September 6, 2015

OT 48 The Philistines Capture the Ark

Reference: 1 Samuel 4:1-11, 5, 6

Story Summary: 
     The Israelites battled their enemies, the Philistines, and lost badly. The people were unsure why God would let them lose. They didn't seek God's help, but they did send for the Ark of the Covenant. They brought it with them as they battled the Philistines a second time. Once again, they lost badly and the Philistines captured the Ark.
     The Philistines took the ark to the city of Ashdod and placed the ark in the temple of their god, Dagon. However, the next morning, the statue of Dagon had fallen over and lay at the feet of the Ark of the Covenant. They set it back up, but the next morning, it had fallen again. This time, its hands, feet, and head had broken off. The people of Ashdod also began to grow painful growths.
     They sent the ark to the city of  Gath. But the people of Gath experienced the same painful sores. They sent the ark to another city, Ekron, but the same thing happened again.
     The people asked their priests what they should do. They told them to send the ark back, with golden models of rats and the growths on their bodies. They sent in on a cart pulled by cows. God guided the cows all the way back to Israel.

Big Idea and Motions: There’s no god like our God!
No - wag your finger “no”
God - point up
Our - point to yourself with both thumbs
God - point up

Verse / Motions: Isaiah 45:5, ESV - I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God...
I am - point to yourself
Lord - point up
No other - wave your arms back and forth in a “no” gesture
Besides me - pretend to put your arm around someone beside you
No - wag your finger “no”
God - point up

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Who did the Israelites lose a battle against? // The Philistines
After they lost the battle, what did the Israelites go get? // The ark of the covenant
Who won the second battle? // The Philistines
What did the Philistines take from the Israelites? // The ark of the covenant
What was the name of the Philistines’ god? // Dagon
What did God do to the statue of Dagon? // Make it fall over, made it’s head and hands break off
What happened to the Philistines when the ark was in their cities? // They had painful growths on them
What did the Philistines finally decide to do with the ark? // Send the ark bad on a cow-pulled cart
What things did the Philistines put on the cart with the ark? // Five gold “growths” and five gold rats
How did the cows walk back with the ark to Israel? // They walked straight, mooing all the way

Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/zfrwsb
Resources - http://goo.gl/rB2Vu4

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