GRADE 9 CRE THE BIBLE:SELECTED TEACHINGS – WOMAN JUDGE:DEBORAH Notes
CRE Notes — THE BIBLE: SELECTED TEACHINGS
Subtopic: WOMAN JUDGE — DEBORAH (Age 14, Kenya)
Key facts:
- Bible: Judges chapters 4 and 5.
- Deborah: prophetess, judge and leader of Israel; judged under the "Palm of Deborah" (Judges 4:5).
- Main characters: Deborah, Barak, Sisera (commander), Jael (the woman who killed Sisera).
- Deborah: prophetess, judge and leader of Israel; judged under the "Palm of Deborah" (Judges 4:5).
- Main characters: Deborah, Barak, Sisera (commander), Jael (the woman who killed Sisera).
1. Background (short)
After Joshua, Israel lived in Canaan but often turned away from God. The Book of Judges shows a cycle: sin → oppression → cry to God → God raises a judge → deliverance. Deborah appears during one of these cycles as Israel’s leader and prophetess. The nation was oppressed by King Jabin of Hazor and his army commander Sisera.
2. The story (simple summary)
- God told Deborah to give Barak (an Israelite military leader) instructions to take 10,000 men to Mount Tabor to fight Sisera.
- Barak agreed only if Deborah went with him. Deborah agreed but said the honor of victory would go to a woman.
- Israel, led by Barak (with Deborah’s leadership and God’s help), defeated Sisera’s army. Sisera fled and was killed by Jael, who welcomed him into her tent and drove a peg through his head while he slept.
- Deborah and Barak sang a song of praise (Judges 5) celebrating God's victory and the bravery of leaders and tribes who fought.
3. Important themes / teachings
- Leadership is not limited by gender — God can call anyone to lead (Deborah was a woman judge and prophetess).
- Courage and faith in God bring deliverance.
- Working together (Deborah + Barak + tribes) achieves victory.
- God’s plans may surprise people (honour went to Jael, not Barak).
- Praise and thanksgiving follow deliverance (Deborah’s song: Judges 5).
4. Lessons for Kenyan 14-year-olds (applications)
- Girls and boys can be school leaders, captains, or leaders in church and community — leadership ability comes from God and from personal character, not gender.
- Stand up against injustice and bullying — use courage and wise help from others (teachers, parents, community leaders).
- Work as a team — like tribes joining to face a big problem at school or in the community (clean-ups, fundraising, campaigns).
- Use prayer and trust in God when facing hard situations but also plan and act wisely.
5. Character list (quick)
- Deborah: prophetess and judge who guided Israel (wise and brave).
- Barak: military leader who obeyed Deborah and God, but asked her to go with him.
- Sisera: commander of the enemy army (defeated).
- Jael: a woman who killed Sisera and fulfilled Deborah’s word that a woman would get the honor.
- Barak: military leader who obeyed Deborah and God, but asked her to go with him.
- Sisera: commander of the enemy army (defeated).
- Jael: a woman who killed Sisera and fulfilled Deborah’s word that a woman would get the honor.
6. Memory verse (easy)
"Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time." — Judges 4:4
7. Classroom activities (quick and practical)
- Role play: Act the short scene where Deborah encourages Barak — discuss feelings, courage and trust.
- Group discussion: "How can girls lead in our school/community?" Make a short action plan.
- Creative task: Write a short modern "song of Deborah" (2–4 lines) praising teamwork and God’s help.
- Art: Draw the "Palm of Deborah" and write one lesson you learned around it.
8. Questions for reflection / class
- Why did Barak ask Deborah to go with him? What does this say about leadership and trust?
- Was Jael’s action right? Discuss the ethics and what the story teaches about unexpected instruments of God's plans.
- How can you show courage and good leadership in your school this term?
- Why is it important to thank God after successes?
9. Short quiz (for review)
1) Where in the Bible is the story of Deborah found?
a) Genesis b) Judges c) Kings
2) Who killed Sisera?
a) Deborah b) Barak c) Jael
3) What role did Deborah have? (choose one)
a) Prophetess and judge b) Enemy commander c) King
a) Genesis b) Judges c) Kings
2) Who killed Sisera?
a) Deborah b) Barak c) Jael
3) What role did Deborah have? (choose one)
a) Prophetess and judge b) Enemy commander c) King
Quick answers: 1) b Judges. 2) c Jael. 3) a Prophetess and judge.
Note for teachers: link this lesson to local examples of female leadership (student councils, women's groups, church leaders) and encourage students to list local role models who follow Deborah’s qualities: faith, wisdom, courage and service.