Archive for month: June, 2020

Featured Passage: Judges 4:6-12

Israel had no king and the people were being treated harshly by their enemies the Canaanites. God told Deborah the judge that the time had come for deliverance and He had some special instructions for the Israelites. Deborah sent for a man named Barak who she knew would be able to prepare an army as God had instructed. The problem was, Barak did not want to go—unless Deborah came with him. So, together, Deborah and Barak went to gather an army for Israel in preparation for a battle that God Himself was planning. 

Discuss:

• Deborah was both a judge and a prophetess. There are several women besides Deborah mentioned as prophetesses in the Bible, including Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3), Huldah (2 Chronicles 34:22), and Anna (Luke 2:36). 
• God reveals to a prophet or prophetess what He wants the people to know, and they have the responsibility to tell it to the people.  What instructions from God did Deborah pass on to Barak? 
• God told Deborah He was planning to deliver Israel from their enemies the Canaanites if they followed His directions. What are some promises God gives us if we follow His directions? 
• Why do you think Barak wanted Deborah to go with him to gather the army for battle? What did Deborah tell Barak would happen if she went with him? 

Memory Challenge: 

Judges 4:9

“So she said, ‘I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.’ Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.”

Featured Passage: Exodus 17:1-7

As the Israelites traveled across the wilderness toward the promised land, they came to a place called Rephidim. They discovered that there was no water there, and the people and their animals were very thirsty. They complained again, and blamed  Moses for bringing them into the wilderness to die of thirst. Time and again they had tested God with their complaining and lack of faith. The people didn’t seem to be thankful for what God had already done for them. Would He help them out again, even with their bad attitudes? 

Discuss:

• Testing God is not a small matter. What does it mean to “test God”? 
• The people contended with Moses. To contend means to struggle against, to oppose, or to debate—to fight. In what way did the Israelites contend with Moses? Do we sometimes contend with others? What can we do to make sure we don’t?
• God demonstrated great patience and mercy in dealing with Israel. What are some other character traits that God showed when working with Israel?
• Imagine what it would be like in a desert wilderness with no food or water. If you were in their shoes, what would you have done? 
• God instructed Moses to strike the rock to bring forth water. No matter what rock, no matter what type of device you use, you can strike a rock all day, and no water will come out. Do you think this miracle would help the Israelites remember Who was taking care of them? 

Memory Challenge:

Exodus 17:6

Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.

Featured Passage: Exodus 19

When Moses and the children of Israel left Egypt, they began their journey toward Mt. Sinai just as God had instructed (Exodus 3:12). They arrived at Mt. Sinai, the mountain of God, a few weeks after departing Egypt. God announced to Moses that He would speak to the Israelites from a thick cloud around the mountain. But they were required to prepare themselves. What did the Israelites need to do to prepare to meet God? Would they finally see the God who delivered them from the most powerful nation on the earth?

Discuss:

• God proposed a covenant with Israel. What does it mean to be in a covenant?
• There was a lot of excitement in the camp with the anticipation of meeting the Creator. How would we feel if we had the opportunity to meet God like the Israelites did?
• Why did the Israelites have to clean-up before meeting God? Why do we wear our best clothes to Sabbath services?
• In what ways was God’s presence announced to Israel? How did God get the attention of the people?
• What were some of the conditions of God’s covenant with Israel?

Memory Challenge:

Exodus 19:5–6

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

Includes the lessons:

• Lesson 38 “The Time of the Judges”
• Lesson 39 “Deborah”
• Lesson 40 “Deborah Judges Israel”
• Lesson 41 “Deborah and Barak Go to War”

Featured Passage: 2 Kings 2-7

Elijah the prophet was getting older and God decided it was time to appoint a new prophet in Israel to take his place. Under God’s instruction, Elijah went to find the man God chose and met a certain young man named Elisha plowing a field with twelve yoke of oxen! (1 Kings 19:15-21) Without delay, Elisha left his home, his family, his oxen and begin to serve and learn from Elijah in preparation for his new role as a spiritual leader in Israel. After learning what he could, the time came for Elisha to take over for Elijah. God was about to send Elijah away in a miraculous way, but the people would need to know that God was with Elisha. God had some exciting adventures planned for this courageous young leader, as well as number of miracles of his own.

Discuss: 

• Why do you think God wanted Elisha to spend time learning from Elijah before taking Elijah’s position?
• Elisha performed his first miracle after Elijah his master was taken away. What was this first miracle? Why did God allow Elisha to perform miracles so soon after Elijah had gone? 
• With God’s help, Elisha performed many miracles. Which is your favorite of the miracles he performed? Why? 
• What are some lessons we can learn from the story of Naaman and Elisha?
• The Syrians, enemies of Israel, wanted to capture Elisha because he had alerted the Israelites of their plans. How did Elisha’s servant respond when he woke up to see the city surrounded by the Syrian army? How did Elisha respond? What can we learn from Elisha’s example? 
• What are some examples of Elisha’s compassion? 

Memory Challenge: 

1 Kings 2:9

And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”