When the Lion roars, we listen to Jesus!

“What’s that sound? A lion’s roar! Hands up—who’s heard a lion roar before? At the zoo, or maybe on TV? What happens when you hear it? Can you just ignore it? No—you stop and listen, maybe even feel a bit nervous!”

“In the Bible, in Amos chapter 3, God says: ‘The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord has spoken—who can but prophesy?’ God’s roar is like His way of saying: ‘I’m speaking, so pay attention!’”

“Now, why was God roaring like a lion? Because His people had forgotten Him. Let me ask you: what are some things God wants us to do? (Children answer: love others, be kind, pray, worship Him). Yes! But Israel wasn’t doing those things. They were unfair, unkind, and just pretending in worship. So God spoke through His prophet Amos to warn them. Like when a teacher calls the class to listen, or a parent says, ‘Stop—that’s dangerous!’”

“But here’s the important bit: God didn’t roar because He wanted to scare His people. He roared because He loves them. If you heard a smoke alarm, would you get cross at it for being loud? No—it’s warning you of danger! God’s roar is a warning: ‘Your hurting other people, and yourselves.’” When we don’t listen to God we can’t hurt ourselves and other people, sometimes without even realising.

“And here’s the good news: God has spoken to us too, not just through Amos, but through Jesus. Jesus is called the Lion of Judah. He’s strong and powerful, but also loving and kind. He warns us, but He also saves us. He died on a cross, so that He could take the punishment we deserved, so instead of being afraid, we can be safe - and forgiven with Him. And when Jesus calls people today to share His message, one of the things we call them is missionaries. Missionaries are people who listen to Jesus’ voice and go wherever He sends them—sometimes far away, sometimes just across the street—to tell others the good news.”

“Let me tell you a quick story about someone who listened to Jesus’ call. Over 100 years ago, there was a woman named Mary Slessor. She grew up in Scotland and life was really hard for her—she worked in a factory when she was just a child. But she loved Jesus, and when she heard His call to share the good news, she went all the way to Nigeria in Africa. People there respected her because she was so brave and kind. She helped protect children, taught about Jesus, and showed God’s love in everything she did. Slessor frequently campaigned against injustices against women, took in outcasts and adopted unwanted children. In 1892 she was made vice-consul in Okoyong, presiding over the native court and in 1905 was named vice-president of Ikot Obong native court. In 1913 she was awarded the Order of St John of JerusalemMary listened to the Lion’s roar—and because she obeyed, many people came to know Jesus.”

Why is it helpful to listen to Jesus?

“Now, why should we listen to Jesus? What happens if you don’t listen to instructions in a game, or when your teacher explains homework? Things go wrong, don’t they? But when you listen, it goes better. Listening to Jesus is like that. He shows us the best way to live, He gives us peace when we’re worried, and He leads us to life forever with God. Listening to Jesus keeps us safe, joyful, and close to Him.”

Hold up the lion picture again.

“So remember this: The Lion has roared, the smoke alarm’s going off - God has spoken. And when Jesus, the Lion of Judah, speaks—we listen! Because He loves us, His words give us life, and sometimes, like Mary Slessor, He may even send us out to share that message with others.”