1 of 25. A Heart of Compassion for Children in Haiti. Scripture reading: Mark 8:1-8 (ERV)

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1 A Heart of Compassion for Children in Haiti Scripture reading: Mark 8:1-8 (ERV) 1 of 25 Jesus Feeds the 4000 Another time there were many people with Jesus. The people had nothing to eat. So he called his followers to him and said, I feel sorry for these people. They have been with me for three days, and now they have nothing to eat. I should not send them home hungry. If they leave without eating, they will faint on the way home. Some of them live a long way from here. Jesus followers answered, But we are far away from any towns. Where can we get enough bread to feed all these people? Then Jesus asked them, How many loaves of bread do you have? They answered, We have seven loaves of bread. Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread into pieces and gave them to his followers. He told them to give the bread to the people, and they did as he said. The followers also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for the fish and told them to give the fish to the people. They all ate until they were full. Then the followers filled seven baskets with the pieces of food that were left.

2 A Heart of Compassion for Children in Haiti Earthquake in Haiti Leaves Children Homeless and Hungry 1 of 25 Throughout Haiti, families live in economically oppressed areas. Food scarcity is of constant concern, and people are hungry and desperate. Discuss: What does Daily Bread mean in the context of physical and spiritual poverty? Memorize: Mark 8:1-3 (ERV) Another time there were many people with Jesus. The people had nothing to eat. So he called his followers to him and said, I feel sorry for these people. They have been with me for three days, and now they have nothing to eat. I should not send them home hungry. If they leave without eating, they will faint on the way home. Some of them live a long way from here. Pray: Pray for the children of Haiti as they continue to suffer from the devastation of the 2010 earthquake.

3 Just as the star guided the Wise Men to Jesus, the Bible is a light to the path of those who believe, in Haiti and everywhere. 2 of 25 Scripture reading: Matthew 2:1-2 (ERV) Wise Men Come to Visit Jesus Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time when Herod was king. After Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked people, Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him. God s Word Providing Guiding Light Amidst the Poverty in Haiti Life in Port-au-Prince, Haiti s capital city is at best a daily challenge. Although tourist areas display richness and beauty, behind the city walls the desperate cry of loneliness and destitution echo through crowded streets.

4 Just as the star guided the Wise Men to Jesus, the Bible is a light to the path of those who believe, in Haiti and everywhere. Discuss: What does it mean when God s Word is called a spiritual lamp? Memorize: Matthew 2:9-10 & Psalm 119:105 (ERV) 2 of 25 After the wise men heard the king, they left. They saw the same star they had seen in the east, and they followed it. The star went before them until it stopped above the place where the child was. They were very happy and excited to see the star. Psalm 119:105: Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take. Pray: Pray that Oranio will continue to serve God faithfully and lead many to faith in Jesus in Haiti.

5 Cambodian Christians finally find peace, joy and, ultimately, rest, in Jesus. 3 of 25 Scripture reading: Matthew 11:25-30 (ERV) Rest in Me Then Jesus said, I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I am thankful that you have hidden these things from those who are so wise and so smart. But you have shown them to people who are like little children. Yes, Father, you did this because it s what you really wanted to do. My Father has given me everything. No one knows the Son only the Father knows the Son. And no one knows the Father only the Son knows the Father. And the only people who will know about the Father are those the Son chooses to tell. Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest. Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is light.

6 Cambodian Christians finally find peace, joy and, ultimately, rest, in Jesus. Cambodians learn that Jesus provides rest for their souls 3 of 25 In the wake of the brutal realities of war, and a ravaged land, the Lord is using every avenue to reach the people of Cambodia, even chickens. Discuss: How can the Lord use ordinary and surprising things to help us learn how to rest in Him? Memorize: Matthew 11:28-30 (ERV) Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest. Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is light. Pray: Pray for the unbelievers in Cambodia: that they would learn that true rest comes from the grace of Jesus Christ.

7 The Gospel is encouraging Hindus in Nepal to turn to Christ 4 of 25 Scripture reading: Romans 15:2-7 (ERV) Encourage One Another... but do what pleases them and is for their good. We should do whatever helps everyone grow stronger in faith. Even Christ did not live trying to please himself. As the Scriptures say about him, Those people who insulted you have also insulted me. Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. Those things were written so that we could have hope. That hope comes from the patience and encouragement that the Scriptures give us. All patience and encouragement come from God. And I pray that God will help you all agree with each other, as Christ Jesus wants. Then you will all be joined together. And all together you will give glory to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ accepted you, so you should accept each other. This will bring honor to God.

8 The Gospel is encouraging Hindus in Nepal to turn to Christ Hindus in Nepal Are Turning to Christ Nepali Hindus live as exiles, isolated from the world and living in extreme poverty in refugee camps on $220 a year. It is to these poorest of the poor that the Bible is having the greatest impact. 4 of 25 Discuss: What are the intangible riches of the Bible that encourage you most? Memorize: Romans 15:4-6 (ERV) Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. Those things were written so that we could have hope. That hope comes from the patience and encouragement that the Scriptures give us. All patience and encouragement come from God. And I pray that God will help you all agree with each other, as Christ Jesus wants. Then you will all be joined together. And all together you will give glory to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray: Pray for the Christian workers in Nepal as they travel to remote villages bringing the encouraging news of the Gospel.

9 A Drug Addict Seeking Shelter Finds Christ 5 of 25 Scripture reading: Psalm 91 (ERV) Dwelling in the Shelter of the Most High You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection. I say to the LORD, You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you. God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases. You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield. You will have nothing to fear at night and no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day. You will have no fear of diseases that come in the dark or terrible suffering that comes at noon. A thousand people may fall dead at your side or ten thousand right beside you, but nothing bad will happen to you! All you will have to do is watch, and you will see that the wicked are punished. You trust in the LORD for protection. You have made God Most High your place of safety. So nothing bad will happen to you. No diseases will come near your home. He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. Their hands will catch you so that you will not hit your foot on a rock. You will have power to trample on lions and poisonous snakes. The Lord says, If someone trusts me, I will save them. I will protect my followers who call to me for help. When my followers call to me, I will answer them. I will be with them when they are in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will give my followers a long life and show them my power to save.

10 A Drug Addict Seeking Shelter Finds Christ A Drug Addict Seeking Shelter Finds Christ 5 of 25 At the end of her rope, a drug addict sought the protection of a physical shelter, but instead found the spiritual shelter of grace through Jesus Christ. Discuss: Though physical shelter is a necessity, why is the spiritual shelter of grace just as important? Memorize: Psalm 91:1-2 (ERV) You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection. I say to the LORD, You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you. Pray: Pray for those that are seeking physical shelter: that they would find the shelter of the Lord s grace and mercy.

11 Mozambique Orphans are Thriving in the Knowledge of the Gospel 6 of 25 Scripture reading: Matthew 25:31-40 (ERV) The Least of These The Son of Man will come again with divine greatness, and all his angels will come with him. He will sit as king on his great and glorious throne. All the people of the world will be gathered before him. Then he will separate everyone into two groups. It will be like a shepherd separating his sheep from his goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to the godly people on his right, Come, my Father has great blessings for you. The kingdom he promised is now yours. It has been prepared for you since the world was made. It is yours because when I was hungry, you gave me food to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I had no place to stay, you welcomed me into your home. When I was without clothes, you gave me something to wear. When I was sick, you cared for me. When I was in prison, you came to visit me. Then the godly people will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you with no place to stay and welcome you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you? Then the king will answer, The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.

12 Mozambique Orphans are Thriving in the Knowledge of the Gospel Mozambique Orphans are Lost and Alone 6 of 25 In all of Africa, Mozambique is home to the most orphans: lost, lonely and desperate. When these orphans are cared for and introduced to Jesus, they grow in inches as well as in knowledge and love of the Lord. Discuss: Why are orphans and our treatment of the least of these so important in the eyes of the Lord? Memorize: Matthew 25:37-40 (ERV) Then the godly people will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you with no place to stay and welcome you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you? Then the king will answer, The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me. Pray: Pray for the orphans in Mozambique: that they would grow in knowledge and love for Jesus.

13 Bringing Salvation to the Hearts of Muslim Children Scripture reading: Romans 10:8-15 (ERV) 7 of 25 This is what the Scripture says: God s teaching is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart. It is the teaching of faith that we tell people. If you openly say, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from death, you will be saved. Yes, we believe in Jesus deep in our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we openly say that we believe in him, and so we are saved. Yes, the Scriptures say, Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed. It says this because there is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is the Lord of all people. And he richly blesses everyone who looks to him for help. Yes, everyone who trusts in the Lord will be saved. But before people can pray to the Lord for help, they must believe in him. And before they can believe in the Lord, they must hear about him. And for anyone to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them. And before anyone can go and tell them, they must be sent. As the Scriptures say, How wonderful it is to see someone coming to tell good news!

14 Bringing Salvation to the Hearts of Muslim Children The Gift of the Gospel Brings the Joy of Salvation 7 of 25 Receiving the gift of a Bible has given Muslim children the joy of Christ s salvation in their heart. Discuss: Why are children s hearts more open to responding to salvation through Christ? Memorize: Romans 10:8-10 (ERV) This is what the Scripture says: God s teaching is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart. It is the teaching of faith that we tell people. If you openly say, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from death, you will be saved. Yes, we believe in Jesus deep in our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we openly say that we believe in him, and so we are saved. Pray: Pray for the Lord to raise up a generation of Christians among the Muslim children of Albania.