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:
https://www.lighthousetrails.com/children-s-books-ages-6-11/1744-christie-s-old-organ.html Read my review there as well.
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!
