Vol. 1 Iss. 1

Current Vol First Issue

Previous

Next

INDEX: New Testament Lesson - Mary Visits Elisabeth (Luke 1:39-80) Old Testament Lesson - Isaac and Rebekah Have Twins (Genesis 25) Character Lesson Nature Lesson - Tree Health Lesson 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

Mary Visits Elisabeth (Luke 1:39-80)

And Mary left her home and went into the hill country quickly into a city of Juda where she entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elisabeth. When Elisabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby inside Elisabeth leaped and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She spoke out in a loud voice saying, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” And then Elisabeth asked, “Why would the mother of my Lord come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” Mary then said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden, for behold, from now on all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty has done to me great things, and holy is His name. His mercy is upon those that fear Him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with His arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their seats and exalted those of low degree. He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel remembering His mercy, as he told Abraham and his seed for ever.” Mary stayed with Elisabeth about three months and then returned to her own house.

When Elisabeth's full time came to give birth, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours and cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. Then on the eighth day they came to the temple to circumcise the child. Those in the temple called the baby Zacharias, after the name of his father, but his mother said, “Not so. He shall be called John.” Then they said to her, “There is no one in your family called by this name.” So they made signs to his father seeing what name he would want. Zacharias then motioned for a writing table. He wrote, “His name is John.” Then they all were amazed. Then Zacharias’ mouth was opened immediately and his tongue loosed. He began to speak and praise God. Fear came on all of them. All of these events were eventually told to everyone in the hill country of Judaea. But all that heard them kept the words in their hearts saying, “What manner of child will this be?” The hand of the Lord was with John.

His father Zacharias was then filled with the Holy Ghost and prophesied saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel because He has visited and redeemed His people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. He has spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began saying that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all that hate us. He would perform the mercy promised to our fathers and remember his holy covenant. He would remember the oath that He swore to our father Abraham and that He would grant to us being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. And my child, John, shall be called the prophet of the Highest because he shall go before the Lord preparing His ways giving knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace.” And the child grew and became strong in spirit. He was in the deserts till the day of his appearing to Israel.

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

Isaac and Rebekah Have Twins (Genesis 25)

After the death of Sarah, Abraham found another woman to marry and her name was Keturah. She gave birth to Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah, but Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. And Abraham lived a hundred and seventy five years before he died.

When Abraham died, his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in a cave in the field that Abraham purchased many years beforehand. It was there that Abraham was buried with his first wife Sarah.

Then sometime later, Isaac and Rebekah realized that they still did not have any children. Isaac knowing that he needed divine help prayed to God, because his wife Rebekah was considered barren, which means that she could not have children. God answered Isaac’s prayer by allowing Rebekah to conceive, not only one but two children inside her called twins.

As Rebekah carried the children inside her, the children struggled against each other. They were pushing and turning around making Rebekah feel very sore. So she said to herself, “Why is this happening?” To get an answer, she decided to pray to God. And God said to her, “Two nations are in your womb and two types of people shall come from you when you give birth. The one people shall be stronger than the other people, but the older child shall serve the younger one.

And when the days of her pregnancy came to an end, behold there were twins that were born. The first came out red all over like a hairy garment, and so they called his name Esau. And after that came out his brother. His hand took a hold of Esau's heel, and they called him Jacob.

At the time of the birth of these children, the father, Isaac, was sixty years old.

As the boys grew up, Esau became a cunning or very smart hunter. He was a man of the field. Jacob, on the other hand, was a plain man, and he stayed in tents.

Now Isaac loved Esau because Esau ate venison and gave some to his father, which he liked very much. But Rebekah loved Jacob.

Now one day as the children, which were actually young men, Jacob was making pottage. Esau came in from the field to where they were living but was faint because he was very hungry and had nothing to eat. Then Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me I pray with the red pottage you are preparing for I am faint.” Because of this, Esau was also called Edom.

But Jacob said, “Sell me today your birthright.” A birthright is given to the firstborn son, which permits him to receive a special blessing as well as have a double portion of the wealth of the father when the father dies.

And Esau said, “Behold I am at the point ready to die from starvation. What profit is this birthright to me right now?”

And Jacob said, “Swear to me today.” And Esau swore to him. That means that Esau sold his birthright to Jacob. Now Jacob would receive the blessings instead of Esau.

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles. And Esau ate and drank until he was full. Afterwards, Esau got up and went about his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

CHARACTER LESSON

DO THOSE THINGS THAT ARE PLEASING IN GOD’S SIGHT (1 John 3:22)

Mary set an example that whenever we meet someone, to show respect, a greeting should occur. This may consist of saying, “Hello, Mr. Smith” or “Good afternoon Mrs. Jones”.

Elisabeth showed the proper thing to do when some greets us. We should greet them back. Staying silent because of embarrassment is actually disrespectful.

Both Mary and Elisabeth were quite thankful for what God was doing with the two of them. We should always be looking to thank God for everything He does in our lives. Then at the end of the day, you can offer a thank you prayer listing all the wonderful things he has done.

By Mary staying with Elisabeth for three months, Mary was a helper. We should always look for ways to help one another.

The relatives and friends rejoicing over the birth showed that we should always be happy that a new life has been born because life itself is a miracle.

When Elisabeth and Zacharias both called the child by the name John, they showed complete obedience to God even though a son named after Zacharias would have been nice. So when we want to do something that would be pleasing to ourselves, we need to think if this is what God would have us do.

The Bible says that John grew up and strong in the spirit. That should be our goal as well. We should want to do what God would have us to do, focus on only those things that draw us closer to God, and listen to our parents teach us about God.

Abraham’s sons, Isaac and Ishmael, burying their father showed that we should always be ready to take care of our parents as long as they live especially when they begin to not be able to do those things that they use to be able to do.

When Isaac prayed to God to have a child, it taught us to take our concerns to God as well in prayer for He is the only one to answer prayers correctly.

Esau and Jacob did not set a good example of loving each other. Even before they were born, they were fighting. We should never fight. We should always, even if the other person is in the wrong, find a way to cause the fighting to stop even if that means walking away. This does not mean to continue to let them have their way because then they will never learn to do the right thing. But that would come after the fighting has stopped.

Esau and Jacob were two different children. The things that they liked to do were complete opposites. This teaches us that we cannot expect everyone to always like to do what we want to do. Sometimes we have to do things others like to do. Taking turns is the best thing to do if you try to play with someone that does not like the same things you do.

Isaac and Rebekah were not the best of parents. Parents should never like one child more than the other. It is true that in certain areas one child can do things better than the other but each child is unique and special in their own way. Parents should still love all their children the same.

When Jacob did not feed his brother food right away until Esau gave Jacob his birthright, that showed someone who was greedy because he had something his brother needed but did not give freely. Whenever we see someone needing help, we should never think of ourselves.

Esau thinking only of the present moment teaches the danger of living only for today. We need to always be thinking about what we do and how that we affect things in the future.

When Esau despised his birthright, it taught us that we should treasure all that God gives to us.

NATURE LESSON

Praise the Lord from the earth, … Mountains, and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars (Psalm 148:7, 9)

A tree is a plant. The tallest trees grow higher than thirty-story buildings. They are the world’s biggest living things. Since trees are some of the most wonderful creations of God we would be wise to study them and learn their lessons of eternal worth. Trees can teach us what God wants us to be in His garden.

“…That they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3

The Bible tells us that trees were created for the glory of God. The lovely trees inspire the heart of man with their grand nobility. They appeal to our spiritual nature, (our thinking part along with right feelings). Trees are living examples of qualities and characteristics that make up a well-ordered life - a life loved and honored by God and man. Our lives should have everything in its proper place and our tasks done right away and on time. Our appearance should be nice and neat, especially when we are not playing or working in manner that would cause us to be dirty.

“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” Psalm 1:3.

The trees look up and reach upward. They get all the sunlight they can. They are optimists, which means that they look towards the positive. They are seeking to live where the air is the clearest and the conditions are the best. We should want fresh air and be where it is safe.

The largest fruits grow in the top of the tree. The lives that bear the best fruit for God are those that reach up into the light, that look into His face. In contrast, the weeping willow looks down to the ground. We should want to know more about God rather than think about everything that appears to be going wrong.

Trees continue to grow as long as they live. Unlike most other plants, trees do not die back in the winter. This reminds us of the righteous who “go from strength to strength” (Psalm 84:7). The tree’s leaves make food that help keep the tree alive and help it to grow. There is order in the growth of a tree as God had order in creation.

In climates where it is cold, many trees lose their leaves in autumn. Some trees keep their leaves during the winter and stay green all year long. Trees follow the order of nature. Trees that lose their leaves begin preparation to shed their leaves long before cold weather comes. The rhythmic order of the seasons is set by God, and the trees respond to it.

Trees that shed their leaves in the autumn rest during the winter. In the springtime, these trees grow new flowers and leaves. The flowers develop into fruit, which contain the seeds for making new trees. Some fruits are good food for us and are raised and sold in large amounts each year. “Behold, I have given you every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat” (Genesis 1:29).

Trees also make new wood each year when the weather is warmer. Wood is very valuable in making lumber, paper, and many other products. “Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord” (Haggai 1:8).

One of the greatest gifts trees give to us is their beauty. They cheer the springtime with their buds and blossoms. In the hot summer they provide us with cooling shade. They delight us in the autumn with their brilliant colors. And even in the winter their dark bare branches contrast beautifully with the pure white snow.

Parts of this article is made from the SonLight Bible Series - Family Bible Lessons, Year 1 Quarter 1

HEALTH LESSON

Whether Therefore Ye Eat, Or Drink, Or Whatsoever Ye Do, Do All To The Glory Of God (1 Corinthians 10:31)

“But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” (Genesis 3:3). “And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6).

Ever since Eve gave up self-control of appetite in the garden, people have been growing more obsessed with the cares of eating and drinking, as well as more diseased, which means that people are getting sick more often. What should we do? “And put a knife to thy throat, if thou [be] a man given to appetite” (Proverbs 23:2). We should not simply put food in our mouth just because it tastes good. We should stop eating by the time our belly is full. Also, we should not eat the same thing every day. Even though our favorite food may be the only thing we really want to eat, we need to eat other foods because they have things in them to keep us healthy that by eating only one type of food we would be missing.

And God says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). How can we present our bodies “a living sacrifice” to God? “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Whatever we eat or drink or do, including playing, should be looked at to see if it brings glory to God. Eating bad food or drinking bad things would hurt our bodies. That would not bring glory to God. Eating the right food and drinking the right drinks gives glory to God.

Then God tells us what it will be like before Jesus returns. “But as the days of Noah [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking...” (Matthew 24:37-38). “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, ... But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed [them] all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:28-30). Did you know that lack of self-control in appetite weakens the moral powers so that sin does not appear sinful? It was gluttony, which is eating too much, and drunkenness, which is drinking too much, that led to the sins that caused the destruction in the days of Noah and of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Then God says that there should be a difference between the way we eat compared to those that do not know God. "Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or, What shall we drink... ?” (Matthew 6:31). "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, ... For all these things do the nations of the world seek after... But rather seek ye the kingdom of God...” (Luke 12:29-31).

And how does Satan work his deceptions? "And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” (Matthew 4:2-3). Satan knows that those who are obsessed with appetite have little or no desire for spiritual things. Christ knew the methods of Satan, and by passing over the ground which man must travel, our Lord has prepared the way for us to also overcome!!! "For the Lord GOD will help me . . .” (Isaiah 50:7).

Do you have a favorite food that really is not good for you or that you eat too much of? Decide today that with Jesus’ help you will practice self-control of appetite, and thereby present a living sacrifice to God.

Genesis 25:27 “And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob [was] a plain man, dwelling in tents.”

MATCHING

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

___ 1. Elisabeth ___ 2. Esau ___ 3. Isaac ___ 4. Jacob ___ 5. Mary ___ 6. Rebekah ___ 7. Zacharias

A. A plain man that stayed in tents B. Cunning or very smart hunter C. The father of the twins D. The mother of John E. The mother of the twins F. Went to see her pregnant cousin G. Wrote on a tablet, “His name is John”

[Answers to February 2002 matching: 1=D, 2=C, 3=F, 4=B, 5=G, 6=E, 7=A]

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.)

A B C D D C E		A C	F G C	B H I E	J H E	H K
__ __ __ __ __ __ __		__ __	__ __ __	__ __ __ __	__ __ __	__ __
.
.
L D I M C B;		K H I	G C	G M F G	N L D L F C E
__ __ __ __ __ __		__ __ __	__ __	__ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __ __
.
.
M O E	I C E C C P C E		G L D	Q C H Q B C,	M O E	G M F G
__ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __		__ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __	__ __ __	__ __ __ __
.
.
I M L D C E	R Q	M O	G H I O	H K	D M B N M F L H O
__ __ __ __ __ __	__ __	__ __	__ __ __ __	__ __	__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
.
.
K H I	R D	L O	F G C	G H R D C	H K	G L D
__ __ __	__ __	__ __	__ __ __	__ __ __ __ __	__ __	__ __ __
.
.
D C I N M O F		E M N L E.
__ __ __ __ __ __ __		__ __ __ __ __

[Answers to February 2002 cryptic: Each letter in the puzzle stood the place of a real letter as follows: Z=A, Y=N, X=D, W=M, V=R, U=Y, T=S, S=I, R=B, Q=E, P=H, O=L, N=O, M=T, L=F, K=U, J=C, I=G, H=W, G=P. The Bible verse was: Luke 1:38 “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”.]

UNSCRAMBLE

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

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

[Answers to February 2002 unscramble: Row 1- GABRIEL, NAZARETH, ESPOUSED; Row 2 - DAVID, CONCEIVE, HANDMAID; Row 3 - FAVOURED, HIGHEST, MARY; Row 4 - JOSEPH, VIRGIN, GALILEE.]

LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

1. Look for pictures of the oldest living trees (Bristlecone pines and giant sequoias). Some bristlecone pines have lived between 4,000 and 5,000 years. The oldest sequoias are about 3,500 years old.

2. Find the biggest tree in your area. At creation the trees were much bigger than the biggest tree you can find.

3. Find a pine tree and look at the sap coming out of it. Then find a can of turpentine and read the ingredients on the can.

4. Watch the moon for one month and mark its changing shape on the calendar. Remember that the seasons are set by the moon, and that the trees follow the seasons in perfect order.

5. Stop eating your favorite food item (sacrifice) for one month as an effort to develop self-control of appetite.

6. Choose a tree in your yard to observe. Keep a record of the different birds, animals, and creeping things that visit it and what they do there.

7. Rearrange your closet, dresser drawers and all such items so that all things are in proper order.

ADD TO FREE CHILDREN'S NEWSLETTER

Child's Name: ___________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code: _____________________________________

Send to TSTL, PO Box 10607, Harrisburg, PA 17105-0607

Vol. 1 Iss. 1

Current Vol First Issue

Previous

Next