Bible, Glitter and Glue

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After an exhausting day of preaching to the multitudes, Jesus got in a boat and told the disciples to sail to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus went to sleep. A squall arose, and high winds and raging waters put the boat in peril. Jesus slept through it all! When the frightened disciples woke Jesus, he simply “rebuked the wind and raging waters” and everything became calm.

Jesus is so powerful that he can control nature.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Luke 8:22-25
• Colossians 1:15-16
• Psalm 89:8-9
• Psalm 107:23-32
• Job 38:8-11

Outline:

1. Nap on the boat (Luke 8:22-23)
2. Dangerous storm (Luke 8:23)
3. Jesus calms the storm (Luke 8:24)
4. The disciples react (Luke 8:25)

Additional Links:

• The Galilee Boat from Drive Through History with Dave Stotts
• The Land of the Bible: Ancient Galilee Boat
• Photos of the Galilee / Jesus boat and reconstruction of the boat

Tips for teaching:

• Bring a box to class so small children can pretend it is a boat.  Re-enact the storm, and then one child calls out "Peace be still!" to make the storm stop.
• Child's craft: Fill a clear water bottle with water and then add sand, sea shells and various beads and glitter. Glue the lid shut. Children can tilt the bottle to create a "storm in the bottle".
• Sing: My God is So Big
• Adults can discuss the "storms" they face in life and consider how God has control over these.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson: Jesus Calms a Storm

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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Simon, the Pharisee, invited Jesus to come to his house for dinner. Simon did not show Jesus the simple gestures of hospitality common for that time, like greeting him with a kiss and washing his feet. During the meal, a sinful woman came into Simon’s house and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. She was sorry for her sins, and Jesus forgave her.

When teaching, emphasise that Jesus forgives sin.

Bible verses used in this episode:
Luke 7:36-50

Outline:

1. The invitation (Luke 7:36)
2. A woman washes Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:37-38)
3. A parable and application of love and forgiveness (Luke 7:39-50)

Tips for teaching:

• Set up the classroom with low tables and cushions.  Provide a drink and snack.  Before children sit down, wash their feet.
• A child’s craft could include making footprints.
• Children or adults could write their sins on a picture of a cross and offer a prayer of thankfulness for forgiven sins.
• Children or adults could act out this passage of scripture.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  A Sinful Woman Washes the Feet of Jesus

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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Jesus preached many wonderful lessons in the Sermon on the Mount. The lessons were practical and applied to everyday life.  One important thing that Jesus said in his sermon was to "do for other people the same things you want them to do for you." This is so valuable that it is often referred to as the "Golden Rule".

Bible verses used in this episode:

Sermon on the Mount: Matthew chapters 5-7
The Golden Rule:  Matthew 7:12 
“Do for other people the same things you want them to do for you. This is the meaning of the law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets. (ICB) 

Outline:

1. Be the light (Matthew 5:1-16)
2. How to be the light (Matthew 5:17-7:12)
3. Make a wise choice (Matthew 7:13-29)

Tips for teaching:

• Help children understand the concept by pointing out behaviours and real life situations that display the golden rule (compassion, empathy).
• Bring a variety of shoes to class (work boots, ballet slippers, baby shoes, sports shoes, etc). Children take turns standing in those shoes and talking about what that person might be feeling and how we should treat them.
• Use glitter or gold paint in crafts to emphasise the golden rule.
• For an adult class write descriptions of individuals on cards.  Participants each take a card and imagine that that person was sitting beside them in class.  Talk about their needs and how you would treat them. Examples might be professionals, a person new to town, a person who has had bad experiences with church in the past, someone struggling with the language, someone in grief, etc.
• If studying the entire Sermon on the Mount, adults and children could mime various parts of the sermon. 

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Sermon on the Mount and the Golden Rule

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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People who were sick or disabled would gather around the Pool of Bethesda because they believed the waters would heal them.  One of these people had been unable to walk for 38 years, and he had given up hope that he could be healed.  Jesus healed the man, and he was able to walk again.

Jesus cares about people even when problems make them feel hopeless or sad.

Bible verses used in this episode:
John 5:1-15
Psalm 62:5-6
Isaiah 40:31
Romans 15:13
1 Timothy 4:10

Outline:

1. About the Pool (John 5:1-4)
2. The Encounter and Healing (John 5:5-9a)
3. Pious versus Personal (John 5:9b-15)

Additional Links:
Illustrations and images of the Pool of Bethesda and its location in relation to the temple.

Tips for teaching:

• Look up the word "hope" in the dictionary.
• Write the word "HOPE" in the middle of a large piece paper and then use artwork to decorate around it.
• To recreate the pool scene, drop an effervescent table (like Alka-seltzer) in water to make the water bubble up. Alternatively, pour cola over ice-cream to make it fizz and bubble (and then eat it!)
• If there is one nearby, visit mineral pools and tell the story there.
• Adults can think back to a time when they felt hopeless.  Write a letter to your old self.  Tell your old self why they should have hope.
• Consider current difficulties you face. Do you WANT to be made well?

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Healing of the Man By a Pool

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 popularity of Jesus grew as people began to know more about Jesus and see the miracles he performed.  For the first time in his ministry, Jesus preached at his home synagogue. The angry reaction of the listeners led to a failed attempt to kill Jesus. 

Preaching God’s Word is important but can be difficult.  We should encourage those who preach.

Bible verses used in this episode:
Luke 4:14-30
Romans 10:14

Outline:

1. Popular Jesus (Luke 4:14-15)
2. The Sermon (Luke 4:16-27)
3. Angry Reaction and Escape (Luke 4:28-30)

Tips for teaching:

• Make a scroll
• “Tour” the area of the church from which preaching is done so children can experience the same perspective of the audience as the preacher does.
• Set up a lectern and guide children in having a turn to read from the Bible.
• Adults or children write encouragement notes to preachers and their families.
• Adults can try writing a sermon on a subject of their choice.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus Preaches in Nazareth

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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A royal official in the town of Capernaum had a son who was dying.  The official travelled to where Jesus was, in Galilee, and begged him to come back with him to heal his son.  Instead of going with him, Jesus told the man to return to Capernaum because his son was healed.

The official “took Jesus at his word” and returned home to find his son well. The fever had gone at the same hour Jesus had said he would live.

We can believe the words of Jesus.

Bible verses used in this episode:
John 4:46-54

Outline:

1. The official finds Jesus and asks for help (John 4:46-49)
2. Jesus heals the son from afar (John 4:50-51)
3. The official's conversation with his servants (John 4:52-54)

Tips for Teaching:

• Display a map of your region and/or the world. Mark the places where loved ones live (grandparents, cousins, friends, etc.). Pray for each loved one in confidence that God can take care of them even though they are far away. 
• Help children memorise John 20:30-31
• Invite adults to explore the geography of Capernaum, Cana and Jerusalem.  Talk about the distances and travel times between these places.
• Use PowerPoint to display a map while you teach.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Healing of the Nobleman's Son

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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A man who could not walk wanted to be healed by Jesus. When the man’s friends carried him to the house where Jesus was staying, they found the house packed with people wanting to hear Jesus and be healed by him. The friends made their way to the roof and dug a hole to lower their friend down to Jesus. Jesus was impressed by the faith of these men.

First, Jesus did what only God can do – he forgave the man’s sins. Then, Jesus healed the man so he could get up and walk.

Good friends help us follow God.

Bible verses used in this episode:
Mark 2:1-12

Outline:

1. Bringing a friend to Jesus (Mark 2:1-4)
2. The Healing and Controversy (Mark 2:5-12a)
3. People Praised God (Mark 2:12b)

Other verses about friendship and encouragement:

• Proverbs 17:17
• Hebrews 10:25
• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Tips for Teaching:

• Learn about houses in the times of Jesus. 
  https://www.jesus-story.net/nazareth-houses/
• Children can use a shoe box or similar to recreate a house.
• Adults could talk about true friendship and how they bring their friends to Jesus.  Choose a friend and begin to pray for them regularly.  

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Man Through the Roof

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]

Send us Fan Mail

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and an important Jewish leader and teacher who visited Jesus at night to ask questions.  Among other things, Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be “born again” to enter the kingdom of God. Being “born again” means having a new beginning with the Holy Spirit, God and Jesus.

Jesus explained that the physical world is what we see, but the spiritual world is unseen. We do not see the Spirit but we see what he does in the lives of people.

Jesus explains that he is the one God has sent from heaven to earth. 

The conclusion is a commentary on the salvation made possible through Jesus.  Nicodemus came in darkness, but he learned that Jesus is the light of the world.

Bible verses used in this episode:
John 3:1-21

Outline:

1. Nicodemus visits Jesus (John 3:1-2))
2. Being born again (John 3:3-8)
3. How Jesus makes this possible (John 3:9-15)
4. Commentary on salvation from God (John 3:16-21)

Tips for Teaching:

• Jesus explained the Spirit as powerful yet invisible like the wind.  Guide children in making wind chimes or mobiles.
• Attach transparent plastic over photos of people.  After looking at the pictures, lift the clear plastic.  Talk about the physical and spiritual part of a person.  We cannot see it but it is there.
• Small children can glue star stickers on black paper when talking about Nicodemus visiting Jesus at night.
• Adults can read John 3:5 with Titus 3:5 and talk about how they relate.
• Adults can share how they see the effects of the Spirit in the lives of others in the class.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

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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Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding in the city of Cana. When the hosts ran out of wine to serve the guests, Mary had total confidence that her son, Jesus, would take care of the situation. He miraculously turned plain water into excellent wine.

The miracles of Jesus were more than just tricks. They were ways to show the power of God and build faith in people.

Bible verses used in this episode:
John 2:1-11

Outline:

1. The wine runs out (John 2:1-2)
2. Water turned to wine (John 2:3-10)
3. The response is belief (John 2:11)

Tips for Teaching:

• Young children can play dress-up for a wedding
• Decorate a goblet as a craft
• Begin a collection of pictures depicting the miracles of Jesus
• Memorise John 20:30-31
• Adults could share a feast together.  Make a point of saving the best food or drink for the last.
• Adults could search for other verses about Mary found in the book of John.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Wedding at Cana 

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]

Send us Fan Mail

Followers of Jesus are called disciples. There were many disciples, but early in his ministry, Jesus selected twelve men from the group to be apostles. These men were constantly with Jesus throughout his ministry and were given many special gifts and responsibilities.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 4:18-22 (calling the fishermen)
• Matthew 9:9 (calling Matthew)
• John 1:35-50 (Philip and Nathanael/Bartholomew)
• Matthew 10:1-4 (List of the 12 apostles)

Tips for Teaching:

• Sing the apostle song "Jesus Called Them One by One."
• Descriptions of the apostles vary throughout the gospels.  Some are known by more than one name, and there are duplicate names among the twelve.  Good illustrations can help present this sometimes confusing information to children.  Twelve different pictures with a name and description underneath each one is a great way to do this.  A set of pictures can be downloaded from Bible Fun for Kids.
• Play "follow the leader" or have someone teach the class to do something through demonstration and participation.
• Adults can count how often "follow" is used in the book of Matthew and then talk about what "follow me" means.

Full teaching instructions available free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson:  Jesus Chooses Twelve Apostles

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]