Introduction to Parents and Teachers
ccording to Malachi 4:4-6, one of the final steps in the prophetic timeline is the bonding of children and adults to each other around the study of God’s Word. On the borders of the Promised Land Moses also emphasized interaction between parents and children as the way to transmit a knowledge of God meaningfully (Deut. 6:4-9). A wealth of current educational research substantiates interaction as the key to learning. The bonding of children with parents and other significant adults results in benefits ranging from enhanced intelligence to protection from drugs, premarital sex, and other risk-taking behavior.

Church members have the privilege of augmenting these benefits by taking time to involve children in church life. This is how children learn to feel needed and appreciated. Belonging to a church family fills a deep emotional need that is not met elsewhere and that leads to bonding with Christ.

The theme of this Week of Prayer is “United by the Word of God.” Although it is not an easy concept for children, these readings engage them in practical Bible study about drawing close to one another as they draw closer to Christ.

Each lesson is based on interaction and active learning (leader instructions are in italics). Ask the Holy Spirit to guide as you prepare and lead. Take time to listen to children’s responses. Sometimes it feels uncomfortable to wait for answers, but the children will be much more thoughtful and interested if you allow them to share their thoughts. With full participation, everyone in the class, including you, will gain new insights.

God will bless as children come into loving fellowship with you and Christ.

Story—A Reason to Listen
This Week of Prayer we will study about some of the ways the Bible helps us draw closer to Jesus and closer to each other. Today as I tell you a Bible story, I want you to be ready to answer questions. Sometimes I will ask you, “Was this good to do?” or “Was this bad?” Sometimes I will ask other questions, and I will be eager to hear what you think. Then we will find out that even though the Bible was written a long time ago, it tells you and me what we are supposed to be doing.

In the Old Testament we find many exciting stories of David, the shepherd boy who grew up to be the king of Israel. Can you remember some of the stories? [Allow time for the children to respond.] Let’s talk about the time God helped David kill Goliath, the giant who wanted to hurt God’s people. Remember that the Israelites cheered for David. Was it good for the people to cheer? Why did they feel like cheering? Was it good for David to kill the giant? When King Saul heard the people cheering for David, he became jealous, and after a while he decided to kill David. Was that good? Saul and his army searched for David in the wilderness. But God protected David and his men. Saul and his army failed to find him again and again.

One time David crept into the camp of King Saul at night and took his spear. How do you think Saul felt in the morning when he discovered his spear missing? How do you think David’s men felt when they found out what he had done? Do you think they cheered for David?

King Saul and his men set out on a mission to destroy David. David and his men, however, had a different mission. Their mission was to do what God wanted them to do. They were sure God did not want them to hurt King Saul, so in the wilderness they depended on God and only defended themselves. Which group did the right thing?

Some 2,000 years ago Jesus lived on this earth. Before He went back to heaven He gave a job, or a mission, to all of His followers. We read about that mission in the Bible. Jesus is a king, right? So how would you describe Jesus’ followers? Can we think of them as the King’s soldiers? As His Christian soldiers? What mission or job did Jesus give us before He went back to heaven? We find it in our Bible verse for today. Are you and I His followers? Yes, so this mission is for us.

Bible Verse
Matthew 28:19, 20: “Go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have told you.”*

Bible Verse Activity—My Week of Prayer Bible Scroll
[Provide eight pieces of paper and two end pieces of some kind. (Use sticks, dowel rods, chopsticks, etc.) Have each participant glue the eight pages together side by side, then glue on the end pieces. Roll the two ends toward the center to form a scroll. Each day have the participants write the Bible verse on the next page width of the scroll and decorate around it. On the back side of the scroll, in the middle of the length (so it will show when the scroll is rolled up), have each one write “My Week of Prayer Bible Scroll.”]

Application
In the Bible we learn many stories about people who did the work God gave them to do: David led God’s people; Dorcas made clothes for people; Bezaleel made the beautiful furniture for the sanctuary in the wilderness; Moses led God’s people out of Egypt. Whenever God gives someone a job to do, He helps them do it. That applies to you, too.

Can you think of a way to share the love of Jesus with people you know? What do you like to do? God has given each one of us different talents. Some can speak up front; some can write; some can sing; some can help by working or doing other things. Let’s list what you could do. [Write or picture the children’s ideas on a writing board or flipchart.]

We have listed lots of good ideas. Choose one of them to use in sharing Jesus’ love. [Encourage the children to report the results to you the next time you meet.]

Story—A Reason to Listen
[Get reports on witnessing from the assignment last time.]

What happened to you when you talked to people about Jesus? During today’s story I will ask you to share your ideas, and sometimes I will ask you to vote. Do you know what it means to vote? I will ask you a question, and if you think the answer is Yes, you will put your thumb up like this. If you think the answer is No, you will put your thumb down like this.

Last time we talked about the mission that God’s Word gives us. What is that mission? Who is supposed to do it? Today we’re going to talk about some boys who loved to study God’s Word and wanted to follow God’s mission for them. Some-thing happened that I hope will never happen to you. But we can learn from their experience. A long, long time ago enemy soldiers took these boys far away from home. But God stayed with them. They did not get hurt; instead the king of the foreign country they went to sent them to school. Because they were far away, their parents could not help them make decisions.

What would you do if that happened to you? If your mommy and daddy could not help you, how would you decide what is right to do?

These boys loved God. And when the school gave them food to eat that had been offered to idols, they thought very carefully about whether they should eat it. At last they decided not to eat the king’s food.

Now I want you to vote. Did they make a good decision? If you vote Yes, put your thumb up. If you vote No, put your thumb down.

Do you remember the names of these boys? That’s right, they were Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. How did they decide what to eat?

[Give hints as needed to help children refer to what the boys had been taught at home, and what the Bible says about food.]

Did God help them with their decision? Do you vote Yes? Do you vote No?

When these boys finished school, they got good jobs in the government. Does that mean they did not work for God anymore? I want you to vote again. If you vote Yes, put your thumb up. If you vote No, put your thumb down. That’s right, even though the government paid them, they remained very loyal to God and did the work He gave them to do.

One time the king had his servants build a huge statue. It was as tall as a nine-story building. The king covered the entire statue with gold. Then the king commanded all of his workers to meet with him in front of the statue. He forced them to bow down and worship the statue. At that time Daniel was traveling for the king, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went with the other government workers to the statue. They heard the king’s command.

What would you have done? Imagine that you lived in Babylon and worked for King Nebuchadnezzar. How would you have responded that day? Did the king give anyone a choice about whether or not to worship the statue? What did the king tell his workers?

Yes, they had to worship the statue or die. Would you be willing to die rather than worship a statue? I want you to vote. If you vote Yes, put your thumb up. If you vote No, put your thumb down. Is that a hard choice? How did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego make their choice? How did God honor them when they honored Him?

When we have to make choices and decisions, whom can we depend on for help? Can we believe what our friends tell us? Can we depend on what the king or president tells us to do? Can we just choose what we like best? Where do we find out what is right?

God’s Word—the Bible—is what we can always depend on to tell us what is right and true.

Bible Verse
John 17:17: “Make them ready for your service through your truth. Your teaching is truth.”

Bible Verse Activity—My Week of Prayer Bible Scroll
[Have the group write this verse into their scroll and decorate it.]

[Provide construction paper or other heavyweight paper. Have each group member cut out the letters M T R F Y S T Y T Y T I T, which are the first letters of each word in the Bible verse. Also have them cut a J to represent John 17:17. Provide yarn so they can loop these letters together in order as an aid to remembering the words. As they work, discuss with them the importance of studying the Bible so they can be prepared to make good choices.]

Application
On a yucky, rainy afternoon Marcus and his friend Antonio worked together on scrap wood Marcus’ dad had given them to build a racing car. “It will be fun to take this car to the top of the hill and ride down,” Marcus said as he sawed a piece of wood for the door.

“I’m going to give it a running start, then jump inside for a faster ride,” Antonio added excitedly. They were having so much fun that they didn’t notice how fast time passed. Suddenly Mother called Marcus for dinner.

“What time is it?” Antonio exclaimed.

“It must be close to 6:00,” Marcus replied.

“Oh, no,” wailed Antonio. “I was supposed to be home at 5:00. What will I tell my mother?”

What would you tell your mother if this happened to you? Would it be OK to tell a lie if it would get you out of trouble? I want you to vote. If you vote Yes, put your thumb up. If you vote No, put your thumb down. Is that a hard choice? How would you decide what to do?

[Encourage the children to study the Bible as much as possible. When they have God’s Word stored in their minds, it will help them make good choices and decisions.]

Story—A Reason to Listen
Today we will discuss something else wonderful about the Bible. Have you ever waited for something exciting to happen? What was it? Today we are going to talk about a girl who waited for something exciting. Then we will talk about something exciting that is going to happen to all of us. I want you to be thinking about how you would feel if you were Keisha, the girl in our story. Then I want you to be ready to share your ideas about the event that we will all experience.

Keisha was 10 years old and loved bicycle riding. How many of you are 10 years old? Do you like to ride bikes? It was springtime, and all of the girls Keisha played with had nice new bicycles. But Keisha still rode an old bike made for a smaller child. How do you think she felt about that?

“Oh, Daddy,” Keisha said one afternoon when Daddy came home from work, “I wish so much that I could have a nice new big bike like my friends have.”

“Well,” said Daddy, “we will have to see about that. Do you have any money to buy a new bike?”

“I don’t have very much, but I will save all of my allowance after I pay tithe and offerings,” Keisha replied.

“Then that makes two of us,” said Daddy. “I will save the money that is left after paying the bills, and when we have saved enough, you shall have that new bike.”

“Oh, thank you, Daddy!” Keisha was so happy that she jumped up and down with excitement.

A few weeks went by while Keisha and Daddy saved all the money possible. Finally the day came when she and Daddy went to the bicycle store to look at all the bikes. Keisha saw just the bike she wanted. It had blue-and-white fenders, a red seat, and red grips for her hands.

“It is the right size for you,” said Daddy. “We will return in a few days to purchase it.”

Early the next morning as Daddy was shaving, Keisha asked, “How long do you think it will be before we can bring my bicycle home?”

“I don’t know, but it will not be today,” Daddy said. Every morning for two weeks Keisha got up early to talk to Daddy while he shaved. She told him all the plans she had for riding her new bicycle with her friends and running errands for Mother. Then she would ask, “Is this the day that we will bring my new bicycle home?”

One morning she started in again. “Is this the day . . .”

“Yes,” said Daddy, “today is the day!”

“Oh, goody, goody!” Keisha cried.

Can you remember how you felt about something you waited for? Was it exciting?

In the Bible Jesus has told us that something even better is going to happen soon! What? Yes, Jesus is going to come from heaven to take us home with Him. Let’s read what He said in John 14:1-3. [Read one verse at a time, and ask the children what each one means.]

Our Bible verse tells us we can’t even imagine how wonderful heaven will be.

Bible Verse
First Corinthians 2:9: “No one has ever seen this. No one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

Bible Verse Activity—My Week of Prayer Bible Scroll
[Have the group write this verse into their scroll and decorate it. Once they have completed writing the words, you can engage them in conversation on the following two subjects.]

1. This verse tells us that when Jesus comes again to get His people and take them to heaven, it will be better than they can imagine. How good is your imagination? What do you think heaven will be like? [Have a group member read Revelation 21:15-22:5.] What does this tell you about heaven? Does this give you other ideas of what heaven will be like?

[See, Early Writings pages 14-20, for Ellen White’s first vision and her description of heaven.]

2. Is there anything about Jesus’ second coming or heaven that scares you?

[Listen carefully to the responses and encourage each one to be good friends with Jesus each day and trust Him. Show respect for all expressed feelings and ideas. Nobody will get to heaven by being criticized. Many young people are afraid that they won’t be ready, or they are afraid that they will be separated from beloved pets or friends or family.]

Application
Matthew 24 tells some of the things that will happen before Jesus comes. Let’s look at what He said.

[Write the following list where the children can see it. You may have a participant who wants to do the writing for you. Discuss whether each event has already happened or is happening now: People will try to fool you (verse 4); wars (verses 6, 7); famine (verse 7); earthquakes (verse 7); religious persecution (verse 9); some Christians lose their faith (verse 10); false prophets (verse 11); evil things happening (verse 12); the gospel preached to the whole world (verse 14); false christs (verses 24-26); sun dark, moon not light, stars fall (verse 29); everyone will see Jesus coming with clouds in the sky (verse 30).]

Story—A Reason to Listen
What are we studying during this Week of Prayer? Yes, we are studying about the Bible and how it helps us draw closer to Jesus and to each other. Today I’m going to tell you another Bible story. (Person) is going to help me and stand by the door. As soon as you know the name of the story I am telling, tiptoe over to the door and whisper the name of the story into my helper’s ear. If you are right, stay with (him/her) by the door.

The man hurried as he got ready to leave on a sales trip. This trip excited him because of all the money he would make. He quickly loaded everything on his donkey’s back. His family gathered around to help and say goodbye. As he started out the gate of his home near Jerusalem, his wife called to him, “Be careful on that dangerous road.”

“Don’t worry; I’ll be fine,” he called back. After several miles the difficult and scary part of the trip began. He turned onto the path leading down through the canyons to Jericho. The sun’s heat reflected from the huge rocks on each side of the path. The man’s donkey brayed nervously. What did he hear? Anything or anyone could be hiding among those rocks. The man tried to hurry, but the hot and heavily loaded donkey refused to go any faster.

[Continue telling the story until all of the children have guessed the story.]

Suddenly without warning cruel hands grabbed the man from behind. Painful blows rained down on his head and back. Within seconds they dragged his donkey out of sight. He thought of his dear family at home who would never see him again or know what had happened to him; then he lost consciousness.

[By now the group should be gathered around the door. Assign them roles: the man, the donkey, thieves, Levite, priest, Samaritan, and innkeeper. If you have a larger group, assign also family members and rocks. Direct a simple play of the story.]

Bible Verse
John 13:35: “All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.”

Bible Verse Activity—My Week of Prayer Bible Scroll
[Have the group write this verse into their scroll and decorate it.]

Application
For the third-and-fourth-grade class, recess time had come. Everyone headed for the soccer field. Jorge announced that it was Juan’s and his turn to be team captains.

“OK, I’ll pick first,” said Juan, and he chose Miguel to be the first member of his team.

Jorge picked Manuel, and the choosing continued until both teams had six players. José stood alone at the edge of the field. He had not been picked for either team. José was thin and short and wore thick glasses.

Has that ever happened to you, or happened at your school?

“Everyone’s been picked except José,” Juan said. “Everyone knows he’s not much good at soccer, and besides, the teams are even.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” the other boys chimed in. “We don’t want José spoiling our game.”

José turned quickly and walked away. He didn’t want the guys to see tears in his eyes. “It’s OK,” he mumbled. “I know you’re right.”

“Well, it’s not OK,” shouted Miguel as he pushed his way through the group. Miguel raced after José. “José is my friend, and he is part of our class. If you don’t want him to play, then I won’t play either.”

“Come on, José; let’s play a game of our own,” Miguel said as he and José left.

This took the boys by surprise. Miguel was the best soccer player in the class. If he didn’t play it would ruin the whole game. All at once, soccer didn’t seem much fun anymore.

The boys slowly wandered over toward José and Miguel. José was busy talking and drawing something in the dirt while Miguel laughed. “What are you doing? Can we play?” Juan asked sheepishly.

“Sure, if you’re smart enough,” said Miguel. “You have to listen really carefully to José’s rules for this game he has invented.”

José explained that the object of the game was to be the fastest person to jump to the end of a maze while losing the fewest points. José had drawn the spaces where they had to jump, but if there was an X in a space, they couldn’t land there. Instead they had to jump two spaces. If there was a heart shape in a space, they had to cross their arms over their heart as they jumped. If there was a 5 in a space, they had to clap their hands above their head and yell “High five” as they jumped.

Everyone wanted to try, so José agreed to be the scorekeeper. He counted down: “3, 2, 1, GO!” As the others jumped they discovered new spaces—X’s, heart shapes, and 5’s—so that the maze looked different every time. Sometimes they had to cover three or four spaces at once.

“Hey, it’s my turn to keep score,” said Manuel. “I don’t believe José can do this, since he’s made the maze so difficult.” José just smiled.

Everyone stood around watching to see what would happen. “3, 2, 1, GO!” Manuel yelled. José took off like a kangaroo. In seconds he had jumped perfectly through the maze. Nobody even had time to add new spaces or marks. Just then the bell rang, and recess ended.

Who can tell me what happened in this story? Who was Jesus’ follower?

[Help the children understand that Miguel was Jesus’ follower because he stood up for his friend. José was Jesus’ follower because he didn’t get angry and was happy to include everyone in his game.]

Is this story anything like the good Samaritan? How?

Story—A Reason to Listen
Today we will learn that God’s Word teaches us how to have happy, loving families. During the story you are going to provide the sound effects. When I say “How would that sound?” you do your best to make realistic sound effects. So listen carefully in order to be ready to do your part.

One time Paul and his friend Silas walked along a road, inviting people to follow Jesus. There in the street they saw a young slave girl possessed by an evil spirit. When people paid her money, she would tell what would happen to them in the future. Her owners got rich from all the money she collected. This slave girl began to follow Paul and Silas, yelling to everyone that they were God’s servants. Day after day she shouted. How would that sound?

Paul and Silas knew that the girl was devil-possessed, so Paul prayed, and the evil spirit came out of her. Being healed made her so happy, but it made her owners angry. How would angry slave owners sound? They knew she could not make any more money telling fortunes. Paul and Silas had ruined their business. The slave owners went to the authorities and complained so much that an angry crowd gathered around to beat Paul and Silas. How would that sound? Then soldiers came and threw Paul and Silas into jail. The jailer pinned down their feet so they would be in pain and not be able to move.

Have you ever been punished for doing something good? How did you feel about that? Can you imagine being put in jail for helping someone? How do you think Paul and Silas felt? Do you wonder why God allowed this to happen to them? Paul and Silas trusted God so much that they were not afraid. When nighttime came, instead of sleeping, they prayed and sang songs of praise. How would that sound? All through the jail other prisoners listened to Paul and Silas. The jailer listened to them too. What kind of men would pray and sing in prison? Would you?

At midnight a terrible earthquake shook the prison walls. Have you ever felt an earthquake? How would it sound? During the earthquake the doors flew open, and everybody’s chains fell off. The jailer’s job depended on guarding the prisoners. If they escaped, he would be killed. When he saw the earthquake damage, he feared all of the prisoners had escaped. For that reason he decided to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Don’t hurt yourself! We are all here!” (Acts 16:28). How would that sound?

The amazed jailer saw that no prisoners had run away. He knew that Paul and Silas had to be good men. He had heard them sing and pray. Now they had protected his life.

It was Paul and Silas’s turn to be surprised. The jailer asked them, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” (verse 30).

Paul and Silas answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all the people in your house” (verse 31).

The jailer took Paul and Silas into his home for a bath and good food. The Bible says that the jailer and his family  asked to be baptized immediately. How do you think they felt then? The Bible verse tells us.

Bible Verse
Acts 16:34: “He and his family were very happy because they now believed in God.”

Bible Verse Activity—My Week of Prayer Bible Scroll
[Have the group write this verse into their scroll and decorate it.]

[Have them clap their hands in time to the rhythm as they repeat the Bible verse. Then invite them to make up a tune for the verse so they can sing it.]

Application
God’s love changes families just as it changed the jailer and his family. Here is an illustration to help you understand why this happens. Write a name of one of your family members in each spoke of the wheel. As the spokes come closer to Jesus in the center of the wheel, what happens to the family members? As the jailer and his family came closer to the love of Jesus, they also became closer and happier as a family. This can happen in your family, too.

Draw and color a picture of your family. Write this heading at the top of your picture:

“Jesus Brings Us Together”

Turn the picture over when it is finished and draw lines to represent puzzle pieces. Cut the picture apart on the lines you have drawn, then mix the pieces and put the puzzle together.

Story—A Reason to Listen
Last time we talked about how God’s Word helps us have happy, loving families. But the Bible also teaches us how to love everyone, not just our families. In the story I’m going to tell now, every time you hear me say the word “neighbor” I want you to clap your hands. We are going to find out how important neighbors are, and who is a neighbor. (Hopefully the children will clap, showing that they understood your instructions.)

One day a lawyer asked Jesus, “What must I do to get life forever?” (Luke 10:25). The lawyer already knew that the Bible teaches us to love God most of all, and love our neighbor (clap) as much as we love ourselves. So he asked Jesus another question: “And who is my neighbor?” (clap) (Luke 10:29). What did he really want to know? Was his neighbor (clap) a person who lived next door to him, or one of his relatives, or a person who went to church with him, or someone of his own race or country? Could a neighbor (clap) be a stranger?

Jesus knew this man had studied the Scriptures but did not live the way they taught. Outside he pretended to do right, but on the inside he did not really love God or others. Jesus wanted to help him learn to love those around him.

Jesus answered him by telling about an event everyone in Jerusalem had been talking about. Two days ago we studied the story of the man beaten by thieves and helped by the Samaritan. That really happened on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho a few days before the lawyer came with his question. Jesus told how thieves had beaten up the man and stolen everything he had, almost killing him. Two religious leaders came down the road and saw him lying there, but hurried on as fast as they could. Neither one wanted to help, even though the man was like them. They all belonged to the same race, the same country, and the same church.

Who came along a few minutes later? Yes, a Samaritan man. Samaritans lived nearby, but the Jews hated them. Very strict Jews would not look at a Samaritan or talk to one, much less touch or help one. When the Samaritan man saw the man lying wounded on the road, he stopped to rescue him. He bandaged his wounds, cared for him overnight in a hotel, and the next day arranged for the hotel owner to take care of the man until he got well. The Samaritan promised to pay the rest of the bill when he came back.

When Jesus finished telling the story, He asked the lawyer, “Which one of these three men do you think was a neighbor [clap] to the man who was attacked by the robbers?” (Luke 10:36). What do you think the lawyer said? Yes, he understood what Jesus was teaching him. Jesus told him, “Then go and do the same thing he did!” (verse 37).

Our Bible verse for today says, “Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ” (Ephesians 4:32). We all belong to the human family. God wants us to treat every person with kindness and respect.

Bible Verse
Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.”

Bible Verse Activity—My Week of Prayer Bible Scroll
[Have the group write this verse into their scroll and decorate it.]

[Provide a writing board or a flip-chart. Write the following words on separate small pieces of paper: Jesus, lawyer, donkey, priest, Samaritan, rocks, Levite, hotel oil and wine, money, neighbor. Fold the papers, and hand them out to the group members, with the instructions to keep the words secret. One by one children draw pictures to represent their secret word. The rest of the group guesses the word. When the word is guessed, ask what part it played in the story about neighbors.]

Application
Are you ever tempted to think that someone is not as good as you are? Maybe they have a different skin color, or they come from a different country. Maybe someone has done something really bad. Maybe you are better at doing something than other people. If you are tempted to look down on someone, remember that God loves everyone, and wants all His friends to be like Him, just as He taught the lawyer that a neighbor is anyone who needs our help. Jesus is happy to forgive you, and will help you forgive others when they make mistakes.

Mr. Noriega, a man from the country of Panama, is in jail because he broke his country’s laws and did many bad things. Is he our neighbor? One man decided to go to the prison and have Bible studies with Mr. Noriega. This Christian man thought he was the only one forgiving enough to talk to Mr. Noriega about God. But he had a big surprise. Mr. Noriega opened a drawer and pulled out some letters. These letters were from children in a Christian school. One little girl’s letter said something like this:

Dear Mr. Noriega,

I love you, and Jesus does too. I want you to love God and give your heart to Him so you can go to heaven. I am going to be in heaven, Mr. Noriega, and I want you to be there too. I will look for you in heaven, and I will be very sad if you are not there.

Your friend,

(And the little girl signed her name)

Boys and girls, you do not have to wait until you are a teenager or a grown-up to share Jesus and His love with others. Like the little girl who wrote the letter, you can begin right now to tell people how much God loves them. When Jesus comes again, there will be only two groups of people in the world: those who are God’s friends and those who are not. God wants everyone to be His friend and part of His family. When you are forgiving and kind, you help people want to be friends with God. Talk to someone today about God’s love.

Story—A Reason to Listen
Can you tell me what it means to worship God? Today we will study verses in the Bible that teach us how to worship. First, if you cannot yet read, I want you to find a partner who can read. I will give you a minute to get together with your partner. I have verses written on cards that I am handing out to you and your partner. As we go along I will ask your partner to read the verse, and then you tell me in your own words what you think the verse means. As we study the Bible together, God will help us understand true worship.

[On a writing surface, be prepared to make two lists. One will be the reasons the young men would not worship the statue. The other will be a list of what we learn about true worship from the Bible verses that are read.]

Do you remember the story in the Bible about three young men who refused to worship a statue? They were captives in Babylon, and they were Daniel’s friends. Can you tell me their names? Of course, we talked about this story just a few days ago. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, wanted them to worship a statue he had built. Tell me what happened.

Why did they refuse to worship? Let’s make a list of reasons. You tell me what I should write down. [Be respectful of all the ideas the children offer.]

How did God honor those young men who refused to worship the statue?

So we see from this story that there are right and wrong ways of worshiping. Let’s read a Bible verse that teaches us a right way to worship God.

[Ahead of time, prepare cards with one of the verses of Psalm 100 written on each one.]

Who has the card with Psalm 100:1? Please read that for us and tell us what you understand it to mean.

 [The reading partner will read. The nonreading partner will give the meaning. Begin your list of good worship ideas.]

 Does this mean it is reverent to shout?

Who has the card with Psalm 100:2? Please read that for us and tell us what you understand it to mean.

[Encourage the children to express their ideas about good worship from this verse, and add them to the list. Continue with verses 3-5. By the time you are finished your list may include—among other ideas—the joyfulness of worship, music, worshiping the Creator God, and praise. You may want to help the children memorize a verse from Psalm 100 instead of the additional verse given below.]

Bible Verse
Psalm 95:6: “Come, let’s bow down and worship him. Let’s kneel before the Lord who made us.”

Bible Verse Activity—My Week of Prayer Bible Scroll
[Have the group write this verse into their scroll and decorate it.]

Application
In a certain kingdom, two boys, Henry and Robert, received a royal invitation to meet the king. What a great honor and privilege! Neither one of them had been inside a palace before. Fortunately their invitation came with instructions about what to do and how to act.

Henry looked at the instructions, threw them away, and said to himself, “I’m just as good as the king. I don’t have to do anything special to meet him.”

Robert read the instructions very carefully to make sure that he would dress and act in a way that showed proper respect for the king.

The great day finally arrived. Both boys entered the palace. Henry ran around making noise and touching everything he saw. Before he had a chance to meet the king, guards came and escorted him back out of the palace and sent him home.

Robert’s clothes were neat and clean. He was quiet and respectful as he waited his turn. At last the king greeted him kindly and visited with him as they walked together through the gardens and in the palace. For the rest of his life Robert remembered this wonderful day.

Have you ever been invited to meet with a king? When? Is the king you meet with just the king of one country? Do you have the instructions on how to show proper respect for the King?         [Lead the group to see the privilege of time with God each day.]

Plan a short worship for your family. Choose one or two praise songs to sing. Choose a Bible story to tell. Think about what to say when you pray. Write your ideas down on paper. Practice with your dolls or stuffed animals for an audience before worshiping with your family.

Story—A Reason to Listen
We have come to the last day of our Week of Prayer. We have studied some of the wonderful ways God’s Word draws us closer to Jesus and to each other. Today I need six of you to draw a simple picture. Here is paper and an assortment of pens. These are the six pictures I need: Creation, the Flood, exodus from Egypt, captivity in Babylon, the cross, and the Second Coming. Choose one you want to draw.

[Allow about five minutes for drawing, encouraging children to make a sketch rather than thinking they should produce a finished picture.]

What have we been learning about this week? Where do we find out what our mission is? Where can we learn what is true? Where can we find the most exciting news in the world? Yes, in the Bible. It is the most important book in the world. Can you tell me why?

Who wrote the Bible? Who told them what to write? God Himself guided the writers so He could talk to us through the Bible. People buy more Bibles than any other book in the world. People have translated the Bible into more languages than any other book.

What kinds of things do you learn from the Bible? We need the Bible to help us because we live in a sinful world. Satan tries hard to get us to disobey and doubt God. But in the Bible we find how God continues to lead His people all the time.

Let’s use your pictures to think about that. Of these six pictured events, which one happened first? second? third? fourth? fifth? sixth?

[Line up the “artwork” in order: Creation, the Flood, the exodus, the captivity, the cross, and the Second Coming.]

When you look at these pictures in order, you are looking at an outline of all human history. We would not know this without the Bible. Every story and prophecy and promise in the Bible fits in and around this set of pictures. The Bible tells one long story about God and His people from Creation until Jesus comes again.

Can you remember a young person in the Bible who studied God’s Word?

[Accept all answers and adjust the discussion to the children’s contributions.]

While growing up, Jesus studied the Scriptures very carefully. At 12 years of age He could discuss the meaning of the Scriptures with the religious leaders in the Temple. Someone please read Luke 2:46 and 47 for us. Would you be able to do that? Here is a beautiful promise for you from The Desire of Ages, page 70: “Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did. As we try to become acquainted with our heavenly Father through His word, angels will draw near, our minds will be strengthened, our characters will be elevated and refined. We shall become more like our Saviour.”

Now one of you please read what King David wrote in Psalm 119:11. The Bible helped David learn to do right from the time he was a young shepherd boy.

Timothy also studied the Bible. Someone please read what Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:15. I’m sure in Bible times there were many other boys and girls who loved God’s Word.

 Jesus warned us (Matthew 24:24) that just before He returns, false christs and false prophets will come and try to fool God’s people into not believing the truth. We need the most important book in the world to protect us from that danger. When you look at these six pictures, can you tell where Jesus lives? Where David lived? Where Timothy lived? Where we live? Yes, we are close to the time of Jesus’ second coming, the very time when He warned us we would especially need His truth to protect us.

[Have the children fit into place other Bible stories.]

Bible Verse
Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my way.”

Bible Verse Activity—My Week of Prayer Bible Scroll
[Have the group write this verse into their scroll and decorate it. They will need to complete the scroll and take it home.]

Application
What is the most important thing you have learned from the Bible during this Week of Prayer? Would you like to have a better character? Study the Bible. Would you like to be more intelligent? Study the Bible. Would you like to be ready to meet Jesus when He comes? Every day, talk to Him as your best friend in prayer, and let Him talk to you through the Bible.

How many of you are willing to let God talk to you through the Bible every day? If you can’t read yet, ask someone to read to you from the Bible.

It is the most important book in the world because through its pages God speaks to you.

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^* All verses are from the International Children’s Bible.

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Martha J. Feldbush, M.Ed., is an experienced Adventist educator and writer living in Silver Spring, Maryland. She is currently writing curriculum development and children’s ministries materials and providing therapy for children with language-based learning disabilities. Her deep desire is to help children and youth learn to know and love Jesus Christ.