date: Bible Passage: Judges 4 5 (Deborah) REMEMBER VERSE God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) God Never Leaves His People Schedule Anticipate 5 10 minutes Celebrate & Respond Large Group 35 55 minutes Respond & Bless Small Group 20 25 minutes Environment: SERVING This lesson highlights the environment of SERVING by showing how God strategically placed His servants Deborah, Barak, and Jael to be His hands and feet as He delivered His people from their oppressors.. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.
Inspire The heat was stifling. I was drenched with sweat and the water I had poured over my head. My legs were wobbly and my feet hurt. I didn t know how I was going to continue. This wasn t at all the experience I had during my first marathon. On a crisp January day, I sailed through the 26.2 miles completely free of pain. It was one of the best experiences of my life. But this race was torture. By mile 17, my feet hurt so badly I could only hobble barely. On the more barren parts of the course, I felt completely alone. In my head I kept crying out to God. I desperately needed something big to carry me through the last few miles. That s when God met me. With less than 1.5 miles to go, my husband appeared out of nowhere and rode the rest of the course with me on his bike. When the officials wouldn t let him ride any farther, he left his bike on the corner and walked me to the finish line. It was just what I needed to get me across that personal touch, encouragement, and service from someone who loved me. Through my husband, God showed me I wasn t alone and that He d heard my cries for help. In my walk with Christ I ve experienced times like these times of pain when I felt like I was in a barren land. Yet, even at my worst, Christ has been my rescuer, redeemer, and strength. He comes at the least expected moment, when my life marathon exhausts me, and rescues me. He s never left me alone. Patty Santos TruStory Team 2
Equip God never leaves His people. He stayed with the Israelites as He led them into the Promised Land. And He gave them very clear instructions: Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones Do not worship any other god (Exodus 34:12 13). God repeated this command many more times. The Israelites knew what needed to be done, but instead of obeying God, they broke the commandments by mixing with the people and worshipping false gods. Thus began a cycle of rebellion, repentance, and restoration that lasted for hundreds of years. Every time Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord by worshipping other gods, God allowed enemies to conquer them (Judges 4:1 2). God used these nations to bring about repentance. The oppressed Israelites invariably realized their sin and repented. And God raised up deliverers, known as judges, to rescue the people. But these judges weren t like the judges of today. Though Deborah was a prophetess, judges were usually tribal rulers who also served as military leaders. The judges recorded in Scripture were charismatic individuals, but their charisma wasn t what brought them victory. The Holy Spirit descended on at least four of the judges to empower them. Environment of SERVING This posture of the heart asks the question, What needs to be done? It allows the Holy Spirit to cultivate a sensitivity to others and focuses on a cause bigger than one individual life. It helps fulfill the mandate that as Christ-followers we re to view our lives as living sacrifices that we generously give away. The 10 environments give us ways to create a climate that puts God on display. Encourage your families to discover more about creating the environment of SERVING in their homes by checking out HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource and Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony. While it might seem that during the time of the judges God abandoned His people to their enemies, He didn t. In fact, even though the Israelites continually disobeyed, God was there all the time, waiting to rush in and deliver them when they turned back to Him. In spite of what His people deserved, God never left them. 3
Support Sometimes God seems far away. This feels especially true during times of trial or suffering. When things aren t going right or something gets tough, it s easy to wonder if God has left us. And it s during these times that we need to stop and practice the spiritual discipline of remembering. We need to remember how God has been faithful to us in the past. How He has served us by providing for us in times of need, healing us during times of brokenness, and speaking words of truth into our hearts. When we reflect on the ways God has done what needed to be done for us serving us with His love throughout our lives, we see clearly that God has never left us, and He never will. This week, make a list of times when you ve felt God was with you. Be specific. Write another list of times when you ve felt God was absent or far away. Take these two lists to the Lord in prayer. Invite Him to deepen your understanding about the truth that He has never ever been away from you that He has always done what needed to be done and served you in love. Place your first list in a visible place, such as on the mirror or the refrigerator, as a reminder that God will never leave you. TIMELINE ADAM & EVE NOAH ABRAHAM JACOB JOSEPH MOSES JOSHUA EHUD DEBORAH GIDEON RUTH JONATHAN ABIGAIL ELIJAH ELISHA JONAH HABAKKUK MARY JOSEPH JESUS PARABLES OF JESUS GOOD SAMARITAN WORKERS IN THE FIELD LOST SHEEP/COIN/SON WISE/FOOLISH BUILDERS UNMERCIFUL SERVANT PETER MARTHA & MARY THIEF ON THE CROSS MARY STEPHEN BARNABAS PAUL EPHESIANS 1 PETER ROMANS 7 CHURCHES YOU & ME OUR FUTURE WITH JESUS 4
Lesson Overview Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare (Master Supply List at tru.davidccook.com) Anticipate// Small Group Check-In 5 10 min. Encourages interaction among kids, leaders, and parents; engages the kids in curiosity and anticipation of the lesson; and creates an inviting atmosphere. Maps Station 1: Exploring Maps different type of maps (globe, topographical map, bike route map, etc.) Station 2: Making Maps white construction paper map example (see tru.davidccook.com) markers, colored pencils, or crayons Station 3: Following Maps butcher paper markers optional: fake gold coins or candy Celebrate// Large Group 20 35 min. Establishes community and tells stories both personal and biblical in a fun and engaging way. Traditions mementos for your church Traditions (rocks, marbles, gumballs, etc.) Remember Verse cards, slide, and animation (see tru.davidccook.com) Connect Connect Question slide (see tru.davidccook.com) The Big God Story Bible Timeline slide and animation (see tru.davidccook.com) slides: Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, RRR cycle, storyboards, chariots, hammer and wooden stake (see tru.davidccook.com) sound effects: chariots, storm (see tru.davidccook.com) optional: storyboard instructions and characters (see tru.davidccook.com), craft sticks, scissors, tape Respond// Large Group 15 20 min. Creates space for children to respond to the Holy Spirit in worship and community as a large group. Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration sheets and cards (see tru.davidccook.com) slides: Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration (see tru.davidccook.com) scissors tape pens and pencils 5
Lesson Overview Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare (Master Supply List at tru.davidccook.com) Respond// Small Group 15 20 min. Discusses truth, reflects on the lesson, engages in relationships, and creates a project or a piece of art individually or together. God Never Leaves His People Bibles questions Create: News Stories newspapers and news magazines scissors play microphone paper pens or pencils optional: giant cardboard box, markers, wire hanger, scissors Bless// Small Group 5 min. Sends the kids out with a sense of peace and blessing so they can be a blessing to their families and others. Bible HomeFront Weekly (1 per child; see tru.davidccook.com) HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource 6
SMALL Group SECTION Anticipate// 5 10 min. Small Group Leaders An energizing time for parents and kids to start engaging with the material that will be presented in the lesson. It is intentionally designed to spark curiosity and cultivate a sense of awe and wonder about God. Encourage parents to participate in this time with their kids. Maps God rescued the Israelites from their enemies by calling a woman named Deborah and a man named Barak to lead the Israelites in battle against King Jabin and his commander, Sisera. Of course, God won the battle for His people. Still, Deborah and Barak needed to be very aware of the geography of the land before they led the Israelites into battle. Because Deborah and Barak fought the enemy army over a wide area, they would ve needed maps to make sure they were aware of their surroundings! SUPPLIES Station 1: Exploring Maps different types of maps (globe, topographical map, bike route map, etc.) Station 2: Making Maps white construction paper map example (see tru.davidccook.com) markers, colored pencils, or crayons Station 3: Following Maps butcher paper markers optional: fake gold coins or candy SET UP Set up three stations: Partner Church Comments The kids loved looking at maps, but they really loved making up a map for others to follow. Several of them hid things around the room and made maps for the leaders to follow to find what they hid. Maple Valley Presbyterian Church Station 1: Set out the different types of maps. Station 2: Print and set out the map example and other supplies. Station 3: Use the markers and butcher paper to create a giant map obstacle course. Mark a large X at the beginning and end. In between, draw dashes or footprints for the kids to follow. Also add checkpoints along the way, such as a forest, a mud pit, a castle, a river, etc. At each checkpoint, write an action the kids have to perform before they proceed. For example, at the river, you might write, Jump from rock to rock to cross the river, or, at the castle, you might write, Knock on the castle door three times. Be creative, and don t be afraid to have fun! ENGAGE When facing a battle, it s very important to know the area where you ll be fighting. Today you ll have a chance to learn more about geography by exploring maps and making your own. 7
Encourage the kids to begin by exploring the maps at Station 1. Have a leader explain the different maps and their different uses. For example, you might ask the kids questions such as: What type of map would you use if you wanted to know how to get home from church? What type of map would you use to find different countries in the world? Explain to them the difference between a street map and world map. Discuss why it would be important to know geography when fighting battles. Next, encourage the kids to head to Station 2. Point out the supplies and encourage them to make their own maps, either of real places (their homes or neighborhoods) or imaginary places (secret islands, fairytale kingdoms, etc.). Finally, for kids who want to move around, invite them to interact with the giant map at Station 3. Explain that this is a giant treasure map, and the only way to get to the treasure is to follow where the map leads and do what it says. Optional: Have a leader hand out the fake gold coins or candy at the end as the treasure. 8
LARGE Group SECTION Celebrate//20 35 min. Host/Storyteller Kids get to be a part of the faith community of God s family. They participate in traditions and share them with newcomers, connect through fun and interaction, and experience The Big God Story through storytelling. Welcome and Traditions REMEMBER VERSE This week s Remember Verse comes from the environment of SERVING. The environment changes every four weeks. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) Connect Question If you were fighting a battle against an army with chariots and horses, what types of weapons would you need? God in Our World A Group Tradition Hang a large piece of canvas in your large group room and write God in Our World at the top. Each week, encourage the kids to write or draw how they ve seen God in their world during the past week. 9
The Big God Story Leader Tip Before sharing this part of The Big God Story, tell your kids that they re about to hear a true story that s recorded in the Bible. Open your Bible to Judges 4 5 and invite kids to follow along in their own Bibles as you storytell. God Never Leaves His People SUPPLIES Bible Timeline slide and animation (see tru.davidccook.com) slides: Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, RRR cycle, storyboards, chariots, hammer and wooden stake (see tru.davidccook.com) sound effects: chariots, storm (see tru.davidccook.com) optional: storyboard instructions and characters (see tru.davidccook.com), craft sticks, scissors, tape SET UP Cue the slides and sound effects. Optional: Ask volunteers to read the parts of Deborah and Barak. Create the storyboard scene and characters. ENGAGE Before you begin this storytelling time, invite four kids to compete in a chariot race. Pair up the kids, and within each pair, ask one child to walk on his hands while his partner holds his feet. Ask both teams to race around the room once. See which team gets back to the finish line first! Then thank the players and invite them to take their seats. Great job chariot racing, kids! Today we ll hear about some chariots used in a war against God s people. God raised up an unlikely judge named Ehud to deliver His people from the rule of a cruel king. The Israelites came under the rule of this king because they disobeyed God and started worshipping false gods. The Israelites knew what needed to be done to love God and worship Him only but they still disobeyed. This started a cycle the Israelites would repeat over and over. First they would rebel (show Rebellion slide and hold up your hand in a fist) by worshipping false idols. Then God would allow them to be conquered by their enemies. Sad and upset, the Israelites would put away their false idols and cry out 10
The Big God Story to God, or repent (show Repentance slide and hold up both hands, clasped together, pleading). God would listen to the cries of His people and send a judge to restore them (show Restoration slide and clasp your hands together in a handshake [or shake someone else s hand]). For a while, the Israelites would go back to obeying and serving God. But pretty soon they would forget everything God had done for them and the cycle would start all over again. What was the cycle? (Show RRR cycle slide.) Let s say it all together: rebellion, repentance, and restoration. (Lead kids in performing corresponding hand motions each time you say these words.) After Ehud defeated the king, the Israelites were restored to a right relationship with God and lived in peace for 80 years. But after Ehud died, the Israelites rebelled again by worshipping false gods (show Rebellion slide and perform corresponding hand motion). So God allowed the Israelites to be conquered by another king who ruled from Hazor (show Storyboard 1 slide). Now this king had 900 chariots made of iron (show slide of chariots). That s a lot of chariots! Do you know how many chariots the Israelites had? (Hold up your hand and make a circle with your index finger and thumb.) Zero. That s right! This king had chariots and much better weapons than the Israelites! Let s think about this for a second. Imagine if a championship hockey team or basketball team suddenly showed up to play against you and your friends! That s what it might have been like for the Israelites. Because of this, the Israelites cried out to the Lord and repented again (show Repentance slide). This time God chose a woman named Deborah to be a judge and help deliver Israel. Deborah was a prophetess, which means she heard God speak to her and shared His words with God s people. One day Deborah called a man named Barak to come talk with her. Barak went to speak with Deborah underneath a palm tree where she would often sit (show Storyboard 2 slide). (Optional: Have a volunteer speak as Deborah.) Deborah told Barak, The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Go, take with you ten thousand men and lead the way to Mount Tabor. I will lure [the commander of the king of Hazor s] army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River (show Storyboard 3 slide) and give him into your hands. (Judges 4:6 7). Wow! God promised Barak victory in the battle against the commander of the enemy army and all those chariots. How do you think Barak reacted? (Encourage the kids to respond.) Do you think he said, Yes! All right! Let s go!? 11
The Big God Story Partner Church Comments We created videos for the portions of Deborah speaking to create some variety and movement. Good Shepherd Church Well, Barak didn t respond with excitement. He didn t jump up to go do what the Lord said. He hesitated because he felt nervous even though God had promised to be with him! (Optional: Have a volunteer speak as Barak.) He said to Deborah, If you don t go with me, I won t go (4:8). Deborah said, Very well I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will hand [your enemy] over to a woman (4:9). Interesting do you think Deborah was the one who defeated the commander of the enemy? Let s find out. Deborah and Barak did what the Lord said and gathered the armies of Israel on Mount Tabor (show Storyboard 4 slide). And just like the Lord promised, the commander of the army and all the chariots gathered at the river. Imagine 900 chariots all coming toward you (play sound effect of chariots)! It looked like the Israelites couldn t win how could they against an army like that? In Deborah s song, she describes that the heavens poured down water. It appears that God sent a mighty storm. (Play sound effect of storm.) The rain poured, lightning crashed across the sky, and the horses went crazy! Then the waters of the river washed away the men and the chariots (Judges 5:4 5; 21). Then Deborah said, Go! This is the day the Lord has given [the enemy] into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you? (Judges 4:14). And with a loud cry, Barak led the Israelites down the hill and began to fight. When the commander of the enemy army, saw that he was losing the battle, he turned and ran away, escaping into the country. The commander fled to a tent under a big tree in a nearby village (show Storyboard 5 slide), where a woman named Jael lived. Huffing and puffing from running, the commander begged Jael for a drink and asked her to hide him from Barak. Jael gave him some milk and let him sleep in the tent. The commander told Jael to stand guard and make sure no one came looking for him. But Jael had other plans. She loved God s people, so she took matters into her own hands. While the commander slept, Jael snuck into the tent with a hammer and wooden stake (show slide of hammer and wooden stake) and jammed it through his head! Whoa! God allowed very drastic measures to be taken! He must have been really serious about saving His people from their oppressors! Suddenly Barak came rushing into the tent, looking for the commander. When Barak asked Jael if she had seen him, Jael pulled back the tent, and there he was: dead! Just like God said, a woman had killed the commander and delivered Israel. Amazed, Barak went back and told everyone what Jael had done. With the 12
The Big God Story commander dead, and the army defeated, God once again gave Israel restoration for 40 years. And because the Israelites knew what needed to be done to love and serve God first they could avoid all of this trouble next time! But do you think that s what happened? (Encourage the kids to answer.) No! Next week we ll hear how the Israelites didn t do what needed to be done and the cycle started all over again. (Show Rebellion, Repentance, and Restoration slides and perform hand motions.) They rebelled, repented, and were restored by God. But for now, in response to all God had done for them, Deborah and Barak sang a song in worship. The song told the story of how God heard the cries of His people, fought the enemy with rain and thunder, and used the woman Jael to restore Israel. We can read this song in our Bibles and remember how God took care of Israel. God never leaves His people. Never. There might be times in your lives when it feels like God is far away, but that s only a feeling. The truth is that God is always near, ready to help you and deliver you. (Share a personal story of a time when you felt God was far away but you later realized God was actually very close, taking care of you.) 13
LARGE Group SECTION Respond// 15 20 min. Host/Worship Leader This is a time for kids to worship through silence, prayer, singing, giving, sharing, thanksgiving, and many other ways. Make plans for your worship time but prepare yourself and your team to hold them loosely if the Holy Spirit leads the group in a different direction. Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration SUPPLIES Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration sheets and cards (see tru.davidccook.com) slides: Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration (see tru.davidccook.com) scissors tape pens and pencils SET UP Print three copies of the sheet and display them at three different stations around the room. Print several copies of the cards, cut them apart, and place each category of cards at a different station along with pens and pencils. ENGAGE Today we heard how the Israelites followed a cycle of rebellion, repentance, and restoration. But the Israelites aren t the only ones who follow this pattern. We can also find ourselves in one of these stages either turning away from God in rebellion (show the Rebellion, Repentance, and Restoration slides), or repenting and being restored to right relationship with Him. (Optional: Along with or instead of the three slides, act out these stages for the kids for rebellion, turn your back to them; for repentance, turn toward the kids and get on your knees in a prayer posture; for restoration, act like you re walking arm in arm with God.) No matter where you find yourself today, know that God will never leave you. He is with you always, even if you don t feel Him there. What can we do when we feel like God is far away? (Encourage the kids to respond. Interact with their answers.) One thing we can do is remember the times when we ve felt close to God. Does anyone want to share a time when something hard was going on but you knew God was still there? (Encourage the kids to respond.) Because God never changes, we can trust that He will continue to be with us even if we don t feel His presence. Invite the kids to think about what stage of the cycle they might be in: rebellion, repentance, or restoration. Then point out the stations around the room. At the Rebel station, kids can confess ways they have turned away from God. At the Repent station, kids can ask for forgiveness and acknowledge that they want to return to Him. At the Restore station, kids can thank God for making them new. If they choose, the kids can write their thoughts and prayers on the cards and take them with them. While the kids visit the stations, have leaders stand near each station to describe its stage in the cycle (in case any kids forget). Also encourage leaders to pray with kids who may need or request prayer. 14
SMALL Group SECTION Respond// 15 20 min. Small Group Leaders A time to engage in relationship, reflect on the lesson with spiritual conversation, and/or create a meaningful project or piece of art. Resource Tip Minute To Win It activities are available for this lesson. Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users may access this resource at tru.davidccook.com. Reflect: God Never Leaves His People God never leaves His people. Never! God used Deborah, Barak, and Jael to deliver the Israelites from a wicked king and his commander. These three people served God and helped bring about restoration after the Israelites repented of their sins and cried out to God. When they cried out to Him, God rushed in to save them. He d never left them. (Encourage kids to open their Bibles and read the suggested passages.) Questions for Younger Kids What cycle did the Israelites repeat over and over again? (Judges 4:1) What did the Israelites need to do to serve God? What did they do instead? (Judges 2:10 12a) Why did God allow the Israelites to suffer? (Judges 2:12b 15; 4:1) Did God ever leave the Israelites? (Judges 4:3, 6 7) How did Deborah, Barak, and Jael serve God? (Judges 4:4,14 15, 21) How can you serve God? Will God ever leave you? Questions for Older Kids What cycle did the Israelites repeat over and over again? (Judges 4:1) What did the Israelites need to do to serve God? What did they do instead? (Judges 2:10 12a) Why did God allow the Israelites to suffer? (Judges 2:12b 15; 4:1) Did God ever leave the Israelites? (Judges 4:3, 6 7) How did Deborah, Barak, and Jael serve God? (Judges 4:4, 14 15, 21) Why did God say that a woman would get the honor and not Barak? (Judges 4:8 9) Why do you think Barak hesitated to serve God? Do you think God will fight for you? How did God act like a warrior for Israel? (Judges 4:14; 5:4 5) How can you serve God? Why do you think we don t always feel God close to us? What should we do when we doubt that He s near? Do you see in your life the same cycle that the Israelites repeated? How? 15
Create: News Stories SUPPLIES newspapers and news magazines scissors play microphone paper pens or pencils optional: giant cardboard box, markers, scissors SET UP Pick out age-appropriate, simple, brief news articles for older kids to read. Print or cut them out and set them aside. (Consider using local stories instead of world or national stories.) Optional: Using the cardboard box, create a fake television. Cut out a large square in the front and use the markers to draw buttons. Set out the paper, pens and pencils, and microphone. Partner Church Comments The kids enjoyed making up scenarios to act out during small group RESPOND. River West Church ENGAGE When we trust that God will never leave us, we re filled with courage and strength. Because we know God is with us, we can serve God anywhere, doing anything even if, at first, it seems scary or hard. The Israelites had God on their side! With God, it doesn t matter how big or strong the enemy is because God is always bigger and stronger. And God can use anyone to do amazing things for Him. For Younger Kids: Explain to the kids that they re going to pretend to be reporters and investigate a news story. Summarize an age-appropriate current news event. Remind the kids that God knows that people in our world need His help. After the kids have listened to the news story, have them brainstorm ideas about how God may want the church to respond in service and love. As a group, have the kids draw the news story and their acts of service in the form of a giant comic strip. Or have them take turns explaining how they want to serve God while using the play microphone as they pretend to be reporters (inside the TV, if you made it earlier). For Older Kids: Hand an age-appropriate news story to every one or two kids. Have them read and discuss the stories, brainstorming ways the church might respond. Individually or in pairs, have the kids write a short news report to share with the group. Then have the kids take turns pretending to be newscasters as they share their news reports (from inside the TV, if you made one). 16
SMALL Group SECTION Bless// 5 min. Small Group Leaders A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement or guidance. A blessing can be offered in order to ask God s Spirit to overflow from the child s life to bless others or prayed over a child for the purpose of declaring God s protection, joy, or wisdom. As you bless your kids, tell them they have the opportunity to also be a blessing to others. Encourage them to freely share the joy and love they have received from God. Encourage the kids to hold their hands in front of them, palms up. Then open a Bible and read Isaiah 41:10 (NIrV): Do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. My powerful right hand will take good care of you. I always do what is right. May you serve the Lord with joy, knowing He s always with you. When you feel afraid or sad, turn to Him, and He will help you. HomeFront Weekly: Be sure to send home the HomeFront Weekly for next week s lesson! This preteaching tool for parents encourages families to spend time in God s Word together before children arrive at church. HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource is a magazine that gives families ideas for creating fun, spiritually forming times in their homes setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives! As the new issue becomes available each month, you may choose to print them for families or encourage them to visit HomeFrontMag.com to subscribe to have the magazine sent directly to their inbox. HomeFront is also available as an app for your iphone, ipad, or Android device. 17