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| Week/Dates | Title | Scripture Text | Bible Story | Faith Focus |
| 1. Aug. 30 | Jerusalem’s fall | Jeremiah 52 | King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon surrounds Jerusalem with troops. The troops capture King Zedekiah, and the city and temple are destroyed. The people are sent into exile. | God’s people go through hard times. |
| 2. Sept. 6 | God’s covenant with David | Psalm 89 | This psalm praises God for choosing David and his ancestors as kings forever. The king, though, is no longer in power and the writer asks God to restore this covenant. | We can bring our questions to God. |
| 3. Sept. 13 | God offers refuge and protection | Psalm 91 | Those who trust in God will be protected. Those who love God will be delivered. God will answer them when they call and be with them when they are in trouble. | We take refuge in God through prayer. |
| 4. Sept. 20 | A new covenant | Jeremiah 31:31–40 | Jeremiah prophesies a new covenant between God and the house of Israel and Judah. He speaks of the city being rebuilt and enlarged for the Lord. | Younger: We want to follow God. Older: In the new covenant we will know God in our hearts. |
| 5. Sept. 27 | The valley of dry bones | Ezekiel 37:1–14 | Ezekiel has a vision of a valley filled with dry bones coming to life. This symbolizes the restoration and new life God plans for Israel, even in Israel’s darkest hours. | God breathes life into us. |
| 6. Oct. 4 | God’s messenger brings assurance | Isaiah 40 | Isaiah comforts the people with a message of hope. He speaks of God as the controller of history and as one who lifts up and comforts those society casts off. | God comforts and strengthens. |
| 7. Oct. 11 Oct. 12: Thanksgiving (Canada) |
Job suffers | Job 1–2 | Job remains faithful to God despite illness, personal tragedies, and attacks on his character. He refuses to blame God for his troubles and is comforted by friends. | Younger: Good and bad things happen to God’s children. Older: There is no simple explanation for suffering. |
| 8. Oct. 18 | God responds to Job | Job 38–42 | God answers Job in a whirlwind. Job affirms that God can do all things and responds with prayer and forgiveness for his friends. Job’s fortunes are restored. | Younger: God listens to us. Older: God’s ways are mysterious. |
| 9. Oct. 25 | Returning to Jerusalem | Ezra 1 | King Cyrus of Persia sends the Israelites back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. The people return and bring back items that King Nebuchadnezzar had carried away. | Younger: God brings us back. Older: God keeps covenant in unexpected ways. |
| 10. Nov. 1 | Rebuilding the temple | Ezra 4–6 | The rebuilding of the temple is halted but then King Darius gives permission for the work to continue. The temple is completed and dedicated to God with joy. | Building together is cause for celebration. |
| 11. Nov. 8 | Reading God’s word together | Nehemiah 8
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The priest Ezra reads to the people from the book of law. The people worship God, weeping and rejoicing. The community keeps the Festival of the Booths. | Listening to God’s word changes us. |
| 12. Nov. 15 | Renewing the covenant | Nehemiah 9–10 | The people confess their sins before God. They affirm God as just, faithful, and loving even when they went astray. They renew their covenant with God. | Younger: We say thank you to God. Older: We respond to God’s faithfulness with confession and gratitude. |
| 13. Nov. 22 Nov. 26: Thanksgiving (United States) |
Sing to the Lord | Psalm 98 | The psalmist praises God’s steadfast love and faithfulness to all of creation. God has brought victory to the people and is to be praised with the lyre, trumpets, and horns. | Younger: All creation sings to God. Older: All creation rejoices in the renewed covenant. |
| Week/Dates | Title | Scripture Text | Bible Story | Faith Focus |
| 1. Nov. 29 First Sunday of Advent |
The coming messenger | Malachi 3:1–4 | Malachi prophesies that the coming messenger of God will purify the priestly line and restore Israel to righteousness in God’s sight as in the days of old. | Get ready for God’s messenger. |
| 2. Dec. 6 Second Sunday of Advent |
The Word becomes flesh | John 1:1–18 | John the Baptist was sent from God to prepare people for Jesus, the true light. Jesus then came to earth as God’s flesh and made God known to humanity. | We wait for the light of Christ. |
| 3. Dec. 13 Third Sunday of Advent |
Gabriel brings good news | Luke 1:5–66 | The angel Gabriel tells Zechariah of the birth of his son, who will prepare the way for Jesus. Gabriel visits Mary and tells her that she will give birth to the Son of God. | Here am I. |
| 4. Dec. 20 Fourth Sunday of Advent |
Jesus is born | Luke 2:1–20 | Jesus is born in a Bethlehem stable while Joseph and Mary are there registering in a census. An angel tells nearby shepherds of the birth and they come to see Jesus. | Good news! A savior is born. |
| 5. Dec. 27 | John the Baptist introduces Jesus | John 1:19–51 | John the Baptist tells the religious authorities that he is preparing the way of the Lord. He names Jesus as the Lamb of God. Jesus calls the first disciples. | Jesus calls us to come and see. |
| 6. Jan. 3 | The wedding at Cana | John 2:1–12 | Jesus tells the servants at a wedding to fill six stone jars with water. After they do, they discover that the water has been turned to wine. | Miracles reveal God’s glory. |
| 7. Jan. 10 | Nicodemus visits Jesus | John 3:1–21 | Nicodemus comes secretly to talk to Jesus about what it means to be born of the Spirit. Jesus says those who believe in the Son of Man will have eternal life. | Believe and be born again. |
| 8. Jan. 17 | Jesus and the Samaritan woman | John 4:1–42 | Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for a drink of water, and they talk about the water of eternal life. She tells other Samaritans about Jesus, and many believe. | We yearn for living water. |
| 9. Jan. 24 | Loaves and fishes and spiritual food | John 6:1–15, 22–40 | Jesus feeds 5,000. When people flock after him, he tells them they follow him because he gave them bread, but that they should work to gain spiritual food instead. | God takes our little and makes it more. |
| 10. Jan. 31 | Jesus refuses to cast stones | John 7:53–8:11 | The religious authorities bring a sinner to Jesus to see if he will enforce the law by calling for her death. Jesus tells those without sin to cast the first stone. | Leave sinful ways and begin anew. |
| 11. Feb. 7 | Jesus heals blindness | John 9:1–41 | Jesus heals a man of blindness. The healed man does not back down when challenged by the Pharisees. Jesus criticizes the people who believe they see, but are really blind. | Jesus can help us see God’s light. |
| 12. Feb. 14 Feb. 17: Ash Wednesday |
The Good Shepherd | John 10:1–21 | Jesus describes the difference between a shepherd and a thief. He says that he is the Good Shepherd, who will lay down his life for his sheep. | We trust Jesus, the good shepherd. |
| 13. Feb. 21 First Sunday in Lent |
The raising of Lazarus | John 11:1–44 | Lazarus of Bethany dies and is entombed. After four days, Jesus arrives and commands Lazarus to come from the tomb. Lazarus walks out alive. | Believe in Jesus and live. |
| Week/Dates | Title | Scripture Text | Bible Story | Faith Focus |
| 1. Feb. 28
Second Sunday in Lent |
The cost of discipleship | John 15:18–16:11 | Jesus speaks of the cost of discipleship. Those who follow him do not belong to the world and will suffer. Jesus will leave and will send the Advocate to the world. | Younger: People do not always understand followers of Jesus. Older: Followers of Jesus can expect persecution. |
| 2. March 7 Third Sunday in Lent |
Welcoming Jesus | John 12:1–19 | Mary honors Jesus as she anoints his feet with costly perfume and wipes them with her hair. Later, a great crowd shouts praises to Jesus as he enters Jerusalem. | Younger: We show our love to Jesus. Older: Jesus deserves our devotion. |
| 3. March 14 Fourth Sunday in Lent |
Jesus washes his disciples’ feet | John 13:1–20 | Jesus pours water into a basin and washes his disciples’ feet. He asks them to follow his example and wash each other’s feet as a sign of their service to each other. | We share Jesus’ love by washing each other’s feet. |
| 4. March 21 Fifth Sunday in Lent |
The arrest of Jesus | John 17:1–18:27 | Jesus prays for himself, for his disciples, and for those who will hear the word and believe. He is betrayed and arrested, and put on trial. Peter denies Jesus three times. | Younger: Jesus wants us to be protected. Older: We can face fear as Jesus did. |
| 5. March 28 Palm Sunday |
The crucifixion | John 18:28–19:42 | Jesus is brought before the court. Pilate is troubled, but hands Jesus over to be crucified. After Jesus’ death, a disciple takes his body and places it in a tomb. | Younger: We remember Jesus died. Older: We grieve the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. |
| 6. April 4 Easter |
Jesus is risen! | John 20 | Mary Magdalene and two disciples search the tomb but do not find Jesus. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and then to all of the disciples. They are all amazed. | Believe that Jesus lives. |
| 7. April 11 | Jesus appears to his disciples | John 21 | Jesus appears on the seashore to seven of the disciples, and they eat together. Jesus tells Simon Peter that if he loves him, he must follow him by feeding his sheep. | Younger: Jesus cares for us. Older: We care for others as Jesus cares for us. |
| 8. April 18 | God’s presence on earth | John 14:15–31 | Jesus says that he will go to his Father, but that the Holy Spirit will come to teach and remind people about him. Jesus gives his peace to the people. | Younger: God’s spirit teaches us as Jesus did. Older: The Holy Spirit teaches us in Jesus’ name. |
| 9. April 25 | Jesus is the true vine | John 15:1–11 | Jesus says that he is the true vine of God; he calls on his followers to abide in him, as he abides in God. He says God is glorified by branches that bear good fruit. | We stay connected to God through Jesus. |
| 10. May 2 | Loving one another | John 13:31–35; 15:12–17 |
Jesus commands people to love each other as he has loved them. He holds up his own self-sacrificing love as a model. Jesus sends his followers to spread the word. | As Jesus’ friends, we are to love each other. |
| 11. May 9 | Living in the light | 1 John 2:3–17 | John calls on people to love God, and to obey God’s commandments in deed as well as word. The world will pass away but God will live forever. | All ages, walk in the light of God. |
| 12. May 16 | Abiding in God | 1 John 4:7–21 | John writes that God is the source of love. Humans can love each other because God first loved them. Those who abide in love abide in God. | God is love. |
| 13. May 23 Pentecost |
New heaven and new earth | Revelation 1:1–2; 21:1–7; 22:8–9 |
John envisions a new heaven and new earth where God dwells among the people, wiping away tears and putting an end to mourning and crying. | Imagine living with God in a world with no sadness. |
| Week/Dates | Title | Scripture Text | Bible Story | Faith Focus |
| 1. May 30 | Baalam, the donkey, and the angel | Numbers 22–24 | King Balak of Moab sends for Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. On the way there, God’s angel blocks the road. Balaam obeys God and blesses the Israelites. | |
| 2. June 6 | Deborah the prophet | Judges 4–5 | Deborah is a prophet and a judge in Israel. She tells Barak to gather warriors for a battle. He obeys and they win the battle. Deborah sings praises to God. | |
| 3. June 13 | Ruth and Naomi | Ruth | After the death of her husband, Ruth stays with her mother-in-law, Naomi. A kinsman named Boaz sees Ruth gleaning in his fields and helps her. Ruth and Boaz marry. | |
| 4. June 20 | Elisha raises the Shunammite’s son |
2 Kings 4:8–37 | The prophet Elisha stays with a Shunammite woman who is childless. He prophesies that she shall have a son. She does, but the son later dies. Elisha raises him from the dead. | |
| 5. June 27 | Naaman and Elisha | 2 Kings 5:1–19 | Elisha tells Naaman that he must bathe in the Jordan River to be cured of his leprosy. Naaman is angry at first, but then does as Elisha says and is healed. | |
| 6. July 4 | Jonah: Part 1 | Jonah 1–2 |
Jonah boards a ship to escape God’s call to prophesy. He is thrown overboard to calm the stormy sea and swallowed by a whale. He prays to God and is saved. | |
| 7. July 11 | Jonah: Part 2 | Jonah 3–4 | Jonah preaches in Nineveh. The king leads the people in repentance and God forgives them. Jonah is angry about God’s mercy but is reminded of God cares for all people. | |
| 8. July 18 | Jeremiah | Jeremiah 1:1–10 | Before Jeremiah was born, God had already set him apart to be a prophet. While he is still a boy, God calls him and appoints him to prophecy to nations and kingdoms. | |
| 9. July 25 | Four men in exile | Daniel 1 | Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are Israelites set apart to serve the Babylonian king. They are faithful to God and are rewarded with knowledge and skill. | |
| 10. Aug. 1 | Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego | Daniel 3 | King Nebuchadnezzar orders people to worship an idol. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse and are thrown into a furnace. With God’s help, they survive. | |
| 11. Aug. 8 | Daniel | Daniel 6 | Daniel is a respected ruler, making other rulers jealous. They create a law to trap Daniel because of his faith. Daniel enters the lion’s den, prays to God, and is saved. | |
| 12. Aug. 15 | Queen Esther | Esther 2–7; 9:24–32 | Esther wins a contest to become queen to King Ahasuerus. One of the king’s officials, Haman, seeks to kill the Jews. Esther protects her people from this plot. | |
| 13. Aug. 22 | Zechariah | Zechariah 8:1–13 | Zechariah reveals God’s promises for Jerusalem. The remnant people, young and old, will return to the city. God promises to be with them and says not to be afraid. |
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