God Creates a World and a People
Old Testament 1
Weekly Bulletin Notes
Help parents and others stay connected to your Sunday School with these weekly bulletin summaries of the Bible lesson for the week. An electronic version for placement in your church bulletin is also available online: www.cph.org/sundayschool. 

Lesson 1
We begin this quarter with God’s account of the beginning of all things in “God Creates the World.” During the week, point out to your children some of the wonderful things in our world God made and praise Him for these creations. Consider asking, “How did God create the world? What is your favorite part of God’s creation?”  
Lesson 2
Today in Sunday School, our students will hear how “God Creates Adam and Eve,” including providing them with perfect physical attributes and a lush garden in which to live. God created the world’s many natural resources so it would be a wonderful place for His most treasured creation, human beings, to live. Parents might ask, “How were Adam and Eve different from the rest of God’s creation?”
Lesson 3
Today our children will study the Scripture’s account, “Sin Enters the World,” as the devil tempted Adam and Eve to sin. With the fall into sin came God’s punishment of death . . . but also His promise of a Savior. You might discuss, “How does sin affect us as a family? How does God’s promise of a Savior give us comfort?”
Lesson 4
Do your kids get jealous? Today in Sunday School, our children will study the story of “Cain and Abel,” which tells about the first case of murder caused by jealousy. Consider discussing, “How does jealousy affect relationships in a family? Why is it important to forgive one another in our family?”
Lesson 5
As our children study the Bible account “Noah and the Flood” in Sunday School today, they will consider God’s messages that He gave through the flood and the rainbow. God promises to provide a Savior to overcome sin and take its punishment for us. Parents could ask, “How do God’s promises give you comfort?”
Lesson 6
In Sunday School today, our children will study “God’s Covenant with Abram.” As He did for Abram, God keeps His promises, as He did in giving His own Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. Consider discussing, “What important promises do we make as a family? How can we remind ourselves of the promises God keeps for us?”
Lesson 7
This week in Sunday School, students will study, “Abraham’s Visitors from Heaven.” While Abraham received his visitors graciously, they brought more grace to him than he and Sarah could imagine. As a family, discuss, “How does God brings us more grace than we can imagine or expect?” 
Lesson 8
In Sunday School this week, students will study the account of “Abraham and Isaac.” By God’s grace, Abraham didn’t have to make his sacrifice, but God did. He sacrificed His own Son so that we could have salvation. Discuss, “How do the sacrifices we make compare with the sacrifice God made to save us from sin’s punishment?”
Lesson 9
Today in Sunday School, the children will study the efforts Abraham made to ensure that his son Isaac would marry a person who loved God in the account of “Isaac and Rebekah.” As a family discuss, “Why is it important to marry someone who shares your Christian faith? What are the blessings of sharing your beliefs with your spouse?”
Lesson 10
The account of “Jacob and Esau” that our children will study in Sunday School today is a story of competition and bad feelings between brothers, parental favoritism, and family squabbling. Amidst this chaos, God acted with grace toward all of them—and to us. Parents might ask, “How do these sins afflict every family? Why is forgiveness important in families?”
Lesson 11
Our children will study “Jacob’s Dream” in Sunday School today, a story that shows God renewing His promise to bless all people through Jacob’s family. God kept His promise by giving Jesus to be our Savior. Your family could discuss, “What reminders does God give us of His promises to us?”
Lesson 12
Today’s Sunday School lesson is about “Jacob’s Family.” The children will learn that through Jacob’s family God brought forth the Savior, Jesus Christ, who endured lies, deception, and the schemes of sinful humankind to work our salvation on the cross. Families can discuss how we sin when we lie or deceive others and how such actions show that we don’t trust God to provide and care for us. Ask your children, “Have you ever suffered because of someone’s lies?” Talk about how Jesus suffered and died for us on the cross. 
Lesson 13
“Esau Forgives Jacob” is the Bible story taught today in Sunday School. This exciting account teaches us how Jacob struggled against man and God for his birthright. The children will learn that Jesus struggled against sin and death to win our heavenly birthright. Talk to your children about sin and how it breaks families and relationships. Discuss, “How has sin severed our relationship with God? How did Jesus restore our relationship with God eternally? How does Jesus help us as God’s children to restore our broken human relationships?”

Cross Explorations® Director CD © 2016 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV®. Reproduced by permission.