Sunday Celebration

Good Morning!

You can join in our Sunday Celebration from here, on Facebook Live from 10:30am or from our YouTube Channel.

Thanks so much for joining us. Our time of worship is in the same video as the welcome and follows on after Gavin and Hayley.

Today's Talk

Watch today's talk from Soroush (with an Alpha interview at the beginning).

Time to Pray

We would love to give you an opportunity to respond to what was shared this morning. If you are watching this with your children, encourage them to get involved with the prayer response too.

• Ask God to show you if you've been mistaking self-reliance/self-dependence with the fruit of self-control.
• Ask God by His grace to develop self-control in you and in the church and for us to see it as a great blessing rather than a burden.
• How could you show self-control in your life this week? - Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to do this.
• Pray that churches across Teesside would be those that truly display loving, grace-filled self-control to this place.

For Children

Story

Watch this story, told by some of our Jubilee youth! If you want to read the story yourself click here.

• In what ways did the Monk show self control? 
• Why did he not tell the shopkeeper that his customer was a thief?  

It seems the Monk was more concerned about the Robber, than his own sadness at losing his most treasured possession. 

The Monk was trusting in God to move in the heart of the Robber, and decided not to take action himself.  If he told the Shopkeeper that his customer was a thief, perhaps the Robber would deny it and lie.  He would not want the Robber to lie due to his accusation of theft.  

It may seem that the Monk was weak by not chasing after the Robber, or by not telling the Shopkeeper that his customer was a thief.  However, he showed strong character in putting aside his sadness at losing his most treasured item, and concentrating on caring about the Robber.    

He sees the Shopkeepers' visit as part of God's care, and answers the question regarding how much the Bible is worth. When the Shopkeeper innocently tells the Robber how much the Bible is worth, the Robber cannot believe why the Monk did not accuse him of theft.  Though his only interest was in the money he would gain from selling the Bible, he cannot sell it now.  When he confronts the Monk and the Monk tells him, he is forgiven.  It is almost too much for him to believe.  Suddenly, this Monk, demonstrating self control, forgiveness and love, melts his heart and empowers him to change his ways. 

It takes mature faith, love and self-control to behave as the Monk did and show such love to the Robber. And he was able to take the Robber on a journey to grow in self control and love for others.     

(Thoughts adapted from: https://www.maristmessenger.co.nz/2012/04/01/the-monk-and-the-bible/ - The Robber and the Monk is a variation of this story)

Resist! - Extra Video

Memory Verse

Titus 2:11-12 New International Version (NIV)
'For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age'

Learn the memory verse with this song!

What does self-control mean?

Self-control is saying “no” to ungodliness (behaviour that does not please God) and worldly passions (allowing things to be so important to you that they contribute to sinful behaviour). The Bible indicates that everyone is to be self-controlled. When we choose to have the Holy Spirit live inside of us, God helps us to maintain self-control. Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Ask God to help you remember to ask for help when you are tempted to lose self-control.

Craft
(adapted by https://www.mrsjonescreationstation.com/self-control-chart/)

This is a reminder to: 

1. Stop and ask God for help; 
2. Pray, ask God to show us what to do and fill us with His Holy Spirit; and  
3. Go, walking with Him in faith and obedience.

What you need: thin card/cereal box, sellotape, colouring pens, glitter, and scissors. Adapt as desired!

Instructions:

See the photos below for guidance. Cut a strip of card 24cm x 9cm.  Round off the corners.  Title the card 'Stay in Control'.  Cut 3 slots 4cm slots long each side: 2cm in from each side, and from the top at measurements 5-9 cm, 11-15 cm and  17-21 cm. 

Cut three strips of card 3 1/2 cm x 18cm. Draw three circles on each smaller strip of card (3 cm diameter at even intervals).  One strip will have red circles, one amber circles, and one green circles.  Draw, write and colour the circles as follows and see photo 2 for guidance.  Decorate with glitter if desired and allow to dry. 

Red strip: red circle; Hand sign to indicate stop and write 'STOP'; and 'STOP WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO DO OR SAY'.  
Amber strip: amber/orange circle; praying hands picture with 'PRAY'; and 'THINK AND PRAY ABOUT YOUR CHOICES'.
Green strip: green circle; hand to indicate 'go' and write 'GO'; and 'DO WHAT WILL PLEASE GOD'. 
Insert the strips into the title card, in order of red, amber and green.   Put sellotape tabs on each end of the strips to stop them coming out.   

Write a prayer around the edge of the 'Stay in Control' Traffic Lights in red, orange and green as follows (or adapt as desired).  "LORD JESUS, I NEED YOUR HELP.  SHOW ME WHAT TO DO AND FILL ME WITH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, SO THAT I MAY WALK WITH YOU IN FAITH AND OBEDIENCE.  AMEN" Decorate with glitter and colours as desired. 

Experiment

This experiment illustrates pressure building up inside the canister, then exploding!  Sometimes we may feel like that.  We may feel angry or frustrated, and that the pressure is building up inside of us.  We need to come to God, before we explode, and ask for His help to grow in self control.
Please Lord, help us to grow in self - control.  We need your help Lord.  Amen  

You will need: a fizzy tablet such as Vitamin C or Alka-Seltzer, water, film canister (or the canister, if the fizzy tablets came in one).  It is best to do the experiment outside with adult supervision!  Stand well back before the canister explodes. See the video below for the method.

Questions

• Can you think of something you do that does not please God?
• Have you ever wanted something so much that you had a tantrum when you were told you couldn't have it?
• What is self-control?
• Who needs to be self-controlled?
• Why do we need to be self-controlled?
• When are you most tempted to lose self-control?

Prayer

Dear God, if I am upset and getting close to losing self-control, please remind me to ask for the help of your Holy Spirit.  Please forgive me for losing self-control at times.  I know it does not please You. Please help me to be full of Your Holy Spirit so I can be self-controlled. Amen.

(from: https://www.kidsofintegrity.com/lessons/self-control/kids-talk-god)

Want to know more about want it means to become a Christian?

Becoming a Christian is about following Jesus and starting a friendship with him. Watch this short video below which explains more.

We also love Alpha here at Jubilee! For more about our upcoming Alpha course starting on Monday 8th June click here. If you want to watch the first session of Alpha click here.

You can also contact us if you'd like to talk with someone about becoming a Christian or just want to know more!

Want to Give?

We know that a number of you give on a Sunday morning through the collection. There's still an opportunity to give through our giving page. Alternatively you can find all the details there to make a gift through your bank.

Stay in touch

More than ever, this is a time to encourage, support and pray for each other. Please do contact those people you know or that might need extra help. If you want to contact one of the leadership team, use the contact us page and one of us will be in touch.

If you're new to Jubilee, we're super-excited you could join us today. Feel free to contact us if you'd like more information and do join us again next week!