The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: King Solomon

  • The Righteous Have Hope

    “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

    Colossians 3:2

    Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon, the man who had it all – riches, fame, a rich heritage, a personal relationship with God, and wisdom beyond measure. However, because King Solomon had not learned how to restrain his desires, he discovered that they were the cause of all of his vanity and vexation. Vanity means “anything that is futile or worthless”. Vexation means “something that disturbs or annoys; to trouble seriously”. King Solomon recognized the fool he had become in turning from God. Even with all of his wisdom, he did not have the answers of life. In Ecclesiastes chapter nine, he revealed that he learned there are 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).

    An important thing to consider is that the teachings of Ecclesiastes present the philosophy of Man under the sun (of which Solomon referenced many times in chapters 1-8). He presents the inevitable conclusions by man, not the Christian’s worldview nor the representation of God’s viewpoint. One must remember that Solomon wrote as a man who chose to live his life apart from God as he tried to be happy.

    Read Ecclesiastes 9:1–5. [Note: In brackets there are some thoughts and suggestions for the verses.]

    “1. For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them” (Ecclesiastes 9:1). [As Solomon continued to consider the vanity of life, he saw that the righteous, the wise, and their works were in God’s hand. “For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?” (Deuteronomy 4:7).]

    “2. All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath” (Ecclesiastes 9:2). [There are two groups of people laid out here—the righteous and the wicked. We find “things” happen to all people, whether they are righteous or wicked.]

    “3. This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead” (Ecclesiastes 9:3). [Life is not fair. Everyone will die.]

    “4. For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion” (Ecclesiastes 9:4). [The righteous “joined to all the living” are those who have been saved and have Jesus in their hearts. There is a hope. See Solomon’s faith in what we now know. “19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:19–22).]

    “5. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). [Because Christians realize this world is temporary, there is a life after. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The lost (those apart from Christ) do not understand or believe this. Also consider the following: “6. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8).]

    Solomon set out to declare these truths to all generations that followed him, and we should adhere to these truths. He recognized what many today still do not understand—this life is not what we should be living for. There is a life of “the living” that we should desire to be a part of, but we also should warn the rest of the world (just as did Solomon). “15. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16. To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Corinthians 2:15–16). We must be encouraged to be a “savour of life unto life.”

    The world and Christianity are far apart. Remember how a Christian is to view life: “1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2).

    Have you set your affections on things above, recognizing that this world is temporary?

  • The Wise Live by God’s Wisdom

    “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”

    James 3:13

    The book of Proverbs was mostly written by the wisest man, King Solomon. His wisdom came directly from God (see 1 Kings 3:5-15). Remember what God specifically told Solomon. “4. And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: 5. Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel” (1 Kings 9:4-5).

    God gave Solomon great wisdom, and He expected Solomon to walk before Him in that wisdom. One of the most memorable recollections of this wisdom, is when the two women came before King Solomon, wanting him to resolve the issue of the baby (see 2 Kings 3:16-28). After Solomon’s judgment, “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment” (1 Kings 3:28). It did not take long for news of Solomon’s wisdom from God to travel abroad. “And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom” (1 Kings 4:34).

    We partially understand the volume of Solomon’s wisdom. “And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five” (1 Kings 4:32). Yet with all of the wise words Solomon knew, spoke and wrote for all generations to read, he was a foolish man. Solomon knew the wisdom of God, yet he lived as a foolish man.

    King Solomon had many wives but only one son, Rehoboam. Rehoboam became a foolish king. His father, Solomon, had given him much instruction and even wrote most of the book of Proverbs to teach him how to be wise. The phrase “my son” is found twenty-three times in the book of Proverbs. Remember how the book begins. “1. The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2. To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4. To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6. To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:1-7). We now understand the purpose of this book.

    What was Rehoboam to do? “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (Proverbs 1:8).

    Have you ever considered the fatal flaw in Solomon and Rehoboam’s situation? King Solomon told his son all of the things he needed to know in order to be a wise man who would become the king of God’s people, Israel. Yet, King Solomon did not live out the principles in his life that he taught his son. When reading about Solomon and his kingdom, he did not lead God’s people wisely. King Solomon was much like a slave driver to God’s people, whereas his father, David, was more like a shepherd who led Israel. That became evident when Rehoboam took over the kingdom at his father’s death. “Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee” (1 Kings 12:4). Solomon had made a critical mistake as he ruled God’s people. He spoke God’s wisdom, but he did not live by God’s wisdom.

    What can one learn from King Solomon’s mistake?

    There is a famous saying that most people have heard: “Actions speak louder than words.” Understanding how Rehoboam’s life turned out, one can fully recognize that he saw what his father did, and he ignored what his father taught him.

    Many parents today do the same thing with their children. Most want their children to live a better life than they did, so they try to teach them good things. Often they teach them biblical principles by which to live. However, if the parents do not live by those biblical principles and instead do what they tell their children not to do, what do you think the children are going to do? Listen to what their parents say? Or do what their parents do? “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13). Christians must live a lifestyle (conversation) revealing God’s wisdom in their lives.

    There is another famous saying: “What a parent does in moderation, the child will do in excess.” Have you ever considered that your behavior in front of your children speaks louder than your words? In the case of Solomon and Rehoboam, it appears that Solomon’s actions spoke much louder than his words.

    Rehoboam will forever be known as the foolish king whose kingdom was divided.

    Have you chosen to tell your children the biblical principles by which they are to live?

    Or,

    Have you chosen to also live by biblical principles before your children and others?

  • A Divided Kingdom

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

    Proverbs 12:15

    The following is an excerpt from “The Biblical Path of Life” Year Two, Quarter One – Lesson 1:

    “… We must remember what God had told King Solomon before he died: because he had allowed his heart to be turned from God to idols, God would rend the kingdom away from his son – all but two tribes. His son would only be allowed to rule two tribes because of the promise God had made to David. “13b. … I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 15. But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. 16. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever” (2 Samuel 7:13b, 15–16). Even before King Solomon died, he knew and understood that his son would only be allowed to rule over two tribes. God had already chosen Jeroboam to rule the other ten tribes (see 1 Kings 11:29–37).

    “When the people came together to make Rehoboam king, Jeroboam and all of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam. They wanted Rehoboam to lighten the burden that King Solomon had placed upon the people. If he would lighten that burden, the people would serve him. Rehoboam sought counsel; first from the old men who had advised King Solomon, and then with the young men he had grown up with — his friends. The old men’s counsel was to lighten the burden upon the people. The young men’s advice was to make the people’s burden much heavier. Read 1 Kings 12:3–19 for the complete events. Especially take not of 1 Kings 12:19: “Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying….” From that verse, we understand this was God’s plan — the people would revolt against Rehoboam, but we can also understand that is was because of the foolishness of Rehoboam’s decision. “So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day” (1 Kings 12:19).

    “It was at this time in history that the kingdom divided becoming two separate kingdoms — the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). Rehoboam ruled over the Southern Kingdom, Judah (containing only two tribes) because that was the tribe from which Rehoboam, Solomon, and David came. Jeroboam ruled over the Northern Kingdom, Israel, which were the remaining ten tribes.

    “In the New Testament Jesus tells us, “And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand” (Mark 3:24).

    “A Deeper Path: After learning of King Rehoboam, we can see that one of the foolish things he did that cost him the majority of his kingdom was taking the wrong counsel. He chose the counsel of his friends instead of the counsel from the older, wiser men who had counseled his father. Read some of the words his father had written before Rehoboam even became king — words Rehoboam had probably read, or at the very least, had heard:

    • “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). Do you think Rehoboam would have lost most of his kingdom if he had taken the older men and the people’s counsel?
      • “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15).
      • “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end” (Proverbs 19:20).
      • Do you remember what we learned in Psalm 1:1a? “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly …”

    “… We continue learning about King Rehoboam in 1 Kings 14:21-31. King Rehoboam began to reign when he was 41 years old, and he reigned 17 years in Jerusalem “… the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there …” (1 Kings 14:21). And Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord. They continued worshiping idols and “… they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel” (1 Kings 14:24b). In the fifth year of King Rehoboam’s reign, Shishak, king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem and stole the treasures of the king’s house and all of the shields of gold that King Solomon had made. Another interesting thing to note: “And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days” (1 Kings 14:30). King Rehoboam died, and his son, Abijam, reigned in his stead. Abijam ruled Judah for three years. The next king was Abijam’s son, Asa (see 1 Kings 15:8).

    “A Deeper Path: See the fool Rehoboam became in disregarding his father’s teachings. Remember that we learned that much of the Proverbs was written from a father (King Solomon) as instruction to his son (Rehoboam). “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: 9. For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck” (Proverbs 1:7-9).”

    Do you learn from history, recognizing the importance of seeking counsel from God’s Word?

  • Receive the Instruction of Wisdom

    “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
    Proverbs 1:7

    Wisdom is the major theme of the book of Proverbs and King Solomon wrote much of it. If you remember, shortly after Solomon became king, God came to him in a dream. “In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee” (I Kings 3:5). Solomon understood the great things God had done for his father, King David, because he had followed after God. See what King Solomon asked of God: “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (1 Kings 3:9). This pleased God. Because King Solomon asked for such a good thing (discernment that comes from wisdom), God gave King Solomon great wisdom. He also blessed King Solomon with great wealth and fame.

    The book of Proverbs deals with much of this great wisdom from God. We understand this from the first verses of the book of Proverbs: “1. The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2. To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity” (Proverbs 1:1-3). Read how a wise man is described. “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels” (Proverbs 1:5).

    The key verse to understanding the book of Proverbs is Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Solomon wrote much of this book with his only son on his heart and mind. He wanted his son, Rehoboam, to understand the importance of wisdom, and the first thing he had to know and understand was the fear of the Lord. Fear is not what most people think it is. Fear is not necessarily being afraid of the Lord, but it is acknowledging just who He is and who we are in comparison to Him (a reverence of God). Once one has the correct fear of God (understanding who he is), then one can begin to obtain wisdom that leads to understanding what He expects of His people

    Wisdom is more than having knowledge. Wisdom is the discernment in understanding how to use that knowledge correctly; choosing right over wrong; discern between what is true and false; being discreet in the application of knowledge. King Solomon wanted his son to acquire wisdom to help him understand how to make right decisions in his activities of daily life. Solomon did not want his son to be a fool and despise wisdom and instruction. However, in order for Rehobom to acquire the right wisdom, King Solomon said he had to hear his instruction from God’s Word. (This is understood even better as the book of Proverbs is read.) Solomon wanted his son to understand that it all began with a right relationship with God. If one doesn’t have that, one cannot obtain wisdom from God. One is to understand (from God’s point of view found in His Word) what the right thing to do in a situation is. Christians who obtain the wisdom found in God’s Word will have the ability to face life understanding what God wants them to do in order to live a life pleasing to Him.  

    Have you chosen to be a fool, despising God’s wisdom and instruction?

    Or have you chosen the wisdom of God?

  • Ponder thy Path

    “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”
    (Proverbs 4:26-27)

    Solomon was a very wise man. When King Solomon asked God to give him an understanding heart to judge God’s people, God gave him great wisdom. “Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.” (1 Kings 3:12). Notice that God said there was no one wiser before or after King Solomon. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs were a thousand and five (see 1 Kings 4:32). Although King Solomon did many foolish things in his kingdom, he recorded many wise words that are relevant even today.

    The book of Proverbs tells us some of wise words from King Solomon. Note that this book is for anyone who wants to know wisdom and instruction that Solomon learned from God (Proverbs 1:2). The introduction to this book is amazing! (See Proverbs 1:1-6.) It very plainly tells of its importance. However, it also tells the response from God to those who reject these words of wisdom. When the rejection of God’s Word is played out in one’s life and calamity comes, God will not be there to help (see Proverbs 1:20-27). Worse yet, God said, “Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me” (Proverbs 1:28). What a truly scary thought! Compare this to another Proverb recorded. “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me” (Proverbs 8:17). Can you see the difference?

    Why would God respond in such a way? Continue reading, “29. For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30. They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices” (Proverbs 1:29-31). Now do you see whose fault it is? Trouble that comes into one’s life for hating God’s knowledge and His counsel is always the fault of the one who chooses to disregard God’s Word. We should never choose our path in life over what God wants for our life. Chapter 1 ends with an encouraging word to help one understand this. “But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil” (Proverbs 1:33). What comforting words! Hearing from and listening to God is most important. After we learn to do that, we know what to do and where to go, and we will dwell safely. This is what one must consider as we read another Proverb King Solomon recorded for our instruction. “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:26-27). Walk straight in the path God has placed before you, not turning to the right nor to the left.

    Jesus later told the people, “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14). Only God’s Word can lead you to life. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (see John 14:6).

    Have you pondered the path of your feet?

    Where is that path leading you?

  • 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.