JAM TIME
Hey Jammers!
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?
Grace & Peace, UMI Editorial Team
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.
LIT PICK
“The
Covenant”
(Kidz of the King, Vol. 5, No. 3)
Emilio’s talent for martial arts gains the attention of Armando, the leader of the Rojos gang. Soon Emilio is leading a double life, keeping up with his schoolwork, but running with the Rojos by night. Emilio’s grandfather told him that gangs are bad news, but Emilio is prepared to make a “death covenant” with Armando, putting his own life at risk. It will take the power of prayer for the Kidz of the King to overcome violence and help Emilio make a covenant with God.
Get your copy of this inspirational comic from the UMI online bookstore at: http://store.urbanministries.com/the-covenant-kotk-1-bk-11-152-83
1
— SEPTEMBER 7 —
Boring Science Class
Anya hurried home from school and pulled out her phone. She launched her favorite photo editing app and began editing photos. She loved expressing her creativity by taking pictures and enhancing them with designs, emojis, and special filters.
“Anya, we need to talk,” her mom said, placing her hands on her hips. “I got an email from your science teacher today.”
Anya sighed. “Oh really?”
“He said you’re not doing well in his class,” her mom said. “He said you seem bored and uninterested.”
“It’s totally boring, Mom,” Anya said. “We’re learning about plants and how they work. It’s a snooze fest.”
“Maybe you need to look at it differently,” her mom said. “Since you’re so artistic and creative, try looking at plants from that perspective. For example, flowers are plants, and they are very beautiful.”
“That’s true,” Anya said. “I do like flowers.”
“Flowers are like God’s artwork. He designed them with science and artistry. If you paid attention in class, you might learn how God designed flowers and other plants. There are hundreds of flowers, all unique. I bet you could even take some pictures of flowers and use them on your design app,” her mom said, smiling.
Anya perked up. “That would be really cool,” she said. “I’m going to go outside and see if I can find some cool flowers and snap some pics of them. Then I’ll see what cool designs I can create!”
In My Heart
“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).
WORD!
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 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.
SIDEBAR
God Created the Heavens and Earth
Creation is an act of God. We can see God’s awesome creativity throughout the wonders of nature and the universe. Everything has an intricate design, which reflects the creativity and power of God, the Creator. God structured, organized, and developed creation and spoke things into existence in a specific order. He took great care in His creation process, and everything He made was good.
How to Respect God’s Creation
R— Reflect on God’s beautiful creation.
E— Enjoy quiet time outside with God.
S—Spend time studying creation in the Bible.
P— Protect the environment by recycling and picking up litter.
E— Explore ways to increase your knowledge about nature.
C— Care for others by being kind and helpful.
T—Teach others about God’s creation and love.
GOT IT!
A. God Created
Jammers, use “Word!” to help you fill in the blanks for this activity.
“In the ________________________ God created the ________________________ and the earth. Now the earth was ____________________ and empty, darkness was over the _____________________ of the deep, and the _______________________ of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:1-2, NIV).
B. Blessed by Creation
We are blessed every day by God’s creation. Make a list of ways God has blessed you through creation—both in physical and nonphysical ways. These can be things like fresh vegetables, sunshine, pets, and beautiful parks. Then write a prayer thanking God for His wonderful blessings and share it with the class.
JAM SESSION
The
Beginning
The wonders of the universe amaze even the keenest of human minds. Who is responsible for such marvelous and breathtaking creativity? Genesis 1 informs us that God is the Creator of all these marvelous wonders. A survey of God’s creation reveals God’s great creativity: the tiny gnat and the great blue whale, the sweet strawberry and the bright blood orange, the majestic redwood and tiny blades of grass, God made it all! Despite being surrounded by these amazing creations, we can often take them for granted and not appreciate how wonderful they are. This is what happened to Anya in today’s lesson. She wasn’t interested in the science lessons about plants until her mother helped her see the beauty that they possess. There’s a saying, “stop and smell the roses.” It’s a reminder to take time to appreciate the beautiful things around us. When we do this, we are acknowledging God’s creation. When was the last time you stopped and smelled the roses?
JAM ON IT!
Connecting with God
Sometimes we forget the importance of spending time with God in creation. Instead of spending time with God in nature, we often choose to sit in front of our electronic gadgets. This week, create a plan and schedule to connect with God in nature. Whatever you do, focus on God and His creation. Volunteers may share their experience in next week’s class.
LAST JAM
I will appreciate God’s blessings and God’s creation!
QUESTIONS FOR CLASS
Use this space to write down questions you have about this lesson.
2
— SEPTEMBER 14 —
Freedom Ride
Nobody saw Paula as she raced down the street on her new bike. The wind blew across her face. She loved the freedom of riding. Her parents told her not to ride the new bike until she got her new helmet and pads, but that didn’t stop her. She planned to ride around the block and across the street to an empty lot, then carefully put her bike back on the rack in the garage. No one would ever know.
The screeching tires and blaring horn happened at once. Paula braked as hard as she could, which propelled her onto the grass. Her bike was a crumpled piece of metal wedged under the truck. Her elbow was aching, and her knee was bloody. There was a gash on the side of her head. People were all around her asking her if she was hurt. When she looked at the scene, she saw that she had caused two accidents, one with the car that swerved to avoid her and the other with the truck that crushed her bike. No one was hurt, but she knew in her mind that it could have been so much worse.
In My Heart
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2–3, NIV).
WORD!
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 idol 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 fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a 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 manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 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.
SIDEBAR
Obedience
The Ten Commandments can be divided into commandments about obeying God and commandments about living with others in community God’s way. Nothing can be more important than living lives directed by these commands. God gave the laws, and it’s up to believers to follow them. These laws not only help us to learn the nature of God; they also outline how to live a life that reflects obedience to God.
Obey God’s Commands
O—Take ownership of the commandments.
B—Believe that God’s laws are righteous.
E— Be eager to learn God’s instructions.
Y—Yield your will to God’s will.
GOT IT!
A. Instructions from God
Use WORD! to help you with this activity. Draw a line from Column A to match with Column B.
Column A Column B
You shall have the name of the Lord God.
You shall not make no other gods before me.
You shall not bow down by keeping it holy.
You shall not misuse for yourself an idol. Remember the to them or Sabbath day worship them.
B. Scripture Hunt
Your teacher has posted The Ten Commandments in various places around the room.
(step 1) Search the room for The Ten Commandments.
(step 2) Read the one you find out loud. (step 3) As a class, put them in order.
JAM SESSION
Who’s the Boss?
People look for guidance from someone, or something, they can trust. Where can we find a trustworthy guide for our lives? In the Ten Commandments, God laid out unimpeachable instructions for building a trusting relationship with Him.
Paula knew the rules her parents had in place. When she disobeyed them, she dishonored them and God. She could have been seriously hurt, and so could the two drivers. By choosing to follow her own rules, she put herself and others in harm’s way. The accident taught Paula that we must follow the given rules regardless of what we want or feel. Do you follow rules at home and in school? Do you follow God’s rules? Who’s in charge of your life?
JAM ON IT! Where Do You Stand?
A continuum is a line that shows both extremes of a topic. On the line below, create a continuum using “Freedom in God” as the heading. At one end, write “AF” for absolute freedom, “neutral” in the center, and “AO” for absolute obedience at the other end. Interview a brother or sister, a friend, your mother or father, and your pastor or another minister. Have them tell you where they stand and why. Place yourself on the line. Where do you stand?
LAST JAM
God guides us best because God rules!
QUESTIONS FOR CLASS
Use this space to write down questions you have about this lesson.
— SEPTEMBER 21 —
Fresh Water
The youth of Faith Christian Assembly filled the church’s gymnasium for a special presentation. The presentation was about donating to help the Sudanese in Africa dig wells for fresh water.
“Can you imagine having no fresh water in your community?” asked the woman featured in the DVD. “Can you imagine thousands of people dying because there is no fresh water?” The DVD showed young mothers and their children walking for miles with large containers on their heads to fill with fresh water, then walking miles back home with the heavy containers.
Jasmine was immediately overwhelmed by all she saw and heard. She wanted to do what she could to help. She wanted to take the lead for the campaign. The name of the campaign was “Fresh Water for My African Neighbors.” Right after the presentation, Jasmine found the Youth Director, Mrs. Jones, and told her she wanted to spearhead the campaign.
“This is exciting, Jasmine!” Mrs. Jones said as she handed pamphlets to Jasmine. “Here, take this information home and tell me your thoughts later.”
After reading the material, Jasmine told her mom about the campaign. “Wow, Mom! All we have to do is sacrifice for two weeks and drink nothing but water. And the money we would have spent on soda, juice, and sport drinks will be set aside to donate to the campaign.”
“That’s great!” Mom said.
Two weeks, later the “Fresh Water for My African Neighbors” campaign raised over $5,000 to send to Sudan. Jasmine was overwhelmed with joy.
In My Heart
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:18, NIV).
WORD!
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. 10 Do 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 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 land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your nativeborn. 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.’”
SIDEBAR
Living as God’s Just People
Who is your neighbor? Is it the person next door or someone in your neighborhood?
No. Your neighbor is anyone. Leviticus 19:18 teaches that your neighbor refers to everyone. You can have neighbors in another city or country. Humankind is one big family with lots of neighbors. The justice of holiness involves the compassion exemplified in leaving some grain unharvested so the less fortunate can glean and have food. God’s justice calls for compassion, not only for one’s fellow citizens, but also for everyone. The Canadians, Irish, Russians, Ethiopians, Mexicans, and Sudanese are all our neighbors.
How to Be a Loving Neighbor
1. Be at peace with everyone. Always endeavor to keep peace with your neighbor.
2. Be a good neighbor. Try to live in harmony with your neighbor.
3. Be an example of Jesus in the earth. Let your neighbor see the Christ in you.
4. Be compassionate. Do not hesitate to help those in need.
GOT IT!
A. Justice By Caring
Use Word! to help you find the opposite of the commandments in today’s Scripture lesson. The first one has been done for you.
1. Do not lie: Tell the truth
2. Do not deceive one another: ___________
3. Do not curse: ________________________
4. Do not hate: _________________________
B. Neighbors Decree
1. Jammers break into two groups.
2. Group One will list all the habits of a good neighbor.
3. Group Two will list all the habits of a bad neighbor.
4. Each group will act out the traits of a good neighbor and a bad neighbor.
5. After each group performs, talk about the differences between a good neighbor and a bad one.
JAM SESSION
Acting with Compassion
People want to feel significant. How do we ensure others that they are valued? We treat them with love, justice, and generosity. Love, justice, and generosity moved Jasmine and the youth group at church to help the people of the Sudan. Some of the Sudanese were without fresh drinking water and needed help. They were suffering and living under poor conditions. Jasmine felt a strong sense of compassion and spearheaded the campaign, which raised thousands of dollars for her neighbors in Africa. Have you ever had compassion for someone in need outside your country? The Bible teaches to love your neighbor just as you love yourself. God wants everyone to be treated fairly and equally, no matter where he or she lives.
JAM ON IT!
Love For All!
Jasmine’s campaign was called “Fresh Water for My African Neighbors.” Research a campaign that you would like to join that will show acts of compassion. Share your findings with the class next week.
LAST JAM
The world is your neighborhood!
QUESTIONS FOR CLASS
Use this space to write down questions you have about this lesson.
Hear Our Cry
Mom, look!” Kai thrust a past due bill toward her. “This was on the front door.”
“Okay, lay it on the table, please. I’ll get it later. How was school?” her mom asked.
Kai didn’t understand how her mom could be so relaxed when everything in their lives had gone so wrong. Her family moved to a new city last year when her dad’s job got transferred, but the company laid him off six months later. Then, he got sick, had been in the hospital off and on for several months and was now in a physical rehabilitation center. Her dad was unable to work. Her mom didn’t have a job. And she was too young to get one.
Kai knew the medical bills were piling up. “Mom, how are we going to take care of this?” she said, holding up the bill.
“Well, for starters, we aren’t going to do anything. Your dad and I believe that God has heard our prayers and is working all things out for our family’s good and His glory. Faith is not what’s seen, honey, it’s what you believe.”
Kai had a hard time believing that her family would survive this ordeal.
A week later . . .
“Honey, after you do your homework, we’re going to go see your dad. He and I want to share some good news with you.”
Kai later found out that not only was her dad coming home, he had received a settlement that would take care of the medical bills and all their household bills. Something at his job had made him sick.
“See, I told you there was a plan, honey,” Kai’s mom said.
“Why didn’t you guys tell me what was going on?”
“Because it wasn’t for you to worry about,” her dad responded.
“We were trusting God. You needed to trust Him and us.”
In My Heart
“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).
WORD!
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 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 assembly 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 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.
SIDEBAR
God Hears Our Cry
Sometimes our physical sight interferes with our spiritual vision. This happened when the Israelites went to see the land that God had promised them. Instead of taking God at His word (spiritual vision), they saw the current inhabitants of the land (physical sight) and had doubt. When things don’t go the way we think they should be going, it’s easy to become discouraged. However, the Word is the most powerful weapon we have to combat disbelief.
Trusting God’s Promises
T—Take time to read His Word.
R— Realize that God is not capable of lying.
U— Understand that the fulfillment of a promise is not without obstacles.
S—Settle in your mind that you will believe God no matter what.
T—Take things one day at a time.
GOT IT!
A. A Piece of the Promise
Use WORD! to help you fill in the blanks with this activity.
“If the ______________ is ______________ with us, he will ______________ us into ______________, a land ______________ with ______________ and ______________, and will ______________ it to ______________” (Numbers 14:8, NIV).
B. Fear Not
Someone once said that fear is nothing more than false evidence appearing real. Even though fear may be based on false evidence, it has real consequences. For example, because of their disbelief, God promised that 10 of the 12 spies would not see the land of Canaan (Numbers 14:20–23). In groups, discuss practical ways to overcome fear, especially when it stands in the way of receiving a promise as in the Israelites’ case. In addition, what are some reasons Caleb and Joshua may have continued to believe that they could inherit the land of Canaan despite seeing the same thing the other Israelites saw?
JAM SESSION
Hear Our Cry
In today’s printed scriptural passage, the Israelites (except Caleb and Joshua) began to doubt that possession of Canaan was possible. In today’s story, Kai didn’t believe her mother, who said that everything would work out fine with their family, because Kai only saw what was not working. Faith is the belief that God is working behind the scenes even if we don’t see evidence of Him doing so. The Israelites had to trust God. Kai needed to trust her parents and God. Faith doesn’t require details. It requires trust. Sometimes you will be the minority, like Joshua and Caleb, which makes faith even more difficult. Think of ways you can stand on faith even when you are standing alone.
JAM ON IT!
Renew Your Faith
In what areas of your life have you stopped believing God? Why? This week, you are to take steps to actively renew your faith. First, repent and ask God to forgive you for giving up on His promise. Second, write down the promise and put it in a place where you will constantly be reminded of it. Third, look at ways that God is moving you closer to the promise and be sure to thank Him for doing so. Faith is not always easy, but it is always possible.
LAST JAM
I trust God no matter what!
QUESTIONS FOR CLASS
Use this space to write down questions you have about this lesson.