Post on 06-Apr-2018
4th-6
th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide
Unit 13, Session 5: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources
1
TEACHER BIBLE STUDY God’s people had a history of disobeying God. Sin separated them from God. But man was created to
know and love God, and God was working out a plan to bring His children back to Himself. Like any
good father, God knows that disobedience needs to be punished. “For the Lord disciplines the one He
loves, just as a father, the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:12).
God sent prophets to the people of Israel. He helped the prophets know what to say. The prophets
warned the people to turn from their sins and obey God. Many times, the prophets told what God was
going to do in the future.
Sometimes God’s people listened to the prophets. Some of the Israelites repented and followed God. But
a lot of them did not. The Israelites and the kings who led them did not worship the one true God.
Instead, they worshiped idols—people and things that were not God. God had been very patient with the
Israelites. He had helped them in times of trouble and had delayed their punishment because He is
gracious and compassionate. (2 Kings 13:23) But many years passed, and God knew His people would
not love Him with all their hearts.
God had had enough of His people’s sinning. They wouldn’t listen to Him, so He allowed their enemies
to send them into exile. The king of Assyria attacked Israel and laid siege to Samaria. Assyria captured
Samaria and forced the people to leave the city. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was destroyed, just as
God had said it would be, and the people were scattered. (1 Kings 14:15)
Israel’s exile was God’s judgment on their sin. As you teach, point kids to Jesus, who took our
punishment for sin as our substitute. Our sin warrants our separation from God, but Jesus died to bring us
back to Him forever.
LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
Bible Passage: 2 Kings 17:1-23
Big Picture Question: Why did God scatter His people? God’s people sinned against Him.
Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14
Unit Christ Connection: The prophets called God’s people to repentance as Christ calls people to
repentance. Sin continued to divide and ultimately destroy the Northern Kingdom, but Christ’s perfect
kingdom is forever.
Transition Time
Welcome time
Activity Sheet/Table Centers
Session starter (10 minutes)
4th-6
th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide
Unit 13, Session 5: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources
2
Lesson
Countdown
Introduce the session (2 minutes)
Timeline map (2 minutes)
Big picture question (1 minute)
Tell the Bible Story (9 minutes)
The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)
Discussion starter video (4 minutes)
Key passage (5 minutes)
Sing (5 minutes)
Prayer (2 minutes)
Table Time
Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)
Key passage activity (5 minutes)
Activity choice (10 minutes)
Prayer (5 minutes)
THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
2 Kings 17:1-23
Hoshea (hoh SHEE uh) was the last king of Israel, the Northern Kingdom. King Hoshea did
very evil things, but he still wasn’t as evil as the kings who ruled Israel before him.
One day, the king of Assyria and his army attacked Israel. Hoshea had kept peace with Assyria by
paying the king to leave Israel alone. Hoshea had to do whatever the king of Assyria told him to do.
Instead of asking God to help His people, Hoshea secretly talked to the king of Egypt. Hoshea
asked the king of Egypt to protect Israel from Assyria. Now that Hoshea had a deal with Egypt, he
stopped giving money to the king of Assyria.
The king of Assyria arrested Hoshea and threw him into prison. Then Assyria’s army invaded
Israel. The army surrounded the city of Samaria, the capital of Israel. Samaria had a strong wall
around the city. For three years, the Assyrians attacked the city. They did not let anyone bring
supplies into the city.
Finally, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and forced the people to leave their homes. He
bound them together with ropes and hooks, and he made them walk hundreds of miles to Assyria.
God allowed His people to be exiled because they had sinned against Him. Even though God had
4th-6
th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide
Unit 13, Session 5: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources
3
rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and had taken care of them, they forgot about God. They
acted in the same way as the nations who did not know and love God. They worshiped people and
things that were not God, and they did exactly what God told them not to do.
God warned His people through the prophets to stop doing evil things but they did not listen.
The prophets said bad things would happen if they did not obey God. When the people heard this, they
sinned even more!
God had had enough. He was angry with His people because of their sin. God punished the people
of Israel by letting their enemies take over and force them out of their homes.
All of this happened after King Solomon had died and Israel split into two kingdoms. The people of
Israel had made Jeroboam their king, and Jeroboam led them away from God. The people of Israel sinned
all the time. They ignored God’s warnings. Finally, God took action. God turned away from them and
the people of Israel were exiled to Assyria.
Christ Connection: When the Israelites disobeyed God, God judged their sin and punished them by
removing them from His presence. Jesus took the punishment for our sin upon Himself. He unites and
restores those who trust in Him. Jesus brings us into God’s presence and keeps us there.
TRANSITION TIME Session Title: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
Bible Passage: 2 Kings 17:1-23
Big Picture Question: Why did God scatter His people? God’s people sinned against Him.
Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14
Unit Christ Connection: The prophets called God’s people to repentance as Christ calls people to
repentance. Sin continued to divide and ultimately destroy the Northern Kingdom, but Christ’s perfect
kingdom is forever.
Welcome time Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and
help new kids connect to your group.
Say • Have you ever been separated from a group you were with or from your parents in a store? Were
you scared? What did you do?
Activity page Table Centers (Miscellaneous Activities)
“Where’s the Israelite Family?” / “Tell the Story” activity page, 1 per kid
Bibles
pencils
markers
Help kids find the members of the Israelite family on the activity page “Where’s the Israelite Family?”
4th-6
th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide
Unit 13, Session 5: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources
4
Say • Has anyone ever moved to a new town or school? What was it like? Was it easy? Hard? Scary?
In today’s Bible story, the Israelites became separated from each other. Families were split up and
forced to move away from their homes. Listen to find out why all of that happened.
As time allows, lead kids to review the unit big picture questions and answers by completing the
crossword puzzle on the activity page “Big Picture Unit Review.”
Session starter (10 minutes)
Option 1: Name a Sin
Instruct kids to stand in a circle. Create the following rhythm: stomp, stomp, clap, name a sin. Lead
everyone to perform all the stomps and claps, but take turns naming a sin. See how many sins can be
named before someone hesitates or names a sin already named. Play more than once.
Say • The Israelites struggled with sin again and again and again. Today we will learn about some of the
consequences of their sin.
Option 2: Falling Blocks paper bag
cards or scraps of paper, 12
pen
blocks or stacking block tower game
Print on six cards the word obey and on six cards the word sin. Place the cards inside a paper bag.
Provide kids with a stack of blocks or a block game. Guide kids to stack the blocks in rows of three,
alternating lengthwise and widthwise. After kids stack the blocks, encourage them to take turns removing
a card from the paper bag. If the card has the word obey, he may leave the blocks alone. If the card says
sin, he must remove one block without knocking down the tower. Play until the block tower collapses. If
time allows, repeat the game.
Say • The Northern Kingdom fell in today’s Bible story. Over and over and over, the people and their
leaders chose to sin. The kingdom became more and more sinful. God was patient with the
Northern Kingdom, but sin has consequences. And in today’s Bible story, the consequences for the
Northern Kingdom were huge and very, very sad.
Transition to large group
4th-6
th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide
Unit 13, Session 5: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources
5
LESSON Session Title: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
Bible Passage: 2 Kings 17:1-23
Big Picture Question: Why did God scatter His people? God’s people sinned against Him.
Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14
Unit Christ Connection: The prophets called God’s people to repentance as Christ calls people to
repentance. Sin continued to divide and ultimately destroy the Northern Kingdom, but Christ’s perfect
kingdom is forever.
Countdown countdown video (insert 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 (2 minutes) life vest
helmet
[Large group leader enters disheveled. Life vest is hanging half off. Helmet is askew. Leader begins
speaking as if out of breath.]
Leader • Hey, rafters! I need to catch my breath for a minute. Whew! OK, that is better. I just rode
down the rapids. But it wasn’t so much fun. See, I was with a group of people who refused to obey the
river guide. If he said to row, they stopped rowing. If he said to turn the boat to the right, they turned
the boat to the left. It was awful!
At one point, the raft was spinning round and round and round. Our boat was out of control. The
river guide finally paddled the boat over to the shore. By then, everyone was sick to their stomachs. It
was a miserable trip. I can’t believe those people wouldn’t listen to the guide! He is the expert. He
knows the best way to travel down the river. Instead of a fun trip down the river, enjoying the
adventure of the rapids and seeing all the beautiful trees and animals God created, we missed all of that.
The consequences of their actions were miserable.
Timeline map (2 minutes) Timeline Map – small group visual pack (Additional copies provided for Table Time Review)
Point out the Bible story pictures as you review.
Leader • The Israelites in the Northern Kingdom were in a similar situation in today’s Bible story, but it
was much, much worse than my trip down the river. Who remembers what happened last week? Good.
What about the week before? Yes! Jezebel threatened Elijah. And the week before that, what
happened? Great! Elijah showed Ahab and the Israelites that God is the one true God.
4th-6
th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide
Unit 13, Session 5: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources
6
But what did the Israelites in the Northern Kingdom keep doing? Worshiping false idols, disobeying
God’s commands, creating idols. The list goes on and on. Again and again the Israelites of the
Northern Kingdom worshiped things other than God. And today, we will learn about the consequences
for those sins.
Big picture question (1 minute) 11x17 poster provided
Leader • God had sent many prophets to the Israelites to warn them to turn back and follow God. What
did the people often do? They often ignored God and the prophets He sent. The Northern Kingdom
had ignored God’s laws and His instructions for a long time. Let’s see what happened to the Northern
Kingdom by studying our Bible story. Our big picture question is, Why did God scatter His people?
Open your Bibles to 2 Kings 17 and let’s discover what happened to God’s people.
Tell the Bible Story (9 minutes) “The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed” video
Bibles, 1 per kid
Bible Story Picture – 11x17 poster provided
Big Picture Question: “Why did God scatter His people?” – 11x17 poster provided
Open your Bible to 2 Kings 17 and tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “The
Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed.”
Leader • The Israelites were supposed to be different from other nations. God had saved them from
Egypt and told them how to be holy like He is holy. The Israelites were supposed to love and follow
God. They weren’t supposed to worship idols. But that is exactly what the Northern Kingdom did.
The people made idols to worship, they worshiped idols of all kinds, and they followed the customs of
the nations around them. God sent prophets to warn the people, but they only refused to follow God
even more.
This pattern happened over and over again. Finally the Northern Kingdom faced the price of their
sin. God allowed them to be defeated by another nation.
The Assyrians were known for being very mean. To keep the people they defeated from trying to
fight again, they divided them up and sent them to live in new places far away from their homes. The
people were scattered. Remember our big picture question, Why did God scatter His people? God’s
people sinned against Him.
God had spoken to the Israelites again and again, but they chose to ignore Him. As a consequence,
the people had to leave the land God promised Abraham. They weren’t as close to God as they once
were.
Jesus came to earth to pay the price for sin so God’s people could be in His presence again. Jesus
brings God’s people together and restores our relationship with God. Because of Jesus, we can be in
God’s presence. We can be close to God. We can know and love Him.
4th-6
th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide
Unit 13, Session 5: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources
7
The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)
Using Scripture and the guide provided, explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Tell kids
how they can respond, and provide counselors to speak with each kid individually. Guide counselors to
use open-ended questions to allow kids to determine the direction of the conversation.
If you cannot provide a response time, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group
leaders, or other adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.
Discussion Starter Video (4 minutes) Unit 13, Session 5 discussion starter video (on provided DVD)
Leader • Does sin always have consequences? Yes. Sin always has consequences. Check out this video.
Show the “Unit 13 Session 5” video.
Leader • Look familiar? Has anyone ever missed out on something because of sin? Our friend can’t be
around his friend because he sinned. God’s people were scattered and removed from God’s presence
because of their sin. God was still with them, but the Israelites no longer had the same close
relationship with God that they had previously. Why did God scatter His people? God’s people sinned
against Him.
Key passage (5 minutes) Key Passage Poster: 2 Kings 17:13-14 (11x17 poster, provided)
Worship Song: “Keep My Commands” (on provided DVD)
Leader • Our key passage is found in the Scripture from today’s Bible story. Do I have any volunteers who
want to say our key passage from memory?
Select a few kids to share. Help them as needed. Lead the group to read the key passage together.
Leader • Stand with me and we’ll sing our key passage song one more time.
Lead kids to sing “Keep My Commands.”
Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: “Running” (on provided DVD)
Leader • Our theme song this unit talks about being a follower of God, being devoted to Him. Was this how
the Northern Kingdom acted? No. The Northern Kingdom did the opposite of the message of our song.
Do I have a few volunteers who want to lead our group to sing our song?
Choose a few kids to lead the rest of the group to sing “Running.”
Prayer (2 minutes) Leader • Sin always has consequences. If you don’t follow the directions of your river guide, it can be
an awful trip down the river. If you don’t follow God’s commands, it can separate you from God. Why
did God scatter His people? God’s people sinned against Him.
4th-6
th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide
Unit 13, Session 5: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources
8
After I pray, watch your small group leader for your signal to “row” your way to your small group.
Close in prayer, thanking God for sending His Son to bring us into God’s presence.
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.
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: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
Bible Passage: 2 Kings 17:1-23
Big Picture Question: Why did God scatter His people? God’s people sinned against Him.
Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14
Unit Christ Connection: The prophets called God’s people to repentance as Christ calls people to
repentance. Sin continued to divide and ultimately destroy the Northern Kingdom, but Christ’s perfect
kingdom is forever.
4th-6
th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide
Unit 13, Session 5: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources
9
Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Bibles, 1 per kid
Timeline – small group visual pack
“Map of Deportation”
Review the timeline in the small group visual pack. Trace Israel’s history from their departure from Egypt to
today’s Bible story.
Lead boys and girls to locate 2 Kings 17 in the Bible. Ask for some volunteers to read 2 Kings
17:7,21-23.
Say • Why did God scatter His people? God’s people sinned against Him.
Show kids the “Map of Deportation.” Explain how the Assyrians moved the Israelites to different places
in their nation.
Say • The Assyrians were known for being very cruel and mean to the people they conquered. They did
not want the people to have any way of trying to go home or fight again. That is why they sent the
Israelites far from their homes. They also sent other people they had conquered and other
foreigners to live in the land of the Northern Kingdom.
Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we don’t have to be separated from God. We can know
and love Him. We can stay in God’s presence.
Who brings us into God’s presence? (Jesus brings us into God’s presence and keeps us there.)
If you choose to review with boys and girls how to become a Christian, explain that kids are welcome to speak
with you or another teacher if they have questions.
God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Colossians
1:16-17)
We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23; 6:23)
God provided. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16;
Ephesians 2:8-9)
Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be
welcomed into God’s family. (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18)
We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus.
(Romans 10:9-10,13)
Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Turn To Your Neighbor” Instructions
Key Passage Poster: 2 Kings 17:13-14 (provided)
Guide kids to form a circle. Select one kid to start the key passage by turning to his left and saying the first
word. The second kid will turn to the left and say the second word. Continue until the group has said the key
passage twice.
Say • To say our key passage, we turned to our neighbor to say our part. God gave the Israelites many
chances to turn from their sin, but they refused.
4th-6
th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide
Unit 13, Session 5: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources
10
Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Scatter Ball tape
straws
table tennis balls or cotton balls
Tape a square on the floor. Position the table tennis balls inside the box. Provide each kid with a straw.
Challenge kids to scatter the table tennis balls as far as they can by blowing air through the straws to
move the balls. Invite kids to see how far they can scatter the balls in 30 seconds. Reset and give the kids
a minute to play. Reset and play for two minutes.
Say • Why did God scatter His people? God’s people sinned against Him.
God had sent many prophets to warn the people, but they refused to listen. God had to remove His
presence from His people.
How can we be in God’s presence? (Jesus brings us into God’s presence and keeps us there.)
What should God’s people do when they sin? Repent and seek God’s forgiveness.
Option 2: “Time is Up” Calendar heavyweight paper
4-inch adhesive magnet strips, 2 per kid
scraps of scrapbook or decorative paper
scissors
markers
stickers
Guide kids to print on the left side of the paper the days of the week. Kids should print the months on the
right side of the paper and the numbers 1-31 in the middle of the page.
Provide each kid with two magnet strips. Help kids cut the first strip into four equal pieces and the
second strip into two long pieces and one short piece. Allow kids to select scraps of paper. Peel off the
magnet paper backing and attach it to the backside of the decorative paper. Guide kids to cut around the
magnet pieces.
After all of the pieces have decorative paper attached, kids should trim the two longest magnet pieces
into arrows for the right and left sides of the calendar. The four equal-size pieces are for the four corners
of the paper. The shortest piece is for marking the number date.
Say • The Northern Kingdom sinned and sinned and sinned. They rejected God and rejected God and
rejected God. In today’s Bible story, the time came for the Northern Kingdom to face the
consequences of their sin.
Every day we have the choice of whether or not to follow God. When you look at your calendar
each morning, pray for God to help you follow Him during the day in every situation or place you
go.
4th-6
th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide
Unit 13, Session 5: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed
© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources
11
Prayer (5 minutes)
Say • When you sin, do you feel distant from God? As a Christian, sin can keep us from knowing and
loving God like we should. Although God never leaves us, we must be on guard against sin
because it can make us feel like God is distant from us.
Pray for boys and girls to always repent from sin and be thankful for God’s gift of salvation. Praise God
for sending Jesus to unite and restore us.
Clean-Up Room
Israel, the Northern KingdomUnit 13 • Session 5 • Older Kids Activity Pages
Instructions: Search the puzzle to locate the three members of an Israelite family.
Also find the following: a sad woman wearing a dark cloak; a rooster; two scrolls;
two instruments; a man with a bucket; a kid climbing; a man with a hammer; a
ball; a ladder; a lady on a balcony.
© 2013 LifeWay
Israel, the Northern KingdomUnit 13 • Session 5 • Older Kids Activity Pages
Instructions: Complete the crossword puzzle with the
missing words from the big picture answers.
1. How does God help in times of trouble? God ___________
never to leave or forsake us.
2. What kind of king did God’s people need? God’s people needed a
_____________ king.
3. Who heals us from our sin? ___________ heals us from our sin.
4. Who is the one true God? ___________ is the one true God.
5. Why did God scatter His people? God’s people ___________ against Him.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
© 2013 LifeWay
The LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with
all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my
servants the prophets.” But they would not listen.
2 Kings 17:13-14
OK TO PRINT Israel, the Northern Kingdom
© 2013 Lifeway
The LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with
all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my
servants the prophets.” But they would not listen.
2 Kings 17:13-14
OK TO PRINT Israel, the Northern Kingdom
© 2013 Lifeway
Family Journal Page
OK TO PRINT
Work a puzzle together as a family. Prior to working the
puzzle, scatter several of the pieces around your home.
Challenge kids to find the pieces and add them to the puzzle.
When the puzzle is complete, review this week’s big picture
question and Bible story. Explain that because God loved His
people, He allowed them to be scattered. Remind kids of God’s
promise to one day reunite His people with Him forever. End
your time together by recording prayer requests below and
praying together.
Israel, the Northern KingdomThe Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed2 Kings 17:1-23
Preschool Key Passage:
Big Picture Question:
Christ Connection: When the people of Israel did not
do what God said, God punished them. We disobey God
too, but Jesus took our punishment for us. People who
trust in Jesus can be with God forever.
KidsKey Passage:
Big Picture Question:
Christ Connection: When the Israelites disobeyed
God, God judged their sin and punished them by
removing them from His presence. Jesus took
the punishment for our sin upon Himself. He
unites and restores those who trust in Him.
Jesus bring us into God’s presence and
keeps us there.
© 2013 Lifeway
The LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with
all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my
servants the prophets.” But they would not listen.
2 Kings 17:13-14
OK TO PRINT Israel, the Northern Kingdom
© 2013 Lifeway