Junior Bible Teacher September, October, November 2017 FALL QUARTER For Teachers of Children Ages 9 Through 11
Vol. CIII No. 4 Junior Bible Teacher FALL QUARTER September, October, November 2017 Editorials... 2 Daily Bible Readings... 4 Covenants with God UNIT I: Signs of God s Covenants Sept. 3 An Awesome Rainbow Gen. 8:20-22; 9:8-17... 5 Sept. 10 An Important Promise Gen. 17:1-14... 9 Sept. 17 A Special Day Exod. 31:12-18... 13 Sept. 24 A Spirit-Filled Heart Ezek. 36:22-32... 17 UNIT II: Called into Covenant with God Oct. 1 God s Covenant with Abram Gen. 15:1-6, 17-21... 21 Oct. 8 A Holy, Special Meeting Exod. 19:16-25... 25 Oct. 15 Obeying God s Law Exod. 20:18-26... 28 Oct. 22 God s Promise to David II Sam. 7:1-6, 8-10, 12-16... 31 Oct. 29 God s Pledge to the Exiles Neh. 9:32-38; 10:28-29... 34 UNIT III: An Everlasting Covenant Nov. 5 Be Faithful Num. 25:10-13; I Sam. 2:30-36... 37 Nov. 12 God s Great Promise Jer. 31:27-34... 40 Nov. 19 God Has Brought Us to Him Heb. 12:14-15, 18-29... 43 Nov. 26 What Jesus Did for Us I Cor. 11:23-34... 46 Writer: Elizabeth Shultz Edited and published quarterly by THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF THE GOSPEL WORKER SOCIETY UNION GOSPEL PRESS DIVISION Rev. W. B. Musselman, Founder Price: $2.10 per quarter* $8.40 per year* *shipping and handling extra ISBN 978-1-59843-514-6 Lessons based on International Sunday School Lessons; the International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright 2014 by the Committee on the Uniform Series and used with permission. Edited and published quarterly by The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society, Union Gospel Press Division, 2000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44109-5812. Mailing address: P.O. Box 6059, Cleveland, Ohio 44101-1059. www.uniongospelpress.com
Dear Junior Teacher: The Bible is filled with God s promises to His people. God promised a family to Abraham and a land to the people of Israel. He promised that the kingdom of one of David s descendants would last forever and that all who trust in His Son will have eternal life in that kingdom. God fulfilled all His promises with the birth and sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Now all who have faith in Christ will be children of God and heirs in His kingdom. This quarter we will lead our students through an exploration of God s promises. Lesson 1 tells the story of God s covenant with Noah and His promise to never again destroy the earth with a great flood. Lesson 2 explains the reasons for circumcision as a symbol of God s covenant with Abraham. This week we will also present Jesus plan of salvation to all students who are ready to join God s family of believers. Lesson 3 explains God s command to keep the Sabbath and how God s people can honor Him by observing a special day of worship. Lesson 4 uses the words of Ezekiel to explain God s promise of a new heart and spirit to believers. Lesson 5 describes the land God promised to give Abraham and how God prepared a place for all His faithful people. Lesson 6 tells the story of Moses meeting with God and describes what the people saw as Moses approached the mountain to speak with the Lord. Lesson 7 encourages students to obey God s commands and receive the blessings He promises to His followers. Lesson 8 tells of God s promise that the kingdom of a descendant of David will endure forever. This week will also offer students another opportunity to have a place forever in God s eternal kingdom. Lesson 9 shows the people of Israel returning to the land and repenting of the sins they had committed. Lesson 10 gives God s promise to raise an eternal priesthood to serve and honor Him. This week students will learn about Jesus as the eternal Priest who serves God and intercedes for believers. Lesson 11 tells of the promise of God s Holy Spirit to guide believers and direct their hearts and lives. Students will have another opportunity to commit their lives to God. Lesson 12 encourages believers to approach God in reverence and gratitude for the eternal home we have with Jesus Christ. Finally, lesson 13 instructs students to observe the Lord s Supper obediently in remembrance of Christ s sacrifice and the new covenant of God s grace. Throughout this quarter we will remember God s faithfulness and give thanks for the fulfillment of His promises. We will encourage students to obey His Word and make Jesus the Lord of their lives. Teacher, please be available to answer students questions and help them pray any time they are ready to commit their lives to God. God will see your faithful service and be pleased by how you show His love to your students. In Jesus name, 2 Elizabeth Shultz
Teaching Promises A covenant is a promise from God that He will never break. The Bible describes many promises from God. Some are conditional promises, dependent on the behavior of God s people. Others are promises that we can be sure God has fulfilled or will fulfill without any contingencies. God promised to give a family to Abram. He promised a land and a home to the people of Israel. He promised an eternal kingdom to a descendant of King David. Finally, God made His greatest covenant promise. God promised to send a Saviour who would offer forgiveness of sins to all who believe in Him. God promised eternal life in His kingdom to all who trust in the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. One needs only to trust in Jesus and accept Him as Saviour to receive God s promise of eternal life. However, we as believers can also make promises of our own to obey and behave in certain ways while we continue to live for God on earth. Teacher, please consider praying and making a few commitments of your own as you faithfully execute your duties in your Sunday school classroom. I promise to show compassion to my students. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things (Mark 6:34). Keep your promise to show compassion to your students by considering their needs. Speak to them with tenderness. Understand their questions and answer them thoughtfully. Teacher, please help to serve your students by offering them a welcoming and accepting classroom environment. I promise to study God s Word. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Ps. 119:105). Keep your promise to study God s Word by establishing a routine of Bible reading. Join or continue a Bible study group or class. Regularly attend worship services and connect with other believers who pursue and study God s Word. I promise to pray for others. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (Jas. 5:16). Keep your promise to pray for students by naming them individually in your prayers. Remember their concerns and needs in your requests. Praise and thank God for the many successes and joys of your students. I promise to faithfully perform the work God gives me. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10). Keep your promise by faithfully performing your teaching tasks. Remember to serve as to God and not for the approval of men. God will see when we faithfully execute our teaching duties. Teacher, we are blessed to receive many promises from God our Father. We are promised strength, peace, and love. We receive grace, abundance, and comfort. God promises salvation from sin through our faith in Jesus. He gives protection to believers through the guidance of His Spirit. He has given us His covenant to establish His kingdom forever and take all who believe to dwell there with Him. In gratitude for the fulfillment of God s promises, we may make many promises to Him in return. We can commit to show compassion, study God s Word, pray to Him, and do the work He has given us. Junior Bible Teacher 3
Daily Bible Readings for Home Study and Worship (Readings are for the week previous to the lesson topics.) 1. September 3. An Awesome Rainbow M. The Lord s Grace Toward Noah. Gen. 6:1-8. T. Entering the Ark. Gen. 7:1-10. W. Exiting the Ark. Gen. 8:13-19. T. Be Fruitful and Multiply. Gen. 9:1-7. F. As in the Days of Noah. Matt. 24:36-44. S. The Rainbow-Crowned Angel. Rev. 10:1-7. S. The Bow, Sign of God s Promise. Gen. 8:20-22; 9:8-17. 2. September 10. An Important Promise M. Sarah, Mother of Nations. Gen. 17:15-17. T. Ishmael, Father of a Nation. Gen. 17:20-22. W. Circumcision in Abraham s Household. Gen. 17:23-27. T. The Covenant of Circumcision. Acts 7:1-8. F. Faith Before Circumcision. Rom. 4:12-25. S. Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant. Heb. 8:1-8. S. God s Covenant with Abraham Reaffirmed. Gen. 17:1-14. 3. September 17. A Special Day M. The Sabbath Commandment. Exod. 20:8-11. T. Sabbath Day Remembrance. Deut. 5:12-15. W. Healing on the Sabbath. Matt. 12:9-14. T. Teaching on the Sabbath. Mark 6:1-5. F. Worship on the Sabbath. Acts 16:11-15. S. A Psalm for the Sabbath. Ps. 92:1-15. S. The Sabbath, a Sign of the Covenant. Exod. 31:12-18. 4. September 24. A Spirit-Filled Heart M. A New Covenant of the Heart. Jer. 31:31-34. T. Nations Will Know the Lord. Ezek. 36:33-38. W. The Lord Will Restore Israel. Ezek. 37:11-14. T. Restored as One People. Ezek. 37:15-23. F. A Covenant of Peace. Ezek. 37:24-28. S. Careful to Maintain Good Works. Titus 3:8-11. S. A New Spirit Within You. Ezek. 36:22-32. 5. October 1. God s Covenant with Abram M. By the Word of the Lord. Ps. 33:1-9. T. The Call of Abram. Gen. 12:1-3. W. Promise of Land and Descendants. Gen. 13:14-17. T. God s Promise to Sarah. Gen. 18:11-15. F. Promise of Land and Prosperity Fulfilled. I Kings 4:20-25. S. Abraham: Righteousness by Faith. Rom. 4:1-4. S. God s Promise and Covenant. Gen. 15:1-6, 17-21. 6. October 8. A Holy, Special Meeting M. Chosen Above All People. Deut. 10:12-22. T. Preparing to Meet God. Exod. 19:9-15. W. The Triumphant Glory of the Lord. Isa. 60:1-7. T. House of Israel, Bless the Lord. Ps. 135:1-9, 19-21. F. God s Glory Revealed in Jesus. Luke 9:28-36. S. A Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation. I Pet. 2:1-10. S. A People Called to Meet with God. Exod. 19:16-25. 7. October 15. Obeying God s Law M. The Voice of the Lord. Deut. 5:22-27. T. No Other Gods Before Me. Exod. 20:1-12. W. Right Conduct Toward Others. Exod. 20:13-17. T. The Fulfillment of the Law. Matt. 5:17-20. F. Jesus Precept on Anger. Matt. 5:21-26. S. Jesus Precept on Lust. Matt. 5:27-32. S. Learning to Fear the Lord. Exod. 20:18-26. 8. October 22. God s Promise to David M. David Anointed King of Israel. I Sam. 16:1, 11-13. T. David s Throne Established Forever. I Chron. 17:9-15. W. David s Preparations for the Temple. I Chron. 22:1-5. T. David s Instructions to Solomon. I Chron. 22:6-16. F. The Lord s Faithfulness to David. Ps. 89:1-15. S. David in the Service of Saul. I Sam. 16:19-23. S. God s Promise to David. II Sam. 7:1-6, 8-10, 12-16. 9. October 29. God s Pledge to the Exiles M. Assembled for Confession and Worship. Neh. 9:1-4. T. Acknowledging the Lord s Rule. Neh. 9:5-8. W. God s Long Patience. Neh. 9:26-31. T. Redeemer of Israel s Iniquities. Ps. 130:1-8. F. A God Who Pardons Iniquity. Mic. 7:18-20. S. God s Kindness Calls for Repentance. Rom. 2:1-8. S. Confession and Covenant Renewal. Neh. 9:32-38; 10:28-29. 10. November 5. Be Faithful M. God Is Always Faithful. Ps. 44:1-8. T. Doing Good to Jesus. Matt. 26:6-13. W. Serve the Lord and One Another. Rom. 12:9-18. T. In the Bonds of the Gospel. Philemon 1:8-16. F. Tragic Result of Idolatry. Num. 25:1-9. S. Contempt for the Lord s Offerings. I Sam. 2:12-17. S. Promise of a Faithful Priest. Num. 25:10-13; I Sam. 2:30-36. 11. November 12. God s Great Promise M. God s Love for His People. Jer. 31:1-6. T. God Will Bring Them. Jer. 31:7-9. W. God Will Regather Them. Jer. 31:10-14. T. The Children Will Return. Jer. 31:15-20. F. You Shall Know the Lord. Hos. 2:16-20. S. In Remembrance of Me. Luke 22:14-20. S. The Law in Their Hearts. Jer. 31:27-34. 12. November 19. God Has Brought Us to Him M. God s Awesome Power. Ps. 66:1-4. T. Covenant Blessings. Matt. 5:1-12. W. Not Neglecting the Covenant. Deut. 4:21-24. T. Praise God for Answered Prayer. Ps. 66:16-20. F. One Sacrifice for Sin. Heb. 10:11-18. S. Mediator of the New Covenant. Heb. 9:11-15. S. Receiving an Unshakable Kingdom. Heb. 12:14-15, 18-29. 13. November 26. What Jesus Did for Us M. Peace Through His Blood. Col. 1:9-20. T. Dishonoring the Lord s Supper. I Cor. 11:17-22. W. Contending for the Faith. Jude 1:1-4, 17-25. T. Preparations for the Passover. Mark 14:12-16. F. The Bread and the Cup. Mark 14:22-25. S. Celebrating in Sincerity and Truth. I Cor. 4:4-8. S. Observing the Lord s Supper. I Cor. 11:23-34. 4
LESSON 1 SEPTEMBER 3, 2017 An Awesome Rainbow LESSON: Genesis 8:20-22; 9:8-17 Standard Publishing - GoodSalt.com The rainbow is the sign of God s promise to never flood the earth again. GOLDEN TEXT I will establish my covenant with you;... neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth (Genesis 9:11). Scripture Lesson Text GEN. 8:20 And No ah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man s sake; for the imagination of man s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. 22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. 9:8 And God spake unto No ah, and to his sons with him, saying, 9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; 10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. 11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. 12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. 17 And God said unto No ah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth. Junior Bible Teacher 5
APPROACHING THE LESSON AIM: to help students appreciate God s promises to His people. We enjoy sharing the story of Noah s ark with our children. We recount the animals march, two-by-two, up the ramp; describe the Lord closing the great wooden door; and imagine forty days and forty nights of rocking wind and rolling waves. In the end we describe Noah opening the door and the animals emerging into the sunshine. Along with the light, God presented a phenomenon to reveal His faithfulness to man. God placed the rainbow in the clouds as a token of His promise to never again destroy the earth with the waters of a great flood. God declared, I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.... And I will remember my covenant,... and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh (Gen. 9:13, 15). People make many promises. Because we are human, we sometimes fail in our efforts to keep our promises. God has made many promises to His people. Because God is perfect, He cannot fail to fulfill the promises He makes. God s people can know He will always perfectly keep His covenant with His children. We can be sure God will do all He has promised. We enjoy the story of Noah s ark, and each time we enjoy a rainbow, we have a visible reminder of God s protection and promise. This week we will share with students the story of God s covenant and remind them to look to the clouds after the next rain for proof of God s special promise. (Teacher, if possible, bring large sheets of kraft paper or newsprint and enough markers for all students. Make sure you have chalk or markers for writing on the board.) TEACHING THE LESSON GOD S PROMISE Gen. 8:20-22; 9:8-11 You have probably heard the story of Noah s ark. You may already know that Noah built a great ark and welcomed pairs of every animal to safety with him inside. You may know the rain fell for forty days and forty nights, and all the earth was destroyed by the water of the Great Flood. After forty days and forty nights of rain and even more weeks of waiting for the earth to dry, Noah and the animals emerged from the ark and walked on dry ground. Noah was faithful to the Lord. He obeyed God and did all that God told him to do. Because of Noah s faith and 6 obedience, God protected Noah and his family from the Flood. Noah built an altar to honor the Lord, who had protected his family throughout the Flood. Then Noah sacrificed animals on the altar to show honor and gratitude to the Lord. God smelled the smoke of Noah s sacrifices, and God was pleased with Noah. I will not again curse the ground any more for man s sake (Gen. 8:21). God decided He would never again destroy the world with a flood the way He had just done. God declared, While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter,