Matthew 14:22 - 36

Nine: It is amazing that Jesus could walk on water. It is also amazing that He could command Peter to walk on water, but Peter was afraid and started to sink. We should not be afraid when the Lord is with us.

Twelve: It was amazing that Jesus could go on the water. It proved to the disciples that He was God It was cool at the end how He healed all the people who came to Him.

Forty-seven: How easy it is to take my eyes off Jesus and look at my surroundings and sink. 

Matthew 13:1 - 58

Nine: We should obey the parables of Jesus. We should take the words of Jesus and listen to them and keep them in our heart like the good seed. So that the possessions of the world won't choke us up like the seed in the thorns.

Twelve: The way to Jesus is tough. We shouldn't let worldly things stop us from getting to him. We have to believe in Jesus because at the end of the age He will weed us out and only those who believe in Him will go to heaven.

Forty-seven: Together these two parables pack a punch. How do we keep ourselves from being choked by the cares of the world? By turning always to Jesus and remembering that harvest to come will be so different from that of this world. 

Matthew 6:5 - 7:29

Nine: We should obey the words of God and not be like the foolish man who built on sand, but like the wise man who built his house on a rock, to build on God. We should not be like the scribes and pharisees who pray in the streets. We should act so God will know not man.

Twelve: We shouldn't do worldly stuff because that will be our reward on earth and nothing in heaven. The way to heaven is tough and we have to make tough choices to get there. We shouldn't be like the religious leaders. We shouldn't be pompous or proud like them.

Forty-seven: So what would I need to cut off to avoid sin? I'm afraid it might be my sinful heart and pride filled brain. 

Matthew 5:1- 6:4

Nine: You should walk in the path of the upright and obey the commandments of the Lord. If you tempt people into evil there will be great punishment on you. Give to the poor and not shout it out in the streets. Keep it silent to get your reward in heaven.

Twelve: Whenever we do something good we shouldn't make a big deal of it. We should be kind to people and help people in need. You should let your faith shine out of you by your acts.

Forty-seven: Jesus can be so counter-cultural even 2000 years later! How are we to do fundraising without those lists that show who gave what in what category? 

Matthew 3:13 - 4:17

Nine: Jesus rebuked Satan with all those Bible verses. God showed His power when Jesus was baptised. He spoke and told the people that Jesus was His son and He was very pleased with Jesus.

Twelve: This is the beginning of Jesus' ministry. He defeats the devil by using Bible verses against him. Whenever the devil tempts us, we should tell him he is wrong and look in our Bible to prove him wrong. God will help us.

Forty-seven: My oldest has the right idea. We should fight our temptation by studying the Bible so that we know what it is that God wants from us as His children. Further, we are to rely on the Holy Spirit which lives in us to help us in this.