The Biblical Path of Life

Category: Year One Quarter Four

  • The Mercies of the Lord

    “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.”

    Psalm 89:1

    Consider the following song as you read Psalm 89.

    I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord Forever

    by James H. Fillmore

    I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
    I will sing, I will sing,
    I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
    I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
    With my mouth will I make known
    Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness,
    With my mouth will I make known
    Thy faithfulness to all generations,
    I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
    I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.

    Excerpt from The Biblical Path of Life – Year One Quarter Four, Lesson 4:

    “God’s Faithfulness:

    “Read Psalm 89:1–8. Do you notice anything about the first verse? “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 89:1). Have you heard the song called “I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord forever”? The words to that song came from this Psalm. In verses 1–8, the writer recognized the great mercies of God. “For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD?” (verse 6a), “or to thy faithfulness round about thee?” (verse 8b). We must make God’s faithfulness known to “all generations” (parents and grandparents must pass it on!). One way we can show with our mouths is through singing (as verse 1 revealed).

    “Read Psalm 89:15–18. Notice verse 15: “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.” Joyful sound here means “acclamation of joy.” We will be blessed if we know that sound of joy. Then we shall “walk” in the light of God’s countenance (light here refers to “life in contrast to death”,and countenance means“in the presence of the Lord. See Genesis 3:8, where God came to walk with Adam and Eve in the garden when they hid from the presence of the Lord; because of their sin”). When we know how to sing of God’s mercies and make that known to all people, we can be blessed people who walk with God. God is our king (see verse 18).”

    After reading Psalm 89, considering the song “I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord Forever”, and reading the excerpt from “The Biblical Path of Life” Bible study, consider the following thoughts.

    In Psalm chapter 89, it would be good to remember the promise God made to David in 2 Samuel 7:5-15. Then reread verses 3-4. “3. I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, 4. Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah” (Psalm 89:3-4). David knew God would keep his promise.

    In this chapter, not only is the covenant of God remembered but the faithfulness of God is recalled over and over. However, more than that, we are encouraged to not only walk with God but to make God’s faithfulness known to our children and our children’s children.

    Have you recognized God’s faithfulness and shared these things with your children or grandchildren?

  • A Confession and Prayer

    “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
    Proverbs 30:5

    “Agur wrote to his friends a confession. It soon turned into a prayer, one that recognized God. [Note: In brackets there are some definitions.]

    ‘1. The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal, 2. Surely I am more brutish [stupid; foolish] than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. 3. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge [knowledge gained through the senses] of the holy. 4. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell? 5. Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 7. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8. Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9. Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.’ (Proverbs 30:1–9)

    “Notice that he first recognized himself as a sinner (verses 2–3). He recognized he needed a Savior (verses 3–4). He acknowledged that he could not understand. Compare this with 1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” So he cried out, asking His name. Where did he go for his answers? (See verse 5 and remember Psalm 12:6.) But be careful to not add to or change what God’s Word says to fit your need (verse 6). He then continued with a prayer for forgiveness, and provision (remember the Lord’s Prayer we learned in Matthew 6:9–13, especially verses 11–13a). He wants God to forgive him from the sin he now recognized. He then wanted God to only give him what he needed, so he would recognize that it came from God. Too much, and he would claim the glory himself, and too little, he would break God’s commands by stealing. His heart sought God earnestly…

    “Be encouraged to see what others learned about the importance of wisdom in our lesson today. Remember that it is a personal choice – to seek wisdom or to become a fool. We must not only read, but memorize this wisdom found in God’s Word. Just as Agur (in Proverbs 30) realized he was a sinful man and recognized he needed God’s forgiveness, each person must come to that point in their own heart and life. A decision must be made. After choosing God’s forgiveness (becoming a Christian), we should do as Agur did. Agur chose “every word of God” for it is pure. What will you choose? We should choose the wisdom found in God’s Word – and live it out in our lives, thereby pleasing God.

    “God’s wisdom is important to those who belong to Him.”  

    (Excerpt from The Biblical Path of Life, Year One Quarter Four, Lesson 9: Proverbs 25-31, Wisdom Revealed.)

    Have you chosen to receive every Word of God as pure?

    How to be Saved

  • A Temptation to Envy the Prosperous Wicked

    “6. But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
    1 Timothy 6:6-7

    “See what Asaph recognized: ‘Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart’ (Psalm 73:1). He was acknowledging the goodness of God to whom God has given a clean heart (forgiven of sin). But in the very next breath, he admits something. ‘2. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked’ (Psalm 73:2–3). Think for a minute. Have you ever been jealous of someone’s “good luck” or the “cool stuff” they can afford to buy? Maybe someone else can afford to do something you have always wanted to do. That is exactly what Asaph caught himself just about to do. He had been looking at the people who did not belong to God, who had not given their hearts and lives to Him, realizing they were busy pleasing themselves and becoming rich in this world. He was jealous. He was about to “buy into” the lie with which Satan tries to fool us. Do you remember what Jesus told us to do? ‘19. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also’ (Matthew 6:19–21).

    “Notice that Asaph recognized God’s goodness to those who were of a “clean heart.” Their hearts were with God, forgiven by God. That is where God wants our hearts and even our minds. Do you remember what happened to Achan when he disobeyed God and stole the garment, the wedge of gold, and the shekels of silver. Israel lost the next battle, and Achan and his family were stoned (Joshua 7:20–26). He chose “things” (riches) over obedience to God and His Word. 

    “Asaph saw the prosperity of this world and did not understand (Psalm 73:4–12). He began to think that he had missed. ‘13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 14. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning’ (Psalm 73:13–14). He was almost ready to give up his “religion.” He didn’t understand why it seemed he had so many problems and troubles when the wicked didn’t. Notice where it was that Asaph learned what he needed to know about this situation. ‘Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end’ (Psalm 73:17). He found the answers to his questions when he went to “church”, that place dedicated to the things of God. Then he understood “their end.” He recognized his ignorance (“So foolish was I, and ignorant …” Psalm 73:22). He knew God would lead him and give him counsel (Psalm 73:24) and then receive him into glory. It is here that he acknowledges ‘there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee’ (Psalm 73:25b). He had made God his heart’s desire.” (An excerpt from The Biblical Path of Life, Year One Quarter Four, Lesson 4.)

    When you were born, you did not bring anything with you (see Ecclesiastes 5:15-16). Jesus told us to lay not up for ourselves treasure here on earth, but in heaven. He also gave us a warning that where our treasure is, that is where our heart will be. We can also be reminded of this in 1 Timothy 6:6-7: “6. But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” After remembering this, see what we are to do: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

    Are you content with what you have?

    Have you made God your heart’s desire?

  • Lesson 13 (Lesson 52): Jesus in the Old Testament: Jesus our Friend

    Key Verse

    “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if any of them have friends.  What characteristics make someone your friend? (i.e.: dependable, good listener, kind, always there, etc.)  Read today’s memory verse to your class.  Ask if any of them have a friend like that.  Would they, themselves, be the kind of friend that would lay down their life for another person?  The best friend in the world we could ever have is Jesus.  Today we will look at Jesus’ prayer in the garden on the night he was arrested.  Have them pay attention to what was on Jesus’ heart and mind as we read His prayer in the garden the night before He died on the cross.

    Summary:  We have been studying the five Personal Books of the Old Testament.  As we have learned, these books dealt with individuals’ very personal experiences with God.  We have been able to see some serious heart issues as these individuals sought to know and understand God better.  In studying them, we should now understand how very personal of a God we serve.  When these men cried out for answers, God answered.

    If you remember last week, we learned of a perfect love and compared it to a Christian’s love with God.  Just as God loved us and sent His Son, Jesus, we are to love Him with all of our hearts.  If our students can learn to love Jesus with all of their hearts, then their hearts will be prepared to one day love a man or a woman.  Remember, Christians are the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25:  “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”.  Compare this thought to today’s memory verse.)

    Today we will see the heart of Jesus revealed as He prayed in the garden on the eve of his arrest and crucifixion.  Just as the men who wrote the Personal Books laid their hearts open and bare for us to read about, Jesus’ prayer revealed the deepest and innermost thoughts of His heart.  Notice how He first dealt with himself, then his disciples He would be leaving behind, and finally with those who hadn’t believed upon Him yet – many of which hadn’t even been born yet (that is you and me.)  After this great prayer, we then look back at Psalm 22 which foretold of Jesus’ suffering death upon the cross, realizing Jesus knew He was about to lay down His life for His friends.  This is the greatest picture of a friend (see today’s key verse).  Jesus is the greatest friend because He gave up His life for me (and anyone who would believe).

    Just as we have been learning how to relate to God as the men who recorded the Personal Books, Jesus is our ultimate example of one who was not afraid to make His petitions known to God – knowing He would answer.  He is also a perfect example of the kind of friend we are to be to others.  Remember, the people He prayed for were the same people He gave His life for – His friends.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Jesus is our ultimate example of the kind of friend we are to be – willing to give all.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 52 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 52 – 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:  For today’s lesson give your students a blank piece of paper.  Have them write down some of their friend’s names.  Once they have finished this, have them think of something specific that they can pray about for each friend. (Examples:  maybe their friend is sick, or maybe they are on vacation, or maybe they are not very truthful and need prayer, maybe they have a friend who is especially mean to others and need prayer to help them be kinder, etc.)  Over all, encourage them to see needs in their own hearts and lives and the lives of others for which they can pray  Children, too, need to learn the importance of prayer.  And they will be encouraged and blessed as they see a prayer that they have written down answered!

     

    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 51): Song of Solomon: The Perfect Love

    Key Verse

    “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”  Jeremiah 31:3

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  One thing almost every child learns from a very young age is that God loves them.  What they may not understand is that God’s love is an everlasting love to those who belong to Him.  In the world today, love is a much overused word.  We “love” hamburgers, fries, candy bars, football; the list is endless.  Today we want to help our students understand “perfect” love – a love that is everlasting.  The best example of a perfect love is the love God has for the world in sending His only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins (Romans 5:8).  Help your students understand the love God has for His people.  As we begin our lesson today, help them understand that this is the depth of the love God intended between a man and a woman.  Man is not complete, nor is a woman, without the other:  Genesis 2:18:  “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”  Today we will look at Solomon’s description of this kind of love.

    Summary:  Today we finish the Personal Books, concluding with the Song of Solomon.  Song of Solomon is a collective love song written by King Solomon as to a young maiden.  Within we find the beauty of a perfect love.  We will study the Song of Solomon from the basics of a man who loved a woman, and a woman who loved him.  Since we are teaching children, we will remind them that just as God loved us and sent His Son, Jesus, we are to love Him with all of our hearts.  If our students can learn to love Jesus with all of their hearts, then their hearts will be prepared to one day love a man or a woman.  Remember, Christians are the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”).  Keep this thought in mind as we study the Song of Solomon, for the Song of Solomon is a picture of the love of Christ for his church, and the love the church should have for Christ, under the guise of a bride and groom.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:   To understand “true love” we must turn to God’s Word.  Just as Jesus loved us (his bride) so much He gave His life for them, we, too, are to love Him with all of our “heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Mark 12:30).  In loving Jesus, our hearts will be prepared to love one another (John 13:34).

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 51 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 51 – 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:  For today’s lesson you could have your students cut out a very large heart from a red piece of construction paper.  They could either use markers to write or draw ways that we can show Jesus that we love Him.  (Ideas:  read and memorize verses from our Bibles, faithfully go to church, be kind to others, obey Mom and Dad, treat our brothers or sisters kindly, do something nice for someone else, help others, etc.)

     

    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 50): Ecclesiastes 9-12: The Conclusion of the Matter

    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

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask:  How can we be “crucified with Christ”? (By dying to our own selfish desires and living a life pleasing to God.)  Ask your students if they understand what it means when it says “nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” (Once a person is saved, they are to no longer do what they want, because they are a sinful creature, but they are to do what Jesus wants them to do.)  In living a life “in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God”, means that even though we live here on the earth, in the flesh, we live a life of faith because we believe Jesus died on the cross, paying the penalty for our sins, so that we can live forever with him in heaven for eternity.  Encourage your students to keep this in mind as we continue our study of Solomon’s conclusions as we complete the book of Ecclesiastes.

    Summary:  Today we continue with the fourth of the Personal books, Ecclesiastes.  In our second week of studying the book, we remember that it was written by King Solomon, the man who had it all – riches, fame, rich heritage, a personal relationship with God, and wisdom beyond measure.  Remember he found that all of life is “vanity and vexation.” (vanity:  any thing that is futile, or worthless.  vexation:  something that disturbs or annoys; to trouble seriously.)  Because Solomon had not learned how to restrain his desires he found they were the cause of all of his “vanity and vexation.”

    Last week we found King Solomon recognized the fool he had become in turning from God.  Even with all of his wisdom, Solomon did not have all of the answers of life.  We continue our study this week discovering other truths Solomon learned.  Solomon learned there are only two kinds of people; wicked or righteous.  God takes care of the righteous, but all people will one day die.  Only the righteous have hope (of eternity in heaven with Jesus).  After trying to make sense of life apart from God, Solomon found he couldn’t.  Solomon concluded, late in life, that it really is important what you do with your life.  He finally understood the importance of remembering the Creator in the days of your youth (while one is young in life) before evil takes root in ones life.  Once Solomon learned these very basic principles, he recorded them for all generations to come.  He found it so important to warn everyone that he ended the book of Ecclesiastes with these words:   Ecclesiastes 12:13-14:  “13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Man’s duty is to fear God and to keep His commandments.  Only in this will we please Him.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 50 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 50 – 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 coloring sheet with a cross with the words “How do I Follow Jesus”.  It had pictures such as going to church, reading the Bible and loving Him.  As we colored the picture, we discussed ways we can follow Jesus (i.e. obeying parents, choosing to do right, being kind one to another, etc.).  We also colored the verse from today’s lesson (the Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet).

     

    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 49): Ecclesiastes 1-8: The Vanity of Man

    Key Verse: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”  Mark 8:36

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they have ever desired the things of this world (everybody does – that’s part of our nature).  Is it OK to want stuff, here on this world? (Of course.)  The important thing is to not desire things more than pleasing God, and to do what is right according to God’s Word.  Should you lie, cheat, or steal to get something? (No.)  Should you want what “everybody” else has? (Not if it doesn’t please God.)  Because we live on this earth, we have to have “things” to live.  But, we have to be content with the things God gives us, and not make “things” as our primary focus.  Ask your students if they remember what is to be our “focus” (what we have our eyes set upon – Jesus).  We must be careful to not allow the desire for “the whole world” (see memory verse) to keep us from serving and pleasing God.  See as King Solomon learned this lesson as we begin Ecclesiastes today.

    Summary:  Today we begin the fourth of the Personal books, Ecclesiastes.  We will take two weeks to study the book.  The word, Ecclesiastes, means “the Preacher.”  Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon, the man who had it all – riches, fame, rich heritage, a personal relationship with God, and wisdom beyond measure.  Yet with all of that, he found that all of life is “vanity and vexation.” (vanity:  any thing that is futile, or worthless.  vexation:  something that disturbs or annoys; to trouble seriously.)  He repeats that phrase 7 times in Ecclesiastes.  Ecclesiastes 1:14:  “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity (emptiness, something unsatisfactory) and vexation of spirit.”  Solomon had not learned how to restrain his desires and that was the cause of all of his “vanity and vexation.”

    Watch as King Solomon recognized the fool he had become in turning from God.  See as Solomon set about to prove he could be happy in this world, but ended up proving the worth of the wisdom from God. He also learned to be careful in his worship of God.  Finally, today, we see that man cannot understand God, we just have to fear him.  In doing this, we can know him.

    Even with all of his wisdom, Solomon did not have all of the answers of life.  He wrote this book from a worldly man’s point of view.  He tried to make sense of life apart from God, yet couldn’t.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Man cannot be satisfied with the things of the world.  He must seek God, and wisdom from God.  We cannot understand God, but “fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 49 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 49 – 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 copy of a treasure box online that we could color, cut out and glue together.  We discussed the idea that even with all of the treasures and resources that King Solomon had, he was not happy.  He found that he had to seek God first in order to be satisfied.  Remind them that gaining a lot of stuff (treasures to us) is not as important as seeking God and pleasing Him.  King Solomon learned this the hard way!

     

    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 9 (Lesson 48): Proverbs 25-31: Wisdom Revealed

    Key Verse

    “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they have ever made plans to start something tomorrow (i.e.: start a new book, work on homework later in the weekend – instead of Friday, quit eating too much candy and eat better, be nice to someone – later, read their Bible, tell someone about Jesus, etc.).  It is very easy to put something off until tomorrow.  We have no idea what tomorrow may hold.  Usually, it is nothing like we had planned for it to be.  Read today’s memory verse together.  Remind them of the important words of wisdom we have been learning.  How many have actually begun to put into practice some of the things we have learned?  Remember the old saying, “Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”  Help them understand this is kind of what today’s memory verse is saying.  How can we plan tomorrow when we don’t know what tomorrow may bring?  We will see wisdom revealed in our lesson today as some, who implemented these truths, found they were very real – and important.

    Summary:  Today we will finish the third Personal book, Proverbs.  We have been learning that it is not only important to know the words of wisdom recorded in this book, but we must learn to live a life applying that wisdom.  Then we will be able to live a life that pleases God.  We learned it is important to live that way early in life.  Last week we saw a listing comparing wisdom to foolishness, wise to unwise, right and wrong, and even good and evil. Remember that these words were written to help us live our daily lives wisely.

    We have read many wise things.  This week we will see what happens when these words of wisdom are revealed when applied to lives.  It affects our relationship with other people.  These words cause us to recognize we are a sinful people who need God, and His forgiveness.  The conclusion of this book shows the importance of a virtuous woman.  It helps us understand the pivotal role a woman plays in each home.

    Continue to encourage your students to not only memorize these words of wisdom, but to apply these truths to their lives.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  To learn the words of wisdom recorded in the book of Proverbs.  Recognize they are words that define a person’s nature – either one who seeks wisdom; or a fool.  Make them personal words of encouragement from wise men, Solomon and others, who wanted others to learn just what wisdom is – and how to get it.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 48 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 48 – 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 scroll using paper and dowel rods.  Some students wrote a few verses from Proverbs we talked about in the lesson in their scrolls.  I also had some verses available to glue into the scroll for those who couldn’t write as well or as quickly as others.  Encourage them to begin memorizing some of these verses!

     

    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 8 (Lesson 47): Proverbs 10-24: Wisdom is Necessary

    Key Verse

    “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”  Proverbs 12:15

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they have ever known someone who did something wrong (or just plain stupid) on purpose? (i.e.: eat a worm, jump from the top of something dangerously high, hit someone back, sneak gum in school, copy someone else’s homework, etc.).  Did it really hurt them at the time? (Probably not.)  That person thought it was OK at the time, “right in their own eyes.”  But, just because it seems OK, that doesn’t make it right.  We see in this verse that someone like that is called a “fool” (means:  silly; perverted; foolish) because they are setting a course for their life (way) that is not right according to God’s Word.  But, notice that one who “hearkeneth” (means:  to perceive a message; or hear with attention or obedience) to “counsel” (means:  advice or wisdom) is “wise” (means:  intelligent or clever).

    Summary:  Today we begin our second lesson in the book of Proverbs.  We continue learning the importance of God’s Word by searching Proverbs, the third Personal book for more words of wisdom.  Remember that the wisest man, Solomon (whose wisdom was a gift from God – I Kings 3:12), wrote many of these words.  We must learn the importance of practicing the practical portions of the right way to live a life of wisdom that pleases God.  We found last week that we must begin to live that way early in life.

    Proverbs is a listing comparing wisdom to foolishness, wise to unwise, right and wrong, and even good and evil.  Since it appears to have no organized thought pattern, just continual words of wisdom, we will look at some individual comparisons.

    As we learned last week, many of the words of wisdom found in Proverbs were written from a loving father as a warning to his only son.  These words are important truths to be learned.  We should encourage our students to not only memorize these pearls of wisdom, but apply these truths to their lives.  Remember that these words were written to help us live our daily lives wisely.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Teach your students the necessity of wisdom.  God gave us the words of the Proverbs to help us see the difference between the “foolish” and the “wise.”  Encourage them to learn to be wise, not in the wisdom of the world, but in the wisdom God’s Word teaches us.  Help them see the importance of keeping their lives right (living upright and perfect – as Job, Noah, etc.) before God.  Remind them that it begins at home by listening to the wise words of their parents who love them – just as God loves His people.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 47 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 47 – 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 journals for them to put together.  We put stickers of a castle, a shield with swords, and a crown (since King Solomon wrote Proverbs) on the front.  We also put a sticker with a verse (Psalm 86:11) on the front.  Inside we glued some preprinted verses from Proverbs.  We also took time to write a few more verses from Proverbs as we looked at that book over the next couple of weeks. I encouraged them to read Proverbs and continue writing verses in their journals that spoke to them as they read.  One of the best ways to remember averse is to write it down!

     

    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 7 (Lesson 46): Proverbs 1-9: Wisdom is to be Found Early

    Key Verse

    “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”  Proverbs 8:17

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they have a time when they read their Bible each day.  When do they do it? (i.e.: morning, afternoon, evening, etc.).  For those who have a quiet time other than the morning, ask if things have ever come up to keep them from having that quiet time with the Lord (i.e.: homework, chores, ran out of time, TV, etc.).  Encourage them to make it a priority to seek God not only early in the day, but early in life.  He must become important to us – now.

    Summary:  We have been learning the importance of God’s Word.  We found it is good to praise God, and we have seen God does bestow blessings upon those who belong to Him.  Now we must learn the importance of practicing the practical portions of the right way to live a life pleasing to God – and that we must begin to live that way early in life.

    Proverbs, the third Personal book, is known as a great source of wisdom. We will take 3 lessons to overview the book of Proverbs.  The wisest man, Solomon (whose wisdom was a gift from God – I Kings 3:12), wrote many of these words.  We will see that Solomon often addressed his son personally.  The key to Proverbs can be found in Proverbs 1:7-8:  “7. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  8. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:”  Many of the words of wisdom found in Proverbs were written from a loving father as a warning to his only son.  In this light, we can count these words as being very important.

    These words of wisdom were recorded to help us live our daily lives wisely, too.  Often it compares the “wise” with the “fool.”  The precepts within are very practical.  Much good will come to those who not only memorize these pearls of wisdom, but for those who apply these truths to their lives.  For Christians, these words are more than practical, they are essential.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Encourage your students to receive instruction from their parents as they teach them the importance of God’s Word.  Help them see the significance of making God’s Word more important than anything this world offers allowing it to guide our life.  Remind them that God wants us to seek Him early in the day – as well as early in life.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 46 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 46 – 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 picture of a lock that was a heart.  It had a second heart with a keyhole that glued as a flap to the front of the heart lock.  I put the verse Proverbs 4:23 inside of the lock.  We then colored it.  Help them understand the verse.

     

    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.