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Many Philistines gathered in a temple to celebrate and worship their God. They brought Samson out of prison, put him in front of everyone, and made fun of him. He asked a servant to lead him to a place between two pillars. By this time, Samson’s hair had grown long again. Samson used to be proud and thought he was strong by his own strength. Now he knew he had only ever had strength because God gave it to him. So, Samson asked God for strength to do one more thing. Samson pushed the pillars apart, and the whole temple collapsed, killing the Philistines and Samson.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Judges 16:21-31

Outline:

1. Over 3,000 Philistines gather in a temple to praise their god, Dagon, and force the blinded Samson to perform for them. (Judges 16:21-27)
2. Samson prays to God for strength to crash the temple down on the Philistines and himself. (Judges 16:28-31)

Tips for teaching children:

• To begin the class, let children take turns wearing a blindfold and finding their way through a simple obstacle course of chairs.
• Build a temple out of building blocks and knock it down.
• Guide the children in drawing pictures as you tell the story. Instructions for Draw and Tell here.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Bring one or two Jenga Blocks sets to the class.  Divide the class into four groups and play one or two games of Jenga.  How far did the winning team get before the tower fell? Applaud the winner or winning team.
• Take the Jenga Blocks and construct a ‘temple.’  Choose someone to play Samson.  Read the story choosing three readers: a narrator, the crowd, and a Samson.  And when verse 30 is being read, have the person playing Samson to collapse the temple.  This will make the reading more dramatic and memorable.
• Samson prayed, “Lord remember me” and make me strong one more time.”  Pass around some note cards and ask the class to write down what they hope their final act in life will say about their faith.  Collect these and read them to the class.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: The Death of Samson

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

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Although the Lord chose Samson, Samson did not always choose God! He fell in love with a Philistine woman named Delilah, who did not believe in God. The Philistine rulers paid Delilah to find the secret of Samson’s strength. Delilah begged Samson to tell her his secret and finally revealed that his strength was in his long hair. Delilah told the Philistine leaders, and they cut Samson’s hair, made him blind, and put him in prison to do hard work.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Judges 16:4-22

Outline:

1. Samson succumbs to Delilah’s begging and reveals the source of his strength. (Judges 16:4-17)
2. Delilah turns Samson over to the Philistines for silver and they capture him. (Judges 16:18-22)

 Tips for teaching children:

• Use a balloon to illustrate the concept of peer pressure. Blow up the balloon, but do not tie it. Explain that this balloon is like us. We might be able to say no the first time someone pressures us, but when they pressure us repeatedly, we can’t take the pressure and give in. Example: One of your friends says a swear word (blow up the balloon a little more), then another friend swears when they lose at sport (blow it up some more), then your friends begin to swear at the park (blow it up some more). When the balloon finally bursts, explain that we can take the pressure for a while, but if we keep hanging around friends who swear, then we finally can’t stand the pressure, and we swear. 
• Research online to find images of individuals with exceptionally long hair. Show them to the children.
• Invite a volunteer to have their hair cut during class.
• Roll a ball of play dough and add features to form a head. Children can roll strands of play-dough “hair strands”. They can cut it and then repeat.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Have the class read the story.  You could choose four readers: one reader as narrator, one as Delilah, one as the Philistines and the fourth as Samson.
• Ask the men in the class if they have photos of themselves with long hair.  Why did you have long hair?  When did you cut it?  Why?
• Not everyone in your life has your best interests at heart.  Draw on a whiteboard/chalkboard two columns: the first column is “characteristics of a healthy relationship and 2nd column is “characteristics of unhealthy or toxic relationships.  Let the class come up with characteristics for both columns, and then discuss what makes these characteristics good or bad for relationships.
• Pray that each class member will develop characteristics that lead to healthy relationships.

Full teaching instructions are free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Samson and Delilah

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

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The Israelites drifted away from the Lord again, and the Philistines began to harass and hurt them. The Lord blessed a childless couple with the birth of a son named Samson. The Lord told Samson’s parents that Samson was to live by a vow (promise) never to cut his hair or drink any alcohol. He would be a Judge of Israel and have special strength from God. Samson kept the vow, and as he grew up, his strength became well-known throughout the land.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Judges 13-15

Outline:

1.           The birth of Samson (Judges 13:1-24)

2.           Samson marries a Philistine woman (Judges 14:1-20)

3.           Samson begins fighting the Philistines (Judges 15:1-20)

Tips for teaching children:

• Since the story is about a strong Samson, at the beginning of class, have the children do some arm wrestling.  Pair them up evenly according to their relative strength.  
• Another thing to do at the beginning of class is to let the children eat a spoonful of honey and tell them that in the story today, there will be some honey. 
• For a review activity, you can hand out paper and ask the children to draw and colour one of the scenes from the story.  When they are finished, have the other children guess which part of the story this is.  Additionally, you could have them retell that part of the story.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Divide the class up into three groups.  Tell each group to read Judges 13-15.  Give them a set of questions to answer after they read the text.  You can find a set of review questions on the Missions Bible Class website.  Here’s the link: https://missionbibleclass.org/old-testament/part2/judges-and-ruth/birth-of-samson/  Give each group about 20 minutes to read the text and answer the questions.
• After this bring the groups together asking for answers to each question.  As a teacher, you can decide how each group is to give their answers to the questions.
• To conclude, lead a discussion on what they learned about God in these chapters and what they learned about Samson.  Help the group consider the following:
  • Do you ever struggle with some of the things Samson struggled with? 
  • How have you handled these struggles?  
  • Give people time to formulate their answers.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The Birth of Samson

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

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Gideon gathered 32,000 Israelites to fight the huge Midianite army of 135,000 men. The Lord commanded Gideon to reduce his army to only 300 men. Gideon and his small army surrounded the Midianite camp at night and, at a signal, smashed jars, blew trumpets, and yelled. Torches were in all of the jars, so the Midianites became totally confused by the noise and light display. In their confusion, they began to fight and kill each other. As they fled, Gideon ordered all Israelites to attack. Gideon did things God’s way, and his small army won a seemingly impossible battle.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Judges 7

Outline:

1. God pares down the Israelite army. (Judges 7:1-8)
2. Gideon and his servant scope out the enemy camp. (Judges 7:9-18)
3. God caused Gideon’s army to miraculously defeat the enemy. (Judges 7:19-25)

Tips for teaching children:

• The dream that the Midianite soldier had about a giant loaf of bread rolling into the camp and destroying a tent will sound humorous to children. A fun activity would be to set up little tents with cloth and a stick. Then let the children aim for them and bowl them over with a ball.
• Fill a shallow dish with water and place it on the floor. Children can drink from it and mimic Gideon’s soldiers in the story.
• A simple craft would be broken pieces of pottery with a small tea light sitting on it. Write “remember Gideon” on it. 

Tips for teaching adults:

• Begin with the following question: “Have you ever felt inadequate or outnumbered in a situation?” How did you handle it?
• This story can be read in the class. Choose three readers to read the three parts to the outline in the notes above.  Or choose six readers to read and divide chapter 7 into verses as follows:
  • 1-3
  • 4-8
  • 9-14
  • 15-18
  • 19-23
  • 24-25
• The following questions could be used for reflection and discussion.  Ask as many questions as time allows.  
  • How did fear play a role in the story—for both Gideon and the Midianites?
  • What does this story reveal about God's power and human weakness?
  • What role did obedience play in Gideon’s success? 
  • When have you felt outnumbered or overwhelmed and had to rely on God's strength?
  • How can we support one another when we feel hesitant or fearful like Gideon?
  • Where in your life might God be asking you to trust Him more and yourself less?
• End the class with prayer, praying for trust in God even when life doesn’t make sense; pray that God may use you to do his will and to rely on God’s strength, not yours.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Gideon and the Midianites

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

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As Israel again drifted away from God, the Midianites began to attack and destroy crops and loot the people. While Gideon was threshing wheat in a secret location, an angel of the Lord came to him and told him to lead the Israelites in a fight against the Midianites. Gideon came from the weakest clan in Israel, so he wanted reassurance that the Lord wanted him to lead. The Lord miraculously made wool fleece wet and then dry according to Gideon’s request, so Gideon knew that he should obey God and become the new Judge of Israel. The Lord chose Gideon to lead even though Gideon’s family was not famous or strong.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Judges 6

Outline:

1. Israel strays from God and calls for help when it suffers for it. (Judges 6:1-10)
2. Gideon accepts God’s call to cleanse Israel of idols. (Judges 6:11-32)
   • An angel visits Gideon. (11-24)
   • Gideon destroys idols in Israel. (25-32)
3. Using a test of wool, God confirms Gideon’s leadership in saving Israel. (Judges 6:33-40)

Tips for teaching children:

• Mix oil and water in a jar and secure it with a lid. Guide the children in shaking the jar to mix the liquids. As you watch the liquids separate, talk about how God did not want his people to try to mix idol worship with following him.
• For younger children, provide an outline of a sheepskin and guide them in gluing cotton wool or wool yarn onto it.
• Collect items made from wool to show the children.
• Remind the children of the cycle of the judges. Printable instructions for the Judges Review Wheel.

Tips for teaching adults:

• As the teacher, I would ask the class members to share stories of times when they were afraid.  Why were they afraid?  What did they do to overcome their fear?
• Group reading: Divide the class into four groups. Each group will read and discuss one of the sections of Scripture found in the outline above. 
  After all groups are finished reading, one member from each group should report back to everyone how their group would summarise their part. 
• Following the summaries, have each group ask the rest of the class questions from their section of the story.  For instance, one group could ask the other three groups, “What was the father of Gideon named?”  For these questions, everyone should first try to answer without referring to the Scripture. You may spend 15 minutes or so on these questions, depending on your available time.
• At the end of the session, choose a couple of readers to read the following verses:  Joshua 1:9 and Psalm 3.  
  End with a prayer asking God for courage to act in faith, courage to do what God has called each of us to do, and courage to be faithful.

Full teaching instructions at Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Gideon and the Fleece

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

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Deborah, the judge, held court while sitting beneath a palm tree. She was wise and helped the people solve their problems. She told Barak, commander of the army of Israel, that the Lord wanted him to fight an enemy named Sisera. Barak refused to fight unless Deborah accompanied him. She went along, and they defeated Sisera’s army. During the battle, Sisera escaped and hid in the tent of a woman named Jael. During the night, Jael killed Sisera in his sleep. After the events, Deborah and Barak composed a song about women winning the victory.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Judges 4-5

Outline:

1. Deborah, the judge, organises Barak to lead an army against the Canaanite enemies. (Judges 4:1-16)
2. Sisera, the enemy commander, is killed by a woman. (Judges 4:17-24)
3. Deborah’s song (Judges 4:17-24)

Tips for teaching children:

• Outline a picture of a palm tree and guide the children in writing or drawing facts or observations about Deborah inside the outline.
• Guide the children in writing a poem or song about God.
• Construct a visual aid to depict the cycle of the time of the judges. 
  • Safe with God
  • The people forget God
  • The people suffer
  • The people call out to God to save them
  • God sends a judge to save the people
  • And then start at the beginning again, safe with God.
    Printable instructions for the Judges Review Wheel.

Tips for teaching adults:

• You or other participants can read the following sections of Scripture. For added dramatic effect, sounds or video of a thunderstorm can be playing in the background while the poem sections of chapter 5 are being read. If using a YouTube link, such as this one, be sure to turn the sound off until the ad finishes playing at the beginning. You could also pause it until you are ready for the sound.  
  • Reader 1: Judges 4:1-24
  • Readers 1-7, reading one section of this poem each: 
    1. Judges 5:1-8
    2. Judges 5:9-13
    3. Judges 5:14-18
    4. Judges 5:19-23
    5. Judges 5:24-27
    6. Judges 5:28-30
    7. Judges 5:31
• Considering that the heroes of the story are women, list the ways women serve in the church.  Discuss what would happen if the work and ministry of the women of your congregation stopped. 
• Pray for your women of God.  Thanks God for them and how vital they are to the work of God. 

Free teaching instructions from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Deborah the Judge

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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The Lord had such confidence in Job’s faith that He allowed Satan to test him. Satan took away Job’s wealth, children, and health. Job’s wife and friends were not much help because they tried to convince him that he probably deserved the things that were happening to him. Despite his suffering, Job refused to give up his faith in the Lord. Satan was proved wrong, and in the end, the Lord blessed Job with even greater health, wealth, and family than before. Through a series of questions and revelations from the Lord, Job learned that God knows more than any human does. We may not know why things happen, but God does. We can trust Him.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Job 1-2; 16:1-5; 38-42

Outline:

1. God allows Satan to test Job (Job 1:1-2:10)
2. Job and his friends talk (Job 2:11 through chapter 37)
3. God speaks to Job (Job 38-41)
4. God reinstates Job’s life (Job 42)

Tips for teaching children:

• Discuss some of the amazing attributes of God from Job chapters 38 through 41). Provide illustrations and further study of any of these items. You could use the internet or a public library for resources.
• For artwork, have the children draw or paint pictures depicting any of the subjects in those same chapters.

Tips for teaching adults:

• This is a big and complex book.  To help orient the class to discuss the book, as a teacher, I would show the Bible Project video on the book of Job.  Here is the link. This is an excellent overview of the book that introduces some of its main ideas.  Preview the video and prepare questions that the class can wrestle with. An example of a question might be "Does God run the world on a strict principle of justice?"
• Ask the class members to share any personal experiences they have had in losing possessions and/or in losing their health.  Be sensitive to those who share.  Ask them how they dealt with their loss.  What was helpful? What wasn’t helpful? Resist the temptation to give shallow and trite responses to people's stories of suffering. A big part of this exercise is to listen rather than talk.
• Pray at the conclusion of the class time, asking God for wisdom in ministering to people who are suffering. Ask God to do his work in us and through us, even though we may be suffering. Acknowledge that our perspective is very limited, but that we trust God to work things out in the end.

Full teaching instructions are free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Job

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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When the Lord told the Israelites to divide the land, Caleb had a special request from Joshua. Caleb was an old man, but remembered forty-five years earlier when he was one of the twelve spies who had spied out of Canaan. Because Caleb had faith that God would help Israel conquer the land (even though the enemy seemed like giants), Moses had promised him the land. Although he was old, Caleb still believed that the Lord could help him fight the enemy. The Lord told Joshua to give the land of Hebron to Caleb. Caleb did indeed overtake the enemy and occupy Hebron.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Joshua 14:5-15; 15:13-15; and 21:43-45

Outline:

1. Caleb claims his part of the land (Joshua 14:5-15 and 15:13-15)
2. Go’d’s promises restated (Joshua 21:43-45)

Tips for teaching children:

• To begin a conversation about dividing the land, serve pizza and divide it into 12 portions before eating it. 
• Show a map of the land divided between the tribes. Many Bibles include this map in the back pages. Otherwise, a map such as this one will be helpful. https://bible-history.com/geography/map-canaan-tribal-portions 
• Invite an older Christian to visit your class and talk to the children about how they serve God.  
• Shared Craft: These older adults and the children can use paint and paper to make handprints together. 

Tips for teaching adults:

• Begin the class with any of the following questions for discussion: 
  • How hard is it to keep promises?  
  • What makes keeping promises difficult? 
  • What are some factors that prevent us from keeping our promises?
• Since the lesson is about a strong 85-year-old Caleb, follow up with these questions: 
  • Who knows some strong 80+-year-old people? 
  • What makes them strong? 
  • What keeps them going?
• One is never too old to serve the Lord.  Older people are still valuable in the work of God.  Ask the class to brainstorm ways that older people can serve the Lord. Then brainstorm ways your class can encourage older people to serve the Lord.   
• Consider making any of these ideas a project.
• Pray for the older people in your congregation.  Thank God for his faithfulness to his promises.

Full teaching instructions are free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Conquering the Land & Fighting Giants

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

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People in the town of Gibeon were afraid Joshua’s nearby army would overpower them. They pretended to be from a faraway place and tricked Joshua and his army into promising to keep them safe. When the Israelites later heard that the Gibeonites were neighbours, they knew they had been tricked. Joshua made this mistake because he did not ask God to help him. Even so, they knew they had to honour the treaty. When enemies attacked Gibeon, Joshua took his army and protected them in a battle where the Lord caused the sun to stand still.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Joshua 9:1-10:15

Deuteronomy 7:1-5

James 1:5

Outline:

1. The Gibeonites tricked Israel into making a peace agreement. (Joshua 9:1-27)
2. Israel protects Gibeon and displays God’s strength over the Amorites. (Joshua 10:1-15)

Tips for teaching children:

• Young children will enjoy dressing up in “old” clothes and pretending they are the Gibeonites playing a trick on Joshua. 
• For art expression, children can paint a sunburst. Before you begin, have them write “Joshua 10:8) along the bottom edge of a white paper. Help them squeeze some yellow paint in the middle of a paper. Provide straws so they can blow the paint out from the middle as if the sun. Alternatively, use paint brushes.
• Read James 1:5 together and talk about God’s wisdom. If we do not depend on God’s wisdom we can fall for tricks that others play on us. 
• Collect examples of “tricks” that advertisers and others play. Read the packaging carefully to see how “fruit flavoured” is not the same as actual fruit juice. Other examples might be flash packaging for a game that is not all that fun, fake money or jewellery.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Summarise Joshua 9 and then have the class read chapter 10:1-15.  Ask one or two people in the class to do the reading.
• Bring some examples to class to demonstrate that appearances can be deceiving. Items might include fool's gold, zirconium stone, or a bottle of "water" that has been replaced with salt water.  Someone could taste this "water". Ask the class if they have ever been deceived and how that made them feel.  Follow up by asking the class for some Bible examples of deceit and discuss how damaging the deceit was to relationships.
• Ask the class why stealing from God was so bad for Achan.  After discussing this, follow with the question: “How can we steal from God?”
• End the class by praying that the class members will endeavour to be honest and generous.

Full teaching instructions are free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The Gibeonite Trick

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Because Joshua believed the Lord would help the Israelites win another battle, he led the people in attacking the city of Ai. Israel lost miserably. The Lord told Joshua that one of the Israelites had taken things for himself during the battle of Jericho instead of devoting them to the Lord. Soldiers found a robe, silver and gold, that a man named Achan had buried and hidden inside his tent. Achan was stoned outside the city. The Lord then told Joshua to attack Ai again. This time, the Israelites won the battle. Achan thought he could hide his sin from the Lord, but he was wrong.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Joshua 6:18-19; 7:1-8:1

Outline:

1. Achan secretly kept spoils from the Battle of Jericho. (Joshua 6:18-19 and 7:1)
2. Without God’s blessing the Israelites lose the Battle of Ai. (Joshua 7:2-5)
3. Achan’s sin is exposed and punished. (Joshua 7:6-26)
4. Now, with God’s blessing, Joshua leads the people towards victory over Ai. (Joshua 8:1)

Tips for teaching children:

• Place a number of pieces of fabric on the floor to represent tents in a camp. Before the children arrive, hide items resembling gold and silver under one of the “tents” so the children can find them.
•  Write “good secrets” and “bad secrets” on the white/chalkboard. Ask the children to list some and then discuss them. Examples might be as follows:
  • Good secrets: A surprise birthday party, Christmas gift, doing something nice for someone and not telling them who did it, etc. 
  • Bad Secrets- doing something that is wrong and not telling, not telling someone something that could help them, hiding things that break the law or that could hurt someone or make them unhappy, anything that makes you lie to keep it hidden is a bad secret; any time someone tells you to keep something from your parents is a bad secret, and you should tell your parents.) 
• Warning: Treat this very carefully. It is a sad fact that children can be abused or mistreated and then told to keep it a secret. Be sensitive and alert to any situation in the lives of your children. If you become aware of any such situation seek professional advice. This is not a secret you can ignore.

Tips for teaching adults:

• If time allows, have a reader read the entire text aloud to the class.  The reading could be divided into sections and multiple readers used. One way to divide the reading is to use the points in the outline provided above.
• Have the class members give examples of how the actions of one person can affect others.  In other words, ask class members for examples of people being affected, good or bad, by the consequences of the actions of another person.
• Neither Joshua nor Achan fully trusted God in this story. Ask the class to discuss what can be learned from each of these characters.
• End the class by praying for the leaders of your church to seek God’s guidance. Also pray that we can re-commit ourselves in fulfilling our commitment to God.
  
  

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Joshua led the people in a battle to overtake the walled city of Jericho. Instead of soldiers, priests and musicians led the people in marching around the walls of the city. After seven days of this, the people shouted and blew trumpets. Immediately, the walls of the city collapsed, and the soldiers completely destroyed the city of Jericho. Only one woman and her family were spared. This was because she (Rahab) had previously protected two Israelite spies.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Joshua 5:13-6:27

Outline:

1. Joshua encounters the commander of the Lord’s arm)y. (Joshua 5:13-15)
2. The Israelites overcome Jericho. (Joshua 6:1-27

Tips for teaching children:

• Younger children can build “city walls” from blocks. They can then reenact marching around 7 times before shouting to make the walls fall.
• Roll paper into tubes to make trumpets.
• For older children lead a discussion about commandments are sometimes difficult. We do not always understand at the time. Scriptures you might use could be:
  • 1 Peter 2:13-15 
  • 1 Peter 3:9 
  • Ephesians 6:1 
  • Matthew 5:44 

Tips for teaching adults:

• This story is not too long so the entire passage could be read aloud in class. Choose different readers to read the different sections of the story. Refer to the outline above to break the reading into parts.
• Ask the class members: “If you were in charge of the battle of Jericho, what battle strategy would you have used?"  
• Choose someone to draw a picture of God’s battle plan on a whiteboard.  Class members should direct the drawing by referring to the bible reading.
• Joshua 5:13-15 is a significant text.  Refer to Exodus 3:1-5 and ask the students to reflect on the following:
  • How are the stories of Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush and Joshua’s encounter similar?  
  • How are they different? 
• End the class with a prayer of humility, pledging ourselves to be obedient to God even when we do not fully understand or see the bigger picture.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The Fall of Jericho

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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After forty years of wandering in the desert, it was time to cross over the Jordan River and take the land that God had promised. Joshua instructed the priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant and begin walking into the Jordan. Even though the river was at flood stage, it immediately stopped flowing so that all of the people could pass safely through. To help the Israelites remember all He had done for them, the Lord had them pile twelve large stones from the middle of the Jordan, one on top of the other, to make a memorial.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Joshua 3-4; 5:10-12

Outline:

1. The Israelites cross the Jordan River (Joshua 3:1-4:18)
2. Remembrance (Joshua 4:19-24 and 5:10-12)

Tips for teaching children:

• Fun activity for very young children: Mark off an area on the floor to resemble a river. Lead the children in crossing the river.
• Craft: Decorate stones with paint and glitter.
• Devotional to remember what God has done. Have the children sit in a circle. Children will pass the stone from one to the other around in a circle. As individual children hold the stone, they should tell the group something that God has done for them. Once everyone who wishes to share has done so, pray and thank God.

Tips for teaching adults:

• What are some “stones of remembrance” in your own life? In other words, How do you keep a record of God's faithfulness to you, God’s fulfilled promises to you, God’s goodness to you?
• What are some ways that we can teach our children or the children in the church the faith and to help them remember God and his promises?
• As the class to bring a smooth stone to class. Write on these stones one thing God has done for you, how God has been faithful to you.  Give this stone to a child at church and tell them your story on how God has been faithful to you.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Crossing the Jordan 

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Joshua sent two spies over the Jordan River and into the city of Jericho. Rahab, a woman in the city, let the spies stay at her house. When the city officials searched for them, she hid them on her rooftop under stalks of flax. She told the spies she would not turn them in as long as they promised to save her and her family when they returned to conquer Jericho. Before escaping to the nearby hills, they instructed her to tie a red cord in her window so that they would know where she was when they came back.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Joshua 1-2

Matthew 1:5

James 2:25

Hebrews 11:31

Outline:

1. God prepares Joshua to lead (Joshua 1:1-9)
2. Joshua prepares the people to take the land (Joshua 1:10-18)
3. Rahab protects the spies (Joshua 2:1-24)

Tips for teaching children:

• Use a paper heart to discuss how following God can change lives.
  • Prepare a paper heart by gluing two pieces of paper together. One paper should be black and the other white. Cut the paper into the shape of a heart. 
  • With the black side of the heart facing up, talk about how Rahab used to be a bad person doing bad things until she learned about God. 
  • Then, turn the heart over to the white side and discuss how Rahab began to follow God. She left her people and began to live with the Israelites.
  • Using the heart again, apply this concept to people today and ourselves. We can choose to live a good life or a bad life.
• Take the children on a walk to “find Rahab’s house”. Before the children arrive, find a window in your building and hang a red streamer or scarf from it.  After learning about Rahab, take the children on a walk outside so that they can spot “Rahab’s house”.
  
  

Tips for teaching adults:

• Begin the class by asking these questions: Have you experienced leadership change in your congregation?  What was it like?  What went well and didn’t go well?  What does it look like to step into a role after someone great has gone before you? How would you deal with fear or inadequacy in those moments?
• Rahab was of questionable character and an outsider, so "what does Rahab’s story teach us about who God might include in His redemptive purposes?" What does Matthew 1:5 add to this discussion? What does this tell you about God?
• Ask everyone in the class to write on a piece of paper an area of your life where you need courage or more courage.  Have the class members place the papers you have written on into a bowl, and then begin drawing them out of the bowl and read to the class.  Pray for each of these areas.

Full teaching instructions are free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Rahab Helps the Spies

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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In this episode, David and Mary read Luke chapter 24.

Other verses you might like to read at Easter are...

1. Jesus is buried. (Luke 23:50-56)
2. The empty tomb (Luke 24:1-12)
3. Appearances after the resurrection (Luke 24:13-49)
   • Road to Emmaus (13-35)
   • The Disciples (36-49)

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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As the time of Moses’ death drew near, the Lord told him to appoint Joshua as the new leader of Israel. Moses appointed Joshua and told him and all of the people to be strong and courageous because the Lord would be with them as they entered the Promised Land. Even at the age of 120, Moses was strong and had excellent vision, so the Lord directed him to climb Mount Nebo and view all of Canaan, the Promised Land. After viewing the land, Moses died.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Numbers 27:12-23 and Deuteronomy 31:1-8; 32:48-52; 34:1-12

Outline:

1. Leadership passes from Moses to Joshua (Numbers 27:12-23 and Deuteronomy 31:1-8)
2. Moses dies (Deuteronomy 32:48-52; 34:1-12)

Tips for teaching children:

• Play follow-the-leader with younger children. First “Moses” can lead, and then ”Joshua”.
• With older children, discuss attributes of a good leader (in school, in clubs, organisations and even government). If you notice natural leadership qualities in children, be sure and encourage them.
• Review the life of Moses. Collect items or illustrations that depict his life. As children look at the items they can share what this relates to in Moses’ life. Items might include a basket, leaves coloured as if on fire, anything from the plagues, a stick/staff, water, sand, the number 10 and more.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Divide class into groups of 5 or 6, supply paper/pens.  Challenge the groups to write down as much as they know about Moses from books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy – his life, his experiences, his ups and down, his personality.  Spend about 20 minutes in the groups and then come together to share what each group has written down.  Did any group have a fact about Moses that the other groups didn’t have?
• Another idea is to have volunteers draw on a whiteboard something from the life of Moses or something they know about Moses.  The rest of the class guesses what is being drawn.  As a teacher you could help things along by writing several things from Moses' life on cards and have people randomly draw a card and then draw this on the whiteboard.
• Ask each group to choose one thing about Moses that instructs us to follow God more closely and more wholly and pray about that.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: The Death of Moses

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Enemies of the Israelites paid money to a sorcerer named Balaam so that he would call a curse on God’s people. The Lord spoke to Balaam, but Balaam did not listen. As Balaam and his donkey travelled along a road, an angel of the Lord blocked the path of the donkey. When Balaam beat the donkey, God miraculously caused it to talk to its owner. Finally, Balaam saw the angel and realized what had happened. He ended up blessing the Israelites instead of cursing them.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Numbers 22-24

Outline:

1. King Balak summoned Balaam, but God took control (Numbers 22:1-20)
2. Balaam’s donkey talked (Numbers 22:21-41)
3. Balaam blesses God’s people (Numbers chapters 23-24)

Tips for teaching children:

• Make a donkey puppet
• Explain the importance of words by using a tube of toothpaste as a visual aid. As you talk about kind words, squeeze a little paste out of the tube and onto a plate. Then, share examples of unkind words and squeeze more out. After you have done this a few times, then ask the children to put the paste back into the tube.  Of course, this cannot be done. 
  In the same way, once words have left our mouths, we cannot take them back. The blessing or damage has been done. Be careful about what we say.
• Take the time to specifically and genuinely bless each child with affirming words. 

Tips for teaching adults:

• Ask the class an opening question: Have you said anything that you later regretted? Are there any volunteers to tell your story?
• Words are powerful.  Read James 3:9-10.  Have the class discuss this question: How have you been blessed by what others have said, and how have you been cursed by what others have said? 
• Divide the class into groups of 4. Here’s the challenge: Each group chooses two families/individuals in the church to visit to encourage and pronounce a blessing on them. Each group member should write a note of encouraging words to bless the ones they see. Go visit this family, taking your notes of encouragement. After a brief visit, read the cards to the family, pray with the family, affirm your love, and leave.  

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Balaam and His Donkey

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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When Israel camped in the wilderness, the Lord continually provided the people with manna and quail to eat. Even though He provided for their needs, their impatience and discontentment caused them to reject the food that God had provided. As a lesson for all to see, the Lord sent venomous snakes among the people so that many of them were bitten, became sick, and subsequently died. 

The people realised their sin and told Moses they were sorry for their actions. The Lord told Moses to mount a bronze snake on a pole. Anyone bitten by the poisonous snakes could look at the bronze snake and be healed.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Numbers 21:4-9

Outline:

1. The Israelites Complain (Numbers 21:4-5)
2. God punishes the people (Numbers 21:6)
3. Confession and healing (Numbers 21:7-9)

Tips for teaching children:

• Talk about complaining and how this is hurtful.  To help children relate, act out opening a gift at a birthday party. Instead of saying thank you, offer complaints about the gift (wrong one, I don’t like the colour, it is not as nice as the one my friend got, etc.) Children should then talk about how this might make the gift-giver feel.
• For a craft, guide the children in wrapping a chenille wire (pipe cleaner) around a craft stick or dowel. Write “Numbers 21:4-9” on the stick.

Tips for teaching adults:

•  Ask the class to share some snake stories. Ask if anyone has experienced a snakebite, and if so, ask them to tell the class about their experience.
• This is a brief and unusual story, but through it, we can learn something about God and possibly ourselves. Ask the class to discuss what they have learned about God from this story.  And ask the class to compare themselves to these Israelites who complain.  How are they like them and how are they different from them?
• End the class with three prayers: 
  • Thanksgiving – for God’s provisions (spiritual and physical)
  • Petition – for God’s mercy and forgiveness
  • Pledge – to be a trusting people who rely on God’s provisions instead of complaining.  Maybe ask three different people to pray

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Bronze Snake on a Pole

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Forty years had passed since the Israelites left Egypt to go to the land the Lord had promised them. After camping in an area called Kadesh, they ran out of water. When the people complained to Moses and Aaron, the Lord commanded Moses to speak to a rock so that water would miraculously gush from it. Instead of obeying the Lord, Moses chose to speak angrily to the people and then strike the rock twice with his staff. The rock produced water, but Moses paid a high price for refusing to honour the Lord. He would not live to enter the promised land.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Numbers 20:1-13

Outline:

1. The people complain and argue (Numbers 20:1-5)
2. God instructs, but Moses and Aaron disobey (Numbers 20:6-11)
3. God proclaims the punishment for Moses and Aaron (Numbers 20:12-13)

Tips for teaching children:

• Gather rocks and paints and guide the children in painting them as if water is flowing from them.
• Guide children to create a model. They can then use it to tell today’s Bible story to the class. Provide rocks, water bottles, spray bottles, straws, tubing, waterwheels or any other water-related items.
• Discuss Ephesians 4:26-27.
  • Uncontrolled anger allows the Devil to tempt us to act in ways we otherwise would not:
    We might hurt someone, say hurtful things, swear, or make bad decisions that we will regret later.
  • Following this discussion, point out ways we might control our anger:
    We could pause and count to ten, take deep breaths, remove ourselves from the situation, or take a walk. We can pray alone or with someone. 

Tips for teaching adults:

• Our story today is only 13 verses long so that it can be easily read during class time.  Choose three readers to read the different sections or choose four people to read the different characters in this story: the narrator, the people, God and Moses.
• Leaders are held to a higher standard than the average person.  Think of the leaders in your congregation.  What kind of expectations does the congregation have of a leader that they wouldn’t have for the average person in the congregation? Are these expectations fair?  What would be fair expectations?  Pray for your leaders.
• Leaders do carry a lot of responsibility in the church.  And they are often not appreciated or thanked.  As a class, do something good for your leaders and their families to show your appreciation and show that you are thankful for them.  Here are a few ideas: take them out to dinner, buy a gift, buy a gift card, or publicly thank them in the worship assembly for their leadership. You could create coupons that they could redeem, such as “one free dinner brought to your house” or “one free lawn-mowing”, etc.  

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Moses Does Not Honour God

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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As the people of God approached the land of Canaan that God had promised them, Moses took a census to record the number of people in the twelve tribes. A representative from each of these tribes entered into the land of Canaan to spy it out. When the spies returned, ten of them reported that the Canaanites were too big and strong to overcome. Only two spies, Joshua and Caleb, had confidence that God would help them conquer the land. The Israelites were then made to wander in the wilderness for forty years as a consequence of their lack of faith.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Numbers 1-3, 13-14

Outline:

1. Moses organised the tribes and camp. (Numbers 1-3)
2. Twelve spies checked out the land and then reported back. (Numbers 13)
3. The Israelites rejected God’s plan and received punishment. (Numbers 14)

Tips for teaching children:

• Talk about the tribes using a pizza as a visual aid. Cut into 12 slices and place on small plates. Place a cup or coloured plate in the centre of the table and then arrange the plates around the cup to mimic the placement of the tribes around the tabernacle. After this, you can use the pieces to represent the 12 spies. Then, of course, eat the pizza!
• If adults are meeting in another room from the children, then ask the children to be spies and obtain information. For example, find out how many people are wearing black shoes or how many purses are in the room. Children will enjoy trying to do this without adults seeing them. Make sure you let the leader of the adult group know before you do this.
• Depict giant grapes by blowing up purple balloons and tying them together to form a cluster.

Tips for teaching adults:

•  Bring grapes and pomegranates to class for the students to eat while you are teaching.
• Since this story is probably too long to read in class, ask the class to read Numbers 13-14 the week before, or alternatively, you can summarise the story during class time. 
• If the class is large enough, appoint twelve people to stand before the class and represent the spies.  Two of the twelve will act the parts of Joshua and Caleb. Each group should try to convince the class of their point of view.  As the teacher, encourage each group to refer to the Scripture for their argument. 
• A smaller class might focus on the opposing positions of the spies.
  • The ten believed Israel should not try to take the land.  Be sympathetic to their position and discuss why you think they make sense to many people.  
  • Why was it so difficult for Joshua and Caleb to change the people’s minds? 
• Ask the class to discuss some things that they are afraid of and how that affects their lives—their decisions, choices, and actions. Follow up with, “How do you handle your fear? How should you handle your fear?”
• Pray about these fears.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Twelve Tribes and Twelve Spies  

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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God wanted everyone to know He was holy. Moses told the priests and the people how to worship God through sacrifices and offerings. God then revealed His presence by appearing as fire in the Tabernacle, in the Holy of Holies. Instead of worshipping the Holiness of God, Nadab and Abihu made their own fire. This disrespect was so great that the fire of the Lord consumed them and their fire.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Leviticus 10

Outline:

1. Nadab and Abihu disrespect God and die (Leviticus 10:1-3)
2. Nadab and Abuhu’s bodies are carried out and buried (Leviticus 10:4-7)
3. New Laws about priests respecting God (Leviticus 10:8-20)

Tips for teaching children:

• Tell the story using a big candle representing God and matches representing Nadab and Abuhu’s fire.
  Refer to missionbibleclass.org for complete instructions.
• Talk about the holiness of God as it relates to the lives of the children you teach. How does God want us to respect Him at school, on the playground, and at church?
• Print or write “God is Holy” in the centre of a paper. Guide the children in gluing red, yellow and red tissue paper around the border for decoration. Alternatively, children can draw, colour or paint a border of their choice.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Read the story in class using three or four readers.  To do a dramatic reading, choose one person to read the narrator’s part, another God’s voice, another Moses’ and another Aaron’s.  
• For greater understanding, I suggest the class watch the Bible Project video on Leviticus (8 min).  It sets the story in the context of the book. Following the video, lead the class in a discussion of the video.  Some conversation starters might be as follows:
  • How does looking at the whole book of Leviticus help us understand the story of Nadab and Abihu better? 
  • What does this story have to teach us today as followers of Jesus about holiness and taking God seriously?  
  • What are some specific things we can do this week to live as a people who are set apart for God? In our home? Our work? Our communities? And at church?  
  • How can we honour and show our respect for God?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Nadab and Abihu  

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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On their journey to the land of promise, God instructed the Israelites to build a tabernacle. This tent structure, its furnishings and even the clothes worn by the priests serving in it were special and beautiful. When asked to give supplies and use their skills to build the tabernacle, the people were so willing and generous that Moses finally had to tell them to stop. When all the work was completed, the presence of God filled the tabernacle and was visible to the people as a cloud by day and a fire by night. When the cloud moved, Israel knew it was time to pack up the Tabernacle along with the rest of their belongings and move to the next stage in their journey.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Exodus 35:4 through 40:38

Outline:

1. Moses assembles the supplies and workers to build the tabernacle (Exodus 35:4-36:7)
2. Constructing the individual parts of the tabernacle (Exodus 36:8-39:43)
3. Moses sets everything in place in the tabernacle (Exodus 40:1-33)
4. God’s presence fills the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38)

Tips for teaching children:

• Show illustrations of the tabernacle and the related parts (furnishings, priest clothing, etc.)
• Discuss generosity and then explore ways the children might donate or participate in a benevolent project. This might include donations to a food bank or clothing for those in need.

Tips for teaching adults:

• This is a large section of Scripture.  As a teacher, I would be prepared to summarise all of it instead of reading the entire text.  You may want to print the outline above and give copies to the class members.
• Show this online Virtual Tour of the Tabernacle.  Be sure to click on the ‘About’ tab at upper right of that website for helpful information about using this free material in public.
• Discuss Exodus 40:34-35 and what it means in our lives for God to be present among his people.  Encourage class discussion by asking questions such as:
  • How is God present among his people today?
  • How is this seen in our lives?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The Tabernacle 

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Moses was on a mountain receiving the Ten Commandments from God. Down below, the people became anxious that Moses had been gone for so long. They begged Aaron to make a god for them to worship. He collected their gold jewellery and made a golden calf. When Moses came down from the mountain, he found the whole camp partying around the idol. Moses threw down the stone tablets and broke them. Moses ordered a serious punishment for this serious rejection of God. It was only after Moses begged God that God forgave His people.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Exodus 31:18-34:35

Outline:

1. The Israelites have Aaron build a golden calf (Exodus 32:1-6)
2. Moses begs God to have mercy on the people (Exodus 32:7-14)
3. Moses breaks the tablets and punishes the people (Exodus 32:9-35)
4. Moses continues to intercede for the people (Exodus 32:30-34:28)
5. Moses descends from Mount Sinai with new tablets from God (Exodus 34:29-35) 

Tips for teaching children:

• God is more important than anything or anyone. Talk about how treating something as more important than God is like worshipping an idol. For example, if we choose video games over God, then the video game is like an idol that we choose to worship.
• Younger children can make tablets out of Play-Doh and “write” commands on them.
• One craft you should NOT ask the children to make is a golden calf. God told them not to make an idol, so asking the children to do that very thing in class would not be a good idea.

Tips for teaching adults:

• This section is probably too long to read aloud in one class session.  I suggest you assign readers to read sections as follows:
  • Exodus 32:1-35
  • Exodus 33:18-34:7
  • Exodus 34:29-35
• There are several good points of discussion in this story. Choose one or more of the following for your class session:
  • Discuss how our culture shapes our views of God and how we relate to him.  
  • Discuss Moses and God’s relationship, especially Moses’ willingness to intercede on behalf of God’s sinful people.  What does this say about God?  About Moses?  
  • Compare and contrast Moses and Aaron in this story. When are you like Moses?  When are you like Aaron?
• Challenge the students to do acts of loyalty to God this week (putting God and things of God first). They should be prepared to share their experience the next time you gather.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The Golden Calf  

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

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The Lord knew that His people would need rules so that they could get along and they would know how to love and obey Him. When the Israelites came to Mount Sinai, Moses went up on the mountain, and the Lord laid out his covenant with his people, which included the Ten Commandments and laws for life and worship. As the people watched Moses ascend the mountain into God’s presence, they heard thunder and trumpet sounds and saw lightning and smoke. The Lord wrote the commands on tablets of stone and gave them to Moses for the people.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Exodus 19:1-20:21 and Exodus 24:1-24

Outline:

1. God prepares the people to receive the Law (Exodus 19:1-25)
2. The 10 commandments (Exodus 20:1-21)
3. Formal agreement and stone tablets (Exodus 24:1-18)

Tips for teaching children:

• Play the memory game: Write the commandments on ten individual index cards and then make a duplicate set. Lay the cards face down on a tabletop and mix them up. Children take turns turning over two cards in hopes of making a matching set.
• Read John 15:14 together and discuss how obedience relates to love.
• Make “stone tablets” from salt dough or clay.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Use either ten pieces of paper or ten index cards and write one commandment on each.  Turn the ten papers facedown on a flat surface and then mix them up.  Have the students take turns turning a paper over. Once the commandment is revealed, the student should tell the others which commandment it is (first, second, third, etc.). They can refer to the Bible for the answer if needed. Once answered, turn the card back over and mix it in with the others. Students continue to turn cards over and answer until they are familiar with all of the commandments. Finish off by turning all of the cards over and putting the commandments in order.
• Challenge the class members to find ways to do the commandments during the week.  As they go about their lives, they should look for specific ways that obeying God impacts their own life and the lives of others. Ask them to be prepared to share their experiences during your next gathering. 
  • For instance, “You must not have any gods except me”.  How have they practised this?  
  • Or “you must not steal.”  How can you practice the positive counterpart to this, “You must be generous?”  

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The Ten Commandments  

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Within days of leaving bondage in Egypt and heading toward the land God had promised them, the people began to grumble and pine for the comforts of their old life. Despite their complaints, the Lord provided for their needs over and over. He caused bitter water to become sweet and even led them to an oasis to camp during the journey. He fed them by providing meat via large flocks of quail that flew into their camp each evening and a miraculous dew in the mornings, which turned into flakes of sweet bread (manna) for them to eat. A larger portion of these were provided one day each week so that the people could rest and observe the Sabbath the next day.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Exodus 15:22-16:36

Outline:

1. God provides the Israelites with water (Exodus 15:22-27)
2. God provides the Israelites with food (Exodus 16:1-36)

Tips for teaching children:

• Memorise Philippians 4:19
• Guide children in drawing pictures or listing things that God has provided them with.
• Pray and thank God for what He has provided us with.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Using the outline above, assign two readers to read from the Bible.
• Challenge the students to consider the following: 
  • When faced with a crisis, what is our first response?  
  • If grumbling or complaining is our default response to a crisis, what practical steps can we take to develop a response of trust and thankfulness?
• This story introduces the wilderness experience of Israel, where God tests the people.  To give more context and understanding to the theme of testing, watch the Bible Project video on Testing.  Following the short video, reflect on it (especially focusing on the section related to our story today) and ask the class:
  • What new things have you learned?
  • In what ways might this affect your everyday life or attitudes?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  God Provides Manna and Quail  

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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God’s people were finally on their way to their own land, Canaan! A pillar of cloud led the way by day, and a pillar of fire guided them at night. As the Israelites arrived at the edge of the Red Sea, Pharaoh and his army caught up with them. Pharaoh had changed his mind yet again! The Lord protected His frightened people. The pillar of the cloud moved between the Israelites and the Egyptian army. Moses then stretched his hand across the sea, and the Lord caused a great wind to part the water and hold it back while the estimated two million Israelites passed through. When the Egyptians followed them, the Lord caused the water to flood and kill all of them.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Exodus 13:17-14:31

Exodus 15:1-21

Outline:

1. God directs the Israelites to the edge of the sea (Exodus 13:17-14:4)
2. Pharaoh’s army follows, and the Israelites doubt (Exodus 14:5-14)
3. The Israelites cross the parted sea. The Egyptians follow and drown. (Exodus 14:15-31)
4. Celebration and Worship (Exodus 15:1-21)

Tips for teaching children:

• Look for “exit” signs and talk about how “exodus” means “exit”.
• Write names and words from the story on cards. Children take turns drawing a card and then dancing in a way that makes the others guess what was written on the card (similar to charades)
• Ask the children to share something this story teaches us about God.
• Write a song or poem about God’s strength.
• For a simple craft have the children decorate a cloud and a pillar of fire.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Choose participants to read the following passages aloud for the class:
  • Exodus 13:17 – 14:31 
  • Exodus 15:1-18.  
  • If time is more restricted, choose either to read either Exodus 13:17-4:31 or Exodus 15:1-18
• Begin the class by singing one or two songs with the theme of victory, battle, and warfare.  For instance, you could sing “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” or “Onward Christian Soldiers”.
• Here’s a link to a map that helps one to see possible routes of the Exodus from Egypt.    Download Map 8.
• For something different, use this YouTube link to a modern Hebrew composition of the song in Exodus 15.  It is sung in modern Hebrew but has Hebrew and English subtitles and a video background. 
• This event is told as a military victory with God as the victorious warrior-king who defeated the oppressive enemy.  Ask the class to discuss how the death/resurrection of Jesus can be described and understood as the victory of God over an oppressive enemy.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Crossing the Red Sea  

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org