Hi Gang!
You know, when construction workers build a building, they use all sorts of tools! The same is true when God builds us into Christian kids.
Construction workers use things like a wrench, a hammer, a level, a saw. What tools does God use? Would you believe a wrench, a level, a hammer or a saw?
We will see how God can use different tools in your life. Now we will see how God can use a SAW.
God uses a saw in our lives like a carpenter uses a saw when he builds a house. A saw is used to cut away the pieces of wood that don't belong in order to make the board fit.
When there are things in our lives that shouldn't be there, what does God use?
One tool God uses is the church! Other Christians are around us so that we can learn from their teaching and example what parts of our lives don't fit into Christian behavior. A saw is just one tool, but it has lots and lots of little teeth to do the work. A church is one of God's tools, but it has lots and lots of people to do the work!
The Bible says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17) This means that one person can help another person become better and more holy for God.
Your parents are always concerned about the friends you have. They want to make sure that the people you are with will help you become a better and better Christian. The BEST way to do that is to make sure to have Christian friends around you. Then you can help each other be better Christians.
Some people think that they don't need to go to church and be around other Christians. They think that they can do it all by themselves. But the Bible says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25) We can only learn from other Christians if we are around other Christians!
Sometimes we need someone to tell us that what we are doing is wrong. We usually don't like that when it happens, it hurts! But when it is done, we look more and more like the kind of people God wants us to be, and that is GREAT! The Bible says "My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth, and someone should bring him back, remember this: whoever turns a sinner away from his error will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)
Nobody can do everything. Some people are very good at studying and teaching about God. Others are very good at encouraging others in their Christian lives. And others are really great at praying for others. When we gather together in church we can take advantage of what all the other people can do for Jesus! (Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12)
Sometimes we may not want to go to church. Maybe we would rather play, or watch TV. Maybe we don't think church is very fun! But God wants us to go to church because he has put many people there to help shape us into the Christian kids he wants us to be.
MacGillicuddy Monster
Bramwell United Methodist Church
Box 306
Bramwell, WV 24715
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