LESSON 15: LISTEN AND RESPOND
THEME: Family Problems – Wife’s Version
VERSE: Matthew 18:12-13: “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.”
VOCABULARY: love of her life, constantly, wander
STORY: There is a woman. Her name is Laura. She is 46 years old. When she was 19 she married the love of her life, Juan. They had two beautiful children. They lived as a happy family for 17 years. At 36 Juan lost his job. That is when things became difficult for the family. Juan eventually started doing drugs and left Laura to take care of the kids. Luckily, Laura lived with her family and she had help from them. Laura had to get a job which meant she spent more time away from her kids. She worked long hours cleaning houses. But she was happy to have a job. She also spent time once a month visiting her husband and praying for him. The Lord was with her through it all. Laura knew that the Lord would one day restore her family. She never lost hope. (The Lord spoke to her often and constantly reminded her of His love for her family. God showed her this verse many times. Matthew 18:12-13 says, “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.” Through this verse Laura has felt comforted. She knows that the Lord has never left her or her family and that the Lord seeks out all those who wander from Him. It is important for her to keep hope in the Lord. Although Laura’s life has been difficult the past few years, she finds her comfort in the Lord and in her children who have grown to be wonderful adults.
STORY WITH QUESTIONS: There is a woman. (Is there a woman or a man?) Her name is Laura. (What is her name?) She is 46 years old. (How old is she?) When she was 19 she married the love of her life, Juan. (How old was she when she got married?) They had two beautiful children. (How many kids did they have?) They lived as a happy family for 17 years. (How long did they live as a family?) At 36 Juan lost his job. (At what age did Juan lose his job?) That is when things became difficult for the family. (What happened?) Juan eventually started doing drugs and left Laura to take care of the kids. (What did Juan start doing? Who was left to take care of the kids?) Luckily, Laura lived with her family and she had help from them. (Who helped Laura?) Laura had to get a job which meant she spent more time away from her kids. (What did Laura have to do?) She worked long hours cleaning houses. (What did she do for a job?) But she was happy to have a job. She also spent time once a month visiting her husband and praying for him. (What did she do for her husband?) The Lord was with her through it all. (Who was with her through it all?) Laura knew that the Lord would one day restore her family. (Does she have faith in the Lord?) She never lost hope. (Has she lost hope?) The Lord spoke to her often and constantly reminded her of His love for her family. (What has the Lord done for her?) God showed her this verse many times. Matthew 18:12-13 says, “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.” (What does this verse tell Laura?) Through this verse, Laura has felt comforted. (How has Laura felt from this verse?) She knows that the Lord has never left her or her family and that the Lord seeks out all those who wander from Him. (Who seeks out everyone?) It is important for her to keep hope in the Lord. Although Laura’s life has been difficult the past few years, she finds her comfort in the Lord and in her children who have grown to be wonderful adults. (How has life been for Laura? Who gives her comfort?)
ACTIVITIES
- Review the vocabulary words. Listen to the Vocabulary File for pronunciation. Look up the meaning of any words you don’t know.
- Listen to Audio 1 as you read through the story.
- Listen to Audio 2 – Story with Questions as you read through the story and answer the questions.
- Answer the following questions:
- What chains hold Juan down?
- Who can break our chains?
- What are some chains that can hold us back?
- Who can bring you comfort?
- How does Laura get through everything?
- End class with prayer.