After completing this Sunday school lesson, the children will learn that the Bible can be used to guide us through our time here on Earth.
TOPICS
Word of God, Bible, Guidance
AS KIDS ARRIVE (10 minutes)
As the children arrive, have them find their folder and take out the Old and New Testament Books of the Bible handout sheets started last week. Have them use their Bible to continue writing down the names of the books of the Bible. Also, during this time, kids who are ready can demonstrate to the teacher how far they can go towards getting stars on the Starboard.
OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISE (5 minutes)
Further info? Click here
MEMORY WORK (6 minutes)
Old Testament Books of the Bible
Today, the challenge will be to memorize the books of Old Testament History, all the way to Esther in addition to the first five books memorized last week. Help the children by saying these books together, and comment on how easy it is to memorize the 1st and 2nd books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.
Have the children work together in small groups of two or three for a few minutes, then have a group challenge. Members of each group can alternate or help each other try to say all of the books in order to Esther. All groups should be recognized for their accomplishment. To make it more challenging, you can find out which group can do it the fastest.
CLASS EXERCISE (10 minutes)
The Owner's Manual (Story) Click here
SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes)
Introduction:
Now that we know the Bible is the Word of God, let us look into what the Bible means to us. Today, we will discover that the Bible is our guide, just like an owner's manual is a guide for how to operate a car. When your family goes on a trip to a strange place, it is important to have some kind of guide to know where to go. What would they use for that? Right a map, A map is a guide. Or imagine walking through a dangerous part of the African jungle. Would you not want a guide to show you the way? Of course you would. Psalm 119:105 says "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." A light on the path helps us see where to go. And Psalm 119:133 says, "Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me." Just as we need to follow an owner's manual to operate a car, or a map to get to our vacation spot, we need to follow the Bible to live Godly life. A long time ago, abut 600 years before Jesus was born, the people of Judah lost God's Word. They had no guide to follow, so naturally they did what was wrong in God's eyes. But then God's Word was found. Let's find out what happened.
Read 2 Kings 22:1-20 (The Book of the Law is Found)
Discussion Questions:
1. How old was Josiah when he became king? (Only eight years old.)
2. Where was the Book of Law found? (In the temple.)
3. What were the people doing in the temple? (Distributing money brought to restore the temple.)
4. What did Josiah do after hearing the words from the Book of Law? (He tore his robes and wept.)
5. Why was Josiah worried God would be angry? (Because their fathers were not obeying God's Word.)
6. What happened to Josiah because he wanted to follow God's Word? (He was buried in peace and did not see the disaster.)
CLASS EXERCISE (15 minutes)
Bible Keys (Activity) Click here
Bible references use certain keys to help indicate book, chapter, verse, etc. This activity will help children know how to find verses and how to read common Bible references.
ALTERNATE CLASS EXERCISE (10 minutes)
Temptation (Object Talk) Click here
APPLICATION (5 minutes)
God's Word is our guide in life. But it does no good if we don't know what His Word says. That's why it is important to read and study the Bible. The people in Josiah's time had an excuse, they didn't know where the Word of God was, so they couldn't read it. But we have easy access to the Bible. We have no excuse for not knowing what God's Word says. As mentioned earlier, God's Word is like a lamp, a light to guide us. The closer we are to that light, the better we can see what is right from wrong. The closer we are to that light, the easier it is for us to follow God, and be protected from turning towards sin.
Close to the Light (Experiment to do at home)
When it is nearly dark outside, stand in the center of a room with the lights off. Look out the window and notice the dimly lighted sky. Now turn on all the lights in the room and look out the window. Notice now how everything outside looks totally dark. This is similar to God's Word, which is known as the Light. When we are far from God's Light (in the dark room), the sin of the world outside doesn't appear so dark. But when we are close to God's Light (in the well lighted room), it is easy to see how dark the sin of the outside world truly is.
NEXT WEEK
Have you ever watched a quick change artist? Do you know what one is? Did you ever want to be one? After next week your answer to all of these questions will be yes!
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
Further info? Click here
TAKE HOME PAGE
Give one copy to each child at the end of the class to take home. Click here [PDF]