GOD PURSUES US EVEN WHEN WE’RE UNFAITHFUL. 

SCRIPTURE | Hosea 1:1-3; 3:1-5; 6:1-6; 14:1-4 

CENTRAL TRUTH 

If we honestly examine our love for God, many of us may admit that it’s conditional; it changes with our circumstances; it’s anything but sure. Since God’s love for us is constant and sure, then we must commit to love Him the same. 

KEY QUESTION 

HOW IS GOD’S LOVE (6:3) CONTRASTED WITH ISRAEL’S LOVE (6:4)? HONESTLY EXAMINE YOUR LOVE FOR GOD. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT? 

KEEP IN MIND 

Some of your students may struggle to understand (or believe in) a covenant. They wrestle with the concept because they’ve never witnessed anyone keep a promise. They may live in homes that are broken by divorce, adultery, and abuse. For these students, the truth that God is faithful—the idea that He compares Himself to a loving a faithful husband and us to a bride—will feel foreign. They may even feel skeptical. In these cases, the best way to walk with these students is to be faithful too. Be faithful to them by loving them, praying for them, checking on them, going to their events. Consistency speaks loudly. Another way to walk with students who struggle with accepting the truth that God (or anyone) can be faithful is to live faithfully for the Lord. When they witness your devotion—even when life is incredibly difficult—and God’s care in your life, they’ll soften and become more open to the idea that God can’t be unfaithful. Keep in mind that discussing marital unfaithfulness could also be a trigger for students who’ve walked through difficult situations with their parents or other family members. Be sensitive to those students’ needs. 

APPLICATION 

WHY DO WE SOMETIMES FEEL LIKE WE CAN’T RETURN TO THE LORD WHEN WE STRAY? HOW CAN YOU TAKE STEPS TO RETURN TO HIM NOW? 

THE WIN 

FOR THE STUDENT: Jesus’s blood paid the debt for our sin. Students need to know that they’re free from the sin that once held them captive. If they’ve wandered, they don’t have to stay off course. 

FOR THE LEADER: Some of your students haven’t experienced a constant, faithful love; consider it a joy that you get to show them it exists in God (1 John 4:8-10).