Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem of Judea during the spring at the beginning of the barley harvest. Naomi was well known in Bethlehem and when the people saw that Naomi had returned they were excited! Naomi told them that she was mourning. She no longer had a husband to take care of her. But, she had Ruth! God has a statute that allows the poor to gather produce that the reapers leave in the fields during harvest time. Ruth decided that she would glean in the fields to support her mother-in-law. Gleaning was very hard work but each day Ruth walked to the fields where she toiled from sunrise to sunset gathering what the reapers had left. Ruth worked very hard to take care of Naomi, and people began to notice.
Discuss:
Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem during the barley harvest. The wavesheaf offering during the Days of Unleavened Bread marked the beginning of the barley harvest which always occurs in the spring (Leviticus 23:10–14).
God’s law includes statutes to provide for the needs of the poor, yet the poor are still expected to work. How is this different than the way different governments take care of the poor people today?
What are some of the ways Ruth displayed diligence?
Memory Challenge:
Ruth 1:22
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/007-ls-ruth-naomi.jpg360480Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2019-08-01 17:15:522019-10-07 15:19:03Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: Lesson 31 “Ruth in the Land of Judah”
Joseph was in trouble. His brothers had sold him to Midianite traders who took him into Egypt. There he was sold as a slave to Potiphar, a captain of the guard for Pharaoh. Joseph, despite his troubles, decided to do his best to please his master, and God blessed all that he did. However, Potiphar’s wife wanted Joseph to betray his master with her. He refused, so she lied to her husband about Joseph. Joseph was soon stuck in prison for a crime he did not commit, but he did not lose hope. Joseph continued trying to make the best of a horrible situation.
Discuss:
Moody Publishers | FreeBibleImages.org
How do you think it would feel to be punished for something you didn’t do? How did Joseph deal with his situation? It can help to remember what God has promised in Hebrews 13:5 and Deuteronomy 31:6.
Joseph showed courage and bravery when he refused to sin against God. Can you think of any examples in your family when someone had to show courage and stand for what is right?
Joseph maintained a positive attitude through each trial he faced. He continued to obey God and to practice godly principles. Can you name some of Joseph’s good character traits?
Joseph was only a teenager when these things began to happen to him. As a young person he had already made a commitment to obey God. You are never too young to develop a relationship with God.
Memory Challenge:
Genesis 39:2-3
The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.
Jacob and Esau were twins, but never were two people more different. Esau was hairy, but Jacob had smooth skin. Esau was a skillful hunter, but Jacob was a mild-natured shepherd. Esau was the older of the two, but God chose Jacob to inherit the promises. One day Jacob was cooking lentil stew when Esau came in from the fields. He had been hunting and was very hungry. Jacob, whose name means “supplanter” (schemer), offered to give Esau some stew in exchange his rights as the firstborn. Esau agreed because he did not value his birthright. The day came when it was time for Isaac to pass the blessings on to his sons. He wanted to give the greater blessing to Esau. Rebekah and Jacob decided to try to trick Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing. For Jacob to receive the birthright and the blessing would impact the rest of history.
The twins Jacob and Esau were very different from each other in many ways. They became the fathers of distinct nations.
What attitude did Esau display when he sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew? Did Esau appreciate his birthright? Talk about God’s laws concerning inheritance and the responsibilities and blessings of being firstborn in the family.
What were some of the Commandments that were broken when Jacob and his mother tricked Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing?
It was God’s intent for Jacob to receive the promises. However, Jacob did not wait for God to give the promises to him. He tried to take the matter into his own hands instead of relying on God.
Memory Challenge
Genesis 27:29
“Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be those who bless you!”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/006-ls-jacob-esau.jpg360480Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2019-08-01 17:15:302019-10-07 15:19:13Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 31 “Jacob, and Esau, and the Promises”
The book of Ruth is a story of friendship, commitment, adversity, triumph and true love. The setting is in the time of the judges. Israel had turned her back on God, so He brought a famine upon the land to punish them for their rebellion. A man named Elimelech, along with his wife Naomi and sons Mahlon and Chilion, left their home in Bethlehem, and traveled to neighboring Moab in hopes of escaping the famine. But hard times followed them. First, Elimelech died, leaving Naomi a widow. Then after ten years of marriage, Naomi’s sons Mahlon and Chilion died, leaving both of their young wives without a husband. All three women face a hopeless situation, as widows without the protection of a husband or father. One of Naomi’s daughter-in-laws, Ruth, rises to the occasion, and gives us an example of love and service that continues to inspire us today.
Discuss:
Richard Gunther (www.lambsongs.co.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
The Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Also, the Moabites opposed the children of Israel when they left Egypt, and there was a history of animosity between the two peoples (Deuteronomy 23:3–6).
During the time of Ruth, women depended on their husbands or sons to protect them. Ruth knew that Naomi had neither so she volunteered to take on that role.
Ruth showed great respect, love, and commitment to her mother-in-law She also courageously made a huge sacrifice to leave everything familiar to her to go to a place where she might not be accepted because she was a Moabitess. What do you think it was like for Ruth to make that decision?
Memory Challenge:
Ruth 1:16
But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.”
Joseph was the first son of his mother Rachel, but he had ten older brothers. He was his father’s favorite son, and to make matters worse, Jacob gave Joseph a very special coat, with many different colors. Jacob often sent Joseph to check on his brothers to see how things were going with the flocks of animals, creating animosity between him and them. Then, Joseph began to have dreams he would one day rule over his brothers. He told his father and his brothers about the dreams. Over time, they came to resent and hate him, to the point that they were willing to kill him.
Discuss:
Moody Publishers | FreeBibleImages.org
Jacob grew up in a home where his parents had a favorite child. What might be a problem with a parent showing favoritism to one of their children? Does God show favoritism?.
Why do you think Joseph told his brothers about his dreams?
What action did his brothers take to get rid of Joseph?
The older brothers did not seem to think about the great harm that their family would suffer as a result of their actions.What were some of the consequences of their decision? Why is it important to control your emotions and think before acting?
It is often difficult to be a younger brother or sister. What can older brothers and sisters do to help younger brothers and sisters feel a part of the family?
Memorization Challenge:
Genesis 37:3-4
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors.But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.
When Abraham was 100 years old, God fulfilled His promise and gave him a son. Amazingly, Sarah was 90 years old! Abraham and Sarah watched and guided Isaac as he grew. As God worked with Abraham, Isaac saw first-hand his father’s example of faithfulness and obedience. Once Isaac was grown, God brought him a beautiful wife from among his relatives. Her name was Rebekah. God blessed Isaac and Rebekah with a family of their own as the blessings God promised to Abraham were passed to the next generation.
Discuss:
Richard Gunther (gunther.net.nz) | FreeBibleImages.org
Isaac’s birth was the fulfillment of a promise God made to Abraham and that it was a miracle.
Isaac was also being tested when Abraham was to offer him as a sacrifice. Isaac had to be obedient to his father and to trust God as well.
Rebekah chose to leave her home to go to a land she did not know to marry a man she had never met. How does this show that she was a brave woman?
How must have Isaac felt when he saw Rebekah for the first time?Isaac inherited the promises God made to Abraham.God chose to work with Abraham’s family. Why do you think He chose Abraham’s family?
Memory Challenge:
Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her: “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands; And may your descendants possess the gates of those who hate them.”
Author: Thomas White | Editorial Dept./ LivingEd-Charlotte Alumni
On Friday, May 17, 2019, the first Living Education-Charlotte Graduation Ceremony commenced. The staff meeting room of the Living Church of God’s international headquarters building was filled to the brim with family and friends, and the excitement of the graduates and those present to support them was palpable as the students awaited their certificates in assigned seats at the front of the room. Dr. Scott Winnail, the Living Education Assistant Director and the instructor of three of its courses, presided over the ceremony.
Mr. Richard Ames
As
the proceedings began, Mr. Roderick McNair, the Assistant Director of Church
Administration, asked God’s blessing upon them. Dr. Winnail then introduced Mr.
Jonathan McNair, Living Education’s Director, as the first to speak. Mr. McNair
plainly stated the focus of the Living Education-Charlotte program—to support
the leadership of God’s Church in its efforts to spiritually feed the flock of
people that comprises the Bride of Jesus Christ, and to ensure that the next
generation of the Church’s leaders are educated in biblical foundations.
Following Mr. McNair’s address, Dr. Winnail introduced the esteemed evangelist
Mr. Richard Ames, the Director of Media Operations for the Living Church of
God. Mr. Ames detailed the history and legacy of education in God’s Church,
from the Ambassador College institutions and Imperial Schools of the Worldwide
Church of God, to Living Education’s direct predecessor, Living University.
As
Mr. Ames returned to his seat, Dr. Scott Winnail had the pleasure of
introducing his father, evangelist Dr. Douglas Winnail, the Church
Administration Director. The elder Dr. Winnail also addressed the purpose of
Living Education, in a manner of speaking, as he gave reflections and thoughts
for the graduates and clarified the ultimate purpose of the education that is
human physical life on Earth—to “Serve God and serve other people.” This
inspiring message served to invigorate the assembled students and motivate them
to apply their knowledge of the true God toward lives of heartfelt service.
The students listen to Mr. Gerald Weston’s commencement address
After
Dr. Douglas Winnail’s address, Dr. Scott Winnail directed the students to form
a line. One by one, their names and hometowns were read, and the students were
each given a hard-earned Certificate in Biblical Foundations, framed and ready
for proud display upon office walls and living room mantles. Each student was
also gifted with an officially-marked Living Education binder, which was, by
one student’s description, “swanky.”
Finally,
Mr. Gerald Weston, Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God, spoke to
the students with an empowering graduation address. Mr. Weston reminded
everyone of this world’s increasing hostility toward God’s way of life, and
assured the students that they have a “rendezvous with destiny” as the end of
the age draws ever closer. Students were encouraged to move forward boldly in
Christ’s name, and to strive to grow in His grace and knowledge not because
such a task is easy, but because it is right.
As
theology faculty member Mr. Kenneth Frank closed the ceremony with a prayer, the
students digested the spiritual food they had been served not only throughout
the morning’s proceedings, but over the course of their nine-month Living
Education experience. Living Education-Charlotte’s inaugural year having come
to a close, its students prepared to once again be back in the world, grateful
for the training they’d received in becoming greater Ambassadors for Christ.
Commencement address given by Mr. Gerald Weston | More on Instagram
Read
Together:
Before time began, God, who became the Father, and the Word, who became Jesus
Christ, planned to have a family. The plan was to create human beings in God’s
image and place them on the earth where they could learn to choose God’s way
and develop godly character. God recognized that under the influence of Satan
the devil, mankind would choose to sin, but He had a plan for that as well.
Most of humanity, including those who profess Christianity, do not understand
God’s plan, but we can. Through His Holy Days, God has revealed His plan to
redeem mankind and offer every human being an opportunity for eternal life. The
first step in God’s plan, Passover, has already been fulfilled. The Word was
born as a human to pay for the sins of mankind by dying for His creation.
Pentecost teaches us that God will begin to work with a small number of people
through the power of His Holy Spirit. It pictures a harvest of the few that God
is working with now who will one day assist Christ in the millennium. Jesus
Christ was resurrected from the dead and is now our High Priest awaiting the
time when He will return to the earth as King of kings. The firstfruits will be
the kings who will rule with Christ in the future.
Read
Together:
Leviticus 23:15–21; 1 Peter 1:18–21; Revelation 13:8; John
1:29, 36; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 4:14–15; Revelation 14:3–4; 17:14.
Discuss:
God’s plan to have a family is a central theme throughout the Holy Scriptures. Much of the Bible is a history of what God has done, is doing, and will do to bring about His plan.
Ask your child explain the meaning of the first three Festivals in God’s plan of salvation.
God gives understanding to those who do what He says (Psalm 111:10). Obedience comes before understanding. Use as an example Mr. Armstrong keeping the Holy Days before God revealed their meaning. Explain that we may not understand everything now (1 Corinthians 13:12).
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/agenda-3991875_1280.jpg8531280Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2019-05-24 16:30:242019-10-07 15:20:16Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: Lesson 29 “Pentecost and God’s Plan of Salvation”
