Sunday, December 27, 2020

S Is for Search It Out: ABC: Deuteronomy for Me!: Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World

S Is for Search It Out:  ABC: Deuteronomy for Me!:  Raising a Caleb Kid In a Disrupted World


What an amazing example is Caleb!  Faithful and true all his life through, he honored, and wholly followed the Lord as many scriptures record.  In our lesson through memory work, song, stories, rhymes, and crafts Caleb comes to life.  Don't miss "The Twelve Spy Guys" action rhyme for the littlest kids.   Read too about Georgi Vins, a missionary, who exhibited  Caleb-like characteristics all the days of his life.  Vins imprisoned for his faith had "another spirit" in him as Caleb of old.  He stood out as an overcomer in spite of his circumstances.  Even in prison he fully followed his Lord. He treasured his mini Bibles.  Parents, grandparents, teachers, today vow to encourage the young folks in your life to become Caleb kids.

Caleb Did!

Caleb did obey.
He did what the Lord bid.
He wholly followed the Lord.
Caleb did!  Do you?    

Little Kids: Ages 4-7

S Is for Search It Out!

S is for search it out:
something twelve
spies did do,
when they the
Promised Land
all did view!


Learn It:  A Caleb Bible Verse

Deuteronomy 1:36 "Caleb ... wholly followed the LORD."

Deuteronomy 1:36 says that Caleb, one of the twelve spies, wholly followed the Lord.  Wholly means "totally" or "completely."  That means Caleb loved, trusted, and obeyed the Lord with all his heart. Do you totally follow the Lord with all your heart?  In Deuteronomy 4:29 it says seek or search for the Lord with all your heart and soul!

Have 1st./second graders write the verse in their journals and draw a picture of Caleb.  After, say it changing the word to other words that mean the same as "wholly."  e.g.  "Caleb ... totally followed the LORD."   Follow with: fully, entirely, completely. 

Sing It:  "Wholly Follow the Lord!"  (Tune "Happy Birthday") 

Wholly Follow the Lord!

Wholly* follow the Lord,
Wholly follow the Lord,
Trust Him now as your Savior,
Wholly follow the Lord!

*Insert: "fully" instead.

Define It:  What Does "Search It Out" Mean?

Can you explain what the word "search" means?  Have you ever searched for something, or gone some place to search it out?  Yes, to search means look through in order to find something, or to look at or examine something carefully.     

Hear It:  The Twelve Spy Guys  (Deuteronomy 1: 19-46) 

In Deuteronomy chapter one, God told Moses to tell God's people to go into their special land.  Moses, said, "God has set the land before you; go in and take it. Do not be afraid or discouraged!"  The people answered, "Send men ahead of us so we can see which way to go and which cities we will see."  So, Moses did.  He chose one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve spy guys --one from each tribe.

Now Deuteronomy 1:24 tells us those twelve spy guys came to a valley called Eshcol.  There they searched it out.  There they took of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it back telling Moses it was a good land. But ten said they couldn't go into the land because the people were big and tall, and the cities were big with high walls. They cried and complained, and said they wished they could go back to Egypt again!

Once again Moses said, "Dread not, neither be afraid of them!  God will go with you, just like he did in Egypt."  But, the people didn't believe God!  Did the Lord hear their complaining?  Did the Lord know they didn't trust him?  Yes, He did.  And the Lord said, none of you will see that good land I promised to your fathers.  Only Caleb and Joshua will.   Also, your little ones that will grow up soon will see it too.

Why? The Bible tells us in verses 36-39 which say, "Caleb ... shall see it, and to him will I give it ... and to his children because he has wholly followed the Lord.  Joshua ... shall go in .. encourage him.  Your little ones...shall go in." 

Act It Out:  "The Twelve Spy Guys" 
Action Rhyme 

"Get ready, get set," Moses did say,
"Enter the land, do it today!"
(Wag finger; say forcefully.)
The people replied, "Make us a plan;
give us spy guys to search out the land!"
(Peek through finger circles.)
So Moses chose twelve 
who searched to see,
what the land would turn out to be.
(Hold up ten fingers, then two fingers)
Back at home the ten did share the
land was good, but had giants there.
(Stand on tip toes; reach arms up.)
But Caleb n' Joshua both did say, 
"We can do it.  Let's go in today!"
(Say happily.)
Then the ten did murmur, and complain,
"We rather go back to Egypt again!"
(Say sadly.)
Provoked and angered God did reply,
"Because of your sin in this land,
 you will die!"  
(Raise voice.)
Only Caleb and Joshua the land will see,
because they have wholly followed me!" 
(Point up.)
From Numbers 13,14; Deuteronomy 1
                                                            LEP

!Hint!  Recite action rhymes over and over moving as you say them.  Enjoy! 

Sing It: Twelve Men Went to Spy Out Canaan


Color It: Pop-out Twelve Spies Color Page n' Game

Prep It:   Print color page image; parents cut round Caleb Joshua; and around the ten sad-faced men.  Pop out both.  See example photo at end of lesson!

Find image page here:

Make It:  Color page.  Use the page to play a game with youngest children naming either the two courageous spies or the ten discouraged men.  Hang up a copy allowing kids to place printed game strips behind the pictures, or glue them under the correct picture.  If you wish, allow littlest ones to come up and move the correct picture.

Play It: "Which Spies?"

Strips or Phrases to Print/Read:  Which Spies?  The Two, The Ten, or Both?  

Which spies?  were courageous, wanted to go in to the land, said it's a good land, were rebellious, were complaining, were murmuring, provoked God, were afraid, were not afraid, did not believe God, said there's giants in the land, said take us back to Egypt, died in the wilderness, brought a bad report, searched the land, were good, were bad, brought fruit, said the people were tall, said the cities were big, said the walls were tall, followed the Lord, were scared, were brave,  were crying, and so on....   Pick out simple ones for the youngest.  !Hint!  Let littlest ones hold up two or ten fingers.

Make It:  Thumbs Up Pop-Up Page

Prep It:  thumbs up page, small scissors, crayons, markers, thumbs up/down image, glue, ....
Print page.  If you wish print thumbs up/down image.  Parent cut round Caleb's hand so it pops up.  

Make It: Color picture.  May trace round own thumb; make fingernail.  !Hint!  May place thumb up/down on a popsicle stick, straw, etc.  May also uses phrases above with thumbs up/down to play game.

Talk About It:  Why did Caleb have his thumb up.  Look inside the small story balloons.  What do you think Caleb is saying about the land?  Can you point to the grape cluster, and the figs, and pomegranates?  If possible have some of each fruit to taste and experience.  See photo of craft below!

Find pages here:


Spy It:  Mini Magnifying  Glass Books/Markers

Talk about or explore using a magnifying glass with your kids.  Explain how a magnifying glass makes things easy to focus on making them even larger as one uses it.  In our lesson some people to focus on were: the twelve spies. Caleb n' Joshua, the ten men, Moses, Aaron, ...; some things are: the grape cluster, the fruits, maps, etc.; and some words as wholly, fully, search it out, spy, possess it, fruit of the land, Eshcol, Hebron, and so on.  Using the magnifying glass image, make it whatever size you might like;-kids can even draw pictures, and write words inside rather than glue on small images.  Print off or just print words in the center. The mini magnifying glass "I Spy" cutouts make great book marks/ minibooks.  For examples see photos at the end of the lesson.
        
Find magnifying glass images here:

Older Kids: Ages 8-12

Explore It:  Hunt for "Search" Synonyms

Hunt for more words that mean the same as "search" or that are synonymous with search.  List at least ten words; kids may print them on an oversized "S" you cut out of lined tablet or loose leaf paper.  Suggestion:  Second graders may do this as well.  See sample "S" at end of lesson.

Find "search" synonyms here:

Memorize It:  God's Servant Caleb Verse

Numbers 14:24  "But my servant Caleb, because he hath another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land ... and his seed shall possess it."

Discuss It: What did God call Caleb?  Why?  How did he follow the Lord?  What would be the result?  Who would get to live in the land?  

Journal It!  Copy Verses, Rhymes, n' Illustrate!

Caleb Was God's Servant 

In Numbers 13:24  the Lord said, "But
my servant Caleb, because he hath
another spirit with him, and hath followed
me fully, him will I bring into the land ...
and his seed shall possess it."

The Lord said: "Caleb was God's servant, 
Caleb was fervent.  The Lord said.

Caleb said, "Enter in, go ahead!"  
We'll win!"  Caleb said.

In Numbers 13:30  Caleb said, "Let us go up 
at once,  and possess it; for we are well able 
to overcome it."

The Lord said: " Caleb followed my command.
Him will I bring into the Land." The Lord said. 

Notice It:  A Greeting Card with "Wholly" Synonyms

As I looked over some online birthday cards recently, one stood out.  All in caps it began:  "Today's your day ... completely, entirely, absolutely, totally, utterly ... and effectively about you!"  Here were synonyms for "wholly" or "fully" but this was all for a birthday recipient; however to be a Caleb kid or parent we must determine to make every day the day to completely, entirely, absolutely, totally, and utterly follow the Lord with all our heart!   

Make It:  Grape Cluster Bible Verse Marker

Prep It:  light purple paper, two purple or white sticky notes, small pic of spies carrying the grape cluster, markers, tape, scissors.  Print small image of two spies.  Cut out 3 1/2"X6"  light purple paper.  Print out verse. 
Make It:  Let kids color tiny image with fine line markers.  Give them light purple marker cut out.  Use two darker purple or other color sticky notes.  Glue to marker so top sticky note edge is uncovered, turn it down so you can place the top of your small image on the sticky part.  Glue rest of the sticky note part to marker.   Place marker over a page edge.  Add the Caleb Bible verse(s).  See Grape Cluster Marker photo below!

Find the image here:

Hear It:  The Numbers' Twelve Spy Story 

Moses, commanded by God to enter the Promised Land, chose twelve spies--one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to check out the land.  Included were Caleb and Joshua as well as ten others.  Once in the land they would see what the people and the land were like. Were the people strong or weak? few or many?  What was the land like? good or bad?   What  did they live in? tents or forts?  What type of land was it?  fat or lean?  Now, the Bible says, it was the time of the first ripe grapes when they began their search.

As they went up, they came to Hebron entering into the valley of Eshcol.  There they cut down a large cluster of grapes that were so heavy it took two men to carry them back on a stick..  They also picked some pomegranates and figs as well.  After being there forty days back to Kadesh they came.  There they showed everyone the beautiful fruit declaring it was land that flowed with "milk and honey."

In spite of this, ten reported that its people were strong, living in cities with walls reaching to heaven.  Right away Caleb "stilled" or calmed the people ... and said, "Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it."  But, these ten immediately insisted, "We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.  We saw giants there, and we're like grasshoppers compared to them!"

That night the people wept and cried all night long complaining and murmuring against Moses and Aaron.  They said, "We should have died in Egypt!  Why did God bring us to this land?  It would be better to go back to Egypt."

When Moses and Aaron heard all this they fell on their faces before all the children of Israel, while Caleb and Joshua tore their clothes in sorrow.  They said, "The land we went through to search it is an exceeding good land.  Don't rebel!  Don't be afraid of the people of the land!  The Lord is with us.  Fear them not!"  

But, the people didn't listen wanting to throw stones at Caleb and Joshua .It was then that the glory of the Lord appeared in the tent door of the tabernacle and God said, "How long will these people provoke me?  How long will it be before they believe me.?"  God said he'd have to punish them.  

Moses, hearing this, begged the Lord to forgive them.  The Lord did, but declared that none of these men or those associated with them would ever get to see the land except for their young children.  Only Caleb and Joshua and their families would live to see it and enter it.  Why was that?  Because, said God, his servant Caleb had another spirit in him and had followed him fully.  Joshua too was named as one who would come into the land.

And because of the disobedience and unbelief of those who brought the evil report, everyone would wander and live in the wilderness for forty years--one for each day they searched out the land.  Numbers 14:37 says that those men died by the plague before the the Lord, but Joshua and Caleb lived still.   Numbers 13,14  

Review It:  After sharing the story read it aloud with the kids directly from the Bible.  Talk about it.     

Word Search It:  "Twelve Spies" Word Search Page

Prep It:  page, pencil, your sample, ....  Print Bible Pathways Adventures: "Word Search Twelve Spies."
Search It:  Let the kids search for words at the bottom of the puzzle.  You may also use this with second graders too.  !Hint!  Always complete puzzle page yourself first; that way you can quickly correct a child's work."
Discuss It:  Talk about terms listed; if needed search them out and mark them in your Bible!

Find page here:

Match It:  "Twelve Spies" Page

Prep It: page, pencil, your sample, ....  Print Bible Pathways Adventures "Twelve Spies Match It Puzzle."
Solve It:  Have kids match up answers to questions.
Discuss It:  Talk about the questions, and answers.

Find page here:

Read It:  The Gospel in Bonds

The Gospel in Bonds is a book that uses the word "search" in it a lot.  Now, in it no one is searching out a land, but the guards mentioned in the story were often searching out a prison cell or searching a person.  Often, if you were a Christian they were searching to see if you had a little Bible hidden somewhere, or part of the Bible.

While there are parts of the book one would not share with younger children, there are parts of it that you can share.  I found this book to be one of the most touching books I have read about some little mini Bibles that had been put in the heel of a boot, or sewn into a shirt.  These mini Bibles were read over and over by many a prisoner.  If you want a book that challenges you to love the Word, this would be it.  Georgi Vins truly was someone that was sold out to the Lord Jesus wholly following Him. Find the book here:

Read a review of the book that I wrote several years ago here: 

Here's a little poem I wrote in my review. I was reminded of these mini Bibles recently when my husband bought some miniature Bible key chains for our grandchildren.  See photo of book, and key chain miniature Bibles below. 

Mini-Mark-Gospel

Vins' treasure book
Mini-Mark Gospel-
Fit in the palm book,
Sewn in the shirt book,
Hidden from sight book-
Mini-Mark-Gospel.

Vins' treasure book
Mini-Mark-Gospel-
Hidden in nooks book,
Shared with murderers,
n' crooks book-
Mini-Mark-Gospel.

Vins' treasure book
Mini-Mark-Gospel-
Better than gold book,
Never grow old book,
Best story told book-
Mini-Mark-Gospel!
                            LEP


Teachers, Parents, Grandparents, YOU:

Read It Aloud:  Caleb's Inheritance  (Joshua 14)

Read more of Caleb's story aloud with your kids; talk about it afterwards.  Be sure to notice the three verses that once again emphasize Caleb totally followed the Lord all the days of his life.

What a shining example Caleb was of someone who fully followed his Lord.  Joshua 14 gives more of the story when eighty-five year old Caleb, still alive and strong, asked Joshua for the inheritance Moses had promised to him and his children.  What was that inheritance?  Hebron!   Did Joshua give it to Caleb?  Yes, indeed!  And Caleb in turn was able, with the Lord's help. to drive out the Anakims.  

Joshua 14:12-14 sums it up so beautifully where Caleb says to Joshua: "Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake unto me that day ... if so be the LORD will be with me then I shall be able to drive them out (the Anakims) as the LORD said."  Joshua then blesses Caleb giving him the land.  Joshua 14:14 declares, "Hebron ... became the inheritance of Caleb ... unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD of Israel."  Wow!  What a story!  But, this isn't the end, jump ahead to Judges 1:12,13 to find out that Caleb gives his daughter some land as well--land with springs of water on it!  

Search It Out: An Interlude In Jude 

Teachers, parents, grandparents, YOU, and I would do well to pause and read Jude to help us discern those among us today who are leading us away from Scripture and our most holy faith.  

Jude 5 says, "I will put you in remembrance how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not."*  So those who refused to believe (the ten spies) become an example in Jude's Apostate Hall of Shame list.

*  Check out Deuteronomy 1:30,31 and Psalm 106:24 too!   

Jude also gives us examples of other apostates who sinned or would be among them.  Like then, today we too must be discerning and able to identify those that are walking not after the Lord but promoting their own ways. For there is but one who can keep us from being overtaken by apostasy and that is the Lord himself.  Therefore,  Jude tells us to build up ourselves up in the faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep ourselves in the love of God always.  As did Caleb, we should seek to wholly and fully follow the Lord.         
   
 

  


 

    






    


 







  

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Sunday, November 15, 2020

R Is for Remember It! ABC: Deuteronomy for Me!: Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World


R Is for Remember It!  ABC: Deuteronomy for Me!  Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World

Here's a lesson full of Scripture emphasizing the importance of recalling the past--especially notice the parts discussing monuments/memorials with your child.  Read the lesson: "What Mean These Stones?"  Scroll to the end to learn about stone stacking, and to view the colorful fold-out scroll with the verse with the very important truth: "REMEMBER now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." (Eccl.12:1) 

R Is for Remember It!

R is for remember it,   
a theme you'll see
frequently mentioned
in Deuteronomy!

Little Kids (Ages 4-7)

Remember It!  Remember, Remember, Remember!

Deuteronomy is all about remembering.  Moses told the Israelites things to remember.  He said remember their time of slavery in Egypt, remember their exodus night, remember the Red Sea, remember the wilderness days, remember Mt. Horeb, remember all the rules, remember not to join those round you, remember there is but one God, remember not to worship idols, remember the poor, remember special days, remember the law, remember this song, remember, remember, remember!

Look at It:  Remember "Remember!"

Write "R Is for Remember It!" on your white board.  Read it.  Discuss.  "Remember" begins with what letter?  Correct, a "R."  "Rr" is the eighteenth letter of the alphabet.  It comes from Latin and is called "the dog's letter" because it makes a "Grrr" or snarly sound.

How many letters are in remember? (8)  With what letter does it begin? end?  How many Rs and Ms does it have?  Es?  Say "remember!"  Do you hear the growling sound?  What letters do you hear in the middle?  (Mm) How many parts or syllables does it have?  (3)  How many smaller words do you see in "remember?" (me, rem, mem, ember, member)  Did you know "mem" is the 13th letter of the Hebrew alphabet?  What does "remember" mean? (to recall)  Will you remember all about "remember?"

Memorize It: A Verse with an Important Truth!

Here's a verse with a very important truth:  "REMEMBER now thy Creator in the days of thy youth!"  Ecclesiastes12:1  

Write verse on board.  Read it.  What book is this verse in? (Ecclesiastes)  Go to the book of Psalms in the middle of your Bible, then comes Proverbs, and the very next book is Ecclesiastes.  Did you find it? chapter 12?  It's the first verse!  In my Bible "Remember" is capitalized.  In some Bibles it's not.  Highlight it!   Point out that Eccl. is the abbreviation for Ecclesiastes.  Write it in your journal!   

Draw a picture of yourself.  Why? (You are a youth or kid.)  Put today's date too--because that is the time to remember about the Lord who made you! 

1st./2nd  Write verse above in journal.  Ks may write: "REMEMBER now thy Creator."  4s write: "REMEMBER!".  What word does this verse begin with?  What is the second word?  (now)  When is now?  (Yes, today!)  Who made us? (The Lord)  He is our Creator. Why does Creator begin with an uppercase "C?"  When is the time to learn about the Lord?  (when you are young, or a youth)  What do you notice about truth and youth? (rhyme, end in "th") 

Make It:  The REMEMBER Marker

Prep It:  small sticky notes, print outline letters to spell "REMEMBER"; scissors, list of Deuteronomy "Remember Verses" (older kids); and glue.

Make It:  (Parents) Make a colorful marker by overlapping two colors of eight sticky notes together.  Print small letters, and cut out.  Give kids strip; and cutout letters to spell "REMEMBER."  Glue on letters.  Use for further discussions, and as a Bible marker. Do view marker sample at end of this lesson!

Move It:  An Eccl. 12:1 Fold-Up Verse Scroll

Prep It:  paper, scroll pattern, stapler, ruler, print verse/verse words, small pics of children,  scissors, glue.

Make It:  Cut out two scrolls ends. Measure a strip of paper into 4"X12" two inch parts.  Accordion fold the piece.  Staple onto scroll ends.  Fold and unfold.  See sample below!  Print verse, or use color book* words.  Cut out words spacing them into each section.  Glue pics of kids in each of the six areas.  Idea:  Print your own kid's photos, and glue to the scroll bottom.  Find scroll images here:

https://www.bing.com/search?q=Bible+scroll+images+for+kids+to+color&form=ANSPH1&refig=b293ed3bbfe54db69eb050b43503016a&pc=U531&sp=-1&pq=bible+scroll+images+for+kids+to+color&sc=0-37&qs=n&sk=&cvid=b293ed3bbfe54db69eb050b43503016a

*  Lighthouse Trails carries The Trinitarian Bible Society  Coloring Book 20 He Made the Stars which has Eccl.12:1 in it.  See color book in photo section.  Order the color book here:

https://www.lighthousetrails.com/scripture-coloring-puzzle-books-for-youth/1143-he-made-the-stars-coloring-book-20.html

Use It:  Stand, hold scroll closed, open, recite, spell a word, and repeat!  e.g. "R-e-m-e-m-b-e-r now thy Creator in the days of thy youth."  Next, "Remember n-o-w thy Creator ...." and continue going over verse spelling out one word at a time.  For the littlest ones, choose two or three words.

Define It:  A Memorial

What is a memorial?  Do you know?   A memorial is something, especially a structure, built to remind people of an important person or event that happened in the past.  Have you ever visited a memorial?  Where was it?  Why did they build it?

I Remember It!  "The Monument"

When I was a little girl I lived in Atlantic City, NJ.  Now, Atlantic City had a giant memorial or monument that you couldn't miss right as you entered into the city.  We called it "The Monument."  It was big.  It was humongous.  It was monumental.  Everyone had to drive around it.  No one could miss this big stone turn-around.  It was built to remind everyone of the soldiers of WWI.  It made you remember.  It made you notice. It was impressive and not to be forgotten!   Joshua, in today's story, also made a memorial.  It had just twelve stones, but it made people stop and take notice of it.  It was a witness to God's great miracle that took place at the Jordan River.   

Hear It:  "What Mean These Stones?"

Moses had died.   Joshua had become the new leader.  Soon it was Joshua's job to lead God's people into the Promised Land.  Therefore, Joshua told the people to get ready to enter the land.  He commanded the priests to carry the golden ark box into the Jordan River.  When the priests put their feet into the Jordan the water stood up in a big heap, and all the Israelites passed by on dry ground.  It was a miracle!

To help the people never forget this miracle, Joshua chose twelve men, one from each tribe, to go back on the path so that each one might pick up one big stone to bring out of the Jordan.  What did Joshua do with the twelve stones the men brought out?  At Gilgal he placed them in a memorial pile to help the people, their children, and their children's children to remember the miracle that happened there.  

So years later when some child said to his parents: "What mean these stones?" they would tell them the story of how God opened up the Jordan so that Joshua and all the people crossed over on dry ground. Yes, every time someone looked at these memorial stones they would know the story of how mighty the Lord God of Israel was!  Joshua 3,4

Sing It: "My God Is So Big!" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA2D4C-8EF4

Make It: The Joshua Memorial Pocket Page

Prep It: Needed: two copies of 12 stone memorial image, markers, crayons, blue paper, cotton balls, Jordan river pocket, glue, scissors, captions, and rhyme.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=cDFflaYv&id=41735473D5D065AE46857413B2775E4E71DFF79F&thid=OIP.cDFflaYv5pp_UQgYTbLuGwHaJl&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2f1.bp.blogspot.com%2f-eCRNZAMlbxQ%2fUv0ZKVq3I4I%2fAAAAAAAABHk%2fjt-toDGANe8%2fs1600%2fJoshua%27s%2bMemorial%2bRocks.jpg&exph=1600&expw=1236&q=joshua+12+stones+coloring+book+images&simid=608018583194044820&ck=E3DAB1F7C5BCFB623F057836C8B6549F&selectedIndex=0&FORM=IRPRST&ajaxhist=0

Use this image, or draw your own.

Assemble It:   Print two twelve stone memorial images.  Trace round the twelve stones of one page with a gray marker; color each one gray.  Cut out a second memorial picture; glue to center of blue page.  Cut out stones you colored one by one, wad up a bit of cotton, and glue it to second memorial rock image. This gives "the memorial" a springy 3-D effect; below memorial glue a Jordan River strip pocket. Don't forget to leave top open!  Glue on captions.  Do notice photo at end!

Move It: Touch each stone and count them. Repeat the Bible verse.  Say the rhyme. !Idea! Build a cracker snack memorial.  Build a block memorial too.   

Pocket It:  "What Mean These Stones?" Rhyme

What Mean These Stones?

What mean these stones that I can see?
How did they a memorial come to be?
Tell me!

Stick a copy into the Jordan River Pocket; you may also print small copy of story and insert that inside as well.  

Sing It:  "How Did Joshua Cross the Jordan?"

Tune: "How Did Moses Cross the Red Sea?"

How did Josh'ua cross the Jordan? (3 times) How did he get across?
Did he creep? No, no!  Did he leap? No, no!  Did he ski?  No, no, no, no!
Did he skate? No, no!  Did he swim? No, no!  How did he get across?
God heaped the waters high, high, high; and He made a way all dry, dry, dry.
So through the river He made a path, that's how he got across!

Hear It:  "How Did Moses Cross the Red Sea" here:

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+did+moses+cross+the+red+sea+kids+song&docid=608024652057937946&mid=7D497238819C6C1006637D497238819C6C100663&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

Sing It;  "What Mean These Stones?"  (Tune "Brother John")

What mean these stones?
What mean these stones?  
That I see, that I see,
Tell me father, mother,
Tell me father, mother,
What they be, what they be?

Craft It:  The Joshua 4 Tissue-box Marker

Prep It: tissue box (Pick a blue water-like pattern.); small image of  Joshua and the Jordan waters, fine line markers, highlighter, scissors, glue, printer.  Cut two strips 2 1/2"X7" from tissue box side.  Run off small image to fit marker; parents cut around Joshua's hand. Front of Marker: Print verse: "For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan...." Joshua 4:23

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=KjOHFZM2&id=06D6049321372C768F251C2FF5A5511F6322CCD2&thid=OIP.KjOHFZM2U0NZNgbstnAhvAHaJg&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2f736x%2ff0%2f90%2fad%2ff090ada5194ed23457f2c09cfc8fa1ac--joshua-bible-children%27s-bible.jpg&exph=945&expw=736&q=Joshua+Crosses+Jordan+Coloring+Pages&simid=608050142669506908&ck=2BA65F30615914C17605CF521BBD7995&selectedIndex=2&FORM=IRPRST&ajaxhist=0

Make It:  Glue small image to marker front; and verse below.  See pic at bottom of this lesson.    

Back of Marker: For 1st. Grade and up print: "For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you, until ye were passed over ... That all the people might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever."  Joshua 4:23-24.  

Make-It: Cut verses into strips and glue to back of marker.  Highlight:  the LORD your God, might know, the LORD, might, might fear the LORD your God for ever.  Help younger students with highlighting the verse parts.  Check out marker picture below!

I Recall It: "Orator Man"

I was seven when I visited the Gettysburg Pennsylvania battlefield honoring the soldiers of the Civil War.  It was filled with memorable places full of monuments and statues.  I got to sit on a cannon and listen to a gifted orator I've named "Orator Man," or "Megaphone Man!"  Mr. George Landis really was a preacher, but he was a-never-to-be-forgotten story teller as well.  

Because I've never forgotten Mr. Landis' mesmerizing deep voice I wrote "Orator Man" telling about my memory. 

Orator Man

Orator Man 
with megaphone
at a Gettysburg
memorial zone
telling its story;
small girl sitting,
still as a stone,
listening never 
to forget Orator
Man with megaphone--
ever!                      LEP

How I hope you too will visit memorial places that tell stories about our past.  How very important this is.  Often the Bible emphasizes dads, moms, and others tell children about the past.  May we heed this instruction!

Older Kids (Ages 8-12)

Think About It:  Memorial Stones

Memorial Stones 

Memorial stones are remembering zones:
memorial statues are remembering places
where with uplifted faces we listen to stories
told by rememberers* who remind us of the past.
                                                                       LEP                                                                    

*  poetic spelling

Have you ever been to places where there are many memorials or monuments?  Washington, DC would be a great example.  There you'll find numerous memorials and places where one can pause to reflect on and think about past events or prominent people from the past.  Explore More:  Look up one memorial or place in the Washington, DC area that you are interested in and write a short report on it.  e.g. The Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and so on.  Draw a picture too.  Add your report to your journal.

When I was young, whenever we visited Philadelphia, Pennsylvania my father always took time to point out a statue of William Penn high atop a building that could be seen as we entered.  Dad, too, purposely took me to view the grave of one of the founders of our country: Benjamin Franklin.  Another historical site we stopped at was the home of Betsy Ross who sewed our first flag.  There I purchased a memento  plate we kept for years.  

It's important to know history and why things are what they are today.  Perhaps, if more parents/ teachers did this many would not be so ready to tear down historical statues or areas because they do not like what those persons/structures stood for.  Instead, they could point both the good and the bad things that happened there or that a particular person did.  

God encouraged the children of Israel to inform their children of past events and to answer their questions about them.  That's what the story of the Joshua and the twelve memorial stones is about!  That's what the verses about the night the Destroying Angel came to Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea,  or the day near to Horeb tell us to remember and think about.     

Explain It:  What's the Difference Between a Memorial Statue and an Idol?

Do you know the difference between a memorial structure or statue and an idol?  Talk about this.  What Deuteronomy verses warn against idols?  Why?  Is there more than one verse that talks about idols?  Where?  Do a little research.  Why did God not want people to bow to idols?  Think of the Ten Commandments!

Reflect on It:  'Specially the Day!

Moses told the Israelites to especially recall the day when they stood near Mt. Horeb surrounded by fire, smoke, clouds, and  the great voice.  That day was meant to be remembered always.  We too have days that we should especially remember and never forget.  What special days do you have you know you won't ever forget and will tell your children about?  What special places do you remember?  The older you grow the greater will be your recollections of such times.  

This reminds me of the time our two granddaughters were visiting and busily getting ready for bed.  I tried to go in to visit a bit more with them, but they were occupied.  So I retreated. A short while later my precious older granddaughter came in all ready for bed.  "Gramma," she said, "now you can come and tell us stories!"  Oh, praise the Lord, I was so glad for that invitation--it touched my heart.

Reread It:  "'Specially the Day"

Moses spoke to God's people.  You need to take heed lest you forget the things God did for you.  You need to take heed lest they depart from your heart. Teach them to your kids and your kids' kids too.  Moses warned them lest they corrupt themselves and sin.  He warned against making statues or idols that were like men, women, animals, birds, fish, and creeping things.  He warned them against worshipping the sun, moon, and stars.  Understand, cautioned Moses, that it is the LORD that's brought you out of Egypt.  Take heed, said Moses, lest you forget the agreement God made with you.  Don't make images or idols as the LORD your God told you not to.  Remember that!  (Deut. 4)

Tell About It:  A Born Again Birthday!

Do you have a very special day that you've never forgotten-- the day you asked Jesus to forgive your sins, and accepted Him as your Savior from sin?  Do you remember it?  I do!  I was nine years old, and the date was August 22, 1954.  I was playing outside in front of a huge building that was right along the Atlantic Ocean, and I could hear the waves crashing in the background.  This building was where I went to church, and it was also a home for older Christians.  Right on the corner was a sign from I Tim. 1:15 which read, "....Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."  As I read the sign I knew I was a sinner, and I prayed right there to ask Jesus to forgive my sins trusting Him as my Savior.  

That same night a visiting preacher told his special day story how during WWII he met Jesus while crouching in a fox hole hiding from the enemy.  It was then I whispered to my mom that I too now believed and was saved.  That very same man had his story published in a little paper, and later I had a copy of it.  And now I am sharing my story with you.

Learn It:  Moses' Reminders 

Remember What God Did!

At every chance
Moses did say,
"Remember what
God did yesterday
in Egypt."

* at Mt. Horeb, Red Sea etc.   

Read It!  "The Forever Memorial"

Take turns with your children reading Joshua's "Forever Memorial" story in Joshua 3,4.  Discuss it!  Include any ideas mentioned in little kids' lesson.  Allow children to open up their Bibles to Joshua 3, and Joshua 4 to find answers!  Pair up the "up phrases!"

Look It Up!  "The Up Quiz"

1.  rose early (k)   2.  sanctify yourselves (d)  3.  the ark of the covenant (c)   4. magnify you (e)  5.  the waters (h)  6.  a stone (g)  7.  twelve stones (l)  8.  priests (j)  9. priests' feet (i)  10. the tenth day (f)    11. pitch in Gilgal (b)  12.  Jordan River, Red Sea (a)

a. dried up     b. set up     c.  took up     d.  clean up     e. raise you up     f. people came up out of the Jordan     g.  take up on shoulder      h. stood and rose up upon a heap     i. were lifted up      j.  did come up out of the Jordan    k.  got up     l.  took up out of the Jordan

Know It: Two Psalm 114 Rhymes

Read Ps.114.  Think about it!

Remember!

God shook the sea,
God shook the river.
They did quake,
They did quiver,
At God's command 
they did obey
opening up to make
a way for his people
to cross over.

Have You Read?

Have you read?
The Red Sea saw it.
The Red Sea fled.
Remember it!
God did it!

Have you read
the Scriptures said
the Jordan was
driven back?
Remember it!
God did it!

From Psalm 114:3  "The sea (Red) saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back."  Psalm 78:13  "He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap."

View It:  God's Story: Joshua Crosses the Jordan 

Here is a video of our story to watch:  

Sort It: Remember & Lest Thou Forget Tubes

Prep It:  two toilet tubes, images of colorful straight lines, Bible verse print out, tape, scissors, glue ....

Make It:  Print two colorful pages of lined paper; wrap paper round tube, tuck, and tape.  Print off "Remember!" and "Lest Thou Forget" and use verse list to print off verses.

Verse List:  Forget, Lest:  Deut. 4:9, Deut. 4:23, Deut. 6:12, Deut. 8:11, Deut. 8:12, Deut. 8:19, Deut. 9:7, Deut. 31:21, Psalm 106:21, and Psalm 78:7.  Remember:  Deut. 5:15, Deut. 7:18, Deut. 8:2,  Deut. 8:18, Deut. 15:15, Deut. 32:7, Psalm 78:35, Psalm 105:5, Eccl. 12:1, & I Cor. 11:23-25. 

Sort It: Read verses, highlight either "remember," "lest thou forget," "lest," and "forget not" lines.  Cut verses apart, and glue to strips. Put into correct tube.  Play game: Teacher/parent reads verse;  asks a question about verse; leaves a word blank, or asks kids to find it in the Bible.  After each time child would tell parent/teacher which tube to place verse in.  See photos at end of lesson. 

Read It Aloud:  A Classic Children's Christian Book to Remember! 

I was eight when my mom first read to me Treasures of the Snow by an amazing author named Patricia St. John.  It was a fairly recent Christian book then, but now is a Christian classic read in many places.  It's the kind of book both children and parents will always remember! (And reread!)

The book begins on Christmas eve in a Swiss village when Annette, a small girl, meets her new baby brother Dani.  And it was on that same night that Annette's mother went to spend Christmas with the angels.  I recall my mom crying as she read that part.  So it was that Annette became the special care giver and protector of her little brother Dani.

Several years later an accident happened to Dani caused by a village boy Lucien.  After, Annette hated Lucien.  Before long, many in the village seemed to dislike him too.  As you read you'll discover how Annette was forgiven by the Lord Jesus and at last forgave Lucien.  

After hearing the story I longed to visit Switzerland.  Coincidentally, about the same time, a Swiss lady I knew took a trip back to Switzerland bringing me a Swiss chalet pin and weather house.  Years later, with my family I visited Switzerland fulfilling my childhood wish. There I traveled via a cog railroad up into a sparkling Swiss village complete with cows with tinkling bells.  

Do read this book, a treasure in its own right, for it is a book that touched my young heart leading to my salvation a short time later.  P.S.  This book is based on many true incidents for its writer spent a memorable year of her childhood in an Alpine village.

Find the book here: https://www.lighthousetrails.com/ages-7-12/43-treasures-of-the-snow-book.html

Lest I Forget It:  This Do in Remembrance of Me! 

In the NT we read I Corinthians 11:23-25 which tell us not to forget the Lord Jesus and what he did for us at Calvary:  These remembrance verses that commemorate Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection read: "... the Lord Jesus ... took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take eat, this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. ... he took the cup, ... saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, ... in remembrance of me." Memorize these verses, remember them, do them!

Think of the Deuteronomy "lest I forget" verses.  Jennie E. Hussey's beautiful hymn: "Lead Me to Calvary" has a refrain with these words "lest I forget" in it.  It's refrain goes: "Lest I Forget Gethsemane, lest I forget thine agony, lest I forget thy love for me, lead me to Calvary."  Hear it here so sweetly sung by The Bowers Family:

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Lead+me+to+Calvary+by+Bowers+Family&docid=608017165849920541&mid=CA1904F679DC81FC2B76CA1904F679DC81FC2B76&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

Teachers/Parents/Grandparents/You

Make An Eternal Impact!

Do you wish to make
an eternal impact?
Then, leave history intact:
Share its flaws, share its facts.
Share its stories, share its truths.
Discuss them with your youths.
                                            LEP 

Remember the Holocaust stories which have often been covered up and even dismissed as untrue.  However, Germany did do something that impacts its visitors by making its heinous labor camps remembering places.  I recall one cold winter day taking several trains in Munich, Germany to visit Dachau.  It was one of those I can not forget moments.  But, it was meant to be remembered, not swept away so we can learn from it today.  May we as parents, grandparents, teachers, and others share and discuss such memorials with our children.   Above, all acquaint your child with all the many places in Scripture that concern remembering!   

If You See It: What Mean These Stone Stacks? 

Before closing this lesson about the memorial stones I would be remiss not to mention small "stone stacks" that one often finds on store shelves, in homes, outdoor gardens, park trails, and by bodies of water.  Exactly what are these stone stacks?  Are they like Joshua's memorial?  Not at all!  Peruse the following information, and articles to find out what they are all about.  Then, the next time you spy one of these stone stacks inform your kids of their meaning.

Find several sets of images of stone stacks.  Preview first yourself.  Pick out red flag words that give a clue as to what stone stacks are.  Show some images or an image to your child.  Explain.  Discuss.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=Prayer+stone+stacks+images&cvid=2537917ecae34139836ddc0faa2609a6&FORM=ANAB01&PC=U531

Read the: "The Yoga of Balancing Stones" by Helen Avery.   Here's some of the red flag ideas to note:  stones as sacred symbols, stones as uniting us with the environment, stones as spirits, stones as representative of prayers, stones as meditative devices, stones as balancing agents, and stones as yogic-like.  Avery asserts,  "During the practice of balancing of  stones, the mind is required to focus and become very quiet. ...  Michael Grab, who has been balancing stones since 2008,  describes the process as similar to states of samadhi*... 'the mind shuts off entirely....'"  https://wanderlust.com/journal/the-yoga-of-balancing-stones/

*  Samadhi can be defined as a state of intense achievement through meditation.  In Hindu yoga this is regarded as the final state, at which union with the divine is reached (before or at death.)

Here is an article I wrote: https://whputnam00.blogspot.com/2016/06/mindfulness-meditation-and-yoga.html.  Read it; especially notice the section titled "Prayer Stone Stacks: Their Association with Mindfulness."  Another series I wrote before these lessons is  ABC: Bible Meditation for Me: Bible Meditation Vs. Eastern Meditation which contrasts for parents and children what true Bible meditation is as opposed to the kind of meditation one reaches through stone stacking, yoga, or mindfulness.        

Stone Stackers 

Stone stackers 
everywhere
infusing stones
with their prayers,
Stone stackers 
clearing their mind, 
stacking stones 
that they find,
Stone stackers 
calming their mind,
stacking stones 
they call divine,
Stone stackers
assembling
stone stacks 
here and there--
beware!        LEP


  

























  


  



      

  



  


 

                        

     

 



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Saturday, October 10, 2020

Q Is for Question It! ABC: Deuteronomy for Me! Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World!

Q Is for Question It!  ABC: Deuteronomy for Me!  Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World!


Be Ready!

Learn: Prepare!
Discern: Beware!
Heed: Be careful!
Read: Be prayerful!
Obey: Be steady!
Today: "Be ready
always to give an
answer to all that
ask you a reason of
the hope that's in you!"
                             LEP

* End of poem:  From I Peter 3:15

As I Peter 3:15 tells us may we be prepared and ready to stand for truth having answers for all those who ask reasons for the hope that is in us.  May we be like the Bereans who daily searched and examined the Scriptures.  May we learn to love God's Word!

Little Kids: Ages 4-7

Q Is for Question It!

Q is for question it,
Be a Berean do,
and daily search the
Scriptures to see 
if things are true!

Read rhyme, read Acts 17:11.  

 "They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."  

Add motions:  Point to head; make hand Bible, shake finger.

Say it this way:  "They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily-- Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday--, whether those things were so." 

Explain that some people, called the Bereans, learned to look into their Bibles to see or examine if what they were hearing was true.  How often did they do this?  Daily or every day!   We too must look into our Bibles to find answers to our questions!  Be sure to find the verse, and highlight it.

Sing It: "The B-I-B-L-E!"

Sing the old song "The B-I-B-L-E"  with the Cedarmont Kids:

Notice It:  Some Q Things

Prep: white board, marker, small Qq and Uu outline images, scissors, glue, tape, ....

Write "Q, q, Qu, qu, and question'' on your white board.  Talk about these letters/word. Notice uppercase Q is a lot like an "O" but has a little "tail."  Look at the little q with its "teensy foot."  Find the qu in the word question.  Demonstrate how to make the Q, q, and qu.  Let kids try some.   On board write:  "Question It!"  Explain that this lesson will be about asking questions.               

Give kids some Q and u letters and q and u letters and let them tape or glue them together.  Tell them almost always q and u go together.  But, once in awhile as in the game of Scrabble, a q has an 'a' after it!

Learn It: Qq Words

Print Qq words on your white board.  Underline the "qu" parts.  Give each child a large "Quad Q."  On it have 4s,5s print some Qqs, Qu, qu, and questions marks. 1st./2nd. may write Qq  words as; quit, quiz, quest, query, quick, quilt, quote, question, quotation, and question mark onto a quad Q or in their journal.  A Deuteronomy "Qq" word you'll see is "quickly"-- the people turned quickly aside to worship the golden calf idol even after they promised to obey God's commands. (Deut.9)     

Hint:  Composition books with quad ruling or boxes are such fun!  Kids can print one letter per box, and color the boxes in between.  Kids may also make patterns coloring more than one box between words and using various bright colors.  Experiment with them!  Find printable quad images right here:

Touch it:  A Tactile Q or Two
Little ones learn through all the senses. Touch is especially important.  Let kids use e.g."foam hand soap" or hand lotion to make Qqs and question marks. As you do it repeat a question verse. Glitter Q stickers can also be felt.     

Define It:  What Is a Question? A Question Mark?

Write: "What is a question?" on your white board.  Read the sentence.  Point to the word question.  Point to the question mark.  Say:  A question is a sentence of words we say when we want to get some information.  If I say, "What is your name?" that is a question.  Can you ask me a question? Synonyms for "question" are inquiry, query, interrogation, examination, quiz, and quizzing. 

Hold up a question mark.  Then write one on the white board.   When I put this mark at the end of a sentence it is called a question mark.   Let kids make some inside an outline Q.  When someone asks a question, then you answer it.  Here's a question for you: "What is the best book in the world?"  Yes, the Bible.  That is where we find answers!  

Hear It:  Jesus Asks & Answers Questions 

In Luke 2:41-52 we read a story about Jesus who went with his parents to the Passover feast in Jerusalem.  He was twelve.  On the way back his parents found Jesus didn't seem to be with the crowds or family. So where was Jesus?  The Bible says he was back at the temple.  What was he doing?  He was sitting with the temple teachers both asking and answering questions.  Those listening to Jesus were wowed by his questions and his answers.  As he grew older, in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John we read that Jesus often asked questions and gave amazing answers.

Note:  The questions/answers in v.46,48-50!

Dip It: Question Mark Page

Prep It:  Needed: page copy; colored paper, cotton swab; small amount poster paint, water color paint etc.; pencil or marker; printed Bible verse sheet; glue; scissors; ....

Make-It: Cut out page; glue to colored paper.  Dip Q-Tip or other cotton swab into paint and touch all question marks; or just color in '?' circles with a marker.  Above little page write: "Q Is for Question It" and below write one verse.  For 4s/5s provide copy of Acts 17:11 or I Peter 3:15. You may also provide a scrambled copy of Acts 17:11.  See sample below!   Click here for Question Mark Page:      


Understand It:  What Word Goes with Questions?

Finish this: "Questions and _____."  Questions and answers go together.  When we have a question and answer time we often say: "It's a Q & A Time!"  What does the Q stand for? the A?  There's another three letter word "a-s-k" that goes with questions.  What is it?  Yes, ask!  We ask questions so we can get answers!  Sometimes teachers say: "Are there any questions?"

Name It:  What's An Ampersand?

Have you noticed this symbol "&" on your keyboard right above the 7?  It is called an "Ampersand."  This is a Latin symbol for "et" or "and."  Some call it the "and" symbol!"  See a big gold ampersand here:  https://www.lifewire.com/common-keyboard-symbols-1078337
Be sure to view my gold glitter ampersand symbol at the end of the lesson; what a perfect sticker to make an ampersand symbol rubbing. Do you see my questions marks too? See photo below!

Rub It:  Hint:  You need raised letters, numbers, and symbols to make a rubbing.  If you have e.g., a sticker sheet, tape it to a smooth surface, and use an unwrapped crayon or the side of a pencil as you make your rubbing.  After you may trace around it.   Below, view my Holy Bible rubbing from my Giant Bible!        

Learn It:  Be Ready with Answers  

I Peter 3:15  "... Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you ...."

Say it this way:  "...Be ready always to give an answer to every-- boy, girl, father, mother, man, woman,  -- that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you."  

Peter tells us always be ready to tell other kids or grownups about Jesus who loves us, died for us, and gives us hope.

Make-It: The Memory Verse Kid 

Prep It: small paper plate, scissors, sticky notes, colored paper, 1/2 of toilet paper tube, tape, glue, printed verse ....

Make It:  Cut out circle from plate.  Use sticky notes or colored paper to make a face on the plate.  Add hair, eyes, nose, open mouth, etc.  Cover tube in several pieces of sticky notes to make little pockets.  Print I Peter 3:15, and glue to tiny pieces that fit into the little tube "neck."  From plate edge make a Q Viewer*; add a paper tail.  Do look at sample photo at end of lesson!  Notice that I used two or three words per rectangular piece even making a colored pattern.  You can turn over the pieces and number them if necessary!  Shorten the verse for littler ones.
*  Use the Q Viewer to place short verses inside, or say your verses through the "Q" in a quiet voice or quite loudly! 

Move It:  Use pieces to arrange the verse in order atop the Quilt Puzzle Page, in the easy-to-make egg carton, and on any flat surface.  I have used a girl with cutout sticky note pieces; do a boy the same way.
 
Hear It:  When a Kid Asks a Question

In Deuteronomy 6:20-25 Moses told parents what to do when their child asked a question about what all the rules and laws meant.  Moses told the parents how to answer that child.  What did Moses tell the parents to say?  He said tell your kids that God's people were once slaves working hard for the wicked Pharaoh.  Next, tell your kids how the Lord did miracles and got the slaves out of Egypt. Tell them all the things that happened as God's people marched through the desert. Tell them, said Moses, that in the Promised Land everyone must fear and obey God.

Does God tell your parents how to talk to you and what to tell you? Yes, He surely does.  Where can your dad or mom find out how to answer your questions?  Yes, in the Bible!                      

Investigate It:  Question Quest

4s/K:  Give kids some magazine pages and let them locate ? marks.  Let them cut them out and glue onto an oversized outline Qq.   Help them find one or two question marks in Deuteronomy in a giant Bible.  1st./2nd:  Help first/second graders search Deuteronomy to find question marks.  When one is found, highlight that verse and circle the question mark.  Find five examples.  Help them read the questions.  Did they find answers?  If so, read them!

Older Kids:  Ages 8-12

Learn It:  I Peter 3:15

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you  a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:..."   

Your Task!

It's your task to ask questions,
It's your quest to test Scripture,
It's your duty to stay steady,
It's your job to be ready to
answer questions!  It's Biblical!
                                            LEP

Mark It: Hunt for Deuteronomy Questions

Turn to Deuteronomy.  Let's have a "Deuteronomy Question Quest" or a "Deuteronomy Question Investigation."  By the way, what does the word "quest" mean?  

As you read out the question let kids find it Deuteronomy, circle the ? mark at the end of the question, highlight the question with a highlighter, and make a Q in the margin. 

Here's a list of some Deut. questions to locate:  Deut. 4:7-8; *Deut.4:32-34*; Deut. 5:25-26; *Deut. 6:20-21*; Deut. 10:12-13; Deut.18:20-21;  Deut.29:25-28,  *Deut. 32:7*. 

* Have word "ask" or "asked" in them.

Think About It:  Deuteronomy "Ask" About the Past Questions

Should we talk about the past?  Should we discuss things that happened that weren't good?  Or should we just try to hide all bad things?  Should we knock down statues of people who did evil things?  What do you think?  Deuteronomy teaches us some things about the past. Here are three "ask about the past" question quotations to read, and to talk about.  

*  Deut. 4:32-33 says, "For ask now about the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, ....?" 

*Deut. 6:20-21  and Deut.32:7 speaks about their son's questions about the past. Why do you think God told parents and kids to remember the past happenings?          

Note It:  Now, Israel Question 

Now Israel, What Does
the Lord Require of You?

Now, Israel, what does
the Lord require today?
He desires that you:
Fear God, walk in his ways,
love God, serve him always.
n' keep God's commands 
for your own good.
O, Israel, you should, yes
you should--obey!          LEP
From: Deut. 10:13,14

Does God require that of us too?  Yes, he does; for if we have trusted Jesus as our Savior we will want to love him with all our heart, mind, and soul. 

Learn It:  Jesus' Deuteronomy Question

Review the "L Is for Learn It" lesson where Jesus quoted Deuteronomy verses three times during his temptation,  Then read Luke 14:1-6 story where Jesus uses a Deuteronomy quotation again. This time Jesus was eating in the home of some lawyers and Pharisees on the sabbath day (Saturday), a day on which they were not to do any kind of work. Now, these men watched Jesus closely hoping to catch him in something he might say or do wrong.  

At the house was a man who was sick with "the dropsy."  When Jesus saw the man, he asked the men this question: "Is it all right to heal on the sabbath day?" They wouldn't answer.  So Jesus, knowing it was right to care for this poor man no matter what the day, healed him.   

After Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 22:4 asking them: "Which of you men if you had a donkey or an ox and it fell in a hole on the sabbath day would not quickly pull it out?" What did the men answer? Luke tells us.  They said nothing!

Jesus was always asking questions.  He began this conversation.  He showed them even though they had all kinds of rules against working on the sabbath day and if there was a real need, they could help an animal or person.  Jesus used questions to teach them.  He also used quotations or verses from the Bible as he talked with them. We too must use Bible verses as we talk with people.  Jesus did it!  So should we!  

Read It;  Zvi's Questions

In our "P Is for Possess It" lesson we met a young man named Zvi who had never had anyone tell him about God until he was about eighteen. Then he got a Hebrew OT and was so anxious to understand it and its message that he cornered any one who could answer his many questions. Now in chapter fourteen "A Little Black Book" Zvi meets a Swiss lady who offered him a small book.  "Just what is this black book?" Zvi queried. "Why, it's a New Testament that tells about the Messiah." she responded.  

To the lady Zvi confessed he had heard the word Messiah a few times, but he knew little beyond the name. "Then this book will answer your questions." the lady replied.  "Promise me you'll read it!"  Zvi promised! As Zvi began to slowly read it he was captivated by its story of Jesus.  Many of its quotations were somewhat familiar for he'd read some of them in his Hebrew Old Testament he'd gotten in Haifa.  As he read his New Testament many of Zvi's questions were answered, but at the same time new questions arose.

Zvi knew no one to help him, but he persisted in his quest to learn what the New Testament said.  The little black book drew him like a magnet often causing him to escape the noise of his camp to the quiet of a Jerusalem park to read it.  The more he read, the more he wanted to know this Messiah.  And as the story continues very soon Zvi would at last discover who Jesus was.

Note:  Read the little story above to your child and ask them to notice the "Qq" words or related words in it.  I was blown away as I read pp.125-126 and elsewhere when I spied Qq words.  Not only was this story amazing, but here were words perfect for this Qq lesson!  Order the book here:
       

Quiz It:  Question Quilt (I Peter 3:15)

Prep It:  9"X12" paper, puzzle suggestion, images, 12 sticky notes in two colors, markers, glue, list of questions ....

Make It:  Make a puzzle page using bee, red shape, D, child answering question, kids asking questions, and in between words on the 9"X12" page. After cover the page with twelve apx. 3"X3" sticky notes in four rows.  View sample below!  

Play It: Uncover the puzzle under the "quilt!"  Have teams or two children play.  Remove quilt patch the child chooses.  If they can identify the word or words, leave uncovered; otherwise recover.  Keep playing until enough of the verse is uncovered that the child can recite it.

Hint:  It's best to play this game after kids have learned I Peter 3:15.  A shortened version for little kids could be made.  e.g. Bee ("Be), red shape +D  (ready), always to, image with child raising hand (give an answer),  kids asking questions (to every man that asks you ....") or  Acts 17:11  " U Bee (image) a Berean! Search the Scriptures! (Pic of the Bible).      

Don't Ask It!  Inquire Not After It!  

In Deuteronomy 12:30-31 God told his people they shouldn't be inquiring about or become curious about how the nations around them worshipped idols nor what it was like to worship them.  Why do you suppose that was?  If you replied they might try it; that's it exactly.  Sometimes curiosity gets the best of us, and before we know it we get lured into finding out more. Hanging out with the wrong friends will often make kids look at things or do things they shouldn't.  Have children name some practices/activities that ensnare kids today.
 
Avoid It!  Asking Questions to an Ouija Board

Have you ever heard of an Ouija board?  It seems like it might be like a regular game, but it is an occult board that lures people to try to know about their future.  It is something mentioned in Deuteronomy 18 that we shouldn't do-- divination.  There was a Christian college student who began to be curious about Ouija boards, and pretty soon she was doing what God said not to do asking it questions.  Read Jan's true story here:  https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=3600

Read It:   Treffy and Christie Have Questions!  

Christie's Old Organ by O. F. Walton is the perfect book to read that answers questions!  Questions that old Treffy the organ grinder man and the orphan Christie wanted to know about.  The question that they so wanted to know was where was "Home, sweet Home?" or heaven?  And how could they get there?  

Treffy sends Christie to find out the answers to their question.  At the mission-house Christie heard the words of a beautiful song about "the city bright."  Christie found out that no one who sinned could enter heaven, but that if one asked Jesus to "cleanse me and save me" they might enter in.  How happy was Christie to share the good news with Treffy.  As you read the story aloud emphasize the questions and answers found in it.  What a grand story of how an old man and a young child find salvation through the Lord Jesus!  

Find the book here:

Play It:  Quizmo, The Question & Answer Game

Prep It:   Find Tic-Tac-Toe Image Grid, copy it, and cut it out.  Copy also small ?s, Qs, and Us images; print and cut out. Prepare question list on Bible verses, rhymes, Bible stories, etc.

Review It:  Before game(s) review verses, or stories, or concepts wish to emphasize in that game, then play! 

Play It:  Play like Tic-Tac-Toe.  Play with two children or two teams.  If it is just you and your child let him ask you questions.  You can quote verse etc.  He or she can leave out words and so on.  Even really little kids like this game!

Sample Questions:

I Peter 3:15 ?s:  quote verse, ask for its reference; which word means "prepare;" what does I Peter 3:15 tell us to do; repeat verse leaving one word blank; ask where I Peter is NT or OT; ask who we are to give an answer to; about what are we to give answers; how are we to give answers, and so on.

Jesus Ask a Deut. ?:  what NT book was the story in; with whom was Jesus eating; what was Jesus' first ?; what was wrong with the man; what was the response from the lawyers/Pharisees; what did Jesus do when they didn't answer; what was Jesus' Deut.?; what the reaction of the men; what did Jesus use to make the men think; from what book should we quote; why should we memorize scripture; ....

Teachers, Parents, Grandparents, YOU!

When Your Child 
Asks a Question

When your child
asks a question
what will you say?
Will you be ready
to respond the 
right way?
Therefore, today
get ready, prepare;
get into the Word
for the answers 
are there!   
                      LEP

Study It:  Jesus' Questions & Answers

Read through the four gospels marking all the passages where Jesus asks questions and gives answers  as he meets with his disciples or others around him.  Mark the verse, the place, the question (s), the answer, the reactions of those listening.  Also notice how many times it's recorded Jesus knew their thoughts.  Besides, the Lord often referred to various OT passages and began an answer with "Have you not read...?" or "It is written....!"

Examine It:  Look Into Books, Articles, Programs You Use      
   
As a Christian teacher, parent, or grandparent many books/programs will come along that you should scrutinize or examine before falling for their teaching.  Do learn to look into the author of the books you read--yes every one of them.  Talk about this with your child; so many today do little research into what they are reading.  Be aware too, Lighthouse Trails Research is a site that has documented booklets/books on many current Christian issues facing us today.  Do get to know their web site!
















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