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

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 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 Lessons Unveiled!

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We’re beginning our Children’s Bible Lesson series today! This should be a helpful tool for families in training children in the knowledge of God and the Bible.

Here is an important overview…

Children’s Bible Lessons

Parents of children ages 6 through 11!  Welcome to a brand-new initiative for the Living Church of God, online Children’s Bible Lessons.  This course has been developed with the writing and editorial help of dedicated LCG members and volunteers.

What’s the purpose?  To provide a teaching tool for you to teach your own children fundamental truths of the Bible, in an organized and structured way, at the your child’s e

ducational level, with guidance from the Church.

 

What are the goals of this course?

  • To strengthen your child’s knowledge of the Bible at his or her appropriate level
  • To enhance your role as a parent by helping you develop skill and understanding in teaching spiritual truths to your child
  • To build bonds of family togetherness as you and your children take part in this activity together.

What’s the structure?

  • 3 Levels (Ages 6-7, 8-9, 10-11)
  • Format: Online
  • PDF summary of each lesson for download and printing
  • Also delivered through email weekly, for those who subscribe to weekly notifications
  • Weekly lessons, consisting of:
    • a short summary of that week’s lesson
    • related Scriptures to read together
    • thought-provoking questions to ask your child
    • suggested memorization

 

What this course is not:

  • A replacement of parents.

You are the best one to teach your own children.  God designed it that way!  We are here to help you teach your own children, not replace you!

By age 12, we would recommend having your child begin taking the LCG Bible Study Course.

  • An exhaustive course covering every topic of the Bible.

The course is designed to cover the major personalities and stories that children are attracted to, and the important spiritual lessons derived from their stories.

We hope you and your children find this new course educational, stimulating and enriching as a family!  Feel free to send us any comments or questions you may have.

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