FOR THE LEADER

Questions and AnswersHabakkuk 1:1-6,12-13; 2:1-4

The Bible gives little personal information about the man Habakkuk, or at what time in history he prophesied. Habakkuk’s name means “to embrace” and it is likely he may have served as a musical leader in the temple at Jerusalem. Chapter 3 of his book is formatted as a song, giving evidence that Habakkuk had at least some musical training. Textual evidence suggests that Habakkuk was a contemporary of Jeremiah and possibly prophesied near the end of King Josiah’s reign—a time of political and religious reform—and the early years of the reign of Jehoiakim, Josiah’s evil son.

Unique among the prophets, Habakkuk questioned God’s working in the national life of Judah. Other prophets in the Bible recorded God’s words and delivered them to the people, but Habakkuk questioned why God was working the way He was. Habakkuk’s approach gives us insight into the prophet’s distinctive role and the prophetic relationship he had with God. Habakkuk’s approach also helps believers know that it is permissible for us to ask questions of God. God was not upset that Habakkuk was asking questions. Instead, God took time to answer those questions by telling Habakkuk that God had plans beyond Habakkuk’s understanding. God actually said that Habakkuk would be so surprised when he saw what God was doing that Habakkuk wouldn’t even believe it. When life doesn’t make sense, we can still trust God.

Habakkuk shares a series of woes, or indictments, against the wicked whom he identified in chapter 1. These woes solidified the knowledge that even though the successes of the evil people seemed like God was favoring them, in the end the Lord would be justified when evil was defeated. Habakkuk didn’t understand the mind of God, and neither can we. While Habakkuk did not understand God’s ways, Habakkuk knew God was trustworthy. The Book of Habakkuk helps us see that God is great and can be trusted. God calls us to have faith in Him even when we do not understand His plans.

Session 5Session 5: Questions and Answers

38 Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide© 2020 LifeWay

5

OVERVIEW

SESSION FOCUSTEXT TRUTHGod is great and wonderful.

BIBLE STORYHabakkuk 1:1-6,12-13; 2:1-4

BIBLE VERSEHabakkuk 3:2

CHRIST IN CONTEXTThe Book of Habakkuk tells how God is in control and has a plan to reward the faithful. God sent Jesus at just the right time to rescue God’s people.

BIBLE SKILLS • Open Bible to a Bible marker.• Begin to pronounce the names of the books of the Bible.

ARRIVAL ACTIVITIES (5 MINUTES)

As preschoolers arrive, offer choices of self-guided activities that set the stage for Bible explorations.

FAMILY AT HOMEPrint this week’s devotional page (Enhanced CD) to give to families.

▸▸ Look at nature books.

Tools: Bible, several nature picture books showing mountains, trees, and wildlife

▸▸ After everyone has had an opportunity to do one or more arrival activities, direct preschoolers to Exploration Stations. (See next page.)

▸▸ String beads. Look for letters H (Habakkuk) and G (God).

Tools: Bible; large colored shape and alphabet beads, lacing strings

▸▸ Hear and identify sounds.

Tools: Bible, sound effects app (play on smartphone)

39Session 5: Questions and Answers© 2020 LifeWay

BIBLE STORY

HABAKKUK TALKED TO GODHabakkuk 1:1-6,12-13; 2:1-4

Habakkuk was a prophet to the people in Judah. The people in Judah had been in trouble for a long time. Other kings fought Judah and led the people to do wrong things.

Habakkuk was not happy about this. He was confused and upset. Habakkuk talked to God about it. Habakkuk asked God why He did not punish the people for doing wrong.

“How long, God, must I call for help? Why do You let the people continue to do wrong? I see meanness and fighting right in front of me. And it’s going to get worse.”

Habakkuk was frustrated.

God answered, “Look around! Things are happening that you won’t believe. I have a plan.”

Then Habakkuk asked God another question. “Are You not the One who lives forever? You are too good to even look at wrongdoing.”

Habakkuk waited for God to answer. “I will watch to see what God will say to me,” Habakkuk said.

Then God told Habakkuk to write down what He told him so others could read it. God said, “It is not time yet. Wait.”

God wanted Habakkuk to know He had a plan and everything would change at the right time.

TEXT TRUTHGod is great and wonderful.

BIBLE VERSE Habakkuk 3:2

LEADER TIP! Learn how to pronounce Bible names. Do an internet search to find pronunciations. If you have to, write the names on a sheet of paper in a way that helps you remember the pronunciation. (Or consult a Bible dictionary.)

BIBLE VERSEFrom the Bible text: Lord, I stand in awe of your deeds. Habakkuk 3:2

Paraphrase:I know about the wonderful things God does. Habakkuk 3:2

LEADER TIPYou choose! Are your preschoolers ready to learn memory verses? Decide which wording of the Bible verse you want to use with your group.

40 Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide40© 2020 LifeWay

CIRCLE TIME

TOOLS• Bible• tall wooden block, scissors,

tape• communication devices

such as smartphone, laptop, tablet, walkie-talkie, paper and pencil

PACK ITEMS 5 Story Picture: Habakkuk

Talked to God15 Bible Book Markers:

Habakkuk17 Bible Books Poster18 Bible Poster Add-ons:

Habakkuk25 Prophet Figures: Habakkuk

(cut out and tape figure to a tall wooden block)

LEADER TIP!Show preschoolers where the Book of Habakkuk is located on the Bible Timeline for Kids.

CIRCLE TIME (10-15 MINUTES, DEPENDING ON YOUR AGE GROUP)

GATHER• Gather children in a circle and show them the communication devices.

Ask preschoolers to identify the items and tell how they can be used to talk to other people or send messages to people.

HEAR THE BIBLE STORY• Ask preschoolers: “Can anyone tell me how we talk to God? Do we need a

special phone or computer?” The answer should be no.

• Reply: “Of course not! Talking to God is very easy—all we have to do is pray. Prayer is talking to God. We can do that with our voices or we can think prayer thoughts in our minds. Let’s learn about a Bible times man who talked to God.”

• Open the Bible to the Book of Habakkuk. Tell the Bible story in your own words. Pass the Story Picture (Pack) around the circle.

• Stand the Habakkuk Prophet Figure (Pack) in front of you. Review a few things Habakkuk did. Remind children that Habakkuk wrote about God and the things Habakkuk wrote are in the Bible.

• Invite a child to tape the Habakkuk Poster Add-on (Pack) on the Bible Books Poster (Pack).

PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS• Hold the Bible so children can see it. Say: “The Bible is made up of two

parts—the Old and New Testament. The Old Testament has stories about prophets, God’s messengers. Habakkuk was a prophet.”

• Help a child open the Bible to Habakkuk. Show children the man’s name. Say: “Habakkuk wrote a verse for us to remember.”

• Lead children to repeat today’s Bible verse and reference.

PRAY• Thank God that He hears our prayers. Thank Him for the wonderful

things He does.

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EXPLORATION STATIONS

TEXT TRUTH God is great and wonderful.

BIBLE STORYHabakkuk Talked to GodHabakkuk 1:1-6,12-13; 2:1-4

BIBLE VERSEHabakkuk 3:2

PACK ITEMS 5 Story Picture: Habakkuk

Talked to God25 Prophet Figures

CD ITEMSCharacteristics of God Cards

LEADER TIP!Awe may be a new word for your preschoolers. Though it doesn’t invoke the full meaning of “standing in awe,” you could use the word awesome. Ask children to name things that are awesome. Explain that God is more awesome than anything or anyone.

EXPLORATION STATIONS (45-60 MINUTES)

Set up at least three stations to provide choices of multisensory activities and movement for busy preschoolers.

MAKE SPIN ART

Tools: Bible, salad spinner,

small heavyweight paper cut

to fit in bottom of the salad

spinner, washable paint, spoons

or droppers, paint smocks,

marker

• Write today’s Text Truth on

paper circles. Lay a paper

in the spinner.

• Guide a child to drop paint

onto the paper. Attach the

lid and help the child work

the spinner.

• Remove the child’s

artwork and comment on

its beauty. Say: “The words

on your spin art say, ‘God is

great and wonderful.’ This

is an amazing truth about

God.”

• Turn to Habakkuk 3:2 in

the Bible. Encourage the

preschooler to name some

of the wonderful things

God has done both in Bible

times and today.

HOP THE BIBLE VERSE

Tools: Bible; tape; 5 plastic hoops; 5 pieces of paper with the following verse phrases printed on them: I know, about the, wonderful things, God does, Habakkuk 3:2.

• Place the plastic hoops on the floor in a line. (Or use masking tape to make circles.) Tape one piece of paper in each hoop in the correct order to form the Bible verse.

• Locate Habakkuk 3:2 in the Bible and point to the words. Say: “The words on the papers are the words of this verse. Let’s hop in each circle and say the words.”

• Say the Bible verse with children as they hop through the hoops.

42 Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide© 2020 LifeWay

EXPLORATION STATIONS

MOVE TO SIGNS

Tools: Bible, a green paper

labeled Yes and a red paper

labeled No, tape, Story Picture:

Habakkuk Talked to God

(Pack)

• Tape the papers on

opposite walls in the room.

• Ask simple questions

for children to answer.

Instruct children to move

to the paper that answers

the question.

• Use general questions such

as: Is your shirt blue? Are

you three years old? Do

you have a brother? Is your

hair brown?

• Ask story-related questions

such as: Did Habakkuk like

the things he saw people

doing? Did Habakkuk talk

to God? Did God answer

Habakkuk’s questions?

Was Habakkuk upset?

• Say: “Habakkuk had many

questions for God. God

answered them.”

READ ABOUT GOD

Tools: 2-4 Bibles, several books related to God, Characteristics of God Cards (CD)

• Slip the Characteristics Cards in the Bibles in various locations.

• Invite a child to choose a book for you to read together. Talk about God’s goodness and love.

• Say: “The Bible tells about God. Can you get a Bible and look for a slip of paper that describes God?”

• When a child finds a card, read the word describing God. Tape the card to a wall or whiteboard. Direct other children to find cards.

• Say: “Habakkuk wondered why God let people keep on disobeying. But God reminded Habakkuk that He was in control and He had a perfect plan.”

PLAY WITH PROPHET FIGURES & BUILD

Tools: Bible, Prophet Figures (Pack), blocks, Activity Page

• Invite children to build whatever they choose. Pick up one figure and name the prophet. Place the figure inside or near a child’s structure.

• Comment: “This figure is Habakkuk. Habakkuk was a prophet, someone who told other people about God and what God wanted people to do.”

• Show Habakkuk’s picture on the Activity Page.

• Ask a child to get another figure. Name that prophet. Continue until the prophets are named.

• Say: “All the prophets we named were men who listened to God and told other people what God said. We read about these prophets in the Bible.”

• Help children locate the books in the Bible.

43Session 5: Questions and Answers© 2020 LifeWay

NEXT HOUR

OPTIONS1. Continue activities from

the first hour. (Kids learn through repetition.)

2. Try something different. Choose two or three new activities.

TEXT TRUTHGod is great and wonderful.

BIBLE STORYHabakkuk Talked to GodHabakkuk 1:1-6,12-13; 2:1-4The Bible story is printed on the back of the Story Picture.

BIBLE VERSEI know about the wonderful things God does.Habakkuk 3:2

PACK ITEMS 5 Story Picture: Habakkuk

Talked to God

NEXT HOUR (MORE EXPLORATIONS FOR PRESCHOOLERS)

MAKE BINOCULARSTools: Bible, short cardboard tubes taped together (2 tubes per child), hole punch, yarn, washable markers, stickers

• Invite preschoolers to decorate tubes that can be used to make binoculars. Provide each child a pair of tubes, markers, and stickers. After a preschooler decorates his tubes, tape them together. Punch two holes in one end and tie yarn through the holes to make a lanyard.

• As preschoolers work, talk about seeing things more clearly through binoculars. Say: “In the Bible we read about Habakkuk. Habakkuk asked God if He saw all the bad things that people were doing. God told Habakkuk to look around and wait for all God was going to do.”

• Invite preschoolers to look through Bibles and books to find pictures of things God has done.

ROLL CARS ON TAPE ROADSTools: Bible, several toy vehicles, Activity Page

• Make a system of roadways on the floor. Place cars intermittently on the roads.

• When a preschooler begins to roll cars, talk about his family driving to church. Say: “At church we read from the Bible and learn the things God wants us to know.”

• Show the child the picture on the Activity Page. Say: “A man named Habakkuk wrote words in the Bible that told about God. Let’s find the Book of Habakkuk in the Bible.”

• Help the child locate the Bible book and today’s Bible verse about God.

TOSS A BALL & TALKTools: Bible, beach ball, Enhanced CD

• Direct children to stand in a circle. Toss the beach ball to a child. Say: “God is great and wonderful. Tell me something about God.” Help the child think of words or actions that describe God. (See Leader Tip.)

44 Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide© 2020 LifeWay

NEXT HOUR

LEADER TIP!Give hints to the preschoolers such as— God is kind. God gives us rest. God always loves people. God gave us families and friends. God helps people know what to do.

• After several children have caught the ball and answered, sing a song about God. Tell children we know about God by reading the Bible.

• Sit down and open the Bible to Habakkuk and recall the Bible story.

PLAY “TEACHER, MAY I?”Tools: Bible, Story Picture: Habakkuk Talked to God (Pack)

• Show children the Story Picture. Remark that Habakkuk loved God, but he did not always understand what God did. Habakkuk asked God some questions.

• Invite preschoolers to play a question game. Give them simple instructions to move, speak, or pretend. Tell children to ask, “Teacher, may I?” each time.

CIRCLE TIME GATHER• Ask preschoolers a few questions.

For example, ask them to name their favorite color or food or what they like to do when they play outdoors.

• Say: “Thank you for answering all the questions I asked. In today’s story, a man named Habakkuk asked God a lot of questions.”

REVIEW THE BIBLE STORY• Show children the Story Picture

(Pack) as you retell the Bible story.

• Say: “Habakkuk asked God hard questions. God listened to

Habakkuk, then God answered the questions. God reminded Habakkuk that He had a special plan.” PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS

• Pass a Bible around the circle as music plays. Stop the music and ask the child holding the Bible to stand. Lead the child to repeat today’s Bible verse and reference.

• Give every child a turn.

PRAY• Thank God that He is great and

wonderful.

Look for printable Next Hour helps on the Preschool Enhanced CD.

DON’T FORGET! Give every child this week’s Activity Page and Preschool Family Card.

45Session 5: Questions and Answers© 2020 LifeWay