Last time, Rusty and Misty were headed to the church to help Mom with wedding preparations for a couple in the church.

Rusty sat down to watch Mom decorate the wedding cake. She set the big cake on the table and began to stick little butterflies into the icing.

“Can I help put on butterflies?” he asked.

Mom shook her head. “I’ll let you practice on some other cake, but this one has to come out just right.” When she finished setting colorful butterflies all around the cake, she picked up a bag of colored icing and began making flowers on the rim of the cake.

“Could I do that?” Rusty asked.

Mom shook her head. “This is pretty tricky. I’ll let you try doing some later.”

Rusty set his chin in his hands and stared at the table.

“You could find something to do in the kitchen where your sister is helping Sis. Hunter,” Mom told him.

Rusty shrugged. “This is taking forever. How long until it is over?”

Mom had finished decorating the first cake layer. “Here, open up that bag with the white plastic pillars.”

Rusty opened it and handed them to his mother who stood them up on the big cake layer. Then she set the next tier of cake on top of the pillars. Rusty handed Mom more pillars. These she stood up and set the last layer of cake on. Then she opened a box and pulled out a little bride and little groom that she stuck on top of the highest cake layer.

Mom walked around the cake and looked at it closely. She stuck in a couple more butterflies. “Whew!” she said at last. “It’s finished.”

“Can we go home now?” Rusty asked.

Mom smiled. “We’re not done yet. We’ve got to set up the rest of the reception hall.”

Rusty rolled his eyes and moaned, “I’m bored.”

“What?” Dad said from behind him. “You’re bored? Didn’t you know that only boring people get bored?”

Rusty looked up at him. “Hey, you’re off work!”

Dad ruffed up Rusty’s hair and asked, “How can you be bored when there is so much to do?”

Rusty shrugged.

Dad said, “Come on, let’s see what we can find to do.” Rusty got up and followed him into the church kitchen where Misty was helping Sis. Hunter make a big bowl of red punch. “Hello, Sis. Hunter. How are you this evening?”

“Oh, were fine. Misty is being a big help in here.”

“Great,” Dad said. “Rusty here wants to be a big help, too. He doesn’t want to be bored.”

“Oh dear, we don’t want anyone to be bored around here,” Sis. Hunter said with a laugh. “Okay, Rusty, how would you like to help set all the tables?”

Rusty nodded.

Sis. Hunter opened a cupboard and pulled out a package of small plates, a box of plastic forks, and a package of napkins with little butterflies on them.

Dad and Rusty took the supplies out into the fellowship hall. “Okay, Rusty, how about if I put out the plates, and you put out the napkins?”

“Sure.”

“I bet I’ll get all my plates out before you get your napkins done.”

“Oh yeah?” Rusty said, as he ripped open the package of napkins.

The two of them began setting the tables, hurrying around each other, up one row of tables and down the next.

Before long, all of the tables were set. Dad beat Rusty with putting out the plates. But when they split up the number of forks, Rusty beat Dad. The two of them finished, laughing and high-fiving each other.

“Whew! That was pretty boring. Wasn’t it, Rusty?”

“No, that was fun!”

“See, we turned a boring evening into something we enjoyed. You can chose to be bored, or you can choose to have a good time. The only difference is you, Son.”

Rusty nodded. “Thanks, Dad.”

When Misty finished helping in the kitchen, she said she felt very tired. Since she had just gotten over her sickness, Dad decided to take her home and put her to bed.

Rusty got changed into his nice clothes and sat through the wedding. Afterwards, he was feeling bored again because none of his friends were there. Then he remembered what Dad had said. So, Rusty walked over to the punch bowl and began helping serve people their drinks.

When the party was almost over, Sis. Hunter looked at Rusty and said, “You’ve been a wonderful helper today, young man. Come here, I think I have something for you.”

Rusty followed her into the kitchen.

She put some cake on a plate and then opened the freezer. “Do you like cookies-n-cream ice cream?”

Rusty nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Well, here then.” She scooped a big glob of ice cream onto his plate with the cake and said, “Get a fork!”
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How does this story go with our memory verse?

Love endures all things.

What is endurance?

Happily putting up with difficult situations or people.

What was Rusty enduring?

Wedding preparations.

What did Rusty’s mom endure?

The work of making the cake look good.

When Rusty felt bored after the wedding, what did he do to help himself endure a little longer?

Helped serve the punch to people.

What do you struggle to endure?

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Read the following scripture with the family:

Enduring a Pest

So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them:

“When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.

“But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 14:7-11 from New King James Version, © 1983 Thomas Nelson. Used with permission.

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What does this parable tell us about putting others first?

What about trying to get the window seat in the car?

Have you ever been in a situation where you got “put down” when you were thinking about yourself?

When have you put someone else first and benefited from it, too, like Rusty did with Misty?

Role play: You have been saving up for some new shoes. Finally you have enough money to buy the pair. When you arrive at the store, you go to pick out the shoes just as someone else picks up the last pair in your size. What do you do?

Older ones: You have planned out your evening for a time of relaxation. Your friend calls needing help study for school or getting advice for a project. What do you do?

Do we always get rewarded right away for putting others first?

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Memory Verse:

I Corinthians 13:7

Beareth all things,

believeth all things,

hopeth all things,

endureth all things.

Last time, Rusty prayed that Misty would be healed of her sickness. He and his parents also prayed that God would help them get the truck fixed without it costing a lot. Dad had just received a phone call from the repair garage.

“So what did he say?” Rusty asked, as Dad hung up the phone.

“He said the only thing wrong with the truck was a broken belt.”

“Is that expensive?” Mom asked.

“No. Not at all. He had the belt we needed in stock so he’s already put it on. It’s only going to cost us thirty bucks!”

“That’s it?” Mom said. “Not five hundred dollars like last time?”

“Nope. Labor and materials only came to fifty dollars, and my travel club paid for the towing.”

“Woo-hoo!” Rusty said. “See? We prayed and God solved our problem.”

“Yes, He did!” Dad grabbed Rusty by the shoulders and looked into his eyes. “Rusty, do you know what you are filled with?”

Rusty shrugged.

“Hope.”

“Hope?”

“Yes. You believe in God to answer your prayers, and that fills you with hope.”

“What does hope mean?” Rusty asked.

“Hope is a sense of expectancy that God is going to do something big. You look forward to God answering your prayers.”

“I have hope that God will do great things,” Rusty said. “Like with Misty…”

“What’s everyone one doing out here?” said a yawning voice from the doorway.

“Misty!” Rusty said.

“Hey, look who’s back from the dead,” Dad joked.

Mom put her hand on Misty’s forehead. “How do you feel, sweetheart?”

“Good,” she said, stretching her arms and giving a sleepy smile.

“Are you sure you’re better, Misty?” Dad asked.

Misty nodded and Mom said, “Her fever’s gone.”

“Yes!” Rusty said, “I knew it! She’s healed.”

“God answered our prayer, Rusty,” Misty said.

“Yes, He did,” Dad said.

“Are you a little bit hungry?” Mom asked as she brought Misty over to the kitchen table.

“Yes, but not for cake.”

Mom laughed. “No, the cake is for the wedding tonight. How about I get you a piece of fruit?”

“Sure, thanks,” Misty said.

Dad looked at the clock. “Well, I better see if I can get my co-worker to drop me off at the garage on his way back to work.”

“Don’t forget the checkbook,” Mom reminded him.

“Great, thanks.”

While Dad called his friend, Mom fixed a few sandwiches for everyone to eat together for a quick lunch. After they ate, Dad had to run out the door to catch a ride over to get the truck out of the shop. Misty wanted to take a bath. And Rusty helped Mom as she finished up the cake decorations.

Rusty went out to the minivan and folded down the back seat. He and Mom carried the cakes out in boxes together. They gently slid them into the back of the van, making sure not to drop or bump them. Once all the cake stuff had been loaded, they got dressed into nicer clothes and got ready to leave.
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How does this story go with our memory verse?

Love hopes all things.

What is hope?

Expectancy.

What was Rusty hoping for?

That Dad’s truck would get fixed cheap and that Misty would feel better soon.

What are you hoping to see God do?

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Read the following scripture with the family:

The Woman with Nothing but Hope

Mark 5:24-34

And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

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What motivated the woman to come to Jesus?

Hope that He would heal her.

What had she all ready tried?

Doctors. She’d spent all her money and never got better.

What does Romans 8:25 say about hope?

What does Hebrews 11:1 say about hope?

How does the faith we talked about last week work together with hope?

Faith gives us hope. Our hope is built on our confidence in God. When we believe in His promises, we are filled with anticipation of what He will do.

Role Play: You believe that God is going to answer your prayer. Someone frowns at you and says, “That will never happen.” How do you feel? How do you react?

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Memory Verse:

I Corinthians 13:7

Beareth all things,

believeth all things,

hopeth all things,

endureth all things.

Last time: Misty had felt awful all morning and stayed in bed. Rusty had helped her by giving her what she needed and sitting and coloring with her for a while. When Misty complained that she felt miserable and wanted to get better, Rusty suggested that they pray.

“Dear Lord Jesus,” he said, “Misty doesn’t feel well and wants to get up and play. Please take away her sickness and make her feel good again. Thank you that you hear our prayers and answer them. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

“Amen,” Misty said.

Rusty opened his eyes. “Do you feel any better yet?”

She smiled. “I feel sleepy again. What time is it?”

“Almost noon.”

“I think I’ll take another nap.”

“Okay. I’ll go see what Mom’s doing.”

“Good night,” she said, snuggling into her pillow.

“Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

Rusty left the room and found Mom still working in the kitchen on the wedding cake. “How’s it coming?”

“Good. How’s your sister?”

“She’s sleeping again.”

“That’s probably best.”

“I prayed for her.”

“Good for you, Rusty.”

Rusty smiled.

“She’s got to get better.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because your father has to work until five o’clock tonight, and I have to be at the church no later than four o’clock.”

Rusty looked at the clock. “She’ll be fine by then,” he said.

Mom pulled a big cake out of the pantry and set it in the middle of the table. She got a bowl out of the refrigerator and opened the lid. Then she grabbed a metal spatula, scooped out the lavender frosting, and began spreading it around the cake.

Just then, the side door opened. Dad walked into the kitchen.

“Hey! You’re home early!” Rusty said.

“Yes, my friend from work dropped me off.” Dad picked up the telephone and dialed. “My pickup truck broke down on the side of the road. The wrecker was supposed to get it. I want to see what is going on with it.”

“Oh, no,” Mom said.

“Will it be expensive?” Rusty asked.

Dad glanced away as someone answered the other end of the phone. “Yes, Brian, did you get to look at my truck yet?… Okay, well, any ideas what it might be?… I understand… You’ve got my number?… Great, I’ll be listening for you… Thank you… All right, bye.”

“They haven’t looked at it yet?” Mom said.

“No. So they have no idea what it will cost yet. I am hoping it won’t be expensive.”

“Well, if it is too expensive, it will have to wait,” Mom said. “You know how tight things are right now.”

“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that. If we can’t fix the truck, I’ll have to drive the van back to work.”

Mom looked up. “But I have to have this cake to the church by four o’clock and you don’t get off until five.”

Dad frowned. “Right, but you could drop me off and then come get me, couldn’t you?”

“Sure. But I don’t know if Misty is going to feel well enough by then and I can’t leave her here alone.”

“And you really wouldn’t be able to come get me after work,” Dad said, “because you’ll have to stay and serve and you probably won’t get out of the wedding stuff until late, right?”

Mom nodded, trying to think the whole thing out.

Rusty waited until they both stopped talking. “I know what we should do,” Rusty said.

Dad smiled. “I’m open for suggestions.”

“We should pray. Misty will be fine, because we already prayed, so she will be able to go to the church while Mom sets up for the wedding. So let’s pray about your truck.”

“Rusty, I’m sorry,” Dad said. “I’ve been so busy trying to solve everything about the truck, that I’ve forgotten to talk to the Lord about it. Let’s do that now.”

Mom wiped her hands on her apron before she took Rusty and Dad’s hands. The three of them stood in a circle and closed their eyes.

“Rusty, why don’t you start,” Dad said.

“Lord Jesus, you know that my dad’s truck broke down today. We don’t know what is wrong with it because my dad doesn’t like to work on cars. But you know what’s wrong with it. Please help the mechanic find out what’s wrong right away and fix it. And don’t let it cost too much money, because we don’t have a lot this week. Amen.”

“And thank you, Lord,” Dad said, “that the truck didn’t die in the middle of the street, but I was able to get it off the road to a safe place. Thank you for taking care of our problem, Amen.”

“And, Lord,” Mom prayed, “help me to get this cake done and to the church on time for Valerie’s wedding. Amen.”

“Amen,” Rusty said.

The three smiled at each other. Mom hugged Dad and said, “It’s going to be all right.”

“I know,” he said. “I wish I could take the afternoon off to help out. But, I promised to have that project done today.”

Just then, the phone rang. Dad looked at Rusty and raised his eyebrows. “Hello?… Yes, Brian, thanks for calling back so soon…. Yeah,… Okay,…” Dad frowned. “Is that serious?… Oh… You did?… You will?… Well, what will it cost?… Okay, well, thank you for calling right back. Bye.”

Find out next time what happens.

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How did Rusty live out our verse this week?

Love believes all things.

How do you know that Rusty has strong faith in God?

Because he keeps saying that God is going to do it. He seems sure that after he has asked that God will answer.

Does it matter if we believe when we pray? What does Jesus say about this in Mark 11:24?

When we pray we should believe if we want to receive what we ask for.

Do we always get what we ask for?

Why not?

Sometimes our prayers aren’t answered because we don’t believe God will answer them. Other times, God doesn’t answer because it is not His will to do something.

What is something you are believing God for?

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Read the following scripture with the family:

The Girl Who Died of Fever

Mark 5:21-24, 35-43

And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

And Jesus went with him;… there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

And they laughed him to scorn.

But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

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Why did Jarius come to Jesus?

What happened before Jesus got to where the girl was?

How do you think this affected this man’s faith in Jesus?

What did Jesus say to strengthen the man’s faith again?

How did the people react when Jesus told them not to wail and mourn for her? How is this like people’s reaction today when you tell them what you believe God is going to do?

Why do you think Jesus put the people out of the house for?

When Jesus spoke to this twelve year old girl, what happened?

Does God still do things like this today?

Why don’t we hear as many stories about God healing people as we read about in the Bible?

What miracle do you want to see God do?

Would you like to pray and believe God for that right now?

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Memory Verse:

I Corinthians 13:7

Beareth all things,

believeth all things…

Rusty bounced into the kitchen to see what Mom was doing. She was mixing up batter for a cake.

“Are we having cake for breakfast?” Rusty joked.

“No. I’ve got to get this cake made for the wedding at church tonight. I’ve got a lot to do, so go see if your sister is up, please.”

“Sure.” Rusty walked down the hall and knocked on Misty’s door.

“Who is it?” a groggy voice said from inside.

“Your big brother. It’s time to get up, sleepy-head.”

“I’m still tired.”

“Mom said to get up.” Rusty listened but didn’t hear anything more from her room. “Are you coming?” he asked. Misty didn’t answer.

Rusty went back to the kitchen. “Mom, she doesn’t want to get up. She said she is still tired.”

Mom frowned. “Hmm. She went to bed early last night, too. I’ll go check on her.” Mom washed her hands in the sink and dried them on her apron. Rusty followed her down the hall as Mom knocked on Misty’s door and opened it.

Misty half opened her eyes. “My head hurts.”

“Oh, no, girl,” Mom muttered as she put her hand on Misty’s forehead. “I can’t have you sick. Not today.” Mom left the room and went into the bathroom to dig something out of the medicine cabinet.

Rusty stood in the doorway and asked, “Do you feel hot?”

Misty shook her head.

Mom came back and stuck the thermometer under Misty’s tongue. “Hold this until it beeps.”

When it beeped, Mom took it out and looked at it. “Okay, you’re running a little temperature. I want you to stay here in bed, okay, honey?”

Misty nodded.

“I’m going to get you some stuff that will help you get better. Are you thirsty?”

Misty nodded.

“Okay, Rusty, get her a glass of water.”

Rusty left the doorway and went to the kitchen. By the time he had a cup of water for his sister, Mom was back in the kitchen digging something out of the cupboard. Rusty took Misty the water.

Misty took a sip. “Thanks,” she said, shakily putting it on her nightstand.

Rusty heard Mom call him from the kitchen. “I’ll be right back,” he said.

In the kitchen, Mom gave Rusty a cup of juice that she’d mixed up with electrolytes and vitamins. “Have her drink all of this and chew this up,” she said, handing him a vitamin tablet.

Rusty marched into Misty’s room and said, “Okay, patient. Drink all this and chew all of this.”

She looked up at him with a smirk, “Thanks, doctor.” She chewed up the vitamin while Rusty sat down in a chair by her bed. “These things taste so gross,” she said.

“I know.”

Misty gulped down her drink. “Whew! That wasn’t too bad.”

“Now, how can I help you,” Rusty said, taking the cup back.

“I would like my sleep, thank you.”

Rusty gave a mock bow, “As you wish, ma’am.” He left the room.

In the kitchen, Rusty found Mom stirring ingredients into a large bowl. “Can I help?”

“Yes,” Mom said without stopping. “You could help by doing your sister’s chores for the morning. Empty and refill the dishwasher, please. First, you better have some breakfast, though.”

Rusty cooked a couple eggs and made a piece of toast. He ate his food quickly and cleaned up his mess. Then he emptied the dishwasher and put any dirty dishes in it. When he finished that, Mom let him run the mixer. He watched the batter go round and round. When that was through, Mom made up another vitamin/juice mix for Misty.

“Here, go give this to her. See if she is feeling any better.”

Rusty did. When Misty finished the juice, Rusty asked, “How are you feeling?”

“Better. Doctor, can I get up now?”

Rusty laughed. “I don’t know, let me go ask your nurse.” He went and checked with Mom and came back. “She said no. Not yet. Would you like to color?”

Misty nodded her head eagerly. “My crayons and my new coloring book are on the top of my dresser.”

Rusty got them for her.

“You want to color, too?” she asked.

“Sure.” Rusty sat down. Misty ripped a picture that Rusty liked out of her book. He colored on her nightstand, sharing crayons with her, while she colored in the book, sitting up in her bed.

They colored a few pages together until Misty said she felt tired. “I want to get better soon,” she whimpered.

“Let’s pray!” Rusty said.

__________________How do you know Rusty loves his sister?

How do you know Rusty loves his mother?

How can you bear with your brother or sister’s needs?

Have you ever gotten to help take care of your parents or grandparents?

Who else have you been able to help?

When have you had a need and someone else helped you through it?

Schoolwork, carrying something heavy, doing a big job.

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Read the following scripture with the family:

Someone to Help

I King 17:8-16

And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.

And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.

And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

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What’s our memory verse? What does it mean to bear with others?

[Love] “beareth all things.” To carry their load. To cover their needs as if they were your own.

How did the widow of Zarephath obey the principle of love bearing all things?

Why did the woman help the prophet when she already had enough problems to worry about?

How did God bless her for putting someone else first?

Do you remember a time that God blessed you for helping someone else?

Role Play: You are in a hurry to get something and get out of the store so you won’t be late. At the store, you see an elderly man struggling to get the produce bag open so he can put his vegetables in it. What do you do?

You finally finished your schoolwork and can’t wait to get outside when you notice your mother has dropped her case of sewing pins on the floor and is trying to find them all and pick them up. What do you do?

[Click here to return to top.]

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Memory Verse:

I Corinthians 13:7

Beareth all things…