No One Will Ever Know Bible - · PDF fileMr. Smith’s farm, Johnny moaned, ... Exodus...

Character Education LessonsBible Edition

No One Will Ever Know

Contents

� Choosing Friends� Imitating Friends� Respecting Parents� Telling the Truth—The First Lie� The Second Lie� Envying the Wicked and the Pleasures of Sin� Teasing� Satan� Consequences of Disobedience� Respecting Parents� Trusting Parents Brings Happiness� Path of Disobedience—Trouble� Path of Obedience—Blessings � Questionswww.AdvancePublishing.com Character Education Lessons

Summary

Teased by their friends that "No one will ever know,"

Johnnie and Janie squirrel ignore their parents' warnings about

the big, bad wolf. Wanting big, delicious acorns, they lie to

their parents and sneak out one night to Mr. Smith's farm.

Their delightful meal suddenly ends with their being chased by

a very hungry wolf.

Barely escaping with their lives, the young squirrels learn

that to disobey is wrong even when you think no one will ever

know.

This adventurous and thrilling story by Carl Sommer shows

the importance of honesty, respect for parents, and trust.

Main VirtuesHonesty/Respect for Parents/Trust

Other Virtues Caring, Compassion, Integrity, Obedience to Parents, Respect for Elders, Respect for Law,

Responsibility, Safety, and Trust

Choosing Friends

One day some older squirrels stopped by.“Why do you kids stay here eating those small acorns?” yapped the big squirrels rather roughly. “We

know a special place that has the biggest and most delicious acorns you have ever tasted.”The big squirrels showed them some giant acorns. When the big squirrels told them they found them at

Mr. Smith’s farm, Johnny moaned, “We can’t go there.”“Why not?” asked the big squirrels. “No one will ever know.”Be careful whom you choose as friends. Johnny listened to his new friends and got into trouble. Your

friends will often determine what you will become. Choose bad friends, and you’ll do things that are bad;choose good friends, and you’ll do good things. Many children get into trouble because they weren’t wiseabout choosing their friends. God wants us to choose our friends carefully.

Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the manwho walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,nor stands in the path of sinners,nor sits in the seat of the scornful; [2] but his delight is in the law of the Lord,and in His law he meditates day and night.

Proverbs 4:14-15 Do not enter the path of the wicked,and do not walk in the way of evil. [15] Avoid it, do not travel on it;turn away from it and pass on.

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

√ Proverbs 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man,when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.

James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?

Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Additional verses: Psalm 26:4-5; Psalm 119:115; Ephesians 5:11

√* The check is a recommended scripture to teach the particular lesson.All verses are from the New King James Version.

2www.AdvancePublishing.com Character Education Lessons


Imitating Friends

Johnny wanted to be like the older squirrels. He spun his cap around and said to Janie, “Why don’t wego there just once?”

This began Johnny’s downfall. He wanted to imitate his new friends. Wise individuals are strong andwill not follow others when they are doing things that are wrong. The path of failure is littered with thosewho chose to do evil because of their friends. Be imitators of the Lord, and not of those who choose todisobey Him.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

√ Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

Hebrews 6:11-12 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,

[12] that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promis-es.

3 John 1:11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does

evil has not seen God.

Additional verses: Deuteronomy 18:9, 2 Kings 17:15, 1 Corinthians 4:16, 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Respecting Parents

Johnny said, “Why don’t we go there just once?”“And disobey Dad and Mom?” Janie asked. “That’s not right.”“If we don’t tell anyone,” Johnny argued, “no one will ever know!”Johnny and Janie didn’t honor and obey their parents. In spite of their father and mother’s warnings,

they decided to go to Mr. Smith’s farm. This decision led them into big trouble. In contrast, if they hadrespected their parents by obeying them, they would have avoided all their trouble.

Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your Godis giving you.”

Proverbs 6:20-21 My son, keep your father’s command,and do not forsake the law of your mother. [21] Bind them continually upon your heart;tie them around your neck.



√ Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2] “Honor your father and mother,” which is

the first commandment with promise: [3] “that it may be well with you and you may live long on theearth.”

Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

Additional verses: Deuteronomy 5:16, 1 Timothy 3:4

Telling the Truth—The First Lie

At last it came—the night of a bright, full moon. Johnny and Janie ate very little for supper thatevening.

“Why aren’t you eating?” asked Mom.“Uh, well...we’re not hungry,” Johnny lied.He and Janie did not want to eat too much. Tonight they were going to fill their tummies with big, deli-

cious acorns.Johnny and Janie decided to disobey their parents. Then when Johnny was questioned on why he was-

n’t eating, he lied about it. Notice that when someone lies another lie follows.

The Second Lie

Mr. Owl was surprised to see the young squirrels out so late.“Whoa!” said Mr. Owl. “Do your parents know where you are?”“Y-y-yes, of course,” Johnny lied. “They said we could go to Mr. Smith’s farm.”Johnny had lied to his mom, and now to Mr. Wise Owl. Once you tell one lie, it’s much easier to tell

another lie. God wants us always to tell the truth.

√ Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,but those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members

of one another.

Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all

liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Additional verses: Proverbs 6:16-19; Proverbs 12:19; John 8:44



Envying the Wicked and the Pleasures of Sin

The young squirrels laughed and talked about how much fun they were going to have eating those big,delicious acorns. They were especially glad for the two older squirrels who had told them about Mr.Smith’s farm.

Yes, they were going to have fun; but wait and see what happens to them. All of Satan’s deliciousapples have worms in them. Don’t be envious in following Satan’s pleasures. The path of sin has tempo-rary pleasure, but the end of the wicked is nothing but trouble.

Proverbs 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners,but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;

√ Proverbs 3:31-33 Do not envy the oppressor,and choose none of his ways; [32] for the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord,but His secret counsel is with the upright. [33] The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,but He blesses the home of the just.

Proverbs 24:19-20 Do not fret because of evildoers,nor be envious of the wicked; [20] for there will be no prospect for the evil man;the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, [25] choos-

ing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, [26]esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

Additional verses: Psalm 37:7-11, Proverbs 24:1

Teasing

“Don’t be afraid,” laughed Johnny.Teddy giggled. “That’s just an old owl.”They tiptoed under the tree. And sure enough, there he was, Mr. Owl, quietly sitting on a limb.“See!” teased Johnny and Teddy. “We told you!”When we tease others, we want to annoy or make fun of them. This is the opposite of love. Love

wants to encourage and help others. Kind people don’t tease.

Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.



1 Corinthians 13:4-6 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; [5] does

not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; [6] does not rejoice in iniquity,but rejoices in the truth;

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentle-

ness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

√ Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness,

longsuffering;

Additional verses: Leviticus 19:18, Micah 6:8, Mark 12:29-31, Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:13, 1 Timothy 1:5, 2 Peter 1:5-8

Satan

The chubby squirrels did not realize it, but all their whooping and hollering had stirred someone fromhis sleep. Now that someone was hungry! And he was creeping up on them.

As the slow-going squirrels reached the open field, out from the bushes sprang the big, bad wolf!“W-w-wolf!” Janie yelled. “The big, bad wolf!”Off they ran, as fast as their little legs could take them—which was not very fast since their tummies

were so full.The squirrels scattered in four directions. Since the wolf could not chase all of them, he ran after the

closest one—Johnny!Johnny ran as fast as he could, but tonight the wolf was faster. Johnny ran toward the nearest tree. The

wolf drew closer and closer.Johnny almost made it. But just as he reached the tree, the wolf jumped at Johnny with his big jaws

open wide.“O-u-c-h!” screamed Johnny.There are enemies who want to destroy you. For example, drug dealers will sell you harmful drugs in

order to make money. That is why it is important to listen to parents who want to protect you. Satan is theChristian’s enemy, and he wants to attack and cause us to sin. We need to put on the Christian armor towithstand Satan’s attacks and schemes.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. [15] Therefore it is no great

thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be accord-ing to their works.

√ Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.



1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom

he may devour.

Additional verses: Matthew 4:1-11, John 8:44, 1 John 3:8-10

Consequences of Disobedience

Dad jumped onto a limb and spotted a scared little squirrel sitting on a branch—shaking and crying.“Johnny!” shouted Dad.Johnny ran to Dad and cried, “The wolf bit off my tail!”Johnny was fortunate he lost just his tail. When we disobey, there are often serious consequences.

John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life,

but the wrath of God abides on him.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

√ Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. [8] For he who

sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reapeverlasting life.

Rev. 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all

liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

Additional verses: Genesis 2:17, 3:19; Isaiah 3:11; Romans 1:18; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Respecting Parents

As Johnny’s mom was bandaging his tail, he groaned, “Ohhh...! If only I had run faster, this neverwould have happened.”

Dad said, “No, Johnny. If only you had listened to us, this never would have happened.”But Johnny still was not listening. He was mad at himself for not running faster.How many problems children would avoid if they would only learn to trust and obey their parents. Be

wise—listen to your parents.

√ Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of your father,and do not forsake the law of your mother;

Proverbs 4:10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,and the years of your life will be many.



Proverbs 5:1-2 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;lend your ear to my understanding, [2] that you may preserve discretion,and your lips may keep knowledge.

Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

Additional verses: Proverbs 4:1-2; Proverbs 20-22; Proverbs 23:19

Trusting Parents Brings Happiness

Mr. Wise Owl came to visit Johnny. “I’m sorry to hear what happened,” he said.“Well,” mumbled Johnny. “That’s one time I should have listened to my dad and mom.”“Johnny,” answered the wise owl, “you should always listen to your dad and mom. They love you and

they know what’s best for you.”“But it doesn’t always seem right,” said Johnny.“You need to trust them,” explained Mr. Owl. “You will find it’s always best to obey.”Johnny thought for a while. Suddenly his eyes lit up. “Now I understand! If I trust them, then it only

makes sense to obey them!”If Johnny had trusted his father and mother, he would have listened to them and avoided losing his tail.

Then he would have lived a much happier life. God’s blessing comes upon those who trust and obey Hiscommands.

Proverbs 1:8-9 My son, hear the instruction of your father,and do not forsake the law of your mother; [9] for they will be a graceful ornament on your head,and chains about your neck.

Proverbs 3:1-2 My son, do not forget my law,but let your heart keep my commands; [2] for length of days and long lifeand peace they will add to you.

Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, give attention to my words;incline your ear to my sayings. [21] Do not let them depart from your eyes;keep them in the midst of your heart; [22] for they are life to those who find them,and health to all their flesh.



√ Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2] “Honor your father and mother,” which is

the first commandment with promise: [3] “that it may be well with you and you may live long on theearth.”

Additional verses: Proverbs 4:1; Proverbs 4:10-15; Proverbs 6:20-23

Path of Disobedience—Trouble

Notice the path of disobedience leads to trouble.

Johnny listened to others instead of his parents.Johnny’s new friends teased him and those with him about staying in their little yard and eating their

tiny acorns.Johnny wanted to be like the older squirrels who had encouraged him to disobey his parents.Johnny wanted to go to Mr. Smith’s farm just once, even though his parents had forbidden him to go

there.Johnny told his sister Janie that it was all right to disobey Dad and Mom, for if they didn’t tell anyone,

no one would ever know.They tried to figure out how they could sneak away from their parents to go to Mr. Smith’s farm.Johnny lied to cover up his disobedience. He said he wasn’t hungry when his mom asked him why he

wasn’t eating.They talked about how much fun they would have eating those big, delicious acorns. They didn’t

expect any trouble.Then Johnny lied to Mr. Wise Owl saying that his parents knew he was going to Mr. Smith’s farm.They had joy for a short time while they were eating the delicious acorns. Be sure your sin will find

you out. An enemy was on the lookout trying to get them. Satan is our enemy who is always trying to getus to disobey our Lord. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seek-ing whom he may devour.”

The big bad wolf bit off Johnny’s tail. Disobedience often has serious consequences.Johnny, instead of learning to listen to his parents, complained that he would not have gotten caught if

he had only run faster.

Path of Obedience—Blessings

One never knows how many evil things are avoided when one decides to do what is right. If Johnnyhad listened to his parents, he would have kept his tail and remained the fastest squirrel.

It always pays to obey God, even when we don’t always see the benefits. Often the path of sin has itsshort-term pleasure, but it often leads to a path of pain and suffering.

When the older squirrels told him, “No one will ever know,” Johnny should have immediately said, “Wedon’t disobey our parents.”

Johnny should have ignored the older squirrels when they teased him by saying, “Go ahead! Stay inyour little yard and eat your tiny acorns.”

If Johnny had followed the right path and listened to his parents, he would never have had all this trou-ble. It always pays to obey your parents, even when you think that disobeying them will give you greaterpleasure.



Questions

1. Who was the fastest squirrel at playing tree tag?Johnny was the fastest squirrel.

2. What did the older squirrels show Johnny, Janie, Teddy, and Tammy that got them so excited?The older squirrels showed them a giant acorn.

3. What was the squirrels’ favorite food?Acorns were the squirrels’ favorite food.

4. What did the big squirrels say when Johnny moaned, “We can’t go there”?The big squirrels said, “Why not? No one will ever know.”

These older squirrels encouraged Johnny and Janie to disobey their parents. Be careful whom youchoose as friends. Johnny listened to his new friends and got into trouble. God wants us to choose ourfriends carefully. The Bible says, “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil.Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on” (Proverbs 4:14-15).

5. Who did Johnny want to be like?Johnny wanted to be like the older squirrels.

This began Johnny’s downfall: he wanted to imitate the older squirrels. We should want to be like theLord and those who follow Him, not like those who disobey God. The Bible says, “Therefore be imitatorsof God as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1).

6. When did Tammy say they could go to Mr. Smith’s farm?Tammy said, “We could go late at night after our parents go to sleep.”

7. What did Johnny say when Janie said, “But what about that b-i-g...b-a-d...w-o-l-f? He scares me”?Johnny said, “We’ll be real quiet. I’m sure the wolf will be sleeping.”

Johnny and Janie didn’t honor and obey their parents. In spite of their father and mother’s warnings,they decided to go to Mr. Smith’s farm. The Bible says, “Children, obey your parents in everything, forthis pleases the Lord” (Colossians 3:20).

8. What did Johnny say when his mom asked him, “Why aren’t you eating”?Johnny lied and said, “Uh, well...we’re not hungry.”

Notice that when one decides to disobey God’s commandments, other sins follow. When Johnny decid-ed to disobey his parents’ instruction, he decided to lie. God wants us always to tell the truth. The Biblesays, “The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment” (Proverbs12:19).

9. Why did Johnny lie?Johnny lied because he and Janie wanted to fill their tummies with big, delicious acorns.

10. What did Johnny and Janie do when their dad and mom were fast asleep?Johnny and Janie quietly climbed out the window to meet Teddy and Tammy.



11. What were the squirrels talking about as they walked to Mr. Smith’s farm?The squirrels talked about how much fun they were going to have eating those big, delicious acorns.

Yes, they were going to have fun, lots of fun. But wait and see what happens to them. All of Satan’sdelicious apples have worms in them. Don’t be envious in following Satan’s pleasures. The path of sinhas temporary pleasure, but the end of the wicked is nothing but trouble.The Bible says, “Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways; for the perverse person is anabomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel is with the upright” (Proverbs 3:31-32).

12. Who were the squirrels especially glad for as they were walking to Mr. Smith’s farm?The squirrels were especially glad for the two older squirrels who had told them about Mr. Smith’s farm.

13. How many of the squirrels were scared when they first saw the two beady eyes glowing in the dark?All the squirrels were scared and shaking.

14. What did Johnny and Teddy do and say when they saw it was Mr. Wise Owl quietly sitting on a limb?Johnny and Teddy teased them and said, “See! We told you!”

When we tease others, we want to annoy or make fun of them. This is the opposite of being kind.When we are kind, we want to encourage and help others. The Bible says, “Therefore, as the elect of God,holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering” (Colossians 3:12).

15. When was the next time Johnny lied?The next time Johnny lied was when Mr. Wise Owl asked, “Do your parents know where you are?”

16. What did Johnny say when he lied?Johnny said, “Y-y-yes, of course. They said we could go to Mr. Smith’s farm.”

Once we tell a lie, it’s easy to continue to lie. The secret of not becoming a liar is to always tell thetruth. The Bible says, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are Hisdelight” (Proverbs 12:22).

17. How many acorns did the squirrels eat?The squirrels ate, and ate, and ate...till their tummies could hold no more.

18. What enemy was waiting to catch them?The big, bad wolf was trying to catch them.

Satan is the Christian’s enemy, and he wants to attack us and get us to sin. We need to put on theChristian armor to withstand Satan’s attacks and schemes. The Bible says, “Put on the whole armor ofGod, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

19. What did the wolf do to Johnny?The wolf bit off Johnny’s tail.

Be sure your sin will find you out. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God iseternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

20. What did Janie say when Dad and Mom asked, “But where’s Johnny”?Janie said, “I don’t know. I saw the wolf chasing him, and then I heard him scream, ‘Ouch!’”

Remember the title of the book, “No One Will Ever Know?” Now Dad and Mom know. Watch whoelse knows about what the squirrels did.



21. What did Dad say he was going to do?Dad said, “I’m going to search for him.”

22. Dad spotted something sitting on a limb. What was it?Dad spotted a scared little squirrel sitting on a branch—shaking and crying.

23. What did Johnny say happened to him?Johnny said, “The wolf bit off my tail!”

When we choose the path of disobedience, we often suffer for it. The Bible says, “Do not be deceived,God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will ofthe flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians6:7-8).

24. What did Dad do when Johnny ran to him?Dad wrapped his arms around Johnny and held him tight.

25. What did Dad say when Johnny said, “Ohhh...! If only I had run faster, this never would have hap-pened”?Dad said, “No, Johnny. If only you had listened to us, this never would have happened.”

Children can avoid many problems in life if they learn to listen and obey their fathers and mothers. TheBible says, “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother”(Proverbs 1:8).

26. Why was Johnny the slowest in playing tree tag?Johnny was the slowest in playing tree tag because with his short tail he could not balance himself well.

Sometimes our sin will get us into permanent trouble.

27. Can you think of some things that can cause permanent damage?Doing dangerous things like running in the street without looking, climbing tall trees, driving a bikethrough streets without slowing down, taking drugs, sniffing chemicals, sniffing glue, smoking, drinkingalcohol, or having sex and getting venereal disease.

Be wise—always take care of your body. If you don’t, one day you’ll suffer for it.

28. Why is it important to obey and trust our parents?Our parents are older and wiser, so it only makes sense to trust them, even if we think they are not right.The Bible says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on theearth’” (Ephesians 6:1-3).

29. What did Johnny tell his forest friends he was foolish for?Johnny said, “I was foolish for listening to others.”

30. What was Johnny glad to learn?Johnny was glad to learn that to disobey is wrong, even when you think no one will ever know.



No One Will Ever Know Bible - · PDF fileMr. Smith’s farm, Johnny moaned, ... Exodus...

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