THE WORD OF GOD

YES AND AMEN


SUPPLIES: 

  • Bag of candy - enough for all the kids
  • An envelope with a note inside to give to a teacher that says, This bag of candy is for you to share with all the kids.

Set the bag of candy in view of the class, but don't tell them what it's for. Give the note to the teacher at the beginning of class, in front of the kids, but make sure the teacher knows beforehand not to read it until you ask her to.


Do you know what the word “Amen” means? It means, so be it. May it be fulfilled. That’s the way it is. When we say amen at the end of our prayers, we are saying we accept what we just prayed as the way it is, and we believe it will be fulfilled.


Let’s look at 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV)

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.


The Bible is full of the promises of God, and this scripture says that the answer to ALL of God’s promises are YES and AMEN.


So, if the answer is yes and amen, then it’s very important to know what those promises are. But how are we going to find out what they are? By reading our bible. If we don’t read it, we won’t know what belongs to us.


Ask the teacher if she read the note. Then ask her to read it out loud, then give her the bag full of candy.


This bag of candy has been sitting here this whole time. But since she didn’t read the note, she didn’t know about it. That’s what it’s like when we don’t read our bibles. There are things that God is just waiting to bless us with, but we must know what they are and we must know what to ask for. 


And the best part is…the answer to ALL of God’spromises is YES and AMEN!

BLOWING SMOKE


SUPPLIES: 

  • Horse blinders or a photo

How are locomotives fueled? By coal or wood. That can be a big problem sometimes if smoke starts blowing in the wrong direction and blocks the view of the conductor. That’s why deflectors are used.  


Deflectors are guards that keep the smoke from blowing in the wrong direction. Sometimes they were called blinkers because they resembled blinkers or blinders that are put on horses to keep them from getting distracted. Deflectors will change the direction of things.


Blowing smoke also has another meaning. It means to exaggerate or brag. Or not tell the truth. And that’s something we should never get into a habit of doing! So how do we keep from “blowing smoke”? We need to guard what comes out of our mouths.


Psalm 141:3 says, Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Why does the bible tell us to guard our mouth?


Proverbs 18:21, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.


Because our words are powerful! We can speak words that build us up or we can speak words that tear us down.


What if I said: I can’t do anything right. I’ll never be good enough to play ball. I could never be good enough to be a cheerleader. I never make good grades.

How does it make you feel when you hear those words? (depressed, yucky)


What if said: I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me! I’m going to practice and I’ll be the best ballplayer I can be! I’m going to practice and I’ll be the best cheerleader I can be! God will strengthen me and help me! I have the mind of Christ!

How does it make you feel when you hear those words? (strong, like you can do anything)


When we speak, we want to be speaking words that give life! Not “blowing smoke”! So, let’s put a deflector over our mouths by speaking good things about ourselves and others. Let’s speak what God says!

DON'T GET IN THE DITCH


SUPPLIES: 

  • Bicycle

Have you ever ridden your bike and ended up in the ditch? Did you get on your bike and say, “Hmm, I think today would be a good day to get in the ditch?” Of course not! You were probably just riding along and not paying attention. 


That can happen with our words. A lot of times we don’t pay attention to what is coming out of our mouth. We think it’s not that big of a deal. But according to the bible, it is a BIG deal!


Matthew 15:11 (NLT), It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”


Wow! The words we say are powerful! So, what should come out of our mouth so that we are not defiled?  [defiled: contaminated, unclean] 


We should say good things. Joshua 1:8 says we should be speaking God’s Word.


Joshua 1:8 (NKJV), This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.


The second part of this scripture tells us why.

The Word of God has the power to change your life. It will prosper you and make you successful! So, let’s watch our words and stay out of the ditch.


Additional scriptures:

Matthew 7:7-8(NKJV), “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.


Matthew 21:22 (NKJV), And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”


John 17:17 (NKJV), Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.


Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV), Death and life are in the power of the tongue.


Hebrews 4:14 (NKJV), Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

SPEAK WHAT GOD ALREADY SEES—SPEAK THE WORD


In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void. Genesis 1:1-2 (NKJV)


Then, do you know what happened? God said something.


Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Genesis 1:3 (NKJV)


God didn’t say what He saw. He said what He wanted to see, which was light. And there was light. 


Romans 4:17 (KJV), …even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.


God calls those things which be not as though they were. And God wants us to do the same thing.


Do you remember the story of Abraham and Sarah? God told them they would have a child, and they were already very old. But God changed his name to Abraham, which means “father of many nations.” Now he was calling himself the way God saw him. A father. And it came to pass because when he was 100 years old and Sarah was 90, they had a baby named Isaac.


Romans 4:17 (KJV), (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.


God spoke what He wanted to see, not what He saw. Abraham spoke what God said about him, not what he saw. He spoke what he believed.


And we must do the same thing. Speak what God says. Speak the Word of God.

  • I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.
  • I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
  • I am healed by the stripes of Jesus.

Don’t speak what you have. Speak what you want to see.

YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK

Scriptures


Psalm 16:11 (NKJV), You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.


Psalm 37:23 (NKJV), The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.


Psalm 119:105 (NKJV), Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.


Job 23:11 (NKJV), My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.


Proverbs 4:27 (NKJV), Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.


Joshua 1:7 (NKJV), Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

FAITH AND LOVE

FAITH FUELED BY LOVE


SUPPLIES: 

  • Lantern
  • Bottle of oil labeled, LOVE.

Do you know what this is (lantern)? In railroad lingo, it used to be called a bug torch, a shiner or a glim. But you just can’t flip a switch to turn it on like you can a flashlight or a light switch. It needs something else to make it work. It needs oil. When you put oil in your bug torch, it gives it fuel to light.


Let’s pretend this bug torch is our faith. It just doesn’t work on its own. (pretend to pour some love in the bug torch then light it) Just like this bug torch, for our faith to be ignited, it must be fueled with love.  


Galatians 5:6 (KJV), …faith which worketh by love.

HITCHED UP


SUPPLIES: 

  • Battery operated clock 

I brought my clock with me today. Or if you call it by railroad slang, it’s my ticker! But it’s not working (open the back). Well, that explains it. There are no batteries in it! (put batteries in) Now it’s working!


A clock just doesn’t work automatically by itself. It needs a battery. The battery is the power that makes the clock work. They go together. In railroad terms, they have to be “hitched up” in order to work.


It’s the same way with faith. Faith needs something hitched up to it in order to work. What do you think that something could be? Let’s look at what the bible says.


Galatians 5:6 (KJV), …faith which worketh by love.


Love is the power that causes our faith to work. In order for faith to work, it has to be hitched up to love.

THE SAME MEASURE OF FAITH


SUPPLIES: 

  • Measuring cup
  • Giant bag of plain M&M's
  • Bowls or cups for volunteers
  • Use as many volunteers as you have M&M's to divide evenly. Bring up volunteers.

The bible says in Romans 12:3 that …God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 


measure out M&M’s


God didn’t give one person more faith than another person. Someone may look like they have more faith, but it’s only because they have been exercising it. They still have the same measure as everyone else.


Just because a weight lifter has big muscles from working out, doesn’t mean he has more muscles than anyone else. He’s just been working what he has. It’s the same way with our faith. We must use our faith to make it grow.


When railroad workers are ready to start something or start their day, they say, “it’s shining time!” So, it’s “shining time” for us to start using our measure of faith!

DON'T DERAIL YOUR FAITH


When a train is derailed, that means it has left its tracks. It’s at a complete stop. In railroad lingo…it’s “lying dead”. 


There are things that will cause our faith to derail, too. One of those things is unforgiveness. 


Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV), “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 

But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”


Something else that can cause our faith to be derailed is sin. What is sin? It’s just doing wrong and taking the wrong track instead of following the right track, which is God’s Word. But praise God for 1 John 1:9.


1 John 1:9 (NKJV), If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Jesus died for our sins and if we ask for forgiveness, He is faithful to cleanse us from all our wrongdoings.


Something else that can derail our faith is hate. For our faith to work, it must be mixed with love.


Galatians 5:6 (KJV), …faith which worketh by love.


So, let’s keep our faith on track so it won’t be derailed!


Additional scriptures:


James 2:17 (NKJV), Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.


James 2:26 (NKJV), For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

FAITH IS THE ENGINE—IT GETS US TO OUR DESTINY


What is your destiny? A hope and a future!


Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV), For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.


What is your destiny? For your desires to come to pass!


Psalm 37:4-5 (NKJV), Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.


What is your destiny? To journey down the tracks laid out just for you!


Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV), Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.


In the way means: a road, a course of life, a journey, a path


God created you special and unique. One of a kind. With a special purpose and destiny planned out just for you.


Ephesians 2:10 (AMPC), For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), [a]recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].


What is your destiny? To make tracks! (leave for a destination)


Psalms 17:5 (AMPC), My steps have held closely to Your paths [to the tracks of the One Who has gone on before]; my feet have not slipped.

WITHOUT FAITH, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD


SUPPLIES:  

  • 1 can of fruit (label removed)
  • 2-3 cans of dog and cat food (keep the labels on)
  • Can opener
  • Make sure all the cans look the same.

Do you want to know what’s really fun? Getting kids to eat gross stuff! So, who will eat what is in this grocery bag?


Get a brave volunteer first, then take out the cans labeled with the dog and cat food.


I have cat food. I have dog food. Hmm, this can doesn’t have a label so I think you should take a bite of what's in this can. 


What if I told you it was peaches? Would you believe me even though you can’t see what’s inside and all the other cans are dog and cat food? Will you eat what’s inside? 


Wait till you get a yes, then open the can to show the peaches.


Do you know what you just did? You used your faith! 


Now let’s look at what faith is?


Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV), Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.


Faith is believing, even when you can’t see it.

You were hoping there really were peaches in the can even though you couldn’t see inside. And you used your faith to believe what I said.


Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV), But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.


Without faith is impossible to please God. I want to please God. How about you? And how do we do that? By believing what God says in His Word and just acting on it. That we have what He promised us even before we see the answer. That’s using our faith. And that’s pleasing to God.


Also, when we believe God, the bible says He is a rewarder. So, just like God rewards us for believing when we can’t see, you get rewarded for believing what you couldn’t see. 


Give the volunteer a bowl of peaches and a fork. Or a peach to take home.


Alternate ways to do this lesson: 

  • Blindfold someone and lead him around the room by commands.
  • Blindfold someone. Lead him around the room, then quietly set a chair behind him. Tell him there is a chair behind him but not to reach out to make sure. Just believe that what you have said is true and that a chair will be there.
  • Instead of cans...crumbled cookies in a Ziplock bag placed in an animal feed sack. Make sure it resembles the animal feed inside.

HEALING

MEDICINE TO ALL YOUR FLESH


SUPPLIES:

  • Medical supplies
  • Pill bottle
  • Lab coat

The company doctor for the railroad is sometimes called a Croaker or Sawbones. I’m not so sure I would feel very comfortable going to someone called by those names! 


Even though doctors are very knowledgeable and do everything they know to do, there’s an even better way that we can stay healthy!


Proverbs 4:20-22 (NKJV), My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.


Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB) …medicine to all their flesh.


Reference how Jesus also attended to the Word of God while He was growing up.


1 - Give attention to my words—pay attention to the Word of God


Proverbs 5:1 (NKJV), My son, pay attention to my wisdom…


In the bible, parents gave wisdom to their children just like your parents do for you. Even Jesus listened to the wisdom of His earthly parents and teachers, even though He was the Son of God.


Luke 2:51-52 (NLT), Then He returned to Nazareth with them (His parents) and was obedient to them... Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.


How did He grow in wisdom? From the Word of God and the wisdom from His parents and teachers.


Additional scripture:

Psalm 1:2 (NKJV), But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.


2 - “Incline your ears”—listen to, hear the Word of God


Luke 2:46 (NKJV), Now so it was that after three days they found Him (Jesus) in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.


Additional scripture:


Proverbs 5:1 (NKJV), My son…lend your ear to my understanding.

 

 

3 - “Not depart from your eyes”—constantly look at the Word of God


Luke 4:16 (NKJV), So He (Jesus) came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.


Additional scripture:


Deuteronomy 11:18 (NKJV), “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.


4 - “Keep it in the midst of your heart”—meditate on the Word of God


We are to continually meditate – think on the Word and put the Word in our heart. Jesus also meditated on the Word of God.


Luke 4:16 (NKJV), So He (Jesus) came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.


…”as His custom” means that attending to the Word was something He did regularly. It was a habit. Not just a once in a while thing.


Additional scriptures:


Deuteronomy 11:18 (NKJV), “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.


Psalm 37:31 (NKJV), The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.


Psalm 119:11 (NKJV), Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.



The Word of God is medicine to your body. Let’s take our medicine every day!

HOW CAN I REALLY KNOW GOD WANTS ME WELL?


SUPPLIES: 

  • Giant question mark

One day Philip asked Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father…” and Jesus replied…


John 14:9 (NKJV), … “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?


Since Jesus is the Son of God, He knows the Father better than anyone! So, if we wanted to know if something is God’s will, all we would have to do is look at Jesus. Because everything Jesus did was His Father’s business.


Luke 2:49 (NKJV), And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”


Jesus said He came to do the will of God.


John 6:38 (NKJV), For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.


So, if we wanted to know if healing was the will of God, all we must do is look to Jesus and see what He did.


Acts 10:38 (NKJV), how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing ALL who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.


Matthew 9:35 (NKJV), Then Jesus went about ALL the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing EVERY sickness and EVERY disease among the people.


Matthew 12:15 (NKJV), But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them ALL.


Matthew 4:23 (NKJV), And Jesus went about ALL Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing ALL kinds of sickness and ALL kinds of disease among the people.


Matthew 19:2 (NKJV), And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there.


Matthew 14:14 (NKJV), And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.


Jesus said that He came to do the will of His Father. And everywhere Jesus went, He healed people. So we can know that it is God’s will to heal.

YOUR FAITH CAN MAKE YOU WELL


If their faith can make them well, your faith can make you well!


Mark 10:52 (NKJV), Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.


Mark 5:34 (NKJV), And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”


Luke 17:19 (NKJV), And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”


1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV), who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.


3 John 2 (NKJV), Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

PROVISION AND PROSPERITY

I SHALL NOT LACK


SUPPLIES:

  • Shepherd's staff

Do you remember the story of David, the shepherd boy? He was probably about your age when he started taking care of sheep. 


Talk about what a shepherd does.


1. Tends to the sheep.

  • Makes sure they have a shelter and a place to sleep.
  • Makes sure they have a big green pasture; plenty to eat.

2. Guards the sheep

  • A fence to help keep them from wandering off and getting lost.
  • Protects them from coyotes and other animals looking for a meal.

All the sheep had to do was enjoy life because David was taking care of everything they needed. But it was a pretty big job for David because one time he had to kill a lion and bear to protect his sheep. 


1 Samuel 17:34-35 (NKJV), But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.


In the Book of Psalms, David said that The Lord was “his” shepherd. He compared what he did as a shepherd to what God does for us.


Psalm 23:1 (NKJV), The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.


(AMPC), The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.


“I shall not want,” means that “I shall not lack for any good thing!”


Just like sheep don’t worry about what they will eat or getting lost or worry about getting eaten, neither do we need to worry about things in our lives. We have The Good Shepherd who feeds, guides and shields us and we won’t lack for any good thing!


 Additional scriptures:


Philippians 4:19 (KJV), But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.


Matthew 6:25-33


Luke 12:32 (NKJV), “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.


Deuteronomy 29:9 (NKJV), Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.


Joshua 1:7 (NKJV), Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.


3 John 2 (NKJV), Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.


Psalm 35:27 (NKJV), Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”


Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


John 15:7 (NKJV), If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.


Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV), But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.


1 Timothy 6:17 (NKJV), Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.


Psalm 84:11 (NKJV), For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

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