H e l lo ! ! !
When you think of the word ‘superhero’, who or what do you picture? Men in tights, masked riders, baddie-defeating robots or caped do-gooders? I saw someone wearing a T-shirt the other day with the words ‘Jesus is my Superhero’ on the front – which got me thinking! What is my definition of a superhero? And I came to the same conclusion as the person wearing that T-shirt – that Jesus has to be my all-time hero. But there are lots of others we can read about in the Bible – check some of them out in the opening section of this Topz. You may agree that Jesus is the best hero you can think of – but perhaps there is someone else you know who you would also describe as a hero. My music teacher was my hero when I was at primary school, and yes, it’s him you can blame for the fact that I love singing so much. Maybe it’s your teacher, or a parent or grandparent, neighbour or friend? Write to me at Topz (address on page 35) and tell me about them. I’d love to hear from you! I hope you enjoy reading about some amazing heroes in the Bible in this issue of Topz – as well as all the other coolio sections inside. I’m going to count to three – then you can turn the page and start reading: 1–2–3–GO!
IN THIS . TOPZ .. SUPERHEROES Page 3 Amazing Grace Page 11
Bible Detective Page 19
Topz Bitz: Readers’ Own Club Pages page 35 Moses – PrinCe to Prophet Page 39
God’s Gift Page 49 Timid Tim Page 54
Amos The Shepherd Page 63
Answerz and Topz Order Form Page 73
TopzMay-June2011.indd 1
17/12/10 16:25:24
the bible books OLD TESTAMENT Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah MicaH Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi
new TESTAMENT Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation
TopzMay-June2011.indd 2
How to use It may be that some of you haven’t looked inside a Bible very much before. If so, here are a few helpful hints:
1: Each day in Topz there’s a Bible reading. It’s shown like this:
Genesis
25 v 2–5
2: To find this, turn to the Contents page near the front of your Bible and look for the name of the book – which in the example above is Genesis. Now find the page this book starts on and turn to it. 3: Y ou will have to turn on a few pages now to get to the right chapter.
4: Now look for the verse numbers which will be in smaller type. The chapter and verse will look like this:
Chapter
Verse
5: A fter reading the Bible passage, go back to the Topz page and see what it says. Each day ends with a prayer and sometimes an action point too. To solve the puzzles in Topz you will need a Good News Bible. If you don’t want to turn to the Contents page of your Bible all the time, you will see we’ve listed all the Bible books in order for you (see left). The ones you’ll be reading from in this Topz are highlighted with a star . Use this Topz Marker to keep your place in Topz. Cut it out and stick it to a piece of card to strengthen it.
15/12/10 09:54:44
SUPERHEROES Let’s play superheroes!
I’ll be Superman!
I’m Super-Benny! Anyone need to be rescued?
Don’t worry, Benny’s dad rescued him! King David had mighty men in his army. We are going to read about them and learn how we can be mighty for God! 3
TopzMay-June2011.indd 3
15/12/10 09:54:45
SUNDAY
Outlaws
1ST MAY 1 Samuel
22 v 1-2
King Saul wanted to kill David, so David hid in the cave of Adullam in the desert. Here 400 men came to him looking for help. 3.
2. han pp y
isf die
1. bt e
They brought their problems with them. What were they? (Unscramble the letters on the sacks to finish the words. Verse 2 will help.) 1. D _ _ _
2. U _ _ _ _ _ _ 3. Dissat _ _ _ _ _ _
Do you sometimes feel useless? David made brave, mighty warriors out of people who felt useless, so God can do it for you too.
4
Dear Lord, please take my life and make it great for You. Thank You! Amen.
TopzMay-June2011.indd 4
Do the ‘little’ things well and then God can trust you with bigger jobs.
15/12/10 09:54:52
The famous three
MONDAY
2ND MAY 2 Samuel
23 v 8–10
Even these mighty men knew they couldn’t overcome their enemies alone.
Our Bible reading tells us that they won because ... Colour the dotted sections
They became strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. You too can overcome difficulties in the same way. Dear God, please help me to be strong as I try to live for You. Amen.
TopzMay-June2011.indd 5
Don’t think about how weak you feel; think about God’s mighty strength in you.
5
15/12/10 09:54:57
TUESDAY
3RD MAY 2 Samuel
23 v 11–12
Stand your ground
Like Eleazar, who refused to give up the fight even though others turned back, Shammah stood his ground. ‘So put on God’s armour now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .’ Finish off the verse by taking every second letter until you’ve used all the letters:
6
Dear Jesus, please help me to stay faithful to You always. Amen.
TopzMay-June2011.indd 6
(Ephesians 6 v 13)
Stand your ground when temptation comes – don’t give in!
15/12/10 09:55:02
WEDNESDAY
I dare you
4th MAY 2 Samuel
23 v 13–17
Three mighty men heard David longing for a drink from the well in Bethlehem and because they loved him they risked their lives to bring the water. William Carey became a Christian as a young boy. He spent his life working as a missionary in India, bringing the good news about Jesus to the people. He said, ‘Expect great things from God, and ...’
v 13)
Q A
Z
1
11
21
W S
X
2
12
22
E
3
R
4
T
5
Y
U
6
D
F
G
H
J
C
V
B
N
M
13
23
14
15
16
24 25 26 S P AC E
7
17 27
I
8
O
K
L
,
:
18
9
Use the computer code to finish the sentence.
P
10
;
19 20
28 29
%
30
11.5.5.3.27.10.5 15.4.3.11.5 5.16.8.26.15.12
He was a mighty man of God! Dear Lord, please show me how I can best serve You. Amen.
TopzMay-June2011.indd 7
14.9.4 15.9.13
You might like to write out the saying of William Carey and keep it in your Bible.
7
15/12/10 09:55:08
THURSDAY
5th MAY 1 Chronicles
11 v 10
Together Why should we?
Pack it in!
Here comes his mates.
We’re outnumbered!
success of the mighty men. Today’s verse gives two reasons for the _ it. Fill the gaps: 1. The L_ _ _ _ had p_ _ _ _ _ _
2. T_ _ _ _ _ _ _ they helped David
8
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that I am not alone in my fight for You. Amen.
TopzMay-June2011.indd 8
.
Thank the Lord for any special Christian friends you have. Make a list of their names, and pray for them.
15/12/10 09:55:14
I’m counting on you Every soldier must be reliable. Which of these are reliable?
FRIDAY
6th MAY 1 Chronicles
12 v 1–2
2. FRIENDS Do your friends ever let you down?
1. THE BUS Is the bus always on time?
3. THE WEATHER FORECAST Is the forecast always right?
Dear Lord Jesus, I will do my best never to let You down. Amen.
TopzMay-June2011.indd 9
4. YOU (Join the dots.)
Learn to be reliable so that people will know you are a person who can be depended upon.
9
15/12/10 09:55:19
SATURDAY
7th MAY 1 Chronicles
29 v 22–25
Loyal and true
Now that Solomon was king, the mighty men promised to be loyal and true to him. Do you give in when you are tempted to do wrong?
Have you been strong enough to do what is right when others were doing wrong things? Do you stand up for your friends when they need you?
It’s true, sir. It wasn’t his fault.
10
Dear Lord, You are the One I love and want to serve. Amen.
TopzMay-June2011.indd 10
Do not allow anyone or anything to take Jesus’ place in your life.
15/12/10 09:55:24