ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAA
1
DateLESSON TITLE LESSON #MAIN POINTSTORYBOOKPAGE #3,4, & 5'S1ST-3RD GRADE4TH-6TH GRADE
2
SEPTEMBERSword Card #13
3
September 3, 2023 The God of Isreal Cannot Be Captured53Our God is the one true God
Explanation: The Israelites fell into believing that their rituals and sacrifices would save them, and the pagan nations worshiped idols of wood and stone. But our God HIMSELF is the one true God and whom we must worship and obey.		Proverbs 2:6Proverbs 2:6-8Proverbs 2:1-8
4
September 10, 2023Israel Demands a King54Jesus is our king
Explanation: Israel rejected God as their king and wanted a human king like the nations around them. While their attitude and rejection of God was sinful, it was always God's plan that we would have a king. Jesus is that king, for them (David was a foreshadowing of Jesus) and for us today. With Jesus as our King, we are his loyal subjects, following his commands and living our lives for his purposes, not our own.		Proverbs 2:6Proverbs 2:6-8Proverbs 2:1-8
5
September 17, 2023Saul Disobeys the Lord55God honors humble obedience
Explanation: Saul was more concerned with pleasing the crowds than he was with actually obeying the words of God. Wanting to give a sacrifice to God was a good thing, but his way of doing it contradicted what God had told him to do. His heart was not in the right place. Out of fear of losing popularity with the people, and out of fear of his enemies, he took matters into his own hands. God doesn’t want just outward obedience, but hearts that are inclined toward him.		Proverbs 2:6Proverbs 2:6-8Proverbs 2:1-8
6
September 24, 2023God Chooses a New King56God looks at the heart
Explanation: God saw the selfish ambition in Saul’s heart, and he also saw that David’s heart was humble and inclined toward God. We may be fooled by outward appearances, but God sees our hearts. He also sees the sin in our hearts and provides a solution for that sin through Christ.		Proverbs 2:6Proverbs 2:6-8Proverbs 2:1-8
7
8
OCTOBER - 5 WeeksSword Card #14
9
October 1, 2023David & Goliath57The Battle Belongs to God
Explanation: The battle between David and Goliath is inspiring in many ways, but the main point is often missed. Tying in with last week, David was humble and God used him in mighty ways during his life. This is one example of where David was confident that God would use him to fight and win this battle. The battle was really between Goliath and God, and God used David to do this mighty deed.		Psalm 23:1Psalm 23:1-3Psalm 23:1-6
10
October 8, 2023The Ark of God58Our God is Holy
Explanation: This story can be confusing. Why did Uzzah die when he was just trying to do a good thing? The ark represented God’s holiness and his presence with Israel. God had given very particular ways that the ark was to be treated and cared for. Even with the best of intentions, Uzzah (and all of Israel, really) failed to obey God’s instructions and they did not fully appreciate the holiness of God. God’s holiness is not something we can define ourselves, or treat lightly. We must obey God on his own terms, not just what we think is good.		Psalm 23:1Psalm 23:1-3Psalm 23:1-6
11
October 15, 2023David the Psalmist59God Gives us Rest and Peace
Explanation: In this lesson we will discuss a few of David’s psalms that show there is rest and peace in the presence of the Lord. This doesn’t mean everything will always be easy, but we know that our biggest problem (our own sin) is taken care of through Jesus, so we know that God is for us. God will take care of our needs, and even if we face hardship during our life, we know that we will be in the presence of the Lord forever.		Psalm 23:1Psalm 23:1-3Psalm 23:1-6
12
October 22, 2023Solomon & the Temple of God60We Are the Temple of God
Explanation: This lesson covers a lot of narrative about how Solomon built the temple and what happened when he did. Let’s focus on the fact that as a result, God chose to dwell with them in the temple, and that 1 Cor 3:16-17 tells us that now we are the temple of God. Just like the temple was filled with the glory of God in Solomon’s day, so we as Christians are filled with the glory of God. Our worship and our lives reflect that glory.		Psalm 23:1Psalm 23:1-3Psalm 23:1-6
13
October 29, 2023The Kingdom is Divided61A Divided Heart Leads to Ruin
Explanation: Solomon’s divided heart led him into trouble. Our temptation today isn’t really to serve physical idols, but we have plenty of things that divide our attention. The very first commandment says we should have no other gods before the one true God. Our worship and the focus of our lives should not be divided. This lesson also delves into Rehoboam’s folly. It can be connected to the main point by pointing out that this is the result of Solomon’s divided heart.		Psalm 127:3Psalm 127:3-5Psalm 127:1-5
14
15
NOVEMBERSword Card #15
16
November 5, 2023God Provides for Elijah in Miraculous Ways62God Provides For His People
Explanation: In this passage we have three examples of God providing for his people. He provides food for Elijah, flour and oil for the widow, and healing for her son. Even though God was judging the nation as a whole, he never forgot his people and provided for them. We can trust in God through difficult times as he will provide what we need. SPECIAL NOTE: One of the object lessons calls for some children to act out asking a stone for bread. If you use this object lesson, please adapt it so it doesn’t have the children to act out idolatry, even in an acting setting like this.		Psalm 127:3Psalm 127:3-5Psalm 127:1-5
17
November 12, 2023Elijah & the Prophets of Baal63Our God is Above All “Gods”
Explanation: No matter how long the worshipers of Baal would pray, or what they did to get his attention, nothing was ever going to happen. Why? Because there was nothing behind the idols of Baal. There was no real god and no real power. In contrast, Elijah didn’t need to do anything drastic to get God’s attention. He prayed, and his sacrifice was consumed. Our God is above all “gods” (which really aren’t gods at all).		Psalm 127:3Psalm 127:3-5Psalm 127:1-5
18
November 19, 2023Elijah is Taken Up to Heaven64God’s Mission Continues
Explanation: God’s mission does not depend on particular individuals. It depends on the power of his Spirit working by grace through those whom he chooses. This is why we can be sure that God’s mission will never fail because it depends on God not on us. When Elijah is taken away, God continues working through Elisha as well as through others. The lesson culminates at this point, but it can be woven through the rest of the lesson to point out that God is preparing Elisha to replace Elijah so that his mission will continue. Then at the end of the story, the mission is transferred and does in fact continue through Elisha. His mission continued from Jesus through his disciples, down through the Church, and to us today.		Psalm 127:3Psalm 127:3-5Psalm 127:1-5
19
November 26, 2023Elisha's Ministry65Elisha Points To Christ
Explanation: This lesson goes through several miracles that God performed through Elisha. While we could focus on the miracles and how God provided for his people through Elisha, we had a similar focus three weeks ago. Instead, let’s focus on how Elisha is a type of Christ. From the “Where Is Jesus?” section of the lesson: When Jesus comes, he also performs miracles. He turns water into wine and multiplies a few fishes and loaves of bread to feed a crowd of more than five thousand. Jesus heals the sick and even raises the dead. Jesus also dies on the cross for our sins and is raised from the dead so that we can have new life. The new life God gave the young boy through Elisha is a small hint of the new life God gives to all his children.		Psalm 127:3Psalm 127:3-5Psalm 127:1-5
20
21
DECEMBER - 5 WeeksSword Card #16
22
December 3, 2023Naaman Is Cured66God Welcomes Repentant Sinners
Explanation: There is much that could be drawn out of this lesson, but this week let’s focus on how Naaman was initially proud, but repented and God healed him. God will always welcome repentant sinners as he welcomed Naaman. But liars and hypocrites like Gehazi will suffer for their sin.		1 John 1:51 John 1:5-71 John 1:5-10
23
December 10, 2023The Fall of Israel67Sin Will Be Judged, But There Is Grace
Explanation: Last week we learned about how God welcomes repentant sinners. This week we see what happens to unrepentant sinners. Israel was serving idols. God sent many prophets to warn them, but they refused to listen. After many years, God’s promised judgment finally came. Israel was conquered and sent into exile. Be sure to draw contrast with last week’s lesson. God is faithful to forgive if we repent. This judgment came because they refused to repent. This is an excellent opportunity to share the full gospel message.		1 John 1:51 John 1:5-71 John 1:5-10
24
December 17, 2023Good King, Bad King68Jesus Frees Us From Cycles Of Sin
Explanation: In Judah we see examples of some good kings and some bad kings. The good kings turn hearts back to God and worship him. The bad kings fall into idolatry again. This cycle continued for many generations. None of the kings were able to put perfect reform into place. God knows it is impossible for us to be perfect on our own, so he sent Jesus to make it possible for us to break free from cycles of sin in our life.		1 John 1:51 John 1:5-71 John 1:5-10
25
December 24, 2023NO CLASS
26
December 31, 2023Jonah & Ninevah69God’s Sovereign Plan Cannot Be Stopped
Explanation: Jonah did not want Nineveh to repent, so he disobeyed God and ran away. However, God, seeing Jonah, pursued him even in his sin. Jonah repented and obeyed, leading ultimately to Nineveh's repentance. The broader lesson here is that God is sovereign over all things, and nothing can thwart His plan. When God desired Nineveh's repentance, nothing, not even Jonah's sin, could impede that plan. God addressed Jonah's sin, yet also orchestrated events so that His plan for Nineveh's repentance succeeded.		1 John 1:51 John 1:5-71 John 1:5-10
27
28
JANUARYSword Card #17
29
January 7, 2024Josiah, the 8 year old king70God’s Word Will Never Pass Away
Though Amon forgot the Word of the Lord and it was lost for a season, God ensured that it would not be lost for good. It was God who gave Josiah a heart for righteousness, and it was God who led him to preserve the Word of God and the promise of a coming deliverer, Jesus. Jesus is called “the Word” in the Gospel of John. God in his faithfulness would not let his Word pass away because his Word is all about his Son, Jesus. The Word of God describes the sinfulness of man and the promise of redemption by God through Jesus. Not the smallest portion of God’s Word will pass away until it is accomplished.		Psalm 118:24Psalm 118:22-24Psalm 118:19-24
30
January 14, 2024The Fall of Jerusalem71Listen To The Warnings And Guidance of Scripture
God sent many prophets to the kingdom of Judah warning them to repent of their wickedness. But the people and their kings kept slipping back into paganism, never following God for long. God’s judgment finally came as he had promised. The Bible is full of wisdom for how we should live Christ-centered lives. We should learn from Israel’s mistakes and obey and worship God alone.		Psalm 118:24Psalm 118:22-24Psalm 118:19-24
31
January 21, 2024Nebuchadnezzar's Dream72Rely On God's Wisdom
King Nebuchadnezzar's demand for his dream's interpretation puts all wise men, including Daniel, at risk of execution. Unlike others who despair, Daniel turns to prayer, relying on God's wisdom rather than his own. God responds by revealing the dream and its meaning, saving not just Daniel and his friends but all the wise men.		Psalm 118:24Psalm 118:22-24Psalm 118:19-24
32
January 28, 2024Four Men in the Furnace73Stand Firm In Your Faith
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced immense pressure to conform to the king's demand to worship a false idol. Yet, they stood firm in their faith, choosing to honor God above all, even under the threat of being thrown into a fiery furnace. Their example teaches us the importance of standing up for God in a world that denies Him. This is a faith we should emulate, especially as demonstrated in Daniel 3:16-17.		Psalm 118:24Psalm 118:22-24Psalm 118:19-24
33
34
FEBRUARYSword Card #18
35
February 4, 2024The Glory Belongs to God Alone74The Glory For All We Do Belongs To God
King Nebuchadnezzar thinks his success is due to his own power, and he takes the glory for himself. Even though he has seen that there is a God who can miraculously save men from fire and interpret dreams and has been warned, Nebuchadnezzar thinks more of himself than of God. He does not understand that the God who did all these things is the same God who has given him his power. 		Psalm 107:1Psalm 107:1-3Psalm 107:1-6
36
February 11, 2024Daniel in the Lion's Den75God Preserves His People By His Sovereign Hand
Even though this law makes Daniel’s prayers illegal, he is not worried. He does not fear but places his trust in God and continues to pray each day. His enemies carry out their plan and catch Daniel breaking the new law. The fact that the lions immediately attack the people thrown into the pit after Daniel is removed proves that Daniel’s salvation comes by the grace of God. At the end of this story, just like at the end of the story of the fiery furnace, God miraculously saves his own and receives glory from a pagan king in a foreign land.		Psalm 107:1Psalm 107:1-3Psalm 107:1-6
37
February 18, 2024The Exiles Return76God Moves in the Hearts of Men to Accomplish His Purpose
After seventy years of captivity, God moves on the heart of this pagan king to return God’s people to Jerusalem and to rebuild the temple there. This happens just as Jeremiah had prophesied. As we learned in the story of Nebuchadnezzar being humbled two weeks ago, we know that God works through pagan kings to accomplish his purpose, and that’s exactly what happened here. At the right time, God moved on the heart of the king to allow the exiles to return. It was God, not the king, who made the return possible.		Psalm 107:1Psalm 107:1-3Psalm 107:1-6
38
February 25, 2024The Temple Is Completed77Nothing Stops God From Redeeming His People
After some opposition, the people stop building the temple for a while. But God uses his prophets to prod the people back to work. He even uses the prophets to speak to the pagan king for him to supply all they need to complete the temple. The people finally celebrate the Passover once again, reminding them of how God saved them from Egypt and a fresh awareness of how he saved them from Babylon. God even sends Ezra to teach them God’s word again and continue the story of redemption through God’s people.		Psalm 107:1Psalm 107:1-3Psalm 107:1-6
39
40
MARCH - (5 Weeks) BEGIN NEW TESTAMENTSword Card #1 NT
41
March 3, 2024Nehemiah78God Works Through People To Accomplish His Plan
Earlier we learned how God moved King Cyrus to return the people to Judah. Later, God moved in the heart of King Darius to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Here, God selects another king to use for his purposes. God also put Nehemiah in a place of influence so at the right time His plan for his people could be accomplished. Nothing will ever stop the plan of God. Here we see his plan to save Israel from exile, but he had a bigger plan in mind too that would eventually lead to Jesus Christ who saved US from our sins.
42
March 10, 2024The Birth of Jesus Foretold1Faith Trusts God With The Unknown
This lesson as it is laid out in the lesson plan is mainly just recounting these stories but doesn't draw a conclusion. I think we can show that Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary did not understand the details of how it would all come to pass, but they had faith that God would fulfill his promise (Elizabeth and Mary immediately, Zechariah eventually). That is how faith often looks in our lives too: we can have faith that God will accomplish his promises, even if we don't know how.		Galatians 3:26Galatians 3:24-26Galatians 3:24-29
43
March 17, 2024The Birth of Jesus 2Be A Humble Servant Like Jesus
Though Jesus was King, he did not come in a full display of his glory, might, and power. Instead he came in humility that he might become a servant of all, dying on the cross for our sins. This humility was evident from his birth, where he was born in a stable and placed in a manger. Jesus gave up his glory to come to earth because he loved us. Later, he would die for our sins so we could be saved from the penalty of sin. This is wonderful news for us! It is also an example of how we should live our lives: in humble service to others.		80/ pg 160Galatians 3:26Galatians 3:24-26Galatians 3:24-29
44
March 24, 2024Jesus Presented in the Temple3Jesus Grew In Favor With God And Men
Through these stories of Jesus' early life, we can see that something was special about Him. Everyone around him noticed it too. He had unearthly wisdom for a child of his age. Eventually Jesus would fall out of favor with the leaders of Israel because of what he taught, but even the Pharisees acknowledged that he had great wisdom and insight.		81/ pg 163Galatians 3:26Galatians 3:24-26Galatians 3:24-29
45
March 31, 2024 EASTERThe Baptism of Jesus5NOTE: LESSON SWAPPED WITH APR 7TH
Baptism Is A Sign Of Resurrection
Today is Easter where we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. In this story, Jesus was baptized by John. This was a sign of things to come. Baptism symbolizes burrial, cleansing, and new life. Eventually, Jesus would die but would be raised again! Paul writes, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).		83/ pg 167Galatians 3:26Galatians 3:24-26Galatians 3:24-29
46
47
APRILSword Card # 2
48
April 7, 2024The Ministry of John the Baptist4NOTE: LESSON SWAPPED WITH MAR 31ST
Faith and Repentance Lead To Salvation
John the Baptist preached and called many to repent of their sins. Repenting is turning away from your sin and toward God. John was pointing the way and preparing for Jesus, but John's baptism couldn't change hearts. Through Jesus and the Holy Spirit we have lasting change and forgiveness of our sins!		82/ pg 164John 3:16John 3: 16-18John 3:16-21
49
April 14, 2024The Temptation of Jesus6Jesus Was Tempted, But Did Not Sin
Satan tempted Jesus three times in the desert, and Jesus resisted those temptations. Temptation itself is not sinful, we are all tempted and even Jesus was tempted. But we need the power of Christ through the Holy Spirit in our lives to resist temptation. Jesus broke the power of sin over our lives at the cross. He gives us the power to resist temptation and even modeled it for us in this passage.		84/ pg 168John 3:16John 3: 16-18John 3:16-21
50
April 21, 2024The Wedding Feast7Jesus Is The Creator
The miracle of turning water into wine marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. It was a powerful demonstration showing that he was the creator Himself. John hinted at this in John 1, but now we see it on display. If Jesus has power over creation, it proves his authority comes from God and not man.		85/ pg 171John 3:16John 3: 16-18John 3:16-21
51
April 28, 2024Jesus Cleanses the Temple8God Desires People Who Worship From Their Hearts
The shopkeepers were more interested in making money than worshiping God. Jesus drove them from the temple because the temple was supposed to be a place of worship, and he saw the motivation of their hearts and knew it wasn't sincere worship. This is similar to how God rejected Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22-23. Saul went through the motions of worship, but his heart was not sincere and he was even disobeying God. God desires sincere worship more than just going through the motions.		86/ pg 172John 3:16John 3: 16-18John 3:16-21
52
53
MAYSword Card # 3
54
May 5, 2024Nicodemus9TBD87/ pg 175Matthew 5:11Matthew 5:10-12Matthew 5:3-12
55
May 12, 2024Good News10TBD88/ pg 176Matthew 5:11Matthew 5:10-12Matthew 5:3-12
56
May 19, 2024The Miraculous Catch11TBD89/ pg 179Matthew 5:11Matthew 5:10-12Matthew 5:3-12
57
May 26, 2024Jesus Heals the Paralyzed Man12TBD90/ pg 180Matthew 5:11Matthew 5:10-12Matthew 5:3-12
58
59
JUNE - 5 WeeksSword Card # 4
60
June 2, 2024The Sermon on the Mount- The Beatitudes13TBD91/ pg 183Matthew 6:14Matthew 6:13-15Matthew 6:9-15
61
June 9, 2024The Sermon on the Mount-Love Your Enemies 14TBD92/ pg 184Matthew 6:14Matthew 6:13-15Matthew 6:9-15
62
June 16, 2024The Lord's Prayer15TBD93/ pg 187Matthew 6:14Matthew 6:13-15Matthew 6:9-15
63
June 23, 2024Treasure in Heaven16TBD94/ pg 188Matthew 6:14Matthew 6:13-15Matthew 6:9-15
64
June 30, 2024The Wise & Foolish Builders17TBD95/ pg 191Matthew 6:14Matthew 6:13-15Matthew 6:9-15
65
66
JULYSword Card # 5
67
July 7, 2024The Four Soils18TBD96/ pg 192Matthew 6:21Matthew 6:19-21Matthew 6:19-24
68
July 14, 2024The Hidden Treasure19TBD97/ pg 194Matthew 6:21Matthew 6:19-21Matthew 6:19-24
69
July 21, 2024Jesus Calms the Storm20TBD98/ pg 197Matthew 6:21Matthew 6:19-21Matthew 6:19-24
70
July 28, 2024Jesus Feeds the Multitude21TBD99/ pg 198Matthew 6:21Matthew 6:19-21Matthew 6:19-24
71
72
AUGUSTSword Card # 6
73
August 4, 2024Jesus Walks on Water22TBD100/ pg 201Matthew 6:33Matthew 6:31-33Matthew 6:27-33
74
August 11, 2024Take Up Your Cross23TBD101/ pg 202Matthew 6:33Matthew 6:31-33Matthew 6:27-33
75
August 18, 2024The Transfiguration24TBD102/ pg 205Matthew 6:33Matthew 6:31-33Matthew 6:27-33
76
August 25, 2024Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers25TBD103/ pg 206Matthew 6:33Matthew 6:31-33Matthew 6:27-33
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100