elements God s Judgment Teacher Prep Video Bible Background

Transcription

1 elements God s Judgment Lesson 1: Seeing God As The Judge Objective: The point of the lesson is that your students would see God as the righteous judge who seeks to set all things right, and be able to express what thoughts or emotions this truth evokes in them. Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 32:1-4, Psalm 96:10-13, Psalm 9:7-11 Overview: It s OK to admit that the idea of God as judge makes us feel uneasy. It should! It s the same way you felt as a child, standing in front of your mom or dad knowing that you deserved every bit of the punishment that was coming your way. If the thought of God as the righteous judge, who perfectly and unequivocally punishes all sin, makes us shake in our boots, we re actually in a really healthy place, spiritually speaking. A full understanding of God s love and salvation can only happen when we fully understand His judgment. God s judgment is the extension of His perfect sense of justice. God must see all things made right and must see all wrongs punished. And He punishes all sin perfectly; His righteousness is His standard. In Lesson 2, your students will learn the wonderful truth that Christ takes God s judgment on behalf of those who believe in Him. But in Lesson 1, your students will have the important opportunity to soak up the idea of God s judgment, and to honestly express how this makes them feel. Teacher Prep Video The elements Teacher Prep Videos are short videos designed to help you grasp the main points of the lessons as you prepare to teach. To access your God s Judgment Teacher Prep Video, click on the URL below. judgment- teacher- prep Bible Background The Bible Background is a simple and straightforward way to help you prepare to teach the lesson. The Details Who wrote these Books? While no specific author is named within the text, the traditional authorship of Deuteronomy (as well as the rest of the Pentateuch) is attributed to Moses. Psalm 9 is ascribed as a Psalm of David. The second king of Israel, and noted giant- slayer, David wrote 73 of the 150 psalms. Psalm 96 is one of the many psalms that aren t linked to an author. When were the Books written? Put simply, it s hard to know exactly when Deuteronomy was written. There are two different arguments for the date of the actual Exodus of the Jewish people from Israel, an earlier date (around mid- 1400s B.C.) and a later date (around the mid- 1200s B.C.). The writing of Deuteronomy would then fall sometime around these general dates. Psalm 9 would have been written sometime during David s lifetime, which most scholars believe was between 1030 BC and 962 BC. As there is no known writer for psalm 96, dating it is pretty near impossible, though there are scholars who see reasons to place this after the exile.

2 What was the purpose for writing these Books? Deuteronomy The English Standard Version (ESV) Study Bible notes that Deuteronomy is largely a motivational sermon to Israel, urging the people to keep their covenant with God. The transition from Moses leadership to Joshua s is about to unfold. Much of Deuteronomy sees Moses seeming to want to keep the people from making the same mistakes that led them to wander in the wilderness for a generation. Psalm 96 Psalm 96 is a kingship psalm, a song of praise acknowledging God s rule over, and role in creation. This is a specific subcategory of praise psalms that focuses on God s majesty and kingly attributes. Psalm 9 Psalm 9 is an acrostic. The psalm can be called a psalm of lament, though it does have elements of a psalm of thanksgiving. Whatever the case, David is seen here ascribing to the Lord justice, while at the same time lamenting the justice undone. The Main Point Similar to every Lesson 1 in the elements series, a sampling of Scripture is used here to make a specific case. In this case it s looking at how Scripture presents God as the righteous judge, perfectly just, and uniquely able to judge the nations. In this lesson, Deuteronomy 32:1-4 and Psalm 96:10-13 are used to establish that God is just, and that He acts as judge. These verses set the stage and are used to lead into a more in- depth study of Psalm 9:7-11. In Psalm 9, your students will discover God is the standard of right and wrong, and judges people accordingly. His Lordship, or His authority, is linked with judgment. Your students will learn that God s judgment is perfect. It s always fair and right. For those in Christ, there is no fear in God s judgment, only comfort. He will justly judge the guilty and uphold the righteous. Lesson Plan The Lesson Plan contains three elements: An introductory activity called The Lead In; the Bible study section called The Main Event; and an application- focused segment called The Last Word. The Lead In Goal: The idea is to have a little fun while considering the characteristics of a good judge. Set- Up: You ll need a dry- erase board and something to write with. Preview the That s Some Judge PDF to familiarize yourself with how the activity is going to unfold. Print the PDF. (The PDF is located in your Lesson 1 folder.) You ll need one copy to facilitate the activity. FIRST, call on a volunteer to help you write on the board. Have him or her number 1-22 on the board with room beside each number to write. While he or she is doing that, explain to the students they will be working together to craft a fun narrative based on the old Mad- lib concept. If they re not familiar with the concept, explain that you ll be asking them to come up with words fitting certain descriptions, or certain parts of speech. Then, once you ve collected those words, you ll place those words into a story and read the story out loud to them. THEN, using the That s Some Judge PDF, facilitate the activity. After you ve read the story out loud to your group, lead them in a brief discussion. Ask: What were some characteristics of the judge we created in this narrative? o Answers will vary based on your description.

3 Seriously, if we were creating the perfect judge, what characteristics would that judge have? o Answer: Answers could include: Impartial, honest, fair, good, consistent, loves good, hates evil, wise, discerning and so on. Why are these characteristics important in a judge? o Answer: These characteristics would ensure the judge would make the right decisions, punish wrongdoers, and protect victims. FINALLY, explain that this is the first lesson in a three- lesson look at God s judgment. Say: Our lesson today will focus on God as the perfect judge. Unlike the story we just read, we can be confident in how God will judge. We ll learn His judgment makes perfect sense. And we ll look at a few verses in the Bible that help us know how to feel about God as judge. The Main Event Goal: The idea is that your students would see God as the righteous judge who seeks to set all things right. Set- Up: None FIRST, tell students to turn to Deuteronomy 32. While they re finding it, provide some context by referencing The Details section in the Bible Background. Consider asking how much students remember of Moses life. THEN, once you ve set the stage for the passage, ask students to look and listen for characteristics from this verse that describe a good judge. Read or have a student read Deuteronomy 32:1-4. The, ask: What are some characteristics we learn about God from this passage? o Answer: His work is perfect. His ways are just. He is faithful. He is without sin. He is just. He is upright. NEXT, ask the students to turn to Psalm 96. Explain that this is one of the Psalms that we re unsure of who the author is, or when it was written. Then, read or have a student read Psalm 96:10-13, again, looking and listening for characteristics that describe why God is a good judge. Then, ask: What are some characteristics we learn about God from this passage? o Answer: Verse 10 says He judges with equity. Verse 13 says He judges in righteousness and faithfulness. Before moving on, review using the list of characteristics mentioned in these passages of the characteristics for why God is a good judge. Answers: 1. He is fair. 2. He is just. 3. He is upright. 4. He tells the truth. 5. He is righteous. 6. He treats people equally (impartial) 7. He is faithful. Before digging- in to Psalm 9 together, make sure students grasp the concept that God is pictured in Scripture as the perfect judge. Say: There s a theological truth that states that God is perfect in all His attributes. This is a fancy way of saying God is perfectly all of the characteristics that make up His identity. So, God is perfectly loving, perfectly merciful, perfectly righteous, and so on. That also means God is perfect in His justice and

4 judgment. He (and He alone) is uniquely qualified to rightly judge the entire world. We re about to see that this is actually pretty important when it comes to a judge! NEXT, ask your students to go to Psalm 9:7-12. You ll break down these verses together. Read or have a student read verses 7-8. How does this passage describe God s position? o Answer: God is in charge... always has been, always will be. He is sitting on the throne, and He will use His position as king to judge. God determines the standard of right and wrong. He has the final word. He is the final authority. Who do most students your age believe determines right and wrong? o Answer: Answers might vary, but generally our culture teaches us that each individual determines right and wrong for himself or herself. In essence, we are our own judge. However, the Bible paints a different picture. God is Judge. He sits on the throne. He determines right and wrong. Who will God judge? o Answer: God will judge everyone. Verse 8 says He judges the world. Make sure students understand this. No one will escape God s judgment. Every person who has ever walked on the earth will be judged according to what he or she has done. (You ll get into the difference Christ makes in a moment, and you ll really unpack it in lesson 2.) Point out that the key is how we will be judged. THEN, keep the discussion moving. Ask: How does it make you feel to know that you will be judged by God according to your actions? o Answer: Some of your students might be afraid of God s judgment. Some might not have ever thought about it before. Some might not think it s a big deal. According to verse 8, how will God judge? o Answer: Verse 8 says He will judge with righteousness and with uprightness. Explain that God s judgment is always right. Remember, He is just, fair, wise, and honest. He does not make crooked deals behind closed doors in His chambers. He s upright. What do you think it means when God is described as upright? o Answer: Upright means that He is honest in all of his dealings. The good news is that God is a good judge. He will judge us rightly based on our deeds and by the standard that He has set up. Does knowing that God will judge you rightly and honestly make you feel more or less comfortable with God s judgment? Why? o Answer: Your students might have a variety of answers to this question. This is a great place to point out to your students that any fear we might have of judgment does not stem from a deficiency with God but rather with us. God is not out to get us. He judges rightly. The problem is with us, that we have failed to live up to God s righteous standard. THEN, read verse 9-10 and ask: According to verse 9, what is the good news concerning God s judgment? o Answer: He will defend the rights of the oppressed. He stands up for victims. He will make every wrong right and restore those who have been wronged. The Message says, God s a safe- house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. So, we ve not mentioned this up to this point, but maybe you ve been thinking it. Here s the question: What hope do we have in the face of God s judgment? If you re judged on your actions, can you avoid His judgment? Have your deeds always been good? Good enough to meet the standard of the perfect judge?

5 o Answer: Apart from Jesus, we re all in big trouble! The amazing thing about God is that He sent His Son to die and pay the penalty of our unrighteous deeds (sin). When we take Christ s sacrifice on our behalf through faith, we are made righteous in God s eyes once and forever. So when it comes time to judge you, God will look at you and see Christ s righteousness on your behalf. God will stand by those who trust Him and seek Him. But He will judge those accordingly who are apart from Christ. Evil will lose. Good will win. Our fears are relieved by knowing that we can trust God. For God s people His judgment is a source of security because He will set things right. How does knowing that God will come to the rescue of the wronged and oppressed make you feel? o Answer: Most of us have been wronged at some point in our lives. It is encouraging to know that God will make those situations right. This verse also shows us that God is on the side of the oppressed, even if no one else is. This gives us great confidence in God. FINALLY, read verses What is the response of those who trust God? o Answer: Verse 11 says, we should sing praise and tell... his deeds. When we see God as judge, we realize God is righteous, fair, and honest- all reasons to worship Him! What are some reasons to worship God that you ve discovered in this lesson? o Answer: God is king. He sits on the throne. He is upright. He always deals with people honestly. God is righteous. Not only does He do the right thing, but He defends the righteous. God will take care of the oppressed and the downtrodden. What is the message that we should tell? o Answer: We have a good God, who is concerned with the actions of men. He will vindicate the oppressed. He will set all things right. Transition to The Last Word activity to wrap things up. The Last Word Goal: The idea is for students to worship God as the perfect judge. Set- Up: You ll need an index card and pen for every student in your group. FIRST, explain that this is the part of your group time where you ll focus on how your life is practically impacted by what you ve just learned. Make sure students have the chance to ask any questions they may have. Then, distribute an index card and a pen to every person in your group. THEN, as you hand out the supplies, tell the group that they re going to do an activity that will help them worship God, the perfect judge. NEXT, instruct your students to pick one of the characteristics of God they discovered in the lesson today. They might pick righteous, honest, fair, wise or another characteristic you discussed. Tell them to choose one that resonated with them, and write it on one side of their index card. THEN, tell your students to think about why that characteristic is a reason for them to worship God. Ask them to write the following statement on the other side of the card: Because God is, I can trust Him to.

6 Then, ask them to think about how the characteristic they ve chosen can help them to trust God, and finish the statement by filling in the blank. For example, your card might say, Because God is righteous, I can always trust Him to do the right thing. Or Because God is upright, I can always trust God to be fair with me and others. FINALLY, explain to the students that the sentence on their card can be formed into a prayer of thanksgiving. Encourage them to pray out loud thanking God for being the perfect judge. For example, God, thank you for being righteous. I know I can trust you to do the right thing. Or, God thank you for being honest. I know you will always tell the truth. Close in prayer, allowing them to say these prayers aloud if they choose. Don t forget to distribute the God s Judgment: Lesson 1 devotions to your students. If you re printing them, have them available for students as you wrap up class. If you re texting a link, posting them on Facebook, or some other means of electronic distribution, make sure you inform students of when they will be receiving them. Consider texting students a couple of times during the week to encourage them to follow through with reading the devotions. We Want To Hear From You... Do you have questions about a lesson? Something that worked particularly well you want to share? Something that didn t work you want to bring up? We value your feedback! Please do not hesitate to us with your questions, comments, or concerns, at feedback@youthministry360.com.