F101 Biblically Integrated Christian education

F101 Biblically Integrated Christian education

Session 4: God is the curriculum

Main ideas

· God is the curriculum

· God-centred education is about bringing students to know God through the subject being taught, and not just to know about Him.

· To know God is to know His character.

Outcomes

At the completion of this session teachers will be able to:

· understand the difference between ‘heart knowledge’ and ‘head knowledge’ in our understanding of God

· explain how an understanding of God’s character and nature can be linked with subject areas

Content

1. God is the curriculum

Perhaps one of the most exciting discoveries in the history of Christian schooling, is that “God is the curriculum”. Many people reply to this, “You can’t just teach the Bible in Christian schools you know.”

But do you see the difference? It is not stated that the Bible is the curriculum…God is the curriculum.

The reason for this is that the most important knowledge a person can ever have is to know and experience the true nature of God in one’s life. Knowing the Bible does not necessarily mean that a person knows God in a deep and personal way.

If, in fact, the aim of the Christian life is to know God, then we come short if we make the Bible the curriculum. This does not mean that the Bible is rejected, but rather, that it takes its place as God’s greatest tool for making Himself known to mankind.

But God has other tools to reveal His nature to mankind. The whole creation is His, formed by the word of His command. As such, it has the imprint of the Creator on it, and speaks clearly to mankind about the nature of God.

This means that the study of Creation is not an end in itself. Rather, physics, chemistry, biology, and every other area of study is the unfolding of God’s wisdom that clearly speaks of His nature and the centrality of Christ to the whole of life.

To say that “God is the curriculum”, is a recognition that all knowledge is God’s, and rightly used, it educates us to a greater understanding of God, the goal of a believer’s life.

What does it mean to know God?

· to be in relationship with Him.

· to develop a friendship with Him.

· to know how He feels about the things we do.

· to want to please and obey Him.

· to know how much He loves us.

· to know that He is a Father.

· to have a desire to communicate with Him and read His word

What are the results of knowing Him?

· Eternal life (John 17:1-3)

· Grace and peace (2 Peter 1:2)

· We become more like Him (2 Cor. 3:18)

· We love Him more (John 17:14 -16)

· He reveals Himself to us (John 17:24)

· We are His witnesses (Mark 3:13 - 15)

2. Why is a curriculum founded on the character and nature of God so important?

As we come to understand who God is, we can grow to know Him personally, and become more like Him. Too often spiritual teaching focuses on bible stories, with a spiritual point tacked on the end. What do the children remember? Usually they will remember the story very well, but have little idea what the story teaches.

If we START with the character and nature of God approach, we actually START with the point. This means that children will remember it. We are not down-grading the role of the Bible, but in fact, enhancing it. Every attribute of God's character or nature links up with numerable bible stories.

Example: Children will remember that God is provider, from the story of the loaves and the fishes, because you have actually presented the idea that God is provider first. Instead of saying, "Today we are going to listen to the story of the loaves and the fishes", we might say, "Today we are learning that God is provider", and then proceed to tell the story of the loaves and the fishes. We can then link it up with our classroom topic of study, such as “God provides our food”.

Discussion:

1. Choose two character attributes of God. Think of two Bible stories or passages for each. How do these Bible stories/passages teach us about the attributes of God?

2. What advantages are there in having children grounded in an understanding of the attributes of God, rather than in Bible knowledge alone?

3. Connecting to God through classroom topics

View Power Points:

Integrated Studies 1

Integrated Studies 2

Refer to the appendix for examples of how topics can be related to the character and nature of God.

Discussion:

1. Choose two attributes of God from the list.

For each attribute, choose a related classroom topic. (It may be one in the list or one of your own choice.) Write a sentence explaining how the topic connects to the attribute. Decide on the age-group undertaking the topics.

e.g. God is Wise

Topic: Road safety, age 7 years

Connection: To be wise is to know the right thing to do, and to do it. God wants us to be wise in all we do. This means we should be wise when we cross the road or walk along the road.

2. Now for each attribute think of a Bible story or references that relate to that aspect of God.

e.g. God is Wise – there are many verses about wisdom from Proverbs; choose a Bible story about a character who showed wisdom e.g. the wise man who built his house on the rock

A God-centred lesson:

Important questions for the Christian school teacher to ask:

How are my lessons different from those in a secular school?

How do I apply a Biblical worldview to my teaching?

What does Biblical worldview really mean?

How do I nurture character growth patterned on the life of Jesus?

How do I integrate God with my subject area?

How do I make my lessons look like a well-blended chocolate milk shake and not a pizza where the ingredients are separate?

All Christian teachers aim to put God first, but there is often a mystery as to how this is done.

The following simple steps can have a dynamic effect on the way we teach:

The way we present a lesson can be thought of as a three-pronged fork:

1. Who is God? …relate an aspect of God’s character / nature to your lesson. e.g. a science lesson on light and reflection can be related to God is Light.

2. Select Bible passages, verses or stories relevant to that particular attribute of God.

3. Ask, “How does an understanding on God in this way impact the way we should live?

So here we have the three prongs:

· an understanding of God Himself (Attribute of God)

· an explanation of this from the Bible (Bible)

· a personal challenge to reflect His character (Character development)

So an easy way to remember this is A B C.

Example of ABC :

Topic: My country – look at God’s hand on my country throughout history

Attribute of God: God is my protector (A for ‘attribute’)

Bible verse: He hides me in the shadow of His wings (B for ‘Bible’)

Christian response: I will trust and not be afraid because God is my protector. (C for ‘character’)

But this alone is not enough. We need to make the connections plain to the students.

We need to assist the students in making the connections between A-B-C.

Besides the three prongs, there is another element in the three pronged fork. Without it the three prongs will not stay together. What is it?

The handle!

Who is the handle?

The teacher is the one that links the three elements and helps the student understand the connections between them.

Examples of making connections:

EXAMPLE 1

Science topic: reflection, light, heat

1. Aspect of God: God is Light

2. Bible passages: Psalm 119:105 (NIV) - ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.’ Acts 9 – Paul’s conversion came through a bright light from God.

3. Character development: I will choose righteousness; to walk in the light.

The handle:

The teacher sets the following task for the students:

Write down what your understanding of this phrase is and how it can be applied in your lives. Make reference to scientific phrases e.g. radiation, reflection, energy etc.

 

Student responses:

(These are actual examples of student responses)

Student 1:

The Bible is God's lamp to my feet - God's lamp (the Bible) also uses reflection because his lamp also reflects into our lives. The lamp is also a light for our paths we to take in life; hopefully it is a big light (one with a concave mirror) so that we can ALWAYS see our way in the dark or whenever we are lost or gone astray - that light will always be there to stay.

  

Student 2:

God's word is radiated at us leading us to a life full of righteousness and blessing that is fully devoted to Him.  It is our choice if we choose to absorb it or follow the world's ways, and once we have accepted him we should reflect it to others.

 

EXAMPLE 2

Topic: Plants

1. Aspect of God: God is life

2. Bible passages: John 4:7-29 – The woman at the well, (Jesus gave her new life / living water)

3. Character development: The Holy Spirit can help me to live as Jesus wants me to live.

The handle:

Teacher explains:

Plants need water to stay alive. Just as plants need water to stay alive, we need the Holy Spirit to have spiritual life. Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit, who is the Living Water. He helps us do what Jesus would do.

Assessment tasks

1. Write a short reflection on the first article ‘God is the curriculum’.

2. Write some brief notes on the two discussion exercises.

3. Choose a topic. (You will find plenty of ideas for topics in the Appendix on the following pages). Now apply the ABC principle as follows:

· Topic:

· A - attribute of God:

· B – Bible stories and verses:

· C – character development:

· Now write a sentence to show how you would explain to your students the connection between the topic and the attribute of God.

Reading

Read through the following Appendix.

Appendix: Relating topics to the attributes of God

God is a Powerful Creator

· Light (Creation Day 1)

· Water (Creation Day 2)

· Air (Creation Day 2)

· Electricity, forces (creation Day 2)

· Landforms (Creation Day 3)

· Rocks (Creation Day 3)

· Plants (Creation Day 3)

· The Solar System (Creation Day 4)

· Birds and fish (Creation Day 5))

· Minibeasts (Creation Day 6)

· Larger Land Animals (Creation Day 6)

· Dinosaurs, fossil records, Creation Science (Creation Day 6)

· Human Biology (Creation Day 6)

God is a Loving Provider

· My home/My family

· Me

· Food

· Plants

· Fibres, fabrics, clothes

· Forests / forestry

· Rainforests; ecosystems

· Soil/crop farming

· Animal Husbandry

· Fishing industry

· Nations of the world/ different cultures/ my country

· ages and disabled

· World food supply: giving and sharing with the needy

· Weather

· Electricity

· missionaries who have shown love and compassion

· technology

God is Wisdom and Truth

· Laws and customs

· Health and safety

· Choices and Decisions; the media, advertising and consumer education

· Money – honesty/wise use of money

· Planning for the future / careers

· Environmental responsibility (wisdom)

· learn from the wisdom of the Ant – animal instinct

· Scientists who searched for truth: pendulums; scientific method

· Natural Disasters – wisdom in being prepared

· Transport, Exploration and Navigation – explorers/missionaries who were guided by God’s wisdom and truth

· Biographies of those who relied on God for guidance and wisdom

· Discovering Truth through Archaeology

· Creation or Evolution?

· Real or substitute: Using the Senses to discover the truth

· Fact or fantasy

· Precise measurements / weights and measures in mathematics – compare with using the Bible as a measure

· Human relationships – being faithful and true / a true friend

God is a Powerful Protector

Protector:

· Families – the protection of the home

· Human Biology – protective mechanisms: blood, skeleton, immune system; senses

· Weather and seasons

· How animals protect themselves – camouflage and protective mechanisms

· Community protection services

· The human body - the blood, immune system, skeletal system

· Lighthouses and sea voyages

· Shelter - houses; life in a castle

· Structures for strength

· Our special planet

· Rules for safety – protecting ourselves

· God's caretakers/Endangered species – Protecting God’s creation

Powerful: Powerful forces in the creation:

· Air

· electricity

· magnetism

· weather

· solar system

· landforms

· change: chemical reactions

· force and motion

· transport; flight – make use of powerful forces of nature

God is Pure and Holy

· The Fruit of the Spirit – the fruit of living a pure life

· Relationships – loving / forgiving

· Pollution and Environmental Conservation – God’s perfect world no longer perfect; the Fall

· Cleaning - inside and outside the home

· Geology - salt, crystals, gemstones – purity of metals; gems and precious metals in Heaven / the Holy City

· Light and colour – light is a symbol of purity

· The Great Flood – God’s judgment on a sinful world

· Heat – a purifying process

· Water – a symbol of cleansing

· Government – what makes a good/righteous leader?

God is Patient and Kind

· Growing things (patience in watching them grow)

· Relationships - listening to others patiently; patience with people; fruit of the Spirit

· Sound and communications -listening, sound and the ear

· patience in hobbies and occupations

· people who have shown patience and perseverance: pioneers, missionaries

· development of technology – how did people live in the past without modern technology?

· Friends

· Multi-cultural studies – kindness to others

· Aged and disabled

· My country – God’s kindness in provision

· Human growth and change – patience with those younger than us

· Creators and Builders – occupations that require patience / kindness

God is a Servant Humble

· Serving in the home

· Community servants – shop keepers, police, ambulance, firemen

· The Medical Profession – doctors, dentists, nurses

· Serving the aged

· Occupations: Serving with time and talents

· Transport, Machines and Technology – technology as a servant

· Missionaries: Serving with humility and sacrifice

· Christian Scientists

· Leadership

· Character studies - lives of the famous

God is Life/Redeemer/Peace

· cycle of life from birth to death

· animal life; plant life; ecosystems

· plant life

· requirements for life: air, water

· desert survival

· joy in life: celebrations and cultural festivals

· Life cycles

· Living and non-living

· Times and seasons / Christmas; the second coming

· Rivers, Glaciers, Water Cycle – symbol of life

· Timelines

· History of Israel

· Racial and national peace

· The Great Commission

· home and family – peaceful relationships

· peaceful play

· trust, (inner peace)

· dealing with fears, (obstacles to inner peace)

· barriers to peace, (racial, national, cultural prejudices)

· national and international peace

· biographies of peacemakers and those who have struggled for peace

.

Important things to include in Biblical subject integration

· a balanced overview of the Bible and all of God’s attributes

· real life experiences, modern day miracles and personal testimonies, to back up bible stories. These show us that God works today.

· creativity and active and age-appropriate learning activities

· acknowledgment that God is the Creator of the universe, and powerful enough to miraculously create the universe in six 24-hour days.

Ideas for planning God-centred topics

For Bible passages refer to “Themes for Christian Studies”

WHICH TOPIC?

WHAT IS MY SPIRITUAL FOCUS?

Advertising/

media

God is Truth: honesty/dishonesty in advertising & packaging

God is Pure: discerning the truth and purity in the world around us.

Agriculture

God is Love: God shows His love by providing through the land.

Air

God is Life: God has provided Earth with the elements for life support.

Animals

God is Life: animal life cycles

God is Creator: Our responsibility towards animals.

God is Provider: God provides for us through animals.

God is Protector: camouflage and defence mechanisms.

God is Powerful: animal kingdoms; balance of nature

Ants

God is Wise: ants are wise creatures. They prepare for the future. Prov. 6:6

Archaeology

God is Creator/Truth: Discovering the truth through archaeology.

Architecture

God is Patient: certain occupations require patience and precision. Look at historical buildings.

Astronomy

See Solar System

Banking

God is Wise: wise use of money

Camouflage

See Animals

Careers

God is Wise: making wise choices and decisions in the choice of a career.

Castles

See Shelter

Chemistry

God is Powerful: powerful chemical reactions bring change. Heat; states of matter. God can change us!

Choices & decisions

God is Wise: choices in shopping, eating and choosing a pet.

God is Wise: choices in choosing friends; right and wrong; drugs and alcohol.

Civil laws

God is Wise: wise and responsible behaviour; traffic laws; environmental responsibility

Clocks

See pendulums

Clothes

God is Provider: God provides materials for clothes.

Communication

God is a Servant: technology serves us in spreading the word. T.V. radio, telephone, computer. Missionaries and Bible translators.

Community services

God is a Servant: People who serve in our community: medical services, fire fighters, police.

God is Protector: People who protect us: police, fire fighters, life-savers.

Consumer education

God is Wise: Wise choices in shopping.

God is Truth: honesty in advertising/packaging. Customer surveys; testing performance of products.

Crafts/hobbies

God is Patient: hobbies that require patience.

Creation/

evolution

God is Creator: the flood; dinosaurs; arguing the case against evolution

Crystals

God is Patient: patience in waiting for crystals to grow; limestone caves.

Cultural groups

God is Love: God loves all people unconditionally. God's love for different cultural groups. Our love and acceptance of different people.

God is Patient: God's patience with us. Patience required when two different cultures meet.

God is Peace: racial and international peace

Dinosaurs

See Creation/evolution

Disabled

God is Love: God wants us to show particular kindness to those with special needs.

God is Patient: showing patience towards the elderly and the disabled.

Disasters

God is Wise: safety precautions to avoid disasters; preparation for natural disasters such as bush fires and snow storms.

God is Pure: natural disasters are a result of the fall and were not part of God's original perfect creation.

Drugs

See Choices and decisions

Ecosystems

God is Creator: nature's perfect balance and the effects of the Fall.

Electricity

God is Powerful: God has placed with n the creation powerful sources of energy for our use.

Environment

God is Peace: appreciation of God's creation; harmony, beauty and design.

Environmental responsibility

God is Wise: wisdom in caring for the environment; pollution

Explorers

God is Wise: wisdom in allowing God to guide us. God guided many of the early explorers.

Fact and fantasy

God is Truth: discerning between truth and fiction

Family

God is Protector: Protection through the family.

God is a Servant: serving in the home.

God is Peace: feeling secure with family; playing peacefully with siblings.

God is Truth: honesty in the home.

Fibres and fabrics

See Clothes

Food

God is Provider: buying food; preparing food.

God is Provider: plant foods

God is Provider: fruits and seeds

God is Provider: food from animals

God is Provider: food from the sea

God is Provider: world food supply; supply and demand; imports and exports; the third world.

Force and motion

God is powerful: powerful forces in the creation: tools, toys, machines, transport.

Fossils

God is Creator: the flood; dinosaurs; age of fossils

Friends

God is Pure: purity in relationships; forgiveness and honesty

God is Peace: peace and harmony in relationships

Geography

God is Wise: maps to guide us. The Bible is God's map for our lives.

God is Powerful: powerful forces creating landforms: mountains, rivers, glaciers, volcanoes.

God is Life: desert survival

God is Love: people of the world. (See Cultural groups) The third world.

Geology

God is Truth: Rocks and soil. God's word is a rock.

God is Pure: purity of metals and minerals

God is Pure: salt. Salt is a cleansing agent.

God is Creator: the Great Flood

Growth

God is Life: the cycle of life from birth to old age.

God is Life: plant life.

God is Provider: Plants

Government

God is Peace: current affairs relating to peace

God is Wise: governments are elected to make wise choices and decisions.

Health

See Safety; Human body; Food

History of Civilisation

God is Love: The nation of Israel; Jews and gentiles; (John 3:16)

Hobbies

God is Patient: hobbies that require patience.

Home

See Family

Houses

See Shelter

Human biology

God is Creator: We are created in God's image.

God is Protector: protective mechanisms; the blood

God is a Servant: Jesus the healing servant. The body's ability to heal.

God is Love: myself; my body

Israel

God is Love: God's purpose for Israel and His love for the gentiles.

International peace

God is Peace: peace makers; Australian Aboriginal Reconciliation

Kings and kingdoms

God is Powerful: royalty; fact and fantasy; good and evil; Jesus is our King.

Law and order

God is Wise: It is wise to obey God.

Light

God is Creator: God created light. Sun, moon, stars, reflections, shadows, spectrum.

God is Pure: Light, shadow, reflections: Light is a symbol of purity. Walk in the light.

Lighthouses

God is Protector: Lighthouses protected ships. Jesus is the light.

Machines

see Force and motion

Magnetism

God is Powerful: magnetism is a powerful force within the creation.

Mapping

See Geography

Medical Profession

See Human Body and community services

Metals and minerals

God is Pure: metals are refined to remove impurities. Gems and crystals reflect light. The purity of Heaven.

Middle Ages

God is Protector: Castles of the middle ages provided protection. God is our fortress. The armour of God.

Missionaries

God is a Servant: missionaries serving God

God is a Servant: serving with humility

God is a servant: spreading the Good News

God is Peace: The Peace Child Story

God is Love: missionaries to the third world

Money

See banking

Multi-cultural

See Cultural groups

Nutrition

See Food

Occupations

God is Patient: jobs that require patience, precision and accuracy.

Pendulums

God is Truth: Galileo's discovery of the truth about the solar system and pendulums

Pets

God is Wise: Wise choice of a pet; caring for pets.

Pioneers

God is Patient: patience and perseverance; tools, equipment, olden day technology.

God is a Servant: people who made sacrifices to 'pave the way' for others.

Plants

God is Provider: plant foods

God is Provider: fruits and seeds

God is Life: Plant growth

God is Creator: God provides for His creation

God is Patient: waiting for seeds to sprout

Pollution

God is Pure: What happened to the perfect creation?

God is Wise: environmental responsibly

Protection services

Police, fire brigade, life savers (See community services)

Racial peace

See Cultural groups

Relationships

See Friends, Family

Road safety

See safety

Rocks

See Geology

Safety

God is Wise: Be wise and take precautions.

God is Peace: Stranger danger. Recognise feelings opposed to peace.

Scientific method

God is Truth: discovering truth through the scientific method

Scientists

God is Truth: scientists who seek the truth

Seeds

See plants

Senses

See the human body

Shelter

God is protector: History of shelter. Houses and castles protect.

Ships

God is Protector: protection on sea voyages

Solar system/space

God is Powerful: powerful forces: sun and planets, the earth in space, weather, time and seasons.

God is Truth: Galileo discovers the truth about the solar system

Spiders

God is Patient: patience and perseverance shown by spiders in web building.

Time

God is Wise: using time wisely

Tools, toys

See Force and motion

Transport

See Force and motion; ships; air

Travel

God is Wise: planning for journeys

Water

The Water Cycle

God is Pure: Water purifying methods

God is Life: Jesus the Living Water

Water cycle

God is Powerful: steam power; hydro power

Weather/

seasons

God is Powerful: power in the creation

Weights and measures

God is Truth: a false balance is an abomination to God (Prov. 11:1)

Scripture Bank

a collection of Themes and Scriptures on the character and nature of God

from Themes for Christian Studies, Beacon Media

God is Creator

The six day Creation (Gen. 1 & 2)

You created the moon to mark the months; the sun knows the time to set. Psalm 104:19 (GNB)

The Fall (Gen. 3)

God is light; He created light.

God is light (John 1:5)

Jesus, the light of the world (John 8:12)

God provides for His creation

God provides (Matt. 6:25-34)

God provides through His creation

Saying thank you for God’s provision through the Creation (Luke 17:11-19)

Give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness is everlasting. (Psalm 106:1)

We are created in God's image

We are wonderfully made (Psalm 139)

Gifts and talents (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Matt. 25:14-30)

God created us with the ability to choose

Adam chooses names for the animals (Gen. 2:19-20)

Cain and Abel (Gen. 4)

Joshua asks the Israelites to choose which god they will serve (Jos. 24)

Moses chose to obey (Ex. 3-4)

God is a perfect Creator

God's judgement: the flood (Gen. 6-8)

God's answer: Jesus (Gal. 4:4)

Accepting God's word with faith (Heb. 11:6)

God is Love

God is a loving and faithful shepherd

Look at the birds (Matt. 6)

The Good Shepherd (John 10)

The lost sheep (Luke 15)

Zacchaeus (Luke 19)

The Lord is my Shepherd (Psalm 23)

God knows all about me (Psalm 139)

The Lord is good. His love is eternal.

Psalm 100:5 (GNB)

God is kind to all people

Jesus was kind to the outcasts (Luke 17:11-19; Matthew 8:1-4)

Jesus was a friend of publicans and sinners (Matt. 9:9-13)

Jesus healed the blind and brought good news to the poor (Luke 18:35-43; Luke 4:18)

The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

Jesus is a friend

Jesus, friend of children (Mark 10:13-16)

Jesus calls us by name (John 1:43; Matt. 4:18-22; John 10:14-15)

Jesus helped his friends (John 11)

We can talk to Jesus as a friend (Matt. 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-13)

God is a loving Father

God is a Father who gives good gifts ((Luke 11:1-13)

Jesus told us to say 'Our Father' (Matt. 6:7-13)

God hears us when we pray (1 John 5:14)

The patient father (Luke 15:11-32)

God will forgive us (Ps. 31:3; 86:5)

We are God's children (1 John 3:1; John 1:12-13; Gal. 4:6)

The family of God (Acts 2:46-47; Heb. 10:24-25)

Our Father expects obedience: story of Jonah

Jesus obeyed His Heavenly Father (Luke 2:41-52; Luke 4:1-13)

God wants us to love others

The good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-38)

God treats everyone on the same basis (Acts 10:34)

Love is patient and kind (1 Cor. 13:14)

Warning against prejudice (James 2:1-9)

God wants us to love the poor (Matt. 25:35-36)

Ruth's faithfulness to Naomi (Ruth)

The woman at the well (John 4:1-30)

Jesus, friend of publicans and sinners (Matt. 9:10-12; Luke 5:30)

God loved the world so much that He sent His Son

Obeying the 10 commandments is not enough (Rom.3:19-26)

Christ's coming foretold by the prophets (Is. 9:6; Mic.5:2; Zech. 9:9)

John the Baptist prepares the way (Luke 1:5-25 & 57-8)

Jesus baptised by John (Matt. 3 & Luke 3)

The Son dies for us (John 3:16; John 15:13; John 17-20)

Our love for God

The woman with the alabaster jar of perfume (Luke 7:36-50)

The precious jar of ointment (John 12:1-8)

Mary's love for Jesus (Luke 10:38-42)

Love the Lord with all your heart (Mark 12:29-30)

Sharing God's love (Mark 16:15-18)

A call from Macedonia (Acts 16:6-15)

God is Wise

It is wise to obey God

The Ten Commandments (Ex. 20)

The greatest commandment (Mark 12:30-31)

Jonah disobeys (John.)

God knows what to do in every situation

The wise and foolish builders (Matt. 7:24-27)

God gives wisdom to Daniel (Dan. 2 & 5)

It is wise to be prepared

The wisdom of the ant (Prov. 6:6)

Warning against laziness (Prov. 19:5)

Wisdom is storing up heavenly treasure (Matt. 6:19-21)

The wise and foolish builders (Matt. 7:24-28)

The ten girls and their lamps (Matt.25:1-13)

When things go wrong, God understands

In all things, God works for good (Rom. 8:28)

God turned a bad situation to good in the life of Joseph (Gen. 27-46)

God worked for Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:16-40)

God's wisdom is better than being rich

King Solomon asks for wisdom (1 Kings 3:1-28)

The value of wisdom (Prov. 4 & 16:16)

The rich young ruler (Matt. 19:16-30)

God is more important than money (Matt.6:19-21 & 33)

The love of money (1 Tim. 6:10)

It is wise to be prepared

The wisdom of the ant (Prov. 6:6)

Warning against laziness (Prov. 19:5)

Wisdom is storing up heavenly treasure (Matt. 6:19-21)

The wise and foolish builders (Matt. 7:24-28)

The ten girls and their lamps (Matt.25:1-13)

It is wise to let God be our guide

Guided by fire and cloud (Ex. 13:21-22)

Taking wise advice (Prov. 13:10 & 20; Prov. 6:20)

The Bible as our guide (Ps. 119:105)

It is wise to let God be our guide

Guided by fire and cloud (Ex. 13:21-22)

Taking wise advice (Prov. 13:10 & 20; Prov. 6:20)

The Bible as our guide (Ps. 119:105)

The wisest choice

Ask God for wisdom (James 1:5)

Only the Lord gives true wisdom (Prov. 2:6-10)

Noah relied on God's wisdom (Gen. 6-8)

People of Babel relied on their own wisdom (Gen. 11)

The rich young ruler's choice (Matt. 19:16-29)

A choice between the true God and false gods (Jos. 24:14-16)

God is Protector

God is a Father who protects His children

Protection of baby Jesus (Matt. 2)

Protection of baby Moses (Ex. 1-2)

Protection of David against Goliath (1 Sam. 17)

God protects His people when they are in danger

God protected Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Dan. 3)

God protected Daniel in the lion's den (Dan. 6)

Jesus protected the disciples during the storm (Luke 8:22-25)

God protects His people when they fight for Him

The armour of God (Eph. 6:10-18)

God protected David against Saul (1 Sam. 18-19)

God is a strong tower, a fortress and a shield (Ps.18:2; Prov. 18:10; Prov. 30:5)

God rescues His people and protects them from sickness

God must rescue and protect because of the fall (Gen. 3)

God's strategy for bringing the Israelites out of Egypt (Ex. 7-11)

The escape (Ex. 12)

Opening of the Red Sea (Ex. 14)

God protects and heals (Deut. 7:12 & 15; Ex. 15:2; Ps. 91)

God's rescue plan for us (John 3:16)

God protects us from harm and evil

Angels protect us (Ps. 91)

The Lord is my Shepherd (Ps. 23)

The armour of God (Eph. 6:10-18)

Elisha and God's army of angels (2 Kings 6)

Fear not (Is. 41:10 & 43:1-2)

Three men in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3)

An angel saves Peter (Acts 12:1-9)

God protects his people in times of trouble

God protected Paul during the shipwreck (Acts 27 & 28)

Protection from effects of snake bite on Malta (Acts 27 & 28)

Paul and Silas in jail (Acts 16:16)

God is our shelter

God is a shelter for us (Ps. 17:8; 27:5; 32:7)

God's protection of the Israelites entering the promised land (Jos. 2-6)

Protection of the Jews through Esther (Esther 1-10)

God is Powerful

God has power to heal

The hem of His garment (Mark 5)

Through the roof (Mark 2)

The sick servant (Luke 7)

Jesus is Lord and King

Jesus was born a king (Matt. 2)

The triumphal entry (Matthew 21)

Jesus was placed on trial for being a King (John 18:28-38)

Jesus will return to reign as King (Acts 1:6-10)

The Lord rules... greater than the roar of the oceans, more powerful than the waves of the sea. Psalm 93:4 (GNB)

God is great, strong and mighty

The walls of Jericho (Joshua 6)

The day the sun stood still (Joshua 10)

Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:35-41)

God set the Israelites free (Ex. 7-14)

Jesus came to set prisoners free (Luke 4:18)

God uses Gideon (Judges 6-8)

God's power over nations (Ps. 66:1-7; Prov. 21:1)

God's power over the evil one (1 John 3:8; Luke 9:37-43)

God's ultimate power (Ps. 29:1-4)

God has power to change things

Jesus changed the lives of the first disciples (John 1:35-50; Matt. 4:18-21; Matt 9:9-13)

Zacchaeus (Luke 19:9-13)

Healing for a paralyzed man (Matt. 9:1-8)

Saul's conversion (Acts 9)

Healing for Naaman (2 Kings 5)

Jesus changed water to wine (John 2:1-12)

Nothing too difficult for God (Jer. 32:17

God has power to raise the dead

Elijah brings a boy back to life (1 Kings 17:17-24)

Elisha and the Shunamite woman (2 Kings 4:8-37)

Jesus gives life to Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:22-43)

The raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44)

God is a source of power

God gave power to Samson (Judges 13-15)

The miracles of Jesus (an overview)

A man with demons ((Mark 5:1-19)

The Vine (John 15:1-5)

The disciples receive power (Acts 1:8; Acts 2)

God’s power shown through Peter, John (Acts 3); Paul, Barnabas(Acts 13:4)

God is Truth

God wants us to obey the truth

God of Israel or Baal? (1 Kings 18)

Worship no other god (Ex. 20:3-6)

The dishonesty of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5)

Josiah the boy king (2 Kings 18)

Live a life that measures up to the standard God set when He called you. Ephesians 4:1 (GNB)

God is faithful to His word

God keeps every promise He makes (Prov. 30:5)

God gave the rainbow as a sign of His promise to us (Gen. 9:8-17)

God kept His promise to Abraham (Gen. 15, 17 & 18)

God's truth doesn't change

Honesty in word and character (Prov. 20:23; Prov 21:22)

Faithfulness to the God of truth: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Dan. 3)

The golden calf (Ex. 32)

God's word is a sure foundation

The house on the rock (Matt.7:24-27)

Jesus, the way, the truth, the life (John 14:6)

The sower (Mark 4:1-8)

Following the truth (Phil. 3:16)

The word of God is truth (Prov. 30:5-6;Ps. 12:6)

Obey God's word (Ps. 119:105)

God's word is a sword (Eph. 6:17)

Discerning True or false

Jesus tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:1-11)

Satan, an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14)

Father of lies (John 8:44)

Don't believe every spirit (1 John 4:1)

Satan is deceitful (Eph. 6:11; Gen. 3:1)

Resist the devil (James 4:7)

The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13; 1 John 5:6; John 14:15-21)

Speak truthfully about others (Eph. 4:25-32)

Think about things that are true (Phil 4:8)

Jesus, the way, the truth, the life

Jesus, the way, the truth, the life (John 14:6-7)

The broad and narrow way (Matt. 7:13-14)

Jesus asks 'Who am I?'(Matt. 16:13-17)

The Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18)

Wolves in sheep's clothing (Matt. 7:15-21)

Those who seek the truth will find it

Ask, seek, knock (Luke 11:9-10)

Seek first God's kingdom (Matt. 6:33)

The pearl of great price and the hidden treasure (Matt. 13:44-45)

The road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

Thomas (John 20:24-29)

People are without excuse because of the evidence of God in the creation (Rom. 1:20 & Acts 14:17)

The truth shall set you free (John 8:32)

God is Pure and Holy

God will forgive us and make us clean

Be clean on the inside, and not just the outside (Matthew 23:13-27)

Right choices: the good Samaritan ((Luke 10)

A clean heart (1 Pet.1; 1 John 3)

Jesus forgives Zacchaeus (Luke 19)

Jesus forgives Peter (Matt. 26:69 & John 21:15)

Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7 (KJV)

God is pure because He is without sin

Sin entered the world because of disobedience towards God (Gen. 3)

Jesus offered healing and forgiveness (Matthew 9:1-7; Isaiah 1:18)

Jesus' death made the way back to God (John 18 & 19: 1 John 1:9)

As God forgives us, so we should forgive others

The Lord's prayer (Matt. 6:12)

Forgive one another (Eph. 4:32; Luke 6:37)

The son who left home (Luke 15:11-32)

The parable of the king's servant (Matt. 18:23-35)

The battle of darkness and light; the defeat of Satan

Satan defeated at the cross (John 3:16)

The final defeat of Satan (Rev. 20:7-10)

God's light casts out evil (1 John 1:5-7)

Live as children of the light (Eph. 5:8-11)

Heaven: a place of purity and light (Rev. 20, 21 & 22; John 14:2-3)

Christians should be lights to the world

Live as children of the light (Eph. 5:8-11)

Christians as salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16)

Jesus, the light of the world (John 8:12)

Walk in the light (1 John 1:5-7)

The armour of light (Rom. 13:12)

Goodness, a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22; Deut. 6:18)

Things that are true, noble, right and pure (Phil. 4:8-9)

God's righteousness, not self righteousness

The righteous pharisee (Luke 18:9-14)

The tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9)

The woman caught in adultery (John 8:4-11)

Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3:1-6)

What happened to God's perfect creation?

The creation and fall (Gen. 1-3)

Sin came into the world through Adam ((Rom. 5:12)

The flood was an act of judgement (Gen. 6-8)

Jesus did not tolerate sin (Matt. 21:12-13)

God is a righteous, and just judge (Rev. 20:4; Ps. 7:11; Ps. 96:13; Acts 17:31)

Jeremiah at the potter's house (Jer. 18)

God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9)

Walk in the light (1 John 1:5-10)

Salt and light (Matt. 5:13-15)

God is Patient

Patience is learning to wait

Abraham and Sarah wait for a son (Gen. 15-18)

Hannah prays and waits for a son (1 Sam. 1)

Ask, seek, knock (Luke 11:10)

The world awaited the birth of Jesus (Matt.2; Luke 2)

Be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (GNB)

Patience is listening for God to speak to us

Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38)

God spoke to Elijah in a still small voice (1 Kings 19)

Patience is showing kindness and care

Jesus, the Good Shepherd (John 10; Ps.23)

King David's kindness ti the lame prince Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 4 & 9)

It takes patience to do things properly

Diligence shown by:

Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42)

Noah (Gen. 6:14-16)

Diligence in helping others (Heb. 6:10-12)

The diligent wife (Prov. 31:10-29)

Warnings against laziness (Prov. 20:13; 2 Thes. 3:10)

The ten girls and their lamps (Matt. 25:1-13)

The Holy Spirit produces patience and self-control

The fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)

Control of anger (James 1:9; Prov. 19:11; Ecc. 7:9; Eph. 4:26)

Peter acted in anger (Luke 22:47-51)

Love your enemies (Matt. 5:44)

The patience of Job (Job)

King Saul's uncontrolled anger (1 Sam. 17; 1 Sam 26)

Control of greed (Heb. 13:5)

Patience and perseverance

Ask and keep on asking (Luke 11:5-13)

The widow and the judge (Luke 18:1-8)

The crippled man at the pool (John 5:1-8)

Rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple (Ezra 4-6; Neh. 1-6)

God is patient with us

The lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son (Luke 15:1-32)

Jesus stands at the door and knocks (Rev. 3:20)

God is slow to anger (Ps. 103:8-18)

God forgives us (Luke 23:34; 1 John 1:9)

God is a Servant

Jesus, the obedient servant

The obedience of the boy Samuel (1 Sam. 3)

The obedience of the boy Jesus (Luke 2:41-52)

Jesus obeys God, and not Satan (Luke 4)

We will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)

Jesus, the willing and helpful servant

Jesus helped at the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11)

The extra mile (Matt. 5:41-42)

Jesus healed a crippled woman (Luke 18:10-28)

Let love cause you to serve one another. Galatians 5:13 (GNB)

Jesus, the healing servant

The man born blind (John 9:1-34)

Jesus heals many people (Matt. 18:14-17)

The man at the pool (John 5:1-18)

Jesus, the humble servant

Jesus born in a stable (Luke 2)

Jesus was baptized (Matt. 3:13-17)

Jesus washed the disciples feet (John 13:3-5)

The rich man and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14)

The humility of a child (Matt. 18:1-4)

Don't make yourself important (Luke 14:7-11)

A servant of all (Matt. 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45)

Jesus, the faithful servant

Jesus was faithful to the disciples (John 17:1-26)

Jesus loved and forgave His friends (Luke 10:4; Matt. 17:27; John 21:15)

Jesus washed the disciples' feet (John 13:4-5)

The faithful servant (Luke 12:35-47)

Faithful friendship between David and Jonathan (1 Sam. 18-20)

A friend loves at all times (Prov. 17:17)

Faithfulness of the disciples and apostles (Acts 1-2; Acts 4:13-22; Acts 7)

Faithfulness in little things (Luke 16:10)

Parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-29)

Spreading the Good News

Jesus brought the Good News (Luke 4:18; 7:22)

Jesus, the light of the world (Is. 42:6-7; 60:1-3; John 1:4-5; 8-12)

Feet to spread the Good News (Rom. 10:14; Eph. 6:15)

The disciples were sent out (Luke 9:1-6)

Go into all the world (Matt 28:16-20)

Philip shares the Good News (Acts 8:26-40)

A call from Macedonia (Acts 16:6-15)

Trouble at Ephesus (Acts 19:23)

Stephen gives his life (Acts 7:51-60)

Faithfulness to the end (Rev. 2:10)

Jesus, the sacrificial servant

Jesus sacrificed His life (Matt. 27; Heb. 10)

Jesus served at the last supper (Matt. 18:18)

The greatest sacrifice for our sins (1 John 2:2 & 4:10; Heb. 7:27 & 9:28; Heb.4:15-16; Is. 53:3)

The extra mile (Matt. 5:41-42)

Give and it shall be given (Luke 6:38); More blessed to give than receive (Acts 20:30)

Serving and following Jesus (John 12:23-26); Take up your cross (Luke 9:23-26)

God is Life

God is the giver of life

God gave life to man (Gen 2:7)

In Him we live, move and exist (Acts 17:28)

We are wonderfully made (Psalm 139)

All creation praises the Lord (Psalm 148:9-13; 150)

God gives new life

Jesus called the disciples to a new life (Matt. 9:9-12; Luke 5:27-32; John 1:43-50)

Nicodemus asks about new life (John 3:1-3)

The Great Feast (Luke 14:15-24)

God is the sustainer of life

The loaves and fishes (Mark 6:30-44)

Jesus, the Word (John 1:2 & 14)

God's word as our spiritual food (1 Peter 2:2)

God is a living person

New life from the grain of wheat that dies (John 12:24)

The sower (Mark 4:1-8)

Eternal life (John 17:3)

Made new in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17)

The Vine (John 15:1-11)

God is the joy of life

Joyful praise to the Lord (Ps. 95:1-5; Ps. 100; Ps. 147:1 & 7; Ps. 66:1; Ps. 148; Ps. 149; Ps. 150)

The people praised Jesus as He entered Jerusalem (Luke 19:37-40)

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)

The lame man healed (Acts 3:1-10)

Paul and Silas sang praises in jail (Acts 16:23-26)

Rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 4:4)

Jesus, the Living Water

Jesus, the Living Water (John 7:37-39)

The woman at the well (John 4:5-30)

The Holy Spirit (John 14:26 & Acts 1:8)

The disciples receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2 & Acts 10:44-48 & Acts 11:15-17)

Ask for the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:9-13)

God is the sustainer of life

Life is more important than food (Matt. 6:25-34)

Man shall not live by bread alone (Matt. 4:4)

God sustained the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus)

Jesus, the Vine (John 15)

Trees by a stream (Ps. 1:1-3)

Abundant life (John 10:10

God is Provider

God is a generous provider

The loaves and fishes (John 6)

The wedding at Cana (John 2)

God shall supply all your needs (Phil. 4:19)

I have provided all kinds of grains and all kinds of fruits for you to eat.

Genesis 1:29 (GNB)

God's provision never runs out

Miraculous provision for a widow (1 Kings 17)

Miraculous provision for another widow (2 Kings 4)

God provided for Joseph and his family (Gen. 37-46)

God provides the things we need

God provided for Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1-4)

Do not worry about food or clothes (Matt. 6:25

God is a caring provider

The Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18)

The Lord is my Shepherd (Ps. 23)

God gives good gifts (Luke 11:11-13)

Don't worry about tomorrow (Matt. 6:25-34)

Jesus provided at the wedding (John 2:1-11)

God is a faithful provider

Bitter water made sweet in the desert (Ex. 15:22-27)

Manna and quails (Ex. 16)

Water from a rock (Ex. 17)

God is to be trusted (Ps. 56:3; Ps. 20:7; Ps. 119:86)

God is a miraculous provider

Elijah fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:2-6)

The great catch (Luke 5:1-11)

The widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:10-16)

Elisha helps a poor widow (2 Kings 4:1-7)

Elisha multiplies bread (2 Kings 4:42-44)

The loaves and fishes (Mark 6:30-44)

God expects us to share His provision

Be generous and share your food (Prov. 22:9; Ps. 112:5); Share food with the hungry (Is. 58:7-11)

Loaves and fishes (John 6:1-14)

I was hungry and you gave me food (Matt. 25:35-40)

Give and it shall be given ((Luke 6:

God is Peace

God keeps us safe

God gives families. Jesus lived in a family (Luke 2:41-52)

God will keep us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3)

Angels protect us (Psalm 91)

An angel visits Peter (Acts 12:6-19)

God wants us to have peace with others

Stop quarrelling (Job 22:21-23)

Abraham's unselfish choice (Gen. 13)

Esau forgives Jacob (Gen. 5)

Peace comes from trusting God

Peter walks on water (Matt. 14:22-32)

Trust in Jesus (1 Cor.1:9; Ps. 23; Prov. 18:24)

Jesus broke down the barrier of sin

Separation from God (Rom. 3:23; 5:8; 6:23)

Christ's death broke the barrier (Col. 1:20)

He is our peace...He has broken down the wall (Eph. 2:14)

Forgiveness through Christ (Rom. 5:1; 1 John 1:9)

Trouble outside, peace inside

The house on the rock (Matt. 7:24-26)

Job's trust in God (Job)

Inner peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit (John 14:1-3,18,25-27)

Comfort in times of trouble (2 Cor. 1:3-4; John 16:33)

Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:35-41)

Daniel's trust is God (Daniel)

David's trust in God (1 Sam 17)

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)

God is a Redeemer

Reconciled to God through Christ's death (Col. 1:20 & 2 Cor. 5:17-20)

God has made us His friends (Rom. 5:10)

We are bought with a price (1 Cor. 7:23)

Christ broke down the barrier (Eph. 2:13-14)

Peace with God through Jesus (Rom. 5:1)

Conversion of Saul (Acts 8:1-3 & Acts 9)

God wants us to be peace-makers

Blessed are the peace-makers (Matt. 9:5)

Make peace with your brother (Matt. 5:21-23)

Reconciliation to God (Rom. 5:9-10; 1 Tim. 2:4-6)

Joseph forgave his brothers (Gen. 37-47)

Peace with one another (Mark 9:50; 1 Thess. 5:13)

Peace for nations (Ps. 2; Eph. 2:22; Rom 10:12-21)

Don't take revenge (Rom. 12:17-21; Matt 5:38-42)

Love your enemies (Matt. 5:43-48)

Jesus set the example (Matt. 26:50-56; Luke 23:34)

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