Vol. 1 Iss. 1

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INDEX: New Testament Lesson - The Wedding Feast At Cana (John 2:1-12) Old Testament Lesson - Joseph's Brothers Seek Corn (Genesis 42) Character Lesson Memory Text Nature Lesson - Famine In the Land Health Lesson - Sunshine 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

The Wedding Feast At Cana (John 2:1-12)

On the third day of the early disciples following Jesus, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Mary, the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus was called to the marriage along with His disciples, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael. And when the people wanted more wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine!”

Now when the word wine is used, be careful not to assume that it is wine that only some adults drink. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and [one] saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing [is] in it” (Isaiah 65:8). Without letting the grapes ferment into a strong drink, the Bible says that the blessing is in making wine right from the grape instantly from the cluster on the vine. So the Bible uses the word “wine” to refer to grape juice as well as the strong drink.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.” This answer, abrupt as it seems to us, expressed no coldness or discourtesy. It was in accordance with Oriental custom. It was used toward persons to whom it was desired to show respect. Every act of Jesus’ earthly life was in harmony with the precept "Honor thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12). His manner was respectful, yet firm. He designed to teach Mary that the time for her to control Him as a mother was ended. His mighty work now lay before him, and no one was to direct the exercise of his divine power.

His mother said to the servants, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” And there were six waterpots of stone sitting nearby. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith to them, “Scoop out some now and give it to the governor of the feast.” And they did it.

When the ruler of the feast tasted the water that was made wine but did not know where it came from, although the servants that gave the water knew, the governor of the feast called the bridegroom. He said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets forth good wine and when men have drunk much of it, then that which is not as good is served. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

This was the beginning of miracles that Jesus did in Cana of Galilee and manifested His glory. His disciples believed on Him.

After this Jesus went down to Capernaum: He, His mother, His brethren, and His disciples. And they continued there not many days.

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

Joseph’s Brothers Seek Corn (Genesis 42)

Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, “Why do ye look to one another for an answer to the famine? Look, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us so that we may live and not die.” And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, who was Joseph's brother, with his brethren and Jacob gave the reason. “Some type of mischief may happen to him.” And the sons of Israel came to buy [corn] among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

Now Joseph was the governor over the land, and he was the one that sold to all the people of the land. Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth.

When Joseph saw his brethren he knew them but made himself strange to them so they would not know it was him. He spoke roughly to them and said, “Where do you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.” Then Joseph remembered the dreams, which he dreamed of them, and said to them, “You are spies to see the nakedness of the land! That is why you have come.” And they said to him, “No my lord but to buy food is why we have come. We all have one father. We are true men. We are not spies.” And he said unto them, “No but to see the nakedness of the land have you come!” And they said, “Your servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is with our father, and the other is no longer.” And Joseph said to them, “That is it that I spoke to you saying, ‘Ye [are] spies.’ You shall prove yourselves. By the life of Pharaoh you shall not go from here except your youngest brother come here. Send one of you and let him get your brother. The rest of you shall be kept in prison so that your words may be proved whether there be any truth in you or else by the life of Pharaoh you are spies!”

And Joseph put them all together into a prison for three days. Joseph said to them on the third day, “Do this and live for I fear God. If you are true men, let one of you remain in prison, and the rest of you go and carry corn for the famine of your houses. Bring your youngest brother to me to show your words are true, and you shall not die.”

And they said one to another, “We are guilty concerning our brother Joseph in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, but we would not listen. Therefore this is the reason this distress has come upon us.” And Reuben answered them saying, “I told you not to sin against the child, but you would not listen to me! Therefore, his blood is required!”

They did not know that Joseph understood them because he spoke to them through an interpreter. And Joseph turned himself away from them and wept. He then returned to them again and communed with them. He then took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. Then Joseph commanded them to fill their sacks with corn and to put every man's money into his sack. Joseph also gave them provision for the way. Then the brethren loaded their animals with the corn and departed.

While on the journey, one of them opened his sack to give his animal some food in the inn and saw his money. It was in his sack's mouth. And he said to his brethren, “My money is here!” And their hearts sank and were afraid saying to one another, “What is this that God has done to us?” They thought that God was punishing them for the way they treated Joseph. They thought that Pharaoh’s assistant, who was really Joseph, would then think they were thieves stealing back the money they used to pay for the corn. They did not know Joseph put it in their sacks.

Then they came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan and told him all that had happened. They said, “The man, who is the lord of the land, spoke roughly to us and thought we were spies. We told him that we were true men and not spies. And that we are twelve brethren, sons of our father: one is not and the youngest is with our father in the land of Canaan. But the man, the lord of the country, said to us, ‘I will know that you are true if you leave one of your brethren here with me and take food for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me. Then shall I know that you are not spies, but that you are true men.” And shortly after leaving we found every man's bundle of money in his sack.” And when they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.

Jacob their father said to them, “I am bereaved of my children. Joseph is not. Simeon is not. And you shall take Benjamin away. All these things are against me.” Reuben then spoke to his father saying, “Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to you. Give Benjamin into my hand, and I will bring him to you again.” But Jacob said, “My son shall not go down with you because his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If mischief comes upon him then I shall become gray haired with sorrow to the grave.”

CHARACTER LESSON

Jesus being at a wedding celebration reveals that, done rightly, weddings and the celebration there of are blessed of God.

Mary recognizing that the wine was gone showed compassion. We ought to have compassion upon others that are in difficult situations.

Jesus respectively addressing his mother while expressing the new purpose in His life of going forth to preach the gospel, reveals to us that respect to parents, even if not in the same household, is to continue. But it also reveals that the will of the Father is the first focus even if that disagrees with a parent’s ways.

Mary telling the servants, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it”, is good advice for us as well. The Bible is full of commands of Jesus. Whatever is in the Bible, Mary tells us to do it.

The servants doing exactly what Jesus commanded without making any changes show us that we ought to do exactly what Jesus commands in the Bible as well without making any changes.

The disciples believing in Jesus because of the miracle should impress us to believe in Jesus not only for the miracles in the Bible, but the miracles in our lives today.

Jacob telling his sons that there was corn in Egypt and that they should go to get it, when all that the brothers were doing was looking at each other not knowing what to do, showed that the brothers were not decisive. They knew what should be done, but they were looking for an easier way than traveling so far and humbling themselves before another ruler. The brothers were prideful, which is part of the reason Joseph ended up in Egypt. This teaches us that when we know what needs to be done, though much work is involved, we need to do it.

Jacob not sending Benjamin on the first trip down to Egypt showed caution. This shows that we need to be careful as well. We cannot go forward expecting God’s protection if we are not moving forward with God’s guidance.

Joseph’s brethren bowing down before him showed respect in the land in which they traveled to. We should respect our parents and others in authority as well. Now respect does not mean we would do anything that the Bible forbids, but it does mean that we recognize people of authority for God sets up such people and removes them (Daniel 2:21).

The brothers sensing that mistreating Joseph was more than wrong, it was very wrong, revealed signs of repentance though they did not know how to fix the situation. To repent is the first step in making things right between a person and God.

Reuben saying, “I told you not to sin against the child, but you would not listen to me!” further convicted the brothers of the sin. This should have been followed up with advice of what was necessary to fix the situation.

The fact that the brethren realized that it was wrong to have the money in their sacks showed that they wanted to live an honest life. This revealed a converted heart. This is another step that is required in making things right between God and man.

NATURE LESSON

FAMINE IN THE LAND

There was a great famine in the land. People from many countries had to come to Egypt to buy corn and other food to carry back to their homes to live.

This can be an example in our own lives. Without Jesus in our lives, we will not live. It would be called a spiritual famine. It is spiritual because we will continue to live each day here on earth physically but there would be no hope of being in heaven with Jesus one day or on the new earth when it is recreated (Isaiah 65:17).

But another type of famine can exist even if we claim that Jesus is in our lives. The prophet Amos in the eighth chapter and eleventh verse wrote, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find [it].”

So there is day in Amos’ future that a famine will again be in the land. This land would not be some remote place in another country but the land is inclusive of the world. But this time, the famine would not be over bread or food to eat nor will it be because there is no water or anything else to drink. The famine will be of hearing the Words of the Lord.

Now in our day, it is very easy to get a Bible. Even in countries that forbid Bibles, there are many Christian churches and other ministries that provide Bibles for free. So having the Word of God is not a problem. In this country and many others, it is also easy to hear the Word of God being preached in church, on the radio, and even on television. So this does not seem to point to our day or does it? Rereading the prophecy, it states that the famine is over hearing the Words of the Lord.

Did you know that the Devil used the Bible or scripture to tempt Jesus? Evidently a simple hearing of the Word is not the problem. But the devil inserted his own impression to make it appear that the Bible supported what he wanted Jesus to do. He purposely ignored all the other verses in the Bible that would make it clear that what the Devil was trying to do was wrong. Now today we need to be very careful when we hear the Word spoken from the Bible. We then need to search the Bible for all the other verses on the topic that was preached and see if it was preached correctly. Unfortunately many Christians do not do this. They assume the preacher preached correctly. And what is happening is that the way to heaven is appearing easier than how Jesus taught it. People are not hearing the Word of God. They are just hearing words read that God inspired but being used in a wrong manner. This is what is meant by the famine.

But also remember, God does not want us to distrust all preachers. God has assigned His preachers (Ephesians 4:11). So there are good preachers and bad preachers. Unfortunately not all bad preachers know they are bad preachers. They are simply making an innocent mistake. But to follow an innocent mistake while knowing better is still wrong. So study your Bibles and if you discover something that does not seem right, ask your preacher and maybe the two of you can agree with the Bible.

NEW TESTAMENT MEMORY TEXT: John 2:5 His {Jesus} mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he {Jesus} saith unto you, do [it].

OLD TESTAMENT MEMORY TEXT: Genesis 42:18 And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; [for] I fear God.

HEALTH LESSON

SUNSHINE:

The warming ultraviolet rays of the sun are useful in healing the body. Heat is usually good in treating any pain. Warmth also helps bring healthful, natural body oils to the surface of the skin, keeping it smooth and protected. The ultraviolet rays are able to kill germs. Since most windows filter out or block about 95 percent of the ultraviolet rays, it is better to have the windows opened and the curtains pulled back for long periods of time each day. This makes sunbathing a useful treatment for many skin diseases.

Ultraviolet light converts cholesterol in the body in the skin into something else that the body needs -- vitamin D. Getting out in the sun is a good way to lower cholesterol levels in our bodies. If we expose six square inches of our skin to direct sunlight for 20 minutes, we will obtain our minimum daily requirement for vitamin D. Getting more than 20 minutes of sunlight allows your body to store Vitamin D for days when it is impossible for you to be out or for when the sun simply is not shining. And this will reduce and even eliminate the need for vitamin D supplements.

Sunlight helps our minds and has been shown to increase our sense of well-being and to improve sleep. It has been said that “dark night and bright days will help keep the body working properly.” Hyperactivity decreases in children as well as regulates the heart reducing potential heart problems.

Sunlight helps produce more red blood cells, which increases the oxygen in the blood, and leads to increasing the time our muscles can work without getting tired. It also helps produce more white blood cells and enhances oxygen usage, which helps the body fight diseases. While certain skin cancers are associated with exposure to sunlight, some of the more serious internal cancers seem to decrease.

As with most good things, there is a balance. The main concern is that of burning the skin. Some drugs, deodorants, soaps, makeup, and alcohol beverages make the skin easier to burn. An abundance of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the diet provides what is necessary to protect against harmful effects and is important in order for the body to properly handle the sunlight.

Exercising outdoors is an excellent way to obtain a daily dose of sunshine and fresh air. If you also choose to sunbathe take into consideration the time of year and the hour of the day. Do not burn! Sunbathing is better done in short, frequent exposures instead of one long exposure. When you have decided that you have had enough sun, the best sunscreen for your health is to wear cool, comfortable, lightweight clothing.

“Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun” (Ecclesiastes 11:7).

So remember, do not be afraid of the sun but provide ways to have a lot of sunlight in every room in the house and to be outdoors.

John 2:1-2 “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.”

MATCHING

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

___ 1. Corn ___ 2. Money ___ 3. Provision ___ 4. Sacks ___ 5. Water ___ 6. Waterpots ___ 7. Wine

A. What did the governor of the feast taste? B. What did Jesus tell the servants to fill with? C. What did Jesus tell the servants to fill? D. What did the brethren of Joseph receive extra for the way home? E. What did the brethren of Joseph go to Egypt for? F. What did the brethren of Joseph find on the way home? G. What did the brethren of Joseph carry back home and open on the way?

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

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	E F G C H B	I F J J K D L C L		A F
__ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __		__ __
.
.
M N O O	A B C N P	G K I Q G	R N A B	I F P D,
__ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __	__ __ __ __
.
.
K D L	A F	P C G A F P C		C S C P T
__ __ __	__ __	__ __ __ __ __ __ __		__ __ __ __ __
.
.
J K D' G	J F D C T	N D A F	B N G	G K I Q,
__ __ __ __	__ __ __ __ __	__ __ __ __	__ __ __	__ __ __ __
.
.
K D L	A F	U N S C	A B C J
__ __ __	__ __	__ __ __ __	__ __ __ __
.
.
H P F S N G N F D		M F P	A B C	R K T
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __		__ __ __	__ __ __	__ __ __

[Answers to November 2002 cryptic: Each letter in the puzzle stood the place of a real letter: A=T, B=H, C=E, D=W, E=O, F=D, G=I, H=S, I=C, J=P, K=A, L=R, M=L, N=M, O=K, P=N, Q=Y, R=F, S=J, T=U. The verse was: John 1:37 “And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.”]

UNSCRAMBLE

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

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

[Answers to November 2002 unscramble: Row 1- DREAMED, BEHOLD, PLENTY, DWELLEST; Row 2 - ANDREW, SEVEN, SIMON, DISCREET; Row 3 - MANASSEH, CEPHAS, DEVOURED, PHILIP; Row 4 - NAZARETH, EPHRAIM, GUILE, FAMINE.]

LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

1. Fill up a clear glass with water and put some red dye in it to change it to red remembering that Jesus, without using dye, changed water into wine

2. Memorize the memory verses on page 4.

3. Get a flowerpot, put some dirt into it, water it down so that the dirt becomes one big clump and then do not water it nor let the rain fall on it. After a few weeks it will appear dry and crumbly. Remember that Joseph and his family went through seven years of drought.

4. Visit a factory that collects the corn and bags them to ship to other places remembering that the Egyptians did it without machines or trucks but by hand scooping and carrying on animals.

5. When you drink grape juice, remember the water being turned to wine by Jesus at a wedding feast in Cana.

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Vol. 1 Iss. 1

Current Vol First Issue

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