Quarterly Objective: Learners will identify values which set God s people apart. June 3 Jacob s Lies June 10 Laban s Trick...

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1 Primary Teacher Summer Quarter, 2018 God s People and the World Quarterly Objective: Learners will identify values which set God s people apart. Unit 1 Values of Right and Wrong June 3 Jacob s Lies June 10 Laban s Trick June 17 Joseph in Adversity June 24 Golden Calf Unit 2 False Values Lead to False Worship July 1 Report of Twelve Spies July 8 Samson s Victory July 15 Dangerous Battle Strategy July 22 Saul and Agag...45 July 29 Witch of Endor Unit 3 Values of False Worship August 5 Jeroboam Turns to Idols August 12 Jesus Cleanses the Temple August 19 Arrested in the Temple August 26 The True God and the Island People Volume 2, No. 4, Summer Quarter, 2018 Writer: Lena Case Editor in Chief: Kyle Elkins, kyle.elkins@bogardstore.org Business Manager: Wayne Sewell, wayne.sewell@bogardstore.org 2018, Bogard Press, 4605 N. State Line Ave. Texarkana, TX

2 Unit 1 Lessons 1 4 Values of Right and Wrong Unit Objective Learners will identify values which lead to success with God and others. Boys and girls will know that godly values lead to success in our relationships. Learners will feel enthusiastic about having positive moral values. Everyone can choose godly character traits as a lifestyle. This Unit and Your Learners What this country needs is people who have solid values of right and wrong. Third- and fourth-graders are at an ideal age to choose for themselves whether or not to follow moral values that set them on the road to success with God and others. The character traits they practice now will become habits that go with them into the teen and adult years. Straightforward honesty, loyalty to God s standards and an enthusiasm for living above the ordinary lifestyle lead to joy and victory. These are qualities of a winner. To keep a clear conscience and to be an honorable person are goals within reach of every child. We cannot afford to postpone becoming champions for right. The need is now. To change our actions requires changing the way we think. The goal of this unit and this quarter of Bible studies is to lead children to see God s values as superior to the world s values. Both present and future results make choosing God s way more reasonable. God is always at work around us, and the lessons in this unit show His principles at work. When His people chose to ignore His values, negative results always happened. When they obeyed His will, great blessings were the outcome. Focus on leading children to experience God s best. They are not too young to enjoy abundant living in Christ Jesus by choosing to hear God speak to them and being obedient to His Word. God designed each of us to accomplish great things for Him. By living on the highest level of moral standards, God s people set themselves apart to receive great blessings. Overview of Bible Lessons The Bible stories in this unit vividly illustrate how values affect relationships of God s people. Jacob s Lies The birthright blessing for the firstborn son belonged to Esau, but through deceit Jacob received it. Family turmoil and breakup resulted. Laban s Trick Breaking God s Law always brings bad consequences. Jacob, the deceiver, was tricked by Laban in a marriage contract for the girl he loved. Joseph in Adversity Integrity and loyalty to God s moral standards gave Joseph courage to resist temptation. God blessed Joseph for being strong enough to stand against evil. Golden Calf Moral weakness yields to negative peer pressure. Aaron, Moses brother, gave in to the appeal of the majority and made an idol god which Israel honored. BULLETIN BOARD q Materials Needed: figures from Unit 1 Pattern Page, markers or oil pastel crayons, sky blue background paper, green paper, dowel rod or flat wood trim, five different colors of poster board, straight pins An interesting bulletin board correlating with the theme of developing godly character qualities can help teach Bible truths. Involve the learners in making the bulletin board so that it will be even more meaningful to them. Enlarge the figures on Unit 1 Pattern Page to the size needed. Color each with markers or oil pastel crayons. Laminate the figures and cut them out. Cover the board with sky blue background paper with a green overlay shaped like a hill. Arrange the figures with the bot tom edge tucked be hind the green overlay. Attach a small dowel rod or flat wood trim for placard sticks. Cut different colors of poster board for the five signs. Label each one with a different character quality. At tach them with straight pins stuck through each corner. Make them extend away from the background slightly. Letter Proverbs 20:11 on the green overlay. Add three cutout flowers on the right side and one in the lower left corner. 2

3 Unit 1 Pattern Page 3

4 Jacob s Lies Genesis 27 Lesson June 3, 2018 Jacob was dishonest with his father when he received the birthright blessing. u Lesson Objective Learners will tell how Jacob s dishonesty hurt both himself and others in his family. X v F Bible Principle Dishonesty hurts the one who is dishonest and it hurts others. Bible Insight Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 2 Corinthians 8:21 Life Application I will always be honest with others to keep a clear conscience and to be an honorable person because I know lying hurts everyone involved. Jacob Lied, Esau Cried Genesis 27 The domestic drama in Isaac and Rebekah s home illustrates a tangled web of deceit and lies. Their twin sons were opposites in temperament and physical characteristics with parental favoritism playing a major role. Esau, the firstborn, did not value his birthright inheritance and carelessly traded it to Jacob for a bowl of stew. Jacob was God s choice to receive the Abrahamic Covenant promise, but Rebekah instigated a deceitful plot for receiving it rather than waiting for God s timing. She convinced Jacob to go along with the scheme, and he lied to persuade his blind, aging father to give him the covenant blessing. 4

5 Lesson 1 Jacob s Lies 5 KNOW GOD S WORD Bible-time families had people with personality conflicts as common as dysfunctional situations of today. The Bible does not hide their flaws but gives us the ugly pictures of what happens when people do not follow God s way. This Bible story shows the pathetic results of adopting character values contrary to godly virtues. From birth the contrasting personalities of Rebekah and Isaac s twin sons showed clearly. Esau, the firstborn, had lots of red hair all over him; Jacob had smooth skin. Esau became an avid hunter and outdoorsman; Jacob preferred staying around the tent house. Isaac took a special liking to Esau because he enjoyed the deer meat provided by his older son. But Rebekah preferred the quieter nature of Jacob. Isaac felt he was near death. He was blind and probably got out very little. He knew he must pass on the covenant blessing God gave his father Abraham, so he made plans to give it to Esau. Isaac directed Esau to go bow hunting for a deer and cook it to his particular liking. Rebekah overheard the instructions and quickly worked to avert the action. She told Jacob her plans. He thought the scheme would never work since there was so much physical difference between him and his brother. She convinced him that it would work and assumed responsibility if it fell through. So Jacob became her accomplice in carrying out the deceitful plot. God had told Rebekah that the older son would serve the younger, and, perhaps, that knowledge compelled her to intervene in her husband s plans. Esau had flippantly given up his right to have the elder son inheritance when he traded the birthright to Jacob for a bowl of food years earlier. He was certainly unqualified to receive the covenant blessing that belonged to Jacob by God s direction. But it was an offense against God for Rebekah to prompt Jacob to get the paternal blessing through deceit. Had she been content to wait for God to accomplish this in His time, she could have avoided the pain and alienation the family suffered. Jacob succeeded in pretending to be Esau. Isaac was suspicious, but Rebekah s cunning mind had thought of all the possibilities and provided cover-up plans for them. Jacob had no more than left when Esau brought in the requested food for Isaac to eat. His father shuddered when he realized the truth. Esau was furious and sobbed loudly. Hatred for Jacob overcame Esau. He devised a plan of his own murder. Rebekah heard about Esau s plot, so she again cunningly devised a plan for Jacob. She would send Jacob to Haran to stay with her brother until Esau s anger cooled. She planned to send for him when it was safe to return home. She convinced Isaac that she could not stand it if Jacob married a Canaanite woman and that they should send him Prepare Your Room q Materials Needed: silk sunflower arrangement on natural burlap or denim, covered box, Item 1 Attendance Poster, Item 2 The Ten Commandment Poster, bulletin board arrangement, poster board, markers, scissors, miniature seals Sunflowers are an object lesson of nature. They reflect allegiance to the sun s power as they follow the sun s path across the sky. They remind Christians to be loyal to the Son of God in following His direction. Sunflowers remind us to look to the Son for power, guidance and ability to serve Him. They are summer s flower and will make colorful additions to your classroom decor. Make a basket arrangement of sunflowers and greenery to set on a box covered with a natural burlap or blue denim throw. Use about one yard of fabric over a sturdy cardboard box. Let the folds fall informally around the box then tuck the edges under on all sides. Set the basket on top and add a single sunflower with leaves on the fabric in front. Item 1 Attendance Poster in the visuals emphasizes choosing godly values during the quarter. Choose seals to correlate with the theme for marking attendance each week. Happy faces (choosing godly values is the happiness way), butterflies (new life in Christ gives us new goals), churches (where we receive God s guidance for living), Bibles (the guidebook for abundant living and learning godly values) or hearts (where we choose our values). Replace visuals, posters and displays from the last unit with fresh materials for this unit about Values of Right and Wrong. Get back to the basics with Item 2 The Ten Commandments Poster. Put it in a prominent place on the wall so that learners will notice it and read the commands God gave for loving and honoring God and others. Prepare the bulletin board display except the signboards. Have words for them lettered on slips of paper and poster board pieces cut for learners to make them. Provide learners with markers, scraps of bright paper and fabric or sewing trims, scissors, glue and a place to work. Invite early arrivals to each make a sign for the parade of godly values to add to the bulletin board.

6 6 Jacob s Lies Lesson 1 Vocabulary Words honest truthful, one who will not lie, cheat or steal deceit representing as true what is known to be false lie a false statement or action with an intention to deceive conscience knowledge or feeling of right and wrong to Haran to find a wife. He agreed and sent Jacob back to relatives to choose a wife. Rebekah never saw Jacob again. The few days turned into years. She died before he returned to the land of his inheritance which God promised to the descendants of Abraham. Lesson Set q Materials Needed: chair, piece of sheepskin or fake fur, blindfold Play Who Am I? Ask: How well do you know each other? (Call everyone by name and have each hold up a hand as you say his or her name.) Blindfold a volunteer. Lead him to a chair in which he will sit. Explain that Isaac was blind. He could not see his family members. Put the sheepskin or fake fur on another child s arm and have him kneel before the blindfolded person. Place the blind child s hand on the skin-covered arm of the other learner who says, I am Esau. Have the blindfolded child guess the identity of Esau. Say: The Bible story tells about a family deception plot that was similar to this game. The father was too blind to see, and his son tricked him by wearing goat skins on his arms. EARLY TIME ACTIVITIES q Materials Needed: newsprint, markers, scissors Keep in mind that you as a teacher will be molding and developing character this quarter. God s People and the World is a very relevant theme for third- and fourth-graders. Your learners are currently choosing friends and deciding on values that will guide them in their words and actions. Now is the time, while they still depend on parents and other adults for training to lay a solid foundation on which to build a life. Bulletin Board By involving learners in making the display for the bulletin board message, it will become more meaningful and permanent in their minds. (If you cannot make a bulletin board, make a poster with learners lettering the character qualities on pieces of paper to add.) Show the children the sketch of the finished bulletin board on Unit 1 introduction page. Invite them to choose a piece of paper with one of the sign words and make a placard for it. (Some learners will need the word before them to help with spelling.) Provide materials for adding a frame or design to the placard, but the lettering should stand out. Avoid getting the background so filled with designs that the word gets lost in the busyness. Discuss the values of having courage, integrity, being honest, loyal and fair. Let learners look up Bible verses that teach these godly values. Courage (physical or moral) is that strength of character which prepares one to meet and endure danger, adversity and suffering without yielding to an easy way out. See Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10 and Romans 8:31. Honest truthful, one who will not lie, cheat or steal. A child who practices honesty is one who will achieve success in developing character that God can and will use. See Romans 12:17 and 2 Corinthians 8:21. Loyal being faithful and true to any person, country, organization or idea to whom one feels or owes allegiance. See Matthew 25:21 and Revelation 2:10. Fair doing what is reasonable, right, honest, upright and impartial. Fairness is an essential value for anyone who hopes to gain respect from others. See Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31 and Acts 10:34. Integrity having sound moral principles, goodness, honesty and sincerity. This is a life value that makes one choose to do right when no one will know. Having integrity allows one to live above the littleness of getting even for wrongs done, of carrying grudges or cheating to get an advantage. See Proverbs 11:3, Galatians 5:22, 23 and 1 Peter 1:5-8. To Tell the Truth This activity guides learners to examine what the Bible says about the value of honesty. Form two teams. (One person may be a team.) Give each team a piece of newsprint, a marker and scissors. Have one group look up Hebrews 13:18 and write it on the newsprint. Have the other group find and write 2 Corinthians 8:21. Tell each team to make a puzzle of their written verse by cutting the newsprint into a few large pieces. They will put together the other team s puzzle. As the teams complete the assignment, quietly go to the team working on 2 Corinthians 8:21 and whisper for them to hide one puzzle piece so that the other team cannot finish the puzzle. When both teams finish writing and cutting, have them exchange puzzle pieces and assemble the verses. When the short-changed team realizes a piece is missing, ask, What? Did you get tricked right here in class? Say: Sometimes we play a trick just for fun. I asked the other team to keep a piece of their puzzle to illustrate what it is like to get tricked by someone you trust. Here is the other piece for your puzzle verse. (Give the team the last piece and let them read the completed verse together. Have the other team read their verse aloud.) Thank both teams and discuss what the verses say about being honest. Ask learners to suggest reasons why people trick one another. Let them tell how they feel when someone is dishonest and makes them believe something that is not true.

7 Lesson 1 Jacob s Lies 7 WORSHIP TIME DEVOTIONAL Brother Helps Brother, John 1:35-42 qmaterials Needed: copies of the skit Use this skit to involve learners in discovering Andrew s concern for his brother. Describe the setting, assign parts and let them present a drama with details given in John 1: Setting: John and two disciples are standing near the Jordan River when they see Jesus walking by. Characters: John, two disciples, Jesus, Simon (Peter) John: (Pointing to Jesus walking near them) Look! See the Lamb of God! (The two disciples look at Jesus, back to John and nod slightly as they turn to follow Jesus.) Jesus: (Turns slightly to see the two disciples following Him) What do you want? The Disciples: Master, where do You live? Jesus: Come and see. (Disciple One, Andrew, quickly gets his brother Simon Peter.) Andrew: Simon! Come with me! We have found the Christ! The Messiah is here. Hurry! We are going to see where He lives. (Simon Peter and Andrew hurry to catch up with Jesus and Disciple Two.) Jesus: (Looking at Simon) You are Simon, the son of Jona. You shall be called Cephas (Peter). (Peter, Andrew and Disciple Two follow Jesus off stage.) Substitute Bible-time puppets or draw stick figures on the board if you cannot do the skit. Andrew showed the kind of brotherly concern we all need. He wanted Peter to know the good news that Christ had come. Peter later became a great apostle for the Lord. He was a strong leader in the first church. His brother did him a great favor by bringing him to meet Jesus. BIBLE STORY q Materials Needed: Figures (Display figure 1-1.) Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons. The boys did not look alike at all and their personalities were as different. Esau, the older boy (point to Esau on figure 1-1), liked to be outside hunting. He was a rugged hunter with lots of hair on his arms and legs. Jacob (point to the other man in figure 1-1) was a quieter stay-at-home type. As the boys grew up, Esau became Isaac s favorite; Rebekah favored Jacob. Esau would go hunting and bring back a deer or other wild game that Isaac loved to eat. One day when Esau came home after hunting, he felt very tired and hungry. (Point out the food cooking in figure 1-1.) Maybe it was the good smell of the food Jacob cooked outside, but Esau thought he was about to die. Without a second thought, Esau gave Jacob his birthright for something to eat. That meant he gave up his rights as the firstborn son. In those days, when the father died the firstborn son got twice as much inheritance as other sons. Esau traded that birthright for a meal. Later, he would be sorry for doing that. (Remove figure 1-1.) Esau and Jacob were adults over forty years old at the time this story happened. Isaac was an old man who was blind. Esau, my son, come here! he called one day. (Show figure 1-2.) I am here, Esau told him. I am old, and I do not know when I may die. I want you to go bow hunting and kill a deer for me. Make me that delicious meat the way I like so well. Bring it to me that I may eat of it and bless you before I die. Esau left right away to do what his father asked. Rebekah overheard Isaac talking to Esau. God had told her before the twins birth that the younger one would receive the special blessing in their family. She decided she must do something at once to make sure God s plans happened. She found Jacob and told him what to do to get the blessing. (Remove figure 1-2.) (Pretend to share information in a secretive, plotting voice with a scheming attitude.) Jacob, I heard your father tell Esau he would give him the blessing. Now, listen to me and do what I tell you. Go bring me two goats. I will cook them the way your father likes best. You can take the food to him and he will bless you before he dies. Jacob saw a problem with that. Look, my brother is a hairy man and I have smooth skin. Father may feel my arms and think I am a deceiver. I would then receive a curse instead of a blessing. I will take full responsibility, his mother assured him. Just go get them. Jacob killed two young goats and brought them to Rebekah. She made Isaac s favorite dish. She got some of Esau s clothes with an outdoors smell for Jacob to wear. Then, she put the goatskins on Jacob s neck and hands in case Isaac felt him. She gave him the meat and fresh bread and sent him to Isaac. (Show figures 1-3 and 1-4.) Father, Jacob said probably trying to match Esau s voice. Who are you, my son? I am Esau your firstborn. I have done what you told me to do. Please get up and eat of my venison (deer meat) so you may bless me. How did you find it so quickly, Son? Because the Lord your God brought it to me. Come close to me so I may feel and know whether you are really my son Esau or not. Isaac could not see, but he thought something was not right. Jacob went close to his blind father. The old man touched Jacob s hands and felt the hairy skin. You have the voice of Jacob, but the hands of Esau, he said. Are you truly my son Esau? Yes, Jacob lied. Bring the meat to me and I will eat so I may bless you. Isaac still had questions. After eating, he said, Come give me a kiss, my son.

8 8 Jacob s Lies Lesson 1 Jacob gave Isaac a kiss, but Isaac was sniffing the scent of Jacob s clothes. Yes, you smell like the field which the Lord has blessed. (Replace figures 1-3 and 1-4 with figure 1-5.) Convinced at last, Isaac gave the paternal blessing to Jacob. Turn to Genesis 27:28, 29 to read the words of Isaac s blessing. (Take time to read the Bible verses aloud.) Isaac blessed Jacob, thinking he was Esau. (Remove figure 1-5.) Soon after Jacob left Isaac, Esau came in. (Show figures 1-3 and 1-6.) Get up and eat, Father, so you may bless me, he said. Who are you? Isaac asked. I am your son, your firstborn Esau. Isaac shuddered. Who? he asked again. Who, then, brought the food I ate before you came, and I have blessed him? I cannot take it back. He shall be blessed. Esau cried out bitterly. Bless me too, Father! Your brother deceived me. He took away your blessing forever. (Show the Bible story pictures for Lesson 1 in the learner s manual.) Esau asked his father over and over for a blessing. He cried out in disappointment. Esau hated Jacob for taking away his blessing. Esau felt Jacob had cheated him out of his birthright earlier, and now Jacob had deceived their father to get his special blessing. Esau s hatred grew to murderous revenge. He planned to kill Jacob after their father died. Someone told Rebekah about Esau s plan. She arranged for Jacob to go away to her brother Laban s home to find a wife. She thought Jacob could return home after Esau got over his anger. RESPONDING TO GOD S WORD q Materials Needed: Truth Teaching Picture Item 3 This story is an incident of deliberate deceit. Rebekah planned it, and Jacob carried out the cunning and careful deception of his aged and blind father. It was God s plan for Jacob to receive the blessing, but how much better it would have been if they had waited for God s timing to work out the details instead of taking matters into their own hands to get it. Rebekah never saw her son again. Lies and deceit tore the family apart. What are bad results of dishonesty? (Have learners turn to a neighbor and each name two results of lies and deceit. After thirty seconds, call for reports from each team. Have each name one result of deception. Make a list on the board or a piece of newsprint. Invite volunteers to name other results after each child has a turn.) In the Bible story, who were the losers and what did they lose? (Wait for learners to think about it and share ideas. If they need help, ask how they think Isaac felt when he realized that Jacob had tricked him. How might Esau have felt when he knew that his mother and brother had worked together to steal his blessing?) Who gets hurt by dishonesty in our lives? (The one who is dishonest hurts himself, and it hurts others.) What happens when family members cheat each other and lie to one another? (Mistrust, anger and resentment build.) Why is honesty the best choice? (Always telling the truth helps one keep a clear conscience. You are a more honorable and dependable person when you practice the value of honesty with everyone.) Honesty is a godly character trait that benefits everyone. People appreciate someone who is absolutely honest all the time. Lying or tricking people may help you get what you want, but there are always consequences. Jacob got the birthright and the blessing, but what were the consequences he paid? (He had to leave home for many years, he lived in fear of his brother s revenge, and he never saw his mother again.) (Display Item 3 Truth Teaching Picture. Discuss how any exit from truth is deceit.) BIBLE INSIGHT Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men (2 Corinthians 8:21). Put the puzzle pieces for 2 Corinthians 8:21 (from Early Time Activities: To Tell the Truth) on the table. Have learners assemble the Bible Insight verse and read it in unison as soon as they can recognize the order of words. Who sees everything you do? (God sees all that we do.) Someone said, You may fool all the people some of the time; you may fool some of the people all the time; but you can never fool God anytime. You may trick me or your teacher at school by telling a lie or deceiving in some way. You might even fool your parents at times. But there is one thing for sure, boys and girls; you will never deceive God. To keep your conscience clear, practice honesty in every situation. To be a trustworthy person whom God can use and people will depend on, be honest. Never practice deceit on purpose. Break the Sound Barrier Have everyone recite the words of the Bible Insight verse at least five times. Start in a whisper and get a little louder with each repetition. The last time should be very loud. Learner s Manual q Materials Needed: pencils, markers Learners need the reinforcement of take-home material for each Bible lesson. The learner s manual helps children build a wider concept of Bible knowledge and use thinking skills to apply information to life s situations, problems and experiences that are real.

9 Lesson 1 Jacob s Lies 9 Encourage volunteers to read aloud the Bible story found on the first page of each lesson. Reading and following as others read helps make details a more permanent part of memory. The character qualities listed on page 4 are desirable values contrasted with those to be discouraged, corrected or left to be outgrown. Ask learners to identify values which lead toward success with God and others. Let them take turns naming a godly character trait from the first list. Say: Think about it. Do you honestly believe that if you develop and use all the qualities listed there that you would be well on your way to being happy and developing good relationships with others? (Ask for a show of hands of those that think yes.) Now, the other list of the same length has opposite values. Have learners name the traits. Ask: How does this list make you feel differently in your spirit than the first list? (There is a negative tone that dampens one s spirit and enthusiasm.) How many think these are qualities that will help you become a well-liked, successful person? (Ask for a show of hands and an explanation from anyone who believes these qualities would help.) Note: remember, you are in the process of building godly character in the lives of your learners. If needed, lovingly correct any false misconceptions about these words to your learners. Jacob and Esau were quite opposite in character, but this story reflects mostly negative qualities about them. Allow time for learners to write traits they feel describe each man. Their personal list in the Me block should be positive values they want to develop as they grow up. With this list of words encourage the idea of, This is what I want to be like, and with God s help I will work toward becoming a person having these godly qualities. Quote the Bible Insight verse by alternating words. The first child says the reference, the second one says the first word and so on through the verse. If you have a very small class, go back and forth until they reach the end. Provide markers for tracing lightly over the words of the motto. Honesty is being truthful in words and ways. Assign Scripture references for the Honesty Checklist to read aloud. Wait for everyone to find the assigned verse. Then, ask each one to read the statement followed by the Bible words. Discuss any verses that need explanation. Read the title, Bible words and first three paragraphs on the fourth page aloud as learners follow in their books. Let them think about and discuss the definitions for the wrong values listed at the bottom of the page. Some of the meanings seem interchangeable and learners may choose either. Lie a false statement or action with the intent to deceive. Cheat to get something by tricking or acting dishonestly. Steal to take what belongs to another dishonestly or without permission. Deceive representing as true what one knows to be false. Make and Take q Materials Needed: scissors Let each child make a memory verse reminder with the make and take project for Lesson 1. Instructions are on the project page. Provide scissors for completing the activity. Discuss the tangled web of deceit that the first lie begins. Ask learners to name the lies Jacob told to get his father s blessing. (Claimed to be Esau, said he had done what his father told him, called the goat meat venison, claimed God helped him find the deer quickly and said the second time he was Esau.) One lie calls for another to cover it up. Later, we forget what we said and tell it differently to someone else. Soon, we find ourselves tangled in the terrible web of lies like a bug caught in a spider web. It is so much better to stay out of trouble by telling only the truth than to wish you had. Saying Good-bye Give a final challenge with words similar to these: honesty is a positive leadership quality. It heads the list in values desirable for those who serve as leaders. You can probably think of some public figure in business or government who practiced dishonesty with sad consequences. Practice honesty as a starting place to achieve great things for the Lord. It may be tempting to lie or deceive someone to get your way, but it just does not pay! Invite learners to join hands in a circle. Have prayer in which you ask God s forgiveness for times of dishonesty. Thank Him for restoring a clear conscience through forgiveness. Tell Him your desire to be open and honest to honor Him. Ask learners to bring wedding pictures of parents for the lesson next week.