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September 22, 2015 -- Issue #31

In today's newsletter:

1) Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement

2) Spread the Good News

3) Autumn Season Bible Ideas?

4) All Creation Tells of Jesus

1) Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur begins today, September 22, 2015, at sundown. Unlike the other Feasts of the Lord, the Day of Atonement was/is a fast day, which means the people were/are not to eat or drink, but were to confess their sins for the previous year and repent of them. The word atonement means covering; specifically the covering of Israel’s sins, by sacrificing another. This was to give them "at-one-ment" with God, because people need to be made right with God. The Bible says that when we sin, it must be punished, and that punishment is death—either the death of the one who sinned or the death of another to take the place of the sinner (Romans 6:23).

The Day of Atonement as described in Scripture was a very bloody event! It was supposed to be, because God said without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin (Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:22). God wanted his people to understand the seriousness of sinning against him. Sin must be punished, either by the person who sinned or by a substitute death, bulls and goats in this case. The High Priest entered the Most Holy Place, once a year, and then only with all the proper preparations. If he entered unprepared he would be killed, and if any others dared to enter, they too would be immediately killed. The Day of Atonement was observed every year for thousands and thousands of years. However, when Jesus died on the cross, an amazing miracle happened! The thick veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was supernaturally torn in two! You see, animal sacrifices were only to be temporary until God’s final way for cleansing sin came to be (Hebrews 10:1-4). 

Today, the temple no longer exists. It was destroyed seventy years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Therefore, proper animal sacrifices are no longer possible. The good news is that we do not need to sacrifice animals to have our sins covered! No, because when Jesus came to earth, he came as our High Priest, and to be our atonement. He died on the cross to cover our sins. He then entered the real Most Holy Place in heaven, sprinkling his own blood on the true Mercy Seat (Hebrews 9:11-13), and like the Scapegoat that is described in Scripture, Jesus carried our sins away to make us right with God. He is
our atonement, our “at-one-ment,” with God. Jesus has cleansed our sin, once and for all. Through him, we are made clean and forgiven!

Memory Verse
"God presented him (Jesus) as a sacrifice of atonement . . ." Romans 3:25.

Learn more about the Feasts of the Lord, they Show Us Jesus and accompanying activities.

2) Spread the Good News Bible Game

Set Up: Best played with a large group. Have the players stand in a circle.

Before the Game: Tell the players the circle represents the world. Jesus has told us to go into all the world and tell everyone about Jesus. Today we will play, “Spread the Good News.”

How to Play: Proceeding clockwise, teacher whispers to the person on the left, "Jesus died to give you life.” That person then whispers the same message to the next person. Play continues as such until the message has gone completely around the circle. It is interesting to hear whether the message stays the same or not. Other Gospel messages to use can be, Jesus loves me this I know, Jesus died and rose again, or Jesus is my Super Hero.

One of the Bible games you'll find in Super Heroes of the Bible.

3) Autumn Season Bible Ideas?

Autumn is on the way. Even here in sunny, southeast Florida, there's a hint of change in the air. (You have to be a Floridian to notice it!) 

So with the change of season on its way, please share your Autumn Bible crafts, games, or skits with the other teachers here on SSTN! Send to sstn@sundayschoolnetwork.com. 

4) All Creation Tells Of Jesus--Bible Talk

"Look what I brought with me today.  (Show leaves of different colors and shapes).  These are some leaves I found while out walking.  During this time of year the countryside has been painted by God with beautiful colored leaves:  some yellow, some orange or red, and some brown and gold. 

What season of the year do these leaves tell us it is?  Autumn (or fall).  Have you ever wondered why trees loose their leaves?  I think it is because Jesus wants to give them a new pair of clothes and they need a rest from holding on to the old ones all year long.  Have you ever tried to hold on to a leaf for a whole year?  Do you think you would get tired, too?  Jesus knows we get tired, so he gave us a day of rest.  We use that day to rest and thank God for all he has done for us.
 
Now, have you ever thought about all the people who use the day of rest to do things for themselves, and who never go to church?  How does Jesus tell them about himself?  He can use you to tell them, but even if they won't listen to you, he has another way.  He tells them through . . ." 

Read today's Bible Talk on God's Creation.

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