Hosea, Prophet to Israel

Session 10 Session 10: Hosea, Prophet to Israel

FOR THE Hosea, Prophet to Israel LEADER Hosea 1–14 Hosea shares a name with other biblical men. Hoshea was the original name of Joshua, the successor of Moses who led the nation into the promised land. Hoshea was also the last king to reign in Israel, the nation in which Hosea lived and to whom he prophesied. The name means “salvation,” and that was the message of hope Hosea brought. While Amos’ ministry in Israel was short-lived, it is evident from the first verse of Hosea that his ministry extended up until the final destruction of his homeland. It is likely that Hosea witnessed the destruction of Samaria in 722 BC and that he lived out the rest of his days in Judah under Hezekiah’s reign. Jeroboam II reigned in Israel from 790–750 BC during the absolute height of Israelite abundance. It was during this time that Amos had brought his message to highlight the coming disaster. Since Israel had ignored Amos, God also sent Hosea with an odd assignment—to show through his family what God intended for an unrepentant nation. God also intended to show that God did care for and love the people even when they did not love Him as they should. God instructed Hosea to marry a woman named Gomer, who would be unfaithful to Hosea, a clear parallel of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. The couple’s first son was to be named Jezreel. The name was associated with the site of a bloody battle led by Jehu. God’s message was that Israel’s power would end just as Jehu had demolished the city of Jezreel. The second child, a daughter, was named Lo-ruhamah, literally “no compassion,” because the Lord had no more compassion on Israel. The third child, a son, was named Lo-ammi, literally “not My people,” because God had claimed Israel, because of their disobedience, to not be His people. The pictures of Hosea’s family are intended to shed light on the plight of the nation. God intended these images to show His love for the nation and affect repentance that would bring His people back into fellowship with Him.

SESSION FOCUS BIBLE PASSAGE: Hosea 1–14 MEMORY VERSE: Hosea 12:6 TEXT TRUTH: God loves His people. CHRIST IN CONTEXT: The Book of Hosea reveals God’s covenant love for His people and provides a picture of redemption. Hosea bought back Gomer’s freedom. In a greater way, Jesus redeemed and bought the freedom of His people—the church—with His own life.

GET STARTED TOOLS ¨Ëxamine the Text: ¨¨Move: 4 foam hearts or (10 MINUTES) jar, water, baking soda, laminated heart shapes ¨¨Bible Skills: “Bible Book vinegar, candy hearts, in 4 different colors, Cards” (enhanced CD), tablespoon, measuring permanent marker, alphabet tiles, Bibles, cup, “Text Truth Strips” music, “Bible Book Cards” “Hosea” (Books of the (Poster Pack), Bibles, “The (enhanced CD) Bible Posters), “Christ in Gospel” (enhanced CD) ¨¨Make: “Allergy Alert” Context: Hosea” (Poster ¨¨Play the Video: Explore (enhanced CD), Pack) the Bible on Location watercolor paper, baking video soda, vinegar, food color BIBLE STUDY TOOLS ¨¨Memory Verse: blank or gel, spoon, baking sheet, (35 MINUTES) old puzzles, permanent paper plates, small cups, ¨¨Jumping In: “Allergy markers, “Hosea 12:6” medicine dropper, foil Alert” and “Measuring (Poster Pack) ¨Ëxplore: paper cups, Hearts” (enhanced CD), ¨¨Prayer: Family Cards ½ pool noodle, “Review candy hearts, pencils, Questions” (enhanced snack size ziplock bags, SMALL GROUP TOOLS CD) “Northern and Southern (30 MINUTES) Kingdom Map” (DVD- ¨Ëxplorer Guides: Bibles, ROM) Explorer Guides, pens

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.

HOSEA, PROPHET TO ISRAEL TEXT CONNECTION Hosea 1–14 • Hosea lived in Israel and ministered there around the God loved the Israelites. He was faithful to them and always kept His same time as Amos. Hosea, however, had a long career promises to them. But the Israelites did not always love God. They would as a prophet and was very worship false gods and ignore God’s commands. They broke their promises likely still in Israel when with God over and over and over again. Samaria was destroyed. Hosea, like many other God had a message for Israel that He wanted the prophet Hosea to give prophets, had a message of them. God wanted Israel to understand what they were doing so He gave judgment that was tempered them a picture. God told Hosea to marry a woman named Gomer. Hosea with a message of hope for the faithful. loved Gomer. He cared for Gomer. Hosea and Gomer had three kids. But Gomer did not love Hosea. She left Hosea and her kids and went to find a • The story of the Book of new home. Hosea is a picture of God’s love for the people of Israel. God told Hosea, “Go find Gomer and bring her back home.” So Hosea did. God loved Israel no matter Gomer had gotten into trouble and Hosea had to pay people money so they what they did, and God loves would let Gomer go. Hosea loved Gomer no matter what she did. us just the same. Through Hosea’s life, God showed God wanted Israel to understand that they were like Gomer. They ran away that Israel’s wandering away from Him would continue to from God and His good plan for them. But each time they did, they ended be met with love from God. up in trouble. Sin has consequences. God didn’t want His people to be in trouble, but if they didn’t love and obey Him, there were consequences. • Love is sometimes difficult to give and receive. God was like Hosea, but even more amazing and loving than Hosea Genesis 37 helps us could ever be. God loved His people. That is why He warned them of the see that sometimes love consequences of their sin. between family members can be a difficult thing. No matter how many hurtful things the Israelites did, God still loved them. • Joseph had dreams which Even when the Israelites caused a lot of trouble, God still loved His people. he shared with his brothers. These dreams appeared One day, God would show Israel how strong and powerful His love was. to say that Joseph, their One day, He would send Jesus to rescue His people from their sin. younger brother, would one day be their ruler. Instead of rejoicing with Joseph, the KEY POINTS brothers were unhappy and sold Joseph into slavery. • God loved Israel. • Israel rejected God and worshiped false idols. • God sent Hosea to tell the people of Israel to repent of their sin and EXPLORE THE return to following Him. BIBLE AT HOME • Even when we sin, God loves us and wants us to repent. See the enhanced CD for additional family resources.

GET STARTED (10 MINUTES) TOOLS: BIBLE SKILLS • Bible Skills: “Bible Book • Place several “Bible Book Cards” on each table with alphabet tiles. Ask Cards” (enhanced CD), your boys and girls to take a card and build the Bible book name with the alphabet tiles, Bibles, tiles. When they complete the task, ask your boys and girls to find the “Hosea” (Books of the Bible Bible book in their Bibles. Continue the activity as time allows. Posters), “Christ in Context: • If alphabet tiles are not available, consider using magnetic letters or large Hosea” (Poster Pack) interlocking blocks with painter’s tape. • Display the “Hosea” and “Christ in Context: Hosea” posters. Allow kids to take turns reading the details or statements from the posters. • Dismiss to Bible Study.

BIBLE SKILLS SPOTLIGHT • Memorizes individual Bible verses. • Knows the Bible teaches people how God wants them to live. • Understands that God told the writers of the Bible what to write.

BIBLE STUDY (35 MINUTES) JUMP IN TOOLS: • Give each child a copy of the “Measuring Hearts,” a pencil, and some • Jumping In: “Allergy Alert” candy hearts. Ask your boys and girls to measure the lines with the and “Measuring Hearts” hearts and write down how many hearts it took to measure each line. (enhanced CD), candy • Say: “You discovered how many hearts it took to measure each line on hearts, pencils, snack size your paper. How many hearts did it take to measure the longest line? ziplock bag, “Northern and What about the shortest line? Let’s see how many hearts it takes to Southern Kingdom Map” (DVD-ROM) measure my map of Israel.” Lay the “Northern and Southern Kingdom • Examine the Text: jar, Map” on the floor. Allow children to come and lay one heart down until water, baking soda, vinegar, they go across the map. Allow children to count the number of hearts it candy hearts, tablespoon, takes to go across Israel. measuring cup, “Text Truth • Display the “Northern and Southern Kingdom Map.” Share that Hosea Strips” (Poster Pack), was a prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Help kids find the Bibles, “The Gospel” Northern Kingdom on the map. (enhanced CD) • Continue: “Today, we are going to learn from the Book of Hosea. Hosea is • Play the Video: Explore the found in the Old Testament. We are going to learn that God’s love never Bible on Location video ends. God loves His people. We are going to learn that Israel continued • Memory Verse: blank or old to sin against God, but God never stopped loving them. Let’s learn more!” puzzles, permanent markers, “Hosea 12:6” (Poster Pack) EXAMINE THE TEXT • Prayer: Family Cards • Set out the suggested supplies.

• Ask your boys and girls to gather around for Bible study. Pour the water PREPARATION: into the jar. Mix about ½ tablespoon of baking soda in the water. Allow • Jump In: Print “Measuring children to drop a few candy hearts into the mixture. Slowly add ¼ cup of Hearts.” Consider placing vinegar to the mixture. Allow your children to watch as the candy hearts candy hearts in a small dance around the jar. plastic ziplock for each kid. • Say: “In our Bible story, Israel continued to sin against God. They • Memory Verse: Write out worshiped false gods and ignored God’s law. Like our dancing hearts, Hosea 12:6 on the blank they flipped and flopped back and forth with their worship to God. puzzles or on the back side Sometimes they would follow God’s instruction and love God with all of an old puzzle. If you have their hearts, and other times they would worship false gods and ignore older children, give each what God said. Let’s see what today’s Scripture says.” child a puzzle and allow • Tell the Bible story in your own words. A Bible story page has been them to write the verse on provided for you to use as a guide. the puzzle and decorate it. • Ask a volunteer to read Hosea 14:1-2. Say: “Israel continued to make bad choices. They continued to sin against God. But God asked Israel to return to Him and ask for His forgiveness. God loves His people. God loves us. God loved us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins. We all sin, but God can forgive us for those sins and help us to make better choices when we ask Him.” • Ask a volunteer to read Hosea 14:9. Display the “Text Truth Strip.”

• Continue: “Our Text Truth says God loves His people. In verse 9, God wants us to think about our choices and choose to do the right thing. God loves us and only He can help us live life according to His Word.” • Share the gospel with your group. “The Gospel” is provided for you to use as a guide.

PLAY THE VIDEO • Play the Session 10 video. • Ask: “What was Kaileigh doing today? Who wrote ‘Amazing Grace?’ How does Hosea’s story remind us of God’s love for His people?”

MEMORY VERSE • Display “Hosea 12:6.” Read the verse for your boys and girls. Repeat the verse in short segments for your group and have them repeat it back to you. • Ask your boys and girls to form groups of three or four. Give each group a puzzle and ask them to work together to put the puzzle together. Assist as needed. When they have completed the task, repeat the verse as a group.

PRAYER • Give each boy and girl a Family Card. • Say: “Today, we learned that Israel continued to sin against God. This did not make God happy. He sent Hosea with a message to Israel to help them see and understand their mistakes. Even though Israel continued to sin, God never stopped loving Israel. God loves His people. God loves us. We sin just like Israel sinned. We make things idols in our lives. Sometimes, we don’t read God’s Word and we don’t always do what it says. Sometimes, we don’t pray to God. Sometimes, we are not nice to other people. These things make God sad, but God still loves us. We can ask God to forgive us. When we love and commit to follow God’s Word, He can help us make better choices. Let’s thank God for always loving us. Let’s ask Him to help us obey His Word.” • Close 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, “Hosea, Prophet to Israel.” • Invite kids to examine today’s object, “The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah.” • Choose a couple of volunteers to read “Beautiful Artifacts” and “Knowing and Loving God.” • Ask kids to complete the activity “Colorful Messages.” • Allow kids to spread out a little and think about each of the questions in “God’s Love.”

TECH CONNECT (OPTIONAL) • Prior to Bible study, 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

MUSICAL HEARTS

Tools: 4 foam hearts or laminated heart shapes in 4 different colors, permanent marker, music, “Bible Book Cards” (enhanced CD) on one side of each heart. Write the numbers 1-4 on ¨¨ Write Text Truth , Hosea 12:6, Find It! , and Testament the opposite side. Create a set for each color and mix up all the hearts. ¨¨ Place the hearts number-side-up on the ground in a circle.

• Instruct kids to stand in a circle around the hearts. When you play the music, they should begin walking around the circle. When the music stops, call out a color and a number. Ask the child closest to that heart to do what the bottom of the heart says. For example, call out red number 3. She will flip over her heart and say and Testament hearts. Hosea 12:6. Use the “Bible Book Cards” for the Find It! • Say: “We made a circle for our game. A circle never ends. The people of Israel continued to sin. It never ended. God’s love is also never-ending. No matter how often Israel continued to do the wrong thing, God never forgot them. God loves His people.”

MAK E EXP LO R

E FIZZING HEARTS REVIEW IT! Tools: “Allergy Alert” (enhanced CD), Tools: paper cups, 1 pool noodle, “Review watercolor paper, baking soda, vinegar, food Questions” (enhanced CD) color gel, spoon, baking sheet, paper plates, small cups, medicine dropper, foil • Set the paper cups up like a pyramid. Form two groups. Allow children to take turns ¨¨ Cut out heart shapes from the watercolor trying to knock down the cups with the pool paper. noodle. When they knock down the cups, ask ¨¨ Place the foil on the baking sheet. a review question. If they answer the question ¨¨ Mix the food color with the vinegar in the correctly, award that team the number of cups. points that equal the number of cups that were knocked down. Play as time allows. • Allow boys and girls to come to the baking • Say: “We learned today that God used Hosea sheet and spread baking soda on their heart. to give a message to the people of Israel. They Allow them to choose colors of vinegar and continued to sin, but God was faithful. He use the medicine dropper to color their heart never stopped loving them. God never stops by dropping several droplets onto the baking loving us. We can have a relationship with soda covered heart. After the heart finishes God when we repent of our sin and receive fizzing, shake off the excess baking soda and Jesus as our Savior and Lord. God loves His place the heart on a paper plate to dry. people.” • Say: “We don’t always make the best choices. In fact, our lives can be messy just like our artwork. No matter how messy our lives can get, God still loves us. God loves His people. God loves us so much He sent Jesus to pay the price for our sin.”