Los hijos de Israel se prepararon por tres días para venir ante Dios. Cuando Dios se acercó a la montaña, hubo truenos y rayos; la montaña tembló y el suelo donde ellos estaban parados se sacudió. ¡Hubo un despliegue impresionante del poder de Dios conforme Él descendía a la montaña! Y el pueblo observaba el estruendo y los relámpagos y temblaron. La cima de la montaña parecía estar en llamas mientras Dios declaraba los Diez Mandamientos con voz de trueno. El despliegue era para mostrar a los israelitas cuán poderoso era Dios, y para que lo recordaran y lo obedecieran. Los israelitas estaban tan abrumados por el poder de Dios que suplicaron a Moisés que pidiera a Dios que ya no les hablara directamente, porque temían por sus vidas. Dios pidió a los israelitas que guardaran los Diez Mandamientos, y ellos estuvieron de acuerdo.
Discusión:
Explique a sus hijos que los Diez Mandamientos continúan vigentes (Mateo 5:17-18).
¿Por qué es importante el mandamiento de guardar el día de reposo o sábado?
Explique que los Diez Mandamientos fueron dados por Dios para nuestro bien y no son una carga (1 Juan 5:3).
Discuta las repercusiones positivas de guardar los Diez Mandamientos. ¿Cómo sería el mundo si nadie mintiera o si nadie tomara lo que no le pertenece? ¿Cómo se transformaría el mundo si todos pusieran a Dios primero y lo amaran?
Discuta la relación entre la obediencia a los Diez Mandamientos y la paz que la humanidad desea. Ayude a sus hijos a comprender que el quebrantar las leyes de Dios es lo que conduce a la infelicidad que experimenta la humanidad. Use un ejemplo como robar o mentir para demostrar esto.
Para Memorizar:
Éxodo 20: 1–17
Los Diez Mandamientos (El texto completo y sin resumir).
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Siguiendo las instrucciones de Dios, Noé inmediatamente comenzó a construir un arca para salvar de la destrucción a su familia y a los animales terrestres. Noé debió haber trabajado en la construcción del arca por muchos años y es posible que la gente se burlara de él por construir un barco en tierra firme mientras les decía a las personas que se arrepintieran de sus pecados. Al final, solo ocho personas entraron en el arca: Noé y sus hijos Sem, Cam y Jafet y las esposas de todos ellos. Dios envió siete parejas de cada animal limpio al arca, machos y hembras, para que pudieran preservar sus vidas. También envió dos de cada animal inmundo, un macho y una hembra, así como siete parejas de aves, machos y hembras. Después de que Noé, su familia y todos los animales estuvieron adentro, Dios selló la puerta del arca. A los siete días comenzó a llover. Las aguas de debajo de la tierra brotaron y la lluvia del cielo fue derramada ¡durante cuarenta días y cuarenta noches! El agua subió tanto ¡que cubrió las montañas! Solo los del arca sobrevivieron.
Discusión:
Pregunte a sus hijos por qué Dios destruyó todos los animales terrestres, aves y seres humanos. Pregunte por qué Dios salvó a Noé y a su familia.
Pregunte a sus hijos cuántas personas estaban a bordo del arca y quiénes eran.
Explique a sus hijos que durante el tiempo en que estaba construyendo el arca, Noé estaba advirtiendo la gente sobre el Diluvio que vendría. Dios les estaba dando la oportunidad de arrepentirse y salvarse. Enfatice la misericordia de Dios al querer que las personas sean salvas.
Explique a sus hijos qué hace a los animales “limpios” o “inmundos”. ¿Por qué Dios le dijo a Noé que metiera al arca más animales limpios que inmundos? Quizá usted desee utilizar esto como una oportunidad para hablar sobre las leyes de los alimentos escritas en Levítico.
Para Memorizar:
2 Pedro 2:5
“[Dios] no perdonó al mundo antiguo, sino que guardó a Noé, pregonero de justicia, con otras siete personas, trayendo el diluvio sobre el mundo de los impíos“.
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La ciudad de Babel fue el comienzo del imperio de Nimrod y el comienzo del intento postdiluviano de la humanidad de gobernarse a sí misma olvidándose del verdadero Dios. En su rebeldía, Nimrod lideró a la gente en la construcción de una torre muy alta, por lo que Dios decidió confundir el lenguaje de las personas, quienes al no poderse comunicar claramente, tuvieron que dejar de construir la torre. La palabra “Babel” en sí misma significa confusión, y te puedes imaginar el caos que ocurrió cuando Dios confundió los idiomas. Solo podían entenderse aquellos que hablaban el mismo idioma, ya que Dios dividió los idiomas conforme a las líneas familiares. Así fue como se agruparon por familias y comenzaron a establecerse en sus propios territorios como Dios había querido que lo hicieran desde el principio. La Torre de Babel nunca se completó, pero la actitud de rebelión de la humanidad contra Dios continúa hasta nuestros días.
Discusión:
Pregunte qué hizo la gente de Babel para mostrar su desafío a Dios.
Pida a sus hijos que imaginen estar trabajando en una tarea en grupo cuando de repente no pudieran entender nada de lo que decían otros miembros del equipo. ¿Serían capaces de trabajar juntos en equipo? Esta es la misma situación que ocurrió en Babel cuando Dios confundió los idiomas.
Señale a sus hijos que Dios quiere que las personas se comuniquen y se entiendan unas a otras. Es por eso que restaurará un lenguaje puro para toda la humanidad en el Milenio (Sofonías 3:9).
Para Memorizar:
Génesis 11:9
“Por esto fue llamado el nombre de ella Babel, porque allí confundió el Eterno el lenguaje de toda la Tierra, y desde allí los esparció sobre la faz de toda la Tierra”.
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Many years had passed since the Jewish people had returned to their homeland since the captivity. But the people were still not free. The land of Judea was under the rule of the Romans whose empire stretched far and wide across the continent. The Jews were waiting for the Messiah to save them from the Romans as many of God’s prophets had taught for hundreds of years before. God’s plan was to send His Son as the Messiah. He also planned to send a prophet to prepare the people to hear the Messiah’s message.
The story begins in Jerusalem where there lived a woman named Elizabeth who lived with her husband Zacharias. They were both very old, and they had no children. One day, Zacharias went to the temple to perform his duties as a priest and an angel appeared! The angel had a special message for Zacharias and Elizabeth about the coming Messiah and the man who would prepare the way for His arrival.
Discuss:
What was the message the angel gave to Zacharius? How did Zacharias respond to the message?
What did Gabriel tell Zacharias to name his son? What happened to Zacharias when he left the temple? How did he tell his relatives what his son’s name would be?
What was the message the angel gave to Mary? How did Mary respond to the message?
What was Mary to name her son? What does the name mean?
What happened when Mary came to visit her cousin?
Memory Challenge:
Luke 1:31. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name Jesus.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-1-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-02-24 15:03:002026-02-13 10:59:36Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: NT Lesson 1 “Elizabeth and Mary”
Author: Mr. Kenneth Frank | Faculty in Theology, Living Education
Estimated Reading time: 7 min., 48 sec.
Did you know that Jesus illustrated acceptable Sabbath behavior by healing a crippled woman on the Sabbath?
When referring to her, He used a term that appears only once in our entire Bible: “daughter of Abraham.” This was a striking term for its focus on women. “Son of Abraham” appears twice in our New Testament. The Gospel According to Luke alone described this incident. Luke paid special attention to stories involving women as they related to Jesus’ ministry, even more so than the other Gospels. This Digging Deeper will examine this account of the daughter of Abraham, providing a vital lesson concerning acceptable Sabbath behavior.
Our focus verse is: “And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” (Luke 13:16 KJV). So special was this story to Luke that he focused attention on how women were often treated, or mistreated, in first-century Judaism. This anecdote is often referred to as “The Healing of the Crippled Woman” or “A Woman with a Disabling Spirit.” Its context is Luke 13:10-17.
Jesus performs a miracle
This is the only recorded case of Christ’s preaching in a synagogue during the latter part of his ministry. It was customary to invite visiting rabbis, like Jesus, to deliver the sermon after the reading of the Law and the Prophets from the biblical scrolls. Please refer to my recent Digging Deeper article, “What Was Moses’ Seat?” While Jesus was preaching, He noticed a woman bowed over who could not lift up herself. The word in v. 11 for “bowed” in Greek is a medical term (Luke was a physician – Colossians 4:14) indicating curvature of the spine as if she were doubled over from carrying a heavy burden. Upon seeing her, Jesus immediately set her free from her infirmity by laying hands on her to straighten her (vv. 12-13). He would not heal her from a distance, as He did in other cases. The touch of the Master’s hand gave her the encouragement needed to stand up straight. Once she did, she broke out into praise to God (v. 13).
Surprisingly, the ruler of the synagogue, who also should have rejoiced, criticized Jesus’ action because He had healed her on the Sabbath (v. 14). According to rabbinical tradition, emergency cases might be given a minimum of attention on the Sabbath, but not chronic cases such as hers. Perhaps this daughter of Abraham had been attending this particular synagogue for the entire 18 years of her infirmity. As a result, her case would not be classified as urgent. Either no one was able to help her, or perhaps, even tried. Nonetheless, she continued faithfully attending Sabbath services. This crippled woman had hobbled to synagogue every Sabbath for these 18 years! If she had not attended that day, she may never have been healed. Her example is an encouragement to all women that, despite pain and suffering, they go where there will be reassurance, fellowship, and even blessing among other worshipers on God’s day.
An unwelcome response
Notice that in v. 14, this ruler angrily turned to the audience to complain that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath. Perhaps this was his pious attempt to discredit Jesus so he could retain control over this congregation. He considered healing a type of work forbidden on the Sabbath (v. 14). Jesus retorted that the Law permitted properly feeding and watering one’s animals on the Sabbath (v. 15). Then Jesus asked a pointed question in v. 16: should not this poor woman be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath if farmers and ranchers commonly served their livestock on the Sabbath? A.T. Robertson in his Word Pictures in the New Testament explains Jesus’ reason for healing her as a “Triple argument, human being and not an ox or ass, woman, daughter of Abraham (Jewess), besides being old and ill” (e-Sword 12.2).
Verse 17 displays contrasting responses to her healing: the audience rejoiced while Jesus’ adversaries were ashamed. This was a culture of honor and shame. The synagogue ruler had tried to shame Jesus in public but Jesus turned the tables on him by working a breathtaking miracle in front of them all. These critics of her healing were shamed before their congregation, displaying their unreasonable standards of Sabbath observance.
A woman of the covenant
At the beginning of v. 16, Jesus referred to her as a “daughter of Abraham.” This was deliberate because the term “son of Abraham” was used commonly to stress the worth of men as members of the covenant community. However, the title “daughter of Abraham” was virtually unknown because women were not seen as citizens of the nation but rather as members of their family. Jesus used this exalted title to stress that she was a woman in the covenant community – God’s highly favored elect people – since she was a descendent of the great patriarch, Abraham. Attending synagogue, despite her 18 years of suffering, indicates she was not just a Jewess but a believer in the God of Abraham who had made a covenant with her people. She was entitled to the Messiah’s blessing.
Many Jews regarded women as less important than men. Notice Jesus’ contrasting treatment of women, as explained by The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary, edited by Joseph S. Exell: “There is great beauty in the behaviour of Christ to women, whether it be the woman of Samaria, whose deep wound He probes so faithfully, yet with so light a touch; or the child of Jairus, to whom He speaks in her own dialect, holding her hand; or the widow of Nain, whom He bids not to weep; or she whose many sins were forgiven her, loving much; or Mary, for whose lavish gift He found so pathetic [touching] an apology—’She hath done it unto My burial’” (e-Sword 12.2).
A lesson in loosing burdens
The word “loosed” in v. 16 is used for disease only here in our New Testament, evidently because it referred to being bound by the Devil. Jesus argued from the lesser to the greater. How much more important was a human condition of suffering compared to an animal’s. Both should be considered acts of mercy permitted on God’s holy day. Jesus was “Lord of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28) and therefore knew how the day should be observed. Jesus’ critics did not accept Him as the God of the Hebrew Scriptures who created the Sabbath.
A common belief in Jewish culture was that calamity or suffering was the result of some great sin. No sin is connected to her suffering. Instead, Jesus said that Satan had bound this woman. No reason is given why Satan had done so. She was not possessed by the Devil; however, God permitted it as He had permitted Satan’s afflicting the patriarch Job. David Guzik in his Enduring Word Commentary explains this case had a spiritual dynamic: “We are foolish to think that spiritual issues cause all physical problems, but we [are] just as foolish to think spiritual issues can never cause physical problems” (e-Sword 12.2). For Jesus, handicaps were opportunities for God to display his power. Jesus displayed complete mastery during His ministry over demons, sickness, and disease.
What better day could there have been for this miracle than God’s Sabbath? Sabbath observance is not intended as a ritualistic burden, but as a blessing, as Jesus explained: “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath” (Mark 2:27). Some Sabbath-keepers become so legalistic in their observance of the day that they forget the original intent was to provide rest, rejoicing, refreshment, and renewal for humans and animals during this holy time. It should be enjoyed for its created purpose, not as an excuse for gaining more profit or participating in trivial worldly pleasures.
Bob Utley’s You Can Understand the Bible teaches us a valuable lesson from this singular story: “Jesus exposed this man and all who think like him (plural, hypocrites). The rabbis had great compassion in their oral traditions for the human treatment of animals on the Sabbath (cf. Luke 14:5), but were restrictive in their treatment of humans. Jesus illustrates the fallacy of the rabbinical system’s legalism without compassion for people. We must be careful of our rules. They often become more important than people. People are priority with God. Only people are eternal. God made creation for fellowship with people! Our rules often say more about us than about God” (e-Sword 12.2)!
Kenneth Frank was born and raised in New Jersey, USA, and attended Ambassador College, graduating in 1973. He served in the Canadian ministry from 1973-1999, after which he returned to the USA to pastor churches in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina for 15 years. Having earned a BA degree from Ambassador College he later earned a MA degree from Grand Canyon University before being assigned to the Charlotte office to teach at Living University, now Living Education. Currently, he teaches the Survey of the Bible course to the on-campus students and writes the Digging Deeper column for our online Bible study program. He is married, has four children, and seven grandchildren.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/004-gnpi-066-stooped-woman.jpg360480Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-02-24 13:31:212021-09-03 12:26:20Digging Deeper: Daughter of Abraham
Why did Peter deny Christ (Luke 22:54-62)? What can we do in our own lives to make sure we do not deny Him (Matthew 10:32-33)?
Come take a look at some of the Student Responses below!
“Peter denied Christ three times because he feared. Scriptures tell us to be of courage and have faith. Christ also told us to pray not to be lead into temptation. If we are truly converted and do not deny Christ, He will not deny us to the Father. We must truly be sure we know the truth, love the truth, live the truth, and be willing to die for it if necessary.”
– SJ
“We have often been admonished to overcome self, Satan, and society. This incident with Peter is a good example of these three pulls in our lives. First, Peter was fearful of what society would do to him. The scripture reference of Matthew 10:32-33 is in the context of Jesus’ instructions to His disciples before sending them out. The preceding verses instructed them not to fear those who can kill the body but not the inward man that God has started within us. Peter’s focus on what the governing authorities could do was part of his failure here. Another vital part was that Satan was ‘playing him like a cheap fiddle.’ Jesus predicted Peter’s denial just a little earlier saying, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.’ (Luke 22:31) However, Satan’s influence over Peter’s actions here was because Peter was trusting in his own strength. This is evidenced by his use of the sword. In order for us to succeed in the job God has given us to do, we need to recognize our enemies. We have three. They are self, Satan, and society”
– TW
“Peter was still carnal, not fully conquered by the power of God, the Holy Spirit. Also, Peter was relying on his strength rather than putting his trust in God to take care of everything. So, for us today, we have to keep the commandments of God as shown in John 14:15. Also in 1 Thessalonians 5:18-22, we are told, ‘give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.’ [ESV] “
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Recommended-Read-2.png400600Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-02-24 13:30:002021-02-22 14:52:48Recommended Reads: The Case for a Creator
Joseph and Mary, who lived in a town called Nazareth, went on a trip to Bethlehem. Mary was going to have a baby, and as the angel had told her, she was to name Him Jesus. When they arrived in Bethlehem there was no room for them to stay at the inn, so they stayed in a stable instead, which is where Jesus was born. As the news spread announcing this special miracle, a few people began to realize that He was no ordinary boy.
Discuss:
Why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem?
Who were some of the first people to hear about Jesus’ birth? How did they find out? What did they do after they found out?
When Jesus’ parents took Him to the temple, who did they meet? What did Simeon do when he saw Jesus?
Who was Anna?
Where did Jesus grow up?
Memory Challenge:
Luke 2:11
“For there is born to you this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-1-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-02-23 12:00:002026-02-13 11:09:56Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: NT Lesson 2 “Jesus is Born”
God picked Mary and Joseph to be the parents of His Son on earth. They were both from the family of King David, and they both obeyed God’s laws. They took care of Jesus as a child, and taught Him as best they could. God guided and directed the family, and as Jesus grew, He started to learn about who He was and what He was on earth to do.
Discuss:
Why was Jesus and His family in Jerusalem?
Where did Joseph and Mary find Jesus after looking for Him for three days? What was he doing?
How old do you need to be to start learning about God?
Why do you think the teachers in the temple were surprised when Jesus was talking to them and asking them questions?
When Jesus called the temple “My Father’s house” who was He talking about?
What does the scripture mean that says that “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men”? What things could you do now to follow the example Jesus set when He was young?
Memory Challenge:
Luke 2:52 (NIV)
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-1-11.png6111651lcgadminhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pnglcgadmin2021-02-22 10:35:152026-02-13 11:10:16Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: NT Lesson 3 “Jesus at His Father’s House”
Jesus grew up in grace and stature with both men and God. Jesus’ step-father Joseph was a carpenter, so Jesus learned to be a carpenter too. He worked as a carpenter until He was about 30 years old. In the meantime, His cousin John was teaching people to repent of their sins and was baptizing many people in the Jordan River. John the Baptist was preparing the people for the Messiah to teach them. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was about to start doing the job His Father sent Him to do.
Discuss:
Why did John baptize people?
What happened when Jesus was baptized?
Why did Jesus go into the wilderness for forty days? What happened when He was there?
Why did Jesus go to the synagogue? What did He do there?
What did the Nazarenes try to do to Jesus? How did He escape?
What were some miracles that Jesus did? What do you think it would have been like to live where Jesus was performing miracles?
What message was Jesus teaching the people?
Memory Challenge:
Luke 4:43
“But He said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.’”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-1-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-02-21 13:15:072026-02-13 11:10:29Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: NT Lesson 4 “Jesus Prepares to Teach”
