YE3I.1 · Activity Page
Exodus 20:1-3
Deuteronomy 5:6-7
1 Kings 18:18-39
Daniel 6:26-27
Mark 12:32
Acts 17:24, 28
1 Corinthians 8:6
Ephesians 4:5
1 Timothy 2:5
SLAVERY - being a slave, owned by another
ASHERAH - a false god
SACRIFICE - an offering, in this case, of meat to a god
QUAIL - a bird similar to a grouse or pheasant
MANNA - bread from heaven, the word literally means, "What is it?"
ILLEGAL - against the law
"Class!" Mrs. Armbruster called. "I am handing out a sheet of paper that has five columns. In the first, write your favorite foods. The second column is for your favorite places. The third is for your favorite people. The fourth is for your favorite things. The last column is for the most important events - things that have happened to you." Everyone began thinking, some of them chewing on their erasers.
Then pencils began to fly across the papers. Once everyone was finished, they began sharing answers with the class. Not surprisingly, almost all of the students had pizza and popcorn on their favorite foods list. Several wrote down the day they were born as one of the most important events. Many of them listed Six Flags and Disney World as their favorite places. Some had written "grandma's house" or"the swimming pool." The favorite things list was full of toys, bikes, games, and books. Mom and Dad topped the list of the favorite people for most of the children.
Suddenly, Peter raised his hand. "Mrs. Armbruster, why are we doing this? Are we going to have a party with our favorite things to eat?"
Everyone laughed. Peter's love for food was well known. Jessie was quick to point out that we couldn't have a party in everyone's favorite place or with all of those people! Mrs. Armbruster quietly told the students, "I just want you to think about all the things you like and love. . . and to think about where they all come from." Sam, ever the class comedian, quipped, "Wal-Mart!" Brian raised his hand. "I know, Mrs. Armbruster. Acts 17:24 says, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth." And verse 28 says "For in him we live and move and have our being.”
Brian, of course, was right. Everything that we have, want, and need comes from God. He provides food for us - like giving water, quail and manna to the Israelites coming out of Egypt. He protects us from our enemies - like when the Egyptians were chasing the Israelites and they drowned in the Red Sea. God saves us from bad situations when we call on Him - like when He brought the Israelites out of Egypt, out of slavery.
After God had done all of these things for the Israelites, bringing them out of slavery, saving them from their enemies, giving them food and water - then God gave them the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. He reminded them first who He was. He was the God who had done all of these things, who had done mighty miracles for them. Once they were thinking about the great things He had done, He told them, "You shall have no other gods before me."
Daniel knew better than to put anyone before the one true God. King Darius' wise men tricked him into making a law which said praying to anyone but Darius was illegal. But Daniel continued to pray to God.
When Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den for breaking the law, Daniel continued to pray to God - doing what was right. When God rescued Daniel by shutting the mouths of the lions, Darius wrote: "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions” (Daniel 6:26-27).
In another famous Bible story, the people of Israel were worshiping the false gods Baal and Asherah. Elijah challenged the people to prove who was the true God. They would set up an altar with a sacrifice to each god. The god who would send fire to consume the sacrifice was the true God. Baal and Asherah's prophets prepared an altar and laid a sacrifice of meat on it for their gods, but did not light the wood.
Then those prophets called on Baal and Asherah long and hard, but the sacrifice just sat there. Then it was Elijah's turn. Elijah built up the altar of the LORD and laid a sacrifice of meat on it for God. He told the people to pour water over the sacrifice and wood three times, until everything was dripping wet. Then Elijah prayed to God. The sky opened. Fire came down and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, and even the water. The people fell face down and cried, "The LORD - he is God! The LORD - he is God!" (1 Kings 18:18-39).
Our God is powerful. He is mighty. He has made everything that we have. He provides for our needs. He gives us everything and calls us His children. He is the One who does it! No one else! He deserves nothing less than our love and our praise. He deserves to be first in our lives. Do not put anything before Him. Nothing is as important, wonderful, or mighty as our God! "You shall have no other gods before me!"
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - TeachingTime: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 30 mins.
Activity: Hangman - 10-15 mins.
Song: "God is So Good”- page 87 of Kids Classics Collection - Time: 7-10 mins.
Activity: Favorite Things - Student book - Time: 20 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities (Time varies):
*Back to the Bible: Nebuchadnezzar
*Journal Jot: Colossians 1:15-17
*Word Study: panim
*Just Toolin’ Around: Creator - Concordance Work
*Did you Know? Ten Commandments - Connections
*Stretch It Out: Ten Commandments Poster
*Music Notes: “He is Lord”
*Questions? - Writing Prompt
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You have made me, given me the very breath that I breathe and the food that I eat each day. Teach me to put You first in my life in every way.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Daniel 6:26-27
Monday - I Kings 18:18-39
Tuesday - 1 Timothy 2:5; Ephesians 4:5
Wednesday - Acts 17:24, 28
Thursday - 1 Corinthians 8:6
Friday - Deuteronomy 5:6-7
Saturday - Mark 12:32
Exodus 20:4-6
Exodus 32:2-5
Exodus 34:14
Leviticus 19:4
Deuteronomy 4:15-19
Deuteronomy 27:15
1 Chronicles 16:24
2 Chronicles 7:19-20
Daniel 3:4-6
Romans 1:25
1 Corinthians 13:12
PORTRAIT- drawing or painting of someone
IDOL - an object which you call God or a god; something you worship and/or serve as a god or as God.
ADAMANT - feel very strongly about
REPRESENT - to stand for, to take the place of
CHARACTER - the qualities in a person, like gentleness, kindness, patience
Jeremy and Alexa were shopping with their mom in the Christian bookstore. They saw a large portrait hanging on the wall of a man with long hair.
"Mom," Jeremy asked, "who is that? Why is it in the Christian bookstore?" Both children were shocked and amazed when she told them that was a picture someone had made of Jesus.
"But," Alexa protested, "we don't know what Jesus looks like! How did he make that picture?”
Mom explained that it was only what one artist thought Jesus looked like. Then she asked, "Why do you think we don't have a picture like that in our house?"
Alexa said, "Because no one really knows what Jesus looked like and we shouldn't make pictures of Him.”
You're right," their mother told them. "The people who paint pictures of what they think Jesus looks like, probably don't understand that they are breaking the second commandment."
"Mom, what does the second commandment say?"
"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments" (Exodus 20:4-6).
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were commanded by King Nebuchadnezzer to bow down and worship the idol of gold that he had made. They refused. They knew the second commandment. The three young men respectfully told King Nebuchadnezzar that they would not bow down to the idol, even if it meant they would be thrown into the blazing furnace. They also told the king that God could rescue them from the fire. But even if God didn't rescue them, they would not bow down to the idol.
We might wonder why God was so adamant about idols. We might also wonder how this is different from the first commandment of not having any gods before God. Let's look at the story in Exodus 32:2-5.
While Moses was on Mt. Sinai talking with God, the people became very impatient. They decided to make some gods from the gold earrings they were wearing. Aaron took the gold earrings and made an idol in the shape of a calf. Then the people said that this calf was the god who brought them out of Egypt. Aaron even called the calf by God's name and said they would have a feast the next day to the golden calf.
The Israelites didn't just make an idol. They made an idol and said that it was God. They called it by His name. They didn't even know what God looked like. This is like having a picture of what someone thought Jesus looked like and calling it Jesus.
You have no problem seeing that making a calf and worshiping it is wrong. You can also see that saying it is God is wrong. God is not a calf. The calf might in some way act like God acts. But that doesn't mean that God always acts like the calf does. That is the problem with making any idol or drawing of God. It might look like God looks sometimes - but not all the time. In fact, there is nothing you could make or draw that would be God. Anytime you make an idol, a statue, or a drawing and say that is God, you are breaking the second commandment. You have made something to represent God. Just because you call it God, it doesn't make it God. Even if your drawing or statue showed part of God's character, it would leave out so much that it would be absurd. That drawing or statue limits and diminishes God. Our God is much greater.
The other important thing to remember is that once you have something to represent God, you stop seeking and learning more and more about who God is. If you had a picture of Jesus with children kneeling around Him, you might think He is always gentle and quiet. But do you remember that Jesus drove the money changers out of the Temple with a whip?
Right now, we have a limited idea of God. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us we see through a glass darkly - like trying to look into a car with tinted glass. But we will see God face to face. Then we will be like Him because we will see Him exactly as He is. We can't do that now.
There may be lots of reasons why God tells us not to make an idol and worship it. The most important thing is that God commanded us not to. God said it. We obey Him. End of story.
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - TeachingTime: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 15 mins.
Activity - Clay Figures - Time: 20 mins.
Activity (Student book) - Drawing of Your Pet - Time: 20-30 mins.
Song: “My God is So Big” - Time: 5 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities:
*Back to the Bible: The Bull
*Journal Jot: In My Mind’s Eye
*Word Study: Qannâ
*Just Toolin’ Around: Jealous
*Did you Know? Sculpture and Idolatry
*Stretch It Out: No Idols Here
*Music Notes: From All That Dwell Below the Skies
*Questions? - Writing Prompt - 10 mins.
Dear Father,
Help me to understand who You really are. I don't want to worship something that is not God. Please keep me from making any kind of idol.
In Jesus' name.
Amen
Sunday - Exodus 20:4-6
Monday- Deuteronomy 4:15-19
Tuesday - Deuteronomy 27:15
Wednesday - Romans 1:25
Thursday - 1 Chronicles 16:24
Friday - 2 Chronicles 7:19-20
Saturday - Exodus 34:14
Exodus 20:7
Leviticus 24:16
2 Samuel 6:15-16
2 Samuel 12:14
Psalm 148:13
Acts 4:12
Philippians 1:27
Colossians 3:17
1 Peter 2:12
RIDICULE - to make fun of, often in a bad way
CHIDE - to say someone has done something wrong
GUILTLESS - without fault, not having done anything wrong
AMBASSADOR - person who represents another person or country
EXPECTATIONS - what someone thinks, or expects, will happen
"Hey! Give that back! Mom, Jonathan's got my book," yelled Jeremy as he chased across the children's room of the library after his younger
brother.
Jonathan scrambled under a table and out the other side, still holding the book. He laughed at Jeremy and called, "You can't catch me."
Mrs. Peterson quietly, but firmly called both boys to her and announced they were going home - immediately. Jeremy and Jonathan knew what that meant. They were in trouble. The ride home was very quiet. Mrs. Peterson told the boys to go wait for her on the couch.
Mrs. Peterson asked the boys to pretend they had been sitting at a table in the library. "Imagine reading quietly. Then, suddenly, two boys start running, yelling, and fighting, disrupting the quiet of the library and interrupting what everyone else is doing. What would you have thought about that?”
Jeremy and Jonathan acknowledged that they would not have liked the noise. Mrs. Peterson told them that she also hadn't liked their behavior - because it makes people think the boys are not well-mannered and that they come from undisciplined homes. It makes people think badly about the entire Peterson family.
Mrs. Peterson asked, "Do you love God? Do you tell people that you are a Christian?"
Both boys nodded yes.
"Then, do you realize that you have broken the third commandment?"
The boys looked amazed. "But we didn't say any bad words, Mom!" Jeremy said.
"The third commandment," their mother told them, "is about more than just saying God's name in a wrong way. It also has to do with how you live your life. As a child of God, your behavior affects how people look at your
Heavenly Father, just as your behavior in the library today affects how they look at your Dad.”
Do you remember the story of King David - when he took another man's wife? David had the man, Uriah the Hittite, killed. David broke the sixth and seventh of God's commandments. He also broke the third commandment. God knew what David had done. So God sent
Nathan, the prophet, to David. Nathan told David that he had sinned. Furthermore, David's behavior had given the enemies of God an excuse to ridicule God and His ways. How had David done that? Well, all the people around David knew that he loved the LORD.
Remember how David was so joyful when the Ark was being brought back to Jerusalem that he leaped and danced before God as the Ark was
carried into the city? (2 Samuel 6:15-16). Remember how David wrote many of the Psalms, praising God? Remember how David chided his brothers for not fighting Goliath? David said, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26). David's entire life was a demonstration of his belief in our great and awesome God. But when David sinned, and everyone knew it, not only did David bring shame on himself, he also brought shame on God. God chose David to lead Israel. David's behavior affected the way people looked at God.
The third commandment says: "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name" (Exodus 20:7). Sometimes people think that the third commandment just means you shouldn't say God's name lightly- using it in your conversation when you are not even talking about God. Most people know that saying God's name in a curse is wrong. But the third commandment also involves how you live. When you tell people you believe in God and love God, you become an ambassador, or representative, for Him. Your behavior is a very strong witness because you claim to be in God's family - you're a child of God. Your actions tell everyone what God is like, what His commands and expectations are. There is a great responsibility to live like a child of God, bringing glory and honor to the name of your Heavenly Father.
Once there was a man who said he was a Christian. Everyone thought he was a good guy. But one day, when buying trees to plant in his yard, he was given back $50 too much in change. He knew it, but pocketed the money and said thank you. He never admitted to knowing the nursery owner had made a mistake. He just went home thinking that he'd gotten a pretty good bargain.
One of the man's friends was with him when he bought the trees and knew what happened. The friend asked why he hadn't been honest. The man didn't think he had been dishonest. He figured it wasn't his problem that the nursery owner made a mistake. What do you think? Did he steal the money? Was he dishonest? Did he break the third commandment?
Everyday we have another opportunity to live godly lives, to bring glory and honor to our great God and King, our Heavenly Father. Peter says, "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us" (1 Peter 2: 12). Make it your goal to live a good life, to bring glory and honor to God. Make sure you don't misuse the name of the LORD your God.
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - Teaching Time: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 30 mins.
Activity: Honoring God - Teacher book - Time: 25 mins.
Song: O Be Careful Little Eyes - Kids Classics Collection - pg. 39.
Life Application - Student book - Time: 15 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities:
*Back to the Bible: Conduct Honoring God
*Journal Jot: Oaths
*Word Study: shâv (in vain)
*Just Toolin’ Around: Vain/In Vain
*Did you Know? Vain
*Stretch It Out: Ambassador
*Music Notes: Take the Name of Jesus With You
*Questions? - Writing Prompt - 10 mins.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Teach me every day how to be a faithful ambassador for You, a true child of God, bringing glory and honor to Your name.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Exodus 20:7
Monday - 1 Peter 2:12
Tuesday - Acts 4:12
Wednesday - Leviticus 24:16
Thursday - Psalm 148:13
Friday - Colossians 3:17
Saturday - Philippians 1:27
Exodus 20:9-11
Exodus 33:14-15
Exodus 35:2
Job 2:10
Job 13:15
Psalm 16:8-9
Psalm 116:6-7
Mark 2:27
Hebrews 4:9-11
BENEFIT - something that is for your good
REST - to stop working; to stop worrying; to be still
TRUST - to believe, to rely on, to depend, to expect with confidence
BOIL - a painful skin infection
Mandy watched her mom cooking tacos for supper. Everything looked like a normal evening in the Walters’ household, but Mandy felt there was something not quite right. Finally, she had to ask, "Mom? Is something wrong?"
Mandy's mom stopped shredding lettuce to look at Mandy. She simply said, "Your dad is a little late tonight. I'm beginning to worry some."
Now that Mandy knew what was wrong, she could see the worry coming through in what her mom had been doing. She was tense. The whole room seemed to vibrate with stress.
Suddenly Mandy said, "Mom, let's pray for God's protection on Dad."
"That's a good idea," Mrs. Walters said, with a smile.
They grabbed each others' hands and quietly asked God to protect Mr. Walters and bring him home safely, and to give them peace while they waited for him. Both felt much better.
Twenty minutes later, Mr. Walters walked into the kitchen. Mrs. Walters gave him a quick hug and kiss before Mandy came over for her hug.
"We were worried about you,"she told her dad.
"I knew you would be," he responded. "I had a flat tire on the way home. I was having a lot of trouble getting the lug nuts off. Then about 20 minutes ago, a big guy stopped and helped me get the tire changed. Together we had it done in nothing flat. It was amazing.”
Mandy and her mother looked at each other and smiled. You couldn't prove it to anyone, but they were certain that God had immediately answered their prayer and sent Mr. Walters the help he needed so he could get home safely. They both silently thanked God for answering their prayer.
Many people have had experiences like this, where they were worried about something, so they prayed. They felt much better having asked God for His blessing in the situation, because they trusted God with it. Sometimes what you worry about comes true, but many times God works things out, and there's evidence that the prayer actually helped the situation. Regardless of what happens, the real benefit is in trusting God with the situation. It is called resting in Him, and we all need to learn how to do it! Resting in God means we tell Him our problems and we trust Him to take care of them.
There was a man named Job who was blameless before God. Satan told God that Job only did what was right because God had blessed him. Satan said that if Job experienced some hard times, he would turn away from God. God allowed Satan to take all of Job’s livestock and all of his children. Then he allowed Satan to cause boils to break out all over Job’s body so that he was feeling very sick and miserable. Job said, “Shall we accept good from God,
and not trouble?" And later: "Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him."
That's amazing! Job had lost everything. He was hurting all over. But still, he was able to say, “Even if God kills me, I will trust Him!” How do we get to that place? How do we learn to trust God - no matter what?
Well, we start with the Sabbath day every week. That's right! God has given us one day a week to rest. Look at your memory verse. The commandment says we are not to work. But it is not just a physical rest. It is not just the day we
are not allowed to earn money or to go do whatever we want to do. It is a day to learn to rest in God - completely. You see, God knew that we would never learn to rest in Him, to trust completely in Him, if we never learned to rest first. Once we learn to set aside one day to rest and worship God, then we can really begin to learn to trust God with our whole lives, no matter what is happening.
What a great blessing the Sabbath day is! We are so busy with our lives that if God didn't command that we take one day to rest, we probably wouldn't. Then look at what we would miss! Hebrews 4:1 tells us "God's promise of enjoying His rest still stands. So be careful that none of you fails to receive it." The rest that Paul is talking about here is the millennium, or 1000 years in God’s Kingdom. That’s our goal! Let's make every effort to enter into that rest. But does that mean that we should not rest on the Sabbath day each week? No! Verse 9 says, “So there is still a Sabbath rest for God’s people" (NIV Kids' Devotional Bible). One of the things we learn from keeping God's Sabbath is how to rest in God. We learn to trust Him completely no matter what.
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - Teaching Time: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 45 mins.
Activity - Resting on His Promises - Teacher book - Time: 45 mins.
Song: "Whisper a Prayer" - on page 57 of Kids Classics Collection.
Activity - Trust Matching - Student Book - Time: 20 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities:
*Back to the Bible: Asleep in the Storm
*Journal Jot: Resting
*Word Study: shabbath
*Just Toolin’ Around: Rest
*Did you Know? Don’t Worry
*Stretch It Out: Exhortation
*Music Notes: He Hideth My Soul
*Questions? - Writing Prompt - 10 mins.
Dear Father,
Help me learn to appreciate the Sabbath more and more. I want to learn what it means to completely trust and rest in You.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Exodus 20:9-11
Monday - Hebrews 4:9-11
Tuesday - Exodus 35:2
Wednesday - Mark 2:27
Thursday - Exodus 33:14-15
Friday- Psalm 16:8-9
Saturday - Psalm 116:6-7
Genesis 22:1-19
Exodus 20:12
Deuteronomy 5:16
Proverbs 1:8-9
Proverbs 6:20-22
Proverbs 22:1
Matthew 26:39, 53
John 5:30
Ephesians 6:1-3
OBEY - to do what you are told
HONOR - to treat with respect
RESPECT - to hold in high regard or esteem
Daniel didn't know what to do. His fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Saladin, had just assigned the class to watch a TV special on Lewis and Clark. Daniel really liked history. He thought Lewis and Clark were true American heroes. But his family didn't have a television. His parents believed that TV is just plain bad for the family. Daniel didn't know about that, but he had to figure out something for that assignment. So he talked to his best friend, Mike. That was a big mistake!
Now the whole class was buzzing about Daniel not having a television. Some of the kids were laughing at him and calling him names. Some of them felt sorry for him and were trying to figure out how to get a TV into his home. Finally, Kayla took matters into her own hands. She went straight to Mrs. Saladin and told her the problem.
Mrs. Saladin felt badly that she hadn't known that Daniel didn't have a television before she made the assignment. But Mrs. Saladin also felt very proud of Daniel. He had taken a lot of heat for not having a TV. Still he never once called his parents "stupid" or "mean." He never once tried to find a way to watch the program without his parents knowing about it. He simply tried to find a way to do what had to be done, even as he obeyed his parents. Mrs. Saladin was very proud of Daniel for showing such honor to his parents and their wishes.
If someone asked you if you love your parents, what would you say? Most kids your age would say that they love their parents. But you are getting to the age where sometimes you think the decisions Mom and Dad make are dumb, or mean, or just plain wrong. What do you do when you disagree with a decision your parents have made? Do you still show them the love, honor, and respect that you should? Do you ever wonder what God wants you to do when you believe your parents are wrong?
Look at your memory verse. God says to honor your father and your mother. But He doesn't stop there. He tells you why. He says that honoring your parents will let you live a long life wherever God puts you. How does honoring your parents do that?
Think about the decision Daniel's parents had made about television for their family. It may not have been something that Daniel thought was right, but he knew why they did it. They hadn't made the "no TV" rule to be mean or to punish their family. They wanted the very best for their children. It is the same with your parents. They love you very much. Since your parents have been alive a lot longer than you have, they have made a lot more mistakes than you have. They want to keep you from making similar mistakes. They want to save you from the pain and problems that come from making wrong decisions. They make rules for you to obey because they want you to be safe and to grow up in the most pleasing way to God. It is when children don't obey their parents that they can end up in a lot of trouble.
The fifth commandment is more than just obeying your parents. God says to be respectful to them, to honor them. Let's look at two examples. Remember, when Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac, we are not told that Isaac resisted or disagreed. The only comment Isaac made was a respectful question, "Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" The story (told in Genesis 22:1-19) shows Isaac respectfully obeying his father, even though his father tied him on the altar! That is honor.
In the same way, Jesus Christ knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane and asked, respectfully, if there was any other way. Jesus knew the suffering He was going to go through. But even though He was earnestly asking, He still did what God the Father wanted. We know this because Jesus told His disciples that He could have called 12 legions of angels to save Himself from being taken by the soldiers (Matthew 26:53), but He chose to do God's will (Matthew 26:39).
That's your goal. Even when you really don't want to do what they say, obey your parents. Sometimes just obeying Mom and Dad is hard. But once you can obey them, all the time, concentrate on honoring and respecting your parents. That's what God, your Heavenly Father, wants you to do.
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - Teaching Time: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 1 hour
What’s the Response? Activity - Teacher book - Time: 12-15 mins.
Song: "Heavenly Father, I Appreciate You" - page 82 of Kids Classics Collection - Time: 5 mins.
Think about It Activity - Student book - Time: 20 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities:
*Back to the Bible: Honoring Your Parents
*Journal Jot: Peer Pressure
*Word Study: kâbad
*Just Toolin’ Around: Parents and Children
*Did you Know? Your Part of the Deal
*Stretch It Out: Thank You
*Music Notes: The Statutes of the Lord
*Questions? - Writing Prompt - 10 mins.
Dear Father,
Please teach me to obey my parents in everything with honor and respect, even when I disagree with them.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Exodus 20:12
Monday - Ephesians 6:1-3
Tuesday - Deuteronomy 5:16
Wednesday - Proverbs 22:1
Thursday - Proverbs 1:8-9
Friday - Proverbs 6:20-22
Saturday - John 5:30
Exodus 20:13
Exodus 21:24
Numbers 35:16-33
2 Samuel 12:14
Ecclesiastes 9:4
Matthew 5:21-22, 38-39
Romans 12:19
Romans 13:4
James 1:19-20
1 Peter 2:14
1 John 3:15
MURDER - intentionally kill someone
INTENTIONALLY - to mean to do something; not an accident
MANSLAUGHTER - when someone is killed unintentionally
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT - a government putting a person to death because of their crime
PREMEDITATED - to plan ahead of time
MALICE - intent to cause someone to suffer without legal justification or excuse
Matt and his friends spent Saturday evening playing Clue. (This game is called Cluedo in England.) This is the board game where you have
to figure out who committed the murder, using what weapon, in what room. There were a lot of comical combinations over the next couple of hours, and everyone went to bed laughing. But, as Mat settled under his covers, he thought, "Murder is no laughing matter."
His last thoughts were about the different kinds of murder. Premeditated murder means that someone sat down and figured out a way, a time, and place to kill someone else. It is the most serious kind of murder because the person spends time thinking about it ahead of time.
Planning to murder someone involves malice. It often involves another crime, like assault, and is called first-degree murder. Second-degree murder is still intentional, but it isn’t planned ahead of time. This happens when someone gets very angry over a situation and murders because of their sudden anger. Road rage, family arguments, and boyfriend/girlfriend situations can all cause such violent anger that a person commits murder.
Then there are other kinds of murder. Abortion is the murder of an unborn baby. Suicide is also murder - self murder. Genocide is the murder of a racial, political, or cultural group of people. Euthanasia is the killing of a hopelessly sick or injured person.
Murder involves motive (the reason or desired outcome), opportunity (having the right time in the right place for the killing to happen), and means (the ability or weapon used). If all three things are not involved, then it is not murder. For example, in a car accident when someone is killed, the driver who is responsible for the crash had the opportunity and the means, but not the motive. If the driver was responsible because he or she was careless, it is called manslaughter. Because of careless behavior, it is still punished. If someone is not careless and a person dies, it is neither murder nor manslaughter. It was simply an accident.
Sometimes it is very difficult to decide whether someone is guilty of murder or manslaughter - especially in cases of repeat DWI (Driving While Influenced by drugs or alcohol). When someone knows that the risk is very high they will kill someone if they drive and they have killed someone in a previous DWI accident, a prosecuting attorney may argue that they committed premeditated murder just by making the decision to drive while under the influence. That’s why there are juries to help decide murder and manslaughter cases. Juries have to decide if a person had motive, opportunity, and means.
This leads to another form of death - capital punishment. Capital punishment is when a jury decides someone is guilty of murder and deserves to be put to death for the crime. God says that when someone intentionally takes the life of another person, he should be put to death (Numbers 35:16-21, 30-31, 33). God has set up the government as the way to punish people who do wrong things. The government is the agent of God's wrath to punish the wrongdoer (Romans 13:1-4). So capital punishment is not murder according to the Bible. It is a necessary part of justice.
The key word is intention when deciding whether someone is guilty of murder. If it is not murder, a person may be sentenced to life in prison. They still have killed someone and must be punished for it, but it is not as serious as deciding ahead of time to murder. In the Old Testament God commanded that if someone unintentionally, or accidentally, killed someone they had to go to a City of Refuge. But they had to stay in that city. They could not go home again, not until the High Priest died. (Numbers 35:22-28, 32).
Taking a life is serious - and not just because a person doesn't get to enjoy this life. Solomon says "Even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!" (Ecclesiastes 9:4). Why? As long as you are living, you have the opportunity to build your relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ, His Son. Living in a fancy home, having new clothes, and owning lots of toys is not really important. Knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior is the only truly important thing in this life, because He holds the key to eternal life with Him. You could have everything else, and it wouldn't matter. So guard your heart from anger, hatred, and thoughts of killing your little brother (even jokingly).
Remember the sixth commandment, "You shall not murder," as a reminder to do the opposite - to seek life, to seek Jesus Christ. Seek Jesus for yourself, and seek to show Jesus and eternal life to people around you.
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - TeachingTime: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 1 hour
Bible Races - Teacher book - Time: 15 mins.
Song: "Wonderful Words of Life” - page 78 of Kids Classics Collection - Time: 5 mins.
Murder Matching - Student book - Time: 15 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities:
*Back to the Bible: Murder Pollutes the Land
*Journal Jot: Witnesses
*Word Study: râtsach
*Just Toolin’ Around: Vengeance
*Did you Know? Be Angry and Don’t Sin
*Stretch It Out: Dealing With Anger
*Music Notes: It Is Well With My Soul
*Questions? - Writing Prompt - 10 mins.
Dear Father,
I know that murder is wrong. Please keep my thoughts from emotions and ideas which can lead to murder. Instead, teach me to share the message of eternal life through your Son, Jesus Christ.
It's in His name I pray.
Amen.
Sunday - Exodus 20:13
Monday - Matthew 5:21-22
Tuesday - 1 Peter 2:14
Wednesday - 1 John 3:15
Thursday - James 1:19-20
Friday - Romans 12:19
Saturday - Numbers 35:30
Genesis 39:7-12
Exodus 20:14
Leviticus 20:10
2 Samuel 11:2-5
Psalm 101:3
Proverbs 6:32
Matthew 5:28
Ephesians 5:8,11,15
2 Timothy 2:22
ADULTERY- being intimate with someone who is not your husband or your wife
TOLERANCE - showing appropriate respect to others who have different beliefs from your own
UNCHAPERONED - not having a responsible adult watching behaviors MATE- husband or wife
VILE - repulsive, awful, disgustingly bad
Gary knew the story of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11. David had been on his roof in the evening. He saw Bathsheba bathing on her roof. He saw that she was very beautiful, so he sent for her even though she was Uriah's wife. David slept with her, and she became pregnant. Gary had heard that story told in sermons so many times. He knew it as the most common example that is used when talking about the seventh commandment: "You shall not commit adultery." Gary knew this story as the negative example of the seventh commandment. He also knew the positive example of how to keep the seventh commandment. That story is told in Genesis 39:7-12.
Joseph had been sold into slavery in Egypt. But God was with him. Eventually, Joseph's master, Potiphar, put him over everything in his household. Just when things were going really well, Potiphar's wife noticed Joseph. She tried to get Joseph to sleep with her. He refused. She tried to convince Joseph day after day, but he still refused to sin against his master and against God. Finally, when Potiphar's wife had the chance, she grabbed Joseph's clothes and tried to get him to sleep with her. Joseph ran! He ran, leaving his clothes in her hands.
That is what you need to learn to do. Whenever you're in a situation which can lead to improper behavior (adultery, stealing, lying), get away from the situation. Bad situations rarely get better. Usually they get worse, much worse.
Have you ever seen a snowball at the top of a huge slope? Once that snowball starts rolling, it goes faster and faster. It gets bigger and bigger. Pretty soon, that tiny snowball that was formed in your hands is so big that it could easily crush you if you got in its way. That's what happens with wrong actions.
If you turn on the television and see behavior that you know is wrong, turn it off! Don't let those pictures into your mind. If you are reading a book and the book tells you that something wrong is really not wrong and that you need to learn tolerance, don't be tricked. It is right to respectfully tolerate other opinions, but that does not mean you have to accept those ideas as true, especially if they are wrong or just plain stupid. If your friends want to have an unchaperoned party or activity, don't go. Don't feel pressured by your friends to have a boyfriend or a girlfriend just so you will fit in. God will provide the right mate for you at the right time.
Here's the problem: wrong thoughts lead to wrong behaviors. Wrong behaviors lead to more wrong behaviors. Pretty soon, you are in big trouble - in danger of being crushed by the snowball. None of those things are sin. You are not committing adultery if you watch a television show. But you are opening the door to thoughts which are not good for you. So do like the song says:
Shut de door, keep out the devil,
Shut de door, keep the devil in the night.
Shut de door, keep out the devil.
Light a candle, everything's all right.
Close the door on wrong thoughts, wrong behaviors, and actions. Don't let Satan tempt you just so you can fit in with your friends or because you think you are strong enough to stay out of trouble. Stay away from everything evil. Don't let any of it get the slightest hold in your life. Psalm 101:3 says, "I will set before my eyes no vile thing." The ApostlePaul writes in Ephesians 11 and 15, "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness. . . Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
Did you notice that the last line of the song said, "Light a candle, everything’s all right? Paul said something very similar, "Live as children of light." Instead of having anything to do with evil, spend your time looking to the Light, Jesus Christ, to show you how to behave. If you ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?" you'll find yourself staying out of bad situations. If you seek Him and try to please Jesus, you won't open the door to wrong thoughts and harmful actions. Instead, you will become a light to everyone around you. And that's good. It is very good!
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - TeachingTime: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 30 mins.
Bowling Ball Activity - Teacher book - Time: 20 mins.
Song: "Jesus Bids Us Shine" - page 37 of Kids Classics Collection - Time: 5 mins.
Word Search - Student book - Time: 15 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities:
*Back to the Bible: Ephesians 5:8,11,15
*Journal Jot: Before My Eyes
*Word Study: belîyaal
*Just Toolin’ Around: Walk Worthy
*Did you Know? Don’t Even Start
*Stretch It Out: Accountability Partner
*Music Notes: Send the Light
*Questions? - Writing Prompt - 10 mins.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please help me to be aware of the bad things around me and to stay away from harmful thoughts, activities, and behaviors.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Exodus 20:14
Monday- Ephesians 5:8, 11, 15
Tuesday - Proverbs 6:32
Wednesday - Leviticus 20:10
Thursday - Genesis 39:7-9
Friday - 2 Timothy 2:22
Saturday - Matthew 5:28
Exodus 20:15
Leviticus 19:11, 13
Micah 2:1-2
Malachi 3:8
Matthew 6:19-21
Romans 13:9-10
Ephesians 4:28
Revelation 3:20-21
POSSESSIONS - things which belong to a person
IDENTITY - who you are
REPUTATION - what is believed about a person
VALUABLE- having worth
PRECIOUS - worth a lot
Raiders of the Lost Ark opens with five minutes of tension, suspense, death, and spiders! When Indiana Jones comes out of the cave with
the golden idol, he is met by another archeologist, a gun, and hostile natives. As the other archeologist takes the idol, he tells Indiana, "Dr. Jones, again we see that there is nothing you can possess that I can not take away.”
Is that a true statement? Is there anything you can have that cannot be taken from you?
Stealing has become part of our society; the prevention of stealing has created millions of jobs. For example, years ago, people opened a refrigerated chest, chose their bottle of soda, and then paid for it. Once people began stealing the soda, machines had to be made so that you put money in first. You had to pay for the soda before you could touch the can. Then, better machines had to be made because people with small hands could reach up into the machines and still get the sodas without paying for them. This is an example of stealing in our society. But, unfortunately, people don't just steal sodas. They have begun stealing a lot of other things. And, it costs a lot of money to find ways to keep them from doing it.
Some people steal a lot - like the CEO of a company who puts millions of dollars into his own savings account. Some people steal a little - like the employee who takes home pencils and paper clips from work. Some people steal money. Some people steal possessions - like cars or CD players or jewelry. Some people have figured out a way to steal another person’s identity. That means they use another person’s credit card, social security number, bank accounts, and perhaps even their signature to pretend they are that person.Then, they use that person's credit card, charging huge amounts of money. It can take years and a lot of money to get it all straightened out again.
When we think of stealing, we think of stealing money or things. But there are other things which can be stolen. Time can be stolen. Television is a great time-stealer! People can be stolen. We call it kidnapping. When we fight with someone, we can steal their peace and joy. Telling lies about someone can steal their good name and reputation. An accident or time can steal your memory. In the United States, we have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But a criminal can steal your life, your freedom, and (if you let him) your happiness.
So, there are two things to learn about stealing. First there are many ways you can steal from other people. It doesn't have to be something big - like their car -and you may not even realize you have sinned against them - like stealing their peace. So be very aware of your actions and other people's feelings. Treat them as you want to be treated (Luke 6:31).
Secondly, don't worry so much about what you can get in this life. As Matthew 6:19-21 says: "Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." What is important is our life in Jesus Christ and the eternal life that He has promised to those who love Him and keep His commandments.
Make a list of things which are most valuable to you. Put a check mark next to the ones which could never be stolen from you. Your toys, your clothes, your pets, your family, your health, your house, even your physical life - all of it could be stolen from you. Your relationship with Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life with Him can never be stolen from you.
Carefully think about the things around you and the value you place on them. If your little brother takes your favorite toy and breaks it, it can probably be replaced. If your best friend steals your boyfriend, God will provide a better relationship. If a robber steals your family van, your insurance can give you enough money to buy another one. What is really important can never be taken from you. But it's your choice.
A relationship with Jesus Christ is a treasure you must choose to look for. And there's good news: He's right on the other side of the door, knocking and ready to come in. "Look! I have been standing at the door and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me. I will let every one who conquers sit beside me on my throne, just as I took my place with my Father on his throne when I had conquered" (Revelation 3:20-21 TLB). Let's invite Him in and spend time with Him. Jesus Christ is more precious than silver or gold!
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - TeachingTime: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 1 hour
Treasure Hunt - Teacher book - Time: 15 mins.
Song: "Behold, Behold” - page 45 of Kids Classics Collection - Time: 5 mins.
Stealing Story Bubbles - Student book - Time: 15 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities:
*Back to the Bible: The Door
*Journal Jot: Loving Your Neighbor
*Word Study: thésauros
*Just Toolin’ Around: Stealing From God
*Did you Know? Negative or Positive
*Stretch It Out: A World With No Theft
*Music Notes: We Give Thee But Thine Own
*Questions? - Writing Prompt
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me see where I am guilty of stealing from other people. Then help me learn to see that my relationship with You is really the only thing which cannot be stolen from me, and that it is the most valuable thing I have.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Exodus 20:15
Monday - Matthew 6:19-21
Tuesday - Ephesians 4:28
Wednesday - Micah 2:1-2
Thursday - Romans 13:9-10
Friday- Leviticus 19:11, 13
Saturday - Malachi 3:8
Genesis 39:13-20
Exodus 20:16
Deuteronomy 7:9
Deuteronomy 19:15-21
2 Samuel 7:28
Psalm 135:6
Proverbs 6:16-19
Proverbs 19:5
Proverbs 25:18
Isaiah 59:12-13
Jeremiah 9:4-5
John 8:44
John 14:6
1 Corinthians 10:13
Hebrews 6:18
Revelation 19:11
Revelation 21:8
FALSE- not true
TESTIMONY - what you say, usually as a witness in a courtroom
PREDICTIONS - saying what someone thinks may happen
REPUTATION - what people believe about a person and about what that person will do
JUMPING TO A CONCLUSION - deciding a thing without facts to support that decision
Peter, Alan, and Ryan were walking to Peter's house after school for a free-throw championship. All three were pretty good shots, but Peter was confident he was going to win. As the boys walked along, they boasted about their abilities and made predictions about the outcome of the championship. Suddenly, Alan turned and ran down a side street, calling, "I'll see you guys later."
Peter and Ryan were so astonished they stopped and stared as Alan disappeared around a corner. Ryan said, "Where do you think he's going?"
Peter, disappointed that they weren't going to have a championship after all, growled, "He's probably going home. The fraidy cat! He couldn't stand having us beat him, so he just took off."
"I could have beat him; that's for sure," seconded Ryan.
The next day Ryan and Peter told Steven and Mike about Alan's running off. By the time Alan got to school, it was all over the playground that he was a coward, a fraidy cat, a chicken. Alan was surprised and hurt, and then he was angry. Alan had run home to get his new basketball for the contest. By the time he got to Peter’s house for the contest, Peter’s mom had told Alan that Peter and Ryan had gone to the mall with Peter's older sister. They simply hadn’t thought Alan was coming.
Peter and Ryan were bearing false witness against Alan. Alan probably could set them straight, but it was going to take a long time to let everyone know. In fact, Alan probably wasn’t going to be able to straighten out his reputation with everyone, the rumor had spread too far too fast.
Unfortunately we do things like this all the time. We see someone do something. We don't understand why they did what they did. So we guess. We come up with possible answers as to why they might have done it. Once we figure out a plausible reason, we decide that's probably THE truth. And we act based on that supposition, only we conveniently forget that we were just guessing. And we ignore the very real fact that we could be very wrong.
Best friends do it to each other, and sometimes stop talking to each other for weeks. Brothers and sisters do it to each other, and get each other in trouble with Mom and Dad. Adults do it to each other, even when they are church members and should know better. Even Mom and Dad do it to each other. So, if almost everyone does it, why is it such a bad thing? And why don't we just realize that people often jump to the wrong conclusion and make it a habit to check our facts first before spreading our wrong suppositions?
Jumping to a conclusion is a bad habit that many people find hard to break. Many times people don't realize until much later that theydid jump to a wrong conclusion. By that time, the damage is done. What damage? Oh, spreading the wrong information (the wrong conclusion they've imagined) about someone.
Telling lies, also known as bearing false witness, about someone else can hurt them in several ways. It can hurt their reputation so that people don't trust them or don’t have the right idea about what kind of person they are. This is like our story about Alan. Lying can get someone into a lot of trouble when they are innocent. A biblical example is when Potiphar’s wife lied about Joseph. Because of this lie, Potiphar had Joseph thrown into prison even though he was innocent.
Bearing false witness against someone can also get them killed. That's why God says, "A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses" (Deuteronomy 19:15-21). God also wanted to keep people from bearing false witness on purpose, just to get someone in trouble. So God set up consequences for bearing false witness. Why?
God wants people who are holy and righteous and just. God wants people whose character looks like His character. It is no wonder that God hates lies! Satan is a liar and the father of lies. Jesus is called the Truth (John 14:6). Hebrews 6:18 says it is impossible for God to lie. We are told over and over again in the Bible that God is trustworthy. A liar is neither trustworthy nor faithful. God does not want to spend eternity with someone He can't trust. That's why Revelation 21:8 says all liars will find their place in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. They will not be in God's Kingdom.
So carefully watch your tongue. Don't bear false witness against anyone. Don't do it for the littlest thing or for a really big thing. Don't ever bear false witness on purpose. Be careful not to accidentally bear false witness. Be very careful to always speak the truth. You want to spend eternity with God.
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - TeachingTime: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 45 mins.
Tell the Truth Activity - Teacher Book - Time: 40 mins.
Song: "One Door, And Only One" - page 44 of Kids' Classics Collection - Time: 5 mins.
Kingdom Maze - Student book - Time: 5 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities:
*Back to the Bible: Rahab
*Journal Jot: A Little White Lie
*Word Study: sheqer
*Just Toolin’ Around: Lies
*Did you Know? Lying In TV Shows
*Stretch It Out: A Pledge
*Music Notes: I Would Be True
*Questions? - Writing Prompt - 10 mins.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to only speak the truth. Show me if I have borne false witness
against someone.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Deuteronomy 19:15
Monday - Revelation 21:8
Tuesday - Proverbs 6:16-19
Wednesday - Proverbs 19:5
Thursday - Proverbs 25:18
Friday - Jeremiah 9:4-5
Saturday - Isaiah 59:12-13
Exodus 20:17
Joshua 7:20
2 Samuel 11
Matthew 6:19-21, 25-33
John 15:11
Philippians 4:7
2 Timothy 2:22
James 4:1-3
1 John 2:15-17
COVET - to want something very much
SCENARIO - sequence of events; a situation or story
CONSEQUENCES - the results of actions
TEMPORARY - will not last long
Nikki and Nathan could hardly wait! They had been invited to spend Friday night with Michael and Sarah - another brother and sister in their church. The four were very close friends and usually had a lot of fun together.
Friday night started with Bible Trivia. Sarah and Nikki teamed against Nathan and Michael. Lots of soda and popcorn later, the boys finally conceded defeat and suggested they all go to bed. The girls grinned at each other, knowing that the boys could hardly stand it when they were beaten by their little sisters! But the girls agreed. Sarah told Nikki she wanted her to see what she'd gotten for her birthday anyway.
Sarah's parents had bought her a delicate Black Hills gold necklace, shaped like a rose. Nikki thought it was beautiful. She went to bed thinking about that necklace and how much she wished it was hers. Nikki was still thinking about it the next morning as the girls got ready for church. While Sarah was showering, Nikki thought she'd try the necklace on, just to see how it looked. Sarah suddenly came into the room surprising Nikki. Nikki was embarrassed and didn't want Sarah to see her with the necklace on, thinking she might get mad. So she slipped the necklace under her clothes. Nikki thought Sarah would probably want to wear the necklace to church, and she didn't know what she was going to do. Then Sarah's mom called the girls, telling them they were going to be late. So the girls left the room before Sarah remembered her birthday present. And Nikki didn’t have another opportunity to take the necklace off and put it back on Sarah's dresser.
Nikki didn't hear much of the sermon that Sabbath because she was busy thinking about the necklace. She worried about how she was going to return the necklace. Finally Nikki decided she would just keep it. After all, it was a beautiful necklace. If Sarah ever asked her, she would just say she didn't know anything about it.
Nikki didn't have long to wait. That evening, Sarah called Nikki to ask if she'd seen the necklace. Sarah had looked everywhere and couldn't find it. Nikki lied, just as she had planned.
As in the story with Nikki, coveting can lead to one sin after another. First, Nikki coveted the necklace. Then she stole the necklace. And she lied about it. This is not a new scenario. Think about what happened to King David in 2 Samuel 11. He saw Bathsheba. He coveted her. He committed adultery. Then he killed Uriah to cover it up. Breaking the tenth commandment often leads to breaking others of the Ten Commandments. Unfortunately, there are many examples of coveting.
One example of coveting is found in Joshua 7:20. When the Israelites took Jericho, God commanded that everything in Jericho be dedicated to Him. The gold, silver, bronze, and iron was to go into the Lord’s treasury and everything else was to be burned. Achan saw a beautiful robe, some silver and gold. He coveted them, took them, and hid them. God was angry with all of Israel because of what Achan had done. He allowed Israel to be beaten by their enemies because of Achan's sin. When Joshua found out what Achan had done, he and all Israel stoned Achan, his family, and all of his animals, and burned all of his possessions. Achan's sin of coveting caused his death and the death of his entire family. Coveting what does not belong to you has serious consequences. One of the consequences is the problems coveting causes between people.
James 4:1-4 says, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." We want lots of things! That's why the commercials on television are so successful. They show us all kinds of wonderful things, and try to make us believe we can't be happy unless we have those things. We want happiness. We want to be satisfied.
God created us with an emptiness. He wanted us to be unsatisfied with what we have - no matter if we're the richest man in the world. Why would He do that? Because He wants us to realize that we need Him. We need God to fill that emptiness inside. He alone can give us the peace which passes all understanding. He is the giver of joy. God is the one who gives us contentment, no matter how much we have.
Sometimes we confuse wanting something with needing something. God will give us what we need. We don't need to worry, if our lives are in God's hands. God doesn't want us to focus our thoughts and energies on things of this world. The things around us are temporary. They really don't matter a whole lot. What really matters is our relationship with Jesus Christ and God our Father.
It is a very human thing to covet what belongs to other people. It is not Godly. John tells us, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17).
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - TeachingTime: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 30 mins.
Ten Commandment Board Games/Recitation - Time: 30 mins.
Song: "Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart" - page 75 of Kids Classics Collection - Time: 5 mins.
The Rest of the Story - Student Book - Time: 20 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities:
*Back to the Bible: Ahab and Naboth
*Journal Jot: Making It Mine
*Word Study: châmad
*Just Toolin’ Around: Covetousness
*Did you Know? Covet
*Stretch It Out: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
*Music Notes: I Surrender All
*Questions? - Writing Prompt - 10 mins.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please help me keep my focus on You, not on things of this world.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sunday - Exodus 20:17
Monday - Joshua 7:20
Tuesday - 2 Timothy 2:22
Wednesday - Matthew 6:19-21
Thursday - John 15:11
Friday - Philippians 4:7
Saturday - James 4:1-3
