For more sabbath school lessons, activities, devotionals, resources, and encouragement, visit www.forchristianhomes.com
I'm planning to do more visual sabbath lessons at church. The description of how to do the presentation will be posted after sabbath. If you have questions about the verbal description, let me know. (email: cogffcds@protonmail.com
Starting January 21st, we are using the CEM sabbath school materials. To download a copy, here’s the link:
https://www.borntowin.net/yea/primaries/primaries-life-of-christ/
On that page, you’ll find a pdf link for the student book, the teacher book, and activities to extend the lesson (REACH).
September
Sabbath, September 2nd - Man looks at how someone appears on the outside. I look at what is in the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 - More Than Meets the Eye
Sabbath, September 9th - The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. Mark 4:11(NIV) Growing Pains
Sabbath, Sept 16th and Trumpets, Sept 17th - On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Leviticus 23:24 (NIV) Blow the Trumpet - What Are You Doing? and Are You Ready?
Sabbath, Sept 23rd - You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths. Leviticus 23:42 (ESV) - Are You Thankful? Why?
Tuesday, Sept 26th - The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves. . . Leviticus 23:27 (NIV) - Missing the Mark
https://www.borntowin.net/yea/primaries/primaries-life-of-christ/
On that page, you’ll find a pdf link for the student book, the teacher book, and activities to extend the lesson (REACH).
September
Sabbath, September 2nd - Man looks at how someone appears on the outside. I look at what is in the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 - More Than Meets the Eye
Sabbath, September 9th - The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. Mark 4:11(NIV) Growing Pains
Sabbath, Sept 16th and Trumpets, Sept 17th - On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Leviticus 23:24 (NIV) Blow the Trumpet - What Are You Doing? and Are You Ready?
Sabbath, Sept 23rd - You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths. Leviticus 23:42 (ESV) - Are You Thankful? Why?
Tuesday, Sept 26th - The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves. . . Leviticus 23:27 (NIV) - Missing the Mark
September 2nd
More Than Meets the Eye
Memory Verse: “Man looks at how someone appears on the outside. I look at what is in the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIrV)
Materials Needed: a box of treasures, several books, YEA lesson (Book 3, Lesson 8)
Have you ever picked up a box and decided you knew what was in it just by looking at the outside? How did that work out for you?
What about picking up a book and deciding what’s inside by looking at the cover? When I was a kid, I didn’t think I would like this book (Mandy by Julie [Andrews] Edwards), but when Mom read it and liked it, I gave it a try - and it became one of my favorites. I was similarly unfavorably disposed to read The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster because of the word “Phantom” in the title. But it is likewise one of my favorites. And then there’s this book - a textbook that gives a synopsis of all kinds of books. It’s very valuable - right? Well, I didn’t think so. So I hollowed it out and made it a mini-safe/hiding place. No one would ever guess what’s on the inside just by looking at the cover!!
The same is true about the people. We can’t know what’s going on in their heart just by looking at the outside. Nevertheless, we sure are good at judging other people. If someone is driving too fast on the highway, what is the first thing you think? Do you wonder if they are responding to a family emergency? Or is your first thought that they are reckless and inconsiderate? If the check out clerk at the grocery store is rude, do you respond with rudeness . . . or do you think that maybe they’re having a bad day because something bad happened - like their dog just died? Have you ever met someone for the very first time and thought that there’s no way you could possibly ever like that person? Occasionally you get the opportunity to find out the you were very wrong and you really truly like that person! The crazy thing is that we build up all kinds of stories in our head about why people are doing the things they are doing - and seldom do we ever find out just how incredibly wrong we were!
I hope the next time you see someone doing something that you think is really odd (as long as it isn’t breaking God’s laws), stop and consider that their heart is a lot more difficult to see into than the box or the book. What’s going on inside could very well surprise you!
Sabbath, September 9th
Growing Pains (YEA Lesson - www.borntowin.net )
Memory Verse: The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. Mark 4:11(NIV)
Materials Needed: cups, soil, seeds, water, light, extension cord, cup with lid
I planted cucumbers in one spot in my garden three times this summer. None of them came up. Lots of weeds came up, but there were no cucumber plants. Another spot in my garden, I planted cucumbers and they are thriving! I don’t know what I will do with all of the cucumbers!
There are lots of factors which go into successful gardening. Matthew 13 talks about sowing seed. The first batch of seeds were scattered along the path and the birds came and ate the seeds! I understand what that’s like! The deer and rabbits are eating my strawberry plants!! There haven’t been strawberries since May - and they’re still eating the plants. There’s no way I’m going to get any fruit - kind of like the birds eating the seeds which fell along the path.
The next batch of seeds was thrown in rocky soil. The plants started to grow, but they didn’t have any root - and they weren’t able to survive. The third batch of seeds started to grow, but the thorns grew up around them and choked them out. I understand this too. If I don’t keep the weeds out of my garden, what I really want to grow has to struggle for nutrients and water and sunlight. I won’t get much fruit. But the seeds that fell on the good soil produced a lot! Some returned 30, some 60, some 100 times what was sown.
Jesus was giving a parable which explains what happens with God’s word (the seed). Sometimes Satan snatches the word before it can take root - like the birds eating the seed along the path. Sometimes trouble comes to a person who has heard the word of God; they don’t continue in the Way because they don’t believe. The word didn’t take root! The third group of people are those who are distracted by things that they have or don’t have. They put more emphasis on things than on the relationship with God. The fourth category are those who hear God’s word and it takes root in their lives so they will produce fruit.
So look at my seeds. What if I put seeds in a cup - all by themselves? Will they do anything? No! O.K. What if I put soil in a cup, plant the seeds, and then put the lid on tightly so none of the soil will fall out? Will the seeds thrive? No. They need air. O.K. What if I put soil in a cup, plant a seed, and set it on the window sill, will the seed produce fruit? NO! It needs water! O.K. What if I put soil, seed, and water in a cup, will the seed grow tall and vibrant? No, it needs light!
As a Christian who loves God and should be producing fruit out of love and reverence for God, you are like that cup of soil. God has gifted you with a seed - the word of God. Are you going to seek God and His power through the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into you? Are you going to embrace the living water to lead you into all truth? Are you going to seek the Light and flourish before Him?
Growing isn’t easy. That’s why they are called growing pains. Oh but the fruit that you might just be able to produce for the King - that’s worth all of the effort!!
Sabbath, September 16th
Blow the Trumpet - What Are You Doing?
Memory Verse: On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Leviticus 23:24 (NIV)
Materials needed: tempera paint, construction paper, wash clothes
As we’re talking about the sabbath lesson today, I’m going to be putting your handprints on a piece of construction paper. At the top of the page, there’s a scripture verse. It says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might. . .” Ecclesiastes 9:10
So what have you been doing? Has it been a very busy week in your house? It’s been a very busy week in my house! Lots of food to cook for the Sabbath and Trumpets. Cleaning. Shopping. Practicing music. Doing laundry. Harvesting. Preparing.
What kinds of things have you been doing to get ready for this Sabbath and Trumpets?
It’s very, very important that we prepare for the Sabbath and for Trumpets. These are holy days, days that we don’t work - so we have to prepare ahead of time so that everything is done. But, sometimes we can get so busy doing all the things that have to be done that we forget to think about what’s even more important than food and laundry and cleaning house.
We should be preparing for God’s holy days in a spiritual sense too. What does that mean? We should be thinking about what these days mean. We should be thinking about our relationship with the One who will someday soon (I hope) return as King of kings. After all, having a clean house and clean clothes and food to eat is important - but not nearly as important as being ready to meet the King.
So what sorts of things should we have already done to be ready? Reading about the Feast of Trumpets in the Bible. Praying - because communication is important in any relationship! Thinking about God’s ways, God’s plans, God’s importance in my life. Repenting for my sins - if I haven’t already taken care of that. And praising God for these days.
King Solomon not only exhorted us “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might,” he also warned all of you: “Remember the Creator in the days of your youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) There’s no time like NOW to get ready to meet the King.
Trumpets, September 17th
Blow the Trumpet - Are You Ready?
Memory Verse: On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Leviticus 23:24 (NIV)
Materials needed: leaves turning color, Feast lists, egg timer
Are you ready?
How many times do you hear this in your house? Every time we are going someplace, it’s ubiquitous. As everyone starts to converge on the front door, someone will inevitably say, “Are you ready?”
It’s funny, isn’t it? Usually, if the person is almost to the front door, they’re ready to go. Occasionally, he will remember something at the last minute that he needs to get or that he needs to do. But for the most part, the answer you expect to hear is, “Yes, I’m ready.”
So . . . are you ready for the Feast of Tabernacles? Well, you might be looking forward to going - so you’re ready in that sense. But actually being ready? Probably not. It’s still two weeks away and there’s lots to be done in those two weeks.
So . . . are you ready for the Feast of Trumpets? I hope so, because it’s here! Was there anything that didn’t get done before sunset last night? Sometimes, hard as we try, everything on our list doesn’t quite get finished in time. Okay, in my case, I never get everything crossed off my list; there are still things I want to do.
So what I do I do? I have to prioritize. I do the most important things first. And really that’s what the Feast of Trumpets is all about - putting the most important things first because the King is coming and you don’t have enough time to do everything that there is to do.
We believe that the Feast of Trumpets pictures the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. This is a good thing - if you belong to Him. What does that mean? That means you have made God the top priority in your life. He comes first and you have a relationship with Him. You talk to Him daily (prayer). You listen to what He has to tell you (Bible study and meditation). You work really hard to be obedient to what you know He wants you to do; this demonstrates your faith.
So do you feel like you’re ready to meet the King? If not, it’s time to make sure your priorities are straight. The signs are all around us! Like the leaves turning colors tell us that the Feast is right around the corner, and the egg timer tells us that the eggs are almost done, the Feast of Trumpets tells us that now is the time to prepare for the return of our King.
September 23, 2023
Are You Thankful? Why?
You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths. Leviticus 23:42 (ESV)
Materials: Thankful wheels
Exodus 23:16 says, You shall keep the Feast of Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor.
We’re almost done with our harvest here at the Saladin household. The grapes, watermelon, and cantaloupe are all winding rapidly down. But as I take stock of what I’ve harvested this year, I’m overwhelmed! Beets, onions, asparagus, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, blackberries, garlic, green beans, tomatoes, green peppers, zucchini, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers - and even lavender!! God has been so good!!
What do I mean by that? It is God who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6, KJV). I can plant and water, but it is God who causes it to grow and produce - and to Him I give my sincere gratitude.
But it’s not just the garden for which I praise and thank God!! Deuteronomy 16:16-17 says that three times in the year you should bring an offering to present to God (and here’s the kicker) in proportion to the way He has blessed you!! How can I possibly give an offering in proportion to the way He’s blessed me!! I have a beautiful grandchild on the way!! I have a new son-in-law that we’ve adopted into the family!! I have three grown children who love the Lord - and they’ve married spouses that I love and who also love the Lord! I celebrated 30 years of marriage this June with a man who loves God and who loves me! What value could you possibly put on that?! And to top it all off, in a few short days, I get to go to the Feast of Tabernacles to rejoice before the Lord, to worship Him in concert with my family (spiritual and physical).
God tells us to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles and to rejoice! Rejoicing starts with a heart full of gratitude for what He has done. So count your blessings! Name them one by one!! And keep the Feast of Tabernacles, bringing before our Great God, the sacrifice of praise and rejoicing for His goodness and manifold blessings.
So what are you grateful for? Your parents? A nice house to live in? Pets? Friends?
[I’m giving the kids thankful wheels to color and put together to remind them of their blessings as they begin their final preparations for the Feast of Tabernacles.]
Tuesday, September 26th - Atonement
Missing the Mark
The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves. . . Leviticus 23:27 (NIV)
Materials: mini marshmallows, beans, target
If I gave you a handful of beans and asked you to hit the bulls-eye on the target, how many beans would hit the mark?
One way to define sin is “missing the mark.” In other words, your goal to do this thing and you didn’t. For instance, your goal is to always tell the truth (not bear false witness). Whether you miss the goal by a little (what people call a “little white lie”) or by a whole lot (you tell a great big whopper), you have missed the mark of being truthful. Similarly, your goal is to not steal. Whether you miss the goal by just a little (You took one of your neighbor’s apples dangling over the fence.) or by a whole lot (you embezzled 2.5 billion dollars from a company), you still missed the mark of not stealing.
Interestingly enough, the closer you are to the target, the greater the likelihood of hitting the target dead center. Hmm. That seems like a no-brainer. Of course you’re going to hit the target with much greater accuracy if you’re closer to it. Well, it’s the same way with God’s law. Let me submit to you that you cannot separate God’s law from the character of God. So the closer to get to God (aka relationship!!), the closer you are to the law. And greater is the likelihood that you hit the mark of obeying God’s law.
So what if you don’t hit the mark of obeying God’s law? Well, you’ve put yourself out of fellowship with God. That’s NOT a good thing. You’ve separated yourself from the blessings of God in this life and from being in the first resurrection - unless there’s some way to restore that fellowship. The problem is, the apostle Paul says that you’re dead in your sins. And like Ron says, dead people are notorious for not doing anything. You need a rescuer - a Savior; you need Jesus Christ.
On the Day of Atonement, God has given us a picture of providing a way for the whole community of God’s people to be reconciled to Himself. Do we have anything to do with what God has supplied? Not really! It’s a gift of Jesus to each of us. But God tells us to humble ourselves - so out of reverence and gratitude, we fast - and we rejoice that we have been set free from sin and the penalty of sin: death.
You know it doesn’t matter so much when it’s beans in Sabbath school, but it really is a big deal when you miss the mark when you’re talking about a relationship with God and God’s law!!
More Than Meets the Eye
Memory Verse: “Man looks at how someone appears on the outside. I look at what is in the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIrV)
Materials Needed: a box of treasures, several books, YEA lesson (Book 3, Lesson 8)
Have you ever picked up a box and decided you knew what was in it just by looking at the outside? How did that work out for you?
What about picking up a book and deciding what’s inside by looking at the cover? When I was a kid, I didn’t think I would like this book (Mandy by Julie [Andrews] Edwards), but when Mom read it and liked it, I gave it a try - and it became one of my favorites. I was similarly unfavorably disposed to read The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster because of the word “Phantom” in the title. But it is likewise one of my favorites. And then there’s this book - a textbook that gives a synopsis of all kinds of books. It’s very valuable - right? Well, I didn’t think so. So I hollowed it out and made it a mini-safe/hiding place. No one would ever guess what’s on the inside just by looking at the cover!!
The same is true about the people. We can’t know what’s going on in their heart just by looking at the outside. Nevertheless, we sure are good at judging other people. If someone is driving too fast on the highway, what is the first thing you think? Do you wonder if they are responding to a family emergency? Or is your first thought that they are reckless and inconsiderate? If the check out clerk at the grocery store is rude, do you respond with rudeness . . . or do you think that maybe they’re having a bad day because something bad happened - like their dog just died? Have you ever met someone for the very first time and thought that there’s no way you could possibly ever like that person? Occasionally you get the opportunity to find out the you were very wrong and you really truly like that person! The crazy thing is that we build up all kinds of stories in our head about why people are doing the things they are doing - and seldom do we ever find out just how incredibly wrong we were!
I hope the next time you see someone doing something that you think is really odd (as long as it isn’t breaking God’s laws), stop and consider that their heart is a lot more difficult to see into than the box or the book. What’s going on inside could very well surprise you!
Sabbath, September 9th
Growing Pains (YEA Lesson - www.borntowin.net )
Memory Verse: The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. Mark 4:11(NIV)
Materials Needed: cups, soil, seeds, water, light, extension cord, cup with lid
I planted cucumbers in one spot in my garden three times this summer. None of them came up. Lots of weeds came up, but there were no cucumber plants. Another spot in my garden, I planted cucumbers and they are thriving! I don’t know what I will do with all of the cucumbers!
There are lots of factors which go into successful gardening. Matthew 13 talks about sowing seed. The first batch of seeds were scattered along the path and the birds came and ate the seeds! I understand what that’s like! The deer and rabbits are eating my strawberry plants!! There haven’t been strawberries since May - and they’re still eating the plants. There’s no way I’m going to get any fruit - kind of like the birds eating the seeds which fell along the path.
The next batch of seeds was thrown in rocky soil. The plants started to grow, but they didn’t have any root - and they weren’t able to survive. The third batch of seeds started to grow, but the thorns grew up around them and choked them out. I understand this too. If I don’t keep the weeds out of my garden, what I really want to grow has to struggle for nutrients and water and sunlight. I won’t get much fruit. But the seeds that fell on the good soil produced a lot! Some returned 30, some 60, some 100 times what was sown.
Jesus was giving a parable which explains what happens with God’s word (the seed). Sometimes Satan snatches the word before it can take root - like the birds eating the seed along the path. Sometimes trouble comes to a person who has heard the word of God; they don’t continue in the Way because they don’t believe. The word didn’t take root! The third group of people are those who are distracted by things that they have or don’t have. They put more emphasis on things than on the relationship with God. The fourth category are those who hear God’s word and it takes root in their lives so they will produce fruit.
So look at my seeds. What if I put seeds in a cup - all by themselves? Will they do anything? No! O.K. What if I put soil in a cup, plant the seeds, and then put the lid on tightly so none of the soil will fall out? Will the seeds thrive? No. They need air. O.K. What if I put soil in a cup, plant a seed, and set it on the window sill, will the seed produce fruit? NO! It needs water! O.K. What if I put soil, seed, and water in a cup, will the seed grow tall and vibrant? No, it needs light!
As a Christian who loves God and should be producing fruit out of love and reverence for God, you are like that cup of soil. God has gifted you with a seed - the word of God. Are you going to seek God and His power through the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into you? Are you going to embrace the living water to lead you into all truth? Are you going to seek the Light and flourish before Him?
Growing isn’t easy. That’s why they are called growing pains. Oh but the fruit that you might just be able to produce for the King - that’s worth all of the effort!!
Sabbath, September 16th
Blow the Trumpet - What Are You Doing?
Memory Verse: On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Leviticus 23:24 (NIV)
Materials needed: tempera paint, construction paper, wash clothes
As we’re talking about the sabbath lesson today, I’m going to be putting your handprints on a piece of construction paper. At the top of the page, there’s a scripture verse. It says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might. . .” Ecclesiastes 9:10
So what have you been doing? Has it been a very busy week in your house? It’s been a very busy week in my house! Lots of food to cook for the Sabbath and Trumpets. Cleaning. Shopping. Practicing music. Doing laundry. Harvesting. Preparing.
What kinds of things have you been doing to get ready for this Sabbath and Trumpets?
It’s very, very important that we prepare for the Sabbath and for Trumpets. These are holy days, days that we don’t work - so we have to prepare ahead of time so that everything is done. But, sometimes we can get so busy doing all the things that have to be done that we forget to think about what’s even more important than food and laundry and cleaning house.
We should be preparing for God’s holy days in a spiritual sense too. What does that mean? We should be thinking about what these days mean. We should be thinking about our relationship with the One who will someday soon (I hope) return as King of kings. After all, having a clean house and clean clothes and food to eat is important - but not nearly as important as being ready to meet the King.
So what sorts of things should we have already done to be ready? Reading about the Feast of Trumpets in the Bible. Praying - because communication is important in any relationship! Thinking about God’s ways, God’s plans, God’s importance in my life. Repenting for my sins - if I haven’t already taken care of that. And praising God for these days.
King Solomon not only exhorted us “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might,” he also warned all of you: “Remember the Creator in the days of your youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) There’s no time like NOW to get ready to meet the King.
Trumpets, September 17th
Blow the Trumpet - Are You Ready?
Memory Verse: On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Leviticus 23:24 (NIV)
Materials needed: leaves turning color, Feast lists, egg timer
Are you ready?
How many times do you hear this in your house? Every time we are going someplace, it’s ubiquitous. As everyone starts to converge on the front door, someone will inevitably say, “Are you ready?”
It’s funny, isn’t it? Usually, if the person is almost to the front door, they’re ready to go. Occasionally, he will remember something at the last minute that he needs to get or that he needs to do. But for the most part, the answer you expect to hear is, “Yes, I’m ready.”
So . . . are you ready for the Feast of Tabernacles? Well, you might be looking forward to going - so you’re ready in that sense. But actually being ready? Probably not. It’s still two weeks away and there’s lots to be done in those two weeks.
So . . . are you ready for the Feast of Trumpets? I hope so, because it’s here! Was there anything that didn’t get done before sunset last night? Sometimes, hard as we try, everything on our list doesn’t quite get finished in time. Okay, in my case, I never get everything crossed off my list; there are still things I want to do.
So what I do I do? I have to prioritize. I do the most important things first. And really that’s what the Feast of Trumpets is all about - putting the most important things first because the King is coming and you don’t have enough time to do everything that there is to do.
We believe that the Feast of Trumpets pictures the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. This is a good thing - if you belong to Him. What does that mean? That means you have made God the top priority in your life. He comes first and you have a relationship with Him. You talk to Him daily (prayer). You listen to what He has to tell you (Bible study and meditation). You work really hard to be obedient to what you know He wants you to do; this demonstrates your faith.
So do you feel like you’re ready to meet the King? If not, it’s time to make sure your priorities are straight. The signs are all around us! Like the leaves turning colors tell us that the Feast is right around the corner, and the egg timer tells us that the eggs are almost done, the Feast of Trumpets tells us that now is the time to prepare for the return of our King.
September 23, 2023
Are You Thankful? Why?
You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths. Leviticus 23:42 (ESV)
Materials: Thankful wheels
Exodus 23:16 says, You shall keep the Feast of Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor.
We’re almost done with our harvest here at the Saladin household. The grapes, watermelon, and cantaloupe are all winding rapidly down. But as I take stock of what I’ve harvested this year, I’m overwhelmed! Beets, onions, asparagus, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, blackberries, garlic, green beans, tomatoes, green peppers, zucchini, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers - and even lavender!! God has been so good!!
What do I mean by that? It is God who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6, KJV). I can plant and water, but it is God who causes it to grow and produce - and to Him I give my sincere gratitude.
But it’s not just the garden for which I praise and thank God!! Deuteronomy 16:16-17 says that three times in the year you should bring an offering to present to God (and here’s the kicker) in proportion to the way He has blessed you!! How can I possibly give an offering in proportion to the way He’s blessed me!! I have a beautiful grandchild on the way!! I have a new son-in-law that we’ve adopted into the family!! I have three grown children who love the Lord - and they’ve married spouses that I love and who also love the Lord! I celebrated 30 years of marriage this June with a man who loves God and who loves me! What value could you possibly put on that?! And to top it all off, in a few short days, I get to go to the Feast of Tabernacles to rejoice before the Lord, to worship Him in concert with my family (spiritual and physical).
God tells us to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles and to rejoice! Rejoicing starts with a heart full of gratitude for what He has done. So count your blessings! Name them one by one!! And keep the Feast of Tabernacles, bringing before our Great God, the sacrifice of praise and rejoicing for His goodness and manifold blessings.
So what are you grateful for? Your parents? A nice house to live in? Pets? Friends?
[I’m giving the kids thankful wheels to color and put together to remind them of their blessings as they begin their final preparations for the Feast of Tabernacles.]
Tuesday, September 26th - Atonement
Missing the Mark
The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves. . . Leviticus 23:27 (NIV)
Materials: mini marshmallows, beans, target
If I gave you a handful of beans and asked you to hit the bulls-eye on the target, how many beans would hit the mark?
One way to define sin is “missing the mark.” In other words, your goal to do this thing and you didn’t. For instance, your goal is to always tell the truth (not bear false witness). Whether you miss the goal by a little (what people call a “little white lie”) or by a whole lot (you tell a great big whopper), you have missed the mark of being truthful. Similarly, your goal is to not steal. Whether you miss the goal by just a little (You took one of your neighbor’s apples dangling over the fence.) or by a whole lot (you embezzled 2.5 billion dollars from a company), you still missed the mark of not stealing.
Interestingly enough, the closer you are to the target, the greater the likelihood of hitting the target dead center. Hmm. That seems like a no-brainer. Of course you’re going to hit the target with much greater accuracy if you’re closer to it. Well, it’s the same way with God’s law. Let me submit to you that you cannot separate God’s law from the character of God. So the closer to get to God (aka relationship!!), the closer you are to the law. And greater is the likelihood that you hit the mark of obeying God’s law.
So what if you don’t hit the mark of obeying God’s law? Well, you’ve put yourself out of fellowship with God. That’s NOT a good thing. You’ve separated yourself from the blessings of God in this life and from being in the first resurrection - unless there’s some way to restore that fellowship. The problem is, the apostle Paul says that you’re dead in your sins. And like Ron says, dead people are notorious for not doing anything. You need a rescuer - a Savior; you need Jesus Christ.
On the Day of Atonement, God has given us a picture of providing a way for the whole community of God’s people to be reconciled to Himself. Do we have anything to do with what God has supplied? Not really! It’s a gift of Jesus to each of us. But God tells us to humble ourselves - so out of reverence and gratitude, we fast - and we rejoice that we have been set free from sin and the penalty of sin: death.
You know it doesn’t matter so much when it’s beans in Sabbath school, but it really is a big deal when you miss the mark when you’re talking about a relationship with God and God’s law!!
