Sunday, September 29: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed

2 Kings 17: 1-23

 

Sunday’s Bible account in The Gospel Project^® for Kids focuses once again on the Northern Kingdom of Israel. God’s people in the Northern Kingdom had a long history of disobeying God. God sent His prophets to the people of Israel and the prophets told the people of Israel to repent and worship God again. Many times, the prophets told the people what would happen in the future if they continued to sin.

Some of God’s people listened to the prophets, repented of their sins, and followed God. But many people did not. 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 and the people were scattered, just as God had said it would be. (1 Kings 14:15)

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.

Sunday, September 22: Elisha and Naaman

2 Kings 5

This week in The Gospel Project^® for Kids, we turn our attention to Elisha, Elijah’s friend and successor, and Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. The Syrians often attacked Israelite cities and took whatever they wanted, including people to work as slaves. One of the slaves carried off by the Syrians has a pivotal role in Sunday’s account.

Naaman was sick with leprosy—a serious skin disease. Without a cure, Naaman would suffer horribly. A young slave girl from the land of Israel, however, knew about the one true God. She told her mistress that Elisha the prophet could heal Naaman.

Naaman told his master, the king of Aram (Syria), what his servant said. The king of Aram wrote a letter to King Ahab, commanding him to heal Naaman. King Ahab panicked. He couldn’t heal Naaman—only God could do that! Elisha sent for Naaman and told him to wash seven times in the Jordan River. It wasn’t the “cure” Naaman was expecting, and he rejected Elisha’s instructions. His servants, however, encouraged him to obey, and when Naaman washed in the Jordan as Elisha had instructed, he was healed! Naaman told Elisha, “I know there’s no God in the whole world except in Israel” (2 Kings 5:15).

Naaman was sick with a skin problem. His disease went away when he washed in the river. All people are sick with a sin problem. They need a Healer. When we trust Jesus as Lord and Savior, God forgives our sin and heals us.

Sunday, September 15: Elijah Ran from Jezebel

1 Kings 19

In our continuing journey of The Gospel Project^® for Kids, Sunday's Bible account takes place immediately after Elijah’s confrontation with King Ahab and the false prophets of Baal. Elijah saw God send fire from heaven. God showed King Ahab, the Israelites, and all the people who worshiped the false god Baal that God is the one true God. Elijah probably felt very happy and victorious, but he was about to face trouble.

King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, was furious with Elijah. Jezebel had already killed many of God’s prophets, and after Baal’s defeat at Mount Carmel, Jezebel sent a message to Elijah: she was going to kill Elijah like she had killed God’s prophets. Elijah was afraid! He ran away from Jezebel and hid in the wilderness. Overcome with despair, Elijah begged the Lord to take his life. (See 1 Kings 19:4.)

God sent an angel to bring food and water to Elijah while he rested. Then Elijah traveled to Mount Horeb—another name for Mount Sinai—to have a personal encounter with God. God revealed Himself to Elijah in a voice, a soft whisper. God assured Elijah that he was not alone; there were 7,000 people in Israel who had not turned to worship Baal. Elijah’s circumstances were difficult, but God never left him. And God gave him Elisha, a friend and successor.

Elijah was God’s prophet, and wicked Jezebel wanted to kill him. God was in control, and He protected Elijah. Jesus is the true and final Prophet. People hated Jesus and wanted to kill Him. God was in control. He used Jesus’ enemies to fulfill His plan to save people from sin.

Off to a Good Start!

Weekday Preschool, Mother's Day Out, and MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) resumed meeting in September and all are excited to be back! JAMM is in full swing, and preschoolers are singing and learning about our friends in other places all around the world. Contact the Preschool Office 318.868.6552 or email sandrah@broadmoor.tv to see how you and your preschooler can be involved!