Lesson For The Week (May 30)

God’s Timing
Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Getting Started
Where do you see yourself in a year? Five years? Ten? Do you have your whole life planned out? Do you try to stay open to different possibilities?

Today’s world is very fast-paced. Many people have big dreams for the future. They want to make the most of every moment to achieve those dreams. But the Bible says, “You don't even know what your life tomorrow will be! You are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears.”(James 4:14) This doesn’t mean that our lives on earth aren’t important! God has big plans for each of our lives. But it does mean we don’t have time to waste on selfish or meaningless plans. During our lives on earth, God wants us to serve him, and to serve others.

Improving Your Vocabulary
Make the most (v phr) – to take advantage of; to get as much out of as possible
Parable (n) – a story with a lesson about right and wrong
Bear (v) – to bring out
Tear down (v phr) – to pull down; destroy
Take life easy (v phr) – relax; enjoy life
Mill (n) – a building for grinding grain into flour
Ignorant (adj) – unknowing or stupid

Reading God’s Word

Luke 12:16-21

16 Then Jesus told them this parable: "There was once a rich man who had land which bore good crops. 17 He began to think to himself, "I don't have a place to keep all my crops. What can I do? 18 This is what I will do,' he told himself; "I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I will store the grain and all my other goods. 19 Then I will say to myself, Lucky man! You have all the good things you need for many years. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!' 20 But God said to him, "You fool! This very night you will have to give up your life; then who will get all these things you have kept for yourself?' " 21 And Jesus concluded, "This is how it is with those who pile up riches for themselves but are not rich in God's sight."

Matthew 24:35-36
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 36 "No one knows, however, when that day and hour will come—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son; the Father alone knows. 39That is how it will be when the Son of Man comes. 40 At that time two men will be working in a field: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. 41 Two women will be at a mill grinding meal: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. 42 Watch out, then, because you do not know what day your Lord will come. 43 If the owner of a house knew the time when the thief would come, you can be sure that he would stay awake and not let the thief break into his house. 44 So then, you also must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him.

Ephesians 5:15-17
15 So be careful how you live. Don't live like ignorant people, but like wise people. 16 Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. 17 Don't be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.

Taking a Closer Look
1. Why did the rich man tear down his barns? (Luke 12:18)
2. What was his plan for the future? (Luke 12:19)
3. What was God’s plan for his future? (Luke 12:20)
4. What kind of riches does God want us to store up? (Luke 12: 21)
5. What does only the Father know? (Matthew 24:36)
6. How can we prepare ourselves for Christ’s coming?
7. Ephesians 5:17 says, “try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.” How can we do this?

Taking Action
1. Jesus tells us not to store up good things on earth, but to store up good things in heaven. How can we do this?
2. Jesus wants us to use our lives to serve him. We serve him by serving others. What is one way you can serve your friends, family, co-workers, etc?

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Chinese Translation
Past Lessons

Kevin's Riddle Time (May 23)

01. At midnight, if you woke up and scratched your head,
what time is it?

_____________________

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2. What is it that is wingless and legless,
yet flies and cannot be imprisoned?

V _ _ _ E

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3. Green in the mountains, black in the plaza,
red in the house.

C _ _ L

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s*The answers are in the comment section.*

Lesson For The Week (May 23)

The Gift of Rest
When I lie down, I go to sleep in peace; you alone, O Lord, keep me perfectly safe. (Psalm 4:8)

Getting Started
How much sleep do you get every night? If you don’t get enough, what keeps you awake?

Some people are proud of how little sleep they get. “I only need four hours a night!” Others feel guilty if they sleep too long. They feel like a long night’s sleep might be a sign of laziness. Some people feel guilty if they take a vacation, or just relax for an evening. Have you ever felt this way? We really value hard work. It is easy to forget that rest is also valuable. Even God rested, after he finished creating the world. Rest is a gift from God, and he wants us to accept and enjoy this gift.

Vocabulary
rod (n) – a stick used by shepherds to protect or discipline sheep
staff (n) – a long stick used by shepherds to aid them in climbing hills or in leading their sheep
banquet (n) – a big dinner with lots of food for many people
honored (adj) – respected; thought very well of
brim (n) – the top edge of a container
everlasting (adj) – lasting forever and ever; will never die
exhausted (n) – extremely tired
renewed (adj) – made new again; refreshed
yoke (n) – a frame for carrying loads
humble (adj) – not proud; putting others before yourself

Reading God’s Word

Psalm 23:1-6

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. 3 He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths, as he has promised. 4 Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me. 5 You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me; you welcome me as an honored guest and fill my cup to the brim. 6 I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life; and your house will be my home as long as I live.

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
10 Be still, and know that I am God.

Isaiah 40:28-31
28 Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts. 29 He strengthens those who are weak and tired. 30 Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted. 31 But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.

Matthew 11:28

28 "Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. 30 For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light."

Taking a Closer Look
1. How does God take care of us? What are some of the things he gives us? (Psalm 23)
2. What will be with us all our life? (Psalm 23:6)
3. What do you think Psalm 46:10 means? How can we do this every day?
4. Isaiah 40:28 says God “never grows tired”. If this is true, why do you think he rested?
5. What can happen if we trust in the Lord for help? (Isaiah 40:31)
6. How does Jesus describe himself? (Matthew 11:29) How can we be more “gentle and humble” towards others?

Taking Action
1. Jesus says his load is light—but sometimes it feels heavy. How can we balance hard work for Jesus with periods of rest?

2. When people think of rest, they usually think of stopping activities and getting more sleep. But rest can also come from emptying our minds of all worries and focusing on something good. Try focusing on these Bible passages:
Psalm 3:5
Psalm 68:5-6
Psalm 136
Psalm 139:1-18
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
1 Peter 5:7

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Chinese Translation
Past Lessons

Keven's Riddle Time (May 16)

01. How can you make seven even?

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2. Why is it dangerous to do math in the jungle?

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3. Why is a dictionary dangerous?

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s*The answers are in the comment section.*

Lesson For The Week (May 16)

Money Matters
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. (I Timothy 6:10)

Getting Started
What would you do if you had a million dollars? What would you do if you had a million dollars but you had to give it away? We all like money. There are so many great things we can do with money! We can see the world, go to school, help our families, and buy gifts for our friends. We need money so that we can take care of ourselves and our families. But of course, money can be dangerous too. We’ve all heard stories on the news about people who lied, stole, or even killed because of money! How can we keep money from becoming a problem in our lives?

Vocabulary
eternal (n) — lasting forever, without end
commandment (n) — a command or order given with authority
commit (v) — to do or perform
accuse (v) — to charge with an error or wrongdoing
falsely (adv) — to do so untruthfully; done to deceive
assure (v) — to remove all doubt; to cause to feel sure of
needle (n) — a small, thin tool used for sewing or mending things
amazed (adj) — filled with wonder and surprise

Reading God’s Word

Matthew 19: 16-26

16 Once a man came to Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what good thing must I do to receive eternal life?" 17 "Why do you ask me concerning what is good?" answered Jesus. "There is only One who is good. Keep the commandments if you want to enter life." 18 "What commandments?" he asked. Jesus answered, "Do not commit murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not accuse anyone falsely; 19 respect your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as you love yourself." 20 "I have obeyed all these commandments," the young man replied. "What else do I need to do?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me." 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he was very rich. 23 Jesus then said to his disciples, "I assure you: it will be very hard for rich people to enter the Kingdom of heaven. 24 I repeat: it is much harder for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle." 25 When the disciples heard this, they were completely amazed. "Who, then, can be saved?" they asked. 26 Jesus looked straight at them and answered, "This is impossible for human beings, but for God everything is possible."

Taking a Closer Look
1. What question does the rich man ask?
2. What does Jesus say the man has to do to be perfect?
3. Do you think you could do this?
4. What does the rich man love the most?
5. Why is it so hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven?
6. Why are the disciples amazed? What are they worried about?
7. How can God help us do what is impossible?

Taking Action
1. What does God want us to love the most?
2. Is it always a bad thing to be rich?
3. How can we receive eternal life?

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Chinese Translation
Past Lessons