1 God's Covenant with Abraham — Part 1 The friendship that started with one very brave 'yes' Genesis 12:1-9 2 God's Covenant with Abraham — Part 2 Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:1-15; 22:1-14 3 Rahab and the Scarlet Cord A brave woman in Jericho hid two spies — because she believed the Lord is God of heaven and earth Joshua 2:1-24 4 By Faith the Walls of Jericho Fell Down Silent marches, ram's horns, and a city's walls that crumbled by faith Joshua 6 5 Achan's Secret One man hid stolen treasure in his tent — but nothing is ever hidden from God Joshua 7:1-26 6 Tricked! The Gibeonites' Clever Plan A whole city fooled Israel with moldy bread and worn-out shoes — because Israel forgot to ask God first Joshua 9:1-27 7 David and Nathan — Does It Belong to You? A king's big sin, a prophet's gentle parable, and true repentance 2 Samuel 12:1-13 8 God Is Ready to Forgive — Elijah and King Ahab How anger can lead us into big trouble — and how God's mercy is bigger 1 Kings 21 9 Job: Faithful Through the Storm A good man lost almost everything — and still chose to trust God Job 1-2 and 42 10 Psalm 19 — The Heavens Declare the Glory of God How the sky and the Bible together tell us who God is Psalm 19:1-14 11 Psalm 23 — The Lord Is My Shepherd How to be brave when you are afraid of anything Psalm 23:1-6 12 The Promise of the Messiah in the Old Testament How the whole world waited thousands of years for the Savior Isaiah 9:6; 1 Timothy 3:16; John 3:16 13 Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh — the Gifts of the Magi Three gifts that told the whole world who Jesus really is Matthew 2:1-12 14 Timkat — The Sacrament of Baptism How Ethiopia's biggest festival remembers the day Jesus was baptized Matthew 3:13-17; John 3:1-13 15 Rock or Sand? The Two Builders Two men built two houses — but only one was still standing when the storm was over Matthew 7:24-27 16 The Parable of the Talents God trusts you with a gift — what will you do with it? Matthew 25:14-30 17 Our Friends in Heaven — The Commemoration of the Saints Why we remember the saints and ask them to pray for us Matthew 26:13; Hebrews 12:1 18 Good Friday (Siklet) The day Jesus suffered on the Cross to save us Matthew 27; Luke 23; John 19 19 How to Grow in Your Faith — Part 1 'I believe, Master — help my unbelief.' A father's honest prayer Mark 9:17-31 20 How to Grow in Your Faith — Part 2 Faith without works is dead — take one small step forward James 2:14-26 21 Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus A blind beggar shouted for mercy — and Jesus stopped and listened Mark 10:46-52 22 Palm Sunday — The Heavenly King Enters in Humility Jesus rides a colt into Jerusalem — and shows us true greatness Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44 23 Proper Behaviour in the Church How we show respect in the house of God Mark 11:15-17; Exodus 3:5 24 The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Are Announced Two impossible babies, two amazing announcements from an angel Luke 1:5-38 25 Mary Visits Elizabeth — the Magnificat and John's Birth A visit that filled two houses with the Holy Spirit Luke 1:39-58 26 Christmas Celebrations (Genna) How our Ethiopian church welcomes Baby Jesus on Tahsas 29 Luke 2:1-20; Isaiah 9:6 27 The Virgin Mary and the Life of Meditation How our Holy Mother teaches us to keep quiet and treasure God Luke 2:19; Luke 1:46-55 28 Christ and His Kingdom I — Jesus Defeats Satan How Jesus fought the devil in the wilderness — and won Luke 4:1-14 29 Christ and His Kingdom II — The Twelve Are Appointed How Jesus built His Kingdom by choosing ordinary friends Mark 3:13-19 30 Christ and His Kingdom III — The Good News Announced Jesus taught the world how the Kingdom of God really works Matthew 5:1-48 31 Christ and His Kingdom IV — He Showed His Divine Glory Miracles and the Transfiguration proved Jesus is truly God John 11:1-44; Mark 9:1-10 32 The Good Samaritan: Who Is My Neighbor? A stranger stopped to help a wounded man — and showed us how God wants us to love Luke 10:25-37 33 The Life of Prayer — Part 1 What prayer really is, and where its power comes from Luke 11:1; James 5:16 34 The Life of Prayer — Part 2 (St. Anthony) Seven hours of prayer and the father of all monasteries Psalm 119:164 35 The Life of Prayer — Part 3 Little prayers that unlock a big life with God Acts 4:12; Luke 18:9-14 36 Thanksgiving to God Who Loves and Cares for Me Ten lepers were healed — only one turned around to say thank you Luke 17:11-19 37 Fasika — The Resurrection and Its Effect on Us Christ is Risen! And here's what that means for your life Luke 24; Matthew 28 38 The Ascension and Its Blessings Forty days after Fasika, Jesus went home to prepare a place for us Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11 39 The Life of St. John the Evangelist The beloved disciple who taught the world about love John 1:1; John 19:26-27; Revelation 1 40 Fruit of the Holy Spirit — Joy The happiness Jesus gives, that nothing in the world can take away John 2:1-11 41 The New Year — How Do I Start? Every new January is a fresh page in God's story with us John 6:37; Revelation 3:20 42 The Holy Week (Semune Hemamat) A day-by-day walk through the holiest week of the year John 13:34; Mark 11-14 43 Fruit of the Holy Spirit — Peace The peace Jesus gives, that the world can never take away John 14:27 44 Jesus Grants His Disciples Peace in the Upper Room How the Risen Jesus turned fear into peace John 20:19-23 45 Pentecost — Three Thousand Souls Added The day the Holy Spirit turned scared disciples into brave preachers Acts 2:1-41 46 The Apostles' Feast — St. Peter and St. Paul Two very different men who both loved Jesus with everything Acts 3:6; Acts 9:3-19 47 The Feast of Meskel — Elevation of the Cross Queen Helena found the True Cross buried under a mountain of dust 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 48 The Importance of the Church Rite Why order and beauty matter in how we worship God 1 Corinthians 14:40; Leviticus 10:1-7; Luke 9:14-17 49 Fruit of the Holy Spirit — Love The greatest gift the Holy Spirit grows in a Christian heart Galatians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 50 Fruit of the Holy Spirit — Kindness and St. Mina The kind heart of Jesus — and the young saint who wore three crowns Colossians 3:12; John 4:5-26 51 The Strength of Faith Four friends, a hole in the roof, and a father who trusted Jesus's word Hebrews 11:1 52 St. Augustine — the Son of Tears How a mother's tears and a saint's example brought a wanderer home Hebrews 12:1