INFANT SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS

YEAR 2

LESSONS 21 – 40

Lesson 21 Joseph’s family Reunited (1) Genesis 42

Lesson Aim: To show how God was making provision for His people.

Visual Aids: Good story telling to describe the scenes.

Point 1 Recall Pharaoh’s dreams and their meaning. Explain that the famine spread and that it affected the area where Jacob and his family lived. News reached Jacob that there was corn in Egypt and he sent his sons, all except Benjamin, the youngest one, to buy food.

Point 2 Describe the scene as Joseph, now dressed as an important Egyptian, and his brothers met. Joseph recognised them, but they did not recognise him as they bowed down before him asking to buy food. Recall Joseph’s dreams about the sheaves of corn and about the sun, moon and stars bowing down to him. Joseph questioned his brothers about their family and accused them of being spies. He kept them under guard for three days and then said they could go home with food, leaving one brother in Egypt until they returned with Benjamin.

Point 3 Tell of the conversations the brothers had and of the guilt they were feeling about what they had done to Joseph, all without realising that Joseph understood what they were saying. Describe Joseph’s feelings and reactions.

Point 4 Joseph kept Simeon in Egypt and sent the others home, having given orders that each one’s money should be replaced in his sack. Discuss how the brothers felt when they opened a sack that night when they stopped to rest on their journey, and when they opened all the other sacks at home.

Point 5 Describe the scene as they told Jacob all that had happened. Jacob was determined that Benjamin would not go with them to Egypt, because he had not recovered from the loss of Joseph and he did not want any harm to come to Benjamin.

Conclusion: All went smoothly until there was no more food left in the household and then the question of returning to Egypt had to be discussed again.

Lesson 22 Joseph’s Family Reunited (2) Genesis 43, 44 and 45

Lesson Aim: To remember that God is in control in all situations.

Visual Aids: Good story telling again.

Point 1 Discuss through question and answer the situation in Jacob’s household when the food the brothers had bought in Egypt was all finished and they would have to return for more. Talk simply of the conversation between Jacob and his sons. Draw attention to Judah’s promise to keep Benjamin safe.

Point 2 Jacob eventually agreed that Benjamin would have to go. He sent gifts to Joseph and told his sons to take double the amount of money, so that they could pay back the money they had brought home in their sacks.

Point 3 Tell of Joseph’s feelings when he saw Benjamin with his brothers in Egypt. Describe the arrangements he made to provide a special meal for them in his house. Explain that fear gripped the brothers as they were brought to Joseph’s house, not knowing what was going to happen to them. They tried to explain to one of the stewards in the house how they knew nothing of the money returned in their sacks and how they had brought it back with them. Read verse 33 of chapter 43 to show how he tried to reassure them. They were reunited with Simeon and all were taken into Joseph’s house.

Point 4 Joseph joined them, received their gifts and asked after their father. Discuss how Joseph would have felt when he met Benjamin.

Point 5 Describe the scene as the meal was served, with Joseph eating separately from his brothers, with the brothers all seated in order of their ages and with Benjamin receiving five times as much as anybody else. Imagine their bewilderment!

Point 6 Joseph continued to test his brothers. Tell of his command to replace the money in the sacks and to place his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. Set the scene as Joseph’s steward caught up with the brothers on their journey, treated them harshly, as Joseph ordered, and discovered the cup in Benjamin’s sack. Then describe what happened in Joseph’s house, including Judah’s explanation of their discussions with Jacob and his offer to take Benjamin’s place.

Point 7 Joseph cleared all his servants out of the room and, when he was alone with his brothers, he told them who he was and asked all about his father. Discuss how they would all have been feeling. Joseph made arrangements for Jacob and all his family to settle in a good part of Egypt.

Conclusion: Joseph knew that although his brothers had sold him to the traders, it was God who sent him there to preserve life.

LESSON 23 IS A REVISION LESSONUSING THE NOTES FOR LESSONS 16 - 22

THE NOTES THAT FOLLOW FOR LESSONS 24 – 28 WILL BE USED EACH YEAR, HENCE THE LENGTH AND DETAIL OF THE NOTES. THE TEACHER SHOULD CHOOSE WHICH ASPECTS OF THESE STORIES TO TELL EACH YEAR, BEING GUIDED BY THE

WORKSHEETS.

Lesson 24 The Last Supper Matt. 26:1-30, John 13:1-17

Lesson aim: To show how Jesus' impending death was constantly in mind as He looked forward to the Passover and to show that Jesus was going to die willingly for sinners.

Visual Aids: You could simply concentrate on telling the story and then use the worksheets provided. A drawing of what a table set for the Passover would look like when prepared would be appropriate, or pictures of each separate item, which children could take in turns fixing to a board.

Point 1 Talk briefly about the Children of Israel suffering in Egypt, about the plagues and especially the Passover, which was kept as a special feast every year. Every year a special feast was held in Jerusalem. It was called the Passover Feast and the Jews liked to be in Jerusalem for that time. As many as could travelled to Jerusalem to the Temple for the Passover and there they would remember a special occasion from many years before, when God saved the Israelites from the cruel king in Egypt.

Point 2 Jesus was at Jerusalem for the Passover when something special took place. Where could Jesus and the disciples have this meal? The disciples asked Jesus. Jesus directed them to the place He had in mind and told them what to say when they got there (v.18). Jesus knew that He came into the world to die for sinners and He also knew that it was almost time for this to happen.

Point 3 On the first day there was a special meal which families or friends took together. Tell what was needed for the meal: lamb, bread (baked without yeast), herbs, cups of wine, dishes of sauce and some other things too. Talk about all the disciples would have to do to make ready this special meal.

Point 4 The disciples did exactly as Jesus said. Jesus knew that the Passover would not be just the same as usual. He knew that before very long He would die. This would be His last Passover with His disciples. He looked forward to it in a special way. Describe them reclining at table. One of Jesus' friends was to turn out not to be a friend at all. He was going to betray Him. Discuss how you feel sad when someone who is your friend lets you down. When Jesus told them of the betrayer, each said, "Surely, it's not me, Lord?" Jesus said, "One of you who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me." He meant that one of them, who had seemed to be a friend, sharing in the things He did, was now going to betray Him. Tell how Jesus indicated that Judas was the betrayer. Discuss what the children would do if they discovered someone was going to kill them. They would try and avoid it. Explain that Jesus didn't try and stop Judas because He was willing to die.

Point 5 Tell the story vividly, but as simply as the Bible does. Talk about the food they had to eat: bread and wine. Explain how these would have a special meaning for the disciples from now on. Jesus had given them a special meaning. They would now remind them of Jesus and His death. Some of the children may be able to connect this with the Lord's Supper. Jesus introduced the Lord's Supper - the new sacrament to replace the

Passover. Show how the Passover meal would help the Jewish people to remember what happened when they were freed from Egypt and show how this was to serve the same purpose for Christians.

Point 6 It seems a very sad story and the disciples did not understand everything Jesus was telling them. Jesus was going to die soon; just as the Passover lamb had died. Jesus was going to save from sin. Get over the point that Jesus saves from sin just as, through the Passover Lamb, the Israelites were saved in Egypt. But Jesus also said: "I will not drink of this fruit of the vine, until I drink it new with you in My Father's Kingdom." He told them He was going to die but that that was not going to be the end of the story.

Conclusion Find out what the children know about the Lord's Supper and link this with the Bible story. Revise the main points of the passage, reminding the children that every time we celebrate the Lord's Supper it helps us to remember the love of Jesus and His willingness to die for sinners.

Go over the main points again. - Jesus knew He was going to die. He knew who would betray Him but did not try and stop him because He knew it was God's will that He should die to provide forgiveness for His people. The bread and wine that the disciples ate and drank would always remind them of Jesus and how He died to forgive sins.

Lesson 25 The Betrayal and the Garden Luke 22:39-62, Matt. 26:36-46

Lesson aim: To show that Jesus submitted to God's will that He should die the death of the Cross. To show how two of Jesus' disciples let him down.

Visual Aids: You could simply concentrate on telling the story and then use the worksheets provided. You could use a pouch containing 30 pieces of silver (5p or 10p pieces) and a picture of a cockerel.

Point 1 Discuss with the children if they have ever been asked to do something but they were not willing to do it, e.g. go and brush their teeth after a meal; help out in the middle of a TV programme; say 'sorry' when they have been wrong. Discuss with them their feelings - they know what is being asked is not wrong in itself, but they don't feel like doing it just at that moment. What happens when they don't obey? Are they thinking only about themselves? How do they feel if they ask for help/a favour and they don't receive it? Do they end up wishing they had co-operated?

Point 2 Jesus was very concerned about something He had been asked to do. He was finding it hard to do but He knew He must do it. Look at what Jesus did and show how He was thinking about God. Jesus often went to the Mount of Olives and His disciples went also. He knew he was in danger but still he went. Jesus and His friends went together to this special/familiar place in His time of need. When we have a problem/crisis, we want to be at home or in a 'safe' place. We also like to be with our family/friends - people who care for us.

Point 3 Jesus asked His disciples to pray. He was aware of their need as well as His own. Do we shut ourselves off and not speak to caring friends? Jesus moved away from the disciples but He was near enough for the disciples to hear and see Him. He prayed. He spoke to God about His problem. Why did He speak to God? We can speak to God too.

Point 4 Explain to the children that some 'awful things' were going to happen to Jesus - betrayed, tried, put to death - and that He prayed he might be spared these things. As Jesus prayed, He knew that He must go through these 'awful things'. He wasn't thinking about Himself. He wanted to please God, His Father. "Not my will" Jesus was resolute and determined. He did not flinch from doing His Father's will - right to the end. Tell the children that Jesus did all this for sinners.

Point 5 Jesus was still speaking to His disciples on the Mount of Olives when a large crowd came into the garden. They carried swords, clubs, lanterns and torches. Explain that this incident happened late at night - how do we know? What would the soldiers carry? (swords and lanterns) and the ordinary people? (clubs and torches). This large crowd had a guide. His name was Judas Iscariot and he was one of Jesus' disciples. He knew that Jesus came here often and he knew where to find Him. Judas said, "Peace be with you, Teacher" and went to kiss Jesus. Discuss who we kiss - people we love - like

Mum and Dad. If someone kisses us do we think they are going to be nice to us, or not? Emphasise love/care aspect. Jesus said, "Judas, are you going to betray me with a kiss"? Judas' kiss wasn't to show that he loved Jesus but rather it was a sign to Jesus' enemies. It was to show them, in the dark, which one was Jesus, so that they could capture Him and take Him away. But Jesus knew what Judas was doing all the time because Jesus is God and God knows everything. One of His special friends betrayed Him. Judas was paid 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus.

Point 6 When the crowd came to take Jesus away, one of the disciples wanted to protect Jesus and used his sword, but Jesus told him to put it away. This disciple was called Peter. Explain that Peter was one of the disciples closest to Jesus and had been with Him on special occasions. When Jesus told them that they would all run away and leave Him, Peter said he would not do that. Jesus told him that not only would he leave Him, but he would also say three times that he did not know Jesus and then a cockerel would crow.

So Jesus was taken by the crowd and the disciples ran away. What would we do? Why? Peter cared about Jesus and wanted to know what was happening to Him so he followed, but far behind and sneaked after Him. There was a fire outside the house where Jesus was taken and Peter joined the soldiers and servants who were trying to warm themselves around it. A fire had been lit because it was night-time and cold. Do you think Peter was pretending to be one of the crowd?

Point 7 First, a servant girl said that Peter was a friend of Jesus, then two other times this happened and Peter said 'NO, NO, NO'. A cockerel crew. Just then Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered that Jesus had said this would happen. Peter had thought he wouldn't let Jesus down. Jesus' words were always true. Peter was really sorry for what he had done. He went off and wept bitterly.

How do you think Jesus felt? Would he have felt let down?

Conclusion: What about our attitude when asked to do something and we don't feel like it? Jesus did not think of Himself. He put Himself last -so should we!

J-Jesus O-Others Y-You (an attitude that brings Joy)

Jesus prayed to God to help Him face His trial. We need to pray too because we can't have a right attitude on our own.

How many disciples were there? Who kept the disciples' money? What was the sign to Jesus' enemies? Who followed Jesus when His enemies took him away? How many times did Peter say He was Jesus' friend? How many times did he say 'NO'? What happened then? What did Jesus do then? What did Peter do then?

Lesson 26 The Trial and the Crucifixion Luke 23:1-46, Matt. 27:32-56

Lesson aim: To show how Jesus willingly died in order to save.

Visual Aids: You could simply concentrate on telling the story and then use the worksheets provided. Pictures of Pilate (Roman Governor), an angry crowd, the clothes men usually wore.

Point 1 Show a picture of children in a school playground, badly treating one little boy or describe the scene. Discuss what is happening in the picture. The children go to the teacher and blame the boy for all the trouble. What happens to the boy? He is brought before the teacher and other children accuse him. He denies everything and then teacher decides how to deal with the situation. Explain that all this is like a trial. The Bible tells us that Jesus was brought to trial, even though He had done no wrong. Let's find out what happened to Him.

Point 2 When Jesus and the disciples went out after the meal, the priests arrived with soldiers and arrested Him and took Him prisoner. That night a trial was held. They decided to take Him to Pilate (Roman Governor). They said to Pilate that Jesus was a bad man and was stirring up trouble. He wanted to make Himself King. The people wanted to get rid of Jesus. Why? Pilate asked, "What has He done wrong?" Nobody could think of even one wrong thing Jesus had done. But they said, "You must crucify Him all the same". Discuss what it must be like to be blamed for something you didn't do. Jesus did not defend Himself – why not? Pilate said, "I will punish Him and then release Him". He said this because one prisoner was released every year at this time. With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man". They preferred to release Barabbas, a murderer. Why? Pilate had a dilemma. He did not want to crucify Jesus but the people kept shouting "Crucify Him, Crucify Him". Pilate was afraid of the people. (He could lose his job, etc) He knew Jesus was innocent but he let the people take Him and he released Barabbas, a murderer, to them.

Point 3 Describe graphically, but fairly briefly, the background to the Crucifixion: the soldiers and chief priests who were there, the two criminals, the title erected over the cross, etc.

9.00 am - 12 noon Younger children will have no concept of the time involved but older children may. By law, all crucifixions had to be outside the city. Describe all Jesus endured - His exhaustion, carrying the cross to the place of execution and tell how Simon was made to carry the cross in the end. Explain the cruelty of crucifixion - the extent to which the physical sufferings can be detailed will vary quite dramatically. While some children can 'absorb' an amazing amount of physical details of suffering, many can be quite distressed by it. Jesus' knowledge of the purpose of it can be emphasised to balance out any distressed reaction to the cruel way in which He was put to death. Crucifixion was a very cruel way of putting people to death and so the prisoners were given drugged wine to help them feel less pain. Some people came with drugged wine for Jesus to drink

but He would not drink any of it. He chose to suffer willingly because He knew God's plan for Him as the Saviour. They began to share His clothes - headgear, belt, sandals, outer garment and seamless tunic. They were probably throwing dice and the one with the highest number would have had first choice. Tell the children about the title on the Cross: 'This is Jesus the King of the Jews'

Point 4 12.00 - 3.00 pm Talk about the unexpected darkness in the middle of the day and the questioning which must have gone on among the people about it. The people must have thought that something terrible was happening when there was darkness in the middle of the day. When it had been dark for nearly three hours, Jesus called out: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" Jesus, who was God's own Son, was taking the punishment for the sins of the world. He was being separated from the experience of God's love and care so that His people would be forgiven. God darkened the sun. He made everything dark. Something terrible was happening. He was punishing sin. Explain that it was not a case of God stopping loving Jesus but rather of Him leaving him alone and not answering Him. This was necessary as Jesus was accepting the punishment of God for sin.

Point 5 Explain briefly to the children that two others were on crosses as well as Jesus. Discuss why the criminals were dying and how Jesus was different from them; He was not dying because He was a sinner but because He was the Saviour. One of these two thieves began to insult Jesus. He really did not believe in Jesus. "If you are Christ …" And yet he wanted Jesus to help him. The other thief who was in the same trouble did nothing like that - in fact he gently scolded the other man. Instead he turned to Jesus and asked Him to help him. What do you think Jesus did? He could have said "You are a bad man and I am not going to help you". But He did not say that. He answered the man's prayer and said to him that he would be in Heaven with Him that very day. He forgave him for all his wrong.

Point 6 Explain the tearing of the Temple curtain and talk about the reactions of the people to all that was happening. Tell the children about the curtain in the Temple, separating off the special part which was God's special place. It reminded us of the great gulf between us and God. The curtain is now torn. Men can now come to God.

Conclusion: Jesus was willing to go through all this for us. What are we willing to do for Him? Are we like Pilate, afraid of the crowd? Who stands with us when we stand alone for the truth? Jesus had known all along that He would die. He had told his disciples about it. But He had said something else as well. He had told them that after he had been betrayed and handed over to be crucified, He would, on the third day, rise again.

Lesson 27 The Resurrection Matt. 28:1-10, John 21:1-17

Lesson Aim: To show the reality and the wonder of the resurrection. To show that Jesus is alive and ready to save. Visual Aids: You could concentrate on telling the story and then use the worksheets provided.

Point 1 Recall the last lesson on the crucifixion. Let the children tell as much as possible of the story and its meaning.

Briefly explain the burial of Jesus in the tomb, or cave, sealed by a big stone and guarded by soldiers because they knew that Jesus had said that He would come alive again on the third day. They didn't want anyone to hide His body and pretend He was alive. How do you think the disciples and friends of Jesus were feeling? Note that it was not a burial as we know it, but in the rock. Not a natural cave, but one specially made. The stone keeps out intruders (both human and animal).

Jesus had been crucified. The people who loved Him were sad and upset. The priests and the elders were happy because they thought that was the end of Him. But we know that Jesus had said to His disciples that on the third day He would rise again. Now the chief priests and elders had heard about Jesus saying this, so, after Jesus' burial they sent guards to the tomb to watch over it, just to make sure that no one stole the body and then said that Jesus had done what he said and had really risen. So the guards were there, day and night.

Point 2 Two followers of Jesus, both called Mary, and probably others too, were on their way to the tomb on the first day of the week. They were showing their love for Jesus, but while He was with them He had told them that on the third day He would come alive again. They seem to have forgotten this and not really to have believed it. The women were there and saw the tomb - the empty tomb was not a case of mistaken identity. Remember that the Sabbath equals Saturday, in this case. The first day of the week is, of course, Sunday. If you wish you may display a drawing or a picture of the sort of place where the Lord was buried.

God was at work in a special way. Mention here two factors: firstly, the earthquake - try and get the children to imagine what it must be like to be in an earthquake. They will then be able to see why so often earthquakes are connected with God's working. Talk about the angel. Ask if they remember what an angel does (a messenger of God). Tell how he is described here, and how the guards became like dead men. Tell of the earthquake. Get the children to try to imagine what that earthquake must be like and how the guards would feel - walking along - suddenly an earthquake - everything shakes - just as when Jesus died. The earthquake was really telling them that God was at work. Describe the angel and again imagine what the women would feel like on seeing him. He moved away the stone to show that the tomb was really empty. Recount vividly the

words of the angel: his reassurance, his statement of the resurrection. “He has risen, just as He said.” Describe how the guards felt. Describe how the angel's message had a strange effect on the women: afraid, yet filled with joy. Tell simply what the angel said. Make a list of the things he told the women. Talk about how the women would be feeling. He had such a kind message. They were frightened. He said, "Don't be afraid". He knew why they had come. He told them Jesus was not there but had risen. The angel showed them where Jesus had been, and then he sent them to tell the others.

Point 3 Vividly recount Jesus' appearance. They met Jesus. He told them not to be afraid but to go and tell his brothers to go to Galilee where they would see Him. Imagine the feelings that this must have produced in them, causing them to worship. Tell this incident vividly and discuss how the women would feel about it. What happy women! They had been so sad as they went to look at the tomb of the dead Jesus. Now they were running, excited, thrilled. Jesus, whom they loved, was not dead any longer. He had risen from the dead! The angel had told them. They had seen him for themselves. Now they had to go quickly and tell His disciples and friends the wonderful news.

Point 4 Night-time - disciples fishing. The disciples would have been disappointed at their lack of catch. They would also be cold and hungry. They had stuck together despite losing their leader. Tell the children that this is Jesus' third appearance before the disciples. Describe the first and second appearances. Mention Thomas and his doubts, and how Jesus dealt with him.

Point 5 Early morning - Jesus appeared on the shore. The fishermen obeyed Jesus when He told them to cast their net on the other side of the boat - enormous catch. Discuss situations where the children have been helped. The disciples were surprised and then realised it was Jesus.

Point 6 Peter's sheer joy. How do we feel when we meet a friend after a few days' absence. The other disciples were just as pleased as Peter but they attended to the boat and the fish. Jesus dined with the disciples. This was like a celebration meal. Jesus was present and He had performed the miracle of the catch. They knew it was Jesus - everything seemed familiar as He ate with them. Jesus was alive! Jesus IS alive!

Point 7 Jesus reinstated Peter - Question asked 3 times. Answer given 3 times. Jesus' replied 3 times.Why did Jesus direct the questions to Peter? Recall the earlier time of Peter's denial. A time of reconciliation. Discuss times when the children have 'fallen out' - need to say 'sorry' and 'make-up'. Peter and the disciples started out sad, empty failures. They ended the day full of joy and blessing with renewed opportunities for service. Jesus died and rose again to give us days/lives like this - to provide forgiveness.

Conclusion: Go over the story again and build it up with what the children remember.

Lesson 28 The Ascension Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:7-11

Lesson aim: To show that Jesus returned to heaven and will one day come back again.

Visual Aids: You could concentrate simply on telling the story and then use the worksheets provided.

Point 1 Get the children to recall briefly the previous lessons by a question and answer method. Discuss the joy of Jesus' disciples and friends on knowing of His resurrection.

Describe Jesus and the eleven disciples walking out to Bethany on the slopes of Mount Olivet - talking together - Jesus answering questions - helping them to understand all that was happening.

Point 2 Briefly discuss with the children what the disciples witnessed. Discuss what a witness is (someone who says what he saw). Try to involve the children by letting them tell of some simple incidents of which they have been witnesses. The children cannot be expected to understand the places named (Acts 1:8) but create the impression that they had to witness to as many people as possible. Discuss what the disciples had to tell people. Tell how they were promised help for the work that they had been given to do.

Point 3 Jesus blessed them: nothing mechanical or magical - effectively giving His peace and power.

Point 4 Jesus left them to go to His throne in heaven - to go to be with God.

Point 5 Acts 1:11. Stress the message of the angels - that one day Jesus is coming back.Describe the reactions of the disciples. Tell simply the reasons for their joy, and the difference from their feelings after the crucifixion, eg, they had more time with Jesus – He helped them to understand more. They had the promise of the Spirit forever. They are going to tell others the good news of Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension. Jesus is going to come again. They rejoice in His joy - in His triumph - He is alive!

Conclusion: Go over the main points by question and answer.

LESSON 29 IS A REVISION LESSONUSING THE NOTES FOR LESSONS 24-28

Lesson 30 The Sower Luke 8:4-15

Lesson Aim: To help the children to distinguish between the different ways in which people receive (hear) and react to the Gospel message.

Visual Aids: An illustration of sowing before mechanisation, if available, would be useful.

Point 1 Discuss with the children methods of sowing seeds in gardens and fields, with particular reference to older ways - before mechanisation. Introduce the story Jesus told, setting the scene as clearly as possible.

Point 2 Describe the picture of the sower setting out to sow his seed in the prepared soil. Explain how some would fall on to the path as he walked along, where people would stand on it and birds would come and eat it. Would there be any soil where the seed could root and any seed left to root? Move on to talk about the rocky ground after the path, discussing what seeds require to grow well – soil, water, light, etc. Would the seeds grow in this area? In the third area he would cross, there would be soil for the seeds to grow, but explain the presence of weeds and the effects they would have on the seedlings. Fourthly, the sower would sow his seed in the ground prepared for it. Tell of this seed growing and producing a good crop.

Point 3 Explain that Jesus told the story for a purpose, describing simply what a parable is. Show that the disciples knew Jesus was telling them something, although they did not understand the message.

Point 4 Jesus wanted to show what it really meant to follow Him. He explained that the seed is God’s Word and that each type of soil tells of different ways people respond to it. Relate the types of soil to the different responses.

Point 5 Some followed Jesus simply to see His miracles. They were happy to listen to His parables, but they didn’t remember what He said. Some remembered more, but did not keep following Him when things got difficult and others let the cares, the riches and the pleasures of the world push out what they had heard. Explain that the good ground represented people who were prepared to look for a deeper meaning and really wanted to understand the teaching of Jesus and to do what He said.

Conclusion: Encourage the children to listen to God’s Word, to remember what they learn and to really want to follow Jesus.

Lesson 31 The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Luke 18:9-14

Lesson Aim: To show that God's mercy puts us right with God, not our good deeds.

Visual Aids: Pictures of the temple, available in Bible dictionaries, etc.

Point 1 Jesus told a story about two men who went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, a man who wanted to keep God’s law as strictly as he possibly could. The other was a tax collector, a man who collected taxes, or money, from the people. Usually tax collectors took more money from the people than they should have. They were not popular, because of their greed.

Point 2 Relate the Pharisee’s prayer, giving explanations, as necessary. Talk about his feelings about himself. Point 3 Relate the tax collector’s action and prayer and discuss how different it was from the Pharisee’s and how different his feelings about himself were.

Point 4 Ask whose prayer would have pleased God. Jesus told the people that the Pharisee thought he was doing right and pleasing God but the Bible tells us that everyone has done wrong things and so no one can please God by what he does. Jesus said it was the tax collector who was accepted. He asked for God’s forgiveness. He knew he didn’t deserve the forgiveness he received.

Conclusion: Discuss what Jesus is telling us through this story. The Pharisee thought he did so many good things which people would see and the tax collector knew he did bad things. Whose prayer should we pray? God wants us to realise that no matter how good we think we are, we can never please Him by anything we do. We all sin. God wants us to realise just how bad we really are and ask for Him to forgive us.

Lesson 32 The Great Supper (Feast) Luke 15:15-24

Lesson Aim: To show that God's invitation to come to Him is extended freely to all kinds of people.

Visual Aids: You could have photos of a child’s birthday party or some other similar occasion.

Point 1 Talk briefly about parties, invitations, replies and all the preparations required. What would the children think of somebody who accepted an invitation and then made an excuse at the last minutes?

Point 2 Jesus told a story about a man who prepared a great feast or party. Explain that when the day of the feast arrived, he would send servants to remind those who had accepted the invitation. Everything would have been prepared and the man would expect the guests to be ready to attend.

Point 3 Describe the feelings of the servant as the people began to make excuses and help the children to see that they were not even reasonable excuses.

Point 4 Relate the three excuses, helping the children to understand that they were not very good. "I have just bought a field and I have to go and see it." No-one would buy a field without first having looked at it. "I have bought five pairs of oxen and I must go and see them." No-one would buy oxen without trying them out first. "I have just got married, so I cannot come." Getting married should not stop a person going to a feast when he had already accepted the invitation.

Point 5 Describe the scene when the servant returned home and told his master how the people had made excuses and refused to come to the feast. Tell of his anger and of his decision to fill the places at the feast with people who had not been invited at first. Emphasise that the servants had to go out far and wide, to all sorts of people, especially those who were poor and needy. Stress that this shows how willing the man was that such people should come to his banquet.

Point 6 Tell that God has prepared a great feast and invited people to attend. This feast was provided by Jesus and offers good things, like peace, joy, love, holiness, strength, everlasting forgiveness and Heaven itself. Discuss how we receive the invitation through the Bible which tells us of all Jesus has done to save His people from their sins.

Conclusion: God is still saying "Come" to everyone. Some people sadly make excuses today too and refuse to come or try to put off coming until another time. In the parable, when others took their places at the feast, it was too late for those who had been invited to accept the invitation.

Lesson 33 The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin Luke 15:3-10

Lesson Aim: To show that God delights to save sinners.

Visual Aids: Pictures of sheep and a silver coloured coin.

Point 1 Discuss with the children how they would feel if they lost something. Guide their thoughts from trivial losses to losses of great value. How would they look for these things? Would they wait for them to turn up or would they go to great efforts to find them? Explore the children’s experience of being lost. Have they ever been lost? What did it feel like? Jesus told stories about things that were lost, the sheep that went missing and the piece of silver a woman lost.

Point 2 He spoke about a man who had a hundred sheep. He lost one. That sheep would not be able to find the way back to the flock and it would be exposed to dangers, so the shepherd went to look for it. To do that, he had to leave the other ninety nine. Explain that Jesus was teaching the people that all men, women and children are lost because of sin. Like the sheep in the story, nobody can find the way back to God by his / her own efforts. Just as the shepherd cared for his flock and each individual sheep, so God cares for sinners. He searches for them until He finds them. Discuss how God finds a sinner. The children may know Psalm 23. Mention should be made here of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. God sent His own Son to seek and to save that which is lost.

Point 3 Describe the shepherd’s actions and reactions when he found the sheep which was lost. In the same way, when sinners turn back to God, this causes great joy in heaven. How would the children feel if they were lost and someone came seeking them? They would know someone cared. They would be so relieved and grateful. How should they feel knowing that that Jesus came to seek the lost?

Point 4 In the second story, Jesus told the people about a woman who lost one of her ten pieces of silver. Show how she went to a great deal of trouble to find the silver.

Point 5 Once again, describe her joy and her invitation to others to rejoice with her. Relate this to God’s love for His people and to Jesus, the Light of the World.

Conclusion: Discuss simply with the children what God has done to save sinners.

Lesson 34 The Lost Son Luke 15:11-32

Lesson Aim: To show the children that God rejoices when sinners return to Him.

Visual Aids: Some may have flannelgraphs for this parable.

Point 1 Introduce this lesson by reminding the children about the two parables in the previous lesson. In this parable, it is a person who is lost, who chose to go away from his father. This story can be told vividly and graphically. Tell of the younger son’s request and discuss the sadness of the father, both when he made the request and when he left home.

Point 2 Explain that the son went to a far-off land where he wasted all his money and soon he had none left. While he had money, he had friends. In misery, he got work looking after pigs and he was so hungry that he felt like eating the food that the pigs ate.

Point 3 Describe him in his misery, remembering life at home and realising that the servants in his father’s home were much better off that he was. Explain that he decided to go back and to tell his father how sorry he was for what he had done and to promise that he would work for him as a servant.

Point 4 Remind the children about the shepherd and the woman in the previous lesson and describe the scene with the father watching out for his son. Try to convey how much the father loved his son in spite of what he had done and that he hoped and looked for his return.

Point 5 Tell of the celebrations arranged, of the arrival of the older son and of his reaction to the return of his brother. Explain that the father went out to him too, assured him of his love and encouraged him to rejoice that his brother was safely home again.

Conclusion: Jesus told this story to let us know how much rejoicing there is in heaven, and how happy God is when sinners return to Him.

LESSON 35 IS A REVISION LESSONUSING THE NOTES FOR LESSONS 30 – 34

Lesson 36 Peru John and Catherine MacPherson

Lesson Aim: To help the children understand missionary life.

Visual Aids: A globe or a map of the world

Introduction: Rev John MacPherson relates some of his experiences while he and his wife, Catherine, were missionaries in Peru.

Point 1 Have you ever been on a boat? For how long? Probably not as much as 26 days. That’s how long it took us to get from Liverpool to Lima when we first went as missionaries to Peru over 50 years ago. But I’m sure it took the Apostle Paul and his friends much longer when they went by boat or just walked to all kinds of faraway places. And I’m sure they weren’t nearly as comfortable as we were on our ocean liner, the Reina del Mar (which means the Queen of the Sea). But Paul knew God had called him to preach the Gospel to everybody, wherever they were, so he went. And missionaries today do just the same. They go wherever God has called them. It was an exciting voyage. There were lots of interesting things to do on the ship, and lots of lovely sunshine. It wasn’t so nice being seasick, though! We went through the famous Panama Canal, and not long after that we were happy to meet the other missionaries and their Peruvian Christian friends.

Point 2 I was a teacher in Colegio San Andres (St Andrew’s College), where there were about 700 boys. Most of them didn’t know the Bible well when they came to the school, but year by year they learned God’s Word and how to trust in the Lord Jesus. Do you know how two of them became missionaries themselves? At lunchtime in school they were taught to give thanks to God for their food. When they went home, a little boy called Luis and, years later, a little boy called Juan, asked their parents to pray before the meal, “like we do at school.” Their parents didn’t know how to pray, but Luis and Juan told them what to say. Then the parents started going to church, and they became Christians. So you can all be missionaries just as much as older people like us.

Point 3 What’s your favourite pet? A dog? A cat? A hamster? A lamb? How many of you have a snake for a pet? When we went on holiday to the jungle, we stayed with friends who worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators. These are people who translate the Bible into many different languages. Long ago faithful Christians translated the Bible into English, so that we could all read it. The translators we visited lived in a place called Yarinacocha. When their children came home from school, guess what pet one of them had round his neck? Yes, a snake! He said it wasn’t poisonous, but I still wouldn’t like to feel it round my neck. Would you? I wonder if the teachers let the snake inside the school? I don’t know, but I know that the teachers were missionaries too, teaching the children so that their parents could carry on the wonderful work of giving God’s Word to people in their very own languages.

Point 4 How would you feel if the floor underneath you started shaking, and the roof above you started falling on top of you? It would be pretty scary, wouldn’t it? That happens in countries like Peru, just like it did when Paul and Silas were in prison in

Philippi. The boys and girls in Colegio San Andres know that if an earthquake happens, they should stand beside a pillar, or try and get to open space. In spite of all the earthquakes there have been, the school building is still standing firm. So don’t you think the pupils and teachers are right to sing Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and our strength, Our ever-present aid; And therefore, though the earth gives way, We will not be afraid.”

Point 5 When Jesus saw hungry people, he said to his disciples: “Give them something to eat.” In Peru there are lots of boys and girls who are hungry, who don’t have nice clothes to wear, who don’t have the books and jotters and pencils they need for school. You get these things free in school, but they have to buy them for themselves. But what if their mums and dads don’t have work and are too poor to buy things for their children? In Colegio San Andres, the boys and girls want to help other children. So they have collections, when they bring pens and pencils, colouring and story books, warm clothes for winter and lots of other things. They take them to poor children who live in poor houses and go to poor schools. Can you imagine the smiles and the cheers when they do that?

Conclusion: You can’t go all the way to Peru with nice things, but try and think of ways you can help poor children. Jesus loves you, and when you help others, you are being like Him.

Lesson 37 South Africa Ken and Joan Cameron

Lesson Aim: To help the children to understand the work of a pastoral missionary.

Visual Aids: A globe or a map of the world.

Introduction: Rev Ken and Mrs Joan Cameron relate some of their experiences as missionaries in Transkei in South Africa.

Point 1 After twenty years as minister in Thurso and six months helping in Free Church in South Africa we knew when asked by missionaries already there and the South African Free Church people that God was calling us to serve him among the amaXhosa people of Transkei. In one night by Jumbo jet we travelled from a freezing cold snowy Scotland to very hot South Africa so different from earlier missionaries whose journey by ship took a whole month to get them there. It was difficult to get used to having the summer weather there when it is coldest winter in Scotland.

Point 2 Our home was out on the open veldt (grassland) in the grounds of a special school for blind and deaf children. It was called Efata after Jesus’ prayer “Ephphatha” (Be opened) when he was healing a deaf and dumb man. Soon a very special friend came to stay with us, Clyde our wonderful guard dog, who was very quickly writing letters to THE INSTRUCTOR (We, of course, had to do it for him! - dogs can’t hold a pen) and sending pages of his diary so that people could know all the things that were happening as we went about our work for Jesus in Transkei.

Point 3 All around us there were villages of Xhosa homes were people lived mainly in thatched rondavel huts or square flat-roofed houses called flats. In each homestead there would be three or four rondavels or flats each corresponding to a room in your home or mine. Most cooking, washing, etc. was done outside, except when it was wet, which was not very often. The girls would bring water from the river or a well when they returned from school in the afternoon. In most homesteads, there would be a granny and grandpa, a mother and lots of children. Most of the dads (though not all) had to travel far away to work in the gold mines or in the big cities of South Africa.

Point 4 Our Church district was called Tabase (say Tabasay) which included about 12 different villages and Umtata the capital city. There were six churches when we went there and eight when we left fourteen years later. Of course, we could only be in two of them on a Sunday, so the elders were kept busy preaching in the other places. The church members wear a lovely blue and white uniform to show they are Free Church (other churches have different colours) and singing in the church is very bright and joyful. After the service everyone shakes hands with everyone else at the door before going home. When we had to travel a long way to get to church I would sometimes see dinner being cooked at the back of the church while I was preaching! We had to get used to lots of things that seemed strange to us at first.

Our week - Sunday service 9.00 a.m. in Umtata, 11.00 a.m. in one of the seven village churches, 3.00 p.m., a youth Rally in Nobuhle Church and sometimes an evening service in Umtata. Monday - Children’s meeting with games, singing, quiz and Bible story.

Wednesday – Children’s or adult’s meeting in Lindale. Thursday - Meeting for the church ladies, who are called Mamas. Friday - monthly youth club or meeting in Tabase. Saturday - Church committees and, sadly, often funerals.

Point 5 The language the people speak in isiXhosa with strange click sounds and it is very hard to learn. We tried our best, but we always had an interpreter in church services and meetings so we could be sure people understood the message.

Point 6 Every village school has its own uniform and children pay fees. Some are too poor to go to school. Boys herd cattle on the veldt and some never go to school, so never learn to read. At a holiday club in Mbolompo the children learned a verse of Psalm 23 each day with a prize on Friday for all who could say the whole psalm. Many managed it and one herd boy, who had never been to school and never learned to say poetry, stood up and sang it because that was just the way he had learned it!

Point 7 Our great joy was to tell people about the Lord Jesus and to invite them to trust him. How happy we were when people would ask, “How can I be saved?” And better still to see how they followed Jesus when he was their Saviour. Sadly most men and boys preferred to play football on Sundays and the only way to reach them was to preach to them at funerals because everyone in the village would be there and they would hear of Jesus who can save from sin and from the fear of death.

Point 8 Although some Xhosa people have nice houses and good jobs, very many are very poor and sometimes had only food for a meal every second day. Jesus tells us to feed the hungry and help the needy and says, “Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of thee my brethren you have done unto Me” So with the help of friends in Scotland, Joan began the INASMUCH FUND which has provided food for many families, paid school fees, books, etc, helped young people to go to college or university, got good treatment for sick people and even repaired houses damaged in storms and even built quite a few new ones.

Conclusion: And now we are back in Scotland this work still goes on and almost every week we hear from some poor person thanking Jesus for the kind people of Scotland who have helped them in their need.

Lesson 38 Kenya Katie Mackinnon

Lesson Aim: We can all be part of God’s answers to somebody’s prayers.

Visual Aids: A globe or a map of the world

Introduction: Katie Mackinnon grew up in the west of Scotland and she trained to be a nurse in Inverness. She particularly enjoyed working with mums and babies.

Point 1 One of Katie’s friends, who was also a nurse, worked in a country in Africa, called Kenya. In one of her letters to Katie, she wrote about how busy she and all the other nurses were. This prompted Katie to offer to go to spend some time with her friend and to help with the work there. However, in the end, Katie decided to go for more than a short visit. She applied to work with the Africa Inland Mission.

Point 2 This was a very big step for Katie. She left her job as a ward sister in a Scottish hospital and joined the mission, where she would have no worldly security. She would be trusting God to meet her needs, praying to Him to cause people to donate enough money for the Mission to pay her a monthly allowance.

Relate this to the local situation, where a congregation or Sunday School gives money in response to hearing about particular situations.

Point 3 Katie travelled all the way to Africa in a large aeroplane, but it was a different story when it came to travelling from the city airport where she landed to the country area where she was to be working. This time, she travelled along a dirt road, which was full of potholes. There was a huge drop of several hundred feet on one side of the road. Imagine what it would have felt like every time the vehicle swerved to avoid a pothole! Katie would have been very relieved to arrive safely at her new home and place of work.

Point 4 Katie worked very hard and she found the little babies adorable. Sadly some of the mums were very ill and some of the babies were so tiny and so ill that the African nurses did not think Katie would be able to keep them alive. Soon, she had two very tiny babies who needed lots of attention and she herself provided almost all that attention. At that point, she was due to go on holiday for two weeks. Who was going to look after the two babies? Katie had not planned to go away on holiday, but to have a restful time at home. She looked around her house and decided it was far too big for just one person. Obviously, it had been designed to accommodate cots in the spare bedroom! So the cots and the babies were moved in to her house and although Katie had to wake up during the nights to feed the babies, she really enjoyed the holiday.

Point 5 After the holiday, Katie decided that the babies were making so much more progress in her home that she would continue to look after them after she went back to work. While she was at work one of the nurses helped to look after them. Later, there was another very tiny baby in the hospital and Katie was going to look after this baby too. However, the baby was far too tiny for a cot. An incubator was needed, but they had none in the hospital. While Katie was wondering what to do, a lorry arrived with a large crate.

Nobody knew what it could be, because they had not ordered anything recently. When the crate was opened, imagine how they all felt when they discovered that it contained an incubator on a stand with wheels! It had been ordered a year earlier by the missionary nurse who worked at the hospital before Katie arrived and it had been brought all the way from the United States of America. They all praised God. He controls every detail and His timing is perfect.

Point 6 News of the baby in the incubator spread quickly and soon other babies who needed help were brought to the hospital. Katie’s family grew and she had never been so happy in her life. There was a money problem. Katie was paid a small allowance each month, enough for one woman on her own, but not enough to feed and care for the babies. Although no special appeal for extra money had been made, some gifts started to arrive. The amounts were not large, but enough to provide for the babies each month. God was providing all that was needed.

Once again relate this to the regular giving of money and to the local response to particular needs. The children themselves can be part of the answer to the prayers of missionaries.

Conclusion The work Katie started with the babies in her own home expanded and soon, money was available to provide for more children and to pay the salary of a local husband and wife team to look after them. The Youth Project of the Free Church supported this work one year. Katie was delighted with the amount of money she received and she wrote an email to the Editor of the Instructor to thank her and all the people who had donated money. Imagine her disappointment when she realised through friends that the Editor had not received her email. She was able to thank everybody by sending an email to her friends, who then forwarded it to the Editor.

We should pray for all missionaries. It is very difficult when they cannot easily keep in touch with home.

Lesson 39 India Donald and Joan MacDonald

Lesson Aim: To help the children to understand about medical missionary work.

Visual Aids: A globe or a map of the world.

Introduction: Dr Donald MacDonald relates some of his and his family’s experiences while working as a missionary in India with his wife, Joan.

Point 1 We went to India in 1973 to work in Lakhnadon Christian Hospital, which had been started by the Free Church Mission more than 40 years earlier. I was a doctor and surgeon and I had heard that they needed a surgeon there. We wanted to go to a place where we could help poor people and tell them about Jesus at the same time. So in November 1973, with our two-and-a-half-year-old son, we flew in a Jumbo Jet from London Heathrow to Bombay (now Mumbai). We had never been abroad before and lots of things were new to us! We had left a cold Edinburgh and arrived in a sweltering hot Bombay with too many clothes on! Then there were the huge crowds of people! After staying there a few days we went by train inland overnight and eventually arrived by Jeep in Lakhnadon where we got a great welcome.

Point 2 We had lots to learn – a new language, Hindi; new money, Rupees; new food and how to cook it in a very different kind of kitchen, without all the modern equipment we had at home!. The people were very friendly and we enjoyed getting to know them. There were some doctors and nurses from Scotland and Australia, but most of them were Indian Christians from different parts of India. Most of the local people were Hindus, who believe in many gods and use idols in worship. Many of them were poor and couldn’t afford to pay much for medicines. I treated many diseases I had not seen before (tetanus, typhoid, cholera, snake bite, etc.) and had to do operations I had never done before.

Point 3 The day at the hospital started with prayers and preaching in the wards at 7 am. Then doing operations and seeing patients occupied most of the day. Often teams would go out to the villages to see people who couldn’t come to the hospital and to do health teaching and immunisations. Opportunity was taken to tell people about Jesus and to give out Scripture portions. We often had young Indian doctors working and training with us and they are now senior doctors serving as Christians in various parts of India.

Point 4 Some patients’ storiesI remember many patients who had amazing recoveries from serious illnesses and operations. There was the very poor man who walked in with severe pain in his stomach. The nurse said she could not feel his pulse and she was right – he was nearly dead! After we resuscitated him, I operated and he made a good recovery from a burst stomach ulcer. He could not afford to pay anything. Another young man came in very ill with a cough and we diagnosed severe Tuberculosis (TB), which was very common there. He responded well to treatment and while he was there he trusted in Jesus as his Saviour. We treated many sick children and many women came to the hospital to have their babies, especially when they had complications. We did a lot of eye operations to remove

cataract, a very common cause of blindness in India. We also regularly visited Chhapara village, 17 miles away, to see patients and also to visit the Mission school there. There was also a lot of night work as people would bring in many very sick people at night. And then we had to work all day too!

Point 5 To go to church on Sunday, we had to walk about half a mile into the village for the morning service at 9 am. The services were very similar to services here, but in the Hindi language. I often preached there when I had learned Hindi. All the time we were there, very few people from a Hindu background came to faith in Jesus, but since we left 20 years ago, many more have become Christians. The work has been carried on by Indian Christians.

Point 6 Our three daughters were born in India. At about the age of 6, the children went to Hebron School, a Christian boarding school in South India, 1,000 miles away, a journey of 48 hours by Jeep, train and bus. This was the hardest part our lives in India, for our children to be away from home for so long, but we felt it was best for their education and we committed them to God in prayer constantly. They came home to Lakhnadon for the holidays and we went there to see them for our holidays. Joan often travelled the long journey to see them and to take them back and forth. Travelling was always interesting, exciting and even dangerous, as road and rail accidents were not uncommon. We were in two road accidents and narrowly missed a serious rail accident. Once late at night we saw a wild tiger crossing the road in front of the Jeep.

Conclusion: We had some difficult experience in India, but we loved being there and we were conscious that the Lord was with us, helping us to cope in the difficult times and giving us the strength and the wisdom we needed. We decided to come home in 1988 for the children’s higher education and also because I had health problems, (which eventually turned out to be Multiple Sclerosis - MS). We are grateful to God for the privilege or serving him in India and that the work there still goes on today.

LESSON 40 IS A REVISION LESSONUSING THE NOTES FOR LESSONS 36 - 39