The Biblical Path of Life

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  • Lesson 2 (Lesson 15): Genesis 12 – 24: Abraham and Isaac

    Key Verse

    “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” James 2:23

    Read today’s key verse with your class.  Help them understand with the following:  imputed means counted; to put to his account, either in his favor or what he must be answerable.  Righteousness means that righteousness which has regard to God and the divine law; especially internally where the heart is right with God; piety toward God, and hence righteousness; i.e.:  to regard as evidence of piety, hence the righteousness which is in or through faith in Christ.

    Summary:  Abraham believed the promise God made in Genesis 3:15 (God would send one to deliver mankind from their sins).  It is proven in his faithfulness to obey God’s call upon his life.  He was faithful to leave his home and walk the land God promised would belong to his descendants (even though at this point he and Sarah were old and without any children).  Abraham believed God would give him a son, just like He promised.  Even when the promise was fulfilled and he had his son, Isaac, Abraham was faithful to obey God when God asked Abraham to give him back.  And because of his righteousness (faith that Jesus would come), he was called the Friend of God.

    This lesson helps us to understand that “righteousness” before God is when we have faith in Jesus:  see II Corinthians 5:21:  “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 15 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 15 – 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!

    For today’s lesson, we took a 5×7 foam sheet and put a sticker of a Bible looking man on the bottom.  The children then put a whole bunch of stickers of stars on the top. We placed the verse James 2:23 on the bottom to remind them that because Abraham believed God (and acted upon that belief), he was called the friend of God.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.  Today, have them consider Abraham.  Are they willing to change the course of their life to follow God, just like Abraham did?  Have them write (on a puzzle piece or construction paper) ways we can live a righteous life before God.  Add these to your mural, as a reminder to please God with our lives.

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

     

  • Lesson 1 (Lesson 14): Genesis 1 – 11: 4 Main Events: Creation, Fall, Flood, Babel

    Key Verse

    “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

    After reading today’s Key Verse with your class, help them understand by explaining that because we are humans, we cannot understand the things of God.  We must learn to trust Him with all of our heart.

    The events in today’s lesson are mainly things we cannot really understand.  That is why we must rely upon God and not our own understanding (see today’s Key Verse.)  God created everything out of nothing.  That is amazing if you think about it.  Who can understand how that is possible?  God gave mankind everything they would ever need inside the garden.  He only asked one thing – don’t eat of the fruit of one particular tree in the garden (Genesis 2:15-17.)  But that is exactly what Adam and Eve did.  They disobeyed God and ate of that one fruit.  They didn’t trust God’s Word, but leaned on their own understanding.  When Eve saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and that it was a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit and ate it (Genesis 3:6.)   She tried to understand.  She didn’t trust God’s Words.  By the time you get to Genesis chapter 6 mankind had become exceedingly wicked.  So wicked, God wanted to destroy all of His creation.  “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:8.  God spared Noah and his family.  But by chapter 11 of Genesis, the people had once again decided to choose what they wanted over what God told them to do.  God had told the people to go and to fill the earth, but they came together and built a city and a tower to the heavens – to make a name for themselves.  Once again, God intervened in man’s affairs.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 14 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 14 – 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!

    For today’s lesson, we had stickers (and cut outs from magazines) of things God created and let the children stick (or glue) them on some construction paper.  We also had the verse Genesis 1:1 printed out for them to glue to the paper.  The idea is to have them understand that God created the world, animals, people, plants, flowers, etc.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.  Today, have them choose an area in their lives in which they have not yet trusted God.  Have them write at least one way they can begin to trust God in that area.  Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.

     

  • Time Flies …

    Time seems to pass so quickly!  I have posted ideas of things to help teach this Bible study to children for the first thirteen lessons so far. I hope these ideas are helpful or at least get your own ideas churning as to how to help children desire to know God’s Word!

    The most important thing we can help children (or any student of God’s Word) to understand is just how important their Bible is.  They need to learn how to take care of them.  They should become familiar with them. They must understand the importance of reading them!  Even beginning readers should be encouraged to read God’s Word.  In the 6-8 year old class I taught, we read the Bible out loud every week (yes, even the young children!).  At first, the youngest readers were very hesitant to read.  But with a little encouragement and help, they became excited about reading their Bible.  Each week they would become a little more proficient at reading, and that fact encouraged them greatly.  No child is too young for us to begin to teach them to love the Word of God or to learn the principles found within God’s Word!

    In this study, we will take 3 years to go completely through the Bible.  We began with an overview of the 5 Old Testament Divisions (the first thirteen lessons).  The next thirteen lessons we will begin the first division of the Old Testament – The Law.  We will continue to study each section, remembering many familiar Bible events (and learning a few new ones along the way!).  The idea is to see the Bible in historical order, to alleviate some of the confusion.  And at the end of each quarter, we will take out time to see Jesus in the Old Testament.  Keep in mind that we are looking at each book as an overview.  The idea is to encourage each person to go home and dig into God’s Word and learn even more!

    This study was put together to make the Bible not only interesting, but applicable to everyday life.  The Bible means nothing to us if we do not apply the principles within to our lives to become more like Christ.  In order to understand how to live a Christian life pleasing to God in the world today, we must first know what His Word says.  I hope that you learn to love the Bible through these lessons!

  • Lesson 13: How Jesus Relates to the Old Testament

    Jesus in the Old Testament: 

    Key Verse

    “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17

    Understand the key verse with the following:  fulfill means to fill out; complete or made them perfect; to accomplish an end.  Jesus came to complete the promise God made to Adam and Eve (and all of mankind) in the garden after they sinned.  So, when Jesus came he did not take away the importance of the Old Testament law and prophets, instead he fulfilled the words spoken and preached for he accomplished what God required of Him. That allowed him to be the perfect sacrifice to appease the wrath of a just and righteous God.

    In this lesson we will look at verses from of the Old Testament that were prophecies of Jesus that He fulfilled.  We cannot cover all of the verses listed in the Old Testament in one lesson’s time.  We will only go over one verse for each of the 5 divisions we have been learning about this quarter.  We will eventually try to cover many of them.

    We will also look at a great plot against Paul to kill him because he lived as a Christian, preaching Jesus to the lost.  Paul, the apostle, used this in his defense before Festus:  Acts 24:14:  “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:”

    He believed all things which are written in the law and the prophets.

    Do you?

    Our goal in this study is to let the Old Testament become much more to us than a bunch of “stories” abut people who lived a long time ago.  We will search and find out why these people wanted to obey God and how they knew He would one day send Jesus.  These “stories” will be an encouragement to us that God is with us and takes care of His people.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 13 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 13 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    In any lesson, you may want to work on your coloring timeline – especially when it relates to the lesson.

    Display the poster of the books of the Old Testament (may be downloaded from lesson 4 blog).  Remind your students that the Old Testament is all to remind the people to look forward to the coming of Jesus.  You may find a coloring picture that fits today’s lesson.  There are many free coloring sheets online.  Just type in a favorite and search away!

    Give each of them a small blank book (or make foam journal, or staple blank pages inside a construction paper cover) and let them add stickers to remind them of Jesus. Have them draw Bible stories from the Old Testament inside as you have time.  Remind them that the Old Testament is all to remind the people of Jesus. Also have a coloring sheet.

     

    Mural idea: 

    On wall in your classroom that is a mural:  Have your students write (on a large puzzle piece) an Old Testament prophecy we looked at today with the New Testament fulfillment.  Use 2 different colors of markers (or crayons) to distinguish between the two.

    Continue having them bring a picture, a news article, a poem they have written, a picture they may have drawn, etc. of something that is relevant to each of the following week’s lessons.  Encourage everyone to participate.  Watch as it grows weekly, as they express what God is revealing to them through our study of how the Bible fits into His plan to help us become more like Him.

    Old Testament Bookshelf

  • Lesson 12: Review: Old Testament Divisions

    Key Verse

    “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Ezra 7:10

    Understanding the Key Verse:  Before beginning today’s lesson, consider today’s key verse.  Christians should adhere to this verse.  We must prepare our hearts to seek the law of the Lord (God’s Word).  We must live it out in our lives, and then proceed to tell others.  Then we will be able to teach others – first by the way we live our lives, then by being a verbal witness to others.  It must happen in this order.  Just as we see it in Ezra 7:10.  It is important to know God’s Word.  That is why we are studying it in detail.

    Since this is a review, encourage your students to do most of the “telling” this week.  Encourage them to “unload” all the knowledge they have of the Old Testament on you.  This will also help you, the teacher, know where your classes’ deficiencies in Old Testament knowledge stand.  Then you can focus more on you classes’ needs.

    Always use your Bible.  Become very familiar with it.  To help in the understanding of the Old Testament, first –find Esther 10 in your Bible and hold Genesis through Esther 10 in your left hand.  Next, hold the rest of the Old Testament (Job – Malachi) in your right hand.  Understand that everything in your right hand takes place in the time-frame your left hand is holding.

    Review and be prepared to share about the following looking back to Lesson 4 for additional information.

     

    Ideas for review:

    • Make it a game for your students to tell you which book is found in which division
    • Have them tell you what each book is about.
    • Let them tell you an event from each book. (Be prepared to tell one if no one has one!)
    • Have Old Testament Bible Drills
    • Use any (or all) of the resource reviews you have made this quarter.

    Above all, encourage your students to want to know the Bible!

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 12 Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet

    Lesson 12 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    In any lesson, you may want to work on your coloring timeline – especially when it relates to the lesson.

    Display the poster of the books of the Old Testament (may be downloaded from lesson 4 blog). Review the books and the five divisions (showing them on the poster).  Review the 3×5 cards if you made them, practicing the divisions.  Focus on putting the books in order for today’s lesson.  Be encouraged to memorize them!

    If you drew pictures of different events from each division, you could compile them into folders – one for each division (see picture below).

    There are many free coloring sheets online.  Just type in a favorite for review and search away! You could always trace the child’s hand and write the five divisions on each finger – much like in lesson 4.

    One class wrote the name of each book on a clothespin and hung them in order on a hanger.

     

    Mural idea: 

    Continue adding to your wall in your classroom that is a huge mural.  For this week, have them each choose their favorite Old Testament book and write a riddle about it for someone else to try and figure out which book it is.

    Continue to have them bring a picture, a news article, a poem they have written, a picture they may have drawn, etc. of something that is relevant to each of the following week’s lessons.  Encourage everyone to participate.  Watch as it grows weekly, as they express what God is revealing to them through our study of how the Bible fits into His plan to help us become more like Him.

  • Lesson 11: Three Post-Exile Minor Prophets: Haggai – Malachi

    Key Verse

    “Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 1:3

     

    For younger children:  Hand out the first worksheet.  Help them complete the maze.  Review the memory verse with them.  Show them that just as they had to choose the right path on their maze, we must choose whether or not we will obey what God’s Word teaches.

    For Youth:  Ask the following: What happens when you make a wrong turn in traffic?  Can you get lost if you are traveling a new road and take a wrong turn?  In life we can’t always see what is ahead.  If we make a wrong turn, we need to immediately correct our course.  Today we see words of warning and encouragement from the prophets.  (Refer to the key verse.) They echo a call from God for the people to return to Him and he will turn to them.  Hand out the worksheet to reinforce the memory verse.

    In this lesson we look at the last 3 books of prophecy (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) are post-exile – after the people had been carried away captive and have now returned to their homeland.  These books take place in history during the time of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.  Once they returned, they had an important task ahead of them, but they quickly become tired.  God sent prophets to tell the people that God should be first and foremost in their lives. These prophets also, once again, reminded the people the importance of fearing God and obeying His commands.  They are reminded of the promise that the Messiah is coming, and that God isn’t finished with His people yet.  The Old Testament ends with a warning of a curse for those who do not remember the words of the law and the prophets.

    Today emphasize that we must choose to turn to God and not the things of the world. 

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 11 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 11 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    In any lesson, you may want to work on your coloring timeline – especially when it relates to the lesson.

    Review the 3×5 cards if you made them, practicing the divisions.  Focus on putting the Minor Prophets, emphasizing the last three, books in order for today’s lesson.

    Another idea for today would be to have blocks for the children to build with in class.  Remind them that the people had to rebuild the Temple, their homes and the walls around the city during this time.  The Minor Prophets spoke words of encouragement to them.

    Display the poster of the books of the Old Testament (may be downloaded from the Lesson 4 Blog). Review the Minor Prophets (showing them on the poster).  You may have them write or draw a picture of their favorite event from the last three of the Minor Prophets, or you may find a coloring picture that fits today’s lesson.  There are many free coloring sheets online.  Just type in a favorite and search away!  Another idea would be to have some building blocks for them to build with in class.  Remind them that the people had to rebuild the Temple, their homes and the walls around the city during this time.  The Minor Prophets wrote words of encouragement to them.

     

    Mural idea: 

    Have the students think about how faithful they have been in their walk with God.  Do they have Jesus in their heart?  (Be ready as teachers to briefly share the “Plan of Salvation.”)  If they are a Christian, do they read their Bible?  Do they obey what it says in God’s Word?  Do they realize when they are doing wrong?  How is their relationship with their family?  Ask some of these questions to help them take a look at their own hearts and lives.  God does – daily (remember Job 7:17-18?)

    On the wall you have chosen in your classroom to become a huge mural:  For this week, have them each choose a Post-exile Minor Prophet.  Have them write a few things (on a large puzzle piece or construction paper) that they learned that helps identify them from the other prophets. And/Or, have them write down one area in their life they will work on this week to try and live better pleasing to God.

    Continue to have them bring a picture, a news article, a poem they have written, a picture they may have drawn, etc. of something that is relevant to each week’s lessons.  Encourage everyone to participate.  Watch as it grows weekly, as they express what God is revealing to them through our study of how the Bible fits into His plan to help us become more like Him.

    Old Testament Bible Bookshelf

  • Lesson 10: Nine Pre-Exile Minor Prophets Hosea – Zephaniah

    Key Verse

    “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,”  Hebrews 1:1

    Understanding the key verse:  “God, who at sundry times (refers to the incremental and progressive manner in which God disclosed Himself up until the appearance of the Son. It was fragmentary, piece by piece – kind of like pieces of a puzzle) and in divers manners (this word is used to qualify the manner in which divine revelation during the Old Testament time-frame was given.  It shows the diverse ways through which God disclosed His word, such as dreams, visions, angelic visitation.) spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,”

    The first nine Minor Prophets are included in the final division in the Old Testament:  Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah.  Once again we see there is an obvious division:  these are pre-exile – before the people were expelled from Israel.  Something of interest:  we know very little about these prophets.  Amos was a herdsman (Amos 7:14), Micah was from an obscure town 25 miles SW of Jerusalem who preached to the poor and oppressed, and Zephaniah was a descendant of good King Hezekiah.  NOTE:  They were just ordinary men that God chose to use.

    Our emphasis today will be to understand that God revealed himself to people through the ages in different ways at different times.  He had an extra special job for the prophets.  God has an extra special job(s) for His people today as well – if we will only obey!  Make our time on earth count for God – live for him daily.  Allow God to use us.  Respond when God calls.  It may be a minor thing God asks of us in our eyes, but very important to the kingdom of God.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 10 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 10 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    In any lesson, you may want to work on your coloring timeline – especially when it relates to the lesson.

    Review the 3×5 cards if you made them, practicing the divisions.  Focus on putting the Minor Prophet books in order for today’s lesson.

    Display the poster of the books of the Old Testament (may be downloaded from the Lesson 4 Blog). Review the Minor Prophet books (showing them on the poster).  You may have them write or draw a picture of their favorite event from the first nine of the Minor Prophets.  Because Jonah’s life is such a popular event in the Bible, you may find some Jonah stickers to work on to help them remember the Minor Prophets.  Or you may find a coloring picture that fits today’s lesson.  There are many free coloring sheets online.  Just type in a favorite and search away!

    Younger classes:  You could have the room in disarray when they come to class.  Assign different children to “clean” or “organize” the clutter (i.e.:  crayons out, papers scattered, books off of the shelf, marker on the board to be erased, etc.)  Help them understand the importance of doing what they are asked to do.  God had a special job for the prophets.  God has special things for His people to do, also.  Hand out the first worksheet to complete. After the lesson, help the students do the worksheet that reinforces what they learned in the Bible lesson.

    Younger classes:  Play “Simon Says” to reinforce obedience.  Remind them the Prophets obeyed God.

     

    Youth:  Think of a time when you were told to do something you didn’t really want to do (Have someone share, but if no one says anything, give some examples:  clean your room, be home by curfew, be nice to a sibling, etc.)  Help them see the importance of obeying (once again, give examples.)  Today, we will learn about some men that God called for a special purpose.  One of these disobeyed God.  See what happened to him!

    On the wall you have chosen in your classroom to become a huge mural:  For this week, have them each choose a Minor Prophet (1 or more to include all of them.)  Have them write a few things that they learned that helps identify them from the other prophets.  Encourage them to include the time God called them to become a spokesman for God.  Have them look for opportunities that God places before them (especially this week) to be a voice for God in this world.

    Continue to have them bring a picture, a news article, a poem they have written, a picture they may have drawn, etc. of something that is relevant to each week’s lessons.  Encourage everyone to participate.  Watch as it grows weekly, as they express what God is revealing to them through our study of how the Bible fits into His plan to help us become more like Him.

    Minor Prophets Pictures

  • Lesson 9: Five Major Prophets: Isaiah – Daniel

    Key Verse

    “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.”  Amos 5:14

    The word seek means “to search”.   We must seek good things in this world, not evil.  In our lesson today, we find that God’s people had quit seeking good and were continually doing evil.  Remember, God spoke to His people through prophets many years ago.  God sent his prophets to tell the people to seek God and follow His commands.

    If you think about it, the prophets had a fascinating role in history.  God sent His prophets to tell the people to seek God and follow His commands.  They were entrusted with God’s Words to be delivered to the people.  Exposing the sins of the people and revealing the need for repentance (turning a humble heart back to God), took much courage.  Although it was a difficult task, we see faithful men accomplish what God asked of them.  Even when the people refused to listen at the time, we see God working to fulfill His plan.  As students of the Bible, we should never be afraid to study the words written in the books of prophecy.  Remember, the prophets also reminded the people that the Promised One (Jesus) would come.  Take note:  God knew and chose these men.

    Keep in mind that much of the prophets’ message was to “seek good, and not evil.”  Seek means “to search”.   We must continue to seek good and learn to always obey God’s commands.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 9 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 9 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    In any lesson, you may want to work on your coloring timeline – especially when it relates to the lesson.

    Display the poster of the books of the Old Testament (may be downloaded from lesson 4 blog). Review the books of the Major Prophets (showing them on the poster).  You may have them draw a picture of their favorite event from the books of the Major Prophets.  Review the 3×5 cards if you made them, practicing the divisions.  Focus on putting the books of the Major Prophets in order for today’s lesson.

    Because Daniel’s life is such a popular event in the Bible, you may find some Daniel stickers to work on.  Or you may find a coloring picture that fits today’s lesson.  There are many free coloring sheets online.  Just type in a favorite and search away!

     

    Mural idea: 

    On the wall you have chosen in your classroom to become a huge mural:  For this week, have them each choose a Major Prophet.  Have them write a few things that they learned that helps identify them from the other prophets.  Encourage them to include the time God called them to become a spokesman for God.  Have them look for opportunities that God places before them (especially this week) to be a voice for God in this world.

    Continue having them bring a picture, a news article, a poem they have written, a picture they may have drawn, etc. of something that is relevant to each of the following week’s lessons.  Encourage everyone to participate.  Watch as it grows weekly, as they express what God is revealing to them through our study of how the Bible fits into His plan to help us become more like Him.

    Large OT Bible Bookshelf Puzzle

  • Lesson 8: Seventeen Prophetic Books: Isaiah – Malachi

    Key Verse

    “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.”  Matthew 13:35

    Have you ever been told a secret?  Did you want to keep it a secret, or tell someone else?  Secrets are hard to keep, yet the most important “secret” ever is not shared near enough.  God had secrets, and He told many of them to His people.  We can know those secrets today if we will just read His Word.  In this lesson we will begin to look at the prophets and see that they revealed secrets that had been “kept secret from the foundation of the world.”  At first we will just become familiar with who they are.  In the future, we will study them deeper.  Notice: God wanted us to understand the “mysteries” or “secrets” of the Old Testament.  He wanted us to realize that it all centered on the coming of Jesus, God’s Son.  Romans 16:25-26:  “25. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:”

    When God’s people were in sin and rebellion, God would send a prophet to speak His words to the people.  The word prophet means “one who speaks in place of another.”  Often, they would say, “Thus saith the Lord.”  Many times they brought a message to the people warning of the chastisement that was to come if the people did not repent and turn their hearts back to God and His commands.  Their primary job was not to foretell the future, although at times they did.  Prophets were usually unpopular in the land.

    This lesson is just an introduction to the prophets, to become familiar with the names and in which books of the Bible the events of the prophets’ lives are found (when they prophesied).  Just because they are listed at the back of the Old Testament, this is not necessarily the time frame in history they occurred. This lesson ends with an event in the New Testament that helps understand why we need to know the prophets.

    In this lesson, we want to recognize that God wanted us to understand the “mysteries” or “secrets” of the Old Testament, for they were all centered on reminding us of the coming of Jesus, God’s Son.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 8 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet

    Lesson 8 – Volume 1 Younger Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

    Lesson 8 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    In any lesson, you may want to work on your coloring timeline – especially when it relates to the lesson.

    Review the 3×5 cards if you made them, practicing the divisions.  Focus on dividing the Major and Minor Prophet books and putting them in order for today’s lesson.

    Another idea:  One teacher wrote the name of each book of the Old Testament on 39 different clothespins and clipped them in order on a hanger.  You  could have your students practice putting them in order! (See picture below.)

    You may find a coloring sheet of one of the events that take place in the books of the prophets.  You may also have some stickers about Jesus.  Remind them much of the books of the prophets reminded the people to look for Jesus.

     

    Mural idea: 

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.  For this week, have them each add the picture, news article, poem they have written, picture they may have drawn, etc. of something they believe is relevant to the lessons we have been studying.  Encourage everyone to participate.  Watch as it grows weekly, as they express what God is revealing to them through our study of how the Bible fits into His plan to help us become more like Him.

    Today, have them think about the world we live in.  Should there be a voice to the world with words from God?  Who is the voice today? (they should recognize that Christians are ambassadors in the world today.)  What should that voice say?  Have them make headlines for a newspaper or magazine with bold messages that need to be shared with our world today.  Add them to your mural.  For this week, you may also have them each think of someone they know who is lost.    Have them make a list of friends or family that needs to be saved.  Add that list to your mural to remind you to pray for these lost friends and family each Sunday.  Help them understand the important job they have.  They have the Words of Life for the lost world.  Encourage them to share Jesus with those on this list (and anyone they meet).

     

     

     

  • Final Gardening Thoughts …

    While working on a garden, planting and weeding, you keep your mind on the fruit it will produce.  It is an exciting time once those plants produce fruit!  As you enjoy the fruit of your garden, you feel like all is well.  It is during those times of comfort and enjoyment that something bad tends to happen.  I can’t help but remember the episode of Little House on the Prairie when Pa planned on harvesting his first real crop at Plumb Creek.  The night before he was to harvest, a hail storm came and destroyed the crop.  My heart sympathized with the family at the loss!  This year, I had something very unusual happen to my garden.  A swarm of insects came in and devoured most everything in the garden in just a day or two.  I was so disappointed to see the plants destroyed!!  But it made me stop and think.  Sometimes I feel the same type of swarm in my life that appears to devour much of what gives me joy.

    Remember what David told his son, Solomon, before he made him king over God’s people:  “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9).  Even with the best of intentions in seeking the Lord, there is a constant enemy present.  Do you remember his goal?  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8).  Think back to Job for a minute.  God’s Word describes him as “… a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.”  You would be hard pressed to find another man described any better!  But do you remember what happened to him?  God allowed Satan to take everything from him – except for his life.  If you remember, he lost his wealth, all ten of his children, his health and even his wife told him to curse God and die.  Yet through it all, Job never cursed God.  Instead he grew in his understanding and knowledge of God.  What a mighty example he is!

    Have you ever had times in your life where you felt like those plants in the garden that were totally consumed by insects?  Have you wondered why God would allow things to come into your life that seem to destroy almost everything, leaving you with the thought that there is no hope of recovery?  If you ever feel like that, remember Job.  Instead of quitting and throwing in the towel, he took time to talk to God.  But most importantly, he waited to hear from God.  That made all of the difference!  “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.” (Job 62:5-6).  As good of a man as Job was, he still recognized who he was compared to our Holy God.  And when he waited to hear from God, he saw God in his life as he never had before.  Job may never have known all of the details about God allowing Satan to attack him viciously, but those of us who read the Bible know just what happened.  We can understand that anything that happens to us while we try to live as “perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil” like Job, God already knows that we can handle it – for He will be with us!!

    “5. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Hebrews 13:5-6).