Vol. 1 Iss. 1

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INDEX: New Testament Lesson - A Woman Of Samaria (John 4:1-42) Old Testament Lesson - Israel Goes To Egypt (Genesis 46) Character Lesson Memory Text Nature Lesson - Mountains Health Lesson - Arm Coloring Page Matching Questions & Answers 1-Why did Jesus have to die? 2-Will my pet dog be in heaven? 3-Didn't God say he would not send anymore floods? 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

A WOMAN OF SAMARIA (John 4:1-42)

Jesus left Judaea and went into the land of Galilee going through the city of Samaria. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus, being wearied with His journey, sat on the well. It was about the sixth hour of the day. At that time, a woman of Samaria came to the well to draw water. Jesus said to her, "May I have a drink?" Now Jesus' disciples were gone away in the city to buy food, so they could not help Jesus get water.

Then the woman said to Jesus, "How is it that you being a Jew ask a woman of Samaria for a drink?" Jews usually do not talk to Samaritans nor have Samaritans do anything for them.

Jesus answered her, "If you knew who it is that asked for water; you would ask Him for water, and He would give you living water." The woman said to Him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where is the living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his children, and his cattle?" Jesus answered her, "Whoever drinks this water shall be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst. The water that I shall give him shall be a well of water springing up into everlasting life." The woman said, "Sir, give me this water so that I will no longer be thirsty and do not have to come here to draw water."

Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You, have answered correctly. You have had five husbands, and he that you live with is not your husband." This is called adultery. The woman said to him, "Sir, "I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain, and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men are to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman believe me, the hour will come when you shall neither in this mountain nor at Jerusalem worship the Father. You do not know what you worship. We know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour will come, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father seeks such as worship. God is a Spirit. They that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. The woman said to Him, "I know that the Messiah is to come, which is called Christ. When He comes, He will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I am He."

And then Jesus' disciples came. They marveled over the fact that Jesus talked with the woman, but no one said anything. The woman then left her waterpot and went into the city. She said to the men, "Come, see a man, which told me all the things that I did. Is this not the Christ?" Then they went out of the city and came to Jesus.

In the meanwhile his disciples said to Jesus, "Master, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know of." His disciples then said one to another, "Did any man bring him food to eat?" Jesus then said to them, "My food is to do the will of God and to finish His work. Do not say that there are yet four months until the harvest. Behold, I say to you, 'Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white now to harvest.' And he that reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for life eternal that both the sower and he that reaps may rejoice together. And here is the saying true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap from where you did no labor. Other men labored and you are entered into their labors."

And many Samaritans of that city believed on Jesus because of the woman's testimony. So when the Samaritans were come to Jesus, they asked Him to stay with them. So Jesus stayed there two days and many more believed because of His own word. And they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said because we have heard Him ourselves and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world."

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

Israel Goes To Egypt (Genesis 46)

And Israel went on a journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba where he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here am I." And God said, "I am God, the God of your father. Fear not to go to Egypt. I will make from you a great nation. I will go with you to Egypt and will also bring you back again.

So Jacob left Beersheba, and the sons of Israel carried their father, their little ones, and their wives in wagons, which Pharaoh sent for them. And they took their cattle and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came to Egypt. His sons and his sons' sons were with him, his daughters, his sons' daughters, and all his descendents went to Egypt. These are the names of the children of Israel: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Dan, Naphtali , Joseph, and Benjamin. And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim.

All the souls that went with Jacob to Egypt were sixty-six. And then adding Joseph's children from Egypt, the house of Israel were seventy.

And Israel sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to direct the group to Goshen. And they all came into the land of Goshen. Joseph made his chariot ready and went to meet Israel his father, and take them to Goshen. And when Joseph saw his father, Joseph fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph, "Now I am ready to die since I have seen your face and you are still alive."

And Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's house, "I will go to Pharaoh and tell him that you have arrived. And I will tell him that you are shepherds. And I will tell him that your work is that of feeding cattle and that you have brought your flocks and herds and all that you have. And when Pharaoh shall call you and shall say, 'What [is] your occupation?' You shall say, 'Our work is with cattle from our youth even until now. Both we and also our fathers ask that we may dwell in the land of Goshen." Every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.

CHARACTER LESSON

Jesus spoke to a woman of Samaria. Normally this would mean nothing but at that time, Jews did not like people from Samaria and Samarians did not like the Jews. But Jesus does not consider where people live, where they have come from, or even what gender they are. Jesus welcomes everyone to Him. We ought to also be kind to everyone no matter who they are. [Now children still have to be careful about strangers.]

When the woman asked for the water that Jesus offered, all that the woman thought about was not having to work so hard. She did not want to come to the well everyday. Sometimes people wish they did not have certain things to do. Even children wish they did not have chores to do. But did you know that work is important to God, even the work that we do not think is important. It is so important that when Adam and Eve were created, God gave them work to do right away. We should be happy about our work.

When the woman said that the Jews declare Jerusalem the place of worship and was in disagreement with this, she was actually realizing the truth and yet was trying to find a way out of it by shifting the blame. When there is a chore to do, we should do it even if a brother or sister does not have to do the same chore. When it is time to go to bed and an older brother or sister gets to stay up later, we should accept the bedtime and go to bed happily. We should never look at others as an excuse of why we do not have to say or do something we find unpleasant.

When the disciples saw Jesus, they eventually asked him to eat because they were concerned for His health. We should be concerned about each other's health as well. And when there is not enough of something to eat, we should consider if others may want some.

The reason many Samaritans believed in Jesus was because of the woman's testimony. We too have a testimony or a story of what Jesus means to us, and we should tell others the story. Maybe someone listening might believe in Jesus because of our story.

Eventually the people of Samaria believed in Jesus because they listened to Jesus. Most children believe in Jesus because their parents or pastor tells them about Jesus. Eventually you will have to believe yourself. And to learn about Jesus for yourself is by reading the Bible. So when you are at the age to read, then read the Bible. If you are not, see if you can have someone read the Bible to you.

When God told Israel to go to Egypt, Israel did not hesitate. He went right away. When your parents tell you to do something, you should do it right away.

When Joseph came to his father to guide them to the place of Goshen, he guided them to the correct place by taking them straight to the place. This teaches us to stay focused upon the thing we are asked to do and not be distracted by other things. So when mom or dad asks you to take something to your room, you should go straight to your room with the thing and not stop along the way.

Joseph cried happy tears when he saw his father. We should be happy to see each other as well, especially when some time has passed since we last saw the other person.

When Joseph said that he would go to Pharaoh to make sure everything is taken care of, Joseph was looking out for his family. We should also make sure each member of the family is taken care of. Whenever a brother or sister is near something dangerous, it is best to help them to a safer place. When mommy or daddy are carrying something and they cannot see every step, it is a good idea to help them by telling them what is in front of them and by removing anything that would be in the way.

NEW TESTAMENT MEMORY TEXT: John 4:29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

OLD TESTAMENT MEMORY TEXT: Genesis 46:29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

NATURE LESSON

MOUNTAINS

In talking with the woman at the well, the woman told Jesus that her relatives long ago worshipped in the mountains near by.

Mountains are the tallest areas of land. They are taller than hills. But even the tallest mountain was under water when the earth was entirely flooded during the days of Noah. And when Jesus returns, every mountain will be made flat.

Mountains are frequently used as an example of strength and might (Psalms 30:7). People that do wrong things are actually doing what is called sin. And doing a lot of wrong things or a lot of sin creates a difficult situation. It is very difficult to stop doing the wrong things. This difficulty is referred to as a mountain of sin. But there is good news -- Jesus can cast the mountain into the sea (Matthew 17:20). Jesus can help a person to overcome or stop doing the wrong. Our hearts must be open to allow Him to help us stop doing the wrong.

A mountain standing tall is also considered an example of how God, His Word, and His commandments are taller than our problems and our selfish ways. In fact, people that do according to God's Word and His commandments are considered righteous (doing right things) and are strong like mountains (Psalms 36:6).

God can be compared to a mountain because a mountain can be seen from a great distance. Whenever we need God, we can always look up.

A collection of mountains offer protection, especially to a city that is in the middle of the mountains. This protection for the city is like God protecting people (Psalms 125:2). He surrounds them with angels.

HEALTH LESSON

BODY PARTS: Arm

The woman at the well used her arms to pull up the water every day. That creates strong arms.

The arm is made up of three bones. These are named Humerus (commonly known as the funny bone), Radius, and Ulna.

The Humerus is the bone from the elbow to the shoulder. The Radius connects from the elbow to the wrist on the side that the thumb is on. The Ulna also connects from the elbow to the wrist on the side that the fingers are on.

EXERCISES:

#1: This pushing motion will strengthen your arm muscles even if you are not yet able to lift yourself up off of the chair.

Do not use your legs or feet for assistance, or use them as little as possible.

a. Sit in chair with armrests.

b. Lean slightly forward, keep your back and shoulders straight.

c. Grasp arms of chair. Your hands should be level with the trunk of body or slightly farther forward.

d. Tuck your feet slightly under the chair with heels off the ground and the weight on the toes and balls of the feet.

e. Slowly push your body off of chair using your arms and not your legs.

f. Slowly lower back down to the starting position. Pause.

g. Repeat 8 to 15 times.

h. Rest and then do another set of 8 to 15 repetitions.

#2: This straight-arm exercise will strengthen the muscles between the shoulder and the elbow.

a. Hold your arms straight out to the left and right for several minutes at a time.

b. Relax the arms at the side of the body for a few seconds.

c. Repeat about ten times.

John 4:7 "There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink."

MATCHING

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

___ 1. Jesus ___ 2. Jesus' Disciples ___ 3. Joseph ___ 4. Judah ___ 5. People of Samaria ___ 6. Pharaoh ___ 7. Woman at well

A. Who believed in Jesus because of the woman's testimony? B. Who did Jesus ask a drink from? C. Who gave the best of the land to Joseph's family? D. Who had something for Jesus to eat but it was refused? E. Who told the woman about her life? F. Who went to get Joseph to lead the family to Goshen? G. Who went to Pharaoh to tell him that the family will tend sheep?

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

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question #1 - Why did Jesus have to die?

Answer #1 - When we do something wrong, it is called sin (1 John 3:4). There is nothing we can do to make up for the sin. We cannot do ten good things for mommy or daddy to cancel the sin. Because we have sinned, we are considered a sinner. No sinner may live with God. In fact, the Bible teaches that all sinners will die (Romans 6:23). And that is not the normal death but what is called the second death (Revelation 2:11). Even our own death cannot make up for sin. But Jesus, who never sinned was willing to die in our place - not just the death on the cross but the second death. Jesus never sinning could not make up for our sin. Only death is acceptable to match our death (Colossians 1:19-20).

Question #2 - Will my pet dog be in heaven?

Answer #2 - All animals on earth either have a desire to attack other creatures or have a fear of other creatures. A cat has a desire to attack birds and mice. Dogs have a desire to attack rabbits and other creatures. This desire is called instinct. That is all that animals use. They do not have reasoning ability. We have the ability to reason. We can choose to do the right things or the wrong things. This permits us to choose to believe in Jesus. All those that truly believe in Jesus will one day go to heaven. A dog, cat, fish, and other animals cannot do this. The new earth will be filled with the creatures that will not want to attack like those in the Garden of Eden. They will have no fear of each other nor of people (Isaiah 11:6-9). So we will have better pets on the new earth.

Question #3 - Didn't God say he would not send anymore floods?

Answer #3 - Actually, God said that he would not cover all of the earth again with water (Genesis 9:11). So floods will continue to occur in different parts of the world, but God will never cover the whole earth with water again.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

1. When drinking a glass of water, remember how thirsty Jesus was as He waited at the well for someone to give Him a drink.

2. When you see sheep, remember Joseph, his brothers, his father, and the whole family going to the land of Goshen in Egypt to raise sheep.

3. When you do something wrong, remember that Jesus knew that the woman at the well did something wrong. That means even though mommy or daddy may not know, Jesus does, and we need to ask for forgiveness from Him.

4. Memorize the verses on page 3.

5. Visit an old historic village and see if they have a well. The one Jesus sat at required dropping a bucket down into it on a rope and pulling it back up.

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Vol. 1 Iss. 1

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