Archive for category: LivingEd – Youth

Featured Passage: 1 Kings 17-19

Ahab became king of Israel, and he followed in the footsteps of his wicked ancestor, Jeroboam. He also married Jezebel, a Phoenician Princess of neighboring Sidon, and daughter of King Ethbaal. Not only was she a princess, but she was a High Priestess of Baal worship. Ahab, with wicked Jezebel at his side, did more to provoke God to anger than all the kings before him. Together, they made a powerful and evil pair, luring Israel into wholesale Baal worship.

But the prophet Elijah was determined to defend against this unholy duo. His courage in defying Jezebel, Ahab, and all their cohorts was honored by God with miracles and signs that proved that God was still in charge, even during these dark days in the land of Israel.

Discuss:  

• Elijah knew God was with him. What were some of the miracles God performed to protect Elijah from Ahab and Jezebel?
• Did Elijah do as God told him even though he was afraid? Someone once said that courage is not the absence of fear; it is action in the face of fear.
• There was a great famine in the land because God withheld the rain for a long time. How did God provide food for Elijah when he was staying with the widow and her son?
• How did Elijah survive when he was hiding from the king? What does that tell us about God’s ability to help us in the time of our need?
• Elijah invited the prophets of Baal to a showdown on Mount Carmel to prove who was the true God. How did God show the people that He is the only true God and that Baal and Asherah were just false, powerless idols?

Memorization Challenge: 

1 Kings 18:21 

“And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word.”

Featured Passage: 1 Samuel 1-2

As 1 Samuel begins, we are introduced to a woman from the strange-sounding city called Ramathaimzophim! Her name was much easier to pronounce than her city! She was called Hannah.

Hannah was a faithful woman, and loved God. But God had not blessed her with the one thing that she desired most – a child. In time, Hannah and her husband travelled to Shiloh to offer sacrifices to God. As she prayed quietly, she began to weep, begging God to give her a child. If only He would bless her with a son, she prayed, she would dedicate the boy to serve God all his life. God heard the prayer of faithful Hannah, and fulfilled her request. Her son Samuel followed Hannah’s example of faithfulness and dedication to God, giving his life in service for decades to come.

Discuss:

• Hannah dedicated her son to God.  What does it mean to be dedicated to God?
• Hannah named her son Samuel which means “God heard”. Why do you think Hannah chose that name for him?
• Samuel lived and served in the tabernacle from the time he was very young. What do you think it would be like to grow up working in the Tabernacle of God?
• Just as Samuel’s story shows, you’re never too young to serve and obey God. How can you be like Samuel today? 

Memory Challenge: 

1 Samuel 2:26

 And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men.

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: 2 Chronicles 11 and 12

Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon, was selected to be king after Solomon’s death. Rehoboam was 41 years old when he took the throne. His first instinct when the ten tribes declared their independence was to declare war on Israel and bring them back under his rule. Would he succeed and rule over Judah and Israel? What type of king would Rehoboam be? In this lesson, we will learn more about King Rehoboam and the legacy that he left.

Discuss: 

• God told Shemaiah to tell Rehoboam that He inspired Israel to be split. To his credit, Rehoboam did not try to subdue Israel; he accepted what God had done.
• The Levites who were living within the Kingdom of Israel left when they started worshipping idols and joined with the Kingdom of Judah. 
• Why was Rehoboam strengthened when the Levites returned to Judah? 
• What is the relationship between obedience and blessings? Rehoboam was blessed during the three years he followed God.
• Rehoboam started out well, and he had many great works. Rehoboam built walled cities for security and encouraged the people to worship God. 
• Rehoboam had many wives, which is contrary to God’s instructions. What place in the Bible makes that very clear? 
• People can often forget about God when things are going well (Deuteronomy 8:18–19). Was this what happened with Reheboam? 
• God sent Egypt against Rehoboam because of his transgressions. The Egyptians took all the treasury back to Egypt with them. There is always a consequence for disobedience to God. 
• Rehoboam reigned for seventeen years. He left a legacy of disobedience toward God, unlike King David.

Memory Challenge:

Deuteronomy 8:19

Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.

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.”