Skip to main content

"More" Lesson Resources for Teaching the Stories of the Judges in Sunday School.

Post your lesson resources for teaching the Stories of the Judges in Sunday School. Judges, Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Barak, Sisera, Gideon, Samson, etc.

Supporting Members:

Be sure to see our Writing Team's set of lessons about the Judges (including Deborah). Everyone can see the lesson summaries and Bible Background for that special set.



Neil Posted:

Sparknotes curriculum has a nice teacher-friendly summary of the Book of Judges, with key insights. It's free and online.


Arlene posted this Judges comment, art idea,  and resource list:

We did a wind chime-cross-sun-catcher, which catches the wind (spirit) and light God's truth) and reflects it (like the judges did and we are supposed to do).

We are focusing on that fact that the judges listened to and obeyed God --and called upon the people to do the same.

Our unit on Judges focused on three judges: Deborah, Gideon, and Samson, rather than just one, with multiple lessons that had an overarching focus (above).

RESOURCE BOOKS - Activity / Drama / Science / Cooking / etc.

  • Fearless Pharaoh FooFoo, Larry Vogel, Concordia Publishing House, 1998 "Judges--Again" deals with both Deborah and Gideon (We will stop before the use of the optional songs.) and "Samson."
  • God's Big Picture Leader's Guide, Gospel Light, 1999 has a unit on Deborah {as well as the other two judges-Gideon's Hiding Place & The Strongest Man Fails the Test} and recommends a skit "Canaan TV News" from Gospel Light's The Big Book of Bible Skits, 1997. It also contains "Samson's Downfall" which I would not use.
  • Clip & Tell Some More Bible Stories, Lois Keffer, Group, "God Helps Gideon." Helps tell the story of Gideon's calling, how God reduced Gideon's army, and how Gideon's army of 300 won the battle with trumpets (shofars?), torches, and clay jars--and God's help in confusing the Midianites, of course!
  • 52 Bible Stories in Rhyme & Rhythm by Phyllis Vos Wezeman, Shining Star, 1995 has action story "Samson: Strength and Shame."
  • Forget-Me-Not Bible Story Activities, Christine Yount, Group, 1997, "Sapped Strength" on Samson.
  • A Funny Thing Happened To Me on My Way Through the Bible, Martha Bolton, Lillenas, 1985. "A Most Incredible Battle" on Gideon.
  • Crafts & More, Karyn Henley, Group, 1993, on "Samson Hair" and "Against the Odds" on Gideon.
  • Movie Clips for Kids lists some regular movies such as Rookie of the Year and The Princess Bride in which a short clip would illustrate disappearing powers and hidden strength, esp. for Samson story--but The Princess Bride clip might go along with your talents and gifts theme.
  • Amazing Science Devotions for Children's Ministry, Group, 1999 has a "Can You Hear Me?" exercise in hearing objects by using string to your ears. We are adapting that process to have the string taped to two styrofoam cups, using it to illustrate the judges had to listen closely to God's instructions, then obey them and tell the people God's plans.
  • Nanette Goings in Group's Incredible Edible Bible Fun, 1997 has a good discussion of Samson under the "Strong-as-Samson Dip."
  • Group's The Children's Worker's Encyclopedia of Bible Teaching Ideas, Old Testament, 1997 has several ideas on Judges, esp. Gideon and Samson
  •  Crazy Clothesline Characters, Carol Mader, Group, 2000. (Samson)
  • 52 Bible Story Puppet Scripts. One Way Street, 2000. (Samson)
  • Snip & Tell Bible Stories, Karyn Henley, Group 1993 (Samson).
  • Creative Bible Learning, Karyn Henley, Standard, 1997.
    Moderator notes note sure which one she meant as there are three in this series:
    - Arts & Crafts  9780784706985
    - Science & Cooking  9780784706992 (Deborah, Gideon, Samson)
    - Storytelling 9780784706978.

Websites:

  • Another website which I have found helpful--you have to join to have access to all their stuff--is www.kidology.org. They have two esp. related to Joshua and the Judges "Gideon, the Mighty Warrior" from God who? and "Be Strong and Courageous" from the "A Lesson for KIDS CHURCH".
Last edited by Neil MacQueen
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

DVD - “Gideon” (New Superbook Series)

When Joy is called to leadership in a difficult situation, she has to chose between taking the challenge or running scared. Suddenly, Superbook sends Joy, Chris, and Gizmo to a time when Gideon overcomes a difficult battle with the Midianites. This encourages Joy to walk with God and conquer the task at hand.  Lesson "God can use anyone who is willling." (Animated - approx. 28 mins)

Questions for this video have been created by one of our Supporting Members "Ron Shifley" in a post below link.

See Rotation.org reviews of the "New Superbook" DVD Series for more details on this series link)

Last edited by Luanne Payne

Art Lesson Plan - Gideon's Ram's Horn

Written by Rev. Ron Shifley from
Scotland United Church of Christ
Scotland, SD, USA

Memory Verse: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Supplies:

 Real shofar to look at and try

 Gideon Bible Storybook: "Gideon and the Time of the Judges" by Scandinavia Publishing

 Party Horns (6 for a dollar and Dollar Tree)

 Tissue paper (browns)

 White glue (diluted) or liquid starch

 Paintbrush for glue

 Masking Tape to hold middle fold before wrapping

Source: “Dollar Store Shofar Craft” from BibleBeltBalabusta.com, Sept. 13, 2014; “The Sounds of the Shofar” from joyfuljewish.wordpress.com, Sept. 16, 2012.

Instructions on how to make the ram's horn (shofar) are available at http://biblebeltbalabusta.com/...-store-shofar-craft/

Lesson Plan:

Introduce the project by showing kids an authentic shofar (ram’s horn trumpet), and telling them that we will be making our own ram’s horns in Creation Station to help experience this month’s Bible story about Gideon.

Ask: In what ways the kids think ram’s horns were used in Bible times? Ask: How trumpets are used today? Tell the kids that ram’s horns were important in Bible times, to sound an alert or warning, to announce the arrival of a king, to surprise an enemy, as an instrument of worship, to call people to attention, etc.

Say:  there is even a biblical holiday held in the fall called “Feast of Trumpets.” [Leviticus 23:23-25]

Begin art project with students.

1. Kids tear strips of tissue paper: 10 to 15 strips. Neatness does not count. 2. Kids paint horn with diluted glue, then wrap and smoosh layers of paper onto the glue. Repeat until original color of horn is obscured. Wrinkles are good: they make the horn look more real. Make sure the horn still has the two creases. Let dry. This part will take forever, so begin Dig into the Word as students work.Gideon

DIG INTO THE WORD

Read the story of Gideon from the Gideon Bible Storybook.

Ask: “Why do you think the Lord had Gideon’s army blow the trumpets as they surrounded the Midianite army in the middle of the night. [To startle them away, make them panic, make them think Gideon’s army was all over them.]

Ask: What would you have thought if you were a member of Gideon’s army and you were told that the battle plan was just to blow rams horns, wave torches in the air and shout “For the Lord and for Gideon”? [Let kids respond with various answers, share one of your own saying that it made no sense. Etc.]

How did this method of battle show Gideon and his army that God was the one who was in charge of the battle? [God caused the enemy to panic. Gideon’s army didn’t have to attack, the Midianites attacked each other.]

Say: Gideon had to learn to listen to God and to obey His instructions in order to win the battle.  What are some ways that we can listen for God's voice (prayer, reading the Bible, etc.)

What other Bible stories does a ram’s horn/trumpet play an important role?

  •  Joshua and the battle of Jericho [Joshua 6:15-20]
  •  Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem [Nehemiah 4:16-21]
  • The Second Coming of Christ [Matthew 24:30-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17]

How is the trumpet used in each Bible story? Why do you think the ram’s Horn is used to show God’s power?

Say:  Now that our rams horns are about dry, let's practice sounding the shofar.

[Use this link to teach the different sounds of the shofar via the link below.  Give time to let students blow the real shofar and to make sounds with the rams horns that they have created.

 https://joyfuljewish.wordpress...sound-of-the-shofar/

After students have had time blowing their rams horns, gather them together to recite this month's Bible memory verse.

Close with prayer thanking God for heros like Gideon who listened to God's instructions, and asking for open hearts and open minds to hear God speak his Word into our lives today.

Attachments

Images (1)
  • Gideon
Last edited by Luanne Payne

Gideon - Superbook DVD Review QuestionsGideon DVD

Watch a trailer of the Gideon Superbook DVD here: http://videos.cbn.com/services...;bctid=3530417177001

I found the video to be well done artistically and faithful to the biblical narrative.

Below are Review Questions I wrote, they are also included as a PowerPoint Quiz, see attachment found at the end of this post.



Questions to ask after showing the DVD

1. At the beginning of Gideon’s story we find out that Israel had been invaded by what enemy:

A. Philistines B. Edomites C. Midianites (Judges 6:1) D. Romans

2. Who tells Gideon that he has been selected to lead the Israelites army to defeat their enemies.

A. An angel (Judges 6:11) B. Gideon’s servant Purah C. A prophet D. Moses

3. From which of the 12 tribes of Israel does Gideon say that he is from?

A. Judah B. Rueben C. Manasseh (Judges 6:15) D. Benjamin

4. In what way does the Lord use to prove that it is really God who is talking to Gideon ?

A. Consuming meat and unleavened bread covered in broth with fire (Judges 6:20 -21) B. Making wool fleece wet but ground dry (Judges 6:37 -38) C. Making wool fleece dry but ground wet (Judges 6:39 -40) D. All of the above.

5. What test does God command Gideon to have his army perform to reduce them down to 300 men who will fight for God?

A. Archery contest B. Drinking from a stream (Judges 7:4-7) C. Swimming contest D. Running a race

6. Who did Gideon take with him when he snuck into the Midianite camp to spy on them?

A. Moses B. Joshua C. Samson D. His servant Purah (Judges 7:10-11)

7. How many men did Gideon take with him to fight the Midianites?

A. 100 B. 200 C. 300 (Judges 7:7) D. 400

8. What items did Gideon instruct his army to take with them whe n they went to fight the Midianites?

A. Ram’s Horn B. Torch C. Empty Jar D. All of the above (Judges 7:16)

9. What did Gideon have his army do defeat the Midianite army?

A. Charge in and attack the army with their swords B. Set the camp on fire with their torches C. Blow the trumpets, hold the torches in the air and shout “For the Lord and for Gideon” (Judges 7:20) D. Blow the trumpets and shoot them with arrows

10. After Gideon’s army defeated the Midianites, the people wanted to crown him king of Israel. Who did Gideon tell them was the rightful ruler of Israel?

A. Gideon’s son B. The Lord (Judges 8:23) C. King David D. King Saul

11. What other famous Bible story did God have the Israelites blow rams horns to help defeat their enemy?

A. Joshua and the battle for Jericho

12. Besides Gideon, can you name any other famous judges that God used to lead Israel in the book of Judges?

A. Samson and Deborah

Ask, “In what way did Gideon’s adventure help out Joy, Chris and Gizmo with their problem back home?” (God is with you, and will help you deal with difficult situations)

Attachments

Images (1)
  • Gideon DVD
Files (1)
Last edited by Luanne Payne

Ehud, Deborah, Gideon and Samson Video Lesson Resources

Ehud is described in the biblical Book of Judges as a judge who was sent by God to deliver the Israelites from Moabite domination. He is described as being left-handed and a member of the Tribe of Benjamin.

"G-dcast.com" ...a Jewish media site, (aka BimBam), has a number of free online videos (posted on YouTube as well). For Deborah, Gideon, and Samson, go to https://www.bimbam.com/neviim/

Here's one on Ehud.  Go to https://www.bimbam.com/ehud/

Last edited by Luanne Payne

I found a really good synopsis of Judges YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOYy8iCfIJ4.  It is illustrated "Mr. Dressup" style (sorry, Canadian reference) as the narrator gives the aprox. 10 min. overview.  Although it might not hold the attention of the youngest children, it is a great way to quickly get a sense of the entire book and I'm sending the link to all of our leaders and assistants for our Judges rotation as a supplement to the biblical background material.

Nice find, Margie. Really clear overview. Although the constant movement on the screen may help focus kids' attention, I agree that it's not for younger students. But then I have trouble with Judges myself so I wouldn't be inclined to share Judges with young ones. Using this 10 minute video as an overview for teachers is a brilliant move. Thanks!

Anne

Free Bible illustrations by Richard Gunther contributed to freeBibleimages.org and licensed for non-commercial teaching use. https://www.freebibleimages.or...tors/richardgunther/

To see all of his illustrations organized by Bible story go to https://www.freebibleimages.or...tors/richardgunther/

You can also see many of his Bible illustrations formatted by author Jill Kemp as FREE printable Bible story books for younger children and preschoolers at

http://www.lambsongs.co.nz/One...0Bible%20Stories.htm (NEW Testament stories) and

http://www.lambsongs.co.nz/one..._old%20testament.htm (OLD Testament stories, including SEVERAL from JUDGES).

Attachments

Images (2)
  • mceclip0
  • mceclip1

Add Reply

Post a New Topic
Lesson or Resource
Rotation.org Inc. is a volunteer-run, 100% member supported, 501(c)3 non-profit Sunday School lesson ministry. You are welcome to borrow and adapt content for non-commercial teaching purposes --as long as both the site and author are referenced. Rotation.org Inc reserves the right to manage, move, condense, delete, and otherwise improve all content posted to the site. Read our Terms of Service. Get a free Registered Membership or become a Supporting Member for full access to all site resources.
Rotation.org is rated 5 stars on Google based on 51 reviews. Serving a global community including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, S. Africa, and more!
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×