Judges. Date Passage Title Main Point Memory Verse Judges 1-3 The Judges Cycle Jesus is always alive so he will always save us.

Transcription

1 Judges Date Passage Title Main Point Memory Verse Judges 1-3 The Judges Cycle Jesus is always alive so he will always save us. Hebrews 7:25 Judges 4-5 Deborah And Barak The ones who trust God are the ones who are remembered. How Hebrews 7:25 do you want to be remembered? Judges 6-7 Gideon It is God who saves his people. They do not save themselves Hebrews 7:25 Judges 9 Abimelech We follow a king whom God has chosen and that's why he's such Hebrews 7:25 a great king! Judges Jephthah We don t need to make dumb promises to get God to save us. He Hebrews 7:25 is a willing saviour. Judges Samson Samson s greatest victory was in his death. Jesus greatest victory is in his death and resurrection. Hebrews 7:25 Acts 2:32 Judges Micah's Idol God is not happy when we treat something that he has made as if it were a god. Hebrews 7:25 Acts 2:32 Judges Pay Back When you get hurt, don t pay back. That's God job, not yours. Proverbs 20:22 Hebrews 7:25 Judges Revision Week Revise the big ideas from the book of Judges. Hebrews 7:25 Acts 2:32 Proverbs 20:22 (optional) This is a nine-week series for school aged children looking at the book of Judges. There is a children s talk available for each lesson (same title as the lesson) that can be used as a kid s spot in the service before they go to out to Children s Church or used as part of Children s Church Kidswise

2 2 The Judges Cycle Judges 1-2, Hebrews 7:25 PowerPoint - script by Sandy Galea. Illustrations by Michael Zarb. Main Point - Jesus is always alive so he will always save us. Instructions Download the PowerPoint titled, 'The Judges Cycle' (available in Kidswise Membership). Need:! Narrator! Data projector! Screen! PowerPoint (see instructions) Script The book of Judges is found in the Old Testament. God had rescued his people, the Israelites, from slavery in Egypt. Moses had led them across the desert. And Joshua had led them through the Jordan river and into the promised land. God had kept his promise. The Israelites were happy in their new land. They had everything that they needed. But, the Israelites soon forgot about God. They turned away from God. Instead, they bowed down to and worshipped pretend gods. Actions Picture 1: title. Picture 2

3 3 And God became very angry with them. He sent enemies out to fight against them. The enemies captured them. They were mean and nasty to the Israelites. The Israelites lost their land, they lost their animals and they were made to work very, very hard. Picture 3 The Israelites were very sad. Picture 4 So the Israelites cried out to God to save them. God was sad for his people. So God sent a judge to rescue them. A judge like Othniel. And God helped Othniel save the Israelites from their enemies. Picture 5 And finally there was peace. Picture 6 Everything was great - for a while. But then Othniel died. The Israelites forgot about God. Picture 7 They turned away from following God. Instead, they bowed down to and worshipped pretend gods. And God became very angry with them. He sent enemies out to fight Picture 8 Narrator increases the speed of the Narration.

4 4 against them. The enemies captured them. They were mean and nasty to the Israelites. The Israelites lost their land and their animals, and they were made to work very, very hard. The Israelites were very sad. Picture 9 They cried out to God to save them. And God was sad for his people. So God sent a judge to rescue them. A judge like Ehud. And God helped Ehud save the Israelites from their enemies. Picture 10 And finally there was peace. Picture 11 Everything was great - for a while. But then Ehud died. The Israelites forgot about God. Picture 12 They turned away from following God. Instead, they bowed down to and worshipped pretend gods. And God became very angry with them. He sent enemies out to fight against them. The enemies captured them. They were mean and nasty to the Israelites. Narrator increases the speed of the Narration. Picture 13

5 5 The Israelites lost their land and their animals, and they were made to work very, very hard. The Israelites were very sad. Picture 14 They cried out to God to save them. And God was sad for his people. So God sent a judge to rescue them. A judge like Shamgar. And God helped Shamgar save the Israelites from their enemies. Picture 15 And finally there was peace. Picture 16 Everything was great - for a while. But then Picture 17 (Narrator moves to centre stage and addresses the audience) The Israelites forgot about God again and again and again. As long as God s Judge was alive, the Israelites followed God. But when the Judge died, God s people failed to follow God. The Judges could only save the people while they lived. The good news is that Jesus always lives and so Jesus is always able to save us. Every moment of every day, Jesus is your friend and Saviour. Narrator points to picture of Israelites bowing down to idol. Narrator points to picture of the Judge.

6 6 K-5 Joint Group Time The Judges Cycle Judges 1-3 Main Point - Jesus is always alive so he will always save us. Memory Verse Hebrews 7:25 This memory verse is available in the Audio section of Kidswise Membership. Where does Judges come in the Bible s story? Option 1 - Download the file titled, The Bible's Story In Pictures (available in Kidswise Membership). Print off a set of the pictures. - Select children to come out the front and hand each child one picture to hold (be sure the pictures are not in correct order). - Leader quickly asks what each picture represents and children then have to place them in the correct order in which the story comes in the Bible. - Leader then points out where the book of Judges fits in the Bible's story. Option 2 - Collect the following objects (listed in brackets) that represent each major event in the Old Testament. - Select children to come out the front and hand each child one object to hold (be sure they're not in correct order). - Leader quickly asks what each object represents and children then have to place them in the correct order in which the story comes in the Bible. - Order: Creation (plastic flower) The Fall (plastic fruit) Noah (boat and plastic animals)

7 7 The Judges Cycle (wig and sword) King Saul, David, Solomon (crown) The split between the North and South Kingdoms (two crowns) The Exile (chains) - Leader then points out where the book of Judges fits in the Bible's story. Singing - Teach, either by song or by rote, the books of the Bible, pointing out where the book of Judges fits in. - Begin by teaching only first half of the Old Testament and build up each week of this unit until children have learned the books of the Bible in order. Select 2/3 songs about the book of Judges and/or Jesus saving us. Brains or Butts This activity can be repeated at the end of the Judges unit to see what the children have learned. Need: - series of 'Yes'/'No' statements about the book of Judges (see below for examples, you will need at least 20 statements) Instructions: - Ask all children to stand. - Instruct the children to answer the following statements by putting their hands on their heads if they think the statement is 'true', or their hands on their butts (i.e. bottoms) if they think the statement is 'false'. - Read the statement and give the children a moment to decide (i.e. brains or butts). - Then reveal the answer. - Those children who are correct (i.e. in the correct position) remain standing. All others sit down. - Continue until only one remains standing or until you run out of statements (i.e. those who remain standing win). Possible statements:

8 8 - The book of Judges is found in the New Testament. (butts: Old Testament) - Judges comes after the book of Joshua. (brains) - Ehud, Abimelech and Samson were all Judges. (brains) - Ehud was left-handed. (brains) - Deborah was afraid. (butts: it was Barak, not Deborah who was afraid) - Gideon tested God by putting out the hide/skin of a cow. (butts: Gideon put out wool from a sheep) - God told Gideon to tell his men that if they were afraid they had to face their fears and fight like a man! (butts: the men who were afraid were sent home) - Gideon sent the men who lapped like a dog home. (brains) - Gideon did not use swords. Instead he used a torch, a trumpet and clay jars. (brains) - Gideon heard some soldiers talking about a dream in which a bag of flour came rolling into the camp and knocked over a tent. (butts: it was a loaf of bread) - Samson was strong and wise. (butts: Samson was strong, but not wise) - Delilah was offered money to find out the secret to Samson's strength. (brains) - Samson killed more people when he died than during his life. (brains: he pulled down a temple on all the Philistines)

9 9 The Judges Cycle Judges 1-3 K-2 Group Time Main Point - Jesus is always alive so he will always save us. The Judges Game - Leader calls out the following statements in order and does the following actions, getting faster and faster. - Ask the children to try and keep up. - Every now and then stop. - The child who is last to do the action is out (sit down). - Continue to repeat the series of statements/actions until only one child remains. Statements The Israelites bowed down to pretend gods. God punished them by sending enemies. The Israelites cried out to God. God sent Judges to rescue them. Everything was great again! But! Actions Bow down. Two fists up. On ground, begging. Draw sword. Thumbs up. Need: - Download the file titled, Judges Stencils (available in Kidswise Membership). Find the picture of the Judges Cycle. Make an A3 copy on cardboard. Cut around the edge of the circle and secure the centre to a board so that it can be turned like a wheel. Instructions: - Point to the appropriate picture as you conclude. Conclusion: - The book of Judges begins with the same thing happening again and again and again. - The people turned away from the one true God and followed

10 10 pretend gods. - So God punished them by sending enemies to attack them. - The enemies treated them cruelly, so the people cried out to God to save them. - God was kind and sent a Judge to rescue them. - And while the Judge lived, there was peace. - But the Judge would eventually die and the whole thing would start again. Discussion (small groups) - What did the Israelites do that made God angry? (they turned away from following him and bowed down to pretend gods, gods they'd made up) - What did God do to punish them? (sent enemies to attack them) - While the Judges lived, God's people were saved. But the Judges died. The Judge could only save the people while the Judge lived. Who did God send to save us? (Jesus) - How is Jesus different from these Judges? (Jesus did die, but he came back to life again, Jesus always lives, so he can always save us) Conclusion: - Let s get to know one of the Judges. - His name is Ehud. Story Time - Retell the story of Ehud using the script titled, Ehud and The Fat Man (pages 14-17), using a leader to play the part of Ehud and either two leaders or a leader and a child to play the part of the guards. - Download the file titled, Judges Stencils (available in Kidswise Membership). Find the picture of the Judges Cycle. Make an A3 copy on cardboard. Cut around the edge of the circle and secure the centre to a board so that it can be turned like a wheel. Point to the appropriate picture when

11 11 indicated in the script. Discussion (small groups) - What does the Bible tell us about Ehud? (left-handed, hid a sword on right hand side, killed King Eglon) - God chose Ehud to be the Judge to save and lead his people, the Israelites. Everyone was so surprised that God chose Ehud. Why? (he was left-handed, left-handed people were thought to be weak) - How did Ehud kill King Eglon? (he hid a sword under his right arm, soldiers won't look there, they'd only looked where a right handed person would keep a sword: under left arm, Ehud used his left-handedness as an advantage) - Ehud was left-handed. Ehud seemed weak, but God used what was weak to save his people. Who does God use to save us? (Jesus) Conclusion: - When Jesus died on the cross he looked weak and not very powerful. - But God used what looked weak to save us. - It was because of Jesus' death that we can be saved. - God used what looked weak to powerfully save us! Prayer Time Repeated Prayer Father God, thank you for sending Jesus to save us. Thank you that when Jesus died you used his death to save us. Thank you that Jesus always lives so he can always save us. Amen

12 12 Individual Prayer - Encourage the children to thank God that, even though Jesus looked weak hanging on a cross, it was Jesus' death that saves us. - Thank God that Jesus always lives, so he can always save us. Ehud Craft Need: - Download the file titled, Judges Stencils (available in Kidswise Membership). Find two stencils. One stencil is of a side-on view of Ehud and the title, Everyone thought Ehud was weak because he was left-handed. But God used Ehud, who was weak, to save his people. Judges 3 People think when Jesus died on the cross he looked weak. God used Jesus' death to save us. The other stencil is of a left arm. Copy on cardboard, so that each child has one of Ehud and one left arm. Cut out an arm for each child. - Collage material - Glue - Set of coloured pencils or markers - Pipe cleaners - Split pins, one per child Instructions: - Provide collage material for the children to decorate Ehud. - Provide a split pin and attach the left arm to Ehud. - Provide pipe cleaners for the children to make a sword to tape onto the hand. Weak vs. Strong Competitions Run a series of competitions to see who is weak and who is strong: - tug-of-war (child versus child, leader versus leader, group of children versus group of children, group of leaders versus group of leaders). - arm wrestling Conclusion: - If you are strong, then you win. - But in our story today, God used the weak.

13 13 - The weak man was the winner! - Ehud saved God's people. - It seemed strange but God uses weak things, like someone dying, to save his people.

14 14 Ehud And The Fat Man Judges 3:12-30, 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 Narrated Drama - script by Sandy Galea. Main Point - God uses what seems weak to save his people. Instructions Download the PowerPoint titled, The Judges Cycle (available in Kidswise Membership). Need:! Narrator! Ehud! Two guards! Data Projector! Screen! Props: o comb o pen o toothbrush o moneybag o trumpet o small sword o two spears o money (given to 'Israelites' i.e. children sitting in the front row) o crown (that can be rolled on to the stage)! Sound Effects: dramatic chord on the keyboard Script In Judges chapter 3 we read about a man named Ehud. Here is his story. A long time ago there lived a man named Ehud. Now Ehud was different from most people. Ehud was left-handed. Ehud combed his hair with his Actions Enter Ehud. Ehud holds out his left hand. Ehud pulls out comb, combs

15 15 left hand. Ehud wrote letters with his left hand. Ehud would even clean his teeth with his left hand. Ehud did everything with his left hand. And in those days people thought that if you were lefthanded, you were weak. Now God's people, the Israelites, had forgotten all about God. They began to follow pretend gods. So God sent King Eglon, the Moabite King to capture them. For fifteen years the Israelites were forced to do what King Eglon said. The people cried out to God to rescue them from King Eglon. hair. Ehud pulls out pen, writes. Ehud pulls out toothbrush, brushes teeth, puts toothbrush away. Ehud looks at left hand and nods. Ehud hangs his head, drops his shoulders. Data projector on. Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4 So God sent a rescuer. Picture 5 God chose Ehud - which was a great surprise to everyone! Now King Eglon demanded the Israelites pay him money. Ehud was chosen to take the money to King Eglon. But before he went, Ehud made a sword and hid it in his clothes. Ehud set off to see the King. Enter Ehud. Data projector off. Ehud collects money from children in the front row. Ehud picks up sword and hides it on his right side under his clothes. Ehud walks back and forth across stage.

16 16 When he got to the palace, two security guards met Ehud. The guards cried, "Stop!" The guards searched Ehud, but they didn't find the sword. So Ehud was let in to see the King. Ehud went in, drew his sword and Ehud stabbed King Eglon. King Eglon died. Ehud came out and locked the door behind him. The guards waited. (pause) And waited. Then they decided to check on the King. But the door was locked. The King must be on the toilet! So they waited. And they waited. And waited. Surely the King could not take that long! So the guards unlocked the door and went in. Enter security guards holding crossed spears, barring the way. Guards repeat. Guards search on left side of Ehud. Guards nod, let him pass between them. Ehud draws his sword and moves off stage. Sound effect: dramatic chord. Crown comes rolling on to stage. Ehud enters, mimes locking imaginary door, sneaks off other side. Guards still have backs to door. Guards tap their foot. Guards move to the imaginary door. Guards try imaginary door, shrug. Guards both nod. Guards tap a foot. Guards look at each other. Guards tap a foot faster. Guards look at each other and shake their heads. Both guards unlock door, exit stage, scream.

17 17 They cried out, "King Eglon is dead!" Ehud then blew a trumpet. All the Israelites gathered together and followed Ehud. They fought against the Moabites and beat them. Ehud saved the Israelites. Guards enter. Guards repeat. Ehud enters, blows trumpet. Guards run away. Ehud follows guards off stage. (Narrator moves to centre stage and addresses the audience) Everyone thought Ehud was weak. But God used Ehud to save the Israelites. People think that Jesus was weak when he died on the cross. But God used Jesus to save us.

18 18 The Judges Cycle Judges Group Time Main Point - Jesus is always alive so he will always save us. Judges: How well do you know the book? Need: - Three containers per team, one labelled: In Judges, another labelled Not In Judges, the third unlabelled but filled with the twenty cards (see below). - Download the file titled, Judges Stencils (available in Kidswise Membership). Find the stencils of cards with the names of Bible characters written on them (David, Paul, Peter, Ruth, Esther, Samuel, Nathan, Solomon, Elijah, John, Eglon, Barak, Ehud, Deborah, Samson, Jephthah, Micah, Gideon, Abimelech, Delilah). Copy and cut out one set per team. Instructions: - Organise children into teams. - Seat teams on the opposite side of the room to their equipment. - Set up the equipment as instructed above. - On Go! a member of each team runs to the equipment and selects a card. - They read the card and then decide if the person's story is found in the book of Judges or not. - They place the card in the appropriate container, run back and tip next person. - Continue until all cards have been read and placed. - First team to complete the activity wins three points, second team two points, third team one point and any other team no points. - Points are then allocated to teams according to how many correct answers were in the container labelled In Judges (one point for every correct person, minus point for every incorrect person). - Team with the most points wins!

19 19 Conclusion: - Some parts of the book of Judges are well known. - The stories of Gideon, Deborah and Barak, Samson and Delilah. - But there are other parts that aren't as well known. - The stories of Ehud, Abimelech, Jephthah and Micah. - For the next eight weeks, we're going to get to know all their stories, because they all have something to teach us about God and his son Jesus. The Judges Cycle Relay Aim: the first team to have each member complete each section of the cycle in turn wins. Each team will need: - 5 signs (see table below) - a golden statue (can be sport trophy) - plastic sword - scarf - Bible Times costume (one that can be easily slipped over a child s head with a simple tie for the waist) To play: - Divide the children into equal teams. - Set out the signs in a circle in front of each team. - Use the table (page 13) as a guide to set the appropriate equipment with the appropriate sign. - On Go, the first member of each team runs to each sign, completes the appropriate action, then moves to the next sign. - When all actions have been completed, in the correct order, the child second in line begins. - The team that completes the circuit first wins. Conclusion: - The book of Judges begins with the same thing happening again and again and again. - The people turned away from the one true God and followed pretend gods. - So God punished them by sending enemies to attack them. - The enemies treated them cruelly, so the people cried out to God to save them.

20 20 - God was kind and sent a Judge to rescue them. - And while the Judge lived, there was peace. - But the Judge would eventually die and the whole thing would start again. - The Judge could only save them while the Judge lived. Think It Through: - How is Jesus different from these Judges? (Jesus did die, but he came back to life again, Jesus always lives, so he can always save us) Sign Equipment Action The Israelites Golden statue Bow down followed pretend gods. God sent enemies to punish them. Plastic sword Pick up sword and pretend to fight The Israelites cried out to God to save them. Box of tissues Get on knees, pick up scarf and pretend to cry, wave scarf up God was kind and sent a Judge to rescue them. For as long as the Judge lived, there was peace. Story Time and down Bible Times costume Dress in Bible Times costume and tie waist No equipment needed Stand and show the peace sign - Retell the story of Ehud using the script titled, Ehud and The Fat Man (pages 14-17), using a leader to play the part of Ehud and either two leaders or a leader and a child to play the part of the guards. - Download the file titled, Judges Stencils (available in Kidswise Membership). Find the picture of the Judges Cycle. Make an A3 copy on cardboard. Cut around the edge of the circle and secure the centre to a board so that it can be turned like a wheel.

21 21 Discussion (small groups) Need: - Download the file titled, Old Testament Bookmark (available in Kidswise Membership). Colour copy on A4 cardboard. Cut and laminate one per child. - Set of International Children s Bibles (ICB) Bookmark Activity Allow the children time to read through the bookmark. Ask the children: - What stories of the Old Testament listed on the bookmark do you know? - Find where the Judges are in the Old Testament story. What comes before the Judges? - What comes after? Encourage the children to take it home and keep the bookmark in their Bibles and look at them everytime they read from an Old Testament book to see where it fits into the Bible s story. Read Judges 3: What is the evil the Israelites did? 3:12 compare with 3:7 (they made and followed idols, pretend gods) - What do you learn about Eglon? (he was the King of Moab, he was very fat, he liked gifts, he liked being told secrets) - What do you find out about Ehud? (left-handed, planned a clever plot to kill the King: knew the guard would assume he was right-handed and wouldn t look under his right arm, was courageous: killed King Eglon) - God chose Ehud to be the Judge to save and lead his people, the Israelites. Everyone was so surprised that God chose Ehud. Why? (he was left-handed, left-handed people were thought to be weak)

22 22 - How did Ehud kill King Eglon? v19-25 (offered King a secret, used a hidden a sword, Ehud used his left-handedness as an advantage, locked the door to make it look as if the King was going to the toilet to give him time to escape) - Ehud was left-handed. Ehud seemed weak, but God used what was weak to save his people. Who does God use to save us? How does Jesus saves us? (Jesus, he saved us by dying in our place) Read 1 Corinthians 1:25 - A man nailed to a cross looks weak. Why is Jesus, even though dead on a cross so powerful to save each and everyone of us? (Jesus, his death saves us, his death pays the punishment for every sin everyone of us ever did) Conclusion: - When Jesus died on the cross he looked weak and not very powerful. - But God used what looked weak to save us. - It was because of Jesus' death that we can be saved. - God used what looked weak to powerfully save us! - This is great news! Prayer Time - Encourage the children to thank God that, even though Jesus looked weak hanging on a cross, it was Jesus' death that saves us. - Thank God that Jesus always lives, so he can always save us. Spinning Wheel (small groups) Need: - Download the file titled, Judges Stencils (available in Kidswise Membership). Find the picture titled, Judges Cycle Judges 1-2 and the black circle with a white wedge section. Make a copy of each on white A4 cardboard for each child. - Set of coloured pencils or markers - Child safe scissors

23 23 - Split pins, one per child Instructions: - Ask children to colour in each picture of the Judges Cycle. - Cut out the black section of second stencil. - Use split pins to secure the second stencil on top of the Judges Cycle. - Children should be able to move the top stencil to reveal each section of the story. - Encourage the children to tell the story cycle of the book of Judges to each other by moving the black circle with the wedge cut out. Weak vs. Strong Competitions Run a series of competitions to see who is weak and who is strong: - tug-of-war (child versus child, leader versus leader, group of children versus group of children, group of leaders versus group of leaders). - arm wrestling Conclusion: - If you are strong, then you win. - But in our story today, God used the weak. - The weak man was the winner! - Ehud saved God's people. - It seemed strange but God uses weak things, like someone dying, to save his people.

24 24 Deborah And Barak Judges 4 and 5 Narrated Drama - script by Sandy Galea. Main Point - The ones who trust God are the ones who are remembered. How do you want to be remembered? Instructions Download the PowerPoint titled, Deborah And Barak (available in Kidswise Membership). Need:! Narrator! Deborah! Barak - carries a sword! Jael - carries a tent peg! Data projector Script Last week we heard how Ehud saved God s people from the King of Eglon. And while Ehud lived, Israel had peace. But when Ehud died, Israel again turned to follow pretend gods. Again God punished them by sending enemies to capture them. This time he sent Jabin, King of Canaan. Jabin s commander of his army was named Sisera. Sisera was an evil man. Actions Data projector on. Picture 1: title. Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4 Picture 5 Sisera was very, very cruel to Picture 6

25 25 the Israelites. So again, the Israelites cried out to God to save them. God was kind to the Israelites and sent a message. God gave the message to a woman named Deborah. Deborah was the leader of Israel at this time. Deborah called for a man named Barak. Barak came and Deborah told Barak God s message, Go, take ten thousand men and fight Sisera. God will give you the victory. But Barak did not trust the message from God. Data projector off. Enter Deborah. Deborah indicates for Barak to come. Enter Barak. Barak bows to Deborah. Deborah repeats. Deborah repeats. Barak frowns and scratches his head. I will go, Barak repeats hesitantly. but only if you go with me. Deborah shook her head and said, God will do what he said. You will win. But because you did not trust God, a woman will be given the honour of the victory. Not you. (pause) So Barak gathered together ten Barak repeats hesitantly. Deborah looks disappointed. Deborah repeats. Deborah repeats. Deborah repeats. Deborah repeats. Deborah repeats. Barak hangs his head. Barak indicates calling an army

26 26 thousand men. Then Deborah and Barak set off to fight Sisera. God did what he said he would do. Barak and his army won! Barak s army chased Sisera. But it was not Barak who captured and killed Sisera. It was a woman named Jael. A woman won the victory. Just as Deborah said. to follow him. Deborah leads Barak off stage. Barak re-enters sword drawn, smiling. Barak runs across the stage as if in pursuit. Barak enters, head down ashamed. Jael enters. Deborah enters and holds up Jael's hand in victory. Barak says the words, A woman! Jael and Deborah exit celebrating. Barak exits opposite side, shaking his head. (Narrator moves to centre stage and addresses the audience) Deborah, the woman, trusted God. Barak, the man, failed to trust God. He was afraid to obey God. Deborah did what Barak should ve done. And so Barak was shamed by this woman. The ones who trust God are the ones who are remembered. Children, how do you want to be

27 27 remembered? Will people remember how you lived your life trusting God?

28 28 K-5 Joint Group Time Deborah And Barak Judges 4 and 5 Main Point - The ones who trust God are the ones who are remembered. How do you want to be remembered? Memory Verse Hebrews 7:25 This memory verse is available in the Audio section of Kidswise Membership. Singing Revise, either by song or by rote, the books of the Bible. Select 2/3 songs about Deborah and Barak and/or about trusting in God/Jesus. Celebrity Heads Need: - 3 headbands with the following Bible character s names written, one on each: Daniel, Abraham, Rahab Instructions: - Ask for three volunteers from Year 2 upwards who know their Bibles reasonably well. - Place one headband on each child, making sure they do not see the name that is written on their headband. - Each child, in turn, is allowed to ask the audience yes/no questions to try and work out who the famous Bible person is written on their headband. - Clue: each person is famous for trusting God in some way. Conclusion: - Daniel is remembered because he prayed to God even though it meant he was going to be thrown in a pit full of lions.

29 29 - Daniel trusted God. - Abraham is remembered because he packed up everything and left his home and went where God told him. - Abraham trusted God. - Rahab hid the Israelites spies even though she could ve been caught and killed. - Rahab trusted God, - And in today s story, Deborah was the one who trusted God. - She trusted God s message and led the people up to fight the Canaanites. - But Barak did not trust God. - He was afraid. - And Barak didn t receive the praise.

30 30 K-2 Group Time Deborah And Barak Judges 4 and 5 Main Point - The ones who trust God are the ones who are remembered. How do you want to be remembered? Charades: What Am I Famous For? Need: - A set of cards with things written on them that people are famous for: singing, play guitar, soccer, cricket, swimming, painting, running, science, maths, driving Instructions: - Select a child to come out the front. He/she chooses a card, and then mimes what the card says they are famous for (you may need to whisper in some of the young children s ears what the card says). - Group then has to guess what they are famous for. - The child who guesses, selects the next card. Conclusion: - People are famous for all sorts of things. - For singing, painting, inventing things. - But to God, there s only one thing he wants you to be famous for. - And that s trusting him. - In today s story, one person trusted and the other didn t. Story Time Option 1 Use the script titled, Deborah And Barak (pages 24-27) and retell Judges 4. Add more detail (than is given in the script) and explain how Sisera fled and entered the tent of Jael and then she killed him. Note: For children of this age leave out the tent peg being driven through his head. Use chalk and draw the following series of pictures as you tell the story:

31 31 Picture 1: draw Deborah, add Barak, add a frown to Barak s face Picture 2: draw Canaanite army, add Israelite army, add arms up in fear on Canaanite army, add Canaanites running away. Picture 3: draw a tent, add Jael, add Sisera, add a circle around Jael (to indicate she was the one who was credited with the victory) Option 2 Use the script titled, Deborah And Barak (pages 24-27) and retell Judges 4. Add more detail (than is given in the script) and explain how Sisera fled and entered the tent of Jael and then she killed him. Note: For children of this age leave out the tent peg being driven through his head. Use the following props as you retell the story: - plastic or wooden figurines for Sisera, Deborah, Barak and Jael, as well as the Israelite and the Canaanite army. - a floor mat with winding roads and a river on it. - a tent Discussion (small groups) Icebreaker: - What would you like to be famous for? Discuss: - Last week we learnt about Ehud. Ehud was a judge and had saved the Israelites from their enemies, the Moabites. As long as Ehud lived, Israel lived in peace. What happened when Ehud died? (Israel turned and followed pretend gods, so God sent enemies, the Canaanites, to punish them) - Ehud was left-handed. He was an unusual choice for a Judge (i.e. the leader). What was so unusual about the Judge in today s story? (she was a woman) - God had heard the Israelites cry for help and he sent them a message. What was the message? (take 10,000 men and fight the enemy, God will make you win)

32 32 - Deborah trusted God. She was ready to do what God had said. How is Barak different from her? (he was afraid, he didn t trust, didn't obey God) - Deborah was famous for trusting God, while Barak was famous for not trusting God. Barak didn't receive the praise for the victory. Who was praised instead? (the woman named Jael who killed Sisera) Application: - What would you like to be famous for? - When do you find it hard to trust God? - If someone were to describe you to someone else who didn t know you, would they talk about how you trust and obey God or not? Conclusion: - Deborah trusted and obeyed God. - Barak failed to trust and obey God. - Let's pray that we will be known as someone who trusts and obeys God, just like Jesus. Prayer Time - Ask God to help them trust him in every circumstance. - Talk to him about something they are worried about, something they need to trust him with. Matching Stencil Need: - Download the file titled, Judges Stencils (available in Kidswise Membership). Find the matching stencil titled, What Were They Famous For? Bottom of page: They trusted God. Will you trust God? Make one copy per child on A4 white paper. - Set of coloured pencils or markers Instructions: - Ask the children to match each Bible character with the picture of how they famously trusted God. Example: Noah trusted God and built a boat; Abraham trusted God and sacrificed his son, Isaac; Daniel trusted God and prayed;

33 33 Rahab trusted God and hid the spies; Joshua trusted God and marched around the walls of Jericho. - Encourage children colour the pictures in. Imaginary Play Set up play areas with equipment that will enable the children to recreate scenes about some of the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 who are famous because they trusted God. Examples: - Daniel: lions, lions' den and Daniel - Rahab: block wall, red ribbon, Rahab and spies, Israelite army - Noah: ark, animals, water (blue material), Noah and family

34 Group Time Deborah And Barak Judges 4 and 5 Main Point - The ones who trust God are the ones who are remembered. How do you want to be remembered? Charades: What Am I Famous For? Need: - A set of cards with things written on them that people are famous for: singing, play guitar, soccer, cricket, swimming, painting, running, science, maths, driving Instructions: - Select a child to come out the front. He/she selects a card and mimes what the card says they are famous for. - Group then has to guess what they are famous for. - The child who guesses, selects the next card. Conclusion: - People are famous for all sorts of things. - For singing, painting, inventing things. - But to God, there s only one thing he wants you to be famous for. - And that s trusting him. - In today s story, one person trusted and the other didn t. Story Time Option 1 Use the script titled, Deborah And Barak (pages 24-27) and retell Judges 4. Add more detail (than is given in the script) and explain how Sisera fled and entered the tent of Jael and then she killed him. Note: Leaders need to use discretion when describing how Sisera was killed. Use chalk and draw the following series of pictures as you tell the story: Picture 1: draw Deborah, add Barak, add a frown to Barak s face Picture 2: draw Canaanite army, add Israelite army, add arms up

35 35 in fear on Canaanite army, add Canaanites running away Picture 3: draw a tent, add Jael, add Sisera, add a circle around Jael (to indicate she was the one who was credited with the victory) Option 2 Use the script titled, Deborah And Barak (pages 24-27) and retell Judges 4. Add more detail (than is given in the script) and explain how Sisera fled and entered the tent of Jael and then she killed him. Note: Leaders need to use discretion when describing how Sisera was killed. Use the following props as you retell the story: - plastic or wooden figurines for Sisera, Deborah, Barak and Jael, as well as the Israelite and the Canaanite army. - a floor mat with winding roads and a river on it. - a tent Judges 4 Need: - Set of International Children s Bibles (ICB) Icebreaker: - What would you like to be famous for? Read Judges 4: What is the evil Israel did in verse 1? (they sinned, they turned to follow pretend gods/idols) - Who was behind Israel being captured by King Jabin of Canaan? Why did God send King Jabin to capture Israel? v2 (God, God was punishing them) - Ehud was left-handed. He was an unusual choice for a Judge. What was so unusual about the Judge in this story? v4 (she was a woman) - Deborah trusted God. She was ready to do what God had said. How is Barak different from her? v8-9 (he was afraid, he didn t trust, didn't obey God)

36 36 Read Judges 4:14-22, 5:24 - Barak failed to trust and obey God. So Barak didn't receive the praise for the victory. Who was praised instead? (the woman named Jael who killed Sisera) - Deborah is famous for trusting God, Barak is famous for not trusting God. What are the people listed in Hebrews 11 famous for? People like Noah, Abraham, Rahab, Daniel. (their faith, how they believed what God said and lived their lives trusting him) Application: - What do you want to be famous for? - When do you find it hard to trust God? - When are you tempted to disobey him? - If someone were to describe you to someone else who didn t know you, would they talk about how you trust and obey God or not? Conclusion: - Deborah trusted and obeyed God. - Barak failed to trust and obey God. - Let's pray that we will be known as someone who trusts and obeys God, just like Jesus. Prayer Time - Ask God to help them trust him in every circumstance. - Talk to him about something they are worried about, something they need to trust him with. Scavenger Hunt Aim: children need to work in small groups, collect all the clues from various locations, and then match the famous Bible character mentioned in Hebrews 11 with how they were famous for trusting God (e.g. Daniel, prayed to God even when threatened by being fed to lions; Noah, built a boat even though he lived in a desert). Need: - Envelopes, one per team at each location, containing one name of a famous person mentioned in Hebrews 11 (i.e.

37 37 Daniel) and one way a person trusted God (i.e. built a boat even though they lived in a desert). Make sure the name and what they were famous for do not match up at any of the locations. - Series of clues to the various locations (number of locations depends on the size of your group and the time you have available, minimum 4 locations). Instructions: - At each location place a clue to the next location as well as an envelope (see above). - Groups need to move from location to location using the clues to help them find each location. - At each location they collect an envelope containing one name and one thing a person was famous for. - When all locations have been visited, the groups return to the start and match the names with what they were famous for. - The first group to finish wins. Conclusion: - These people all trusted God in difficult circumstances. - They did not know what was going to happen, but they trusted and obeyed God. - And they are all famous because of their faith. - What will you be famous for? - Do the people around you know that you trust in God?

38 38 Gideon Judges 7 Narrated Drama - script by Sandy Galea. Main Point - It is God who saves his people. They do not save themselves. Need:! Narrator! Gideon - has a trumpet, plastic jar that looks like glass and 'torch' (cellophane strips stapled together)! Optional: every person in the audience has a 'torch' like Gideon s! Voice of God! Sound effects o glass breaking o snoring! Two soldiers Script In today s story you are going to be the men of Israel. There were twenty-two thousand men in Gideon s army and they were afraid. They cried out, "We are afraid! Can we go home?" And then you are going to march your feet on the spot, as you walk home. Now some of the men of Israel drank water like a dog, they lapped it up. Only three hundred men of Israel drank water from their hands. Actions Narrator gives these instructions to the audience. Audience acts afraid. Audience repeats. Audience repeats. Audience remains seated and marches on the spot. Audience pretends to lap water like a dog, making a slurping noise. Audience pretends to drink water by scooping up water with one hand, making a slurping noise.

39 39 Those three hundred men who stayed are going to blow their trumpets And the three hundred men are going to hold their torches up high. And they shout out, "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon." Now to our story. A long time ago there lived a man named Gideon. Gideon was not a strong man. Gideon was not a brave man. But God chose Gideon to save his people, the Israelites. God said to Gideon, (Voice of God) Gideon, go and save my people from their enemies, the Midianites. (Narrator) But Gideon said, (Gideon) "But how can I save Israel? My family is very small, and I am so weak?" (Voice of God) Do not be afraid! I will be with you. (Narrator) So Gideon blew a trumpet. Audience blows their trumpets (i.e. their hands curled to form a funnel). Audience holds up their torches. Audience repeats. Enter Gideon. Gideon looks at his muscles and shakes his head. Gideon looks around scared. Gideon looks around. Gideon mouths Midianites! Gideon nods. Gideon blows trumpet.

40 40 And all the men of Israel followed Gideon. They all went down to the river. Then God said to Gideon, (Voice of God) Gideon, you have too many men. The people of Israel will think that THEY beat the Midianites because they had so many men. (pause) So that the people of Israel will know that I saved them, tell all those who are afraid to go home. (Narrator) So Gideon called out to the men of Israel, (Gideon) "Who is afraid to fight the Midianites?" (Narrator) And twenty-two thousand of the Israelites called back, "We are afraid! Can we go home?" (Narrator) And Gideon said, (Gideon) Go! (Narrator) Gideon and audience march on the spot. Stop marching on river. Audience repeats, trembles with fear. Audience repeats.

41 41 So twenty-two thousands Israelites turned and walked home. But God said to Gideon, (Voice of God) Gideon, there are still too many men. Take all the men down to the river and have a drink. Those who lap the water like a dog put in one group. And those who lap the water from their hand put in another group. (Narrator) So Gideon watched the men. The men knelt down to drink. Only three hundred lapped the water from their hand. (Voice of God) I will save Israel with the three hundred men who lapped water from their hand. Tell all the others to go. (Narrator) So Gideon sent those who d lapped like a dog home. Gideon looked around. Only three hundred men were left! So God said to Gideon, (Voice of God) Audience march their feet on the spot, seated. Gideon counts audience, looks puzzled. Gideon mouths, River? then nods slowly. Gideon mimes lapping like a dog. Gideon mimes kneeling to drink. Gideon scans the audience. Audience bends over to drink. Audience laps - slurping sound. Gideon indicates to audience to go. Audience marches on the spot. Gideon scans audience. Gideon looks worried.

42 42 If you are afraid, go down to the enemy camp tonight. (Narrator) So that night Gideon set off for the Midianite camp. The Midianites were everywhere! There were so many! Now Gideon found two Midianite soldiers. They were asleep. God gave one of the soldiers a dream. The soldier said, (Solider 1) "Boy, did I have a strange dream! I dreamed a loaf of bread came rolling into our camp, and it hit a tent and knocked it over!" (Soldier 2) "Oh no! I bet your dream is about Gideon. God is going to help Gideon destroy us!" (Narrator) Gideon thanked God. He knew that God would win the battle. Gideon nods. Gideon creeps around the stage. Two Midianite soldiers enter and move to the front of the stage, stand and pretend to be asleep. Sound effect snoring. Gideon looks anxious. Gideon moves over to the two soldiers. Sound effect loud snoring. Soldier 1 pretends to be dreaming, wakes up startled, wakes fellow soldier up. Both soldiers shake their heads and fall back to sleep again. Sound effect snoring. Gideon smiles thanks. Gideon nods.

43 43 So Gideon went back to the Israelite camp. Gideon called to the three hundred Israelite men, (Gideon) "Come, follow me. And do what I do." (Narrator) Now all of the three hundred men had a trumpet, an empty jar, and a torch. And all the men followed Gideon. It was still night time when they got to the Midianite camp. Most of the Midianites were still asleep. Gideon and all his men stood up and blew their trumpets. And Gideon and all his men broke their jars. Then they picked up their torches in one hand, their trumpets in the other and shouted, "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!" They charged down the hill. The Midianites woke up. They heard the trumpets. Gideon creeps back around to the front of the stage. Gideon repeats loudly. Gideon repeats loudly. Gideon holds up jar, trumpet, torch. Audience and Gideon walk on the spot. All stop walking. Sound effects - snoring sound. Gideon blows trumpet. Audience holds up hand trumpets and blow. Gideon pretends to smash jar down. Sound effect - glass breaking. Gideon and audience pick up torches and wave above head. Audience and Gideon repeat. Audience and Gideon run on the spot. Soldiers wake up, peer out at audience dazed. Gideon and audience blow trumpets.

44 44 They saw the lights coming towards them. They heard the shout, "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon." And they were very afraid. They picked up their swords and started fighting. But instead of fighting the Israelites, God made the Midianites fight each other. And those who didn t die ran away. Gideon and his three hundred men won! They won with a trumpet, a jar and a torch. Gideon and audience wave torches. Audience and Gideon repeat. Soldiers become frightened and cling to each other. Soldiers pick up their weapons and face audience as if ready to attack. Soldiers turn, fight each other, one dies. The soldier who survives runs off stage. Gideon jumps up and down. Gideon holds up trumpet. Gideon holds up jar. Gideon holds torch. (Narrator moves to centre stage and addresses the audience) Why did God take most of Gideon's soldiers from him just before he went to fight? It doesn t make sense! Answer, so that Gideon would know, so that God's people will know, so that you will know, boys and girls, that God and God alone saves. So if you are going to brag, brag about what God has done for you.

45 45 Because it s Jesus, and Jesus alone, who can save us.

46 46 Gideon Judges 6, 7 K-5 Joint Group Time Main Point - It is God who saves his people. They do not save themselves. Memory Verse Hebrews 7:25 This memory verse is available in the Audio section of Kidswise Membership. Story Time Aim: tell the following story about a monkey who tried to save himself but failed. He couldn t save himself! He needed someone else to save him. Need: a copy of Paul White's story, Monkey In The Bog. Conclusion (for any of the three options): - The monkey couldn't save himself. - No matter how hard he tried to pull himself up, there was no way he could save himself. - In the same way, there is no way we can save ourselves! - We need someone else to save us. - That's why God sent Jesus. - We need Jesus to save us. Option 1 Retell Paul White's story, Monkey In The Bog as a puppet play. Need: puppet theatre, two monkey puppets, a giraffe puppet, an elephant puppet, a ball that looks like a coconut, brown material for a bog. Option 2 Retell Paul White's story, Monkey In The Bog, using a series of simple drawings. Note: don't be as detailed in your retelling as the original. Tell it simply and quickly.

47 47 Option 3 Retell Paul White's story, Monkey In The Bog using your voice only. Note: don't be as detailed in your retelling as the original. Tell it simply and quickly. Singing Revise, either by song or by rote, the books of the Bible. Select 2/3 songs about Gideon and/or God saving his people.

48 48 Gideon Judges 6, 7 K-2 Group Time Main Point - It is God who saves his people. They do not save themselves. I Need A Saviour! Stuck in the mud adaptation (idea taken from Gladesville Anglican church programme) To play: - Select 1 or 2 children to be in. - Define the area of the game (i.e. from this building to that building, no further than the trees on this side and not past the seats on that side). - Children have to run around and try and avoid being tipped by the child/children who are in. - If they are tipped they have to cry out, I need a saviour! - They are only saved when another child crawls between their legs. - Change the child/children who are in every little while. Conclusion: - We needed someone to come and save us in the game. - Just like the monkey needed someone to come and save him from drowning in the bog. - Just like the Israelites needed God to come and save them from the Midianites. - Just like we needed Jesus to come and die on the cross to save us from the punishment we all deserve. - We all need a saviour, and our saviour s name is Jesus. Story Time Option 1 Retell the story of Gideon using the script titled, The Gideon Play (pages 52-58). Have the children take on roles and retell the story as a group. Provide simple Bible Times costumes and props for the children to use. Have the actors repeat any spoken lines after