We’re about to dive into our theme for this quarter: how faithful God is! We’re talking about the kind of faithfulness that sticks with you no matter what.
Have you ever had a friend who always had your back? Someone you could count on no matter what? That’s kind of what God is like, but on a whole other level. Our theme is “God is Faithful,” and we’re going to explore how God has been there for people throughout history, even when things got messy.
God wants a real relationship with us. God wants to be close to us. And even when we mess up (because let’s be real, we all do), God is still reaching out. We can trust God because what God says, happens. Period. God is loving, forgiving, powerful, and totally has our backs. God makes promises, called covenants, and keeps them. We can receive these promises because of Jesus. This quarter let’s ask ourselves: where have we seen God’s faithfulness in the Bible and in our own lives?
We’re going to explore some amazing lessons from the Bible. The books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy are like the foundation for understanding God’s expectations and how we’re supposed to live. Then we’ll see how God stayed faithful even when people weren’t, and when life got crazy in Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles and Nehemiah. Lastly, Job will remind us that God is our redeemer even when things feel totally chaotic. When we remember how faithful God is, we can trust God with anything.
This whole quarter is about one big message: God is always faithful! God is good, all the time. God doesn’t change, even when our lives do. God keeps reaching out, even if we walk away. God’s promises last forever. We can put our faith in someone who will never let us down. God is incredibly faithful! My hope is that we all get to know God better and show God’s love to others more as we study together.
Grace
& Peace, UMI Editorial Team
Connected to God was His plan from the start
Showing us all how to love, with all of our heart
He gave us a task to be compassionate and kind
So when we forgive others, forgiveness we find
We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory
But with His mercy and grace we can tell a new story
We can repent for the things that God did not like
And because of His promises there won’t be a strike
By: Cherita Banton
The Beginning
the big idea: God Created the Heavens and Earth
My mother made all of our clothing when we were growing up. She would buy the pattern and the fabric and then gather all of her sewing equipment. There were gauges, pin cushions, seam rippers, needles, hand sewing needles, her specially crafted scissors, rulers, and more. Then she would double-check our measurements. Mom didn’t cut any corners as she created her latest “masterpiece” of custom-made clothing for us. When Mom finished a new skirt, dress,
from your Bible
Genesis 1:1-13, NIV—In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the
or shirt, she’d put a tag in the item that read, “Just for You, Mom.” We would get so many compliments. People at our church would ask my mom to make clothing for them, but she always said, “Thank you for asking, but I only sew for my children.” Back then, I was too young to appreciate the labor of love and sacrifice that it took for my mother to make all our clothes. As I now reflect on what my mother did for us, it’s amazing. She created a clothing line—just for us!
surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.”
And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. 6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning— the second day. 9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the
gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
Scripture discussion
The first chapter of Genesis describes how God created everything from nothing! Every time God spoke something into existence, it appeared. The chapter also is an account of how God’s creations were not random. The chapter portrays God as being actively involved in every aspect and every detail of creation. God spoke the words and the world
make it real
check it
1. Why did the mom make clothing?
2. For whom did she make clothing?
became a reality. God had the ability to create, the power to bring it about, and the skill to arrange the earth, humankind, animals, and plants to have a symbiotic relationship. The first chapter of Genesis illustrates God’s love for His creation. Similarly, as we read in today’s story, we observe the intentional, creative power of a mother. She had the ability, the power, and the skills to meet her children’s needs. It was out of love for them that she provided for them.
3. Why didn’t she make clothing for other people?
4. In what way did people express appreciation for their clothes?
think it
1. List all the things that God did in Genesis 1:1-13.
2. What did you learn about God from your list?
3. Did God have any help in creation (Genesis 1:1)?
4. What is the Holy Spirit’s role in creation (Genesis 1:2)?
do it
The creative works of God are so numerous that we can take them for granted. Begin to list all of the various features or creative works of God.
keep it
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:1-2, NIV).
The Challenge 9.14
Gene had heard of the Ten Commandments and remembered memorizing them when he was younger. But he could only recite five or six when he tried to repeat them. Then, his Sunday School teacher told them they would learn and practice each of the Ten Commandments over the next ten weeks.
“The first commandment we will study is, ‘Thou shalt not covet.’” Gene thought hard when he was asked to define the word. “Does it mean to want what somebody else has?”
“Yes. We covet when we want or desire something that belongs to someone else. What are some things we covet?”
Gene listened as his peers offered suggestions, including looks, houses, and cars.
the big idea: Obedience
“This week, you will examine yourselves and see if you are a covetous person. As soon as you notice any covetousness, don’t beat yourself up; just ask God for forgiveness and thank Him for what you have. Next week, be prepared to share your experiences.”
Gene accepted the challenge, thinking it would be easy. But he wasn’t even outside of the classroom before he found himself speeding up to get a closer look at someone else’s new sneakers. Those are fire! he thought. Then he looked at his own shoes and wished he had a pair like the ones he saw. Almost immediately, he remembered the assignments. God, he prayed, forgive me for coveting those sneakers, and thank You for the shoes on my feet.
from your Bible
Exodus 20:1–11, NIV— And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a
Scripture discussion
Moses made it clear that the commandments he wrote were spoken from the very mouth of God. Exodus 20:1–11 contains the
make it real
thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
first four of the ten laws and is often referred to as the first tablet. It is fitting that these four laws were first, as they deal with our relationship to God. They teach us about the nature of God, and they command that we put God first in our lives.
check it
1. What challenge did Gene accept?
2. Who offered the challenge?
3. Why did Gene think the challenge would be easy?
think it
1. Who spoke the words of the Ten Commandments?
2. How long is the punishment for idolatry?
3. The blessings of God for those who keep His commandments extend for how long?
4. Who will not be held guiltless?
5. In how many days did the Lord create the world?
do it
God commanded the people not to misuse His name, but people do it all the time without thinking. We say things like, Lord, have mercy!, OMG!, or worse. This week, you are challenged to keep God’s commandment. Practice honoring God’s name by meaning it when you say it. Don’t use the name of the Lord in vain.
keep it
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me”(Exodus 20:2–3, NIV).
Tim grabbed his lunch tray and sat down next to Eddie and Lara. Suddenly, students’ cell phones started ringing, beeping, and humming. Another campus-wide text message had been sent. Students frantically checked their phones and immediately began to chatter.
“Looks like a juicy piece of gossip,” Lara said, as she pulled out her cell phone. “Let’s take a look.”
Tim and Eddie leaned over to see the message. They couldn’t believe what they read.
“Wow,” Eddie said with a chuckle. “Shenora’s pregnant. So much for her goody-goody church girl image. I always knew she was a hypocrite.”
“I bet it’s Shawn’s,” Lara said. She quickly
from your Bible
Leviticus 19:9–18, 33–37, NIV— “’When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am
forwarded the text to her friends. “They always seemed a little too hot and heavy. Guess that’ll teach them.”
Tim quietly picked at his mashed potatoes with his plastic fork.
Eddie noticed how quiet Tim had been. “What do you think about this, Tim?”
Tim looked up. “I don’t really know. I mean, how do we even know if this text is true? And even if it is, that doesn’t mean we should go around bashing Shenora and Shawn. That’s not very neighborly.”
“Neighborly? She doesn’t live by you,” Eddie said, looking confused.
“You know what I mean,” Tim said, shaking his head.
the LORD your God. 11 “’Do not steal. “‘Do not lie. “‘Do not deceive one another. 12 “‘Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD. 13 “‘Do not defraud or rob your neighbor “‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight. 14 “‘Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind but fear your God. I am the LORD. 15 “‘Do not pervert justice; do not show
partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great but judge your neighbor fairly. 16 “‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people. “‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the LORD. 17 “‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt. 18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
19:33— “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your
Scripture discussion
This week’s Scripture passage contains guidelines for living as just people. One of the most famous guidelines is found in Leviticus 19:18: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people but love your neighbor as yourself . . .” God wants His holiness to be reflected in the lives of His people. This includes what they say and do. Christians are constantly watched, and people are
make it real
check it
land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God. 35 “‘Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. 36 Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. 37 “‘Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the LORD.’”
waiting to see us make a mistake, which can hurt our testimony to others. That’s why it is important to study God’s Word and strive to live as just people.
These rules that God gives are meant to make us better people and better representatives of God. If we truly are Christians, we should strive to obey God and His commands. He knows what He is doing; He knows what is best for us. And our attitudes and actions have a direct impact on those around us and in the world.
1. What became the topic of discussion at lunch?
2. Why was Tim upset about the text message?
3. What did Eddie and Lara do wrong in this situation?
4. How was Tim being a good neighbor?
think it
1. Why are we to leave some of our “harvest” for the poor and needy (Leviticus 19:9–10)?
2. What types of good business practices are given in this passage (vv. 11, 13, 35–36)?
3. Who are considered to be our neighbors?
do it
Back in the day, Mr. Rogers of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” used to sing a song on his television show asking the viewers at home to be his neighbors. You can find this song online. What do you think Mr. Rogers meant? Was his definition of “neighbor” different or similar to the one in today’s Scripture passage? Is everyone our neighbor?
keep it
“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 19:34, NIV).
Hear Our Cry 9.28
the big idea: God Hears Our Cry
JT couldn’t believe it. His parents refused to get him tickets to a concert featuring his favorite band. Those tickets were all JT had been talking about for over a year. His parents knew that seeing this band was one of JT’s biggest desires. Not only were the tickets extremely expensive, but JT’s parents also didn’t think this band was a God-honoring, positive influence on JT’s young life. As a result, JT grew angry and resented his parents. He didn’t speak to them for days. One day, JT found out that his friend, Terence, was going to see the band. JT was jealous
from your Bible
Numbers 13:1–2, 17, 25–28; 14:1–2, 5–10, NIV—
The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.” 17 When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. 25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land. 26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite
and told Terence about his frustration. While JT was talking, Terence was visibly frustrated at JT. “Your folks are some of the nicest people. They treat you well and look out for you. You should be more grateful than you are,” Terence said. JT went home confused, as he realized Terence was right. His parents wanted the best for JT, even if he didn’t realize it. They gave him everything he wanted, took him to church, and even helped him study. JT went to his parents and apologized, telling them he was sorry for his reaction, and that he knew his parents always wanted the best for him.
community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 14:1—That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole as -
sembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell face down in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there.
6 Joshua, son of Nun, and Caleb, son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us
Scripture discussion
God instructed Moses on how to scout out the land the Lord wanted them to occupy. Although each tribe had one leader, only two leaders, Joshua and Caleb, gave an accurate report of the land. The land flowing with milk and honey is a frequent biblical phrase describing the lush fertility of the Promised Land of Canaan (Exodus 3:17; Joshua 5:6). They both reassured the people that God would give them the victory of abundance. Distrust continued throughout the camp
make it real
check it
1. Why was JT so mad?
2. What was the name of JT’s friend?
into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” 10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites.
as the people turned against Moses and Aaron, declaring that they would have rather died in Egypt as slaves than in the wilderness as free people. Unfortunately, God’s mighty miracles of deliverance and love for the Israelites were forgotten when they were faced with a difficult situation. The people’s anger and frustration with God were targeted against Joshua and Caleb because they allowed fear to cloud their judgment. Because the people didn’t believe Joshua and Caleb’s report, they decided to stone them. When life puts obstacles in our paths, we are tempted to abandon the promises the future holds.
3. Why do you think Terence had such an influence on JT?
think it
1. Who were the two leaders that gave an accurate report of the land? (Numbers 14:2)
2. Why did the people want to stone their leaders? (14:9–10)
3. Why do you think the Israelites were so quick to forget about God’s faithfulness?
do it
This week, reflect on all of the things God has miraculously done for you. It could be that He saved your life from devastating circumstances, watched out for you as you were going through a tough time, or that He provides you food on a daily basis. The Israelites grew weary with God because they failed to remember His goodness and faithfulness. Take time to remember all the ways God is and has been faithful to you.
keep it
“If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us” (Numbers 14:8, NIV).
