Pathways to Prosperity
A collaborative project of Christian Life Formation, Philosophy, and Empowerment Technology
From the Scriptures to today:
"Unraveling the Timeless Relevance of the Old Testament"
Overview of the DIVIDED KINGDOM STAGE
The Divided Kingdom stage in ancient Israel's history is a pivotal period that began around 930 BCE. It resulted from the division of the united kingdom established under King Saul, King David, and King Solomon. After Solomon's reign, his son Rehoboam faced resistance from the northern tribes due to heavy taxation and forced labor. Jeroboam, a former official under Solomon, led a revolt, and as a result, the kingdom split into two.
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Northern Kingdom of Israel: Jeroboam became its first king. The capital was initially Shechem, later moved to Tirzah, and finally to Samaria. The Northern Kingdom faced a series of rulers and external threats. It eventually fell to the Assyrians in 722 BCE.
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Southern Kingdom of Judah: Rehoboam continued to rule over the southern tribes, including Judah and Benjamin. The capital remained in Jerusalem. The Southern Kingdom lasted longer than the Northern Kingdom but eventually fell to the Babylonians in 586 BCE.
In the story of the Divided Kingdom, we find lessons that resonate across time. It's a tale of political shifts, the importance of wise leadership, and the enduring spirit of a people. As we explore this chapter, we gain insights into the complexities of building and maintaining a nation, echoing the timeless quest for unity and purpose.
From: Animated Bible Stories
From: Animated Bible Stories
Part 1
Opening Prayer
Lead by: Eric Anthony Reyes
Dear Lord God,
You are the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end king of all Kings. We ask you today that you will guide us with our upcoming activity that we might fulfill what we are asked to do and have a successful activity. We ask you to touch our hearts as we talk about the different Scriptures in the bible. As we go through the different scriptures we ask you to show us or enlighten us the truth behind your the passages that are being shown that it might soften our hearts and guide us to the right path. Enlighten the minds of our audience that they may get the idea behind your passages, Lord God. Help us forgive those who have sinned against us and help those who we have sinned against that they may also forgive us. In this we ask in Jesus' name. Amen
Part 2
Ice Breaker: 4 Pics One Word
Lead by: Xian Zakkary Baguio
Part 3
Dynamic Story Telling
In this passage, Solomon's son Rehoboam becomes king after Solomon's death. The people of Israel approach Rehoboam and request that he lighten their burden of taxation and labor that was imposed by Solomon. Rehoboam seeks the counsel of the elders who served under Solomon and also consults with his young friends. Unfortunately, Rehoboam disregards the advice of the elders and listens to his young friends, responding to the people with harshness. As a result, ten of the twelve tribes of Israel revolt against Rehoboam's rule, and Jeroboam becomes their leader.
1 Kings 12:1-14:
1 Kings 12:20-33:
Jeroboam, now the leader of the ten northern tribes, is concerned that if the people continue to go to Jerusalem to worship, they might turn their allegiance back to Rehoboam. To prevent this, he sets up two golden calves, one in Bethel and another in Dan, and encourages the people to worship them instead of going to Jerusalem. This act of idolatry becomes a recurring sin in the northern kingdom of Israel.
1 Kings 11:29-40
This section introduces a prophet named Ahijah, who meets a man named Jeroboam. Ahijah tears his own robe into twelve pieces and gives ten pieces to Jeroboam, symbolizing the ten tribes that will be given to him. This signifies that God intends to divide the kingdom and remove it from the control of Solomon's descendants because of Solomon's disobedience.
From: Inspired Scripture
From: Zlatno Tele
From: GoodSalt
This verse briefly mentions the reign of Rehoboam, noting that he did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.
2 Chronicles 12:14:
1 Kings 15:25-30:
This passage describes the reign of Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, who became the second king of Israel after Jeroboam's death. Nadab continues the sinful practices of his father, and he reigns for a short period before being assassinated by Baasha.
This verse introduces the prophet Jehu, who delivers a message from God to Baasha, the third king of Israel. The message condemns Baasha for his wickedness and states that, like Jeroboam before him, his dynasty will be cut off.
1 Kings 16:2:
From: Scripture Images
From: Working Preacher
From: Scripture Images
Part 4
The Catechesis
1.) What did God say to prophet Ahijah while Solomon was still alive as King of Israel? And what was the King's reaction to it?
In summary, when King Solomon of Israel was still alive, the prophet Ahijah delivered a message from God. God warned Solomon that due to his disobedience in marrying foreign wives and turning to idolatry, the kingdom would be taken from him. This event foreshadowed the future division of the kingdom into two parts. In turn Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam but he fled to Egypt until Solomon died.
Creator: Lewis Anderson
Part 5
Reflection
1.) How does the physical division of Israel’s land connect to their spiritual separation from God?
As I think about how Israel's land got split up in the Bible, it feels like a picture of how they moved away from God. The land division among the twelve tribes isn't just about geography; it shows the result of not following God's ways. The land, which used to be a sign of God's promise, now becomes a way to show their broken connection with Him. It's like a visible story of how not following God's path led to a gap between them. Looking at this, I see how what happened in the physical world reflects the deeper spiritual stuff going on, and it makes me think about how our actions can affect our spiritual connection.
From: GOV.Uk
Part 6
Game Assessment
Lead by: Xian Zakkary Baguio
Part 7
Closing Prayer
Lead by: Eric Anthony Reyes
Dear Lord God,
As we close this activity. We approach You with hearts overflowing with thankfulness. We appreciate the time we spent together, the encounters we had, and the relationships we formed. Give us the strength to overcome obstacles, the kindness to extend to others, and the discernment to make the best decisions. We hope that the knowledge gained and the memories made today will stay with us and improve our lives. Please assist us in bringing the unity, love, and understanding we have felt here into our daily lives. Help us to spread your word to other people so that they can know more about you. As we set out on this journey of sharing your love, we humbly beg for your protection and direction. In times of doubt and adversity, may your grace be with us, and may we remain faithful in our resolve to speak your truth. In this we ask in Jesus' name. Amen
The 5 Stages of the OLD TESTAMENT
