Bible, Glitter and Glue

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God filled the oceans with all sorts of creatures on the fifth day. He also created birds on this day. Not only did He create these creatures, He made them with the ability to reproduce.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Genesis 1:20-23
• Jesus said diversity in the Kingdom of God is like fish in a net (Matthew 13:47)
• Jesus compared following Him to fishing for men (Matthew 4:19)
• Jesus miraculously used two fish and five loaves to feed a crowd of over 5,000 people (John 6:1-15)
• God knows every bird (Psalm 50:11a)
• God protects us like a mother bird protects her chicks (Psalm 91:4)
• People who trust God will rise up like eagles (Isaiah 40:31a)

Outline:

1. The creation story is found in Genesis chapters 1 and 2
2. God created creatures if the sea and birds. (Genesis 1:20-23)

Tips for teaching children:

• Make a craft with feathers or shells.
• Young children can learn to draw a simple fish shape
• Decorate boiled eggs

Tips for teaching adults:

• For a fun exercise, ask the class to google the question, “What are names of the birds mentioned in the Bible?”  I think everyone will be surprised at the various bird species named in the Bible.
• Guide the class into reading the following texts: Luke 12:6-7;  Matthew 6:26-28; Deuteronomy 22:6-7.  Each of these texts teaches us something about the life of the follower of God.  Lead the class in a discussion by asking the class, “What can we learn from the birds about our life as God’s people from these texts?” and “How are birds used to teach us about our life with God?”

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Day 5-God Created Birds & Fish 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Before the fourth day, there was a type of light, but on this day, God created the sun to give a bright light that was called day. He also created the stars and moon we see in the night sky. Because of this, there could be seasons and time as we know it today.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Genesis 1:14-19
• Psalm 19:1-2
• Deuteronomy 4:19
• Psalm 84:11
• Job 9:9-10
• Psalm 147:4-5
• Philippians 2:14-16

Outline:

1. The creation story is found in Genesis chapters 1 and 2
2. God created the sun, moon and stars. (Genesis 1:14-19)

Tips for teaching children:

• Take the children outside to stargaze at night or notice sunlight and shadows during the day.
• Young children can practice drawing circles for the sun and moon and then master the skill of drawing stars.
• Make crafts using black paper and star stickers or glitter.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Begin the class by mentioning these fun facts about the sun:
  • The sun is about 100 times wider than the earth.
  • It takes light 8 ½ minutes to travel from the sun to the earth.  When you look at the sun you are seeing   what it looked liked 8 ½ minutes ago.
  • The hottest part of the sun is its core – 15 million0 C (27 million F.). It’s surface (photosphere) is a balmy 5,5000  C (10,000 F).  The big mystery is that its atmosphere (corona) gets hotter the further away from the sun and can reach temps around 2 million0 C (3.5 million F). 
•  Choose four people to read the following texts, Psalm 50:1-2; Psalm 84:11; Isa.60:19-20 and Malachi 4:2.  Lead a discussion around the question, “What are some analogies between God and the sun?” 
• Organise a trip outside either during the day or during the night. Have the group look up at the sky and ask them to think about God.  While they are looking at the sky, read Psalm 8 and Psalm 136:1-9.   Ask the class the following questions: What word best describes what you are experiencing: awe, humility, wonder, love, being special?  Why?  How does the sun, moon or stars remind us of God’s love?  Lead the class in prayer praising and thanking God for his wisdom, power, love, and goodness. 

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Day 4-God Created Sun, Moon, & Stars 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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On the third day of creation, God separated land and sea and caused dry land to appear. God also created vegetation on the third day. The creation must have begun to take on beauty and majesty. The creation of our world was done in an orderly fashion, leading up to its completion. God was building a beautiful, healthy place that would eventually be ready for humanity.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Genesis 1:9-13

Romans 1:20 

Soil: Luke 8:4–15

Rock: Psalm 18:2 and Matthew 16:16-18

Rock and Sand: Matthew 7:24-27

Grass and Flowers: Isaiah 40:8

Trees and Fruit: Psalms 1:1-3 and Galatians 5:22-23

Vine and Branches: John 15:5

Outline:

1. The creation story is found in Genesis chapters 1 and 2
2. God formed land and created plants (Genesis 1:9-13)

Tips for teaching children:

• Both adults and children can try to list as many words as possible concerning first land and then plants. If you wish you could divide the children into teams and make it a contest.
• Eat fruit or vegetable snacks.
• Make a collage or mosaic picture using seeds and plant parts.
• Make a sand candle.
• Plant a seed and check back to see if it grew.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Organise a class project to clean up and beautify a local park.  If possible, include children in this project. This project may involve picking up rubbish, clearing out dead plants, removing dead limbs, and/or planting new things appropriate to the park.  Lead a discussion on our role as stewards of the land God has given us.  Include in the discussion reflecting on how important it is to take care of the land and how important the land is to us.  NOTE: You may have to get permission from the city council to do this project or parts of it.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: On Day 3 God Created Land & Plants 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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As this day began, we find that water covered the entire earth. On this second day of creation, God separated the water so that sky appeared above the seas. For the first time ever, the Earth would have experienced things associated with sky and water: clouds, wind, waves, etc.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Genesis 1:6-8
• Job chapter 37 (God has complete power over all aspects of weather.)
• Mark 4:37-41 (Jesus can command the weather.)
• John 4:14 (Following Jesus is like drinking from never-ending springs of water.)  
• Acts 1:9-11 (The resurrected Jesus ascended into clouds, and one day, He will return in the same way.)

Outline:

1. The creation story is found in Genesis chapters 1 and 2
2. On the second day, God separated water so there was water and sky (Genesis 1:6-8)

Tips for teaching children:

• Challenge the children to list as many words as possible about water and air.
• Write (or have children write) “God made the clouds” on blue paper.  Young children can glue cotton wool to the paper.
• Collect weather reports and share them with the children.
• Make a mobile with paper clouds.
• Have children tape streamers or ribbon to a stick and wave them in the breeze.
• Fly a kite.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Have the class members go outside and look up at the sky.  Ask the group to describe what they see (prompt them by asking about the sky's colour, apparent shape, expanse, etc.).  Read Job 22:14 and reflect on the following:
  • What does this text mean?
  • How does this make them feel?  
  • What does it say about God? 
• Read and reflect upon Psalm 8.  How does the psalmist feel about God and about himself when he observes the creation? What can we learn from the creation about God’s relationship to us?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Day 2-God Created Sky & Water   

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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God created our world. Until this time, the earth was “formless and empty.” Darkness was everywhere.   There is so much we cannot comprehend about how our world came into existence, but in Genesis, God reveals what He wants us to know: He created. 

On the first day of creation, God spoke, and light appeared. This was not the sun’s light because the sun was not created until the fourth day. This was a special light from a source only God knew.

When teaching, emphasise that nothing—not even light—existed until God created it on the first day of creation.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Genesis 1: 1-5
• 1 John 1:5-9
• John 8:12
• Psalm 119:105
• Matthew 5:14-16
• Psalm 27:1

Outline:

1. The creation story is found in Genesis chapters 1 and 2
2. God created light on the first day of creation (Genesis 1:1-5)

Tips for teaching children:

• Talk about this first day of creation within the context of the entire creation week. 
• Help the children find Genesis 1:1 in their bibles.
• Look up other verses in the bible that mention light.
• Explore light using various experiments and methods like a prism, magnifying glass, blacklights, fairy lights, lamps, etc.
• Sing  This Little Light of Mine

Tips for teaching adults:

• Make a plan for your class to go on a field trip to watch the early morning change from darkness to light.  As you are experiencing the change from a time of darkness to a time of light, lead the class in reflecting upon the experience.  You might ask the following to help get them thinking:
  • What do you see? 
  • How does moving from darkness to light make you feel?
  • What does this tell you about God?  
• Ask the group to think of texts in the Bible that talk about light and darkness and read the texts that come to mind. Conclude this experience by reading  Romans 13:11-13.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Day 1- God Created Light

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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One of the subjects Paul discussed in his letter to the churches of Galatia was a comparison of living with our “sinful self” and living “by the Spirit.” If a person lives out selfish desires, the ultimate result is a sinful life. Sin is the fruit. In contrast, when Christians allow the Holy Spirit to control their lives, they will do the good things that please the Holy Spirit and God. This kind of life is the fruit of the Spirit.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Galatians 5:16-26
• Galatians 5:22-23
• Luke 6:43-45
• Matthew 7:15-20
• Matthew 12:30-37

Outline:

1. Two choices. Who will lead? (Galatians 5:16-18)
2. Choice One: Self in Control (Galatians 5:19-21)
3. Choice Two: The Spirit in Control (Galatians 5:22-26)

Tips for teaching children:

• Consider what words need defining in this Scripture.  Be more general with younger children. Be ready to answer older children's questions, particularly about the sins listed.  In all cases, be appropriate to the age of the child.
• Eat fruit as you talk about the Fruit of the Spirit
• Sing the Fruit of the Spirit Song

Tips for teaching adults:

• Invite class discussion to help participants better understand the implications of a Spirit-led life. Discussion starters might be as follows:
  • Firstly, imagine a world where everyone lives according to the sins listed in Galatians 5:19-21. Then compare that with a life guided by the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23. 
  • How might each world play out to its logical conclusion?  Where would living out the desires of the flesh lead?  What kind of family, neighbourhood, community and nation would result from this?  
• Create a chart listing the fruit of the Spirit and provide each participant with a copy.  Encourage them to keep a tally over the next 2-3 weeks.  They can place a tick or check mark on the chart each time they witness other Christians displaying the fruit.  For example, if they see someone hold the door open for someone else to pass through first – they could tick off “love” and “patience.”  Compare results.  Spend time in prayer to thank God for these displays of the Spirit.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The Fruit of the Spirit 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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The church in Corinth had many problems, and Paul addressed those in the two letters he wrote to them. He instructs that their internal bickering and selfishness could be solved if they practised one thing: LOVE. In this chapter, Paul gives practical advice on what love is and how to practice it.

When teaching, emphasise that love is how you treat people and not just an emotional feeling.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Corinthians 13

Outline:

1. Good actions mean  nothing if not based on love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
2. Love is expressed in action (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
3. Love lasts forever (1 Corinthians 13:8-13)

Tips for teaching children:

• Make a craft involving hearts. A good phrase to write on the crafts is “Love never ends” from 1 Corinthians 13:13. 
• Discuss each attribute of love in the context of a child’s world.
• Encourage children to memorise 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.  They can finish this off with the first phrase of verse 13 (love never ends)
• Sing songs about love:
  • Ha-la-la-la Song
  • Hello Hello Song
  • Love is Something If You Give It Away
  • L-O-V-E Song

Tips for teaching adults:

• Questions and conversation starters: 
  • Share about the most loving thing someone has done for you. Why did you consider it the most loving?  What makes it stand out?  
  • Discuss what aspects of love are the most challenging. 
• Imagine a church that is fully loving.  What would the Sunday worship assembly be like?  How would members interact with one another?
•  As a class, choose one of the qualities of love Paul mentions in this chapter, and then, for one month, practice this quality toward one another in the class.  You might brainstorm ways this can be done.  For instance, to practice “love is kind", you might write a note of encouragement, take someone out to eat and pay for their meal or speak affirming words to them.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Chapter of Love

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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During the Passover meal, Jesus gave new meaning to the unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. He told the disciples that from now on, they were to eat and drink it to remember the significance of his death on their behalf.

We take the Lord’s Supper each week as a memorial celebration of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Corinthians 11:23-34

• Matthew 26:26-30
• Mark 14:22-26
• Luke 22:14-20
• I Corinthians 12:27
• Exodus 12:12-13
• 1 Peter 1:18-19
• Ephesians 1:7

Outline:

1. Description of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:23-26)
2. Teachings about the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:27-34)

Tips for teaching children:

• Guide the children in making homemade communion bread and grape juice.  For fun, you could press grapes to make the juice.
• Artwork: Have children draw or paint a cross in the centre of a paper.  Draw pictures of the bread and wine on either side of the cross representing Jesus’ body and blood. Underneath the picture, children can write, “Do this to remember me.” I Corinthians 11:24

Tips for teaching adults:

• Questions:
  • What are some memorable times in taking the Lord’s Supper?  Do any of them stand out?  Why?
  • Why is the Lord’s Supper meaningful to you?  How is it special?
• Have the class brainstorm different ways to practice celebrating the Lord’s Supper that highlight its importance.  For instance, the Lord’s Supper is an act of unity of God’s people.  What practice in taking the Lord’s Supper will convey the thought of unity of the church? (My suggestion: hand out the bread and fruit of the vine, and after the prayer for the bread, have everyone eat it together.  Do the same for the cup).   

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Meaning of the Lord’s Supper 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Paul wrote a letter to the church in Ephesus to help them understand God’s power and how He wants Christians to behave. To help them be “strong in the Lord”, Paul uses an example of a soldier’s battle armour to explain that God gives Christians spiritual weapons of strength to fight Satan.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Ephesians 6:10-18
• Ephesians 1:21-22
• James 4:7
• 1 Peter 5:8-9
• Colossians 2:15
• Romans 8:37-39

Old Testament References to Armour:

• Isaiah 59:16-17
• Isaiah 11:5
• Isaiah 49:2
• Isaiah 52:7

Outline:

1. The Spiritual Battle (Ephesians 6:10-13)
2. How to stand (Ephesians 6:14-17)
3. Pray (Ephesians 6:18)

Tips for teaching children:

• The subject of evil powers and the Devil is very serious and should be handled carefully with children.  Children should be aware of the enemy and understand that he wants to turn us against God.  On the other hand, they need to know that God has more power than the Devil.  If we pray and follow God, then we do not need to be afraid or worry that the Devil might overpower us.  Teachers should stress the power and love of God over any mention of the Devil.
• Show illustrations of soldiers of Paul’s time and talk about the various pieces of armour Paul mentioned.
• Video games often depict an enemy attacking the “good guy”.  In the games, the player usually tries to load the “good guy” with weapons and powers so that he can fight the enemy.  Ask older children to share about a game.  Compare this to being prepared with God’s power to fight our enemy, the Devil.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Questions for Discussion: 
  • How do these evil spiritual forces manifest themselves in our world (including our social, political and religious structures)? 
  • How does prayer fit into this battle?  
  • What is the purpose of each of these pieces of armour?  
  • How do they work together to protect the wearer?  
  • Paul was on the front line of the battle. What evidence of the battle is there in your congregation?
• Spend time in prayer for one another, committing as a group to put on God's full armour and help one another do the same.  

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The Christian Armour 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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From infancy and throughout his life, Timothy studied the Scriptures and learned about God.  His father was an unbelieving Greek, but his mother and grandmother were followers of God and taught him well.  As a young man, Timothy joined the Apostle Paul on missionary journeys and continued serving God in many ways over his lifetime.  He was like a son to Paul and one of his most trusted co-workers.

Emphasise that we can be like Timothy and begin to learn about God from an early age.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Acts 16:1-5
• 2 Timothy 1:3-7
• 2 Timothy 3:14-15
• 1 Thessalonians 3:2
• 1 Timothy 5:23
• Hebrews 13:23
• 1 Corinthians 4:17

Tips for teaching children:

• Show the class some of the material used to teach children younger than them. They will notice that the material seems babyish. Let them enjoy that they have “matured in the Lord” since that time.
• Arrange to have the children visit a class of younger children and observe their class.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Use this free online concordance to find the 25 references to Timothy in the New Testament. Provide these verses to the class and ask them to describe Timothy.
• Consider the following discussion questions:    
  • What is something new that you have learned about Timothy? 
  • Is there anyone you know that reminds you of Timothy? How?
  • How did Timothy demonstrate his faithfulness to God and his friendship to Paul? 
  • What one or two things about Timothy do you want to be more like? 
  • How can Timothy encourage you in your faith?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Timothy 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]