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Showing posts with label Lesson - 7. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lesson - 7. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

God's Covenant With Abraham, Senior - I, Lesson - 7

SENIOR

AGE GROUP: 14 - 15 YEARS

STANDARD (GRADE): IX & X

Permission is granted only for free distribution among Sunday School children.

No part of this document can be modified, sold or used for any commercial purpose.

LESSON – 7

GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM

God Calls Abraham 

Abram (later called Abraham) was the son of Terah. Abram lived with his wife Sarai in a land called Ur of the Chaldees, presently situated in Iraq. They did not have any children. One day, God told Abram to leave the place where he was staying and to go to the land, He would show him. God also made a covenant with Abraham.

Covenant

A covenant is an agreement between two persons or parties. There are two types of covenants. They are unconditional and conditional. An unconditional or unilateral covenant is an agreement between two persons or parties, but only one of the two persons takes the lead in fulfilling the responsibilities and nothing is expected from the other person or party. Nothing is required of the other party.

A conditional covenant is an agreement that is binding on both parties for its fulfillment which means that there are certain responsibilities to be fulfilled by persons on both sides. If any one of them fail to meet their responsibilities, the covenant is broken and neither party has to fulfill the expectations of the covenant. An example of this conditional covenant was made between Laban and Jacob (Genesis 31:44 - 54). We can learn about some of the rituals that were done while making a covenant from this passage. 

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 A stone pillar (31:45), such as Jacob had set up in Bethel.

·        A heap of stones (31:46-49) which they named Mizpah (watchtower) and Galeed or Jegar Sahadutha (witness heap).

·        Calling upon the LORD as witness and guarantor of the covenant: "May the LORD watch between you and me...." (31:49b).

·        A Promise from Jacob not to mistreat his wives, nor to take rival wives to displace them from their status (31:50).

·        A Peace treaty: "I will not pass beyond this heap to you …...... for harm" (31:51-52).

·        An oath in the name of God (31:53).

·        A sacrifice and meal together (31:54).

There are so many other references in the Bible about making covenants wherein all these steps or atleast most of these steps are mentioned.

The Abrahamic covenant

John Paul Stanley / YoPlace.com.

The covenant God made with Abraham is called Abrahamic Covenant. God’s covenant with Abraham is regarded as generally unconditional based on Genesis 12: 1-3 and Genesis 15th chapter, but it was followed by another covenant that was conditional in Genesis 17. It required Abraham to be righteous and blameless before God for God's promises to be fulfilled. God also established the ritual of circumcision as part of the covenant. 

Rite of Circumcision

God gave Abraham the rite of circumcision as a part of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 17:9 - 14). All males who descend through Abraham were to be circumcised and thus carry with them a lifelong mark in their flesh that they were part of God’s covenant. Any descendant of Abraham who was uncircumcised was outside of God’s covenant.

The three main features of Abrahamic Covenant 

1. The promise of land - God called Abraham to a land that He would give him (Genesis 12:1). 

2. The promise of descendants - God promised Abraham that He would make a great nation out of him (Genesis 12:2). Abraham was 75 years old and childless when God promised him numerous descendants. This promise was amplified in Genesis 17:6 where God promised that nations and kings would descend from Abraham. 

3. The promise of blessing and redemption - God promised to bless Abraham and nations would be blessed through him (Genesis 12:3). 

Abraham Believed in God

God changed the name of Abram to Abraham which meant “Father of many” because he was going to become the father of many nations. His wife’s name was changed from Sarai meaning “Princess” to Sarah which meant “Mother of Nations”. God changed Abram and Sarai's name even before their son, Isaac was born. Abraham believed in God's promises without any doubt and Abraham's faith pleased God. Abraham was even called as a "friend of God".

God's Promises Fulfilled

God blessed Abraham with the promised son, Isaac, when he was 100 years old and Sarai was 75 years old. Through Isaac and his descendants, many great nations in the middle east, including the nation of Israel were formed. Kings and rulers also came through his descendants. The messiah “Jesus Christ” was also revealed through Abraham’s descendants. 

Abrahamic Blessings for the Gentiles

The Abrahamic blessings pronounced on Abraham and his descendants can be inherited by gentiles also. Gentiles mentioned in the Holy Bible are people who are not part of the Abrahamic covenant. The English word “Gentile” is derived from the Latin word “Gentilis” which referred to non-Israelite people. Through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, the Jews and gentiles were made as one. Anyone who puts his faith in Jesus Christ can be an heir of the promises God made to Abraham and receive the blessings of Abraham. Galatians 3:6-9 states that “So also Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness... So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. Galatians 3:29 also makes this clear: "If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise." We are children of Abraham if we live by faith in the promises of God summed up in Christ. The gentiles can become beneficiaries of the Abrahamic blessings through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Bible Reference: Genesis 12, 15, 17, 21:1-8 

Memory Verse: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise (Hebrews 11:8, 9 NKJV) 

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY

I.      Fill in the Blanks:

1. …………………….. was later called as Abraham.

2. Abraham was 75 years old and childless when God promised him numerous ………………………………. .

3. God gave Abraham the rite of ………………………… as a part of the Abrahamic Covenant.

4.  ……………………….. are people who are not part of the Abrahamic covenant.

 

II.  Give short answers:

1. What is a covenant?

 

 

2. Why was the rite of circumcision given?

 

 

3. How did God fulfill His promises to Abraham?

 

 

4. What should gentiles do to receive the Abrahamic blessings?

 

 

III.          Give brief answers:

1. Write in brief about Abrahamic covenant and it’s three main features.

 


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Aaron, The First High Priest, Intermediate - I, Lesson - 7

INTERMEDIATE

AGE: 12 - 13 YEARS

STANDARD/GRADE: VII & VIII

Permission is granted only for free distribution among Sunday School children.

No part of this document can be modified, sold or used for any commercial purpose.

LESSON – 7

AARON, THE FIRST HIGH PRIEST

Click this link to get the other Intermediate Lessons

Aaron was the elder brother of Moses. When God appeared to Moses on the burning bush at Mount Horeb and told him to go to Egypt to free the children of Israel from slavery, Moses was reluctant to go. So, God told Moses to take Aaron along with him, since he was a good speaker and Aaron was appointed as Moses’ spokesman. Aaron went along with Moses to meet the Pharaoh to deliver the Israelites. Aaron was 83 years old and Moses was 80 years old when they met the Pharaoh. Pharaoh let the children of Israel go after God displayed his mighty miracles. Aaron had a significant role to play in the deliverance and journey of Israelites towards Canaan.

Aaron assists Moses

When the children of Israel were on their way to Canaan, they camped at a place called Rephidim. When a group of people called the Amalekites heard that the Israelites have camped nearby, they came to attack the Israelites. So, Joshua led the children of Israel in a battle against the Amalekites. Aaron’s brother Moses stood on a hill overlooking the scene of the battle holding the rod of God in his hand. As long as Moses held up his hand, the Israelites had the advantage, but Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. Aaron and another leader named Hur found a stone for Moses to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So, Moses’ hands held steady until sunset and Joshua defeated the Amalekites in the battle.

Aaron makes a mistake

After a little while, when the Israelites camped at the Sinai Desert, God called Moses to climb up the Sinai mountain to receive the stone tablets on which the ten commandments were inscribed. Moses had to stay on top of the mountain for forty days and nights and the Israelites were left in the care of Aaron and Hur. But even before the forty days were over, the Israelites were worried that something might have happened to Moses and they told Aaron to make a god for them who could go before them and lead them in the desert. Aaron told them to bring their gold ear rings. Aaron melted them and made an idol in the shape of a calf. God was angry with Aaron and the Israelites that he wanted to destroy them. They were only spared because of the intercession of Moses.

Aaron anointed as the High Priest of Israel

Even though Aaron had made a terrible mistake, God forgave him and told Moses to set apart Aaron as the High Priest of Israel. Aaron was the first anointed Priest and the first High Priest of Israel. Aaron and his descendants were specially chosen for Priesthood. Before Aaron was appointed as the High Priest, there were no Priests in Israel and the head of the family (usually the father or the Patriarch) led his family members in worshipping God by building an altar and offering a sacrifice. We could see that from the life of Noah, Abraham, Jacob etc. During their days of slavery in Egypt there is no recording of Israelites offering sacrifices and worshipping God. That’s why Moses told Pharaoh that they wanted to go to the desert and offer the sacrifices because the Egyptians considered the sacrifices as an abomination (Exodus 8:26). As the High Priest of Israel, Aaron had specific duties and responsibilities. He wore a special richly decorated robe, which on his death passed to the person who succeeded him as the High Priest. 

High Priest

A High Priest was specially appointed to represent the Israelite people before God. He had to make atonement for the Israelites and acted as a mediator between them and God. The High Priest had to be without any physical defects and holy in his conduct. The most important duty of the High Priest was to conduct the service on the Day of Atonement, the tenth day of the seventh month of every year. There was a special place called the “Most Holy Place” in the Tent or Tabernacle where the Israelites went to worship God. Only the High Priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place behind the veil to stand before God. Before entering the Most Holy Place, he had to offer a sacrifice for himself and for the people, he then brought the blood into the Most Holy Place and sprinkled it on the mercy seat, the “God’s throne”. He did this to make atonement (to ask for forgiveness of sins) for himself and the people for all their sins committed during the year just ended. 

Aaron’s Sons punished by God

Aaron and his sons were specially consecrated (purified) by God to do the priestly duties. But God had given them specific instructions on how to do it.  The day after they were consecrated, Aaron’s two oldest sons Nadab and Abihu took their respective firepans, put fire in them, placed incense on it and offered a strange fire before the Lord, which God had not commanded them to do. Strange fire means a fire that was ignited according to their own wish and not commanded by God. Nadab and Abihu were punished for that. Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and burnt them and they died before the Lord.

Aaron’s Death and his successor

On one occasion, the people complained that there was no water and that they would die of thirst. God told Moses to take the rod, assemble the Israelites, and speak to the rock in front of them and the rock would give them water. But Moses and Aaron assembled the whole community, Moses could not control his anger and his frustration, so he raised the rod and struck the rock twice with it. Out came a great stream of water, and the people and the animals drank their fill. But God reproved Moses and Aaron, by saying that they will not lead the congregation into the land which God had given them as a punishment, instead Joshua would lead them. Thus, Aaron died on Mount Hor, near the southern end of the Dead Sea when he was 123 years old. The Israelites mourned him for 30 days. Aaron was succeeded as High Priest by his son Eleazar. Even though Aaron had done many mistakes, God forgave him and gave him many rare privileges and he is still revered as one of the greatest leaders of Israel.

Bible Reference: Exodus 4:14, 27-30; 17:8-13; 32 chapter; Leviticus 8 & 9;                                                        Numbers 20:8-13, 23-29 

Memory Verse: For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. ………………………….. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. (Hebrews 5:1-4)

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

Fill in the blanks:

1. Aaron was ……….. years old and Moses was …………… years old when they met the Pharaoh.

2. …………………. was the first High priest of Israel.

3. …………………. and …………………. took their respective firepans, put fire in them, placed incense on it and offered a strange fire before the Lord,

4. Aaron was succeeded as High Priest by his son ……………………..

 

Give short answers:

1. How did Aaron and Hur assist Moses during the battle at Rephidim?

 

2. Why did Aaron make a golden calf?

 

3. Why did God punish Nadab and Abihu?

 

4. Why didn’t God allow Aaron to enter the promised land?

 

Answer in brief:

1. Who is a High Priest? What are his roles and responsibilities?

 

 

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Sunday, May 31, 2020

Pharaoh's Dream, Junior - I, Lesson - 7

JUNIOR

AGE: 10 - 11 YEARS

STANDARD/GRADE: V & VI

Permission is granted only for free distribution among Sunday School children.

No part of this document can be modified, sold or used for any commercial purpose.

LESSON – 7

PHARAOH’S DREAM

In the previous lesson we had learnt about Jacob’s stay in Haran and his return to his father’s home. Jacob had 12 sons, eleven of whom were born when he was living in Haran. His youngest son Benjamin was born when they were travelling back to his father Isaac’s home. Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob. Even from a young age Joseph’s life was much different from his brothers. Joseph saw two dreams which showed that his brothers would bow before him some day. Joseph’s brothers who could not understand God’s plan for his life got jealous instead, and they plotted to murder Joseph. One day they got an opportunity, when Joseph was sent by their father to see how they were doing. However, they were stopped from killing him by their eldest brother Reuben. So, they sold Joseph to some Midianite merchants who took him to Egypt. 

In Egypt, Joseph was sold as a slave to one of Pharaoh’s officials named Potiphar. Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph of a mistake he did not do and Joseph was thrown into a prison. God was with Joseph even in prison. Two of Pharaoh’s workers, his cupbearer and baker, were also in the prison along with Joseph. One day both of them had dreams and they were troubled. Joseph interpreted their dreams for them and both interpretations came true. The cupbearer was restored to his job just as Joseph revealed. Yet, he forgot all about Joseph until two years later! 

During this time, Egypt’s King Pharaoh himself had two dreams. (Pharaoh is a collective title for all the kings of Pharaoh, just like Maharaja is used for Indian Kings). 

A golden mask of a Pharaoh who ruled Egypt between B.C. 1334 - 1325 decorated with semi-precious stones, Picture Credit: Roland Unger, Creative Commons License

In his dream, Pharaoh was standing on the bank of the Nile River when seven fat, healthy cows came out of the river and began to graze on the tall reeds growing along the river. Then seven other cows came out of the Nile River. They looked sickly and thin. They stood beside the healthy fat cows on the river banks. Then the sickly, thin cows ate the seven healthy, fat cows. But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; the thin cows looked just as thin and sickly as before. At this point in the dream, Pharaoh woke up. But he fell asleep again and had a second dream. 


Recent picture of Nile River in Egypt with reeds on its banks

In his second dream Pharaoh saw a healthy stalk of wheat with seven full and beautiful heads of grain sprouting.  Then seven more heads of grain appeared, but these were blighted, shriveled, and withered by the east wind. And the shriveled heads swallowed the seven healthy heads. Then Pharaoh woke up and realized that it was a dream.

In the morning Pharaoh’s mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him. When the cupbearer heard about the dream, he remembered Joseph. He told Pharaoh about Joseph, who was then brought before Pharaoh. Pharaoh asked Joseph to interpret his dream, since he had heard that Joseph had the gift to interpret dreams. Joseph answered that only God could explain the meaning of Pharaoh’s dreams. 

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Pharaoh described his dreams to Joseph. Joseph told the Pharaoh that both the dreams are one and the same. God had revealed to Pharaoh what He was about to do. Joseph explained that the seven healthy cows and the seven healthy heads of grain meant that there would be seven years of abundant harvest and plentiful food in Egypt; the sickly thin cows and the shriveled heads of grain represent seven years of famine. During the days of famine, all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. Joseph also warned Pharaoh that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon and that was the reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms.

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Not only did Joseph interpret the dreams, but he also had an idea to save Egypt! He suggested that during the seven years of abundance, some of the food grains should be stored in store houses to be used during the years of famine. Pharaoh was pleased and made Joseph the Second-in-command of Egypt and changed his name to Zaphnath – Paaneah. Joseph was given all the authority to carry out his plan to save Egypt. 
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Joseph saved the Egyptians from starvation during the severe famine. Joseph’s brothers too came to Egypt and bowed before him just as Joseph had seen in his dream as a little boy, when they came to buy food grains for their family. Joseph’s story teaches us that nothing can stop God’s plan for our lives.

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Bible Reference: Genesis 39 – 41


Memory verse: Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? …………………many lives (Genesis 50: 19, 20).


ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

Fill in the blanks:

1. The ............................ was restored to his job just as Joseph had told him.

2. In his dream Pharaoh was standing on the bank of the ....................... River.

3. The sickly thin cows represented seven years of .......................

4. Pharaoh changed Joseph’s name to ..........................................

Give short answers:

1. To whom did the Ishmaelite traders sell Joseph?

 

2.     Who were with Joseph in the prison and why were they troubled?

 

3. What was the idea given by Joseph to save Egypt?

 

4. How was Joseph honored by Pharaoh?

 

Answer in brief:

1. Write in brief about Pharaoh’s dreams.

 



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Friday, May 8, 2020

Water from the Rock, Sub-junior - I, Lesson - 7

SUB-JUNIOR

AGE: 8 - 9 YEARS

STANDARD/GRADE: III & IV

Permission is granted only for free distribution among Sunday School children.

No part of this document can be modified, sold or used for any commercial purpose.

LESSON – 7

WATER FROM THE ROCK

Click this link to get Sub-junior lessons 1 - 15

Moses, the leader of the Israelites was leading the people from Egypt to Canaan. God had delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians who had kept them as slaves and they were going to their own country, Canaan. But they had to walk through a large desolate desert before they could reach Canaan. Soon the Israelites started to complain because there was not enough food. The Israelites told Moses that it would have been better for them to die in Egypt because they had lot of food in Egypt. They soon forgot how they had suffered as slaves.

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The Israelites grumbled and said that Moses had brought them to the desert to starve the people to death. Moses prayed and God rained down bread from heaven for them. The next morning when the Israelites came out of their tents, they found the bread lying on the ground like flakes of frost on the ground. The people of Israel called the bread “manna”.
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They travelled further and reached a place called Rephidim but there was no water for the people to drink. Again, the people started to complain and said that they were dying of thirst and their children and cattle were dying too. They asked Moses why he brought them out of Egypt and they were even ready to throw stones at Moses.

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Moses prayed to God asking for help. God told Moses to gather some of the elders of Israel and to take his rod in his hand and walk ahead of the people. God said he would stand on the rock at Mount Horeb. God told Moses to strike the rock with his rod and water will flow from the rock. The people will have plenty of water to drink.

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Moses did just as God asked him to do. As the elders of Israel looked on, water came gushing out of the rock and there was enough water for everyone to drink.  Moses called that place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarrelled with Moses and tested whether the Lord is among them. 

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Bible Reference: Exodus 17
Memory verse: He opened the rock, and water gushed out; It ran in the dry places like a river (Psalm 105: 41 NKJV). 

 

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

Answer the following questions:

 1. Where did the Israelites find the bread?

    .......................................................................

2. Who went along with Moses?    …………………...........................

3. Who was standing on the rock?

    ........................................................................

4. From where did the water come?

    ........................................................................

5. What was the name given to the place from where the

water came? …………………………………….………….

 

Choose the best answer:

 1. The Israelites said it would have been better to die in

    a. Egypt                b. Canaan               c. Midian

2. The Israelites could not find water to drink in

    a. Haran               b. Egypt                   c. Rephidim

3. Who stood on the rock at Mount Horeb?

    a. Priest                b. God                      c. Aaron

4. With what did Moses strike the rock?

     a. Rod                  b. Gun                      c. Whip

5. The Israelites quarrelled with

     a. Miriam            b. Pharaoh               c. Moses




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