March. This is a season of new beginnings, like the start of a new year. In fact, the Jewish calendar starts in the month of Nisan which is roughly March-April on our (Gregorian) calendar. This is the time when we think of “spring cleaning”, maybe starting a garden (depending on your location), and of things opening up. The Old Testament book of 2 Samuel chapter 11, verse 1 tells of something we don’t think of for springtime and that is: “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war…” [For a very interesting story of the damage caused when King David did not go to war, read the rest of Chapter 11 along with Chapter 12.] Our Scriptures for this month and the next involve the act of marching which is defined as a purposeful movement on a particular path to reach a specific destination. The verses we will be working on are often called the “Roman Road”. So, to get you in the mood for marching here’s some marching sounds you can use as you learn about our verses: https://youtu.be/BaHMy9LTZyI
During the past two months we have been introduced to the Commanding General Jesus and his qualifications for this march–creator of the world, the love that he has for each of us, and his sacrifice. But now we need to know some things about this march, such as why we need to go on it and the alternative if we don’t go on it.
The first thing we need to determine is whether each one of us should go on this journey and we find the answer in:
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Now we have to what results from the sinning that we all have done and what are the alternatives. That is found in our second verse:
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD.
So we have established the importance of this march, but how can we be guaranteed that we will come to a successful end of this journey? Again we look into the book of Romans.
Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Next we need a map and a guide to lead us. Well, Jesus has told us:
John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
So…are you ready to march? Below is a group of children who have started on the march. (And did I mention that age and physical ability are no issue with joining this march?!)
Little Ones: Please have them learn the first half of John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” For a learning activity, you might use a nice day and make a sort of hop/scotch board using colored chalk on a sidewalk or driveway. In the start box put “Jesus answered”, jump to the second on which you’ve put “I am”. The set of double would be “the” and “way”, the next center one “and”, the next set “the” and “truth”, again the center one “and” the last two “the” and “life”. You also might want to have them listen to the marching sound effects above as they pick up their toys with you as the commander (improvise a baton with streamers out of a paper towel roll and some crepe paper streamers) and give them directions. This can be a way of memorizing the verse, but also teaching them colors, i.e. blue toys, right and left, numbers 1 toy in the bin, 3 toys in the bin, up and down, i.e. toys up on the couch or down on the rug (toys on the ceiling fan it’s all up to you!), over and under, back and front, etc. You might even give them the chance to be the commander and you have to follow directions.
Elementary: Have them learn the first half of the verse and continue on with the second half: No one comes to the Father except through me.” They can continue on with the hop/scotch board with “no one” in the middle, “comes to” and “the father” in the next pair, “except” in the center, and “through” and “me” in the last double. Finish by landing on the last single block and give the Bible reference. As age appropriate, have them draw the squares themselves.
Seniors and Advanced: Please learn all four of the verses. In addition, I would suggest you read through all 16 chapters of the book of Romans. If you divide it up so that you read one chapter every two days and the last chapter on the 31st you can get through it easily. You understand the verses, therefore making them easier to memorize, if see them in context.
Happy “March”ing!
Lamp for my feet 