Session 10 Session 10: Hosea, Prophet to Israel FOR THE Hosea, Prophet to Israel LEADER Hosea 1–14 Hosea shares a name with other biblical men. Hoshea was the original name of Joshua, the successor of Moses who led the nation into the promised land. Hoshea was also the last king to reign in Israel, the nation in which Hosea lived and to whom he prophesied. The name means “salvation,” and that was the message of hope Hosea brought. While Amos’ ministry in Israel was short-lived, it is evident from the first verse of Hosea that his ministry extended up until the final destruction of his homeland. It is likely that Hosea witnessed the destruction of Samaria in 722 BC and that he lived out the rest of his days in Judah under Hezekiah’s reign. Jeroboam II reigned in Israel from 790–750 BC during the absolute height of Israelite abundance. It was during this time that Amos had brought his message to highlight the coming disaster. Since Israel had ignored Amos, God also sent Hosea with an odd assignment—to show through his family what God intended for an unrepentant nation. God also intended to show that God did care for and love the people even when they did not love Him as they should. God instructed Hosea to marry a woman named Gomer, who would be unfaithful to Hosea, a clear parallel of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. The couple’s first son was to be named Jezreel. The name was associated with the site of a bloody battle led by Jehu. God’s message was that Israel’s power would end just as Jehu had demolished the city of Jezreel. The second child, a daughter, was named Lo-ruhamah, literally “no compassion,” because the Lord had no more compassion on Israel. The third child, a son, was named Lo-ammi, literally “not My people,” because God had claimed Israel, because of their disobedience, to not be His people. The pictures of Hosea’s family are intended to shed light on the plight of the nation. God intended these images to show His love for the nation and affect repentance that would bring His people back into fellowship with Him. Session 10: Hosea, Prophet to Israel © 2018 LifeWay 77 OVERVIEW SESSION FOCUS BIBLE PASSAGE: Hosea 1–14 MEMORY VERSE: Hosea 12:6 TEXT TRUTH: God loves His people. CHRIST IN CONTEXT: The Book of Hosea reveals God’s covenant love for His people and provides a picture of redemption. Hosea bought back Gomer’s freedom. In a greater way, Jesus redeemed and bought the freedom of His people—the church—with His own life. GET STARTED TOOLS ¨ Examine the Text: ¨ Move: 4 foam hearts or (10 MINUTES) jar, water, baking soda, laminated heart shapes ¨ Bible Skills: “Bible Book vinegar, candy hearts, in 4 different colors, Cards” (enhanced CD), tablespoon, measuring permanent marker, alphabet tiles, Bibles, cup, “Text Truth Strips” music, “Bible Book Cards” “Hosea” (Books of the (Poster Pack), Bibles, “The (enhanced CD) Bible Posters), “Christ in Gospel” (enhanced CD) ¨ Make: “Allergy Alert” Context: Hosea” (Poster ¨ Play the Video: Explore (enhanced CD), Pack) the Bible on Location watercolor paper, baking video soda, vinegar, food color BIBLE STUDY TOOLS ¨ Memory Verse: blank or gel, spoon, baking sheet, (35 MINUTES) old puzzles, permanent paper plates, small cups, ¨ Jumping In: “Allergy markers, “Hosea 12:6” medicine dropper, foil Alert” and “Measuring (Poster Pack) ¨ Explore: paper cups, Hearts” (enhanced CD), ¨ Prayer: Family Cards ½ pool noodle, “Review candy hearts, pencils, Questions” (enhanced snack size ziplock bags, SMALL GROUP TOOLS CD) “Northern and Southern (30 MINUTES) Kingdom Map” (DVD- ¨ Explorer Guides: Bibles, ROM) Explorer Guides, pens NOTE: Downloadable versions of DVD items are available in the Digital Video Bundle. Downloadable versions of enhanced CD items are available in the Music and Print Extras Bundle. For free online training on how to lead a group, visit ministrygrid.com/web/explorethebible. Explore the Bible: Younger Kids 78 © 2018 LifeWay BIBLE STORY HOSEA, PROPHET TO ISRAEL TEXT CONNECTION Hosea 1–14 • Hosea lived in Israel and ministered there around the God loved the Israelites. He was faithful to them and always kept His same time as Amos. Hosea, however, had a long career promises to them. But the Israelites did not always love God. They would as a prophet and was very worship false gods and ignore God’s commands. They broke their promises likely still in Israel when with God over and over and over again. Samaria was destroyed. Hosea, like many other God had a message for Israel that He wanted the prophet Hosea to give prophets, had a message of them. God wanted Israel to understand what they were doing so He gave judgment that was tempered them a picture. God told Hosea to marry a woman named Gomer. Hosea with a message of hope for the faithful. loved Gomer. He cared for Gomer. Hosea and Gomer had three kids. But Gomer did not love Hosea. She left Hosea and her kids and went to find a • The story of the Book of new home. Hosea is a picture of God’s love for the people of Israel. God told Hosea, “Go find Gomer and bring her back home.” So Hosea did. God loved Israel no matter Gomer had gotten into trouble and Hosea had to pay people money so they what they did, and God loves would let Gomer go. Hosea loved Gomer no matter what she did. us just the same. Through Hosea’s life, God showed God wanted Israel to understand that they were like Gomer. They ran away that Israel’s wandering away from Him would continue to from God and His good plan for them. But each time they did, they ended be met with love from God. up in trouble. Sin has consequences. God didn’t want His people to be in trouble, but if they didn’t love and obey Him, there were consequences. • Love is sometimes difficult to give and receive. God was like Hosea, but even more amazing and loving than Hosea Genesis 37 helps us could ever be. God loved His people. That is why He warned them of the see that sometimes love consequences of their sin. between family members can be a difficult thing. No matter how many hurtful things the Israelites did, God still loved them. • Joseph had dreams which Even when the Israelites caused a lot of trouble, God still loved His people. he shared with his brothers. These dreams appeared One day, God would show Israel how strong and powerful His love was. to say that Joseph, their One day, He would send Jesus to rescue His people from their sin. younger brother, would one day be their ruler. Instead of rejoicing with Joseph, the KEY POINTS brothers were unhappy and sold Joseph into slavery. • God loved Israel. • Israel rejected God and worshiped false idols. • God sent Hosea to tell the people of Israel to repent of their sin and EXPLORE THE return to following Him. BIBLE AT HOME • Even when we sin, God loves us and wants us to repent. See the enhanced CD for additional family resources. Session 10: Hosea, Prophet to Israel © 2018 LifeWay 79 GET STARTED GET STARTED (10 MINUTES) TOOLS: BIBLE SKILLS • Bible Skills: “Bible Book • Place several “Bible Book Cards” on each table with alphabet tiles. Ask Cards” (enhanced CD), your boys and girls to take a card and build the Bible book name with the alphabet tiles, Bibles, tiles. When they complete the task, ask your boys and girls to find the “Hosea” (Books of the Bible Bible book in their Bibles. Continue the activity as time allows. Posters), “Christ in Context: • If alphabet tiles are not available, consider using magnetic letters or large Hosea” (Poster Pack) interlocking blocks with painter’s tape. • Display the “Hosea” and “Christ in Context: Hosea” posters. Allow kids to take turns reading the details or statements from the posters. • Dismiss to Bible Study. BIBLE SKILLS SPOTLIGHT • Memorizes individual Bible verses. • Knows the Bible teaches people how God wants them to live. • Understands that God told the writers of the Bible what to write. Explore the Bible: Younger Kids 80 © 2018 LifeWay BIBLE STUDY BIBLE STUDY (35 MINUTES) JUMP IN TOOLS: • Give each child a copy of the “Measuring Hearts,” a pencil, and some • Jumping In: “Allergy Alert” candy hearts. Ask your boys and girls to measure the lines with the and “Measuring Hearts” hearts and write down how many hearts it took to measure each line. (enhanced CD), candy • Say: “You discovered how many hearts it took to measure each line on hearts, pencils, snack size your paper. How many hearts did it take to measure the longest line? ziplock bag, “Northern and What about the shortest line? Let’s see how many hearts it takes to Southern Kingdom Map” (DVD-ROM) measure my map of Israel.” Lay the “Northern and Southern Kingdom • Examine the Text: jar, Map” on the floor. Allow children to come and lay one heart down until water, baking soda, vinegar, they go across the map. Allow children to count the number of hearts it candy hearts, tablespoon, takes to go across Israel. measuring cup, “Text Truth • Display the “Northern and Southern Kingdom Map.” Share that Hosea Strips” (Poster Pack), was a prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Help kids find the Bibles, “The Gospel” Northern Kingdom on the map. (enhanced CD) • Continue: “Today, we are going to learn from the Book of Hosea. Hosea is • Play the Video: Explore the found in the Old Testament.