The Tower of Babel

The Tower of Babel

Wednesday, November 20th & Sunday, November 24th

Key Passage: Genesis 11:1-9

Basic Truth: God is sovereign!

Memory Verse: Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.  Deuteronomy 4:39

Think about it: 

Most of us, at one time or another, have built sand castles on the beach.  The fun of making them big and imposing is tempered by the knowledge that our unique handiwork will probably be swept away by the next high tide.

We also make detailed life plans for success and achievement, all too often without seeking first to be sure that our aims and wishes are in accord with what the Lord’s calling is for us.  But, apart from Him, the “best laid plans” may have no more stability than our sand castles in the changing tides of life. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21)

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: Why is it important that there is only ONE God?

A: God is sovereign--He has the final say about everything!

Grade 1-2

Q: How can God have total control over everything?

A: God has total control over everything because He sees and knows everything. He has absolute power and authority over everything.

Q: Does God see everyone and everything that is happening?

A: Yes! Psalm 33:13-14

Q: Does God control what happens to you? 

A: He knows everything about us and everything that happens to us!

Grade 3-4

Q: How does pride turn us away from God?

A: Pride causes rebellion and disobedience. When I think that I am more important than God and I can do things my own way, I will not see that I need Him or accept His authority. 

Q: Why are there different nationalities and languages in our world today? 

A: God caused it. The tower of Babel was the beginning of races and nations of our world. Every part of our history comes from God's plan.

Q: When God makes a plan, who can stop Him? 

A: no one!!

Grade 5-6

Q: Why does God care what I do? 

A: We are created for God's purposes and He will not allow mankind to alter or interfere with His sovereign plans. 

Q: We often want our own way instead of God's way. Will anyone ever win a fight against God? 

A: No! God is sovereign and no one can stop His plans.

Q: The people in the story were prideful. Why is pride wrong?

A: Pride keeps us from accepting God's authority. We think we're right and we want our own way and disregard what God says.We become rebellious and disobedient, ignoring that we are created for His purposes. 

Family Activities:

1) Discuss problems communicating with people who speak other languages. Why can God communicate with all? (He made the different languages and He knows everything.)

2) Review the first 12 memory verses

To see all of Lesson 11 click the links below:

Grade 1-2

Grade 3-4

Grade 5-6

God Rescued Noah

God Rescued Noah

Wednesday, November 13th & Sunday, November 17th

Key Passage: Genesis 7:1-9:17

Basic Truth: God is faithful

Memory Verse: For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.  Psalm 33:4

Think about it: 

Our government spends millions of dollars every year to provide advance warnings of approaching storms.  But all such alarms are useless if the people who are in harm’s way do not respond to the warnings.

Do we as believers claim to have faith to believe that God will do what He says He will do, then fail to obey His specific commands to us?  How then can we escape His righteous judgment?  “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.” (Hebrews 11:7)

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: What does it mean to be faithful?

A: Faithful means to be totally reliable, keeping every promise.

Grade 1-2

Q: Why can we trust God's promises?

A: God is faithful. He will not forget His promises or change His mind. God has all power and authority and is able to do whatever He says He will do.

Q: Can anything stop God from carrying out His plans? 

A: NO! God is ALWAYS able to do whatever He says He will do!

Q: Why do people break promises? Does that ever happen with God?

A: People change their mind, forget, or are not able to keep it. But God will never break His promises.

Grade 3-4

Q: Why do we need to do things God's way?

A: God's way is always right. God provided only one way for sinners to escape punishment. If we don't trust God and accept His way, we will be separated from Him forever. 

Q: Why does God want people to repent? 

A: He doesn't want us to be separated from Him forever, so He chose to give sinners a chance to "repent and live". 

Q: In this story who did God offer mercy and grace to?

A: All of the people! But only Noah and his family accepted it and followed God's commands. 

Grade 5-6

Q: Why would God bring such a devastating flood? 

A: God is faithful in consistently following through on what He has promised. God is holy and just and will not tolerate sin. He demonstrates His power and authority so mankind will know that He alone is God!

Q: What is a covenant?

A: A contract or binding agreement defining the obligations of each party in the relationship

Q: What were both sides of the covenant God made with Noah? Could other people join this too?

A: God promised to save Noah and his family from the flood if Noah built the ark and entered it. Noah preached and warned the people but they ignored Him. If they had come in faith, God would have offered this to them as well. 

Family Activities:

1) Encourage each family member to record in your journal specific ways that God has been faithful. Share what you have written with your family.

2) Read Genesis 7:17-9:17

To see all of Lesson 11 click the links below:

Grade 1-2

Grade 3-4

Grade 5-6

God's Warning of a Flood

God's Warning of a Flood

Wednesday, November 6th & Sunday, November 10th

Key Passage: Genesis 6:5-22

Basic Truth: God calls sinners to repent

Memory Verse: For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!  Ezekiel 18:32

Think about it: 

Signs reading “STOP! BRIDGE OUT”, forecasts of violent weather, our national “Early Warning System” to guard against incoming nuclear missiles - all these serve to alert us to danger, so we can take action for our own well-being.  They are given to us, often at considerable expense, by those who value our lives.  But people who ignore the warnings, and choose to go on living as they please, may well be swept away without further mercy.

God’s love paid a terrible price at Calvary for our sins.  And God’s holiness will send sure judgment on those who continue to despise and reject His love.  “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7, NASB)

Pray that God’s message of mercy and judgment is clear to us!

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: What does it mean to repent?

A: Repentance causes me to have regret over my sin and turn from it.

Grade 1-2

Q: Why did God call Noah a righteous man?

A: Noah agreed with God that he was a sinner and trusted God's promises. Noah did what God required--he put his faith in God.

Q: Sometimes we think our sin isn't very bad. What does God think about sin?  

A: God thinks it's all wrong! God wants us to change the way we think about sin and agree with Him that it's wrong so we will hate it--like God does.

Q: Did Noah still sin? 

A: Yes! No one (not even Noah) can obey God perfectly. But he repented and had faith and followed God. 

Grade 3-4

Q: Why does God give sinners a chance to repent?

A: God calls sinners to repent because of His mercy and grace. We deserve to be separated from God forever, but God desires a relationship with mankind so He chose to give sinners a chance to come to Him for forgiveness.

Q: Why does our faith need to be in God? 

A: He's the only One who can rescue us from our sins. If we don't trust God, we'll ignore His warning and continue to sin.

Q: Can our relationship with God be repaired without repentance? 

A: No, if we don't agree that we're wrong, we won't ask for forgiveness. 

Grade 5-6

Q: What does it mean to "fear the Lord"?

A: To fear the LORD is to understand what God could do to us because of our sin--but also to know that he won't without giving us a chance to repent. This overwhelming sense of awe and respect will move me to repent and turn from my sin. 

Q: What happens when we put our faith in God?

A: It means we recognize His authority and choose to trust Him and obey Him.

Q: How does God feel when sinners refuse to repent? What also happens?

A: God's heart is grieved. When sinners don't repent, they are separated from God, and continue to sin. (Genesis 6:6)

Family Activities:

1) Consider the size of the ark by finding a building approximately that size (450' long, 75' wide, 45' high). Or compare the size of your house to that of the ark.

2) Read Genesis 6:5-7:16

To see all of Lesson 10 click the links below:

Grade 1-2

Grade 3-4

Grade 5-6

Cain and Abel

Cain & Abel

Wednesday, October 30th & Sunday, November 3rd

Key Passage: Genesis 4:1-14

Basic Truth: We cannot be acceptable to God without faith.

Memory Verse: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and the he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Think about it: 

Down through the centuries, men and women who have rebelled against the commands of God have sunk farther and farther into the depths of depravity. The rulers of the communist nations, along with present-day terrorists and our own mass murderers, provide all the proof necessary to those who have eyes to see.

Cain’s terrible act of murdering his own brother resulted from his determination to do his own will, rather than God’s will. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12)

Pray for your students to realize the disastrous consequences of putting their own way above God’s way.

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: What is faith?

A: Faith is believing or being confident of what we cannot see.

Grade 1-2

Q: Why should we trust God? 

A: Everything God says is true. God says that we cannot be His friends unless we trust Him and do what He says.

Q: Did God have authority over Cain and Abel? Does He over us too?

A: Yes! God has authority over everything because he made it all!

Grade 3-4

Q: Why does our faith need to be in God?

A: We are ALL sinners and separated from God. He is the only One who can rescue us. Without faith in God, we will ignore His warnings and continue to sin. 

Q: Why is God the only One who can rescue sinners? 

A: All humans are born in sin and are guilty before God. No one can pay for his own sin or for the sins of another.

Q: Why did God accept Abel's offering and not Cain's?

A: Abel brought his offering by faith. Abel trusted and obeyed God. Cain did not bring his offering by faith (Hebrews 11:4)

Grade 5-6

Q: Why is God pleased when we put our faith in Him?

A: God is pleased when we recognize HIs authority and choose to trust Him and obey Him. 

Q: How does God's mercy and grace reveal His glory? 

A: No one else could show such love and kindness to such undeserving sinners! Everything God does reflects His glory!

Q: Why is faith so important? 

A: It leads to obedience. If you have true faith in God, you will obey Him because you trust His authority! 

Family Activities:

1) Discuss how offering an animal as a sacrifice would remind people that sin brings death. If they recognized their sin and believed God's promises, God agreed to accept the death of the animal as a temporary substitute for their sin. 

2) Do we need a sacrifice today? (YES! God Himself provided a Lamb!)

To see all of Lesson 9 click the links below:

Grade 1-2

Grade 3-4

Grade 5-6

God's Judgement and Promised Rescue

God's Judgement and Promised Rescue

Wednesday, October 23rd & Sunday, October 27th

Key Passage: Genesis 3:9-24

Basic Truth: Only God can rescue sinners.

Memory Verse: He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:10

Think about it:

In times of great calamity, whether fires, floods or earthquakes, we are so thankful when someone comes to our rescue.  To be of help, a rescuer must be both willing and able to save us.

Think about this: As born sinners, we face the full wrath of Almighty God. 

Think about this: He still loves us, even in our rebellion! 

And think about this: He was willing to permit His sinless Son to pay the awful price of shedding His blood at Calvary to rescue us from the otherwise sure result of our sin. 

Take time to reflect on the greatness of God’s love – and be overwhelmed with gratitude!  “…God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: What word does this verse describe?

A: Making a way for us to escape the punishment we deserve for our sins is mercy.

Grade 1-2

Q: Why do we need to be rescued?

A: Because of our sin, we deserve to be punished. We will be separated from God forever without God's mercy and grace

Q: Did Satan succeed in ruining God's friendship with man?

A: No! God still loved Adam and Eve. He promised to send a special chosen one, someone who would rescue them from the punishment they deserved. God can repair the damage that Satan has caused.

Q: Who can rescue us? Can you rescue yourself? 

A: God's promised Messiah rescues us! We can't save ourselves. 

Grade 3-4

Q: Why is God the only One who can rescue sinners?

A: All humans are born in sin and are guilty before God. No one can pay for his own sin or for the sin of others. We are helpless without God's promised Messiah.

Q: What do the words mercy and grace mean? 

A: Mercy: God's provision for sinners to escape the punishment they deserve. Grace: God's kindness that is not deserved. 

Q: Have you ever disobeyed God? Do you deserve the same punishment Adam and Eve deserved: separation from God? 

A: Yes! Romans 3:23

Grade 5-6

Q: Why does God rescue sinners?

A: God rescues sinners because of who He is! God's greatness and excellence do not change based on mankind's behavior. His promise to rescue undeserving sinners reveals His unchanging glory. 

Q: What was the Messiah chosen to do? 

A: He was chosen to destroy Satan forever and rescue sinners

Q: Does God see and know everything you do wrong? 

A: Hebrews 4:13. God sees everything! He knows every sinful word, deed, or thought you've had. He knows how sinful we are!

Family Activities:

1) Read and talk about Psalm 51:1-5. What's the only way to deal with sin? 

2) Ask forgiveness from God and any family member where there has been an offense. 

To see all of Lesson 8 click the links below:

Grade 1-2

Grade 3-4

Grade 5-6

Adam and Eve Disobeyed God

Welcome back! We hope you've enjoyed your summer and the beginning of the new school year. Here you will find information on the lessons that we teach each Sunday and Wednesday. You'll also find resources and other important information you may need to know. We hope you will take time to go over the questions and activities with your kids, it's a perfect way to reinforce what they are learning here at Penn Valley. Enjoy!

Adam & Eve Disobeyed God

Wednesday, October 16th & Sunday, October 20th

Key Passage: Genesis 3:1-8

Basic Truth: God gave mankind the ability to choose.

Memory Verse: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12

Think about it:

We don’t like fences in our way! Our sinful nature instinctively rebels against anything limiting our perceived pleasures - any barrier raised by God or man.  The old cowboy song, “Don’t Fence Me In!” strikes a responsive chord in each of us.

Not all man-made fences are erected for our welfare. But devoted parents, dedicated teachers and officers of the law are instruments of God, meant to help us control our proud rebellion, and to stay on His “small and narrow” path to blessing.  Above all of these stands the limiting cautions of the Bible, empowered by the Holy Spirit: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:21)

Pray that God will reveal the rebellion of our hearts and teach us to listen to His voice.

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: How can things that seem right be so bad?

A: Satan deceives us and distorts our thinking. 

Grade 1-2

Q: How can we know what is right?

A: Satan will lie and try to deceive us, but God will always tell us the truth. If we listen to God we can choose what is right.

Q: What happens when we choose not to follow God's way? 

A: Death (spiritual) - separated from God. 

Q: Why do you think Adam rejected God's authority? Why do we sometimes reject God's authority?

A: He didn't like it, wanted to decide for himself. We can feel the same way Adam did sometimes!

Grade 3-4

Q: What are the consequences of sin? 

A: Sin brings death and destruction, separating us from God and from others as well.

Q: What are some real life consequences of this? 

A: punishment, friction, tears, anger, fighting...sin causes all kinds of trouble!

Q: Why did Adam and Eve not die right away if sin brings death?

A: Sin doesn't bring physical death necessarily, but spiritual death. They didn't physically die right away, but they were separated from God because God can't tolerate sin because He is Holy.

Grade 5-6

Q: Why should we choose God's way?

A: God tells us what is right and good. Choosing to reject His authority brings death and destruction. 

Q: Why does God have authority to say what's right and what's wrong?

A: Read Psalm 100:3. God is the owner and highest authority over everything.

Q: Read Proverbs 14:12. What are some things that can look appealing or desirable but are really lies and tricks to get us to sin?

A: getting things I want, having my own way...etc. 

Family Activities: 

1) Talk about Satan's desire to destroy your family. What choices are being made that may be damaging to your family? Encourage each family member to think about choices that would be God's way instead of Satan's way.

2) Pray for God's wisdom and protection for your family. 

To see all of Lesson 7 click the links below:

Grade 1-2
Grade 3-4
Grade 5-6