Welcome to DJ's Big Backyard!
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Matthew 4:18-20
One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" And they left their nets at once and followed him.
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Becoming Fishers of People
Have you ever gone fishing or seen someone fishing? Fishermen use nets or rods to catch fish from the water. In Matthew 4:18-20, Jesus met two brothers, Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen. But instead of catching fish, Jesus called them to follow Him and become “fishers of people.” This means Jesus wanted them to help others learn about God’s love and how to be saved. 1. Jesus Calls Us: Just like Peter and Andrew, Jesus calls each of us to follow Him. When we decide to follow Jesus, we become His disciples. Being a disciple means learning from Jesus, living like Him, and sharing His love with others. 2. Fishing for People: When Jesus said He would show them how to “fish for people,” He meant that they would help others learn about God’s love and salvation. We can do this by telling our friends and family about Jesus and showing His love through our actions. 3. Salvation: Salvation means being saved from our sins and having a relationship with God. Jesus made this possible by dying on the cross for our sins and rising again. When we believe in Jesus and follow Him, we receive the gift of salvation and become part of God’s family. Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for calling us to follow You. Help us to be good disciples and to share Your love with others. Thank You for the gift of salvation and for always being with us. Amen.
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"Fishers of Men" (Matthew 4:18-20)
Seeds Kids Worship
Seeds of Purpose
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Fishing for People Craft
Let’s make a "Fishing for People" craft to remind us of our mission to share Jesus’ love and salvation with others.
Materials:
• Paper plate or construction paper
• Scissors
• Markers or crayons
• String or yarn
• Tape or glue
• Small paper fish cutouts (or draw and cut out fish shapes)
• Hole punch (optional)
Instructions:
1. Create the Fishing Rod: Cut a piece of string or yarn about 12 inches long. Tape one end to a stick, pencil, or a rolled-up piece of paper to make a fishing rod.
2. Make the Fish: Draw and cut out small fish shapes from construction paper. You can also use pre-made fish cutouts if you have them.
3. Write Messages on the Fish: On each fish, write a message about Jesus’ love or a simple phrase like "Jesus loves you," "God cares for you," "Believe in Jesus," or "Jesus saves." You can also draw pictures that remind you of Jesus.
4. Attach the Fish: Punch a hole near the mouth of each fish and tie the other end of the string through the hole. If you don’t have a hole punch, you can tape the string to the back of the fish.
5. Decorate: Use markers or crayons to decorate the fish and the fishing rod.
Using Your Craft:
• Hang the fishing rod and fish somewhere you can see them, like in your room or on a bulletin board.
• Each day, pick a fish and think about how you can share Jesus’ love with someone. It could be through a kind word, helping someone, or telling a friend about Jesus.
• Pray and ask God to help you be a good "fisher of people" and to give you opportunities to share His love.
Reflection:
As you look at your Fishing for People craft, think about these questions:
• How can you share Jesus’ love with others?
• Who do you know that needs to hear about Jesus and His salvation?
• What are some ways you can show God’s love through your actions?
Remember, Jesus calls each of us to follow Him and to share His love with others. Let’s be like Peter and Andrew, who immediately left their nets and followed Jesus, and let’s become fishers of people, spreading the good news of salvation everywhere we go!
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- Your Time
Stewardship is based on the truth that all we have and all we are comes from God. We have the chance to thank God for the blessings He gives us. By giving back a portion of our time, talent, and treasure, we are able to show God gratitude for all He has done and continues to do in our lives.
This month we are focused on stewarding our time!
Stewardship Challenge: It is important to make sure we give time to others. This month, make time to serve others in a new way, make a new friend, etc. Take a photo! Send a picture of you serving to info@wearethebridge.org and DJ will send you a gift!
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Dragon Seed by Marty Machowski
Nick is an angry teen, with a desperate mother, who both miss his father - and a shadow is lurking in the background.
Things are going from bad to worse after another argument with his mom, when she gives Nick a handwritten, leather-bound copy of a very old book—a family legend passed down through generations...
The book, called Dragon Seed, leads Nick deep into his family’s legacy and introduces him to another angry young man who lived in the shadows!
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- Adopt DJ The Dog
You can adopt DJ The Dog if you promise to take care of your new pet! The Bridge will send you a plush Golden Retriever with a DJ dog tag and an Official Adoption Certificate and a DJ Coloring Sheet to enjoy.
Click here to adopt DJ today!