Heroes of the Bible

Lesson # 1: Jesus Christ

“So God created man in his own image…” (Genesis 1:27).  In this lesson we’ll talk about how God has revealed himself through the character and qualities of His Son Jesus Christ.

The workbook helps the kids explore some of these qualities so that they may know better how God wants them to live.

Lesson # 2: Noah

“Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation, and he walked with God” (Genesis 6:9).  Today we’ll talk about the qualities and courage that had Noah finding favor in the eyes of God.

The workbook centers around helping the kids practice obedience.

Lesson # 3: Abraham (Part 1)

“The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.  I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you” (Genesis 12:1-2).  Today we’ll talk about Abraham’s faith and obedience for which God greatly rewarded him.

The workbook helps the kids to practice doing “the right thing.”

Lesson #  4: Abraham (Part 2)

“Yet he (Abraham) did not weaken through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he promised” (Romans 4:20-21).  Today we’ll talk about Abraham’s faith and courage when God asks him to sacrifice his only son Isaac.

The workbook encourages the kids to practice being courageous this week.

Lesson # 5: Joseph

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).  Today we’ll talk about the servant nature of Joseph that enabled him to go from being a slave to being the second in command in all of Egypt.

The workbook encourages the kids to practice having the attitude of a servant.

Lesson # 6: Moses (Part 1)

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commands I give to you today are to be upon your hearts” (Deuteronomy 6:5-6).  In this lesson we’ll talk about the qualities of Moses that allowed him to deliver the Ten Commandments to the people of Israel.

The workbook helps the kids review the Ten Commandments and their meaning.

Lesson # 7: Moses (Part 2)

“Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever” (Deuteronomy 5:29).  Today’s lesson focuses on Moses’ fear (awe or reverence) of the Lord and how God used this fear to help Moses lead an entire nation.

The workbook helps the kids to learn the importance of reverence for God and to practice hearing His Word.

Lesson # 8: Joshua

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).  Joshua was Moses’ assistant who was chosen by God to be Israel’s leader after Moses died.  We’ll talk about Joshua’s qualities of faith, obedience, strength and courage that allowed him to take the nation of Israel into the land that God promised to give to Abraham and his descendants.

The workbook helps the kids practice making God’s Word living and active in their lives.

Lesson # 9: Gideon

“When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12).  Gideon was one of the judges of Israel, who led the nation of Israel during the period of time between the death of Joshua and the ministry of Samuel.  We’ll talk about Gideon’s qualities of availability, confidence in the Lord and humbleness that allowed God to use him to defeat the Midianites and restore peace to Israel.

The workbook challenges the kids to be available to God.

Lesson # 10: Samson

“…the boy is to be a Nazarite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines” (Judges 13:5).  Samson was one of the judges of Israel, who led the nation of Israel during the period of time between the death of Joshua and the ministry of Samuel.  We’ll talk about Samson’s strength through God’s power that allowed the Lord to use him to defeat the Philistines and restore peace to Israel.

The workbook encourages the kids to explore the power and strength that they receive from the Holy Spirit as believers in Jesus Christ.

Lesson # 11: Ruth

“But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.  Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).  Ruth was the great grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus.  We’ll talk about Ruth’s qualities of love and devotion that God used in bringing about His plan of salvation to the world.

The workbook encourages the kids to be devoted to their family and to their friends.

Lesson # 12: Samuel

“And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men” (1 Samuel 2:26).  Samuel was the last judge of Israel and prophet whom God used to establish the kingship in Israel.  Today we’ll talk about Samuel as a young boy and his devotion and service to God.

The workbook helps the kids to consider what their service to the Lord is.

Lesson # 13: Saul (Part 1)

“But the people refused to listen to Samuel.  “No!” they said.  We want a king over us.  Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles” (1 Samuel 8:19-20).  Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel.  In Part 1 of this series we’ll talk about how God can change a person’s heart so that God’s plans will be accomplished.  It also underscores the importance of obeying God – even if you’re an anointed king!

The workbook encourages the kids to trust in God’s power in their life.

Lesson # 14: Saul (Part 2)

“You acted foolishly,” Samuel said.  “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.  But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command” (1 Samuel 13:13-14).  In Part 2 of this series we’ll talk about Saul’s disobedience to God and the consequence of his decision to disobey God.

The workbook encourages the kids to obey and heed God’s voice.

Lesson # 15: David (Part 1)

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7(b).  Today we’ll meet David, a shepherd boy who God chose to be the next king of Israel.

The workbook encourages the kids to be a person after God’s own heart.

Lesson # 16: David (Part 2)

“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God if the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (I Samuel 17:45).  Today’s lesson is an oldie but goodie – the story of David and Goliath.  We’ll talk about David’s courage and trust in God.

The workbook encourages the kids to trust in God in all things – even GIANT problems!

Lesson # 17: David (Part 3)

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).  David wrote this Psalm after the prophet Nathan came to him after David committed adultery with Bathsheba.  We’ll briefly talk about the story of David and Bathsheba and but focus more on David’s repentance and the consequence of his actions.

The workbook encourages the kids to make good decisions.

Lesson # 18: Solomon (Part 1)

“I will do what you have asked.  I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever have been.  Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for – both riches and honor – so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.  And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life” (I Kings 3:12-14).  Solomon, King David’s son and successor to his throne as king of Israel, asked God for wisdom to govern the nation of Israel.  Today we’ll talk about wisdom and its importance.

The workbook encourages the kids to value wisdom.

Lesson # 19: Solomon (Part 2)

“King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth” (I Kings 10:23).  Even with all of Solomon’s wisdom, his heart turned away from the Lord.  We’ll talk about Solomon’s achievements but also his disobedience to the Lord.

The workbook encourages the kids to remain faithful to God.

Lesson # 20: Elijah (Part 1)

“Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him” (I Kings 16:30).  Before we meet Elijah, we need a brief review of the history of the kings of Israel and Judah, from the time of Solomon’s death until Ahab arrives to become king of Israel.  Then we’ll briefly meet Elijah and talk about why he was sent to Israel and King Ahab.

The workbook encourages the kids to learn and follow God’s commands.

Lesson # 21: Elijah (Part 2)

“As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word” (I Kings 17:1).  Today the prophet Elijah confronts king Ahab about abandoning God’s commands.

The workbook encourages the kids to be bold in their faith in the Lord.

Lesson # 22: Elijah (Part 3)

“Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth” (I Kings 17:24).  How did Elijah know that God would send fire and burn up his sacrifice when he challenged the prophets of Baal?  How was he sure that God would send rain again?  How did Elijah develop such strong confidence in God?  Today we’ll talk about some reasons why Elijah had such complete confidence in God.

The workbook encourages the kids to develop confidence in God and trust that the word of the Lord is true.

Lesson # 23: Job

“Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job?  There is no one on the earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.  And he still maintains his integrity, even though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason” (Job 2:3).  Job was a man who did all that was right and was also very rich.  But even after he lost everything he owned Job still maintained his integrity.  Today we’ll talk about integrity and why it’s important.

The workbook encourages the kids to explore the truth of Scripture.

Lesson # 24: Nehemiah

“…O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel…” (Nehemiah 1:5-6).  Nehemiah returned from exile in Babylon in 445 BC.  He went to Jerusalem and led the people in repairing the walls of the city.  Today we’ll meet Nehemiah: a man of prayer.

The workbook encourages the kids to understand the importance of prayer.

Lesson # 25: Isaiah

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?”  And I said, “Here am I.  Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).  We’ll talk about some of the prophecies that Isaiah foretold about the Messiah, and the fulfillment of those prophecies in Jesus Christ.

The workbook encourages the kids to understand that fulfilled prophecy is one key to knowing that the Bible is true.

Lesson # 26: Jeremiah

“Get yourself ready!  Stand up and say to them whatever I command you.  Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.  Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land – against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land” (Jeremiah 1:17-18).  The prophet Jeremiah spoke to the people of Judah at the time of their exile to Babylon about their accountability to God.  Today we’ll talk about standing up for God even in difficult situations.

The workbook encourages the kids to stand up for God.

Lesson # 27: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).  Today we’ll meet three young men and talk about their loyalty and devotion to God.

The workbook encourages the kids to be loyal friends.

Lesson # 28: Daniel

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem.  Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God just as he had done before” (Daniel 6:10).  Another oldie but goodie – Daniel and the Lion’s Den.  We’ll talk about being trustworthy and committed to serving God.

The workbook encourages the kids to be trustworthy and committed to serving God.

Lesson # 29: Jonah

“The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”  But Jonah ran away from the Lord…” (Jonah 1:1-3).  In our Heroes of the Bible series this year, Jonah may be the person to who we can relate to the best.  Jonah is at best a reluctant hero.  We’ll talk about how God accomplished his purpose through Jonah, even though Jonah wanted no part of God’s plan for him.

The workbook encourages the kids to submit to God’s will for their lives.

Special Thanksgiving Lesson: Giving Thanks and Thanks Giving

“Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known among the nations what he has done.  Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” (Psalm 105:1-2).  Today we’re going to count our blessings – and then do something with them – give!

The workbook helps the kids think of ways to give in a new way!

Special Christmas Lesson: An Unforgettable Christmas Eve

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2: 10-11).  Senator John McCain shares the story of an unforgettable Christmas Eve in a POW Camp in the Vietnam War.

The workbook looks at the meaning of, O Come All Ye Faithful.

Special Easter Lesson: The Dragon

“he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:5).  A fictional story helps teach is the truth of Easter.

The workbook helps the kids understand the spiritual battle around us and why God had to send Jesus.

National Day of Prayer Lesson

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).  Instead of studying today, we’re going to be doing.  We’re going to spend our lesson time praying to the God who created us and sustains us for the people of our country.

The workbook invites the kids to write a prayer for the people of our country.

Story Time

One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:25).  The thought of “telling your story” – how Jesus Christ came into your life, can be a little uncomfortable.  Perhaps you’re afraid of failing or that you won’t know what to say.  But if Jesus Christ is in your life, you do have a story to tell, and learning how to tell your story may be just what it takes to bring the good news of Jesus Christ into someone’s life.

The workbook gives you ideas, suggestions and an outline to help you put your story together.