AME_FALL20_Children CVRs.indd 2AME_FALL20_Children CVRs.indd 2 6/3/20 8:32 AM6/3/20 8:32 AM

CONTENTS Letter to the Parents

Lesson 1 Jealousy Hurts

Lesson 2 Stepping Up with Help from Above

Lesson 3 Love Should Not Hurt

Lesson 4 Keeping Hope Alive

Lesson 5 Stand by Me

Lesson 6 Loving Those Who Do Not Love Back

Lesson 7 Loving Others with Our Whole Selves

Lesson 8 Unlimited Love

Lesson 9 Showing Love Gets Messy

Lesson 10 Bearing Fruit by Loving Others

Lesson 11 The Power of Love

Lesson 12 Sharing Love

Lesson 13 Considering How Others Feel

Extra Activities

Beginners’ Stories (USPS 048-480), Vol. 57, No. 4, September, October, November 2020, is published quarterly for $15.56 per year by AMEC Sunday School Union, 1722 Scovel Street, Nashville, TN 37208. Periodi-cals Postage Paid at Nashville, Tennessee. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BEGINNERS’ STORIES, 1722 Scovel Street, Nashville, TN 37208.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Beginners’ Stories, Volume 57, No. 4, Sep-tember, October, November 2020 — Les-sons based on the International Sunday School Lessons, The International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching. Copy-right © 2019 by the Division of Christian Education, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.

All rights reserved. Used by permission. © 2020 SSPB.

For permission to reproduce any material in this publication, call (615) 256-5882 or write the Rights and Permissions Depart-ment, the AMEC Sunday School Union, 1722 Scovel Street, Nashville, TN 37208.

Entered as Periodicals Postage Paid Matter, March 20, 1942, at the Post Of-fice at Nashville, Tennessee, under the Act of March 3, 1879.

Rev. Roderick D. Belin, President and Publisher

Rev. Garland F. Pierce, Executive Director, Department of Christian Education

Mr. André Wright, Chief of Operations

Beginners Stories_F2020.indd 1Beginners Stories_F2020.indd 1 6/3/20 8:36 AM6/3/20 8:36 AM

Dear Parents,

Thank you for sharing your child with me as we learn about God’s Word together. Your child is going to enjoy learning the lessons for this quarter.

God commands us to love one another as God loves us. Unit I, “Struggles with Love,” has four lessons from the book

of Genesis, revealing aspects of love. Themes in this unit range from jealousy and destruction to commitment, forgiveness, hope, and reconciliation.

Unit II, “What Is Love?” has four lessons that center on love for the stranger, the poor, and enemies, as well as divine love reflected in human life. The lessons are studies from the books of 1 Samuel, Luke, and 1 Corinthians.

Unit III, “Loving God’s Way,” contains five lessons. John elaborates on how believers love by serving and portrays Jesus’ explanation of the intertwining love of God for Jesus and for those who abide in Christ. The book of 1 John clarifies the abiding love of God through the Holy Spirit, which makes it possible for us to love one another. Acts reveals the expression of the love of God in the formation of the early Christian community by the workings of the Holy Spirit. James tells of the love of neighbor as the fulfillment of the law of God.

_______________________________Your Child’s Teacher

LetterLetter toto thethe ParentsParents

Beginners Stories_F2020.indd 2Beginners Stories_F2020.indd 2 6/3/20 8:36 AM6/3/20 8:36 AM

Lesson Scripture: Genesis 37:2-11, 23-24a, 28

[Joseph’s] brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. (Genesis 37:11)

Beginners Stories_F2020.indd 3Beginners Stories_F2020.indd 3 6/3/20 8:36 AM6/3/20 8:36 AM

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Today, your child heard the sad tale of jealousy and about brothers who did not get along. Jealousy hurts everyone. People who are jealous sometimes feel mis-treated. Showing jealousy does not please God because it is hurtful to everyone. As you review this lesson with your child, discuss times when you have or your child has shown jealousy. Talk about better ways to show your feelings. Recognize and praise your child’s efforts to do so.

___________________________Your Child’s Teacher

Jealousy Hurts(Genesis 37:2-11, 23-24a, 28)

A man named Israel had twelve sons. He loved Joseph best. Israel made Joseph a special robe. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him.

Joseph dreamed that they all had sheaves, or bundles, of grain. His sheaf grew taller as the others bent down around his. “You think this means you will be in charge of us!” his brothers

fussed. Joseph also dreamed that the sun, moon, and eleven

stars bowed down to him. “Will your mother and I and your brothers bow down to you?” his father asked.

One day, Joseph’s brothers took him, snatched off his robe, and put him into an empty hole. They sold him to men going to Egypt.

I will not be jealous!

Beginners Stories_F2020.indd 4Beginners Stories_F2020.indd 4 6/3/20 8:36 AM6/3/20 8:36 AM

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you,  . . . . You shall be in charge of my pal-ace, and all my people are to submit to your orders.” (Genesis 41:39, 40a)

Lesson Scripture: Genesis 41:25-33, 37-40, 50-52

Beginners Stories_F2020.indd 5Beginners Stories_F2020.indd 5 6/3/20 8:37 AM6/3/20 8:37 AM

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Today, your child heard that God helped Joseph ex-plain the meaning of Pharaoh’s dreams. Joseph always explained to others that God gave him the ability to do this. When you review this lesson with your child, talk about ways that God helps him or her each day. Share examples of how God blesses you and your family. Explain that just as God helped Joseph, He helps us too!

___________________________Your Child’s Teacher

Stepping Up with Help from Above(Genesis 41:25-33, 37-40, 50-52)

As Joseph he grew up, he could explain the meaning of good and bad dreams. Pharaoh, who was king of Egypt, needed to understand his scary dreams. God helped Joseph explain Pharaoh’s dreams. There would be seven good years with plenty of food. After that, food would

not grow for seven years!Joseph told Pharaoh to store up supplies to get ready

for the bad years. The plan seemed good to Pharaoh! Pharaoh said to Joseph, “God has made all this known to you! You will be in charge of everything so you can carry out this plan!”

My help comes from God

above!

Beginners Stories_F2020.indd 6Beginners Stories_F2020.indd 6 6/3/20 8:37 AM6/3/20 8:37 AM