The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Law

  • Nicodemus

    “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
    John 3:17

    Jesus had many personal encounters with different men and women – some who committed themselves to Him, and Jesus to them; and some, who did not.

    “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews” (John 3:1). The Pharisees were a part of the religious leaders of the day. Jesus had been teaching in the synagogues and the Temple. When Nicodemus had a question about Jesus’ teachings, he went to Jesus, Himself, by night for the answers. “2. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:2–3). See that Jesus knew the heart of Nicodemus. Nicodemus did not come to challenge what Jesus taught (as we know many religious leaders did), but he truly wanted to understand who Jesus was and why He had come. Jesus went straight to the heart of the matter. Unless a man gives up his old life, being born again, he cannot “see the kingdom of God.” See the following verse to understand “the kingdom of God”: “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Within you means “it is located in your heart and affections; not external.” The kingdom of God cannot be seen with human eyes. That is one reason we refer to being saved as “asking Jesus into one’s heart.” Jesus began to explain this to Nicodemus.

    “4. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit… 9. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10. Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” (John 3:4-6, 9-10). Even when Nicodemus did not understand, Jesus patiently explained.

    Jesus had often taught the people of things they knew, yet often they still did not understand. Nicodemus, a “master of Israel”, did not understand. Jesus took him back to the Old Testament Law that Nicodemus knew. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up” (John 3:14). Remember: After the people spoke against God in the wilderness, fiery snakes bit them. The people were dying because of snakebites. God told Moses to make a brazen serpent. This serpent was to remind them of their sin against God. Moses held it up, and anyone who looked upon that serpent held high did not die, even though the poisonous snake bit them. (Numbers 21:4-9 to remember the events). Because of this faith, they were physically saved. Jesus reminded Nicodemus of that event, for it took the same kind of faith to be saved from sin – faith in Jesus – for He would take the sin of man upon Himself as he was hung on the cross to die (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).

    Jesus explained this with the following: “15. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:15-18).

     Jesus explained it simply to Nicodemus: Jesus was the teacher from God who came to teach the world how to be saved from sin – to believe in Jesus, God’s Son, for by unbelief, they were condemned to eternal death. See John 3:19-21 to understand that Jesus was the Light who came into the world, and He acknowledged that man loved darkness (their sin) more than the Light (Jesus). As you try to understand Jesus as the Light, imagine a very dark room – with absolutely no light. In that room, one cannot see anything. However, if you turn on a flashlight, you can see the area where the light shines, revealing what was previously hidden. Jesus is just like that – He reveals what is hidden “because their deeds were evil.” Jesus came to drive that darkness away, revealing the sin that had to be removed – but only by the Light, Jesus.  

    We understand that Nicodemus at some point believed in Jesus by the following verses: “Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them)” (John 7:50). Nicodemus was one of the two that took Jesus’ body and buried it after His death upon the cross (John 19:38-39).

    Nicodemus became a Believer of Jesus.

    Have you chosen to receive the gift of salvation (life) by believing in Jesus?

    How to be Saved

  • Jesus Revealed

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

    When Jesus came, He did not take away the importance of the Old Testament Law and Prophets; instead, He fulfilled them. This means He completed them, or made them completely perfect. “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). Fulfill means “to fill out; complete or made them perfect; to accomplish an end.” Jesus came to complete (fulfill) the promise God made to Adam and Eve (and all of mankind) in the garden after they sinned. It was in the garden that God first promised that One would come and deliver man from his sin. When Jesus came, He did not take away the importance of the Old Testament Law and Prophets, for He accomplished what God required of Him. This reveals to us the importance of the Old Testament Law and Prophets in that Jesus fulfilled the words spoken and preached therein. In accomplishing all of the requirements found in the Old Testament, Jesus was the only one qualified, to be the perfect sacrifice to appease the wrath of a just and righteous God.

    Jesus completed everything He came to accomplish. After His resurrection, Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples. “44. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46. And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48. And ye are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:44-48).

    It is very important to read God’s Word and be in a good Bible study where you can learn more about Jesus. One important goal each Christian should have is to know and understand more about the Old Testament (and the New Testament). The more you learn about the Bible, the more you begin to understand that it is so much more than just a collection of stories about people who lived long ago. In reading and studying the Old Testament in the Bible, you can search and find out why the people who lived in those times wanted to obey God. It helps you understand how they knew God would one day send Jesus. You can see what happened to His people when they obeyed God’s Word, and even what happened when they forgot God’s Word. As you read the New Testament, you begin to recognize when people began to understand that Jesus was the One who was to come (the One that was told of in the Old Testament). These events will be an encouragement to you that God is with those who love Him, those who seek to please Him, and that He takes care of His people.

    In the New Testament, we can read that there was a great plot to kill Paul because He lived as a Christian, preaching Jesus to the lost (those who did not believe in Jesus). Paul, the apostle, used this in his defense before Festus: “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” (Acts 24:14).

    He believed all things written in the Law and Prophets that told of Jesus.

    Do you?

  • The Law

    “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
    Psalm 1:2

    We are taught that obeying laws is important and that there are penalties to be paid if we break them. Consider the importance of laws. We are to understand that God has laws. His laws are significant, and obedience is very important to God as we can see throughout His Word, and most notably in the Old Testament. Often we recognize God’s discipline on those who break His laws.

    The first five books in the Old Testament are referred to as “The Law.” Within these books we find the first 2,500 years of history recorded by Moses. The first book, Genesis, begins with the creation, records the ruin of man through sin, but it also reveals the sovereignty of God. The word sovereignty means “supreme in power; possessing supreme dominion; as a sovereign ruler of the universe.” We understand that God is the sovereign God of all who love and obey Him.

    One easy way to remember Genesis and the events within is to recognize:

    Four main events take place:

    • The Creation
    • The Fall
    • The Flood
    • The Tower of Babel  

    Genesis deals mainly with Four People:

    • Abraham
    • Isaac
    • Jacob
    • Joseph

    After about four hundred years, God’s people grew into a nation numbering around two to three million people in Egypt. This is where Exodus (which means “the way out” or “outgoing”) begins. At the culmination of the ten plagues, we see the mighty deliverance of God’s people from a land of bondage. Shortly after this they meet at the foot of Mount Sinai. It was at Mount Sinai that the Law was given (beginning with the Ten Commandments; Exodus 19-20). The Israelites were taught that obedience to God is necessary. They could not be a redeemed, set-apart people unless they obeyed God’s command.

    In Leviticus, God spoke to Moses from the tabernacle instead of Mount Sinai. The people needed to know how to live. God instituted the offerings, the priesthood, a clean lifestyle, and the different feasts. These things were teach the people how to live as a people wholly given to God in every aspect of their lives. Leviticus shows the ability to have fellowship with God when we come to Him as a sanctified people (because He is holy, and we are a sinful people). Leviticus ends with the blessings of obedience and the penalties for disobedience. Only about a month’s time passes during Leviticus.

    The name Numbers comes from a numbering of the people at the beginning of the book and then again at the end. There were two groups of people, an old generation and a new generation. When the twelve spies were sent into the land promised to Abraham, only Joshua and Caleb brought back report that God would allow them to conquer the land. When the Israelites disobeyed God’s command to cross over into the Promised Land, they were disciplined. The old generation would die and not enter because they refused to obey God. Only Joshua and Caleb escaped God’s discipline (wandering in the wilderness for forty years). Fewer than forty years elapse during Numbers where we see God guiding, providing, and protecting His people.

    Deuteronomy begins by looking back to what God had done for His people and then looking forward. The entire book shows the faithfulness of God revealing that God loves His people. Moses warned the people to not forget the words of God’s Law, revealing the blessings for following God’s Law and the curse of God if they failed to obey. Joshua is appointed the new leader of the new generation, and Moses dies.

    After remembering the books of “The Law,” see that they help us understand God and what He expects from His people. We also learn that it is quite impossible to obey every law that God has given us. In the New Testament we gain some insight as to why it is important to know “The Law” of the Old Testament. “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. 26. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:24-26).

    Have you understood “The Law” is a schoolmaster to show the need for Jesus?

    Originally posted at Lighthouse Gospel Beacon

  • Understanding the Old Testament

    “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein …”
    Joshua 1:8

    It is important to know that all of God’s Word is essential. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:15). Not only is it important to know what it says, but it is even more important to understand what it says.

    An easy way to begin understanding the Bible is to become familiar with it. The history in the Old Testament is very important to further one’s understanding of the Bible as a whole. In Joshua 1:8 we can read that not only is the book of the law to not depart out of one’s mouth, but it is important to meditate upon it day and night. Meditate means “to dwell on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in the mind.” This is an important thing to understand as one learns to read the Bible. Reading the Bible involves much more than just reading a few verses or chapters and then continuing on with one’s day. Reading God’s Word involves meditating on it – to dwell on it in one’s thoughts, contemplating what it says. Although we can understand that this verse in Joshua is initially referring to the first five books in the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), the importance of knowing God’s Word does not end there. Remember that all of God’s Word is important!

    If one would just recognize that the Bible is very organized it would make it much easier to understand. For instance, the Old Testament has thirty-nine books easily broken into five groups. The first five books are called the “Law” where we can find the first 2,500 years of history and witness God actively involved in the lives of mankind. The second group consists of the next twelve books, often called “History”, where we pick up the history of the Israelites at the brink of the Promised Land, prepared to enter. The first nine books of History record the years in which the Jewish people occupy the land of Israel. This not only includes the times of the judges (when the people forgot God), the times of the kings (when the people rejected God as their king), but also the captivity of God’s people. The last three books of History reveal the remnant of Israelites that were allowed to return to the Promised Land, also known as Israel.

    There are five books in the middle that can be considered “Personal Books”, for they deal with individual’s experiences with God and are very personal. These books deal with individuals’ heart issues as they seek to know and better understand God. These are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. The “Major Prophets” are the next five books, and the “Minor Prophets” are the final twelve books. Understanding the timeframe these Personal Books, Major Prophets, and Minor Prophets take place are imperative in the understanding of the Old Testament as a whole.

    The New Testament is organized as well for the ease of understanding.

    Reading, learning, and understanding the Bible is the most important thing a Christian can do. Although many people are taught a lot of Bible “stories” as a child, understanding that these were real people and that God worked in these individuals’ lives will make these events invaluable! Remember some words with which Paul encouraged Timothy. “14. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

    Have you taken time to become familiar with God’s Word?

    Do you meditate (dwell on in thought, contemplate, and study) upon a portion of the Bible every day?

    Originally Posted at Lighthouse.pub: https://lighthouse.pub/blog/understanding-the-old-testament-/?src=n

  • Lesson 6 (Lesson 45): Psalms 107-150: Book 5

    Key Verse

    “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”  II Timothy 3:16

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they have ever tried to play a game with someone without reading the instructions.  Could the game be played?  Was there arguing over unknown rules?  Was it a peaceful game? Or was there much disagreeing going on?  Was it a good game?  Could there be a winner?  Was it any fun?  Living a Christian life without reading the “rules” is impossible to do.  Do you know what the rules are? (God’s Word.)  Read today’s memory verse together with your class.  Help them understand it using the following definitions.

    inspiration of God: breathed by God; divinely inspired

    profitable: helpful; useful; advantageous

    doctrine: instruction in the sense of a warning

    reproof: learning to refute (defeat or overthrow) adversaries (enemies)

    correction: set right; correct

    instruction: setting right that which is wrong

    Notice that this verse builds upon itself in its instruction.  They are interdependent (mutually dependent) upon each other.  First we see it is a doctrine (used for instruction or warning), then as truth (knowing the truth convincing us of error), correction (morally correct), and instruction (we see discipline to lead us to righteousness.)  Keep this in mind as we study the final book of the Psalms today.

    Summary:  Today we continue with the second of the Personal books, Psalms.  Remember that the Psalms is broken up into 5 books.  We will look at book five of the Psalms (chapters 107-150) today, comparing them to the book of Deuteronomy.  If you remember, the main theme of Deuteronomy was the second giving of the Law to the new generation and teaching the people of God’s Word.  They were then prepared to continue walking with God into the Promised Land.

    Deuteronomy is a book that began by looking back at what God had done for His people.  The rest of the book is looking forward to what God would do.  Throughout the entire book, it showed the faithfulness of God and revealed that God loved his people.  Moses warned the people not to forget the words of God’s law.

    Today we will compare the remembrance in Deuteronomy (remembering what God had done and the importance of the Words He had given His people), to the fifth book of the Psalms.  We will see that Psalms 107-150 is mainly about the importance of God’s Word (Psalm 119 is a praise of God’s Word).

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Remember what God has done, and then understand the importance of God’s Word.  After this, we learn the importance of walking with God, and we can praise Him with our whole heart.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 45 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 45 – 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 sticker sheet for Psalm 119:105.  They were to put the correct sticker on the correct foot putting the verse in the correct order.  We then read it together.  Be sure they understand the verse and the importance of allowing God’s Word (the Bible) to guide them in their daily lives.

     

    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 3 (Lesson 42): Psalms 42-72: Book 2

    Key Verse

    “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”  Psalm 55:22

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they have ever had a problem.  Do you remember the Israelites when they were slaves in Egypt?  Did they have a problem?  What did they do? (They cried out to God.)  What did God do for them? (He sent Moses to deliver them from bondage in Egypt.)  Did God take care of them?  Read the memory verse for today.

    burden:  your problem

    sustain:  hold you, guide you, and provide for you

    suffer:  cause or allow

    righteous:  lawful, or honest; one who obeys God’s laws

    moved:  be removed; cast away; or off course

    God will provide and take care of His people who obey His laws and live for Him.  We will read words David and others wrote as they remembered God’s provision for His people through the years.

    Summary Today we continue with the second of the Personal books, Psalms.  Remember that the Psalms is broken up into 5 books.  We will look at book two of the Psalms (chapters 42-72) today, revealing man and God’s dealings with man as compared to the book of Exodus.  We find the main theme was Israel and their cry for deliverance, their redemption from Egypt, learning that the law reveals sin, and learning to trust God.

    After Moses led the people out of Egypt, God spoke to them from the top of Mount Sinai, and it was there the law was given (beginning with the Ten Commandments – Exodus 19-20.)  This law showed mankind their sin.  They were to obey God’s Law.  The Israelites were taught that obedience to God is necessary, and that they could not be a redeemed, set apart people, unless they obeyed God’s commands.

    During the book of Exodus, God’s people learned to trust Him for everything.  God provided for their every need in the wilderness – a cloud of covering during the heat of the day, a pillar of fire by night, food (manna), and even water (from the flint rock.)  They learned to trust in Him – completely.

    Much of the second book of the Psalms was written by David.  If you remember, he spent many years fleeing King Saul in fear for his life.  During that time, he learned to trust in God.  He cried out many times for God to provide for him, and even to deliver him from enemies.  During this time, he learned to praise God for His wonderful provisions and answer to prayers.  David also learned that sin separated him from God, until he repented of his sin.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Encourage them to learn to trust God for everything they need in life.  Help them recognize that sin separates us from God until we come to him in true repentance.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 42 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 42 – 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 colored the verse Psalm 46:10a.  After we finished that, we glued the verse to a piece of construction paper.  The important thing was to understand the verse – to be still and know God!

    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 2 (Lesson 41): Psalms 1-41: Book 1

    Key Verse

    “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  Colossians 3:16

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  After reading the verse with your students use the following definitions to help them understand it a little better.

    word of Christ:  refers to the revelation which Jesus brought into the world which is undiscoverable except by God and the Scriptures

    wisdom:  practical wisdom; sound judgment; good sense

    teaching:  to advise, or put in mind – as a tutor would do

    admonishing:  to caution or reprove gently; to warn

    hymns: a song sung in praise to God

    Use this discussion to prepare your students to understand the importance of the Psalms as we begin our study of them.  We see in our memory verse that the Psalms are songs sung as praises to God, but they are also to instill wisdom and good judgment in our hearts and minds to teach us how to live.

    Summary:  Today we continue with the second of the Personal books, Psalms. Psalms is known as the Israelites’ songbook.  David is often accredited to as its author.  Although he probably wrote almost half of them (about 73), there were other authors, known and unknown.  Many of the Psalms were written when different men approached God in prayer because of circumstances surrounding them.  You can see instances of great sorrow, admitted sin, repentance, hope and trust in God, faith, and a great love for God.  Throughout Psalms, man’s prayers from the heart turn to singing in that prayer – ending with man praising God, revealing that the Psalms are not only prayers from the heart, but songs as well.  Some were written in praise and adoration of who God is vs. who man is. So, many of these hymns are rich in Israel’s history.  If we know the history, we will better understand the circumstances surrounding many of these songs.

    In the book of Psalms, we find God is infinite – sovereign; yet despite man’s failings, God still communicates with man, and allows man to communicate with him.

    We will especially see how the Psalms, broken into five books, parallel to the first 5 books of the Bible (the Law).  Many believe the 5 books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy) are God’s words to His people, whereas the 5 books of the Psalms are God’s people’s words (prayers and songs) back to God.  Each of these five divisions ends with its own doxology (a hymn of praise to God).  We begin today with the first book of the Psalms (chapters 1-41) revealing man and God’s dealings with man as compared to the book of Genesis.  Remember in Genesis, we saw sin enter into the world, causing separation from God.  We also found God actively involved in men’s lives.  You may want to review that in Genesis there were 4 main events (the Creation, the Fall, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel) and 4 main people (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph).

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  All of God’s Word is important – converting the soul and making wise the simple (Psalm 19:7).

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 41 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 41 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 1

     

    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 took an outline of a sheep and filled it with cotton balls to make a fluffy sheep.  That was one way to remember that David (who we learned was a shepherd boy) wrote many of the Psalms.  You could choose to do a craft that reminds your students of one of the 4 Main Events in Genesis (Creation, Fall, Flood, and Tower of Babel) as we compare them to Book 1 of Psalms.

     

    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 13 (Lesson 26): Jesus in the Old Testament: Jesus Fulfilled the Law

    Key Verse

    “2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”  Romans 8:2-3

    Read the Key Verse with them.  Help them understand that Jesus set us free from the law that condemned us to death because of our sins.  We could never fulfill that law, but Jesus did and paid the penalty to save our life.

    Summary:  We have been learning about the first five books in the Old Testament, the books we call The Law.  In those books we watched as God gradually, over time, revealed himself to mankind.  He allowed us to see that He is perfect and sinless, and also, we saw just how sinful man is.  God showed from the beginning that it took the shedding of blood to cover man’s sins.  He, at the same time, revealed that He would one day send the perfect once and for all sacrifice to take away man’s sin.  Today, we see in Hebrews 10, that that law was just a picture to help us understand just what it was that Jesus had to fulfill completely in order to take away our sins.  When we accept the gift God gave us in His Son, Jesus, he then writes His law on our hearts.  Then we have no excuse.  We know.  We are to live our lives pleasing God.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  In the books of the law, we saw the importance of recognizing sin and even the cost of sin – the shedding of blood.  It was just a picture for us to understand what Jesus one day did on the cross.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 26 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 26 – 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 this lesson I cut out a very large heart out of construction paper (as big as the whole sheet).  We then cut out some preprinted verses (that I had made) and glued them on the heart.  We then added stickers of different verses (purchased through Oriental Trading).  The idea is to remind them of the importance of hiding God’s Word in our hearts (memorizing Scripture verses).

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural. Today, have them draw a large heart and write some of God’s commands on it to remind them that we are to write God’s Word on our heart so that we won’t sin against Him. You may also want to let them make a Bible marker with Psalm 119:11 on it to keep in their Bibles to help them remember to hide God’s word in their hearts.

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

     

  • Lesson 5: The Five Books of the Law: Genesis – Deuteronomy

    Key Verse

    “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:2

    After reading this verse, think of some laws or rules we are expected to obey.  Should we break the law?  What happens if we do?  Think about why it is important to have laws.  Understand God has laws.  His laws are the most important, and we are to obey them.  Help them understand the memory verse.  Remind your students that obedience is very important to God as we see throughout His Word.  When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they were disciplined and cast from the Garden of Eden.  Take a few minutes to think of some examples in the bible where people disobeyed God’s commands and were disciplined, or examples of people obeying God’s commands and Him blessing.

    In this lesson we begin to consider God’s Law, and the importance of obedience to God’s Word.  The word Pentateuch means “five books.”  The first 5 books of the Old Testament are also referred to as “the Law.”  Moses recorded these books.  Within these books, we find the first 2500 years of history.  God’s laws are important.  God demanded obedience from his people.  By knowing and understanding God’s commands to His people, we are better able to live as Christians.

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 5 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 5 – 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 Law (showing them on the poster).  You may have them draw a picture of their favorite story from the books of The Law.  Review the 3×5 cards if you made them, practicing the divisions.  Focus on putting the books of The Law in order for today’s lesson.
    • Review last week using their hands of the five divisions of the Old Testament if you made them.  Emphasize that the thumb was for the first division.  Today, for Genesis, begin with the thumb.  Hold up your thumb and say, “For Genesis, there are 4 Main Events to remember.”  As you say them, hold up a different finger for each one until all of your fingers are extended when you finish.  They are:  The Creation, The Fall, The Flood, and The Tower of Babel.  When you finish, repeat the process for the 4 Main People:  Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.
    1. For Exodus, use both hands to remember:  10 Plagues, and 10 Commandments.
    2. For Leviticus, remind them that God created them and wants them to be His special people.  In Leviticus, God teaches his people to live as special people belonging to God.
    3. For Numbers, God’s people are counted 2 times (hold up two fingers.)  Also, there were 12 spies sent into the Promised Land.  10 said no, 2 said yes (that they should obey God and could conquer the land.)
    4. For Deuteronomy, the last book in this division, Moses reminds the people they will be blessed if they obey God, and they will be cursed if they do not obey God.  Moses died at the end of this book and Joshua (one of the 2 spies that believed they could conquer the land) was appointed their new leader.
    • You could also find a coloring sheet of one of the events you discussed.

     

    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 decorate another puzzle piece (may be downloaded from Lesson 3 blog) with some of God’s “laws” they should obey.  Have them come up with them on their own so they are not all the same.  After they have finished, have them share what they wrote on their puzzle piece as they add it to your wall.