Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

for Legionary Nathan and his Friends

O GOD, you know that we are set in the middle of many and great dangers, and because of our natural human weaknesses, we cannot always stand upright; Give to us your strength and protection, to support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Be friendly with everyone


BIBLE STORY
Matthew 8:5

When Jesus was going into the town of Capernaum, an army officer came up to him and said, "Lord, my servant is at home in such terrible pain that he can't even move." "I will go and heal him," Jesus replied. But the officer said, "Lord, I'm not good enough for you to come into my house. Just give the order, and my servant will get well. I have officers who give orders to me, and I have soldiers who take orders from me. I can say to one of them, `Go!' and he goes. I can say to another, `Come!' and he comes. I can say to my servant, `Do this!' and he will do it." When Jesus heard this, he was so surprised that he turned and said to the crowd following him, "I tell you that in all of Israel I've never found anyone with this much faith! Many people will come from everywhere to enjoy the feast in the kingdom of heaven with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 12But the ones who should have been in the kingdom will be thrown out into the dark. They will cry and grit their teeth in pain." Then Jesus said to the officer, "You may go home now. Your faith has made it happen." Right then his servant was healed.




[Contemporary English Version]

Ease 85%, Level 3.8


LESSON
Greetings Legionaire! Peace be with you this Lord's Day

Today's Bible story is very important. Every Centurion should know this story. It is the story of the first Centurion to meet Jesus.

He was the commander of the century in Capernaum. All of the people knew him. They liked the Centurion. He had built them a church. He had been good to the people. He had heard the about Jesus. He heard that Jesus could help sick people.

One day his servant became sick. The young servant was nearly dead. The Centurion thought, "Jesus can help us!". So he went to town from his army camp. When he got to town he found Jesus. Now, in those days the Jews would not go into the house of a non-Jew. The Centurion knew this. He said to Jesus, "I am not so worthy, as to have you come into my house, but if you will only say so, my servant will be healed."

The Centurion said Jesus was like a commander. He could just command the thing to happen, and it would. Now Jesus was so amazed by the Centurion's faith he said to everyone , "I have not seen such a great faith in Isreal." He told the Centurion to go home, and that his servant would be healed. He was too, in the same hour. Now that is the kind of faith Jesus wants everyone to have.

There is an old song that Granddaddy likes to sing. It is called Trust and Obey. That is what the Centurion did. He trusted the promise of Jesus. He obeyed what Jesus told him. If we will trust and obey, then God will work a good for us. If we do not trust Jesus. If we do not love Jesus, then he will not have anything to do with us. Do you want Jesus to help you like our prayer asks? OK then, you too must always Trust and Obey.

Blessing on you this day and always.

Granddaddy
Ease 93%, Level 3.2


LESSON EXERCISES


* Can you name the people in this story, and tell about them?

* In you own words, what do you think this story is about?

* Draw a picture that tells the Gospel story. (You may copy or trace the one on the lesson if you wish.)

* Make up a story (parable) or share a true story that is like our lesson today.

* Sing a song about today's story Trust and Obey


Songs for Children




Notice: This is an open letter to my Grandson Nathan. It is under copyright protection: The Rev. Mark Carroll, MMVI

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