“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. But the more I called to him, the farther he moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols. I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who took care of him. I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him.” Hosea 11:1-4, NLT
Activity from the Hands-On Bible
The people of Israel were God’s children, but they had turned away from him. Did God turn away from them?
No! Read all of HOSEA 11 to see how God describes himself as a parent. Cool, huh?
Here’s a doll to make that will remind you that God wants you to be his child!
Take a 3×5-inch cardboard, and wrap yarn around it lengthwise 50 times. Thread a piece of yarn through the top of your wrapped yarn and tie it off. Slide the yarn off the cardboard.
Then wrap yarn around the cardboard widthwise 25 times. Tie it off, and slide your yarn off the cardboard.
To make a doll, take your first bundle of yarn, and tie off a head about 1 1⁄2 inches from the top. Take the second bundle, and thread it through the middle of the first bundle to make arms. Tie off your doll at the waist.
Separate the loops into two legs, and tie off the foot on each leg.
Read Hosea 11 again. Your “child of God” doll can help you remember that God loves you.