Today, Tilly teaches the friends all about someone named Joseph! Joseph had some crazy dreams and a big family. Check out the whole story in this episode!

And for more great stories, don't forget to look for Stories of the Bible from Saddleback Kids!

“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NLT)

Genesis 37

The same question gets asked in a variety of forms: Where is God when it hurts? Why do bad things happen to good people? How can a good and loving God allow suffering?

Joseph could have asked these same questions; maybe he did. Mistreated and abused by his brothers, and eventually sold into slavery by them, Joseph could have easily chosen to believe that this was all evidence that God didn’t love him or wasn’t “on his side.” Isn’t that the same place our minds are often tempted to go when we face difficulties or troubles? “God must not care about me. If He did, these things wouldn’t be happening to me.” This seems to be especially true if our troubles come about because of other people’s meanness or sin, while we were simply trying to live our lives following God.

Joseph was living a life of obedience even as a young boy. He wasn’t perfect, as evidenced by his somewhat boastful interactions with his brothers, where he relayed his dreams of ruling over them. But he definitely didn’t deserve to be thrown in a pit and then sold as a slave by his own family members! Can you imagine how he must have felt when his brothers ripped off his colorful robe? This robe represented the special bond he had with his father and his brothers, in their jealousy, destroyed it.

Have you ever seen something you treasured be ripped apart before your eyes? Maybe it was a tangible object like Joseph’s robe, or maybe it was a long-treasured dream that you saw crumble. In those moments, it’s easy to ask, “Where are you, God? Don’t you see me?”

One thing we can learn from Joseph’s life is that God never leaves us. Even when we can’t see Him or feel Him, He is there and He is working on our behalf. Joseph must have wondered what God was up to as he was being led off to Egypt as a slave, but he didn’t waiver in his trust and obedience to God.

Questions to think about:

1. How does it feel to be mistreated when you have done nothing wrong?
2. What do you learn from Joseph’s life that can help you respond to people who mistreat you or are jealous of you?
3. Do you ever struggle with envy like Joseph’s brothers did? If so, what are some healthy ways you can deal with it?

The friends at Happy Harbor learn about someone who was good friends with God. His name was Daniel! His story is in God's special book, the Bible. Let's check out his story!

When there is a big scary storm going on, what do you do to stay brave? Do you find your parents and hide under them? Maybe you even like storms? Arlo and the gang learned about a storm that was especially scary for some fishermen, but Jesus took a nap right in the middle of it!

Jesus Calms the Storm

“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39)

Mark 4:35-41

Jesus told us in scripture that we will face many trials in this life (John 16:33). This is a fact of life – not an “if,” but a “when.” Maybe you have not experienced trials yet or maybe you have been through more than your fair share of struggle. Whatever the case may be, God can handle it.

Jesus demonstrates His power to the disciples by effortlessly calming a raging storm after suggesting He and the disciples cross the lake in a boat. Soon after setting off on their journey, a storm, described as “fierce,” comes upon them. The boat began to fill with water and, understandably so, the disciples began to panic. They looked around for Jesus, but could not find Him. Eventually, they found Him sleeping peacefully in the back of the boat. He was unfazed by the storm because He was not afraid. The disciples began yelling, “Don’t you care that we are going to drown?” Jesus woke up and using only His voice, instructed the waves and wind to be still. Immediately, the storm subsided.

Once the storm had ended, Jesus turned to His disciples and asked, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” In the midst of a raging storm, Jesus felt peace because He knew He was stronger than the storm. He would not let it bring down the ship. Yet, the disciples let fear consume them when they faced the storm, not believing that Jesus could save them.

When trials or “storms” enter our lives, it is easy to let our fear lead us. Let this miracle be a testament to the power of Christ in our lives. By calming the dangerous storm, He showed us that He can calm any type of storm we are facing. When something scary happens, we do not have to be afraid because Jesus has proved that He is more powerful than anything we will face, including nature.

Questions to think about:

1. What storm are you facing?
2. What stands in the way of you handing over your fear to Christ?
3. Is there a time in your life when Jesus has calmed a storm you faced? Trust that He can do it again.

Have you ever wondered who made everything? God did! That's why God loves you so much, because He made you! Let's hear about from our friends.

thing just for you to enjoy this Bible story for yourself. We encourage you to read over this devotional sometime this week as a way to reflect on the Bible story your child saw from Church at Home. We love you!

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Elementary Activity Sheets

Each week we have a variety of activity pages to help your child remember the week’s lesson. They include new coloring pages and activity sheets to enjoy!

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Navigating Parenthood

Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out this Two-Minute Tip, The Universal Talk, all about communicating your child’s value as someone created by God.

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Who is in Kelby's treasure chest this week? Kelby, Arlo, and Tilly all learn about an amazing woman named Esther this week! Come along with us to Happy Harbor to pop some bubbles, ride the Bible train, and hear an amazing story all about God's love.
Esther

Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson about Esther with your child after they’ve watched the video service!

1. Who was today's Bible story about?
   Esther. God made Esther and she loved God.
2. What did Esther wear on her head?
   A crown! The crown showed everyone that Esther was a queen.
3. One day, she heard someone was going to do something bad. Uh oh! Did Esther stop the bad thing from happening?
   Yes! She stopped the bad plan. Shake your head “no” because the plan was not good.
4. Esther had to do something brave and tell the king to stop the bad plan. Can you be brave, too?
   Yes! God helps us be brave. Show me your strong arms because God made us to do good and brave things.
5. Take some time to pray with your toddler. Encourage your toddler to sit with you and fold their hands, saying something like:
   God, thank you for loving us and wanting to be our friend. Thank you for making us. Help us do good things and be brave like Esther! We love you! Amen.

Parent Encouragement - Esther

Hey parents! Here's something for you to be encouraged by and get ideas to bring this Bible story into your everyday conversation with your child at home!

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Toddler Craft – Esther Character Stick

In this craft, your toddler will create their own Esther Character Stick to remind them of the main character from the Bible story. God made Esther, and God made them!

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Toddler Activity – Talk Like Esther

In this activity, your toddler will bring the craft they made to life. They will practice saying and doing things with their Esther Character Stick to remember this Bible story about Esther.

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Toddler Coloring Page - Esther

We have a variety of coloring pages to help your child remember familiar faces from this month’s lesson!

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Navigating Parenthood - Esther

Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out this blog post all about how to foster healthy obedience in our children that comes from a place of love and respect rather than rules they follow out of obligation

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At Saddleback Kids we believe every kid should be known, connected, equipped and empowered. KNOWN by another kid and a leader. CONNECTED to a group where they can grow spiritually. EQUIPPED with the tools and the knowledge to develop a strong faith in Jesus. EMPOWERED to serve others and share Jesus in the world.

To sum it up, Saddleback Kids exists to connect kids to God and others while helping them live a purpose driven life.

This week Arlo looks for adventure through the telescope in his lighthouse! He is hoping to learn about someone new today. Will learn with the help of his friend Kelby the octopus? Let's find out!

For more great stories and things to do, head to Saddlebackkids.com
And to see the video version of Happy Harbor, check out our youtube channel!
Parents, there's plenty for you too at Saddlebackparents.com, and don't forget to subscribe to the On Purpose Parents podcast from Saddleback Parents.

Talk It Over

The Parable Of The Lost Sheep

Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson about The Parable of the Lost Sheep with your child after they’ve listened to the episode!

1. Who was today's Bible story about?
   Jesus.
2. A man had 100 sheep. What sound does a sheep make?
   Baa.
3. Uh-oh. What happened when he lost one of his sheep?
   He looked and looked all around to find it. Let’s play peek-a-boo! You can pretend to be the sheep and I’ll cover my eyes then find you. Ready? Peek-a-boo sheep!
4. How did the man feel when he finally found the lost sheep?
   He was happy! He asked everyone to come celebrate. Let’s jump and clap our hands and celebrate, too.
5. Take some time to pray with your toddler. Encourage your toddler to sit with you and fold their hands, saying something like:
   God, thank you for loving us. Thank you for making us. Thank you for wanting to be our friend. Thank you that you will take care of us. We love you! Amen!

Parent Encouragement - The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Hey parents! Here's something for you to be encouraged by and get ideas to bring this Bible story into your everyday conversation with your child at home!

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Craft – I-Spy Bag

In this craft, your toddler will make an I-Spy bag filled with hidden items from the Bible story. As they look for the items in their bag, they will be reminded that the shepherd looked for the sheep. He loved the sheep, and God loves us!

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Activity – Balloon Sheep

In this activity, your toddler will have fun as they find all of the sheep like the shepherd found his lost sheep in our Bible story. The shepherd loved his sheep, and God loves us!

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Coloring Page - The Parable of the Lost Sheep

We have a variety of coloring pages to help your child remember familiar faces from this month’s lesson!

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Navigating Parenthood: Step Up

Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out part 2 of this Two Minute Tip series all about how we can help our kids hold onto faith.

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GOOD SAMARITAN

Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson, Good Samaritan, with your child after they’ve watched the video service!

1. Jesus told a story. Who was today’s Bible story about?
   A Samaritan man.
2. A Jewish man was hurt – he had lots of owies. A Samaritan man came. He helped the Jewish man. Let’s say, Hooray for the Samaritan man. It is good to help people when they are hurt.
3. God made people because he loves everyone. Can you point to someone God made?
   Help your child point to you and to themselves!
4. Jesus is happy when we help someone and we can be happy, too. Show me your happiest happy face.
5. Take some time to pray with your toddler. Encourage them to sit with you and fold their hands, saying something like:
   “God, thank you for making us. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for wanting to be our friend. Help us to help people just like the Good Samaritan. We love you! Amen.”

Parent Encouragement - The Good Samaritan

Hey Parents! Here's something for you to be encouraged by and get ideas from this week to make the Good Samaritan lesson part of your everyday conversation with your toddler at home!

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Toddler Coloring Page - The Good Samaritan

As your child colors this coloring page, they will be reminded of today’s Bible story and that God made them! There are additional coloring pages with familiar faces from today’s lesson, too.

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Toddler Craft – The Good Samaritan Badges

This week, your child will create a Good Samaritan badge to remind them they can help people just like the Good Samaritan helped in the Bible story.

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Toddler Activity – Find the Hurt Man

In this activity, your child will find the hurt man hiding under a cup. They will remember they can be like the Good Samaritan. When they see someone who is hurt, they can help.

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Navigating Parenthood

Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out this Two-Minute Tip, How to Help Your Children See Themselves Through God’s Eyes Pt.1, all about solidifying the basis of your child’s identity through three words.

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