Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 33 “Joseph Saves Israel”

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Featured Passage: Genesis 37-50

 Jacob had twelve sons, but Joseph was his favorite. Seeing the special treatment he received from his father, Joseph’s older brothers became very jealous of him. They were also annoyed that Joseph would tell their father what they were doing, and would bother them by talking about his crazy dreams. One day, when they saw him coming, they decided to get rid of him for good and sold him to some traders as a slave. They thought they would never have to see or hear from him again. How wrong they were! Joseph ended up being taken down to Egypt and sold to an officer of Pharaoh named Potiphar. This was only the beginning of Joseph’s adventures, and as time went by, God began to work out his special purpose for Joseph. Little did his brothers know that Joseph’s dreams were about to be fulfilled in a way they would never have imagined. 

Discuss:

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  • God was with Joseph throughout his trials. How do you think Joseph was able to stay close to God even when things got tough?
  • What was the important position that Joseph had in Egypt under Pharaoh?
  • God used Joseph to save many people in the area from starvation, including the Israelites and the Egyptians. What was Joseph’s plan to make sure that the people didn’t go hungry during the seven years of famine?
  • Jacob blessed each of his sons near the end of his life. Joseph, who was the firstborn son of Rachel, was given a double portion and Ephraim and Manasseh (Joseph’s sons) were given an inheritance with Israel’s sons.

Memory Challenge: 

Genesis 45:8

“So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: Lesson 34 “Solomon Becomes King”

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Featured Passage: 1 Kings 1-2

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Solomon was the son of King David and Bathsheba. Though David had other sons, he promised Bathsheba that her son Solomon would be the next king of Israel. But as David lay on his death-bed, a different son, Adonijah, proclaimed himself king! Imagine the uproar this caused, as the followers of Adonijah celebrated his coronation. When David was told of of Adonijah’s take-over attempt, he acted quickly, announcing his choice of Solomon as king in his place. He commanded that Solomon should rule over Israel, not Adonijah. He gave instructions for his immediate coronation. David’s decisive action set the stage for a dramatic showdown between Adonijah and Solomon. 

Discuss: 

  • Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam (one of David’s mighty men) and the granddaughter of Ahithophel (one of David’s advisors).
  • Adonijah was presumptuous to make himself king. What does it mean to be presumptuous, and how does God view this (Psalms 19:13, 1 Peter 2:10)? 
  • The people who supported Adonijah were directly rebelling against the instructions of King David, who had been guided by God to select Solomon as king. What can we learn from this example regarding who we support? 
  • Solomon’s name means rest or peace. Where do we read about the peace that the land of Israel enjoyed during his reign? (note that this introduces the child to the parallel account of the kings of Israel and Judah in 1 and 2 Chronicles)

Memory Challenge: 

1 Kings 1:37

As the Lord has been with my lord the king, even so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 34 “Moses – From the Bulrushes to the Burning Bush”

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Featured Passage: Exodus 1-4

The Pharaoh who knew Joseph had died, and a new Pharaoh arose in Egypt. He enslaved the Israelites and treated them cruelly. He commanded that all baby boys be killed, but a special couple named Amram and Jochebed decided to hide their son from Pharaoh’s soldiers. They made a plan they hoped would save their baby boy. Jochebed placed her son in a basket of reeds and put him in the river and told her daughter Miriam to watch what would happen to him. What would become of the baby? God was looking for a man to lead His people out of slavery, and it seemed He had a plan in mind for this special little boy.

Discuss:

Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  • At the time, Egypt was the most powerful nation on earth. Why do you think the Israelites needed God to save them?
  • Amram and Jochebed showed great courage in saving their son’s life. Why do you think they wanted to protect their son? How do you think this compares to how God feels about us?
  • Moses grew up in a palace with servants and riches. Do you think it might be hard for someone to give up that life? Moses did it because he looked to the future Kingdom of God (Hebrews 11:23-26). How does looking to the kingdom of God help us make sacrifices in our lives?
  • Moses told God he wasn’t the right person to carry out God’s instructions to go speak with Pharaoh. Why do you think he was afraid? What did God say to change his mind?

Memory Challenge: 

Exodus 3:12 

So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 34 “Joshua in Training”

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Featured Passages: Exodus 17, 24, 32

In the tribe of Ephraim, there was a man named Nun who had a son named Hoshea, whom Moses called Joshua (Numbers 13:16). Joshua was a slave in Egypt when God sent Moses to deliver Israel from bondage. Joshua and his family left Egypt with more than two million other Israelites as Moses led them toward the Promised Land. Moses saw potential in Joshua to be a good leader, and God began to use Joshua in His service. What did the future hold for this young man? In the book of Exodus we begin to uncover the beginning of Joshua’s adventures. 

Discuss:

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  • Joshua went from being a slave to commanding the armies of Israel in a very short period of time. How does having a relationship with God help us to be successful in our lives?
  • Joshua was with the elders when they ate before God. He was with Moses on the mountain for forty days when Moses received the Ten Commandments. What lessons do you think Joshua was learning from these opportunities?
  • Joshua served Moses, but he also developed a personal relationship with God. What can you do to help you be closer to God? 
  • How do you think Joshua’s service to Moses was preparing him to be a good leader?

Memory Challenge: 

Exodus 24:13

“So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.”

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: Lesson 35 “Solomon’s Special Request”

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Featured Passage: 1 Kings 3

Solomon was a young man when he became king of Israel. It was a big job to oversee the whole nation, and Solomon knew he needed help. One night, God spoke to Solomon in a dream and asked him what was his heart’s desire. God told him that he could have anything he wanted! He could have asked for fame, riches, or a long life. Solomon’s response showed a maturity, humility and concern for his people. God gave him exactly what he needed to fulfill his role as king…and much more!

Discuss:

Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  • Solomon offered sacrifices to God at Gibeon. Ultimately, God led him to build a temple at another location, which would serve as a worship-house for God for generations to come. Where was that temple built?
  • What would you ask for if you could have anything want? What would be the wisest thing to request of God?
  • Why do you think God was so happy with Solomon’s request?
  • Why do you think it was important to Solomon to have wisdom?
  • We have Solomon’s wisdom with us today in the Bible. He wrote Ecclesiastes, the Song of Solomon, and most of the book of Proverbs. Find a passage in the book of Proverbs that tells us how important it is to find wisdom. 

Memory Challenge: 

1 Kings 3:9 

“…give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: Lesson 36 “Solomon’s Prosperous Reign”

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Featured Passage: 1 Kings 4 – 7 

During the reign of Solomon the kingdom of Israel had peace, productivity, and prosperity during the reign of Solomon. It was said that gold was so abundant, silver was considered practically worthless. Solomon’s friends respected him and his enemies feared him. God had given Solomon the responsibility to build the temple, a task which Solomon took very seriously. It became clear that God was blessing him and the nation of Israel. Solomon’s fame began to spread far and wide, and many important people including kings and queens came to see for themselves. They could hardly believe what their eyes had seen. The nation of Israel underKing Solomon came to surpass all the kingdoms of the earth in wisdom and riches. Yet, who was really responsible for the prosperity and blessings that the kingdom of Israel enjoyed? 

Discuss:

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Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  • Marriage was often used to establish peace between countries. King Solomon married the daughter of the king of Egypt which achieved this purpose. 
  • Israel had trade agreements with the surrounding nations. Why do you think this would be helpful in having a peaceful kingdom? Though these types of agreements can be helpful, who do we look to as the true source of peace? . 
  • Solomon’s wealth and wisdom attracted many people; one of the more famous was the Queen of Sheba. What was her assessment of the facts when she visited Solomon?
  • The temple that Solomon built was magnificent! His father David had prepared much of the materials for its construction including gold, silver, precious stones, marble, and wood (1 Chronicles 29:1–5). It took seven years to build, but when it was finished it was very beautiful. What do you think it would have been like to visit Jerusalem after the temple has just been completed? 
  • Solomon worked hard, and God blessed his efforts (Ecclesiastes 2:4–9). God often blesses us by blessing the efforts we put forth. Hard work is a principle that applies to us (Proverbs 10:4).

Memory Challenge: 

1 Kings 4:29

And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 35 “Moses and Aaron Meet Pharaoh”

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Featured Passage: Exodus 5-6

When God told Moses to go to Egypt, Moses was very reluctant. He complained that he was not able to speak well. God didn’t accept his excuse. Instead, God informed him that Aaron, his brother, would speak on his behalf. They had a very difficult assignment – to tell Pharaoh that the great God of heaven demanded the release of the Israelites! Imagine the courage that it took to approach the Pharaoh of Egypt and give him this message! Yet Moses obeyed God and went to Egypt, preparing himself to face one of the most powerful rulers on earth, with faith in the most powerful ruler in the universe!

Discuss:

Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  • How did Pharaoh react when Moses told him to let the people go? 
  • Straw was an important ingredient for making bricks. The Egyptians provided the Israelite slaves this straw to mix with mud. When Moses demanded the release of the Israelites, Pharaoh angrily responded by making a decree that the Israelites would have to gather their own straw from then on. How do you think the people felt about Pharaoh’s order? How do you think they felt toward Moses? Why do you think God allowed this to happen?
  • What lessons did Moses and the Israelites learn from the way that God dealt with Pharoah? What lessons can we learn from reading this part of the Bible? 

Memory Challenge:

Exodus 6:7

I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 35 “Joshua’s Faithfulness in the Wilderness”

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Featured Passage: Numbers 13-14

Israel tested God over and over again while in the wilderness. They were constantly complaining and often refused to obey God. However, Joshua had a different attitude. When the Israelites reached the entrance to the promised land Moses selected one man from each tribe to secretly go into Canaan and spy out the land. Joshua was selected from the tribe of Ephraim. The twelve men were to report back on what they saw. Was the land truly flowing with milk and honey? Were there big walls around the cities? The Israelites waited expectantly to hear what the spies would say. 

Discuss:

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  • Why was Joshua selected to be one of the spies? 
  • Did the spies find a truly rich land just as God had said? How did they describe it?
  • Why did the spies demand that Moses take them back to Egypt?
  • Of the twelve men sent to spy out the land of Canaan, only Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report. Why was their report different from the other men?
  • Joshua and Caleb were faithful to God even when everyone else wanted to give up. How did God bless them for trusting in Him? 
  •  God always blesses and rewards those who are faithful to Him. How can we show faithfulness to God?

Memory Challenge:

Numbers 14:6–7

But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land.”

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 36 “God Sends the Plagues”

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Featured Passage: Exodus 7–10

As God had commanded, Moses demanded that Pharaoh release the Israelite slaves. As you might expect, Pharaoh refused. The Egyptians had no respect for God, and to the Pharaoh, Moses’ order from God was just a ploy for the Israelites to abandon their work. Before long, however, God would strike the Egyptians with plagues that would show that believing in the Egyptian gods was utter nonsense. 

Discuss:

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Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
  • Pharaoh had sorcerers and magicians. What does God’s Word teach us about magic, fortune tellers, etc… (Deuteronomy 18:9–11)?
  • What plagues did God send on Egypt? Why did God send these particular plagues? What effect do you think each had on everyday life in Egypt? 
  • After the plagues, Egypt had no crops, no fruit trees nor any other trees, and very few livestock. There was only destruction everywhere (Exodus 10:7). Why did God allowed this to happen?
  • Why do you think Pharaoh continued to have a hard heart? 

Memory Challenge: 

Exodus 7:5 

And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

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Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 36 “Joshua Becomes Israel’s Leader”

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Featured Passage: Deuteronomy 31 – Joshua 1

The children of Israel refused to go up to the Promised Land as God had told them. Because of their disobedience, God caused Israel to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. All the adults of that generation died in the wilderness except for Joshua and Caleb. After a long and productive life, it was time for Moses to die. God selected Joshua to be Israel’s next leader and gave him some very important instructions. 

Discuss:

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  • Why did God allow Joshua and Caleb to survive the 40 years in the wilderness?
  • Joshua had served Moses for more than 40 years, before assuming his role as the new leader of Israel. What are you learning today that will help you be a better leader in the future?
  • God always has a work for His people to do. Joshua’s mission was to lead the children of Israel into Israel, with God’s guidance. What is our mission today? 
  • God inspired Moses to challenge Joshua to be strong and courageous. In what ways do you show strength and courage?

Memory Challenge: 

Joshua 1:9 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

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