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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 12: Nahum, Prophet to Judah © 2018 LifeWay 93 OVERVIEW 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 ¨ Examine the Text: SMALL GROUP TOOLS (10 MINUTES) “Nahum” (Books of the (30 MINUTES) ¨ Bible Skills: “Bible Bible Posters), Bibles, ¨ Explorer 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 ¨ Explore: 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. Explore the Bible: Older Kids 94 © 2018 LifeWay BIBLE STORY 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. Session 12: Nahum, Prophet to Judah © 2018 LifeWay 95 GET STARTED 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. Explore the Bible: Older Kids 96 © 2018 LifeWay BIBLE STUDY 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.
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