Merry Christmas from David and Mary. We will be back to producing episodes in January. If you would like to review past episodes relating to the Christmas stories follow the links below: Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus The Birth of Jesus Wise Men and a Star "Joy to the World" music by Bohdan Kuzmin from Pixabay Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission. Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by...

Title: Philip followed instructions from an angel of the Lord and went to a very important man riding in a chariot. The man was a chief official of the Queen of Ethiopia. He was reading from a scroll of Isaiah but could not understand it. Philip joined him in the chariot and explained that the Scripture was talking about Jesus.  The man began to believe in Jesus, and when the chariot passed by some water, the official asked Philip to baptise him (and he did!) Bible verses used in this...

Philip was one of the original seven helpers in the church.  When he preached in Samaria, a well-known sorcerer (or magician) named Simon believed and became a Christian. Simon had only ever done clever magic tricks, so he was amazed when he saw real miracles performed. When the apostles came to Samaria, Simon noticed that they laid hands on people to give them the power to do miracles. Simon wanted to have that power. He offered to pay lots of money if the apostles would sell him the same...

Stephen preached to people about Jesus and God. Some of the Jews got so angry about this that they told lies about Stephen and had him taken before the Jewish court (Sanhedrin). Stephen bravely preached a sermon about how people like them had rejected God before.  And now they had rejected Jesus, the one God wanted Israel to follow as their leader and king. Some of the Jews became so angry at Stephen that they threw stones at him until he died. Stephen was the first martyr of the Christian...

Many Jews were becoming followers of Jesus in Jerusalem. Needy widows were given food every day, but some were being left out. Instead of neglecting their teaching and preaching time to address this food problem, the apostles asked the Christians to choose seven faithful men to care for the widows and serve the church in this way. Bible verses used in this episode: Acts 6:1-7Acts 6:3 Outline: The church grew, and widows were missing out on food (Acts 6:1)The problem is solved by choosing...

Because so many Jewish Christians stayed in Jerusalem after Pentecost, some Christians sold property and gave the money to the church so those in need could have enough. Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold some of their property and then decided to give part of the money to the church. They proceeded to lie and say that they had given it all. Peter confronted Ananias in front of the church and told him that by doing this, he had lied to God. Ananias fell over dead. Unaware of what had...

As Peter and John were passing through the temple gate, a man who was unable to walk begged money from them.  Instead of giving him money, Peter miraculously healed him by the power of Jesus. Peter followed this by preaching a convicting sermon to the amazed people who had witnessed the healed man.   Concerned that so many people were turning to Jesus, the Jewish leaders imprisoned Peter and John and instructed them to keep silent about Jesus. These two apostles refused to be quiet and said...

Title: The early church was full of excitement as they saw more and more people becoming Christians every day. Many people who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost stayed longer to be with the rest of the new Christians. The church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread (Lord’s Supper), and prayer. The church is not a building but is made up of Christians. The church today does the same things as the early church. Bible verses used in this...

While the eleven apostles waited in Jerusalem, Matthias was chosen to replace the now-dead Judas. During the Jewish feast of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles just as Jesus had promised. The Spirit gave these uneducated men the miraculous power to speak in languages they had never learned or spoken before (speak in tongues). Because of this, all of the crowds of Jewish pilgrims from many countries were able to hear about Jesus in their own languages. After Peter preached the...

After his resurrection from the dead, Jesus spent forty days with his disciples. Before ascending to heaven, he gave the apostles important instructions on announcing the gospel to all people and making them followers of Jesus.  This is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). An angel comforted the apostles by reminding them that just as Jesus rose up into the clouds, he would someday come back to earth again. Bible verses used in this episode: Matthew 28:16-20 Acts 1:3-11 Outline: The...

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the crowd how to live Godly lives. He illustrated the significance of followers displaying Godly lives by saying, “You are the salt of the earth” and  “You are the light of the world”. Our actions and lives can be a positive influence on our world and point people to God. Bible verses used in this episode: Matthew 5:13-16Psalm 18:28; 27:1; 119:130.Isaiah 42:6 and 49:6.John 1:1-9; 8:12; and 12:44-46.1 Thessalonians 5:4-81 John 1:5-7 Outline: You are...

Jesus told the parable of two men who went to pray at the temple.  The Pharisee (who most people thought was good)  This man had too much pride and told God all of the good things he had done and how he was better than other people. A tax collector (who most people thought was bad) This man was humble and asked God to have mercy on him because he was a sinner. Jesus said that the humble tax collector was right with God. Bible verses used in this episode: Luke 18:9-14James 4:10Outline: Jesus...

Jesus told a parable about a man with two sons.  The younger son convinced his father to give him his portion of his inheritance early. Upon receiving it, the son left his father and squandered all of the money by living a wild life. When the son came to his senses, he humbly returned to his father and told him he was sorry. His father was thrilled to forgive him and accept him back home. The older son was jealous of the father’s acceptance because, unlike his younger brother, he had...

The servant in this parable was happy when his master did not require him to repay a debt of millions of dollars. Incredibly, the servant went straight to another servant and demanded that he pay him a few dollars that he owed him. When the second servant could not pay, the first servant threw him in prison. When the master heard, he was furious.  Now, the first servant was sent to prison.  Jesus said that our Heavenly Father would feel the same towards us if we did not forgive others from...

Jesus told a parable about a shepherd who had one hundred sheep. When one of the sheep got lost, the shepherd searched and searched until he found it. God has made everyone on the earth, and each person is important to Him. Bible verses used in this episode: Matthew 18:10-14Psalm 23Psalm 100:31 Peter 5:1-4 Outline: Jesus warns not to de-value children (Matthew 18:10)Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12-13)God’s view of children (Matthew 18:14) Tips for teaching: Hide a toy lamb or a...

Jesus told a parable about ten girls who participated in a wedding feast. The day's custom was for the feast to begin when the bridegroom arrived.  Five bridesmaids were wise and had their lamps ready for his arrival.  They were escorted into the feast.  The five foolish bridesmaids were off buying oil and missed being invited in.  Jesus said the parable meant always being ready because we do not know the day of his return. Bible verses used in this episode: Matthew 25:1-131 Thessalonians...

Jesus told two parables to explain the value of the kingdom of God. The first parable was about a man who found a treasure in a field.  He put the treasure back into the ground and then sold everything he had to buy the field. The second pearl was about another man that found a precious and valuable pearl.  This man also sold everything he had to buy this one pearl. The Kingdom of God is more precious than anything considered valuable in this world. Bible verses used in this...

Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like a little mustard seed. When this little seed is planted, it grows into a huge plant, many times the size of the little seed. God grows the smallest beginnings into big things.  Continue to serve him in even the smallest ways humbly. Bible verses used in this episode: Mark 4:30-32 Outline: Jesus wants to explain the kingdom of GodThe parable of the mustard seed Tips for teaching: Bring mustard seeds to class so the children can see how small they...

Every Jewish  person would have certainly known the command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” When a man asked Jesus what exactly was meant by “neighbour”, it sounds as if he was trying to get out of his responsibility under the Law. By telling the parable of a Samaritan who helped a complete stranger, Jesus made it plain that anyone in need is our neighbour. Bible verses used in this episode: Luke 10:25-37 Outline: A teacher tests Jesus (Luke 10:25-29)A parable about a good Samaritan...

Jesus told a parable about a farmer who planted seeds in four different types of soil. Only one of the soils produced a good crop. Jesus explained that the soils represented people’s hearts. When the word of God is planted in a good heart, good things will be produced in that person's life. Bible verses used in this episode: Matthew 13:1-9,18-23  Outline: Jesus tells the parable of the farmer and seeds (Matthew 13:1-9)Jesus explains why he uses parables (Matthew 13:10-17)Jesus explains...

In this parable, Jesus says that everyone who hears the word of God is building a house. The one who hears God’s word but does not do what it says is like a foolish builder who builds his house on sand. That house will be crushed in a storm. The one who hears the word of God and obeys it is like a wise man that builds his house on solid rock. That house will stand up to any storm. Wise people build their faith on the foundation of God’s word. This faith stands strong against the storms of...

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to many people. One of these times was to Peter and some other disciples who had spent an unproductive night fishing. Jesus directed them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, resulting in a miraculous fish catch. Jesus cooked breakfast for these followers on the beach and then provided Peter with a new opportunity to follow him and care for others in the future. Peter had previously denied Jesus, but now Jesus says to "feed my...

Jesus was buried in a tomb, and on the third day, some women arrived and were shocked to find the tomb empty.  Two angels appeared to explain that Jesus had risen from the dead. Jesus went on to appear to a number of people, including the disciples. Jesus had risen from death just like he said he would. Even though everything was bad, God made it good. He can do the same for us when things are bad. Bible verses used in this episode: Luke 23:50-24:49Romans 6:91 Corinthians 15Matthew...

Jesus was crucified on a cross like a common criminal, even though he had never done anything wrong. While he was on the cross, the earth became dark. The huge curtain in the temple in Jerusalem suddenly ripped in half at the exact moment Jesus died outside the city. There was also an earthquake. The day of the crucifixion was a terrible day. Jesus was innocent, but he was killed. Bible verses used in this episode: Matthew 27:32-56Luke 23:26-49 Outline: Going to the cross (Matthew...

After being arrested, Jesus was taken before a number of different religious and civil courts.  He suffered false accusations and mistreatments at every stage.  The result was that Jesus was sentenced to death on the cross.  Even as these trials were taking place, Peter denied him, and Judas took his own life.  Everything about the trial of Jesus and the surrounding events was unfair and sad, yet Jesus never strayed from his purpose.  Emphasise that we can do the right thing even if we are...