The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Commandments

  • The Appointment

    “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”
    Hebrews 9:27

    Have you ever had an appointment that changed the course of your life? What about a missed opportunity that you can never go back to correct?

    One cannot help but remember an event that took place in the Bible. Jesus had been teaching the people when a young man came to Him with a question. “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). This is an important question for each person to ask. He had the right question. Read Jesus’ reply, “ And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18). Jesus was making a point. The man recognized Jesus as a great man and a good teacher, but he had not acknowledged that Jesus was God. That makes all of the difference! Jesus asked this young man about the commandments (for people understood that God expects people to obey His commands). Jesus began to list from the Ten Commandments. “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother” (Mark 10:19). Each of these has to do with an outward duty as opposed to a change of an inward nature. They deal with people’s relationship with one another. Do you notice what is missing? The first four of the Ten Commandments that have to do with one’s relationship with God are missing. After Jesus had listed the final six of the Ten Commandments, see the young man’s response, “And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth” (Mark 10:20).

    Here we come to the heart of the matter – a time of decision. Notice that Jesus loved him, but would this young man follow Jesus’ requirement? “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me” (Mark 10:21). Did this young man truly desire eternal life? Was he willing to give the temporal things this world has to offer in exchange for a life pleasing God and eternity with Him? Would he continue as he was, or would he choose Jesus? Read his response. “And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:22). He was sad, yet he just went away grieved. He was not willing to part with his possessions for a relationship with Jesus. Read what Jesus had previously warned: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).

    This young man had not understood a very important thing: “24. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster” (Galatians 3:24-25).

    Remember: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). This young man would be judged according to the decision he made concerning Jesus.

    Do you live under a schoolmaster?

    Or have you been justified by faith in Jesus?

  • 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.