August 30, 2015

OT 47 God Speaks to Samuel

Reference: 1 Samuel 3

Story Summary: 
     Samuel worked at the tabernacle with Eli, the high priest. One night, both of them were asleep in the house of the Lord. The Lord called out to Samuel, but Samuel didn’t know it was him. So, he ran to Eli and said, “Did you call me?” Since Eli hadn’t called him, he was confused and told the boy to go back to sleep.
     Two more times, God called to Samuel in the night. And both times, Samuel went to Eli, thinking that it was he who had called him. After Samuel came the third time, Eli figured out that God was calling Samuel. He told Samuel to say the following next time God called him: “Speak, Lord. I’m listening.”
     God called to Samuel a fourth time. Samuel said, “Speak, Lord. I’m listening.” God gave Samuel a message about Eli’s family. Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were doing evil things and not listening to their father. God told Samuel that he was going to punish Eli’s sons for what they had done.
     When Samuel woke that morning, he was scared to give such a sad message. But Eli told Samuel to tell him exactly what God said to him, and Samuel did so. As Samuel grew, the people had great respect for him because God would often speak with him.

Big Idea and Motions: Jesus was punished for our sins.
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Punished - punch your palm with your fist
Our - point to yourself
Sins - two thumbs down

Verse / Motions: 1 Peter 3:18, ESV - For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God
Christ - form a cross with your forearms
Suffered - punch your fist
Once - hold up one finger
Righteous for the unrighteous - two thumbs up, then two thumbs down
Bring us - reach down and pretend to help someone up
God - point up

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What was the name of the boy that lived at the tabernacle? // Samuel
What was the name of the high priest at the tabernacle? // Eli
Who spoke to Samuel? // God
When did God speak to Samuel? // At night, when they were sleeping
How many times did the Lord God call Samuel? // Four times.
Who did Samuel think was calling him? // Eli.
What did Eli tell Samuel to say when God called? // Speak. I’m listening.
What message did God give Samuel? // He was going to punish Eli’s family.
Why was God going to punish Eli’s sons? // They were breaking God’s commandments.
Who was punished for our sins? // Jesus

Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/GDsOqx
Resources - http://goo.gl/BZdHgw

August 23, 2015

OT 46 Samuel is Born

Reference: 1 Samuel 1

Story Summary: 
     A man named Elkanah had two wives: Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah didn't. So Peninnah would tease Hannah about this. Elkanah loved Hannah and would give her extra food because of this.
     One time, when Elkanah's family took a trip to Shiloh, Hannah went to pray by the tabernacle. She sobbed and prayed in her heart, "God, please give me a son. If you do, I'll give him back to you, to serve you." When the priest Eli saw her praying, he thought Hannah had too much wine. But Hannah told her what she prayed and Eli said, "May God give you what you asked for."
     Elkanah and his family returned home and God answered Hannah's prayer. She gave birth to a son and named him Samuel. He took care of him until he no longer needed milk. Then, she took him back to Shiloh and gave him back to God, to serve with Eli at the tabernacle. When she did, Eli asked God to give Hannah more children.
     And God did give Hannah more children. She
had three more sons and two more daughters. Each year, Hannah would visit Samuel in Shiloh. She would bring him a robe she made for him.

Big Idea and Motions: Pray to your Father in heaven because he cares for you.
Pray - fold your hands in prayer
Father in heaven - point up
Cares - give yourself a hug
You - point to another person

Verse / Motions: Matthew 7:11, ESV - …how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
How much more - hold your palms close together, then pull them far apart
Father - hold your hand with fingers out, tap your thumb above your right eyebrow*
Heaven - point up
Give - pretend to give a gift to someone else
Good things - two thumbs up
Ask him - pretend to pray
* This is the ASL Sign for “father” (See demonstration at http://goo.gl/P9cdsO).

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What were the names of Elkanah’s two wives? // Hannah and Peninnah
What couldn’t Hannah do? // Have any kids
What did Peninnah do to Hannah? // Tease her
What did Hannah ask God to do? // Give her a child
What promise did Hannah make to God in her prayer? // Give her child back to God
Who saw Hannah praying? // Eli
What did Eli think about Hannah? // She was drunk
When Hannah told Eli her prayer, what did he say? // May God give you what you asked for
Did Hannah have a baby? If so, what was his name? // Samuel
After Samuel was done drinking milk, what did Hannah do? // Took him to live with Eli and work at the tabernacle
After she gave Samuel back to God, what did God do for Hannah? // She had five more children

Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/AUtFA6
Resources - http://goo.gl/o76BJ9

August 16, 2015

NT 19 Jesus Raises Lazarus

Reference: John 11:1-44

Big Idea and Motions: Believe in Jesus and you’ll rise again on the last day.
Believe - pretend to grasp a rope in front of you with both hands
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Rise again - reach low with your hands, then raise them to the sky
Last day - pound the bottom of your fist onto your open palm on each word

Story Summary:
   Mary and Martha sent Jesus a letter. It said, "Lord, the one you love is sick." They were talking about their brother, Lazarus. Jesus said, "This sickness will not end it death." However, by the time Jesus reached Mary and Martha's house, Lazarus had been dead for four days!
   Martha told Jesus, "If you had been here, Lazarus would not have died." Jesus told Martha that Lazarus would rise again. Martha thought that Jesus meant Lazarus would be raised on the last day. But Jesus said, "Anyone who believes in me will live, even if he dies." Martha said, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God."
   Jesus went to Lazarus' tomb and had them roll back the stone. He said, "Lazarus! Come out!" Dead Lazarus came to life and walked out of the tomb, still wrapped up in cloths like a mummy! Many of the people who saw this amazing miracle put their faith in Jesus.

Verse / Motions: John 11:25, ESV - Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Resurrection - reach low with your hands, then raise them to the sky
Life - hold a fist, palms up, then open it (like an opening flower)
Believes - pretend to grasp a rope in front of you with two hands
Die - cross your arms in an X over your chest
Live - hold a fist, palms up, then open it (like an opening flower)

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Who became sick and died in today’s story? // Lazarus.
Who were Lazarus’ sisters? // Mary and Martha.
Where was Jesus when Lazarus was sick? // In Jerusalem
Who did Mary and Martha send a message about Lazarus to? // Jesus.
When Martha came out to meet Jesus, what did Jesus say would happen to Lazarus? // He’d rise from the dead.
When did Martha think Lazarus would rise again? // At the last day, when God raises all believers.
How long had Lazarus been dead? // Four days.
What happened after Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out!”? // Lazarus came back to life.
What kinds of bodies will Jesus give believers on the last day? // Strong, glorious bodies that will live forever

Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/qqdgJN
Resources - https://goo.gl/r69ADs

August 9, 2015

NT 18 Jesus Heals Jairus' Daughter

Reference: Luke 8:41-56

Big Idea and Motions: Put your faith in Jesus to be saved from sin.
Faith - pretend to grab a rope in front of you like it’s a rescue line
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Saved - make the baseball “safe” sign
Sin - two thumbs down
*This is the ASL sign for faith/trust. Follow this link to watch a video: http://goo.gl/4cHz3

Story Summary
     Jairus, a ruler at the synagogue, came to Jesus because his 12-year-old daughter was dying. He begged Jesus to come to his house and heal his daughter.
     As they walked to Jairus' house, the crowd pressed in on Jesus. In that crowd was a woman who had a disease that made her bleed for twelve years. No one had ever been able to help her. She touched Jesus and was healed instantly. Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" Peter said, "The crowd is all around you. They're the ones who touched you." But Jesus said, "I know that power has gone out from me.
     Reluctantly, the woman told Jesus that she had touched him. Jesus said, "Go in peace. Your faith has healed you."  
     On the way to Jairus' house, a messenger said that Jairus' daughter had died. Jesus said, "Just believe. She will be healed."
     At the house, Jesus went into the room with the girl, with her parents and his disciples Peter, James, and John. Jesus grabbed the little girl's hand and said, "Little girl, get up!" Immediately, her spirit returned and she got up. Her parents were amazed!

Verse / Motions: Acts 16:31, ESV - And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
They said - make your hand talk like a puppet
Believe - pretend to grasp a rope with two hands*
Lord Jesus - form a cross with your arms
You - point at another person
Saved - do the baseball “safe” sign
Household - form a “roof” over your head with your arms
*This is the ASL sign for faith/trust. Follow this link to watch a video: http://goo.gl/4cHz3

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What was the name of the synagogue ruler? // Jairus
What problem did Jairus have? // His daughter was dying
What did Jairus ask Jesus? // To heal his daughter
What problem did the sick woman have? // A bleeding disease for twelve years
What happened when she touched Jesus? // She was healed
What did Jesus say to the woman? // Your faith healed you
What did the messenger say to Jairus? // His daughter died.
What did Jesus say to Jairus after hearing the girl died? // Believe and she will be healed
What did the crowd do when Jesus said the girl was sleeping? // Laughed
What happened when Jesus took the dead girl’s hand? // She came to life

Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/N8ZMmz
Resources - http://goo.gl/jegbVs

August 2, 2015

NT 17 Jesus Walks on Water

Reference: Matthew 14:22-33

Story Summary:
   Jesus sent the disciples to sail across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus stayed behind, went up a mountainside, and prayed into the evening. The disciples' boat was pounded by waves because the wind was blowing against it.
   Early in the morning, Jesus walked upon the lake towards the disciples. The disciples thought Jesus was a ghost. Jesus said, "Be brave! It is I," but Peter, one of the disciples wasn't so sure. "If it is you," he said, "tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus told Peter to come. Peter stepped out onto the waves and walked on water toward Jesus. But seeing the waves, Peter became afraid and started to sink.
   Jesus grabbed Peter and helped him into the boat. Right then, the wind died down. Back in the boat, the twelve disciples worshipped Jesus, saying, "You really are the Son of God!"

Big Idea and Motions: Repent and put your faith in Jesus to be saved.
Repent - pretend to turn a steering wheel 180°
Faith - pretend to grab a rope in front of you with two hands
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Saved - make the baseball “Safe!” sign

Verse / Motions: Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. (ESV)
Grace - place one hand on your heart and reach out to help with the other
Saved - make the baseball “safe” sign
Faith - pretend to grab a rope in front of you like it’s a rescue line
This is not - wag your index finger “no”
Gift - pretend to hold a present and give it to someone else
God - point up
*This is the ASL sign for faith/trust. Follow this link to watch a video: http://goo.gl/4cHz3

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
As the story began, what did Jesus tell the disciples to do? // Sail their boat across the Sea of Galilee
What did Jesus do on the mountain? // He prayed alone.
What problem did the disciples have on their boat trip? // A windstorm kept pushing them back
How did Jesus get to the disciples’ boat? // He walked on the water
What did the disciples think Jesus was? // A ghost
What did Peter want Jesus to do to prove he wasn’t a ghost? // Call Peter to walk on the waves
What happened when Peter first stepped on the water? // He walked on it
What happened when Peter looked at the wind and waves? // He began to sink
What are the two other words that are like faith? // Believe and trust
What is today’s big idea? // Repent and put your faith in Jesus to be saved
What is today’s Bible verse? // Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. (ESV)

Google Docs Links
Lesson - https://goo.gl/B8PEHV
Resources - https://goo.gl/V3ootK