Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

09/07/2025 The Kingdom Divided (1 Kings 11-13)

As you lead your children in the ways of Jesus, remember the story of Rehoboam, a king who ignored wise counsel and let pride divide a nation. His example shows that true leadership is not about power but about serving others with humility, just as Jesus did for us. God calls us to listen to His voice and walk in His ways rather than follow the crowd. Pray for the children in your care to grow in wisdom and choose to follow Jesus, the perfect leader who gave His life for us. Let your words, actions, and prayers guide them toward knowing and loving the one true God.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

08/31/2025 Wisdom of God’s People (Proverbs 1; 3-4)

What a gift it is to help your children grow in true wisdom by guiding them to know and trust the Lord. Solomon, the wisest man on earth, reminded us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. As you disciple your children, teach them to honor God as holy, to trust Him fully, and to seek His ways above all else. The wisdom found in Proverbs is not just about good choices but about knowing the One who gives life and direction. When you talk about God's truth at home, pray together, and model trust in Jesus, you are helping your children build a life that lasts. Ask God for the wisdom you need each day, and trust that He will give it generously as you lead your family in faith.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

08/24/2025 The Queen of Sheba Visited Solomon (1 Kings 10)

As you teach your children about the greatness of Jesus, help them see that He is far greater than even the wisest earthly king. The queen of Sheba was amazed by Solomon’s wisdom, but Jesus offers something even more powerful. He invites us into a relationship filled with true wisdom, love, and life. Talk with your children about how blessed we are to know and follow the King who rules with perfect justice and compassion. Encourage them to be in awe of Jesus, to trust His words, and to walk in His ways. Your faithful discipleship helps build a foundation for your children to grow in wisdom and love for their Savior. Keep going with hope, knowing the Lord is working through you.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

08/17/2025 Solomon Thought about Life (Ecclesiastes 1)

Ecclesiastes reminds us that the things of this world, like success, possessions, and even our best efforts, do not give lasting meaning apart from a life rooted in God. As you walk alongside your children in faith, help them understand that true purpose is found in knowing and following Jesus. Teach them that while the world may chase after empty things, Jesus offers something far greater. He gives us a life filled with eternal significance and joy. When your family seeks Him first, you are building a legacy that will last. Keep pointing their hearts toward the One who gives life in abundance and meaning that never fades. 

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

08/10/2025 Solomon Built the Temple (1 Kings 6-8)

As you disciple your children this week, help them see the incredible truth that God no longer needs a building to dwell with His people. Just as Solomon built the temple to honor God and make space for His presence, Jesus came so that we could experience God’s presence in our hearts every day. Through faith in Christ, your children can become living temples, filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to worship God wherever they go. Remind them that God keeps His promises and that His Spirit is always with them. As you pray together, read Scripture, and talk about God's faithfulness, you are helping your children build a foundation that will last forever. 

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

08/03/2025 Solomon Became King (1 Kings 2-3)

As you disciple your children this week, take heart in knowing that God delights in giving wisdom to those who seek Him. Like Solomon, who humbly asked for wisdom to lead well, your desire to guide your children in God’s ways is a beautiful act of faith. Even more amazing is the truth that Jesus Himself is our perfect wisdom, and through Him, we gain everything we need to walk in righteousness and truth. As you talk with your children, help them see that true wisdom isn’t just about making good choices, it’s about knowing and following Jesus. Ask the Lord to grow a heart of wisdom in your home, and trust that He is working through your faithful efforts, one conversation and one prayer at a time.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

07/27/2025 David Sinned and Was Restored (2 Samuel 11-12; Psalm 51)

As you spend time with your children this week, talk about how even someone like King David, a man after God's own heart, needed God's mercy and forgiveness. In 2 Samuel 11–12 and Psalm 51, we see the weight of sin, but even more, we see the beauty of true repentance and God's amazing grace. Help your kids understand that while sin separates us from God, He lovingly invites us back through Jesus. Encourage your children to be honest with God, to ask for forgiveness, and to trust in the Savior who makes our hearts clean. What a gift it is to walk in restoration together as a family!

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

07/20/2025 David Became King (2 Samuel 5; 7)

God is always faithful to his promises, and we see this beautifully in how he established an everlasting kingdom through David’s family, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. David wanted to build a house for God, but it was Solomon who built the temple, and Jesus who came to dwell with us as God in flesh, bringing the kingdom of God near. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus made a way for us to be part of God's family, not because of anything we have done, but because of his great love for us. As you lead the kids in your family, be encouraged that you are helping little hearts understand this life-changing truth. We are invited into God's family and into his forever kingdom. What a beautiful hope to share with the next generation.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

07/13/2025 David Showed Mercy (1 Samuel 24)

David trusted God to fulfill His promise and chose to wait on God's perfect timing instead of taking matters into his own hands. He showed mercy to Saul, even when he had the chance for revenge, believing that God alone is the righteous judge. In an even greater display of mercy, Jesus gave his life for everyone and prayed for the forgiveness of those who crucified him. As parents, you have the incredible opportunity to point your children to this same mercy. Remind them that through Jesus, they can receive forgiveness and new life. Be encouraged! Every conversation, prayer, and act of love helps your child see the beauty of God's kingdom and the hope found in following Jesus.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

07/06/2025 David Defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17)

As you share the story of David and Goliath with your kids, remind them that the real focus is not just David’s courage but God’s faithfulness. David was confident because he had already seen God help him face lions and bears. He believed that the same faithful God would help him face the giant too.

This powerful story points us to Jesus, our true Champion, who defeated sin and death for all of us. Encourage your kids to see that, just like David, they can trust in God's strength instead of their own. Jesus has already won the greatest victory, and we can place our hope fully in Him.

As you guide your children, take time to pray together. Ask God to grow their trust in Him and help them celebrate the salvation He provides in every part of life.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

06/29/2025 David Played for Saul (1 Samuel 16)

In 1 Samuel 16, David embodies humble service by soothing King Saul with music even after being anointed the future ruler of Israel, showing that God often shapes his leaders in seasons of waiting. David’s obedience points to the greater Suffering Servant, Jesus, whose sacrificial death brings lasting peace. As you disciple your kids in the ways of Jesus, let David’s example and Jesus’ perfect humility inspire you to serve with quiet confidence, trusting that God uses every act of faithfulness, seen or unseen, to reveal his love to us.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

06/22/2025 Samuel Anointed David (1 Samuel 16)

In 1 Samuel 16, we see a powerful turning point in God’s story with his people. While Saul looked impressive on the outside, God chose David because of his heart. Even the prophet Samuel was tempted to judge by appearance, but God reminded him that he looks at the heart. As you teach the kids this week, be encouraged that God delights in those who trust him and walk in faith. He uses ordinary people with willing hearts to do extraordinary things. You are part of that story, and you are deeply loved.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

06/15/2025 Saul Disobeyed God (1 Samuel 14-15)

Sometimes it's easy for us to slip into the mindset of Saul: rushing ahead, relying on our own wisdom, or making quick decisions under pressure. Saul’s story reminds us that disobedience, even when it seems reasonable, leads to brokenness. His choices did not only affect him; they impacted the people he was called to lead. In contrast, Jesus is our perfect example. He obeyed his Father completely, even to the point of giving his life so that we could be redeemed. What a powerful gift of grace we have in him. As you lead your kids in the ways of Jesus, let Saul’s story serve as a warning and Jesus’ obedience as your guide. Do not lead from pressure or pride. Lead with trust in the One who goes before you.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

06/08/2025 Saul Rescued Israel (1 Samuel 11-13)

Saul began his reign with strength and promise, even achieving victory through the Spirit’s power. But his disobedience revealed a heart that didn’t trust God's ways. Samuel reminded the people that no human leader could take the place of God, and Saul’s pride showed he was not the king their hearts truly longed for. Still, God's love never wavered. He had a better plan, sending a perfect King through Saul’s line. This story points us to Jesus, the only King who fully reflects God’s heart and draws us close with his love. Keep sharing this truth with your kids. You are helping them see that God’s love is steady and Jesus is the King who will never let them down.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

06/01/2025 The Israelites Wanted a King (1 Samuel 7-10)

The Israelites, discontent with Samuel’s leadership and wanting to be like the nations around them, asked for an earthly king. In doing so, they rejected God as their true King and forgot how he had faithfully rescued, provided for, and led them. Their request revealed a deeper spiritual issue, a divided heart that placed trust in human leadership instead of God's perfect rule.

Even in their misplaced desires, God remained faithful. He allowed their request, not as an absence of his care, but as part of a greater story. The longing for a king pointed forward to Jesus, the true and perfect King, who came not to dominate but to serve and save. Through his life, death, and resurrection, he gives us new hearts that are able to trust, love, and follow him fully.

As you lead, ask God to help you model what it looks like to trust in Jesus' leadership. Pray that kids will come to know Jesus as the King who rules with compassion, wisdom, and unfailing love.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

05/25/2025 Freedom from the Philistines (1 Samuel 7)

Samuel was a faithful man, chosen by God to lead and speak truth to His people. But even someone as devoted as Samuel could not bring lasting rescue. His life reminds us that we all need something more, someone greater. That someone is Jesus, the only One who could conquer sin and death once and for all through His perfect sacrifice. Because of Jesus, we no longer need a human judge to stand between us and God. Our hope rests securely in His finished work.

Take time to share with the kids in your care how the Lord has helped you along the way (1 Samuel 7:12). Point them to the ways Christ has changed your heart and given you lasting victory through faith in Him. Your story can shine a light that helps them see just how faithful and powerful our Savior truly is.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

5/18/2025 The Ark Was Captured (1 Samuel 4-6)

The story of the Philistines capturing the ark of the covenant is a powerful reminder that it's not enough to seek God's blessings without seeking God Himself. The Israelites, feeling overwhelmed by their enemies, turned to quick fixes instead of coming to God in prayer and trust. They treated the ark like a good luck charm, hoping it would bring success without considering their relationship with God. That decision led to painful consequences.

But even in their failure, God did not leave them. He showed mercy and brought victory they did not deserve. It's a hopeful reminder that God's grace is bigger than our mistakes, and He is always ready to meet us with love and redemption.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

Samuel Was Born and Called (1 Samuel 1-3)

Consider the relationship between trust and obedience. Does your life reflect the truth that God’s ways are good and worthy of your trust? Lead the boys and girls in your care to see the fruit of a faith-filled life in service to God. Show them that, like Samuel, they can begin leading others to follow the Lord in faith.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

05/04/2025 The Story of Ruth (Ruth)

The book of Ruth weaves a redemption story that begins with one family from Bethlehem and points toward the Messiah born in the same city. In the story of Ruth, we see how God sees and cares for His people, even demonstrating His love for the nations through a Moabite woman who became a part of Jesus’ lineage. God’s provision for not only Ruth, but all people, is revealed through the theme of a redeemer.

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Merlene Steib Merlene Steib

04/27/2025  Gideon Led Israel (Judges 6-7)

The story of Gideon in Judges 6-8 highlights God’s power to work through unexpected circumstances and individuals, showing that victory belongs to Him alone. Gideon’s journey demonstrates how God often chooses what seems weak or unlikely to accomplish His purposes (1 Corinthians 1:27).

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