The Gospel Project at Home: The Ark Was Captured

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Read all or parts of 1 Samuel 4–6 from your Bible or watch the Bible story video.

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Talk About Scripture

On April 21, 1980, Rosie Ruiz was declared the winner of the women’s division of the Boston Marathon. The only problem was that Rosie Ruiz was a fraud. Instead of running the 26.2-mile race, Ruiz waited in the crowd and snuck onto the road to run only the final mile of the race. She was disqualified, and the real winner was crowned. Clearly, she had no business running the race with the real marathoners!   

After the Philistines defeated the Israelites, they captured the ark of the covenant and took it back to their city. The ark was a symbol of God’s presence, but the Philistines placed it beside the statue of Dagon, a false god they worshiped. The next morning, the statue of Dagon had fallen on its face in front of the ark. The Philistines set the statue up again, but it fell again, causing its head and hands to fall off! God was making it clear that He is the One True God and that Dagon—or any false god—has no business standing next to Him! 

God promised to be with His people. This promise gives comfort to know that God is near, but it also gives courage to know that He is the One True God who has all power, authority, and control. There is no one as great as Him!  

God is holy and punished the Israelites and Philistines for misusing the ark. All people sin and deserve God's judgment, but Jesus took that judgment when He died on the cross. All who trust in Jesus are forgiven of sin and saved from judgment.                    

Pray: There is no one as great as You, God! You sent Jesus to be God with us. Help us believe in Him so we can experience the comfort and courage of knowing You are always with us. Amen.

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Preschool Scripture Music Video

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Family Prayer

Mornings: Worship God as the one true God. Praise Him because there is no one as great as Him! How do you see God’s superiority in this week’s Bible story? What other stories in the Bible show us that He is the one true God?

Evenings: Thank God for His power. Thank Him for the comfort and confidence that comes with knowing the Almighty God. How does this Bible story show us the one-of-a-kind power of God? How does His ultimate power help us trust in Him?

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Family Activities

For Fun: Go for a walk or run as a family. Allow your kids to pick the route. Talk about God’s promise to be with Joshua wherever he went. Ask your kids how God has extended that promise to everyone who believes in Jesus. How is God with them wherever they go?

To Serve: Volunteer to plant flowers or participate in another beautification project at your local church. Use your time and energy to be a light in your community. Talk with your kids about how God might use the church to draw people to Himself. Be sure to explain that God’s presence is not limited to the church building, but it can still be a reminder of God’s presence and activity for the community.

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