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:

August 8, 2024 in  Bible Stories 3 minutes

A Great Day of Suffering Pilate did not know what to do. He did not want to condemn an innocent man. Besides, his own wife had sent him this message: Leave that righteous man alone. This morning I have suffered much pain in a dream because of Him. But the mob only became louder. “Away with Him! Crucify Him!” Two thieves were also crucified that day, one on either side of Jesus. One of them taunted, “If you are Christ, save yourself and us also!” Immediately Jesus answered, “You will be with me in paradise this very day!” Matthew 27:1-54

August 8, 2024 in  Bible Stories 3 minutes

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

August 8, 2024 in  Bible Stories 3 minutes

Heavenly Messengers Announce the Good News A few hours after Jesus was born, Bethlehem became very quiet. Far away a dog barked. The sleeping town had no idea that a great event had just taken place. Out on a hillside nearby, some shepherds huddled sleepily near their flocks. Suddenly a glorious light shone round about them, and an angel appeared. The shepherds were terrified. The shepherds hurried across the hills and valleys to Bethlehem. There they found the baby Jesus just as the angel had said. They told Joseph and Mary all about the angels. Luke 2:8-20 Matthew 2:1-12 Parents:

August 8, 2024 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

No Room in the Inn One of the greatest events of all time was about to happen! Jesus would be born to the virgin Mary. He would be called the Son of the Highest. Before Jesus was born, Mary visited her cousin Elisabeth. She stayed three months before returning to her home in Nazareth. There Joseph waited, eagerly looking forward to their wedding day. When Mary said she would have a baby, Joseph was shocked. He thought Mary had been unfaithful to him. Mary wrapped baby Jesus in long strips of cloth, then Joseph laid Him in a manger. Parents:

August 7, 2024 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

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.”

August 7, 2024 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

Led by Pillar of Cloud and Fire The children of Israel traveled toward the Red Sea, led by the pillar of cloud and fire. In a few days they came to the seashore, with the water before them and high mountains on each side. But King Pharaoh wanted them back as soon as they had gone. He called out his army, his chariots, and his horsemen, and followed them. Very soon the army of Egypt was behind the Israelites. The Egyptians followed with their chariots and horses. But the Lord slowed them by taking off their chariot wheels. Exodus 14-15

August 7, 2024 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

Freedom at Last The Israelites lived in safety under God’s care, while the Egyptians suffered destruction from the plagues. By now many of the Egyptians feared the God of the Israelites and Moses, His servant. Every family was told to kill a lamb. They were to sprinkle the lamb’s blood at the entrance of the house, on the door frame overhead and on each side. No one was to go out of his house that night, for it was the Lord’s passover. Early in the morning, the Israelites left Egypt after living there four hundred years. Exodus 12-13 Parents: Children:

August 7, 2024 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

Wonders in Egypt The Lord told Moses, “Pharaoh has hardened his heart, and he refuses to hear my voice. He will not let my people go. In the morning, go stand by the river. When Pharaoh comes, wave your rod over the waters of Egypt.” Moses and Aaron obeyed the Lord. When Aaron struck the water, it turned into blood. All the fish died and a terrible stench hung over the land. Then Aaron struck the dust on the ground, and everywhere the dust became alive with lice. The lice crept on the people and the cattle. Parents: Children:

August 7, 2024 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes

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:

August 7, 2024 in  Bible Stories 2 minutes