Spark Bible Sampler • 3

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MAKE THIS SPARK BIBLE YOUR OWN!

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.

You’ll always know what section of the Bible you’re in.

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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 Adam 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

8 • HOW TO USE YOUR SPARK BIBLE HOW TO USE YOUR SPARK BIBLE • 9 10 • SPARK BIBLE SAMPLER SPARK BIBLE SAMPLER • 11

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 Jesus 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- Noah 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 Jacob 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 MATTHEW 1:1

Matthew 1:1 THe GenealOGy OF JeSuS 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 David, parents, the son of Abraham. 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 Isaac, genealogies and Isaac the father of Jacob, and took place in this way. When his mother to help 1Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before their future 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by they lived together, she was found to be with descendants 19 Her husband learn who Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, 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 Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of dismiss her quietly. But just when he had genealogy Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz 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 Obed by Ruth, 6 son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary great, great and Obed the father of Jesse, 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 Solomon 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 Abijah, 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 EXODUS 2:6

Exodus 2:3 These are the names of the sons of them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; PAPYRUS: 17 A durable Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, but if it is a girl, she shall live.” But the mid- 2 fabric that each with his household: Reuben, wives feared God; they did not do as the king comes from a Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3 Issachar, of Egypt commanded them, but they let the plant growing Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4 Dan and boys live. 18 So the king of Egypt summoned along the Nile 1Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 The total number the midwives and said to them, “Why have River in Egypt. Papyrus of people born to Jacob was seventy. Joseph you done this, and allowed the boys to live?” was used to was already in Egypt. 6 Then Joseph died, and 19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because make boats, all his brothers, and that whole generation. the Hebrew women are not like the Egyp- baskets, 7 paper, and But the Israelites were fruitful and pro- tian women; for they are vigorous and give The word exodus means “going out” or “exit.” In the book of rope. lific; they multiplied and grew exceedingly birth before the midwife comes to them.” strong, so that the land was filled with them. 20 So God dealt well with the midwives; Exodus, God tells the Egyptian Pharaoh, “Let my people go!” and the people multiplied and became very so they could worship God in the land he would give them. But THE ISRAELITES ARE OPPRESSED strong. 21 And because the midwives feared 8 Now a new king arose over Egypt, who God, he gave them families. 22 Then Pharaoh Pharaoh did not let them go, so God rescues the people of did not know Joseph. 9 He said to his people, commanded all his people, “Every boy that Israel from slavery and leads them out of Egypt. Exodus shows “Look, the Israelite people are more numer- is born to the Hebrews a you shall throw into us that God doesn’t let anything get in the way of his relation- ous and more powerful than we. 10 Come, the Nile, but you shall let every girl live.” let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will ship with the Israelites. increase and, in the event of war, join our en- BIRTH AND YOUTH OF MOSES emies and fight against us and escape from Now a man from the house of Levi the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters went and married a Levite wom- over them to oppress them with forced la- an. 2 The woman conceived and bor. They built supply cities, Pithom and bore a son; and when she saw that Plagues Read about a take-no-prisoners struggle Rameses, for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they he was a fine baby, she hid him Rescue, between the Egyptian Pharaoh and God. God sent ten plagues on the were oppressed, the more they multiplied 2 Egyptians. The sixth plague was festering boils. Have you ever seen a and spread, so that the Egyptians came to Exodus 2:3 festering boil? A smart Pharaoh would have let them go right then and dread the Israelites. 13 The Egyptians became rules, KNOW IT! What did Moses’ mom do to protect Chapters 1–14 ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites, there. him? 14 and made their lives bitter with hard ser- vice in mortar and brick and in every kind of THINK ABOUT IT! Have you ever been respon- and a sible for taking care of someone or something Freedom Discover what happened during the field labor. They were ruthless in all the tasks really important? What did you do? Israelites’ first days of freedom. Things were really disorganized. No that they imposed on them. TRY IT! Find out who took care of you when you really big one could find anything to eat or drink. God worked through Moses 15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew were a baby. to pull off some amazing miracles to save the day.Chapters 15–18 midwives, one of whom was named Shi- phrah and the other Puah, 16 “When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see three months. 3 When she could hide him no building Rules See how God laid down the law. The Egyptians longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and weren’t making rules for God’s people anymore. God provided for Exodus 1:17 plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the people of Israel in the wilderness, but God also protected their the child in it and placed it among the reeds KNOW IT! How did the Hebrew midwives save on the bank of the river. 4 His sister stood at a whole lives by showing them how to live. You can find the Ten Com- the male Hebrew children? Chapters 19–24 distance, to see what would happen to him. mandments in chapter 20. THINK ABOUT IT! When might it be okay for you to lie? 5 The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants TRY IT! People in the French village Le Chambon Tabernacle Learn how to build a tabernacle. walked beside the river. She saw the bas- hid several thousand Jews from the Nazis during The tabernacle was a place of worship for God’s people. Read all the the Holocaust. Learn more online or at the library. ket among the reeds and sent her maid to details about exactly how to build one. Remember, the Israelites were bring it. 6 When she opened it, she saw the

very grateful that God had rescued them. They wanted God’s dwell- a Sam Gk Tg: Heb lacks to the Hebrews ing place to be perfect. Chapters 26–40 PENTATEUCH • 13 EXODUS 2:7

child. He was crying, and she took pity on Moses got up and came to their defense and him. “This must be one of the Hebrews’ watered their flock.18 When they returned children,” she said. 7 Then his sister said to to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get you you have come back so soon today?” 19 They a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse said, “An Egyptian helped us against the the child for you?” 8 Pharaoh’s daughter said shepherds; he even drew water for us and to her, “Yes.” So the girl went and called the watered the flock.”20 He said to his daugh- child’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to ters, “Where is he? Why did you leave the her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and man? Invite him to break bread.” 21 Moses I will give you your wages.” So the woman agreed to stay with the man, and he gave Mo- took the child and nursed it. 10 When the ses his daughter Zipporah in marriage. 22 She child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s bore a son, and he named him Gershom; for daughter, and she took him as her son. She he said, “I have been an alien c residing in a named him Moses, a “because,” she said, “I foreign land.” drew him out b of the water.” 23 After a long time the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned under their slav- MOSES FLEES TO MIDIAN ery, and cried out. Out of the slavery their 11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he cry for help rose up to God. 24 God heard went out to his people and saw their forced their groaning, and God remembered his labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. one of his kinsfolk. 12 He looked this way and 25 God looked upon the Israelites, and God that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyp- took notice of them. tian and hid him in the sand. 13 When he went out the next day, he saw two Hebrews MOSES AT THE BURNING BUSH fighting; and he said to the one who was in Moses was keeping the flock of the wrong, “Why do you strike your fellow his father-in-law Jethro, the priest Hebrew?” 14 He answered, “Who made you a of Midian; he led his flock be- ruler and judge over us? Do you mean to kill yond the wilderness, and came me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Mo- to Horeb, the mountain of God. ses was afraid and thought, “Surely the thing 32 There the angel of the Lord appeared is known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard of it, he to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he sought to kill Moses. looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was But Moses fled from Pharaoh. He settled not consumed. 3 Then Moses said, “I must in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well. turn aside and look at this great sight, and see 16 The priest of Midian had seven daughters. why the bush is not burned up.” 4 When the They came to draw water, and filled the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, troughs to water their father’s flock. 17 But God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, some shepherds came and drove them away. Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he

DID YOU KNOW? WHAT’S IN A NAME? In Hebrew, the name Moses means, “I drew him out of water.” Water is an important symbol in Moses’ life story. As an infant, Moses was rescued from the Nile River. As an adult, Moses led his people across the Red Sea. The name Jesus means “God is salvation” in Hebrew. It is related to the name Joshua. For more about Jesus’ name, read Matthew 1:23-25 and Luke 1:31-33.

a Heb Mosheh b Heb mashah c Heb ger

14 • PENTATEUCH