Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 21, Session 1: Obadiah ... st-3 rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide...

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 21, Session 1: Obadiah, the Prophet

2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

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TEACHER BIBLE STUDY The conflict between Edom and Israel goes way back. Do you remember the story of Jacob and

Esau? The twins struggled in the womb, and their mother Rebekah asked why. Read Genesis

25:23 to find out God’s reply.

The nation of Israel descended from Jacob, and the nation of Edom descended from Esau. These

were the two nations the Lord spoke of. God reaffirmed His promises to Jacob (Genesis 28:15),

but Esau was a godless man who despised God’s promises. (Hebrews 12:16)

For centuries, the two groups were at odds. When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, the king

of Edom refused to let the Israelites pass through his country to get to the promised land.

(Numbers 20:14-21) Edom fought against God’s people on several occasions. (See 2 Chronicles

20:2; 28:17; 2 Kings 8:20-22.)

The Book of Obadiah is God’s message about Edom in response to their sin—specifically their

gloating over the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem. When the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem,

the people of Edom didn’t help. Like an envious brother, Edom was glad to see Judah overcome.

In fact, Edom was a guilty participant in the action against Judah. Read verse 11 in Obadiah.

The prophet Obadiah detailed the charges against Edom, announced their guilt, and handed down

the sentence from the Lord: Edom would be totally destroyed. No remnant of Esau’s family

would remain. On the other hand, Obadiah said God’s people—the remnant of Judah—would be

restored.

God said the people of Edom would get what they deserved. “As you have done, so it will be

done to you; what you deserve will return on your own head” (Obadiah 15). God’s rule is just.

The fate of the Edomites might as well be ours. But here’s the reality: As you have done, it was

done to Christ; what you deserve was returned on His head. Jesus is King, and one day He will

deliver His people from their enemies once and for all.

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: Obadiah the Prophet

Bible Passage: Obadiah 1-21

Big Picture Question: Why did God judge Edom’s pride? Pride steals God’s glory.

Key Passage: Zechariah 9:9

Unit Christ Connection: God saved His people who were in physical captivity as He would one

day send Jesus to save and restore His people who are in spiritual captivity.

Transition Time

Welcome time



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Activity sheet/Table Centers

Session starter (10 minutes)

Lesson

Countdown

Introduce the session (1 minute)

Timeline Map (1 minute)

Big picture question (1 minute)

Sing (5 minutes)

Key passage (4 minutes)

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Discussion starter video (3 minutes)

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Prayer (4 minutes)

Table Time

Timeline map (1 minute)

Bible story review (10 minutes)

Large Group Review / Activities

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Activity choice (10 minutes)

Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW

Obadiah the Prophet

Obadiah 1-21

God sent a message to Obadiah (oh buh DIGH uh) the prophet. The message came to

Obadiah in a vision. God had news about a country called Edom (EE duhm). The people

who lived in Edom were like brothers to the people in Judah. Both groups were descendants

of Isaac’s twin sons, Jacob and Esau. The people in Edom came from the family of Esau;

God’s people came from the family of Jacob.

The people of Edom didn’t love God. They worshiped false gods. They lived in the

mountains and trusted the mountains and their own strength to protect them. The people were

full of pride; they thought they were better than everyone else.

The Edomites didn’t get along with God’s people in Judah. When the Babylonians took

over the city of Jerusalem, the people in Edom just sat back and watched. They didn’t try to

protect Judah. The people of Edom even went into Jerusalem and took things that didn’t

belong to them. God said He was going to punish Edom. This is what God’s message was

about.



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God called for the nations to gather together. “Get ready for battle!” God said. “Let’s go fight

against Edom.”

God had a message for the people of Edom. “Listen up! Out of all the nations, you will

be the least important. No one will like you. You were proud, and I will punish you. You

thought you were safe, tucked away in the cliffs, but I will bring you down.”

Obadiah’s message for the people of Edom was full of bad news. God said He was going

to allow Edom’s enemies to take away everything they had. Even the people who were their

friends would steal from them. Many people would be killed.

God said to the people of Edom, “You were cruel to the people in Judah, so you will be

punished. When Judah needed your help, you stood back and did nothing. You laughed

and were happy that they were attacked.”

God reminded the people of Edom about all the wrong things they had done. They had taken

things from Judah. When the people of Judah ran to get away from the Babylonians, the people

of Edom captured them and sold them as slaves.

Obadiah gave a warning from God. “The Day of the Lord is near,” he said. “Every evil

thing you did to others will be done to you.”

God said that the bad things that were happening to His people in Judah were only for a little

while. God said He would deliver His people. “But when I punish you, Edom,” God said,

“everything will be destroyed. That will be the end for you.”

Obadiah’s message from God had good news for God’s people. “My people will have the

land that belongs to Edom,” God said. The exile God’s people faced had an end and God

would take care of His people, but Edom’s punishment was forever.

Christ Connection: God used Obadiah to give a message to His people. Even though they

were mistreated by the people of Edom, God was still in control. God showed His people that He

is ruler of all the earth, and in the end, Jesus will set up His kingdom and make all things right.

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: Obadiah the Prophet






Welcome time Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to

your group.



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Arriving Activity: Bounce Back tape

small bouncing balls

bucket or other container Tape a long start line several feet from a wall. Invite the kids to line up in front of one of the

following challenges. Tape a large circle just inside the start line. The goal will be to bounce a

ball off the wall and get it to stop inside the circle. Place a bucket a few feet from the wall.

Encourage the kids to bounce a ball off the wall and into the bucket. Finally, challenge the kids

to see how close to the wall they can get a ball to stop after bouncing it on the wall. Give the first

kid in each line a small bouncing ball and let her try the challenge, followed by the next kid. Play

as time allows.

Say • When you throw one of these balls at the wall or the floor, it comes back to you. In today’s

Bible story, find out how sin comes back with bad consequences.

Activities/Table Centers (5 minutes) Table centers (Miscellaneous Activities)

“Match Up” activity sheet / Bible Story Coloring Sheet, 1 per kid

pencils, markers or crayons

Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page.

Say • Jacob and Esau were twins, but they didn’t always get along. Their families became

nations that didn’t get along either. We’ll find out why.

If time remains, allow kids to complete the coloring page provided with this session.

Session Starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Taken small pom-pom

Invite all the kids to stand in a circle. Choose a volunteer to stand in the middle. Place any small

object next to the volunteer. Ask him to close his eyes, and then silently choose someone to take

the item. After the “taker” returns to the circle, encourage the volunteer to guess who took the

item. Choose another volunteer and play again. For an extra challenge, after the taker strikes,

invite the kids in the circle to move clockwise until you give the command to stop. Then the

volunteer can guess who the taker is.

Say • The nation of Edom had stolen things from God’s people, and God had a message for

them. We’ll learn what that message was.

Option 2: Humility vs Pride tape

paper

marker

Explain the difference between humility and pride. Tape a sign that says Prideful on one side of

the room, and one that says Humble on the other. Provide scenarios and let the kids choose

whether it would be prideful or humble by running to the correct sign. Here are some ideas:

1. Annie gets angry because she can’t have a toy. (prideful)

2. Jimmy holds a door open for his teacher. (humble)



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3. Barbara lets her friend go first in a game. (humble)

4. Jack cuts line in the cafeteria. (prideful)

5. George shares his lunch with a classmate. (humble)

6. Elizabeth gets angry at God when her prayer isn’t answered the way she wants. (prideful)

Say • God wants us to be humble. We’ll find out why during today’s Bible story.

Transition to large group

LESSON Session Title: Obadiah the Prophet






Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Use cardboard bricks to build a partial wall or paint a

partially built building on cardboard at one side of the room. Use any type of building materials

and equipment as decorations. Make sure the “job site” is either safe for kids or in a place where

kids can’t get to it.

Countdown countdown video (on provided DVD with lesson videos and worship)

Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for the lesson

and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (1 minute)

[Large group leader enters with a hammer.]

Leader • Hello! How many of you like to build? For the next few weeks, we’ll be part of a

special construction crew. Does anyone know what I’m holding? That’s right! It’s a hammer.

What does a hammer do? It’s usually used to drive nails into two pieces of wood so they hold

together. A hammer can be very useful, or it can be very harmful. If I swing the hammer

wrong, it can smash my finger or even hit me in the face. You know, our actions can be the

same way. How we treat each other can be very helpful or very hurtful. That reminds me of a

story from the Bible.



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Timeline Map (1 minute) Timeline Map (small group visual pack – copies provided for Table Time Review)

Leader • For the next several weeks, we will see some of God’s chosen people return to their

homes after the exile. Before we get there, we will see how God punished those who

mistreated His people. Our first story is about a prophet named Obadiah.

Big picture question (1 minute) Big Picture Question: Why did God judge Edom’s pride? - 11x17 poster provided

Leader • How many of you have ever heard of Obadiah? He is a minor prophet. You will find

his story near the end of the Old Testament in your Bible. Speaking of which, who has a Bible

today? Great! We’ll be using it shortly to answer this question, Why did God judge Edom’s

pride? That’s our big picture question.

Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: “Broken Hallelujah” (on provided DVD)

Leader • God’s people lived for 70 years away from the land God promised them, all because of

the people’s sin. However, those who mistreated God’s people would pay a price for their sin.

Edom was one of those nations. Obadiah had a message for Edom. It’s also a reminder for us

that God loves His people and takes care of them, even in tough times. Let’s praise Him with

our new theme song.

Sing together “Broken Hallelujah.”

Key passage (4 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Zechariah 9:9 (provided)

Worship Song: “Look” (on provided DVD)

Leader • God’s people were not without hope. God had promised to bring them back to the

land. He also promised to give them a King who would rule over them forever. Who is that

King? That’s exactly right! That King is Jesus. Our key passage tells us how the people will

welcome this new King. It’s exactly how Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem shortly before

His death on the cross.

Show the slide or poster of the unit’s key passage, Zechariah 9:9. Lead the boys and girls to read

the verse together. Sing together “Look.”

Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) “Obadiah the Prophet” video (on provided DVD)

Bibles, 1 per kid

Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster

Leader • Open your Bible to Obadiah. Let’s find out what God had to say to Edom through

Obadiah. Listen closely for the answer to the big picture question, Why did God judge Edom’s

pride?

Show the “Obadiah the Prophet” video, or choose to tell the Bible story in your own words using

the script provided. For a shorter version of the story, read only the bolded text.

Leader • The people of Edom were actually distant family members of the Israelites. The



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Israelites came from Jacob’s family and the Edomites were from Esau’s family. Did they act

like family? No! Not only did the people of Edom refuse to worship the one true God, but they

also mistreated Judah—especially when they were needed most. Edom stole from God’s

people and even made some of them slaves.

God sent Obadiah to tell Edom that He knew what they did, and they would be punished the

same way they punished the people of Judah. The people of Edom thought they were better

than God’s people and even better than God. This is called pride. Why did God judge Edom’s

pride? Pride steals God’s glory.

Only God deserves to be number one. We need to make sure we don’t repeat the same

mistakes Edom made. We should put God first.

Ask the following review questions:

Whom did God send to speak to Edom? (Obadiah, Obadiah 1)

Whose family did the people of Edom come from? (Esau; Obadiah 6,18)

What did the Edomites do to the people of Judah? (They didn’t stand up for them when

they were attacked, stole from them, and made them slaves; Obadiah 10-15)

How was God going to punish Edom? (the same way they had punished Judah, Obadiah

15)

Why did God judge Edom’s pride? Pride steals God’s glory.

Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Unit 21, Session 1 - Discussion Starter Video (on provided DVD)

Big Picture Question: Why did God judge Edom’s pride? - 11x17 poster provided

Leader • Do you ever struggle with pride? Watch this.

Show the “Unit 21 Session 1” video.

Leader • When you put your needs and wants before God and others, you are being prideful.

What are some ways we are prideful? Pride is a sin because it takes our focus off God. God

judged Edom for their pride. Why did God judge Edom’s pride? Pride steals God’s glory.

The people of Edom put their own selfish desires before God. Edom would be destroyed

forever, but God would rescue His people. When we repent and trust in Jesus, we are rescued

too.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become

a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions. If this is not

possible, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian

adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Prayer (4 minutes) Big Picture Question: Why did God judge Edom’s pride? - 11x17 poster provided

Show the big picture question slide or poster.

Leader • Would anyone like to answer the big picture question? Why did God judge Edom’s



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Explain to the kids that you will count to three. When you get to three, each kid should put

another kid first by pointing to someone in front, behind, left, or right. Anyone with two or more

people pointing toward him should answer the big picture question. Repeat as time allows.

Before transitioning to small group, make any necessary announcements. Lead the kids in

prayer. Pray that God will help the kids be humble.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good

news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following

guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge

of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or

Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey

God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin.

Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the

perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something

we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians

2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and

rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for

eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review

these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s

already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that

your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.



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TABLE TIME LEADER

Session Title: Obadiah the Prophet






Bible story review (10 minutes) Tip: Divide children into small groups for table time. Each group should include an adult leader at the table.

Bibles, 1 per kid

Timeline (small group visual pack – extra copies provided for Table Time Review)

Big Picture Question: Why did God judge Edom’s pride? (11x17 poster provided in classroom)

tape

paper

marker

Encourage the kids to find Obadiah in their Bibles. Help them as needed.

Say • Would you find Obadiah in the Old Testament or the New Testament? (Old Testament)

Since Obadiah is a prophet, in which division do you think you would find Obadiah?

(Minor Prophets) Obadiah talks about Edom’s coming punishment for their sins.

Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today’s Bible story is on the timeline.

Review the Bible story provided using the bolded text, or summarize the story in your own

words.

Tape a line down the center of the room. Place a sign on each side of the room. One should

say Judah, the other Edom. Invite all the kids to go to the side marked Judah. Each time the

leader says Judah, the kids should run to that side. Each time the leader says Edom, they should

run to that side.

Say • Edom should have sided with Judah when Judah was under attack. They didn’t. Edom

thought they were better than God’s people, even better than God. This is called pride.

God always deserves to be first in our lives. When we put Him first, we give Him glory.

That means we show God how important and awesome He is. No one is more important

and awesome than God. When we put ourselves or other things before God, we sin. Sin

must be judged.

Show the big picture question slide or poster.

Say • Why did God judge Edom’s pride? Pride steals God’s glory. Jesus came to earth humbly

and lived a humble life even though He deserves glory. He did that so we could be

forgiven for our sins.



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LARGE GROUP REVIEW

AND ACTIVITIES

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Echo Game” Instructions

Key Passage Poster: Zechariah 9:9 (provided)

dry erase board and markers (optional)

Make sure the key passage, Zechariah 9:9, is visible for each child, either as the printed poster or

written on a dry erase board. Read the verse together.

Say • Have you ever seen this verse before? You probably remember it from the Easter story.

Even though it was predicted hundreds of years before Jesus was born, Jesus entered

Jerusalem on a donkey. The people treated Him like a King. God’s Word is always true,

and Jesus is the forever King whom God promised in our key passage and many other

verses in the Old Testament.

Invite the kids to form a circle. Choose a kid to be the starting point of an echo game. She will

say the first word. The kid to her right will echo the first word too. Everyone in the circle will

say the first word one after the other. When it gets back around, the one who started the verse

will say the second word. Continue until the key passage is complete. Choose a new starting

point and repeat. Encourage the kids to see how fast they can say the verse. You may choose to

form teams and let them compete against each other.

Activity Choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Help Needed tape

paper

Form two or more teams. Tape a start line and finish line for the teams. Tear a piece of paper

into 15 pieces. If you have several kids, tear off more. Repeat for each team. Place the pieces

across the finish line. Give each kid a number; provide the same numbers to kids on each team.

(Each team should have a number one, two, three.) Each kid must remember his number.

Explain that each team needs to clean up its mess. You will call out a number. Each kid with

that number will run to the finish line, pick up one piece, and bring it back to the start line. Call

out another number. That kid will run with the first kid and each one will pick up a piece. Call

out another number; three kids from each team will bring back one piece each. The first team to

clean up its mess wins. Repeat if time allows.

Say • Was it easier to clean things up with fewer people or more people? Of course! It’s easier

to do most things when you have help. God wants us to help others. Should Edom have

helped when Judah needed them? Yes! Edom decided they were too good to help. When

we see ourselves as better than others, we have pride. Pride is a sin. Why did God judge

Edom’s pride? Pride steals God’s glory.



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Option 2: Build A Boomerang “Boomerang” printable

heavyweight paper or lightweight cardboard

markers

scissors

glue

stickers (optional)

Provide each child with a “Boomerang” printable. Demonstrate how to cut out the template and

glue it to heavyweight paper or lightweight cardboard. If you want to actually fly it, use

cardboard. Cereal boxes work great. Allow the kids to decorate with markers if time allows. If

you just want to use it more as a decoration, just print it on heavyweight paper. Instruct the kids

to cut out their boomerangs and decorate them with markers or stickers.

Say • A boomerang is designed to come back to you when you throw it. Our sin also has a way

of coming back to us. Edom was punished in the same way it treated Judah. Edom was

judged for its pride. Why did God judge Edom’s pride? Pride steals God’s glory.

Prayer and Clean-Up (5 minutes) Say • Let’s put God first in everything we do this week. Can anyone answer the big picture

question? Why did God judge Edom’s pride? Pride steals God’s glory.

If time remains, take prayer requests. Pray, thanking God for giving us others to help,

especially during difficult times. Pray for each child by name, asking God to help the kids put

God first in all they do.

Clean-Up Room

Jacob Esau

The Exiles ReturnedUNIT 21 • Session 1 • Younger Kids Activity Pages© 2013 LifeWay Christian Resources.

Instructions: Circle the pictures

that match Jacob and underline

the pictures that match Esau.

© 2013 LifeWay

Family Journal Page

Unit 21 • Session 1OK TO PRINT

Take a walk or a drive as a family. As you travel, invite kids to

name things they see that God created. Remind everyone that

God is in control. Jesus will return and rule over everything.

Review the story of Obadiah as you return home. Discuss how

Edom’s pride led them to believe they were in control, but they

weren’t. Invite everyone to list one thing they saw during

today’s walk or drive.

The Exiles ReturnedObadiah the ProphetObadiah 1-21

Preschool Key Passage: Zechariah 9:9

Big Picture Question: What is pride? Pride is thinking

you are the best.

Christ Connection: God gave Obadiah a message for

His people. The people of Edom were mean to God’s

people, but God is always in control. He promised

to save His people. One day, Jesus will be King over

everything. He will make all things right.

KidsKey Passage: Zechariah 9:9

Big Picture Question: Why did God judge Edom’s


Christ Connection: God used Obadiah to give a

message to His people. Even though

they were mistreated by the people

of Edom, God was still in control.

God showed His people that He is ruler of all

the earth, and in the end, Jesus will set up His

kingdom and make all things right.

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O

daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming

to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah 9:9

Unit 21 • Key Passage Poster (ESV)OK TO PRINT The Exiles Returned

Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 21, Session 1: Obadiah ... st-3 rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide...

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