As a result of studying about God’s fair and just nature, children will understand why it is important to confess their sins to God and ask for His forgiveness on a regular basis.
TOPICS
Fairness, Forgiveness, Justice, Knowing God, Mercy, Sin
AS KIDS ARRIVE (10 minutes)
As children arrive have them look up and read the following Bible passages:
Psalm 111:7-8, Psalm 9:7-8, 2 Peter 3:8-9
Once all the children arrive, read the verses together as a group and discuss the meaning of each verse.
God sets the standard for right and wrong. (Psalm 111:7-8)
God judges all behaviour fairly. (Psalm 9:7-8)
God punishes or rewards as quickly or slowly as He desires. (2 Peter 3:8-9)
OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISE (5 minutes)
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MEMORY WORK (12 minutes)
"'For I am a great king,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and my name is to be feared among the nations.'"
Malachi 1:14b NIV
Have the children say the verse together aloud. Write each word of this verse, or portions of the verse in bold letters on separate index cards. Tape the cards to the back of each child. Have the children work together to put themselves in the proper order based on the verse. Check to make sure that the children are in the correct order by reading the cards.
SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes)
Introduction:
Today, we will examine several Bible passages. These verses show that while God loves us, He is also a holy and righteous judge.
Read Genesis 19:12-26
(When reading the passage emphasize that the angels told Lot and his family not to look behind them as they left the city. Also, emphasize that Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.)
Discussion Questions:
1. Why are Lot and his family warned to leave the city? (God is going to destroy the city.)
2. Why does Lot’s wife look back towards the city? (Allow for discussion.)
3. What happened when Lot's wife looks back at the city? (She becomes a pillar of salt.)
This is an example of when God chose to issue immediate and just consequences for disobedience. Lot’s wife was punished immediately when she disobeyed God’s warning.
Read Numbers 20:2-12
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do the Israelites gather in opposition to Moses and Aaron? (There is no water to drink.)
2. Why does Moses strike the rock? (Most likely, he stricks the rock out of pride.)
3. What is the result of Moses' disobedience? (Moses wandered the desert with the Israelites for forty years. Although he remained faithful, he is not allowed to take the Israelites into the promised land.)
God is the same holy and just God today as He was during the time of Lot and Moses. He still punishes sin and rewards obedience.
Ask volunteers to read Hebrews 4:13 and Romans 14:10b-12. These verses explain that nothing can be hidden from God. Everyone must give an account of his or her life to God.
CLASS EXERCISE (10 minutes)
Making God’s Word Personal (Activity) Click here
ALTERNATE CLASS EXERCISE (5 minutes)
God's Forgiveness (Object Talk) Click here
APPLICATION (5 minutes)
God is a just God and nothing can escape Him. Life may not always seem fair, but God is always fair. He rewards obedience and punishes sin.
Discussion Questions:
1. How would our lives be different if God was not fair and just? (Allow for answers.)
2. Why is it good that God is fair and just? (Allow for answers.)
3. What is a consequence? (A result or punishment for wrongdoing.)
4. How do consequences prove God’s love? (Because the consequences He gives us are meant to draw us back to Him.)
Give a few examples of loving consequences from the viewpoint of a parent, teacher, or other authoritative figure. End with the encouragement that knowing God is just makes us more obedient and ultimately helps us take our faith more seriously.
NEXT WEEK
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CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
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TAKE HOME PAGE
Give one copy to each child at the end of the class to take home. Click here for NIV or KJV [PDF]