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25 lesson plans for children, young people and their teacher. Lesson 8 God brings them out of captivity, after the Passover - Exodus and Moses Bible reference – Exodus 12 verses 1-51. Living as foreign workers in Egypt, ‘God’s special family’ grew large in numbers. Joseph and his brothers died. After about 135 years the Egyptians had forgotten the help given to them by Joseph in the past. Exodus 1 verses 6-8. Pharaoh, the new king of Egypt, tries to stop the population growth of the Israelites. Stop and discuss (1) Can you find three orders the king gives to people which aim to stop the growth of God’s special family? Read Exodus chapter 1 verses 6-22. God looked after His people. God was working – in the individual lives of common people and of national leaders – to keep His promise to Abraham. God works out His own purpose through human history. Midwives who “feared God” saved many children from death. Among them God protected one special baby boy whom He had chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and back into their Promised Land. Exodus 2 verses 1-11. Stop and discuss (2) How many people did God use to protect baby Moses and then to help him grow into a young man? Write a list of them all. Ask three people to read Exodus 2verses 23-25 aloud to the class. Stop and discuss (3) Ask the class: 1. How do you know it was a very long and a very hard time for the people of God? 2. What do you think they cried out to God? In the past, God called Abraham. Now God calls Moses. Exodus chapters 3 and 4 tell us about this. God makes Moses come and look at a bush that was on fire but did not burn away. He speaks to Moses by name from the bush and warns him to be careful because of God’s own burning holiness. God reminds Moses He is “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob”. God tells Moses that He will rescue the people and answer their prayers, Exodus 3 verse 8. Moses is surprised and afraid when God tells him that he is going to be the leader of Israel. Moses will have to meet with the Pharaoh of Egypt. He makes excuses because he does not want to do it, but God answers them all one by one. Stop and read (4) Divide the class into two. p.26 Tell one half to read aloud and altogether the words of God. Tell the other half to reply aloud and altogether by reading the words of Moses. This is the script for the two sides (God/Moses) to read: God: Moses, Moses. Moses: Here I am. God: I am going to rescue My people, and you are to help Me. Moses: I am not a big, important, person. I can’t do that. God: I’ll be with you. Bring My people to worship Me here on this mountain. Moses: Who do I tell the Israelites is calling me to be the leader of Israel? God: I am Who I am! The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob. Moses: What if they don’t believe me? God: I’ll turn your walking staff into a snake – like this, and when you pick it up it will change back – like this. This miracle sign will help them believe. Moses: O.K. God: Your arm will turn leprous, and then be cleansed, as a second sign. Moses: O.K. God: When you pour Nile river water on to the ground it will turn to blood, as a third sign. Moses: O.K. God: Is there anything else, Moses? Moses: I’m not a good speaker. Don’t send me. God: I’ll help you talk, Moses. Moses: No, Lord, please send someone else. God: I’m getting angry with you, Moses. I’ll tell you what to say. You tell it to your brother Aaron, and he can speak to the people. In Exodus chapters 5 and 7 verse 14 to chapter 11 verse 10, Moses and Aaron go and see Pharaoh. They ask his permission to lead Israel into the desert and worship God. Pharaoh either says: ‘No’, or, if he says ‘Yes’, he soon changes his mind! God responds by sending plagues– disasters – one after another on to Egypt and Pharaoh the king. First the river turns to blood. Next, frogs cover the land. Then, gnats and Then, flies cover everything and everybody. Disease brings death to Egyptian animals (not to Israeli ones, chapter 9 verse 6). Boils painfully break out on the skins of people and animals. A heavy storm of hail stones– ice like rain – kills many people and destroys crops. Locusts come and eat whatever is left. And darkness covers the Egyptians (but not the Israelis, chapter 10 verse 23) for 3 whole days. Stop and discuss (5) Ask the class: 1. How many ‘plagues’ (or disasters) have I just told you about 2. Which ones can you remember? p.27 God was proving He was the Saving God and He was giving the Israelites something to tell their children and grandchildren about, Exodus 10 verses 1-2. Even one of the most powerful men in the world could not stand against God. Pharaoh’s work against God’s people only proved how great God’s power to save His people really was! In this story there is one final disaster to come in Exodus 11 and 12. God tells Moses He is going to kill the first-born sons of every Egyptian family. God’s own people must protect themselves by carefully obeying God’s command. If they don’t obey they will suffer death as well. God’s people must kill a perfect lamb and paint the blood on to the door posts and over the top of the doors of their homes. They are also to eat a special meal and pack up all of their belongings ready for a long journey. The Israelites obey God. When God kills the first-born, He ‘passes over’ all of the homes where the blood had been painted. God’s people are saved by their obedience. The sign of the blood keeps them safe. 430 years after coming to Egypt to escape famine the Israelites left Egypt. Pharaoh said they can go. Other Egyptians urge the Israelites to leave before any more death comes on them. More than half-a-million men, plus their families and their animals, leave Egypt. Moses led the people by faith, (Hebrews 11 verse 28). “The Lord kept watch to bring them out of Egypt”, Exodus 12 verse 42. The Jewish people have a ‘Passover’ feast to remember this event even today. Answers to ‘Stop and discuss’ 1. order 1: ‘work the Israelites very, very hard’, verses 10,11 order 2: (to midwives) ‘kill their baby boys at birth’, verse 16 order 3: (to anyone) ‘throw their baby boys into the Nile river’, verse 22. 2. Five people we know about in this Bible story: his mother and father, (Hebrews11 verse 23) his sister the king’s daughter, (a princess) one slave-girl Probably we should add: a midwife, the princess’s other servants, and a few neighbours and close friends as well. God uses people for His purposes. 3. 1. The verse 23 reads, “years later”. And we know Moses had grown from a baby into a man. 2. ‘God, please get us out of here!’ ‘God, are you going to keep your promise?’ p.28. 5. There were nine plagues up to this point in the story: blood, frogs, gnats, flies, boils, animals' deaths, hail stones, locusts, and darkness. p.29.

Christian thoughts from everyday life in and around the three cities. ARE YOU READY TO GO? Between 5 and 7 most mornings the big buses ready for the longer journeys – to places like El Obied, Kosti, Shendi and Atbara – turn on their engines to warm up and the drivers sound their horns to let passengers know of imminent departure. ‘This bus is going to leave. Take your seat now, or it will go without you. Your chosen destination will be lost’. The bus stations are a hive of activity around this time as bleary-eyed people buy snacks for the journey, before stowing their luggage (usually on the roof) and boarding ‘their’ bus. The sound of blaring bus horns is a reminder of an ultimate departure which none of us can avoid. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is going to return to this world. He is going to take believers with him into heaven. He is also going to direct unbelievers into eternity lost. Wars in our world, and rumours of wars, are signs pointing towards the end of time. Fearful natural disasters and rampant plague diseases are other signs. Jesus himself said people should “look up” when they see these, because the time of his return is fast approaching. Our radio and TV news bulletins everyday tell us of events which can be interpreted as these signs. Do they make you consider your life after this one finishes? Are you ready for the future God wants you to have? Now is the time to do what you need to do, and be made right with God, before Jesus returns. It is essential to personally get to know Jesus, who alone is the true way to eternal life. You may catch another bus, but you will never find a different Saviour. All these articles were first published in the Khartoum Monitor newspaper, Sudan, between September 2002 and April 2003. Then, as a collection, by Khartoum International Church November 2003.

My notes on teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Leader’s notes: lesson 4 - Rebekah Genesis 24:1-66, 25:19-34, 27:1-28:9 Do not give out notes at the beginning. Ask the ladies with books to keep them closed. Share the story of Genesis 24:1-49 working through it as a group. Student's worksheet: Lesson 4 Rebekah - where did it all go wrong? Genesis 24:1-66, 25:19-34, 27:1-28:9 Abraham’s wife, Sarah, died at the end of Genesis 23. Abraham was without his helpmeet of many years - he thought about the future - the future of these people God had given him. He made his chief steward, his administrator and trusted servant, promise to get a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s own people, not a local Canaanite girl. Choosing a life partner for ourselves or for our children is a solemn responsibility - as it was for Abraham’s servant - we need to be asking what God is looking for in that person. This may mean going against our usual traditions. The servant said ‘what if........?’ He wanted to be very sure of his master’s wishes if there was a problem. Abraham said that Jacob is not to go back to the family’s original home - God had given them a new land - a land of promise. Isaac must stay in the land of promise. Having made the promise to his master, the servant packed up all kinds of presents on ten of Abraham’s camels, and left with some men. See Genesis 24:10 and 32. When he reached Nahor’s town – Haran - in the land of the two rivers (look at the map on page two in the Introduction) he rested the camels by a well, expecting that a woman would soon arrive to draw water. Then he prayed, conscious that he was there doing a job for Abraham. He prayed ‘Oh Lord, God of my master Abraham’. We do not know whether the servant acknowledged Abraham’s God for himself, but he asked God to show him the right girl - as a kindness to Abraham - and so he could do his own job well. Through our Lord Jesus Christ we can have direct access to God for ourselves. It is always very wise to ask God to guide us in our lives - in decisions big and small, in our attitudes and our actions. Rebekah said the right words and did the right things - she got water for the camels. The servant gave her a nose ring and 2 bracelets - see Genesis 24:22 and 30. Having made himself known to Rebekah and her brother, Laban, and having washed his feet, the servant was offered food. He refused until he had explained why he had come. He told the whole story - verses 34-49. Thank you, God. Page 13 Leader's notes: Lesson 4 - Rebekah, where did it all go wrong? Give out the reference Genesis 24:50-61. What do you learn about the faith of the family, the servant ambassador and Rebekah, her nurse and her maids? Genesis 24: 62-67. How was Rebekah wise? Give out notes and then work through the two remaining sections. Use question and answer to involve the whole group in finding the information, and in seeing and understanding the applications. Work through the last paragraph reading the references, or better, having them read by others. Student's worksheet: Lesson 4 - Rebekah, where did it all go wrong? Rebekah was: Willing to follow God Genesis 24:50-61 The family acknowledged the sovereignty of God The servant ambassador acknowledged the sovereignty of God Rebekah, her nurse and her maids willingly followed God A wise woman Look at Genesis 24:62-67 Rebekah observed the local custom, perhaps her own family's as well, and publicly indicated she was not married. Isaac and Rebekah married, and she helped him cope with the death of his mother. Even though she was in a new land and situation, she ministered to his needs. Unsure of what God was doing Genesis 25:19-26, Genesis 25:27-34 Rebekah did not get pregnant as soon as she and Isaac hoped. Isaac took the priestly role in praying for his wife. Rebekah became pregnant with twins and God told her that she was carrying two different nations in her womb and that, contrary to custom, the older would serve the younger. Esau, the elder, was a hunter by skill and by choice. Jacob, the younger, preferred to stay around the campsite and liked cooking. Esau was Jacob’s favourite, but Jacob was Rebekah’s favourite. Seeds of disaster! In human terms this was where it started to go wrong. A very hungry Esau arrived home to the smell of Jacob’s red lentil stew - and sold his birthright - a verbal oath was a legal transaction. Unwise (very unwise) in family matters Genesis 27:1-28:9 Isaac became frail and nearly blind. He called Esau to go and kill some wild game and bring him the stew he liked. Then Jacob would bless Esau before he died. Rebekah overheard the conversation, told Jacob to fetch some game and said she would make the stew the way Jacob liked. She suggested to Jacob that he should take the food to Isaac, and wearing some of Esau’s hunting clothes, with his hands and neck covered in goatskin, he would receive the blessing. Isaac was wary, but the hunting smell persuaded him and he blessed Jacob. Jacob would be lord of his brothers! Esau arrived, made the food, took it to his father. The deception was now in the open. The birthright Esau gave for a plate of stew, has now gone to his brother, Jacob. What God had told Rebekah in chapter 25:23 has happened! Page 14 Leader's notes: Lesson 4 - Rebekah, where did it all go wrong? Student's worksheet: Lesson 4 - Rebekah, where did it all go wrong? Genesis 27:41-46. Rebekah was frightened for her favourite son. She made up an excuse to explain to Isaac why Jacob should go away. Isaac believed the story and sent Jacob to Rebekah’s family to get a wife. Esau heard what had happened and realised how much Isaac did not want Canaanite women in the family, so he went and married one, the daughter of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar. It is a sad story of deception, favouritism, scheming - things that should be no part of our lives as Christians. But God had told Rebekah that her younger child would rule the older. We need to be very careful and honest in our family relationships. Please read Genesis 28:1-4, 28:10-33:20, 35:1-29 for next time. Page 15

Leader's page and Student's page best viewed left/right side together Lesson 7 Leader’s notes: John 2:1 – 11:57 There will be time pressure on this lesson once again! See if any of the ladies can remember why John wrote his Gospel, from this book chapter 1, page 7. (or John 20:31). Work through the first two paragraphs of the lesson. Look at the map about Judea and Galilee on page 3. Below is extra information in case you want it for paragraph three opposite. Before 1400 A.D. most copying of literature was done by hand. The availability of such literature was therefore very limited. Printing using wood blocks started in China about 200 A.D. Moveable wood block type was developed around 1000 A.D. Woodblock printing was also used in Europe, but in the 1400s European printers produced metal type pieces. This began an economical book printing industry, and with it came an explosion of knowledge. Printing enabled many more people to have books. It was a major development in education and communication. The advent of computers has revolutionised commercial printing – hence this book - and made it easy for an individual to communicate to many more people than she or he might ever meet. Note: Some of the references in the four sections (opposite) are outside of John 2:1 – 11:57. This is deliberate. The next Lessons on each Gospel in our course cover Palm Sunday to Ascension, and we will have difficulty fitting it all in! Suggestion: teach three ‘special findings’ passages (opposite), by asking the ladies questions. Especially go through ‘material from John that is not in the Synoptics.’ Extra information you may find useful: A.D.70 The Roman forces destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the Temple, and slaughtered many people, after the Jewish rebellion against Rome in A.D.66. Note: we are not doing our usual ‘four column research’ during this lesson. Student's page: Lesson 7 John continues the true story 2:1 – 11:57 As we saw earlier John’s purposes in writing his Gospel were: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name”. John wants to show to Jews that the promised Messiah has come. He wants to show to everybody else that Jesus is the Son of God – divine. John’s Gospel has no genealogy, no birth stories, nothing about Jesus’ temptation, no transfiguration, no appointing of disciples, no parables. John concentrates on the divinity of Christ, the only begotten of the Father. He records more Jerusalem and Judean ministry than Matthew, Mark and Luke, who record a lot of ministry in Galilee. Before we look at 2:1–11:57 we need to look at 7:53-8:11. This short passage is not in the oldest Greek manuscripts. A few manuscripts use part of this short section in two different places in John, or in two different places in Luke. It may be that a scrap of a manuscript was separated from its original document and later tucked into different places. Remember, these original documents did not have chapter and verse references. References were only added for our convenience in 1551 A.D. Printing presses were only invented in 1440-1450. Before that manuscripts were copied by hand. It feels like an authentic Jesus story but we cannot base categoric or dogmatic teaching on what we are not sure is an original record. Section one: If we had searched John 2:1-11:57, as we did for Matthew, Mark and Luke in Lessons 4,5, and 6, we likely would have come to these three passages in our ‘special findings’. 2:23-25 In Jerusalem, the religious centre of the Jewish nation, at the Passover Festival, people saw the signs – John’s code word for miracles – and believed in Jesus. Verse 25 Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. 10:40-42 John’s testimony to Jesus had proved to be true. 11:45-54 Conspiracy by the priests/Sanhedrin to keep their Temple and their nation secure - but even though they had Jesus killed the nation still perished in A.D.70. Compare Caiaphas’ words in 11:50 with Jesus words 10:11. Section two: John has material in his Gospel which is not in the Synoptics. There are also occasions where John’s account clarifies something in one of the Synoptic Gospels. See Mark 14:53-54 and John 18:15-16, Mark 14:57-59 and John 2:19-21, Mark 15:1 and John 18:31-32. Page 18 Leader's page: You may need to teach this section by asking questions, and discuss the second section (below opposite), because of time. Seven miraculous signs Look at these references for signs – pointers to Who Jesus is - in twos or small groups, or as one group led from the front if that works better for your group and/or timewise.). Discuss. What does each sign teach us? I’ve done the first two as examples – you do the rest! 2:1-12 (verse 11) Mary trusted Jesus – Jesus respected Mary – the new wine is superior to the old, as is everything in Jesus’ Messianic age. 4:45-54 (verses 48 and 54) An important man but unable to sort this problem himself – Jesus could and He did. The important man and his household believed. 5:1-15 6:1-14 (verses 2 and 14) 6:16-21 9:1-7 11:38-44, (see description in 12:18) Note: Some add an eighth sign as 21:1-14, after Jesus’ resurrection. John does say in 20:30 he knew of more than seven. Seven ‘I am’s. ‘I am’ is a phrase we all use, but Jesus is using it with reference to the name of God, compare Exodus 3:14, John 8:58. Check the verse or verses in the Gospel of John. Check the cross references if there are any. Put your thoughts together. What do each of these ‘I am’s that Jesus says mean for you? 6:51 8:12 10:7 and 9 10:11 and 14 11:25 14:6 15:1 and 5 Student's page: Section three: John uses the word ‘signs’ rather than miracles. Some English translations use the words ‘miraculous signs’ – they point to Who Jesus really is. John records at least seven signs. What does each sign teach us? 1. 2:1-12 2. 4:45-54 3. 5:1-15 4. 6:1-14 5. 6:16-21 6. 9:1-7 7. 11:38-44, 12:18 Section four: John also records seven occasions when Jesus describes Himself. He begins with the words, ‘I am’. How does each ‘I am’, describing something of Jesus, help or encourage you? 6:51 compare John 1:14, Mark 14:22 8:12 compare John 1:9-12 10:7 and 9 Several shepherds would keep their sheep together in one enclosure overnight, and employ an under shepherd to guard the single entrance. 10:11 and 14 What does a good shepherd do? Psalm 23:1-4 11:25 compare John 1:4, John 5:25-26 14:6 What is Jesus saying? He is the Way to _ _ _ He is the Truth about _ _ _ He is the Life of _ _ _ 15:1 and 5 compare Ephesians 2:10, Colossians 2:6-7 John has presented Jesus as the powerful and caring Son of God. Page 19

25 lesson plans for children, young people and their teachers. Lesson 9 God gives the Law Bible reference – Exodus 19 and 20. Remember this important summary: God wants His chosen people to live in His appointed place, and to live by the rules (commands) that He has set down for living. This happened once, at the beginning of history in Genesis 1 and 2. It will be true of heaven at the end of time, Revelation 21 and 22. All the way through human history God is calling out a group of people, from among the whole population of the world, to be His own. We saw last time how God led His people out of Egypt to be on their own in the desert and to worship Him. In Exodus chapter 13 verse 17 to 22 we read that God provided a pillar of cloud and fire to lead the people by day and by night. He also provided a dry path through the sea for them to escape from their enemies. This results in God’s people really giving Him praise from their hearts! (Genesis chapter 15 verses 1-21) God can always be trusted to finish what He has started. Stop and discuss (1) From Exodus chapter 14 work out these missing words: 1. the king of Egypt changed his m 2. Israel was camped by the R S 3. The Egyptian army p Israel. (This word means they ‘chased’ after them). 4. Moses held his h over the sea. 5. The Lord drove the sea back with a strong w . 6. Israel went through the sea on d g . 7. The following Egyptian army were c by the returning w . (This means that they all drowned). All of this happened so that God would be honoured, and known by the Egyptians and the Israelites, Exodus 14 verse 4. Now, as God provides daily food and water for this great crowd of people in the desert, they arrive at Mount Sinai. At the top of the mountain, God says again that He is calling these people to belong to Him, Exodus 19 verses 4-6. Have a good reader, or three good readers, carefully read the verses to the class. Stop and learn (2) The people respond to God’s call on their lives. Can you learn the nine words they said? From Exodus 19 verse 8: “We will do everything that the Lord has said”. p.30 Make pairs with the person next to you, and test each other to see if you can remember these words that God’s people promised. Use your fingers and a thumb to count the nine words. Perhaps some people can repeat them to the whole class? To obey God, His people must know what He wants them to do. The next chapters of the Bible give ‘the Ten Commandments’ and an explanation of how God wants His people to live their everyday lives. ‘The Ten Commandments’ are a short summary of our duty in life towards God and towards one another, if we choose to be God’s people. Stop and discuss (3) From Exodus 20 verses 1-17 list in your own words the ‘Laws for Life’ that God gave to His special people: 1. verse 3 2. verses 4,5 3. verse 7 4. verse 8 5. verse 12 6. verse 13 7. verse 14 8. verse 15 9. verse 16 10. verse 17 These ‘Ten Words from God’ were first spoken by God from the cloud- covered Mount Sinai, where all the people heard them. Later, they were twice written by the finger of God on flat stones, Exodus 31 verse18; 32 verses 15-16; and 34 verses 1 and 28. If God’s people are going to follow God’s way for their lives – here it is! The way comes from our Father in heaven. We learn to follow many useful ways and traditions from our human fathers. We like it when our fathers can be proud of us! God’s people will also aim to please God by the way they live. It is this that makes them different from other people around. The Law of God demands perfection. Psalm 19 verses 7-12 show the great value of the Law. But no-one can keep the Law perfectly! Why would God give a Law that nobody could live up to? Why is the Law worth more than gold to the poor man? Or honey to the hungry man? The answer is that this Law goes beyond the physical things of this world like money and food. The Law shows all people that everyone ever born is a sinner – a Law-breaker – in the sight of Holy God. Galatians 3 verse 19, “The Law was to show what wrongdoing is.” Moses went up the mountain to receive the commandments from God. He came down to bring them back to the people. And we know what the people promised. He went up the mountain again to receive more commands, Exodus 19 verse 20 to chapter 31 verse 18. In chapter 32 God sends him down again – because most of the people had changed their minds and were already breaking the first and second of the Ten Commandments. p.31 Stop and discuss (4) Ask the class:‘can anyone remember what the second Commandment was?’ Ask someone to read Exodus 32 verses 1-2 to the class. When we do what we want and not what God wants we are saying that what we want is more important to us than what God wants. This is a way of showing we choose to worship ourselves and not to worship only God . Trying to keep God’s Law is like trying to jump across a river, but landing in the water just too short. Or it is like trying to climb up a tall tree, but falling off before reaching the top. God has given His commands for life to His people – to show that not one person is good enough to keep it! Stop and discuss (5) 1. Can anyone tell the class what the nine words we learned from Exodus chapter 19 verse 8 were? Have a good reader (or five could read one verse each) read Exodus 32 verses 15-19, and ask the class to listen carefully, because you are going to ask them one last question for today: 2. When Moses did finally come down from the mountain, and he saw what the people were doing, what happened to the stones with the Ten Commandments written on to them? The Laws were broken. God gave them. His people received them. But they chose not to obey them. Sadly, this is what often happens. We shall see this in the next lessons from the history of Israel. We may see it in our own hearts and lives as well. Answers to ‘Stop and discuss’ 1. 1. mind, verse 5 2. Red Sea, verse9 3. pursued, verses 8 and 9 4. held, verse 21 5. wind, verse 21 6. dry ground, verse 22 7. covered … waters, verse 28 3. these are in MY own words: yours may be a little different! 1. worship only the one true God 2. do not make or worship idols to represent God 3. do not use God’s name badly 4. keep one day in seven holy for worshipping God 5. honour your parents 6. do not plan to kill anyone unlawfully 7. do not have sex except with your husband or wife 8. do not take what is not yours without permission 9. do not charge or blame a person wrongly 10. do not be jealous of what other people have 4. Do not make or worship idols to represent God. 5. Moses threw them to the ground and they broke.

My notes on teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Leader’s notes: Lesson 5 - Rachel, Leah and Jacob Genesis 28:1-4; 28:10-33:20; 35:1-29. Ask the ladies to keep their books closed. Do not give out any notes until it is suggested opposite page 18. Lots of story here - deception again and the birth of the 12 tribes of Israel, and that is definitely not straightforward!! Then a page of summary thoughts, page 19. You know your group - how can you best get all this information covered? and keep everyone’s interest? Perhaps get four groups to work on one section each – Genesis 28:1-4; 28:10 - 29:30 29:31 - 30:24 30:25 - 31:55 32:1 - 33:20; 35:1-29 Then share their group findings with the whole class. You will need to keep a tight rein on this so all of the groups understand the continuity of the story. Student's worksheet: Lesson 5 Rachel, Leah and Jacob Genesis 28:1-4; 28:10-33:20; 35:1-29 Genesis 28:1-4; 28:10 - 29:14 So Jacob left Beersheba and headed for Paddan Aram. He stopped overnight at Bethel. The deceiver was met by God, and was so challenged that he wanted to go God’s way, reassured of God’s will for him. He travelled on, met up with three flocks and their shepherds. Then Uncle Laban’s daughter, Rachel, arrived with Laban’s flock, and Jacob was delighted to meet Rachel, a relative he had not met before. 29:15-30 Jacob worked for Laban for a month and then they talked about wages. The agreement was that Jacob would work for Laban for 7 years in order to marry the girl he loved, Rachel. After 7 years, Jacob claimed his bride. Laban threw a feast. But the deceiver was deceived - the next morning Jacob realised that the woman he had slept with was the older sister, Leah. He complained to Laban. Laban’s excuse was that the younger daughter could not marry before the older daughter. Jacob agreed to work another 7 years for Rachel but they married after Leah had had Jacob to herself for 7 days. 29:31 - 30:24 Leah was not a happy woman but she had four boys by Jacob: Reuben, Simeon Levi - through whom the Israelite priesthood would come Judah - who is an ancestor in Jesus’ family line Rachel was very upset that she had no children and complained to Jacob “Give me children, or I’ll die”. Remember that phrase. Jacob said God had not allowed Rachel to have children and Jacob is not God! So Rachel told Jacob to sleep with her maidservant, Bilhah. Dan was born to Bilhah and then Naphtali Leah told Jacob to sleep with Zilpah, her maidservant. Gad was born and then Asher Leah’s son, Reuben, collected some mandrakes from the fields and gave them to Leah. These vegetables were thought to have magic powers to induce pregnancy because of the similarity of shape to a man’s reproductive organ. Verse 15 Rachel begged her sister for some of the mandrakes - and got a very sharp answer! But Leah then traded mandrakes for a night with Jacob. Leah then had two sons and a daughter - Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah Verse 22 In God’s time Rachel had a son. Joseph ............ but she longed for a second son. Page 16 Leader's notes: Lesson 5 - Rachel, Leah and Jacob. This lesson will not be easy to get in balance - there is so much story - but the facts need to be aired, for the ladies to see the real story, and therefore be able to see the applications to us in the summary thoughts, page 19. Student's worksheet: Lesson 5 - Rachel, Leah and Jacob. What a story of deception and intrigue, sadness and bitterness, struggling to get what “I” want. Genesis 30:25-43 Now Jacob and family thought of returning to his home. Laban, who had been made rich by Jacob’s work and planning, was not willing to let Jacob prosper, although he agreed to the plan. Laban would have the unblemished animals and Jacob would have the dark and speckled ones. Laban that day sent his sons to separate the speckled and dark sheep from the others, and took them three day’s journey away. Jacob the deceiver is deceived again. Jacob worked out a method to get speckled lambs - not a scientific plan, not a plan given him by God - but it worked. God does give us intelligence and common sense. 31:1-18 After six years of careful work with the flocks, and noticing that his brothers-in-law were not happy with his prosperity, Jacob, prompted by God, decided it was time to go. He consulted with Leah and Rachel out with the flocks so they were not overheard. The sisters knew what had been going on and said they should take what belonged to them, and Jacob should “Do whatever God has told you”. 31:19-55 When Laban and the brothers went away three days’ journey shearing sheep, Jacob and this large travelling group left - twelve children, maidservants, menservants, camels, donkeys and flocks! They headed for Gilead. Rachel, however, took her father’s household gods and put them in the saddle bag of her camel. Was this vengeance on her father, or a failure to trust in the God she knows Jacob was following? Possession of the family gods would show that Jacob is the head of the group. Perhaps she wanted to show Jacob’s importance. We don’t know! It took Laban seven days to catch up with them after he heard the news - and he got to them in the hills of Gilead. He asked why they had not said goodbye. Then he searched for his household gods and failed to find them because Rachel was using the camel saddle as a chair, but could not get up because she was having a period. She lied to her father. So the deceiver Laban was deceived by Rachel. 31:36-54. Laban and Jacob made a treaty at the extremities of their lands - not to pass the stone pile in anger to attack each other - in the name of the God of Abraham and Nahor on Laban’s side and the God of Isaac on Jacob’s side. They ate a meal together to seal the covenant. Laban departed in peace and Jacob with his large travelling party set off again. Page 17 Leader's notes: Lesson 5 - Rachel, Leah and Jacob. Now distribute notes or let ladies’ open their books to put the whole story together. Revise the story together. Apply it with the thoughts on page 19. Student's worksheet: Lesson 5 - Rachel, Leah and Jacob. Genesis 32:1-12 There is reassurance for Jacob as he neared the land belonging to Esau, the brother he had wronged. Jacob sent messengers to Esau with a peaceful message - but the messengers returned saying that Esau was coming with 400 men. Very fearful, Jacob split all his people and animals into two groups, so that one group would stay safe. Then he prayed to God, and quoted God’s promise back to Him. 32:13-32 He sorted out a gift for his brother, and instructed the men in charge of those herds on what to say and how to behave and sent them on their way. Jacob stayed at the camp. Then he sent his wives and sons and all his possessions across the Jabbok. He was alone, and a man wrestled with him until dawn. God had met with him. “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome”. Jacob calls the place Peniel meaning “It is because I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” Jacob was always, in human terms, the underdog – to Esau – to Laban - now to God. God came in a form where Jacob could win, wrestling, but God also could disable Jacob whenever He wanted. God held Jacob’s future. Jesus came in a form we could understand, as a man, but He was still God, and He holds our future. 33:1-20 Next day Jacob saw Esau, was embraced by him, and introduced all the family. Esau went back to Seir and Jacob went to Shechem in Canaan, bought a piece of land there and set up an altar to the mighty God of Israel. (Trouble in Shechem - a story in itself, but not for today!) 35:1-29 In verses 1 -7 God told Jacob to go back and settle at Bethel where God had met him (Genesis 28:10-15). Jacob told his household to get rid of foreign gods and charms, to purify themselves because he was going to build an altar there to the God who had appeared to him at Bethel and had been with him everywhere he went. He buried the charms and idols. The immediate reality of the purity of the people showed God to the people around - no one pursued them! People do notice when our lives shine for Jesus! Verse 8 Presumably Jacob’s mother, Rebekah, had died while he was in Haran, but he had picked up the responsibility for her nurse, Deborah. Verses 9-15 are a re-affirmation of the change of name, and of the promises given to Abraham and Sarah, and Isaac and Jacob (see Genesis 28). Verses 16-29 The whole group moved on to Bethlehem but Rachel went into labour before they got there. She had a bad time, delivered a son whom she named “son of my trouble” and died. His father renamed him Benjamin “son of my right hand”. Now called Israel in the Bible account, Israel (ex-Jacob) moved on to Migdal Eder. During this time Reuben slept with his father’s concubine, Bilhah, and Israel heard of it. Remember this little fact for another time time! Death of Isaac - buried by his sons Esau and Jacob - mentioned there in birth order although the blessing had gone to Jacob. Page 18 Leader's notes: Lesson 5 - Rachel, Leah and Jacob. All six thoughts (opposite) could be discussed. Think of questions to ask that will open up discussion. 1. We cannot deceive God – ever. Psalms 119:168; 44:20-21. 2. God’s rules have not changed. One man and one woman = marriage. Your culture and my culture may have moved from this basis. They may call it progress. They may call it keeping up with current thinking. Whose thinking? What does God still say? Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:4-8. 4. Job 42:1-3; Isaiah 45:5-8. 5. Can you rise to this challenge? 6. You are special to God. You are special to God. You are special to God. You are special to God. Part of living knowing you are special to God is treating other people well because they – not ‘they all’ but ‘they each one’ – are special to God. Student's worksheet: Lesson 5 - Rachel, Leah and Jacob. Six summary thoughts: 1. Deceit breeds deceit. God sees everything. In Jacob, Rachel & Laban and in us! 2. God’s example for us in marriage was His creation of Adam and Eve, one man with one woman. By the time of this story polygamy was obviously acceptable in this society. Surrogacy using maidservants was obviously also acceptable in this society, as it was to Abraham and Sarah, using Hagar. Acceptable in society is not the same as being acceptable to God! Be very careful. 3. “Give me children or I’ll die!” Rachel had Joseph and wanted another child. She had Benjamin and died in childbirth. Make sure the things you are desperate for are what God wants for you and yours. 4. God’s chosen line came through Abraham, then Isaac, then Jacob - the second son. The rescue of the nation of Israel will come through Joseph, Jacob’s 11th son, the first of his well-loved wife, Rachel. The line of Israel’s priesthood will come through Levi, Jacob’s third son with Leah, the first but less loved wife. The line of Jesus will come through Judah, Jacob’s fourth son with Leah, the first but less loved wife. God does not see things the way we do. His plans are beyond our understanding. He is bigger than us! 5. The deceiver is deceived but is also blessed by God. Jacob is promised land, descendants, God watching over him Genesis 28:13-15, but he goes through difficult times with Laban, and preparing to meet Esau, the brother he had wronged. At least 20 years after the original promise is given, God reconfirms the promise, adding that kings will come from Jacob’s body, Genesis 35:9-13. Walking with God is not the easy path - but it brings God’s blessings. 6. In these stories that make up most of the life of Jacob, we know little about Leah and Rachel. Rachel was loved. Leah had the large family. There was rivalry between them. They agreed to move away from their father, saying that they and Jacob had no reason to stay. Rachel lied to her father. Rachel died near Bethlehem, leaving two sons. The only thing we hear of Leah after today’s stories is in 49:31 - the place of her burial. Many of us are like Rachel and Leah in that we are busy looking after our husband and children but we are not famous, we will not be written about in history books! But every person He has created is special to God - He wants to be seen as special in the way we live our lives. Try to be - every day - a person God is happy to be with. Please read Genesis 38:1-30 for next time. Page 19

My notes for teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Leader’s notes: Lesson 6 - Genesis 38:1-30 Do not give out notes at the beginning. Ask those with books to keep them firmly closed. Get the ladies to work in twos - read the story - pick out the details of Genesis 38:1-30 At that time it was obviously acceptable to have prostitutes at religious shrines. Accepted by whom? People? Culture? Custom? God? Student's worksheet: Lesson 6 Tamar Genesis 38:1-30 A shameful story, but God has kept it in our Bible. Jacob’s fourth son, Judah, decided to move out from home - he may well have felt uncomfortable because of his part in the events of chapter 37 which will be part of the next study. He went to stay with Hirah from Adullam, and met a Canaanite girl. We do not have her name, only her father’s name, Shua. Judah and his wife had 3 sons - Er, Onan and Shelah. Time passed. There was a custom among Israel’s people, and other cultures as well, that if the man died, a brother had the obligation to marry the widow, and produce a child, in order to inherit the dead brother’s family land. We see an extended version of this in the story of Ruth (Ruth 4:13-17) and it is mentioned in Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 22:24) when the Sadducees tried to trick Jesus with a question that related vaguely to levirate (brother-in-law) marriage. See also Deuteronomy 25:5-6. Judah got a wife, Tamar, for his eldest son, Er. Er was put to death by God. Tamar was now a widow with no sons. Judah told Onan to marry his brother’s widow to continue the family line. Onan obeyed and disobeyed. He married Tamar but whenever they had intercourse he spilled his semen on the ground - so no baby! God put him to death as well. Judah promised his youngest son, Shelah, to Tamar when he was old enough. Time passed. Judah’s wife died. Soon Judah and Hirah went to Timnah, where his men were shearing his sheep. Tamar heard about these events and knew that Shelah was now old enough to be married, but Judah had not brought Tamar to be Shelah’s wife. Tamar changed from her widow’s clothes put on a veil and went to the side of the road going into Enaim on the way to Timnah. Judah saw her and thought she was a prostitute because of her veil. He asked her to have sex with him and Tamar asked how much he will pay - a young goat was the answer. She asked him to leave her with a pledge or deposit until the goat came - Judah’s seal and its cord and the staff. The seal was probably a small cylinder with markings on it which when rolled on a clay document made the equivalent of a signature. It was worn on a cord round the neck which went through a hole drilled in the cylinder. They had intercourse, and went their separate ways. Judah sent Hirah to find the ‘shrine prostitute’ and deliver the goat. A shrine prostitute would have had a higher social status than a normal prostitute. Page 20 Leader's notes: Lesson 6 - Tamar. Give out notes or ask the ladies to open their books. Run through the story - encourage the ladies in what they got right. The ladies may already have commented on the wrongs in the story – if so gather up their thoughts and questions, or elicit the wrongs you see. Wow!! And yet …..This sentence needs as many exclamation marks as you can put into your voice!!!!!!!!! Get the ladies to read the four references about sovereignty by themselves, or to each other, or to the group – which ever works better for your study group. Talk about them. Do you believe these truths? Do the same again for forgiveness. Then apply personally – this may be in discussion and sharing, or may be simply as a challenge. You know your ladies. Remember there are two sides to forgiveness – forgiving, and being forgiven (that is: accepting forgiveness). Student's worksheet: Lesson 6 - Tamar. He asked the local men but they told him there had never been a shrine prostitute there. Judah said to stop trying to find her or he would be a laughing stock. Three months later Judah is told that Tamar is pregnant and is guilty of prostitution. He said she should be burned to death. As she was being brought to face her accusers, she sent a message to Judah with the pledge articles. Judah recognised that he had done wrong by not giving her to Shelah. He took her into his protection but had no sexual relationship with her. In due time she produced twin sons, Perez and Zerah - sons of a union between father-in-law and daughter-in-law! Judah was wrong to not keep his promise about Shelah. Tamar was wrong to try to get what was right - the inheritance of her dead husband for a son - in her own way. Judah was wrong to let sexual feelings control his behaviour and use a prostitute. And yet, Judah and Tamar are in the lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1:3. God’s sovereignty is beyond our understanding Job 42:2 Ephesians 3:20 Luke 1:37 Romans 8:28 Do you understand how God works things out? Would you have expected to find the child of an illicit relationship in the ancestry of God’s perfect Son? God’s forgiveness is amazing. Isaiah 1:18 Psalm 103:11-12 Romans 3:21-24,29-30 Galatians 3:6-9 1 John 1:9 Colossians 3:13, Matthew 6:12,14-18. How good are you at forgiving? Please read Genesis 37, 39-50 for next time. Page 21

Leader's page and Student's page best viewed left/right side together Lesson 8 Leader’s notes: Matthew 21:1-22:46, Mark 11:1-12:37, and Luke 19:28-22:6 Work through the Jewish leaders section. Holy Week summary. If the ladies have Bibles ask some to have Matthew open, some Mark and some Luke. As you read through ‘Holy Week Summary’ ask – who has what in the gospel they are looking at? See how similar or dissimilar the three versions are. Lesson 8 uses thought and logic Lesson 9 uses feelings and emotion Again, ask some of the ladies to have Matthew open, some Mark and some Luke. Work through ‘A quick look at Holy Week‘ – who has which stories? Draw out that together they make a more complete picture. Student's page: Lesson 8 The purpose of the true story from Matthew 21:1-22:46, Mark 11:1-12:37, and Luke 19:28-22:6 Jewish leaders. Pharisees – believed in resurrection and in the authority of the Old Testament Law and the oral traditions of the rabbis. Sadducees did not believe in resurrection but believed in the Old Testament Law. Rabbi – a teacher of the Jewish Law – a leader of a local synagogue. Sanhedrin means “sitting together” -the supreme Jewish legislative and judicial court - a group of 71 rabbis in Jerusalem, probably comprising Sadducees and Pharisees. Holy Week summary. As far as we know all the disciples were at the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and stayed through that week until Last Supper. late Thursday. All the disciples were at the Last Supper – Judas may have left during it. All the disciples were in Gethsemane. Mark possibly was.( His mother, Mary had a large room where Jesus and His disciples may have met. See Acts 12:12-17 and see Mark 14:51-52.) We know that Peter and John were nearby after the arrest of Jesus and through the trials, and John was near the foot of the cross. When the disciples met together after the Crucifixion and after the Resurrection they must have exchanged their experiences of the last few days. So Matthew, Peter, Mark and John know the events that happened. All four Gospel writers have a story to tell. Matthew, Mark and Luke cover a lot of the same narrative. John is much more selective. A quick look through Holy Week Sunday The so called Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. One donkey or two? Does it matter? No. Not ridden on before as befits a king. Hosanna – the crowd praise Jesus. Monday The Temple is cleansed by Jesus – the Court of the Gentiles was as far as non-Jews could go into it. Those who changed money (at very high rates) into the kind of money that could be used to buy sacrificial animals, had made Jesus’ Father’s house into a den of robbers. They made it more difficult for non-Jews to find space there. Tuesday The religious leaders were not amused by Jesus’ actions – He was challenging their authority. Judas makes a contract to betray Jesus. Thursday The disciples make preparation for Passover – perhaps in Mark’s mother Mary’s house? Thursday later on Jesus and the disciples share the Passover – Judas is sent (released by God’s sovereignty) to betray Jesus. Most disciples do not understand what was happening. Thursday-Friday The grief of Gethsemane. Friday Betrayal, arrest, desertion. Trials of Jesus, Peter’s denials, suicide of Judas, mockery by the Roman soldiers. Page 20 Leader's page: We’ll look at Jesus’ discussions with the Jewish leaders using Matthew’s account for four occasions and Luke for one. Matthew 21:23-27 Work through the leaders’ (the chief priests’ and elders’) questions, with Jesus’ answers. Stay in one whole group. For Matthew 21:28-22:14 Divide the class into three groups. Read one parable in each group, with the ladies’ looking for what Jesus was actually telling the religious leaders. (two sons 21:28-32; tenants 21:33-41; wedding banquet 22:1-14). Ask each group to share their answers. Try to keep them from looking at my suggestions while they are searching their Bible’s for themselves! Matthew 22:15-40 Still in the three groups – give one of my questions opposite to each group. They can answer more than one if they finish their own quickly. Matthew 22:41-46 Move on to the Messiah/Son of David teaching when appropriate. I suggest you teach this to the group altogether. Luke 21:1-4 The widow’s offering – how should we give to our Lord? Create your own suitable picture or use the comparison below. Compare this giving to the Lord: - Rachel has a husband with a job, her children are married and she gives £5 - Emma has five young children and her husband cannot always get work and she gives £5 - Lydia has one very sick child and her husband has a back injury and cannot work – she gives £5 We are not seeking to judge other ladies, we are asking a question of ourselves. Discuss the references at the end of the next two paragraphs with the ladies. They have these two paragraphs in their notes. Jesus was born the Son of God and the Son of Man. But what He had come to do on earth was yet future. He had done wonderful things because of Who He was – but His main purpose was yet to be fulfilled. We are coming to the climax of Jesus’ ministry as recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. But we need to remember that our Lord Jesus Christ’s ministry of salvation is set in the context of eternity, from creation, through God’s eternal purposes to the glory of heaven for ever. Ephesians 1:3-6, 19-23, 3:10-11; 1 Peter 1:10-12; Revelation 5:6-14. Encourage the ladies to push their minds trying to understand God’s forever purposes. Student's page: Let’s look at Jesus’ discussions with the Jewish leaders, using Matthew and Luke. Matthew 21:23-27 The leaders ask a question and Jesus responds with a question. The leaders are not willing to answer – why is this? Consequently Jesus chooses not to answer them either, but after this interaction He instead tells them three teaching stories and asks one very important question: Matthew 21:28-22:14 1. You have God’s commands but you only keep them if it suits you. Total obedience is required. 2. You rejected the prophets, and now you are rejecting Me (Jesus your Messiah). Others will receive your inheritance. 3. You have refused God’s wedding invitation. You must enter God’s kingdom on His terms. Your own are not accepted. Matthew 22:15-40 1. How does this apply to you today? Compare Matthew 22:15-22 to Romans 13:6-7. 2. How important is it to believe, and act on what the Bible teaches? Compare Matthew 22:23-33 to 2 Timothy 2:15. 3. How is this commandment the greatest? Compare Matthew 22:34-40 to Micah 6:8. In Matthew 22:41-46 Jesus poses another question to the Pharisees. Check Psalm 110:1. King David, the most respected and honoured king the Jews ever had, says ‘God Almighty is saying to Jesus, sit in the place of honour next to me’. Compare Revelation 5:1-14. Jesus is once again saying that He is God. Most of the Jewish leaders were furiously offended. Luke 21:1-4 Mark and Luke both record the Jesus noticing a widow putting her offering into the Temple treasury. She gave very little. She had very little. She gave all she had. Offerings to God are not to be measured by how much we give, but how much we still have! Jesus was born the Son of God and the Son of Man. But what He had come to do on earth was yet future. He had done wonderful things because of Who He was – but His main purpose was yet to be fulfilled. We are coming to the climax of Jesus’ ministry as recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. But we need to remember that our Lord Jesus Christ’s ministry of salvation is in the context of eternity, from creation, through God’s eternal purposes to the glory of heaven for ever. Ephesians 1:3-6, 19-23, 3:10-11; 1 Peter 1:10-12; Revelation 5:6-14. We really have to stretch our minds to begin understanding the scope of eternity, God’s eternal purposes and ‘forever’. Page 21

25 lesson plans for children, young people and their teachers. Lesson 10 Disobedience results in aimless wanderings Bible reference – Numbers 9 verse 15 – chapter 36 verse 13. The Israelites are about to travel on foot from Sinai through Kadesh into Canaan, the land God promised them as their own. You may be able to see these places on a map if you have one. It would be a straight journey of about 350 kilometres, but they did not go in a straight line! Also, they did not enter Canaan from the south – although it was closest to them. When they did go in eventually, they went across the river Jordan from the east (as we shall see next lesson). This journey was to take about 40 years. Approximately 3 million people travelled. (See Numbers1 verse 46 for the number of families, and Numbers chapter 33 for a list of all the places they went to). When we go on journeys we try to take with us enough to eat and drink, and some way of keeping warm. But these people were all miraculously fed by God with manna and quails every day, (Exodus 16 verses 4-5, and Joshua 5 verse 12). Stop and act (1) Their camps were set out around “the Tent of His (the Lord’s) presence”, Read slowly to the class Numbers chapter 2 verse 2. Now let’s see what that must have been like! Divide the class into twelve groups, each group to represent one of Jacob’s sons – the children of Israel. (Use list from lesson 7 answers, on page 25). Give the twelve tribe ‘leaders’, and one name card or flag each, from the list. Put a chair into the middle of the room (you will see later this is to represent the Tent of meeting with God). Put Judah, Issachar and Zebulun to the east of the chair – the leader holding the card, and all the group with him/her. Put Reuben, Simeon and Gad to the south of the chair – the leader holding the card, and all the group with him/her. Have Levi and his/her group walk in, carrying their Bibles, and sit around the chair – sitting between the chair and any other groups. Let them put their Bibles on to the chair. Explain this represents the ‘Tent of Meeting’, where the people and their leaders met with God. Ask the tribe of Joseph to stand up where they are, with their leader holding the ‘Joseph’ card. Take the card away, and appoint a second leader for this group. Give one leader a new card: ‘Ephraim’, and the other a new card:‘Manasseh’. Divide the group between the two leaders. Explain that Joseph’s tribe was split into his first two sons (Genesis 48 verse 5). Put Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin to the west of the chair and the Bibles. Put Dan, Asher and Naphtali to the north of the chair and the Bibles. p.33 So every time the people of God camped, they set the camp up like this, as we are now set up. Listen to Numbers chapter 2 verses 32-34. Read these verses slowly to the class, pointing out the big number of people (with a sweep of your arm) the Levites in the centre (the importance of meeting with God), and then have them ‘march’ back to their usual class places one tribe at a time their leader going first, and holding up his/her card or flag until the last group member is back in their class place. God’s presence with His people was seen in the Tent of Meeting and in the Pillar of Cloud by day and Fire by night, Numbers 9 verse 15-16. It was through this pillar that God guided His people. They followed when the pillar lifted and moved away, verses 17-23. God’s people obeyed God’s commands. They left Sinai, Numbers 10 verse 11-13. God’s people were following God’s commands and on their way to God’s place for them to be. As time goes by the people begin to grumble! Have the boys ‘grumble’ by saying to each other:‘grumble, grumble, grumble’. And the people begin to complain! Have the girls complain by saying to each other: ‘murmur, murmur, murmur’. 1 Stop and discuss (2) Let’s see if we can discover what they were grumbling and murmuring about. Look up these verses and tell the class what the people grumbled and murmured about: 1. Numbers 11 verse 1 2. Numbers 11 verse 4 3. Numbers 12 verse 1 4. Numbers 14 verses 1-3 5. Numbers 16 verses 1-3 6. Numbers 20 verses 2-5 7. Numbers 21 verses 4-5 God’s people were not happy with the way God was helping them. God became angry with them, Numbers 11 verse 1; 11 verse 10; and 12 verse 9. He still guided them and He still provided for them. But all of the people who had come from Egypt and then grumbled or complained were to be punished by God. God would not let them enter into His promised land, read (or have a good reader read to the class) Numbers 14 verses 22-23. Instead of going into the promised land after about two years, it is not until forty years later that they enter! Disobedience and grumbling against God is punished by Him. His own people are not excused from this. By Numbers 33 verse 50 the Israelites are in the plains of Moab, by the river Jordan just opposite Jericho. (If you have a map, show these three places). God warns them that when they enter the PromisedLand – now so near by – they must not be influenced by those who worship other gods, but must clear the land and divide it between the twelve tribes, verse 51-54. 1 (above) See MacMillan School Dictionary, page 481 for the meaning of ‘murmur’. p.34 The people of God must never copy those around them who worship other gods. We must be a good influence on them. Do not let them be a bad influence on us. Answers to ‘Stop and discuss’ 2. 1. complained about their troubles– boys say: grumble, grumble, grumble 2. “if only we could have some meat” – girls say: murmur, murmur, murmur 3. criticised Moses over his wife – boys say: grumble, grumble, grumble 4. complained they’d rather have died in Egypt – girls say: murmur murmur, murmur 5. to rebel against Moses – boys say: grumble, grumble, grumble 6. there was no water – girls say: murmur, murmur, murmur 7. lost their patience – boys and girls say: grumble, murmur, grumble, murmur, grumble, murmur! Remember to teach the ACTIONS and VIDEO overview found and demonstrated on the homepage and introductory lesson. p.35

25 lesson plans for children, young people and their teachers. Lesson 11 Entering the Promised Land – Joshua Bible reference – Numbers 13 verse 1 to 14 verse 10; Joshua chapters 1-6. God’s chosen people left the land of Egypt but did not go straight into the land God promised. God told Moses to send spies in front of the people. Moses obeyed. The twelve men, one from each tribe, were to bring back information about the land. ‘How good and fruitful is the land’? and ‘How well are the people defending it from attack’? Numbers 13 verses 19-20. After 40 days the spies returned bringing some fruit from Canaan to show how good the land was. But they reported that the people were very strong and powerful, living in well defended cities, verses 25-29. God’s people had to choose. Would they attack the land and people, or would they not? The people were divided over what to do. Two of the spies said: “We should attack now. We will conquer them easily”, 13 verse 30 and 14 verse 9. But the other ten spies said, “No, we are not strong enough to attack them”, verse 31. Stop and discuss (1) In the story, Numbers 13 verse1 to 14 verse 10: 1. Can you find the names of the two spies who wanted the people to attack now? 2. Can you find the reason these two men thought in a different way to all of the others? 3. From 14 verse 9, find these five words: “t L i_ w u_”. Whenever we face big problems we must remember that our God is bigger than the difficulty! Joshua – who was going to be the next leader of the people of Israel – reminded the people of this. As long as the people pleased God in their lives, obeying everything He told them to do, God would be with them. This would give them victory. At this time the Israelites were about 11 days journey from the promised land. Because the people chose wrongly, it took them almost 40 years before they entered the land God had promised them. At the beginning of the book of ‘Joshua’ God speaks to Joshua. Moses is dead, Joshua is to lead the people into the Promised Land. God would keep His promise. God will go with Joshua and the people. They must make sure they obey all of the Law given to Moses years before, Joshua 1 verses 1-9. Stop and discuss (2) In Joshua 1 verses 1-9. 1. How many times does God promise to be “with you”? 2. What does God say – in three different ways - about the land across the River Jordan, the land between the Egyptian desert, the Lebanese Mountains, (south to north), and the Euphrates River, the Mediterranean Sea, (east to west)? verses 2-4, and verse 6. p.36 3. What four things must Joshua and the people do with the book of the Law God gave them? See in verses 7-9. Ask the class, ‘Can anyone remember the promise God gave to Abraham, in Genesis 12 verses 1-3’? (When students have answered, have a good reader read the verses to the class). God promised many descendants, in a new land, becoming a great nation. And “through you (that nation of Abraham’s descendants) I will bless all the nations”, verse 3. Later in the Bible we see God blesses all the nations from one of Abraham’s family, but at this place in the Bible God takes them into the land He promised. Let’s see how it happened. Moses – although he was a great leader – was not allowed into the Promised Land. Moses had dishonoured God by hitting the rock with his stick at Kadesh, in the desert. God had told him to speak to the rock and provide water from it, Deuteronomy 32 verses 51-52; Numbers 20 verses 2 to 13. The Bible makes it clear that we must obey exactly what God tells us to do. ‘Near enough’ is not ‘good enough’! So Joshua finishes what Moses started. Ask a good reader to read Joshua 1 verse 7 to the class:“Just be determined, be confident; and make sure that you obey the whole Law that My servant Moses gave you. Do not neglect any part of it and you will succeed wherever you go”. Ask the class to read the verse aloud, altogether. And when they have done it once, ask them to read it, altogether again, but louder! The leaders of Israel said to Joshua:“We will do everything you have told us and will go wherever you send us”, 1 verse16. Joshua sends two spies into the city of Jericho, the first city they plan to attack. One important thing the spies find out is that the people in Canaan believe that God is helping Israel, 2 verses 8-11. This makes the people of Jericho afraid. And it makes the spies very happy, 2 verse 24. Because they kept God at the top of their minds, they bring a report much better than their ancestors had done back in Numbers 13 verses 28-33. If we are obedient to God we can trust Him to be with us however great the opposition. Stop and act. Ask the students to quickly set themselves up as a camp of Israelites (as they did in Lesson 10). Use the tribal name cards or flags you made. Have the Levites in the middle of the camp, around the chair with some Bibles on it. Ask the class to pretend the River Jordan is at the front of the class, (perhaps you can mark both sides of the river on the floor, so students can pretend where the water is). Put twenty-four big stones (or some boxes as pretend stones) in the river. Get the Levites to pick up the chair with the Bibles (representing the Covenant Box, Joshua 3 verse 6). They are to slowly walk across the River Jordan, with all the tribes of Israel slowly following them, one by one. They must keep a space around the p.37 ‘Covenant Box’ (chair) because it represents the Holy presence of God. When they have crossed the river, they can set up camp again, pretending to be on the other side of the river. The Levites must stay in the river holding the Covenant Box. Have one person from each tribe go back into the river and each collect one stone, 4 verse 3. They should carry the stone on their shoulders, 4 verse 5. They put them down in their camp before everyone goes to sleep. (You could ask all the students – except the Levites – to lie down and pretend to sleep!). Silence! Ask everyone to wake up. It is now the next day. Ask one person, representing Joshua, to go into the river and set up the twelve remaining stones in the middle of the river. Say to the class: ‘This is to remind the people of a miracle God did for them on that day’. Ask, ‘Can anyone find out what the miracle was? Look in Joshua 3 verse 9 to 4 verse 10’. (The answer is that the water stopped flowing when the Covenant Box was taken into the river, and 40,000 men crossed over on dry ground, 3 verse 17 and 4 verse 13). Have Joshua set up a second pile of stones somewhere in the camp. So there are two reminders – one in the river and another in the camp – that God stopped the Jordan flowing while His people entered into the Promised Land, 4 verse 7. God was clearly with the people of Israel.The Covenant Box was the symbol of His presence. His promise was that He was with them as long as they obeyed Him. He promised to meet their every need. Joshua followed God’s plan for the battle against Jericho. The story is in Joshua chapter 6. Nothing like it has ever happened before or since! A small group of soldiers led seven priests who were blowing their trumpets. Behind them came the Levites carrying the Covenant Box. The soldiers marched behind. They went around the walls of Jericho in a circle, one time, every day for six days. Each night they were back in camp. On the seventh day, early in the morning they started to do the same thing again. But they marched around Jericho seven times. As the priests were about to sound the trumpets at the end of the seventh time, Joshua commanded all the people to give a loud shout. As they did so, Jericho’s walls collapsed. Now without any defence, Israel easily defeated the people of Jericho. All the people and all the animals were destroyed and the city was burned. Only Rahab and her family were saved. She had helped the two spies and it was agreed she could live, 6 verse 25. Matthew 1 verse 5 tells us that Rahab was to become an ancestor of Jesus Christ, the Saviour from God Who would eventually come from Abraham’s family line and bless the whole world. (That’s later on in our Bible overview). So God’s people, with God’s rules for living, begin to live in the land God appointed for them and is now giving to them. Stop and discuss (3) From Joshua chapter 6 verse 27 fill in the missing words: “So t L w w J , and his fame spread through the w c .” p.38 Answers to ‘Stop and discuss’ 1. 1. Caleb, 13 verse 30, and Joshua, 14 verse 6. 2. They remembered God was going to take them there, 14 verse 8. 3. “the Lord is with us”. 2. 1. three times, verse 5 and verse 9. 2. God says He is giving them the land He promised. “the land that I am giving them” (the people of Israel), verse 2 “I have given you and all My people the entire land”, verse 3. “as they occupy this land which I promised to their ancestors”, verse 6. 3. 1. obey it all, verses 7,8 2. do not neglect any part of it, verse 7 3. read it in public worship, verse 8 4. study it regularly, verse 8 3. “So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread through the whole country”. p.39

My notes for teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Leader’s notes: Lesson 7 - Joseph Genesis 37:39 to end of chapter 50. This lesson concludes Genesis and leads into Exodus. Open books and give out notes at the beginning. Work through page 22 as a class, getting the story out as we have in previous lessons. Emphasise the headings that are printed in bold. Tell the story of 42:24-50:26. Use my nine main points with some detail. See the nine references opposite. Student's worksheet: Lesson 7 - Joseph Genesis 37:39-50 Joseph was the 11th son of Jacob - the second youngest - the first child of Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel. Genesis 37:1-4 37:5-11 Describe the dreams 37:12-36, 39:1 Genesis 39:2-6 Joseph’s obedience to God showed Does your obedience to God show? Discuss. Genesis 39:7-9, 10-20 39:21-23 40:1-8 40:9-23 Genesis 41:1-24 Again Joseph gave credit to God, verse 16 Describe the dreams 41:25-36 41:37-57 Joseph knew that God had helped him to put the sorrows of his lost family and their actions behind him, and he knew that God had worked things out in the present. He was useful and he had two sons - the Hebrew Ephraim sounds like the words meaning twice fruitful. Genesis 42:1-24 42:25-38 43:1-34 44:1-34 45:1-46:7 46:28-47:12 47:13-48:22 49:1-50:14 50:15-26 Page 22 Leader's notes: Lesson 7 - Joseph The number and names of the tribes of Israel always seemed to change - so this is a summary in case it confuses you like it easily confuses me! We will be meeting the tribes of Israel later in Exodus, Numbers and Joshua. Student's worksheet: Lesson 7 - Joseph Exodus 1:1-8 more than 400 years later. Compare this with what God had told Abraham in Genesis 15:13. In lesson 2 we said that the book of Genesis shows us the story of the development of the nation God called to be His people. God is choosing His line, His chosen people. Abraham l Isaac - the son of promise l Jacob, later called Israel - not the elder son, Esau l Joseph - one of the 12 sons of Jacob (Israel). These 12 sons become the names of, the ancestors of, the 12 Tribes of Israel. But……….just to explain the differences in the lists of names in various parts of the Old Testament……… 1. From lesson 5: “During this time Reuben slept with his father’s concubine, Bilhah, and Israel heard of it.” Remember this little fact for another time! Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, had the right to his father's concubines, but only after his father had died. Here he arrogantly takes what should in future become his. 2. Genesis 48:10-20 Jacob (Israel) blesses Joseph’s sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. He gives the greater blessing to the younger, Ephraim, bypassing the firstborn Manasseh. Just as he himself was the second born but the one God worked through. 3. Genesis 49:1-4 Jacob (Israel) is dying - he blesses his sons, starting with Reuben, the firstborn, “who will no longer excel” verse 4. We need some help from a later historian in the Bible to understand the meaning of this. 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 “The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father's marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel)”. 4. Reuben loses his birthright, his inheritance, but when Israel (the people) take the Promised Land, and land is allocated to the different tribes, Reuben’s tribe is included again. The descendants of Reuben were still part of God’s chosen people and needed land to live on. Levi is not included because the tribe of Levi were the priests and they had homes and pasture lands in and around the cities, but no other land allocation. Joseph’s share is shared between his two sons. Page 23 Leader's notes: Lesson 7 - Joseph The three sections at the end make us all think hard - but this may be especially so for some ladies who have lived through the frequent turmoil in Sudan and then in South Sudan since its independence. Walk carefully – this teaching may produce decisions to forgive, of anger, or laying foundations for future decisions. Student's worksheet: Lesson 7 - Joseph Have a look at Genesis 41:50-52. What is Joseph saying here - use your own words? What was the ‘trouble’ he spoke of? How had he got through it? (The first two headings on page 22, in heavier type, may help you.) Now look at Genesis 50:15-21. What has Joseph learned? Express in your own words how he now responds to those who caused the ‘problem’. Can you echo Joseph’s thoughts and actions? You may have huge ‘trouble’ in your life - so did Joseph - there is a way through it and there is also God’s way through it - Joseph went God’s way - can you? Please read Exodus 1:1-4:17; 12:1-42; 13:17-15:21 for next time. Page 24

Leader's page and Student's page best viewed left/right side together Lesson 9 Leader’s notes: Matthew 26:14-27:66, Mark 14:12-15:47, and Luke 22:1-23:56 Tell the Bible’s true story or read the story written opposite. Encourage the ladies to express their own thoughts about it. For example, ask them to think how they would feel in the situation if they were Jesus, if they were a disciple if they were one of the ladies’ support group (dare I say it?) if they were God the Father Most Bible references included in the opposite writing are from Mark’s gospel. Ladies could find more from Matthew and/or Luke as an exercise. Note: Not every detail from the Matthew, Mark and Luke accounts is mentioned here – Pilate washing his hands and declaring his innocence of Jesus’ blood – Jesus’ flogging - Simon of Cyrene made to carry Jesus’ cross, and more. Student's page: Lesson 9 The purpose of the true story continued, in Matthew 26:14-27:66, Mark 14:12-15:47, and Luke 22:1-23:56 Jesus and the disciples celebrate the Last Supper Mark 14:22-23 - Passover with a whole new significance- Jesus our Passover Lamb – the new covenant. Then they went out to the Mount of Olives – Jesus tells the disciples that they will desert Him, but that after He is risen He will go ahead of them into Galilee. Peter says he will die with Jesus and all the disciples say the same. They move on to Gethsemane Mark 14:32, Jesus tells the disciples to stay where they are. He takes only Peter, James and John with Him before saying, ”Stay here and keep watch with me”. He goes beyond them. Jesus falls on His face, talking to His Father about what must happen in the next few hours. Peter, James and John have fallen asleep. Three times Jesus is nearly overwhelmed as He contemplates what He is about to do, what He has known was the plan from eternity. “Your will, Father”, He says, Mark 14:36. The disciples are still asleep. Jesus rouses them saying, “Rise. Let us go. Here comes my betrayer.” It is sometimes easy to be asleep when Jesus wants us to be awake! In the blackness of night and the darkness of betrayal, Mark records a possible self-portrait in 14:51. In the noise and confusion of armed arrest Mark 14:43, Peter uses a sword to lash out and cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Malchus. Jesus heals him. The arresting men take Jesus back into Jerusalem, to the house of the high priest. There is a fire in the courtyard there. Peter goes to warm himself. He ends up denying any knowledge of Jesus three times. The cock crows Mark 14:72 – just as Jesus said it would. It is sometimes easy to deny Jesus by what we say or don’t say, what we do or don’t do! The authorities had to wait until sunrise before they could start a trial which would bring a death sentence. The guards amuse themselves by mocking, insulting and beating Jesus Mark 15:16-19. At daybreak the Jewish leaders begin a trial and soon have the evidence they want to take Jesus on to the Roman Prefect, Pontius Pilate. Here they work the words around to make it a political accusation. Pilate says, “I find no basis for a charge against this Man” Mark 15:14. Discovering that Jesus came from Galilee Pilate chooses to send Jesus to Herod . Herod had jurisdiction over Galilee. Herod wanted to see Jesus perform a miracle. The soldiers enjoy the mockery. Jesus is sent back to Pilate. Pilate had a difficult job trying to rule Judea and Jerusalem. He tries to release Jesus because he can find no just cause to execute Him. The crowds shout for Jesus to be executed Mark 15:12-13. Pilate tries again. But the crowd shout they want Barabbas, a murderous rebel, to be released, not Jesus. Pilate tries to release Jesus a third time Mark 15:15 but makes an expedient practical decision against his own better feelings. Pilate “surrendered Jesus to their will” Luke writes. “They led Him away to crucify Him.” Matthew and Mark. Page 22 Leader's page: At an appropriate time share this from the footnote to Matthew 27:22 in the NIV Zondervan Study Bible: ”Crucify. Usually meant to affix a person to a cross-shaped pair of wooden beams, either with ropes or nails through palms and ankles, with arms outstretched until the person was so fatigued that they could no longer lift their head off their chest enough to breathe. It was a standard but very cruel form of execution the Romans used for slaves and the worst of criminals”. Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, Matthew 27:26. Ask about the significance of many women being nearby to Jesus. Do you wish you were there? Why? Why not? Student's page: So Jesus was crucified at nine in the morning, outside the city as decreed by Jewish law. Two other men, both rebels, were crucified at the same time. Jesus was in the middle. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. Luke 23:34. The soldiers were allowed to take for themselves any minor possessions the prisoner had. Then they sat and watched. Onlookers scoffed, soldiers mocked. One of the other crucified men mocked Jesus, while the third man said, “We are being punished justly. But this Man (Jesus) has done no wrong. Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus replied “Truly, I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise”. Luke 23:43. At noon darkness came over the land until three in the afternoon. In the Old Testament darkness sometimes means God’s displeasure. Put that with Luke 22:53. When the Jewish leaders arrest Jesus in Gethsemane. Jesus said to them, “..this is your hour - when darkness reigns.” Unnatural darkness – a God intervention. Compare Habakkuk 1:13. God cannot look on sin/evil, though He does still love the sinner and wills their repentance. At about three in the afternoon Jesus cried out “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ Matthew 27:46. This is the moment when Jesus carries the sins of humankind feeling the complete break of His previously unbroken communion with His Father. Then Jesus says’ “Father, into your hands I commit My spirit”, Luke 23:46. When He had said this, He breathed His last. Another God intervention - the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. God had made a way for people to freely access His presence through Jesus’ sacrifice. The centurion in charge of that day’s crucifixion seems to know more than he can understand from events of the last few hours. This Man was (and is) God! Luke 23:47 compare Mark 15:39. Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, gets permission to bury Jesus’ body, in linen cloth, in a tomb cut out of rock. And the tomb was sealed. Matthew 27:65-66. Who was at the cross? Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41, Luke 23:49. Who was at the tomb? Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:47, Luke 23:55-56. Page 23