Welcome to the speakers on unwavering commitment from the pre-teens class.
Christine: Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew John, recently passed Class 10. Inclined towards Christ, emphasizes moving beyond comfort zones.
Joanna: Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joy Jacob, recently passed Class 10. Wants to speak like Pastor Ivan in the future.
Dhruv: In Class 7, a quick learner, grown in Sunday school, part of the media team.
II. Commitment to God (Speaker: Christine)
Gratitude: Thanks God, Pastor Ivan, Pastor Nini, and Sunday school teachers.
Definition of Commitment: Being prepared to give a lot of time and attention to something you believe is important.
Unwavering Commitment to God:
Wholeheartedly surrender life, choices, future to His guidance and purpose.
Trust in His wisdom and love.
A deep-seated dedication not easily shaken by circumstances or challenges.
Saying, "I will follow God no matter what."
Requires immense trust.
Mistakes and Repentance:
Even King David, a man after God's own heart, made mistakes (Bathsheba).
David confessed and repented when confronted.
Mistakes and sin should not stop commitment to God; it's a conscious striving.
Biblical Command for Unwavering Commitment:
Deuteronomy 6:5: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
Relationship with God is a deep, abiding commitment, not casual.
Examples of Unwavering Commitment in the Bible:
Abraham: Trusted God's impossible promise.
David: Worshiped God with reckless abandon despite challenges.
Moses: Committed to leading God's people through obstacles.
Jesus: Ultimate example, unwavering commitment to God's will, even to death.
How to Commit to God:
Romans 12:1: Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God (true worship). Yield physical lives to God in obedience.
1 Kings 8:61: Have a fully committed heart, devoted to God, obeying His decrees and commands.
1 John 2:15: Do not love the world; examine priorities to ensure God is at the forefront.
Colossians 3:23: Work wholeheartedly for the Lord, seeing tasks as worship.
Joshua 24:15: Choose whom to serve (God or idols); commit as individuals and as a family.
Challenges to Commitment:
Temptation to compromise or disobey.
Doubt and uncertainty about faith and God's promises.
Comfort or complacency in faith.
Worldly pleasures and distractions.
Fear creeping in, causing questioning of faith.
God's Faithfulness Amidst Challenges:
God's Word shall not return void (Isaiah 55:11).
God is in control; nothing happens without His knowledge or permission.
Benefits of Committing to God: Gives purpose and meaning, assurance of God's control and amazing plans.
Reflection Questions:
Have you committed your way to God?
What do you dedicate your time, energy, thoughts towards?
What burdens are you carrying instead of giving to God?
Do you trust God to act and direct your life?
Proverbs 16:3: "Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will succeed."
III. Reflection on Commitment (Speaker: Post-Christine Speaker)
Christine provided a good explanation of commitment.
Commitment: Being prepared to give time and attention to something you believe in.
Commitment to God: Sacrificing oneself, trusting God, surrendering life, choices, future to His guidance and purpose.
Trust is essential in commitment, especially during trials and temptations.
Introspection: How much are we committing and trusting God?
IV. Unshakable Faith (Speaker: Dhruv)
Gratitude: Thanks Sunday school teachers, Pastor Jiani, and God.
Establishing a Strong Base of Faith: A conscious decision to trust God more than resources, connections, or self, especially during hard times.
What is Faith?
Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for an assurance about what we do not see."
Having trust and confidence in God even when not seen or understood.
Deep trust in His power, character, and promise, even in uncertainty or hardship.
2 Corinthians 5:7: "For we live by faith, not by sight."
Heroes of Faith:
Abraham (Father of Faith): Unwavering trust. Obeyed God's call to leave homeland without hesitation (Genesis 12:1-4). Believed in promise of a great nation at 75 with no child. Willing to sacrifice Isaac, his only son.
David (The Shepherd King): Courage and faith against Goliath with a stone (1 Samuel 17). Trusted God's strength over human might. Knew his help came from God alone, not parents, resources, education, or wealth. Psalm 27: "Some trust in chariots... but we trust in the name of the Lord."
How Faith Grows:
Actions: Not the basis of salvation, but natural consequence and evidence of genuine faith (James 2:14). Faith without deeds is dead.
Holy Spirit: Our true companion and counselor. Jesus left the Holy Spirit to provide what we need (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit advocates, assists, and provides insight.
Benefits of Unwavering Faith:
Focus on God: Not on circumstances (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Peace that Passes Understanding: Philippians 4:6-7 – Don't worry, pray with thanksgiving, and God's peace will guard hearts and minds.
Love Others and Please God: Hebrews 11:6 – Without faith, it's impossible to please God.
Examples of Blessings from Trusting God:
Noah: Saved with his family.
Enoch: Lifted to heaven alive.
Abraham: Called father of nations.
Encouragement: Do not give up; cling to your faith.
Hebrews 12:1: "Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
V. Reflection on Unshakable Faith
Analogy of Trees in a Storm:
Uprooted trees represent faith that collapses under pressure.
Trees with cut branches but still standing represent unshakable faith that endures damage.
Spiritual Life Parallel: We stand in faith, knowing God, but challenges can shake us. We must know who we are in Christ.
Mark 4 (Jesus and the Storm): Disciples feared, but Jesus silenced the storm, rebuking their lack of faith. They learned Jesus is Lord.
Abraham and David Revisited:
Abraham: Obeyed God's call without a roadmap, faced challenge of sacrificing Isaac, believed "God will provide."
David: Fought Goliath with faith in God's name, not his own strength.
Generational Faith: Sunday School Sunday highlights showing unwavering faith to the new generation so they learn from our gestures and perseverance through difficulties.
Psalm 125:1-2: "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people."
VI. Faith in the Midst of Doubt (Speaker: Joanna Joy)
Opening Prayer: Humility and gratitude, seeking God's guidance and wisdom.
Topic: The tension between faith and doubt, and how doubt does not disqualify from faith.
Examples of Faith Amidst Doubt:
Thomas (John 20:24-28): "Doubting Thomas" sought concrete evidence. Jesus did not rebuke him but showed His wounds. Thomas's declaration ("My Lord and my God!") was a strong statement born through honest doubt. God is not afraid of our questions; He reveals Himself more personally when we bring our doubts to Him. Faith that survives doubt is more intimate.
Peter (Matthew 14:26-30): Initially had tremendous faith to walk on water. When he saw the winds, he doubted and began to sink, but Jesus immediately saved him. Faith is not about never sinking, but knowing who to cry out to. Jesus catches us even when we fall.
Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:7-9): The "weeping prophet" struggled deeply, accusing God of deceiving him and feeling mocked. Yet, he kept talking to God, bringing his complaints and confusions. He doubted the process but never abandoned God's presence. God's word was like fire in his bones.
Lessons Learned:
Faith is not the absence of doubt; it's a decision to trust in the middle of it.
These stories show the perfect love of Jesus for imperfect people, and the faithfulness of Christ in the face of human fragility.
Real faith grows in the presence of Jesus through storms, questions, and doubts, not in their absence.
Analogy of Gold Mining:
Man 1: Invested heavily, dug relentlessly, found nothing, lost faith due to doubt, sold land for a fraction.
Man 2: Bought the land, also found nothing initially, but his faith prevailed over doubt, and he found gold just beneath the surface.
Truth: The gold (breakthrough) was always there; doubt clouds vision, causing people to give up before the breakthrough.
Encouragement: Embrace doubt, let it drive you closer to Jesus, not away. Choose to trust Jesus even when you doubt.
VII. Concluding Remarks & Appreciation (Speaker: Pastor Ivan and Kaneka)
Pastor Ivan's Remarks:
Joy to see children serving with commitment.
Faith prevails over fears and doubts (Hebrews 11:1).
Even heroes of faith (Abraham, Job, Gideon) had doubts, but God fulfilled His promises.
Don't focus on circumstances; focus on God's promises.
James 1:12 (Passion Translation): Strong faith in difficulties leads to untold blessings and the victorious crown of life.
Appreciation for Sunday school teachers and committee (Kaneka leads).
Challenge for more men to volunteer as Sunday school teachers.
Call to Parents: Dads are the priests of the house; responsible for the spiritual atmosphere.
Praise for the speakers and all children involved.
Unwavering commitment: Continue doing things for God's kingdom; success is a natural outcome.
Kaneka's Closing (Sunday School Committee Lead):
Thanks all teachers and children for the group photograph.
Thanks God for guidance and using the children for His glory.
Thanks Pastor Ivan and Pastor Nini for continuous support.
Thanks worship team (Kushi Anand, Rajiv Palera, Anmul, Abhishek, Rohan).
Thanks media team (Amit, Arvind, Saga, Alan, Jackie, Shrishi, Bumika, Jonathan, Samara, Rashid, Nancy, Stephie – also for banner and bookmarks).
Thanks decoration team (Charini, Diana, Sheila, Kazy, Shafali, Bible college students, Grace kids).
Special thanks for props (Somia, Eric).
Thanks for dance preparations (Sya, Kazy, Jasmine for toddlers; Rohan, Dolly for Grace kids).
Thanks for skit preparations (Sheila, Diana, Shika, Nigel, Manisha).
