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Welcome to your Spark Bible! You just started a journey through God’s word that will last a lifetime. To make it your best trip ever, we want you to MAKE THIS BIBLE YOUR OWN!

GET TO KNOW GOD by using this Bible. The more you use it, the more interesting it gets.

Use every tool available to MAKE THIS BIBLE WORK FOR YOU. You can USE ANY OF THESE TOOLS ­when­ever you read your Bible: Stickers • Pens • Pencils • Colored Pencils • Markers • Highlighters • ­Ruler ­Sticky Notes SPARK BIBLE New Revised Standard Version The next pages will help you start understanding that the Bible story is your story, These pages are excerpted from the Spark Bible, copyright © 2009 Sparkhouse. All rights reserved. Spark Bible is a trademark of Sparkhouse. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner too. HAVE FUN, and let people know how it’s going. It’s your Bible. MAKE THE without prior written permission from the publisher. Visit 1517.media, write to Permissions, 1517 Media, MOST OF IT. Box 1209 Minneapolis, MN 55440, or e-mail [email protected] for further inquiries.

The NRSV is published by arrangement with HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America and used by permission. All rights reserved.

To purchase copies of the Spark Bible, go to wearesparkhouse.org, ISBN 978-0-8066-7048-5. WELCOME • 3 4 • SPARK BIBLE SAMPLER SPARK BIBLE SAMPLER • 5 USE EVERYTHING IN THE

SPARK BIBLE! Key Verses are highlighted all over Get to know some this Bible. Try to figure out why they’re You’ll always know what book of the Bible words important. You can highlight some Key of the Bible you’re in. that matter most. Verses of your own.

Think about these questions, and ask a friend or family member to do the Try It! activities with you.

Explore more about some of the people, places, things, and events in the Bible stories you’re reading.

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GENESIS 1:1 GENESIS 1:1 Attach GENESIS 2:17 GENESIS 2:17 a sticky SIX DAYS OF CREATION AND SIX DAYS 18OF to CREATIONrule over the dayAND and over the night,18 to ruleand over the day and over the night, and 28 God blessed them, and God said 28to God them, blessed Lord them, God and formed God saidman tofrom them, the dustLord of the God formedGenesis man 2:10 from the dust of the Genesis 2:10 September 6 THE SABBATH THE SABBATH to separate the light from the darkness. And note so “Be fruitful and multiply,b and fi ll the earth ground, b andEDEN: breathed The into his nostrils the EDEN: The to separate the light from the darkness. And “Be fruitful and multiply, and fi ll the earth ground, and breathed into his nostrils the beautiful beautiful 19 a 19 In the beginning when God createdIn a theGod beginning saw that when it was God good. created And thereGod wassaw that it was good. And there was and subdueyou it; and can have dominion andover subdue the breath it; and of have life; dominion and the man over became the breath a living of life;garden and the where man became a living garden where the heavens and the earth, 2 the earththe heavensevening andand thethere earth, was 2 themorning, earth theevening fourth and there was morning, the fourth fi sh of thefind sea and this over the birds fiof shthe of air the being.sea and 8 And over the the Lord birds God of the planted air being.a garden 8 And theAdam Lord and God planted a garden and Eve lived. Eve lived. was a formless void and darknesswas day. a formless void and darkness day. and over everypage living thing that movesand upon over everyin Eden, living in thing the east; that andmoves there upon he put in the Eden, man in the east; and there he put the man covered the face of the deep, while covereda the face of the deep, while a the earth.” 29 God said, “See, I have giventhe earth.” you 29whom God said, he had“See, formed. I have given 9 Out you of thewhom ground he hadThe formed. garden 9 Out of the ground The garden wind from God b swept over the facewind from God b swept over the face every plantagain. yielding seed that is uponevery the face plant yieldingthe Lord seed God that made is upon to grow the face every thetree Lord that Godwill made come to grow every tree that will come back for a back for a Jot notes in the of the waters. 3 Th en God said, “Let1 ofthere the bewaters. 3 GenesisTh en God said,1:31 “Let there be Genesis 1:31 of all the earth, and every tree withof seed all thein earth,is pleasant and every to the tree sight with and seed good in for food,is pleasant the to the sight and good for food, the 1 fi nal encore. fi nal encore. margin. Write the date that light”; and there was light. 4 And Godlight”; saw and thereKNOW was light.IT! What 4 And did GodGod make saw on eachKNOW day of IT! What did God make on each day ofits fruit; you shall have them for food.its 30 fruit; And youtree shall of havelife also them in thefor food.midst 30 of And the garden,tree of and life alsoGod in the will midst of the garden, and God will that the light was good; and God separatedthat the light wascreation? good; and God separated creation? to every beast of the earth, and to everyto every bird beastthe of tree the of earth, the knowledge and to every of goodbird andthe evil. tree of therenew knowledge all of good and evil. renew all you read the story. of creation. 5 THINK ABOUT5 IT! Everything God makesTHINK is ABOUT IT! Everything God makes is of creation. the light from the darkness. God calledthe light the from the darkness. God called the of the air, and to everything that creepsof the on air, and10 A to everything river fl ows that out creeps of Eden on to water10 A the river fl ows out of Eden to water the Read about it good. How does this change what you good.think How does this change what you think Read about it light Day, and the darkness he calledlight Night. Day, and the darkness he called Night. the earth, everything that has the breaththe earth, of everythinggarden, and that from has therethe breath it divides of garden, and be- and from there it divides and be- in Revelation about mosquitoes? about mosquitoes? in Revelation And there was evening and there wasAnd morn- there was evening and there was morn- life, I have given every green plant forlife, food.” I have givencomes every four greenbranches. plant 11 for Th efood.” name ofcomes the fi rst four branches.21:9—22:7. 11 Th e name of the fi rst 21:9—22:7. ing, the fi rst day.TRY IT! Go outside. Watch a bug for twoTRY minutes. IT! Go outside. Watch a bug for two minutes.And it was so. 31 God saw everythingAnd that it he was so.is Pishon; 31 God saw it is everythingthe one that that fl ows he aroundis Pishon; the it is the one that fl ows around the Dirt is ing, the fi rst day. Finish your time with your buggy friend byFinish saying, your time with your buggy friend by saying, 6 And God said, “Let there be a 6 And dome God “And said, it “Letwas good!” there be a dome “And it was good!” had made, and indeed, it was very good.had made,And andwhole indeed, land it of was Havilah, very good. where And there whole is gold; land of Havilah, where there is gold; good! in the midst of the waters, and let it inseparate the midst of the waters, and let it separate there was evening and there was morning,there was evening and there was morning, the waters from the waters.” 7 So Godthe made waters from the waters.” 7 So God made the sixth day. the sixth day. Genesis 2:7 Genesis 2:7 the dome and separated the waters thatthe weredome and 20 Andseparated God the waterssaid, “Let that thewere waters 20 Andbring God said, “Let the waters bring Th us the heavens and the earth Th us the heavens and the earth under the dome from the waters thatunder were the domeforth swarmsfrom the of watersliving creatures, that were and forth let birds swarms of living creatures, and let birds were fi nished, and all their mul- wereKNOW fi nished, IT! andHow did all theirGod make mul- the fi rstKNOW human? IT! How did God make the fi rst human? 8 above the dome.fl y above And the it was earth so. across8 God calledthe dome fl y of above the the earth across the dome of the titude. 2 And on the seventh day titude.THINK 2 And ABOUT on the IT! seventh What good day does dirtTHINK do in ABOUT IT! What good does dirt do in Underline stuff above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was eveningthe domeand Sky.sky.” And 21 So thereGod createdwas evening the great and sea monsterssky.” 21 So God created the great sea monsters God fi nished the work that he Godyour fi nished life? the work that he your life? you want to there was morning, the second day. there was morning,and every the living second creature day. that moves,and of every ev- living creature that moves, of ev- had done, and he rested on the had TRY done, IT! andGrab he a handful rested of on dirt. the Get it wetTRY and IT! let Grab it a handful of dirt. Get it wet and let it 9 And Godery kind, said, with “Let which the waters the waters under swarm, ery kind, and with which the waters swarm, and seventh day from all the work that2seventh he had day fromooze all between the work your thatfi ngers. he had ooze between your fi ngers. 9 And God said, “Let the waters under 2 remember later. the sky be gathered together into onethe place, sky be gatheredevery winged together bird into of everyone place, kind. Andevery God winged bird of every kind. And God done. 3 So God blessed the seventh done.day and 3 So God blessed the seventh day and and let the dry land appear.” And itand was let so. the sawdry land that itappear.” was good. And 22it Godwas so.blessed saw them, that it was good. 22 God blessed them, hallowed it, because on it God restedhallowed from it, because on it God rested from 10 God called the dry land Earth, 10 and God the called saying, the dry“Be landfruitful Earth, and multiply and the andsaying, fi ll the “Be fruitfulCircle and multiply words and fi ll the all the work that he had done in creation.all the work12 that and he the had gold done of that in creation. land is good; bdellium12 and the gold of that land is good; bdellium waters that were gathered together he called waters in the seas, and let birds multiply 4 Th ese are the generations of the13 heav- and onyx stone are there. 13 Th e name of the waters that were gathered together he called waters in the seas, and let birds multiply that are 4 Th ese are the generations of the heav- and onyx stone are there. Th e name of the Seas. And God saw that it was good.Seas. 11 Th And en Godon the saw earth.” that it 23was And good. there 11 wasTh en evening on the and earth.” 23 And there was evening and ens and the earth when they were created.ens and the secondearth when river theyis Gihon; were created.it is the one thatsecond fl ows river is Gihon; it is the one that fl ows Put a sticker God said, “Let the earth put forthGod vegeta- said, “Letthere the was earth morning, put forththe fi vegeta- hft day. there was morning,confusing, the fi hft day. around the whole land of Cush. 14 Th around e name the whole land of Cush. 14 Th e name near places tion: plants yielding seed, and fruittion: trees plants of yielding24 And seed, God and said, fruit “Let trees the of earth 24 And bring God said,interesting, “Let the earth bring ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE ANOTHERof ACCOUNT the third river OF is THE Tigris, which fl owsof the east third river is Tigris, which fl ows east you read, every kind onforth earth living that creatures bear fruit of with every the kind: forth catt livingle creatures of every kind: catt le CREATION CREATIONof Assyria. And the fourth river is of the Assyria. Eu- And the fourth river is the Eu- every kind on earth that bear fruit with the or gross. remember, or seed in it.” And it was so. 12 Th e earth seedbrought in it.” Andand it creeping was so. 12 things Th e earth and broughtwild animals and of creeping the things and wild animals of the In the day that the Lorda God madeIn the dayphrates. that the Lorda God made the phrates. forth vegetation: plants yielding seedforth of ev-vegetation:earth plantsof every yielding kind.” seedAnd ofit wasev- so.earth 25 God of every kind.” And it was so. 25 God earth and the heavens, 5 when no earth plant and of the15 Th heavens, e Lord 5 when God no took plant the of man and15 Th put e Lord God took the man and put want to know ery kind, and trees of every kind ery bearing kind, andmade trees the of wild every animals kind of bearing the earth made of ev- the wild animals of the earth of ev- the fi eld was yet in the earth and nothe herb fi eld of washim yet in in the the garden earth and of Eden no herb to till of it andhim keep in the garden of Eden to till it and keep more about. 16 fruit with the seed in it. And God fruitsaw thatwith theery seed kind, in and it. And the cattGod le saw of everythat kind,ery kind,and and the catt le of every kind, and the fi eld had yet sprung up—for thethe Lord fi eld hadit. yet16 And sprung the up—for Lord God the Lord commandedit. And the the Lord God commanded the (See the back it was good. 13 And there was eveningit was and good. everything 13 And there that was creeps evening upon and the groundeverything of that creeps upon the ground of God had not caused it to rain upon theGod earth, had notman, caused “You it tomay rain freely upon eat the of earth, every treeman, of the“You may freely eat of every tree of the of your Bible there was morning, the third day. there was morning,every kind. the Andthird God day. saw that it wasevery good. kind. And God saw that it was good. and there was no one to till the ground;and 6there but wasgarden; no one 17 butto till of thethe ground;tree of the 6 but knowledge garden; of 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of 14 And God said, “Let there be lights14 And in God26 Th said, en “Let God there said, be “Let lights us makein human-26 Th en God said, “Let us make human- a stream would rise from the earth, aand stream wa- wouldgood rise and from evil youthe shallearth, not and eat, wa- for ingood the day and evil you shall not eat, for in the day for more about the dome of the sky to separate the daythe fromdome ofkind the csky in ourto separate image, according the day from to our likeness;kind c in our image,Color according or to our likeness; ter the whole face of the ground— 7ter then the the whole that face you of eatthe of ground— it you shall 7 then die.” the that you eat of it you shall die.” stickers.) the night; and let them be for signsthe and night; for andand let let them them be have for dominion signs and overfor theand fi letsh themof highlighthave dominion parts over the fi sh of seasons and for days and years, 15seasons and let andthe for sea, days and andover years,the birds 15 and of the let air, andthe sea, over and over the birds of the air, and over you really like. DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW? them be lights in the dome of the skythem to give be lightsthe in catt the le, dome and over of the all thesky wildto give animals the of catt the le, and over all the wild animals of theSCIENCE AND CREATION SCIENCE AND CREATION light16 upon theearth, earth.” d and And over it everywas so. creeping 16 God thingearth, that d and over every creeping thing that light upon the earth.” And it was so. God People in Bible times were curious aboutPeople how the in Bibleworld times worked, were so curious the Bible about writers how used the thoughtfulworld worked, stories so to the Bible writers used thoughtful stories to made the two great lights—the greatermade light the twocreeps great upon lights—the the earth.” greater light creeps upon the earth.” explain creation. The six days God usedexplain to create creation. the world The could six days be God literal. used Or theyto create could the be worlda poetic could way be literal. Or they could be a poetic way to rule the day and the lesser light toto rule rule the the day27 Soand God the createdlesser light humankind to rule the c in his27 image, So God created humankind c in his image,the writer of Genesis symbolized great spansthe writer of time. of Genesis symbolized great spans of time. 17 e e night—and the stars. 17 God set themnight—and in the the stars. in the image God set of Godthem he in createdthe them; in the image of God he created them; God is delighted when you learn aboutGod the world. is delighted Creation when praises you learnGod too!about Check the world. out Psalm Creation 148. praises God too! Check out Psalm 148. dome of the sky to give light upon thedome earth, of the sky to male give and light female upon he the created earth, them. male and female he created them.

a Or when God began to create or In the beginninga Or Godwhen created God began b Or to whilecreate the or Inspirit the ofbeginning God or while God createda mighty bwind Or while the spirit of God or while a mighty wind a Heb YHWH, as in other places where “Lord”a Heb is spelledYHWH, with as in capital other lettplaces ers (seewhere also “Lord” Exod 3.14-15is spelled with with notes). capital lett ers (see also Exod 3.14-15 with notes). c Heb adam d Syr: Heb and over all the earthc Heb e Heb adam him d Syr: Heb and over all the earth e Heb him b Or formed a man (Heb adam) of dust fr om bthe Or ground formed (Heb a man adamah (Heb )adam ) of dust fr om the ground (Heb adamah) 2 • PENTATEUCH 2 • PENTATEUCH PENTATEUCH • 3 PENTATEUCH • 3

01-Ge-NRSVKids-3.indd 2-3 01-Ge-NRSVKids-3.indd 2-3 1/7/2009 10:06:28 AM 1/7/2009 10:06:28 AM 6 • HOW TO USE YOUR SPARK BIBLE HOW TO USE YOUR SPARK BIBLE • 7 8 • SPARK BIBLE SAMPLER SPARK BIBLE SAMPLER • 9 MAKE YOUR SPARK BIBLE SMALLER!

Did you know that the Bible isn’t really one book? Here’s a tip to help you find each section. Use high- Pentateuch It’s actually 66 books all bound together. Some lighter pens in seven different colors (or at least of the books are only a page long. rotate through a minimum of two). Highlight the edges of your Bible based on these The 66 books can be divided into seven sections: sections. Keep your Bible closed while Historical Books Pentateuch, Historical Books, Writings, Prophets, you do it. ­The Gospels and Acts, Letters of Paul, and Gen- eral Letters and Revelation. Writings

The Bible also divides into two testaments, called Prophets the Old Testament and the New ­Testament. You can remember this and how many books each has by using the simple formula of 39.

letters in letters in HistoricalPentateuch Books 3 OLD 9 TESTAMENT The Gospels Writings and Acts OLDTESTAMENT The GospelsProphets and Acts 3 NEXT TO 9 = 39 BOOKS GeneralLetters Letters of and Paul Revelation

Letters of Paul letters in letters in 3 NEW 9 TESTAMENT NEWTESTAMENT 3 x 9 = 27 BOOKS

General Letters and Revelation

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The book of Revelation is filled with wild images, interesting Genesis is the first book in the Bible. It is the beginning of every- characters, and unexpected action. This book describes the thing and it is full of surprises. God creates a good world, peo- Mark’s story about is the shortest and most likely the old- vision of John, an early follower of Jesus. John wrote this letter ple sin, the earth is flooded, families travel, brothers fight, a very est gospel. It tells what happened during the three years Jesus to people in churches that were facing persecution by govern- old couple has a baby. Through it all, God promises to save the walked from the Jordan River where he was baptized to Jeru- ment authorities. John uses codes to replace some names and world (including you) from sin and death. salem where he was crucified and raised from the dead. words in case the letter fell into the wrong hands. For us today those mysterious images are hard to understand. But John’s vision helps us discover some amazing promises about God’s God creates the world. Chapter 1 Jesus walked into the Jordan river where . . . love. Even though he wrote about his vision for the people at Chapter 1:9 Nine Walking John baptized him. the time, the book of Revelation also has important messages God called him “Beloved.” Chapter 1:11 A talking snake tempts people to doubt that God’s for us today. promises can be trusted. Chapter 3 to surprises Jesus walked to Galilee where he . . . Chapter 1:23-26, 32-34; Chapter 5:1-20; Every book has a one- builds a really big boat. Chapter 6 Drove out unclean spirits. Jerusalem Chapter 9:14-25 Chapter 4:1-9; Chapter 12:1-12 Taught in stories called parables. Some Heaven and a throne. TIPS FOR LOOKING UP BIBLE VERSES God promises two people who are almost 100 years old Healed lots of people. Chapter 1:29-31; Chapter 2:1-12; Chapter Chapter 4 Chapters 12–21 page ­introduction. that they will have a baby. 3:1-6; Chapter 5:21-34; Chapter 10:46-52 Performed many miracles. Chapter 4:35-41; Chapter 5:35-42; visions A lamb with seven horns and seven eyes. Chapter 5:6-8 and his twin brother Esau don’t always get Chapter 6:30-44; Chapter 8:1-10 Chapters 25–33 along, but they learn about forgiveness. Four horses Chapter 6:1-8 that are white, red, black, and pale green. Read those to decide Jesus walked toward Jerusalem and . . . that Joseph’s brothers sell him to some Ishmaelites for The disciples misunderstood him.Chapter 8:32-33 Chapters 8:34—9:1 Chapter 37 Talked about discipleship and following him. Seven 20 pieces of silver. reveal angels who blew seven trumpets. Was transfigured.Chapter 9:2-9 8:1—11:15 Chapters The first verse in any chapter usually doesn’t have a 1. Instead, Chapter 8:31; which book to read first. Pharaoh makes a big decision based on a dream Predicted his death and resurrection three times. Chapter 41 Chapter 9:30-32; Chapter 10:32-34 Battles and about skinny cows. Egypt is saved. beasts. Chapters 12–13 Jesus walked in Jerusalem and . . . the big number shows that you’re starting with the first verse of sons go to Egypt seeking food. The govern- Jacob’s Chapter 11:1-11 Bowls of wrath. Chapter 16 Chapters 42–45 Rode on a donkey. 1 ment official who helps them is their long-lost brother. Shared one last supper with his disciples. Chapter 14:12-25 Chapters 14:43—15:47 Cities coming from the Got arrested, was tried, and was crucified. sky where death, mourning, crying, has one more surprise! Joseph’s brothers want to hurt Chapter 16:1-20 and pain will be no more. God Rose from the dead on the third day. Chapter 21:1-4 a new chapter. Chapters 45–50 him, but God uses their plan to save their lives.

THIRD PROOFS If you’re not sure where to find the book of the Bible, use the :1

Matthew 1:1 THe teen generations; and from the deportation GenealOGy: THe MeSSIaH to Babylon to the Messiah,e fourteen gener- A record of Table of Contents on pages iii–v to help you. a someone’s An account of the genealogy of ations. parents, their b 2 Jesus the Messiah, the son of , parents, the son of . THe BIRTH OF JeSuS THe MeSSIaH and so on. 18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiahb People make 2 Abraham was the father of , genealogies and Isaac the father of Jacob, and took place in this way. When his mother to help 1Jacob the father of and his brothers, Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before their future 3 and Judah the father of and Zerah by they lived together, she was found to be with descendants 19 Her husband learn who Tamar, and Perez the father of , and child from the Holy Spirit. they were Hezron the father of Aram, 4 and Aram the Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling and are. Sometimes Bible verses are called a passage, a text, a refer- father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the fa- to expose her to public disgrace, planned to 20 Jesus’ ther of , and Nahshon the father of dismiss her quietly. But just when he had genealogy , 5 and Salmon the father of by resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord ap- tells us he is peared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, the great, Rahab, and Boaz the father of by , 6 son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary great, great and Obed the father of , and Jesse the The books in the Bible are organized in the same way: ence, or a citation. No matter what word is used, you’ll be (many times) father of King David. as your wife, for the child conceived in her is grandson of 21 She will bear a son, 3 And David was the father of by from the Holy Spirit. a woman 7 named the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father and you are to name him Jesus, for he will 22 Rahab. Read of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father save his people from their sins.” All this about her in of , and Abijah the father of Asaph, c took place to fulfill what had been spoken by looking up verses in the same way. Joshua 2:1-24. 8 and Asaph c the father of Jehoshaphat, and the Lord through the prophet: from the whole Bible to a specific Book Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram 23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father a son, of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hez- which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Jo- ekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh seph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel from Book to Chapter the father of Amos, d and Amos d the father of of the Lord commanded him; he took her as Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with and his brothers, at the time of the deporta- her until she had borne a son; f and he named Sometimes the name of a Bible book includes a number, like 2 tion to Babylon. him Jesus. from Chapter to Verse 12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Matthew 1:23 Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Ze- KnOW IT! What does Emmanuel mean? Samuel, 1 Corinthians, or 3 John. rubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of THInK aBOuT IT! How would you feel if an 4 Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and angel appeared to you in a dream? Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the TRy IT! Use rocks to write out the name father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Ele- Emmanuel and put it by your front door. azar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob,16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, THe VISIT OF THe WISe Men of whom Jesus was born, who is called the In the time of King Herod, af- Messiah.e ter Jesus was born in Bethlehem If you see a short dash between verse numbers, this means that 17 So all the generations from Abraham of Judea, wise men g from the Book to David are fourteen generations; and from East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, David to the deportation to Babylon, four- 2“Where is the child who has been a Or birth b Or Jesus Christ c Other ancient authorities read Asa d Other ancient authorities read Amon there is more than one verse. The number before the dash tells e Or the Christ f Other ancient authorities read her firstborn son g Or astrologers; Gk magi 5 1058 • THE GOSPELS AND ACTS you where to start and the number after the dash tells you THIRD PROOFS where to end. MATTHEW 7:14

SeRvIng TwO MaSTeRS JuDgIng OTHeRS 24 “No one can serve two masters; for “Do not judge, so that you may a slave will either hate the one and love not be judged. 2 For with the judg- When you want to look up verses in your Bible, there the other, or be devoted to the one and de- ment you make you will be judged, If you see a long dash between chapter numbers, this means spise the other. You cannot serve God and and the measure you give will be wealth. a the measure you get. 3Why do you are three parts to check. A word or words before 7see the speck in your neighbor’s f eye, but do that the verses go across more than one chapter. not notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how 6 Matthew 6:24 can you say to your neighbor,g ‘Let me take the number, a number before the ­colon, and one knOw IT! How many masters can you serve? the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is THInk abOuT IT! How can you serve God? in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take Chapter TRy IT! Pick a night and prepare an easy meal for the log out of your own eye, and then you or more numbers after the colon. your family. Set the table and serve everyone else will see clearly to take the speck out of your first before you eat. A few books in the Bible are so short that they only have one neighbor’s f eye. PROFanIng THe HOly chapter! In those books, only the verse numbers are shown. DO nOT wORRy 6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and 7 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry do not throw your pearls before swine, or about your life, what you will eat or what they will trample them under foot and turn you will drink, b or about your body, what and maul you. you will wear. Is not life more than food, and aSk, SeaRcH, knOck the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the 7 “Ask, and it will be given you; search, birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor and you will find; knock, and the door will gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Fa - be opened for you. 8 ther feeds them. Are you not of more value For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, than they? 27 And can any of you by worrying MATTHEW 7:12 and for everyone who knocks, the door will add a single hour to your span of life?c 28 And be opened. 9 Is there anyone among you who, why do you worry about clothing? Consider if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? the lilies of the field, how they grow; they 10 Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know Solomon in all his glory was not clothed how to give good gifts to your children, how like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the much more will your Father in heaven give grass of the field, which is alive today and to - good things to those who ask him! morrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? THe gOlDen Rule 31 LOOK IT UP, Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will 12 “In everything do to others as you The WORD tells The number The number we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What would have them do to you; for this is the 32 will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who law and the prophets. strive for all these things; and indeed your Verse you the book BEFORE THE AFTER THE heavenly Father knows that you need all THe naRROw gaTe MARK IT UP, these things. 33 But strive first for the king- 13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for dom of God d and his e righteousness, and all the gate is wide and the road is easyh that of the Bible COLON tells COLON tells these things will be given to you as well. leads to destruction, and there are many 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for 14 AND REMEMBER TO who take it. For the gate is narrow and the tomorrow will bring worries of its own. To- road is hard that leads to life, and there are where you’ll you the chapter. you the verse. day’s trouble is enough for today. few who find it. a Gk mammon b Other ancient authorities lack or what you will drink c Or add one cubit to your height d Other ancient authorities lack of God e f g ASK QUESTIONS ALONG THE WAY! Or its Gk brother’s Gk brother find the verse. (Those are the (Those are the h Other ancient authorities read for the road is wide and easy THE GOSPELS AND ACTS • 1065 big numbers in little numbers in your Bible.) your Bible.)

10 • HOW TO USE YOUR SPARK BIBLE HOW TO USE YOUR SPARK BIBLE • 11 12 • SPARK BIBLE SAMPLER GENESIS 1:27

SIX DAYS OF CREATION AND 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and THE SABBATH to separate the light from the darkness. And In the beginning when God created a God saw that it was good. 19 And there was the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth evening and there was morning, the fourth was a formless void and darkness day. covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God b swept over the face 1of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be Genesis 1:31 light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw KNOW IT! What did God make on each day of that the light was good; and God separated creation? the light from the darkness. 5 God called the THINK ABOUT IT! Everything God makes is Genesis is the first book in the Bible. It is the beginning of every- light Day, and the darkness he called Night. good. How does this change what you think about mosquitoes? thing and it is full of surprises. God creates a good world, peo- And there was evening and there was morn- ing, the first day. TRY IT! Go outside. Watch a bug for two minutes. ple sin, the earth is flooded, families travel, brothers fight, a very Finish your time with your buggy friend by saying, 6 And God said, “Let there be a dome “And it was good!” old couple has a baby. Through it all, God promises to save the in the midst of the waters, and let it separate world (including you) from sin and death. the waters from the waters.” 7 So God made the dome and separated the waters that were 20 And God said, “Let the waters bring under the dome from the waters that were forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds above the dome. And it was so. 8 God called fly above the earth across the dome of the the dome Sky. And there was evening and sky.” 21 So God created the great sea monsters God creates the world. Chapter 1 there was morning, the second day. and every living creature that moves, of ev- Nine 9 And God said, “Let the waters under ery kind, with which the waters swarm, and the sky be gathered together into one place, every winged bird of every kind. And God snake tempts people to doubt that God’s 22 A talking and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. saw that it was good. God blessed them, surprises promises can be trusted. Chapter 3 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the wa- saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the ters that were gathered together he called waters in the seas, and let birds multiply 11 on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and Noah builds a really big boat. Chapter 6 Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegeta- there was morning, the fifth day. tion: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of 24 And God said, “Let the earth bring God promises two people who are almost 100 years old every kind on earth that bear fruit with the forth living creatures of every kind: cattle that they will have a baby. Chapters 12–21 seed in it.” And it was so. 12 The earth brought and creeping things and wild animals of the forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of earth of every kind.” And it was so. 25 God every kind, and trees of every kind bearing made the wild animals of the earth of ev- Jacob and his twin brother Esau don’t always get fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it ery kind, and the cattle of every kind, and along, but they learn about forgiveness. Chapters 25–33 was good. 13 And there was evening and there everything that creeps upon the ground of was morning, the third day. every kind. And God saw that it was good. 14 And God said, “Let there be lights in 26 Then God said, “Let us make human- Joseph’s brothers sell him to some Ishmaelites for the dome of the sky to separate the day from kind c in our image, according to our likeness; 20 pieces of silver. Chapter 37 the night; and let them be for signs and for and let them have dominion over the fish of seasons and for days and years, 15 and let the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over them be lights in the dome of the sky to give the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the Pharaoh makes a big decision based on a dream light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 God earth, d and over every creeping thing that about skinny cows. Egypt is saved. Chapter 41 made the two great lights—the greater light creeps upon the earth.” to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the 27 So God created humankind c in his image, 17 e Jacob’s sons go to Egypt seeking food. The govern- night—and the stars. God set them in the in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. ment official who helps them is their long-lost brother.Chapters 42–45 dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, a Or when God began to create or In the beginning God created b Or while the spirit of God or while a mighty wind c Heb adam d Syr: Heb and over all the earth e Heb him has one more surprise! Joseph’s brothers want to hurt God PENTATEUCH • 13 him, but God uses their plan to save their lives. Chapters 45–50 GENESIS 1:28 GENESIS 3:14

28 God blessed them, and God said to them, Lord God formed man from the dust of the Genesis 2:10 Genesis 3:6 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and b EDEN: The SIN: How d “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth ground, and breathed into his nostrils the beautiful we separate good that the man should be alone; I will you will be like God, knowing good and 19 6 and subdue it; and have dominion over the breath of life; and the man became a living garden where ourselves make him a helper as his partner.” So out ev il.” So when the woman saw that the tree fish of the sea and over the birds of the air being. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden Adam and from God. of the ground the Lord God formed every was good for food, and that it was a delight to and over every living thing that moves upon in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man Eve lived. We can’t animal of the field and every bird of the air, the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired help it and 29 9 The garden the earth.” God said, “See, I have given you whom he had formed. Out of the ground the sin in what and brought them to the man to see what to make one wise, she took of its fruit and will come every plant yielding seed that is upon the face Lord God made to grow every tree that is we think, say, he would call them; and whatever the man ate; and she also gave some to her husband, back for a and do. Jesus 7 of all the earth, and every tree with seed in pleasant to the sight and good for food, the final encore. called every living creature, that was its who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes 30 brings us back 20 its fruit; you shall have them for food. And tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and God will name. The man gave names to all cattle, of both were opened, and they knew that from sin so renew all to every beast of the earth, and to every bird the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. we can live in and to the birds of the air, and to every ani- they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves of creation. God’s love. a of the air, and to everything that creeps on 10 A river flows out of Eden to water the Read about it mal of the field; but for the man there was to­gether and made loincloths for themselves. 21 the earth, everything that has the breath of garden, and from there it divides and be- in Revelation Sin is not found a helper as his partner. So the 8 They heard the sound of the Lord life, I have given every green plant for food.” comes four branches. 11 The name of the first 21:9—22:7. powerful. Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon God walking in the garden at the time of the And it was so. 31 God saw everything that he is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the Read Romans the man, and he slept; then he took one of evening breeze, and the man and his wife 5:12-14. But had made, and indeed, it was very good. And whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; God is more his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. hid themselves from the presence of the 22 there was evening and there was morning, powerful. And the rib that the Lord God had taken Lord God among the trees of the garden. the sixth day. Read Romans from the man he made into a woman and 9 But the Lord God called to the man, and Thus the heavens and the earth Genesis 2:7 5:15-21. brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, said to him, “Where are you?” 10 He said, “I were finished, and all their mul- KNOW IT! How did God make the first human? “This at last is bone of my bones heard the sound of you in the garden, and titude. 2 And on the seventh day THINK ABOUT IT! What good does dirt do in and flesh of my flesh; I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid God finished the work that he your life? this one shall be called Woman, b myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you had done, and he rested on the TRY IT! Grab a handful of dirt. Get it wet and let it for out of Man c this one was taken.” were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of 2seventh day from all the work that he had ooze between your fingers. 24 Therefore a man leaves his father and his which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and mother and clings to his wife, and they be- man said, “The woman whom you gave to hallowed it, because on it God rested from come one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, all the work that he had done in creation. 12 and the gold of that land is good; bdellium were both naked, and were not ashamed. 13 4 These are the generations of the heav- and onyx stone are there. The name of the Genesis 3:1 ens and the earth when they were created. second river is Gihon; it is the one that flows THE FIRST SIN AND ITS PUNISHMENT 14 KNOW IT! How did the sneaky serpent change around the whole land of Cush. The name Now the serpent was more crafty the words God spoke to Adam and Eve in ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE of the third river is Tigris, which flows east than any other wild animal that chapter 2? CREATION of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Eu- the Lord God had made. He said THINK ABOUT IT! Why would you trust what a In the day that the Lord a God made the phrates. to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You talking snake said? 5 earth and the heavens, when no plant of 15 The Lord God took the man and put shall not eat from any tree in the TRY IT! Call a friend you really trust and say thanks. the field was yet in the earth and no herb of him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep 3garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the and there was no one to till the ground; 6 but garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the woman, “What is this that you have done?” a stream would rise from the earth, and wa- good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, ter the whole face of the ground— 7 then the that you eat of it you shall die.” die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, and I ate.” 14 The Lord God said to the ser- “You will not die; 5 for God knows that when pent, DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW? SCIENCE AND CREATION THE FIRST ENVIRONMENTALIST People in Bible times were curious about how the world worked, so the Bible writers used thoughtful stories to Guess what was the first job God gave to human beings? God told Adam to take care of creation. Adam explain creation. The six days God used to create the world could be literal. Or they could be a poetic way was the earth’s first caretaker. the writer of Genesis symbolized great spans of time. Going green is nothing new. The Bible teaches us that God’s creation often needs attention—and that even God is delighted when you learn about the world. Creation praises God too! Check out Psalm 148. land needs rest sometimes. Read about it in Leviticus 25:3-5.

a Heb YHWH, as in other places where “Lord” is spelled with capital letters (see also Ex 3.14-15 with notes). a Or for Adam b Heb ishshah c Heb ish d Or gods b Or formed a man (Heb adam) of dust from the ground (Heb adamah) 14 • HOW TO USE YOUR SPARK BIBLE PENTATEUCH • 15 GENESIS 3:14

“Because you have done this, the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cursed are you among all animals cherubim, and a sword flaming and turning and among all wild creatures; to guard the way to the tree of life. upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat MURDERS all the days of your life. Now the man knew his wife Eve, 15 I will put enmity between you and the and she conceived and bore Cain, woman, saying, “I have produced d a man and between your offspring and hers; with the help of the Lord.” 2 Next he will strike your head, she bore his brother Abel. Now and you will strike his heel.” 4Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a til- 16 To the woman he said, ler of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain “I will greatly increase your pangs in brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit childbearing; of the ground, 4 and Abel for his part brought in pain you shall bring forth children, of the firstlings of his flock, their fat por- yet your desire shall be for your husband, tions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and and he shall rule over you.” his offering,5 but for Cain and his offering 17 And to the man a he said, “Because you have listened to the voice Genesis 4:3-4 of your wife, KNOW IT! What offerings did bring and have eaten of the tree to the Lord? about which I commanded you, THINK ABOUT IT! Why do you think brothers and ‘You shall not eat of it,’ sisters fight with each other? cursed is the ground because of you; TRY IT! Play with someone in a different group in toil you shall eat of it all the days of during recess. your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and you shall eat the plants of the field. and his countenance fell. 6 The Lord said to 19 By the sweat of your face Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your you shall eat bread countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you until you return to the ground, not be accepted? And if you do not do well, for out of it you were taken; sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, you are dust, but you must master it.” and to dust you shall return.” 8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go 20 The man named his wife Eve, b be- out to the field.” e And when they were in the cause she was the mother of all living. 21 And field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, the Lord God made garments of skins for and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, the man c and for his wife, and clothed them. “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do 22 Then the Lord God said, “See, the not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 And man has become like one of us, knowing the Lord said, “What have you done? Lis- good and evil; and now, he might reach out ten; your brother’s blood is crying out to his hand and take also from the tree of life, me from the ground! 11 And now you are and eat, and live forever”— 23 therefore the cursed from the ground, which has opened Lord God sent him forth from the garden its mouth to receive your brother’s blood of Eden, to till the ground from which he from your hand. 12 When you till the ground, was taken. 24 He drove out the man; and at it will no longer yield to you its strength;

a Or to Adam b In Heb Eve resembles the word for living c Or for Adam d The verb in Heb resembles the word for Cain e Sam Gk Syr Compare Vg: MT lacks Let us go out to the field 16 • HOW TO USE YOUR SPARK BIBLE