Lesson 1: September 1, 2024

Abraham Honors God

Lesson Scripture: Genesis 12–13

Focus Scripture: Genesis 13:8-18

Key Verse: So Abram moved his tent…settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and…built an altar to the Lord. Genesis 13:18 (NRSV UE)

Genesis 13:8-18 (NRSV UE)

8 Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me and between your herders and my herders, for we are kindred.

9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

10 Lot looked about him and saw that the plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar; this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

11 So Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward, and they separated from each other.

12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the plain and moved his tent as far as Sodom.

13 Now the people of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.

14 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Raise your eyes now, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward,

15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.

16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.

17 Rise up, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.”

18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.

Word Power!!!

- Abraham and Abram (a̅’-brah-ham and a̅’-Bram) – The faithful follower and man of God whose name was changed from Abram to Abraham.

- Mamre (mam’ree) – A place where Abram built his altar.

Getting Ready!!!

Keith was a little sad. His cell phone was stolen, and he was not able to keep up with what was happening in school. Tomorrow was the step contest, and he was the captain of his team. He wasn’t sure what he could do, and for a moment he felt like giving up. Then, he remembered what grandma had said to him one day when he had lost something. She had told him to sit quietly, say a little prayer, and wait. “God, I am waiting,” he whispered. After a few moments, a thought came to him to check out his friend Jamal. He asked his mom if he could go to a friend’s house to see what was happening. When he arrived, his friend Jamal was eating dinner. “Come in,” Jamal’s mother said, “Would you like some dinner?”

“No, thank you, ma’am. I’m not really hungry.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My phone was stolen, and I need to see what’s going on with the step contest tomorrow. I thought I could use Jamal’s phone.”

“You certainly can, but first sit down and eat. We will work something out. In fact, I have an old cell phone that you can use for the time being until you get your new phone. Will that work?”

Keith nodded his head and smiled from ear to ear. “Yes, ma’am!” Suddenly, he had a big appetite and happily sat down to eat.

Into God’s Word!!!

Abraham is considered the Father of Israel and a great leader of his people. He is one of the most important characters discussed in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Genesis. God changed his name from Abram to Abraham because he was special in God’s sight. In this story, he is obedient to God who has directed him to separate from his family and move to a new land. In doing so, God rewards him; although Abram is already wealthy, God gives him endless land and riches that he will acquire in the future.

Using God’s Word!!!

Keith, like Abram, was having a difficult time because of a loss. Although separating from family is much more critical, Keith was lost without his cell phone, which kept him connected to his friends and family. He was blessed because God had put in his life a friend whose family was generous and willing to help him. Although he had no idea that Jamal’s mother would have a phone, God did know. In the end, just as Abram was rewarded for being obedient, Keith was as well, because of his willingness to not give up and follow God’s directions.

We Worship God With Our Words

Some of the words that talk about how we honor God and ways that we worship God begin with the letters that spell worship! Can you find these in this word search puzzle? You may circle others, but be sure to circle the special words with a different color!

Remix!!!

God is just as loving to us today as he was in Abram’s time. Our circumstances may be different, and it may seem that the problems we have are not the same as what we read in the Bible, but God is the same! Our job is to do as Keith’s grandma said, sit quietly and pray. Do not panic, but rather believe that God will show us the answer. Keith was able to use his temporary phone until such time his parents could get him a new one; he was able to talk to his friends and have a wonderful step contest the next day. We may not always have the solution that Keith did, but we can always know that God hears our prayer and cares about our problems.

Praise the Lord!!!

After solving your puzzles, place your name on them and put them on a bulletin board for others to see. Make sure you make them very colorful – this is a way to worship, too!

Closing Prayer

(Each quarter you will have a closing prayer that will help strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Can you memorize it?)

Dear Jesus, help us to remember that for everything we have and even what we don’t have, we should remember to say, “Thank you!” Amen.

Lesson 2: September 8, 2024

You Are Our Letter

Lesson Scripture: 1 Kings 8:22-53

Focus Scripture: 1 Kings 8:22-24, 37-39a

Key Verse: Whatever prayer,…from any individual or from all your people Israel,…knowing the suffering of their own hearts…then hear in heaven your dwelling place.” 1 Kings 8:38-39a (NRSV UE)

1 Kings 8:22-24, 37-39a (NRSV UE)

1 Kings 8:22-24

22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands to heaven.

23 He said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love with your servants who walk before you with all their heart,

24 the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand.

37-39a

37 “If there is famine in the land, if there is plague, blight, mildew, locust, or caterpillar; if their enemy besieges them in any of their cities; whatever suffering, whatever sickness there is;

38 whatever prayer, whatever plea there is from any individual or from all your people Israel, all knowing the suffering of their own hearts so that they stretch out their hands toward this house;

39a then hear in heaven your dwelling place,…”

Word Power!!!

- Solomon – A very wise king of Israel who was the son of King David.

Getting Ready!!!

Nancee was president of the Student Government Association (SGA) at her school. Next week, they were going on a field trip to Washington, D.C., and everyone was so very excited. While eating lunch, she found out that one of the students who was newly elected to the SGA was not going on the trip because her family could not afford the hotel and transportation costs. She talked with one or two of her friends, and they decided to put in part of their personal money and allowances in order to pay for their classmate’s bus fare and hotel. Later, one of the officers took Nancee aside and said, “Why should we do this? If we do it for one person, we’ll have to do it for another.”

“I hope not,” she replied, ‘but if we do, we’ll find a way. It’s the right thing to do.”

Into God’s Word!!!

King Solomon was wise and true to his responsibilities as the leader of Israel. He honored God, and before beginning his reign, was quick to ask God to take care of the people, forgive them for any wrong they may have done, and to protect them from harm. He stated that God knew their hearts. Nancee knew that the student who was not able to go on the field trip would be very disappointed, and would miss out on a very educational and important event. She also knew, as president, that it was her responsibility to be concerned about all of her officers, and not just the few who were her friends.

Using God’s Word!!!

We all have opportunities on any given day to help someone else or to offer assistance to someone in need. It may not be something as costly as spending our own money, but we should always be willing to offer ourselves, even sacrificially, to befriend others.

Solomon prayed for the people and asked God to be kind and generous to them. He asked God to look at their hearts and respond favorably to them in time of despair or trouble. Nancee went to her friends to ask for help although she was not obligated to do so. Do you believe she did the right thing, or should she have considered the problem it might have caused in the future? Give your answer below or share it with your teacher and the class. Don’t forget to say why!

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Remix!!!

Remember, you do not have to be a leader of an organization or a very popular person to help someone. Even if you stop before ending your day to say a prayer for someone that you know is in trouble or suffering in some kind of way, you are still offering yourself as an individual interceding on behalf of another. To intercede means that you are coming between a situation and another individual with the intent of helping. Can you think of someone who could use your help or might need a friend? What can you do to make their lives better?

Praise the Lord!!!

Find Hezekiah Walker’s song, “I Need You to Survive.” Learn the lyrics and for the remainder of the month, sing the song at the end of class!

Closing Prayer

(Each quarter you will have a closing prayer that will help strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Can you memorize it?)

Dear Jesus, help us to remember that for everything we have and even when we don’t have, we should remember to say, “Thank you!” Amen.

Lesson 3: September 15, 2024

Hezekiah Asks for God’s Help

Lesson Scripture: 2 Kings 19

Focus Scripture: 2 Kings 19:14-20, 29-31

Key Verse: “So now, O Lord our God, save us, I pray you, from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.” 2 Kings 19:19 (NRSV UE)

2 Kings 19:14-20, 29-31 (NRSV UE)

2 Kings 19:14-20

14 Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; then Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord.

15 And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said, “O Lord the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, you are God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth.

16 Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God.

17 Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands

18 and have hurled their gods into the fire, though they were no gods but the work of human hands – wood and stone – and so they were destroyed.

19 So now, O Lord our God, save us, I pray you, from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.”

20 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I have heard your prayer to me about King Sennacherib of Assyria.”

29-31

29 “And this shall be the sign for you: This year you shall eat what grows of itself and in the second year what springs from that; then in the third year sow, reap, plant vineyards, and eat their fruit.

30 The surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward,

31 for from Jerusalem a remnant shall go out and from Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

Word Power!!!

Hezekiah (he-ze-ki̅-yah) – A godly king of Judah who served with the prophet Isaiah.

Getting Ready!!!

So who is your favorite hero?” Mrs. Baxter was having her vacation Bible school class talk about the people they admired on television or in media games. Each of the students named a character that they liked. “Now,” she asked, “who is your favorite character in the Bible?” No one raised their hand. “Well, we must do something about that. Because there are men and women in the Bible who have done great things and who worked hard for the Lord.” For the rest of that week, the class learned about different people in the Bible who were heroes, and they each chose one of their own.

Into God’s Word!!!

Hezekiah was a good king. He obeyed the law of the Lord and listened to the prophet Isaiah who told him what God needed him to do. In this story, he was worried about his country being attacked and whether they would survive. The letter he received spoke of how his country would be destroyed, but he prayed to the Lord and asked for God’s protection. In many ways, he was the hero, for believing in God and not panicking. Also Isaiah could be thought of as a hero, because he took the message of God to the king and made sure that God’s plans were followed.

Who Is My Hero?

After reading the story today, decide on which person you would like to claim as your hero.

Choose either Hezekiah or Isaiah, and color their picture below. Then cut it out, place it on a poster board and put it on display! Be sure to write a few words about why you chose your hero below:

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Using God’s Word!!!

Heroes don’t have to be people who have superpowers or special talents. They can be a neighbor next door, a friend, or even a family member. A hero is someone who is willing to give of themselves to help others. As you design your poster of either Isaiah or Hezekiah and write a few words about why they were a hero to you, be sure to think about ways that you can be a hero for someone else. Is there someone that you can help this week? Think about it, and then discuss with your teacher and the class! After the discussion, your teacher will play “Hero” by Mariah Carey; see what you think about the song!

Remix!!!

In our Bible story today, the biggest hero of all is God! He came to the rescue of the people of Judah, and kept his word to King Hezekiah. The hero inside each of us is ready to come out as soon as we are willing to be used for God’s good. Hezekiah was a king, yes, but he was humble enough to listen to Isaiah. Isaiah always told the truth and made sure that God’s plan was clear and told to the people. Each of them had a role to play, but in the end, it was God who used both of these heroes to his glory. How can you let God use you today? How can you be a hero for the Lord?

Praise the Lord!!!

Sing “I Need You to Survive”

https://youtu.be/JBwUkCYW2n0?si=Jc-FZZSmGas8qrTs

Closing Prayer

(Each quarter you will have a closing prayer that will help strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Can you memorize it?)

Dear Jesus, help us to remember that for everything we have and even when we don’t have, we should remember to say, “Thank you!” Amen.

Lesson 4: September 22, 2024

Keeping Traditions

Lesson Scripture: 2 Kings 22–23; 2 Chronicles 34:1–35:19

Focus Scripture: 2 Chronicles 35:1-6, 16-19

Key Verse: Josiah kept a Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem; they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month. 2 Chronicles 35:1 (NRSV UE)

2 Chronicles 35:1-6, 16-19 (NRSV UE)

2 Chronicles 35:1-6

1 Josiah kept a Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem; they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month.

2 He appointed the priests to their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the Lord.

3 He said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the Lord, “Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon son of David, king of Israel, built; you need no longer carry it on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and his people Israel.

4 Make preparations by your ancestral houses by your divisions, following the written directions of King David of Israel and the written directions of his son Solomon.

5 Take position in the holy place according to the groupings of the ancestral houses of your kindred the people, and let there be Levites for each division of an ancestral house.

6 Slaughter the Passover lamb, sanctify yourselves, and on behalf of your kindred make preparations, acting according to the word of the Lord by Moses.”

16-19

16 So all the service of the Lord was prepared that day, to keep the Passover and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord, according to the command of King Josiah.

17 The people of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time and the Festival of Unleavened Bread seven days.

18 No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; none of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as was kept by Josiah, by the priests and the Levites, by all Judah and Israel who were present, and by the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah, this Passover was kept.

Word Power!!!

- Josiah (joe-si’-ah) – A king of Judah who tried to be obedient to God’s law and commands.

Getting Ready!!!

Today, St. Mark AME Church School was discussing holy celebrations of other cultures. In Dr. Jones’ class, the topic was Passover.

“Who knows what Passover is or what it means?” Dr. Jones asked the class.

“It has something to do with the Jews,” someone said.

“That’s correct!” Benjamin raised his hand. “Yes, Benjamin?”

“I don’t really understand why we would need to talk about Passover since we don’t celebrate it.”

“That’s a good point; let’s talk about that. We celebrate Easter or Resurrection Day; the Jews celebrate Passover. The two days are quite different, but that does not mean that we should not learn about them both. Since Passover is something that is spoken about in the Bible, it’s probably very important that we learn about it for ourselves.” Then Dr. Jones showed the class a map and diagram that talked about Passover and what it meant during the time of Jesus.

Into God’s Word!!!

Josiah was one of the kings who was godly and did right in the sight of the Lord. This meant that he followed God’s commands and was obedient. Passover and its celebration was very important for the Jewish people. Therefore, following the traditions as explained in the law was necessary if the people were to obey God’s Word. In this story found in Second Chronicles, King Josiah is giving instructions for the people to follow just as they were given during King David’s time. This is something that he did not have to do, but he chose to follow the Lord rather than be disobedient. Have there been times when you could have chosen to be disobedient, but you did the right thing anyway? How did that make you feel, or what do you think about it now?

Using God’s Word!!!

Sometimes it can seem unnecessary or even boring to talk about something that’s not a part of our culture. Yet, we live in a world made of different people with different customs and lifestyles. God made people of different colors, different languages, and different religions. If we are to be obedient the way Josiah was, then we have to invite those traditions into our own lives so that we can become familiar with the people who practice them. It does not mean that we have to change what we believe in, it just simply means that we are being neighborly to people who are different. In Dr. Jones’ class, after they learned about Passover, then each of them was able to understand it better and relate to the Jewish faith more meaningfully.

Passover Video

Your teacher will show you a video about Passover, or read you a story regarding the celebration. Afterwards, think of at least one thing that we have in common with the Jewish faith and Passover when we celebrate Resurrection Sunday.

Remix!!!

Passover is just one celebration during the year that Jewish people recognize. Another is Hanukkah which is celebrated during our time of Advent and Christmas. When we learn about other cultures, we can see how God expresses God’s self through each of us. If you have time, learn something about other cultures and the ways they celebrate God and see how interesting it might be. You may just be surprised at what God will have to show you!

Praise the Lord!!!

He’s got the whole world in his hand. He’s got the whole world in his hands. He’s got the whole world in his hands. He’s got the whole world in his hands!” (Don’t forget to end the class with “I Need You to Survive.” https://youtu.be/JBwUkCYW2n0?si=Jc-FZZSmGas8qrTs)

Closing Prayer

(Each month you will have a closing prayer that will help strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Can you memorize this one?)

Dear Jesus, help us to remember that for everything we have and even when we don’t have, we should remember to say, “Thank you!” Amen.

Lesson 5: September 29, 2024

Miriam and Moses Thank God With Their Songs

Lesson Scripture: Exodus 14:21-31; 15:1-21

Focus Scripture: Exodus 15:1-3, 11-13, 17-18, 20-21

Key Verse: The prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. Exodus 15:20 (NRSV UE)

Exodus 15:1-3, 11-13, 17-18, 20-21 (NRSV UE)

Exodus 15:1-3

1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.

2 The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

3 The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.”

11-13

11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders?

12 You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them.

13 In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to your holy abode.”

17-18

17 “You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession, the place, O Lord, that you made your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established.

18 The Lord will reign forever and ever.”

20-21

20 Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing.

21 And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”

Word Power!!!

- Miriam – The sister of Moses and Aaron who led women in a worship and celebration song for God.

Getting Ready!!!

The Girls Club in Melinda’s neighborhood was planning a parade to celebrate their first-year anniversary. The club had been established the previous year to help young women prepare for college and to learn special skills. A wealthy alumnus of their high school had paid for the building and their first year’s rent. The girls decided to invite their donor, community leaders, and the mayor to come and view the parade. Everyone was very excited! One of the groups that was going to be in the parade was Melinda’s percussion band. She and three others all played percussion instruments including Congo drums and tambourines. The group had been practicing and was looking forward to sharing their talent in the parade.

Into God’s Word!!!

The story of Miriam and Moses’ songs that they wrote, praising God for their victory, is very exciting when you think of the fact that one song ended up with a group dancing and playing instruments. They both wrote songs of praise that talked about the goodness of God and how God had brought them from a time of slavery and oppression into freedom. Both of them were good writers, but Miriam was even more creative. She led other women in a procession routine not too much different from our step and line dancing today! Like Melinda, she probably felt joyous about being able to celebrate using instruments and dance. During her time, musical styles and genres may have been somewhat different from ours today, but all of the instruments were not that different. One such instrument is the tambourine.

Using God’s Word!!!

Tambourines are played with the hands and have a very rhythmic sound when they are used correctly; the sound of the slap on covered tambourines along with the jingles give a unique musical sound that the Black Church has used for centuries in its worship. Ask your teacher if the class can look up information and discuss it together about the tambourine and how it is played. You may also want to look at demonstration videos that will teach you how to play! Here’s one:

https://youtu.be/vbeap5UfK0s?si=p0kz74nOAGOqlDIC (Tambourine tips by Josh Jones)

Remix!!!

As you learn more about the tambourine and how to play it, plan to do a short skit or presentation on the song of Miriam or the song of Moses. Work with your teacher to develop a spoken word and musical piece that can be shared with your church school or congregation. Make it creative but be sure that it is focused on thanking God!

Praise the Lord!!!

We praise the Lord with our hands; we praise the Lord with the dance! We praise the Lord! (“I Need You to Survive”).

https://youtu.be/JBwUkCYW2n0?si=Qh9G0f44y8fynkLU

Closing Prayer

(Are you able to say this prayer without looking at it?)

Dear Jesus, help us to remember that for everything we have and even what we don’t have we should remember to say, “Thank you!” Amen.

Lesson 6: October 6, 2024

David Behaves Badly

Lesson Scripture: Psalm 51; 2 Samuel 11

Focus Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:14-17, 22-25, 27b-12:1a

Key Verses: But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord, and the Lord sent Nathan to David. 2 Samuel 11:27b-12:1a (NRSV UE)

2 Samuel 11:14-17, 22-25, 27b-12:1a (NRSV UE)

2 Samuel 11:14-17

14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah.

15 In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, so that he may be struck down and die.”

16 As Joab kept watch over the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant warriors.

17 The men of the city came out and fought with Joab, and some of the servants of David among the people fell. Uriah the Hittite was killed as well.

22-25

22 So the messenger went and came and told David all that Joab had sent him to tell.

23 The messenger said to David, “The men gained an advantage over us and came out against us in the field, but we drove them back to the entrance of the gate.

24 Then the archers shot at your servants from the wall; some of the king’s servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.”

25 David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab, ‘Do not let this matter trouble you, for the sword devours now one and now another; press your attack on the city and overthrow it.’ And encourage him.”

27b–12:1a

27b But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord,

12:1a and the Lord sent Nathan to David.

Word Power!!!

- David – A mighty king of God who sinned and made a terrible mistake; after repenting, God forgave him.

Getting Ready!!!

Walter, come down here!” Walter’s mom was very angry and was probably going to punish him. Earlier that day, she had asked him to be sure to clear out the garage and take out the trash before the city came by to pick it up. Walter got caught up in his computer games and forgot. The trash remained in the house, and it would be there now until after the weekend. Also, the family was getting a new car, and he was supposed to have the garage ready so that they could drive the car into the space. “I’m sure you know what you have done wrong,” his mother said. Walter just stood with his head down. “What do you think your punishment should be?” Walter thought about it for a moment and decided to be honest and apologize. That would be much better than trying to make excuses.

“I’ll go along with whatever you decide,” he said. “I was playing video games, and I forgot. I’m sorry.”

Into God’s Word!!!

David was a powerful king, and that meant that he could have just about anything he wanted. He decided to do something that was a terrible sin against an innocent man and was very wrong in the eyes of God. He committed murder and sinned with another man’s wife, which is called adultery. When Nathan came to speak with him about it, he didn’t realize that Nathan was talking about him. After he came to understand how serious his sin was, he repented and apologized to God. Once he did that, God forgave him. Whatever punishment Walter had was probably no fun, but what was most important, was that he apologized to his mom for what he had done. This is what God asks of us when we make mistakes. What are some ways that you have apologized when you have made a mistake? Do you always try to be honest when you have done wrong?

Using God’s Word!!!

There are many ways to say, I’m sorry. Each of us, depending on how we speak and to whom we are speaking, may apologize in different ways. However we do it, we should be sincere and truly sorry for what we have done. In a short skit, play the role of Walter and his mom, and say how you would have apologized for not doing the right thing. Work in teams of two, and come up with your own scene! Your teacher will give you time to get your skit together.

Remix!!!

As you plan your skit, think of times in the past when you had to actually apologize to your parents or someone else. You might also use this as a way to guide how you respond in the future when you have done something wrong. Remember, it does not have to be anything fancy or formal. Learn to say I’m sorry from your heart, and do everything you can, including saying a prayer, not to repeat the same mistake.

Praise the Lord!!!

Choose your favorite song from church or from your choir and sing together! Your teacher may help you choose one that everyone can sing.

Closing Prayer

(Each month you will have a closing prayer that will help strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Can you memorize it?)

I will sing to you, Lord, a new song; I will give you my very best talent to praise your name. Amen.

Lesson 7: October 13, 2024

God Delivers Us

Lesson Scripture: Daniel 3

Focus Scripture: Daniel 3:19-26

Key Verse: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” Daniel 3:26b (NRSV UE)

Daniel 3:19-26 (NRSV UE)

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was so filled with rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face was distorted. He ordered the furnace heated up seven times more than was customary

20 and ordered some of the strongest guards in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire.

21 So the men were bound, still wearing their tunics, their trousers, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the furnace of blazing fire.

22 Because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace was so overheated, the raging flames killed the men who lifted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

23 But the three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down, bound, into the furnace of blazing fire.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up quickly. He said to his counselors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?” They answered the king, “True, O king.”

25 He replied, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are not hurt, and the fourth has the appearance of a god.”

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.

Word Power!!!

- Shadrach (Shad’-rack), Meshach (Me’-shack), Abednego (Ah-bed-ni-go) – Three Hebrew boys who were friends of Daniel and were servants of the royal court. They were loyal to God.

Getting Ready!!!

Rev. Ali, the minister at youth church, was talking about the three Hebrew boys and the fiery furnace. Some of the class listening to the sermon thought that it sounded like a fairy tale. Then the minister explained, “When the three Hebrew boys went into the furnace, they believed that God would save them, but even if God didn’t they were willing to die in order to remain loyal to God. God rewarded them by putting a fourth person or an angel in the fiery furnace with them to keep them safe.”

One student raised her hand and asked if God was going to keep them safe at school if someone came in with a gun. “This does not mean that every time we are in trouble that God will come and save us, but what it does mean is that we should work toward having the kind of faith that keeps us strong even when trouble comes.”

Into God’s Word!!!

The three Hebrew boys, just like Daniel, were challenged by the government because they would not obey its rules. To do so meant that they would have to bow to other gods or to the king. This was a terrible sin, and they were willing to give their lives in order to be obedient to the one true God.

The student who asked the question about guns and whether God would protect them was probably concerned because, as we see today, shootings happen sometimes in schools. How do you feel about the possibility of something happening in your school? What are some things that you can say to God that would help to make you feel better and safer?

My Prayer to God

Write some words that you would like to say to God, and don’t worry about how they may sound. Just speak from your heart!

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Using God’s Word!!!

Having faith means that you believe something will happen although you do not have the proof. This does not mean that you will never be afraid or that trouble will not come, as the teacher said in our lesson today. However, prayer and faith are part of our spiritual tools that help to keep us confident and secure. Below are words that help us to express our faith in God and show that even in times of trouble we believe in the power of prayer. Choose the word that you like the best and share with the class why you chose it. If you have your own word, be sure to let the teacher know!

Pray Believe Power God Hope

Remix!!!

When trouble comes, especially violence or people being killed, it can be very frightening. None of us know what will happen in the future. Not even adults can control this all the time, but what is most important is that we don’t live every day in fear. Know that God loves you and hears your prayer. Each day begin with the faith that he is right beside you!

Praise the Lord!!!

Listen to the song, “Our God Is an Awesome God!” Sing along, and enjoy the music with your class.

Closing Prayer

(Each month you will have a closing prayer that will help strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Can you memorize it?)

I will sing to you, Lord, a new song; I will give you my very best talent to praise your name. Amen.

Lesson 8: October 20, 2024

God Keeps Daniel Safe

Lesson Scripture: Isaiah 25; Daniel 6:10-28

Focus Scripture: Daniel 6:16-23, 25-27

Key Verse: “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.” Daniel 6:22 (NRSV UE)

Daniel 6:16-23, 25-27 (NRSV UE)

Daniel 6:16-23

16 Then the king gave the command, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you faithfully serve, deliver you!”

17 A stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet ring of his lords, so that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.

18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no entertainment was brought to him, and sleep fled from him.

19 Then at dawn, the king got up and at first light hurried to the den of lions.

20 When he came near the den where Daniel was, he cried out anxiously to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you faithfully serve been able to deliver you from the lions?”

21 Daniel then said to the king, “O king, live forever!

22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.”

23 Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him because he had trusted in his God.

25-27

25 Then King Darius wrote to all peoples and nations of every language throughout the whole world: “May you have abundant prosperity!

26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people shall tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: For he is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end.

27 He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth; he has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Word Power!!!

- Daniel – A powerful Hebrew who, while in exile, served the king of the land and refused to bow to him.

Getting Ready!!!

Ahmad was reading about Daniel at home. Last week he had learned about the three Hebrew boys, and this week he was watching his youth church class virtually because his mother wasn’t feeling well. As he listened to the youth minister continue to talk about how faith had protected Daniel from the lion’s den, he remembered the story from last week. “Do you think Daniel knew about how God had saved the three Hebrew boys?” He wrote this question in the chat. The youth minister responded, that yes, that was very possible, and it may have helped to strengthen his faith. The minister further explained that even if he did not know, he was a man of faith, and just like the Hebrew boys, was willing to give his life in order to be obedient to God. How do you think Daniel felt as he walked into the lion’s den?

Into God’s Word!!!

By now, you know that the Hebrew boys and Daniel were friends. Each of them faced physical harm when they refused to bow to other gods or to obey the law of the king that would force them to be unfaithful. Daniel had enough faith to continue praying openly to God each day even though it was a risk. People who wanted to hurt him and were jealous of him convinced the king to punish Daniel. In the end, Daniel walked into the lion’s den unafraid. This was his act of faith! It is the step after prayer and asking God for help that we must take. If we do not move forward to act on our faith, then our prayer and belief in God is incomplete.

Using God’s Word!!!

Fear is something we all must face. It may be something such as learning how to swim and being afraid of the water, or it might be learning how to be around certain animals without being afraid. Whatever it is, facing our fears is something we can do with the help from our friends, family, and of course, from the Lord! Remember that this means not just believing, but doing something to show that you believe. Daniel prayed every day, but when it came time to face the lions, he walked confidently into the den to show how much he believed in the power of God. Name at least three things that you are afraid of or afraid of doing. If it’s a task or something that you have to learn at school, that is okay to include. After you have made your list, use the chart below to match the fear with a Faith Action. There are two examples for you; ask your teacher to help if there are words you do not understand.

A Visit to the Zoo

Are you afraid of certain animals? If your church is able to do so, plan a trip to the zoo and go see the very animals that you are afraid of. Look at them and observe how they act and how they live. Although you should never put yourself in danger by approaching an animal, looking at them close up may help you feel more comfortable when seeing them. Below, write a short story about your visit:

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Remix!!!

If you were not able to go to the zoo, just for fun, look at a YouTube video or other media about animals, activities, and other things that you have a fear of or do not feel comfortable doing. It may be learning to play a sport, understanding math, or another activity. Remember Daniel and keep in mind that having faith means acting on it each day!

Praise the Lord!!!

Do your own version of “Our God Is an Awesome God!” Sing and make it your own with dance or mime!

https://youtu.be/qGGKkBqV9NY?si=aKfyvTqnR2p-dgHP

Closing Prayer

(Each month you will have a closing prayer that will help strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Can you memorize it?)

I will sing to you, Lord, a new song; I will give you my very best talent to praise your name. Amen.

Lesson 9: October 27, 2024

God’s Got It

Lesson Scripture: Psalm 62

Focus Scripture: Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8, 11-12

Key Verse: For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. Psalm 62:5 (NRSV UE)

Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8, 11-12 (NRSV UE)

Psalm 62:1-2

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.

5-8

5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.

6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

11-12

11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,

12 and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.

Word Power!!!

- Fortress – A place of protection and safety; a word spoken about in the Psalms.

Getting Ready!!!

What is your safe place? Is it your room at home? Is it out in the park, or a place at grandma’s or auntie’s house? In biblical times, caves and other structures out in nature were places of safety. David stayed in caves in order to gather his thoughts and to protect himself from his enemies. Having somewhere to go where you can feel safe and comfortable is very important in life. We all should be able to spend time with ourselves and with God in a place where we are able to think quietly.

Into God’s Word!!!

In this psalm, David is offering a song of praise to God, who he says is his fortress. He talks about how he feels safe and that God is the God of hope! He urges all the people to love and honor God, and to keep in mind who God is in their lives. Knowing that God is our fortress gives us a place of safety within our hearts. When you think of it in the physical sense, a place of safety is like the ones we talked about above. Color and add other parts to the picture of the cave to make it truly a place of safety!

Using God’s Word!!!

Safety is not something everyone in the world has. It is something to cherish. If you could help make someone else feel safe, what would you do? What about visiting a shelter or organization for lost or mistreated animals? The only way that a pet can be safe is if someone loves and cares for it. In shelters, the staff help to heal animals and make them feel loved. Talk to your teacher about what you could do together as a class. Perhaps buy some items that a shelter needs or make a donation, and then visit a shelter for animals and make your presentation. This is something that could be done once or as a project every year! Think about it or come up with your own way to help make someone who is in trouble or who suffers feel safe.

Remix!!!

As you go through each day either at home, school, or play, be thankful for what you have and what God is giving you that makes you feel loved, cared for, and safe. It may be your family, friends, the church and your pastor, or the personal gifts that you have that make you special. Find ways to remember them – think of them during moments when things aren’t going well or when you feel low. Concentrating on the positives is one of the best ways to remain happy and strong even when you’re disappointed.

Praise the Lord!!!

I am strong in the Lord and I am safe! I know that God has my back, no matter what comes my way!

Closing Prayer

(Each month you will have a closing prayer that will help strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Can you memorize it?)

I will sing to you, Lord, a new song; I will give you my very best talent to praise your name. Amen.

Lesson 10: November 3, 2024

The Good Shepherd

Lesson Scripture: Psalm 23; John 10:11-14

Focus Scripture: John 10:11-14

Key Verse: “I am the good shepherd.” John 10:14a (NRSV UE)

John 10:11-14 (NRSV UE)

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me,…”

Word Power!!!

- Shepherd – A person who takes care of sheep; in the Bible Jesus the Christ is considered the Shepherd of us all.

Getting Ready!!!

Have you ever seen a picture or a movie about sheep and how they move about? They are very innocent and can be led into any situation without recognizing the danger that may await them. That is why shepherds take care of sheep and herd them to safety, making sure that nothing happens to them along the way. They would not be able to take care of themselves if they did not have shepherds. The same is true for Christians, particularly new Christians in the faith. Without Jesus’ love and protection, we would fall by the wayside. Because we have Jesus in our lives, we are able to be strong in the face of trouble, forgive when others hurt us, and have faith about our future!

Into God’s Word!!!

The 23rd Psalm and the 10th chapter of John have something in common. They both talk about shepherds. In the 23rd Psalm, David is declaring that the Lord is his shepherd and takes care of him day by day. In the 10th chapter of John, Jesus is saying to the world that he is the great shepherd of all humankind. Even though David did not know it at the time, his words were very important and would be a kind of prophecy about the shepherd who was to come in the form of Jesus the Christ. Who in your life would you consider to be an earthly shepherd to you? Are you able to see some of the similarities between that person and what the Lord Jesus does for you and all of us?

Here are some traits about shepherds; check off or circle each one that reminds you of a person in your life.

Using God’s Word!!!

Find an interesting video about raising sheep and how they live. After viewing the video, talk about ways that the sheep depended on those persons that were shepherding them or taking care of them. Do you see some similarities in the way the sheep were cared for in the video and the way those that you identified earlier take care of you? Do you see some similarities in the way that the Lord Jesus takes care of all of us each day? Be sure to share your ideas with each other and talk about how you are grateful for those persons who are shepherds in your life! Think about the words that you circled, too, and remember that these each are blessings!

Remix!!!

You may never actually see sheep in your lifetime, but you may certainly learn what it is like to have their unconditional and blind faith by reading about them in the Bible. More importantly, you can learn about the Shepherd who is the one who cares for and loves them unconditionally, too. In your heart, be at peace when trouble comes knowing that the same Shepherd who made David feel safe in the 23rd Psalm and who talks about being the Shepherd of us all in the 10th chapter of John is with you and is your shepherd, too.

Praise the Lord!!!

Even though you may not know the hymn, your teacher will share with you the song, “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us,” AMEC Hymn #379; listen to the lyrics.

Closing Prayer

(Each month you will have a closing prayer that will help strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Can you memorize this one?)

O, God, I will give thanks not just today but every day, because every day is a day of Thanksgiving. Amen.

Lesson 11: November 10, 2024

Praise the Lord

Lesson Scripture: Psalm 146–150

Focus Scripture: Psalm 150

Key Verse: Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6 (NRSV UE)

Psalm 150 (NRSV UE)

1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament!

2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!

4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!

5 Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

6 Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Word Power!!!

- Psalm 150 – The last of the book of Psalms that talks about all living things praising the Lord.

Getting Ready!!!

Valerie and her cousin Tamika were preparing to go to visit their grandmother. They were cousins but had grown up like sisters. Grandma was having everyone over for Thanksgiving holiday, and they were going to be leaving the next morning. “I don’t know if I want to really go this time,” said Valerie. “Why not?” Tamika replied. “Because we do the same old thing; we can’t play on our cell phones because there’s no Internet and our Wi-Fi doesn’t work. There’s not that much to do except hang around the house and go outside in the yard.” The two girls stayed quiet for a while, and they kept their thoughts to themselves. Finally, Valerie looked at her cousin and shrugged her shoulders. “Whatever, but we got to go, so we may as well make the best of it.”

Into God’s Word!!!

Psalm 150 is the very last song in the book of Psalms, and its main theme is praising the Lord. David, the writer, says that everything that has breath should praise the Lord! This means that anything that breathes, not just humans, but animals, plants, and other parts of nature. Birds praise the Lord when they chirp in the morning. Plants praise the Lord when they grow and become beautiful in the sunshine. We can praise the Lord, too, and not just in church or when we worship in the choir or sing. We can praise the Lord every day by learning to love life and being thankful for what God has given us. It could be that Tamika missed an opportunity to share this with Valerie. She could have told her that they were very blessed to have a grandmother who loved them. Also, she could have said that some children don’t have anywhere to go for Thanksgiving. What are some other things she might have told Valerie? What would you have said?

Using God’s Word!!!

There are ways to celebrate life even when we may not feel much like doing so. If we focus on the good and not the bad, our sense of creativity may give us the perfect way to have fun and enjoy the moment. What are some ways that Valerie and Tamika could make their visit to their grandmother’s house more of a celebration rather than something to be unhappy about or to dislike? Can you think of any ideas? Here are some below and blank spaces where you can add your own:

• Bake cookies together or learn a new recipe.

• Bring downloaded music to play.

• Invite other children or neighbors over for a sleepover or party.

•

•

Remix!!!

The next time you are bored or feel like there’s not much to do, come up with something creative. It doesn’t have to cost money, and it doesn’t have to be anything that is complicated or difficult. It should be something that you enjoy and that perhaps you can share with someone else. Remember, everything that has breath should praise the Lord! What is your favorite Gospel song that you can dance to and enjoy with your friends? Think of one and come up with a few dance moves to go along with the music.

Praise the Lord!!!

Did you come up with a favorite song and do a dance to it? Share it with your class!

Closing Prayer

(Each month you will have a closing prayer that will help strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Can you memorize this one?)

O God, I will give thanks not just today but every day, because every day is a day of Thanksgiving. Amen.

Lesson 12: November 17, 2024

A Song of Praise

Lesson Scripture: Psalm 100

Focus Scripture: Psalm 100

Key Verse: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him; bless his name. Psalm 100:4 (NRSV UE)

Psalm 100 (NRSV UE)

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.

3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him; bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations.

Word Power!!!

- Gates – In the Bible, the opening or doors of a place of worship where people enter to offer praise to God.

Getting Ready!!!

Does anyone know what Thanksgiving really means?” Superintendent Baxton was holding a combined class to talk about Thanksgiving and its true meaning.

“Yes, I do!“ Shelly raised her hand.

“Okay, Shelly, what is it?”

“Thanksgiving is a time that we share food with our families and say prayers to thank God.”

“That’s a good start! Yes, we do think of it as cooking good food and going to our family and friends’ houses to share it. And we do say prayers. But Thanksgiving should first be about thanking God for all of his blessings. Even if we didn’t have food, even if we didn’t have anywhere to go, we should always be thankful because God deserves our praise.” The class then sat down to write all of their blessings including those things that they may not thank God for each day. At the end of the exercise, there were more than 100 reasons that the class had listed together!

Into God’s Word!!!

The Psalms that we have been talking about over the past weeks have to do with praising the Lord, and thanking the Lord for what he has done. We have learned that God is our fortress and protector, and that we should thank him and celebrate. This song is similar and gives direction about how we should enter into a house of worship as well as go into each day with a heart of thanksgiving. Below is a space for you to write your letter to God, telling God what you are thankful for. Be sure to sign it and be prepared to read it to the class if you like.

Using God’s Word!!!

All of us, as people who believe in the great creator who made the earth and all living things, should thank God for his blessings. This means that we express our thanks in different ways, but in each way being certain that God gets the honor. Instead of saying, “I won,” we can say, “God blessed me to win.” Or instead of saying, “I have pretty clothes,” we can say, “God has blessed me to have beautiful clothes.” Think of it as giving credit to the person who actually made it possible. In your letter to God, add the word “thankfully” and sign your name. Then, post it on a bulletin board to be on display throughout Thanksgiving!

Remix!!!

As you have read the Psalms, have you learned what God has done for us all? Did you understand why it is important to give praise, and as this Psalm says, to bless God’s name? How do we bless the name of the Lord? We live right! We love our neighbors, and we never forget to say thanks. As Psalm 100 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving!”

Praise the Lord!!!

Take pictures of your bulletin board, and then post it to your favorite social media. You may also do a video to share. Happy Thanksgiving!

Closing Prayer

(Each month you will have a closing prayer that will help strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Can you memorize this one?)

O God, I will give thanks not just today but every day, because every day is a day of Thanksgiving. Amen.

Lesson 13: November 24, 2024

I Know You

Lesson Scripture: Psalm 139

Focus Scripture: Psalm 139:1-6

Key Verse: Oh Lord, you have searched me and known me. Psalm 139:1 (NRSV UE)

Psalm 139:1-6 (NRSV UE)

1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.

3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely.

5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it.

Word Power!!!

- Everlasting – Forever or eternal; something that never ends.

Getting Ready!!!

One of the best ways to decorate a wall is to place original art on its surface with different colors, pictures, and designs. As some of us celebrate the season of Thanksgiving and focus on special ways to say thank you to God, we can be creative at the same time by putting all of our different thoughts and expressions together, and that is called a collage. With all of the lessons that we have learned this quarter, each of us should be able to think of at least one that we can express in either a drawing, poem, or song! Let’s look at the psalm for this week, and then design a beautiful wall art for the classroom – our very own collage.

Into God’s Word!!!

David wrote many psalms, and Psalm 139 is about how God knows him and is able to take care of him. It is almost like a parent who knows just how we feel or what we are doing, even though we believe we are hiding it from them. David understood that God was his heavenly Father and that all that he was and ever could be, was made possible by God. This psalm shows David’s humility and his willingness to submit to God’s will. David saw God as an all-powerful and all-knowing God!

Using God’s Word!!!

David wrote many songs in the Bible, and Psalm 139 is about how God knows him and is able to take care of him. It is almost like a parent who knows how we feel and what we think, even though we may believe we are hiding it from them. God is even better at doing that than our parents. Knowing that you have a Father in heaven who knows who you are, who created you, and who takes care of you should give you something to thank God for. How do you want to say thank you? Will it be a picture that you can draw? Or a poem or a song that you would write? Give it some thought, and let your teacher know what you would like to do. Then work with your classmates to make your collage!

Remix!!!

We all have something to be thankful for! David was thankful for God watching over him and being with him each day. Before you end the day, be sure to thank God for what he has done for you, your family, and others in your life. Remember that he does know you, and he is always there to hear your prayer.

Praise the Lord!!!

Once you have finished your collage, be sure to share it with your pastor, the church school, and others! Put your name on your part of the collage.

Closing Prayer

Have you learned your prayers this quarter? Will you remember them?

O God, I will give thanks not just today but every day, because every day is a day of Thanksgiving. Amen.