Archive for the ‘kings’ tag
July 25, 2010: God Reverses the Sun’s Shadow
The text for this lesson is 2 Kings 20:1-11; Isaiah 38:1-8
Key Points
- God caused the sun’s shadow to reverse as a sign to Hezekiah that He had heard his prayer and would keep His promise to extend Hezekiah’s life and deliver the Israelites. God gives us His Word and Sacraments, which bestow what He has promised us in Christ Jesus, and promises to hear and answer our prayers for Jesus’ sake.
- Law: In my sinfulness, I am like Hezekiah and the children of Israel, needing a sign or wonder to assure me that God will do as He promised.
- Gospel: God hears and answers my prayers and gives me His Word and Sacraments, which bestow all that He has promised me in Christ Jesus.
Discussion Points
- Hezekiah was about 39 years old and had reigned about fourteen years. What did Isaiah’s message mean?
- What would you do if you were told you would soon die from a sickness?
- What did Hezekiah do when he learned that he would die?
- Why did he weep bitterly?
- Did God hear Hezekiah’s prayer?
- How was Hezekiah to be healed?
- What else did Hezekiah want?
- What sign did the Lord give?
- How did God use His creation the sun to assure Hezekiah that He would do as He had promised?
- How are we like Hezekiah?
- What are God’s promises for us?
- What is the greatest deliverance or rescue that God does for people who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior from sin?
- When can we call upon God or pray to Him?
- Why should we pray?
- For whom should we pray?
- Where can we pray?
June 20, 2010: God Controls the Sun and the Moon
The text for this lesson is Joshua 10:1-15
Discussion Points
- What was the Amorite kings’ battle plan?
- What did the men of Gibeon do?
- Did Joshua think the Gibeonites deserved to be punished for tricking him and the Israelites?
- What do the words of encouragement for Joshua in verse 8 mean? How are they also words of encouragement for you?
- What is Joshua’s prayer to the Lord?
- Why do you think he petitioned God for the sun and moon to stand still?
- What is important to know about this miracle?
- How did God fight for Joshua and the Israelites?
- How did God make time stand still?
- What can we learn from Joshua in this story?
