The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Remember

  • Lesson 13: Review of the New Testament: Matthew – Revelation

    Key Verse

    Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

    —Psalm 119:9

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. Use the following definitions to help with the understanding of this verse:

    • Wherewithal means “how”
    • Young man means “from the age of infancy to adolescence; a girl or boy”
    • Cleanse means “to be transparent; clear; pure; innocent; to cleanse oneself”
    • Taking heed means “to guard; generally to protect or attend (keep the mind on) to; to regard; to preserve”

    From this verse one can understand that the only way to keep one’s life pure and innocent, pleasing God, is to keep one’s heart and mind on God’s Word, living according to what is written within.

    Emphasis: We are to understand that Jesus is the One promised from the beginning of time, and His life is revealed in the Bible. Christians must recognize the importance of knowing about all of God’s Word for it teaches each Christian how to live.

    Lesson Summary: This lesson will be a review over the whole New Testament. First remember the divisions we have learned. If you are teaching a class, instead of you, as the teacher, trying to teach the entire New Testament in one lesson, have your students tell you what they remember about the different divisions, and then about the different books. We must understand the importance of remembering just who Jesus is, and what He did for mankind. Also recognize the new Christians’ perseverance as they faithfully spread the Gospel message – even while suffering persecution. Remember the great leader Peter was as he helped establish the church among the Jews, and Paul as he dedicated his life to preaching the Gospel message to the Gentile nations on his missionary journeys. Even when Paul suffered great persecutions and imprisonments, he still took the time to not only continually tell people about Jesus, but he wrote many letters that now make up much of our New Testament. The most important thing we can and must recognize: all of Scripture is important for Christians to know in order to live that life God requires Christians to live. Without knowing the Scriptures, one can never fully please God with his life. Be encouraged to desire to not only read, but also to know God’s Word.

    Y3Q4 – Lesson 13 Questions

    Y3Q4 – Lesson 13 Children’s Worksheets

    The Biblical Path of Life – Year Three, Quarter Four is available through Amazon

  • Taste and See That the Lord is Good

    “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

    Psalm 34:8

    David was known as a man after God’s own heart. “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). The amazing part of this: God knew this before David was even chosen to become king of Israel.

    If you remember, King Saul continually disobeyed God. When God declared the kingdom would be removed from Saul and his family, read what Samuel told King Saul: “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee” (1 Samuel 13:14). After one final chance, God told Samuel to declare the kingdom was rent from Saul’s family: “And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou” (1 Samuel 15:28). We find out who that man is in the next chapter. “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward…” (1 Samuel 16:13).

    It is good to know that God knew David’s heart. And David knew God. However, that did not prevent events of life from happening. There was a time when King Saul was after David (for even King Saul recognized God’s hand upon David). Saul wanted to kill David. David spent many years fleeing from King Saul. There was one occasion in particular where David had to flee the country. He ended up in the presence of an enemy king, Achish (Abimelech). They knew who David was, a mighty warrior in Israel’s army. David was afraid. “And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard” (1 Samuel 21:13). When David behaved in this manner, the king thought David was mad (crazy). David was allowed to depart and escape (see 1 Samuel 21:10 – 21:1).

    David recognized that even though he was in a terrible place, it was God who delivered him from the hand of the enemy king. He wrote a Psalm to remember and praise God for taking care of him in such a time. “4. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears … 6. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:4-8). David sought God in his time of trouble. And God heard and delivered him. Notice that David called himself “This poor man”. When he cried unto the Lord, “the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” David understood what God did for him. He wanted others to recognize and do the same thing when one found themselves in trouble. “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:8). David was fleeing from King Saul because Saul recognized David would be the king to replace him. The trouble was not something that David was looking for or dove into of his own accord. There is a great difference when one seeks trouble because of selfish desires or choosing to sin willfully. However, when trouble comes as one seeks after God, trying to please Him, God will help that one. Remember what David recognized: “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7).

    This is a great lesson for Christians today who choose to set their hearts to follow after God and the things of God. God will be with those who fear Him when trouble finds them. It is up to us to keep our hearts upon God and to cry out for help in times of trouble.

    Have you set your heart to seek after God?

    Do you call out for Him in times of trouble?

  • It is Good to Remember

    “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance”
    2 Peter 1:13

    As you read the following verse, think of your favorite Bible teacher. “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance” (2 Peter 1:13). The word tabernacle means “the body as a frail tenement of the soul”; stir you up means “of the mind; to excite.” The job of a good teacher (in their frailty), is to stir up their students (excite them) by putting them in remembrance (to help them remember the heroes of our faith). A good teacher’s goal should be to excite students to learn of these great men and women in the Bible. One fun way to learn is in the remembrance of some of the people listed in the genealogies in the Old Testament – even learning of a few new people along the way.

    Many people skip over the genealogies listed in the Bible. They can seem tedious and somewhat boring. However, sometimes when one reads the genealogies, there is an interesting interjection. See the following example: “9. And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 10. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10). Notice that this child was born in sorrow. In his name, Jabez (this name meaning “to grieve; sorrowful”), his mother doomed him to remember that fact for all of his life. It would behoove all children to remember that it is in much pain and sorrow that each and every child is brought into this world (remember Genesis 3:16a: “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children …”). In that remembrance, due respect and honor should be given. “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee” (Deuteronomy 5:16). Moreover, read what Jesus said in Matthew 15:4: “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.”    

    Jabez took an important step that changed his life: he called upon the God of Israel. Over and over we can read in the Bible where God wants people to call upon Him – for He promises that He will answer. “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). In addition, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). Knowing these truths, see what Jabez asked of God: 

    • “…  Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed,
    • and enlarge my coast,
    • and that thine hand might be with me,
    • and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!”

    The word grieve in this verse means “the same as the great sorrow God felt when He looked down upon sinful man in Genesis 6 – just before He destroyed the earth by a flood. It also comes from the same word as “sorrow” in which his mother bore him.” From this definition, we can understand that Jabez wanted no more sorrow in his life. Instead, he wanted God’s blessings to be upon his life.

    “… And God granted him that which he requested” (1 Chronicles 4:10).           

    Christians should learn the importance of calling out to God for His blessings upon our lives, being willing to obey His commands (think of Jabez). It is only then that we can recognize as God blesses our lives.

    Do you call out to God, asking for God’s blessing to be upon your life?

  • Remembering the History

    “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent …”
    Revelation 3:3a

    Do you remember anything you have learned from the Bible? It is important to daily read God’s Word. If you do not read it, you will not remember it. Remember is the key word. If we do not remember and hold fast to what we learn from God’s Word, we will never grow in Christ. The more we learn about God’s Word, the more we will want to be like Him. By learning the history in the Bible, we will understand the significance of why things happened. God had a plan, which is hard to understand unless you learn the Old Testament history. While it was happening, men did not fully understand what that plan was, but through faith, they believed. The more we learn, the more pieces of the puzzle we can fit together. Each piece helps us become better students of God’s Word, which helps us become better Christians.

    For instance, remember the book of Judges. The dominant theme within the book is this: “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Notice that it doesn’t say they did wrong, men thought what they were doing was right. But also notice this: “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves” (Judges 3:7). Although it didn’t appear wrong to them, it was wrong in God’s eyes. They did not obey the commands God had given them.

    There was a vicious cycle that occurred in Judges:

    • The people forsook God.
    • God allowed the enemy to oppress the people.
    • The people cried out to God.
    • God sent a deliverer (a judge) to end the oppression.

    In Judges, the people as a whole rejected God.

    But then we remember the book of Ruth. It is a breath of fresh air in a time of turmoil in the nation of Israel, for it is a picture of redemption. Ruth was a Gentile (a Moabitess) who lived in a pagan land. She did not know the true God. When an Israelite family moved to Moab because of a drought in Israel, Ruth married into this family and heard of God. When her husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law died, she returned with her mother-in-law to the land of Israel. Because she had recognized a light in her dark world, she wanted to follow that light. She had learned of God and did not want to lose that. Her view is clearly stated: “16. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17.  Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16-17). It was there after being redeemed by a kinsman, that she forever became a part of Jesus’ genealogy. She was the great-grandmother of King David.

    One important thing about studying the history in the Bible is to be aware of God’s plan for His people. As we consider what God’s Word says, we should understand how it fits together, much like pieces of a puzzle. As we try to keep in mind and hold fast to the things we learn from God’s Word, it will help us recognize God’s plan for our lives. We must remember what God’s Word says.

    Have you recognized God’s plan in your life?

    Also published at Lighthouse Gospel Beacon.

  • Lesson 6: Twelve Historical Books: Joshua – Esther

    Key Verse

    “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent…”  Revelation 3:3a

     Can you remember anything about what we have been studying so far?  The whole point of this study is to help us to remember the events in the Bible.  Remember is the key word.  If we don’t remember and hold fast to what we learn from God’s Word, we will never grow in Christ.  The more we learn about God’s Word, the more we want to be like Him.

    In this lesson we will generally overview the 12 Historical Books.  We have already discussed the importance of learning the history in the Bible.  By learning it, we begin to understand the significance of why things happened.  God had a plan.  It is hard to understand unless you learn the Old Testament history.  While it was happening, men didn’t fully understand what that plan was, but through faith they believed.  The more we learn about the Bible, the more pieces of the puzzle we can fit together.  Each piece helps us become better students of God’s Words, helping us become better Christians.

    This study ends the time frame of the Old Testament.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 6 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet

    Lesson 6 – 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 History (showing them on the poster).

    Reemphasize the importance of remembering this history we are studying (have them recall a few events you discussed).  You may have them draw a picture of their favorite story from the History.  Obviously all of the history is too much to grasp all at once.  These first few lessons are only to whet one’s appetite to want to learn more about God’s Word.  For now, we want to focus on the basics of the order of the Bible and understanding how it fits together. Review the 3×5 cards if you made them, practicing the divisions.  Focus on putting the books of History in order for today’s lesson.

    Or, make a crown by adding peel and stick jewels to crown; staple to fit each child’s head (remind them that the people rejected God at this time and wanted a king like the nations around).  Also you could find a coloring sheet of one of the events you discussed.

    Mural Idea for today:

    Today, have them remember a specific time they disobeyed God’s commands.  Was there any punishment?  Did they recognize the break in fellowship with God?  Ask:  What happened when the Israelites disobeyed and turned from God?  (They were taken from their land.)

    Have them make a “Wanted” poster:  “Wanted, someone who will commit to obey God’s commands.”  Have them include some qualities desired, i.e.:  honesty, kindness, loving, forgiving, committed to God and His Word, faithful in attendance to church, read their Bible faithfully, pray faithfully, tell others about Jesus … Give them a couple of examples if they have trouble.  Encourage them to come up with some of their own.

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA