Hosea, Prophet to Israel (Hosea)

Unit 14, Session 3

Dear families,

Although God had been faithful to the people of Israel, they were not faithful to God. The Israelites continued to disobey God, following worthless idols and acting wickedly. Israel even turned to other nations during times of trouble, trusting in the power of man over God. God warned Israel of their unfaithfulness and showed His faithful love through the prophet Hosea.

Though Israel was far from Him, God wanted to show a picture of His great love and relentless pursuit of His people through Hosea’s life. God instructed Hosea to marry a prostitute named Gomer, explaining that she would not be faithful to him. Yet, God told Hosea to remain committed to her.

Hosea obeyed God and married Gomer. As God said, she was unfaithful to Hosea and left their family. In the same way, the Israelites were unfaithful to God, worshiping idols, acting corruptly, and loving violence. However, God’s love did not relent, and He promised a day when He would forgive and restore them (Hosea 14:4-9).

To show the Israelites the depth of His love, God told Hosea to show love to Gomer, even though she had chosen a life of adultery (Hosea 3:1). Again, Hosea obeyed God. He paid the debts Gomer owed and brought her back home to their family.

On the cross, Jesus paid our debt of sin, restoring our relationship with God so we might be with Him forever. When we repent and turn to Jesus, He brings us into His family. Even when believers act unfaithfully, Jesus continues to be faithful and show unending love.

Encourage the children in your care to ask Jesus for forgiveness and praise Him for His unfailing love. God promised to be faithful to Israel, and He continues to be faithful to us. Point children to God’s promises to Israel and the way these words of hope echo into Jesus’ promises to followers of Christ to heal them, love them, and not be angry with them (Hosea 14:4).

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. 

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: God showed His love to us by sending Jesus to save us.
• Younger Preschool: Even when we do not love God as we should, He still loves us. God showed His love by sending Jesus to save us.
• Older Preschool: Even though we do not love God with all our hearts, He still loves us. God showed us His love by sending Jesus to be our Savior.
• Kids: Israel was not faithful to God, but God was faithful to Israel, just as Hosea loved his wife even when she didn’t love him. God is faithful to save all sinners who repent and trust in Jesus.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Younger Preschool: Why do Christians continue to sin? Because we still have hearts that want to sin.
• Older Preschool: Why do Christians continue to sin? Christians continue to sin because we still have hearts that want to sin.
• Kids: Why do Christians continue to sin? Christians continue to sin because we still have a sin nature, but when Jesus returns, He will make us sinless like Him.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: Follow the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 13:4
• Younger Preschool: You must follow the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 13:4
• Older Preschool: You must follow the LORD your God. You must keep his commands and listen to him. Deuteronomy 13:4
• Kids: You must follow the LORD your God and fear him. You must keep his commands and listen to him; you must worship him and remain faithful to him. Deuteronomy 13:4

** Next week: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed (2 Kings 17)