SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 03. October 4, 2009

            Who do you say that I am?
      "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life"
Theme Verse:       "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: John 14:1-14; John 10:7-10
Memory Verse: "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me." (Pre-K to grade 3)
      If you have read and heard the Bible all your life you may never have stopped to think about what a strange way to talk -- as in "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life" or "I AM the Door" or " the Bread of Life" or "I AM the Resurrection and the Life." People in the Bible often talked about life and ideas in stories, metaphors and picture language, sometimes called parables. God in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament could talk about himself as a Good Shepherd. Everyone then had often seen shepherds and knew how they acted. They had all seen sheep and knew how they acted. Teachers used stories of historical events to speak about something new, yet similar, that was happening -- as in "Passover lamb." Their culture was one that emphasized oral tradition -- even though they had books (but only a few had them.) All Jewish children memorized a lot of Bible stories and verses so that Jesus' Jewish listeners would have recognized quickly a reference to an earlier event or Bible verse.
      Jesus wants us to know who he is. These days in our culture there is a lot of confusion about this. Today's lesson is one of the "I AM" statements. Several times when Jesus said them the authorities accused him of blasphemy because he "made himself equal with God." It is, in fact, a claim that he and the Father are one -- as John 1:1-2 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." In Exodus 3:13-14 God tells Moses his name. It is "I AM who I AM." When Jesus was arrested in the Garden and said "I AM he," (as translated) but he literally said, "I AM" and the soldiers drew back and fell to the ground in shock. (John 18:5-6)
      Words like "way" and "truth" were often used in the Old Testament. "Way" referred to a well trodden road and so was a picture of a journey, a way of living over time, a correct or incorrect route to take. "Truth" as we use it in court means the facts (not just opinions) and often means for us an idea. While that is there in the Bible, when the Old Testament talks about the God of Truth in Isaiah 65:16 ("swear by the God of Truth"), they had in mind mainly God's faithfulness over time, his reliability, steadiness and his covenant love and care like a parent. You could depend on him. When they meant he was the true God, the real God, and not an idol, they often called him the "Living God", or the "God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" -- meaning One who had a personal relationship with those people.
      In spite of this Jesus' disciples were sometimes pretty dense! When Jesus said "I AM the Way" he meant more than that they needed to follow him. (Think of being lost and alone on a country road and when you ask how to get to someone's house, the person says, "Follow me. I will lead you."). Jesus is the way to get to God the Father. The Way is a person and a relationship with him and following him. To know the Way is to know a person. Following Jesus is the route to follow. He is a bit like your personal GPS (but better); but you have to choose to keep on following him to get there. Truth is also a person, Jesus, who came to lead us to the Father.
      The reason is that Jesus is "in the Father and the Father in him" -- to see/know him is to "see" (and know) the Father. The Jewish authorities (verse 10) several times tried to kill Jesus for saying things like this because they recognized what he was saying but didn't believe that Jesus was one with God the Father (John 10:30, "I and the Father are one."
      Jesus calls us also to follow him on the road/journey of life and to know him personally. We can trust him. In the beginning Christianity was called "The Way". There are many other ways but only his way leads to God the Father's House (Heaven) and new life now and forever. It is possible to have correct ideas about Jesus but never know him as a person or follow him.
      Notice that Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit of God as the Spirit of Truth. He is faithful and trustworthy as well as revealing the reality of who God is and what he wants us to know. In John 17:17 Jesus prays "sanctify them (make them holy) by the truth, your word is truth," he is referring both to himself as the Truth and the message God gives. The Spirit of Truth always points to Jesus the Truth. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth to be with his disciples and us until he returns in Glory.
      We looked in the first two lessons about what Jesus as "the Life" meant. Jesus is Life and he want to give us life and give it abundantly! (John 10:10) Look at the Memory Verse. Word received: Notice the sequence: you start by being on the way with me. As you walk with me and talk with me, truth is gradually revealed. As you walk with me and as you enter into truth, new life springs forth in you.
      Now look at John 10:7-10 where Jesus call himself the "Door" -- the Door into life -- new life now and life with him in heaven later. What do you think of when you say a "door", it is a way to get in or out of somewhere. It is narrow -- not an open field and you have to choose whether to walk through, or try to climb over a wall or in a window (like a thief.) In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus talks about the way to life as a narrow way that leads to life in God. There is no other way around it. Think of a narrow mountain road with a cliff on one side and a chasm on the other and it is the only way through. But Psalm 119:96b talks about God's commands as "exceedingly broad." Once through the pass and the narrow road, we discover it is an amazingly spacious, broad valley of God's wisdom and fellowship.
      Another "door" all the Jewish listeners would know were the doors on the Israelite homes in Egypt on the night of Passover. Only the doors that had the blood of the lamb were saved. There was life inside and death outside.
      Now let's look at the John 10 verses where Jesus talks about being the Door and some verses in Revelation 3 where Jesus talks about doors. These are some words the Lord gave the teachers. What do they say to you? Are we listening to the Lord as we read the Scripture? What is he telling you?
      "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,'" (Revelation 3:7a) A word received: I want there to be brotherly love in my church. I want you each to care passionately for those who have not yet entered into new life with me.

      'These things says he who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens:'" (Revelation 3:7b) A word received: I AM the way, the truth, and the life. You can only go into the kingdom through me.

      "'I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept my word, and have not denied my name.'" (Revelation 3:8 ) A word received: The open door is my invitation to you and everyone else to come in. Don't stand outside, come in. You will not succeed by your strength, but by my strength. Let my strength be made perfect in your weakness.

       (John 10:7) A word received: You are my sheep; enter in through the door; I AM the door.

      "'All who ever came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.'" (John 10:8 ) A word received: Listen to my voice, listen to me speaking by the Holy Spirit, listen to me speaking through Scripture.

      "'I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.'" (John 10:9) A word received: Look to me for direction.

      "'The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.'" (John 10:10) A word received: Come into my abundant life, receive all that I have for you -- hunger for it.

      "'I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.'" (John 10:11) A word received: .Turn to me, I AM the good shepherd. I will not lead you astray. Trust me to lead you to good pasture

      Note: The Greeks used a different word for truth (the New Testament was written in Greek). It means the actual state of affairs, reality, facts. But in the NT the Old Testament idea of stability, faithfulness, trustworthiness is often combined with the Greek idea. So it can talk about truth as something that can be done (behavior) rather than something simply believed. There is often the contrast between God's truth and people's falseness or lies, sin. Also Satan's character is that he is a liar.
      Bonhoffer, the German pastor who was part of the "Confessing Church" (underground church) under Hitler, when they were totally surrounded by lies, wrote that they read the Bible every day because it told the truth about people.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 02 September 27, 2009

Who do you say that I am?
"I AM the Resurrection and the Life"-Jesus raises the dead
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: John 11:17-44 (or 11:1-44) Luke 7:11-17
Memory Verse: "I AM the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies." John 11:25 (Pre-K to grade 3)
      Last week we looked at Jesus' resurrection as "of first importance" in understanding who Jesus is and what difference that can make in our lives. He is (present tense) alive now and forever and wants to have a personal relationship with us now and give us new life, now in this life and the life to come. He was and is the Messiah/Christ, God's WORD taking on our humanity, to live and die for us to give us new life in him.
Jesus has power over life and death.
      In this lesson we see Jesus during his earthly ministry, not just healing people but restoring the dead to life! When Jesus says to Martha, "I AM the Resurrection and the Life" he means that like God the Father, he too has life in himself and can give life to others. In John 5:26, Jesus says, "For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself." (Remember how he also said, "I and the Father are one!" John 10:30). Remember how Jesus said in John 10:15, 17-18 "I lay down my life for the sheep…The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." Here Jesus is also saying who he is since only God has this kind of power.
      Notice how Jesus waits till his friend, Lazarus, has already died before he goes to him so that his disciples and friends, including Mary and Martha, can learn more about who he is and that God the Father has sent him and is in him, so that God can be glorified and that they may believe. Jesus wanted to move them from where they are in their thinking to a new relationship with himself. Thomas is full of despair in vs.16, "Let us go die with him." But Jesus is about to show Thomas and the others that he himself is the source of Life and can give new life to others. Jesus moves Martha from saying "If you had been here my brother would not have died" (even as she believes in Jesus' power over death and in life after death). to saying, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who has come into the world." Jesus wants to move us from where we are to a life of hope in him, not hope in the abstract but hope in him.
      When Jesus raised the only son of the widow of Nain (her only support) and Jairus's daughter, they were newly dead (dead bodies were buried the same day) but Lazarus had been dead four days! (When I was in Pakistan they also buried bodies within 24 hours.) There are a few stories in the Old Testament of prophets raising the dead like Elijah raising the widow's son in 1 Kings 17 and Elisha raising a woman's son in 2 Kings 4. They raised the dead by the power of God but Jesus is himself the source of life because of who he is. Hebrews 11:19 tells us that Abraham believed that God could even raise his son from the dead when God asked him to sacrifice him and "figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death."
Eternal Life
      Those Jesus raised from the dead died later, but these miracles point to the eternal life that Jesus wants to give us. Eternal life is not just going to heaven after we die but it is also a new quality of life now, a new relationship with the One who is Life Itself. Jesus says in John 5:24 "Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me HAS eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." Jesus' cross and resurrection point to Jesus' victory over both sin and death-- the two biggest enemies people have. Jesus says again in John 17:3 "This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
      Now look at Jesus' love and compassion for those who grieve. Even though Jesus knew what he was going to do he "groaned in spirit and was troubled" when he saw Mary and the others weeping. Then he wept. (vs.33,35) Recall how he had compassion for the widow and the girl's parents. (In raising the daughter of Jairus, Jesus showed his love for children. He wanted the children to come to him so he could bless them.) Remember how Jesus wept over Jerusalem because of the disaster coming because they had refused to believe him. Remember how he had compassion on the crowds who followed him "because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd". (Matthew 9:36). Hebrews 4:15 tells us that in Jesus "we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses" Do we grieve over the things that grieve God? If you ever have seen a picture of a statue of Buddha, he looks serene and worked at being untouched by the pain of life. Jesus is involved in what is happening to his people and cares about us.

      What are some of the ways that the Lord wants us to apply this lesson to our lives?
Have you experienced some of these? Can you share it?
"Now Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.'" (John 11:21) A word received: I AM always with you in your joys and in your sorrows.

"'But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.'" (John 11:22) A word received: I want you to know that as well: whatever I ask of my father, he will give me.

"Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.'" (John 11:24) A word received: I want you to live with hope -- hope in the resurrection at the last day.

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live.'" (John 11:25) A word received: I am the resurrection and the life. Turn to me for new life and for the life to come. I want you to know me right now as your risen and ascended Lord.

"'And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'" (John 11:26) A word received: Do you believe this? I want you to believe this. I want you to know in your heart and in your mind that I AM risen and that I AM life.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 01 September 20, 2009

      Who do you say that I am?
      The Resurrection of Jesus
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Luke 24: 1-12 and John 20: 19-31
Optional: Matthew 16:13-16
Memory Verse: "Why do you look for the living among the dead. He is not here, he is risen! Remember how he told you while he was still with you." (Pre-K to grade 3) Luke 24:5b-6
      This year we are starting off by looking at the answer to Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus had just asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" There were many answers, even among God's people the Jews. There is so much confusion these days about this, even in the church, so we need to be clear about the foundations stones of our faith.
      We are going to start with Jesus' resurrection. Why that? Because it is basic. Paul calls it "of first importance"! Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 & 12-20. "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins, according to the scripture, that he was buried, that he was raised on the 3rd day according to the scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter and then to the 12. After that he appeared to more than 500 of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living….and last of all he appeared to me also… (vs.3-7)"And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith…"(vs.17) "you are still in your sins."
      Jesus compared himself to the cornerstone (or keystone) (Mark 12:10-11) mentioned in Psalm 118:22-23. The whole building rests on a cornerstone and the whole arch is held together by the keystone. The resurrection of Jesus is a necessary foundation for our faith in him and our salvation. The resurrection shows who Jesus is. It demonstrates that "through the Spirit of Holiness (Holy Spirit) he was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 1:3-4) (He received his human nature as a descendent of King David.) The resurrection demonstrates who Jesus is and proves the meaning of his cross and death. This was all promised long before in the Hebrew scriptures. (Old Testament).. Remember how we say week by week: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. The tombs of the founders of other religions are still full. Jesus' tomb is empty!

      Now read Luke 24:1-12. In spite of Jesus telling the disciples several times about his coming death and resurrection--they couldn't hear it. They all had difficulty believing it even when they saw angels, or an empty tomb and Jesus himself! Look at the Memory Verse. What did the angel say? The women had come to prepare the body of their friend for burial (no undertakers). (Remember that the women were the last ones at the cross and the first at the tomb although they were not qualified by law to be legal witnesses.)
      When the women went and told the disciples what had happened they didn't believe them and thought the women were imagining things. (Don't worry about slight differences in the four accounts. There are many experiments and examples of people reporting on a major surprise event and reporting slightly different details about what they experienced.)
      When Jesus appeared to the disciples that night, (Luke 24:33f) and in spite of telling others that Jesus was risen, when he appeared they thought he was a ghost! Jesus asks them to touch him, see his hands and feet and even ate a piece of fish to show them he was real (even though he also came through locked doors!)
      The religious leaders went to Pilate and asked for a guard of soldiers to make the tomb secure because they remembered that Jesus had said he would rise again after three days---even though the disciples didn't remember! Pilate gave them the guard of soldiers. (Matthew 27:62-66) When the angel rolled away the stone and there was an earthquake the soldiers fainted. Later when the women had seen and heard the angel and left to tell the disciples, some of the guards went and told the chief priests and elders what had happened. The authorities paid the soldiers and promised to protect the soldiers and told them to say the disciples had stolen the body at night while they were asleep. There was a death penalty for that! (Matthew 28:11-15). You can be sure that if they could have produced Jesus' body they would have!!! (Note at end about other evidences.)
      Jesus wants us to know for sure he is risen and alive for us now. Word received: I want the children and the adults to know that I am alive and I live forever. Word received: You can turn to me now, whatever your need or trouble. ("Knowing" in a Biblical sense is both about knowing a fact in your mind and also experiencing it, as in knowing a person.)

      Now read John 20: 19-31 and reflect on some of the ways Jesus' resurrection can make a difference in our lives now. How can we personally experience the risen Jesus, who wants to be your Savior and King and who is one God with the Father and Holy Spirit? He wants us to follow him, just as his first disciples and Paul did. We begin by believing in him and asking him into our hearts, but there is more. (NOTE about grave clothes of Jesus'; and Lazarus.)

"Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, 'Peace be with you.'" (John 20:19) A word received: I can give you my peace now because I am alive now.

"When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord." (John 20:20) A word received: I will show myself to you by giving you my Holy Spirit. I will give you joy through my Spirit.

"So Jesus said to them again, 'Peace to you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you.'" (John 20:21) A word received: I want you to go forth with my joy and peace.

"And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" (John 20:22) A word received: I want you to receive my Holy Spirit.

"'If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.'" (John 20:23) A word received: I want my life, my resurrection life, to be displayed in your life.

"Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came." (John 20:24) A word received: You were not there when I first spoke to my disciples, neither was Thomas. Just as I met him later, I can meet you now.

"The other disciples therefore said to him, 'We have seen the Lord.' So he said to them, 'Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.'" (John 20:25) A word received: Bring your unbelief to me. Don't be afraid to tell me.

"And after eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, 'Peace to you!'" (John 20:26) A word received: I say that to you as well: Peace to you!

"Then he said to Thomas, 'Reach your finger here, and look at my hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.'" (John 20:27) A word received: Do not harden your hearts when I come to meet you; let your heart be ready to believe.

"And Thomas answered and said to him, 'My Lord and my God!'" (John 20:28 ) A word received: I want you to join with Thomas in saying, "My Lord and my God."

"Jesus said to him, 'Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" (John 20:29) A word received: You have believed because of the witness of my Holy Spirit and the witness of faithful people. I want you to be a faithful witness as well.

"And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:30-31) A word received: I want you to receive my word. It is written so that you may believe.

NOTE- Evidence of the grave clothes: Luke 24:12 reports that Peter ran to the tomb and "saw the strips of linen lying by themselves". John 20: 5-7 reports that Peter and John saw the strips of linen lying there as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Jesus' grave cloths were not tossed around. They had just collapsed in place. Compare what Lazarus needed when Jesus raised him from the dead (John 11:44). He was all wrapped up and had to be helped out of his grave clothes even though he was alive!

      "he was buried" The point of this is that Jesus was really dead. The Roman soldiers saw to that! The idea that Jesus didn't really die is nonsense.

      The doors were locked in the upper room where the disciples were because of fear. (John 20:19) Jesus could appear and disappear from sight yet he could be touched and ate food! He also knew what Thomas had said the week before he came and spoke to Thomas. Jesus' resurrection body was the same yet different.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 29 May 18, 2008

Growing in the Spirit and in Community
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: Ephesians 4:1 - 5:2; 1Corinthians12:12-27; Acts 2:42
Optional: 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:3; 1 Peter 2:11-12
Memory Verse: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. " Ephesians 4:32 (Pre-K to grade 3)
      GOD'S CALL "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called." ( Ephesians 4:1) Word received: Remember when you heard My call--some heard it clearly, some not distinctly. In each case I called you.
       " with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love." (vs.2) Word received: The call cannot be answered in pride, it must be answered in humility. You cannot answer the call in your own strength, you can only answer it with the power of My Holy Spirit.
       "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (vs.3) Word received: In almost every case, the call will involve others in My Body. Seek the unity of My Body through the Holy Spirit.
       "There is one Body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling." (vs.4) Word received: There are many denominations, but only one Body. There are many callings, but there is only one Spirit who calls. Live into the hope of your calling by praying for the restoration and unity of My Body. Prayer: Lord, help us live into your calling for us.
       "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and in you all. (vs.5-6) Word received: I want to lead you into a life lived in My Father. Just as I AM in the Father and He is in Me, I want you to be in Me and I in you--so that you will know (underline) My Father.
      HOW TO LIVE IN THE BODY Jesus' new commandment to his disciples the night before he died was "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you." "By this shall all man know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." (John 13:34-35) Jesus uses the word agape for love, the kind of love God has. Do outsiders see this in us, that they may be drawn to Jesus?
      In his chapter of Ephesians, Paul picks up on this theme as he is telling them how to live the Christian life. "Be imitators of God as beloved children and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us." To do this we have to "Put off your old (sinful) nature" (vs22) and "put on( clothe yourself) the new nature created after the likeness of Christ". (vs.24)
      As Christians, we now belong to one Body, Christ's Body and so we are members one of another. For the sake of his Body, Christ gave gifts to each person. Paul lists some of the ongoing gifts of service/ministry Christ has placed in his Body. (see vs.11) The word translated "ministry" or "service" is the same word as the word for deacon (diakonia). In Acts 6 where the church chose "deacons" to serve table and care for widows, the same word is used to describe the diakonia/serving prayer and the diakonia/serving of the Word.
      God's gifts are for the "works of service" and the building up of the Body of Christ (as well as service outside the Body). The finial purpose is that the Body/the Church reach/attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God. The further goal is that all members of Christ's Body reach spiritual maturity, grow up! to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (vs.13) This will draw people to Jesus. Then we will not be "tossed about" by every fad of teaching either in the church or the world.
      God has arranged gifts and services in His Body the way HE wants them. We can help each other discover what God has prepared for us to do. Review the analogy of the human body in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Word received: Do not ignore each other in My Body. Pay attention to each other. You each have a very important part to play in My Community. Only when you acknowledge each person and their gift and work together, can you function as a Christian community. Each part is important.
      Look at the description of the infant church in Acts 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Word received: Just as the first Christians devoted themselves to Me and to the Christian community, so I want you to do the same. This is a model to show you what to do to live in a Christian community. Look at what their priorities were as seen in their actions.
      Now look at all the practical advice Paul gives. In verse 24, he tells them to watch how you talk. Say only what will help the hearer and suit the occasion. Cut out all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice.(vs.31) Instead do what the Memory Verse says. Reread it aloud.
      We, as Christians, are to stop every lie and speak the truth (in love) to our neighbor because we belong to each other. The person who was a thief is to work so he can give to others. Peter in his letter tells us we are to cut out "passions of the flesh" (sinful nature) that are the enemies of our souls. We are to watch our behavior in front of unbelievers (Gentiles) so they can see your good deeds and glorify God. How do you feel this applies to us, as individuals and as a Body?
      [Of course, we are to minister outside the church and witness and serve Christ there but that is another lesson.]
      Paul sums it up in 1 Corinthians10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
      Jesus' heart's desire is for us to love His Body, the Church. (What are some of the practical ways we can do this?)

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 29
      Please read the Study Guide first (after you have read the Scriptures). Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year. Read the lesson aloud from the Bible in class.
      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
      1. Jesus is calling you to follow him, to be a part of His Body (the Church).
      2. Jesus wants His Father to become your Father too.
      3. Jesus wants his followers (us) to live and work together in unity and love (love like his).
      4. When we live together this way and share Jesus' love with others, then other people will want to know about Jesus too.
      5. In the Body of Christ (the Church) each person has a special job that God has given each one the ability to do. Each job is equally important. Remember it is like your body--each part has a different job to do and all are needed for things to work properly.
      6. When all of us live together this way, then we can all "grow up" to be more and more like Jesus.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 28 May 4, 2008

Dealing with Evil or How to resist Evil
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: Ephesians 6:10-18; Matthew 4:1-11; 1 Peter 5:8-11; James 4:7 (8)
Memory Verse: "Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." Romans 13:14(Pre-K to grade 3)
      Evil is real. There are spiritual powers of evil in the world as well as the sinful things people do. There is a phrase that sums it up, "the world (apart from God), the flesh( sinful human nature) and the devil". C.S. Lewis says equal and opposite errors are to think Satan isn't real or to give him too much credit and attention. The "world" and "the flesh" account for a great deal of evil in the world. People have a choice about temptation but the more they give in the less their ability to resist till it comes to a place where only God can set them free. The spiritual powers of evil are created beings who rebelled against God (fallen angels, devil, evil spirits). (A possible hint about this is found in Isaiah 14:12-14.) They are NOT EQUAL to God (Dualism as in Zoroastrianism). Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:11-12 to stand against the devil's schemes for our struggle is not against flesh and blood (people) , but against the rulers, against the authorities ... against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." At the final judgment God will put an end to them forever. Satan is already defeated by Jesus' cross and blood but the war isn't over yet so he is still active.
      But God has made provision for us. In the prayer Jesus taught us, he tells us to pray daily "Deliver us from evil/the evil one" and "Do not bring us into hard testing/temptation" In Gethsemane he told his disciples "Pray that you do not enter into temptation." In addition to prayer there is the power of the Holy Spirit, God's armor and the Name of Jesus.
      Jesus himself had to confront and battle with the devil's temptations. This testing/temptation was allowed by God to strengthen and prepare Jesus for what he would face in his ministry. Look at Matthew 4:1-11. (Testing and temptation are the same word in Greek.) Notice how Jesus dealt with temptations and hard testing. First he fasted and prayed. Then he answered each temptation with "the sword of the Spirit" -- which is the Word of God. He said, "It is written..." and quoted God's Word each time. The devil can quote scripture too, BUT he always puts a twist and spin on it. In quoting Ps.91 (9-12) he left out "If you make the Most High your dwelling" and "he will command his angels to guard you in ALL your ways." Jesus knows about resisting temptations and the devil by experience and he will help us if we ask. "Because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18) (Satan is a liar and we need to know God's truth.)
      Jesus knew God's Word. That's why we also need to know God's Word. Word received: Jesus ran to My WORD. Run to My WORD. (God's Word is both his inspired word in Scripture and Jesus THE WORD.) Word received: Hide My Word where you can get at it when you need it--in your mind and heart. Psalm 119:11 says "I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you." That is why we urge children -- and adults to memorize Bible verses. Word received: I want My children to be firmly grounded in My Word so they can stand their ground against the evil one. Have you ever had a verse you learned years ago pop up when you needed it? Share.
      In Ephesians, Paul talks about putting on the full armor of God. We need to put it on daily when we get up. Look at 6:10, "Be strong in the Lord, in the strength of HIS might." Word received: The only way you can be strong is in Me. When you cast your burdens and cares on Me, you are letting Me be your strength. The only way to win the battle is to rely completely on Me. Word received: Do you see the plan here? I tell you exactly what to do. Don't ignore it! Take it seriously. The whole world is in a struggle of spiritual battle. There isn't one gun that can help you. You need My Word and the power of the Holy Spirit. Read My Word and do what it says.
      In the armor God offers the "sword of the Spirit which is the word of God" as the only offensive weapon in the armor. "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews4:12) (In the book of Acts we see that the Name of Jesus has power to heal people and defeat the devil. See Acts 3:16, 9:34, 16:16-18)
      Word received: The armor is there to protect you; the armor you are putting on is My character. Look at each piece of armor and see My character. Have the children identify stories from the Bible that illustrate My character in each piece: Truth, Righteousness, Gospel of Peace, Faith, Salvation, the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of Go. Think about the Memory Verse "Clothe yourself in Jesus Christ." Put on Jesus' character through the power of the Holy Spirit and "abide" in him, live in him and obey him and ask him to live in your heart. (John 15) Then don't make any allowances or room for sinful desires. The Holy Spirit helps us to know when we are confronting sin and evil. He will also show us how to deal with the temptations. One of his names is the Helper.
      Now look at 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant, because your enemy/adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist steadfast in the faith." Word received: Just as I have established boundaries for the sea, I have established boundaries for Satan. He cannot go beyond the boundary
of My Word. Verse 9 says, "Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world." You are NOT ALONE. Everyone is tested. God is faithful and he will see us through!
      Now compare James 4:7 and Romans 13:14. Look at the order in these verses, it is very important. Do what the order says and you will be protected. "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) "Clothe yourself in the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Romans 13:14). Word received: The two go together: submitting to Me and resisting the devil.
      At the end of the description of the full armor of God comes the strong appeal, "Having done all, stand." Paul repeats it three times. "That you may be able to withstand in the day of evil", "and having done all, stand", "stand therefore "(having put on God's armor). We are to stand, to hold the ground God has given us to hold. We are also to "Keep on praying", with all kinds of prayer. Look at how many "alls" there are; all occasions, all kinds of prayer, for all the saints (other Christians). That means we should be praying all the time--that is, having a running conversation with the Lord throughout the day.
      Another warning the Scriptures give us is to never give the devil a foothold--don't take the bait. For example, Ephesians 4:26 says "when you are angry do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your anger." That is, don't go to bed angry, it gives the devil a foothold. Other footholds that can open you up to Satan are things that are part of his kingdom of evil, such as Fortune telling/divination (Deut.18:10), Spiritualism, Tarot cards, Ouija boards, consulting the dead, astrology, horoscopes, witchcraft and other occult things. If you or someone you know has gotten involved with these things, even if it was done innocently, the person needs to repent, ask forgiveness and renounce them in the Name of Jesus and ask for Jesus help and protection. Another tactic of the devil is to raise doubts as in "Did God really say…?" and then comes the temptation. The devil has done this since the Eve and to Jesus himself, "If you are the Son of God…"
      Everyday sin needs to be brought to Jesus quickly, as soon as you realize what you have done, repent, and ask for and receive Jesus' forgiveness. (Keep short accounts with God.) Then ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to keep from falling into that sin again--however many times you need to.
      We don't need to be afraid. God is stronger and He wins in the end. But we should not be careless about resisting temptation.

NOTE: How does all this relate to the Bible Fund? The Word of God is called the Sword of the Spirit. When you send a soldier into combat, don't give him a BB gun but the best weapon possible. One of the ways American Christians can help Christians in poor countries to be well equipped for battles against "the world, the flesh and the devil" is to send them Bibles to read. For $4 the Bible Society can send one Bible to someone in another country who can't afford one or even borrow one.
       Right now in China, for the first time in many years Bibles are not illegal and are BEING PRINTED IN CHINA ITSELF. The Amity Press has printed over 50 million and has distributed 42 million of them since 1988 .(In the 1960's and 70's Bibles were banned, confiscated, burned and destroyed) We need to be steady in helping equip our fellow Christians for the spiritual battles they fight. The American Bible Society has a program of subsidizing Bibles with Amity so that they cost $1 each, the same as eggs! There are still one and a quarter billion Chinese who do not have a copy of the Bible.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 28
      Please read the Study Guide first (after you have read the Scriptures). Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year. Read the lesson aloud from the Bible in class. Make sure they know what happened in the story or verses. Get them to tell you.

      Special Bible story: David said to the Philistine, Goliath, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the Name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." (1 Samuel 17:45) David did not use Saul's armor (vs.39) but chose the Name of God for his armor.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
      1. Evil is real but God is more powerful and has not left us alone or without weapons.
Satan must bow down before the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There is no need to be afraid.
      2. When Jesus himself was tested, he used the Word of God to attack and protect himself against Satan's lies. Knowing the scriptures is important so we can recall it in a time of trouble and stand on it.
      3. Praying in the Name of Jesus is also successful in battling the devil and spiritual forces of evil. The Name of Jesus is the most powerful name there is.
      4. Put on the full armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18 each day to protect yourself from evil and in times of temptation.
      5. The only way to be strong is in Jesus, to rely completely on him in the battles of life.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 27 April 20, 2008

Growing in the Spirit and in Prayer
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: Matthew 6:5-15; Ephesians 6:18
Memory Verse: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6(Pre-K to grade 3)
      "Now it came to pass, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, that one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples'" (Luke 11:1) Word received: That is a prayer I delight to answer: "Lord, teach me to pray." I want my people to come to me with that prayer. I will teach them.
      Jesus had a good deal to teach about prayer but the most powerful part was his example. He would daily find time to be alone with his Father in Heaven and he only did what he saw his Father doing and "whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." (John 12:50b) Growing in the Spirit means growing in our relationship to God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), growing in obedience and in our likeness to his character.
      In his teaching in Matthew 6, Jesus expects that his disciples will have regular times of private prayer. "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." (Matthew 6:6) Word received: Come to me, my people, come to me. I want you to come into my presence without distractions. Find a quiet place and a quiet time where you can be alone with me.
      Jesus asks us--who are we doing our prayers for?--and our giving--and our good deeds? Are they done to be seen and praised by others? for our own satisfaction? or for God? Jesus' guideline is to do them privately--and our Father will see and reward us.
"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward." (Matthew 6:5) Word received: Remember the Pharisee who "prayed thus with himself" and the tax collector who "would not even look up to heaven." They were two men in the same place doing the same thing, but their prayers were utterly different. Both were praying about themselves, but the Pharisee prayed with pride and the tax collector with humility. I want you to pray with humility when you come into my presence.
      Another guideline of Jesus was--no long prayers, no fancy phrases or vocabulary. Why? First, we are not to show off. This reminds me of the comment about a famous preacher, "It was the finest prayer ever offered to a Boston audience." Secondly, God already knows what we need--and even want--before we ask, but he wants us to ask!
"And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words." (Matthew 6:7) Word received: Remember your cry to me as you awoke, "Dad, I really want to go," and how I answered that prayer by sending you and Jean and the other children to Brereton's wedding in Japan. It was few words, but they were words from your heart and I answered them.
"Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." (Matthew 6:8) Word received: Come to me with your requests, I already know your needs; I already know your heart's desire. I AM a father who delights to have his children come to him.
      Now look at the pattern of prayer Jesus taught us. The first three requests are about God's glory, but the first phrase calls God "Our Father"! One of the striking things Jesus did was to teach his disciples to call God their Father in heaven. This way of referring to God is unusual in the Old Testament. He is also our Father. We are part of a family of God and we pray for them also. [Calling God "Father" is considered blasphemous by Muslims as being too intimate with God.] But in Jesus, we too can have a family and personal relationship to God. There is almost an epidemic of fatherlessness in our society and discovering God as Father is a very healing thing.
      Note: Consider reading the Lord's prayer from the "Good News Bible" at the end of the study guide so it will be a little less familiar and therefore fresher.) The phrase "on earth as it is in heaven" belongs to all three requests: "May your Name be held holy", "May your kingdom come" (the rule of God), "May your will be done".
      The rest of the requests are about us.. "Give us today our needed bread". This goes with Jesus' teaching about not being anxious about future needs because God knows our needs and cares for us. He will provide what we need and we can trust him.
      "Forgive us our debts/sins as we forgive other's debts/sins against us. Jesus continues with this idea in verses 14-15. God means what he says about the need to forgive. Unforgiveness will block God's forgiveness and will also block healing. Peter asked Jesus how many times he had to forgive someone and Jesus' answer was "70 times 7" meaning no limit. We do not want limits on God's forgiveness of us! Remember what God told Samuel (1 Samuel 16:7) that people look on the outside but God knows the heart!
      The next request is about being delivered from "evil" or "the evil one" and not leading us into hard testing. James 1:13 says God does not tempt anyone. However he does allow it--to strengthen us and purify us, just as Jesus was tempted/tested so that Jesus would be prepared for the temptations that would come during his ministry. ("Test" and "tempt" are the same word in the original.) Notice how Jesus handled his temptations by the Devil--with fasting and prayer and by using the Word of God, the "sword of the Spirit". (Matthew 4:1f) In Gethsemane, Jesus warned his disciples to pray that they would not enter into the temptation that was coming. But they went to sleep instead! (Matthew 26:41) "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation".
      The doxology in verse 13 is not considered to be part of the original prayer but was added when the prayer was used in worship. It is modeled after King David's prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:11. ["Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD and you are exalted as head over all."] A doxology is words of praise glorifying God. There are many in the Bible.
      Another important teaching about prayer is how we react to those who mistreat us. Jesus says in Luke 6:22, "Pray for those who despitefully use you." so we are to pray for them as well as forgive them.
      Paul also gives the new Christians guidance about prayer. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6) Word received: Lay aside your worries, cast your cares on me; that is the way to pray. Pray without fear, don't be afraid to tell me what is on your heart.
      "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18) Word received: "in the Spirit" -- expect my Spirit to direct your prayers so that you can pray according to my mind. I want to direct your prayers -- listen to me as you talk with me. How do you feel when someone talks with you and does all the talking, never listening to you? Remember what Eli taught the boy Samuel, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." (Listening in this reference means to hear intelligently, with attention and obedience.) God wants to be invited into our situations and he has things he wants to tell us. Will we let him?
      Another recurrent theme is to pray with thanksgiving. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Giving thanks "in all circumstances" not only is this God's will for us but we are acknowledging God's love and care for us and inviting Him into the situation because "God is enthroned(dwells) in the praises of Israel". In the New Testament Romans 8: 28 reminds us "For we know that God works in all things for good with those who love him"



Our Father in heaven: May your holy name be honored; may your Kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need. Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us. Do not bring us to hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One. (Matthew 6:9b-13, Good News Translation)

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 27
      Please read the Study Guide first (after you have read the Scriptures). Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year. Read the lesson aloud from the Bible in class.
      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
      1. God loves you very much. He wants to be our very best friend and a good Father to us. He wants us to ask him to live in our hearts and start talking with him right away.
      Have you asked him in? He will NEVER leave you.
      2 Talking with God is called praying. It is talking to Jesus and to our Father in Heaven. It doesn't need to be fancy or long for He already knows what you need and want.
      3. When we talk to God, really talk to him, as a friend, not just rattling off a prayer you have learned. That's OK to use a prayer you've learned but really mean what you are saying! We can follow a prayer we learned in church or make up our own.
      4. Jesus wants us to call God our Father who loves you more than anyone else and he can take care of you. When we're scared or need help or don't know what to do, just call out and ask for help. The shortest prayer some adults have is "Help!"
      5. When we talk to God we need to thank him first for all he has given us and for who he is. We need to thank him even in bad times because he can bring good out of bad times.
      6. The more we talk to God the better we will get to know him and be able to hear him. God wants us to listen as well as talk, like little Samuel did.
      7. We can use the Lord's Prayer as a model. (Tell the kids what each sentence means and how to begin and end a prayer. Try to get the kids to make up a prayer for some different situations.)

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 26 April 13, 2008

Growing in the Spirit
Learning to Listen and Discern God's Voice Part 2
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: 1 Kings 19:10-18; Philippians 1:9-11; Matthew 7:7-8
Optional: 1 Kings 18:45-19:9 (background)
Memory Verse: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8 (Pre-K to grade 3)
      BACKGROUND: Review briefly what Elijah was doing just before this journey and why he was running for his life. If possible start reading with 1 Kings 18:45 through 19:18. Elijah was a prophet of God in the Northern Kingdom where Ahab was King and Jezebel was Queen. She was a Baal worshiper. She had killed many of the prophets of God. Elijah appeared to King Ahab and told him to gather Israel and the 450 prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel. There was a contest between Elijah and these prophets to see whose God/god would send down fire from heaven to burn up their sacrifice. The prophets of Baal danced around their sacrifice for hours but nothing happened. Elijah poured water over his to show he had no tricks. The "I AM" sent fire down on Elijah's sacrifice, even licked up the water. All the Israelites shouted, "The LORD (I AM), he is God; the LORD, he is God.. Then Elijah executed the prophets of Baal, and then prayed for rain (after a long drought which God had sent) and it came in a downpour and Elijah outran Ahab's chariot all the way to Jezreel. Ahab told Jezebel what had happened. When she heard about Elijah's actions on Mt. Carmel she was determined to kill him by the next day and to scare him first.
      Elijah fled for his life and went, with his servant as far as Beersheba and went on alone into the wilderness, sat down under a tree, asked to die and then went to sleep with exhaustion. Twice an angel woke him up and fed him. Then he got up and went on the strength of that food 40 day and 40 nights to Mt Sinai (also called Horeb), the Mountain of God, where God gave the Ten Commandments. There he stayed in a cave. See maps.
      Elijah had heard and obeyed the LORD many times but now he was spiritually and physically exhausted after the struggle on Mt Carmel where God had given him supernatural strength. Now he was fearing for his life and feeling totally alone and vulnerable. (Have you ever felt like that?) So he runs away from his enemy and runs toward God at the Mountain of God. All this time God protected, fed and gave him rest and strength to go on. ( When we are exhausted and isolated, God wants us to run to HIM!
      Then the word of God came to Elijah, "What are you doing here, Elijah? Word received: I want to hear all your troubles. I will listen, love you, support you and carry your troubles if you let Me. Come to Me. Look at what God promises. "Cast all your cares/anxieties on him, for He cares about you. (1 Peter 5:7) In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. See also Matthew 7:7. "Ask, and it will be given you, seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
      Then Elijah poured out his troubles. "So he said, 'I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.' " (1Kings 19:10) A word received: So little has changed among my people: altars are defiled by sacrifice to other gods, the leaders and teachers of the people have forsaken me, and they persecute my saints. Yet, I still want Elijah and you to wait on me and listen for my voice before you act.
      God's answer was to "Go out and stand on the Mountain before the LORD."
"And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (1Kings 19:11-12) A word received: Wait for my voice, listen for me, wait for me to speak to you. Word received: I will always be there. I have a plan. I love you.
      "So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'" (1Kings 19:13) A word received: Will you stand and wait for me as Elijah did?
      Note that Elijah knew the voice of God as distinct from the powerful fireworks God provided in the wind, earthquake and fire but was not in them. God got his attention!! (When God whispers, are we paying attention?) Covering his face was an act of awe and reverence. We have seen Indian Christian women cover their faces with their saris after receiving Holy Communion for the same reason. Word received: Elijah was able to recognize My voice. Listen to Me. Talk with Me enough and you too will recognize My voice.
      Then Elijah heard the same voice asking again, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" God is not offended by Elijah's answer as Elijah repeats his troubles. "And he said, 'I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life'" (1Kings 19:14) A word received: It is alright to speak to me as Elijah did when you are having a bad time. I know your needs -- all of them -- bring them to me. As Elijah did what God told him to do, then God revealed his plan.
      Now God tells Elijah what he has for Elijah to do. First, he is to return another way, not where his fears were. Word received: When Elijah needed to hear My plan I told him. He trusted Me enough to wait for Me to share My plan at the right time. Do you trust Me?
      Then Elijah did what the LORD directed but not before God reminded Elijah "I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." (vs.18) Even though we don't know them, God has his faithful ones all around us. He reminds us too that he has other faithful ones when we get to feeling along and isolated.
      Reread the Memory Verse, "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you." We all need to work at drawing near to God, running to him when things are rough. He promises to draw near to us. Hebrews 13:5 promises, "I will never leave you or forsake you."--but sometimes we leave God. God wants us to be "single-minded" (not double minded) about our relationship and our obedience to him. Jesus reminds us that "No one can serve two masters." (Matthew 6:24)
      We need to pray Philippians 1:9-11 for ourselves, our children and each other. "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Notice the word "discern". Word received: To learn to discern My will, you must seek Me.
      MAPS and distances: Mt Carmel to Beersheba is 165 miles as crow flies. Mt Carmel is a high ridge running South/Southeast from Haifa. Since Elijah could see the sea as he prayed on Mt Carmel it may have been 170 miles, (longer by roads). The distance from Beersheba to Mt. Sinai is 225miles as the crow flies. (maps and distances courtesy of Mark and Darlene)

Myra will hand out maps to teachers.

WORD for teachers: Elijah was a man of My choosing. Pray that I will raise up such among you--men and women who will call My people back to Me.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 26
      Please read the Study Guide first (after you have read the Scriptures). Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year. Read the lesson aloud from the Bible in class.
      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
      1.When we are scared or have troubles, God wants us to run to Him.
      2. When we are in trouble or scared, God promises to be there. We just need to cry out to Him.
      3. When we cry out to God, He will always respond. We just need to listen.
      4. God always has a plan to take care of us. Sometimes we need to wait, listen, and keep praying.
      5. To know God's will we need to seek Him. Are we willing to trust Him enough to wait for His guidance.
      6. God is faithful. He will always answer.