No Rules
Two statements are repeated throughout the book of Judges. The first is, “In those days Israel had no king. Everyone did as they saw fit. ” The writer repeatedly reminds us that this is not a story about people following God, but living by their own rules. The other recurring phrase is, “Once again Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord.” Just after entering the promised land, Israel experiences a period of near anarchy. Instead of following the laws that God had given Moses, they made decisions according to their own interests. Right was defined as “Whatever is best for me.” Although God sends judges to save Israel every time they hit rock-bottom and call on Him, the nation spins out of control as they refuse to live by God’s standards.
ELEMENTARY LESSONS:
MEMORY VERSE:
"Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin." 1 John 3:4-5
Lesson 1: When God doesn’t rule our lives, we can’t tell right from wrong.
Synopsis: In the seventeenth and eighteenth chapters of Judges, people commit a litany of sinful acts, and then describe the outcomes of their actions as “blessings from God.” They disobey, commit idolatry, steal and raid. And when these activities produce results that benefit them, they say it’s a “God thing.” When God doesn’t rule our lives, right and wrong are determined by whatever serves our own interests and desires.
But through Jesus, God gives us the Holy Spirit, so that we carry truth inside us. God’s Spirit can guide our hearts to know right from wrong.
Scripture: Judges 17:1-13 & 18:1-31, John 14:15-17a, John 14:26
Lesson 2: When God doesn’t rule our hearts, our emotions do.
Synopsis: The Israelite Civil War is one of the most deplorable accounts in the Bible. Driven by vengeance and revenge, the Hebrew tribes turned on one another and killed thousands of their fellow countrymen. God obviously didn’t want His people killing each other. But they were so driven by anger, frustration, and revenge, that they heard God say what they wanted to hear. When God doesn’t rule our hearts, our emotions do. But when we follow Jesus, He rules over our hearts and gives us the knowledge of God’s glory.*
Scripture: Judges 19 & 20, Prov 4:23, Luke 6:43-45, 2 Cor 4:6*
Lesson 3: When God doesn’t rule our minds, bad ideas seem like good ones.
Synopsis: Israel’s leaders resolved to solve a problem that they created, by arranging for the abduction of their own daughters. But what’s most shocking, is that when they discussed the situation at hand, and this idea was brought up, it sounded brilliant! When God doesn’t rule over our minds horrible ideas can seem absolutely brilliant. But by His mercy, Jesus saves us from having to be guided by our own foolishness. God gives us the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts and minds toward His will for our lives.
Scripture: Judges 21, Eph 5:17, 1 Cor 1:27, Titus 3:3-5
Lesson 4: Jesus saves us from the cycle of sin.
Synopsis: The last few weeks, we’ve looked at the last chapters of the book of Judges, which records some of Israel’s darkest times. They worshiped idols, went to war with each other, and made some horrible choices. Today, we’re going to take a look at how they got to this place. These horrible stories represent the ultimate fallout of a cycle of sin that the Israelites were caught up in for hundreds of years.
- Step 1) Israel turns from God and worships false idols.
- Step 2) God removes His hand of protection, allowing them to suffer the consequences of their actions.
- Step 3) An enemy nation conquers Israel and rules over them.
- Step 4) Things get so bad that they cry out to God for help.
- Step 5) God sends a judge to save his people from the enemy and lead them until he/she dies. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
This happened over a dozen times, getting worse each time, until the nation crumbled into idolatry and civil war. This is how the cycle of sin works. Each time it draws us back in, we sink a little lower. But Jesus came to save us from sin’s deadly cycle.
Scripture: Judges 2:10-23 & 3:1-29, Prov 26:11, Rom 6:17-18
PRESCHOOL LESSONS:
Memory Verse: “[Christ] appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.” 1 John 3:5
Bible Story: Micah’s Idols: Judges 17:1-13 & 18:1-31
Included Each Week: A craft, wiggle-tamer, table time activity, discussion questions, take-home page, and more.
Lesson 1:
Creative Teaching Method: Storytelling with Props
This Week’s Focus: Obeying God
Lesson 2:
Creative Teaching Method: Storytelling with Pictures
This Week’s Focus: Why God Gives Us Rules
Lesson 3:
Creative Teaching Method: Storytelling with Interactive Roleplay
This Week’s Focus: What Happens When We Disobey
Lesson 4:
Creative Teaching Method: Storytelling with Questions Only
This Week’s Focus: God Is In Charge