GOD’S MESSENGERS

 

memory verse for this unit

“Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you” (Jeremiah 7:23b, NIV*).

objectives of this unit

This unit will help your preadolescents:• Understand that just as God called the prophets to give his message to the people, they must also give God’s message to the people that surround them.• Understand the significance of the sovereignty of God and know that God permits them to choose, but they’re responsible for their choices.• Know that they’re responsible to God for their actions and understand the importance of confessing their sins to him.• Understand that God cares about people, especially those who are treated unjustly.

the reason we teach this unit

At Mount Sinai, God made a covenant with his people. Through that covenant, people would love God and worship him alone. They would also treat others with love and respect. The prophets warned the people that they were breaking the covenant with God. Although he is sovereign, he allows people to make their own decisions. The people decided to worship their neighbors’ idols as part of their worship practices. God worked through his prophets to warn his people they should stop doing that and start putting him in the first place in their lives. The Israelites blamed past generations for the mistakes they made. But God warned them that all people are responsible for their own acts and sins. The people heard the warnings but did not obey God. As a result, the prophets brought messages of judgment and condemnation. Our preadolescents will learn in these lessons the way in which people sometimes respond to God and his message. This will remind them that they must put God first and show love and respect for others. It is important they know that they cannot blame others for their mistakes. Each person is responsible before God. The warnings show the Lord’s patience. They also show his mercy and his willingness to forgive when the people repent. Use this unit for your group to examine their relationship with God.
Please remember that one of the core principles of discipleship is intentional mentoring and equipping. Jesus' method of discipleship was through personal mentoring of a chosen group of individuals. It was these methods that helped Christianity grow and transform society. You can also mentor and equip your group to be Christlike disciples.

* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™