It's back to school time again! Some of you are probably really excited while others may be a little sad that summer is over. Maybe you feel a little nervous or scared about going back to school because of all the new things that you'll have to face. New teachers, new friends, and for some of you maybe even a new school.

Sometimes on the first day of school, the teacher likes to ask a few questions to see how much you already know. If you know the answer, you wave your hand excitedly in the air and say, "I know! I know!" It's a great feeling when you know the answer, isn't it? It sure helps to take away those nervous feelings. 

You know there was a time when Jesus was teaching the disciples and he asked them a question to see how much they knew.  Jesus asked,
"Who do men say that I am?"

I imagine that one of the disciples raised his hand and said, "I know! I know!  Some people say that you are John the Baptist."

Then another of the disciples raised his hand and said, "I know! I know! Some people say you are Elijah."

A third disciple raised his hand and said, "Some people say that you are Jeremiah or one of the other prophets."

"Very good," Jesus said, "that is what other people are saying, but who do you say that I am?"

You know, I think that Peter was so excited that he forgot to raise his hand. I think he just called out to Jesus, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus said, "You are right, Peter. You didn't learn that from listening to other people. It was taught to you by my Father in heaven."

The disciples learned an important lesson that day that's just as important to us now.  Many people today still do not know who Jesus is. You and I need to be ready with the answer,
"He is the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Maybe you can get to know the new kids in your class by inviting them to church and sharing with them something that's important to you...
Jesus!!

                                                                               -Mike Payton