Classical Illustrated Children’s Bible

CLASSICAL ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN’S BIBLE

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CLASSICAL ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN’S BIBLE

Old Testament

New Testament

The beginning

NMemory Verse

Genesis 1:31

God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased ...

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 3:19

The Lord created the earth by his wisdom; by his knowledge he set the sky in place.

Genesis 1 – 2:3

obody knows when the universe began, but we know it happened a long time ago. Nobody knows how the universe began, but we know that God made everything. God was always there. He doesn’t have a beginning. Everything was dark and shapeless. And God decided to create a beautiful universe. First God said, “Let there be light!” He spoke and, in this way, he made everything. And so, there was light and darkness, day and night. He made the galaxies and stars and planets. The sun shone during the day, and the moon and stars gave light at night. God saw that everything he made was good.

God spoke and made clouds and oceans and rivers. God spoke, and there were plants and trees on earth. He made fruit trees and plants with seeds. Each plant had its own kind of seeds. God saw that everything he had made was good.

God made all the living creatures on earth. He made animals that could live with people. God saw that it was good.

God made people. He made them to be like himself. God blessed Adam and Eve and told them to have children. He also told them to take care of the earth and everything on it. And to make sure that the earth would always be a good place to live. God saw everything he had made. And it was good. Then God rested from his work.

Psalm 98:4, 7-9

Sing for joy to the LORD, all the earth; praise him with songs and shouts of joy!

Sing praises to the LORD!

Roar, sea, and every creature in you; sing, earth, and all who live on you!

Clap your hands, you rivers; you hills, sing together with joy before the LORD, because he comes to rule the earth.

He will rule the people of the world with justice and fairness.

God’s Promise

Romans 8:39

... there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for creating our world. Help me see the beauty in everything and everyone around me. Help me to treasure and take care of your creation. Amen

Adam and Eve leave the garden

Memory Verse

Romans 3:12 ... no one does what is right, not even one.

AWisdom for Life

Proverbs 17:20

Anyone who thinks and speaks evil can expect to find nothing good – only disaster.

Read : Genesis 2 and 3

dam and Eve lived in a beautiful garden. God told Adam, “You can eat the fruit from any tree, except from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If you do, you will die.”

Adam and Eve worked in the garden and God visited them in the evenings when the work was done.

Then the snake visited Eve. He said, “Did God really say you mustn’t eat the fruit on the trees?”

“No,” Eve said. “God only said that we mustn’t eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. If we do that, we will die.”

“God lied to you,” the snake answered. “The fruit on that tree will make you be like God. You will know the difference between good and evil.”

Eve picked the fruit and ate it. Then she took some to Adam and he also ate it. Right away they knew they had disobeyed God. They were afraid and tried to hide from him.

That evening God came to the garden. God knew what Adam and Eve had done and he called them out of their hiding place.

Adam said, “We know we disobeyed you. But it’s Eve’s fault! She picked the fruit and gave it to me.”

Eve said, “It’s the snake’s fault. He tricked me.”

God was sad when he heard their words. He told the snake, “From now on you will crawl on your belly. People will try to kill you. And you will harm them with your venom.”

He told Adam and Eve, “You will have to leave the garden. Life will be hard for you.”

God gave them clothes made from animal skins. He said, “Now you know the difference between good and evil. It will be hard to choose to do good.”

Then God gave Adam and Eve a wonderful promise. One day he would send someone who would be stronger than all the evil in the world. He would help people to become friends with God again.

Psalm 51:10-12

Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me. Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your holy spirit away from me. Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

God’s Promise

2 Chronicles 7:14 ... if they ... repent and turn away from the evil ... then I will ... forgive their sins ...

Prayer

God, I have sinned against you. Please forgive me my sins. Thank you that your love is greater than my sins. Amen

Noah and the flood

Memory Verse

Hebrews 11:6

No one can please God without faith ...

TWisdom for Life

Proverbs 4:18-19

The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come. The road of the wicked, however, is dark as night. They fall but cannot see what they have stumbled over.

Read : Genesis 6 and 7

he earth slowly filled with people. And little by little, they did mean and harmful things that made God very sad. He said, “I am going to start over. I am going to wipe out all the people except for Noah and his family.”

Noah walked faithfully with God, and God was pleased with him.

God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to everyone. But I will save you and your family. You must build an ark out of cypress wood. I will also save the animals and birds, so you have to take them into the ark with you.”

Noah began working on the ark. He did everything just as God had told him. The ark was very big. Noah stored food for his family and for all the animals in the ark.

When the ark was built, God said, “Go into the ark with your whole family. Take seven pairs of every kind of clean animal with you into the ark. Take one pair of every kind of unclean animal as well. Also, take seven pairs of every kind of bird. After the flood, the animals and birds can spread out over the earth and fill the earth again.”

In those days, people were only allowed to offer certain animals to the Lord. They were called ‘clean’ animals. All the other animals were called ‘unclean’.

Then God said, “Seven days from now I will send rain. It will rain for 40 days and 40 nights.”

Noah and his family and all of the animals entered the ark. The Lord shut the door. Then it began to rain. It rained continuously for 40 days and 40 nights. The water rose until it covered everything, even the tops of the mountains. All the people and animals drowned. But Noah, his family and the animals the Lord had sent him were safe.

The Lord kept them safe in the ark.

Psalm 29:10-11

The Lord rules over the deep waters; he rules as king forever. The Lord gives strength to his people and blesses them with peace.

God’s Promise

Isaiah 54:10

The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace.

Lord, thank you that you love and protect me. You protected Noah and showed your faithfulness. Help me trust in you even when things are uncertain. Amen

Noah and the rainbow

Memory Verse

Genesis 9:16

When the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between me and all living beings on earth.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 16:6

Be loyal and faithful, and God will forgive your sin. Obey the LORD and nothing evil will happen to you.

IRead: Genesis 8 – 9:17

t rained until the whole earth was under water. Then it stopped raining, and God sent a wind to dry everything out. Noah, his family and the animals had to wait inside the ark for the earth to dry out. At last, the tips of the mountains began to appear. The water was beginning to go down!

After some time, Noah sent out a raven. He wanted to see how much water was left. The raven couldn’t find a dry place to sit. Then Noah sent out a dove. The dove couldn’t find any place to rest either, so it came back to the ark. Noah waited for seven days and then sent the dove out again. This time, the dove came back carrying an olive leaf in its beak. Then Noah knew that plants had started to grow again. The soil was drying out.

After seven days, Noah sent the dove out again, and this time the dove didn’t come back. It had found a dry place to stay. Then God told Noah, “You can all come out of the ark now. The earth is dry again.” The first thing Noah did was build an altar to honour the Lord. Then God blessed Noah and his family. He told them, “I have made the earth new. I know that people will forget about me and do evil things again. But I will never destroy the earth like this again. There will always be rainy seasons,

but there will also be dry seasons. There will be summer and winter. There will be a time to plant and a time to harvest your crops.” God also said, “You are the caretakers of the earth. You mustn’t kill other human beings. You are made in my image. Respect one another.”

Then God put a rainbow in the sky. He said, “Whenever you see a rainbow you must remember my promise to you. I won’t destroy the earth with water again. When I see the rainbow, I will also remember my promise to you.”

Psalm 111:9-10

He set his people free and made an eternal covenant with them. Holy and mighty is he! The way to become wise is to honour the LORD; he gives sound judgement to all who obey his commands. He is to be praised for ever.

God’s Promise

Psalm 89:34

I will not break my covenant with him or take back even one promise I made him.

Prayer

Thank you, God, for the rainbow. It reminds me of your promise of love and hope. Thank you that you always keep your promises. Amen

God calls Abram

Memory Verse

Genesis 17:1

I am the Almighty God. Obey Me and always do what is right.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 15:24

Wise people walk the road that leads upwards to life, not the road that leads downwards to death.

ARead : Genesis 12 and 15

bram lived with his family in Harran. One day the Lord spoke to Abram. He said, “I want you to leave your family and your people and go to another country. I will show you where to go.”

The Lord also gave a promise to Abram. He said, “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing to others. All the nations on earth will be blessed because of you.”

Abram decided to obey the Lord. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, his servants and possessions and left Harran. They travelled to the west until they arrived in the land of Canaan. When they reached the large tree of Moreh at Shechem, they stopped to rest. The Lord appeared to Abram and told him, “I will give this land to your family who comes after you.” Abram built an altar there to honour the Lord.

After a while, Abram went to live near in Hebron, where he built an altar to honour the Lord. Then the Lord spoke to Abram again, “You will have a son of your own. He will get everything you have. Look up at the sky. Count the stars, if you can. That’s how many children will be born into your family. I am the Lord. I brought you out of the land of Babylon. I will give you this land to have as your very own.”

Abram didn’t know how the Lord was going to do these things. But he remembered how the Lord had brought him safely from Harran to Hebron, and he believed the Lord. The Lord was pleased with Abram because he believed. Abram’s faith made him right with the Lord.

Psalm 25:8-10

Because the LORD is righteous and good, he teaches sinners the path they should follow. He leads the humble in the right way and teaches them his will. With faithfulness and love he leads all who keep his covenant and obey his commands.

God’s Promise

Galatians 3:17

God made a covenant with Abraham and promised to keep it.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Your servant Abram showed you his faith and courage. You have a wonderful plan for each of us. Help me to be faithful and courageous too. Amen

Abraham gets good news

Memory Verse

Jeremiah 32:17-18

Sovereign LORD ... nothing is too difficult for you.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.

WRead : Genesis 17:1-8, 15-22 and 18:1-15

hen Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the Mighty God. Walk faithfully with me. Live in a way that pleases me. Remember my promise. You will be the father of a great nation, and your family after you will live in this land.”

Then the Lord changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah.

Abraham and Sarah were very old, and they didn’t have children. Abraham trusted the Lord, but he didn’t know how the Lord was going to keep his promise.

On a very hot day, Abraham was resting under the large trees in front of his tent. Suddenly he saw three men coming towards him. Abraham quickly got up and greeted them and invited them to rest in the shade. He fetched water so that they could wash their feet.

Then Abraham went to Sarah and asked her to bake bread. He told a servant to prepare meat for the guests. He also brought out butter and milk.

While the men were eating their meal, one of them said, “At this time next year, your wife Sarah will have a baby boy.”

Sarah could hear the men from the tent. She laughed softly. “I’m too old to have babies!” she thought.

Two of the men were angels, and one was the Lord. The Lord knew what Sarah was thinking. He said, “Remember that the Lord is the Mighty God. He can do anything. You and your wife will have a baby when I come back next year.”

Sarah was scared when she realised who their visitors were. She said, “I didn’t laugh!”

But the Lord said, “Yes, you laughed!”

Sarah didn’t know what to say. She really, really wanted a baby of her own. Could God’s promise be true?

Psalm 105:8-9

He will keep his covenant for ever, his promises for a thousand generations. He will keep the agreement he made with Abraham and his promise to Isaac.

God’s Promise

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise.

God, thank you for your promises. You gave Abraham good news and great blessings. Help me to have faith and patience for your plans. I know that you love me. Amen

A little boy is born

Memory Verse

Jeremiah 32:27

I am the LORD ... nothing is too difficult for me.

AWisdom for Life

Proverbs 16:1

We may make our plans, but God has the last word.

Read : Genesis 21

braham and Sarah were ver y old. They had always tried to obey the Lord.

Long ago the Lord told Abraham to go to a faraway country. He packed up his goods and animals and left his family and his people. After travelling a long distance, Abraham ended up living in Canaan. The Lord promised Abraham that the land would belong to his family who came after him.

Abraham became a rich man, but he and Sarah never had children. They often wondered how the Lord was going to keep his promise to them.

The Lord kept telling Abraham to trust him, and at last Sarah became pregnant. Then Abraham and Sarah remembered all the times the Lord had spoken to Abraham. They remembered his promise that he would have a son. They remembered the three men who had visited them and told them that Sarah would have a baby boy the following year.

Exactly at the time the three men had promised, Sarah’s baby boy was born.

Sarah was very happy. She said, “The Lord has made me laugh again. Everyone who hears about my baby will be happy with me.”

Abraham named their baby Isaac. It means ‘laughter’.

Isaac brought great happiness to his family. Abraham and Sarah played with little Isaac and watched him grow. Whenever they saw him, they remembered how the Lord had given them the baby he had promised.

Abraham remembered all of God’s promises. Although he only saw one of them come true, he knew he could trust God. He knew that God would give his descendants the land of Canaan. He knew that his family who came after him would be a great nation.

And God kept those promises.

Psalm 127:3-5

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a real blessing.

The sons a man has when he is young are like arrows in a soldier’s hand.

Happy is the man who has many such arrows. He will never be defeated when he meets his enemies in the place of judgement.

God’s Promise

Philippians 4:19

And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs.

Lord God, thank you for families and for people in our lives who care for us.

You blessed Abraham and Sarah with a child. Help me bring joy and laughter to my family and community. Thank you for the promise of love.

Amen

Isaac and Rebekah

Memory Verse

Song of Songs 8:6-7

Love is as powerful as death ... Water cannot put it out; no flood can drown it.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 16:22

Find a wife and you find a good thing; it shows that the LORD is good to you.

ORead : Genesis 24 and 25:19-26

ne day Abraham told his servant to journey back to Abraham’s family to find a wife for his son Isaac. He told the servant that the Lord would help him to find her.

When the servant reached the town where Abraham’s brother Nahor lived, he stopped at the well outside the town. It was time for the women to fetch water.

The servant prayed that the Lord reveal the right woman to him, “I am going to ask a young woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she is the right one if she gives me water and gives the camels water too. Please answer my prayer.”

Just then Rebekah arrived to fetch water. When her jar was full, the servant asked her for a drink. She gave him water, and then she gave the camels water too. The servant asked her, “Whose daughter are you? Can we stay in your father’s house tonight?”

Rebekah said, “I am Bethuel’s daughter and Nahor’s granddaughter. We have plenty of room for you and your camels.”

That evening, the servant said to Abraham’s family, “I want to tell you why I am here. My master Abraham asked me to find a wife for his son Isaac among his family.”

Then he told them about Abraham’s life in Canaan. He explained how the Lord had helped him to find Rebekah and he asked them to send her with him to be Isaac’s wife.

Rebekah’s family knew that the Lord had chosen her, and they were happy for her to go. Rebekah was also happy to go with him. When they were near Abraham’s home, they saw Isaac walking in his fields. Rebekah covered her face with her veil. Then she got down from her camel and greeted Isaac.

Isaac and Rebekah got married and they loved each other. They had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Esau was the oldest of the two.

Psalm 143:8

Remind me each morning of your constant love, for I put my trust in you. My prayers go up to you; show me the way I should go.

God’s Promise

1 Corinthians 13:7-8

Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. Love is eternal ...

God, thank you for your love. Isaac and Rebecca’s love story is beautiful. Help me to be a good friend to others. Thank you for the friends in my life too. Amen

A pot of lentil stew

Memory Verse

Psalm 133:1

How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God’s people to live together in harmony!

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 19:5

Honest people will treat you fairly; the wicked only want to deceive you.

JRead : 25:27-28, 27 – 28 and 33:1-17

acob and Esau were twins, but they were very different. Esau was a good hunter and he liked to be out in the open. Jacob liked to stay home. Isaac loved venison, and Esau was his favourite son. Jacob, the quiet one, was his mother’s favourite.

Because Esau was the older of the two, he was Isaac’s heir. He would become the leader of the family after Isaac, and he would inherit most of his father’s possessions. His father would also give him a special blessing. Jacob did not like this one bit. Esau was only a few minutes older than him. He was jealous of his brother.

One day Jacob was cooking some lentil stew. When Esau came back from his hunt, he was hungry. He told Jacob, “Give me some of your red lentil stew. You have no idea how hungry I am!”

Jacob wanted to tease his brother. He also saw a chance to cheat him.

“I’ll give you stew,” he said, “but only if you give me all your rights as the oldest son!”

Esau did not even think about Jacob’s words. “Look, I don’t care!” he said. “I’ll give you whatever you ask. I am dying of hunger!”

Jacob said, “You have to promise!”

And Esau said, “All right, I promise! Now give me food!”

Then Jacob gave his brother some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the food and left his brother. He did not think about what he had done. He did not care that he had given Jacob all the rights that belonged to the oldest son.

But Jacob cared about those rights. Later he and his mother tricked his father into giving him the special blessing for the oldest son. Then Esau was very angry. He was so angry that he wanted to kill his brother and Jacob had to run away from his home.

Psalm 133:1, 3

How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God’s people to live together in harmony! It is like the dew on Mount Hermon, falling on the hills of Zion. That is where the LORD has promised his blessing –life that never ends.

God’s Promise

Matthew 6:33

Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.

Lord, help me make good choices. Esau traded something precious for lentil stew. Help me to value what truly matters and to seek your wisdom. Amen

Jacob and the stairway to heaven

IMemory Verse

Genesis 28:15

Remember, I will be with you and protect you wherever you go ... I will not leave you until I have done all that I have promised you.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 16:9

You may make your plans, but God directs your actions.

Read : Genesis 25, 27, 28 and 33:1-17

saac became very old and blind. He knew that it was time to give his eldest son, Esau, his special blessing. Rebekah heard what was going to happen. She wanted the younger twin, Jacob, to receive the blessing. Jacob wanted to be the leader of the family too.

Together, Jacob and his mother Rebekah tricked Isaac into thinking that Jacob was Esau.

They dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothing and covered his hands with animal skins. Then Jacob took a dish of meat to his father. Isaac was confused, but Jacob told him that he was Esau. He held out his hands for Isaac to feel. His clothes smelt like Esau’s. Then Isaac blessed Jacob and promised that he would be the leader of the family.

When Esau found out, he was very angry. Isaac and Rebekah realised that it would be better for Jacob to go away for a while to Rebekah’s family.

On the first day Jacob walked until night fell. He soon fell asleep and had a wonderful dream. He saw a stairway going up to heaven. Angels were going up and down the stairs, and the Lord said, “I am the Lord God. One day this land will belong to you and your children and their children. They will fill the earth. I shall bless the world because your family believes in me. I am with you. I will watch over you. And I will bring you back to this land.”

When Jacob woke up, he said, “The Lord is in this place.”

He poured olive oil on the stone on which he had placed his head and called the place Bethel, which means “House of the Lord”. Then he prayed, “Please watch over me and bring me back to this place. I will always serve you. I will give you one tenth of all I own.”

Then Jacob left to live with his mother’s family for many years. Later the brothers made peace with each other.

Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path that leads to life; your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure for ever.

God’s Promise

Isaiah 59:1

Don’t think that the Lord is too weak to save you or too deaf to hear your call for help!

Lord God, thank you that you are always near me. I am not alone. Remind me that you are always close and that you care for me. Amen

Joseph, the dreamer

JMemory Verse

1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud ...

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 16:7

When you please the LORD, you can make your enemies into friends.

Read : Genesis 37:1-11

acob settled in the land of Canaan. He had 12 sons and one daughter. Their names were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin. His daughter’s name was Dinah. Jacob’s favourite child was Joseph. He had been born when Jacob was already an old man. Jacob openly showed that he loved Joseph more than his brothers. This made Joseph’s brothers very angry.

One of the ways he showed favouritism was by making Joseph a beautiful robe. The robe had many different colours. It was nicer than anything that Joseph’s brothers owned.

When his brothers saw the beautiful robe, it made them very jealous. They hated Joseph even more. Joseph made matters worse by telling tales about his brothers. They began to hate him so much that they couldn’t speak a kind word to him.

When Joseph was about 17 years old, he had a strange dream. Joseph dreamt that he and his brothers were tying up bundles of grain in the field. Suddenly, Joseph’s bundle of grain stood up straight. Then, all his brothers’ bundles of grain bowed down to Joseph’s bundle of grain. Joseph told his brothers about his dream.

“Do you plan to be king over us? Do you plan to rule over us?” they asked. Joseph’s dream made them hate him even more.

Soon after that Joseph had another dream.

He dreamt that the sun, the moon and 11 stars bowed down to him.

He told his father and his brothers about the dream. This time his father was also angry because the dream seemed to say that Joseph’s father and mother would also bow down to him.

Joseph’s brothers had found another reason to hate him. But Jacob remembered these dreams, and he wondered what they meant.

Psalm 105:20-22

Then the king of Egypt ... put him in charge of his government and made him ruler over all the land, with power over the king’s officials and authority to instruct his advisers.

God’s Promise

Jeremiah 29:11

I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.

God, Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him. Show me how I must treat people who are jealous of me. Amen

Joseph’s brothers try to kill him

JMemory Verse

Isaiah 30:15

Come back and quietly trust in me. Then you will be strong and secure.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 2:7 He provides help and protection for those who are righteous and honest.

Read : Genesis 37:12-36

oseph’s brothers took care of their father’s sheep. Sometimes they had to travel far away from where they lived to find good grazing.

Jacob sent Joseph to them to find out how they were doing.

The brothers saw Joseph coming when he was still far away. They weren’t happy to see Joseph. His brothers hated him so much that they made plans to kill him.

“Let’s kill the dreamer!” they said. “Then we’ll see if his dreams come true!” They decided to kill him and throw him in an empty well.

But Reuben, Joseph’s oldest brother, didn’t want to kill Joseph. He tried to save his life. He said to his brothers, “Don’t kill him. Just throw him in the well.”

His plan was that he would come back later and save Joseph.

When Joseph reached his brothers, they took his beautiful robe and threw him into an empty well. Then they sat down to eat. While they were eating, they saw traders travelling to Egypt.

“Let’s sell Joseph to the traders!” Judah, one of Joseph’s brothers, said. So the brothers pulled Joseph out of the well and sold him to the traders. Then they killed a goat and dipped Joseph’s robe in the blood. They took the robe back to their father and told him they found it lying on the ground.

“That is Joseph’s robe!” Jacob said. “A wild animal must have killed him!”

Jacob was very sad. His other children tried to comfort him, but he remained sad. “I will miss Joseph until the day I die,” he said.

Psalm 27:10-14

My father and mother may abandon me, but the LORD will take care of me. Teach me, LORD, what you want me to do, and lead me along a safe path, because I have many enemies. Don’t abandon me to my enemies, who attack me with lies and threats.

I know that I will live to see the LORD’s goodness in this present life. Trust in the LORD. Have faith, do not despair. Trust in the LORD.

God’s Promise

Romans 8:28

We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.

Lord, keep me safe and protect me from harm, just as you protected Joseph when he faced danger. Amen

Joseph in the palace

JMemory Verse

Romans 12:17

If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 4:26-27

Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right. Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don’t go one step off the right way.

Read : Genesis 39:1-6 and 41

oseph went through many difficult times during his years in Egypt. Through it all God watched over Joseph and he had a plan for him.

Then, one day everything changed. The pharaoh had dreamt strange dreams, and nobody could explain what they meant. The pharaoh was told that Joseph could interpret dreams and he sent for him.

Joseph said to the pharaoh, “I cannot interpret dreams, but God can give you the answer.”

Then the pharaoh told Joseph about his dreams. In his first dream, he had seen seven cows coming out of the Nile River. They were fat and healthy. Then seven ugly, thin cows came out of the river and ate the fat cows. But they stayed as thin as they had been in the beginning.

The pharaoh’s second dream was about heads of grain. First, he saw seven heads of grain on a single stem. The grains were full and good. Then seven other heads of grain appeared. They were weak and thin and dried up by the wind.

The thin heads of grain swallowed the good heads.

“The two dreams have the same meaning,” Joseph said. “God is showing you that there are going to be seven years with plenty of food for everyone. Then there will be seven years of terrible hunger. Nobody will have food. Nothing will be left over from the seven good years.”

Joseph said, “My advice is that you find a wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. He must have officials to help him, and they must collect a fifth of all the grain that’s grown in the good years. Then they must store it so that you can use it during the years of hunger to feed the people.”

The pharaoh thought that this was a very good plan. He put Joseph in charge of the land of Egypt. Joseph became the next in command after the pharaoh, and he followed out the plan to store food. When the bad years came, there was food in Egypt. The Lord was using Joseph.

Psalm 105:16-17, 19-20

The LORD sent famine to their country and took away all their food. But he sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who had been sold as a slave. The word of the LORD proved him right. Then the king of Egypt had him released; the ruler of nations set him free.

God’s Promise

Psalm 84:11

The Lord is our protector and glorious king, blessing us with kindness and honor. He does not refuse any good thing to those who do what is right.

God, help me to be patient. Through hardships, Joseph remained faithful in the palace. Help me to trust in you, even when bad things happen to me. Amen

Joseph forgives his brothers

TMemory Verse

Genesis 50:19-20

Don’t be afraid; I can’t put myself in the place of God. You plotted evil against me, but God turned it into good.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 25:21-22

If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink. You will make them burn with shame, and the LORD will reward.

Read : Genesis 42 and 45

he drought spread from Egypt to Canaan where Joseph’s father Jacob and his family still lived. When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain.

The brothers appeared before Joseph in Egypt, but didn’t recognise him. Joseph pretended to think they were spies. They told him that they were brothers and that their youngest brother was at home. Oh how Joseph longed to see his youngest brother! He said, “Then you must fetch your brother. Meanwhile I’ll keep one of you here in prison.”

Joseph had Simeon put in prison. On the way home, the brothers found the money they had paid in their grain sacks. It made them very afraid, and when they told their father what had happened, he refused to let Benjamin go back with them.

At last, the family had no more food left, and Judah said to his father, “We must go back to Egypt, and we have to take Benjamin with us. I promise to keep Benjamin safe.”

Jacob agreed to send Benjamin with them. He also sent gifts for Joseph and they took double the amount of money with them.

When Joseph saw Benjamin, he told his manager to prepare a feast. After their meal, Joseph ordered the manager to fill his brothers’ sacks with grain, to put their money back in the sacks, and to hide his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack.

As soon as the brothers were on their way, Joseph sent the manager after his brothers. He

ordered them to open their sacks. When he found the silver cup, he arrested Benjamin. The brothers knew they couldn’t go home without Benjamin, so they all turned back to the city.

Judah spoke to Joseph. “I promised my father I would keep Benjamin safe. I’ll be your slave in Benjamin’s place.”

Joseph saw that his brothers had changed and then he told them that he was their brother Joseph.

Joseph cried and told them, “God sent me to Egypt, so that I could save many lives. It was all part of his plan.”

Joseph forgave his brothers. Later Jacob was reunited with Joseph as well and the whole family came to live in Egypt. The Lord had used their evil plans and turned the situation into something good.

Psalm 103:8-12

The LORD is merciful and loving ...

He does not keep on rebuking; he is not angry for ever.

He does not punish us as we deserve or repay us according to our sins and wrongs.

As high as the sky is above the earth, so great is his love for those who honour him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us.

God’s Promise

Colossians 3:13

Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you.

Jesus, thank you that you forgive us. Joseph forgave his brothers and showed love. Help me to forgive and love others too, because through loving one another, people become happy again. Amen

God saves baby Moses

NMemory Verse

Isaiah 49:5

Before I was born, the LORD appointed me; he made me his servant ...

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 15:3

The LORD sees what happens everywhere; he is watching us, whether we do good or evil.

Read : Exodus 1 and 2

ow the Israelites lived in Egypt. Later a new pharaoh began to rule Egypt. He was worried that the Israelites might fight against the people of Egypt and take over the country. He made the Israelites work like slaves. He also ordered his people to kill all the Israelites’ baby boys.

One mother hid her little son in her house. As the baby grew, his cries became louder. After three months he was crying so loudly that people outside the house could hear him. His mother had to make a new plan.

She made a little basket out of the stems of tall grass and coated it with tar. Then she put her baby in the basket and placed it in the tall grass that grew along the banks of the Nile River.

She told the baby’s sister, Miriam, “Stay near the baby. See what happens to him.”

Miriam stayed near her brother. Soon she saw the pharaoh’s daughter coming down to the river to take a bath. The princess saw the basket. What could be in it? She sent her slave to fetch it. The princess opened it carefully and saw the baby. He was crying, and the princess felt sorry for the baby. Then Miriam said to the princess, “I can find a woman to breastfeed the baby for you!”

“Yes. Go,” the princess said. Miriam went to fetch her mother. The princess said to the baby’s mother, “Please take this baby and feed him. I’ll pay you.”

The mother looked after her young baby until he didn’t need to drink her milk anymore. Then she took him to the princess.

The princess brought up the baby and called him Moses, because she had pulled him out of the water.

God wanted Moses to be a leader to his people. So he gave Moses’ mother and sister the courage to put him in the river. God sent the princess to save his life and adopt him. He made sure that Moses would live so that he could lead his people to the promised land later.

Psalm 139:13-15

You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart. When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother’s womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there –you saw me before I was born.

God’s Promise

Psalm 34:17-18

The righteous call to the Lord, and he listens; he rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope.

Lord God, your plan for Moses began when he was a baby. Help me to trust that you are keeping me safe every day and that you have a plan for me too. Amen

Moses and the burning bush

OMemory Verse

1 Thessalonians

5:24

He who calls you will do it, because he is faithful.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 3:25-26 You will not have to worry about sudden disasters ... The LORD will keep you safe ...

Read : Exodus 3 and 4:1-17

ne day, while Moses was in the desert at Mount Horeb, he saw a strange sight. A bush was on fire, but it didn’t burn up. When Moses went nearer, he heard the voice of the Lord God say, “Do not come closer. Take off your sandals. You are standing on holy ground.”

“I am the God of your father. I am the God of Abraham. I am the God of Isaac. And I am the God of Jacob.”

The Lord said, “I have seen how my people are suffering in Egypt. I have heard their cries for help. I have come down to save them from the Egyptians. I will bring them into a good land. I want you to go to the pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Moses was afraid. He said, “I can’t be the Israelites’ leader.”

But God said, “I will be with you. And I promise you that you will lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and all of you will worship me on this very mountain.”

Moses said, “But what must I tell the people about you? What is your name?”

The Lord gave Moses his name: I AM.

God said, “Tell them I AM sent you.

Say, ‘The Lord is the God of your fathers. He has sent me to you. You must always call him the Lord.’”

Moses was still too scared to go. He said, “Israel’s leaders won’t listen to me. They won’t believe you really sent me.”

The Lord promised that he would help Moses to do special signs.

Moses still didn’t want to go. “I’m not a good speaker,” he said.

The Lord promised to teach him what to say. But Moses said, “Please send someone else.”

The Lord became angry. He said, “Your brother Aaron can speak. But you must tell him what to say. And you must do the signs.”

Then Moses was willing to go to Egypt and lead his people to their own land.

Psalm 105:25-27

He made the Egyptians hate his people and treat his servants with deceit. Then he sent his servant Moses, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. They did God’s mighty acts and performed miracles in Egypt.

God’s Promise

Isaiah 41:10

Do not be afraid – I am with you! I am your God –let nothing terrify you!

I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.

Lord God, I want to listen to you. Moses heard you in the burning bush and followed you, even though he was afraid. Please make me brave to follow your call like Moses did. Amen

God frees the Israelites

MMemory Verse

Hebrews 11:27

It was faith that made Moses leave Egypt without being afraid of the king’s anger ...

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 18:10

The LORD is like a strong tower, where the righteous can go and be safe.

Read : Exodus 5:1-2 and 7:14-12

oses and his brother Aaron told the Israelites, “The Lord has seen your suffering. He will take you to the land that he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

They went to the pharaoh and said, “The Lord God wants you to let his people go.”

But the pharaoh replied, “I don’t know this God! Why should I obey him? I won’t let the Israelites go.”

And so, the Lord sent ten plagues to Egypt.

First, the water of the Nile River turned into blood. The fish in the river died. The people couldn’t drink the water. Next, the Lord sent a plague of frogs. Then the Lord sent a plague of gnats and next a plague of flies. Following that, all the animals belonging to the Egyptians became sick and died. Soon after, the Egyptians and their animals got painful sores on their bodies.

The next plague was a terrible hailstorm. The crops, trees and plants were destroyed. Later, a plague of locusts ate any plants that were left. The ninth plague was three days of darkness.

Every time God sent a plague, the Lord protected the Israelites and kept them and their animals safe. Every time, the pharaoh asked Moses to take the plague away and promised to let the Israelites leave Egypt. But, as soon as the plague was gone, he changed his mind.

The tenth plague was the worst of them all. The Lord gave the Israelites special instructions. They had to slaughter a lamb without any flaws and smear its blood on their door frames. Afterwards they had to cook the lamb over a fire and eat it. When the Lord saw the blood on the Israelite door frames, the household would be safe. That night, all the firstborn Egyptian children and animals died. Then the pharaoh told Moses, “Get out! Leave!”

The pharaoh admitted that the Lord was truly the all-powerful God. The Israelites were free to go.

Psalm 136:10-11

He killed the first-born sons of the Egyptians; his love is eternal. He led the people of Israel out of Egypt; his love is eternal;

God’s Promise

Exodus 6:6-7

So tell the Israelites that I say to them, “I am the Lord; I will rescue you and set you free from your slavery to the Egyptians ... and I will save you. I will make you my own people, and I will be your God.”

Thank you, Jesus, that you save us. You freed the Israelites from Egypt with miracles. Help me to trust in your mighty power every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Crossing the Red Sea

GMemory Verse

Exodus 14:13

Don’t be afraid! Stand your ground, and you will see what the LORD will do to save you today.”

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 15:29

When good people pray, the LORD listens, but he ignores those who are evil.

Read : Exodus 14

od led the Israelites through the desert to the Red Sea. By day, the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud. At night, he led them with a pillar of fire.

The pharaoh soon felt sorry that he had let the Israelites go. Now he didn’t have slaves to do the work for him! His army chased after the Israelites with horses and chariots.

The Israelites looked back and saw the Egyptians coming in their direction.

They said to Moses, “Did you bring us to the desert to die? You should have left us alone in Egypt. At least we were safe there!”

Moses said, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm. You will see how the Lord will save you today. The Lord will fight for you.”

The pillar of cloud in front of the Israelites moved back so that it was between the Israelites and the Egyptians. The cloud brought darkness to the Egyptians, but light to the Israelites.

Then the Lord told Moses to hold his walking stick out over the Red Sea. All that night, the Lord pushed the water back with a strong east wind. He turned the sea into dry land. The people of Israel crossed the sea on dry ground.

The Egyptians followed the Israelites through the Red Sea. But the Lord threw the Egyptians into in a panic. The wheels of the chariots jammed and couldn’t move.

All the Israelites arrived safely on the other side. Then the Lord told Moses to reach out his hand over the sea. Moses did, and the water flowed back. It covered the pharaoh’s army. Not one of the Egyptians was left.

That day the Lord saved Israel from the Egyptians, and the Israelites saw the amazing power of the Lord. The Israelites were learning that they could trust the Lord to help them.

Psalm 136:12-15

... with his strong hand, his powerful arm; his love is eternal. He divided the Red Sea; his love is eternal; he led his people through it; his love is eternal; but he drowned the king of Egypt and his army; his love is eternal.

God’s Promise

Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my protector; he is my strong fortress. My God is my protection, and with him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; he defends me and keeps me safe.

Lord God, you parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross safely. Help me to trust you to lead me to safety when I am in danger. And help me to follow you. Amen

The Ten Commandments

TMemory Verse

Hebrews 11:1

To have faith is ... to be certain of the things we cannot see.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 8:20 I walk the way of righteousness; I follow the paths of justice.

Read : Exodus 19 and 20

he Lord was always ready to help the Israelites when they needed him. After three months, the Israelites reached the Desert of Sinai. They camped at the foot of Mount Sinai.

The Lord told Moses, “If the Israelites serve and obey me, they will be my special people.”

The people answered, “We want to serve and obey the Lord. We want to be his people.”

The Lord wanted to speak to the people of Israel. So Moses told the people to make special preparations. Then he led them to the foot of the mountain. As they waited, a thick cloud covered the mountain. There was thunder and lightning. The Lord came down to the mountain in fire, and the mountain trembled and shook. There was the sound of a trumpet that grew louder and louder. Then the Lord gave the people ten commandments or laws.

This is what he said:

“I am the Lord your God. You must love God more than anyone or anything else.

Do not make or worship statues of other gods. Use God’s name with respect.

Do all your work in six days. The seventh day is a day to rest and to honour the Lord.

Respect your father and mother. Do not hurt anyone. Be faithful to your marriage partner. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not want the things that belong to other people.”

The people were afraid and they told Moses, “We are afraid. Don’t let God speak to us. You must tell us what God wants.”

Moses said, “Don’t be afraid, but always remember that God is all-powerful. You must respect him and obey him.” Then they built an altar and worshipped the Lord.

Psalm 119:9-11

How can young people keep their lives pure? By obeying your commands. With all my heart I try to serve you; keep me from disobeying your commandments. I keep your law in my heart, so that I will not sin against you.

God’s Promise

Deuteronomy 5:29

... If only they would always honor me and obey all my commands, so that everything would go well with them and their descendants forever.

Lord God, help me to trust and follow your commandments as direction for the way I live my life. Amen

Rahab helps the Israelites

TMemory Verse

Hebrews 11:1

To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 4:8-9

Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will bring you honour. She will be our crowning glory.

Read : Joshua 2

he Israelites were in the land God had promised them, but now they faced many enemies.

The city of Jericho had high walls. Joshua sent two spies to the city. The spies stayed in the house of a woman called Rahab.

Then someone told the king about the spies in Rahab’s house.

Rahab hid the two men. She took them to the roof of her house and hid them under some flax she had piled up there. Then she told the king’s men, “The men were here, but I did not know they were spies. They left the city at sunset. If you go quickly, you might still catch them!”

The king’s men left to chase after the spies. They took the road that went to the Jordan River and to the camp of the Israelites.

Rahab went up to the two spies. She told them, “I know that the Lord will give you this land. He is the Lord who rules in heaven and on earth. We have heard how he has helped you and we are afraid. Please promise me that you will help me as I have helped you. Please spare me and my family when the Israelites conquer Jericho.”

The two men promised that they would spare her life and also the lives of her family.

Rahab’s house was part of the city wall. She let the men down by a rope through her window. She said, “Go into the hills. Hide for three days before you go back to your camp.”

The men said, “When we come back for the battle, you must tie this red rope in the window. Make sure that your whole family is in the house. We promise to save all the people in the house.”

Then the two men hid in the hills until the king’s men had gone back to Jericho. When they returned to their camp they told Joshua, “The Lord will give us this land. All the people are very frightened of us and of the Lord.”

Psalm 20:7-9

Some trust in their war chariots and others in their horses, but we trust in the power of the LORD our God. Such people will stumble and fall, but we will rise and stand firm. Give victory to the king, O LORD; answer us when we call.

God’s Promise

Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.

God, help me to be brave and to do whatever is right, just like your servant Rahab. Amen

The walls of Jericho

Memory Verse

Psalm 20:7-8

Some trust in their war chariots and others in their horses, but we trust in the power of the LORD our God.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 6:7-8

The LORD provides help and protection for those who are righteous and honest. He protects those who treat others fairly, and guards those who are devoted to him.

Joshua Israelites approached Jericho. Joshua looked up and saw a man standing in front of him. The man told Joshua, “I have come as the commander of the Lord’s army.”

When Joshua heard this, he fell with his face to the ground.

The gates of Jericho were tightly shut. The soldiers guarded the gates closely, and no one went in or came out.

When the Israelites were ready for battle, the Lord told Joshua what to do. Joshua and his army marched to the city. In the middle of the fighting men were seven priests who blew on trumpets. There were other priests who carried the ark of the covenant. The fighting men didn’t make a sound as they all marched once around the city. Then they went back to their camp.

On the seventh day, the Israelites marched seven times around the city. The priests blew the trumpets. The soldiers were quiet. The seventh time around, the priests blew a long blast on the trumpets, and Joshua told his men, “Shout! The Lord has given you the city!”

The army gave a loud shout and suddenly Jericho’s walls tumbled down.

The Israelites charged into the city and began fighting. Because they were fighting for the Lord, they took the gold, silver, bronze and iron they found in Jericho to the tabernacle, the Lord’s house. It belonged to the Lord.

They burned the city and killed all the animals and people, except for Rahab and her family. The house didn’t fall when the rest of the wall fell. The Israelites left them alone when they saw the red rope in the window.

After the fighting, the spies brought Rahab and her family to the Israelites’ camp. From that day, they lived with the Israelites.

Psalm 18:2-3

The LORD is my protector; he is my strong fortress. My God is my protection, and with him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; he defends me and keeps me safe. I call to the LORD, and he saves me from my enemies. Praise the LORD!

God’s Promise

Psalm 18:39-40

You give me strength for the battle and victory over my enemies. You make my enemies run from me ...

Lord, help me follow your plans, even when I do not understand them. The walls of Jericho fell with your mighty power. Help me to trust that, with your help, all obstacles can be overcome.

In Jesus’ name. Amen

Samuel listens to God

SMemory Verse

1 Samuel 3:9

Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 20:5

A person’s thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out.

Read : 1 Samuel 3

amuel lived in the Lord’s house, the temple, with the priest Eli. Eli was very old, and he couldn’t see very well. One night, when everyone was asleep, Samuel woke up. Someone was calling him. He thought Eli needed something, so he went to Eli.

“Here I am,” he said. “What do you want me to do?”

Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back to bed, little Samuel.”

Samuel went back to bed and fell asleep. After a little while, he again heard someone calling. Samuel went back to Eli. He said, “I heard you calling. Here I am!”

Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back to bed, Samuel.”

Samuel didn’t know the Lord. He didn’t know it was the Lord who was calling him.

Samuel heard someone calling him a third time. He went to Eli again. At last Eli realised what was happening. He told Samuel, “Go back to bed. The Lord is calling you.

When you hear his voice, you must say, ‘Speak, Lord. I’m listening.’”

Samuel went back to bed, and the Lord called him once again. This time Samuel was ready.

He said, “Speak, Lord. I’m listening.”

Then the Lord spoke to Samuel. He said, “I have sad news for you. Eli’s sons have sinned against me, and Eli didn’t stop them. So the whole family will pay for their sins.”

The next morning Samuel opened the doors of the Lord’s house, just as he did every morning. He didn’t want to tell Eli what the Lord had said, but Eli said, “Don’t keep quiet about the things the Lord told you. Tell me what he said.”

When Samuel told him, Eli said, “He is the Lord. He must do what he knows is best.”

Samuel loved the Lord. He served him faithfully, and the Lord spoke to him often. All the Israelites knew he was a prophet of the Lord. He became the people’s leader or judge.

Psalm 25:4-5

Teach me your ways, O LORD; make them known to me.

Teach me to live according to your truth, for you are my God, who saves me. I always trust in you.

God’s Promise

Psalm 32:8

I will teach you the way you should go; I will instruct you and advise you.

God, help me listen to you. Samuel heard your voice and followed you. Help me to hear and follow you every day too. Amen

Samuel anoints David

AMemory Verse

1 Samuel 16:7

I do not judge as people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 16:20-21

Pay attention to what you are taught, and you will be successful; trust in the LORD and you will be happy.

Read : 1 Samuel 9 – 16:13

t first, the people of Israel were ruled by judges, but then they wanted a king to rule over them. So the Lord told Samuel to anoint Saul to be Israel’s first king.

King Saul obeyed the Lord at first, but then he began to follow his own path. By that time, Samuel was an old man.

The Lord said to Samuel, “Go to Bethlehem where Jesse lives. I will show you which of Jesse’s sons I have chosen as Israel’s new king.”

Samuel arrived in Bethlehem and told the leaders that he wanted to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. He knew that the Lord was going to show him the young man he had to anoint.

When Jesse and his sons arrived for the sacrifice, Samuel saw Eliab, Jesse’s eldest son.

Samuel thought, “This has to be the one the Lord wants me to anoint.”

But the Lord said to Samuel, “I haven’t chosen him. I don’t look at the things people look at. People look at the outside of a person. I look at what is in the heart.”

Jesse’s six other sons came to greet Samuel. But the Lord hadn’t chosen any of them.

Eventually Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these the only sons you have?”

“No,” Jesse answered, “I have another son. He is with the sheep.”

Jesse sent for his youngest son. David was handsome, fit and healthy. He was brave.

He kept his father’s sheep safe from wild animals. David had already killed a lion and a bear. He also loved making music.

When David arrived the Lord told Samuel, “This is the one.”

Samuel took the horn filled with olive oil anointed him by pouring the oil over David’s head. In this way he showed everyone that God had chosen David to be the second king of Israel. David went quietly back to his job looking after his father’s sheep, but from that day the Spirit of the Lord worked powerfully in him.

Psalm 17:3

You know my heart. You have come to me at night; you have examined me completely and found no evil desire in men.

God’s Promise

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to him, “Pay no attention to how tall and handsome he is. I have rejected him, because I do not judge as people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.”

Lord God, you chose David because you saw his heart and how much he loved you. Help me to remember that you have a special plan for me too. Amen

David and the giant

TMemory Verse

1 Samuel 17:15 and 17

You are coming against me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty ... He is victorious in battle ...

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 3:26

The LORD will keep you safe ...

Read : 1 Samuel 17

he Philistines and the Israelites gathered their armies together for war. Goliath was a mighty Philistine hero. He was about three metres tall. He wore a bronze helmet, heavy bronze armour and bronze leg guards. He carried a bronze javelin and had a long spear.

King Saul and the whole army of Israel were terrified. Nobody wanted to fight the giant.

One day, David visited his brothers who were in the Israelite army. David said to King Saul, “I will fight Goliath.”

Saul said, “You are too young, David. You know nothing about fighting.”

David told Saul, “I take care of my father’s sheep. I have killed a lion and a bear. The Lord who saved me from those animals will save me from this Philistine.”

David went to the stream and chose five smooth stones. He put the stones in his shepherd’s bag. Then he took his wooden staff and his sling and walked out to Goliath.

Goliath saw David and said, “Why do you fight with sticks? Do you think I’m a dog? Come on! I will feed your body to the birds and wild animals!”

David said to Goliath, “You fight against me with a sword, a spear and a javelin. But I fight against you in the name of the Lord. He will help me. Then everyone will know that he is our God, and he has all the power.”

David ran to Goliath. He took a stone from his bag and slung it at Goliath. The stone hit Goliath on the forehead, and the giant fell to the ground on his face.

David was only a young shepherd boy. But he trusted the Lord, and the Lord helped him to win the fight against the giant Goliath.

Psalm 23:4-6

Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, LORD, for you are with me. Your shepherd’.s rod and staff protect me. You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me; you welcome me as an honoured guest and fill my cup to the brim. I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life; and your house will be my home as long as I live.

God’s Promise

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation; I will fear no one. The Lord protects me from all danger; I will never be afraid.

God, please give me courage and strength. Help me face the big and difficult things in my life with peace and courage because I know that you are with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Solomon, the wise king

DMemory Verse

1 Kings 3:9

“So give me the wisdom I need ... to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?”

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 3:17-18

Wisdom can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through it. Those who become wise are happy; wisdom will give them life.

Read : 1 Kings 2 to 4, 7, 8 and 10

avid’s son Solomon became Israel’s third king. One night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream.

The Lord said, “Ask for anything you want me to give you.”

Solomon said, “Lord my God, I’m young. I don’t know how to be a king. I don’t know how to rule your people. Please give me wisdom to do my job. Show me how to do what is right.”

The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s request. He said, “You didn’t ask for a long life or for wealth. You didn’t ask for your enemies to die. Instead, you want to do what is right. You want to be a fair judge to the people. I will give you a wise and understanding heart. And I will also give you wealth. People will have a lot of respect for you. But remember to live the way I want you to. Always obey my laws.”

King Solomon became famous for his wisdom. Solomon also built the temple in Jerusalem. It was a splendid building with many gold ornaments. When the temple was complete, there was a large gathering of the people.

King Solomon prayed, “Lord, you are our God. We built this temple to be your home, even though we know that you don’t live in buildings. You are all-powerful. Even the sky is too small for you.

Please listen to the prayers we pray in this temple and forgive us our sins. Show us how to obey you.”

The queen of Sheba heard that King Solomon was very wise and served the Lord. So she went to visit him. She brought many servants and many presents with her.

She asked Solomon everything she wanted to know, and he answered all her questions.

She realised that Solomon’s wisdom and wealth were gifts from God.

She said, “We heard about you in my country. Now I see that you are even wiser and wealthier than people said. May the Lord your God be praised!”

Psalm 37:30-31

The words of good people are wise, and they are always fair. They keep the law of their God in their hearts and never depart from it.

God’s Promise

James 1:5

But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for wisdom that comes from you. Please help me to make wise choices every day. May your wisdom guide me. Amen

In a blazing furnace

Memory Verse

Daniel 3:17-18

If the God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing furnace and from your power, then he will ...

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 28:26

It is foolish to follow your own opinions. Be safe, and follow the teachings of wiser people.

KRead : Daniel 3

ing Nebuchadnezzar made an enormous gold statue and placed it on the plain near the city of Babylon. Then he sent for the royal rulers, the governors and all his officials. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were among them.

Then the king’s messenger said, “When you hear music playing, you must lie on the ground and worship this gold statue. If you don’t, you will be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

The music began playing, and the people lay on the ground and worshipped the statue. But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego remained standing.

They said, “King Nebuchadnezzar, throw us into the blazing furnace. The God we serve can bring us out of it alive. He can save us from your power. But even if he doesn’t save us, we won’t worship your statue.”

Nebuchadnezzar was very angry. He told his servants to make the furnace seven times hotter than usual. He

ordered his strongest soldiers to tie up the men and throw them into the blazing fire. The furnace was so hot that its flames killed the soldiers.

The king was watching from a safe distance. Suddenly he said, “Didn’t we throw three men into the fire? I see four men walking in the fire.”

The king shouted, “Come out! Your God is the allpowerful God!”

The men came out and everyone could see that the fire hadn’t harmed them.

Nebuchadnezzar said, “May the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be praised! They would rather die than worship any god except their own God. No other god can save people in this way. So, I order everyone to respect their God.”

Psalm 34:17-19

The righteous call to the LORD, and he listens; he rescues them from all their troubles.

The LORD is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope. Good people suffer many troubles, but the LORD saves them from them all.

God’s Promise

Isaiah 43:2

... When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.

Prayer

God, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm in faith. Help me to stand strong in my faith like them. In your name I pray. Amen

Daniel in the lions’ den

DMemory Verse

Daniel 6:27

He saves and rescues; he performs wonders and miracles in heaven and on earth.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 11:6

Righteousness rescues those who are honest, but those who can’t be trusted are trapped by their own greed.

Read : Daniel 6

arius, the king of Babylon, appointed 120 royal rulers over his kingdom. He also appointed three leaders over them. One of these leaders was Daniel. The other leaders hated Daniel and tried to catch him doing something wrong, but they didn’t find anything.

Eventually they said, “Daniel will obey his God rather than the king! Let’s use that against him.”

They went to the king and said, “Your Majesty, we would like you to make a new law. For the next 30 days, your people must worship you and only you. They mustn’t worship any other god. If they disobey the law, they must be thrown into the lions’ den.”

Daniel went home, knelt in front of his open window and gave thanks to the Lord, just as he always did. The other leaders saw Daniel praying and they went and told the king.

The king was upset when he realised the leaders had tricked him, but he couldn’t change the law.

Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den and the king went back to his palace.

That night as soon as the sun began to rise, King Darius hurried to the lions’ den.

He called out, “Daniel! You serve the living God. Did he save you from the lions?”

Daniel answered, “Your Majesty, my God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They didn’t hurt me.”

The king’s servants lifted Daniel out of the den. There was not a single scratch on him. Then the king ordered Daniel’s enemies to be thrown into the lions’ den. And he wrote a letter to all the nations in his kingdom ordering his people to respect and honour Daniel’s God whose rule will never end.

Psalm 91:11-13

God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands to keep you from hurting your feet on the stones. You will trample down lions and snakes, fierce lions and poisonous snakes.

God’s Promise

Psalm 91:14-16

When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honour them. I will reward them with long life; I will save them.

Lord God, Daniel showed us that when we obey you, we do not have to fear that you will leave us alone. You are always with me. Amen

Esther risks her life for her people

KMemory Verse

Esther 4:14

“Yet who knows – maybe it was for a time like this that you were made queen!”

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 30:5

God keeps every promise he makes. He is like a shield for all who seek his protection.

Read : Esther 3 to 9

ing Xerxes ruled over the Kingdom of Persia. He was a cruel king. If someone entered the king’s courtyard without being invited by the king, the person could be killed. Esther was his queen. There were many Jews in Persia and Esther was a Jewish woman, but the king did not know this about her.

Haman was one of the king’s officials. He hated the Jews and told the king lies about the Jews which the king believed. Xerxes gave evil Haman permission to punish the Jews. So, Haman sent letters to officials all over the kingdom saying that the Jews had to be killed on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, and people could then take all their possessions.

Queen Esther’s uncle Mordecai heard about these plans and asked Esther to help. She said, “If I just appear in the King’s courtyard, he can have me put to death.”

Then she said, “If I go to the king’s courtyard without being invited and the king points his golden sceptre at me, it means I will live. Maybe he will do that if he sees me. That is something I can try.”

All the Jewish people and Esther fasted and prayed for three days. On the third day, Esther went to the courtyard of the king. What would he do? The king lifted his sceptre and pointed it at her. He wanted to talk to her!

Esther invited the king and Haman to a meal. At the meal she told the king about Haman’s plan to kill all the Jews. The king was very angry. Haman was put to death. The king appointed Mordecai in Haman’s place as a trusted leader. The king also allowed the Jews to fight back and defend themselves.

Because of Esther’s courage and faith, the Jews in the Kingdom of Persia were saved.

Psalm 139:5

You are all round me on every side; you protect me with your power.

God’s Promise

Isaiah 12:2

God is my savior; I will trust him and not be afraid. The Lord gives me power and strength; he is my savior.

Jesus, thank you for Esther’s courage and bravery. She risked her life to save her people from danger. Please help me to be brave and stand up for what is right. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Jesus is born in Bethlehem

Memory Verse

Hebrews 2:11

Jesus ... purifies people from their sins, and both he and those who are made pure all have the same Father ...

Wisdom for life

Proverbs 9:11

To be wise you must first have reverence for the LORD. If you know the Holy One, you have understanding.

MRead : Matthew 1:18-15, Luke 1:26-38 and 2:1-21

ary and Joseph were engaged to be married. They lived in Nazareth. One day God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary. The angel said, “The Lord has blessed you in a special way. He is with you. Don’t be scared! God is pleased with you. You are going to have a baby boy, and you must call him Jesus. He is the Son of God, and he will rule forever.”

Mary didn’t understand, but she said, “I serve the Lord. I’m happy to do whatever he wants.”

The angel told Joseph about the baby in a dream. The Holy Spirit had sent the baby, and he would save his people from their sins. Joseph promised to look after Mary and the baby.

The emperor wanted to count all the people in his empire. Everyone had to go to the town where their families had always lived. Joseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Bethlehem, because they belonged to the family of David. Bethlehem was full of people. Joseph and Mary couldn’t find a place to stay, but in the end, someone let them stay in their stable. The baby was born right there. Mary wrapped her little son in large strips of cloth and put him in a manger.

There were shepherds looking after their sheep in the fields nearby. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, “Don’t be afraid. I have good news; news that will bring great joy for all the people.

If you go to Bethlehem, you will find a baby in a manger. He is your Saviour. He is the Lord.”

The shepherds quickly went to Bethlehem. They found Mary, Joseph and the baby, and began to praise God. They also told everyone about the angels and the baby who was their Saviour.

Mary remembered everything that had happened on that wonderful day.

Psalm 103:11-12

As high as the sky is above the earth, so great is his love for those who honor him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us.

God’s Promise

John 3:16

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

Jesus, you are the Saviour. Thank you that you can take away my sins so that I can live with you forever. Amen

Wise men visit Jesus

TMemory Verse

Psalm 22:23

... Honor him, you descendants of Jacob! ...

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 21:8

Guilty people walk a crooked path; the innocent do what is right.

Read : Matthew 2

hree wise men arrived in Jerusalem from the east. They said. “At home we saw the star of your new king in the sky. Where is he? We want to worship him.”

King Herod heard about these men.

“What is this I hear about a new king?” he asked the chief priests and teachers of the law. “Is he the Messiah? The one who is going to free the Jewish people?”

The chief priests and teachers told him that the Jewish prophet Micah had written about a new king. He was going to be the Messiah, the one chosen by God. He was going to be born in Bethlehem.

King Herod told the wise men, “Go to Bethlehem. The new king is there. Go find him, and then come back and tell me all about him.”

The wise men left Jerusalem. The star went ahead of them and stopped over the place where Jesus and his parents were. They bowed down and worshipped Jesus and gave him the treasures they had brought of gold, frankincense and myrrh; special gifts that were only given to kings.

The wise men knew that God himself had sent this baby to be born in Bethlehem. He had chosen him to become his people’s Lord and King. That night God spoke to the wise men in a dream. He told them not to go back to Herod, because Herod wanted to harm Jesus. So they returned to their own country a different way.

Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph in a dream. He told Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt because King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. Joseph and his family lived in Egypt until King Herod died.

Later the family lived in Nazareth, a small village in Galilee far away from Jerusalem. In this way, God kept Jesus and his family safe from harm.

Psalm 76:11

Give the LORD your God what you promised him; bring gifts to him, all you nearby nations. God makes everyone fear him.

God’s Promise

Matthew 2:9-11

... When they saw [the star], how happy they were, what joy was theirs!

It went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They went into the house, and when they saw the child with his mother Mary, they knelt down and worshiped him ...

Lord God, please help me to remember that Jesus wants to be the King of my life. I want to give my life as a gift to him. Amen

Jesus in his Father’s house

WMemory Verse

Luke 2:52

Jesus grew both in body and in wisdom, gaining favour with God and people.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 3:21-22

Hold on to your wisdom and insight, my child. Never let them get away from you. They will provide you with life – a pleasant and happy life.

Read : Luke 2:41-52

hen Jesus was 12 years old, the family went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast as usual. After the feast was over, everyone left the city to go back home. There were many people in the city, and the group in which they travelled was large. Jesus’ parents did not see him, but they thought he was somewhere in the group with his friends.

At the end of the day Jesus’ parents began to look for him. They looked among their relatives and friends, but Jesus was nowhere.

At last they realised he must have stayed behind and they went back to Jerusalem to look for their son.

Jesus was not at the place where they had stayed. His parents could not find him anywhere. Then, after three days, they went to the temple, and there they found Jesus in the courtyard.

He was with the teachers. He was listening to them and asking them questions. The teachers also asked him some questions and were amazed at his answers. This boy understood the scriptures very well indeed! They were all enjoying the conversation very much.

When Mary saw her son sitting there so happily, she was upset. She said, “Son, why did you do this to us? We were so worried about you! We looked everywhere for you and we could not find you!”

Jesus said, “You know how much I love my heavenly Father. You should have known I would be here in his house!”

His parents did not understand his answer. But Jesus immediately got up and went with his parents. They all went back to their home in Nazareth.

Jesus obeyed his parents. As he grew older, he became wiser and stronger. Everyone liked him, and God was pleased with him.

Psalm 84:1-4

How I love your Temple, LORD Almighty! How I want to be there!

I long to be in the LORD’s Temple. With my whole being I sing for joy to the living God ...

LORD Almighty, my king and my God. How happy are those who live in your Temple, always singing praise to you.

God’s Promise

Matthew 6:33

Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.

Lord, when you were a young child, you listened and learned in the temple. Please give me a hunger to learn more about you too. Amen

Jesus is baptised

JMemory Verse

Matthew 3:17

Then a voice said from heaven, “This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased.”

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 15:9

The LORD hates the ways of evil people, but loves those who do what is right.

Read : Matthew 3:1-16, Mark 1-11, Luke 3:1-22 and John 3:31-34

esus and his cousin John were the same age. As an adult, John lived in the desert because he wanted to hear God’s voice.

John told the people to turn away from their sins. When people asked John how they should live, he told them to do what was right. He baptised everyone who felt bad about their sinful lives. The people began calling him John the Baptist.

John told them, “I’m only here to tell you about someone who will come after me. God himself will send him. God is going to give him a lot of power, much more than he gave me. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit. He will know who truly obeys God.”

One day, Jesus travelled from his home in Galilee to see his cousin John. John was at the Jordan River baptising people. Jesus asked John to baptise him. But John didn’t want to. He knew that Jesus was the one God had sent. He said, “I need to be baptised by you. So why do you come to me?”

Jesus replied, “Please baptise me. It’s the right thing to do, because it’s part of God’s plan for both of us.”

Then John baptised him. When Jesus came out of the water, heaven opened. They saw the Spirit of God coming down on Jesus. The Spirit was like a dove flying down. Then God said, “You are my Son, and I love you. I am very pleased with you.”

After he was baptised, Jesus went into the desert. He wanted to be alone to talk to God, and prepare himself for what God wanted him to do next.

Psalm 145:20

He protects everyone who loves him, but he will destroy the wicked.

God’s Promise

Luke 3:22

And the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the form of a dove, and a voice from heaven said, “You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you.”

Lord God, please help me follow Jesus’ example as your child. I also want you to be pleased with me. Amen.

Jesus chooses twelve disciples

JMemory Verse

Matthew 28:19

“Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples ... ”

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 19:8

Do yourself a favour and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper.

Read : Matthew 4:18-22, 10:1-4, Mark 1:16-20, 3:13-19 and Luke 5:1-11, 6:12-16

esus was standing by the Sea of Galilee. The people crowded around him. Everyone wanted to hear his words. Jesus saw two boats at the edge of the water. He knew that they belonged to a man called Simon Peter. Jesus got into the boat and asked Simon Peter to go out a little way from the shore. Now everyone could see and hear Jesus.

When he had finished speaking, Jesus told Simon Peter, “Go out into deep water. Let down the nets so you can catch some fish.”

He answered, “Master, we worked all night and did not catch anything. But I will do what you ask.”

Simon Peter did not think they would catch anything, but when he let down the nets, there were so many fish that the nets began to break. Simon Peter called his friends and they came to help.

Simon Peter was afraid when he saw what Jesus could do, but Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be fishers of people.”

Then Simon Peter and his brother Andrew left their boats to follow Jesus.

Just then Simon Peter’s friends James and John were getting their nets ready to go fishing. Jesus called them, and they left their boat with their father Zebedee and followed Jesus.

Soon after this Jesus went to the mountain to pray. When he came back, he chose twelve men to be his special friends. He called these men his disciples. They were always with him and he told them all about God’s kingdom. They saw his miracles. They saw him helping people and healing them. They were with him to the end of his life.

The twelve men were Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot.

Psalm 119:105-106

Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path. I will keep my solemn promise to obey your just instructions.

God’s Promise

Matthew 28:20

... And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.

Lord Jesus, you chose the disciples to learn from you and to spread your message of good news. Thank you that you have chosen me too. Please help me learn and share your love with others too. Amen

Jesus at the wedding

JMemory Verse

Philippians 4:4

May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 17:22

Being cheerful keeps you healthy, it is a slow death to be gloomy all the time.

Read : John 2:1-11

esus did his first miracle at a wedding in a village called Cana in Galilee.

Jesus’ disciples and his mother went to the wedding with him. All the people in the village attended the wedding. It went on for several days.

The wedding guests were happy. They all enjoyed the celebrations. Everyone joined in the singing and dancing. The children were also an important part of the festivities. There was a lot of food, enough to feed everyone, but after a while the wine ran out.

Jesus’ mother found out about it. She went to tell Jesus about the wine. She knew he could help.

Jesus said, “Dear Mother, don’t worry about a thing. Everyone will soon see God’s power working through me.”

Jesus’ mother told the servants, “Do what Jesus tells you.”

There were six huge stone water jars in the house. The people used water from that kind of jar for special washings. They did that to make themselves pure and clean before they went to the synagogue to praise God.

Jesus told the servants to fill the jars with water. They didn’t understand, but they did what they were told. Then Jesus told them, “Now take some to the master of ceremonies, the bridegroom’s friend.”

When the master of ceremonies tasted the water, he was amazed. He was drinking some very good wine!

He went to the groom and said, “Everyone brings out the best wine first. They bring out the cheap wine at the very end once the good wine is gone. But you have saved the best wine until the end.”

This was Jesus’ first miracle. It showed that he was all-powerful, and that God was with him. When his disciples saw what he had done, they believed in him.

Psalm 68:3

But the righteous are glad and rejoice in his presence; they are happy and shout for joy.

God’s Promise

Romans 15:13

May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God, thank you for joyful moments. The miracle at the wedding showed your power and that you care for people and how they feel. Please help me see your blessings in everyday life and celebrate.

Amen

Jesus calms the storm

TMemory Verse

Psalm 46:1-3

God is ... always ready to help in times of trouble ... So we will not be afraid ... even if the seas roar and rage ...

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 19:23

Obey the LORD and you will live a long life, content and safe from harm.

Read : Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41 and Luke 8:22-25

here were always large crowds around Jesus. They followed him everywhere. Jesus usually spent the whole day telling them stories about God’s kingdom and healing those who were sick. This often made him very tired.

Once, when Jesus was tired, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.”

They got into a boat and left. Some of the disciples were fishermen. They knew the lake very well. Jesus soon fell asleep.

Then a bad storm broke. The disciples had been on the lake during storms before. They knew how to keep the boat safe. But this storm was very bad. Waves crashed over the boat, and it quickly filled with water. The boat was going to sink! The disciples were very scared. They thought they were going to die. So they did the only thing they could. They went to Jesus and woke him.

“Lord! Save us! We’re going to drown!” they cried. Jesus immediately got up. He looked at the storm. Then he spoke to it. He said, “Quiet! Be still!”

The wind died down. The waves became calm. Everything was quiet.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Don’t you have any faith yet?”

The disciples looked at the calm water of the lake. They listened to the quietness. They knew Jesus was a man just like them. He got tired after a long day’s work and needed to rest. But he was also all-powerful.

When he spoke to the wind and the waves, they obeyed him. They knew he wasn’t an ordinary person like them. The disciples were amazed and frightened. They didn’t understand that he was the Son of God. But they did know that he was with them when they were afraid, and that he could help them when they were in danger.

Psalm 107:28-31

Then in their trouble they called to the LORD, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the raging storm, and the waves became quiet. They were glad because of the calm, and he brought them safe to the port they wanted. They must thank the LORD for his constant love, for the wonderful things he did for them.

God’s Promise

Isaiah 41:10

“Do not be afraid – I am with you! I am your God –let nothing terrify you!

I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.”

Father God, you calmed the sea, showing your power over the earth and your power to calm our fears. You are with me when I am afraid. Help me to trust in you through every storm in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Jesus and his friends in Bethany

LMemory Verse

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die.”

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 18:10

The LORD is like a strong tower, where the righteous can go and be safe.

Read : John 11:1-53

azarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary, lived in a small village called Bethany. They were Jesus’ friends and when Lazarus was ill, they immediately sent a message to Jesus.

At first Jesus did nothing, and he said, “Lazarus’ illness will glorify God!”

But two days later Jesus told his disciples he wanted to go Lazarus. When they arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days.

Martha went out to greet Jesus. “Lord,” she said, “if you could have been here earlier, Lazarus would not have died! But even so, I know that God will give you whatever you ask!”

Jesus said, “Lazarus will rise again.”

Martha thought he was talking about the day of judgement, but Jesus said, “Anyone who believes in me will live even though they die. They will have everlasting life. Do you believe this?”

Martha said, “Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Son of God.”

Then Martha fetched her sister Mary. Mary went to Jesus, who was still outside the village. She fell at his feet and said, “I wish you had been here! Then Lazarus would not have died.”

Jesus also became very sad. Jesus wept.

The people took him to the tomb. He asked them to take away the stone in front of the entrance. Then Jesus prayed, “Father, thank you for always hearing me when I speak to you.”

Jesus stood in front of the tomb and said loudly, “Lazarus, come out!”

Lazarus came out, still wrapped in linen cloths. He was alive and well. Some of the people who had seen the miracle immediately went to Jerusalem. There they told the priests what had happened. These men hated Jesus and were also afraid that everyone would soon be following Jesus. They began to make plans to kill Jesus. But many people who were in Bethany when Jesus raised Lazarus believed that Jesus was the Son of God.

Psalm 40:1-2

I waited patiently for the LORD’s help; then he listened to me and heard my cry. He pulled me out of a dangerous pit, out of the deadly quicksand. He set me safely on a rock and made me secure.

God’s Promise

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die; and those who live and believe in me will never die.”

Lord, when you came to earth in human form, you shared special times with your friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Thank you that you are my friend, and that when I am sad, you are sad with me. Please help me to be a good friend too. Amen

The Good Samaritan

OMemory Verse

Matthew 22:39

... Love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 11:25

Be generous, and you will be prosperous. Help others, and you will be helped.

Read : Luke 10:25-37

ne day, a person wanted to test Jesus to see how well Jesus knew the laws. He asked Jesus, “What must I do to receive eternal life?”

Jesus answered with a question, “What does the law say?”

The man replied from the Jewish laws, “You must love the Lord your God, and you must love your neighbour as much as you love yourself.”

Jesus answered, “You are right! Do this and you will receive eternal life.”

The man had one more question. He wanted to know who his neighbour was. Who must he love?

Jesus answered his question by telling him a story. A man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. Robbers attacked the man, took his clothes, beat him and ran away. The man lay there, thinking he was going to die. Then a priest walked past. He was an important man. He pretended not to see the wounded man and crossed to the other side of the road. Everything was quiet again. Then a Levite came past. He was also an important man. He also chose to pass the man without looking at him.

Finally, a Samaritan came down the road. Jews and Samaritans didn’t like one another. They didn’t even speak to one another. But this Samaritan felt sorry for the wounded man. He went to him, washed and bandaged the man’s wounds, then he took him to an inn.

The next day the Samaritan had to leave. He gave the innkeeper money and said, “Please take care of this man until he is well. If you need more money, I’ll pay you when I come this way again.”

After Jesus had told the story, he asked, “Which of the three men loved his neighbour?”

The man said, “The one who felt sorry for the wounded man and helped him.”

Jesus told him, “That’s what you must do. Everyone who needs help is your neighbour.”

Psalm 146:8-9

... He lifts those who have fallen; he loves his righteous people.

He protects the strangers who live in our land; he helps widows and orphans, but takes the wicked to their ruin.

God’s Promise

Romans 13:10

If you love someone, you will never do them wrong; to love, then, is to obey the whole Law.

God, I want to be kind like the Good Samaritan. Please teach me to love and help other people, especially those in need, and to show kindness every day. Amen

Zacchaeus in the sycamore tree

ZMemory Verse

Luke 19:10

“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 22:11

If you love purity of heart and graciousness of speech, the king will be your friend.

Read : Luke 19:1-10

acchaeus was a wealthy tax collector. The Jews hated the tax collectors because they worked for the enemy, the Romans. Everyone also knew that the tax collectors cheated the people when they collected tax.

One day Zacchaeus noticed a large crowd in Jericho and he heard that the people had come to see Jesus.

He wanted to see this man Jesus that everyone was talking about. But Zacchaeus was a very short man. He could not see over the people’s heads. Then Zacchaeus ran ahead of the crowd to a large tree that was right next to the road. He quickly climbed into the tree. Now he could see everything!

At last Jesus was right under Zacchaeus on his tree branch. And then Jesus stopped! Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, please come down at once. I must stay at your house today.”

Zacchaeus came down and welcomed Jesus into his house. He was very happy because he had a chance to get to know Jesus.

But the people who knew who Zacchaeus was and saw Jesus going with him to his house began to grumble, “How can Jesus do that?” they said. “Doesn’t he know Zacchaeus is a cheat and a sinner who works for the enemy? Jesus should not do that!”

But Zacchaeus knew that his life would never be the same again. He had met Jesus and he was going to follow him from that day on. He stood up and said, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of what I own to those who are poor. And if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay it back. I will pay back four times the amount I took.”

Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today I have come to the right house. It is my job to look for everyone who is lost, and to save them. Today I found you and saved you. From now on you are a child of God.”

Psalm 32:1-2

Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. Happy is the one whom the LORD does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit.

God’s Promise

2 Corinthians 5:17

When anyone is joined to Christ, he is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.

Lord Jesus, thank you that you saw Zacchaeus and changed his heart with your love. Please help me see others in the way that you see them. Show me how to be kind to everyone. Amen

Jesus is the good shepherd

JMemory Verse

John 10:28-29

I give them eternal life ... No one can snatch them away from me ... and no one can snatch them away from the Father’s care.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 3:26

The LORD will keep you safe. He will not let you fall into a trap.

Read : Matthew 18:10-14, Luke 15:1-7 and John 10:11-18, 26-29

esus liked to tell stories. One day he told a story about a sheep that got lost.

Jesus said, “Shepherds have to take good care of their sheep. What happens when a shepherd has 100 sheep and finds out that one of them isn’t with the others? The shepherd leaves the 99 sheep in a safe place and goes to look for his lost sheep. He doesn’t stop looking until he finds the sheep. It doesn’t matter how far the shepherd must go. He will continue to search for his sheep even after the sun goes down and it becomes dark.

When the shepherd finds his sheep, he is very happy! He lifts the sheep up and carries it home on his shoulders.

Then he says, ‘Let’s all be glad! My sheep was lost, but I found it and brought it home!’”

On another occasion, Jesus said. “I am like a good shepherd. A good shepherd knows his sheep’s names. When he calls their names, they follow him. They know that he will take them to good grazing and water. The sheep know he will protect them against thieves and wild animals. A good shepherd gives his sheep a very good life.

A good shepherd will never leave his sheep. He will die for his sheep. This is what I will do. I am the good shepherd, and I have sheep all over the world. They all listen to my voice. I love them all. And I will die for them all.”

Some of the people didn’t understand what Jesus was saying. They didn’t realise he was telling them that he was the Saviour, and that he was going to die on the cross.

He would do this so that his followers could become friends with God again and be with him forever.

Psalm 23:1-4

The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths, as he has promised.

Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, LORD, for you are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.

God’s Promise

John 10:27-28

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never die. No one can snatch them away from me.

Father God, when I do things that hurt you and other people, you always look for me and love me. Please help me to stay close to you, and to trust in your guidance and care. You are my Shepherd. Amen

The son who came back

JMemory Verse

1 John 1:9

But if we confess our sins to God ... he will forgive us our sins ...

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 28:13

You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.

Read : Luke 15:11-32

esus liked to tell stories to explain how much God loves us. One story was about a man and his two sons.

The younger son wanted to see the world. He said to his father, “Give me my share of my inheritance.”

So the father divided his property between his two sons. The younger son took his inheritance and went to a country far away. He spent his money on wild living until he had nothing left.

The son had to find work. He worked for a man who sent him to feed his pigs. He was so hungry that he wished he could eat the pigs’ food. Then he began to think about his life and about his father and his home. He thought, “I’m dying of hunger while my father’s servants have more than enough food. I will go back to my father.

I will ask him to forgive me. And I will ask him to make me one of his servants, because I know that I don’t deserve to be his son.”

So he got up and went back to his father’s house.

The father missed his younger son very much. Every day he looked out towards the road, hoping to see his son coming back. One day he saw his son in the distance.

The father ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

The son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I don’t deserve to be called your son.”

But the father said, “You are my son. We must celebrate that you have come home.”

When the elder son saw the celebration, he got angry. He had worked faithfully for his father while his brother wasted his money. He complained to his father, “Why did you never give me a party? It isn’t fair!”

The father said, “I would have given you whatever you wanted. You only had to ask. Be glad that your brother has come back.”

Psalm 5:7

But because of your great love I can come into your house; I can worship in your holy Temple and bow down to you in reverence.

God’s Promise

Ephesians 4:32 ... forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.

Father God, thank you for your life-changing forgiveness. You are the father who welcomed his lost son home with open arms. Please help me to understand that I am forgiven through your love that you showed us on the Cross. And help me to forgive others too. Amen

Jesus helps people who need him

JMemory Verse

Psalm 72:13

... he saves the lives of those in need.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 23:10-11

Never move an old boundary mark or take over land owned by orphans. The LORD is their powerful defender, and he will argue their case against you.

Read : Luke 17:11-19, 18:35-43

esus always felt sorry for people who were forced to leave their communities because they were sick or disabled. Jesus often helped them.

Once, Jesus and his disciples passed a small village where they saw ten men coming towards them. The men had a skin disease. In those days, people with this disease had to live apart from other people. The men pleaded with him, “Jesus! Master! Please help us!”

Jesus said, “Go to the priests. They will see that you are healed and allow you to go home.”

When people were healed from a skin disease, the priests looked at their skin to see if they were really healed.

The men decided to go to the priests. On the way, they saw that they were healed. They immediately ran to the priest. They couldn’t wait to go home.

One of the men was a Samaritan. When he saw that he was healed, he turned back to Jesus, praised God, then he threw himself down at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.

Jesus looked around and asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Why has only one returned to give praise to God?”

Jesus was glad to see this man. He told him, “Go home now. Your faith has healed you.”

Then Jesus and his disciples continued their journey to Jerusalem. On their way, they went through the city of Jericho. A blind beggar was sitting by the side of the road. He began to shout, “Jesus! Help me!”

Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord, I want to see,” the man said.

Jesus healed his blindness immediately. Then the man followed Jesus, praising God all the way. When the other people saw the man and heard his words, they also praised God.

Psalm 107:19-21

Then in their trouble they called to the LORD, and he saved them from their distress. He healed them with his command and saved them from the grave. They must thank the LORD for his constant love, for the wonderful things he did for them.

God’s Promise

Psalm 34:17

The righteous call to the Lord, and he listens; he rescues them from all their troubles.

Jesus, you healed the sick and comforted those who were hurting. Please show me how I can help others and show love to those in need around me. Amen

Five loaves and two fish

TMemory Verse

John 10:10

I have come in order that you might have life – life in all its fullness.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 30:8-9 ... So give me only as much food as I need. If I have more, I might say that I do not need you. But if I am poor, I might steal and bring disgrace on my God.

Read : Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:1-14

he crowds continued to follow Jesus wherever he went. One day Jesus told the disciples, “Let’s go to a quiet place. You need to get some rest.”

They got into a boat to go to a place that was peaceful and quiet. But when Jesus and his disciples came ashore, a large crowd had followed and was waiting for them.

Jesus felt sorry for the people. He began teaching them, and healed the sick people they brought to him.

Later in the day the disciples said, “It’s getting late. It’s time to send the people away so that they can buy food in the villages and farms nearby.”

But Jesus answered, “You give them something to eat.”

Philip said, “There are thousands of people here! We will need more than half a year’s pay if we buy food for them! Is this what you want us to do?”

Jesus said, “Let’s find out what we have. Go and see what you can find.”

Andrew brought a little boy to Jesus. He said, “Here is a boy with five small loaves of bread and two small fish. That’s nothing for all the people who need food.”

But Jesus wasn’t worried. He told the disciples to get the people to sit down . There were 5 000 men in the crowd and also many women and children. Then Jesus took the boy’s food. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke the loaves and fish into pieces and gave them to his disciples to pass around to the people.

The people ate until they were satisfied. The disciples gathered the food the people hadn’t eaten. They filled twelve baskets with leftovers!

The people began to say that Jesus was a great prophet. Jesus knew they wanted to make him their king, so he left quietly.

Psalm 145:15-16

All living things look hopefully to you, and you give them food when they need it. You give them enough and satisfy the needs of all.

God’s Promise

Philippians 4:12-13

I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

Prayer

Father God, thank you that you provide us with what we need. Please help me trust you to meet my needs. Give me the bravery that I need to share what I have, even when I have only a little. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Jesus and the children

JMemory Verse

Mark 10:15

... whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 22:6

Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.

Read : Matthew 18:1-4 and Mark 10:13-16

esus loved people. He was sad when he saw that they were unhappy. He loved joining in their celebrations. He was always helping people and healing those that were ill. And Jesus loved children.

Parents brought their children to Jesus when they were ill, and Jesus healed them. One day the disciples were quarrelling among themselves. Each one wanted to be the most important disciple. Then Jesus asked a little child to come to him. Jesus said, “You must not try to be important. You must be like children if you want to be part of God’s kingdom. If you are willing to be like a child, you will be important in God’s kingdom. Children know that their parents love them and will give them what they need. That is how you must believe in God and trust him.”

On another day parents brought their children to Jesus. They wanted him to bless them. The disciples did not want the children to bother Jesus. They thought he had more important things to do. They thought he had to talk to the important people, such as the religious leaders.

Children were not important!

So the disciples told the parents to take away their children.

Jesus saw what they were doing, and he was angry. Jesus said, “Don’t keep children away from me! God’s kingdom belongs to people like them. It belongs to people who are not important in the eyes of other people. It belongs to people who believe in me without demanding proof that I am the Son of God. It belongs to people who are humble and love my Father in heaven.”

Psalm 127:3-5

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a real blessing. The sons a man has when he is young are like arrows in a soldier’s hand.

Happy is the man who has many such arrows. He will never be defeated when he meets his enemies in the place of judgement.

God’s Promise

Matthew 19:14

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Lord God, thank you that you love children and that we are important to you. Please help me to always know that you love me. And please help me to be kind and love others like Jesus does too. Amen

A woman anoints Jesus

Memory Verse

Mark 14:9

Now, I assure you that wherever the gospel is preached all over the world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 23:17-18

Let reverence for the LORD be the concern of your life. If it is, you have a bright future.

Ashort while after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus visited Bethany again. He was on his way to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Simon, a man who had a skin disease, gave a special meal for Jesus. A follower of Jesus wanted to honour him. She took a jar of very expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ head. The house was filled with the sweet smell of the perfume.

Some of the people there were upset. They felt that the woman had wasted money by pouring the perfume over Jesus’ head. They said, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold? Why wasn’t the money given to poor people? It was worth a year’s pay.”

One of the twelve disciples, Judas Iscariot, was especially angry. But he didn’t really care about the poor. He was a thief. He wanted the money for himself.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She did it because she loves me. She also knows that I won’t always be here. The perfume is meant for the day when I am buried. That day is coming soon. And in the future, when my followers tell other people about me, they will also tell them how this follower of mine poured perfume on my head. People will always remember her beautiful gift to me.”

Then, Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests. He was willing to tell them where Jesus was so that they could arrest him. They were pleased and promised to pay him well if he betrayed Jesus.

Many people believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the one chosen by God to be their king. They also thought that he would make the Jews a free and independent nation again. These people were excited because they thought it would happen during the Passover feast.

Prayer

Thank you, God, for acts of love and appreciation. Please show me things that I can do to also show love and gratitude to Jesus. Amen

Psalm 66:1-2

Praise God with shouts of joy, all people!

Sing to the glory of his name; offer him glorious praise!

God’s Promise

Matthew 26:13

“I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached all over the world, this woman’s deed will be talked about, and people will remember her.”

Jesus enters Jerusalem

TMemory Verse

Revelation 19:16

On his robe and on his thigh was written the name: “King of kings and Lord of lords”.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 28:12

When good people come to power, everybody celebrates, but when bad people rule, people stay in hiding.

Read : Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-11, 15-19, Luke 19:29-48 and John 12:12-19

he day after the dinner in Bethany, Jesus and his disciples walked to Jerusalem. He sent two disciples to a village nearby. He said, “You will find a donkey there. If someone asks about it, tell them the Lord needs the donkey.”

The disciples found the donkey and Jesus rode into the city on its back.

A large crowd that had come to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. The people were excited because they thought Jesus was going to free them from the Romans. They took palm tree branches and laid them on the road and praised God, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!”

The Pharisees and chief priests didn’t like to see the people honouring Jesus. It made them hate him even more.

Jesus’ disciples didn’t understand what was happening. Later, they realised that Jesus was their King, and that the prophets from the past had written about how Jesus would enter the city.

Jesus went to the temple. The people weren’t worshipping God. They were selling animals for sacrifices. Jesus turned over the tables of the people who were exchanging money. He turned over the benches of those who were selling doves. He said, “The temple is the house of God. It’s supposed to be a peaceful place where people come to pray. Instead you have made it a den of robbers!”

Jesus healed the sick people who came to him at the temple. He taught the people, and they were amazed when they heard his words. That made the chief priests and the teachers of the law even more determined to kill Jesus. That evening, Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went back to Bethany.

Psalm 118:26-28

May God bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD! From the Temple of the LORD we bless you. The LORD is God; he has been good to us. With branches in your hands, start the festival and march round the altar. You are my God, and I give you thanks; I will proclaim your greatness.

God’s Promise

Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey ...

Lord God, when you entered Jerusalem, you knew that you would die on the cross for our sins. Thank you, Jesus, that you loved us so much that you did this for us. I want to praise you as the King of the World. Amen

The last Supper

IMemory Verse

1 Corinthians 11:26

This means that every time you eat this bread and drink from this cup you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Wisdom for Life

Ecclesiastes 9:7

Go ahead – eat your food and be happy; drink your wine and be cheerful. It’s all right with God.

Read : Matthew 26:17-20, Mark 14:12–26, Luke 22:7-38 and John 13:1-34

t was the day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and time for the Passover meal. Jesus knew that he was going back to his heavenly Father soon. This was going to be his last meal with his disciples. He had some important things to tell them.

Before the meal, Jesus took a bowl of water and began to wash his disciples’ feet. He said, “You must follow my example. I am your leader, but I just did the job of a slave. In my kingdom, the leaders are the people who serve others.”

Jesus also said, “I am going away, but I will send the Holy Spirit to you. He will help you and teach you how to follow me. Always remember to love one another. You show your love by helping and serving one another.”

Later, Jesus told them, “One of you is going to betray me to my enemies.”

The disciples were sad and upset. Who would do such a thing? Jesus knew it was Judas. He told him, “Go and do what you must do.” Then Judas left the room.

Jesus took the bread. He thanked God for it Then he gave each of his disciples a piece of bread and said, “Eat the bread. Every time you eat bread together, you must remember that I gave my life for you.”

Then he took a cup of wine. Again, he thanked God for it and handed it to them and said, “Every time you drink wine together, you must remember that I gave my blood so that your sins can be forgiven.”

Jesus was telling them why he was going to die. Today, his followers all over the world still eat bread and drink wine together to remember that Jesus gave his life so that their sins would be forgiven.

After the meal, Jesus and the disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem. There he was arrested.

Psalm 111:4

The LORD does not let us forget his wonderful actions; he is kind and merciful.

God’s Promise

1 Corinthians 11:23-25

... the Lord Jesus ... took a piece of bread ... and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in memory of me.”

In the same way ... he took the cup and said, “This cup is God’s new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me.”

God, thank you for communion with you. Help me to remember your sacrifice; help me to live in your grace. You are my Saviour. Amen

Peter disowns Jesus

AMemory Verse

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear ...

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 28:13

Confess [your sins] and give them up; then, God will show mercy to you.

Read : Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75, Mark 14:27-31, 53-54, 66-72 and Luke 22:31-34, 54-65

fter Jesus was arrested, John and Peter followed the crowd from a distance. They went to the house of the high priest. John knew someone in the house and he helped Peter to get into the courtyard. They wanted to see what was happening.

It was cold and everyone was standing around a fire. Peter hoped nobody would notice him, but one of the servant girls said, “I know you! You were with Jesus!”

Everyone was looking at Peter. And then he said, “You are wrong! I don’t know Jesus!”

Peter went out to the gate. He was trying to leave, but another servant saw him and said, “You are one of Jesus’ followers!”

Peter said, “I tell you, I don’t know him!”

A little while later some of the people in the courtyard said, “You know, you talk just like the people from Galilee. You must be one of them!”

Peter said for the third time, “I do not know Jesus!”

And then he heard a rooster crowing, and he realised what he had done. He remembered Jesus words: “Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know me.”

Peter knew that he was not as brave as he had thought. He felt terrible. Although he loved the Lord Jesus very much, he had disowned him.

He went outside and he began to cry.

Psalm 55:12-14

If it were an enemy that mocked me, I could endure it; if it were an opponent boasting over me, I could hide myself from him. But it is you, my companion, my colleague and close friend. We had intimate talks with each other and worshipped together in the Temple.

God’s Promise

1 John 1:9

But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.

Prayer

Lord God, Peter denied Jesus but later found forgiveness and strength. Please help me to stay faithful and seek forgiveness when I make mistakes. Thank you that your love restores us into a good relationship with you again. Amen

Jesus is crucified

AMemory Verse

John 3:16

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

Wisdom for Life

Ecclesiastes 3:2 He sets the time for birth and the time for death ...

Read : Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22-23 and John 18-19

t dawn the next day, the chief priests and teachers of the law got together.

“Are you the Son of God?” they asked Jesus. “Yes,” Jesus said.

The people were horrified, because they thought he was telling them he was like God. They wanted to have Jesus killed, so they took him to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. He was the only one who could give a death sentence.

They told Pilate that Jesus was turning the people against him, although it wasn’t true. Pontius Pilate questioned Jesus and found that Jesus had done nothing wrong.

But the chief priests and the teachers told the crowds in the streets that Jesus should be killed. They began to shout, “Crucify him!”

During the Passover Festival, the Roman governor always freed a prisoner. So Pilate asked the crowd, “Whom shall I free? Jesus or Barabbas?” Barabbas was a murderer and a rebel.

The people shouted, “Let Barabbas go!”

Pilate didn’t want to sentence an innocent man to death. So Pilate said he was going to have Jesus whipped.

But the crowd kept on shouting, “Crucify him!”

Eventually, Pilate gave in to the crowd.

The soldiers gave Jesus a red robe and put a crown of thorns on his head. They made fun of him. Then they took the robe off him and whipped him. After that, they

gave Jesus one of the heavy beams of his cross to carry, and they took him to a place called Golgotha. There they nailed him to a cross with two criminals.

Jesus prayed for his enemies, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.”

Jesus hung on the cross for many hours. At noon, the sky turned dark. It stayed dark for three hours.

Then Jesus cried out, “Father, I give my life to you.” And then he died.

Some of Jesus’ friends were watching from a distance. They were very sad.

Psalm 22:1-2, 17-18

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? I have cried desperately for help, but still it does not come. During the day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer; I call at night, but get no rest ... My enemies look at me and stare. They gamble for my clothes and divide them among themselves.

God’s Promise

Isaiah 53:5

But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did.

We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received.

Lord God, thank you for Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross where he died to save me from my sins that separated me from you. I believe that Jesus was the Son of God. Help me to remember your love and to live a new life with you close to me always. Amen

Jesus rises from the grave

JMemory Verse

Romans 6:8

Since we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Wisdom for Life

Ecclesiastes 4:12

Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break.

Read : John 20:1-20

esus’ followers wrapped his body in clean linen cloths. Then they put him in a tomb that was cut out of the rock, like a cave, and rolled a big stone in front of the entrance.

The day after Jesus died was the Sabbath day, so everyone stayed home. Early the next morning, Mary Magdalene and some of the other women went to the tomb. It was still dark, but Mary could see that the stone wasn’t in front of the entrance. Mary was frightened and ran back to the city and told Peter and John. They ran to the tomb. When they went in they saw that Jesus wasn’t there. They were sad because they didn’t understand that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Peter and John went home again, but Mary stayed near the tomb. She was so sad that she began to cry. Then she looked into the tomb again and saw two angels sitting on the bench where Jesus’ body had been.

They asked her, “Why are you crying?”

“I don’t know where to find Jesus,” Mary answered. Then she turned around and saw a man standing there. She thought he was the gardener. The man asked her, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”

Then the man said her name, and she recognised him. It was Jesus!

Jesus told her, “Go to the disciples. Tell them that I have risen from the dead, and that I am going to ascend to my Father in heaven.”

Mary was very happy. She had seen Jesus. He was alive! She went back to the disciples and told them what Jesus had said.

That same evening the disciples were all together. They had locked the doors because they were afraid. Suddenly Jesus stood there with them.

“May peace be with you!” he said. Then he showed them his hands and his side. It was really Jesus. And he was alive!

Thank you, God, for your victory over death. When Jesus rose from the grave, he brought new life and hope. Help me live in joy and freedom because you promise victory over death to me too. Amen

Psalm 16:8-10

I am always aware of the LORD’s presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me. And so I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure, because you protect me from the power of death. I have served you faithfully, and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead.

God’s Promise

Romans 6:9

We know that Christ has been raised from death and will never die again. Death will no longer rule over him.

Jesus ascends to heaven

AMemory Verse

John 14:2

There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 19:23

Obey the LORD and you will live a long life, content and safe from harm.

Read : Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:1-11

fter Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples saw him often, and he showed them that he really was alive. He spoke to them about God’s kingdom.

One day they were eating together when Jesus said, “Do not leave Jerusalem to go back to your homes in Galilee. Stay here. Wait here because the Holy Spirit is going to come to you. He will help you to follow me, and he will also teach you everything you need to know.”

The disciples gathered around Jesus and asked, “Lord, are you going to be Israel’s king now?”

Jesus said, “God’s kingdom is not like a kingdom in this world. His kingdom is wherever he rules in people’s hearts. You are going to be part of his kingdom. You will need the Holy Spirit to help you. When he comes, you will not be afraid anymore. You will tell people about me, first of all here in Jerusalem, and then further away in Judea and Samaria. Later you will travel to faraway places to tell people about me. At last, after many, many years, everybody on earth will know about me.”

Jesus led his disciples to the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem. Then he lifted up his hands and while he was blessing them, he was taken up into heaven.

The apostles watched until a cloud hid him from their sight. Then two men dressed in white clothing suddenly stood beside them. They asked, “Why do you stand here looking at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. But he will come back in the same way you saw him go.”

The disciples were full of joy. The Holy Spirit was always going to be with them, wherever they were. The disciples worshipped Jesus and then went back to Jerusalem. They knew something very good was going to happen.

Psalm 47:5-7

God goes up to his throne. There are shouts of joy and the blast of trumpets, as the LORD goes up. Sing praise to God; sing praise to our king!

God is king over all the world; praise him with songs!

God’s Promise

John 14:3

And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am.

Prayer

God, thank you for preparing a place for me with you. When you ascended to heaven, you promised to be with us always. Please help me to trust your promise and to seek your presence every day. Amen

The Holy Spirit comes

AMemory Verse

Acts 1:8

“But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 15:8-9

The LORD is pleased when good people pray … loves those who do what is right.

Read : Acts 1:14-15 and 2:1-21

fter Jesus had gone up to heaven, the disciples came together regularly to pray. The women joined them, as well as Jesus’ mother Mary and his brothers. After a while there were about 120 people who regularly came to the room to pray.

Jesus had been crucified on the day of preparation for the feast of Passover. Fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead was the feast of Pentecost. On that day the Jews offered the first grain of the new season to the Lord. Jews from every country came to the feast, and there were many people in Jerusalem.

On the day of the feast of Pentecost Jesus’ followers were in the room where they usually met, praying together and waiting for the Holy Spirit. Suddenly they heard a sound like a strong wind blowing. It filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw something that looked like fire in the shape of tongues. The flames separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in languages they had not known before. The Spirit gave them the ability to do this.

A crowd soon gathered outside the house where the believers were. They wondered what was happening there. Suddenly they heard the men who were gathered in the house speaking to them in their own languages. They were amazed. They asked, “Aren’t all these people from Galilee? And yet we understand every word they say. How can they speak in our languages? What is going on?”

But some of the people in the crowd started laughing. “They drank too much wine!” they said.

Then Peter stood up and explained that God had sent his Spirit to them. That was why they were not afraid anymore. They knew that the Holy Spirit was with them, helping them and showing them what to do and what to say. It was a wonderful day!

Psalm 96:2-3

Sing to the LORD, and praise him!

Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us.

Proclaim his glory to the nations, his mighty deeds to all peoples.

God’s Promise

Acts 2:38

Peter said to them, “Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God’s gift, the Holy Spirit.”

Lord Jesus, thank you that the Hoy Spirit enabled your followers to speak about you in the languages that other people could understand. Help me to also speak about you to my friends. Amen

The beginning of the church

TMemory Verse

1 Corinthians 12:27

All of you are Christ’s body, and each one is a part of it.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 13:14

The teachings of the wise are a fountain of life; they will help you escape when your life is in danger.

Read : Acts 2:14-47

his is what Peter said to the crowd on the day that the Holy Spirit came.

“What is happening here is not something new. The prophets of Israel spoke about it long ago. The prophet Joel said that God was going to pour his Spirit on everyone who believed in Jesus. And everyone who believed in Jesus, would be saved.”

Then Peter told them about Jesus. God had sent Jesus to live among his people and he had done many miracles through Jesus. Jesus helped many people. Then he was betrayed and the Roman governor ordered him to be crucified. Jesus died on the cross. However, that was not the end. God raised him from the dead. He appeared to the disciples and to many other people before he went to heaven to be with God. Then God had sent his Holy Spirit to the believers. That was why the disciples were not afraid anymore. The Holy Spirit was in them.

Many people were convinced that Peter was speaking the truth. They asked, “What should we do?”

Peter replied, “Turn away from your sins and believe in Jesus. Be baptised in the name of Jesus. Then your sins will be forgiven. You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

About 3 000 people accepted Peter’s words and they were baptised that very day. They were the very first church.

Every day the believers met together in the temple courtyard. They listened to everything the apostles taught, and praised God. They often gathered together to pray and they shared everything they had. They sold property and other things they owned and gave the money to the disciples to give to those in need. Everyone was amazed at what God was doing. They saw how the disciples healed people, just as Jesus had done. Everyone respected the believers. And every day the Lord added new members to their group.

And that was how the church began.

Psalm 96:1-3

Sing a new song to the LORD!

Sing to the LORD, all the world!

Sing to the LORD, and praise him!

Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us.

Proclaim his glory to the nations, his mighty deeds to all peoples.

God’s Promise

Matthew 16:18

And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it.

Father God, thank you for the church as my family in Christ. Help me to be part of this family and to learn and grow in faith and love with your people. Amen

Peter and John heal a beggar

TMemory Verse

Acts 3:19

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that he will forgive your sins ...

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 19:17

When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the LORD, and the LORD will pay you back.

Read : Acts 3:1-16

he new church was growing. More and more people began to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. Their hearts were joyful and they loved meeting together. They often went to the temple to praise God.

One afternoon Peter and John decided to go to the temple for the time of prayer. On their way they passed a beggar. This beggar could not walk. He had been like this from the day he was born. His friends used to carry him to one of the temple’s gates, the Beautiful Gate. There he sat and begged from the people who went to the temple. In the evenings his friends fetched him and took him home.

The man called out to Peter and John and asked for money.

Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold. But I’ll give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk.”

Then Peter took him by the right hand and slowly helped him up. Suddenly the man’s feet and ankles felt strong.

He could stand! The beggar stood up straight and tall for the first time in his life, and then he began to walk. He walked all on his own into the temple courtyard. Then he got so excited that he soon began jumping up and down and praising God.

Everyone saw that the happy man was the beggar who used to sit at the gate, the one who could not walk. They were amazed at what had happened to him. What a wonderful thing God had done through his followers Peter and John!

Everyone came running over to see this miracle, but Peter said, “You should not be surprised. God did this. He raised his Son Jesus from the dead. He can heal a beggar, too.”

Psalm 103:2-5

Praise the LORD, my soul, and do not forget how kind he is. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He keeps me from the grave and blesses me with love and mercy. He fills my life with good things, so that I stay young and strong like an eagle.

God’s Promise

James 5:15

This prayer made in faith will heal the sick; the Lord will restore them to health, and the sins they have committed will be forgiven.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your healing power. Help me to bring hope and care to those in need around me.

Amen

Stephen dies because of his faith in Jesus

SMemory Verse

John 16:33

The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!

Wisdom for Life

Job 2:10

... Even in all this suffering Job said nothing against God

Read : Acts 6-7

oon there were so many believers that the apostles could not take care of all of them. The apostles gathered all the believers together and asked them to choose seven men to serve as deacons. One of the seven men chosen was called Stephen.

Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. He did many miracles among the people. Many people praised God for Stephen, but others were jealous. The teachers of the law arrested Stephen and found witnesses who were willing to tell lies about him. They said, “This man speaks against the temple and against the law.”

The teachers of the law looked at Stephen while the witnesses were speaking. They saw that his face was shining like an angel’s face.

The high priest asked him, “Are these people telling the truth?”

Stephen stood up and began to speak to the people. He told them the story of the Israelites. He told how God had led the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land. He also reminded them how they had often disobeyed God. This made the priests and teachers of the law very angry. Stephen looked up to heaven and said, “Look! I see heaven.

I see Jesus standing at God’s right hand. He is God’s Son.”

When the Sanhedrin heard this, they began to yell at the top of their voices. They all rushed at Stephen and dragged him out of the city. They began to throw stones at him to kill him.

When the people began to take off their coats, they put them at the feet of a young man named Saul. He was a very clever young Pharisee and he hated the followers of Jesus.

Stephen began to pray. He said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord!

Please forgive them their sins.” And then he died. He was the first one of Jesus’ followers who died because he believed in Jesus.

Psalm 31:14-15

But my trust is in you, O LORD; you are my God. I am always in your care ...

God’s Promise

Matthew 10:22

Everyone will hate you because of me. But whoever holds out to the end will be saved.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for Stephen’s courage. He stood firm in faith, even in the face of danger. Please help me to be brave and to stand strong in my beliefs like him. Amen

A man from Ethiopia becomes a follower of Jesus

AMemory Verse

Ephesians 2:14

For Christ himself has brought us peace by making Jews and Gentiles one people ...

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 25:25

Finally, hearing good news from a distant land is like a drink of cold water when you are dry and thirsty.

Read : Acts 8:26-40

fter Stephen was killed, the other believers were also attacked and treated badly. One of the worst attackers was Saul. He went from house to house to find the believers and arrest them. Many of the believers left Jerusalem and went to other towns. Now they could tell even more people about Jesus.

During this time, an angel told the apostle Philip to go south and to walk on the road through the desert between Jerusalem and Gaza. Philip obeyed and on the way he met a man travelling in a chariot. He was an important man from Ethiopia. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship in the temple and was now on his way back to Ethiopia.

Philip heard the Holy Spirit speaking to him. “Go to that chariot. Stay near it,” he heard.

Philip heard the man reading aloud from the prophet Isaiah. “Do you understand what you’re reading?” Philip asked.

“No!” the man said. “I wish someone could explain it to me.”

The man was reading about someone who was treated badly and then killed. He did not know that he was reading about Jesus. Philip explained that part of scripture to him and told him that it was about Jesus. Then he told him that Jesus had died on the cross and that his heavenly Father had raised him from the dead.

The Ethiopian man wanted to become a follower of Jesus. When they came to some water they stopped, and Philip baptised him.

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away. The official did not see him again. But he went on his way full of joy. He had become a follower of Jesus.

And Philip? He was seen next at a place called Azotus. From there he travelled all around the area, telling people about Jesus. More and more people were hearing the good news and becoming believers.

Psalm 67:1-4

God, be merciful to us and bless us; look on us with kindness, so that the whole world may know your will; so that all nations may know your salvation.

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you!

May the nations be glad and sing for joy, because you judge the peoples with justice and guide every nation on earth.

God’s Promise

Romans 10:13

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Lord, thank you for the Bible. The Ethiopian man found joy and truth in your Word. Please help me learn from the Bible and follow you with joy. Amen

Saul becomes a follower of Jesus

IMemory Verse

Romans 5:10

We were God’s enemies, but he made us his friends through the death of his Son ...

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 10:27-28

Obey the LORD, and you will live longer. The hopes of good people lead to joy.

Read : Acts 9:1-22

n Jerusalem, Saul , the young Pharisee, went to the high priest and asked permission to arrest the Lord’s followers who had gone to Damascus.

On his way to Damascus something happened that changed Saul’s life. Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice that said, “Saul! Why are you against me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus,” he heard. “Now get up and go into the city. There, someone will tell you what to do.”

The men who were travelling with Saul just stood there. They could not say a word. They had seen the light and heard the sound, but they did not know what was happening. At last Saul got up from the ground. He opened his eyes, but he could not see. The others had to take his hand and lead him to Damascus.

Saul was blind. He stayed in his room for three days. He did not eat or drink anything.

One of the believers in Damascus was called Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision and told him to go to a house and ask for a man called Saul who would be praying. The Lord said, “You must put your hands on him so that he can see again.”

Then Ananias went to the house and put his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “you saw the Lord Jesus on the road. He has sent me so that you will be able to see again. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Right away Saul could see again. He also believed in Jesus and he was baptised.

When Saul got his strength back, he spent the days with the believers in Damascus. Soon he began to preach in the synagogues. He said that Jesus was the Son of God. Everyone was amazed to hear that Jesus’ great enemy was now his follower.

Psalm 30:10-12

Hear me, LORD, and be merciful! Help me, LORD!”

You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance; you have taken away my sorrow and surrounded me with joy. So I will not be silent; I will sing praise to you. LORD, you are my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

God’s Promise

Acts 26:18

You are to open their eyes and turn them from the darkness to the light and from the power of Satan to God, so that through their faith in me they will have their sins forgiven and receive their place among God’s chosen people.

God, thank you for changing hearts. Help me be open to change and share your love with others. Amen

Paul travels to spread the Good News

SMemory Verse

Acts 28:31

He ... taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking with all boldness and freedom.

Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 16:3

Ask the LORD to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out.

Read : Acts 17:10 – 18:1 and 28:31

aul was also known as Paul, and is called Paul in the Bible. Paul travelled to many cities and countries to spread the good news that Jesus was the Saviour. When Paul was travelling through Greece, he visited Athens. He was upset to see how many statues of gods there were in the city.

The Greeks loved to debate, and they had different groups who used to discuss various topics. They became interested in Paul’s words. They said, “Please explain the strange things that you are talking about. We have never heard anything like this before!”

Paul began by telling them about the Lord God who made the world and everything in it. He gives life to everything on earth and he does not live in temples. He is not a statue. He is almighty and all-powerful, but he loves people and wants them to believe in him. God also raised his Son, Jesus, from the dead.

Some of the people listening to Paul believed his words and became followers of Jesus. Others did not believe at all. They laughed at Paul.

Those who believed became followers of Jesus and started a church. Paul taught them about Jesus and how to follow him. Then he left and went to Corinth, another important city in Greece.

This was Paul’s life, travelling from one place to the next. In every city he also worked so that he could earn enough money to keep on travelling. He was a tentmaker, and wherever he went he repaired people’s tents. He got to know many people in this way.

Paul also wrote many letters to the new believers he left behind in the cities. Many of those letters were kept and became part of the New Testament.

Psalm 96:2-3

Sing to the LORD, and praise him!

Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us.

Proclaim his glory to the nations, his mighty deeds to all peoples.

God’s Promise

2 Timothy 2:9

I suffer and I am even chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not in chains ...

Prayer

Lord, thank you for Paul’s journeys. He travelled far and wide to share Jesus’ message of hope. Help me to be a messenger of your love wherever I go. Amen

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Scripture taken from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version –Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

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Author: Thea Brink

Illustrations: Chris Venter Layout: Zelda Botha

The Classical Illustrated Children’s Bible will build a lasting foundation of faith in children through its vivid artwork and interconnected approach, beautifully weaving together Psalms, Proverbs, promises, memory verses, and prayers.

This engaging Bible includes:

• 57 stories from the Old and New Testaments

• Detailed, engaging double-page artwork suitable for all ages

• Beautifully researched illustrations that open a window into the times and places where biblical events unfolded

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CLASSICAL CHILDREN’S