More Precious Than Rubies

God’s Hidden Treasure

I wanted to spend an extra week on the Creation story so I have encouraged the kids to bring in something “extraordinary” from nature to share.  We will also be going over  verses from Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 2 so we can go over the differences  between man’s wisdom; which might question the creation account, and God’s wisdom.   This will also give you  time to go over the added details that are found in Genesis 2.

” For in the gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith; as it is written, ‘ The just shall live by faith’. (amplified) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools…” Romans 1:17-22

“Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:5

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

The Bible is a book of theology.  It is God’s revelation of Himself to man.  When we walk in “the fear of the LORD” (the beginning of wisdom according to Proverbs 9:10), we believe He is our awesome Creator.  “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”  (Hebrews 11:3)   The world ridicules this faith, but we can take a firm stand because we know that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) We can share with them the amazing work of creation that God  perfected in our lives by removing our unbelieving heart of stone and giving us a new heart and a new spirit.  You may be gifted to be able to share with foolish men who bash the Genesis account of creation, but look at Jesus’ example when He answered Pilate that He had come into the world to bear witness to the truth…”everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37) Just share the truth of the word, love them, and leave the results to the Holy Spirit.

NOTE:  If you are  teaching  just a lesson on wisdom to older children, I would add the verses from Proverbs 1:24-32 that describe the warnings of rejecting wisdom’s cry! 

God’s Hidden Treasure

The puzzle  in the sample will help teach truths about wisdom, a gift that will help us understand Genesis 1 and 2.  The worksheets are also posted on my other blog, “kidsbible.wordpress.com”

answers (from NKJV)

worksheet

God’s Hidden Treasures – rubies

The kids will need their bibles to look up the verses.  Different versions will have different words so you will have to help them find the word that fits  (I used NKJV)….but it is important that they at least look up the references so they can be familiar with the Book…remember “sword drills when you were young????

Jesus Defeats Death, Disease & Demons

The boat made it safely to the shore of the country of the Gadarenes and was met by a demon-possessed man, who recognized who Jesus was and cried out “What  have I to do with you, Son of the Most High God? ”  Jesus set the man free and told the man to go back to his home and tell what great things the Lord had done for him.  They journeyed back across the sea and was approached by Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue.  His 12 -year old daughter was a death’s door and he begged for Jesus to lay hands on her, that she might live.  Jesus went with him, followed by a throng of people.  A certain woman, which had a bleeding condition for 12 years and had become impoverished by doctor bills but had failed to improve, was desperate for healing.  She had heard of Jesus and came up behind him to touch His garment. Jesus stopped the procession of people to ask for the woman to acknowledge her step of faith in believing He could heal her.  The woman came and fell down before Him in fear and trembling , probably fearing the crowd’s reaction since she was considered “unclean” by her bleeding condition, and confessed her audacious action.  Jesus tenderly addressed her as “Daughter” and “Your faith (in Me) has made you well”. Just then, Jairus received word that his daughter had perished.  Jesus told the ruler of the synagogue to believe and not be afraid and He continued on His way to his home , where He raised  the girl to life.  What a wonderful, Savior.

For a description of the “fringes” read Numbers 15:38-39 and include this in your lesson.

Abraham’s test

This lesson includes a key verse of the Christian Faith. The stones on the worksheet page are to be cut-out and glued on the alter. If you have younger children you may have to precut the stones, ram, and the branch. A snack-size baggie will keep all your “set-ups” handy and easy to pass out. Please stress that Isaac was not a little boy as sometimes pictured in storybooks( probably in his 20-30’s)…  Abraham was thoroughly convinced that “God  was able to raise him up, even from the dead.”  Isaac had perfect trust  and was willing to submit himself to his loving Father’s will.(does this remind you of anyone else?)  Read the story in Genesis 22.

Call of Abram

For this lesson I purchased a footprint holepunch. A footprint stamp would also work well.  I made the little tents so the flap would open. You will need to trace the shape of the tent and cut out, making a flap then glue onto a light background… trim and glue above the words..dwelling in tents.  ( A simple line is the tent stake.) There is a portion of the scripture that the kids need to fill in “…and he went out not knowing where he was going…”  (Sorry, Persian Gulf got cut off above…should show up on the worksheet!)
Careful reading of several passages from both Old and New Testament will give you a broader understanding of this story! Gen.11 tells us that Terah took Abram and Lot and their families from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan. Lot was the son of Haran who died in Ur. We are told that Terah was 70 years old when he “ begat” his three sons. Terah and Co. settled in Haran and stayed until after Terah died at age 205!
We read in Acts 7:12 that God appeared to Abraham when he dwelt in Ur before he dwelt in Haran. God told him to leave his country, his family and go to a land He would show him.
Now the LORD appears a second time because now Abraham is leaving from Haran when he is 75 years old…the directions are the same… “get out of your country and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you and in Gen. 12:5 we read that it was the land of Canaan. We read in Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out , not knowing where he was going.” A good applicable definition of faith would be believing God and acting in obedience to His word. We know there were blips along the way but God was merciful and gracious to this man, known as a friend of God. Isaiah 41:8, 2 Chronicles 20:7 are just a few of the passages that describe him thus!