Scripture: Judges 9-12
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn God will punish the wicked.
- Students will learn it is important to be careful what we promise God and that we keep the promises we make to Him.
- Students will learn our sins often have earthly consequences.
- Students will learn the importance of keeping a promise and what kind of promises God makes to us.
Guiding Question: How does keeping our promises reflect God’s character?
Materials: Large white construction paper, markers, crayons, colored pencils, pencils
Procedure: Prior to reading the story, makes two promises to the students – one you will keep and one the students really want you to keep but you won’t. Review the stories from the scripture above. Emphasize that Jephthah made a promise he shouldn’t have made and didn’t want to keep but had to. Explain that there are consequences for our actions and sometimes we make “pie crust” promises we do not end up keeping or know we won’t keep just to appease another person at the time. These promises are easily made and easily broken.
God values promises and wants us to value promises we make to him and others. God is faithful in keeping His promises to us so we should be honest and carry out the promises we make to others. Through this, we can share God and His faithfulness in what He promises us.
Give each student a white piece of paper and the materials to draw and write with. Have the students draw a large pie on a piece of paper. On the pie, have students write promises they have heard that people do not keep or even a promise they have made but did not keep. On the outside of the pie, have the students write promises that God makes and we know He will keep.
Additional Questions: How can students plan to live out good promises they make to others?
Supplemental Activity: Have the students brainstorm promises they want to make and keep to friends, family, etc. Have each student share their promises in a small group and have those in the small group ask questions to make sure the plan to keep the promise is solid – How can you achieve this? Why will that person need you to keep your promise? What is the end result of the promise? How does keeping this promise give you an opportunity to share God?