The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Lesson 4

  • Lesson 4: Philip: Acts 8

    Key Verse

    Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

    —Acts 8:35

    Key Verse Thought: Read today’s key verse. Understand the word preached means “to proclaim the good news; preach the gospel.” Keep in mind that the focus of the Gospel message is that Jesus died to pay the penalty for man’s sin – if they would only believe. Moreover, that Jesus is alive again. Can you think of a time that you told someone about Jesus? Do you think it is important for Christians to tell others about Jesus? In this lesson, we will learn that it is important to obey God when He tells us to share Jesus with someone else.

    Emphasis: We are to understand the importance of obeying God’s command to tell others about Jesus – for if Philip had not obeyed, the Ethiopian Eunuch would not have understood he needed Jesus.

    Lesson Summary: In our last lesson, we learned of the first person who was killed because they believed in and preached Jesus. Stephen preached Jesus from the Old Testament to the religious leaders, but instead of receiving the truths he taught, they rejected those Words and killed Stephen. We were also introduced to another of the religious men who was present at Stephen’s death – a young man named Saul.

    In this lesson, we will learn a little more about Saul, and the persecution of Believers that caused many to scatter from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria. This event was the beginning of the persecution against the church. It was also the beginnings of the spread of the gospel into the world.

    We will look at what happened with Philip, another of the seven that had been called out to minister in the church to help the Apostles. Philip left Jerusalem and went to Samaria. While he preached Jesus to the people there, many believed – including a man called Simon who was a sorcerer. After many were saved, Peter and John came to Samaria.

    The next event we will read today is a very familiar event many people may have heard before. An angel of the Lord told Philip to go to Gaza, the desert. Once he was there, the Spirit told Philip to go to the Ethiopian Eunuch who was riding in a chariot reading from the book of Isaiah. After helping this man understand Jesus was taught in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, the eunuch believed in Jesus and was saved. It would be good to understand the importance of Philip obeying the Lord – just so that one individual could be saved.

    Y3Q2 – Lesson 4 Questions

    Y3Q2 – Lesson 4 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this to children, the following is a craft idea to help them remember this lesson:

    We made a scroll with some of the Scriptures the Ethiopian Eunuch was reading when Philip helped him understand about Jesus.

    The Biblical Path of Life – Year Three, Quarter Two is now available through Amazon. It is here you will find the complete lesson.

  • Search my Heart

    “23. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

    Psalm 139:23-24

    The following is an excerpt from “The Biblical Path of Life – Year Two, Quarter Two” Lesson 4:

    “As David was addressing the people before Solomon became king, notice that he was able to proclaim that he had lived a life that was pleasing to God. As we have learned, David was not perfect, but when he sinned, he repented and God forgave. Because of that, he was in a position to be an encourager to all of Israel to seek God and obey His commands. We can read of many throughout the Bible who lived a life to the end that was pleasing to God. Read what Paul wrote to Timothy. ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith‘ (2 Timothy 4:7). Just as David’s words were an encouragement to all of Israel as he addressed them, Paul’s words were an encouragement to a young preacher named Timothy. Our goal as Christians is to be able to make the same claim: to fight a good fight, to finish the course God has for our life, and to keep the faith until the end. By living a life pleasing to God, from beginning to end, we can be an encouragement to others that they, too, can live a life pleasing to God…

    “David understood that God saw the intent of man’s heart. See what David recorded that can be an encouragement to us today: ‘23. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting‘ (Psalm 139:23-24) and’Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart‘ (Psalm 44:21). Also see what Jeremiah recorded about God knowing man’s heart: ‘I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings‘ (Jeremiah 17:10).”

    After reading this excerpt, understand the following:

    Remember that God knows man’s heart. Christians are not perfect, however we have instructions in the New Testament helping us understand how we reveal what is in our heart by living as a Christian: “22. That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27. Neither give place to the devil. 28. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:22–32).

    Christians are not to live like the world. “17. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19. Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17–19).

    Stop and think about these verses. Be encouraged to compare your own life to these verses and see what kind of a life you live in comparison to God’s Word, and the kind of witness your life is to others.

    Read the warning Jesus gave to those who claimed to be righteous apart from Christ. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27). Jesus knew their heart. He understood that they lived a life on the outside that appeared to believe, yet Jesus knew what was in their heart, “all uncleanness”. They could not hide from Jesus what was within their hearts. Jesus knew.

    After reading these verses, consider the following: Knowing that Jesus knows the heart, look into your heart and see if this verse is a picture of your life. “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16). This is a picture of a life that does not have Jesus in the heart (a Christian). If you do not really know Jesus, today is the day to meet Him. “9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

    Do you live a good life, yet with a heart that has not truly believed in Jesus?

    Knowing Jesus sees the heart, have you believed and confessed unto salvation only through Jesus?

    If you want to know how to be saved, click here: How to be saved.

  • Lesson 4: Jesus’ Disciples: The Four Gospels

    Key Verse

    “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.“

    —Matthew 4:19

    Key Verse Thought: Read today’s key verse. Have you ever been fishing? Did you have to fish a long time before catching any fish? Did you have the patience? Was it easy? Jesus called some men to leave their fishing nets to go and tell people about Jesus. Instead of fishing for fish, Jesus would teach them how to fish for men. They had to understand it would take a lot of time and patience. It wouldn’t always be easy.

    Emphasis: We are to recognize Jesus is God’s Son and follow Him. It is then important to share the good news of Jesus with our friends and family – just as Jesus’ disciples did. Christians are to be fishers of men.

    Lesson Summary: In our last lesson, we watched as John the Baptist’s ministry began to decrease, and the fame of Jesus began to spread. Jesus had declared to the people in his hometown of Nazareth that He was the Promised One. They rejected Jesus, and He left Nazareth but continued preaching. 

    In this lesson, we will read that when John the Baptist saw Jesus again, he declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God. When some of the followers of John heard this declaration, they followed Jesus. Andrew was one, and he found his brother, Simon, and brought him to Jesus. Jesus also called Philip (who brought Nathanael to Jesus). Herod threw John the Baptist into prison. Other men who had followed John chose to follow Jesus instead. In Galilee, many people followed Jesus, listening to His teachings. Jesus came to the shore and saw empty fishing boats. Jesus had Simon take Him out from the shore – so He could preach to the crowds. While out on the boat, Jesus told the fishermen to cast out their nets. They had fished all night and caught nothing, but at Jesus’ words, they cast out the nets. They caught so many fish the nets broke and the ships were sinking. Jesus called these men to leave their fishing nets to follow Him, and He would make them fishers of men. They followed Jesus.

    Jesus went on to call Philip (who brought Nathanael to Jesus), and Matthew (who invited Jesus to dinner – along with many of his lost friends). However, the religious leaders of the day began to show their hatred for Jesus and started planning what they might do to Him.

    Jesus saw the need of the people, and He recognized many laborers were needed. He prayed all night, and then called twelve apostles (who would be His witnesses to the world). After Jesus instructed the apostles, he sent them out to preach and heal. Jesus went out with his disciples preaching and healing.

    In this lesson, we will learn some of the things Jesus taught His disciples: when Jesus told them to feed the crowd of more than five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, and also when Jesus asked who people said He was.

    Y3Q1 – Lesson 4 Questions

    Y3Q1 – Lesson 4 Children’s Worksheets

    To help them remember today’s lesson, we made this to remind them that Jesus called His disciples to become fishers of men.

  • Lesson 4: Micah: Hear God’s Words

    Key Verse

    But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

    —Luke 11:28

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. Do you understand what this verse means?  (Remember that this is Jesus speaking. As Jesus was teaching the people, a woman in the crowd spoke up. She said that the woman who bore and nursed Him, Jesus’ mother, should be blessed. Our key verse in this lesson is Jesus’ response.) The word blessed means: “fully satisfied; possessing the favor of God; a partaker of God’s nature through faith in Christ.” Hear means “to understand or comprehend.” Keep means “to keep, to observe, to not violate.” Jesus declared we are blessed if we obey God’s Word (the Bible).

    Emphasis: As Christians, we have the hope (promise) that God will forgive our sin, forever, and we are to show that we believe by hearing God’s Word (reading the Bible).

    Lesson Summary: The book of Micah begins with, “The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem” (Micah 1:1). This tells us when he lived and to whom God sent him to speak. Notice that these were the same kings to whom Isaiah spoke, so they lived around the same time – Micah coming just a little later. He warned the people of the coming judgment, but he also told them of the future blessing. One of the main things we can remember about Micah is that he called for the people to hear. “Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is …” (Micah 1:2a). 

    Micah spoke to both Israel and Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah (see Jeremiah 26:18). We can also see that this helped King Hezekiah decide to make great reformations in Judah. In addition, remember that Israel was carried captive during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. Therefore, Micah saw Israel carried away captive by the Assyrian army.

    Like many prophets before him, he reminded the people where they had failed, calling for the people to repent and to have a right relationship with God (by obeying His commands). He warned of the coming destruction of Jerusalem. Nevertheless, he too, left the people with the hope of restoration one day. God even allowed Micah to reveal where the Messiah would be born (see Micah 5:2). He then left the people with hope – God would remove their sin (as far as the depths of the sea), and He would keep His promises made, “… to Jacob … Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old” (Micah 7:20).

    Y2Q3 – Lesson 4 Questions

    Y2Q3 – Lesson 4 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this to young children, the following is an idea for a craft to go along with this lesson.

    We made a journal to write special Bible verse in to help us remember God’s Word and the importance of keeping those Words (obeying them). We added stickers to the front along with Proverbs 3:1-2.

  • Lesson 4: 1 Chronicles 21-29 David

    Key Verse

    Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

    —2 Corinthians 9:7

    Key Verse Thought: Read today’s key verse. Understand the key verse with the following definitions:

    • purposeth means to prefer, choose, or intend for oneself; to resolve
    • grudgingly means in grief or sorrow
    • necessity means compelling force as opposed to willingness
    • loveth means to love, or regard with strong affection
    • cheerful means joyous, happy, or glad

    In this lesson, we will learn that David gave of his time and substance to prepare for the house of the Lord.

    Emphasis: We are to learn to want to please God with all of our heart – just as King David did. We are also to understand that God forgives our sin and still wants to use us to complete the work He has for us to do.

    Lesson Summary: Today we will remember when David was moved to number the people. We will learn that Satan was the one who stood up against Israel. Satan is the enemy of God’s people, and he wants to destroy them. Through this event, we will see David remember that God is a forgiving God. We will find out the importance of Mount Moriah (the threshing floor of Onan). 

    David had a burden to build a permanent house for the Lord, and God revealed to David where the Temple was to be built. God said David could not build that house, but promising that David’s son, Solomon would be allowed to build it. Even though David would not be the builder, he prepared for the Temple. The first thing David did was anoint Solomon as the next king of Israel (remember that God had told David that Solomon was to be the next king of Israel). David then organized the people, gathered many supplies to build the Temple (giving much of it himself), and made the plans for the Temple, and instructed Solomon and the people of Israel. David emphasized to the people the importance of completing the Temple – and to make it such a magnificent building that all of the world would recognize its glory. 

    David led by example when it came time to bring gifts in preparation for the building of the Temple. David was greatly pleased that he was able to give toward that building. David’s praise turned into a prayer recognizing that God saw the intent of the heart in wanting to give back to God with what He had abundantly blessed them. Solomon then became king of Israel, and God magnified Solomon greatly.

    Remember: The books of the Chronicles do not dwell upon the wrongdoings of the kings, but what good they accomplished for Judah.

    Y2Q2 – Lesson 4 Questions

    Y2Q2 – Lesson 4 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are doing this lesson with young children, the following is a craft idea to go with the lesson:

    King David prepared for the building of the Temple. He gave his son, Solomon, a copy of the Law and the plans for the Temple.

  • Lesson 4: 2 Kings 3 – 9:10: Elisha

    Key Verse

    For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. —Hebrews 10:36

    Key Verse Thought: After you read the Key Verse, use the following definitions to help you understand it better. 

    • patience: endurance; perseverance or constancy under suffering in faith and duty
    • will: purpose; God’s law; decree
    • promise: salvation in Christ

    Does one really understand patience? Does it take patience to do something that doesn’t always make sense? For example (here are a few examples, or you may thing of some better ones!):

    • Making your bed when you’re going to sleep in it that night — it keeps your room neat and your covers straight;
    • Going to bed at a regular bedtime even though you still have work to do — keeps you from always being tired or rundown which allows you to get sick easier;
    • Eating foods that are good for you, as opposed to junk food all of the time — also keeps you healthier;
    • Submitting to your authority, even though you think you know best!

    Today we will see many people who were asked to do things that didn’t necessarily make sense to them at the time. The important thing for them to learn was to do what the prophet of the Lord told them to do, obeying God’s Words. We will also see what happened for those who patiently did the will of God and see what God gave them.

    Emphasis: In this lesson, we should learn to obey God’s Word, patiently, even if it seems too hard or it does not necessarily make sense to us. Be encouraged to put your faith and trust in Jesus and to live your life according to God’s Word.

    Lesson Summary: In this lesson, we will continue learning the history of the nation Israel, the Northern Kingdom. Once we saw Elijah taken, we read Elisha established as the prophet of the Lord. Elisha had requested Elijah to give him a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. In this lesson, we will see that this is just what Elisha received. Not only did he have dealings with many Israelites, but we will also see that he took the Word of the Lord to the kings. His fame even spread by an Israelite maiden taken captive into the home of a captain in the Syrian army. His name was Naaman. Because he obeyed the words spoken by the prophet of the Lord, Elisha, Naaman was healed of his leprosy. Notice the many different, and even unusual things, people were asked to do, obeying the words of the prophet of the Lord. It would also be good to notice the blessings, and even the salvation from the enemies, the people received when they obeyed.

    Year Two Quarter One – Lesson 4 Questions

    Year Two Quarter One – Lesson 4 Children’s Worksheets

    You could let your students make a coloring book of their own using pictures of Naaman, the Leper, and Elisha.