September 22, 2014

Children’s Readings

FIRST SABBATH

The “Serving With a Smile” Doctor

Dr. Lee was rushing through the narrow alleys of the dirty city with his medical bag to help a sick neighbor who had just collapsed on the floor of his home. After propping the man up on the bed and giving him some medication, Dr. Lee left quickly. He got into his car and drove immediately to the Sunshine Orphanage, where he helped check all 30 children for tuberculosis. What a busy day!

“You must be tired, dear,” Mrs. Lee said to her husband. “Come and rest awhile. I’ll give you a massage on your shoulders.”

“That feels good!” exclaimed Dr. Lee as he relaxed on the long sofa.

Suddenly a loud knock was heard at the front door. Dr. Lee sat up as Mrs. Lee ushered in a young couple carrying a girl. She was grimacing in pain.

“Please, please, Doctor, our eldest daughter is in great pain,” begged the young father. “We don’t know what is wrong with her.”

Dr. Lee immediately placed the sick girl on the couch and examined her thoroughly with his stethoscope and by pressing different parts of her tummy.

“She needs surgery immediately,” explained the doctor briskly. “It looks like appendicitis. I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

Early the next morning, after catching just five hours of sleep, Dr. Lee stopped by to check on the girl, who was sleeping peacefully after her operation. Then he looked at his watch and said to himself:
I’d better hurry.

Yes, another fund-raising event was waiting for the busy doctor to help launch for the public to raise money to buy wheelchairs for the physically disabled children. Dr. Lee loved to serve the people. Though tired, he served with a smile.

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* Texts credited to NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


SUNDAY

Sleepyhead Jeremy!

Wake up, Jeremy, wake up!” yelled Mother. “Get up now! You’ll be late for school!”

“Just two more minutes, please!” begged Jeremy as he turned over on the bed.

Jeremy had to be dragged out of bed practically every morning. He missed his school bus quite frequently. Soon his teacher called to say Jeremy was found sleeping in class quite a few times and that he did not turn in his homework.

“What’s happening to you, son?” asked Father and Mother one evening with great concern. “We have to talk!”

“Since you got your own computer, you have been going to bed very late,” said Mother with a note of sadness.

“I see you are missing Sabbath school, too,” Father interjected, also concerned.

“Sorry, Dad, I’m just too tired to get up,” apologized Jeremy.

“We have to limit your time with the computer starting today, Jeremy,” Father said firmly. “You need to go to bed early and have enough rest.”

“Do you know that your body is the temple of God?” asked Mother seriously.

“What does this have to do with my sleep?” Jeremy asked.

“A whole lot!” exclaimed Mother.

“It says in the Bible that God created us, and we are to honor Him with our time and energy. When we don’t have our eight-hour sleep, our bodies will not be able to rest enough to repair themselves. We’ll lose concentration, feel tired, and lack interest in many things, including spiritual things,” Mother continued.

“Remember, it works both ways. When you have a strong faith in God and your spiritual life is ‘thumbs up,’ you are healthier emotionally,” Father added with a smile.

“Guess I haven’t been studying my Sabbath school lesson regularly, and I’ve even missed Sabbath school, Mom and Dad,” said Jeremy with his head bowed.

“Do you know Satan is happy when you don’t take care of your body because you will have no energy for yourself and no time for Jesus?” Mother lovingly explained.

“Sorry, Mom. Will you pray for me that Jesus will give me power to live healthily—not to destroy my body temple?” requested Jeremy.

“Let’s do that right now,” said Father as the family knelt down together.

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* Texts credited to NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


MONDAY

Untiring Mission!

Young people, can you all help us today at the disaster relief shelter?” asked Mrs. Calkins earnestly as she gathered supplies from the church storeroom.

“Sure, ma’am, what can we do?” answered five of them.

“We need all the help we can get to serve food and pass out hygiene supplies for hundreds of these flood victims. Oh, and there are many children who need someone to hold them!” Mrs. Calkins explained.

“Mei, Jerry, Jose, Zach, and any willing soul, let’s go,” summoned the head leader of the neighborhood community center.

At the center everyone was so busy tending to so many needs of the young and old that they forgot how many hours they had been standing.

“Here, take some hot soup and bread to keep warm,” Zach said, smiling as he handed out bowls and bowls to hundreds of people who needed the meal at that moment.

“Let me help you, ma’am. You’ll need some dry clothes,” Mei said to a mother with two young children who were clinging tightly to her leg.

All these young volunteers worked tirelessly for the next three days at the shelter, doing their best to help those affected by the massive floods. A month later Mei, Jerry, Jose, Zach, and some others started to run the Neighborhood Bible Club for the children of these flood victims.

Prema and Paula helped out a couple of

times a week with the after-school care program down at the church. Many other church members volunteered for follow-up visitations of the affected families.

“But, Pastor Kim, I thought we already did so much to help so many people affected by the flood. Why are there more of these clubs and visitations?” Mei asked.

“Yes, Mei, Jesus taught us to serve people, but our concern must go beyond meeting people’s physical needs,” beamed Pastor Kim. “We must extend our love and service to their spiritual condition as well.”

“Oh, yes, our goal is to show the children who Jesus is and how He can change them and help them live a better life,” echoed Mrs. Calkins.

“Remember, when we serve and help others, we want to reach the
whole person! The whole is greater than the sum of its parts!” said the pastor.

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TUESDAY

Tutti-frutti Health

Hey, do you want to join us after school for a burger at McDonald’s?” asked Erika excitedly.

“No, I don’t think so,” Yuko declined politely.

“Why not? It’s yummy and cheap!” beamed Erika with a twinkle in her eyes. “Hey, girls, don’t you agree?”

“Don’t you know it’s not good for you?” a surprised Yuko asked. “Just look at all the grease and fat in the burger.”

“Don’t be such a health nut!” replied Erika. “One burger won’t kill you!”

“My mom said that if we eat healthfully, we grow stronger and smarter like Daniel. One more thing: we can be a good disciple of Jesus and can witness for Him,” Yuko said confidently.

“Is that why you always get good grades?” Erika added sarcastically.

“I agree—our science book said we should eat more fruits and vegetables,” interjected Kylie.

“Hey, why not eat some fruits or salad?” suggested Yuko eagerly. “I know of a great place for that!”

“That’s boring!” replied Erika with a sigh. “Are you sure you girls want to do that?”

“Well, let’s try to be healthy. Let’s go for the fruits and salads!” echoed the girls in unison.

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* Texts credited to NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


WEDNESDAY

Cheerful MaryAnn

Good morning, Jenny. It’s a wonderful day!” beamed MaryAnn as she drew back the curtains to let in the sunlight.

“Another dreadful day. What’s there to be happy about?” murmured Jenny with a frown.

“We can always rejoice in the Lord for another day of life, for the beautiful mountains that our eyes can see. What about great friends?” MaryAnn shouted joyfully.

“I’ll like to share Isaiah 43:2 with you. God has promised that He will be with us even through tough times,” MaryAnn said with great assurance.

Soon MaryAnn was maneuvering her wheelchair to the room of Carlos to brighten his day with a promise from the Bible and a prayer.

“Thanks a lot, MaryAnn—you just keep me going each day,” Carlos smiled with great appreciation.

Soon all the individuals from this nursing home gathered in the central hall for their morning activity, with MaryAnn leading out in joyful singing.

“Tell me one thing, MaryAnn: what makes you happy all the time? With your arthritis, knee replacement, heart problem, allergies, and other health problems, how can you be thankful and smiling all the time when you are aching all over?” asked Carlos curiously.

“When I am happy to live every moment of each day, I live longer. My health improves. Do you know that studies have shown that being happy and trusting in Jesus daily makes us able to deal with sickness and illnesses better?

A positive mental attitude is about believing in yourself, accepting whatever comes along, and learning to use whatever comes to grow and help others. You have less stress, and laughing a lot is excellent medicine!” exclaimed MaryAnn enthusiastically.

MaryAnn continued to cheer others and serve these residents of the nursing home for many more years. Indeed, her positive attitude was remembered fondly by many who had been blessed by her.


THURSDAY

Paired Witnesses

An-Na and Cheng-Chi hurried home after school to drop off their school bags. It was time for sharing the gospel with their neighbors. Yes, both good friends were challenged by their church pastor to share Jesus in their city neighborhood.

“Hurry, An-Na, let’s go before the rain comes!” exclaimed Cheng-Chi.

“Be patient, my friend. Oh, did you take some tracts and books to give away?” asked An-Na excitedly.

“Yes, I did. Let’s pray before we go. I am getting nervous, and we need Jesus to help us speak boldly,” Cheng-Chi suggested.

Soon the girls arrived at the first house at the end of the road. Cheng-Chi rang the doorbell, and a middle-age woman opened the door.

“What do you want? If you are selling me something, I don’t need anything,” the woman answered grouchily.

“Oh, no, we’re not selling anything,” Cheng-Chi said with a smile. “We just want to give you some free books and share Jesus with you.”

“Can you give us two minutes of your time, ma’am?” asked Cheng-Chi with a twinkle in her eye.

“OK, better make it fast, for I have to prepare dinner,” said the woman with a smile. “Well, why don’t you two come in, then?”

“Do you know Jesus loves you? He came to die for you and me. Look at this piece of paper,” Cheng-Chi continued to talk and tear the paper till it unfolded into a cross.

“Remember, we can go to God’s house in heaven only when we believe in Jesus, who died on the cross for us,” echoed An-Na.

“That is a beautiful story, girls!” the woman responded warmly. “Thank you for sharing that with me. Thank you for this free book. I will try to read it to see what it’s all about.”

“God bless you,” An-Na and Cheng-Chi waved happily as they went on to the next house to share the gospel story with another neighbor.


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* Texts credited to NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


FRIDAY

Gospel in Shoes

Listen up, juniors, we are going to participate in a wonderful project this month,” Mr. Salazar said excitedly.

“What are we doing?” Carlos asked.

“Beginning today, and for the next four Sabbaths, we are going to pass out flyers and
The Great Controversy to every home in our city of Buenos Aires,” explained Mr. Salazar.

“Wow! That’s a lot of weeks! Why are we doing that?” asked Yesely.

“Didn’t Jesus give us a command in the Bible that we are to go to all the world to preach the gospel?” asked Paulos.

“Yes, you are right, Paulos. Many people have not heard of the name of Jesus. That’s why we are all joining in this venture,” explained Mr. Salazar excitedly.

“OK, I would like to share Jesus!” Belchus exclaimed eagerly. “I’ll take 10 books.”

“Great! Count me in too! I’ll take 15 books,” echoed Jemina.

That afternoon a group of 20 energetic juniors gathered in the church parking lot, ready to get out to reach the huge city of Buenos Aires with the gospel flyers and books. They were ready to walk the streets to reach the world for Jesus!

“Boy, our legs are tired!” exclaimed the youngsters as they sat down after several hours of walking the city streets.

“Of course, we are tired, but do you know you are Jesus’ gospel in shoes?” Mr. Salazar said with a big smile on his face. “It’s as good as preaching a sermon!”

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* Texts credited to NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


SECOND SABBATH

Grandpa Ade

Let’s hurry, Abasi, Damisi, and Halima,” said Grandpa Ade to the three children. “We need to get these food baskets ready to go.”

“Almost done, Grandpa,” the three echoed in unison.

Grandpa Ade loved to help anyone in need in his neighborhood. He helped pay for their doctor’s fees, feed those who were hungry, get toys for the kids, and even let some who were homeless stay at the back of his house for a few nights.

Whenever a festival came around, he prepared baskets of food to take to the families living in the poorer part of the town. This year was no different.

“OK, children, do we have the address list ready?” asked Grandpa.

“Yes, yes, don’t worry, everything is in order,” the three children assured Grandpa. Together they started out on their distribution journey.

“Hi, Mrs. Mfumo, here is a food basket for you,” Abasi said excitedly as he handed the basket to the woman who answered the door.

“Thank you so much. How can I ever repay you?” said Mrs. Mfumo with a smile all over her face. “Oh, there’s food for my children!”

“No need to pay. We are always here for you,” replied Grandpa Ade kindly.

As the four continued from house to house, there was joy in their hearts as they shared with others the many blessings they had received from Jesus. They finally finished their distribution and sat down for a drink.

“Grandpa, why do you do this every year?” asked Halima.

“What if your money runs out?” Damisi

queried with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Children, Jesus has given us lots of blessings, and we should share them with others who have less,” Grandpa Ade explained. “But remember, by being interested in others we can help them know Jesus, who is the giver of all blessings.”

“You are right, Grandpa. I felt happy tonight when we passed out the food!” exclaimed Halima. “I want to do what Jesus tells us to do.”

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* Texts credited to NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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