INTRODUCTION This book contains the Youth level (2-year-old to grade 5) curriculum for God s Love Story. This is Part Two of the three-part quarterly curriculum. Enough content is provided to allow the instructors to teach in a single session (Sunday mornings, typically) or in two classes (adding a mid-week Bible class). In general, our goal was to give you more than enough material, no matter the approach you desired to use. It is up to the instructor to pick and choose what material to cover given his teaching style and time provided. The curriculum parallels the teaching material for the other age levels, giving everyone the opportunity to cover the same material each week. May God bless each of you as you seek His will and strive to find your own place in God s Love Story. III
EXPLANATION OF THE CURRICULUM GOD S LOVE STORY 2-YEAR-OLD TO 5th GRADE CURRICULUM HOW TO USE THIS CURRICULUM: Memory Verse: Throughout this curriculum, you will see memory verses for each chapter. The underlined portion is the suggested memory work for most readers, including children. The entire passage may be looked at as a theme verse that goes well with the chapter material and may also be used as a challenge memorization for those who wish to take on this longer passage. Virtue: In each chapter of God s Love Story, we will point out a virtue or life lesson that summarizes or can be pulled from the text. Poster: Each week, a new poster will be revealed, which contains a simple image designed to help you remember a key event, person, or theme of the chapter. In this way, viewing all 39 posters over time will allow you visually to gain a mental timeline of the story of the Bible. Major Points in the Chapter: Major Points is simply the lesson for the chapter in a numbered format (this could be taught in one or two class periods). Each chapter is presented to expand the children s understanding of the Bible and the chapter s theme. All you need to do is teach the major points and incorporate the other materials with lots of excitement and encouragement Weekly Reviews: * Picture Cards Each week, a new picture card will be revealed, which contains a simple image designed to help you remember a key event, person, or theme of the chapter. In this way, viewing all 39 picture cards over time will allow you visually to gain a mental timeline of the story of the Bible. * Timeline This timeline worksheet shows your students the progression of several commonly known stories and events through the Bible. The pictures are shown in an alternating pattern, varying from the top to bottom of the page. On the opposite tile is the description of the event and the approximate time period in which it occurred. We suggest you display the timeline worksheet where the children can see the timeline and review the events previously discussed. When the 39 weeks of lessons are completed, the students will be able to see the chronological order of the Bible through the timeline worksheets. Suggested Activity Pages: Each chapter of God s Love Story is a plan incorporating a variety of activities focused on the chapter s theme. These activity pages, located behind each chapter plan, will give you a variety of activities for V
various age levels. Some of the pages you will find are in conjunction with the Major Points. Each Major Point will have a Summary/Color Page containing a summary of the story on one side and a picture you can show the children on the other side. These can be used for the teacher and/or for the children to take home. VI
CONTENTS CHAPTER 14 Broken Glory... 17 CHAPTER 15 The Psalms... 31 CHAPTER 16 Wisdom and Prosperity... 46 CHAPTER 17 A Nation Divided... 65 CHAPTER 18 The Final Downfall... 84 CHAPTER 19 The Trials of Job... 107 CHAPTER 20 I Desire Mercy... 121 CHAPTER 21 Warnings In Prosperity... 141 CHAPTER 22 Strange Prophecies in Exotic Lands... 161 CHAPTER 23 Return From Captivity... 181 CHAPTER 24 A Queen s Deliverance....195 CHAPTER 25 Birth of a Savior... 210 CHAPTER 26 Everlasting Truths, Changed Lives...229 VIII
Timeline This timeline worksheet shows your students the progression of several commonly known stories and events through the Bible. The pictures are shown in an alternating pattern, varying from the top to bottom of the page. On the opposite tile is the description of the event and the approximate time period in which it occurred. We suggest you display the timeline worksheet where the children can see the timeline and review the events previously discussed. When the 39 weeks of lessons are completed, the students will be able to see the chronological order of the Bible through the timeline worksheets. One approach might be to cut out the pictures and connect them by a string or ribbon. You can post these on the wall of the classroom or hang them on a string, etc. There are many creative ways that you might use this timeline to convey the time period in the Bible narrative. 1
Days of Creation light, moon, stars light sea-sky plants birds, fish animals, humans God rested The Seven Days of Creation The Downfall of Man 4,000 B.C. Noah and the Ark 2,350 B.C. 2
1st Timothy Letters to Timothy 63 67 A.D. Letters from John 90 94 A.D. 1st, 2nd, 3rd John Be Kind Help Others Victorious In The End 95 A.D. Written by John Written by Paul SET AN EXAMPLE Be Honest Be Loving Obey my parents Don t steal Worship God 16
GOD S LOVE STORY CHAPTER 14 BROKEN GLORY Memory Verse: David grew greater and greater: for Yahweh, the God of Armies, was with him (2 Samuel 5:10). Virtue: Temperance Poster: The poster for Chapter 14 shows a representation of the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was an ornate chest, overlaid with gold, featuring two cherubim angels on the top cover. In the Ark the Israelites placed the Ten Commandments, the rod of Aaron, a jar of manna, and a scroll containing the Law of God. Moses was given instructions on how to build the Ark while he was on Mount Sinai in the desert, after the Israelites left Egypt. The ark was carried by poles and was not to be touched by men at the penalty of death. The ark was placed in the holy of holies and was occasionally carried into battle. Major Points: 1. David fought many battles. He brought the Ark back from the Philistines. (2 Samuel 8:1-18) At age 30, David was broadly recognized as the king of Israel, and he reigned for forty years. God was with David, giving him many children, consolidating the kingdom under his rule, and aiding his armies so that they subdued the mighty Philistines. The love that David had for God became evident when the nation of Israel gloriously returned the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. 2. God told David that he could not build the temple. David wanted desperately to build a temple for God; but God denied his request, as David was a man of war. David was allowed to plan and prepare for the temple, but his son ultimately was given the honor of building this edifice. 3. David committed adultery with Bathsheba. She was married to Uriah, a Hittite. David had Uriah killed (2 Samuel 11:1-17). David had many wives and children. Yet God chose Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, to be the one to carry on the lineage that would become that of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. This event, in which David fell so deeply, even to the point of murder, was a major blot on his record. Yet God chose a son born out of this occasion to become a great king, as well as an ancestor of the Messiah. 17
4. David s son Absalom led a rebellion against his father s rule (2 Samuel 15:1-18). Absalom was renowned for his beauty. Unfortunately, this beauty did not extend to the spirit of Absalom, as he plotted to overthrow his father, David. Absalom used his beauty and personality to win the favor of the people. In a battle that would decide the kingship, Absalom was killed by Joab in the forest of Ephraim, despite David s command that his life be spared. 5. Near the end of his life, David made a counting of his mighty followers (2 Samuel 23:18-39). God brought a great pestilence on Israel for counting the number of mighty men in a census. 6. David displeased God by taking a census of the people (2 Samuel 24). We see that Satan was at the heart of this since he was the one who affected David, causing him in his pride to order this census. David forced Joab to continue the census, after being advised against it. His word prevailed. David forced the issue, even though he was advised by great men that it was evil to proceed. Perhaps David wanted to brag among other kings and leaders the numbers of men at his disposal. It showed that David was putting his faith in numbers, instead of in God. 18
Review: * Picture Cards The memory verse, virtue, and questions are on the back of the picture card for Chapter 14. (Explanation of the Picture Card is under the Poster heading.) * Timeline The events of Chapter 14 are taken from the book of 2 Samuel in the Bible. Originally, 1 and 2 Samuel were compiled as a single book. It is believed that they were broken into two books because of the difficulty of fitting the entire book on a single papyrus roll. The events take place from around 1010 to 970 B.C., the duration of the reign of David. 1010 B.C. - David mourns for Saul and Jonathan s 1000 B.C. - The ark is brought to Jerusalem 993 B.C. - David s affair with Bathsheba 976 B.C. - Absalom s conspiracy 972 B.C. - Absalom killed by Joab 970 B.C. - The census and plague of pestilence The author of 2 Samuel is not named in the biblical text. As the death of Samuel is recorded in 1 Samuel 25, it was not possible that he wrote the second part of the book. Many scholars believe the book to be a compilation of the writings of the prophets Gad and Nathan, or possibly the priest Abiathar, who worked in the time of King David. Activity Pages: These are found behind the Chapter 14 Lesson. 19
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BROKEN GLORY 2 SAMUEL 1; 2:1 4; 3:1; 5:1-12; 6:1 23; 7:1 25 DAVID GROWS IN MIGHT AS KING; THE ARK RETURNS TO JERUSALEM VIRTUE: Temperance (Self-control or Moderation.) David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh, the God of Armies, was with him (2 Samuel 5:10). At age 30, David had already come a long way from the time when he was first anointed king of Israel by Samuel at age 16. In those 14 years, he had defeated Goliath and had many victories over enemies while serving under Saul. The people would shout, Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands (1 Samuel 18:7). David was recognized as the king of Israel, and he reigned for forty years. God was with David, giving him many children, uniting his the kingdom and helping his armies defeat the mighty Philistines. The love that David had for God was seen when the nation of Israel gloriously returned the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. David who had seen God s power in times of battle, had forgotten that God always protected his chosen people. Satan tried to get David to count his soldiers. This is called a census. Many men, including Joab, told David this was evil. David was prideful and did not listen. Perhaps David wanted to brag to other kings and leaders the number of men he had in his army. It showed that David was putting his faith in numbers, instead of in God. God forgave David. God cares more about our heart than He does about what other people think about us. WORDS TO KNOW Anoint: Apply oil to the head of the next king. Reign: The period of time the king rules. Census: A count of the people living in a specific area. Consolidating: To combine in one or to form a union. Aiding: To give help. Ark of the Covenant: A special box covered with gold and featured two gold angels at the top that was used to carry special items that God wanted put in it. 21
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BROKEN GLORY 2 Sam 14:25-26 and 2 Sam 15:1-6 ABSALOM PLOTS AGAINST HIS FATHER, KING DAVID VIRTUE: Temperance King David had many sons at least 19 (1 Chronicles 3:1-9). David s third son was named Absalom. Absalom was a very good looking man, and the people praised him for his beauty. As the king s son, he would have been able to dress with expensive clothing. He also had long, beautiful hair. Every year he cut his hair, and the weight of his hair was over four pounds. Absalom had a plan to take over the kingdom from King David, by causing the people to respect him more than the king. He prepared a chariot, and had men run before him, telling the people that he was great and to be respected. He also told the people that if he was the king, he would pay more attention to their problems than his father, King David. By doing these things Absalom stole the hearts of many of the people. After he did this for some time, he rebelled against the king. WORDS TO KNOW Sole: The bottom of the foot. Defect: Absalom had no defect in his beauty. A defect is something that is not perfect. Shekel: A shekel is about 10 grams or about 1/3 ounce, so 200 shekels (the weight of Absalom s hair every year) is about 4.4 pounds or 2 kilograms. Suit: A court proceeding. Deputized: Appointed by someone in power to serve. Obeisance: A gesture of the body, such as bowing or a kiss, that shows respect for another person. 23
The Ark of the Covenant Returns to Israel Circle or color the correct answer for each question. 1. Who sent the men on a mission? King David Baby Jesus 2. What did David want his men to get? Cows The Ark of the Covenant 3. Where did the people place the Ark to take it home? On a cart In a backpack 4. How did the people feel when they got the Ark back? Happy Sad 5. Why did Uzzah die? He disobeyed God by touching the Ark He fell down 24
Name MEMORY VERSE: David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh, the God of armies was with him. (2 Samuel 5:10) Find the 5 hidden G s in the picture. G is for God. 25
Name Follow the path of triangles to get the Ark of the Covenant to return back to Jerusalem. 26
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CHAPTER 14 Broken Glory Use the Battles Between the Israelites & the Philistines Part 1 and Part 2 Charts to complete this work sheet. 1. Where was the Ark of the Covenant captured and Eli s sons killed? 2. Where did God confuse the Philistines and therefore helping the Israelites win? 3. What happened at Gilgal? 4. Where did Jonathan and his armor-bearer say it didn t matter how many enemies there were if God was with them, they would win? 5. Who won the war at Aphek to Ebenezar? 6. Where did David kill Goliath? 7. Where did the Philistines try to capture King David? 8. Who won the battle where Saul and Jonathan were killed? 9. Who won the battle where David killed Goliath? 10. Where did David protect the threshing floors from Philistine looters? 29
II SAMUEL 11 12 David and Bathsheba D J D J L N B D N A J M O Y P D R M L B V Z B B R W J U S L Y P J R E R Y S D W Y E K I A E S N V H V A L I Y X I S L H B D D J I H A X K R K Y B T B D N D Y G R A R G P N Q L K B WORD BANK: David Loves Bathsheba Kills Uriah Baby Dies 30