LESSON 6: LISTEN AND RESPOND
THEME: Family Problems – Jesus Helps Us Through Hard Times
VOCABULARY: who, what, when, where, comfort, hope, lost, took a toll, acting out, humble
STORY: There is a boy. His name is Sam. Sam is 15 years old. He lives with his mom, dad, and two brothers. Sam is the youngest of the three kids. Sam and his family live in a small house and they do not have a lot of money. Their dad works long hours for little pay. Their mom tries to make the money last but they have little food. Over time this takes a toll on the family. Since the dad has to work so much, he isn’t around for the boys. The two oldest boys start acting out and join the wrong group of friends in school. They start doing drugs and stop going to school. The two older boys rarely come home and when they do come home they are looking for money. It has been very difficult for the family. The mom is lost and does not know how to help her sons. Sam is at a difficult age and is trying to stay in school. But Sam knows he can help his family if he goes and finds a job. Sam’s mom and dad do not want him to quit school. They want him to stay in school and to focus on his studies. It is hard for Sam to stay focused some days because some days he goes to school without eating. He is running out of hope. One day, Sam meets a new friend. His friend’s name is John. John tells Sam all about someone named Jesus. John tells Sam how Jesus can come into your life and change it for the better, and that all you have to do is give your life to the Lord. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.” After hearing about this Lord, Sam wants to know more. John invites him to church. Sam starts to go to church with John and continues to learn more about this God. After a while, Sam gives his life to the Lord. The Lord does not fix all his problems right away, but Sam finds comfort in the Lord and he knows that with time his family will be saved. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
STORY WITH QUESTIONS: There is a boy. His name is Sam. (Is there a boy or girl?) Sam is 15 years old. He lives with his mom, dad, and two brothers. (How old is Sam? Who does he live with?) Sam is the youngest of the three kids. Sam and his family live in a small house and they do not have a lot of money. (Where do they live?) Their dad works long hours for little pay. Their mom tries to make the money last but they have little food. (Do they have a lot? Who works?) Over time this takes a toll on the family. Since the dad has to work so much, he isn’t around for the boys. (Does the dad get time with the boys?) The two oldest boys start acting out and join the wrong group of friends in school. They start doing drugs and stop going to school. (Who is doing drugs? Do the brothers go to school?) The two older boys rarely come home and when they do come home they are looking for money. (What do the boys want?) It has been very difficult for the family. (Is it easy or difficult for the family?) The mom is lost and does not know how to help her sons. (How does the mom feel?) Sam is at a difficult age and is trying to stay in school. But Sam knows he can help his family if he goes and finds a job. Sam’s mom and dad do not want him to quit school. (How does Sam feel? What does Sam what to do?) They want him to stay in school and to focus on his studies. It is hard for Sam to stay focused some days because some days he goes to school without eating. He is running out of hope. (Who is running out of hope?) One day, Sam meets a new friend. His friend’s name is John. (What is Sam’s new friend’s name?) John tells Sam all about someone named Jesus. (Who does Sam hear about?) John tells Sam how Jesus can come into your life and change it for the better, and that all you have to do is give your life to the Lord. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.” (Who gives us hope? Who can help change our life?) After hearing about this Lord, Sam wants to know more. John invites him to church. Sam starts to go to church with John and continues to learn more about this God. (Where does Sam start going?) After a while, Sam gives his life to the Lord. (Who does Sam give his life to?) The Lord does not fix all his problems right away, but Sam finds comfort in the Lord and he knows that with time his family will be saved. (Who does Sam find comfort in?) Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
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:
- Have you experienced something that made you feel hopeless or lose hope?
- Does the Lord always fix all of our problems? How does the Lord help you?
- Listen to “O, Come to the Altar” and write down any new vocabulary words.
- End the class with prayer.