Topic(s): Bible Study, Old Testament

• Author: A Psalm of David
• Title: Trust in the Lord and Be Not Afraid
• Background: It is thought that this was written during the time David was pursued by the army of Absalom.
• Songs: “He Knows Just What I Need” “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand”
• Outline: God Strengthens (27:1) God Saves (27:2–6) God Smiles (27:7–10) God Shows (27:11–14)

Lesson #1: Heaven must be our focus (“one thing”) (Luke 10:42; 18:22; 2 Peter 3:8), our chief desire (“I desired of the Lord”) (Psalm 73:25; Jere-miah 29:13; Daniel 9:3; Luke 11:9–10; 13:24; 18:1; Hebrews 11:6), and our constant pursuit (“that will I seek after”) (Psalm 27:4; Ecclesiastes 12:13). Someone said, “Take what you want in life, but pay for it.” Just so, “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22; cf. Matthew 10:38; 16:24; John 16:33; 1 Thessalonians 3:4; 1 Peter 4:12–16).

Lesson #2: The Lord is beautiful (Psalm 27:4; 50:2; 63:2; 90:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:6). The imagined gods of the heathen are often ugly (cf. Diana of the Ephesians; Buddha), but God is not. No one has seen God, but we know He is beautiful.

Lesson #3: We should offer the Lord the “sacrifice of joy”—even during “the time of trouble” (Psalm 27:6; Luke 19:37–38; Matthew 5:12; Acts 5:41; 16:25; Romans 5:2–3; 12:12; Philippians 3:1; 4:4).

Lesson #4: God likes to hear His children sing (Psalm 27:6; Acts 16:25; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 5:19–20; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13).

Lesson #5: We should have a ready obedient attitude toward God (Psalm 27:8; 119:58; Mark 2:1–5; Hebrews 5:8–9; 13:5–6).

Lesson #6: Even if those closest to us disappoint us, God will never disappoint us (Psalm 27:10; 69:8; 2 Samuel 16:11; Matthew 10:21–22, 36; John 9:35; 16:32; 2 Timothy 4:16).

Lesson #7: Faith in the goodness of the Lord sustains when faith in the goodness of man is shaken (Psalm 27:12–14; 42:5; 56:3; 116:9–11; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 4:1, 8–14, 16; Ephesians 2:8).

To listen to this material taught to an adult class, click here.

Crazy Card Memory Verses

Topic(s): Bible Study, Children

When teaching Scripture memory verses during class time let children repeat the verse seven or eight times (after teaching the meaning and application of the verse) to help them remember it. Do it in a fun, exciting way. Here is one method. You will find that children will have the verses memorized before you are even finished teaching! But don’t forget to send them home with verses printed out so they can review them during the week!

Crazy Cards

Make up six cards with numbers on one side and instructions for something fun to do while everyone repeats the verse one more time. Choose one child at a time to pick a card without knowing what it says. The six cards I use say:

1. Say the verse while walking in place.
2. Say the verse with a friend (children pair off).
3. Say the verse while holding your tongue (or while holding nose).
4. Say the verse while turning around.
5. Say the verse while hopping up and down on one foot.
6. Say the verse while patting your head and rubbing your stomach.

Keep in mind that all the children do the activity, not just the one who chooses the card.

Top 10 Reasons to Be a Bible Teacher: Part 1

Topic(s): Evangelism, Wisdom

Links to this entire series:

• Top Ten Reasons to Be A Bible Teacher: Part 1
• Top Ten Reasons to Be A Bible Teacher: Part 2

Bible teaching is not a job well suited to everyone. Public schools find that many new teachers leave within the first three to five years. However, there are many rewards.

1. Student Potential. Not every student will succeed in your class. However, this fact should not keep you from believing that every student has the potential for success. This potential is so exciting—each new year presents new challenges and new potential successes.
2. Student Successes. Each student who didn’t understand a concept and then learned it through your help can be exhilarating. When you reach that student that others have written off as being unteachable, this can truly be worth all the headaches that do come with the job.
3. Teaching a Subject Helps You Learn a Subject. You will never learn a topic better than when you start teaching it. There is an old adage that it takes three years of teaching to truly master a subject, and in my experience this is the truth.
4. Daily Humor. If you have a positive attitude and a sense of humor, you will find things to laugh about each day. Sometimes it will be silly jokes you will make up as you teach that might get a laugh from your students. Sometimes it will be jokes that kids share with you. And sometimes students will come out with the funniest statements without realizing what they’ve said. Find the fun and enjoy it! —adapted from Melissa Kelly