel at the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with that ruling. At the time of the initial ruling, 97% of the workers at Northern Light Health were fully vaccinated, and 130 workers had already resigned in protest of the state’s mandate order. The Supreme Court initially rejected an emergency request to intervene but left another opportunity for appeal before the order went into full effect on Oct. 29. The healthcare workers then filed that appeal to the Supreme Court, which took up the case on what is called the “shadow docket” –– which, as explained on a previous case, is a “procedure for expedited review of emergency proceedings that fall outside of the normal rhythm of oral arguments and decisions many are accustomed to.”

Given the importance of healthcare workers in responding to medical emergencies, they must receive the necessary vaccinations to protect themselves and their patients. Additionally, healthcare professionals need to be equipped with first aid supplies to handle any unforeseen emergencies that may arise. As we continue to battle the pandemic, we must prioritize the safety and health of those on the front lines by providing them with access to both vaccinations and eFirstAidSupplies. These measures can help ensure that we are better prepared to respond to future health crises and protect our communities.

Why Did the Court Rule Against the Healthcare Workers?

The denial of the application for injunctive relief was handed down in a 6-3 decision. Because the court took this case up via the shadow docket, a traditional written opinion from the majority was not provided with the decision. However, some insight may be gleaned from a concurrence offered by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, joined by Justice Brett Kavanugh. She writes, “applicants could use the emergency docket to force the Court to give a merits preview in cases that it would be unlikely to take—and to do so on a short fuse without benefit of full briefing and oral argument. In my view, this discretionary consideration counsels against a grant of extraordinary relief in this case, which is the first to address the questions presented.”

What Makes This Case Unique?

This case, John Does 1-3 v. Mills, has some similarities to previous cases the justices have rejected, such as the recent appeal from New York City teachers and, prior to that, a challenge from Indiana University staff and students.

Unlike those cases, though, the Maine requirement does not contain an exemption for religious reasons, though it does for medical reasons. This difference was central to the argument of the dissent authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch and joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.

The dissent states, “This Court has explained that a law is not neutral and generally applicable if it treats ‘any comparable secular activity more favorably than religious exercise.’ Tandon v. Newsom . . . The State allows those invoking medical reasons to avoid the vaccine mandate on the apparent premise that these individuals can take alternative measures (such as the use of protective gear and regular testing) to safeguard their patients and co-workers. But the State refuses to allow those invoking religious reasons to do the very same thing.”

The justices in the minority contend this should have led the court to apply a strict scrutiny test to the Maine requirement, meaning the state would have to demonstrate the mandate “serves a compelling interest and employs the least restrictive means available for doing so.” Ultimately, a majority of the court did not take this approach and thus denied the application by the healthcare workers.

What Does This Mean for Religious Exemptions?

This result does not mean the challenge by the Maine healthcare workers is over. According to the Wall Street Journal, the decision “means a lower-court order upholding the mandate remains in place while the workers appeal through normal channels.” In all likelihood, additional challenges to other vaccine requirements will continue to materialize in the courts.

Hundreds of Regular Churchgoers Among QAnon Believers Awaiting JFK Jr.’s Resurrection in Dallas

Dale Chamberlain

November 3, 2021

qanon churchgoers — Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On Tuesday (Nov 2), hundreds of QAnon conspiracy theory believers gathered at the assassination site of President John F. Kennedy to await the return of his son, John F. Kennedy Jr., who died in 1999.

According to reports, many of those at the gathering were regular churchgoers and see their adherence to QAnon conspiracy theories as an integral part of their faith.

QAnon Theory About JFK Jr.’s Return

According to a QAnon theory, as reported by Dallas Morning News, JFK Jr. was set to unveil himself around 12:30pm at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, TX, on Tuesday. It was believed that Kennedy would assume the role of vice president once President Donald Trump was reinstated. A common claim among QAnon believers is that the 2020 election was falsified and that Trump will soon return to the presidency.

QAnon supporters believe that once Trump is reinstated with JFK Jr. as his vice president, Trump would step down, making Kennedy president. Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn would assume the role of vice president, and Trump would become a “king of kings.”

Kennedy tragically died at the age of 38 with his wife and sister-in-law in a plane crash in April of 1999. Their bodies were recovered by the Coast Guard and identified three months later.

QAnon believers expected Kennedy, who they say faked his death, to return to the location where his father was killed in 1963. While JFK Jr. never held public office, he did campaign for family members who served the Democratic Party as late as 1994.

Journalist Steven Monacelli captured video of the QAnon gathering in Dallas, where those in attendance can be heard reciting the pledge of allegiance while waiting for JFK Jr.’s appearance. In another video, attendees can be seen chanting “Let’s go fake news,” in response to the presence of local reporters. The video was taken after the 12:30pm reveal time had passed without any sign of Kennedy.

Churchgoers Comprised a Large Portion of the QAnon Gathering

Ruth Graham, national correspondent at The New York Times, attended the event, which did not have any formal programming, though many in attendance wore Tiffany blue to honor the late Jackie Kennedy, Mary Magdalene, and the dress that Melania Trump wore while meeting Michelle Obama at the White House in 2017.

Graham reported, “Almost everyone I spoke with brought up religion without my asking. ‘We are living in biblical times,’ ‘God sent us,’ ‘It’s biblical and it’s about Jesus,’ and on and on. Most are regular church-goers.”

“Neither Kennedy showed up at the appointed time, though there was some confusion with the time zone of the prediction,” Graham added, referring to JFK and JFK Jr. “Many attendees held out hope for the Rolling Stones concert tonight, where Michael Jackson is rumored to be making an appearance.” Given the bizarre nature of QAnon theories, it is unclear whether the last part of her Twitter thread was a joke.

Erwin McManus: Why Understanding the Genius of Jesus Will Change Your Life

Jessica Mouser

November 3, 2021

The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast · Erwin McManus: Why Understanding the Genius of Jesus Will Change Your Life

Erwin McManus is the founder of Mosaic, a church movement based in the heart of Hollywood. He studied philosophy at Elon University, has a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master of divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary, and a doctorate of humane letters from Southeastern University. Erwin is the acclaimed author of “The Way of the Warrior,” “The Last Arrow,” and other leading books on spirituality and creativity. His latest book is “The Genius of Jesus: The Man Who Changed Everything.” Erwin lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Kim.

Other Ways to Listen to This Podcast With Erwin McManus

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► Listen on YouTube

Key Questions for Erwin McManus

-Most people don’t use the word “genius” to describe Jesus. Why did you want to focus on that quality in particular?

-What makes somebody a genius, and how does Jesus fit into our categories of what a genius is?

-How would you answer someone who says that the idea of “genius” is not in the Bible and therefore focusing on “genius” is unimportant?

-What is it about embracing the genius of Jesus that leads you to see the world, yourself, and others differently?

Key Quotes From Erwin McManus

“When I first posted a thought on the genius of Jesus, one of the first responses I got was, ‘Jesus was not a genius. He was God.’ And I thought, what an interesting response, because if I had said Jesus was compassionate, no one would respond, ‘No, Jesus was not compassionate. He was God!’”

“I actually felt that talking about the genius of Jesus is a really important conversation about the humanity of Jesus.”

“I’ve been studying human genius for probably 40 years. The phenomenon of genius has always been really intriguing to me, and it’s been a part of my own life narrative since I was around 11 or 12 years old. And I’ve never seen a single list that has Jesus on the list of geniuses. So then my mind started following this up going, ‘Wait a minute. If I’ve been changed by the idea of Jesus, this is the most brilliant idea that has ever formed in human history.’”

“What a lot of people don’t understand is that pastoring was never my occupation. It was always my passion. And so people always say to me, ‘Why would a pastor be an artist or do art? And I go, ‘You’re asking the wrong question. The question is, why would an artist choose to become a pastor?’”

Start Leading the Church You Have

Allen White

November 3, 2021

The time has come to face an unpleasant reality. The congregation you have right now is your entire congregation. This is not necessarily bad news.

In talking to pastors I’ve stopped asking about their pre-COVID attendance. If the pandemic had only lasted a few weeks to a few months, then you could certainly expect your church to quickly snap back to where it was.

After 20 months nothing will snap back now. The culture has changed. Habits have changed. Your church has changed. Let’s consider what happened and how you can start leading the church you have.

Stadiums are Full, but Sanctuaries are Half Empty

If only Covid was preventing people from returning to church, you would also see this caution across the board in every auditorium or stadium of any size. As I watched the Kansas City Chiefs’ disappointing loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Arrowhead Stadium was packed. As I watch the baseball playoffs between my San Francisco Giants and Mark Howell’s LA Dodgers, Oracle Park and Dodgers Stadium are at capacity. Yet, church sanctuaries are less than half full. What’s happening?

Some people have legitimate concerns related to Covid. Out of an abundance of caution, they chose to worship online at home. They are not ready to meet and sing with a large group of people for the time being. That’s understandable considering the amount of information and misinformation out there. There are very strong feelings about vaccines and masks. Covid accounts for part of your half filled auditorium.

Others became comfortable with online worship. They don’t have to get their family dressed, fed, and out the door on Sunday morning any more. They can sip their coffee in their jammies while their children play or sleep in. While online faithfulness has certainly lessened over time, some of your people are still there. They are giving. They are on your side. They’re just staying home. But, some people have changed the channel.

Now that most churches have an online worship service, it’s easier to church shop than ever. Let’s face it. There are more interesting sermons out there. There are professionally recorded worship sets with worship teams who sing in tune. If someone’s interest is only in worship and preaching, there are tens of thousands of choices. But, you and I both know that there is far more to church than songs and sermons. Rick Warren isn’t going to call to see how they’re doing. Andy Stanley isn’t going to make a hospital visit. If you wonder where you’re people are, you should probably give them a call.

The last group is the most exciting. People are watching online who have never darkened the door of your church. They are interested in spiritual things. They long for something solid in very anxious times. They enjoy watching the service without being watched. And, when you offer a next step, they will take it. Pastors are telling me how “first time” guests show up ready for baptism, next steps, small groups, and serving. They aren’t first time guests. They’ve been participating in your online worship services for weeks to months. This is the new front door of the church! How does your front door look? Are you actively offering next steps to your online congregation? Do you look directly into the camera and lead them on what do to next? Do you have a way for them to respond? Don’t make your online worship service a lesser experience. Don’t expect less of people who worship online. They need your leadership.

Stop Looking Backward

The whole world has experienced a massive reset. Regardless of who’s right, who’s wrong, who’s to blame, or who’s orchestrating a nefarious plot, God is not surprised by any of this. Why has God allowed this to happen? Why did God intentionally shake up His church like this? What needed to fall away to reveal what was strong? What outdated strategies needed to crumble? What changes that you’ve been dreading to make needed to happen? God has uniquely positioned you and your church to serve a changed culture, if you are willing to let go of what you used to do.

Spirit-Filled Transformation: 5 Pieces of Evidence the Holy Spirit Has Control of Your Life

Scott Wilson

November 3, 2021

spirit-filled transformation — Adobestock #414244705

There’s a difference between living a “good Christian life” and allowing the Spirit of God to transform you from the inside out. The difference is not a small difference, but a drastic one.

As Galatians 5:22 suggests, this is difference between a life full of the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.) and a life full of the fruits of the flesh (greed, resentment, bitterness, arguing and competition).

Here are five pieces of evidence that the Holy Spirit has control of your life.

1. The Spirit will make you passionate about worship and prayer.

I’m not passionate about praying and worshipping because I am a quiet introvert who loves to meditate and reflect on nothingness. Not even close!

I’m passionate about prayer because I know I’m having a real conversation with a real God, who loves me and hears me, and the more I allow the Spirit to rule my life, the more satisfying that experience becomes.

This week, while I was praying, God told me to send a verse to a friend of mine, to remind her God hears her prayers. She wrote me later to tell me how she had really been struggling with this—wondering if God was hearing her. Sometimes she wondered if God even loved her.

When I sent her the verse, she thought: “How did you know?” But the truth is I didn’t know.

God knew. And when we pray, worship and draw close to Him, His Spirit begins to lead through us.

2. The Spirit will make us hungry for the word of God.

The Bible is living and active. It’s a supernatural book, and it really does speak to you—like the verse that seemed like such a perfect fit for my friend, it seemed as if God was speaking right to her. He was!

When the Spirit is alive and active in you, you will feel compelled by God’s Word.

Falling in love with the Scripture isn’t about a passion or hunger for reading or even just learning. It’s about knowing God. John 1 describes Jesus as the living Word.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth… No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known (John 1:14, 18 NIV).

As you read the Bible, words jump off the page and you know God is speaking to you directly from that passage.

100 Bible Activities for Sunday School Lessons for Kids: New Testament

Christine Yount Jones

November 3, 2021

Check out these 100 New Testament activities for Sunday school lessons for kids! Kids will love these games, videos, object lessons, snacks, and more in your Sunday school, midweek program, children’s church, or even at home. We scoured the internet (and Pinterest) for the very best ideas for Sunday school lessons for kids! Your kids will love these 100 ideas!

Gospels: Bible Activities for Sunday School Lessons for Kids

Free Christmas Play This play features Bible readings from a narrator, with children acting out the parts of the characters.

Colors of Christmas Object Lesson You can use these colors to teach children about Christmas by showing different color ornaments or decorations.

Holy Spirit Object Lesson Help kids grasp why God gave us the Holy Spirit and see how he fits into their lives.

The Rocks Cry Out Object Lesson Use this Palm Sunday object lesson to help kids learn that they can praise Jesus!

Easter Slime Object Lesson A fresh way to share the Easter story with their kids.

10 Great Easter Activities Blogger Lindsey Whitney pulled together the best of the best–games, snacks, crafts, and more. All for Easter.

Zacchaeus Snack Nutritious and fun to teach kids about the “wee little man” who climbed the tree to see Jesus.

Jesus Calms the Storm Craft Three fun crafts you can use to bring this kid-favorite to life!

Jesus Calms the Storm Sunday School Lesson An entire lesson from childrensministry.com.

Jesus Calms the Storm Craft Kids will love the moveable parts of this paper craft.

Another Jesus Calms the Storm Craft This craft has 3-dimensional art which is really cool.

Baby Jesus Manger Snack These are fun to make with kids and give to neighbors at Christmas.

Salt of the World A creative object lesson that teaches kids to be “salty” for Jesus in this world.

Holy Spirit Inside Every child will perk up when you use peanut butter cups to teach.

Lost Sheep Craft A simple craft that kids will love making. It involves glue and cotton balls, so of course!

Friends Carry a Paralyzed Man Kids can sink their teeth into this snack depicting the friends carrying the man to Jesus.

4 Friends Helped Three Bible activities to teach kids about the healing of the paralytic.

Raising of Lazarus Game This is what you get when you mix energetic kids and rolls or toilet paper. Fun and learning!

Raising Lazarus Video From Jingukid, this is best for younger kids.

Last Supper Object Lesson A great way to show kids the real components of Passover.

Feeding the 5,000 A creative object lesson to use with kids.

Miracles of Jesus Coloring Sheets 39 free coloring sheets from Biblekids.eu.

Jesus’ Ascension Craft Kids will love that this craft does something.

Jesus Walks on Water Three creative activities including a blue Jello snack.

Pence Tells His Story, Encourages Students to Study the Constitution

The Top 10 Marriage Ministry Mistakes

#1 – Separating Marriage and Discipleship

#2 – Starting by Writing Your Own Content

#3 – Lacking Buy-in from Senior Leaders

#4 – Lacking Authenticity in Leadership

#5 – Selling the Church Short

#6 – Avoiding Tough Issues

#7 – Forgetting What Year It Is

#8 – Not Normalizing Pain and Struggle

#9 – Not Leveraging Stories

#10 – Building Ministry Around a Person

First, Structure a Church with Pastoral Accountability

Second, Seek Accountability

Dangers of Christoplatonism

7 Categories: Miracles of Jesus for Kids

1. Jesus fed thousands of people.

3. Jesus healed blind, deaf, sick, injured, and infirm people.

4. Jesus turned water to wine.

5. Jesus controlled the water and other elements of nature.

7. Jesus raised people from the dead, including himself.

Blanchard Arrested

Blanchard Appears Onstage at Church Two Days Later

Dansby Swanson: Spiritual Growth Contributed to On-Field Success

Dansby Swanson Embraces God’s Calling and Timing

Why Did the Court Rule Against the Healthcare Workers?

What Makes This Case Unique?

What Does This Mean for Religious Exemptions?

QAnon Theory About JFK Jr.’s Return

Churchgoers Comprised a Large Portion of the QAnon Gathering

Other Ways to Listen to This Podcast With Erwin McManus

Key Questions for Erwin McManus

Key Quotes From Erwin McManus

Stadiums are Full, but Sanctuaries are Half Empty

Stop Looking Backward

Here are five pieces of evidence that the Holy Spirit has control of your life.

1. The Spirit will make you passionate about worship and prayer.

2. The Spirit will make us hungry for the word of God.

Gospels: Bible Activities for Sunday School Lessons for Kids

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