We had a busy week! Miss Vickie talked to our class about different ways people can be baptized and what baptism means. Some churches baptize by sprinkling water, while others practice full immersion. After learning about these different traditions, our kids decided they liked the Methodist way best and are giving it serious thought!

This week’s Bible story was about Levi (also known as Matthew), the tax collector. In Jesus’ time, tax collectors were disliked because they often took more money than required and kept the extra for themselves. Most people wanted nothing to do with them.

But then something amazing happened. Jesus saw Levi sitting at his tax booth and said, “Follow me.” (Luke 5:27)

That’s it—just two simple words! And do you know what Levi did? He got up, left everything behind, and followed Jesus!

Imagine how shocking that must have been. Jesus, a respected teacher, invited someone that most people thought was dishonest and unworthy. But Jesus doesn’t just call those who seem perfect—He calls everyone, including people who have made mistakes. Levi knew that following Jesus would change his life completely, and he didn’t hesitate. He even threw a big dinner at his house to celebrate, inviting Jesus and his disciples to eat with other tax collectors and outsiders.

Some religious leaders saw this and weren’t happy. They asked, “Why does Jesus eat with sinners?” (Mark 2:16)

Jesus answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)

That’s the good news for us! Jesus doesn’t wait for us to be perfect before He calls us—He calls us just as we are.

What We Learned

✔ Jesus invites everyone—even those who feel unworthy or left out.

✔ Following Jesus means leaving behind the things that hold us back. Levi didn’t hesitate; he got up and followed!

✔ We are called to welcome others, just like Jesus did. No one is too far gone for God’s love.

See you in church on Sunday!