Micah, Prophet to Judah

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 17, Session 1: Micah, Prophet to Judah

TEACHER BIBLE STUDY “Who is a God like You, removing iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of His inheritance?” (Micah 7:18) The name Micah means “Who is like Yahweh?” What a remarkable question.

Micah was a prophet from Moresheth, a city in the foothills of Judah. He testified to God’s character. God’s message to Micah came hundreds of years before Jesus was born—in the days when Jotham was king of Judah, through the time of King Ahaz, and to the rule of King Hezekiah.

At the beginning of Micah’s ministry, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had not yet been conquered by the Assyrians. Some of Micah’s messages from the Lord were directed toward Israel, and some were for Judah.

God’s message was about the current state of affairs in Samaria and Jerusalem. Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and Jerusalem was the capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Israel and Judah were corrupt. A period of economic wealth gave way to idolatry, theft, false prophecies, and a love of evil.

Micah’s message was similar to that of the prophet Amos. Micah addressed the sins of the people—specifically the mistreatment of the poor—and warned of the Lord’s coming judgment. “Woe to those who dream up wickedness and prepare evil plans on their beds!” (Micah 2:1). One day, Micah said, God would send a Messiah, have compassion on Israel, and preserve a remnant by which He would keep His promise to Abraham. (See Micah 7:20; Genesis 22:15-18.)

So, who is like Yahweh? It’s rhetorical, but the Book of Micah is clear: no one is like Yahweh. God shows mercy to sinners through His Son, Jesus, and His promise spoken by Micah is still true for us today: “He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: Micah, Prophet to Judah Bible Passage: Micah 1–7 Big Picture Question: What does God want us to do? God wants us to obey Him because we love Him. Key Passage: Zephaniah 3:17 Unit Christ Connection: God judges sin but redeems those who faithfully follow His commands. Redemption for all comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 17, Session 1: Micah, Prophet to Judah

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

Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (1 minute) Timeline Map (1 minute) Big picture question (1 minute) Sing (5 minutes) Key passage (4 minutes) Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Prayer (5 minutes)

Table Time Timeline map (1 minute) Bible story review (10 minutes)

Large Group Review / Activities Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW Micah, Prophet to Judah Micah 1–7

Micah was a prophet from a village in Judah. God’s message came to Micah in a vision, and Micah told God’s people what God said. The message was about God’s people in the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. God’s people did not love and obey God. Instead, they worshiped idols, took what was not theirs, and listened to false prophets. Micah spoke to the people. “Listen up!” he said. “God is coming to judge you for your sin.” Micah said that God was going to destroy Samaria, the capital city of Israel. He was going to break all of the idols. “You’re guilty, too!” Micah said to the people of Judah. They had also sinned against God. “Bad times are coming. Your children will be taken—exiled—far away from their homes.”

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 17, Session 1: Micah, Prophet to Judah

God’s people had done terrible things, and they deserved to be punished. Micah said, “This is what God says: ‘Trouble is coming, and you won’t be able to stop it. You will be ruined!’ ” “Stop it!” the people spoke up. “Stop telling us these things. They will never happen here! Not to us!” But Micah wouldn’t stop telling them God’s message. “You have done very bad things,” he said. “If you had done what was right, I’d be bringing you good news!” Next, Micah talked to the rulers of God’s people. “Listen!” Micah said. “You know what is right, but you don’t do it. You hate what is right and love what is wrong. The judges take money from the people in court. Whoever pays the most wins their case! The priests only teach the people when they have been paid. You are sinning and you don’t even care! It’s your fault Jerusalem will be destroyed.” God was right to punish the people for their sin. God had a promise for His people though. Micah’s next message from God was a message of hope. He said that one day God would restore Jerusalem to the way it was supposed to be. “One day, there will be no more fighting,” Micah said. “The people of Jerusalem who are taken away to Babylon will be saved. God will rescue you from your enemies. God will make you strong.” Then Micah told the people that someone was coming—a ruler for God’s people. He would come from Bethlehem, a small town in Judah. “He will be a king, ruling Israel with the power of God. He will lead His people like a shepherd leads a flock of sheep. The people will be safe. People all over the world will know that He is great. He will bring peace.” How should God’s people respond to this good news? Punishment was coming, but then God would save them. Micah called the people to repent—to turn away from their sins and turn back to God. “What does God want from us?” the people wondered. Maybe the people should bring burnt offerings. Would God be happy if they sacrificed their children to Him? “No,” Micah said. “The Lord has told you what is good and what He wants from you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” The prophet Micah spoke to God for the people. He confessed their sins. “No one here can be trusted,” Micah said. “None of them are friends; they are all enemies. I will look to the Lord for help. My God will hear me.” God comforted His people. One day, God would rebuild the walls, and people would come back to the land. God would do miracles like He did when He led His people out of Egypt. People would see that God is powerful. “Who is a God like You?” Micah asked. “You take away people’s guilt. You do not stay angry with people forever because You love to be kind to them.” “God will comfort us again!” he said. “He will remove all of our guilt and throw our sins into the deep sea. God will keep His promises and show us compassion like He showed Abraham long ago.”

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 17, Session 1: Micah, Prophet to Judah

Christ Connection: The prophet Micah gave God’s people a message of hope: a leader was coming who would free God’s people. He would be a shepherd and a king. The righteous ruler promised through Micah is the Lord Jesus Christ.

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: Micah, Prophet to Judah Bible Passage: Micah 1–7 Big Picture Question: What does God want us to do? God wants us to obey Him because we love Him. Key Passage: Zephaniah 3:17 Unit Christ Connection: God judges sin but redeems those who faithfully follow His commands. Redemption for all comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

Welcome time Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group.

Arriving Activity: Follow the Pattern Give kids visual or verbal patterns to follow as they arrive. Use clapping patterns, silly letter or sound patterns, or movement patterns. Encourage the kids to repeat the patterns correctly. Say • You did your best to follow me. To do that, you had to obey my instructions. God wants us to obey Him. Today, we will talk about why.

Activities/Table Centers (5 minutes) Table centers (Miscellaneous Activities) “Matching Lambs” activity sheet / Bible Story Coloring Sheet, 1 per kid pencils, markers or crayons Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page. Say • A prophet named Micah predicted that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem many years before His birth. He also said Jesus would lead His people like a shepherd leads a flock of sheep.

If time remains, allow kids to complete the coloring page provided with this session.

Session Starter (10 minutes) Option 1: How Far? masking tape Tape a long start line and challenge kids to see how far they can get from the line in one step, two steps, three steps, and so forth. Mark the steps with small pieces of tape. Then, see how far they can get in one jump, two jumps, three jumps, and so forth. You may also include how far they

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 17, Session 1: Micah, Prophet to Judah

can get by taking a step backward, sideways, and so forth. The kid who goes the farthest in each challenge is the winner. Say • God was about to send the people of Judah far from their homes, so He sent another prophet to warn them. We will find out more in our Bible story.

Option 2: Heart to Feet large sheet of paper shallow pan finger paint towels markers tape Tape a large sheet of paper to the floor. Set out a shallow pan of finger paint next to the paper. Invite the kids to remove their shoes and socks and line up. Instruct the first kid to place his left foot into the pan before stepping onto the paper with his foot slightly slanted to his left. He should then place that foot onto a nearby towel to wipe off the paint. Then, help him place his right foot with the heel on top of where the left heel was with the foot slanted to the right. Then, use the towel to clean off excess paint from that foot. This should leave a heart-like shape on the paper. Repeat with the remaining kids. Allow each kid to write his name below his footprints. If paint is too messy, let the kids trace each others’ feet or their own feet in a heart shape with different colored markers. Write Micah 6:8 in large print on the bottom of the paper and hang it on the wall. Say • The prophet Micah told the people of Judah they should act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. We’ll learn more about Micah’s message in our Bible story.

Transition to large group

LESSON Session Title: Micah, Prophet to Judah Bible Passage: Micah 1–7 Big Picture Question: What does God want us to do? God wants us to obey Him because we love Him. Key Passage: Zephaniah 3:17 Unit Christ Connection: God judges sin but redeems those who faithfully follow His commands. Redemption for all comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Decorate the front of the room like an indoor or outdoor kitchen. For an indoor kitchen, position a long table in the middle with pots, pans, and other

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 17, Session 1: Micah, Prophet to Judah

kitchen utensils on it. Paint large boxes to look like a stove and refrigerator. Place a kitchen table and chairs on one side. For an outdoor kitchen, replace the middle table, stove, and refrigerator with a grill. Place an outdoor tablecloth on the kitchen table, and lay a blanket on the other side of the grill.

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

Introduce the session (1 minute) cleaning supplies [Large group leader enters with cleaning supplies.] Leader • Welcome to God’s Big Kitchen! How many of you like to eat? Me too! I’m amazed at all the foods God gave us to eat. That’s why we named our cooking show God’s Big Kitchen. I’m just getting things ready for the show. You never want to start cooking without making sure everything is cleaned up just right. If you don’t, the food might not be good for you to eat.

Timeline Map (1 minute) Timeline Map (small group visual pack – copies provided for Table Time Review) Leader • All this reminds me of a Bible story. God called a man to talk to His people in Judah. Like others before him, the prophet Micah was sent to tell the people their sin would lead to punishment. God wanted them to clean up their lives. Micah is one of the minor prophets. Can anyone name another minor prophet? Can you find one on this timeline map? For the next several weeks, we will see how God used a king and four prophets to plead with His chosen people in Judah to follow God.

Big picture question (1 minute) Big Picture Question: What does God want us to do? - 11x17 poster provided Leader • The Northern Kingdom of Israel was about to be destroyed because the people sinned, but God was still protecting the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The people and kings of Judah sometimes obeyed and worshiped God. It’s all right in the Bible. Do you have yours today? We can learn lots of things about God in our Bible. For instance, What does God want us to do? That’s the big picture question. See if you can figure out the answer in today’s Bible story.

Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: “One True God” (on provided DVD) Leader • The people in Judah didn’t always worship God. Time and time again, the people seemed to forget that they should serve God and obey Him. They would instead choose to

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 17, Session 1: Micah, Prophet to Judah

disobey God and even worship pretend gods. They needed to realize that there is only one true God. That’s our new theme song. Sing together “One True God.”

Key passage (4 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Zephaniah 3:17 (provided) Worship Song: “Yahweh Your God” (on provided DVD) Leader • God sent another prophet to speak to people in Judah. His name was Zephaniah. Zephaniah warned the people that they would be judged one day for their sin, but he also promised that God had a plan. Let’s look at what Zephaniah said. Show the slide or poster of the unit’s key passage, Zephaniah 3:17. Lead the boys and girls to read the verse together. Sing together “Yahweh Your God.”

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) “Micah, Prophet to Judah” video (on provided DVD) Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Leader • Let’s see what message God gave Micah and what the people did when they heard it. Then we will find the answer to the big picture question, What does God want us to do? Show the “Micah, Prophet to Judah” video, or tell the Bible story in your own words using the script provided. For a shorter version of the story, read only the bolded text. Leader • Micah said the people living in Israel were going to be judged for their sin. Israel was going to be destroyed, and Judah and its capital of Jerusalem was in danger of the same thing. The people needed to follow God and stop mistreating each other. Micah encouraged them to be fair to one another, put God first, and obey Him. In the end, God wanted the people to love Him. He wants us to do the same thing. What does God want us to do? God wants us to obey Him because we love Him. Micah prayed to God for the people, and God gave Micah hope for the future. God would forgive His people, bring them back together again, and bless them. He would also bring them a new King, born in Bethlehem. This King would lead the people like a shepherd leads his sheep. Ask the following questions: Whom did God call to deliver both a warning and hope for the future? (Micah, Micah 1:1) Where would the people of Judah be taken when God judged them for their sin? (Babylon, Micah 4:10) Where did Micah say a new king would be born to save the people from their enemy? (Bethlehem, Micah 5:2) What did God want the people to do? (act justly, love faithfulness, walk humbly with God; Micah 6:8) What does God want us to do? God wants us to obey Him because we love Him.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 17, Session 1: Micah, Prophet to Judah

Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Unit 17, Session 1 - Discussion Starter Video (on provided DVD) Big Picture Question: What does God want us to do? - 11x17 poster provided Leader • Have you ever thought about why you should obey God? Check out this video. Show the “Unit 17 Session 1” video. Leader • What are some reasons why you want to obey God? We have plenty of reasons why we should obey God. The main reason should be because we love Him. After all, He loved us first. (1 John 4:19) What does God want us to do? God wants us to obey Him because we love Him. God told Micah that a shepherd and a king would save God’s people. We know that Shepherd and King was born in Bethlehem, and He did come to save God’s people. What do we call Him? That’s right. He’s Jesus!

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions. If this is not possible, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Prayer (5 minutes) Big Picture Question: What does God want us to do? - 11x17 poster provided Show the big picture question slide or poster. Leader • Who can answer the big picture question, What does God want us to do? God wants us to obey Him because we love Him. Read the big picture question, and then call out something kids might like or love, such as a food, family member, sport, and so forth. Invite the kids who like what is called out to say the answer to the big picture question together. Before transitioning to small group, make any necessary announcements. Lead the kids in prayer. Pray that God will guide the kids to know His love for them.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 17, Session 1: Micah, Prophet to Judah

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: Micah, Prophet to Judah Bible Passage: Micah 1–7 Big Picture Question: What does God want us to do? God wants us to obey Him because we love Him. Key Passage: Zephaniah 3:17 Unit Christ Connection: God judges sin but redeems those who faithfully follow His commands. Redemption for all comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

Bible story review (10 minutes) Tip: Divide children into small groups for table time. Each group should include an adult leader at the table. Bibles, 1 per kid Timeline (small group visual pack – extra copies provided for Table Time Review) Big Picture Question: What does God want us to do? (11x17 poster provided in classroom) Encourage the kids to find Micah in their Bibles. Help them as needed. Say • Micah is one of the 12 prophets we call the minor prophets. Do we find the minor prophets in the Old Testament or the New Testament? (Old Testament) Where in the Old Testament do we find them? (the end) Micah warned of judgment for Israel and Judah for their sins, but also gave hope of a time when someone would save them. That someone is Jesus! Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today’s Bible story is on the timeline. Review the Bible story provided using the bolded text, or summarize the story in your own words. Then, use the following activity to reinforce it. 9  2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 17, Session 1: Micah, Prophet to Judah

First, choose a volunteer and say the first statement below. Write down the answer in all the blanks of the script with a number 1 beside them. Choose another volunteer and say the next statement. Write down the answer in the blank or blanks of the script with a number 2 beside it. Continue until you have filled in all the blanks. Then, read the paragraph with the kids’ answers in the blanks. Go back and see if the kids can give the correct word, located in parentheses after the blank, that belongs in each blank. (1) Give me someone’s name. (2) Name a city or place. (3) Name something you might give someone. (4) Name an emotion. (5) Name a job an adult might have. (1) ______(Micah) was a prophet from a village in (2) ______(Judah). God gave him a (3) ______(message). (1) ______(Micah) had (4) ______(bad) news. He said the people would be taken from their homes because of their sin, but a (5) ______(king) was coming to save them. Say • Who is the King who would come and rescue God’s people? That’s right! Jesus is our eternal King. Show the big picture question slide or poster. Say • Let’s review our big picture question. What does God want us to do? God wants us to obey Him because we love Him.

LARGE GROUP REVIEW AND ACTIVITIES

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Flip-Flop Cover-Up” Instructions Key Passage Poster: Zephaniah 3:17 (provided) dry erase board and markers (optional) flip flop, shoe, or foot-shaped cutout (x2 per class) Make sure the key passage, Zephaniah 3:17, is visible for each child, either as the printed poster or written on a dry erase board. Read the verse together. Say • God gave Micah and Zephaniah hope for the future. Both spoke of someone in the future who would come and rescue people. They were both talking about Jesus. Since this is a long verse, focus on the first half. Read that portion of the passage several times together. Then, use a flip-flop, shoe, or a foot-shaped cutout to cover up one of the words. See if the kids can still say the verse with that word covered up.

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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 17, Session 1: Micah, Prophet to Judah

Activity Choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Follow The Leader Lead the kids to follow you around the room. Explain that they must do what you do and go where you go. Don’t be afraid to crawl under a table or circle around a chair. Then choose a kid volunteer to take over as leader. Make sure you give the new leader boundaries of where she may go, and remind her that she may not climb on or over furniture. She may only go around or under. Say • God wants us to obey Him, but He wants us to obey Him because we love Him. What does God want us to do? God wants us to obey Him because we love Him.

Option 2: Heart Code “Heart Code” Template, 1 per kid markers or crayons scissors Distribute the “Heart Code” printable to every kid. Invite the kids to color the two cutouts different colors and cut them out. Then, cut along the dotted lines of each cutout. Demonstrate how to weave the ends of the pieces together to form a heart and crack the code to see what they can learn from Micah. Say • God doesn’t want us to obey Him because we feel like we have to; He wants us to obey Him because we love Him. What does God want us to do? God wants us to obey Him because we love Him.

Prayer and Clean-Up (5 minutes) Say • Let’s see who can remember the big picture question and answer. What does God want us to do? God wants us to obey Him because we love Him. If time remains, take prayer requests. Pray, thanking God for loving us. Pray for each child by name, asking God to help the kids love God more each day.

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Instructions: Help each lamb find its perfect match.

UNIT 17 • Session 1 • Younger Kids Activity Pages J udah, the Southern Kingdom

© 2013 Lifeway Family Journal Page Judah, the Southern Kingdom Micah, Prophet to Judah During the week, write Micah 6:8 on index cards and post Micah 1–7 them throughout the house. Encourage each family member to Preschool memorize the verse. At the end of the week, see who can recite Key Passage: Zephaniah 3:17 the verse the fastest, the quietest, the loudest, with the Big Picture Question: What does God want us to do? funniest voice, and so forth. Then, spend a few minutes talking God wants us to obey Him because we love Him. about what the verse means and how our love for God should Christ Connection: Micah had good news for God’s people. A leader was coming who would save them. motivate us to obey. List below some ways the family can act He would take care of them and lead them. Jesus is the justly, love mercy, or walk humbly with God. perfect ruler God promised.

Kids Key Passage: Zephaniah 3:17 Big Picture Question: What does God want us to do? God wants us to obey Him because we love Him. Christ Connection: The prophet Micah gave God’s people a message of hope: a leader was coming who would free God’s people. He would be a shepherd and a king. The righteous ruler promised through Micah is the Lord Jesus Christ.

UNIT 17 • Session 1 © 2013 LifeWay OK TO PRINT The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17