Heart Prep:
The story of King Jeroboam crafting two physical golden calves points to the invisible idolatry of the heart. Rehoboam was king of Judah while Jeroboam was king over all the other tribes of Israel. Jeroboam feared the people would eventually abandon him and return to Jerusalem to worship at the temple. Taking matters into his own hands, Jeroboam led the people to break the law of Moses and worship two golden calves. God was angry with Jeroboam and said he would bring disaster upon his house and bring a new king over Israel. After Jeroboam, Israel had other evil kings–Nadab and Baasha. Like Jeroboam, they led Israel to turn away from God and worship idols. All three of these kings were eventually judged for their sin. The first three kings of Israel led the people to disobey God. We all sin by disobeying God. Like Israel’s kings, we may turn to other things above the Lord. As you prepare this week, remember the gift of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection that paid the price of our sin. Likewise, remind kids that Jesus died and rose again to pay for our sinful idolatry and bring us back to God. Pray for boys and girls to grasp the weight of our sinful choices to worship other things and the depth of Christ’s love to provide salvation.
Message:
When God’s people split into two separate kingdoms, King Jeroboam became king over Israel in the north. Unlike King David, Jeroboam did not keep God’s commands and follow Him with all his heart, doing what is right. Jeroboam acted wickedly and made false gods for the people to worship. God was angry with Jeroboam. He sent the prophet Ahijah to tell him: “You have behaved wickedly, and I am going to bring disaster on you. There will be a new king over Israel. The new king will completely destroy the house of Jeroboam. Then the kingdom of Israel went to war with the kingdom of Judah. The king of Judah said to the people of Israel, “You have left the Lord your God! You worship golden calves, and you banished the priests of the Lord and made new priests. But we continue to worship God. We make offerings to Him every morning and every evening. We are obeying the commandments of the Lord, but you are not. Do not fight against us, because you will not win!” God was with the people of Judah because of a promise He had made to King David, and they defeated Jeroboam and the army of Israel. Then the Lord struck Jeroboam, and he died. After Jeroboam died, his son Nadab became king of Israel. Unfortunately, Nadab was just as evil as his father. Another man named Baasha (BAY uh shuh) attacked and killed Nadab and all his family, just as God said through the prophet Ahijah. Baasha became the new king of Israel. Baasha followed the same pattern as the evil kings who came before him, leading the people away from God to worship idols.
Main Point:
Jeroboam became worried that the people would leave his kingdom of Israel and go to the temple in Judah. To solve this problem, Jeroboam created idols for the people to worship without leaving Israel. Jeroboam led the people to turn away from God. Jeroboam’s pride became an idol in his life, and he missed what was really important about worship. Worship wasn’t about a place: worship is about who our hearts love most. There is one true God who alone deserves worship. God is to be loved and praised above all else.
Discussion:
What was true about all of Israel’s kings?
Remind kids that all of Israel’s kings were evil and led the people to turn away from God. The kings did not remind the people of God’s laws and lead the people in justice. Israel’s kings worshiped idols and did not care for the poor, oppressed, and suffering. God eventually judged the Kingdom of Israel for their sin. (Read 2 Kings 17:13.)
What are ways people try to make themselves great, like Jeroboam?
Answers will vary. Remind kids that Jeroboam wanted to remain the great king of Israel, so he built the golden calves to keep people in Israel. Discuss how we can seek to build our own “kingdoms” on this earth rather than live in God’s kingdom. Tell kids that in pride we may want the praise of others, fail to repent of sin, and think we have all the answers.
(Read Jer. 9:23-24.)
Why is God better than any idol or anything else in this world?
Discuss how God is not only our Creator and King who deserves all worship, but He is also our Rescuer. Tell kids that they were made to know God and be loved by Him. Explain how without God’s plan to send Jesus into the world, die on the cross, and rise again, people would remain dead in their sins. God is better than anything because He alone gives us eternal life and everlasting joy. (Read Isa. 48:17.)
