Online Sunday School Lessons

Sunday School Lesson

2011-01-07T12:40:00.000-08:00

Pharaoh's Last Chance
(Fearing God)

by Craig

LESSON OBJECTIVE
Topics: Moses, Plagues, Fearing God, Hardened Heart, Wrath After completing this lesson, the children will learn to look for God's warnings about bad behavior and how we can benefit when we listen and obey God.
AS KIDS ARRIVE (15 minutes)
Warning Signs (Activity) Click here
OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISES (5 minutes) Further info? Click here

MEMORY WORK (6 minutes)
"Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble" Proverbs 28:14 Have the kids find this verse in their Bibles, and read it several times out loud. Have them close their eyes and try to say the verse again.
SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes)
Introduction: Last week we learned how God spoke to Moses, telling him to go back to Egypt to help free the Israelites from Pharaoh's grip. God gave Moses the words to say, and the power to perform miracles before Pharaoh to make him let the people go. To convince Pharaoh he was dealing with the one and only true God, He sent ten plagues on Egypt. A little later we will sing about these plagues (optional). But each time, Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not obey God. Instead, he did not let the people go. Our lesson today begins with the tenth plague. It was the most devastating plague of them all. It was Pharaoh's last chance. It was his last warning. Let's find out what happened. Exodus 11:1-8, 12: 29-32 (Pharaoh Finally Gives In) Discussion Questions: 1. What did God say would happen after this plague? (Pharaoh would drive the Israelites completely out of Egypt.) 2. What was going to happen to all of the Egyptian families? (All of the firstborn males, both people and cattle would die) 3. At what time was this plague going to take place? (Midnight) 4. What did the Israelites take from the Egyptian people? (Silver and Gold) 5. Why do you think Pharaoh let the people go after this plague when he didn't after the first nine plagues? (It affected him personally, taking the life of someone dear to him.) 6. Is having a fear of the Lord a good thing or a bad thing? Why? (It is a good thing, because when we fear the Lord, we become obedient to His Word and receive His blessings.)
CLASS EXERCISES ( 5 minutes and 15 minutes )
Hardened Heart (Object Talk) Click here The Passover (Skit for up to 9 volunteers) Click here
ALTERNATE CLASS EXERCISE (10 minutes)
The Plague Song (Song) Click here
APPLICATION (2 minutes)
Although Pharaoh was given many signs to know God was in control, he did not fear Him. Instead his heart was hardened and that led to disobedience. We have warning signs too. Not only are there signs that warn us about physical dangers, like we discussed earlier today, but the Bible is also full of warning signs. The Ten Commandments are a good example of some of these warnings, and there are many others. So what do we need to do to learn how to fear God and try to be obedient to Him in every area of our lives.
NEXT WEEK
What would you do if when we tried to leave this room today, the doors would not open no matter how hard we tried. Would you panic? Something very similar happened to the Israelites. Come back next week to see how they got out of their difficult situation.
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes) Further info?

TAKE HOME PAGE
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Sunday School Lesson

2010-12-28T12:37:00.000-08:00

The Life Of Moses (Lesson 2)
God Speaks with Moses
(God's Holiness)

Sunday School Lesson

by Craig

LESSON OBJECTIVE

Topics:
Moses, Holiness, Listening, Will of God

After completing this lesson, the children will learn that God desires to communicate with us and how important it is for us to listen.

AS KIDS ARRIVE (15 minutes)

Ways to Communicate:
As the children arrive, hand them a blank sheet of paper and a pencil and have them write down as many ways or things they can think of that people use to communicate. Give one or two examples (see below). After everyone has arrived, and jotted down a few things, write their unique answers on the board. Include any additional items of your own they could not think of. Then take a vote by a showing of hands which item the kids believe is the best or most effective way and the least effective way to communicate. Close the activity by saying, "There are many great ways to communicate, some are more effective than others, but God can communicate with us in miraculous ways. Today we will discover one unforgettable way God talked with Moses. Examples: Radio, Television, Books, Magazines, Loud speakers, Prayer, Angels

OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISES (5 minutes) Further info? Click here

MEMORY WORK (6 minutes)

"My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth" Psalm 121:2
The kids should be familiar with this verse from last week. Today, have the kids sit in a circle, and call out one name. That child will say the first part of the verse. The child to his left (clockwise) must say the second part of the verse, and the next child to the left say the reference. Do this several times so everyone has a chance to say part of the verse.

SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes)

Introduction:
Last week we learned about how God protected Moses by having the Pharaoh's daughter raise him as her own child. God had a plan for Moses from the time he was born. Now Moses is a married man, and it is time for God to tell Moses what to do. During this time the Israelite people who are living in Egypt are being treated very badly. The Egyptians are using them like slaves to do all the hard work. But the Israelites are God's chosen people, so God is going to use Moses to free them from their suffering. Our lesson begins with Moses tending the sheep belonging to Jethro his Father-in-law. Exodus 3:1-15 (The story of Moses and the Burning Bush)
Discussion Questions:
1. What was strange about the bush that Moses saw in the mountain? (It never stopped burning)
2. Why do you suppose God chose a burning bush as a way to speak to Moses? (To get the attention of Moses and to show His fearsome power)
3. Why did God tell Moses to take off his sandals? (Because he was on holy ground)
4. How did Moses react to God's request? (He didn't think he was worthy -said "who am I")
5. How was God going to help Moses deliver His message? (God would be with him)
6. Who was Moses to say sent him, if asked by the Israelites? (Moses was to say "I AM has sent me.")

CLASS EXERCISES (20 minutes)

Selling God's Word (Activity) Click here

ALTERNATE CLASS EXERCISE (10 minutes)

Old Time Telephone (Game)
Have the kids either sit in a circle or line up, and play the old telephone game to show how important it is to listen carefully to the Word of God. You can use the following phrases or make up your own:
1. When God spoke to Moses, He did it in a very strange way, by using a bush.
2. Moses was not prepared to hear what he heard up in the mountain.
3. God has a special plan for all of us, so we need to listen carefully to what the Word of God says.

APPLICATION (2 minutes)

God desires to communicate with us all the time. Sometimes however we are just too busy to listen to God. Perhaps we feel God has more important things to do than talk to us. But that cannot be further from the truth. God loves us very much and wants to tell us many things. That's why we need to take time to pray, and hear what God has to say. Let's pray now, and ask God to help us to listen to Him.

NEXT WEEK

If you really wanted to do something, what would make you change your mind. Next week we will learn about a man who wouldn't change his mind even when he was covered with flies and other creepy things.

CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)

TAKE HOME PAGE

Give one copy to each child at the end of the class to take home.

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-12-22T14:36:00.000-08:00

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON OBJECTIVE

Topics: Moses as a baby
Moses, Protection

After completing this lesson, the children will learn that God protects us and has a plan for each of our lives.

AS KIDS ARRIVE (15 minutes)

Draw the following chart on the board:

Things that protect us	People that protect us
(examples: bicycle helmets, seat belts, gloves)	(examples: Fireman, policeman, God)

As the children arrive, give them a sheet of paper and have them copy the chart from the board, or have copies already made up before class. Have them jot down as many things and people they can think of while waiting for everyone to arrive. When finished, discuss what everyone came up with and write unique items of the board for all to see.

OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISES (5 minutes) Further info? Click here

MEMORY WORK (6 minutes)

"My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth" Psalm 121:2
Have the kids find this verse in their Bibles, and read it several times out loud. Have them close their eyes and try to say the verse again.

SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes)

Introduction:
Today we will learn about the birth of Moses. Moses was born a long time ago in Egypt. But he was not an Egyptian. He was an Israelite. At that time the Pharaoh of Egypt gave an order that every newborn baby boy was to be thrown into the Nile River and killed, but baby girls could live. That doesn't sound fair does it? Can you imagine the sadness parents had when a baby boy was born? But this is a story about how God can protect His own chosen people, even during evil times like this.

Exodus 2:1-10 (The story of the birth of Moses)

Discussion Questions:
1. Instead of throwing Moses into the Nile, what did his mother do with him for the first three months of his life? (She hid him)

2. When his mother could hide him no longer, what did she do with Moses? (She put him in a basket and set him among the reeds in the Nile)

3. Where did Pharaoh's daughter find the baby? (Along the bank of the Nile among the reeds)

4. What was Pharaoh's daughter doing when she found Moses? (Bathing with her servants)

5. Do you think Moses was found by accident, or was it God's plan? (God's plan)

6. Who did Pharaoh's daughter find to nurse the baby? (His mother)

7. How do we see God's protection in this story? (God protected Moses from dying in the Nile River by allowing Pharaoh's daughter to find him and raise him as an Egyptian.)

CLASS EXERCISES (10 minutes)

Moses in the Nile (Skit for six children) Click here

APPLICATION (2 minutes)

We use many thingsto protect us for instance helmets, gloves and heavy coats in the winter. People also protect us from harm, such as firemen and lifeguards. God's protection is always there, even when we don't know it. He has a plan for us just like He did for Moses. Although things may seem difficult at the time, God is always working in us for the good.

The Bible says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

This week, everyone should spend some time in prayer, thanking God for His protection. Remember, our help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

NEXT WEEK

Did you ever hear a red rose talk? Come back next week and we will learn about something just as strange, but very true.

CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)

TAKE HOME PAGE

Give one copy to each child at the end of the class to take home.

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-11-22T12:51:00.000-08:00

The Golden Rule

To Remember: We should treat others as we want to be treated

Vocabulary
Love: putting others first

Lesson

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

God has always given His people guidance on how they should treat one another. We tend to be selfish, unless trained otherwise. But God wants us to be considerate of others. He said that we should treat others they way we would like to be treated. How do you like to be treated? With respect, listened to, not interrupted, loved, share things with, treated fairly, honest with, follow through on promises. If we like these things from others, it is only natural that others would like us to treat them the same. Display and discuss the iron rule, silver rule, golden rule. (Define on a chart: Iron Rule "Do unto others before the do it to me." Silver Rule "Do unto others as they do unto me." Golden Rule "Do unto others as I would have them do unto me."

SING: I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart

Love is not just a warm fuzzy feeling of affection, although it can include that. Love is putting someone else first in your life; taking care of what they need before taking care of your needs. The golden rule is love in action; treating others well, because others are as important as you are. Jesus said that Christians' love and caring for each other would be how the world identified us.

John 13:34,35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

True or False

God didn't always want people to love each other. F
We don't know how others want to be treated. F
Jesus cared for others more than himself. T
People around us can tell if we love one another. T
It is easy to be unselfish. F
The silver rule says: love those that love you. T
Loving others makes us like God. T

Activities

Discussion/Worksheet: Have students choose the "rule" applied in each of the examples (iron, silver, gold)

When Cain killed Abel. iron
When Israelites took revenge on murderers in the Old Testament. silver
When Christ died for us. gold
When we hit back. silver
When we lie to keep from getting in trouble. iron
When we forgive. gold

Printable Worksheet: Unscramble a verse about the golden rule

Memory Work:

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
PK "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Activities:

Think about how you like to be treated. Now choose one person you will make an effort to treat like this in the coming week. (Picking someone who is difficult to be around will make a significant difference in your week!)
Draw a picture of someone applying the "golden rule."
Act out the following scenarios, with both "silver" and "golden" responses. Discuss how the golden response promotes peace and love, and reflects Christ.
- A fellow student makes fun of your outfit in the lunch line. How do you handle it?
- You and a friend are telling your parents about your field trip. Your friend interrupted you and took over the story. He's leaving out parts. What do you do?
- You know someone who lies all the time. One day she asks you in you can help her with a project on Friday. You know for a fact you could, but you'd rather not. How to you respond?

Review Questions for gameboard

linguistic questions

Summarize the "golden rule". Treat others as you want them to treat you
Unscramble the word: veol (love)
Name the book where this lesson is taught. (Matthew, John)

activity questions

Act out someone who is not putting others first.
Draw a heart with your eyes shut.
Name something you will do this week for someone you don't like.

emotion questions

How do you feel when others let you pick first? special, happy
How do you feel when other people won't share with you? unhappy, disliked
How does God feel when we treat each other nice? happy, pleased

application questions

How should I treat those who don't like me? the same as my friends
In what ways has God treated you better than you deserve? he always provides for us, he blesses us with more than we need, he sent his son to die for us
In what ways can you treat others "like yourself"? Share the best of what I have, let them go first, treat them politely and kindly, help when needed

fact questions

Who treats us better than anyone else? God
Do we deserve God's mercy? yes
Who should we show kindness to? everyone

review questions

Why should we treat others well? 1) to be like God, 2) to show we are his children, 3) because we were treated well by God, 4) it is God's law
How do we determine how to treat others? We do what we'd like done to us
What example can we look to when we are uncertain how to act? Jesus

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-11-13T13:29:00.001-08:00

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"Called to Be a Winner"

Printed Text: 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:13

Background Scripture:1 Corinthians 9:24-10:13.

Devotional Reading:Hebrews 12:1-12.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

INTRODUCTION

At the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, John Stephen Akhwari, a runner from Tanzania, finished dead last in the marathon. Injured along the way, Akhwari hobbled into the nearly empty stadium an hour after the last runner had crossed the finish line.
The official filmmaker for the games, Bud Greenspan, asked the athlete why he put himself through so much pain to finish the race. Akhwari replied, "My country did not send me 5000 miles to start the race. They sent me to finish it!" (Roper, Out of the Ordinary, Discovery House).
When we trusted in Christ, we began the Christian race. Like the African runner, we entered the race not merely to begin it but to finish it! Therefore it is imperative that we persevere to the end. The Christian life is not a quick sprint but a long-distance marathon!
To successfully finish, we must "lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and ... run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).

LESSON AIMS

After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to:

1. Restate the positive and negative examples that Paul gives regarding following through to the end.

2. Draw one parallel between the ancient Israelites’ experiences in the wilderness and the challenges of modern Christian life.

3. Plan to overcome a specific temptations

Our Efforts (1 Corinthians 9:24–27)

1. What two athletic illustrations did Paul use to depict the Christian life (1 Corinthians 9:24)?

Since the Corinthians would have been familiar with both the ancient Olympic and Isthmian games that occurred in Greece, Paul used illustrations from athletics to press home his point. Although the ancient Greek games had few events compared to the modern Olympics, races were always prominent. As in all races, there is only one runner who receives the blue ribbon or the gold medal. "So run, that ye may obtain" (v. 24), said Paul. In short, run to win!
All those entering the Christian race should strive to cross the finish line. A similar thought is found in Philippians: "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (3:14).

2. What are some examples of modern “prizes” that we are tempted to pursue that pale in comparison with what is available through Christ? How do we keep a proper focus?

Some people go to great lengths in an effort to become famous or even merely popular. Others are willing to pour overwhelming energy into their vocation in an effort to obtain promotions or “self-fulfillment.” The pursuit of our culture’s status symbols-bigger houses, luxury boats, impressive cars, designer clothing, and the latest electronic gadgets-frequently dominates even the lives of God’s people. The pursuit of expertise in various hobbies can essentially become the pursuit of a fading crown. The pursuit of certain relationships can fall into this category.

Perspective is one key to proper focus. For example, the desire for a ______ _______ can be examined with the prayerful question, “Why do I really think I need a ^{______ _______} ?” Beware of the danger of rationalizing!

3. How was an ancient athlete "temperate" (v. 25)?

As in modern sports, ancient athletes had to be "temperate" (v. 25), or self-controlled, in order to prepare for their chosen event. Those unwilling to enter such strict training would prove unsuccessful.
The ancient athlete was willing to
commit to such self-discipline for a mere earthly reward, "a corruptible crown" (v. 25). The winner was awarded a simple wreath-crown that would quickly fade and become brittle. Even the gold medal of the modern Olympics will eventually be burned up (2 Pet. 3:10).
As Christians, we are running a race to receive an "incorruptible" crown (1 Cor. 9:25). As saints, our calling is to "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4).

4. What are some additional similarities between the Christian life and athletics that can help us live faithfully for God? Which similarity do you find to be most important? What hidden dangers are there?

One similarity is the single-minded focus required for success. Becoming a world-class athlete in many sports is a full-time job. Similarly, our development as disciples requires that we make spiritual issues the highest of priorities. The physical and mental exertion required to develop athletically is paralleled by the extreme effort required for spiritual maturity. We are sometimes lulled into thinking that Christian maturity can come without great effort. But Paul describes the process as very hard work.

But there is a pitfall: a few people focus so much on being spiritually minded that they no longer are able to “connect with” the unsaved. Shuffling off to join a monastery (house for monks), either physically or just in one’s thoughts, doesn’t help!

5. What did Paul mean when he said he wanted to avoid being a "castaway" (v. 27)?

Using himself as an example, Paul said that he was not like a man running aimlessly. He sought to stay on course and not become distracted by those things that might pull him off the chosen path (cf. 2 Tim. 4:7).

Changing the figure from running to boxing, Paul said that he was not merely shadowboxing, either. He was at-tempting to land blows where they would count.

As all athletes know, the human body must be brought into subjection. The body may want food or drink that may not be best for athletic training. The body may want to stay up late when it needs rest. The body may want to quit when the coach says to go on. So it is in the Christian life. The believer must live a life of self-discipline. "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34), Jesus said.

Even though Paul had "preached to others" (1 Cor. 9:27), he knew that he had to persevere to the end; otherwise, he might become a "castaway." This word meant rejected, disqualified, or not standing the test.

Paul is not only a Christian preacher, he is also one who plays in the game. That is, he not only preached the Gospel but he also lived by the Gospel's rules. True Christians, while confident of God's sovereign grace, are nevertheless conscious of their own battle against sin" (Barker and Kohlenberger).

Their Examples (1 Corinthians 10:1–5)

6. How was Israel "baptized unto Moses" (1 Corinthians 10:12) How does this relate to Christian baptism?

Having encouraged faithfulness by using athletic illustrations, Paul now turns to the example of Israel to stress the same point.
Although many of the Corinthians were Gentiles, it was appropriate to refer to the ancient Israelites as "our fathers" (v. 1). There is a continuity between the Old Testament saints and New Testament believers. Indeed, those who trust in Christ are "Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29).
After the ten plagues were visited on Egypt, Moses led the Israelites out of bondage and on their journey toward the Promised Land. "The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night" (Exodus 13:21).
The first major obstacle on the journey was the Red Sea. At God's command, Moses lifted his rod, the sea parted, and the people passed through on dry land. "The waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left" (Exod. 14:22).
That the people of Israel were "baptized unto Moses" (1 Cor. 10:2) simply means that they submitted themselves to the authority and leadership of Moses. Similarly, those who trust in Christ submit to His authority by being obedient followers of Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). As the Hebrews were "baptized unto Moses" under the old covenant (1 Cor. 10:2), so those rescued from spiritual bondage under the new covenant are "baptized into Christ" (Gal. 3:27). Christian baptism portrays what the blood of Christ performs (Romans 6:3-4).

7. Who was the "spiritual Rock" (v. 4) that accompanied Israel in the wilderness?

Once they passed through the Red Sea, the Hebrews found themselves in the wilderness. During their long and difficult journey, they relied on God to provide them with both food and drink. While God sustained them physically, they were also being spiritually nourished.
The "spiritual Rock" (v. 4) that accompanied them on this journey was Christ Himself. While we often think of Christ in terms of His earthly ministry, we must not forget that He is the eternal Son of God, who preexisted with the Father (John 1:1-3; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:1-3).
Although the Israelites had the very presence of God as they journeyed to-ward the Promised Land, "with many of them God was not well pleased" (1 Cor. 10:5). Consequently, the vast majority of those rescued from Egyptian bondage never saw the Promised Land (cf. Heb. 3:16-19).
The application for the Corinthian church was clear. Just because they had trusted in Christ and were baptized (Acts 18:8) did not mean they had arrived at the end of the journey. Like the children of Israel in the wilderness, they were facing many trials and temptations along the journey. In their arrogance, they may have assumed that they were above sin (1 Cor. 10:12). As with the well-trained athlete (9:25,27), though, perseverance and diligence are necessary to complete the race (Phil. 3:12-14).

Our Task (1 Corinthians 10:6–13)

8. What four examples did Paul give from the wilderness journey (vs. 6-10)?

Although we are no longer under the old covenant (Rom. 6:14), there are many examples in the Old Testament that are helpful to Christians. More often than not, these examples tell us what not to do. Paul selected four examples (or warnings) from the wilderness experience of Israel to encourage the Corinthians to faithfully and patiently endure.
The first example was a warning against idolatry. The incident alluded to was when Aaron made the golden calf (Exod. 32:1-6). Those unwilling to repent were slain by the Levites, and about three thousand perished (v. 28).
The second example was the Israelites' fornication with the daughters of Moab (Num. 25:1-9). Because of this sin, God brought a plague upon the people that resulted in the deaths of more than 23,000 people in a single day.
The third example was when the people became impatient and began to speak against God and Moses. They said, "Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread" (Numbers 21:5). Because of their complaining, God sent "fiery serpents" (v. 6), or poisonous snakes, among the people, many of whom perished. Only by looking with faith on the bronze serpent erected by Moses could the people be healed (Num. 21:9; cf. John 3:14; 8:28; 12:32).
Although there were several occasions when the people murmured (or grumbled) against Moses, the fourth example used by Paul probably referred to Korah's rebellion (Num.16). Besides the earth opening up and swallowing the rebellious leaders (vs.. 31-33), over 14,000 were killed by a plague (vs. 49). The "destroyer" (1 Cor. 10:10) is likely a reference to a destroying angel (cf. 2 Sam. 24:16-17; 2 Kings 19:35).
Significantly, the examples selected by Paul as warnings to the Corinthian church paralleled some of the very problems they were facing.

9. Why did Paul warn the Corinthians about falling (vs. 11,12)?

The things that had happened to ancient Israel in the wilderness "happened unto them for ensamples." "Ensamples" is an archaic spelling of the word "examples." The Greek word here is a form of the word tupos, which is also used in verse 6.
These Old Testament examples have come down to us for the purpose of "admonition" (1 Cor. 10:11), or warning. Those who are unwilling to learn from the past are destined to repeat those mistakes again. Many people think that they are strong. But this complacency leads them to become careless and undisciplined, leaving them unprepared to resist temptation. If the Corinthians would not receive this instruction, they were headed for spiritual disaster.
The phrase "upon whom the ends of the world are come" indicates that the warnings of the past find their fulfillment in the present. That is, they are relevant for those living in this current age.

10. How is God faithful to us when we are experiencing temptation (v. 13)?

This verse is one of the great promises of the Bible. First, no temptation, trial, or test that we face is unique. While we may sometimes feel that we are the only person facing a particular trial or temptation, this is not true.

The temptations and tribulations we face are "common to man," that is, they are the kinds of things all of us experience. To be sure, not every person will be tested in the same way, but we all are tempted. Since Christ "was in all points tempted like as we are" (Hebrews 4:15), we can be confident that He fully understands the plight of human beings.

Since "God is faithful" (1 Cor. 10:13), He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength to resist. In the midst of temptation we may not think this to be true, but it is. Therefore, we cannot blame Satan or others when we succumb to temptation. If we sin, it is because we choose to do so.
God also promises that with each temptation there is an escape route. Just as there are doors into temptation, so too there are doors out. Of course, Satan will try to make the temptation so attractive that we may not be looking for a way out. Like Christ (Luke 4:1-13), we must use the "sword of the Spirit" (Eph. 6:17), "the word of God") to gain victory over the devil.

^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{Several years ago, nascar driver Steve Park was involved in a serious accident when his steering wheel came off. The doors on race cars do not open, so drivers must crawl in and out of the vehicle through a window. To make this easier the cars are equipped with removable steering wheels.}}}}}}}}}}}}}

^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{Park’s accident occurred during a caution period in a race, when the cars move slowly around the track. While he cannot remember exactly what happened, it seems that Park turned his head momentarily as another vehicle approached on his left. In that split second, his steering wheel somehow detached. Park’s car veered suddenly and was broadsided by the passing car. Someone at some point had not securely fastened the steering wheel. That momentary loss of focus could have cost Park his life!}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{When Paul compares the Christian life with a race, he does not mean to encourage a competitive spirit. He means to stress our need to be prepared and vigilant at all times. Unfortunately, we usually do not know when trials and temptations will crop up; they often seem to come when we least expect them or are least prepared to deal with them.}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{The danger may be greatest when we feel the strongest, because at these moments a false sense of security may lead us to drop our guard. We therefore are on the alert constantly. We discipline ourselves spiritually so that we will be ready for any challenge that comes our way.}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{God, please give us the discipline and focus to remain pure in an evil world. Help us to keep focused on the prize ahead, and help us to draw on Your strength to endure temptations. Help us also to understand that You are a holy God and that You have called us to be a holy people for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{Stay focused and disciplined to win life’s race!}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{Anticipating Next Week's Lesson:}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{Next week's lesson introduces spiritual gifts and their importance to the body of Christ. Study 1 Corinthians 12:1-13.}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{LESSON SUMMARIZED BY}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{________________________________}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

**********************

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-09-20T08:30:00.000-07:00

ULC Sunday School
www.ulcseminary.org
Universal Life Church Seminary

**********

Sunday School Lesson 18

Hello,

   Welcome to our weekly Sunday School Lesson. We have created this feature to allow you to get regular weekly Sunday School lessons sent straight to you, for your use in teaching the young of your congregation. These lessons are on a variety of topics and we are neither promoting nor insisting on any particular point of view. We are also not checking them for accuracy. We are merely sharing what has been sent to us. If you don"t agree with the weekly topic or point of view, please just delete it and wait for next week"s.

        Our Faith - Twenty Lessons separated into four. (17-20)
        Lesson Seventeen

        Alas for him who never sees

        The stars shine through his cypress trees!

        For Life is ever Lord of Death,

        And Love can never lose its own.

        Whittier.

        I. THE TALK.

        We must turn to the New Testament for Bible light on the subject of life after death, not to the Old.

        Little Argument.

        Jesus rarely enters into any arguments with those who put questions to him on this subject. Once he replied at some length to the Sadducees, who did not believe in immortality, and ended thus:

        "As to the dead, and the fact that they rise from the grave, have you never read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the Bush, how God spoke to him thus: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God is not God of dead, but of living people. You are greatly mistaken."

        The Father's House.

        In another conversation, this time with his disciples, Jesus uttered these words:

        "Believe in God, and believe in me, too. In my Father's house there are many rooms. I am going to prepare a place for you."

        His Last Words.

        The last words Jesus spoke revealed his thought of the future:

        "Jesus called out loudly, 'Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit.' And with these words he expired."

        Other Sayings.

        But we are not left to these for our only light and information. Under all that Jesus taught, and through the life he lived, ran the faith in immortality that shows itself in three ways.

        Life Everlasting.

        The Great Teacher was always pointing out the way that led to life everlasting. Enter in by the narrow gate; strive and falter not; seek the pearl of great price; keep the lamp filled with oil.

        These and other similar teachings referred to the strong life, the good life, which was the everlasting life. Death could not destroy it.

        The Eternal Life.

        Jesus also exhorted men to be sure and obtain part in the life eternal. He did not mean by this that men should prepare and wait for some great thing to come to pass. Eternity is now and here. Eternity is God, and God is here and now. He who is "accepted of God" is already living the eternal life. It is not true or good to say, "Prepare for eternity," as though that meant some far-off time and place.

        The Victorious Life.

        And the third way Jesus taught immortality, or enforced its reality, was by calling on all to live the victorious life.

        Jesus sought to stir the sense of sonship to God in every heart, to make it strong, so that confidence would take the place of timidity.

        "Even now," said an apostle, "we are children of God, and if children, then heirs," -heirs of the gift of life everlasting, given to us by our heavenly Father.

        Q. Did Jesus often speak in figures?

        A. Most of his teachings are in parables, or pictorial form.

        Q. How ought we to read them?

        A. Always remembering to separate the idea from the imagery.

        Q. Is this especially true of everything he said about the future life?

        A. Yes. Great harm has been done by failing to follow this rule.

        Q. Can we think of any particular cases?

        A. Yes. About the resurrection and about heaven and hell.

        Q. What has happened in these instances?

        A. His allegorical, pictorial language has been taken literally.

        Q. What has been the result?

        A. The spiritual idea has been lost in the material description.

        Onward.

        We believe that every soul goes onward at death, but it may not go at once upward. It may undergo discipline for a while. Some souls are better prepared than others. It will not be the same to all, without regard to conduct and character.

        Upward.

        This means that the good, the noble, the honorable, are the spiritually minded.

        That he who loves the low and mean checks and hinders his progress here and hereafter: he is earthly minded.

        Such are the teachings of Jesus and of the writers in the New Testament.

        II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

        You will do well to elaborate what is only suggested in the lesson, and illustrate how Jesus spoke in metaphors, in poetic, pictorial language. It was Oriental; it was simple and graphic; it was understood correctly at the time. But in after times the idea became confused with the setting, and the frame was of more consequence than the picture. Jesus said little definitely about the future; but his faith in that future was evident in all he said and did.

        III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

            * Where do we look for light on this subject in the Bible?
            * Did Jesus enter into argument about immortality?
            * Why?
            * How did he once describe the future?
            * What were his last words?
            * Can you explain the phrase "life everlasting"?
            * "Eternal life"?
            * "Victorious life"?
            * Did Jesus often use figures of speech in referring to the future?
            * How do careless readers make mistakes?
            * Do we believe that all souls go onward and upward alike?
            * Why not?

        Lesson Eighteen

        When falls the night upon the earth,

        And all in shadow lies,

        The sun's not dead, his radiance still

        Beams bright on other skies..

        Minot J. Savage

        I. THE TALK.

        Q. What have we ascertained?

        A. That some kind of hope or faith in future life has always existed.

        Q. Was it clear and strong?

        A. No. It varied with the age and civilization of the peoples.

        Q. What light did Jesus bring?

        A. He taught a faith in everlasting life.

        Q. How did that help?

        A. By showing that he who has the true life now has proof of future life.

        If.

        Now let us see the consequences. If we believe in the progress of mankind onward and upward forever, then there are certain things we must keep in mind.

        Prepare to Live.

        The most important duty is to be ready to live, day by day. Sometimes we think our duty is to prepare for death, because that event seems so strange and solemn. But he who fills each day nobly will meet death triumphantly.

        Living Nobly.

        Living day by day does not mean a careless, ordinary way. We must make the most of our time, follow the highest examples, do good, and leave the world better. We must listen to conscience, and obey the truth as we see it.

        Dignity.

        Another thing to be remembered: If we are to live hereafter, then the present takes on more dignity and greatness. It is true, this is God's world, and therefore sacred and noble; but when we think of other worlds and continued life, we look out over a grander existence.

        Large.

        A plan that is made for a day only is not so large as a plan made for a week, while a plan for a week is smaller than a year's. At the thought of immortality we see endless opportunity, perpetual growth, that gives courage and strength. But, further, we lay our plans large for some results no few years can compass.

        Progress.

        What does progress mean? We may expect to know more. Many mysterious things will be made clear. Is there anything greater than going on and on, learning, enjoying more and more? Sometimes we have thought of heaven as a place where good people did nothing. Would you not tire of that?

        New Opportunities.

        We believe there will be new opportunities for those who have failed here, but who had noble aims. Circumstances are not our masters, but they have great power. We must not be hasty to judge. Some will go up higher, who failed, judged by the world's tests: others will go lower, who were praised by men. God knoweth all.

        Q. What now are the reasons for believing in the future life?

        A. That mankind has desired it.

        Q. Another.

        A. That it completes the present life.

        Q. Have we a third reason?

        A. We cannot think of the soul as dead.

        Q. Is this all?

        A. No. It is true to our highest conception of God and His justice.

        Q. Still more?

        A. Jesus, the greatest religious teacher, enforces the belief.

        Other Arguments.

        There are other reasons; but they are not easily treated in talks of this kind, so I omit them. Therefore, I come back to our first thought: If these reasons make our faith stronger, then we ought to be happy and brave. A wise man of old - Socrates - said, -

        "Be of good cheer about death, and know this of a truth, that no evil can happen to a good man either in life or after death."

        A greater than Socrates gave us the Beatitude: Happy are those that have been persecuted in the cause of Right, for it is to them that the kingdom of heaven belongs.

        The Eternal Goodness is our source of trust. We will go forward hopefully.

        I know not where His islands lift

        Their fronded palms in air;

        I only know I cannot drift

        Beyond His love and care.

        Whittier.

        II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

        Actual life, the life of today, interests the young. But his thought of a future life must be unfolded early, and taught in reasonable views. Not doing this, we run great risks of errors creeping in as life matures. Christianity did not create the idea of immortality, neither did it make clear the place where souls dwell in the next world. But Jesus deepened the reasonable faith in personal life hereafter, and asked us to trust the Eternal Goodness for the rest. Impress this is all ways.

        III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

            * What is meant by the poetry quoted from Mr. Savage?
            * How does a tree bear leaves and fruit?
            * How does it survive the winter's cold?
            * How does this figure apply to our subject?
            * What is everlasting or enduring life?
            * What is the best preparation for death?
            * How do you define "living nobly"?
            * How does the thought of another life affect our thought of this one?
            * What is meant by "progress"?
            * Can you give some of the reasons for believing in our "fifth point"?

        Lesson Nineteen

        I. THE TALK.

        We have now finished our talks on the five points. Let us add one on some things that follow. What are we intending to do with Our Faith?

        A. We will make it grow.

        Q. What do you mean by that?

        A. Apply it, enlarge it, enrich it.

        Q. How can this be done?

        A. By keeping the mind open.

        Q. Ought we to welcome new truth?

        A. Always.

        Q. Is there any danger?

        A. There is danger in refusing to listen to new truth.

        Three Ways.

        There are three ways of using a Faith, three ways of applying our religious belief.

        First, by making it strengthen and develop our characters.

        Second, by using it to organize a church and to create a denomination.

        Third, by putting it forth, with others, as a grand missionary cause, a gospel of "Good news" to the world.

        Q. Are there any dangers in this?

        A. Yes. And we must be careful.

        Q. What are some things to be avoided?

        A. Bigotry and persecution.

        Q. Can we be zealous for our faith and remain broad?

        A. Certainly.

        Q. Is it narrow to be in earnest?

        A. No. Some narrow minds are never enthusiastic.

        Universal Church.

        We often hear of a church universal. But that does not mean one church, one form of worship, for all. It means a unity of spirit and aim, - the spirit and aim of Jesus, with different churches.

        Q. How did Saint Paul speak of this?

        A. Different "administrations," different forms, but the same spirit.

        Q. What is meant by the "same spirit"?

        A. Love to God, service for man, discipleship of Jesus.

        Unity in Variety.

        If all persons accepted Our Faith, they would not necessarily think just alike or have the same church. This belief we have studied allows for variety of application and unfolding. That is one deep reason why we think it will spread and become powerful.

        Two.

        There are two words we must always remember, and keep in mind what they stand for in religion.

        Q. What is the first?

        A. Reason.

        Q. The second?

        A. Reverence.

        Q. How does the first help us?

        A. By showing us the truth.

        Q. What does the second stand for?

        A. Reverence is love and admiration for truth.

        Together.

        They work together. Reason gives us the truth, and reverence impels us to be obedient to the truth.

        Q. But is reason opposed to faith?

        A. No. Without reason we could not have faith.

        Q. Is faith greater than reason?

        A. Yes. Because we believe on and beyond what we know and prove.

        Q. What is faith without reason?

        A. Superstition.

        Q. What is reason without faith?

        A. Half-developed character.

        Q. Could the world go on a day without faith?

        A. No.

        Going Forward.

        As we go forward, loyal and zealous to Our Faith, how can we come into union with others and prove that we are truly "liberal"? Perhaps Rev. W.C. Gannett's four tests will do:

            * Freedom of reason and freedom of conscience.
            * Fellowship, the Spirit.
            * Service, the Aim.
            * Character, the Test.

        Vaster.

        There is a stanza by Tennyson that tells us well how we ought to use Our Faith:

        Let knowledge grow from more to more,

        But more of reverence in us dwell;

        That mind and soul, according well,

        May make one music as before, - but vaster.

        II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

        You can do an important service to the pupils, if you enforce the idea of this lesson. The right use and the full use of a statement of belief is yet to be understood by Christians. It must be made a source of progress in thought, of guidance in conduct, of joy in life, of fellowship in religion. "Creeds" and doctrines have been used in just the opposite ways. Let us prove to the world that our young people can learn a "faith," love it, and stand by it, with liberty of mind and breadth of view.

        III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

            * What must we do with Our Faith?
            * How do you explain it?
            * Ought we to welcome new truth?
            * What are the three ways of using Our Faith?
            * What two evils ought we to avoid?
            * What do we mean by "the universal church"?
            * What two words should we remember?
            * Can you mention Mr. Gannett's four tests of a "liberal"?
            * Can you repeat the lines from Tennyson?
            * Will you explain their exact meaning?

        Lesson Twenty

        A Summary and Review.

        We have reached the end of our talks. It seems to me fitting to five one more treasure into the keeping of memory. At the beginning we learned Mr. Mott's "Therefore." Now, as a summing-up, as a review, let us get well acquainted with Mrs. Clara Bancroft Beatley's valuable

        Exposition of Our Faith.

        I. The Fatherhood of God. .

        By the Fatherhood of God, we mean that God is a Father and that all are His children. God is more loving than the best father we know, or can in any way dream of. As children trust their earthly parents, so we trust the Father in heaven.

        If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?

        Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, as in heaven so on earth.

        II. The Brotherhood of Man.

        By the Brotherhood of Man, we mean that all are members of one family, and so are brothers and sisters. Our lives are happiest when we recognize this bond of Brotherhood.

        Therefore let us lay aside bitterness, and wrath, and evil speaking, and be kind to one another, forgiving one another.

        If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

        O Brother-man fold to thy heart thy Brother!

        Where pity dwells, the peace of God is there;

        To worship rightly is to love each other.

        Each smile, a hymn; each kindly deed, a prayer!

        III. The Leadership of Jesus.

        By the Leadership of Jesus, we mean that we believe that Jesus has shown the way of life beyond all other teachers. He has taught us that God is our Father, and man our Brother; and that heaven is within the heart. He has given us the Golden Rule of life, and has taught us the prayer that has never grown old. We accept him as our Leader, and would walk in his path.

        Where'er we walk, our Shepherd goes before.

        I am come, that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

        O Lord and Master of us all,

        What e'er our name or sign,

        We own thy sway, we hear thy call,

        We test our lives by thine.

        We faintly hear, we dimly see,

        In differing phrase we pray,

        But dim or clear, we own in thee

        The light, the truth, the way.

        IV. Salvation by Character.

        By Salvation by Character, we mean that the highest peace and joy can only come as we follow the right, forget self, and grow more and more toward perfection. We may have fine ideas of right, and recite Our Faith every Sunday, but only as we live the right, do we follow the Leadership of Jesus, and find the peace and joy of the Heavenly Kingdom.

        Not every one that saith unto me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.

        Behold the Kingdom of Heaven is within you.

        To be saved is only this, salvation from our selfishness.

        Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

        The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace!

        The tissues of the life to be

        We weave with colors all our own;

        And in the field of Destiny

        We reap as we have sown.

        V. The Progress of Mankind, onward and upward forever.

        By the Progress of Mankind, onward and upward forever, we mean that we were made to grow toward God, the Father of our spirits. There is no end to this growth. We have the hope of growing wiser and better as long as we live in this world, and of finding new opportunities of growth in the heavenly life to come.

        Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul,

        As the swift seasons roll!

        Leave thy low-vaulted past!

        Let each new temple, nobler than the last,

        Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast,

        Till thou at length art free!

        Leaving thine outgrown shall by life's unresting sea.

        In love to God and love to man

        Our simple creed finds ample scope;

        Secure in God's unerring plan,

        We walk by faith, are saved by hope.

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Sunday School Lessons

2010-09-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

ULC Sunday School

    www.ulcseminary.org
    Universal Life Church Seminary

    **********

    Sunday School Lesson 17

    Hello,

        Welcome to our weekly Sunday School Lesson. We have created this feature to allow you to get regular weekly Sunday School lessons sent straight to you, for your use in teaching the young of your congregation. These lessons are on a variety of topics and we are neither promoting nor insisting on any particular point of view. We are also not checking them for accuracy. We are merely sharing what has been sent to us. If you
don"t agree with the weekly topic or point of view, please just delete it and wait for next week"s.

        Our Faith - Twenty Lessons separated into four. (13-16)
        Lesson Thirteen

        I. THE TALK.

        We have reached the fourth point:-

        Salvation by Character.

        In using this word "salvation," we must be sure and start right. Why do we talk about being saved? What are we to be saved from?

        There must be dangers of some kind that are before us all. Firemen save persons from burning houses. Doctors save patients from death. Life preservers are made to save from drowning. Now what does religion save from, and how is it done? And, first, what are the dangers?

        Two Kinds.

        When we read history, we find there have always been two kinds of dangers, on of this world, and one of the world beyond. That is the way men have looked at the subject.

        The Strong Life.

        In order to escape the dangers of this world, men have tried to live the strong life; and they meant by that the good life. Because it was good, it was strong.

        Why Strong?

        Because a good life obeys God's laws, and he who is obedient to God's will is one with the power of the universe. The good man does not escape dangers of sickness, accident, and age; but he is free from punishments and sufferings that attend wickedness.

        The Other World.

        Then we find there has been a wonder and fear about the other world. Great questions came up. What ought to be done to make one's self ready for the next life? How would God judge the soul? What was the best way to prepare for death?

        Character.

        The wisest men have believed that the same way of escaping the evils and dangers of this world was the best way for securing acceptance in the life to come. And that is what we believe. So we say, Salvation by character, here and everywhere; now and at all times.

        What is it?

        But some one may ask us, What do you mean by "character"? And we reply, It is the whole result of our thinking and doing. It is what we really are, not simply what we say we are, or what we say we believe.

        Q. Suppose I say, "Character by salvation"?

        A. That is the same thing with a different emphasis.

        Q. Why do you prefer the former?

        A. Because it is the Jesus way, which is the truer way.

        Q. What do you more fully mean?

        A. To be saved, you must have Christian character: therefore, put the emphasis on character; the cause before the effect.

        Salvation.

        You see the argument: We can use this fourth point either way, Salvation by character of Character by salvation; but the first is far the better. Why? Because there are many strange ideas about Գalvation.ԠIt means to some an escape from an angry God; to others, a reliance on the goodness of another; in others, a profession of faith; to others, sacrifices and forms of worship; to others, acceptance of a scheme of theology.

        The True Idea.

        In our belief we think of "salvation" as rescue from evil and obedience to right, love of the good and hostility to the bad, and that salvation comes through God's help, by many ways, but greatly in the leadership of Jesus. Our own efforts joined with help divine makes salvation, makes character, makes the soul victorious in life and death. In that sense salvation is character. Just as surely and more accurately we can say character is salvation.

        Our Duty.

        Salvation by character is not easy. We are kept on guard all the time. We are warned not to believe in "good works" alone. We are obliged to look beyond, to help and light higher than ourselves. On the other hand, we are cautioned against lip service, and substitute merit. Our lives must have faith and works combined. "By their fruits ye shall know them."

        Morality Alone?

        No! Not morality alone.

        Q. What do we mean by "being good"?

        A. A life of two elements, -religious faith and moral purpose.

        Q. Can the Golden Rule exist of itself?

        A. No! It must have a spiritual inspiration.

        Q. What is meant by "spiritual inspiration"?

        A. The sanctions and power of religious sentiments.

        II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

        "Character Building," a manual published by the Unitarian Sunday-School Society, may prove helpful. But life, biography, are full of aids. Your object must be, in this lesson, to deal justly with both sides of the question, leaving the emphasis on character. We do not make ourselves. Yet we are in a measure responsible. Religion and morality, God and man, ideals and practice, -united produce character.

        III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

            * Are there dangers in this world?
            * Are there any in the world beyond?
            * How can we escape them?
            * What do we mean by "the strong life"?
            * What is character?
            * What is salvation?
            * How do they depend on each other?
            * Which do you call the cause, and which the effect?
            * What two things must be combined to make character?
            * Can you tell the meaning of "spiritual inspiration"?

        Lesson Fourteen

        I. THE TALK.

        When we search the Bible to learn the teachings about salvation, we find in the Old Testament stories and records of ancient habits. They belonged to the times when religion was not free from idolatry.

        Sacrifices.

        In order to please Jehovah, the people offered sacrifices of animals: sometimes they did not spare human lives. By such means, worshippers hoped to secure the favor and protection of God.

        Many Gods.

        There were those, also, who believed in more gods than one. These gods were always fighting, and the object of worship was to get the good will of the strongest. All these ideas belonged to the early times of the world. But in savage nations the superstition remains.

        Focus and Prayers.

        Another way to salvation was by repeating prayers and by going through forms. To keep safe and well, men wore charms and observed certain customs. This way is still pursued by many.

        The Prophets.

        Q. Did superstition go unrebuked?

        A. No. Among the Jews the prophets rose to protest.

        Q. Who were they?

        A. The greatest were Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Micah.

        Q. Did Moses teach the true view of salvation?

        A. Yes. He taught the religion of character and the holy life.

        Q. What did Micah say?

        A. "Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."

        Jesus.

        The prophets and best teachers in the Old Testament stood for salvation by character: they denied the claim that costly sacrifices could take the place of goodness and holiness. Now, if we search the New Testament, we see Jesus rebuking the other evil, -the idea that forms and prayers can be substituted for character.

        Plain Speech.

        The rulers and priests grew angry because Jesus spoke so plainly. He called some of them "whited sepulchres." He used the word "hypocrites." He declared they were the blind leading the blind.

        Jesus denounced these false leaders because they were making religion hollow and teaching the worst kind of doctrine. They were encouraging the people to believe that salvation could be secured by something else than character.

        In Meaning.

        Character means reality.

        Character stands for sincerity.

        Character represents conscience.

        Character has deep faith roots.

        Character flows toward an ideal.

        Isaiah.

        Jesus often quoted from the sayings of the prophet Isaiah when rebuking the people. Once he exclaimed:

        Well said Isaiah when he foretold such as you, in the words:
"This is a people that honors God with their lips, while their hearts are far removed from Him. But vainly do they worship Him, for their teaching is only the commands of men."

        Then he added, You neglect God's commandments, and cling to the traditions of men..

        Everywhere.

        All through the teaching of Jesus is this condemnation of the belief in salvation by habits, or external forms. He even says that at some future day many will come and say, "Lord, I did miracles in thy name." But they will be rejected, because their spirit and aim were not those of their Master.

        By the Well.

        One great saying of Jesus stands out, uttered at the well in Samaria: "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship spiritually, with true insight." Forms, prayers, habits, may help worship; but they are not worship itself.

        Right Understanding.

        With this knowledge of what the prophets and Jesus taught, we can understand correctly certain phrases.

        "Saved by faith" means made strong by faith in the right life, and daily striving to realize it, God helping.

        "Reconciled to God" means put into right relations of knowledge and obedience, knowing His laws, and obeying them.

        "Conversion" means turning about from the wrong path and going the right way, leading the right life.

        II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

        Here is a good opportunity to prove that the Bible is a record of religious development in the nation and the individual. Through superstition and idolatry shines the light of the prophets and of Jesus. The spiritual truths of the New Testament gather around the growing idea that reality and righteousness make genuine religion. The Old Testament said "righteousness," the New Testament says "righteousness and mercy." (Read Emerson's essay, "Character" and Spiritual Laws.")

        III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

            * Can you give the principal idea of the preceding lesson?
            * What is our object in this one?
            * How did the ancients try to get salvation?
            * Who rebuked them?
            * What was a prophet?
            * Against what evil did Jesus speak?
            * What did he once quote from Isaiah?
            * What did he say by the well at Samaria?
            * For what does character stand?
            * Can you explain the terms "saved by faith," "conversion,"
and "reconciled to God"?

        Lesson Fifteen

        How happy is he born or taught

        Who serveth not another's will;

        Whose armor is his honest thought,

        And simple truth his highest skill.

        Sir Henry Wotton .

        I. THE TALK.
        We conclude in this lesson our consideration of the subject, Salvation by Character.

        By looking into history and by examining the Bible, we have learned certain things.

        Salvation.

        Salvation means safety, strength, happiness. It means right relations. It means peace of mind and power of soul.

        Character.

        Character means completeness, righteousness, faith in God, and faith in man. It means conviction and conscience. It means worship and work.

        The Way of Jesus.

        Jesus taught The Way. Walk in it and you will be saved, he said. That Way was none other than the one we have described, - The Way of Holiness.

        Holiness.

        Holiness is whole-ness, and whole-ness is character. Of course, no one is perfect, said Jesus, no one is whole; but we are to strive for completer characters, and walk in The Way.

        Purpose.

        We are not saved - that is, we are not acceptable in the sight of God - because of what we do alone. Our works are sadly short of what we ought to do. But the purpose redeems us. We are estimated by our best efforts, thought those efforts may often fail.

        Completing.

        I prefer the word "completing," or finishing, rather than "salvation." It is true we need to be saved from many dangers, but our greatest need is to grow.

        We are incomplete, half-built, not fulfilled. Saint Paul preferred the word "completion," for he urged them of old to grow up into the full stature and strength of the children of God.

        Growth.

        Q. What is man?

        A. A growing soul.

        Q. What does he need?

        A. Knowledge and enthusiasm.

        Q. Is knowledge enough?

        A. No! We must add a love for God and man.

        Q. What is "completion"?

        A. Constantly coming nearer to an ideal.

        Q. What is the ideal of human character?

        A. The example of Jesus, his spirit and aim.

        Helps.

        There are many helps to character-making. While forms cannot take the place of religion, they assist. It is not right to say we will not go to church, we will not recite Scripture, we will not say we believe things, because some persons do all this in a wrong way.

        Examples.

        The study of biography is a help. Great lives remind us we can aspire and achieve. Read the records of noble men and women who were true to themselves and true to their Maker.

        Facing Forward.

        Always face forward. Look for more light. Never give up. Expect to grow and to ascend. "We are saved by hope," said an apostle. As long as you live, keep moving forward. Be true to the old, and be ready for the new.

        Tastes.

        We grow by our tastes. We are saved by what we like. These lines are worthy of memorizing:

        To live for common ends is to be common.

        The highest faith makes still the highest man;

        For we grow like the things our souls believe.

        We are in very truth that which we love.

        Punishment.

        I have not said anything about punishments. What are they? The penalties paid for breaking laws.

        Q. What are God's punishments?

        A. Intended to educate and help.

        Q. Do they come because of anger?

        A. God is never angry.

        Q. Does He forgive?

        A. He is always forgiving, and changes not.

        Q. What does He demand of us?

        A. That we obey His commandments as fast as we know them.

        II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

        In a sense this lesson gathers up the two previous ones. Bring out clearly the mutual relations of salvation and character. Show the fallacy of substitution religion, whether as sacrifice, charms, forms, or schemes of theology. But do not end with negative results: leave the positive impression last, -the greatness and glory of completed Christian character as title to "salvation."

        III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

            * What does "salvation" mean?
            * What does "character" mean?
            * What is meant by "The Way"?
            * Can you give another word for "holiness"?
            * What really "saves" any one?
            * How does the word "completion" bear on our subject?
            * What is our ideal?
            * What are helps to character-growing?
            * Will you explain the meaning of "punishments"?
            * How do our tastes affect us?
            * Is God ever angry?
            * What is obedience?
            * What is forgiveness?

        Lesson Sixteen

        As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. -SAINT PAUL.

        I. THE TALK.

        On our steady course we have reached the final, the fifth point of our belief:

        Progress of Mankind Onward and Upward Forever.

        Following our habit, let us first look backward to see what was thought about the future life in old times, the long ago of history.

        Something.

        We find, even among savages, something of a belief in immortality. But the hope was very dim, and not spiritual.

        Some believed that life was greatly the same in the future. The warriors fought and led the tribes to battle. The Indian buried his friend with bow and arrows by his side, -a sign that something would be needed of that kind after death.

        Egyptians.

        The people of old Egypt believed in a judgment day. There was nothing cheerful in the future, as we consider cheerfulness. Just where and how souls were to live never seemed clear. The body having served the soul so well was thought worthy of embalming.

        Greeks and Romans.

        These ancients talked about the Elysian Fields, where spring and joyous days were the portion of the blest. Suffering and darkness attended the wicked. But there was no progress. They seemed to believe in spirits and oracles and a world of supernatural beings. The body, having finished its service at death, was often burned, and the ashes put into an urn,-
our modern cremation.

        Norsemen.

        Those sturdy men of Iceland and Scandinavia had religious customs that recognized a future life. We have their poems and records paying honors to heroes and rulers who continued to be famous in gorgeous halls and lordly palaces beyond the grave. What became of the people, the human beings who were not great and famous, very little is told us that we can understand.

        Q. What was one old custom?

        A. The honoring of ancestors, parents.

        Q. Where do we find this now?

        A. In China.

        Q. What does it really mean?

        A. Gratitude to the departed, wherever they may be.

        Q. Does this show belief in immortality?

        A. Only indirectly, as a possibility

        Today.

        All of these beliefs, and many others we cannot mention, exist today, somewhere in the world. And in all ages, even to this time, men have thought about death, and wondered what it meant. Does it put out our life, like blowing out a lighted candle?

        Two Views.

        We can see, running through the ages, a dividing line. Some have always believed that what we call death is a blessing, a part of divine goodness. Others have always believed that it represented God's punishment of man for his sins. Here is a great difference.

        Q. What do we further find, looking backward?

        A. A view of this life as probation.

        Q. What does that mean?

        A. One test life for man, and then judgment.

        Q. What else was taught as true?

        A. Two places hereafter, one for the good, one for the bad.

        The New.

        By the light of Christianity and from the teachings of later times we have come to new truth.

        This life joins the next life.

        The next life continues this life.

        All life is progressive.

        Death is not a crisis, but a change.

        Judgment days are every day.

        Many Worlds.

        In olden times it was thought our world was the only one. The sun, moon, and stars existed merely to light the earth. Even our own globe was little known; and one tribe, or nation, thought itself to be the only important one.

        Enlarged.

        We have now a great thought. Thousands of worlds are discovered by the telescope. Human beings, all over the earth, are seen to be of one family. God is educating His children. As He has made a place for us here He will make a place for us elsewhere. We do not think now so much of heaven as a particular spot.

        The following lines fitly end our conversation at this time:

        We cannot think of them as dead

        Who walk with us no more;

        Along the path of life we tread

        They have but gone before.

        The Father's house is mansioned fair

        Beyond our vision dim:

        All souls are His, and, here or there,

        Are living unto Him.

        F.L. Hosmer

        II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

        The wise use of material relating to ancient customs and beliefs will prove interesting to the class. See Gould's "Beginnings," chapter on Immortality. Lubbock's "Prehistoric Times" is suggestive. Alger's "History of the Doctrine of the Future Life" is the great storehouse of facts.

        III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

            * What is the quotation from Paul?
            * Has some kind of belief in immortality always existed?
            * How have savages expressed it?
            * How the Egyptians?
            * How the Greeks?
            * What is the prevailing custom in China?
            * What two views of death have always existed?
            * Can you explain the saying, "This life is a probation"?
            * What is the "new view"?
            * How have we learned the new and better truth?

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Sunday School Lessons

2010-08-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

ULC Sunday School

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Universal Life Church Seminary

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Sunday School Lesson 16

Universal Life Church

Hello,

Welcome to our weekly Sunday School Lesson. We have created this feature to allow you to get regular weekly Sunday School lessons sent straight to you, for your use in teaching the young of your congregation. These lessons are on a variety of topics and we are neither promoting nor insisting on any particular point of view. We are also not checking them for accuracy. We are merely sharing what has been sent to us. If you don"t agree with the weekly topic or point of view, please just delete it and wait for next week"s.

Our Faith

Our Faith - Twenty Lessons separated into four. (9-12)

Edward A. Horton

1902

Lesson Nine

The Future (Commit to memory)

Great things shall be! A loftier race

Than e'er the world hath known shall rise,

With flame of freedom in their souls

And light of science in their eyes.

New arts shall bloom of loftier mould,

And mightier music thrill the skies,

And every life shall be a song,

When all the earth is paradise.

John Addington Symonds.

I. THE TALK.

The Brotherhood of Man advances slowly. What are the obstacles? Let us name some, and also give the cure for the troubles.

My Rights.

Many persons are always thinking of their rights, but rarely do they feel the responsibility of duties.

He who puts his rights first every time grows to be quarrelsome, sensitive, jealous, unhappy. Our rights are so combined with our duties as to make it difficult, often, to tell which is which. What are rights? How do we get them? Where do they come from? These questions go deep, and must be answered.

Greed.

Then men are greedy, pushing, over-ambitious. This is common, but a mistake as harmful as it is common. The old idea of looking after one's self, of fighting, continues. Whereas the best way to "get on," in a wise sense, is to do so with others. Selfishness is a poison. It does not show its worst effect at the first, but in the end it kills character and ruins society.

The Brotherhood is kept back by passion and pride, two old foes to human welfare. The cure must be found by giving early right training, by holding up noble examples, by shaming the mean and miserly spirit.

Happiness.

Wrong ideas as to happiness prevent the Brotherhood from growing. Some think money is everything; but dollars do not necessarily make happiness. Money is only a means to an end. It can help to things that are good, enjoyable, comfortable, uplifting. Money, when used as an idol, makes slaves of men. They think of nothing but adding to their wealth in any way possible. Their souls grow smaller while their treasures grow larger.

Government.

A government of the people, for the people, and by the people, ought to be a brotherhood. If it is not, it falls short of its best. Such a government is a Republic, and a Republic aims to deal justly by all men.

Patriotism.

QUESTION. What makes a true patriot?

ANSWER. Loyalty and love of country.

Q. How can these traits be shown?

A. By obeyi8ng laws, respecting officers, manifesting public spirit, and making sacrifices.

Q. Who is the bad citizen?

A. He who tries to get all he can from the government without giving anything.

Q. Who is the good citizen?

A. He who is willing to support and serve.

Q. Is there a Brotherhood of nations?

A. Yes. We should treat all peoples justly and with sympathy.

Justice.

There are three great reasons, as we have seen, why the Brotherhood of Man is entitled to our support. First, it is right. We are put into this world by a Being whose laws clearly point to equality and good will among men.

The Best.

Next it is best for ourselves to believe and extend this truth. A hermit in a cave may think it is best for his soul to live alone. He is mistaken. His own soul starves, and he cannot become what he ought to be in such a way. He needs society, books, life, duties, to draw out his character.

Christ-like.

The third great reason is that such a course is after the example of Jesus. It is following the precepts of one who taught the Art of Living. How to live wisely, nobly, happily, is the life question. Jesus gave us the answer to this question. Rev. Charles F. Dole has well expressed this:

"We believe in Jesus' way, as the way of God's heroes, the teachers, helpers, and benefactors of mankind. And we hold to the brotherhood of those who love and serve man."

II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

Questions of civic, political, and social nature are now prominent. Young people take early interest in these matters. But the chief purpose should be to develop a sense of personal responsibility. To lead the scholars to admire generous examples and to convince them that no one is exempt from a share in the grand work. Mrs. K. G. Wells's "Rights and Duties" and C. F Dole's "Citizen and Neighbor" are good sources for practical suggestions. Draw out your pupils; get them to discuss the subjects of meekness, non-resistance, forgiveness, almsgiving, arbitration, capital and labor, etc.

III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

* If we have more rights, do we also have more duties?

* Where do we get our rights?

* What are the dangers when we begin to think too much about our own comfort and pleasure?

* What is greed?

* Do you admire a miser?

* What is money, and end or a means?

* Does happiness consist in what we have or in what we are?

* What is a Republic?

* What is patriotism?

* Can you describe a good citizen and a bad one?

* Can you give the three reasons why we ought to work for the Brotherhood of Man?

Lesson Ten

I. THE TALK.

We have come now to the third point on Our Faith:

The Leadership of Jesus.

Before we get into our talk, let me read to you these verses from Luke. You will find them in the fourth chapter, verses 16 to 21. They bring up a beautiful scene in Nazareth, the home of Jesus, and give us a picture of his first preaching in the place where he went to church in his childhood:

Jesus came to Nazareth where he had been brought up; and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day, and stood up for to read. And there was handed to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book, and turned to the place where it was written as follows: Ԕhe spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.ԍ

He closed the book, gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

Then Jesus began to preach, and said, "This day are these words from Isaiah, the prophet, fulfilled in your ears, and unto your eyes."

The Meaning.

What did Jesus mean? This, that he had a mission, to lead his countrymen, the Jews, into a kingdom of God. In this kingdom should reign love, righteousness, holiness. As Jewish prophets had foretold such a Messenger, he, Jesus, was to do the work and deliver the message.

QUESTION. Was this the kind of leader expected by the Jews at that time?

ANSWER. No! They looked for a King, a great Ruler, who should lead to temporal, or earthly power.

Q. What was the name given to this expected leader?

A. Messiah, meaning the anointed one, the Christ.

Q. Had the Jews been looking long for such a King?

A. Yes, for many weary years.

Q. What is our view of Jesus?

A. that he came to help the world, so that, in spirit and in truth, men might worship truly, serve faithfully, and die bravely.

Q. What more?

A. We believe that by his "gospel" the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of God, even as Jesus prayed.

Looking Back.

Following the regular habit of these lessons, let us in this first one on this subject look back to see what has taken place. How far has this leadership been accepted, and what has prevented the world-wide "power of Jesus' name"? The Jews did not, as a whole, receive Jesus as the Christ. After his death his "gospel" slowly spread. For nineteen centuries (now in the twenty-first) it had been preached, and missionaries have gone all over the globe; yet there are more people who are not Christians than are named under Jesus, the leader. How is this?

Great Religions.

Other countries, old and populous have religions of their own. Mohammed, Confucius, Buddha, are names revered in other lands. In the teachings of those leaders are many things similar to the teachings of Jesus.

Errors.

Then we have hurt our own religion very often by presenting it in wrong ways. Sometimes by war, sometimes by erroneous doctrine, sometimes by bad customs, the Christians have made enemies of others whom they tried to convert.

Education.

A religion, such as we hold Christianity to be, needs education to go with it. Men's minds must be opened to truth, their hearts opened to ideals, their motives trained to high reasons. Now education is slow in its work, though sure.

Exclusion.

I think we ought to use the word "evolution" right here. A very easy word to understand. It means growth, unfolding, development. A cornfield in September is a result of evolution. A statue in marble is a result of evolution. A star in the sky testifies to evolution. A soul in the world is a witness to evolution. Christianity is in evolution.

Our Belief,

We believe in the Leadership of Jesus, because he really leads.

Because he shows an inspiring example.

Because his words are true.

Because his spirit is divine.

Because his precepts make for righteousness.

Because his faith in God and man is everlasting.

Because his hope is eternal.

Because his love is boundless.

II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

I think young people are always curious to know why, if Jesus was "sent of God," he did not conquer the world at once. Why does God allow his truth, so necessary to mankind, to linger on the way? In this lesson you can bring in modern thought to explain the mystery. Man is not recovering from a "fall": he is rising from a cradle. Jesus is the great type of human hope and possibility. His authority is from the power of God manifested in human sonship. It is a natural leadership, not a supernatural command. Lay these foundations.

III. QUESTION FOR PUPILS.

* What did Jesus do a Nazareth?

* Did he got to church there in his youth?

* Who gave him a book to read?

* Can you tell the name of the book?

* Is it in our Bible?

* Do you understand what happened?

* What kind of leader did the Jews expect?

* What does Messiah mean?

* Are there other great religions besides Christianity?

* Why does our religion spread so slowly?

* What does the word "evolution" mean?

Lesson Eleven

I. THE TALK.

What does the Bible say about Jesus? That is the second division of our present subject. To quote very much would fill too great space. I think the best thing to do is to take one saying, attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John, and dwell on it. The memorable passage is as follows:

To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.

Real Leadership.

This makes real leadership. Remember that Jesus was a "witness" in the full sense. He lived for certain truths, he suffered for them, he died for them, he has been honored and glorified for this martyr, witness example.

QUESTION. What is a witness?

ANSWER. One who testifies.

Q. To what truths did Jesus testify?

A. To the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man, Salvation by Character, and the Progress of Mankind onward and upward.

Q. Did he bear witness of himself?

A. Jesus asked that his works should speak for him.

Q. What name did he most often apply to himself?

A. Son of Man.

Q. Any other of frequent use?

A. Son of God.

Q. What did he call his disciples and others?

A. Sons of God.

A Difference.

You may be asked, Do you believe in Jesus? Or Have you faith in Jesus? Perhaps the reply does not come readily, for you have not thought out just what to say. Let us make it all clear.

It is one thing to have faith in Jesus, quite another thing is it to have faith about Jesus. We believe in Jesus as a leader. His spirit conveys to us a gift of healing and help. He arouses our own powers. He shows us a Way where we can safely walk.

Doctrinal.

The belief about Jesus is theological, and divides persons. Questions arise as to what he was by nature, how many miracles he did, where he should be placed in rank. We may differ, and still all have faith in Jesus, the leader. And our faith will depend for its power not on what we think doctrinally, but on our loyalty and love to the spirit and teachings of the Great Example.

What Jesus Said.

Q. How did Jesus command?

A. By love.

Q. What did he say?

A. Follow me.

Q. What rules did he lay down?

A. Serve man, your brother, and worship God, your Father, even as I do.

Q. How did he speak of his disciples?

A. We are one.

Q. What did this mean?

A. That, as God and Jesus were one in spirit and life, so Jesus and his followers may be one.

The Poet's Word.

(Commit to memory.)

"Peace on the earth, good will to men!"

Before us goes the star

That leads us on to holier birth,

And life diviner far.

O star of human faith and hope,

Thy light shall lead us on,

Until it fades in morning's glow,

And heaven on earth is won.

Revelation.

We often hear Jesus spoken of as bringing a revelation. What does that mean? This: Jesus reveals God by his life and work. Jesus reveals our own human nature, too, by his life and work.

Mediator.

Now we understand the word "mediator," which is found in the Bible. Jesus mediates, or brings together. His "gospel" helps man to know God better and to serve Him wiser.

Life.

Jesus is our leader because he makes life. He saw no death. He knew no end. He did not point to another world, and forget this. "He brought life and immortality into the light," says Scripture. He did not create religion, nor teach before others the truth of immortality; but he placed noble living and eternal life in the light of a deeper faith and a grander hope.

II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

Much of the old doctrinal discussion about Jesus is over. Yet some teachers may feel the need of opening the subject. Those who wish material will find excellent, concise statements, with Scripture references, in James Freeman Clarke's "Manual of Unitarian Belief," chapters on Jesus Christ, Faith in Christ, and The Work of Christ. See also Savage's and Dole's "Catechisms," chapters on Jesus, for the later treatment. Emphasize the inherent spiritual greatness of Jesus. It needs no artificial support. We of liberal views aim to make the claims of leadership normal, permanent, and true to the sayings of Jesus himself.

III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

* Can you repeat the Scripture passage at the beginning of the lesson?

* From which Gospel was it taken?

* What is a witness?

* To what truths did Jesus testify?

* What name did he most often apply to himself?

* Can you explain the difference between faith in Jesus and faith about him?

* Do doctrines divide people?

* Can we get along without doctrines?

* How do Christians come together?

* How did Jesus rule?

* What did he reveal?

* What is the meaning of the word "mediator"?

Lesson Twelve

I. THE TALK.

We will finish in this talk our consideration of the leadership of Jesus. We have looked back and seen the times when Jesus was born; how he was received; what was expected; and the slow spread of the gospel he taught.

We have also looked into the Bible to find out what Jesus said and did; what was said of him by others. Now comes the question. What ought we to do ourselves? What does this leadership mean for us?

His Words.

One of our first duties is to learn what Jesus said himself, and to distinguish between that and the words of others. Much of the trouble in churches and religion has been made by false reports of what Jesus said.

Theologians.

Many scholarly men have studied the New Testament, and honestly reported things about Jesus and his teachings which we do not believe. This is theology, or religion made into creeds. We must find our Leader in the Gospels, - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The Whole.

Then we must take the whole account, not parts. We ought not to build on single texts, or single verses. The search should be to know what Jesus had at heart; what his aim was; how he looked at the world in the large.

His Spirit.

In that way we "follow." We cannot do as Jesus did, exactly. He lived in a different time, in a different land, and talked in a different tongue. He does not command us to follow him literally. If we did, then we should not follow him really.

Aim.

If we aim for the same things Jesus had in view, then we follow him. Then we are his disciples. We have seen what those objects are. Wherever we are placed, the Jesus spirit and the Jesus aim can be maintained.

Explanation.

This explains the strange fact that there have been disciples of Jesus in every sect. Though divided in many respects, some have had the spirit of Jesus and his aim, and glorified the Father in heaven by good works.

Therefore.

Therefore, it is plain that we do not make Jesus our Leader, simply by believing certain things certain persons, however wise, have said about him. We are not any more successful when we build a church and make persons members in it, and call them Christians.

Not a Founder.

We must remember that Jesus did not "found" Christianity. As Dr. Furness used to say, it founded itself.

Q. What did Jesus say?

A. A sower went forth to sow.

Q. What did he mean?

A. That he scattered in the world religious truths.

Q. Did he use another figure?

A. Yes, I am the light of the world.

Q. What did he mean?

A. My life and works shall shine for all.

Another Explanation.

This explains the fact that churches are the results, and not the causes of Christianity. They are necessary, but they do not come first. Jesus did not create any churches. Saint Paul did, after Jesus had passed away.

Churches.

So I this way we can show loyalty to our leader by supporting a church. Because by combining we make the spirit and aim of Jesus stronger. "Together" is a noble watchword. You can be a "disciple" alone, but you can be a better one in company with others who are striving for the same things.

Church Universal.

These lines express very well the idea of the great discipleship, the membership of the world-wide church:

One holy church of God appears

Through every age and race,

Unwasted by the lapse of years,

Unchanged by changing place.

Samuel Longfellow .

The Test.

One remarkable incident recorded in Mark, the third chapter, reveals the real test of a follower. Jesus was preaching to a crowd; and a man hurried up to him, saying, "Your mother and some of your family are seeking you." Jesus replied, "Whosoever does the will of God, is my brother and sister and mother."

Why?

If we are asked, Why is Jesus your Leader? We can answer:

Because he is the greatest religious teacher.

Because he is the greatest religious prophet.

Because he is the greatest religious guide.

II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

If you make clear the spirit and aim of Jesus, the lesson of leadership and following will be evident. Many understand by "following" a blind imitation. Show the truth. Prove that the spirit and aim of Jesus make for freedom of thought, progress, manliness and real individual power.

III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

* Where do we best find what Jesus said?

* Have his words been misunderstood?

* Can we judge by a part?

* How do we "follow" Jesus?

* Can we do just as he did?

* Why?

* What do we mean by the "spirit of Jesus"?

* What, by the "aim of Jesus"?

* In what two ways did Jesus describe himself?

* Why support a church?

* Can you give the three reasons for acknowledging the leadership of Jesus?

********************

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-07-31T07:05:00.000-07:00

Universal Life Church

Sunday School Lessons

Our Faith - Twenty Lessons separated into four.

By Edward A. Horton

1902

Preface

Teaching doctrines in our Sunday Schools has always been viewed with distrust. Creeds have never been imposed on our children. But a strong feeling has risen in behalf of such a simple and central instruction as may bestow upon the young an intelligent idea of universal religion and genuine Christianity. “Our Faith,” as represented in the following lessons, is supposed to meet this desire. Indeed, one may call it a deep need; for religion without convictions must be very vague and uncertain, resting on the emotions. The “:Five Points” taught and enforced in the following chapters are so inclusive, so capable of indefinite expansion, so complete in their application to all life, that there does not seem to be any possibility of mental bondage or spiritual slavery.

On the other hand, these lessons will be found helpful in laying the foundations of character, conferring a reasonable religious belief, interpreting the Bible, and planting ever-growing truths in the scholar’s mind. The author of this statement of belief was convinced that it would be widely accepted in the twentieth century by the progressive members of all sects. This is coming somewhat true already, for it has been adopted in many of the so-called Trinitarian churches. Nothing similar has found such a wide use in our own churches and Sunday Schools.

The teachers using this in Sunday Schools, or parents teaching it at home, are advised to secure some of the books referred to in the lessons. These pamphlets or volumes will be very helpful, and they will also lead to still further supplies of information through the references contained in their own pages. The author of this manual believes that any Sunday School making a thorough course of these lessons will strengthen the cause of liberal religion in a most substantial manner. Religious convictions are the great need of the hour. Central truths such as these cannot be too deeply impressed or too much illustrated.

Edward A. Horton

Lesson One

Our Faith

THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD.

THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN.

THE LEADERSHIP OF JESUS.

SALVATION BY CHARACTER.

THE PROGRESS OF MANKING, ONWARD

AND UPWARD FOREVER.

I. THE TALK.

We are to talk together about Our Faith. It is printed above. Perhaps you would like to know where it came from and why it is just in the shape you see it?

It grew.

It is a great many years old, how many I cannot tell. Yes, it took hundreds of years to become what it is. You see a certain number of letters in print, not many, and you might think anyone could make this; but not so.

Many Men made it.

Wise men and good men thought and thought wrote and wrote, telling what they felt to be the truth about God and all things. We know what they did by the books that have come to us, many of them very old writings. All the time there was some more light, some progress, because the truth was shining in on man more from God. So there were many “faiths,” and there are now; for men do not see and think alike.

One Man.

At last one man, good and wise, wrote out what you find at the beginning of this lesson. His name was James Freeman Clarke, a preacher, much beloved and honored. He had studied the Bible, and knew all that had been said before. Instead of making a long one, he made a short “faith.” He said: “This is what people will believe in the Twentieth Century. This is what we ought to learn, remember, and love.”

Five Points.

We will call them the five points of our faith. Dr. Clarke thought that such simple, clear points could be understood by everyone. He did not claim them as original; but, as I have said, he told us they grew. They came as fruit on the great branches of the past.

The Truth.

We do not want to study these five points, if they are not true. But we believe them to be the truth. There are many other things that are true, which are not mentioned in this statement. No one can put everything into one short list. These are what we call “central.” They will always be true; and from them we may go, and to them return as long as we live.

The Wisdom of It.

Now is not this wise? Having this faith, you are like a man with a compass. The compass does not give you a map, but it tells you the points, and helps the traveler on the land and the sailor on the sea. We are trying to reach in life character, happiness, and usefulness. Our faith points the way, though we are so different in our lives. It makes everything safe and sure for all.

Other Faiths.

Some persons believe in different statements from this one. They are sometimes called “creeds.” I have nothing to say about those. This is ours; and we want to know some of the reasons why we believe it, and why we are trying to lead others to accept it. In the lessons to follow, each of the five points will be taken up, and we will try to make clear what they mean, what they ask us to believe, and what they command us to do.

The Three Gates.

There are three gates through which we must go to learn about our faith. I may call them The Gate Wonderful, The Gate Beautiful, and The Gate Dutiful. Or we can call the three The Thought Gate, The Heart Gate, and the Will Gate. You and I, and all persons, have those three gates by which great truths come.

II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

First of all, have the pupils memorize the faith. Let it be repeated in unison at each session of the class. Explain what is meant by the growth of Christian belief. Mention the councils and theologians who have contributed to this progress. Show how the teaching of Jesus has been slowly understood. Refer to the life of James Freeman Clarke, and describe how such a man, with open mind, gathered in truth from all quarters. Do not fail to make clear the value, the superior value, over all other “creeds” of one that embodies the central truths of religion. They need not be unlearned as we grow older, but they can be enriched. The Three Gates will be treated more fully in the next lesson.

III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

How old is this faith?

Did many men help to make it?

Did it grow?

What man put it into this form?

Can you mention anything about him?

What other name has our faith?

Is it like a compass?

Do we believe our faith to be true?

What kind of truth is it?

Was it wise to make it so short?

What are the names of the Three Gates?

References.

Those who use this course of lessons are urged to read on large lines. The subjects treated are very wide and inclusive, touching theology at all points. The works of Channing, Parker, Hedge, and Clarke, will be found helpful. For more particular aids, of a manual kind, I suggest James Freeman Clarke’s “Manual of Unitarian Belief,” Minot J. Savage’s “Unitarian Catechism,” and Charles F. Dole’s “ A Catechism of Liberal Faith.” Among the free tracts of the Unitarian Association are many well adapted to meet the present needs. I also advise the use of A. W. Gould’s “Beginnings.” All the volumes mentioned above will be available through the entire series of lessons. Among the books specially adapted for particular lessons are Minot J. Savage’s “Belief in God,” John Fiske’s “Through Nature to God,” and his “Destiny of Man,” George A. Gordon’s “The Witness to Immortality,” J. H. Crooker’s “Jesus Brought Back,” Professor F. G. Peabody’s “Jesus Christ and the Social Question,” Smiles’ “Character,” Kramer’s “Right Road.”

Lesson Two

I. THE TALK.

In our last talk I told you there were three gates by which we learned our faith. And I promised to tell you more about them. We shall use them in the coming lessons. Everyone can think, can feel, can act. Of course, we learn other truths by the same gates; but I want to show how it is with the five points of our faith in the talks we are to have.

Thought Gate.

I suppose animals think some, but how much no one can tell. How much do you think they think? We say the have “instinct.” But what is instinct? I call it a kind of reason, an exercise of mind. We have more thinking power, and can study ourselves. I doubt if a dog or cat or horse studies himself.

Wonder.

Now one of the first things that happened to man long ago was the habit of wondering. The first part of the Thought Gate is wonder, and that is why I called it also the Gate Wonderful. If we did not wonder, we should not be curious; and, if we were not curious, we should not learn anything.

Curiosity.

So the first ones who lived on the earth wondered at what they saw. The sun, stars, winds, hills, skies, excited curiosity. And ever since men have been thinking, searching, learning. They have passed in and out of the Thought Gate. What have they found out? Why, ever so much about the earth, its age, its climate, its contents; ever so much about the stars, navigation, and health; but, still greater, something about God, who made all these things, about the soul, about heaven.

Truth-seeker.

Those who were leaders in all this were called truth-seekers, and also God-seekers. Because when you go in by the Thought Gate, searching for truth, you are really searching for God. This is one of the ways “Our Faith” came to be found, -by the thinking power of man.

Heart Gate.

Now there is a second way, and I called it before, the Gate Beautiful, or the Heart Gate. It is beautiful because you have such lovely things with it, -music, pictures, poetry, and friendship. Our feelings are very strong. You know it. They sometimes carry us away. We like certain things, and we do not like other things. When we get excited and are stirred, then we are filled with feeling.

Good and Bad.

Of course, good and bad go through the Heart Gate, and that is true of the Thought Gate, too; but now we have in mind the good and beautiful. We can guard the Heart Gate: we can invite what we prefer to pass through it. We can make noble sentiments enter in and rejoice us.

Worship.

After a while the first men built places of worship, built altars, and worshiped God. They not only wondered and learned, but they found in their hearts a desire to pray and to sing psalms, and to speak of Him who made all things. This they did, -not as we do, but in their wild, ignorant ways. There was too much fear and superstition at the Gate Beautiful then, in those old days, so long ago.

God’s Goodness.

But now, with new light, we believe in God’s love. Something in our souls answers to His call. We cannot always explain this feeling, but the beautiful picture of a heavenly Father shines upon us. We are His children: we can speak to Him. This means much more than just thinking.

Will Gate.

One more, and we are done. To think and to feel, -these help us to understand God and religion; but there is another important way, -that of doing. First we think, then we feel, then we act. By the Will Gate come noble deeds, great examples, splendid reforms. Character is made by the will working steadily right on, in good habits.

Words of Jesus.

Jesus often spoke of the Will Gate, or the Gate of Duty. Not those who cried, “Lord, Lord!” but those who did what was commanded were to enter the kingdom of heaven. By doing our duty we honor our Father in heaven. Conscience is at this gate. So, also, is good-will, obedience, heroism. What a splendid array of companions! The martyrs, reformers, are there, and all the true, faithful ones from home, store, field, and office.

The Kingdom.

They all have one object, -to build a kingdom, the kingdom of God. Religion is a creed, is a prayer. It is also a work. That work is to make the world better. If we leave out the Gate of Duty, we destroy all the rest. So you see how all I have said bears on our faith. “Thy kingdom come!” That is a thought, and Thought Gate is open. “Thy kingdom come!” rings in our minds and stirs our hearts, and Heart Gate is open. “Thy kingdom come!” leads us to action, to do something noble and beautiful; and then Will Gate is open.

II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

The figure of the three gates is used to make the subject easier. Draw out the pupils as to animals and their power to think. Show how the truth-seeker is the God-seeker. There is a fine opportunity here to interest your class in noble examples of thinkers who have “thought God’s thoughts after Him”; in saints, who were great and good at heart; in reformers, who dared all to make religion a real thing, -thought, feeling, action. Explain how God comes to us, is revealed in us, by these three channels.

III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

What was the preceding lesson-talk about?

What is the subject of this one?

Can you name the three gates?

What is wonder?

Why are we curious?

What is the name for a truth-seeker?

What does the Heart Gate stand for?

Why is it beautiful?

Why do men build churches?

Can you give any other name for Will Gate?

What about faith and work?

What about building a kingdom?

Lesson Three

I. THE TALK

Before we take up the separate points of our faith and talk about them, I want to speak of another gate by which we receive great help.

Memory Gate.

If we did not remember anything, we could not think, feel, or act. So you see we are like four-squared towers, a gate on each side,-four great gates. By memory we are able to call up the past and add to it. This is the way history grows, and mankind climbs higher. We know more than those who lived hundreds of years ago, because we remember what they knew and remember all that has been said and done in the past.

Therefore.

So I ask you to “learn by heart,” as some say, to memorize a form of Our Faith now, at the beginning of our studies and talks. I think it better than to wait until we have finished. At the end I will give you something else to memorize. This we are now to learn was written by one of our leading preachers, Rev. Frederick B. Mott, a clear thinker. He believes in this faith, and tells us how to use it every day.

I BELIEVE IN THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD.

Therefore, I have no fear, but go about my daily work in trustfulness and gladness of heart.

I BELIEVE IN THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN.

Therefore, I love my fellow-men, and act with good-will toward all.

I BELIEVE IN THE LEADERSHIP OF JESUS.

Therefore, I follow him.

I BELIEVE IN SALVATION BY CHARACTER.

Therefore, I keep my heart pure, and my thoughts set upon high things, that I may grow into the life divine.

I BELIEVE IN THE PROGRESS OF MANKIND, ONWARD AND UPWARD FOREVER.

Therefore, the cares of this world cannot utterly weigh me down. The glory of the unseen is ever before me. I live not for this world only, but in anticipation of an infinite future.

The Greatest Thing.

The greatest thing in this world is religion. How is this? Because we are always wondering who made this world, and how it grew, and where we came from, and what we ought to do. When we are gone, others will wonder and think, too.

To Be and to Do.

But, the more we wonder and think and ask questions, the more we ask one particular question: What ought I to be and what ought I to do? No matter how large the world grows and how old the earth gets to be, there is always the greatest question about the greatest thing: What must I do about religion? How can I get the good out of it? Then comes a little word that helps us.

Now.

Yes! That small word is really a great one. Now! We are talking over our faith, in order to get something clear and strong from religion which will help us now. If it helps us now, it will help us by and by. If it is true now, it will be true in the future. If it is good for this life, it will be good for the next life.

I will Remember.

I must remember our faith because I cannot talk about it as I ought if I forget it. If we do not keep memory gate open, then we have nothing clear in our mind. You know how it is with those who travel. Some see and forget. Others see and remember a great deal, but it is blurred. Others see and can tell all about it. What makes the difference?

Picking Out.

I will remember because these points are keys, they unlock doors. There are great things and small things in the mind. Now the secret of getting the most good from religion is to learn and remember a few truths, they will call up the rest.

Growth.

I must remember, so that I can make my character grow. The first time we learn anything by memory, it is only just planted. We must keep it there faithfully in our thought, cultivate it with love and study, and then it grows and bears fruit. What we are depends very much on keeping in mind some great thoughts.

Wait.

You may reply that you do not understand some of the words. But wait. Learn them and wait. We all read many sayings we do not understand entirely at first. Indeed, we never know all they mean. But it would be wrong to omit learning them and treasuring them in our hearts and minds. Every day they will become clearer and dearer.

II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

The object of this lesson is twofold: to give a practical turn to the general subject, and to enforce the value of memory. Religious teaching with us has often gone too far astray from the best methods. We begin at the wrong end. Let us lay a simple, strong foundation: then we will build and decorate. If one lesson is not enough, take another in which to implant and illustrate the five points and comment by Mr. Mott. Have the pupils memorize them thoroughly. At the end of our course I will use Mrs. Beatley’s “Exposition of Our Faith” as another memorizing lesson. Talk over the differences between a religious faith that dwells on the future and a statement like this that concerns daily life. Explain the “logic” or “therefore” of religious truth. Define and defend the position that religion is the greatest element in human life, when viewed historically, or as a spring in human conduct.

III. QUESTION FOR PUPILS.

What is the fourth gate?

Why is it so important?

Could we become men and women without it?

How is it necessary in religion?

Who wrote some “therefores” about our faith?

Can you repeat them?

Are they intended to save us in a future life or to help us now?

What is the greatest thing in this world?

Why?

What is the greatest question in this world?

Why must we remember?

What is meant by “picking out”?

How does character grow?

What is meant by “learn and wait”?

Lesson Four

I. THE TALK,

Let us divide our talk about the Fatherhood of God, which is our subject, into three parts. Today we will look back and see what were the old ideas about God. In the next lesson we will take up what the Bible says about it; and in the third talk we must answer the question, What ought we to do?

In the Beginning.

Why is it not good for us to have some questions and answers now? In that way we can make clearer what we are trying to learn.

QUESTION. Did men think about God at first, long ago, as we do?

ANSWER. No, they had many gods.

Q. What objects did they honor in their worship?

A. The sun, moon, stars, trees, winds, mountains, and many other things.

Q. Were all these gods good?

A. No, some were bad.

Q. Did all the people have the same gods?

A. No, tribes and nations had different gods, and they were often at war.

Q. How do you explain this?

A. People were ignorant in those days. They made ideas of gods after their own passions.

Q. Was it fear or love that made them worship gods?

A. Mostly fear.

Q. What did the savages do?

A. They offered sacrifices of all kinds to make peace with their gods.

Afterward.

You see that wonder and fear were the beginnings of the thought of the Creator. As we stand by the Thought Gate and see what was in the minds of the peoples centuries ago, a strange procession passes by, until true ideas came.

Power.

The savages saw a great strange world. It was full of power, force, might. Storms, night and day, seasons and sickness, were stronger than they. So, to make friends with this Great Power. They did all they could. They bowed, terror-stricken, in prayer, they ran into caves, they worshipped in their blind way.

QUESTION. How was all this changed?

ANSWER. Men thought, and there came answers to their thoughts.

Q. What were the great helps to this nobler idea of God?

A. The teachings of Moses and of Jesus.

Q. Can we mention other important sources?

A. Yes, science, education in schools, the spread of discovery and civilization.

Q. How did these help to bring a true thought of God?

A. By showing law and order in all things.

Q. What do we mean by saying that we have answers to our searching minds?

A. God is Thought, and He answers the search for truth.

Q. What two words do we use in the place of wonder and fear?

A. Reason and love.

Q. Can we ever see God?

A. Only through His works.

Q. Do we learn of Him through ourselves?

A. Yes, very much, because man is the greatest creation of God we know.

Q What, then, should be our object?

A. To be good, wise, noble, because in that way we are able to understand God and His laws.

Growing.

Thus we see that man has been growing to a nobler idea of God. Why men did not know at first what we know now is something we cannot answer. The universe grew; this earth grew; everything has come up from beginnings. So we believe that the law of growth is a good one. I suppose other peoples after us will know more, and have a worthier idea of the Creator.

One Root.

In looking back, we see that there was one hope ,- to know more about the Creator. The old peoples were honest, and worshipped according to their light. Are we true to the light we have? It is very great. We believe in one God, who made all things, who rules all things in goodness, who is our heavenly Father. Such a faith ought to inspire us to be obedient, brave, and noble. An English poet, George Herbert, has truly said, -

All may of Thee partake;

Nothing so small can be

But draws, when acted for Thy sake,

Greatness and worth from Thee.

II. HINTS TO TEACHERS.

You have a fertile field here. The actual facts of early, primeval worship are always interesting to pupils. Trace briefly the growth of ideas about God. Give some account of old customs and superstitions. Yet preserve the line of continuous development. Show how the process of ascent has been natural and steady. Religions have changed, but religion has remained. Encourage the class to ask questions and to discuss the subject. Some memory work may be done, in the questions and answers here given, and the stanza from Herbert.

III. QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

Have you read anywhere about savages and their forms of worship?

Did the people of old believe alike?

Do they have the same faith?

Did one tribe have gods that were hostile to the gods of other tribes?

How did the men in old times explain sickness and calamities and death?

How do we explain these things?

Why are churches built?

Why is God worshiped?

Which is the greater, what we see or what we do not see?

********************

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-07-27T14:03:00.000-07:00

Universal Life Church

Sunday School Lesson 14

Rev. Kelly L. Routt

Sunday School Teacher's Guide

The Good Samaritan Lesson Plan

Agenda Item Approximate Time

* Greeting 1 min

* Morning Prayer 1 - 2 minutes

* Song "Love the Lord Thy God" 3 min

* Announcements 2 - 3 minutes

* Recap Last Week's Lesson 3 - 5 minutes

* Bible Reading Luke 10:25-37 2 minutes

* Discussion 15 min

* Group Discussions 8 min

* Wrap Up 5 min

* Bible Pictionary 15 - 20 minutes

* Closing Comments and Prayer 2 min

Note: This lesson intended for students in Junior High and/or High School.

Total time for lesson approx 55 to 65 minutes.

1. Greeting

Tips: Welcome everyone and ask that everyone take a seat.

Is there anyone who has returned after an absence?

Say a sincere hello to them by name.

2. Prayer

Dear Lord, we give thanks to You for bringing us here to study Your Word and learn from Your Message. Please help us to understand the importance of Your Teaching. We wish to learn both what it meant to those to whom You spoke and how it applies to our lives today. Help us today to learn who our neighbors are and how to show them kindness. We also ask, Lord, that You watch over those who cannot be with us today, whether they are traveling or have another reason they are not able to attend. Please show them in their own lives significance of the lesson we learn today. Bless us and the time we spend here together. AMEN.

3. Song

Suggestion: Find a song tying in with the reading for the day. Themes to look for are about giving aid, being a neighbor, or loving the Lord thy God with all thy heart.

4. Announcements

Tips: Give any news of the church or up coming special occasions.

Has anyone in the group received an award of some type?

Any birthdays in the coming week?

Are there any shuts ins from the church that could use a pick me up?

Be sure to ask if anyone in the class has an announcement.

5. Review of Previous Lesson

Tips: Ask someone to volunteer a quick sentence about the previous week's lesson.

Having a week go by since the lesson, did anyone have any more questions or concerns about the lesson?

Did anyone have something that happened during the week that reminded him or her of the lesson? Please share what happened.

If the lesson included some sort of homework or challenge for the week, have the class share some of the results.

6. Reading from the Bible Luke 10:25-37

Suggestion: Break reading into sections and ask students to read aloud.

7. Questions for Discussion

Suggestion: Optionally begin by taking a Socratic Approach.

"Before we discuss the importance of this story, we need to make sure we all understand what is happening in this passage. Let's help each other. Who is confused by anything in this passage?"

(Show of hands) Ask each person "What confuses you?"

"Who knows the answer to _______'s question?"

Encourage a short discussion between the two students. Be sure to listen for clues that might be off topic and rein them in gently. Ask for additional input.

NOTE: If time allows, review all of the following discussion questions. If time is short, use questions marked by " >>". (About half of the questions.)

Kelly L. Routt Page 3 5/4/2009

Questions for Discussion Continued

>>1 What is going on in the first 4 verses between Jesus and the lawyer?

2 Why do you suppose it is a "test question"?

3 Why is Law capitalized?

Jewish Law was religious as well as civil. What the lawyer responds to Jesus is found in Duet 6:5 and Lev 19:18 and Jesus in turn refers to Lev 18:5. This is similar to other Jewish summaries of the Law found in other sources of this period.

4 Is there another name for the Law that the lawyer recites?

"The Golden Rule"

>>5 Does the lawyer appear to be surprised by Jesus' reply that he has the right answer? Why or why not?

6 Why do you suppose the lawyer asks who is his neighbor?

>>7 Jesus doesn't give a direct answer to the lawyer's second challenge, does He? Does this give Jesus' lesson more impact or less impact? Why?

>>8 In the parable, two people walk by the man left for dead: a priest and a Levite. Does anyone know who the Levites were?

The Levites were amongst the holiest of people in Jewish history. Their duties are referred to in Old Testament in Numbers 3. Of course, the book of Leviticus derives its name out of the emphasis upon the duties of the tribes of Levi as priests.

>>9 Were you shocked to hear that the holy men did not help the man who was robbed? Why do you suppose they walked on the other side?

Questions For Discussion Continued

>> Read to Students: "The Old Testament gives many specific details about Jewish Law. Many rules existed about cleanliness and rankings of priests. Strict rules stated who can enter the Temple. Priests and Levites were Temple officials and highly visible members of the religious establishment. So when Jesus told this parable, people of His time not only understood that the failure of these two holy men to act as neighbors was a shock; they would have also understood that the Holy men were not allowed to come in contact with a dead body because then they would be unfit for Temple service."

10 Was the audience of Jesus Jewish or Christian?

Jewish, remember Jesus himself was a Jew, sent to help men be forgiven of sins. Christianity as a religion did not exist as we know it. Therefore, His audiences were other Jews.

>>11 What did Jews think about Samaritans at that time?

Among Jews, nothing good would be expected of a Samaritan, which makes his action all the more notable. See Luke 9:52-55. Their enmity was ancient and deep, of the sort only possible where there are rival claims to being true guardians of a common tradition (the Law of Moses). Jews considered Samaritans unclean. This is also referred to in the Old Testament.

>>12 Nowadays, we call any stranger that does a good deed for someone in need a "Good Samaritan." Do you think Jesus purposefully chose a Samaritan to illustrate to the lawyer who his neighbor is?

Do you think our modern definition lacks the impact the meaning of Samaritan had on people who heard Jesus speak? Why or why not?

>>13 The story ends with Jesus telling the lawyer "go and do as he did." What do you think Jesus means by this? Based on Jesus' answer to the lawyer, who are your neighbors?

8. Group Discussion

Break into two or three groups, depending on class size.

Imagine you were retelling this story today.

What groups of people in modern day society might substitute for Samaritan to have the impact Jesus had on followers of his day?

What kinds of things could you do this week to help other people?

Do you think it will be hard to help someone you do not like as much as the Jews and Samaritans disliked each other?

Do you think it would be hard to accept help from someone you do not like?

9. Wrap Up Lesson

Ask one member of each group to share the group's best answers. Write these answers on the board (if you have one).

Read to Students: This story of the parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us of one of Jesus' most important teachings. He teaches this lesson over and over in different ways throughout the New Testament. This is the Golden Rule demonstrated in a story. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We could perhaps say this law is really where all other laws have their basis. If we are showing kindness to our neighbor no matter who they are, we will always do what is right.

From the answers provided in the group discussions, encourage the class to decide on a challenge they will take to help other people in the coming week.

For example, they could offer to pick up trash on the campus of a rival school or the grounds of a place of worship for a faith other than their own. In this way, they could demonstrate the meaning Jesus intended when he chose a Samaritan as the neighbor to emulate in this story. Depending on the ages of the class, an adult may want to coordinate the arrangements.

Kelly L. Routt Page 6 5/4/2009

10. Bible Pictionary

Break into 2 or 3 teams depending on class size.

Class Instructor acts as referee.

A person from each team will take turns at the board drawing a word or phrase from the Bible. Team members will have 20 seconds to guess the word. Score one point for correct answer.

The team member that guesses the word can earn one additional point for the team by correctly identifying the significance of the word in relation to a Bible lesson or story. For example, a serpent could signify Adam and Eve or it could signify Aaron's staff turning into a serpent.

WORD LIST

Church

King

Ark

Dove

Apple

Slingshot

Crown

Cross

Bread

Fish

Burning

Mustard seed

Manger

Star

Oil lamp

Altar

Fisherman

Boat

Cup of wine

Trumpet

Angel

River

Shepherd

Throne

Tablet

Whale

Shining

Sandals

Well

Sheep

Red Sea

Rainbow

Clouds

Prayer

Needle

Lion

Magi

Road

Nail

Donkey

Basket

Robe

Harp

Mountain

Valley

Love

Door

Grapes

Bethlehem

Last Supper

Of course, you may provide some sort of reward or prize to the winners. Lacking a prize, however, losing team(s) must straighten the room after closing prayer and before being dismissed for the day.

Kelly L. Routt Page 7 5/4/2009

11. Closing Comments and Prayer

Thank students for their attentiveness, creativity and hard work. Remind them to look for opportunities throughout the coming week to be a Good Samaritan as Jesus intended. If none arises, ask them to notice other people being Good Samaritans.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the time and lessen we shared together. Help us to see that our neighbors are everywhere and from every walk of life. Help us to be aware of those around us who may need help, however large or small, especially when they are in some way different from us. Let us begin this week to notice how important this lessen really is, how rich in meaning it becomes when we know how Samaritans were shunned in Your days in Earth. May we grow, Lord, by living the example set forth in this parable. Keep us safe, we pray. And if some trouble should befall any of us, please send a Samaritan to look after us. May we recognize the good he or she does regardless of our differences. Bless us all this week, we ask of You. AMEN.

NOTES

Kelly L. Routt

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-07-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

Sunday School Lesson 13

Universal Life Church

Parable of the Sower

Seeds That Fall on the Rocky Places by Mike

LESSON OBJECTIVE

Topics: Parables, Witnessing Hardened Heart

This second lesson, of a series of four, about the parable of the sower will help the children discover how truly wonderful is the Word of God.

AS KIDS ARRIVE ( 15 minutes )

Have a box of dominoes on the table. As kids arrive have them set the dominoes up in a path. The Dominoes should be stood on end vertically. Instruct the kids to place the dominoes close enough together so that if one domino falls it will start a chain reaction. Before the class starts tell the children that people can be like a lot like dominoes, where one leads the rest will follow. For example, you may want the same type of tennis shoes that your friends have or the same type of bike. Tap the domino at the beginning of the line and watch the dominoes fall. If some of the dominoes don't fall, point out that these dominoes didn't give in to peer pressure.

OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISES ( 5 minutes ) Further info? Click Here

MEMORY WORK ( 6 minutes )

The following verse tells us to go into the world and plant some spiritual seeds.

"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" Mark 16:15

SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes)

Introduction:

Today, in our second lesson on the parable of the sower, we will see how seeds that fell on rocky places are like people that have hard hearts and little faith in God. When life gets a little rocky, their Christian walk quickly withers and dies.

Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21 (Parable of the Sower - seed that fell on rocky places)

Give each child a copy of the handout (click here for handout) or have the kids find Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21 in their Bibles. Ask for volunteers to read the passage or if you prefer, read the passage to the children yourself.

Discussion Questions:

1. In our story today, where did the seeds fall? (rocky places)

2. What happened to the seed that fell on the rocky places? (It withered, because it had no root.)

3. What is peer pressure? (pressure to go along with the group, to act or do the things others do.)

4. What does the word persecution mean? (to oppress, harass, annoy or bother)

5. What are some ways that we may be persecuted or have trouble because we are Christians?

(people may make fun of us, call us names, pick fights, not want to be our friends.)

6. How can we help our faith withstand trouble and persecution?

(pray to God for strength, read the Bible to see how others withstood times of trouble.)

7. Should we care more about men or God?

(God, in the end it doesn't matter what men thought of us. We should live to please God)

CLASS EXERCISES (20 minutes)

Soak It In (Object Talk) Click Here

Sow the Word (Song) Click Here

ALTERNATE CLASS EXERCISE (15 minutes)

Hardened Heart (Object Talk) Click Here

APPLICATION ( 2 minutes)

Some people hear the Good News about Jesus and happily accept it. As soon as someone laughs at them or makes fun of their faith they deny everything Jesus stands for. If things get tough, they give up. When trouble comes they quickly abandon their relationship with Jesus. They worry more about men, than they do about God. Their hearts become hard, like the rocky places some of the sower's seed fell.

NEXT WEEK

Come back next week to hear about the war of the plants! Don't miss it!

CLOSING PRAYER ( 2 minutes) Further info?

TAKE HOME PAGE

Give one copy to each child at the end of the class to take home.Click here for NIV or KJV

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-07-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

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Lesson 12 - Bible Crafts and Activities for Sunday School

This list compliments of http://www.daniellesplace.com

Bible Crafts and Activities For

Sunday School

Bible Themes: Anytime Bible Crafts and Activities - Crafts and Activity ideas that will work with any Bible lesson.

1. Make a video - Bring in a camcorder and tape the children playing, making a craft, singing, and saying their memory verses for the day. Replay the tape at the end of class on a VCR for the whole class to see. This will help keep the children quiet while they wait for their parents. Their parents may even be interested in seeing what their children did in class that day.

2. Record voices - Bring in a cassette tape recorder and record the children"s voices. If the children are very young, tell them a bible verse or phrase relating to the day"s lesson and then have them repeat it. Make sure you say their name before you record them because sometimes it is hard to tell them apart.

3. Play with Play dough - We always have play dough on hand in case we run out of things to do. This play dough isn"t cheap to make but it lasts for a long time. It is much softer and lasts longer than the store bought type if you make it right. When we have a large class, we like to put some play dough out on one table so that we don"t have all the kids at the craft table at the same time. The kids usually start at the play dough table then work their way to the crafts. As they arrive and start playing with the dough, we can talk to them about their week and what we will be learning that day. Meanwhile another teacher starts making crafts with the kids that arrived first.

4. Bible Verse Memorization Using the Memory Cross - Here is a great craft that is not only fun but educational as well. This origami cross can be folded over and over changing shapes and showing a different part of the Bible verse each time. Your children will find that it is hard to stop using them once they start. Memory Cross offers Bible verses that go along with many of the most popular Vacation Bible School programs. They also have one for the plan of salvation, which would be a great witnessing tool. They also have many other Bible verse packages you can pick from. If they don"t have what you want, you can custom order them. Or you can order blank ones and have your children make their own. (See the pictures below.) Go to Memory Cross to order yours today!

Make You Own Memory Crosses

memory cross 1 memory cross 2 memory cross 3 memory cross 4

5. Play a "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" like game - Use the popular "Pin the tail on the Donkey" birthday game idea except change it to fit your lesson. For example, you could pin the animal in the ark, pin Zaccahaeus in a tree, pin the eyes on Saul, pin the fish in the net, or pin the word love in a center of a heart. Young children love this popular birthday game, however; you don"t have to have a winner. The children just love to see how close they can pin whatever they are pinning to the intended object. Caution: Instead of using pins just use a piece of tape.

We will be having a Valentine"s Day party next week, and I am going to use your idea for "pin the tail on the donkey", but using a heart. I also wanted to tell you that I used a variation of the "pin the tail on the donkey" game for our Kids Club Birthday Party for Jesus. I made a manger scene on a poster board. I made a stable, crib with straw, Mary, Joseph, a shepherd and some sheep out of different colors of felt. I glued everything to the poster board. Then I made "Baby Jesus" out of felt. I made one for each child, and I put their initials on the "Baby Jesus" with marker. I called this game "Put Baby Jesus in the Crib". The kids loved it. I used a pattern out of a craft book to make Mary, Joseph and the Shepherd. All the other shapes I just free-handed. It wasn't perfect, but these are small children, so it didn't matter to them.

6. Identify prerecorded sounds - Record sounds relating to your bible lesson and have the children guess what they are. For example, if you are studying the creation story record animal sounds. If you are studying about God making families record home sounds. If you are studying about Baby Jesus, record baby sounds. Instead of recording the sounds yourself, you can often find tapes or CDs in the library with all different kinds of sound effects.

7. Reenact a Bible lesson on flannel boards - Make a flannel board for each child by stapling a piece of felt (9 x 12) on a sheet of heavy paper (poster board or manila). Have the children draw or color pictures of bible characters and props onto heavy paper or poster board, cut them out, and then stick a piece of sticky Velcro (not the kind you sew on) on the back of each piece.

The person that sent in this ideas says, "We did the story of Daniel in the Lion"s Den and were able to remove and add lions and people as needed to tell different parts of the story. The kids loved it! They took their felt boards and story home at the end of the session."

Print out characters and scenes from your current bible lesson onto T-shirt transfer paper. You can find pictures in clip art books and coloring books. Iron the transfer onto white flannel using the wool setting on your iron. Let the children take turns reenacting the lesson after you tell the story. If you don"t have a flannel board make one by stapling flannel onto a cork board or other board.

Here is an idea to make an inexpensive flannel board sent in by Janet Morris

First you need to buy a piece of heat and bond. I bought mine at Walmart, 5 yards for $5.00. You need a piece of flannel. I bought 1 yard and had extra to use for additional flannel board pieces. You will need a piece of heavy cardboard like a freezer box. Cut the card board, flannel, and heat and bond to the same size. Iron the heat and bond onto the flannel then remove the paper and iron the flannel with the heat and bond on to the cardboard and you have a flannel board for less than ten dollars. They are $30.00 at the office supply store.

P.S. I used a thin piece of plywood instead of the cardboard. It bonded to it also. You just need to let it get really warm.

8. Play musical chairs - Play just like musical chairs except the child that is still standing when the music stops has to say something he is thankful for or something that has to do with the current lesson. Keep playing like this. No one should ever have to be out of the game. Everyone should be able to play every game.

9. Reenact a Bible lesson - Use simple bible costumes to reenact a bible lesson. Cut pieces of material into rectangle shapes to form a poncho type outfit. Cut a hole out in the center to fit over the child"s head. Cut out long pieces to use as ties to tie the costume around the waist. Cut rectangle pieces to fit on the head and long pieces to use as a tie. These can be used over and over again.

10. Use puppets to teach a story - Tell a story from a puppets point of view. For example, you can use a donkey puppet to tell the story of Palm Sunday or a lamb puppet to tell the story of the lost lamb. Have the children make simple puppets out of TP rolls or craft sticks and reenact the bible story.

11. Fishing Game - This idea comes Linda Ryan from our bulletin board she wrote: To reinforce details of the Bible lesson, I made oak tag fish and attached questions and a paper clip to each fish. A dowel fishing pole with a magnet attached to the line would pick up a fish and a question. If the child could answer the question he could keep the fish until the game was over. Save the old questions and substitute new ones for the next time. Pick the best questions from all the lessons for an end of term contest. This was one activity for a Sunday school hour with "learning stations". Linda, Thanks for your idea.

12. Bible Bingo - This idea comes from Angie Reveles. Make large pictures from your bible lessons like, Noah"s ark, Jonah and the whale etc. Then make "bingo" cards to match the pictures. Mix up the large pictures and call the names of the pictures out one by one as you hold up the large pictures. Play like bingo. Whoever wins gets a small prize or gets to call out the pictures. This will help the children remember all the bible stories with pictures.

13. Toss Game - Another game we played, which was a big hit, especially with the older kids, was a variation of a bean bag toss game. I saw a bean bag toss game for sale in a catalog, but I felt it was too expensive. I showed the picture to my husband, John, and together we decided to make one of our own. We took a scrap piece of wood. John drilled five holes in the wood, and then he made a wooden brace for the back so that it would stand. It was about two feet tall. Then I painted the whole board white. Next I painted black around the holes to make them stand out, then I put the numbers 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 by each of the holes. (The holes with the higher points were smaller than the other holes). Last, I painted a rainbow and a smiling sun on the top of the board and painted the phrase "Jesus Loves You" on top of the rainbow. I made bean bags out of scrap material and filled them with dried beans. I couldn't believe how big of a hit this game was. It takes a bit of work, but it"s worth it because it will last a long time. We still use this game for their Kids Club class on Thursday. (Sent in by Donna)

13. Door Hanger Attendance Charts - Use foam door hangers (or make your own) to use for attendance charts. Your children can add stickers or sequins each week they come to Sunday school. They are much better than a paper attendance chart because the children know that when they are filled up, they can take them home to enjoy. Kay Hershberger

You can buy foam door hangers from Oriental Trading Company online. Just follow the link and type in 57/2054, 48/3076, 57/2076, or 57/2021 in the search box on the left-hand side of the page.

15. Play a Tick Tack Toe Review Game - Draw a Tick Tack Toe on the board. Divide the class up into two teams. Assign one team "Os" and one team "Xs". Ask questions from the lesson. If a team gets the correct answer, they can place an X or O on the Tick Tack Toe. If they get it wrong, the other team gets a chance to answer the question and put their mark on the Tick Tack Toe.

Folder Games

Folder Games! - Fun and educational at the same time. Use these inexpensive games when you"ve completed your lesson early and just don"t know what to do, or use them when you just want a change of pace. They are also great to use at the beginning of class to keep the children who arrive early busy and out of trouble.

Just print out the patterns, glue them to the inside of manila folders, and you"re ready to play.

1.Name Two Things (easier)

2.Name Two Things 2 (harder)

You will find more file folders games like these at D and L Crafting a crafting site for kids and adults including crafts relating to Bible verses, file folder games, and printable coloring pages.

You can find more great ideas on The Resource Room. The Resource Room is a subscription site dedicated to teaching children the Bible. There are complete Bible lessons with crafts, Bible verse cards, games, color sheets and much more.

All the preschool Bible lessons on The Resource Room come with Bible verse cards that the children can color and store in their own file box. You will find directions on The Resource Room how to make this easy file box.

Bible Dictionary - During the year have the children make a Bible dictionary and store their pages in a file folder. Try to find the folders that have the little metal tabs that will keep their pages bound together. Each week you come across a word that the children might not know or that is very important, have the children write the word and the definition on a sheet of paper. Then have them draw a picture to remind them of the word. A pattern for the dictionary pages is available on The Resource Room

At the end of the year you can have the children make a cover for their dictionary. If you aren't using the file folders with binders, bind the pages together to make a book.

You can also use the My Bible Dictionary cover pattern (available on The Resource Room) for the cover of their book. Buy the file folders that have a clear cover or one that you can insert the cover picture into. If you don"t want to use the picture, you can have the children write "My Bible Dictionary" on the front of their folders. Have them add stickers each week to the cover so that they can see how their dictionary changes through out the year. Buy special stickers for each holiday. Let them have one sticker for coming to class, one sticker for bringing their Bibles and two stickers for bringing a friend.

OTCCraft125x125Don"t Have Time to Prepare Crafts?

Oriental Trading offers easy, inexpensive, ready-to-assemble crafts that are great for Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, holidays, and all occasions.

Bible Verse Memorization and Lesson Review -

1. Play a Concentration Type Game

What you will need: Poster board or foam core board, index cards or squares of poster board, marker, tape.

What to do:

1. Prepare a board to display in front of the class. You can skip this part and just put the cards down on the table if you would like. Draw 5 rows and 5 columns of rectangles 3 1/2" x 5 1/2"on the foam core board.

2. At the bottom of each row tape a 1/2" strip of poster board all the way across the bottom and sides. This should make a pocket to place the index cards in each row.

3. Print one word of your memory verse on a separate card. On the extra cards write questions about the lesson or draw pictures that pertain to the lesson.

4. Across the top of the board write the memory verse in large letters with the scripture reference.

How to play:

1. Starting with the first word of the Bible verse, have the children take turns turning over cards to try and find the matching words. If the card doesn"t match the first word the child turns it back over. If they pick a card that has a review question or picture, they answer the question or tell how the picture relates to the story and then turn the card back over. Continue in this manner until all the words are found in order.

2. Bible Verse Hand Picture

@ 2003, Carolyn Warvel

"Remember This" Memory Verse Hand Picture - Explain to the children that sometimes when someone wants to remember something important, they tie a string on their finger to help them remember. The Bible verse today is very important so we are going to make a picture of a hand with a string tied on the finger to reminds us of how important this verse is.

What you will need: 6 1/2" hand cutouts (These can be purchased at a teacher"s store or you can cut out your own) construction paper, glue, and bright colored yarn. (I used Crayola Gel FX crayons which are designed to be used on dark colored paper.) We had 2 boxes of 16 crayons for about 16 kids. If you don"t want to buy the cutouts, you can use this hand Bible verse pattern and cut them out yourself.

What to do: Have the children glue their hand cutout onto a piece of construction paper. Show them how to bend down the thumb and third finger to meet each other and glue them together. Bend down the pinky and middle finger and tie a piece of yarn on to the pointer finger. Children can decorate the rest of the pictures anyway they would like.

Ideas from Subscribers

1. Bookmark - We made a really simple and fun craft for the kids. You take the foam cutouts and put two back to back, (the same pattern) on each end of a piece of ribbon and make a bookmarker. The kids loved finding their shapes and were excited about taking them to school to use in their books. Shelly Farler

2. Balloon Bible Story Review Game - I can"t tell you how much I appreciate your help in preparing my lessons for 1- 3 graders. If I am at a blank wall, I can always depend on something here to help. Let me share one little thing. When I review my lesson with the children, I always try to look for some special way to present the questions to make it more interesting. In my Bible school class today I put the questions on small rolled up pieces of paper and inserted them into balloons and then blew them up. They had to pop the balloon and answer the question. They had a blast. Thank you again. Peggy Mitchell

(Note: I have also used this idea. I have found that some children do not like the loud noise of the balloons popping and did not want to participate. Before you start any activity using balloons that may pop ask the children if they wish to participate, send the children who do not out of the room before you start and have another activity that they can do.)

3. Bible Story Review Game - Bible Dice

Make a die out of a square kleenex box. Use Bible story clip art and shrink it down to fit your box. Or cut pictures from your used Sunday school materials. Glue a picture on each side of the box. Have the kids roll the dice and tell you about the story. (Nancy Foss)

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-07-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

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Sunday School Lesson 11 - John the Baptist

John the Baptist

To Remember: John the Baptist was a prophet who prepared the Jews for Christ's teachings by teaching repentance, or turning away from sin, and baptism.

Vocabulary:

* Baptism: being immersed in water for the remission of sins

* Repent: turn away from wrong

Lesson - Read Matthew 3:1-6

Matthew 3:1-6 And in those days cometh John the Baptist,

preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Now John himself had his raiment of camel"s hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about the Jordan; and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

Zacharias and Elisabeth were a Jewish couple who pleased God.

Zacharias was a priest in the Temple. One day, while he was serving in the Temple, an angel appeared to him. He was scared, but the angel said, don"t be afraid, your prayer is answered. Your wife will bear a son, who you will name John.

Zacharias asked how he could be sure this would happen, for he and his wife were older. The angel said, I am Gabriel, and to prove what I say is true, you will not be able to speak "til the child is born. When Zacharias came out, the people were astonished. Even though he could not tell them what happened, it was obvious he had a vision. Sure enough, soon Elisabeth was with child.

Now Elisabeth was the cousin of Mary, who was also with child with Jesus at the time. Mary came to visit Elisabeth, and when she did, John leapt in her womb and Elisabeth prophesied.

When he was older, John began to preach to the Jews. He did not live in cities, but in the the wilderness, eating locusts and honey, wearing skins, and teaching repentance. He taught that the Jews had to turn away from their sins and wash themselves clean through Baptism for the Messiah was coming. He was talking about his cousin, Jesus.

SING: Be careful little eyes what you see

True or False

1. John the Baptist was Jesus' brother. F

2. It was unusual for someone Elisabeth"s age to bear a child. T

3. Mary came to visit Elisabeth when they were both pregnant. T

4. John led an abnormal lifestyle for the time. T

5. John taught that men could be saved without changing their lives. F

6. Sprinkling water on something is baptizing it. F

Review Questions

1. How were John and Jesus related? Their mothers were cousins.

2. Who did Zacharias see in the temple? The angel Gabriel.

3. John was how many months older than Jesus? six

4. Who did Elisabeth go to see? Mary

5. Where did John preach? in the wilderness

6. What did he eat? locusts and wild honey

7. What did he wear? animal skins

8. What did he teach people? to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, the Messiah is coming

Activities

* Musical Blessings

* Memory Work: Mark 1:4 John came, who baptized in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins.

* Puzzle: Print out linked picture and cut into puzzles for the students to put together.

* Repent Game: A version of Simon Says to demonstrate that repent means to turn around. Have students stand while you read the following verses. Have them turn around 180 degrees each time they hear the word repent.

o Matt 4:17 From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

o Acts 2:38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

o Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

o Rev 2:5 love. 5 Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.

o Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent:

* OR Play "John Says". In the lines below, if it starts John says, they turn around first and then do it. If it doesn"t start John Says, they don"t turn around.

* John says take one step back

* John says hop once on your right foot.

* John says raise your hands

* sit down

* John says shake your head

* stand up

* John says stand up

* John says turn around!

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-07-11T13:55:00.000-07:00

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Sunday School Lesson 10 - Prophecies about Jesus

Prophecies About Jesus

To Remember: Many men over many years prophesied Christ's coming

Vocabulary

* Messiah: the king that would come to deliver Israel

* Prophecy: message from God

Lesson

Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel."

Christ's birth and life were announced long before Mary was even born. In fact, prophets told many details about His birth hundreds of years before. (From 6,000 to 450 years BC) Over 300 prophecies were made, so the Israelites would expect and recognize Jesus when He came. If someone told you 300 facts about someone you never met, do you think you would recognize him?

The prophecies said that the Messiah would:

* Be born of a woman (Gen 3:15)

* Be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14)

* Be the son of God (Psalm 2:7)

* Be descended from Abraham (Gen. 22:18), Isaac (Gen. 21:12), Jacob (Num. 24:17), tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10), family of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1), house of David (Jer. 23:5)

* Be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)

* Be Presented with gifts (Psalm 72:10)

* Be threatened by Herod (Jer. 31:15)

* Be God and man (Isaiah 7:14)

* Be a Prophet (Deut. 18:18) a Priest (Psalm 110:4) a Judge (Isaiah 33:22), and a King (Psalm 2:6)

* Be preceded by a messenger (Malachi 3:1)

* Teach first in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1)

* Perform miracles (Isaiah 35:5,6)

And that"s just the beginning of His life! Could any two men meet all those descriptions perfectly? No - only Jesus.

Some people recognized Him when He came. The wise men that brought presents knew He was the Messiah: the shepherds that visited, Simeon and Anna at the temple in Jerusalem, His mother and father, and John's parents. Even Herod knew He had been born and tried to kill Him.

God told us He was coming because he had a plan. He was going to save man from his sins. Why? Because He loves us. John 3:16 tells us: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." So God sent His son for you and me as well as for people who were alive then.

True or False

1. The Israelites were told that Jesus would be God and man at the same time. T

2. Mankind first heard that a Messiah was coming around 250 B.C. F (Adam and Eve were told)

3. The Jews knew where the Messiah would be born. T (Bethlehem)

4. The Jews knew what family Jesus would be born into. T (up through Jesse's line)

5. The prophecies said no one would recognize Jesus? F (even Herod was mentioned)

6. The prophecies said the Messiah would only be a King? F (a prophet, priest, and King)

SING: Jesus loves me

Activities

* Memory Work

* Color: Bookmark of John 3:16

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-07-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

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Abundant Life Today

Today"s Scripture

"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10, ESV).

Today"s Word from Joel and Victoria

Are you living the abundant life Jesus came to give you? You may not have the biggest house or newest car, but God promises abundant life for you. His abundant life goes way beyond the things we can see in the natural. His abundant life means that you can have peace in the midst of a storm. You can have joy when things are uncertain. You can have hope when circumstances seem hopeless. You can live and enjoy life to the fullest every single day because you have the Creator of Life on the inside of you. Sometimes is easy to look at this verse and think, "God is going to give me abundant life some day" but the truth is, God wants you to have an abundant life TODAY. Ask the Lord to show you His true abundance today. Ask Him to show you His abundant favor, blessing, and peace. As you focus on God"s abundance today and everyday, your life will feel more satisfying and you will be overflowing in His abundance the way God intended!

A Prayer for Today

God, I know that You want the best for me. Thank you for your promise of abundant life on this earth. Teach me to share your abundance with others. I love you and bless you today. In Jesus" Name, amen.

Trust Him

Today"s Scripture

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV).

Do you need God"s direction in your life? Often times, the Lord will instruct your heart to do something that"s just the opposite of what your natural mind thinks you should do. It doesn't make sense, but God"s principals are very different from the world"s principals. In the natural, it doesn't make sense that if you are in need, you should give to someone-you should sow a seed. But you can trust God"s Word that says "what you sow, you shall reap." You can trust that God"s system is set up for your good. His system is set up to prosper you and not harm you. He wants to give you a future and a hope. As you step out and trust God and obey His word-even when you don"t understand-He promises to direct your paths. He promises that your path will shine brighter and brighter every single day!

A Prayer for Today

Thank You, God, for directing my path today. Thank You for opening my heart to trust You today. Keep me close to You and teach me to hear Your voice so that I may please You all the days of my life. In Jesus" Name. Amen.

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-07-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

ULC Seminary Sunday Schools Lessons

ULC Sunday School

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Universal Life Church Seminary

**********

Sunday School Lesson

The Lesson of the Cinnamon Rolls

By Rev. Denise Michel (wolfwrites921@yahoo.com)

Based on Isaiah 11:1-3; Theme: Gifts of the Holy Spirit & Jesus' Love for us;

Message: "Jesus' love is sweet and always in our lives, as are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit."

INGREDIENTS FOR ROLLS:

INGREDIENT GIFT

1 cup milk Strength

1 cup water Trust

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter Respect

1 egg, slightly beaten Faith

6 cups all-purpose flour (or more), divided My Life

1/2 cup sugar God's Love

One 1/4-ounce package active dry yeast Honor

2 teaspoons salt Discernment

1 cup golden raisins Experience

Filling (Gifts of the Holy Spirit):

INGREDIENT GIFT

1/2 cup brown sugar spiritual seal, spirit of wisdom & understanding

1-1/2 Tablespoons cinnamon spirit of right judgment, courage, knowledge

1/3 cup butter, melted spirit of reverence & holy fear in God's presence

Glaze (Jesus' Love & His Presence in My Life):

INGREDIENT GIFT

2 Tablespoons butter Jesus' hope

1 Tablespoon milk Jesus' strength

1 teaspoon vanilla extract Jesus' faith

2 to 3 cups sifted powdered sugar Jesus' love

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the milk, water, and the butter. Heat until very warm (about 120 degrees Fahrenheit), and butter melts. Add the egg.

2. In a large bowl (of an electric mixer), combine 2 cups of the flour with the sugar, yeast, and salt. Stir well. Add milk-egg mixture to the flour mixture. Beat at medium speed until batter is smooth, about 2 minutes. Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 to 8 minutes. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top of the dough. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until it doubles in size.

3. Meanwhile, combine brown sugar & cinnamon in a small bowl & melt the butter. Set aside.

4. Punch dough down. Cover again and let rest 10 minutes more. Divide dough in half and set half aside. Roll the other half out onto a floured surface to form an 18 x 12-inch rectangle. Brush with half of the melted butter, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Sprinkle with half of the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. Beginning at the long side, roll up jellyroll-fashion. Moisten edges with water and press together to seal. Cut jellyroll into 1-1/2 inch slices. Place cut sides of slices (rolls) down in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan (12 rolls to a pan). Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes to an hour or until the rolls double in size. Repeat with the remaining half of the dough.

5. When rolls have risen, bake them in a preheated 375-degree oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown. While rolls are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, heat together the butter and milk until the butter is melted. (You can use a glass measuring cup in the microwave to do this.) Add the vanilla and enough of the powdered sugar for desired spreading consistency.

6. Apply glaze when rolls have cooled slightly.

Yield: 2 dozen

* * *

The Lesson of the Cinnamon Rolls is a long-lasting one and it is one that children will remember long after the original rolls have been eaten. Use the recipe as is for a small class, double (or even triple) for larger classes. This lesson is best used when one has cooking facilities, such as those found in a church hall or the church basement (or wherever church suppers are held).

It is vital that the children themselves make the cinnamon rolls, with the appropriate adult supervision. The teacher will need to identify each ingredient and what it represents. The recipe may also be copied and given to each child for further use (and reinforcement) at home. The teacher can also make a guessing game of what each ingredient represents, if the class likes this sort of game; otherwise, simply identifying each ingredient and what it represents will be sufficient to make the lesson "stick" in each child's memory (especially after they eat the roll). The rolls may be eaten in class (with a cup of milk {strength}) or taken home and eaten there.

Side Note: My class, after making these rolls, ran to their parents and said they'd made Jesus in Sunday School. Then the children showed their parents the rolls and told them about all of the gifts and how they were represented in the cinnamon roll. The children were delighted (although the parents were a wee bit confused until the pastor and I explained it in more detail) and teaching in this manner gave them a concrete way to learn a rather esoteric lesson, especially for children in their age group (preschool to second grade).

I was also told, after the lesson, that some of the children took to identifying gifts used in other meals (such as the milk & raisins in their oatmeal, the sugar in their cereal, the butter on their toast, etc). This shows that they did learn the lesson, and better yet, were able to apply it to other areas of their lives.

Further Side Note: Combine this with a lesson about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, or a lesson about Jesus' presence in our daily lives. My grandmother used the cinnamon rolls to reinforce a lesson about Jesus' presence in our daily lives (but there are many lessons for which the Cinnamon Rolls would be a great reinforcement).

She also used Finger Jello to represent Jesus in our lives, but that is another lesson altogether. ?

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-06-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

ULC Seminary Sunday Schools Lessons

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Universal Life Church Seminary

**********

Sunday School Lesson 7 by Elizabeth

HOW I KNOW GOD LOVES ME

SCRIPTURAL CHOICES

Deut 7:8 But because the Lord love you, and because the Lord will keep His promise to your fathers, the Lord protects you with a mighty hand.

Deut 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord, your God, He is God, the Faithful, who keeps promises and has mercy with all.

Psalms 33:5 God loves righteousness and justice: therefore, the Earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Psalms 91:14 Because God loves me...He knows my name.

1John 3:1 Listen up! Pay attention! Looky here!

What marvelous love God has given us that we should be called the sons of God

1John 3:2....we shall be like God because we see God as He is.

1 John 3:11 For this is the message that you will learn from the beginning, that we must love another.

John 16:27 For the Father (God) loves you...

Romans 5:5 And hope never disappoints because the Love of God is everywhere around us and lives is put into our hearts by the Spirit of God.

1Timothy 1:5 But the aim of this teaching is Love that flows from a pure heart a good conscious and sincere faith

2Timothy 1:7 For God does not give us fear but power and love and good behavior.

1Peter 8 In conclusion, live in harmony, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate tenderhearted, courteous and polite.

METAPHYSICAL READINGS

From "Speaking Science of the Mind" by Ernest Holmes.

God has many names and his names expose many different attributes.

God is Absolute God cannot be limited.

God is perfection.

God is All the Substance, Life, Power, Love, Beauty Intelligence in the Universe.

God is Alpha, the beginning.

There is but one source of Being that is GOD and we are connected with It at all times.

The Cosmic mind is the mind of God.

Creation is God making something out of Himself, by becoming the thing He creates. Therefore, we are truly all sons of God.

The Creator, the Unchangeable, the Indestructurable that is behind and responsible for all existence. The thought of God goes on forever.

Man makes use of the same Laws that God uses. In ourselves is the same nature that we find in God. We are like God we are God as us. We walk and talk with the Father (GOD) within us. We have but to speak and He answers.

God indwells (Lives in) everything He creates.

The God within us is the Divine Mind. Our regular (mortal mind) mind is used to describe the mind that gathers information through our senses of touch, sight, sound, taste, smell; remember, The Divine Mind is the real mind.

Our desire to be happy, prosperous and well is from God.

Emmanuel means "God with us".

God the First Cause, the Great I AM, the Unborn One, , the Uncreated, the Absolute, the Unconditioned, The One and Only Spirit, Creative Energy, Love, Wisdom, Intelligence, Power, Substance, Mind. The Truth. The Principle.

The Divine Spark, Birthless, Deathless.

As we recognize the attributes of God they become ours to use, we become "enlightened."

God knows nothing outside Itself. It is the Center and Circumference of everything that exists. It has no enemies, no differences, no otherness, no apartness it is Undivided. Complete and perfect in Itself. It is All. It cannot be hindered in any way shape or form. In moments of real inspiration we realize that God is All.

One Life flows through ALL.

The I Am is the Light of the world.

The Word was with God and God was the Word.

Love is the self-giving of the Spirit of God through the desire of Life to express itself in terms of creation.

Love is a synonym for God.

Love is free from condemnation and free from fear.

Love is a Cosmic Force whose power is irresistible.

Man is the objectification of God in human form. The idea of God is manifested in the body of people.

People are the highest expression of God on this planet.

We are not God, but the reality within us is God.

God is All-powerful.

God is All Knowing, All Perceiving.

God is constant Presence of the Whole God is everywhere.

God is IN all man and all things.

God is always at peace because there is nothing to disturb it.

Our Oneness with God brings peace.

God is Personal to all who believe in Him.

God is responsive to all who approach Him.

The Presence is God. We should turn to the God within which is the Father in Heaven, recognize It as the One and Only Power in the Universe and unify with it, identify with it, declare our words to be that of God. We should stand aside and let the One Perfect Life flow through us.

We are one with the Goodness of God.

Unity is the Oneness of God with Man. Jesus taught, "That they may all be one, even as You, Father, are in me and I am in You and they also are in us."

HOW I KNOW GOD LOVES ME

DISCUSSION SUGGESTIONS

You are One with God

Because Gods ways are your ways

God Loves you......You are love, you give love and you get love.

Who else loves you?

Who else do you love?

What else do you love?

God is Joy (happy) .....You are Joy (happy)

Who makes you happy?

How do they make you happy?

How do you make them happy?

What things make you happy?

God is happy He made you ......Your Mom and Dad are happy God made you

What makes you happy when you are with Mom and/or Dad?

What do you do that makes Mom or Dad happy?

What fun places do you and Mom or Dad go to?

God is Beauty because He creates beauty...You are beautiful

What things that God created are beautiful to you?

Suggest: sunshine, flowers, pets etc.

What beautiful thoughts do have?

God is Peace ...You are peace

Peace is calmness, harmony, freedom from worry or stress

What things are full of peace to you?

Suggest: a pleasant voice, a smile, a hug,

When are you peace?

Suggest: being nice to siblings, sleeping, thinking

HOW I KNOW GOD LOVES ME

GAMES SUGGESTIONS

During the reading and lesson session I suggest playing in the background or take separate time to impress with music selections and or sing along.

Kids Bop Gold or 7 CD

Here comes the Sun

How sweet it is to be loved by you.

I'll be there

Happy together

Yellow Submarine

You are the sunshine of my life

Raindrops keep falling on my head

Good morning sunshine

Dancing in the street.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

During the lesson and discussion after the readings:

Have the kids make circular discs from foam sheets, labeled as appropriate

Love, joy, peace, courage, kind, happy, etc

To be used in hopscotch games

Let them pick a favorite disc and use it as a marker for their throw stone

Alternatively, label the hopscotch squares as appropriate then use special stones you have brought in that each child as selected one from to use as a throw stone.

If the boys do not want to play hopscotch, they can draw a map of their home, school, church, park, and friends' houses and use appropriate labels to demonstrate where they find love, peace, joy, etc.

HOW I KNOW GOD LOVES ME pg 2

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Kidz bop gold CD

CD Player

Colored Chalk

Concrete area or wooden area to draw on the floor

Drawing Materials

Building Materials

Blocks, legos, paper cut opts etc.

Adhesive

Glue, gluesticks, etc

Scissors

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Sunday School Lesson

2010-06-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

ULC Seminary Sunday Schools Lessons

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Universal Life Church Seminary

**********

Sunday School Lesson

HOW I KNOW GOD LOVES ME

SCRIPTURAL CHOICES

Deut 7:8 But because the Lord love you, and because the Lord will keep His promise to your fathers, the Lord protects you with a mighty hand.

Deut 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord, your God, He is God, the Faithful, who keeps promises and has mercy with all.

Psalms 33:5 God loves righteousness and justice: therefore, the Earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Psalms 91:14 Because God loves me...He knows my name.

1John 3:1 Listen up! Pay attention! Looky here!

What marvelous love God has given us that we should be called the sons of God

1John 3:2....we shall be like God because we see God as He is.

1 John 3:11 For this is the message that you will learn from the beginning, that we must love another.

John 16:27 For the Father (God) loves you...

Romans 5:5 And hope never disappoints because the Love of God is everywhere around us and lives is put into our hearts by the Spirit of God.

1Timothy 1:5 But the aim of this teaching is Love that flows from a pure heart a good conscious and sincere faith

2Timothy 1:7 For God does not give us fear but power and love and good behavior.

1Peter 8 In conclusion, live in harmony, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate tenderhearted, courteous and polite.

METAPHYSICAL READINGS

From "Speaking Science of the Mind" by Ernest Holmes.

God has many names and his names expose many different attributes.

God is Absolute God cannot be limited.

God is perfection.

God is All the Substance, Life, Power, Love, Beauty Intelligence in the Universe.

God is Alpha, the beginning.

There is but one source of Being that is GOD and we are connected with It at all times.

The Cosmic mind is the mind of God.

Creation is God making something out of Himself, by becoming the thing He creates. Therefore, we are truly all sons of God.

The Creator, the Unchangeable, the Indestructurable that is behind and responsible for all existence. The thought of God goes on forever.

God indwells (Lives in) everything He creates.

Our desire to be happy, prosperous and well is from God.

Emmanuel means "God with us".

The Divine Spark, Birthless, Deathless.

As we recognize the attributes of God they become ours to use, we become "enlightened."

One Life flows through ALL.

The I Am is the Light of the world.

The Word was with God and God was the Word.

Love is the self-giving of the Spirit of God through the desire of Life to express itself in terms of creation.

Love is a synonym for God.

Love is free from condemnation and free from fear.

Love is a Cosmic Force whose power is irresistible.

Man is the objectification of God in human form. The idea of God is manifested in the body of people.

People are the highest expression of God on this planet.

We are not God, but the reality within us is God.

God is All-powerful.

God is All Knowing, All Perceiving.

God is constant Presence of the Whole God is everywhere.

God is IN all man and all things.

God is always at peace because there is nothing to disturb it.

Our Oneness with God brings peace.

God is Personal to all who believe in Him.

God is responsive to all who approach Him.

We are one with the Goodness of God.

Unity is the Oneness of God with Man. Jesus taught, "That they may all be one, even as You, Father, are in me and I am in You and they also are in us."

HOW I KNOW GOD LOVES ME

DISCUSSION SUGGESTIONS

You are One with God

Because Gods ways are your ways

God Loves you......You are love, you give love and you get love.

Who else loves you?

Who else do you love?

What else do you love?

God is Joy (happy) .....You are Joy (happy)

Who makes you happy?

How do they make you happy?

How do you make them happy?

What things make you happy?

God is happy He made you ......Your Mom and Dad are happy God made you

What makes you happy when you are with Mom and/or Dad?

What do you do that makes Mom or Dad happy?

What fun places do you and Mom or Dad go to?

God is Beauty because He creates beauty...You are beautiful

What things that God created are beautiful to you?

Suggest: sunshine, flowers, pets etc.

What beautiful thoughts do have?

God is Peace ...You are peace

Peace is calmness, harmony, freedom from worry or stress

What things are full of peace to you?

Suggest: a pleasant voice, a smile, a hug,

When are you peace?

Suggest: being nice to siblings, sleeping, thinking

HOW I KNOW GOD LOVES ME

GAMES SUGGESTIONS

During the reading and lesson session I suggest playing in the background or take separate time to impress with music selections and or sing along.

Kids Bop Gold or 7 CD

Here comes the Sun

How sweet it is to be loved by you.

I'll be there

Happy together

Yellow Submarine

You are the sunshine of my life

Raindrops keep falling on my head

Good morning sunshine

Dancing in the street.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

During the lesson and discussion after the readings:

Have the kids make circular discs from foam sheets, labeled as appropriate

Love, joy, peace, courage, kind, happy, etc

To be used in hopscotch games

Let them pick a favorite disc and use it as a marker for their throw stone

Alternatively, label the hopscotch squares as appropriate then use special stones you have brought in that each child as selected one from to use as a throw stone.

HOW I KNOW GOD LOVES ME pg 2

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Kidz bop gold CD

CD Player

Colored Chalk

Concrete area or wooden area to draw on the floor

Drawing Materials

Building Materials

Blocks, legos, paper cut opts etc.

Adhesive

Glue, gluesticks, etc

Scissors

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar