H e l lo ! ! !
IN THIS . TOPZ ..
Would you ever try eating insects? A famous chef has predicted that in a few years time we will all be eating insects without thinking about it – especially as there are hundreds of thousands of insects to every one person here on earth! The idea of eating fried mealworms or crispy crickets doesn’t appeal to me – but who knows, maybe one day I’ll try them? In the meantime, I will continue to eat my usual diet of meat, vegetables and chocolate, and be thankful to God for all the yummy food that goes into my tummy each day. I hope the section ‘Yummies for Tummies’ in this issue of Topz will help you to be thankful too! Talking of insects, I’ve never liked seeing them close up, let alone eating them! I’m especially scared of giant black slugs and flying cockroaches. What makes you scared or afraid? You’ll see that poor old Dave has some fears of his own in this issue – of snakes, wild animals and wild dingoes! I hope you enjoy reading how he overcomes these fears and what happens to him. Whether you have fears and worries about slugs, wild dingoes, teachers, bullies or bad dreams – the great thing to remember is that Jesus can help you when you put your trust in Him. Tell Him about anything that frightens you and find someone you trust to talk to and pray with. I have found that really helps – and I hope you do too. There are lots of other great things for you in this Topz – from time tunnels to prophets. Read on … and stay close to Jesus. ‘Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me.’ Psalm 50 v 15
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Dave Afraid Page 3 THE Time Tunnel Page 9
Dave boomerangs back Page 21 Yummies for Tummies Page 26 Topz Bitz: Readers’ Own Club Pages page 33 Carry on Elisha! Page 38
Fun With Alex Page 55 JESUS’ FRIENDS Page 61
Answerz and Topz Order Form Page 73
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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
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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.
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DAVE AFRAID ... stralia ... Dave’s still on holiday in Au
Only a week’s holiday left!
Wow, look at that view! Now I know why they’re called the Blue Mountains. Here we are at last!
We have a few surprises yet, Dave!
Where are we going?
1ST SEPTEMBER Hebrews
6 v 13–18
Somewhere special – it’s a surprise.
I wish Gordon was here. We still have a long way to go for your real surprise.
Great surprise, Dad, but I can’t see a thing!
Lord Jesus, help me not to be discouraged easily. Please give me patience to wait for You to keep Your promises. Amen.
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THURSDAY
Dave waited a long time for his surprise and even then couldn’t enjoy it at first. Though God always keeps His word, He waits for the right time when He knows we are ready. So be patient and go on believing His promises.
3
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FRIDAY
2ND SEPTEMBER 1 Peter
2 v 9–10
DAVE AFRAID
Daytime! Now I can see where we are ... What’s all the noise outside?
This is my uncle’s sheep farm!
Gulp! I’m glad I’m not a sheep having to drink that water!
4
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No, Dave! They don’t drink it – that’s the sheep dip!
Come on, Dave – we’ve been up for hours!
Gordon! What are you doing here?
We arrived early yesterday. Get dressed and I’ll show you around.
Perhaps, like Dave, you are easily embarrassed when you make mistakes. It can hurt when people laugh at you. But God cares for you – you are special to Him and there is no one else quite like you in the whole world. Lord, You are the only One who completely understands me. Thank You that I am special to You. Amen.
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SATURDAY
DAVE AFRAID
Let’s go horse riding up to the hills.
Fair dinkum! ... I mean ... are you serious?
Watch out, Dave. The path gets narrow.
What happened?
I’ll have to leave you alone and go for help. It will take a few hours.
But there are snakes and wild animals here ...
3RD SEPTEMBER Matthew
7 v 13–14
Don’t worry about me!
My horse stumbled. I think I’ve broken my leg.
Jesus spoke of Christians walking on a narrow path to show how easily we are tempted to go some other, easier way. To stay on the right ‘path’, we need to trust Jesus each day. 5
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SUNDAY
4th SEPTEMBER Psalm
50 v 15
DAVE AFRAID
Where is Gordon? He’s been gone hours.
Lord, if ever I needed You, it’s now. I’m scared and my leg really hurts – please help me to be brave and keep me safe.
Here at last! But where’s Dave? What’s happened to him?
If he doesn’t come, I may be eaten by wild dingoes or something.
It’ll be getting dark soon. I wish Gordon would come.
Fear may make you forget about God but it should make you see how much you need Him. His love will drive away all fear, so talk to Him and He will take away your fears.
6
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Lord, fill me with Your love which will drive away all fears. Amen.
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MONDAY
DAVE AFRAID I’m up here, Gordon. Dave! Thank goodness! For a minute I thought you were ...
Thanks for rescuing me, Gordon!
Well, I don’t reckon I did very much, Dave.
When I heard about your prayer ... it made me think ... I want Jesus for my friend too.
How did you get up there with your broken leg?
5th SEPTEMBER Luke
15 v 1–7
I’m not sure. I used the rope from my saddle.
I guess there’s only one person we can really thank.
Imagine how happy both Dave and Gordon were! Because of His amazing love God sent Jesus to save those ‘lost’ in sin. There is great happiness when someone is ‘found’ by putting their trust in Jesus. Ask God to use you to bring friends to Jesus. 7
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26/4/11 14:49:17
TUESDAY
6th SEPTEMBER 2 Timothy
1 v 3–7
DAVE AFRAID
Well, hop-along – your holiday is almost over!
Yes, but I’ve got some great photos and memories.
I’ll never forget your face when you fell off the surf board!
And one lasting memory to take home with me!
The day out at Canberra ... the Blue Mountains ...
I’ve got a lot of new friends in Australia now ...
What three things does Paul tell Timothy he remembers in today’s Bible reading? He also reminds Timothy of what God gave him and tells him to use His gift. Try to use your gifts to please God.
8
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Lord, I give back to You the gifts You have given me so that You can use me in Your kingdom. Amen.
26/4/11 14:49:23
2010
YOU
The Time l Tunne r To the Moto M u se u m
1937
1927
1908
Topz enjoyed visiting the museum that took them back in time. Let’s travel down the time tunnel from our time to Jesus’ time 2,000 years ago! We’re going to stop off on the way to see some friends of Jesus who did great things for God.
2010 2000 1990
1980
1970
1960
1950
1940
1930
1920
1910
YOU ARE HERE 9
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WEDNESDAY
7th SEPTEMBER Matthew
28 v 18–20
Tell everyone JAMES HUDSON TAYLOR 1832 Born in England 1853 Went to China 1860 Came home ill 1865 Started a China missionary society 1905 Hudson Taylor died Hudson Taylor wanted to tell the people of China some good news. Crack the code to find out what it was. Code: O = s E = ? S = ! U=b
Saucy’s had kittens!
J = z L = O z?!b! When Sarah had good news, she wanted to tell everybody.
1880
1870
Today there are millions of Christians in China. Pray that even more people in China will know 10 Jesus.
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O sd ? !
xsb
Hudson Taylor never asked for money for his work.
Colour in the years of Hudson Taylor’s life. Do this each day for each famous person.
1900 1890
Y = x V = d
How did he get supplies? Clue:
1860
1850
1840
1830
1820
In today’s reading Jesus said we should tell others about Him. Hudson Taylor told Chinese people about Jesus. Who can you tell?
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