Unit 9 • Session 2 Use Week of: Unit 9 • Session 2 Deborah and Barak BIBLE PASSAGE: Judges 4–5 STORY POINT: God used Deborah and Barak to rescue His people. KEY PASSAGE: 1 John 1:9a BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus. INTRODUCE THE STORY TEACH THE STORY EXPERIENCE THE STORY (15–20 MINUTES) (10–15 MINUTES) (20–25 MINUTES) PAGE 122 PAGE 124 PAGE 126 Additional resources are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by- session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject. Preschool Leader Guide 118 Unit 9 • Session 2 © 2018 LifeWay LEADER Bible Study The time of the judges continued after the death of Ehud. The Israelites fell into a continuous cycle of sin, bondage, deliverance, and peace. Every judge was imperfect, yet God worked through the judges. At the time when the Israelites were oppressed by the king of Canaan, Deborah was the judge of Israel. Deborah sent for Barak and encouraged him to take up an army and fight the army of Canaan and its leader, Sisera. Deborah reminded Barak that God would hand Sisera and his troops 2 over to him. (Judg. 4:6-7) Barak agreed to go, but only if Deborah went with him. Deborah went, but she informed Barak that he would get no glory for the battle. When Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men, “The Lord threw Sisera ... and all his army into a panic before Barak’s assault” (Judg. 4:15). Everyone in the army died, but Sisera escaped on foot. Sisera fled to the tent of Jael, who invited him inside and gave him a drink. While Sisera slept, Jael drove a tent peg through his temple and he died. Judges 5 records a victory song Deborah and Barak sang on that day, praising God for defeating the Canaanites. The land had rest for 40 years. The Israelites’ sin had resulted in 20 years of defeat. God fought for the Israelites and used Deborah, Barak, and Jael to accomplish the Israelites’ victory over Canaan. As you teach preschoolers this week, highlight the actions of Deborah and Barak, who willingly served God and used their gifts for His glory. Use the Christ Connection to emphasize that God uses people and events to save us not only from our enemies, but to bring about our ultimate good: salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. The Cycle of Judges 119 © 2018 LifeWay Unit 1 • Session 1 The BIBLE Story Deborah and Barak Bible Storytelling Tips Judges 4–5 • A hand up for When the judge of Israel died, the Israelites forgot about God Deborah: Review again. God allowed the king of Canaan to overtake Israel. the judges from This time, last week’s Bible The king was cruel to the people. The Israelites remembered how good story (Othniel, Ehud, life was when they loved and obeyed God. They cried out Shamgar). Ask if the to God, “Save us!” children know anyone with those names. At this time, Deborah was the judge Comment that today over Israel. One day, Deborah we will hear about a sent a message to a man named woman judge. Ask the preschoolers to raise Barak (BAY rak). “Come here, their hands when Barak,” she said. Barak came they hear her name. to Deborah, and Deborah said, “This is what God wants • Invite a soldier: Invite a soldier from you to do: Gather an army your congregation to of men. Lead them to Mount visit in his uniform Tabor (TAY bawr). God will and tell the Bible story. help you win the battle against the army of Canaan and their leader, Sisera (SIS uh ruh).” Barak said to Deborah, “I will go if you will come with me.” “I’ll go with you,” Deborah said, “but you will not get the honor when Sisera is defeated.” So Deborah, Barak, and all the men in the army went to Mount Tabor. Sisera took his chariots and army toward the river to fight. “Go, Barak!” Deborah said. “God will help you beat Sisera today.” Barak and his men moved down the mountain toward Sisera Preschool Leader Guide 120 Unit 9 • Session 2 © 2018 LifeWay Deborah and Barak and his army. Bible Storytelling Tips Judges 4–5 The Lord made Sisera and his army very confused. Sisera ran away. Barak and his men defeated Sisera’s army, • A hand up for When the judge of Israel died, the Israelites forgot about God but Sisera escaped. Deborah: Review again. God allowed the king of Canaan to overtake Israel. Sisera ran to the tent of Jael (JAY uhl). Jael said, the judges from This time, last week’s Bible The king was cruel to the people. The Israelites remembered how good “Come in! Don’t be afraid.” Jael gave Sisera something to story (Othniel, Ehud, life was when they loved and obeyed God. They cried out drink and covered him with a rug. “If a man comes looking Shamgar). Ask if the to God, “Save us!” for me,” Sisera said, “tell him I’m not here.” Sisera was children know anyone with those names. At this time, Deborah was the judge so tired that he fell into a deep sleep. While Sisera was Comment that today over Israel. One day, Deborah sleeping, Jael killed him. we will hear about a sent a message to a man named The Lord gave His people victory over their enemies! woman judge. Ask the Deborah and Barak sang a victory song. They praised preschoolers to raise Barak (BAY rak). “Come here, their hands when Barak,” she said. Barak came God for helping them beat the people of Canaan. The they hear her name. to Deborah, and Deborah land was peaceful for many more years. said, “This is what God wants • Invite a soldier: Invite a soldier from you to do: Gather an army Christ Connection: Everything God does is for His glory and your congregation to of men. Lead them to Mount our good. (Psalm 115:3; Romans 8:28) God used Deborah, visit in his uniform Tabor (TAY bawr). God will Barak, and Jael to help the people of Israel win battles against and tell the Bible story. help you win the battle Canaan. God also uses people to help us and teach us about against the army of Canaan Jesus. God sent His Son, Jesus, to do what is very good for us: to and their leader, Sisera (SIS save us from sin. uh ruh).” Barak said to Deborah, “I will go if you will come with me.” “I’ll go with you,” Deborah said, “but you will not get the honor when Sisera is defeated.” So Deborah, Barak, and all the men in the army went to Mount Tabor. Sisera took his chariots and army toward the river to fight. “Go, Barak!” Deborah said. “God will help you beat Sisera today.” Barak and his men moved down the mountain toward Sisera The Cycle of Judges 121 © 2018 LifeWay INTRODUCE the Story SESSION TITLE: Deborah and Barak BIBLE PASSAGE: Judges 4–5 STORY POINT: God used Deborah and Barak to rescue His people. KEY PASSAGE: 1 John 1:9a BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus. Welcome time • “He Watches Over Play the theme song in the background as you greet Me” song preschoolers, and follow your church’s security procedures. • offering basket • Allergy Alert Set an offering basket near the door to collect at an • favorite toys related appropriate time. Post an allergy alert, if necessary. Set out a to the Bible story few favorite theme-related toys, such as puzzles and blocks. theme Activity page • “What Would Help?” Guide preschoolers to draw a line connecting the item to activity page, 1 per the person who needs it. child • crayons or markers SAY • God wants us to help others. When we bring a bandage to a friend who fell off his bike or share our umbrella with a friend when its raining, we are being helpers. In our Bible story today, we will hear about some people God used to help the people of Israel win battles against their enemies. Play a stand-up, sit-down game Name an activity. Ask preschoolers to stand up if they like that activity or sit down if they do not. Use the following activities or create your own: • play soccer • play with dolls • clean your room • eat ice cream • ride a bike • help wash a car • set the dinner table • read the Bible Preschool Leader Guide 122 Unit 9 • Session 2 © 2018 LifeWay SAY • Sometimes we have to do things we do not want to do. Hard things are easier if we have someone to help us. In our Bible story today, we will hear about Deborah and Barak. God told Barak to do something he did not want to do. Barak said he would only do what God said if Deborah went with him. Listen to what happened. Build Bible skills Before the session, print six or more copies of the “Genesis– • “Genesis–Ruth” Ruth” printable. Cut the book names apart. Set aside Ruth printable, 6 or more to be used in session four. Use all but one set of strips to • scissors (adult use) mark the beginning of each book in five Bibles. • Bibles, 5 or more Set the marked Bibles on a table. Use the extra set Tip: Adjust the of strips and hold up a Bible book name.