Making the Right Choice: Where We Go, What We Do

OBJECTIVE

Oftentimes we are faced with making the right choice. These choices can be as easy as whether we should write with a pen or pencil. However, sometimes our choices can be harder like, whether we should complete our homework or play with my friend who we haven't seen in a really long time. If we allow God to help us make these choices, they become easy to make. The right decision comes crystal clear.

Today we will be using the story of Gideon in Judges to see the true meaning of "trusting in God" means. You will see that Gideon had some really difficult choices to make. However, with the unwavering trust in God, the decision was crystal clear.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes

Stand with the children in a large circle. Hold up the surprise ball, and ask:

Do you suppose this ball will bounce very high? Why or why not? (No, because it's a rock; maybe, if you throw it down hard, it'll bounce a little.)

Say: Let's see what happens when I bounce it. Step into the center of the circle, and bounce the ball. Catch the ball, and ask:

Were you surprised that the ball bounced so high? Why? (Yes, because it doesn't look like a rubber ball; yes, because it looks hard.)
But I thought you were really sure the ball wouldn't bounce high, so what happened? (We were fooled; it didn't look like it would bounce so high; we didn't think you'd throw it so hard.)

Why do you think it's impossible for us to know everything before it happens? (Because we can't see the future; because we're not smart enough.) •

In real life, have you ever been really sure about something but then found out that you were wrong? What happened? (I had to choose again; I didn't know as much as I thought; I felt silly.) Say: Let's try to decide how something will turn out before it really happens.

Say: I'll put my hands behind my back and hide the ball in one hand. Then I'll call on someone to choose which hand he or she thinks the ball is hidden in. If the child chooses the correct hand, it's his or her turn to hide the ball and call on someone new to choose. If he or she is incorrect, select another person to make a choice.

If you had someone who could see which hand the ball was in, would you have wanted help in deciding? Why or why not? (Yes, because then I'd know which hand to choose; no, because I thought I was right anyway.

Say: Every day we have important choices to make, such as whether or not to do our chores right away or who to spend our free time with. If we tried to choose all by ourselves, we'd probably make some good and some not-so-good decisions---just as you did in our game. God is so much wiser than we are. He knows every good decision because he knows what will happen. When we have a hard choice to make we need to ask him for help

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes

Story of Gideon Judges 7:1-8

Memory Verse- "Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take" (Proverbs 3:6)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes

Gideon went to battle the Midianites and took a lot of soldiers with him. The Midianties were unkind people who took the crops that were grown by Gideon's people. The Midianite army was extremely large. God could've told him," you know what, your army is good enough to win-- go ahead" He also could have said " I believe we need more soldiers for you to really win for sure." But instead God said, "Our arm is too big, and we need fewer soldiers."

Why do you think God chose to have fewer soldiers? (maybe because God's soldiers are stronger, God is more powerful)
Do you think Gideon felt scared at this point? (possibly a little, but no.because he knew that God was in control)

God is truly the most powerful. We do not need anything else but God. When we rely on God we don't need any more people to help us. God wanted them to rely on His power rather than more soldiers. God told Gideon to tell his soldiers that did not want to fight to go home. Guess how many soldiers went home? 22,000

What do you think Gideon decided to do?

Sometimes decisions are really hard to make. Gideon's decision to allow the soldiers to go home must have been really hard, because when you are going to war, you want as many people as possible But Gidoen listened to God, he trusted Him.

Gideon was certain God knew what was wise, so Gideon obeyed God. Then God did an unusual thing. God saw that only 10,000 soldiers were left---half as many soldiers as had already gone home---but still he chose to have fewer men fight. He told Gideon to watch the soldiers drink water. Those who knelt down to drink with their mouths wouldn't be Bible Insight The Midianites were descendants of Midian, a son of Abraham and his second wife, Keturah. They were never considered part of the covenant people of God, and for the most part were hostile to Israel. The Midianites were nomads who tried to weaken the Israelites by stealing their crops. Gideon Chooses Men for Battle allowed to fight, but the soldiers who lapped the water from their hands could go to battle. Gideon could've said, "This is crazy. I give up," or he could've kept all the soldiers and hoped God wouldn't notice. But Gideon chose to do exactly what God commanded.

Ask: Why do you think Gideon chose to obey God? (Because he loved God; because he knew God was smart; because God's the boss.)
How do you suppose Gideon felt about his choice? (Scared; good, because he was obeying God.)

Gideon watched his soldiers drink water. Then he chose the men who lapped the water from their cupped hands, just as God told him to do. Gideon had only 300 soldiers left in his army now. But because he'd made the right choices, God allowed Gideon and his 300 soldiers to win the battle.

Ask: Why do you think Gideon and his 300 soldiers won? (Because they obeyed God; because God knew what he was doing.)
What do you think might have happened if Gideon had chosen to disobey God's decisions? (Gideon would've been in trouble; they might've lost the battle; God might've been angry with Gideon; things wouldn't have turned out the same way.)

Gideon learned a very important lesson. He learned that God helps us make wise choices. Gideon relied on God's help when he had hard choices to make. And we can rely on God's help, too. Let's practice making wise choices.

DISCUSSION (CHALLENGE)

Please see discussion questions embedded in the Content section.

To summarize, ask the students: What did you learn today? (God helps us make wise choices; God is all knowing; I can pray for help.)

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

God wants us to know that He is always there to make the right decisions. He will never force us to do anything. However, if we trust Him and follow Him, making those really tough decisions will be really easy. God knows that life is tough, and as we get older, things will be even more tough. But guess what?? We are certainly not alone. In fact, God WANTS to help us. He wants to guide us. He does not want us to feel alone. Also remember That God wants to help us in every aspect of our lives, nothing is too little or too big for our Lord.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Please see attached document: Wise Choices