The Gospel Project Family Devotion for the Week of May 19-25

Unit 9, Session 2: Deborah and Barak

Judges 4–5

Christ Connection:

God does what is for His glory and our good. (Psalm 115:3; Romans 8:28) God fought for the Israelites and used Deborah, Barak, and Jael to defeat Canaan. In a similar way, God uses people and events to not only save us from our enemies, but to bring about our ultimate good: salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Adult Connection Point:

“Just as Christ submitted his whole life for our good, so we should submit our whole lives for one another’s good. It’s not as if there is some area ofour life that is exempt from considering the interests of others better than our own. Specifically, we should give ourselves to our churches publicly, physically, socially, affectionately, financially, vocationally, ethically, and spiritually.”

–Jonathan Leeman

As Christ’s sheep, we must not fix our eyes merely inward but also out toward the lost sheep of other folds. We must leave our comfort zones and take the love of Christ to people who do not look or talk or dress like us (Titus 2:1114).

Family Devotion

Materials: Bible

Play a chariot game by pairing an older family member with a younger child. If you have an odd number of people in your family, let one person go twice. Instruct the older person to guide the “chariot” by holding onto the younger person’s feet. The younger child should lie acedown on the floor until her feet are picked up and then “walk” with her hands. (Think wheelbarrow races.) Guide the “chariot” around the house or outside in the yard.

Read Judges 4:110,1417,2122.

Ask: Whom did God use to defeat the Canaanites and kill the king’s commander, Sisera?

Read Judges 5:1617.

Ask: Who did help Deborah in this battle?

Say: God used Deborah, Barak, and Jael to defeat the enemy. All three contributed to the defeat of the Canaanite army, but God controlled the outcome. Today God still uses people for His purposes—people who are willing to obey Him. Think about people who have influenced your life. Who has helped you understand the love of Jesus?

Pray and ask God to give your family the courage to help others who may be different from you. Ask Him to show you opportunities where you can share the love of Jesus with others.