Nahum, Prophet to Judah

Session 12 Session 12: Nahum, Prophet to Judah

FOR THE Nahum, Prophet to Judah LEADER Nahum 1–3 Though the Book of Nahum is a treatise of destruction against Nineveh, the personal name of Nahum means “comforter” or “consolation.” Even as Nahum delivered a dire message to Nineveh, he shared an equal message of hope and comfort to the people of Judah—God is a refuge in times of trouble to those who trust in Him. By Nahum’s time in history, the nation of Israel no longer existed. They had already fallen and had been taken as captives. The two tribes of Judah were all that remained of the people who had entered the promised land. Obviously, this is the same Nineveh to whom Jonah prophesied and who repented of their sin and experienced God’s favor. During Jonah’s time, Assyria was spared and, as had happened with Israelite nations, Assyria forgot about God as soon as things started going well for them again. Once Assyria regained their power, they began committing atrocities against nations. These heinous actions were far worse than those the Assyrians had committed just a few years earlier. Nahum’s warning was stern and exact, letting the people of Nineveh know that God would not stand by and watch their sin go unpunished. Chapter 1 of Nahum is a summary of the following two chapters, opening with God’s warning to Nineveh of the destruction to come, and ending with a promise of rest for Judah. While God abhors evil, He also cares for people who obey Him—in this case, Judah. Judah had been oppressed by Assyria, and now God would free them from that oppression. This chapter celebrates God’s greatness and His majesty. The final two chapters of Nahum are a complete play-by-play description of how the destruction of Nineveh would happen. In this instance, however, God declared that no way of escape existed. Nineveh and Assyria were going to fall and there was nothing they could do to stop it. In 612 BC, Nineveh was invaded by the Babylonians and completely destroyed. Remnants of the city could not be found until the mid 1800s AD.

SESSION FOCUS BIBLE PASSAGE: Nahum 1–3 MEMORY VERSE: Nahum 1:3a TEXT TRUTH: The Lord is a refuge for those who trust in Him. CHRIST IN CONTEXT: The Book of Nahum gives a message of warning to the people of Nineveh that God will punish sin. The book also gives an encouraging message to God’s people that they would be free from their enemy. Nahum told the people to trust God—He would rescue His people. Jesus offers us the same message. Trust in Him and He will rescue us from sin.

GET STARTED TOOLS ¨Ëxamine the Text: SMALL GROUP TOOLS (10 MINUTES) “Nahum” (Books of the (30 MINUTES) ¨¨Bible Skills: “Bible Bible Posters), Bibles, ¨Ëxplorer Guides: Bibles, Book Cards” (enhanced marker board, dry erase Explorer Guides, pens CD), “Bible Books” and markers ¨¨Move: masking tape, “Nahum” (Books of the ¨¨Video: Explore the Bible beanbag Bible Posters) on Location video ¨¨Make: heavyweight ¨¨Memory Verse: paper, markers, scissors, “Nahum 1:3a” (Poster Bibles, “Tower Verses” BIBLE STUDY TOOLS Pack), different colors of (enhanced CD) (35 MINUTES) permanent markers ¨Ëxplore: index cards, ¨¨Jump In: “Nahum” ¨¨Prayer: Family Cards, pens (Books of the Bible umbrella, “Christ in Posters), “Text Truth Context: Nahum” (Poster Strips” (Poster Pack), Pack) “Nineveh Illustration” (DVD-ROM), umbrella

NOTE: Downloadable versions of DVD items are available in the Digital Video Bundle. Downloadable versions of enhanced CD items are available in the Music and Print Extras Bundle. For free online training on how to lead a group, visit ministrygrid.com/web/explorethebible.

NAHUM, PROPHET TO JUDAH TEXT CONNECTION Nahum 1–3 • Nahum lived in Judah. At this point in history, Years and years after Jonah left Nineveh, the people had returned to their only Judah remained of the nation of Israel. The evil actions. They sinned and sinned and sinned. God was sending another people of Judah were also prophet with another message to the city. For many years, Nineveh had on the brink of being taken mistreated God’s people. They were cruel to many other nations and people. captive and their city being destroyed because of their Nahum told the people, “God is a jealous God.” He is a good jealous. It continued unfaithfulness. means that God wants to protect His people from their enemies. • Nahum’s message was for Nahum said, “God is slow to anger. He is great in power. God will not leave the people of Nineveh. When the guilty unpunished.” Then Nahum shared a message for God’s people. Jonah preached to Nineveh, the people turned to God. “The Lord is good. He cares for those who take refuge in Him. Nineveh will After some time, though, be completely destroyed because of the harm they have done to you, God’s they went back to their old people.” ways and began mistreating God’s people. Nahum told the people of Nineveh that they were going to be judged for their sin. Their city would be completely destroyed. The people would • God sent Nahum to warn be captured by another nation. All of the other nations would rejoice Nineveh that they would be completely destroyed. This when Nineveh and the Assyrian nation were defeated because they had was good news for Judah, experienced the cruelty of the Assyrian people. who knew that God would be their refuge. Sin is serious and has consequences. Nineveh would face the consequences of their sin against God. • The people of Nineveh ignored Nahum, and God sent Babylon to destroy Nineveh. This destruction KEY POINTS was so complete that no • The Assyrians were a cruel people who worshiped false gods. remnants of the city were • Sin has consequences. found until the 1800s AD. • God protected His people from their enemy—Assyria. • Many years before God used Joseph to interpret the dreams of pharaoh and to help save a remnant of people who would eventually become the nation of Israel.

EXPLORE THE BIBLE AT HOME See the enhanced CD for additional family resources.

GET STARTED (10 MINUTES) TOOLS: BIBLE SKILLS • Bible Skills: “Bible Book • Remind the kids that last week’s Bible study came from one of the last Cards” (enhanced CD), twelve books in the Old Testament, the Minor Prophets. Ask if anyone “Bible Books” and “Nahum” recalls which book was studied last week. (Jonah) (Books of the Bible Posters) • Place the Minor Prophet “Bible Book Cards” faceup on a table. • Display the “Bible Books” poster and ask the kids to place the twelve PREPARATION: cards in order. Read the names of the books aloud. • Arrange the cards so that • Remove the poster. Ask all but one of the kids to turn their backs while a the kids can easily look away volunteer switches two sets of two cards to create a new sequence for the from them. twelve cards. TIPS: • Challenge those who looked away to identify the switched books and put • Again, if you have a them back in order. Use the “Bible Books” poster as necessary to ensure participant who knows the correct order. Again read the list of books together as a group. a great deal more than • Repeat this process several times, asking whoever took the lead in everyone else, attempt to returning the books to their proper order to sit out the next turn. recruit that person as more Continue until everyone has a good grasp on the order of the books. of a coach or guide rather • Explain that again this week the Bible study will come from one of these than someone who provides Minor Prophets. all the answers. • Display the “Nahum” poster, reviewing the information and questions presented there as time permits. • Dismiss to Bible Study.

BIBLE SKILLS SPOTLIGHT • Names all the books of the Old Testament and all the books of the New Testament. • Knows and recites all the books of the Bible in order in a limited time frame. • Names the 10 divisions of the Old and New Testaments in a limited time frame and identifies examples of books in each division.

BIBLE STUDY (35 MINUTES) JUMP IN TOOLS: • Greet the kids and share with them your excitement to once more learn • Jump In: “Nahum” (Books from a study of the Bible. Remind them that the past several weeks you of the Bible Posters), “Text have been learning about the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. Truth Strips” (Poster Pack), • Present the “Nahum” poster. Ask the group to tell, without looking it up, “Nineveh Illustration” (DVD- what number among the twelve Minor Prophets Nahum is. Agree that ROM), umbrella Nahum comes seventh, just after Joel and before Habakkuk. • Examine the Text: “Nahum” (Books of the Bible Posters), • Display the “Text Truth Strip,” urging the kids to read it with you: “The Bibles, marker board, dry Lord is a refuge for those who trust in Him.” erase markers • Ask: “What is a refuge?” After hearing their ideas, affirm that a refuge • Video: Explore the Bible on provides shelter or a place to hide safely. Location video • Allow the kids to share what would provide a refuge from these things: • Memory Verse: freezing cold, rain, scorching sun, wolves, a tornado. “Nahum 1:3a” (Poster • Hold up an umbrella, asking what sort of refuge it could provide. Pack), different colors of • Explain that soldiers in Nahum’s time might have thought of a castle permanent markers or walled city as a refuge from attacking enemies. Display the “Nineveh • Prayer: Family Cards, Illustration,” explaining that the walled city of Nineveh was a powerful umbrella, “Christ in Context: place that seemed to provide safety for those inside. Nahum” (Poster Pack) • Challenge the boys and girls to pay attention and learn what sort of refuge God is for those who trust in Him. PREPARATION: • Examine the Text: Before EXAMINE THE TEXT the Bible study, write God at the top, center of the marker • Direct the kids to open their Bibles to the Book of Nahum. Allow board. Add God’s People someone to read Nahum 1:1 to discover the topic of Nahum’s prophecy. and People of Nineveh • Remind the group that Nineveh was the city to which God sent Jonah. slightly lower and to the left • Invite someone to serve as a recorder at the marker board. Ask this and right. recorder to list the things learned as the story progresses. Use the Bible • Memory Verse: Mark the story page as your script. “Nahum 1:3a” poster by • After you read the word “unpunished,” pause and allow the group to underlining and numbering 3 suggest things learned about God from what was read. Re-read portions different parts. For example, if significant items are missed. Guide the recorder to make notes in the label the CSB poster: appropriate spot to represent these facts. 1) The Lord is • Continue with the Bible Story, pausing after “the harm they have done 2) slow to anger 3) but great in power to you, God’s people.” Discuss and record what is learned about and on behalf of God’s people. • Conclude the Bible Story, guiding the group and recorder to note what they have learned about Nineveh. • Remind the kids of the strength of Nineveh as a refuge. Inform them that in 612 BC, the people of Nineveh were conquered by the Babylonians. Repeat the Text Truth: “The Lord is a refuge for those who trust in Him.” • Ask someone to read Nahum 1:7-8. Suggest that no matter how strong you think your refuge to be, God provides a better refuge.

PLAY THE VIDEO • Play the Session 12 video. • Ask: “Where did Kaileigh visit? What did she learn about the animal refuge? What did she learn about Nahum? How is God a refuge for His people?”

MEMORY VERSE • Display the “Nahum 1:3a” poster, prepared as noted in the margin. • Form three groups and instruct the groups to gather together. Point out the three sections of the verse on the poster. Direct the groups to read the proper numbered part of the verse when you show them that number of your fingers. • Randomly select a group and hold up one finger, allowing them to read the first phrase. Show the other two groups two and three fingers respectively, allowing them to read their portions. • Repeat this process a couple of times, changing the assignments. • Emphasize that this verse is very good news if we please God, but only partially good news (slow to anger) if we do not please God. • Allow the kids to read the entire verse together one more time.

PRAYER • Hold up the umbrella again. Remind the group that while an umbrella can provide some protection from rain or sun, it is not a very strong refuge in many cases. Point out that even the strongest man-made refuge is weak compared to God. • Distribute the Family Cards. Remind the kids of how strong Nineveh seemed in its days of glory and how it was defeated. • Present the “Christ in Context: Nahum” poster. • Close the session in prayer. • Dismiss to Small Group.

TOOLS: SMALL GROUP (30 MINUTES) • Explorer Guides: Bibles, EXPLORER GUIDES Explorer Guides, pens • Distribute Explorer Guides and help girls and boys locate today’s pages, “Nahum, Prophet to Judah.” • Help kids review Nahum’s message by completing the “Definition Match.” • Review today’s object, the “Nineveh Illustration.” • Invite a volunteer to read “What Does Nahum Mean?” • Select another volunteer to read the information in “Explore Nineveh.” • Conclude by helping kids discover the message by following each instruction in “Cross It Out.”

TECH CONNECT (OPTIONAL) • Prior to Small Group, download the Explore the Bible: Kids Family App. • Use the activity labeled “Explorer Plus” on the app.

ACTIVITIES • Select one or more of the activities to complete as time allows.

MOVE

TO THE REFUGE Tools: masking tape, beanbag ¨¨ In the middle of a large space, tape off a 6-foot circle. Tape a line on one side of the space.

• Form two teams, giving each member a number. Arrange the teams in lines facing the circle. • Toss a beanbag beyond the circle as you call a number. Both players with that number(Option: should If attempt you have to a retrieve the beanbag and return to the line without being tagged by the other player. large space, you may choose for the remaining team members to all be taggers.) • Players may not be tagged without the beanbag. A player may seek refuge in the circle. • Teams may score a point for obtaining a beanbag or for tagging a player with it in hand. . the Lord is a refuge for those who trust in Him • Conclude the game by reviewing the Text Truth:

MAK E EXP LO R

E MY STRONG TOWER SLINGS AND ARROWS Tools: heavyweight paper, markers, scissors, Tools: index cards, pens Bibles, “Tower Verses” (enhanced CD) ¨¨ Prepare one card with the word arrows on it. ¨¨ Print and separate the “Tower Verses.” • Ask the group to consider what a castle might • Ask volunteers to read the verses from the protect a person from. Display the “arrows” cards. card. • Invite the kids to write on blank cards some • Guide the group to create a three-dimensional tower from the paper. Allow them to draw things that kids their age might realistically stones and other castle details, but also to need to be protected from. • embellish the tower with key words from the Collect the cards and read them quickly. Pull verses read. out any that are too specific or not appropriate for a group discussion. Mix up the remaining • Display the tower in the room. cards and stack them. • Remind the group of the Text Truth: the Lord • is a refuge for those who trust in Him. Draw one card and allow the group to brainstorm how God can be a refuge from the threat listed there. Note when appropriate Option: Provide the group with tape to make it how God can use people to help each other. a little easier to create the tower. • Assure the kids they can have confidence in this Text Truth: the Lord is a refuge for those who trust in Him.