The People Kept Sinning - Judges 2
After God’s people sinned, the judges helped God’s people obey God again. But the judges could not change the people’s hearts and make them love God. God had a plan. He sent His Son, Jesus, to change His people’s hearts and save them from sin forever.
Abiders
(Preschool - Kindergarten)
Bible Builders and Crosswalkers
(1st - 5th grades)
Sing along with the Bible Verse Songs Playlist from Units 9 and 10!
Family Worship:
Read all or parts of Judges 2 from your Bible or watch the Bible story video.
Talk About Scripture:
In 1998, five countries worked together to launch the International Space Station. It orbits Earth approximately 15 times per day, collecting data for research. It’s been flying the same path around the planet for 24 years. If you do the math, this means the International Space Station has circled the planet more than 131,000 times. Talk about going around in circles!
After Joshua died, the next generation of Israelites forgot about the wondrous works God had done. For many years after that, the people followed the same devastating path of sin. Over and over again, the Israelites forgot God, turned away from God, and then cried out “God save us!” Each time, God sent a judge to deliver his people and save them from their enemy. But the cycle of sin kept going around and around.
This same cycle is in our lives. We have sinned and turned away from God. When we realize how sin separates us from God, we should cry out “Save us!” Glory to God that He has heard those cries for help! He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sin and be the perfect Deliverer! Only Jesus has the power to defeat sin. He is the better rescuer who can deliver us from the cycle of sin.
The judges saved the people from the consequences of their sin, but not the cause of it. God’s plan was to one day send a true Deliverer—Jesus, His own Son—to be the King of His people. Jesus saves people from sin forever.
Learn Scripture:
Family Prayer:
Ask God for His wisdom and strength to confess sin quickly. How can confessing our sin and seeking God’s help break the cycle of sin? What do you believe is God’s reaction when His people repent?
Thank God for always hearing our prayers and responding according to His will. How did God respond to the cries of the Israelites? What does this teach us about His patience and love for His people—even when they disobey?
Family Activities:
Play a game of follow-the-leader. Direct the leader to walk in a funny way, sing a song, or dance while others follow his motions. Assign one family member to shout “Repent!” at any point during the game, at which point the entire family must turn and begin marching in the opposite direction. The person at the opposite end of the line is now the leader. After playing, discuss what repentance means (Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus). Talk with kids about God’s desire for people—including your family—to turn away from sin and follow Jesus.
Work as a family to pick up trash and litter in a nearby park or along a neighborhood road. Talk with kids about how this area will likely be littered again and will need another cleanup in time. Remind kids that the judges could only bring temporary relief from the consequences of sin, but Jesus has completely defeated sin. Through Him, we can have forgiveness and total deliverance.