<![CDATA[Blainsport Mennonite Church - Reign Forest Update]]>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:21:02 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[The Love of Jesus can Change Things for the Better]]>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.blainsport.org/reign-forest-update/the-love-of-jesus-can-change-things-for-the-better​Hi Reign Forest Friends,

Week 3 – Zacchaeus
In Week 3, Jesus singles out Zacchaeus, a tax collector who has scrambled up a tree for a better
view. Instead of scolding Zacchaeus for stealing from his neighbors, Jesus invites himself over to
the tax collector’s house for a party. Profoundly changed by Jesus’ love and acceptance,
Zacchaeus offers to pay back anyone he has cheated—four times as much!
Bottom Line: The love of Jesus can change things for the better.
Bible Memory Verse – Letter L:  
 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all
your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. No other
commandment is greater than these. Mark 12:30-31 NLT


Attached below is the Take home paper for this week and the written memory verse "Letter L" practice paper. Children were given a paper in class as well. There is one paper in cursive and the other children can trace over the letters.

Have a wonderful week!
The Reign Forest Team
]]><![CDATA[God Loves the Whole World]]>Sun, 01 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.blainsport.org/reign-forest-update/god-loves-the-whole-world​Hi Reign Forest Friends,
This past Sunday, we learned about when Nicodemus visited Jesus at night. While Nicodemus struggles to understand how a grown-up could be born again, Jesus challenges him to see with new eyes. John, recording this scene, interprets for us: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.”
Bottom Line: God loves the whole world.
With missing 2 Sundays due to snow, we have decided to move back the Bible Memory verses by 1 week. So, this past Sunday, we gave out the letter J. See attached for an updated Bible Memory Verse schedule.
Bible Memory Verse: Letter J -  Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.   John 14:6 NLT
Also attached is the weekly devo.
Stay safe and warm!!!
The RF Team
]]><![CDATA[Practice Hearing From God]]>Sun, 18 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.blainsport.org/reign-forest-update/practice-hearing-from-god​Hello Reign Forest Friends,

We hope everyone enjoyed their Sunday at home yesterday with God's beautiful winter wonderland He created!

Week 3 -The Wise and Foolish Builders
We’re staying in The Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus wraps up his teaching with the story of the Wise and Foolish Builders. Anyone who hears Jesus’ words and actually DOES them is like a
wise man who built his house on a solid foundation of rock. When a wild storm whipped up, that house stood strong. But people who hear Jesus’ words and don’t follow through are just
like a foolish man who slaps together a home on the sand—one that collapses when the wind comes. Truly hearing from God means putting what you hear into action. Kids can be confident
that God does speak to them because, as we read in John 10:27- 28, Jesus is the good shepherd and we are His sheep. And a sheep KNOWS the shepherd’s voice.
Bottom Line: Practice hearing from God.
MEMORY VERSE: Letter I: If  you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it
to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 NLT

Attached below is the take home paper for this week.
Thanks,
Reign Forest Team
]]><![CDATA[Practice talking about God]]>Sun, 04 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.blainsport.org/reign-forest-update/practice-talking-about-god8361381​Hi Reign Forest Friends,
We started off the month meeting Jesus as a 12-year-old. As usual, Jesus traveled with his family to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. But on the way home, NOT as usual, Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus was missing! They raced back to Jerusalem and, at last, discovered Jesus in the Temple, talking with the teachers and asking questions. Everyone was amazed at His understanding. And here’s a little Easter egg for you: after Jesus went home with His parents, we read in Luke 2:52 that “Jesus became wiser and stronger. He also became more and more pleasing to God and to people.”
Bottom Line: Practice talking about God.
There is no Bible Memory Verse this week. We will start our Bible Memory Challenge again this coming Sunday with letter H.
Blessings,
The RF Team
]]><![CDATA[God is Always with You.]]>Sun, 23 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.blainsport.org/reign-forest-update/god-is-always-with-you​Hi Reign Forest Friends,
In week 3, we discover that Judah was conquered and many Israelites taken to Babylon, including Daniel. But even though Daniel grew up in a foreign nation, he placed all his confidence in the one true God. Because of his wisdom from God, Daniel was given a position of authority by several kings. But as an old man, he faced an incredibly difficult choice—to pray to an earthly king or to continue placing his
confidence in God alone… which would mean a trip to the lion’s den.
Bottom Line: God is always with you.

There is no new memory verse this week. Please encourage your child(ren) to use this time to catch up on any Bible memory verses they still need to learn.
Attached below is the take home paper for this week.


Have a wonderful week!
Reign Forest team
]]><![CDATA[God can do the impossible.]]>Sun, 02 Nov 2025 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.blainsport.org/reign-forest-update/god-can-do-the-impossibleHello Reign Forest Friends,
We start the month off with Elijah on Mount Carmel. King Ahab had led the people far from God—and for three years, the land had received no rain. But Elijah was so confident in God that he challenged 450 prophets of Baal to a duel-by-fire-from heaven. These prophets placed their confidence in a false god. But when Elijah called out to the one true God, the answer was explosive!
Bottom Line: God can do the impossible.
Memory Verse (letter G): Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:1 NLT
This past Sunday, we also introduced our Christmas play to the kids. We plan to give out parts next Sunday and will practice our play every week during RF until our performance on Dec 21. This week's memory verse is the last verse until after Christmas. We will take a break from memory verses while we practice for our Christmas play and will resume our Bible Memory Challenge in Jan. It is a great time to catch up on any missed verses during this break.
Attached is this week's devotional.
Have a blessed week!
The Reign Forest Team
]]><![CDATA[Be wise because your choices matter!]]>Sun, 26 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.blainsport.org/reign-forest-update/be-wise-because-your-choices-matterHello Reign Forest Friends,

Last Sunday in Reign Forest, we wrapped up the month in 1 & 2 Kings and learned about some of the kings of Israel and Judah.  A few kings, like Rehoboam and Ahab, led the people far from God with their foolish choices.  Other kings, like Hezekiah and Josiah, made wise choices and led the people back to God.  


Bottom Line:  Be wise because your choices matter!   We learned that our choices matter because they shape our lives and the lives of others.  When we make unwise choices, it can hurt us and others.  However, when we make wise choices, we live in a way that honors God and produces good things!  


Bible Memory Verse (letter F):  For this is how God loved the world:  He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  


Blessings,
The RF Team
 ]]><![CDATA[You can ask God for wisdom.]]>Sun, 19 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.blainsport.org/reign-forest-update/you-can-ask-god-for-wisdomHello Reign Forest Friends,

Week 3 Solomon Chooses WisdomIn week 3, we take a look at David’s son Solomon. Israel was a mighty nation when Solomon became king as a young man – and he knew that he couldn’t lead the people well on his own. So instead of fame or riches, Solomon asked God for wisdom. And wow, did God deliver! Solomon became known as one of the wisest men to ever live, in spite of later mistakes he made. During his life, Solomon collected wise sayings, many of which are recorded in Proverbs. We’ll take a look at Proverbs 15:1; 3:5-6; and 17:17.
BOTTOM LINE: You can ask God for wisdom.
MEMORY VERSE: Letter E -- Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right. 
 Proverbs 20:11 NLT


See attached take home paper below.
Have a great week!
The Reign Forest Team
]]><![CDATA[If you want to be wise, focus on God.]]>Sun, 12 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.blainsport.org/reign-forest-update/if-you-want-to-be-wise-focus-on-god​In week 2, we’ll take a look at David’s life, from his days in the fields as a shepherd to his reign as one of Israel’s best kings. We’ll focus on the Psalms that David helped to write and collect, including Psalm 1:1-4, along with Psalm 23:1-2; 8:1; and 18:2. In Psalm 1, we discover that wise people focus on and find joy in God’s laws. They soak up God’s Word like a tree rooted by the river draws up fresh water.

BOTTOM LINE: If you want to be wise, focus on God.

MEMORY VERSE: Letter D -- But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:2-3 NLT

Have a blessed week!
- Reign Forest Team
]]><![CDATA[God can give you courage when you don’t know what’s next!]]>Sun, 28 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.blainsport.org/reign-forest-update/god-can-give-you-courage-when-you-dont-know-whats-next​Dear Reign Forest Friends,
This week we learned about Ruth and how she had courage. When Naomi returned home to Bethlehem from Moab, after losing her husband and sons, she expected to go back alone. But her daughter-in-law Ruth chose to give up her homeland and everything she knew to make the long journey to Bethlehem with Naomi… even though she had no idea what would happen to her there. Once they arrived, Ruth continued to help her mother-in-law. Because of Ruth’s courage, God gave her a new family, and Ruth even became part of the family line of Jesus. We learned that Ruth was King David’s great grandmother.
[BOTTOM LINE] God can give you courage when you don’t know what’s next!
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you!  Psalm 56:3 NIrV
 
Bible Memory:  This week we focus on the letter B.
“This is my command – Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”    Joshua 1:9 NLT
Attached is the devotional for this week.
 
Have a great week!
The Reign Forest Team
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