Look, Listen & Live 6: Jesus - the teacher

Introduction

Good day. Come and meet the greatest of all teachers. His name is Jesus. Look at the pictures in the blue book and turn to the next picture when you hear this music.

Picture 1: Jesus Teaches the People

Matthew 5:1-48

In this picture, Jesus is teaching the people about God. Jesus came from God and because He is God's only Son, He knows all about God. God is holy and because people think evil thoughts and do evil deeds, they are separated from God. But God sent Jesus to teach people how they can know Him. I will tell you now what Jesus taught the people when He was on earth, so that you can also learn more about the true and living God.

Picture 2: The Two Houses

Matthew 7:24-27

Jesus told a story about the two men in this picture. One of the men built his house on a rock. The rock is a strong foundation. When the storm came, this house did not fall down. The other man built his house in the sand. When the storm came, his house was washed away. Jesus said the man who built his house on the rock was a wise man.

We should also build our lives on a strong foundation. Jesus is our strong foundation. We must obey his teaching. If we obey Him, He will help us to overcome Satan, as well as the evil thoughts and habits in our lives. Jesus will be our strength and always guide us, even in troubled times.

Picture 3: A Light Should Be Seen

Matthew 5:14-16

Look, the men in this picture have lights (candles). What do you do with a light in the dark? One of the men is holding his light up high so that it gives light to everyone in the house. The other man is foolish. He is hiding his light under a basket. Jesus is the light of the world and He shows us the way to God. When we trust in Him, obey his Word and live by it, others can see the light of Jesus in us. Jesus said, " . . . let your light shine before men (people), that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Picture 4: A Roman Beats A Jew

Matthew 5:38-42; Romans 12:19

When Jesus lived in the land of the Jews, the Roman foreigners ruled over them. Sometimes the Roman soldiers would treat the Jews harshly (cruelly), as you can see. The soldier has also taken the man's coat. What should the man do? Jesus told the people, "Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic (shirt), let him have your cloak (coat) as well."

We should not take revenge on those who have harmed us, for "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. God will punish all who keep on doing what is evil. This punishment will come either in this life or after death. But God teaches us to repay evil by doing good. He wants us to do good to our enemies.

Picture 5: Praying to God

Matthew 6:5-15

In this picture two men are praying (speaking to God). One of the men is standing out in the street, repeating long prayers. He wants everyone to see him and to give him praise. God does not answer that kind of prayer. We should be like the other man in the picture. He is praying to God inside his house where no one (except God) can see him. He is humble and sincere as he speaks to God. Jesus said, " . . . when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

"This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"

['Our Father in heaven, help us to honour your Name. Come and set up your kingdom, so that everyone on earth will obey you, as you are obeyed in heaven. Give us our food for today. Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil.'"] (P9 Bible for Today's Family. CEV New Testament.)

Picture 6: The Evil One Plants Weeds

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Evil men planted weeds in a newly sown field. The men were enemies of the landowner. The weeds looked a lot like the good plants. The landowner could not remove the weeds for he would destroy the good plants as well. He waited until harvest time. Then he gathered the weeds to be burned. After that he gathered the good plants.

God is like that landowner and Satan is the evil one. Satan has planted evil people amongst God's people in the world. When the time is right, Jesus will come again. He will separate the evil ones from those who trust and obey God. Jesus will take all who believe and trust in Him to be with Him forever. But those who do not want to accept Jesus will be cast into hell with Satan, the place of everlasting torment (suffering) and separation from God.

Picture 7: Jesus and the Children

Matthew 18:1-6, 19:13-15

Look! One day some people brought children to Jesus. They wanted Jesus to bless the children and pray for them. Jesus' disciples tried to send the children away. But Jesus was not pleased and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these (ones like these)." Jesus also said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (God)."

The people who are great in the kingdom of God are those who are humble like little children. Those who are proud and think that they are more important than others are not true followers of Jesus.

Picture 8: The Shepherd and The Sheep

Matthew 18:12-14; John 10:14

One day Jesus taught his disciples and said, "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones." Jesus was talking about the children in their midst. He said further, "If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away (and becomes lost), will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, . . . he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine (sheep) that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."

Jesus does not want any people to be lost. God made all the people on earth. They belong to Him. If anyone follows Satan, he or she is like the sheep that wandered away.

Jesus also once said, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me . . . ". Jesus is called the good shepherd because He came "to seek and to save" those who are lost from God. Jesus is still seeking and saving the lost.

Picture 9: The Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 18:21-35

A servant once owed his king a lot of money, but he could not repay him. So the king ordered the servant and his family to be sold as slaves. But the servant begged the king to give him time to pay back his money. The king took pity on the servant. He cancelled the whole debt and let him go.

When he left there, that servant found a fellow servant who owed him very little money that he could not pay. He began to choke the man and demanded his money back. Because the fellow servant could not pay him back immediately, he put the man in prison until he had paid the debt. Other servants told the king what had happened. The king was very angry. "You wicked servant," he said, "I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?" The king put the wicked servant in prison until he had paid his debt.

We must forgive anyone who wrongs us. Then God will forgive us for all the wrong we have done. But then we should be truly sorry about our disobedience.

Picture 10: Workers Receive Their Pay

Matthew 20:1-16

A landowner went out to hire workers to work in his field (vineyard). He agreed to pay them a coin for a full day's work. At the end of a day these workmen came to receive their pay. The first man to be paid was hired late in day. He had only done a little work. But the landowner was kind. He gave the man a coin. That was a full day's pay. The second man had worked for half a day. Another man had worked all day. But all the workers received the same amount of money. The man who worked all day, complained. He wanted more money. But the landowner said, "Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius (one coin)? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious (jealous) because I am generous?"

God is like the landowner. He is always just. But He is kind and generous too. He gives the same gift of an everlasting life to all who obey Jesus. It is a free gift and not payment for the good works we do on earth.

Picture 11: Five Women Outside the Door

Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told a parable (story) about ten young women. They were waiting for the bridegroom to come and for the wedding feast to begin. Five of the women were wise, but the five you see here, were foolish. When the bridegroom came suddenly at midnight, the five wise women were ready to meet him. They had their oil lamps ready and went into the feast with him. The door was shut behind them. The five foolish women had no oil in their lamps, so they had to go and buy some. When they returned they cried out, "Sir! Sir! . . . Open the door for us!" But the bridegroom answered, "I tell you the truth, I don't know you."

Jesus is now in heaven. He is the heavenly bridegroom. One day He will suddenly come back to earth. We do not know when that will be. We must be ready to meet Him any day. For Jesus will take all who love and obey Him to be with Him in heaven. But many, like the five foolish women, will be left behind.

Picture 12: The Master and His Servants

Matthew 25:14-30

How can we be ready when Jesus comes? Listen. The important man you see in this picture has just returned home from a long journey. Before he went away, he entrusted some of his possessions to his servants. To one servant he gave five coins. The servant traded it and gained five coins for his master. Another servant was given two coins. He gained two more for his master. When their master returned, he rewarded them both equally. But a third servant, who received one coin, hid the money placed in his care. He did nothing to gain more. The master was angry because this servant was lazy. He took the money from him and cast him out of the house.

Jesus is the Master of the believer. He has gone to heaven, but will return to earth. He trusts that his servants will live for Him and tell others about Him. He sent his Holy Spirit to help them to obey Him. It is good to use everything we have to honour Jesus. He has promised to reward those who serve Him faithfully.

Introduction

Jesus taught the people about God, but He also showed them that He had great power from God. Look at the pictures and turn to the next one when you hear the music.

Picture 13: Jesus Is Baptised

Mark 1:4-11

In this picture we see Jesus even before He began to teach the people. The man next to Him is John the Baptist. John knew that God would send Jesus to the earth. John had been warning the Jewish people to turn from their evil ways and serve God. Those who believed John's message from God were baptised with water. The baptism was a sign that they would change their ways and live to please God. John said, "After me will come one more powerful than I, . . . I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit gives every believer the strength to obey God.

Jesus came to John, because He wanted to be baptised as well, even though He had never sinned. As Jesus came out of the water, an amazing thing happened. The heavens opened and the Holy Spirit of God came upon Him in the form of a dove. God's voice spoke from heaven, saying, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

After his baptism, God allowed Satan to tempt Jesus. Satan even misused God's Word to tempt Him. But Jesus overcame Satan by answering him with words from God's written Word in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Picture 14: Jesus Calls Disciples

Mark 1:12-20; Matthew 28:19

After he had overcome Satan, Jesus went on to do the work for which God had sent Him. God sent Jesus Christ to this earth to preach the good news of God, to teach the people, to heal the sick and to destroy the works of Satan. One day, as Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, casting a fishing net into the water, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and went with Jesus. Jesus also saw two other brothers, James and John. They were preparing their nets. They also followed Jesus straight away when He called them. Jesus chose another eight men. These twelve men became his disciples to be with Him and to learn from Him. The disciples later became apostles of Jesus, which means, his sent ones. They preached the good news of Jesus Christ and they healed the sick in the Name of Jesus. Later on Jesus gave them power through the Holy Spirit. They had power over evil spirits so that they could cast them out and to do all kinds of miracles.

Before Jesus returned to heaven, He gave his apostles this commandment, " . . . go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." This means that everyone who wants to be a disciple of Jesus today must be willing to obey his commandments and to tell others the good news of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Then the risen Lord Jesus will walk with them and God will work through them.

Picture 15: A Man with Leprosy

Mark 1:40-45

One day a man with leprosy (a terrible skin disease) came to Jesus. He knelt before Jesus and begged Him, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Other people were afraid to go near the man because of his disease, but Jesus was filled with compassion for him. Jesus touched him and said, "I am willing, be clean!" At once the man was healed from his leprosy. He was so happy that he told everyone.

Sin is like leprosy. It separates us from God and from other people. But if we come to Jesus, He will cleanse us from all our sin.

Picture 16: A Man Comes Through the Roof

Mark 2:1-12

One day Jesus was inside a house, teaching the people about God. At that time four men wanted to bring a paralysed man to Jesus, but because of the crowd they could not get inside. So they made a hole in the roof and let the man down through the hole. Jesus saw their trust in Him. He said to the sick man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Some religious leaders were angry when they heard this. They said, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" They did not believe that Jesus came from God. Then Jesus said to the paralysed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Immediately the man was healed!

In this way, Jesus showed the people that He was from God. He has the power of God to heal illnesses, just as He has the power of God to forgive sins. We all want to be healed when we are ill, but it is more important that we ask Jesus to forgive our sins, and to receive the gift of everlasting life from Him.

Picture 17: Jesus Heals a Man’s Hand

Mark 3:1-5

Here we see Jesus in the temple of God. The religious leaders were there. And there was a man with a withered hand. It was the Sabbath day or seventh day of the week when the Jews worshipped God. Their law said that no one should work on that day. The Jews watched Jesus to see whether He would heal the man on the Sabbath. Jesus cared about people and still does. Those religious leaders did not. They just wanted Jesus to break the law so that they could kill Him. Jesus asked the leaders, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" The Jews said nothing for their hearts were hardened. So Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and all could see his hand was well and strong.

We must worship and obey God, but we must also care for others. Otherwise our worship will be empty and meaningless.

Picture 18: Jesus Calms the Storm

Mark 4:35-41

In this picture we see Jesus with his disciples in a boat. They were taking Him across a great lake. Suddenly a fierce storm blew up. The water came into the boat and it began to sink. Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat. His disciples woke Him and said, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Jesus got up and said to the wind and the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Immediately the storm ceased. Jesus said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" The disciples were amazed and said, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

We know that Jesus is God and that He has power over all people, spirits and everything else that He has made. So, we can trust Jesus to protect us and give us peace in troubled times.

Picture 19: A Woman in the Crowd

Mark 5:25-34

Do you see the woman in this crowd? She had been bleeding for twelve years, and was getting worse. She had heard that Jesus could heal sick people. She said to herself: "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." So the woman came up in the crowd behind Jesus and touched his clothes. At once her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was healed. Jesus knew that power had gone out from Him. He stopped and said, "Who touched my clothes?" There were many people around Jesus, but this woman knew what had happened to her. She came in fear, knelt at his feet and told Him the whole truth. Jesus said, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

God's Word teaches us that Jesus is still able to heal sick people who put their trust and hope in Him. There are many people in this world, and Jesus knows each one of them and cares about all of them. He also cares about you. He wants you to come to Him too and to trust in Him.

Picture 20: Jesus and the Dead Child

Mark 5:22-24, 35-43

Jesus was once on his way to the house of a man called Jairus. Jairus was an important man in the Jewish church. His daughter became very ill. He called Jesus to come and heal her, but before Jesus arrived, the child died. Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe." At the house of Jairus the people were wailing in grief but Jesus sent them away. Jesus took three of his disciples with Jairus and his wife into the room where the dead child lay. Jesus took the child by the hand and said, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" She got up immediately and walked around. Jesus told them to give her something to eat.

Yes, Jesus even has power over death. Those who believe and follow Him need not fear death.

Picture 21: Jesus and the Foreign Woman

Mark 7:24-30

One day a foreign woman came to Jesus. An evil spirit possessed her little daughter. She kept on begging Jesus to cast out the evil spirit. Jesus told her that He had come to help the Jewish people first. If He helped the foreigners before helping the Jews, it would be like feeding the dogs before feeding the children. Jesus said, "First, let the children eat all they want, . . . for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." She replied, "Yes, Lord, . . . but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then Jesus said to her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter." The woman went home and found that the evil spirit had gone out of her child.

Jesus loves and helps people from all tribes and all countries. Jesus wants us to put our trust in Him, just like that foreign woman. Jesus is can deliver us from the grip of Satan's power.

Picture 22: Jesus and the Deaf and Dumb Man

Mark 7:31-37

Some people brought a man to Jesus. He had been deaf from birth and he could not speak properly. They begged Jesus to place his hand on the man. He took the man away from the crowd. Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then He spat and touched the man's tongue. Jesus looked up to God in heaven and said, "Be opened!" Immediately the man could hear and speak clearly. The people were amazed and said, "He has done everything well . . . He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak."

We all need to understand this teaching from God's Word. God speaks to us from his Word. Just as Jesus healed this man's ears to hear words and his tongue to speak to people, Jesus can also make us willing to listen to God's Word, that we may know God's will for our live. He does this through the working of his Holy Spirit in us. Like the deaf man, we shall then also tell others about God.

Picture 23: Jesus Makes the Blind Man to See

Mark 8:22-26

One day people also brought a blind man to Jesus. They asked Jesus to heal the man. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. He spat on the man's eyes, put his hands on him and asked, "Do you see anything?" The man answered, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Again Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored and he saw everything clearly.

Satan does not want us to come to know Jesus or to understand his Word. When we trust in Jesus, He will make us see and understand his truth clearly, through the working of his Holy Spirit. We need to pray daily and ask Him to do that.

Picture 24: Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon

Mark 9:14-29

One day a man brought his son to Jesus' disciples. He asked them to cast out an evil spirit in his son, but they could not. Later he brought the boy to Jesus. When the evil spirit saw Jesus, it made the boy have a terrible fit. The boy fell to the ground and rolled on the ground, foaming at the mouth. The boy's father had little hope that Jesus could help them, and he said to Jesus, "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." "If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." The boy's father answered: "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (As the crowd came running to watch) Jesus spoke to the evil spirit, "You deaf and dumb spirit, . . . I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." The evil spirit screamed and came out of the boy. The boy lay very still and many people said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet and he stood up.

Later, the disciples asked Jesus in private, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" Jesus answered, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

A short time after this happened, the Jewish leaders killed Jesus. But it was then that Jesus worked the greatest miracle of all. He rose from the dead. He defeated Satan and death forever. Jesus is greater than all the spirits and gods in this world. Jesus has power over all things. For Jesus is the one true God.