REVIEW: MISSIONS 3 & 4 GAME TITLE 151
MISSION FIVE: THE INDESCRIBABLE GIFTS OF JESUS
For a free, public domain image of this painting used in the first lesson of this mission — 1. Go to wikigallery.org 2. In the Search field (a small box on the left of the screen), type: Die Schachspieler (which means “The Chess Players” in German). 3. Under “Matched Paintings”, click the only painting listed: Friedrich Moritz August Retzsch: Die Schachspieler If this link is ever broken, simply search the above terms to find the same image (be sure to check for copyright uses).
MISSION 5: JESUS’ INDESCRIBABLE GIFTS — HE OFFERS...WHAT? Preliminary Draft LESSON 1: THE GIFT OF A SACRIFICE M5 L1 NOTES BIG IDEA: KEY TEXT: CURRICULUM: M.K.1 Begin to understand and articulate the Bible as one story by seeing the relationship of key Bible stories to The Re- demptive Story.; M.K.2 Know the key elements of the Redemptive Story; M.K.4 Iden- tify the relationship of Jesus to the Gospel and to one’s personal and present life TAKING AIM: APPLICATION: MY VALUE— My true value is established by the amount God was willing to pay for me. PREPARE: 1. Get either a Russian Matryoshka doll, a picture of one, or a gift which incorporates four other gifts wrapped inside each other; put one of these labels on each doll or gift: SACRIFICE, SPIRIT, SECURITY, SCRIPTURES. 2. Get a picture of the painting “Checkmate” by Friedrich Moritz August Retzsch (see the page to the left). 3. For the concluding demonstration, get three glasses and do the following: In the first glass, pour a couple inches of baby oil; in the second glass, pour a couple inches of corn syrup with purple food colouring, and stir; in the third glass, fill one-third with water and add/stir in red food coloring. 4. You will also need bleach. INTRO TO NEW MISSION: 1. One poet wrote: Hold up a Matryoshka doll (or a picture, or the 4-in-1 gift as described above). “Blessed be God, our God Explain that God’s ultimate gift to us is His Son: “For God so loved the world that He GAVE HIS only SON” (Jn 3:16 ESV). God’s Son is the One we have been examining: The Who gave for us His Man, Jesus / His Interactions / His Statements / His Supernatural Miracles. This same well-beloved Son; Jesus is God’s ultimate Gift to us. The gift of gifts, all other gifts in one: So WHY give us this ultimate Gift? Because He is the Gift that keeps on giving! Read Romans 8:32 – “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us Blessed be God, all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” our God!” In a very small way, this doll [gift] is like Jesus: He gives, and gives, and gives.1 — Horatius Bonar In this next mission, we’ll discover some of the INDESCRIBABLE gifts that came wrapped up in the ultimate Gift of Jesus. I use that word — indescribable — because that’s the exact word God uses! “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor 9:15). And I really like this trans- lation: “Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” (NLT). So what is the FIRST “gift within the Gift”? It’s the gift of God’s SACRIFICE. Galatians 2:20 tells us, “…the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” [Set out the first doll or gift labelled SACRIFICE.] I’d like us to spend some time thinking about Jesus, the Sacrifice. 155
OPENER: [Begin by discussing the concept of sacrifice. Perhaps some M5 L1 NOTES students have stories of people they know who have sacrificed themselves for their country. Or perhaps you can either share a story of your own or research a story. Discuss why these people are worthy of honor.] TRANSITION: Many men and women have offered to sacrifice themselves for our freedom. But you know, the Bible tells us of one Person who rises above all others — first, because of who He is; and second, because of the great value of His unique sacrifice. He didn’t just sacrifice Himself to give us temporary freedom for the time of our physical lives on Earth. He gave His life to give us eternal freedom. I want to focus on three amazing aspects of the sacrifice Jesus made for you and for me. ACTIVITY: Working independently or with a friend, complete “God’s Gift of a Sacrifice”. [Explain the sheet. Specifically, read the definitions of the “V” words. “Vicarious” is probably a new word for your students, but it’s an important one! Webster’s Dictionary explains its origins: “The oldest meaning of vicarious, which dates to the first half of the 1600s, is ‘serving instead of someone or something else’.” For example, if you lost a game and had to take a pie in the face, a friend might “vicariously” offer to take the pie for you!] WHOLE GROUP: Some main points to focus on: VOLUNTARY I find this amazing! We read in the Psalms that Jesus was “surrounded” by enemies “like a pack of dogs” (see Psalm 22:16-18). They keep taunting him: “Save Yourself! Come on, prove You’re really the Son of God and save Yourself! Save Yourself!” The thing is, He IS God’s Son and He COULD have easily done just that: He could have saved Himself. With a mere word, He could have called down a host of angels. He even could have caused His enemies’ hearts to stop beating or disintegrated the universe with a mere thought. He could have returned to Heaven without ever suffering through that great pain and anguish. But He didn’t. The Son of God did not SAVE Himself. Instead, He GAVE Himself, VOLUNTARILY, to save US! VICARIOUS Jesus was also a VICARIOUS Sacrifice. Now there’s a new word for you. Without look- ing at your sheet, who remembers what this means? [To take our place / to be our substitute] Imagine yourself as Barabbas, sitting in a prison cell, not far from where this angry mob had gathered, awaiting your own execution. What might you have heard that day? “Crucify him! Crucify him!” He may even have heard them cry out his name: “Ba- rabbas!” “Crucify him!” Did he wonder if the people were calling for his death? It’s very possible! Imagine what he must have felt as he heard the Roman soldier walking to his cell, unlocking it, opening the door, and then saying, “Barabbas, come with me…You’re free to go!” 156
He would have been absolutely overwhelmed! To know he deserved death but that M5 L1 NOTES an innocent man was dying in his place! Imagine the thoughts that must have gone through his mind as he walked past that cross where he was supposed to die! Do you think he stuck around to watch the crucifixion? We can only imagine his thoughts and feelings. But Barabbas’s story is also our story. Yes, really! The Bible says that death is the payment we owe for OUR sin — death, meaning eternal separation from God. But Jesus, the sinless Substitute, stepped into our place of death and took God’s wrath — His righteous anger against our sin — for us. Jesus paid our sin-debt, in full, and com- pletely satisfied God’s justice on our behalf. This is HUGE! It’s really important for you to understand. When we say Jesus died FOR us, we really mean that He died INSTEAD of us. If someone pays for your meal at a restaurant, it means they paid INSTEAD of your having to pay. Neither you nor I could ever pay our sin-debt to a holy God. Only Jesus could do that because He had no sin and no sin-debt of His own to pay. He laid down His life — His “eternal life” — on that cross, making the infinite payment for every sinner, of every nation, of every era. How do we know His payment was enough? Because His sacrifice was also… VICTORIOUS Jesus rose from the dead! To the world, it looked like Jesus was forever defeated. The people had “taken” so much from Him: they “took” Him here and “took” Him there; they “took” His garments and “took” His body. Jesus appeared to be a passive victim throughout the entire process. It looked like “Game over!” But this reminds me of a painting titled “Checkmate” by an artist named Friedrich Moritz August Retzsch (who lived back in the early 1800s). Does anyone here play chess? [Select someone with their hand up to explain to the class what the term “checkmate” means. Basically, when one person has no safe place to move their king, the opponent has won and calls “checkmate”. Game over!] [We used this in Year 1.] Well, this painting “Checkmate” once hung in the Louvre, a famous museum in Paris where other famous paintings like the Mona Lisa hung. In the middle of the picture is a chess board, and the two opponents are seated on either side. The man on the left represents the devil, who is smirking victoriously. The young man on the right looks defeated as it seems evident to him that he has lost. One day, a chess grand master allegedly strolled through the Louvre, and, naturally, this particular painting caught his eye. As others gave the painting only a momentary glance and then moved on, the chess grand master stood, fixated. He examined the painting with a careful, experienced eye. Suddenly, something dawned on him! He rushed to the curator of the museum: “It’s wrong! It’s wrong! The artist got it wrong!” he declared. The chess expert pointed out that the young man’s king still had one more move — and that move would actually put his opponent in checkmate! He had NOT lost. He had WON! 157
Yes, we see the word “took” repeated over and over in John 19 — as if the enemy had M5 L1 NOTES defeated Jesus. Game over! But there’s another phrase in this same chapter which we must not miss: “...that the scripture might be fulfilled” (vv. 24, 28, 36). Make no mistake about it: Jesus was in total control the day He was crucified. In fact, His death was His final move to put the devil into checkmate. Hebrews 2:14 says that, through His death, Jesus actually destroyed “him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.” The devil wants to take all of humanity to hell. But Jesus, through dying, opened the door to Heaven! He paid our sin-debt in full and rose triumphantly the third day, proving Himself to be the true Winner, the eternal Victor! But that’s not all. The Bible says that Jesus, “made a public spectacle of [Satan and his forces], triumphing over them in [the cross]” (Col 2:15). In other words, Jesus openly declared to the enemy: “I WIN. YOU LOSE!” Then, when Jesus went back up to Heaven, He passed right through the domain of Satan, the “prince of the power of the air”. Now, Jesus is able to “take away” our sins — to cast them into the deepest sea. And He is able to give you a brand new heart and make you a child of God. APPLICATION: Let me finish with a little demonstration: a) [Hold up the glass containing the baby oil.] This represents God in His purity, His holiness. We have learned that, before time, God existed: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They needed nothing and no one else to exist or to be fully satisfied. But God desired to share His love and joy. So He made mankind — Adam and Eve. b) [Hold up glass with purple liquid.] I’ve used purple to represent royalty. Adam and Eve were like royalty because they got to walk and talk with God every day. There was nothing between them, until… c) Sin entered the picture. [Pour in the red water.] You can see that sin sep- arated man from God. And no amount of effort or good works on the part of mankind could ever remove that barrier. We needed a perfect man, someone with no sin who could somehow deal with our sin. This is why God GAVE US THE GIFT of Jesus, His Son. He gave Him to be our sub- stitute sacrifice — to die in our place, on our behalf. Jesus wasn’t forced to be our substitute. He VOLUNTARILY gave Himself to die in our place as our VICARIOUS substitute. In doing this, He allowed God to take out His wrath and anger — which should have been against us — upon Himself. He paid our sin-debt in full. Then He triumphantly declared, “It is finished!” Three days later, He rose from the dead — VICTORIOUS. Now, all who ask for God’s pardon receive it, and, at that very moment… [Pour in the bleach]…the sin barrier is removed. They are brought into a joyous, eternal union with God! 158
GOD’S GIFT OF A SACRIFICE Name: M5 / L1 Activity INSTRUCTIONS: Complete the sections below that describe Jesus’ sacrifice. Then use your knowledge to figure out the missing “V” words. HE GAVE HIMSELF HIMSELF FOR ME FOR ME, HE ROSE 159 As Jesus hung on the cross, Draw a picture of who was really Jesus sure looked like He was conquered! look what everyone kept saying to Him: supposed to die on the cross that day. John 19:1 Pilate _____ _______ and The People Walking By: Matthew 27:39-41 (Read Matthew 27:15, 16) whipped Him. “… ______. _________ . If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Draw a picture of who took the place of John 19:16 The chief priests _____ _______ that criminal. Read Matthew 27:17, 21, 26 to be crucified. The Soldiers: Luke 23:36-38 “If You are the King of the Jews, John 19:23 The soldiers _____ His garments to make money. ______. _________ .” John 19:38,40 Two men came and _____ the A Criminal Beside Him: Luke 23:39 dead body of Jesus to anoint and “If You are the Christ, bury it. ______. _________ .” But Jesus DID NOT How does this remind you of…YOU? Was Jesus conquered? Read Romans 4:25. ______. _________ . Jesus was _________ as our CONQUEROR! He allowed all of this to happen so that He could Instead, He… _______. _______ our sin (John 1:29). ______. _________ for me. (Gal 2:20) AV SACRIFICE AV SACRIFICE AV SACRIFICE Read the definitions of these words. Which word BEST VICTORIOUS: Overcoming an enemy, the champion describes each of the above aspects of Jesus’ sacrifice? VOLUNTARY: To freely offer one’s self or services out of compassion VICARIOUS: To act as a substitute for the benefit of another
MISSION 5: JESUS’ INDESCRIBABLE GIFTS — HE OFFERS...WHAT? Preliminary Draft LESSON 2: THE GIFT OF HIS SPIRIT M5 L2 NOTES BIG IDEA: KEY TEXT: CURRICULUM: M.K.3 Know the person and role of the Holy Spirit (third person of the Trinity); M.K.10 Know the role or purpose of the church in the life of the believer TAKING AIM: APPLICATION: MY GUIDE — God provides His Holy Spirit to guide His child all throughout this crazy life! PREPARE: Preview the video at the link below. (It runs about 8 minutes.) If time does not allow you to watch the video in class, jot down a few key points from it to share with your students, being sure to emphasize this statement: “Listen to the voice.” Prepare six envelopes. Number the envelopes from 1 to 6. Place a piece of paper in- side each envelope, as follows: #1: Father’s Gift – John 14:16,17 #2: Inside the Child of God – Ephesians 3:16 #3: Let Him Be In Control – Ephesians 5:18 #4: Let Go of My Pride – Acts 7:51 #5: Equipped to Serve – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 #6: Displays Christ – Galatians 5:22,23. You’ll also need some tape. Place six buckets upside down. Randomly place the envelopes on the tops of these buckets. Under the bucket with envelope #1, place three juice boxes — two identical and one different; under the bucket with envelope #2: a flashlight with batteries; #3: a steering wheel (or a picture of one); #4: a thick rubber band; #5: a toolbox; #6: fruit. OPENER: Raise your hand if you have been on an airplane. Question: What would you do if you were in a plane, high in the air, and your pilot passed out? Well, it’s happened before! I want to show you a powerful video1 (or recount the story if time is limited) of a day 1. If link is broken, look up the man in THIS story will never forget! the title: “Listen to the voice. - David Gibbs” on the https://youtu.be/qKQPwvXML3c Temple Baptist Church You- Tube channel. TRANSITION: Has your life ever felt totally out of control like that plane ride? You had no clue what direction to go in, and you felt com- pletely alone and helpless? Then you need to hear this: God offers a wonderful Gift to each of His children, a Guide to walk with them and direct them through every challenge and complexity of life. This Gift is the Person of His Holy Spirit. Listen to something Jesus said shortly before His death: 161
KEY VERSE: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that M5 L2 NOTES He may abide with you forever” (John 14:16). Jesus knew that He would soon be returning to His Father in Heaven. So He promised to send God’s Spirit to be WITH God’s children forever. But it gets even better. Read the end of the next verse with me: “…for He dwells WITH you and will be…” Where? “… IN YOU” (v.17). God’s Spirit would come to be with God’s children and would even live right INSIDE of them — our very own internal GPS. GPS stands for “Global Positioning System”, but when we talk about God’s indwelling Spirit, let’s change it to mean “God’s Piloting Spirit” because that’s exactly what He does. Again, listen to Jesus: “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth” (Jn 16:13 NIV). So the challenge for us becomes, How does a child of God “listen” to His Spirit? His voice is not audible, like yours and mine. God’s Spirit speaks through God’s Word. Part of the Spirit’s job is to direct our atten- tion to the parts of the Bible that God wants us to “listen” to, and then to teach us how to apply God’s truth to our lives. As we allow Him to do this, our spiritual GPS — God’s Piloting Spirit — will safely guide us through life. In today’s lesson, we’ll learn about the gift of God’s Spirit and how He works in the life of God’s children. You’re going to help me by rolling this die and revealing what’s under each corre- sponding bucket. As we make our way through each item, you can follow along in your Student Guide. WHOLE GROUP ACTIVITY: a) Have a student roll the die. Open the corre- sponding envelope to reveal the phrase. Tape the label to the bucket, and place the item under it in front of the bucket. b) See if the students can make a connection between the item and the gift of the Spirit. The connection will be more obvious with some of the items. c) Have another student read the verse on the label. See if the connection is more obvious after the verse is read. d) Refer to the notes below as you make your way through each of the six buckets. TEACHER’S TALKING POINTS 1. F-ather’s Gift (Read John 14:16,17 again.) Before Jesus’ death, He had another shocking message for His disciples. Not only was He going to die, but He would eventually return to Heaven! This thought was too much for them to bear. They literally felt like orphans, which is why Jesus said what He did in verse 18. Remember, Jesus didn’t say that God’s Spirit would simply be beside them or with them — He would actually come to live INSIDE them. I want to point out a special phrase Jesus used here: “another Helper”, or as another translation has it, “another Comforter”. The word is really ADVOCATE (Greek parakletos), one who comes to the side in order to help, like a lawyer who fights your case for you. 162
That’s what Jesus had done for His disciples for three whole years. He had helped M5 L2 NOTES them, encouraged them, strengthened, protected, and rescued them. Now Jesus was saying that God’s Spirit — another Helper — would come and do these very same As it has been shown, the things for each of God’s children. word “Advocate” is a term used for both Christ and the Maybe you’re a little distracted thinking, So what’s with the juice boxes? Well, they Holy Spirit. “The Lord Jesus help us to understand the meaning of the word “another” that is used here. Cool fact: speaks on our behalf at In Greek, there are two different meanings for “another”. For example [hold up two God’s right hand, where we different juice boxes], in one hand I have a [name flavor] juice box. But in this hand I also have an adversary, ‘the have “another of a different (heteros) kind” of juice box, [name flavour]. accuser of our brethren’ (Rev 12:10). There Christ looks [Now, hold up the two juice boxes that are the same.] Now, I have “another of the after our interests in the same (allos) kind” of juice box in each hand. And THIS is the word that Jesus used. So heavens. We say with tri- here is His teaching about God’s Spirit: Though Jesus — the disciples’ Comforter, umph, ‘Who will bring any Helper, Rescuer, Strengthener, the One who came to their side to meet their every charge against God’s elect? need — was leaving and returning to Heaven, He would send ANOTHER OF THE It is God who justifies’ (Rom SAME KIND OF Comforter, Helper, Rescuer, Strengthener, One who would meet their 8:33). Meanwhile on earth, every need. He would send Someone else just like Him! the Holy Spirit acts as Christ’s Agent with us, look- 2. I-nside the Child of God! ing after His interests in our hearts. We are very well Read Ephesians 3:16. After, read it in the NLT — “I pray that from His glorious, unlim- looked after.” ited resources He will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.” —Jabe Nicholson Demonstration: • Hold up a flashlight. Turn it on. No power! • But the Father has given His children His Holy Spirit (represented by a bat- tery). • The battery only helps when it is placed INSIDE the flashlight. • The Holy Spirit actually comes and lives INSIDE a child of God, providing the needed power. Peter is one example in the Bible of a man who was changed by the power of the Spirit of God inside of him. Peter tried to do a lot of things in his own power. But his “battery” often failed him. For example, before Jesus was arrested, Peter declared: • “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death” (Lk. 22:33). • “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake” (Jn. 13:37). • He even drew a sword and started swinging boldly at those who came to arrest Jesus. But, within a few short hours, Peter’s self-powered battery had run out of juice! In- stead of standing boldly for Jesus as he had claimed, this same man denied Jesus when others claimed he was one of Jesus’ followers. In fact, Peter denied Jesus three times, even swearing profanities to try to convince them that he had nothing at all to do with Jesus. 163
Similarly, we will never find within ourselves the power to live our lives in a way that M5 L2 NOTES pleases God. We can do this only through the power of the Holy Spirit at work inside of us. And this is exactly what happened to Peter. Fifty days after Jesus went back to Heaven, Peter got his new battery pack! No, not a Duracell or an Energizer, but a spir- itual battery pack. Listen: “Then Peter, FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT...” (Acts 4:8). What a change! Where once he had boldly denied knowing Jesus, he now stood boldly declaring Jesus to be the Son of God (Acts 4)! 3. L-et HIM Be in Control (Read Ephesians 5:18.) - Perhaps you’ve already figured it out, but what do you think the connection is be- tween this verse and a steering wheel? [Whoever has the steering wheel determines the direction a vehicle will travel. The same applies to the life of a Christian.] - Now what does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? There are two different meanings for fill in the Bible: A. The filling of pots, like at the wedding in Cana – Some think that the filling of the Spirit is like me running out of “spiritual gasoline” and needing to drive to the “spirit- ual gas station” to get a refill of the Holy Spirit. But that’s not it at all. When someone trusts in Jesus, they get ALL of the Holy Spirit and they get Him for keeps. He never leaves — or “leaks” out of their lives! B. The other meaning for fill is to let the Spirit have ALL of you. It is to allow Him access to every room of your heart, to allow Him control in every part of your life. “And do not be drunk with wine...but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18). This verse makes it clear that alcohol is NOT to control us (which results in poor behaviour); rather, we are to let the Spirit of God control us (which results in right behaviour). Other examples of this word: i. Some religious people were “filled\" with anger. In other words, they were con- trolled by their anger (Lk 4:28). ii. People who saw Jesus heal a paralytic man were filled with awe (Lk 5:26). They were controlled by their awe/amazement. iii. At another healing, religious leaders were filled with rage (Lk 6:11). They were again controlled by their anger. iii. At another healing, people were filled with wonder and amazement (Acts 3:10). They were controlled by amazement. iv. When the Jews saw the multitudes gathered to hear Jesus, they were filled with envy (controlled by envy), and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming (Acts 13:45). So being filled with the Spirit means to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to control our thoughts and actions.“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). 164
4. L-et go of my Pride (Read Acts 7:51.) M5 L2 NOTES Our problem is that we like to be in control. We want to hold on tightly to the steering wheel. We don’t allow God’s Spirit to guide us. [Using your index finger, hold down one end of the elastic band on one hand; place the index finger of your other hand in the other end of the elastic band.] Often, when God’s Spirit is guiding us to do one thing, our will, or maybe our pride or our ego, pull us in the opposite direction. This is “resisting the Spirit”. The Bible says that the child of God is to “resist the devil” (James 4:7), not resist the Spirit. But we often get it backwards, opposing the Spirit and allowing the devil to have his way in our life. When this happens, two more serious problems come about. a) We might GRIEVE God’s Spirit by doing things we shouldn’t do (Eph 4:30). When the Spirit pricks our conscience telling us not to sin, but we go ahead and do it any- way, we grieve Him. b) Or we might QUENCH the Spirit. This happens when we try to quiet the Spirit’s voice by ignoring Him or acting like we can’t hear Him speaking to us (1 Thes 5:19). Quench means to douse a fire with water. When the Spirit prompts us to do some- thing good and we fail to do it, we “pour water” on His desire and so quench the Spirit. We certainly can’t experience His power when we do this. [Draw a diagram like the one to the right and explain]: This circle represents the Holy Spirit at work in my life. He wants to guide me through God’s Word. Inside this circle, I am going to draw a square. [Make each of the four points touch the circle’s edge.] This square represents our conscience, that part of our mind which knows right from wrong. When I choose to grieve the Spirit by doing what I shouldn’t do, or to quench the Spirit by not doing what I know I should, the square, my conscience, rotates just a little bit. Perhaps I don’t notice right away, so I don’t notice that any harm has been done. But each time I give in to something unclean (movies, music, activities, etc.), the “corners of my conscience” wear down just a little bit more. This means that I will have less “resistance” against doing the things that cause my life to become dirty — so I will give in more easily the next time. 5. E-quipped to Serve (Read 1 Cor 12:4-6) Read “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us” (1 Cor 12:4-6, NLT). This tells us that, the moment you trust in Christ, God’s Spirit gives you tools to serve Him. These “tools” are called “spiritual gifts”, special enabling which allow you to share Jesus with other people who are still lost and to encourage your fellow-Christians. 165
This passage lays it out this way: God’s Spirit gives you a toolbox filled with useful M5 L2 NOTES tools. The Lord Jesus assigns you the jobs He wants you to do. God the Father works out the details and brings about the blessing. How exciting it is to be a servant of the One True God! 6. D-isplay Christ! (Read Galatians 5:22,23.) As a child of God is filled with the Spirit, out of their life grows the FRUIT of the Spirit. Hmm…can you think of Someone who perfectly demonstrates these characteristics: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self- control? There’s only one Person: Jesus Christ. All of this wholesome fruit of the Spirit really only describes the life of the Lord Jesus. But as we allow God’s Spirit to have His way in our lives, He cultivates and grows the very character of Christ in our lives. Then, when other people look at a Spirit-filled Christian, they don’t say, “Wow, what a great guy!” or “She is such a lovely girl!” They say, “Wow, I see Jesus in that person’s life!” CONCLUSION: UNSCRAMBLE CHALLENGE: Looking at the first letters of these phrases, can you figure out a mystery acrostic? Answer: “FILLED.” We already thought about what it means to be filled with the Spirit. Does anyone remember? It means to allow God’s Spirit to be in control of our lives, to give Him access to every “room” of our life. But I want to leave you with a challenge: First, if you are not yet saved, you are still missing out on this wonderful gift. You do NOT have God’s Spirit living inside you and guiding you: “No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 12:3). If you ARE saved, keep in mind these two things: 1. The “filling” of the Spirit is not only for super-spiritual Christians. And... 2. God does not offer this filling as an option. Rather, He commands every Christian: “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). Do you try to keep God’s Spirit out of certain areas of your life? Maybe your hobbies or your habits? Your social activities? That certain friend, that secret something that no one knows about… When you surrender your whole person to God, He will radically change your life. Full surrender enables you to better “hear” God’s voice as the Spirit of Truth communi- cates God’s heart and mind to you through His Word. The Spirit will lead you and will work through you to accomplish great things for God which you simply could never do on your own. 166
REcording sheet 167
MISSION 5: JESUS’ INDESCRIBABLE GIFTS — HE OFFERS...WHAT? Preliminary Draft LESSON 3: THE GIFT OF SECURITY M5 L3 NOTES BIG IDEA: KEY TEXT: CURRICULUM: M.S.2 Share the Gospel with greater detail, using key memory verses along with a visual aide; M.S.6 Make application of scripture to daily life; M.D.1 Accept Christ or acknowledge a time when this was pre- viously done; M.D.7 Choose to act upon or obey scripture in daily life TAKING AIM: APPLICATION: MY SAFETY — God provides the assurance that nothing can separate His child from His love PREPARE: Prepare a poster of a first-aid kit (or draw on the board); cut out the “Security Cards” (at the end of this lesson); have blank paper and pencils for drawing OPENER: [Begin by telling a story about the scariest ride you’ve been on or find a video online of a terrifying ride. Then invite stu- dents to share stories of their own. Eventually, move into this...] Imagine you have to go somewhere and the only way there is by boat. But you’re not too keen about it. The captain detects your nervousness and says, “Don’t worry. We’ll make it across.” You reluctantly get on board, and the captain launches the boat. Shortly after, it begins to get windy — really windy! You knew this was a bad idea! But it gets worse. The boat literally begins to shake. In water? Yes! And in the distance, you see…a hurricane?! You rush to the captain. What’s this? He looks totally relaxed! “Shouldn’t we go back?” you shout into the wind.“We’ll be just fine,” he calmly replies. You’re not convinced. Your heart beats faster. Your blood pressure rises. You text all your loved ones and say your good-byes. Your life flashes before your eyes. This is it. You’re going down — you’re sure of it! Fast forward. The boat pulls up to dock, not much worse for wear. Your captain takes your hand and gently helps you off the boat. Question 1: Which of you arrived safely at your destination? [We both did.] Question 2: Which of you failed to enjoy the jour- ney? [I did.] Now, I left out one tiny detail which kind of changes everything about this story. What if I told you that the captain of that boat was Jesus? No wonder He can relax and be so sure of things! He is all-powerful and all-knowing! 169
TAKING AIM: This scenario is actually based on a true story (without the texting) (Mt M5 L3 NOTES 8:23-27; Mk 4:35-41; Lk 8:22-25). Jesus and His disciples got into their boat, and Jesus told them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” In no uncertain terms, that boat was going to get to the other side! But after they were out on the lake, a huge storm arose. Mark and Luke use a word meaning “hurricane” (lailaps), while Matthew uses a word meaning “earthquake” (seismos). That was some storm! The ground and sea were literally “shaking” while a hurricane was hurtling all around them! Meanwhile, Jesus was as calm as ever. In fact, He was asleep! Do you wake up during thunderstorms? I’m sure a hurricane would wake most of us! We understand the disciples’ fear; it would be the natural response of pretty much any person. But consider their circumstances very carefully. Why shouldn’t they have been so wor- ried? What was special about their experience? [Answer: Jesus had said they were going “to the other side”. His word is always good; He can be fully trusted — always.] So what happened? Jesus stood up and commanded the storm: “Silence! Be still!” … And it obeyed! — instantly! Not a ripple remained. Perfect peace. TRANSITION: Let’s make this practical. A lot of people have chosen to trust in Christ as their own Savior. They have boarded the “Salvation Ship”. Through simple faith — by taking God at His word — we might say they “se- cured a ticket” to Heaven. They have already, willingly: A-dmitted they were a sinner. B-elieved in Jesus — that His sacrifice paid for their sins, and that He rose again three days later, proof that the payment was complete and accepted by God. C-ame personally to the Lord Jesus and asked His forgiveness. Now, Jesus says to them, “‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ I will lead you safely to Heaven.” Sounds wonderful! But then life’s storms arise, problems way bigger than they can handle. Or they mess up really badly and sin against God and someone they love. And so they begin to doubt… “Will I really make it to Heaven?” Up and down they go on this emotional and spiritual roller coaster, never really experiencing peace about where they stand with God. Why? Because they are not trusting God’s word to them. Maybe they don’t know what God says; they lack what the Bible calls the “full assurance of understanding” (Col 2:2). Or maybe they just aren’t applying it; they’re not “living in the good of it” and so they lack what the Bible calls “the full assurance of faith” (Heb 10:22). INTRODUCING OUR KEY VERSE: So let’s look at another one of Jesus’ indescribable gifts which God wants His children to enjoy. It is the gift of ETERNAL SECURITY. Listen to Jesus’ words in John 10:28, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand” (NIV). 170
Jesus doesn’t want His people living in fear and doubt: “For God has not given us a M5 L3 NOTES spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7). Rather, He wants us to be fully confident that we have eternal life if we are a child of God: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 Jn 5:13). Let me ask you outright: Do you KNOW that you have eternal life? The little game we’re about to play will help you regardless of how you answered. If you have received Christ as Savior, you will find reasons to give you further assurance, so that you can really KNOW and experience “joy and peace in believing” (Rom 15:13). If you don’t have the eternal security Jesus offers, you will certainly see the amazing benefits of getting in on His kind and gracious offer today. ACTIVITY: [Holding up a first-aid kit, say]: I’m holding up a spiritual first- aid kit which every child of God should carry with them throughout life. Why? Because there may be times when you’ll be confused about God and His prom- ise of eternal security. The devil is described in the Bible as a thief who comes only to “steal, kill and destroy” (Jn 10:10). He wants to steal, kill, and destroy our souls! Nothing makes him happier than seeing souls loved by Jesus lost forever in the Lake of Fire. But if he can’t prevent us from being saved, then he’ll try instead to rob us of the JOY of our salvation. And he is often successful with any Christian who fails to keep his spiritual first-aid kit ready at hand. Now pay close attention because these spiritual first-aid kit items are so helpful that having just one of them is enough to give you assurance of eternal security; only one will give you “joy and peace in believing”. But again, we have six! And there are ac- tually many more we could add to our kit. I’ll divide you into six groups and give you each a “Security Card” with the name of an item that belongs in this kit. Your task is to sketch that item and, using the infor- mation on the card, prepare a way to explain, in two minutes or less, why it belongs in this kit. Then pick a representative to come up and share your findings with us be- fore placing your item in the first-aid kit. 1. ROMAN SANDWICH: TEACHER TALKING POINT: Emphasize the fact that Jesus did not come into the world to condemn us — because we were already condemned. Notice the “therefore” of condemnation in Romans 5:18, “Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation…” Oh no! We’re in big trouble. We were born into a human race that stands guilty before God. Nothing we do could ever re- verse this condition. We are condemned! Refer to John 3:36 to show that God’s wrath hovers continually over every unbeliever. He is like a person standing outside a safety shelter when a terrible storm is on its way. No, Christ did not come to condemn us, but to save us (Jn 3:17)! He can do this, justly, because He, Himself, took the blow of God’s wrath that we deserved. He willingly stepped between us and that wrath and allowed it to land on Him. 171
Which now brings us to the “therefore” of NO condemnation. “There is therefore now M5 L3 NOTES no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).1 All who are “in Christ” — the place of safety — are forever free from God’s punishment, similar to Noah and 1. It’s worth noting that the his family in the ark. Yes, our poor choices will have consequences. But there is no second half of Romans 8:1 more condemnation — no eternal judgment awaiting those who have been forgiven. does not appear in the earli- But if a sinner remains outside of God’s place of safety, the Lord Jesus Christ, and dies est manuscripts. This allows without ever having their sins forgiven, they will certainly perish and encounter God’s us to focus on the fact that wrath for all eternity. our standing of acceptance before God is not based on No Separation – The point to be made here is this: If God loved us when we were at our performance but on God’s our worst (rebels, sinners, haters of God), how much more does He love us when we promise. become His children? Nothing can change His love for us because God is love (1 John 4:8), and because neither God nor His love can change. Just as we can’t do anything to make Him love us more, neither can we do anything to make Him love us less. His love is constant because He is constant: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 13:8). 2. ANCHOR: TEACHER TALKING POINT: This verse doesn’t say the person “might have eternal life” and “might not come into judgment”. God’s Word is definite. This is similar to John 3:16. (Write it out.) Notice these positive action words. (Circle these words: loved, gave, believe, has.) In short, God loved, so He gave. I believe, so I HAVE. We anchor our faith in the promises of a God who, the Bible says “cannot lie” (see Num 23:19). “What Christ did on the cross makes me safe. What God says in His Word makes me sure.” Remember John’s words: “These things I have written…that you may KNOW that you have eternal life” (1 Jn 5:13). 3. ENGAGEMENT RING: TEACHER TALKING POINT: Sadly, many human relationships fail. People who promise to marry someone sometimes break it off. And so many marriages now end in di- vorce. But when God places His Holy Spirit inside someone at the moment they turn to Him in faith, He is giving His sure promise that they are forever secure, forever His. God always finishes what He starts. He WILL take every Christian safely Home to Heaven. His Holy Spirit inside of you is His guarantee that He will never turn you away. The Holy Spirit is God’s “present promise for future fulfillment”. 4. BINOCULARS: TEACHER TALKING POINT: Does this truth make it okay to live however we want? God says a strong NO in Ro- mans 6:1, “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” Jesus did not die on the cross so that I could keep living for myself and living in sin! Why would a prisoner who has been set free ever choose to go back and live again in that cell of bondage? That is completely illogical. 172
Understand this: Jesus gave His life for me on the cross so that He could put His life M5 L3 NOTES into me as a new creation. He gives me new desires — His desires. He gives me new power — His power. When making life decisions, I don’t ask myself what I want. I ask Him what He wants. If it’s His life in me, He gets to choose how His life should be lived. But get this: My joy is greatest when I do things HIS way, NOT my own way (see Jn 15:10,11), because HE knows what’s best for me. 5. RECEIPT: TEACHER TALKING POINT: The resurrection of Jesus is God the Father’s receipt, show- ing that Jesus really did pay for our entire sin-debt. If Christ DIDN’T rise, that would be proof that some sins were left unpaid. We would still be “in our sins”. But Christ DID rise from the dead. This proves that our sins were, in fact, FULLY paid for. Therefore, the sinner who repents and believes in Christ as Savior is forgiven. The word forgiveness in the Bible means “to send away”. As sinners, we deserved to be sent away from God’s presence (as were Adam and Eve), but, because Jesus died on the cross and paid for our sins, God is now able to keep US and, instead, “send away” our sins! He sends them away “into the deepest sea” (Mic 7:19), “as far as the east is from the west” (Ps 103:12), and forever out of His memory (Heb 10:17), meaning that He will never again bring them up in His heavenly courtroom. 6. PAIR OF GLOVES: TEACHER TALKING POINT: A cool fact about this verse: Sometimes versions include italicized words, meaning that these words were not part of the original text but added by translators for our clarity. Look at the end of verse 28. Some versions put it this way: “neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand”. This is repeated in the next verse. But the word man is italicized because it actually should read “no one and nothing” — this covers it all! No man or woman or angel or devil — not even I can pluck myself out of Jesus’ hand or His Father’s hand! Why? Because God is greater than ALL! And because God is greater than all, guess what else He’s done to make us even more sure, if that were possible? Have you ever been in a courtroom or watched a movie where someone is called to the witness stand? They often put their hand on the Bible and “swear to tell the truth, etc.”. To whom are they pledging to be truthful? To the judge? To the jury? No. They are swearing to the greatest one in that courtroom: God! So when God, who is greater than all, promises to do something, who does He swear to? “Because [God] could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself” to keep you protected (see Heb 6:13). That’s right. He puts His own name and character on the line to ensure that you, His child — anyone who is truly His — will one day live with Him forever in Heaven. 173
CONCLUSION: [After allowing each group to contribute their item to the spir- M5 L3 NOTES itual first-aid kit, close with this challenge]: God’s Son gave us the gift of a Sacrifice in order to save us. He then gave us the gift of His Spirit to guide and direct us through life. But we still mess up. Even then, we enjoy the gift of Eternal Security. When we properly understand this gift: 1. We have PEACE. (We know that we can never lose our salvation.) But also… 2. We grow in PURITY. (Out of love for Jesus, we want to show our gratitude by mak- ing good choices.) I’m going to add something to our spiritual first-aid kit: Two hoola-hoops! [Draw a large circle.] Let this represent God’s Family Circle. The moment I trust in Christ, God places me inside His own “Family Circle” — A. FAMILY CIRLCE: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 Jn 3:1). Talk about the day you were born, how you were brought into your Family Circle. Trace over the circle again to make the line extra thick. Explain that, even though you did things wrong as a child, you never left that Family Circle. Even if you were to change your name and move far away, you were born into that family circle, and nothing can ever change that. Then talk about how, when someone is saved, they are brought into God’s Family Circle. Though they sin and fail, once they are in that circle, they can never come out of it. B. HAPPY CIRCLE: However, there is another circle inside this Family Circle. [Draw a smaller “hoola-hoop” but chop out a few sections to look like the diagram on the right.] Call this the “Happy Circle”. This is the circle I lived in when I honored my parents. When I obeyed them, as the Bible says I am to do, there was a joy that we shared together. But when I chose to disobey, I fell out of that Happy Cir- cle. Our joy was disrupted. But did I fall out of the Family Circle? NO! I never can. Similarly, when a child of God lives in obedience to His Word, their choices help them to remain pure and clean. Jesus promises a joy that goes along with that: “If you know these things, happy are you if ye do them” (Jn 13:17). If they choose to disobey, they fall out of God’s Happy Circle, but never out of His Family Circle. As soon as they are aware of this, they should confess what they have done wrong. Read 1 John 1:8,9. What does this look like? 1. Confess first to the Lord. Tell Him exactly what you did that was wrong. 2. Apologize to the person you wronged. 3. Show in some practical way that you are sorry. Then you will find yourself back in the Happy Circle, the best place you can be! 174
ROMAN SANDWICH: No, not an actual sandwich made by Romans. We’re talking about our faith resting between two beautiful promises in the book of Romans. Read the very beginning and very ending of Romans 8 (pronounced “ate”): • Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”* • Romans 8:38,39 No condemnation. No separation. Our faith rests peacefully in the middle of this Roman Sandwich — even when we struggle with sin and failure (like Paul in verse 15 of chapter 7). Go ahead…and draw this amazing Roman Sandwich! ANCHOR: Here’s a crazy question, but its answer will help us to have assurance of salvation: Where is an anchor cast? Inside the boat or outside the boat? To base our assurance of salvation on our own feelings after we have received God’s forgiveness is comparable to the pilot of a boat throwing their anchor inside the boat. That does nothing at all to secure the boat! Instead, it will be tossed to and fro. Similarly, a Christian who depends on “feeling” saved will be thrown all over the place from all sorts of emotional turbulence. Stability requires throwing our anchor outside the boat — outside ourselves — and securing it to a firm foundation. What firm foundation anchors our faith? The rock-solid promises of God’s Word. When the wind blows, the storms come, and the waves crash hard on our faith, God’s unshakeable Word and character will remain steady — immovable, unchangeable. Write out John 5:24 and circle the word “has”. ENGAGEMENT RING: What is the purpose of an engagement ring? It is a “present promise for future fulfillment”. In some versions of the Bible, we read the word earnest. But the original (Greek-speaking) readers would have understood that word to mean “engagement ring”. In a more general sense, it means a down-payment as a promise to follow through on a commitment. With that in mind, read the verses below, and substitute the term engagement ring for earnest/guarantee/seal. • 2 Corinthians 1:22 and 5:5 • Ephesians 1:13-14 Yes, Jesus Christ is going to be joined together one day in Heaven with the Church, all true Christians, whom He calls His Bride. God has pledged His commitment that each Christian will absolutely make it all the way to Heaven. And He has given every one of His children an “engagement ring”…which is Whom? [the indwelling Holy Spirit]
BINOCULARS: What happens when a Christian sins? Does God disown them as His children? Are only the sins of a person’s past forgiven when they trust in Christ? What about the sins they commit afterward, in the future? Many people, both young and old, are confused by these questions. But this might help you see things more clearly. When Jesus died for your sins, how many of your sins were still in the future? ALL of them! It was as though Jesus was looking through the binoculars of time and saw all the sinful things you would, at some point in time, think, say, and do throughout your whole life. And He paid for every one of them, IN FULL. For the believer, guilt is gone! They have been de- clared, once and forever, RIGHTEOUS by the Judge of the earth, the Lord Jesus! This is the official position of every true believer before God. This doesn’t mean they’re perfect. It means that, regardless of the sins and mistakes they make going forward, God has already removed the guilt of their actions and accepted them, permanently, into His family. After completing your drawing, briefly discuss: Since Jesus forgives ALL the sin of those who trust in Him — past, present, and future — does this mean that they can live however they want? Why or why not? After discussing (no peaking beforehand), look up Romans 6:1,2. RECEIPT: What is the purpose of a receipt? It proves that an item has been fully paid for. If you get stopped by store security, you only need to show them your receipt: Paid in Full. So, what receipt does a true Christian have when he is tempted to think that some sin might cause him to lose his salvation? What receipt can remind him that all his sins have been paid for in full? Read 1 Corinthians 15:17. If Jesus were still in the grave, what would this mean about our sin? If Jesus were still in the grave, our sin would not have been paid in full, for He would not have won the victory over sin and death. Now read verse 20: What did Jesus do? And what does this prove? PAIR OF GLOVES: Read John 10:28-30. How many hands are referred to in this passage? Whose hands are they? Popular tourist destinations such as Barcelona, Spain, or Rome, Italy, or Paris, France, are known for their pick- pockets! If you walked through a crowded part of those cities, you’d want to be sure your wallet was well-secured! Why? You have valuables in your wallet — money and, for older folks, a driver’s license, bank card, credit cards, etc. It would cost you to lose them. How much did it cost God to purchase your salvation and to make you His child? Read 1 Peter 1:18,19. He gave His own Son to die for you! You were bought at an infinite price. So there is no way He will ever let go of you! Nor is it possible to ever be pried out of God’s protection because a child of God is doubly secure. First, he or she is placed in the hand of Jesus, and then in the hand of the Father. And He is greater than all!
ACTIVITY RECORDING SHEET M5 L3 Activity Sheet Name: The Main Idea... The Main Idea... The Main Idea... The Main Idea... The Main Idea... The Main Idea... 179
MISSION 5: JESUS’ INDESCRIBABLE GIFTS — HE OFFERS...WHAT? Preliminary Draft LESSON 4: THE GIFT OF THE SCRIPTURES (DAY 1 OF 2) M5 L4 NOTES BIG IDEA: KEY TEXT: If possible, it would be great to use some time over the NOTE: The content for these next two lessons is drawn from Nate Bramsen’s booklet, “Dive next two days to briefly In” (co-published by ROCK International and Everyday Publications; used with permission). introduce students to a This booklet can be affordably purchased at everydaypublications.org helpful online Bible study resource called Blue Letter CURRICULUM: M.S.4 Use a concordance and electronic apps to locate scrip- Bible (BLB). The web ver- ture references; M.S.5 Access and use basic Bible study tools sion can be found at bluelet- terbible.org. You can watch and methods as a means to accurately understand God’s word; M.S.6 Make appli- a 5-minute tutorial about the app version here: cation of scripture to daily life; M.D.2 Grow in their relationship to Christ through https://youtu.be/Mtc3QQbi FYY regular Bible study and prayer; M.D.6 Regularly and devotionally study God’s word.; This resource incorporates: • concordances M.D.7 Choose to act upon or obey scripture in daily life • original word meanings in Hebrew (OT) and Greek (NT) PREPARE: Purchase enough little gifts/treats for each student in your • cross-references class. Wrap up a Bible in multiple layers of wrapping paper, • commentaries • daily reading plans being sure to insert a gift into each layer. Smother the gift with tape! • much more! OPENER: Play a game of “CHRISTMAS IN [insert the current month]”. A more thorough, 2-hour tu- This is a variation of “Hot Potato” or “Musical Chairs”. Have torial by BLB staff is here: students sit in a circle and play some Christmas music. The students pass the large gift https://youtu.be/L- 1P5Zi7jnk from one to the other until the music stops. The student holding the gift tries to unwrap the gift until they discover a small gift. If the music starts up before they find one, they must hand the gift to the student next to them, allowing the game to continue until the music stops again. NOTE: Once a student unwraps a gift, they then sit out and watch the rest of the students play. TRANSITION: Once the final gift (a Bible) is discovered: 1. Have students put their gifts away (to avoid distraction for what comes next). 2. Say, We’ve been learning about some of the indescribable gifts — gifts too wonderful for words — that Jesus gave us. The gift we will learn about today is described by Jesus in John 17:8, “For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them.” Jesus has given us God’s Word! We hold in our hand some of the thoughts that are in God’s mind! The question is, Are we searching God’s Word to understand how God thinks? When we do, we gain something far more valuable than this world’s goods. Listen to Proverbs 3:13,14, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.” You all “searched” intensely for your little plastic gifts, and they’re nice little treats. But the real gift was the Bible they led you to. Sadly, however, many of us neglect this Book. Question: Why do you think this is so? [Field responses.] I think one of the main reasons is because people don’t know how to “search” for the treasures contained in this Book. So I would like to teach you one simple Bible study method called “20-10-5-1”. [IF TIME ALLOWS: Watch the 4-minute video explanation at: https://youtu.be/zgzTrUlsJmQ] 181
IT ALL BEGINS WITH MEDITATION! What is meditation? [Field responses.] M5 L4 NOTES The Hebrew word translated as “meditate” is hagah, which could also be translated as “moan, muse, or devise”. This word is used in Isaiah 31:4 to depict a young lion growling (hagah) over his prey. The idea is a deep-seated contemplation. Interestingly, this biblical definition of meditation is the polar opposite of the world’s perspective... ! ! A&$!>+13,!/)2/6!9K$,'%)%$L:!F(;%5!2+B1!-'#,@!! &+\",&'$-'.&/0*,()$)*12&3*\"\"&-\"3%&4(5,&6()7&0-&8\"%,1&& A&$!>+13,!/)2/6!9G'-)H!2+B1!-'#,@:! 97*&8\"%,&'$-'.&/!\"#$%&-\"3%&4(5,&\"5&*)*%5$#&)7(5:'12& MAKING IT PRACTICAL FOR STUDENTS... The guide I’m about to share with you is only one way to spend time in God’s Word. Over the years, I have used many techniques and formats, but I find this method ex- ceedingly practical. It’s not a perfect method, but it is a feasible way to meditate on the Word of God and a good place to begin your study. I call it “The 20-10-5-1”. ! +','-.\"/01\"%2\"10,3.4\" ! 6#$4$;$1!3.&!.5$4!/#$!6.1(!.7!8.(<!(.!0.!51,3$17&AA3<!5,/'$4/A3<!5$10'0/$4/A3<!,4(! !5&15.0$7&AA39!\"#$!7.&1!=.+5.4$4/0!,1$!,0!7.AA.20B! ! C!\"2$4/3!'0!7.1!:DEFGHI\"):J9!! C!\"$4!'0!7.1!)J\"FGG:8I\"):J9!! C!K';$!'0!7.1!L:J\"FMNOI\"):J9!! C!:4$!'0!7.1!INNO)LI\"):J9! ! Bb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
M5 L4 NOTES !\"#$%\"$&\"$'()*+&,)-.$/01-$20&&3-#$4567869$0:$0;$-<0=+>-.$ Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”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É)&A\"\"9@=&,1\"&%D\"1\"& #2(#& 2(%& -\"\"1& %\"#K& (1A& #2\"& ?,@=& M90.0#& +0@@& -\":01& #,& ,9\"1& =,8.& '01A& #,& +2(#& ?\"& 0%& #&201)01:4&N,1$#&:0/\"&01&#,\"&#\"'9#(#0,1&#,&%#,9&(*#\".&(&*\"+&.\"\"\"D#0,1%4&?*;@$0$=*;*=,=$ \"A$&#-;&B$\"C:-)D0&*\";:$*;$-0(3$D-):-.&M\"\"'&0'9,%%0-@\"O&P#$%&1,#4&Q&D,89@\"&,*&*.0\"1A%& (1A&P&*,81A&',.\"(1&#+\"1#=&,-%\"./(#0,1%&01&C2.0%#$%&+,.A%&*.,'\"&D.,%%K&RP.%#S& L7,21&5TU;V64& & N8.01:%&9.,D\"%%&,*&,-%\"./(#0,1K&\"39\"D#&#,&.\"(A\"&9(%%(:\"&5WX5E�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aving made several observations of the text, we next want to ask questions that will lead us to answers and greater clarity of what we’re reading. 183
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�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
MISSION 5: JESUS’ INDESCRIBABLE GIFTS — HE OFFERS...WHAT? Preliminary Draft LESSON 5: THE GIFT OF THE SCRIPTURES (DAY 2 of 2) !!\"\"11##$$22%%&&''334422((%%((33\"\"55))**33))44\"\"++,,&& !\"#$%&'$($)#*+,&-&.-''-,$/ 1. Review the key features of the “20-10-5-1” method of Bible study. You !\"#$%&'$($)#*+,&-&.-''-,$/ can refer the students to the bookmark in their Student Guide. BBSS0EE1#RR&2VV1AA3TT+II&OO45NN&1622'$00%7-#*1+'8 2. Work through an example together, based on Psalm 119:105 — 01#&213+&45&16'$%7-#*1+'8 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” For this exercise, you may wish to have students work together in part- II9NN:*TT+EE;RR&1RR\"&OO<5GG&=AA>TT$II'OO#*NN1+'118 00 ners. The activity sheet below is on the last page of this lesson and can be photocopied for this activity. 9:*+;&1\"&<5&=>$'#*1+'8 !\"#$%&'()!*# CC NNTTEEMMPPLLAATTIIOONN 55 (+,-./-0123-14-015,-/643+71.8/54-14-,/9-:15-;+/0-.<3-16/73-=1441>3? 9-;$&?&@*+>#$'&@$2*#-#$& 9-;$1&+?&&#@:$*+&.>1#*$+'#&'#1&-&@61$72$*8#-#$& 1+&#:$&.1*+#'&-617$8 PPPPLLIICCAATTIIOONN 11 A%*#$&213+&<&(*\"$&-..(*)-#*1+8 A%*#$&213+&<&(*\"$&-..(*)-#*1+8 — JOSHUA 1:8 — “You shall meditate [on God’s &&&&!\"#$%&'*-.\",/&Word]..to do according to all ((((+,66*+$*\"(7*8that is written in it. For then... you will have good success.” )*($%%!@'()!* 3. As you go through the students’ find- ings as a group, be sure to write on the (+,-./-.<852-/;-14-015,-A934.8/54-14-,/9-:15-;+/0-.<3-16/73-=1441>3? board each observation and question that the class can generate as a whole. Be encouraging and inviting, even if some of the points seem a bit “off”. When finished, go through any points the students may have missed (see the page to the right). 4. Bring the conversation back to the opening game: Unwrapping each layer took time, but new “gifts” were waiting to be discovered. So it is with Bible study: the more time and effort we are willing to put forth to “unwrap” the Bible, the more treasures we will find. 5. Explain the importance of taking 5 quiet minutes just to think on what was noticed. Together, try to generate some application points. NOTE: Nate Bramsen has many wonderful resources geared for getting young people into the Bible. Download free books and watch a wide variety of engaging videos at: www.intoyourbible.org 186
!\"#$%&'()!*# +,-./\"0012034\"5\" !\"#$%%&'(#!&\" 6789:\";8:<\"%,\"-\".-/=\"9)>8\"/?\"@''>AAA\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\" ...'/0$'$*1234$5/4\"$(6$)'43.7 Some sample observations and questions from Psalm 109:105 —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�'#*-10?)#*,&## <#+8.721#=23+.2#8)/# #*((5%(50*1)#;%5#1%&*7\"# >\"#?+:#5(@%'#A#&B'#(7,2627,27'#+3#*+,#(3#?2#)%+:2,#52#'%2#:%+42#<+8.721#(7)'2&,#+3# #A\"#$%*'#,%1#:);1#/'#0,#&*5+,)''\"# #@8(,(7@#52#)'26#=1#)'26/# B\"#$%&3'#4%5�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�'#*## 9143$43+$;\"#0$$ #')-/50176#'80):&6#*,&#&);),')\"# 1/$43+$*1234$\"<$=1>$8\"#0?$ !2\"#>8)#:*.(#0'#18)#'%/5-)6#18)#:0981#0'#18)#5)'/:1\"#$%&3'#4%5�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
B< !\"#$%&'()!*# (+,-./-0123-14-015,-/643+71.8/54-14-,/9-:15-;+/0-.<3-16/73-=1441>3? )*($%%!@'()!* (+,-./-.<852-/;-14-015,-A934.8/54-14-,/9-:15-;+/0-.<3-16/73-=1441>3? “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — PSALM 119:105 —
MISSION SIX: THE OBVIOUS CHANGES IN HIS FOLLOWERS Introducing... • RISEN • RESEARCH PROJECT: INTRODUCTION — The — POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES of Jesus Christ
“RISEN” THE POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES OF CHRIST — Teacher Note & Research Project Ideas — Introduction: The transformations experienced by Jesus’ disciples after seeing the risen Christ make for a thrilling study. Why? Because this same Jesus is fully able to do the same for us today. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8), and He is just waiting to transform OUR lives! This unit begins by introducing the basic tools for the unit, followed by two model lessons. Beyond that, students are provided with the Scripture references and the additional reading material, entitled “The Rest of the Story”, for each character to be studied. Organization: We invite you to set up the research schedule/framework to suit your particular class dynamics. Here is one suggestion: 1. DAY ONE: Introduce the project by showing this overview of the resurrection by The Bible Project (5 mins): https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/gospel-luke-5/ (or search “resurrection” on the website: https://bibleproject.com ) 2. DAY ONE and DAY TWO: Complete Mission 6, Lessons 1 and 2, as presented. 3. DAY THREE and DAY FOUR: Assign groups to research another post-resurrection appearance by reading the related Scriptures and additional “The Rest of the Story” articles. Fill in the chart and prepare some form of presenting the material to the rest of the class (see suggestions below). 4. DAY FIVE: Display the various creations around the classroom, and invite the students to walk around and explore. If time allows, permit the groups/individuals to showcase and briefly describe their creations. Presentation: Here are some ideas for creative display: 1. Create a poster. 2. Make a PowerPoint presentation. 3. Make a shoebox diorama. 4. Write a poem (free verse, acrostic, rhyme, etc.). 5. Write and perform a skit/monologue. 6. Make a TV or radio commercial. 7. Create a flow chart or diagram. 8. Write an interview of the person transformed by Jesus. 9. Make a paper chain with a different fact for each link. 10. Write a journal/diary entry. 11. Write a postcard from the perspective of the transformed follower. 12. Write a newspaper article. 13. Compose a song. 14. Decorate a box and fill with relevant objects. 15. Make a short documentary film. 191
Preliminary Draft MISSION 6: THE OBVIOUS CHANGES THE RISEN CHRIST MAKES LESSON 1: HE REPLACES WORRY WITH WORSHIP (MARY MAGDALENE) TEACHER NOTE: This lesson introduces students to a research project on the M6 L1 NOTES post-resurrection appearances of Christ (the times after His death when He appeared, alive, to His followers). The five-day timeline on the previous page can be adapted to suit your schedule and course framework, e.g., students can complete the rest at home, for bonus marks, etc. GUIDING LIGHT – KEY VERSE: “During the forty days after He suffered and died, He appeared to the apostles from time to time, and He proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. And He talked to them about the Kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3 NLT). CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES: M.K.9 Understand the relationship of prayer to one’s growth in Christ; M.S.6 Make application of Scripture to daily life; M.D. 2 Grow in their relationship to Christ through regular Bible study and prayer; M.D.10 Begin to seek God’s purpose for their life. The prayerful goal: M.D.1. Accept Christ or acknowledge a time when this was previously done INTRO – PACKING OUR BAGS: PREP: To Get: a) “Mystery Items” for the Research Project (see chart at end of lesson) b) For Opening Activity: jar, water, dish soap, pitcher of water labelled RISEN CHRIST, red food coloring c) Closing Activity: pitcher of water labelled RISEN CHRIST (you’ll need fresh water), a glass labelled MY HEART, a bowl labelled OTHERS to catch water from the overflowing glass; To Do: Pour an inch or two of water into the jar; prepare labels according to notes above; prepare items/envelopes as per chart below. INTRODUCTION: Does anyone like making bubbles? Come on, no one is too old to enjoy making bubbles! I’m going to need a volunteer shortly to make some for me. But first… In our last lesson, we discovered the life-changing fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead! Remember the promise Jesus made to Martha after Lazarus died: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall…” what? [never die] (Jn 11:25,26). 193
A few lessons ago, we made two arches, one of which represented Lazarus’s MM6_ LL_1 NOTESS death. When Lazarus died, Jesus brought him back out of death, to the same kind of life he had before. This meant that Lazarus would one day enter death again. But when Christ rose from death, He did much more that simply come back to the same life. He broke through to the other side of life — to a different kind of life, and an endless life. He rose to eternal life! And Jesus now guarantees that all who repent and receive His forgiveness will enter into that same eternal life and will, after death, live with Jesus, in Heaven — forever! Maybe some of you caught something subtle in what I just said. Yes, eternal life means, in part, “life forever”. But Christ rising from the dead also brings imme- diate benefits — as in, right now, today! I’m not talking about money or fame or power, though God sometimes gives those things too for various reasons. But I’m talking about blessings MUCH BIGGER — not just temporary, physical things, but spiritual blessings, eternal blessings. What are those blessings? First, answer this. TRUE or FALSE: Jesus went back to Heaven right after He rose from the dead. [Take a show of hands for each answer.] Answer: FALSE! KEY VERSE: “During the forty days after He suffered and died, He appeared to the apostles from time to time, and He proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. And He talked to them about the Kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3 NLT). FIRST, He spent 40 more days on Earth, THEN He returned to Heaven. And during those 40 days, lives were radically transformed! I’m excited to announce a Resurrection Research Project. You’re going to research what happened to people who came face to face with the risen Christ. They were, literally, transformed! What do I mean? OBJECT LESSON: [Choose a volunteer.] It’s time for my jar and bubbles! Inside, as you can tell, I have some water. When Jesus died, His followers and others who had been trusting in Him were pretty much a wreck, as we can imagine! Some were full of sorrow. [Volunteer], please add a squirt or two of this dish soap to the water. [Add more dish soap after each description.] Some were full of fear, some with regret; some were con- fused, others questioning, or frustrated. These people represent the wide range of emotions WE feel when we run up against difficult times in our own lives. 194
We could say they had been greatly “shaken up”. [Volunteer, shake the jar.] They MM6_ LL_1 NOTESS had been shaken up by the events from the weekend — the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. Their hearts were now full of all these terrible thoughts and perplexing questions. But then they encountered the risen Christ — and they were transformed! No, Jesus did not help them push down, or bury, those feelings of sorrow, regret, or fear. He REPLACED them! Sort of like this: [Have a different volunteer come up, add red food coloring to the water in the pitcher to represent the love of Jesus, then pour the red water into the jar until all the bubbles are displaced out of the jar.] The Bible says, “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 Jn 4:18). In other words, our hearts can’t be filled with two opposing things at the same time. And THIS is the blessing FOR TODAY of knowing Christ as Savior: He works in the same ways TODAY in the lives of His children as He did just after His resur- rection. Why? Because Jesus Christ is the same “yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8). He doesn’t send angels or prophets or kings to do this kind of work. He works PERSONALLY in the hearts of His precious children. So, let me explain this fun project! TAKING AIM: You’ll notice I have nine “mystery” items up here on my table. Each of these items are connected to one of the nine “transformations” that took place in the lives of Christ’s followers after seeing Him alive. Today and tomorrow, I will model how you are to complete this project. Then, as you work through it, YOU will see for YOURSELF, from the Bible, how Christ wants to work in YOUR life. Here’s what you’ll need to do with each transformation: 1. Select a “mystery” item. [In this case, I’m picking the gardening tool.] 2. Read the passage(s) on the envelope: Luke 8:1-3; John 20:1, 11-16; Mark 16:1, 9-11. [Invite a few volunteers to read these.] 3. Complete the chart and map as best as you can. [For your model, ask the students for input.] 4. Open the envelope to read THE REST OF THE STORY. [Hold up today’s.] 5. Ponder one life application. Journal this thought in the last column of the chart. [Point to this.] 6. Fill in whatever is missing on your chart/map (if needed). Choose another item if time allows. [Point out the Project Rubric and explain. Also explain that marks are influenced by focus and engagement.] Are there any questions? [Field responses.] OKAY! Open your Student Guide and follow along as we encounter the VERY FIRST person who got to see and hear Jesus after He rose from the dead! 195
DEMONSTRATION: MM6_ LL_1 NOTESS 1. Again, I’ve selected the gardening tool. I wonder what this has to do with the first meeting with the risen Christ. 2. Read the passage on the envelope. [Hold up the envelope, showing the reference. You may want to point out that there are six Marys in the New Testament. This Mary is not the mother of Jesus.] 3. Complete the chart and map as best as you can. [Refer students to the chart and map in their Student Guide.] 4. Open the envelope to read THE REST OF THE STORY. [Hold up today’s.] 5. After you do this, invite the students to think deeply about some life applica- tions we can draw from Mary and her special visit with Christ. Decide on one life application, and write it in the last column of the chart. [Point to this.] 6. Fill in whatever is missing on your chart/map (if needed). MARY MAGDALENE – THE REST OF THE STORY [This will be presented attrac- tively in an old “Jerusalem Post” type newspaper article: MARY TRANSFORMED BY THE RISEN CHRIST! ▪ If you’ve ever lost a loved one, you probably know what sorrow feels like. Let’s try to step into Mary’s situation to see these events through her eyes. A DARK PAST: The Bible says that Mary had at one point been demon-possessed. I know that sounds scary and unfamiliar to us, but God’s Word says there were actually seven demons inside of her (Lk 8:1,2). They took over her life and caused her much pain and fear. THE LIGHT OVERCOMES DARKNESS: A very special day came in Mary’s life, the day when Jesus, the Light of the World, set her free from darkness. With the word of His power, Jesus commanded those demons to leave Mary — and they did! REFLECTION: If you are a child of God, you too have been set free! The Bible says that sinners are, by nature, prisoners of Satan. But the Bible also says that Jesus came for the very purpose of bringing those who “sit in darkness out of [Satan’s] prison house” (Isa 42:7). When we reach out and ask for God’s salvation, He sets US free, just like He did to Mary! A LOVE THAT GREW AND GREW: From that day on, Mary was lovingly devoted to Jesus. We never actually read of Mary telling Jesus that she loved Him, but her actions spoke loudly and clearly of her love! ▪ She constantly helped provide practical items for Jesus and His disciples as they travelled around helping others. ▪ She was the last one at the cross and the first one at the tomb. ▪ She came to the tomb when it was still dark. Thousands of people had traveled to Jerusalem for Passover that weekend. Lots of foreigners were in the city, around every corner, overcrowding the streets. Yet Mary journeyed in the darkness to the tomb. ▪ She brought expensive spices to anoint the body of Jesus. 196
▪ Thinking the body had been moved by the gardener, she was even pre- MM6_ LL_1 NOTESS pared to get the body and carry it to a better spot (over 250 pounds when we include all the spices folded into the linen cloth; see Jn 19:39). 1.“Himself”— what a wonderful word! Have you ever noticed ▪ Her love for Jesus was undeniable! that the Lord reserves His most special work for “Himself”? REFLECTION: Do YOU love Jesus? You may SAY you love Him, but if you • As to the past, “by Himself” He have truly been set free from your sin and its eternal penalty, do you purged our sins (Heb 1:3). SHOW your love for Him by serving Him and helping others? “Dear • Presently, the Lord “Himself” children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth draws near to the brokenhearted by our actions” (1 Jn 3:18). (Lk 24:15). Jesus “Himself” stands in the midst of His fearful fol- Which brings us to this sad scene: Mary is heart-broken. Jesus is not only dead lowers and speaks peace (Lk (or so she thinks), but now His body has been taken somewhere (or so she thinks). 24:36), and the Lord “Himself” But all of that is about to change… serves His servants (Jn 13:4). • In the future, the Lord “Himself” JESUS HONORS THIS KIND OF LOVE: will personally return to take His ▪ Given the love that Mary had for Jesus, it’s no surprise that Jesus chose to children Home (1 Thes 4:16,17). appear to her first — even before any of the disciples. Jesus regularly Our past, present, and future are honoured women in ways like this. all in the capable Hands of the one Person who never fails: the ▪ Notice the THREE ingredients necessary for transforming Mary’s sorrow Lord “Himself”. into JOY, and remember each of these letters to remind you of how YOU can experience this same joy: 1. JESUS…Himself!* Notice, there were two angels there. Wouldn’t you have been amazed by that? But Mary was still sorrowful! ONLY Jesus would satisfy her heart — so that’s what she got! Just being in His presence brought joy. Do YOU regularly spend time in the presence of Jesus? Do you listen to Him through reading His Word, the Bible? Do you talk with Him through prayer? As you do, you will experience joy: “In Your presence is fullness of joy” (Ps 16:11). 2. OVERFLOWING HEART: As we spend time with Jesus, joy not only fills our heart but overflows into the lives of others. Mary had the two-fold blessing of being the first to see the risen Christ and of being the first to carry the news to others. Mark notes that Mary, who had herself been weeping, took this joyful message to others who also “mourned and wept” (16:10). We have good news! Let’s share it! 3. YIELD to Him: Yes, Mary called Jesus her “teacher” (“Rabboni”). But notice how she referred to Him a few minutes earlier (Jn 20:13): “MY LORD (meaning, “My Master”; see also v.18). Jesus was first Mary’s Lord, then He was her Teacher. That order is important. (Jesus reinforced this order in Jn 13:13,14.) If we recognize the risen Christ first as our Lord and Master, we will more readily follow His instructions as our Teacher. The result? Joy! “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (Jn 15:10,11). Quote: “All too often we come to Christ as Teacher, hear what He has to say, and then make up our mind whether we will accept His teaching and carry it out, or not. But...what we should do is to come to Him first as Lord, making up our minds in advance to obey Him and to do whatever He teaches us; and then, in that spirit, to listen to Him as Teacher” (David Gooding). 197
WHOLE GROUP – Demonstrate the “Life Application”: MM6_ LL_1 NOTESS SOME SUGGESTED APPLICATION POINTS: After generating some responses from students, offer a few of your own ideas: ▪ “Jesus knows my name and wants to give me joy when I’m sad (cf Jn 10:3, 14, 15)! ▪ Joy comes from spending time with Jesus. ▪ I can have J.O.Y. when I spend time with Jesus, share Him with others, and yield to Him as my Master. MAKING IT PERSONAL: ▪ I’m not sure what your “empty tomb” (your greatest cause of sorrow) may be today. But I’m sure that every heart here has some lingering sorrow. ▪ Maybe your sorrow has to do with your home life. Or maybe it’s the loss of a good friendship. Possibly, you feel that life hasn’t been fair to you. ▪ Let me be careful to say that Jesus doesn’t promise to remove our prob- lems when we put our trust in Him. “But what about the bubbles? You said ‘perfect love casts out’ the bad things in our lives.” No, that’s not how it works. He will cast out the negative emotions that often fill our hearts — like fear or sorrow or shame — but our circumstances might not change at all. Rather, right in the midst of those hurtful circumstances, He replaces our negative emotions with His joy. ▪ Example: Many early Christians (about 2,000 years ago) suffered greatly because of their faith in Jesus. How did they respond? “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials” (1 Pet 1:6 ESV). How does this all work? Let’s finish with a visual reminder. CONCLUSION: 1. [Hold up a pitcher of water labeled JESUS.] First, this joy comes by simply spending time with the RISEN CHRIST. That was the difference in Mary’s experience, and that will make the difference in our lives: “In Your presence is fullness of joy” (Ps 16:11). Listen to Him as He “speaks” to you from His Word. And then “speak” to Him through prayer. [Pour some of that water into a glass labelled MY HEART, until it’s about three-quarters full.] This, in itself, brings joy in difficult times. BUT THEN… 2. As you yield to Him and obey His Word, that joy will overflow from your life into the lives of others. [Continue to pour water into the glass until it is “full and overflowing” into a bowl underneath labelled OTHERS.] 198
TAKEAWAY – LESSON SOUVENIR: MM6_ LL_1 NOTESS Today we have learned how the risen Christ can transform our sorrow into joy. But let me leave a challenge with those who have not yet received Christ as Savior. Did you know that it’s possible for YOU to transform GOD’S sorrow into joy? Yes, God actually sorrows over those who reject Him, including any of you who are still lost in your sins. But if you were to finally surrender to God’s love and receive Jesus as your Savior — yes, your sorrow would be turned into joy, but so would God’s! Luke 15:7 says that there is “joy in heaven over one sinner who repents”. I pray that this will be your experience today. In our next class, you’ll discover what happened when Peter, who had failed big time, had a visit from the risen Christ — the very One he had failed! And we’ll see what happened to a group of fearful men — who locked themselves behind closed doors — when Jesus literally just “appeared” in the room! REFERENCE(S) TAPE ENVELOPE TO WRITE ON TO THESE PERSON/PEOPLE ENVELOPES “MYSTERY” ITEMS 1 MARY Luke 8:1-3; GARDENING TOOL MAGDALENE John 20:1, 11-16; Mark 16:1, 9-11 2 OTHER Matthew 28:1, 8-10; SANDALS WOMEN Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10 3 PETER Luke 24:34; SIGN: TEACHER PREPARATION 1 Corinthians 15:5a “DO NOT DISTURB” 4 TWO Mark 16:12-13; TUMS DISCIPLES Luke 24:13-35 “GLAD” BOX for (Perhaps married?) Luke 24:36-49; garbage or Ziploc bags John 20:19-25 5 TEN DISCIPLES (Eleven minus Thomas) 6 ELEVEN Mark 16:14; 3 NAILS DISCIPLES John 20:24-29 (preferably spikes) (Thomas present) 7 SEVEN John 21:1-8 FISHY CRACKERS DISCIPLES 8 11 DISCIPLES Matthew 28:16-20; GLOBE (and around this time, Mark 16:15-18; U-TURN SIGN To over 500 followers) 1 Corinthians 15:5b 9 JAMES Matthew 13:55; (Half brother of Mark 3:21; Jesus) 1 Corinthians 15:7; Acts 15:13 199
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