March 3
Joshua and Caleb
Bible Passage: Numbers 13-14
Story Point: Joshua and Caleb trusted God to give His people the promised land.
Key Passage: Proverbs 3:5-6
Big Picture Question: What does it mean to sin? To sin is to think, speak, or behave in any way that goes against God and His commands.
The Israelites rebelled against God because they did not trust Him. Jesus trusted God perfectly. He took the punishment we deserve for our sin, or rebellion against God. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin and gives us eternal life.
March 10
The Bronze Snake
Bible Passage: Numbers 20-21
Story Point: God told His people to look at the bronze snake to be healed.
Key Passage: Proverbs 3:5-6
Big Picture Question: What does it mean to sin? To sin is to think, speak, or behave in any way that goes against God and His commands.
The Israelites faced a huge problem because of their sin. God sent snakes to punish Israel, but anyone who was bitten could look at the bronze snake on the pole and live. Because of our sin, we face a huge problem: We are separated from God. We deserve to die, but anyone who looks to Jesus on the cross and trusts in Him will live forever with God.
March 17
Balaam and Balak
Bible Passage: Numbers 22-24
Story Point: God commanded Balaam to bless His people.
Key Passage: Proverbs 3:5-6
Big Picture Question: What does it mean to sin? To sin is to think, speak, or behave in any way that goes against God and His commands.
Balaam could not curse God’s people. God has blessed the Israelites, so Balaam blessed them too. Fourteen hundred years after Balaam announced God’s promise, Jesus was born. God sent Jesus to bless the whole world by rescuing people from sin.
March 24
Moses’ Farewell
Bible Passage: Deuteronomy 31-34
Story Point: Moses reminded the people to keep God’s covenant.
Key Passage: Proverbs 3:5-6
Big Picture Question: What does it mean to sin? To sin is to think, speak, or behave in any way that goes against God and His commands.
Moses was a good leader for God’s people. NO other prophet in Israel was like Moses — until Jesus came. The Bible says Jesus deserves more glory than Moses. Jesus is our perfect leader. He died and was raised so that Moses and every believer in all of time can enter the promised land of God’s Kingdom.
March 31
Crossing the Jordan
Bible Passage: Joshua 1-4
Story Point: God held back the Jordan River for His people to cross
Key Passage: Deuteronomy 31:8
Big Picture Question: How can we glorify God? We can glorify God by loving Him and obeying Him.
God went ahead of Joshua and the Israelites into the promised land. He showed His power to them so they would trust in Him. When Jesus came to earth, He showed His power so people would trust in Him and be saved from sin.
April 7
The Battle of Jericho
Bible Passage: Joshua 2;6
Story Point: God brought down the wall of Jericho.
Key Passage: Deuteronomy 31:8
Big Picture Question: How can we glorify God? We can glorify God by loving Him and obeying Him.
By faith Rahab believed God would win the battle, and she asked the spies to show mercy to her family and keep them safe. When the Israelites attacked Jericho, Rahab and her family received mercy and became part of God’s people. Jesus has won against sin and death. Everyone who trusts in Jesus receives mercy and becomes part of God’s family forever.
April 14
Taking the Land
Bible Passage: Joshua 10-11:24
Story Point: God made the sun stand still and gave His people victory.
Key Passage: Deuteronomy 31:8
Big Picture Question: How can we glorify God? We can glorify God by loving Him and obeying Him.
Joshua’s name means “The Lord is salvation.” God fought for Joshua and the Israelites, saving them and giving them victory over their enemies. Sinners can look to God for victory over sin and death. God brought us salvation by sending His Son, Jesus to die on the cross and rise again.
April 21
Easter: Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection
Bible Passage: Matthew 26-28
Story Point: Jesus died on the cross to pay for sin and rose again to defeat death.
Key Passage: Deuteronomy 31:8
Big Picture Question: How can we glorify God? We can glorify God by loving Him and obeying Him.
The death and resurrection of Jesus is the center of the gospel. We deserve to die because of our sin, but Jesus died in our place. Because Jesus is alive, we do not need to fear anything. Those who trust in Jesus have forgiveness and eternal life, and we can joyfully obey Him.
April 28
Israel’s Unfaithfulness
Bible Passage: Judges 1-3
Story Point: God’s people repeatedly turned from Him.
Key Passage: 1 John 1:9
Big Picture Question: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
The judges saved the people from the consequences of their sin, but not the cause of it. God’s plan was to one day send a true Deliver—Jesus, his own Son— to be the King of His people. Jesus saves people from sin forever.
May 5
Deborah and Barak
Bible Passage: Judges 4-5
Story Point: God uses Deborah, Barak, and Jael to rescue His people.
Key Passage: 1 John 1:9
Big Picture Question: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
God does what is for His glory and our good. (Psalm 115:3, Romans 8:28) God fought for the Israelites and used Deborah, Barak and Joel to defeat Canaan. In a similar way, God uses people and events to not only save us from our enemies, but to teach us about our ultimate good: salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.
May 12
Gideon
Bible Passage: Judges 6-8
Story Point: God showed Gideon that victory comes from Him.
Key Passage: 1 John 1:9
Big Picture Question: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
The Israelites cried out to God because they knew they could not save themselves. Even Gideon was not enough to save them; God used Gideon to help His people, but God fought the battle for them. The people needed someone who was might to save. Jesus Christ came to save us from sin because we cannot save ourselves. Only God, through Christ, can save us.
May 19
Samson
Bible Passage: Judges 13-16
Story Pint God: gave Samson strength to defeat the Philistines.
Key Passage:1 John 1:9
Big Picture Question: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
Samson’s sin led to his own death, but God used his death to save the Israelites from their enemies. Samson’s story reminds us of Jesus. Jesus never sinned, but God sent Him to die on the cross and rise again to rescue people from sin and give them eternal life.
May 26
Ruth and Boaz
Story Point: God provided a redeemer for Ruth.
Key Passage: 1 John 1:9
Big Picture Question: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
Boaz was a family redeemer. He helped his close relatives who were in trouble. Boaz cared for Ruth and Naomi because their husbands had died. In a similar way, Jesus is our Redeemer. We need help because we sin. Jesus bought our salvation for us by taking our punishment when He died on the cross.
