Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Cousin(s) (05/22/08)
-
TITLE: The Greatest Teacher | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lollie Hofer
05/27/08 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
“Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him and he began to teach them.” Matthew 5:1-2
“Hurry, Jacob! They’re already headin’ up the mountainside,” eleven year old Josiah shouted outside his cousin’s home. His black eyes shone brightly as he paced in the front yard.
“It seems wherever Jesus goes things happen,” Josiah said excitedly to no one in particular. “I mean, people are healed. Their sins are forgiven. Some are even raised from the dead.” His favorite part was when the religious leaders tried to make Jesus look foolish but they ended up looking silly instead. Josiah smiled as he thought about the frustrated leaders being silenced by Jesus’ words.
“Jacob, come on! I don’t want to miss anything,” Josiah called out again. Finally Jacob ran out of his house. He stopped suddenly when he saw Josiah’s small lunch basket.
Jacob moaned as he headed back toward the house. “Oh, no! I forgot to have my mom make me a lunch.”
Josiah tugged on his cousin’s arm. “Never mind that, Jake! I’ll share my lunch with you. But we’ve gotta hurry. Father said I could go if I stayed with the grownups. They’re almost out of sight.” The boys ran up the mountainside catching up to the crowd which had grown to thousands of people.
Of course, Josiah knew this wasn’t exactly what Jesus had planned. He had overheard Jesus tell his dad earlier that morning He was going to spend the day with His disciples. “There are many things I need to teach them before I go away,” Jesus had told his dad.
“Go where?” Josiah had asked his father a few minutes later. Even his father wasn’t for sure what Jesus meant. Maybe he was planning to take a trip.
Once word began to spread Jesus was in the area, it didn’t take long for the large crowd to gather. Jesus decided it was best if they moved up the mountainside where everyone could find a place to sit.
Finally everyone was settled, a quiet expectation filling the air. Then the greatest Teacher taught the greatest lesson that the disciples, Josiah, his cousin Jacob and the others had ever heard. Today, we call this Lesson the “Sermon on the Mount.”
You will learn more about the Sermon on the Mount in the coming days. You will sit with Josiah and Jacob and learn from Jesus, the Teacher. His Words will change your life forever, if you will open your heart and mind to His teachings.
Questions to ask yourself:
In school, who is my most favorite teacher? Why?
What is one thing I learned from today’s story?
Why do I think Jesus is the greatest Teacher who has ever lived?
My Prayer
Lord, thank you for taking the time to teach the men, women and children who wanted to be with You. I desire to be with You too. Teach me through Your Words. Change my life. The more I learn about Your Words, the more I will grow closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
-------------------------------------
Even though Josiah and Jacob are fictional cousins, the event is historical. My desire is to develop this into a daily devotional book on Christian maturity for children. It would be for adolescent children (9-12 years of age).
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
I think you could take it even further--develop a bit more of a plot, and help us to get to know the boys a little better.
I liked your discussion questions at the end.