Sunday, July 4, 2021

X Is for X Marks the Spot n' Exit It! ABC: Deuteronomy for Me: Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World

X Is for X Marks the Spot n' Exit It!  ABC:  Deuteronomy for Me: Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World

This Day Know Ye!

This day know ye--
his greatness,
his mighty hand,
his stretched out arm,
his miracles,
his acts you did* see--
this day know ye!

* do, will    From Deut.
11:2,3

This lesson reminds us of the amazing signs and wonders God did for his special people the Israelites. This same God cares for and helps us today too!  May we thank and praise him for all He has done as Jethro did, when he blessed the Lord saying, "Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians, Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods...." (Exodus18:10,11)   Do you know Him?

Little Kids: Ages 4-7

E Is for Exit It!

E is for exit it,
words we say
when we leave 
one location
and go away.

Journal It:  A Look at Xx
 
Make Xs on your white board. Point out that X is a letter that has two sounds.  Sometimes, if it is at the beginning of a word it can have a "Zz" sound as in xylophone or it has a "Ks" sound as in x-ray.  You  can also hear it at the end of words such as ax or ox.  If you combine it with a short e as in exit you can hear it as well.  

On your White Board write Xxs having kids practice writing them in their journal.  Let 4s/Ks write "exit." Have 1st./2nd write xylophone, x-ray, ax, ox, and exit.

Mention that we begin the alphabet with a,b,c and we end the alphabet with x,y,z.  Do you know what number the letter "Xx" is ?  If an alphabet lineup is available count to find out.  How many more  lessons do we have before we exit or leave our Deuteronomy ABCs? 

Talk About It: "X Marks the Spot!"

The words "X Marks the Spot" is often found on an old map that tells where treasure is supposed to be buried.  In our lesson we'll make Xs next to/on some verses that have special words we want to remember.-- they will be our treasure verses.

Think About It:  "X Marks the Spot" Page

Copy the page here.  Here's a clever little page about "X Marks the Spot!"  Notice the little explorer with its "X Map."  Use scissors to pop up the little map. Add an "X" to its hat, shirt, and eyes.  Color the page.  Mention our Bible is like a giant treasure box with treasure words throughout.  In it we'll mark some verses we want to especially remember.   Find the page here:

A song I sang as a little girl was: "I Have a Wonderful Treasure."  It's first verse went: "I have a wonderful treasure, the gift of God without measure.  And we will travel together, my Bible and I."  May your Bible become the book you explore more and more every day to find its amazing treasures.  

Mark It:  "X Marks the Spot" Verse List

Deuteronomy 1:27 4:20, 4:34-35, 4:45-46, 5:6, 5:15, 6:21-23, 7:8, 7:19, 8:14, 9:7, 9:12, 9:28-29, 11:10, 13:5, 13:10, 16:1, 16:3, 16:6, 20:1, 24:9, 25:17, 26:8, and 29:25.  
  
Make It:  X Marks the Spot Marker 

Prep It:  2"X5" paper, small upper case X with finger hole, tape, printed words...
Make It:  Tape or glue just the bottom of the X onto the marker top.
Mark It:  Place a X by a verse with an "out" in it--e.g."brought out"  Circle "o."
Read It:  Hold marker over verse and peer through hole to read!
Hint:  Can even stick index/pinkiefinger through hole and swing marker back and
forth as you say a verse.  Look at marker in photo section!

Explain It!  EXIT!  EXIT IT!

Here's the word: "exit."  Write it.  Hear its short vowel and its "ks" sound.  What other little word do you see?   Write "EXIT It" too.  Exit what?  Egypt.  

What does "EXIT" mean?  Exactly, to go out, leave, or depart.  Read rhyme.  From what country did God's people go out of or leave?  Yes, Egypt.  Why did they want to leave or exit it?  The answer is they were slaves and treated badly by the Egyptians.  Who helped them get out of Egypt?  God did!  Who finally said they should hurry up and get out?  Pharaoh!    

Where do you often see the word: "EXIT?" That's right, over a door to tell you that is a way out.  What color is that word? Red.  4s, 5:  Write "EXIT!"  1st./2nd: Write rhyme "E Is for Exit It."    

Make It:  The "EXIT" Marker

Prep It:  paper, letters, scissors, tape, ....  Print EXIT in caps; cut from red paper or find red EXIT on line.  Use sturdy paper to cut out a marker.  Accordion fold one small pop-out.  
Make It:  Glue EIT on paper; put little accordion folded springy paper below "X" so it pops out.  View marker at end of lesson!  Find an "exit it" verse.*  Place the marker there!  See a photo below.
*See verse list above. 

X It!  X It Map Game

Prep It:  Paper; print Bible History "The Exodus map"; small x from letter stickers or cutouts; and X locations list.  Find map here:  The Exodus - Bible Maps (bible-history.com)

Make It:  Glue map to paper.   
Play It:  Give each child a map, and small "x" to cover spots called.  Give different ones a chance to be a "caller."  Help younger ones!  See who can "x it" first.  Play a practice game.  Then keep score.
Locate It List:  Egypt, Exodus, Red Sea, Sinai Peninsula, Dead Sea, Horeb, The Great Sea, Aqaba, Mt.Horeb, Kadesh-Barnea, Mt. Nebo, Wilderness of Zin, Wilderness of Sin, Wilderness of Paran, pyramids ....  See map page example photo!

Moses and the Exodus - Kids Bible Maps is another great Exodus' resource.

Explain It: The Exit Egypt Explanation!

Deuteronomy says when kids asked their parents why they exited Egypt they were to say: "We were Pharaoh's bondsmen (slaves) in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand : ... signs and wonders ... before our eyes."  Deut. 6:21,22  Add actions to this verse: droop arms, look sad, raise fists, encircle eyes!

Hear it:  Exit It!  Get Out Now!

God's people were slaves in Egypt. Every day they had to do such hard work. The people cried out to the Lord.  God heard them.  He sent Moses to beg Pharaoh to let them go right away to have a special time in the desert. But Pharaoh said, "NO!" God even sent bad things to their land.  Still Pharaoh said, "NO!  

Finally, God sent a really awful plague where the oldest boy in each Egyptian family died.  Now, the Israelite firstborn sons didn't die for God had said to put blood from a little lamb on three sides of their doors.  And when God's angel saw the blood on each Israelite door, he passed by those houses. That plague made Pharaoh say: "Exit now, get out, go!  Go serve your God.  Go, go, go!"

The people quickly packed up.  They took dough for bread in their sacks.  The Bible says the Egyptians were so happy to have them go they gave them treasures: gold, silver, and clothing too.  God helped them by giving them a cloud pillar to follow by day and a fire pillar to follow by night.  

Out they exited-- a humongous exodus of people, animals, and children.  Off they exited by the Red Sea. There God opened it up so the people could walk across on dry ground. Once they exited the Red Sea they were safe, for God delivered them!  There their Exodus journey began.  Always after that God told them not to forget his powerful signs and wonders he did in Egypt and in the desert wilderness.
(From Exodus 12-14)

X It! O It!: Numbers 15:41

In Numbers 15:41 God reminded them it was He who brought them out:  It says, "I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord your God."  Numbers 15:41 

Back up one book from Deuteronomy to Numbers.  Find chapter fifteen; go down to verse forty-one.  Place a X in front of verse and an O or circle around "out."  Where did God bring them out of?  Which words are repeated two times?  Why do you think that might be?  I think God wanted them to know it was he who did the miracles all along the way from Egypt through the desert.  They did not come out all by themselves!  Use an Exodus or OUT marker to place by the verse.

In Journal:  4s/5s  Write or trace over:  "I am the LORD your God."  1st./2nd.  Write entire verse.  Circle "out."  Highlight two parts of verse exactly the same.  Underline the word "Egypt."  Write the word: "Exodus" and explain what that means!  Notice Exodus has an "x" and an "o" in it!  What itty bitty word do you also see? (us)  Print X and add reinforcement O's around your verse.  

O It!  "O Bible Verse Ring"

Prep It:  pattern; paper, and printed word "out".
Make It: Copy "o" from ABC outline pattern.  Trace it onto heavy paper; cut out center.  Print paper with "out" on it.  Glue to  "O".  May add curled ribbon and second O below it.    Find outline lowercase Os here:  lower case o outline letters for preschool - Bing images , or see page from my book Celebrate the Bible below.  
Idea:  Make an "X" finger ring too; use to say verses.
Wear It:  Put "O" on finger; say Numbers 15:41 shouting "out" loudly and lifting finger.  

View It:  Exodus by Brian Wildsmith

Listen to the exciting Exodus story here:   Exodus by Brian Wildsmith | Kids Book Read Aloud Bible Storytime - Bing video   I would especially recommend you go to your library and get an actual copy of this book in order to read it for yourself and to examine its outstanding art work. Notice its shiny golden pictures inserted on almost every page.  There's one mistake you'll hear as the story is read regarding Moses' burial.  Can you detect it?  Find the answer in the last book of Deuteronomy!

Older Kids: Ages 8-12

Learn It:  Great Verses to Rehearse Deuteronomy 4:34, 35

"... hath God assayed (tried) to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, (Egypt) by temptations, by signs and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched our arm, and by great terrors, according to all the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? ... that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him."

Rehearse It:  Two Great Verses:  Find verses in Deut. 4.  Highlight the seven bys, "before your eyes," and "know."    

In Deuteronomy God kept reminding the people that he'd chosen them and took them out of Egypt and through the desert by his power!  Can you see the seven "by" parts -- the ways God took them out of Egypt before the eyes of Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and his people? Why did God do all these mighty acts?  Exactly to show that he was God alone!   

Make It:  The "By Marker" 

Prep It:  6"X9" orange paper; black paper; b-y letters; Bible; Deut. 4:34,35 verses; scissors; glue; markers; .... 
Make It:  Fold paper in half lengthwise for a open-up marker.  Print outline b,y; cut from black paper.  Go to King James Bible on line here:  Print out Deut.4:34,35.  Cut around verses.  On cover glue "by" vertically.  From verse print cut out: Deuteronomy 4:34,35, by temptations, by signs, and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand, by a stretched out arm, by great terrors.  In that order (SEE photo at end.)  on the marker edge glue various "by parts" all around the "by.."  Inside glue verses.  Circle bys, The Lord your God, and know.  Look at the marker in the photo section.  
Mark It:  Read it, rehearse it, and place in Bible at Deut. 4. 

Hear It:  "Jethro: What God Has Done!"

Do you remember the "J Is for Judge It!" Lesson where Moses' father-in-law gave Moses advice on how to judge the people?  Well, Exodus 18 tells us more of Jethro's story. It begins with Jethro's visit to Moses after hearing all that God had done for the Israelites by bringing them out of Egypt.

Once there, Jethro and Moses greeted each other.  Then they went into Moses' tent.  There Moses told Jethro all that the Lord had done to the Egyptians, and had done to help them in the wilderness.  Jethro rejoiced with Moses.  And he blessed the Lord!  "Now I know," said Jethro, "that the LORD is greater than all other gods!"  After, Jethro worshipped and brought a sacrifice and offering to God and ate with Aaron and the leaders of Israel.  

Often Scripture mentions that the nations round about heard what was happening to the Israelites and to Moses.  Even though there weren't communications like we have now, those who traveled to various places told the stories. Jethro was so impressed with all that he heard, he too praised the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.   From Exodus 18

View It:  The Jethro Story Video

View and listen to Exodus 18 read in this video: (1) Exodus 18: Jethro Visits Moses | Bible Story (2020) - Bing video

Put It in Order!  The Jethro Jumble

After, give kids scrambled sequence of events strip page.   e.g.  Jethro hears the great things the Lord did in Egypt.  Jethro visits Moses and so on.  You design the sentences. Let them cut apart the page or rewrite it putting the events in order!  Here is the correct sequence order:  Jethro hears, Jethro visits, Jethro listens, Jethro rejoices, Jethro blesses, Jethro knows, Jethro sacrifices, Jethro joins, Jethro advises, Jethro exits.  

Don't Miss It!  The "His" List

Copy "This Day Know Ye".*  Like our Deuteronomy 4 verses it has a list of God's great acts.  It mentions: his greatness, his mighty hand, his stretched out arm, his miracles, and his acts.  We too have seen God's greatness, and what he has done for us.  Can you name something special God has done for you?  Illustrate this.  Have you thanked him? 
* Beginning of lesson.

I Remember It: Uncle Johnny's Journey

Uncle Johnny was my mom's uncle born in England in 1888.  Now, I never knew a lot about him until I read my parents' old letters. In them they mention how Uncle Johnny had left his home and brought my mom, her friend, and her mom to visit my dad's family.  Exactly why they made that journey I do not know.   

But, this I know, that in one week dad met my mom, fell in love, and found Jesus shortly after--all because Uncle Johnny left his home, took a journey, and drove to New Jersey.  Now, Ancestry.com helped me find out who he was.  Incidentally, Uncle Johnny was one avid traveler it seems for more than once I could glimpse travel documents of him crossing borders--into and out of Canada e.g.   How happy I was to learn some of his story!  All of us are on a journey in our life.  Often we exit one place and enter another.  After hearing the story and all that happened later, I knew that God planned that journey joining two people together, who in turn told many of what the Lord had done!  And those two people then passed that love for their Savior on to me!        

Read It & Sing It!:  Discuss It!

Read aloud Deut. 11:1-7. Notice it repeats "what he did!"  After:  Sing: "My God Is So Big!" Hear it here:  There's a song: "Count Your Many Blessings" that says; "Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you 'what the Lord has done.'"   The lesson is that God gives examples from the past to help us know how to live in the present: The Israelite's journey, Jethro's journey, and even Uncle Johnny's journey give us examples to think about!  

Color It:  The Lord Our God Coloring Book 17

Prep It: The Lord Our God Color Book, crayons, markers, highlighters, scissors, ....

Book Title:  "The Lord Our God" is a phrase used to refer to God in Exodus.  In Deuteronomy while we do not find "The Lord Our God" we find "The Lord Thy God," and "The Lord Your God"!  If you made an X on all of them your might get tired because these words are used over and over again!  You can't miss them!   Order the color book here:
 
Color It:  Mark It:  Read It:
1st. Page: Color the sun. Check out the Pyramids. Color them; pop them out.  What land was this a picture of?  Highlight: word means troubles; (affliction);  slave master (taskmaster)  Color the journey bubbles. Name the three "their" words: their cry, their taskmasters, their sorrows  2nd. Page: Color the honey bee/honey and the journey bubbles. Highlight the two "outs."  What land did they exit from? enter?  3rd. Page: Color "chain."  Cut round it; pop it up.  Find/highlight: the cry, oppression, and Egyptians.  What does "oppression" mean?  Note:  This word "oppression" and "oppressors" are key buzz words being used with kids right now.  Discuss CRI or Critical Race Theory with your youngsters.  Read:  S Is For Social Justice by Mary Danielson.  Find here:  BOOKLET - S is for Social Justice The Language of Today’s Cultural “Revolution” (lighthousetrails.com)  Why is a picture of a chain used? 4th. Page: Color; highlight I AM THAT I AM. Inside Page:  Color "The Lord Our God."  Cut into a marker; glue to heavy paper.  Go down to photos to see the color book, and its pages. 

Mark It:  Define It Marker
Prep It: paper 2 1/4"X6 1/2"; in different fonts print strips as "Exit it!, Depart!, Leave!, Come Out!, Go out!"; print verse from list "X Marks the Spot" section;  scissors; glue; ....
Make It: cut apart strips; place randomly on marker; glue.  On reverse side glue Bible verse.  Place in Bible.  See marker ideas below.   

Read It Aloud:  Rainbow Garden by Patricia St. John

Rainbow Garden is a story about a girl named Elaine who suddently had to leave London because her mum begins a new job. But Elaine can't go with her, and dreads having to travel to Wales to live with a strange family.  This upcoming journey upsets Elaine for she was very much used to having her own way and getting lots of special attention. In fact when she met her new family of friendly children, she was very unhappy.  To get away from them, Elaine would escape to a nearby garden where she met a mysterious man.  Who was this man?  How does Elaine get involved with him later on? Whose garden is it really anyway?  When Elaine has to exit Wales back to London how does she feel?  How does the theme of joy change Elaine's life?  Where was fullness of joy to be found?  Read it!  You'll like it, and want to know more about Wales besides!  To order book click here: 
   
Teachers, Parents, Grandparents, & YOU!

Expose It:  The Titanic and Today's Church

In our lesson we've talked of exiting a place to take a journey to another area.  In his recent book The Titanic and Today's Church author Warren B. Smith points out that just as the Titanic exited England touting it was unsinkable but later sinking into the ocean, so the church has been touting many false teachings that have left the church sinking into apostasy.   

In it, Smith has several pages referring to Deuteronomy 18 which fit perfectly with our study.  In  another part there is a referral to the "Caronica," the first ship to give the Titantic a warning of the impending icebergs.  Now that ship, just happened to be the one my maternal grandfather sailed on from England to America very near to the time period of the sinking of the Titantic. Order this riveting expose here:  The Titanic and Today's Church: A Tale of Two Shipwrecks (lighthousetrails.com)   

Ponder It!  Signs and Wonders In the Past, and Now! 

In Deuteronomy we find five verses that have the words "signs and wonders."  They are:  Deuteronmy 4:34; 6:22; 7:19; 26:8, and 34:11.  Note: Deut. 13:1,2 mentions a sign or a wonder, or the sign or the wonder!  

Speaking of "Signs and Wonders" Light House Trails' chief editor David Dombrowski, in its Research Journal Volume 9 Number 2 Summer 2021, wrote a provacative article titled: "Signs & Wonders! Five Things You Should Consider" that helps one think about signs and wonders now and in the past.  In it he notes both testaments use the words "signs and wonders" in mostly a positive way. He writes,  "In the Old Testament, the most common examples were those referring to how Moses delivered the Israelites through signs and wonders, while in the New Testament, the most common examples were those of God confirming the preaching of the Gospel by the apostles through "signs" and "wonders."  He points out the same words were usually used in "prophetic warnings" telling us to steer clear of false teachers and prophets.  

While he emphasizes we shouldn't call all signs and wonders bad, however we most certainly need to  endeavor to find out the source from which any prophetic sign or wonder comes. Says Dombrowski, many automatically assume that all signs and wonders have to be from God.  However, he observes Deuteronomy 13:1-4 is one OT passage that strickly forbids the unquestioning acceptance of all signs and wonders. In short, he warns, all signs and wonders must line up with the Word of God!   (p.4-5)   To read more find the journal here:  Lighthouse Trails Research Journa - Lighthouse Trails

As we exit this Xx lesson, reread the final verses of Deuteronomy's last chapter that declares there arose not another prophet like unto Moses whom the Lord knew face to face and in all the  "signs and wonders" the Lord sent him to do.  Count the alls!      

Understand It:  Israel Redeemed From Slavery!

Egypt is a picture of the world with its slavery to sin.  The final plague involves the shedding of the blood of an innocent little lamb portraying the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Moses' leading the children of Israel out of Egypt reminds us that we can be free from our sins and be redeemed from our old ways.  The song says, "I will sing of my Redeemer And His wonderous love to me; On the cruel cross He suffered, From the curse He set me free."  

Exodus 6:6-7 sums it up:  "Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I  will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you  out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and great judgments: I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians."

Click on each photograph to make it larger!




                                               

 

         

     











    

  


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Tuesday, May 4, 2021

W Is for Walk in It: ABC: Deuteronomy for Me! Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World

W Is for Walk In It:  ABC: Deuteronomy for Me!  Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World


Little Kids:  Ages 4-7

W Is for Walk in It! 

W is for walk in it--
Walk in God's ways,
Follow him fully
all of your days--
like Caleb!

Will You?  It's Your Decision!

Here's a decision you must make:
Will you follow the Lord? 
What path will you take?
Will you fear the Lord all your days?
Will your trust Him wholly, 
and walk in his ways? Will you?
                                                    LEP

Journal It:  W Is for Walk in It!

On your whiteboard, print an upper/lowercase "Ww;" also print these Ww words: way, ways, walk, words, wrath, wander, wilder, and wilderness.  4s/5s: Write "Walk in It!" 5s:  Write: way, ways, walk, words, and wilderness.   1st/2nd: Write words..  Which is the shortest word?  the longest word?  What do they begin with?  Which word means: a path you take?  very angry?  a desert or waste place? walk here, walk there?   The unusual archaic word "wilder" means to lose your way.  Do you see "wilder" in wilderness?  What other word do you see in wilderness? (wild)        

Discuss: "Walk in it!" Walk in what?  (Walk in God's ways and to fear or honor the Lord.) 1st/2nd Print rhyme; Ask: Where can we find out about God's ways?  What does follow him "fully" mean?  How long should we follow the Lord?  How did Caleb follow God?

Learn It:  Deuteronomy 8:6 

 "... Thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him."   1st/2nd: Print verse in journal.  What does "fear" mean?  Are we to be afraid of the Lord?  No, we are to respect and honor him. 

Draw It:  "Walk In His Ways" Picture

Prep It:  drawing paper, Bible verse copy, crayons, markers, colored pencils....
Draw It:   Let kids draw themselves on paper.  Below picture write:  "Walk in his ways _____!"  Fill in  name.  Say:  The Lord wants each one of us to walk in his ways every day.  We can't do this until we know him as our Savior.  Do you know this "way" verse?  John 14:6  "Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life no man (woman, boy, girl) comes to the Father but by me."   Who is the only way to get to heaven?  What do we have to do so we can be on the Jesus way?    

Frame It:  Footprint Frame

Prep It: print footprints; print verse; paper scissors, print Deut.8:6 verse; print pathway image; glue, markers .....   shoe footprint images - Bing images  

Make It:  trace round or inside footprints with thin-tipped markers; cut out; glue to edge of paper so footprints overlap.  Cut apart Deut. 8:6 word phrases; glue in order around pathway image. Hang up!  Look at sample photo below. 

Chalk It:   Walk It!
Outside on  sidewalk or hardtop use chalk to trace round footprint making nine sets of prints or 18 in all. Have older kids print the verse inside; for little ones print the verse for them.  Let kids say the verse as they walk on the footprints.  
 
Do It:  Walk & Talk It! 
 
Deuteronomy six and eleven tells us, as teachers and grownups, that we should walk with our kids by the way weaving in God's word as we go.  Some of my very favorite times I've had with my grandson happened as we walked along exploring nature areas talking about and discovering God's awesome creation!  Another great talk time often happens as one rides in the car with your kids/grandkids to and from events.  

Spiral It:  Spiral Image Verse

Prep It:  towel tube, tissue or thin paper, spiral image, copy of verse, tape, glue ....  

Spiral It:  Print spiral image.  4s/5s  Help them write: "Walk in his ways." Deut. 8:6  1st./2nd. write verse inside its pathway.  Begin at outside of the spiral following the path inward.  Cut out the spiral for younger kids or those who might have difficulty with this.  Roll tube in tissue paper; tuck in ends.  Tape at back.  Attach spiral to top of tube with small folded piece of tape; make sure it is secure!.  Glue on copy of verse.    View sample below! 


Easy Springy Spiral:  Run it off; print verse on it.  Cut it out.  Let kids hold its end and jiggle it up and down as they walk around saying verse. 

*  Older kids will enjoy creating spiral verses as well.  They however can do their own printing, cutting, and assembling of its tube. 

Walk It:  Go outside; let kids draw spirals on hardtop area to walk around, or just go round in a circle indoors.  Hold tube downward; as you walk say verse and watch spiral move up and down.     

Verse:"... Thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him."  Print Deut. 8:6 first, and then follow the path inward.  You might give kids a spiral to practice on before writing the final version.  View image at end.

Find It:  The "His Ways Puzzle"

Print Ps.128:1 this way on paper or onto white board.  

1st./2nd.  Psalm 128:1  "Blessed, blessed is every one, every one that feareth, feareth the LORD; that walketh, walketh in his ways, ways."  Find the verse in your Bible.  Highlight it.  Read it.  Look at puzzle. Cross off every extra word.  Circle the words that are left.  Lightly color them in.  Print verse onto pathway image.  Begin here:     Fill in the word to this question: If you fear the Lord, and walk in his ways what will you be?  "_ _ _ _ _ _ _!"   

Repeat it this way:  "Blessed (Say loudly lifting hands high!) is everyone (Point round to all present,) that feareth the LORD (Point up, smile!) that walketh in his ways. (Walk in place.)."  Psalm 128:1  Instead of "everyone" say "boys" having boys say it, "girls," and have the girls say it, "adults" and the adults say it, and lastly all say it.  It's fun to say it doubling the words highlighted as well!    Sing the first verse of  "Trust and Obey!" Hear the song here:  


Hear It:  Deuteronomy 8  The Wilderness Way

Can you count to forty?  Let's do it!  Forty is how many years God's people wandered in the wild wilderness.  They were stuck there because the ten spy guys didn't obey God when he told them to enter in to the Promised Land.   (If you don't know that story; do go back and read "S Is for Search It Out!")  

What was the wilderness like?  It was dry.  It was dusty.  It was rocky.  It was a waste space.  But, God led them, fed them and kept them safe.  Why?  The Bible says he wanted the people to learn that it wasn't just getting special food and care in the desert, but it was also about obeying and learning God's words and ways.  

For God reminded them: " In the good land when you have food and water, good houses and land, flocks and herds, and gold and silver you must not forget the Lord.  You must not forget the Lord led you in the great and terrible wilderness with its snakes, scorpions, and no water.  You must not forget the Lord fed you a new food called manna. You must not forget to obey his words and ways."  

God also said: "Do not forget the Lord, and walk after other gods to serve them, and worship them or you will be punished just like the other nations."  God tells us too to walk in his ways, and after Him, not after other ways or other gods.  In Psalm 128:1 it says, "Blessed is everyone that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways."   From:  Deuteronomy 8. 

Hint:  Do emphasize the Ww words in the story. 

View It:  "God's Story: The Wilderness"
Here's a neat video to listen to that tells about some things that happened to God's people in the desert or wilderness.  Look at it here: God's Story: Wilderness - Bing video

Sing It: "My Lord Knows the Way Through the Wilderness"


Older Kids:  Ages 8-12

Ponder It: "You Should!"

This day--
Love God always.
Choose life.
Choose good.
You should!

This day--
Walk in God's ways.
Choose life.
Choose good.
You should!

This day--
Turn not away.
Choose life.
Choose good.
You should!
                         LEP

Deut.30:15-20 

Learn It:  A "This Day" Verse to Say

Deuteronomy 30: 15,16:  "See I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statues and his judgments, ...."

Copy the verse in your journal.   Highlight  life/good and death/evil; love the LORD thy God, walk in his ways; keep/commandments/statues/judgments.   Note!  "this day" and "the LORD thy God" appear frequently in Deuteronomy.

Even though this verse was given to the Israelites, it's one for us as well.  It has such important lessons in it.  What are the lessons?  Choose .....  Love .....  Walk ..... Keep .....      

Find It:  Discover the Message

To discover the message darken the following words: turn right--turn left--depart--go astray--wander--depart--wilder--meander--turn aside--walk after--go after other gods- 

Copy this puzzle message without any darkened words.  Let kids hunt for words above that describe someone who does not walk with the Lord.  Discuss this first.  Let kids cross off words, write the message, search out the verses, highlight the verses, and finish the puzzle.

Puzzle:  Walk wander walk after wilder in turn right turn left all depart meander turn aside go astray his go after other gods ways walk after    The message is:  "_____ _____ _____ _____ _____!" (Walk in all his ways.)

Highlight It:  Mark these Verses 

Verses:   Deut. 8:6, 8:19, 10:12, 11:22, 13:4, 19:9, 26:17, 28:9, and 30:16 

Which verses say?  a.walk in his way  b.walk in all his ways, c. walk ever in his way?  d.walk after other gods?  e.walk after the LORD your God  

Answers:  a.  Deut. 8:6,26:17,28:9     b.  Deut. 10:12,11:22     c.  Deut.19:9     d.  Deut.8:19,     e.  Deut.13:4 

Discover It:  Wilderness Words

From the very first verse in Deuteronomy we read "these be the words" that Moses spoke to the people in the wilderness-- the "great and terrible" wilderness! (1:19)  Why?  What took place in the wilderness?  What wildernesses were they in?  What are some wilderness words found in the verses below to describe it?  Glue the word wilderness onto a paper cutting its letters from a map or photo of a wilderness scene.  From it extend lines all over, and write a descriptive word along the line.  e.g. "waste howling. " What's are some words for wilderness? desert, waste place etc.  Check out snynonyms here:  Check out these wilderness verses:  Deut. 1:1, 2:7, 8:15/16, 9:7, 29:5, and 32:10.  Also try: Ps.68,78, 106-107.    Use both synonyms and Bible words around wilderness.  How many words did you find?      

Explore It:  Wilderness Research

From the wilderness verses/words above pick out one topic you wish to explore.   It might be e.g., "Wilderness Scorpions." After, write one or two paragraphs about it.  Complete it with illustrations and photos or both.

Create It:  A Wilderness Fan Booklet

Prep It:  colored paper, scissors, glue, brad, photos/pics of wilderness verses, maps, etc.  Look up Deut. wilderness verses to find phrases such as:  great and terrible wilderness, waste howling wilderness, walking through the wilderness, fiery serpents and scorpions, water out of the rock of flint, and so on.  Make a page for each phrase highlighting it.

Make It:  Fold 9"X12" paper into four equal strips.  Cut apart.  Size: 2 1/4"X 12".  Glue copies of verses, phrase words, and pics onto strips.   For cover cut out capital letters from wilderness photos into "WILDERNESS."  Glue across cover strip.  Make as many pages as you wish.  Punch hole at left of each strip, and insert a brad.  Fan out your booklet to see various pages.  See samples at end of lesson. 





Hint:  Little ones might make same booklet, but with just one word, or phrase, and a photo or map.

Make It: The Wilderness Moses Marker

Prep It:  foam piece/heavy paper, Moses image, wilderness photo image, small scissors, lil' foam rod, thin line marker, Bible verse cutout, glue.....
Make It:  Cut a rectange marker apx. 2 1/2"X 5 1/2" from foam/heavy paper.  Uset Moses image; adjust size.  Use markers to outline it.  Use small scissors to cut round hand.  Cut itty bitty rod about 1 1/2" long and glue so cut out hand/arm over it.  At bottom glue tiny "In the Wilderness" photo.  Print Deuteronomy 1:1: "These be the words which Moses spake to all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red Sea ...." Glue to middle section.
Mark It:   Place it in your Bible by the  "these be the words" wilderness verse.  View the marker in the photograph section.  Click on it to enlarge; may trace it.    

Display It:  Throw Rug Verse Race

Arranging an oversized verse on a small rug background is fun.   Put words on paper strips, tubes, footprints, and so forth.  Have a Verse Rug Race.  Spread rug in front of each child.  Place pile of word tubes, strips, footprints etc. in middle in front of rug.  On signal begin to put verse onto rug in order specified prior to start.  Give kids one or two practice times.  After, repile parts, and play again as many times as you wish.  If you have an entire class appoint someone to help you check results.

Read It:  Star of Light by Patricia St. John

Star of Light  (c.1954 Updated: 2002) is a kids' book set in Morocco where Patricia St. John lived working in a Muslim village as well as a hospital.  Although fiction, it is based on many true experiences she had while living in a mountain village.

In the book the English nurse, Rosemary, uses her nursing skills and love of children to tell the villagers and street children about her Savior.  Desperate mothers bring her their sick infants, little girls came learn to knit and to read, and little boys came to share a meal and to hear about Jesus.  Everyone around knew about her wall picture of her "Saint" Jesus loving the children.

In the story one meets "Hamid" a scrawny street kid who had come from a far village walking many miles with his blind sister Kinza on his back to find the kind English nurse.  Riveting, entralling, and full of the gospel, this book is just one of her classics.  Find it, and read it aloud to your children and your grandchildren.  It will not disappoint!

Hear It: Walking and Talking about Darkness and Light

In The Star of Light chapter ten: "Hamid Learns a Lesson for Life" one dark night the English nurse asks Hamid to guide her to the home of another child who badly needed clothing.  Just before they left, as the nurse got ready, Hamid (one of her real life characters!) stole two raw eggs from a dish hiding them in his clothing.  (In her autobio Patricia records not only did he steal eggs, but her watch, and a number of other items!)

Later, walking and talking with the nurse, Hamid crept along walking in the shadowy muddy gutter to keep out of the light from Rosemary's flashlight.  Suddenly though, Hamid trips splattering those eggs all over himself and getting hurt quite badly.  Frightened, he feared a beating, or jail like many did to children in the village.  Instead, the nurse guided him back to her home, cleaned his wounds, and gave him new clothing, forgiving him, and sharing John 8:12 about walking in the light and the darkness.  Very soon after, Hamid found the Lord Jesus so that he could walk in his ways.  What a perfect chapter to use with this lesson!  Click here to view book:  Star of Light (lighthousetrails.com)

Teachers, Parents, Grandparent, YOU!

Discover It:  Patricia St. John Autobiography  

Since I've reviewed Patricia St. John's books in these lessons, I wish to also recommend her amazing autobiography An Ordinary Woman's Extraordinary Faith.  As the author of several famous children's classics Treasures of the Snow (featured in the "R Is for Remember It" lesson), The Tanglewoods' Secret (featured in the "L Is for Learn It lesson.") and Rainbow Garden (To be featured in X is for Exit It" lesson) this autobiography is a peek into her life that unlocks why she wrote several of her books.  

Full of stories that appeal both to children and adults, I would encourage you to share many of them with your youngsters.  Patricia captures her childhood in a memorable way--especially her mischievous streak.  She shares she went to boarding school.  There, like a little monkey she could climb easily up on a rooftop to study, or crawl out the window of her classroom to fool her teacher.  Once during roll call she had all the girls giving flower names to a new teacher--like Pansy Alexander or her name Rhododendron St. John. 

Ms. St. John had a special ability to connect with children at their level sharing what salvation really is all about.  Whatever stories she tells, she does it so vividly you will not forget them!  Be ready to see this demonstrated in our next lesson "X Is for Exit It" through her book Rainbow Garden.

In her bio she explains while in Tangiers, Morroco, not knowing what the Lord wanted her to do next, she felt the Lord tug at her heart as she listened to a man named Mohammed question her doctor brother Farnham as to why he had to come down to the hospital to hear a message about the Lord.  "Why don't you come up into our village?" he queried.  It was at that moment Patricia realized that the Lord was speaking to her.  The words from Isaiah 30:21 came to mind, "This is the way, walk ye in it...."  It was then and there she knew she must be the one to go to that village.  And go she did!  The result was later her book: Star of Light and other stories.  Each day may we too learn to follow our Lord-- to walk in his ways.    



Click on photographs to enlarge them!

       



   







 


  

 



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Friday, April 2, 2021

V Is for View It: ABC: Deuteronomy For Me: Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World

V Is for View It:  ABC: Deuteronomy for Me: Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World


Discover the stories of Moses and Aaron at Meribah, and Moses and Aaron's deaths on Mt. Nebo and Hor.  Discuss Lot's viewing of the Jordan area and what he viewed round Sodom. Learn about the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah, or 'Joy in the Torah' and how it's associated with the last chapter in Deuteronomy.  Sing a Simchat Torah song, and make a flag too. Make a Movable Moses with a unique "V Viewer!" and a Moses Story Tube.  And vow to put no evil things before your eyes! (Ps. 101:3)  

V Is for View It!

V is for view it,
Moses do it,
It's a command,
See it, behold it--
the Promised land!

Little Kids:  Ages 4-7

Journal It:  V Is for View It!

In our story today God tells Moses to go up Mt. Nebo, and look in every direction to see the special land God had promised to the Israelites.  Have you ever been up a mountain?  What could you see from way up high?  What did you see below you, around you?   

What did Moses use to help him view the Promised Land?  Did he have binoculars?  Did he wear glasses?   No, God said his eyes were good even though he was 120 years old!  What do we use to view things?  Yes, we use our eyes too.  Moses was looking at or viewing something good, and we should do that as well.  We must be careful with our eyes to view good things rather than bad things.  Can you name some good things to view?  bad things?   

Print "V Is for View It!"  Identify the letter and the Vv word.  Let little ones print that.  For 1st./2nd let them copy the rhyme; and talk about it.  Have each one illustrate things they could see from a high place.  Have them draw too some good things to view with their eyes!    

Listen to It:  The Back Story: Moses' Sin at Zin 

In our lesson today there are two stories to tell.  The first one happened to Moses as he led the people along toward their special land.  In it Moses gets angry or mad.  Let me tell you about it.  Moses was leading God's people through this dry, dusty, rocky "Wilderness of Zin."  Along the way the people kept getting thirsty.  The old people were thirsty.  The parents were thirsty.  The kids were thirsty.  Their animals were thirsty too!

So they started to moan and complain,  "We are thirsty!  Why did you bring us here in this hot dry place?  Give us water!"  Moses, and Aaron felt bad, so they fell on their face and prayed to God for water.  God heard their prayers.  And God said, "Moses, here's a rock.  I want you to speak to the rock, and it will give you water."

Did Moses obey? Did he use his voice to speak to the rock like God said?  No, he did not!  Instead, he got mad at the people.  He spoke to them.  He called them "rebels!"  He said, "Why do you make us get water for you?"  Then, he took his rod and he made a sad choice.  He hit the rock twice.  Like this.  "Smack!, Smack!"  Out gushed water--lots of water for everyone to drink.

Was God pleased with Moses?   No, he was not!  God said, "I told you to speak or talk to the rock, but you did not!  You sinned before all the people.  And because of that, you will not go into the Promised Land You will only be allowed to see it."   Numbers 20:1-13

Psalm 106:33 tells us about Moses.  It says the people made him angry.  It says then Moses spoke unwise words with his lips.  We often do that too.  And God hears us and sees us. There's a song that says, "He sees what we do, He hears what we say, my God is watching all the time, time, time,  He sees what we do. He hears what we say. My God is watching all the time!*

Some versions "writing."  Find this song here: 


Learn It:  "The Eyes of the Lord Are In Every Place"

In our lesson "view it" means "see it," or "behold it."  Proverbs says God sees the good and the bad.  He saw Moses when he obeyed, and he saw Moses when he did not.  He sees you too.    

Proverbs 15:3  "The eyes of the LORD are in every place beholding the evil and the good."  Let's find this verse in our Bibles.  Go to the big book of Psalms; then go over one more book to find Proverbs 15:3.   Highlight it!  K:  Write "The ... place...."   1st./2nd:  Write verse in journal.

Move It:  Moses "V" Viewer 

Prep It:  Moses image, colored paper, bendable straw, small V cutout, cotton, small straw, markers, hole punch, pencil, glue, scissor, small scissors ....

Make It:  Print Moses figure.  (See pattern at end.)  Cut out; glue to small piece of colored paper; cut round it.  Parents use small scissors cut slit for straw top of head, cut round bottom of beard, and slit in sleeve for end of straw.  Also cut or punch hole in rt. hand for straw "rod." Use pencil to poke out tiny mouth.  Put glue on lil beard; stick on cotton.  Let child carefully color, or outline small figure.  Cut out small "V" --punch two "eye holes."  Tape on "V."  Do look at finished marker at end of lesson!!!

Move It: Push straw behind head, under beard, and through sleeve to move "Moses."  Attach "V" viewer end of straw.  As retell Meribah story insert small "rod straw."  Remove rod to use as a book mark.  Peek through "V" holes or between V to locate "v" words or "Bible" words.  Move beard to make Moses speak. What fun kids can have with this versatile V viewer, Moses, and marker!       

Make It:  Moses Story Tube 

Prep It:  small color page, images of story parts, towel tube, 9"X12" colored paper, scissors, tape, glue...
Make It:  Roll towel tube in colored or tissue paper; tape; and tuck.  Color Moses striking the rock page; cut out arm so rod is out.  Run off map image of Kadesh, photo image of Zin, and picture of Moses angrily raising rod.  Tape round the tube so pictures line up all the way down tube.  Print captions as: Story Tube, Numbers 20, Desert of Zin, Moses at Zin, Psalm 106 etc.  Glue, tape round tube.  
Use It:  Help child to tell story using each picture in turn.  Hint: Make sure each separate image overlaps as you place it round the tube!  Make a Nebo story tube too.

Find tube pages here:  

Find photo pages here: 

Wilderness of Zin Map:  wilderness of zin map - Bing images

View tube at end here:

Hear It:  Moses Views Canaan

In Deuteronomy 32, Moses taught all the people a song, and in Deuteronlmy 33 Moses wrote blessings for all the people..  And in Deuteronomy 34 Moses climbed Mt. Nebo. Now, Moses was old, but he was still strong.  Yes, Moses was old, but his eyes were still good. When Moses got to the very top of Mt. Nebo God told him to look in every direction to see the land.  Moses did.  

And God said to him, "This is the land I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give it to them."  After Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab and God buried him in the valley.  Then the children of Israel wept and cried for thirty days because their leader Moses had died.  After Joshua, full of a spirit of wisdom, was all ready to be their new leader.  

At the end, Deuteronomy says in Israel there wasn't another prophet like Moses who knew the Lord face to face.  No prophet was like Moses in all the signs and wonders he did in Egypt, and before all the people.  No prophet was like Moses in all that mighty hand, and in all that great things Moses did before all Israel.

Move to It:  "Up, Up on Mt. Nebo" (Tune: "On Top of Old Smoky")

Up, up on Mt. Nebo,
Mountain so high,
Moses did climb up,
up, up to the sky.
(Pretend to climb.)

Up, up, on Mt. Nebo,
Moses did view
the Promised Land
like God said to do.
(Both hands over
eyes.)

For Moses obeyed God,
obeyed his command,
for that was the way 
he saw all the land! Yes! 
(Wag finger; shout
"Yes!") 

Create It:  "My Mini Vee Book"
Vary It:  Cut three Vs from solid violet, patterned violet prints, light violet, and solid white paper. twelve in all.  Begin with a violet cover.   Use these words: violet, vee, vex, vim, vow, verb, view, vigor, voice, vista, valley, and vocabulary.  Print words/write words. Glue to left side of "V".  Print definitions/write them on rt. side of "V,"  Use these words/definitions: violet/color between red/blue; like purple; vee/22nd. letter of alphabet; vex/trouble/upset; vim/energy; vow/solemn promise; verb/action word; view/to look at; vigor/good health; voice/sound produced by God or humans; vista/pleasing view;  valley/low area between mts./hills; and vocabulary/lots of words.  See photograph sample below.
Voice It:  Use each vocabulary word in a sentence.

Eat It:  Vel"vee"ta Cheese "V Words"

Cut slices of Velveeta Cheese into strips; use to form your "Vee" words.  Do show kids the wrapper with the word Velveeta and ask them if they see the "vee" in the middle.  Enjoy!  

Create It:  "My Mini 'View It' Synonym Book"

Vary It:  Cut four Vs from solid orange and green.  Cut four Vs from concordance or other map print showing Mt. Nebo, and Jordan area.   Assemble booklet beginning with solid orange page, green page, and map page using twelve pages in all.  For cover print: "My Mini 'View It' Book"  Print words View it" eleven times; glue to left, and to right glue synonyms.  Synonym list: behold, check out, examine, eye, gaze at, look over, observe, peer at, see, and survey.  Explain that "view it" has many synonym verbs or action words that mean the same thing. 
Journal It: 4s: Write "See it!"  K: write three synonyms.  1st: write five, and second all of them.  
Voice It:  Read the words with the kids like this: "Moses did behold the land. Moses did check out the land.  Moses did examine the land." etc.  Ask children to find Mt. Nebo on their map "V."   What else can they see?  Look at photo of mini book at close of lesson.    

Apply It:  Which Story?  M or N?

1st./2nd: To enable the kids to use their Vv vocabulary words ask these questions about the Meribah or Nebo story?  Let them answer M or N.  In which story did Moses .....?

1.  ... raise his voice in anger?     M
2.  ... look at a pleasant vista?     N
3.  ... hear God use his voice to say, "Speak to the rock!?"     M
4.  ... hear the people use their voices to complain against him and Aaron?     M
5.  ... still have vim and vigor?     N
6.  ... look in all directions to view the Promised Land?     N
7.  ... see "the plain of the valley of Jericho?"     N
8.  ... hear God's voice say, "Because you didn't obey me you can't enter the land.?"     M
9.  ... view a vale or a valley?     N
10.  ...  use his voice unwisely against the rebels?     M 

Learn About It:  Celebrating Simchat Torah!

Way back in the Introductory Deuteronomy Lesson, we learned that there were five books in the Book of the Law or the Torah:  Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  In Jewish synagogues today they read the Torah--out loud--from Genesis to Deuteronomy over a whole year.  When they get to the last chapter--chapter thirty-four--then they start all over at Genesis again.  To celebrate this yearly completion of the Torah Jewish people celebrate  "Simchat Torah" which means "Joy in the Torah."  They empty out all the Torah scrolls from their aron or ark and adults carry them round and round the synagogue seven times.  Kids march too and carry small flags often with an apple on top of the flag stick.

Chaya Burstein's Jewish Holidays and Traditions Coloring Book (Dover Publications, Inc., New York, c. 1990) has three great coloring book pages (pp.18-20) to color.  One shows Moses on Mt. Nebo, a second shows the parading of the Torah in the synagogue, and the blessing page with kids under the tallit shawl.  Not only is it a great color book, but is full of wonderful information kids (adults too!) should know.  Order a copy here:    


Review It:  "Books of Moses--Pentateuch Rhyme"

In first Deuteronomy lesson  we learned this rhyme:

Hold out your fingers just like so, ready, set, let's go:  
"Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy!"
Hold out your fingers again once more: 
let's say those books just like before: 
"Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy!"
(Hold left hand palm up; with right hand touch each finger.)

If you've never read the first lesson do scroll back to find it!

Watch It:  Sammy Spider's First Simchat Torah

An informative book Sammy Spider's First Simchat Torah by Slyvia A. Rouss is read aloud on line.  This book is about an imaginary family that will celebrate Simchat Torah and a spider who observes this.  Its first page begins: "Again, and ...and again ...and again ... and again."  On the very next page you'll meet Josh and his mom, Mrs. Shapiro.  Josh is begging his mom to read a book his teacher gave to him. He wanted to hear it once again!  Above, on the ceiling listening, is Sammy Spider.  When his mom is finished reading, Josh begs to hear it once more. Find out what happens next by clicking here: 

While the story is fiction, the lessons and facts it gives are not.  The emphasis on the repetative  words: "again and again refrain!" is what Jewish people do as they listen to the Torah read aloud every week on Shabbat over and over.  Yes, little folks and  adults learn best by repetition.  This book teaches an important lesson we often miss --that is the Word-- needs to be read aloud consistently.  And as we've learned, Deuteronomy teaches the importance of instilling and instructing your child in the Word every chance you get!  It also teaches through its Simchat Torah celebration there is "joy in the Torah."  And as written in the book--signified by the apples--that the reading of the Torah is sweet!

As a side note, some years ago I wrote a book Celebrate the Bible.  Below are several pages from it.  Perhaps, you too might set aside a special time to celebrate the Word with your youngsters!  See down below:

Make It:  Simchat Torah Flag/Celebrate the Bible Pennant

Prep It:  Simchat Torah flag print, colored paper, glue, scissors, markers, colored pencils straw, pipecleaner, tape....  
Make It:  Glue flag pic to colored paper.  Cut out carefully.  Use markers/colored pencils to outline color page.  Put pipecleaner through straw*; turn over tape flag to it.  Move to songs.
*  Makes it so much strudier than just a pipecleaner, or straw alone!  Find flag images here:


See sample flag below!

Prep It:  Celebrate the Bible Pennant page find in photographs; use same materials as above.
Note!  Remember you can click on photos and enlarge it to see it, and even trace it. Or you can find pennant shapes on line.  After print, or write out "Celebrate the Bible!"  
Make It:  Add other details.  Check below to see flag. 

March to It:  "Celebrate the Bible!"

Celebrate the Bible
with a boom, boom, boom.
Celebrate the Bible,
march around the room.
Celebrate the Bible
with a ring, ring, ring.
Celebrate the Bible;
Praise the Lord and sing.
Celebrate the Bible
with a cheer, cheer, cheer.
Celebrate the Bible
every day of the year!
                                  LEP
 
Sing It I:  A Jewish Simchat Torah Song to Sing

Hear this catchy Simhat Torah song by Stephen Melzack here:  : 

Sing It II:  Read the Torah!  Tune:  Chorus: "Give Me Oil in My Lamp"

Read the Torah,* read the Torah, read the Torah, celebrate today, 
Read the Torah, read the Torah, read the Torah and obey!
* your Bible, or the Bible 

May also sing third verse of "Give Me Oil in Lamp."  Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
Give me joy in my heart today, Give me joy in my heart keep me praising, praising to the break of day!  Hear it here:   Sing Hosanna - Give Me Oil In My Lamp | Bible Songs for Kids - Bing video

Say It:  Be Wise!

Be wise what you
put before your eyes,
(Point to eyes.)
Be wise what you
hear with your ears,
(Point to ears.)
Cling to wholesome
things!
(Hug self.)
Vow now to do it!
( Shake finger; raise voice!)
   
Older Kids: Ages 8-12:

Hear It:  Aaron at Mt. Hor

Once again, there are back stories to explore.  There's Aaron at Meribah and there's Aaron's death at Mt. Hor.  After, there is Moses on Mt. Nebo.  Here are some read-aloud scriptures to share first:  Numbers 20:1-13, 22-29; Numbers 27:13; and Deut. 32:50.  Read and discuss.  

Discuss It: Think About It! 

What were the people complaining about?  Against whom were they fighting?  What did the people wish they had done?  After this what did Moses and Aaron do?  What was Aaron's part (v.10) in the rock command?  Moses?  Notice verse 12:  What did God say to both Moses and Aaron?  Where did everyone go from Kadesh?  What did the Lord say about Aaron?  Why couldn't he see the land?  Who went with Aaron up Mt. Hor?  Who was watching?  What did God command Moses to do?*  Then what happened?

Note:  Perhaps, you wonder why Moses took off Aaron's priestly garments.  Exodus 29:29 gives us an answer.  It says, "And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them."

Hear It:  Moses at Mt. Nebo

Moses went up a mountain too.  Unlike Aaron, he viewed the Promised Land before he died.  As you listen, think how Moses' story was like Aaron's or different than Aaron's account.  Numbers 27:12-15  tells us of Moses going up Mt. Nebo to see the land, and after he'd seen it he'd be gathered unto his people.  Why couldn't he enter the land?   Verse 14 gives the  answer--because he didn't honor God's command to speak to the rock at the waters of Meribah in Kadish.  

Deuteronomy 3 tells us more.  It records that Moses begged the Lord to let him go over and see the good land.  But, writes Moses, the Lord was angry at him for asking, and told him not to speak to him any more of this matter.  But, he was to go up to the top of Pisgah (mountain range), and lift up his eyes in all directions to behold it or view it.  But, it was Joshua who would get to go into the land!

And Deuteronomy 32 explains that Mt. Nebo was in the land of Moab.  From it he was to behold Canaan.  Again it says "because" you trespassed or sinned at the waters of Meribah-Kadish, and didn't honor me before all the children of Israel you can't go into the land.  

Finally, in Deuteronomy 34 we learn exactly which land the Lord showed him and what the Lord said about his land promise.  As before, we read at 120 year old Moses would "see it" with his eyes but not go in.  Sadly we read that Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there.  After it was the Lord who buried him in a Moab valley without anyone knowing where his grave was!   

The last three verses tell us in the Old Testament there wasn't any other prophet in Israel like unto Moses whom the Lord knew face to face.*  For not only in Egypt, but in the wilderness the Lord had allowed Moses to do powerful miracles in the sight of all Israel!
*References:  Deut. 18:15  Deut.18:18

Learn It: Two Verses to Know-- Acts 3:20,22

In Acts Peter quotes Moses' words from Deuteronomy 18 that state God would raise up a Prophet to whom they should listen.  And that Prophet was Jesus Christ!

Here's the Deuteronomy 18:15 prophecy verse:  "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet* from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me, unto him shall ye hearken."  *Note:  Prophet is capitalized!  Also a "cross reference" below my verse says:  "Deut. 18:15"   

Say It!  Acts 3:20,22  "And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: ... For Moses truly said unto the fathers, a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you."

What great tools markings/cross references are!  e.g. in my Bible Deuteronomy 18:15 and Acts 3:22 are starred.  Here's the note in the front about "star" markings:  A "star" beside a verse in the O.T. indicates a Messianic prophecy.  In the N.T., a "star" beside a verse indicates a prophecy that has been fulfilled. 

Make It:  Star It:  Print Verses onto Oversized Stars

Either cut out two oversized stars and print the verses inside.   Or instead glue words to a page surrounding them with shiny stars.  See sample at end: 


Visit It:  A Mt. Nebo Tour Via Video

There's a number of video virtual tours taking one right atop Mt. Nebo; pick one, view it, and then share parts with your children afterward discussing what is shown.  Note that Mt. Nebo is in the country of Jordan, and that from it among other areas one can view the Jordan valley.  Here are some videos available that you can choose:  mt nebo tour video - Bing

Compare It, Contrast It:  The Mt. Hor Vs. The Mt. Nebo Story Make It!

Prep It:  Print two oversized outline Vs.; print words/phrases listed below, brown, blue paper, markers, crayons,scissors, glue. ....

Make It:  Trace Vs onto br. paper; cut out.  Turn upside down for mts.  Glue onto blue paper.  Cut apart words printed in list; glue on and around 'mountains."  Glue Mt. Hor-Aaron and Mt. Nebo-Moses at top of mountains. If you wish older kids can just draw upside down mountain "V" and write the phrases round their mountains.   For younger kids make two big V mountains on the white board first, and write in the phrases/words that go with each one.  After, let first/second graders do it alone using printed strips, or printing their own!  Find sample photo at end of lesson.  


Explore It:  Simchat Torah--"Let's Hear It for the Torah!"

Simchat Torah, (pronounced sim-kaht-toe-rah) is a Jewish holy day of rest and joy, celebrated the day after Sukkot (Feast of Booths).  On that day all go to synagogue to the hear the last of the Torah read, the first of it begun again, and to sing and dance with the Torah.  Read more in The Torah for Dummies by Arthur Kurtweil. Especially read chapter thirteen: "Walking Through the Torah Synagogue Service" where Kurtweil highlights the respect for the Torah they were to show as each hearer followed along reading his own copy.  

Great care is given to the handling of the Torah from taking it out of its coverings, to carefully handling it, to redressing it, and putting it away.  As often stressed in these lessons there's huge dividends to be had from reading aloud the Word to and with your  kids. Bill Randles, a wonderful pastor from Iowa, demonstrates this aloud reading of the Word so beautifully nearly always reading through his sermon texts verse by verse.   

Note:  Christians read both the Old and New Testament, while Jewish people read only the Old Testament. Why is this?  It is because as Christians we believe that the Prophet that Moses talked about in Deut.18 was Jesus, the Messiah who was born in Bethlehem.  Whereas, Jewish people believe that Jesus the Messiah has not yet come.  John 1:4,5 says, "He (Jesus, the Messiah) came unto his own (the Jews) and they received him not.  But, as many as received him , to them gave he power to become the sons of God....."  Notice John 1:45 references Deut.18;18!  Therefore, we celebrate Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and coming again.  Oh, praise His name!
 
To View It, Or Not?  A Verse to Remember!

Psalm 101:3a tells us to use our eyes wisely viewing things that are good rather than worthless.  It says,
 "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:...."  In Genesis we read about a man and his family that found that difficult to do for they lived where they were continually surrounded by evil.

Now, that man was Lot, a nephew of Abraham, who traveled with his uncle into Promised Land territory where their workers quarreled.  Therefore, Abraham suggested they separate.  He told Lot to look at the land nearby, and choose an area in which he'd like to live.  So, the Bible says, Lot lifted up his eyes and chose the lush, green, well-watered  Jordan plain. 

After, Lot moved to a sinful city called Sodom. There every day Lot and his family were viewing and hearing evil things.  II Peter 2:7,8 says because of the wickedness all around it vexed Lot's righteous soul--or upset him.  Meanwhile, the Lord also looked down seeing all the wickedness and sent angels to take Lot and his family out the city. Then, the Lord destroyed Sodom.  Read more here:  Genesis 13, 18-19; Luke 17  Explore More!  What happened when Lot's wife turned back to view Sodom again?

Today just as in Lot's time we too are surrounded by many evil things, and that's why we need to focus in on good things to use our eyes for.  Here are images that help us think about this verse; view them.  Then print several, and use as book marks reminders! 


For  a lot more about Lot visit:   iBIBLE  and  iBIBLE.

Pray It:  A Prayer to Say!

Dear Lord:  
I vow now today
to be wise, to obey,
and not to allow
"...any wicked thing
before my eyes."
Amen.

Teachers, Parents, Grandparents, YOU:

What Are Your Grands Viewing?  Your Kids?  You?

Whether young or old  we're constantly being confronted via television, games on the internet or phones, I Pads, or other tech toys with unsuitable things to view.  Recently, I heard  about a four-year-old boy who loved watching Bendy which is a trendy demonic cartoon figure. The little guy so liked this Mickey Mousish-like character that he wanted it on his birthday cake.  Perhaps, you think this unusual, but sadly it is not for game characters like this abound.  

Examining an ABC book, on a video I viewed, was a little tot sitting on his mom's lap being coached to say words he would never begin to understand.  Who would believe we'd see the day when such books are specifically focused on our smallest children?  (Oh, and on their naive and undiscerning parents and grandparents too!) Like a friend said these books, programs, and toys should grieve us for they surely should vex our very hearts!  

Know what's happening all around.  Remind others whether young or old as Psalm 101:3 says, "I will set no evil thing before mine eyes."   Instead, as  Amos 5:15 records, "Hate the evil, love the good, ...."

Light House Trails Kids' Corner is a great site full of kids' books, and movies that honor the Lord.  View them here:        

Click on photos to make them larger!




















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