May 5, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 102. The Center of the Universe (Revelation 4-5)

The Big Truth: God is the center of all creation and worthy of all praise.

The Gospel Point: When the Lamb (who is also the Lion!) took the scroll, a short song was sung:

Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, or you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. (Rev. 5:9–10)

That song might sound complicated, but the ideas in it are simple—and super important. We praise Jesus for the good news that he alone is holy enough to open the sealed scroll. And that he alone made the blood sacrifice on the cross that set sinners free from our slavery to sin. More than that, Jesus’s death turned unholy people into priests. We don’t make sacrifices in the temple, like priests in the Old Testament did. We sacrifice ourselves by giving our whole lives to God (see Rom. 12:1–2). And we don’t do this alone. No, Jesus has gathered in his kingdom people from every nation around the world and throughout time. That’s a big kingdom! That’s a good kingdom. That’s the perfect kingdom that every follower of Jesus will live in someday. That makes me want to shout and sing to our amazing God.

Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Catechism: Q: Why did God make all things? A: For His own glory (Psalm 19:1, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Revelation 4:11, 5:13).

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

APRIL 28, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 97. No Nothing (Romans 8)

The Big Truth: In Jesus, God loves us always and forever.

The Gospel Point: We need God to keep us safe from all the dangers that exist in our fallen world. And we need regular reminders that he can and he will! The letter to the Romans is Paul’s way of reminding us that God will keep us safe if we trust in Jesus. Think of it like this—Jesus is like a boat that carries us all the way to our home in heaven. If we leave Jesus, we leave our place of safety. As long as we keep following Jesus, there is nothing that can separate us from God. Not death, not bad dreams, not bad people, not cancer, not car accidents, not things in the sky or things in the sea—nothing. We know through Jesus that the snake has been crushed, that our sins have been paid for, and that death has been defeated. We have nothing to fear! We are safe. Safe in Jesus. If that isn’t good news, then nothing is!

Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Catechism: Q: What else did God make? A: God made all things. (Genesis 1, esp. vv. 1, 31, Acts 14:15, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

APRIL 21, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 92. Peter Eats and a Soldier Believes (Acts 10)

The Big Truth: The good news about Jesus is for both Jews and Gentiles.

The Gospel Point: Out of all the nations God called Israel to be his chosen people. They weren’t chosen because they were the biggest group—or the richest, strongest, or best looking. God chose them to show his great mercy. And although he chose to save Israel, God’s calling of Abraham showed he had a bigger plan in mind, one that was always God’s plan A and that he would reveal more fully over time. He promised Abraham that all the nations would be blessed through him and his offspring (see Gen. 12:1–3). We see this plan unfolding throughout the Old Testament: people from other nations (Gentiles) believe the word of the Lord (e.g., Rahab, Ruth, and the Ninevites) and experience God’s blessings and salvation. We see it more clearly in the New Testament: with the coming of Jesus, the promised King of the Jews, an open invitation was extended to both Jews and Gentiles to receive all God’s blessings through faith in Jesus. Through these stories we learn that God’s grace knows no limits. Even the worst of sinners, like Saul, can be saved; even Roman soldiers, like Cornelius, can be saved. The wideness of God’s mercy includes all people from all nations—whoever trusts in Jesus!

Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Catechism: Q: What else did God make? A: God made all things. (Genesis 1, esp. vv. 1, 31, Acts 14:15, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

APRIL 14, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 91. Saul Sees the Light. (Acts 9)

The Big Truth: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

The Gospel Point: How did Saul become a Christian? Jesus himself met him and saved him. Saul received the Holy Spirit and was baptized. He was also given the special job of preaching the gospel. He went from persecutor to preacher. Do you think that someone as bad as Saul can become a Christian even today? Of course! God’s grace knows no limits. God can, and does, call greedy tax collectors (like Zacchaeus), the demon possessed (like the crazy man of the cemetery), and merciless murderers (like Saul). Saul also went by Paul. In Paul’s many letters, he wrote about his life before and after his Damascus road experience. Before he encountered Jesus he was “a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” (1 Tim 1:13), someone who “persecuted the church violently and tried to destroy it” (Gal. 1:13). Jesus saved Saul to show how patient and loving a Savior he is. No one is too bad to be saved. Anyone who confesses that he is sinner (however big or small the sins), asks for forgiveness, and believes that the Snake Crusher died for him can be saved. That’s what’s so great about the gospel. Paul put it this way: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Tim. 1:15). This gospel is great news worth sharing with the whole world, no matter how far people seem from God!

Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Catechism: Q: What else did God make? A: God made all things. (Genesis 1, esp. vv. 1, 31, Acts 14:15, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

April 7, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 85. The Spirit Comes (Acts 2)

The Big Truth: The Spirit was poured out so people might hear the gospel and be saved.

The Gospel Point: The prophet Joel had a vision of what it would be like when God’s kingdom came and the Snake Crusher ruled over it. In that vision God poured out his Spirit on all people: men and women, young and old. Now that the Snake Crusher had come, that vision was coming true. It all began at Pentecost. The Spirit came down and enabled his followers to preach in different languages so that God’s kingdom could spread. It spread and spread and spread, from that small group of disciples to all nations. The book of Acts tells the story of how the gospel spread from Jerusalem to every part of the world. Jesus’s rescue mission had begun, and it cannot be stopped. The kingdom of God is coming, just as Joel foretold!

Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Catechism: Q: What else did God make? A: God made all things. (Genesis 1, esp. vv. 1, 31, Acts 14:15, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

MARCH 31, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 83. Jesus Lives (Luke 24)

The Big Truth: Jesus rose from the dead—just like the Old Testament said he would.

The Gospel Point: One day after Jesus’s death, two of his followers were walking away from Jerusalem when Jesus walked up to them and asked what they were talking about. They didn’t recognize him. So they shared how their “chief priests and rulers delivered [Jesus] up ... and crucified him” (Luke 24:20). They said they “had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel” (24:21). They also shared how the women went to the tomb, found it empty, and saw angels “who said that he was alive” (24:23). But they didn’t believe all this. That’s why they were walking away. Jesus stopped them and said, “Why are you so dumb?” Well, he didn’t say it exactly that way. He said it this way, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (24:25–26). Then, starting with Genesis and ending with Malachi, he taught them from the Old Testament about himself. “It was written,” Jesus said “that I should rise from the dead and that the good news that sins are forgiven should be preached to all the nations” (see 24:46–47). Jesus rose from the dead, just like the Old Testament said. Those two followers understood and believed. And that is the good news we should believe too!

Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Catechism: Q: What else did God make? A: God made all things. (Genesis 1, esp. vv. 1, 31, Acts 14:15, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

MARCH 24, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 82. The Snake Crusher is Crushed for Us (Mark 15)

The Big Truth: The Snake Crusher was crushed for us.

The Gospel Point: Who is the Snake Crusher? Why is Jesus called that? That name goes back to one of the earliest promises in the Bible, when God said to the serpent who deceived Eve in the garden of Eden, “Because you have done this, there will be a long and great struggle between you and Eve’s offspring until the day when a child is born from her family who will crush your head once and for all” (see Gen. 3:14–15). Jesus is that child. Jesus is the Snake Crusher. He’s the son of Mary and the Son of God. But what is surprising in our story is that the Snake Crusher is crushed. Although he had never sinned, he was punished by God for all the sins of the world. Why? So we wouldn’t have to be punished. Jesus was crushed so we don’t have to be crushed. He took the punishment for us. That’s why it was a Good Friday. And the Snake? He will still be crushed just as it was promised. But that’s a story for another day.

Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Catechism: Q: What else did God make? A: God made all things. (Genesis 1, esp. vv. 1, 31, Acts 14:15, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

MARCH 17, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 84. A Mission for the Ages (Matthew 28)

The Big Truth: The King of heaven and earth calls his followers to make disciples of all nations.

The Gospel Point: Jesus said many things to his disciples after he rose from the dead. But the final thing Jesus told his disciples to do was so important that we call it the Great Commission. The word “commission” just means “command.” And what is the Great Commission? Jesus commanded this: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” He wanted to make it crystal clear that he didn’t just come to rescue his disciples, or just the Jews. He came to rescue all people—from every country and every language. Every group of people. What a great command indeed! And the best part is, if Jesus, who has all authority over everything, tells us to do something, we can be sure he will help us complete that task. In fact, he promises to be with us always! As we tell people about how they can be rescued by Jesus and how he has crushed the snake, we help accomplish his mission to rescue all people. How awesome is that!

Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Catechism: Q: What else did God make? A: God made all things. (Genesis 1, esp. vv. 1, 31, Acts 14:15, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

MARCH 10, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 80. A Meal for the Ages (Matthew 26)

The Big Truth: Every time we take the bread and cup of the Lord’s Supper, we celebrate that Jesus died for our sins.

The Gospel Point: Right before Mary anointed Jesus with perfume, he announced to his disciples, “The Passover is coming, and when it comes the Son of Man [Jesus!] will be de- livered up to be crucified” (see Matt. 26:1–2). And right before Jesus was handed over to be crucified, he celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples. Why? He wanted them, and all Christians throughout all time, to make an important connection. Jesus is the perfect Passover Lamb, who was sacrificed for our sins. Our sins are passed over only because he died in our place! And like those Israelites in Egypt who believed what God said and took the lamb’s blood and smeared it on their doorway, we believe that the blood of Jesus saves us now and that God will pass over us on judgment day. Jesus wants us to remember this gospel message. So he established the Lord’s Supper (or Communion). As we eat the bread and drink the cup together, we remind each other that Jesus’s body was sacrificed and his blood shed for us. We commune with each other, which means we are joined to each other and to Jesus. When we eat and drink, God strengthens and feeds our faith!

Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Catechism: Q: What else did God make? A: God made all things. (Genesis 1, esp. vv. 1, 31, Acts 14:15, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

March 3, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 73. Lost and Found (Luke 15)

The Big Truth: Jesus came to rescue and redeem lost sinners.

The Gospel Point: Do you know that not everyone was excited when the prodigal son returned home? When the older brother heard the music and saw the dancing (and likely smelled the tasty steaks on the grill), he was angry and refused to join in the celebration. He complained just like the Pharisees and scribes did. He told his father, “What are you doing? Look, all these years I have faithfully served you and never disobeyed you, and you have never thrown even a little party for me. But you have thrown a big party for this sinful son of yours, who did terrible things and spent all the money you gave him. Why?” (see 15:29–30). He thought we earn the Father’s favor, so he begrudged when it was an undeserved gift. The father replied to the older son, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found” (15:31–32). The older brother’s thinking is common even today. It’s easy to think we deserve God’s salvation because we’ve done enough good things. We’re not as bad as others (so we think). Jesus told the three “lost” parables to correct such thinking. All heaven rejoices when someone repents of their sins and returns to God. When the lost are found. That is why Jesus came and spent time with sinners—to seek and save the lost, like us. When we understand the true gospel, we rejoice that God came to rescue sinners of all kinds.

Memory Verse: Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Catechism: Q: What else did God make? A: God made all things. (Genesis 1, esp. vv. 1, 31, Acts 14:15, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

March 3, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 73. Lost and Found (Luke 15)

The Big Truth: Jesus came to rescue and redeem lost sinners.

The Gospel Point: Do you know that not everyone was excited when the prodigal son returned home? When the older brother heard the music and saw the dancing (and likely smelled the tasty steaks on the grill), he was angry and refused to join in the celebration. He complained just like the Pharisees and scribes did. He told his father, “What are you doing? Look, all these years I have faithfully served you and never disobeyed you, and you have never thrown even a little party for me. But you have thrown a big party for this sinful son of yours, who did terrible things and spent all the money you gave him. Why?” (see 15:29–30). He thought we earn the Father’s favor, so he begrudged when it was an undeserved gift. The father replied to the older son, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found” (15:31–32). The older brother’s thinking is common even today. It’s easy to think we deserve God’s salvation because we’ve done enough good things. We’re not as bad as others (so we think). Jesus told the three “lost” parables to correct such thinking. All heaven rejoices when someone repents of their sins and returns to God. When the lost are found. That is why Jesus came and spent time with sinners—to seek and save the lost, like us. When we understand the true gospel, we rejoice that God came to rescue sinners of all kinds.

Memory Verse: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Catechism: Q: What else did God make? A: God made all things. (Genesis 1, esp. vv. 1, 31, Acts 14:15, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

FEBRUARY 25, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 70. Glory Mountain (Matthew 17)

The Big Truth: Jesus is the glorious Son of God, who is perfectly holy.

The Gospel Point: In previous lessons we looked at the right answer to Jesus’s all-important question, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15), and we learned that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God. Here, on Glory Mountain, what else do we learn about Jesus? We learn that he is the glorious Son of God, who—like God the Father and Spirit—is perfectly holy (like the brightest light in the universe). That’s who Jesus is. Now think about this. It would be surprising if a good man died for our sins. It would be amazing if a very important person—like a king or queen—would take the punishment that we deserve. It, then, is truly astounding that Jesus—the King of glory—should lay down his life for us and die in our place. Peter, James, and John were confused, afraid, and surely stunned on the day Jesus took them atop the mountain. And while we should be amazed, we should not be fearful because we can take comfort in knowing Jesus died for us on Mount Calvary, a hill outside Jerusalem. He showed his glory to us by dying and rising again. What a glorious King!

Memory Verse: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Catechism: Q: Who made you? A: God made me. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Acts 17:24-29)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

FEBRUARY 18, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 67. A Walk on the Water (Matthew 14)

The Big Truth: Because Jesus is the Son of God, he can save us when we cry out to him.

The Gospel Point: The story didn’t end with the call to believe. When Jesus and Peter got back in the boat, suddenly the wind stopped and the waves calmed down. The twelve must have looked at each other in amazement. This time Jesus didn’t say, “Peace, be still,” but they knew he stilled the sea. They also just saw him walk on water! They knew Jesus was no ordinary man. So, one after the other (or maybe all at the same time), they fell at his feet and confessed, “You really are the Son of God” (see Matt. 14:33). This confession is also what the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus said after Jesus died (27:54). And it’s the confession we will make too when we see Jesus clearly! Jesus showed that he was God’s Son and our Savior in many ways. He multiplied bread and fish to feed over five thousand people. He healed every sickness imaginable. He raised the dead. And he walked on water and calmed storms. But his greatest demonstration of power was actually the one the Roman soldiers saw when he died on the cross. That showed God’s power because it’s the way God saved us from our sins. Jesus’s death was unlike any other. He died in our place. Let’s fall down before him and trust him completely, even when the waves seem big. He’s strong enough to save us. Truly he is the Son of God!

Memory Verse: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Catechism: Q: Who made you? A: God made me. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Acts 17:24-29)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

FEBRUARY 11, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 61. A Story about Soils (Mark 4)

The Big Truth: Jesus’s true followers accept his word and bear fruit.

The Gospel Point: Some people think there are only two responses to the good news about Jesus. You either accept it or reject it. But Jesus teaches us that there are some responses where someone seems like they are accepting the good news, but it ultimately doesn’t bear any fruit in their lives. They liked Jesus for a little bit, but they weren’t changed by him. But Jesus taught that when we really believe the real gospel, it changes us. Not always in one quick swoop overnight, but steadily over a long time—like a farmer with his field. Does that mean that if we decide to be a Christian, we have to work really hard to be good enough for God’s farm? No, if that were the case, none of us could be saved. Instead, we have to hold onto that gospel and let it go down deep into our hearts. The more we know the Jesus who died to rescue us from sin, the more we know the Father who sent his Son to rescue us, and the more God will bring change in our lives. Let’s have good soil and hold tight to Jesus’s gospel.

Memory Verse: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Catechism: Q: Who made you? A: God made me. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Acts 17:24-29)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

February 4, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 59. Get Up! (Mark 2)

The Big Truth: Jesus has the power to forgive sins.

The Gospel Point: When Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Your sins are forgiven” (2:5), we don’t know what sins the man committed. But in the very next story, we are told about the sins of a man named Levi. He had a priest’s name, but he was a tax collector! What’s wrong with that? No one likes to pay taxes (money for the government), and Levi was the one who collected them. But he did more than that. He overcharged people. He squeezed his own people (the Jews) for money, gave some to the Romans, and kept the rest for himself. Because of this, the Jews hated tax collectors like Levi more than anyone. But Jesus didn’t! He called Levi to leave behind his sinful life and follow him. And—miracle of miracles—he accepted Jesus’s invitation. More than that, he invited all his sinful friends to meet Jesus so they too could be loved and forgiven. When the Pharisees heard about this, they didn’t understand why Jesus would get together with such terrible people. They forgot what Jesus taught when he healed the paralyzed man. That he “came to call not those who think they are good but those who know they need a Savior” (see 2:17). Jesus came to forgive sinners–that’s the point. To experience the good news that Jesus has the power to forgive all sins, we must first recognize how much sinners like us need him.

Memory Verse: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Catechism: Q: Who made you? A: God made me. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Acts 17:24-29)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

JANUARY 28, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 58. Mr. Clean (Mark 1)

The Big Truth: Our sins make us dirty; Christ can make us clean.

The Gospel Point: Why did Jesus touch the leper when he healed him? Did Jesus need to do that? No. Sometimes he healed people just by saying a word. (The centurion’s servant was healed miles away when Jesus just gave a command.) Plus, the moment Jesus touched the leper, according to the laws in the Old Testament, he should have become unclean. Ah, but that’s just it. Here’s the bigger miracle! Because Jesus is perfectly holy, he didn’t become unclean the moment he touched the man. Rather, the man became perfectly clean. Jesus took away the man’s uncleanness and gave him his cleanness. In that way, it’s like a little picture of what Jesus would do on the cross—the very biggest miracle of all! Jesus, “who knew no sin,” took on our sin so that everyone who bows before Jesus and believes in him (like the leper did!) becomes clean—we become “the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). So, you see, as the Snake Crusher is crushing Satan, he is also cleansing us of all our ugly sins.

Memory Verse: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Catechism: Q: Who made you? A: God made me. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Acts 17:24-29)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

JANUARY 21, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 57. The Sermon that Was (Matthew 5-7)

The Big Truth: Jesus proclaimed that he had come to crush the snake’s rule and bring in his own kingdom.

The Gospel Point: A lot of people think that religion is all about keeping rules. Be good. Avoid these sins. Do these good deeds. Sometimes even Christians can think this way. If we just go to church, don’t swear, and pray before bed, then we’re good. But Jesus’ sermon shows how silly that kind of thinking is. Jesus says that in his kingdom, righteousness has to flow from our hearts. It has to flow out of who we are. But there’s a problem with that. It’s one thing to expect us to do good things. We can try to do that. But how can I change my heart? How can I change who I am? Only God can do that! And that’s exactly why Jesus came. To die for our sins and allow us to receive new hearts—to be “born again” (John 3:3). When we trust Jesus, he changes our hearts. People who trust King Jesus are changed from within. Now that’s the kind of people God wants in his kingdom. Not self-righteous people who think they’ve done enough good works, but meek people who mourn over their sin and love Jesus with all their hearts.

Memory Verse: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Catechism: Q: Who made you? A: God made me. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Acts 17:24-29)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

JANUARY 14, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 56. The Sin that Wasn't (Matthew 4)

The Big Truth: Jesus resisted Satan’s temptation through the word of God.

The Gospel Point: The devil wanted Jesus to clamor for bread (like Israel had done), to put God to the test (like Israel had done), and to worship other gods (like Israel had also done). Three times the devil tried; three times he failed. Three times the Son of God was tempted; three times he passed the test. The third test, how- ever, wasn’t Jesus’s last test. He was tested throughout his life to skip suffering and go straight to ruling as king—to take the crown before the cross. His final temptation was on the cross, moments before he died. People who walked by him, as he was suffering on the cross, said to him, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matt. 27:40). Imagine how tempting that must have been. Jesus the powerful Son of God, could have pushed the nails out of his hands and feet, jumped to the ground, and saved himself from death. But he didn’t! Why? Because he knew that the only way to save sinners was to die for sinners, the only way to offer the good news of salvation was to die. How wonderful that Jesus succeeded on the final test so now all who trust in him can be saved.

Memory Verse: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Catechism: Q: Who made you? A: God made me. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Acts 17:24-29)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

January 7, 2024

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, the big truth, gospel point, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 55. The Pointer and the Point (Matthew 3)

The Big Truth: John the Baptist pointed to the point of the Biggest Story—Jesus.

The Gospel Point: John’s baptism was a big deal. It was a sign people were repenting and a sign that God was cleansing. But even John’s baptism was a pointer. John said, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I . . . will baptize you with the HolySpirit” (Luke 3:16). Sinners like us don’t just need water. We need our sinful, dead souls to have life breathed into them by the very Spirit of God. John the Baptist couldn’t make that happen. Only Jesus could. And the way Jesus made it happen was by dying on the cross for our sin. With our sin paid for in full, God could now pour his Spirit on us. And that’s exactly what happens for anyone who trusts Jesus. God gives us his Spirit and makes us alive. What a baptism!

Memory Verse: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Catechism: Q: Who made you? A: God made me. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Acts 17:24-29)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol . The Big Truth and the Gospel Point taken from The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung, published by Crossway.

December 31, 2023

Parents, what a joy it is to serve your precious arrows on Sunday mornings! The Little Reformers team wants you to always have full visibility to what we are teaching your kids. It is important to us that we be effective partners to you, reinforcing what you work hard to teach your children at home. Each week, we update this section of the website to reflect the lesson, verse, and catechism your child(ren) will learn while in our care. We hope this resource is a help to you and gives you confidence as you train up your children in the way they should go.

Bible Story: Chapter 54. Wise Men, Smart Move (Matthew 2)

Memory Verse: Matthew 22:39 You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Catechism: Q: Where is Christ now? A: In heaven, seated at the right hand of God the Father. (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 1:3, 10:12, 12:2)

Sources: Bible stories from The Biggest Story Bible Story Book by Kevin DeYoung. Catechisms from Truth and Grace Book 1 by Tom Ascol