Tht ~POK tf SK'IT. THE ~OOK' OF ~OOK'S "Naaman The Leper" ROVERCOMER. THE FAITH DOG "Throw Out Doubf' ADVENTURES IN FAITH ''The Assignmenf'

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1 r--- ",tftf.al Tf.UTh -..., Doubt in the heart nullifies the positive effects of faith. THE Tht ~POK tf ICE-~REAK'ER With Deputy Dugan SUGGESTED THE ~OOK' OF ~OOK'S "Naaman The Leper" ILLUSTRATED MUSIC Song Service 3 Lord's Army Jesus Is Sure All Right Faith Pleases God Holy Is The Lord God Is So Good POWER-PACK'ED SK'IT "Keep The Doubt Ouf' "A Thief Called Doubf' ADVENTURES IN FAITH ''The Assignmenf' ZiON 7 REPORT "Peter Walks On The Water" REVIEW GAME "Divide And Conquer" SERMON WOf.g 'Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be removed, and be cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." Mark 11 :23 POPPET SK'IT ROVERCOMER. THE FAITH DOG "Throw Out Doubf' : (fa THrE;F QLLE;D DOUBT" Volume 2. Lesson 3

2 ~ Good morning, everybody. Deputy, we haven't gone on a trip. Hey, Teacher, you didn't tell me we were going on a trip. We must have. These kids are a lot uglier than the ones that were here last week. Deputy, you need to tell these kids you're sorry. That was mean. Kids, I'm sorry that you're so ugly. Deputy! You take th?t back. You shouldn't say things like that. I'm sorry, kids. Please forgive me. I forgive you for being uglier than that last bunch. Deputy, I didn't bring you here this morning to insult these kids. You didn't? Then why am I here? To help us with our rules. Oh, boy, I love the rules. Deputy, try to get them right today. Okay, rule number one... don't let a fat girl step on your toes! No, that's not one of our rules. It ought to be. Can someone tell me what rule number one is? (Choose a child and let them tell you the first rule of your class.) That's right. (Repeat rule.) Deputy, I'm going to give you another chance. Try to get rule number two right. All right, let me see. Oh, I know it. in hair. Rule number two...if you don't shave everyday you'll be covered No. Who can tell me what rule number two is? (Choose a child.) That's right. Deputy, there's just one more rule. Please try to remember it. Oh, I remember this one. Rule number three...don't ride a bull in your birthday suit. No, you missed it again. Somebody help me tell Deputy Dugan rule number three. That's right. (Repeat rule.) Deputy, I can't believe you didn't get a single rule right. There're just a lot of rules to pick from. Well, Deputy, we're out of time today. Tell the boys and girls good-e. (Repeat rule.) (Choose a child.) Good-e, boys and girls. Next week, please wear paper bags over your heads when you come to class. Aw, get out of here! Volume 2 1 Lesson 3

3 ~\BiBlE ~ rllu~t~ate.d ~E.~MG" ~ (fa THIEF CALLED DOUFT" SCRIPTURES TO STUDY: Matthew 12:34; 14:22-33 Mark 11:23 Romans 4:19-21 James 1:6-8 OFJECTS NEEDED: A dry-cell battery, two covered copper wires (each about two feet long) with bare ends, a small light bulb and socket of the same voltage HOW TO PREPARE: Test the battery and light connecting the socket to the battery using the copper wires. Separate the wires from the light socket. Have all these items within easy reach and in view of the class. MESSAGE: I. As Jesus' disciples struggled to get their boat across the Sea of Galilee, He came to them walking on the water. A. It was a windy night and they were having a difficult time because of the waves. B. Jesus walked on the water to get to His disciples. 1. The Holy Spirit empowered Him with a wonderful manifestation of the Working of Miracles. 2. All of Jesus' miracles were done through faith the power of the Holy Spirit. 3. Jesus did not do this miracle simply because He was the Son of God. C. When the disciples saw Jesus, they were afraid and thought they were seeing a ghost. 1. They had never seen Jesus walk on water before, nor had they heard of anyone else doing it. 2. It was easier for them to believe in ghosts than for them to accept a miracle from Jesus. A. When Peter saw the Lord, he asked that Jesus give him a sign, "Lord, if it is You, tell me to come to You on the water." B. Jesus told Peter to come. 1. Jesus wanted His disciples to know the power of the Holy Spirit, so they could do miracles as well as He could. 2. Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus A. As Peter walked on the sea, he began to look at the big waves and thought about the howling wind. 1. When he looked at the waves, he grew frightened in his heart. 2. Peter began to sink because he was doubting Jesus' Word. B. Peter cried out in fear for Jesus to save him. 1. Even when he doubted, Peter did not drop to the bottom. He only began to sink. 2. Would Jesus have called Peter out of the boat only to let him drown? Volume 2 5 Lesson 3

4 3. Peter should have known that Jesus would not let him perish. C. Peter doubted because he looked at circumstances that had nothing to do with his miracle. 1. Peter looked at the waves and wind. 2. If the sea had been completely calm, would Peter have been able to walk on the water? Of course not. 3. Peter doubted because he thought and feared things that had nothing to do with his miracle. D. Peter doubted because he let fears pass from his head to his heart. 1. It is not a sin to have a thought of doubt or fear come to your mind. 2. Even Jesus had negative thoughts come to His mind when the devil tempted Him (Matthew 4:1-11). 3. If we speak God's Word instead of the doubts, the doubts cannot sink into our hearts. 4. We know that doubt is in the heart when we hear it coming out of the mouth (Matthew 12:34). (Pick two well-behaved, attentive children to come to the front of the classroom to be your assistants. Have one of the children hold up the battery while the other child holds the socket and the light bulb.) A. In order for electrical current to flow, there must be two wires running from the power source to the appliance. B. Faith in God must also flow in two channels (Romans 10:9-10 and Mark 11:23). (Explain the difference between the two wires-one stands for belief, the other represents confession. Hook the two wires to the socket, then to the battery, so the light shines.) 1. We must believe what God has said with our hearts. 2. We must speak what we believe with our mouths. C. If we break one wire, the flow of electricity immediately stops. (Disconnect one of the wires from the socket, reminding the children what each wire represents.) 1. If we speak the doubts that Satan brings to our minds, we stop the flow of faith. 2. Doubt turns off the flow of faith and keeps us from receiving answers to prayer. D. We can keep the doubts that come to our minds from sinking into our hearts boldly speaking the promises God's Word has made to us. Volume 2 6 Lesson 3

5 ~W~~r~~!:Q~~~TrGt{~ N\ATERIALS NEEDED: Two packs of M & M's for each question, a table placed at the front of the classroom HOW TO PLAY THE GAME: 1. Divide the class into two teams. 2. Select one child from each team, per question, and give them a pack of M & M's. When you say "go," have them open the pack of M & M's and separate them color. The first child to separate their candy has to eat one color and then run around the room. 3. Ask the runner a review question. For each correct answer, award 10,000 points. 4. After each round, have the children put the remaining M & M's back in the bag to take home as a prize for participating in the review game. 5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 until all review questions have been asked. 6. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. REVIEW QUESTIONS: 1. How was Jesus able to do all of His miracles, including walking on the water? 2. Why were the disciples afraid when they saw Jesus walking on the water? 3. For what reason did Jesus tell Peter to come to Him on the water? 4. How was fear and doubt able to get into Peter's mind? 5. Did doubt cause Peter to lose out and immediately sink to the bottom of the sea? 6. Is it wrong or sinful to have a thought of doubt or fear come to our minds? 7. How do we keep doubt from sinking from our heads to our hearts? 8. How do we know when doubt has entered our hearts? 9. What are the two channels that faith in God must flow in? 10. How do we stop the flow of faith? Volume 2 11 Lesson 3

6 ~'RrPTUR ~ TO ~TUDf Matthew 12:34; 14:22-33 Mark 11 :23 Romans 4:19-21 * James 1:6-8 Doubt in the heart nullifies the positive effects of faith. "Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be removed, and be cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." Mark 11 :23 Doubt is the greatest threat to our faith once we have begun fa believe God's Word for a particular answer to prayer. Many Christians are defeated doubt unnecessarily, because they give up once doubt comes to their minds. The Lord Himself told us that we must not allow doubt in our hearts, but He did not say that doubt should never enter the mind. Satan and evil spirits can use the power of suggestion to bring thoughts of doubt to our minds. We must not allow doubt to move beyond this point. We know that doubt must pass the mouth to drop from the mind to the heart. Jesus said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34). If we can keep doubt from our lips, it cannot pass to our hearts. If doubts make only a brief penetration into the mind, the believer has not lost the fight of faith. We can dispel doubts giving glory to God for the thing He has promised. The laws of electricity give us a wondertul picture of this entire process. A bulb can produce light as long as both wires in the electrical circuit remain intact. If one of the wires is compromised, the flow of electricity is stopped. This is the effect of ~ a switch. Doubt is the switch fhat stops the flow of faith. If we will carefully guard both lines of faith-believing in the heart and speaking with the mouth-we will keep doubf from interrupting the flow of faith. ~ "A TNriF ~LLiD DOUBT" \!) I(E-~REA\(ER Sl<n With Deputy Dugan SUGGESTED MUSIC ~ Song Service 3 Lord's Army Jesus Is Sure All Right Faith Pleases God Holy Is The Lord God Is So Good (Ii POWER-PAC\(ED puppet SK'IT "Keep The Doubt Out" THE ~OO\( OF ~OO\(S ~ "Naaman The Leper" ILLUSTRATED SERMON "A Thief Called Doubt" e ROVERCOMER. THE FAITH DOG "Throw Out Doubt" ~ ADVENTURES IN FAITH "The Assignment" 1\1 ZION 7 REPORT ~ 0 71 "Peter Walks On The REVIEW GAME "Divide And Conquer" Volume 2 Lesson 3

7 POWtP.-PA,,,E.D PUPPET ~"rt "KEEP THE DOOBT OOT" CHARACTERS: Oogene, Mama Greene, Papa Greene SCENE I: THE LIVING ROOM (Papa Greene is seated, reading the newspaper. Mama Greene enters.) Honey, may I interrupt you for a moment? (putting his paper down) Certainly, Dear. Is something wrong? Well, sort of. What is it? Oh, irs my car again. What happened this time? I was on my way to the grocery store and the thing just died at one of the traffic lights. It wouldn't restart, so I finally called the auto club and they got it going again. This has happened too many times lately. I think we need to get you a different car. But I didn't think that was in our budget right now. It's not, but it is within our faith. God has promised to meet our needs, and you need a more dependable car. Let's pray and use our faith for this. God will make a way. Okay. (They bow their heads.) Father God, Jesus told us that if two of us would agree on earth as touching anything we would ask, it would be done for us You. We ask You for a dependable car and receive it from You faith in Jesus' Name. Amen. Amen. (looks at Papa Greene) I don't know how... (Papa Greene interrupts.) Wait a minute, Dear. We can't let doubt interfere with the prayer we just prayed. But I don't... (He interrupts again.) Honey, we've released our faith. How God chooses to do it is up to Him. Our part is to keep our faith active and not let doubt rob us of what we're believing for. You're right. I'm going to thank God because I believe we have a new car. Good. Keeping God's praise in our mouth will keep doubt out. Oh, my. SCENE Z: THE LIVING ROOM I almost forgot. I've got to get something off the stove. (She exits.) (Papa Greene is reading the newspaper. Oogene enters.) Can I talk to you for a minute, Dad? Sure, Son. What's on your mind? By the way, what's for supper? Volume 2 _ 3 Lesson 3

8 For the last three days I've had all these thoughts telling me I'm not really saved. Thoughts like, "If you were really saved, you wouldn't be thinking like that?" Yeah. And, "If you were really saved, you would behave better?" Exactly! How do you know all that, Dad? I just know how the devil works, Oogene. He tries to get us to focus our attention on the wrong things and then he puts doubts in our mind and tries to make us think they're our own thoughts. But I don't like all these thoughts, Dad. What can I do? Well, you can't always stop doubts from coming to your mind, but you can do something about them when they get there. What? First of all, don't talk your doubts. When you keep doubt out of your mouth, you keep it out of your heart. What happens if doubt gets out of your head and into your heart? That's when doubt really does its damage. It cuts you off from the blessing of God. How do you stop it from getting into your heart? By keeping God's Word in your mouth. Keep saying what you believe, not what you see, think, or feel. I believe I'm saved. Keep saying that along with Romans 10:9 and you'll find those doubts in your mind won't stay there long. Thanks, Dad. (He starts to exit.) And Oogene... (turning back) Yeah, Dad? Anytime you have doubts coming to your mind, it's a pretty good indication you already have what the doubt says you don't. I've never thought of it like that before. How did you get to be so smart, Dad? (He exits as Papa Greene chuckles.) SCENE 3: THE LIVING ROOM (One week later, Mama Greene has her hands raised, praising God.) Thank You, Father God, for my new car. I'm not looking at our budget. I'm only considering what You told us in Your Word. You said if we agreed in prayer, believing, You would do it for us. My husband and I agreed for a new car. I thank You for it. I have it faith. (Papa Greene enters.) Hi, Honey. Guess what happened to me today? What? I got a raise in pay. You know what that means, don't you? We're going car shopping! Thank You, Lord! Volume 2 4 Lesson 3

9 THE LESSON: (Rovercomer runs into class, holding his head, barking.) Rovercomer, what's wrong? Did you hit your head? He says, "No, but I need you to pray for me." Why do you want me to pray for you? (barks, then howls, as if he is crying) What do you mean, you're not going to Heaven? How can you say that? You had a dream two nights ago? You dreamed you died and went to Hell? (barks, excitedly) It seemed so real? (barks, excitedly) For two days you've had thoughts in your mind that you're not saved? (barks and then howls) It's driving you crazy? You want me to pray so you won't go to Hell? Now, wait a minute, Rovercomer. Let me ask you a couple of questions. First of all, do you believe Jesus died for your sin? (barks, nods head, "yes") Do you believe he rose from the dead and is alive today? (barks, nods head, "yes") And have you ever asked Him to come into your heart? (barks, nods head, "yes") Just as I thought. The "0" word. (barks, as if asking a question) That's right. The "0" word. The devil has planted doubt, the "0" word, in your mind and it's draining all of God's power from you. When you believe in Jesus with your heart and say it with your mouth, you're saved, Rovercomer. The devil can't take that away from you unless you let him. The way he tries to steal from us is using doubt. (barks, as if to say, "What can I do?") Volume 2 7 Lesson 3

10 Obey God's Word. Mark 11:23 says if you speak to a mountain, or problem, faith and don't doubt in your heart, it will be done for you. You need to speak God's Word to that doubt, and it will go. (barks, as if to say, "What do f say?") Repeat after me. I believe... '- (barks, as if repeating)...the Word of God. I believe Jesus rose from the dead after dying for my sin. Mark 11 :23 says......that if I speak to any problem and don't doubt in my heart then that problem must go. So, Mr. Devil... (barks with more confidence)... 1throw your doubt out of my mind. Get out and leave me alone! (barks loudly) I'm a Christian dog and I'm going to Heaven! (barks with great confidence) You say that felt good? (barks again with great confidence) That's right. Speaking and believing your faith gets doubt out. Now, listen. If that doubt tries to come back, what are you going to do? That's right. Speak the Word, Mark 11 :23, and all your doubts must flee. Say, that rhymes, doesn't it? Keep it up, Rovercomer. That will throw the doubt out. (exits) Volume 2 8 Lesson 3

11 Granada would go through a tremendous time of unrest and war." The light in the Captain's cabin burned well past midnight. Rising from his knees, there was a confident assurance in Captain Faith's eyes. "We have an assignment from the Lord, Sir Charles. We must change our course and set sail for the Spanish Colony ofnew Granada. " Sir Charles opened his good eye alld stretched his wings. "Awk, go to sleep. Go to sleep." Captain Faith smiled. "You go back to sleep, Sir Charles. I'll join you shortly." Captain Faith went up to the deck of the ship. The Captain made his way to the helm. "Burning the midnight oil again, Captain?" asked Mr. Smith. "God wants us to go to New Granada, Mr. Smith." "On the north side ofthe South American continent?" asked Mr. Smith. "That s the one." said Captain Faith. "We're headed in the complete opposite direction, Sir," said Mr. Smith. "You know what to do about that, Mr. Smith." "Aye, Sir," said Mr. Smith, /liming the wheel. "We're IIOW heading for New Granada." "Very good," replied Captain Faith. "Get some rest tonight, Mr. Smith. I'll see you in the morning. " "Aye, Sir," replied Mr. Smith The next morning Mr. Smith was called to the Captain's cabin. "Last night as I was praying," began Captain Faith, "the Lord showed me that in the nearfuture, New "Whats our purpose for goillg there, Captaill?" asked Mr. Smith. "The Lord has sent a missionary to that colony. I doil't know his name, but I saw his face in my prayers. God's going to use him to minister greatly to the people; however, I'm to warn him about some changes taking place, so he can prepare for them and not be caught offguard." "God doesn't want him to question his call and perhaps leave when the trouble comes." reasoned Mr. Smith. "Thats right," said Captain Faith. "Fear is the doorway doubt steps through to steal ourfaith. We're going so we can strengthen and encourage him. Inform the crew ofwhat we're doing." "Aye. Sir." said Mr. Smith. "And, Mr. Smith," said Captain Faith, "let's stay prayed up through this assignment. I sense the devil may try and stop us." "Will do, Sir." said Mr. Smith.., After a week of good sailing, a storm began to develop on the horizon. The storm was still miles away, and yet thunder could already be heard. Although the flashes of lightning were beautiful to watch, every sailor on the Salvation sensed they were in for a rough ride.. "How far away do you think the storm is, Mr. Smith?" asked the Captain. "Maybe an hour at the outside." said Mr. Smith. The waves were already building and the winds were increasing when the Captain shouted the instructions. "Take down the sails, Mr. Smith. How heavy are we?" "Not bad, Sir," replied Mr. Smith. "We're not hauling any cargo and our supplies are dowl!. " Volume 2 9 Lesson 3

12 "Good," said Captain Faith. "I'm going below to pray. Let me know ifyou need me. " "Aye, Sir," said Mr. Smith. The storm hit with a tremendous fury. As the Salvation was tossed up and down huge waves, water poured over the main deck. Sailors scrambled to hold onto something solid to prevent being washed overboard. After several hours of fighting the storm, Mr. Smith pounded on the Captain's door. M,: Smith spoke up, "I'm sorry, Captaill. I gave in to doubt when I said we weren '{ going to make it. " Most of the crew nodded their heads acknowledging their own doubt. "Remember, men, " said Captain Faith, "doubt may come to your head, but ifyou keep it out ofyour heart, it can't steal what God wallts for you. The fight offaith is lost just one inch below the nose. If you keep doubt out ofyour mourh, you can keep it out ofyour heart. Now, hoist the sails. It's on to New Granada!" "Captain' Captain'" Captain Faith opened the door, facing Mr. Smith who was drenched from head to toe. "Captain, we're notfairing well. The ship has suffered some damage and many ofthe men are fearing for their lives. " There was no response from Captain Faith. "Captain, didn't you hear me?" said Mr. Smith. "We're not going to make it!" Captain Faith's eyes locked with Mr. Smith's and he firmly stated. "The Lord said we're going to New Granada, and His Word, that's where we're going!" Captain Faith walked past Mr. Smith, making his way to the bow of the ship. The crew stared after him into the storm but could only make out the Captain's figure when the lightning flashed. Standing there with the wind blowing against his face and the water pounding his body, they expected their leader to be swept off the deck at any moment. Good weather prevailed for the remainder of the trip. When they anchored at New Granada, Captain Faith went about the task of finding the missionary God wanted to reach. After asking some questions, Captain Faith was directed to a small church. Both men saw each other at the same time, and for a moment were speechless. "I've seen your face ill my prayers," said Captain Faith. "And I've seen yours," responded the missionary. "God told me a man was coming who had a message for me. I'm Brother Elias. " The two men shook hands, and Captain Faith shared with Brother Elias what God had shown him about the future of New Granada. "I knew something was coming, but I didn't know what," said Brother Elias. "God wanted me eo encourage your faith," said the Captain, "and remind you not to lee fear and doubt rob you ofhis calling on your life." Suddenly Captain Faith issued a booming command, "Peace, be still, in the Name ofjesus'" In a matter of moments, there was a change in the weather. The wind began to die down and the rain stopped. Even the sky began to clear. When the crew realized what had happened, they began to shout and cheer. After a few moments, Captain Faith beckoned with his hand for the men to get quiet. "You should not have become fearful, men. The Lord told LIS to go to New Granada. The devil stirred up this stann to try and get us to doubt the instructions the Lord gave us-he almost succeeded. " "Thallk you for obeying God, Captain. This means more to me than you can ever know," said Brother Elias. "God's going to use you in a tremendous way, Brother Elias. Many people will be wall to Christ because ofyourfaithfulness to fulfill God's call. " The two men prayed together over the New Granada Colony. With his message delivered, Captain Faith returned to the Salvation and set sail once again. Volume 2 10 Lesson 3