Monday 26 October 2015

The purpose of trials and obstacles

Ice breaker: What is the greatest obstacle that you have had to overcome?

Quotes:

  • The same sun that melts ice, hardens clay.
  • God will take care of what you go through, you take care of how you go through it.
  • The things that Satan throws in our path to defeat us can be stepping stones to victory (Romans 8:28)



Obstacles can make a trip a lot more difficult. Strong winds and currents can make a journey by sea a lot more difficult. Smooth sailing is easy, a gentle breeze is a pleasure. When the weather changes, your skill as a captain are tested.

James 1:2-4 ”Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” ESV

Tuesday 13 October 2015

Psalm 91 - Pat van Wyk

Introduction:

Scriptures are powerful when and if you use them. We don't seem to grasp just how powerful they are. Our Bibles lay on the table next our beds and when you eventually pick it up it is full of dust. Why do we only turn to God when we can't carry on any more, because we have to do it ourselves.

To let God, means to let go. Yet we still have a back up plan. I have been testing my day without Bible reading, worship and prayer and found a very emptiness in my inner being. When I talk to God all the time, I feel His very presence and peace in my inner being and came to a decision that it is my choice (my will) to stay in God's presence all the time. That simply means in the good and bad times.

You might be asking, how? By praising God in bad times because He gives me the strength to get through as I can't do it, but with the Holy Spirits' strength I can (Philippians 4:13).

Friday 9 October 2015

You are precious - Puppet show - Pat van Wyk

Foreword


This Bible study is going to help you see yourself as God sees you. Reading the Word of God goes hand in hand with prayer. They are two sides of a coin. You cannot do the one without the other. I hope you are going to enjoy doing the Bible study and enjoy finding out just how precious you are. My name is Pat and I have enjoyed writing this book just for you.

A special thank you to my precious son, Tienie, for editing and formatting this book.

We are going to concentrate on the book of Isaiah 43.

Here God is talking to the Israelites through the prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament. When we read the Bible we are going to look at it as if God is also talking to us.



In the name of Jesus - Pat van Wyk

CONTENTS

  • A Word from the Author
  • Chapter One – Believe in His Name
  • Chapter Two - Authority in His Name
  • Chapter Three – Life through Jesus
  • Chapter Four – Jesus is Our Inheritance
  • Chapter Five - Trust
  • Chapter Six – Jesus the Supreme Power
  • Chapter Seven – No other Name
  • Chapter Eight – Reigning in the Power of the Name

A Word from the Author:


In the name of Jesus study guide will give you new boldness and confidence and as you experiment in the name, you will be using the authority already given to by Jesus.

I pray you will learn to use the name of Jesus with authority and that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to new revelation knowledge.

A special thanks to my sons Tienie and Johnathan.

Wednesday 7 October 2015

Jesus the light of the world - Pat van Wyk

Foreword:


This puppet show is meant for children from Preschool to Grade 2.

Here we are teaching the children that we need to be born again. It is a difficult concept for small children to understand, but is such an important part of our faith – that we cannot neglect to teach them about it.

JESUS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Dolls enter and greet:

Tinky: I would like to read you a piece of Scripture.

Pinky: Yes, read to us please, Tinky!

To Be Like Jesus - Pat van Wyk

Belvedere and Jo-Jo Greet.

My name is Belvedere hello kids.

And my name is Jo-Jo kids hello.

Belvedere: (Singing) I'm on a mission
I want to walk with Jesus
I want to talk to Jesus

Jo-Jo: What are you on about this time Belvedere? I thought we are on a mission?
We belong to Jesus and we must go tell!

Belvedere: Yes! But there is so much more. (singing) I have a mission.
             I have a vision.

Jo-Jo: (Singing I have a...) you have got me doing it now.

A Secret Agent - Pat van Wyk

Belvedere: Hello everybody, my name is Belvedere.

Jo-Jo: Hi and my name is Jo-Jo.

Belvedere: Humming. Mmm

Jo-Jo: What are you doing?

Belvedere: I,m on a mission!

Jo-Jo: Oh, (silence) Are you an agent?

Belvedere: Yes!

Jo-Jo: (excitedly) Like, like 007 James Bond?

Belvedere: An agent, 007? Who is 007?

Jo-Jo: A secret agent of the police?

Belvedere: No, the secret is out and it must be told.

I am on a Mission - Pat van Wyk

You can view the puppet show here, or download a printable PDF here


I am a Jesus Child


Belvedere: Hello Jo-Jo.

Jo-Jo: Hello Belvedere.

Belvedere: (humming) I am on a mission.

Jo-Jo: What's up?

Belvedere: Its bubbling up inside of me.

Jo-Jo: Did you have something bad to eat, Belvedere?

Belvedere: No.

Jo-Jo: Let me feel your stomach? (put your hand on his tummy)

Belvedere: I'm fine Jo-Jo, its not my stomach it is
in my heart.

Holy Spirit Puppet Show - Pat van Wyk

Index:


Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
Lesson 5
Lesson 6
Lesson 7


Holy Spirit

Lesson 1


Tinkie + Pinkie: Hello everybody! How are you today?
Wait for response…

God is Father Puppet Show - Pat van Wyk

Foreword:


Thank you to Gert & Sonika Cumm for the photo.


Index:


Chapter One: FATHER MEANS DADDY
Chapter Two: FATHER GOD CARES FOR AND LOVES US.
Chapter Three: GOD’S LOVE
Chapter Four: THE FATHER KNEW US BEFORE WE WERE BORN
Chapter Five: PRAY TO THE FATHER
Chapter Six: SPEND TIME WITH GOD
Chapter Seven: PRAY IN JESUS NAME
Chapter Eight: HOLY SPIRIT
Chapter Nine: SUMMARY

Psalm 18:2 - Pat van Wyk

Written in 2005

Acknowledgement


I would like to thank my son Tienie for editing this book and for all the help that he gave me in putting this book together.

Many thanks to my Cell group, my Husband and also my Mother who worked on Psalm 18:2 with me; Odette and Mark who helped proof read it.

Introduction


Psalm 18 verse 2, has always intrigued me. We read the Bible but do we understand the words - even the simple and easy to understand words. Does it really sink in? Does it mean anything to you? Yes, Psalm 18:2 is a lovely verse.

When I found out the meaning of the words in the Psalm, I found real meaning in praying this verse over and over again. I have found since then, that it has become a real anchor to me and I pray the Holy Spirit will break it open to you in a very real way.

Tuesday 6 October 2015

All things begin and end with Jesus - Pat van Wyk

Index:


Lesson 1 We can approach the Lord with confidence
Lesson 2 We need to believe
Lesson 3 Trust
Lesson 4 Faithful
Lesson 5 We are heirs of Jesus
Lesson 6 Jesus our salvation
Lesson 7 The Holy One of God / son of man
Lesson 8 God’s children
Lesson 9 The Holy Spirit is a gift
Lesson 10 Victory
Lesson 11 Forgiveness by the blood
Lesson 12 Jesus the source
Lesson 13 Holy Spirit
Lesson 14 A new Spirit
Lesson 15 Why do we need the Holy Spirit?
Lesson 16 What does the Spirit do for us?
Lesson 17 Receive the Holy Spirit, with evidence of tongues
Conclusion
Summary

Monday 5 October 2015

Why Pray?


This has been complied from the sermon series “Why Pray”, by Grant Comely and adapted for the Children’s Church by Pat van Wyk.

Let us teach the children about Jesus from a small age. Praying is so important, so let us teach them to pray.

Foreword:


Prayer is the most powerful weapon known to mankind. It brings solutions and brings God onto the scene. Phillip Brooks said one of the most powerful statements that I have ever heard concerning prayer. He said Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance, but taking a hold of His willingness. Prayer seems to do something about the human heart. It has a tendency to give hope and stimulate faith. People who are in the habit of practicing prayer, seem to be happier and healthier as human beings.

This course entitled “Why Pray” is dynamic in the fact that it will help you establish a powerful prayer life. My personal opinion is that this should be approached with the greatest dedication and commitment, as prayer is not something that we do as a ritual to please God, but something that we do to find life.

Grant Comley

Lesson One

  • Welcome
  • Birthdays
  • Register
  • Praise and Worship

What the teacher needs to do: Repeat the memory verse often. Read James 5:13-19 to familiarize yourself with the scripture. The answers are given below the questions.

Memory Verse: James 5:13 “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” NIV

Ask the question: Why must we Pray?
To talk to God.

Question: what must we do when we are suffering or sick?
Pray – talk to God the Father.

Question: what must we do if we are cheerful?
Sing psalms and sing songs of praise.

Summary:

Father God gives us a free choice. When we pray, we are asking Him to help us. We are also telling Him how much we love Him when we sing. We need to pray to ask God to come into our problem and help us, in the name of Jesus. That means our prayers are powerful.

Question: Why are our prayers powerful?

Because we are praying in the name of Jesus.
We are teaching the children to pray and the power of prayer.
If you believe that Jesus died for you, you have the right to use his Name.

Repeat the memory verse a few times and encourage them until they can repeat it.

Encourage them to pray individually.

Lesson Two


  • Welcome
  • Birthdays
  • Register
  • Praise and Worship

Teacher – Read James 5:13b and explain. Read Eph 5:19-20.

Memory Verse: James 5:13b “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” NIV

What does it mean? When things are bad pray, when things are good praise? Last week we learnt that prayer is to talk to God. Now let us take a look at the second part of the sentence.

When things are good “You should sing praises.”  We all like to sing when we are happy. It is not easy to sing when we are sad. When we sing, we are glorifying God. Which simply means we give God all the glory, we say “His the best”  “His everything” “He is all” Read Eph 5:19-20.

Praise comes from the feeling of love in your heart. Singing praise songs to God the Father shows love in your heart for Him. We pick up the phone and we talk on it. Let us talk to God in prayer often.

Repeat the memory verse and let them pray. Let them sing something as a demonstration.



Lesson Three: Why must we pray?


  • Welcome
  • Birthdays
  • Register
  • Praise and Worship

Teacher: Read James 5:16b and 2 Corinthians 5:21. Let the children play the memory verse with a mirror. Look into the mirror and say the verse, if they cannot remember the class repeats it with them. Let each child have a turn. It is fun. Repeat the summary so that the children learn to remember what they have learnt.

Memory verse James 5:16b “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” NIV

Read 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Jesus died for us. Now we stand righteous in Gods sight. Jesus paid the price for our sins. He fixed everything that was wrong between us and God. Jesus took our sins on Him. Now we can go to God the Father and ask anything in Jesus name. In Jesus name we have authority and Power. Because we are forgiven, we are free. We can pray boldly and confidently to the Father in the name of Jesus.

Righteous meaning we are in right standing with God.

SUMMARY:

So far we have learnt – prayer is talking to God. Praise comes from the feeling of love in your heart. Singing praise songs shows love in your heart. Now we are learning about the power of prayer. Jesus bought back our sins. We are free and forgiven. In Jesus name we have authority and power, boldness and confidence when we pray.

Teacher: Pray a powerful pray short and sweet ending with the name of Jesus.


Lesson Four: Learn to pray in the name of Jesus


  • Welcome
  • Birthdays
  • Register
  • Praise and Worship

Teacher – Read John 14:12-14 Exodus 15:26, Psalm 35:27

Memory Verse: John 14:14 “ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” NIV Remember to repeat it a few times and at the end.

(Play a game with the children before starting).
Call out one of the children’s names. He will answer. Do this to a few. Then explain, why did you answer? because you called my name.

Jesus hears us when we pray. Why will he give us what we ask for? Because the bible teachers us that He wants to. He wants to heal us. He wants to protect us. But you have to pray in his nature and character. That means if you ask Him something in His nature, He will do it. Remember that Jesus will not do magic because He is the Son of God, He will do it Super-naturally. It simply means He will always do what He thinks is the best for us, even when we don’t understand or see it.

All He asks us in the Bible is to believe. What must we believe? That He paid the price for us. He took our sin on Him by dying on the cross for us. In the time Jesus was born people were named after there character. It meant their names had meanings. Jesus means Saviour.

If you believe you have power in the name of Jesus.

Let the children pray for each other.

                                                 

Lesson Five: Goodness


  • Welcome
  • Birthdays
  • Register
  • Praise and Worship

Teacher: Read Jeremiah 29:11 and John 5:14-15
Jeremiah 29:11 type out, then cut the piece into four pieces so that the children can put it together like a puzzle as they cannot read.

Memory Verse 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you.”

Play the memory verse letting each child have a turn. If the class is big split them into two teams and let them say the verse as they build it and see which team wins. Have fun.

Let the children settle down. Summarize the verse.

God loves us. He has a plan and a purpose for our lives. God will give us far more than we ask for.

Read John 5: 14-15 slowly to them explaining it to them.


Lesson 6: How must we pray?


  • Welcome
  • Birthdays
  • Register
  • Praise and Worship

Teacher: Read Mark 11:24 Type out 3 words each on a separate piece of paper and cut out. Believe Don’t Doubt. Use 3 Dirt Bins, press-stick and 3 balls. Paste each word on a dirt bin. Let each child say the word out aloud of each on the bin, through the ball in (netball) Read Mark 11:22-24.

Memory Verse: Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” NIV

Play the memory game. Let each child have a turn.

Each child must repeat the words on the bin before throwing the ball.

Let the whole class repeat it at the end. Ask a few to the say the memory verse. Have fun.

End with Prayer.


Lesson 7: Faith and believing


  • Welcome
  • Birthdays
  • Register
  • Praise and Worship

Teacher – Read Mark11:24. Have enough sweets. Take a sweet put your hands behind your back, now put a sweet in one hand close your hands and let the children chose a hand. Let each child have a turn. If they choose correctly the sweet is there’s if not eat the sweet and see the look of dismay on their faces. When you have gone through give the children each a sweet that did not get one. It makes them determined to get it right. Repeat the memory verse. Do you believe you will receive? Let them choose a hand. Read Mark 5:25-34.

Memory Verse: Mark 11:24 (b) “Believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” NIV

Read from Mark 5:25-34 slowly and explain as you go.

The three important keys in this lesson is:

First key is verse 27 – She heard
Second key is verse 28 – She said
Third key is She told

Ask if any need prayer. Let them also pray out loud.


Lesson 8: Summary


  • Welcome
  • Birthdays
  • Register
  • Praise and Worship

Teacher: Summary of all Memory verses. Choose one of the memory games and play it again.

Lesson – Let’s tell it almost like a story.

Prayer is Powerful. Prayer brings an answer to everything. When things are bad we must pray and talk to Jesus. When things are going good we must sing praises.

What does it mean to sing praises? It means we love Jesus deep down in our hearts.

Jesus died on the cross for us. His blood covers our sins, if we believe we can pray in His name.

Father God knows the plans He has for us. (Jeremiah 29:11) Things only we can do because we are special. God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. All we have to do is to believe. What must we believe? That Jesus died on the cross for you and me.


Use this time for an altar call. Prepare teachers and helpers before hand.

This has been such a privilege to share with you. My prayer for you is that you daily build your prayer life into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Love in Christ,
Pat.

God is incredible - Pat van Wyk

Cell and Bible Study Guide


Pat van Wyk


CONTENTS


Introduction                                              
Chapter One - God is amazing          
Chapter Two - God is our Protector
Chapter Three - Good News  
Chapter Four - God’ Love   
Chapter Five -  Preparing the Disciples 
Chapter Six - The Death of Jesus
Chapter Seven - The Risen Christ 

Sunday 4 October 2015

Thankfulness

I was asked to share a short message at Gateway Christian Fellowship, and wanted to upload the sermon here as well for you. 

Thankfulness

Thankfulness is vital, as it helps us to stay positive and helps to build our faith. When we become despondent or when we worry we limit God's work in our lives.