The Biblical Path of Life

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  • Lesson 12 (Lesson 25): Deuteronomy 12 – 34: Planning the Trip into the Promised Land

    Key Verse

    “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”  Deuteronomy 31:6

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Remind them that God’s people were preparing to go into the land of Promise to conquer it.  They had heard the stories of giants in the land, yet they were getting ready to enter.  God wanted to encourage them.  He would be with them.  They should not be afraid.  If God told them to enter the land, He would go with them, and He would not fail them.  (Optional idea:  Ask them if they have ever been afraid.  One time you never have to be afraid is when you do something that God has told you to do.  God told His people to go and possess the Promised Land.  They probably remember the stories of giants in the land.  Plus, these people were not soldiers trained for battle.  God wanted to reassure them.  Don’t be afraid.  God would be with them and He would not fail them, nor would he leave them.  God will do the same for us today, if we will walk with Him.)

    Summary:  In our last lesson we saw that Deuteronomy is a book looking back to what God had done for His people (Deuteronomy 1-11.)  In this lesson we see the rest of the book is looking forward (Deuteronomy 12-34).

    All of Israel gathered together.  Moses warned the people not to forget the words of God’s law.  Moses laid out before the people the blessings for following God’s law.  He then warned them of the curse of God if they failed to obey God’s law.  Deuteronomy is a reminding of the law, and the people are brought to the brink of the Promised Land, ready to continue.  The constant theme we have been noticing is the importance of obedience to God.  He wants obedience from His people – but He gave them the choice.

    Joshua was appointed the new leader (Deuteronomy 31), and Moses died (Deuteronomy 34).

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  God wanted His people to know that He would be with them wherever He led them.  The constant theme we have been noticing is the importance of obedience to God.  He wants obedience from His people – but He gave them the choice.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 25 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 25 – 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 made a suitcase to travel.  We took a center file folder and glued pictures of things that you would pack into a suitcase cut from magazines.  Include things like clothes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, hairbrush, shoes, socks, etc.  But especially find a sticker (or a cut out picture) of a Bible.  They should understand the importance of reading their Bible everyday – even on a trip!  You could then decorate the outside like a suitcase.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural. Today, have them make two mountains – one for curses and one for blessings.  (You could do this individually or as a group.)  Help them write curses on the one and blessings on the other.  Encourage them to remember that when we walk with God, He has promised to bless us.  And remember the memory verse, He will not fail them or forsake them.

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

  • Lesson 11 (Lesson 24): Deuteronomy 1 – 11: Remembering the Past & Reviewing God’s Laws

    Key Verse

    “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”  Deuteronomy 6:5

    Go over the memory verse with them.  Encourage them understand we are to love God with all of our heart, soul and might.  Help them know the way we show God we love Him is to obey Him in every area of our life (see what Jesus said in John 14:15:  “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”).

    Summary:  What God wanted most from his people was for them to love Him with all of their heart, soul and might.  If they would have done that, they would not have had to be constantly reminded to obey God and His laws.  They would have shown their love for him by their remembrance and their obedience.  We see in the book of Deuteronomy that God reminds this new generation who He is.  He reminds them of the promises and the deliverance he had shown their fathers.  He continues by reminding them what he expects from them.  And most importantly; they are to teach these things to their children.

    Throughout the entire book, it shows the faithfulness of God and reveals that God loves his people.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  To show God we love Him with all of our heart, soul and might by our obedience to Him and to our parents.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 24 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet

    Lesson 24 – 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).  Because this is a second giving of The Law to a new generation, we did another Ten Commandments craft.  The second Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet has a Ten Commandments picture you could have your class cut out and glue the commandments into the correct order.  You could always choose another commandment craft.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.  Today, have them make their own set of The Ten Commandments to add to your mural.  Encourage them to keep each of these commandments.  Remember, we show God we love Him by our obedience to Him.  And, we are to love Him with all of our heart, soul and might (see today’s Key Verse).

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

  • Lesson 10 (Lesson 23): Numbers 20 – 36: The Next Generation

    Key Verse

    “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”  Ecclesiastes 12:13

     

    Ask your students if they can name any of God’s commands.  Help them understand that fearing God is not being afraid of Him.  It is knowing what he expects of us and then doing it.  Help them complete the memory verse worksheet.

    Today we see what happened to God’s people when they did not keep God’s commandments.  They did not understand what we should today:  our whole duty is to fear God and keep His commands.

    Summary:  The name numbers comes from two numberings of God’s people in the wilderness.  These were two different groups of people.  We have been looking at the old generation and continue on to the new generation.  Today, we continue with the wandering of the people in the wilderness.  We look at the life of Balaam, and we also see what happens to a disobedient people.  Moses is told he will die and Joshua will be appointed the new leader.  Finally we see the new generation numbered and being prepared to enter the Promised Land.  But that promise to enter comes with a warning.

    In Numbers, we see God guiding, providing for, protecting, and even disciplining His people until they reach the Promised Land.  As they prepare to enter, Joshua is introduced as the successor to Moses (Numbers 27:15-23).

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  The most important thing we can do as Christians is obey God and keep His commandments.  That is the fear of God.  It is our duty.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 23 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet

    Lesson 23 – Volume 1 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). We took a 5×7 foam sheet and glued the Key Verse (Ecclesiastes 12:13) onto it.  We then put a few stickers to remind us of Balaam (and the fact that he should have obeyed God).  We had a Bible time’s man, an angel, a donkey and a couple of trees.  You could use your imagination to come up with better ones!

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural. Today, help them brainstorm:  think of different ways we can stop spiritual adultery we see each day (short of taking a javelin and thrusting someone through!).  At the very least, help them recognize instances of spiritual adultery (i.e.:  putting events more important than church attendance, putting things or people as more important than God, failing to have a quiet time of prayer and reading God’s word, etc.).

    Have your class make a list to add to your mural to help you remember.  Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.

  • Lesson 9 (Lesson 22): Numbers 1-19: Wandering in the Wilderness

    Key Verse

    “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”  Hebrews 3:12

    Read today’s key verse with your class, helping them to understand it.  Take heed means to beware, or pay attention to.  Christians need to be careful to not have an evil heart (means any form of evil) that would cause them to quit believing in God or His ways.  Today we see where the people “depart” from the living God.  Anytime a Christian chooses his will over God’s, he has departed from God.  This verse was a warning.

    Summary:  The name Numbers comes 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.  Today we look at the old generation, and the many troubles they caused Moses.  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 wander in the wilderness and die, not entering into the Promised Land — all because they refused to obey God’s command.   Joshua and Caleb were the only ones allowed to survive and enter the Promised Land.

    Within we also find more murmurings of the people and their discipline.  Less than 40 years elapsed during the book of Numbers.  Throughout Numbers, we will see God guiding, providing for, and protecting His people in spite of their constant heart of unbelief.  God stayed with them even when they departed from Him and His Words.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Today we will see the children of Israel have a heart of unbelief and depart from the plans the living God had for them.  We must believe God’s Word, or we will spend our lives wandering – just like the children of Israel did in the wilderness.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 22 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet

    Lesson 22 – Volume 1 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).  I printed copies of the verse (Hebrews 3:12, today’s Key Verse) that would fit in the frame for today.  We took the foam frame and glued the verse into it.  Since it was a heart frame and the verse spoke of the heart, we covered the frame with lots of small heart stickers.  Use your imagination!  Sometimes I would stick a small magnet on the back so they could be put on their refrigerator at home.  Other times I would just glue a small loop of a ribbon so they could hang it up somewhere.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.  Today, help them recognize the importance of following God’s will.  The people could have entered the land if they had only trusted God and obeyed Him.  Have them write out the verse Hebrews 13:17.  Encourage them to remember to apply this verse to their lives – always submitting themselves to their authority (i.e.: especially emphasize God, parents, pastor, teachers, policemen, etc.).

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

  • Lesson 8 (Lesson 21): Leviticus 21 – 27: The Worship of God

    Key Verse

    “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

    Go over the key verse with your class helping them understand it with the following:  “I am crucified with Christ [spiritually by mortifying (putting to death) our worldly and fleshly lusts by the cross of Christ]…”  Now that we have Jesus in our heart, we can no longer live like we once did (like we want).  We live for Jesus because we are given life by faith in “the Son of God” (Jesus) “who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  Notice the “me” makes it a very personal thing.

    Especially help them to learn to put their “wants” in check.  We are not supposed to live our lives doing what we want if we belong to Jesus.  We are supposed to do what He wants us to do!

    Summary:  Once your students understand the foundation of fellowship with God (the last lesson), they need to understand the condition they must be in to be in a relationship with God to fellowship with Him.  God starts with the condition of the priests, then moves on to the condition of their offerings.  We find out today (in the New Testament) that when we belong to Jesus, we are “kings and priests” to Him.  Knowing this, we need to look at what God required of His priests.  They must live a life “set apart”.  They were to be “holy” before God.  Help your students understand that this is required of us.  We must do as our memory verse today tells us.  Put our worldly lusts to death and live a life pleasing to God.

    The book of Leviticus ends with the blessings of obedience, the penalties for disobedience, and with the importance of keeping vows to God.  A warning is given to always keep our promises to God.  (Only about a month’s time passes during the book of Leviticus.)

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  To worship God properly, we need to understand that we cannot do what we want to do.  We must do what God wants.  We are “kings and priests” to God.  We have to live our lives “set apart” and pleasing to God so we can offer our lives as a “living sacrifice” (living implies continual – never ending).

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 21 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet

    Lesson 21 – 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).  We made a crown.  You can buy precut out crowns (from someplace like Oriental Trading Company), or you can cut them out of gold or silver poster board.  Allow them to decorate them with peel and stick jewels (or for someone who is brave, you could use glue and glitter!).  Fit the to the child’s head size and staple them to hold them together.  Remind them that when we are saved (have asked Jesus into our hearts) we are kings and priests to God.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural. Today, have them think of ways they can be a “living sacrifice”.  Have them draw a crown (or cut one out of paper) to remind them that they are “kings and priests” to God (if they belong to Him).  We should live our lives pleasing to God knowing that He gave His Son (Jesus), for that honor and privilege.  Have them write down at least one area in their life they will make a concerted effort to improve upon.

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

  • Lesson 7 (Lesson 20): Leviticus 1-20: The Way to God

    Key Verse

     “And he (Jesus) is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”  I John 2:2

    Read today’s memory verse with your class.  Propitiation is a word most children have never heard before.  Help them understand with the following:  Propitiation means an abbreviated definition is the means of putting away sin and establishing righteousness – not by man’s ability to appease God with any of his offerings (for man is unable to offer anything to placate God), . . . Jesus is presented as the righteous One; . . . reconciling us to God, allowing us to be acceptable for fellowship with God (see also Romans 3:25.)  The propitiation of Christ is very personal “the propitiation for our sins”.

    By Jesus’ death, He cleansed us from sin rather than covering it for a time – as in the Old Testament sacrificial system.  God provided his son, Jesus, as the righteous One (I John 2:1).  So, Jesus is the propitiation, made for the whole world (all who would believe), which supplies the method of deliverance from our sin, reconciling us to God, and making us acceptable for fellowship with God. Our students need to know that we are all sinners and God cannot look on sin.  Only Jesus can take that sin away (that propitiation).  Today’s lesson will help us somewhat understand the Old Testament sacrificial system.  Then we can better understand the sacrifice of Jesus.

    Summary:  Once the tabernacle was completed, God spoke to Moses from the tabernacle instead of Mount Sinai.  Now that they were free from the land of bondage, the people needed to know how to live as a sanctified people. God instituted the Offerings (ch. 1-7), the Priesthood (ch. 8-10, 12-22), and a Clean Lifestyle (ch. 11-20.)  They must understand the foundation of a relationship with God on the basis of the propitiation (appeasement from God’s wrath) from a blood sacrifice.  Leviticus shows the ability to have fellowship with God when we come to Him as a sanctified people.  (Because He is a Holy God and we are a sinful people.)  Through these many things, the people were to learn how to live as a people wholly given to God, in every aspect of their lives.

    In the book of Leviticus, “sweet savour” is mentioned 16 times in reference to the offerings God requires of them.  Compare this to what God says in Ephesians 5:2: “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”  Notice that Jesus’ death was a “sweetsmelling savour” to God – once and for all.

    Emphasis:  To understand that the book of Leviticus shows us the importance of the blood sacrifice needed before we could be reconciled to God, enabling us to have a relationship with him.  Leviticus helps us understand why in the New Testament; Jesus had to give His life as the one time only, perfect sacrifice.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 20 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 20 – 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). We took a small bag and filled it with potpourri.  We then tied the verse Ephesians 5:2 to the bag.  This was a “sweet smelling” bag to remind us of the “sweet-smelling savor” we learned about in class.  It is to help us remember the importance of living a life pleasing to God after the gift Jesus gave of His life for me.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural. Today, help them realize just how real sin is.  It is even real in their lives.  Have them think of an area they need to recognize as sin in their life that is not pleasing God (they do not have to share, just acknowledge to themselves).  Help them commit to work on living a clean life before God.  A lot of times, the sin on the inside shows up on the outside (how they dress, hairstyles, makeup, language, etc.).  Have each of them draw a cross on the shape of a heart that has their name on it.  Encourage them to remember that God knows their heart and it is their job to keep Jesus first there.

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

  • Lesson 6 (Lesson 19): Exodus 19-40: God Revealed

    Key Verse

    “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:”  Exodus 19:5

    Read today’s Key verse with your class.  Ask your students if they know what jewels are or what a treasure is.  Is it special?  Is it important?  In today’s memory verse, “peculiar treasure” are words used to refer to the people of Israel as God’s private possession because He chose them, delivered them from Egyptian bondage, and shaped them into what He wanted them to be (called jewels in Malachi 3:17).  Just as we feel treasures and jewels are special and important, God considers His people his special treasure or jewel.  Today we understand that Christians are a “peculiar treasure” to God (Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 2:9). We are very special and important to Him.

    Summary:  God had delivered His people from bondage in Egypt.  He had chosen them to be a special people to Him.  He gave them laws so they could obey Him.  He sent an Angel (Jesus) to go before them and lead them.  God revealed Jesus through the tabernacle and its furnishings.  God even gave them someone talented to build it and the implements to be placed inside.  Even with all of this, they still forget God.  They worship an idol, and Moses prays for them.  God still left his Angel (Jesus) with them to lead them.  When they finish the tabernacle and set it up, God comes down in a cloud of glory and dwells among His people.

    Emphasis:  We are to understand that Christians are to be a peculiar treasure to God.  I Corinthians 6:20:  “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 19 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 19 – 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 pictures below). One time we used Ten Commandment stickers and placed them inside of a half sheet of brown construction paper folded in half.  Another time, we cut apart the printed out copy of the Ten Commandments and glued them in the correct order inside of an outline of what we envision the Ten Commandments may have looked like.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural. Today, have them choose an implement of the tabernacle that we learned about today.  Have them write how that implement reminds us of Jesus.  They may want to draw a picture of one of the implements.  Remind them that we are the temple of God and Jesus lives in our hearts.  We need to live like we have Jesus there.

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

    Lesson 19 1
    Lesson 19-2

  • Lesson 5 (Lesson 18): Exodus 1-18: From Egypt Through the Wilderness

    Key Verse

    “And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God …” Exodus 6:7 

    After reading today’s key verse with your class, help them understand it, and the importance of recognizing God in our lives.  That He is to be our God and we are to be His people.

    Summary:  Between Genesis and Exodus, God’s people grew into a nation numbering around 2-3 million people.  At least 400 years had passed since they entered into Egypt.  We see the mighty deliverance of God’s people from a land of bondage (Egypt).  We see the power of God revealed through this time of exodus.  As they pass through the Red Sea, that eliminated their return to the land of bondage.  The old way of life was left behind forever.

    Emphasize the following:  But with all of these events, the most important thing to note is that God revealed Himself to His people.  He reminded them that He was their God, and that they were His people (see today’s memory verse.)  He showed them that he was their God through the 10 plagues and the mighty deliverance from bondage.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 18 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 18 – 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:  Make a burning bush with red, yellow, and orange tissue paper.  You could find a coloring sheet with Moses and a bush and add the tissue paper squares with glue, or just draw a picture of a bush and add the tissue paper to make it appear as if it were burning.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural. Today, have them consider God’s provision for His people.  Do they realize when we ask Jesus in our heart, we are no longer our own?  We belong to God because we have been bought with a price:  I Corinthians 6:19-20:  “19. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” We can no longer please ourselves.  Our job is to please God with every part of our lives.  Have them write (on a puzzle piece or construction paper) ways we can live a life pleasing to God.  Add these to your mural, as a reminder.

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

  • Lesson 4 (Lesson 17): Genesis 37 – 50: Joseph

    Key Verse

    “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

    As you read the verse Romans 6:23, help your students understand this key verse as they complete the opening worksheet.  Make sure your students understand the key verse and the importance of recognizing the greatest gift God ever gave – His Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sins.

    Summary:  In this lesson we will remember the familiar Bible events of Jacob and one of his sons, Joseph.

    Joseph was the 11th son born to Jacob.  He was a godly young man in spite of adverse circumstances in his life.  God used him to save his family from starvation during a time of famine throughout the lands.

    Today we will recognize God’s blessings upon Joseph’s life – for although he endured many problems (his brothers hated him; sold into slavery; falsely imprisoned; forgotten; etc.) he remained faithful to God.  And God blessed Joseph’s life.  Joseph was the last major person in the book of Genesis.

    In the Old Testament, Joseph is one of the people we compare to a picture of Christ.  In the past few weeks, we have seen where God promised to send One who would deliver a sinful people from their sins.  The first was when man sinned in the Garden (Gen. 3:15).  Then we saw where God promised Abraham that all people would be blessed through his descendants (Gen. 22:18).  We even saw a picture of what God would do – lay down the life of His Son.  This week, we see once again the promise of a mighty deliverer that would come (Gen. 28:14).  And better yet, we see a picture of a mighty deliverer in Jacob’s son, Joseph.  When Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, they meant it for evil – Genesis 50:20:  “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”  God sent His Son, Jesus to save the world from their sin.  He was the greatest gift ever given.  But sinful man crucified him (evil against Him), and God took what man intended to be evil and delivered us from our sins by Jesus’ death.  Just as Joseph recognized when he was placed in a position to save the world from starvation, Jesus came to save the world from “the wages of sin … death” and instead give us the “gift of God … eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Notice the faithfulness of Joseph, and the blessings of God upon him.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 17 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 17 – 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). We made a foam book with pages inside that we wrote (or drew) ways to “Honor God” (much like Joseph did in his life). Another time we took a picture of Joseph’s coat and used foam stickers to “color” it, or tissue paper glued to make it many colors.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural. Today, have them think of the greatest gift they can remember.  Have them recognize that as great as that gift was, Jesus is the greatest gift of all.  Have them think of ways they can, and should, tell others about the greatest gift ever, Jesus.  Help them decorate a picture of a gift box telling that Jesus is God’s gift to us.  Remind them that just as Joseph saved from starvation, Jesus came to save mankind from their sin.

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

    Lesson 17

     

  • Lesson 3 (Lesson 16): Genesis 25 – 36: Jacob

    Key Verse

    “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:7

    Help your children understand the key verse as you help them complete the opening worksheet.  Today we will learn the change that took place in Jacob’s life as he learned to trust God, inheriting the promise of Abraham.  Make sure they understand the key verse and the importance placing one’s trust in God.  God always keeps His promises.

    Summary:  In this lesson we look at the life of Jacob, the 3rd major person in the book of Genesis..  He and Esau were twins.  Jacob was the younger twin born to Isaac.  God knew before Jacob was even born what kind of a man he would become; for he chose to walk with God.  Because God had told Rebekah that Jacob would rule over Esau, she encouraged him to trick his father out of the family blessing, preempting God’s plan.  This caused contention, hatred, and grief from his brother for many years.  Jacob had to flee for his life to another land.  On the way, Jacob had a dream of angels ascending and descending a ladder into heaven.  God spoke to him and gave him the promise of Abraham.  Jacob obeyed his parents and chose a wife from his mother’s family.  But, Jacob was then tricked by Laban, his mother’s brother, who gave him the wrong daughter, Leah, in marriage.  Jacob had to work 14 years to gain the woman he loved, Rachel, Leah’s sister.

    When God told Jacob to return to his homeland, he obeyed.  On the way, he wrestled with an angel of the Lord all night.  It was the pre-incarnate Christ.  During that struggle, Jacob was renamed Israel (which means prince of God).   God blessed Jacob with 12 sons and 1 daughter.  These sons became the 12 tribes of the nation Israel.

    In the past two lessons, we saw where God promised to send One who would deliver a sinful people from their sins.  The first was when man sinned in the Garden (Genesis 3:15).  Last week, we learned that God had promised Abraham that all people would be blessed through his descendants (Genesis 22:18).  We even saw a picture (when Abraham offered Isaac) of what God would do – lay down the life of His Son, Jesus.  In this lesson, we see once again the promise of a mighty Deliverer that would come (Genesis 28:14).  Remember God’s promise was fulfilled when He sent His Son, Jesus, to save the world from their sin. Jesus was the greatest gift ever given.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 16 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 16 – 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!

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below). Take a piece of black construction paper, some wooden popsicle sticks, peel and stick stars, a sticker of a Bible times man, a sticker of a rock and some angels, some cotton balls and glue.  Glue the wooden popsicle sticks to the paper making a ladder.  Fluff the cotton balls and glue them around the top to make a sky.  Put the rock sticker on the bottom with the Bible time’s man (as if he is using the rock as a pillow). Stick the angels on the ladder (as if ascending and descending on the ladder).  Fill the night sky with the stickers of stars.  Glue a print out of Genesis 28:15 on it.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.  Encourage them to write a promise God made in His Word, the Bible.  Remind them that God always keeps His promises.    Add these to your mural, as a reminder that God always keeps His promises.

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