Chapel of the Cross Faith & Family

This interactive Bible time is a great way for your family to gather around God's Word and read, listen, watch, sing, and do activities together that help you learn more about God's great love for you in Jesus.

What makes a person wise?

Joshua led the people to drive out many of the Canaanites by God’s power, but after he died, the Israelites started letting some of the Canaanites live. Moving in next door to the Canaanites was against God’s will for His people, and it would prove to be their downfall, as they fell away from

God and into idolatry. At this time, there was no king in Israel. God was to be their king, and He appointed judges to lead and deliver His people. Over a period of three hundred-plus years, the people repeated a cycle of idolatry, repentance, deliverance by a judge, and a fall back into idolatry. It was a spiritual downward spiral for God’s people. During this time, God raised up a judge named Deborah, who told the leader of the army, Barak, to go to war against the oppressive Canaanites. Barak wouldn’t go without Deborah, so she went with him, but told him the victory would go to a woman. Jael was the woman, an unlikely hero who lured the fleeing enemy general into her tent and drove a tent peg through his temple.

Dear God, help us to look to You for true wisdom and guide us in Your ways. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

God gives wisdom.

• Open your family Bible or a Children's Bible storybook and read this account together OR
• Read this account using an online Bible (Biblegateway.com) Judges 4
  OR
• Listen to the Bible account being read using the video below.
  

• Who was Deborah?
• How did God work through the different people in this narrative (Deborah, Barak, and Jael)?
• Deborah was wise because she listened to God. Barak listened to Deborah when he didn’t understand or trust what God wanted. Who do you turn to for help when you need to understand God’s plan for you?
  
• What did Jael do to help God's people?
• How has God saved us?

Deborah was a leader of God's people. She was a judge. That means she listened to people and helped them know the right thing to do. God gave Deborah the wisdom to be a good judge for God's people.

God gave Deborah wisdom to know God’s will; God used Barak to lead the Israelite army; God worked through Jael to defeat the enemy army captain.

God gives us parents and others who guide us to know what is right according to God's will. We are wise when we listen to the people God has given us to lead us. We become wise by reading and listening to God's Word.

Jael trusted in God and knew the right thing to do: she was brave and killed the enemy army captain so that God's people would be safe. God saved His people from their enemy.

God sent Jesus to save us from our enemies too. Jesus won the battle for us over sin, death, and the devil when He died on the cross for us and rose again. We praise God for His love and forgiveness!

For the Lord gives wisdom. Proverbs 2:6

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Dear Lord Jesus, You give us all that we need—forgiveness and eternal life in You. Thank You for also providing wisdom and guidance and people who can help us to know You better. In Your name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

A portion of these Bible lesson materials are from the Enduring Faith Bible Curriculum from Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

Find more resources to help your family draw closer to Christ at cph.org.

Click here for free devotional materials for children, families, and adults.

Chapel of the Cross--Lutheran exists to show the love of Jesus to North County and beyond, so that all may have a living relationship with Christ.

Our Core Values:

• Empowered by the cross of Christ
• People working together
• Opening the Word to all people
• Showing the love of Jesus
• Warm and supportive environment

Email: pastorlaesch@chapelofthecross.org
Website: http://www.chapelofthecross.org/
Location: 11645 Benham Rd, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: (314) 741-3737
Facebook: facebook.com/ChapelSTL