This document provides a summary of a lesson on prayer. It discusses prayer as an act of worship, speaking to God from the heart, and something only believers can do through faith in Jesus. It also covers how God wants us to pray - asking for help, thanking him, praying for anything and anyone anywhere and at any time. The document gives examples of prayers from the Bible and teaches that God wants us to use fitting words in prayer, both our own and others like the Lord's Prayer. It provides the ACTS method as a framework for prayer and closes with another prayer.

1. Our Response to God’s Love Prayer: Talking to God

2. INTRODUCTION Show class a tire jack and see if they know what it is. Ask if any of them have ever had to use one. Many people think of prayer like a tire jack or a last resort to be used only in emergencies. Today as we study God’s Word, we’ll find out that prayer is much more than that.

3. STUDYING GOD’S WORD What exactly is prayer?

4. Luke 2:37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

5. AN ACT OF WORSHIP What do we do in the Sunday worship service? (listen to the Word, sing, pray) Prayer is not just worship in church. It’s always worship. The next 2 passages show why.

6. Matthew 15:8-9 8 ”‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”

7. SPEAKING TO GOD FROM OUR HEARTS. [Speak the Lord’s prayer quickly in a monotone voice.] That’s not prayer. It’s just words. It’s not from the heart.

8.  Hebrews 11:6 & Isaiah 1:15 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

9. SOMETHING ONLY BELIEVERS CAN DO. Summarize story of Elijah and prophets of Baal from 1 Kings 18:20-29 [or read it or have kids act it out]. Throw a pen up to the ceiling hard enough so that it bounces back down. That’s what prayer is like without Jesus. The barrier of sin gets in the way.

10. Prayer is an act of worship in which believers in Jesus speak to God from their hearts.

11. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Brian said, “We have to pray.” Brett said, “We want to pray.” Which comment do you like better? Why? Evaluate: It’s no use teaching your children to pray until they are at least five or six and can understand what they are praying about.

12. STUDYING GOD’S WORD How does God want us to pray?

13. Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

14. GOD WANTS US TO ASK FOR HELP AND THANK HIM FOR IT If you wanted a new video game what might you do? (ask your parents for one) If they gave it to you, what would you say? (thanks) It’s the same with our heavenly Father.

15. John 16:23 & 1 Timothy 2:1-2 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

16. GOD WANTS US TO PRAY FOR ANTHING AND ANYONE Sometimes we may think it will do no good to pray to God, like when a loved one is near death. Does Ephesians 3:20 have anything to say about this? Look it up!

17.  Ephesians 6:18 & 1 Timothy 2:8 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

18. GOD WANTS US TO PRAY ANYWHERE AND AT ANY TIME Where are some places you commonly pray? (church, bed, table, etc.) Where else can you pray? (school, shower, car, etc. ) You can pray anywhere. Also, remember that God’s phone is never off the hook. You can “call him up” at any time day or night.

19.  1 Samuel 1:10,11 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

20.  Matthew 6:9-13 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: ”‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

21. GOD WANTS US TO USE FITTING WORDS (our own or other’s). Sometimes it’s best to speak from the heart. Like a man asking his girlfriend to marry him. Sometimes it’s better to use the words of others like we often do in church for the sake of good order. Take a look at the prayers on page 16 of the catechism.

22.  1 John 3:1 & Ephesians 3:12 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

23. BOLDLY AND CONFIDENTLY You would have trouble asking a stranger for $10, but you probably wouldn’t have any trouble asking your dad. How much more so our heavenly Father!

24. God want us to boldly, confidently and with fitting words ask him for anything anytime, anywhere.

25. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Agree or disagree and why? It’s too bad that the doors of our church are always locked. That makes it harder for people to pray Evaluate: Mary said, “We don’t pray before meals at my house, because we almost never sit down together to eat.”

26. What do you think? Duane, a freshman in high school, asked God to give him a new Lexus SUV before his eighteenth birthday. He felt he was praying boldly. Sarah’s grandma had cancer and the doctor said she would die soon. There was nothing they could do. Sarah prayed, “Lord, if it is your will, please work a miracle and heal my grandma.” Sarah felt she was praying boldly.

27. HYMNOLOGY Look up hymn #408 in Christian Worship (407-413). When was the hymn written? By whom? What truths does the hymn teach about prayer? The hymn is itself a prayer. What blessings are we asking God for as we sing the hymn? [Hint: Look at each of the hymn stanzas.]

28. A.C.T.S.—A SIMPLE WAY TO PRAY Sometimes it can be helpful to use a simple outline to help us remember what things we ought to say in our prayers. The following outline is easy to remember:

29. A doration: Praise God for his greatness and goodness. C onfession: Honestly admit your sins to God. T hanksgiving: Give thanks to God for his forgiveness and other blessings. S upplication: A supplication is a request. This is the part of the prayer where you ask God to do things for yourself and for others

30. Example : Dear Lord, you are great and good, powerful and kind. Forgive me for talking back to my mom yesterday. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for that sin and for all others. Thank you for giving me all that I need for body and soul. Help me to be more respectful to my parents and others. Keep me and my family safe on our trip to Florida next week. Your will be done. Amen.

31. CLOSING PRAYER Dear Lord, We recognize that we are unworthy to approach you with anything, but the fact that Jesus died and bought us with His blood. Thank you Lord for teaching us how to pray. We rejoice that we can talk to you anywhere at anytime about anything. Lead us to rely on you so much that we worship you regularly with an active prayer life. Help us to remember to pray according to your will and that you will give us all things that are for our good. In your Son’s name we pray, confident that you will hear. Amen.

33. Our Response to God’s Love The Perfect Prayer - The Lord’s Prayer

34. STUDYING GOD’S WORD How can we sinners call God our Father?

35. Galatians 3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

36. We sinners can call God our Father because by faith in Jesus he is our true Father and we are his true children.

37. The Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sins against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

38. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Agree or disagree and why? When we ask our heavenly Father for something in prayer, it’s just like asking our earthly father for something?

39. STUDYING GOD’S WORD What does it mean for God’s name to be hallowed?

40.  Exodus 34:5-7 5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

41.  Exodus 34:5-7 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”

42. Isaiah 29:23 When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.

43.  Matthew 5:14,16 14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

44. God’s name is hallowed (kept holy) by us when we lives faithful Christian lives according to his Word.

45. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Agree or disagree and why? Do you think that the NIV Bible translation dishonors God’s name by not capitalizing pronouns (like He and His) that refer to him?

46. STUDYING GOD’S WORD What are we asking God to do when we pray “Your kingdom come”?

47.  Luke 17:20,21 20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”

48. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

49. John 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

50. When we pray “Thy kingdom come” we are asking God to continue to rule in our hearts by faith and also to rule in other’s hearts by bringing them to faith .

51. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE What do you think? Rudy skipped church because he didn’t feel like going. But he prayed the Lord’s Prayer at home, so he figures God will still strengthen his faith. What’s wrong with Rudy’s thinking?

52. STUDYING GOD’S WORD What are we asking God to do when we pray “Your will be done”?

53. 1 Timothy 2:3,4 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

54. Genesis 3:1-6 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,

55. Genesis 3:1-6 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” 4 “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

56. Genesis 3:1-6 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

57. 1 John 3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

58. When we pray “Your will be done” we are asking God to empower us by faith to carry out his will rather than the will of the devil.

59. HYMNOLOGY Read through hymn 452 in Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal . How is singing the first stanza of this hymn similar to praying “Your will be done”?

60. STUDYING GOD’S WORD What are we asking God to do when we pray “Give us today our daily bread”?

61.  Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

62. Psalm 145:15,16 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

63. Psalm 118:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

64. When we pray “Give us today our daily bread” we are asking God to continue providing for all our physical needs and to help us receive his blessings with thanks.

65. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE What do you think? Why didn’t Jesus teach us to pray, “Give me this day my daily bread”?

66. STUDYING GOD’S WORD What are we asking God to do when we pray “Forgive us our sins”?

67.  Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

68.  Psalm 51:2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

69. When we pray “Forgive us our sins” we are asking God to graciously cancel the debt of our sins and to lead us to do the same for others.

70. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Evaluate: “I’ll forgive you, but I can never forget what you’ve done.”

71. STUDYING GOD’S WORD What are we asking God to do when we pray “Lead us not into temptation”?

72. Ephesians 2:1-3 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

73. Ephesians 2:1-3 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

74.  James 1:14,15 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

75. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

76. When we pray “Lead us not into temptation” we are asking God to keep temptations away from us and help us overcome them when we are tempted.

77. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Evaluate: “ I never would have shoplifted that shirt if God hadn’t kept me from having it in the first place.” See James 1:13 for help.

78. STUDYING GOD’S WORD What are we asking God to do when we pray “Deliver us from evil”?

79. Galatians 1:4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

80. Psalm 91:9,10 9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge— 10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.

81. Revelation 21:3,4 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

82. When we pray “Forgive us our sins” we are asking God to bring us safely through the many hardships in life to our home in heaven.

83. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Agree or disagree: When we get sick or face other troubles in life, God is punishing us for our sins.

84. STUDYING GOD’S WORD What are we saying when we pray the Doxology?

85.  Numbers 5:22 May this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells and your thigh wastes away.” ”‘Then the woman is to say, “Amen. So be it.”

86.  Matthew 7:7,8 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

87. When we pray the Doxology we are saying that we are certain that God will hear and answer this prayer.

88. CHRISTIAN VOCABULARY Doxology : An expression of praise to God

89. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Hymnology: As the closing prayer for this lesson let’s sing “The Common Doxology,” Hymn334 in Christian Worship.

91. Our Response to God’s Love Stewardship of Money

92. INTRODUCTION: Show the kids a box of offering envelopes & have them explain what they’re all about. After listening to their answers they may have left some things out. By the end of this class you’re going to understand what these offering envelopes are all about. Today we’re going to talk about stewardship of money.”

93. STUDYING GOD’S WORD Where does our money come from?

94.  Psalm 24:1 Of David. A psalm. The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; Pick up some of the kid’s personal items (Bible, notebook, pen) and ask, “Whose is this?” Take some money out of your wallet and ask the same question.

95. Deuteronomy 8:17,18 17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

96. Our money is a gracious gift to us from the Lord who is the owner of everything.

97. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Evaluate: “I can do whatever I want with my money. After all, I earned it!”

98. STUDYING GOD’S WORD What does it mean to be a good steward of God’s gift of money?

99. 1 Corinthians 4:2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. What does a faithful husband and father do? (provide, protect, teach, encourage). He does what a father is supposed to do. Being a faithful steward means doing what we are supposed to do which is what God wants us to do with our money.

100. Matthew 25:14-30 14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

101. Matthew 25:14-30 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

102. Matthew 25:14-30 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’

103. Matthew 25:14-30 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’

104. Matthew 25:14-30 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where

105. Matthew 25:14-30 you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered

106. Matthew 25:14-30 seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 ”‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.

107. Matthew 25:14-30 Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

108. Why was Jesus upset with the servant who hid his talent? Because he wasn’t faithful in using it as God wanted him to. God gives us money and he wants us to use it.

109. Being a good steward means faithfully using the money God has given us in the way he wants it to be used.

110. CHRISTIAN VOCABULARY Steward: A caretaker or manager Stewardship: Managing the blessings our God has graciously given to us.

111. STUDYING GOD’S WORD Why do we want to honor God by being good stewards?

112. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

113. Ever clean your room when you didn’t want to? There was probably a scowl on your face. Maybe you even threw some things around your room. You were doing it just because you had to or your parents would punish you. God doesn’t want us to give because we fear punishment.

114. 2 Corinthians 5:14,15 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

115. If you fell through the ice and a man came in an airboat to pull you out you’d be pretty grateful. You would be sure to thank him. God has rescued us from the fires of hell. One way we thank him is by being good stewards of the money he loans to us.

116.  1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us. Some toys that you have may have a reaction when you put them in water such as changing color. When we are exposed to the love of God it produces a reaction in us. We change. We begin to show love in return.

117. We want to honor God with good stewardship to say thanks for his incredible love.

118. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Evaluate: John gives $20 a week at church because he knows this is enough to keep the pastor off his back.

119. STUDYING GOD’S WORD How does God want us to use the money he has given us?

120.  Proverbs 3:9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops ; If a friend of yours offered you some cake and then took a huge slice for himself leaving you only a little corner with no frosting, how would that make you feel?

121.  1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

122. What kinds of things do your parents buy to care for the family? (food, clothing, medicine, rent, car payment, insurance, etc.) God gives us money to provide these needs.

123.  Ephesians 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need .

124. Talk about our synod’s charitable organizations: Good Samaritan Society and Committee on Relief.

125. Romans 13:6,7 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

126. Name some of the blessings God gives us through the government (freedom, protection, fire, police, good roads, schools, etc)

127. Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Jesus took time to get away and relax. We need to do the same. What do you like to do for fun? How do you relax? When might these activities become sinful?

128. God wants us to use the money he has given us to support the work of his church (offerings), take care of personal needs (family), help those who are in need (poor), support the government (taxes), and for fun and rest (recreation ).

129. CHRISTIAN VOCABULARY Firstfruits: The first and best portions of the blessings God gives to us.

130. RECEIVING (God’s gives us money) SHIPPING (We distribute God’s money) Offerings Food, clothing, car, etc. Charity Taxes Recreation A CHRISTIAN DISTRIBUTION CENTER

131. STUDYING GOD’S WORD What else does God tell us about the offerings we bring to him in church?

132. 1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Explain what each phrase tells us about our offerings.

133. “ On the first day …” What does this teach us about the priority of our offerings? “… of each week …” What does this say about how often we should bring an offering? “ ...each one of you …” What does this say about who should bring an offering?

134. “ … set aside …” and “...saving it up” What do these phrases teach us about using offering money for other expenses? “ … in keeping with his income …” What does this say about the size of the offering we bring?

135. STUDYING GOD’S WORD What promise does God make to faithful stewards?

136. Use care when applying these passages. The point is not that good stewardship earns blessings from God. Whatever we receive from him is a gift of grace. However, these passages do address the temptation to think that if we give generous blessings to the Lord that means we will have less for ourselves. Now the Lord promises to still take care of all our needs and give us a generous abundance of blessings.

137. 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

138. Putting just a little seed into the field will insure a small harvest. But the farmer who puts out a lot of seed can expect a big harvest. In the same way God promises to bless Christian giving. It will benefit not only others but also the one who gives it.

139.  Malachi 3:8-12 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will

140. Malachi 3:8-12 not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.

141. Again, God promises to bless faithful Christian stewardship. No one should ever say, “I can’t give a generous offering, because then I won’t have enough for myself.” God promises to care for all our needs and in grace bless our faithful stewardship.

142. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Agree or disagree and why: The average member in the WELS gives 3% of his income for the work of the church. This is very poor because in the Old Testament God commanded his people to give a tithe.

143. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Evaluate: Mr. Smith always gave whatever was left in his billfold on Sunday morning as an offering. He thinks this is God-pleasing because, like the widow who gave all she had, he is putting all he has into the plate.

144. Evaluate: John thinks he shouldn’t spend any money on recreation because that would be wasting God’s gift of money?

145. PUTTING THE LESSON INTO PRACTICE: OFFERING ENVELOPES Give the kids each their own box of envelopes. Explain that the envelopes serve as a good reminder to bring a first-fruits offering to the Lord. Encourage them to talk to their parents about their offerings and to put the envelopes to use.

146. CLOSING PRAYER: HYMN 485 - We Give Thee But Thine Own

147. Our Response to God’s Love Respecting Authority: The Fourth Commandment

148. INTRODUCTION Students complain about their teachers. Children complain about their parents. Citizens complain about the president. Why do you think this is? (Most don’t like authority, having to do what others tell them). Can you name some things that those in authority make us do that we sometimes don’t like

149. (teachers—homework; parents—clean room; president—pay taxes). Today we’re going to learn that rather than complaining about these people, we should thank God for them.

150. THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT Honor your father and mother, that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we do not dishonor or anger our parents or others in authority, but honor, serve and obey them, and give them love and respect.

151. STUDYING GOD’S WORD How does God emphasize the importance of this commandment?

152. Ephesians 6:2,3 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

153. A SPECIAL PROMISE Billy Joel: “Only the good die young.” Not true. Many rebellious children and adults have died or hurt themselves because they didn’t respect and listen to authority. God emphasizes the importance of this commandment by adding the promise of a long, safe, healthy life.

154. God emphasizes the importance of this commandment by adding a special promise to it.

155. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Agree or disagree and why? A good boy or girl is guaranteed a long healthy life.

156. STUDYING GOD’S WORD Who are God’s representatives in authority over me?

157.  Exodus 20:12 “ Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. PARENTS What does this passage have to say about what God intended a family to be? (Mom, dad and the kids)

158. Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

159. SPIRITUAL LEADERS Can you give some examples of spiritual leaders? (Pastors, teachers, staff ministers, Sunday school teachers, synod president, professors, etc.)

160.  Romans 13:1,6,7 1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

161.  Romans 13:1,6,7 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

162. GOVERNMENT LEADERS Give some examples. (President, congressmen, senators, governors, legislators, police officers, fire fighters, soldiers, etc.)

163. God has placed parents, spiritual leaders, and government officials in authority.

164. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Agree or disagree and why? The Russian government rejects the Bible, so it was not established by God.

165. STUDYING GOD’S WORD What good blessings does God channel to me through these authorities?

166.  Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

167. INSTRUCTION IN THE WORD How do we come to believe in Jesus? What would our situation be if we had no one to teach us the Word of God?

168.  Hosea 4:1-3 1 Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. 2 There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.

169.  Hosea 4:1-3 3 Because of this the land mourns, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the fish of the sea are dying.

170. LAW AND ORDER What would happen to us without an army? Without lawmakers? Without the FBI? Without police? Etc.

171. Proverbs 1:3,5,8,9 3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

172. LIFE TRAINING Who taught you how to tie your shoes? Eat with a spoon? Ride a bike? Cross the street? Most importantly, who first taught you about your Savior Jesus?

173. Through these authorities God channels to us many blessings for both body and soul.

174. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Evaluate: Mary said that the best blessing God has given her in the church is the friendship of some really wonderful people.

175. STUDYING GOD’S WORD How does God want me to show respect to these authorities?

176.  Ruth 1:15-18 15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

177.  Ruth 1:15-18 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

178. 1 Samuel 3;1-6 1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place.

179. 1 Samuel 3;1-6 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

180. 1 Samuel 3;1-6 So he went and lay down. 6 Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

181. SERVE, HONOR, OBEY Samuel faithfully served Eli the priest. Notice how eager he was to get up out of his bed and serve Eli when he thought Eli was calling him.

182.  1 Samuel 24:1-7 1 After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. 3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to

183.  1 Samuel 24:1-7 relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

184.  1 Samuel 24:1-7 5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD .”

185.  1 Samuel 24:1-7 7 With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

186. SERVE, HONOR, OBEY David honored Saul even though Saul was trying to kill him because Saul was still God’s representative/leader in Israel. What does this say about people who mock our president, make fun of his policies and disobey the governments laws?

187. God wants me to honor, serve and obey all those in authority over me.

188. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Agree or disagree and why? Mr. Smith thinks the speed limit is way too slow, so whenever there are no police around he goes 10 miles an hour over it.

189. STUDYING GOD’S WORD When is the only time I may disobey those in authority?

190. Acts 5:29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! WHEN AUTHORITY TELLS US TO SIN. Can you think of an example of when this might happen? (Soldier ordered to fire on helpless civilians; parents tell son to lie about age to get into movie cheaper

191. Only when they tell me to do something contrary to God’s Word and will.

192. GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE Agree or disagree and why? After we are adults and move away from home we no longer need to honor our parents. See Proverbs 23:22 for help. Discussion: When is it okay to go to war?

193. HYMNOLOGY: The Ten Commandments Are the Law (285, 5)

194. CLOSING PRAYER Dear Lord, Thank you for giving responsible people authority over me. Help me to respect my parents, teachers and the government, even though a part of me likes to resist and do things my own way. Jesus, my Savior, thank you for perfectly obeying those in authority for all the times I have not.

195. CLOSING PRAYER Thank you for being punished for my sins. Help me to remember your promise of blessings in my life when I live in obedience to those you have put in authority over me. In your name we pray. Amen.