Week 260 · about 45 minutes
Judges 8
Judges 8 · Memory verse Judges 8:18
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Queues the lesson plan, this story’s coloring page (Judges 8), the matching word search and answer key (Judges 8 word search), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a ribbon
Hold a ribbon. Read Judges 8 in about four minutes, stopping at Judges 8:18: “Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “They were like you. Each one resembled the children of a king.”” Ask, “What does this prop have to do with Judges 8?” Let two children answer, then say the memory verse together.
Story script
Judges 8 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “The men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you treated us this way, that you didn’t call us when you went to fight with Midian?” They rebuked him sharply.” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.
Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “They were like you. Each one resembled the children of a king.”” Judges 8 opens with these words: “The men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you treated us this way, that you didn’t call us when you went to fight with Midian?” They…” The line to keep is Judges 8:18: “Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “They were like you. Each one resembled the children…” Carry the word “zebah” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is Judges 8:18: “Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “They were like you. Each one resembled the children of a king.”” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in Judges 8? Then try this: Read “Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered,…” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.
Group game
Walk the room as if you are moving through Judges 8. Every time you freeze, a child says one word from Judges 8:18. The last child says the whole verse.
Craft
On a US Letter sheet, draw one picture from Judges 8 and write Judges 8:18 under it. Send it home as tonight’s reminder, not as a decoration contest.
Memory verse
Judges 8:18
“Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “They were like you. Each one resembled the children of a king.””
Take-home prayer
Father, thank you for Judges 8. Help us remember Judges 8:18 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.