A WOMAN KISSES JESUS' FEET LUKE 7:36-50

Transcription

1 A WOMAN KISSES JESUS' FEET LUKE 7:36-50 A Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to his house for lunch. Pharisees were Jewish religious leaders. They wanted people to follow them instead of Jesus. So they often hated Jesus and wanted to trick Him. While Jesus was there, a woman who had lived a bad life came in. She brought a beautiful jar filled with expensive perfume. She got down on her knees by Jesus' feet and began to cry. Her tears fell on His feet. Then she wiped them off with her hair. The woman kept kissing Jesus feet and putting the perfume on them. Simon saw all of this. He knew what a bad life this woman had lived. So he thought, "Jesus can't really be a prophet sent by God. If He were, He would know what a bad woman she is." Jesus knew what Simon was thinking. So He said, "Simon, may I tell you something?" Simon said yes. So Jesus told Simon this story. "Once a man let two people borrow money from him. He let one person have 500 pieces of silver. He let the other person have 50 pieces of silver. But neither person could pay his debt. So the kind man forgave them both." Then Jesus asked Simon, "Which of the two people do you think loved the man the most after that?" "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most," Simon answered. "You are right," Jesus said. Then He pointed out that Simon had not shown Him very much love. "You invited me to lunch, but you didn't give me water to wash my feet. You didn't greet me with the usual kiss. You didn't give me olive oil to put on my head. But this woman has done much, much more for me." Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace." The Pharisees at the table grumbled about this. "Only God can forgive sins," they said.

2 DISCUSSION: What three things did the woman do for Jesus? What three things did Simon not do that he should have done for Jesus? Who showed more love for Jesus, Simon or the woman? How do you think Simon felt after Jesus scolded him? How should he have felt? When we love Jesus we should do special things for Him. Do you love Jesus? Don't just say you do. Do things that show that you love Him. What could you do today to show Jesus that you love Him? Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,

3 A STORY ABOUT A FARMER MATTHEW 13:1-23 Jesus told a story to a big crowd. The people had gathered on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. He got into a boat, where he sat and talked to the people who were on the shore. This is the story. "A farmer planted some seeds one day. He scattered the seeds, tossing them here and there. Some seeds fell on the path where people walked. Birds came and ate them. "Other seeds fell on thin soil with rocks under it. The plants grew quickly, but the roots had no place to grow. So the plants died quickly. "Other seeds fell among the thorn plants. These thorn plants quickly grew up and choked out the good plants. "But some seeds fell on good soil. They grew up and produced a wonderful crop. It was sometimes 30 times as much as the seed, or 60 times, or even 100 times as much as the seed. Listen and understand the story." Jesus' disciples asked Him, "Why do you always teach people by telling stories?" "My stories have a hidden meaning," Jesus explained. "God is letting you see secrets about the Kingdom of Heaven that others cannot see. Only people who want to receive my teaching will understand." Then Jesus quoted a long prophecy from Isaiah. It spoke of hearing but not understanding. That's because some people have closed their minds to God's teaching. So they cannot understand what He means. Those who open their minds to God's teaching will understand. After that, Jesus explained the story about the farmer. He said the seed that fell on hard ground is like people who hear God's Word but don't understand it. Then Satan comes and takes the Word from them. The rocky

4 soil is like those who hear God's Word with joy. But as soon as problems and hard times come, they fall away. The thorny ground is like those who believe God's Word. But wealth and cares crowd it out and choke it to death. The good soil is like those who really believe God's Word and understand it. They let it produce a big harvest by helping more people believe and understand God's Word. DISCUSSION: What kinds of soil did Jesus talk about? What did each soil mean? What happened to the seed in each soil? What happens to God's Word in different people? God's word grows in our heart when we accept it. It will not grow there when we let other things crowd it out. When you read God's Word, do you accept it joyfully? Do you let God do good things in your heart and mind? Don't let too much TV or the wrong kinds of things choke out God's Word in your heart and mind. Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,

5 A QUESTION ABOUT A LAMP Mark 4:21-25 Jesus talked to His disciples about a lamp. He was thinking about an oil lamp with a flame that burns brightly when it is lit. He wanted His disciples to think about how a lamp gives light to our eyes. He hoped this would help them understand that His teaching about God brings light to our mind and heart. Jesus asked, "Who would light a lamp and put it under a basket? Who would light a lamp and put it under a bed? Who would light a lamp and shut out the light in any way? No one would do that! When a lamp is lit, it is put on a lamp stand. Then its light shines to help people see." Jesus went on, "Everything that is hidden now will someday be brought out into the light. Listen and understand. Pay attention to what you hear. The more you pay attention, the more you will understand. Those who pay attention to my teaching will get even more understanding. But those who won't listen to my teaching will lose even what they have." DISCUSSION: Why wouldn't you put a box or basket over a lamp? Why do you turn on a light? What should you do with your ears? Jesus' teaching is in God's Word, and it is like a light. Don't do anything that keeps you from hearing and understanding it. Don't do anything that keeps you from listening to God's truth. Read your Bible each day. Ask God to help you understand it. Ask your parents and your teachers to help you understand it.

6 LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE Instructions: First cross out all words that are days of the week Second cross out all words that are colors Third cross out all words that are names of animals Fourth cross out all words that are numbers SUNDAY BROWN SEVEN LET PIG WHITE SIXTEEN THREE YOUR TURTLE GOLD EIGHT LIGHT FRIDAY SHINE HORSE FOUR RED BEFORE TUESDAY ORANGE PURPLE MEN WEDNESDAY ALLIGATOR FIVE THAT FIFTY RACCOON THEY FROG BLUE MAY MONDAY TWO THIRTEEN GREEN SEE THURSDAY NINETEEN SNAKE YOUR SATURDAY GOOD SQUIRREL DEEDS SUNDAY TIGER AND PRAISE YOUR PINK TUESDAY YELLOW FATHER BLACK BEAR IN FRIDAY HEAVEN GIRAFFE FIVE WEDNESDAY What do the remaining words say? Write them in order on the lines below. Matthew 5:16 Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,

7 A STORY ABOUT A TINY SEED MARK 4:30-34 Here is a story Jesus told about a tiny mustard seed. "How can I tell you about the Kingdom of God?" Jesus asked. "What story would help you understand it?" Jesus, of course, came up with the answer to His own question. "God's kingdom is like a tiny mustard seed. This is one of the smallest of all seeds. But it grows to become one of the largest of all plants. It even has long branches where birds can find a place to be safe." Jesus was teaching about the family of God. At first there were only a few people who believed in Jesus and became part of God's family. It was a very small group of people. But the Kingdom of God grew and grew until it reached around the world. Jesus used many stories like this to help people understand His teachings. When he taught in public, Jesus used stories only. But when He was alone with His disciples, He told them the meaning of the stories. DISCUSSION: How big is a mustard seed? How big is a mustard plant? What can hide in its branches? How is God's kingdom like a mustard seed? God can make big things come from tiny things. Even one Bible verse at the right time might produce great fruit. Your smallest prayer can have big answers. Your smallest work for God can have big things come from it. You may be young, but God can do some wonderful things through you. Ask Him to help you have a part in making His kingdom grow bigger and bigger! Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,

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9 A STORY ABOUT A PEARL Matthew 13:45-46 Here is another story that Jesus taught. It is a story about a pearl. But it is also a story about the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said to His disciples, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl merchant looking for pearls. Someone who buys and sells pearls is always looking for special pearls. He is looking for pearls that are costly and of great value. "One day a merchant like this found a very special pearl. He knew it was the finest pearl he had ever seen. It was a pearl of great value. "So the man sold everything he had to buy that wonderful pearl." Jesus wanted His disciples to know how special the Kingdom of Heaven is. It's a kingdom of great value. And it's worth giving up everything we have in order to become part of it. DISCUSSION: What did the man in Jesus' story do for a living? What did he want to find? What did he find? What did he do when he found the most wonderful pearl of all? Jesus is worth more than anything else. We should be willing to give up anything and everything for Him so we can be part of the Kingdom of Heaven. Is Jesus worth more to you than TV? Is Jesus worth more to you than your toys and computer games? How much time do you spend with Jesus each day? Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,

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11 A STORY ABOUT SOME FISH Matthew 13:47-52 Jesus told this story about some fishermen and their net. But it is also a story about the Kingdom of Heaven. "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net," said Jesus. "Fishermen throw the net into the water and gather every kind of fish. When the net is full, the fishermen drag it to shore. Then they sort out the good fish from the bad. They put the good fish into big wooden boxes. They throw the bad fish away." Then Jesus told His disciples, "This is the way it will be at the time when the world comes to an end. Angels will separate wicked people from godly people. Wicked people will be thrown into the fire. They will cry hard because they will be very sad. Do you understand?" "Yes, we do," said the disciples. Jesus explained that those who teach the Old Testament and the New Testament have a double treasure. They have the treasure of the old law of Moses and the treasure of the new teachings of Jesus. DISCUSSION: What do fishermen catch in their nets? How are angels like fishermen? What will they do? Wicked people cannot live with God in heaven. Only people who love God and have asked Jesus to take their sins away can live there. Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? If you have, He has taken your sins away. If you have accepted Jesus and you give your life to Him every day, you will live in heaven someday. If you haven't accepted Jesus, would you like to now? Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,

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13 JESUS STOPS A STORM Mark 4:35-41 "Let's go across the lake," Jesus said to His disciples one evening. He was already in a boat with the disciples. So they headed across the Sea of Galilee toward the other side. Before long they had left the crowds behind. But there were some other boats that followed them. While they were on the lake, a terrible storm came up. The waves climbed higher and higher, and water began spilling into the boat. Before long it was almost full of water. While this was happening, Jesus was sleeping. He was in the back of the boat with His head on a pillow. The disciples woke Him up. They were shouting because they were afraid. "Don't you care that we're about to drown?" they asked. Jesus spoke to the wind and waves. "Be quiet!" He said. The wind and waves died down quickly. Suddenly everything was calm and still. "Why were you so afraid? Jesus asked the disciples. "Don't you believe in me?" The disciples were filled with wonder. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and the waves obey Him!" DISCUSSION: How do you know that this was a bad storm? How did the disciples feel about the storm? What did Jesus say to the wind and waves? What did the wind and waves do? How did the disciples feel when they saw what happened? The wind and waves obey Jesus. So does the rest of nature. What does this tell you about Jesus? If the wind and waves obey Jesus, shouldn't we?

14 Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,