The Jeremiah Project is
happy to present these children stories teaching Biblical values. As Proverbs
7:1-3 instructs us, "My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your
eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart." It is
through repeated telling of the stories of the Bible and stories teaching
Biblical values to our children that we can help them write the truths of the
Bible on the tablet of their heart. |
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Blessed are Those Who are Persecuted
But Stephen, full of
the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus
standing at the right hand of God. Look, he said, I see
heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. At this
they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all
rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile,
the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. While
they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my
spirit. Then he fell on his knees and cried out, Lord, do not hold
this sin against them. When he had said this, he fell asleep. [Acts
7:55-60]
"The
Joy of Stephen"
Julie and Phillip were always a little nervous when their Daddy
took them with him to share Jesus door to door in town. But daddy always loved
to do it so they went to learn how. Usually the Assistant Pastor from their
church went along. Mostly people were nice and sometimes invited them in and
sometimes the Pastor or Daddy would pray with the people to accept Jesus and
that was really exciting.
One time though a man answered the door who
wasnt from our country. His skin was darker and he wore one of those
turban things on his head. And when daddy shared about Jesus, the man got
really mad and started yelling and seemed like he was going to come out and
hurt daddy so the Pastor excused them from the man and they went to a bench
nearby in the apartment complex.
What was wrong with that man
Daddy? Why did he have that hat on his head? Phillip asked frightened.
That is a man God loves just like he loves you and me Phillip.
Now lets pray for him. And they did right there on the bench and
they all felt better.
That night Daddy explained that the man was from
another religion so he just didnt understand that they were there to give
him eternal life. But Daddy, Phillip interrupted. It seemed
like he wanted to hurt us. Does that mean what we were doing was wrong?
Kids do remember the story of Stephen in the Bible? Daddy
said and before they knew it, Daddy was telling them the story. Daddy was an
amazing storyteller because he was able to make Julie and Phillip feel like
they were right there in the story.
Where are we Daddy?
Phillip shook his head looking around at the huge crowd of what seemed to be
really angry people. Phillip and Julie felt their Daddy holding onto their
hands as he took them right into the bible story he was telling.
We are in the story, Phillip. These people are all angry with Stephen.
See over there?
The children worked their way between the legs
of the shouting people and then they saw him. Standing apart from the crowd,
dressed all in white. Phillip! Julie whispered. Thats
Stephen, just like Daddy said.
Kids over here. They
heard their Daddy whisper and they ran to him knelt between some people
watching.
Why are they all so mad Daddy? Asked Julie a
little scared and nervous for Stephen.
They dont want him
to share about Jesus, sweetie. Her Daddy answered.
Daddy,
he doesnt even look scared. I would be SO scared if everybody was mad at
me. Phillip said watching Stephen with amazement.
Can you
hear what he is saying kids? Daddy whispered and they listened close.
He is praising Jesus Daddy. Julie finally said. He
is thanking Jesus that he is going to be able to suffer and die for God. Daddy
I dont understand. She said sobbing a little bit.
Well honey, Jesus died for us so its a privilege to go through
those things for him. Stephen is full of the Holy Ghost so he isnt
suffering at all. See his face, its full of joy. Thats what the
Holy Spirit does when we go through hard things for Jesus. He replaces the fear
and pain with joy and praise. Come on, we better get back, Mommy will have
supper ready soon.
As they moved to the back of the crowd, Julie
saw a wrap that looked like it belonged to Stephen. She reached to pick it up
but an older boy picked it up first. She looked him in the eyes.
Why are you crying? She asked the boy.
I have always
hated Christians, little girl the boy said. But Stephen has so much
joy. The joy of Stephen makes me somehow want that in my heart.
Back home at the supper table they told Mommy all about their adventure.
Well, Julie, who was that boy you talked to before you came home.
I dont know Mommy. He said his name was Saul of
Tarsus. They didnt talk about it any more but Mommy and Daddy
exchanged knowing smiles and both knew that Daddy would be taking the children
on another journey to find out more about how this Saul boy turned out.
Blessed are those
who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely
say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because
great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the
prophets who were before you. [Matthew 5:10-12]
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