Love - Lesson 2: The Importance of Love

Love

Lesson 2: The Importance of Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 [1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.

Galatians 5:13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

This series of lessons will center around love as seen in chapter 13 of the apostle Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. The purpose of these lessons is to teach about love: love's importance; what love looks like lived out, including what it is and what it isn't, and what it does and what it doesn't do; love's greatness.

Love is important. We can possess many spiritual gifts, and we can do many good things. These gifts and good works are good. It is good to speak in the tongues of men and of angels. It is good to have the gift of prophecy, to know mysteries and knowledge, to have faith. It is good to give alms and to sacrifice yourself even unto death. In those good things, our service to others, whether in the use of spiritual gifts, or in the doing of good works and deeds, must be done through love (Galatians 5:13). Having love or not having love, may or may not have an effect on the service done to another, but it has everything to do with the servant doing the service.

Speaking with the languages of men and of angels is a good things. We can speak words that help and build up others (Ephesians 4:29). We can even speak words for the salvation of those who hear (Acts 11:14). This may be a gift of the Holy Spirit. If we do not have love, we may still be able to speak in this way. However, if we do not have love, then we, the speaker, are in God's sight a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

Prophecy, wisdom, knowledge and faith are all gifts of the Holy Spirit. Surely those who possess these gifts might dare to call themselves Christians, disciples of Jesus Christ, children of God. If we do not have love, we may still prophecy or know wisdom and knowledge, etc.. Balaam had the gift of prophecy, and was able to prophesy, though it seems he did not have love. King Saul prophesied three times, though at least two of those time it seems safe to say he did not have love. If we do not have love, whatever we may be able to do with our gifts, we ourselves are counted as nothing in the sight of God.

Giving alms and sacrificing yourself is good. Many times we are told that giving alms is a means of gaining treasure in heaven. Jesus said that if we lose our life for his sake and the gospels, we will save our life. Giving alms and sacrificing yourself can be of great profit to the one giving. If we do not have love, we can still give alms and still offer our body to death. Those alms and that sacrifice may even help others. However, if we do not have love, then those things will be of no profit to us. We will not gain treasure in heaven. We will not save our life by losing it. Love is of such importance in God's eyes.

We must have love. All the other things are good. As we are able, we should serve others through these different gifts or actions. Above all these things, we must have love, so that we can serve one another through love.

Jesus had all these things. With them he also had love. He is the one who has gone before us and shown us the way. He spoke, he prophesied, and knew mysteries and knowledge. He could move mountains. He gave alms, and sacrificed his body for the sins of men. He also had love. So he is the risen Christ, exalted to the right hand of God, and appointed as the one who will come again to judge the living and the dead. May we follow in his steps, through love being servants to one another.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are having some lessons on 1 Corinthians 13, about love. While 1 Corinthians 13 is not the only place God teaches us about love, it provides a very helpful, practical, and (perhaps) easily understood description of love.

In this lesson, we will learn about the importance of love.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 with the children. Ask them to name the gifts and actions mentioned and write them down on the board as they name them. (Speaking; Prophecy; Wisdom; Knowledge; Faith; Giving alms; Sacrificing your body.) What is important to have in addition to all these? (Love.)

Using the list on the board, help the children think of stories or examples from the Bible that relate to each item. You can use the stories listed below in the “Stories” section if they cannot think of a story for the items on the list. Can they think of someone who spoke well? Did they speak having love, or not having love? Can you think of someone who prophesied? Did they also have love, or not? Etc.

Finally, ask them about Jesus. Did Jesus speak well? Did Jesus prophesy? Did Jesus know all mysteries and all knowledge? Did he have all faith to move mountains? Did he help the poor? Did he sacrifice his own body? Did he have love? So as we serve others, what should we have? (Love.)

To close the lesson, pray with the children (perhaps that we could learn to serve one another through love) and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 [1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.

Speak

Acts 12:18-23 – Herod spoke well, but had no love.

Philippians 1:12-18 – Some preached Christ from selfish ambition. Some preached Christ from love.

Prophecy

1 Samuel 18:8-11; 19:18-24 – King Saul prophesied, but did not have love.

John 11:51 – The High Priest Ananias prophesied about Jesus dying for the nation. He did not have love.

Numbers 22-24;31:8,16 – Balaam had the gift of prophecy. He did not have love, but cared only for money.

Mysteries, Knowledge

2 Samuel 16:23; 17:23 – Ahithophel knew and understood much. He did not have love.

1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 4:1 – Paul new mysteries. He used this to serve others through love.

Give alms

Luke 18:9-14 – The pharisee gave tithes of all he received. He did not have love.

Acts 10:1-6 – Cornelius gave alms and had love. It was of great profit to him and his household.

Sacrifice your body

Daniel 3:1-30 – The three friends offered their bodies to be burned. They had love.

More Stories and Examples:

Numbers 22-24;31:8,16 [31:16] Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Yahweh in the matter of Peor, and so the plague was among the congregation of Yahweh.

Balaam was a prophet. His prophecies are recorded in the book of Numbers. His death among the enemies of God's people is also recorded in the book of Numbers. He had the gift of prophecy, but he did not have love for God or for God's people. He sought after money for himself (2 Peter 2:15). In the end, he was nothing.

2 Peter 2:15-17 [15] forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrongdoing; [16] but he was rebuked for his own disobedience. A mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and stopped the madness of the prophet. [17] These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.

If we speak well or prophesy, if we possess spiritual knowledge or great faith, if we give many gifts to help the poor or sacrifice our own bodies, but we do not have love, then we are like a well without water.

Mark 10:17-23 [17] As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” [18] Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. [19] You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’” [20] He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.” [21] Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.” [22] But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. [23] Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!”

It is likely that too many of us look with scorn at this man who came to Jesus. Jesus will teach him a lesson. However, we are told that Jesus looked at him and loved him. That makes all the difference. His words are not the words of the proud, boasting over the state of others, as a Pharisee once did in the temple (Luke 18:9-14). Jesus loved the man. He desired not the downfall but the salvation of this man's soul. May we have love in this way.

Other Verses:

SPEAK WITH TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS

Acts 11:13-15 [13] He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa, and get Simon, who is called Peter, [14] who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.’ [15] As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 [7] But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. [8] For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; [9] to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; [10] and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. [11] But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Philippians 1:12-18 [12] Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News; [13] so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ; [14] and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear. [15] Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will. [16] The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains; [17] but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News. [18] What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.

Both groups of people preached Christ. Some from selfish ambition, and some from love. Those preaching Christ from selfish ambition were still preaching Christ, just as those who were preaching from love. “Christ is proclaimed.” Yet surely the former will not find God's good pleasure, while the latter will one day hear “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

HAVE GIFT OF PROPHECY

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 [7] But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. [8] For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; [9] to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; [10] and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. [11] But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

1 Corinthians 12:28 God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.

Matthew 7:21-23 [21] Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ [23] Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’

KNOW ALL MYSTERIES AND KNOWLEDGE

Matthew 13:11 He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 [7] But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. [8] For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; [9] to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; [10] and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. [11] But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

HAVE ALL FAITH SO AS TO REMOVE MOUNTAINS

Matthew 17:20 He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 21:21-22 [21] Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith, and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it would be done. [22] All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Mark 11:22-24 [22] Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. [23] For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says. [24] Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.

Luke 17:5-6 [5] The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” [6] The Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, ‘Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

1Corinthians 12:7-11 [7] But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. [8] For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; [9] to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; [10] and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. [11] But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.

GIVE ALMS

Matthew 6:1-4 [1] “Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. [2] Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. [3] But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, [4] so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Mark 12:41-44 [41] Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. [42] A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. [43] He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, [44] for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”

Luke 14:12-14 [12] He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you make a dinner or a supper, don’t call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might also return the favor, and pay you back. [13] But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind; [14] and you will be blessed, because they don’t have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous.”

Luke 18:21-22 [21] He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.” [22] When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me.”

Galatians 6:9-10 [9] Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up. [10] So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

SACRIFICE BODY TO BE BURNED

Matthew 16:24-25 [24] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. [25] For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.

John 15:12-13 [12] “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 13:36-38 [36] Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.” [37] Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” [38] Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.

2 Timothy 2:11 This saying is faithful: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him.

HAVE LOVE

Matthew 22:34-40 [34] But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. [35] One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him. [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” [37] Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

All that God's children ought to be and do depends on these two commandments. Love binds all together.

Luke 11:42 But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and the love of God. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.

Romans 13:8-10 [8] Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

Galatians 5:13-14 [13] For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. [14] For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

1 Timothy 1:5-6 [5] but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith; [6] from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking;

1 John 3:10-18 [10] In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn’t love his brother. [11] For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; [12] unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. [13] Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. [14] We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death. [15] Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. [16] By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. [17] But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him? [18] My little children, let’s not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.

1 John 4:7-12 [7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. [8] He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. [9] By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.

Love - Lesson 1: Introduction

Love

Lesson 1: Introduction

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Galatians 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

The Main Points for This Lesson:

This series of lessons will center around love as seen in chapter 13 of the apostle Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. The purpose of these lessons is to teach about love: love's importance; what love looks like lived out, including what it is and what it isn't, and what it does and what it doesn't do; love's greatness.

Love is of the highest importance in God's kingdom. God first loved us, and so we love him. His commandments depend on love, they are summed up in love, and are fulfilled in love. The goal of the apostles' teaching, instruction and command is love. God expects to see us love both him and our neighbor.

The love commanded by God (and first demonstrated by God to us) is real and practical. This love is not first and foremost an emotion or feeling, though it may result in emotions or feelings. This love is made of real actions, choices and attitudes. The apostle John said that we can know if we love one another. How? Love is walking according to God's commandments.

Love is the greatest thing. Many other things, even good things (ie. prophecy, speaking in tongues, knowledge), will pass away, or one day become unnecessary. Love will never pass away or become obsolete. In this life we do not understand all things or see God or life clearly, though one day we will. Faith, hope and love will bring us through this life's obscure sight to the next life's brightness and glory, to the time when we see God clearly, face to face. Above all these things, put on love, which is the greatest of these.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are now having some lessons on 1 Corinthians 13, about love. While 1 Corinthians 13 is not the only place God teaches us about love, it provides a very helpful, practical, and (perhaps) easily understood description of love.

In this lesson, we will give an introduction to the subject of love.

Ask the children to think of stories or verses from the Bible that talk about love. Is there a story where someone showed love to another person? Is there a story where God showed love to people? If they can't think of anything at first, give them a hint to remind them of the story of the good Samaritan. As they think of stories, ask them to tell you how they know that person showed love, or that a person was shown love.

Then, ask the children to describe love to you, or to explain to you what is in simple words. Write their descriptions down on the board so they can be seen. You may need to offer some suggestions to help them. You could remind them of the stories, to see if they give any ideas for explaining about love.

Finally, read to them 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Before you read it, ask them to listen to see if what you read fits with their descriptions of love and with the stories they thought of.

To close the lesson, pray with the children and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 [1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.

[4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, [5] doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

[8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.

More Stories and Examples:

Luke 7:1-10 [1] After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. [2] A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death. [3] When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant. [4] When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him, [5] for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.” [6] Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. [7] Therefore I didn’t even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed. [8] For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” [9] When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” [10] Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Other Verses:

Exodus 20:5-6 [5] you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, [6] and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Leviticus 19:18 “‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.

Leviticus 19:33-34 [33] “‘If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. [34] The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 [4] Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God. Yahweh is one. [5] You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 [12] Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, [13] to keep the commandments of Yahweh, and his statutes, which I command you this day for your good?

Matthew 22:34-40 [34] But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. [35] One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him. [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” [37] Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Romans 13:8-10 [8] Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

Galatians 5:13-15 [13] For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. [14] For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [15] But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another.

Colossians 3:12-14 [12] Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. [14] Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

1 Timothy 1:5-6 [5] but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith; [6] from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking;

James 2:8 However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.

1 John 4:7-12 [7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. [8] He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. [9] By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.

1 John 4:16-21 [16] We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. [17] In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. [19] We love him, because he first loved us. [20] If a man says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? [21] This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.

1 John 5:1-3 [1] Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. Whoever loves the Father also loves the child who is born of him. [2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. [3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.

2 John 1:5-6 [5] Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. [6] This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

Pride & Humility - Lesson 8: Conclusion

Pride & Humility

Lesson 8: Conclusion

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

The main purpose of this series of lessons on pride and humility is to emphasize what God has shown us – that he resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. These lessons should help show what pride and humility are, how they appear in our own lives, and what the end result of each is, encouraging and exhorting us to put off pride and clothe ourselves with humility.

In the first lesson, we gave simple definitions for pride and humility. Pride is thinking more highly of ourselves than is right and true. Humility is thinking rightly of ourselves in the sight of (or in relation to) God the Father Almighty and his son Jesus Christ, our lord.

Pride and humility appear in different forms. Pride shows itself in not listening, in an unwillingness to repent and confess sins, in exalting yourself over other people, and in exalting yourself over God, whether through boasting or disobedience. Humility shows itself in a willingness to listen to advice and counsel, in a contrite heart as it repents of and confesses its sin, in meekness, love and service to others, including those who are counted (by the world) lower than yourself. It shows itself in a joyful and faithful obedience to God.

This last lesson is to remind us once more that God resists (or is opposed to) the proud and gives grace to the humble. If you want God to be against you, you only need to be proud. On the other hand, God promises to give grace to those who are humble in heart, mind and actions.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are now having a few lessons on pride and humility. This is important because God has said in his word, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

In this lesson, we will give a conclusion to pride and humility.

Let the children know that you will read to them the story of King Ahab and his pride and humility.

Read the story of Ahab in 1 Kings 21:16-29. You may need to remind the children how Jezebel (Ahab's wife) killed Naboth to get his vineyard, and how Ahab was happy to get the vineyard. That leads up to the beginning of this story about Ahab and Elijah.

As you read the story, or when you are done, you could ask the children some questions. How was Ahab proud? (He disobeyed God in the sight of God.) What message did God send to Ahab through Elijah the prophet? (God would bring great evil upon Ahab and his family.) What did Ahab do when he heard this message? (He listened and humbled himself.) What did God do when he saw that Ahab had humbled himself? (He showed some mercy to Ahab, by postponing the evil he said he would bring.)

Ask the children, why would God show mercy to such a wicked man as Ahab? (Help them to come to the answer that God has said that he is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.)

To close the lesson, pray with the children and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

1 Kings 21:16-29 [16] When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. [17] Yahweh’s word came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, [18] “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who dwells in Samaria. Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of it. [19] You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs will lick your blood, even yours.”’” [20] Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do that which is evil in the sight of Yahweh. [21] Behold, I will bring evil on you, and will utterly sweep you away and will cut off from Ahab everyone who urinates against a wall, and him who is shut up and him who is left at large in Israel. [22] I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah for the provocation with which you have provoked me to anger, and have made Israel to sin.” [23] Yahweh also spoke of Jezebel, saying, “The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the rampart of Jezreel. [24] The dogs will eat he who dies of Ahab in the city; and the birds of the sky will eat he who dies in the field.” [25] But there was no one like Ahab, who sold himself to do that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. [26] He did very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites did, whom Yahweh cast out before the children of Israel. [27] When Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. [28] Yahweh’s word came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, [29] “See how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but in his son’s days will I bring the evil on his house.”

God had promised great evil to come upon Ahab and his family. Who was like Ahab (1 Kings 21:25), who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord? When Ahab heard this sentence from God spoken by Elijah, he went and humbled himself. God saw how even this wicked man Ahab humbled himself, and he gave some measure of grace to Ahab.

More Stories and Examples:

Other Verses:

Psalm 131:1-3 [1] Yahweh, my heart isn’t haughty, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me. [2] Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. [3] Israel, hope in Yahweh, from this time forward and forever more.

James 4:6-10 [6] But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” [7] Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

1 Peter 5:5-7 [5] Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; [7] casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

Pride & Humility - Lesson 7: Humility and Serving Others

Pride & Humility

Lesson 7: Humility and Serving Others

Matthew 20:25-28 [25] But Jesus summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [26] It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. [27] Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, [28] even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

John 13:14-15 [14] If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. [15] For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

The main purpose of this series of lessons on pride and humility is to emphasize what God has shown us – that he resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. These lessons should help show what pride and humility are, how they appear in our own lives, and what the end result of each is, encouraging and exhorting us to put off pride and clothe ourselves with humility.

In the first lesson, we gave simple definitions for pride and humility. Pride is thinking more highly of ourselves than is right and true. Humility is thinking rightly of ourselves in the sight of (or in relation to) God the Father Almighty and his son Jesus Christ, our lord.

Humility and serving others. It is pride that leads us to think everyone else must serve us. Humility teaches us to serve others.

Who should serve, help and do good to others? The answer is, I should. This is true for us throughout our lives. When we are young, in humility we serve through our simple and honest obedience. As we grow in age and authority, in humility we still serve.

The greatest will be the servant of all. Jesus did not teach by word or example that the leaders should be served. Rather, he taught that the greatest among you should be the servant of all. In God's kingdom, as you increase in position and authority, you ought to serve all the more. This is not because we ignore the fact of our position. Instead, the very position or authority is given so that the one possessing it may serve the ones over whom he has that position or authority.

Jesus taught this by word and example. He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. He, the master, washed the feet of his disciples, teaching that those who follow him must follow his example. He showed us the true purpose of authority when he humbled himself and became a man, a servant of men.

The humble will be exalted. Jesus humbled himself, even to the point of death on a cross. For this reason, God highly exalted him, and gave him a name over every name. If we will humble ourselves to serve others, God will exalt us as well. He will not exalt us whenever we want to be exalted. He will exalt us at the proper time. While that time may not be until death, yet, his exaltation is eternal and will not fail.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are now having a few lessons on pride and humility. This is important because God has said in his word, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

In this lesson, we will learn about humility and serving others.

Let the children know that you will read about Jesus and how he served others.

Read John 13:1-17. Did Jesus humble himself? How? How did he serve his disciples? Do you think this was a fun thing to do? What did Jesus teach his disciples after he washed their feet?

Read Philippians 2:5-11. How did Jesus humble himself? Was there more than one way? What happened to him when he humbled himself? (He died on the cross.) What did God do because he humbled himself so much? Does God give us any promise similar to this if we humble ourselves? (1 Peter 5:5-6.)

Further questions. Can you think of other ways that Jesus served others while he was on earth? Who are some people that you could serve now? What are some ways that you could serve those people now?

To close the lesson, pray with the children and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

John 13:1-17 [1] Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. [2] During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, [3] Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, [4] arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist. [5] Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. [6] Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” [7] Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.” [8] Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.” [9] Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” [10] Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” [11] For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” [12] So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? [13] You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. [14] If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. [15] For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. [16] Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him. [17] If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Philippians 2:5-11 [5] Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. [9] Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, [11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

More Stories and Examples:

Other Verses:

Matthew 20:25-28 [25] But Jesus summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [26] It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. [27] Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, [28] even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:42-45 [42] Jesus summoned them, and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [43] But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. [44] Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. [45] For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Luke 22:24-27 [24] There arose also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. [25] He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ [26] But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. [27] For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am in your midst as one who serves.

Matthew 23:1-12 [1] Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, [2] saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ seat. [3] All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. [4] For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. [5] But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, [6] and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, [7] the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. [8] But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. [9] Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. [10] Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. [11] But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. [12] Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

1 Corinthians 1:11-13 [11] For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. [12] Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” and, “I follow Christ.” [13] Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 3:4-9,21-23 [4] For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you fleshly? [5] Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him? [6] I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. [7] So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. [8] Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. [9] For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s farming, God’s building. [21] Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, [22] whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours, [23] and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Here is an example of pride and humility. The pride of the Corinthian Christians is seen in their exalting themselves over one another by boasting that they followed a particular apostle or teacher. In their boasting, blinded by their pride, they did not see that their prideful boasting showed that they did not follow Paul, Apollos or Cephas (Peter). The humility of Paul, Apollos and Cephas is seen in their service. They did not come to exalt themselves, but to exalt Jesus Christ as Lord, and to serve others, helping them grow unto salvation.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 [19] For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. [20] To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law; [21] to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law. [22] To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. [23] Now I do this for the sake of the Good News, that I may be a joint partaker of it.

2 Corinthians 4:5 For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake;

Galatians 5:13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.

Philippians 1:1-11 [1] If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, [2] make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; [3] doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; [4] each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. [5] Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. [9] Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, [11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Peter 5:1-7 [1] I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed. [2] Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; [3] neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. [4] When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away. [5] Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; [7] casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

The elders, as the leaders, were to serve those under their authority, not lording it over them, but proving examples to the flock.

Pride & Humility - Lesson 6: Exalting Self over God

Pride and Humility

Lesson 6: Exalting Self over God

Isaiah 2:11-12 [11] The lofty looks of man will be brought low, the haughtiness of men will be bowed down, and Yahweh alone will be exalted in that day. [12] For there will be a day of Yahweh of Armies for all that is proud and haughty, and for all that is lifted up; and it shall be brought low:

Romans 1:21 Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

The main purpose of this series of lessons on pride and humility is to emphasize what God has shown us – that he resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. These lessons should help show what pride and humility are, how they appear in our own lives, and what the end result of each is, encouraging and exhorting us to put off pride and clothe ourselves with humility.

In the first lesson, we gave simple definitions for pride and humility. Pride is thinking more highly of ourselves than is right and true. Humility is thinking rightly of ourselves in the sight of (or in relation to) God the Father Almighty and his son Jesus Christ, our lord.

Pride and exalting self over God. Pride leads us to exalt ourselves over others, to honor ourselves and despise others. Many stories from the Bible illustrate this in regards to men exalting themselves over other men. However, pride ultimately leads us to exalt to the place of being equal with God or of being greater than God. The serpent in the garden tempted Eve by saying that she could be “like God” by eating the fruit of the tree. Belshazzar lifted up his heart against God.

Pride blinds us. Pride, by its nature, excludes at least some part of what is right and true. When the rich exalts himself over the poor, thinking he has greater inherent worth because he possesses wealth than the one who does not possess wealth, he is shutting his eyes to the fact that the Lord is the maker of both the rich and the poor (Proverbs 22:2).

Further blindness. If levels of blindness exist, then it can be said that pride can lead to further blindness. Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself. He had set aside the knowledge of God, and instead put himself in the place of God. God humbled him by having him eat grass like an ox. Finally, Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself and acknowledged that God is the one who rules over all things, giving glory and honor to God. His son, Belshazzar, in pride, exalted himself as well. Notice the greater pride of Belshazzar in this: Not only did he lift up his heart against God, but he did so knowing full well of the experience of Nebuchadnezzar. Knowing all this, his pride blinded him to the plain lesson taught through the experience of his father Nebuchadnezzar.

Pride is dangerous. Pride leads men to their own destruction. It not only leads men thus, but blinds them to the path (and its end) on which they are walking. In its exclusion of what is right and true, we can also say that pride enslaves us (Matthew 6:23).

The truth shall set you free. Pride exists by excluding truth. The end of pride is destruction. Jesus said that the truth will set us free (John 8:32). The truth will lead us to humility, both before God and men. This is the path of freedom, and it is the path that leads to life.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are now having a few lessons on pride and humility. This is important because God has said in his word, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

In this lesson, we will look at Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar in the book of Daniel.

Let the children know that you will read two stories from the book of Daniel about Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. You want them to listen to the stories and notice when the main character in each story is proud and/or humble, and what their pride and humility looks like.

Read to them the story of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:1-37. The main purpose is to show the pride of Nebuchadnezzar, his humility (how God brought him low) and how he humbled himself. With that in mind, it is not necessary to read the whole story.

Read to them the story of Belshazzar in Daniel 5:1-31. Again, the main purpose is to show the pride of Belshazzar, especially how he lifted up his heart against God, and this in spite of knowing about the experience of Nebuchadnezzar.

To close the lesson, pray with the children and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

Daniel 4:1-37

[24] this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my lord the king: [25] that you shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field, and you shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and shall be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will. [26] Whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; your kingdom shall be sure to you, after that you shall have known that the heavens do rule. [27] Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of your tranquility. [28] All this came on the king Nebuchadnezzar. [29] At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon. [30] The king spoke and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty? [31] While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you. [32] You shall be driven from men; and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen. Seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.”

Daniel 5:1-31

[22] You, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, [23] but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways, you have not glorified.

More Stories and Examples:

Acts 12:20-23 [20] Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus, the king’s personal aide, their friend, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. [21] On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and gave a speech to them. [22] The people shouted, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” [23] Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn’t give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.

Other Verses:

Genesis 3:1-7 [1] Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?’” [2] The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, [3] but not the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, ‘You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” [4] The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t surely die, [5] for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” [6] When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate; and she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too. [7] Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves.

The serpent introduced Eve to pride. You can be like God. Since that time pride has continued to dwell in and deceive the hearts of men. Notice the result of the first act of pride. It was not glory and honor. Rather, it was guilt and shame as they now saw their nakedness.

Psalm 10:1-18 [1] Why do you stand far off, Yahweh? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? [2] In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They are caught in the schemes that they devise. [3] For the wicked boasts of his heart’s cravings. He blesses the greedy, and condemns Yahweh. [4] The wicked, in the pride of his face, has no room in his thoughts for God. [5] His ways are prosperous at all times. He is haughty, and your laws are far from his sight. As for all his adversaries, he sneers at them. [6] He says in his heart, “I shall not be shaken. For generations I shall have no trouble.” [7] His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity. [8] He lies in wait near the villages. From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the helpless. [9] He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush. He lies in wait to catch the helpless. He catches the helpless, when he draws him in his net. [10] The helpless are crushed. They collapse. They fall under his strength. [11] He says in his heart, “God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see it.” [12] Arise, Yahweh! God, lift up your hand! Don’t forget the helpless. [13] Why does the wicked person condemn God, and say in his heart, “God won’t call me into account?” [14] But you do see trouble and grief. You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless. [15] Break the arm of the wicked. As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none. [16] Yahweh is King forever and ever! The nations will perish out of his land. [17] Yahweh, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear, [18] to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may terrify no more.

Proverbs 1:24-33 [24] Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention; [25] but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof; [26] I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you; [27] when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come on you. [28] Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me; [29] because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh. [30] They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof. [31] Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes. [32] For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them. [33] But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Proverbs 22:2 The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.

Isaiah 2:11-12 [11] The lofty looks of man will be brought low, the haughtiness of men will be bowed down, and Yahweh alone will be exalted in that day. [12] For there will be a day of Yahweh of Armies for all that is proud and haughty, and for all that is lifted up; and it shall be brought low:

Ezekiel 28:1-10 [1] Yahweh’s word came again to me, saying, [2] Son of man, tell the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet you are man, and not God, though you set your heart as the heart of God— [3] behold, you are wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that is hidden from you; [4] by your wisdom and by your understanding you have gotten yourself riches, and have gotten gold and silver into your treasures; [5] by your great wisdom and by your traffic you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches— [6] therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because you have set your heart as the heart of God, [7] therefore, behold, I will bring strangers on you, the terrible of the nations; and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom, and they shall defile your brightness. [8] They shall bring you down to the pit; and you shall die the death of those who are slain, in the heart of the seas. [9] Will you yet say before him who kills you, I am God? but you are man, and not God, in the hand of him who wounds you. [10] You shall die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, says the Lord Yahweh.

Ezekiel 28:11-19 [11] Moreover Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, [12] Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and tell him, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: You seal up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. [13] You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, [] turquoise, and beryl. Gold work of tambourines and of pipes was in you. In the day that you were created they were prepared. [14] You were the anointed cherub who covers: and I set you, so that you were on the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. [15] You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you. [16] By the abundance of your traffic they filled your midst with violence, and you have sinned: therefore I have cast you as profane out of the mountain of God; and I have destroyed you, covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. [17] Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness: I have cast you to the ground; I have laid you before kings, that they may see you. [18] By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your traffic, you have profaned your sanctuaries; therefore have I brought out a fire from your midst; it has devoured you, and I have turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all those who see you. [19] All those who know you among the peoples shall be astonished at you: you have become a terror, and you shall nevermore have any being.

Luke 6:22-23 [22] “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. [23] But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

If we are blinded by pride, how great is the darkness in us.

John 8:31-32 [31] Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. [32] You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Romans 1:18-32 [18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, [19] because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. [20] For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. [21] Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [23] and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. [24] Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves, [25] who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. [26] For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. [27] Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. [28] Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; [29] being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, [30] backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, [31] without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; [32] who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 8:6-7 [6] For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace; [7] because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be.