THINK TOGETHER
Have you ever thought you lost something but you had it all along?
READ TOGETHER
When my children were younger we read the book The Wizard of Oz together. In the book Dorothy wants to go back home to Kansas but first she must make it to Oz to get help from the Wizard. Along the way she meets a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Lion. Do you remember what they each needed? The Scarecrow needed a brain, the Tin Man a heart, and the Lion courage. They each thought that they didn’t have what they need, but they actually did. The Scarecrow comes up with all the smartest ideas. The Tin Man shows the most compassion. And the Lion courageously fights off the flying monkeys. Even Dorothy already had what she needed to get home – the ruby slippers. They were on her feet all along.
Being a Christian is like being in the Wizard of Oz. The Bible says that we already have everything we need, but we have to believe it. Here’s how Paul says it to Pastor Timothy in his second letter to him:
2 Timothy 1:6-7. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Power. Love. Self-control. Every single Christian has these things already. We already have everything we need to fearlessly love and trust God just like Jesus did. No, it won’t be easy. There are a lot of things that can make us afraid. What makes you afraid?
But when we know that we have Jesus in our hearts, then we can live like he did, with power (the Lion), with love (the Tin Man), and in self-control of our thoughts (the Scarecrow). And like Dorothy we are already wearing the shoes of grace that will get us home to God in Heaven.
Because of Jesus we have all that we need to love and trust God.
With Jesus we don’t have to be afraid; we can be courageous, kind, and controlled.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
The Wizard of Oz movie is not nearly as good as the book, but the Scarecrow’s If I only had a brain song might illustrate our discussion.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, you have given me the Spirit and all of God’s power, love, and self-control. Help me to remember that I already have all I need to not be afraid and to trust you. Amen.
TLICfamily 