Show
WELCOME TO WEEK 4
What is the greatest thing you’ve experienced? God wants us to experience Him and we can do that in more than one way. We can experience God using our senses. This week we will see how we can experience God through His word!
BIBLE STORY
Let’s have a bible race. I’m going to read several statements, race to see if you can find a place in scripture when Jesus did these things. If you can’t find the Bible verse, you can tell an example from the Bible when Jesus fulfilled the following statements.
Was filled with God’s Spirit
Gave good news to the poor
Freed the prisoners
Helped the blind to see
Jesus fulfilled all of these statements. These statements are actually prophecy that Isaiah wrote long before Jesus was born. When Jesus was in Galilee, his hometown, He read this scripture in the sanctuary and proclaimed He was fulfilling the scripture that day. You can imagine the shock that would cause to those who were listening. The Messiah they had been waiting for all this time was Jesus, the boy they had watched grow up. They had the unique opportunity to get to know God through the written scripture. The written words they had heard so many times before were being made real right in front of them. God wants us to experience His word in the same way. He wants us to have an experience with Him, to build relationships, and to get to know Him better.
Read or listen to Luke 4:14-21
What was Jesus doing in Galilee? (Preaching in their synagogues)
How did the people feel about Jesus when he was preaching? (Everyone praised Him)
What city was Jesus in when he went to preach in the synagogue? (Nazareth)
What scroll was given to Jesus to read? (The scroll of Isaiah)
What did they scripture reading say the anointing was for? (To spread the good news to the poor, proclaim freedom to the prisoners, restore sight to the blind, to set the oppressed free)
What had Jesus said before reading this scripture? (Today this scripture if fulfilled in your hearing)
How did the people listening to Jesus react? (The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
We can experience God through reading the stories in the Bible. Pick a few stories from the Bible to act out and retell through a skit. As a family, pick parts and choose costumes if desired, then retell the story through acting. We were able to experience these bible stories better because we acted out the parts. We can almost feel their experience by reenacting it. God wants us to experience Him through the reading of the Bible.
Materials: optional costumes for skits
Alternate
Think of a few bible stories and then retell the story in first person. Speak as if you are the person in the story telling your story to the audience. Give key and important events to your story so that others can figure out who you are. As you say your narrative about the story, have the audience guess who the story is about.
Materials:
Independent activity:
think of your favorite scripture and make a scroll using the scripture. Follow these steps to make your own scroll. Write your verse on a sheet of construction paper, gently tear each of the 4 sides of the sheet of paper. Just tear a fourth inch of the edge letting it tear imperfectly. Then attach the ends to two dowel rods and roll them inwardly.
Materials: construction paper, 2 dowel rods, pen or pencil
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials:printed coloring sheet, crayons or other coloring utensils
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to 2 Timothy 3:14-17
This scripture describes the Bible as God-breathed. God’s word is described as having life. God has made the Bible not just a book of words or stories, but He has breathed life into the Bible to teach, rebuke, discipline, and train in righteousness. We can experience what God has for us through the Bible.
What is the Bible useful for?
What can the Bible equip us for?
What are some ways the Bible instructs?
How can you use bible scriptures to help make decision.
What is something you’ve learned from the Bible that you can share with others?
Is it important to regularly read your bible?
What are some things you can do this week to ensure you read your bible daily?
Practical Application at Home
When we read God’s word we are not just reading stories from a book but reading God’s words and instructions to us. We can have a greater experience with God through the reading of His word. He can instruct us in the path we should take, give us comfort in times of sadness, remind us of how much God loves us, and can give us God’s peace. We need all of those things because sometimes life can be hard, and God’s word can guide us through.
Take time to share how the Bible has given you a greater experience with God. Tell how the Bible deepened your relationship with God and helped you experience God more. It is important to share stories with one another to strengthen our faith.
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Enjoy the cool weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What part do each of us play in God’s plan for us?