3rd-5th Grade (Both Hours) February 16, 2014
Leader BIBLE STUDY God sent the prophet Hosea to speak to Israel a message of God s hatred toward sin and His coming judgment. But God also sent Hosea to bring a message of love a love that never gives up. God used Hosea s own life to show Israel what a never-gives-up kind of love looks like. God told Hosea to marry a prostitute. God told Hosea that his wife would not be faithful to him. She would give birth to children who were conceived with other men. Hosea obeyed God. He chose Gomer as his wife. Just as God said, Gomer was not faithful to Hosea. She went after other lovers. Can you imagine Hosea s grief each time he found his wife with another man? It would have been easier for Hosea to throw up his hands and say, Enough! I m done with you! God s people were no different than Gomer. They were spiritual adulterers. Their hearts chased after other lovers. They loved and worshiped idols, people and things that were not the one true God. It would have been easier for God to throw up His hands and say, Enough! I m done with you! But God s love never gives up. He gave Hosea a love for his wife that compelled him to buy her back from the slave market after all she had done. In the same way, God sought after His unfaithful people even after all they had done. God paid a high price the life of His Son, Jesus to bring them back to Himself. Remember to present the story of Hosea in an age-appropriate way. God used Hosea s unfaithful wife to show the people of Israel that they are unfaithful to Him. God gave Hosea a deep love; Hosea was willing to buy back Gomer even after all she had done. God s love is deep, and it never gives up. He goes after His people and loves them back to Himself. 1 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 14 Session 2
Older Kids Bible study OVERVIEW Session Title: Hosea, Prophet to Israel Bible Passage: Hosea 1 14 Big Picture Question: How does Hosea remind us of God? God loves us even when we are unfaithful. Key Passage: Jonah 4:2 Unit Christ Connection: Through these prophets we see a picture of the salvation provided through Jesus Christ. Small Group Opening Welcome time Activity page (5 minutes) Session starter (10 minutes) Large Group Leader Countdown Introduce the session (3 minutes) Timeline map (2 minutes) Big picture question (1 minute) Tell the Bible story (9 minutes) The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Key passage (5 minutes) Discussion starter video (4 minutes) Sing (4 minutes) Prayer (2 minutes) Small Group Leader Key passage activity (5 minutes) Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Journal and prayer (5 minutes) 2
The BIBLE STORY Hosea, Prophet to Israel Hosea 1 14 Hosea was a prophet. God gave Hosea a message to tell to the people of Israel. In addition to God s message for Israel, God also gave Hosea instructions for his own life. God told Hosea, Go and marry a woman who will not be faithful to you, and be a father to the children she has with other men. God was going to use Hosea s life to show His people in Israel what they were like. Hosea s wife would love other men instead of Hosea, just like the people of Israel loved and worshiped other gods instead of the one true God. God was asking Hosea to do something very difficult. It is hard to love someone who doesn t love you back! But Hosea obeyed God. He married a woman named Gomer. Gomer became pregnant and gave birth to a son. God told Hosea, Name your son Jezreel. The name Jezreel had a special meaning. It would be a warning to Israel that they would be defeated by their enemies. Next, Gomer had a daughter. God told Hosea to name the baby Loruhamah (LOH-roo HA muh), which means No Mercy. God wanted the people of Israel to know that He was not going to show them mercy anymore. They would get the punishment their sin deserved. Then Gomer had another son. God told Hosea to give him the name Lo-ammi (lo-am igh), which means Not My People. God s message to the Israelites was that they were no longer His people. When God rescued the Israelites from Egypt, He made a covenant with them. He told them, If you obey My commands, I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. But God s people had broken the covenant by not obeying Him. Gomer was not faithful to Hosea. Even though she was his wife, she often ran away. In the same way, God s people said they were committed to God, but they turned away from Him. They worshiped false gods. Hosea might have given up on Gomer, but God told Hosea to go after her. So Hosea found Gomer and paid to get her back. He brought Gomer back home. 3 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 14 Session 2
Stop being unfaithful, Hosea said. Even though Gomer had not loved her husband and only her husband like a wife should, Hosea loved her anyway. God gave Hosea a love that would never give up. God wanted the people of Israel to hear about Hosea and his wife and understand that Israel was no different than Gomer. Israel did not love God and only God like God s people should, but God loved Israel anyway. God loves with a love that never gives up. Hosea gave Israel God s message. He warned them that God was going to judge them for their sin. Hosea pleaded with Israel to turn back to God, to know and love Him. Come, let us return to the Lord, Hosea said. Let us strive to know the Lord. God s people were unfaithful to God, but God is never unfaithful to His people. God said, The number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And in the place where they were told: You are not My people, they will be called: Sons of the living God. God was going to punish the people for turning away from Him, but He would keep the promise He made to Abraham. Abraham s family would be a big family, and one day Jesus would come from Abraham s family. Yes, God still loved Israel. God hated their sin, but He loved His people so much that He was going to bring them back to Himself. Just like Hosea paid a high price to get back his wife who did not love him, God had a plan to get His people back no matter what the cost. Christ Connection: Hosea s relationship with Gomer reminds us of God s relationship with the people of Israel and with us. Even though God s people are unfaithful and love other things more than they love God, God still loves us. God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sin and bring us back to Him. 4
Small Group Opening Session Title: Hosea, Prophet to Israel Bible Passage: Hosea 1 14 Big Picture Question: How does Hosea remind us of God? God loves us even when we are unfaithful. Key Passage: Jonah 4:2 Unit Christ Connection: Through these prophets we see a picture of the salvation provided through Jesus Christ. Welcome time Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Say How do you know someone loves you? How do you know your family and friends love you? Today s Bible story is about a man who loved his wife. Listen closely to find out what happened. Matching Name Game activity page, 1 per kid pencils Activity page (5 minutes) Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page Matching Name Game. As the kids try to match the correct meaning with the name, encourage boys and girls to think about each person s life and the choices he or she made. Say Hosea is the prophet in our Bible story today. His name means salvation. We will see in our story if Hosea s name describes events from his life. Transition to large group 5 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 14 Session 2
Large Group LEADER Session Title: Hosea, Prophet to Israel Bible Passage: Hosea 1 14 Big Picture Question: How does Hosea remind us of God? God loves us even when we are unfaithful. Key Passage: Jonah 4:2 Unit Christ Connection: Through these prophets we see a picture of the salvation provided through Jesus Christ. countdown video ball feather marker Countdown Show the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins. Introduce the session (3 minutes) [Leader enters carrying a ball, a feather, and a marker.] Leader Hello! It s so good to see you again. This week I have been conducting science experiments here at the planetarium. Do you want to help me with one? Great! I need three volunteers. Select three volunteers and guide them to join you. Hand each one an object. Leader OK. When I count to three, our volunteers are going to drop their items and we will see what happens. I need the audience to count with me. One. Two. Three. The three volunteers should drop the ball, the feather, and the marker. If they don t drop them simultaneously, it is OK. Leader What happened to each of the items? (They fell to the floor.) Why? (gravity) Is gravity everywhere? (Yes.) Is gravity the same in space as it is on earth? (No.) Gravity is present everywhere, but it varies in force. This 7 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 14 Session 2
is why astronauts float in the spaceship, but not on earth. Sometimes we think of things like gravity as constant, the same everywhere, no matter what. But many things aren t as constant as we think. Name something that is constant, no matter what, no matter where, no matter when. Pause and allow kids to shout out answers. Leader What about God? God has always been, He is here now, and He will be in the future. His love and faithfulness for His people do not change. You know that reminds me of today s Bible story. Timeline Map Timeline map (2 minutes) As kids name prophets, point them out on the timeline to reinforce the chronology of God s story. Leader Who remembers the prophet we learned about last week? Amos. Name some other prophets we have talked about. Good answers. Why did God send prophets? Prophets were messengers. God gave them messages to give the people about how to love and follow God, about the consequences of sin, and about Jesus. Today s prophet is Hosea. Hosea is another one of the minor prophets in the Bible. God gave Hosea some very unique instructions. Big picture question (1 minute) Leader Our big picture question is, How does Hosea remind us of God? Interesting question. We know a couple of things about Hosea. Hosea was a prophet, and God gave him some specific instructions to follow. Let s open our Bible to Hosea 1 and listen to what instructions God gave Hosea and how Hosea responded to those instructions. I think we ll find the answer to our question. 8
Hosea, Prophet to Israel video Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Big Picture Question Slide or Poster Tell the Bible story (9 minutes) Open your Bible to Hosea 1 and tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video Hosea, Prophet to Israel. Leader How do you think you would feel if you were told to love and marry someone who didn t love you? Hosea had a very interesting family life. His wife didn t love him. Gomer ran away more than once. Hosea even had to pay to buy Gomer back one of the times she ran away. Hosea s family was a picture of the Israelites and their relationship with God. Gomer refused to love only her husband. Israel refused to love only God. They chose to worship false idols and love them instead of the one true God. Hosea told the Israelites to repent and love only God, but Israel refused. The people continued to be unfaithful to God. Hosea also gave a message of hope. Although the Israelites continued to sin and faced the consequences, God was not unfaithful to them. God is always faithful to His people. He always loves His people. God promised that He would bring Israel back to Him. He would show them mercy, and they would be His people again. Our big picture question was, How does Hosea remind us of God? God loves us even when we are unfaithful. What was God s plan to get His people back? What price did He pay? Right. God sent Jesus to pay the price by dying for our sin. God is always faithful. He loves us with a love so amazing, we can t even fully understand it. He gave His Son for us. The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Using Scripture and the guide provided, explain to girls and boys how to become a Christian. Tell kids how they 9 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 14 Session 2
can respond, and provide counselors to speak with each kid individually. Guide counselors to use open-ended questions to allow kids to determine the direction of the conversation. If you cannot provide a response time, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian. Key Passage Slide or Poster I Know song Unit 14 Session 2 discussion starter video Key passage (5 minutes) Leader What book of the Bible is our key passage located in? Jonah. Who has the first part of the key passage memorized? Who can say the beginning up to the question mark? Select a volunteer to quote the beginning of the key passage. Encourage everyone to try saying the first part of the passage without reading the passage. Form two groups and guide each group to read the key passage. Lead the groups to read the key passage together. Sing I Know. Discussion starter video (4 minutes) Leader How does Hosea remind us of God? God loves us even when we are unfaithful. Hosea s marriage was a picture of Israel s unfaithfulness to God. Do you ever have times when you aren t satisfied and you keep looking for the next best toy or thing? Check out this video. Show the Unit 14 Session 2 video. Leader We all can struggle with being finicky or dissatisfied. How can you avoid feeling dissatisfied? The Israelites worshiped all sorts of false gods. How can we keep our focus on the one true God? 10
Live Like That song Sing (4 minutes) Leader Join me in praising God for having a love that never ends, a love that never gives up on us. Do I have a few volunteers who would like to lead us in singing our theme song? Select a few volunteers to join you in leading the girls and boys to sing Live Like That. Prayer (2 minutes) Leader How does Hosea remind us of God? God loves us even when we are unfaithful. Hosea is a sad story and a beautiful story. It s sad because Gomer didn t love Hosea even though he loved her, and it s beautiful because Hosea s love for Gomer is a picture of God s love for His people. God has a perfect, unfailing love. He never gives up on loving His children, even when we mess up. We may have consequences for being unfaithful and sinning, but it doesn t mean God doesn t love us. He will always love His people. He never stops loving those who trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior. After I close in prayer, watch your small group leader for the signal to go to your small group. Close in prayer, thanking and praising God for being a faithful, loving, and forgiving God. Dismiss to small groups 11 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 14 Session 2
The Gospel: God s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means good news. It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus. 12
Small Group LEADER Session Title: Hosea, Prophet to Israel Bible Passage: Hosea 1 14 Big Picture Question: How does Hosea remind us of God? God loves us even when we are unfaithful. Key Passage: Jonah 4:2 Unit Christ Connection: Through these prophets we see a picture of the salvation provided through Jesus Christ. small ball or beanbag string or tape paper scissors Key Passage Poster Bibles, 1 per kid Small Group Visual Pack chart paper marker Option: Cut chart paper into a heart shape. Key passage activity (5 minutes) Cut star shapes from paper. Write a portion of the key passage on each star. Hang stars from the ceiling or attach them to the wall. Invite boys and girls to form a line. The first kid in the line will toss a small ball or beanbag at the star with the first part of the key passage written on it. The second kid will toss the ball at the second part of the passage. Repeat until every kid has tossed the ball and the key passage is finished. Say Our key passage mentions God s love for people. Hosea s life was a picture of how much God loves His people. Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Guide kids to list ways we are unfaithful to God. Then list ways God is always faithful to us. Read Hosea 4:1; 11:1; 14:1-2. Review the sin of the Israelites and the love of God for His people. Use the timeline in the small group visual pack to review Israel s history. Say How does Hosea remind us of God? God loves us even when we are unfaithful. 13 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 14 Session 2
Hosea s wife didn t want to be a part of Hosea s family. She left Hosea more than once. But Hosea loved her anyway. Hosea brought her back. We can t earn God s love. He gives His love to us. He loves unconditionally. Who can bring us back to God? (God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sin and bring us back to Him.) If you choose to review with boys and girls how to become a Christian, explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another leader if they have questions. God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; Col. 1:16-17) We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Rom. 3:23; 6:23) God provided. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9) Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be welcomed into God s family. (Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18) We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus. (Rom. 10:9-10,13) 14
large wooden craft sticks, 10 per kid permanent markers 1-inch wide masking tape ribbon scissors Activity: The gospel plan accordion craft sticks Lay two wooden craft sticks side by side and tape them together with a strip of masking tape. Create five sets of two taped craft sticks. Flip over the taped craft sticks and tape the first set to the second set with masking tape. Continue until all five sets of craft sticks are taped together. Cut a piece of ribbon and tape it to the top of the back of the accordion sticks. Flip the accordion over and print the gospel plan using permanent markers. Kids may also decorate their accordions as they desire. Demonstrate how to bend the sticks to make the accordion so kids understand the right way to fold the sticks without breaking the tape. Say How does Hosea remind us of God? God loves us even when we are unfaithful. Name one way God has demonstrated His love for us. (God sent Jesus to die for our sin.) The gospel is a message of good news. It is a message we should share with others. Who can bring us back to God? (God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sin and bring us back to Him.) 15 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 14 Session 2
pencils journals Bibles Journal Page, 1 per kid Demonstrating God s Love activity page, 1 per kid Journal and prayer (5 minutes) Invite kids to think about the following prompts and record their responses on the journal page. Say Has someone in your family ever disappointed you? Did you feel like they were being unfaithful? Have you forgiven them? Why or why not? How does Hosea remind us of God? God loves us even when we are unfaithful. Draw or list something or someone that represents steadfastness or faithfulness. Invite kids to share their prayer requests. Close in prayer, mentioning the prayer requests. As times allows, guide kids to complete the activity page Demonstrating God s Love. 16
Journal Page Key Passage: Jonah 4:2 Session 1: Amos, Prophet to Israel Amos 1 9 Session 2: Hosea, Prophet to Israel Hosea 1 14 Session 3: Jonah, Prophet to Nineveh Jonah 1 4 Session 4: Joel, Prophet to Judah Joel 1 3 OK to print
I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. Jonah 4:2 Unit 14 Key Passage Poster (ESV) OK to print
How does Hosea remind us of God? God loves us even when we are unfaithful. Unit 14 Session 2 Big Picture Question OK to print
Instructions: Match each name to its meaning. Think about each Bible person s life as you determine each match. Abraham Achan Adam Eve Gideon Jacob Moses Sarah Immanuel Joshua Hosea with us God is salvation. Yahweh princess of a multitude father life grasps the heel. Hedrawn mankindout of water one who cuts down or cuts to pieces man of trouble salvation Unit 14 Session 2 Older Kids Activity Pages
Instructions: Write or draw how you can demonstrate God s faithful love in each situation. Scene 2: Your parents missed your soccer game. Scene 1:Your sibling broke your favorite toy. Scene 4: You have a substitute teacher at school. Scene 3: Your friends are talking about you behind your back. Unit 14 Session 2 Older Kids Activity Pages
Unit 14 Session 2 Hosea, Prophet to Israel OK to print
Today we will be tasting/ touching/sniffing: Please notify the leader if your child should not participate. Instructions: Print this poster. You may laminate it and reuse it throughout the quarter. Use a dry erase marker to fill in the necessary information. Display the poster where parents and kids can see it before class. UNIT 14 Allergy Alert OK to print