Children's Ministry

Malcolm & Jennifer McGuire, Directors

The story of the conception of Ishmael by Abram and Hagar is one of those Bible stories that we don’t like to teach to our class, at least in its entirety. It is difficult to explain, from our culture’s perspective, how God would seemingly bless the child that is conceived by “another woman’s husband.”

What is this story in Genesis 16:1-16 really about? I think this is one point where we really have to look at “big picture stuff.” We see the future of the Middle East unfolding in, what we call, the mistreatment of a servant by her jealous master. Wouldn’t that make today’s headlines and an upcoming episode of Law and Order, SVU?

So, God is working with “big picture stuff” – history making in fact. Yet, the reality is that a simple servant girl, who was forced to have sex with her master’s husband so that her firstborn child - a son no less - could be taken from her and raised by the man who allowed his wife to mistreat her, causing her to run away. This is not a situation many of us would like to be in. I imagine that Hagar could have been wondering, “What is God doing? How could He allow this to happen to me? I didn’t do anything wrong.” If anyone could rest in the excuse of being a “victim of her circumstances,” a “product of her environment,” in an “it isn’t fair” situation, Hagar definitely could. Things were not looking very good. Until we get to verse 7.

In verse 7, the Angel of the Lord appears to her, the messenger of God. He gives her instructions and a blessing. Wow! Yes, God loves her. We certainly understand how God was using Hagar to bring about the history of the world. She was simply in the wrong (or right) place at the wrong (or right) time. Because we understand the story and we’ve read the whole book, we see what God was doing here. We see how God chose to bless Abram and Sarah in a miraculous way. That, in and of itself, is a beautiful story. But, do not miss the fact that God meet Hagar in her hour of need. Yes, He is a big picture God. But, He is a personal God. In the middle of working out the history of the world, He sends an angel to a distraught, mistreated, homeless and pregnant young woman just to show her He is in control and loves her.

Where are you today? Remember, while God is busy with the history of the world, He will meet you in your hour of distress with a message. Make sure you are in the place to receive it.

Pioneer Club

What is PIONEER CLUB?

Pioneer Clubs is a church-sponsored weekly club program for boys and girls K-6th grade.

This Christ-centered program

Integrates spiritual and personal development
Emphasizes evangelism and discipleship
Gives children opportunities to learn new skills, make friends, have fun,
and develop Christian values that affect every area of their lives.

Kindergarten-6th grade 5:30-7:30
Singing, Dinner, Crafts, Bible Lesson, Games
Dinner for all children at 5:30--$2.00 or $8.00 maximum/family