Dec. 19 Lesson Review

In search of a King...

I Samuel 8:4-5 - Israel wants a king

I Samuel 11 - Saul becomes king (for 42 years)

Battle of Michmash (it's fun to say) - I Samuel 13
In a small pass (half an acre) the Israelites defeated the Philistines because of the small area.
Philistine phalanx could not form. Israelite light infantry moved quickly with spears and short swords.

I Samuel 17 - A young man (David) fought Goliath.
Goliath: 9+ feet tall with 125 pounds of armor
David used his sling and one stone to kill Goliath.

Saul became increasingly paranoid of David.

David fled Saul, hid in the wilderness, and later David lived among the Philistines.

Saul was defeated by the Philisitines at Mt. Gilboa. - I Samuel 31

David becomes king (for 40 years).
David defeated the Philistines because he knew their tactics.
Israel expanded. The Philisitines were pushed to the coast. Israel captured weapons technology.


1,000 years later... a king from the house of David would be born in Bethlehem.

Merry Christmas!

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Joke

Q: What do you do if you're attacked by a gang of circus performers?

(See comments for Answer.)

Dec. 12 Lesson Review

Judges

Judges 21:25 - the Israelites were leaderless

Canaan contained Israelites, Philistines, and other people groups.

Israel and the Philisitines fought over the Jezreel Valley (located in northern Israel, between Mediteranean Sea and Sea of Galilee. The Jezreel Valley was vital for trade routes.

Deborah (and her general Barak) fought Sisera and his Philsitine army in the Jezreel Valley. Sisera's chariots got stuck in the swampy lands and were ovwhelmed as the Israelite light infantry quickly came down the mountain and killed them all. - Judges 4:13-15

Sisera was delivered into the hands of Jael. She killed him with a tent stake. Judges 4:17-22

Israel took control of Jezreel Valley.


Gideon took 300 of his best troops and surrounded the Midianites, at night, intimidated them, killed them, and chased more across the Jordan River. - Judges 7:19-24

Israel now has more control of land, but more land to protect.

FAMILY KITCHEN

The Family Kitchen is a soup kitchen at the old Family Church and they have asked us to help serve sometime (probably in February). They are open Wednesday's from 4-7pm.
Please repond to the poll on the right (at the top) for the best date(s) that you can help COOK, SERVE, and CLEANUP.

Between now and then we can make arrangements for childcare.

If you have questions, leave a comment.

Christmas & New Year's

December 26 - No class, just one service only

January 2 - No class, just one service only

Mark your calendars....

Check out the Parents Night Out dates for 2011

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December 5th Lesson Review

Joshua

Joshua was trained to be a leader and a warrior by Moses.

Joshua means "God rescues" or "Jehovah is salvaton".

Joshua sent spies to check out Jericho. Rahab protected them. - Joshua 2: 15-18

The Israelites crossed the Jordan River (Joshua 3: 14-17) much like they had crossed the Red Sea 40 years earlier.

The rocks... Joshua 4:19-24 & Matthew 3:9 (1,200 years later)

The Israelites defeated Jericho with special operations and good intelligence. - Joshua 6

Next, the Israelites defeated the city of Ai by using ambush tactics (Joshua 8). Ai was west of Jericho and important because it was along a mountain ridge.

The Israelites defeated many kings' armies in the Eilon Valley by marching over the mountains at night for 20 miles. The sun stood still - Joshua 10.

Joshua won many battles in the south (Joshua 10) and in the north (Joshua 11)

The lands were divided among the tribes (Joshua 13-21).

There was still land to be conquered.

Tactics:

The Israelites used spies, deception, nature, ambush, and special operations to help them win.

Nov. 28 Lesson Review

Moses and the Exodus

Hebrews settled in northern Egypt and, because they were skilled in the art of warfare, served to protect the empire.

The Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. - Exodus 1:12

There were plagues and the Passover.

The Egyptians asked the Hebrews to leave and "gave them what they asked for." - Exodus 12

600,000 Israelite men (plus the women, children, "others," and livestock) left, and traveled by day with a pillar of smoke leading them, and by night with a pillar of fire leading them.

The pillars of light/smoke were to display God's presence, and for communicating between Moses and the millions of people following him.

Pillars of light and smoke blinded the Egyptians as the Israelites crossed the Red Sea.

Israelites spent 40 years in the desert:

• remaking their civilization with new laws
• training an army - Exodus 19
• developing leadership - Exodus 17
• fighting many people - Numbers & Deuteronomy

Moses died. - Deuteronomy 34

Nov. 21 Lesson Review

Abraham and the Early Hebrews:

Abraham left Mesopotamia and eventually went to Canaan. - Genesis 12


Then they wandered around awhile. - Genesis 13



Early Hebrew people were considered wanderers or outcasts (Habiru or Apiru), but were also known for being monotheistic and being skilled in the art of warfare (with less-advanced weapons)....



Mesopotamians and Egyptians had the sickle sword:

Early Hebrews had spears, slings, guerrilla-style tactics, and trickery. - Genesis 14

Abraham's great granddaughter (Dinah, daughter of Jacob) was raped. Jacob's sons tricked the Hivites into circumcision, then killed them all. - Genesis 34