Posts

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Children: participants in the ministry of the kingdom of God Bible Reading: : John 6:1-14 Key verse :    “Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.” — John 6:11 DEVOTION The miracle of feeding the five thousand is one of the few events recorded in all four Gospels, showing its deep significance in the life and ministry of Jesus. This story is not merely about satisfying physical hunger—it reveals Jesus as the Bread of Life who satisfies every spiritual need. A young boy, with only five barley loaves and two small fish, becomes a vital part of this divine act. What seems small and insignificant in human eyes becomes a source of abundance in the hands of Jesus. The boy’s willingness to offer what little he had reminds us that God can multiply even our smallest gifts when we surrender them to Him. Jesus did not create food out of nothing; He began with what was available. He blessed it, broke it, and shared it...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Hearing God’s voice in the tender years Bible Reading: :  1 Samuel 3:1-12 Key verse :    “So, Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’” So, Samuel went and lay down in his place.  The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”  Then Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”  (1 Samuel 3:9-10) DEVOTION Samuel’s calling as a young boy while serving in the temple under Eli the priest comes during a period when God’s divine revelations and visions were rare.  Sameul had not yet known how to recognize God was calling him.  Eli a guiding factor in Samuel’s life helped perceive it was God’s voice calling to him and teaches him to heed God’s voice.  Guidance from Eli helps Samuel to pay attention and answer God’s calling.  Judgment for Eli and his family is revealed by God to Samuel.  Samuel’s role as a prophet has it’s begin...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Greatness in the kingdom: becoming like a child Bible Reading: : Matthew 18:1-14 Key verse :    “And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 DEVOTION We are all proud to be Marthomites. We share the history of our church, dating back to St Thomas the Apostle. Many times, we tend to be complacent with our weekly Sunday services and the Holy Communion, just like Pharisees with their rituals in the temple. Jesus Christ urges us to change the status quo and to be like children to enter the kingdom of heaven.  The nature of children is to be curious and think critically without being judgmental, hypocritical or presumptive. Being like little children is hard work; it takes you out of your comfort zone, to take up the lowly position, to be innocent and honest with words and deeds. It reminds us of the fact that being a follower of Jesus Christ is not easy; it challenges ...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Rooted in God’s wisdom from an early age. Bible Reading: :  Proverbs 3: 1-8 Key verse :    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3: 5-6 DEVOTION Verses five and six of Proverbs are among the most cherished words in Scripture. They call us into a life of complete dependence on God—a wholehearted commitment to His wisdom above our own. This is the Father’s desire for His children: that we would lean fully upon Him and rest in His guidance. Abraham, the “father of faith,” shows us both the strength and struggle of trust. When he believed God’s promise, it was counted to him as righteousness (Ro. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Jas.  2:23 ). Yet when he leaned on his own understanding—fleeing to Egypt during famine (Gen.  12:10–20 ) or seeking a son through his own plan (Gen. 16:1–4)—he faltered. His story reminds us that faith is not born from reasoning in the mind but from believing with the heart. God speaks the same assur...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Forum

-
  Theme: A child’s courage that led to healing Bible Reading: : 2 Kings 5:1–14 Key verse :    “One day she said to her mistress, “I wish that my master could go to the prophet who lives in Samaria! He would cure him of his disease.”– 2 Kings 5:3 DEVOTION We are all too familiar with the story of Naaman the leper. Yet, my hope is to present a unique perspective that draws us closer to God.  Naaman, Commander of the Syrian Army was held in high esteem due to his military accomplishments. What is striking, is that the Lord had granted victory to the Syrian forces! Contrary to popular belief, we see that even in the Old Testament God was ruler of the whole world and not just for the chosen people of Israel.  Naaman was respected as a great soldier but was struck with the dreaded disease of leprosy. Even as we ride the waves of success, God can rock the boat and ground us. The essence of this passage lies in the faith of the little Israelite girl who served as t...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Partnering in God’s mission Bible Reading: : Mark  10: 13-16 Key verse :    “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. – Mark 10:15 DEVOTION Children are innocent and curious. Their minds are unblemished and they are pure at heart. They do not have ill intentions. They are clueless and helpless. Their hearts and minds are observing, exploring, delicate and malleable. They need care, protection and guidance and they fully trust their guardians to lead them. In this passage Jesus tells the disciples “Let the little children come to me, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” He says that the kingdom of God belongs to those with hearts and spirits that are innocent, pure, flawless and delicate. Have we looked into ourselves and asked if we are as blameless as we think we are? Are we curious to learn, observe, and explore God’s love for us? How many times do we assume that we know better? How man...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Love Beyond Bloodlines and Sibling Rivalry: Shedding a New Light on an Old Commandment Bible Reading: : 1st John 2:7-11 Key verse :    Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light. (1st John 2:9,10) DEVOTION Recently I read about sibling rivalry in the animal kingdom in a science magazine. The naked mole-rats have nearly a hundred siblings from the same mother. The older ones usually force the younger ones to move out of the way in their dwelling place which are the underground tunnel systems. Birds like the cattle egrets take sibling rivalry to a whole new fatal level. When one chick grows stronger than the other sibling, it will actually go to the extent of killing that sibling, throwing it out of the nest while the parent bird is away hunting for food and the siblings are home alone.  It turns out that animals and birds are not the only ones that struggle...
Read more