God's Great Love E-Book

Rebecca J. Blodgett

• Herausgeber: Zion Christian Publishers
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

This beautifully illustrated book for children makes Bible stories come alive to the children who see and read them. The author and illustrator have created colorful pages, recounting the stories of scripture that your children are sure to enjoy and love.

Leseprobe

God’s Great Love

Jesus’ Ministry & Miracles

Written by:

Denise R. Miller

Illustrated by:

Rebecca J. Blodgett

Copyright © 2015 Rebecca J. Blodgett and Denise R. Miller

All Rights Reserved

Printed  2015

Printed in the United States of America

All Scripture quotations in this book are taken from the King James Version Bible unless otherwise stated.

Printed by:

Zion Christian Publishers

PO Box 70

Waverly, NY 14892

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

www.zcpublishers.com

ISBN #1-59665-724-3

Dear Parents

In today’s society, children are bombarded with many contradicting statements about Jesus and Christianity. Most of these statements attempt to cast doubt on the deity of Jesus Christ. If from a young age our children are taught the truth of who Jesus is, they will have a strong foundation that withstands the attacks of the enemy. In John 8:32 Jesus stated, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (NKJV). Knowing and understanding the truth of who Jesus is and the foundation of Christianity will be a safeguard that protects children from the doubts and confusion the world sets before them as they grow older. It is our prayer that this book will assist your children in developing a greater understanding of who Jesus is and the great love He has for each one of them. 

Denise R. Miller & Rebecca J. Blodgett 

Introduction

Who is Jesus? Some people say He was a good teacher or maybe even a prophet. However, Christians know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Only through believing in Him can someone be saved. We know Jesus’ life did not begin with His birth as a human baby and end with His death on the cross. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is God the Son, and He has no beginning or end. He was with God the Father at creation and will be with God the Father throughout all eternity.

The whole Bible is filled with the life of Jesus. In the Old Testament there are many prophecies that explain Jesus’ coming to earth. The Jewish people knew all about the coming of the Messiah and anxiously waited for Him. The Messiah was the ruler God promised to send to save them from their enemies. However, they had their own ideas about how He should come. They were not willing to believe that their ideas were wrong. Many of them missed Jesus’ first coming, because they thought their Messiah would come as a king.

The first four books in the New Testament tell about Jesus’ life here on earth. These books are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each author wrote specific details about Jesus’ life. Some of them included the same stories that the others wrote about, but it is important to read all of the books to get the whole picture of His life while here on earth.

In this book, we will look at the earthly life of Jesus. He is the best example Christians can learn from. The Bible tells us that anything we might experience Jesus already faced and had victory over (Heb. 2:18; 4:15). Have you ever been tempted not to obey? The Bible says, “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). Have you ever felt it was too hard to do right when someone tempted you to do wrong? Jesus explained that, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). Then just a little while later Jesus told His disciples, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). Doing what is right and being obedient is very important to the Lord. The Bible tells us that Jesus calls those who are obedient His friends (John 15:14). These are just a few of the lessons we can learn from the life and ministry of Jesus. Reading and studying about Him will help you live your life for God so you, too, can be His friend.

Announcing a Savior

Forerunner Scripture

Luke 1:5-25

Before the birth of God’s special Son, someone needed to come to prepare the people. God chose a special person named John for this job. John was also known as John the Baptist. God announced John’s birth to his parents in an amazing way. Did an angel tell your parents about your birth?

There was a priest named Zacharias, whose wife’s name was Elizabeth; they loved God very much. A priest is kind of like a pastor. It was the priest’s duty to serve God in the Temple. Yet, there was one thing that made Zacharias and Elizabeth sad. They were old and never had any children. In fact, they gave up on ever having children.

The priests took turns burning the incense in the Temple, and one day it was Zacharias’ turn. Little did he know that from that day on, his life, and the lives of many others, would forever change! As he approached the altar of incense, he saw an angel standing beside it. The angel spoke to Zacharias, saying, “I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings” (Luke 1:19b). Gabriel explained that he had a special message from God for Zacharias. The priest and his wife, Elizabeth, were going to have a son and they should name him John. He would be a very special man who was going to prepare the way for the Messiah. “And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him [Jesus] in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:16-17). Gabriel also gave special instructions about what their son could or could not do as he grew up. When Gabriel finished speaking, Zacharias did not know what to do or say. Should he believe what the angel said? How was it even possible for them to have a child? Gabriel told Zacharias that because he did not believe God’s message, the priest could not speak again until his son was born.

When Zacharias came out of the Temple, just as Gabriel said, he could not speak. The people did not know what to think. The priest, who went into the Temple to offer incense for them, could no longer talk. What did this mean? Was God upset with them? Did Zacharias have a vision while he was in the Temple? Zacharias could not answer any of their questions or even tell them what happened. When he finished his duties at the Temple, he went home. Then just as God had spoken, very soon Elizabeth was pregnant and Zacharias still could not speak.

After their baby boy was born, the family wanted to name him Zacharias, after his father. However, Elizabeth wanted to name him John, the name the angel spoke to Zacharias, but no one agreed with her. Finally, they asked Zacharias to write down what he wanted to name his son. As he wrote the name “John” Zacharias was able to speak again! This surprised everyone there, and they realized this must be a very special child.

Mary and Joseph

Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38

Not just anyone could be the earthly parents of God’s Son, Jesus. God needed two very special people to be Jesus’ parents. How did God tell someone they will be the parents of His Son? God the Father had a very special messenger whom He sent to talk to a girl named Mary. This special messenger’s name was Gabriel, the same angel who appeared to Zacharias in the Temple. This time he was sent to the town of Nazareth to deliver another important message.

Both Mary and Joseph lived in the city of Nazareth in the area of Israel called Galilee. The Bible does not tell us what Mary’s father did for a living, but they were not rich. The Bible does tell us that Joseph, Mary’s fiancé, was a carpenter, not a job that brought great wealth. Many people in Israel did not believe that anything good came from Nazareth or that part of Galilee. The Jews looked down on people from Nazareth and treated them rudely. Why did God the Father want His Son to be born in a place without respect or wealth? God the Father did not want people to follow His Son because He was rich or from an important family. He wanted them to follow and love Jesus because of who He was, not because of what He had.

When Gabriel came to Mary, she was a little scared. Not many people have an angel visit them! She did not know what to think when Gabriel told her, “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS” (Luke 1:30-31). Mary did not understand how she could have a baby. She was not married; she was only engaged to Joseph. The angel told her not to worry because it was all a part of God’s plan. With God all things are possible! Gabriel told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was going to have a baby too, and she was already six months pregnant. Even though Mary did not completely understand everything Gabriel told her, she had great faith and trusted God. She did worry about a few little things. What would her family and Joseph say when they found out?

In Bible times, the law commanded that if a lady became pregnant before she married, she should be killed. Mary knew about this punishment, but she also knew God had spoken and He could take care of her.