Rotation.org Writing Team

DEBORAH

BANNERS/TEXTILES/WORSHIP/PRAYER

PASSAGE

Scripture: Judges 4 & 5

Key/Memory Verse: Judges 5:31

PURPOSE

To learn about the pattern of the Israelites relationship with God.

OBJECTIVES FOR ROTATION

See Bible Background.

OBJECTIVES FOR WORKSHOP

At the end of this lesson the children will:

Locate the story in the Bible; identify the book of Judges as an Old Testament book of history.

Examine the cyclical structure of the background to this story: people go astray, there is suffering, the people ask God for help, God sends a judge who delivers, then the deliverer dies -- and the cycle begins again. Discover the connection between humanity through the ages and of a leader who is always with us, ready to forgive and offer new life – Jesus.

PREPARATION

Read Bible Background.

Materials List

• Bibles
  
• Fabric or ribbon, various colors
  
• Frame of wood
  
• Markers, permanent or washable in different colors
  
• Scissors
  
• Stapler
  
• Staples
  

Advance Preparation

Cut fabric or ribbon into 2”--3" strips

PRESENTATION

Open – Introduction

Greet the children as they enter. Tell the children that they will be learning about a judge named Deborah. Explain what a judge was in Biblical times.

Dig - Main Content

Have the children find Judges 4 in their Bibles so they can follow along.

Read Judges 4.

Discuss with the children how this story in the Bible is one of many where the people of God have fallen away from God, cried out to God for help, God sends help in the form of a judge or leader, then the leader dies and the Israelites fall away from God again.

Have the children use one ribbon or strip of material and a permanent marker to write or draw an instance in their life when they fell away from God and/or prayed to God for help. Use another strip if they can identify whom God sent to them for help. Ask: who did God send to the help the Israelites? As the children are working on their drawings/writing, Ask: Did you ever "fall away from God again?" Did the Israelites?

Reflect – Closure

When the children have completed writing or drawing on their ribbon or material help them weave the material into a wooden frame. Staple one set of fabric or ribbon horizontally across the frame and weave the other ribbons through it vertically. Show the group how the pattern is connected for everyone.

This could also be connected to worship by having the congregation write or draw on a strip of material as part of the prayer of confession. These strips can then be added to the children's weaving and later brought in and hung in the sanctuary as part of assurance of pardon as the congregation is reminded that this cycle has been broken by the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ who forgives our sins and gives us new life and a new, direct relationship with God.

CONTRIBUTOR: Stacy Tate