Week 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus the Messiah
Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:1-2:21

Materials needed for week 1: For Day 1, candles or an oil lamp, incense, stuffed animal, a sheet, and something with which to gag “Zecharias.” For Days 1, 3, and 5, you need Bible-times dress-up clothes. Use oversized men shirts, robes, old sandals, and short lengths of fabric for headdresses. Day 5 is a birthday party, so check that day’s lesson plans to decide which items you need.


Day 1: Read aloud Luke 1:1-25, Conception of John the Baptist.
Memory verses: Psalm 127:1-5.
Visual aid/activity: Have the children help you set up a floor plan in your house as shown below to represent the temple. Clear the area of nonessential furniture. Then, set candles or an oil lamp on a table for the Lampstand, set two loaves of bread on an opposite table for Table of Showbread, burn incense on another end table for the Altar of Incense, use a bowl of water for Basin, set a stuffed animal on a footstool for the Brazen Altar, and use an end table for the Ark of the Covenant. Tack up a sheet for the curtain which divided the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies.
Children may then act out the lesson (while wearing Bible-times costumes), including gagging “Zecharias'” mouth, while you read the Bible passage aloud!
Characters: Zecharias, Elizabeth, the angel Gabriel.
Timeline date: 7 B.C.


Day 2: Read Luke 1:26-38, Conception of Jesus.
Activity: List all times angels have appeared to a person in the Bible.
Craft: Make a wall hanging with Psalm 127 on it. See sample in
Patterns. Children may write the verses in their best handwriting and illustrate with a house, arrows, children, and/or other suitable pictures. In the phrase, “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,” they may substitute their own names for “children.” Frame by gluing to construction paper or lightweight cardboard. Protect with clear contac paper. Display on a prominent wall of your home!
Timeline date: 6 or 7 B.C.


Day 3: Read Luke 1:39-80, Mary Visits Elizabeth.
Visual aid/activity: Children act out as teacher reads aloud.
Discussion questions: Why was Mary joyful? Why did she visit Elizabeth?
Activity #2: Play house.
Timeline date: 5 B.C.


Day 4: Read Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-21, Birth of Jesus, the Christ.
Discussion questions: What made Jesus’ birth special? Share with each child special facts about his/her birth.
Activity: Act out lesson.
Timeline date: 4 or 5 B.C.
Let’s sing!

Mary Had a Little Lamb
sung to the melody of the original Mary Had a Little Lamb


Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb.
Mary had a little lamb, and Jesus was His name.
Born in Bethlehem, He was. Yes, He was. Yes, He was.
Born in Bethlehem, He was. Oh, for my sins He came.
Shepherds came and wise men, too. Wise men, too. Wise men, too.
Shepherds came and wise men, too. They praised our blessed Lord!
He followed on to Egypt-land. Egypt-land. Egypt-land.
He followed on to Egypt-land. Escape from Herod’s sword!
On back home to Nazareth! Nazareth! Nazareth!
On back home to Nazareth! To grow up big and strong!
Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb.
Mary had a little lamb. Praise God! He’s saved my soul!

Notes: Hospitality was an integral part of Jewish culture. The ancient Rabbis had declared that providing hospitality for strangers was as great a duty as receiving the Shekinah glory of God. The fact that Mary and Joseph found no room for them in the inn shows that all the houses in the area were also full. The inn was not a hotel as we Americans know it, but was an open area, usually built in a square, with a large court in the middle for animals and carriages. Unfurnished rooms were in galleries all around it. No payment was expected from travellers lodging there, although someone generally worked at the inn who would provide anything needed for a fee.


Day 5: Have a birthday party for Jesus, Israeli style. In Israel, all of a child’s classmates are invited to his birthday party (30 or more children). Refreshments are served buffet-style, and are likely to include fruits, nuts, raisins, iced cupcakes or plain sponge cake, and hard candy. Beverages are fruit juice or soft drinks. The children sit on the floor to eat, and play party games while eating. Gifts are unnecessary, although friends may bring small homemade gifts. The gifts are never opened while guests are still in the house. Instead of birthday candles, secret wish, and birthday spankings, they seat the birthday child on a special chair which has been decorated with flowers or greens. Crown him with a wreath of flowers, and raise him up, chair and all, once for each year plus one more to grow on.
To adapt these ideas for Jesus’ birthday party:
1) Decoration ideas: Besides the usual streamers and balloons, plaster your home with Israeli flags and maps.
2) Invite all of the children in your class! If you wish, invite another homeschooling family to join you.
3) Serve simple refreshments buffet-style. Everyone sits on the living room floor to eat!
4) Play games while eating, perhaps Hide the Picture of Jesus (like Hide the Button) or Name That Tune (using recordings of religious music).
5) Also while eating, have the youngest child who is able retell the story of Jesus’ birth. Have each child share why he is glad Jesus was born.
6) Make a flower crown for each child. Use real flowers, construction paper, or whatever else you have on hand.
7) Allow each child to have a turn being lifted up in the chair.
8) End the party in a public prayer of thanksgiving for Jesus and the gift of eternal life.

Notes regarding celebration of birthdays:
1) There are only two biblical references to birthday parties. Genesis 40:20 records a feast given by Pharaoh for his servants in honor of his birthday. The cupbearer was restored to his position and the baker was hung. Mark 6:21 tells us about the banquet for Herod’s birthday. This is the setting where Herodias’ daughter danced and John the Baptist lost his head.
2) The early church did not celebrate birthdays. They remembered the anniversaries of a saint’s death. Pagan cultures have always observed birthdays, performing rituals to ward off demons.
3) Birthday observances are neither commanded or prohibited in Scripture. In our family, we remember each child’s birthday with a God-honoring party which says, “I’m glad you were born.”

Notes regarding the date of Jesus’ birth:
December 25 is an unlikely date for Jesus’ birth because:
1) The shepherds are not out in the field during December. That’s the rainy season in Israel.
2) December 25 was first celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in approximately 380 A.D. December 25 is the date of an ancient pagan holiday celebrating the birth of the sun. Festivities included a banquet, generally a roast pig with an apple in its mouth. As evergreens were the only green plants at this time of year, they represented the spirit of vegetation and were used for decoration. The celebration’s purpose was to convince the sun to return and bring back plant life. Gifts were originally a part of New Year’s observances, not Christmas. They were given as a charm, i.e. the greater the gifts you gave, the more prosperous your new year would be. People began giving gifts at Christmas instead of New Year’s when the Church denounced these New Year festivities (which also included banqueting, drinking, and licentiousness).

It is likely that the date of Jesus’ birth was during the Old Testament festival of Feast of Tabernacles for the following reasons:
1) Jesus was born six months after John the Baptist’s birth. (Luke 1:36) Through extra-biblical sources, John’s birth can be established during Passover. (See Rosh HaShanah and the Messianic Kingdom to Come.) Six months after Passover is the Feast of Tabernacles. (For a basic study of the holidays, read Leviticus 23.)
2) John chapter 1 also gives insights. Verse 14 states, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory. . .” The word “dwelt” is literally translated “tabernacled.” It alludes to the tabernacle, which was a type of Christ. It also alludes to the Feast of Tabernacles, when the Jews dwelt in booths. Solomon's Temple, which was also a type of Christ, was dedicated at the time of that feast. It is likely our Lord was born at that time as He suffered at the time of the Passover and the Holy Spirit was poured forth on the day of Pentecost. So it is probable that Christ was born at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, which pointed out his dwelling among us and is hinted at here in the Gospel of John. (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles were the three pilgrimage festivals, i.e. those for which all Jewish men were required to go to Jerusalem.)

Having said all of this, I still feel the Christmas season is your prime opportunity to emphasize Jesus to your children. Each evening, read an appropriate Scripture to your children and find some way to symbolize its meaning, either in deed or in decorating your home (Jesse Tree or paper chain). Suitable themes include Messianic prophecy, names of Jesus, as well as many others. May the Lord be pleased with the observances in each of our families.
Be sure to add events to the Timeline Book!


Week 2: Jesus Presented in Temple, Visited by Wise Men,
Escape to Egypt, and Return to Nazareth
Luke 2:22-40; Matthew 2:1-23

Materials needed: Construction paper for Day 2. Bible-times food for Day 5.


Day 1: Read Luke 2:22-38, Jesus Presented in Temple.
Additional reading and discussion: Read Leviticus 12:1-8.
Why did Mary and Joseph offer turtledoves or pigeons instead of a lamb?
Why did God require a sacrifice at the birth of a child?
Timeline date: 4 B.C.


Day 2: Read Matthew 2:1-12, Wise Men from the East.
Memory verse: Numbers 24:17.
Craft: Each child may cut out a star of construction paper. Write the memory verse on it. Attach to refrigerator with a magnet, or affix to wall in a prominent place where the children will see and read it regularly.
Background information: Numbers 24:17 is the Biblical prophesy referring to the star appearing at Jesus’ birth. Herod was dying of a painful illness when the wise men spoke with him. (He died in 4 BC.)
Timeline date: 4 B.C.


Day 3: Read Matthew 2:13-18, Escape to Egypt.
Visual aid/activity: Act out.
Background information: Herod was exceedingly evil. In order to protect his throne, he had previously killed his own sons and his favorite wife! Killing all baby boys 2 years of age and younger is in keeping with his character!
Sadly enough, the Roman emperor at the time had joked that it was safer to be Herod’s pig than his son! You see, Herod obeyed the Old Testament dietary laws and did not eat pork.
Timeline date: 4 B.C.


Day 4: Read Matthew 2:19-23; Luke 2:39-40, Return to Nazareth.
Visual aid/activity: Act out.
Discussion questions: Do we let God lead us in decisions just as God led Joseph?
Activity for discernment: Watch The Nativity video. (Check availability at your public library.) What has been changed from the truth of the Bible?
Timeline date: 4 B.C.


Day 5: The children may help you prepare a Bible-times meal. Suggested menu: Figs, Grapes , Other fruit, Pita Bread , Cheese, Boiled or Broiled Fish, Biblical Honey Biscuits*

Biblical Honey Biscuits


2 cups honey
2 cups unbleached flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
pinch ginger
pinch cloves

Warm honey and place in large bowl. Stir in spices and whole wheat flour. Add as much unbleached flour as the mixture will absorb, making a stiff dough. Roll dough out between sheets of waxed paper, to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Cut out with a round cookie cutter and place on greased cookie sheet. Make designs on top of biscuit, if desired. Bake at 300 degrees for 20-25 minutes until light golden. These are similar to flour and honey cakes of Biblical days.

Notes: If this menu is too strange for your family, Americanize it! Serve fig newtons instead of figs. Pita bread with cheese and cold cuts should be acceptable to most husbands as an interesting sandwich! Drizzle honey on apple wedges instead of making Honey Biscuits.

Remember, each Bible class should include: 1. Prayer for guidance. 2. Review of Bible verses. 3. Sharing prayer requests and taking them to the Lord. 4. Songs of worship, including the books of the New Testament. 5. Adding the new lesson to each child’s Timeline Book.


Week 3: Jesus in the Temple, The Word Became Flesh, John the Baptist, Jesus’ Baptism
Luke 2:41-3:20; John 1:1-28; Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1- 8

Materials needed: For Days 3 and 4, basin for water and dolls.


Day 1: Read Luke 2:41-52, Jesus in the Temple.
Visual aid/activity: Act out.
Discussion: Joseph and Mary were good parents. What are some things your parents do that Joseph and Mary did?
Timeline date: 7 or 8 A.D.
Memory verses: Psalm 1:1-2 or Psalm 1:1-6.


Day 2: Read John 1:1-18, The Word Became Flesh.
To illustrate verse 17, write each of the fruit of the Spirit on small pieces of paper. Use them to fill a container. The container represents the Law. Jesus is represented by the fruit of the Spirit (or grace and truth). Jesus fulfills (fills is a more literal term) the Law.


Day 3: Read Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8, Luke 3:1-20, or John 1:19-28, John the Baptist.
Visual aid: basin of water and dolls for baptism.
Timeline date: 25 A.D.


Day 4: Read Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, or Luke 3:21-38, Jesus’ Baptism.
Visual aid: basin of water and dolls.
Craft: Make a dove using example found in Patterns.
Timeline date: 26 A.D.


Day 5: Read “History of Baptism from a Jewish Perspective.”
Discuss repentance, salvation, and baptism. Lead your children to Christ, if they are ready.

History of Baptism from a Jewish Perspective


We Christians normally think of baptism as something new with John the Baptist. This is not totally correct. John took an existing ritual and taught its true meaning.
By the time John the Baptist preached, the Jewish regulations concerning conversion were explicit. A person who wanted to convert to Judaism, after declaring a full commitment to all the laws and ordinances of Judaism, was required (if a man) to submit to circumcision and (both men and women) to purification rituals as outlined in Leviticus 15, i.e. bathe in water (immersion) to cleanse themselves. This was required because Gentiles were, as a rule, considered to be “unclean” simply because they did not observe the hygienic laws of the Old Testament.
John the Baptist preached the need for repentance (even for Jews), symbolized by water baptism.


Week 4: Jesus’ Temptation, The Calling of Andrew, Simon, Philip and Nathaniel, The Wedding at Cana, Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13; John 1:35- 2:25

Advance preparation: Duplicate finger puppet pattern for Day 1.
Materials needed: Grape juice for Day 3 and dolls for Day 5.


Day 1: Read Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, or Luke 4:1-13, Jesus’ Temptation.
Discussion questions: How does Satan tempt you? How did Jesus respond to temptation? How should you respond?
Craft: Do Good and Be Bad Finger Puppets. See pattern and instructions in Patterns. Do Good encourages you to obey God. Be Bad tempts you to be naughty.
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 2: Read John 1:35-51, The Calling of Andrew, Simon, Philip and Nathaniel.
Activity: Act out, dressing in Bible-times costumes.
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 3: Read John 2:1-12, The Wedding at Cana.
Notes: In Bible times, wine was mixed with water (3 parts water to 1 part wine).
Activity: Mix grape juice with water using the above proportions. Do you like how it tastes? Why would the Jews mix wine with water? (So as to discourage drunkenness.)
Discussion questions: Do miracles happen today? Note that Antichrist will perform miracles (Revelation 13:13-18).
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 4: Read John 2:13-25, Jesus Cleanses the Temple.
Activity: Act out, dressing up in costume.
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 5: Read “Wedding Customs in Ancient Israel.”
Activity: Play “wedding” with dolls.
Discussion questions: What do you need to do to be prepared to be a godly wife/husband?

Wedding Customs in Ancient Israel
The Jews in ancient Israel had different customs than we do today concerning weddings. They had no dating or courtship rituals. Marriage was a legal matter requiring a contract.
When an Israelite man saw the girl he wanted for his wife, he would approach her and her father with a marriage contract. Several things were written into this ketubah. It would tell how he would love her and provide for her. It also stated a “bride price,” that is, the amount of money he was willing to pay her father for her.
If the girl and her father agreed to the terms of the young man’s ketubah, the bride and groom would drink a cup of wine together, sealing the contract. The groom then paid the “bride price,” a costly sum. After this, the groom would make a little speech along the lines of, “I go to prepare a place for you,” then leave to prepare a bridal chamber.
Old Testament references which support this concept of a “bride price” include Genesis 24:22, referring to Rebekah. “And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten [shekels] weight of gold;” as well as in Ezekiel 16:10-12 where God compares his relationship with Israel to what a man does for his bride. “I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk. I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.”
Let’s get back to wedding customs! The man would then work on making a beautiful bridal chamber for their honeymoon, which would take about a year to complete. During this period of waiting, the bride was referred to as “consecrated” or “bought with a price.”
When the bridal chamber was ready, the bridegroom, accompanied by his friends, would abduct his bride in the middle of the night. In preparation, she and her friends would have their oil lamps trimmed, ready to go at a moment’s notice!
As the bridegroom and the wedding party neared her home, they would yell a warning shout, giving her but minutes to dress and grab her lamp!
When they reached the groom’s house, the bride and groom would shut themselves up in the bridal chamber, not to appear again for seven days, at which time was the marriage supper. During those seven days, the wedding guests would celebrate. This is the setting for the miracle of turning water to wine at the wedding in Cana. It was near the end of the seven days, and the wine had run out.

Be sure to add events to the Timeline Book!


Week 5: Nicodemus, The Woman at the Well, Official’s Son Healed, Jesus in Galilee, Jesus Rejected in Nazareth
John 3:1-21, 4:1-42, 46-54; Matthew 4:12-17; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:14-30

Advance preparation: Duplicate worksheets for Days 3, 4, and 5.


Day 1: Read John 3:1-21, Nicodemus.
Visual aid/activity: Act out.
Notes: Nicodemus was familiar with the terminology of being “born again” in regard to Gentile proselytes, but not in regard to a righteous, Law-keeping Jew. Consider this reference from the Talmud (Jewish oral law and commentary which was compiled around 220 AD, although the teachings go back to Moses). “Shimon Ben-Lakish said, ‘. . .a proselyte is like a newborn infant’” (Yevamot 62a). Nicodemus came to believe in Jesus as the Messiah (Christ). Nicodemus stood up for Him before the Sanhedrin (John 7:50-52) and gave Him a proper burial (John 19:39-42).
This is definitely an appropriate time to discuss how to be saved with your children.
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 2: Read John 4:1-42, The Woman at the Well.
Activity: To understand the use of wells during the first century, carry a bucket of water around outside of the house. Bring it inside. It is the only water you have all day for drinking and washing. Don’t use the bathroom. Designate a private place outdoors for an outhouse.
Song: “Fill My Cup, Lord.”
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 3: Read John 4:46-54, Official’s Son Healed.
Activity: Trace Jesus’ travels on the map of Israel worksheet. (John 1:29; 2:1; 2:12; 2:13; 3:22; 4:3; 4:4; 4:43; 4:46)
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 4: Read Matthew 4:12-17, Mark 1:14-15, or Luke 4:14-15, Jesus in Galilee.
Discussion questions: Who lives in this geographical area now? What crops grow there? Using yesterday’s map, highlight Galilee and the things it is known for.
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 5: Read Luke 4:16-30, Jesus Rejected in Nazareth.
Notes: It was common to ask respected men to read the Scripture readings in the synagogues. Jesus ends in the middle of Isaiah 61:2. Perhaps He did not finish reading the entire allotted portion for that Sabbath. Jewish regulations required the reader to read at least twenty verses.
Activity: Worksheet I or II.
Timeline date: 27 A.D.

Remember, each Bible class should include:
1. Prayer for guidance.
2. Review of Bible verses.
3. Sharing prayer requests and taking them to the Lord.
4. Songs of worship, including the books of the New Testament.
5. Adding the new lesson to each child’s Timeline Book.


Week 6: Fishers of Men, Healing Man with an Unclean Spirit, Healing Simon’s Mother-in-Law, Cleansing a Leper
Matthew 4:18-22, 8:1-4, 8:14-17; Mark 1:16-34, 40-45; Luke 4:31-41, 5:1-16

Advance preparation: Prepare Fishers of Men Game for Day 5.
Materials needed: Oil for Day 3. For Day 4, you need a book on health and diseases. Check with your public library if you don’t have one in your personal library. Day 5: index cards.


Day 1: Read Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, or Luke 5:1-11, Fishers of Men.
Discussion and activity: How can you be a fisher of men (or girls or boys)? Think about how to witness to others. Draw a picture of yourself doing it.
Song: “I Will Make You Fishers of Men.”
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 2: Read Mark 1:21-28 or Luke 4:31-37, Healing Man with an Unclean Spirit.
Discussion: Are there demon-possessed people today? Where?
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 3: Read Matthew 8:14-17, Mark 1:29-34, or Luke 4:38-41, Healing Simon’s Mother-in-Law.
Memory verse: James 5:14-15.
Song: “Give Me Oil in My Lamp.”
Activity: Anoint a child with oil. Oil represents the Holy Spirit.
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 4: Read Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45, or Luke 5:12-16, Cleansing a Leper.
Assign an older child to read and report on portions of Leviticus 13.
Browse a book on health and diseases. Find pictures of skin diseases. How may these diseases be prevented?
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 5: Play the Fishers of Men Game!

Instructions: Cut 3 x 5 index cards in half. Write an instruction on one side of the cards (asking a child to recite a Bible verse or asking a Bible lesson fact). On the reverse, draw a simple picture of a fish.

To play: Shuffle cards. Stack face down. Players alternate drawing a card. If player can do as the card asks, he keeps the card and takes another turn. If he can’t, the card is returned to the bottom of the pile and play passes to the next person. Game ends when all cards in the stack have been drawn. Winner is the one with the most cards.


Week 7: Healing a Paralytic, Jesus and Matthew, Fasting, Healing at Bethesda
Matthew 9:1-17; Mark 2:1-22; Luke 5:17-39, John 5:1- 47


Day 1: Read Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, or Luke 5:17-26, Healing a Paralytic.
Activity: Act out!
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 2: Read Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17, or Luke 5:27-32, Jesus and Matthew.
Notes: Other gospels refer to Matthew as Levi.
Activity: Act out, dressed in Biblical costume!
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 3: Read Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22, or Luke 5:33-39, Fasting.
Activity: Fast and pray during one meal today.
Also read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
Memory verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1.
Notes: Wine represents joy or the Holy Spirit.
Timeline date: 27 A.D.


Day 4: Read John 5:1-47, Healing at Bethesda.
Notes regarding v. 3-4: Archaeological excavations of this site have revealed that a health rite took place at Bethesda during the Roman period.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.

Day 5: Review memory work by playing Fishers of Men. Add Ecclesiastes 3:1.


Week 8: Sabbath Disputes, Choosing the Twelve Disciples, Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 12:1-14, 5:1-12; Mark 2:23-28, 3:1-6, 3:13- 19; Luke 6:1-26

Advance preparation: Prepare the Twelve Disciples Card Game for Day 5.
Materials needed: Index cards.

Day 1: Read Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28, or Luke 6:1-5, What is Lawful on the Sabbath?
Memory verse: Exodus 35:2-3.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 2: Read Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, or Luke 6:6-11, More Sabbath Disputes.
Memory verse: Deuteronomy 5:14.
Discussion questions: How can we help other people with needs?
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 3: Read Mark 3:13-19 or Luke 6:12-19, Choosing the Twelve Disciples.
Memory work: Memorize the names of the twelve disciples.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 4: Read Matthew 5:1-12 or Luke 6:20-26, Sermon on the Mount.
Sing: “Peace Like a River.”
Memory verse: Matthew 5:9.
Activity: Pick one beatitude and prepare a short speech about it.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 5: Play the Twelve Disciples Card Game. Cut apart cards (found in Appendix - Games) and glue to index cards. Use to play Lotto, Go Fish, etc. Color the cards as indicated below.

Color Chart for Stones:
1. Jasper -- In ancient times, jasper designated any transparent stone. This could be a diamond. -- Simon Peter
2. Sapphire -- Deep blue. -- Andrew.
3. Chalcedony -- White. -- James, son of Zebedee.
4. Emerald -- Rich green. -- John.
5. Sardonyx -- Red and white stripes. -- Philip.
6. Sardius -- Deep purplish red. -- Bartholomew.
7. Chrysolite -- Red, brown, or yellow. -- Thomas.
8. Beryl -- Green, light blue, yellow, or pink. -- Matthew.
9. Topaz -- Yellowish brown. -- James, son of Alphaeus.
10. Chrysoprase -- Light green. -- Thaddaeus.
11. Jacinth -- Brownish-reddish orange. -- Simon the Zealot.
12. Amethyst -- Purple. -- Judas Iscariot or Paul.


Week 9: Salt and Light, The Life of the Law, Our Model Prayer, Jesus’ Teaching
Matthew 5:13-48, 6:1-34, 7:1-12; Luke 6:27-42

Advance preparation: Duplicate worksheets for Day 2.
Materials needed: For Day 1, salt, candle, and and large clear glass jar. For Day 2, seeds to plant. For Day 4, play money and puppets. For Day 5, a rock and a snack.


Day 1: Read Matthew 5:13-16, Salt and Light.
Also read Mark 9:49-50.
Songs: “Give Me Oil in My Lamp,” “This Little Light of Mine.”
Visual aid: Salt.
Science activity: Light a candle. Cover with a jar so that no oxygen can reach it. Watch the flame go out while singing the verse in “This Little Light of Mine” about hiding your light under a bushel.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 2: Read Matthew 5:17-48 or Luke 6:27-36, The Life of the Law.
Activity: Plant a seed in soil. Plant kind words in your heart. Watch them both grow.
Crossword Puzzle I or II.
Crossword Puzzle I answers:
1. love
2. eye
3. evil
Crossword Puzzle II answers:
1. commandments
2. law
3. Moses
4. heaven
5. Yeshua
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 3: Read Matthew 6:1-18, Our Model Prayer.
Songs: “Whisper a Prayer,” “Standin’ in the Need of Prayer.”
Activity: Each child writes (or dictates) a prayer modeled after the Lord’s Prayer.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 4: Read Matthew 6:19-34, Jesus’ Teaching.
Visual aids: play money, puppets (v. 19-21).
Discussion: What does a person with a “good eye” do? (v. 22-23) In Jewish tradition, having a “good eye” means “being generous” and having a “bad eye” means “being stingy.”
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 5: Read Matthew 7:1-12 or Luke 6:37-42, More of Jesus’ Teaching.
Visual aids: jewelry (v.6), snack and rock (v. 7-12).
Timeline date: 28 A.D.

“My brethren, be not many masters (teachers), knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” James 3:1
The Greek word for masters or teachers is “didaskalos” which means an instructor, that is, a doctor, master, or teacher. The Greek root word is “didasko” which means “to teach.” “To teach” means
-- to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them
-- to be a teacher
-- to discharge the office of a teacher, conduct one's self as a teacher
A related Greek word is “didache” meaning doctrine or what has been taught.


Week 10: Gates, Prophets and Trees, Build Your House on a Rock, Healing the Centurion’s Servant, Widow’s Son
Matthew 7:13-29, 8:5-13; Luke 6:46-49, 7:1-17

Advance preparation: Plan Narrow/Broad Path for Day 1.


Day 1: Read Matthew 7:13-23, Gates, Prophets, and Trees.
Activity: Make a narrow path and a broad path on the floor using masking tape to define lines. Tape down pictures or words along each path as shown on example in Patterns section. Children may walk along the path. Discuss consequences of choices made early in life. See diagram in Patterns. Alternatively, copy diagram (one per child) for children to color and draw upon.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 2: Read Matthew 7:24-29 or Luke 6:46-49, Build Your House on a Rock.
Visual aid: In a large pan, place sand at one end and a large flat rock at the other. Place a small houses built from legos on the sand and one on the rock. Pour a pitcher of water on both. Practice this so the right house is washed away.
Song: “The Wise Man Built His House Upon a Rock.”
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 3: Read Matthew 8:5-13 or Luke 7:1-10, Healing the Centurion’s Servant.
Visual aid/activity: Act out.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 4: Read Luke 7:11-17, Widow’s Son.
Visual aid/activity: Act out.
Memory verses: James 5:13-18, Romans 8:28.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 5: Play a game to review memory verses.

Many of Jesus’ teachings were in the form of parables. It brings spiritual truths down to a concrete level. Look for impromptu opportunities in your daily life to point out examples of these parables.


Week 11: Jesus and John the Baptist, Wicked Generation, Parable of Two Debtors, Healing and Blasphemy
Matthew 11:2-19, 12:22-45; Mark 3:22-30; Luke 7:18- 50

Materials needed: Recordings of music suitable for Davidic dance for Days 2 through 5.


Day 1: Read Matthew 11:2-15 or Luke 7:18-30, Jesus and John the Baptist.
Also read Isaiah 35:4-6.
Memory verse: Malachi 4:5.
Craft: Using construction paper, write out the text of Malachi 4:5 in your neatest handwriting. Illustrate. Post in an obvious place to remind you of this new memory verse.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 2: Read Matthew 11:16-19 or Luke 7:31-35, Wicked Generation.
Discussion questions: What was the appropriate response to John’s teaching? To Jesus’?
Timeline date: 28 A.D.
Activity: Davidic dance! Check with a synagogue or Jewish cultural center for Israeli folk dancing classes in your community. If not available, I have included instructions for the Hora.

Hora Step and Dance
Starting position: All participants are in a circle holding hands.
Suggested music: I Will Talk to My Brothers by Lamb.
1. Left foot steps to left side.
2. Right foot steps behind left foot.
3. Left foot steps to left side.
4. Right foot kicks to the front.
5. Left foot kicks to the front.
6. Repeat 1-5 until end of song.


Day 3: Read Luke 7:36-50, Parable of Two Debtors.
Visual aids: container of perfume, play money. Sit around a table with place settings.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.
Activity: Continue Davidic dance.


Day 4: Read Matthew 12:22-45 or Mark 3:22-30, Healing and Blasphemy.
Discussion questions: How can a house be divided against itself? What is the unpardonable sin?
Illustrate the concept of a kingdom divided against itself with a chess set. What if the black rook decided to capture a black knight, etc.? Play chess having one side capturing its own men.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.
Activity: Continue Davidic dance.


Day 5: Worship the Lord through Davidic dance. Here are instructions for the Mayim.

Mayim Step
1. Right crosses over in front of left foot.
2. Left foot steps to the left.
3. Right crosses behind left foot.
4. Left foot steps to the left.

Mayim Dance
Starting position: All participants are in a circle, holding hands.
Suggested music: Any upbeat music written in 4/4 time.
1. Take four mayim steps.
2. Starting with right foot, take four steps forward. Raise arms.
3. Starting with right foot, take four steps backward. Lower arms.
4. Repeat 1-3 until end of song.

Pray with your children during daily devotions and teaching sessions as well as during your private prayer time. Pray for their spiritual growth, their future spouses, and any other specific needs.


Week 12: Parables: Sower, Wheat and Tares, Mustard Seed, Leaven, and More Parables
Matthew 13:1-52; Mark 4:1-25, 4:30-34; Luke 8:4-18

Advance preparation: Prepare a treasure hunt for Day 5.
Materials needed: For Day 1, seeds, flowerpots, and rocks. For Day 3, mustard seed. For Day 4, yeast and the other ingredients for bread. For Day 5, fishnet, paper fish, and a wrapped gift.
Notes: Continue the Davidic dance this week and as long after as you wish.

Day 1: Read Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-25, or Luke 8:4-18, The Sower.
Discussion question: How can you share your faith?
Activity: Prepare an experiment as illustrated in this parable. Plant a seed next to a well-traveled road. Plant one in a flowerpot which contains mostly rocks and only a little soil. Plant one in another flowerpot along with seeds for thorns. (Gather thorn seeds outside.) Plant one seed in a flowerpot with potting soil. After the one seed grows into a plant, remind the children of the parable and its meaning.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 2: Read Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Wheat and Tares.
Activity: Pull weeds in your garden or yard. Show the children how pulling one weed out can disturb a plant next to it.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.

Day 3: Read Matthew 13:31-32 or Mark 4:30-32, Mustard Seed.
Memory verse: Matthew 17:20.
Activity #1: Sample some mustard seed. (Crush it first.) Then, sample some prepared mustard.
Activity #2: Plant a mustard seed. Watch it grow.
Notes: A mustard seed is proverbial for the smallest of small. Mustard seed plants in Israel are much larger and more tree-like than those of the U.S.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 4: Read Matthew 13:33-35 or Mark 4:33-34, Leaven.
Activity: Mix yeast with water and sugar. Watch it rise. Use this yeast mixture to make bread. Also make unleavened bread (tortillas or biscuits. Leave out the baking powder or baking soda.) Compare the two. Just as yeast makes dough rise, the Holy Spirit grows in us and makes us wise and loving. If you don’t have the Holy Spirit, Satan’s evil can grow in you in the same way.
Notes: This is the only Biblical reference where yeast symbolizes good. In all other passages, yeast represents sin.
Timeline date: 28 A.D. Day 5: Read Matthew 13:44-52, More Parables.
V. 44: Have a treasure hunt! Wrap and hide a special gift. Send the children out to search!
V. 45-46: Act out the parable of the pearl.
V. 47-50: Fishnet bag and paper fish for visual aid.
Song: “Fishers of Men.”
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Week 13: Jesus Calms the Sea, Gerasene Demoniac, Jairus’ Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage, Two Blind Men and a Dumb Demoniac
Matthew 8:18, 23-34, 9:18-34; Mark 4:35-41, 5:1-43; Luke 8:22-56

Advance preparation: Duplicate worksheets for Days 2 and 4.
Materials needed: For Day 1, bowl and toy boat.
Notes: Continue Davidic dance this week and as long after as you wish.


Day 1: Read Matt 8:18, 23-27, Mark 4:35-41, or Luke 8:22-25, Jesus Calms Sea.
Visual aid: shallow bowl with water for sea and toy boat to float on it.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 2: Read Matt. 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, or Luke 8:26-39, Gerasene Demoniac.
Worksheet I, II or III.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 3: Read Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, or Luke 8:40-56, Jairus’ Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage.
Notes: The hem of Jesus’ garment was the fringe or tassels. (The Hebrew term is tzitzit.) All Jewish men were required to have this on their garments in accordance with Numbers 15:37-41.
Activity: Act out.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 4: Read Matthew 9:27-34, Two Blind Men and a Dumb Demoniac.
Activity: Gag all children (or just one as a visual aid!) during the lesson.
Discussion questions: Are there demon-possessed people today?
Worksheet I or II.
Worksheet I Answer Key:
Across------------------------- Down
1. dumb -------------------------- 2. blind
3. faith -------------------------- 5. Israel
4. devil --------------------------- 7. spoke
6. possessed
8. two
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 5: Play Fishers of Men!


Week 14: Jesus Not Honored in Nazareth, Sending Out the Twelve, John the Baptist Beheaded, 5000 Fed
Matthew 9:35-11:1, 13:53-58, 14:1-21; Mark 6:1-44; Luke 9:1-17; John 6:1-14

Advance preparation: Prepare bread and/or fish for Day 4’s lunch.
Materials needed: For Day 2, twelve clothespins.


Day 1: Read Matthew 13:53-58 or Mark 6:1-6a, Jesus Not Honored in Nazareth.
Visual aid/activity: Act out.
Discussion questions: Do you know of anyone who does great things and is respected by many persons, but people who have known him all their lives aren’t impressed?
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 2: Read Matthew 9:35-11:1, Mark 6:6b-13, or Luke 9:1-6, Sending Out the Twelve.
Discussion questions: How do you show love to your family? How do you show love toward God? (Matt. 10:35-39) Would you want to go out with no money or extra clothes?
Activity: Make 12 puppets from clothespins. Draw faces, add clothes, glue yarn on their heads for hair.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 3: Read Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29, or Luke 9:7-9, John the Baptist Beheaded.
Discuss why this type of dancing is wrong. A charger is a platter.
Activity: Davidic dance.
Timeline date: 28 A.D.


Day 4: Read Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, or John 6:1-14, 5000 Fed.
Timeline date: 29 A.D.
Choose one or more activities.
Activity #1: Eat crackers (for bread) while listening to lesson.
Activity #2: Serve small loaves of bread and fish in a basket for lunch.
Activity #3: Make and eat Barley Bread.

Barley Bread
1 cups warm water
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 wheat flour
1 Tbsp. honey
1 3/4 cups barley flour (Grind pearl barley in a home flour mill or even in a blender.)
1 pkg. yeast

Soften yeast in water. Add salt, honey, olive oil and half of the flours. Add remaining flour to make a dough. Knead. Allow to rise 45 minutes to 1 hour. (It will not rise well as barley contains no gluten.) Shape into a round loaf and placed on greased cooky sheet. Allow to rise again, then bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Variation: For a more biblical recipe, use cooked lentils and beans for the liquid. Shape into a round loaf, about 1/2 inches thick. Bake at 375 until done.


Day 5: Twelve Disciples Card Game.


Week 15: Jesus Walks on Water, What is Unclean?, Syrophoenician’s Daughter, Jesus Heals a Deaf-Mute
Matthew 14:22-36, 15:1-31; Mark 6:45-56, 7:1-37; John 6:15-24

Materials needed: For Day 1, aluminum foil or paper. For Day 3, bread or crackers. For Day 4, a video.


Day 1: Read Matthew 14:22-36, Mark 6:45-56, or John 6:15-24, Jesus Walks on Water.
Activity: Make small boats from aluminum foil or folded paper to float in the bathroom sink.
Discussion questions: Why can’t we walk on water?
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 2: Read Matthew 15:1-20 or Mark 7:1-23, What is Unclean?
Activity: Wash your hands!
Discussion: Does washing hands before eating make you righteous? If your heart is unclean (sinful), can you wash away the sin with soap and water?
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 3: Read Matthew 15:21-28 or Mark 7:24-30, Syrophoenician’s Daughter.
Activity: Have the children sit around a table and eat a snack of bread (or crackers). Hopefully, some crumbs will fall to the floor! Ask them to think about how they would feel if they were not allowed to eat at the table, but were only allowed to eat the crumbs.
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 4: Read Matthew 15:29-31 or Mark 7:31-37, Jesus Heals a Deaf-Mute
Activity #1: Watch a video with no sound. This is what it would be like to have no hearing.
Activity #2: Pretend to be mute. You cannot make any sounds with your voice. How can you communicate?
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 5: Choose a game for review.


Week 16: 4000 Fed, Religious Leaders’ Evil Hearts, Blind Man Healed, Who is Jesus?
Matthew 15:32-39, 16:1-20; Mark 8:1-30; Luke 9:18-20

Materials needed: For Day 1, a map of Israel. For Day 2, a loaf of bread and yeast. For Day 3, tacks and children’s blocks.


Day 1: Read Matthew 15:32-39 or Mark 8:1-10, 4000 Fed.
Notes: The feeding of the 5000 was among Jews. Gentiles took part in this miracle of feeding the 4000.
Activity: Find Tyre and the Sea of Galilee on a map (the places of these two similar miracles).
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 2: Read Matthew 16:1-12 or Mark 8:11-21, Religious Leaders’ Evil Hearts.
Visual aids: loaf of bread, yeast.
Activity: Dissolve yeast in water. Watch it expand.
Song: “Who Did Swallow Jonah?”
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 3: Read Mark 8:22-26, Blind Man Healed.
Choose one or more activities.
Activity #1: Blindfold children during the reading of this lesson.
Activity #2: Learn the Braille alphabet. (See next page.) Write your name or a message using it.
Activity #3: Use tacks in alphabet blocks to make a set of Braille alphabet blocks. This is especially nice since Braille is a kinesthetic activity!
Activity #4: Write Braille messages using gummed dot stickers.
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 4: Read Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30, or Luke 9:18-20, Who is Jesus?
Activity: Continue working with Braille from yesterday.
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 5: Choose a game for reviewing memory verses.


Week 17: Jesus Foretells His Death, Deny Yourself, The Transfiguration, Epileptic Healed
Matthew 16:21-28, 17:1-21; Mark 8:31-9:29; Luke 9:21- 43a

Materials needed: See Day 1 for items needed for a wallhanging or banner. For Day 2, play money, paper hearts and a Christian biography. For Day 5, envelopes and poster board for Jeopardy game.


Day 1: Read Matthew 16:21-23, Mark 8:31-33, or Luke 9:21-22, Jesus Foretells His Death.
Discussion questions: If Peter knew Jesus was the Christ, why did he say this? What did he expect of Jesus? Have any of your close friends ever given you bad advice?
Craft: Choose one memory verse for the children to design into a wallhanging or banner. Use markers and construction paper for a simple one or use felt or fabric and design something classy! Be creative! "And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deut. 6:9
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 2: Read Matthew 16:24-28, Mark 8:34-9:1, or Luke 9:23-27, Deny Yourself.
Visual aids: play money, paper hearts.
Memory verse: Matthew 16:26.
Supplementary reading: Spend a few weeks reading aloud to the children a biography of someone who lost his/her life for Jesus’ sake. Check your church library for resources.
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 3: Read Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, or Luke 9:28-36, The Transfiguration.
Notes: Peter’s offer was not as strange as we normally think. Old Testament saints were normally welcomed into booths or tabernacles at the fall holiday, Feast of Tabernacles. (or Booths. The Hebrew term is Sukkot.) See Leviticus 23:33-36.
This event occurred 6 days after the last event. (See Matthew and Mark.)
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 4: Read Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29, or Luke 9:37-43a, Epileptic Healed.
Memory verse: I John 4:7-8.
Sing: “Greater is He That is in Me.”
Discussion questions: How did a boy get an evil spirit in him? By the father’s request, Jesus healed him. Does that mean an evil spirit gained entrance into the boy as a result of the father’s actions or involvement in the occult?
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 5: Play Jeopardy! Use gamecards from Fishers of Men game. (Also add new question cards from recent lessons.) To make gameboard, attach and label envelopes to poster board as shown in diagram below. Place one question card in each envelope. Rules of play are the same as in the TV gameshow.


Week 18: Jesus Foretells His Death Again, Money From a Fish, Who is the Best?, Forgiveness
Matthew 17:22-27, 18:1-35; Mark 9:30-50; Luke 9:43b- 50

Advance preparation: Duplicate wordsearch for Day 3.
Materials needed: Day 4: play money.


Day 1: Read Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:30-32, and Luke 9:43b-45, Jesus Foretells His Death Again.
Discussion: Compare and contrast all three accounts.
Activity: Have an older child look up these words in the dictionary: betray, deliver, perceive.
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 2: Read Matthew 17:24-27, Money From a Fish.
Game: Play the card game, “Go Fish.” The winner gets a dime. (Glue the dime to a paper fish.)
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 3: Read Matthew 18:1-14, Mark 9:33-50, or Luke 9:46-50, Who is the Best?
Activity: Act out Matthew 18:12-14.
Timeline date: 29 A.D.
Song: “Baa Baa Black Sheep
Wordsearch.


Day 4: Read Matthew 18:15-35, Forgiveness.
Visual aid: play money
Notes: Jesus is instructing us in how to handle conflicts within a congregation.
Sing: “This is My Commandment.”
Memory verses: I Corinthians 6:1-9a; Deuteronomy 19:15.
Timeline date: 29 A.D.


Day 5: Twelve Disciples Card Game variation: Take out one of the Judas Iscariot cards. Use deck to play Old Maid. (The remaining Judas is the Old Maid.)

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