G.L.O.W. – God Lights Our Way

G.L.O.W.

Memory Verse: Psalm 119:105

Life Application: God lights our way.

Bible Text

Psalm 119:105

Psalm 119:11

Proverbs 6:23

2 Timothy 3:16

Ephesians 5:8-14

1 John 1:5-7

John 3:18-21

John 5:24

John 6:40

Ephesians 5:8

God’s Word can be described as light and as a guide for living. Light is a brightness that enables us to see. Light is also something that brings understanding or shows the way.

Psalm 119:105  NKJV     “Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path.” 

          The Bible gives us instructions on how to live as a child of God. It was given to us by God for our own good – not to hurt us, but to help us. When we hide God’s Word in our heart it will help us not to sin.

Psalm 119:11  NKJV     “Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I  might not sin against You.”

Bible Pledge

I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s holy Word.

I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

And I will hide it’s words in my heart that I might not sin against God.

Guide / Instruction Book

God’s Word is a guide book for living. It gives us understanding and guidance. God’s Word, the Bible, enables us to see the path that we are on as well as the path that we should be on. It shows us all that is in store for us as well as the pitfalls and snares that the enemy tries to place in our path.

Proverbs 6:23  NKJV     For the commandment is a lamp,

And the law a light;

Reproofs of instruction  are the way of life”

     God’s Word should be our constant companion, always in our minds and hearts giving instructions and directions. When we are not living up to God’s standards the Bible will shine a light on were we need to change. Even when it gives us words of rebuke it shows us how to change and offers words of hope, encouragement and love.

2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV     “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”

Walk In Light That God Has Given Us

As a Christian we are instructed to walk in the light.

Ephesians 5:8-14  NKJV     “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things that are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says:

‘Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light.’ ”

          Manifest means to show something clearly, to make something evident by showing or demonstrating it very clearly.

          When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior our position changes. We were one in darkness and evil, but at salvation we become righteous and full of light through Christ Jesus. We were spiritually dead but are made spiritually alive. God expects our walk to change since our position changed. We must walk worthy of the Lord and the forgiveness that we received.

          Worthy means  fully deserving something, usually as a suitable reward for merit or importance, respectable, morally upright, good, deserving respect, and good.

1 John 1:5-7   NKJV     “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

          There is no darkness or evil in God. If we truly want fellowship with God we can’t have any in us either. We must have God’s standards and God’s morals. When we hide God’s Word in our heart it will keep us from sinning against God.

John 3:18-21  NKJV     “He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

     As we allow God to shine a light into our life it will change us. The Light of Jesus Christ was sent to this world by God the Father so that not one would be lost and that all would receive eternal life. If we believe in Jesus and His name we are not condemned and we receive life instead of judgment.

John 5:24  NKJV     “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”

 

John 6:40  NKJV     “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

     Those that do not believe in Jesus or His name are condemned and they will receive judgment. God sent His Son, Jesus, to this world to light the way to Himself. Jesus is the Light of the World. Throughout history and in this present age, people offer many excuses for not accepting Jesus as their Savior and the Lord of their life. The excuses they give are an attempt to hide what is really in their heart. Deep in their heart they do not want to accept Jesus as the Lord of their life. They do not want the light of Jesus to shine in them because if it does it will show them for what they really are – a sinner that does not want to change and who does not want to draw closer to God.

We must never forget that the Light of Jesus Christ reveals sin and enables us to see ourselves as we really are and as God sees us. The true believer, however, welcomes the light of Jesus shining in them. The light will help people see what they need to do in order to draw closer to God.

Ephesians 5:8  NKJV     “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”

     When we accept Jesus as our Savior we are changed. We were once children of darkness and sin but, we become children of the light and righteousness. Our new life must reflect that change in us in every area of our lives.

Review

1. The Bible is our guide for living. What does guide mean?

2. Give examples of the following:

How has the Bible lead you in the right direction?

How has the Bible influence you?

How has the Bible advised or counseled you?

How has the Bible effected the way you  behave or act?

How has the Bible helped you learn something?

3. The Bible gives us instructions on how to live as a _____________ of God.

4. The Bible was given to us by God for our own good – not to hurt us, but to help us. How has the Bible helped you?

5. The Bible enables us to see the path that we are on as well as the path that we _______________ be on.

6. The Bible shows us what is in _____________ for us.

7. The Bible shows us the pitfalls and snares that the _____________ tries to place in our path.

8. What is a pitfall?

9. What is a snare?

10. God’s Word should be our ____________________ companion, always in our minds and hearts giving instructions and directions.

11. When we are not living up to God’s standards the Bible will shine a light on were we need to change. Is it always pleasant for God to shine a light on an area in our life that needs to change?

Why or why not?

12. Along with rebuke, the Bible offers words of hope, __________________________and love.

13. What does rebuke mean?

14. All Scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. What does doctrine mean?

What does reproof mean?

What does correction mean?

What does instruction mean?

15. According to Ephesians 5:8-14 believers

* are to find out what is ________________________ to the Lord.

* are not to fellowship with the unfruitful works of ____________________.

*  are to __________________ the unfruitful works of darkness.

16. When a person accepts Jesus as their Savior they are made ____________________ alive.

17. God expects a believer’s _____________ to change.

18. Believers must walk _________________ of the Lord and the forgiveness that we received.

19. If a person says that they have fellowship with Jesus and walk darkness they _____________, and do not practice the truth.

20. When a person walks in the light as Jesus is in the light, we have ______________________ with God.

21. There is no ________________________ or ____________ in God.

22. We must have God’s _______________________ and God’s morals.

23. When we hide God’s Word in our heart it will keep us from ________________ against God.

24. What happens to a person who does not believe in the name of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God?

25. People who practice evil hate the light – they love the ______________________.

26. Why does a person who practices evil hate the light?

27. What will God’s light do to your life?

28. Those that do not believe in Jesus will receive ______________________.

29. The Light of Jesus Christ reveals sin and enables us to see ourselves as we _____________ are and as God sees us.

30. The true believer ______________________ the light of Jesus shining in them.

31. When we accept Jesus as our Savior our life must reflect what?

32. When we hide God’s Word in our heart it will help us not to ______________.

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Shunammite Woman Helps Elisha

Shunammite Woman Helps Elisha

Memory Verse: 2 Kings 4:8

Life Application: God provides for His servant’s needs.

Bible Text: 2 Kings 4:8-17

 

Elisha often passed through Shunem on his travels. In that town there was a Shunammite woman who invited Elisha to eat with her and her husband. Every time Elisha passed by their area he would stop by and eat with them.

2 Kings 5:8  NKJV     “Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food.”

     One day the woman said to her husband, “Look now, I know that Elisha is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. Can we make a small room upstairs with a bed, and a table and chair in it for him? Then when he passes by here he will have a place to rest.”  Her husband said that they could.

 

2 Kings 4:9-10  NKJV     “And she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.”

     Elisha was very glad to have a place to rest when he was traveling in that area. Elisha asked the Shunammite woman how he could repay her for all her kindness and concern. The woman told him that there was nothing she needed.

2 Kings 4:11-17  NKJV    “And it happened one day that he came there, and he turned in to the upper room and lay down there. Then he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite woman.” When he had called her, she stood before him. And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Look, you have been concerned for us with all this care. What can I do for you? Do you want me to speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.” So he said, “What then is to be done for her?” And Gehazi answered, “Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old.” So he said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the doorway.
Then he said, “About this time next year you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!”
But the woman conceived, and bore a son when the appointed time had come, of which Elisha had told her.”

     Later Elisha told the Shunammite woman, “About this time next year you will have a son.”  The woman conceived, and had a son at the appointed time Elisha had told her.

 

Review

1. A Shunammite woman invited _________________ to eat with her and her husband every time he passed by their area.

2. What did the woman ask her husband?

3.  Elisha was very glad to have a place to _____________ when he was traveling in that area.

4. Elisha asked the woman how he could repay her for all her kindness and concern. What was her response?

5. Elisha told the Shunammite woman, “About this time next year you will have a ___________.”

6. How can you help provide for the needs of God’s servants?

God Helps A Widow

God Helps A Widow

 

Memory Verse: 2 Kings 4:7

Life Application: God provides for our needs.

Bible Text:: 2 Kings 4:1-7

 

God is loving and caring. He used a prophet named Elisha to help a widow in need. Before her husband died, he served God and cared for his wife and sons. Now he was dead and the widow had no way to pay her bills. When she saw Elisha, she told him that she had bills to pay and no money. The person she owed was going to take her boys and make them slaves!

2 Kings 4:1  NKJV     “A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.”

     First Elisha asked her what did she have in the house. “I have nothing at all except a little oil.” Then Elisha gave her a word from the Lord. He told her to get her boys to go to all the neighbors and ask for jars and pots – big ones and little ones. He told her to ask for many jars and pots. When the jars and pots were gathered, she and her sons were to go into the house and close the door.

2 Kings 4:2-4  NKJV     “So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.”

     Elisha told the woman to take the little oil she had and pour it into the many jars her sons had collected. She poured and poured, but her little oil didn’t become empty until all the jars she borrowed were filled!

2 Kings 4:5-7  NKJV     “So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”

     If they had borrowed only one or two pots or jars, that’s All the oil she would have had. Because the widow and her sons were obedient to Elisha, God blessed them and met their need. They were able to sell the oil and pay the bills. And the widow’s sons were able to stay with their mother and help her.

Review

1. God is ______________  and caring. 

2. What was the prophet’s name?

3. The widow’s husband had ________________ God.

4, What was the widow’s need?

5. The person she owed was going to take her boys and make them _____________.

6. The woman and her sons were to gather up what?

7. Elisha told the woman to take the little oil she had and _____________ it into the many jars her sons had collected.

8. What would have happened if the woman had not been obedient?

9. The widow was able to sell the oil and ___________ the bills and keep her sons.

10. How has God provided for your needs?

True Wisdom

             True Wisdom

Memory Verse: Ephesians 1:17 

Life Application: God gives wisdom.

Bible Text:

Ephesians 1:17

James 1:5

Proverbs 2:6

Proverbs 1:7

Job 28:28

Proverbs 3:5-7

Proverbs 9:10

James 1:5

God will give us wisdom in every area of our lives. This wisdom helps us use facts that we know and truths that we understand to make right decisions in our daily lives. God desires for each one of us to have spiritual understanding.

Ephesians 1:17  NKJV     “…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him…”

True Wisdom Comes From The Fear Of The Lord

Proverbs 2:6  NKJV     “For the Lord gives wisdom;

From His mouth comes knowledge and understanding”

      The dictionary describes wisdom as knowledge (information) and good judgment, wise conduct, wise words. Wisdom can also mean abiding success or victory. It describes understanding as the power or ability to know; intellect; intelligence; comprehension.

When we have wisdom we use the facts that we know and the truths that we understand to make right decisions in our daily lives.

Real (true) wisdom comes from God and it begins when we place our faith in Him. Fear of the Lord is a deep respect and reverence for God and unto God. When we fear God the thought of Him fills us with awe and wonder. The fear of the Lord is very important in receiving wisdom. Our wisdom depends on our knowledge of God and our submission to His will. To gain true wisdom we must place a high regard on, and honor God and His will for our lives in every situation and circumstance.

Proverbs 1:7  NKJV     “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Job 28:28  NKJV     “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,

And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”

      There is no use in knowing “things” if you do not know God and reverence Him. Not fearing (reverencing) God is the same as rejecting wisdom. True wisdom is found in the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-7  NKJV     “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and depart from evil.”

Proverbs 9:10  NKJV     “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Ask God For Wisdom

James 1:5  NKJV     “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

      As a believer in Christ Jesus if we lack wisdom we should pray ask God for it. God will answer our prayer. He will freely and generously give to us an abundant and plentiful supply. When we have to ask for wisdom God will not be disappointed in us. He desires for us to ask Him for anything that we lack, and that includes wisdom and understanding.

Review

1. God will give us wisdom in every ________________ of our lives.

2. Wisdom helps us use facts that we know and truths that we understand to make right _____________________ in our daily lives.

3. What is wisdom?

4. When we have wisdom we use the facts that we know and the truths that we ________________ to make right decisions in our daily lives.

6. Where does true wisdom come from?

7. What does the  fear of the Lord mean?

8. True wisdom depends on our knowledge of God and our _______________________ to His will.

9. As a believer in Christ Jesus if we lack wisdom we should ____________ ask God for it.

By The Power Of The Holy Spirit

       By The Power Of The Holy Spirit

Memory Verse: Zechariah 4:6  NKJV

Life Application: Our power comes from the Holy Spirit.

Bible Text:

Psalm 68:35

Micah 3:8

Micah 7:18-19

Acts 6:8-10

Acts 6:5-7

Acts 6:8-10

Acts 2:42-43

Acts 5:12

Acts 1:8

Acts 2:40-41

John 7:37-39

Zechariah 4:6

After the temple was destroyed the people were instructed to rebuild it. After a period of time the rebuilding slowed down and eventually stopped. God moved upon His prophets, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to instruct the people to start the rebuilding process again. The Holy Spirit also moved upon the people to obey.

God revived the rebuilding process through the work and the power of the Holy Spirit, not by human strength and resources. If it had been done with human strength the people would have stopped again when they were faced with opposition. However through the power from the Holy Spirit the work was accomplished.

Psalm 68:35  NKJV     “O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!”

       God has always given strength and power to His people. To those that believe in Him, Jesus will give them rivers of living water that will fill them with power. This power will give the believer the ability to act or to do something with force or strength. This rivers of living water given by the Holy Spirit will give us power to speak for God, power to do wonders and signs, and power to be a witness for God.

Speaking For God By The Power Of The Holy Spirit

Micah 3:8  NKJV     “But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord,

And of justice and might,

To declare to Jacob his transgression

And to Israel his sin.”

      The prophet, Micah, was empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak for God. With boldness he confronted the religious leaders about their false ideas of God, and the impending wrath of God  because of their sin. Not only did Micah warn the Israelites of coming judgment, but he also spoke of salvation.

Micah 7:18-19  NKJV     “Who is a God like You,

Pardoning iniquity

And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?

He does not retain His anger forever,

Because He delights in mercy.

He will again have compassion on us,

And will subdue our iniquities.

You will cast all our sins

Into the depth of the sea.”

     God still empowers people today with the Holy Spirit to speak for Him. We must allow God to fill us with His Spirit so that we can speak for Him, not just about Him. We are to tell the people that we come in contact with about God’s judgment and His mercy.

Doing Wonders And Signs By The Power Of The Holy Spirit

Acts 6:8-10  NKJV     “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”

      The leaders in the early church were instructed by the apostles to pick out seven men full of the Holy Spirit to serve in the area of administration.

Acts 6:5-7  NKJV     “And this saying pleased the whole multitude.  And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”    

       Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. This overflowing of the Holy Spirit gave Stephen great wisdom, faith and power. Because of the Holy Spirit within him, Stephen did many great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 6:8-10  NKJV     “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”

       Signs and wonders were, and still are, given by God to confirm His Word. They give credibility to what God says and they cause the people hearing or seeing to respond to God. Signs and wonders validate (support or confirm) the truthfulness of what is being said.

Acts 2:42-43  NKJV     “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.”

Acts 5:12  NKJV     “And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people.”

       We must allow God to fill us with His Spirit so that we can do great wonders and signs which point people to God.

Witnessing By The Power Of The Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8  NKJV     “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

      Before Jesus ascended to heaven 40 days after His resurrection, He promised that He would send the Holy Spirit, the Promise of the Father. The Holy Spirit would fill the believers with power. This power would help them to be a witness for God and it would help them spread the gospel, the Good News, all over the world. After the Holy Spirit filled the believers with power, Peter stood up and spoke to the crowed that had gathered around. After Peter’s sermon many people were saved and baptized.

Acts 2:40-41  NKJV     “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

        The same power is available to us today. We must allow God to fill us with His Spirit so that we can testify of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. With the power of the Holy Spirit we can be a witness and spread the Good News everywhere we go.

During the Feast of Tabernacles, while only a small amount of water was being poured out during the ceremony in the temple, Jesus told the people that if they believed in Him rivers of living water would flow from them. These rivers of living water would be more than enough water to satisfy them and others.

John 7:37-39  NKJV     “On the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

      The Holy Spirit satisfies the believer’s thirst and produces a fountain within them for others. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit the river within us will naturally flow out onto others.

Zechariah 4:6  NKJV     “So he answered and said to me: ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.’ ”

      As a child of God, He will give us (through the Holy Spirit) power to live for Him, power to speak for Him, power to do wonders and signs, power to work for Him, and power to be a witness for Him. We cannot do any of these things without Him.

In order to access this power we must first have a relationship with God. That relationship starts with accepting Jesus as our Savior and making Him the Lord of our life.

Review

1. God moved upon His prophets, by the power of the ___________   ________________, to instruct the people to start the rebuilding process of the temple.

2. God revived the rebuilding process through the work and the power of the Holy Spirit, not by _______________ strength and resources.

3. What would have happened if the people relied on human strength to rebuild the temple?

4.  God has always given strength and power to His _______________.

5. The Holy Spirit will give us _____________ to speak for God, ____________ to do wonders and signs, and _____________ to be a witness for God.

6. What was  Micah empowered by the Holy Spirit to do?

7. Micah warned of coming _________________ and of salvation.

8. Does God still empower people today with the Holy Spirit to speak for Him?

9. The leaders in the early church were instructed by the apostles to pick out seven men full of the Holy Spirit to serve in the area of __________________________.

10.  Signs and wonders give ________________ to what God says and they cause the people hearing or seeing to respond to God.

11. Jesus promised that He would send the Holy Spirit, the _________________ of the Father.

12. The Holy Spirit  fills the believers with power that helps them to be a _________________ for God .

13. God will give us power to ____________ for Him, power to ___________ for Him, power to do wonders and signs, power to work for Him, and power to be a ______________ for Him.

14. Our relationship with God starts with accepting _______________ as our Savior and making Him the Lord of our life.

A Leper Gives Thanks

  A Leper Gives Thanks

Memory Verse: Luke 17:15

Life Application: We should glorify God for what He has done.

Text:

Luke 17:11-19

Psalm 34:1

Ephesians 5:20

Luke 17:11-19  NKJV     “Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

      One day as Jesus was traveling through the middle of Samaria and Galilee on His way to Jerusalem He was met by a group of ten lepers. The lepers cried out to Jesus asking Him to have mercy on them. Because of Jesus’ compassion, He did have mercy on them. He instructed them to go to the priest so that he could declare them clean. As they were walking to show themselves to the priest they were healed of their leprosy.

When one of the ten men looked down and saw that his skin was well he turned to go back to thank Jesus for this wonderful blessing. He returned to Jesus and immediately began giving God glory for his healing.

Luke 17:15-16  NKJV     “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.”

      Jesus asked him where the other nine men who were healed were at. When Jesus realized that only the one man, a Samaritan, returned to thank Him, He gave the man another blessing. Jesus made him well – he was made whole.  All the men were blessed with being cleansed (healed), however the one leper that thanked Jesus for His blessing received an even greater blessing.  Instead of just being cleansed, he was made well (whole).

Psalm 34:1  NKJV     “I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

      All believers are to give thanks to God for His blessings. When we truly thank God for His favor and His blessings, He will bless us even more. The Bible tells us that we are to give thanks for everything. We must never forget to glorify God for the things that He does for us.

Ephesians 5:20  NKJV     “…giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

Review

1. One day as Jesus was traveling through the middle of Samaria and Galilee on His way to Jerusalem He was met by a group of __________   _______________.

2. What did these men cry out?

3. In this story who had compassion?

4. What instructions did Jesus give to the men?

5. As they were walking to show themselves to the priest  they were ______________ of their leprosy.

6. What happened when one of the ten men looked down and saw that his skin was well ?

7.  “And _________ of them, when ______  saw that he was ________________, returned, and with a __________   voice _______________ God, and _________ down on his __________ at His feet, giving Him _______________. And ________ was a Samaritan.”  Luke 17:15-16

8. Jesus asked where the other _________ men who were healed were at.

9. One man returned to thank Jesus. What even greater blessing did he receive?

10. According to Psalm 34:1, when are we to bless God?

11. We must never forget to _____________ God for the things that He does for us.

12. We are to give _______________ thanks always for all things.

Wells of Salvation

Wells of Salvation

Memory Verse:  Isaiah 12:3

Bible Truth:  We can joyfully draw water from whatever well we thirst for.

 

1. Open in prayer

 

2. Introduction – What Is A Well?

A well is a hole made to draw up fluids,  a hole or shaft that is dug or drilled into the ground in order to obtain water, brine, petroleum, or natural gas. It is also a source of something, a source providing a freely and abundantly available supply of something.

God is our source of everything that we need or could ever desire. He provides for His children freely and abundantly. His provisions are always available.

 

3. Praise and Worship Songs

1.  ___________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________

 

4. Memory Verse:

Isaiah 12:3      “Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

 

5. From The Wells of Salvation

 

Isaiah 12:2-3  NKJV       “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’” Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.”

Isaiah 55:1  NKJV      “Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come to the waters; And you who have no money,

Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without price.’ ”

       During the Bible times, the provision of springs and wells was regarded as a gift from God, or a divine gift. As a child of God we can draw from any of the many “wells” that God offers. In the above verse, thirsts is a metaphor for desiring what satisfies a person’s spirit. An invitation is given for everyone who is “thirsty” to come to the waters to receive what satisfies.

 

Isaiah 44:3  NKJV        “For I will pour water on him who is thirst,

And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,

And My blessing on your offspring”

Psalm 42:1  NKJV      “As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.”

6. Game- Wells Match-Up Game

God provides us with wells of living water, belief, power, peace, love, blessings, healing, wisdom.

Isaiah 12:3  NKJV      “Therefore with joy you will draw water

From the wells of salvation.”

Need: 16 envelopes

Make 2 slips of paper with the word “satisfaction” on them, 2 slips of paper with the word “belief” on them, 2 slips of paper with the word “power” on them, 2 slips of paper with the word “peace” on them, 2 slips of paper with the word “love” on them, 2 slips of paper with the word “blessings” on them, 2 slips of paper with the word “healing” on them, 2 slips of paper with the word “wisdom” on them. Put each slip of paper in an envelope.

Need 16 children to play this game. Give each child an envelope. At he signal they must open it and find the match to their word.

7. Go And Sin No More

The day after the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus went to the temple early in the morning. He sat down and began to teach the people that came to Him there. As Jesus was teaching a group of scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Him whom they said was caught in adultery. These men knew what the Law of Moses stated concerning adultery, but they were hoping to trap Jesus into saying something that was contrary to the Law.

 

John 7:53-8:1-11  NKJV“And everyone went to his own house. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

      Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?’ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’ ”

          True repentance is turning from your sin and going the opposite way, to make a conscience decision to turn away from sin. True repentance is to ‘Go and sin no more.’ When we have repented of our sins it is referred to as being “saved” or “Born Again.”

 

8. Game – Salvation Match-Up

Need: Slips of paper with salvation verses on them – divide each verse in half.

Examples: Titus 3:5, Psalm 51:1-2, Isaiah 1:16, 1 John 1:7, Psalm 51:7, 1 John 1:9, John 3:16

Give each child a slip of paper. At the signal they will need to find the person who has the second part of their verse. They will need a Bible to check to see if they are correct. The children that correctly finds their partner is the winner.

9. Benefits of Salvation

Our salvation through Jesus Christ not only restores us to a right relationship with God, but it does a whole lot more. It also supplies what is necessary for life and provides what brings us joy. In Isaiah 55:1, the words “wine and milk” are symbols of complete satisfaction. Our salvation truly brings us complete and abundant satisfaction.

 

Isaiah 55:1-2  NKJV        “Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come o the waters; And you who have no money,

Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance.’ ”

      Through our salvation we can enjoy many other benefits, favors, and, gifts from God. We can receive anything which is for our good or advantage. Christians may drink from any of the many “wells” that God provides. A few of them are spiritual satisfaction, belief/faith, power, peace, love, blessings, and healings.

 

Psalm 68:19  NKJV     “Blessed be the Lord,

Who daily loads us with benefits,

The God of our salvation.”

 

Psalm 116:12  NKJV       “What shall I render to the Lord

For all His benefits toward me?”

Psalm 103:2  NKJV      “Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits”

      As we drink from the wells that God provides to us we must never forget to give Him the thanks that He deserves. It would have been enough for God to just save us from eternal separation from Him, however He did not stop there.

Through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross we can receive much, much, more. The benefits that we are provided with are endless. We can joyfully draw water from whatever well we thirst for.

Isaiah 12:2-3  NKJV       “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’” Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.”

10. Game – Balancing Soap Relay

Need: 2 bars of soap and 1 poster board.

Write the following on the poster board:  “Jesus’ blood washes my sins away.”

Divide the group into two teams and have them line up in two line. Give each team a bar of soap. Tape the sign a short distance away from the teams. The first person on each team is to balance the soap on their head, hurry to the sign . At the sign they are to take the soap off their head, read what the sign says ( Jesus’ blood washes my sins away.) then run back to their team. The next person will do the same. The team that finishes first is the winner

 

11. Accessing  the Wells

We can access the wells of spiritual satisfaction, faith, power, peace, love, blessings, wisdom, and healings by becoming a child of God. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we become part of God’s family.

* God loves everyone and wants us to become members of His family.

John 3:16  NKJV     “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

* Sin separates us from God. Everyone has sinned and needs forgiveness. Sin is disobeying God in any way.

Romans 3:23 NKJV     “ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

James 4:17  NKJV     “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

* The punishment for sin is separation from God. This is spiritual death. But Jesus took our punishment for sin by dying on the cross.

Romans 3:23 NKJV     “ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

 

Romans 5:8  NKJV     “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

 

1 Peter 2:24  NKJV    “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”

* Salvation is free, a gift; we cannot buy it. We simply ask forgiveness for our sins and receive the gift of salvation.

Romans 6:23  NKJV     “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

1 John 1:9  NKJV     “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

* After we accept salvation through faith, we need to tell others that we have received Jesus as Savior.

Romans 10:9  NKJV     “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

* We should grow as a new Christian through Bible reading, daily prayer, regular church attendance, and obeying God’s commands.

 

12. Game – Pass The Gift Relay Race

Salvation is free, a gift; we cannot buy it. We simply ask forgiveness for our sins and receive the gift of salvation.

Romans 6:23  NKJV     “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Need: Two boxes wrapped up as gifts. Place a snack inside (enough for the entire group) before wrapping them up.

Divide the group into two teams and line them up in rows. Hand a gift to the first person in each row. They are to pass the gift to the person behind them and so on. When the gift gets to the last person in each row they are to run to the front of the line and pass the gift to the person behind them and so on. When the original first person is back in the front of the line the game is over. At the end of the meeting, allow each team to open the gifts and share what’s inside.

13. Worship Song – ________________________________

 

14. Challenge and Altar – Accepting Jesus’ Sacrifice and Forsaking Sin

Throughout the Bible when people had an encounter with Jesus they were changed. Jesus did not condemn them.  However, He did show them their sinful state by challenging them to consider their own sinful  / spiritual condition.

Before we can receive salvation we must recognize our sinful condition. We were born into this world as a sinner, separated from God. We can not change this condition ourselves. As a sinner man wants his own way, not God’s way.

Jesus gave the people He encountered hope and forgiveness. Then they were instructed to, “Go and sin no more.” They were to forsake their sins.

 

Forsake: to abandon, to withdraw companionship, protection, or support from, to give up, renounce, or sacrifice something that gives pleasure .

 

Hebrews 10:26-27 NKJV     “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.”

     After we receive the forgiveness that Jesus paid for we must heed His words of “Go and sin no more.“ We must not sin willfully. To sin willfully means persistent, deliberate rejection of the good news (Jesus‘ sacrifice), the gospel.

Persistent : incessant (unceasing,  continuing for a long time without stopping) or unrelenting (determined and unyielding), or existing or continuing for an long time.

Deliberate : intentional (done on purpose, not by accident ), thought out, and done intentionally.

     If a person rejects the sacrifice of Jesus, there is no other sacrifice for their sins. If a person refuses to be freed from sin, there is nothing to deliver them from the fearful expectation of judgment.

 

Have you encountered Jesus in a way that has challenged you to consider your own spiritual condition?

Have you heeded Jesus’ words of “Go and sin no more.”?

Are you allowing deliberate or persistent sin to remain in your life?

15. Crafts

16. Refreshments or light meal.

17. Dismissal

The Tortoise And The Hare – Keep On Going

The Tortoise And The Hare – Keep On Going

Theme: Turtle and Rabbit

Memory Verse: Galatians 6:9

Bible Truth: We will be rewarded if we keep going and don’t give up.

1. Open in prayer

2. Introduction -What Is Perseverance?

     In Galatians, Paul uses the example of sowing and reaping to teach about perseverance. Perseverance is keeping on though the job is hard or discouraging without complaining or quitting. It is also going through hard times without grumbling or giving up.

Galatians 6:9 NKJV     “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

     God expects us to persevere in all that we go through, both individually and as a group. Sometimes we go through discouraging situations for extended periods of time, but if we don’t give up we will be rewarded. There is a season for everything, but we must wait for it no matter how slow the process seems.

3. Praise and Worship Songs

1. _________________________________________

2. _________________________________________

4. Memory Verse

Galatians 6:9 NKJV     “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

5. What Is Steadfast?

1 Corinthians 15:58  NKJV     “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

     We must remain steadfast. Steadfast means a firm purpose: loyal and unwavering; firmly fixed; not moving or changing. As a Christian must remain firm and constant in what we believe and be determined in what we do. Our steadfastness will be rewarded, in God’s time – not ours.

6. Game – The Tortoise And The Hare Memory Verse Relay Race

Need: a sign with the memory verse written on it.

Galatians 6:9 NKJV     “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Divide the group into two teams and have them line up in two rows. At the signal the first person on each team is to hop like a rabbit to the front. Stand up and say the memory verse, then crawl like a tortoise back to their team. The next person on their team will do the same thing. The team that finishes first is the winner.

7. Examples Of Steadfast People

The Bible gives us many examples of people who persevered, even in the face of opposition. Giving up was not on option to them. Noah, Job, Daniel, Joseph, Hannah, Nehemiah, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are all wonderful examples of people who remained steadfast in their faith, goals and dreams.

In our Christian walk we must remain steadfast and strive for the goal ahead of us.

Philippians 3:12-14  NKJV     “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize  of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

8. Game –  Persistence Relay Race

Need:  Two packages of seeds. Write the memory verse on two small pieces of paper and attach them to the packages of seeds and a poster board sign with the word “Persistent” written on it.

Galatians 6:9 NKJV     “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Divide the group into two teams. Line the two teams up in rows. Give a package of seeds to the first person on each team. At the signal the first person on each team is to run to the sign, say the memory verse, then run back to their team. The next person on the team will do the same thing. The team that finishes first is the winner.

9. Story – “The Story Of Tommy And Harry”

One bright and sunny day Tommy tortoise went for a walk. He enjoyed going for walks and looking at and listening to all the wonderful things that God had created.

After a short period Tommy slowed down to admire some very small flowers growing next to the path. The flowers were so delicate and they had a sweet smell that filtered out into the air.

“Slow poke!” shouted Harry the hare as he came up behind Tommy. “You’re so slow you’re blocking the path.”

“I’m sorry I was in your way, anyway I’m not that slow,” replied Tommy.

“If you got any slower the grass would grow up around you!” teased Harry. Harry was not a nice hare and he enjoyed making fun of others, especially Tommy. “You need to find another path and leave this path to the really fast.”

“You’re not as fast as you think you are,” replied Tommy. He did not like it when Harry made fun of him. It made him feel sad inside. All the sudden Tommy remembered what his Sunday school teacher had read from the Bible last week – “You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.” Before Tommy realized it he said, “I challenge you to a race! We’ll see who the slowest person is.”

“A race? You mean a race between you and me?” asked Harry. “Even my great-grandmother could go faster than you!”

“Are you afraid I might win?” asked Tommy.

By this time many of the animals in the meadow had come to see what was going on. They looked at Harry with questioning eyes. Was he going to accept Tommy’s challenge or not?

Harry knew what the crowd was thinking and he didn’t want them to think he was afraid of Tommy’s challenge to a race, so he quickly said, “I’m definitely not afraid that you might win! In fact, I know you will lose! Let the race begin!”

Standing close by was Sammy the squirrel who said, “I’ll help you with the race.” After going over the details of the race, the path it would take and where it would end, Sammy lined up Tommy and Harry. It was time for the big race to begin. Sammy held  his handkerchief high in the air. “On your mark, get set, GO!” yelled Sammy, as he brought his handkerchief down to his side.

The race was off. Harry was running as fast as he could go down the path. Tommy was walking his normal slow pace.

Harry looked back over his shoulder and he saw Tommy moving ever so slowly. It did not take long before Harry was way out of sight. Harry continued to run until he came to the farmer’s garden beside the path. When he looked at the garden he immediately thought of all the delicious, crisp vegetables growing in it. Then he remembered the race. “Tommy is so far behind he’ll never catch up,” said Harry to himself. “It would not hurt for me to stop and eat some of these scrumptious vegetables!” The carrots, Harry’s favorite food, were growing on the far side of the garden next to a wonderful shade tree. As fast as he could Harry made his way there. He ate, and ate, and ate. It wasn’t long before Harry began to feel sleepy, probably from eating so many carrots. Once again Harry said to himself, “Tommy is so far behind he’ll never catch up. I think I will take a nap under this shade tree.” As soon as Harry laid down He was fast asleep.

Meanwhile, Tommy continued with the task at hand. Ever so slowly Tommy walk on and on. Each step that Tommy took, no matter how small, brought him closer to the goal. As much as he like the flowers and the things growing along the path, he never stopped nor was he distracted. Even when he passed by other animals that teased him about being slow it did not discourage him or make him want to give up.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to Tommy, he could see the finish line up ahead, just past the farmer’s garden. It had been a long day for Tommy as he journeyed toward the finish line. Thoughts of his Sunday school came back to his mind. All the things that the teacher had taught began to have a new meaning for Tommy. “I truly can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” thought Tommy as he placed his foot over the finished line.

Harry was awakened from his sleep by the sounds of cheering. He jumped up and took off running as fast as his legs could go. As he rapidly approached the finish line his eyes caught a glimpse of Tommy, already there. “Oh no!”

When Harry arrived at the place where Tommy was standing he asked him, “How did you get here before me?”

“By not giving up or stopping.” replied Tommy.

Perseverance is always rewarded. It paid off for Tommy and it will us too.

10. Game – Memory Board Game

The Bible gives us many examples of people who persevered, even in the face of opposition. Giving up was not on option to them. Noah, Job, Daniel, Joseph and Nehemiah are all wonderful examples of people who remained steadfast in their faith, goals and dreams.

Need:  9 note cards with the following written on them.

2 cards with the name Noah written on them, 2 cards with the name Nehemiah written on them, 2 cards with the name Joseph written on them, 2 cards with the name Daniel written on them, and 1 card with the memory verse written on it.

Divide the group up into teams. The teams will take turns turning over two cards. If the cards match they will remove them and earn a point, if they do not match they will turn them back over. The team with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

11. Worship Song  – _______________________________________

12. Challenge And Altar

Each of us must earnestly pursue our goal of heaven. We must persevere no matter how long, slow, hard or alone the journey may seem. In times of discouragement we should not complain or quit. The Holy Spirit will help us to not grumble or giving up, however we must admit that we need help and ask Him.

Revelation 3:10  NKJV     “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on earth.”

     Perseverance is always rewarded. Revelation 3:10 is a wonderful verse because it gives us an extraordinary promise from God. If we obey God’s commandment to persevere we will be greatly rewarded. For those that persevere God will remove them from earth (trough the rapture of the church) before He sends a time of testing to the earth (the Great Tribulation).

Sometimes, as a Christian, we may feel like we are moving at the pace of a turtle while those in the world seem to be moving at the speed of a rabbit. There is a children’s fable that teaches us a very good lesson about perseverance. The story “The Tortoise And The Hare” reminds us that we will be rewarded if we keep going and don’t give up.

Allow the children time to pray.

Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior, making heaven your home?

Are you following after God with all your heart?

Have you, or someone you know, given up on God’s promises?

Are you, or someone you know,  weary, discouraged, or tired?

God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us during these times.

13. Refreshments or a light meal 

14. Crafts

15. Dismissal

My Whole Heart

My Whole Heart

This event has a love or heart theme.

Memory Verse: Psalm 9:1-2 

Bible Truth: We are to love and praise God with our entire heart.

1. Open in prayer

2. Introduction

People look everywhere for love. Some people turn to anything or anyone for what the world calls love. They try to fill the part of themselves that only God can fill. God desire for us to love, worship, obey, and serve Him with our whole heart. A whole heart is an entire heart, an undivided heart, and an unimpaired heart.

3. Praise and Worship Songs

1. __________________________________

2. __________________________________

4. Memory Verse

Psalm 9:1-2  NKJV     “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” 

5. Entire Heart

One definition of whole is entire. An entire heart is one that leaves nothing left out. Without a question God absolutely must have every part of our heart. He desires to be close to us. Things or people will not draw us closer to God.

1. We are to love God with our entire heart.

Deuteronomy 6:5  NKJV     “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

2. We are to praise and worship God with our entire heart.

Psalm 9:1  NKJV     “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.” 

Psalm 111:1  NKJV     “Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.”

6. Game-  Musical Chairs

Need: music and chairs (1 less than the number of players)

God desire for us to praise Him with our whole heart. We’re going to play a game of musical chairs. The last person left person left in the game will represent someone who took time to praise, worship, and serve the Lord with their whole heart.

Have the children line up beside the chairs and march around them when the music starts to play. When the music stops each child is to find a chair to sit in. The person who is left without a chair is out. Repeat process until only 1 person is left in the game.

7. Undivided Heart

A second definition of whole is undivided. An undivided heart is one that is in agreement with God and of one mind with Him. God created within each of us a “place” or “spot” that only He can fill with His love. The world, or the things of the world, can not fill the place that belongs to God. Trying to fill this spot with other things, or people, only bring heartache and sadness. Our hearts cannot long for God and the world at the same time.

Hosea 10:1-2  NKJV     “Israel empties his vine; He brings forth fruit for himself. According to the multitude of his fruit He has increased the altars; According to the bounty of his land They have embellished his sacred pillars. Their heart is divided; Now they are held guilty. He will break down their altars; He will ruin their sacred pillars.”

     Our hearts should long for the things of God more than the things of the world. God desires for you to long for Him, and Him alone, and to seek Him with your whole heart.

Psalm 119:10  NKJV     “With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!” 

Psalm 119:2NKJV     “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!”

8. Game – Pass The Heart Bible Verse  Relay

Need: 2 heart shaped pillow or balloon

Psalm 9:1-2  NKJV     “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”

     Divide the group into two teams. Each team is to line up in a row. Hand a heart to the first person in each row. They are to pass the heart to the person behind them and so on. When the heart gets to the last person in each row they are to run to the front of the line, say the Bible verse and pass the heart to the person behind them and so on. When the original first person is back in the front of the line the game is over.

9. Unimpaired Heart

A third definition of whole is unimpaired. An unimpaired heart is a heart not marred by sin. God is holy  and does not tolerate sin (impurities). When God created man (man and woman), they were pure. When sin entered the world man’s purity and innocence was lost. God had intended for us to be pure always, but because of sin we no longer were.

We are all born into sin – we have all sinned and been made impure. But, if we accept Jesus and His gift of salvation, He makes us pure again.

1. If you have sin in your heart you will not receive all the blessings that He desires to give you.

Psalm 24:3-5  NKJV     “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

2. If you have sin in your heart God will not hear your prayers.

Psalm 66:18  NKJV     “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.”

3. If you have sin in your heart, you will not see God, however if you are pure in heart you will.

Matthew 5:8  NKJV     “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”

10. Review Game

Need: 15 index cards

Write the review questions on the cards, one question per card.

Divide the group into teams and line the teams up in rows. Place the question cards in a small box. The teams will take turns drawing questions. The first person from the first team will draw a question. If they can answer the question correctly their team will earn 1 point. If the answer is incorrect, place the card back into the box. The first person on the next team will repeat the process. Play until all questions are answered correctly or until time runs out. The team with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

Questions and Answers

1. People look everywhere for ___________.

love

2. Some people try to fill the part of themselves that only ________ can fill.

God

3. God desire for us to love, _______________, obey, and _____________ Him with our whole heart.

worship    serve

4. What is a whole heart?

A whole heart is an entire heart, an undivided heart, and an unimpaired heart.

5. An entire heart is one that leaves ________________ left out.

nothing

6. Things or _____________ will not draw us closer to God.

people

7. We are to ________ God with our entire heart.

Love

8. We are to ____________ and ______________ God with our entire heart.

praise       worship

9. An undivided heart is one that is in _________________ with God and of one mind with Him.

agreement

10. The world, or the things of the world, can not fill the _______________ that belongs to God.

place

11. Our hearts cannot long for God and the world at the _____________ time.

same

12. God wants you to long for Him, and Him alone, and to seek Him with your ____________ heart.

whole

13. An unimpaired heart is a heart not marred by _________.

Sin

14. God is holy and does not ________________ sin (impurities).

Tolerate

15. We can have forgiveness when we _______________________________________________

13. Worship Song – ____________________________

14. Challenge /Altar

Where have you been looking for love?

Have you been looking to the world for love?

What have you been filling that place that belongs to God with?

Have you been loving, worshiping, obeying, and serving God with your whole heart?

Give the children time to pray alone and then pray for each one.

15. Refreshments or a light meal 

16. Crafts 

17. Dismissal

Razzle Dazzle

Razzle Dazzle

This event has a fashion theme.

Memory Verse: 1 Samuel 16:7 

Bible Truth: God looks at our heart.

1. Open in prayer

2. Introduction – “God’s Jewelry – Adorned With Incorruptible Beauty”

1 Samuel 16:7  NKJV     “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

          God searches our hearts instead of looking at our appearances. Man looks at the outside of a person however, God looks at a person’s heart. What’s inside a persons heart is far more important and significant that their physical appearance or their natural abilities.

1 Timothy 2:8-10  NKJV     “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braded hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.”

      Christians are to spend more time developing their inner character than attempting to make themselves look beautiful on the outside. The Bible does not condemn women who wear jewelry or fix their hair or wear nice clothes. It only emphasizes that we should be more concerned with what God thinks about us than what man thinks about us. Since God places a greater emphasis on our inside (our heart) than He does on our outside, shouldn’t we spend more time on it?

A few of the “jewels” that women can adorn themselves with are: a quiet and gentle spirit, a fear of the Lord, and discretion. Each of these “jewels” will have a brilliance that will last forever – they will not fade with time or go out of style.

3. Praise and Worship Songs

1. _________________________________

2. _________________________________

4. Memory Verse

1 Samuel 16:7  NKJV     “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

5. A Gentle And Quiet Spirit

Gentle means not severe, rough, or violent; mild; soft; not harsh or extreme; moderate; kindly; friendly; having or showing good manners; refined; polite; treat in a soothing way; being pleasant or pleasing.

A woman that is gentle will be soft, tender, calm, kind, patient and humble. She will not be harsh, rough, violent or have bad manners.

1 Peter 3:3-4  NKJV     “Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”

6. Game – “What’s In The Basket?”

Need: a basket, a small cloth to cover up the basket, 10 small pieces of jewelry or hair accessories or beauty items, paper and pencils.

Pass around the basket with the items in it for everyone to look at.

Cover up basket.

Give each person a piece of paper and a pencil.

Instruct everyone to write down what was in the basket (as many things as they can remember).

7. “Fear Of The Lord”

Fear of the Lord is respect and reverence to God and the things of God. When we respect God we will hold Him (His thoughts, His Word, and His desires) in high regard. Respect will cause you to give honor to whom it is due therefore, if we respect God we will give Him the honor that is due unto Him. We show respect by (and through) our actions, thoughts and words. Respect for God will also cause you to esteem Him (to think highly of).

When we have a reverence toward God we have a feeling of deep respect, mixed with wonder, awe, and love toward Him.

Proverbs 31:30  NKJV     “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praise.”

    Charm is not always what it seems to be – it has a tendency to mislead, and beauty will not be with a person forever. After awhile people who once had charm and beauty will cease to be praise by men.

A woman who fears the Lord will by praised forever by man and by God. Praise means to say that a thing or a person is good. Praise is also words that tell the worth or value of a thing or person, a commendation, an expression of approval, admiration of (to admire – to look on with pleasure).

In the eyes of God a woman who fears the Lord is good, valuable, approved of, and looked upon with pleasure by God.

8. Game – “Pass The Mirror”

Need : a non breakable mirror and music.

Have all the children stand in a circle. Give one of the children the mirror. Turn on some music and have the children pass the mirror around the circle. Stop the music. Whoever has the mirror when the music stops must say the memory verse. If they cannot they are out of the game. The game continues until only one person is left or until allotted time runs out.

9. “Discretion”

Discretion is great carefulness in speech or action; good judgment; wise caution. A woman who lack discretion (no matter how lovely or beautiful she is on the outside) is compared to a pig with a golden ring in its nose. A gold ring would be ridiculous on the nose of a pig.

Proverbs 11:22  NKJV     “As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,

So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.”

10. God Looks At The Spiritual

While man looks at the physical, God looks at the spiritual. God examines the very innermost part of a person.

Psalm 7:9  NKJV     “For the righteous God tests the heart and minds.”

     Everything that comes out of our mouth begins on the inside (innermost part) of us.

Matthew 12:33-37 NKJV     “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings firth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

      God knows everything in our hearts – every motive, desire, dream and word, even before we express it. God will search (test, examine) each person’s heart to see what is in it. He searches our hearts so that He can help us. Like David, we too should desire for God to examine our hearts (and our thoughts) and to purge us of sin so that we may have everlasting life.

Psalm 139:1-24  NKJV     “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.

You comprehend my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word on my tongue,

But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

You have hedged me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me.

If I say,

‘Surely the darkness shall fall on me,’

Even the night shall be light about me;

Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,

But the night shines as the day;

The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;

When I awake, I am still with You.

Oh, that You would slay the wicked O God!

Depart from me, therefore you bloodthirsty me.

For they speak against You wickedly;

Your enemies take Your name in vain.

Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?

And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

I hate them with perfect hatred;

I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my anxieties;

And see if there is any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting.”

11. Game – “Review Tic-Tac – Toe”

Need: poster board , 16 index cards , tape.

Draw a large tic-tac-toe board on the poster board.

On 8 index cards write a “O” and on 8 index cards write an “X”.

Divide the class into two teams. Place the tic-tac-toe board a short distance from the teams. Give one team the “O” cards and the other team the “X” cards.

Ask the teams questions, one at a time. If they answer the question correctly the may place one of their cards on the board. The first team that gets three of their cards in a row is the winner.

Review Questions

1. God searches our ____________instead of looking at our appearances.

hearts

2. Christians are to spend more time developing their inner _________________ than attempting to make themselves look beautiful on the outside.

character

3. The Bible does not _____________women who wear jewelry or fix their hair or wear nice clothes.

condemn

4.We should be more concerned with what ________thinks about us than what man thinks about us.

God

5. A few of the “jewels” that women can adorn themselves with are: a quiet and ___________  spirit, a fear of the Lord, and discretion.

gentle

6. What does gentle mean?

Not severe, rough, or violent; mild; soft; not harsh or extreme; moderate; kindly; friendly; having or showing good manners; refined; polite; treat in a soothing way; being pleasant or pleasing.

7. A woman that is gentle will be soft, tender, calm, kind, _____________ and humble.

patient

8. A woman that is gentle will not be harsh, rough, violent or have _________  ___________.

bad manners

9. Fear of the Lord is what?

Respect and reverence to God and the things of God.

10. Respect will cause you to give __________ to whom it is due.

honor

11. We show respect by (and through) our ____________, _____________ and words.

actions, thoughts

12. When we have a _____________________ toward God we have a feeling of deep respect, mixed with wonder, awe, and love toward Him.

reverence

13. Charm is not always what it seems to be – it has a tendency to mislead, and _____________ will not be with a person forever.

beauty

14. A woman who fears the Lord will by praised ________________ by man and by God.

forever

15. What does praise mean?

To say that a thing or a person is good.

16. In the eyes of God a woman who fears the Lord is good, valuable, approved of, and looked upon with _________________ by God.

pleasure

17. What does discretion mean?

Great carefulness in speech or action; good judgment; wise caution.

18. A woman who lack discretion (no matter how lovely or beautiful she is on the outside) is compared to a _________ with a golden ring in its nose.

pig

19. While man looks at the physical, God looks at the _________________.

spiritual

20. God examines the very _________________ part of a person.

innermost

21. Everything that comes out of our mouth begins on the ____________ of us.

inside

22. Who knows everything in our hearts – every motive, desire, dream and word, even before we express it?

God

23. God will __________ each person’s heart to see what is in it.

Search

24. We should desire for God to examine our hearts and our thoughts, and to purge us of sin so that we may have _____________________  _____________.

everlasting life

12. Worship Song – __________________________________

13. Challenge / Altar

The Bible tells us that whatever is in the heart will come out of our mouths. It also tells us that each one of us will give an account for every idle (unfounded) word that we speak. That our words will either justify us or condemn us. God desires for us to ask Him to search our hearts. Not so that He can condemn us but to help us.

Allow the children to spend some time in prayer, asking God to search their hearts.

Dear Father, Help me to spend more time developing my inner character than attempting to make myself beautiful on the outside. Help me to be more concerned with what You thinks about me than what man thinks about me. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, help me to adorn myself with a quiet and gentle spirit, the fear of the Lord, and discretion, which will not fade with time or go out of style.    In Jesus’ name, Amen.

14. Refreshments or a light meal.

15. Crafts

17. Dismissal