The Biblical Path of Life

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  • Lesson 6 (Lesson 45): Psalms 107-150: Book 5

    Key Verse

    “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”  II Timothy 3:16

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they have ever tried to play a game with someone without reading the instructions.  Could the game be played?  Was there arguing over unknown rules?  Was it a peaceful game? Or was there much disagreeing going on?  Was it a good game?  Could there be a winner?  Was it any fun?  Living a Christian life without reading the “rules” is impossible to do.  Do you know what the rules are? (God’s Word.)  Read today’s memory verse together with your class.  Help them understand it using the following definitions.

    inspiration of God: breathed by God; divinely inspired

    profitable: helpful; useful; advantageous

    doctrine: instruction in the sense of a warning

    reproof: learning to refute (defeat or overthrow) adversaries (enemies)

    correction: set right; correct

    instruction: setting right that which is wrong

    Notice that this verse builds upon itself in its instruction.  They are interdependent (mutually dependent) upon each other.  First we see it is a doctrine (used for instruction or warning), then as truth (knowing the truth convincing us of error), correction (morally correct), and instruction (we see discipline to lead us to righteousness.)  Keep this in mind as we study the final book of the Psalms today.

    Summary:  Today we continue with the second of the Personal books, Psalms.  Remember that the Psalms is broken up into 5 books.  We will look at book five of the Psalms (chapters 107-150) today, comparing them to the book of Deuteronomy.  If you remember, the main theme of Deuteronomy was the second giving of the Law to the new generation and teaching the people of God’s Word.  They were then prepared to continue walking with God into the Promised Land.

    Deuteronomy is a book that began by looking back at what God had done for His people.  The rest of the book is looking forward to what God would do.  Throughout the entire book, it showed the faithfulness of God and revealed that God loved his people.  Moses warned the people not to forget the words of God’s law.

    Today we will compare the remembrance in Deuteronomy (remembering what God had done and the importance of the Words He had given His people), to the fifth book of the Psalms.  We will see that Psalms 107-150 is mainly about the importance of God’s Word (Psalm 119 is a praise of God’s Word).

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Remember what God has done, and then understand the importance of God’s Word.  After this, we learn the importance of walking with God, and we can praise Him with our whole heart.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 45 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 45 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson I found a sticker sheet for Psalm 119:105.  They were to put the correct sticker on the correct foot putting the verse in the correct order.  We then read it together.  Be sure they understand the verse and the importance of allowing God’s Word (the Bible) to guide them in their daily lives.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.

  • Lesson 5 (Lesson 44): Psalms 90-106: Book 4

    Key Verse

    “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”  Romans 15:4

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they have ever learned anything (i.e.:  how to ride a bike (drive), how to read, etc.).  Did it take time?  Were you very patient?  Did the knowledge of what you would be able to do once you learned encourage you?  Knowing how to live a Christian life, pleasing God, takes time and patience.  But we are comforted (encouraged), knowing it is an important thing to do, and with the hope (confidence) we will spend eternity in heaven with Jesus.  That is why the Bible was written. So we could learn these things.

    Summary:  Today we continue with the second of the Personal books, Psalms.  Remember that the Psalms is broken up into 5 books.  We will look at book four of the Psalms (chapters 90-106) today, comparing them to the book of Numbers.  If you remember, the main theme of Numbers was wandering in the wilderness when they were disciplined for disobeying God.  They learned to completely rely upon God – for food, water and protection.

    If you remember, the name Numbers came from a numbering of the people at the beginning of the book and then again at the end.  These were two different groups of people, the old generation and then a new generation.  When the 12 spies were sent into the land (the land promised to Abraham), only Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report claiming God would allow them to conquer the land.  When the Israelites disobeyed God’s command to cross over into the Promised Land, they were disciplined.  The old generation would die and not enter into the Promised Land because they refused to obey God’s command.  Joshua and Caleb were the only ones to escape God’s discipline (wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.)

    During the book of Numbers, we saw God guiding, providing for, and protecting His people until they reached the Promised Land.  As we compare Numbers to the 4th book of the Psalms, see how God has always been there for His people, providing and protecting.  He wants to be the ruler (king) of their lives.  Man will not live forever.  For those who choose to put their trust in God, He becomes a personal God.  A relationship is established.  He becomes their refuge – just as God was for the Israelites in the wilderness.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Once we have placed our trust in God (Jesus), we must dwell in Him (live a life pleasing to Him).

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 44 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 44 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson I had a small shield craft with a small clothespin that glued to the back.  We glued a magnet to the back of the clothespin so it could hang on a metal surface (like a refrigerator).  We then took a small piece of paper and wrote the verse Psalm 91:4-5.  After they wrote the verse, we clipped it into the clothespin.  This is a good verse to remember that God will take care of those that belong to Him.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.

  • Lesson 4 (Lesson 43): Psalms 73-89: Book 3

    Key Verse

    “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?”    Psalm 77:13

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they like to go to church.  According to our memory verse, attending church is important to God.  That is how we know the way to live a life pleasing to God.  Help them understand the word sanctuary:  a sacred place dedicated to the things of God.  The church today is a place where we gather to focus upon the things of God and to learn of the things of God.  There is no one (or any thing) greater to place our focus and attention upon than God, our God.

    Summary Today we continue with the second of the Personal Books, Psalms.  Remember that the Psalms is broken up into 5 books.  We will look at book three of the Psalms (chapters 73-89) today, comparing them to the book of Leviticus.  If you remember, the main theme of Leviticus was the tabernacle.  That was the tent set up to hold the things of God and where man was to go to meet God.

    When the tabernacle was completed, God spoke to Moses from the tabernacle instead of Mount Sinai.  Once the people were free from the land of bondage, they needed to know how to live.  There was great emphasis placed on the importance of being a sanctified people – set apart from the world and the things of the world.  The people were to learn how to live as a people wholly given to God, in every aspect of their lives.  Leviticus showed the ability to have fellowship with God when man came to Him as a sanctified people.  (Because He is a Holy God and we are a sinful people.)

    The first eleven Psalms of the third book of the Psalms were written by Asaph (he was one of the Levites David appointed to minister before the Ark of the Covenant with songs in I Chronicles 16:4-5.)  We see him at one point as he struggled with jealousy over the prosperous wicked, until he went to the “sanctuary of God” – then he understood.

    We also reemphasize the importance of learning from history (again), and what happens to those who forsake God.  Through this book of the Psalms, we will learn the importance of God’s house, and the importance of serving Him.  It ends with a praise encouraging us to make God’s faithfulness known to “all generations.”

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  We are to learn the importance of not desiring the things of this world, but placing our focus (our heart’s desires) upon the things of God.  The one place we can go to achieve this purpose, is the church (the sanctuary – that place dedicated to the things of God).

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 43 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 43 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson I took a coloring of a church building.  I cut out the windows and doors.  The students were able to glue different colored pieces of small tissue paper to the back to make the windows look stained glass or just colorful.  They then took time to color the church building.  We are to encourage them to understand that the church building is a special place because it is the place God’s people go to meet together to place our attention on God and the things of God.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.

     

  • Lesson 3 (Lesson 42): Psalms 42-72: Book 2

    Key Verse

    “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”  Psalm 55:22

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they have ever had a problem.  Do you remember the Israelites when they were slaves in Egypt?  Did they have a problem?  What did they do? (They cried out to God.)  What did God do for them? (He sent Moses to deliver them from bondage in Egypt.)  Did God take care of them?  Read the memory verse for today.

    burden:  your problem

    sustain:  hold you, guide you, and provide for you

    suffer:  cause or allow

    righteous:  lawful, or honest; one who obeys God’s laws

    moved:  be removed; cast away; or off course

    God will provide and take care of His people who obey His laws and live for Him.  We will read words David and others wrote as they remembered God’s provision for His people through the years.

    Summary Today we continue with the second of the Personal books, Psalms.  Remember that the Psalms is broken up into 5 books.  We will look at book two of the Psalms (chapters 42-72) today, revealing man and God’s dealings with man as compared to the book of Exodus.  We find the main theme was Israel and their cry for deliverance, their redemption from Egypt, learning that the law reveals sin, and learning to trust God.

    After Moses led the people out of Egypt, God spoke to them from the top of Mount Sinai, and it was there the law was given (beginning with the Ten Commandments – Exodus 19-20.)  This law showed mankind their sin.  They were to obey God’s Law.  The Israelites were taught that obedience to God is necessary, and that they could not be a redeemed, set apart people, unless they obeyed God’s commands.

    During the book of Exodus, God’s people learned to trust Him for everything.  God provided for their every need in the wilderness – a cloud of covering during the heat of the day, a pillar of fire by night, food (manna), and even water (from the flint rock.)  They learned to trust in Him – completely.

    Much of the second book of the Psalms was written by David.  If you remember, he spent many years fleeing King Saul in fear for his life.  During that time, he learned to trust in God.  He cried out many times for God to provide for him, and even to deliver him from enemies.  During this time, he learned to praise God for His wonderful provisions and answer to prayers.  David also learned that sin separated him from God, until he repented of his sin.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Encourage them to learn to trust God for everything they need in life.  Help them recognize that sin separates us from God until we come to him in true repentance.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 42 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 42 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson we colored the verse Psalm 46:10a.  After we finished that, we glued the verse to a piece of construction paper.  The important thing was to understand the verse – to be still and know God!

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.

  • Lesson 2 (Lesson 41): Psalms 1-41: Book 1

    Key Verse

    “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  Colossians 3:16

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  After reading the verse with your students use the following definitions to help them understand it a little better.

    word of Christ:  refers to the revelation which Jesus brought into the world which is undiscoverable except by God and the Scriptures

    wisdom:  practical wisdom; sound judgment; good sense

    teaching:  to advise, or put in mind – as a tutor would do

    admonishing:  to caution or reprove gently; to warn

    hymns: a song sung in praise to God

    Use this discussion to prepare your students to understand the importance of the Psalms as we begin our study of them.  We see in our memory verse that the Psalms are songs sung as praises to God, but they are also to instill wisdom and good judgment in our hearts and minds to teach us how to live.

    Summary:  Today we continue with the second of the Personal books, Psalms. Psalms is known as the Israelites’ songbook.  David is often accredited to as its author.  Although he probably wrote almost half of them (about 73), there were other authors, known and unknown.  Many of the Psalms were written when different men approached God in prayer because of circumstances surrounding them.  You can see instances of great sorrow, admitted sin, repentance, hope and trust in God, faith, and a great love for God.  Throughout Psalms, man’s prayers from the heart turn to singing in that prayer – ending with man praising God, revealing that the Psalms are not only prayers from the heart, but songs as well.  Some were written in praise and adoration of who God is vs. who man is. So, many of these hymns are rich in Israel’s history.  If we know the history, we will better understand the circumstances surrounding many of these songs.

    In the book of Psalms, we find God is infinite – sovereign; yet despite man’s failings, God still communicates with man, and allows man to communicate with him.

    We will especially see how the Psalms, broken into five books, parallel to the first 5 books of the Bible (the Law).  Many believe the 5 books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy) are God’s words to His people, whereas the 5 books of the Psalms are God’s people’s words (prayers and songs) back to God.  Each of these five divisions ends with its own doxology (a hymn of praise to God).  We begin today with the first book of the Psalms (chapters 1-41) revealing man and God’s dealings with man as compared to the book of Genesis.  Remember in Genesis, we saw sin enter into the world, causing separation from God.  We also found God actively involved in men’s lives.  You may want to review that in Genesis there were 4 main events (the Creation, the Fall, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel) and 4 main people (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph).

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  All of God’s Word is important – converting the soul and making wise the simple (Psalm 19:7).

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 41 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 41 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 1

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson we took an outline of a sheep and filled it with cotton balls to make a fluffy sheep.  That was one way to remember that David (who we learned was a shepherd boy) wrote many of the Psalms.  You could choose to do a craft that reminds your students of one of the 4 Main Events in Genesis (Creation, Fall, Flood, and Tower of Babel) as we compare them to Book 1 of Psalms.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.

  • Lesson 1 (Lesson 40): Job: The Test

    Key Verse

    “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”  I Peter 1:7

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Explain that gold is purified with fire.  When it is hot enough to become liquid, the impurities can be skimmed off.  When we have trials (a time of testing), it is to purify us – making us better Christians.  Even though we don’t like trying times, they are to help us become better Christians as we wait for Jesus’ return.

    Summary:  Today we begin studying the first of the five Personal Books, Job.  We will continue with Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon in the following weeks of this quarter.  They are all books written as poems.  They each deal with individuals’ very personal experiences with God.  We will see how they specifically deal with the individual’s heart issues as they seek to know and understand God better.

    The book of Job opens with a behind the scenes event that Job never knew about (a very important fact for us to consider!)  Satan presented himself before God’s throne after walking to and fro over the face of the earth.  God (knowing all) asked if he had set his heart upon God’s servant, Job.  God then gave Satan permission to afflict Job.  The rest of the book records the events that transpired.  Today in our lesson we will see both sides, heavenly and earthly, of the afflictions of this upright man Job.  A most important thing to note:  through the events that take place in this book, a man God described as a “perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth (turns away from) evil” (Job 1:8), Job still grew in his knowledge of God – Job 42:5-6:  “5. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

    Many believe the book of Job takes place about the same time as Abraham, but most all agree that this is the oldest book written.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Even though we may have been in Sunday School or church for most of our lives, and think we know “enough”, we can still grow in our knowledge of God’s Word.  We should never lose that desire to learn more about God.  Job didn’t!

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 40 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 40 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson I had a list of some people in our church who were sick (or some of our shut-ins that no longer are able to physically attend church).  We made and colored cards to send to them.  It is important to minister to others when they are sick or afflicted.  We may not understand what is going on in their lives (much like Job’s friends had no idea what was really going on in his life), but it is a blessing to be kind to them.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.

  • Lesson 13 (Lesson 39): Jesus in the Old Testament: Jesus our Ruler

    Key Verse

    “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Explain the memory verse using the following definitions:

    seek:  strive after, with earnestness

    first:  importance; first of all; chiefly

    kingdom:  the glorious reign of the Messiah; its basis from the prophecies of the OT where the coming of the Messiah and His triumphs are foretold

    righteousness:  conformity to all God commands; God’s uprightness to which man is expected to conform.

    Jesus taught us to strive, with earnestness and as most importantly, for the coming of the Messiah (Jesus) and his reign.  And seek to be able to conform to all of God’s commands.  When we can do these things, all of the things Jesus had been teaching them (heavenly treasures, provisions here on earth, etc.) would be added.

    Summary:  We have learned that God’s people rejected Him as their king.  They wanted a man.  So, God gave them a man, Saul, and he failed miserably as a godly king.  But God chose a man “after his own heart,” David.  He was a good king, and God made him a promise.  Because David wanted to do good for God to build God a house, God would build David a house, one that would last forever.  Today, we will see in whom that promise was fulfilled, Jesus.

    David believed God’s promise, and it was recorded in the Bible for us to read today.  All through the ages, men watched and waited for that “Promised One” to come.  Even the wise men of the Far East sought a new king that was born, and wanted to come and worship him.  We find John the Baptist proclaimed He had come, and He was God’s Son.  But even more than that, Jesus himself declared principles of His kingdom we must learn to adhere to.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Our job, today, is to seek God as most important in our lives, obeying His commands, making him our King that we will serve.  When we do that, we have nothing to worry about because He will take care of us.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 39 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 39 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson I had a kit that made a shield (since we had been studying the kings of Israel) with a sicker for the middle that said “Christ is my Victory.”  It seemed to fit pretty well since we had been talking about the kings of Israel.  In today’s lesson we remembered the promise to King David that that Jesus was the promised King of Kings who would come.  We also learned a little of Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom that would come.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.

  • Lesson 12 (Lesson 38): I Kings 1-11: David’s Death and Solomon King

    Key Verse

    “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”   Matthew 6:24

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they remember the first 3 of the Ten Commandments.  (Exodus 20:3-5:  “3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image … 5. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them …”  Read today’s memory verse together with your class.  Help them understand this verse using the following definitions:

    serve:  obey; serve in bondage                                   hold:  to hold firmly, cleave to

    despise:  to neglect or not care for                           mammon: all kinds of possessions; the god of materialism

    Today we will look at the life of Solomon.  We see what happens when he turns from serving the one true God to allowing idol worship to come into his life.  He could not serve both.

    Summary:  I Kings begins with King David’s death and his son, Solomon, taking the throne.  David had encouraged his son to walk with God and obey His commands.  Solomon obeyed his father, David, and the kingdom was established.  God then came to Solomon himself, asking what he desired.  Solomon asked for wisdom and God gave it to him, along with riches and fame.  God, too, told Solomon to obey His commands and walk in God’s ways, and God would bless his kingdom as He had promised David.

    Solomon was allowed to build the temple that his father, David, had wanted to build.  But, Solomon allowed his heart to be turned from God to the gods (and idol worship) of his many “strange” wives.  When King Solomon turned his heart from God to idols, we see the nation decline from one of the greatest kingdoms ever to the promise of a divided kingdom; with David’s house only ruling two tribes (Judah and Benjamin:  see I Kings 11:30-35).

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Just as King Solomon was blessed and established as long as he walked in God’s ways as his father, David, we must make a choice – obey God or our own desires in the flesh.  When King Solomon “loved” many women, he allowed his heart to be turned from God.  We cannot choose the things of the world over God.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 38 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 38 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 1

    Lesson 38 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 2

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson we traced footprints and wrote I Kings 2:3 on them.  We then glued them to a piece of construction paper.  The idea is to help them remember the importance of walking in God’s ways and keeping His commandments.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.

  • Lesson 11 (Lesson 37): II Samuel 11-24: The Result of Sin

    Key Verse

    “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.”  John 8:34

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they know what sin is (sin means missing the mark; an offence to God.)  Ask them who has committed sin (all:  Romans 3:23.)  This verse helps us understand that when we sin, we then serve sin.  When we allow sin into our life, we cannot serve God as we should.  Today we will see what happened to David when he sinned against God.

    Summary:  Today we see what can be considered the turning point in David’s kingdom.  When he allowed sin into his life, the penalties for that sin damaged his kingdom.  We see rape, murder, and rebellion take root in his home.  God acknowledged that David had “. . . given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD . . .” (II Samuel 12:14.)  The rebellion in his home advanced to his kingdom.  David’s own son Absalom, whom he loved, rebelled against not only his father, but his father’s kingdom.  David ended up fleeing for his life, and in regaining his kingdom, his son was killed.  We see the time spent restoring the kingdom.  And once again, we see people recognize God’s promise to send One some day.  David’s men recognized this and did not allow him to return into battle for fear “that thou quench not the light of Israel.”  They knew the promise laid in him and his descendants.  As David comes toward the end of his reign, we see words of wisdom and even a song of thanksgiving and praise.

    David also bought the land that the temple would one day be built upon.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Once David allowed sin to come into his life, he had much heartache that could have been prevented.  We must learn from the examples written within God’s Word, or we will repeat them – suffering many of the same consequences of those sins.  But remember that God is faithful:  I Corinthians 10:13:  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 37 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 37 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 1

    Lesson 37 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 2

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson we took a coffee filter and cut it into a large heart.  We then took a regular marker and made small black spots in random places all over the heart.  I tried to help them understand that this was kind of what sin does in our hearts – leaves black spots.  We then took a spray bottle full of water and sprayed a few squirts onto the heart where the spots were.  We watched as the spots began to bleed and spread on the heart, becoming bigger.  That is much like what sin does once it enters into one’s heart – spreads, becoming bigger.  Also help them understand that it is impossible for us to remove those stains.  This is a great way to help them see the significance of this and the importance of understanding that it takes Jesus to wash away those black spots – our sin.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.

  • Lesson 10 (Lesson 36): II Samuel 6-10: David the Conqueror

    Key Verse

    “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”  I Corinthians 2:9

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Children may have a hard time understanding today’s memory verse.  Ask them what David did for his father when he lived at home (he was a shepherd, tending his father’s sheep).  When God sent an evil spirit to trouble King Saul, who did he want to kill? (David)  Do you remember why? (Saul knew that David would be the next king.)  Do you think David was ever afraid? (yes.)  Do you think he ever wondered if he would ever become the king as God had told him? (probably.)  Last week, we saw that David was crowned as the king of Israel.  David probably never knew that he would be such a great king that the kings that followed him would be compared to him (II Kings 14:3; 18:3; II Chronicles 29:2, etc.)   Today, we see how great of a king David was.  Most importantly, we see that God was most important to David, and David became known as a man after God’s own heart.

    Summary: Today we continue in the life of David.  We see that God is important to David.  We then see that David is important to God.  When David kept God first in his life, we see that God established him as a conquering king.  He not only brought the enemies into subjection, but David was also revealed as a compassionate king.  He found a living relative of the former king, Saul, and brought him to his home and restored his land.

    Because of David’s faithfulness, God made him a promise:  II Samuel 7:12 & 16:  “12. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 16. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.”  We will learn today that this is a promise not only of his son, Solomon, who became the next king, but a promise that God’s son, Jesus, would one day be King of Kings.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  We see Matthew 6:33 lived out in David’s life, long before it was even written:  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  We must live a life seeking God first, just as David did, and then we can see God bless our lives.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 36 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 36 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 1

    Lesson 36 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 2

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson I found a foam castle kit and modified it to fit today’s lesson.  In the doorway we glued the verses II Samuel 7:11b-12, 16.  In the crown sticker, we wrote the name Jesus to remind us that the promise extended past the immediate future into the very distant future when Jesus would finally be born.

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.