Lifebridge Kids – Unit 15: Into Captivity
Although God had continued to warn His people, they continued to rebel. By contrast, when God warned Israel’s enemies, they responded in repentance. In this we see God’s heart for all people and also His justice in what He would do next: discipline His people by sending them into captivity in a foreign land.
Lifebridge Kids meets every Sunday during the 8:15a | 10a | 11:45a.
Sunday, May 18, 2025 – Nahum Warned of God’s Judgement
Nahum brought a message of comfort to God’s people, reminding them that God loves His people and will protect them from their enemies. Jesus also brought a message of comfort, salvation, and peace to His people. All of the enemies of God and His children were defeated at the cross. One day, God will finally judge all evil.
In 1962, Marvel Comics introduced the character of Dr. Robert Bruce Banner, but you probably better know him as The Incredible Hulk! Dr. Banner was a shy, quiet physicist who transforms into a raging muscular green giant every time he gets angry. You definitely didn’t want to make Hulk angry because the comic always said, “The madder Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets.”
When we read how the prophet Nahum describes God as jealous, avenging, and wrathful, it can make us think God is like The Incredible Hulk—a guy who just gets angry and destroys things. That’s not how God is at all! Nahum also describes God as “slow to anger and great in power.” While God must punish sin, He is patient and desires to show mercy to all who will trust in Him.
God is jealous for our worship because He alone deserves it. He doesn’t want to share His glory with anything else, and He rightly gets angry when He sees people worship anything other than Him. The prophet Nahum reminded God’s people that He will punish sin, but He will bring peace and protection to those who love and worship Him.
Nahum brought a message of comfort to God’s people, reminding them that God loves His people and will protect them from their enemies. Jesus also brought a message of comfort, salvation, and peace to His people. All of the enemies of God and His children were defeated at the cross. One day, God will finally judge all evil.
For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14
1. Why were the Assyrians God’s enemies?
Lead kids to understand that the Assyrians worshiped idols and rejected God. God loved the Assyrians and made them to worship only Him. Discuss how their sin and refusal to repent led them to be God’s enemies. Remind kids that they even attacked and killed God’s people of Israel.
2. How do you think the people of Israel felt when they heard Nahum’s message of judgment against the Assyrians?
Discuss how Israel probably felt hope and comfort. Lead kids to understand that the Assyrians had destroyed Jerusalem and taken people captive into exile. Remind kids that God had not forgotten about His people and that He was still working through them to bring Jesus into the world.
3. How can we be saved from our enemies, sin and death?
Remind kids that sin leads to death. Discuss how Jesus died in our place and conquered sin and death through His resurrection. Remind kids that we are rescued from sin and death when we place faith in Jesus. Encourage kids to share this good news with others.
4. How should you respond to people when they are mean to you?
Discuss how the Assyrians were mean, wicked people that hurt the people of Israel. Lead kids to understand that God is Judge and will judge people for their sin. Encourage kids to model the same forgiveness Jesus has shown them. Remind kids that Jesus said we are to pray for our enemies. (Read Matt. 5:44-45)
5. How have you seen God’s goodness in your life?
Answers will vary. Lead kids to remember that God is good and that He promises to take care of us. Encourage kids to remember that God always does what is best and that we can trust in Him. (Read Ps. 31:19-20)
6. How can you share the good news of the gospel?
Answers will vary. Encourage kids to continue to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others in their lives. Remind kids that Jesus commanded us to share the gospel with all people. Lead kids to think about how people cannot believe in Jesus if they have never heard about Him. (Read Rom. 10:13-15)
+ Play a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos® together as a family. Play the board game or research online how to play a real-life version of the game.
+ Remind your kids that the point of the game is to get as much food for your hippo as possible.
+ After the game, talk about how God desires all our worship for Himself. While God will one day punish those who choose to worship anything other than Him, He is patient and wants to see all people come to know Him.
