Teacher Bible Study Lesson Overview

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 2: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment

TEACHER BIBLE STUDY What do you do when you need to remember something? Do you write it down? The people of Judah had forgotten God’s Word. Jehoiakim was king, and “He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight just as his ancestors had done” (2 Kings 23:37). The people of Judah were facing God’s judgment for their sin.

God told Jeremiah to write on a scroll all the words God had spoken about Israel, Judah, and all the nations. God was patient. He gave the people a chance to heed a warning and to turn from their sin and be forgiven.

Jeremiah’s scribe, Baruch, wrote the words Jeremiah received from God. Then Baruch read the scroll. But the people did not heed the warning. King Jehoiakim’s officials brought Jeremiah’s scribe, Baruch, to the king. Jehoiakim rejected God’s Word, cutting it up and throwing it into the fire.

God told Jeremiah to write another scroll. God said He would punish Jehoiakim for rejecting God’s word about the coming judgment. He would punish Jehoiakim’s descendants too. The disaster God warned about would come to the people who did not listen.

Scripture is a gracious gift from the Lord. In it we see the plan of God from before time began. We receive the gospel—good news of salvation. The Word is steadfast: constant and reliable. “The word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Peter 1:25).

John 1 says that Jesus is the Word. He is God in the flesh; Immanuel, God with us. By giving His people the written Word, God showed them His standard. We all fall short.

The people of Judah faced God’s judgment against sin. Years later, God sent His Son. Jesus came and lived a perfect life. He satisfied God’s righteous requirement and took the punishment we deserve. Those who trust in Him are forgiven. This is good news! This is the gospel—the word that was preached to us, the word that remains forever.

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment Bible Passage: Jeremiah 36 Big Picture Question: Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? God wanted His people to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him. Key Passage: Ezekiel 37:27 Unit Christ Connection: Though it appeared that sin prevailed, the covenant God promised would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 2: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment

Transition Time Welcome time Activity sheet/Table Centers Session starter (10 minutes)

Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (1 minute) Timeline Map (1 minute) Big picture question (1 minute) Sing (5 minutes) Key passage (4 minutes) Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Prayer (5 minutes)

Table Time Timeline map (1 minute) Bible story review (10 minutes)

Large Group Review / Activities Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment Jeremiah 36

When Josiah’s son Jehoiakim (jih HOY uh kim) had been king of Judah for four years, God gave a message to Jeremiah. God said, “Take a scroll, and write on it everything I have told you about Israel, Judah, and the other nations.” God wanted Judah to hear about His plans to punish them for their sin. Maybe Judah would stop doing evil things and turn back to God. God wanted to forgive them for the wrong things they had done. Jeremiah obeyed God. He called for his friend Baruch (BAY rook) to be his scribe. A scribe is someone who writes down important events and messages. Jeremiah told Baruch what God had said, and Baruch wrote the words on the scroll. Then Jeremiah said to Baruch, “I am not allowed to go into the temple of the Lord, so you must go to the temple. Read the words from the Lord that you wrote on the scroll so that all the people of Judah can hear. Maybe they will turn from doing evil things when they hear

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 2: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment

how angry God is with them.” Baruch did what Jeremiah said. The people of Judah came into the capital city of Jerusalem, to the Lord’s temple. They were fasting—not eating for a time so they could pray and figure out what God wanted them to do. Baruch read from the scroll so that all the people could hear the word of the Lord. A man named Micaiah (migh KAY yuh) heard the words of the Lord that Baruch read from the scroll. Micaiah went to the king’s palace and told the officials what he had heard. The officials asked Baruch to come to the palace and read the scroll to them, and Baruch did. The officials heard the words of the Lord, and they were afraid. God was angry because of the evil things they had done, and He was going to punish them! The officials said, “We need to tell King Jehoiakim this message.” The officials told Baruch and Jeremiah to hide, and then they went and told the king what they had heard. King Jehoiakim asked one of his messengers to read the scroll. The messenger read part of the scroll, and then the king cut it off and threw it into his fire. The messenger read some more, and then the king cut off some more and burned it until the whole scroll was burned up. King Jehoiakim was not afraid of the message from the Lord. He wanted to capture Jeremiah and Baruch, but no one could find them. God kept Jeremiah and Baruch hidden so they would be safe. Since King Jehoiakim burned up the first scroll, God told Jeremiah to write another scroll. This scroll would have the same words as the first scroll. God told Jeremiah to give the king an important message. This is what Jeremiah should say to the king: “You burned up the scroll that said the king of Babylon would come and destroy Judah. None of your sons will be king after you. God is going to punish you, your family, and your leaders for doing wrong things. Disaster will come to Judah just like God said it would, but you did not listen to the words of the Lord.” Jeremiah obeyed God. He gave another scroll to his scribe, Baruch. Baruch wrote down all the words of the Lord that King Jehoiakim had burned up in the fire.

Christ Connection: John 1 says that Jesus is the Word. Jesus showed people what God is like. God gives us His written Word, the Bible, to tell us what He is like too. The Bible has the most important message: the good news about Jesus. It tells us that God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from our sin.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 2: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment Bible Passage: Jeremiah 36 Big Picture Question: Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? God wanted His people to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him. Key Passage: Ezekiel 37:27 Unit Christ Connection: Though it appeared that sin prevailed, the covenant God promised would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Welcome time Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group.

Arriving Activity: Bible Books Game Bibles, 1 per kid As the kids arrive, make sure each kid has a Bible. Play in small teams if you don’t have enough Bibles. Call out a book of the Bible. The first kid or group to find it wins. Repeat with a new book. If needed, provide hints like Old Testament, New Testament, near the front of your Bible, or near the end of your Bible. This game will help prepare the kids for the activity sheet, or use it as a review after the activity sheet. Say • God’s words are very important, but a king in today’s Bible story didn’t treat them that way. We’ll find out what God had to say about that.

Activities/Table Centers (5 minutes) Table centers (Miscellaneous Activities) “Bible Books” activity sheet / Bible Story Coloring Sheet, 1 per kid pencils, markers or crayons Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page. Say • We have God’s words written in the Bible. God’s people in the Old Testament didn’t have the whole Bible like we do. They relied on priests, prophets, and small segments of Scripture. However, God told a prophet to write down a warning for Judah.

If time remains, allow kids to complete the coloring page provided with this session.

Session Starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Go Back! masking tape Tape two lines several feet apart as a start line and finish line. Form two groups, and instruct each group to line up single file behind the start line. A small group leader will face away from the group and give a command to go. Explain that the first kid in line will race to the finish line. Once that kid crosses the line, the next kid races to the finish. At any point, the leader can

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 2: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment

command the kids to “go back.” Any kid between the lines must go back and touch the start line and then race back toward the finish line again. The first group to get all its players safely past the finish line wins. Say • God continually warned His people through the prophets to go back to worshiping Him. Jeremiah was one of God’s prophets.

Option 2: Write It Down paper pencils or pens Provide each kid with paper and a pencil. Invite the kids to each write a short sentence you will tell them only once. As soon as a kid writes the sentence correctly, she should stand up. If she is correct, she wins. If not, check the second person who stood. Spelling does not need to be exact. Provide short sentences at first, and then make them longer if you wish. Here are some examples: God loves you; Jesus is King; Jeremiah was a prophet; God is good. You may read these short Bible verses: Exodus 20:15; John 11:35; Luke 17:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; and John 6:48. Say • Jeremiah asked someone to write God’s message to the people. In a few moments, we’ll see what the people and the king did after hearing God’s message.

Transition to large group

LESSON Session Title: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment Bible Passage: Jeremiah 36 Big Picture Question: Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? God wanted His people to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him. Key Passage: Ezekiel 37:27 Unit Christ Connection: Though it appeared that sin prevailed, the covenant God promised would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Countdown countdown video (on provided DVD with lesson videos and worship) Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (1 minute) beach attire small notebook pencil [Large group leader enters in appropriate beach attire, trying to write in a small notebook.]

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 2: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment

Leader • Let’s see. First, we got up early and went walking on the beach. Oh, you all are already back at the beach, huh? I was just writing down what we have done so far. It’s a vacation journal. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I forget things. Vacation is so much fun. I don’t want to forget what I did and what I saw. That reminds me. God told Jeremiah, His prophet to Judah, to write down some important things. Let’s find out why.

Timeline Map (1 minute) Timeline Map (small group visual pack – copies provided for Table Time Review) Leader • Last time we got to meet Jeremiah. Who was Jeremiah? He was a prophet to Judah. What job did God give Jeremiah? God chose Jeremiah before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. What message did God give Jeremiah? God was going to use an army from the north to punish the people of Judah for their sins. God still wasn’t done. He had another warning for Jeremiah to give the people. This one would be in writing.

Big picture question (1 minute) Big Picture Question: Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? - 11x17 poster provided Leader •Speaking of writing, God used people to write a special book about His love and a Savior named Jesus. It’s called the Bible. Who has their Bible today? We’ll use it to find out more about Jeremiah’s message to the people. Actually, that’s what the big picture question is about. Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people?

Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: “Help Me Find It” (on provided DVD) Leader • Jeremiah prophesied during the lives of five different kings in Judah. The last four kings were evil. They didn’t want to listen to God’s words. Still, God continued to warn Judah, hoping the people would find their way back to Him. Sing together “Help Me Find It.”

Key passage (4 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Ezekiel 37:27 (provided) Worship Song: “My Dwelling Place” (on provided DVD) Leader • God wasn’t going to give up. Even when God promised punishment, He also gave hope. The day would come when His people would follow Him faithfully. This is the message of our key passage. Show the slide or poster of the unit’s key passage, Ezekiel 37:27. Lead the boys and girls to read the verse together. Sing together “My Dwelling Place.”

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 2: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) “Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment” video (on provided DVD) Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Leader • Let’s find out what message God told Jeremiah to write down, what the king did about that message, and the answer to our big picture question: Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? Open your Bibles to Jeremiah 36. Show the “Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment” video, or tell the Bible story in your own words using the script provided. For a shorter version of the story, read only the bolded text. Leader • Josiah, one of the kings in Judah who led the people to repent, was replaced by his son Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim did not obey God. God told Jeremiah to write down the bad things that were going to happen if Judah didn’t stop sinning. Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? God wanted His people to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him. Jeremiah asked a scribe named Baruch to write God’s words and read them at the temple because Jeremiah was not allowed to go there. Eventually, King Jehoiakim heard the warning. The king didn’t care about God’s message. He cut it up and burned it. That didn’t stop God. God told Jeremiah to write the words again. Jeremiah warned King Jehoiakim that he and his family would suffer because he had ignored God’s Word. Ask the following questions: What did God ask Jeremiah to do with all the words He had given Jeremiah? (write them down, Jeremiah 36:2) Who wrote God’s words down for Jeremiah and read them to the people? (Baruch, Jeremiah 36:4-6) Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? God wanted His people to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him. What did King Jehoiakim do with the scroll? (He cut it up and burned it, Jeremiah 36:22-23) What did God tell Jeremiah to do after the scroll was destroyed? (God told Jeremiah to write the words again on another scroll, Jeremiah 36:27-28)

Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Unit 18, Session 2 - Discussion Starter Video (on provided DVD) Big Picture Question: Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? - 11x17 poster provided Leader • Have you ever wished you could be like someone else? Watch this video. Show the “Unit 18 Session 2” video. Leader • We usually follow those whom we want to be like. Who do you want to be like someday? God wants us to use the gifts and talents He has given us to give Him glory and share the good news about Jesus with the world. God gave us His plan for all people in His Word, the Bible. He sent Jesus to show people what God is like. God knows we all sin, so Jesus died so we could be forgiven.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 2: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions. If this is not possible, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Prayer (5 minutes) Big Picture Question: Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? - 11x17 poster provided Show the big picture question slide or poster. Leader • Let’s take a look at the answer to the big picture question. Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? God wanted His people to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him. God told His people three things in the answer to the big picture question—to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him. Ask the question and then invite the kids to answer as you hold up one, two, and three fingers with each answer. Then, see if the kids can remember the second command or say the commands backward, depending on which number you are holding up. Before transitioning to small group, make any necessary announcements. Lead the kids in prayer. Pray that God will help kids understand just how special God’s Word is.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 2: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment Bible Passage: Jeremiah 36 Big Picture Question: Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? God wanted His people to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him. Key Passage: Ezekiel 37:27 Unit Christ Connection: Though it appeared that sin prevailed, the covenant God promised would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Bible story review (10 minutes) Tip: Divide children into small groups for table time. Each group should include an adult leader at the table. Bibles, 1 per kid Timeline (small group visual pack – extra copies provided for Table Time Review) Big Picture Question: Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? (11x17 poster provided in classroom) Encourage the kids to find Jeremiah 36 in their Bibles. Help them as needed. Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today’s Bible story is on the timeline. Review the Bible story using the bolded text, or summarize the story in your own words. Say • The people were not listening to Jeremiah’s warnings. God told Jeremiah to write down His words. Jeremiah wasn’t allowed in the temple, probably because the people didn’t like the message God had given him. Jeremiah had his scribe, Baruch, write down God’s words and read them in the temple. Did the people obey God’s words then? No, the king even cut them up and burned them. Did God give up on His people? No, God loved the Israelites, but they deserved to be punished for their sins. God told Jeremiah to write the words down again. This time, God included a warning to the king. He and his family would suffer because the king didn’t listen to God’s words. Show the big picture question slide or poster. Say • Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? God wanted His people to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 2: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment

LARGE GROUP REVIEW AND ACTIVITIES

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Written on a Scroll” Instructions Key Passage Poster: Ezekiel 37:27 (provided) dry erase board and markers (optional) paper pens or pencils Show the slide or poster of the unit’s key passage, Ezekiel 37:27. Lead the boys and girls to read the verse together. Say • God loved His people, even if they failed to listen to Jeremiah’s warnings. Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? God wanted His people to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him. God wasn’t going to give up on His people. He was already looking ahead to a time when He would be with His people and they would be with Him. We can have a relationship with God when we repent and trust in Jesus. Give each kid a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Encourage the kids to write the key passage on the paper. Demonstrate how to crumple the paper and roll it up to make a scroll. Then, allow volunteers to read their scrolls. They may read them individually or in groups of two or more.

Activity Choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Bible Relay masking tape Bibles, 1 per team Form teams of two or more kids. Invite each team to line up single file. Tape a start line and finish line. Ask half the kids on each team to stand behind the start line and the other half to stand behind the finish line. Provide the first kid in each start line with a Bible. He must race to the finish line and pass the Bible to his teammate. She must run back to the start line. Continue until the last kid in line runs to the opposite line. Once he crosses the line, his team can join him to find a book of the Bible. Before the race begins, tell the teams which book they must find. Say • Baruch read the scroll in the temple and passed it along to several people before the king cut it up and burned it. Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? God wanted His people to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him. The scroll was destroyed but God’s words are forever. God still wants people to know they are in danger, to stop sinning, and turn back to him.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 18, Session 2: Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment

Option 2: Scroll Napkin Holder 3 x 8” strips of construction paper or foam paper napkins buttons or foam shapes glue tape or stapler markers Give each kid four strips of construction paper or foam and an equal number of paper napkins. Encourage the kids to decorate one side of each strip. Demonstrate how to roll up the strips and tape or staple them into a circle. Invite the kids to glue on a button or foam shape where the two ends connect. Demonstrate how to use the napkin holders by rolling up the napkin like a scroll and sliding it into the holder. Say • When you see these napkins rolled up like a scroll, remember that God’s Word is important. Jeremiah understood, but the people of Judah ignored God’s warnings. Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? God wanted His people to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him.

Prayer and Clean-Up (5 minutes) Say • Let’s hear our big picture question and answer one more time before we go. Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? God wanted His people to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him. If time remains, take prayer requests. Pray, thanking God for giving us His Word. Pray for each child by name. Ask God to show us when we sin, so we can turn back to Him.

Clean-Up Room

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Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the missing letters using the table of contents page in your Bible.

OLD TESTA_ENT NEW TESTAMENT

___enesis ___zra ___oel Matt___ew 1 ___imothy Exod___s Ne___emiah A___os M___rk 2 Tim___thy Le___iticus Esth___r Obadia___ Luk___ Ti___us ___umbers ___ob Jo___ah ___ohn Philemo___ Deutero___omy P___alms Mic___h Ac___s He___rews Jo___hua Prov___rbs N___hum R___mans J___mes Judge___ E___clesiastes Habak___uk 1 Co___inthians 1 Pet___r ___uth Song of So___omon Zep___aniah 2 Corinthia___s 2 P___ter 1 Sa___uel ___saiah Ha___gai Ga___atians 1 ___ohn ___ Samuel Jeremi___h ___echariah Ephesi___ns ___ John 1 K___ngs La___entations Malach___ P___ilippians 3 Jo___n 2 Kin___s Ezekie___ Colo___sians J___de 1 ___hronicles Da___iel ___ Thessalonians Revel___tion 2 Chro___icles Hos___a 2 Thessalo___ians

UNIT 18 • Session 2 • Younger Kids Activity Pages The Exile Began

© 2013 Lifeway Family Journal Page The Exile Began Jeremiah Warned of God’s Judgment Challenge your family to gather all the Bibles they can find in Jeremiah 36 your house in five minutes. Count how many Bibles you have Preschool access to (include mobile devices, computers, and so forth). Make Key Passage: Ezekiel 37:27 a note below of how many Bibles you found. Ask kids to recall Big Picture Question: What does God want His people the Bible story. How did King Jehoiakim treat God’s Word? to do? God wants people to stop sinning and turn back Why does God want us to read the Bible? Review the big to Him. Christ Connection: Jesus showed people what God picture question and Christ Connection. is like. God gives us His words in the Bible. The Bible tells us what God is like too. The Bible has the most important message: the good news about Jesus. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from our sin.

Kids Key Passage: Ezekiel 37:27 Big Picture Question: Why did Jeremiah warn God’s people? God wanted His people to know they were in danger, to stop sinning, and to turn back to Him. Christ Connection: John 1 says that Jesus is the Word. Jesus showed people what God is like. God gives us His written Word, the Bible, to tell us what He is like too. The Bible has the most important message: the good news about Jesus. It tells us that God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from our sin.