Dear Parents, 

 

Thank you to Alice and Irene Alexander for leading Children’s Church this week. They reviewed last week’s judges, Deborah and Barak. They also made a special poster illustrating the confusing steps the Israelites have been taking in this journey through the History section of the Old Testament. The poster reads, “Don’t Be Confused, Follow God!”  Check out the footprints the children drew. You can find this poster displayed on the wall in our library.

 

In Sunday School, this week’s Bible story, “Gideon,” starts out the same way the previous stories have started: The Israelites once again turned away from God. This time, God handed the Israelites over to the Midianites. The Bible says the Midianites would swarm the Israelites like locusts, devouring all of their livestock and crops. The Israelites hid in caves and were reduced to poverty.

 

 The Angel of the LORD personally delivered a message to Gideon as he was threshing grain in a wine vat to hide it from the Midianites. God called Gideon to deliver His people from the Midianites. Gideon told the Angel that he was the youngest son of the weakest house in the tribe of Manasseh. God had a solution, though: “I will be with you,” He said. (Judg. 6:16)

 

 Not only did God choose an unlikely hero for today’s Bible story, but God also reduced Gideon’s army to only 300 soldiers. People would know God defeated the Midianites, not the might of the Israelite army. In battle, God turned the Midianites’ swords against each other. Gideon and his army pursued the enemy troops. Gideon alone could not defeat the Midianites. In the same way, we aren’t able to save ourselves from sin. Jesus came to save us from our sin because He is enough. Only God, through Jesus Christ, can save us.

 

Just in case the “Family Journal Page” didn't make it home:

 

 Bible Passage: Judges 6-8

 

Big Picture Question: How should we respond to God’s calling? We should obey God and trust Him to help us.

 

 Key passage: “Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, the LORD was with him and saved the people from the power of their enemies while the judge was still alive.” Judges 2:18

       

 Christ Connection: The Israelites cried out to God because they knew they could not save themselves. Even Gideon was not enough to save them; God used Gideon to save His people but God fought the battle for them. The people needed someone who was mighty to save. Jesus Christ came to save us from sin because we cannot save ourselves. Only God, through Christ, can save us.

 

 Family task: Gideon needed God’s help to trust God’s plan and obey Him. Gideon asked God to prove His plan. God reduced Gideon’s army from 32,000 soldiers to 300 soldiers. Read Joshua 7:2 and talk about why God did that. When Gideon did what God said, he showed that he trusted God. Share with your children at least one way God has proved that your family can trust Him. Write about that experience.

 

Next week's lesson:  Judges 13-16

 

Check out Charleston Baptist's Gospel Project Blog: www.charlestonbaptistss.blogspot.com 

For more about The Gospel Project, www.gospelproject.com

Words in italic are copied and pasted from The Gospel Project Curriculum

 

VBS is on the way!!! 

“Turn It Up!!” Turn up the power of God’s love!!

June 24-28

8:45-12:30 (mornings only)

Sign Up to volunteer this Sunday, May 19

Look for the “Turn It Up” table describing various positions available. Volunteers are needed before VBS. We are having a closing program on Friday night, June 28. If you work during the day, you don’t have an excuse, there is something you can do. Sign up this weekend.

 

Please note that the church will also be conducting our second annual S.O.S. (Servants of the Savior) Mission project that same week. As part of that, Backyard Bible Clubs will be held in the evenings if you cannot participate in VBS during the day.