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Leader's page and Student's page best viewed left/right side together Lesson 14 Leader’s notes: Acts 5:1-6:7 Deception and consequent discipline Acts 5:1-11 As a class work through the references for Acts 5:1-11, plus the ‘Compare’ references (opposite, below them). Find answers to questions (1) and (2). Ananias and Sapphira had set out to deceive and make themselves look as if they were giving more than they actually were. If they had said “We have sold land and this is part of the money we received” there was no problem. But they had colluded together to imply that they were giving all of the money, when they were not. Their sin was deception. They keep back for themselves, they give Satan space, they speak untruth both to people and to God, verses 1-4. We would say ‘they were hypocrites’. Peter was in tune with God. Prompted by God he confronted the couple singly. Our God is a pure God. He demands purity from His people and His Church. Christians must take seriously their honest living! Church leaders can be put into difficult situations by God. Next explore the references for Acts 5:12-42. Use public reading verses with some question and answers, or silent reading with arising questions. Summary Acts 5:12-16 verse 12 signs point away from themselves to something or somewhere else verses 12-13 meeting together brought strength and encouragement verse 13 considered by outsiders as morally and professionally good verse 14 more people became believers. Some did not dare to. Why? verses 15-16 faith and healing are linked. Faith is demonstrated not spoken. Compare with Acts 19:11-12, Luke 8:42b-48. Neither Peter’s shadow, nor Paul’s handkerchiefs, nor Jesus’ garment possessed magical powers. Healing resulted from the faith of the person/persons and especially the power of Jesus Christ. Jealousy from the Sadducees Acts 5:17-42 Jealousy – a feeling of anger or bitterness fearing losing something verses 18-21 God works differently. Here miraculous release, compare 4:3-7 verses 21-24 obedience to God is a non-negotiable priority, compare 4:18-21 verses 25-26 prisoners are not in the prison! Notice the word ‘fear’ again. verses 26-32 apostles escorted gently to be confronted by the Jewish leaders Luke records an unintended testimony to their success in verse 28 Peter boldly and wisely points everybody towards Jesus, whenever he can verses 33-39 God uses Gamaliel ‘s intervention. Not a Christian, but … used. Does God still use ‘outsiders’ to help His people today? How? Summary Acts 5:40-42 Costly. Everywhere. Always talking the gospel of Jesus. Student's page: Lesson 14 More Firsts Acts 5:1-6:7 Keep in mind 4:36-37 and Barnabas’ example. Deception and consequent discipline Acts 5:1-11 5:1 Joining in God’s work … 5:2 … but not wholeheartedly 5:3-4 Confronted and found out 5:5-6 Fearsomely judged by God 5:7-10 Gently given a second chance, but failed to take it 5:11 “Great fear” is ‘mega phobos’, originally meaning wanting to fly/run away! Some of them probably thought, ‘Let’s get out of here’. Would you have? Compare Hebrews 4:13, 10:31, 12:29, Psalm 97:1-3, Habakkuk 1:12-13a, 1 Timothy 4:12, 1 Peter 2:12. (1) Describe the problem exactly in your own words. Can you find at least three things? (2) Why was the punishment so immediate and strong? See verses 5-6, 10. Living honestly as a Christian is a serious business! Pray for yourself. Being a leader in the church has its difficult moments. Pray for your pastor. Summary Acts 5:12-16 compare John 10:23, Acts 3:11 Solomon’s Colonnade 5:12 notice believers were out, mixing with the general population. Why? 5:13 are there ways we can earn high respect from outsiders? What? 5:14 Who adds people to the true Church? 5:15-16 compare Acts 19:12, Luke 8:42b-48. Where did people’s faith come from? Jealousy from the Sadducees Acts 5:17-42 5:17 the same popular miracles brought admiration, respect and opposition 5:18-21 Angel’s serve God Whose plans cannot be thwarted. God recommissions. 5:21-24 Notice ‘teaching’ is a big part of evangelism, verses 21, 25, 28. Why? 5:25-26 Christians may be afraid of ungodly authorities, who may also fear us! 5:27-28 See how “this Name” is crucial? Note verse 30. Try to speak of Jesus. 5:29-32 a witness is one who speaks simply what he/she has seen and heard 5:33 Why does the mention of Jesus make everyone appear to go mad? 5:34-39 How does God use Gamaliel? See especially verses 38-39. Therefore, trust God always. 5:40 The apostles knew what it was to ‘take up their crosses’, Luke 9:23-24. Summary Acts 5:42 All the time, any place they went, and at home, the Christians taught and preached Jesus. God was very pleased, I’m sure! Page 32 Leader's page: Read Acts 6:1-6 in the group. Ask - What is going on here? What issues are raised? The problem at first appears racist, but is more administrative with racial overtones. Both groups were Jewish believers. The Twelve decide that it is not right for them to look after the needy - they were required to keep the ministry of the word of God and prayer foremost in their time and effort. But the needy still had to be cared for. There was an opening for an administrative level of leadership. For this new level of leadership men who were full of the Holy Spirit and exhibiting practical wisdom were essential. It was as important as preaching. Today all levels of leadership still need godly men and women. These men were set apart for their role. Prayer and the laying on of hands in the presence of the whole church was a visible encouragement to everyone. The issue was seen to be being taken seriously. Important question Sometimes people say “Why don’t we just go back to the Early Church and be like them?” I think they mean ‘let’s just work for Jesus, love each other and let God work what He wants’. That is hard to argue against because the above sounds so ideal and is part of the situation we have seen in the Early Church. But, people are Christians? - yes. And Christian are perfect? - no! Some are picky about how things are done, some have an inflated view of their own abilities. Growth in numbers attending multiplies different views and every person comes with their own baggage. Aren’t we human beings wonderful? We all need to be transformed by Jesus. We will never be perfect until we get to heaven. Yet we must keep trying! Ask the question opposite. Firsts seen here include – discipline – judgement – more growth – prison and miraculous freedom – wisdom of Gamaliel - embargo on speaking about Jesus – ignoring it – believers upset – new level of spiritual leadership introduced. Student's page: And another first - division within Jewish Christian believers? Acts 6:1-6 What is going on? What are the issues? 6:1 Was growth good or bad ? Was it good and bad? It brought issues with it. 6:2-4 The Twelve took a decision – then what did they do? - what guidance did they give to the disciples? - why did they do all this? 6:5-6 What was the relationship between the Twelve and the disciples? Different roles. Various callings and giftings. All in the same, one, work of God. The new administrative staff all had Greek names - diplomacy - it was the Greek speaking widows who had felt neglected. The “whole group” 6:5 chose the seven deacons for a specific responsibility, and the Apostles ordained them. Suddenly, instead of those who had been with Jesus and those who had come to believe on Him later, there are leaders with teaching and prayer ministry responsibilities and leaders with administrative responsibilities and many believers. Suddenly, the simplicity had become a bit more complicated! Think of issues in a local church that may cause problems today. Share them. What guidelines would you pass on from Acts 6:1-6, to all people who may be involved? Summary Acts 6:7 word of God spread in ever widening circles number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly large number of priests became obedient to the faith - Hallelujah What ‘firsts’ have you seen today in Acts 5:1 – 6:7? Problems of growth in church, just like we face in a smaller way, as our families grow and children get older! Growth is good, but it is not always easy. Please read Acts 6:8-8:1 for next time Page 33

My notes for teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Leader’s notes: Lesson 12 - 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1-11 also 1 Chronicles 10:1-29:29, 2 Chronicles 1:1-9:31 Work through 1 Samuel 3 with the ladies. Use the summary of 1 Samuel chapters 4-7. Choose people to read the parts of Narrator, Elders, God, Samuel, People - let them look at the text (on pages 41 and 42) to understand it for themselves before reading. It may be helpful to have a label on each reader so the rest of the group can follow who is saying what. Ask all five ladies stand out the front to read this dramatic reading. Student's worksheet: Lesson 12 Kings - 1 & 2 Samuel; 1 Kings 1-11; also 1 Chronicles 10:1-29:29, 2 Chronicles 1:1-9:31 So what happened to Samuel? We know he grew physically, but he also grew spiritually. Have a look in 1 Samuel chapter 3: Verse 2 Eli was getting old, his sight was not good and we know from chapter 2:22-25 and chapter 2:34 that his sons were wicked and rejected by God. 1 Samuel 3:4 and 6 God called Samuel, but Samuel ran to see what Eli wanted. Verse 7 although Samuel was living at the temple he did not know God for himself. Verses 8-10 God called Samuel a third time and Eli realised it must be God calling Samuel, and told him what to say, how to address God. Samuel did as Eli said. Verses 11-18 God speaks to Samuel and tells him that He was going to judge Eli because he had not controlled his sons. Samuel laid down again and then got on with his normal jobs, dreading the moment when he would see Eli, who told Samuel he had to tell Eli what God had said. Eli’s reaction was “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.” Verses 19 and 20 give a summary of the hidden years of Samuel’s life. 1 Samuel 4-7 are the sad story of the stealing of the ark by the Philistines. It was supposed to be the symbol of God’s presence with His people. The death of Eli and his sons is also recorded. By chapter 8:4-22 time has passed and the elders of Israel are looking to the future. A class dramatic reading: Narrator: So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, Elders: “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” Narrator: But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: God: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.” Page 41 Leader's notes: Lesson 12 - Kings. Thank the participants. Pick up teaching again from “God knew the Israelites would want to be like other nations” Student's worksheet: Lesson 12 - Kings. Narrator: Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, Samuel: “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: he will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.” Narrator: But the people refused to listen to Samuel. People: “No! We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” Narrator: When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. The Lord answered, God: “Listen to them and give them a king.” Narrator: Then Samuel said to the Israelites, Samuel: “Everyone go back to your own town.” (reading ends). God knew the Israelites would want to be like the other nations. In the Law of Deuteronomy 17:14-20 He had told the people that a king - must be of their own people, - must not be over wealthy, - must not take many wives, - must have a copy of the Law with him and read it every day, - must not consider himself better than his brothers. The people of Israel had until now been a theocracy - a group of people governed by God. Now they were asking to be a monarchy - a group of people governed by a king, a fallible human who may or may not do as God says. Page 42 Leader's notes: Lesson 12 - Kings. Make sure the words theocracy, monarchy, democracy and anarchy are understood. Teach through King Saul Teach through King David Student's worksheet: Lesson 12 - Kings. In our time the great demand is for democracy - a group of people governed by representatives chosen by the whole group. At the end of Judges we had anarchy - everyone doing what they thought right. King Saul – God told Samuel to anoint a man he would meet the next day. This man would deliver the people from the Philistines. God had heard His people’s cry, 1 Samuel 9:15-16. Soon afterwards Samuel called an assembly to publicly make known the Lord’s choice of king, 1 Samuel 10:17-25. Saul won a big battle in chapter 11 and Samuel tried to retire from leadership as there was now a king, 12:1-4. But soon he had to reprimand Saul for disobedience to God, and to tell him that God had appointed another leader because of Saul’s disobedience. Saul, and his son Jonathan, continued as mighty warriors, but within those stories we see Samuel anointing David, then David joining Saul’s service, David killing Goliath, Saul becoming jealous of David and eventually trying to kill him, 1 Samuel chapters 13-20. David was now trying to keep out of Saul’s way. Twice David was in a position to kill King Saul, and was encouraged to do so by his men. He refused because he would not harm the king whom God had anointed, 1 Samuel chapters 21-30. In chapter 28 Saul visits a medium, the witch of Endor - another act of disobedience to God. Saul died in battle with the Philistines, 31:4-6. He had reigned for 60 years. King David – David lamented over the deaths of Saul and his son, Jonathan, who was his good friend. 2 Samuel 1. David was anointed king over the tribe of Judah, but the other tribes followed a son of King Saul. This went on for seven years and before David became king over all Israel. Chapters 2-5. The ark was brought to Jerusalem, David’s new capital city, where he had his palace. David received assurances from God that under his rule Israel would have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed, that from his children would come the successor in the kingship, and that successor would be the one to build a permanent house for the ark. 2 Samuel 6-7. David’s battles continued as he extended peace for his people, chapters 8-10, and we also see his very caring and gentle nature when he seeks out any of Jonathan’s family to be kind to. However: David had an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. He had Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, murdered. He had big problems with his dysfunctional family and faced some uprisings against him. 2 Samuel 11-22. Page 43 Leader's notes: Lesson 12 - Kings. Use the summary words for King Solomon’s life and reign with as many references as you have time for. Perhaps five groups of ladies could look up one heading each, looking at the Bible references. I suggest you put ‘wives’ and ‘disobedience’ into one group. The ‘What did God think’ section (below and opposite) is an important round up for the lesson on Kings – don’t lose it because of time. What did God think? 1 Samuel 8:7-9 In wanting a king the people were rejecting God. 9:17 God gave them what they wanted. 13:13-14 Saul’s disobedience meant his kingdom would not last. 15:10-11 God was grieved that he had made Saul king. 16:7 God was more concerned about heart attitude than good looks, from the story of the anointing of David. 2 Samuel 5:9-10 David was powerful because God was with him. 7:4, 8-16 David would not build the permanent Temple. That would be done by his son Solomon. His (David’s) throne would be established forever. 12:24 Forgiven of his adultery and murder, God gave David a son with Bathsheba. 1 Kings 2:1-4 As he died David told Solomon of God’s promises. 3:5-14 God gave Solomon a dream. 9:1-9 God gave Solomon another dream, with great potential for good and bad, dependent on the word “if”. 11:1-9 King Solomon disobeys. 11:29-39 Consequences. But note the last three words of verse 39. Compare with Matthew 1:1. Student's worksheet: Lesson 12 - Kings. Now into the first book of Kings. David was dying. His son, Adonijah proclaimed himself king with a sacrifice, and a big feast for his supporters and court officials. Bathsheba went to David, who sent Nathan, the prophet, to anoint Solomon king and bring him back to the throne shouting ‘Long live King Solomon’. David gave last instructions to Solomon, urging him to keep obeying the Lord. David died after ruling seven years over Judah and 33 years over the whole of Israel. King Solomon – 1 Kings 2:12 “Solomon succeeded his father David as king, and his royal power was firmly established.” Solomon’s life and reign can be summarised in six words: 1wisdom 1 Kings 3:5-15, 4:29-34, 9:1-2, 9:4-9, 10:1-5,9,10,13, administration 4:1-28, 5:1-18, (note - a recorder), 11:41 (written histories) temple 6:1,7,14-38, 7:13-14,51, 8:1-5,22-30, 8:52-53, 9:1-3. wealth 7:1, 9:15,20-23,26-28, 10:14-29. wives 11:1-6. disobedience 11:7-13,14,25,26,29-40. 11:42-43 Solomon died, having reigned for 40 years, and was succeeded by his son, Rehoboam. Writings – David wrote some psalms. Especially famous are Psalm 23, the shepherd psalm, and Psalm 51, his repentance after the illicit relationship with Bathsheba. Solomon wrote some of Proverbs, some of Ecclesiastes and probably Song of Songs. What did God think? 1 Samuel 8:7-9, 9:17 13:13-14, 15:10-11 15:17-23 16:7, 11-12 2 Samuel 5:9-10 7:4-5a,8-16 12:24-25 1 Kings 2:1-4, 3:7-14 9:1-9, 11:1-8,29-36 Please read 1 Kings 16:29-33, 17:1-19:18 for next time. Page 44

25 lesson plans for children, young people and their teachers. Lesson 16 The kingdom is divided: the prophets continue but the people do not listen Bible reference – some verses from Kings and Chronicles. The Bible’s books 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles are exactly what their titles say they are. They record the events of the kings of God’s people. A king is “a man who rules a country”, (note 14 below). A chronicle is “a record of events as they happened in the past, in the order in which they happen”. (note 15). Most people have their tribal stories. Events that happened in the past are traditionally told at special times – for example feast days or funerals. In this way the older people pass on the history of the tribe to the younger people. The Bible tells us that people wrote these historical “chronicles”. Everything God wants us to know about His purpose for His people is recorded in the Bible. God makes sure it is done. (Have three or five good readers read aloud to the class): 1 Chronicles 9 verse 1 1 Chronicles 29 verse 29-30 2 Chronicles 35 verse 26-27 Stop and discuss (1) Divide the class into groups of 4/5 people.Ask them to find the verses just read to them. From these verses only, can they find out what information is in the books of Kings and Chronicles? The time period covered by Kings and Chronicles is about 400 years. Not every small thing that happened was written down! But the most important events, the main sayings and doings of people involved in God’s plan are here. Some passages in Samuel, Kings and Chronicles are repeated. (See for example 1 Samuel 31 verses 1-13, and 1 Chronicles 10 verses 1-14). Where small differences occur in the same story it is usually because Kings is a history of the nation of Israel and its kings, with a prophetic understanding of events. Chronicles is a record of what God is doing in choosing people, and rejecting others, to be His own. (See what it says in 1 Chronicles 10 verses 13-14 as an example). God put His own name on the Temple in Jerusalem, 1 Kings 8 verse 29, 2 Chronicles 6 verse 20, as He had promised years before, Deuteronomy 12 verse 11. God related to His people by His promises, which He always kept. The people were as close to God as they chose to be – when they disobeyed Him they were further from Him than when they obeyed. Solomon started as a good king, building the great Temple and an impressive palace. He was a very rich man, but the Bible tells us in two sentences the reason for his failure. Notes: 14 MacMillan School Dictionary, page 407 15 MacMillan School Dictionary, page 126 p.57 Stop and discover (2) Have the students find 1 Kings 11 verse 4 in their Bibles and then write in the words which are only started here: “H w n f t t L h G ”. Now ask the students to do the same for 1 Kings 11 verse 6: “H s a t L a w n t t h a h f h b ”. Anyone who wants to be God’s person must try not to sin. He or she must be faithful and true to all God wants them to be. Because of sin God took the kingdom away from Solomon and his family. Stop and do Divide the class into groups of 6-8 students. Half of each group is to act Ahijah the prophet, the other half to act Jeroboam the official. Give the ‘Ahijahs’ an old cloth (or piece of paper) – a pretend robe – that can be torn into twelve pieces. Read 1 Kings 11 verses 28-29. God sent a prophet named Ahijah with a message to Jeroboam, one of king Solomon’s trusted officials. The students who are ‘Ahijah’ walk to meet the ‘Jeroboams’. Read 1 Kings 11 verse 30 out aloud. As you read the ‘Ahijahs’ can tear their ‘robes ’into twelve pieces, giving ten to the ‘Jeroboams’. Make sure the students understand that God is going to do two things: 1. God is going to take ten tribes away from King Solomon’s son, because of Solomon’s worship of false gods, verse 33. (See 1 Kings 11 verses 1-4). 2. God is going to let Solomon’s son keep one tribe, in order to be true to His earlier promise to King David, with whom He was pleased, verse 36. (Note: If a student questions the number of tribes,(twelve), remember that Judah and Simeon are on the same land, probably viewed as one tribe but in reality two, Joshua 19 verse 9. Later, Judah and parts of Benjamin are the two tribes named as loyal to Solomon’s family, 1 Kings 12 verses 20-21; 2 Chronicles 10 verse 17 and 11 verse 1; and 2 Chronicles 15 verse 2. Like today, there probably was not an exact divide between tribes, because of intermarrying, working partnerships, etc.). Class activity. During the rest of the class today, have the students make a ‘chronicle’ of the events. If they can write or draw they could do it individually on a sheet of paper. OR, they can work in groups of 4/5, with chalk on a board, or using large sheets of paper, or even using the dust of the ground smoothed out to write on, with a clearly marked frame. They need to list Chronicle record numbers 1-8 down the left side of the page, leaving room to write a short sentence – as shown below on page 59 – by every number. p.58 If they cannot write they can discuss each event below. Read them the verses and ask ‘What happened?’ If this activity is difficult for the class the teacher can prepare the Chronicle record before class and use as a visual aid. Chronicle record 1. Solomon dies, compare 1 Kings 11 verses 41-43 with 2 Chronicles 9 verses 29-31. (Students write sentence or draw a picture or say.). 2. Rehoboam puts heavy burdens on the people, see 2 Chronicles 10 verses 14-15. Remind the students, Chronicles shows what God is doing through these human activities. (Students write sentence). 3. Rehoboam wants to go to war, see 2 Chronicles 11 verses 1-4. Tell the students he wants to rule over all twelve tribes. Remind them, that God’s prophet Shemaiah urges the people to do God’s will. God was taking the ten tribes away from Solomon’s descendants, verse 4. It was wrong of Rehoboam to want them back. (Students write sentence). 4. Ten northern tribes rebel and break away – Israel, 1 Kings 12 verse 16; 2 Chronicles 10 verses 16-19. (Students write sentence. Remind them to write their best. This is the royal court record of history!). 5. Two tribes stay loyal – Judah, 1 Kings 12 verse 17. Verse 19 is a summary of the position so far. Verse 21 names the loyal tribes as Benjamin and Judah, as does 2 Chronicles 11 verse 1. (Students write sentence). 6. Different kings rule Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The northern kingdom, Israel, has 19 kings in its history. The southern kingdom has 20. The history is in the next chapters of Kings and Chronicles. When you read them, make sure you know which kingdom is being referred to: for example: 2 Chronicles 13 verse 1, Abijah king of Judah; 2 Chronicles 18 verse 3, Ahab king of Israel; 2 Chronicles 19 verse 1, Jehoshaphat king of Judah. Some kings pleasedGod. Others did not. (Students write sentence). 7. Prophets were sent by God to speak His word to one or the other kingdom. Perhaps the most famous are: Elijah, sent to Ahab king of Israel, 1 Kings 17 onwards; Elisha, 2 Kings 2 onwards, sent to both Jehoshaphat king of Judah and Joram king of Israel. Sometimes people listened to the prophets’ words and obeyed. Other times they ignored the message. (Students write sentence). 8. God kept on working out His purpose for His people. God worked through His prophets and with everyone who would honour and obey Him. Hebrews 11 verses 33-40 tells how the faith of these people helped them to trust through terrible situations. God’s plan was being completed, although it did not always look that way even to those involved in it. (Students write the last Chronicle sentence). p.59 The completed work of individuals (or of the groups) can now be looked at and praised. Remind students of the meaning of the word ‘Chronicle’. In any time that remains, get the students to try and learn: “Through faith they fought whole countries and won. They did what was right and received what God promised”. Hebrews 11 verse 33 (the first part). God is still the same today. Those who trust Him and live for Him soon know this to be true. Answers to ‘Stop and discuss’ 1. lists of people and their families, 1 Chronicles 9 verse 1. the history of the different kings, 1 Chronicles 29 verses 29-30. the power of the kings, events that happened to the nation and those around them, the king’s devotion to God, 2 Chronicles 35 verses 26-27. the king’s obedience to the Law. 2. “He was not faithful to the Lord his God”, 1 Kings 11 verse 4 (second part). “He sinned against the Lord and was not true to Him as his father David had been “, 1 Kings 11 verse 6. p.60

My notes for teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Leader’s notes: Lesson 13 - The Divided Kingdom 1 Kings 16:29-33; 17:1-19:18; and 1 Kings 21:1-22:53; 2 Kings 1:1-25:30; 2 Chronicles10:1-36:21 We pick up at 1 Kings 11:28-39 which is where we finished the section on Solomon’s disobedience last time. See if anyone can tell you what the prophet Ahijah had said to whom! Teach through the next two paragraphs - eliciting the information from the ladies as they look up the references. Let the ladies find that some were good kings and some were bad kings in these references. Encourage them to find on the chart here and on page 46, all the king’s names and check the * stars for the good ones, or crosses X for the bad ones. Student's worksheet: Lesson 13 - The Divided Kingdom 1 Kings 16:29-33; 17:1-19:18; and 1 Kings 21:1-22:53; 2 Kings 1:1-25:30; 2 Chronicles 10:1-36:21. 1 Kings 11:28-39 this is before the death of King Solomon. The kingdom will be divided because of Solomon’s disobedience. 1 Kings 11:41-43 Solomon died. 1 Kings 12:1-15 Rehoboam, Solomon’s son refused to ease the slave-labour load on his people. 12:16-17, 20-24 The ten tribes formed their own kingdom under Jeroboam and a very annoyed Rehoboam was told by God not to fight to regain his now divided kingdom. 12:26-33 To safeguard his kingdom Jeroboam set up alternative worship places, with golden calves as idols. God had said in the Ten Commandments and the Law that the people should have no other gods before Him, not worship idols, and not be involved in adultery. As they took the land God had promised them, they were told again and again not to adopt the ways of the people there, not to have other gods or worship idols. After the split, for the next 350 years, there were many kings (and one queen) in Israel (the ten tribes) and Judah (including Simeon, which was surrounded by Judah). Some were good. Some were good with reservations! 1 Kings 15:11-14; 22:41-42, 46 2 Kings 18:1-7; 23:1-25 Some were bad, and some were very bad. 1 Kings 14:21-24; 16:29-33 2 Kings 10:28-32; 16:2-4 These dates are obviously not exact to the year, but this is an easy way to see 350 years of history in Judah and Israel: Date Judah good bad Israel good bad B.C. 930 Rehoboam x Jeroboam x 920 910 Abidjan x Nadab x 900 Asa * Baasha x 890 Elah Zimri x x 880 Tibni Omri x x 870 Jehoshaphat * Ahab x 860 850 Jehoram x Ahazariah x (continued on page 46). Page 45 Leader's notes: Lesson 13 - the Divided Kingdom Note the end of both kingdoms and the exiles to Assyria and Babylon. Student's worksheet: Lesson 13 - The Divided Kingdom. (Continued from page 45). Date Judah good bad Israel good bad B.C. 840 Ahaziah x Joram Jehu x x 830 Qn Athaliah x 820 810 Joash x Jehoahaz x 800 790 Amaziah * Jehoash x 780 Azar/Uzziah * Jeroboam II x 770 760 Zechariah x 750 Jotham * Shallum Menahem - x 740 Ahaz x Pekahiah Pekah x x 730 Hoshea x 720 Hezekiah * B.C. 721 ISRAEL INTO EXILE 710 700 690 Manasseh x 680 650 640 Amon x 630 Josiah * 620 610 Jehoahaz Jehoiakim x x 600 Jehoiachin x 590 Zedekiah x 580 B.C. 586 JUDAH INTO EXILE The fall of Israel 721 B.C. to Assyria. 2 Kings 17:18-23 The fall of Israel 586 B.C.to Babylonia. 2 Kings 25:1-21, 27-30 Page 46 Leader's notes: Lesson 13 - The Divided Kingdom. These stories of Ahab also involve Elijah who was a major prophet in Jewish thinking, although not a writing prophet like Isaiah. He spoke God’s words to the people and to Ahab. Teach (or revise if the ladies know the story) through 1 Kings chapters 17, 18 and 19 up to verse 18. Student's worksheet: The Divided Kingdom. King Ahab and the prophet Elijah – famous stories and typical of what happened under the ‘bad’ kings 1 Kings 16:29-33 Samaria is now the capital of Israel - the ten tribes. Ahab’s wickedness listed. 1 Kings 17:1 No introduction. No biography. “Now Elijah…said to Ahab”. This typifies Elijah’s ministry - he was bold and direct in word and action. 1 Kings 17:1 Elijah confronted Ahab and said there will be no rain for the next few years except at God’s word. verses 2-6 Elijah was protected by God. verses 7-9 Elijah saw the lack of water and was sent to Zarephath. verses 10-11 He found a widow gathering sticks. He asked for water and bread. verse 12 The widow said “no can do”. verses 13-14 Elijah encouraged her to make him some bread, and then some for herself and her son, because he believed ‘God will make sure the flour and oil do not run out while there was no rain’. verses 15-16 She proved God right! verses 17-18 Her son became ill. Her only hope was dying. verses 19-23 Elijah cried out to God for the boy, and he came back to life. verse 24 The widow had called Elijah ‘a man of God’. Now she knew that as truth. 1 Kings 18:1-2 God told Elijah to go and present himself to Ahab. verses 2-6 The situation - severe famine, Obadiah the chief steward was a believer, Queen Jezebel was killing the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken and hidden 100 prophets, King Ahab and chief steward Obadiah were searching the land for anywhere there was grass to keep the horses and mules alive. verses 7-8 Obadiah and Elijah meet and Elijah told Obadiah to go to Ahab and tell him he had found Elijah. verses 9-15 Obadiah was reluctant - saying Ahab had looked everywhere for Elijah – what would happen if the Spirit of the Lord took Elijah away while Obadiah went to the king? Elijah promised to speak with Ahab that day. verses 16-18 Who is the troubler of Israel? verses 19-20 A challenge is issued to the priests of Baal. verse 21 A challenge is issued to the people. verses 22-24 What was the challenge? verses 25-29 The priests of Baal prepared the sacrifice. They called, they danced, they cut themselves in frenzy, prophesied frantically. There was no fire. verses 30-35 Elijah rebuilt the altar of the Lord there, arranged the wood and the sacrifice. Then what happened? How many times? What was the result? verses 36-38 At twilight, the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah prayed to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, reminding the people of their heritage. He Page 47 Leader's notes: Lesson 13 - The Divided Kingdom. Jump to 2 Kings 2:1-15 to complete the story of Elijah – we have an ending even though we did not have much beginning!! Digression - Elijah was important in Jewish thinking and is mentioned several times in the Gospels. Student's notes: Lesson 13 - The Divided Kingdom. (from page 47) prayed “Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” Fire fell and consumed the sacrifice. verse 39 The people acknowledged God and fell prostrate. verse 40 Elijah commanded the priests of Baal to be captured and killed. verses 41-44 Elijah sent Ahab to eat and drink while he and his servant climbed Mount Carmel again. He prayed for the curse to be lifted and dispatched his servant seven times to go and look to the sea. Nothing. Then the last time he saw a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea. verses 44-46 Elijah’s servant told Ahab to go in his chariot while he could. Wind, heavy rain, and Elijah ran ahead of Ahab to Jezreel- about 20 miles! How? 1 Kings 19:1-2 Ahab told Jezebel what had happened and she threatened Elijah. verses 3-4 Elijah was afraid. He went to Beersheba, left his servant there and went a day’s journey into the desert, laid down under a broom tree and wanted to die. verses 5-9 He slept, was woken by an angel with food and water, went back to sleep, was woken again by the angel and ate and drank. He travelled forty days and forty nights to get to Horeb (Sinai) where he found a cave and sheltered there. verses 9-13 God came and asked a question. Elijah talked about his zeal, the Israelites wickedness, and said he was the only one left. verses 13-18 God tells him to stand on the mountain ‘in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by’. A powerful wind wreaked havoc, then an earthquake, then a fire, but the Lord was not in any of these events. Then a gentle whisper. Elijah pulled his cloak over his face and went to the mouth of the cave. God asked the same question. Elijah gave the same answer. Then God said for Elijah to anoint Hazael king over Aram, Jehu king over Israel and Elisha as his successor. God also told him he was not the only one verse 18! 2 Kings 2:1-15 Elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire. (Genesis 5:22-24) Digression: Malachi 4:5-6 The prophecy that Elijah would come again before the Lord’s coming. Matthew 17:9-13 and Luke 1:11-17. Zechariah is told his son, Jesus’ cousin, would ‘go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah’, and Jesus identifies his cousin, John the Baptist, as the promised Elijah Matthew 11:13-14. Matthew 17:1-5 at the Transfiguration, Moses representing the Law and Elijah representing the Prophets both appeared with Jesus. God restored his defeated prophet. Exhausted and threatened, Elijah hit rock bottom. God fed and watered him, twice; asked him for his appraisal of the situation, twice; assured Elijah of His personal interest in him, and then recommissioned him. Remind yourself of this story when life’s events get on top of you - don’t lose sight of God: He has not lost sight of you. Please read chapter 1 verses 1-2 of most of ‘the prophet books’ for next time. Page 48

25 lesson plans for children, young people and their teachers. Lesson 17 Exiled into Babylon Bible reference – verses from Kings and Chronicles. God had warned His people what would happen if they did not live the way He wanted them to. He hated it when they worshipped other gods. The Ten Commandments, given when God’s people were brought out from Egypt at the Exodus, warned that God would judge up to four generations for the sins of worshipping the idols of other gods, Exodus 20 verses 2-6. Jeroboam was one of the worst kings of Israel – the northern kingdom. The Bible says he was the one “who sinned and led Israel into sin”. Stop and discuss (1) Divide the class into groups of 5/6. Each group should have a Bible (hopefully every student can have their own). Explain you are going to ask some questions, the answers to which are in the Bible verses you will give out. See which group can be the first to give the right answer. Students should hold their closed Bibles in the air, with arms stretched out above their heads. Only when you give the reference after each question can they lower their arms and begin to look for the answer. 1. Hold up Bibles. Who gave the kingdom of Israel – ten tribes – to Jeroboam? 1 Kings 11 verse 31. Students look for answer and share it. 2. Hold up Bibles. For God to be with the king, what must Jeroboam be careful to do? 1 Kings 11 verse 38. Students look for answer and share it. 3. Hold up Bibles. What did Jeroboam do? 1 Kings 14 verses 14-16. Students look for answer and share it. 4. Hold up Bibles. What did Jeroboam’s son king Nadab do? 1 Kings 15 verse 25-26. Students look for answer and share it. 5. Hold up Bibles. What did his descendant king Ahab do? 1 Kings 21 verse 22. Students look for answer and share it. 6. Hold up Bibles. What did his son king Ahaziahdo? 1 Kings 22 verses 51-53. Students look for answer and share it. 7. Hold up Bibles. What did Ahab’s son king Joram do? 2 Kings 3 verses 1-3. Students look for answer and share it. p.61 8. Hold up Bibles. Who anointed Jehu king over Israel? 2 Kings 9 verses 1-3 and 6. Students look for answer and share it. 9. Hold up Bibles. What did king Jehu do? 2 Kings 10 verses 28-31. Students look for answer and share it. 10. Hold up Bibles. What did Jehu’s son king Jehoahaz do? 2 Kings 13 verses 1-2. Students look for answer and share it. Ask every group to put into their own words how king Jeroboam, and many of his family after him, led the nation of Israel. Ask each group for a spokesman (or woman) to share their description with the whole class. Remind the class that although God put these kings into their kingdoms, they were responsible to follow God in their own lives and in the way they led their people. If they did not honour God, God would soon be against them – just as He had said in Exodus 20 verses 2-6. The Bible shows us God is always true to His promises, even when it means Him bringing judgement on His own people. Of course, not all of the kings were bad! We are going to see how one good king, Josiah, did NOT follow in the ways of the kings before him. He chose to follow the ways of his ancestor king David. He lived to please the Lord. Stop and discuss (2) Ask the class to divide into their groups again, as they did earlier. In each group, some should open their Bibles to 2 Kings 22 verses 1 to 23 verse 30. Others should open their Bibles to 2 Chronicles 34 verses 1 to 35 and 35 verses 1-27. Every group needs to be able to read both Bible records. Ask each question in turn. If the class enjoyed holding up their Bibles earlier, get them to do it again before every question. 1. How old was Josiah when he became king? 2. What did Josiah do to please the Lord? 3. What did Josiah destroy in his land? 4. What did his men find in the ruins at the Temple of the True God? 5. When the Law was read to the king, what did he find out about God? 6. What did Josiah lead the people in making? 7. The king had a big fire. What did he burn? 8. Josiah led the people in a celebration. What were they remembering? 9. How many sheep, lambs and goats did Josiah give for the celebration? 10. Where is Josiah’s life story written down? Remind the students God has been faithful to His promises even when the kings and people have not been. God has also blessed and used good kings who have tried to lead the people His way. p.62 558 years after the Exodus the Northern Kingdom of Israel was carried away captive by the Assyrians. About 125 years later the Southern Kingdom of Judah fell to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. God’s special people were prisoners taken off to far away places. The city and Temple where God placed His name were in ruins. Have two good readers read to the class one passage each. This is what happened to the Northern Kingdom: 2 Kings 17 verse 7, “Samaria fell because the Israelites sinned against the Lord their God, Who had rescued them from the king of Egypt and had led them out of Egypt. They worshipped other gods …” This is what happened to the SouthernKingdom: 2 Chronicles 36 verses 15-17, “The Lord, the God of their ancestors, had continued to send prophets to warn His people, because He wanted to spare them and the Temple. But they ridiculed God’s messengers, ignoring His words and laughing at His prophets, until at last the Lord’s anger against His people was so great that there was no escape. So the Lord brought the king of Babylonia to attack them”. God deals with His people like good parents deal with their disobedient children. They are disciplined. Yet God still loves them and works to keep His promises to them if they will see the foolishness of their ways and begin to honour Him with their lives. The prophet Jeremiah gave this message of hope: read slowly and clearly: 2 Chronicles 36 verse 21, “The land will lie desolate for 70 years, to make up for the Sabbath rest that has not been observed”. Seventy years! What would God do to keep true to His promise this time? Answers to ‘Stop and discuss’ 1. 1. God 2. Live obeying God’s laws, to please Him 3. Sinned and led the people into sin 4. Sinned and led the people to sin, like his father 5. Made God angry by leading the people to sin 6. Worshipped Baal, following his father’s example with the same result 7. Would not stop sinning, although not as bad as his parents 8. God 9. Wiped out Baal worship, but copied Jeroboam’s sin 10. Sinned against the Lord, led Israel to sin, never giving up his evil ways. 2. 1. Eight years old, 2 Kings 22 verse 1; 2 Chronicles 34 verse 1 2. Followed David’s example, obeying God’s laws, 2 Kings 22 verse 2; 2 Chronicles 34 verse 2 3. Pagan places of worship and their altars, idols and images, 2 Chronicles 34 verses 3-7, especially verse 7 4. The book of the Law, 2 Kings 22 verse 8; 2 Chronicles 34 verse 14; (the Law God gave to Moses) p.63 5. God was angry because the earlier kings and people disobeyed His Law, 2 Kings 22 verse 13; 2 Chronicles 34 verse 21 6. A Covenant (solemn promise) to go back to keeping the Covenant with God from long ago, 2 Kings 23 verse 3; 2 Chronicles 34 verse 31 7. Everything he found that was used in worshipping false gods, 2 Kings 23 verse 4 8. The Passover, 2 Kings 23 verse 21; 2 Chronicles 35 verse 1; (remember Exodus 12 as the special people were brought out of Egypt by God) 9. 30,000, 2 Chronicles 35 verse 7 10. The History of the Kings of Israel and Judah, 2 Chronicles 35 verse 27; 2 Kings 23 verse 28 omits “Israel and”.

Leader's page and student's page best viewed left/right side together Lesson 15 Leader’s notes: Acts 6:8-8:1 Get the ladies to read and itemise what happens, verse by verse. Ask them to only choose what they think are the key points each time. 6:8 Stephen outgrew his ministry of ‘helps administration’. He made the essentially practical ministry of verse 2, into a ‘signs and wonders’ ministry that pointed people to the available transforming new life of the risen Jesus. Remember, people can grow as they serve! People can grow into new service. Make sure you give opportunities for this. 6:9 opposition from the Synagogue of the Freedmen, likely emancipated Roman Jews, made up of Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia (Saul’s/Paul’s home town of Tarsus was in Cilicia) and Asia - see map page 4. 6:10 Stephen was obviously an eloquent speaker. Note the outward influence of the Holy Spirit on Stephen’s service. 6:11 Trumped up untrue charges (as with Jesus, Matthew 26:59-61). Lying witnesses. Jesus called the devil, “the father of lies” John 8:44. People are not our real opponents, but the devil will use who he can. 6:12-14 Stephen is brought before the Sanhedrin, together with false witnesses. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:16-20? The first Christians expected to face persecution for following their Lord. 6:15 The Sanhedrin looked at the accused - trying to work out who he was, what kind of person he was, what he represented? Would he be overawed by the situation he was facing, knowing they could pass a death sentence on him? Stephen’s face was ‘like that of an angel’ - he radiated Christ, he reflected Christ. Compare Exodus 34:29-35 and Psalm 34:4-5. 7:1 the trial begins. Lead steadily through the ‘Stephen’s history lesson’ section. Have the extra verses ready to read out, or set up chosen ladies to read them. Check them yourself first to be sure of what is coming! Student's page: Lesson 15 Acts 6:8-8:1 Another first - Stephen Acts 6:8-15, 7:1 6:8 compare 6:5-7 what has changed? 6:9-10 what caused the opposition? different opinions of traditional Jews and Christians like Stephen: was Jesus of Nazareth the long-awaited Messiah, or not? “argue” is translated “dispute” elsewhere. It may well mean a formal debate on current religious issues. Who Jesus was and ‘did He rise again?’ may well have been subjects. 6:11 does the word ‘secretly’ cause alarm bells to ring in your head? We need to remember that God sees all secrets, positive and negative. Matthew 6:6 our individual prayers. Psalm 44:20-21 every heart is open. 6:12-14 ‘stirred up’, ‘false witnesses’ whatever opposition we face our God is greater compare Daniel 3:16-18. God’s will is always what we want. 6:15 compare Exodus 34:29-35. How can you take Psalm 34:5 for yourself in difficult times? 7:1 a straightforward start. Acts 7:2-53 Stephen’s redemptive ‘history lesson’ to the leaders of Israel 7:2 he speaks with respect, “brothers and fathers”, even facing hostility - he was not there to defend himself – rather he wanted the Sanhedrin to understand Who Jesus really was - notice ‘our’ father Abraham. That’s Stephen, the Sanhedrin members, and Jesus! Remember, all his hearers could be saved too! 7:2–8 Find the gist of these Genesis verses in Stephen’s Acts 7 speech: Genesis 11:31; 12:1-4; 15:2-7, 13, 16a; 17:3-8; 21:1-5; 25:19-26 7:9-16 Genesis 35:23-26; 37:1-4; 41:25-40; 45:1; and Joshua 24:32 (12 sons of Joseph are listed here with Leah first as his first wife and Rachel second as his second wife. Chronologically the sons were born - Leah x 4, Rachel’s maid x 2, Leah’s maid x 2, Leah x 2, Rachel x 2. Page 34 Leader's page: Keep going through Stephen’s history lesson – he knew the Old Testament well. God the Holy Spirit brought it to Stephen’s mind when he needed it: Deuteronomy 11:18 Psalm 119:11 Our Lord Jesus said, “Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit”, Mark 13:11. Keep encouraging the ladies to find what Stephen is speaking about in their own Old Testaments. Familiarity with the Bible helps Christian growth. Draw attention to Stephen’s focus on what God has done – and is doing: Acts 7:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (x3), 17, 25, 32, 33-34, 35, 37, 42, 44, 45, 46, 48 and in finishing verses 55-56. The death of Stephen 7:54-8:1 Again, ask the ladies to read the verses and itemise what happens. 7:54 leaders furious 7:55-56 Stephen sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God in glory; must have been a tremendous uplift for him when facing his death 7:57 unbridled fury - no recorded formal declaration of guilt 7:58 hot work! compare 8:1 7:59-60 forgiving like Jesus, compare Luke 23:34 and Psalm 31:5 Pray together, perhaps in small groups. Please read Acts 8 for next time. Student's page: 7:17-19 Exodus 1:8-11 God raises and deposes even secular rulers. God always knows what He is doing. 7:20-36 Exodus 2:1-10, 11-14; 3:1-3, 4-10; 15:1-5 Moses protected by God at birth. Went his own way at 40yrs. At 80yrs. encountered God and was called into His special service Sanhedrin believed they followed Moses. 7:37-38 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 18:14-15. 7:39-41 Numbers 14:27-35 Moses was misunderstood when alive. Stephen thinks he is again now! 7:44-47 Exodus 25:1-8, 10, 23, 31; 26:1; 27:1, 9, 20; 28:1-5; Numbers 10:33-36; Joshua 3:17; 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 17; 1Kings 5:1-6. The Temple was a good idea for public worship, but fell short. 7:48-50 1 Kings 8:27; Isaiah 6:1, Isaiah 66:1-2 God is much bigger than any worship system humankind could devise. Beware thinking you, and your church, ‘have it all’. 7:51-53 Confrontation. Did Stephen sense the audience becoming restless? The death of Stephen 7:54-8:1 7:54 Were the judges level headed and calm? 7:55-56 An encouragement to Stephen, an encouragement to us? 7:57 Measured justice or mob rule? 7:58 When Luke wrote Acts he realised the effect this episode had on Saul/Paul see 8:1a also 7:59-60 compare Luke 23:34 and Psalm 31:5 . God alone gives grace to forgive. The first Christian martyr - the first of millions. Would you and I be ready? Take a moment to answer for yourself, to yourself. In many, many places in our world today Christians are being persecuted and martyred for their faith, Sudan and South Sudan included, as you know well. Pray for those standing up for their Christian faith. Pray for the families the martyrs leave behind. Pray for places where there is supposedly freedom, but where it is still not acceptable to present a Christian view. Pray for wisdom for believers. Page 35

My notes for teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Leader’s notes: Lesson 14. Teach through page 49 and the top paragraph on page 50. You may find it useful to ask some questions after the first sentence to see who in the class knows what. Check that ‘priest’ is understood. You could ask what an Old Testament priest did in relation to God and man. Do we have to go through a priest now? Some Christian groups use the word ‘priests’ for their local leaders, but all Christians are priests to God. See Revelation 5:9-10. Speak carefully here – we are not trying to undermine anyone’s church structure! Teach ‘king’. Check ‘king’ is understood. Teach ‘prophet’. Perhaps ask if someone can give the definitions of ‘priest’ and ‘prophet’ - to God for people and to people from God Teach ‘prophecy’, getting the ladies to compare the Isaiah and Luke references. Student's worksheet: Lesson 14 Prophets to the northern kingdom, Israel, Amos, Hosea, Jonah Jesus is sometimes referred to as our prophet, priest and king. In the Law delivered by Moses the tribe of Levi were set apart as priests. They were to be those who spoke to God for the people. They offered the required sacrifices on behalf of people. They were the authority figures who spoke on health issues - cleanness after a skin condition, enforced the rules on cleanness and uncleanness. Abraham and Moses also acted as priests in their leadership positions. Jesus represents us to God in taking our sin on Himself so God’s righteous wrath is satisfied and we can have a right relationship with God again. Jesus is our great High Priest. Compare to Hebrews 4:14. A king is a ruler who should care for his people. We have seen that Israel asked for a king and it did not work out too well. Jesus is our King - to whom we owe allegiance - and who rules carefully over His people. A prophet is one who speaks to people on behalf of God. In the Old Testament accounts we come across good prophets and bad prophets. There were those who spoke from God and some people listened while some did not. There were false prophets who pretended to speak from God and some people listened while some did not. Jesus is an absolutely true prophet of God because He is God - He came from God to speak to us. See John 10:27. People with these roles should have stood before God as his servants and stood before men as people of God. Some did. Some did not. Now, after the life and death of Jesus Christ, we, who claim allegiance to Him, must all live before God as his servants, and live before the everyday world as people of God. Now we need to define ‘prophecy’. Old Testament prophecy involved forth telling the message God had given, which may be rebuke, challenge, a call for repentance and/or foretelling events or scenarios of the future. This is where we can get the most confused. Have the foretold events happened or are they still future? Have a look at Isaiah 61:1-3. This is one long sentence in Hebrew. Now look at Luke 4:14-21. Jesus stopped part way through the long sentence, because what He read was now being fulfilled, but the rest of the sentence was for a later time. It may help to think of looking into the distance. You can see some hills but from where you are standing you cannot tell if in front of you are hills, hills, hills, or whether there are hills, some open country and more hills. Jesus is God. He knew the right place to stop in the prophecy to say that this part was now fulfilled. It is very easy for us to misinterpret prophecy, and then argue about our interpretations! Don’t go down that road. Spend your energy working at living the way God wants with what you know for certain, not deciding what a prophecy means when God has deliberately left it unclear. Page 49 Leader's notes: Lesson 14 - Prophets to the northern Kingdom, Israel. Introduce Amos, Hosea and Jonah as a group. Introduce Amos. Work through the Amos second paragraph references together. Yes, God loves us, but He is much bigger than just where we are! These are three sample visions from Amos - pictures of personal holiness or not, honesty and care of the poor, and eventual restoration of Israel. Remember they were not in exile yet!! Perhaps one lady could read the first reference and then the group can find the meaning together. Then the second and third pictures. Maybe a quiet moment is appropriate here. Introduce Hosea. Go through the references to find what Hosea added to Amos’ prophecy. Student's worksheet: Lesson 14 - Prophets to the northern Kingdom, Israel. Last time, we looked at Elijah, the bold, visual prophet. We mentioned his successor, Elisha. Look up 2 Kings 2:15. We think of the prophets as individuals working in isolation, but here we see that there were supportive groups - perhaps groups that kept the written record of prophecies given. See also 2 Kings 4:1-7. Between 2 Kings 2:19-13:20 Elisha walks with kings and foreign dignitaries, and people like us. The drama of Mount Carmel was for Elijah. The walking with leaders and with ordinary folk was for Elisha. There were three prophets whose names and writings we have, who listened to God and spoke to the people of Israel, the ten northern tribes, until the fall of Samaria to the Assyrian army and the consequent exile in 721 B.C. Amos Amos came from Judah but God sent him to Samaria, the capital of Israel, although Judah and Jerusalem are also mentioned in his prophecies. He may have known Elisha, and he is very likely to have known Hosea. He would have heard about Jonah. Amos 7:14-15 His job was looking after flocks and sycamore-fig trees. He wrote well and had a wide knowledge of the world. Amos 9:5-7; 6:14 His God was not just the God of Israel and Judah, but the One who holds in His hands the destiny of all peoples. Amos 1:3; 1:6; 1:9; 1:11; 1:13; 2:1; 2:4; 2:6. He gave God’s judgements against Israel’s neighbours and against Israel. Amos shared visions the Lord had given him. Amos 7:7-9 Amos saw God standing by a wall built true to a plumbline, God said He was going to take a plumb line to His people to see how far from His true way they were living. Amos 8:1-6 God told Amos that Israel was ripe to be picked for judgement because of their ongoing bad treatment of the poor and their dishonesty. There would be a time of wailing not rejoicing. Amos 9:11-15 There would be a day when Israel would be restored. The Jews of Jesus’ time thought that would happen at the coming of their Messiah. We have not seen it yet, but it will happen in God’s time. If we were able to see the plumbline God holds to our lives, how out of true would my life be? How out of true would your life be? Hosea Hosea came from Israel, the northern kingdom, and prophesied there. His ministry just overlapped that of Amos. In Hosea 7:11; 8:10; 10:6; 11:11 he says that the judgement prophesied by Amos would come from Assyria. We know little about Hosea, except that God asked him to live out a very difficult parable. Page 50 Leader's notes: Lesson 14 - Prophets to the northern Kingdom, Israel. Work through the story of Hosea - a very difficult history. Perhaps another pause for thought. Introduce Jonah. Teach through Jonah, getting ladies to find references and information as needed. Student's worksheet: Lesson 14 - Prophets to the northern Kingdom, Israel. Hosea 1:2-2:13; 3:1-4:1 Hosea lived out the story with which God challenged Israel. “Take a wife who is an adulteress”, or who will become an adulteress. He did. They had a son, Jezebel. Gomer then had a daughter, Lo-Ruhamah. Was Hosea the father? See 2:4,5. Then Gomer had another son, Lo-Ammi. Was Hosea the father? See 2:4,5. She is not my wife 2:2 - the marriage was broken by unfaithfulness. In that culture the husband bought the wife’s clothes, 2:7, 10 so she was exposed to shame, as Israel was when God ‘found’ her in Egypt, in slavery and with nothing. 3:1.2 “Buy back your adulterous wife from the slave market.” They lived under the same roof, 3:3. Hosea 4:1-13:16 Judgement is coming. Hosea 14 an appeal for Israel to return to the Lord (verse 1), seek His forgiveness (verse 2), and experience His love (verse 4). Your choice, Israel. “Hosea, this is how much love you are to show your wife. You will be a laughingstock - but you are demonstrating to Israel how much I have loved, and do love, her.” My summary of Hosea’s mission from God. Walking by faith means we must constantly make the right choices. We must constantly listen for our Shepherd’s voice and follow. Jonah Jonah lived before Amos and Hosea. Amos spoke about judgement from God and used word pictures in his prophecy. Hosea was called to act out a parable and teach from it. God told him what to do and what to say. Jonah was called to be the parable. The dominant world power in Jonah’s lifetime was Assyria and their capital city was Nineveh, a great and impressive city. They were always attacking different people groups and trying to gain land, dominance and power, often in very brutal ways. Over the years people have had problems with the book of Jonah. What was the big fish? How do we know what Jonah said in the fish? Who was Jonah? Did he really live? If we believe that God is the sovereign ruler of the universe, including people, then these are no problem to us. God organised. God preserved His prophet. Jonah wrote his story and God preserved it for us so we could learn from it. Jonah is mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25. The evils of Nineveh are mentioned in Nahum 1:11; 2:1,13; 3:1, 4 and 16. Jesus referred to Jonah in Matthew 12:39-41. The Lord said to Jonah “Go to Nineveh”. Jonah said “No.” See Jonah 4:2. He could not cope with the idea of God being concerned about the people of Nineveh. They were his enemies. He wanted to see them defeated, not saved! Do you feel like that about some people, tribes, races? Is that right? Page 51 Leader's notes: Lesson 14 - Prophets to the northern Kingdom, Israel. Another pause for thought. ‘That great city’ for your ladies (and you!) could be a person they had never thought to pray for, a situation, a family they could show concern for. Jonah’s ‘that great city’ was an outrageous idea to his thinking. Student's worksheet: Lesson 14 - Prophets to the northern Kingdom, Israel. God loves every person he has made. Jonah hurried off in the opposite direction. The Lord sent a great wind. It was bad enough to terrify experienced sailors. They discovered, and Jonah told them, that he was the cause of their problem. Even so, the sailors did not like the idea of throwing anyone overboard. Finally, they did. Then there was a great calm, and the sailors acknowledged God. God had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. (This gave the sailors a good story to tell when they got home.) In the fish, reality struck. Jonah acknowledged that God was everywhere, that He had preserved Jonah’s life. He expressed hope, thanksgiving, obedience and knowledge that salvation came from God. The climax comes at the end of 2:10 - the central pivot of the story and the centre of truth and understanding. The Lord commanded the fish and it spat Jonah on to dry land. The Lord told Jonah a second time to go to Nineveh. No detail is given of where he was and how he got to Nineveh. But this time he went. Jonah obeyed, and preached “Forty days and forty nights and Nineveh will be overturned” from the first day he got there. The Ninevites believed God, declared a fast and dressed in sackcloth and ashes as a sign of humble repentance. We do not know how deep their belief was, but they took Jonah’s message seriously and acted. God saw the change in the Ninevites, and did not bring about the calamity He had threatened. Jonah was very annoyed. His project had been successful but it was not the outcome he wanted. He said that God was gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, relenting from sending calamity. He had the words but they had not got through in his thinking. If God was all these wonderful words, then He was a forgiving God - willing to forgive the wicked, nasty Ninevites! We can be like Jonah at times. We may want God to work in the lives of those we love and pray earnestly for, our children or our parents, but do we want Him to bless and reach out to the President? the members of the government? the other tribes we live beside? the man who is always drunk? the woman who has turned to prostitution or selling marrissa? the shop keeper who will not help us any more when we have no money? people of another faith? God challenged Jonah “Do you have any right to be angry?” He says the same to us. Jonah made a shelter. God made it better for him. God provided a worm. God provided an east wind. Some of these were not provisions Jonah appreciated. God longed that Jonah would want what He wanted. We are often grateful for what God has done for us, but we do not think it through. He did those things because He loves us. He wants us to love other people - not just the easy ones! Jonah 4:11 God speaking “Should I not be concerned about that great city?” What ‘great city’ is God asking you to be concerned about? For next time have a look through the long book of Isaiah and read chapters 1-12. Page 52

25 lesson plans for children, young people and their teachers. Lesson 18 After many years, going back home Bible reference – verses from Ezra and Nehemiah. Jeremiah was one of God’s prophets when the last kings of Judah ruled: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. He was only a young man when God called him to be His prophet. From before his birth it was God’s intention to use him! See Jeremiah 1 verses 1-8. It is encouraging to know God always has a plan for each of our lives. Stop and discuss (1) Can any students think of ways they can see God planning their own lives up to today? We can try at all times to thank God for what He is doing in our lives. At least twice Jeremiah had prophesied that the captivity of God’s people would last for only 70 years. Ask the students to read Jeremiah25 verses 11-12, quietly to themselves. Ask if any student can find out from the verses before, during which king’s reign did Jeremiah make this prophecy? (The answer is in 25 verse 1, Jehoiakim). Ask the students to read Jeremiah 29 verses 10-11, quietly to themselves. Ask if any student can find out from the verses before where king Jehoiachin and the leaders of the people were when Jeremiah wrote this prophecy? (The answer is in 29 verse 2, in exile away from Jerusalem – in Babylon). The context of a passage in the Bible usually helps us to understand it. Other prophets were with the people in exile. They were prophesying 'hope' to the people, but it was lies, see verses 8-9. The false prophets told people just what the people wanted to hear. But God wanted the people to settle in the land He had exiled them to, verses 4-7. Seventy years later the time was right for their return. God wanted the people to use the seventy years they waited wisely, not to waste the time. Wherever we find ourselves, we should keep listening to God so we can know what He is doing. His way is better than our own hopes and desires. Stop and discuss (2) Ask the students to count how many times the word “I” is found in Jeremiah 29 verses 10-14. Every time it refers to God at work in some way. Some of the things the people would like. Some they would not like. See if the students have any questions about what God is doing in their own lives as they think about this. Give a few minutes to share together. p.65 The books of Ezra and Nehemiah both start in exile at Babylon and finish back in Jerusalem. They both begin with a Persian king making a decree (law) that allowed God’s people to move back to Jerusalem. Stop and act 1. Have all the students except one small group stand and move to one side of the room, which is going to represent Babylon. 2. Put the small group of students over on the other side of the classroom – perhaps with some upside down chairs and rubble. These are the poor who were left in Jerusalem amongst the ruins, never taken captive at all, 2 Kings 25 verse 12. The “poor” students can pretend to till the ground and look after the vineyards to stay alive. It is 700 miles from Jerusalem to Babylon. 3. The students “in Babylon” can pretend to build houses, plant gardens, marry, and to pray for the city, see Jeremiah 29 verses 5-7. Explain that it is time for God to keep His promise. The Jews (God’s people of Judah) will journey back from Babylon to Jerusalem. First, some will go and rebuild the altar and the temple. Second, a smaller group will go with the gifted teacher Ezra, who can teach God’s law. Third, Nehemiah will inspire them all to rebuild the city walls. This covers about 100 years of history. We are going to act it out now. Students keep acting while you tell the story. Read aloud 2 Chronicles 36 verse 22. “In the first year that Cyrus of Persia was emperor, the Lord made what He had said through the prophet Jeremiah come true. He prompted Cyrus to issue the following command and send it out in writing to be read aloud everywhere in his empire”. 1. Appoint one student as king Cyrus of Babylon and the Persians. He/she can pretend to write out this command on a scroll. He can write several copies. 2. Appoint five messengers to take copies of the command to all parts of Babylon, and to read them aloud to the people. In different parts of Babylon, the messengers read 2 Chronicles 36 verse 23. “This is the command of Cyrus, Emperor of Persia. The Lord, the God of Heaven, has made me ruler over the whole world and has given me the responsibility of building a temple for Him in Jerusalem in Judah. Now, all of you who are God’s people, go there, and may the Lord your God be with you”. Show that Ezra 1 verses 2-3 say the same thing. 3. Appoint 80% of the students in Babylon to get ready to journey back to Jerusalem. They collect gifts to help them from the neighbours they will leave in Babylon, Ezra 1 verse 6. King Cyrus returns to them silver and gold stolen from God’s temple years before. Ask if anyone in the class knows how many exiled people made the journey? Students can look in Ezra chapter 1 for the answer. (It is 42,360, verse 64). p.66 4. These people now journey 700 miles to Jerusalem, across the room, to join the poor already there. 5. Arriving in Jerusalem, the people do four things. A collection is made to build a house of God on the ruins of the old temple. Some students walk up and freely give things to an appointed treasurer. Ask if anyone knows how much was collected? Students can look in Ezra chapter 2 verse 69 for the answer. (It is 500 kilos of gold, 2,800 of silver, and 100 robes for priests). Seven months went by. 6. Skilled priests began to build an altar, Ezra 3 verse 2. Students act. 7. The people all gathered for a sacrifice on the altar, Ezra 3 verse 3. Students act. Just over seven more months went by. 8. After collecting some more resources they begin to rebuild the temple, Ezra 3 verse 8. Students act. Appoint Ezra, who leads half of the group left in Babylon across to Jerusalem, Ezra 7 verses 1-9. All this time there are those in Babylon wondering what is going on in Jerusalem. 9. Nehemiah is the wine steward for Artaxerxes, now the new Emperor of Persia. Appoint two students to play these men. They act the role of a wine steward – tasting and bringing wine for the emperor to drink, Nehemiah 1 verses 1 and 11. 10. Nehemiah’s brother Hanani, with a few other people, comes from Jerusalem to Babylonia. Appoint a small group who journey across, Nehemiah 1 verse 2. 11. Nehemiah questions Hanani about the condition of Jerusalem. Hanani answers him. Appointed students act, Nehemiah 1 verses 2-4. 12. Nehemiah cries before God with a broken heart, asking God what can be done about the situation. He has some ideas. Students act. Nehemiah 1 verses 4-11. 13. Students keep acting as you tell the story. Serving Artaxerxes one day, the Emperor asks Nehemiah why he looks sad. Nehemiah 2verses 1-2. He quickly prays to God for help. He tells the Emperor about the news he has had from his home city, Jerusalem. The emperor wants to help and Nehemiah asks him for written permission to travel with supplies to build the new Jerusalem city walls, Nehemiah 2 verses 4-8. Remind the students that God is using all of this to keep His promise to His people. Jerusalem, the place where God put His own name, would be rebuilt and repopulated with God’s chosen people. 14. Students keep acting while you tell the story. Nehemiah and a group from the Emperor travel to Jerusalem. They rest for three days. Then while everyone else is asleep one night, Nehemiah and a few of his close friends go right around p.67 the ruined city walls seeing what needs doing to repair them, Nehemiah 2 verses 9 and 11. 15. Next morning Nehemiah calls his friends and all the people to help him rebuild the city walls. The people agree and are very keen to start, Nehemiah 2 verses17-18. Students keep acting while you tell the story. Appoint some students still in Babylon to change and pretend to be people from the area outside Jerusalem who are against what Nehemiah is doing. 16. Students keep acting while you tell the story. Nehemiah and the people build the walls, with the altar and temple safely inside. From time to time enemies come and laugh at them. Other times they threaten to attack them as in a war. Nehemiah keeps encouraging his people by making sure there are no gaps in their workforce around the walls. He makes them work while also keeping guard against attack, Nehemiah chapters 3 verse 1 to 6 verse 19. Ask if any student knows how long the rebuilding of the city walls took? Students can look in Nehemiah 6 verse 15 for the answer. (It is 52 days). 17. Students keep acting while you tell the story. Nehemiah and Ezra gather all the people together. Ezra stands on a high platform in front of the people and reads God’s law to them, Nehemiah 8 verses 1-5. 18. Students keep acting while you tell the story. As Ezra stands to read with the book of the Law in his hands, he says: “Praise the Lord, the great God”. The people all stand and answer “Amen and Amen”. They kneel down in worship to God, with their faces on the ground. Nehemiah 8 verse 6. 19. Ezra and several friends read and explain the word of God to the standing people. Students keep acting while you tell the story. The people begin to cry as they understand what God has done. The priests (you may have to appoint some) move among them telling them not to cry but to rejoice in a special celebration, Nehemiah 8 verses 9-12. 20. The people confess their sins because they know God was right to judge them as a nation. And they also rejoice in the great salvation God has brought about by bringing them back into their own land, Nehemiah chapter 9. Ask does anyone know how they ended their celebration? Students can look in Nehemiah 9 verse 38. (They make a written agreement to be the people of God once again). All the students could write their own names on the chalk board or in the sand. “We are the ones who did this today”. Tell students that the Old Testament tells us that God can always be trusted to keep His word. Again and again God is faithful even when His people are not. God is working His purpose out. For example: p.68 Someone planned for this school (training centre) to be here today. People bought or rented the land and employed builders to build the rooms. Other people decided on the syllabus and which classes we should have. More people chose to come as teachers. Your family sent you here as students. We are all here today as a result of this planning and working out by many different people. Behind it all is the plan and purpose of God. As your Father in heaven He wants what is best for you. As almighty God He is always able to bring it about. End the lesson today by encouraging the students to be thankful to God for what He is doing in their lives. Answers to ‘Stop and discuss’ 1. Given them a mother and/or father Given them brothers and/or sisters Kept them safe Made them short/tall, thin/fat, etc. Helped them have a place at school Provided eyes to see, ears to hear, a mind to learn and think, etc. 2. Eleven times. “I will show My concern for you” “I alone know the plans I have for you” “I will answer you” “Yes, I say, you will find Me” “I will restore you” “I will gather you from every … place to which I have scattered you” “I will bring you back” “I had sent you away” “I, the Lord, have spoken”.

Leader's page and Student's page best viewed left/right side together Lesson 16 Leader’s notes: Acts 8:1-40 Acts 8:1-4 Ask the ladies to find eight different happenings here. 1. Saul approved of the death sentence passed on Stephen. 2. Persecution of Christians followed. 3. Christians fled throughout Judea and Samaria. 4. The apostles stayed in Jerusalem. 5. Godly men buried Stephen. 6. Saul started a persecution. 7. Saul dragged Christians off to prison. 8. Those who had been scattered witnessed where they found themselves. We begin to see the outworking of Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8. Persecution helped the believers obey God. Acts 8:5-13 What was the basic problem with Simon the sorcerer? He wanted power that secret knowledge would give him. This is called Gnosticism – from the Greek word ‘knosis’ = knowledge. Gnosticism was growing in New Testament times. Finding ‘secret’ knowledge was believed to be empowering, as we see from Simon. Gnostics also believed that the spiritual is superior to the physical, that matter is evil, and therefore Jesus being flesh cannot also be God. (Gnosticism is pronounced nosti-sism) Paul began to encounter Gnosticism and warned Timothy about it in 1 Timothy 6:20 and again in 2 Timothy 1:13-14. John, who wrote at least 30 years after Paul, is emphatic that Jesus was God and Man, in John 1:1-2, 14; 1 John 1:1-4; 2 John 7. Gnosticism is still alive and well today in many forms: - in sects with Christian connotations like so called Christian Science, - in ways of living that base on ‘the power of positive thinking’, - Freemasons and other secret societies claiming allegiance to God. Gnosticism says ‘come and join us, bring your faith with you. We will add it to our collection’! It gathers new ideas and wants Biblical Christianity plus other things. Be careful! Jesus did not say “I am the way, plus you need some other things”. Jesus said: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” John 14:6. Student's page: Lesson 16 Acts 8:1-40 Another first and it’s results - more firsts! Acts 8:1-4 What do you learn from these verses? Can you discover at least eight things? 1. Another little detail from Luke adding to our understanding of Saul/Paul. 2. Can you see God anywhere in what happened? 3. And the result? Christians in new places. 4. The apostles stayed in Jerusalem. 5. Stephen was respected greatly. 6. Saul ravaged the church like a wild beast. 7. Saul increased the prison population. 8. Christians continued to live out their faith wherever. ‘destroy’ in verse 3 is also used in other contexts of the ravages of wild animals. Now compare Acts 1:8. What was God doing by all of the above? Philip in Samaria (one of the seven deacons/administrators, Acts 6:5) Can you find some more details in Acts 8:5-13? 8:5-8, 14-16 Philip preached in the city of Samaria. Men and women believed and were baptised. 8:9-13 A dangerous distraction. Sorcery involves evil spirits, black magic and witchcraft. 8:14-17 The church in Jerusalem heard what was happening and sent Peter and John to see. They prayed for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 8:18-19 Simon wanted this ability to give the Holy Spirit. 8:20-23 Peter told Simon he could not buy the ability to give the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit and evil spirits do not co-exist. 8:24 Simon responded positively. 8:25 More preaching before returning to Jerusalem. Page 36 Leader's page: Philip down south on the Gaza Road Acts 8 continued. Get the ladies to make short summary sentences for each reference, then share them. verses 26-29 Very specific directions to Philip, leading to a prepared listener. verses 30-35 Philip went from the reading of Isaiah 53:7-8 straight to Jesus. verses 36-39 Philip baptised the eunuch – an important government official. When I was in Sunday School this government official was known as the Ethiopian eunuch, but it is more likely that he was actually from the Nubian empire which the Old Testament calls Cush. This was between Aswan in southern Egypt and Khartoum in Sudan. verse 40 God took Philip to where He wanted him next. Philip is seen in Azotus. He then travelled preaching until he got to Caesarea . Caesarea. Rebuilt by Herod and named in honour of Caesar Augustus. It was the headquarters of the Roman procurator. Pilate did not live in Jerusalem; he lived in Caesarea and came only on special occasions to Jerusalem. Ask the class to close their Bibles and their notes. Invite them to speak out as many ‘firsts’ as they can think of from Acts chapters 1-8. (You could divide into small groups of three or four and make a competition out of it. Every group may write/compile their own list, rather than calling out aloud. After five minutes compare the lists to see which group has remembered most). Please read Acts 9:1-31 for next time Student's page: Philip down south on the Gaza Road Acts 8 continued verses 26-29 What do we know about the man in the chariot? verses 30-35 Who had organised this encounter between two men? verses 36-39 How do we know that there was at least one other person in this story? verse 40 How many towns did Philip preach in between Azotus and Caesarea? We leave Philip here, and in Acts 21:8 we find him still there 20 years later. Firsts so far in Acts! First church growth First sermon by Peter First apostolic healing First church discipline First confrontation and arrest First problem in the group of believers – leading to new/more leadership First martyr First organised persecution First mission to Samaria - Philip First counterfeit attempt - trying to buy the power of the Holy Spirit First confirmation/verification - Peter and John, sent by the church in Jerusalem, picking up leadership responsibility to the check on new churches First time Jesus’ Gospel goes to Africa? Philip meets the Finance Minister to the Queen of Nubia/Cush, a God-fearing Gentile, who believes, and following on is immediately baptised. Page 37

25 lesson plans for children, young people and their leaders. Lesson 19 The birth of Jesus Christ– the Gospels Bible reading – Matthew 1 and 2; Luke 1 and 2. Four hundred years passed from the time of Nehemiah to the start of New Testament times. No Bible prophet spoke or wrote during this time. It is sometimes called the “period of silence”. However, two important things did happen during this time: 1. Important collections of scrolls were made. Some were in the Hebrew language, others translated into Greek. The scrolls of the Law, the Prophets and other Writings were collected together. They are what we know as the ‘Old Testament’. When Jesus and the gospel writers use phrases like, “It is written in the Scripture”, they refer to these collections. A written record is more reliable over a longer time than people speaking to each other. 2. Rome became a big world power following the fall of earlier kingdoms. In 63 B.C. Rome gained control of Palestine (now Israel). The Jews were in their own land, but they were not free. Into this situation, Jesus was born. Stop and discuss (1) Ask the students to divide into groups of 3/4. Have them look at Hebrews 1 verses 1-3 and answer these questions: 1. By which people has God spoken? 2. Where is God theSon now? 3. Can you list four things the Son has done? The Old Testament promised God would send a Saviour for His people. The people did their best to please God by themselves, but found they kept on slipping back into disobedience. They kept on breaking God’s laws. The New Testament claims that Jesus Christ is the Saviour God sent. Jesus recreated God’s rule over creation. He makes it possible for men and women to live and please God. In our next lessons we will learn how this happens. Remember, between the Old and New Testaments there was a period of 400 years of silence, when God did not speak. Stop. Have the class be totally silent and still for 60 seconds. Imagine what it was like with no news at all from God about what He was doing. Of course, the religious people still had their Scriptures (the Old Testament). They had added to it their own traditional ways of understanding and applying it to daily life. The sacrifices were still made in the Temple at Jerusalem. The Romans allowed them to have their own religion. (Perhaps you could have three objects to represent these three things to the students: a scroll for the scriptures; some wood and fire – if you’re very careful! – for the sacrifices; and 4/5 bricks piled up for the temple. Put them at the front of the class as you refer to each one). The great temple Solomon had built, 1 Kings chapter 6, had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Kings 25 verses 9 and 13-17. The returned exiles built a second p.70 temple, Ezra 3 verse 10 onwards. It lasted until about 175B.C. It never had the Covenant Box in it, which was lost at the time of the exile. A third temple was built in Jerusalem 19 B.C. Known as Herod’s temple it was brilliant – built of cream stone and gold . It was only finished in A.D.64. It had the Most Holy Place inside it, where some people believed God lived. This is the Temple mentioned in the gospel stories. But God’s next important action did not involve the temple, or the sacrifices or the scriptures – although all three were originally given by God to make the people think about this next great event. Most people had forgotten what these things truly meant. God chose to speak to a few ordinary people. They were not special at all. But God was working His purpose out and talked to them about it. The first four books in the New Testament are where four men tell the story of Jesus, each in their own way. Ask what the word ‘gospel’ means? (‘good news’). Ask does anyone know the names of ‘the four gospels’? (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). The word ‘gospel’ in the Bible never means a book. It always means ‘good news’. Rather than speak of ‘four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John’, we would be better saying,“the good news of Jesus Christ written by Matthew (or by Mark, or by Luke, or by John)”. We will learn one thing about each of the four writings. Mark: Stop and teach the text one step at a time: Divide the class into five groups. Give each group one of the five phrases marked here to say loudly and clearly: (1)“This is the / (2)Good News about / (3)Jesus Christ,/ (4) the Son of God”. / (5) Mark chapter 1 verse 1. Have each group say their phrase so everyone hears the whole text, in the right order. Next have each group clap the number of syllables, in length of time with their phrase as they say it: (1) “Clap clap clap / (2) clap clap clap-clap / (3) clap clap clap / (4) clap clap clap clap”. / (5) clap clap-clap clap clap clap. Now have some groups say their words and other groups clap their words as the text is learned by repetition, for example: “This is the / clap clap clap-clap / Jesus Christ / clap clap clap clap”. / Mark chapter 1 verse 1. Change groups between saying words and clapping. Keep on until everyone knows the text well! Luke wanted “to write an orderly account” about the life and teachings of Jesus. Some people told others orally what they had seen or heard. Others wrote down things they saw, heard or remembered. But Luke wanted to give everyone the chance to know all they could about Jesus, Luke 1 verses 1-4. Matthew: Stop and discuss (2) Divide the students into groups of 3/4. Ask them to look through Matthew chapter 1 verse18 to chapter 3 verse3. Can they find out how many p.71 times Matthew tries to show “the Scripture is fulfilled” in these events in and around Jesus Christ? He usually says “the word of the prophet came true”, or something like it. John: Stop and discuss (3) Why did John write his account of Jesus’ life? Students look up and read to each other, John 20verse 31. So the New Testament starts with Jesus Christ – four reports of His life. In our Bibles they are called Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. God was coming to people in a way He had never done before. The baby Who grew into the Man Jesus was the Son of God. He was not “Son of God” as we are sons of our fathers! Jesus was “God the Son” – God Himself as a human Person. Because He was like us we can understand Him better. Have two good readers ready to read the next verses to the class. Angels brought the good news to people. (Only parts of the verses are here). Matthew 1 verses 20-21, "... you will name Him Jesus - because He will save His people from their sins”. Luke 2 verses 10-11, "this very day in David's town your Saviour was born – Christ the Lord!” Ask students: “What will this Jesus do”? (save His people from sin). Ask students: “How is this Jesus described, in ONE word”? (Saviour). An angel visited Zechariah, a Temple priest, and told him his wife Elizabeth is going to have a baby son even though she was very old, Luke 1 verses 5-25. An angel visited Mary, who is a virgin, not yet married. God had chosen her to be the mother of Jesus, Luke 1 verses 26-38. An angel visited Joseph her future husband, helping him to see that God was bringing Himself to birth in Mary. It is a fantastic miracle. Jesus will be fully God. And He will also be a fully human baby, Matthew 1 verses 18-25; Colossians 1 verse 15. An angel visited shepherds on a hill by the town of Bethlehem. He told them to go and see the baby. The baby was born in a stable, and slept in a container for animal food. Thousands of angels suddenly appeared and joined in praising God as the shepherds went to see for themselves exactly what God was doing, Luke 2 verses 8-20. All that God had promised in His word over the centuries began to come true. As John 1 verse 14 says, “The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw His glory, the glory which He received as the Father’s only Son”. John wrote what he and others saw and heard. Ask: can any one remember why John wrote his account of Jesus? See John 20 verse 31, in answer 3 below. Everyone must decide for themselves who they believe Jesus Christ really is. p.72 Answers to ‘Stop and discuss’ 1. 1. the prophets in the past, and His own Son in the last days, verse 1 The prophets' stories are in the Old Testament. The New Testament Gospels are the story of Jesus, God the Son. 2. At the right hand of God, sitting down, verse 3 3. the Son created the universe, and keeps it going today, verses 2-3 the Son has spoken God’s words to us, verse 2 the Son reflects God’s glory and God’s person to us, verse 3 (‘reflects’ means He is the image of God, as we see our own image in a mirror) See note 16 below. the Son achieved forgiveness for human sins, verse 3 (‘achieved’ means He had success in doing it) note 17 2. Five examples– 1 verse 22; 2 verses 5-6; 2 verse 15; 2 verses 17-18; 2 verse 23 and 3 verse 3. 3. “These have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in Him you may have life”, John 20 verse 31. 16 MacMillan School Dictionary (Oxford)2004 17 MacMillan School Dictionary (Oxford)2004 p.73

Leader's page and Student's page best viewed left/right side together Lesson 17 Leader’s notes: Acts 9:1-31 After his conversion Saul/Paul becomes a major exponent and theologian of the Christian faith. Let’s take a good look at his background and see what God had put into Saul’s life before He confronted him on the Damascus road, and before He gave him gave him a special job to do. God made him ready. We will use biographical details from several accounts. Teach the first seven lines of the page opposite, and then get the ladies to go through the following Bible references and find the answers to the questions I have asked. Go through their answers together, thinking especially about the last four references, 7:58, 8:1a, 8:3, 9:1-2. Acts 22:25-29 Paul was a Roman citizen by birth – From the Zondervan Study Bible: “Roman citizenship was a high honour and not granted to everyone. People could gain it by birth, emancipation (being freed) from slavery, for significant service to the Roman Empire, and sometimes by purchase (usually involving some bribery). Citizenship by birth was regarded as the most noble”. We believe that God organised and protected our Scriptures the way they are - He used human writers’ minds and pens. Some minor details in the three of Saul’s conversion accounts differ. Remember the story exercise we did opposite page 26, and the differences in the resurrection morning accounts? Divide the ladies into three groups: allocate each group one of Acts 9:3-9, 22:6-11, 26:12-18 Ask each group to note down about light: who fell? who heard the Voice? what did the Voice say first? what did Saul say first? what else happened? Share the groups’ findings. In his commentary R C Sproul’s translation of Acts 26:14 is of God saying, “Saul, you stupid ox! You are no different from oxen that kick against the ox goads while you carry on your hostility toward Me”. Student's page: Lesson 17 The persecutor converted and persecuted; and the ministry of encouragement Acts 9:1-31 God prepared Saul for the job He gave him. What is there in your Christian life that God has put there? A background that helps you get alongside someone? An experience that gives you common ground with someone? Take a brief moment to think of, and may be share, ideas you can see. Saul/Paul? - Saul was his Jewish name. The Greek version was Paul. Saul was the up and coming, high flying boy, a rising star in Judaism. No-one else had organised persecution like this. Saul did 100%. What do we know about Saul? 21:39 Paul gives his religion, his home city and an advert for it. Check maps on and opposite page 4. 22:3 Where was he brought up? 22:3 Who was his student professor? compare 5:34. 22:3-5 In his sincere zeal for God, what did he try and do? 22:25-29 In the Empire Roman citizenship was highly prized. 26:5 To what Judaism group did Saul belong? Compare with the top of page 20. 7:58 What do you think Saul was thinking standing there watching? 8:1a It is one thing to give mental assent to a verdict – it is another to physically see a person stoned to death. 8:3 How did Saul set out ‘to destroy the church’ in Jerusalem? 9:1-2 Was his enthusiasm to destroy the church covering a wriggling doubt in his mind – that these Christians were actually right? Saul meets Jesus Christ 9:3-9 22:6-11 26:12-18 Three accounts of one event, with some differences. Can you find them? The ‘goads’ 26:14 - spikes put on the front of ox carts - so that when the stubborn ox refuses to move, it feels the flick of the whip, and consequently kicks out, the cart is protected, and the ox decides it is better to move than get the pain from the spikes! I would too! A goad may also be a hand held pricker. So we have the phrase ‘to goad someone or something into action.’ Page 38 Leader's page: Ask two people to read Acts 9:10-16 Reader one, verse10 Reader two, verses 11 -12 Reader one, verses 13-14 Reader two, verses 15-16 Working in twos ask students to put Ananias’ response to God into their own words. Ananias had a vision and said “Yes, Lord”. Then God told him the job He wanted done. Ananias shared his feelings about this job with God. God said again. “Go. I know what I’m doing”. God shared the purpose of Saul’s conversion – a ministry to the Gentiles, their kings and to the Jewish people. Ananias is not mentioned in the Acts 26 account – the message he was given to give to Paul comes in the confrontation on the Damascus Road. A short form of the information? Continue in twos Encouragement is usually, and sadly, undervalued in our churches. Work in twos again to look at the references opposite thinking about how the encouragement happened in these situations and how we may make it happen with us today. Share the answers with the class. Perhaps discuss if questions arise. Reactions - lead the whole group from the front. 9:19-22 How easy was it for the disciples in Damascus to have fellowship with Saul? Why? What else did Saul do? 9:23-25 Death threats from some. Others helped escape to Jerusalem. 9:26 Disciples including the Apostles were afraid of him. 9:27–28 Barnabas encouraged Paul by introducing him to the believers and vouching for him. Supposing he had been wrong! 9:29-30 Paul debated – more death threats – the believers protected him – sending him off to his home city. Summary 9:31 lead the whole group from the front. Bring out these points: 1. There were a plurality of churches present in Judea, Galilee and Samaria 2. Peace without persecution brought joy 3. Became stronger 4. Lived knowing they were always in God’s sight and He was watching over them 5. Open to, and therefore encouraged by, the ministry of the Holy Spirit 6. The local churches and the overall Christian Church grew numerically. Please read Acts 9:32-11:18 for next time. Student's page: Read Acts 9:10-16 Can you put this conversation into what you would say if you were Ananias? Try, and then share with others. But then remember that Ananias obeyed God. Acts 9:17-18 If that had been you, would you have been able to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street, ask for Paul, and greet him as “Brother Saul”? (Ignore the male/female divide here!). Remember what Saul had been doing. That greeting with its acceptance must have been very, very important to Saul. Can you explain why? Encouragement is usually, and sadly, undervalued in our churches. Think about how you can encourage specific people in your fellowship. The word ‘encourage’ means to ‘put courage into’, to support. 1. How does encouragement happen in the following Bible examples? 2. How can you help it happen in your fellowship? Acts 14:21-23 Acts 15:30-33 Acts 20:1-3a Romans 15:4-6 Philemon verse 7 Hebrews 10:24-25 1 Peter 5:12 Remember to answer both questions 1 and 2 above. Acts 9:19-30 Reactions Discover as many different reactions to the now converted Saul as you can. I found at least eight. We can all learn from all of them. How would you react? Acts 9:31 is a summary verse which tells us six things. What are they? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Pray these things for yourself and for your local church. Page 39

Joel and Habakkuk. My notes for teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Leader’s notes: Lesson 15. This course is an overview of the Bible. So we have to cover a lot of ground each lesson. We see how the Old Testament fits together, rather than studying the detail of one writer. Today we are glimpsing eight Old Testament prophets. How I wish we could look in more detail, but that is not for this course. When teaching this I wrote the eight names of the prophets in today’s lesson on a large piece of card and put it up. I said “you probably don’t think we can make it through eight prophets today. Well we’ll see”. After the first two I said “Two done, six to go” and smiled. We got there! Habakkuk needs the most involvement so make sure you have time on your side when you get to the bottom of page 55 !! Teach the first four paragraphs (on page 53 opposite). Let half the class find the Isaiah references one at a time, while the other half find the Micah references. Work through the bottom paragraph (opposite) altogether noting the similarities in the Isaiah/Micah pairs. Isaiah’s dramatic call. We are all called to live for God as the expression of our Christian faith. Some have very dramatic calls. Many do not. and the picture of God’s people. God said he looked for justice and righteousness. Student's worksheet: Lesson 15 - Prophets to the southern Kingdom, Judah. Despite the messages from God through Jonah, Amos and Hosea, God’s people did not listen and in 733 B.C. parts of Israel were captured by the Assyrians. Then in 721 the rest of Israel was captured and its people exiled. Hosea probably went to Judah at that time. Isaiah and Micah lived in Judah about this time as well. Isaiah was the grandson of King Joash, was brought up at the king’s court and spoke with various kings throughout his life. Micah lived about twenty miles south of Jerusalem, on the Philistine border. He spoke to the common people, but they were both concerned about moral attitudes and empty religious observances in the life of God’s people. The book of Isaiah has been called a mini-Bible because it has 66 chapters as the Bible has 66 books. There is a break between chapters 39 and 40, as there are 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Chapter 1 talks about sin as does Genesis 3. Isaiah chapters 34-35 talk about the coming of the King of Righteousness and the redemption of Israel, as do the prophets at the end of the Old Testament. Chapter 40 talks about the voice crying in the wilderness and three of the four Gospels talk about John the Baptist in their early chapters, before leading into the person and work of Christ. Isaiah ends with a vision of the new heavens and new earth, as does the book of Revelation. Some writers have believed that the book of Isaiah was the work of two men, not one. But it is not a problem for us. It is more than likely that chapters 1-39 were written early in Isaiah’s ministry and chapters 40-66 were written later when there were different circumstances and needs. Those who have studied these things much more than I have, say that the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” as a title for God occurs 12 times in chapters 1-39 and 14 times in chapters 40-66. That phrase only occurs six times in the rest of the Old Testament. So it was a title favoured by Isaiah in all of his prophecies. Compare Isaiah 6:3 and 5:16. How holy is God in your understanding? I hope you enjoyed reading the first 12 chapters of Isaiah in your homework. In reading them we get a feel for the whole book, for the contents of the whole book, and can see similarities between Isaiah and Micah in their prophecies given to different audiences. Isaiah 1:2-4, 12-15 Micah 1:3-7, 2:1 a sinful nation, woes and judgement Isaiah 1:16-17 Micah 6:8 the moral behaviour God is looking for Isaiah 4:2-6 Micah 4:1-5 ‘last days’ - Israel’s eventual redemption Isaiah 6:1-8 Isaiah’s call Isaiah 5:1-7 vineyard - a picture and interpretation Page 53 Leader's notes: Lesson 15 - Prophets to the southern Kingdom, Judah. Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 is sometimes called the suffering and the glory of the Servant (our Lord Jesus Christ). The detail in the prophecy is amazing when compared to the crucifixion accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. But we should not be amazed because Isaiah was only the channel of the prophecy. The author was God. On to Zephaniah. Teach paragraph two (on page 54 opposite) and work through paragraph three together, asking several ladies to read one group of verses and then another group of ladies to read the second group of verses. Perhaps tell the ladies “Keep your finger in Zephaniah or put a bookmark in your Bible, then it will be easier to find the other little books. Introduce Nahum and Jeremiah. Teach through the Nahum paragraph - Nahum is two books before Zephaniah which you have marked! Check the references as a class together. Teach to the bottom of the page, using the references yourself. Student's worksheet: Lesson 15 - Prophets to the southern Kingdom, Judah. In chapters 39-66 of Isaiah God shares with us glimpses of the future. Right in the centre of those chapters, in Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 we have a prophecy of the ministry of the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many of the other prophecies still belong to the future but Isaiah 53 has been fulfilled. Hallelujah! Zephaniah was the next of the prophets we know about. He was a great, great, grandson of King Hezekiah, and was very aware of current political issues. He probably knew of the writings of Amos, Isaiah and Micah. He may have known a young Jeremiah. Zephaniah prophesied judgement and destruction, Zephaniah 1:2-3,14-18; 2:1,8-9,12-13, and the coming of the day of the Lord, Zephaniah 3:8-10, 12-13, 16-17, 19-20. We know the judgement and destruction happened, but we are still waiting for the day of the Lord. Nahum and Jeremiah’s ministries overlapped, in that order. Obadiah probably overlapped with Jeremiah as well, but some people think he lived earlier. If you compare Obadiah verses 1-9 with Jeremiah 49:7-22 it seems as though one used the other’s material, or they both used a common source. Nahum spoke of the destruction of Nineveh, using the capital city to represent the whole Assyrian Empire. Remember that Jonah had been sent to Nineveh, and second time around he went, still rather unwillingly, to preach judgement unless they repented. They repented, much to Jonah’s annoyance. Perhaps 150 years later, after the Assyrians had overrun Israel and exiled its population, Nahum again prophesies the fall of Assyria. The response of the Ninevites to Jonah’s message did not have a lasting effect, Nahum 1:11-14, 3:18-19. Nineveh was destroyed just before 600B.C. by the Medes and Babylonians, and records from the time talk about the fulfillment of Nahum 2:6 and 3:15. 270 years later another conqueror fought a battle near the site and did not know that Nineveh had ever been there. Nahum 3:7,18-19. Jeremiah is another major prophet, with a book of 52 chapters. He was a priest, and God called him while he was quite young, to be a prophet, Jeremiah 1:4-6. God told him not to marry, Jeremiah 16:1-2. He was not a public speaker. He was a quiet person who liked the simple life in the country. He had very hard messages to deliver. At times he was very open and honest about his feelings, Jeremiah 15:10. He suffered death threats. He landed up in a dungeon, with his secretary, Baruch, at his side, so the rulers did not have to listen to his messages. The prophecies and events of the book of Jeremiah are not in chronological order. Jeremiah’s faithful secretary, Baruch, who wrote down the prophecies, eventually went with Jeremiah and a remnant of the people, into Egypt when most of the people had been deported to Babylon. He probably died there. Page 54 Leader's notes: Lesson 15 - Prophets to the southern Kingdom, Judah. Get the ladies to look at Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrews 8:8-12. Another split fulfillment. Five prophet books done - three to go! On to Obadiah, five books before Zephaniah (if your bookmark is still in place there). Just two more prophets for today! Joel Habakkuk. Work through the questions at the bottom of page 55 and come up with answers for the five sections. Then go on to page 56 and see if you agree with my summaries. Student's worksheet: Lesson 15 - Prophets to the southern Kingdom, Judah. Jeremiah was given the job by God of telling people that the kingdom of Judah would be destroyed, that evil would be rewarded with judgement. This message was interspersed with pictures, with judgements against other nations and with one highlight in Jeremiah chapters 31-33, the new covenant and restoration of Israel. Chapter 31:31-34 is quoted in Hebrews 8:8-12. The first covenant was sealed with the blood of animals. The new covenant prophesied here by God through Jeremiah was sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ. We know that happened - hallelujah! - but the restoration of Israel is yet future. Obadiah. The book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, just 21 verses in one chapter. Verses 1-14 are about the judgement on Edom for their pride and rebellion, and verses 15-21 are about the ‘day of the Lord’ - deliverance for Zion and the Lord’s kingdom established. Edom was where Esau lived, the elder brother who sold his birthright and was disinherited. Jacob and Esau did become reconciled later. Edom was the country that would not let the Israelites go through on their way from Sinai to the Promised Land. The Edomites often attacked Israel from their strongholds in the mountains. Five years after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. the Babylonians crushed the Edomites on their way down the military road to Egypt. Some people made their way into what was later called southern Judea and were known as Idumeans. King Herod, visited by the Wise Men, was an Idumean, put in power by Rome. Edam as a nation died out. Joel No-one is sure who Joel was or when he prophesied. He talks of a locust horde devastating Judah before ‘the great and dreadful day of the Lord’ Joel 2:31. He knew that there needed to be repentance before there could be spiritual revival. Joel 2:28-29 was quoted by Peter as having been fulfilled at Pentecost, Acts 2:17-21. Habakkuk Habakkuk lived at the same time as Jeremiah, but his writings are very different because they are a record of his conversation with God about evil, intended to help godly people understand what was happening in their world. It is of great relevance to us today. 1:2-4 What is actually being said in the first complaint? 1:5-11 What is actually being said in God’s first response? 1:12-2:1 What is actually being said in the second complaint? 2:2-20 What is actually being said in God’s second response? 3:1-19 Habakkuk’s prayer or response. Page 55 Leader's notes: Lesson 15 - Prophets to the southern Kingdom, Judah. Rewrite Habakkuk 3:17-19 for your life today. Not from the position you would like to be in, but from the situation you are in. That was the reality Habakkuk came to. Can you believe what you have written? If you cannot believe it, it is very unlikely your ladies will do so! Verse 19 says “The Sovereign Lord” – HE makes all the difference. Student's worksheet: Lesson 15 - Prophets to the southern Kingdom, Judah. Our first complaint Why? Lord Why? Why all the evil? Why is our country going from bad to worse? Even the justice system is suspect, and those who live for you are fewer and fewer. God’s reply I am doing something amazing in your day - something you will find hard to believe. In your eyes things will get worse. Those in charge will believe in their own ability, the strength of their minds. Our second complaint Oh eternal God, we are your people, we are not perfect, but the other people who believe something else are worse than us. Is it right for You who cannot look on evil to allow the goodies to be overrun by the baddies. You are setting us up to be made a laughing stock, and for the others to be affirmed in their own beliefs. Come on, God - I need some answers. God’s reply What I have said will happen. There will be no delay in My timing. But, woe to thieves and those who gain from extortion – they will become victims woe to those who build great structures by plundering other people - they will be shamed woe to those who build their country on crime and bloodshed because the time will come when ‘the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea’ woe to those involved in pornography and sexual exploitation, abuse of alcohol, cruelty to animals, abuse of the environment, slaughter of whole populations - disgrace will come to you woe to those who believe in the power of idols which have no life or breath - they are silent, but God IS – He is the One with the power. Habakkuk’s response I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. I wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Rewrite Habakkuk 3:17-19 for your life today - can you believe that? Please read Ezekiel 1:1-3, Daniel 1:1-6, Esther 1:1-22 for next time. Page 56