CBH Ministries- Keys for Kids: Everyone's Welcome


Leslie's Sunday school teacher smiled at the class. "After we go to see the Statue of Liberty on Saturday, we'll have a picnic lunch, followed by games," Miss Webber told the excited kids. "But this won't be all play. In class next week, I'm going to ask you to give me some of the information about the statue."

How odd, thought Leslie. What would the Statue of Liberty have to do with a Sunday school lesson.

On Saturday the weather was beautiful, and Leslie and her friends thought the tour of the Statue of Liberty was great-and the picnic and games were fun, too. They all had a really good time.

As she promised, Miss Webber quizzed the class in Sunday school the next day. "Did you all read the poem about the Statue of Liberty?" she asked. Most of the class nodded. "Good," said Miss Webber. "The last five lines have become very well-known. Who can tell me what they talk about?"

"They're like an invitation for people to come to America," remembered one of the boys.

Miss Webber nodded. "What kind of people were invited to come?" she asked.

One of the girls raised her hand. "Those who are poor and tired," she said.

"And those who want to be free," said another.

"That's right," agreed Miss Webber. "For many years, all kinds of people came and began a new life in a brand new country." She paused, then asked, "What invitation does Jesus give that's similar to those words on the Statue of Liberty?"

After thinking a moment, Leslie raised her hand. "Is it our memory verse?" she asked, then quoted the verse. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Miss Webber nodded. "When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, you begin a new life-just like immigrants begin a new life in a new land," she said. "One important difference is that there are laws limiting the number of people who may come to the United States, but there are no quotas-no restrictions-on the number of people who may come to Christ. Everyone is welcome. You are welcome!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you accepted the invitation to have your sins forgiven? Who you are, how old you are, the color of your skin, whether you're rich or poor-none of this matters. The invitation Jesus gives is for you-you are welcome to come. Won't you do that? Come to Jesus today. (See the ABCs at the end of this book.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28