Handwriting on the Wall

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Middle School

Lesson 11
Fall 2023
By: RLD Editorial Team
November 12, 2023

Lesson Focus:

Nations that defy God are in danger.

Bible Basis:

Daniel 5:1-18, 20, 21b-31

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

Internet access

Step 4:

Pens/pencils
Index cards

Summary & Links:

Your students will watch a news story about the persecution of Nigerian Christians and discuss the dangers of ignoring God’s commands.

Memory Verse:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” —2 Chronicles 7:14

Your students will watch a news story about the persecution of Nigerian Christians and discuss the dangers of ignoring God’s commands.

Materials Needed:

Internet access

Have any of you visited another country? (Allow students to share about any other countries where they have lived or visited.)

Sometimes when we grow up in one place, we don’t always know what it’s like to live in a very different culture. Nigeria is one country that is often in the news for being targeted by terrorist attacks.

What have you heard about Nigeria? (Allow your students to share. If they haven’t heard anything about Nigeria, you might say something like: Nigeria is a country in West Africa that is at war with an Islamist terrorist group called Boko Haram. This terrorist organization frequently targets and attacks the Christian population in Nigeria.)

Let’s watch a quick video about two young women, Janada Markus and Maria Joseph, who survived being held captive by Boko Haram and have clung to their faith in healing from that traumatic experience.

Play the following video [start at 3:40]:
Boko Haram: The Persecution of Christians in Nigeria

After your class has watched the news video, discuss the following questions together:

What bothered you the most about seeing this video? (Answers will vary. Accept all reasonable responses.)

Pens/pencils
Index cards

Nigerian Christians face persecution for their beliefs. By meeting as churches and by professing their faith, Christians risk kidnapping and attacks from terrorists groups such as Boko Haram.

The Bible shows us many examples of people groups and nations refusing to obey God’s commands. Although a large percentage of the Nigerian population identifies as Christian, the Boko Haram terrorist group is not Christian or obeying God’s commands. It is important for leaders to obey the principles of God’s Word, even when it’s hard. A people group—like Boko Haram—who defies God should be prepared for a lot of trouble.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

Pens/pencils
Index cards

If your class is meeting online, invite students to bring supplies with them to class.

It can be difficult to learn what is happening in the world around you—especially when you’re young! But even if we can’t change everything about government, we can put God’s action plan into place over our own lives.

Distribute supplies (or invite students to have them ready at home). We’re going to pretend that you are each the ruler of a country. Choose a name for your country and write it at the top of your index card. Keeping in mind God’s commands, we’re going to decide the best way to govern this new world.

What are three rules that your country should follow? Write them in your index card below the country name. (Let students figure out some biblical principles that are relevant to their age group and life experience. For example, rules like TREAT OTHER PEOPLE WITH LOVE or PROTECT THOSE WHO ARE WEAK would still make sense for a middle schooler. Have them write out the rules for their country on the map.)
What things can help people successfully follow the country’s rules? (It’s easier to follow these rules by reading the Bible, learning from more experienced elders, praying regularly, spending time with other Christians, learning from past mistakes, going to church, etc.)
How can we apply this activity to our own lives at home? (Help students grasp that national obedience starts in the hearts of individual people.)

If you have time, let students share their country names and rules with the entire class. Challenge your students to take home their maps and display them where they can easily be seen. Ask them to assess how their country measures up each day this week by evaluating whether they lived by the rules they established for their country, and whether or not their actions defied or honored God.

Close in prayer, praying specifically for the wisdom and obedience of government leaders around the world.

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David C Cook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to publishing and distributing leadership and discipleship resources to help Christians all over the world grow in their faith and pass it on to the next generation. We call this “DiscipleShaping”.

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David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Middle School