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4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 15, Session 2: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz TEACHER BIBLE STUDY In the days Ahaz was king of Judah, the political situation between Judah, Israel, and Syria was tense. The Kingdom of Assyria was getting stronger and taking over nations. Israel and Syria formed an alliance against Assyria and asked Ahaz to join them. If Ahaz joined the alliance and Assyria won, he was as good as dead. If he said no and the alliance won, he was as good as dead.

Ahaz said no. What happened next is found in Isaiah 7. The kings of Syria and Israel went to Jerusalem to wage war, but the kings could not succeed.

Though they didn’t conquer Judah, they still devastated the country. Syria took many captives. Israel killed 120,000 men, plundered Judah, and took 200,000 captives. (See 2 Chronicles 28:6,8.) Judah was able to survive because Ahaz entered into an alliance with the king of Assyria.

Isaiah 7 opens with the armies of Israel and Syria approaching Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. Ahaz was terrified. Isaiah and his son, Shear-jashub, gave Ahaz a message from God. “Calm down and be quiet,” Isaiah told Ahaz. “These kings are planning to conquer you, but God says this will not happen.” God would be Ahaz’s ally. All He asked of Ahaz was to trust Him.

God would give Ahaz a sign: “The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.” Immanuel means “God with us.” If God was with Ahaz, what did Ahaz have to fear? Ahaz did not trust God, and a short time later, Assyria defeated Judah.

Isaiah’s prophecy was partially fulfilled immediately with the birth of Isaiah’s son. (See Isaiah 8:1-4.) Judah would escape Assyrian captivity because God was with them. Isaiah’s prophecy was ultimately fulfilled through Jesus. (Matthew 1:23) Jesus is God with us. He is our faithful ally at all times— protecting, defending, and comforting those who trust in Him.

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz Bible Passage: Isaiah 7 Big Picture Question: Who is our Immanuel? Jesus is God with us. Key Passage: Isaiah 53:6 Unit Christ Connection: God’s promised Messiah comes out of David’s family and is described in Isaiah’s prophecy.

Transition Time Welcome time Activity Sheet/Table Centers Session starter (10 minutes)

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 15, Session 2: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz

Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (2 minutes) Timeline map (2 minutes) Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) Big picture question (1 minute) The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Key passage (5 minutes) Discussion starter video (5 minutes) Sing (4 minutes) Prayer (2 minutes)

Table Time Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW

Isaiah Confronted Ahaz Isaiah 7

Ahaz was the king of Judah. He was not a good king; he did not do what was right. Ahaz made sacrifices and offerings to idols—people and things that are not the one true God. When Ahaz was king, the king of Israel made a deal with the king of Syria. They agreed to protect each other in battles against their enemies. King Ahaz gave silver and gold to the king of Assyria. Assyria was a strong nation, and the king agreed to protect Judah. One day, Ahaz heard that the kings of Israel and Syria were coming to Judah. Their armies were going to attack Jerusalem! Ahaz was afraid! Everyone in Judah was afraid. But Ahaz didn’t need to be afraid. He should have trusted God. God had promised his ancestor, King David, that He would be with His people. God sent the prophet Isaiah and Isaiah’s son to talk to Ahaz. God’s message for Ahaz was this: “Pay attention and be quiet. Trust God. Be confident that God will take care of you.” God had good news for Ahaz. “The kings of Israel and Syria are planning to attack Jerusalem and make someone else king. But this won’t happen,” God said. “If you do not trust Me, you will not last.” God spoke through Isaiah and said to Ahaz, “Ask Me to give you a sign,” but Ahaz did not ask for a sign. Then Isaiah said, “Listen! God is going to give you a sign anyway. Here is the sign: A virgin will have a baby. She will name the baby Immanuel.”

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 15, Session 2: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz

Isaiah told Ahaz that very soon, the kings of Israel and Syria would not be a threat to Judah. “But,” Isaiah continued, “God’s judgment is coming. He is going to judge you and the people of Judah. You have not seen judgment like this since Solomon’s kingdom was divided into Israel and Judah. The king of Assyria and his strong army is coming to attack!” “On that day, God will send armies of your enemies to Judah. The Assyrians will come from the north, and the Egyptians will come from the south. You won’t be able to get away from them!” Isaiah said.

Christ Connection: Through the prophet Isaiah, God promised to send Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Jesus fulfilled this promise when He came to earth and was born of a virgin. Jesus is our Immanuel, God with us.

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz Bible Passage: Isaiah 7 Big Picture Question: Who is our Immanuel? Jesus is God with us. Key Passage: Isaiah 53:6 Unit Christ Connection: God’s promised Messiah comes out of David’s family and is described in Isaiah’s prophecy.

Welcome time Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Ask kids to name one of their favorite names of God or Jesus. (Savior, Lord, Messiah, Son of God, Helper, Yahweh, Redeemer) Say • In our Bible story today, we will hear one of the names of Jesus. Listen closely to discover which name and what it means.

Activity page Table Centers (Miscellaneous Activities) “Finding Your Way” / “Bible Books Gameboard” activity page, 1 per kid Bibles pencils markers gameboard markers dice Challenge kids to complete the maze in the puzzle “Finding Your Way.”

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 15, Session 2: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz

Say • Does life ever feel like a maze? Is life challenging or confusing sometimes? In our Bible story, a king faced a challenge and he was afraid. But God sent Isaiah with a special message.

As time allows, lead kids to play the game on the activity page “Bible Books Gameboard.”

Session starter (10 minutes) Option 1: “Silver and Gold” Toss muffin tin or containers of various sizes plastic silver and gold coins of the same size, 25 per team Place a small piece of paper in the bottom of each muffin tin with a point value ranging from 1 to 100 points. Form two teams and give one team gold coins and one team silver coins. Allow teams to line up and begin tossing their coins into the muffin tin. After every team member has tossed their coins, add up each team’s points. Note: If you can’t locate silver and gold coins, use pennies but provide each team with its own muffin tin. Say • What did you toss in today’s game? Coins or money. Why do people give other people money? • During the time of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, kings would often pay other kings to be their allies and to protect them. It was called paying a tribute. In our Bible story today, a king paid silver and gold to another king to have protection. Listen to find out what happened to the two kings.

Option 2: Shaking Gelatin gelatin plates spoons whipped cream cherries Allergy Alert Prepare gelatin at home and allow it to cool overnight in a square or rectangular pan. Cut gelatin into squares and place a piece on each kid’s plate. Ask kids to look at the movement the gelatin makes. It wiggles. It shakes. Say • In our Bible story today, a group of people became very afraid. The Bible says their hearts shook like trees in a forest shake when the wind blows. Help kids top the gelatin with whipped cream and a cherry. As kids eat their snack, ask kids to consider and answer the following questions. Say • What are some reasons people become afraid? • Have you ever been so scared that your legs or knees shook like our gelatin shook? What happened? Why were you afraid? • In today’s story about Isaiah, God had a special message for the people who were afraid. It is a message that is special to us too.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 15, Session 2: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz

Transition to large group

LESSON Session Title: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz Bible Passage: Isaiah 7 Big Picture Question: Who is our Immanuel? Jesus is God with us. Key Passage: Isaiah 53:6 Unit Christ Connection: God’s promised Messiah comes out of David’s family and is described in Isaiah’s prophecy.

Countdown countdown video (insert provided DVD with lesson videos and worship) Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (2 minutes) leader attire [Large Group Leader enters wearing overalls over a T-shirt, boots or tennis shoes, and a baseball hat. Tuck a handkerchief in a pocket of the overalls.] Leader • Welcome back to Grow and Go Farm. Are you ready for another exciting day here on the farm? I was reading a news article this week about fears. Did you know that some people are afraid of flowers? Did you know that some people are afraid of trees and forests? I don’t think any of those people would come to visit Grow and Go Farm. People are afraid of a lot of different things. What about you? What is something you are afraid of? Select several kids to share a fear. Be encouraging and affirm their willingness to openly share with the group. Leader • Fear is something everyone experiences. We all have times we are afraid of something. But what do we do when we are afraid? Who can help us? That is what we are going to talk about today. Join me in looking at our timeline map.

Timeline map (2 minutes) Timeline Map – small group visual pack (Additional copies provided for Table Time Review) Indicate the fall of the Northern Kingdom and today’s Bible story on the timeline map. Leader • The Israelite people split into two kingdoms, the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The Northern Kingdom sinned and sinned and sinned. Eventually, they faced very serious consequences for their sin. Their kingdom was conquered, and the people were scattered to other cities. Before the Northern Kingdom was conquered, one of their kings made an agreement with

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 15, Session 2: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz

the nation of Syria. The two kingdoms agreed to protect each other, and they made a plan to attack the Southern Kingdom of Judah. How do you think the people in Judah felt? The Bible says they were afraid. Open your Bible to Isaiah 7 and let’s find out what happened to the people of Judah.

Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) “Isaiah Confronted Ahaz” video Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture – 11x17 poster provided Big Picture Question: “Who is our Immanuel?” – 11x17 poster provided Open your Bible to Isaiah 7 and tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “Isaiah Confronted Ahaz.” Leader • Ahaz and the people of Judah were afraid. They didn’t want to be defeated by Israel and Syria. What was God’s message to Ahaz? Ahaz needed to trust God. If he trusted God, God would take care of him and the people of Judah. God also gave Ahaz a sign. What was the sign? OK. I heard someone say it. God would send a baby who would be named Immanuel. God promised that the kings of Israel and Syria would not be a problem for the Southern Kingdom. God also told Isaiah to tell Ahaz that the consequences for his sin would come. Ahaz did not worship only the one true God. He worshiped false idols. The people in the Southern Kingdom sinned against God. Isaiah warned that the Southern Kingdom would face the consequences of their sin. The Southern Kingdom would be conquered by other nations. Isn’t it sad to hear that the Southern Kingdom sinned? They did not follow God’s commands. They did not love only God. And they did not repent of their sin. Sin always has a price. The price of the Southern Kingdom’s sin would be that one day they would be defeated by the Assyrians and the Egyptians. The special promise God gave Ahaz was also a promise for all of the Israelites and for the world. God would send a sign by sending a special baby. The baby’s mom would be a virgin. The baby would be called Immanuel. Immanuel means “God with us.”

Big picture question (1 minute) 11x17 poster provided Bibles Leader • Wait a minute! I almost forgot. I haven’t told you today’s big picture question! Our big picture question is, Who is our Immanuel? Shout out what you think the answer is when I count to three. One. Two. Three. You must have been listening during our Bible story. You are right. Our big picture answer is, Jesus is God with us. Say the entire big picture question and answer with me. Who is our Immanuel? Jesus is God with us.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Using Scripture and the guide provided, explain to girls and boys how to become a Christian. Tell kids how they can respond, and provide counselors to speak with each kid individually. Encourage boys and

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 15, Session 2: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz

girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Key passage (5 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Isaiah 53:6 (11x17 poster, provided) Worship Song: “All We Like Sheep (Thank You, God)” (on provided DVD) Leader • Do I have any volunteers who want to lead our group in saying the key passage? Select a few volunteers. Leader • Does anyone want to try to say the key passage alone? Allow a couple of volunteers to try. If you don’t have any volunteers, encourage the kids to continue practicing. Lead girls and boys to sing “All We Like Sheep (Thank You, God).”

Discussion Starter Video (5 minutes) Unit 15, Session 2 discussion starter video (on provided DVD) Leader • Raise your hand if you have ever had a really bad day. I see a lot of hands. Think about how you felt on that day while you watch this video. Show the “Unit 15 Session 2” video. Leader • Does that look familiar? Does it remind you of the bad day you had? What did the kid keep saying? She kept saying that God would take care of her. Is it hard to trust God when things are going bad? Provide kids with a few minutes to think and respond. Invite kids to consider the big picture question and answer as they respond.

Sing (4 minutes) Worship Song: “Your Love Never Fails” (on provided DVD) Leader • Before we sing our theme song, name a Bible story where we see that God’s love never fails. Select three or four kids to share. If no one mentions it, mention the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lead girls and boys to sing “Your Love Never Fails.”

Prayer (2 minutes) Leader • Who is our Immanuel? Jesus is God with us. I’m not sure you know the big picture question and answer. When I count to three, tell me today’s big picture question and answer. One. Two. Three! Who is our Immanuel? Jesus is God with us. Great job! In just a minute, I am going to dismiss us by praying. After I pray, watch your small group leader for the signal to go to your small group. Come and join us here next week at Grow and Go Farm, and we’ll learn more about the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Close in prayer.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 15, Session 2: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz Bible Passage: Isaiah 7 Big Picture Question: Who is our Immanuel? Jesus is God with us. Key Passage: Isaiah 53:6 Unit Christ Connection: God’s promised Messiah comes out of David’s family and is described in Isaiah’s prophecy.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Bibles, 1 per kid Timeline – small group visual pack “King Ahaz” Crown (located in your Table Time Review bin) “Isaiah 7 Map” Help boys and girls locate Isaiah 7 in the Bible. Ask for a volunteer to read verse 4. Ask another volunteer to read verse 9b. Ask a third volunteer to read verse 14. Ask a final volunteer to read verse 17. You may use the “Isaiah 7 Map” to help kids visually grasp what was occurring during today’s Bible story.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 15, Session 2: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz

Say • Was Ahaz a good king? No. Ahaz worshiped false idols. He did not trust God. God sent Ahaz a message and a sign. • God also warned Ahaz that the consequences of his sin and the sin of the Israelites were coming. The people would face two armies, and they would be defeated. It would be difficult to grow food. It would be a very sad time. • Who is our Immanuel? Jesus is God with us. • How did Jesus fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy? (Jesus fulfilled this promise when He came to earth and was born of a virgin.) • What is a prophecy? A prophecy is a word from God to a group of people. Many books of the Old Testament record when the prophets shared a word from God about the coming of Jesus. Guide kids to locate New Testament verses demonstrating the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 7:14. Ask for volunteers to locate Matthew 1:21-23. If you choose to review with boys and girls how to become a Christian, explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another leader if they have questions. God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16-17) We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23; 6:23) God provided. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9) Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be welcomed into God’s family. (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18) We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus. (Romans 10:9-10,13) Review the unit using the timeline in the small group visual pack.

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Square Toss” Instructions Key Passage Poster: Isaiah 53:6 (provided) paper plates with key passage segments tape The key passage has been printed on paper plates. Tape a square or circle on the floor in the middle of the small group area. Scatter the paper plates around the small group area, as far as possible from the taped square. Challenge kids to find the words of the key passage in order and toss them into the square. Once kids have tossed all of the plates in order to the square, lead girls and boys to read the passage together. Remove every other plate and challenge kids to say the passage. Say • If you were explaining this verse to someone who has never been to church, what would you say? If you have time, allow each kid to share.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 15, Session 2: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz

Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Review Free Throws small ball bucket Guide kids to play a review game about today’s Bible story. Form two teams or allow kids to play the game individually. If a team answers a question correctly, allow them to shoot the ball toward the basket. Award two points for every correct question and a bonus point for a basket. 1. Ahaz was the king of what kingdom? (the Southern Kingdom of Judah, Isaiah 7:1) 2. When Ahaz heard that the kings of Israel and Syria were going to attack, what was his response? (fear, Isaiah 7:2) 3. Whom did God send to talk to Ahaz? (Isaiah and Isaiah’s son, Isaiah 7:3) 4. What did God tell Ahaz to ask for? (a sign, Isaiah 7:11) 5. What was Ahaz’s response? (He refused, Isaiah 7:12) 6. What would the woman name her baby? (Immanuel, Isaiah 7:14) 7. Who would no longer be a threat to Ahaz? (the kings of Israel and Syria, Isaiah 7:5-7) 8. What two armies would one day come to Judah to attack? (Assyria and Egypt, Isaiah 7:18) 9. What does Immanuel mean? (God with us.) Say • Who is our Immanuel? Jesus is God with us.

Option 2: Hardware Wind Chimes scissors markers glue wooden craft sticks string nuts, 3 per kid washers, 3 per kid jingle bells, 1 per kid Guide boys and girls to glue three craft sticks together to form a triangle. Next, kids should print on two sides of the triangle the phrase Trust God or today’s big picture question and answer. While the glue sets on the craft sticks, help girls and boys cut seven pieces of string. The strings should be the same length, approximately 8 or 9 inches. Instruct kids to tie each string to a piece of hardware or jingle bell. After all the hardware is attached, tie each string to the bottom section of the wooden triangle. The hardware pieces need to be even at the bottom, so they can hit one another when the wind blows. Say • Who was afraid in our Bible story? Ask a couple of volunteers to read Isaiah 7:2-4. Say • What can we remember when we are afraid? Who is our Immanuel? Jesus is God with us.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 15, Session 2: Isaiah Confronted Ahaz

Prayer (5 minutes) Say • Who is our Immanuel? Jesus is God with us. How do you know that God is with you? What are some signs in your life that help you know God is with you? Encourage children to share any prayer requests they have. Close in prayer, asking God to help girls and boys know He is with them always.

Clean-Up Room

Instructions: Complete the maze.

Unit 15 • Session 2 • Older Kids Activity Pages J Isaiah, Prophet to udah

Romans

Ruth

Daniel

Exodus Isaiah

space

1 John 1

move 1 1 move

Jonah udah Bonus Bonus

Haggai

Joel Malachi

Matthew Jude

Revelation Mark

Amos

Ephesians

Isaiah, Prophet to to Prophet Isaiah,

Nehemiah

3 John 3

Obadiah

Ezra Titus

Hebrews

Bonus 2 Corinthians

spaces

move 3 Luke

Genesis

2 Timothy 2 Micah

Psalms 1 Samuel

space

move 1 1 move Joshua

Bonus Bonus Leviticus

James

1 Thessalonians 1 Job

Bonus

spaces move 2

Partner with a few friends to play. Use a coin or a piece of paper to mark your place on the gameboard. Roll a Use a coin or piece of paper to mark your place on the gameboard. friends to play. Instructions: with a few Partner your spot. If numbered cube to start. If you can name the book before or after land on, may keep name one of the books, you must return to space were on prior rolling cube. you can’t

John

2 Kings 2

Unit 15 • Session 2 • Older Kids Activity Pages Activity Unit 15 • Session 2 Older Kids

2 Peter 2 Esther Colossians

Deuteronomy

Hosea Acts Family Journal Page Isaiah, Prophet to Judah Isaiah Confronted Ahaz Isaiah and other prophets often had to tell powerful people Isaiah 7 hard messages from God. They could speak with confidence Preschool because they were speaking words from God. Practice at home Key Passage: Isaiah 53:6 greeting one another with confidence. Stand tall, make eye Big Picture Question: What does Immanuel mean? contact, smile, introduce yourself clearly, and shake hands Immanuel means “God is with us.” firmly. Next time you go to church, think of someone you Christ Connection: God told Isaiah about His plan. Isaiah said that God was going to send someone named don’t know well and greet that person with a smile, hello, eye Immanuel. Jesus is the One God promised to send. contact, and, perhaps, a handshake. List the names of people One of Jesus’ names is Immanuel. The name Immanuel you greeted below. means “God is with us.” Jesus is God with us.

Kids Key Passage: Isaiah 53:6 Big Picture Question: Who is our Immanuel? Jesus is God with us. Christ Connection: Through the prophet Isaiah, God promised to send Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Jesus ful lled this promise when He came to earth and was born of a virgin. Jesus is our Immanuel, God with us.

UNIT 15 • Session 2 OK TO PRINT

UNIT 15 • Key Passage Poster (ESV) OK TO PRINT J Isaiah, Prophet to udah