YEA Lesson Library
Like a Good Soldier
About This Lesson
This lesson encourages the student to face adversity, trouble, and persecution with faith in God’s love and provision for their well-being and ultimate good.
Scriptures
Exodus 1:6-22
Matthew 5:10-12
Acts 5:41
Romans 8:16-18
Philippians 1:29
2 Timothy 2:3
2 Timothy 3:12
Hebrews 11:24-25
1 Peter 3:14
1 Peter 4:16
Words to Know
GRAZED - ate the growing grass
IDOL - a carving that people worship as a god
ISRAELITES - Jacob’s descendants - his children, grandchildren, etc.
PROFESSION - a trade or job that a person does for a living
RUDE - unkind, uncouth
The Lesson
Old MacDonald had a farm. And on his farm he had cows and sheep and pigs. The cows grazed in the pasture that was near the barn. In the morning and evening they came to the barn to be milked by Old MacDonald. The sheep had a nice green pasture. It was in the hills around the edge of the farm. The pigs had a wonderful pen with lots of mud. Old MacDonald made sure the pigs had plenty to eat. All the animals lived happily on Old McDonald's farm.
But, one day Old MacDonald stopped milking the cows. He no longer gave food to the pigs. A new farmer had come to live on Old McDonald's farm. He took care of all the animals. But, he took special care of the sheep. The herd of sheep began to grow. Soon there were many, many sheep.
One evening after milking, the cows began to talk. Elsie the cow asked, “Have you seen how many sheep are out on the hills?” Soon there will not be enough food for them to eat. They will take over our field.” All the other cows nodded their heads. The pigs heard the cows talking. They, too, were afraid. Portia Pig said the sheep might come to their pen looking for food.
A strong fence separated the cows' pasture from the sheeps’ pasture. There was also a fence around the pigs’ pen. But that wasn't enough. If a sheep came near the fence, the pigs and cows were very mean to the sheep. The cows would reach over the fence and push the sheep away with their heads. The pigs made very rude noises if a sheep came close to their fence.
What do you think made the cows and pigs act so mean? They were afraid. People do some strange things when they are afraid. Today's Bible story shows how the Egyptians acted when they were afraid.
Joseph had been a good ruler in Egypt. He grew old and died in Egypt. All of Joseph's brothers died too. Even the pharaoh of Egypt was dead. Now Egypt had a new king.
The old pharaoh of Egypt said Joseph's family could live in the land of Goshen. God took care of them and blessed Joseph's family. Many children and grandchildren had been born. There were many, many Israelites living in the land of Goshen. Their flocks and herds grew, too. Before long, Joseph's family had filled the land of Goshen.
But the new pharaoh of Egypt didn't know Joseph. He didn't know what a good ruler Joseph was. The new pharaoh saw all the Israelites. He saw all their cows and sheep. He thought to himself, "These people will take over all of Egypt." So he started making life hard for the Israelites. He made the Israelites work for him. They had to build great buildings and cities. But God still blessed His people. Next, the pharaoh made the Israelites work hard to make their own bricks. Finally, the pharaoh of Egypt ordered all the Israelite boy babies to be killed. That was a terrible thing to do!
The Egyptians worshiped idols. But, the Israelites loved and served God - even when bad things happened to them. Sometimes God's people must suffer. But, God was still with the Israelites. He was still blessing them. He still loved them. Will you still love and serve God when bad things happen to you? Will you be Like A Good Soldier?
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I'm thankful that you are caring for me - even when bad things happen. Help me be like a good soldier and always love and serve vou.
In Jesus'name.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - 2 Timothy 3:12
Monday - Acts 5:41
Tuesday - Romans 8:17
Wednesday - Philippians 1:29
Thursday - Hebrews 11:24-25
Friday - 1 Peter 3:14
Saturday - 1 Peter 4:16
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the children will be able to:
1. Retell how the new pharaoh made life hard for the Israelites in Egypt.
2. State that God was with the Israelites, helping and loving them - even when times were bad.
3. State that God is with them when bad things happen to them.
4. Tell how a good soldier should behave.
Topics & Themes
Adversity
Egypt
Fear
God’s Love
God’s Presence
God’s Provision
Idols/Idolatry
Israelites
Murder
Perseverance
Pharaoh
Problems
Slavery
Soldier
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA students' and teacher's books, attendance and memory verse chart, stars, music player, CD or cassette tape, construction paper
Preparation
The Boy Scout motto, "Be Prepared," has many applications in the lives of our children. We help prepare them to start school by buying them new clothes and school supplies. We prepare them for a camping trip by packing their backpack and purchasing needed equipment and supplies. We try to prepare them for a trip to the hospital by reassuring them that everything will be okay and they will soon be home.
It is also essential that we prepare our children to live a godly life in the face of difficult times. No one goes through life without problems, trials or pain - not even our children. They may face physical handicaps, losses, disappointments, and even abuse. How will they respond to these difficulties without becoming angry with God or the person responsible? They must be prepared!
Before you come to class, enlarge the "child" outline and make enough copies for each child to have one.
Write such professions as soldier, teacher, doctor, dentist, and carpenter on the chalkboard.
How to Teach This Lesson
Just as a soldier going to battle must have the right equipment, so must we equip our children for the battles of life. Ephesians 6:10-17 gives a list of the equipment necessary to "stand firm against the devil's plans.”
Equipped- Begin by giving each child a copy of the "child" outline. Ask them to choose one of the professions listed on the chalkboard or newsprint pad and draw the equipment that person would need (Football player - helmet, pads, football, etc.).
Explain that people need to have the right equipment in order to do their job.
Soldier - Ask the children to name some things that a soldier would need to do his job (Uniform, boots, gun, etc.) Read Ephesians 6:14-17 from a children’s version of the Bible (NIrV Kid’s Bible), pointing out that the equipment of the soldier in this scripture refers to what a soldier of God needs.
Be Brave - Every soldier must go through training. He is taught how to use his equipment. He learns how to fight. But, one of the most important things he must learn is to be brave in battle. Soldiers know that life will be hard for them. They must endure under hard circumstances. When the battle is fierce, it is no time to be afraid and hide.
Israel Is Prepared - Life for Joseph’s family had not been easy. They survived famine. They had to leave their home and move to the land of Goshen. Now the new pharaoh was treating them badly. Ask: What do you think God was doing when these bad things were happening to the Israelites? Did He turn his back and ignore them? Was He mad at them? Or, was He watching over them and taking care of them? When God is with us, He prepares us for whatever may come our way. His love gives us courage and strength.
Egyptians Afraid - When the Egyptians saw the Israelites growing in numbers, along with their flocks and herds, they were afraid. They thought the Israelites might take over their land. They might join with Egypt's enemies and go to war. They didn't know that it was God who was helping, loving and watching over Joseph's family. They didn't know the God of the Israelites.
What Will You Do? - Ask: Can you think of a time when something bad has happened to you (allow the children to give examples). How did you feel? Did you get mad at the person who was mean to you? Did you get mad at God for letting the bad thing happen? God wants us to be Like A Good Soldier when bad things happen. We can be brave because we know that He is with us helping, loving, and watching over us.
Review Questions
1. Why was the new pharaoh of Egypt afraid of the Israelites?
2. What did he do that made life hard for the Israelites?
3. What was God doing when the bad things happened to the Israelites?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Line the children up against the wall facing the teacher. Play “A Good Soldier" (A variation of “Mother May I." Begin by stating that a good soldier always follows orders. Give orders to each child individually, or as a group ("Johnny, take three giant steps forward," or "Everyone touch your toes"). The children must respond with, "Yes Sir" and salute. If they fail to respond, they must sit down and are out of the game. The last child to remain in the game is the winner.
REACH Activity
Materials needed: tempera paint, paint brushes, package of colorful construction paper, string, glue, tape, Kids Classics Collection songbook and/or CDs, Bible, YEA book, Bible notebook, black permanent marker, watercolor paints, 11 x 17 drawing paper, card stock, pencils, markers, colored pencils, crayons, scissors, ruler, index cards, CEM Hymnal, Bible dictionary, concordance, access to encyclopedia or the Internet, Bible encyclopedia, Bible map or Bible atlas, dictionary, heavy card stock, hole punch, ribbon
Bible notebook: A spiral bound notebook will be used as a Bible notebook. This is a good place to write and keep all of the writing activities.
1. Write about something that is very hard for you right now, something that is not pleasant. Then read these three Scriptures: Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:17, 1 Corinthians 10:13. Which verse is your favorite? Why?
2. When things get hard, what should you do? Why? Write about it in your Bible notebook.
3. Hard times happen to all people. But the memory verse reminds you that Jesus is with you to “share” the hard times. Sing “Jesus Loves Me” and make up a new verse from the meaning of the memory verse. Teach the song with the new verse to your Sabbath School class or family.
4. How do you feel when someone new comes to your Sabbath School class or joins your class at school? How do you think they feel not knowing anyone? What do you think God wants you to do? Remember the memory verses from other YEA lessons in this book. Make a bookmark from one of the verses. Punch a hole at the top and thread a piece of ribbon through it. The next time someone new comes to class, give it to them as a welcome gift.
5. The new pharaoh in Egypt did not like the Israelites because he was afraid they might take over all of Egypt. Have you ever been afraid that someone might take away something of yours? Pharaoh felt more afraid than that! If you are ever afraid, pray that God will help you get through the bad time. Write a prayer in your Bible notebook that will help turn the bad time into a good time.
6. Do a sword drill with the Daily Devotionals for this week. Write the one verse that is your favorite when you are finished.
Note: Sword drill: Use the Daily Devotional Scriptures to have a sword drill. Read the Scripture reference to the child. Then start the timer. When the child has found the verse, stop the timer. Read the verse and talk about how it relates to the lesson. Challenge the child to see how quickly he/ she can find each of the verses in the Bible.
7. Take a trip to a hardware store. Look at all the different types of brick. How did the Israelites make bricks for the Egyptian buildings? Use a Bible and other Bible reference books to find the answer. Write the information in your Bible notebook.
8. What did the Egyptian buildings look like and what were they used for? Using a Bible encyclopedia, find pictures of buildings and share them with your Sabbath School class or family.
9. Sing: “Farther Along” on page 169 of the CEM Hymnal;
“Onward Christian Soldiers” on page 26 of Kids Classics Collection;
“I’m in the Lord’s Army” on page 33 of Kids Classics Collection.
Who wrote these songs and why? Share what you find out with your Sabbath School class or family.
10. Divide a piece of drawing paper in half. On one side, draw a picture of the animals on Old MacDonald’s farm from your YEA lesson. On the other side, draw what was happening in Egypt from Exodus 1:6-22.
11. Soldiers don’t fight by themselves. They are part of an army. When we, as Christians, are called soldiers, what should that remind us of? Who fights with us? To whom can we go for help? Write about it in your Bible notebook.
12. The title of this YEA lesson is “Like a Good Soldier.” Draw a picture of yourself being a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Share the picture with family and friends.
13. There are other kinds of soldiers. Soldiers of the United States protect the people and their rights. If you know a soldier, write him a letter and thank him for his service as a soldier. Remember to ask God through prayer that he will be protected in hard times.
14. Draw a shield on heavy card stock. Outline with a black marker. Cut it out. Write the memory verse on it.
15. Memory Verse practice: Teach the students to recite the verse in a sing-song. Follow these directions or use your own.
Like a good soldier of Christ Jesus (repeat 3x)
Share in the hard times with us (repeat 3x)
Like a good soldier of Christ Jesus (1x),
Share in the hard times with us (1x)
2 Timothy 2:3
2 Timothy 2:3
Practice until the verse is memorized.
16. Memory work activity for book: To help with the memorization of Psalm 23, give each student 13 4 x 6 cards. On one side of the card the student should write one phrase of each verse. For instance, one card will have: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The next card would have: He makes me lie down in green pastures. The third card would be: He leads me beside still waters. Continue with each phrase of the psalm. On the other side of the card the student should draw a picture that will help them remember that phrase. Since the students will be expected to recite Psalm 23, the cards should be made after YEA Lesson 1. After each of the subsequent lessons, the student should practice the psalm until memorized. Provide a reward for their hard work!
Song
“I’m In The Lord’s Army” is on page 33 of Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the children in prayer, thanking God for loving, watching over, and helping - even when bad things happen to us. Ask God to help the children to love God - even when the bad things happen.
Printable Pages
