July 1, 2018 – Micah 5

Lesson Date: July 1, 2018

Focal Scripture Passage: Micah 5:1-15

AIM: To lead students to discover amazing promises about Christ our King, and to encourage them to yield themselves completely to Jesus’ rule in their lives.

Before class: Read the notes on Micah 5:1-15 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book. Write the word “King” on the marker board or chalkboard. Enlist some class members who are comfortable reading aloud to look up the following scriptures and be prepared to read them to the class when called upon: Matthew 2:6; John 7:42.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct the class’ attention to the word “King” written on the board. Ask: “What is a king?” (a ruler, monarch, or head of government).

Ask the students to name some famous kings. They might name King Henry VIII, King David, King George, Alexander the Great, King Cyrus, or others. When the students name a king, ask them approximately when that king ruled. Comment that each king lived for a limited amount of time, ruled for a certain number of years, and then died. None of those ancient kings are still living or ruling.

Tell the class the title of “king” is used in other ways today. For example, Elvis Presley was known as the king of rock and roll, Michael Jackson was called the king of pop, and Richard Petty was known as the king of NASCAR. Tell the students that none of those were actually sovereign rulers; they were merely considered by some to be the very best of their particular specialty. And like the other real kings, none of them are still the “king” in their field – their time on top was limited.

Tell the students that today’s lesson is about another king – a very different king.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Remind the students that we are studying the Old Testament book of Micah.
   • Direct their attention to the Sin – Judgment – Repentance – Renewal
   • Remind them that throughout this quarter we are finding that sin brings God’s judgment, but genuine repentance brings renewal and blessings.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (God’s plans are sometimes hard to understand, but they are always for ultimate good of His people).
2. The Everlasting King and His Rule.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Micah 5:1.
   • Explain that this verse pictures the siege and destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians in 586 c. The “judge of Israel” was Judah’s last king, who was captured, forced to witness the execution of his sons, blinded, and taken to Babylon as a prisoner.
   • After that time Israel did not have a king. The people needed a ruler.
   • Read Micah 5:2.
   • Ask: “Does that verse sound familiar?” (yes, it is quoted in the New Testament).
   • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Matthew 2:6.
   • Remind the students that when the wise man came to King Herod seeking the newborn “King of the Jews,” the priests and scribes told them the Christ would be born in Bethlehem (locate Bethlehem on the map).
   • Explain that Bethlehem, a small town just a few miles south of Jerusalem, was the hometown of King David.
   • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read John 7:42.
   • Tell the class that First Century Jews knew without doubt that the Christ (the Messiah) would be a descendant of King David and would be born in Bethlehem. This verse in Micah clearly points to the birth of Jesus Christ.
   • Ask: “Since Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth, how did God fulfill this prophecy and arrange for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem?” (Caesar demanded a census and taxation of the Roman Empire; Israel was under Roman rule at the time; both Joseph and Mary were descendants of King David; the census required that everyone return to the town of their ancestry; amazingly, God used a pagan king to accomplish His purpose).
   • Read Micah 5:2
   • Ask: “What does this verse reveal about this ruler (Jesus Christ)?” (He has always existed).
   • Remind the students that all the kings named in the introduction lived and ruled for only a limited amount of time. This King, however, lives and rules forever.
   • Tell the students verses 3-6 reveal some amazing facts about King Jesus’ rule.
   • Read Micah 5:3-6.
   • Remind the students that Micah was writing before the fall and captivity of the Jews.
   • Tell them that verse 3 says the Jewish people must endure seeming abandonment in captivity before the King comes (“she which travaileth” refers to the Jews, from whom Messiah would be born – see Rev. 12:1-2).
   • Ask: “What does verse 4 say about how Christ will minister?” (“in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God”).
   • Ask: “What does verse 4 say about the extent of His kingdom?” (it will reach “unto the ends of the earth”).
   • Tell the students verse 5 says, “this man shall be the peace.” The people of Israel were looking for peace and protection from their enemies. Such peace is only temporary, while true and lasting peace comes from knowing Jesus Christ as one’s Savior.
   • Explain that in verse 6 Micah envisioned the Messiah as a Savior who would free the Jews from foreign bondage. In reality, Jesus Christ frees us from spiritual bondage.
   • Summarize: Even though the Son of God has existed forever, He was born into human flesh in Bethlehem, just as prophesied. He came to offer peace and deliverance to any who will repent of their sins and receive Him by faith.
3. The People of the Kingdom.
   • Tell the students that the rest of the chapter is about the people who will inhabit Christ’s kingdom, and the things He will do for them.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Micah 5:7.
   • Ask: “Who are the remnant of Jacob?” (faithful Jews).
   • Ask: “Where will they be found?” (in many nations).
   • Tell the students that even though Jews make up only about 15 million of the world’s 7 billion people, measurable populations of Jews now inhabit 109 different countries! They really are scattered “in the midst of many people.”
   • Ask: “How does verse 7 describe the Jews’ impact on the places they live?” (they are like dew or showers on the grass; in other words, they are blessings to the places in which they live).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Micah 5:8.
   • Tell the class in the future God will make the Jews like lions who conquer and consume those who oppose them.
   • Read Micah 5:9-11.
   • Ask: “According to verse 9, what will happen to Israel’s enemies?” (they will be destroyed; it is never a good idea to oppose Israel).
   • Explain that in verses 10-11 the Lord promised to cut off Israel’s horses, chariots, and fortified city. Why would He do such a thing? Because in the future peaceful Kingdom weapons will no longer be needed (Mic. 4:3-5).
   • Tell the students verses 12-14 reveal some things the King will do for His people.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Micah 5:12-14.
   • Ask: “According to verse 12, what will He cut off?” (witches and fortune tellers).
   • Ask: “According to verse 13, what will He cut off?” (man-made idols).
   • Ask: “According to verse 14, what will He cut off?” (places devoted to wicked and immoral idol worship).
   • Read Micah 5:15.
   • Ask: “What will the King do to those who hate and reject Him?” (execute vengeance upon them to a degree never heard of before; see Rev. 19:11-20 and Matt. 25:41-46).
   • Summarize: The King will utterly cleanse His people and their land before ushering in His Millennial Kingdom.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Remind the students of the kings mentioned in the introduction. Tell them that each king, when ruling, was the greatest and supreme authority in his kingdom; but every human king has either already died or will die one day. Every king’s rule is limited to a certain number of years, after which a new king comes along. That is true among governing rulers and the so-called “kings” of the entertainment world.

Today’s lesson, however, is about an everlasting King. Isaiah 9:6-7 describes His rule this way:

The government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.

Tell the students that Jesus Christ is the great King prophesied in the Old Testament, who came into this world through a virgin birth in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. He is Israel’s promised King who will one day establish an earthly Millennial Kingdom. But Christ the King and His future Kingdom are not limited to the Jewish people. If we belong to Jesus Christ He is our King and we are citizens of His eternal kingdom.

Encourage anyone present who has never accepted Jesus Christ as his or her Savior and King to do so this morning. Briefly explain the plan of salvation.

Many of your students are probably already saved. Christ is already their King, but the important question for them is: “Are you completely yielded to Jesus Christ’s rule in your life?” We can be citizens of the kingdom but still have stubborn, rebellious hearts.

Remind the students that in the model prayer Jesus taught His followers to pray “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” We who belong to Jesus Christ must continually yield ourselves to His rule over our lives and His will for our lives.

Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes. Encourage any who have never trusted Jesus Christ for salvation to do so now. Encourage those who are already saved to yield themselves completely to Christ’s rule and will right now. Voice a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Ask everyone to memorize Micah 5:2. Tell the students to thank God daily for sending His Son to be our Savior and King. Urge them to submit to His rule every day.