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Download the full lesson HERE Devotional Reading: Isaiah 40:26–31 Background Scripture: Mark 8:27–29; Luke 22:7–38; John 18:15–18, 25–27; 21:15–17 Introduction A. Broken Made Beautiful Kintsugi is a centuries-old Japanese technique of pottery repair. The process involves using a special lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum to repair damages to broken or cracked pieces. Other methods of ceramic restoration aim to hide the damage or make it less noticeable as if the obj

MARK 12:41-44; LUKE 21:1-4 Full lesson HERE INTRODUCTION. In the temple court of the women, under the shelter of porticoes, there were thirteen chests with trumpet-shaped openings into which the worshippers cast their gifts and contributions. One day near the end of his ministry on earth, Jesus sat in this court near the treasury and observed the people depositing their money in the receptacles. As Jesus observed the wealthy casting their money into the treasury, He saw a wid

Download the full lesson HERE Devotional Reading: Acts 10:19–22, 30–35 Background Scripture: Matthew 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10 Introduction A. Please Fix It, Daddy! My young children run to me when something is amiss. They fully expect that I can fix whatever has gone wrong: a broken toy, a skinned knee, or a swing that won’t push itself. In their eyes, I am the big, experienced adult who has been there for them since they were born. In their eyes, I seem completely trustworthy and

MATT. 26:6-13; MARK 14:3-9; JOHN 12:1-11 Full lesson HERE INTRODUCTION. Bethany was a small village less than two miles from Jerusalem. The Bible records two occasions that Jesus visited with his friends, Mary and Martha, who lived in this village. In addition Jesus journeyed t o Bethany with his disciples when H e raised their brother Lazarus from the dead. The first incident which occurred about four months before Jesus' crucifixion pictures the contrast between Martha and

Download the full lesson HERE Devotional Reading: Psalm 23 Background Scripture: Amos 1:1; 2:6–16; 3:1–15; 7:10–17 Introduction A. Whose Words Will We Heed? When I served in the church nursery, I both loved and hated building block towers with the kids. It was fun to see how tall we could build the towers, but it could be frustrating when my advice went ignored. I would often suggest, “Let’s make sure we build a big base.” However, my building buddies were more interested in

Download the full lesson HERE Introduction Nobody likes taxes! The Jews deeply resented paying the taxes required of them by their Roman conquerors. There were taxes, taxes, and more taxes! The Roman governors were in charge of all financial matters. The general or direct taxes were collected by Roman officers as a part of their official duties. These taxes went into the imperial treasury and were very heavy. A census was taken by the Romans in Egypt, and thus perhaps through

Download the full lesson HERE Devotional Reading: Proverbs 27:6, 10–11, 17, 19 Background Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:1–7; 20:1–42; 2 Samuel 1:17–27 Introduction A. Rivals Turned Friends C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien’s friendship is no secret to their readers. Each was an English professor at Merton College in Oxford during the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. They met during a faculty meeting in 1926 and went on to enjoy forty years of mutual encouragement and support. Tolkien played a vi

Download the full lesson HERE Introduction One day a man came to Jesus and asked a question. Matthew says the man was young (Matt. 19:20, 22). Mark says he came running and knelt before Jesus (Mark 10:17). Luke says he was a ruler (Luke 18:18). All three gospel writers — Matthew, Mark and Luke — say he was rich. Therefore, this story is about a rich young ruler. The rich young ruler was anxious to ask Jesus a question, for he ran to him. He also showed great reverence for Jes

Download the full lesson HERE Devotional Reading: Isaiah 49:13–17 Background Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1–28; 2:1–11, 18–21; 3:1–18 Introduction A. Experiencing God’s Mercy We enjoy telling and retelling stories of dogged persistence. Consider Thomas Edison’s countless attempts at creating a functioning light bulb, or Walt Disney’s commercial failures that gave rise to an entertainment empire. Such stories inspire us to keep trying, even in the face of adversity. But not all stori

Download the full lesson HERE Introduction This story took place near the end of Jesus' ministry. Leaving Galilee for the last time where He had taught and performed miracles for a long period, Jesus journeyed to Judea. His journey took him "beyond the Jordan," that is, on the east side of the Jordan River through the province of Perea (Matt. 19:1; Mark 10:1). This was the route most often taken by the Jews as they traveled from Galilee to Judea, for there they could go to an

Download the full lesson HERE Devotional Reading: Matthew 20:20–28 Background Scripture: Judges 4–5 Introduction A. Supportive Greatness Numerous world records were broken during the 2024 Olympic Games. One was for sport climbing, set by Sam Watson (USA). Sam claimed the climbing record by completing the course in just 4.74 seconds! Amazingly, Sam also held the previous record of 4.75 seconds. He beat his own record by .01 second! Sometimes, the smallest victories require the

Download the full lesson HERE Introduction The story of The Rich Man and Lazarus is called by some a parable, yet others believe the story is taken from real life. Either way the lesson is the same. Only Luke records the story, and he places it in the same context with Christ's teaching to the Pharisees on the proper use of riches. This story tells the consequences of unbelief, which results in covetousness and the failure of the proper use of riches. "…Ye cannot serve God an

Download the full lesson HERE Devotional Reading: Hebrews 1:1–6 Background Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1–12; Psalm 122:1–9; Hebrews 10:19–25 Introduction A. Privileges and Responsibilities My teenage children have household chores assigned to them. It is a way they contribute to our family responsibilities. Some days, my kids exceed all expectations for their tasks. On other days, however, I must remind them to complete their chores. Often, they ask, “Do we have to?” My children’

Download the full lesson HERE Introduction Bethany was a small village less than two miles from Jerusalem on the road to Jericho just beyond the ridge of the Mount of Olives. Mary and Martha, sisters, with their brother Lazarus lived in Bethany, and this story indicates that Jesus knew the family well. As Jesus journeyed to and from Jerusalem, He stopped in Bethany to rest from his travels, perhaps lodging overnight at the home of these friends (Luke 10:38; John 12:1; Matt. 2

Download the full lesson HERE Devotional Reading: Revelation 5:1–5 Background Scripture: Jonah 1–4; Galatians 3:1–13 Introduction A. I’m the Judge! His drug of choice was adrenaline. He recklessly and repeatedly drove his motorcycle at high speeds, a decision that resulted in numerous wrecks and serious bodily harm. He squandered his money on expensive vehicles, alcohol, and drugs. He jeopardized his family’s financial stability and risked leaving them without a father and

Download the full lesson HERE INTRODUCTION. Approximately six months before his crucifixion, Jesus journeyed to Jerusalem for the feast of tabernacles (John 7:2, 10, 37). This feast beginning on the fifteenth day in the seventh month (September/October, according to our calendar) was an eight-day festival. It was one of the three yearly feasts that every male among the Jews went to Jerusalem to celebrate as required by the law. Tents or tabernacles were erected in and about J