Lessons for the Week (Nov. 30)

Gratitude
I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop praising him. (Psalm 34:1)

Getting Started
What are you grateful for? About how many times each day do you say “thank you” to someone? Remembering to say “thank you,” even for a very small favor, is important. It can make someone’s day. It can be a step towards fixing a broken relationship. Thinking about what is good in every situation can create a spirit of true gratitude in our hearts. And having a grateful heart can change the way we look at our lives. It can turn a little into enough, a meal into a feast, a stranger into a friend.

Vocabulary
gratitude (n) – thankfulness
make someone’s day (v phr) – to please someone; to do something that makes them happier than anything else that day
grateful (adj) - thankful
dreaded (adj) – feared by everyone
disease (n) – sickness
pity (n) – feeling sorry for someone
examine (v) – to look at closely
oppressed (adj) – hurt; treated badlyproclaim (v) – to speak out loudly; to tell everyone

Reading God’s Word

Jesus was traveling along the border of two different areas, Galilee and Samaria. The people in Galilee were Jews, like Jesus. The people in Samaria were from a different ethnic background. Because of their differences, these two groups of people didn’t always get along very well.

Luke 17:11-19

11 As Jesus made his way to Jerusalem, he went along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 He was going into a village when he was met by ten men suffering from a dreaded skin disease. They stood at a distance 13 and shouted, "Jesus! Master! Have pity on us!" 14 Jesus saw them and said to them, "Go and let the priests examine you." On the way they were made clean. 15 When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself to the ground at Jesus' feet and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus spoke up, "There were ten who were healed; where are the other nine? 18 Why is this foreigner the only one who came back to give thanks to God?" 19 And Jesus said to him, "Get up and go; your faith has made you well."

Psalm 34:1-10
1 I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop praising him. 2 I will praise him for what he has done; may all who are oppressed listen and be glad! 3 Proclaim with me the Lord's greatness; let us praise his name together! 4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me; he freed me from all my fears. 5 The oppressed look to him and are glad; they will never be disappointed. 6 The helpless call to him, and he answers; he saves them from all their troubles. 7 His angel guards those who honor the Lord and rescues them from danger. 8 Find out for yourself how good the Lord is. Happy are those who find safety with him. 9 Honor the Lord, all his people; those who obey him have all they need. 10 Even lions go hungry for lack of food, but those who obey the Lord lack nothing good.
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Taking a Closer Look
1. What were the men suffering from? (Luke 17:12)
2. Why did they call out to Jesus? What did they hope he could do? (Luke 17:13)
3. What was Jesus’ answer? If you were one of these men, would this answer give you hope, or not? (Luke 17:14)
4. What happened on the way to see the priests? (Luke 17:14)
5. Why did the one man come back? Why do you think the others did not come back? (Luke 17: 15-16)
6. Why was Jesus surprised that a Samaritan had come back to thank him?
7. What did Jesus say made the man well? (Luke 17:19)
8. Look at Psalm 34:4. The author writes in the past tense. Do you ever look back at painful times and see things that you can be grateful for?
9. Psalm 34:9 says, “those who obey him have all they need,” but sometimes we don’t feel like we have all we need. Why do you think we should be grateful in these situations?

Taking Action
1. Say “thank you” to others as often as possible.
2. Think about all the blessings you have to be thankful for today. If you want to, make a list and see how it grows longer over time.
3. Say “thank you” to God for anything that brings you happiness. Just a quick, little prayer.

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Chinese Translation
Past Lessons

Lesson For The Week (Nov. 23)

Contentment
16 Be joyful always, 17 pray at all times, 18 be thankful in all circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Getting Started
Are you content with your life? Why or why not?

Studies show that people in poorer countries tend to be more content than people in richer countries. If this is true, then money is obviously not the secret to contentment. No matter how much we have, there always seems to be something we want and can’t get. Contentment does not mean having everything we want, or even everything we need. Contentment is being happy with what you have and who you are.

Vocabulary
contentment (n) – being happy and satisfied with the way things are
tend (v) – to be likely to react or behave in a certain way
secret (n) – the key or the way to get something
ailment (n) – sickness or injury
grace (n) – undeserved kindness
persecution (n) – bad treatment of people because of what they believe or who they are
religion (n) – one’s belief and way of worship
ruin (n) – complete destruction

Reading God’s Word

Paul was a missionary who took God’s word to many people. During his travels, he was sometimes sick or hungry. He was put in prison a few times. Sometimes people tried to kill him. He was even shipwrecked – three times! But Paul was content with his life.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

If you could change something about your life what would it be? Paul prayed for something in his life to be changed. But, God had other plans!

7 But to keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw, I was given a painful physical ailment, which acts as Satan's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. 8 Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away. 9 But his answer was: "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak." I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me. 10 I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
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Philippians 4:12-13

Are you satisfied with the things you have? Do you sometimes want more? Do you sometimes wish you had less?

12 I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. 13 I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. .

1 Timothy 6:6-10
6 Well, religion does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have. 7 What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing! 8 So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many foolish and harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows.
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Taking a Closer Look
1. What did Paul do when he wanted something changed in his life? (2 Corinthians 12:8)
2. What was God’s answer to Paul’s prayer? How can God’s power be greatest when we are weak? (2 Corinthians 12:9)
3. Why was Paul happy and proud of his weaknesses? (2 Corinthians 12:9)
4. Why do you think God doesn’t want us to be too strong or too confident in ourselves? What could be dangerous about that?
5. How do you think Paul could be content if he was hungry? (Philippians 4:12)
6. Do you think you would be content if you didn’t have enough? WatWh What if you had too much?
7. What are some “foolish and harmful desires” that come with wanting to be rich? (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
8. Why should we be satisfied with what we have? Does this mean we shouldn’t work toward goals and dreams for the future?
9. Paul showed us that we can be content if we have a lot or if we have nothing. Where does true contentment come from?

Taking Action
1. Think about all the good things in your life - your family, your friends and other blessings that you have. Remember to be grateful for these things.
2. Think of some ways to help your friends, family, and others in need. Helping others takes your mind off your problems. It can help you feel content with who you are and what you have.

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Chinese Translation
Past Lessons

Kevin's Riddle Time (Nov.16)

Stray Birds
Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)

泰戈爾<<漂鳥集>>

These are two lines from the poem:

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15 Do not seat your love upon _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ because it is high.

勿將你的愛置於 ____ 之上,因為它太高.

151 God's great power is in the gentle breeze, not in the storm.

上帝的大能顯現在溫柔的微風,而非狂風暴雨之中.

For the entire poem with English and Chinese translation,
click me.

*The answer is in the comment section.*

Video - Life Without Limbs

Life Without Limbs 沒有肢體的人生

(Nick Vujicic’s Story)

This is the video we watched on Friday Night Live!

Lessons for the Week (Nov. 16)

Living With Purpose
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Getting Started
How many classmates do you have? How many co-workers? Do you ever feel like the world has too many people, and there is no special job, or purpose designed just for you?

A famous writer once said, “Each of us is meant to be what no other can be, and do what no other can do.” (William Ellery Channing) Do you agree? How can we be sure of our purpose in life? What are we living for?0

Vocabulary
purpose (n) – a reason for doing something
prophet (n) – a person who speaks for God; a person who has special knowledge from God
sovereign (adj) – above all others in power and authority, like a ruler
violence (n) – physical force used to hurt someone
destruction (n) – ruin; damage
ridicule (v) – to make fun of; to laugh at in an unkind way
scorn (v) – to look down on; to think of as unworthy
prosperity (n) – success; having more than enough of what you need
disaster (n) – something terrible that causes a lot of damage or loss

Reading God’s Word

Jeremiah was a man who lived about 600 years before Jesus. God gave Jeremiah a special purpose. He wanted Jeremiah to be a prophet – someone who would speak for Him, and give His messages to the people.
Jeremiah 1:4-9

4 The Lord said to me, 5 "I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations." 6 I answered, "Sovereign Lord, I don't know how to speak; I am too young." 7 But the Lord said to me, "Do not say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and tell them everything I command you to say. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!" 9 Then the Lord reached out, touched my lips, and said to me, "Listen, I am giving you the words you must speak.

Jeremiah 20:7-9

7 Lord, you have deceived me, and I was deceived. You are stronger than I am, and you have overpowered me. Everyone makes fun of me; they laugh at me all day long. 8 Whenever I speak, I have to cry out and shout, "Violence! Destruction!" Lord, I am ridiculed and scorned all the time because I proclaim your message. 9 But when I say, "I will forget the Lord and no longer speak in his name," then your message is like a fire burning deep within me. I try my best to hold it in, but can no longer keep it back.

Jeremiah 29:11
(God speaks to Jeremiah)
11 I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. 12 Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. 13 You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart.

Romans 8:28

28 We know that in all things God works for good to those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.

Taking a Closer Look
1. When did God choose Jeremiah? (1:5)
2. How did Jeremiah feel about the purpose God gave him? (1:4-9)
3. Why is Jeremiah “ridiculed and scorned”? (20:7-9)
4. Why does he feel deceived? (20:7-9)
5. Why can’t he stop speaking God’s message? (20:9)
6. What kind of plans does God have for Jeremiah? (29:11)
7. What kind of plans do you think God has for you?
8. When can we find God? (29:13)
9. What does God do for those who love him and are called to his purposes? (Romans 8:28)

Taking Action
1. God has a different plan for everyone, but he wants us all to have the same purpose. That purpose is very simple; he wants us to love him and let him “work for good” in our lives. How can we make it easy for God to “work for good” in our lives?
2. God was very clear with Jeremiah; he spoke to him and told him what he wanted Jeremiah to do. But sometimes God’s plan might not seem very clear to us. What can we do if we are confused about God’s plan? How can we become more sure about what he wants us to do?

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Chinese Translation
Past Lessons

Keven's Riddle Time (Nov.5)

A rich man(not "The rich man" from Luke 16:19-31) wants a special house,which the room has no walls,no doors,no floors,nor windows.

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Do you have any ideas?

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s*The answer is in the comment section.*

Lessons for the Week (Nov. 9)

Knowing Your Worth
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
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Getting Started
How high is your self-esteem? How do you measure your self-worth?

Even beautiful, talented, intelligent people can have low self-esteem. Sometimes famous people may be able to shine in front of a crowd, but they may be very insecure. We cannot measure our self-worth by how beautiful, talented, or intelligent we are. If we do, we might feel inferior, because there will always be someone more beautiful, or talented, or intelligent. On the other hand, we can usually find someone less beautiful, less talented, or less intelligent than we are, and this can make us proud. How should we measure our self-worth?
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Vocabulary
self-esteem (n) – the value you place on yourself
insecure (adj) – not sure of yourself; having no strong sense of value; without strong support
inferior (adj) – less important or worthy than others
clan (n) – a large family group
tribe (n) – a social group of many different families
torch (n) – a burning stick used to give light
trumpet (n) – a musical instrument
descendant (n) – your children’s children, and their children, and so on

Reading God’s Word

The Midianites were a very strong, powerful group of people. They controlled the Lord’s people, the Israelites. When the Israelites tried to plant crops, the Midianites would come and destroy the crops. The Lord chose a man named Gideon to help free his people from the Midianites.
Judges 6:14-1614

Then the Lord ordered him, "Go with all your great strength and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I myself am sending you." 15 Gideon replied, "But Lord, how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least important member of my family." 16 The Lord answered, "You can do it because I will help you. You will crush the Midianites as easily as if they were only one man."

Then the Lord helped Gideon to build an army. More than 30,000 men came to help fight the Midianties. But God then showed Gideon that victory would not come from the strength of his army.
Judges 7:2-8
2 The Lord said to Gideon, "The men you have are too many for me to give them victory over the Midianites. They might think that they had won by themselves, and so give me no credit. 3 Announce to the people, "Anyone who is afraid should go back home, and we will stay here at Mount Gilead.' " So twenty-two thousand went back, but ten thousand stayed. 4 Then the Lord said to Gideon, "You still have too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will separate them for you there. If I tell you a man should go with you, he will go. If I tell you a man should not go with you, he will not go."

The Lord continued to send men home until there were only 300 men left. Gideon divided them into three groups of 100 and they went to fight the Midianites. The Lord told them to carry trumpets, and jars with torches inside.

Judges 7: 19-22
19 Gideon and his one hundred men came to the edge of the camp a while before midnight, just after the guard had been changed. Then they blew the trumpets and broke the jars they were holding, 20 and the other two groups did the same. They all held the torches in their left hands, the trumpets in their right, and shouted, "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!" 21 Every man stood in his place around the camp, and the whole enemy army ran away yelling. 22 While Gideon's men were blowing their trumpets, the Lord made the enemy troops attack each other with their swords.

Judges 8:22-23

22 After that, the Israelites said to Gideon, "Be our ruler—you and your descendants after you. You have saved us from the Midianites." 23 Gideon answered, "I will not be your ruler, nor will my son. The Lord will be your ruler."

Taking a Closer Look
1. Why was Gideon so surprised when the Lord chose him? (6:15)
2. Why did the Lord think there were too many men? (7:2)
3. How did the Lord tell Gideon to win the battle? (7:19-20) Why do you think the Lord gave him such strange orders?
4. How did the Lord defeat the Midianites? (7:22)
5. Why did Gideon refuse to be the Israelites’ ruler? (8:23)
6. Where did Gideon find the confidence to attack such a large army?
7. How does God want us to measure our self-worth?

Taking Action
1. Although Gideon was concerned with his own weaknesses, he trusted God could still use him in a powerful way. How can we get better at relying on God, instead of relying on our own abilities?
2. God sees us in a different way than the rest of the world sees us. In God’s eyes, we are all beautiful and precious. How can we learn to value his opinion more than anyone else’s?

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Chinese Translation
Past Lessons