God had a plan for the world from the beginning. The great Being called “the Word” spoke the world into existence, but God knew because of sin the world would need a Savior. That Savior would be “the Word” Himself, sent as the Son of God to save every human being who would ever live. To get the people ready for the coming of His Son, God prepared a special messenger—a prophet—to announce that God’s own Son would arrive very soon with a plan to save the world!
Discuss:
Who is Jesus?
Who did some Jews think John the Baptist was? Who did he say he was? (Be careful not to confuse John the apostle with John the Baptist! The Apostle John wrote the book of John.)
Why did John baptize people? What does it mean to repent?
Why did John baptize Jesus since we know that he never sinned? (You may find some help for this question in Matthew 3)
What is a disciple? Can you name one of John’s disciples who became Jesus’ disciple?
What four men named in this chapter became Jesus’ disciples? Do you think they knew one another?
Memory Challenge:
John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-2-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-05-02 15:03:042026-02-26 11:11:33Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: NT Lesson 1 “A Voice in the Wilderness”
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all had a personal relationship with God. Moses saw God and talked with Him (Exodus 33:18-23, Deuteronomy 34:10). How can this be true when the scriptures state that no one has seen God at any time (John 1:18)? We can understand the answer to this question when we understand that there are two God beings in the God family. God, who was later known as the Father, has never interacted directly with mankind, and no man has ever seen or spoken with Him. The Word who became Jesus Christ was the God of Israel.
Discuss:
The Word had to empty himself of his divinity in order to be born as a human (Philippians 2:5-11). What does this tell us about what He is like?
Who is listed at the beginning of the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew? Do you recognize any other people mentioned in the list?
Have a Luke at the genealogy in Luke 3 and compare it to the one in Matthew. How far back does the one in Luke go? What are some reasons the lists are different?
God carefully selected Jesus’ parents. What are some of the character traits Mary and Joseph must have had to be chosen for this honor?
Christ lived without committing a single sin for His entire life (2 Corinthians 5:21). Could we have access to eternal life if Christ had sinned?
Memory Challenge:
1 Corinthians 10:4
“…and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-3-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-05-02 12:00:002026-02-26 15:19:23Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 2 “The God of Israel”
Mary, Jesus’ mother, was going to a wedding! Jesus and some of His disciples were also invited. The wedding was being held in a little village called Cana. There were lots of people there having a good time when Mary noticed a problem. They had run out of wine. She came to tell Jesus right away. But what could He do about it?
Discuss:
Name a few famous Bible characters. Can you think of some ways God interacted with the people you named?
Can you name some important miracles the God performed for His people in the Old Testament? What miracle for the Israelites relates to the memory verse below?
Who gave Moses the Ten Commandments?
What did God give the Israelites to eat in the wilderness?
Why did God give Israel judges and prophets?
Who was the Being who became Jesus Christ?
Memory Challenge:
John 2:11
“This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-2-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-05-01 12:00:002026-02-26 11:11:11Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: NT Lesson 2 “Water to Wine”
The prophets, like Isaiah and Jeremiah, spoke of the Messiah–the one who would come and restore the glory of Israel. They also spoke about One who would suffer and die to save all mankind. From the beginning, God planned to create human beings who could become like Him and live in His family forever and ever. God knew that because of sin, people would need to be saved from the penalty of death. So They planned that the Word would be born as a human being and would die to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind.
Discuss:
The Word had to empty himself of his divinity in order to be born as a human (Philippians 2:5-11). What does this tell us about what He is like?
Who is listed at the beginning of the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew? Do you recognize any other people mentioned in the list?
Have a Luke at the genealogy in Luke 3 and compare it to the one in Matthew. How far back does the one in Luke go? What are some reasons the lists are different?
God carefully selected Jesus’ parents. What are some of the character traits Mary and Joseph must have had to be chosen for this honor?
Christ lived without committing a single sin for His entire life (2 Corinthians 5:21). Could we have access to eternal life if Christ had sinned?
Memory Challenge:
Matthew 1:21
“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-3-11.png6111651lcgadminhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pnglcgadmin2021-05-01 10:35:272026-02-26 15:19:14Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 3 “The Son of God”
Jesus had been baptized and was preparing to begin His important ministry on earth. God had a very important mission for Him, and He knew that the lives of every human being depended on Him to be successful in the mission. Jesus also knew that if He succeeded He would one day earn a brand new title. He was about to be tested in a way He never had been before. He was about to enter a battle against the current ruler of the world – the one whose name literally means “adversary”.
Discuss:
Who is the god/ruler of this current age? (Hint: Have a look in 2 Corinthians)
In what ways did Satan tempt Christ? How did Christ respond? What are some ways we can respond when we are being tempted to do something wrong?
Why do you think Satan offered to give Jesus the kingdoms of the world?
What title(s) will Jesus Christ have when He returns to the earth? What will happen to Satan at that time?
Christ will not return to the earth alone, the saints will be with Him. Who are the saints? What will the saints’ role be in the Kingdom of God? Why do you think Satan would be angry about that?
What are some ways that life will change when Christ and the saints rule the earth?
Memory Challenge:
Matthew 4:10
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-3-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-04-30 13:15:182026-02-26 15:18:46Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 4 “The King of Kings”
As Jesus began His ministry He became more popular among the people in the region. The Jewish leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, started to notice. The Sadducees were a group of Jews who had more liberal interpretation of the law and did not believe in angels or the resurrection. On the other hand, the Pharisees were very strict; they thought that following all their extra rules made them righteous. Jesus taught God’s law as it was in the Holy Scriptures which made the Jewish leaders angry. However, one leader came to Jesus seeking the truth.
Discuss:
Who was Nicodemus? Why do you think Nicodemus came to Jesus at night?
What did Jesus tell Nicodemus he must do to be in the Kingdom of God? What was Nicodemus’ response?
What example did Jesus use to explain being a spirit being?
What did Jesus tell Nicodemus about going to heaven?
What did Jesus tell Nicodemus was the reward for believing in Him? What does it mean to believe in Jesus as the Son of God?
What did Jesus mean when He said that “God so loved the world”? Who does God want us to love?
Memory Challenge:
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.”
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After spending some time teaching in Judea, Jesus and the disciples headed home for Galilee. The shortest route to get there was to go through Samaria. Samaria had been in the land of the Kingdom of Israel before God allowed them to be taken into captivity by the Assyrians. The King of Assyria replaced the Israelites with people who mixed the worship of the true God with paganism (2 Kings 17:24-33). The Jews didn’t like the Samaritans and would usually travel many extra miles around Samaria to avoid meeting them–but not Jesus.
Discuss:
Why was the woman at the well surprised that Jesus asked her for a drink of water? From whose well did the woman draw water?
What did Jesus mean by “living water”?
What did the woman do when she realized who Jesus was?
Why do you think the disciples were surprised to see Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman?
What did Jesus call His “food”?
What is the work that Jesus was doing? What are some ways you can help do the work that Jesus is doing today?
Memory Challenge:
Luke 4:13-14
“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.’”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-2-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-04-30 09:15:002026-02-26 11:14:07Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: NT Lesson 4 “Woman at the Well”
Jesus Christ had begun His ministry on earth. Many people followed Him, excited to see what miracles He would perform and to hear what He had to say. One day, Jesus went up on a mountain to teach the people and His disciples some very important lessons. The speech he gave that day is one of the most famous ever given, and it is often called “The Sermon on the Mount”. He began His speech with a list of qualities we call “The Beatitudes”. “The Beatitudes” is a good place to start learning what Christ looks for in a Christian.
Discuss:
Beatitudes express attitudes that should be part of a Christian. What are the beatitudes Christ teaches?
The Greek word for “blessed” can also be translated as happy. What conclusion can you reach about people who have these qualities?
What does it mean to be poor in spirit?
What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness? (Psalm 119:172 tells us what righteousness means)
Think of an example in which you can act as a peacemaker.
Christ said true Christians would experience persecution. Have you ever experienced persecution for Christ’s sake? Can you think of any examples of Christians who have?
What are the promises God offers to those who have the qualities mentioned in the Beatitudes?
Memory Challenge:
Matthew 5:3-12
Memorize the Beatitudes!
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-3-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-04-29 15:45:582026-02-26 15:18:21Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 5 “The Beatitudes”
It was the Feast of Tabernacles, and the city of Jerusalem swarmed with people from all around. In Jerusalem there was a pool where at certain times an angel would come and stir the waters in the pool, and the first person to get in the waters would be healed. Many sick people were at the pool for this reason, but only one could be made well. Out of compassion, Jesus healed a man who lay there, but not everyone was happy that the lame man could walk again.
Discuss:
Why was Jesus in Jerusalem at this time?
How long had the man that Jesus healed been sick?
What law did the Jews think the man was breaking by carrying his bed? Why were they upset that the man had been healed?
Why did the Jews want to kill Jesus?
What did Jesus say about His relationship with the Father?
What authority did God give to Jesus Christ?
Memory Challenge:
John 5:19
Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-2-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-04-29 15:45:162026-02-26 11:09:35Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: NT Lesson 5 “The Pool of Bethsaida”
Author: Juliette McNair | Student, Living Education Charlotte 2021
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes, 48 seconds.
In the staff meeting room at Headquarters, Mr. Frank introduced Mr. Mario Hernandez as the Forum speaker. Mr. Hernandez asked, “Do you remember the laws of success?” The students nodded and recited them. The seventh law of success, Mr. Hernandez explained, is to acknowledge God in all your ways. “I’m going to give you an indispensable key to being successful. Without it,” he said, “even if you have all the others, you won’t succeed before God or man… What is the fifth commandment?”
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
– Ephesians 6:1-3
For those who obey and honor their parents, God gives a two-fold promise: a long life and a successful life. Mr. Hernandez turned to Exodus 21:15-17 to show God takes the fifth commandment seriously. Children who struck or cursed their parents were to be put to death. Yet, Mr. Hernandez noted that disrespect towards parents parallels this sin. In Leviticus 19:3, God commanded Israel to revere their parents. Mr. Hernandez said, “Treat them with great respect no matter what. They represent God.”
Respect as a Facet of the Culture of God
“We’re living in a generation where children are oppressors of their parents. They’re not taught to respect.” He read Leviticus 19:32, “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man….” The custom to rise and acknowledge an older person when they enter a room may seem outdated or not culturally practiced. But, Mr. Hernandez said, “That’s a lack of culture, my friends. We are here to learn the culture of God and not to say, Oh, in my country we don’t do that.” Young people should acknowledge the presence of an older person rather than ignoring them and turning to their peers. “In this country, which I love and respect, there is a tendency for there to be different cultures for the youth and for the elderly. Each [group] lives in their own world, and there is not much communication.” This phenomenon, which Mr. Hernandez termed “the teenage syndrome,” is nurtured in the modern education system. In tomorrow’s world, a family-oriented learning system will encourage young people to respect and interact appropriately with the older generation.
“The commandment goes all the way to the adult age until the end of your parents’ lives.”
In Mark 7:1-13, Christ rebuked the Pharisees for disobeying God’s command to honor one’s parents. In 1 Timothy 5:4-8, Paul commands, “if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents….” Mr. Hernandez explained that adult children—who are at the productive stage of life—are still obligated to honor their parents.
Joseph
“Now we’re going to see the story of a man who honored his father and was greatly blessed. That is the story of Joseph.” Out of all the sons of Jacob, only Joseph truly honored his parents. The “bad report” Joseph brought to Jacob in Genesis 37:2 indicates the brothers had a poor reputation in the community. When Jacob called to Joseph to send him to his brothers in the field, Joseph replied, “Here I am.” Abraham had this same response when God tested him by commanding him to kill Isaac (Genesis 22:1). Mr. Hernandez compared it to saying, “Whatever You say, here I am to obey you.”
“Here I am.”
Reuben committed adultery with one of his father’s wives (Genesis 35:22), in contrast to Joseph, who refused to lie with Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:10). At the end of Jacob’s life, in a final act of respect, Joseph bowed down to the ground as Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 48:12). Joseph was 110 years old when he died, and he had become the second most powerful man in Egypt. “God was fulfilling His promise because Joseph obeyed and respected his father.”
Honor the Hoary Head
Mr. Hernandez concluded, “Don’t just stay among the youth, having your different culture apart. Open your heart and talk to the older person… They feel dishonored—although they don’t complain—when a youth passes by and ignores them or rarely comes to greet them. The hoary-head are becoming weak because of age, and they need respect.” Mr. Hernandez explained that respect to one’s parents and older people is respect towards God. He challenged the students to honor older people, revere their parents, and fear God by keeping the fifth commandment—so they may live a long and successful life as God promises.
This post is part of our new series of student-written content for LivingEd-Charlotte. These summaries cover topics originally presented by our faculty and guest speakers in our weekly Forum and Assembly. For more Assembly-related content check out our Second Thoughts posts.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/michael-dziedzic-1bjsASjhfkE-unsplash.jpg11791500Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-04-29 13:30:002021-09-03 11:07:45Forum Summary: A Hidden Key to Success
