Memory Verse

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Younger Group (Preschool-3rd grade) Family Devotional

• Watch: July 12, 2020 Younger Group (Preschool-3^rd) Video Lesson 9

Discussion Questions

1. Edom and God’s people came from 2 brothers. What were their names?
   • Esau – Edom, Jacob – God’s people
2. Prophet Obadiah wrote to which nation?
   • Edom (Obadiah 1)
3. What was the promise to Israel?
   • They would be restored to their land. (Obadiah 19-21)
4. Why do you think God punished the nation of Edom so severely?
   • Help the kids understand that Edom was the nation of Esau’s descendants. They should have been like brothers and sisters to Israel. If anyone understood God’s love and plans for Israel, it should have been Edom. By ignoring Judah’s trouble (Obadiah 11), they were actively going against God’s plans.
5. Do you think we should only help our siblings and family members? Why or Why not?
   • Discuss the idea of loving our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). Remind the kids that God adopts believers into His family (Ephesians 1:5) and that salvation is free to everyone who believes (Romans 10:5-15). This means that everyone we meet is, or could become, part of our spiritual family!
6. What does it show about God when we love our enemies?
   • Discuss what the Bible teaches about our standing towards God – remind the kids that we are born in sin, and thus are enemies of God (Romans 5:10). But He loves us and sent Jesus for us (John 3:16). When we love those who treat us badly, it provides a picture of God’s love for sinners (1 John 4:7-21)

Older Group (4th-Teen) Family Devotional

• Watch: July 12, 2020 Older Group (4^th-Teen) Video Lesson 9

Discussion Questions

1. Prophet Obadiah wrote to which nation?
   • Edom (Obadiah 1)
2. What was the promise to Israel?
   • They would be restored to their land. (Obadiah 19-21)
3. What consequences did Edom face for their mistreatment of Israel? Will we face what we deserve for our sin? Why?
   • Lead kids to recall that God said the people of Edom would get what they deserved (Obadiah 15). The consequence was total destruction and no survivors (Obadiah 18). We deserve death for our sin (Romans 6:23), but Jesus took the punishment we deserve by dying on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). On the 3^rd day, He rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:4). When we trust in Him, God forgives our sin and gives us eternal life (Romans 6:22).
4. Why do you think God punished the nation of Edom so severely?
   • Help the kids understand that Edom was the nation of Esau’s descendants. They should have been like brothers and sisters to Israel. If anyone understood God’s love and plans for Israel, it should have been Edom. By ignoring Judah’s trouble (Obadiah 11), they were actively going against God’s plans.
5. Do you think we should only help our siblings and family members? Why or Why not?
   • Discuss the idea of loving our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). Remind the kids that God adopts believers into His family (Ephesians 1:5) and that salvation is free to everyone who believes (Romans 10:5-15). This means that everyone we meet is, or could become, part of our spiritual family!
6. A lot of the problems from today’s lesson happened because the families of 2 brothers didn’t get along. What could you do this week to get along with your brothers, sisters, or friends?
   • Invite the kids to share their ideas. Point out that not only does God call us to love our siblings, He even wants us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).
7. What does it show about God when we love our enemies?
   • Discuss what the Bible teaches about our standing towards God – remind the kids that we are born in sin, and thus are enemies of God (Romans 5:10). But He loves us and sent Jesus for us (John 3:16). When we love those who treat us badly, it provides a picture of God’s love for sinners (1 John 4:7-21)
8. Do you think God can fix this broken world? Why?
   • Allow the kids to share their thoughts. Then emphasize that we do live in a broken world where many unfair things happen, but God promises in His Word that one day, Jesus will return and make all things new (Revelations 21:5)