God Judges Israel

Prepare

Lesson Preparation

CCome On In

MMemory Verse

Memory Verse

Choose a Memory Verse Game and print/gather necessary items.

  Down the Line

  Egg Hunt

  Look Behind You

  Now You See It

  Review Card Relay

  Stack Em Up

  Your Turn

Down the Line

Say your part of the verse while passing the spoon—under your left leg with your right hand, that is!

Materials

• Passing Cards
• Plastic spoon
• Cotton ball
• Container

Instructions

Print and cut out one set of the Passing Cards and put them into a container. Have the students line up facing you. Put a cotton ball into the plastic spoon and give it to the student on one end of the line.

Draw a card from the container. The students must pass the spoon from one end of the line and back again according to what the card says, keeping the cotton ball on the spoon (without touching it). For example, they may have to pass the spoon with their left hand or under their right leg! As they pass the spoon, they each must say the next word in the memory verse. If the cotton ball falls or someone says the wrong word, you may have the students start the verse over. Repeat with a new card until the verse has been recited several times.

Try using a larger spoon and balancing a small orange or boiled egg on it!

Egg Hunt

Hunt for all the parts of the memory verse hidden in the eggs! This game can be played all year round. The plastic eggs just happen to be great little containers that can be hidden easily.

Materials

• Flip Chart Memory Verse Page (Pre-K-1) or Memory Verse Poster (included in lesson)
• Strips of paper
• Plastic Easter eggs

Instructions

Write the memory verse on strips of paper with one or two words on each strip. Put one strip inside of each plastic Easter egg. Hide all the eggs around the room.

Have the students search for the eggs and bring them back to the table. They will open the eggs and work together to put the verse in the proper order.

For a larger class, prepare more than one set of eggs (sorted by colors for different teams). Students can work in teams to collect and construct the verse.

Look Behind You

“What does mine say?” “Turn around!” “You go here.” Students help each other get in the right order according to the signs on their backs in this crazy group game.

Materials

• Index cards
• Masking tape

Instructions

Write one or two words from the memory verse on each index card. Tape cards onto students’ backs. Students will work together to put themselves in order according to the memory verse. Once they think they are standing in order, check the verse by reading the words out loud according to how they are standing.

If you have more cards than students, tape more than one card in the proper order on some students. Repeat the game so all students get to participate.

Now You See It

Start out with all the words then erase them one by one. Can you still say the verse?

Materials

• White board
• Marker and eraser for white board

Instructions

Write the memory verse on the board. Recite the verse together. Choose a student to come up to the board and erase one or two words at a time. Have the class recite the entire verse each time another word is erased. Continue erasing words and reciting until all of the words are gone. Then ask students to try reciting the whole verse without any words left on the board.

Review Card Relay

“On your mark, get set, go!” Teams will race to put the memory verse cards in order.

Materials

• Index cards
• Tape or poster putty

Instructions

Write one or two words from the memory verse on each index card. Make one set for each team. Divide the class into teams. Randomly lay out each set of cards facedown on the floor—one set for each team. Put a piece of poster putty or tape on each one.

Have teams line up away from the cards. When the relay begins, the first student in each line will race to the cards, pick one up, and put it on the wall or board. As the relay continues, students will put each card on the board in the proper order. They may need to rearrange the cards to fit others.

When finished, have the class read the verse aloud together.

Stack Em Up

Teams of two will stack the cups in the right order. Add a timer or make it a race!

Materials

• Colored markers
• Foam or plastic cups with the memory verse written on them for each team
• Optional: timer

Instructions

Turn each cup upside down so the stack will have a wide base. On the rim of each cup, write one or two words from the memory verse, including the reference. Make sure the words show when the next cup is stacked on top of it. (See picture below.)

Mix up the cups and have teams stack them up in the correct order. Have teams race against each other or time them as they stack the cups in the correct order.

Your Turn

Students recite the verse taking turns back and forth. Will they remember their parts?

Materials

• Optional: timer

Instructions

Pair the students together. Have each pair stand back to back. Allow pairs to take turns reciting the verse. One student begins with the first word of the memory verse. Then the other student must say the next word. Keep going back and forth until the verse is completed. If a student makes a mistake or can’t remember the right word, allow another pair to try.

After everyone has had a turn, mix up the pairs and repeat. Have students race against a timer for an extra challenge.

Play the Memory Verse Song (Proverbs 3:11–12 or Proverbs 3:11–12 Lyrics Video) to help your students learn the verse.

Find extra verses to practice in the Additional Memory Verses list.

AStudying God’s Word

LLesson Review

Lesson Review

Print one copy of the Review Questions.

Choose a Lesson Review Game and gather necessary items.

  Bible Baseball

  Box Toss

  Draw Dice

  Four in a Row

  Goofy Golf

  Pick a Point

  Racetrack

  Toss for It

Bible Baseball

Students will answer questions and run the bases!

Materials

• Review Questions (included in lesson)
• Three chairs set out for bases
• Optional: gift wrap tube and a large balloon

Instructions

Print one copy of the Review Questions for your use. Set out chairs as bases. Have the students line up by the home base area facing you (at the pitcher’s mound). Each student up to “bat” will have a chance to answer a review question. If he can answer it correctly, let him run the bases. If he can’t answer correctly, give the answer and ask him to go to the end of the line and try again.

You may want the students to sit on the chair at each base while they wait to run to the next base or have them run all the way around and return to the line. Repeat the questions until all the students have run around the bases.

For some added fun, you can use a gift wrap tube as a bat and toss a large balloon for students to hit after they answer each question.

Box Toss

Students will answer review questions then toss the beanbag at the holes in the box to gain points for their team.

Materials

• Review Questions (included in lesson)
• Medium-sized cardboard box
• Scissors or knife
• Four beanbags
• Masking tape

Instructions

Print one copy of the Review Questions for your use. Use scissors or a knife to cut two or three holes in the bottom of the box. Make sure they are large enough for a beanbag to easily pass through. Label each hole with a point number: 5, 10, and 15. Use masking tape to make a tossing line several feet away from the box.

Divide the class into teams. Have the teams line up behind the line across from the box. Give each team two beanbags. Alternate asking each team a review question. Students who answer correctly will toss the beanbags at the target holes in the box to earn points for their team. If they answer incorrectly, they may toss the beanbags for fun without the points counting. Students will go to the end of the line after tossing the beanbags. Keep score for both teams. Continue play until all questions have been answered correctly and students have all had a chance to toss the beanbags.

Draw Dice

Teams will answer questions and complete a simple drawing to win. Who will finish their drawing first?

Materials

• Review Questions (included in lesson)
• One drawing area for each team (paper, white board, etc.)
• Pencils or white board markers
• One die

Instructions

Print one copy of the Review Questions for your use. Divide the class into two teams. Give each team a sheet of paper and a pencil, or divide the white board in half. Draw a mouse on the board as an example.

Ask the first team a question from the lesson. If they answer correctly, have them roll the die.

To begin drawing their mouse, each team must wait until they get a six. They will then draw the mouse’s body on their paper or the board. After they have drawn the body, as they give correct answers to the questions, they can continue to draw the other parts of the mouse according to the numbers they roll.

They can draw according to the numbers below:

6 = body

5 = nose

4 = whiskers

3 = eyes

2 = ears

1 = tail

Continue giving each team a turn to answer a question and roll the die. Repeat the questions as necessary. The first team to finish their mouse wins.

You may choose to draw a simple object from the lesson, such as a crown, an open Bible, a fish, etc. Be sure to assign numbers (as above) to each part of the object to be drawn before the game begins.

Four in a Row

Students will answer questions and add a marker for their team onto the grid. Which team will be the first to get four in a row?

Materials

• Review Questions (included in lesson)
• Masking tape
• Red and black paper circles or other markers for each team

Instructions

Print one copy of the Review Questions for your use. Use masking tape to make a 16-section grid on the floor. The grid should be four sections wide by four sections long. Each section should be equal in size. Use eight red circles and eight black circles cut from construction paper or other markers for the two teams.

Divide the students into two teams. Give each team eight markers. They will take turns answering the questions. If they answer correctly, they can put a marker in a square on the grid. The first team to get four markers in a row wins the game.

Goofy Golf

Hit the sock with the noodle? Teams must work together to answer the questions and putt to get a hole-in-one in this crazy golf game!

Materials

• Review Questions (included in lesson)
• Swimming noodles or rolled up newspapers
• Rolled up socks
• Masking tape
• Ten sheets of paper
• Markers

Instructions

Print one copy of the Review Questions for your use. Use the markers to number sheets of paper 1–10 (use more or less depending on class size and time). Tape down the sheets of paper around the room in a random pattern to form a golf course. You may want to add chairs as obstacles in the path.

Divide the class into teams. Give each team a rolled up sock and a swimming noodle. Ask the first student a review question from the lesson. If he answers correctly, allow him to use the noodle to drive the rolled up sock toward the first sheet of paper labeled #1. Continue with the next team. Take turns allowing team members to answer questions and continue putting the socks along the course to each hole, continuing from where the last teammate left off. The sock must touch or roll over the sheet of paper to consider it in the hole. The first team to reach the tenth hole wins.

Pick a Point

Answer the questions correctly to earn the right to pick a point.

Materials

• Review Questions (included in lesson)
• Small paper strips
• Cup or basket

Instructions

Print one copy of the Review Questions for your use. Write various numbers in increments of 5 or 10 on strips of paper to use as point cards. Put the point cards into the cup or basket. Divide students into teams of 4–5 students each. Have each team take turns answering a review question. After each correct answer, let a member of the team draw a point card from the cup.

The number of points on the cards will vary, so the score will have nothing to do with how skilled one team might be. Keep track of each team’s points. If time allows, repeat the questions!

Racetrack

Who will reach the checkered flag first? Teams will race to the finish by answering review questions.

Materials

• Review Questions (included in lesson)
• White board or chalkboard
• Markers/chalk
• Optional: paper cutouts for each team (cars, animals, circles, etc.), tape/poster putty

Instructions

Print one copy of the Review Questions for your use. Draw a racetrack on the board. It may be as simple as a straight horizontal path or a curvy circle. Label “Start” and “Finish” (with a checkered flag) at either end of the track. Add numbers along the track (e.g., 1–10) at equal intervals between Start and Finish. The numbers will be used as placement points for the racers as they progress along the track.

Divide the class into teams. You may draw a different symbol (e.g., stick figure, circle, X or O) to represent each team at the Start, or use paper cutouts as team markers and stick them to the board with tape/poster putty.

Ask the first team a review question. If they answer correctly, move their marker or redraw their symbol along the track at #1. If they answer incorrectly, give the next team a chance to answer and move to the first number. If they do not know, give the answer and ask that question again later. Continue to alternate asking review questions and moving teams’ markers along the racetrack according to the numbers along the track. The first team to reach the Finish wins!

Toss for It

How many points? Toss for it! Students answer the questions and toss the beanbag to earn points for their team.

Materials

• Review Questions (included in lesson)
• A deck of numbered cards, or numbers and “wild” written on index cards
• One beanbag
• Masking tape
• Two baskets or containers for cards

Instructions

Print one copy of the Review Questions for your use. Place several rows of numbered cards facedown with a few inches between them to form a grid pattern (make sure to put several wild cards or Jokers down, too). Use the masking tape to make a tossing line several feet from the cards.

Divide students into teams and have them line up behind the tossing line. Ask the first student a review question. If he gives the correct answer, have him toss the beanbag onto a card. Turn the card over to reveal the points he receives for his team. Face cards or word cards are 10 points each. Wild or Jokers are also 10—plus another turn. All other cards are face value.

Have the student pick up his card and put it in the team’s basket to be counted at the end of the game. Next team’s turn. If a student gives an incorrect answer, he should go to the end of the line. Give the answer and repeat that question later. Continue taking turns until all the questions have been answered. Add more cards to the grid if necessary.

GGo to Prayer

Optional Supplements

Hands-On Activities

PowerPoint

Come On In

As students arrive, direct them to the activity you chose for today .

Memory Verse

Studying God’s Word

Introduction

Refer to the Exodus to Malachi Timeline. When the people of Israel were divided after King Solomon’s death, the southern kingdom was called Judah and the northern kingdom was called Israel.

We have been learning about some of the kings and prophets of Israel. None of the kings followed God. They sinned against him and led the people to do the same terrible things. God sent prophets like Elijah and Elisha to show the people the power of the one true God. But they didn’t change their ways.

• What sin against God’s laws were the people of Israel committing? Worshipping idols/false gods.
  Slide #3

  Slide #4
  Refer to Lesson 96 Theme Poster. God called Amos, a shepherd, to deliver a message of judgment to Israel. He warned that an enemy would come against them if they did not repent of their sins.
• What does it mean to repent? To turn away from your sins and turn to God.

  Refer to Lesson 98 Theme Poster. God also sent the prophet Hosea to warn the people. Hosea’s love for his wife Gomer was a picture of God’s love for the people of Israel. Just as Hosea forgave Gomer for being unfaithful and leaving him, God would forgive Israel for being unfaithful by worshipping false gods.

  But the people of Israel would not listen or turn from their wicked ways. After 250 years of patiently waiting and warning, it was time for God to punish them for their disobedience. God was angry with their sin and needed to show the people that he alone was God. He promised to send an enemy against them. Let’s find out what happened.

Israel Is Conquered

Refer to the Books of the Bible Poster. Turn to 2 Kings 17 in your Bibles. It’s one of the books of history in the Old Testament.

We’ll start at verse 3. Listen for the name of the king who attacked Israel. Read the verse.

Hoshea was the king of Israel at this time. He also did evil and would not follow God. So God sent King Shalmaneser to capture Israel. He made King Hoshea pay money to him, but when Hoshea would not pay any more and tried to get help, Shalmaneser threw him into prison.

• Who will read what else Shalmaneser did? It’s in verse 5. Assign a reader.
• What did the king of Assyria do? He invaded the land of Israel.

  Right. God sent a powerful enemy to invade the kingdom of Israel and take over its capital city of Samaria.

  Point to #27 on the Exodus to Malachi Timeline. Remember, God had given the Israelites 250 years to repent and turn from their sins, but they chose not to follow the Lord.

• What did this king do to the capital city of Samaria? Look at the end of verse 5. Besieged it.
• Does anyone know what it means to besiege a city? Allow answers.

  To besiege means to try to take over a city by surrounding it. The attacking army would circle around the city and block everyone from going in or coming out. That meant the people inside the city couldn’t get food or water from the outside and no one could bring any in. The army would keep watch and camp just outside until the people inside the walls gave up because they were out of food and water. This took a long time, but it was a good way to win a war without fighting!

  Slide #6
  Show the Lesson Theme Poster. See the tents here in the picture? Those are the Assyrians’ tents, and their army is camped around the city of Samaria. The Israelite men on the wall have ragged clothing, and they’re thin because they can’t get new clothes or food into the city.
• How long did King Shalmaneser and his army besiege the city? Three years.

  Yes! The siege of Samaria lasted three years because the city had large walls, a water system, and lots of food already stored inside. But when the people finally ran out of supplies and had nothing left to eat or drink, they surrendered to the Assyrians.

  • Prepare the materials for Siege Zone.
  Let’s review the battle with a game called Siege Zone! Follow instructions in Siege Zone to play the game with the class. When finished, continue with the lesson.

  Often during a war in those days, the winning king would force the losing people to leave their homes and live in other countries. That’s what King Shalmaneser did. The Assyrians took most of the Israelites away from their land and made them live in different cities that were far away. Scattering the Israelites around like that would keep them from getting together to try to fight against the king who defeated them.

• So, when the Assyrians moved the Israelites out, what do you think happened to those cities in Israel? Allow discussion.
  • You may want to show the map work on the board for students to copy, or use the answer key or slides to help students visualize the map section.
  The Assyrian king sent people he had captured from other nations to live in Israel. Some Assyrians also went to live there. So, the Assyrians ruled over the northern kingdom of Israel, and foreigners moved in.
  Slide #7
  Look at the map on your Class Notes. Let’s draw what happened. Find Samaria on your maps and draw a circle around it, showing the siege of the city by the Assyrians. Have students circle Samaria.

  Next, draw a large arrow from Israel to Assyria. This shows the Israelites who were taken captive and moved to live in Assyria. Have students draw the arrow.

  Now, draw an arrow from Assyria down to Israel. This is for the Assyrians and other people who moved to live in Israel. Have students draw the arrow.

God Will Judge Sin

God’s judgment was severe, removing the Israelites from their land. But why was God angry with his people? We’re going to answer that question next from 2 Kings 17. I will read some verses that will give us the information we need to fill in the Class Notes. Make sure you listen each time because I will draw a name out of this container and ask that person for the answer. Read each verse (or part of the verse) then draw a name and ask that student for the answer. If he or she doesn’t know, draw another name. Have students write in the answers on their Class Notes.

• • Pass out the Class Notes.
  Slide #8

  Slide #9

  Slide #10

  Slide #11

  Slide #12

  Slide #13

  Slide #14

  Slide #15
  Look at #1 on your Class Notes below the map. Who will read that sentence? Choose a reader.
• Listen to verse 6 for the answer we need to fill in the blank. Read 2 Kings 17:6 then draw a name of a student to give the answer. Assyria. Complete #1.
• Ready for #2 on the Class Notes? Someone read that. Choose a reader.
• Listen for the answer. Read 2 Kings 17:7. Draw a name. Sinned. Have students complete #2.
• Who will read #3 on the Class Notes? Choose a reader.

  Here’s the answer for #3. Read 2 Kings 17:9. Draw a name. Right. Have students complete #3.

• Let’s move on to #4. Will someone read that sentence? Choose a reader.

  Listen carefully! Read 2 Kings 17:12. Draw a name. Idols. Have students complete #4.

• Who did the Lord send to warn the people for #5? Listen for the answer. Read 2 Kings 17:13. Draw a name. Prophets. Have students complete #5.

  A seer is another name for a prophet. God wanted the people to turn from their evil ways and obey his commandments.

• But what did the people do? Listen to this verse for the answer to #6. Read 2 Kings 17:14. Draw a name. Listen. Have students complete #6.

  Someone read #7 for us. Choose a reader.

• Listen for the answer. Read 2 Kings 17:18. Draw a name. Angry. Have students complete #7.
• And what happened to Israel because they continued to sin? Listen for the answer to #8. Read 2 Kings 17:23. Exiled. Have students complete #8.

  Exiled is when you’re forced to leave your home, and that’s what God did to the Israelites—he removed them from the promised land.

• Refer to the Attributes of God Poster. What two attributes of God deal with sin? Holy and just.

  God’s anger against sin is a holy, righteous anger. That means God can be angry and not sin because he is holy. God is the one who decides right from wrong, and every time we turn away from him and his commands, we are sinning. God must punish sin because he is just. Israel no longer feared God or respected his holiness. They thought they could get away with their sin, so they did not stop.

  The people of Israel would not listen—they would not obey God even after the prophets of God warned them. For 250 years every king in Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. They worshipped other gods; they served idols; they did not do as God commanded; they ignored the prophets God sent them. Finally, the northern kingdom came to an end. God punished the Israelites through their enemies, the Assyrians, allowing them to capture Israel and the city of Samaria. The people were moved out of the land, and the Assyrians came to live in Israel.

Application

Refer to the Lesson Theme Poster. The people of Israel had turned from God. They worshipped idols instead of only the one true God. They wanted to be like the nations around them rather than a people devoted to God. So many things in the world distracted them from the real God, and they forgot all the wonderful things God had done for them. As punishment, God allowed the Assyrians to defeat the Israelites and take them away from the promised land.

We, too, can get distracted and want to be like the people around us and not listen to what we need to hear. But God has given us his Word that tells us how we should live to please him. He gave us parents who teach us to do what’s right and teachers and pastors to help us learn from God’s Word. If we choose to ignore them, it will lead to trouble or punishment.

• Can you remember a time when you didn’t listen when you should have? What happened because of that? Allow students to share or share a personal example.

  God is patient; he warned the Israelites for a long time. But don’t you think it makes God much happier (and our parents) when we stop to listen carefully and obey the first time? Let’s ask God to help us listen and obey this week.

Lesson Review

We all learn best with review and repetition! We encourage you to play a lesson review game.

Group Prayer

Be sure to pray with your students and take requests if time allows.

• Ask God to help us listen to his Word and be obedient.
• Thank God that, even though he must judge sin, he also shows patience and mercy.