Teaching

Stand by the basket and hold the edge of the towel covering it, as if you were going to remove it—but don’t! Are you wondering what is in here?

Would anyone like to take a guess?

Those are some interesting guesses, and we will find out if any of them are correct at just the right time!

Walk a few steps away from the table.  If you are doing something good but no one seems to notice or care, is it easy or hard to keep going?

Why?

Sometimes we may feel that we are wasting our time. We can grow tired and weary of doing something—even if it’s a very good thing.

The Apostle Paul understood this very well—and he gave some wonderful advice:  

Read 1 Corinthians 15:58:

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Everything we do for God is important, and nothing is a waste of time! Even if others do not see the good we are doing, God always sees, and He is the one who blesses us!

That reminds me of something else that Paul wrote. In fact, it’s our SuperVerse, Galatians 6:9! Let’s say it together:

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Go back to the basket and place your hand on the towel again. Would you still like to know what is under here?

Yes, I thought so; and now is just the right time! Remove the towel to uncover the basket. Carry the basket with you as you talk.

This is a basket like someone might use to reap a harvest of crops from a garden or a farm. Can you reap fruit or vegetables right after you plant the seeds?

No, it takes time for the seeds to grow. As our SuperVerse says, we will reap a harvest of blessings at just the right time!

What are some of God’s blessings? Family, friends, homes, food, clothes, the Bible, church, etc.

God gives us many blessings that we can see—and He also gives us many blessings that we cannot see! Let’s talk about the spiritual blessings that God gives us when we serve Him faithfully and do not give up.   

Pull out the items from the basket one at a time, in order. Read the text, discuss and hold it up for all to see. If time permits, you may choose to have volunteers pull each item from the basket at the right time.

1.Cluster of Grapes: Joy

Paul wrote about the special joy that comes from sharing the Gospel and bringing people to Christ.

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:9:

How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence.

Read Philippians 4:1:

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6

The Bible talks about the joy of the harvest.

Read Deuteronomy 16:13–14a:

“You must observe the Festival of Shelters for seven days at the end of the harvest season, after the grain has been threshed and the grapes have been pressed. This festival will be a happy time of celebrating.”

When we share the Good News of Jesus, we are working for a wonderful harvest of souls.

2. Olives: Strength

When we trust God, He gives us His strength.

Read Isaiah 40:31:

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

When we grow tired and weak, we may be tempted to give up. But if we trust God, He promises to give us new strength to continue! 

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6

What is this a picture of? Olives.

Olives grow in the Holy Land and they are mentioned many times in the Bible. When you crush olives, you get olive oil to light lamps, to cook, and use for many other things. Olive trees grow to be very old; some are hundreds of years old. When Jesus prayed the night before He died, He was in the Garden of Gethsemane, which is on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. He knew that He was going to be tortured and crucified for the sins of everyone. Even though He didn’t want to die, He prayed in Luke 22:42b:

 “I want Your will to be done, not Mine.”

He prayed for strength to obey God. Did God answer His prayer?

Yes, Jesus had the strength to go to the cross and die for our sins. Strength is a gift from God, and He will give it to us when we trust Him.   

3. Pomegranate: Priceless Inheritance

When we ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, we are adopted as God’s children. As part of His family, We receive a priceless inheritance from God. We have forgiveness, faith, love, and power. 

Read 1 Peter 1:4:

And we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6

What kind of fruit is this?

It is a pomegranate, which is mentioned in the Bible many times. When you peel a pomegranate, you find many little pieces of fruit inside. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive many wonderful blessings in Him—here on Earth and up in heaven!

Unlike crops of fruit and vegetables, our inheritance will never rot or decay—it will last forever!

4. Kernels of Wheat: Eternal Life

This is the ultimate harvest blessing for all believers—eternal life in heaven with God! Nothing we can ever do will earn eternal life. It is a free gift from God through trusting Jesus!      

Read Galatians 6:8:

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6

Everyone has a choice. We can live a selfish life for ourselves, doing whatever feels good at the moment. Or, we can live for God and do what is good, looking forward to an eternity with Him.

Conclusion: Just like I waited to reveal what was in this basket at the right time, God will give us our harvest of blessings at just the right time. These blessings are real, and His timing is perfect! Let’s read what Paul said about this.

Read Philippians 3:14:

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Paul’s goal was to become more and more like Christ and to live with Him forever. Paul would not give up, and we must never give up, either! So let’s shout our SuperTruth: “I will not give up!” 

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Now it is time for our Discipleship Challenge! Who can tell me the first four books of the New Testament? Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.

The first four books are called the Gospels, and they are about Jesus’ life and ministry.

What is the name of the next book? Acts.

Acts tells what happened after Jesus died and rose again. He went up to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit, giving His followers power to witness for Him. Acts is full of exciting stories about how the apostles preached the Gospel everywhere they went. 

One of those apostles is Paul! And the next books of the Bible are letters that he wrote, which we call epistles. Can anyone name them in order, from memory?

Now let’s look at the poster and read them aloud together. Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. 

Our challenge is to learn the last nine New Testament books before we meet again. Let’s read them together. Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2 & 3 John, Jude, and Revelation.

Hand out a New Testament Books Pattern to children who were not present for Lesson 1 and explain how to make it at home. Display the model you made. 

Take your craft home as a reminder to learn the names of the New Testament books. Remember, when we know the books of the Bible in order, it is easier to look up Scriptures in God’s Word.