ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL SUNDAY, 29TH OCTOBER, 2023

TARGET:

To help the child understand that God can use him/her to give His messages as He used the prophets, if he/she continues to live a righteous life.

OBJECTIVES:

During and after the lesson, each child will show that he/she understands the lesson by:

1. Sharing testimonies of instances when God has spoken to him/her or used him/her in solving a problem, praying for someone in need, or even preaching to someone.

2. Mentioning correctly the five Books known as Major Prophets.

INTRODUCTION:

God called some men during the Old Testament times to be His messengers. The men listened to God and were not afraid to warn the people of Israel about the way they were living sinful lives. These men were willing to let God use them even though they were sometimes, mistreated by those who didn’t believe their messages. We have some of the messages given by God’s prophets in the Bible. There are 17 of their books.

The 17 books are divided into two parts: the Major and Minor Prophets. Five books belong to the Major section.

This week, we shall look at two of the Major Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. They will serve as an example to us. God used these two men to tell Israel His mind about them.

1. Jeremiah Is Made a Prophet – Jeremiah 1:7, 10

Jeremiah was just a little boy when God called him to be prophet. At the time he was afraid of the people he was going to meet. But God encouraged him. He told Jeremiah not to say that he was just a youth. He, God, would send him to people and he shall go. And whatever He commanded him, he would say.

God went on and told Jeremiah what his assignment was going to be. He was called to root out and throw down, to destroy and to overthrow. And then he would build and plant.

To destroy means that Jeremiah was going to say what would happen to the Israelites because of their negative attitude toward the Word of God. Because of their stubbornness, the people and their possessions would be destroyed. They would be overthrown and taken into captivity.

2. Isaiah Sees a Vision – Isaiah 6:1-7

Before he was made a prophet, Isaiah saw a vision. In his vision, he saw sights. First, he saw a temple. He saw a throne and God sitting on it. He saw angels flying around and worshipping God and even speaking to him. He saw smoke. And then, he saw himself as a defiled and unworthy person in his words and deeds. This made an angel take a burning charcoal from the fireplace and cleanse his lips.

Isaiah also heard voices in the temple. He heard the voices of the angels calling to one another and worshipping God. He heard the voice of God himself asking a question and he heard himself answering the question.

3. Isaiah Is Made a Prophet – Isaiah 6:8-10

When God made a call about whom to send to the people of Israel. Isaiah quickly said, he would go. Here, he is not like Jeremiah who refused to be sent because of his tender age. Isaiah at this time was an adult man. His problem was not age, but uncleanness. And when he was cleansed, he heard himself saying, “Here am I, send me.” That was when God made him a prophet. And he really became a major prophet.

The effect Isaiah’s prophetic message would have on the people of Israel would be the hardening of their rebellious hearts. They would not heed the warnings of judgement God would bring through His prophet. The people would hear and not understand. They would look and not see. So Isaiah’s prophetic message had the same effect on the people that the message of Jeremiah had. The people refused to heed their warnings.

APPLICATION

Today, God is speaking to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, the Bible preachers, teachers, etc. We will do well to pay attention to what they are saying.

The theme of Jeremiah’s book is that to surrender to God’s will is the only way to escape calamity. The call is coming to us to surrender to the will of God. If we do, we will escape the punishment that will come upon all who refuse to pay heed to His Word just as it fell upon the people of Israel in the days of Isaiah and Jeremiah.

QUESTIONS:

1. Why did Jeremiah refuse to answer when God called him to be prophet?

(A) Because he was in the church.

(B) Because he was deaf

(C) Because he was only a little boy and afraid.

(D) Because he was a pastor.

2. What was Jeremiah called to do?

(A) He was called to root out and throw down.

(B) To destroy and to overthrow.

(C) None of the above.

(D) A and B.

3. What happened to Isaiah before he was made a prophet?

(A) He saw a vision

(B) He went to have a nap.

(C) He went over to Jericho.

(D) He went to exile.

4. What was the difference between Isaiah’s call and Jeremiah’s call?

(A) Isaiah was sent to Africa while Jeremiah was sent to Asia

(B) C and D

(C) Whereas Jeremiah refused to be sent because of his tender age, Isaiah agreed to go because, at this time, he was an adult man.

(D) His problem was not age but uncleanness.

DAILY BIBLE DOSE:

Mon: Ezekiel Saw the Vision of God – Ezekiel 1:1-3

Tue: The Bones Shall Live Again – Ezekiel 37:1-10

Wed: The Hand of the Lord Is Strong – Ezekiel 3:13, 14

Thu: You Are a Watchman – Ezekiel 3:16, 17

Fri: Be Not Afraid! – Jeremiah 1:7, 8

Sat: Holy Is the Lord of Hosts – Isaiah 6:3