The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Year Two

  • Lesson 7: Esther: A Woman who Saved her People

    Key Verse

    Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

    —Psalm 64:1

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. Begin to understand the importance of prayer. We will learn in this lesson of one who was fearful for her life and the lives of her people – so they fasted, and God spared their lives. Although prayer is not mentioned in the book of Esther, knowing that prayer and fasting go together at times in the Bible, one may consider the idea that prayer was included with their time of fasting.   

    Emphasis: Be encouraged to recognize the power of prayer – and use that prayer to pray for the eternal lives by salvation for our friends and family.

    Lesson Summary: Remembering that we are studying the Bible in as close to historical order as possible, we will leave the book of Ezra for a week. The events that took place in the book of Esther happened after the seventy-year captivity and after a remnant had returned led by Zerubbabel. However, it also took place before Ezra led another group back to Jerusalem, and before Nehemiah returned to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. That places the timeframe for the events from the book of Esther in the middle of the book of Ezra.      

    There are only two books in the Bible named after women: Ruth and Esther. Esther is a most unusual book because God is never mentioned, and we see no miraculous intervention by God recorded. Nevertheless, we can most definitely recognize God working behind the scenes. Read a little insight we find in the book of Isaiah. “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:15).    

    King Ahasuerus was king of Persia (remember they defeated the Babylonian kingdom). When he sought for a new queen, Esther was chosen from all of the fair virgins of the land. Her cousin, Mordecai, who had raised her after her parents’ death, told her to keep her Jewish heritage a secret. When Esther became queen, Mordecai sat at the king’s gate, where he made an enemy – Haman. Haman had been promoted above all of the king’s princes, but Mordecai would not bow to him. Haman’s hatred turned from just Mordecai to all of the Jews in the land. He asked the king to sign a decree stating that all of the Jews in the land could be killed on a certain date. The king agreed. Mordecai mourned. 

    Mordecai sent a message that Esther must go to the king to plead for the Jews lives. After fasting and prayer by all, she went into the king’s presence, fearful for her life. Anyone who entered the king’s presence without first being called would be put to death – unless he held out the golden scepter. When the king saw Esther, she found favor in his eyes, he held out the golden scepter, and asked what she wanted – up to half of the kingdom. She asked the king and Haman to dinner. After the second dinner, she asked the king for her life and the lives of her people to be spared. When the king found out Haman’s plot, Haman was hung. Mordecai was elevated to Haman’s position and another law was written to circumvent the first law. God’s people were spared.

    Once again, we read a book in the Old Testament with a very familiar event. In this lesson, we will actually read much of the scripture. If you happen to be in a group or class, read them aloud together, for the events could never be retold any better than it was recorded in God’s Word.

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 7 Questions

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 7 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this lesson to children, here are a couple of craft ideas to go along with this lesson:

    One time we made a coloring book by cutting out the different pictures of Esther’s life and glued them into a construction paper book we made. Another time we used stickers of Esther to make a scene.

  • Lesson 6: Zechariah and Ezra 6 God’s Plans for the Future and the Temple Completed

    Key Verse

    Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

    —Philippians 1:6

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. Try to understand that God promised to help His people. When we give our heart and life to Jesus, He will help us live faithfully for Him.  Perform means “to complete; to finish.” In this lesson, we will see the Israelites finish rebuilding the Temple. They had laid the foundation, but then the enemies stopped the work. Nevertheless, God sent someone to encourage them to finish. God promised to help us complete the work He has for our lives.

    Emphasis: Christians are to read the Bible, understanding that God will encourage us through His Word. We are to remember that God sent Jesus, just as He promised, to take away the sin of man.

    Lesson Summary: As we begin this lesson, we need to remember that the building of the Temple had been stopped. Haggai encouraged them to begin again, but the enemy had returned to stop the work. The governor of the land had sent a letter for the king to search the records and find out if the people had permission to rebuild. In the meantime, God sent another prophet to encourage His people.

    Zechariah was a priest and prophet. He prophesied at the same time as Haggai also encouraging God’s people. He wanted to let them know that God was not finished with them yet – for God had many mighty plans in store. Many of those plans were revealed in the visions that God gave Zechariah. Among the most familiar: a man with a measuring line, Joshua with the filthy garments, a golden candlestick, and the flying scroll. For lack of time, we will not study them all, but we will look at Joshua with the filthy garments. 

    Joshua was the high priest at this time, and he was a representation between sinful man and God. We will learn that the Angel of the Lord (remember we learned through previous lessons that this is the pre-incarnate Christ) removed the filthy garments from Joshua. We will find out the significance of that event today.

    Zechariah understood that Jesus would come – just as God had promised. Just as Isaiah was the Major Prophet with the most prophesies about Christ, Zechariah was the Minor Prophet with the most prophesies about Christ.   

    Zechariah especially had words of encouragement for Zerubbabel. He especially reminded Zerubbabel that when God asks His people to do something, he gives them the strength to complete it. Zechariah had a message of encouragement to the people as well. With those words of encouragement, the Temple was completed.

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 6 Questions

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 6 Children’s Worksheets

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

    We made frames with stickers and the verse Zechariah 9:9 to remember that Zechariah gave a great prophecy of Jesus that was fulfilled on what we now call Palm Sunday.

  • Lesson 5: Ezra 1-5 and Haggai Zerubbabel Begins Rebuilding the Temple

    Key Verse

    And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

    —Galatians 6:9

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. Understand that sometimes we get tired of doing what God wants us to do, but we are never to quit! God has promised to honor our work – if we do not quit. In this lesson, we will see God’s people begin the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

    Emphasis: Christians should never become tired of doing what God has for us – even when the adversaries try to stop us. We are to complete what God has for us to do, knowing He will honor that work.

    Lesson Summary: As we begin this lesson, we remember that the people were carried captive in three definite movements. We will discover that the people were returned back to their homeland in three definite movements. We will learn of the first movement, led by Zerubbabel, today.

    Cyrus was now ruler in the land of captivity (remember the Babylonians were defeated by the Medes and Persians). We will read that God stirred Cyrus’ heart to send people home (to Jerusalem) to rebuild the house of the Lord. Not only that, but he sent many treasures back to Jerusalem with the people – including the vessels that belonged in the house of the Lord. The first group to return to Jerusalem was led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of David.

    Once they reached Jerusalem, Zerubbabel remained a leader. Jeshua (Joshua) was the high priest. These two men led the people first to rebuild the altar of the Lord. Then they laid the foundation of the Temple of the Lord. That was when the troubles began. Adversaries arose, and Zerubbabel understood they were not for God’s people, but against them. Zerubbabel would not allow them to help in the building of God’s house. These adversaries caused trouble for years, stopping the building of the Temple.

    God then sent His prophet, Haggai, to encourage the people to build the house of the Lord. First, he scolded them for living in their nice houses while the Temple of the Lord was not completed. He reminded the people that God was to come first. “7. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 8. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD” (Haggai 1:7-8). Haggai then encouraged the leaders to complete the Temple. Zerubbabel and Joshua stepped up and began work on the Temple again – and God kept the enemy from stopping them.

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 5 Questions

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 5 Children’s Worksheets

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

    We made scenes to remind us the importance of not quitting or be content, but to finish what God has us to do – much like Haggai encouraged them to finish the House of the Lord.

  • Lesson 4: Daniel 5-12: Daniel, God’s Man

    Key Verse

    For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 

    —1 Peter 3:12

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. According to our key verse, we can understand that God sees and hears His people. When enemies try to do evil against God’s people, He knows and takes care of the problem.

    Emphasis: We are to learn to consistently, faithfully, walk with God and read His Word – just as Daniel did.

    Lesson Summary: In our last lesson, we learned about Daniel and his three friends who were carried captive during the first siege of Jerusalem. We that found they remained faithful to God in the enemy land. In this lesson, we will continue with Daniel’s life.

    A new king reigned in Babylon. His name was Belshazzar, and he was King Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson. We read today of a time he drank wine before his thousands. When he called for the vessels from the house of the Lord to be brought to him and led them to drink with them, toasting many false idols, a hand appeared and wrote upon the wall. When no one understood the meaning, Daniel was called. After reminding King Belshazzar of his grandfather, King Nebuchadnezzar, and his acknowledgment of God, Daniel rebuked King Belshazzar for not acknowledging God. The handwriting declared King Belshazzar would lose his kingdom that night – and he did. With that came the demise of the Babylonian reign. Next, the Medo-Persian kingdom became predominant. 

     King Darius, the new king, placed Daniel as the head of his one hundred twenty presidents, and they hated Daniel for it. It was then that they began plotting to destroy him. When Daniel continued to pray to God three times daily, breaking the new law of the land, he was thrown into the den of lions. Nevertheless, through all of this, King Darius recognized God’s hand in Daniel’s life. The wicked men who tricked King Darius into signing that bad law were thrown (with their families) into the lions’ den where they all died.

    Although some do not believe Daniel was a real man (because of the accuracy of the events recorded in the book of Daniel – long before they happened), we read that Ezekiel knew of Daniel and Jesus quoted Daniel. 

    Daniel not only wrote many of God’s Words (recorded in the Bible), but he read God’s Words recorded by other men of God. We will find what he learned while reading the book of Jeremiah.

    Additional note:  Many of the things portrayed in the book of Daniel are also found in the book of Revelation. Things from every chapter in Daniel are referred to in the book of Revelation, and most of the chapters in Revelation have references to the book of Daniel. Therefore, in order to understand Revelation, it is important to know the book of Daniel. Because this is not an exhaustive study of Daniel but an overview, we will not take time to compare the two books in this lesson.

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 4 Questions

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 4 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching children, the following is a craft idea to help them remember Daniel.

    We made Daniel in the Lion’s Den scenes with stickers.

  • Iniquity Separates

    “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
    Isaiah 59:2

    Excerpt from Year Two Quarter Three, Lesson 3: Isaiah 40-66: Grace and Salvation

    “This section begins with a pointing out of the people’s sin. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1). Especially notice what the people had been doing. “Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God” (Isaiah 58:2). They had been seeking God and His ways – daily. Moreover, they were going to the Temple when required and performing their duties. We can understand that outwardly it appeared they were doing everything right: they were seeking after God, wanting to know His ways, going to the Temple, and doing what they were supposed to do. However, from God’s perspective, they were sinners who needed their sin declared aloud. Knowing what sin is was not enough. Going through the motions of religion was not enough. There was a serious problem! God was not pleased. “4b. … ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. 5. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?” (Isaiah 58:4b-5)…

    “God wanted to see a people humbled before Him, seeking forgiveness for their sins. This would change their whole outlook. “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward” (Isaiah 58:8). Then God would hear them and answer them (see Isaiah 58:9-14).

    “God’s people had not yet learned how to do it correctly. Nevertheless, that could not stop God from doing all he planned. “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1). It was God’s people in the error. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). They were a sinful people, and everything they tried to do to become a righteous people failed. God was warning them again that because of their sinfulness, the enemy would come in and take them away from their homeland. But one day, in the distant future, God gives hope again, of one who can take their sin from them. “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 59:20). And this verse introduces us to what the rest of the book of Isaiah is all about.

    “Remember back for a minute. We read that God’s glory filled the Tabernacle when Moses completed it in the wilderness (see Exodus 40:34). God’s glory also filled the Temple that King Solomon built (see 2 Chronicles 5:14). We will read in Ezekiel how God’s glory departed before the coming invasion of the Babylonians to carry God’s people out of the land. Do you remember why the glory of the Lord departed? The people sought idols instead of watching for Jesus to come. Remember what we can read in John 1:14: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Jesus came. He was God’s glory. Nevertheless, the world (as a whole) rejected Him. As we read Isaiah chapter sixty, we find a promise. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1). One day, Jesus will come again. And at that time, God will turn His attention back to His people, the Israelites. However, before that day comes, see what will happen. “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:2). The world will become a very dark place before the Lord returns to rule and reign. At that time, God will make Jerusalem what He had always intended for it to be – and the whole world will want to come and see it! (“… And they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel” Isaiah 60:14b.)” 

    Remember why it was that Jesus sent Paul to proclaim the message of salvation to all: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18).

    Have you turned from darkness to Light (Jesus), from the power of Satan unto God, receiving forgiveness of sin?

  • Lesson 3: Daniel 1-4 Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon

    Key Verse

    Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.    

    —Matthew 10:16

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. What do you think would happen to a sheep that was sent into the midst of a bunch of wolves (i.e.:  chased, surrounded, killed, eaten, etc.). In this lesson, we will learn of four young men who were taken from their own people to live among an enemy nation who did not know God. We will learn how they were wise (as serpents – serpents means “the emblem of wisdom or cunning”) and harmless (harmless means “without any mixture of deceit or any defiling material”) as doves.

    Emphasis: In this lesson, we will learn to understand that we are a witness to this lost generation – just as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were a life changing witness to Nebuchadnezzar – for he was saved because of their lives.

    Lesson Summary: The book of Daniel contains some of the more familiar events in the Bible. Most people have probably heard these “stories” often. We will recognize that these are not just “stories” and, we will begin to understand them even better. First, we will consider their place in history. Daniel lived during the lives of the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Daniel and his three friends were most likely taken during the first siege of Nebuchadnezzar when many nobles and princes were taken captive (Daniel was of the kingly lineage of Judah). Remember that God allowed Babylon to come up against Jerusalem because of the condition of the Israelites – especially during the reign of their last four kings (for they had predominately forsaken God for idol worship).       

    In this lesson, we learn of four particular young men who were carried captive into the enemy king’s household: Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We find that they chose to obey God rather than the king, and God blessed them for that choice. They became rulers in the enemy land. The familiar events we will learn about today:

    1. Daniel and his three friends refuse to eat the king’s meat, but they are found wiser than all of the wise men in Babylon.
    2. Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream that he could not remember. Although none of the wise men of Babylon could tell him the dream or the meaning, Daniel prayed with his friends and God revealed to Daniel the dream and the meaning of that dream.
    3. When King Nebuchadnezzar erected a ninety-foot statue, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow and were cast into the fiery furnace. When Jesus was in the fire with these three, Nebuchadnezzar again acknowledged God was real.
    4. Nebuchadnezzar had another dream, and Daniel warned him to repent of his sins. Instead, Nebuchadnezzar lived as a wild animal for seven years. Nevertheless, when he acknowledged God as the most High God, he was finally saved – all because of the witness of these four men.

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 3 Questions

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 3 Children’s Worksheets

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

    We used stickers to help us remember that God took care of them in the fiery furnace.

  • Lesson 2: Ezekiel 33-48 Judah’s Future

    Key Verse

    Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

    —1 Corinthians 15:58

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. We are to understand what it means to be “stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” That means: not changing or moving, but being more abundant or distinguished than somebody else in reference to doing something. We are to try to be the best Christian living for Jesus than anyone else around us – for we know that even though it may be very difficult (labour), we also know that our life will not be fruitless in God’s eyes.

    Emphasis: We are to remain true to the task God places before us, no matter how difficult it may seem – even if people ignore us and reject God’s Word (just as they did to Ezekiel), when we tell others about Jesus. 

    Lesson Summary: God called Ezekiel again, to be a watchman to Israel. He was to continue warning the people – especially the children of God’s people. The children would be the ones who would eventually return to Jerusalem. God warned Ezekiel that he would be accountable to God if he was not faithful to speak the Words God gave him to speak. 

    While Ezekiel was warning God’s people, a messenger came with the news that Jerusalem had been smitten (defeated; destroyed). Ezekiel proceeded to remind them why Jerusalem had been destroyed. Although the people listened to the message, they did not adhere to the teachings.

    Ezekiel had to remind the people why they lost their homeland and their beloved city, Jerusalem. It was because they forsook God and worshiped idols instead. Nevertheless, after this reminder, they were encouraged with the words that God would one day restore their homeland to them. After these words, God gave Ezekiel an unusual visual to help him understand what God would do for His people one day. God took Ezekiel to a valley full of dry bones and told him to preach the Word of the Lord to them. When he did, the bones were rejoined and skin covered them again. After God breathed life into them, those dead bones lived. It was a picture of the dead, desolate nation Israel would be when God would one day restore them. 

    God would join the divided kingdom as one nation with one king, they would reject idolatry once and for all and God would be their God, and God then gave the promise of Jesus.  Jesus would be the king over God’s people, the one shepherd, and he would be their prince – forever.

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 2 Questions

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 2 Children’s Worksheets

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

    We made a book with the pictures of the different stages of the events that took place when Ezekiel preached in the Valley of the Dry Bones.

  • Lesson 1: Ezekiel 1-32 Judah’s Fall

    Key Verse

    Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

    —Hebrews 13:17

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. Think for a minute. Is it ever hard to obey someone who is in authority over you? Consider the authority in the written Word of God and those who teach the doctrines therein. Even when it may be difficult, we are called to not only obey, but also choose to do it correctly. Consider how you treat one who teaches you (and may occasionally correct or admonish you). Do not make their task more difficult, for they must give an accounting to God for how they teach you, and they want it to be a joyful time. If you respond incorrectly, you may just miss the blessing intended for your life.

    Emphasis: We must first have a heart of flesh, so God’s Word can be written therein. Then we must be a watchman, telling all of the world about Jesus, so they can know God as the God.

    Lesson Summary: Weeks of Bible study time could be spent just on the book of Ezekiel. However, because we are not doing an exhaustive study, but an overview, we will take two lessons to study highlights of the book of Ezekiel. Remember that Jeremiah witnessed the captivity of Judah by Babylon and the destruction of Jerusalem. The book of Lamentations, written by Jeremiah, is a poem revealing the horrors of seeing the city of Jerusalem and the temple of God destroyed after a terrible siege against the city. Jeremiah and Ezekiel both lived during the demise of Israel.

    Ezekiel was carried captive from Jerusalem during the second invasion of Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. Once in Babylon, God came to Ezekiel in a heavenly vision and called him to be a watchman for God to the house of Israel. God gave Ezekiel the words that needed to be spoken to His people. The people of Judah had to understand that they were being disciplined for their sin. God often called Ezekiel “the son of man.”    

    After God showed Ezekiel the wickedness that had permeated God’s Temple, Ezekiel witnessed God’s Spirit depart from the Temple in Jerusalem, and finally from this earth.

    God was chastising His people by using their enemy, Babylon. It was because of the many transgressions of God’s people. But most importantly, God wanted His people to know that He is the Lord (this is expressed around 70 times in Ezekiel). Ezekiel was to be sure to let God’s people know that He had not forsaken them, but that He had future plans for them.

     As many other prophets before, Ezekiel was to call the people to repentance. There were many signs that God had Ezekiel use to gain the people’s attention, and to reinforce the message God had for His people. For lack of time, we will not look at these. (Some of the signs of Ezekiel: a tile, filthy food, a razor, a pot, a fire, lay on left/right, prepare his clothes to move, smite hands together, not to mourn his wife’s death, etc.)

    It is in the book of Ezekiel where we also understand that God judges each individual. God does not save the child because of the father, or the father because of the child. Each person is accountable unto God for his or her actions in his or her own life – whether in righteousness or in iniquity. God wants each individual to turn from his or her sin, and only then will he or she live.

    Y3Q4 – Lesson 1 Questions

    Y3Q4 – Lesson 1 Children’s Worksheets

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

    We made binoculars adding stickers and the verse Ezekiel 3:17 to help us remember the importance of being a Watchman (like Ezekiel) who warns people with the Word of God.

  • Lesson 13: Jesus in the Old Testament Jesus and the Cross

    Key Verse

    For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

    —1 Corinthians 1:18

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. Use the following definitions to help you understand the key verse:

    • preaching means to speak intelligently about the word of the cross 
    • cross means the whole passion of Christ and the merit of His sufferings and death 
    • them that perish means exposed to eternal death 
    • foolishness means foolishness or absurdity
    • saved means those who have obtained salvation through Christ and are kept by Him 
    • power means a person in whom the power of God is manifested  

    In this lesson, we will see the “power of God” revealed as we look at the promise of Jesus found in Isaiah chapter fifty-three.

    Emphasis: We are to recognize what Jesus did upon the cross for our sins, believe it, and then tell others what Jesus did for us and will do for them.

    Lesson Summary: In this lesson, we begin with a couple of people in the New Testament who had walked and talked with Jesus, yet did not recognize Him after his resurrection – until He revealed Himself to them. We are to understand that they too, had a hard time understanding Jesus’ death. 

    As we look back at Isaiah chapters fifty-two through fifty-three, we will understand the promise of Jesus that God gave to His people. We will compare those promises made in the Old Testament that Isaiah recorded with the truths revealed in the New Testament (we will only see a few in the New Testament – for there are so many!). As we read them, we too, are to understand just what Jesus had to do upon the cross because of mankind’s sin. When Jesus died upon the cross, God made salvation available to the entire world (not just the Israelites). 

    We will learn that it is a choice that each person must make for himself or herself – whether or not to trust Jesus to take away our sin.  Once we understand why Jesus died upon the cross, we are to believe in Him. Then we are to share these truths to the entire world, so that they too, can know just what Jesus did for them upon the cross.

    Y2Q3 – Lesson 13 Questions

    Y2Q3 – Lesson 13 Children’s Worksheets

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

    We colored this stop sign to remind us the importance of stopping and hearing what God is teaching us from His Word (the Bible).

  • Lesson 12: Lamentations

    Key Verse

    It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

    —Hebrews 10:31

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse and consider the following. After learning of the destruction of Jerusalem and the carrying away of God’s people as captives into Babylon, remind them that this was God’s judgment upon His people for breaking their covenant with Him. They had promised to obey God’s commands and follow Him. They failed! For that, there was a price to pay. They had lost their fear of God. Remember what we have learned before, that God’s people had obviously forgotten: “The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened” (Proverbs 10:27). 

    Emphasis: Recognize that we are to humble our hearts before the Lord, acknowledging our sin. It is then we can and understand that God never leaves His people without hope!

    Lesson Summary: The book of Lamentations, written by Jeremiah, is a poem revealing the horrors of seeing Jerusalem and the Temple of God destroyed after a terrible siege against the city. Notice that it falls in the center of the five Major Prophets, helping us see the division in history before the captivities, and the return from captivity. 

    Jeremiah wrote lamentations from the perspective of a witness. He was in Jerusalem when the enemy besieged the city until it was destroyed and the people were taken captive. He began the book writing about the destruction – as if he were watching it. Soon he wrote as one who was in the middle of the suffering with the people. As we look at Lamentations in this lesson, see how the heart of Jeremiah was revealed during the destruction of Jerusalem. Jeremiah understood the great sin of God’s people, for he had been calling for their return to the Lord for many years. Amazingly, he still prayed for God’s mercy to be given to the people who had rejected Jeremiah’s preaching all of those years. Through the book of Lamentations, Jeremiah reveals why God’s wrath had been poured out upon His people. He also found hope that God would not forsake them forever. During his time of prayer, we recognize that Jeremiah understood that when he called out to God, God would hear and draw near. “Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not” (Lamentations 3:57). 

    Y2Q3 – Lesson 12 Questions

    Y2Q3 – Lesson 12 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this lesson to younger children, the following is a craft idea to reinforce this lesson:

    We colored this sign to help us remember the importance of making time for God in our lives. We attached a magnet on the back to hang it.