Lesson: 307 Lesson Name: The Cities of Refuge
Theme: Salvation: Provision For All

Reading: Joshua 20:1-9

Memory Verse: Ps. 46:1
Memory Verse Text: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Point 1: The plan for the cities of refuge all started with God; God knew that there would be a need and He knew what the need would be.  As a result, God made sure that the need was met.
Point 2: The enemy was identified as the avenger of blood.  Amongst men, while in the heat of an offence, vengeance is often hastily and poorly considered as the best choice and quickly brought to pass.
Point 3: There were to be six cities of refuge across the land, nearby to all, that the guilty could flee to for safety.  Once in the city of refuge, the guilty party was to have a fair hearing and the mourners had time to cool off.
Point 4: Note David's cry later on when Joab slew Abner for killing his younger brother; David's cry had to do with the fact that Abner died right in the gate of a city of refuge.

See also: Old Testament History - 3.3 - Midian, Cities of Refuge

This Sunday School Curriculum guide is part of a 254 Sunday School Lesson Book available at www.gospelhall.org.  See the Downloads Section of the site for a complete copy.

The Sunday School Teacher's Survival Guide http://gospelhall.org/teaching--preaching/sunday-school-helper.html also provides advice on developing lessons for Bible classes.