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BIBLE Stories for

BRAVE GIRLS

Bible Stories for Brave Girls 2nd edition, 1st print Copyright © Scandinavia Publishing House 2017 Drejervej 15, 3., DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark info@sph.as www.sph.as Text and illustrations copyright © Scandinavia Publishing House Illustrations by Gustavo Mazali Author: Melissa Alex Editors: Alice Larsen & Vanessa Carroll Cover design by Idgis Book design by Isabelle Gao Printed in China ISBN Hardcover: 9788772030296 ISBN Softcover: 9788772030319 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

BIBLE Stories for

BRAVE GIRLS

Contents

Foreword The Old Testament

6 9

EVE

NOAH’S WIFE

God Makes Heaven and Earth God Makes the Creatures of the Ocean and the Sky God Makes the Animals of the Earth Adam and Eve The Garden of Eden Adam and Eve Disobey God Out of Eden

Noah Builds an Ark The Great Flood Forty Days and Forty Nights of Rain The Rainbow’s Promise

SARAH

God Chooses Abram A Son for Abraham and Sarah Isaac Is Born

REBEKAH

A Wife for Isaac Isaac and Rebekah Jacob and Esau Are Born Jacob Works for Laban

11 13 14

DEBORAH

28 30 32 34

RUTH NAOMI

104 106

38 40 43

HANNAH

114

46 48 50 52

54 56

MIRIAM

Moses Is Born Saved by a Princess Moses Stands Up for a Slave Jethro Welcomes Moses The Burning Bush Ten Plagues The Exodus The King’s Chase

80 82 84 86 89

RAHAB

19 21 22 25

LEAH RACHEL

Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel Jacob Becomes Rich

The Parting of the Red Sea Water for the Thirsty Food for the Hungry The Ten Commandments Joshua Becomes the Leader of Israel

58 60

64 66 68 70 72 74 77 78

Rahab Helps the Spies Rahab Asks a Favor The Spies Escape Deborah and Barak The Lord Fights for Israel

Ruth Is Loyal to Naomi Ruth Meets Boaz Ruth and Boaz Get Married Hannah Asks the Lord for a Child Samuel Is Born God Calls Samuel David and Saul

92 94 97

100 102

108 110 112 116

118 120 122

ABIGAIL

124

ESTHER

136

David and Nabal Abigail Makes Peace David and Abigail God Will Provide The Bottomless Jar of Oil

The Proud King Queen Vashti Disobeys Esther Becomes Queen Haman’s Order Esther Has a Plan Esther Saves Her People Haman Is Punished A Time to Celebrate

126 128 131 132 134

138 140 142 145 146 148 151 153

The New Testament A Baby for Elizabeth

155 156

MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS 158 An Angel Visits Mary

ELIZABETH

Mary and Elizabeth

Life of Jesus

Jesus Is Born The Shepherds The Wise Men Jesus of Nazareth Jesus in the Temple John the Baptist Jesus Is Baptized Jesus Turns Water into Wine The Water of Life Jesus Heals a Crippled Man Planting Seeds True Happiness Being Salt and Light Do Not Worry The House on the Rock God’s Kingdom is Like a Seed The Storm Jesus Calms the Storm A Sick Woman A Dying Girl Jesus Seeks a Quiet Place The Hungry People Five Loaves and Two Fish Jesus Walks on Water A Second Chance A Woman Washes Jesus’ Feet Love and Forgiveness Let the Children Come to Me Following Jesus The Good Shepherd

MARY & MARTHA

160

162

164

166 168 170 172 174 176 178 180 182 184 186 188 190 192 194 197 198 201 202 204 207 208 210 212 214 216 218 220 222 224

226

Mary and Martha The Death of Lazarus Jesus Brings Lazarus to Life Who Gave the Most? The Good Samaritan A Rich Fool Jesus Heals a Woman on the Sabbath The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin The Loving Father Forgiven Wheat and Weeds A Woman’s Faith God Shows Mercy A Job Well Done The Greatest in Heaven I Am with You The Rich Young Man The Five Careless Bridesmaids The Big Parade A New Command The Leaders Shall Serve The Lord’s Supper Peter Will Deny Jesus A Home in Heaven Jesus Prays for His Followers The Disciples Fall Asleep Betrayed With a Kiss Pilate Tries to Free Jesus Jesus Is Sentenced to Death The Weeping Women Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross Jesus Dies The Earth Trembles Jesus Is Buried

MARY MAGDALENE Jesus Has Risen The Empty Tomb Jesus Returns to God

228 230 232 234 236 238 240 243 244 246 248 250 252 254 256 258 260 262 264 266 268 270 272 274 276 278 280 282 284 286 288 290 292 294

296

298 300 302

Foreword Dear Reader, We’re happy to introduce you to our Bible Stories for Brave Girls. It is our hope that this Bible story book will not only introduce you to some of the bravest people in history, but also inspire you to be a brave believer, too. Being brave is not only about becoming someone great and important, but is just as much about sticking to the Way and continuing to believe in Jesus, even when some days are grey and make you feel indifferent. Being brave is giving thanks and rejoicing in Him, even when there seems to be no reason to do so. In this Bible story book you’ll find the accounts of many ordinary women, chosen by an extraordinary God. You will get to know the Bible characters a little better in each of their short introductions. These women trusted and obeyed God, and He gave them courage to act bravely in difficult situations. In the face of oppression, trials, and discouragements, these women succeeded and ultimately changed the course of their lives, their nation, and in some cases, even the course of history. This happened, not because they were superheroes, but because the God in whom they trusted gave them courage and made them brave, in spite of their fear and shortcomings. God is still the same and He wants you to put your trust in Him in all situations. He will enable you to overcome trials and face challenges as well as get through the dullness of your everyday life with a brave heart and mind.

We hope and pray that the Bible Stories for Brave Girls will encourage and help you to live bravely. We are rooting for you – and so is He!

“Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.” - C.S. Lewis

The Old Testament

God Makes Heaven and Earth Genesis 1:1-19

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was a dark and empty place. There was only a roaring black ocean and the Spirit of God was hovering over the water. Then God said, “Let there be light!” Suddenly light shone down and He created the first day. On the second day, God said, “Let the water above be separated from the water on the earth.” The waters obeyed God’s command and He called the expanse that separated the waters “sky”. On the third day, God said, “Let the waters on the earth be separated by dry land. Let there be plants and trees on the land so that the earth may be filled with living things.” Land appeared to separate the oceans and trees spread their big leafy branches. Little flowers and plants sprung up out of the ground to greet the sun. On the fourth day, God said, “Let the moon and stars shine at night, and let the sun shine by day. These lights will mark the seasons and shed light on the earth.” God looked around and saw that all He had done was good.

God Makes the Creatures of the Ocean and the Sky Genesis 1:20-23

On the fifth day, God said, “Let the ocean be filled with sea creatures!” Just then, the water began to churn with life. Great whales lifted their mighty heads. Dolphins jumped and splashed in the sunlight and little sea crabs scuttled along the sea floor. God said, “Let the sky be filled with creatures of the air!” Seagulls swooped in the breeze along with butterflies and buzzing insects. God created all of them, big and small, and He saw that it was all good.

God Makes the Animals of the Earth Genesis 1:24-25

“Now for the dry land,” God said. “Let the deserts and valleys and mountains be filled with animals!” And that’s what happened. The earth was filled with wild animals to roam the land and insects to creep along the ground. God loved watching the animals play with each other. He was very pleased with His work. 14

EVE • Mentioned in: Genesis, 2 Corinthians, 1 Timothy • Meaning of name: “Life”—first woman, mother of the whole human race. • Lived in: Garden of Eden, later, outside of Eden • Married to: Adam • Mother of: Cain, Abel, Seth, other sons and daughters

Milestones:

Eve did something that she knew God had forbidden and would eventually cause death for herself and everyone else. Disobedience always has consequences. The first death occurred when Cain killed his brother, Abel. God knew the risk of giving people free will to choose. So He promised to send a Savior, who would bear the consequence of our disobedience and defeat death. 16

Questions:

Instead of confessing her wrongdoing to God and asking Him for forgiveness, Eve blamed the serpent. Have you ever done something wrong and blamed someone else? How did you make it right? Can you think of a consequence or what happens when you have done wrong? Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living. Gen 3:20

Adam and Eve

Genesis 1:26-2:3,7,18-25

On the sixth day, God looked around at all the animals of the earth and the animals of the sea and sky, and God said, “I will create human beings to rule over the animals and the land. They will be special because I will make them in My likeness.” Then, God took a handful of soil, and out of it, He made Adam. God loved Adam. He even let Adam name all the animals. But God said, “It isn’t good for Adam to be alone. I will make a partner for him.” So while Adam was asleep, God took one of Adam’s ribs and out of it, He created the first woman. Adam loved her and called her Eve. God gave Adam and Eve His blessing. He said, “The earth is filled with animals you may rule over and many good plants and fruits you may eat. Fill the earth with your children, and care for all the living creatures!” God was happy with all that He had created. It was perfect. On the seventh day, He rested from all His work.

The Garden of Eden Genesis 2:8-17

God put Adam and Eve in a garden called Eden. The Garden of Eden was a lush and colorful paradise where they could live forever. God placed a tree called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the middle of the garden. God told Adam and Eve that they could eat from any of the trees in the garden except from that tree. If they ate from it, God warned, they would surely die.

Adam and Eve Disobey God Genesis 3:1-7

One day the serpent slithered up to Eve as she was walking in the garden. “Why don’t you take a bite from that juicy fruit hanging from the tree of knowledge?” he asked. Eve remembered what God had said. “God told us we must not eat fruit from that tree,” she replied. To this the serpent answered with lies, “That is only because the fruit will allow you to know the difference between right and wrong. God doesn’t want you to be as wise as He is.” Eve became curious. ”What would be the harm in one tiny bite?” she said to herself. So she picked a fruit and tasted it. Then she handed the fruit to Adam, and he also took a bite. When they looked at each other afterwards, they realized for the first time that they were naked. They were embarrassed and quickly sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

Out of Eden Genesis 3:8-19

That day, Adam and Eve heard God walking in the Garden of Eden. They were frightened because they knew they had disobeyed Him. They hid behind the trees and plants, hoping God would not discover what they had done. But God knows all things. God called out to Adam, “Where are you?” Adam came out from hiding and told God he was afraid because he was naked. God said, “How did you know you were naked? Did you eat the fruit I told you not to eat?” Adam answered, “Eve was the one who took the fruit. It’s her fault!” And Eve said, “But it was the snake who told me to take the fruit. So it’s the snake’s fault!” God loved Adam and Eve, so He was very sad that they did not obey Him, but chose to listen to the sneaky snake instead. God gave Adam and Eve some animal skins to cover themselves. They had to leave the garden of Eden and never return, live on dry land, work hard for their food, and they would eventually die.

NOAH’S WIFE • Mentioned in: Genesis • Meaning of name: Name unknown—must have been a very patient woman to support Noah’s building project that lasted 120 years • Lived in: Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq), before the flood, near Mount Ararat (modern day Turkey), where the ark came to rest, after the flood • Married to: Noah • Mother of: Shem, Ham, Japheth

Milestones:

Noah’s wife, like her husband, had faith in God, which no one else did at the time. People probably thought they were crazy to build a huge boat so far from the ocean. Together with her sons and their wives, she helped Noah in any way she could, before, during, and after the Great Flood. 26

Questions:

Have you ever felt alone in your faith in God? Always remember Noah’s wife, standing by her husband and sons with faith, courage, and endurance.

And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. Gen 7:7