“I Will Make You My Wife Forever, Showing You Righteousness and Justice, Unfailing Love and Compassion

“I will make you my wife forever, showing you “I will make you my wife forever, showing you “I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) “Iwill will finally make know you my me wife as the forever, Lord.” showingHosea 2:19, you 20 (NLT) will finally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT)

UNIT 10.1A HOSEA: EXTREME LOVE SERIES THE GOD-CHOICE

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

This curriculum is a collaborative initiative of the Education Departments of Australian Union Conference, New Zealand Pacific Union Conference, and the North American Division.

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists Office of Education 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600 encounter.adventisteducation.org

v1.0 | 05·10·16 UNIT 10.1A HOSEA: EXTREME LOVE

To the Teacher ...... 4

Unit Overview 6

Learning Phases 9

Assessment and Reflection ...... 38

Appendices 40

Supplementary Teaching Material ...... 75 “I will“I will make make you you my my wife wife forever, forever, showing showing you you righteousnessrighteousness and and justice, justice, unfailing unfailing love love and and compassion. compassion. I willI will be be faithful faithful to toyou you and and make make you you mine, mine, and and you you

“I will make you my wife forever, showing youwill will finally finally know know me me as asthe the Lord.” Lord.” Hosea Hosea 2:19, 2:19, 20 20 (NLT) (NLT) righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you WORDS TO LIVE BY will finally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT)

It’s a challenge to pull away the distorted pictures our students have of God—especially when they read some of the Old Testament stories. Perhaps this has been challenging for us too, at times. The story of Hosea is nestled in the midst of a very dark time in Israel’s history. Yet it reveals the heart of God so tangibly in a way that we understand.

God’s love for us is radical and intensely real. It’s not distant or removed, and God is not an angry God, although He is so very awesome. He goes to all extremes to show this love to us, as seen through the story of Hosea.

As you share about the profound story of Hosea, and ultimately about God’s character, remember that it’s human nature to try to understand and relate to God in our image. Sometimes we seek to create in the minds of our students a God who is trendy and likeable and who fits into the culture and time we live in. Of course God wants to relate to us in a very personal, meaningful way, but we need to remember that God created us in His image. With this in mind, this unit seeks to use His Word as a measure of His character and His desire for a very personal relationship with us.

As you teach this unit, remember to show sensitivity to students who have experienced the pain and brokenness of divided households. Such pain perhaps reaches us all in different ways, which is why this story is so powerful.

May God’s extreme love for YOU become even more real, and may it overflow from you, as you teach this to your students,

Nina

© ADVENTIST ENCOUNTER CURRICULUM 10.1A HOSEA: EXTREME LOVE 4 “I will“I will make make you you my mywife wife forever, forever, showing showing you you righteousnessrighteousness and and justice, justice, unfailing unfailing love love and and compassion. compassion. I willI will be faithful be faithful to you to you and and make make you you mine, mine, and and you you willwill ﬁnally ﬁnally know know me asme the as theLord.” Lord.” Hosea Hosea 2:19, 2:19, 20 (NLT) 20 (NLT) WORDS TO PLAN BY

“I will“I makewill make you myyou wife my wifeforever, forever, showing showing you you righteousnessrighteousness and justice,and justice, unfailing unfailing love loveand compassion.and compassion. I willI bewill faithful be faithful to you to andyou makeand make you mine,you mine, and youand you will ﬁnallywill ﬁnally know know me as me the as Lord.” the Lord.” Hosea Hosea 2:19, 2:19,20 (NLT) 20 (NLT) “Through nature, through types and symbols, through patriarchs and prophets, God had spoken to the world. Lessons must be given to humanity in the language of humanity. … The principles of God’s government and the plan of redemption must be clearly defined. The lessons of the Old Testament must be fully set before men.”

ELLEN G WHITE, THE DESIRE OF AGES, P. 34.

“From generation to generation the Lord [has] borne with His wayward children, and even now, in the face of defiant rebellion, He still [longs] to reveal Himself to them as willing to save.”

ELLEN G WHITE, PROPHETS AND KINGS, P. 285.

THE QUESTION What does the story of Hosea tell me about God in the Old Testament? An exploration of God’s God loves me so deeply that He will go to any extreme love for His people THE TRUTH UNIT LEARNING measure to win me back to Him. INTENTION through looking at how He interacted with His people The law, covenant, the role of prophets, one-sided relationships, marriage and relationships, the role of knowledge, wrath of God, in the Old Testament. THE ISSUES the heart of God, obedience and legalism, Ezekiel’s perspective on God’s heart in Israel’s darkest time, contemporary idols. Vision SPIRITUAL 3 – Father, 7 – Nature of Man, 8 – Great Gospel FUNDAMENTAL Controversy, 10 – The Experience of Salvation, UNIT GROWTH 12 Hours Lordship BELIEFS 19 – Law of God, 22 – Christian Behavior, DURATION FOCUS Presence 23 – Marriage and the Family

UNIT CONTEXT SERIES OVERVIEW UNIT RESOURCES The story of Hosea is one of the most confronting and comforting The God-Choice Flash Drive Resource Kit real-life metaphors of God’s love for His people in the Bible. It is a 10.1A • Appendices • Unit Booklet and Flash Drive story of indifference and idolatry, and is about a God who loves Hosea • Large “Extreme Love” unit poster His people deeply, despite their continual rejection of Him. • Unit Plan • Book: Royalty and Ruin (class set) 10.1B • Wooden manikin This unit seeks to portray the true God of the Old Testament • Video: • 1-lb bag of Lego pieces who is patient, protective, and very loving, despite the one- David “Red Hot Love” • DVD: Amazing Love sidedness of the relationship with His people. It explores the • Chime 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE bountiful blessings that result from living in a covenant with • Book: His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage by Williard F. Harley, Jr. Him, and the pain of stepping outside of that covenant. • Audio Bible: Experience It! Ultimately, the story of Hosea is about a God who will go to any (Distributed with the Grade 9 Resource Kits) extreme to win His people back to Himself. He is the same today. • Stop Motion Animation Kit • Andrews Study Bible © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM

COURSE FOCUS COURSE ABILITIES UNIT CONTENT

RS.10.1 Identify and examine RS. 10.0.5 Develop a wide range of techniques for studying the Bible and 10.1 Be able to understand the lengths that God will Scripture as the foundational incorporating the relevance of the Bible from past to present; for studying Ellen go to in order to bring us back to Him, as seen in the source of revealing of White incorporating style, and other contemporary and historical documents. stories of the Old Testament, and specifically, Hosea. God, taking into account RS. 10.0.6 Acquire and integrate knowledge to research and analyze 10.1.1 Identify that God’s relationship with its origin and purpose. biblical stories and spiritual concepts, in some depth. humankind crosses cultures and borders and embraces all humanity. RS.10.2 Explore and explain RS. 10.0.7 Develop creative and higher order thinking skills Seventh-day Adventist (research, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, etc.). 10.1.2 Research the nature of God as seen in Old biblical beliefs. Testament times and how He related to His people. RS. 10.0.8 Use verbal and nonverbal responses to convey a clear, engaging RS.10.3 Apply Seventh- message across a range of communication types about spiritual concepts 10.1.3 Define and outline a covenant relationship, day Adventist beliefs to meet the needs of specific contexts, purposes, and audiences. specifically between God and His people. in discipleship of Christ 10.1.4 Analyze the role and messages of some of the Old through relationships, RS. 10.0.9 Develop the skills to give reasons to support one’s thinking, applying prior knowledge to new contexts, in order to clarify one’s own interpretation. Testament prophets, specifically Hosea, in light of the 6 lifestyle, and service. people’s obedience, destruction, and deliverance. RS.10.4 Utilize and apply the RS. 10.0.10 Analyze and apply the relevance of biblical and historical themes and apply this to one’s life. 10.1.5 Investigate key messages from the story of writings of Ellen G. White as a Hosea such as the role of knowledge in relationship, prophet of God to enhance RS.10.0.11 Identify and explore ways in which one’s relationship with God is obedience, idolatry, sin, grace, healthy relationships, biblical understanding. life-changing and is expressed through knowledge, attitudes, and actions. and responding to the generous heart of God. UNIT PREPARATION

THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU BEGIN MATERIALS (Teacher to Source)

1. Read through the whole unit to gain a sense of its 7. Note the Bible references under each Learning Phase. • Andrews Study Bible or SDA direction and flow. Identify how you would like to You may wish to allocate these Bible verses to your International Bible Commentary adapt the unit in light of your local circumstances students as memory texts throughout the unit. • Encounter Journals for each students and class group. Spend some time in prayer, asking • 4- or 5-quart glass jar for God to use you and bless your students. 8. You may choose to have your students write down key “Share” points from this unit in their Encounter Journals • Water 2. Ensure that each student has a Bible they as a way of keeping track of key learning points. • 2 pounds rock salt or ice-cream salt can use in class. This is their textbook! 9. Due to the nature of this topic, please be sensitive • 6 golf balls 3. Have the Andrews Study Bible or SDA to students in your class who have come from • Desk lamp (optional) to use International Bible Commentary available broken families, and ensure that all students respect with your wooden manikin for students to use throughout the year. each other as the story of Hosea is explored. • Post-it Notes 4. Also ensure that your students each have an Encounter • Experience It! (audio Bible) 10. Use the chime in your Resource Kit to bring your Journal, size 8 ½ x 11. You may wish to purchase these (See 9th Grade Resource Kit) class back together after an interactive activity unlined journals as part of your classroom budget, or • Paper may recommend for students to buy their own journal. or to indicate the beginning of a new activity. • Scissors Here they will include any information on the topic of 11. Purchase a 4- or 5-quart glass jar, 2 pounds of God and any reflections and thoughts about God they • Colored pencils rock salt or ice-cream salt, and six golf balls may have as they grow to know Him more over the term. • Camera or phone for the object lesson in Learner Bait. This will become a personal collage or scrapbook about • Magazines God. (It may be something you choose to assess at the 12. Source a desk lamp to use with your • Newspapers end of term or something you ask the students to create wooden manikin for greater emphasis. purely for their own benefit, for now and in the future.) • Glue 13. Purchase some Post-it Notes for students 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE • Butcher paper 5. Print and assemble all appendices you wish to to use in Learning Context. • Colored cardstock use from your flash drive. Laminate if possible, for durability. Print the other necessary files from your flash 14. Borrow the audio Bible Experience It! that was distributed • Paint drive and photocopy enough for each student. with the Encounter Resource Kits for Grade 9. • Other craft materials of your choice 6. Note the possible formative assessment options 15. Source some energetic music as well • Small statue © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM throughout this unit, as indicated by a . as some reflective music. • One wrapped chocolate for each student

UNIT’S KEY TEXTS POSTER SYMBOLISM ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) Symbolism to look for in the “Extreme Love” poster: Author: “If My people who are called by My name will humble Nina Atcheson This poster depicts various themes and symbols from the story of Hosea: the sin cycle themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn of Israel (deliverance, disobedience, destruction); the heart (God’s extreme love for Ideas Team: from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, His people); the two faces looking forward (symbolizing a united relationship between Nina Atcheson and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” God and His people, and Hosea and Gomer); a dysfunctional relationship (symbolized Andon Boyce Hosea 2:19, 23 (NKJV) by the two faces looking away from each other); the man’s hand offering a wedding Ben Kreiter “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you ring (symbolizing marriage); the Law (the covenantal agreement between God and Desmond Suarez to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness His people); the three moveable manikins depicting various responses (hands in front Deborah Parrish and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, of chest – a prophet preaching; another in a kneeling position; the third in a defiant Artwork: 7 and you shall know the Lord. . . . And I will have position with his hands crossed over his chest); contemporary idols (basketball and mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; then I the fashion dress); the dry bones (Ezekiel 37); the scroll (to represent prophecy and Amy Beisiegel will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are sharing the Word of God); wheat, grapes and rain (to represent times of blessing in Copy Editor: My people!’ And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’” contrast to famine); and a pile of coins (to represent Hosea buying back Gomer). Daun Redfield UNIT OVERVIEW (continued)

FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS COVERED WITHIN THIS UNIT

3. Father: 7. Nature of Humanity: God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. Though Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and breath and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. position. The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their descendants share this fallen The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the and the Holy Spirit are also those of the Father. world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God, (Gen. 1:1; Deut. 4:35; Ps. 110:1, 4; John 3:16; 14:9; they are called to love Him and one another, and to care for their environment. (Gen. 1:26–28; 2:7, 15; 3; Ps. 8:4–8; 1 Cor. 15:28; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 John 4:8; Rev. 4:11.) 51:5, 10; 58:3; Jer. 17:9; Acts 17:24–28; Rom. 5:12–17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Eph. 2:3; 1 Thess. 5:23; 1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 20.)

8. The Great Controversy: 10. Experience of Salvation: 19. The Law of God: All humanity is now involved in a great controversy In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew The great principles of God’s law are embodied in between Christ and Satan regarding the character of no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense of Christ. They express God’s love, will, and purposes conflict originated in heaven when a created being, our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our concerning human conduct and relationships and endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Saviour and are binding upon all people in every age. These became Satan, God’s adversary, and led into rebellion Lord, Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This precepts are the basis of God’s covenant with a portion of the angels. He introduced the spirit of saving faith which receives salvation comes through the His people and the standard in God’s judgment. rebellion into this world when he led Adam and Eve into divine power of the Word and is the gift of God’s grace. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point sin. This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God’s sons and out sin and awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. of God in humanity, the disordering of the created daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through Salvation is all of grace and not of works, and its world, and its eventual devastation at the time of the the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit fruit is obedience to the Commandments. This global flood, as presented in the historical account of renews our minds, writes God’s law of love in our hearts, obedience develops Christian character and results Genesis 1-11. Observed by the whole creation, this world and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in in a sense of well-being. It is evidence of our love for the Lord and our concern for our fellow human

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE became the arena of the universal conflict, out of which Him we become partakers of the divine nature and have the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To assist His the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. beings. The obedience of faith demonstrates the people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 45:22; 53; Jer. 31:31-34; Eze. 33:11; 36:25- power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in 27; Hab. 2:4; Mark 9:23, 24; John 3:3-8, 16; 16:8; Rom. 3: strengthens Christian witness. (Exod. 20:1–17; Deut. the way of salvation. (Gen. 3; 6-8; Job 1:6-12; Isa. 14:12- 21-26; 5:6-10; 8:1-4, 14-17; 10:17; 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Gal. 28:1–14; Ps. 19:7–14; 40:7, 8; Matt. 5:17–20; 22:36–40; 14; Ezek. 28:1218; Rom. 1:19-32; 3:4; 5:12-21; 8:19–22; 1 1:4; 3:13, 14, 26; 4:4-7; Eph. 2:5-10; Col. 1:13, 14; Titus 3:3-7; John 14:15; 15:7–10; Rom. 8:3, 4; Eph. 2:8–10; Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 3:6; Rev. 12:4–9.) Heb. 8:7-12; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:21, 22; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rev. 13:8.) Heb. 8:8–10; 1 John 2:3; 5:3; Rev. 12:17; 14:12.) © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM

22. Christian Behavior: 23. Marriage and the Family: We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong with biblical principles in all aspects of personal and social life. For the Spirit union between a man and a woman in loving companionship. For the Christian a to recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve ourselves only in those marriage commitment is to God as well as to the spouse, and should be entered into things that will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means only between a man and a woman who share a common faith. Mutual love, honor, that our amusement and entertainment should meet the highest standards of respect, and responsibility are the fabric of this relationship, which is to reflect the love, Christian taste and beauty. While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is sanctity, closeness, and permanence of the relationship between Christ and His church. to be simple, modest, and neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not Regarding divorce, Jesus taught that the person who divorces a spouse, except for consist of outward adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a gentle fornication, and marries another, commits adultery. Although some family relationships and quiet spirit. It also means that because our bodies are the temples of the may fall short of the ideal, a man and a woman who fully commit themselves to each Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently. Along with adequate exercise other in Christ through marriage may achieve loving unity through the guidance of and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and abstain from the Spirit and the nurture of the church. God blesses the family and intends that its the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, members shall assist each other toward complete maturity. Increasing family closeness tobacco, and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our is one of the earmarks of the final gospel message. Parents are to bring up their children bodies, we are to abstain from them as well. Instead, we are to engage in to love and obey the Lord. By their example and their words they are to teach them 8 whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into the discipline of Christ, who desires that Christ is a loving, tender, and caring guide who wants them to become members our wholesomeness, joy, and goodness. (Gen. 7:2; Exod. 20:15; Lev. 11:1–47; of His body, the family of God which embraces both single and married persons. Ps. 106:3; Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31; 2 Cor. 6:14–7:1; 10:5; Eph. 5:1–21; (Gen. 2:18–25; Exod. 20:12; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6; Matt. 5:31, 32; 19:3–9, Phil. 2:4; 4:8; 1 Tim. 2:9, 10; Titus 2:11, 12; 1 Peter 3:1‑4; 1 John 2:6; 3 John 2.) 12; Mark 10:11, 12; John 2:1–11; 1 Cor. 7:7, 10, 11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1–4.) 1 ORIENTATION · Learner Bait Duration: 20 Minutes

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

An object lesson DO Create an object lesson that you will refer to throughout the duration of this 4- or 5-quart glass jar of how to live in topic. Set this object lesson up before you begin teaching this unit and place it Water the world but not somewhere visible in your classroom, as it will take some time for it to work. be of the world. 2 pounds rock salt or ice-cream salt PREPARE (Be sure to follow these instructions carefully, and in the correct order, for this to work.) Fill a large, 4- or 5-quart glass jar with a mixture of 2 quarts of water and 2 pounds of rock salt/ice-cream salt (this will not work with 6 golf balls regular salt). Mix these ingredients together and then siphon off the dirty water. Then place six golf balls into (Idea: Merle Bradley) the mixture. Once the golf balls have sunk to the bottom, carefully add more regular water to fill to the top of the container. Have all of this done before class begins. Do not disturb the water. Over time, some golf balls will rise, others will stay on the bottom. As the golf balls begin to separate, point out that God calls us “Layla” by Eric Clapton to keep our eyes on Him. Can we stand apart from the world and live in a close relationship with Him? “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt Thoughts about SHOW As students enter the classroom, play the song “Layla” by Eric Clapton, “I Can’t Make You “Lately” by Stevie Wonder one-sided Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt, or Stevie Wonder’s song “Lately,” and show the PowerPoint slides relationships. of quotes and cartoons about one-sided relationships. (Alternatively, print and display One-Sided Relationship quotes around your classroom.) Note: Clearly these are worldly perspectives. Quotes PowerPoint slides (Appendix A, flash drive) Spouse Scenario Cards Marriage scenarios. DO Invite four outgoing students (two male, two female) to come to the front of the classroom, and (Appendix B: Teacher to give each student a role in two relationship scenarios. Have the two pairs act out their spouse print from flash drive) descriptions before the rest of the class. Notice that one male and one female are cheaters.

Students’ personal PAIR-SHARE Invite students to find a partner to discuss the first three questions below (see flash drive for a PowerPoint (Questions on PowerPoint 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE experiences slide of questions). Then have students mingle to find a different partner to discuss the last two questions: slide on flash drive) with one-sided • Have you ever been in (or seen) a one-sided friendship or relationship? friendships or What did the relationship look like or feel like? relationships. • How long did the relationship last? (Have you ever stayed in this kind of relationship for a while?)

DISCUSS After allowing some time for students to share their experiences in pairs, open a class discussion on students’ thoughts on the above questions.

Human responses DISCUSS As a class, discuss the following question: in comparison to Jesus’ response. • What kinds of characteristics does a balanced, healthy relationship have? One-sided biblical relationships. SHARE Share that over the next few weeks you’ll be exploring a one-sided biblical relationship.

9 INTELLIGENCES Verbal/Linguistic Logical Visual Kinesthetic Musical Interpersonal Intrapersonal Natural Spiritual 9 Duration: 170 Minutes 2 ORIENTATION · Learning Context Genesis 9, 15, 17; Deut. 10:12-22; 11:16, 26-28; Rom. 7:15-20; Heb. 1:1,2 and many others found in the appendix section.

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

This section is divided into three parts: Part 1. God in the Old Testament (60 min.) Part 2. The Covenant (60 min.) Part 3. Prophets (50 min.) NOTE: In your Resource Kit you will find a small movable wooden manikin. As you teach this unit, you will change Wooden manikin (or will select one student each time to change) the pose of the manikin as the story unfolds as you reflect (Resource Kit) on the actions or characteristics of God, the Israelites, Hosea, Gomer, or your class. (You may also use a desk lamp to enhance the mood of the message when making this a feature.) Your class may choose to give him a unique name, although he will take on the roles of various individuals. The symbol indicates a new suggested Butcher paper and pens position for your manikin. You may wish to have students draw the different positions in their Encounter Journals as you progress through the story. Alternatively, for each pose in the unit, have one of the kinesthetic learners volunteer to be a human manikin/model, while an artistic student draws the pose for that lesson on a large sheet of butcher paper. Attach the drawing to a wall and add to the wall with new drawings as the unit unfolds.

PART 1: GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT (60 MIN)

Friendships and POSITION Place the manikin at the front of the classroom with raised, questioning hands. Wooden manikin marriages can (Resource Kit) cross cultures PAIR-SHARE • What kind of relationships cross cultures and borders in this world?(friendship, marriage) and borders. • Are these relationships usually one-sided or mutual? (Explain)

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE God’s relationship with humankind also crosses cultures SHARE A relationship with God also crosses cultures and borders, and can often be one- and borders. sided (as our sinful nature tends to be inconsistent in our side of the relationship).

DO Distribute a copy of the Old Testament Anticipation Guide to each student and have students Old Testament © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM respond to each statement with Yes, No, or Unsure. Have students complete this silently Anticipation Guide and quickly, because you are seeking their initial gut response to each statement. (Appendix C: Teacher to print from flash drive) Then have students form an inside-outside circle so that, at your direction, they can move and interact with different students. At your direction (use your chime), have students move one Inside-Outside direction and share their response to statement number 1 while you play some music. Then have Circle Instructions students move around to discuss statement 2, etc., until all statements have been discussed. (Supplementary Teaching Material 1) Note: Do not give your opinion, as teacher, on the statements, and do not collect the Anticipation Guide to grade. Have students glue it into their Encounter Journals. The purpose Chime (Resource Kit) of this activity is to get students thinking about the learning objectives for the unit. Energetic music Encounter Journals Student perceptions WRITE Invite your students to open their Encounter Journals and get a pen to do a 60-second write in their of God in the Encounter Journals (write as much as they can in 60 seconds) on the topic God in the Old Testament. Glue Old Testament. Have students read over what they have written and consider what else could be Encounter Journals 10 added. Then, give another 60 seconds for students to add to their paragraph. Pens (Note: This whole activity should be done quickly because you want to gauge your students’ background knowledge and initial responses.) 2 ORIENTATION · Learning Context (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

General DISCUSS • What are some general perceptions we have about God in the Old Testament? perceptions of • Why do you think we have these ideas about God? Where have they come from? God in the Old Testament. Misconceptions DO Divide your students into two groups. One group will look at any sayings or events that are confronting Old and New Testament about God in the or show God to be a distant, removed God according to the Old Testament. The other group will look Pictures of God Old Testament. at stories or sayings from the New Testament. As each group reads through the stories and sayings (Appendix D: Teacher to together, have them write down what each Bible passage reveals about God. Upon conclusion, print from flash drive) have the group write a short statement about what they think their testament shows God to be like.

Old Testament passages: Student Bibles 2 Sam. 6:6–9 (Uzzah being struck dead. This story will be explored in the David unit that follows.) 2 Kings 2:23–25 (Two angry bears mauling forty-two “innocent” children.) Num. 21:4–9 (God sent serpents to bite those who were complaining.) Num. 16:21–35 (God opened up the earth to swallow those who were rebellious.)

New Testament passages: Matt. 18:6 (Fasten a millstone around your neck to be drowned in the sea.) Matt. 23:27, 28 (Hypocrites are like an old burial ground of dead men’s bones.) Acts 5:1–11 (Death of Ananias and Sapphira.) 1 Cor. 5:5 (Deliver a brother to Satan.) 1 Cor. 5:13 (Drive out the wicked person.) Rev. 3:16 (God will spew people out of His mouth.)

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE DO Then, as a class, brainstorm stories that show God to be loving, kind, relational and personally involved in the lives of individuals and our world’s history.

Reasons for DECLARE Invite each group to share their summary of what God is like, and as a “I Don’t Want a God misconceptions class, discuss why people have these perceptions about God. Who…”. Avalable online:

© ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM about God. adventistreview.org/ 2013-1519-p16 READ Invite students to read “I Don’t Want a God Who…”. Then invite students [EXTENSION] to form small groups to discuss the following questions: Or print the article from Supplementary • What are some pictures you’ve had of God over the years? In what ways are these pictures distorted? Teaching Material 2. • What is your response to this article?

POSITION Place one arm of your manikin pointing upward to God and the other arm down by his side. Wooden manikin (Resource Kit)

How it feels when DO Invite a student to share a short story about a misunderstanding that occurred between them your story is twisted and a friend. After they have shared, choose one statement or event and deliberately twist the or misrepresented. meaning of their story so that it distorts the real intentions and meaning of what really happened.

DISCUSS Ask the student who shared their story: 11 • How did you feel when I twisted your story? Ask the class: • How can the true be the same of us and how we see God’s story? • Could this also be true of some of the Old and New Testament stories we explored earlier? 2 ORIENTATION · Learning Context (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

One reason for SHARE There is a common generalization among Christians that everything that is good, kind, misconceptions and loving (in the person of Jesus Christ) is found in the New Testament, and that the Old about God in the Testament shares about a God who can be angry, vindictive, and bloodthirsty. Perhaps Old Testament the misunderstanding of the Old Testament God is because stories are taken out of is that stories context. It’s important to get a big picture perspective of the Old Testament. are taken out of context. READ Invite students to read John 5:39, where Jesus declares that the Old Testament testifies of Student Bibles Him. Then share the following quote: “Christ declared that the truths of the Old Testament are as valuable as those of the New. Christ was as much man’s Redeemer in the beginning of the world as He is today.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, 126.

DO Have students form groups of four. Invite them to take their Bibles to search for Bibles stories of a compassionate, gentle and loving God in the Old Testament. Then invite each group to share their stories and compile a class list on the board. (Examples include: God place Joseph and Moses in Egypt to give Pharaoh the opportunity to know Him. God used Daniel in Babylon to work on the heart of King Nebuchadnezzar—a pagan king – so that he would know God (Daniel 4). The king of Syria went to make war with Israel and God showed mercy through causing them blindness, then used Elisha to tell the king of Israel to prepare a feast for them and tell them to go in peace (2 Kings 6:8-23).

DISCUSS • What do these stories tell us about God?

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE • Why do you think some Christians miss the big story of God in the Old Testament?

An overview WATCH Watch The Big Story (5:30 min.) which gives a big picture overview Video: The Big Story of God’s plan of God’s plan for His people throughout the Bible. vimeo.com/123430346 throughout the Bible. © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM SHARE God is in the business of saving humankind and drawing them into a relationship with Him—both in the Old and New Testaments. When we read the Bible with this in mind, you will see this is the grand theme of the Bible. There are various stories in the Bible about humankind trying to save themselves instead of relying completely on God and the knowledge of His promises. Invite students to list some examples. (Abram and Sarai in Egypt, Peter at Jesus’ trial, Saul in pursuit of the early Christians, etc.)

Students categorize DO Divide students into groups of two or three and distribute a set of Old Testament Card Shuffle to each Old Testament Card Shuffle Old Testament group. Share that their task is to read the Bible verses on the cards and create two categories that all of (Sample: Appendix E. Bible verses that the cards might fall into. (Ensure students think of these two categories themselves.) Then have students Teacher to print enough depict both God place each Bible verse card into one of their two categories. You may want to make this a race! sets for their class and His people. from the flash drive. Laminate for durability.) Students synthesize DEBRIEF Once students have categorized all cards and have completed the task, have each group their learning. select one Bible verse from each category that best sums up each category. Then have every group share what their two categories were, and their chosen Bible verses. 12 God usually SHARE The Old Testament tells us many times of God’s people who continued to sin and disobey blesses as a result Him. But it also tells us many times of God’s patience and love towards His people, of His people’s despite their unfaithfulness. Something that we should remember is that God never asks obedience. His people to obey without first sharing what He has done for them in the past. 2 ORIENTATION · Learning Context (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

PART 2: THE COVENANT (60 MIN)

POSITION Place one arm of your manikin pointing upward to God and Wooden manikin the other arm stretched out to your students. (Resource Kit)

What a lawless DRAW Distribute a blank piece of paper to each student and invite them to silently Blank paper for society might draw a picture or a symbol to answer the following question: each student look like. • What would our country be like without any laws? (Colored pencils or pens)

DO As students complete their drawings, invite them to come to the front of the classroom. Give each Tape student some tape and have them stick their drawing on a wall at the front of the classroom.

DISCUSS Discuss the pros and cons of laws in society. • Are some laws unnecessary? If so, which ones? • Which laws are truly necessary for the citizens in this country to coexist peacefully and safely? Do these laws make you want to live in this country? (Explain) • Share any thoughts you have about laws in other nations.

ASK • Do you know of anywhere in the Bible where God defines His 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE relationship with humankind, or where He explains it?

God outlined His SHARE One of the clearest places in the Bible where God outlines His relationship with His relationship with His people is at Mount Sinai. people at Sinai. Exodus Narrative: Part 4 preview © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM WATCH Watch “Exodus Narrative: Part 4” preview (1:21 min.), a short summary of the sermonspice.com/ events in Exodus 32 where God gave Moses the Law to give to His people, product/27325/exodus- who were worshipping the golden calf at the foot of Mount Sinai. narrative-part-4

Students define the WRITE Have students find a partner of their choice and when you say “Go,” have them respond to the following: Paper, pens term covenant. • Define the word covenant.

Exploring DISCUSS Invite some pairs to share their definitions with the whole class. Then discuss the following questions: the context • Have you heard the word covenant before? If so, in what context? (Inside or outside the Bible?) for students’ understanding of • What do you think a covenant refers to? the term covenant. 13 2 ORIENTATION · Learning Context (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

Exploring what was SHARE Share some of the information from the handout “Steps of Ancient Covenant Making” “Steps of Ancient typically involved and, in small groups, invite students to discuss the information. Invite students to note Covenant Making” in creating a each step of creating a covenant, and why each step was important. (See Flash Drive) covenant in the Old Testament. DO Divide the class into three groups and have each group explore their allocated Bible passage Computers and discuss and note new insights about what an Old Testament covenant was like and/ Student Bibles or looked like. Then have each group share their insights with the rest of the class. Bibles Commentaries Group 1: The Covenant with Noah (Genesis 9) Group 2: God’s Covenant with Abram (Genesis 15) Group 3: The Sign of the Covenant (Genesis 17)

Students create CREATE Invite students to: their own covenant 1. Identify someone in your life. (This could be a classmate, relative, friend, or enemy.) with someone. 2. Select a promise that you would like to keep between the two of you. 3. Following the ideas from the information from the “Steps of Ancient Covenant Making” handout, design a covenant service. Note that this should not include the death of any animals, but rather the overarching idea of the seriousness of keeping a covenant.

DISCUSS • What are some examples of biblical covenants?

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE Examples of biblical SHARE 1. Due to time restraints, list each of the following covenants on the covenants. [EXTENSION] board, but don’t spend too long on this section: 2. The Edenic covenant (Gen. 1:28–30; 2:15–17). This covenant was given to Adam and Eve before the Fall. 3. The Adamic Covenant (Gen 3:14–19). This covenant was given to Adam and Eve before they © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM left the Garden of Eden. It was without conditions, but held both a curse and a promise. 4. The Noahic covenant (Gen. 8:20–9:17). After the flood, God made an unconditional covenant with Noah. 5. The Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 12:1–3; 17). This covenant was unconditional. God promised to bless Abraham and make him into a great nation. Circumcision was the sign of the covenant, and this was an everlasting covenant. 6. The Mosaic covenant. (Ex. 20; 21; 25; 31). This covenant was given to Moses on Mount Sinai and was conditional to obedience of the law given by God. 7. The Davidic covenant (2 Sam. 7:4–17). This covenant was given to King David through the prophet Nathan and was centered on grace and the fact that David’s kingdom would never be destroyed. 8. The new covenant (Heb. 8:7–13). This covenant includes anyone who chooses to believe in Christ and is based on what He has done for His people for eternity. 14 2 ORIENTATION · Learning Context (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

Exploring the EXPLORE Together as a class, read Genesis 17, and have students make two lists: Student Bibles covenant in -- What God said He would do for Abraham, and (Sample: Appendix F: The Genesis 17. Covenant in Genesis 17) -- What God asked of Abraham. (Students will come to see that this list is unfair, because God promises to do exceedingly more than what He asks of Abraham. Here we also see that the law is really just a response to the covenant that God set up for us.)

The role and WRITE Invite your students to open their Encounter Journals to do two 60-second writes, PowerPoint slide purpose of the one after the other with a short break between, to the following questions: questions (flash drive) covenant. • What was the role and purpose of the covenant? Encounter Journals • What would happen if God’s people stepped outside of the covenant? Pens

Create Clock MOVE Invite students to stand up and move around the room to create Clock Partners at your instruction, and to Clock Partners: Partners. keep this in their Encounter Journals. These Clock Partners will be used in Bible class throughout the year. Explanation (Appendix G) Encounter Journals

Students share MIRROR Invite students to stay with their twelve o’clock partner to mirror share their 60-second write and question each QUESTION on God in the Old Testament. Have student A share, followed by a question about what other’s summaries. they shared from student B. Then have students reverse roles, so both students have shared

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE their summaries, and both have asked a question about their partner’s summary.

WATCH Watch The Covenants (5:44 min), an animated walk-through of the biblical covenants and their purpose. Video: The Covenants https://www.youtube. As students watch this short clip, have them write down: com/watch?v=8ferLIsvlmI -- The four covenants and the differences between them © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM -- The meaning and purpose of the new covenant (list 4 facts) Then invite students to share any facts or information that was new to them. (You may wish to share that this unit will be exploring the first three covenants, while the next unit on the life of David will explore David’s covenant with the Lord.)

The Ten SHARE As part of God’s covenant with the nation of Israel, He gave them the Ten Commandments, not to Commandments limit them, but to show them how to live in healthy relationships with Himself and each other. This was were the basis for necessary for such a large nation who had been immersed in the pagan culture of Egypt for seven the covenant. decades. The Ten Commandments were the basis of this covenant God made with His people. But the covenant itself was like a marriage agreement or a promise between God and His people. God promised to write His law in their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31–34), so that it would be their joy to obey. (NOTE: The law will be explored again later in the year). 15 2 ORIENTATION · Learning Context (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

The essence READ / The heart of the message that God shared with His people, the Israelites, in the Old Testament can be Student Bibles of the law. RESPOND found in Deuteronomy 10:12–22. Invite students to read this passage, write it in their Encounter Journals, Encounter Journals and identify key points in the passage. Have them write these points in their Encounter Journals. Pens The law tells us SHARE The law is a description of God’s character. When we break the law, we go against God’s character and about who God is. hurt our relationship with Him. (You may refer to the students’ drawings at the front of the room at this point. When we break the law of God, it can feel the same way.) The law also tells us a lot about Jesus.

DISCUSS Display and discuss the meaning of the following quote: “No man can rightly present the law of God without the gospel, or the gospel without the law. The law is the gospel embodied, and the gospel is the law unfolded. The law is the root, the gospel is the fragrant blossom and fruit which it bears.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 128.

SHARE God set the Israelites free first, then gave them the law (not the other way around). We obey the law because we are saved—not the other way around.

POSITION Place one arm of your manikin stretched out to your students while his head and body are turned Wooden manikin the other way. (Alternatively, ask students to decide on a pose that best captures this main idea.) (Resource Kit)

The struggle of PAIR-SHARE Have students discuss the following questions with Clock Partner 10. Then select different Questions on PowerPoint temptation in pairs to share what their partner had to say about the following questions: slides (flash drive)

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE our world. • Why is it so enticing to do what you know you’re not supposed to do? God knew that • What other Bible stories or verses remind us of this problem that humankind faces? His people would (Eve and the serpent; Romans 7:15–20.) be tempted in Canaan. • What kinds of things would have been tempting for the Israelites after they had settled in Canaan?

SHARE There would have been some very enticing riches, land, relationships and customs in the land of Canaan, especially for the Israelites who settled there and whose parents had wandered for 40 years in the desert with very few possessions to pass down. Also, it’s human nature to always want what we know we’re not allowed to have!

God would either READ Invite students to look up and read God’s core message that He adds in Deuteronomy 11:16, 26–28, Student Bibles bless or curse, “‘But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn depending on away from the Lord and serve and worship other gods … how His people responded to “‘Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! You will the covenant. be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the Lord your God and 16 turn away from him and worship gods you have not known before.’” (NLT)

DISCUSS • What do you think about this passage? 2 ORIENTATION · Learning Context (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

God loves us SHARE Share that this “curse” is the default of not claiming the blessing. God is not punishing despite our us but calling us out of the results of self-imposed separation from Him. God loves and wandering away blesses us regardless. But if we wander from the covenant, we miss opportunities to claim from Him. He does the blessing and God does what he can to restore us. The Old Testament is not a story all He can to restore of punishment but a story of God calling us back into a relationship with Him. us to Himself. DRAW Draw a circle on the board to represent God. Then draw a few small people inside the circle, representing Israel/us. Share that the circle is a safe place; a place of blessings and refuge. Draw more small people around the edge of the circle, and some outside of the circle. Then draw squiggles around the circle (make a mess!) to represent sin, and the “curse” that is referred to in the above passage. Share that we all wander in and out of the circle at different times. Sometimes we might even stay outside for a while. Perhaps some of us feel like that’s where we are at the moment. Yet even when we get hurt from things outside the circle, God is there to help us recover. (1 John 1:9) Remember too that this world is so sinful (look at the mess!), and without God, we will experience the natural evil around us from the world. That’s what God’s curse really is. His blessing is when He steps in to protect us from it.

SHARE Remind students how bad things had gotten for Israel at this time. Aside from idolatry, child sacrifice was common, consorting with the temple prostitutes to ask Baal for rain was the norm, and there was little respect for each other. These are the reasons God created the covenant (and the commandments) and why He lets us experience the consequences of our choices. It’s not about God wanting to control our actions (a God who upholds freedom as much as He does would

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE never do this); rather, it’s because He will never force us to accept His protection on our behalf that He lets things play out (as with Eve in the garden). Had Israel not been exiled, they would never have realized how bad things really were. They needed some time out to step back from their ways and re-evaluate. Sometimes we, too, need God to step in for us in the same way.

© ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM God’s laws were READ / To add to the discussion, read the following quote, and invite students to recall better than those DISCUSS their thoughts on laws in society at the beginning of this section: of any civilized “Today the challenge to Israel might be repeated. The laws which God gave His ancient people nation on Earth. were wiser, better, and more humane than those of the most civilized nations of the earth. The laws of the nations bear marks of the infirmities and passions of the unrenewed heart; but God’s law bears the stamp of the divine.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, 465.) • What evidence and examples can you give from nations and laws around the world today to support this?

The Israelites SHARE The Israelites knew what would happen to them if they abandoned their part of the covenant. As understood the a nation, they had been told these same messages repeatedly and would have heard them as covenant and the they were passed down through the generations. (See Hosea 2:15, 16 and Amos 9:14, 15.) consequences God continually tried to keep His people under the safety of His wings. of stepping 17 outside of it. 2 ORIENTATION · Learning Context (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

PART 3: PROPHETS (50 MIN)

POSITION Place both arms of your manikin in an animated position in front of their chest, as though preaching. Wooden manikin (Resource Kit) An overview of the DRAW Draw a circle on the board to demonstrate the Old Testament Cycle, shown in the PowerPoint slide, Old Testament Cycle destructive and which shares a big-picture perspective of the cycle of disobedience, destruction, and deliverance God’s PowerPoint slide redemptive cycle people experienced over and over in the Old Testament, and how God interacted with His people. (flash drive) of God’s people in the Old Testament. REFLECT • We’ve just seen the sin cycle of God’s people in the Old Testament. Can you see a similar spiritual cycle occurring in your own lives?

The role and DO Divide your students into two teams and do a writing relay on the board. The Board and markers message of topic students will need to write something about is Prophets. Energetic music prophets in the Students can either list prophets from the Bible or write down some of the messages of Old Testament. prophets. Students must list something different from what other team members have already written. Play some energetic music to get your students moving fast!

Some of the DISCUSS Read out both team’s lists and discuss some of the prophets of the Bible and their messages. messages of the biblical prophets. DISCUSS • What was the role and function of an Old Testament prophet? 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE

The role and READ To further expand this discussion, distribute a copy of “The Gift of Prophecy” to each student. Read this The Gift of Prophecy function of prophets information as a class, and invite students to respond to the questions at the end of the handout: (Appendix H: Teacher to and their messages. print from flash drive) 1. Why did God send prophets?

© ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM 2. Write a summary of the role of a prophet in your own words. 3. What does the Bible tell us about prophecy? 4. Are the messages of the Old Testament prophets still relevant to us today? Explain your response.

MIRROR Invite students to find Clock Partner 6 to share their thoughts to question 4. Have each student SHARE offer one compliment and one suggestion to their partner after each summary is shared. NOTE ON ASSESSMENT: Various summative assessment tasks are suggested throughout this unit. You may choose to distribute all task options now and have students work on their chosen task throughout the term as the topic is explored. See pages 38 and 39 for the full list of summative assessment task options. Note that you may also choose to have students complete some of these assessment tasks in class as formative assessments. 18 2 ORIENTATION · Learning Context (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

Assessment options STUDENT Have students select one of the Old Testament minor prophets (Joel, Amos, Obadiah, ASSESSMENT Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) and unpack OPTION 1 the following questions, using commentaries, Ellen White’s writings, and other texts: • What personal information can you share about this prophet? (Characteristics, age, role, culture) • What were the main messages this prophet shared? • Why did God need to share these messages with His people? • How are the messages of this prophet relevant to Christians today? • How are they relevant to you?

Students can share their findings to the questions in one of the following ways: -- Art form of your choice -- Animation of your choice -- Oral presentation -- Essay -- Video/media

EXPLORE / Invite students to consider the role of God’s prophets in the pre-exilic, exilic, and post-exilic periods. A Brief History of the SHARE God sent prophet after prophet to warn His people not to go into exile (the majority of prophets Division of the Nation of were in the pre-exilic time), but He was also very close to them through their exile (through prophets Israel (Supplementary such as Daniel), as well as after their exile. Although His people reaped the consequences of Teaching Material 3) their sin, He wasn’t absent but rather was there for them through this difficult spiritual journey, 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE giving them chance after chance to return to Him. Share “A Brief History of the Division of the Nation of Israel” to provide a concise overview of the split between Judah and Israel.

STUDENT Research the following areas and display your information on a ASSESSMENT large poster that will be displayed in the classroom:

© ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM OPTION 2 • The sin cycle of the Israelites, including the causes and consequences of Israel's defeat by the Assyrians • The role that Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon played in carrying out divine judgment upon Judah • The role, function, and time frame of the Hebrew prophets and how they revealed that God offered redemption before He acted in judgment • How understanding Old Testament history enhances or changes your picture of God.

19 2 ORIENTATION · Learning Context (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

God spoke through READ Share that God has chosen to reveal Himself to us in different ways. Invite your students prophets in the to read Hebrews 1:1, 2, “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers Old Testament by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.” (RSV) and through Jesus and the apostles in the New. ASK • What do these verses tell us about God?

God connects SHARE Often we think that prophets mean gloom and doom because of their messages; with humanity in however, it’s interesting to note that two-thirds of their messages are about different ways. encouragement and one-third of their messages are about warning. Hebrews tells us that in times past, God chose different ways to reach out to His people (such as prophets), but more recently, He has spoken to us through Jesus. What God gave His people in the Old Testament was what they needed, followed by an even clearer picture of Himself through Jesus in the New.

DO / Do a Walk and Talk Tour. Place the review posters around your classroom and give each Review posters REVIEW student two Post-it Notes. They are to choose two posters and respond to them on their (Appendix I: Teacher to Post-it Notes. After students have written their responses, have them place one of their print from flash drive) comments/Post-it Notes beneath the poster they chose and talk to another student who Post-it Notes also wrote something for this poster. Have students mingle and discuss their reflections, and read other’s reflections. Play some music to get your students moving and mingling. Music Idea: Kathy Perez, More Than 100 Brain-Friendly Tools and Strategies for Literacy Instruction 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE (Hawker Brownlow, 2010), p. 53.

9 INTELLIGENCES Verbal/Linguistic Logical Visual Kinesthetic Musical Interpersonal Intrapersonal Natural Spiritual © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM

20 Duration: 230 mins 3 Hosea 1-4, 11, 13; Ezek. 37; 2 Chron. 7:14, 12:9; EXPLORATION · Animated/Engaged Learning 1 John 5:21; Prov. 10:14; Isa. 55:8, 9; Phil. 1:6; Matt. 6:6; John 15:1-5; Eph. 2:8.

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

This section is divided into three parts: Wooden manikin (Resource Kit) Part 1. The Story of Hosea (80 min.) Part 2. Knowledge Rejected (60 min.) Butcher paper and pens Part 3. God’s Heart (90 min.)

PART 1: THE STORY OF HOSEA (80 MIN)

Student’s current GIVE ONE, In their Encounter Journals, have students to draw a square and divide it into four sections. Invite students Encounter Journals knowledge GET ONE to write down two things they know about the story of Hosea. (Some students may not know anything. Pens about Hosea. If so, have them leave it blank.) Then ask students to stand up and give one idea to a classmate, then get one idea (and add it to a blank space in their table until all four sections are complete).

ASK • What did you discover? (Create a list on the board.) • Is there more to this story than you already know?

About Hosea, SHARE Hosea’s career was a prophet. He started this career when he was quite young, and his the man. messages and work lasted for about 40 years. He wrote about his own life and struggles with his personal marriage, which were also cutting messages to God’s people about their sin. 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE

POSITION Place the manikin on his knees in a submissive position. Wooden manikin (Resource Kit) The story of Hosea READ/LISTEN Invite students to listen, and follow along in their Bibles, about the story of Hosea as found Student Bibles and Gomer in in Hosea 1–3. Have students draw the emotions of the story as it progresses.

© ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM Audio Bible: Experience chapters 1–3. It (Resource Kit) Questions students WRITE Invite students to write down four questions they have about the story of Hosea (as read in Hosea 1–3). Paper, pens have about the Collect student questions and separate the questions into two piles to be used after the inductive study. story of Hosea. Inductive Bible Study: Hosea’s Metaphor Marriage Bible study on EXPLORE Explore this story in more depth through the Inductive Bible Study: Hosea’s Metaphor Marriage. (Appendix J: Hosea 1–3. Teacher to print student copy from flash drive) WATCH Depending on your student’s understanding, you may choose to show them the Video: Hosea, simple summary of Hosea’s story, Hosea, Prophet to Israel (3:25 min.). Prophet to Israel vimeo.com/89109139

Students answer GROUP Divide your students into two groups and give each group a stack of the four questions students Student generated each other’s EXPLORATION created before the inductive study. Have each group select a group leader, who will lead a questions from 21 questions on the discussion in response to their questions. Have each group attempt to answer all questions they previous activity story of Hosea. were given, and then select the two most challenging questions. Have both groups share their questions and answers with the class. Allow time for whole-class sharing upon conclusion. 3 EXPLORATION · Animated/Engaged Learning (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

Hosea lived out a SHARE The story of Hosea is extreme! This kind of love is extreme! It’s deep and strong. It’s also a one-sided love. metaphor for how Hosea understood God’s heart and chose to live it out for God as a metaphor for His chosen people. God felt about His chosen people. WATCH / Watch the biblical section of the movie Amazing Love (from 0:32-1:08 min.). The DVD: Amazing Love A depiction of DISCUSS biblical story is shared within the context of a discussion around a campfire. During (Resource Kit) the biblical story these campfire discussions, pause the movie to discuss the following questions: of Hosea and Amazing Love personal reflections • Hosea says, “There is a difference between the love she [Gomer] is used to receiving Question Cards on the story. and the love I have for her.” How do you think this is also true of God and us? (Appendix K: Teacher to print from flash drive) • What do you think of Gomer’s comment, “If God wasn’t so judgmental, perhaps the people would respond.” Was God judging or warning? • What was Gomer focused on? Why is it easy to forget about God when things are going well? • What was Hosea focused on? Have you ever felt alone in your conviction to follow and obey God? (Explain) • How do small sins lead us deeper into sin? • What do you think the people might have thought when they saw Hosea buy Gomer back, after all she had done?

ASSESSMENT Note: You may choose to make this task compulsory. If so, it may be helpful to discuss and show students YouTube: “There’s a OPTION 3 how to unpack and exegete the following verses. Define exegesis and the difference between this Chance” from the and eisegesis. Wikipedia shares: “While exegesis is the process of drawing out the meaning from a movie Dumb and

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE text in accordance with the context and discoverable meaning of its author, eisegesis occurs when Dumber. https:// a reader imposes his or her interpretation into and onto the text. As a result, exegesis tends to be www.youtube.com/ objective when employed effectively while eisegesis is regarded as highly subjective.” To illustrate this watch?v=KX5jNnDMfxA point, you may wish to show your students a short scene from Dumb and Dumber, where Jim Carrey only hears what he is looking for in the conversation, rather than hearing the words as they are. Write a reflection paper on God’s message to you in this verse, exploring each concept in the text © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM and how it relates to your life, and the messages from the story of Hosea.Consider the unit’s key texts: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14) “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord. . . . And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’” Hosea 2:19, 23 (NKJV) Examples of questions to consider could include: • Why do we need to humble ourselves? Do we tend to struggle with this? (Explain) • What does it really mean to seek God’s face? • Does God hear only when we turn from our wickedness? • How can God heal land? 22 • What was the significance of betrothal at the time, compared to now? • How does this change the meaning of the passage? 3 EXPLORATION · Animated/Engaged Learning (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

PART 2: KNOWLEDGE REJECTED (60 MIN)

NOTE: Select two students who will lead the Bible study in this section. Share how to lead a small group/ Bible study and some general tips about questioning, involving all group members, etc. Give your student leaders the Bible study with teaching points in advance so that they can prepare as needed.

POSITION Place the manikin in a defiant position with hands outstretched in front of the body. Wooden manikin (Resource Kit) SHARE Share that Captain Smith received six ice warnings on the day the Titanic hit the iceberg. They were all ignored by the wireless operator who was preoccupied with transmitting passenger messages. On the night of the collision, because the moon was not out and the water was so still, it was very difficult to see the iceberg. Titanic (“Nearer My God to Thee”) youtube.com/ WATCH Watch the short video clip of the sinking of the Titanic due to the captain disregarding the warnings. watch?v=_SoU4qzZlcw

Seemingly irrelevant PAIR-SHARE Invite students to stand and find their Clock Partner 4 to discuss the following questions: knowledge and • When was the last time someone of authority (parent, teacher) told consequences of you something that you thought was wrong or irrelevant? not adhering to it. • What did you do with the knowledge they shared? • What was the consequence? 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE

What knowledge DISCUSS Open up discussion for different pairs to share an example of where knowledge of God really is. has been rejected, and then discuss the following questions as a class: • What exactly is knowledge of God?

© ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM • Have you ever rejected knowledge of God? How do you know? • What is the difference between rejecting knowledge of God compared to rejecting knowledge of another authority figure in your life? • How does rejecting knowledge impact your relationship with that person?

Israel rejected their READ / We find a fairly strong statement from God in Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge of God. SHARE knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me.” Share the following key points from this verse: -- Their destruction was of their own doing—because they rejected (despised) knowledge. -- God established a way where He could communicate with His people, yet their source of the knowledge of God’s will had been corrupted. This is different for us today, because we have God’s word available to each of us in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. 23 3 EXPLORATION · Animated/Engaged Learning (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

SHARE The nation of Israel lacked knowledge, despite God preserving it through His prophets and kings. • How does your knowledge of God impact your relationship with Him? • How does the culture around you impact you hearing, understanding and responding to God’s messages for you in the Bible?

Reasons why EXPLORE Invite eight students to come to the front of the classroom to look up the following Bible texts: knowledge of Hosea 2:13; John 17:3; Hosea 2:20; Hosea 4:2; Hosea 6:3; 1 John 5:21; Proverbs 10:14; Isaiah 55:8, 9. God matters. After each student reads their text, have them ask the following question to the class for them to respond: • What does this passage tell us about a meaningful relationship with God?

SHARE It’s human nature to try to understand and relate to God in our image—and, in a way, we sometimes seek to create a designer-god who is likable and who fits into our culture in the time we live in. Of course God wants to relate to us in a very personal, meaningful way, but we need to remember that it was we who were created in God’s image (not the other way around) and that we should use His Word as a measure of His character and His desire for a relationship with us.

Students discover DO Share that each of us expresses and feels loved in slightly different ways. The five love languages Five Love Languages Quiz their love language are (1) words of affirmation, (2) quality time, (3) acts of service, (4) physical touch, and (5) 5lovelanguages.com/ and how this gifts. Invite students to discover their love language in the Five Love Languages Quiz. profile/teens/ impacts their relationships 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE with others and SHARE How we show love to others is also how we best feel loved by others. with God. Looking at God’s DO / One way to know and feel God’s love when understanding your love language could be to look interactions with His at God’s love for you, personally, through examples from the Bible. Invite students to divide into five BRAINSTORM people in the Bible groups and allocate one of the five love languages to each group. Have students consider how © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM through the five God demonstrates His love through their love language in the Bible. (See a few examples below): love languages. -- Words of affirmation/encouragement: 2 Cor. 12:9; Phil. 1:6. -- Quality time: Matt. 6:6; John 15:1–5. -- Acts of service: Jesus washing disciple’s feet, Jesus turning water to wine. -- Physical touch: Jesus healed many sick people through His touch. -- Gifts: The gift of Jesus’ death on the cross. The gift of grace. Eph. 2:8.

ASK • How can understanding your love language help improve your relationships with others? • How can understanding your love language impact your relationship with God? 24 3 EXPLORATION · Animated/Engaged Learning (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

The Mosaic SHARE Key elements of intimate relationships include knowledge of the other person, covenant was knowledge of self, and understanding the relationship you have and what it involves. conditional. The covenant was an agreement that touched on each of these things. Back at Sinai, God had established a covenant with His people. (If necessary, review the Mosaic covenant again in Exodus 20.) While other covenants in the Bible are not conditional (such as the Davidic covenant in 2 Sam. 7:8–16) the covenant at Sinai was conditional.

Exploring the EXPLORE Explore what the Bible says about such things in the inductive Bible study The Covenant, Judgment, Inductive Bible Study: covenant, and Grace. Divide your students into two groups and have your two chosen students lead out. The Covenant, Judgment, judgment, and Grace (Appendix L: Upon conclusion, have both groups share any pertinent insights with the whole class. and grace. Teacher to print student handout from flash drive) The role of the READ & Dig deeper into this topic by photocopying and distributing chapter 24 from Royalty and A Nation “Destroyed covenant in RESPOND Ruin (the contemporary version of Prophets and Kings), A Nation “Destroyed for Lack of for Lack of Knowledge” remaining inside a Knowledge,” to each student, and have students respond to the following questions: from Royalty and Ruin close relationship • How would you explain the covenant to someone in your own words? (Resource Kit) with God. See Appendix M also for • Why, do you think, did Satan want the Israelites to forget the covenant? a print out of this chapter • What happens when people question God’s way? (Consider Eve, Sodom, etc.) • What did God promise to those who are faithful to Him?

SHARE Not long after Hosea was written, the Northern Kingdom of Israel was wiped off the map as a country and 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE was never restored due to their persistent idolatry. God’s struggle with His beloved people (“How can I give you up?”) also resulted in His eventual resignation that they didn’t chose Him (“Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone”). Obviously the nation committed the equivalent of what we often speak of in individual terms as “the unpardonable sin” because they refused to repent and eventually it became too late for them to turn around and respond to God’s warnings through Hosea. What message is there for us in this? © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM While they SHARE Everything that happened to the Israelites was because of choices they made rather than God being remained within upset with them. They stepped outside of God’s safety zone; outside of God’s good plan. Sin always tries to the covenant, disrupt a close relationship with God. The result of freely stepping outside God’s covenant always reaps the God would protect natural, painful, sinful consequences, which God tries to protect us from. Stepping outside of the covenant His people. relationship isn’t about punishment, but about the result of choosing to be apart from a God who loves us. Yet God keeps fighting for us, in this often one-way relationship! He doesn’t walk away from this “marriage.”

Defining and DISCUSS As a class discuss the following questions: exploring legalism. • What is legalism? • Do you know someone who is legalistic? How do they live their lives? (Don’t allow students to mention names) • Why is legalism dangerous? 25 3 EXPLORATION · Animated/Engaged Learning (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

WRITE Write the following words on the board: obey, legalism, marriage, control freak, pretentious, conditional love, God’s law, commitment, and real love. Give students three minutes to try to include all of these words in a paragraph about God.

The difference READ Distribute a copy of Ty Gibson’s article “Obedience vs. Legalism.” You may choose to "Obedience vs. Legalism" between have two animated students read this to the class, while all follow along, discussing (Appendix N: Teacher to obedience and responses and key thoughts, or have students read this individually and: print from flash drive) legalism. -- Highlight key points -- Reflect on these points -- Verbally summarize the main points with a partner -- Then have students write a one-paragraph summary of the essence of what they have learned.

The Bible is the basis SHARE Share that Satan likes us to think that God is legalistic in what He asks of us. “Satan represents God's for our belief, not law of love as a law of selfishness. He declares that it is impossible for us to obey its precepts."—Ellen human reason. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 24. "From the very beginning of the great controversy in heaven it has been Satan's purpose to overthrow the law of God."—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 582. Some see God as a conditional God who will bless only if we obey. The concept that we will one day judge God and His actions to see whether He was just and fair is dangerous because it elevates self to the place of God (the original sin), and like Greek philosophy, shares that there is an independent standard. The Bible, not human reason, should be the basis for our belief and understanding of God. 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE Other stories of DO Set up four stations around your classroom (or more, depending on the size of your class), and Student Bibles humans trying to at each station place a Bible passage (see the list of passages below). Have students divide [GENERAL Bible Passages save themselves themselves into four groups, take their Bible, and move to one of the four different stations around ASSESSMENT and rejecting the classroom. Their task is to read the story and then use stop motion animation (with Legos, Legos (Resource Kit) OPTION ] knowledge of God. paper, other objects) to create a depiction of the story to share with the class. At the end of Paper, scissors, © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM their animation, students must select and include one Bible verse and finish with some advice for colored pencils the viewers as to how they can rely on their knowledge of God, His Word, and His promises. Camera/phone Include the following stories at your four stations: An example of stop -- Abraham and Hagar (Gen. 16) motion animation can be -- Lot and his salty wife (Gen. 19:1–26) seen at youtube.com/ watch?v=GSzCLf8tjP4 -- Moses striking the rock (Num. 20:1–13) Stop Motion Animation -- Samson (Judg. 16:4–31) Kit (Resource Kit) -- Another story of their choice Have students to share their animations in class, chapel, and church.

26 3 EXPLORATION · Animated/Engaged Learning (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

PART 3: GOD'S HEART (90 MIN)

POSITION Place the hands of the manikin over his heart. Wooden manikin (Resource Kit) How God might WRITE Invite students to do a 60-second write in their Encounter Journals to the following question: Encounter Journals have felt about • How would you describe God’s heart for His people? Pens the constant rebellion of His chosen people. PAIR-SHARE Have students find their Clock Partner 7 to share what they have written. Invite Clock Partners various pairs to share their partner’s thoughts with the whole class.

WATCH Watch the mime Hosea (4:30 min.), which illustrates how Hosea came to understand the heart of God. Video: Hosea vimeo.com/3536073 Hosea 11 gives SHARE We get a glimpse into the heart of God through the story of Hosea. Here we see that Christianity is insight into all about having a relationship with God. We can’t have a relationship without understanding and God’s heart. knowing the other person. (This is also what doctrine really is all about—understanding who God is.)

Students identify READ Distribute a copy of Hosea 11 to each student and share that this is one of the Bible’s greatest Hosea 11 verses that reveal passages on God’s love, forgiveness, and acceptance. It tells us a lot about God’s heart and how He (Appendix O: Teacher something about might have been feeling about Israel’s rebellion. Invite students to follow along and highlight verses to print from flash drive) God’s heart. that reveal something about the heart of God as they listen to this chapter from the audio Bible.

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE Audio Bible: Experience (Note: You may also wish to look at 1 John 3, which describes the It! (Resource Kit) problems of sin and God’s unparalleled love.)

God’s love and MIX- Guide your students to do a Mix-Mingle-Swap (see appendix P for instructions), Mix-Mingle-Swap anger can co-exist MINGLE- using the following questions: Instructions © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM because His love SWAP (Appendix P) • What insights does Hosea 11 reveal about how God was feeling cares so deeply. about His people? (List specific verses and emotions.) Questions on PowerPoint slides • What more could God have done to keep Israel on the “straight and narrow”? (See flash drive) • How do you understand verse 9, “I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not destroy Ephraim”? • When is anger justified? • Why do we struggle when God gets angry against evil? (Can you think of other stories that show this?) Conclude by a whole-class discussion on the ideas generated.

The Bible shares that READ Read Ezekiel 33:11 (NLT), “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure God hurts when in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they those He lovingly can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?” 27 created choose sin and death. SHARE Share that God doesn’t desire the destruction of anyone. Time after time God offered a protective relationship to His people, yet at some point sin must be destroyed; otherwise, it will overrun the universe. Those who cling to sin will die with it. (See Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 117, 118.) 3 EXPLORATION · Animated/Engaged Learning (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

EXPLORE To explore what God’s wrath really is, read “Why Does God Seem Angry?” Why Does God [EXTENSION] Seem Angry? (Appendix Q) How God’s love WATCH Watch the video “Red Hot Love” (7:09 min.) by Ty Gibson, which explores how love and anger and anger can can exist together. Love can feel anger because it cares so deeply. If God never felt angry, we Video: “Red Hot Love” exist together. might wonder whether He cared at all and wish that He would show His power and stop sin. digma.com/red-hot-love/

Students defend PANEL Invite four students to come to the front of the classroom and respond to any God’s position. DISCUSSION questions the rest of the class has about why God seems angry in the Bible.

The steadfast love SHARE The message of Hosea is the truth about God’s steadfast love for an undeserving people. of God through the This love is not based on how the object of love responds, and this love is stronger than story of Hosea. any feelings of jealousy. It is a constant love. More than any other prophet, Hosea shows how God feels. We see straight into God’s heart through this story.

READ When writing about God’s love, author Leon Morris states, “It is a love for the utterly unworthy, a love that proceeds from a God who is love. It is a love lavished on others without a thought whether they are worthy or not. It proceeds from the nature of the lover, not from any attractiveness in the beloved.”

God had tried SHARE God’s chosen people (who were chosen to represent Him on this earth, and whom He would everything possible send the Promised One to) had turned their backs on Him. He had tried everything: deliverance to keep His people from Egypt, a covenant relationship, miracles in the wilderness, a new homeland in Canaan,

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE from rebellion—yet prophets to support and guide, even kings at their request (Hosea 12:9, 10). God had thought He will never use of, and tried, EVERYTHING to keep them walking in a close relationship with Him—everything but force to keep us force. A loving God will never force obedience or love. Yet nothing seemed to work with this in a relationship rebellious nation. At some point, God had to draw a line in the sand. God has to bring an end to with Him. sin because if He doesn’t, even those who are faithful to Him will be destroyed. (An example of this can be seen in Sodom and Gomorrah. Some people cried out for God to save them [Genesis

© ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM 18:21], so His destruction was really to protect those who were still in a covenant with Him. He still gave chances for all to be saved.) There is always a consequence for sin (Hosea 13:4–6, 9, 10).

A deeper look into LISTEN / Photocopy “The Decline and Fall of Israel” or distribute the book Royalty and Ruin (contemporary “The Decline and the fall of Israel. RESPOND version of Prophets and Kings) to each student, and have them meet with Clock Partner Fall of Israel” 1. Play the audio recording (11:26 min) of “The Decline and Fall of Israel” (chapter 23, pp. (Appendix R) from Royalty 105–108). Have students meet up with Clock Partner 4, and as they listen and follow along and Ruin (Resource Kit) in pairs, have one student underline information that refers to the sins of Israel, and the Royalty and Ruin audio: other student in the pair put a star beside any advice (from God or the prophets). ellenwhiteaudio.org/ royalty-in-ruin/ Identifying the REVIEW While still in their pairs, invite students to collaborate and look over their marked chapters as Encounter Journals sins of Israel and they consider and answer the following questions together in their Encounter Journals: advice that God Pens • What were the main sins of Israel? had for His people. 28 • What messages did God have for His people? • What is the main central message in this story? (Also see 2 Chron. 30:6–9) 3 EXPLORATION · Animated/Engaged Learning (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

When we disobey, SHARE Obedience is a loving response to God and is also living in harmony with the nature of our being, we violate our which is the way we were originally created. When we disobey, we violate our relationship with relationship with God but also violate ourselves, by going against not only God’s nature but our own nature. both God and ourselves. DO For a brain break, invite students to consider: Encounter Journals • What has been learned so far? Pens In their Encounter Journals, have students list as many things as possible in point form. Energetic music Then play some energetic music and have students mingle, share their ideas, and add to their lists new ideas from their classmates. (Who has the longest list?)

Ezekiel was SHARE Share that Hosea’s warnings didn’t prevent Israel from going down the wrong path. His prophecies another prophet [EXTENSION] of captivity did come true. These prophecies were conditional prophecies, meaning that they who shared two would come true depending on how God’s people responded. (In contrast, we findsure/ perspectives on unconditional prophecies in books like Daniel and Revelation that aren’t dependent on people’s God’s heart in actions.) Babylon came and took God’s people as slaves for 70 years, and Israel was scattered. one of Israel’s Yet even in exile and captivity, God didn’t forget or leave His people to fend for themselves. He darkest times. continued to keep His end of the covenant relationship by sending prophets to them to bring them back to Him, even during their exile. They weren’t alone, as God sought them out, even in their punishment. During this time God sent other prophets – some to warn what was ahead, others to encourage God’s people to be faithful to Him, but never to scare God’s people into submission to Him. One of these prophets was Ezekiel. He shared two interesting perspectives on God’s heart. Inductive Bible Study: Prostitutes and Bones

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE (Appendix S: Teacher Exploration SHARE Explore two other metaphors from the prophet Ezekiel in the to print student version of Ezekiel 22, [EXTENSION] inductive Bible study Prostitutes and Bones. from flash drive) 23, and 37.

POSITION Position your manikin to look like a pile of bones. Invite students to draw this in their Encounter Wooden manikin

© ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM Journals and play the song “Be Mine” by Sarah Draget, which is about God’s love for Israel. (Resource Kit) Encounter Journals Despite the one- SHARE In these stories, we get new glimpses into God’s character. He is not an absent God who stands sided relationship, back. He actively wants to be involved in His people’s lives. God, in His loving kindness, did iTunes: “Be Mine” God continued all He could in this one-sided relationship to protect and guide His chosen people. We see a by Sarah Draget to try to save picture of God trying to save His people. (Notice that salvation is a central theme in the New Video: The Big Story His people. Testament, but it is also a central Old Testament theme before Jesus came to Earth.) vimeo.com/123430346 To remind students of the Old Testament stories that point forward to Jesus, you may choose to show them the video The Big Story again.

9 INTELLIGENCES Verbal/Linguistic Logical Visual Kinesthetic Musical Interpersonal Intrapersonal Natural Spiritual

29 5 REFLECTION · Heart Learning Duration: 60 Minutes Hosea 1, 2, 3, 6, 14

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

Personalizing the WATCH / Watch a contemporary story of Hosea, shared in six parts. Invite students The Hosea Love Story story of Hosea. JOURNAL to journal responses to the following questions after each part: vimeo.com/channels/ thehosealovestory Part 1, Hosea 1:1–11 (3:32 min.): When has something turned out the opposite of how you expected? Part 2, Hosea 2:1–13 (3:21 min.): When have you felt like you were the only one trying to make a relationship work? Encounter Journals Part 3, Hosea 2:14–23 (2:54 min.): Whom have you felt pity for, and why? Pens Part 4, Hosea 3:1–5 (3:07 min.): Who has shown you love you don’t deserve? Part 5, Hosea 6:1–6 (3:24 min.): When have you felt regret? Hosea Love Story Questions Part 6, Hosea 14 (3:10 min.): When have you felt forgiveness? (Appendix T: Teacher to print from flash drive) Ensure students know that their responses will be kept private.

God had Hosea’s SHARE This is how far God is willing to go to get His people back—a living, acted out parable to get their life be a metaphor attention and help them to realize what they are doing and what He's willing to do to get them back. to get His people’s (Note: Isaiah 5 is also another passage about God’s love for Israel/us.) attention.

POSITION Place the manikin in a kneeling position. Wooden manikin (Resource Kit) Students drawing LISTEN / Invite students to listen to “Hosea” by Andrew Peterson or “Song of Gomer” by Michael Card iTunes: “Hosea” a metaphor of DRAW (which could also be our song to God), and as they listen, draw a picture metaphor in their Encounter by Andrew Peterson their relationship Journals of how they feel and think about God’s involvement in their lives at the moment. (Lyrics, Appendix U) or with God at “Song of Gomer” the moment.

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE WRITE Then have students to write down one or two sentences around by Michael Card their drawings, describing their relationship with God. youtube.com/ watch?v=BU_NR6edj6Y

The intense love SHARE Hosea loved Gomer so deeply, knowing this love would never be returned. It was Encounter Journals of God is real— one-sided. God loves YOU as much as Hosea loved Gomer. He tries to woo us Pens or pencils for each of us. back to Him (without any force) when we walk away to worldly things. This is more © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM than just a story in the Bible. This is how a real, living God feels about you!

Pertinent Bible DO Place the God’s Message Cards (Bible verses about God’s love) on a table at the God’s Message Cards messages about back of the classroom. Invite students to silently move to the table and select a (Appendix V: Teacher God’s love for message that they feel God is speaking into their lives at the moment. to print at least two humankind. copies of each card from flash drive) Personalized WRITE Invite students to stick the message card they chose into their Encounter Journals. Then ask: Bible messages Encounter Journals • We know the Bible is God’s living Word. What message is He trying to from God. tell you personally today from the verse you have chosen? Pens Beside the message card in their Encounter Journals, invite students to write down the Glue message they think God is trying to speak to them through their chosen Bible verse.

SHARE When we think of God’s love, we often think of a generic love. He longs to enter a 30 personal, individual relationship with each of us. He loves you ______, and you ______, and you ______(point to each student and say their name), personally.

9 INTELLIGENCES Verbal/Linguistic Logical Visual Kinesthetic Musical Interpersonal Intrapersonal Natural Spiritual FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

The intense love SHARE Hosea loved Gomer so deeply, knowing this love would never be returned. It was Encounter Journals of God is real— one-sided. God loves YOU as much as Hosea loved Gomer. He tries to woo us Pens or pencils for each of us. back to Him (without any force) when we walk away to worldly things. This is more than just a story in the Bible. This is how a real, living God feels about you!

SHARE When we think of God’s love, we often think of a generic love. He longs to enter a personal, individual relationship with each of us. He loves you ______, and you ______, and you ______(point to each student and say their name), personally.

9 INTELLIGENCES Verbal/Linguistic Logical Visual Kinesthetic Musical Interpersonal Intrapersonal Natural Spiritual

Duration: 100 Minutes 6 REFLECTION · Soul Learning Hosea 4:11-19; Deuteronomy 14:2; Rev. 18:4; 1 John 4:4, 5; Ezra 9:1–15; Hosea 8:2; Psalm 51:16, 17; Micah 6:8.

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

Popular culture DO Invite students to create a collage of worldly things that might be idols to some people. In Magazines, newspapers, defined and groups of four, have students search through magazines or newspapers and cut out pictures or scissors, glue, depicted. words that reflect today’s culture. (Alternatively, students could create a digital collage.) butcher paper.

Similarities between VIEW Invite each group to share their collage, explaining their selection of images and popular culture and describing how they see popular culture at the moment. As each feature is shared, the challenges the discuss whether there was an equivalent to the Israelites in the Old Testament. Israelites faced. Something DISCUSS After you look at the students’ collages, discuss how each item could become an idol. becomes an idol • Are each of these things OK in themselves? (Explain.) when it becomes our greatest • When do they become an idol? (When these things consume our focus in life. minds and become our focus, they become our idols.) • Which other commandment is closely connected to idolatry? (When we covet, we stop trusting God and put things before people and God.)

What we typically SHOW Hold up a small statue. Share that we typically think of idols in the Bible as small things like this that people Small statue think an idol worshipped. However, idolatry is also false ideas, concepts, or philosophies that we place above God. looks like. Hosea speaks around 150 statements about Israel’s sins, and more than half are about their idolatry.

DO Invite students to find some of these statements about Israel’s sins and their idolatry (begin Student Bibles

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE [EXTENSION] by looking at Hosea 4:11-19), and have them rewrite these statements, but instead, include some of the contemporary idols (and places) that they identified in their collages.

Reasons why ASK • Why was idolatry such a struggle and a temptation for Israel? idolatry was such a • What kind of idolatry were they involved in? © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM struggle for Israel.

Reasons why SHARE (Note: Please adapt how you share this content depending on your students’ maturity.) idolatry was such Share that Israel used God’s blessings to worship Baal. This was spiritual idolatry. an issue for Israel. The surrounding nations held a common belief that the earth was like a mother, the heavens (or Baal) were like a father, and any rain that fell was sperm. Thus sexual immorality was a result of this obscured philosophical belief, which also resulted in prostitute temples and sexual sacrifices that were believed to bring rain on the land. “God’s blessings of prosperity had been a gracious manifestation of God’s love. Since Israel’s economy was agricultural, its society was extremely rain conscious. In Hosea’s time people believed that Baal sent rain to earth. But Hosea taught that Baal was not the source of blessings; rather, it was the Lord. In order to teach them this important lesson, God would allow Israel to be deprived of grain, new wine, oil, wool, and flax (Hosea 2:9). Moreover, the Lord would lay the nation bare, and in doing so shame her before her lovers. All occasions of joy and gladness would vanish from the land. The loss of all its blessings would finally make the people realize the true identity of their generous Provider.”— 31 Zdravko Stefanovic, Thus Says the Lord, (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald, 2012), p. 18. God’s people had forgotten that “He who causes the seed to spring up, who tends it day and night, who gives it power to develop, is the Author of our being, the King of heaven, and He exercises still greater care and interest in behalf of His children.” —Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 89. 6 REFLECTION · Soul Learning (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

DISCUSS • How might we twist the blessings God gives us, and instead of worshipping the giver of blessings, worship the blessing itself (which could be something, someone else, or even ourselves)?

Two types of WATCH Watch the video “Contemporary Idols” (4:42 min.) where two teenagers Video: “Contemporary Idols” modern-day idols. share of their struggles with the idols in their lives. (flash drive)

JOURNAL Allow some time for students to reflect on an idol they may have in their life right now and Encounter Journals journal some thoughts about this in their Encounter Journals. (For students who seem blank, Reflective music invite them to consider the things that most consume their time and thoughts.)

REFLECT / Invite students to copy the following quote into their Encounter RESPOND Journals, and reflect on the questions that follow: “The Christian life is a battle and a march. In this warfare there is no release; the effort must be continuous and persevering. It is by unceasing endeavor that we maintain the victory over the temptations of Satan. Christian integrity must be sought with resistless energy and maintained with a resolute fixedness of purpose.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 453. • In what ways does your life feel like a battle? • In what ways does life feel like a march? • How is your battle and march going at the moment? Who is winning? • What is God’s role in your battle and march? 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE

Reflecting on DO Divide the class into three groups and allocate a group leader in each group. Give each Station Questions popular culture leader a question card and have them lead a discussion with their group about the questions (Appendix W: Teacher and seemingly listed on their card. Then have each group (with their leader) move to the next station to to print from flash drive) little sins that pull us discuss the next set of questions, until all students have moved through all groups. Student Bibles

© ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM away from God. 1. What subliminal messages does popular culture send to you? What do you do with these messages? What does God want from you, and how do you know? 2. Why did God want His people to remain separate from the surrounding nations while living among them? What kinds of things might have been enticing about the other cultures and nations surrounding the Israelites in Canaan? Do you think God still requires us to be separate from popular culture today? How can you witness to others while being separate? See Deuteronomy 14:2; Rev. 18:4; 1 John 4:4, 5. 3. How do you respond to sin? Are some sins worse than others? How do you know? Does the severity of sin change? (Or has it changed over time? Are some sins seen as less evil now than they might have been 100 years ago? Why? Is this justified?) What does sin do to us? (It separates us from life, from God.) See Ezra 9:1–15.

WRITE & As students move through the stations, walk around and listen to their group Wooden manikin POSITION discussions, adding comments when necessary. Then, while students are still discussing (Resource Kit) 32 in their groups, write Hosea 8:2 on the board: “Israel will cry to Me, ‘My God, we know you!’” (NKJV) and Place the manikin in a kneeling position.

DISCUSS Discuss any further questions or thoughts students may have as a result of their group discussions. 6 REFLECTION · Soul Learning (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

It’s easy to justify SHARE Share how easy it is for the “little” sins to creep into our lives so that before we realize it, we’re sin rather than separated from God. The enemy isn’t going to show up with horns and carrying a pitchfork. face it head on. He’s going to deceive us quietly in ways that don't seem questionable on the surface. It’s interesting that the Israelites were doing all of their usual rituals and following what they thought was right (see Hosea 2:11). They thought they were spiritually on track, but in reality, they were distant from God. They were justifying sin and not calling it by its right name.

READ Two other Bible verses that help to answer the questions above are Psalm 51:16, 17 and Micah 6:8. Student Bibles

The importance WRITE Have students write Psalm 51:16, 17 and Micah 6:8 in their Encounter Journals. Then invite Encounter Journals of mercy, humility, them to write a short reflection on what these verses are speaking to them personally. Pens and what God Invite students to especially consider the words broken spirit, contrite heart, justly, mercy, wants of us. and humbly, and what these words really mean, and why God asks these of us.

Exploring what God DISCUSS • What do these verses tell us about what God really wants from us, right now, today? really requires of us. (We should be known not for what we don’t do, but for what we do do.)

God needs people READ Share the following pertinent quote: “The same mighty truths that were revealed through these men, to stand for truth God desires to reveal through the youth and the children of today. The greatest want of the world is the no matter what want of men—men who will not be bought or sold; men who in their inmost souls are true and honest; is happening men who do not fear to call sin by its right name; men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE around them. to the pole; men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.”—Ellen G. White, Education, p. 57.

PAIR-SHARE Invite students to choose a friend whom they can openly share Questions on their thoughts on the following questions with: PowerPoint slide (flash drive) • As young women and men, how can we “not be bought or sold”? © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM • What does it mean to be true and honest in your inmost soul? What kinds of things rob you of this? • Do you call sin by its right name? What does that really mean? • How can you have a conscience true to duty? • What will it take for you to stand for what’s right, even if no one around you does?

SHARE It is only through God’s help and His grace that we can stand “as the needle to the pole” in this world. No matter how hard we try, we are like Gomer—attracted to the world and desperately in need of a husband who will love us without condition. While God wants us to follow the advice in Psalm 51:16, 17 and Micah 6:8, if we struggle with these things, He simply asks us to show a willing spirit (see 2 Cor. 8:12) because this is the starting place for faith.

Students pray for PRAY Invite students to pray with the friend whom they shared their thoughts with on the preceding questions. 33 each other to stand strong for God.

9 INTELLIGENCES Verbal/Linguistic Logical Visual Kinesthetic Musical Interpersonal Intrapersonal Natural Spiritual Duration: 70+ Minutes 7 CELEBRATION · Life Learning Jer. 31:32; Isa. 54:5; Hosea 2:7; Joel 1:8; 2 Cor. 6:14; Hosea 14; Jer. 24:4–7; Neh. 9: 16, 17, 30, 31; Joel 2:13; 2 Chron. 7:14.

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

NOTE: Relationships will be explored in depth for a whole unit in Grade 12, as well as later during this year. Due to time restraints, it is covered only briefly here.

God as the READ Share that there are various verses in the Bible that refer to God as the Student Bibles husband of husband of His people. Invite four students to look up and read the following His people. examples include Jeremiah 31:32; Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:7; Joel 1:8.

The Bible’s SHARE Yet it’s interesting because in 2 Corinthians 6:14 the Bible tells us not to be “unequally directive to not be yoked,” or married, to someone who doesn’t believe the same thing as you do, yet unequally yoked. God told Hosea to marry Gomer. It was only Hosea’s mercy and deep love (that wasn’t based on Gomer’s sinful actions) that helped save their marriage.

How to protect DISCUSS • What does it really mean to be unequally yoked? Can you marry someone What is the a marriage. who goes to the same church and still be unequally yoked? Christian Answer to Domestic Violence? • Why, do you think, do people have affairs in marriage? (Supplementary • How can someone protect their marriage against affairs? Teaching Material 4) • What can you do in your relationships now to avoid affairs happening later when you are married? Abuse and Teens (Supplementary • How do you know whether a relationship is harmful, and if so how to get out of it? (There are times Teaching Material 4) when relationships can be destructive and unsafe, such as in situations of domestic violence. For more information on this important topic, see Supplementary Teaching Material 2.) A Message to Teens

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE About Domestic Violence • What does it mean to be truly faithful? (Mentally, emotionally, physically) (Supplementary (Note: Please be sensitive to students in your class who have come from broken Teaching Material 4) families, and ensure that all students respect each other in this discussion.) Student Bibles His Needs, Her Needs: A debate as to DEBATE / Allow some time in class for students to read their Bibles and other material you may give

© ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM Building an Affair-Proof whether someone DISCUSS them to form an opinion, and then share it in a debate the following question: Marriage by Williard F. should pursue a • Should a person pursue a cheating spouse? Harley, Jr. (Resource Kit) cheating spouse. Other websites students could use for their research include: -- ellenwhitedefend.com/Family-Education/TSB.pdf -- text.egwwritings.org/publication.php?pubtype=Book&bookCode=AH&pagenumber=114

WATCH Watch one final contemporary example of someone perusing their “Hosea” cheating spouse in the video “Hosea” (5:36 min.) vimeo.com/125466961

SHARE The book of Hosea ends with a beautiful message of mercy and love from God. 34 7 CELEBRATION · Life Learning (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

Students mime MIME Have students form groups of three or four. Give students ten minutes to create the message a 1–2 minute short mime based on one of the following passages: from Hosea 14. -- Hosea 14 -- Jeremiah 24:4–7 -- Nehemiah 9:30, 31 -- Joel 2:13 -- Nehemiah 9:16, 17

ASK • This final chapter of Hosea shares a strong message. If God were to give a message to us today, what do you think He would say?

READ Invite students to consider the unit’s key text in light of the preceding question: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14)

Possible messages DO Invite students to create a banner of a message they think God would want to share Colored cardboard from God for [HOMEWORK] today. Display these messages somewhere in your school for other students to see. Paint us today. Glue

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE Other craft materials of your choice.

9 INTELLIGENCES Verbal/Linguistic Logical Visual Kinesthetic Musical Interpersonal Intrapersonal Natural Spiritual © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM

35 8 CELEBRATION · Kaizen Learning Duration: 50 Minutes Hosea 14:9; Mark 12:1–13, Matthew 21:33–46, or Luke 20:9–20.

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

Before class, position your classroom chairs in a circle.

Ways in which PAIR-SHARE Invite students to join with their Clock Partner 9 to discuss the following question: Encounter Journals students’ • How has your understanding of God in the Old Testament changed these past few weeks? Pens or pencils perspectives of God have (Students may want to look back through their Encounter Journals before they respond.) changed. DRAW Then invite students to consider how they would personally position the wooden manikin to express how they see God. Have students draw this pose.

DO Have students take a seat on the chairs in the circle. Invite students to share their drawing and some of these ways in which their understanding of God has changed.

The teacher’s SHARE As the teacher, share your personal picture of God and how it may have changed over the picture of God and years, being honest about challenging times or moments when you may have questioned how it has changed or doubted. Then share the importance of trusting God’s way (rather than our own) as over the years. we journey in life. He sees and knows far more than we do—we can trust Him!

God asks us to SHARE Share too that God calls for us to make a choice—either to live in a relationship with Him or make a choice to not. The Israelites cheated on God, again and again, yet He still loved them and wanted have a relationship to take them back (despite the one-sided relationship!). The same goes for us today.

10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE with Him—it doesn’t just happen by chance. READ Read Hosea 14:9 and invite students to follow along in their Bibles (NLT), Student Bibles “Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully.

ASK • Did you know that there is a new covenant? • Does anyone know what this new covenant means for us today?

The new covenant SHARE The new covenant is a covenant made first with the nation of Israel and, ultimately, with all humanity. and the fact that all In the new covenant, God promises to forgive sin, and there will be a universal knowledge of God. are invited to come into a relationship with God. EXPLORE Share that Jesus told a parable about how God would extend this relationship Student Bibles [EXTENSION] with all nations. Invite students to form groups of three to read about the parable of the wicked vinedressers in Mark 12:1–13, Matthew 21:33–46, or Luke 20:9–20. Then, in their small groups, invite them to discuss the following questions: 36 • What is shocking about this parable? • Who do each of the characters in the parable represent? 8 CELEBRATION · Kaizen Learning (continued)

FOCUS LEARNING EXPERIENCES RESOURCES

SHARE Jesus came to create a new covenant between God and anyone who accepts Him. Now that we are under the new covenant, salvation is a free gift (Eph. 2:8, 9).

A relationship GIVE Invite students to come to the center of the circle to take a wrapped chocolate and New Covenant Card with God requires a small New Covenant Card, which includes Jeremiah 31:31–34. Share that to be (Appendix X: Teacher to a decision, but part of the new covenant means that we need to make a decision to get out of our print from flash drive) it is sweet! seats and act. When we accept this relationship with God, it is very sweet! Wrapped chocolates Then invite students to write a short response on their card, which they will keep.

WATCH As students write, play the video and song “Unfailing Love” (3:43 min). “Unfailing Love” ignitermedia.com/ products/4281- Upcoming topics. SHARE Share that in the next two units, together you will be exploring how to live in a unfailing-love close relationship with God when we respond to His unfailing love.

9 INTELLIGENCES Verbal/Linguistic Logical Visual Kinesthetic Musical Interpersonal Intrapersonal Natural Spiritual 10.1A HOSEA:EXTREME LOVE © ADVENTISTENCOUNTER CURRICULUM

37 ASSESSMENT

STUDENT ASSESSMENT UNIT 10.1A HOSEA

Student Name: Due Date:

ASSESSMENT TASKS STANDARDS ASSESSED

FOCUS: Share information, insights, and questions to engage the rest of your UNIT CONTENT class in the story of David. Use the Bible, commentaries, Ellen G. White’s 10.1.1 Identify that God’s relationship with humankind crosses writings, and other contemporary texts (Internet) as part of your research. cultures and borders and embraces all humanity. ASSESSMENT OPTION 1: 10.1.2 Research the nature of God as seen in Old Testament times and how He related to His people. Student selects one of the Old Testament minor prophets (Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, 10.1.3 Define and outline a covenant relationship, Zechariah, Malachi) and research the following questions: specifically between God and His people. • What personal information can you share about this 10.1.4 Analyze the role and messages of some of the Old prophet? (Characteristics, age, role, culture) Testament prophets, specifically Hosea, in light of the • What were the main messages this prophet shared? people’s disobedience, destruction, and deliverance. • Why did God need to share these messages with His people? • How are the messages of this prophet relevant to Christians today? 10.1.5 Investigate key messages from the story of • How are they relevant to you? Hosea such as the role of knowledge in relationship, obedience, idolatry, sin, grace, healthy relationships, Student shares findings to the questions in one of the following ways: Animation and responding to the generous heart of God. or Art form of student’s choice; Oral presentation; Essay; Video/media COURSE ABILITIES ASSESSMENT OPTION 2: RS. 10.0.5 Develop a wide range of techniques for studying Student researches the following areas and displays information the Bible and incorporating the relevance of the Bible on a large poster that will be displayed in the classroom: from past to present; for studying Ellen White’s writings • The sin cycle of the Israelites, including the causes and and other contemporary and historical documents. consequences of Israel’s defeat by the Assyrians • The role that Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon played in RS. 10.0.6 Acquire and integrate knowledge to research and carrying out divine judgment upon Judah analyze biblical stories and/or spiritual concepts, in some depth. • The role, function, and time frame of the Hebrew prophets and how they revealed that God offered redemption before He acted in judgment RS. 10.0.7. Develop creative and higher order thinking • How understanding Old Testament history enhances or changes your picture of God. skills (research, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, etc.). RS. 10.0.8 Use verbal and nonverbal responses to convey a ASSESSMENT OPTION 3: clear, engaging message across a range of communication types about spiritual concepts to meet the needs Student writes a 400-word reflection paper on God’s message to him or her, exploring of specific contexts, purposes, and audiences. each concept in the unit’s Key Texts (2 Chron. 7:14, Hosea 2:19, 23) and how it relates to his or her life, as well as the key messages from the story of Hosea. RS. 10.0.9 Develop the skills to give reasons to support one’s thinking, applying prior knowledge to new Examples of questions to consider could include (but are not limited to): contexts, in order to clarify one’s own interpretation. • Why do we need to humble ourselves? Do we tend to struggle with this? • What does it really mean to seek God’s face? RS. 10.0.10 Analyze and apply the relevance of biblical • Does God only hear when we turn from our wickedness? and historical themes and apply this to one’s life. • How can God heal land? • What was the significance of betrothal at the time, compared to RS. 10.0.11 Identify and explore ways in which one’s now? Does this change the meaning of the passage? relationship with God is life-changing and is expressed through knowledge, attitudes, and actions.

EXCELLENT GOOD FAIR POOR

Incorporation Student demonstrates a strong Student demonstrates a good Student demonstrates some Student demonstrates little of Research foundation of research and foundation of research and research of biblical stories research of biblical stories analysis of biblical stories some analysis of biblical stories and/or spiritual concepts and/or spiritual concepts RS. 10.0.5 and/or spiritual concepts and/or spiritual concepts from a few sources. from few sources. RS. 10.0.6 from a variety of sources. from a few sources.

Thinking Skills Student demonstrates a strong Student approaches chosen Student approaches Student demonstrates level of higher order thinking tasks with a considerable chosen tasks with some little or no higher order RS. 10.0.7 and creativity when addressing amount of higher order higher order thinking and thinking, creativity, and chosen tasks. It is clearly evident thinking and creativity. There creativity. Thinking tools originality. Little or no that thinking tools were used to are some indications that were involved in the process, evidence of the use of help compose final responses. thinking tools were used to but not effectively. thinking tools are provided. help compose final responses.

Communication The structure, syntax, and The structure, syntax, and The structure, syntax, and The structure, syntax, and method of communication method of communication method of communication method of communication RS. 10.0.8 is of very high standard. The is of good standard. The is of sound standard. The is of poor standard. The method of communication method of communication method of communication method of communication has been selected with strong has been selected with has been used to has been used to convey intention to convey a very some intention to convey an convey a message. some messages. engaging, clear message engaging, clear message to a particular audience. to a particular audience.

Application of Student clearly analyzes Student explores and Student attempts to Student poorly explores Biblical Themes and applies their chosen applies their chosen topic explore and apply their and applies their chosen topic in relation to their in relation to their personal chosen topic in relation to topic in relation to their RS. 10.0.9 personal worldview. worldview. Relevant life their personal worldview. personal worldview. RS. 10.0.10 Relevant life application is application is included. Relevant life application Little to no relevant life RS. 10.0.11 featured in great detail. is somewhat included. application is included.

Comments: Grade:

Date Implemented:

In the following sections, please use a scale of 1 to 5: 1 = low, 5 = high. I believe this Unit fulfilled the Encounter Curriculum framework in the following ways:

OBJECTIVES Teacher’s Reflections on this Unit:

Throughout this Unit, I challenged my students to: 1 2 3 4 5 Experience God 1 2 3 4 5 Grow in their Biblical knowledge 1 2 3 4 5 Catch a greater vision of what God is like 1 2 3 4 5 Catch a vision of what God thinks of them 1 2 3 4 5 Grow as a disciple 1 2 3 4 5 Experience the gospel 1 2 3 4 5 Live life differently because of their discoveries 1 2 3 4 5 Become more discerning in their decision making 1 2 3 4 5 Develop a servant heart

My students were challenged to contemplate God in the following ways: Vision Gospel Lordship Presence

TEACHING STRATEGIES

The following range of strategies were used: 1 2 3 4 5 Emotional Engagement 1 2 3 4 5 Dramatic Enthusiasm 1 2 3 4 5 Physical Movement 1 2 3 4 5 Variety 1 2 3 4 5 Novelty 1 2 3 4 5 Nine Intelligences 1 2 3 4 5 Thinking Skills/Inquiry Learning 1 2 3 4 5 Experiential Learning 1 2 3 4 5 Reflective Practice

CLASSROOM CULTURE

Rate the classroom culture during this Unit: 1 2 3 4 5 Community 1 2 3 4 5 Belonging 1 2 3 4 5 Self-disclosure about real issues

Overall Success of this Biblical exploration: 1 2 3 4 5 Head 1 2 3 4 5 Heart 1 2 3 4 5 Hand

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

1 For use in Learner Bait.

A relationship is NOTHING if all the feelings, sacrifices, contributions, and hard work are only coming FROM ONE END

© ADVENTIST ENCOUNTER CURRICULUM 10.1A HOSEA: EXTREME LOVE 40 “I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will ﬁnally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT)

“I will make you my wife forever, showing you APPENDIX B HUSBAND: Hey honey, I have been looking over our righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. budget for last month and we are looking great! We saved about $150 of our food budget this last month. I will be faithful to you“I will and make youmake my wife you forever, mine, showing you and you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. WIFE: (First excitement, then confusion, then a nervous SPOUSEwill ﬁnally know SCENARIO meI willas bethe faithful Lord.” to you and Hosea make CARDS you mine, 2:19, and you20 (NLT) response) Oh, that is great! I am so glad to hear that. will ﬁnally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) Now … (Thinking hard and quickly) … you can buy those new … speakers you have been looking at. HUSBAND: Yes … I thought of that too, but then I got concerned that we had forgot something. So I looked at our expenses closer and noticed that you hardly spent any money on lunch while at work. Is everything OK? Why haven’t you been eating lunch? USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy. WIFE: Oh, well … I just haven’t been hungry, or … there have been a lot of work lunches. Um … my boss has bought some lunches, for … 1 For use in Learner Bait. HUSBAND: Really? Frank? Why has that tightwad bought you lunches?

WIFE: We have been trying to get a lot of … of … work done during lunch … you know how busy we’ve been … HUSBAND: Hmmm … work, huh?

SCENARIO 1 WIFE: Well … maybe not exactly work… . OH I AM SO. SO SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!!!! I WILL NEVER CHEAT ON YOU AGAIN!!!! HUSBAND: You have been cheating on me with … FRANK?!!!!!

“I will make you my wife forever, showing you you showing forever, wife my you make will “I righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. compassion. and love unfailing justice, and righteousness I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you you and mine, you make and you to faithful be will I Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) 20 2:19, Hosea Lord.” the as me know ﬁnally will “I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. WIFE (sweetly): Good morning honey. How was last night? I missed you … HUSBAND: It was OK … we got a lot of work done … I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you WIFE: Work? I thought you were out playing basketball with the boys?

HUSBAND: Oh … yeah … I meant … work on our game … will ﬁnally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) WIFE: Well your “game” better be pretty good by now with all of the time you “guys” have been “working” on it.

HUSBAND: Yeah … I guess you could say that. 2 SCENARIO We are becoming quite a team. WIFE: I am sure you are. What park were you guys playing at last night?

HUSBAND: Oh, last night we played at Forest Hill Park, like we usually do. WIFE: I thought so … but last night I was coming back from work and was passing near the park. I thought that I would surprise you by bringing you some of your favorite Gatorade. I went to all the courts at Forest Hill Park and did not see you guys anywhere. I called you and you didn’t pick up, so then I called Joe. Joe said that you guys were playing at court three and that you didn’t answer because you were on in the middle of a game. But when I told him I was standing at court three and didn’t see you guys there. He muttered something and said that he had to go … then hung up! Where were you last night!

HUSBAND: Uh … oh … well, you see … I was … at Sue’s … (thinking quickly on how to redirect) dinner! I mean … (reluctantly admitting) … I was at Sue’s house… . I HUSBAND: Hey honey, I have been looking over our really messed up. I was really stupid and thought no one budget for last month and we are looking great! We saved would get hurt. But I hurt you. I am really sorry babe. about $150 of our food budget this last month. WIFE: (First excitement, then confusion, then a nervous response) Oh, that is great! I am so glad to hear that. Now … (Thinking hard and quickly) … you can buy those new … speakers you have been looking at.

HUSBAND: Yes … I thought of that too, but then I got concerned that we had forgot something. So I looked at our expenses closer “I will make you my wife forever, showing you and noticed that you hardly spent any money on lunch while at righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. work. Is everything OK? Why haven’t you been eating lunch? I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you WIFE: Oh, well … I just haven’t been hungry, or will ﬁnally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) … there have been a lot of work lunches. Um … my boss has bought some lunches, for …

HUSBAND: Really? Frank? Why has that tightwad bought you lunches? WIFE: We have been trying to get a lot of … of … work done during lunch … you know how busy we’ve been …

HUSBAND: Hmmm … work, huh? WIFE: Well … maybe not exactly work… . OH I

SCENARIO 1 SCENARIO AM SO. SO SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!!!! I WILL NEVER CHEAT ON YOU AGAIN!!!!

HUSBAND: You have been cheating on me with … FRANK?!!!!!

WIFE (sweetly): Good morning honey. How was last night? I missed you … SCENARIO 2 HUSBAND: It was OK … we got a lot of work done …

WIFE: Work? I thought you were out playing basketball with the boys? HUSBAND: Oh … yeah … I meant … work on our game …

WIFE: Well your “game” better be pretty good by now with all of the time you “guys” have been “working” on it. HUSBAND: Yeah … I guess you could say that. We are becoming quite a team.

WIFE: I am sure you are. What park were you guys playing at last night? HUSBAND: Oh, last night we played at Forest Hill Park, like we usually do.

WIFE: I thought so … but last night I was coming back from work and was passing near the park. I thought that I would surprise you by bringing you some of your favorite Gatorade. I went to all the courts at Forest Hill Park and did not see you guys anywhere. I called you and you didn’t pick up, so then I called Joe. Joe said that you guys were playing at court three and that you didn’t answer because you were on in the middle of a game. But when I told him I was standing at court three and didn’t see you guys there. He muttered something and said that he had to go … then hung up! Where were you last night! HUSBAND: Uh … oh … well, you see … I was … at Sue’s … (thinking quickly on how to redirect) dinner! I mean … (reluctantly admitting) … I was at Sue’s house… . I really messed up. I was really stupid and thought no one would get hurt. But I hurt you. I am really sorry babe.

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

2 For use in Learning Context.

“I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you OLDwill ﬁnally know me as theTESTAMENT Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) “I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you ANTICIPATION GUIDE OLDwill ﬁnally know me as theTESTAMENT Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) ANTICIPATION GUIDE BESIDE THE STATEMENTS BELOW, SELECT YES, NO, OR UNSURE. BESIDE THE STATEMENTS BELOW, SELECT YES, NO, OR UNSURE. YES NO Idolatry is a problem in UNSURE our society today. YES NO Idolatry is a problem in UNSURE our society today. YES The Old Testament stories NO aren’t as relevant to me as YES UNSURE the New Testament stories. The Old Testament stories NO aren’t as relevant to me as UNSURE the New Testament stories. YES People have affairs in marriage NO because their partner isn’t YES UNSURE giving them what they need. People have affairs in marriage NO because their partner isn’t UNSURE giving them what they need. YES NO It’s not OK for God UNSURE to feel angry. YES NO It’s not OK for God UNSURE to feel angry. YES NO God should send a UNSURE prophet to us today. YES NO God should send a UNSURE prophet to us today. YES It’s a sin to reject NO the knowledge you YES UNSURE have about God. It’s a sin to reject NO the knowledge you UNSURE have about God. YES NO I know a lot about the UNSURE story of Hosea. YES NO I know a lot about the UNSURE story of Hosea. YES God’s love for me is NO conditional and is based YES UNSURE on my response to Him. God’s love for me is NO conditional and is based UNSURE on my response to Him.

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

2 For use in Learning Context.

Old Testament Pictures of God New Testament Pictures of God

2 Samuel 6:6–9 Matthew 18:6 (Uzzah being struck dead. This story (Fasten a millstone around your neck will be explored in the David unit.) to be drowned in the sea.)

2 Kings 2:23–25 Matthew 23:27, 28 (Two angry bears mauling forty- (Hypocrites are like an old burial two “innocent” children.) ground of dead men’s bones.)

Numbers 21:4–9 Acts 5:1–11 (God sent serpents to bite those (Death of Ananias and Sapphira.) who were complaining.) 1 Corinthians 5:5 Numbers 16:21–35 (deliver a brother to Satan.) (God opened up the earth to swallow those who were rebellious.) 1 Corinthians 5:13 (Drive out the wicked person.)

Revelation 3:16 NEW TESTAMENT(God will spew people out of His mouth.) PICTURES OF GOD

OLD TESTAMENTOLD TESTAMENTWHAT DO THESE NEW TESTAMENT STORIES PICTURES OFPICTURES GOD OF GODTELL YOU ABOUT WHAT GOD IS LIKE? WHAT DO THESE OLD TESTAMENT STORIES Matthew 18:6 WHAT DO THESE OLD TESTAMENTTELL YOU ABOUTSTORIES WHAT GOD IS LIKE? TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT GOD IS LIKE? NEW TESTAMENT

2 Samuel 6:6–9 PICTURES OF GOD

2 Samuel 6:6–9 WHAT DO THESE NEW TESTAMENT STORIES TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT GOD IS LIKE? Matthew 23:27, 28

Matthew 18:6

Acts 5:1–11 2 Kings 2:23–25

2 Kings 2:23–25

Matthew 23:27, 28

1 Corinthians 5:5

Acts 5:1–11 Numbers 21:4–9 Numbers 21:4–9

1 Corinthians 5:13

1 Corinthians 5:5

Revelation 3:16 Numbers 16:21–35 Numbers 16:21–35

1 Corinthians 5:13

Revelation 3:16

JEREMIAH 3:6–8

The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: OLD TESTAMENT CARD SHUFFLE“Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every greenJEREMIAH tree, and there 3:20 played the harlot. And I said, after JEREMIAH 3:20 “Surely, as a wife treacherously departs from her she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did husband, So nothave return. you Anddealt her treacherously treacherous sister with Judah saw it. ThenThe LORD said alsoJEREMIAH to me in the 3:6–8 days of Josiah the king: “Surely, as a wife treacherously departs from her Me, O house ofI saw Israel,” that saysfor all the the LORD. causes (NKJV)for which backsliding Israel “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She husband, So have you dealt treacherously with had committed adultery, I had put her away and given herhas gone up on every high mountain and under every Me, O house of Israel,” says the LORD. (NKJV) a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judahgreen tree, and there played the harlot. And I said, after USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy. did not fear, but went and played the harlot also.” (NKJV)she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. Then JEREMIAH 3:6–8 I saw that for all the JEREMIAHcauses for which 3:20 backsliding Israel The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her 2 “Surely, as a wife treacherously departs from her “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She For use in Learning Context. a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah has gone up on every high mountain and under every did nothusband, fear, but So went have and you played dealt the treacherously harlot also.” (NKJV) with green tree, and there played the harlot. And I said, after Me, O house of Israel,” says the LORD. (NKJV) she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel 1 CHRONICLES 5:25 had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah JEREMIAH 31:32 JEREMIAH 31:32 “Not according to the covenantAnd they that wereI made unfaithful to the God of JEREMIAH 3:6–8 did not fear, but went and played the harlot also.” (NKJV) JEREMIAH 3:20 with their fathers in the daytheir that fathers, I took them and playedby theThe harlot LORD aftersaid alsothe to me in the days of Josiah the king: “Not according to the covenant“Surely, that as Ithe amade wife hand treacherously to lead them departs out of thefrom land her of Egypt, “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She gods of the peoples of the land, whom God with their fathers in the day thathusband, I took So Mythem have covenant by you dealt which treacherously theyJEREMIAH broke, though with3:6–8 I was a has gone up on every high mountain and under every had destroyed beforegreen them. tree, (NKJV) and there played the harlot. And I said, after the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, 1 CHRONICLES 5:25 Me, O househusband of Israel,” to saysthem, the says LORD. the LORD.”(NKJV) (NKJV) she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did And theyJEREMIAH were unfaithful 3:6–8 to the God of My covenant which they broke, though I wasThe a LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king:not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. Then their fathers, and played the harlot after the husband to them, says the LORD.”JEREMIAH (NKJV)“Have 3:20 you seen what backsliding Israel has done? SheI saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel “Surely, as a wife treacherously departs from her The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: has gone up on every high mountain and under everyhad committed godsadultery, of theI had peoples put herJEREMIAH ofaway the and land, 31:32given whom her God NEHEMIAH 13:27 “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She husband, So have you dealtgreen treacherously tree, and there with played the harlot. And I said, after JEREMIAH“Not 3:6–8 according to the covenant that I made The LORDa certificatesaid alsohas togone ofme divorce; upinhad the on destroyed dayseveryyet herof high Josiahtreacherous mountainbefore the king:them. sisterand under(NKJV) Judah every she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But didshe not did fear, but wentwith and their played fathers the harlotin the also.” day that(NKJV) I took them by Me, O house of Israel,” says the LORD. (NKJV) “Have you seengreen what tree,backsliding and there Israel played has done? the harlot. She And I said, after 1 CHRONICLES 5:25 not JEREMIAHreturn. And her3:20 treacherous sister Judah saw it. Then JEREMIAH 3:20 has gone up onshe every had high donethe mountain all hand these to and things, lead under them‘Return every out to ofMe.’ the But land she ofdid Egypt, EZRA 9:1–4I saw that“Should for all we the then causes hear for of which your backslidingdoinggreen tree,all this Israeland there JEREMIAH played the 3:6–8 harlot. And I said, after And they were unfaithful to the God of When these things wereJEREMIAH done, the 3:20 leaders came to me, saying, not return. MyAnd covenant her treacherous which sister they Judahbroke, saw though it. Then I was a had committedgreat adultery,evil, transgressing I had put her against sheawayThe had LORDourand done Godgiven said all herthesealso to things, me in ‘Returnthe days to of Me.’ Josiah But shethe didking: their fathers, and played the harlot after the “The people of Israel“Surely, and the as priests a wife and treacherously the Levites have departs not from her I saw that forhusband all the causes to them, for whichsays thebacksliding LORD.” Israel (NKJV) “Surely, as a wife treacherouslyEZRA 9:1–4 departs“Surely,separated from as her themselvesa wife treacherously from the peoplesa certificate departs of the bylands,from of marrying divorce; withher yetpagan her treacherouswomen?”not“Have return. (NKJV) sister you And seenJudah her what treacherous backsliding sister Israel Judah has saw done? it. Then She respect to the abominationshusband, of So the have Canaanites, you dealt the Hittites, treacherously with had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her gods of the peoples of the land, whom God husband, So have you dealt treacherouslydid not fear, but with went and played the I harlotsawhas thatgone also.” for up (NKJV) all on the every causes high for mountain which backsliding and under Israel every husband, So have you dealt treacherouslythe Perizzites, with the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah had destroyed before them. (NKJV) the Egyptians, and“For theMe, Amorites. they O house shall For ofeat, HOSEAthey Israel,” but have not 4:10–12takensays have somethe enough; LORD. (NKJV)Theyhad green committedHOSEA tree, and adultery,9:1 there playedI had put the her harlot. away And and I givensaid, afterher Me, O house of Israel,” says the LORD.HOSEAMe,of their O (NKJV) daughtershouse 4:10–12 of as Israel,” wives for says themselves the LORD. and their (NKJV) sons, so did not fear, but went and played the harlot also.” (NKJV) shall commit harlotry, but not increase; Becausea shecertificate had done of alldivorce; these things,yet her ‘Returntreacherous to Me.’ sister But Judahshe did that the holy seed is mixedJEREMIAH with the peoples 31:32 of those lands. not return. And her treacherousNEHEMIAH sister 13:27 Judah saw it. Then When these thingsWhen were these done, things the leaders were Indeed,camedone, to the theme, leaders handsaying, of camethey the leaderstohave me, saying, ceasedand rulers obeying has been theforemost Lord. “Harlotry,Do not rejoice,did not fear,O Israel, but went with and joy playedlike other the harlot also.” (NKJV) “The people of Israel and“For the they priests shall and EZRAtheeat, Levites but 9:1–4 nothave havenot enough; They I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel separated themselves“The people from of the Israel peoples andin theofthis the prieststrespass.” lands,“NotEZRA and with So theaccording when9:1–4 Levites I heard have to this notthe thing, covenant I tore my that garment I made peoples, For you“Should have weplayed then the hear harlot of your doing all this respect to the abominationsseparatedshall commit themselves of the Canaanites,harlotry,and from my the robe, withthebut peoples Hittites,and not their plucked of increase; thewine,fathers lands, out and some Becausewithin newthe of theday wine hair that enslave of myI took head the them and heart. by My had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her the Perizzites,respect the Jebusites, to the abominationsthe Ammonites,beard, ofand thethe sat Moabites, Canaanites, downpeople astonished. the Hittites,ask Thencounsel everyone from who their trembled wooden against idols, your God.great YouNEHEMIAH evil, have transgressing made 13:271 CHRONICLES love for against 5:25our God the Perizzites,they Whenhave the Jebusites, theseceasedat thingsthe theobeyingwords were Ammonites, of done, the the God the Lord.the leadersof Moabites, Israel “Harlotry, came assembled to me, to saying, me, because of a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they havethe taken hand some to lead them out of the land of Egypt, by marrying pagan women?” (NKJV) of their daughtersthe Egyptians, as wine,wives“The and for and peoplethemselvesthe newtheAmorites. oftransgression wineIsrael and For theirandenslave they sons,the of Andhave prieststhose so the takentheir who heart.and some staff hadthe My Levitesbeen informs carried have them. notaway captive,For the spirithire of ondid every not fear, threshing butAnd went floor. they and wereplayed(NKJV) unfaithful the harlot to also.” the (NKJV)God of that the holyof their seed daughters is mixedseparated with as wives the peoples themselvesforand themselves I sat Myof thoseastonished covenant fromharlotry lands.and the their untilpeoples haswhich sons, the caused ofevening so they the lands, them broke,sacrifice. with to though stray,(NKJV) And I was they a have“Should we then hear of your doing allHOSEA this 9:1 that the holypeople seedrespect askis mixed counselto the with abominations the from peoples their of woodenthosethe Canaanites, lands. idols, the Hittites, JUDGES 2:16–17their fathers,Do not and rejoice, played O theIsrael, harlot with after joy like the other Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has beenhusband foremost to them, says the LORD.” (NKJV)1 CHRONICLES 5:25 in this trespass.”Indeed, the SoAnd handwhen their theofI heard the Perizzites, staff leaders this thing,informs andthe I toreJebusites,rulers JEREMIAHthem. my hasplayed garment been theFor Ammonites, foremost the 31:32 spiritharlot the of against Moabites, their God.” (NKJV) great evil, transgressing against our God in this trespass.” So when“Not I heard according this thing, to I torethe mycovenant garment that I made gods of thepeoples, peoples For of you the have land,HOSEA played whom 4:10–12 the God harlot and my robe, and pluckedthe out Egyptians, some of the and hair the of Amorites.my head and For they have taken some by marrying pagan women?” (NKJV) beard,and and my sat robe, harlotrydown and astonished. pluckedof haswith their caused daughters theiroutThen some everyonefathers them of as the wives whotoin hair thestray, fortrembled of themselvesmyday Andhead that theyand Iand took havetheir them sons, byso “For they shallNEHEMIAH eat, but 13:27 not have enough; They beard, and sat down astonished. Then everyone who trembled And they were unfaithful to the Godhad of against destroyed your before God.1 You CHRONICLESthem. have (NKJV) made 5:25 love for at the words of theplayed Godthat of theIsrael the harlot holyassembled seed against is to mixed me, theirbecause with God.”the of peoples (NKJV) of those lands. Nevertheless, theNEHEMIAH LORD raised 13:27 up judges shallwho commit harlotry, but not increase; Because theat transgression the words of of the thoseIndeed, Godthe who ofhand theIsraelhad hand beento assembled lead ofcarried the them leaders awayto me, out captive, andbecause of rulers the of hasland been of Egypt,foremost theand transgression I sat astonished of those until whothe evening had been sacrifice. carried (NKJV) away captive, “Should we then hear of your doinghire all thistheyon every have threshing ceased obeying floor. (NKJV) the Lord. “Harlotry, inMy this covenanttrespass.” So which when Ithey heard broke, this thing, though I tore my I JEREMIAHwas garment theira fathers, 31:32delivered and played them out the of harlot the hand after of the those who JEREMIAHand my 31:32robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and And they were unfaithful to the God of and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice. (NKJV) EZRAgods 9:1–4 of greattheplundered peoples evil, transgressing them. of the Yet land, they againstwhom would God ournot Godlisten“Should wine, to weand then new hear wine of enslave your doing the heart.all this My HOSEA 9:1 beard,husband and sat todown them, astonished. says the Then LORD.” everyone (NKJV) who trembled their judges, but they played1 CHRONICLES the harlottheir with 5:25 fathers, and played the harlot after the at the words of the God ofJEREMIAH Israel assembled“Not 31:32 according to me, because to the of hadcovenant destroyedby marrying that beforeI made paganAnd them. they women?” (NKJV)were unfaithful(NKJV) people greatto the evil, askGod transgressingcounsel of from againsttheir wooden our God idols, Do not rejoice, O Israel, with joy like other “Not according to the transgression covenant“Not according that of those I made who to the had beencovenant carried that away I captive,made other gods, and bowed down to them.Andgods Theyby their of marrying the staff peoples informs pagan of women?”them. the land, For (NKJV) whomthe spirit God of and I sat astonished until the withevening their sacrifice. fathers (NKJV) in the day thatturned I took quicklythemtheir fathers, by from the and way played in which the theirharlot after the peoples, For you have played the harlot with their fathers in the daywith that their I tookfathers them in theby day that I took them by harlotryEZRA 9:1–4had has destroyed caused them before to stray,them. And (NKJV) they have Whenthe these hand things to werelead done, them the out leaders of the came land to me, ofgods saying, Egypt, of the peoples1 CHRONICLES of the land, whom5:25 God against your God. You have made love for “The people of Israel and the priests and thefathers Levites walked, have not in obeying the commandmentsplayed the harlot against their God.” (NKJV) the hand to lead them outthe ofhand the toland lead of themEgypt, separatedout of the themselves land of fromEgypt, the peoples of theof lands, the LORD; withWhen they these did things notJUDGES dowere so. done, (NKJV) 2:16–17 the leaders came to me, saying, JEREMIAHMy covenantISAIAH 5:11 1:21–23 which they broke, though I was“TheAnd a people theyEZRA ofwere Israel10:2 unfaithful and the priests to theand Godthe Levites of have not hire on every threshing floor. (NKJV) My covenant which theyMy broke, covenant thoughHow which the I was faithful they arespect broke, city to thehas though abominations become I was a of harlot!a the Canaanites, It was the Hittites,hadNevertheless, destroyed beforethe LORD them. raised (NKJV) up judges who JEREMIAH“ForISAIAH the house5:11 1:21–23 of HOSEAtheIsrael husbandPerizzites, and 4:10–12 the the to Jebusites,housethem, says the Ammonites, the LORD.” the (NKJV)Moabites,their separated fathers, themselves and played from the the peoplesharlot afterof the thelands, with husband to them, sayshusband the LORD.”“For tofull they them, (NKJV)of shalljustice; says eat,the theRighteousness Egyptians,but LORD.” not haveand (NKJV) the enough;lodged Amorites. in TheyFor it, theyBut have taken somedeliveredrespect to them the abominations out of the of hand the Canaanites, of those thewho Hittites, NEHEMIAH 13:27 of Judah Have dealt very treacherously And Shechaniahthe Perizzites, the sonJUDGES the of Jebusites, Jehiel, 2:16–17 onethe Ammonites, of the the Moabites, shallnow commit murderers. harlotry,of their Your but daughters silvernot increase; ashas wives become for Because themselves dross, and their sons,godsplundered so of the them.peoples Yet of they the wouldland, whom not listen God to How the faithful city has becomethat a harlot! the holy It seed was is mixed with the peoplessons of those of Elam, lands.the spokeEgyptians, up andand the said Amorites. to Ezra, For “Wethey have taken some withYour Me,” wine says mixed the Lord. with (NKJV)water. Your princes are of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so “Should we then hear of your doing all this full“For of thejustice; house Righteousnessthey of Israel have and ceased the lodgedIndeed, house obeying inthe it, hand theBut of Lord. the leaders “Harlotry, and rulers has been Nevertheless,foremosttheirhad judges, destroyed the but LORD they before playedraised them. up the (NKJV)judges harlot whowith rebellious, And companionsin this trespass.” ofSo thieves;when I heard Everyone this thing,have I tore trespassed my garmentthat theagainst holy seed our is God, mixed and with have the peoples taken of those lands. great evil, transgressing against our God now murderers. Yourwine, silverand new has winebecome enslave dross, the heart. My otherIndeed, gods, the hand and of bowed the leadersHOSEA down and torulers9:1 them. has beenThey foremost of Judah Have dealt very treacherouslyand my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of mydelivered head and them out of the hand of those who JEREMIAH 5:11 loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They dopagan wivesin from this trespass.” the peoples So when of Ithe heard land; this thing,yet now I tore my garment by marrying pagan women?” (NKJV) Your winewith Me,”mixedpeople says with the ask water. Lord. counsel (NKJV)EZRAYourbeard, from princes 9:1–4 and their sat aredown wooden astonished. idols, Then everyone whoplundered trembledturned Doquickly them. not rejoice, fromYet they the O wayIsrael,wouldEZRA in with not which10:2 listenjoy their like to other “For the house“For ofthey Israel shall and eat,HOSEA thenot but housedefend not4:10–12 have the enough;fatherless,at the words They Norof the does God ofthe Israel cause assembled there to me, is because hopeand my in of robe, IsraelAnd and Shechaniahin plucked spite of out this.” somethe son (NKJV)of the of hairJehiel, of my JUDGESone head of and the 2:16–17 rebellious, And Andcompanions theirJEREMIAH staff of informs thieves; 5:11 them. Everyone For the spirit of HOSEAfatherstheirbeard, judges, 9:1walked, andpeoples, sat but down in obeying theyFor astonished.NEHEMIAH youplayed thehave Then thecommandments 13:27played everyone harlot the with who harlot trembled of Judah Have dealt very treacherously the transgressionand I sat astonished of those until who the had evening been carried sacrifice. away (NKJV) captive,2sons CHRONICLES of Elam, spoke 36:14 up and said to Ezra, “We shallloves commit bribes, harlotry,Whenharlotry And these followsof but has thethings not caused widowafter were increase; rewards.done, comethem the Because tobefore leaders They stray, them.docame And to (NKJV)they me, saying, have JUDGES 2:16–17ofat thethe words LORD; of the they God did of Israel not doassembled so. (NKJV) to me, because of “The people of Israel and the priests and the LevitesNevertheless, have not the LORD otherraisedthe transgression gods,have upagainst judges trespassed and your of bowed who those God. whoagainst down You had havebeentoour them. God,carried ISAIAHmade Theyand away love 1:21–23 have captive, for taken with Me,”they saysnot have defendthe ceasedLord.“For theseparated played(NKJV) obeyingthefatherless, house thethemselves theharlot ofNor Lord. Israel fromdoesagainst “Harlotry, andthe the peoples theirthe cause house God.” of the lands,(NKJV) with “Should we Howthen thehear faithful of your city doing has allbecome this a harlot! It was delivered them out of theturned handandpagan of Iquickly sat those wivesastonished fromwho from untilthe the theway peoples evening Nevertheless,in which sacrifice.of the their land; (NKJV)the yetLORD now raised up judges who wine,of andthe newwidowrespect wine come toenslave the before abominations the them. heart. of (NKJV) Mythe Canaanites, the Hittites,Do not rejoice, O Israel, withhire joy on like every other threshing floor. (NKJV)HOSEA 9:1 HOSEAof 4:10–12the Judah Perizzites, Have the dealt Jebusites, very the treacherously Ammonites,HOSEAplundered the Moabites, 4:10–12 them. Yet theyfathers would walked, greatnot listen evil, in obeying totransgressingfull of thejustice; commandmentsdelivered against Righteousness ourthem God out lodged of the handin it, Butof those who people ask counsel from their wooden idols, peoples, For youMoreover have there playedall the is leadersthehope harlot in of Israel the priests in spite and of thethis.” (NKJV) thewith Egyptians, Me,” andsays the the Amorites. Lord. (NKJV)For they havetheir taken judges, some but they playedof thethe harlotLORD;by marrying with they now did pagan murderers. not do women?” plunderedso. Your(NKJV) (NKJV) silver them. has Yet become they would dross, not listen to And their staff informsof their daughters them.HOSEA For as 4:10–12 wivesthe spirit for themselves of and their sons, so people transgressed more andDo more, not according rejoice, O Israel, with joy like other EZRA 10:2 that the holy seed is mixed“For with they the peoples shallother eat, of those but gods, lands.notagainst and have bowed your enough; God. down TheyYou to havethem. made They love Your for wine mixedtheir with judges, water. but Yourthey playedprinces the are harlot with “For harlotrythey shall has “Foreat, caused buttheyNEHEMIAH not themshall have eat,to enough; 13:27stray, but not And They have they enough; have They to allHOSEA the abominations 9:1 of thepeoples, nations, For and you have played the harlot And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the Indeed, the hand of the leadersshall commitand rulers harlotry, hasturned been foremost butquickly nothire fromincrease;Do on not every the rejoice, wayBecause threshing defiledin O which Israel, floor. the their with house rebellious, (NKJV) joy of like the other AndLORD companions otherwhich gods, He and of thieves; bowed downEveryone to them. They EZRA 9:1–4 shall commitplayed harlotry, shallthe harlot commit butin againstthis not harlotry, trespass.” increase; their butSo God.” whenBecause not (NKJV) I increase;heard this thing,Because I tore my garment against your God. You have made love for sons of Elam, spoke up and said to Ezra, “We and my robe, and plucked outthey some have of the ceasedfathers hair of obeying mywalked, head and thein obeyingpeoples, Lord. “Harlotry, the For commandments youhad have consecrated playedloves the in bribes, Jerusalem.harlot And turned(NKJV)follows quickly after rewards. from the They way indo which their they have ceasedthey obeyinghave ceased the Lord. obeying “Harlotry, the Lord. “Harlotry, have trespassed against our God, and have taken wine, and“Should new we wine thenbeard, enslave hear and ofsatthe your down heart. doingastonished. My allwine, this Then and everyone newof the winewho LORD; trembledJEREMIAH enslave they the did5:11 heart. not doMy so. (NKJV) not defend thehirefathers fatherless, on every walked, threshingNor indoes obeying floor.the cause the (NKJV) commandments wine, andat the new wordsNEHEMIAH wine of the enslave God 9:26of Israelthe heart. assembled My to me, because ofagainst your God. You haveHOSEA made 9:1 love for of the LORD; they did not do so. (NKJV) pagan wives from the peoples of the land; yet now When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, great evil, transgressingthe transgressionNEHEMIAH against of those our who9:26people God had been ask carriedcounsel away from captive, their wooden idols, of the widow come before them. (NKJV) JUDGES 2:16–17 “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not people ask counselpeople“Nevertheless fromask counsel their they wooden from were their idols, disobedient wooden idols, And by marrying paganand I sat women?” astonished (NKJV)untilAnd the eveningtheir staff sacrifice. informs (NKJV) them. hireFor ontheDo every spirit not threshingrejoice,of O floor.Israel, (NKJV)with joy like other there is hope in Israel in spite of this.” (NKJV) separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, with And their staffrebelledAnd informs their against staff them. informs You, For CasttheISAIAH them. spirit Your For 1:21–23of law the behind spirit of their 2 CHRONICLES 36:14 Nevertheless, the LORD raised up judges who respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, harlotry has caused“For the them house to of stray, Israel And andpeoples, theythe house have For you have played the harlot the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, harlotry hasharlotry causedbacks Howhas themAnd caused the killed to faithfulstray, Yourthem And city prophets,to theystray,has becomehave And who they testified a harlot! have It was Moreover all the leadersJEREMIAH of the priests 5:11 and the delivered them out of the hand of those who “Nevertheless they wereplayed disobedient theof harlot AndJudah against Have dealt their veryGod.”against treacherously (NKJV) your God. You have made love for the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken some played the harlot fullagainst of justice; their God.” Righteousness (NKJV) lodged in it, But plundered them. Yet they would not listen to of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so playedagainst the them harlot To against turn them their to God.” Yourself; (NKJV) And with Me,” says the peopleLord. (NKJV) transgressed“For the housemore andof Israel more, and according the house that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. nowrebelled murderers. against You,Your Cast silver Your has law become behind dross, their hire on every threshing2 CHRONICLES floor. (NKJV)36:14 their judges, but they played the harlot with NEHEMIAH 9:26they worked great provocations.” (NKJV) to all the abominationsEZRA of the 10:2 nations, and Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost“Nevertheless they were disobedientYourbacks wineAnd And mixed killed with Your water. prophets, Your who princes testified are of Judah Have dealtJUDGES very 2:16–17 treacherously other gods, and bowed down to them. They in this trespass.” So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment rebellious,against And them companions To turn them of thieves; to Yourself; Everyone And defiledMoreoverAnd the Shechaniah house all the of leadersthethe sonLORD of of the Jehiel,which priests oneHe and of the the and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my rebelledhead and against You, Cast YourISAIAH law behind 1:21–23 their NEHEMIAH 9:26 with Me,” says the Lord. (NKJV) turned quickly from the way in which their How the faithful city has becomethey worked a harlot! great It wasprovocations.” (NKJV) hadsons consecratedEZRA ofNevertheless, Elam, 10:2 spokein Jerusalem. theup andJEREMIAHLORD (NKJV)said raised to 2:13 Ezra, up judges “We who beard, and sat down astonished. Then everyone who trembledbacks And killed Your prophets, loveswho testified bribes, And follows after rewards. They do people transgressed more and more, according fathers walked, in obeying the commandments at the words of the God of Israel assembled to me, because of full of justice; Righteousness“Nevertheless lodged theyin it, wereBut disobedient And haveto trespassed alldelivered the abominations against them outour ofofGod, thethe and nations,hand have of and thosetaken who2 CHRONICLES 36:14 the transgression of those who had been carried awayagainst captive, them To turn them to Yourself;not defend And the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the LORD; they did not do so. (NKJV) and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice. (NKJV) now murderers. Your silver has become dross, pagan wivesplundered from the them. peoples Yet ofthey the would land; yetnot now listen to rebelledof the widowagainst come You, Castbefore Your them. law (NKJV) behind2 their CHRONICLES And Shechaniah 36:14 defiledthe son ofthe Jehiel, house one of theof the LORD which HeEZRA 10:2 they worked Yourgreat wine provocations.” mixed with (NKJV) water. Your princesJEREMIAH are Moreover 5:11 all the leaders of the priests andtheir the judges, but they played the harlot with backsISAIAH And 1:21–23 killed Your prophets, who testifiedISAIAH 1:21–23 there hadis hope consecrated “Forin Israel My peoplein in spite Jerusalem. have of this.” committed (NKJV) (NKJV)Moreover two evils: all the leaders of the priests and the rebellious, And companions ofJUDGES thieves; 2:16–17Everyone people transgressed moresons and of Elam, more, spoke according upother and gods, said toand Ezra, bowed “We down to them. They against them“For theTo turnhouse them of Israel to Yourself; and the And house They have forsakenAnd Me,Shechaniah the fountain the ofson living of Jehiel, one of the loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do to all the abominationshave of trespassed the nations, against and turned our God, quickly and havefrom takenthe way inpeople which transgressedtheir more and more, according theyISAIAH worked 1:21–23 great provocations.”How the faithful (NKJV) city has become a harlot!EZRA It10:2 was to all the abominations of the nations, and not defendHow Howthe the Nevertheless,fatherless, faithfulthe faithful city Nor cityhas the does becomehasof LORD Judah thebecome raisedcause a Have harlot! a up harlot!dealt judgesIt was very It waswho treacherously And Shechaniahpagan wives the from son the of Jehiel,peopleswaters, one of ofthe And the land; hewn sonsyet themselves now of Elam, spokecisterns—broken up and said to Ezra, “We full ofdefiled justice; the Righteousness house of the lodgedLORD inwhich it, But Hefathers walked,cisterns in thatobeying can hold the commandmentsno water.”defiled (NKJV) the house of the LORD which He of the widowfull of justice;comedelivered before Righteousness them them. out (NKJV)ofwith lodgedthe Me,” hand insays ofit, thoseBut the Lord. who (NKJV)sons of Elam,there spoke is hope up in and Israel said inof to spitethe Ezra, LORD; of “We this.” they have (NKJV) did trespassed not do so. against (NKJV) our God, and have taken full of justice; Righteousness lodged nowin it, hadmurderers.But consecrated Your silverin Jerusalem. hasNEHEMIAH become (NKJV) 9:26 dross, had consecrated in Jerusalem. (NKJV) nownow murderers. plunderedmurderers. Your them. Your silver Yetsilver has they has become would become EZEKIELdross,not dross, listen 22:26 to have trespassed against our God, and have takenpagan wives from the peoples of the land; yet now Your wine mixed withEZEKIEL water. 22:26 Your princesYour are wine mixedpagan with wives water. from Your the peoplesprinces areofEZRA the land; 10:2 yet now “HerYour priests theirwine judges,havemixed violated withbut theywater. My played law Your and theprinces profaned harlot are with My there is hope in Israel in spite of this.” (NKJV) rebellious,other And gods,companions and bowed of thieves; down Everyonetorebellious, them. They And companions ofAnd thieves; Shechaniah Everyone the son of Jehiel, one of the JEREMIAH 5:11 rebellious,holy things; And they companions have not distinguished of thieves; Everyone between there“Nevertheless is hope in theyIsrael were in spite disobedient of this.” (NKJV)And loves bribes,turned And quickly follows from after the rewards. way inloves They which bribes,do their And follows aftersons rewards. of Elam, They spoke do up and said to Ezra, “We loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do rebelled against You, Cast Your law behindNEHEMIAH their 9:26 2 CHRONICLES 36:14 notthe defendholy and the unholy, fatherless, nor“Her have Nor priests doesthey have madethe not violatedcause known defend My thelaw fatherless,and profanedhave Nor Mytrespassed does the cause againstJEREMIAH our God, 2:13 and have taken not defendfathers the walked, fatherless, in obeying Nor does the thecommandments cause backs And killed Your prophets, who testified “For the house of Israel and the house the differenceof the widowof the between LORD;come beforethetheyholy unclean didthings; them. not and theydo(NKJV) so.the haveof (NKJV) clean;the not widow distinguished come before between“For them. My (NKJV) people“Nevertheless have committed they were two disobedient evils: And Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the of the widow come before them. (NKJV) againstpagan them wivesTo turn from them the to peoples Yourself; of And the land; yet now EZEKIEL 22:26and they have hidden their theeyes holy from and My unholy, Sabbaths, nor have they made known rebelled against You, Cast Your law behind their people transgressed more and more, according of Judah Have dealt very“Her treacherously priests have violated My law and profaned My they workedthereThey greatis have hope provocations.” forsaken in Israel Me,in spite the(NKJV)JEREMIAH fountainof this.” (NKJV)of 2:13 living with Me,” says the Lord. (NKJV) so that I am profaned amongthe difference them.” (NKJV) between the unclean and the clean; backs And killed Your prophets, who testified to all the abominations of the nations, and holy things; they have not distinguished between EZEKIEL 22:26 waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, against them To turn them to Yourself; And defiled the house of the LORD which He the holy and unholy, nor have they made known so that I am profaned among them.” (NKJV)cisterns that “Forcan holdMy people no water.” 2have CHRONICLES (NKJV) committed 36:14 two evils: they worked great provocations.” (NKJV) had consecrated in Jerusalem. (NKJV) the difference between the unclean and the clean;“Her priests have violated My law and profaned My They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living JEREMIAH 2:13 Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths,holy things; they have NEHEMIAHnot distinguished 9:26 between waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken JEREMIAH 2:13 people transgressed more and more, according so that I am profaned among them.” (NKJV) the holy and unholy, nor have they made known cisterns that can hold no water.” (NKJV) “Nevertheless“For they My were people disobedient have committed And two evils: to all the abominations of the nations, and“For My people have committed two evils: the difference between the unclean and the clean; They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living defiled the house of the LORD which TheyHe have forsaken Me, the fountain of living and theyrebelled have2 CHRONICLES hidden against their You, 36:14 eyes Cast from Your My law Sabbaths, behind their waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken had consecrated in Jerusalem. (NKJV) so thatbacks I am And profaned killed amongYour prophets, them.” (NKJV) who testified EZEKIEL 22:26 waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (NKJV) cisterns that can hold no water.” (NKJV) Moreover allagainst the leaders them ofTo the turn priests them andto Yourself; the And people transgressedthey worked more great and more, provocations.” according (NKJV) NEHEMIAH 9:26 to all the abominations of the nations, and “Her priests have violated My law and profaned My defiled the house of the LORD which He holy things; they have not distinguishedEZEKIEL 22:26between “Nevertheless they were disobedient And had consecrated in Jerusalem. (NKJV) the holy and unholy, nor have they made known JEREMIAH 2:13 “Her priests have violated My law and profaned My the difference between the unclean and the clean; rebelled against You, Cast Your law behind their holy things; they have not distinguished between “For My people have committed two evils: and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, backs And killed Your prophets, who testified the holy and unholy, nor have they made known They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living against them To turn them to Yourself; And so that I am profaned among them.” (NKJV) the difference between the unclean and the clean; waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken they worked great provocations.” (NKJV) and they have hidden their eyesJEREMIAH from My 2:13Sabbaths, cisterns that can hold no water.” (NKJV) EZEKIEL 22:26 so that I am profaned among them.” (NKJV) “For My people have committed two evils: “Her priests have violated My law and profaned My They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living holy things; they have not distinguished between waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken JEREMIAH 2:13 the holy and unholy, nor have they made known cisterns that can hold no water.” (NKJV) the difference between the unclean and the clean; “Forand My they people have havehidden committed their eyes two from evils: My Sabbaths, EZEKIEL 22:26 They haveso that forsaken I am profaned Me, the fountainamong them.” of living (NKJV) waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken © ADVENTIST ENCOUNTER CURRICULUM “Her priests have violated My law and profaned My cisterns that can hold no water.” (NKJV) holy things; they have not distinguished between 10.1A HOSEA: EXTREME LOVE 44 the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.” (NKJV) APPENDIX F THE COVENANT IN GENESIS 17

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

2 For use in Learning Context.

Below are some examples of what God and Abraham contributed to their covenant.

GOD ABRAHAM

• God will make make His covenant between • Walk before God faithfully and be blameless. Abraham and increase his numbers. • Abraham and his descendants must keep • Abram will be the father of all nations. the covenant in order to be blessed.

• Abram’s name becomes Abraham. • Abraham and all the male members must be circumcised to seal their • Abraham will be fruitful. agreement to the covenant.

• God will make nations from Abraham, and • Sarah will give birth to a son. many kings will be descended from him. • Abraham will name his son Isaac. • Sarai’s name becomes Sarah.

• Sarah will be the mother of nations.

• Kings of peoples will come from Sarah.

• God will establish His covenant with Isaac.

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

2 For use in Learning Context.

Source: Kathy Perez, More than 100 Brain-Friendly Tools and Strategies for Literacy Instruction, Australian edition (Hawker Brownlow Education, Corwin Press; 2010) pp. 58–60.

Implementation Clock Partners is a structure designed to 1. The teacher invites students to draw the be an efficient and effective process for face of a clock with space beside each pairs of students working together. This number to write student names.

structure can provide a necessary “brain 2. Have students stand up and take their Clock Partners sheet with them. They find other students break” in your lesson as students interact and make appointments for each time on the clock sheet. Be sure to explain that each time with one another and share their ideas. a student makes an appointment at a given Clock Partners is a great way to pair off time, they must enter their name on the other student’s sheet at that same time. The clock students for any activity or discussion. times must agree. For instance, if Mike is Ann’s nine o’clock appointment, then Ann needs to have Mike’s name at her nine o’clock time slot. The good news about Clock Partners 3. Give students a finite amount of time is that once the students have their to do this. Play lively music in the background to keep the pace up. clock sheet complete, they can 4. You now have an instant way to pair up your keep it and use it all year long. students. This comes in very handy when a stage change or “brain break” is needed to process the information learned. For instance, after a lesson, you could tell the students, “Find your two o’clock partner and share with them the three main ideas . . .”

5. Please note that the time on the Clock Partners sheet does not have to correspond to the time on the classroom clock.

6. It’s important to take it one time slot at a time for greater understanding. An example of this variation would be: “Students, please find a one o’clock partner.” Then you proceed to the other time slots around the clock.

By Ekkehardt Mueller

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

2 For use in Learning Context.

We would not know about God, if He had We will focus on one way in which God decided not revealed himself to us. But God in his to reveal Himself through the gift of prophecy. mercy chose to make Himself known. He did However, even within Christianity there are this to some extent through nature (general questions about this gift. While today some revelation) but specifically through the Christians think that this gift has disappeared Bible, Jesus Christ, appearances of angels, at the close of the first century A.D., others see prophets, etc. and also through personal it in many phenomena today, while still others experiences. God’s adversary tries to imitate redefine prophecy to such an extent that it and distort these forms of divine revelation. describes basically any Christian ministry.

I. The Prophet

1. What Is a Genuine Prophet? Eze 33:7 The prophet Ezekiel was speaking for God. Prophets were called in a supernatural way (Isa 6:1-8) and had to communicate the message and will of God faithfully, without adding their own ideas or deleting what they did not like (Deut 4:2; Rev 22:18-19). God then acknowledged the message of the prophets as his own message.

2. Since when Did God Use Prophets? • Acts 3:21 God spoke through holy prophets from ancient time onward, after the earth was created. • Jude 1:14 Already Enoch, who belonged to the seventh generation after Adam, spoke prophetically.

3. How Did God Communicate with the Prophets? • 1 Sam 3:4, 10 He let them hear His voice or the voice of heavenly beings (Rev 5:5). This is called an “audition.” • Eze 1:1 He revealed Himself, revealing supernatural realities, and messages in visions (Rev 6:1). • Num 12:6 He spoke to them through visions and dreams. In the case of visions, it could happen that astonishing phenomena occurred such as the following: • Num 24:3-4, 16 Seeing another reality • Dan 9:21 Appearance of an angel (Rev 10:8-9) • Dan 10:8, 9 Loss of strength • Dan 10:17 No breath • Dan 10:18-19 Divine strengthening

The Gift of Prophecy (continued)

4. What Did Prophets See? Prophets saw and recognized: • Events of the past (Eze 16—the origin of God’s people; Rev 12:1-5—the birth of the Messiah) • Events of the present (Isa 36-39—the Assyrian threat and Hezekiah’s illness; Rev 2:1-7—the condition of the church) • Events of the future (Isa 9 and 11—the coming Messiah; Rev 21-22—the new earth) Sometimes prophets did not understand their own prophecy, however, they passed it on faithfully (Dan 8:27; 12:4). The main task of prophets was spiritual instruction, teaching, bringing about reformation, being advisors, and among other tasks also predicting the future. In case the people of God did not obey the voice of God through the prophets, they faced God’s judgment. 2

5. How Did Prophets Communicate their Messages? The prophets communicated the messages entrusted to them orally (2 Sam 12:1-7), in written form (Jer 36:2, 4), and through actions (Eze 24). Expressions such as “Thus says the Lord,” or “I saw” show that they were convinced they were talking in the name of God. Their messages were true and trustworthy (2 Pet 1:20-21; 2 Tim 3;16). God recognized their words as His own —Jer 25:1-4, 7-8.

6. Genuine or Not? There were not only genuine prophets throughout history but also false prophets. So God provided criteria for us to be able to distinguish between true and false prophets. In case, one of the following points is not met, the respective prophet is a false prophet. Here are the distinguishing marks: • Full agreement with the Holy Scriptures—Isa 8:19-20; Deut 13, 1-4 • Recognition of Jesus Christi as Son of God and Savior who had become fully human—1 John 4:1-3 • Good fruit, that is, an exemplary conduct of life and an effective ministry—Matt 7:15-21 • Fulfillment of predictions—Deut 18:22 • No materialistic attitude—Micah 3:9-12 • Proclamation of God’s messages, not what people like to hear—1 Kings 22:4-8.

II. Prophets in the New Testament and Today

1. Prophets in the New Testament The first prophet to appear in the New Testament was John the Baptist (Luke 1:76) and the greatest was Jesus (Deut 18:15; Matt 21:11). The gift of prophecy was one of the spiritual gifts in the early church and played a special role—1 Cor 12:28; 14:1; 12:11; Eph 4:11; 1 Thess 5:19-21.

2. How Long Should the Gift of Prophecy Remain in the Church? • Joel 2:28-31 Joel’s prediction was partially fulfilled at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out (Acts 2:14-21, 32-33). However, the great day of the Lord, mentioned in Joel, is in a special way connected to Christ’s Second Coming. So there should be another fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy prior to Christ’s return. • Matt 24:11, 24 Jesus predicted the coming of false prophets prior to His Second Coming, indicating there would also be true prophets, otherwise he would have warned of prophets in general. Obviously the problem would be to distinguish false from true prophets.

3. What Would Be the Relation between a True Prophet in Our Days and the Bible? Holy Scripture surpasses the ministry of true prophets in so far that it is the yardstick by which prophecy is being evaluated. However, both the message of Scripture as well as the message of genuine prophets come from the same source, the Holy Spirit, and call for obedience—2 Chron 20:20.

The Gift of Prophecy (continued)

III. Categories of Prophets in Scripture

True prophets of biblical times can be classified in four groups. This classification has nothing to do with their authority or scope of ministry. However, it shows that God has different tasks for different prophets, that prophets can be male or female, and that all of them spoke in the name of God to humans. Here is the list: A. There are prophets who have written down their messages, and these were incorporated into Scripture, for instance, Isaiah, Daniel, John, and Paul. These prophets are also called canonical prophets. B. There are prophets who left no written records either to their generation or to us, but whose ministry is extensively described in Scripture. For instance, Elijah (1 Kings 17- 19, 21; 2 Kings 1-2; Mal 4:5; John 1:21; Jam 5:17) and Elisha (2 Kings 2-9, 13; Luke 4:27). They are not less important than the first category of prophets. C. There are true prophets who wrote down their messages, but these documents were not incorporated into Scripture. About ten such persons are known (for instance, Nathan und Gad—1 Chron 29:29). There are also letters of Paul that were not added to the New Testament canon, for instance, a letter to the Laodiceans (Col 4:16). D. There were genuine prophets, mentioned briefly, that had oral messages only. About thirty such people are know from Scripture, for instance the prophetess Deborah (Judges 4:4), Agabus (Acts 11:27- 28), Philip’s daughters (Acts 21:8-9), and others.

Conclusion God is interested in us and loves us. He wants us to enjoy eternal life in His presence. Therefore, He reveals Himself and His plan of salvation among other things through the gift of prophecy. All Scripture came about through the gift of prophecy. We are extremely grateful and follow God’s revelation through Scripture as well as through genuine prophecy that is given to us in addition to Scripture, but reflects what Scripture teaches. 7/13

“Through nature, through types and symbols, through patriarchs and prophets, God had spoken to the world. Lessons must be given to humanity in the language of humanity. … The principles of God’s government and the plan of redemption must be clearly defined. The lessons of the Old Testament must be fully set before men.”

Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 34.

The Gift of Prophecy (continued)

1. Why did God send prophets?

2. Write a summary of the role of a prophet in your own words.

3. What does the Bible tell us about prophecy? [NKJV]

• 2 Peter 1:21 “Prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” • 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” • Exodus 19:7 Moses brought “all these words which the LORD commanded him.” • Exodus 24:4 “Moses wrote all the words of the LORD.” • 2 Kings 17:13 “The LORD testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets.” • Zechariah 7:12 “They made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets.” • Matthew 22:31–32 While quoting from the book of Exodus, Christ said, “Have you not read what was spoken to you by God?” • Luke 1:70 Zacharias referred to the promises of God that “He [God] spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began.” • Isaiah 8:20 “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” • John 10:35 Christ said, “Scripture cannot be broken.”

4. Are the messages of the Old Testament prophets still relevant to us today? Explain your response.

© ADVENTIST ENCOUNTER CURRICULUM 10.1A HOSEA: EXTREME LOVE 50 “I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) “I will make you my wife forever, showing you you showing forever, wife my you make will “I righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. compassion. and love unfailing justice, and righteousness I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you you and mine, you make and you to faithful be will I Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) 20 2:19, Hosea Lord.” the as me know finally will “I will make you my wife forever, showing you you showing forever, wife my you make will “I righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. compassion. and love unfailing justice, and righteousness I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you you and mine, you make and you to faithful be will I “I will make you my wife forever, showing you Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) 20 2:19, Hosea Lord.” the as me know finally will righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) APPENDIX I “I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you REVIEWwill finally know mePOSTERS as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT)

“I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion.USB I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you See Flash Drive for electronic “Icopy. will make you my wife forever, showing you will finally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. 2 For use in Learning Context. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you you showing forever, wife my you make will “I will finally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. compassion. and love unfailing justice, and righteousness I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you you and mine, you make and you to faithful be will I Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) 20 2:19, Hosea Lord.” the as me know finally will

“I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) “I will make you my wife forever, showing you “I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion.I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) will finally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) I’M BEGINNING

“I will make youTO my wife forever,WONDER showing you … A QUESTION righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you I HAVE IS …

will ﬁnally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT)

will ﬁnally know me as the Lord.” Lord.” the as me know ﬁnally will Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) 20 2:19, Hosea

I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you you and mine, you make and you to faithful be will I

righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. compassion. and love unfailing justice, and righteousness “I will make you my wife forever, showing you you showing forever, wife my you make will “I

“I will make you my wife forever, showing“I you will make you my wife forever, showing you “I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion.

“I will make you my wife forever, showing you you showing forever, wife my you make will “I righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. compassion. and love unfailing justice, and righteousness I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you you and mine, you make and you to faithful be will I righteousness and justice, unfailing love andrighteousness compassion. and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, (NLT) and 20 2:19, Hosea Lord.” the as me know ﬁnally will you will ﬁnally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT)

I will be faithful to you and make you mine,I will and be faithfulyou to you and make you mine, and you … MEANS THIS

will ﬁnally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT)

will ﬁnally know me as the Lord.” will ﬁnally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT)

I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you

righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. you showing forever, wife my you make will “I “I will make you my wife forever, showing you compassion. and love unfailing justice, and righteousness I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you you and mine, you make and you to faithful be will I Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) 20 2:19, Hosea Lord.” the as me know ﬁnally will

“I will make you my wife forever, showing you I DON’T

will ﬁnally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT)

righteousness and justice, unfailing loveI will and be faithful tocompassion. you and make you mine, and you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion.

I will be faithful to you and make you mine,“I will make you and my wife forever, you showing you AGREE will ﬁnally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT) WITH …

REALIZE“I will make you my wife forever,… showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will ﬁnally know me as the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20 (NLT)

THIS LOOKS LIKE …

INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY HOSEA’S METAPHOR MARRIAGE

By Nina Atcheson

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

3 For use in Animated/Engaged Learning.

ABOUT THE MAN HOSEA HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Hosea was a prophet who The story of Hosea begins after the death of King Solomon, when lived just before the destruction Israel was divided, where Judah (two of the twelve tribes) was in of Israel in 722 B.C. the south, and Israel (ten of the twelve tribes) in the north, under Jeroboam (who had the other ten tribes). Hosea preached specifically to the northern kingdom, where he was most likely WHEN HOSEA WAS WRITTEN from. Throughout the book of Hosea, you will see that he refers to Israel as Ephraim. Ephraim was the largest tribe in Israel, and The book of Hosea was most sometimes the whole nation was referred to as Ephraim. likely written in the time period when he carried out his Jeroboam didn’t follow God and set up new worship centers, new prophetic mission, which was dates for worship, and new symbols in the temples to try to please in the final years of Jeroboam the people. What he did was directly opposite from what God had II and ended at the beginning established at Mount Sinai. In some ways, what Jeroboam established of Hezekiah’s reign—before was a new religion, and he is referred to as the one “who made Israel 753 B.C. and actively until to sin.” (John Clement Whitcomb, Solomon to the Exile; Studies in Kings around 729 B.C. (F. D. and Chronicles, Old Testament Studies, [Winona Lake, Ind.: BMH Books, Nichol, ed., The Seventh-day 1971], 24.) Many kings followed Jeroboam with various degrees of Adventist Bible Commentary wickedness until King Ahab, who was extremely wicked, ruled Israel. vol. 4 [Hagerstown, Md.: While the prophet Elijah showed Yahweh’s power on Mount Carmel, Review and Herald Publishing Baal worship still dominated Israel. More wicked kings followed, until Association, 1977], 885.) we meet Jeroboam II, who showed a glimmer of hope when asking for God’s intervention, although he still worshiped false gods.

The period of Hosea was one where Israel was in a bad place— religiously, politically, socially, and morally. Their constant neglect of God’s law resulted in one of the darkest periods in all of Israel’s history. (Allan Philip Brown, The Theology of Hosea [Phd. Diss., Bob Jones University, 1975]; 55.)

The book of Hosea is divided into three main parts: 1. Hosea 1–3. Hosea’s marriage to Gomer. 2. Hosea 4–13. God’s message for the people through Hosea’s life 3. Hosea 14. Israel’s restoration.

Hosea’s Metaphor Marriage (continued)

Let’s look specifically at chapters 1 through 3.

1. Who was reigning over Israel at this time? (Hosea 1:1)

Teaching point: There were seven kings reigning at this time, although Hosea only mentions five: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah (kings of Judah), and Joash (king of Israel).

2. The next thing we read is that God tells Hosea to take a prostitute for a wife. (v. 2) What is your response to God’s instruction?

Teaching point: At face value it seems bizarre that God would ask Hosea, His prophet, to do this, when we know how God feels about adultery and sexual sin. There is no other situation in the Bible where God asks anyone to do this. Some scholars suggest that she was from a family of ill repute but not yet a prostitute when Hosea married her. Others suggest that Gomer was already a prostitute when he married her. Either way, it was a step of faith on Hosea’s part.

3. Hosea 1:3–9 tells us that Gomer had three children. What were their names, and what did they mean?

Teaching point: Jezreel—“God will scatter” points to the future captivity to a foreign country. Lo-Ruhama—“no compassion” contradicts one of the most important traits of God’s character as shown at Mount Sinai (Exod. 34:6) Lo-Ammi—“not my people” instead of Israel being God’s chosen, blessed people.

4. Why did God tell Hosea to give these children such foreboding names? (Read Hosea 2:4–7)

Teaching point: Gomer had these children to other men. They were not Hosea’s children. She continued to sleep around and was unfaithful to Hosea.

5. Have you ever been close to someone who has experienced adultery? Has someone ever cheated on you?

6. What emotions did God (and Hosea) feel? (Hosea 2:9–13)

Teaching point: Anger, frustration, betrayal, bitterness, rejection, helplessness. “I gave her what was best, but I will take it away from her. I will punish her.”

7. Despite these raging emotions, God asked Hosea to do something extraordinary. What was it? (Hosea 3:1–3)

Teaching point: He bought Gomer back for the price of a slave.

8. Why did God ask Hosea to do this?

Hosea’s Metaphor Marriage (continued)

Teaching point: “Hosea’s marriage served as an object lesson intended to show the breaking of the covenant between God and Israel. A man in ancient Israel would have had to make a tremendous effort to forgive and take back an unfaithful wife, not to mention to accept as his own children who may have been fathered by another man. To stand by his wife and her children and thus endure social rejection would be one of the most difficult life experiences of the time. Yet that is precisely what the God of love was willing to do for unfaithful Israel.” —Zdravko Stefanovic, Thus Says the Lord, p. 16. This extreme life metaphor was an extreme way of God trying to get through to His people the message that they were acting like Gomer.

9. How do you think you might have respond if God asked you to do something similar?

10. Can you think of other prophets who lived out God’s messages in their lives?

(Isaiah walked half-naked and barefoot for three years (Isa. 20:1–6) to illustrate Egypt’s exile to Assyria. Jeremiah once carried a wooden yolk on his neck (Jer. 27:2). God told Ezekiel to grieve quietly over the sudden death of his wife (Ezek. 24:16, 17).

11. Think about Gomer. Why do you think she kept rejecting Hosea’s offer of love?

Teaching point: There may have been many reasons. She may have been too proud and thought she didn’t need Hosea. She may have denied doing anything wrong. Perhaps she was afraid that he would not have forgiven her, or that she wasn’t worthy of forgiveness. Whatever the reason, the relationship wasn’t restored because she didn’t feel worthy.

12. Have you ever felt like Gomer with anyone in your life? (Or even with God?)

13. What message might there be for you, personally, in this story?

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

3 For use in Animated/Engaged Learning.

Hosea says about Gomer, “THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LOVE SHE IS USED TO RECEIVING AND What do you think of THE LOVE I HAVEWhat doFOR you HER.” thinkWhat of do you Gomer’sthink of comment, Hosea says about Gomer,Gomer’s comment,Gomer’s comment, How do you think this is “IF GOD WASN’T also true of God and us? “THERE IS A DIFFERENCE“IF GOD WASN’T“IFWhat GOD do WASN’TSO you JUDGMENTAL, think of Hosea says aboutBETWEEN Gomer, THE LOVE SHE ISSO JUDGMENTAL,SO Gomer’sJUDGMENTAL,PERHAPS comment, THE PEOPLE Hosea saysUSED about TO Gomer, RECEIVING AND What do you think of PERHAPS THE PERHAPSPEOPLE WOULDTHE PEOPLE RESPOND”? “THERE IS A DIFFERENCETHEHosea LOVEHosea says I saysHAVE about about FOR Gomer, Gomer, HER.” Gomer’s comment, “THERE IS A DIFFERENCE WOULD RESPOND”?WOULD“IF RESPOND”?GOD WASN’T BETWEEN THE LOVE SHE IS BETWEEN THE“THEREHow LOVE“THERE do IS SHEyou A IS DIFFERENCE ISthinkA DIFFERENCE this is SO JUDGMENTAL, USED TO RECEIVINGBETWEEN AND THE LOVE SHE IS “IF GOD WASN’TWhat do you think of USED TO RECEIVINGalsoBETWEEN true ANDof God THE and LOVE us? SHESO IS JUDGMENTAL,Gomer’sPERHAPS comment, THE PEOPLE THE LOVE I HAVEUSED FORUSED TO HER.” RECEIVING TO RECEIVING AND AND WOULD RESPOND”? THE LOVE I HAVE FOR HER.” PERHAPS THE PEOPLE How do youTHE think LOVETHE this LOVE I isHAVE I HAVE FOR HER.”FOR HER.” alsoHow true do of you God think andWHAT this us? is WAS GOMERWOULD RESPOND”?“IF GOD WASN’T also true ofHow God doandHowFOCUSED you us? do think you this think isON? this is SO JUDGMENTAL, also truealso of trueGod ofand God us? and us? PERHAPS THE PEOPLE Why is it easy to forget WOULDWHAT RESPOND”? WAS HOSEA about God when thingsWHAT WASWHAT HOSEAFOCUSED WAS HOSEA ON? are going well? FOCUSED ON? WHAT WAS GOMER FOCUSEDHave you ever ON? felt alone FOCUSED ON? Have you everinWHAT felt your alone conviction WAS HOSEAto in your Haveconviction you everto felt alone WHAT WAS GOMER infollow yourFOCUSED andconviction obey God? to ON? WHATFOCUSED WASWhy GOMER isON? it easy to forgetWHAT follow WAS and HOSEA obey God? WHATabout WAS God GOMER when things follow and obey God? FOCUSED ON?WHAT WAS GOMERFOCUSED ON?Have you ever felt alone WhyFOCUSED is it easyare to FOCUSED goingforget ON? well? ON?WHAT WAS inHOSEA your conviction to about God when things Have you ever felt alonefollow and obey God? Why is it easyare going to forget well? in yourFOCUSED conviction to ON? about GodWhy when isHOW it easythingsWhy to forgetDO is it easy to forget about God whenabout things God whenfollow things and obey God? are going well? are going well? Have you ever felt alone SMALLare going well? SINS in yourWhat conviction do you think to the followWhat and do obeyyou think God? the LEAD US peoplepeople might might have have thoughtWhat when do theyyou thinksaw the people might have DEEPER Hoseathought buy when Gomer they back saw HOW DO thought when they saw Hosea buy GomerWhat back do you think the INTO SIN? Hosea buy Gomer back HOWSMALL DO SINS AFTER ALL SHEpeople might have HOW DOLEAD US What do youAFTER think the ALL thought SHE when they saw HOWSMALL DO SINS HOW DOpeople mightHADHADAFTER have DONE? DONE?Hosea ALL buySHE Gomer back SMALL SINSLEADDEEPER US thought when theyHAD saw DONE? SMALL SINSSMALL Hosea SINSWhat buy doGomer you thinkback the LEAD USDEEPERINTO SIN? people might have AFTER ALL SHE LEAD US LEAD USthought when they saw HAD DONE? DEEPERINTO SIN? AFTERHosea buyALL Gomer SHE back DEEPER DEEPERHAD DONE? INTOINTO SIN? SIN? INTO SIN?AFTER ALL SHE HAD DONE?

INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY THE COVENANT, JUDGMENT, AND GRACE

By Nina Atcheson

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

3 For use in Animated/Engaged Learning.

Hosea emphasizes the marital aspects of the Sinaitic covenant more than any other prophet. (Brown, The Theology of Hosea, 89.)

1. Why were the Ten Commandments given to the Israelites?

Teaching point: The Ten Commandments, among other instructions, were given to the Israelites as a way to be set apart from the other nations around them. The covenant was to show them a way to live happy and good lives in ways that were fair and honest, through worshipping the one true God. God gave them not only the Promised Land but also Moses to lead them there. God had just delivered them from slavery in Egypt, where they had been living in survival mode for 400 years. They needed to be retaught how to live in harmony with one another, and how to live as free, saved people.

2. Some say that the relationship between God and Israel was like a symbolic marriage. How is this so?

Teaching point: Marriage between God and Israel occurred at Sinai and was a mutual agreement. Ezekiel16:7, 8 says “I spread my skirt over you . . .” (RSV), meaning God was intending to care for His chosen people as their husband. Both Israel and Gomer sought other lovers and rejected their husbands, but Hosea and God demonstrated unfailing love. “Few Old Testament prophets reveal in such an intimate and profound manner the nature of Yahweh’s election love.” (Brown, The Theology of Hosea, 93.) From the beginning, God intended marriage to be a forever commitment of love. In a spiritual sense, God and Israel were husband and wife. By being unfaithful, Israel was committing “adultery” with other lovers. In God’s eyes, idolatry was spiritual adultery.

3. Is there ever a time when God will break a promise?

Teaching point: God doesn’t ever break a promise (Heb. 6:13-18). As He makes clear in Jer. 31:31-34, He remained a faithful “Husband” to Israel but Israel broke the covenant. Similarly in Hosea, God issues the equivalent of a divorce certificate based on Israel’s adultery/uncleanness (Deut. 24:1) in chapter 1, but at the same time He also indicates the possibility for forgiveness and hope of restoration through repentance and returning to Him. Unfortunately, they refused. Still, God’s promises will be fulfilled through the church as Paul explains (Rom 9-11).

4. How did the people of Israel sin?

Teaching points: a. They rejected the will of God. b. They lacked the “knowledge of God” because they rejected/despised it. c. Their “forgetting” this knowledge was the first step towards breaking the covenant. Ultimately, they rejected a personal experience and relationship with God.

The Covenant, Judgment, and Grace (continued)

4. What does Hosea 8:2 say about Israel’s perspective on their sin?

Teaching point: “My God, we know you, we of Israel.” Israel really thought that they knew God, but they didn’t. Hosea also refers to the people not wanting to know about how God had led them in their past, as perhaps they thought it was old, irrelevant history. (Brown, The Theology of Hosea, 145.) Israel would carry out the rituals and expressions of love and gratitude to Yahweh, which became their outward duties to their faith. However, because they were going through the motions of the religion didn’t mean that they knew or had any relationship with God. These rituals may have been used as an internal cover to justify personal sin. Obsession on the sexual aspects of adultery will often lead to spiritual blindness and the inability to recognize our own situation. This is how Israel was in regard to how and why they just didn’t accept Hosea’s message as being relevant.

5. How did God punish Israel? (Hosea 2:6–13)

Teaching point: God, as the initiator of punishment, also delivers judgment. The elements of judgment are (1) rain stops falling, (2) crops stop growing, (3) land no longer produces, and (4) other nations begin to harass Israel, which result is God’s judgment. God’s punishment is really His giving us over to our own choices. Israel rejected Him, so He pulled back His protection and let them experience the consequences of their choices. God loves us so much that He won’t ever force us to follow His way, but He also won’t force His blessings onto us either. We can’t expect to be able to do what we want and still have God there to rescue us out of whatever trouble we get into -or help us avoid the trouble in the first place. If I’m told not to touch a hot stove because I will get burned, I can’t expect the person who told me not to touch the stove to keep pulling my hand away from the stove so that I won’t get burned. I will get upset that they won’t let me do what I want, and may resent them, but I also can’t expect them to prevent the consequences if I choose to disobey. I also can’t stay upset at the person who told me not to touch the hot stove and continue to get myself in trouble because I won’t listen to them. The other alternative is that I can recognize my mistakes and choose to listen in the future, knowing they have my best interests in mind. There are always natural consequences for our choices.

6. Where do you see desire in the story of Gomer and Hosea?

Teaching point: We see desire in Gomer for her lovers. We also see desire in God (Hosea) when He seeks to get His wife back. This desire is much stronger than His anger at what she has done. The role desire plays is via a famine (Hosea 2:3; 4:11–13; Amos 8:9). This is God’s act of mercifulness, rather than the death penalty that is owed by law. Even still, Israel pursues the Baals in search of truth and help in the famine.

7. Do you think Israel (Gomer) realized their state of desperation?

Teaching point: Israel questioned, “Is Yahweh really our God, or are we the children of Baal?” (D. A. Garrett, Hosea, Joel, The New American Commentary, vol. 19A [Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1997], 80.) Israel didn’t recognize the gravity of their own situation; they thought they were doing all the things required of them to have a relationship with God. However, it is clear that simply going through the motions and practices of a religion doesn’t ensure that we have a relationship with someone. They were “worshipping” God while also worshipping Baal. They thought that if they at least continued to acknowledge God, that was enough. But just like you can’t tell your spouse you love them while at the same time having a relationship with someone else (and expect your spouse to believe you truly love them), Israel couldn’t truly worship God while at the same time worshipping Baal.

8. How often do you go through the motions of worshipping God while at the same time letting something else take priority in your life (hoping God won’t notice, or that it will be enough)?

9. Although God judges, He also shows grace. What does Hosea 2:14–23 tell us about God’s grace?

Teaching point: Even though Israel fully rejected God and He was going to punish them, He still loved them so much and had a plan for their redemption. Someone committing adultery under the law of the time was to be killed. Yet God showed grace and, after refining His people, provided for a way for them to be fully restored in His love. Because Gomer broke marriage vows, Hosea could have stoned her. But his love was greater than these vows. In the same way, the famine was an act of mercifulness (a wake-up call) rather than a death penalty. Israel still pursues Baal for answers through all of this, looking to Baal instead of God to help them. In spite of everything, God was going to “allure” her (not drag her or force her) and speak “kindly” to her (not yell).

From Royalty and Ruin (Contemporary version of Ellen G White’s Prophets and Kings) pp. 110, 111

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

3 For use in Animated/Engaged Learning.

God’s favor toward the Israelites had always been This prophecy, partly fulfilled in the time of the judges, conditional on their obedience. At Sinai they had met a more complete and literal fulfillment in the entered into covenant with Him as “a special captivity of Israel in Assyria and of Judah in Babylon. treasure to Me above all people.” “All that the Satan had tried repeatedly to cause the chosen nation Lord has spoken we will do,” they had promised. to forget “the commandment, the statutes, and the Exodus 19:5, 8. God had chosen Israel as His judgments” that they had promised to keep forever. people, and they had chosen Him as their King. Deuteronomy 6:1. He knew that if he could lead Israel to “follow other gods, and serve them and worship Near the close of the wilderness wandering, on the very them,” they would “surely perish.” Deuteronomy 8:19. borders of the Promised Land, those who remained faithful renewed their vows of allegiance. Moses called However, the enemy of God’s church on the earth on them to remain separate from the surrounding had not taken into account the Lord’s compassionate nations and to worship God alone. See Deuteronomy 4. nature. It is His glory to be “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, Moses had specially charged the Israelites not to lose keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity.” Exodus sight of the commandments of God. He warned them 34:6, 7. Even in the darkest hours of their history, God clearly and strongly against the neighboring nations’ graciously spread before Israel the things that would customs of idol worship. “Take heed to yourselves, benefit the nation. “I taught Ephraim to walk,” He lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God declared through Hosea, “taking them by their arms; which He made with you, and make for yourselves a but they did not know that I healed them.” Hosea 11:3. carved image in the form of anything which the Lord your God has forbidden you.” Deuteronomy 4:23. Tenderly the Lord had dealt with them, instructing them by His prophets. If Israel had obeyed the messages Calling heaven and earth to witness, Moses declared of the prophets, they would have been spared that if, after having lived long in the Land of Promise, humiliation. But because they persisted in turning the people bowed down to carved images and aside from His law, God was compelled to let them refused to return to the worship of the true God, they go into captivity. “My people are destroyed for lack would be carried away captive and scattered among of knowledge,” was His message. “Because you have the heathen. “You will soon utterly perish from the land rejected knowledge, I also will reject you … ; because which you cross over the Jordan to possess,” he warned you have forgotten the law of your God.” Hosea 4:6. them. “You will not prolong your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed. And the Lord will scatter you among In every age, the same result has followed transgression the peoples, and you will be left few in number among of God’s law. In the days of Noah, when iniquity the nations where the Lord will drive you.” Verses 26, 27. became so deep and widespread that God could

A Nation “Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge” (continued)

no longer tolerate it, the decree went forth, “I will “‘I will give her her vineyards from there, and the Valley destroy man whom I have created from the face of of Achor as a door of hope; she shall sing there, as in the earth.” Genesis 6:7. In Abraham’s day the people the days of her youth, as in the day when she came of Sodom openly defied God and His law; they up from the land of Egypt. And it shall be, in that day,’ passed the limits of God’s patient mercy, and the fire says the Lord, ‘that you will call Me, “My husband,” of God’s vengeance was kindled against them. and no longer call Me, “My Master.”’” Hosea 2:15, 16.

The time preceding the captivity of Israel’s ten tribes In the last days of earth’s history, God will renew His was one of similar wickedness. Hosea declared: “The covenant with His commandment-keeping people. Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the “I will betroth you to Me forever; … in righteousness land. ‘There is … swearing and lying, killing and stealing and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy… . And you and committing adultery, they break all restraint, shall know the Lord.” “And I will have mercy on her with bloodshed upon bloodshed.’” Hosea 4:1, 2. who had not obtained mercy; then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And

Israel to be “Wanderers Among the Nations” they shall say,‘You are my God!’” Verses 19, 20, 23.

The ten tribes, long unrepentant, received no promise of From “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” some complete restoration to their former power in Palestine. will gladly respond to the message, “Fear God and give Until the end of time they were to be “wanderers glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment has come.” among the nations.” But a prophecy through Hosea They will turn from every idol that binds them to earth offered them the privilege of having a part in the and will “worship Him who made heaven and earth, final restoration of God’s people at the close of the sea and springs of water.” They will free themselves earth’s history. “Many days,” the prophet declared, from every entanglement and will stand before the the ten tribes were to abide “without king or prince, world as monuments of God’s mercy. Obedient to without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or the divine requirements, they will be recognized as teraphim. Afterward,” the prophet continued, “the those who have kept “the commandments of God children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:6, 7, 12. God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord “I will bring back the captives of My people and His goodness in the latter days.” Hosea 3:4, 5. Israel… . I will plant them in their land, and In symbolic language Hosea presented God’s plan of no longer shall they be plucked up from the restoring to every repentant one the blessings granted land I have given them.” Amos 9:14, 15. Israel in the days when they were loyal to Him in the Promised Land. Referring to Israel the Lord declared,

By Ty Gibson

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

3 For use in Animated/Engaged Learning.

A man once came to me and said, “My marriage “That’s because you’re a spiritual wimp,” I fired back, is falling apart. My wife says she doesn’t have but with a smile to lighten the blow. “Obedience feelings for me anymore, and my feelings for her isn’t legalism, unless you believe God is an arbitrary are pretty much dead too. I guess it’s over, huh?” control freak who hates you. But if you believe God is on your side, a God of tender love who has only He was startled by my immediate response. your best interest at heart, well, then, in that case, obedience is the most intelligent course you can take.” “No, it’s not over. Read the Song of Solomon and do exactly what it says, and throw in 1 Peter 3:7 for good measure, and you will save your marriage. Not only will you save your marriage, it will become great, OBEDIENCE IS NOT LEGALISM. far better than what you ever imagined possible.” “But we don’t love each other anymore,” he “What,” he responded with a tone of incredulity. “Just said, as if he knew what he was talking about. read those Bible passages and do what they say?” “Well, then,” I explained, “here’s the first act of “Yes, read and obey, dude, read and obey! And all will obedience you should engage in: stop saying that, be well,” I declared with prophet-level confidence. and never, ever, say it again. Not loving your wife is not an option according to Ephesians 5:25, and Still looking skeptical, he said, “But don’t we need according to your marriage vows. So do not express some marriage counseling or something?” those sentiments, not one more time, ever again. And in their place, begin expressing, on a regular “You may need counseling,” I said, “if you are especially basis, that you love your wife. Tell her, tell yourself, tell stubborn and want to take the long, painful route to your children, your buddies. Talk her up, not down. repairing your marriage. Good Christian counseling Tell her how amazing she is, how beautiful she is, how can be an immense blessing and sometimes is the blessed and happy you are to be her husband.” only way forward. But it sounds to me like you have an emergency on your hands, so I’m giving you the shortest “But what if it’s not true?” He was trying to wiggle loose. and fastest route to heal your relationship with your wife. Counseling takes a long time, meeting after meeting “If it’s not true, then expressing it will be the first step after meeting, with both of you sharing feelings, of obedience in making it true! In fact, let me tell you feelings, feelings, and potentially making one another a secret that has been lost by our feelings-obsessed mad, mad, mad (exaggeration for effect). But if you culture: feelings follow actions wherever actions lead.” want to bypass all of that and just git ’er done, brother, “What?! Really?” read what the Bible says about marriage and obey.” “Yes, really! Guaranteed! Countless couples in our “Um,” he said with a hesitant tone of rebellion, “just emotionally egocentric culture get divorced because obey? That sounds to me like mindless legalism.”

Obedience vs. Legalism (continued)

they follow their feelings. But here’s the thing: feelings you prove yourself worthy. It is a form of religious are often stupid and cannot be trusted. What you narcissism, a way of keeping self as one’s center can trust is the application of sound principles, while projecting the illusion of serving God. which, when applied, produce good feelings.” Once you come to Jesus in response to His love, just “So I’m just supposed to act contrary to my feelings?” as you are, receiving salvation as the free gift of His He said this as if it was the silliest thing he’d ever heard. grace, the instructions in His word look like liberty and feel protective. You’re like, “Wow, Lord, thank “Yes,” I stated with absolute firmness. “If your feelings You for showing me the principles of life by which I are telling you to end your marriage, defy your can, by Your empowering grace, repair my broken feelings and call them what they are—stupid, weak, relationships and flourish in every aspect of life.” selfish feelings—and act out a different picture.”

“That sounds . . . um . . . crazy.” OBEDIENCE IS THE LOVE-MOTIVATED PROCESS OF ACTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOD’S WORD BECAUSE “No, what’s crazy is that you would consider ending YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE LIVING UNDER HIS FAVOR your marriage because of your feelings. What I’m telling AND THAT HE ONLY HAS YOUR BEST INTEREST AT HEART. you is that if you really want to heal your marriage, actions are the fastest way to do that. Good, sensitive, beautiful actions toward you wife will literally create a Obedience, in this relational context, is voluntary, new relational dynamic between the two of you. That’s rendered from the heart. Paul says it like this: not crazy, dude, that’s what total sanity looks like.” “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves But this article isn’t actually about marriage. It’s about servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye the power of obedience to God’s word. Marriage is obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience just one example of many areas of life concerning unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that which God has something to say. My point is that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed obedient action to the inherently good principles from the heart that form of doctrine which of God’s word will invariably produce positive new was delivered you” (Romans 6:16-17, KJV). realities in a person’s life. If that sounds like “legalism” Paul is speaking here to the person who has come to to you, that’s either because you have a terrible Christ in response to His grace, not to the unbeliever. To misconception of God’s character or because you those who have not embraced God’s merciful love, the need to start at ground zero and be born again. idea of obedience can only feel like externally imposed Obedience is not legalism. bondage. But those who know God’s good character as it is revealed in Jesus make themselves voluntarily And legalism is most emphatically not obedience. obedient to the Lord. But note Paul’s specific, qualifying language: “from the heart.” In other worlds, the Obedience is the love-motivated process of obedience of the grace-immersed believer springs up acting in accordance with God’s word because from deep inside. It is composed of willing, affectionate you believe that you are living under His favor faith that is lodged in God’s essential goodness. and that He only has your best interest at heart. Obedience is trust, fueled by love, in action. There is a direct correlation between obedience and knowing. Jesus put it like this: Legalism, by contrast, is the anxious effort to earn God’s favor because you believe, at least on an “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning emotional level, that God’s love is conditional and the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether therefore that He holds you at a distance until I speak on My own authority” (John 7:17).

Obedience vs. Legalism (continued)

According to Jesus, doing modifies knowing. One of engaging in beautiful actions toward one another, the great rational fallacies of our scientific age is that they will experience positive results in the form of knowledge consists of intellectual facts that reside security, trust and, yes, positive emotional feelings. outside of behavioral engagement. Scripture, rather, communicates a more holistic view of knowledge. Whenever you are uncertain how to proceed with We do not really come to know anything or anyone God, the safest course you can follow is to engage by mere objective thinking without subjective in active obedience. Simply do what God says, and doing. In other words, one cannot truly know God things will get better, clarity will come, problems by analyzing, contemplating, or intellectualizing will diminish, and quality of life will increase. data about God. Rather, God can only be known The guy with stupid feelings about his marriage through what we might call experiential knowing, by contacted me about a year after our conversation. relational engagement, by full-person interaction. “I thought my marriage was over,” he testified, “and Anything else is at best only knowing about God. I thought that what you were telling me was crazy. So Jesus basically says, Do what I’m telling you and But you sounded so sure that I thought I should follow you will know, once you are on the inside of the doing, your advice and see what might happen. I read the that I am telling you the truth straight from God. Song of Solomon and other Scriptures about marriage, and I just started treating my wife the way God’s word There are things that can only be understood from says I should. And it was amazing to watch her come the inside. God’s word testifies to its veracity by the back alive to me! She was blown away and started effects, the outcomes, the results it produces when treating me differently. And sure enough, just like its principles are implemented. God’s law looks and you said, our feelings for one another started getting feels different from the inside than it does from the better and better, and now it’s like we’re dating again. outside. Once you embrace its stunning vision of We just really love each other more than ever.” life as relational integrity, God’s law feels liberating rather than restricting. Obedience to God’s word I was not at all surprised, because God is good places you in a position of commitment to people and everything He says in His word is calculated above and beyond your feelings, and sometimes to our present and eternal flourishing. contrary to them. And then—surprise, surprise—you are acting in the only manner that has the power to create positive feelings between yourself and others.

WHENEVER YOU ARE UNCERTAIN HOW TO PROCEED WITH GOD, THE SAFEST COURSE YOU CAN FOLLOW IS TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVE OBEDIENCE.

In the case of marriage, for example, the concrete commitment of two people to one another is the only framework within which the true nature of love can be understood. If you stand on the outside quibbling about your feelings, love will gradually vanish and your commitment to the relationship will die. But if a married couple remains on the inside of absolute commitment and actively obeys God’s word by

HOSEA 11 (NLT)

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

3 For use in Animated/Engaged Learning.

The LORD’s Love for Israel

11 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, 8 “Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? and I called my son out of Egypt. How can I let you go? 2 But the more I called to him, How can I destroy you like Admah the farther he moved from me, or demolish you like Zeboiim? offering sacrifices to the images of Baal My heart is torn within me, and burning incense to idols. and my compassion overflows. 3 I myself taught Israel how to walk, 9 No, I will not unleash my fierce anger. leading him along by the hand. I will not completely destroy Israel, But he doesn’t know or even care for I am God and not a mere mortal. that it was I who took care of him. I am the Holy One living among you, 4 I led Israel along and I will not come to destroy. with my ropes of kindness and love. 10 For someday the people will follow me. I lifted the yoke from his neck, I, the LORD, will roar like a lion. and I myself stooped to feed him. And when I roar, 5 “But since my people refuse to return to me, my people will return trembling from the west. they will return to Egypt 11 Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt. and will be forced to serve Assyria. Trembling like doves, they will return from Assyria. 6 War will swirl through their cities; And I will bring them home again,” their enemies will crash through their gates. says the LORD. They will destroy them, Charges against Israel and Judah trapping them in their own evil plans. 7 For my people are determined to desert me. 12 Israel surrounds me with lies and deceit, They call me the Most High, but Judah still obeys God but they don’t truly honor me. and is faithful to the Holy One.

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

3 For use in Animated/Engaged Learning.

Source: Kathy Perez. More than 100 Brain-Friendly Tools and Strategies for Literacy Instruction. (Australia: Hawker Brownlow, 2010), pp. 53, 54.

Mix-Mingle-Swap is an active, Implementation kinesthetic strategy that gets your students up and moving as they 1. Select a topic that the students will be discussing. express their opinions about a 2. Students number off in small groups from one particular topic. This strategy will to four [or more, depending on the number of energize and engage your students. questions you would like them to discuss]. Students It is a class-building activity that jot down their number on a small slip of paper. can be used in a variety of ways. 3. The teacher begins by playing music and This cooperative learning strategy instructing the students to trade their number allows your students to make choices cards as if it were a “hot potato”. They keep and express their opinions. In this swapping number cards until the music stops. way, it provides opportunities for students to learn about one another’s 4. Students then freeze and look at the number they opinions, beliefs, and preferences, currently have in their hand. Students are asked and to respect individual differences. to quickly form four groups—that is, groups of individuals holding the same number, and discuss As an activator, this strategy helps the topic or prompt provided by the teacher. students get energized about a topic and interested and curious in learning 5. The music starts again, and the fast-paced swapping more about it. Mix-Mingle-Swap can of the number cards continues. When the music introduce a topic to the class and stops, students freeze. This time the teacher asks provide students with an opportunity students to form groups of three or four—with to discuss issues with others who no numbers the same. Students discuss the new might agree or disagree with them. topic or question provided by the teacher. As a summarizer, Mix-Mingle-Swap provides an opportunity for students 6. The music starts again, and the fast-paced swapping to summarize key points to remember. of the number cards continues. When the music stops, students again freeze. This time the students form groups of two—odd numbers together and even numbers together with no two numbers the same. Students discuss the question provided.

7. The music starts again, and the fast-paced swapping of the number cards continues. When the music stops, the students freeze. This time students form pairs with ones working with twos, and threes working with fours. Students discuss the question provided.

8. The music continues as students return to their seats. The teacher leads discussion on ideas.

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

3 For use in Animated/Engaged Learning.

When people hear stories of God calling for the destruction of people, cities, or entire nations, they often see God as angry. Why does He have to destroy? It doesn’t seem fair—which is the exact accusation Satan makes against God: that He is unfair. So what’s the answer?

Read Genesis 18:20–30. In verses 20 and 21, what Sometimes our choices negatively impact those does God say is the reason He is going to check on in covenant with God, and He must protect them, Sodom? What does this tell us is going on with Sodom? like He protected those crying out against Sodom. God is in the business of taking care of His people. The outcry against them is great—other people are being hurt, oppressed, or negatively impacted Read the following verses about in some way by that city and the people in it. God’s dealings with His people: • Isaiah 1:18: God will do what is unreasonable. God could have destroyed Sodom based Although our sins are like scarlet, He on the outcry of His people, and yet He goes will make them as white as snow. to check out the situation Himself first. • Ezekiel 18:30–32: God is judge. We have In verses 22–32, Abraham bargains with God, asking the chance to repent, or change, but whether God will still destroy the city if He finds there comes a point where we have to righteous people there. Abraham is concerned about choose whether to live or to die. his nephew Lot, who lives in the city. Abraham asks • Matthew 23:37: God wants to redeem all the way down to ten people. God says He will not us, but we don’t have willing spirits. destroy the city if even ten righteous people live there. • Romans 10:21: Israel wouldn’t obey. In the end, the city is destroyed. Since we • 2 Corinthians 5:20: our part is to reconcile have evidence elsewhere in the Bible that ourselves to God (repent). God keeps His promises, what does that indicate about the righteous in the city? When we consider whether or not God is an angry, unfair, destructive God when we read stories like There were not even ten righteous people in Sodom. Sodom and Gomorrah, it is important to look at the This wasn’t an issue of God being angry with Sodom whole picture of who God is. God doesn’t change and simply deciding to get rid of them. This was God (Malachi 3:6), so if we see a loving, caring, merciful, keeping His end of the covenant with His people that gracious God throughout other parts of the Bible, said if they obeyed Him, He would protect them. The we must consider that as well. Maybe there’s more outcry against Sodom indicated that God’s people to the story than we think; perhaps we are missing needed protecting. God is fair in that He checked out context to the story; maybe we need to recognize the situation for Himself before destroying the city. the true nature of sin and the fact that we do want God to put an end to sin so that we don’t In chapter 19 we see that God sends protection have to experience the effects of it anymore. even for the less than ten righteous people in

the city. He is not only fair, but merciful. The Adapted by Deborah Parrish from people of Sodom show their true nature in the His Story: Just in Time from the Crossroads Series way they treat the angels visiting the city.

God’s anger or wrath is simply Him letting us go to our own desires. If we do not want His protection, He will not force it upon us, but we must be willing to experience the consequences of our choices.

Chapter 23 from Royalty and Ruin (Contemporary version of Ellen G White’s Prophets and Kings)

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

3 For use in Animated/Engaged Learning.

The closing years of the kingdom of Israel saw violence uprightly.” Amos 5:10. Finally nearly all the land’s and bloodshed beyond even the worst periods under inhabitants had given themselves over to the alluring Ahab’s dynasty. For two centuries the ten tribes had practices of nature worship. Forgetting their Maker, been sowing the wind; now they were reaping the Israel became “deeply corrupted.” Hosea 9:9. whirlwind. King after king was assassinated. “They set up kings, but not by Me,” the Lord declared of Hosea’s Gracious Appeals the godless usurpers. “They made princes, but I did not acknowledge them.” Hosea 8:4. Those who The transgressors were given many opportunities to should have stood before the nations of earth as the repent. In their hour of deepest apostasy God gave depositaries of divine grace “dealt treacherously them a message of forgiveness and hope. “O Israel,” with the Lord” and with one another. Hosea 5:7. He declared, “you are destroyed, but your help is from Me. I will be your King; where is any other, that he may Through Hosea and Amos God sent message after save you?” Hosea 13:9, 10. “Come, and let us return message, urging repentance and threatening to the Lord,” the prophet pleaded, “for He has torn, disaster. “You have plowed wickedness,” declared but He will heal us. . . . Let us know, let us pursue the Hosea, “you have reaped iniquity. You have eaten knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own way, as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the in the multitude of your mighty men.” “At dawn the latter and former rain to the earth.” Hosea 6:1–3. king of Israel shall be cut off utterly.” Hosea 10:13, 15. Unable to discern the disastrous results their evil “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely,” course would bring, the ten tribes were soon to be the Lord declared. “‘I will be like the dew to Israel; “wanderers among the nations.” Hosea 9:17. he shall grow like the lily. ... Those who dwell under His shadow shall return.’ . . . For the ways of the Some leaders felt keenly their loss of prestige and wanted Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but to get it back. But they continued in evil, deceiving transgressors stumble in them.” Hosea 14:4–9. themselves into thinking that they would get the political power they desired by alliances with the heathen— “Seek Me,” the Lord invited, “and live.” “So the Lord making “a covenant with the Assyrians.”Hosea 12:1. God of hosts will be with you, as you have spoken. Hate evil, love good; establish justice in the gate. It The Lord had repeatedly shown the ten tribes the evils of may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious disobedience. But in spite of reproof and appeals, Israel to the remnant of Joseph.” Amos 5:4, 14, 15. had sunk still lower in apostasy. The Lord declared, “My people are bent on backsliding from Me.” Hosea 11:7. The words of God’s messengers were so contrary to the people’s evil desires that the idolatrous priest at Bethel During the last half century before the Assyrian captivity, sent a message to the ruler in Israel, saying, “Amos has the iniquity in Israel was like that of the days of Noah. In conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. their worship of Baal and Ashtoreth the people broke their The land is not able to bear all his words.” Amos 7:10. connection with everything uplifting and ennobling and became an easy target for temptation. The misguided The evils that overspread the land had become incurable, worshipers had no barrier against sin and yielded and God pronounced the dread sentence on Israel: themselves to the evil passions of the human heart. “Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone.” “The days of punishment have come; the days of recompense have The prophets lifted their voices against the rampant come. Israel knows!” Hosea 4:17; 9:7. The ten tribes of oppression, flagrant injustice, the unbridled luxury and Israel were now to reap the harvest of the apostasy that extravagance, the shameless feasting and drunkenness, had begun when Jeroboam set up the strange altars and the gross immorality. But their protests were in at Bethel and at Dan. God’s message was: “All the vain. “They hate the one who rebukes in the gate,” sinners of My people shall die by the sword, who say, The declared Amos, “and they abhor the one who speaks calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.” Amos 9:10.

The Decline and Fall of Israel (continued)

“The houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; then He have an end.” “Israel shall surely be led away captive will return to the remnant of you who have escaped from his own land.” “Because I will do this to you, prepare from the hand of the kings of Assyria. . . . Now do not be to meet your God, O Israel!” Amos 3:15; 7:17; 4:12. stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord; and enter His sanctuary. . . . For if you return to Judgments Held Back for a Season the Lord, your brethren and your children will be treated with compassion by those who lead them captive, so For a while God delayed these predicted judgments, that they may come back to this land; for the Lord your and during the long reign of Jeroboam II the armies of God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face Israel gained great victories. But this time of apparent from you if you return to Him.” 2 Chronicles 30:6–9. prosperity brought no change in the hearts of the unrepentant ones, and it was finally decreed, “Jeroboam From city to city Hezekiah’s couriers carried the message. shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led But the remnant of the ten tribes who still lived within away captive from their own land.” Amos 7:11. the once-flourishing northern kingdom treated the royal messengers with indifference and even contempt. The boldness of this utterance was lost on the unrepentant “They laughed at them and mocked them.” A few, king and people. Amaziah, a leader among the idol- however, “from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled worshiping priests at Bethel, was stirred to anger by themselves and came to Jerusalem . . . to keep the the plain words spoken against the nation and their Feast of Unleavened Bread.” Verses 10, 11–13. king. He said to Amos, “Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread, and there prophesy. But never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s Swiftly the End Came sanctuary, and it is the royal residence.” Verses 12, 13. About two years later, the Assyrian armies besieged Samaria, and multitudes perished miserably of hunger To this the prophet firmly responded: “Israel shall and disease, as well as by the sword. The city and surely be led away captive.” Verse 17. nation fell, and the broken remnants of the ten tribes were scattered in the provinces of the Assyrian realm. The words Amos spoke against the apostate tribes were fulfilled literally, yet the destruction of the kingdom The destruction of the northern kingdom was a came gradually. In judgment the Lord remembered direct judgment from Heaven. Through Isaiah mercy. When the “king of Assyria came against the the Lord referred to the Assyrian armies as “the land” (2 Kings 15:19), Menahem, then king of Israel, rod of My anger and the staff in whose hand,” was permitted to remain on the throne as a vassal of He said, “is My indignation.” Isaiah 10:5. the Assyrian realm. The Assyrians, having humbled the ten tribes, returned for a while to their own land. Because the children of Israel refused steadfastly to repent, the Lord “afflicted them, and delivered them Menahem, far from repenting of the evil that had brought into the hand of plunderers, until He had cast them ruin to his kingdom, continued in “the sins of Jeroboam from His sight,” in harmony with the plain warnings He the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin.” Verse 18. had sent them “by all His servants the prophets.” A little later, “in the days of Pekah” his successor (verse 29), Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, invaded Israel and “So was Israel carried away from their own land carried away a multitude of captives living in Galilee to Assyria,” “because they did not obey the and east of the Jordan. These he scattered among voice of the Lord their God, but transgressed the heathen in lands far removed from Palestine. The His covenant.” 2 Kings 17:20, 23; 18:12. northern kingdom never recovered from this terrible blow. Only one more ruler, Hoshea, was to follow Pekah. In the terrible judgments on the ten tribes the Lord Soon the kingdom was to be swept away forever. had a wise and merciful purpose. What He could no longer do through them in the land of their fathers He In that time of sorrow and distress God still remembered would seek to accomplish by scattering them among mercy. In the third year of Hoshea’s reign, good King the heathen. Not all who were carried captive were Hezekiah began to rule in Judah and instituted important rebellious and unrepentant. Some had remained true to reforms in the temple service at Jerusalem. He arranged God, and others had humbled themselves before Him. for a Passover celebration and invited not only Judah Through these He would bring multitudes in Assyria to a and Benjamin but the northern tribes as well. knowledge of His character and the blessings of His law.

“Then the runners went throughout all Israel and Judah” with the pressing invitation, “Children of Israel, return to

INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY PROSTITUTES AND BONES

By Nina Atcheson

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

3 For use in Animated/Engaged Learning.

Ezekiel is another Old Testament prophet who lived about them too and that they are also responsible amongst one of the darkest times of Israel’s history: the before Him. (Jonah being sent to Nineveh illustrates 70-year period of captivity in Babylon. God’s people this principle. Jonah 1:9). It also shows that ultimately hadn’t listened to Hosea’s (and other) warnings. They ignorance will not save people (Luke 12:48; Rom. 1:20). still didn’t get it. Yet these warning from Ezekiel (as with many of the other prophets) included oracles of Ezekiel is quite dramatic and (from God’s judgment against other nations too - not just against instruction) gets God’s messages across by Judah (see Ezekiel 25-32). It shows that God is the using symbols and parables. Let’s explore God of the whole earth, of all the nations. He cares two of his dramatic messages for Israel.

Read Ezekiel 23.

1. We meet two sisters in this chapter. What are their names, and whom do they represent? Teaching point: Oholah is the older sister. She represents Samaria. Oholibah is the younger, who represents Jerusalem.

2. What happened to these sisters? Teaching point: First the older one (Samaria) became a prostitute. Even though the younger sister saw the older sister become ruined, she also became a prostitute, but worse in her lust and prostitution.

3. If you had a boyfriend or girlfriend and he/she acted like this, how would you feel? How would you respond?

4. What specifically did these sisters do to step outside the covenant relationship with God? (Ezek. 22) Teaching point: They killed, disrespected parents, oppressed strangers, mistreated the orphans and widows, profaned and perverted what God made holy, slandered, committed adultery, took bribes, extorted, lusted after other nations, and defiled themselves in every possible way. (If we look at this list, we see the covenant is broken in many, many ways.)

5. How did God respond? (Ezek. 22:15, 16; 23:36–49) Teaching point: God said He would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout other countries so that they could defile themselves before other countries. God would remove their filthiness. Righteous men would judge them.

6. When did this actually happen? Teaching point: The 70-year captivity in Babylon scattered God’s people.

7. What would you think of a God who did nothing in response to all of this? Of a God who just stepped back and let this broken covenant go unnoticed? Teaching point: It would show that He really didn’t care, that the covenant wasn’t that important after all, and that His hand wasn’t over His chosen people.

Prostitutes and Bones (continued)

8. So what does God’s response to this situation tell you about Him? (See Ezek. 22:16) Teaching point: God wanted His people, and the surrounding nations, to know that He is the true God. Imagine if He’d not “disciplined” His people—they may have continued down a destructive path until there was no one left on earth who was true to God.

9. What does Ezekiel 24:24 tell us about God? Teaching point: God was sending a message to His people through Ezekiel so that when it happened, they would know that He really IS God.

Ezekiel had another message for Israel. Let’s read about it in Ezekiel 37.

10. Where did God take Ezekiel and what did he see? Teaching point: God brought Ezekiel out into the desert by the Spirit and put him down in the middle of a valley. It was full of bones. Dry ones. Ezekiel walked among them.

11. Why do you think God asked Ezekiel if the bones could live? Teaching point: He wanted to see whether Ezekiel believed in Him and what He could do. God wanted to show that a miracle could happen.

12. What did the bones need to live again? Teaching point: Sinew. Flesh. But more than anything, they needed breath.

13. Was it easy to bring them back to life? Teaching point: It was quite a noisy process to bring them back to life, but with God’s help, possible.

14. What was the result? Teaching point: A great army. Who would have thought—from a pile of bones! An army on their feet, ready for action.

15. Who did the bones symbolize? What was the problem with the bones? (v. 11) Teaching point: They are God’s people. They had no hope.

16. What did God offer these dry bones? Teaching point: He called them His people, and even though they had no life, He was going to give new life to them, and a new home. Then they would acknowledge that He is God.

17. In what ways are your “bones” dry? What has taken the life out of you lately? (challenges, sickness, death, pain, other worldly distractions . . .)

18. Who has been speaking into your life, calling you to “hear the word of the Lord”?

19. What do you think it really means for God to put His Spirit on you? Teaching point: It gives life! It’s God’s blessing and His power in your life. God wants to breathe His breath of life onto you. He wants to place His Spirit on you. He wants you to live abundantly! And He wants to place you in your own land where you can know that He is God—living, powerful, and wanting to be the biggest part of your life.

20. In looking at both of these metaphors, what is common to them both? Teaching point: God’s character can be seen in both stories. He is not an absent God who stands back. He wants to be involved in His people’s lives—actively! He cares about the condition of His people. And He tries to help make things right so that they will know that He, alone, is God.

21. What message can you take, personally, from these two stories?

WHEN HAVE YOU FELT USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy. FORGIVENESS? WHEN HAS SOMETHING 5 For use in Heart Learning.TURNED OUT THE OPPOSITE OF HOW YOU EXPECTED? WHEN HAS SOMETHING TURNED OUT THE OPPOSITEWHEN HAVE YOU FELT OF HOW YOU EXPECTED? WHEN HAVE YOU FELT WHEN HAS SOMETHING FORGIVENESS? TURNED OUT THE OPPOSITE FORGIVENESS? WHEN HAVE YOU FELT WHENOF HAS HOW SOMETHING YOU EXPECTED? TURNED OUT THE OPPOSITE FORGIVENESS? OF HOW YOU EXPECTED? WHO HAS SHOWN YOU LOVEWHEN HAVE YOU FELT WHOM HAVEWHEN YOU HAS SOMETHING YOU DON’T DESERVE? WHEN HAS SOMETHING FORGIVENESS? TURNEDTURNED OUT THE OUT OPPOSITE THE OPPOSITE OF HOW YOU EXPECTED? FELTOFAND HOWPITY WHY? YOU FOREXPECTED? WHOM HAVE YOU WHO HAS SHOWN YOU LOVEWHEN HAVE YOU FELT FELT PITY FOR WHO HASFORGIVENESS? SHOWN YOU WHOM HAVEAND YOU WHY? YOU DON’TLOVE DESERVE? FELT WHOMPITY HAVE FOR YOU WHO HASYOU SHOWN DON’T DESERVE?YOU AND WHY? AND WHY? LOVE FELT PITY FOR YOU DON’T DESERVE?

WHEN HAVE YOUWHO FELT HAS LIKE SHOWN YOU YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE TRYING TO WHOM HAVE YOU MAKE A RELATIONSHIPLOVE WORK? WHOM HAVE YOU FELTWHEN PITY HAVEFELT FOR YOU FELTPITY FOR YOU DON’T DESERVE? REGRET?AND WHY? AND WHY? WHO HAS SHOWN YOU WHEN HAVE YOU FELT WHEN HAVE YOU FELT LIKE YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE TRYING TO WHEN HAVEMAKE YOU A FELT RELATIONSHIP LIKE YOU WORK? REGRET? WERE THE ONLYYOU ONE DON’TLOVE TRYING DESERVE? TO WHEN HAVE YOU FELT MAKE A RELATIONSHIP WORK? WHEN HAVE YOU FELTWHEN HAVE YOU FELT LIKE YOU REGRET? WERE THE ONLY ONE TRYING TO REGRET?MAKE A RELATIONSHIP WORK?

WHEN HAVE YOU FELT LIKE YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE TRYING TO WHEN HAVE YOU FELT WHEN HAVE YOU FELT MAKE A RELATIONSHIP WORK? REGRET? REGRET? WHEN HAVE YOU FELT LIKE YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE TRYING TO MAKE A RELATIONSHIP WORK?

By Andrew Peterson

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

5 For use in Heart Learning.

Every time I lay in the bed beside you Hosea, Hosea I hear the sound of the streets of the city My belly growls like a hungry wolf And I let it prowl till my belly’s full

Hosea, my heart is a stone Please believe me when I say I’m sorry Hosea, Hosea You loveable, gullible man

I tell you that my love is true Till it fades away like a morning dew Hosea, leave me alone

Here I am in the valley of trouble Just look at the bed that I’ve made Badlands as far as I can see There’s no one here but me, Hosea

I stumbled and fell in the road on the way home Hosea, Hosea I lay in the brick street like a stray dog

You came to me like a silver moon With the saddest smile I ever knew Hosea carried me home again, home again

You called me out to the valley of trouble Just to look at the mess that I’ve made A barren place where nothing can grow

One look and my stone heart crumbled It was a valley as green as jade I swear it was the color of hope You turned a stone into a rose, Hosea

I sang and I danced like I did as a young girl Hosea, Hosea I am a slave and a harlot no more

You washed me clean like a summer rain And you set me free with that ball and chain Hosea, I threw away the key, I’ll never leave

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy. “AND THIS IS 5 For use in Heart Learning. ETERNAL LIFE THAT THEY MAY KNOW YOU, FROM COVER TO COVER, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, , AND JESUS CHRIST THE WHOM YOU HAVE SENT.” BIBLE FROM COVER TO COVER,IS GOD’S LOVEIS JOHNTHE 17:3 (NKJV) BIBLE “AND THIS IS IS NOT LETTERONLY IN THE NEW FROM COVER, TO COVER, GOD’S LOVE, TESTAMENT BUT ALSO, IN THE BIBLE FROM COVER TO COVER,THE OLD TESTAMENT. “ANDETERNAL THIS IS LIFE LETTER THAT THEY, MAY KNOW“AND THISYOU, FROM IS COVER, NOT TO ONLYCOVER, IN THE NEW IS “AND THIS IS GOD’S LOVE THE BIBLE ETERNALTHE LIFEONLY TRUE“AND GOD, THISLETTER IS , TESTAMENT BUT ALSO IN THAT THEY MAY ANDKNOW JESUS YOU, ,CHRIST “SINCETHE YOU WERETHE OLD TESTAMENT. ETERNALETERNALPRECIOUS LIFE LIFE BIBLEIN MY SIGHT, IS GOD’S LOVE NOT ONLY IN THE NEW FROM COVER TO COVER, ETERNALTHE ONLY LIFE TRUEWHOMTHAT GOD, THATYOU THEY HAVE THEY MAY SENT.”MAY KNOW KNOW YOU, YOU, , TESTAMENTGOD’SYOU HAVE BUT ALSO BEEN LOVE IN LETTER THAT THEYAND MAY JESUSKNOW CHRIST YOU, JOHNTHE 17:3 (NKJV) ONLY TRUE GOD,, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, THE ONLY TRUETHE GOD,HONORED, OLD TESTAMENT. AND THENOT ONLY IN THE NEW WHOM YOU HAVE SENT.” AND JESUS CHRISTLETTER BIBLE“YES, I HAVE LOVED AND JESUS CHRIST AND JESUS CHRIST , TESTAMENT BUTIS ALSO IN NOT ONLY IN THE GOD’SNEW LOVEYOU WITH AN JOHN 17:3 (NKJV) WHOMWHOM YOU HAVEYOU HAVE SENT.”I HAVE SENT.” THE OLD TESTAMENT. WHOM YOU HAVE SENT.” TESTAMENT BUT ALSO IN JOHN 17:3 (NKJV) JOHNLOVED 17:3 (NKJV) YOU EVERLASTING THE OLD TESTAMENT.LETTER JOHN 17:3 (NKJV) “YES,NOT ONLY I HAVE IN LOVED THE NEW YOU WITH AN , ISAIAH 43:4 (NKJV) TESTAMENT BUT ALSO IN .” THEREFORELOVE WITH THE OLD TESTAMENT. ; “SINCE YOU WERE “YES, I HAVE LOVED LOVINGKINDNESS YOU WITHEVERLASTING AN I HAVE; DRAWN YOU.” PRECIOUS IN MY SIGHT, LOVE YOU HAVE BEEN “YES, I HAVE LOVED “SINCE YOU WERE ; THEREFORE WITHJEREMIAH 31:3 (NKJV) HONORED, ANDEVERLASTING LOVINGKINDNESS YOU WITH AN PRECIOUS IN MY SIGHT, “SINCE YOU“YES, WERE I HAVELOVE LOVED “SINCE YOU WERE“SINCE YOU WERE I HAVE DRAWN YOU.” YOU HAVE BEEN IPRECIOUS HAVE IN MYYOU SIGHT,THEREFORE WITH AN WITH PRECIOUS INPRECIOUS MY SIGHT, IN MY SIGHT, .” EVERLASTINGJEREMIAH 31:3 (NKJV) HONORED, AND YOU HAVE BEENLOVINGKINDNESS YOU HAVE YOUBEEN HAVE BEEN ; HONORED, AND HONORED,EVERLASTING AND “YES, I HAVE LOVEDLOVE HONORED,LOVED AND YOUI HAVE DRAWN YOU.” I HAVE ISAIAH“GOD 43:4 (NKJV) IS JEREMIAH 31:3YOU (NKJV) WITHTHEREFORE AN WITH I HAVE .” LOVE; LOVINGKINDNESS I HAVETHEREFORE WITH LOVED YOUI HAVE EVERLASTINGI HAVE DRAWN YOU.” .” LOVE.LOVINGKINDNESS.” “I WILL HEAL THEIR ISAIAH 43:4 (NKJV)LOVED LOVEDYOU YOU JEREMIAH 31:3 (NKJV) LOVED YOU 1 JOHN 4:8I (NKJV)HAVE DRAWN YOU.” ISAIAH 43:4 (NKJV) ” LOVEBACKSLIDING, ISAIAH 43:4 (NKJV) THEREFORE WITH; ISAIAH 43:4 (NKJV) .” JEREMIAH 31:3 (NKJV)LOVINGKINDNESSI WILL LOVE I HAVE DRAWNTHEM“I WILL YOU.” FREELY HEAL THEIR BACKSLIDING, JEREMIAH 31:3 (NKJV) “I WILL HEAL THEIRHOSEA 14:4 (NKJV) BACKSLIDING,I WILL LOVE.” .” “GOD IS THEM FREELY.” ” I WILL LOVE“I HOSEAWILL 14:4 HEAL (NKJV) THEIR LOVE. BACKSLIDING, 1 JOHN“I WILL 4:8 (NKJV) HEAL THEIR “GOD IS THEMHOSEA FREELY 14:4 (NKJV) “ “GOD IS”“GODBACKSLIDING, IS I WILL LOVE LOVE.GOD IS .” ” LOVE.I WILL LOVE“I” WILL HEAL THEIRTHEM FREELY 1 JOHN 4:8 (NKJV) LOVE.1 JOHN 4:8 (NKJV) LOVE. BACKSLIDING, HOSEA 14:4 (NKJV) ” THEM1 JOHN 4:8FREELY (NKJV) 1 JOHN 4:8 (NKJV) I WILL .”LOVE HOSEATHEM 14:4 (NKJV) FREELY

HOSEA 14:4 (NKJV) .”

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

6 For use in Soul Learning.

1. What subliminal messages does popular culture send to you? What do you do with these messages? What does God want from you, and how do you know?

2. Why did God want His people to remain separate from the surrounding nations while living among them? What kinds of things might have been enticing about the other cultures and nations surrounding the Israelites in Canaan? Do you think God still requires us to be separate from popular culture today? How can you witness to others while being separate? (See Deuteronomy 14:2; Rev. 18:4; 1 John 4:4-5.)

3. How do you respond to sin? Are some sins worse than others? How do you know? Does the severity of sin change? (Or has it changed over time? Are some sins seen as less evil now than they might have been 100 years ago? Why? Is this justified?) What does sin do to us? (See Ezra 9:1–15.)

STATION QUESTIONS 1 STATION 6 For use in Soul Learning. 2 STATION

1. What subliminal messages does popular culture send to you? What do you do with these messages? What does God want from you, and how do you know? Station Questions (continued)

2. Why did God want His people to remain separate from WHY DID GOD WANT HIS PEOPLE TO REMAIN the surrounding nations while living among them? SEPARATE FROM THE SURROUNDING What kinds of things might have been enticing about the other NATIONS WHILE LIVING AMONG THEM? cultures and nations surrounding the Israelites in Canaan? 2 STATION Do you think God still requires us to be separate from popular culture today? How can you witness to others while being separate? What kinds of things might have been Station Questions (continued) 1 (See Deuteronomy 14:2; Rev. 18:4; 1 John 4:4-5.) STATION enticing about the other cultures and nations surrounding the Israelites in Canaan? 3 3 STATION STATION Do you think God still requires us to be separate from popular culture today? How can you witness to others while being separate? HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO SIN?

3. How do you respond to sin? WHAT SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES DOES Are some sins worse than others? How do you know? POPULAR CULTURE SEND TO YOU? Are some sins worse than others? Does the severity of sin change? (Or has it changed over time? Are some sins seen as less evil now than they might have What do you do with these messages? SEE DEUTERONOMY 14:2 How do you know? been 100 years ago? Why? Is this justified?) REVELATION 18:4 1 JOHN 4:4-5 Does the severity of sin change? What does sin do to us? What does God want from you, (Or has it changed over time? Are some sins (See Ezra 9:1–15.) and how do you know? seen as less evil now than they might have been 100 years ago? Why? Is this justified?)

What does sin do to us?

10.1A HOSEA: EXTREME LOVE

USB See Flash Drive for electronic copy.

8 For use in Kaizen Learning.

TO GOD’SI WANT DESIRE TO TORESPOND BE IN A NEW COVENANT WITH ME BY SAYING:

“I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their “I will put My law in their minds, and God, and they shall be My people. write it on their hearts; and I will be their No more shall every man teach his neighbor, God, and they shall be My people. and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the No more shall every man teach his neighbor, LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. and every man his brother, saying,I WANT ‘Know TO the RESPOND LORD,’ for they all shallTO know GOD’S Me, DESIREfrom the least TO BE IN A NEW For I will forgive their iniquity, and of them to the greatestCOVENANT of them, says WITH the LORD. ME BY SAYING: their sin I will remember no more.” For I will forgive their iniquity, and JEREMIAH 31:31–34, NKJV their sin I will remember no more.” I WANT TO RESPOND JEREMIAH 31:31–34, NKJV TO GOD’S DESIRE TO BE IN A NEW COVENANT WITH ME BY SAYING:

“I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their “I will put My law in their minds, and God, and they shall be My people. write it on their hearts; and I will be their No more shall every man teach his neighbor, God, and they shall be My people. and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the No more shall every man teach his neighbor, LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least and every man his Ibrother, WANT saying, TO RESPOND ‘Know the of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. LORD,’ for theyTO GOD’Sall shall knowDESIRE Me, TOfrom BE the IN least A NEW For I will forgive their iniquity, and of them to theCOVENANT greatest of them,WITH says ME the BY LORD. SAYING: their sin I will remember no more.” For I will forgive their iniquity, and JEREMIAH 31:31–34, NKJV their sin I will remember no more.” I WANT TO RESPOND JEREMIAH 31:31–34, NKJV TO GOD’S DESIRE TO BE IN A NEW COVENANT WITH ME BY SAYING:

“I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their “I will put My law in their minds, and God, and they shall be My people. write it on their hearts; and I will be their No more shall every man teach his neighbor, God, and they shall be My people. and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the No more shall every man teach his neighbor, LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. TOand GOD’SeveryI WANTman DESIRE his TObrother, TORESPOND BEsaying, IN A ‘Know NEW the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least For I will forgive their iniquity, and ofCOVENANT them to the greatest WITH of ME them, BY says SAYING: the LORD. their sin I will remember no more.” For I will forgive their iniquity, and JEREMIAH 31:31–34, NKJV their sin I will remember no more.” TO GOD’SI WANT DESIRE TO TORESPOND BE IN A NEW JEREMIAH 31:31–34, NKJV COVENANT WITH ME BY SAYING:

“I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their “I will put My law in their minds, and God, and they shall be My people. write it on their hearts; and I will be their No more shall every man teach his neighbor, God, and they shall be My people. and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the No more shall every man teach his neighbor, LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least For I will forgive their iniquity, and of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. their sin I will remember no more.” For I will forgive their iniquity, and JEREMIAH 31:31–34, NKJV their sin I will remember no more.” © ADVENTIST ENCOUNTER CURRICULUM JEREMIAH 31:31–34, NKJV 10.1A HOSEA: EXTREME LOVE 74 SUPPLEMENTARY TEACHING MATERIAL 1 INSIDE-OUTSIDE CIRCLE INSTRUCTIONS

SOURCE: www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/inside-outside-circles (accessed 3/29/2016)

This discussion technique gives students the opportunity to respond to questions and/ or discuss information with a variety of peers in a structured manner. Students form two concentric circles and exchange information with a partner until the teacher signals the outer circle to move in one direction, giving each student a new peer to talk to.

How to Use Variations

1. Split the Class Desk Circle Decide which half of the students Instead of having the students form circles, will form the inside circle and which have partners move desks to face one another half will form the outside circle. and form a long row. When it is time to change partners, students stand up and move one desk 2. Question to their left or right. Students at the end of the row move to the desk they were facing. Put a question or statement on the board. Give students at least ten seconds Secret Inside/Outside Circle to think of an answer on their own. Students in one of the circles can be given 3. Share information that students in the other circle are supposed to find out through questioning techniques. Ask students in the inside circle to share their response with the classmate facing them in the Circumlocution Circle outside circle. When they have done this, ask them to say “pass,” at which point their partners To learn new vocabulary, students are given a in the outside circle will share their responses. word that they have to describe to their circle partners. Using the descriptions, the partner 4. Rotate must guess the word that is being described. On your signal, have the outside circle move Timed Circles one step to the left or right and discuss the same question with the new partner. To add interest and variety, vary the amount of Option: post a new question or give the new time with each partner. For example, students partners a different discussion point. may spend one minute with Partner 1, 3 minutes with Partner 2 and 2 minutes with Partner 3

Conga Line When to Use Conga Line is very similar to Desk Circle except that instead of sitting in desks facing each other in Use Inside/Outside Circle at any point in the two rows, students are standing in two rows. When lesson to structure meaningful conversation: it is time to change partners students in each line dance left or right and students at the end of the • Before introducing new material to row dance to the opposite end of their row. begin a discussion or highlight key issues in the presentation to come Inside Outside Topics/ Getting to Know You • During a lesson to process important Students are assigned a particular topic concepts before applying them in to share about rather than being asked to group or independent work respond to a question. For example, “describe • After a reading to discuss key concepts how your family celebrates ____ holiday”. • Before an assessment to review information • As a way to practice solving problems with assistance from a partner

By Clinton and Gina Wallen. Adventist Review, 2013. www.adventistreview.org/2013-1519-p16

An electric atmosphere filled the Augustana College Perceptions of God gymnasium in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as 5,000 young adults, mostly aged 18-25, held their hands How do we develop our perceptions of who God up, closed their eyes, and mouthed the words to is—or if He even exists? Research has confirmed that “Same Love” with American rapper Macklemore: parent-child relationships and childhood experiences, particularly traumatic experiences, have an effect on “. . . we paraphrase a book written a person’s understanding of the character of God.4 thirty-five-hundred years ago . . . Misperceptions of God can come from other sources as If you preach hate at the service well—self-proclaimed “Christians” who act hypocritically, those words aren’t anointed seemingly unanswered prayers, abusive priests, pastors and other spiritual leaders, cold and uncaring That holy water that you soak in churches, unbiblical teachings such as an eternally has been poisoned.”1 burning hell, the theory of evolution with its denial of an all-powerful, loving Creator, and many more. After the concert one student at this selective liberal arts and professional college of the Evangelical Adding to the confusion are human-made images Lutheran Church in America wrote in her blog that of God, perpetuated by various faith and secular as a Christian she “was forced to choose between communities. Some of these distortions include: the love I had for my gay friends and so-called biblical authority. I chose gay people. . . . I said, ‘If 1. The “distant/indifferent God,” who exists but is the Bible really says this about gay people, I’m not not concerned about our day-to-day lives. too keen on trusting what it says about God.’ ”2 2. The “judgmental God,” who scrutinizes human behavior, waiting to reprimand anyone who steps out of line. Fallacious Reasoning 3. The “all-loving God,” who is too kind to Fallacious reasoning like this has been around for a reprove or judge anyone—ever. long time, especially in conversations about God. For example, the false dichotomy of being “forced” to 4. The “despot God,” who rules with an iron fist, sending choose between love and so-called biblical authority tragedies on the earth and wiping out life at will. offers two options that are seemingly mutually exclusive, ignoring alternatives. What if it is possible to With views such as these, no wonder books such as love gay friends and still uphold biblical authority? Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion could stay on the New York Times best sellers’ list for 51 consecutive weeks!5 Warped pictures of God have been around for millennia, going back to the Garden of Eden. These misunderstandings of the nature of God Who Is This God? reveal themselves in such statements as: These images are not the God of the Bible. They I don’t want a God who would be are distortions born of human misunderstandings. less merciful than I would be. Sometimes these images arise from well-intentioned but misguided attempts at finding God. But there are I don’t want a God I can’t say ‘No, also cases in which the images have been deliberately thank you’ to without penalty. twisted, even caricatured, by ill-informed skeptics or (worse) former believers now hell-bent on destroying I don’t want a God who would look after my needs the faith of those they once went to church with. while allowing a whole nation of men, women, and children somewhere else to be destroyed.3 I (Clint) was one of the ill-informed skeptics. Then one day someone gave me a copy of The Great Controversy. I don’t want a God who doesn’t make sense. Scanning the table of contents, I decided to read the chapter “The Origin of Evil.” Suddenly I was confronted with I don’t want a God who . . . (fill in the blank). a very different view of God from the deity my teenage Christian friends warned me about—who would throw me into an eternally burning hell if I didn’t accept Him.

In contrast, the author of this intriguing book seemed Too Much Blood? to be speaking directly to me right from the start: “[Many] see the work of evil, with its terrible results of To some, the biblical sanctuary system with its bloody woe and desolation, and they question how all this sacrifices seems to present a similar image of God as can exist under the sovereignty of One who is infinite bloodthirsty and primitive, but this system is designed in wisdom, in power, and in love. Here is a mystery of to teach many truths, including the seriousness of sin which they find no explanation.”6 I discovered that (“the wages of sin is death” [Rom 6:23]). Far from the “sin is an intruder”7 originated by Lucifer, who was the sacrifices representing human attempts to pay for sin highest and most exalted of the angels until he tried (as they do in false religions), they instead symbolized to make pride and self-exaltation into a virtue.8 God’s ultimate gift: providing Himself as a sacrifice (Mark 10:45;Gen. 22:8)—“the gift of God is eternal It made sense to me that if Satan had been instantly life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). vaporized after introducing sin into the universe, “the inhabitants of heaven and of other worlds” The participation of the sinner in offering the animal “would have served God from fear rather than and of the priest in ministering the blood teaches from love”9 and that a better way of dealing with that God’s gift of salvation becomes effective only evil was required. But what was that better way, as I accept that Jesus died for me, in my place, and who was this God who would deal with it? and that the purpose of His ministry today in the heavenly sanctuary is to save me not only from That question led me to earnestly study the Bible for an the penalty of sin but also from its power (Rom. 8:1-4). answer. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” I read in Romans 10:17.10 I learned that “God is No selfish human heart could conceive of a God so love” (1 John 4:8), and that love and justice constitute inseparable from His own self-forgetful love that to uphold the foundation of His throne (Ps. 89:14) and the essence it He would lay Himself, rather than us sinners, on the of His law (Mark 12:29-31). Almost imperceptibly I came altar, and that only in order to purge the universe of evil to know the God of the Bible and to love and trust Him. forever does He ultimately consent to extinguish those who insist on remaining inseparable from sin. It was this clear and complete picture of God that won our hearts. Is God a Moral Monster?11

Admittedly, though, the Bible does contain some Building on the Rock troubling images of God, but faith helps us grapple with these, too, rather than turning a blind eye, The world offers many pictures of who God isn’t. To wishing they didn’t exist. Let’s briefly look at two find out who God really is, we must look at the most of these possibly problematic pictures of God. accurate reflection He has given to us—His Word. The Bible reveals to us the nature of God, the nature of What about when God commanded the extermination human beings, the nature of sin. It opens to us the history of the Canaanites (see Deut. 20:16-18)? Doesn’t this of our planet, the fall, and the plan of redemption. It prove the God of the Bible to be a cruel, heartless tyrant? shows us God’s love through the life, death, resurrection, and coming again of His Son, and teaches us how we When reading of this divine command, we need to should treat others. Jesus and His Word are inseparable— remind ourselves of some important, closely connected “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was biblical and historical facts: 1. As the immediately with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). preceding verses show (verses 10-15), the normal procedure was to avoid war if possible, and if not, to No wonder that fallen angel Lucifer, the devil, hates spare the women and children. 2. Canaan was the the Word of God and attacks it so viciously. However, land to be populated by God’s people, which could it would be less than honest to suggest that all have included the six nations that inhabited it as, during questions can be easily answered from the Bible. There the time of Abraham and his descendants, they were are apparent contradictions, unclear passages, and given four centuries to repent while their cup of iniquity unanswered questions. But careful and sometimes was not yet full (see Gen. 15:16). 3. Unfortunately, their painstaking searching of the Bible for answers will solve stubborn worship based on gods of sex12 and violence many problems if we read it through the eyes of faith. (as the Ras Shamra tablets describe)13 meant that their remaining in the land would hinder His plan for Israel Over the centuries a long list of martyrs sealed and be a continuing stumbling block for them. 4. God their confidence in God and His Word with their has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Eze. 33:11); own blood. Some suffered because they were to the contrary, His will is that all would repent and be determined to give people the Bible in their own eternally saved (2 Peter 3:9)—including the Canaanites— language. More recently believers have suffered but even as the Israelite armies demonstrated their torture, imprisonment, and death as they smuggle overwhelming superiority with victories in what is now the and share Bibles in countries hostile to God’s Word. country of Jordan, nearly all the inhabitants of the land chose to fight rather than accept the God of Israel.

The Worst Hostility is easier to find reasons to reject its message regarding the two original institutions: marriage (between a man But perhaps the worst hostility to the Word of God and a woman) and the seventh-day Sabbath. This is is found not in the courts of infidel governments but just one example showing that the way questions are in the classrooms and corridors of higher learning, answered is just as important as the questions themselves. where persons of culture and intelligence presume to dissect the Bible much as one would a cadaver, Criticism of God’s Word is nothing new. In The Acts of determining which parts are vital and which are not. the Apostles we read, “As in the days of the apostles men tried by tradition and philosophy to destroy faith Of course, careful biblical study takes into account the in the Scriptures, so today, by the pleasing sentiments original language, historical context, and literary form of higher critics, evolution, spiritualism, theosophy, and of the passage, but these tools alone are insufficient pantheism, the enemy of righteousness is seeking to to understand Scripture, which is a faith-based book. lead souls into forbidden paths. To many the Bible is a lamp without oil, because they have turned their Sometimes those not embracing a historical-critical minds into channels of speculative belief that bring approach are labeled “fundamentalists” who believe misunderstanding and confusion. The work of higher God Himself dictated every word of an infallible Holy Book, criticism, in dissecting, conjecturing, reconstructing, is when in actuality these scholars believe in the divine/ destroying faith in the Bible as a divine revelation. It is human model of inspiration identified in 2 Peter 1:21: “Holy robbing God’s Word of power to control, uplift, and men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” inspire human lives. By spiritualism, multitudes are taught to believe that desire is the highest law, that license is Questions need to be raised in the classroom, as we liberty, and that man is accountable only to himself.”14 have raised questions in this article; but how are these questions answered? For example, when addressing the There are many voices today claiming to know question of origins, is evolution given equal or perhaps the way, the truth, and the life, but instead lead to even greater credence than the biblical account disappointment, discouragement, and death. of creation? If God used the process of evolution to eventually “create” human beings, through a process Fortunately, there is a God whose Word, like Him, of death, mutation, development, and predation, how transcends time, place, and culture. His Word is, in many does that fit the biblical picture of an all-powerful, all- places, simple enough for a child to understand, yet loving God whose plan and work is perfect? Because the deep enough for the brightest scholar to search. God is creation account of Genesis 1 and 2 is inconsistent with not limited in the ways in which He speaks to us, but the the prevailing scientific worldview and its “findings,” even clearest way to learn to recognize His voice is by listening many “evangelical” scholars now question its historicity. to it in His Word. What is your God saying to you today? Once the biblical account of Creation is undermined, it

1. www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/macklemore/samelove.html.

2. “An Open Letter to the Church From My Generation,” dannikanash.wordpress.com/2013/04/07/an-open-letter-to-the-church-from-my-generation/. 3. From “10 Gods I Don’t Want,” Oct. 27, 2006, www.clusterflock.org/2006/10/10-gods-i-dont-want.html. 4. See Jane Dickie, Amy Eshleman, Dawn Merasco, Amy Shepard, Michael Vander Wilt, and Melissa Johnson, “Parent-Child Relationships and Children’s Images of God,” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 36, no. 1 (March 1997): 25-43, www.jstor.org/stable/1387880; Carrie Doehring, Internal Desecration: Traumatization and Representations of God (Lanham, Md.: University Press of America, Inc., 1993). 5. Peter Steinfels, “Books on Atheism Are Raising Hackles in Unlikely Places,” New York Times, www.nytimes.com/2007/03/03/books/03beliefs.html,Mar. 3, 2007. 6. Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), p. 492. 7. Ibid., p. 493. 8. Isa. 14:12-14; ibid., pp. 493, 494. 9. Ibid., pp. 498, 499. 10. All Bible quotations in this article are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 11. Taken from Paul Copan, Is God a Moral Monster? Making Sense of the Old Testament God (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2011). 12. These ancient tablets describe Canaanite religious practices including choreographed sexual dramas with music, frequent sexual intercourse with animals, shrine prostitutes (male and female), homosexual acts, group sex, and other “common rites of sexual rejuvenation.” See Chapter 3, “Creation Ordinance Versus Cultic Sexuality,” in Richard M. Davidson, Flame of Yahweh: Sexuality in the Old Testament (Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 2007). 13. In addition to abhorrent sexual practices, the Canaanites also offered up children as sacrifices and worshipped gods they depicted as drinking their victims’ blood and engaging in almost unimaginable gore and violence. See Copan, pp. 159, 160. 14. Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), p. 474.

1 KINGS 11 & 12 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DIVISION OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL

Adapted by Deborah Parrish from HIS Story: Just in Time of the Crossroads Series Bible Curriculum.

• Under kings Saul, David, and Solomon, Israel was a united nation.

• God admonished Solomon that Israel would be divided after his death because of his sins and his walking away from God. (1 Kings 11:9–13)

• King Solomon greatly taxed his people to pay for his luxuries and forced them to work on his building projects. When his son Rehoboam took the throne after Solomon died, he refused to reduce the taxes despite the outcry from his people.

• The ten northern tribes decided to split away and chose Jeroboam as their king, keeping the name Israel.

• The two tribes in the South, Benjamin and Judah, remained with Rehoboam as their king and took the name Judah.

• To keep his people from traveling to Jerusalem to worship at the temple there, Jeroboam built shrines and idols and instituted a new day of worship in the North. He feared they would lose their loyalty to him if they returned to Jerusalem. Idolatry was an ongoing problem for the northern tribes.

• Both nations, Israel and Judah, continued to struggle with political strife, in addition to religious turmoil.

Source for the following information in this section: Adventist Institute of Family Relations, South Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventist Church. The writers (Trafford Fischer and Paul Bogacs) are indebted to the material from the booklet published by the Australian Government Office for Women (www.australiasaysno.gov.au) and the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre, Gold Coast (www.domesticviolence.com.au).

Question: “What is the Christian answer you fathers. Don’t make your children angry by the way to domestic violence?” you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Answer: Marriage is the first institution that God established between people. Both men and women Colossians 3:21 says, “Fathers, don’t aggravate your were created in His image; equal partners with children. If you do, they will become discouraged distinctively different roles (Genesis 1:27). A man and quit trying.” We should do nothing to destroy is to be the head, or authority, of his household the spirit of our children, or destroy their innocence. (Ephesians 5:23, 1 Peter 3:1). With this comes the Jesus strongly warns those who might cause children responsibility of earning the respect of his family and to stumble, or lose faith in Him (Matthew 18:6). community. Colossians 3:19 commands husbands Victims of domestic violence need to be protected, to love their wives and never treat them harshly. even moved temporarily to a safe place if necessary. “In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your If a wife is being abused by her husband, she needs wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. to separate herself from him while he receives She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal treatment for his violence. Once a Bible-believing partner in God’s gift of new life. If you don’t treat her as Christian counselor has deemed it appropriate you should, your prayers will not be heard” (1 Peter 3:7). for the couple to reunite, they should make every effort to reconcile and live in peace, while Husbands are to love their wives as they do their own continuing marriage and/or family counseling. bodies. “No one hates his own body but lovingly cares for it, just as Christ cares for his body, which is This is only possible if both parties are willing to the church” (Ephesians 5:29). Men are to be servant commit their lives to Christ and make God the Head leaders, not demanding authority or submission, but of their household. They should find a local Bible- treating their wives in a way that submission becomes teaching Christian church, and commit themselves to her natural response. “For even I, the Son of Man, membership. They should also find spiritually mature came here not to be served but to serve others, and to Christians who are willing to disciple them either give my life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). individually or in a small group. The benefits to this are many, including accountability for their actions. Child abuse is also strongly condemned by God. “The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in Although discipline is important, its purpose should be times of trouble. Those who know your name trust to correct and direct the child to righteousness, not as in you, for you, O Lord, have never abandoned a way of taking out anger unjustly. “And now a word to anyone who searches for you” (Psalm 9:9-10).

ABUSE AND TEENS

Nearly three in four tweens (72%) say boyfriend/girlfriend Only half of all tweens (age 11-14) claim to know relationships usually begin at age 14 or younger. the warning signs of a bad/hurtful relationship. (Liz (Liz Claiborne Inc. study on teen dating abuse conducted Claiborne Inc. study on teen dating abuse conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited, February 2008.) by Teenage Research Unlimited, February 2008.) 62% of tweens (age 11-14) who have been in More than three times as many tweens (20%) as a relationship say they know friends who have parents (6%) admit that parents know little or nothing been verbally abused (called stupid, worthless, about the tweens’ dating relationships. (Liz Claiborne ugly, etc) by a boyfriend/girlfriend. (Liz Claiborne Inc. study on teen dating abuse conducted by Inc. study on teen dating abuse conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited, February 2008.) Teenage Research Unlimited, February 2008.)

1 in 3 teenagers report knowing a friend or peer who violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it is an has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked issue. (Survey commissioned by the Empower Program, or physically hurt by their partner. (Liz Claiborne sponsored by Liz Claiborne Inc. and conducted by Inc. study on teen dating abuse conducted by Knowledge Networks, Social Control, Verbal Abuse, Teenage Research Unlimited, February 2005.) and Violence Among Teenagers, December 2000) Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a Less than 25% of teens say they have discussed relationship said a boyfriend had threatened violence dating violence with their parents. (Liz Claiborne or self-harm if presented with a break-up. (Liz Claiborne Inc. study of teens 13-17 conducted by Applied Inc. study on teen dating abuse conducted by Research and Consulting LLC, Spring 2000) Teenage Research Unlimited, February 2005.) 89% of teens between the ages of 13 and 18 say they More than 1 in 4 teenage girls in a relationship (26%) have been in dating relationships; forty percent of report enduring repeated verbal abuse. (Liz Claiborne teenage girls age 14 to 17 report knowing someone Inc. study on teen dating abuse conducted by their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend. Teenage Research Unlimited, February 2005.) (Children Now/Kaiser Permanente poll, December 1995) 80% of teens regard verbal abuse as a “serious Nearly 80% of girls who have been physically abused in their issue” for their age group. (Liz Claiborne Inc. intimate relationships continue to date their abuser. (City of study on teen dating abuse conducted by New York, Teen Relationship Abuse Fact Sheet, March 1998) Teenage Research Unlimited, February 2005.) Of the women between the ages 15-19 If trapped in an abusive relationship, 73% of teens said murdered each year, 30% are killed by their they would turn to a friend for help; but only 33% who husband or boyfriend. (City of New York, Teen have been in or known about an abusive relationship Relationship Abuse Fact Sheet, March 1998) said they have told anyone about it. (Liz Claiborne Inc. study on teen dating abuse conducted Note: While it’s often the female that is abused, there are by Teenage Research Unlimited, February 2005.) many cases where males are also on the receiving end of abuse. Invite students to research statistics about this. Twenty-four percent of 14 to 17-year-olds know at Also, invite students to research the emotional and spiritual least one student who has been the victim of dating damage on people who engage in premarital sex. (Note, violence, yet 81% of parents either believe teen dating this will be covered in Encounter unit 10.3A in more depth.)

A MESSAGE TO TEENS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

I’ve got Paul in the office here with me. He’s a But don’t all families and couples have arguments; bit of a specialist in a number of areas but has a isn’t that normal? What makes it Domestic Violence? keen interest in keeping young people heading in Key words here are fear, power, and control. DV is about the right direction when it comes to relationships using power to control another person through making (he’s got two teenagers of his own!). them afraid. For example, when family members use terms such as, “I am always walking around on eggshells Paul, I see a few advertisements on TV and street posters in my family” or “I would be scared of his reaction if I did reminding me that Domestic Violence is under the that may well indicate the family is dealing with DV. spotlight. What do we mean by Domestic Violence? Another important way to identify DV is whether or Domestic Violence (DV) is the term we use to describe not there is a victim and a perpetrator; somebody a situation where one person in the relationship who uses fear to control another family member (or uses abuse and/or violence to control the other members) and somebody who is being controlled. person/s through fear. The victim will feel threatened Fear is used by the perpetrator to control his/her and may be too frightened to argue back or too victim. Fear is created by giving looks or making scared to disagree or express their opinion. The gestures, possessing weapons (even if he doesn’t use perpetrator (that’s the person doing the abusing) them), destroying property, being cruel to pets, or any has power over the victim. In most cases of domestic behavior that leaves the victim feeling powerless. and family violence the abuser is the male.

Here’s a few examples: Intimidation: This includes smashing things, destroying activities, or controlling the way she contributes possessions, hostile questioning, persistent and to her church in either time or finances. intrusive phone calls, abuse text messages, or Stalking: Stalking includes loitering around places she is loitering near someone’s home or place of work. known to frequent, watching her, following her, making Verbal Abuse: This could include screaming, persistent phone calls or other unwanted contacts shouting, put-downs, name-calling, or sarcasm. with her, or sending her unwanted mail or gifts. Physical Abuse: This can range from a lack of Controlling behaviors: These include dictating what consideration for a person’s physical comfort to she does, who she sees and talks to, where she causing permanent injury and death: it could be goes, or keeping her from seeing family and friends, pushing, shoving, hitting, slapping, choking, hair- not allowing her to express her own feelings and pulling, or destroying someone’s prized possessions. thoughts or opinions, or not allowing her any privacy. Emotional Abuse: This is about under-minding the victims confidence, leading him/her to think he/ So it’s not just about a husband hitting a she is stupid, useless, a bad person, or hopeless. wife or a boyfriend hitting a girlfriend? It humiliates and degrades the victim. It certainly includes that, but it’s not limited to that. Social Abuse: This is when the perpetrator isolates There have been many women who have never been the victim from her friends and family by putting hit but who live in serious fear of their partner or father. them down in front of others, or by abusing This is obviously serious information. What are the victim in front of her family and friends. some of the outcomes of this type of violence and Economic Abuse: This is about the perpetrator abuse on girlfriends, partners and children? making the victim financially dependent on There is nothing more important to us than our relationships. him. She may be denied access to money, or Teens often try to pretend that their friends are more she may be forced to hand over her money important to them than their parents. But as soon as so he can decide how it will be spent. something goes wrong, teens look for their parents to be Sexual Abuse: This includes a range of unwanted there for them. Much of the information that teens talk to sexual behaviors including forced sexual contact, counselors about is in relationship to their parents. So when rape, or forcing her to perform sexual acts things get messed up in our families, we hurt. One of the that cause pain or humiliation, forcing her to worst things that happens, especially if we are the victims have sex with others, or any other unwanted of the violence, is that we feel we aren’t worth much. And sexual activity that is against her will. that belief can haunt us for the rest of our lives. We can also Spiritual Abuse: This includes ridiculing her get the idea that the use of power, control and violence is spiritual beliefs and customs or preventing her the right and normal way to do relationships, and this can from attending church or other church-related have serious repercussions when we start our own family.

STAY SAFE AND PLAY IT SAFE

1. Plan to go out and hang out in a group. Go 5. You shouldn’t stop being careful just because with people you feel safe with and who you you think you know the person you are with – know have your best interests at heart. you may not know them as well as you think. 2. Look out for yourself and your friends – 6. Don’t be alone and isolated with good friends make sure that their friends someone you don’t know well. are safe and make safe choices. 7. If you start to feel uncomfortable, get to a safe 3. Have some transport plans to make sure place as fast as you can. Make an excuse to leave you can get there and back safely. and call somebody that you know can help you. 4. Let someone know (parents, older sibling, reliable neighbor) where you are going, and when you’ll be home. If your plans change, let them know.

© ADVENTIST ENCOUNTER CURRICULUM 10.1A HOSEA: EXTREME LOVE 82 NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS OFFICE OF EDUCATION 12501 OLD COLUMBIA PIKE SILVER SPRING, MD 20904-6600 encounter.adventisteducation.org