The Ruby Float: Sunday School Edition by Dancing Pen Books

Calvary Chapel Children’s Ministries Present:

THE RUBY FLOAT A Tale of Hope



by Rick Nau Adapted & Edited for Sunday School by Teresa & Dan Calvillo Illustrations by Sukwan Myers Bible Lessons Courtesy of Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa

CCMV Edition (5/20/10) published by Dancing Pen Books

dpb

www.dancingpenbooks.com

The Ruby Float: Table Of Contents Chapter Title & Lesson Theme 1

Dreams Of A Raft: The Ten Commandments

Why Hank Didn’t Come To Breakfast: The Gift Of Love

17-27

A Time Of Sadness: The Battle Of Jericho

28-40

The Silhouette: Our Treasure

41-47

A Message Of Hope: The Alpha And Omega

48-52

Nate’s Plan: Trusting God

53-57

Samantha And Nate Build The Raft: Paul Writes About Faith

58-70

The Test Voyage Goes Awry: The Fruit Of The Spirit

71-84

Adrift At Sea: Jesus Calms A Storm

85-98

4-16

They Set Sail For The Island: Jonah And The Great Fish

Shipwrecked: Shipwreck At Malta

115-126

Not Alone: Jesus Helps Catch Fish

127-141

A Wonderful Discovery: Hezekiah Restores Temple Worship

142-154

The Most Important Question In The World: Unto Us A Child Is Born

155-171

A Very Puzzling Answer: Christ’s Sacrifice Is Foretold

172-188

The Breath Of God: The Way, The Truth, And The Life

189-200

The New Journey Begins: The Last Supper

201-212

The Tragic Farewell: Paul And Silas Are Imprisoned

213-230

Devastation: The Fiery Furnace

231-242

The Strange Cloud: The Cloud And The Fire

243-252

A Time Of Great Happiness: Sharing The Gospel

253-268

99-114

The Ruby Float: A Tale Of Hope Introduction: The story you are about to hear comes to us from two children named Daph and Josh. Upon first hearing it from their great grandfather, they became so excited that they told it to everyone they could find. Somewhere along the line, while I was fishing on a lake one summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day, they told it to me. Daph and Josh began the story, which they call The Ruby Float, by giving this clue as to what it is about: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned. Matthew 4:16 They also recited this short poem, which gives some more clues:

A boy and girl went to the sea In deep and dark despair, When something dancing on the waves Sent sparkles through the air. They plucked it from the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge, A sphere of deepest red, And found within amazing words That chased away their dread. So come with them as they do raft Across the bounding main, In search of One who promises To heal them of their pain.

Okay, enough for clues. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now enter into the world of

The Ruby Float . . .

1 Dreams of a Raft

 Let’s start by introducing two of our main characters. Their names are Nate and Samantha. Nate is Samantha’s older brother; or, if you’d have it the other way around, Samantha is Nate’s younger sister. Samantha usually goes by Sam and Nathaniel likes to be called Nate. These two young siblings live in a beautiful town by the sea. It’s like many towns in many ways, but in other ways it’s different. For one thing, there are no automobiles. There are bicycles, however, so we’ll rent a few from the local bike shop and take a tour of the town. As we move along, I’ll point out the sights. Let’s hit the pedals. Right now, we’re on Main Street. On the right you can see Crazy Al’s pet store. Next door to it is Aunt Wanda’s fudge shop. Take a sniff. Smell the chocolate? That big building on the left, the one made of beautifully finished pine, is the town library. Nate and Sam’s grandfather designed and built this gorgeous structure. His name is Hank. Now, let’s coast down to the bottom of the hill. The street stops here, at the town harbor. Have you ever seen such a sight, so many sailing ships of every shape and size? They haven’t built ships like that for over a hundred years. Now, take your eyes off the ships for a moment and look up the street on our right. See the many pretty houses? Search for one that stands out from all the rest, the prettiest of them all. That’s Nate and Sam’s house. Their grandfather designed and built that house. So far, except for the sailing ships and the lack of cars, nothing appears un-

7 Dreams of a Raft usual about Nate and Samantha's town. If we probe a little deeper, however, beneath the surface of this seemingly peaceful community, into the hearts and minds of its people and those of the rest of this land, we’ll find waters that are dark and disturbed. We’ll find something missing, something that no town or person can long exist without. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s say we park our bikes for a while, sit down on the grass, and spend some time with Sam and Nate. Every Sunday, Nate and Sam would have a picnic on the beach with Hank. They’d have wonderful food, glorious lunches prepared with the utmost love and affection by Hank’s beautiful wife. Like Hank’s, her name also starts with an “H.” Can you guess what it is? It’s Harriet. Though Hank and Harriet had not been blessed with an event that would allow them to add the word great before grandmother or grandfather, in the eyes of Nate and Sam they were among the greatest people on earth. During these seaside picnics, Nate and Sam would spend many hours combing the sand for exotic treasures. Sam was attracted to seashells, of which she had a fantastic collection in all shapes and colors and sizes. Nate was always on the lookout for the beautiful glass spheres that fishermen in some countries use to keep their nets floating in the water. These hollow glass orbs of blue and purple and green often wash ashore in the stormy months of what they call the wet season. Hank took great delight in watching his grandchildren search for these treasures, laughing to himself as they scampered across the sand and leapt for joy with each new find. Just about noon, near the time the sun reached its zenith, Hank would open a big, yellow beach umbrella, lay down a blanket and spread Harriet's feast upon it. A moment later, the two hungry explorers would arrive, eager for lunch and a story, especially one of Hank’s stories about the raft. One day, so Hank would promise, they’d build a raft and sail around the world. They’d work together to build a sturdy vessel of logs hewn from special trees that grew in the forest high in the hills above them. They’d begin by lashing the logs together with rope to form a platform that would serve

8 Dreams of a Raft as both hull and deck. On top of this they’d build a cabin containing all the comforts of home. Most important, they’d fully stock the larder with goodies prepared by Harriet and bring charcoal, too, and catch delicious fish and shrimp and squid and roast them over an open fire as the wind whistled past their ears. The raft would have a beautiful sail that Samantha and Nate would decorate with bright colors. They’d construct a rudder with which to steer the vessel and bring along a sextant and star charts and maps of the currents of the world. They’d sail to distant lands and savor exotic foods and learn of new customs and bask in the warm rays of the sun. Now Hank had never built and sailed an oceangoing raft; nevertheless, he spoke with such conviction and authority on the subject that the children firmly believed such a trip to be possible. In fact, they so trusted their grandfather that they believed there was nothing in heaven or on earth that he couldn’t do. It’s true that Hank believed you could do almost anything if you set your mind to it. He gave the children no reason to doubt that they could build a raft together that would take them around the world. What our adventurers did not realize, however, was that he omitted a few important details whenever he spoke about the raft, such as the dangers of traveling across the sea on an untested, self-constructed vessel. He failed to mention these hazards for the sake of those he loved. He was not the sort of person who delights in filling you with hopes and dreams only to dash them to pieces once you begin to believe in them. “When are we going to build the raft?” Nate would repeatedly ask. “Soon,” Hank would answer. “When you’re both a little older. You’ll need your parents’ permission, of course.” “How old?” asked Nate. “I’ll let you know when you’re ready,” he said. “You’ll have to trust that Grandpa will know when his crew is old enough to set sail.” As I mentioned before, if the children trusted anyone, they trusted their grandfather, right down to the twinkle in his eye. He gave them hope and

9 Dreams of a Raft joy and urged them to seek after wisdom, telling them of the importance of obeying their parents and of telling the truth and of doing well in school, prerequisites for the crew members of a worthy and noble craft. Then one day, something didn’t happen.

 Lesson 1: The Ten Commandments Memory Verse: The Ten Commandments Questions For Thought And Discussion What strengths of character will Hank be looking for when choosing the crew of his raft? Hank mentions wisdom, telling the truth, obeying parents and doing well in school.

Lesson 1

Bible Story 43

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS EXODUS 19:20-20:17

Lesson 1: Class 4-5

43. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (EXODUS 19:20-20:17)

“And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” EXODUS 31:18

Lesson 1: Class 6-8

43. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (EXODUS 19:20-20:17)

MEMORY VERSE: "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength... You shall love your neighbor as yourself." MARK 12:30-31 "And God spoke all these words, saying: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." EXODUS 20:1-2 TRUE OR FALSE: 1.

"You shall have no other gods before Me." EXODUS 20:3 TRUE OR FALSE

"You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them." EXODUS 20:4-5 TRUE OR FALSE

"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." EXODUS 20:7 TRUE OR FALSE

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God." EXODUS 20:8-10 TRUE OR FALSE

"Dishonor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you." EXODUS 20:12 TRUE OR FALSE

"You shall not murder." EXODUS 20:13 TRUE OR FALSE

"You shall not commit adultery." EXODUS 20:14 TRUE OR FALSE

"You shall steal." EXODUS 20:15 TRUE OR FALSE

"You shall bear false witness against your neighbor." EXODUS 20:16 TRUE OR FALSE

10.

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox,nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's." EXODUS 20:17 TRUE OR FALSE "AND WHEN HE HAD MADE AN END OF SPEAKING WITH HIM ON MOUNT SINAI, HE GAVE MOSES TWO TABLETS OF THE TESTIMONY, TABLETS OF STONE, WRITTEN WITH THE FINGER OF GOD." EXODUS 31:18

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Lesson 1: Class 6-8

43. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (EXODUS 19:20-20:22)

N E I G H B O R S Z K B M Z F

H N G X G R Q I S P H Z O I V

V B Q Y F E L N T V D Q U T A

Q F H P L J T B N I N A N M X

T Y L I E O V Q E Z I U T A N

COMMANDMENTS GOD HEART LORD LOVE

M G F H S A W X M D M P S E S

G D E T R P Z C D O C Q I I W

Z K K R U Q J B N G B R N B K

E F J A O T E J A Z Z K A C T

I O T E Y A N R M P I Q I D J

Q R I H L S T T M F A E V O L

Y Y O M O S E S O L U O S F V

L S V M A N Z S C H M M S V O

MIND MOSES MOUNT SINAI NEIGHBOR

J J H T G N E R T S E A W L Z

X P J H G E U W D W L O R D Y

SOUL STRENGTH TEN YOURSELF

WRITE DOWN THE LETTERS IN THE BOXES AS YOU COME TO THEM ON THE LINES BELOW

"___ 1/2

___ ___ ___

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ "

Lesson 1: Class 9-11

43. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (EXODUS 19:20-20:17)

"You shall have _______ other gods before Me." EXODUS 20:3

"You shall not make for yourself any carved _____________, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them." EXODUS 20:4-5

"You shall not take the ____________ of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." EXODUS 20:7

"Remember the _________________ day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God." EXODUS 20:8-10

"_____________ your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you." EXODUS 20:12

"You shall not ________________." EXODUS 20:13

"You shall not commit _______________." EXODUS 20:14

"You shall not _______________." EXODUS 20:15

"You shall not bear false _________________ against your neighbor." EXODUS 20:16

10.

"You shall not _____________ your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox,nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's." EXODUS 20:17

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 11.

"And Moses said to the people, 'Do not fear; for God has come to (ARREST, TEST) you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.' " EXODUS 20:20

12.

"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: "You have seen that I have talked with you from (HEAVEN, EARTH). " ' " EXODUS 20:22

13.

"And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two (ASPIRINS, TABLETS) of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God." EXODUS 31:18

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Lesson 1: Class 9-11

43. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS D V A I Z P M E O G E X F J M D E H E I

S J F P K A R K H I T J H B C G O H G Q

P C P Q X V L I J C J H L Q I H Y G O F

G Q C F C J K T R A E H V A O B Y D G C

X E K Y B Z U F J U L K N B D C Z R D Y

Q Q H F O I S H H Q U I F U M N V S L B

(EXODUS 19:20-20:22) M B D N U Z V F I Z F S P I N B O F A H W I P L X W B U S D Y A K H T G N E R T E M T S C M S E Y Y E Y O Z G O T L N U P P N Z T N N J R Z M I E T E N F V W C S N R M M U Y L Z D M D D D Z G Q L E Y E N H W V C U I T B A C L V W O O W U M S O G R S E G A F L E S R U O Y R S F B L E F Z S K Z L M B Y S B L A O E D I D

COMMANDMENTS GOD HEART LORD LOVE

G P C V S U I M N P I N S C N M P C M C

X P R E M H Y Y D E M B P R Y R O E M V

T O J D L O V E N Q L P V G Y Q D C O O

MIND MOSES MOUNT SINAI NEIGHBOR

K P R Z S T V G W D K A G S A U L S Y X

F O L K I Q S S O E Z P E U V F I U H I

L P K R E N A I P Q F R C G O W J V H Y

SOUL STRENGTH TEN YOURSELF

WRITE DOWN THE LETTERS IN THE BOXES AS YOU COME TO THEM ON THE LINES BELOW

"___ 3/6

___ ___ ___

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ "

Lesson 1: Class 9-11

43. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (EXODUS 19:20-20:17)

ACROSS "And you shall _____ the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength...You shall love your neighbor as yourself." MARK 12:30-31

ACROSS "You shall have no other _____before Me." EXODUS 20:3

DOWN

"You shall not make for yourself any carved _____, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them." EXODUS 20:4-5

DOWN

"You shall not take the _____ of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." EXODUS 20:7

DOWN

"Remember the _____ day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God." EXODUS 20:8-10

DOWN

"_____ your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you." EXODUS 20:12

ACROSS "You shall not _____." EXODUS 20:13

ACROSS "You shall _____ commit adultery." EXODUS 20:14

DOWN

"You shall not _____." EXODUS 20:15

10 ACROSS "You shall not bear false _____ against your neighbor." EXODUS 20:16 5

DOWN

"You shall not _____ your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox,nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's." EXODUS 20:17

2 Why Hank Didn’t Come to Breakfast

 What didn’t happen happened on a Sunday morning. And oh, what a glorious Sunday morning it was. The sun was shining, casting its warm, bright rays through the bedroom windows of the children. The birds were singing and a gentle breeze was rustling the curtains of the open windows. Coffee was brewing and eggs were scrambling and bacon was popping in the frying pan. Freshly squeezed orange juice was filling glasses and milk was flowing and clocks were chiming, telling Samantha and Nate that Hank would soon arrive to have an enormous breakfast with the entire family, after which he would lead them off to the beach for another expedition and another story. The children crawled out of their sleepy beds, pulled on their beachcombing clothes, scrubbed their faces, washed their hands and hurried into the kitchen. Never had they missed a Sunday with Hank, so when the food was set upon the table and their parents were seated they immediately knew that something was terribly wrong. Hank was not there. Nor was a place set for him at the kitchen table. Even more alarming were the strange, fearful expressions they saw written on their parents’ faces. They waited in silence for several minutes though Nate was certain it was several hours not touching their food, not even sipping their milk, for a Sunday morning without Hank was impossible to imagine. Then Nate bolted through the screen door. Samantha followed, making it through before the spring could slam it shut. Their parents shouted after them, setting

18 Why Hank Didn’t Come to Breakfast their eardrums ringing, but their minds were so full of worry and confusion that calling after them was like hollering during a thunderclap. Samantha and Nate had never run so fast. It was a good country mile to their grandparents’ home and they covered the distance in under seven minutes, which is incredibly fast, even for long-legged adults. They found Hank sitting alone on a swing on the front porch of the small white cottage that he and Harriet called home. Morning glories shaded the old-fashioned porch, which had a wooden deck and a white railing around it. The swing was big enough for three and looked out toward the distant sea. Though Hank’s face was hidden in the shadows, the darkness did not conceal the fact that this most cheerful and most enthusiastic of all grandfathers looked greatly troubled. As girls are sometimes better than boys at understanding what cannot be put into words, Samantha was the first to recognize Hank’s condition. “Grandpa,” she said, jumping onto the swing beside him. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing’s wrong with him,” said Nate. “He’s just tired of going to the beach with us. You can see that.” “No, he’s not. Tell him it isn’t true, Grandpa. It isn’t true, is it?” she asked in a pleading voice. Hank did his best to pull himself together. “No,” he said, embracing his grandchildren. “It isn’t true.” “You still love us, don’t you, Grandpa? We love you,” declared Samantha. “Of course,” said Hank. “I’ll always love you.” “Then why didn’t you come this morning?” asked Nate. Hank struggled to find the right words. He did not know how to be unhappy around children and believed it his duty as a grandfather to be joyful and exuberant. The children were allowed to be sad, but only until they could be cheered up, for Hank believed that children should be spared troubles and grief. Where did this wise, old grandfather get such a crazy idea? Well, as a young boy Hank had his heart broken. Though he never told anyone what had happened, he resolved never to let the same thing happen to Samantha

19 Why Hank Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Come to Breakfast and Nate. What had happened, you may ask? It seems that when Hank was growing up no one showed him any love. In a way, he lived like an orphan, always having to fend for himself. He had no toys, no trips to the beach, and no incredible lunches packed by his grandmother. One thing he did have, however work. From the time he was a little tyke, Hank worked. He worked in the fields, hoeing and weeding row after endless row of crops. He worked in a factory making mile after mile of baling wire. He worked on a street corner selling newspaper after newspaper. He worked hard at every kind of tough job you can ever imagine, hoping that if he was a good boy who worked hard to help support his family, he could earn the love of his mother and father. It didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem, however, that he could ever do enough. Though his parents did truly love him, they thought it wise to keep their love for Hank hidden away, deep in their hearts, for fear of spoiling him. What was missing for Hank was something sweet to balance the toils of life. When that sweetness finally came into his life, he knew exactly what he had and resolved never to let it go. And what could that possibly be? It was Harriet, the great grandmother of Sam and Nate. Now Harriet was extremely beautiful in her younger days, and if the truth be told, when Hank first saw her in that beautiful, white flowing dress on that warm summer day which he shall never forget, she took his breath completely away. She was so beautiful and so wonderful that Hank could scarcely believe that the world could contain such a woman, let alone that such a treasure as she could care for him. Yet she did; and at first sight. After a few short weeks, against the advice of his parents and her parents and the mayor and the fire chief and the other grown men and women of the community that two weeks was far too short a time, they were married. Well, Harriet and Hank proved everyone wrong. On the day Hank did not come to breakfast they had been married for more than fifty-two years, which is four or five or even six times as many years as many of you have been alive. Not only this, they were so much in love that you could not find in their town, or in any other town or city of the world, two people who

20 Why Hank Didn’t Come to Breakfast loved each other more than they did. So when Hank received the news, he became so sick at heart that he could not hide it from Samantha and Nate.

 Lesson 2: The Gift Of Love Bible Verse 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Lesson Theme Our Father will not spoil us, nor will He neglect to show His love for us. He wants to be our “First Love.” To the Teacher: Not showing love is wrong. Substituting complacency for love is wrong. The Bible explains to us what love is.

Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. What happened to Hank when he was a child that made him often long to be loved? 2. Do you think his childhood had something to do with how much he loved his wife? 3. Do you think it is possible to be in love with someone and still love God more?

Lesson 2

Bible Story 278

THE GIFT OF LOVE 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13

Lesson 2: Class 4-5

278. THE GIFT OF LOVE (1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13)

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:13

Lesson 2: Class 6-8

278. THE GIFT OF LOVE (1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13) MEMORY VERSE: "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:13 TRUE OR FALSE: 1 CORINTHIANS 13

T or F

VS. 4 Love suffers long and is kind.

_________

VS. 4 Love does not envy.

_________

VS. 4 Love does not parade itself.

_________

VS. 4 Love is puffed up.

_________

VS. 5 Love behaves rudely.

_________

VS. 5 Love does not seek its own.

_________

VS. 5 Love is not provoked.

_________

VS. 5 Love thinks no evil.

_________

VS. 6 Love rejoices in iniquity.

_________

VS. 6 Love rejoices in truth.

_________

VS. 7 Love bears nothing.

_________

VS. 7 Love believes all things.

_________

VS. 7 Love hopes all things. VS. 7 Love endures all things. VS. 8 Love never fails.

_________ _________ _________

1/2

Lesson 2: Class 6-8

278. THE GIFT OF LOVE (1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13)

H U A D B R A S S D W T L C A

O O G A P A D Y S S M U B Y S

ANGELS BEARS BODY BRASS BURNED CHILD

1/2

P E J N D M S B G U O V S M P

E T F W I N B L O B F H J B Y

S S K A P H I U E D G F K A G

R P E S C O T K R G Y T E L W

A M I C M E T O H N N E J R D

CYMBAL FACE TO FACE FAITH GREATEST HOPE HOPES

E O U T I I T S N O E A P L S

B U O O U O R O E I I D B O R

W N G N T D J R F T T K W I H

U T M G F L O E O A A R N E P

KIND LOVE MEN MIRROR MOUNTAINS NOTHING

K A L U J I F Y R R C E U E T

W I O E U H G H O W V E R T M

S N V S U C B O H U Q T P G H

L S E J B J P H H T I A F T J

POOR REJOICES SUFFERS TONGUES TRUTH

Lesson 2: Class 9-11

278. THE GIFT OF LOVE (1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13) MEMORY VERSE: "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:13 FILL IN THE BLANKS: 1 CORINTHIANS 13 VS. 4 Love ____________ long and is kind. VS. 4 Love does _______ envy. VS. 4 Love does not ____________ itself. VS. 4 Love is not __________ up. VS. 5 Love does not behave ___________. VS. 5 Love does not __________ its own. VS. 5 Love is ________ provoked. VS. 5 Love __________ no evil. VS. 6 Love does not rejoice in _______________. VS. 6 Love rejoices in ___________. VS. 7 Love bears ______ things. VS. 7 Love believes ______ things. VS. 7 Love hopes _______ things. VS. 7 Love endures ______ things. VS. 8 Love ____________ fails.

3/6

Lesson 2: Class 9-11

278. THE GIFT OF LOVE (1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13) I O B K E Y T E Z D Q V L S R S A B B R Z F W B Y

L N D C V O S K E L D F A B R B N E W G O F Z A N

S H U S Y J S N N D Y I B L O U G P W C B R P R F

ANGELS BEARS BODY BRASS BURNED CHILD

3/6

M E T L M E R Z I I D Z P Z V U E D W R E E R B D

V N P Y G U A N S E U G N O T W L Y A Z U G F I Y

I F B L B A E E Z C L W C A Z S S S D G P C V Y M

U I P N S C B N P C B C B P R E S M H Y Y M D B P

R Y R E X V T S O J Q L P V G Y R Q D O O O K P Z

S T V G W E D K N S E P O H A G S O A U B K S Y B

F L K I Q C T S S I O E T Z P E U V O F I U H I P

K H O P E I R R E N A S A I P Q F R C P G O W J V

H M Y G M O U B U V E T E Z U E C A F O T E C A F

CYMBAL FACE TO FACE FAITH GREATEST HOPE HOPES

U E I B Q J T B V T B H N W Y U B Y H F K Q B H M

G N Q W G E H B A W T D I U C P L O P D Q I J J C

B V D I M R O E O I F U D I O V E M N B A S N P W

J H N F G I R E A G W B O I L M D S U J L J T D B

V Q O V Y G B F C J N B L L D N K A U W K Y Y E H

L B R O W H J S R V J D U V C G N O Q A E G A T N

B K L D O H Y Q K G O J M N R M O I F J Q E P G G

KIND LOVE MEN MIRROR MOUNTAINS NOTHING

L Y T P V L E N J A H N Y W C N T R G I K F T S T

O Y T T A S U F F E R S G D L I H C F I Y M R A U

V W A B T Z V B B M S H J L B B I B N P F H J K Z

W W M V H W S R V B K G P E I N N A V I W A M H L

A Y Z Y E K G Z S B E W G B T D G P T C P N B I V

C G U K J W S F Z Z E S G Y M X O L F L O V E W U

POOR REJOICE SUFFERS TONGUES TRUTH

Lesson 2: Class 9-11

278. THE GIFT OF LOVE (1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13)

15 ACROSS "Love suffers long and is _____." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4 5

DOWN

"Love does not _____." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4

ACROSS "Love does not _____ itself." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4

ACROSS "Love is not _____ up." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4

11 ACROSS Love "does not behave _____." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:5 13 DOWN

Love "does not seek its _____." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:5

DOWN

Love "is not _____." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:5

DOWN

Love "thinks no _____." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:5

ACROSS Love "does not rejoice in _____." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:6

DOWN

Love "rejoices in the _____." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:6

14 ACROSS Love "_____ all things." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:7 8

ACROSS Love "_____ all things." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:7

12 ACROSS Love "_____ all things." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:7 9

DOWN

Love "_____ all things." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:7

DOWN

"Love never _____." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:8

10 ACROSS "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is ____." 1 CORINTHIANS 13:13

3 A Time Of Sadness



The doctor had informed Hank that his wife’s heart was going to fail soon. There was nothing that he or anyone else could do. It was only a matter of time until she would be gone. Harriet’s days with Hank would not be as countless as the stars, as Hank had always earnestly hoped they would be, but would be few in number, like the last, few, tiny grains of sand that silently fall to the bottom of an hourglass. It was a terrible blow for everyone. Neither Harriet nor Hank could begin to imagine life without the other. As for Nate and Samantha, their entire world had just been turned upside down. They had never seen their grandmother so deathly ill or their grandfather in such a confused and depressed state of mind. Until now, they had not understood that the joy and exuberance of their grandparents grew out of their tremendous love for each other. Though Nate and Samantha were still too young to understand this incredible love, they had no trouble understanding the overwhelming sadness of their two, dear friends. They did have trouble, however, accepting the finality of the doctor’s verdict. Nate’s first thought was that it was impossible that nothing could be done. Eleven years of regular exposure to his grandfather’s boundless love, exuberance, imagination, and encouragement had taught him never to give up hope. There had to be a way to change the terrible situation, some action that could be taken to restore joy and happiness to their grandparents’ lives. Such things are more easily imagined than done, however. Nate had never

29 A Time Of Sadness tried to make an unhappy person happy and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the faintest idea about where to begin. He first attempted a few of the things which many people try in similar situations. For instance, he worked at convincing Hank that Harriet would get better. He thought that by repeatedly insisting that Hank not lose hope in Harrietâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recovery, the problem would be solved, as if by sheer force of the human will a person could be cured. For a while the strategy seemed to work. The real truth, however, was that Hank, not wanting Nate and Samantha to be sad, pretended to be hopeful. Though this trick may have fooled Nate, it did not fool Samantha, who insisted that the happier Hank appeared to be, the sadder he was, and that the worst thing Nate could do was to try to give Hank hope when there was none. Samantha did not really mean to say that there was no hope, only that it was wrong to give false hope. Either way, it seemed she was suggesting that her brother was making a mistake, something that usually precipitated a violent reaction from him. This time, however, he did not grow angry, but began to dwell on his sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words, so much so that he, like Hank, sank into a deep depression. Though the stress of the situation made him dead tired, he was unable to sleep. Late at night, when he believed that everyone was sound asleep, he would slip out of the house to be alone with his troubled thoughts. He would walk through the darkness to the beach and sit in the moonlight under the stars and watch the waves as they crashed endlessly onto the shore. He felt terribly lonely, the way that Hank had felt as a child, and yearned desperately for a love that could take the loneliness away. This is not to say at all that Nate was not loved very much by his parents. They loved him deeply. Yet he was longing for a love much greater than this, a love that he could not express with words, a love that would bring joy and happiness to his grandparents and to everyone else he loved, a joy and happiness far beyond anything he could ever hope for, one that would last forever. It was only later in his life that Nate was able to translate this longing

30 A Time Of Sadness into the words we have just heard. Right now, he could only think in the language of his heart, not of his mind, for he was, after all, just a young boy. He had not had the practice with words that we adults have, which might have been a good thing, because if Nate had found the words he might have asked questions of the wrong people and gotten the wrong answers. Instead, he kept journeying down to that beach where he looked at the vastness of the dark heavens and stared into the moonlit surface of the wide sea and yearned for the fulfillment of the unspoken desires of his heart. It was not until Nate had made thirty, lonesome, nocturnal trips that Samantha discovered him slipping out the window. As many sisters would, she resolved at once to run to her parents and reveal to them the strange event which she had witnessed. But at the moment her fingers touched the knob of their bedroom door, curiosity got the best of her. She turned and slipped out of Nate’s bedroom window herself. As she tiptoed down the dark path she could see Nate in the distance. He was clearly discernable in the moonlight and easy to follow since he was walking so slowly. No other soul was about, not even a prowling cat. When she reached the spot where the path wound through a patch of woods, it became spooky, the darkness so complete that she could see nothing. Nevertheless, though she was barefoot and cold, though her mind was filled with visions of hideous monsters leaping out at her from the inky void, she kept going, for if there was one thing she had which was more powerful than fear and curiosity combined, it was courage. When she reached the other end of the woods she was shivering with cold and fear and had stubbed her right big toe on a fallen log and was wondering through her pain why her brother was sitting on the beach, staring off into the blackness. “Nathaniel!” she hollered, approaching him from behind. “Whatever are you doing here?” Samantha’s voice, coming out of the quiet, scared Nate half to death. “Sam,” he exclaimed, “what are you doing following me?”

31 A Time Of Sadness “To find out where you are going,” she answered smartly. “Why else would I follow you?” “Well, go home,” he said. “I want to be alone.” As you would expect, Samantha had no intention of going back, certainly not alone through the pitch black woods and certainly not if commanded to do so by a brother. Instead, she dropped down on the sand beside him. “Nope,” she said. “I’m not going anywhere till you tell.” “I told you I want to be alone,” he said. He stood up, walked a dozen paces and plopped back down on the sand; whereupon Samantha stood up, traced the same dozen paces, stretching out her legs to fit her feet into her brother’s footprints, and plopped down beside him. Nate stood up again, trudged another dozen paces, and sat down again; whereupon Samantha jumped up, followed Nate’s trail in the sand, and sat down beside him. This cycle was repeated six times, causing Nate to cry out in exasperation, “Don’t make me crazy!” Ordinarily, Samantha would have replied to this with a smart remark, but as Nate was now allowing her to sit beside him, she elected to keep quiet and exult in the triumph of her persistence. As she did she took note of how beautiful the sea and the sky and the sand looked at night. Everything was scintillating in the moonlight. The waves were glistening and the little grains of sand were sparkling and the stars were twinkling in the heavens. “It’s so glorious,” she said, more to herself than to Nate. She did not notice that his cheeks were also glistening, something which cheeks don’t ordinarily do except when moistened by perspiration or raindrops or teardrops. Instead she saw something small and round dancing on the waves, something which now and then reflected a flash of moonlight to her curious eyes. “Look there,” she said. “In the water.” Nate saw it too, a small, sparkling object that disappeared and reappeared each time it was overtaken by a wave. It was not far from shore, whatever it was. When it reached the first line of breakers, it disappeared into a white

32 A Time Of Sadness cloud of churning foam. Samantha sprang up and ran to the water’s edge. In a moment she spotted the object again. “It’s a fisherman’s float,” she hollered back to Nate. Nate did not respond. In his dark state of mind, he’d lost his interest in such silly things. In fact, everything seemed meaningless. He’d once liked school, but now his grades were falling off a cliff. He’d once liked to read books about great adventures, like the exciting stories told by his grandfather, but now such things bored him. He’d once loved to eat mashed potatoes and gravy, in particular but now everything was bland. He’d once loved to swim in the ocean and to dive deep beneath the water to see what was hiding under the rocks, but now he could care less. He’d once dreamed of far off places and of places in the past and of places in the future, but now the dreams were gone. Everything was now and now and now. As Samantha walked back from the water’s edge with the small glass ball clutched in her hands she was not aware of how her brother had changed. She was only aware that his eyes were sparkling in the moonlight. It took her a moment to realize why. He was crying. Samantha had never witnessed such a scene before, her older brother crying without being punished. The effect upon her was immediate and spectacular. Her heart, which could be steely at times, melted in the twinkling of an eye. Dropping to her knees, she threw her arms around Nate. She said nothing, for the sadness she felt was overwhelming. A month had passed since they had been hit with the depressing news about their grandmother. Now, at last, they were comforting each other as they cried over the hopeless plight of the two friends whom they loved with all their heart and soul.



Lesson 3: The Battle of Jericho Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. How do Hank, Nate, and Samantha react to the sad news? 2. Have you had to go through sad times? Whom do you turn to for comfort and support? 3. It seems that Hank, Nate, and Samantha have no one to turn to. What do you think is missing from their town? 4. What gives you courage when you face obstacles?

Bible Verse Joshua 1:9: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.â&#x20AC;?

Bible Study Joshua faced many obstacles. One of them was the entrance to Jericho. This week we will study The Walls of Jericho and the courage of Joshua.

Lesson 3

Bible Story 58

THE BATTLE OF JERICHO JOSHUA 6:1-26

Lesson 3: Class 4-5

58. BATTLE OF JERICHO (JOSHUA 6:1-26)

“And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.” JOSHUA 6:16

Lesson 3: Class 6-8

58. BATTLE OF JERICHO (JOSHUA 6:1-26) MEMORY VERSE: “And the LORD, said to Joshua: 'See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.' ” JOSHUA 6:2 CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 1.

“And the LORD, said to _____ 'See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.' ” JOSHUA 6:2 JOSHUA MOSES

"You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go around the city once. This you shall do _____ days." JOSHUA 6:3 SIX SIXTY

’’But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priest shall blow the _____.’’ JOSHUA 6:4 FLUTES TRUMPETS

TRUE OF FALSE: 4.

Joshua told the priest,“Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD.” JOSHUA 6:6 TRUE OR FALSE

"Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, 'You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, "Whisper"! Then you shall whisper.' ” JOSHUA 6:10 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 6.

"So the people ( WHISPERED, SHOUTED ) when the priests blew their trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet,and the people ( WHISPERED, SHOUTED ) with a great ( WHISPER, SHOUT), that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city." JOSHUA 6:20

"And Joshua spared ( BABAH, RAHAB) the harlot, her father's household, and all that she had. So she dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho." JOSHUA 6:25

TRUE OF FALSE: 8.

"So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout all the country." JOSHUA 6:27 TRUE OR FALSE

1/2

Lesson 3: Class 6-8

58. THE BATTLE OF JERICHO (JOSHUA 6:1-26) G D E P Z C R A H A B C T Q I

A W Z S K K Q J S B B R R B H

U K E H S P J T E E J Z U Z C

ARK BURNED FALL GIVEN ISRAEL

H K L O Y C T I M O T A M N R

S R L U A P I Q I D D J P Q A

O R A T D I L S T R T F E A M

J Y W Y X O F V N O L S T V M

A Z S H I M L S E L V O S J J

E A A N S W L Z V P P J H G E

U B L R E W D W E Y P Z W B M

W U U E K V F I S M G Y P Y B

D L R R A C I G O H C I R E J

JERICHO JOSHUA LORD MARCH RAHAB

SOUND THE TRUMPET!

1/2

R L G N N R G G Z J P N U O F

L A L M S E S Z F P G K B U T

C F U M D L D I S V R C M L B

SEVEN TIMES SHOUT SIX DAYS TRUMPETS WALL

Lesson 3: Class 9-11

58. BATTLE OF JERICHO (JOSHUA 6:1-26) MEMORY VERSE: “And the LORD, said to Joshua: 'See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.' ” JOSHUA 6:2 FILL IN THE BLANKS: 1.

’’And the LORD, said to______________ : 'See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.' ’’ JOSHUA 6:2

"You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go around the city once. This you shall do _________days." JOSHUA 6:3

’’But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priest shall blow the ________________.’’ JOSHUA 6:4

TRUE OF FALSE: 4.

Joshua told the priest,“Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD.” JOSHUA 6:6 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 6.

"So the people ____________________ when the priests blew their trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet,and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they ____________ ______ ___________." JOSHUA 6:20

"And Joshua spared _______________ the harlot, her father's household, and all that she had. So she dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho." JOSHUA 6:25

TRUE OF FALSE: 8.

"So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout all the country." JOSHUA 6:27 TRUE OR FALSE 3/6

Lesson 3: Class 9-11

58. THE BATTLE OF JERICHO (JOSHUA 6:1-26) P D E B C P O G U P M N R X D C U G D T S A S T O

T D W F A M M F H K N C U Q D C N W T I E W P P W

Q R T A U U H A E R J S T A T Z S D J Q V I K T D

Y O H U Q S S S R I L S J F N F O P E O E O C F K

B L Y N M H L T D C R E U W A J N S Z K N B Z F H

N G X G R Q I E P H H Z I V N V B Q Y E T L N V Q

T D E N R U B P A Q F H P J E T B I A M I X T Y L

I O V Q Z U A M N M G F H A V W X P E S M G D E P

Z C C Q I W Z U K K Q J B B O R B K E F E J T E J

ARK OF THE COVENANT BURNED FALL GIVEN JERICHO

Z Z K C T I O R T A N R P I C Q D J Q R S I L S T

F A Y Y O F V T X S V M A Z E S H M X S V O J J E

A W L Z X P J H G E U W D W H Y P Z W B G I V E N

M W U F I X G Y P Y B D R C T G R G N G Z J P N U

O F L L M S Z F P G K B U K F C U M D L S V R C M

L B X A C W J U K O I T E J O K K P Z Y Y O J F A

H A J O H Z Y N J T P L J C K V T W H P J H Q O A

W V M O H F S W U D B S J H R Q O E W E B K S U H

P E V A S C R L W J A U O E A P T C S C H U E C N

Q L K D D H I O K Q H P L W K I J S U E A V D Q E

JOSHUA LORD MARCH RAHAB SEVEN TIMES

SOUND THE TRUMPET!

3/6

N R Y Y D S U R L J A I P T S Y A D L I S V R F E

J F O U G H F A E L R K D B K K A T W L A P P A X

V A Q D V O S M C J A Z L U T M O E M X N O B U L

P L M C C U V Z K F K W S M O A T M Z J S M X P C

D L T X X T G E I K X P P U Z V F R K K Y R G I K

U A V X O U V Z A U E F P T O N I J J Y T H G F Y

SHOUT SIX DAYS TRUMPETS WALL

Lesson 3: Class 9-11

58. BATTLE OF JERICHO (JOSHUA 6:1-26)

ACROSS “And the LORD, said to Joshua: 'See! I have given _______ into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.' ” JOSHUA 6:2

ACROSS "You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go around the city once. This you shall do _______days." JOSHUA 6:3

DOWN

’’But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priest shall blow the _______.’’ JOSHUA 6:4

DOWN

Joshua told the priest,“Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ _______before the ark of the LORD.” JOSHUA 6:6

ACROSS "Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, 'You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, "________"! Then you shall shout.' ” JOSHUA 6:10

DOWN

ACROSS "And Joshua spared ________ the harlot, her father's household, and all that she had. So he dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho." JOSHUA 6:25

DOWN

"So the people shouted when the priests blew their trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the ________ fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city." JOSHUA 6:20

"So the LORD was with ________, and his fame spread throughout all the country." JOSHUA 6:27

4 The Silhouette

Samantha awoke early the next morning. It was a Sunday, much like the Sundays on which Hank would come to breakfast. Only Hank would not come anymore. As she lay in bed, she watched the sun cast its glorious light upon the small fisherman’s float she had placed in the center of her dresser. Though she had never had the same interest in these floats as Nate, she found this one to be especially attractive. It was much smaller than the floats in Nate’s collection, no larger than a hen’s egg. It’s color was also unusual. While Nate’s floats were various shades of purple and green, this one was deep red, the color of a beautiful ruby. So deep was its redness that it appeared black to Samantha when she’d plucked it from the sea. Even now, when viewed from the distance between her bed and dresser, it looked like a highly polished black stone, much like a jewel known as a garnet. If the light is low, the garnet will appear black; but if the light is very bright and strikes the garnet at just the right angle, the jewel will suddenly change to a beautiful shade of the deepest red. Samantha took the float from her dresser and began to play with it. The hollow, glass orb felt almost weightless in her small hand, not much heavier than the empty shell of a hen’s egg, the slight increase in weight being due to the thickness of the glass. To her eye, it was perfectly smooth and spherical, not bumpy and irregular like Nate’s floats. And when she held it up to

42 The Silhouette the bright rays of the sun to behold its breathtakingly beautiful ruby-red color, she got a tremendous shock. “Oh my!” she said to herself. “What is this?” Samantha had never been so excited in her entire life. She bolted straight into Nate’s bedroom, making such a racket that she scared him half to death. “Nate! Nate!” she yelled, tugging on his bed cover. “Wake up! Wake up! Something’s in the float.” Nate, who had been soundly sleeping, awoke to the sight of the float hovering over his nose. It looked to him like a smooth, round, black egg. “Come outside,” she said, pulling him by the arm. “You can’t see anything in here. It’s too dark.” The garden was extremely bright, especially for Nate, whose sleepy eyes had not yet adjusted to the sunlight. “I don’t see a thing,” he complained, staring blankly at the float. “You’ve got to hold it up to the light,” instructed Samantha. Sure enough, when Nate held the orb between his eyes and the sun, he saw a dark, squarish silhouette inside. “You’re right,” he said. Cupping the orb in the palm of his hand, he let the light fall on the float from above. An object came faintly into view. “It looks like a piece of paper.” “Let me see,” demanded Samantha, most proud of herself for having made such an exciting find. “Wait,” snapped Nate, still gazing into the float. “I see writing.” Moving the orb about in the sunlight he tried to discern the words. “I can’t make them out,” he continued. “We’ll have to break the float.” Samantha immediately snatched the orb from his hand. “Don’t you dare,” she warned. “It’s too beautiful to break. Besides, it’s mine.” “But it might be something important,” said Nate. “A message or something.”

43 The Silhouette

While Nateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s floats were various shades of purple and green, this one was deep red, the color of a beautiful ruby.

44 The Silhouette “I don't care,” said Samantha. “I found it and you didn’t want it, so it’s mine.” Under normal circumstances Nate would have launched into a convincing argument on exactly why it was urgent that the float be cracked open immediately. He had read many adventure stories in which important messages were conveyed on notes sealed in glass bottles. The messages were usually desperate pleas for help and the bottles the only possible means of communicating with the outside world. In this case, however, it was the recipient who was in distress and he was in no mood to engage in arguments. It is not surprising, therefore, that Nate gave up without a fight, leaving Samantha to stew in the heat of the garden. “Have it your way,” he said, turning and departing. “I don’t care about anything.” The sun was warm and radiant upon the flowers and all about was the buzzing of the bees. But Samantha did not hear the buzzing or even see the flowers. Instead, she was examining her own heart, which, for a moment, she was likening unto one of Nate’s fishing floats big, but empty. It was an image she did not like. Wanting to change it immediately, she rushed into Nate’s room where she found him in bed on his back staring vacantly at the ceiling. “Let’s break it open,” she said, out of breath with excitement. Nate did not move a muscle. He was like a dead man. “Nate?” asked Samantha, speaking in an imploring tone that would break even the hardest of hearts. Though Nate did not answer, it was obvious to Samantha that he was alive. His eyes moved ever so slightly, as did his chest when he breathed. “Please don’t be angry with me,” she begged. “I’m ever so sorry. It’s just that the red float is so beautiful and I have never had such a beautiful thing before. But I do want to break it open to see what’s inside. I really do.” A quiver went through Nate’s lips, so slight that Samantha thought she was imagining it. She decided that only a drastic action would convince her immobile brother of the sincerity of her words. Lifting the float high above

45 The Silhouette her head, she hurled it to the floor to be shattered into a million pieces, whereupon Nate sprang out of bed and caught the plunging orb in mid-air. “I’ve got an idea,” he said. Now, if there was a gift that Nate possessed to an unusual degree, it was ingenuity, not born of genius, but of tenacity, for he was not a boy who gave up easily when confronted with a problem. He was determined to find a way to read the note without destroying the orb. “It’s all right,” said Samantha. “It really is. Someone could be in great trouble and in need of being saved. We don’t have the time to try other things.” “Maybe you’re right,” answered Nate. But I don’t happen to think this is that kind of message.” “Why?” asked Samantha. “Because whoever made this float obviously took a lot of time and care in doing it. They needed a furnace and glass blowing equipment and pigments and a lot of other tools and materials. If they were in distress, they’d just stuff a note in a bottle and drop it into the water.” “Then what kind of message could it be?” asked Samantha. “Something important,” replied Nate, ever so solemnly. “Something very important.” “Oh!” exclaimed Samantha, beside herself with excitement. “Let’s do break it open. I can’t wait to find out what it says.”

 Lesson 4: Our Treasure Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. Guess what’s inside the float? Would you be willing to break it to find the answer?

Lesson 4

2. God compares His children to jars of clay. What does He store in these jars of clay?

Bible Verse 2 Corinthians: 4:7: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”

Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. This is to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. Have you ever watched someone make a clay pot? It all begins with a slab of clay thrown on a potter’s wheel. The clay has no shape, and in that condition, it also has no purpose. That changes once the potter starts spinning the wheel and begins molding the clay with his wet hands. With skillful hands the potter turns the slab of clay into something like a pot, a bowl, a plate, a vase or any number of useful or decorative pieces. Every single piece is uniquely different from any other piece of pottery; even before the potter paints, glazes and bakes it. In the Bible verse we read together (2 Corinthians 4:7), the clay jars represent you and me. Each one of us was created by God’s own two hands, like the clay that the potter molds into a pot. Each of us is blessed by God with our own unique appearance, talents, and soul. And like clay jars, we are made to carry a treasure—the light of Christ. However, we are also fragile. We easily get chipped or broken by bad choices that we make, by burdens we carry, and by tragedies inflicted upon us. Our cracks and breaks change us, making us vulnerable to the pressures and desires of

Lesson 4

our world. Yet God remains great; and His greatness finds power to shine through us even with our imperfections. It is through our ordinary lives that God’s message is revealed to those around us. We do not need to be “the perfect Christian” or experience a magical moment to have God’s greatness shining through us. We simply need to seek Christ and be open to God’s will for us. YOU are a jar of clay that holds a precious treasure. What an incredible honor! What an incredibly intimate connection with God!

Group Activity Find some clay or play-doh and make a bowl or jar. When you are finished, fill it with something and hold it in your hands. Picture yourself as the jar and the things you put inside it as the treasure—Christ’s light. Ponder the fact that you created the bowl and put something in it and are holding it—that’s exactly what God does with us.

5 A Message of Hope

Late that night, well after the moon had set, Samantha and Nate slipped out of the house and went down to the seaside. Except for occasional thunderclaps and brilliant flashes of lightning it was dark and still. “Steady,” Nate whispered, though not a soul was around to hear. Samantha held the float in her hands under the beam of Nate’s flashlight. Though it was hot, she was shivering with nervousness. “What do you see?” she asked. “Hold still!” he snapped. “I can’t see a thing with you wiggling around.” Samantha held her breath and tried not to move. “Good,” he said. “It’s too dark here,” she complained. “You won’t be able to see anything.” “I will too. Things in the dark stand out better in the light. Now hold still.” “I am holding still,” said Samantha. “There,” he said. “I can see them.” “What?” asked Samantha. “What do you see?” “What else?” Nate answered. “Words.” “What do they say?” asked Samantha, shaking again in anticipation. “I told you to hold still,” he barked. Nate reached into his back pocket and withdrew a pencil and a slip of paper. “I want to write them down first.” “Nathaniel!” pleaded Samantha. “Please tell me what they say. It’s making me crazy.”

49 A Message of Hope “I will. Just stay still long enough for me to write them down.” Though it took Nate only a minute to record the words contained inside the ruby float, these words, the same that he repeated aloud to Samantha, were powerful and strange, flooding their minds with a hope that caused them to lose track of time and place. They did not see the stars disappear beneath a fury of monstrous, swirling clouds nor did they hear the thunder grow from a distant rumble to a mighty booming. Not until the rain burst forth from the heavens with the power of a waterfall did they seek shelter, finding it beneath the overturned hull of a small, white dory. There, huddled close together against the fury of the storm, they read again the words illuminated by the narrow beam of Nate’s small flashlight: I a m t h e A l p h a a n d t h e O m e g a , t h e F i r s t a n d the Last, the Beginning and the End, the Resurrection and the Life. Whosoever believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

“Never die,” they whispered to each other. “How can it be?”

Lesson 5: The Alpha and Omega Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. Nate and Samantha need a light to read the note in the ruby float. Can you think of some other truths that you need to shed light on to understand? 2. Do you think Samantha or Nate know who the Alpha and the Omega is? 3. Do you know who the Alpha and the Omega is? Revelation 1:8: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The Lord God is the Beginning and the End. God the Father is the eternal Lord and Ruler of the past, present, and future. God is sovereign over history and is in control of everything. The one who is, who always was, and who is still to come is also described in Revelation 1:4. The phrase the Almighty One comes out of the Old Testament and conveys military imagery, referring to God as a mighty warrior. The military imagery helped the people in the churches to whom this book was written understand that they had the ultimate Warrior fighting on their side. God rules over all.

Memory Verse: Revelation 22:13

Lesson 5

Lesson: Read Exodus 3:14-15 When God called Moses to lead His people, the Israelites, out of Egypt, Moses asked God by what name he should call Him. Read Exodus 3:1415 to see God’s answer. The phrase, “I AM WHO I AM,” means that God is ALL of what His people need. It expresses that He is dependable, and that His people can trust Him to take care of them. It is important to know that when Jesus spoke about Himself, He used the same words; I AM, to describe Himself. The use of these two words, “I AM,” was a declaration from Jesus that He is God. When you sometimes hear, “In this store you can find anything from A to Z,” it means you can find everything that you can possibly want in this store. The Bible has similar sayings about God. In Revelation 22:13 we find: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” The book of Revelation was originally written in Greek. The Greek alphabet begins with the letter Alpha and ends with the letter Omega, just like A to Z in our alphabet. The Alpha looks like our letter “A,”, and the Omega looks like an upside down “U” (Ω). This verse tells us that Jesus was here before time began and that He will be here when time ends. Jesus is eternal.

Group Activity Let’s have fun learning the Greek alphabet.

Lesson 5

This verse tells us that Jesus was here before time began and that He will be here when time ends. Jesus is eternal. ****

The Greek Alphabet

Try having fun learning the Greek alphabet with the children.

6 Nate’s Plan

Nate and Samantha were instantly united in thought, for they immediately understood how the message related to their grandmother’s terrible illness. And it was very terrible. With each day Harriet was growing weaker, causing Hank to sink ever deeper into his dark well of despair. In the face of it all, the children felt helpless. Anything they said or did seemed to make the situation only worse. But now, with the discovery of this message, their thoughts were being propelled in another direction. like a ship suddenly hurled off its course by a gigantic wave. Beneath the frail beam of Nate’s flashlight a message of hope brighter than the sun had shined forth, a hope that Harriet could be plucked from the jaws of death and Hank from the throes of despondency. This is not to say that Nate and Samantha did not have their doubts about this amazing message. Such doubts led them to agree that it would be unwise to reveal the message immediately to their grandparents. They first needed to find its author and confirm that the promise was true. “But how will we do that?” asked Samantha. This was a question she repeatedly put to Nate. Though he had no immediate answer, he was absolutely determined to find one. For many nights he continued his journeys to the beach, pacing up and down the dark shore and looking toward the sea. From somewhere over the dim, moonlit horizon the float had come. Of this much he was certain. As the days slipped by, a strange vision took shape in Nate’s mind. It was

54 Nate’s Plan a picture of a raft sailing upon the ocean. Without telling Samantha, he began making frequent visits to his grandparents’ home. While there, he picked Hank’s mind, pretending to be interested in the rafting journeys Hank had always talked about. He asked for further instruction in the correct use of the sextant and nautical charts. He asked about ways of using the sun, the moon and the stars to navigate and of how to weather storms and stow articles correctly to keep them from being tossed about in heavy weather. He wanted to know how to build a device that could capture water from a cloudless sky and how to dry fish and crabs and shrimp and flying fish. Though the questions seemed unending, not once did Hank refuse an answer or suspect why Nate was asking them. Instead, he assumed that his loving grandson was trying to divert his thoughts away from his terrible fear of losing his wife. Only after Nate had spent many weeks developing his plan, did he decide to reveal it to Samantha. “But only on one condition,” he warned her. “What’s that?” she asked. “You must agree to honor conditions of absolute secrecy.” “Of course I will,” she promised. “Now do tell me the plan. You know I can’t stand being in suspense.” Nate became very nervous at this juncture, for he knew that without Samantha’s support, his plan would never work. He therefore took care to illustrate it with maps and charts and tables and with demonstrations of various pieces of equipment, information which an adult would find impressive, but which a younger sister might view with extreme skepticism, especially when she has no idea what her older brother is talking about. Nevertheless, this sister had learned over the past few months to be more patient and refrained from speaking her mind until Nate finally got to the point. “I think the float came from here,” he said, pointing on a map to a tiny brown dot surrounded by a huge sea of deep blue ink. “I want to build a raft and sail there. I need your help.”

55 Nate’s Plan Your thoughts at this moment are probably the same as Samantha’s, that no one of sound mind would ever consider sailing a homemade raft across a gigantic ocean for purposes of finding a tiny dot of land, especially someone who has no experience at sea. A million things could go wrong, which to Samantha was equivalent to a thousand. Counteracting these objections, however, was Samantha’s recollection of Hank’s stories. Anything was possible. If a million things should go wrong, there were a million ways to fix them. In other words, there was a chance. “What makes you think it came from there?” she asked, tapping her finger on the tiny brown speck on the map. Nate had prepared another detailed explanation involving re-use of the aforementioned charts of wind and currents and weather patterns as well as some fancy arithmetic, which included a smattering of trigonometry and vectors, subjects as mysterious to Nate as to Hank; but the tone of Samantha’s question made it clear that this information could be used to support only one answer, the only answer that she could possibly understand. “Instinct,” he said. “Instinct?” asked Samantha. “Yes, instinct,” he answered. But Nate’s assessment of his sister had been only partially correct. While Samantha understood the importance of instinct, she also understood the significance of the dozens of charts, maps and calculations that were scattered about. If Nate had relied on instinct alone she would have never agreed to cooperate with him. Only one other question needed to be answered, the age-old question of how to handle the adults associated with the matter, namely, their parents. This question Samantha phrased in the form of a statement. “Mom and Dad will never let us go. It’s far too dangerous.” Nate did not agree. For one thing, the journey would not be any more dangerous for children than for adults. In addition, children were just as capable of making such a trip as adults. The way to gain their parents’ approval was to thoroughly prepare for the trip, which would require secretly build-

56 Nate’s Plan ing the raft and making a list covering every possible contingency. This could be gotten with the help of Hank, so long as he believed the list was being compiled for make-believe purposes. Once everything was made ready, which included testing the raft for seaworthiness, they would request a formal meeting with their parents during which they would present them with such overwhelming evidence of their maturity and skill that they could not possibly say no. That same night, at the stroke of ten, beneath the full moon, at the place on the beach where Hank had told them his stories of the raft, they pledged their dedication to the project, agreeing that it must be kept absolutely secret until everything was ready.

 Lesson 6: Trusting God Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. Is God seeking Samantha and Nate? 2. How do the children respond to the message? 3. What does God promise to those who seek after Him? 4. According to Jesus, what is the means of eternal life?

Memory Verse John: 6:68: But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Lesson 6

After many of Jesus’ followers had deserted Him, He asked the twelve disciples if they were also going to leave. Peter replied, “To whom would we go?” In his straightforward way, Peter answered for all of us—there is no other way. Though there are many philosophies and self-styled authorities, Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. People look everywhere for eternal life and miss Christ, the only source. Stay with Him, especially when you are confused or feel alone.

Lesson: Read John 6 Often people follow Jesus for the wrong reasons, (e.g. to see a show, to get food, to be healed, etc.) Like the people in John 6, sometimes we also come to Him only for what we can get. Jesus asks us to come believing in Him, with no strings attached. Many of the people had only defensive responses to Jesus’ statements. When God’s words step on our toes, our best response should be humble repentance, not a proud defense. Seeking God with our whole heart, a pure heart, is what pleases Him. What strings do you find easy to attach to your faith in Christ? In what ways do you follow Christ for what He can do for you rather than what you can do for Him? How can you begin to follow Him more wholeheartedly? To The Teacher: Ask the kids to complete the following sentence and write the answers on the board. Once the list is complete, pray with them and list the things that are just the wrong things that the kids and you are asking God for. “Lord I will trust in you, and follow you, even if I do not get ___________________________________.”

7 Samantha and Nate Build the Raft

Samantha and Nate threw themselves into the raft-building project with a fervor and energy that would astonish even the most single-minded, hardworking adult. Day and night they toiled, hauling building materials and provisions to a heavily-wooded region that grew up to the edge of a small slough that emptied into the ocean at high tide. The slough was fed by a stream ten feet across that was itself fed by other streams and brooks and tributaries flowing down from the surrounding hills. Somewhere in these hills grew the special trees that Hank said made the best rafts in the world. Nate and Samantha planned to find these trees, harvest the required logs and float them downstream to their secret location at the head of the slough. They would then assemble the raft, launch it onto the waters of the slough, wait until high tide, at which time the slough was at the same level as the sea, sail it onto the open ocean for a short test of its seaworthiness, sail back into the slough and then hurry home to arrange the much-anticipated conference with their parents. Such was the plan. Everything went well for several months. Samantha collected mounds of wonderful delectables and stashed them in a large footlocker hidden in the bushes by the slough. As you might imagine, it was very difficult for her to resist sampling these delectables, being that her choices were of a highly delicious nature, a selection of foods that any young adventurer would be happy to survive on during a long and dangerous voyage. Samanthaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footlocker was soon stuffed with butter cookies and hazelnuts and tins of fine

59 Samantha and Nate Build the Raft silver sardines packed in oil and jars of sweet orange blossom honey and packages of wonderful teas and lots of boxes of white chocolate. There were jars of fruits and sweet pickles and packages of ham with cloves and crocks of red potato soup. There were baked beans and salty, hickory smoked sausages and tins of smoked salmon and cheeses of every sort. There was cheddar cheese and blue cheese and butter cheese and an especially smelly one that Nate liked to eat on dark bread. Samantha was meticulous about the timing of the stocking of the chest, taking care to pack last the delectables that would spoil. This meant that the synchronization of the mission, which was Nateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s department, was critical, for there is nothing as awful and detestable as a chest full of exotic delectables gone bad. Nate, therefore, worked in close coordination with Samantha, bringing to the secret site all of the finished materials that would be needed to assemble the raft. His idea was to approach the construction of the vessel like that of a model you would buy at a store in the form of a kit. As you know, model kits come with a blueprint, the parts necessary to build the model, and a set of instructions. Nate would make the components of the entire kit himself and assemble the raft with Samanthaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistance. First he created a blueprint, a scale drawing of the entire raft from stem to stern. Aided by the beam of his flashlight he worked late into the night, figuring in precise detail the dimensions, weights and densities of various woods, nails and ropes. The hull of the raft was to be quite simple, a sturdy platform of logs lashed together with strong ropes. The cabin was another matter, however. Nate wanted it be comfortable as well as safe, well-lit as well as offering protection from the sea, well-balanced upon the platform of the raft positioning was critical or the raft would tip to one side and beautifully designed, for Nate, like Hank, had a love of structures crafted of wood. It also needed a rudder to allow the raft to be steered and a sail that could catch the prevailing winds and take them across the spiraling currents to the tiny speck of land that was their goal.

60 Samantha and Nate Build the Raft “Oh please do let me make the sail,” begged Samantha. “I’ll be ever so careful.” “It must be very strong,” said Nate. And the stitching will be difficult to do because of the thickness of the canvas. I’ll have to help.” “Oh yes,” exclaimed Samantha. “And let’s do make it colorful, full of reds and yellows and oranges.” If there ever was a time of harmony and cooperation between a brother and a sister, this was it. It seemed as though they could conquer the world together, that it was only a matter of setting your mind to it and agreeing to it and everything would be done according to plan. And so it seemed, for after a month the entire kit was complete and ready for assembly, its parts hidden deep within the dense thicket of bushes and trees bordering the slough, awaiting only the delivery of the final pieces, the logs from the special trees that Hank said were to be found hidden in the hills beyond. It must be said that Nate had not been completely honest with Samantha about his progress on this part of the project. In fact, he was becoming extremely worried about it. Even the speech he had composed to be presented to their parents, the great argument in favor of the voyage, was a minor issue compared to his concern about the special trees. Unknown to Samantha, he had made countless forays into the hills above the slough and had been unable to locate a single tree that fit the description given in Hank’s stories about the construction of the raft. It was supposed to be an unusual tree, looking something like a tropical banyan. Seeming to stand on the trunks of a thick forest of smaller trees, which are actually its own trunks joined together at the top to form a single large trunk, the banyan is a comical plant to behold. But unlike the banyan, the small trunks of the special tree are perfectly straight and cylindrical, easy to cut, and buoyant as a cork, making them easy to carry and able to bear the weight of a well-crafted and well provisioned raft. Hank claimed to have built many rafts of such wood when he was a young boy. The forest was so full of these wonderful, light trees, he said, that the supply of logs

61 Samantha and Nate Build the Raft was virtually limitless. Yet Nate could not find a single tree of this type, only pines and cedars and oaks and maples and other trees of every shape and size. “Why have we stopped?” Samantha inquired of Nate one day, seeing that everything for the raft was complete except for the platform of logs. She had no idea that a violent storm was raging in Nate’s mind. It was a storm of fear, the fear which comes upon us whenever we are afraid that we must dash the hopes of someone we love. He was deathly afraid of how Samantha would react upon hearing the news that he could find no special trees, that Hank’s stories of them had been mere make-believe and, worst of all, that he had not had the good sense to first find the special trees before embarking upon the project, something that any smart boy worth his salt would do. “No,” he thought, “he was not very smart, not even smart enough to be an older brother.” “What is it, Nate?” Samantha asked, recognizing the anguish written upon his face. “There are no logs,” he confessed. Tears welled into his eyes. He was afraid to look at his little sister. “What do you mean?” she asked, very concerned. “The logs for the hull,” he said. “I’ve looked everywhere. I can’t find them.” Nate prepared himself for an outburst of heretofore unprecedented proportions. Based on what he had heard in the past, he would not be surprised if Samantha blew the top right off the sky. Nevertheless, he was ready to accept the consequences of his failure and to utter not a single word in his own defense. “Where did you look?” she asked. “Where Grandpa said they were,” he answered. “I even double-checked by asking him again.” It should be pointed out that the two adventurers were at the secret construction site when Nate made the fatal announcement. Samantha was sitting atop the box of provisions and Nate was sitting on the ground, his back

62 Samantha and Nate Build the Raft propped against a branch. Though the sun was shining, the dense vegetation surrounding them blocked out the light, keeping the site in a perpetual state of darkness. “Maybe the Alpha and Omega doesn’t want to be found,” said Nate, feeling even more dejected on account of Samantha’s calmness. “That would be very mean,” replied Samantha. “I don’t think someone would send us a message only to leave us stranded here.” Nate was struck by Samantha’s answer. A faint ray of hope fell upon his heart, as did a thin ray of light through the heavy canopy of leaves above them. “Look there,” said Samantha, pointing at the branch on which Nate was leaning. The light was falling upon it, reflecting back to her eyes the silverish-brown color of its bark. Nate turned around and examined the branch. It was cylindrical in shape, smooth and soft to the touch, and almost two feet in diameter, large for a branch so low to the ground. A thick tangle of vines wound around it, making it resemble a bush, but when Nate tore them away he discovered not a branch, but a perfectly straight trunk over eight feet high. Samantha was overcome with excitement and jumped down from the provision chest. Immediately she joined Nate in tugging at the canopy of vines that overhung the construction site. With each of their efforts, long lengths of the ropelike plants cascaded down upon them from above, showering them with leaves and bark and soil and exposing more and more of the silvery-brown trunks. They pulled and pulled until at last they found themselves completely encircled by a small forest of beautiful silver poles. Nate dug beneath the pile of fallen vines and retrieved a saw from his tool kit. With great care, he positioned its blade at the base of one of the many trunks and drew it backwards. The saw sank into the wood like butter. “Hooray!” yelled Nate. “They were here all the time. We just couldn’t see them.” “Hooray!” yelled Samantha, jumping up and down with great bounds of joy. “Hooray! Hooray!”

63 Samantha and Nate Build the Raft The whole time they had been assembling the parts of the raft inside of its foundation, a foundation not revealed to them until the exact moment they needed it.

 Lesson 7: Paul Writes About Faith Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. How well do Samantha and Nate work together as they engage on their raft-building project? 2. What does the Bible say about how we should get along together? 3. What does hard work always yield in the end?

Bible Memory Verse Psalm 133:1: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Lesson In our study last week we read how God was seeking Samantha and Nate and how well they responded to the message; however, like many of us, at the first road block, we stumble and get discouraged. Let’s see what Paul teaches us about Faith in the book of Romans.

Lesson 7

Bible Story 271

PAUL WRITES ABOUT FAITH Romans 3:21-5:5

Lesson 7: Class 4-5

271. PAUL WRITES ABOUT FAITH (ROMANS 3:21-5:5)

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” ROMANS 5:5

Lesson 7: Class 6-8

271. PAUL WRITES ABOUT FAITH (ROMANS 3:21-5:5) MEMORY VERSE: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." ROMANS 3:23-24 TRUE OR FALSE: 1.

"All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." ROMANS 3:23 TRUE OR FALSE

"...being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is inChrist Jesus." ROMANS 3:24 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: 3.

"Therefore we conclude that a man (IS, IS NOT) justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law." ROMANS 3:28

UNDERLINE THE CORRECT ANSWER: 4.

"Do we then make void the law through faith?..." ROMANS 3:31 a. Certainly! b. Certainly not!

TRUE OR FALSE: 5.

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." ROMANS 5:1 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: 6.

"Now hope does not disappoint, because the (LOVE, CUP) of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." ROMANS 5:5

1/2

Lesson 7: Class 6-8

271. PAUL WRITES ABOUT FAITH (ROMANS 3:21-5:5)

Q N E P O H N F Y V Y B S F P

N I D L G R A F W V B S D Q J

ABRAHAM BLOOD DAVID FAITH GENTILES

1/2

C A T R O H S S B D E E W D I

S E L I T N E G O N N J A J T

L N J O I M U O S N Z E D C A

B F L I H V L U I M E S Y Y S

S Q K Y J B O S J P A U V T C

GOD GRACE HOPE JESUS CHRIST JEWS

S K R O W E P M U G F S K K R

O C T S T N A B S F P C U G I

Q D W H Y H G C T A R H Z R P

Y E G S A D O V I I O R B A T

J I T R I G D H F T M I Q C U

JUSTIFIED LAW PROMISE RIGHTEOUSNESS SAVED

R Z B V T W V B I H I S W E R

M A A V Z S A V E D S T Q B E

U D W W A L D Y D N E K P H Q

SCRIPTURE SHORT SINNED WORKS

Lesson 7: Class 9-11

"All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." ROMANS 3:23 TRUE OR FALSE

"...being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is inChrist Jesus." ROMANS 3:24 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANK: 3.

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by __________ apart from the deeds of the law." ROMANS 3:28

UNDERLINE THE CORRECT ANSWER: 4.

"Do we then make void the law through faith?..." ROMANS 3:31 a. Certainly! b. Certainly not!

TRUE OR FALSE: 5.

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." ROMANS 5:1 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 6.

"Now hope does not disappoint, because the _______ of ______ has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." ROMANS 5:5

3/6

Lesson 7: Class 9-11

271. PAUL WRITES ABOUT FAITH (ROMANS 3:21-5:5) N V S L B M I O B K E Y T E Z Q V L S D R S B B Z

F W B Y L N D C D V O S K L D F A B R B E E W G F

Z A N S H U S I Y W J N D Y I G B L O U B N P W C

P R F M E T V L M O E Z I I D Z R P Z L V U N D W

ABRAHAM BLOOD DAVID FAITH GENTILES

3/6

E E B D V A N P E R U T P I R C S A O Y G N W I Y

Z U G F D Y I F B K L A E Z C L W O C C G A Z S S

D G P C V U I P N S S C N P C T D X C E O X P R E

M H Y Y M B P S R Y R E B V S T O J Q L D P V G Y

Q D O O K P Z S S T V G W I D K A G T S E A U K S

Y B F L K I F Q S E S O R E Z P E U R V I F I U H

I L A W P K A R E N N H A I P Q F R O C F G O W J

GOD GRACE HOPE JESUS CHRIST JEWS

V H Y G M B I U V E C S Z U U I B Q H B I V B W Y

U K Y H S F T Q B S H D U M G Q W G S B T W D I C

P L O P D E H Q U J E J C O B V D I M O S O F U D

I V E M N B L S A V S P W J E H N F G I U E G W K

O I L D S U E I A J L J T B V T Q O V Y J B C J N

B L L D N J K S T A U W K Y Y E H H L B R O W H J

S R V J D U V C G N O Q A E G A T G N B K L D O H

Y Q K G O J M M N R E M I F J Q E P I G G L Y T P

V E N J A A H N Y W C G N R G I K F T R S T O Y T

JUSTIFIED LAW PROMISE RIGHTEOUSNESS SAVED

T G F I H P R O M I S E Y S W E J M R A U V W A T

Z V K A B M S H J L B B K N P F H J K Z W W V H W

S R R V B K G P E I N A V I W A M H L A Z Y E K G

Z B S B E W G B T D P T C P N B I V G U K J W S F

A Z Z E S G Y M X O L F W U U Y O L P H O P E Z P

SCRIPTURE SHORT SINNED WORKS

Lesson 7: Class 9-11

271. PAUL WRITES ABOUT FAITH (ROMANS 3:21-5:5)

ACROSS "All have sinned and fallen _____ of the glory of God." ROMANS 3:23

ACROSS "...being justified freely by His _____ through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." ROMANS 3:24

DOWN

ACROSS "Do we then make _____ the law through faith? Certainly not!" ROMANS 3:31

DOWN

"Therefore, having been _____ by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." ROMANS 5:1

DOWN

"Now hope does not disappoint, because the _____ of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." ROMANS 5:5

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by _____ apart from the deeds of the law." ROMANS 3:28

8 The Test Voyage Goes Awry

The discovery of the logs greatly bolstered Nate’s confidence, causing him to work with a renewed and revitalized determination. Within a week the raft was complete and ready for testing. It was a beautiful craft that glowed with the pale yellow of freshly sanded and varnished wood. Nate had planed flat one side of the logs to create a smooth deck. Mounted upon the deck was a cabin of splendidly constructed birch. They were able to see outside through eight portholes, each in the shape of a square window and having a pair of shutters that could be closed and locked during storms. Samantha had exquisitely stitched some cheerful, bright yellow curtains with which to adorn the portholes. Nate had also built into the roof of the cabin a hatch that could be opened to let in the sunshine and moonlight during their days and nights at sea. Both the mast and the rudder were of solid oak and the sail which our two adventurers had sewn was a glory to behold. They had agreed that the sail should be colorful and that it should also bear the letters “A” and “O,” the symbols for Alpha and Omega. These letters they cut from crimson silk and painstakingly stitched to the canvas so that they could not be torn off by the wind and passing waves. The larder or footlocker was stocked to overflowing with the most scrumptious of all delectables. There was also a special chest built into the cabin with dozens of drawers in which Nate stowed the most important items for the trip, which included a sextant, chronometer, compass, canvas

72 The Test Voyage Goes Awry sea anchor, water collection device, rope, adventure books, candles, fishhooks, matches, Samantha’s stuffed animals and countless other necessities too numerous to mention. On the eve of the raft’s test voyage Nate worked on the final draft of the appeal that he would make to their parents. With great care and detail he laid out their case for the journey, stressing the extreme urgency of the matter relating to Harriet’s health and Hank’s depression, the significance of the message from the Alpha and Omega found inside the ruby float, and the overwhelming need for Samantha and him to travel to the island from where it had come. He left blank the portion of the speech that would elaborate on their means of transportation, choosing to await the results of the seaworthiness test that he and Samantha would conduct tonight under the light of the full moon. It was at midnight on the twenty-seventh of June that the raft embarked on its maiden voyage. Nate and Samantha began by dragging the raft into the slough, where it floated upon the water for the first time. And what a beauty the craft was. The moon was out, bright and full, reflecting its light from the calm waters of the slough and bathing the raft in a lovely bluish glow All was quiet, exceptionally hushed, a strange occurrence, for the slough was usually a noisy place at night, alive with the croaking of frogs, the chirping of crickets, the singing of night birds and the splashing of jumping fish. But everything was still and the surface of the water smooth as a mirror. Samantha and Nate boosted themselves out of the water onto the raft, sat down together on the deck, and waited for the tide to rise. Though the sea was near, they did not hear the breaking of the waves. They were overcome with excitement, an excitement so intense that it was difficult for them to speak. The raft was floating wonderfully upon the water, bearing their weight as if it were nothing. “Let’s test the rudder,” said Nate. Samantha stood up and retrieved a long pole from the roof of the cabin.

73 The Test Voyage Goes Awry Thrusting one end into the water until it met the bottom of the slough, which was only four feet deep, she gave it a hard shove. The raft scooted across the water with ease, scarcely slowing as it moved. Nate turned the tiller to the right and to the left. The little craft responded perfectly. “Push again,” he said. “Harder.” Samantha poled repeatedly, sending the craft zigzagging merrily across the surface of the slough. They were very happy on the raft and laughed gleefully, filling the silence of their surroundings with cheer. “Faster!” urged Nate. “Faster! Faster!” The time flew by quickly. Soon the tide had risen to the level of the slough. Nate steered a course for the open sea which spread infinitely before them, sparkling in the moonlight. A small wave welled up and broke in front of them, but the raft rose up and floated over the churning foam like light dancing on a bubble. In a minute they had traveled beyond the breakers. Samantha’s pole no longer reached the sea floor and a brisk wind filled the sail of the raft. Nate grasped the tiller tightly as the wind propelled the raft over the crests and troughs of the incoming waves. “She’s sailing!” he yelled to Samantha. “She’s sailing!” Oh, what exhilaration our two adventurers felt at this moment. Gazing up at the stars, they were like two dreamers soaring high over the lights of a city at night. “She’s sailing!” shouted Samantha. “She’s sailing!” “Yippee!” yelled Nate as the wind increased, propelling the raft through the water at even greater speed. “Yippee! Yippee!” Samantha sat on the bow of the raft with her feet dangling in the sea, watching the sparkling water rush magically past them. “Whoopee!” she yelled. “We’re going to see the Alpha and Omega.” His eyes riveted on the sail, Nate adjusted the tiller to keep the canvas inflated with rushing air and the raft moving at maximum speed. He did not realize that his efforts were taking them farther and farther from shore, nor that the strength of the wind was increasing.

74 The Test Voyage Goes Awry

But everything was still and the surface of the water smooth as a mirror.

75 The Test Voyage Goes Awry It was Samantha who first thought to glance back. But the cabin and sail blocked her view. “Where’s our beach?” she yelled. When Nate looked astern his heart turned a somersault. The shoreline had disappeared. Far to the south the lights of the town sparkled like tiny stars against a distant, dark horizon. Nate gave the tiller a hard yank, intending to turn the raft around, but this sudden, extreme action caused the wind to instantly inflate the opposite side of the sail, propelling the boom with incredible force across the stern of the raft. Had Nate not ducked, the massive wooden beam would have struck him in the head and knocked him out! Instead, it crashed with such power against one of the rope mainstays supporting the mast that the raft shuddered violently, almost pitching Samantha overboard. If the little craft had not been so well-constructed, it would have capsized and lost its mast. Samantha maintained a death grip on the small railing that encircled the raft. Though she was frightened out of her wits, she was in no danger of being separated from the raft. A safety line tied around her waist secured her to the vessel, a precaution that Nate had thankfully taken prior to their setting sail. “Nate!” she screamed. “What’s happening?” If Nate had known himself he would have answered. As it stood, he was discovering the hard way that he did not know how to sail. He had studied a book about sailing, which was now stowed in the raft’s cabin, but putting theory into practice, especially in the midst of an emergency, was proving to be impossible. Again and again, he tried to turn the raft back toward the rapidly vanishing lights of the town. Again and again, the wind hurled the boom across the stern, each time threatening to destroy the raft. “Lower the mainsail,” Nate called out to Samantha. No answer came from the bow. Nate leaned to the left and to the right, trying to spot his sister, but the cabin was in the way.

76 The Test Voyage Goes Awry “Samantha!” he yelled. “Are you there?” The thought that his little sister had fallen overboard immediately terrified him. In a panic he let go of the tiller and scrambled to the bow. There he found Samantha, rigid as a board, clinging to the bowsprit. Nate’s relief was short-lived. Without a helmsman, the raft began sailing in circles, its boom and mainsail swinging to and fro like a huge pendulum that with every tick and tock slammed into the mainstays with the force of a battering ram. But this time Nate kept his head. Stooping to avoid the hurtling boom, he made his way to the mast and unfastened the halyard, the rope used to raise and lower the sail. In an instant the boom and mainsail crashed down in a heap onto the cabin roof, stopping the dangerous and crazy motion of the raft. Nate rushed back to his sister and threw his arms around her. “Samantha! Samantha!” he wailed. “Are you all right?” Samantha was shaking violently. “I think so,” she said, weakly. Nate helped her back into the cabin, wrapped her in warm, dry blankets and gave her some hot tea that they had brought in a thermos. Only once had his eyes searched the horizon. The lights of the town were no longer in sight.

 Lesson 8: The Fruit of the Spirit Bible Memory Verse Matthew 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Lesson 8

Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. As we saw in our last lesson, Nate and Samantha usually work peaceably together, even when things get rough. See how the Bible speaks to this issue. Romans 12:18: If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. James 3:17-18: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 2. Can you think of any voyages in the Bible that have gone awry?

Lesson 8

Bible Story 282

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT GALATIONS 5:22-26

Lesson 8: Class 4-5

Lesson 8: Class 6-8

282. FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (GALATIANS 5:22-26) MEMORY VERSE: "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." GALATIANS 5:25 CIRCLE ALL THE CORRECT WORDS: 1.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is..." GALATIANS 5:22-23 LOVE

ANGER

JOY

MEANNESS

PEACE

LONGSUFFERING

KINDNESS

GOODNESS

FAITHFULNESS

SELFISHNESS

GENTLENESS

SELF-CONTROL

TRUE OR FALSE 2.

"...Against such there is no law." GALATIANS 5:23 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: 3.

"And those who are Christ's have (CRUCIFIED, FED) the flesh with its passions and desires." GALATIANS 5:24

TRUE OR FALSE 4.

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." GALATIANS 5:25 TRUE OR FALSE

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Lesson 8: Class 6-8

282. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (GALATIANS 5:22-26)

G E N T L E N E S S M S F Z F

P G K B B K C B G M D L A S V

R C M L L B B A N C S W I J U

CHRIST'S CRUCIFIED FAITHFULNESS FRUIT GENTLENESS

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K O I T O E J J I K S K T P Z

Y Y O J R F O A R H E A H H S

Z Y N J T T Y P E S N L F E T

J C V D N T W H F S D P U C S

J H Q E O O A T F E O W L A I

V M F I C S W I U N O U N E R

GOODNESS JOY KINDNESS LONGSUFFERING

D S J F F F H R S D G Q E P H

O E W I L R E I G N B K S S C

U H P C E U E P N I V E S A R

L W J U S I U S O K V O E P T

C S C R H T U E L O C N Q L K

D D B C B Q K L L W K I J S U

LOVE PEACE SELF CONTROL SPIRIT

Lesson 8: Class 9-11

282. FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (GALATIANS 5:22-26) MEMORY VERSE: "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." GALATIANS 5:25 CIRCLE ALL THE CORRECT WORDS: 1.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is..." GALATIANS 5:22-23 LOVE

ANGER

JOY

MEANNESS

PEACE

LONGSUFFERING

KINDNESS

GOODNESS

FAITHFULNESS

SELFISHNESS

GENTLENESS

SELF-CONTROL

TRUE OR FALSE 2.

"...Against such there is no law." GALATIANS 5:23 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 3.

"And those who are Christ's have ______________ the _________ with its passions and desires." GALATIANS 5:24

"If we _________ in the Spirit, let us also __________ in the Spirit." GALATIANS 5:25

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Lesson 8: Class 9-11

282. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (GALATIANS 5:22-26) C U Q D C N W T I W P L O V E P W Q T A S U U H E

R S J S T A G Z S D J Q I K T D Y H U Q E S S I L

S T J F F O P O E O O C F K S B Y N M H L L D R E

U S W J N S Z S O K B Z F H S N G B G R F Q I P H

Z I I V V B Q S Y D E L N V E Q T A Q F C H P J T

CHRISTS CRUCIFIED FAITHFULNESS FRUIT GENTLENESS

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B R I A M B T E Y L N J I O N V Q Z U A O N M G F

H H A W B P E N S G O E D E L P Z C C Q N I W Z K

K C Q J B B R E B Y K E S F U J T E J Z T Z K C T

I O T A N R P L I Q D J Q S F R I L S T R F A Y Y

O F V B S V M T A Z S H M B H S V O J J O E A W L

Z B P J H G E N U W D W Y P T Z W B M W L U F I B

G Y P Y B D R E C G R G N G I Z J P N U O F L L M

S Z F P G K B G U K C L U M A D L S V R C M L B B

A C W J U K T O I T E J O K F K P Z Y Y O J P F A

H A H S P I R I T Z Y N J N T P L J C V T E W H P

J H K D Q O A W U V M F S W G U D S J H A Q O E W

GOODNESS JOY KINDNESS LONGSUFFERING

E B K I E S U H P R E V A R L S W J U C O E P T C

S C H U N I E C N Q F L K D D O U K E Q K L W K I

J S U E A D F V D Q E N R Y Y D J F I P T V R F E

J O U G F K N I D B K K A T W L A P F P A B V Q D

V S M C Z L U E C T M O E M B N O B U E L P M C C

V Z K F K S M O S U A T M Z J S M B P C R D T B B

G E I K B P P U Z S R V F R K K Y R G I K I U A V

B O U V Z A U E F P T C O N I J J Y T H G F N Y Q

D C M P O E A Y U H A E C N A I Z S N C Z B R G P

LOVE PEACE SELF CONTROL SPIRIT

Lesson 8: Class 9-11

282. FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (GALATIANS 5:22-26)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is..." 3

DOWN

_ _ _ _ GALATIANS 5:22

ACROSS _ _ _ GALATIANS 5:22

ACROSS _ _ _ _ _ GALATIANS 5:22

ACROSS _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ GALATIANS 5:22

DOWN

ACROSS _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ GALATIANS 5:22

ACROSS _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ GALATIANS 5:22

DOWN

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ GALATIANS 5:23

DOWN

_ _ _ _-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ GALATIANS 5:23

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ GALATIANS 5:22

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." GALATIANS 5:25

9 Adrift at Sea

They were now far out to sea with no land in sight. Though not a single cloud dotted the sky, the wind was howling, churning the waters into a white fury of waves as it drove the craft farther and farther from home by the sheer magnitude of the force it exerted upon the cabin walls. For countless days and nights the wind blew powerfully and ceaselessly. Nate and Samantha stayed huddled together inside the cabin, hoping against hope that they would be saved, reading and rereading the words they had found inside the ruby float: I a m t h e A l p h a a n d t h e O m e g a , t h e First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the Resurrection and the Life. Whosoever believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

In the midst of the tempest they forgot about all other things about the locker full of delectables, about their parents back at home, about Hank and Harriet, about the joy of scudding across the slough on the raft, about their days on the beach with Hank and of the wonderful stories he had told them. Only their fear of the rage of the sea remained and their earnest prayer that the Alpha and Omega would deliver them from the storm. With the hatch and shutters battened down they could not see the terror wailing about them. They heard only the shrieking of the wind and the incessant pounding of the waves upon the roof and the walls of the cabin. They felt the wild tossing of the raft upon the raging sea and its frightening,

86 Adrift at Sea never-ending shuddering. What they could not see their imaginations supplied; but, the unseen was far worse than anything they imagined. How long they went without sleep, they did not know, for the seconds seemed like days, the hours like years. Whenever they dozed off the sudden jolt of a crashing wave immediately awakened them. Yet even the startling jolts and the terrible sounds could not prevent them from eventually lapsing into the dreamless sleep of total exhaustion, a sleep which seemed eternal, far away from the torment of fear. Then, when all seemed lost, Nate awoke with a start. It was still and very quiet. The cabin was inky dark. For a moment he thought he was in his bed at home. But a gentle rocking, a swaying like that of a tree limb in a soft breeze, brought him back to reality. He sat up and ran his fingers along the cabin walls. Locating the shutter latches, he popped them open. The darkness gave way to a deep purple glow. He pressed his face against the porthole and gazed toward the faint outline of the horizon. The sea, flat as a mirror, reflected to his eyes the fading starlight of the quickly passing night. Not wanting to awaken Samantha, who slept buried in a sea of blankets, Nate quietly left the cabin and emerged onto the smooth, soft deck of the raft. Amazingly, everything was intact. The mast still rose high into the air. The boom and sail lay entangled atop the cabin roof, but neither appeared to be damaged. The tiller, unbroken, rocked back and forth, in rhythm with the gentle undulations of the passing waves. There was not a breath of wind. It was very quiet, so quiet that Nate heard schools of fish splashing in the water. Suddenly the sky was pink, heralding the rising sun. An intense joy surged through Nate’s heart. “Samantha!” he yelled, bolting into the cabin and shaking her awake. “Samantha! Get up ! Come look! Hurry! Hurry!” Once on deck she, too, could not believe her eyes. The storm was over. They had survived.

87 Adrift at Sea “Hooray!” she yelled. “Hooray! Hooray!” They sat together on the bow of the raft, side by side, their bare feet dangling in the warm, sparkling waters, watching in amazement as the glorious sun peeked its wonderful, blazing head above the horizon. “We must say thank you to the Alpha and Omega,” said Samantha. “I know,” said Nate. “But we’re still lost.” “Then you’ll have to use your sextant,” she said cheerfully. “I do want to see the Alpha and Omega after all of this. And I do want to get home also.” “Of course,” Nate responded weakly. The thought of a new responsibility overwhelmed him. His failure as a sailor had already severely damaged his confidence. He did not want to fail as a navigator also. Such a blow would be too much for him to endure. On the brighter side, Samantha had not blamed him for their dire predicament. On the darker side, as she knew nothing about sailing, she might not have realized that he was at fault. “I’m very sorry,” he confessed. “About what?” asked Samantha. “That I got us into this.” “Oh Nate!” she said. “I do want you to stop worrying. The raft stayed together just fine, didn’t it?” “Yes,” he answered. “And we’re safe and sound, aren’t we?” “Yes,” said Nate. “Then let’s eat,” she said. “I cannot start to tell you how very hungry I am.” Nate agreed that he was absolutely famished. As the sextant reading could not be taken until high noon, time would have to be passed and what better way to do it than by digging into the delectables. When they were finished Nate decided it would be wise to crack open his sailing book to see whether he could learn to control their sturdy and trusty craft. He had read it once before, but his understanding had been

88 Adrift at Sea theoretical, which is a polite way of saying that he had no understanding of sailing whatsoever. But now things were different. Now, with book in hand, calm seas and a raft at his command, he had the chance to turn his dream of sailing into a reality. “Grab the halyard,” he barked out to Samantha. “Coil up that dock line. Haul in that sheet.” Since nautical terms were not in her vocabulary, Samantha had no idea what Nate was talking about. Nevertheless, it was fun to learn that ropes, like people, have different purposes and names. The halyard raised the sail, the sheet adjusted it, and the line did everything else. Right was now starboard, left was port, front was fore, rear was aft, and a fathom was six feet. The wind was light, providing excellent conditions for Nate to practice the various points of sail described in his book. Samantha raised the brightly colored mainsail, which looked gorgeous in the morning sun. “Standby to come about,” yelled Nate. As he hauled in the mainsheet he turned the bow of the raft through the face of the wind. The boom passed slowly over his head until the wind caught the opposite side of the sail. Nate then let out the mainsheet. The raft scurried along in a new direction, forty-five degrees off the face of the wind. After maintaining this heading for several minutes, Nate executed the reverse maneuver, sending the raft back onto its original course. “We’re tacking,” he yelled out to Samantha. Samantha was sitting on the bow with her feet dangling in the water. It was her favorite place on the raft. As it scooted across the surface of the sea, the water rushed past her feet, the wind whistled past her ears and the warm, sweet air filled her nose. It was like standing barefoot in a swift mountain stream on a breezy, summer afternoon. Over and over Nate drilled the tacking maneuver. Finally, when he was confident that he had mastered it, he directed his attention to the next hurdle, the dreaded jibe. This potentially dangerous turn is negotiated with the

89 Adrift at Sea wind blowing across the stern of the vessel rather than across the bow. Nate’s sailing book warned against attempting the jibe in a strong wind, for the sudden force of the air as it inflates the opposite side of the sail is capable of dismasting and capsizing even the sturdiest boat. Especially dangerous is the dreaded accidental jibe. Though often precipitated by a sudden, unexpected change in wind direction, it also occurs when an inattentive or inexperienced person is at the helm. During the storm Nate had performed many of these accidental jibes. He was very thankful that in his ignorance he had not sent his little sister and himself to the bottom of the sea. “Stand by to jibe,” he yelled out to Samantha. Hauling in the mainsheet, Nate slowly turned the stern of the craft through the face of the wind. The boom made a smooth transit from starboard to port, causing the raft to heel only slightly. Nate breathed a sigh of relief. The jibe was not nearly as horrible as he had expected. “We’re running with the wind,” he called out, reciting a phrase from his sailing book. As with the tack, he repeated the jibing maneuver until he was sure he had mastered it. He also burned into his mind the warning never to jibe in a strong wind. Though Samantha demonstrated little interest in taking the helm of the raft, she was quick to understand the differences between tacking, jibing, beating and running. She loved beating the most. The raft seemed to do the impossible, sailing against the very wind that whistled cheerfully past her ears. Running, on the other hand, was no fun at all. With the wind coming over the stern, the raft moved forward in fits and starts, gyrating in a way that made her seasick. There was also no breeze to offset the heat of the blazing sun. About an hour before the sun reached its zenith, Nate lowered the sail and let the raft glide to a stop. He did not look forward to the task which lay ahead. Like a black cloud it lingered in his mind, casting a dark shadow of doubt within him.

Lesson 9: Jesus Calms a Storm Bible Memory Verse (Choose From Discussion Notes Below)

Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. What do Samantha and Nate do in the midst of the storm? They pray. (Only their fear of the rage of the sea remained and their earnest prayer that the Alpha and Omega would deliver them from the storm.) 2. What do you do when there is a storm in your life? God asks that we turn to Him in prayer. Psalm 145:18-19: The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. 1 John 5:14: Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. John 14:13: And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 15:7: If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Lesson 9

3. What is the first thing Samantha suggests after the storm is over? She suggests thanking the Alpha and Omega. So it is that we should not forget to thank God after He has answered our prayers. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Psalm 69.30: I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 100:4: Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 4. What is the difference between reading about something and actually doing it?

Lesson 9

Bible Story 193

JESUS CALMS A STORM Matthew 8:23-27

Lesson 9: Class 4-5

Lesson 9: Class 6-8

193. JESUS CALMS A STORM (MATTHEW 8:23-27) MEMORY VERSE: "Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that the waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven." PSALM 107:28-30 UNDERLINE THE CORRECT ANSWER: 1.

"Now when He got into a boat,..." MATTHEW 8:23 a. the Pharisees followed Him b. His disciples followed Him

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: 2.

"And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with (WAVES, BIRDS)..." MATTHEW 8:24

TRUE OR FALSE: 3.

"...But He was asleep." MATTHEW 8:24 TRUE OR FALSE

Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, let's do some fishing!" MATTHEW 8:25 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 5.

"But He said to them, 'Why are you fearful, O you of little (FISH, FAITH)?'..." MATTHEW 8:26

"...Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great (CALM, WAVE)." MATTHEW 8:26

FILL IN THE BLANK: 7.

"So the men marveled, saying, 'Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea ____________ Him?' " MATTHEW 8:27

1/2

Lesson 9: Class 6-8

193. JESUS CALMS A STORM (MATTHEW 8:23-27) Q S Q V B P P B Q J I C T J C

J W S O Y E J T T N A S L E P

U T A E E N Y D R E A Z E S M

ASLEEP BOAT CALM DISCIPLES FAITH FEARFUL

1/2

D T D L V W S E Q B M I T U A

L D S I B A Z A B Z C P N S K

O A E B S H W F V O V A E I O

N P H L I C L U A E F F L S T

Q E H S E A I U U U T T D M T

D R Q E C V U P F J N S M J T

JESUS LORD MARVELED OBEY PERISHING

A I A A U E R H L R N Q B N A

Y S Q S U Q T A T E A H T T R

R H W D P N K B M I S E C D W

N I I N E P I Y B B A P F P Y

F N O I J W S S I A G F W A F

U G T W O M J K D R O L G H G

SAVE SEA TEMPEST WAVES WINDS

Lesson 9: Class 9-11

"Now when He got into a boat,..." MATTHEW 8:23 a. the Pharisees followed Him b. His disciples followed Him

FILL IN THE BLANK: 2.

"And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with ___________..." MATTHEW 8:24

TRUE OR FALSE: 3.

"...But He was asleep." MATTHEW 8:24 TRUE OR FALSE

Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, let's do some fishing!" MATTHEW 8:25 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 5.

"But He said to them, 'Why are you fearful, O you of little __________?'..." MATTHEW 8:26

"...Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great ___________." MATTHEW 8:26

"So the men marveled, saying, 'Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea ____________ Him?' " MATTHEW 8:27

3/6

Lesson 9: Class 9-11

193. JESUS CALMS A STORM (MATTHEW 8:23-27) P M W N G K O B Y K P U Y F K T G E Y G M Q H V V

G S N B K B K O J Q S P M B B O H S S R V N G D P

K S P P E R B O S L K W V S J B W E L V D D Z Z O

W H Q Y I L H T Y O A V C A A L O Z M F M Q S Q V

P B Q J I C T C J W L Y J T N V A S L P U T N D B

R A Z P E M M D W Q O B I T A L E B Z Z N N O O B

H F V I E L O N H I R U A E S A F F T Q H A A U U

ASLEEP BOAT CALM DISCIPLES FAITH FEARFUL

3/6

T T D D A R Q C U J D K S M D J T A A U E T N Q B

N A S C Y Q I U Q T H T T R R I W P N K B C D W N

I E P D I Y B S B P P Y F O J W S S S I A G W A F

U T O M N J K G H H S G D V B G C C Z H K K R E N

C V C T C I H R E I M E Q N Y M A S I V Y K W L W

W Z O E A K W U N U N D V L U F L Y H P B O I R F

Y B D M F B E H T L U G W A Q N I S V U L U A D D

W T L P A O A P A D Y S M U W N S E J M G E O V S

JESUS LORD MARVELED OBEY PERISHING

P T W E B H J Y K P G K G P S O T W I H J D S U O

L O U S I I B R M A R V E L E D W H T I A F G T K

W I U T M F O E P K J F Y T W U G H B V S U B H U

Q T P L J B P J H T J Y R D C G S Q U M J Q L J T

W K M L U J E G C L U F R A E F V U B N H B A U V

A E I S G J E P Z F B B K M Z B I Z F Z B D K B U

Y E E J A V L S B U O Z B A M Z B T P Z F V N H N

E E M J Q V S E U V V L A I L R U U C Q N R U N B

SAVE SEA TEMPEST WAVES WINDS

I F W L J B A B B S J K U M B Y R T T C M P M L C

S G E Y U W I A C L P A I E Y A Q A O Y E A E Q U

Lesson 9: Class 9-11

193. JESUS CALMS A STORM (MATTHEW 8:23-27)

DOWN

"Then they cry out to the _____ in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that the waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven." PSALM 107:28-30

ACROSS "Now when He got into a _____, His disciples followed Him." MATTHEW 8:23

ACROSS "And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with _____..." MATTHEW 8:24

DOWN

ACROSS "Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We are _____!' " MATTHEW 8:25

DOWN

ACROSS "...Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great _____." MATTHEW 8:26

DOWN

"...But He was _____." MATTHEW 8:24

"But He said to them, 'Why are you fearful, O you of little _____?'..." MATTHEW 8:26

"So the men marveled, saying, 'Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea _____ Him?' " MATTHEW 8:27

10 They Set Sail for the Island

Nate peered through the eyepiece of his sextant at the tiny, mirrored reflection of the sun. With Hank’s help he had successfully used this complicated navigational device to determine the exact geographical location of his own town. He had made mistakes in using it on occasion, for the procedure was difficult, but Hank had always corrected them. Now, however, there was no room for error. If he failed to accurately pinpoint the raft’s position on his navigational chart, the consequences would be dire. “Fetch my chronometer,” he said. Samantha, who sat beside him, handed him his watch. “Here’s your scronometer,” she said, proudly mispronouncing the new word. Nate read the time and turned white. Though it was not yet noon, his watch indicated two-thirty. His first thought was that his watch had stopped, but the second hand was rotating normally. Perhaps it had stopped earlier, he reasoned, possibly during the storm, and had resumed ticking later. “What is the matter now?” asked Samantha, observing her brother’s consternation. She did not know, as did Nate, that without an accurate timepiece the sextant is virtually useless. While it will tell you how far north or south you have gone, it will not give you the distance you have moved to the east or to the west. Since the world is a sphere about twenty-five thousand miles

100 They Set Sail for the Island around, the north-south determination alone is of little help, especially if the island you are seeking is no larger than a speck of dust on the map. “I think my watch has malfunctioned,” said Nate. “Oh Nate,” said Samantha. “You mustn’t worry. You can use mine.” Samantha ducked into the cabin and retrieved her watch. It had a dachshund for a face and ears which rotated to show the time. An experienced navigator would never use such a whimsical and inaccurate instrument, but when Nate examined it he discovered something of great interest. It also read two-thirty. This meant that it most probably was two-thirty, not here, but at home, thousands of miles away. It would have been the first thought of any experienced traveler. Nate, however, was not an experienced traveler. Until now, he had never been more than fifty-five miles from home. When he had practiced taking the sextant readings with Hank, he had always been in the same place, which was on the beach with Hank at his side. As he had never moved, his watch had remained in sync with the sun. Noon arrived when it was supposed to, as did sunset and sunrise. Once Nate realized his mistake, he knew exactly what to do. With Samantha’s assistance, he determined that the sun’s maximum elevation for the day was seventy-six and one tenth degrees, which occurred at two-forty in the afternoon. This meant, according to his navigational tables and detailed calculations, all hieroglyphics to Samantha, that they were two thousand, seven hundred and forty-six nautical miles from home, nine hundred and seventy-two nautical miles north of the equator and, most important, five hundred and ninety-seven nautical miles from the tiny speck on the map where they believed the Alpha and Omega to be. Nate noted that the wind was taking them toward the island while the current was flowing against them, a phenomenon which his sea charts indicated was characteristic of this part of the world. Nevertheless, the raft was still making good headway. Nate’s calculations revealed that this was due to the wind’s velocity being considerably greater than the current’s. Under the present conditions the raft was capable of achieving a net speed of five

101 They Set Sail for the Island knots, a rate that would bring them to the island in five days. The news regarding the journey back home from this point was not good, however. The opposing wind would be fighting them, forcing the raft to follow a zigzag course that would increase their sailing time to fifty days. As their food and water supply was down to ten days, sailing home was impossible. Their only choice was to continue on a course for the Alpha and Omega and hope for the best. It is a good thing that Samantha and Nate did not delay in fixing their location, for with the dawn of the following day the sky was a dismal gray, foretelling an approaching storm and making it impossible to take another position reading with the sextant. As it was cool and breezy, Samantha remained in the cabin, wrapped in warm blankets, sipping a hot tea and reading a book. Nate manned the helm, his eyes moving incessantly between the sail and the compass mounted on the cabin wall. It was essential that he maintain a course that was absolutely dead on. If he missed the island, they would be lost at sea. This dreadful thought, which he could not bring himself to reveal to his sister, weighed heavily on his heart. As the day progressed the sky and seas grew more ominous. Mountainous swells began to bombard their stern. Like the hand of a hungry giant, each passing wave would lift them up and fling them downward into its dark, watery jaws. Once they had reached its belly, the wind would die, causing the sail to deflate suddenly and flap about chaotically. An instant later the waveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s belly would turn inside out, hurling them back into the wind, whereupon the sail would reinflate explosively with an earsplitting bang. This crazy roller coaster motion made it tremendously difficult for Nate to maintain a steady course and greatly increased the likelihood of the dreaded accidental jibe. At sundown it began to rain. Fortunately, Nate had packed his yellow rain slickers and hat, for this was no gentle shower, but a hard, driving rain that stung his face when it hit. Nate feared that he wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the stamina to hold this course without

102 They Set Sail for the Island sleep for four more days and nights, but he saw no other choice. Certainly Samantha could not spell him. The job was not only dangerous, but required considerable skill and strength. The tiller was difficult to control, requiring a strong arm, and the mainsheet needed constant adjusting. Thankfully, Samantha was able to help by keeping him fortified with kippers, crackers and the hot chocolate which they’d had the good sense to prepare when they’d first seen the storm approaching. At exactly three in the morning a large wave swept across the deck of the raft, drenching Nate and startling him awake. He could not believe that he had drifted off to sleep and was furious with himself. Fortunately, he had lashed a rope to the tiller to help minimize its movement, otherwise the raft might have suddenly turned, precipitating the dreaded accidental jibe. In the darkness Nate could not see beyond the churning whiteness of the seas immediately surrounding the raft. Every now and then he shined his flashlight into the void, but the sight of the tiny beam receding into the immensity of the night only served to frighten him. He longed for someone to talk to, someone to ward off his loneliness and fear. At daybreak Samantha emerged from the cabin with another steaming mug of hot chocolate. “Ahoy, matey,” she yelled in the cheeriest of spirits. Though the raft was still rising and falling on the seas like a roller coaster, Samantha did not mind a bit. In fact, she quite enjoyed the experience. Her night in the cabin had been comfortable and cozy and she had never slept better. She had great confidence in Nate and great confidence in the Alpha and Omega, illogical as this might seem under the circumstances. These ingredients yielded the perfect blend of brother and sister. Samantha’s cheer brought Nate’s cheer, despite his being dead tired and barely able to keep his eyes open. “Oh, do let me spell you,” she pleaded. “I’m sure I can handle it. Honest I am.” Nate was afraid that Samantha was too weak for the task. He had to weigh this concern, however, against the danger presented by his falling asleep at

103 They Set Sail for the Island the helm. The choice was clear. He needed her help. “You’re sure you want to?” he asked. “It’s very hard work.” “Oh, Nate,” she replied. “It’s four more days and you can’t do it alone. Oh do let me help.” Samantha was a quick learner. In less than an hour she was able to hold the raft on a steady course, handling the tiller and sail with such amazing finesse that Nate was assured she could manage without him. Though the rain had stopped and the seas had let up a bit, Nate secured himself to Samantha with a rope, wanting to be doubly sure that she would not be washed overboard. He then instructed her to yell at the first sign of trouble, dragged himself into the cabin, wrapped himself in warm, dry blankets and immediately fell asleep. Samantha did exceedingly well at handling the little craft. Whenever the tiller tried to wrest itself from her tiny hands, she countered by bracing her body against it. She quite liked keeping the sail full and watching the little ball of the compass dance back and forth. And when the little craft raced down a wave, she imagined herself a bird gliding through the air. At precisely six-thirty in the evening, a loud scream awakened Nate. This was followed by a sudden tug of the rope that connected him to Samantha. Fearing that she had fallen overboard, he dashed out of the cabin, instantly eliminating the tension in the rope which Samantha had been using to allow herself to lean out over the water. He watched in horror as she plunged into the foaming sea. Nate sprang into action, thankful that Samantha’s huge life jacket was keeping her head above the waters. Immediately he drew in the rope that joined them, pulling her back to the raft. He then hoisted her onto the deck, an easy task, given that the raft floated only a foot above the water. Though relieved, Nate could not imagine why his sister had acted so stupidly. He was on the verge of scolding her when his eyes caught sight of the basket beside the tiller. Inside of it was a small heap of beautiful, red floats. Dozens more encircled the raft, bobbing cheerfully in the water as the surge

104 They Set Sail for the Island of the breaking whitecaps pushed them along. Samantha had been snatching them off the wavetops when Nate’s sudden movement toward her had sent her flying into the drink. “Oh Nate,” she exclaimed, “I do believe we’re getting near the island. I didn’t mean to wake you, honest I didn’t, but I was so excited I just had to let out a scream.” The wonderful sight of the bobbing red floats so astonished Nate that he did not hear a single word. In a flash he dropped the sail, halting the raft’s forward motion. Using a fishing net he began retrieving the floats from the water. “We must be getting close,” he said. Samantha joined in the effort, desperately paddling to bring the raft within reach of the more distant floats. As Nate handed them to her she could not resist holding them up to the light. Like their own ruby float, each had something inside. It was growing dark and the sky was clear and filled with stars. Nate searched the faint line of the horizon for signs of the island, but nothing was there. That night Samantha and Nate remained together in the cabin. The wind had stopped and the seas were completely calm. Tiny bells hung motionless from the rigging. If a fresh wind set them ringing Nate would return to the helm, hoist the sail, and keep the raft on its eastward course. As for now our two adventurers were intent on discovering the contents of the little red floats. So beautiful they were like precious stones. And when beheld in the darkness under a single ray of light, they revealed hidden treasures, amazing words filled with mystery and hope. Nate and Samantha whispered them aloud together, their urge to meet the Alpha and Omega growing by leaps and bounds. “What does it all mean?” asked Samantha. At sunrise the bells on the rigging began to jingle. Our sleepy-eyed duo emerged from the cabin, had a good stretch, and began to jump and scream simultaneously.

105 They Set Sail for the Island “There! There!” they yelled to each other. “Look! Look!” They had both seen it at the same time, a small dot on the horizon, no bigger than a speck of dust. It was an island, clear as day. “Hoist the mainsail!” Nate yelled, not realizing that he was already hoisting it himself. “All hands on deck! Full speed ahead! Avast! Land ho!” Responding in the only way she could, Samantha threw her arms around her brother’s neck and flooded him with tears.

 Lesson 10: Jonah and the Great Fish Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. What dreadful thought does Nate keep from his sister? If they miss the island they will be lost at sea. How would you feel if you were in the same dire situation? Jonah was trying to hide from God and the ship was almost shipwrecked because of him. He kept his intentions from the rest. Let’s read the story of Jonah. 2. How does Samantha counter her brother’s loneliness and fear? She reacts with compassion, offering to help Nate with the very difficult task of sailing the raft. Her bright and cheerful attitude, coming from her confidence in the Alpha and Omega, also helps to cheer him up. Take a moment to think about compassion and its importance to God. Psalm 145:8: The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.

Lesson 10

Matthew 14:14: And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. (Jesus feeds the five thousand) 3. Think of a time when you have been lonely or fearful. Did you have confidence in God? Here are some verses that give us great confidence in God: Psalm 34:4: I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 71:5: For You are my hope, 0 Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth. Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Jeremiah 17:7: Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. Psalm 23:4: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 27:1: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 4. What aspect of Nate and Samanthaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationship is vital to their reaching the island safely? Teamwork.

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Lesson 10

1 Corinthians 1:10: Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Galatians 6:2: Bear one anotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

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Lesson 10

108

Bible Story 161

JONAH AND THE GREAT FISH JONAH 1:1-2:10

Lesson 10: Class 4-5

109

161. JONAH AND THE GREAT FISH (JONAH 1:1-2:10)

“So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.” JONAH 1 : 1 5 “Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” JONAH 1 : 1 7

Lesson 10: Class 6-8

110

161. JONAH AND THE GREAT FISH (JONAH 1:1-2:10) M E M OR Y V E RS E : " F o r as Jo n a h w a s t h re e d a y s an d t h re e n i g h t s i n t h e b e l l y o f t h e g re a t f i s h , so w i l l t h e S o n o f M an b e t h r e e d a y s a n d t h r e e n i g h t s i n t h e h e a r t o f t h e ea r t h . " M at t h e w 12 : 4 0 T RUE OR FAL S E : 1.

T h e w o r d o f t h e L O R D c a m e t o J o n a h , s a y i ng , " A ri s e, go t o N i ne v eh , t h a t g r e a t c i ty , a n d c r y o u t ag a i ns t i t. " JO N A H 1 : 1 - 2 T RUE OR FAL S E

" B ut J o n a h a r o s e t o f l ee t o T a r s hi s h f r o m t h e pr e s en c e o f t h e L O R D . " JO N A H 1: 3 T RUE OR FAL S E

T h e s e a r e m ai ne d a s s m oo t h a s gl as s an d t h e w h o l e j ou r n e y w e n t b y s m oo t h l y . JO N A H 1: 4 T RUE OR FAL S E

F I L L IN T H E BL A N K S : 4.

J on a h " s ai d t o t h e m , ' I a m a H e b r e w ; an d I f e a r t h e L O R D , t h e G o d o f h e a v en , w h o m ad e t h e s e a an d t h e dr y l an d . ' T h e n t h e m en w e r e e x c ee d i ng l y . " JO N A H 1 : 9 - 1 0

J on a h " s ai d t o t h e m , ' P i c k up a n d t h r o w i nt o t h e s e a ; t h e n t h e s ea w i l l b e c a l m f o r y o u . F o r I k n o w t h a t t h i s gr e a t t e m pe s t i s be c au s e o f ." J O N A H 1: 1 2

T RUE OR FAL S E : 6.

T h e m en " p i c k ed up J o n a h an d t h r e w hi m i nt o t h e s e a , an d t h e s ea c e a s ed f r o m i ts r a g i ng . " JO N A H 1 : 1 5 T RUE OR FAL S E

7. t he

" N o w t h e L O R D ha d pr e p a r e d a g r e a t f i s h t o s w a l l ow J o n a h . A n d J o n a h w a s i n b e l l y o f t h e f i s h t h r e e da y s an d t h r e e ni gh t s ." JO N A H 1 : 1 7 T RUE OR FAL S E

" T h e n J o n a h pr a y ed t o t h e LO R D h i s G o d f r o m t h e f i s h' s b e l l y ." JO N A H 2: 1 T RUE OR FAL S E

C I R C L E T H E C O R R E CT W O R D : 9.

" S o t h e L O R D ( R A N , S P OK E ) t o t h e f i s h, an d i t v o m i te d J o n a h o n t o d r y l an d . " JO N A H 2 : 1 0 1/2

Lesson 10: Class 6-8

111

161. JONAH AND THE GREAT FISH (JONAH 1:1-2:10) T A R S H I S H U E C N W Q L AFRAID BELLY CAPTAIN FISH JONAH

K D D A O K Q K S L W L I K I

J S N U S E A V T D H O C Q E

L O T S Y N R Y H Y E R K D J

J I P T A V R F G E V D E J T

O U G F D K D B I N E K D K S

A T W W E L B A N I N P N H E

LORD LOTS MARINERS NINEVEH PRAYED

P A N O E V E D E A I Q E S P

D V S L R M L I E T N C S I M

Z L U L H T L A R P M O S F E

E A M A T H Y R H A N O B N T

L E P W M C C F T C V Z K F K

S S M S O A T A M Z D N I W J

SEA SWALLOW TARSHISH TEMPEST

S M S R E N I R A M N P C D T

P D E Y A R P M G E I K L P P THREE DAYS THREE NIGHTS WICKEDNESS WIND

HELP JONAH FIND HIS WAY OUT OF THE GREAT FISH'S BELLY

1/2

Lesson 10: Class 9-11

112

T h e w o r d o f t h e L O R D c a m e t o J o n a h , s a y i ng , " A ri s e, go t o , t h a t g r e a t c i ty , an d c r y o u t ag a i ns t i t. " J O N A H 1 : 1 - 2

" B ut J o n a h ar o s e t o f l ee t o t h e L O R D . " JO N A H 1 : 3

fr o m t h e p r e s en c e of

T RUE OR FAL S E : 3.

T h e s e a r e m ai ne d a s s m oo t h a s gl as s an d t h e w h o l e j ou r n e y w e n t b y s m oo t h l y . JO N A H 1 : 4 T RUE OR FAL S E

F I L L IN T H E BL A N K S : 4.

J on a h " s ai d t o t h e m , ' I a m a H e b r e w ; an d I f e a r t h e L O R D , t h e G o d of he a v en , w h o m ad e t h e s e a a n d t h e d r y l an d . ' T h e n t h e m en w e r e ex c ee d i ng l y ." J O N A H 1: 9 - 1 0

i nt o t h e s e a ; t h e n t h e J on a h " s ai d t o t h e m , ' P i c k up a n d t h r o w s ea w i l l b e c a l m f o r y o u . F o r I k n o w t h a t t h i s gr e a t t e m pe s t i s be c au s e o f . " J O N A H 1: 1 2

T RUE OR FAL S E : 6.

T h e m en " p i c k ed up J o n a h an d t h r e w hi m i nt o t h e s e a , an d t h e s e a c e a s ed f r o m i ts r a g i ng . " JO N A H 1 : 1 5 T RUE OR FAL S E

" N o w t h e L O R D ha d pr e p a r e d a g r e a t f i s h t o s w a l l ow J o n a h . A n d J on a h w a s i n t h e b e l l y o f t h e f i s h t h r e e da y s an d t h r e e ni gh t s ." JO N A H 1: 1 7 T RUE OR FAL S E

F I L L IN T H E BL A N K S : 8.

" T hen J onah J O N A H 2: 1

" S o t h e LO R D J O N A H 2: 1 0

to t h e LO R D hi s G o d f r o m t h e f i s h' s b e l l y ." to t h e f i s h, an d i t v o m i te d J o n a h o n t o d r y l an d . " 3/6

Lesson 10: Class 9-11

113

161. JONAH AND THE GREAT FISH (JONAH 1:1-2:10) D Y H U Q W S S I L S B E L L Y J F F O T P E O O

C N F K I B N Y N M H L D R E U W J N S H Z K B Z

F I H N N G X I G R Q I P H S Z I V V P R A Y E D

AFRAID BELLY CAPTAIN FISH JONAH

B A D Q Y E L H N N V Q T A S Q F H P J E T B I A

M T P T Y L I S O E V Q L Z E U A N M G E F H A W

F P P E S G D I E P V O Z C N C Q I W Z D K K Q J

B A B R B K E H F J R E T E D J Z Z K C A T I O T

A C N R P I Q S D D J Q H R E I L S T F Y A Y Y O

F V W S V M A R Z S S H M B K S V H O J S J E A W

L Z W P J H G A E U W E D W C Y P Z S W B M W U F

LORD LOTS MARINERS NINEVEH PRAYED

I N G Y P Y B T D R C G A R I G A N G I Z J P N U

O F L L M S Z F P G K B U K W F C U M D F L S V R

C M L B N A C W J U K T O I R T E J K K P Z Y Y O

J F A H A H Z Y N J T P H A L J C V T W H P J J H

Q O A T E M P E S T W V I R M F S W U D S O J H Q

O E S S W E B K S U H D P E E V A R L W N J U O E

P T C W R S C H U E C N Q L K E D D O A K Q K L W

K I J S A E U E A V D Q E N R Y N Y H D J I P T V

SEA SWALLOW TARSHISH TEMPEST

R F E J O L N U G F K D B K K A T I W L A P P A X

V Q D V S M L I C Z L U T M O E M X G N O B U L P

M C C V Z K F O R K S M O A T M Z J S H M N P C D

T J J G E I W B W A P P U Z V L F R K K T Y R G I

K U A V G O W V Z A M U E F P T O O N I J S J Y T

H G F Y Q D C M P O E A Y U H A E T C N A I Z S N

C Z N R P J P Q M Q F G A M M A O K S C Y U D Y G

THREE DAYS THREE NIGHTS WICKEDNESS WIND

HELP JONAH FIND HIS WAY OUT OF THE GREAT FISH'S BELLY

3/6

Lesson 10: Class 9-11

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161. JONAH AND THE GREAT FISH (JONAH 1:1-2:10)

D O WN

" F or as wa s t h r e e day s and t h r e e ni gh t s in t h e bel l y of t h e gr e a t f i s h, so w i l l t h e S o n of Ma n be t h r e e day s and t h r e e ni gh t s in t h e hea r t of t h e ear t h. " M A T T H E W 12: 4 0

A C R O S S T he wo r d of t h e LO R D ca m e t o Jo n a h , sa y i ng , "A ri s e, go t o c i t y , and cr y out aga i ns t it . " JO N A H 1: 1 - 2

t h a t gr e a t

A C R O S S " B ut Jo n a h ar o s e t o f l ee t o Ta r s hi s h f r o m t h e pr e s en c e of t h e

. "J O N A H 1: 3

D O WN

" B ut t h e LO R D se n t out a gr e a t wi nd on t h e se a , an d t h e r e wa s a mi gh t y o n t h e se a , so t h a t t h e sh i p wa s abo u t t o be br o k en up. " JO N A H 1: 4

D O WN

J on a h "s ai d t o t h e m , ' I am a He b r e w ; and I f e a r t h e LO R D , t h e G o d of hea v en , w ho ma d e t h e se a and t h e dr y la n d . ' T h e n t h e me n we r e ex c ee d i ng l y ." J O N A H 1: 9 - 1 0

1 0 A C R O S S J on a h "s ai d t o t h e m , ' P i c k me up and t h r o w me in t o t h e se a ; t h e n t h e se a wi l l be f o r y ou . F o r I kn o w t h a t t h i s gr e a t t e m pe s t is bec au s e of me " J O N A H 1: 1 2 7

A C R O S S T he me n "pi c k ed up Jo n a h and t h r e w hi m in t o t h e f ro m it s ra g i ng . " JO N A H 1: 1 5

, and t h e se a c e a s ed

A C R O S S " N ow t h e LO R D had pr e p a r e d a gr e a t f i s h t o Jo n a h . A nd Jo n a h wa s in t he bel l y of t h e f i s h t h r e e day s and t h r e e ni gh t s . " JO N A H 1: 1 7

D O WN

" T he n Jo n a h pr a y ed t o t h e LO R D hi s G o d f r o m t h e f i s h' s

D O WN

" S o t h e LO R D sp o k e t o t h e

. " JO N A H 2: 1

, and it vo m i t ed Jo n a h ont o dr y la n d . " J O N 2: 1 0

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11 Shipwrecked

As the hours went by, the wind strengthened. By noon the raft bearing our two adventurers had reached an imposing barrier reef that separated the island from the open sea. Large waves crashed upon the coral with immense power, making a fearsome noise, like cannon fire. Across the reef, tantalizingly close to the raft, the placid waters of a clear, turquoise blue lagoon lapped against a distant beach of a pale, pinkish hue. The island, however, looked far from inviting. Jutting out of its center was a tall mountain whose rocky, forbidding peak tore asunder the passing clouds. Where the pink beach ended, dark cliffs rose vertically from the water and vanished into a dense forest of trees. All day our adventurers sailed around the island, searching for a pass in the reef that would allow them to sail safely to shore. But they found not a single opening. Neither did they encounter any more of the ruby red floats that had fueled their hopes only hours before. Nor were they able to determine the answer to a question that troubled and perplexed both of them why was this isolated island four hundred miles away from the point on the map where it was supposed to be? â&#x20AC;&#x153;What do we do now?â&#x20AC;? asked Samantha, recognizing the seriousness of their plight. Nateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind was abuzz with activity. Wherever the reef disappeared more dark cliffs loomed, some rising a thousand feet into the air. All of them sank straight down into the water, offering a solid wall to anyone hoping for a

116 Shipwrecked

Wherever the reef disappeared more dark cliffs loomed, some rising a thousand feet into the air.

117 Shipwrecked friendly shore. The only choice was to sail up and over the reef. But how? And when? High tide would be best, but Nate did not know when this would occur. They could try holding their position just off the reef until the tide appeared to favor them, but this was extremely risky. If a storm came up or the wind suddenly shifted, they might be swept away from the island, which would be disastrous. No, they could not wait. They had to position themselves before the lowest point in the reef, catch the biggest wave, and hope that it would carry them safely over the razor-sharp coral. If it did not, they would be dashed to pieces. Nate detached the lifelines from Samantha and himself and double checked the catches on their life jackets, insuring that they were secure. If the raft should snag on the reef during the crossing, they certainly did not want the pounding waves to pulverize them along with it. Better to leap overboard and hope to be swept over the reef into the calm waters of the lagoon. From there, if they survived, they could swim to shore. As soon as they had made their decision, conditions worsened. Enormous swells began to pass under the raft and thunder against the reef. It appeared that the tide was going out, exposing even more of the reef ’s serrated surface to view. Not only this, but the sky was darkening. From the east came flashes of lightning followed by loud claps of thunder. “It looks bad,” Nate said to his little sister. “Oh Nate,” she said. “Can’t we do something? I’m so afraid.” The fear in Samantha’s voice sparked a change in Nate. Instead of panic, a new confidence sprang up within him. How could it be that they had come so far only to be lost? “Hold on,” he commanded. “We’re going in.” He went for the next wave. It was a colossal one, looking like a hideous monster as it welled up out of the darkness. With a great roar, it hoisted the little raft onto its massive shoulder and hurled it forward like a pebble. Nate clung to the tiller, keeping the sail filled with the wind and the bow of the raft pointed directly at the reef. Suddenly the bottom of the wave sank downward, exposing to view the

118 Shipwrecked jagged, vertical wall of the outside of the reef. Nate and Samantha watched in horror as the raft raced toward it. They were but inches away from being slammed against it when the wave rose swiftly upward, carried them to the center of the reef and crashed down upon them. Samantha and Nate were buried in a vortex of churning water. It tore at their bodies from every angle, a powerful, swirling, black void that pulled them ever downward, not releasing its grip until they had struck bottom. Samantha was the first to pop to the surface, floating like a cork in her huge yellow life jacket. Nate came up a few feet away. Gasping for air, they looked about wildly, fearing the crash of the next wave. But no wave came. Instead, the waters were warm and tranquil. They had made it into the lagoon. They held hands and slowly dog-paddled together toward the distant shore. Half an hour later they collapsed upon the pinkish sands, three thousand, one hundred and fifty-nine miles away from home.

 Lesson 11: Shipwreck at Malta Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. By now you might have read of the shipwreck of the apostle Paul described in exciting detail in Acts 27. How is it similar to that of Samantha and Nate? This excerpt (Acts 27:39-44) shows several striking similarities. When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind

Lesson 11

and made for shore. But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land. 2. Why was Paul so confident that everyone would survive the shipwreck? Acts 27:21-26 provides us with the answer: But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying. ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island.”

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Bible Story 269

SHIPWRECK AT MALTA ACTS 27:13-28:16

Lesson 11: Class 4-5

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Lesson 11: Class 6-8

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269. SHIPWRECK AT MALTA (ACTS 27:13-28:16)

MEMORY VERSE: "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him." PSALM 91:14-15 TRUE OR FALSE: 1.

"And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship." ACTS 27:18 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: 2.

"On the third day we threw the ship's (TACKLE, CAPTAIN) overboard with our own hands." ACTS 27:19

TRUE OR FALSE: 3.

"Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up." ACTS 27:20 TRUE OR FALSE

"Now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship." ACTS 27:22 TRUE OR FALSE

Now the soldiers' plan was to keep all of the prisoners alive so all of them should swim away and escape. ACTS 27:42 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 6.

"But the centurion, wanting to (KILL, SAVE) Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who (COULD, COULDN'T) swim should jump overboard first and get to land." ACTS 27:43

"And the natives showed us unusual (TREES, KINDNESS); for they kindled a fire and made us all (AFRAID, WELCOME), because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold." ACTS 28:2

TRUE OR FALSE: 8.

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a bear came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. ACTS 28:3 TRUE OR FALSE

"They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary." ACTS 28:10 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: 10.

"Now when we came to (HOME, ROME), the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him." ACTS 28:16

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269. SHIPWRECK IN MALTA (ACTS 27:13-28:16)

W Z K K Q J C R E T E B S B R

T B B W E F J T N A E J O Z T

H Z K I T C T I O E O T L A A

G N L N S R P I I S Q D D J E

U Q U D E R I L R M S T I F H

AFRAID BOARDS CAUGHT CENTURION CRETE FOOD

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A A A Y P Y O F U I V B E S W

C V P M M A Z S T W H M R B S

V O J J E E A W N S L Z S B P

J H G S T G E U E W D W Y P Z

GOD JUMP PAUL SAFELY SAILED SEA

W S D O D B M W C B F I B G Y

P Y A E D R B D R P C G R G N

G P Z F L J A P D I A R F A F

N M U O E I F O L H L M S Z O

SHIP SOLDIERS SWIM TEMPEST WHEAT WIND

F U P G K L A B B S B K C U O

M J D L S V Y S R C M L B B D

Lesson 11: Class 9-11

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269. SHIPWRECK AT MALTA (ACTS 27:13-28:16)

"And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship." ACTS 27:18 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANK: 2.

"On the third day we threw the ship's __________________ overboard with our own hands." ACTS 27:19

TRUE OR FALSE: 3.

"Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up." ACTS 27:20 TRUE OR FALSE

"Now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship." ACTS 27:22 TRUE OR FALSE

Now the soldiers' plan was to keep all of the prisoners alive so all of them should swim away and escape. ACTS 27:42 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 6.

"But the centurion, wanting to __________ Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could ____________ should jump overboard first and get to land." ACTS 27:43

"And the natives showed us unusual _______________; for they kindled a fire and made us all _________________, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold." ACTS 28:2

TRUE OR FALSE: 8.

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a bear came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. ACTS 28:3 TRUE OR FALSE

"They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary." ACTS 28:10 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANK: 10.

"Now when we came to ____________, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him." ACTS 28:16

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Lesson 11: Class 9-11

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269. SHIPWRECK AT MALTA (ACTS 27:13-28:16) W T I W P P W Q T A U U H J U M P E R J S T A Z S D J Q I K

T D Y H S U Q S C S I L S J F F O P E O O C F K T B Y N M H

L M D E R E U W J R N S Z K B Z S F H N G X G R E Q I P H Z

I I A V V B Q Y E L E N V Q T A R Q F H P J T B M I A M X T

Y W L I O V Q Z S U A T N M G F E M H A W X P E P S G D E P

Z S C C Q I W Z E K K Q E J B B I R A B K E F J E T E J Z T

Z K C T I O T A V N R P I G Q D D J Q L R I L S S T F A H D

Y Y O F V X S V I M A Z O S H M L X S V T O J J T E A G E W

L Z D E L I A S T X P D J H G E O U W D W A Y P Z W U Y B M

W U F I X G Y P A Y B D R C G R S G N G Z J P N U A A O F L

AFRAID BOARDS CAUGHT CENTURION CRETE FIRE FOOD GOD 3/6

L M S Z F P G K N B U K C U M D L S V R C M L B C R X A C W

J U K O I T E J K K P Z Y Y O J F A H A H Z Y N P J T P L J

C V T W H P J H Q O A W V M F S W U D S J H Q O E W E B K S

U H P E V A R L W J U O E P T C S C H U E C N Q S A F E L Y

L K D D O K Q K L W K I J S U E A V D Q E N R Y Y D J I P T

V R F E J O U G F K D B K C K A T W L A P P A X V Q D V S M

C Z L U T M O D E M X N O B E U L P M C C V Z K F K S M O A

T M Z S H I P J N S M X P C D N T X X G E I K X P P U Z V F

JUMP MALTA NATIVES NO HARM PAUL PRAYED SAFELY SAILED

R K K Y R G I K U I A V X O U V T Z A U E F P M T O N I J J

Y T H G D F Y Q D C W M R P O E A U Y U H A E R C N F I R E

A I Z S N I C Z X R P J E P Q X Q F R G A M M A A O K C Y U

D Y G T I I A P G C J N P H E D B Y K I K J M H V W Z F I Z

T M G G R H U R V Y Y R I T E U S S F J O S G O R A P A U L

S F N T Q C B D F Y T R V Q T B K I J E F N S N A G Q F H W

U F I K E Y O B T A I A O W A E P Q T F V I F R N Y M Z U I

K O N M C D A N Y J D V E C U A U T E K O O P F D H D F W Y

SEA SHIP SOLDIERS SWIM TEMPEST VIPER WHEAT WIND

S O K T E F R Y R N L M A H X T O N K V E F G S L C Y D T L

V D P T J I D P K D A Y S G W M X T L A B H P U V L R R E V

U V P I R F S V Q X I P O R A V K R W Y B G P F Q K G X Q L

J V U X E A F I M I O Q H U N H P U Y N M H B Y A O M B H N

Lesson 11: Class 9-11

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269. SHIPWRECK AT MALTA (ACTS 27:13-28:16)

11 ACROSS "He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will _____ him and honor him." PSALM 91:15 2

DOWN

"And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the _____." ACTS 27:18

DOWN

"On the third day we threw the ship's _____ overboard with our own hands." ACTS 27:19

DOWN

"Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be _____ was finally given up." ACTS 27:20

10 ACROSS "Now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no _____ of life among you, but only of the ship." ACTS 27:22 1

ACROSS "Now the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and _____." ACTS 27:42

DOWN

ACROSS "And the _____ showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold." ACTS 28:2

ACROSS "But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a _____ came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand." ACTS 28:3

DOWN

"They also _____ us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary." ACTS 28:10

DOWN

"Now when we came to ___, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him." ACTS 28:16

"But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should _____ overboard first and get to land." ACTS 27:43

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12 Not Alone

It was not until the next day that our adventurers fully understood the extent of their disaster. Bits and pieces of the raftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beautifully crafted cabin littered the shore. Fragments of the wonderful logs that had once formed the hull and deck of the sturdy craft were scattered everywhere. The sail, ripped from its mast, lay at the edge of the water in a crumpled heap, like a large, wet blanket. Luckily, Nate found the thermos floating in the lagoon, half-filled with hot chocolate, their only breakfast. The children spent several hours salvaging what they could from the waters of the lagoon, which unfortunately yielded no food. When they were done they made a tent from the sail and pitched it under the palms that bordered the shoreline. That night they went to bed hungry and thirsty, resolving to rise early the next day to search for food, water, and the Alpha and Omega. But they could not sleep. The ground, solid as it was, seemed to be moving up and down, a phenomenon which those who have been to sea are familiar with. Even more disturbing were the unfamiliar noises that emanated from the inky blackness that surrounded them. Unseen creatures were moving about, one of which brushed against the tent. Only Samanthaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fearsome scream was enough to send it scurrying away. Following this incident it became far too quiet. Nate could not take his eyes off the glowing hand of his chronometer as he waited anxiously for the darkness to pass. Toward midnight he noticed that Samantha had drifted

128 Not Alone off to sleep. Not long thereafter a sudden flickering light fell upon the outside of the tent, so bright in intensity that the black silhouette of the letters Alpha and Omega could be clearly seen from inside the tent. Nate was petrified. He covered Samantha’s mouth with his hand and nudged her awake. His attempt to keep her from screaming failed, however, for Samantha let out a cry of such volume that it caused his ears to ring. “Don’t be afraid,” came a voice from outside the tent. “I won’t hurt you.” Though the voice was deep and booming, like the waves thundering against the distant reef, it was also reassuring. “Who are you?” asked Nate, hoping to gain time to think. The light came closer. The movement of branches was heard and an enormous shadow blanketed the tent. “I live here,” boomed the voice. “And who might you be?” Nate was on the verge of spitting out their names when Samantha elbowed him in the ribs. “Don’t you dare tell him,” she whispered. Then, turning her face toward the shadow, she yelled out with all of the authority and intensity that she could muster, “Go away!” Amazingly, this simple command seemed to work. The figure disappeared as quickly as it had come. Once again our adventurers were alone, in total darkness. “Who was that?” whispered Samantha. “I don’t know,” answered Nate. Though they resolved to keep watch together till morning, their extreme exhaustion overcame them. In fifteen minutes they were both sound asleep. Just after sunrise Samantha and Nate were aroused by a popping and crackling sound. Nate stuck his head outside the tent to investigate. In the sand beside the tent he saw large footprints that formed a trail to the beach. There a fire burned, its smoke wafting in Nate’s direction and filling his nose with the scent of frying bananas. A loud whistle followed, not that of a person, but of a kettle resting on a grate over the fire and issuing forth with this most cheerful and comforting sound.

129 Not Alone

“I live here,” boomed the voice. “And who might you be?”

130 Not Alone Nate and Samantha hurriedly trekked through the sand to the warmth of the fire. Though it was not cold, their extreme hunger and thirst gave them the chills. To their astonishment they found a straw blanket spread on the sand before the fire on which was arranged a delightful breakfast. There was a teapot containing fragrant, red flower blossoms, ready and waiting for the boiling water, a jar of golden honey to sweeten the brew, a huge jug of mango nectar, which they drank completely dry before sitting down, a large platter piled high with various breads and exotic fruits, an array of delicious jams and jellies, and even an unopened can of smoked kippers, which Nate immediately recognized to be his own. After Nate had stoked the fire with the wood he found beside it, turning it into a small bonfire, they both sat down and began their feast. As they ate they silently studied the sand around them. It was filled with the same large footprints that led them here from the tent. Considering the unvarying size and shape of the tracks, one person seemed to have left them all, including those which traced a straight line down the beach away from the fire. Once our two adventurers had regained their strength they gathered up the remaining food and drink in a knapsack made from the sail and set off down the beach, hoping to discover the whereabouts of their mysterious benefactor. As his footprints were twice the size of Nateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and more than triple Samanthaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, they formed an easy trail to follow. Samantha entertained herself along the way by leaping from print to print in order to stay inside of them. Their wide spacing seemed to indicate someone of large stature. The depth of the imprints pointed to a creator of considerable mass, someone twice as heavy as Nate, according to Nateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own approximations, which were based on a rough depth measurement and subsequent mental calculations. Escaping the notice of our two inquisitive adventurers, however, was the sand itself, which remained pink, despite the sun having lost its reddish, morning glow. After an hour the footprints left the beach and headed into the trees. Here the firmness of the soil, the fallen leaves, the ground vegetation, and

131 Not Alone the dark rocks, caused them to disappear. A well-worn path took over at this point. Assuming that the stranger had taken this route, Nate and Samantha followed it into the darkness of the jungle. After five minutes it inclined sharply upward, eventually emerging at the face of the cliff where it continued its steep, upward course. The extremely narrow and rocky path provided poor footing. A towering wall of jagged, brown coral bordered one side, the same type as that composing the reef on which the raft had been smashed to pieces. The other side was open to the air, offering a vertical drop of several hundred feet to the rocks and trees below. Not surprisingly, our adventurers hugged the cliff as they made their way upward, happy for the myriad holes in its face which gave them something to cling to. After climbing steadily for an hour the children reached the top of the cliff. Their walking legs had not gotten much exercise aboard the raft and were trembling with fatigue. They little noticed this, however, as their eyes beheld a breathtaking sight. Far beneath them lay a turquoise blue lagoon of indescribable beauty. It was sandwiched between two rings, one of deep red, the other of scintillating whites and pale blues. They had walked upon the inner ring on the way here, a beach of pale pink sand which appeared much darker from afar. The outer ring, which separated the lagoon from the darkness of the open sea, was formed by the reef that had destroyed their raft and almost taken their lives. How innocent and peaceful it looked from here, where the crashing waves that painted it appeared as ripples on a quiet pond. Once the children had regained their strength they rose from their perch and continued along the path, which turned suddenly inland and remained horizontal, taking them into a dark, tropical jungle of trees. The air was no longer cool, but warm and damp. In the dim, jungle light the path was difficult to see. Though it appeared to be straight, it was actually weaving its way chaotically through the thick vegetation. This illusion was caused by the many trees which prevented our

132 Not Alone two adventurers from seeing more than a few feet ahead. They were in no danger of getting lost, however, for Nate had his compass with him, the only piece of equipment he had been able to salvage from the wreckage of the raft. After another hour of strenuous hiking the children were forced to stop. The path abruptly ended at a precipice a thousand feet above the sea. It appeared that they had reached the opposite side of the island. No turquoise blue lagoon was below, no beautiful beach of vivid red, only a forbidding, rocky coastline battered by tremendous waves. Samantha and Nate sat down at the edge of the cliff to rest. They were tired, sweaty and disappointed. Could it be that after having come so far they had reached a dead end? They had seen no other path along the way. If they were to take the time to go back and search for one, they might not make it out of the jungle and down the cliff by nightfall. Having resolved to call it a day, our adventurers stood up, took several steps back toward home camp, and froze in their tracks. Smoke was in the air. It was unmistakable. Though they could not see it, they could smell it. Judging from the direction of the wind, the source was directly northeast of their present location. “There must be another path,” Nate whispered, thinking it wise to conceal their presence. There was indeed a second path. They discovered it hidden in the underbrush, only a few feet away from where they had been sitting. Invigorated with hope the two adventurers scrambled along the new path. With each step they took it widened. The trees grew farther apart and the sun began to pour down from above. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, this trail also ended. This time it was not at the edge of a cliff.



133 Not Alone

Lesson 12: Jesus Helps Catch Fish Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. What does the mysterious stranger do for Samantha and Nate? He prepares them breakfast. 2. What mysterious person suddenly appears to the disciples in John 21? John 21:4-6: But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 3. In John 21 who was the first to recognize this person? Why do you think he was the first? It was John. John 21:7: Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” 4. Were the disciples excited about this discovery? To say yes is an understatement. Read this: John 21:7: Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.

Lesson 12

5. What did this person do for the disciples? Jesus made them breakfast. John 21:9-14: Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

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Lesson 12

135

Bible Story 242

JESUS HELPS CATCH FISH JOHN 21:1-14

Lesson 12: Class 4-5

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242. JESUS HELPS CATCH FISH (JOHN 21:1-14)

“And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.” JOHN 21:6

Lesson 12: Class 6-8

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242. JESUS HELPS CATCH FISH (JOHN 21:1-14)

MEMORY VERSE: "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." JOHN 20:30-31 CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: 1.

"Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going (SAILING, FISHING).' They said to him, 'We are going with you also.' They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing." JOHN 21:3

TRUE OR FALSE: 2.

"But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus." JOHN 21:4 TRUE OR FALSE

"Then Jesus said to them, 'Children, have you any food?' They answered Him, 'No.' " JOHN 21:5 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: 4.

"And He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of (SEAWEED, FISH)." JOHN 21:6

TRUE OR FALSE: 5.

"Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread." JOHN 21:9 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT ANSWER: 6.

"Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net (WAS, WAS NOT) broken." JOHN 21:11

TRUE OR FALSE: 7.

"Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish." JOHN 21:13 TRUE OR FALSE

This is now the tenth time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. JOHN 21:14 TRUE OR FALSE

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242. JESUS HELPS CATCH FISH (JOHN 21:1-14) B R E A K F A S T R T J M B A

U M U Y J E S U S M S P M H M

I S A I R E B I T F O A E S D

BOAT BREAD BREAKFAST CAST DISCIPLES FIRE FISH

1/2

P S L E A N A H T A N Y D V A

S H O R E H R V B B S O I J E

F E Z R B D R O L B O P S B R

V I C E C Q G V J O F Q C T B

Y M R T I Y N R M A Z A I S N

Z U J E M T I A F T E N P A O

FISHING JESUS NIGHT LORD MORNING NATHANAEL

C Z E P O H H I I Q B L L C T

J U S N R G S S S Q E Y E C H

T Z U O N I I E H O D B S V I

N Q S M I N F D M A E M B G N

B D P I N E W B D I E C H T G

C B R S G A G A R C F O R Y R

NOTHING RAISED SEA OF TIBERIAS SHORE SIMON PETER SONS OF ZEBEDEE

Lesson 12: Class 9-11

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242. JESUS HELPS CATCH FISH (JOHN 21:1-14)

"Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going ______________.' They said to him, 'We are going with you also.' They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing." JOHN 21:3

TRUE OR FALSE: 2.

"But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus." JOHN 21:4 TRUE OR FALSE

"Then Jesus said to them, 'Children, have you any food?' They answered Him, 'No.' " JOHN 21:5 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANK: 4.

"And He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the _________________ of fish." JOHN 21:6

TRUE OR FALSE: 5.

"Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread." JOHN 21:9 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 6.

"Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not _______________." JOHN 21:11

"Jesus then came and took the ______________ and gave it to them, and likewise the JOHN 21:13

_____________."

TRUE OR FALSE: 8.

This is now the tenth time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. JOHN 21:14 TRUE OR FALSE

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242. JESUS HELPS CATCH FISH (JOHN 21:1-14) B Y N M H L D R E U W J N N I G H T S Z K B Z F H N G B G R

Q I P H Z I V V M B Q Y E L N V Q T A Q F H P J S T B I A M

B G T Y L I L O V O Q Z U A N M S G F H A W B P I E S G D E

P N Z C C Q O I W Z R K K Q J B A B R B K E F J M T E J H Z

Z I K C T I R O L T J N A N R P I D I Q D J Q R O I L S S T

F H A Y Y O D F E V B E I S V M R A I Z S H M B N S V O I J

J S E A W L Z B A P J H S N G E E U W S D W Y P P Z W B F M

W I U F I M G Y N P Y B D U G R B C G R C G N G E Z J P N U

O F F L L M S Z A F P G K B S U I K C U M I D L T S V R C M

L B B A C W J U H K O I F T E J T K K P Z Y P Y E O J F A H

BOAT BREAD BREAKFAST CAST DISCIPLES FIRE FISH

3/6

A H Z Y N J T P T L J C V I T W F H P J H E Q L R O A W V M

F S W U D S J H A Q O E W E R B O K S U H P R E E V A R L W

J B O E P T C S N C H U E C N E A Q L K D D O O K S Q K L W

K I J S U E A V D Q E N R Y Y D E J I P T V R F H E J O U G

F K D B K K A T W L A P P A B V S Q D V S M C Z L S U T M O

E M B N O B U L P M C C V S Z K F K S M O A T M Z J S M B P

B D T B B G E I K B P P U Z O V F R K K Y R G I K U B A V B

O U V R A I S E D Z A U E F P N T O N I J J Y T H R G F Y Q

FISHING JESUS LORD MORNING NATHANAEL NIGHT

D B M P O E A Y U H A E B N A I S Z S N C Z B R E P J P Q B

Q F G A T M M A O K C Y U D Y G T O I I P G C A J N H E D B

Y K K J M S V W Z F I Z T M G G R H F U V Y D Y R T E U S S

F J S G R A A S F N B O A T T Q C D Y Z R Q T B K I J E F S

A G Q F H W U F I K E Y B T I O W A E P E Q T F V I F R N Y

M Z U I K N M C K D G N Y J D V C U A U T B E K O O P F D H

D F W Y S K T E F A Y N R N L M A B T C O N E K V E F G S L

C Y D T L V P T J I E P I K D A Y S G M A B T D L A B H P U

V L R R E V U V P I R R F H V Q B I P O R S A V E K R W Y B

G P F Q K G M Q L J V U B B T E A F I M I O T Q H E U N H P

NOTHING RAISED SEA OF TIBERIAS SHORE SIMON PETER SONS OF ZEBEDEE

U Y N M H B Y A O M B H N B V O I U S S A L Y J H W Z A P B

I C N Z F N F P G G Z A B B O M N Y S G U I S C T E K E O E

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242. JESUS HELPS CATCH FISH (JOHN 21:1-14)

ACROSS "Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going _____.' They said to him, 'We are going with you also.' They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing." JOHN 21:3

ACROSS "But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was _____." JOHN 21:4

DOWN

"Then Jesus said to them, 'Children, have you any _____?' They answered Him, 'No.' " JOHN 21:5

DOWN

"And He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of _____." JOHN 21:6

DOWN

"Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and _____." JOHN 21:9

ACROSS "Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fiftythree; and although there were so many, the net was not _____." JOHN 21:11

DOWN

ACROSS "This is now the third time Jesus _____ Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead." JOHN 21:14

"Jesus then came and took the bread and _____ it to them, and likewise the fish." JOHN 21:13

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13 A Wonderful Discovery

In the clearing ahead stood a small, light-brown bungalow set back about seventy five yards from the edge of a cliff. Its straw-like roof of pandanus leaves overhung a front porch that faced the sea across a broad lawn of inviting green grass sprinkled with mango trees and graceful coconut palms. A narrow, crystal clear stream flowed past the south side of the bungalow and wound its way across the lawn to a brightly-colored tropical garden of melons and vegetables which created a border at the edge of the cliff. From here the stream plummeted silently toward the turquoise waters of the lagoon, which lay more than a thousand feet below. The children entered the clearing and walked cautiously to the front of the bungalow. Seeing no one on the porch they climbed the several wooden steps and went to the front door. Surprisingly, it was open. They knocked several times on the doorpost, but no one answered. From their vantage point they could see no one inside. Curious, they poked their heads through the door and took a closer look. The floor and walls of the bungalow were of wood, looking much like the deck of the raft after it had been freshly completed. Slightly to the right and rear was a wooden desk on which sat a thick book, a stack of papers and an inkwell containing a feather pen of bright red. To the left was a small room furnished with several chairs and a sofa. All were constructed of a woven, reedlike material. A small, coral fireplace with a kettle hanging inside of it was built into the back wall of the room. As no fire was burning in it, Nate and

143 A Wonderful Discovery Samantha reasoned that the scent of smoke was coming from somewhere else, possibly from behind the bungalow. Leaving the porch they walked along the south side of the bungalow through a fragrant garden of hibiscus, bougainvilleas, gardenias, mandevillas and other flowers which grew beneath its many windows. On the way they drank from the stream, which contained the sweetest, coldest water they had ever tasted. When they reached the rear, they discovered a second dwelling, smaller and built of bleached coral rocks. Atop its roof was a chimney from which poured forth a thin, white column of the most fragrant smoke. Neat stacks of chopped wood were arranged along its walls as well as several conical piles of pinkish sand. Coming from within the structure was a deep sound, not too melodious, but which a kind and good-hearted soul might ascribe to the sound-maker as singing of the cappella type. “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation,” sang the voice, which clearly sounded like a man’s. “See who it is!” said Samantha, pushing Nate toward the door. Nate jumped backward after stumbling forward a step. “No,” he said. “you see.” “No, you see,” said Samantha. “Hush,” said Nate. “he’ll hear you.” And so the exchange went, back and forth, until they both agreed to peek through the open door at the same time to see who was singing this strange, cheerful song in the most basso of profundo. What our adventurers witnessed next was a marvelous sight. A man of tremendous stature was twirling a long, metal pipe over a blazing fire. Clinging to the end of it was a small, hollow sphere of deep red glass. As the man worked he sang like a lark, stopping occasionally to blow through the pipe. This caused the heat-softened orb to grow slightly in size and the room to plunge into relative silence, for the roar of the hearth was but a whisper compared to the man’s voice.

144 A Wonderful Discovery

“Hush!” said Nate. “He’ll hear you.”

145 A Wonderful Discovery The man blowing the beautiful glass balls had seen the children arrive. It was he who had shined his lantern upon their tent. Even now his ears were still ringing as a result of Samanthaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bloodcurdling scream. Not wanting to frighten them further, he had made every effort to stay out of sight. He had set out breakfast for them under the cover of darkness and had done his best to leave a clear trail that would lead them safely to him. As they had trekked along the beach he had kept watch from the cliffs above. As they had felt their way through the dense jungle, he had followed them closely, concealing himself behind the trees. Moving stealthily had not been easy for him. Though burley and strong, he was old, though not as old as Hank. A large straw hat hid his completely bald head and protected it from the heat of the blazing sun, which could be intense in these parts. The children had been correct in their analysis of his footprints. He was six feet seven inches. Though his body did not contain an ounce of fat, he weighed over two hundred and thirty pounds. Most marked about the man were the many creases and fissures in his face. Judging from their various inclinations, he had experienced many troubles and joys in this life. Despite his large hands, he was exceedingly dexterous. Especially amazing was the way he delivered a slip of paper into each of the dark red orbs. First he dampened the slip and rolled it into a tiny scroll. He then tilted the pipe slightly downward, dropped the moistened paper into it, and let it slide into the waiting orb. Finally, in one unbroken motion, he spun the orb over the fire with the rapidity of a top, swung it to a position over a small wicker basket, instantly brought its spinning to a stop, tapped the pipe with his finger, and let the completed float fall magically into the basket. When the basket was filled to the top with these beautiful, red spheres, the man picked it up, carried it outside and walked back toward the bungalow. Nate and Samantha followed behind, keeping at a safe distance. But he did not enter the dwelling. Instead, he crossed the garden to the jungle and set off on a course that led through the trees to a sharp overhang in the cliff

146 A Wonderful Discovery high above the open sea. From here he began pitching the spheres seaward. Like tiny red balloons they descended through the air, vanishing from sight long before they hit the water. Upon his return home the man harvested vegetables and melons from the garden, collected several green coconuts from the grass beneath the palms, plucked a great many ripe mangos, netted three large, colorful fish from the stream, and disappeared into the bungalow. As it grew dark the children saw candlelight coming from within and a fire blazing in the hearth. The aroma of mango pie, roasted fish and something similar to baked potatoes filled their noses. “Do you think he could be the one we’re looking for?” asked Samantha, whispering to Nate as they spied on the man through the open window. “I’m not sure,” said Nate. “Well,” said Samantha. “We will just have to knock on his door if we are ever going to find out.”

 Lesson 13: Hezekiah Restores Temple Worship Memory Verse Psalm 95:1: Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. Do you recognize the song the man is singing? It is the hymn “Praise To The Lord, The Almighty,” by Joachim Neander (1650-1680).

Lesson 13

Here are the first two stanzas: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation! All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near; Praise Him in glad adoration. Praise to the Lord, Who over all things so wondrously reigneth, Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth! Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been Granted in what He ordaineth? 2. What does the Bible say about praising the Lord by singing? God loves to hear His people sing. The verses referring to this are so numerous that they would cover many pages. Isaiah 42:10: Sing to the LORD a new song and His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you coastlands and you inhabitants of them! 1 Chronicles 16:9: Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Psalm 7:17: I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. 3. Do you have a favorite praise song? Why is it your favorite? Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s learn how Hezekiah restored worship and song for the Israelites.

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Lesson 13

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Bible Story 114

HEZEKIAH RESTORES TEMPLE WORSHIP 2 CHRONICLES 29:20-36

Lesson 13: Class 4-5

149

114. HEZEKIAH RESTORES TEMPLE WORSHIP (2 CHRONICLES 29:20-36)

“And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.” 2 CHRONICLES 29:27 “And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep.” 2 CHRONICLES 29:33

Lesson 13: Class 6-8

150

114. HEZEKIAH RESTORES TEMPLE WORSHIP (2 CHRONICLES 29:20-36)

MEMORY VERSE: "And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped." 2 CHRONICLES 29:29 TRUE OR FALSE: 1.

"King Hezekiah rose early, gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD." 2 CHRONICLES 29:20 TRUE OR FALSE

"Then he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD." 2 CHRONICLES 29:21 TRUE OR FALSE CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 3.

"Then he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with (THIMBLES, CYMBALS), with (BROKEN, STRINGED) instruments, and with (HARPS, TARPS)." 2 CHRONICLES 29:25

TRUE OR FALSE: 4.

The Levites stood with the instruments of David and with the trumpets. 2 CHRONICLES 29:26 TRUE OR FALSE CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 5.

"Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the (WORD, SONG) of the LORD also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel." 2 CHRONICLES 29:27

MATCHING:

DRAW A LINE CONNECTING THE PEOPLE ON THE LEFT WITH THEIR FORM OF WORSHIP ON THE RIGHT "So..." 2 CHRONICLES 29:28 ALL THE CONGREGATION THE SINGERS THE TRUMPETERS

SOUNDED WORSHIPED SANG

TRUE OR FALSE: 7.

"And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped." 2 CHRONICLES 29:29 TRUE OR FALSE CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 8.

"Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the LORD with the words of (DAVID, JOSEPH) and of (ASA, ASAPH) the seer." 2 CHRONICLES 29:30

"So they sang praises with (GLADNESS, SADNESS), and they bowed their heads and worshiped." 2 CHRONICLES 29:30

10.

"Hezekiah and all the people (REJOICED, WEPT) that God had prepared the people, since the events took place so suddenly." 2 CHRONICLES 29:36

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114. HEZEKIAH RESTORES TEMPLE WORSHIP (2 CHRONICLES 29:20-36) W S V Y K W S T S E I R P L W

O W H C Y M B A L S Z O A B U

R N U A D L U E L P M E T F L

S Y C H I M L S T E P M U R T

CONGREGATION CYMBALS GLADNESS HARPS HEZEKIAH

1/2

H S O O I K R E F Y H A R P S

I R T D N G E B V E H T L U W

P Q N N I G S Z S I V U U A D

D W T G E L R G E A T O A P A

D Y S L M M U E N H R E S E J

M G O A V S U P G I T W S B H

INSTRUMENTS LEVITES OFFERINGS PRIESTS

J Y K D P G M R G A R P S O T

W I H N J D U O T L T E O U I

I B R E W G T T W S I I F U M

F O E S P J J F Y T N W O F U

G H N S V S U G N O S I P N O

SONG TEMPLE TRUMPETS WORSHIP

Lesson 13: Class 9-11

152

114. HEZEKIAH RESTORES TEMPLE WORSHIP (2 CHRONICLES 29:20-36)

MEMORY VERSE: "And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped." 2 CHRONICLES 29:29 TRUE OR FALSE: 1.

"King Hezekiah rose early, gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD." 2 CHRONICLES 29:20 TRUE OR FALSE

"Then he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD." 2 CHRONICLES 29:21 TRUE OR FALSE FILL IN THE BLANKS: 3.

"Then he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with _________________, with _________________ instruments, and with ________________." 2 CHRONICLES 29:25

TRUE OR FALSE: 4.

The Levites stood with the instruments of David and with the trumpets. 2 CHRONICLES 29:26 TRUE OR FALSE FILL IN THE BLANK: 5.

"Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the _____________ of the LORD also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel." 2 CHRONICLES 29:27

MATCHING: DRAW A LINE CONNECTING THE PEOPLE ON THE LEFT WITH THEIR FORM OF WORSHIP ON THE RIGHT 6. "So..." 2 CHRONICLES 29:28 ALL THE CONGREGATION THE SINGERS THE TRUMPETERS

SOUNDED WORSHIPED SANG

TRUE OR FALSE: 7.

"And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped." 2 CHRONICLES 29:29 TRUE OR FALSE FILL IN THE BLANKS: 8.

"Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the LORD with the words of ______________ and of _____________ the seer." 2 CHRONICLES 29:30

"So they sang praises with __________________, and they bowed their heads and worshiped." 2 CHRONICLES 29:30

10.

"Hezekiah and all the people ________________ that God had prepared the people, since the events took place so suddenly." 2 CHRONICLES 29:36

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114. HEZEKIAH RESTORES TEMPLE WORSHIP (2 CHRONICLES 29:20-36) A W R P E S G D E L E V I T E S I P Z C

C H Q I T W Z K K Q J N B B R B N K E F

J A T E E S J Z Z K C O T I O T S A S N

R I P I M G Q D J Q R I I L S T T F L A

Y K Y O P N F V Y S V T M A Z S R H A M

T E S G L I V O J J E A E A W L U Z B X

CONGREGATION CYMBALS GLADNESS HARPS HEZEKIAH

3/6

P Z J N E R H G E U W G S D W Y M P M Z

W E B O M E W U F I L E I G Y P E Y Y B

D H R S C F G R G N G R A Z J P N N C U

O F L L M F S Z F P G G R K B U T K C U

M D L S V O R C M L B N P R A J S W J U

K O P R I E S T S I T O E J K K P Z Y Y

O J S F A H A H Z Y N C J T P L J C V T

W H P T J H Q O A W V M F S W U D S J H

INSTRUMENTS LEVITES OFFERINGS PRAISE PRIESTS

Q S O E E W W O R S H I P E B K S U H P

E P V A R P L W J U O S S E N D A L G E

P R T C S C M H U E C N Q L K D D O K Q

K A L W K I J U S U E A V D Q E N R Y Y

D H J I P T V R R F E J O U G F K D B K

K A T W L A P P A T W V Q D V S M C Z L

SONG TEMPLE TRUMPETS WORSHIP

Lesson 13: Class 9-11

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114. HEZEKIAH RESTORES TEMPLE WORSHIP (2 CHRONICLES 29:20-36)

DOWN

"King _____ rose early, gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD." 2 CHRONICLES 29:20

ACROSS "Then he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer them on the _____ of the LORD." 2 CHRONICLES 29:21

ACROSS "Then he stationed the _____ in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps." 2 CHRONICLES 29:25

10 ACROSS "The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the _____ with the trumpets." 2 CHRONICLES 29:26 7

ACROSS "Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the _____ of the LORD also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel." 2 CHRONICLES 29:27

DOWN

ACROSS "And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and _____." 2 CHRONICLES 29:29

DOWN

"Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing _____ to the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer." 2 CHRONICLES 29:30

DOWN

"So they sang praises with _____, and they bowed their heads and worshiped." 2 CHRONICLES 29:30

DOWN

"Hezekiah and all the people _____ that God had prepared the people, since the events took place so suddenly." 2 CHRONICLES 29:36

"So all the congregation worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt _____ was finished." 2 CHRONICLES 29:28

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14 The Most Important Question in the World

By now our two adventurers have exhibited great bravery in traveling thousands of miles, sailing over fearsome waves, scaling high cliffs and traversing thick jungle, all in the hope of finding someone who could work a miracle in their grandparents’ lives. It would be highly unusual for them, therefore, to be afraid to knock on something as harmless as a door. Or would it? Think for a moment. They are now standing on the very doorstep of the person who has triggered this hope. He is not nearly as powerful, magnificent and wonderful as the one who they imagined had written the words inside the ruby float. No, he is not only an old man, he is a very old man. What if he’s the wrong person? Or what if he’s made up the words? What if he’s crazy? Isn’t it understandable that they would be extremely apprehensive at this movement? Wouldn’t you be worried stiff if you’d been through all this and were thinking that you might have made a grave mistake? Would it make it even worse if you knew you were about to learn things which are of great controversy in the world? With all but our last question bouncing around in their tired and dirty heads, with their empty stomachs turning somersaults, they finally gave the door a very slight tap. Now, let’s go to the other side of the door, where the old man has been listening for this tap since the children arrived on his doorstep over an hour ago. He has not been sitting still during his long wait. No, he has been working furiously to prepare them a wonderful dinner and to make his humble

156 The Most Important Question in the World abode as comfortable for them as possible. The wait has not been easy for him. Since the moment he first discovered our two shipwrecked children, who are both unaware of their forlorn, tattered and bedraggled appearance, his heart has been overflowing with pity. “Hello,” he said upon slowly opening the door. Nate and Samantha stared up at him. From their close perspective he looked even more gigantic. His voice was soft and gentle, however, in sharp contrast to the basso profundo of his singing at the glassworks. “What can I do for you?” he asked. “We were in the area,” said Nate, who could think of nothing wise or profound to say. “We noticed your house and wondered whether you might be able to help us find someone we’re looking for.” “And who might that be?” asked the old man, moved by the extreme nervousness that he heard in Nate’s voice. “The Alpha and Omega,” said Samantha, piping in loudly. “The person who sent us this message.” She handed him the glass float that she had been clutching so tightly to herself for the past days. Nate was very surprised, for he thought it had been lost when they ran aground on the reef. The man examined the float closely, rolling it about in his gigantic hands. “The Alpha and Omega sent you this?” he asked, his voice remaining gentle and reassuring. “Yes,” said Samantha. “And we saw you making them in the rock house.” “You were spying on me?” he asked. “No! No!” answered Nate immediately, alarmed by what he thought to be a frown crossing the man’s face. “We were just making sure, that’s all.” “Yes,” added Samantha. “We’re inexperienced in this sort of thing.” “You are, are you?” asked the man. “Those are the words mother always uses,” she answered. “It means we’re still learning.” “Why don’t you both come in?” said the man.

157 The Most Important Question in the World “Oh my,” responded Nate. “We wouldn’t want to disturb you in the middle of your dinner.” “Not at all,” insisted the old man. “I love having guests. Won’t you join me? I’ve got plenty for everyone.” “Are you sure?” asked Samantha, smelling the food and feeling the cozy warmth of the fire coming from inside. She was growing cold and it was getting very dark. “No trouble at all,” said the man, moving aside to let them in. At his invitation, Samantha and Nate sat down at the table. They did not notice the odd coincidence that it was set for three or that the portions of food which the old man had placed on the table were in just the right amounts. There were steaming piles of something like baked potatoes and pats of strange tasting butter made from coconut milk. There were wonderful spicy greens that made you warm inside and two of the most excellent fish which either of them had ever tasted. They were both so hungry that they hardly said a word as they ate, washing down each bite with a deliciously sweet coconut milk and finishing off the entire meal with a gigantic slice of mango pie. After dinner they sat before the fire, the old man in a chair and Samantha and Nate on a luxurious carpet of woven pandanus leaves. The old man watched as they dropped off to sleep, then lowered his head and folded his hands. Now and then he moved his lips, though no words could be heard. After a time he stretched out his legs before the fire and closed his eyes. Samantha and Nate awoke the next morning in the same place where they had fallen asleep. At first they were alarmed, not knowing where they were. Then they remembered the wonderful meal and the roaring fire and the old man, who was nowhere to be seen. “He was right there,” said Samantha, pointing at the large, empty rocker. “Come,” said Nate. “Let’s find him.” It did not take them long to discover his whereabouts, for once outside Nate and Samantha inhaled the unmistakable aroma of smoke coming from the glassworks. Nearing the stone structure, they heard again the booming

158 The Most Important Question in the World basso profundo of the man’s voice. “A mighty fortress is our God,” he sang. “A bulwark never failing; our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.” When the old man saw our adventurers, he immediately stopped his work and went to join them. “A hearty good morning to you both,” he said. “Did you sleep well, I should hope?” “Oh yes,” answered Samantha. “And we’re ever so sorry to have fallen asleep. It was very impolite of us.” “Yes,” added Nate. “We’re normally night owls.” The old man let out a hearty laugh. “As am I,” he said. “But I drifted off myself, I must say. Come, I have something for you.” Samantha and Nate could barely keep up with the old man as he walked, so great was his stride. Once in the house, he reached under his rocker and pulled out two pairs of exquisitely woven straw slippers. “Put these on,” he said, looking at their bare feet, which were cut and bruised from walking on the sharp coral. The sandals fit perfectly and Samantha thought them to be quite fashionable. “Where did you get them?” she asked, full of curiosity. “I made them last night,” he answered. “While you were sleeping.” “You made them?” Nate asked in astonishment. “Yes,” said the man. “It was no trouble at all. Would you like to try them out? I’m due for a walk. You’re welcome to come along if you’d like.” They immediately agreed, for the man was becoming more interesting and more mysterious with each passing moment, despite the fact that he was so very old. Samantha and Nate followed close behind the man as he led them upstream along the bank of the small stream that flowed past the bungalow. As the stream narrowed the grade increased until they found themselves ascending a tall mountain of brown coral. Every five minutes they paused to catch their breath. Though Nate and Samantha were eager to ask the man about the Alpha and Omega, as was

159 The Most Important Question in the World the man to discover how it was that these two children had found their way to an island in the middle of nowhere, they chose to exchange only a few pleasantries. The three climbed for an hour until they reached the summit of the mountain. The old man was exhausted, despite his having made the journey many times. Not until he had recovered his strength could he enjoy the look of wonder in the children’s eyes. “From here you can see the entire island,” he said. They stood upon a gigantic, flattened wedge of coral that capped the top of the mountain. The view that the children beheld from here was beyond adequate description. Wherever they turned the horizon was in clear view, a sharp unbroken line separating the iridescent blue of the sea from tower-

ing white clouds. Spreading out beneath them was the entire island, a sea of emerald green trees wrapped in red beaches and turquoise blue lagoons. Nowhere did they see, however, any sign of human habitation, save for the

160 The Most Important Question in the World old man’s bungalow, which appeared as a small dark speck near the foot of the mountain. “There,” said the old man, pointing toward the northern end of the island. “If you look closely you can see the remains of your raft.” Our adventurers gazed along the tip of the man’s finger. They could make out the beach, but that was all. “You’ll need this,” said the man. He handed them a small, bamboo telescope that he had tucked away in one of the myriad pockets of his jacket. Samantha looked through it first. As she searched for the wreckage of the raft she was taken by the strange pinkish hue of everything. It was clear that the old man had fashioned the spyglass himself, the lens being formed from the same pink sand he used to make the floats. The glass was lighter in color, however, making it easy to see through it. “It looks so beautiful,” she declared. “Let me see,” said Nate, growing impatient. Samantha gave the glass to Nate, who was also taken by the pinkish hue. “I’m not able to make floats of the pink glass,” said the man. “It’s too fragile.” “But the red floats are so very beautiful,” said Samantha. “If it hadn’t been red, I might not have kept it.” The old man laughed. “You must tell me how you found the float,” he said, “and how it came to pass that you are now shipwrecked on this island. It would also be friendly if you would tell me your names.” Our two adventurers were terribly embarrassed to have accepted such generous hospitality without having properly introduced themselves. They apologized profusely, explaining that they had been taught by their parents about the importance of politeness, though forgetting in the process to ask the old man his name. Instead, they launched immediately into their story with great animation and enthusiasm, Samantha speaking first, then Nate, then Samantha, and so on, so that there was never the slightest delay in transmitting every single detail of the journey to the old man, who listened intently.

161 The Most Important Question in the World The two adventurers disagreed only in the chronology of the story. Nate sometimes mixed up the order of events, so anxious was he to get to the center of the story, which, they both agreed, was their hope of finding a way to help Hank and Harriet. They both affirmed that they were on the verge of giving up hope when Samantha discovered the ruby float at the beach one night. It was Samantha who had seen the dark image of the message within the float and Nate who had deciphered the words with the help of a beam of light cast upon them by his flashlight. For many days they had pondered the meaning of the message, their hearts convincing them that there truly was a person called the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, and that this person, whoever he was, could save Harriet from death and rescue Hank from his great despair, for upon the whole earth there was not a man who loved his wife more than he. And so they had built a raft according to the plans that they had learned from Hank in his many tales and had resolved to set sail in search of the Alpha and Omega, with their parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; permission, of course. But their plans had gone awry. During the test voyage an ill wind had come up and propelled them far out to sea with no hope of return. They had suffered through bone-chilling cold and been tossed about by monstrous waves and beset by terrible fears. Nevertheless, they had worked together to try to keep the raft on a course toward the tiny island which they thought might be the home of the Alpha and Omega, for they had studied charts of currents and winds and believed the float to have come from there. Then, on the thirty-first day of their voyage, while manning the helm, Samantha had come upon dozens of ruby floats, each one containing a wonderful message. They had recorded these messages in their log book, but in the disaster at the reef the book and the floats had been lost. Only the message in Samanthaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s float had survived because she had held onto it. This was the float they had shown to him in the unspoken hope that he could lead them to the Alpha and Omega, who is the Beginning and the End of all things, according to their understanding. They were concerned, however,

162 The Most Important Question in the World for their map showed no island at this location, but rather one that lay several days ahead by raft. The old man listened intently, trying to understand everything the children were breathlessly telling him. He heard the passion in their voices as they spoke of their parents and of Hank and Harriet. How much they missed them and worried about them. How much they yearned to return home to find Harriet alive and to bring wonderful news that would give happiness to her and her husband. “So you are looking for the Alpha and Omega?” he said. “Oh yes,” answered Samantha. “We do so much want to meet him. Could you possibly be him?” she asked, trying to conceal by her politeness her fear that the answer might be yes. The old man laughed warmly. “Not I,” he answered. “Most certainly not I. But I can tell you what I know of him, if you’d like.” “That would be wonderful!” cried Nate. “Oh yes!” exclaimed Samantha. “It would be so wonderful if you could help us!” “You’ve never heard of him before?” asked the man. “No,” said Samantha. “In all my years I am sure I have never heard of anyone called the Alpha and Omega. It is a curious name, indeed.” “I haven’t either,” said Nate. “I’ve been going to school for six years and in six years I have never once heard of such a person, not in history or in geography or in math or anywhere else.” “What about Hank or Harriet? Did they ever mention such a name?” asked the man. “Never,” they both answered. “Surely your parents must have mentioned his name,” said the man. “He has many names, you know. Perhaps you heard them and didn’t realize that they were speaking of the Alpha and Omega.” “What are they?” asked Samantha. “I have an excellent memory. If they ever mentioned any of those names, I will most surely remember it.” “He is called Wonderful, Counselor, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of

163 The Most Important Question in the World Peace,” answered the old man. “And these are but a few of his names.” “Wow!” exclaimed Nate. “Those are incredible names!” “That they are,” said the man. “And he is far greater than any one of them.” “Well I’ve never heard a single one of them,” declared Samantha. A heavy gust of wind came up, almost tearing the old man’s big hat from the top of his head. It was beginning to blow quite hard, as it often did on this high and unprotected peak. The air was cool, much cooler than it was down below. “Come,” said the old man, seeing that the children were shivering. “Let’s go back home. There I will do my best to answer your questions.”

 Lesson 14: Unto Us A Child is Born Bible Memory Verse Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. The old man says that the Alpha and Omega has many names. Can you identify the Bible verse which uses the names he mentions? 2. Can you think of any other names for Christ? John 8:12: Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light

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of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 1:29: Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Revelation 17:14: He is Lord of lords and King of kings. John 6:51: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” 1 John 4:14: And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 3. Do you recognize the hymn the man is singing? It is the hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” written by Martin Luther (1483-1546), a leader of the Protestant Reformation. Here are the first two stanzas. A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God ’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle.

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Bible Story 143

UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN ISAIAH 9:1-7

Lesson 14: Class 4-5

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143. UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN (ISAIAH 9:1-7)

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” ISAIAH 9:6

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143. UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN (ISAIAH 9:1-7) MEMORY VERSE: "And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." ISAIAH 9:6 The LORD spoke to Isaiah saying... CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 1.

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great (NIGHT, LIGHT)." ISAIAH 9:2

"Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a (FIGHT, LIGHT) has shined." ISAIAH 9:2

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 3.

"For unto us a ___________ is born, unto us a ________ is given." ISAIAH 9:6

TRUE OR FALSE: 4.

"And the government will be upon His shoulder." ISAIAH 9:6 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE ALL OF THE CORRECT WORDS: 5.

"And His name will be called..." ISAIAH 9:6 Wonderful Counselor John

Everlasting Father

Mighty God Prince of Peace

TRUE OR FALSE: 6.

"Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end." ISAIAH 9:7 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: 7.

"The (ZEAL, SEAL) of the LORD of hosts will perform this." ISAIAH 9:7

1/2

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143. UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN (ISAIAH 9:1-7) W O N D E R F U L K T D G Y H W P

1/2

U Q S S I L S J E F F O O P E F M

O O C F R K B Y C N D M V H L T H

D R E U O W J N A S L Z E K B G G

Z F H N L G L G E R I Q R I P H T

H Z I V E V B Q P N H Y N E L Q R

N V Q D S T A Q F O C F M H P S H

J T B O N I A M O S L T E Y L D K

I O V G U Q Z U E A N M N G F F P

H A W Y O P P E C S G D T E P G L

Z C C T C Q I W N Z K D R O L D M

K Q J H B B R B I T H G I L K D F

E F J G T E J Z R Z K C T I O V D

T A N I R P I Q P D J Q R I L P N

S T F M A Y Y O F V B O R N P L W

E V E R L A S T I N G F A T H E R

BORN

LORD

CHILD

MIGHTY GOD

COUNSELOR

PRINCE OF PEACE

GOVERNMENT

SON

LIGHT

WONDERFUL

EVERLASTING FATHER

Lesson 14: Class 9-11

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"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great _________." ISAIAH 9:2

"Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a ____________ has shined." ISAIAH 9:2

"For unto us a ___________ is born, unto us a ________ is given." ISAIAH 9:6

TRUE OR FALSE: 4.

"And the government will be upon His shoulder." ISAIAH 9:6 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE ALL OF THE CORRECT WORDS: 5.

"And His name will be called..." ISAIAH 9:6 Wonderful

Counselor

Mighty God

John

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace

TRUE OR FALSE: 6.

"Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end." ISAIAH 9:7 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANK: 7.

"The ________ of the LORD of hosts will perform this." ISAIAH 9:7

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143. UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN (ISAIAH 9:1-7) B Y K P U Y F K T G E L Y G M Q H V V G S N B K K

O J Q S P M B B O H U S S R V N G D P K S P P R X

O S L K E W V J X F W E L C V D D Z Z O W H Q I L

H T Y O A C V C R A L O Z M O F M Q S Q V P B Q J

I C T C J W A E Y J L T N A S U L P U T N D R A Z

I O N H V N I U P A R F N R O B F S T Q H A U U T

T D D Q O E C U J K D S M J T A A U E E N Q T N A

Y Q T W U Q R T H T T R R W P N K B C L D W K I E

P I Y N B B P L P Y F O J W S S I A G W O A F U T

O M J K E G H G A D D V B G C Z H K K R E R N C V

C C H P R M E M Q S N O Y M A S V Y K W L W W Z O

A K U R N S N U D L T U G F L Y H F O I R F Y X D

F B E I H O T R L U W I Q Y N I S V U U A D D W T

L A O N A N P A E D Y S N M T U B S E J M G O V S

P T W C B H J Y K V P G L G K H G P S O T W I H J

D U O E L O U I I B O R W A F G G T K W I U M F O

E P K O J E F Y T W U G G H E A X I V S U X H U Q

T P L F J M B J H T J Y R D C Z T G M S Q U M J Q

L J T P W A K M L U G C V U B N H H R A U V A E I

S G J E P N D Z F B X K M Z X I Z F E Z X D K L U

Y E E A J A L V K U O Z X A M Z B T P R Z F V F H

N E E C M J I Q V E V V L A I L R U U C Q N R U K

B I F E W L H J B B K J K U M X Y R T T C M P M L

C S G E Y U C W I A C L P A I E Y A Q A O Y E A E

BORN

LORD

PRINCE OF PEACE

CHILD

MIGHTY GOD

SON

COUNSELOR

NAME

WONDERFUL

EVERLASTING FATHER

PEACE

ZEAL

GOVERNMENT

3/6

E M D E W Q D E X I O T A L B Z N Z N K O B H F V

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143. UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN (ISAIAH 9:1-7)

DOWN

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great _____." ISAIAH 9:2

DOWN

"Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has _____." ISAIAH 9:2

ACROSS "For unto us a ___________ is born." ISAIAH 9:6

ACROSS "Unto us a ________ is given." ISAIAH 9:6

ACROSS "And the _____ will be upon His shoulder." ISAIAH 9:6

DOWN

ACROSS "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no _____." ISAIAH 9:7

DOWN

"And His _____ will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." ISAIAH 9:6

"The _____ of the LORD of hosts will perform this." ISAIAH 9:7

172

15 A Very Puzzling Answer

The old man sat in the parlor in front of the fire with the two children at his feet. They had eaten a fine meal and were happy to be indoors, for the winds had brought with them a cool, drenching rain that was coming down hard upon the roof of the bungalow. “It has been many years since I have spoken to anyone about the Alpha and Omega,” said the old man, “though, as you know, I have been telling of him through little floats such as yours.” “Do you work for him?” asked Nate. “In a way,” answered the man. “You might say that he works through me.” “I see,” remarked Samantha, not really seeing at all. “Do you have meetings with him? Our dad has meetings. That’s how he finds out what he has to do.” “You might say so.” “When do you meet with him?” asked Nate. “All the time,” answered the man. “Have you met with him since we got here?” asked Samantha. “Oh yes. The moment I saw you I said to him, ‘Oh my, thank goodness you’ll show me what to do.’” Nate and Samantha looked around. They found it odd that they had seen no evidence of anyone else on the island. Perhaps the Alpha and Omega lived somewhere in the jungle, hidden under the trees. “How did you get to know him?” asked Samantha. “Did you meet him

173 A Very Puzzling Answer here, on the island?” “Oh no,” answered the man. “It was my mother who first introduced us. I was very young. Younger than you.” “Wow!” said Samantha. “Then you’ve known him a long time.” “I guess I have,” answered the man. “What’s he look like?” asked Nate. “Yes,” added Samantha. “I should very much like to recognize him the moment I see him.” “Well,” said the man, “I know this is going to sound strange, but I’ve never seen him.” “Never seen him?” the children exclaimed simultaneously. “Not with my eyes, if that’s what you mean.” The children thought this very odd. How was it possible to meet with someone without seeing him? “But you said your mother introduced you to him,” argued Samantha. “She did,” answered the man. “But not in the way you think. Instead, she showed me some of his work.” “You mean like a book or a painting?” she asked. “Exactly.” “What did she show you?” asked Nate. “Nothing I hadn’t seen or known of before, nor anything that you have never seen or known of before.” “Like what?” asked Samantha, becoming even more curious. “Everything I could see and everything I could not see. The sun, the moon, the stars, the heart beating inside of me.” “You’re not saying that he made all these things, are you?” she asked. “That’s precisely what I’m saying. He created everything, from the tiniest speck of dust to the most gigantic star in the universe. He created you, he created me, and he created everyone else. There’s nothing that you can think of that he didn’t create.” Nate and Samantha were taken aback. Though they had often tried to imagine who the Alpha and Omega might be, they had never conceived of

174 A Very Puzzling Answer anyone so powerful. “You’re startled?” observed the man. “Yes,” answered Nate. “I’m not sure what to think.” “Perhaps you would like to think alone for a bit. I shall go outside and enjoy the rain.” Before the children could answer the old man rose, retrieved a straw umbrella and left the bungalow. “What do you think?” asked Nate. “I don’t know. What do you think?” asked Samantha. “He seems very level-headed to me,” observed Nate. He had often heard his mother use this expression when speaking of people whose judgment she respected. “He does to me, too.” “A level-headed person wouldn’t work so hard for something he didn’t think to be true,” said Nate. “I suppose he wouldn’t. But that doesn’t mean he’s right.” “I know. But he seems to be honest. He told us right away that he is not the Alpha and Omega.” “Yes. And if he’d said he was, we wouldn’t have believed him,” replied Samantha, still not convinced. “Then who do you think the Alpha and Omega could be? He’s got to have power over death, or the message in our float isn’t true. If he really did make the entire universe, as the old many says he did, don’t you think he’d have enough power to help Harriet and Hank?” Samantha thought about this a moment, then bolted out the door with Nate at her heels. They found the old man standing under a nearby palm with his head bowed. Immediately Samantha grabbed him by the hand. “We’re so sorry,” she said. “Please come back in and tell us more.” “No apologies, please,” he said. “I love the rain.” In another moment the old man was in his chair again with his two inquisitive guests at his feet. “I don’t mean to be nosy,” said Samantha. “But could you tell us what you

175 A Very Puzzling Answer thought when your mom told you about the Alpha and Omega?” “Well, I remember that we were walking in the garden at night and that she was pointing toward the stars. I suppose I thought he was up there, among them, looking down on us from very far away. I was a bit sad, if I remember correctly.” “Why were you sad?” asked Samantha. “To think he was so very far away.” “He was far away then?” asked Nate. “Oh no. Not at all. It was I who was far away.” “I don’t understand,” said Nate. “My heart,” said the old man. “It was my heart that was far from his. My mother told me that he loved me. But I didn’t love him. It was that simple.” “He loved you?” asked Samantha. “That’s what my mother said. Like a son. Even more than his own life.” The old man pointed toward the book on his desk beside the bright red feather pen. “The whole story is over there, in that book.” The children had been wondering about this book from the moment they’d first seen it. It was quite large and looked to be very old. “Whose story?” asked Samantha. “That of the one you’re looking for. Go ahead. Take a look.” The children sprinted to the desk. It seemed that lately they had forgotten how to walk. Up close the book looked even thicker. Like the face of the old man, its brown leather cover was rugged and showed signs of great age. The title words had long since worn off. “May we open it?” asked Samantha. “Please do.” The first page they came upon had these two words printed upon it: The Bible. Curiously, no author’s name was given below. “Did the Alpha and Omega write this?” asked Samantha. “In a sense,” answered the old man. “Come. Bring it here. I’ll show you something.”

176 A Very Puzzling Answer Samantha and Nate picked up the book and carried it to the old man with the same care you’d use in handling a newborn baby. Setting it on his lap, he opened it to a page not far from the end and pointed to a line. “See there. What does it say? I can’t see well without my glasses.” Nate slowly read aloud the words on the old, yellowed page. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” “The words in our float!” exclaimed Samantha, who even now still clutched the small red orb in her hand. “Almost,” said the old man, “except that the name Jesus appears at the beginning. He is also the Alpha and Omega. As you know, he has many names.” Nate was so engrossed in reading that he heard not a word of what the old man had said. “Perhaps you’d like to read a bit more.” “Oh may we?” asked Samantha. “That would be wonderful.” He pointed to a line with the number eleven to its left. “The story starts here,” he said. “Who is John?” asked Nate, seeing the name at the top of the page. “A disciple of Jesus,” answered the man. “What’s a disciple?” asked Samantha. “If you follow Jesus, then you are one of his disciples.” “Are you one of his disciples?” asked Nate. “I suppose I am,” he said. The old man fell silent as the children’s attention was drawn back to the book. He heard whispering and then noticed that Nate was reading softly to his sister. The rain continued to beat down upon the roof. As the fire crackled in the hearth, its flames flickered with the wind and cast dancing rays of light upon the faces of the children and the old man. “Is this a true story?” asked Nate. The story was of Lazarus, a man whom Jesus had raised from the dead. “It is,” answered the man.

177 A Very Puzzling Answer “Where is Bethany?” asked Samantha. “Far away from here. In the land where Jesus was born.” “But he’s here now, right?” asked Nate, seeking some reassurance. “No, not physically.” Samantha’s heart sunk within her like a stone. “But you told us you met with him!” “That I did,” replied the man. “I spoke to him when I was outside under the palm tree.” “But no one was there,” said Nate. “You were standing alone.” “I know it looked that way, but I was anything but alone. You cannot see the air in this room, but it is most certainly here. You cannot see your own hearts, but they are most certainly beating within you. You cannot see your minds nor your thoughts, but they are most certainly there. So it is with Jesus. He is here, yet he cannot be seen.” “But Mary and Martha saw him,” said Samantha, referring to the story they had just read. “And his disciples saw him, too,” added Nate. “Didn’t you say you were one of his disciples?” “Yes to your second question,” answered the man. “As to your first, that was in the past, before his death.” “He died?” “Did not the story say that Jesus was going to die?” The children contemplated the old man’s seemingly contradictory words. Nate especially was struggling to make sense of what he was hearing. “I don’t mean to be impolite,” said Nate, “but I’d like a moment to speak privately to my sister. This time we’ll go outside. It’ll help me think more clearly.” “That’s an excellent idea,” replied the man, coming up with two exquisitely woven pandanus umbrellas that Nate and Samantha had never seen before. “You made these too?” asked Samantha. “For just such occasions. It’s very good to be alone sometimes and to hon-

178 A Very Puzzling Answer estly address your own thoughts. Please, I won’t be offended in the slightest.” The children walked through the garden. The rain had slackened and the air was sweet with the scent of flowers. “We need to read the old man’s book,” suggested Nate. “Until we do that we’re going to stay confused.” “But it’s a very big book,” said Samantha. “It will take forever.” “Not that long, if we set our minds to it. We built a raft, didn’t we? Did that take forever?” “No. But it took a long time.” “We sailed here, didn’t we? That didn’t take forever?” “No. But it also took a long time.” “Then we can surely read a book.” Samantha began to cry. “I cannot read that well. Grandma will surely die before I will ever be able to finish.” Nate put his arms around his sister. “Remember what you told me when I became discouraged?” “No.” “When I couldn’t find the special trees for the raft you said the Alpha and Omega wouldn’t send us a message without giving us a way of seeing him. And when we got through the storm you said it was because of him.” “I did?” “Yes, you did. Don’t you see? He’ll make sure we get back in time.” “But what if she’s already died?” “We’ll just have to trust in him, like we did during the storm.” Samantha brightened a bit. “That was a bad storm, wasn’t it?” “Yes it was.” Samantha lifted her head and looked into her brother’s eyes. “Will you read it to me? Like Mom does? I always understand whenever she reads to me.” “Every word. I’m sure the man will explain to us anything we don’t understand.”

179 A Very Puzzling Answer “You think so?” “Sure. We’ve just been asking the questions in the wrong order. Anyway, didn’t you say yourself that he seems very level-headed?” “I think that was you,” said Samantha, cheering up at the sound of these comforting words. “But it is true. He does seem very level-headed, as Mom would say.”

 Lesson 15: Christ’s Sacrifice is Foretold Bible Memory Verse John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. How did the old man first learn about the Alpha and Omega? What does the Bible say about parents teaching their children about the Lord? The old man’s mother taught him about God. Deuteronomy 11:18-19: Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Lesson 15

Psalm 34:11: Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Ephesians 6:4: And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. 2. The old manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother told him that God loved him like a son, even more than His own life. Can you think of any Scripture verses that support this? 1 John 3:16: By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Isaiah 53:5: But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. 1 John 3:1: How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 3. Though the Bible may be long and sometimes difficult to read, it is very important. What are some reasons for its importance? 2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

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Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Psalm 119:9-16: How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. 4. Even though Nate and Samanthaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grandmother is close to death, Nate says that they should trust the Alpha and Omega. What does the Bible say about trusting the Lord? Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Psalm 5:11: But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. Psalm 18:2: The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

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Lesson 15

182

Bible Story 145

CHRISTÕS SACRIFICE IS FORETOLD ISAIAH 53:2-12

Lesson 15: Class 4-5

183

145. CHRIST'S SACRIFICE IS FORETOLD (ISAIAH 53:2-12)

Lesson 15: Class 6-8

184

145. CHRIST'S SACRIFICE IS FORETOLD (ISAIAH 53:2-12)

MEMORY VERSE: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." ISAIAH 53:6 "Behold, My Servant..." TRUE OR FALSE: 1.

"He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows acquainted with grief." ISAIAH 53:3 TRUE OR FALSE

"And we hid , as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him." ISAIAH 53:3 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 3.

"He was wounded for (OUR, HIS) transgressions, He was bruised for (OUR, HIS) iniquities." ISAIAH 53:5

"The chastisement for (OUR, HIS) peace was upon Him, and by (OUR, HIS) stripes we are healed" ISAIAH 53:5

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 5.

"_________ we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, ____________ __________, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us __________." ISAIAH 53:6

UNDERLINE THE CORRECT ANSWERS: 6.

"He was oppressed and He was afflicted..." ISAIAH 53:7 a. yet He opened not His mouth b. but He defended Himself "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent..." ISAIAH 53:7 a. So He opened not His mouth b. He defended Himself

TRUE OR FALSE: 7.

"He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of My people He was stricken." ISAIAH 53:8 TRUE OR FALSE

"They made His grave with the wicked- but with the rich at His death." ISAIAH 53:9 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 9.

"By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall ______________ many, for He shall bear their iniquities." ISAIAH 53:11

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Lesson 15: Class 6-8

185

145. CHRIST'S SACRIFICE IS FORETOLD (ISAIAH 53:2-12)

S E R V A N T T E J Z Z S K C

H T I O T A N R D P I Q T D J

E Q R B D I L S E T Y F R A Y

A Y O M E F V R S S F V I M A

BRUISED DESPISED HEALED JESUS

1/2

L Z S A D H M M I S I V C O J

E J E L N A W L P Z T X K P J

D H G E U U W D S W S Y E P Z

W B M W O U R F E I U M N G Y

P Y B D W R C E D G J R G N G

JUSTIFY LAMB REJECTED SERVANT

Z J P N U O F L J L M S Z F P

S G K J E S U S B E L K C L M

H D L B R U I S E D C S V R C

E M L B P A C W J U T T O I T

E E S E P I R T S J K K E P Z

SHEEP STRICKEN STRIPES WOUNDED

P Y Y O J F A H A H Z Y N D J

Lesson 15: Class 9-11

186

145. CHRIST'S SACRIFICE IS FORETOLD (ISAIAH 53:2-12)

"He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows acquainted with grief." ISAIAH 53:3 TRUE OR FALSE

"And we hid , as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him." ISAIAH 53:3 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 3.

"He was wounded for _________ transgressions, He was bruised for _________ iniquities." ISAIAH 53:5

"The chastisement for _________ peace was upon Him, and by _________ stripes we are healed" ISAIAH 53:5

"_________ we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, ____________ __________, and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us __________." ISAIAH 53:6

to his own way;

UNDERLINE THE CORRECT ANSWERS: 6.

TRUE OR FALSE: 7.

"He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of My people He was stricken." ISAIAH 53:8 TRUE OR FALSE

"They made His grave with the wicked- but with the rich at His death." ISAIAH 53:9 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 9.

"By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall ______________ many, for He shall bear their iniquities." ISAIAH 53:11

10.

"He was numbered with the transgressors, and _______ _________ _______ _______ of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." ISAIAH 53:12

3/6

Lesson 15: Class 9-11

187

145. CHRIST'S SACRIFICE IS FORETOLD (ISAIAH 53:2-12) U Q S S I L S J F M O U T H F O S P E S

O T O C F K B Y N M H D L D R E T U E W

J N N S Z D K B Z F H E N G T G R P B R

Q A I P H E Z I V V B S Q Y E L I N M V

Q V T A Q S F H P J T I B I A R C M A P

T R Y L I I O V Q Z U P A N T M K G L F

BRUISED DESPISED GRAVE HEALED JESUS

3/6

H E A W M U P E S S G S D S E P E Z R R

Q S I W Z R K K Q H J E B B S R N B K E

F J T E J B Z Z K C E D T I O U T A N R

P I Q D J Q R I L S T E F A Y Y S O F G

V H S V M A Z S H R M P P S V O J E R J

E A H E A L E D W L E Z R P J H G A J E

JUSTIFY LAMB MOUTH REJECTED SERVANT

U W D D W Y P Z W B M J W U F I V X G Y

P Y B E D R C G R G N G E Z J E P N U O

F L L M D S Z F P G K B W C P C Q M D L

S V R C M N L B W A C Y F I T S U J W J

U K O I T E U J K K P Z Y Y O E J F A H

A H Z Y N J T O P L J C V T W H D P J H

SHEEP STRICKEN STRIPES WOUNDED

Q O A W V M F S W W U D S J H Q O E W E

B K S U H P E V A R L W J U O E P T C S

Lesson 15: Class 9-11

188

145. CHRIST'S SACRIFICE IS FORETOLD (ISAIAH 53:2-12)

ACROSS "He is despised and _____ by men, a man of sorrows acquainted with grief." ISAIAH 53:3

DOWN

ACROSS "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was _____ for our iniquities." ISAIAH 53:5

"And we hid , as it were, our faces from Him; He was _____ and we did not esteem Him." ISAIAH 53:3

10 ACROSS "The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are _____." ISAIAH 53:5 8

ACROSS "All we like _____ have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." ISAIAH 53:6

DOWN

ACROSS "He was led as a _____ to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth." ISAIAH 53:7

DOWN

"He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of My people He was _____." ISAIAH 53:8

DOWN

"They made His _____ with the wicked- but with the rich at His death." ISAIAH 53:9

ACROSS "By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall _____ many, for He shall bear their iniquities." ISAIAH 53:11

"He was oppressed and He was afflicted yet He opened not His _____." ISAIAH 53:7

189

16 The Breath of God

When the children came into the bungalow the old man was still sitting in his chair, his head bowed as it had been under the palms. “He’s talking to the Alpha and Omega again,” whispered Samantha. “Don’t disturb him.” After a time he opened his eyes and saw the children before him. “Ah, you’re back!” “We hope you’re not angry with us,” said Samantha. “Not at all. Whenever you want to be alone, just say the word.” “We’d like to ask a favor of you,” said Nate. “What’s that?” asked the man. “We’d like to read your book.” The old man’s face lit up. “Please do,” he said. “If we have questions, may we ask for your help?” asked Samantha. “I am at your disposal,” answered the old man. “Perhaps I can point you in a direction that will make your job a bit easier.” The old man opened the Bible to a page simply entitled “John.” It was the same book from which the children had just read, the one that also contained the words in their float. “If you read this first, many of your questions will be answered. You’ll have to be careful though. The book is very fragile.” “We will be very careful,” promised Samantha.

190 The Breath of God “Now, with your permission, I am going to turn in.” The old man lit several candles and left for the glassworks. Since the children had arrived he had moved his hammock there, leaving the bungalow to them at night. “I’m so excited,” said Samantha. “Do you want to see how it begins?” “But the man told us to start here,” objected Nate. “Please,” begged Samantha. “Aren’t you just a little bit curious?” Without hesitating, Nate carefully turned back the pages. “Here,” he said. “It says Genesis.” “What do you suppose that means?” “I don’t know. Should we go and ask the man?” “Oh no!” said Samantha. “Not now. It’s too late. Just read the first sentence.” “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” “Wow!” said Samantha. “That’s what the man’s mother told him.” “Shall I read more?” Nate asked, immediately wanting to find out what happens next. “We’d better do as the man suggested,” said Samantha. “We can go back when we’re finished.” “How about the end?” he asked, flipping the pages forward. “Let’s take a quick look.” “No!” scolded Samantha. “That will ruin it!” Nate turned to John and read the opening: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” “They’re like the Genesis words,” observed Samantha. “They are,” agreed Nate. Samantha huddled close to Nate as he read on. The two were tremendously excited, much more than they had been that night under the dory when they’d read the words inside the ruby float. While those words had

191 The Breath of God ignited a spark of hope in them, these words, the full breath of God, were like a gale force wind, fanning their hope into a raging fire. It is difficult to describe the incredible joy that Nate and Samantha experienced on that night. Desperate and confused, they had opened their hearts to God. God had answered, not with an audible voice, but with words that only their hearts could hear. It was a loving voice, one which was saying to them in many, many different ways, "Don’t be afraid, my children. Have faith in me. I will provide for you. I will strengthen you. I will heal you.” With His loving hand God guided the children through John, helping them to understand that the words they’d found inside the ruby float meant exactly what they said: Whoever believes in Christ shall never die. And this “whoever” included not only their grandmother, but also them. This did not mean that they would never die, but that if they died, they would still live, not in this world, but in an eternal world. Christ, they learned, had also died, just as the old man had said. But He had also risen from the dead, proving to all the world that He had conquered death. This is why He calls Himself the Resurrection and the Life.

 Lesson 16: The Way, the Truth, and the Life Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. How do the children feel about reading the Bible? They are filled with the same excitement that Jeremiah had when he wrote: “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name,

Lesson 16

O LORD God of hosts (Jeremiah 15:16).” This means that when we read the Bible we give God an opportunity to speak to us personally. 2. The story refers to the words in the Bible as the breath of God. What does this mean? Through his word God is breathing a new life into the children, one that is eternal and filled with everlasting hope and joy. Job 33:4: The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV): All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 3. Can you recall the words that Nate and Sam read in the ruby float? What do they mean? I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the Resurrection and the Life. Whosoever believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

Whosoever believes in Jesus Christ will live forever 4. What does “whosoever” mean and whom do you think it refers to? If you believe in Christ, then it refers to you.

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5. Reread the last paragraph of this chapter. Do you think Nate and Samantha also understand the meaning of the words in the ruby float? 6. The old man suggested that the children start their adventure through the Bible by reading the book of John. If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t read it yourself, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t delay. To get a taste of what amazing and wonderful things it teaches about the Alpha and Omega, first take a look at the following chapters and verses: Chapter 3: verses 3, 16, 17 and 35. Chapter 4: verses 13 & 14; Chapter 6: verse 47. Chapter 10: verse 11; Chapter 14: verse 6. Chapter 18: verse 36; Chapter 19: verse 30. Chapter 20: verse 31.

193

Lesson 16

194

Bible Story 231

THE WAY, THE TRUTH, & THE LIFE JOHN 14:1-6

Lesson 16: Class 4-5

195

Lesson 16: Class 6-8

196

231. THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE (JOHN 14:1-6) MEMORY VERSE: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." JOHN 14:1 CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 1.

"Let not your (HEART, HEAD) be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." JOHN 14:1

"In My Father's house are many (MOUNTAINS, MANSIONS); if it were not so, I would have told you..." JOHN 14:2

TRUE OR FALSE: 3.

"...I go to prepare a place for you." JOHN 14:2 TRUE OR FALSE

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." JOHN 14:3 TRUE OR FALSE

And where I go you don't know, and the way you don't know. JOHN 14:4 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT ANSWER: 6.

"Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we (DO, DO NOT) know where You are going, and how can we know the way?' " JOHN 14:5

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 7.

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the ________, the __________, and the ___________. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' " JOHN 14:6

1/2

Lesson 16: Class 6-8

197

231. THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE (JOHN 14:1-6) T H R O U G H M B T Y L P I O

V Q Z U A Y A W S N M G R F H

A W B P E E S G N D H E E P Z

BELIEVE FATHER HEART HOUSE JESUS

1/2

C C Q I V W Z K O K T Q P J B

B R B B E E F J I T U E A J W

Z Z B C I T I O S E R T R A O

N R P E L I Q D N C T J E Q N

R I L S E S T T A A F A Y Y K

O F V U B B S R M L V M A Z S

KNOW LIFE MANSIONS PLACE PREPARE

H M Z O S V O J O P J E F I L

J E A H W L Z B P U J E H G E

U W D H E A R T W Y B P S Z W

B M W U F I B G Y P Y L B U D

R C R E H T A F G R G N E G S

Z J P N U O F L L M S Z F D P

THROUGH TROUBLED TRUTH WAY

Lesson 16: Class 9-11

198

231. THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE (JOHN 14:1-6) MEMORY VERSE: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." JOHN 14:1 FILL IN THE BLANKS: 1.

"Let not your __________ be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." JOHN 14:1

"In My Father's house are many _______________; if it were not so, I would have told you..." JOHN 14:2

TRUE OR FALSE: 3.

"...I go to prepare a place for you." JOHN 14:2 TRUE OR FALSE

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." JOHN 14:3 TRUE OR FALSE

And where I go you don't know, and the way you don't know. JOHN 14:4 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 6.

"____________ said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?' " JOHN 14:5

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the ________, the __________, and the ___________. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' " JOHN 14:6

3/6

Lesson 16: Class 9-11

199

231. THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE (JOHN 14:1-6) V B M C B H P D E B C P O G U P M N R B P D C U G

D T A S T O K T W F A M F H K N C U Q D R C N W T

I W P P W Q T N A B U H E R D J S T A Z E S D J Q

I B T D Y H U H O Q S S I L E S J F F O P P E O O

C F B B Y N M G H W L D R E L U W J N S A Z K B Z

F H N G B G R U Q I P H Z I B V V B Q Y R E L N V

Q T R A E H T O A Q F H P J U T B I A M E B T Y L

I O V Q Z U A R N M G F H A O W B P E S G D E P Z

C C Q I W Z K H K Q J B B R R B K E F J T E J Z Z

BELIEVE FATHER HEART HOUSE JESUS

3/6

B C T I O T A T N R P I Q D T J Q R I L S T F A Y

Y O F V B S V M A Z S H M B S V O J J E A W L Z B

P J H G E U W D W Y P Z W B M W U F I B P L A C E

G Y P Y B D R C G R G M N G Z J P N U O F L L M S

Z F P G B B U B C U M D A L S V R B M L B B A C W

J U B O I T E J B B P Z Y N Y O J F A H A H Z Y N

J T F E P L J C V T W H P J S H Q O A E W V M F S

KNOW LIFE MANSIONS PLACE PREPARE

W U D A V S J H Q O E E W E B I B S U S H P E V A

R L W J T E U O E P F T C S C H O U E U C N Q L K

D D O K Q H I B L W I B I J S U E N A O V D Q E N

R Y Y D J J E L Y I L P T V R F E J S H O U G F B

D T B B B E A R E A T W L A P P A B V Q D V S M C

Z R L U T S M O E B W M B N O B B L P M C C V Z B

THROUGH TROUBLED TRUTH WAY

F U B S M U O A T M Z J S M B P C D T B B G E I B

B T P P U S Z V F R B B Y R G I B U A V B O U V Z

A H U E F P T O N I J J Y T H G F Y Q D C M P O E

Lesson 16: Class 9-11

200

231. THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE (JOHN 14:1-6)

DOWN

"Let not your _____ be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." JOHN 14:1

ACROSS "In My Father's house are many _____; if it were not so, I would have told you..." JOHN 14:2

DOWN

ACROSS "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and _____ you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." JOHN 14:3

DOWN

ACROSS "Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know _____ _____?' " JOHN 14:5

DOWN

"...I go to _____ a place for you." JOHN 14:2

"And where I go you _____, and the way you know." JOHN 14:4

"_____ said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' " JOHN 14:6

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17 The New Journey Begins

For sixty days and nights Samantha and Nate studied the Bible with the old man, asking him to explain all of the things they did not understand. They learned of the creation of the world and of the fall of man. They learned of the great flood and the meaning of the rainbow. They marveled at the wonderful story of the birth of Christ and the incredible miracles he performed while he was on the earth. They mourned his death on the cross and rejoiced in his resurrection from the dead. They learned the true meaning of salvation, not by works, but by the grace of God. They understood that as followers of Christ they would have many trials and tribulations in the world, but not to despair, for Christ has overcome the world. They were frightened by the accounts of hell and of the fiery destruction of the earth, then thrilled by the unparalleled beauty of the new heaven and earth that would follow. So was the faith of Nate and Samantha nurtured, growing stronger and stronger as they studied the miraculous word of God. The old man was always there, answering their every question, showing them how Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book is able to interpret itself for those who have a passion to know the truth. When the children learned of the baptism of Christ and his disciples, they asked the old man to baptize them. This was to symbolize their death to this world and their rebirth to the eternal world of Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, who had guided them to this distant isle. Supreme happiness dwelled in the heart of the old man. Over the years

202 The New Journey Begins he had sent out thousands of ruby floats from this forgotten island, never knowing whether any of them had reached the hands of a single human being. At times he’d thought that God had set his face against him and that his life had become meaningless. But now he understood everything, even the reason for his isolation, a story he had yet to tell the children. On the ninety-first day after their unanticipated departure from home Nate and Samantha ventured with the old man back to the place on the beach where they had first dragged themselves ashore. The day was gorgeous, the air so clear that the horizon appeared to be only inches away. A bright, golden sun shined down on the beautiful turquoise blue waters of the lagoon. The three of them marveled in the beauty of the island and thanked God for having brought them here. The old man led Samantha and Nate into the warm, fragrant waters. He baptized Samantha first. “Lord Jesus,” she said before going under the crystal clear waters, “I do so much love you in so many ways. I will thank you always for everything you have done and will love you and serve you with all my heart and soul.” Samantha reemerged from the water radiant and beaming, a sight which filled her brother’s heart with overwhelming joy. “Jesus,” he said, as the old man prepared to baptize him, “everywhere I look I see your wonderful ways, ways far too wonderful for my simple mind to understand. I repent of all my sins and proclaim to you that I will now and forever remain your most humble servant.” With this the old man baptized Nate, praising God for his goodness and mercy in saving these two precious children.

203 The New Journey Begins That night was glorious, a beautiful summer evening on which the stars and the moon shone down brightly upon the island. With Nate and Samantha’s help, the old man prepared a meal of baked fish, fresh bread, garden herbs and many kinds of delicious fruits, berries, jellies and jams. He also brought from the cellar a bottle made of the same ruby red glass as his floats. Uncorking it, he poured a fragrant, deep red wine into each of their glasses. He then broke pieces from a loaf of bread and handed them to the children, explaining that this was a special occasion, one on which they would celebrate their first communion with the Lord. “Take, eat,” he said. “This is the body of our Lord, which was given for you. This do in remembrance of Him.” When they had eaten the bread, he raised his glass, asking the children to do likewise, saying, “Drink of it; this cup is the new testament in our Savior’s blood, which was shed for you for the remission of sins.” Once the children had taken communion, the old man blessed them. Then they partook of the most delicious meal they could ever remember. When they were finished they prayed together and sang songs together and danced about the house and the garden, their hearts overflowing with joy on this most beautiful of all the island nights.

 Lesson 17: The Last Supper Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. In what way are Nate and Samantha on a new journey? They are on a never-ending journey through the kingdom of God, a walk of faith that cannot be made except by those who have been newly created.

Lesson 17

John 3:3-5: Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 1 Peter 1:23: ...having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 2. Why do Nate and Samantha want to be baptized? When the children learn of the baptism of Christ and His disciples, they also want to be baptized. This is to symbolize their death to this world and their rebirth to the eternal world of Jesus Christ. Romans 6:4: Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

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Lesson 17

3. What is significant about their meal with the old man? It is the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first celebration of the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Supper. A reading of Luke 22:14-23 will provide a deeper insight into the meaning of this monumental event.

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206

Bible Story 229

THE LAST SUPPER LUKE 22:7-20

Lesson 17: Class 4-5

207

Lesson 17: Class 6-8

208

229. THE LAST SUPPER (LUKE 22:7-20) MEMORY VERSE: "Then He said to them, 'With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.' " LUKE 22:15-16 CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 1.

"And He sent Peter and John saying, 'Go and prepare the (BREAKFAST, PASSOVER) for us, that we may eat.' " LUKE 22:8

"And He said to them, 'Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a (PITCHER, GLASS) of water; follow him into the house which he enters." LUKE 22:10

TRUE OR FALSE: 3.

"Then you shall say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' " LUKE 22:11 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 4.

"Then he will show you a large, furnished upper (ROOM, ROOF); there make ready." LUKE 22:12

"And when the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve (SCRIBES, APOSTLES) with Him." LUKE 22:14

TRUE OR FALSE: 6.

"He took the cup and gave thanks, and said, 'Take this and divide it among yourselves.' " LUKE 22:17 TRUE OR FALSE

"And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' " LUKE 22:19 TRUE OR FALSE

"Likewise He took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.' " LUKE 22:20 TRUE OR FALSE

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229. THE LAST SUPPER (LUKE 22:7-20)

E H E I S J F P K A R W K H I

T J H B C G H G Q P C P E Q B

V L I S J D E H S B J H L N Q

H Y I O F I G Q B F B J K V O

B Y D G T N C B E B Y B H Z U

F J U S B N K B D R C Z C R D

Y Q Q I M Y A H F O O I I H H

Q U S H B B M N N V S F H L B

M I O T B K E Y E T E Z W Q V

L S R S B B Y Z F V W B Y L N

D C V O S K O L D B O B A B R

B E W G F Z U A N L S C H U S

Y J P T H E N D Y O I B L O U

B U W C P R F M E O T L M E Z

C I I D Z P Z V U D D W E E B

FIND THE WORDS OF THIS SCRIPTURE IN THE PUZZLE ABOVE

"This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." LUKE 22:20

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Lesson 17: Class 9-11

210

"And He sent Peter and John saying, 'Go and prepare the _______________ for us, that we may eat.' " LUKE 22:8

"And He said to them, 'Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a ____________ of water; follow him into the house which he enters." LUKE 22:10

TRUE OR FALSE: 3.

"Then you shall say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' " LUKE 22:11 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 4.

"Then he will show you a large, furnished ___________ _________; there make ready." LUKE 22:12

"And when the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve _____________ with Him." LUKE 22:14

TRUE OR FALSE: 6.

"He took the cup and gave thanks, and said, 'Take this and divide it among yourselves.' " LUKE 22:17 TRUE OR FALSE

"And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' " LUKE 22:19 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 8.

"Likewise He took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the ________ ________________ in My blood, which is shed for you.' " LUKE 22:20

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229. THE LAST SUPPER (LUKE 22:7-20) S Q A N W V V W K U O B O Q J V O I Z E B S W Q O R G C I G

U K N R F J L F Z V O B C D Q L O J W Z N Z C U Z H Z M U D

D V V L C L V N M D J C M Y S O J I M O Y D V U B S S O V Z

D C B O P O R J Y Y M G B U O V V R F W P W V G J T F G J W

J H G B A B H P T Q B O N B B B I F A W B B Y H C I H W K Y

T P S J V D T T Q F N F T H D T N Y B P B U M L N Z H R A A

J Y G H S E Q M B B C B B Y U W D O K J Q B Z E P Q L A L L

M S O A L K N M G G T E L S V P Z S M B A B I Y T F Z B C S

L S N P M N S I H T Q Q H V Z U D F H G U Q J V Q D D D V V

D K B S H P P R B N G B L G L N B Z S V M O N G I C N E B P

U B R J Z F J F E O R I I Y S Y D Y B O J C V G W H H B B B

U L Y L H B K E K B D V O F B I Q R K D F H L D I P M W L G

S Z R O J L L A C G E H G N N W B W B V B H C R O F O Y K E

O J S Z N W I O V N M G D O T C B V N V M U O B M G Q O T H

K W W B L R Q B R H A N N V G R B Z L B I V V T L C M G K M

P E I P L E P B S N U R W S C T P M S D Q H E N P T L Z T T

B S M H V Y B L M E J L B D Z P D E B L I A I R O N T V B K

C E B Z B E Q A L B F H V M E L C O J I T B I U K B T B F A

Y B C M B A K I L O Z I J Z E T T I J I J B B R B Q B H L E

S Z R L B C R S K G W T D C V M S B B Y U F D Q N N F Y I V

Y B F P N I D I L G R A F W V B E Q J B O A S B W D I A J S

T L N J O I M B Z D C A B F L I H R V M Y E Y Y S Q B Y J P

A V T P G F K K O C T N B B Q D Y C Z Y S V B T G H Q Z T W

V B W M V Z Q B U W D Y N B P H Q O Z F L Q P S B U D Z O B

U O B T L R F F Z R F M C R I P Z V Q Q U S D E B B U Q J A

D I O B E O N R L B I D V Z R K E G I V M V O V O F B J Y T

B H Q A E D B I Y Z S F A K Q S W Y U F I E O Z E R I Y M S

I L N D G W Z M F A K Z E A H V L V R E R T Q S W S J R Q U

S O K S J F R C O R L S P E F Z L V O L Z J P E N R B I R B

V S D R F N V V B W J B E D C V H H A H B E U D J T Q B U V

FIND THE WORDS FROM THE SCRIPTURE BELOW IN THE PUZZLE ABOVE

"This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." LUKE 22:19

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229. THE LAST SUPPER (LUKE 22:7-20)

DOWN

"And He sent Peter and John saying, 'Go and prepare the _____ for us, that we may eat.' " LUKE 22:8

ACROSS "And He said to them, 'Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the _____ which he enters." LUKE 22:10

ACROSS "Then you shall say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My _____?" ' " LUKE 22:11

DOWN

ACROSS "And when the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve _____ with Him." LUKE 22:14

DOWN

"Then He said to them, 'With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is _____ in the kingdom of God.' " LUKE 22:15-16

DOWN

"He took the _____ and gave thanks, and said, 'Take this and divide it among yourselves.' " LUKE 22:17

ACROSS "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body which is given for you; do this in _____ of Me.' " LUKE 22:19

DOWN

"Then he will show you a large, furnished upper _____; there make ready." LUKE 22:12

"Likewise He took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new _____ in My blood, which is shed for you.' " LUKE 22:20

213

18 The Tragic Farewell

Early the next morning, just after sunrise, a sound like thunder rattled the windows of the bungalow. Nate looked outside, expecting to see storm clouds. But the sky was clear and glorious and pink. Curious, he walked through the garden to the cliff ’s edge. But the sky was empty. As far as the horizon, there was not a single cloud. Perhaps a storm was approaching from the other side of the island, he reasoned. When he returned to the bungalow Samantha was just emerging through the door. “Storm’s a-comin’ from the west,” Nate reported smartly. “Can’t see it from here.” “That doesn’t sound like thunder,” she said. Nate and Samantha searched the grounds for the old man, but could find no sign of him, not even in the glassworks. “Maybe he’s gone up the mountain to see what’s making that sound,” said Nate. Without saying another word they hurried up the steep path that led to the peak overlooking the island. When they reached the summit they found the old man crouching behind a large, coral rock. Strangely, his bright red feather pen and inkwell were resting atop a neatly folded sheet of paper on the ground beside him. The booming, which had grown louder as they climbed, was now deafening. “Keep down,” said the old man. Using his spyglass he peered toward the

214 The Tragic Farewell lagoon through one of the many holes in the coral. Nate and Samantha followed suit. To their astonishment they observed a tall sailing ship anchored just off the reef. Billowing clouds of smoke rose from its decks. At the exact point where the raft had run aground on the reef huge plumes of water were shooting high into the air. “What are they doing?” asked Nate. The old man intently studied the ship through the spyglass. “It’s a warship,” he said. “She’s using her cannons to blast an opening in the reef. When they’re through, they’ll send a landing party ashore.” Samantha jumped for joy, yelling and screaming and signaling to the ship below. Only with great effort could the old man restrain her. “Listen carefully, my children,” he said. “These men have not come to take you home.” “Are they pirates?” asked Nate. “Worse,” said the old man. “This warship is from the land I last departed.” “Why should that be bad?” asked Samantha. “We’ve no time to talk about that now,” said the old man. He withdrew the folded sheet of paper from beneath the inkwell and handed it to the children. “I have written this for you. It explains everything. When you’re safe, you can read it. Come. We must hurry.” On their way down the mountain the old man spoke rapidly. “Listen carefully. I am going to hide you in a place these men cannot find. Then I will go alone to meet them.” “But what will happen to you?” asked Samantha. “Don’t worry about that, my little ones,” said the old man. “We are in God’s hands and God will do what is right.” “But you can hide also,” said Nate. “If they won’t find us, they won’t find you either.” “They will not leave until they find me,” said the old man. “If they must search for me, you will be in even greater danger.” By the time they reached the bungalow the booming had stopped.

215 The Tragic Farewell

“Don’t worry about that, my little ones,” said the old man. “We are in God’s hands and God will do what is right.”

216 The Tragic Farewell “Hurry” he said. “Soon they will be here.” The old man helped our adventurers swiftly fill their knapsacks with bread, fruit, preserves, kindling wood, warm clothes and the many other provisions which they would need to survive. He also took with him the Bible which was upon his desk. Quickly he led the children deep into the jungle by a way they did not know. It was very dark and there was no sign of a trail. Had the man not been holding their hands, they would soon have been separated and lost. After a time they stopped before a huge coral rock. The old man leaned against it and edged it sideways, uncovering a small opening in the ground. “My hurricane shelter,” he said. He took the knapsacks and lowered them, one by one, into the opening. Then he descended into it himself and popped his head back up a moment later. “Everything’s in fine shape,” he said. “Come on in.” Samantha and Nate lowered themselves through the hole and found themselves inside of an immense, coral chamber. Several large cavities in the west wall of the chamber faced seaward, letting in beautiful shafts of sunlight like the filigreed windows of an ancient cathedral. Near the south end of this wall was a rippling pool of water. Waters from an underground spring poured into it, making a cheerful sound, while the overflow vanished into the myriad openings in the pockmarked coral. Nate poked his head through one of the holes in the west wall. His gaze fell upon the sheer vertical face of the cliff that formed the outer wall of the chamber. A few feet away the waters from the underground stream gushed forth into a magnificent waterfall that plunged a thousand feet into the ocean below “Everything you’ll need is right here,” said the old man. He then proceeded to show the children the countless jars of fruit, vegetables, juices, smoked fish and other emergency victuals that were stored in the thousands of crevasses formed by the ancient coral. There were candles for night and stacks of warm blankets and piles of firewood and other essential items too

217 The Tragic Farewell numerous to mention. The old man took the children to one of the openings that faced the ocean. “You must watch from here,” he said, handing them his spyglass. “Spell one another, if necessary. Eventually the tall warship will appear. It will be sailing toward the northwest horizon. Once it has disappeared, wait one full day. Then and only then may you leave the shelter. Go immediately to the mountaintop and wait for your rescuers, praying ceaselessly that God will safely guide them here. I will pray also, for I am certain that if we pray such a prayer, God will answer it.” Nate and Samantha hugged the old man and cried. “Do not weep, my children,” he said, “for in your coming a most wonderful thing has happened. God willing, you will bring the hope of Christ to your land. “You must keep this for me,” he added, handing them his Bible. “If you become discouraged or afraid, read from it. I must go now.” With this the old man climbed up through the entrance to the shelter, sealed it and disappeared. Stunned and bewildered, our two adventurers moved into one of the shafts of light that poured into the shelter, unfolded the old man’s letter, and read these words: Dearest Samantha and Nate, Not long after you arrived I began sending out hundreds of floats containing messages telling of your shipwreck on the island. I addressed them specifically to your parents, explaining that you are both well and in need of being rescued. Unfortunately, I could only provide them with an approximate location for the island, one based on my own experience in coming here. I am sure that the Alpha and Omega will safely lead them here, just as He did you, and that you will soon be back home.

218 The Tragic Farewell I have noticed that out of politeness you have refrained from asking me how I came to be marooned on this island. I should have volunteered this information to you sooner and apologize for not having done so. You may recall my telling you that when I first learned of God from my mother, I did not love Him. My heart was far away from His. I had my own vain excuses for this, but as you know, there is no excuse for refusing the love of God. When I was old enough to leave home I took everything I had and moved to a land that rejected Him. I became very rich, but at a dear cost to every soul I trampled on. Little did I know that my dear mother was praying for my salvation, for I had cut off all contact with her. Only after receiving word of her death did my heart change. In her I saw the love of God manifested, a love I had rejected for so long because of own arrogance and pride. Some

months

after

God's

grace

miraculously

trans-

formed my heart I returned everything to the people I had plundered and went out onto the streets to proclaim the same message which you have heard yourselves and gladly accept to be true. Immediately I was arrested, ordered to stop under penalty of death, beaten and released. Though I feared for

life,

I continued to

preach, albeit secretly. It was not long, however, until I was betrayed and arrested again. As warned, I was tried before a council and sentenced to die. I was awaiting my execution when certain benefactors

219 The Tragic Farewell met secretly with the members of the council and offered them a very large sum of money in return for my life. The members accepted the money, promising that they would return me to my homeland while issuing a report that I had escaped. Instead,

unknown

benefactors,

they

had

taken to this uninhabited, unnamed island, inaccessible to any ship due to its impenetrable reef and towering cliffs. After removing my chains they cast me overboard and sailed away, leaving me to swim across the terrible reef that you know so well. Fortunately, my years of boyhood play in the canals of my homeland had turned me into a good swimmer. Like you, I made it to these strange, pink shores with only the clothes on my back. Though I was in the middle of nowhere, I thanked God for delivering me from death. Two days later received a second great blessing. While I was searching the lagoon for something to eat, I discovered a metal box floating on the water like a child's boat. Strangely, it was completely sealed in wax, which made it watertight. I immediately scraped off the wax and opened the box, thinking that it might contain a morsel of bread. But something more wonderful was inside. It was a Bible, the same one I have given you. An anonymous note was also enclosed. Its author, one of the crew of the ship that had left me here, thanked me for bringing the word of God to him and his family. He also begged me to forgive him for not coming to my aid. Can you believe it!

220 The Tragic Farewell Forgive him! I could have hugged him. He had not only bolstered my faith in God, he had provided me with the voice of the only companion I would have on this lonely island until your arrival here over thirty years later.

The children hesitated a moment, scarcely able to comprehend everything they were reading. Though the old manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words were deeply troubling, his handwriting was steady and clear, conveying a strong sense of confidence. As you have witnessed from all you have seen on the island, God has provided for my every need. I have iron for my pots, clay for my dishes, wood and stone for my dwellings, fruit, vegetables and fish for my table, and paper and ink for this letter. He has even given me the means to continue spreading His glorious message, the pink sand which I use to make the tiny, ruby-red fishermen's floats. It was one of these that arrived on the shore of your land, giving you the hope which brought you here. Other floats must have been carried to other shores, even to those of my enemies. They could not have suspected, however, that it was I who was sending them, the one whom they had marooned on an island in the middle of nowhere. When I launched the messages calling for your rescue, I hoped and prayed that none would be carried to those hostile shores. Even so, I took measures to insure that you would not be in danger should such a misfortune occur. Unknown to you, I kept a constant vigil from this

221 The Tragic Farewell mountaintop during the night and early morning hours. During the day, I made frequent trips to it, wanting to be absolutely certain that we could not be taken by surprise. I also prepared the safe haven in which you now find yourselves. I beg you not to deviate in the slightest from any of the instructions I have given you. The men who will soon be here are cold and ruthless, just as I was until, by the grace of God, my heart was transformed. They will show mercy toward no one, not even children, whom they regard with contempt. Should they capture you, they will put you to death or sell you as slaves. I hear your footsteps now as you are running up the mountain. I shall soon miss the sound of them. Once again, do all that I have told you and you will be safe. God be with you.

The letter ended with such finality that a terrible sense of dread came upon the children. Falling to their knees, they began to pray fervently, begging God to save the old man from his enemies.



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Lesson 18: Paul and Silas are Imprisoned Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. Why was the old man exiled to the island? His enemies imprisoned him on the island in an attempt to silence the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. One of the twelve apostles was exiled to an island. Do you know who and why? Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a clue: Jesus named this disciple and his brother Sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17). The Roman Emperor Domitian imprisoned John on the island of Patmos in the year A.D. 95. Patmos is a tiny island in the Aegean Sea near present day Turkey. Though John was an old man of about ninety with only a cave for a home, Christ chose to reveal to him the dramatic details of His second coming. John recorded this prophesy in the Book of Revelations. John also wrote the Gospel of John, First John, Second John and Third John. Revelation 1:9: I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3. Is it unusual for a person to be persecuted because of his faith? Has this ever happened to you? What does the Bible say about this?

Lesson 18

2 Timothy 3:12: Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Matthew 5:10-12: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 4. Despite persecution, what did John call himself? On numerous occasions he refers to himself as the one whom Jesus loved (John 13:23, John 20:2, John 21:7, John 21:20).

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Lesson 18

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Bible Story 262

PAUL & SILAS ARE IMPRISONED Acts 16:16-40

Lesson 18: Class 4-5

262. PAUL AND SILAS ARE IMPRISONED (ACTS 16:16-40)

“And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:” ACTS 16:23

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Lesson 18: Class 6-8

226

262. PAUL AND SILAS ARE IMPRISONED (ACTS 16:16-40)

MEMORY VERSE: "So they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household.' " ACTS 16:31 CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 1.

"This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, 'These men are the (ENEMIES, SERVANTS) of the the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.' " ACTS 16:17

"When her masters saw that their hope for profit was gone, they (SEIZED, THANKED) Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities." ACTS 16:19

TRUE OR FALSE: 3.

Then the multitude rose up together for them; and the magistrates put on their best clothes and commanded them to be fed a feast. ACTS 16:22 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: 4.

"Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were (LOOSED, TIGHTENED)." ACTS 16:26

TRUE OR FALSE: 5.

"And he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' " ACTS 16:30 TRUE OR FALSE

"So they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.' " ACTS 16:31 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: 7.

"So the keeper of the prison reported the words to Paul, saying, 'The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore (STAY, DEPART), and go in peace.' " ACTS 16:36

TRUE OR FALSE: 8.

"So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed." ACTS 16:40 TRUE OR FALSE

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262. PAUL AND SILAS ARE IMPRISONED (ACTS 16:16-40) C G J O B F O B V E H C K Z M

J A P N C H A I N S E P B U U

N H B J D E Y O N N A A L C Q

O Y V F D Q D P R A Y E R I D

I B G V W Z M F O J L N A Y O

ANNOYED BEATEN CHAINS EARTHQUAKE GOD HYMNS

1/2

T P O B P A E A Q T S C T B H

A G D A S E A R T H Q U A K E

V A U T K J A I L O R E N C B

L L E C C T B W R S P B Q P U

JAILOR MASTERS PAUL PRAYER PRISON PROFIT

A R R G N I G N I S R E G R E

S L Y F B O W B C W I A A O V

V W B P F A B E G G S T H F A

B Y D E V A S B A P O E E I L

ROMANS SALVATION SAVED SILAS SINGING SLAVE

U R B M K S I L A S N N N T S

X H A R O M A N S S N M Y H G

Lesson 18: Class 9-11

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262. PAUL AND SILAS ARE IMPRISONED (ACTS 16:16-40)

MEMORY VERSE: "So they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household.' " ACTS 16:31 FILL IN THE BLANKS: 1.

"This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, 'These men are the _______________ High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.' " ACTS 16:17

of the the Most

"When her masters saw that their hope for profit was gone, they ________________ Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities." ACTS 16:19

TRUE OR FALSE: 3.

Then the multitude rose up together for them; and the magistrates put on their best clothes and commanded them to be fed a feast. ACTS 16:22 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANK: 4.

"Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were _________________." ACTS 16:26

TRUE OR FALSE: 5.

"And he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' " ACTS 16:30 TRUE OR FALSE

"So they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.' " ACTS 16:31 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANK: 7.

"So the keeper of the prison reported the words to Paul, saying, 'The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore _________________, and go in peace.' " ACTS 16:36

TRUE OR FALSE: 8.

"So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed." ACTS 16:40 TRUE OR FALSE

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262. PAUL AND SILAS ARE IMPRISONED (ACTS 16:16-40) E U T F J W Q T F T O W S P C W L N T E K F T V J B C D G N

F E I V D D A L L S K F U D G F A R H E C S T P L W R P O S

L N E T A E B L K Y Z J O B T D Y R P W V F V J C M I B S I

B P Q P D C B L G F D B Z H I F I A B P U A W G K B D Q F I

G M K A B Y O O K O C S Y H F C U Q D B B K L V H E V Q L Z

I M W Z J A Q R G B V A J K O L G G J J D G I S Y U C N Y H

C A K M K D R L C W B I B F R B H F B A P C H A I N S G M U

E I L Q V Y O F Y U F E F F P U Q J Y O C C Z C U Q C R I F

J N B T S W U J N D T N O S I R P G B B V V A B M I S M H H

V A M O B L V O C E L W U Q S P S O B J B U I K J N K Q K P

Q U V R I Y A Q U S L Q E M B H A S I P C M Z E M L I I A K

L Q F S C I C G C K V D S P K T L E O Y N T H Y D N D E G H

ANNOYED BEATEN CHAINS EARTHQUAKE GOD HYMNS

3/6

Q F V B W V G T T S F E I I H Q I Y W W L K H H R E J I Z Y

D A O U G T P Z K N R I N N G U S B R W H P K T Y B V T N C

I T B J C F F S Y D B B G H Y U B L H U D C D O I O W A D Q

B H O T P Q I S G L I F I M B T B J N A N O N Z D U W G S B

P D T U N B T Y Y Q Y R N L T T J V N N B N G C N V J J Y S

A P Y D G F Y Q N Q V L G M O N W D E N A N M L R C Z Q A K

I H B M A I V D Z P P M S B F D U Y K V K O S V B G G I O G

P R I D U M U J Q Z A I A R G B Y O A W A B C I V N B O C I

G S M D N H U M F V Z C R S I M L U U T H P K B A J P N C Z

JAILOR MASTERS PAUL PRAYER PRISON PROFIT

F W N B K H B B D W W U B V T A E K Q V M P B G Q W J L B N

B S G A J S H G L A C E S U O E F P H B L P B D N H I B C B

Q E F L M D R F V Q D J Z H I O R A T S T R D Z M D O U Y B

U B U G B O C U B L Z U N V B H E S R U Z A R Q R E T O Z K

T P N T S G R W T V H J M K W R K A A Z S Y V C M O O S Z K

Y Y R P E R M G V N O I T A V L A S E N T E Z M P G L B N I

U E K I M Y Q M S A K G I T Z T A D Z Y S R B L A B V I Y D

Q B L R A D Z I B B H I M I U E I M O D T F Z R M Z C U A C

U A R F F U B H L Q G V W G L K B O B G F U O W A Q F G E J

ROMANS SALVATION SAVED SILAS SINGING SLAVE

Lesson 18: Class 9-11

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262. PAUL AND SILAS ARE IMPRISONED (ACTS 16:16-40)

ACROSS "This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, 'These men are the _____ of the the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.' " ACTS 16:17

ACROSS "When her masters saw that their hope for profit was gone, they _____ Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities." ACTS 16:19

DOWN

ACROSS "Suddenly there was a great _____, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed." ACTS 16:26

DOWN

ACROSS "So they said, '_____ on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.' " ACTS 16:31

DOWN

"So the keeper of the prison reported the words to Paul, saying, 'The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in _____.' " ACTS 16:36

DOWN

"So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they _____ them and departed." ACTS 16:40

"Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be _____ with rods." ACTS 16:22

"And he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be _____?' " ACTS 16:30

231

19 Devastation

Six days and nights came and went with Nate and Samantha doing exactly as the old man had told them. One of them always kept an eye trained on the sea, waiting for the tall warship to appear and then disappear over the horizon. Though the skies remained empty of clouds, an odd, grey haze filled the air, blotting out the sun and giving the days an overwhelming feeling of gloominess. As they kept watch they sometimes read aloud from the Bible which the old man had given them. They were comforted by the story of the shepherd boy whom God had protected from a powerful king. They found hope in the adventures of Paul, whom God had delivered through a raging storm at sea, even casting him onto an island, just as they had been. They marveled at a God who could make the sun stand still and bring the dead back to life, a God who loves children and who promises to stand beside those who place their trust in him. On the seventh day, at precisely eleven oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning, the tall ship came into view. Nate immediately alerted Samantha. They each peered through the old manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spyglass, trying to see whether the old man might be on the shipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deck. It was a mighty ship with many guns and a large crew, but among all its men they could not find the old man. The warship turned slowly toward the northwest, making a course for the distant horizon. Our adventurers prayed for the old man, wondering what had become of him. They watched as the ship grew smaller and smaller. Be-

232 Devastation fore the day was over it was gone. When night fell, a full moon illuminated the sea in a beautiful white light. Nate and Samantha maintained their constant vigil, never taking their eyes off the distant horizon. Sunrise came and the ship had not reappeared. Samantha and Nate were tempted to leave their hiding place to look for the old man. Since the day they were separated they had smelled smoke, giving them the hope that he was safe and sound, hard at work making his ruby floats and cooking his mouth-watering meals. Nevertheless, they stayed put, just as he had instructed them. But the ship did not return. Exactly twenty-four hours later they clambered up the entrance shaft to where the rock sealed the opening to the chamber. Using a long pole which the old man had given him, Nate easily pushed the rock aside. To his amazement the jungle canopy was gone, allowing brilliant sunlight to pour into the shaft. Nate poked his head through the opening. A thunderbolt of fear shot through him. Everywhere he turned he witnessed devastation. Where luxurious trees had flourished thin columns of smoke rose into the air from thousands of smoldering stumps. The jungle floor, once a dark mass of decaying leaves, was a mat of white ash. As far as the eye could see everything had been completely consumed by fire every tree, every bush, every vine, every blade of grass, every living thing that had ever existed upon the island. “What is it?” asked Samantha, still in the shaft beneath Nate. “Let me out. I want to see.” Nate climbed out of the shaft and stood upon the hot, smoldering ground. Samantha followed. What she felt upon seeing the devastation she could not express in words. In shock, the children wandered about the charred remains of the island, searching for the old man. His bungalow was gone, leveled to the ground and burned away. Not a trace of it remained. The glorious palms, the mango trees, the garden, his chair and desk, all were gone. The glassworks was de-

233 Devastation stroyed, every one of its coral building blocks knocked down and hurled over the cliff into the sea. Not even the tiniest red fragment of a float could be found. Only the stream remained, flowing black with soot through the unrecognizable grounds of what had once been the old man’s home. Nate and Samantha ascended the mountain. It, too, smoked like an active volcano. Standing on its flat, coral peak, they saw nothing but white, smoldering ash beneath them. Nowhere could they find even a single speck of green or brown or any other color that might indicate life. Incredibly, the entire island had been burned to the ground. They crossed to the other side of the island over four miles of hot, smoking embers. From here they descended the cliff and walked down the beach across pink sands made filthy with black soot. Everything upon the shore was burned away the trees, the bushes, even the long vines which had clung to the face of the cliff. They arrived at the place where they had first come ashore after their shipwreck. Not a single fragment of the raft’s broken logs remained, not even a splintered piece of the cabin. They looked toward the lagoon to the spot where the old man had baptized them. The waters, once so fragrant and clear and turquoise blue, were black and murky and stank of decay. Farther out, at the place where the colossal wave had hurled them over the reef, they saw a narrow breach. Here the ship’s mighty guns had blasted a passage through the coral. Toward sundown a cooling rain fell upon the island, causing Nate and Samantha to seek refuge in the confines of the old man’s shelter. It was their first night without having to keep watch for the warship and they were very tired, for they had slept little in the past seven days. They lit candles and ate from the preserves which the old man had made for them. Before the rain had stopped, they were both fast asleep.

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Lesson 19: The Fiery Furnace Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. As a young man David often had to hide from his enemies. He knew that the Lord was his only hiding place and trusted in Him for protection. In two psalms which he wrote, Psalm 32 and Psalm 56, he refers to this. Take a moment to read Psalm 32:7 and Psalm 56:3 and reflect upon these two verses. Do they remind you of a song? “You Are My Hiding Place,” by Michael Ledner. The song begins: You are my hiding place, You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. Also read Psalm 91:1: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2. In this chapter Samantha and Nate are kept safe from a blazing inferno. Can you think of a much more miraculous Bible story where someone was saved from fire? If your memory is hazy, take a look at Daniel 3. This is the famous story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. Here’s an excerpt (Daniel 3:24-25): Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Lesson 19

3. When Jesus taught us how to pray did He say we should ask to be delivered from evil? Yes. See the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prayer: Matthew 6:13 and Luke 11:4. 4. Read Psalm 34? Does it assure us that God will answer this prayer? This Psalm and others provide great comfort to those in distress. Psalm 34:4: I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:7: The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.

235

Lesson 19

236

Bible Story 157

THE FIERY FURNACE DANIEL 3:1-30

Lesson 19: Class 4-5

237

157. THE FIERY FURNACE (DANIEL 3:1-30)

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire,and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.â&#x20AC;? DANIEL 3:24-25

Lesson 19: Class 6-8

238

157. THE FIERY FURNACE (DANIEL 3:1-30) MEMORY VERSE: "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him." DANIEL 3:28 TRUE OR FALSE: 1.

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of stone. DANIEL 3:1 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 2.

"To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp lyre and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and (POLISH, WORSHIP) the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up." DANIEL 3:4-5

"Whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery (VOLCANO, FURNACE)." DANIEL 3:6 FILL IN THE BLANKS: Nebuchadnezzar "gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king." 4. "Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, 'Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not _________ my gods or __________ the gold image which I have set up?' " DANIEL 3:13-14 TRUE OR FALSE: 5.

Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "If you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?" DANIEL 3:15 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORDS: 6.

They answered him, "If that is the case, our (SELVES, GOD) whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and (HE, WE) will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not let it it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up. DANIEL 3:17-18

"And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to (BIND, FREE) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace." DANIEL 3:20

"Therefore, because the king's command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire (TICKLED, KILLED) those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego." DANIEL 3:22

TRUE OR FALSE: 9.

"And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace." DANIEL 3:23 TRUE OR FALSE

10.

Nebuchadnezzar looked into the burning fiery furnace and said, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." DANIEL 3:25 TRUE OR FALSE

11.

The king said, "Leave them all in there until they and the burning fiery furnace are consumed!" DANIEL 3:26 TRUE OR FALSE

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157. THE FIERY FURNACE (DANIEL 3:1-30) S H A D R A C H I N G Y S P Y

B D R C G R G N R G Z J O P N

U O F L O F L M A S E Z N F P

ABED-NEGO BIND DELIVER FIRE

1/2

G K B D G U I K Z C C U O M D

L S N V E R C R Z M A L F B H

B I A C N W J U E P N B G O C

FURNACE GOD GOLD HOT

B I T R D E J K N I R B O P A

Z Y Y E E O J E D H U F D A H

H A H V B Z Y G A S F N J T S

P L J I A G C A H R V T W H E

P J H L G O Q M C O O A W V M

M F S E O L W I U W U D S J H

Q O E D D D W E B B K S H O T

U H P E V A R L E W J U O E P

T E V R E S C S N C H U E C N

IMAGE SHADRACH MESHACH SON OF GOD SERVE WORSHIP NEBUCHADNEZZAR

Lesson 19: Class 9-11

240

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of stone. DANIEL 3:1 TRUE OR FALSE FILL IN THE BLANKS: 2.

"To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp lyre and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and _______________ the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up." DANIEL 3:4-5

"Whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery _______________." DANIEL 3:6 Nebuchadnezzar "gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king."

"Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, 'Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not _________ my gods or __________ the gold image which I have set up?' " DANIEL 3:13-14

TRUE OR FALSE: 5. Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "If you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?" DANIEL 3:15 TRUE OR FALSE FILL IN THE BLANKS: 6.

They answered him, "If that is the case, our __________ whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and ________ will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not let it it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." DANIEL 3:17-18

"And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to __________ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and ________ them into the burning fiery furnace." DANIEL 3:20

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: 8.

"Therefore, because the king's command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire (TICKLED, KILLED) those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego." DANIEL 3:22

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 9.

"And these three men, _____________, _____________, and ________-_______, fell of the burning fiery furnace." DANIEL 3:23

down bound into the midst

10.

Nebuchadnezzar looked into the burning fiery furnace and said, "I see _________ men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." DANIEL 3:25

TRUE OR FALSE: 11.

The king said, "Leave them all in there until they and the burning fiery furnace are consumed!" DANIEL 3:26 TRUE OR FALSE

3/6

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157. THE FIERY FURNACE (DANIEL 3:1-30) O J Q S P M B B O H S S R V N G D P K S

3/6

P P R B O S L K H W F V J B W E L V S D

D Z Z P O W H Q O I L U H T Y O G A E V

C A L O I Z M F T M Q S R Q V O P B R Q

J I C N T H C J G F W Y J N D T N A V S

L P U T E N S D R O I S A Z A E D M E D

W Q O N I B T R A L L R H L Z C Z N N K

O B H G F V U I O O N D E A H I E U I A

F F T Q E H A C R W U U T T D D D Q C B

U J S K S N M J H E T A A U E R N Q B N

A Y O Q U Q D T H A V T T R R W A P N K

B C N D W K I E E P D I I Y B B P C P Y

F O O J W S S I B E A N L G W A F W H T

O M F J H K G H G A G D E E V B G C Z H

K K G R C E N C V C C A H Z D R E M Q N

Y M O A A S V Y K W L W M W Z Z O A K U

N U D D H L U F L Y H M O I I A R F Y L

D F B E S H T L U W Q N I S V U R U A D

D W T L E A O A P A D Y S M U J S E J M

G O V S M P T W B H J Y K P G K G P S O

ABED-NEGO

FURNACE

IMAGE

SHADRACH

BIND

GOD

MESHACH

SON OF GOD

DELIVER

GOLD

SERVE

WORSHIP

FIRE

HOT

NEBUCHADNEZZAR

Lesson 19: Class 9-11

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157. The Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3:1-30)

DOWN

"Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of _____." DANIEL 3:1

DOWN

It was commanded, "_____ the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up." DANIEL 3:5

ACROSS "Whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery _____." DANIEL 3:6

ACROSS "Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, 'Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not _____ my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?' " DAN 3:13-14

DOWN

ACROSS They answered him, "If that is the case, our _____ whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king." DANIEL 3:17

ACROSS "And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to _____ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace." DANIEL 3:20

DOWN

ACROSS "And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the _____ of the burning fiery furnace." DANIEL 3:23

ACROSS Nebuchadnezzar looked into the burning fiery furnace and said, "I see _____ men loose." DANIEL 3:25

DOWN

"Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the _____." DANIEL 3:26

DOWN

"_____be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him." DANIEL 3:28

Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "If you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will _____ you from my hands?" DANIEL 3:15

"Therefore, because the king's command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly _____." DANIEL 3:22

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20 The Strange Cloud

At midnight the skies cleared, letting the moon and the stars bathe the seas in a fabulous light. From a point to the west of the island, well beyond the horizon, a strange sight could be seen. A huge vertical cloud, shaped like a column and glowing in the moonlight, loomed in the eastern sky, rising into the darkness like a tremendous pillar on which the heavens were perfectly balanced. It was the helmsman of a ship who first spotted the column. He was not of the warship that had attacked the island, but of another ship that was sailing on a strange zigzag course, as though it were trying to trace a gigantic grid upon the unwritable surface of the sea. The helmsman blinked his eyes several times to clear them, for he had never seen anything like it before. But the pillar remained, bathed indelibly and incredibly in the moonlight. Knowing this to be worthy of reporting, he pulled hard on the handle which rang the bell in the captain’s cabin. Several minutes later the captain arrived and affirmed that the helmsman was quite sane. An immense white column was indeed connecting the eastern horizon to the moonlit sky. “Make for it,” he instructed the helmsman. “We’ll have a look.” The ship moved slowly, for there was scarcely a breeze. Everywhere the sea was calm and glassy and bright. The helmsman, who had been zig zagging across the sea for days, marking each change of course on a large map, endlessly plotting and re-plotting their position, was happy with the change.

244 The Strange Cloud He was unfamiliar with this part of the sea, which was far away from the usual routes of navigation. Here the currents whirled and eddied in many unusual and unpredictable directions. For days he had argued with the captain and the ship’s navigator, who both insisted that the charts were correct and that nothing but sea existed at the point to which they were being summoned. And so they had unceasingly zigged and zagged and tacked and jibed, weaving upon the sea an invisible web which had snared not a solitary thing in fourteen days, save for a high degree of frustration. But now there was something tangible to look at, even if a cloud, something which a lonely soul in the middle of the sea could aim for. Yes, the helmsman was pleased, even though he knew that the pillar was just an oddly-shaped cloud, one of those weird phenomena that sailors returning from distant seas tell strange tales about. At precisely six a.m. a cry came from the crow’s nest high above the deck. “Land ho! Land ho!” The helmsman strained to see, but from his lower position on the deck he could make out nothing, nothing but the whitish column still rising from the sea. “Land ho!” went the cry again. “There it is. Below the white cloud.” The helmsman rang the captain. Immediately a tremendous commotion broke out on the ship. People poured from their cabins and bunks onto the deck, amazed at the cloud which the ship had followed through the night.

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Lesson 20: The Cloud and the Fire Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. What do you think is causing the strange cloud that the helmsman sees? No one on the ship knows. Do you? 2. The children of Israel followed a strange cloud while they were in the wilderness. What do you know about this cloud? Exodus 13:21-22: And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people. Nehemiah 9:19: Yet in Your manifold mercies you did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, to lead them on the road; nor the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way they should go.

Lesson 20

246

Bible Story 47

THE CLOUD & THE FIRE NUMBERS 9:15-23

Lesson 20: Class 4-5

247

47. THE CLOUD AND THE FIRE (NUMBERS 9:15-23)

â&#x20AC;&#x153;And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.â&#x20AC;? NUMBERS 9:15

Lesson 20: Class 6-8

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47. THE CLOUD AND THE FIRE (NUMBERS 9:15-23) MEMORY VERSE: "At the command of the LORD they remained encamped, and at the command of the LORD they journeyed; they kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by the hand of Moses." NUMBERS 9:23 TRUE OR FALSE: 1.

"On the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the Testimony; from the evening until morning it was above the tabernacle like the appearance of fire." NUMBERS 9:15 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 2.

"So it was always: the __________ covered it by day, and the appearance of ___________ by night." NUMBERS 9:16

UNDERLINE THE CORRECT ANSWER: 3.

"Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle,..." NUMBERS 9:17 a. the weather was great b. the children of Israel would journey c. the children of Israel would stay in their tents

"In the place where the cloud settled,..." NUMBERS 9:17 a. the children of Israel would pitch their tents b. the children of Israel would stay away from c. neither of these answers

TRUE OR FALSE: 5.

"Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remained encamped and not journey." NUMBERS 9:22 TRUE OR FALSE

But when it was taken up, they would stay right where they were and not move. NUMBERS 9:22 TRUE OR FALSE

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47. THE CLOUD AND THE FIRE (NUMBERS 9:15-23)

A M X T Y L M O S E S I E O V

D Q Z U A N M G E F H A N W S

U X P E Y S G D L E P Z C C T

CLOUD DAY ENCAMPED EVENING

1/2

O C Q I E W Z K C K Q J A B N

L G N I N E V E A E B R M B E

C K E F R J T E N R J Z P Z T

K C T I U O T A R I N R E P I

Q D J Q O R I L E F S T D F A

Y Y O F J V L S B V M A Z S H

FIRE JOURNEY LORD MORNING

M F S V O J T J A E A W L Z L

P J H G L E H U T W D W Y P Z

W Y B M O W G U G N I N R O M

F A I N R G I Y P Y B D R C G

R D N N D G N Z J P N P O F L

L M S Z F P G K B U K C U M D

MOSES NIGHT TABERNACLE TENTS

Lesson 20: Class 9-11

250

"On the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the Testimony; from the __________until _____________it was above the tabernacle like the appearance of fire." NUMBERS 9:15

"So it was always: the __________ covered it by day, and the appearance of ___________ by night." NUMBERS 9:16

UNDERLINE THE CORRECT ANSWER: 3.

"Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle,..." NUMBERS 9:17 a. the weather was great b. the children of Israel would journey c. the children of Israel would stay in their tents d. there was a great feast

FILL IN THE BLANKS: 4.

"In the place where the cloud settled, the children of Israel would pitch their __________." NUMBERS 9:17

"Whether it was two ________, a __________, or a _______ that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remained encamped and not journey." NUMBERS 9:22

TRUE OR FALSE: 6.

But when it was taken up, they would stay right where they were and not move. NUMBERS 9:22 TRUE OR FALSE

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47. THE CLOUD AND THE FIRE (NUMBERS 9:15-23) H V V G S N B K K O J Q S P M B B O H S

S R V N G D P K S P C P R W O S L K L W

V J X T W E L V D D Z L Z O W H Q I O L

CLOUD COMMAND DAY ENCAMPED EVENING

3/6

H T Y O H A V C F A L O O Z M F M Q R S

Q V P T B G Q J I D I C T U C J W Y D J

T N A S A L I P R U A E T N D D R A Z E

M D G W Q B X N E I T Y N A L B Z Z N K

O B H N F V E I O N H I U C A F F T Q H

A U U T I T D R Y D Q C U S A J K S M J

T A E A U N E N N E Q L N E A M Y Q U Q

T H V T T R R R W A N P N S K B P C D W

K I E E P I Y O B B C R P O P Y F E O J

FIRE JOURNEY LORD MORNING

W S N S I A G W M A F L U M U T O M D J

K G I H S G D V B G C Z E O H L L R E N

C V N C T C H R E M Q N Y M J A S V Y K

W L G W N W Z D N A M M O C O A L U N U

D L U F E L Y H P O I R F Y Y D F B E H

T L U W T Q N I S V U U A D D W T L A O

A P A D Y S M U L S E J M G O V S P T W

B H J Y K P G K G P S O T W I H J D U O

MOSES NIGHT TABERNACLE TENTS

Lesson 20: Class 9-11

252

47. THE CLOUD AND THE FIRE (NUMBERS 9:15-23)

ACROSS "At the command of the _____ they remained encamped, and at the command of the LORD they journeyed; they kept charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by the hand of Moses." NUMBERS 9:23

ACROSS "On the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the _____ covered the tabernacle, the tent of the Testimony; from the evening until morning it was above the tabernacle like the appearance of fire." NUMBERS 9:15

ACROSS "So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of _____ by night." NUMBERS 9:16

ACROSS "Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the _____, after that the children of Israel would journey." NUMBERS 9:17

DOWN

"In the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their _____." NUMBERS 9:17

DOWN

"Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remained _____and not journey." NUMBERS 9:22

DOWN

"But when it was taken up, they would _____." NUMBERS 9:22

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21 A Time of Great Happiness

It was also at precisely six-o’clock that our adventurers awoke from a restless sleep. Nate lit a fire to ward off the chill and cooked up a pot of flower petal tea for Samantha and himself. He also laid out some marmalade, jam and the last of the bread which the old man had given them. When they had eaten, they resolved to reascend the mountain and to keep watch from there as the old man had instructed them to do. Nate packed his knapsack with honey, crackers and a very nice coconut pie which he found in the shelter. They then climbed up the shaft, eager to begin the new day. But when they reached the surface they were greatly disappointed. A dense fog obscured everything, a pea soup so thick that it was impossible to know right from left or up from down. The rain which had fallen on the previous afternoon had soaked into the gigantic bed of hot, glowing coals that covered the surface of the entire island, causing a massive cloud of vapor to ascend heavenward from the ever-steaming earth. “What do we do?” asked Samantha. “Wait here,” said Nate, disappearing into the shelter and reemerging with his compass in hand. He pointed into the gray void beyond. “We shall strike a course in that direction.” “What’s there?” asked Samantha. “The path up the mountain,” he answered. “We shall follow a course to its start and then ascend until we are out of the fog. Stay close or you’ll get lost.”

254 A Time of Great Happiness In all honesty it must be said that though Nate and Samantha had not lost each other in their first five minutes of wandering about in the fog, they had nevertheless become lost. Nate was absolutely sure that the path up the mountain was much farther away than the precipice at which they were now standing and over which they would have plunged, had it not been for Samantha’s bloodcurdling scream. After this close call with death they wisely decided to return to the shelter and wait for the fog to lift. This was more easily said than done, however. Though they groped about in the murk for an hour, they were unable to find the coral rock which marked the entrance to their haven of safety. “We’d best sit and wait it out,” said Nate. “It’s bound to clear some time.” “Oh I do hope so,” said Samantha. As they waited for this to occur, Nate and Samantha tried comforting themselves by remembering the songs which the old man had taught them. They had not gotten far when Samantha suddenly squeezed Nate’s arm. “Hush!” she whispered forcefully. It became extremely quiet, for fog has the ability not only to dampen air, but also sound; and it was clearly a sound which Samantha had heard coming out of the silence. “What?” whispered Nate. “I don’t hear anything.” “Hush!” said Samantha. There it was again, almost indiscernible from the quiet, the sound of voices, though it was impossible to tell from where they were coming or what they were saying. “Oh Nate!” exclaimed Samantha, throwing her arms around him. “I’m so afraid.” Nate was also terrified. If these were the men from the warship, they had not a chance of escaping should the fog suddenly lift. “We have to find the shelter,” whispered Nate. “But we can’t see anything,” whispered Samantha. “Pray,” he said, “and stay close to me.” Nate kept his eyes glued to the wet ash that covered the ground. If only

255 A Time of Great Happiness he could find their old footprints he could follow them backwards to the shelter. Samantha followed closely behind Nate with her eyes closed and her fingers tightly wrapped around his belt loops. It is understandable, therefore, that on the rocky terrain under her feet she was bound to encounter a chunk of loose coral. When she did, she fell forward. Instinct compelled her to release Nate’s belt loops, open her eyes and seize hold of the shape before her. Upon reestablishing her balance, however, she immediately recognized that something was wrong, for this shape was far too large and far too solid to be Nate’s. Nate had also seen a shape appear before him. Unlike Samantha, he had wanted to escape it and had veered abruptly to the right. This had caused Samantha to be propelled directly into it after she had tripped over the coral. Had Nate not changed course, she would have crashed into him. Suffice it to say that the instant Samantha realized that the large human being in her clutches was not her brother, she exercised her first line of defense, which was to confuse and repel the aggressor with the involuntary, blood-curdling screams of which she was a true master. Nor did Nate hesitate in rushing to his sister’s aid. With all of his strength he pummeled the aggressor, who had now seized hold of Samantha and was yelling something which could not be discerned beneath Samantha’s screams. “Let her go!” yelled Nate. “Let her go!” Nate continued to pound his fists against the body of the aggressor and to scream for the release of his sister, unable to comprehend that the aggressor, a large man, was shouting out words that sounded much like their own names. It was Samantha who first recognized the familiar shape against which her own tiny fists had also been landing. “Daddy!” she cried. “Oh Daddy! It’s you! It’s you!” A split-second later Nate came to his senses. “Dad!” he yelled. “Thank goodness you’re here!” Immediately the children’s panicky struggles were transformed into hugs

256 A Time of Great Happiness and leaps and joyful cries that even the thick fog could not prevent from being carried across the island. The sound of running feet answered in return. Suddenly their mother materialized out of the fog followed by Hank and a hundred other souls who had been searching for our lost adventurers for so many months. “We’re so sorry to have worried you,” cried Samantha. “We meant to ask your permission to go, honest we did, but a big wind came up and then ” But words of apology were the last thing the children’s parents wanted to hear. They were overwhelmed with joy and smothered their darlings in their arms and rained tears down upon their faces. In the midst of this celebration a gentle breeze came off the sea and began to sweep away the fog. Gradually the full extent of the terrible ruin and devastation was revealed to the rescuers. They gasped in astonishment, wondering how the children could have possibly been delivered through such a holocaust. Nate and Samantha led everyone to the old man’s hurricane shelter and showed them the priceless book that he had entrusted to their care. They showed them the ruby float, holding it up to the blazing sun to reveal the secret that was inside. They could not speak fast enough as they declared all that they knew about the Alpha and Omega, the one who had protected them from harm and guided their parents to the island, the one who could bring endless joy to all those who surrendered their lives to him. As the ship pulled up anchor and set sail for home, the joy of the children turned to sadness. How much they would miss the old man! How great was the love that he had showed them when he talked about God! How wonderful and tragic that he had surrendered his own life to save theirs, just as Christ had done when he died on the cross! The journey home was a time of great activity. First, the children did their best to alleviate the fears of their grandfather as well as their own that Harriet might no longer be there when they returned. She had insisted that Hank go on the rescue mission, assuring him that she would worry less

257 A Time of Great Happiness about the children if she knew that he was aiding in the search. Nate and Samantha were especially upset about this, not happy that they were the cause of their grandmother having to be alone. Nevertheless, they took hope in believing that God would not send them on a journey to discover the path to eternal life, only to take away the life of the one they loved before the message could be brought to her. As the days passed slowly by, Samantha sat with her grandfather and read aloud to him from the book of John. She was becoming quite good at reading and the words she spoke had a great, soothing effect upon her grandfather. In the meantime, Nate went all about the ship with the ruby float and a flashlight, showing it to everyone on board, from the man high atop the mainmast, to the cook toiling in the galley. As he did he explained the meaning of the words inside the float, telling everyone that they meant exactly what they said. On the tenth day of sailing the ship encountered a region of tiny, uninhabited coral atolls. While the ship dropped anchor at one of the islands to recharge its water supply, Nate and Samantha baptized those on board who had given their lives to Christ. Their parents were among the number, which was very great. During the ceremony the children told everyone of Christ’s great love for all of them, a love so great that He had sacrificed His own life in payment for their sins. As the ship neared the shores of home, the ship’s crew loudly sang the beautiful and magnificent hymns they had learned from Nate and Samantha. “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation” they bellowed out, just as the old man had when the children first found him. Outgoing vessels drew near, their crews wanting to discover the reason for such great rejoicing. “We bring good news!” Samantha would shout to the passing ships. “What is the news?” the shipmen would holler back. “Glad tidings of great joy!” Nate would answer, waving the ruby float in the air. “You must come back home and hear about it.” And home they came. One hundred days after it had set out on its mis-

258 A Time of Great Happiness sion, the rescue ship sailed into port. An immense joy swept through the land, for everyone had been greatly worried about the fate of our two adventurers. The moment the gangplank was dropped, Samantha and Nate bolted across it in the direction of their grandparents’ home. They arrived, out of breath and overjoyed to find their grandmother still alive. “My dear children,” she said, as a tremendous smile spread across her face. “Where have you been? We have been so worried.” “Oh Grandma!” they exclaimed, hugging her and showering her with kisses. “We’re so sorry that we made you be all alone. We have missed you so.” “Me, too,” said Hank, entering the room. “Oh, Grandpa!” exclaimed Samantha. “Grandma is still here. Isn’t it wonderful! Please tell her the news, won’t you? Please do!” “I certainly will,” he said. And just as he had done so many times before, the children’s grandfather kissed his wife tenderly and told her of his never-ending love. Several weeks later, Harriet died. If you have ever lost someone you love, then you can imagine everyone’s grief, especially Hank’s. And yet that grief was tempered by God’s infinite love, an understanding that Harriet was now living the presence of the Creator of the entire universe. One day Hank would join her, as would the children and all the others in that land who believed in Christ. So it is in any land and with any people, that those who believe in Christ will never die.



259 A Time of Great Happiness

I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the Resurrection and the Life. Whosoever believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

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Lesson 21: Sharing the Gospel Questions For Thought And Discussion 1. Now that you know the whole story, tell us what has been missing from Samantha and Nate’s town? How close is your answer to the guess you made at the beginning of the story? The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been missing. 2. In what way was does the Bible verse given at the beginning of the book help explain what the story is about? Matthew 4:16 says: “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light; and to those who were sitting in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light dawned.” The people of Nate and Samantha’s town are those who dwelled in darkness and the shadow of death. The dawning light is the Gospel of Jesus Christ brought back to the people by the children. These passages give more insight into the meaning of Matthew 4:16: Luke 1:77-79: “To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” John 8:12: Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Lesson 21

John 9:5: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 3. The last two lines of the prologue read: “In search of One who promises to heal them of their pain.” Who is this One? It is Jesus. Isaiah 53:5: But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. 4. The Ruby Float is also called A Tale Of Hope. What is the greatest tale of hope ever written? It is not a work of fiction, not a tale of make-believe conceived of by a mortal mind, but the divinely inspired Word of God, a book of truth that spells out God’s plan for man, from the very beginning to the very end. It is The Bible.

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Lesson 21

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Bible Story 273

SHARING THE GOSPEL ROMANS 10:1-11:36

Lesson 21: Class 4-5

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273. SHARING THE GOSPEL (ROMANS 10:1-11:36)

“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” ROMANS 10:10

Lesson 21: Class 6-8

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273. SHARING THE GOSPEL (ROMANS 10:1-11:36)

MEMORY VERSE: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things!" ISAIAH 52:7 Paul wrote to the Romans... TRUE OR FALSE: 1.

"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved." ROMANS 10:1 TRUE OR FALSE

"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God." ROMANS 10:3 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: 3.

But the Bible says, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be (SAVED, LOST)." ROMANS 10:9

TRUE OR FALSE: 4.

"For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation." ROMANS 10:10 TRUE OR FALSE Paul asks these questions... "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" ROMANS 10:14-15

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." ROMANS 10:17 TRUE OR FALSE

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!..." ROMANS 11:33 TRUE OR FALSE

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD: "...How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways (EASY, PAST) finding out!" ROMANS 11:33

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273. SHARING THE GOSPEL (ROMANS 10:1-11:36)

W B G T N A N M E R D P F T V

O R L K S J D D L E P S O G D

R C O N F E S S S W C N S P C

BELIEVE BRANCHES CHILDREN CONFESS FAITH FLESH

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D K R P T G S I R E T T O P P

O M Y B K K A C H I L D R E N

F V E M T R P Z K G L U A P R

GLORY GOSPEL GRACE HEART ISRAEL LAW

G L O R D J E S U S R O Y D U

O P F L C S W A L H E A R T W

D U F B B Y O H S E L F C V B

S S E N S U O E T H G I R E Z

LORD JESUS MERCY PAUL POTTER PROMISE RAISED

P R O M I S E O A R F A I T H

Y B V R L N Q S E H C N A R B

M V S R O O T I S R A E L C L

S D M V C U M J D E V A S W W

O S Z B E L I E V E S U D C Q

REMNANT RIGHTEOUSNESS ROOT SAVED WORD OF GOD

Lesson 21: Class 9-11

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273. SHARING THE GOSPEL (ROMANS 10:1-11:36)

"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved." ROMANS 10:1 TRUE OR FALSE

"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God." ROMANS 10:3 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANK: 3.

But the Bible says, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be ___________." ROMANS 10:9

TRUE OR FALSE: 4.

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." ROMANS 10:17 TRUE OR FALSE

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!..." ROMANS 11:33 TRUE OR FALSE

FILL IN THE BLANK: "...How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways _______ finding out!" ROMANS 11:33

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273. SHARING THE GOSPEL (ROMANS 10:1-11:36) J V D T T Q F N F T H D T N Y B P B U L N Z H R A A Y J Y W

H S E Q M B B C B B Y U W D O K J Q B Z P Q L A L L C M S O

A L K N M G G T E L S V P Z S M B A K I Y T F Z B C R S L S

N P M N Q Q H V Z U D F H G U Q J V Q D D D V V D K E B S H

BELIEVE BRANCHES CHILDREN CONFESS FAITH FLESH

3/6

P P R B N G B L L N B Z S V M O N G I C N E B P U U M R J Z

F J F E O R I Y S Y D Y B O J C V G W H H B C B B B U L Y L

H B K K B D O F B Q R K D F H L D I P M R W L O G S Z R O J

L L A G H G N W B W B V B H C O Y K E A O J S Z N N W I O G

V M G D O T D O G F O D R O W C U V N N V M U O B F M G O Q

O T H K W W X E L R Q C R H N N V C G R K Z L B I V E S V T

L C M G K M P E S I P L E P K S H N U W T S C T P M P S S D

GLORY GOSPEL GRACE HEART ISRAEL LAW

Q H E N P T L S Z I T T B S M E H V Y R B L M E J E L D S Z

P E B L I A I R S O M N T V S B K C A E U F Z B L E Q A E L

B F H V E L C J I E T O B I B K B E R B A F A Y B C S C M U

A K I L O Z I H J Z N T R T I J H E I I J B B R B A A Q K L

E S Z R L U C R S K G S W P T D M C T V S U K Y V R F D Q N

N F Y V Y X F P N E I D U L G N R H A F W V B E G Q J C A S

B W D I A J T L N J L O I O A M U Z D C A B D F L I H V M E

Y Y S Q K Y J P A V E F T N E P G F B B O C T N B U Q D Y C

Z Y S V X T G E H Q A Z T T W T V B W M S V Z Q B U W D Y N

LORD JESUS MERCY PAUL POTTER PROMISE RAISED

K P H Q O Z F V L Q R P S B N U H D Z O U B U O B T L R F F

Z R F M C R I E P Z S V Q E Q U S G D E S B B U Q J A D I O

B E O N R L B I D V I Z R R K E G L I I E V M V O V O F B J

Y T B H Q A Y L E D B D I Z F A K Q A R J S W Y U F I E O D

Z E R I Y M R E S I L L R E T T O P O W D N D G W Z A K Z E

E A H V L V O B R I E R T Q S L W O S J R R Q U S O K S J S

F R C R L S L P H E F Z L V U O T L Z J O P E N R B I R B I

V S D R F N G C V V B W J A B E D C V H L H A H B E U D J A

T Q B U V D E H M U N C P A J K R L C B B B U J Y Z D D H R

I G A F W Z W R U J Z Q I T F T A U C M P W Q Z K Q K P U Q

REMNANT RIGHTEOUSNESS ROOT SAVED WORD OF GOD

Lesson 21: Class 9-11

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273. SHARING THE GOSPEL (ROMANS 10:1-11:36)

ACROSS "How _____ upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things!" ISAIAH 52:7

DOWN

"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be _____." ROMANS 10:1

DOWN

"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their _____ righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God." ROMANS 10:3

DOWN

"...if you confess with your mouth the Lord _____ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." ROMANS 10:9

ACROSS "For with the _____ one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation." ROMANS 10:10

DOWN

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a _____? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" ROMANS 10:14-15

DOWN

"So then _____ comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." ROMANS 10:17

ACROSS "Oh, the depth of the _____ both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!..." ROMANS 11:33

ACROSS "...How unsearchable are His judgments and His _____ past finding out!" ROMANS 11:33

How can something so small contain the promise of something so wonderful? Discover the answer as you journey with Samantha and Nate into the amazing world of The Ruby Float!