God Promises to Be With Us

TEXT: Exodus 3:10-12; Joshua 3:7; Judges 6:14-16

OBJECTIVE

The students will be able to explain that when God calls us to work for Him, He has promised to be with us as we obey Him.

BIBLE LESSON OUTLINE

Introduction: Use the In-Class Activity using a balloon as your opener for this session. Explain that even though we can't see God, we can feel His presence and see the results of His being with us.

1. Explain the work that God called Moses to do and the promise God made Him.
2. Describe the position Joshua held and God's promise to him.
3. Relate the Lord's promise to save Israel from the Midianites by the hand of Gideon.

Climax: God's assured help to these three men when He gave them some tasks to do, and He fulfilled that promise.

Conclusion: If we are obedient to God, He has promised to help us do any work that He gives us.

Response: The students will be able to explain that God's promise is to be with us, just as He was with these men of the Bible.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

These three men, Moses, Joshua, and Gideon, were not naturally strong leaders, but are accurately characterized as willing followers. However, the One whom they were following was and is infinitely strong. With His promise to be with each of these men, they were given the power to accomplish great things.

God has also promised to be with us. In John 14:15-21, Jesus gave us those comforting words that although He was returning to Heaven He would send the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.

However, only those who seek to do God's will are entitled to His presence. Paul told the believers in Corinth that they were the temples of the Holy Spirit but they could not expect the Lord to remain with them if they were engaged in evil (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:15-20).

The greatest part of our eternal reward will be the privilege of having the Lord's presence. "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Revelation 21:3).

In contrast, the greatest terror of Hell will be the eternal banishment from the presence of God. 1 John 1:5 says that "God is light" but Jesus said that the damned would be cast into outer darkness (Matthew 8:12 and 22:13), where none of the light of God's presence will enter.

IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES

• Bring a job application to be filled out for a particular job. Explain how this is necessary for the employer to understand your experience, talents, and willingness to work in certain areas. When we get saved it is in a sense like giving our application to God. We promise to serve Him and to do whatever He calls us to do. Possibly bring a "pretend" application for each of the children to fill out. Example:
         Application for Soldiers
                  in
         THE LORD'S ARMY
  Applicant must love Jesus and be willing to trust and serve Him.
  Education (none needed)
  Sunday school?_____________
  Number of years____________
  Church?___________________
  Number of years____________
  Do you love Jesus?__________
  Have you told Him so?_______
  Will you be faithful?_________
  By Jesus' help will you live for Him day by day?________
  " ... Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19).
• Blow up a balloon. Ask your students what is in the balloon. When they say air, ask them how they know. They can't see it. Conclude that they can see that the balloon is inflated, they can feel the air when it comes out the end, etc. How do we know that Jesus is with us? Even though we can't see Him, we can feel His presence and see the results of His being with us.
• Play the game "God Goes With Me" using the game board (see Patterns). Put your class into pairs to play the game. Give each player a different colored button. Have them place their buttons on the first square. Using a paper clip spinner to determine the number of moves, take turns moving buttons that many squares. The first player to get home wins. As you play the game, comment on how God is with you at the store, at church, etc., and how they can know God is with them, too, wherever they are.
• Bring a number of items to show your students which are used together. These could be brush and paints, toothbrush and toothpaste, milk and cup, paper and pencil, etc. Explain to them that Jesus promised to be with us, and when He is, we are able to work most effectively.
  

QUESTIONS

1. Tell about a time when God helped you.
2. What is something you need help with today?
3. When Jesus asks you to work for Him, how will you know how to do this?
4. When we read how God helped people in the Bible, we can ask God to help us too. Name some people of the Bible whom God helped.
5. God promises us that He will be with us unto the end of the world. What does this mean?
6. Will God ever ask you to do something that is impossible for you to do? Why?
7. What is the most important thing we have to do to claim God's promises?
8. Do God's promises in the Old Testament apply to us today?
   

PRE-SCHOOL SUGGESTIONS

• Bring a large picture or a stand-up figure of Jesus. Bring several objects representing times children might be afraid: a flashlight to represent being afraid of the dark, a stuffed dog to represent being afraid of a neighbor's dog, a piece of yellow paper cut like lightning to represent being afraid of storms, a picture of a large group of people to represent losing your mom in a crowd. Explain how Jesus will be with us in each situation.
• Cut two figures from felt: one to represent Jesus and the other us. Glue pieces of Velcro on the back of each and let the children pull the two figures apart and put them together.
• Bring several sets of things that need to come in pairs. Some examples: two gloves, two shoes, two socks. Point out to your class that we do our best when Jesus is our partner.
• Give each child a copy of the figure of Jesus looking down (see Patterns). Let them color and cut out the two children looking up. They can then be pasted in front of the Jesus figure.

REVIEW IDEAS‍

Have a teacher with pitcher, candle or flashlight, and trumpet. At the right time in the story have the lights go out and the teacher remove the pitcher to show forth its light. Have someone blow the trumpet. Have the children explain how God used the trumpet, pitcher, and lamp. Point out how God will use us and be with us if we are like lights for God.

Dramatize Alba Green's testimony, Tract No. 66, "Rescued by God From a Watery Grave." Or use his story as a basis for an overhead.

Illustrate certain activities where we need someone right by us in order to be able to do something. For example, when we learn to ride a bike, Dad stays close by in case we start to wobble. When we learn to drive a car, a driving teacher sits beside us. When we learn to make a doll dress or bake cookies, Mom stands by to help or show us how. In the same way, God promises to be with us.