School | Motivation E-Books

March 23, 2025

Led by: Melody

It was a bright and cheerful Sunday morning on March 23, 2025, as the children of North Potomac Community Church gathered for their weekly Sunday School meeting. Laughter and excitement filled the room as the kids settled in, eager to hear the lesson for the day.

Standing at the front of the room was Miss Melody, the children’s Sunday School teacher. She was known for her engaging lessons, always finding creative ways to teach the Bible through real-life stories. Today was no different.

“Good morning, everyone!” Melody greeted. “I have a special story for you today. It’s about a young woman named Emma, and I think you’re going to love it.”

The children leaned in, ready to listen.

Emma’s Journey: Dance or Cheer?

Emma, a girl from North Potomac, Maryland, had always loved to dance. Ever since she was little, she would twirl around the living room, making up routines to her favorite songs. Her family encouraged her passion, and soon, she was taking dance lessons, learning different styles like ballet, jazz, and hip-hop.

But one day, Emma heard about competitive cheerleading. The flips, the jumps, and the energy of cheerleading fascinated her. It was similar to dance in some ways but also completely different. She began to wonder, “Should I keep dancing, or should I try cheerleading?”

Her family was supportive, but her mother was a bit hesitant. “Emma, you are such a talented dancer,” her mother said. “Are you sure you want to split your focus?”

Emma thought about it for a while and decided to train for both.

She spent months working hard, balancing cheerleading and dance. She practiced her turns and leaps in dance class, then rushed to cheer practice to learn stunts and tumbling. It wasn’t easy, but Emma was determined to figure out which path was truly hers.

Finding Her True Calling

After a year of training, Emma realized something—as much as she loved cheerleading, her heart belonged to dance.

She felt the most joy when she was dancing, and she loved expressing emotions through movement. She prayed about it, and one verse kept coming to mind:

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” – Psalm 150:6

Dance felt like worship to Emma. She decided to fully dedicate herself to it.

With her new focus, Emma took her skills to the next level. She didn’t just dance—she started teaching others. She became a coach for a local dance team, helping young dancers improve their skills and build confidence.

She was happy and fulfilled, knowing she had chosen the right path.

The Big Competition – and a Surprise

Then came the biggest moment of the year—the regional dance competition. Emma and her team had been practicing for months, and they were ready to give their best performance.

But as they arrived at the venue, Emma saw a familiar face—her former cheerleading rival, Olivia.

The kids in Sunday School gasped.

“That’s right,” Melody said, smiling. “Olivia wasn’t just at the competition—she was a judge!”

Emma was shocked. She and Olivia had competed against each other in the past, and Olivia had always been tough competition. Now, Emma and her team had to face Olivia’s team in the final round.

It was an intense competition. Both teams performed with skill, energy, and passion. Emma’s team danced their hearts out, giving a performance that felt like pure joy.

Then, after much anticipation, the judges announced the results…

Emma’s team won!

The kids cheered.

“Emma had worked so hard,” Melody continued, “and in the end, her dedication paid off. But do you know what made it even better?”

The children shook their heads.

“Olivia, her old rival, walked up to her after the competition. Instead of being upset, she smiled and said, ‘You and your team deserved that win. I can see how much you love what you do.’”

Emma felt proud, not just of the victory, but of how far she had come. She had found her true calling, and even her former competitor could see it.

Lesson from Emma’s Story

Melody clapped her hands together. “So, what do you think we can learn from Emma’s journey?”

One child raised a hand. “That we should do what we love?”

“Exactly!” Melody said. “Emma didn’t let anyone else decide for her. She explored both dance and cheerleading, but in the end, she chose what God had placed on her heart.”

She opened her Bible and read:

“Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12

“Emma was young, but she didn’t let that stop her from coaching a team and inspiring others. God can use anyone—no matter how young—to do great things.”

Another child raised a hand. “But what about Olivia? Wasn’t she mad that Emma’s team won?”

Melody shook her head. “That’s a great question! You see, even though Olivia and Emma were rivals before, Olivia respected Emma’s hard work. When we shine our light for God, others notice.”

She turned to another verse:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14

“Emma shined her light by being kind, working hard, and following her calling. In the end, even Olivia saw that light.”

Tying It All Together

Melody then pulled out a tablet and showed the children a website: DanceSpirit.com.

“This website has stories and tips for dancers,” she explained. “Just like Emma learned more about dance from great teachers, we can learn more about our passions and use them for God’s glory.”

She smiled at the children. “Maybe you love to dance, sing, play sports, draw, or do something else special. Whatever it is, know that God gave you those talents for a reason. And just like Emma, you can use them to inspire others!”

A Final Thought

As the Sunday School lesson came to an end, Melody gave the children a challenge.

“This week,” she said, “I want you to think about what you love to do. Pray about it, and ask God how you can use it to bring Him glory. And remember—you are never too young to make a difference!”

The kids nodded excitedly, already thinking about their own talents and dreams.

As they left the room, Melody smiled, knowing that today’s lesson had planted seeds of faith, confidence, and purpose in their hearts. Just like Emma, they too had a race to run—and God would guide them every step of the way.

In the mid-19th century, European explorers William Gilbert Rees and Nicholas von Tunzelmann were among the first non-Māori to settle in the area now known as Queenstown. Their arrival marked a turning point. Rees saw potential in the rugged landscape, with its sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu. In 1860, he established a high country farm where the town centre now stands.

Rees’s life changed dramatically in 1862. Gold was discovered in the Arrow River. This news traveled fast, drawing prospectors from across the globe, eager to strike it rich. The quiet farm became a bustling hub overnight. Rees, seeing opportunity, converted his wool shed into a hotel. He named it the Queen’s Arms. It later became known as Eichardt’s, still standing today as a symbol of Queenstown’s transformation from pastoral lands to a lively gold rush town.

As more settlers arrived, Queenstown grew rapidly. Streets were laid out, many of which still bear names from the gold mining era, like Camp Street. Some of the original buildings also remain. William’s Cottage, the Lake Lodge of Ophir (now an art gallery), and the Queenstown Police Station are close together in what is now a historic precinct.

In those early days, Queenstown was rough, full of prospectors who came with little more than hope. But the town thrived. With its lakeside beauty and surrounding mountains, Queenstown attracted not only miners but also travelers seeking adventure. The Remarkables mountains, towering above the town, were as much a source of wonder then as they are today.

By the end of the 19th century, gold mining had slowed, but Queenstown was far from fading. Its natural beauty began to draw tourists, and over time, the town evolved into a haven for skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor enthusiasts. Wine growing also took root, with the nearby plains proving ideal for vineyards, giving rise to what is now the Central Otago wine region.

In 1999, Queenstown faced a natural disaster. Heavy rains hit the South Island in November, causing the waters of Lake Wakatipu to rise dramatically. The lake level surged from 310.5 meters to 312.77 meters. Central Queenstown, with its lakeside properties, was flooded. The damage was severe, with water reaching depths of up to one meter in some areas. Roads were washed out, homes were lost, and the insurance claims totaled around $50 million. Yet, the town rebuilt. It always does.

The Story of Tracey O’Neill

Tracey O’Neill was born in Queenstown, a child of the goldfields. Her parents, Irish immigrants, had come to New Zealand seeking fortune but found only hardship. They worked as laborers, barely scraping by. Tracey grew up in a tiny cottage, the Remarkables casting long shadows over her childhood.

But Tracey wasn’t content with a simple life. She wanted more. By the age of 18, she had a dream that most considered foolish. She wanted to open a school for girls. Queenstown at the time had schools, but they were mostly for boys, and education for girls was often an afterthought.

Tracey’s father laughed when she shared her idea. “School’s no place for girls,” he said, shaking his head. But Tracey was stubborn. She had learned to read and write from her mother, and those lessons had opened a world of possibilities. She believed every girl deserved the same chance.

She found a small building near the lakefront, not far from what is now Camp Street. It wasn’t much, just a single room with wooden benches. But it was enough. Tracey saved every penny, working in a local hotel by day and tutoring younger children in the evenings.

One afternoon, an old prospector named Jack wandered into town. He was tired, his clothes ragged, and his face weathered from years in the mountains. Tracey, seeing his need, offered him a meal. As they talked, she shared her dream. Jack listened quietly, nodding along.

The next day, Jack returned. In his hands, he held a small leather bag. “This is for your school,” he said, placing it on the table. Tracey opened it. Inside were gold nuggets—more than she had ever seen. “I’ve been saving these for years,” Jack said. “But your school will do more good than I ever could.”

With Jack’s gift, Tracey’s school grew. She bought books, hired teachers, and by the end of the year, she had over 20 girls attending. The school became known for its high standards, and soon families from nearby settlements sent their daughters to Queenstown to learn from Tracey.

As the years passed, Tracey became a well-known figure in town. Her influence stretched beyond the school. She advocated for women’s rights and campaigned for better conditions for miners’ families. People came to respect her wisdom.

One evening, sitting by the lake, Tracey looked at the mountains. “The gold will run out,” she said to a friend. “But knowledge, that will last.” Her friend nodded, gazing at the still waters. “That’s true wisdom,” they said.

Today, Tracey’s name is remembered in Queenstown. Her school may no longer stand, but the lives she changed remain her legacy. The town, with its rich history of gold, adventure, and resilience, owes much to people like Tracey O’Neill, who saw the potential for something greater.

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