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Hebrews 4:12-13“THE LIVING WORD”Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-13Memory Verse: “For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…” Hebrews 4:12 aLesson Focus: God’s Word is Alive!Activities and Crafts: Coloring Page, Work SheetCraft for 1st & 2nd Graders: “The Bible Sword”Introduction: Game of Charades: (Call kids up and give them the word they are to act out) Heart pumpingLifting WeightsSwordTell the kids that we are going to be talking about what these three things represent: Living – or something alivePowerfulA sharp SwordHeartAsk the kids if they can think of anything that is all four of the above? (The Bible)Bible Study:Hebrews 4:12:In this verse we are given four descriptions of what the Bible is: LivingPowerfulSharper than a two-edged-swordDiscerning the heartDo you think of your Bible as these four things? Why or why not? Many times in the bible we are given descriptions and “word pictures” so that we know how things work in our lives. This is one of those times. Living.√ When you say that something is living, what do you mean?√ How is the Bible “living.”When you say that something is living you usually mean that it has life within it. It is “alive.” How do you know that you are alive? Every breath you take and every pump of your heart lets you know that you are alive. Illustration: I have a package of yeast here. Do you know what yeast is? It is used in baking to make the bread rise and get fluffy. When I take this package of yeast and mix it with water, watch what starts to happen. The water activates the yeast and it comes alive. When you mix this yeast mixture with flour and other ingredients it helps the bread rise to make a loaf. God has created His word to come alive in our hearts. When you mix God’s word with the power of the Holy Spirit it comes alive in us and should change us to be more like Jesus. √ How do we know that the Bible is Alive? It endures forever, Psalm 119:89It is God breathed, 2 Timothy 3:16; “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God…”It was given through the power of the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21;”…knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” In the Parable of the sower, the “seed” is the Word of God. It comes alive when it reaches good soil. Luke 8:11God’s Word gives us “life.” Psalm 119:50b, “For Your word has given me life.” God’s Word feeds us spiritually. It keeps us “spiritually” strong. We need to feed on it daily to stay alive. These are not just words on a page they are life giving words that help us grow in Jesus. Powerful √ How is God’s Word Powerful?Name some things that you think are very powerful?God’s Word has power; it has the power to change a life. Another word for “power” here is “active.” That mean that it accomplishes what it was mean to do. It does not matter how old you are if you listen to the Word of God it will change you. Isaiah 55:11 says, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”Example: One of the biggest ways I have seen the power of the Word of God was when Billy Graham would preach and thousands would come forward to accept Jesus as their Savior. He would just preach John 3:16, and through the power of the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit it would touch people’s lives forever. He did not use fancy words, just the Word of God and it was powerful. Sharp√ How is God’s Word Sharp?√ What is a two-edged sword? Why is a two edged sword special?√ How is God’s Word like a two-edged sword? It penetrates our heart. It cuts deep in our soul to change us. When we listen to what God’s Word says, then it will change us. It cuts away the bad stuff out of our lives. God’s Word helps us not to sin. Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you.” The sword is the part of the Armor of God to help us fight off the devil. Ephesians 6:17b “…and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” God’s word is the only way to effectively fight the enemy. Example: Teachers; share a personal example when God’s word pierced your soul, when it caused a change in your life. 4 Discerning:√ How does God’s word discern our heart?√ What does the word “discern” mean? (to become aware or figure out something or to judge something.)√ How does the Bible “discern” our hearts? It judges our thoughtsIt judges our intentions√ Do you kids have bad thoughts sometimes?√ Do you kids have bad intentions sometimes? We all do and we hide them in our hearts and minds. No one knows what we are thinking. No one knows what is going on in our heart. But God does, and He uses His Word to point out those things in our hearts so that we can deal with them.When the Bible reveals something to us, we need to have ears that listen and lives that change. If the Bible does not change us, then we are not listening with our hearts. It’s like taking a shower. Do you just take a shower once in your life? No, you take a shower constantly to wash of the dirt that we get on the outside of our bodies. God’s Word is what God uses to wash us on the inside. We need it every day to cleanse us and renew us more into the image of Jesus. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:2 to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Hebrews 4:13:Because of the power of God’s Word we are without excuse. Nothing is hidden from God’s sight. This only gives us fear if we have something to hide. Do you remember a couple of weeks ago we talked about the nation of Israel and God said that they had a hard heart? We talked about keeping a soft heart before God so He can change us. The way we keep a soft heart is to be in God’s word so that He can do a work in our lives. Conclusion: God’s Word is AMAZING! It is unlike any book in the world. Because it is not just a book, it is God’s words that He wants us to know. It has the power to change us from the inside out. We just have to get in it. We have to make time to read it and meditate on it. This week take time to read one chapter a day in the book of Mark. Come back next week and tell us how God’s word spoke to you.Discussion Questions: (After the lesson – back in the rooms) Do you believe that God’s Word is powerful?Do you believe that God’s Word is alive? If you believe it – do you read it? Why or why not?Teachers: Take time to hand out the Bible facts sheets. Go over them as a class.Talk about the Bible and the amazing way God put it together. Do the “Cookie Search” WorksheetHand out the “Champions” Cards that show where kids can go to in the Bible when they have a problem in a certain area. 038100000 ................
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