A Glorious Morning Jesus’ faithful friends watched the crucifixion from a distance. In helpless misery, they listened hour after hour to His cries. It was heartbreaking to watch their beloved Master die! Surely that day, as God’s wrath against sin was poured on His own perfect Son, had been the harshest hour in human history. Could it be that only this week Jesus had triumphantly ridden into Jerusalem before cheering crowds? Now, within twenty-four hours, He had been betrayed, tried, condemned, and crucified. To Jesus’ followers, life seemed hopeless. Matthew 27:55-66; 28:1-10 Mark 16:1-14 Luke 24:1-49 John 20:1-23 Parents: Children:

Lost Sheep and an Ungrateful Servant One day some Pharisees, scribes, and lawyers came to listen to Jesus. They were shocked to see thieves, liars, crooks, and immoral people with Him. “Jesus should not let these sinners mix with the ‘respectable’ Jews,” they complained. “Neither should He eat with them.” Jesus continued, “That is the way God feels about people. There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who humbly comes to God than over ninety-nine people who already obey Him.” “No, Peter,” answered Jesus. “Keep on forgiving until seventy times seven. Listen to this parable.” Matthew 18:7-14, 21-35

From Prison to Palace After many days, Joseph arrived in Egypt. How strange it must have seemed for him to see the great Nile River and the cities full of people. The merchants sold Joseph as a slave to Potiphar, an officer in the army of Pharaoh, who was ruler of Egypt. Joseph was a handsome boy, with a pleasant and willing spirit. His master, Potiphar, soon placed Joseph in charge of all his house. When Joseph was thirty years old, Pharaoh had a dream that troubled him greatly. One of his servants told him about Joseph. Genesis 39-41 Parents:

His Dreams Come True Joseph was made ruler over the land of Egypt, and did his work faithfully and thoroughly. Seven years of plenty soon slipped by, then began the years of famine. Even in the land of Canaan where Joseph’s family lived, food was scarce. His father Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt and sent Joseph’s ten brothers to get some. Soon the corn was gone, and the brothers had no choice but to go to Egypt again. This time they took Benjamin with them. Once more the brothers all bowed to Joseph. Genesis 42-46 Parents: Children:

A Battle Between God and Man After Moses and Aaron had spoken to the people of Israel, they went to meet Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. They said, “Our God, the Lord God of Israel, is calling us to worship Him. To do this, we and all our people must go on a journey of three days into the wilderness.” The Israelites became angry with Moses and Aaron. “We thought you would set us free, but now our suffering is greater!” they said. Pharaoh scoffed, “Who is the Lord? Why should I obey His commands?” Exodus 5-7:13 Parents: Children:

A Basket in the Bulrushes During Joseph’s lifetime, the Egyptians treated the people of Israel kindly. Sometime after Joseph died, a king who cared nothing for Joseph or the Israelites began to rule Egypt. This king said, “Let us rule these Israelites more strictly and make them work hard for Egypt.” He was afraid the Israelites would become too numerous and powerful. He commanded that all the Israelite baby boys be killed. “This is an Israelite baby!” the princess exclaimed. She loved him at once. Exodus 1; 2:1-10 Parents: Children: 2. Why did his mother put him there?

History’s First Boat Ride After a long while, there were many people on the earth. Sad to say, they had become very wicked. God decided to destroy them by sending a flood. As God looked down from heaven, He saw one good man called Noah. Because Noah was God’s friend, God told him about the flood He was going to send. He commanded Noah to build a big ark, and told him exactly how to do it. Genesis 6; 7; 8; 9:1-18 Parents: Children: 1. Who told Noah to build an ark?

A Saviour Will Be Born What is more tiresome than a dark night when you are not feeling well and cannot sleep? The night hours pass so slowly. At last you see the first sunbeams of the morning. The birds begin to sing, and everything seems to brighten. The state of the world before Jesus came was like a long, dark night. Israel’s prophets wrote that the people walked in darkness. The wonderful light of God’s Son would brighten the dark, sinful world. “How can such a thing happen to me?” Mary asked in wonder. “I am not yet married.”

A Voice in the Desert Moses grew up among the Egyptians and learned their wisdom. But in his heart he still loved his own people, the Israelites, who were now poor, hated slaves. Yet they served the Lord God, while the Egyptians worshiped idols and animals. Moses felt a call from God to help the Israelites. When Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, heard about his efforts to free them from slavery, he became angry. Moses fled to another country when Pharaoh tried to kill him. There he became a shepherd. Exodus 2:11-25; 3; 4 Parents: Children:

Cast Out of the Garden of Eden For a time—we do not know how long—Adam and Eve were at peace in their beautiful garden. They talked with God as a man would talk with his friend. They did whatever God told them to and did not know of anything evil. Yet Adam and Eve needed to learn that they must always obey God’s commands. God told Adam and Eve, “You may eat the fruit from all the trees in the garden except one. If you eat the fruit of that tree, you will die.” Genesis 3 Parents: Children: