Subscription Lists
Family Blueprint
by Julianne Bell
(Paper towel tube, sand or salt, a wooden dowel, and tissue paper teach us along with Gideon that God is our strength.)
The Lord gave us the blueprint of His Word to architect our family on Jesus Christ.
Going through the Bible with your family…
Weekly Scripture:
Judges 6:11-35; 7:1-8:28
Story:
"Gideon and His Army"
Application:
When we are weak, God is strong.
Summary:
Gideon was a valiant warrior according to God and so he should deliver the Israelites from their enemies. God said to send home all the men who were afraid and a lot of people returned home. Then God told Gideon to have all the men go down to the water and drink. God told Gideon to separate the men according to the way they drank. There were 300 men who lifted water to their mouths to drink and these were the men God chose. At night time Gideon gave each man an empty pitcher with a torch in it, to hold in his left hand and a trumpet to hold in his right hand. On Gideon’s signal they broke the pitchers, blew the trumpets, and shouted, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon." The enemy either killed each other or ran away and were pursued by Gideon’s army.
Focus:
That our children will learn that we do not rely on our own strength and tactics, but rather God’s power and strategy.
Finding Christ:
Same as last week, in Judges 6 we have the Angel of the Lord which appears to be a preincarnate visitation of Christ. In verse 22Gideon fears that He has seen the Angel of the Lord face to face, that he might die, and the Lord comforts him by extending Gideon His peace. Thus Gideon names the place Yahweh-Shalom which means the Lord is Peace! Jesus tells us in the New Testament that He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
Live the Lesson:
You will take a cardboard tube from a paper towel roll. Cut a piece of tissue paper about 8 inches square and tell your children this piece of paper represents Gideon. Then show them a 12 inch long wooden dowel or drumstick and tell them this represents the enemy. Now put the piece of tissue on the end of the cardboard tube and fasten it securely with a rubber band. Ask one of your children to play the role of the enemies of Israel and to take that wooden dowel and push it through the cardboard tube and see if they can pierce the tissue paper, which they do quite easily.
Tell them, "Oh I forgot to include God. Gideon is weak apart from God." Now use a new piece of 8 inch square tissue and fasten it securely again on the cardboard tube. Take sand or salt and fill the tube about ¾ full. Tell the children this sand represents God giving Gideon strength. Now have the enemy come against Gideon again. This time they cannot get the dowel through the tissue. God has made Gideon strong!!! Tell your children the same thing is true in their lives. They are weak apart from God, but with God they can accomplish anything God directs them to do.
For more free family devotional resources visit www.familyblueprint.org
Memory Verse:
"When I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10
Prayer:
Dear Lord, please help us know that You are our strength. Your strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Living the Life:
This week discuss with your children how God can use the absurd to accomplish His will through willing vessels who understand His strength through them can do all things.
Family Blueprint has come to fruition as a complimentary service for those seeking creative ways to 'teach them (the words of the Lord) diligently to your children...' Deuteronomy 6:7
Julianne Bell is also a consultant for Once Upon A Family at www.familyblueprint.org/once_upon_a_family.htm This allows her to work from home while homeschooling her children and keeping her ministry website resources free.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Family Blueprint" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.