We are so fortunate to have firefighters that we can call on to help us out when we’re in danger. Sometimes our local firefighters stop by our schools to show us their cool (and very heavy) equipment, and to teach us all about fire safety and what to do if we ever experience a fire—stop, drop and roll!
Firefighters are real-life superheroes, but even they feel scared sometimes. They face smoke, fire and danger, but they respond anyway because they know helping others is more important than fear.
In the Bible, Moses didn’t feel ready to do an important job, either. God was worried about the suffering of His people and He sent Moses to rescue them. When Moses was scared and didn’t feel brave, God said, “I will be with you.”
God’s presence will give you all the courage you need to do hard things!
Your friend, Abby
Fill in the empty squares so that every row, column and 2x2 box contains each of the four objects:
Firefighter Facts
It takes an average of one minute and 15 seconds for firefighters to put on their uniform and gear.
The fastest time recorded for a firefighter to get dressed is 27 seconds.
Fire trucks can pump out up to 8,000 litres of water in just one minute. One bathtub holds only 300 litres!
Source: natgeokids.com
Fight the Fire
Journey through the maze, putting out each fire.
Moses and the Burning Bush I Spy
Moses was taking care of some sheep when an angel appeared to him from inside a burning bush. Even though the bush was on fire, it didn’t burn up.
Moses went over to see what was happening and heard God speak to him from inside the bush. Moses turned his face away. He was afraid to look at God.
“Moses!” God said. “I have seen how My people, the Israelites, are suffering in Egypt. The Egyptians treat them so badly. That’s why I’m sending you to Pharaoh, the ruler of the Egyptians. I want you to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.”
But Moses was scared. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” he said. “Who am I that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
God said, “I will be with you. I will help you.”
“But Lord, I’m not a good speaker. No one will listen to me!” Moses protested.
“I will help you speak,” God answered. “I will teach you what to say. And I’m sending your brother, Aaron, with you. I know he can speak well. I will help both of you.”
How many of each object can you find?
Did You Know?
The Salvation Army crest says “Blood and Fire,” which represents the blood of Jesus who died on the cross and the fire of the Holy Spirit, like the fire in the burning bush!
Hi kids!
On my very first day of elementary school, I remember being afraid. It was a new school with new teachers and classrooms, and students I hadn’t met yet. I didn’t know if school would be hard or if I would make friends. But even though I was nervous, I was also excited. I picked out an outfit for the first day of school, packed my lunch and said a quick prayer that God would help make me brave. And I was!
Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not afraid, it just means that you trust God more than your fear.
In this issue of Just for Kids, you’ll meet God’s people, the Israelites. They went on a long trip from Egypt to Canaan. God promised the Israelites that Canaan would be a great place to live. But when they got there, they were afraid. Read the story to find out what happened.
Your friend, Abby
Land of Plenty
Spies Visit the Promised Land
MWhat kind of shoes are made from bananas?
Slippers
What do you call strawberries playing the guitar?
A jam session
Numbers 13-14
oses sent 12 men to explore the land God promised to give the Israelite people. The men secretly looked at the cities and towns. They saw the good food that grew in the land. They saw the people who lived there. The 12 men came back to Moses. They brought some of the fruit from the Promised Land—a bunch of grapes so big that two men had to carry it!
Ten of the men were scared. They told Moses that the people who lived in the land were too big and strong. They said the cities were too big. They did not think God could help them live in the land. Two of the men, Joshua and Caleb, knew God would keep His promise to give them the land. “Don’t be afraid,” they said. “The Lord is with us.”
The Israelites didn’t believe Joshua and Caleb. God told Moses that because these people did not trust Him, they would not be able to go to the Promised Land for a long time. The people would have to live in the desert for many years. God promised that Joshua and Caleb would get to live in the Promised Land because they trusted God.
Double Puzzle
Hi kids!
Are you enjoying the first few weeks of the school year? I always loved going back to school. I got to collect new school supplies, see my friends after a summer apart and settle in for another year of learning!
Learning is so important, even Jesus did it. When He was a boy, He was found sitting in a courtyard, listening to teachers and asking many questions (see Luke 2:46-47). But did you know that some children around the world cannot go to school? Nearly 25 million kids don’t get a chance to learn like you do. Some don’t have money for school supplies or uniforms, and others live far away from the nearest school. But the good news is that The Salvation Army is helping change that! Keep reading this issue of Just for Kids to find out how.
Your friend, Abby
What is an Englishfavouriteteacher’s dinosaur?
Why did the teacher wear sunglasses?
Because the students were so bright Thesaurus Rex
How do bees get to school?
They tak the buzz
I
n Canada, kids have books, teachers, school supplies and fun, safe places to learn. But there are some countries in the world where schools don’t have what they need. Through a special program called Brighter Futures, The Salvation Army is helping children learn. Churches and families across Canada are joining together to sponsor kids in other parts of the world. This means they help pay for things that the kids need, such as backpacks, desks, uniforms, books and sometimes even chickens! (The chickens help schools earn money to buy food and pay teachers.)
Thanks to these sponsors, more than 2,400 kids now get to go to school. Some of them want to grow up to be nurses, teachers or leaders in their communities.
When we help even one child, we are making a big difference. You can be part of that change, too, by praying, giving or telling others about Brighter Futures!
“World”
Search
These are some of the countries where The Salvation Army sponsors kids through Brighter Futures.
Brighter Futures sponsors children around the world to go to school. Here are just a few of them:
“You have given us a blessing of education and empowered us to be the best in the world.”
—Student, Cotton Research School, Zimbabwe
“Our hope for a better future has become a reality because of education.”—Student,our John Gowans High School, Liberia
Hi kids!
What would you do if one of your family or friends was going through a hard time?
In this week’s issue of Just for Kids, you will read about Ruth. She loved Naomi, her motherin-law, very much and took care of her after Naomi’s husband and sons died. God was happy with Ruth and blessed her. Ruth shows us what it means to be loving and loyal to others.
Your friend, Abby
Ruth Moves to a New Home
Ruth 1-4
Naomi had two sons. One of them was married to Ruth. Naomi was a widow, and when her two sons died she had no one left. She decided to move back to her hometown. Ruth offered to go with her. She said, “Where you go I’ll go. Where you stay I’ll stay. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God.”
Naomi and Ruth were very poor. So Ruth said, “I’ll go into the fields and gather the grain that the farm workers leave behind. Maybe they will share with us.”
The field Ruth went to belonged to a man named Boaz, who was related to Naomi. He let Ruth take all the grain she needed. He said, “I’ve heard about how you have taken care of Naomi since your husband died. May God bless you for what you’ve done.”
That day, Ruth collected 30 pounds of grain. Naomi was thrilled to see how much she’d gathered and asked her what had happened. When Ruth told her, Naomi said, “May the Lord bless Boaz! That man is a close relative of ours.
He’s one of our family protectors.”
For this reason, Naomi encouraged Ruth to approach Boaz about becoming his wife. Boaz agreed and they were married. Ruth soon became pregnant and they had a son. Everyone praised God for taking care of Naomi and Ruth. Naomi’s friends also praised Ruth, saying, “She is better to you than seven sons.”
“Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. I am the Lord your God.
This verse comes from the beginning of the Book of Joshua, when God had just chosen Joshua to lead the Israelites into a new land that He had promised them. Joshua might have felt nervous, but God told him to be brave. Even though we’re not leading a whole nation like Joshua, we still face things that can feel scary or overwhelming, such as starting a new year at school, standing up for what’s right or trying something new. But God doesn’t want us to give up. We can have courage because He is with us! What does this mean?
