Judges Era:
(Sin Cycles) / Gideon / Samson / Samuel
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God had led His People to defeat their enemies and to take the Promised Land through the leadership of Joshua. After Joshua died, there was no one to lead the people and they turned their backs on God. Their enemies began to fight against them and defeat them. God’s people cried out and God raised up Judges to lead the people. This "sin cycle" happened seven times during this era following the same pattern in the diagram above.
Since my kids are young I found these pictures to be a helpful way to visualize the sin cycle and explain it on a preschool level. Emphasize God always heard their cry for help each time they got into bondage after having left Him. He always had compassion on them, sent a judge to deliver them, and then gave them years of rest. When the judge would die, they would walk away from God, thus starting the cycle all over again. As we talked about Gideon, Samson, and Samuel I reinforced the sin cycle.
The Judges
Each man did what he thought was right
In his own eyes, and yet
In God’s eyes it was very wrong
His rules had long been set.
Yet Israel went along her way
Just doing as she would.
Whatever each man chose to do
He did and called it good.
God judged them time and time again
For sins that they had done.
They’d cry out in their pain and then
The Lord would raise up one
Who’d rescue them from enemies
And lead them for a time.
Then he (or she) would die and back
Into such sin they’d climb!
The cycle never seemed to end
They never, ever learned.
Instead of seeking their true God
To others’ gods, they’d turn.
At last God said they’d sinned enough
And drove them from the land.
Rebuke would come to Judah, too,
By God Almighty’s hand.
But He will bring them home again
When they accept His Son
And humbly bow their heads and say,
“My Lord, Thy will be done.”
"Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water."
Judges 6:36-38
Acting out the stories of the Bible help them come alive and make them memorable.
We talked about how God told Gideon to choose his army by how they drank the water. This was fun to act out as well : )
Quiz
Veggie Tales has a cute movie that highlights the life of Gideon. If you have Hulu or Amazon Prime you can watch it on TV. If not, you can watch it online HERE
Samson
After reading the story of Samson a few times in books I checked out from the library we wrote a "Samson fact" on each chain link which tells the story of his life. This was a great way for the kids to work on active listening. Then we added our chain to the chalkboard drawing for the week.
Benjamin loved acting out the story of Samson - especially having long hair and knocking over pillars!
At church he said "I'm as strong as Samson!"
Samson Quiz PRINT
We used this booklet while reading the story and discussed the Bible facts
Samuel
The story of Samuel who was the (last judge and first prophet) starts with his mother, Hannah, praying to God for a child.
This was an opportunity to talk to the kids about prayer and how we can always come to God with our needs and desires. He sees and He hears!
"Speak Lord, your servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3:10
We used this LINK to print off and make "listening ears". We talked about how Samuel listened to God and how we can too.
Call of Samuel activity:
Have your kids go hide, and when you call their name they have to come running and say "Yes Lord, your servant is listening." Bonus: This is a fun way to practice first time obedience : )
