FAITH CHALLENGE

Rise of the Kingdom

September 7- October 5

David—Lesson 4

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-17

Memory Verse: “This promise is for you and your children. It is for everyone our Lord God will choose, no matter where they live.” Acts 2:39 CEV

Concepts:

• God plans for us and makes promises to us.
• Even when our plans are not God’s plans, God still cares for us.

Objectives:

• Students will discuss David’s desire to build a temple for God
• Students will learn about God’s promise to David

Gathering Time/Introduction: (Coach)

1. The Coach leads the opening routine: snack, fellowship, Prayer Wall activity, and Prayer Chain. Name tags are available.

2. Introduce the Guides who lead the workshop lesson.

Workshop Lesson Procedure: (Guide takes over from here)

Scripture/Application

1. Pass out Bibles and ask the class to turn to 2 Samuel 7:1-17. Take turns reading this passage aloud.

2. If desired, you may show the video clip of this reading. It is near the end of tape 1. It is a short clip, but it might be helpful for some students to see the clip in addition to hearing it read from the Bible. It is the guide’s choice whether to use the video clip or not.

3. Pass out the worksheet at the end of this lesson and ask students to work in pairs to answer the questions. If numbers are uneven, a student may choose to work alone, or a three-some may answer the questions.

4. Allow students approximately 10-15 minutes to complete the worksheet.

5. After most students have finished the worksheet, review and discuss. An answer sheet is provided.

NOTE: If time is short, items 6-8 below can be omitted and the guide can go directly to the memory verse work in item 9.

6. After the worksheet review—the guide needs to provide the following information. It can be read or spoken in the guide’s own words.

Solomon was king after David and then Solomon’s son was then king. But they moved farther and farther from God. The kings worshipped other gods; they were evil; they did not follow God’s laws. Eventually, things were so bad, the kingdom was taken over by its enemies and the Hebrew people were taken as exiles to the country of Babylon. But the people always hoped for a descendent of David to become king again and make Israel a great nation again.

7. Ask the class to turn to Matthew 1:1-17 and read it to themselves.

8. Ask the class why they think Matthew included this in his book. To prove that Jesus was a descendent of David. This helped people accept Jesus as the king sent from God to lead Israel, just as God had promised many years before.

9. Ask the class to read the memory verse aloud with you. To what part of today’s scripture does this apply? (2 Samuel 7:11-17, God’s promise to David). Use one or more of the memory verse techniques on the Memory Verse Suggestions attachment to help the class begin to master the verse.

Closing (Coach):

1. The Coach conducts the closing prayer time.

2. Close/lock the door and turn off the lights.

Guide preparation in advance:

1. For questions on this lesson plan, call Nancy Stokes, 387-7155 or e-mail her at ncstokes@aol.com

2. Set up the “country” room with stools. Tables are optional.

3. If showing the video clip, move the TV/VCR from the city room and have the video pre-set to the scene you will show.

4. Make 20 copies of worksheet

5. Post the Acts 2:39 memory verse on the wall

Supply List

· Worksheet, pencils, Bibles

· If tables are not used, provide clip boards to use with the worksheets.

· Video tape titled “David” from The Bible Collection by Warner Collection (if you will be showing the clip mentioned in this lesson)

Worksheet for 2 Samuel 7:1-17

1. What did David want to do in vs. 1-9? __________________________

2. Who provided God’s answer to David? __________________and what was God’s answer? ________________

3. How do you think David felt when he heard his son would build the temple instead of David?

4. Does God ever give us an answer we don’t like or want? Give an example if you can.

5. What was the sacred chest and what was inside? Read Exodus 25:10-22

6. What did God promise David? Read 2 Samuel 7:10-17

7. How do you think David felt when he heard God’s plans?

8. What can we learn about God from the two parts of this Bible passage?

2 Samuel 7:1-9

2 Samuel 7:10-17

9. Do the items you listed above about God still apply today?

ANSWERS for 2 Samuel 7:1-17 Worksheet

1. What did David want to do in vs. 1-9? Build a temple for God and the sacred chest.

2. Who provided God’s answer to David? Nathan and what was God’s answer? No

3. How do you think David felt when he heard his son would build the temple instead of David? Disappointed, angry, didn’t understand God’s reasons,

4. Does God ever give us an answer we don’t like or want? Give an example if you can. Guide provide a personal experience if possible here

5. What was the sacred chest and what was inside? Read Exodus 25:10-22 It was a specially-made chest with the Ten Commandments inside. God gave the people exact instructions how to make it with gold, designs, poles, rings, etc.

6. What did God promise David? Read 2 Samuel 7:10-17 God promised that David’s descendents would always be king of Israel.

7. How do you think David felt when he heard God’s plans? Honored, pleased, surprised—especially just after God told David he could not build the temple.

8. What can we learn about God from the two parts of this Bible passage?

2 Samuel 7:1-9 Sometimes God’s plans are not the same as our wants, desires or plans.

2 Samuel 7:10-17 God makes plans for people. God can make promises. God can do surprising, unexpected things

9. Do the items you listed above about God still apply today? Yes—God never changes. The characteristics of God in the time of David, are still the characteristics of God today.

Ideas for teaching “Memory verses”

In every Faith Challenge lesson, a verse, or perhaps two, will be listed as the Memory Verse. Although it would be ideal for students to indeed memorize these verses exactly, we have not found this successful. Generally middle schooler do not find rote memorization fun. So, instead of perfect memorization, we hope for students to know these verses in their heart—carry God’s word with them—even if they do not know every word in order.

Below are ideas for helping middle schoolers begin to carry God’s words with them. Be creative—use the ideas below as beginnings for your own ideas. Learning scripture does not have to dull and boring!

Before using any of these ideas, it is helpful for the students to have read the verse aloud at least twice.

1. Ask one student to begin the verse, after the first word or phrase, ask another student to continue the verse until it is completed. Students could be chosen randomly for this, they could volunteer as they know the next phrase or word, or they could speak in turn as they are seated or standing around the room. Another variation is to use a small ball such as a nerf ball or yarn ball. Toss it to a student and ask them to recite the first word or phrase of the verse and then they toss it to a classmate to continue the verse.

2. Write words or phrases of the scripture on index cards or small pieces of paper. Pass these out randomly to students. Instruct students to order themselves so the verse is correct.

3. Find a hymn, contemporary song, spiritual, etc with the memory verse in it. Allow students to listen and/or sing the scripture.

4. Teacher and/or students create a rebus of the memory verse.

5. Ask students illustrate the memory verse.

6. Ask various students to use charades to act out the verse.

7. Ask students to write the verse and with notes, thoughts, or answers to a question you pose related to the verse.

8. Use your imagination for many more ideas!