​In Week 3, we look at 1 Samuel 24 at a crucial moment in David’s life. He’s been anointed as the next king of Israel, but King Saul is still around, and he’s out to get David.
 
As David is on the run from King Saul, he discovers the perfect opportunity to take out King Saul and be done with their feud. David paused and realized that taking matters into his own hands was not what God wanted for him. He didn’t let anger control his actions.
 
Bottom Line: Don’t be controlled by your anger. Anger is a natural response to difficult situations. How we handle that anger is essential. As we learn to trust God no matter what, we discover how we can control our anger and not let it get the better of us. God can give us what we need to find ways to think and calm down before making an unwise decision that hurts others or ourselves.
 
In Reign Forest, we did an object lesson where we filled a vase with water and added a few drops of soap & food dye. The (food dye made the water easier to see). The water represented us, and to it, we added spoonfuls of baking soda, which represented when we experience people or situations that can make us angry. To the baking soda and water mixture, we then added white vinegar. The vinegar represented our self-control. When we added too much, and the solution fizzed and bubbled over, it represented us being controlled by anger (or lacking self-control)—a visual reminder of what NOT to do.
 
We also talked about some ways we can process through when we feel angry.
1) Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit for help.
2) Count to 10. (we listened to a clip from the song  Count to 10 by Jim Rule) https://www.songsforteaching.com/jimrule/counttoten.htm
3) Take deep breaths. Smell a flower (breath in)  Blow out a candle (breath out)
4) Hug a stuffed animal.
5) Walk it off.
 
Bible Verse #10: Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry (James 1:19 NLT).
 
Have a wonderful week!
The Reign Forest team

​Hello Reign Forest Friends!
 
In week two, we focus on a word picture Solomon uses in Proverbs 25:28. Solomon uses the idea of giant city walls keeping people safe as an example for people to understand the importance of living with self-control. Kids will discover why ancient city walls are a perfect picture of how self-control can help us.
 
Bottom Line: When you lose control, it can cause trouble. When you choose to remain in control, you keep yourself out of danger. We hope kids discover the value of relying on God to help them choose self-control even when it’s difficult.
 
Bible Verse: A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls (Proverbs 25:28 NLT).
 
Have a safe and blessed day!
The Reign Forest Team

​Happy New Year!
 
In the month of January, we are looking at ways God can help us have SELF CONTROL -- Choosing to do what you should even when you don’t want to.
 
We started the month with a crucial moment from Jesus’ life, found in Luke 4:1-13. After Jesus’ baptism, He went to the wilderness to fast and spend time with God and prepare for ministry. While Jesus was in the wilderness, the Devil tempted Him. Jesus was prepared for this. Even though Jesus was tired and hungry, Jesus used what He knew from Scripture to fend off the temptation. We had lots of fun creating a story wall and retelling the story. Check out our story wall hanging up in the fellowship hall.
 
Bottom Line: Be ready to do the right thing. When it comes to self-control, it’s important to understand the moments when having self-control might be difficult. It’s also important to have a plan for when those moments might happen. We pray that kids will leave knowing they can trust God to help them show self-control.
 
This week starts our Bible Memory Challenge again.
Bible Verse: By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life (2 Peter 1:3a NLT).
 
Blessings this coming year!
The Reign Forest Team