lesson 2 hour b · 2019-02-12 · old testament unit 8: judges and ruth lesson 2: god helped gideon...

God’s Unfolding StoryHour B

Suggested Schedule:

ArrivalCenters – 25 minutes

Clean-up Time – 5 minutes

Bible Story Time – 15 minutes

Craft Time – 10 minutes

Snack Time – 10 minutes

Game Time/Dismissal

God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT08 Lesson 2 Hour B

1. God created everything.

2. People disobeyed God.

3. God chose a special people.

4. God sent Jesus to help us.

5. Jesus began the Church.

6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us.

Old Testament Unit 8: Judges and Ruth Lesson 2: God Helped Gideon to be Courageous

Unfolding God’s Story for TeachersOur story today is an example of how God can give us courage despite our fears. When we acknowledge our doubts and uncertainties and submit to His Lordship, God is able to do powerful and mighty things though us. Judges 6:1-2 tells us that because God’s people did evil in His sight, “the LORD handed them over to Midian for seven years, and they oppressed Israel.” Here we see the cycle of sin and judgment. God did not immediately swoop down and relieve oppression when He heard His people’s cries. Instead He sent a prophet to remind them of His past faithfulness and to underscore their defiance and its consequences. God later moved to deliver Israel through Gideon. God’s angel appeared to Gideon as he was threshing wheat. His greeting, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior,” had little effect on Gideon. He did not see himself as God saw him and even questioned God’s presence because of the current state of Israel. God directed Gideon to deliver Israel, but Gideon offered excuses. He saw himself as the youngest of a weak clan, but the angel persisted and promised God’s presence. He wanted Gideon to realize that, as one commentator put it, “The effectiveness of the Lord’s deliverance does not depend upon the ability of the human deliverer.”* Because Gideon was not there yet in his journey of faith, he needed a sign. God sent fire from heaven to consume Gideon’s offering. Instead of assuring Gideon of God’s presence, however, the incident terrified him. Again in His grace, God communicated His peace, and finally Gideon was ready to step out in faith. God told Gideon to take the hard yet necessary step of ridding his own backyard of idols. Though he faced death threats from whose worship centers he destroyed, God protected him. Gideon moved ahead and in the strength of the Holy Spirit gathered an army. Even though he was surrounded by thousands of soldiers as well as the Lord’s presence, Gideon grew apprehensive again. Twice at Gideon’s request, God used a fleece to give Gideon a sign, so the reluctant military leader

once again was encouraged to move forward. He assumed he would march into battle with these troops, but God wanted to make sure Gideon recognized victory came from Him alone. God reduced Gideon’s army in order for Gideon to know that victory comes, “‘Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD” (Zech. 4:6). With no swords or spears—just trumpets, torches, jars, and shouts—God used a once fearful Gideon to courageously lead a tiny army to victory. The glory and honor went to God! We all face battles, yet if the cause be righteous, we are God’s “warriors.” Our own strength and ingenuity will fail us. We must understand this without cowering in fear. Instead, we go forth in the presence of God.

Arrival• Greet children at eye level and express how happy

you are to see them.• Be sure each child has a name tag and the security

measures of your church are followed.• Label all coats and personal belongings. Strongly

encourage children who have brought items from home, such as toys and books, to place them on a shelf while they are working with other materials. Assure children their items will be safe and they can take them home at the end of the session.

• Help each child make a choice where he or she would like to begin his or her Center Time.

Lesson Plan

Bible Story: God Helped Gideon to be Courageous

(Judges 6–7)Bible Phrase:

“‘Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord”

(Zechariah 4:6).Bible Truth: God will

give me courage when I am afraid.

*W. Gary Phillips, Holman Old Testament Commentary, Vol. 5: Judges, Ruth, (Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 2004), 97.

Center Time

OT08 Lesson 2 Hour B

Art Center: Make a CollageSupplies:

• White construction paper or one large sheet of paper for a class collage

• Collage materials such as old magazines from which to cut out pictures, scrapes of construction

paper, stickers, buttons, fabric scraps, foam stick-on shapes

• Glue sticks, children’s scissors, crayons, and washable markers

What to Do: Print today’s Bible Phrase on each paper or on the large sheet of paper. Invite children to use their imaginations and the

materials to make a collage. Link to the Bible Story: As preschoolers work, talk about things

that require courage. Items may include such things as learning to ride a bike, sleeping though the night in one’s

own bed or without a light, going to a new school or church, moving to a new town or house, and

spending time away from parents. Discuss what helps people to be able to do those things. Call attention to the Bible Phrase and

express that God can help us have the courage we need when we are afraid.

Block Center: Build with Blocks

Supplies:

• Wooden blocksWhat to Do: Provide a small carpet

if possible. Blocks are best located in a corner of the room away from the

traffic flow. Link to the Bible Story: As preschoolers

build with blocks, use teachable moments to share the Bible Phrase, Bible truth, or a portion of the Bible story.

Puzzle Center: Work PuzzlesSupplies:

• Offer a variety of non-fantasy wooden or cardboard puzzles for children to work.

• Small basket or boxWhat to Do: Empty the puzzle pieces of two different puzzles into a small basket or box. Place the basket between the empty puzzle trays. Invite each of two preschoolers to choose a puzzle piece and decide in which puzzle tray it will fit. Encourage preschoolers to take turns. Affirm children as they work together to complete the puzzles. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, look for opportunities in conversation to say the Bible phrase or to briefly tell the Bible story.

God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com

Bible Learning Center: What Does Not Belong?

Supplies: • Copies of Activity Page: What Does

Not Belong?, “God Helped Gideon to be Courageous” (Reproducible)

• Washable markers or crayonsWhat to Do: Look at the Bible story picture and

find five things that do not belong in the picture.Link to the Bible Story: As children work on this

activity, talk about the Bible story. Express that God chose a young man named Gideon to lead

an army to fight the Israelites’ enemy. God told Gideon He would help the Israelites win.

God told Gideon to give each soldier a jar, a torch, and a trumpet. The men were to

blow the trumpet, break the jars, and lift up the torches. God used the noise and

the lights to scare the enemy, making it possible for Israel to win the battle.

Home Living Center: Role PlaySupplies:

• Small rocking chair, sink and stove unit and small table and chairs; plastic dishes, child pots and pans; pretend food items; doll, doll bed, and doll accessoriesWhat to Do: Home living items naturally encourage children to act out roles and activities they observe at home. Link to the Bible Story: As you observe preschoolers working and playing together, listen for opportunities to connect their conversations to the Bible story, Bible truth, or Bible Phrase.


Clean-up Time

Introduction• Show the God’s Unfolding Story Cube. Express to the boys and girls that even though we find many stories in the Bible, the Bible really tells one big story, and all the little stories are a part of the big one we can call God’s Unfolding Story. Tell children that each picture represents a chapter in God’s Unfolding Story. Turn the cube and talk about each part of the story. (Refer to page 1.) Express that every story from the Bible is from one of these main chapters. Today’s story is from the third one, God chose a special people.• Express the following in your own words.

“Have you ever been afraid to do something but did it even though you were afraid? [Allow for responses, but keep the dialogue on track.] How were you able to have the courage to do what you needed to do? In our Bible story today, God asked a young man named Gideon to do something he was afraid to try. Listen to hear how God helped Gideon have courage.”

Bible StoryGod Helped Gideon to be Courageous (Judges 6–7)The Israelites had disobeyed God and were being ruled by another king. This was not God’s perfect plan for His people, but His people had disobeyed Him. The country that ruled over them destroyed their crops and took their cattle and sheep. The people had become very poor and were living in the caves of the mountains to protect themselves. The Israelites prayed and asked for help. Even though they had disobeyed, God loved them and wanted to help. God’s helper would be a young man named Gideon. One day Gideon was outside his home working. Gideon was the youngest boy in his family. An angel of the Lord came and said to Gideon, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” The angel told him to go and deliver Israel from the enemy, but Gideon did not feel like a warrior at all. He felt afraid. He told the angel he was the youngest of his family and he could not go. The angel told Gideon that God would be with him and he would be able to defeat the enemy. Gideon obeyed, and God helped him to gather an army, but the army was bigger than God thought it should be. God told Gideon to send anyone home who might be too afraid. Lots of men went home. After that, Gideon thought God was ready for them to go to battle, but then God told him he still had too many soldiers. He asked Gideon to take the men to the river to get water. Some men bent down and drank water right from the river; others got some water in their hands and drank it from their hands as a dog would

drink water with its tongue. God told Gideon to take only those men who drank from their hands. There were only 300! Gideon was really frightened. How could he win a battle with only 300 men? The enemy had hundreds and hundreds of soldiers. God helped Gideon to not be afraid. He assured him that he would win the battle. What did God have in mind? Gideon and his men would circle the enemy camp during the night carrying torches, jars, and trumpets. When Gideon gave the command, they would blow their trumpets, break their jars, lift their torches, and then shout as loud as they could. When they did these things, the noise and lights confused the men in the enemy camp so much that that they started fighting each other! The Israelites won the battle! God gave Gideon courage, and God caused his army to win. The soldiers did not even bring

a sword.

Talk Time1. Show the teaching picture for today’s Bible story.

Review by using these or similar questions. “Why were God’s people in trouble? How was the king treating the Israelites? How did Gideon feel when the angel asked him to fight the enemy? What was one way God gave Gideon courage? How did God help His people win the battle?”

2. Read the Bible phrase on the teaching picture. Say the phrase together, “‘Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6). Explain to the children that in today’s Bible story, the battle was not won by Gideon’s or his army’s strength or might, but by God’s power. God wanted Gideon to know He was his strength and power. Gideon could have courage because God was with him.

3. Close the Bible Story Time by inviting children to join you in prayer. Pray, thanking God that He

gives strength and courage to do what is right.

Bible Story Time

Supplies: Bible• Teaching Picture: “God

Helped Gideon to be Courageous” (Reproducible)• God’s Unfolding Story Cube

(Reproducible/Cardstock)

Encourage preschoolers to

help at clean-up time. Assign specific tasks for

preschoolers to do such as placing all the crayons in the

basket, throwing away the trash, gathering all the glue sticks,

etc. Guide children to the Bible Story Time area.

Snack TimeBe sure to wash hands or use hand sanitizer. Say a thank-you prayer to God for the snack. When snack time has ended, encourage preschoolers to help with cleaning up.


Craft Time: Bible Phrase TorchSupplies: • Copies of “Bible Phrase Torch” (Reproducible, 1 copy for every child, cardstock recommended)• Crayons or markers, children’s scissors• Clear self-adhesive paper – (4” x 4” square needed per child)• Orange construction paper – (Several sheets)What to Do: Cut out the torches and the circle in the center of the flame. Tear or cut orange construction paper into small squares. Cut clear self-adhesive paper a little larger than the hole in the flame and adhere a piece to the back of each torch. The sticky side should be on the front. Invite children to color their torch and stick pieces of orange construction paper on the adhesive paper. Link to the Bible Story: Ask children to tell their favorite part of the Bible story. Talk about times when people need courage. Say the Bible Phrase together and remind the boys and girls that God can give them the courage they need in times they are afraid—just as He did for Gideon.

Game Time / Dismissal: Follow the CubeSupplies: “Follow the Cube” – (Reproducible, cardstock recommended)What to Do: Cut out the cube and fold on the lines to make a box. Secure with tape. The pictures on the cube represent the following actions:

The trumpet—Blow your pretend trumpet four times. The Bible—Say the Bible Phrase, “‘Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord” Zechariah 4:6).

The face with the open mouth— Shout “Amen” 3 times.The jar—Break your pretend jar by clapping loudly. The footprints—March in place.The torch—Wave your pretend torch in the air.

Invite children to sit in a circle in the Game Time area. Show the pictures on the cube to the children and explain the action that goes with each picture. Practice the actions. Select a child to begin the game by throwing the cube. He or she should perform the action represented in the picture. Allow each child to have a turn to roll the cube. The faster the cube is rolled, the more fun the activity. At the close of the game, talk about how God used the breaking of the jars, the shouts, the trumpets, and the torches to confuse the enemies of the Israelites and to help His people win the battle.

Old Testament Unit 8: Judges and Ruth Lesson 2: God Helped Gideon to be Courageous


Resources and SuppliesStandard Art Supplies

(Supplies that are generally in the room)

Washable markersCrayons

Child scissorsPlaydough and accessories

Drawing paperEasel (optional)Glue/glue sticks

Tempera paint, 4 colorsTape/masking tape

Pencils/colored pencilsHole punch

Teacher scissorsStapler/staples

Permanent markersWatercolorsPaintbrushes

Yarn

Standard Equipment

(Equipment that is generally in the room)

BibleSmall beanbag for Bible Story Time

Assorted wooden/cardboard puzzlesSet of wooden blocksSmall cars and trucks

Doll bedBaby doll (soft plastic)

Stove/sink unitPlay dishes/pots and pans

Small table and chairsSmall carpet for block area

Play food itemsStorage shelf for blocks

Tables and chairs for art, puzzles, and Bible Learning Center

CD player/Children’s Worship CDs

Hour B

Reproducibles(Included with the lesson plan downloads)

Activity Page: What Does Not Belong? “God Helped Gideon to be Courageous” (1 copy per child)“Bible Phrase Torch” (1 copy for every child, cardstock recommended)

Teaching Picture: “God Helped Gideon to be Courageous” (1 copy per class)God’s Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock—1 copy per class)

“Follow the Cube” (1 copy per class, cardstock recommended)Parent Page (1 copy per child)

Coloring Page, “God Helped Gideon to be Courageous”

Additional Art Materials White construction paper or large sheet of white

paper – (1 sheet per child)Collage materials such as: Old magazines from

which to cut out pictures, buttons, fabric scrapes, stickers, foam stick-on shapes, scrapes of

construction paper

Additional Puzzle MaterialsSmall basket or box

Additional Craft MaterialsOrange construction paper – (3 sheets)

Clear self-adhesive paper – (4” x 4” square per child)

Activity Page: What Does Not Belong, “God Helped Gideon to be Courageous”Instructions: One copy per child. Find 6 things in the picture that do not belong and draw a circle around each object. OT08 Lesson 2 Hour B Bible Learning Center

God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com

What Does Not Belong?

Not by strength or

by might but by

my Spirit says

the Lord.

Zachariah 4:6b

Craft Time: “Bible Phrase Torch” Instructions: Copy 1 sheet for every child. Cardstock recommended. Cut

out each torch and the hole in the top of the torch. Stick a square of self-adhesive paper to the back side of the torch so the sticky side is showing on the front of the torch. Children can stick pieces of orange construction

paper to the sticky paper to look like fire. Color the torch.

OT08 Lesson 2 Hour B Craft TimeGod’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com

OT08 Lesson 2 OptionalGod’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com

Coloring PageGod Helped Gideon to be Courageous

“Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord. Zechariah 4:6

lesson 2 hour b · 2019-02-12 · old testament unit 8: judges and ruth lesson 2: god helped gideon...

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