What Should We Do With Our Bible?

TEXT: James 1:22-27; Matthew 7:24-27

OBJECTIVE

The students will be able to explain why the Bible should be a daily part of their lives. They can describe different things in it that will help them in their Christian life: Understanding of God's law, assurance of God's love for all, examples of Biblical characters, admonitions in the Word, knowledge of God's plan of redemption.

BIBLE LESSON OUTLINE

Introduction: Give each of your children a Bible bookmark as you open your class time. (These are described under Preschool Suggestions, and a pattern is provided.) Let your students color the bookmarks as you explain that these markers are to help you find your place in the Bible where you have been reading.

1. Bible reading and study should be a daily part of our lives.
2. The Bible helps us to be real Christians through its teachings.
3. Those who hear God's Word and do what it says are like wise men who build on a good foundation. Those who don't read the Word and follow it are foolish.

Climax: The Bible should be read, loved, and obeyed.

Conclusion: Included in the books of the Bible are instructions for daily living that will enable us to please God.

Response: The students will be able to explain that the Bible shows us how to receive salvation and make Heaven our home, and that the Bible should be read every day.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Bible, as we know it, was not written all at once. In the days of the patriarchs the Word was handed down from father to son. In Exodus 24, we have an account of Moses' writing the words of the Lord and also reading them to the people. In Deuteronomy 6:6,9, Moses instructed the Israelites to teach the Commandments of the Lord diligently unto their children, speaking of them when they sat in their houses and walking by the way, when they rose up and when they lay down. They were also to inscribe the Commandments on the posts of their houses and on their gates. It was made very clear that the Word was to be ever before them.

After Joshua had conquered Ai, he erected an altar on Mt. Ebal. He inscribed the Law of Moses on the stones and afterward read unto the people all that Moses had commanded. However, it is obvious that the Children of Israel did not always teach the Word to their children. The Israelites served God all the days of Joshua, as did the elders that outlived Joshua, but the generation after them went into idolatry.

How much reading of the Word was done during the reign of the kings, we aren't told. When Josiah was made king, he set his heart to seek God, and a copy of the Law was brought to him. He had it read to all who would come to Jerusalem from both Judah and Israel. It was said of him that there was no king like him before or after who had turned to the Lord with all his heart (2 Kings 22:25). We must not underestimate the importance of reading the Scriptures.

IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES

• Copy a set of Study the Bible keys for each child (see Patterns). Each key gives a daily challenge for the children to follow. There is also a Scripture reference to match. Cover each sheet of keys with clear contact paper and let the children cut out their own. Have them punch out the top circle in each key with a hole punch. Give each of the children a small key chain (not a key ring) to put their keys on, and instruct them to use the Scripture references as a help when they read their Bibles.
• Help your children make ''warm fuzzies" to use as reminders that God's Word should be a daily part of their lives (see Patterns). Use construction paper on which to copy the "warm fuzzy" cards. Give a sheet to each student. Have them cut apart the cards and write their names on the backs. For every card you will need one pom-pom and two eyes (40 cards plus 40 pom-poms plus 80 eyes). Let the children glue the eyes onto the pom-poms and then glue the pom-pom onto the feet that are printed on the cards. Tell them to put these in places where they will see them every day.
• Give each child a copy of the Verse Search work sheet (see Patterns). Tell them they have two minutes to open their Bibles and find a verse they would like to learn. After they have found a verse, tell them to write it on their work sheet. Let them share the verse with the class. Tell them to take their work sheet home and share the verses with their families. Sharing God's Word is a part of doing what the Bible says.
• The book of Proverbs is filled with ways to make God's Word a living part of your life. Let your class make a Proverbs poster. Supply a large sheet of butcher paper and a package of colored markers. Tell the children to look through the book of Proverbs and choose at least one. Have them write out the Proverb on the butcher paper and then illustrate it. Hang the poster in your class or have the children choose someone to whom they would like to give it as a gift.

QUESTIONS

1. Why should you memorize verses from the Bible?
2. Show the class your Bible. Tell them where you got it and when.
3. If you could give a Bible to one person, who would you give it to? Why?
4. What does it mean to be a hearer of the Word? A doer? Which is more important and why?
5. How does what we say tell people what is in our heart?
6. What are some actions that tell people we are or are not Christians?
7. Talk about building sand castles and how they never last. Talk about building things that last—that count, like doing things for Jesus.

PRE-SCHOOL SUGGESTIONS

• Give each child one of the Bible book markers (see Patterns). Let them color and decorate their book markers with stickers. Help them find the verse and put the markers in their Bibles.
• Help the children to recognize some of the people with whom they can share God's Word. Cut out six large hearts from posterboard. On each heart paste one of the following pictures: Jesus, a mother, a father, a brother, a sister, grandparents. When you show the children the picture of Jesus· tell them that sharing God's Word with other people is what Jesus wants us to do. You can use the picture of the mother to represent a mother, neighbor lady, store lady, or whoever the children may suggest. The same goes for each of the other pictures shown. Tell the children it makes Jesus happy when they share God's Word. Then they are happy also!
• Cut posterboard into 5" squares. Make enough so that each of your children has at least two. Punch two holes in the top of each card, side by side, about 2 inches apart. Supply lots of Bible story stickers for them to use. Let them choose stickers of the stories they know and stick them onto one side of their cards. Give them one 18" length of yarn for each card. Help them to lace their card and tie a bow. They can use these to help them tell other people some of the stories in their Bibles.

REVIEW IDEAS‍

Across the top of a large bulletin board write the verse, "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James1 :22). In the center of the board place a picture of a child. All around the child put lots of thought balloons. (These look like a cloud and have circles attached that get progressively smaller as they point toward the person.) Tell the children that God certainly wants us to read our Bibles. But He also wants us to do what His Word says. Ask them to help you fill in the thoughts of this child who is pictured on the board. What are some of the things he plans to do and will do for Jesus now that he has read his Bible? Example: Obey my parents, Forgive others, Share with others. Write in the children's responses. If more than one child has the same thought just put a check mark into the thought balloon showing that idea.

Use the text in the book, "The Very Best Book of All," as a basis for your review (see Patterns). Give this as an overhead review. Or, enlarge the patterns and copy them onto large sheets of paper and make a huge storybook to show the children as you read the book to them.

Make several road signs such as: Slippery When Wet, Stop, Speed Limit. Ask the children what they mean. Ask what could happen if we don't watch for the signs and obey them. Explain that this is like our Bible. It is filled with directions and information for us. We should read and obey God's Word.

Bring the ingredients and mix up a batch of cookies in front of the children. Read your recipe instructions aloud but be careless in following them. For example: Don't measure the liquid, leave something out. When you are through mixing you will have something that is not so good. Have some bad and some good cookies that you have prepared ahead of time. Show the children the difference. Tell them that it is even more important that we read and obey God's Word, the Bible.

SUPPORT MATERIAL

• The Very Best Book of All — A Happy Day Book