INTERVIEW WITH NEHEMIAH - Free Church of Scotland · INTERVIEW WITH NEHEMIAH Bible verses are given, but you should know all the answers! ... Atacameños Aymara Awá Banawa …

INTERVIEW WITH NEHEMIAH

Bible verses are given, but you should know all the answers!

BIBLE CLASS: YEAR 2 - LESSON 21

How did you hear about the state that Jerusalem was in, Nehemiah? (1:1-3)

What did you do when you heard the bad news? (1:4-11)

Tell me about your job and about how you managed to get leave of absence to go to Jerusalem. (2:1-9)

Describe what you did when you arrived in Jerusalem and the state the city was in. (2:11-16)

What kind of state of mind were the people in, and how did you get them on your side? (2:17-20)

It was a huge building project. Tell me how you did it? (Ch 3)

I heard you met some opposition. Tell me about that. (4:1-3, 6:1-14)

What happened when the wall was finished, and how long did the job take? (6:15-7:3)

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Scalpay, Bracadale and Acharacle, three communities on the west of Scotland.

Pray for those who live in remote communities, asking the Lord to show them that there are advantages in not living in towns and cities. Pray that God will prepare young people if they do have to move away.

Think about Nehemiah’s example and ask God to teach you lessons from it.

Graphics from The Big Box of Art: 1 Million SC012925Copyright @ 2007 Free Church of Scotland and its licensors. All rights reserved.

KEY VERSE‘Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’(Psalm 139:23-24)

WHAT NEHEMIAH SAYS TO US

Write one sentence on what the story of Nehemiah says to us about the following topics.

Scalpay

Bracadale

Acharacle

PRAYER

DISCOURAGEMENT

COURAGE

SUCCESS

COMMON SENSE

FAITH

GUIDANCE

GRATITUDE

BIBLE CLASS: YEAR 2 - LESSON 22 TIME TO TALK

I don’t agree. I’ve learned a lot fromNehemiah - like praying before doing things. I usually do thingsand then pray that God will makethem go right. I suppose that’s the wrong way round.

Another thing that I learned from Nehemiah was aboutcoping with sarcasm. Sometimespeople at school are really sarcastic about me going to church and Bible Class. That makes my blood boil. That’s not how Nehemiah reacted.

There’s something I don’t under-stand. Actually, there are lots of things I don’t understand about some parts of the Bible.

What bothers me is that the minister says that all the Bible is inspired by God, not just the interesting bits. What can be inspired about all the lists of names in the Book of Nehemiah?

I’ve listened to the whole long story about Nehemiah and I can’t get my head round why it’s in the Bible. It’s all about building walls and gates and things. I’ll probably never build a wall or a gate in my life, so what’s it got to do with me?

Bits of the Bible like this just go to show that it’s no more than a history book. And I’m just not interested in doing any history out of school!

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Shawbost, Coigach and Dingwall, especially the young folk.

Dingwall is a busy town, Shawbost is a village in the west of the Isle of Lewis and Coigach is a rural area in which the main centre is Achiltibuie. That is where the Coigach church services are held.

Pray that God will lead and guide you as you study his Word.


Shawbost

Dingwall

Coigach

KEY VERSE‘Search ......, O God, and know my ...........; test me and know my anxious ................ See if ............. is any offensive way in ......., and lead me in the way .............................’(Psalm 139:23-24)

Do I have to believe all the Bible to be a Christian, even the bits I don’t really under-stand?

What’s the best thing to do when people make a fool of me for going to church and Bible Class? How can I stop myself being sarcastic back to them?

The people who heard Ezra reading God’s law were very upset when they realised they’d not been doing what God wanted them to do. Sometimes I feel just like they did. Can God really forgive ALL my sins?

Everyone seemed to work well together in Nehemiah’s time which is probably why the wall was rebuilt so quickly. Today people in the church don’t always get on well. Why’s that?

BIBLE CLASS: YEAR 2 - LESSON 23MISSIONSCENE

SOUTH AMERICA

COUNTRIESSouth America is made up of Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and the Falkland Islands.

LANGUAGESPortuguese and Spanish are the two most common languages used. The map below shows where different languages are spoken.Orange - PortugueseGreen - SpanishBlue - FrenchGrey - Dutch and English.

PEOPLEGROUPS

There are many quite distinct people groups, including: Alacalufe Atacameños Aymara Awá Banawa Cañaris Caiapos Chibcha Cocama Diaguitas Chayahuita Enxet Gê Guaraní Juris Mapuche Matsés Pehuenche Quechuas Shipibo Shuar Tupi Xucuru Urarina Yagua Yąnomamö Zaparos

RELIGIONMost of South America was colonised by explorers from Catholic countries, which is why Spanish and Portuguese are the two most widely spoken languages. Roman Catholicism is still the main religion.Bible-believing churches are growing hugely just now.

SIZEThe total size of South America is 17,824,513 sq. km.

The largest cities are: São Paulo Buenos Aires Rio de Janeiro Bogotá Lima Santiago Caracas

POPULATIONIn 2008, the total population of South America was reckoned to be 382,426,313!

Brazil had 191,908,598 people living in it, and there were just 2,967 on the tiny Falkland Islands.

FREE CHURCHFor nearly a hundred years the Free Church has had missionaries in Peru.

You will discover more about this, and the Lord’sworkinotherparts of South America, this week in Missionscene.


PRAYER SPOTMake up your own prayer topics for South America from what you have discovered in your research.

KEY VERSE‘Search ......, O God, and ......... my ...........; test me and know my anxious ................ See if ............. is any ...................way in ......., and .............. me in theway.............................’(Psalm 139:23-24)

YouhaveinformationabouttheFreeChurch’smission-ary work in South America and about other Christian work there.

Each member of your Bible Class could decide on a different aspect of the work to research. Make your notes in the box below.

Spend half of your lesson time doing your research and the other half sharing what you have learned with the other members of your class.

You could consider making a poster on South America for the younger children in your Sunday School.

Notes

THE CHRISTIAN LIFEThe blessed man - Psalm 1


Psalm 1 describes a godly person and a wicked person. Here are some of the things it says. Decide which is said about the godly person and which is said about the wicked person and then put them in the correct columns in the grid. Put the appropriate verse numbers on the grid too.

does not have the wicked among his best friends

the Bible is his joy and delight

lives a fruitful life

has no securitydoes not join in with mockers

The godly person ... The wicked person ...

thinks about God’s Word day and night

the Lord knows the way he goes

does not follow the advice of the wicked

is like a tree planted by streams of water

will not stand in the day of judgment

gives bad advice

will not lead a fruitful life

will perish mocks Christian things and people

does not belong among God’s people

does not study and love God’s Word

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people of Point, Fortrose, Gairloch and Kinlochewe. They are all in the north of Scotland.

Remember young people who are under pressure with work at school or at home, especially any who have to care for a disabled parent, brother or sister.

Pray that God will help you to search for blessedness rather than happiness, for the joy that God gives stays in our hearts even when circumstances are difficult.


Point

Fortrose

Gairloch &Kinlochewe

KEY VERSE‘Search me, O ........., and know my..................; test me and .............. myanxious ........................... See if there is ............... offensive way in .........,and .................... me in the .................................................... (Psalm 139:23-24)

In what ways are good people mocked today?

Have you ever been laughed at because you go to church or Bible Class, or because your friends know that you are a Christian?

If you have, how did you react?

How else might you have reacted?

Use Psalm 1 to give you four pointers to how you might live a godly life. Write down what they are.

I will ...

I will ...

I will ...

I will ...


The Lord is my Shepherd, .mih htiw evah nac I pihsnoitaler eht s‘tahT

I shall lack nothing..em rof sedivorp eh llew woh s‘tahT

He makes me lie down in green pastures, .mih ni dnif I tser eht s‘tahT

he leads me beside quiet waters,.tnemhserfer sih s‘tahT

he restores my soul..gnilaeh s‘tahT

He guides me in the paths of righteousness.elpoep sih sediug dna sdael eH

for his name’s sake..yrolg sih rof siht lla seod eH

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, ...... semit gnitset hguorht em sekat eh nehw nevE

I will fear no evil,em stcetorp eh....

For you are with me;.elpoep sih sevael reven eH

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.gniyarts morf em peek ot em senilpicsid doG

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemiesYou anoint my head with oil

.raef ot gnihton evah mih wollof ohw esohT

my cup overflows..sgnisselb eguh em sevig eH

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,.meht fo eno s‘tahT

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever!lla fo eno tseb eht s‘taht dnA

THE CHRISTIAN LIFEWhere God leads - Psalm 23

The red words are written backwards. Turn them round to discover what our Good Shepherd provides for all his sheep.

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Perth, Glenelg and Fort William. Pray for church services, Sunday Schools and Bible Classes. Pray that visitors who go will feel welcome, and ask the Lord to encourage those who attend church to invite their friends to join them.

Pray especially for those who are lonely, whether young or old.

If you are not yet a Christian, pray that the Lord will be YOUR shepherd and ask him to help you follow him all the days of your life.


Fort William

Perth

Glenelg

KEY VERSE‘Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.’ (Exodus 20:12)

SRXHHTRNGUC

In the wordsearch, find five things the shepherd provides for his sheep.

Read John 10:9-16 and then answer the questions.

Who is the Good Shepherd?

What did Jesus do to save us from our sins? (v 11)

Did Jesus die for us voluntarily? (v 18)

What should our response be? (John 10:27)

HSPROVIDESF

TBEKPDFAPAL

VHALELGLUGY

DUCQJAESIRN

IKEVKNJAOED

LMHBTXYEDXW

CZUYOWQHTSX

BIBLE CLASS: YEAR 2 - LESSON 26THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

A mighty fortress - Psalm 46

Copy verse 1

From what that verse says, does God promise to keep us free from all troubles?

What does he promise?

How does verse 11 describe the Lord.

Can younamesomewhereyou’veheardeach ofthesethingshappening>

What natural disasters does the psalm describe in verses 2 and 3.

When natural disasters strike, what can we be sure of? (v 1)

What man-made disasters are described in verse 6?

When man-made disasters strike, what can we be sure of? (v 7)

Find ten words that describe a fortress. Here are three to start you off.

SECURE SAFE STRONG

Choose the words from your list that also describe the Lord God and circle them.

Believing in God is not a vaccination against troubles. Christians have the same troubles as unbelievers. They catch diseases, are involved in accidents and are caught up in natural disasters. The difference is that they go through all their troubles with God at their side.

DROUGHTS

FLOODS

VOLCANOES EARTHQUAK

ES

TSUNAMIS

FIRES

RIOTS WARS

GANG FIGHTS BREAK-IN

S

MUGGINGS ATTACK

S

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Glenurquhart and Fort Augustus - that’s one congregation, and those in St Andrews too. St An-drews is a fairly new congregation. Many of those who attend there are students at the university.

Pray for young people who have just left home, that they will be made welcome in their new churches.

Life can be scary, but those who believe in Jesus find him to be a strong fortress in whom they are absolutely safe for time and for eternity. Is Jesus your Saviour and your strong fortress? Pray for his safety.


Fort Augustus

St Andrews

KEY VERSE‘Honour your .............. and your ..............., so that you may ........... long in the ........the ............ your God is .............. you.’ (Exodus 20:12)

Glenurquhart

DON’T JUST STAND THEREDOING NOTHING.

PANIC!!!!!.When everything seems to be going wrong.

The Christian reaction is different. Copy the first part of verse 10.

Because we are just human beings with human minds we can’t begin to take in the wonder of God.

Despite all the disasters mankind creates, what does the Bible say? Copy the second part of verse 10.

Despite the horrors of natural disasters, what does the Bible say? Copy the third part of verse 10.

Read verses 4 and 5 and then Revelation 22:1-3.

What tree grows by the river in Revelation?

When Adam sinned he was shut out of the Garden of Eden to keep him away from the tree of life. When the Kingdom of God comes fully and finally, the tree of life will be there for every one of God’s people.


Sin is missing the mark.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFEA repentant man - Psalm 51

Sin is disobeying God.

Sin is going astray.

Repentance is stopping to think.

Repentance is admitting guilt.

Repentance is turning towards God.

David’s sin was very serious. He committed adultery with Bathsheba, lied about it, took steps to have her husband killed and involved others in doing his dirty work.

In Psalm 51, find words that express what David was feeling and doing as he prayed. Note the verse numbers too.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

GUILT

SORROW

DESIRE TO BE CLEAN

CONFESSION

HOPE

PLEADING FOR MERCY

FAITH

PROMISE TO BE DIFFERENT

GRATITUDE

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Arran, Inverness and Trotternish on the Isle of Skye. There are two big Free Church congregations in Inverness.

Pray for the young people in each of these three very different places. Ask the Lord to bless any who have problems, either at home or at school.

We’ve all done things that bother our consciences, but sometimes we forget that our sin also offends God.


Trotternish

Inverness

Arran

Copy 1 John 1:9

KEY VERSE‘Honour your .............. and your ..............., so that you may ........... long in the ........the ............ your God is .............. you.’ (Exodus 20:12)

In Old Testament times God’s people offered sacrifices when they sinned. King David knew the sacrifices that God wanted from him. What were they? (v 17).

On the cross at Calvary Jesus offered himself as our once-for-all sacrifice for sin. Read Romans 3:25. Jesus’ death opened the way to heaven for all who believe.

Write a prayer asking for God’s forgiveness. You could use some ideas from David’s prayer in this psalm.


Singing helps us to express what we are feeling. Listen to popular songs today and you will see that they are used to express both joy and sadness.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFEPraise God - Psalm 96

Psalm 96 is a wonderful song of praise. David is praising God and calling on others to praise him too. Who and what is he calling to join in God’s praise?

Verse 1

Verse 2

Verse 5

Verse 4

Why does David say that God deserves praise? Give three reasons why we should praise him.

Read the psalm and choose the verse that most fits your feelings of praise. Copy the verse.

Verse 7

Verse 9

Verse 11

Verse 12

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Lochbroom, Kilmallie and Bishopbriggs. Pray for the churches and the communities.

Remember any young people who have health problems, either short or long term. Ask the Lord to give them patience to cope, and healing if that is his good will for them.

Make a list of things for which you should praise God and thank and praise him for each one of them.

Remember to praise him for his greatest of all gifts, the gift of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to save his people from their sins.Graphics from The Big Box of Art: 1 Million SC012925

Copyright @ 2007 Free Church of Scotland and its licensors. All rights reserved.

In the psalm find seven words that show how greatGod is. What are they?

Twice David links praise of God with fear of God.

‘For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods’ (v 4)

‘Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth’ (v 9)

Why do you think he did that?

In church it is very easy to sing words while letting our minds wander in all sorts of directions. Next time you are singing God’s praise think about the words as you sing them.

Kilmallie

Lochbroom

Bishopbriggs

KEY VERSE‘H............ your .............. and your ..............., so ......... you may ........... long in the ........the ............ your ........ is .............. you.’ (Exodus 20:12)

BIBLE CLASS: YEAR 2 - LESSON 29PERSONAL CHRISTIANITYWHAT DO YOU KNOW?

In the psalms we find almost every kind of experience, good and bad. That’s why they are so relevant to us today.

THE BLESSED MANPsalm 1

List five points from this psalm aboutblessedness, or about those who arenot blessed. 1

2

3

4

5

WHERE GOD LEADSPsalm 23

Write one short comment on each verse of this psalm that will help you follow God’s leading through your life.

1

2

3

4

5

6

A MIGHTY FORTRESSPsalm 46

Think of a fortress and what it is usedfor and then explain why God is like amighty fortress.

Read verse 10. Do you make time tobe still and know that God is the Lord?

A REPENTANT MANPsalm 51

Are you ever truly sorry for your sins?

Find some bad news in this psalm.

Find some good news in Psalm 51.

Find a verse in this psalm that fits your situation and that you can use as a prayer.

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Applecross, Lochcarron, Kiltarlity and Campbeltown.

Pray for those who are studying for exams, especially for young people who don’t find studying easy.

Pray for the schools and school teachers in these communities.

Write down the names of your school teachers and pray for them.


KEY VERSE‘Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.’(Ephesians 6:13)

Applecross Lochcarron

Campbeltown

Psalm 96 is full of praise to God. Write down seven things you’ve learned in this psalm and put them in the boxes. There’s a clue in each box.

Do you enjoy singing the psalms?

Do you try to think about the words when you are singing?

The psalms were the songs the Lord Jesus sang when he went to the synagogue. He had to study them too!

SINGING

PRAISE

FEAR

MAJESTY

NATIONS

HEAVENS

JUDGE

Kiltarlity


Paul describes life before becoming a Christian as living in .... (v 8)

How does he describe the Christian life? (v 8)

What does he call Christians? (v 8)

Verse 18 gives one example of the difference it makes when people are filled with God’sHoly Spirit.

THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFEFILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

Ephesians 5:8-21

What kind of behaviour do we see in people who are drunk (or on drugs)?

What kind of behaviour should we see in the lives of God’s people? (v 19-20)

Link each item on this list with its likely root cause.

KINDNESS

LOSS OF CONTROL

HANGOVER

PATIENCE

HEALTH PROBLEMS

JOY

LOSS OF JUDGMENT

GENTLENESS

ARTIFICIAL HAPPINESS

COPING WITH PROBLEMS

ADDICTION

FILLED WITH ALCOHOL OR DRUGS

FILLED WITH GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT


Verse 15 gives us good advice.

‘Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.’

Give an example of a wise choice regarding friendships.

Give an example of a wise choice regarding home and family.

Give an example of a wise choice regarding school and schoolwork.

Give an example of a wise choice regarding hobbies and interests.

Give an example of a wise choice regarding money and possessions.

Read Joshua 24:15 and the choice Joshua set before the Israelites. Have you chosen whom you will serve?

PRAYER SPOTPray for the people of Coatbridge, Poolewe and Aultbea. Poolewe and Aultbea are one congregation. Coatbridge is a large and busy town. Poolewe and Aultbea are small rural communities.

Whatever their background, people are the same. They all need to find Jesus as their Saviour. Pray for the young people especially.

Ask your Heavenly Father to help keep you honest in your life.

Remember, we can fool others. We can fool ourselves. But we cannot fool God.

Poolewe&

Aultbea

Coatbridge

KEY VERSE‘Therefore ........ on the full .............. of God, so that when the day of ....... comes, you may be able to ........... your .............., and after you have done ...................., to stand.’(Ephesians 6:13)


What’s the difference between a wedding and a marriage?

A wedding lasts A marriage isfor just a meant to lastfew hours. as long as a couple live.

The Bible uses marriage as a picture of how Christ loves the church - that’s the people, not the building. In fact, in the book of Revelation, the church in heaven is described as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband who is Christ. Try to remember that when thinking about marriage.

WIVES

What have wives to do? (v 22)

Why? (v 23-24)

HUSBANDS

What have husbands to do? (v 25)

Why? (v 25 and v 28)

If a husband is loving and a wife is submissive, which of the following are appropriate and which not?

Wife speaking Husband speaking

I’ll do what I want! You’ll do just exactly what I tell you!

Yes, Sir, if you say it, I’ll do it! Let’s discuss it and see if we can agree.

OK, I respect your opinion. We could ask someone else for advice.

I don’t care what you think! I’m boss here, and you remember that!

Let’s talk about it when we’re not It’s because I love you that I don’t want so annoyed with each other. you to be hurt.

Now imagine a couple having a disagreement. The wife feels very strongly about something and her husband feels just as strongly that she’s wrong. Using the Bible teaching that the wife is submissive and the husband is loving, how should they try to sort things out?

THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFEHUSBANDS AND WIVES

Ephesians 5:22-33

=

PRAYER SPOTThe Free Church has two congrega-tions in England. One is in Central London and the other in Cobham, in Surrey. Many of those who attend travel long distances to do so.

Both congregations are remarkably international, gathering people from several different countries. Pray for these churches, especially the young people who attend them.

Marriage must seem a long way in the future, but it is not too soon to think and pray about it.

Pray that if God means you to be married, even now he will bless the person he has chosen for you.

TEN BIG QUESTIONS

1 Who is head of the church?

2 What submits to Christ?

3 Who is head in a marriage?

4 What does this teach wives?

5 How have husbands to treat their wives?

6 Whose example are they following?

7 How did Christ show how much he loved the church?

8 How else has a husband to love his wife?

9 Why?

10 Christ’s relationship with the church is used as a picture of what?

Verse 33 sums up this teaching on marriage. Write it out in your own words.

CobhamLondon


Graphics from The Big Box of Art: 1 MillionCopyright © Free Church of Scotland and its licensors. All rights reserved.

© Free Church of Scotland. 2009 SCO12925


Make a list of five rules that you think would help a family to live together happily.

1

2

3

4

5

What rule is given to children in Ephesians 6:1?

Do you know where else that rule is found in the Bible?

What rule is given to fathers in v 4?

Obedience is a two-way thing. Young people are to obey their parents but parents are not to make unreasonable demands on their children.

Jesus remembers and understands what it is like to be young as you’ll discover by doing the wordseach.

JESUS AND HIS BROTHERS

AND SISTERS WERE

BROUGHT UP IN AN

ORDINARY HOME AND

FAMILY. HE KNOWS THE

STRESSES AND

TEMPTATIONS. BUT HE

WAS OBEDIENT TO HIS

PARENTS. EVEN AS A BOY

HE NEVER, EVER SINNED.

THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFEPARENTS AND CHILDREN

Ephesians 6:1-4

OBEDIENTSBOY

AHEITNUUWHIS

NGANSIOTHEIE

RTSDNAPBHERS

YDDJESUSAMEE

DNAXRREVEOVR

AAHFAMILYHET

STEMPTATIONS

IUBROTHERSRS

DOWASDENNISE

RRKNOWSRNEVE

Obedience is something that has to be learned.

How do parents teach a toddler to obey when toldnot to touch the radiator?

YB AKMNIG USRLE

How do parents teach a child to obey when toldto tell the truth?

YB XPEALEM

How do parents help a teenager to obey whenwarned not to take alcoholic drink?

YB SIWE IEGCNTHA

Can you think of times when God teaches in the same three ways?

1

2

3

There have been missionaries in the past who have not been able to go abroad until after their parents had died because great pressure was put on them to stay at home. Are their parents right to do that?

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Plockton and Kyle and Tarbert, both the congregations and the communities.

Pray for home life in Scotland, especially pray for children and young people whose parents’ marriages have broken down.

Pray that God will help you to be obedient to you parents at home and to others in authority over you.

Plocktonand Kyle

Tarbert


DISCUSS THESE QUESTIONS IN YOUR CLASS

What should a young Christian do:

if told not to read the Bible by an unbelievingparent?

if told to tell a lie by a parent?



BIBLE CLASS: YEAR 2 - LESSON 33THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE

MASTERS AND SERVANTSEphesians 6:5-9

In Paul’s day there really were slaves. In fact, many of the earliest Christians were slaves. Some worked for Christian masters and others worked for heathens. Paul’s teaching was to all slaves, whatever their masters were like. Finish what he said to them.

Paul also speaks to Christian slave owners. What does he say to them?

Obey your earthly masters with ...

... and with ....

just as you ....

Obey them not only to ....

when their ....

but like ....

Serve wholeheartedly as if ....

because you know ...

whether slave ...

Treat your slaves ....

Do not ....

since you know ...

and there is ...

Was there any way out of a slave doing his best to please his master, whatever his master was like?

Slaves were not normally rewarded for doing well. But Paul told them that there was One who would reward them. Who is he?

The slave masters also had someone ruling over them. Who is he?

Does God prefer slaves to masters, or masters to slaves?

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Knockbain, Duirinish and South Uist. What very different kinds of places! But people are the same everywhere. They have the same needs, the same joys, the same sorrows.

Pray for these places, and pray especially for the young people who do, and who don’t, attend church.

Ask the Lord to show you work that you can do for him, however small and however simple it might be. No job done for Jesus is insignificant.

KEY VERSE‘The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.’(Psalm 145:18)

What Paul says about masters and slaves also applies to other situations. Which of the following do you think it applies to.

EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS

SHOPKEEPERS AND CUSTOMERS

TEACHERS AND PUPILS

BUS DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS

CHRIST AND CHRISTIANS

Discuss what this verse says about these situations.

DELIVERING PAPERS FOR A GROUCHY NEWSAGENT

FEELING YOU ARE

WORTH MORE PAY

COPY EPHESIANS 6:7

NOT LIKI

NG YOUR

FREN

CH TEA

CHER

DOING THINGS FOR JESUS THAT

NOBODY EVEN NOTICES.

SouthUist

KnockbainDuirinish

Christ served his Father, even to dying on the cross for us.

Paul became a servant through the power of God.

Are you willing to be a servant of God?



THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFETHE ARMOUR OF GOD

Ephesians 6:10-20


During Communist times in Russia Christianity was often described as a crutch, the suggestion being that Christians were weak and in need of a crutch to help them along. Copy Ephesians 6:10 and underline the two words that are complete opposites to weakness.

But in a way the Communists were right, believers are weak when they rely on their own strength.

From verse 10, from whom does the believer’s strength come?On whose mighty power does the Christian rely?

For our struggle is not against ...

against the ...

against the ...

but against the ...

and against the ...

Christians need to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power because they are fighting against a strong and powerful enemy. What do verses 12 and 13 have to say about the fight in which we are taking part?

C S Lewis, the Christian writer who wrote the Narnia books, wrote many other books as well. One is called The Screwtape Letters. In it Mr Lewis writes as a senior devil called Screwtape to a junior devil named Wormwood, giving him advice on how to tempt Christians and how to try to drive them away from their faith in Jesus.

Here is a quote from one of Screwtape’s letters to Wormwood.

Unscrambling the words may give you something to think about.

HTE EVLID SI APHYP HEWN EW HTKIN EH SI UJTS

A OCMCI OBKO AHRCAETRC. EH SI SALO REYV PAYPH NHWE EW ODTN EBLVEEI EH XEITSS TA LAL.

The fact that ‘devils’ are predominantly

comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and

persuade him that since he cannot believe in that ... he therefore cannot believe in you.

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Portree, Urquhart and Cumbernauld.

Pray especially for young people who are making decisions about what subjects to take at school. Ask God to guide them.

Pray for those who are preparing to leave school and home this summer.

Ask the Lord to help you to be pure and truthful in all you say.

Remember that words once spoken cannot be deleted. They can’t be unsaid and they can’t be unheard.

BIBLE FACTS ABOUT THE DEVILNote one fact from each verse you are given.

He is known by differentnames.

What he does.

What heis like.

How he findspeople to tempt.

God allowsSatan totempt buthe can onlygo so far.

Jesus knowswhat it islike to betempted.

The prayerof theChristian.

The sourceof all authority.

The promiseof God.

Portree Urquhart

Cumbernauld

Matthew 4:1 Mark 4:15

Luke 4:2 1 Corinthians 7:5

Acts 26:18

Job 1:7

Job 1:12

Hebrews 4:15

Matthew 6:13

Romans 8:38-39

KEY VERSE‘The ............ is .............. to all who ........... on him, to all who .............. on him in ....................’(Psalm 145:18)

Matthew 28:18




The Apostle Paul pictures the Christian as a soldier dressed in armour for a battle. Christians are engaged in a battle, and last week you studied the enemy. Read 6:12 to remind yourself what you learned.

THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFETHE ARMOUR OF GOD

Ephesians 6:10-20

THEFULL

ARMOUROF

GOD

The graphic is madeup of eight arrows.

In six of the arrowswrite the six items that make up the armour of God. You’ll findthem in verses 14 to 17.

In the other twoarrows writewhat the Christianshould be doingwhile wearing thefull armour of God.The first of theseis found at the beginning of v 18 and the second is a reminder at the endof v 18. We allneed reminded todo this!

THE BELT OF TRUTH

Explain what each part of the armour of God is and how it is used.

THE BREASTPLATE OFRIGHTEOUSNESS

GOSPEL SHOES

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Dumbarton, Raasay, Urray and Strathconon.

Today please pray for young people in these communities who have no contact at all with the church or the Lord Jesus. Pray that he will some-how open the way for them to hear about him.

It is really hard to like those who dislike us or who try to make life difficult for us. But it is even harder to keep on disliking someone you pray for!

Raasay

Urray andStrathconon

Dumbarton


THE SHIELDOF FAITH

THE HELMETOF SALVATION

THE SWORDOF THE SPIRIT

PRAYER IS NOT PART OF THE FULL ARMOUROF GOD BUT IT GOES ALONGSIDE IT.

Write three sentences about what Paul says here on prayer.

1

2

3



THE MEMORY BANKON THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE


Ephesians 6:22-33 gives guidelines for marriage. 6:1-4 shows how God wants parents and children to relate to each other. And 6:5-9 discusses masters and servants. From what you remember of your lessons give three points for each of the three situations that would make for comfortable relationships.

HUSBANDSAND

WIVES1

2

3

Now try to apply God’s rules to the following situations and suggest how the people involved should solve

the problems they are facing.

MASTERSAND

SERVANTS1

2

3

PARENTSAND

CHILDREN1

2

3

David and Jan, who are both Christians, have very different ideas about what to do with their money. David is a spender and Jan is a saver. This is begin-ning to cause trouble in their marriage.

Eilidh works on Saturdays for the local hairdresser. But she hates being ‘bossed around’ and thinks she’s worth more than the money she’s being paid. Eilidh is a Christian and the hairdresser is not.

John went to camp last year with his friend and both became Christians. John now spends a lot of time at his friend’s Christian home. He gets lots of help and encouragement there. But recently his dad has begun to resent this and is threat-ening John with grounding.

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people, especially the children and young people, in Clyne, Sleat and Strath and Dumfries.

Pray for those who are Christians, that they will have the courage to share their faith. And pray for those who are not Christians, that they will hear and believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is Saviour.

Helping others makes us feel good. Ask God to help you to help others for their sakes, not to make you feel good.

Ephesians 6:10-20The full armour of God is given to Christians to protect them in the battles they have to fight. Use verse 12 to describe the Christian’s enemy.

Give one example of when each part of the armour of God is used. For example, the belt of truth will be used when the Christian is tempted to tell half-truths to get out of trouble.

The belt of truth

The breastplate of righteousness

Gospel shoes

The shield of faith

The helmet of salvation

The sword of the Spirit

Clyne

Sleat and Strath

Dumfries




BIBLE CLASS: YEAR 2 - LESSON 37 TIME TO TALK

OK, I agree that Dad and Mum know a bit more than I do. After all, they’ve been around a lot longer than I have. But I think that by the time you’re a teenager you should be allowed to negotiate things rather than just be told what to do. Mum’s OK about that but Dad’s a bit iffy.

I’m looking for a Saturday job andI guess I’ll have to do what I’m told there or I’ll not get paid. Maybe if Dad paid me to do what I’m told, I’d not break the rules so often! Now, that’s a good idea!

I’m a feminist and this bit about wives being submissive just makes me wild. How dare a man think he can boss a woman around just because they’re married to each other!

If I ever get married, I’ll have my own bank account, my own life and I’ll make my own decisions. The man in my life can like it or leave!

All this stuff about obeying your parents comes right out the Dark Ages. Just because I’m 14 and my dad is 40 doesn’t give him any rights over me. OK, I can see that young kids have to learn to obey in some things. I remember before I went to school getting the most awful row for running out of playgroup and across the road to Mum. I guess that taught me not to run out in front of cars. But I’m not at playgroup now and I’ve quit this obedience bit. In any case, I’ll be up and off in two short years!

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Dornoch, Elgin and Dunblane, old folk and young folk, those who don’t attend church and those who do.

Pray for Christian pupils and teach-ers in the schools in these three communities. Pray especially for any who are teased about their faith or for going to church or Bible Class.

Worry is a real problem. It doesn’t make any difference to the problem you worry about. And it stops you making any useful difference to the situation. Pray that God will help you to give over your worries to Jesus, knowing that he knows what is best.

I KNOW MY RIGHTS!

Dornoch

Dunblane

Elgin




The Bible speaks about husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and servants. Can what we’ve learned from Ephesians apply to the relationship between teachers and pupils?

Talk about school and see if you can apply what

the Bible says to your day-to-day life there. You could tackle the

subject in two ways. First, you could think about authority and what God’s Word

says about that. Then, if you are following the Lord Jesus, you could discuss the dif-

ficulties that young Christians meet at school, especially in relation

to teachers who don’t share their faith.

In what ways could the armour of God help in the situations you’ve been discussing? The armour of God is real practical help in living a real practical Christian life.


LANGUAGES

London is like a magnet for people from all over the world and that has been true throughout the city’s history.

Today over 300 languages are spoken by pupils in London’s schools.

Many children in London speak no English at home. It is their second, sometimes their third, language.

MISSIONSCENE

LONDON

POPULATION

In 2007 the population of Greater London was over 7,500,000. That’s a lot of people!

A CAPITAL CAPITAL

Of the top 100 companies in the UK, more than half of them have their head-quarters in London.

Over 100 of Europe’s top 500 companies have their headquarters in London.

Although there are many cities in the world larger than London, it is still one of the most important financial, business and cul-tural centres in the world.

HERITAGE

There are four world heritage sites in Greater London. They are the Tower of London, the historic settlement at Greenwich, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and the area that takes in the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St Margaret’s Church.

RELIGION

In the 2001 census the question on religion showed that people claimed to be:58.2% - Christian (though only a very small propor-tion go to church)15.8% - no religion8.5% - Muslim4.1% - Hindu2.1% - Jewish1.5% - Sikh0.8% - Buddhist0.5% - other religions8.7% - didn’t answer that question

TOURISM

London’s top ten tourist sites are:British MuseumTate Modern GalleryNational GalleryNatural History MuseumLondon EyeScience MuseumVictoria and Albert MuseumMadame TussaudsTower of LondonNational Maritime Museum

VISITORS

Over 1,300,000 people visit London each year and it is estimated that they add about £600,000,000 to the city’s economy by what they spend while they are there.

THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON

Before the Great Fire of Londonin 1666 there were 107 churches in one square mile! 86 were destroyed by the fire and 51 of them, including the famous St Paul’s Cathedral, were rebuilt.

THE GREAT PLAGUE

The plague raged through London in 1665-1666, killing one in five of the entire population. That was the last major outbreak of plague in the UK.

POVERTY

Although there is great wealth in London, there is also great poverty.

In 2008, the London Child Poverty Commission report-ed that 41% of all London children live in poverty. Think about that - 41 out of every 100 children in the city are in need.

LAW-ENFORCEMENT

London has over 10,000 crime-prevention CCTV cameras in operation, cost-ing over £20,000,000. It is reckoned to be the CCTV capital of the world!

KEY VERSE

Today and for the next two weeks write your own key verse, one that is special for you.



London is a mission-field and there are many Christian organisations reaching out to Londoners and visitors with the good news that Jesus Christ is the one and only Saviour.

The London City Mission was founded in 1835 by David Naismith, a Scot who established city missions in the UK and abroad. Charles Dickens wrote Oliver Twist at almost the same time and parts of London were just as Dickens described them in the book.

Read the information you have been sent about the London City Mission along with the information on the front of this sheet. Then imagine that your Bible Class is running the London City Mission. Make out a five year plan to reach the following groups of people with the gospel.

TOURISTS BUSINESS PEOPLE

SCHOOL CHILDREN

RAILWAY WORKERS

STUDENTS THEATRE GOERS

HOMELESS PEOPLE

THOSE WHO ARE HOUSEBOUND

OLD PEOPLE

PRAYER SPOTPray for the great city of London. Ask God to use the Christians there to reach out to others with the good news of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Pray for children and young people - remember especially the 41% who are living in poverty.

Pray for business people, asking God to show that no amount of money can take anyone to heaven.

Pray for working people, that missionaries, like the men and wom-en who work with the London City Mission, might make contact with them.

Pray for students, that they might learn the good news as well as the subjects they go to London to study.

Pray for tourists and for missionaries working among them. May some who come on holiday go home believing in Jesus.

Pray for the London City Mission. Ask the Lord to bless and use the missionaries in all that they do.

Pray especially for their work among the homeless population of the great city of London and among the growing number of immigrants and refugees who find themselves in the UK’s capital city.

STATEMENTS OF FAITHWHAT, WHEN and WHY


Over the history of the Christian church a vast number of statements of faith have been drawn up. Often they were written to correct some wrong teaching that was threatening to cause problems at the time. Most statements are a list of the main teaching of the Bible and some make comments of each teaching point.

One of the earliest statements of faith is still in use today. It is called the Apostles’ Creed, though it was written in the 2nd Century after all of the apostles were dead. In some churches it is said every Sunday. The Apostles’ Creed outlines biblical teaching but makes no comments on it.

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ,his only Son our Lord.He was conceived by the Holy Spiritand born of the virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended to the dead.On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heaven,and sits at the right hand of the Father.From there he will come againto judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins;the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting. Amen.

Note - the word ‘catholic’ in the creed means universal, not Roman Catholic.

Some other examples of ancient creeds are those written in Nicea in 325 AD,Ephesus in 431 AD and Chalcedon in 452 AD. The creed written in Chalcedon is an example of one written to correct an error. At that time there was confusion about the Trinity - God being one God but in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

At the time of the Reformation, in the mid 16th Century, many creeds were written, among them the Scots Confession. This was largely the work of John Knox, the Scots Reformer.

Imagine that you are at school and the subject being studied is Christianity. There seems to be some confusion about what the Bible teaches. Write your own brief six-point creed for your imaginary class-mates.

1

2

3

4

5

6

WRITE WHAT YOU KNOWABOUT JOHN KNOX

PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Maryburgh, Ardnamurchan and Livingston.

Pray for the congregations and for the communities they are in. Ask the Lord to help Christians to reach out to their neighbours with the good news of the gospel. Pray that those who believe in Jesus might live lives that reflect him.

Jesus is the Light of the World, but he also said that we are lights that should be shining for him. If you are a Christian, is your life like a shining light?

If you are not a Christian, ask the Lord Jesus to shine his light into your heart and to make you one of his own. You will never regret it.

Maryburgh

Ardnamurchan

Livingston



KEY VERSE

Today and next week write your own key verse, one that is special for you.

DO YOU REMEMBER FROM THE LESSON TODAY?

When was the Westminster Confession drawn up?

Who called for it to be compiled?

Why did they want that done?

How long did it take to write?

What does ‘subordinate standard’ mean?

Look at the Westminster Confession of Faith. The language seems very old-fashioned today, but take two or three of the points in it and put them into today’s English with the other students in your Bible Class.

WHYteach a history lesson in

Bible Class?

History is HIS STORY, it is the story of God’s dealings with people

through the ages.

BIBLE CLASS: YEAR 2 - LESSON 40Over this year in Bible Class you’ve had nine key verses. How many of them do you remember? Here’s a challenge. Fill in the blanks in the following verses without looking up your Bible. But do feel free to look up any that you can’t remember - and learn them.

HOW GOOD IS YOUR MEMORY?

‘Do not merely ................. to the ...................., and so ............................. yourselves. Do .................... it ...............’ (James 1:22)

‘Trust in the .............. with all your ..................... and lean not on your own ...........................; in all your .............. acknowledge him, and he will ................... your ................... straight.’ (Proverbs 3:5-6)

‘What a w................... man I am! Who will ............... me from this .......... of death? T............ be to God - through J............. Christ our ............! (Romans 7:24-25)

God ‘............... all your ........... and ............ all your diseases; he ................... your .......... from the ........ and ............... you with .............. and ......................’ (Psalm 103:3-4)

‘O ........., let your ear be ................... to the .................. of this ............... ................, and to the ...................... of your .................... who ............... in ...................... your ....................’ (Nehemiah 1:11a)

‘Search me, O ........., and know my ..................; test me and .............. my anxious ........................... See if there is ............... offensive way in ........., and .................... me in the ......... ...............................(Psalm 139:23-24)

‘H............ your .............. and your ..............., so ......... you may ........... long in the ........the ............ your ........ is .............. you.’ (Exodus 20:12)

‘Therefore ........ on the full .............. of God, so that when the day of ....... comes, you may be able to ........... your .............., and after you have done ...................., to stand.’(Ephesians 6:13)

‘The ............ is .............. to all who ........... on him, to all who .............. on him in ....................’ (Psalm 145:18)

A CHALLENGELook up Psalm 119, the longest psalm in the Bible. It’s all about the Word of God. Read the verses given below to find some reasons for learning parts of the Bible by heart. Write the reasons beside the verse numbers. And the challenge? Try to learn at least one of these verses before you leave Bible Class today.

Verse 11

Verse 35

Verse 92

Verse 105

Verse 165

Choose one of the key verses and say what it means to you.



PRAYER SPOTThis week we remember the people in Bonar Bridge and East Kilbride.

Most people in most parts of the country don’t attend church, and these three communities are no different. Sundays are just working days or part of relaxing weekends. Pray that God will send his Spirit to change people’s hearts.

Ask God to forgive your sins and to wash away all your uncleaness. Think about the last two Key Verses in 1 John 1:8-9.

BonarBridge

East Kilbride

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