Vol. 1 Iss. 1

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INDEX: New Testament Lesson - Jesus Cleanses the Temple the First Time (John 2:13-25) Old Testament Lesson - Benjamin Has Joseph's Cup (Genesis 44) Character Lesson Memory Text Nature Lesson - Light vs. Darkness Health Lesson - Body Parts: Hands Coloring Page Matching Atbash Unscramble Learning Activities PICTURE: A single pillar, automatically tiled in the index box, represents "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15)..

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON

Jesus Talks With Nicodemus (John 3:1-21)

Nicodemus was a man who belonged to the group of church leaders called Pharisees. He was a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher sent by God because no one can do the miracles that you do except God be with him.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” To be born again is to change from wanting to do what you want to do to wanting to do what God wants. Instead of being selfish, you will think of others. Instead of doing those things that God says not to do, you will do only those things that God says to do.

Nicodemus said to Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb or that special place where a baby grows inside a mommy before being born?”

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Those that are only born by a mother are selfish, but that which is born of the Spirit is spiritual and is not selfish. Do not be surprised that I said to you that you must be born again. The wind blows wherever it will, and you hear the sound of it, but you cannot tell where it came from or where it goes. The wind is an example of everyone that is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus answered Jesus, “How can these things be?”

Jesus answered Nicodemus, “Are you a master of Israel, but you do not know about being born again? If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you believe, if I tell you about heavenly things? No man has ascended up to heaven except if he comes down from heaven, which is the Son of man, who is in heaven. Just like Moses put a brass serpent on a stick in the wilderness and lifted it up, the Son of man will be lifted up that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life because God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn or destroy the world but that the world through Him might be saved and live forever. Those that believe on Him are not condemned. But he that 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 light or knowledge has come into the world but men loved darkness or staying ignorant rather than coming to the light to know things. The reason is because what they are doing is evil or wrong. Everyone that does evil hates the light or knowledge, so they do not come to the light, otherwise what they are doing would be reproved or pointed out as being wrong. But he that does truth comes to the light that what they do may appear that it has come from God.”

PARENTS: Young children love repetition and so they will love to hear this story over and over again. We did our best to include something for all ages so where necessary, please assist your child or adjust it to make it more their level.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON

Benjamin Has Joseph’s Cup (Genesis 44)

Remember that Joseph’s brothers do not know this is Joseph and think this man is just an Egyptian ruler. Joseph then commanded the steward or person in charge of his house, “Fill the men's sacks with food with as much as they can carry. Then put every man's money in his sack's mouth. And put my cup, the silver one, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money.” And the steward did as Joseph commanded.

As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their mules. But when they were out of the city and not far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Get up and follow after the men. When you catch them, say to them, ‘Why have you done an evil or bad thing when good was done to you? Is this not what my master drinks out of?’”

And the steward caught them, and said to them the words he was to say. Joseph’s brothers said to the steward, “Why do you say such a thing? God forbid that we should do what you said. The money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought to you again. Why are you accusing us of stealing silver or gold? Whoever has it, let him die, and we will be your servants.”

And the steward said, “He who has it will be my servant, but the rest of you shall be blameless.”

Then Joseph’s brothers quickly took down all the sacks from the backs of the mules and placed them on the ground. Then they opened them. The steward searched from the oldest to the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. Then the brothers tore their clothes, loaded up their animals with their sacks, and returned to the city. Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house because he was still there. They then fell on the ground before him. Joseph said to them, “What have you done? Did you not think a person like me would notice?”

Judah said, “What shall we say to you? What shall we speak? How shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants. Behold, we are your servants -- all of us and the one with whom the cup was found.”

Joseph said, “God forbid that I should do that. The man that the cup was found with will be my servant. As for you, go in peace to your father.”

Then Judah came near to Joseph and said, “Please let your servant speak a word in your ears. Do not let yourself be angry. You asked us if we have a father or a brother. We said to you, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a brother, a little one. And his brother is dead. The brother is the only child from the same mother that is left and his father loves him.’ Then you said, ‘Bring him to me that I may see him.’ And then we said, ‘Our brother cannot leave his father because his father would die.’ Then you said, ‘If you do not bring your youngest brother with you do not come to see me.’ We then told our father your words. Then our father said, ‘Go again and buy us a little food.’ But we said, ‘We cannot go unless our youngest brother is with us.’ Then our father said to us, ‘You know that my wife gave me two sons. The one was probably torn in pieces because I have not seen him since. And if you take this one from me and something happens to him, you will cause my hair to become gray and be very sad every day until I die.’ Now if I go to my father without Benjamin, our father will die. And I said that I would bring him back safely or else I shall be the one to blame forever. Now please let me stay instead of Benjamin and let him go with his brothers. How shall I go to my father without him?”

CHARACTER LESSON

When Nicodemus went to Jesus to speak to Him, Nicodemus went at night so no one would see him. He did not want anyone to know that he was meeting with Jesus. He did not want to lose the position he had in the group of Pharisees. We should never be afraid to let anyone know that we believe in Jesus. It is true that not everyone will like that, but we should never put position, money, or anything before the one we love -- Jesus.

Nicodemus said that Jesus was a teacher sent from God. He did not want to admit that Jesus was the Son of God. We need to realize that Jesus was not just an ordinary person.

Jesus did not say “Thank you” or anything like that when Nicodemus was done talking. Jesus did not think about the politeness spoken when He had to tell Nicodemus that he would not see heaven unless he was born again. We should not allow what people may say or do to prevent us from saying and doing what God asks us to.

Nicodemus asked Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old?” This was a question to waste time. Nicodemus knew what Jesus meant, but he did not have a better response. Jesus even tells us that he should have known. So until Nicodemus could think of a good answer, he asked Jesus a foolish question. When mommy or daddy asks a question, especially if it is about doing something wrong, there should never be a foolish question asked back. Answer the question truthfully.

Jesus explaining what born again means should make us think about choosing to do right all the time and never to think of selfish thoughts and do selfish things. Jesus will help you live a good life if you allow Him.

The steward did as Joseph commanded with the sacks, the money, and the cup. Whenever mommy or daddy asks for something to be done, it should be treated as a command and be done right away without mommy or daddy having to ask again.

Joseph’s brothers left the city as soon as it was light outside. That means that they got up early in the morning. It is best to go to bed early and wake up early.

Joseph’s brothers said to Joseph’s servant, “Why are you accusing us of stealing silver or gold? Whoever has it, let him die, and we will be your servants.” This was spoken without knowing all the facts. Promises should not be made without knowing all the facts. They should have been glad that Joseph did not do exactly as the brothers said.

Joseph’s brothers quickly took down all the sacks from the backs of the animals and placed them on the ground to be looked at. This we should do with every chore that we do. They should be done quickly.

Judah was very polite towards Joseph. Every time we talk to someone, we should always be polite, Use the word “please” when asking for something. Use the words “Thank you” when someone does something for us or gives us something. Use the words “may I” when asking for permission. And use many other polite words.

NEW TESTAMENT MEMORY TEXT: John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

OLD TESTAMENT MEMORY TEXT: Genesis 44:11 Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.

NATURE LESSON

LIGHT vs. DARKNESS

Jesus said, “light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light” (John 3:19). There was another time that darkness and light were compared, in fact, it is the earliest contrast between light and dark. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that [it was] good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:1-5).

Then later, “God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that [it was] good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day” (Genesis 1:14-19). This is when the sun, moon, and stars appeared.

In the Bible, light and the sun refer to God’s side if the verse is not talking about a real light or the sun in the sky. Likewise, darkness and lesser light refers to Satan’s side if the verse is not talking about real darkness. The reason the Bible uses these words to refer to God’s side versus Satan’s side is because of how our eyes can use the light or the darkness. When the sun is shining, or it is very light outside, people can see. Many times lights inside the house are turned off at this time because it is easy to see. That is how God’s side is. It is easy to see. Unfortunately, many find it difficult to do.

Now on the other side, when the sun goes down and the moon comes up and it is dark outside, it is very difficult to see. Lights are usually turned on in the house to see and turned off when it is time to go to bed. Satan does not want people to see or understand things, especially anything about Jesus. If people cannot see or understand things about Jesus, they are in darkness.

“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:5).

HEALTH LESSON

BODY PARTS: HANDS

Joseph’s brothers used their hands to open up the sacks to be searched by Joseph’s steward.

The hand is used for holding on, shaking another person’s hand, picking up things, waving, and many other things. Underneath the skin and the muscles are the bones. The hand contains a lot of little bones and four bones per finger. That means that there are a lot of bones in just one area of the body and so they need to be taken care of so they can do the many things that you enjoy.

CARING FOR YOUR HANDS: If there is something that you are doing over and over with your hands, this is called repetition. Certain parts of the hand can wear out if the same things are done every day for hours at a time. So, try to do different things that will use all the parts of the hand throughout the day.

Relax. Do not use your muscles to hold your hands or shoulders in the same position for long periods of time. Keep your hands relaxed as much as possible. Try not to clinch your hands for long periods of time. The Bible teaches us not to be angry. Usually when people are angry, they clinch their hands and make a fist. Not only is being angry something wrong to do, but it can also hurt your hands. So now there are two reasons not to be angry.

Try not to keep your hand fully stretched out. A natural position as possible is the best recommendation.

Avoid leaning the hand on hard, sharp surfaces like the edge of a table or desk. Place the hand fully on the desk, keep it lifted in the air, or rest it in your lap.

Do not use too much force. If you feel your hands pulling away from your wrists, you are using too much force. This can be as simple as pulling on a stuck desk drawer.

Move with an even motion. Avoid snapping the wrist or jerking.

Keep your hands and fingers warm. Consider using gloves or even fingerless gloves like driving gloves.

Try to not let your hand feel the same vibration for long periods of time.

SPIRITUAL APPLICATION: Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” While we are alive, we are to do the work we are told to do. Early in life, there are chores, which parents give to their children.

Ephesians 4:28 “Let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” We are to do good work and when it is so good that it produces more than we need, we are to give to those that are in need.

John 20:25-27 “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: [then] came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you. Then saith he [Jesus] to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [it] into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” And remember that when Jesus died so that you might have eternal life, the soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross by His hands and feet.

John 3:1-2 “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

MATCHING

For each item in the first column, write in the letter for the description from the second column.

___ 1. Benjamin ___ 2. God ___ 3. Jesus ___ 4. Joseph ___ 5. Judah ___ 6. Nicodemus ___ 7. Steward

A. Who appeared to not understand what the words “born again” meant? B. Who commanded the cup to be in the sack? C. Who said that you must be born again to enter the kingdom of God? D. Who searched the sacks for the cup? E. Who sent the Son of man to save the world? F. Who was willing to take the place of his brother when his brother was in trouble? G. Whose sack was the cup found in?

[Answers to January 2003 matching: 1=A, 2=G, 3=D, 4=B, 5=C, 6=E, 7=F]

ATBASH

Each letter represents a different letter to make a real word. Replace the letter consistently in each word to reveal the verse being quoted. (Hint - the verse is from the cover story.)

S V P	D Y R	X F P B C O D	W F G C Z F	X K P F D R
__ __ __	__ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __
.
.
S V P	D Y F	N C M	K O D V	Z R
__ __ __	__ __ __	__ __ __	__ __ __ __	__ __
.
.
S C D Y F P,	X C R T O I,	T S	T	W P T O I
__ __ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __	__ __	__	__ __ __ __ __
.
.
Y T Z	O V D	K O D V	D Y F F,	D Y F O
__ __ __	__ __ __	__ __ __ __	__ __ __ __	__ __ __ __
.
.
T	X Y C N N	W F C P	D Y F	W N C Z F
__	__ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __	__ __ __	__ __ __ __ __
.
.
D V	Z R	S C D Y F P	S V P	F B F P.
__ __	__ __	__ __ __ __ __ __	__ __ __	__ __ __ __

[Answers to January 2003 cryptic: Each letter in the puzzle stood the place of a real letter: A=U, B=Y, C=F, E=C, F=R, G=A, H=M, I=S, J=E, K=D, M=H, N=G, O=L, R=T, T=V, V=N, W=O, Y=K, Z=I. The verse was: John 2:16 “And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise”]

UNSCRAMBLE

Rearrange the letters in the following words to reveal the Bible word. (Hint - the words are from the verses in the cover story.)

E G N O S T U Y	E L R R U	E I L R S V
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __
.
.
D G I K M N O	G I M N N O R	E F H L S
__ __ __ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __
.
.
A E N R S S T V	I I P R S T	B E H O R R T
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __ __
.
.
A E M R S T	A E F H R T	A E E H N V
__ __ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __

[Answers to January 2003 unscramble: Column 1- BENJAMIN, PASSOVER, DRINKED; Column 2 - TEMPLE, MESSES, CHANGERS; Column 3 - WASHED, DESTROY, STEWARD; Column 4 - RAISE, BEREAVED, SITTING.]

LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

1. During the daylight part of the day, remember that those that want to know more about God and read the Bible will be in the light, which Jesus says is the right thing to do.

2. During the dark part of the day, remember that those that do not want to know more about God and keep their Bibles closed are in the dark, and Jesus says that this is the wrong thing to do.

3. Memorize the verses on page 3.

4. When you drink from a cup, remember that in Benjamin’s sack was Joseph’s cup.

5. If you have a younger brother or sister, look for ways to protect them, remembering that Judah tried to protect his younger brother, Benjamin.

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Vol. 1 Iss. 1

Current Vol First Issue

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