Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: Lesson 1″The God Kingdom”

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Featured Passage: Revelation 1:8; Colossians 1:15–16; Psalm 103:19; Hebrews 1:1–3; Joshua 10:11–14; 2 Kings 20:10–11; Matthew 14:25–33; Mark 4:37–41; Revelation 21:7; 2 Corinthians 6:18; 1 John 3:1–3.

 The plant, animal, and human kingdoms are classifications of living things in our material world. The spirit world also has living beings, and the angelic kingdom has different classifications of angels. However, there is one Kingdom above all others, material or spiritual: the God Kingdom. God is on a level of existence that is hard for humans to understand. God is self-existing and eternal. God was, He is, and He always will be. God is the Creator of all things, spirit and material, therefore, God is above all things. God is not bound by physical laws, time, or space because God created these things and controls them all. This is why God could keep the sun from going down for Joshua and turn the sun back ten degrees for Hezekiah. This is why Jesus Christ could walk on water and calm the roaring sea. The good news is that the God Kingdom is a family, and every human being who has ever lived has the potential to be a member. You were born to be part of the family of God! 

 

 

Discuss:

  • Talk with your child about the greatness of God, His power and majesty. State examples and ask him/her to give examples as well.
  • Discuss the fact that God is not bound by the laws of physics (like gravity, magnetism, movement of planets, etc.), which means He can do miraculous things. Discuss some miracles mentioned in the Bible that defy physical laws.
  • Explain that God is offering us eternal life in His family as His sons and daughters. We will be members of the God Family (1 John 3:2).
  • Our inheritance is the entire universe. Perhaps everyone will have his or her own galaxy. Ask what your child would do to inherit the universe. What on earth is worth giving up eternity? Nothing!

 

Memory Challenge:

Colossians 1:16-17 “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”

 

L3.1 The God KingdomDownload

Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 1 “Who Is God?”

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Featured Passages: John 1:1–3; Genesis 1:26–27; John 4:24; John 3:16; Psalm 90:2; Colossians 1:16–17; Isaiah 46:9–10; 1 John 4:8

It is very important to understand who and what God is. We can only know this if God chooses to reveal it to us, and He has, through the Bible. What was it like when nothing physical existed? In that pre-historic era, there were two eternal, powerful, spirit beings called God and the Word. Together, God and the Word planned and designed everything seen and unseen: the angelic hosts, the stars and planets, the plants and animals, and man. The Word, who became Jesus Christ, was the One who did the creating, and God created all things through Him. God is not some magical “force.” No, God is real! He has form and shape. We can know what God looks like because He made us to look like Him. God is all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving. By His Spirit, He can see what is going on everywhere! However, we cannot really know who God is without knowing His character. God is good, merciful, kind, and filled with compassion. Everything God does is motivated from love. God is love.

Discuss:

  • Help your child understand that there are two beings in the God Family, God and the Word, whom we now call the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ.
  • Explain that God wants every human being to be born into the Family of God.
  • Explain that the Spirit of God is not a separate person, but rather the power by which God does things.
  • Ask your child to describe what he or she thinks the relationship between God and the Word was like before the creation.
  • Speculate with your child about what it would be like to be a God Being. What would you do? Where in the universe would you visit?

Review Memorization:

Help your child memorize the following verse:

Isaiah 46:9–10 “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’”

L2.1 Who is GodDownload

Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 2 ” Where Did God Come From?”

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Featured Passages: Exodus 3:13-14; Isaiah 57:15; Romans 1:18-22; 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 4:1-4

God had no beginning, and He has no end. God was not created; He is the Creator. God is the ever-living One. One of His names is simply, “I Am”. It means He has always existed. It may be difficult to understand, but God did not come from anywhere. God is eternal. He is, and He has always been. Atheists say this makes no sense. They would rather believe that everything happened by chance. They believe that cells and organisms and human beings just came together somehow! However, they offer no explanation of how that happened. Evolution is an attempt by people to explain the existence of a creation without a Creator. God calls this foolish. He says they are without excuse; the universe itself is proof of His existence. God now lives in the third heaven where He reigns over His creation.

Discuss:

  • Explain to your child that the Word was the God in the Old Testament who interacted with human beings (John 1:1, 14).
  • Explain to your child that evolution, even though it is portrayed as a fact, is a theory which offers no evidence as proof. (You may wish to view the Tomorrow’s World telecast “Darwin’s Legacy,” which explains this point.)
  • Ask your child if they have heard of evolution. Help them to explain why it is false, in their own words.
  • Help your child think about God’s throne. What will it be like to be there?

Memory Challenge:

Isaiah 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’”

L2.2 Where did God come fromDownload

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: Lesson 2 “How Can I Know that God Exists?”

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Featured Passages: Psalm 19:1; Isaiah 40:12, 18, 21–22, 25-26; Matthew 21:22; Romans 1:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 16–17; Hebrews 11:1–3; James 1:5-6; 1 John 5:14–15

God wants us to have faith, but our faith is not blind. We are admonished to prove all things, and there is evidence to support God’s existence. We will cover only a few ways we can know God exists here. First of all, God says that the creation declares His glory and that we can know Him through it. The complexity of even a “simple” cell requires that there is an intelligent Designer. The presence of a creation demands that there be a Creator. Another proof of God’s existence is fulfilled prophecy. Only God can say what will happen thousands of years in advance. Answered prayer is a personal way to prove God is real. God wants His children to talk with Him in prayer. Pray to God in faith according to His will, and your answered prayer will give you solid proof that God exists.

 

Discuss:

  • Help your child to understand that it is okay to have questions and that God has the answers.
  • Ask why he or she thinks most people do not want to believe God is the Creator. Guide the conversation to show the human mind is normally hostile toward God and does not want to obey Him (Romans 8:7).
  • Have a conversation about prayer. Cite some personal examples of your prayers that God answered. Encourage your child to develop a personal relationship with God through prayer.

 

Memory Challenge: 

Isa. 46:9-10 “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’”

L3.2 How Can I Know that God ExistsDownload

Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 3 “The Re-Creation: Days 3 and 4”

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 Featured Passages: Genesis 1:9-19, Psalm 104:5-9

On day three of the re-creation week, God made the land appear by separating the seas into their places. He caused the plants to grow. All the fruit trees, shade trees, edible plants, and beautiful flowers came forth at His command. The sun, moon, and stars were ordained for signs, seasons, days, and years on the fourth day, so that humans could keep track of time. Knowing when the seasons occur helps us to plan for planting, harvesting, and especially for keeping God’s Holy Days.

 

Discuss:

  • Ask your child why God made the land. What purposes does land serve for humans and animals?
  • Ask why God made plants. Ask what purposes plants serve.
  • Help your child to make a list of all the things people and animals do with plants.
  • Discuss what the “greater and lesser lights” that God ordained on the fourth day are.
  • Your child might be interested to know that before GPS systems, people navigated by the stars.
  • Ask what he/she likes about the sun, the moon, and the stars. Talk about how the moon helps us know when to keep God’s Holy Days.

Memory Challenge:

The Days of Creation Week:

     Day 1 – Divided light from darkness

     Day 2 – Prepared sky and clouds

     Day 3 – Separated dry land from seas; created plants

     Day 4 – Appointed sun, moon, and stars for lights in the sky

     Day 5 – Created birds and fish

     Day 6 – Created land animals and man  

     Day 7 – Created the Sabbath by resting

L1.3 The Recreation Days 3, 4Download

Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 4 “The Re-Creation: Days 5, 6, and 7”

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Featured Passage: Genesis 1:20-2:3

On day five of the re-creation week, God created birds and fish. Songbirds along with larger birds flew through the sky; fish populated the lakes, streams, and oceans. God then created land animals on the sixth day. Toward the end of the sixth day, God created the first man, Adam, in God’s own image. God created the Sabbath on the seventh day of creation by resting in it, setting mankind an example to do the same.   

 

Discuss:

  • Ask your child to think of reasons why God created animals.
  • Ask who mankind resembles.
  • Discuss why God created mankind. Remind him/her that God wanted a family.
  • Ask what God said about His creation.
  • Talk about what he/she likes about the Sabbath and why it is special to him/her.
  • Remind your child that God made the Sabbath, and He set it apart for holy use.

 

Memory Challenge: 

The Days of Re-Creation Week:

  Day 1 – Divided light from darkness

  Day 2 – Prepared sky and clouds

  Day 3 – Separated dry land from seas; Created plants

  Day 4 – Appointed sun, moon, & the stars for lights in the sky

  Day 5 – Created birds and fish

  Day 6 – Created land animals and Man  

  Day 7 – Created the Sabbath by resting

 

 

More to Do!

These activities are optional, but some children may find them enjoyable

  1. .Using seven paper plates, draw and color what God created each day and label them.
  2. Have your child find pictures in magazines or books that are examples of God’s creation and state on which day they were created.

 

L1.4 The Re-Creation Days 5,6,7Download
L1.1 – L1.4 CreationDownload

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: Lesson 3 “God Creates Angels”

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Featured Passages: Job 38:4–7; Psalm 91:11; 104:4; Colossians 1:15–16; Hebrews 1:13–14; 2 Peter 2:11; Revelation 4:1–11; 5:11 [2]

God is the Creator of all things, spirit and material. Before He made the sun, planets and stars, God created the angelic host. Angels are individually created, brilliant, powerful spirit beings with purposes and free will to exercise their intent. God made millions, and perhaps billions, of angels. They were created prior to the physical universe to assist in the work of building, governing, and managing that which was to be created.[1]  Angels were designed to be on a lower plane than God, with power and intellect superior to human beings. The angelic realm is very real, even though we cannot perceive it with our natural senses. Their primary job at this time is to minister to us, the future sons and daughters of God.

 

Discuss:

  • Remind your child that everything God creates is beautiful, and though some of the spirit beings described may seem different to the human mind, they have their own special beauty.
  • Discuss God’s throne room. Can he/she identify anything at God’s throne that we have a copy of here on earth? Explain that many of the things we have on earth are physical copies of things in heaven.
  • Explain that “sons of God” in the Bible most often refers to human beings, but sometimes can refer to angels that were created by God [Job 38:7].

Memory Challenge:

Hebrews 1:13-14.

“But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”

 

 

[1] Herbert W. Armstrong. Mystery of the Ages. (New York: Dodd, Mead, & Company, 1985) 61.
[2] Parents may wish to read Mystery of the Ages, “Mystery of Angels and Evil Spirits”, in preparation for discussion.
L3.3 The Angelic RealmDownload

Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 3 “The Angelic Realm”

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Featured Passages: Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 91:11; 104:4; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:13-14; Revelation 5:11

Before time began, before the earth, sun, planets and stars, before anything of the universe was created, God created the angels. Angels are created, brilliant, powerful spirit beings with personalities and the ability to make choices and decisions. God created millions, and perhaps billions of angels! They were created prior to the physical universe to help God govern and manage the universe. Angels were created on a lower level than God, but with power and intellect superior to human beings. The angelic realm is very real, even though it is not within our physical senses to perceive it. Their primary job at this time is to serve and help us, the future sons and daughters of God.

 

Discuss:

  • Many people do not believe there is a spirit realm. Ask your child to identify things we know exist which cannot be seen, such as gravity. Remind him/her that God is Spirit, and He cannot be seen with the human eye. Angels are comprised of spirit, too.
  • Discuss how angels were given the job to help take care of human beings. What are some ways that angels do that? Explain examples in your family when you were saved from a terrible car crash or other accident and how an angel might have been the one that helped your family be safe.
  • Discuss how angels have long been witnesses of God’s power and His plan. Note that they have watched history from Adam to now.

 

Memory Challenge:

Hebrews 1:13-14

“But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”

 

[1] Herbert W. Armstrong. Mystery of the Ages. (New York: Dodd, Mead, & Company, 1985) 61.
* Parents may wish to read Mystery of the Ages, “Mystery of Angels and Evil Spirits”, in preparation for discussion.
L2.3 The Angelic RealmDownload

Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 5 “God Creates Adam”

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Featured Passage: Genesis 2:4-8, 15, 19-20

God restored the earth, creating the perfect environment for mankind. God always starts things out small, so He created one man, Adam, as the beginning of His family. God made Adam from the dust of the earth to look like Him and breathed life into him. God placed Adam in Eden, a beautiful garden, and told him to maintain the garden. Every beautiful tree and seed-bearing plant was in Eden. The animals were tame and playful. It was a beautiful beginning for mankind. Contrary to what evolutionists teach, God created a literal Adam and Eve who were placed in a physical garden, and from these two human beings came all the people who have ever lived.

Discuss:

  • Help your child to understand that Adam was the beginning of God’s plan to have a family.
  • Ask your child what job God gave to Adam.
  • Talk about the beautiful garden and the animals which were tame like family pets.
  • Ask your child what kind of animal they would like for a pet if it were possible.  (Use this as an opportunity to talk about the wonderful world tomorrow.)
  • Talk about the close bond and loving relationship that Adam had with God.

Memory Challenge:

Genesis 1:27  

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

L1.5 God Creates AdamDownload

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: Lesson 4 “God Creates the Universe”

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Featured Passages: Genesis 1:1; John 1:1–3; Job 38:4–7; Hebrews 1:10, 13–14; Romans 8:19.

There was a time when there was only God – two Beings that included God and the Word. God purposed to expand His family. He first created other spirit beings, including angels. Afterwards, God began to create the physical universe; at the instant the universe came into existence, time began. God’s creative ability is truly amazing! The whole universe, everything seen and unseen, was created in preparation for the future sons and daughters of God Almighty.

 

Discuss:

  • Make these verses “come alive” by asking your child questions about what it must have been like before God and Jesus Christ (the Word) created anything.
  • Explain that Jesus had a different name to begin with (the “Word”) and that He later was born as God’s Son and was given a new name, Jesus.
  • Talk about how God and the Word wanted a family and built a creation for them to enjoy. Originally, it was just the two of them – the Father and the Word – and they wanted a much bigger family.
  • Help your child understand that God is the creator and that only God can create, i.e., make something from nothing.
  • Explain that God created the angels before creating the physical universe.
  • Ask your child what things in God’s creation they enjoy the most. Help him/her understand, in a simple way, God created all of these things for us!

 

Memory Challenge:

Isaiah 45:18  

“For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: ‘I am the LORD, and there is no other.’”

L3.4 God Creates the UniverseDownload
L3.1 – L.4 The God Kingdom.Download