Recently I taught a set of classes about the time of the Judges.  The background to this time in history is one of a repeating cycle.  To illustrate the idea of a cycle that goes round and round I decided to use a hoola hoop.

Each week, as we studied our way through the Judges I used part of the class time to review this cycle.  Soon the children were able to explain this to the others in the class.  The rattle sound the hoola hoop made as it turned added to the fun.

How to Make a Wheel for Your Class

 If a hoola hoop is not available then use any circular object that can be rotated and used in the same way.  A bicycle wheel, hubcap, pizza pan or a round piece of cardboard would work just as well.

Write each of the stages of the cycle on thick card and tape them to the hoola hoop to form something like a wheel that can be rotated round and round.

Now it is time to review the cycle with the children in your class.  Turn the wheel as you tell about each stage. (To remind you of what to say write the following notes on the back side of the papers.)

1. SAFE WITH GOD:
   God protected his people as they obeyed him.
2. FORGET:
   Then the people strayed from God and even started worshipping false Gods.
3. HURT:
   Because they left God they also left his protection.  When the enemies began to hurt them they had no protection from God.  This was a terrible time.
4. HELP!
   Finally, after so many bad things were happening, the people realised their mistake and cried out to God for help.
5. JUDGE:
   Even though the people forget God, God never forgot his people. When his people cried out for help he would send a hero (called a Judge) to save the day and turn them back to him. Sometimes these heroes were soldiers, sometimes they were very clever.  At least once they were a bit wild and crazy (Samson). God knew what kind of judge they needed.And the cycle continues…The judge would bring the people back to a time of safety with God (repeat number one again).  Sometimes many years would pass but then, the people began to forget again…(and this is where you continue to number two and so on).

Stories that Took Place During the Time of the Judges

 Deborah the Judge

 Gideon and the Fleece

 Gideon and the Midianites

 The Birth of Samson

 Samson and Delilah

 The Death of Samson

 Ruth and Naomi

 

 Ruth and Boaz

 God Answers Hannah’s Prayer

 Samuel- Helper in the Tabernacle

 The Lord Speaks to Samuel