Spring Les. 02

Protection and SacrificeA shepherd often risked his life to protect his sheep from wolves, lions, bears, and other animals that would attack the sheep.

Shepherds used a sling with amazing accuracy. The small stones they hurled struck with terrific force. David killed the giant Goliath with a shepherd’s sling.

The sling was a short strip of leather. A wide piece in the center held the small stone. After whirling the sling around his head a few times, the shepherd let go of one end, sending the stone speeding like a bullet toward the target.

Page 2, Lesson 2

The next time you hear someone grumble about “cobwebs” in the corners, look more closely. You’ll see some of the most amazing building material ever made—by the world’s most amazing builder. As a builder, the female spider is without equal. She spins a web of silk in a pattern as beautiful as any castle. And she carries all her materials with her. That little web you see is one of the strongest materials known—far stronger for its weight than our finest steel.

It’s really made up of many little threads wound together. Each tiny thread may be as small as a millionth of an inch thick. When a little spider wants to travel, she may spin out long silken threads that float up and carry the spider with the winds. Sometimes the wind will carry her for hundreds and hundreds of miles to a new home. Next time you see a spider, stop for a minute and watch this wonder of God’s world at work.

The Most Amazing

Builder

The Most Amazing

Builder

Wonders of God’s World

Lesson 2, Page 3Photo: © Corbis

Page 4, Lesson 2

Warmer weather is on the way—time to dust off your bike and take it for a spin. But before you do, take a minute to check it over. Good maintenance is an important part of bike safety. God gives us good things (like bikes and bodies) and He is pleased when we take care of them.

THINGS NEEDED: Tire pump, pressure gauge, wrenches, oil

Tires should be inflated to recommended pounds per square inch. If the tire will not inflate, the pump connecter may not be attached well enough or the tube may have a hole in it. You will need adult help to patch a hole or replace the tube.

Brakes should be able to stop you quickly. If they don’t, have them checked at a bicycle shop. Brakes are the most important thing on a bicycle.

Gears are to help you get up and down hills and to go fast. If some of your gears aren’t working, take your bike to a shop. Don’t attempt to work on them yourself.

Lesson 2, Page 5

Chains might need oil. One drop per link is enough. Wipe off the excess oil to keep it from dripping. With some adult help you can tighten a loose chain on a bike with coaster brakes. Loosen the nuts that hold the rear wheel and pull the wheel backward to tighten the chain. Then tighten the nuts. Be sure the wheel is centered.

The seat might be too low if you grew over the winter! To change it, loosen the nut at the bottom of the seat stem and twist and pull the seat to a comfortable position. Make the nut tight again so the seat doesn’t slip on you!

Handlebars can be adjusted. To straighten them, loosen the nut on the topside of the stem, straighten, then tighten the nut. To tilt forward or back, loosen the nut on the bottom side of the stem, move, and tighten the nut.

Pedals can fall apart after a while. If you are having trouble with them, replace both of them. This will make your pedaling much easier and safer.

Your body is a lot like your bicycle. If you take care of it, it will give you good service for a long time. Jesus talked about taking care of the things you have and what the rewards could be. Read about what He said in Matthew 25:14-30.

Lesson 2, Page 6 Art: © iStockphoto/Daniel Fela

During March, colleges in the NCAA come together for a month-long basketball tournament called March Madness. How well do you know basketball? Take this quiz and find out.

1. Who invented basketball?

2. Where was it invented?

3. Who was the first person to score 100 points in an NBA game?

4. What college has won the most NCAA tournaments?

5. What was the first year of the NBA? The WNBA?

6. Where and when was basketball first played in the Olympics?

7. Who has won the most MVP awards in the NBA during the regular season?

8. Which team has won the most NBA championships?

Answers: 1. James Naismith; 2. Springfield, Massachusetts; 3. Wilt Chamberlain; 4. The University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA); 5. 1946, 1997; 6. 1936 in Berlin; 7. Kareem Abdul Jabar; 8. Boston Celtics

March MadnessMarch Madness

Pix Puzzle PagePix

Lesson 2, Page 7

A. Abraham (Gen. 21:1-2) __ __ __ __ __

B. Joshua (Num. 13:30; 14:6) __ __ __ __ __

C. Jesus (Matt. 10:3) __ __ __ __ __ __

D. Timothy (1 Tim. 1:1-2) __ __ __ __

E. Elijah (1 Kings 19:14-21) __ __ __ __ __ __

F. Daniel (Dan. 1:3-7) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

G. Apollos (Acts 18:26) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

H. Moses (Exod. 18:5-27) __ __ __ __ __ __

I. Esther (Esth. 4) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

J. Naomi (Ruth 1:16-18) __ __ __ __

K. David (1 Sam. 18:1-4) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

L. Adam (Gen. 3:20) __ __ __

M. Paul (Acts 13:1-3) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

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Most Bible people we read about had friends or family members who helped them fulfill God’s plans for them. Look up the Bible verses to fill in each Bible-time helper. Then write each numbered letter on the blank line that has the same number. You’ll discover something you can do to be like these Bible heroes.

Helping Hands Puzzle

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Answers: A. Sarah; B. Caleb; C. Philip; D. Paul; E. Elisha; F. Shadrach; G. Priscilla;H. Jethro; I. Mordecai; J. Ruth; K. Jonathan; L. Eve; M. Barnabas; HELP EACH OTHER.

Illustrations by Paul Montgomery

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1. Imagine you are hiking in a hilly area without any other buildings nearby. You come across a round fence made of stones stacked on top of each other. But there is no gate. What type of animal would use a strong, fenced area without a gate? How would anything stay inside? Read John 10:11.

3. Jesus is at the gate to protect you. What are you doing to stay inside His boundaries and protection?

faithforward

Check out what God’s Word says about shepherds:

a John 10:7-13 a John 10:14-18 a John 15:13

4. What does it mean to you that Jesus willingly died to save you?

in touch with God

key verse “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

devotional PIX

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Pause a minute

Play it out

Take a look back

Record your thoughts

2. Read John 10:7-10 in your Bible. In Bible times, sheep would spend the night in round stone pens. The shepherd would sit in the opening with his feet on one side and his back against the other—he was the gate. The only way a thief or an animal would get into the pen would be to get past the shepherd.

Consider yourself part of a flock of sheep. Jesus is the cross-shaped “gate” to keep you safe. He has paid with His death on the cross for your life. He is there at the gate to protect you.

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