Sunday School at Bethel Bible Chapel

09/14/2026

We know its earlier to be thinking about Christmas gatherings, but we want you to be able to save the date! Dec 13th from 3 - 5:30 at the John Rhodes Community Pool.

09/12/2026

Weekly Sunday school Newsletter for September 13
Jacob Fled from Canaan (Genesis 28; 32)

Dear families,
In tomorrow's Sunday school passage, God continues His faithfulness to Abraham by extending kindness to Jacob amidst a time of great turmoil. God promised to bless Jacob, be with him, watch over him, and never leave him until His faithful promises had been fulfilled. Jacob finds himself at a crossroads, seemingly alone, and is tasked with finding a wife in accordance with God’s plan to bless their family.
What can we learn from Jacob’s time of trial and his wrestling with God? How can this help us when we are suffering or wrestling with God ourselves?
After receiving his father’s blessing, Jacob was instructed by his mother and father to flee Esau’s wrath and find a wife. While on the run, God visited Jacob in a dream by which He confirmed the promises He had made to Abraham. Even in Jacob's sinfulness, God's faithful lovingkindness was shown to him as God declared that His covenantal promises would continue through Jacob's family. Then, Jacob made a vow, just as God had made one to him: “If God remains with me, watches over me, provides for me, and returns me safely as He says He will, then He will be my God.”
Later in chapter 32, we see the next phase of Jacob’s journey with God, as he wrestled with Him unknowingly. Jacob said to the man, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man—whom we know to be God—changed Jacob’s name from that of a deceiver to “Israel” Israel, meaning “He Sstruggled with God.” Despite Jacob's struggles with God, he prevailed and was blessed by Him. In the end, Jacob realized that God spared his life in this encounter. By grace, he was granted a new name and identity and was able to return home.
In the September 13 lesson we come to a similar crossroads as we wrestle with the role Jesus deserves in our lives as Savior and Lord. Those who surrender to Him by faith can, like Israel, experience new life in He who redeems and restores sinners, bringing them into His family forever. No longer are we bound by our old selves but given a new identity in Jesus.
Ask God to reveal to your kids the reality of the new life He offers in Jesus. Though we may not always understand His ways, God gives us grace as we come to surrender to His will for our lives. May His truth become clear in their hearts and minds as you teach them about His love.

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

STORY POINT
This is the main point to emphasize from today’s Bible story.

● God promised to be with Jacob.

CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

● God changed Jacob and gave him a new name, Israel. Jesus came so that we might have a changed life, forgiven of sin. Jesus’ death and resurrection provided sinful people the way to be welcomed into God’s family forever.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

● Who is in control of everything? God is in control of everything in heaven and on earth. Nothing is outside of God’s good plan.

KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

● You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people. Genesis 50:20

08/24/2026

Sunday School Passover Meal

Sunday, October 25 • 12:30 PM • Fellowship Hall

Families are invited to participate in a special Passover-style meal as part of our Sunday School study of Exodus. Together, we’ll learn about the significance of Passover and how it points to God’s rescue of His people and, ultimately, our rescue through Jesus.

Sign-up is required. A sign-up sheet is located in the hallway leading to the Fellowship Hall. Please write the name of each individual attending at the table where you would like to sit. Seating will be assigned according to the table where you sign up. It will all be clear when you see the sign-up sheet!

We’ll be serving as authentic a meal as we can manage, so we can’t guarantee everyone will love every item! Children will not be required to eat everything—but depending on how adventurous your family’s eaters are, you may want to plan a stop at McDonald’s on the way home! 😄

Menu: Lamb, hard-boiled eggs, horseradish, lettuce with salt-water dressing, unleavened bread, applesauce, and grape juice.

The value of this meal goes far beyond the individual food items—it’s an opportunity for families to experience and learn about the meaning of Passover together.

08/13/2026

05/05/2026

Overview for Sunday April 3

Unit 2, Session 1
Abram Followed God (Genesis 11–13)

Dear families,
In this past Sunday’s passage, we read how Abram began his journey of following God. He showed marvelous faith by believing the promises God made to him, and he walked in obedience to the command of God. God proved Himself faithful and used Abram to display the glories of His promises, which would one day be fulfilled through the sacrifice and resurrection of the only truly righteous One, Jesus Christ.
How did God use Abram’s story to demonstrate His faithfulness? How is Abram’s call to follow God similar to our own stories today?
We learn from Joshua 24:2 that Abram was not raised by a family that worshiped God, but by idol worshipers. He did not know the Word of God until the day he heard it spoken to him as an old man: “Go from your land... to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation” (Genesis 12:1-2). In the very next verse, Abram promptly obeyed and began his journey, just as the Lord had told him. God called him to leave the comforts of his familiar life in pursuit of God and His glory. Abram did not follow God perfectly, and still he was called a friend of God (James 2:23).
God drew near to Abram, calling him out of darkness and into His light. Today, the same God calls us to believe this same promise of rescue that was brought to completion through His Son, Jesus, who left the comforts of heaven and came into the world to save sinners. Jesus is the better Abram who trusted and obeyed the Father, “becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). The steps Abram took were out of faith—faith that God would keep him safe, provide for him, and keep His promises. Abram believed God was worthy of forsaking all else. When your kids hear this Bible story, may they take steps toward trusting the same God who is worthy of our love, trust, and faithful devotion..

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

STORY POINT
This is the main point to emphasize from today’s Bible story.

● Abram obeyed God’s call.

CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

● Abram believed God’s words and obeyed God's call to leave his land and his family. God promised to bless Abram and the whole world through one of Abram’s descendants. God kept this promise when He sent Jesus, who left heaven and came into the world to rescue sinners.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
● Does God keep His promises? Yes, God always keeps His promises because He is faithful.

KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

● For the LORD is good, and his faithful love endures forever; his faithfulness, through all generations. Psalm 100:5

** Next week: God’s Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12; 15; 17)