Sabbath School July 23

Early Bird Special: Rock Scavenger Hunt
Children who arrive between 9:30 and 9:45 AM get to do a bonus activity in Sabbath School. Today our early birds did a scavenger hunt to find rocks hidden around the classroom.  Our Bible story today is about Samuel's service.  He made a rock monument to God to remember how God delivered Israel from the Philistines.

Nature Nugget: Leaves
Leaves come in all shapes in sizes.  When they are alive, they are usually green in color.  Leaves help plants turn the energy of the sun during day time into food for the plant.  When some leaves turn brown or yellow or red in the fall, they are no longer alive and cannot make food for the plant anymore.  They eventually fall off.  Those plants or trees will then grow new leaves come spring time when they use the lengthening daylight hours to make food again.  

Jesus says in John 9:4, "I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day."  Just as the leaves focus on their jobs during the day time to make food for the plant, Jesus focused all the time of his life on earth to helping others know God's love.  He knew he had a short time to share with as many people as possible.  We can make that our focus, too.  We don't know how soon Jesus will come back, but we know He is coming soon.  While there is still time, let's focus on sharing with others about God's love for them, so they can make their choice to follow Jesus.

Memory Mastery: Creation Week
We are memorizing the days of creation this quarter during class time.  I hope you can practice with your child at home.  Children who recite their days of creation will receive a Bible gem or mineral to add to their Bible artifact collection.

Mission Team: It's Easy!
Larissa and Rosette are best friends in the country of Burundi.  Larissa's family is Seventh-day Adventist.  Larissa loves family worship time.  One day, she invited Rosette to join her family for worship.  Rosette loved it, too.  Then Larissa invited Rosette to come to Sabbath School.  Rosette had so much fun, she continued to go to church with Larissa's family.  Rosette invited her mom to come to church with her.  Rosette's mom finally said yes and went to church.  She started going to church on Sabbaths that she didn't have classes to attend.  One day, Rosette's mom surprised her by telling her that she wanted to be baptized.  All along, Rosette was praying for her family.  She is still praying for her father to join them at church.  She loves Jesus and knows God answers her prayers.  Larissa says it is easy to be a witness for Jesus.  Just pray for your friends and invite them to join you for church.  God can do great things when we pray and do our part.

Bible Story: Samuel's Service

Table Time: Three Birthdays
Today we had 3 birthdays to celebrate.  Thank God for blessing us with so many precious children!

Take Home Guide
Below are the prayer verse and prayer prompt for this week's daily devotions.  Please refer to your lesson guide for related fun activities to do for family worship with your children.

• "Samuel continued as Israel's leader all the days of his life."  1 Samuel 7:15
• Dear Father God, I want to serve You all the days of my life.  In Jesus' Name, Amen