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25 lesson plans for children, young people and their teachers. Lesson 5 God scatters all the people – Babylon Bible reference – Genesis 11:1-9. God wanted the earth He had made to be filled with people. From the time of Noah this process began again, Genesis 10 verse 32. Chapter 10 lists the families that came from Noah’s three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth, 10 verse 1. From Genesis chapter 12 onwards the Bible pays attention to one family chosen from all of the people of the world. It tells that family story beginning with Abraham. The family grew to become the people of God, God's chosen people. Genesis tells us the beginning of different languages. Remember that chapters 10 and 11 do not describe events in the order in which they happened. In Genesis 11:1 it says: ”the people of the whole world had only one language and used the same words”. In Genesis 10:5, 20, 31 it speaks of people living in: “different tribes and countries, each group speaking its own language”. The Bible is not saying untrue facts. It is not contradicting itself. Chapter 11 records one event that happened during the time taken by chapter 10. Stop and discuss (1) The Bible – God’s word – cannot contradict itself. Make sure everyone understands that the verses above do not contradict one another. Perhaps one student (or more ) can try to explain this to the class? Humans once more rebelled against God’s will and plan. God wanted them to “live all over the earth and bring it under their control”, Genesis 1 verse 28. But, they chose to stay in one place, chapter11 verse 4. God is the Creator. Humans are made in God’s image. People also like to make things. In this case, they wanted to build a hard brick city, with one tall, tower going a long, long way up - even as high as the sky! Sadly, they were not like God, because they did not make things to be kind to other people. (God had made creation for humans to enjoy). These people built this tall tower only to make a great name for themselves. God saw everything that was going on. He also knew the motives inside peoples’ hearts. God knew the reasons people did what they did. God’s plan is for people to follow His way, not their own. God once more judged humanity for disobedience. This time God did not send a flood, but His judgement is still seen among us today, verses 7-9. p.18 Stop and discuss (2) What did God do in judging humanity for this disobedience? Genesis 11 verses 7-9. 1. God gave them different l . 2. God made them not u one another. 3. God s them over all the earth. The different languages we speak today, and our cultures in different places of the world, all come from this event of Genesis 11. God shows He is much greater and stronger than the skills and ability of all this world’s people added together, 11 verses 4,9. We will learn in the next lesson that God does not forget the people He has spread everywhere over the earth, even though they disobey Him. “All nations” may still be blessed by what He is going to do Himself through one family, 12 verse 3. God would never forget His own plan – which He had right from the very beginning – His plan to live together with His own, obedient, people. Stop and discuss (3) In the story of the Bible so far, how many ways has God shown He is willing to judge people who disobey Him? Let one class member explain to the rest of the class how God judged people from one of these passages, another student explain the next, and a third explain the last one: 1. Genesis 3 2. Genesis 6,7 3. Genesis 11 Lastly today, notice in Genesis 11 verse 7 another reference to ‘one God talking with Himself’. “Let us go down and mix up their languages”. (In Genesis 1 verse 26 God had said “Now we will make human beings”). The Bible constantly shows us there is one God and this one God exists in three Persons. We see one God and we see three Persons. We will learn in later lessons that they are ‘God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit’. All have important roles to play in God’s plan. All are one God. Answers to ‘Stop and discuss’. 1. The period of time covered by Genesis chapter 10 is quite long, at least three generations. It is at some time within this period of time that people get together to build the ‘Tower of Babylon’. 2. 1. languages 2. understand 3. scattered p.19 3. 1. In Genesis 3 Adam and Eve were sent out from the Garden of Eden, and guards were placed outside the gates, stopping their return. See verses 24 and 25. 2. In Genesis 6 and 7 the flood destroyed all of humanity, except for Noah and his family. See 6:15-17; 7:21-23. 3. In Genesis 11 all people were spread throughout the earth, and made unable to understand each other in word, and in other ways. See 11:7,9. Remember to teach the ACTIONS and VIDEO overview found and demonstrated on the homepage and introductory lesson. p.20

Christian thoughts from everyday life in and around the three cities. KEEPING THE DEVIL AWAY! Along many of our main roads, groups of men sweeping the dust can be regularly seen. In Bahri recently they seem to have been issued with smart, blue uniforms. Their supply of brooms as well as their buckets on wheels are interesting to look at. One can notice, by looking carefully, how much work has actually been done with each broom. The dirtiest uniforms and the most well-worn brushes are usually in the hands of the man who is working the hardest. The aim of these men and their sweeping programme is to keep our roads clear of dust and sand, and therefore make travelling safer - enabling traffic to stop in an emergency, rather than slip and slide into an accident. It surely is a never ending task. Perhaps, like me, you have noticed neat piles of dust by the kerbside awaiting collection. But often they are blown away by the wind, or scattered by passing cars, even kicked by mischievous boys! Dust left alone does not stay put! I have also seen workmen emptying their buckets over the side of Kober bridge and into the Blue Nile! No wonder the water is brown not blue! The lesson from life for me is simple. Sin is like the dust. Give it half a chance and it will get in to your life everywhere. Living in a sinful world as we all do, makes it tough to keep spiritually clean. Tough, yes. Impossible, no! God tells Christians not to give the Devil a foothold in their lives. If he is given an inch he will seize a mile. Tolerated a little bit, he uses that 'little' like the thin end of a wedge to gain more and more. Christians who do not keep up their hard work against sin and Satan will soon have lives as poor as Khartoum's uncleared streets. Jesus is our Saviour. He saves us from sin and Satan. Why do so many Christians play dangerously with things Jesus clearly warned us about? It breaks the greatest commandment if we love something else more than we love and honour our Saviour. Have a good week. But don't give the devil a chance to spoil your walk with God.

My notes on teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Lesson 1 Leader’s notes This lesson will be new material to most, if not all, of the ladies, so will probably best led from the front, by you the leader. There is a lot in this lesson, with no story to help it along. If this is the first time your class has worked together, you could consider making it two lessons! Or push on and tell them it only gets easier!! Don’t give out notes to start with, or ask the ladies to close their books. As a large group ask what they know about the Bible? What is the Bible? When was the Bible written? Who wrote the Bible? How was the Bible written? Where was the Bible written? Only then give out notes - teach through the first page as far as ‘This truth is one of the keys for this lesson’ at the bottom of page 4. Who? section (opposite) - This may be too much information to use. Suggest you use 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 and 1 Peter 1:1; Psalms 23 and 90; Psalms 92 and Hebrews 1:1, 13:22-25 if necessary, to illustrate that we know who wrote some parts of the Bible but not all of it. Get a lady to read each of the Bible verse(s) to the class, and ask the class to share the relevance. When you get to “This truth is one of the keys for this lesson”, ask the ladies not to look ahead yet. Lesson 1 Student worksheet. So why study the Bible? What? - What is the Bible? Law - God’s rules for living History - the history of the Jews Poetry - special descriptive writing – also known as wisdom literature Prophecy - men speaking what God has told them to say. 39 books in the Old Testament. Gospels and Acts - story of Jesus and the early church Letters from Paul, Peter and John - teaching Christians, including us Prophecy - picture language of what God will do at the end of time 27 books in the New Testament. When? – Our Bible was written over a period of 1600 years but finally came together as we know it in the 4th century AD (300-400 AD.) The Church Fathers in 100-300 AD gathered the sacred texts and evaluated them under the guidance of the Holy Spirit - which ones were seen to be used by God, authentic, helpful, used to encourage, and accepted by the Church over time? - these became what is technically called ‘the canon of scripture’. Who? - God inspired it but human authors wrote it Authors: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James, Jude Moses (First five books of the Old Testament and at least one Psalm) King David (Psalms) King Solomon (Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) Joshua, Samuel Ezra (Ezra, Nehemiah and perhaps 1 & 2 Chronicles) Asaph and Sons of Korah (Psalms) Agur and King Lemuel (end of Proverbs) 16 prophets some lost in the mists of time some who edited court annals into history records (?1 & 2 Kings) Read 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; 1 Peter 1:1; Psalms 23 & 90. Do we know who wrote each of these? Psalm 92 and Hebrews 1:1, 13:22-25. Do we know who wrote each of these? We know who wrote some parts of the Bible but not all of it. How? - There are 3 languages used in the Bible with occasional other words, see Daniel 5:25-28. Hebrew - the ancient Jewish language (used in Israel today) Greek - the most used language 100BC-200AD Aramaic - the language Jesus used most - see Mark 5:41 Where? - Countries involved in the Bible include North Africa, Asia and Europe as well as the Middle East. Where did Bible people live? Who did they have contact with? You may need to use the map on page 2 in Introduction. Look up Genesis 11:31; Daniel 1:3-4; Acts 8:26-27; Acts 10:1-2; Romans 1:7; Acts 19:1, Ephesians 1:1. Why? -God purposed and preserved His word – a single book with a single Author – a single theme – God the Holy Spirit revealing God the Son and the saving purpose of God the Father. This truth is one of the keys for this lesson. Page 4 Leader's notes: So why study the Bible? Teach the “observing, interpreting, applying” paragraph - perhaps have the words which you find easiest - “look, understand, do” or “what does it say? what does it mean? what shall I do?” on a blackboard or a whiteboard or on pieces of card. Think through this illustration as a group - Imagine the government has passed a law that “everyone must use a red cooking pot”. What does it say? Observe? Look? everyone must use a red cooking pot. Discuss. What does it mean? Interpreting? Understand? 1. that if you have a cooking pot it must be a red one? 2. that if you have a red cooking pot you must use it? 3. that everyone must buy a red cooking pot? Probably the second option above. What shall I do? Applying? Do? paint my cooking pot red? stop using my other coloured cooking pots ? buy a red cooking pot? stop doing any cooking! Using the logic gained from this example, work through the references in the Observing, Interpreting, Applying sections opposite, on this page and page 6 - trying to get the ladies to look at the Bible reference before reading the notes!! Student's worksheet. So why study the Bible? It is easy to misunderstand the Bible and to make it say things it does not say. For example, in Psalms 14:1 and 53:1 yes, the Bible does say “there is no God”. But in context the Bible says clearly, only fools say that!! So here is a rule of thumb in 3 parts to help us get it right: Observing the text or What does it say? or Look Interpreting the text or What does it mean? or Understand Applying the text or What shall I do? or Do What does it mean for today? When you read the Bible for yourself use the column of words above that makes most sense to you! 1.Observing – first read the passage, then answer the question: Genesis 3:6 Question - Who ate the fruit? Answer - Eve first but then Adam. Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 Question - How many wise men were there? Answer - We don’t know but there were 3 gifts. 1 Timothy 6: 10 Question -What is the root of all evil? Answer - Not money but the love of money! Page 5 Leader's notes: So why study the Bible? Perhaps explain the Acts reference (opposite) to the group. After that encourage them to get to the answers to the others for themselves. Take a rock or stone with you as a visual aid for Psalms 18:2 and 19:14. Some translations do not use the word ‘rock’ but a similar word, like ‘strength’. Perhaps explain the 1 Corinthians 8:13 application (opposite). Then for the others elicit answers from the group with everyone thinking it through speaking aloud. The last section about asking questions of the text really amplifies “What does it say?”. We can be so very familiar with a passage of scripture that we need to look carefully again to see what it is saying. You may have run out of time by now! Don’t worry. Student's worksheet: So why study the Bible? 2. Interpreting a). Acts 10:9-10. In many colder countries houses have sloping roofs because a flat roof would collapse under the weight of snow in the winter. So in UK this would need to be explained in the story because no-one would go and sit on a roof! For you it is perhaps easier to understand! b). Luke 14:26 - Hate? To emphasise how much we must love Jesus more than our family, the original language uses ‘hate’ our family - in English that needs to be explained - perhaps in your language too? It is a comparison. c). Psalms 18:2 and 19:14 talk of God as a rock - hard and unfeeling? - strong and dependable? The psalmist is using the good attributes of a rock to describe God, using things we know to describe Someone we do not fully understand. We must be careful to discern scripture correctly. 1. Applying a). 1 Corinthians 8:13 – the problem for these Christians was eating meat offered to idols – the principle Paul sets is - if my action causes my sister to stumble I must stop doing it b). Luke 9:23 – we must go Jesus’ way even if it is very hard c). John 21:15 – we must look after the younger Christians we know. Look / Understand / Do - learning to correctly interpret scripture is the second key for the lesson Always ask questions of the text - look objectively even if you have known the story since you were little! Ask: who? who is involved in this passage? what? what is happening? when? what happened before and what happened after? where? where did this take place? why? why did it happen? how? how did it happen? For next time - scan through Genesis - what major things happened? - who were the important people? Be ready to share your discoveries. Page 6

Christian thoughts from everyday life in and around the three cities. WASHED UP AND CLEAN. I have often thought that if only I could find a profitable business for once-used metal soda bottle caps, I'd be a rich man. There are thousands of them lying discarded outside every burger shop, hundreds left on the ground after a wedding party, tens after church committees etc. I do notice that some churches creatively use a few to rattle rhythmically along with their praise songs. Of course it is only the caps that are discarded. The bottles themselves are recycled. Collected into crates, the lorries return them to the drink factories, where they are sorted, checked for breakages, and thoroughly cleaned using heat and steam. Only after this can they be filled and used again. A Christian who wants to be regularly used by God must expect to be put through a tough cleansing process. If hygiene is vital to a drinks company, spiritual cleanliness is even more essential to a Christian. God will not use people who keep on disobeying his commands. He will not choose people who 'say' they belong to him, but who 'live' as if they do not. The death of Jesus Christ on a cross is God's method of cleansing human lives from everything unholy. Jesus took human sin on to himself and died as its consequence. You and I can receive the holiness of Jesus into our own lives, in direct proportion to our genuine repentance and willing obedience to God. Many Christians should learn to throw the rubbish out of their lives. Why do we play around with the very things Jesus died to save us from? If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us and purify us through the blood of his son, Jesus. Only when I learn to be a clean Christian do I share the full riches of God's mercy.

Leader's page and Student's page best viewed left/right side together Lesson 4 Leader’s page: Matthew 5:1-20:34 Ask the ladies not to open their notes or books. You will need paper and pencils, or a chalk board. In twos, or small groups, get the ladies to work through Matthew 5:1 – 20:34 deciding which of four columns to put the various events into – 1. story and teaching 2. healing miracles 3. nature miracles As you do this you may find things you think are especially important, or which summarise, or which add to the whole situation in the story - list them by references under 4. ‘special findings’. A few events may fit into more than one column, so put them in both. This may be a very new idea – so be patient and help each group. Try it for yourself ahead of time. Then you may be able to explain the idea to the ladies in a better way. You may find you need to do it with them this time, and reassure them they are not chopping the Bible up, but looking at what is there in a different way, to try to understand it better. I estimate it will take about half of the lesson time to do: 1. story and teaching 2. healing miracles 3. nature miracles 4. special findings. Look at my suggested answers opposite, and complete the lesson page. There is another miracle recorded by Matthew outside of these references in 21:18-22. A Friendly warning  Using this lesson method may take a long time. You can choose to break it up into two or three sessions if you have time. It is good to encourage the ladies to handle and search their own Bibles. Alternatively, you could show the class my and your answers for this lesson (Matthew) before getting ladies to find answers for themselves on the next two meetings – for Mark lesson 5, and for Luke lesson 6. Develop your best way to use this course book. Don’t be bound by it. Student's page: Lesson 4 Matthew continues the true story 5:1-20:34 In his profession Matthew would have needed an eye for detail and for keeping accurate financial records. Hopefully you have read or scanned 5:1 to 20:34 and allocated each event into your choice of columns. These are my findings – yours may not be exactly the same. 1. story and teaching 2. healing miracles 3. nature miracles 4. special findings 5:1-7:27 7:28-29 8:1-17 8:18-22 8:28-34 8:23-27 8:1, 27, 34 9:9-13 9:1-7 9:3-8, 33-34 9:14-17 9:18-34 9:35-38 10:1 -11:30 12:1-8, 15-21, 22-45, 12:9-14, 22 12:2, 23-24, 12:15 12:46-50 13:1-58 13:54-58 14:1-12 14:13-21 14:35-36 14:22-34 15:1-20, 15:21-28 15:29-39 15:21-28 16:1-12, 16:13-28 16:21 17:1-13, 17:19-27 17:14-18 17:22-23 18:1-35, 19:1-30 20:1-16, 20:17-19 20:20-28 20:29-34 20:17-19 We have many healings - some mention faith, some do not. Forgiveness is mentioned in some and not others. We need to be careful not to build a formula for healing from one example - God is bigger than that. We see Jesus’ power to still the storm - Jesus’ power to walk on water and quieten the wind - His power to feed 5000 and 4000 people from five loaves and two fish or seven small loaves and a few small fish, and still have plenty of leftovers!!! My largest list of references is about the ‘story and teaching’. We find Jesus walking from place to place, crossing Galilee on a boat, having lots of conversations with many different people. There were requests for healing, questions about theology, political news with the execution in prison of John the Baptist by Herod. Jesus used parables – word descriptive pictures to convey truth - as well as straightforward answers, and strong moral teaching. Page 12 Leader's page: Work through this page (opposite) and talk about any other references the ladies have put under ‘special findings’ Get them to explain their reasoning. Encourage them to think and apply Scripture. Student's page: Now to my ‘Special findings’, a heading I selected for small items that carried big significance for the overall true story. 7:28-29 Crowds listened and followed Jesus. There were no computers, no phones, no radio, but here was news in the making. And the crowds were amazed at Jesus’ teaching because He spoke as someone who knew what He was talking about! 8:1,27,34 The crowds followed Him. The disciples were amazed and said “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him? In Gadara, where Jesus healed two demon possessed men, the townspeople asked Him to go because of their loss of business and their fear of Jesus’ power. His teaching and the following crowds brought Jesus to the attention of the religious leaders. They did not want their authority challenged and they did not want political trouble with the Roman authorities who ruled them. 9:3-8, 33-34 An early clash with teachers of the Jewish law creates awe and praise at Jesus’ authority. A local synagogue leader needed help, 9:18 – his daughter was dying – he went to ask Jesus for help. See also Mark 5:22-23 and Luke 8:40-42 who both name the synagogue leader as Jairus. The Pharisees, some of the religious leaders, had their own thoughts on Jesus’ power! 12:1-14, 23-24 The Pharisees criticise again, are rebuked and start to plot Jesus’ death. A large crowd once more. More healings. Jesus asks people to keep quiet about Him to avoid a major clash before ‘His time’. Matthew, a student of the Jewish scriptures, has a suitable text from Isaiah. Again the people think that Jesus is the promised Son of David. The Pharisees say Jesus is using the devil’s power. Jesus answers them firmly. 13:54-58 Jesus teaches people in the synagogue in His home town and they refuse to accept Him. Was this Nazareth, His longtime home, or Capernaum, His adopted home? See 2:23, 4:13. Some translations make this Nazareth which is logical because the people know His mother and brothers and His trade. 15:21-28 Pharisees from Jerusalem come to question Jesus. A Canaanite woman - not a Jew - is commended for her faith. 16:21 Jesus starts to prepare His disciples for His death at the hands of the Jewish leaders and His resurrection three days later. The disciples enjoy being with the Miracle Worker speaking with authority. But they found talk of His death and resurrection very hard to take. 17:22-23 Jesus tells the disciples the same news for a second time. Reaction - grief. 20:17-19 For a third time Jesus spells out to the disciples what is going to happen. Matthew has presented Jesus, the promised Messiah, showing the authority of God. Page 13

25 lesson plans for children, young people and their teachers. Lesson 6 God calls His chosen person – Abraham Bible reference – Genesis 12 verse 1 to 25 verse 11. After revealing the beginning of our world, the Bible now begins to focus on the ‘people of God’. Not all people are ‘people of God’! Every person is made by God and is loved by God. But only those who listen to the call God gives them, and then live the way that His call demands, are real women and men of God. Abram is our first example. In Genesis 12 verses 1-4 Abram follows God’s calling for his life. He is to leave behind all that is well-known to him – the place, the people, and even his closest family. He is to go where God shows him. Hebrews 11 verses 8-10 say that he moved “by faith”. This means he was sure that God knew what was best for him. He decided he would follow wherever God led him. ‘People of God’ are those who trust in God in their daily lives. God looks for such people to use, even today. Stop and discuss (1) Abram was not always known by this name. Can you find his other name? Copy it out Can you find the chapter and verse where God changes his name from one to the other? Genesis chapter verse What does the new name mean? In these fourteen chapters God speaks to Abraham several times (see the list 3 below). Abraham always has the choice: he can listen to God, or he can ignore God. Every time God calls him, Abraham can either do what God tells him to do, or he can choose to live life his own way. Because Abraham usually trusted God to guide him through his life, God was able to trust him with a great responsibility! Abraham was one of the ‘people of God’. Stop and discuss (2) Read Genesis 18 verses 18-19. In these two verses, what are three purposes for which God chose Abraham? God always wants His people to be living to His plan, in the place He has provided for them. This is what heaven is going to be! People of God are those who begin to live this way now, in their everyday world. Abraham was not perfect. He and his wife, Sarah, try to help God keep His own promise. They try the culturally acceptable method of having a child through a servant, Genesis 16 verses 1-4. Although this may have seemed a good idea to them, it was not what God wanted. God was going to help Sarah have a ‘miracle’ son, even though she thought she was too old to have a baby, Genesis 17 verses 16, 17, 19, 21; Genesis 18 verses 10-15. Sarah had a son eventually and she called him Isaac. God showed His greatness in being willing to bless both children – Ishmael (a child through the maidservant), and Isaac (a child through Sarah), see Genesis 17 verses 19-22. p.21 But it was to be through Isaac – God’s chosen son for Abraham – that the whole world would be blessed. God’s greatness and His grace enable Him to overcome our foolish mistakes. When we go our own way, He can bring us back to His way. His way is always best. It is easier to trust God when you know Him. Abraham believed in “Yahweh/Jehovah”, Genesis 12 verse 8; “God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth”, 14 verse 22; “God Almighty”, 17 verse 1; “Judge of all the earth”, 18 verse 25; “the eternal God”, 21 verse 33 . God is so great.The better we know Him, the more we can trust Him. Stop and discuss (3) Divide the class in to six small groups. Ask each group to look up one of the following Bible passages. Encourage each group to use their own words and explain, in just one or two sentences, what Abraham had to do in order to obey God. 1. Genesis 15 verses 1-6 2. Genesis 17 verses 8-14,23 3. Genesis 17 verses 15-22 4. Genesis 21 verses 8-14 5. Genesis 22 verses 1-8 6. Genesis 24 verses 1-9 At the end, let each group share their sentences with the whole class. Answers to ‘Stop and discuss’ 1. Abraham chapter 17 verse 5 ‘father of many’ 2. God purposed 1. Abraham to become a powerful nation 2. To bless the whole world through Abraham 3. Abraham would direct his own children in the ways of followingGod. 3. 1. Abram had to believe that God would give him a son from his own body, who would become a large number of descendants. 2. Abraham had to circumcise himself, and all males over 8 days old in his family household. This was a sign of God’s covenant promise. 3. Abraham had to believe God could and would give him a son through his wife, Sarah, even though she was too old to have children. (Hebrews 11 verse 11). 4. Abraham had to provide a start in life for Ishmael, the child of his wife’s servant. He also had to trust God to provide for them in the long term. 5. Abraham had to believe God would keep His promise through Isaac, even if it meant having him rise from the dead, (Hebrews11 verse 19). Abraham had to trust God that his chief servant would find the right wife for Isaac, from among his own people, his own tribe.

My notes on teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Leader’s notes: Genesis Don’t give out notes at the beginning or ask the ladies to close their books. Ask what things and people the ladies found in scanning through Genesis. It is important that any homework that has been done is seen to be valued. Work through the first paragraph on page 7 opposite. What does this book of beginnings tell us the beginning of? Try and elicit some of the answers in section 1:1-11:9 and then give out notes. Make sure the ladies know where they are now – just below where it says Cush on the map on page 2, see introduction. Student's worksheet. Lesson 2 Genesis Genesis is the first book in what we call the Old Testament of the Bible. It is also the first of five books which the Jews call the Law - they are the same first five books as our Bibles - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. They are attributed to Moses who lived through much of what happened, but the account of his death must have been added by someone else! Creation and the earliest history was transmitted by word of mouth and in parts by written sources. These were probably collated by Moses inspired by God, the Holy Spirit. To western ears that sounds risky. But many of you will know lots of groups who have oral traditions which have been faithfully and reliably handed down the generations, before that group had written language. We trust God to protect the word He has given us. 1:1 - 11:9 Genesis is a book of beginnings - the beginning of the world as we know it the beginning of our universe - God’s creation the beginning of man - God’s creation the beginning of sin the beginning of family the beginning of the announcement of God’s plan of redemption It also tells of God’s grief at making mankind, His response of the flood, and after the repopulation of the earth, mankind’s wanting to go his own way and be in charge. These chapters would make a big study in themselves! 11:10 onwards we have the beginning of the story of the development of the nation God called His chosen people. Genesis 11:10-26 Shem, one of Noah’s sons, was 100yrs old when he had Arphaxhad was 35 when he had Shelah was 30 when he had Eber was 34 when he had Peleg was 30 when he had Reu was 32 when he had Serug was 30 when he had Nahor was 29 when he had Terah was 70 when he had Abram, Nahor and Haran. All of these men had other sons and daughters, but God was choosing His chosen line. Now look at where they were on the map of major empires, page 2 in Introduction. Genesis 11:27-32 Haran (the person) died in Ur of the Chaldees. Page 7 Leader's notes: Genesis. Get the ladies to find the information from Genesis 12:1-9. The route they took followed the Fertile Crescent – land where it was possible to grow food and look after animals. South of this crescent was scrub and desert. This was, therefore, the usual route for travelling from Canaan to Babylon, Nineveh, Ur etc. Remember that fact when you get to exiles and returnees with Ezra and Nehemiah, in lessons 17 and 18. Teach about the covenants with Noah, Abram, Abraham, and to the bottom of the page. Student's worksheet: Genesis. Terah, Abram and Sarai, with Haran’s son, Lot, left to go to Canaan but stopped at Haran (the place), where Terah died. Ur and Haran are both on the map, page 2. The large travelling family left Ur of the Chaldees and travelled north west to Haran, then south west to Canaan. So with today’s boundaries - from south Iraq to south Turkey, to Syria and into Israel and Palestine. Did you notice a fact in Genesis 11:30? Sarai had not had any children. Then in Genesis 12:1-5 Abram, Sarai and Lot set out for Canaan because God had called Abram to go. God promised this leader of a group of nomadic herders: 12:2 from him would come a great nation 12:2,3 he would be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth 12:7 God would give him land After the flood God had made a covenant with Noah - Genesis 9:12-17 - He made no demands of Noah - but He said He would never again destroy all earthly life with a flood. God also made a covenant with Abram - Genesis 15:1-7 - he will have a son and the descendants will be as numerous as the stars. Abram believed God - against human understanding. This covenant made no demands on Abram. Genesis 17 God confirmed His covenant with Abram - name changed from Abram (God is Exalted Father) to Abraham (father of many) nations and kings will come from Abraham Canaan will be an everlasting possession Sarai is to be called Sarah But there is a cost - they must keep the covenant - the sign is circumcision - every male in the household more than 8 days old must be circumcised. For the Jews this still happens at 8 days old, for Abraham this happened at 99 years, for Ishmael it happened at 13 years (17:24-25), for the men with Abraham it happened at a variety of ages! A Covenant is a formal binding agreement Notice the changes in the covenants - no demands in Genesis 9 on Noah no demands in Genesis 15 on Abraham circumcision required in Genesis 17 on all males Plus see Genesis 16:6; Romans 4:3; Hebrews 11:8,9,12,13; Romans 4:1,10-12. Abraham’s trust in God’s promises is counted as righteousness. We will see Abraham in heaven! Page 8 Leader's notes: Genesis. Work through the 4 applications to us today (see opposite page). Number 1 is the most challenging. Think about it for yourself. Try and understand it for yourself. Then help the ladies to work on it. It may be that it is helpful to think about God and nothing else with eyes closed - so you cannot see the material world - but you know your group, you decide how best to teach your ladies these things. Student's worksheet: Genesis. So how does this lesson apply to us? Isn’t it just ancient history? No! 1. God has a plan - before time was – before the universe was – before man was - God was. Try pushing your mind to take hold of this truth – nothing, nothing no-one but God! 2. God created - you, me, animals, rocks, rivers, everything – God made it. 3. God planned people - we may sometimes wish He had not made some people - but we must remember, then and now, every man/woman is a special creation of our God. 4. We see that God requires us to have faith in Him, to believe Him and to obey Him. Four big lessons there! And that is just the start of the Old Testament in our Bibles. Please read Genesis 12:1-5,11, 15:1-7,16,17, 18:1-15, 21:1-21, 23:1,2,19-21 for next time. Page 9

25 lesson plans for children, young people and their teachers. Lesson 7 This special family move into Egypt – Joseph Bible reference – Genesis 37, 39-50. In the Bible story Abraham’s family line continues through Isaac, Genesis 25 verses 19 and 20 and then through Jacob. Jacob was a twin. He took his birthright from his older twin brother, Esau, Genesis 25 verses 24-26. These three names of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are often spoken together when God shows Himself to people. Stop and discuss (1) 1. Who hears this name in Exodus 3 verse 6? 2. Who uses/speaks this name in Matthew 22 verse 32? The name “God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob” helps us to remember that our God is the same one Who entered a covenant with His people long ago. He is the same God today, still keeping all His promises. Matthew begins the New Testament by reminding us that Jacob is the ancestor of Joseph (in the Christmas story) and therefore Jesus is from his family: Matthew 1 verses 15 and 16. Jacob’s children became the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel. (Jacob’s name was changed to Israel by God in Genesis 32 verse 28). The children are named in Genesis 49. Can you find them all? Stop and discuss(2) Divide the class into small groups of about 5 people. Which group can be first to write a correct list of the 12 sons of Jacob? Write the names and the verse numbers from Genesis 49. 1. verse 2. verse 3. verse 4. verse 5. verse 6. verse 7. verse 8. verse 9. verse 10. verse 11. verse 12. verse Genesis chapters 37-50 tell the story of Jacob’s son, Joseph. Joseph is not Jacob’s first son, but he is his favourite son – Jacob liked Joseph more than all his other sons: Genesis 37 verse 3 Jacob and family lived in the land of Canaan, Genesis 37 verse 1. This is where God had promised Abraham he would live, and his family after him would possess land and live there too: p.23 Genesis 12 verse 7 Genesis 15 verses 7 and 18. The life-story of Joseph is important in Israel’s history. It shows how the people of Israel left the land they were promised by God and moved into Egypt. Joseph arrives in Egypt before anyone else from the family. He did not choose to go there, he went as a slave and ended up as a prisoner! Stop and act (3) Have some of the class act out Genesis 37 verses 12-36, while you (or a good reader from the class) read this summary of it: eleven brothers are looking after sheep. Joseph is sent from his father Jacob to ask how things are the brothers see him coming in the distance and captureJoseph they throw him into a bore hole dug for water and leave him they see Midianite merchants coming the brothers go and pull Joseph from the pit and sell him to the Midianites the Midianite camel train then continues on to Egypt, taking Joseph with them. Joseph was thrown into prison when he was falsely accused of attempted rape, Genesis 39 verses 16-20.He must have wondered whether God really was in control of his life! First, he was sold into slavery by his brothers, and then he was put into prison on a false charge. Years passed by. Joseph earned the respect of the prison keeper and was used to help run the prisoners’ daily programme, verse 21-23. God gave Joseph the gift of understanding the meaning of dreams. One day, Pharaoh – the king of Egypt – had a dream. Pharaoh wanted to know what the dream meant. A wine steward to the king, who had been with Joseph in prison, heard that Pharaoh was troubled by two dreams. He knew Joseph could give the meanings if God helped him. The wine steward told the king about Joseph. Joseph told the king that God had shown the same lesson in both dreams. There was going to be seven years of good harvests followed by seven years of famine in Egypt and the surrounding area. Pharaoh should plan wisely to survive the difficult years. Pharaoh made Joseph “governor over all Egypt”, Genesis 41 verses 40-41. He was only 30 years old, but God had already led him through slavery, and prison, to become a very, very important young man in Egypt. The years of good harvests and then the years of famine came. The other eleven of Joseph’s brothers were with their father, Jacob, in Canaan.The famine was bad there and they were among the crowds who travelled many days to Egypt to buy food. (Joseph had made sure Egypt was prepared well for the tough times). In Genesis chapters 42-45 we are told the brothers twice came to buy food for their family back in Canaan. They bought food from Joseph – but they did not know this important leader was their younger brother Joseph! They had not seen or heard of him since they sold him into slavery to the Midianites. p.24 Stop and act (4) Have some of the class act out this summary of the Genesis story as you (or a good reader from the class) reads it out aloud. Joseph is selling grain to those who come to him his eleven brothers come in. He knows who they are, but they do not know him. he sends everyone away except his brothers crying, Joseph tells them who he is the brothers are afraid he will arrest them. They remember what they did he tells them not to worry, but to go and bring his father to Egypt they go, ……… and they return with Jacob and all of the family Joseph and Jacob (son and father) throw their arms around each other they go to Pharaoh, who gives them a place to live nearby So, God’s special family are all in Egypt! They are not where God wants them to be in the end, but they are where he will look after their daily needs for the present famine, Genesis chapters 46 and 47. When the old man Jacob died, Joseph promised his brothers that he would never pay them back for the wrong they did to him. In fact, in Genesis 50 verse 20 Joseph tells us what he understood had happened. Stop and discuss (5) Fill in the four missing words that Joseph said to his brothers: “You plotted e against me, but God turned it into g , in order to p the l of many people who are alive today because of what happened” Answers to ‘Stop and discuss’ 1. 1. Moses 2. Jesus 2. 1. Reuben, verse 3 2. Simeon, verse5 3. Levi, verse 5 4. Judah, verse 8 5. Zebulun, verse 13 6. Issachar, verse 14 7. Dan, verse 16 8. Gad, verse 19 9. Asher, verse 20 10. Naphtali, verse21 11. Joseph, verse 22 12. Benjamin, verse 27 5. evil ………. good, …………..preserve …… lives ….. Genesis 50 verse 20. (the word ‘preserve’ means ‘to keep safe’). p.25

Leader's page and Student's page best viewed left/right side together Lesson 5 Leader’s notes: Mark 2:1-10:52 As in Lesson 4 ask the ladies not to open their notes or books. You will need paper and pencils, or a chalk board. In twos, or small groups, get the ladies to work through Mark 2:1-10:52 deciding which of four columns to put the various events into – 1. story and teaching 2. healing miracles 3. nature miracles As you do this you may find things you think are especially important, or which summarise, or which add to the whole situation in the story - list them by references under 4. ‘special findings’. Remember, a few events may fit into more than one column. This may still be a very new idea – so be patient and help each group. Try it for yourself ahead of time so you have answers to the ladies’ questions! You may still need to help them this time. I estimate it will take about half of the lesson time to do. 1. story and teaching 2. healing miracles 3. nature miracles 4. special findings Look at my suggested answers, and complete the lesson page. There are three other miracles recorded by Mark but not in these references - see 1:30-31, 40-42, 11:12-14, 20-21. Work through page 14 and the top of page 15. Talk about any additional references the ladies have put under their ‘special findings’. Find out why they picked them out. A second Friendly warning  Using this lesson method may take a long time. You can choose to break it up into two or three sessions if you have time. It is good to encourage the ladies to handle and search their own Bibles. Alternatively, you could again show the class my and your answers for this lesson (Mark) before getting ladies to find answers for themselves on the next meeting – for Luke lesson 6. Develop your best way to use this course book. Don’t be bound by it. Student's page: Lesson 5 Mark continues the true story 2:1-10:52 Scan through the nine chapters above and put them into the sections you choose below. 1. story and teaching 2. healing miracles 3. nature miracles 4. special findings 2:6-12 2:1-5 2:12 2:13-17 2:17 2:18-28 3:1-6 3:6 3:13-35 3:7-12 3:12 4:1-34 4:35-41 4:41 5:1-43 5:31 6:1-29 6:30-44 6:54-56 6:45-53 7:1-23 7:24-37 8:1-10 8:11-21 8:22-26 8:31-33 8:27-9:13 9:14-29 9:30-10:45 9:30-32 10:46-52 10:32-34 As in Matthew there are lots of healings. The same four ‘nature miracles’ are in both. There is story, teaching and conversation with the Pharisees. My Special findings 2:12 Amazement and praise to God 2:17 People puzzled over Who Jesus is 3:6 Jesus heals on the Sabbath causing plotting by the religious leaders who felt threatened by Jesus 3:12 Jesus wants to keep a low profile until the right time 4:41 Even His disciples are terrified at Jesus’ power 5:31 The disciples do not understand when Jesus asks “Who touched My clothes?” when they were in a crowd. Their response was that everybody was touching someone! In Luke 8:46 Jesus says “Someone touched Me; I know that power has gone out from Me.” Someone had touched Jesus seeking His healing power. This is what Mark explains in 5:28 “She thought, “If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.” Verse 29 clearly says she was healed immediately. She came forward and in verse 34 Jesus confirms to her “Daughter, your faith has healed you” 8:31-33 Jesus started to teach the disciples that He would be rejected by the religious leaders, killed and rise again. Peter argued against this idea and was rebuked severely by Jesus. Page 14 Leader's page: Don’t forget to find out why ladies have put other references in their ‘special findings’. The names used for the disciples can confuse us. This paragraph is just to answer the question – yes, three of them do have different names in the different Gospels! Student's page: Jesus went on to say, recorded in Mark’s version, and in Matthew’s and in Luke’s, that anyone who follows Him must carry their own crosses. It obviously made a deep impression on everyone who heard it. They could not forget it. There were always crosses to be seen, where regular executions took place. It was the Roman’s preferred cruellest punishment method. Reminders. Solemn thought! 9:30-32 Jesus talks about His death again. The disciples had been talking about who of them would be the greatest. Jesus knew and told them that to be important they must strive to become the servants of all. Another solemn thought! 10:32-43 On their way to Jerusalem Jesus talks to the disciples for a third time about what will happen to Him. The Gospel of Mark does not have as many parables recorded as Matthew or Luke. Mark has just five. What Jesus did was important to Mark. He is very direct in reporting what Jesus did, and does not have as much of what Jesus said as Matthew and Luke. The words translated ‘immediately’, ‘as soon as’ and ‘straightaway’ (1:29, 6:45, 6:50), are often used, together with eye witness detail, probably from Peter. There are times when you can almost hear Peter saying to Mark “and then….” – talking as they spent time together, perhaps in Rome. Peter also remembered that Jesus had gone to sleep on a cushion 4:38, that the grass was green, which tells us the time of year 6:39, that the man could only see people as trees walking 8:24. Mark has presented Jesus as the Servant of God – doing what God wants Him to do. Have you ever been confused about the names of the disciples? Check Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16. Simon Peter James the son of Zebedee John the son of Zebedee Andrew – Peter’s brother Philip Bartholomew also known as Nathanael Matthew also known as Levi Thomas James the son of Alphaeus Thaddeus also known as Judas son of James Simon the Zealot Judas Iscariot Page 15

Christian thoughts from everyday life in and around the three cities. WAITING FOR A REPLY. The growing number of Internet cafes in our city reflect a great desire for knowledge and communication. Email addresses and mobile phone numbers are shared with friends because all of us love people to be in direct contact with us. Friends from my church who have moved away to work elsewhere have recently sent electronic letters here to us in Sudan. We've heard from Russia, Malaysia, Ghana, Northern Ireland, Malawi, Germany, Austria and the USA. Receiving such communication brings with it the responsibility of answering it! When your phone rings or if someone knocks at your gate, you have to respond, or else the communication stops. Around Easter time Christians remember especially that God has spoken to the people of the world by his son, Jesus. Jesus radiates God's glory and represents God's being to us in a way we can begin to understand. The resurrection of Jesus, after his verified Roman execution, speaks of the forever living God. This God wants all people to share eternal life with him. Human rebellion against God disqualifies a person from entry into heaven. Jesus' death has made a reconciliation with God possible. If God phoned you particularly, would you answer? If God emailed you would you use your mouse to click 'reply'? Since God has spoken to you by his son Jesus, what reply have you said back to him? When doubting Thomas met the risen Jesus he said: "You are my Lord and my God". Jesus ended that conversation with a wonderful promise you and I can both claim. "Blessed by God are those who have not seen Jesus' resurrection physically, but have still believed it". Happy Easter!

My notes on teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Genesis 12:1-5, 11; 15:1-7; 16:1-16; 17:1-27; 18:1-15; 21:1-21; 23:1-2, 19-21. Lesson 3: Leader’s notes. Ask the ladies to keep their books closed and do not give notes out at the beginning. Write out the references at the top of the study sheet on a blackboard, or large piece of paper, or a white board or on smaller pieces of paper, one for each group. Put the ladies into groups of 4/5 - and ask them to make a list of major things that happened in Sarah’s life and in Hagar’s life from the given references. This may take a while if the ladies are not used to finding information and listing it. Keep them on track. When most groups have finished, get them to share answers in the order they come historically. Use an outstretched palm and your eyes in the direction of the group you are asking to give you the next piece of information. They will not all have picked the same things, so if you feel there is something missing ask - “Does another group have something that happened to Sarah before that?” while sweeping your outstretched palm and eyes across the group. You want the information, but it is not a military exercise, rather a gentle sharing - not for arguing about. Then give out notes. Let them look at the 1-16 listed there. Work as a whole group through the promises given to Sarah and Hagar. Student's worksheet: Lesson 3 Sarah and Hagar Genesis 12:1-5,11; 15:1-7; 16:1-16; 17:1-27; 18:1-15; 21:1-21; 23:1-2, 19-21. Let’s look at the story: 1. Sarah, beautiful wife of Abraham. They had a very successful business as herders. 2. They were far away from their original home 3. Sarah was childless - a stigma is attached to this in some cultures 4. God promised Abraham a son and heir 5. Sarah had a slave - Hagar. This was normal in the culture 6. Sarah suggested Abraham had a child with Hagar What was she actually doing? - trying to solve a problem in her own way 7. Abraham agreed - Hagar was pregnant and she upset Sarah - Abraham did not want to be involved 8. Hagar ran away 9. Hagar had an encounter with ‘the God who sees me’ 10. Hagar returned to Sarah, and gave birth to Ishmael 11. Thirteen years later God promised Abraham a son with Sarah 12. God promised Abraham that Ishmael, also his son, would be blessed. Three visitors came to Abraham and promised him that Sarah would have a son within a year, to be called Isaac. Who were the visitors? Check in your Bible Genesis 18:1, 2, 13, 16. 14. Isaac and Ishmael played together - Sarah got Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away 15. God looked after Hagar and reassured Abraham. Ishmael became a skilful hunter and married an Egyptian wife 16. Sarah died aged 127 and Abraham mourned for her. Now back to the story between the numbers 4-15 above. Promises to Sarah: We usually think of God dealing with Abraham, but in dealing with Abraham He also dealt with Abraham’s wife - she was the one who would have the baby!! Ask the ladies to look at Genesis 17:19-21. What is the promise? God will keep His covenant with a promised child to Abraham and Sarah one year on 17:15-16 Sarah will be the mother of nations and kings will be among her descendants 17:19 son to be called Isaac and God’s everlasting covenant will be confirmed with him Page 10 Leader's notes: Lesson 3 Sarah and Hagar. Teach through the Sarah and Hagar sections including some group discussion. Student's worksheet: Lesson 3 Sarah and Hagar. God also makes promises to Hagar, Sarah’s servant. In dealing with the line of people he has chosen, God also makes promises to a servant caught up in the saga - 16:10 Hagar will have uncountable descendants including 12 princes 16:12 Ishmael will not get on with anyone - he will be like a wild donkey 21:18 a great nation will come from Ishmael Sarah What kind of position did Sarah have? Did that give her responsibilities? How would she have felt about not having a child? Genesis 16:1-15 It is easy to understand Sarah’s thinking in telling her husband to have a child through her slave, Hagar. But who was she trusting? Sarah had this idea, but she was not able to live with the consequences. We need to be prepared to cope with the consequences of our actions. It would be easy to think of Sarah as selfish, cruel and weak. Would we do any better? Genesis 18:1-15 More than 13 years later - yes, 13 years later - Sarah is told she will have a son a year or more from now. She gives birth to Isaac. How patient would we have been? How easy is it to trust God to look after our future? Sarah’s difficult problem with Hagar and Ishmael comes again. Genesis 23:1-2 Will people praise God for your life? Or will they not miss you? (This does not concern Sarah but it ties up an end for us - Ishmael was sent away - but in Genesis 25:9 Isaac and Ishmael bury their father.) Hagar Most of us will identify with Hagar because we are not the rich people in our country, we are not married to people who have power to make things happen in our community. Page 11 Leader's notes: Lesson 3 Sarah and Hagar. Student's worksheet: Lesson 3 Sarah and Hagar. Hagar too received promises. See Genesis 16:10 to Hagar and 21:11-13 said to Abraham. But 21:17- 18 are spoken specifically to Hagar, a slave woman turned out of her home, that her descendants through Ishmael would be an uncountable number, including rulers and leaders. In English there is a saying - ‘the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world’ - those who look after and train children are potentially raising leaders, thinkers, people of influence. This is a God-given responsibility. We need to make sure that we live for God in our families and teach our children the truths of Christian understanding and Christian living. That is a big responsibility! And God still has work for us if we are not able to have a child. I know of Christian couples who could not have children, or who decided not to have children, and they have been used by God in their churches or in wider ministries somewhere else. No child does not mean no ministry. Genesis 16:12 In the sovereignty of God we hope for our children but we cannot guarantee what they will be like. Ishmael was like a wild donkey - stubborn? self-willed? awkward? inconsistent? Isaac was the son of God’s promise, but even so was not perfect - still with human failings. That should encourage us. Hagar did not have an easy life - most of us have our difficulties too. God spoke to her – He will guide us too if we look for Him. Please read Genesis 24:1-66, 25:19-34, 27:1-28:9 for next time. Page 12

Leader's page and Student's page best viewed left/right side together Lesson 6 Leader’s notes: Luke 6:1–19:27 Ask the ladies not to open their notes or books. You will need paper and pencils, or a chalk board as in the previous two Lessons. In twos, or small groups get the ladies to work through Luke 6:1 – 19:27 deciding which columns to put the various events into – 1. story and teaching 2. healing miracles 3. nature miracles As you do this you may find things you think are especially important, or which summarise, or which add to the whole situation in the story - list them by references under 4. ‘special findings’. Events may be put into more than one column. Patiently help each group to handle and search their own Bibles. Do it for yourself beforehand so you have answers to the ladies’ questions! Encourage the ladies your way into what you think is best for them. It should take about half of the lesson time to do. 1. story and teaching 2. healing miracles 3. nature miracles 4. special findings Look at my suggested answers, and complete the lesson page. Note: There are two other miracles recorded by Luke before 6:1. See 4:38-39 (healing miracle), and 5:4-11 (nature miracle). Student's page: Lesson 6 Luke continues the true story 6:1-19:27 Scan the 14 chapters above. Choose suitable categories to put them into below. My findings are below, but please do your own first. It helps us in thinking by this kind of doing. 1. story and teaching 2. healing miracles 3. nature miracles 4. special findings 6:1-5, 12-15 6:6-10 6:11 6:12-49 7:1-10, 11-17 7:18-35, 36-50 7:50 8:1-18, 19-21 8:26-39, 40-56 8:22-25 8:1-3 9:1-9 9:10-17 9:18-20 9:18-20, 21-27 9:21-27 9:28-36, 43-50 9:37-43 9:43 9:51-56, 57-62 9:43-50, 9:51 10:1-24 10:18 10:25-37, 38-42 10:41-42 11:1-13 11:28 11:14-28, 29-54 11:14 11:53-54 12:1-59 12:1 13:1-9, 18-35 13:10-17 13:17 14:1-34 14:1-4 15:1-32 16:1-31 17:1-10 17:11-19 17:20-37 18:1-34 18:35-43 18:31-34 19:1-10, 11-27 Luke, the educated Greek doctor, records healing miracles as you would expect, plus the feeding of the 5000 and the calming of the storm. Luke shares more of Jesus’ parables than Matthew or Mark. Several of the parables that Luke records involve outcasts of society – look up 10:33, 15:11-24, 19:2. Luke was especially interested in Jesus’ reaction to women and children – have a look at 7:45-47, 8:3, 8:41-42, 8:43-48, 9:38, 10;38-42, 11:27-28. Now to look at the ‘special findings’. 6:11 the fury of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law and their planning what to do about Jesus. 7:50 Christian salvation comes only by faith in our Lord Jesus and what He has done. Page 16 Leader's page: Work through the ‘special findings’ together. Remember to check any other references the ladies have picked, as well as mine. This is important. Involve the ladies – what do you think about that? - how easy is that? - does that encourage you? Student's page: The ‘special findings’ (continued from page 16) 8:1-3 Jesus + the Twelve + Mary, who had been cured by Jesus, the wife of the chief of Herod’s household, Susanna and others – using their own financial means and contacts to provide for food, accommodation and whatever else was needed for the travelling group. The ladies were not necessarily with the team all the time, but made provision for Jesus and his followers. A valuable ministry! Lydia at Philippi was another lady with this ministry. Acts 16:14-15, 40. 9:18-20 a quiet moment with no crowd around – Peter’s confession of faith. 9:21-27 Jesus talks about His coming death, and says that His followers were to take up their crosses daily. That’s us! Verse 27 means some of the people listening would see the arrival of the kingdom of God with the death and resurrection of Jesus. Judas Iscariot did not. 9:43 are you amazed at the greatness of God like these people were? Why? 9:43-50 Jesus talks a second time about His death and resurrection, but the disciples are more interested in who would be the greatest among themselves. 9:51 as the God appointed time approached Jesus went resolutely – He set His face - towards God’s holy city for the sacrifice that He was about to make, ready to pay the price. 10:18 compare with Job 1:6-7, Jude verse 6, 2 Peter 2:4. Satan (and company) have been cast out but are still, at the moment, able to roam the earth, under God’s constraints. 10:41-42 we need to be learning more about Jesus and spending time with Him and we need to be following hard after God in our everyday living. 11:28 obedience to God is always the key to a blessed life. 11:53-54 the opposition was watching to catch Jesus out using His own words. 12:1 many thousands! A countless number. 13:17 the people were delighted, opponents humiliated. Both could be dangerous. 18:31-34 Three times Jesus has told them this information – just as Matthew and Mark record. His death and resurrection was all planned in God’s timing, not an accident of history. Luke has presented Jesus as the Son of Man – reaching for God men and women of all backgrounds. Page 17