Lessons of Spring

I have in my hand a small branch from an apple tree. Here are seen the tiny buds, the promise of the blossom, and after that the fruit. Have you ever seen an apple orchard in blossom? People rave about the cherry blossoms of Japan, and the fire trees, flaming red, of the Philippines. I have been in both countries, but I think there is no more beautiful sight in any country than the blossoming apple orchards of America.

Photo Credits: G Schouten de Jel, Stock.Xchng

When you see branches like this sending forth their first buds, what do they tell us?

First, they tell us of God.  I do not see how any one can live through the awakening spring season and not think daily thoughts of God.  Most people remember the Creator.  Only one person has ever denied God. "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God."  He said it to himself, he did not dare speak it out loud.




Second, they tells us of God's Love.  He, the loving Father of all people, makes blessed provision for the care and nurture of his children.  He reminds us each year, in seedtime and harvest, of his boundless love. His love never fails. There have been many hundreds of years in the history of the world, yet each year has had its spring, its seedtime, and its resurrection. Young people, let God's Spring time speak to you.

MEMORY VERSE:  Daniel 2:20-21

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.  He changes times and seasons."

KIDS CRAFT
Flowering tree coloring page.
Easy Shapes Tree Craft.  Print out the templates: colored version or black and white version (this the kids can also color).   Cut and then paste the shapes onto a bond paper forming pine trees or apple trees.  Alternatively, the shapes can be cut out of colored construction paper.  Do this ahead of time for younger kids.

God's Clock - Tells of His Faithfulness

Do you own a watch? Not yet?  Well, some day you will. I have a friend who has a watch.  His father promised to give him one when he said, "When you graduate from High School, I will give you a watch."

Is there a "town clock" where you live? Is it dependable? Do men set their watches by it? Do people, passing it, glance up to see if they are late?  In the village where I began my ministry, the Baptist tower held the town clock. I lived but a few doors away.  I went to bed by it.  I studied by it.  I was wakened by it.  Even now, and many years have passed since then, I can still hear its clear bell strike the hours.

The strangest clock I ever saw was in China. I went up the West River to the city of Canton. I was carried through the narrow, smelly, crowded streets to the top of a little hill at the city's edge. There, on the very tip-top,  I saw the "Water Clock."  There's an inscription which read, "This water clock is a most ancient, authentic, celebrated and sacred relic of Kwong Tung Province, over 1,300 years old.  It was erected on the top story of the north Worshiping Tower which was built by Chin To, King of the South of China."

It was a strange, old clock, run by water.  I stood and looked at it and thought, "This clock was running when George Washington was president; it was running when Christopher Columbus sailed on his great voyage of discovery; long years, long centuries before that it was built."

But there is a clock surpassing all others. I call it God's clock. It is the Sun.  Since time began God's clock has kept time.  It is the central clock of our universe.  It regulates all others.  It does not have to be wound.  God has seen to that.  How can we not worship the God who has made such a clock!

MEMORY VERSE:  Psalm 74: 16

The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.

KIDS CRAFT:  Paper Clock Craft or Happy Sun Face.

Make a simple Paper Clock  You can follow the instructions from these 2 links:  Paper Clock Craft 1 and Paper Clock Craft 2.  Choose which one you would like to make for your class.  Then, you can practice telling the time with the kids.  You can also display it in your classroom and put:  Sunday school starts at _____.

Make a Happy Sun Face.




Photo credit:  Janne1