Preschool 3.2. God Is Faithful. March 13, Bible Passage: Ezra 1 8 (Return to Jerusalem and Rebuilding of the Temple) Schedule. Welcome.

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1 March 13, 2016 Bible Passage: Ezra 1 8 (Return to Jerusalem and Rebuilding of the Temple) God Is Faithful REMEMBER VERSE This is what the LORD says your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17 Schedule Welcome Explore Rotations: Discover & Connect & Enjoy Bless 1

2 Inspire It was the summer of We d spend countless hours rehearsing, rewriting, and recording the music for the musical Hi-Tops. Our first show in Southern California was presented to a packed house. It was so full, in fact, that second and third shows were added to the opening day. My cast mates and I prepared to begin the national tour. The tour left for Florida for the first leg of our East Coast swing. The elaborate sets, which had taken six months to build, headed off in trucks to meet us when we arrived. On the way, the unthinkable happened. One of the drivers fell asleep and the truck careened off the interstate, flying about 50 feet into a ditch. Fortunately the driver was fine, but the set was completely destroyed. Our hopes of a national tour seemed dashed. When we got the news, our partner church in Florida jumped into action. They asked that all-important question, What needs to be done? In the 36 hours that followed, the cast, crew, and our host church worked around the clock building a new set. With the paint still wet, we began the first show right on time. The show continued on to complete a very successful national tour. God was gracious and allowed us to see Him work through the musical to change thousands of kids lives. We were undergirded throughout the tour with the phrase God is faithful. We witnessed firsthand how servants of God saw what needed to be done, and God was glorified. Looking back, I can see that when we serve God faithfully, we provide an opportunity for Him to display His faithfulness to us. Jeff Carter Director of HaDavar Ministries, Irvine, CA Equip God is faithful. The last verse of 2 Chronicles describes how Cyrus the Great made a proclamation that the Jews could return home to rebuild their temple. In 605 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar had conquered the Jewish nation (eventually destroying their temple), beginning the period known as the Babylonian Captivity. With the decree by Cyrus in 538 B.C. (temple construction beginning in 536), the Israelites 70 years of captivity were finally over. The question is, why would Cyrus, king of the Persian Empire and ruler of the known world, care about the fate of such an insignificant people? Cyrus had recently unified the Medes and the Persians into one powerful coalition. He then conquered the supposedly impregnable city of Babylon without a fight, as we see described in Daniel chapter 5. Josephus, a well-known historian, also relates the account of the victorious Cyrus riding into Babylon. Daniel met Cyrus and presented him with a scroll the book of Isaiah written 150 years earlier. In it, Isaiah prophesied that Cyrus would eventually conquer Babylon (Isaiah 44:26 45:13). In Isaiah, God speaks directly to Cyrus, saying, [It is I] who says of Cyrus, He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, Let it be rebuilt, and of the temple, Let its foundations be laid (44:28). Cyrus was so impressed that he ordered the Jews be allowed to return to their homeland. He gave back all the gold and silver implements that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had plundered from the temple. This is also described on the famous Stele of Cyrus, which can be seen in the British Museum in London. One year after the proclamation by Cyrus, 50,000 Jews returned home under the leadership of Zerubbabel. 2

3 This was exactly 70 years after the captivity began precisely as Jeremiah foretold (Jeremiah 25:11). God truly is faithful. Did You Know... Cyrus s Victory The walls of Babylon were so thick that three chariots could be ridden abreast atop them. According to Herodotus, the father of ancient history, the walls were some 300 feet high and measured at least 150 feet wide. Another challenge to the invading Persians was the fact that Babylon had an endless supply of water; the Euphrates River ran directly through the middle of the city. The Babylonians could have easily withstood years of siege. Because of this, the key to Cyrus s victory was a battle in which Persia captured control of Babylon s canal system. The Persians diverted the water feeding the Euphrates. When the water level dropped, Cyrus s troops walked into the city under the walls during the night, with the water up to their thighs. They conquered Babylon without a fight. Support God is faithful. This theme runs throughout the book of Ezra. God s people had been taken captive to a foreign land and had seen their beloved Jerusalem completely destroyed. It had been 70 years since Nebuchadnezzar and the armies of Babylon had conquered them. They had to be plagued by doubts and questions about the power and faithfulness of God. Why would He let this happen? But then in the book of Ezra, we again see God s faithfulness. He miraculously rescued His people from their captivity, using the Persian king Cyrus to accomplish it. How has God been faithful in your life? We read about His faithfulness in the Bible and we re encouraged, but there are countless ways God demonstrates His faithfulness to us each day. Do we take the time to thank Him? When we remember and acknowledge God s faithfulness, we cultivate a true attitude of gratitude. This week, take a few minutes every day, perhaps at the breakfast table, to ask every member of your family how they re grateful. How has God been faithful in their lives? As an act of worshipful response, encourage each person to ask the Lord how He may want to use him in each new day. 3

4 Lesson Overview Follow the red times for 9:00 Service Follow the blue times for 11:30 Service Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare Explore:: (Homeroom) 9:00 11:30 ROTATIONS:: 9:10 9:53 Discover:: (Room 105) Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship Transition Song: The Cleanup Song Kids will rotate through stations as follows: 9:10 9:23 9:25 9:38 9:40 9:53 Butterflies Enjoy (110) Discover (105) Connect (104) Caterpillars Discover (105) Connect (104) Enjoy (110) Fireflies Connect (104) Enjoy (110) Discover (105) 11:45 Facilitate interactive games, songs, and storytelling, allowing children to participate in discovering God s Word and to create space for children to celebrate God together in worship through music. Welcome Bible TruBlessings Theme Song The Big God Story Storytelling Jacket Story Pockets: Song of Celebration Enjoy:: (Room 110) Connect:: (Room 104) 12:05 Enjoy building relationships with the kids during this time intended for a snack break, restrooms and free play or video clip. 12:15 Games, songs, manipulatives, sensory and art activities are used to help children reinforce what they experienced in Discover. snack connect blanket (every week for giving instructions and connecting before beginning the activity) Bless:: (Homeroom) 9:55 12:25 Dismiss: 10:00 12:30 Read a blessing over the children that they may experience God fully. Be ready for parents to pick up kids Bible (for the blessing) 4

5 Explore Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship. This time is designed for all the children to explore activities set up around a table. There should be enough activities set up to involve all the children. If various options are listed you may want to have children rotate or float between options. Prepare children to move into a time of rotations where they can participate in discovering God s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences, as well as connect activities and a snack break. Focus Station Station 1:Build it! Today in The Big God Story, children will discover how God s people returned to Jerusalem and began to rebuild the temple. Have kids try and build a wall or a temple with playdough. SUPPLIES (per small group) Play dough Transition Song: The Cleanup Song 5

6 Discover Children participate in discovering God s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences and respond to God in worship through music. Upon entering the room, have each child choose a story spot and place it where they want to sit and then sit down. At the close of your time together in The Big God Story, encourage children to return their Story Spots to their original location. Ponder Point God Is Faithful WELCOME Hi, kids! Welcome! I am so excited to be here with you today. Let s all celebrate God by singing and dancing together! (Play the TruBlessings Theme Song and lead kids in dance and celebration.) Wow! That was great! Now everyone, take a seat it s time to hear part of The Big God Story! Let me put on my storytelling jacket and see if we can find a clue to our Big God Story in one of my pockets. Start checking pockets and pull out this week s clue. Story Jacket Storyteller/Host/Worship Leader Story Pocket: Gold and Silver Coins God used the Persian king Cyrus to release His people to return to Jerusalem. The king heard the words that had been spoken of him in Scripture long ago. He gave money to provide the resources the Israelites needed to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. He also returned the expensive items that had been taken from the original temple when it was destroyed. The Israelite people gave gifts of gold and silver to help pay for the rebuilding. When we see these coins, we can remember how God was faithful to provide valuable items for the rebuilding of the temple. ASK Friends, what did you find in the story pocket today? Children will answer. Why do you think there are gold and silver coins in the wardrobe this week? Interact with their answers. If these coins were real, would they be valuable? What could you do with these? Encourage responses. Let s find out how the coins relate to this part of The Big God Story. Let s all stand up and sing our Bible Song together. 6

7 Bible Song (sung to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb ) Now it s time to hear God s Word Hear God s Word Hear God s Word Now it s time to hear God s Word So let s look in the Bible As the song ends, have the children return to their Story Spots 7

8 The Big God Story Ezra 1 8 Storytelling Technique: Building a Visual PRAYER OF RELEASE The Prayer of Release is a time for children and leaders to pause, be still, and ask God to quiet their hearts and minds. If you d like, encourage kids to hold their open hands in front of them in a spirit of releasing their worries and distractions, to better receive what the Holy Spirit might have for them. After the children quiet their voices and still their bodies, ask them to pray with you. SUPPLIES Building blocks (large) or boxes (6) Defining faithful: to be trustworthy; synonyms: loyal, correct, and true Hi, friends, how are you? Allow children to answer. I m so glad! Today we have a really exciting part of The Big God Story to discover. Before we get started, let s pray and ask God to teach us. Lead the children in a Prayer of Release. The last time we were together, we heard how God was faithful to use Queen Esther to save the lives of His people. Being faithful means that God does everything He says He will do. We can trust Him. Just as God was faithful to protect His people from harm, He was also faithful to help them return to their homeland the Promised Land of Israel. God s people had been living in a land that was not their own for many years. One day the land they were living in was taken over by the king of Persia King Cyrus. Well, many, many years before all this happened, God told a prophet all about King Cyrus. The prophet wrote down everything God told him. Cyrus was going to help God s people build a temple for God in Jerusalem. God s people would return to their homes in Jerusalem. People everywhere would bring gifts for the Lord God of Israel: gold and silver, sheep, goats, and any offerings they chose. The gifts would be used in God s temple in Jerusalem. Take coins from the Storypocket. What were the people to bring as one of the offerings to the Lord God? Children will answer. That s right, silver and gold. What do you think King Cyrus did when he heard the words God had spoken to the prophet about him so long ago? Interact with children and their responses. Good thinking. Cyrus knew what he had to do. He sent the message God spoke to the prophet to all the Jewish people in his kingdom the message that they would be able to return home! When the Israelites heard the news, many of God s people decided to leave the land of Babylon and return to the Promised Land with their families. When it was time to go, the people gathered everything together: gold and silver, animals, and everything to give to God for the temple. Place first building block in center of teaching space. Friends, why did the people want to rebuild God s temple? Allow kids to answer; interact with their responses. Good thinking. The temple was the place where God s people gathered to worship Him. 8

9 After many years of living in a land that was not their own, God s people, the Israelites, were able to go back to the land they d been taken from so long ago. The people sang and praised God as they returned. Well, the very first thing the Israelites did when they got there was stop to give an offering to the Lord. Place second block. Why do you think the people gave God an offering? Interact with children and their responses. That s right, they were worshipping God for who He is and all He had done! God is faithful. God s people the Israelites were home. The problem was, their home had been destroyed! They needed to rebuild it. So, the people got to work. Place third block. Together, the people worked for many years on the temple. Place fourth block. And as they worked, some people from neighboring towns tried to stop them! But God was faithful to His people. He was true to His Word and did what He said He would do by protecting them from their enemies. Place fifth block. When a new king came into power, he was given a letter that reminded him of the rule King Cyrus made for the Israelites. The king knew what to do to honor the promise King Cyrus made to God and His people. So, he honored the Israelites and the Lord God by sending even more silver and gold to the people so they were able to complete the temple. Place final block with big sigh. The temple was finished! God was faithful to bring His people home and to provide everything they needed to rebuild the temple. He brought the Israelites home and showed them what needed to be done so they could worship Him as His people! Friends, God knew that one day His people would be living far from home in Babylon. So He made a plan to be sure they could return one day. God was faithful to care for His people. And just as God was faithful to care for the Israelites so many years ago, He s faithful to care for us today. He s always with us and will always do what He says He ll do. God is faithful, and we can trust Him. The next time we re together, we ll hear about how Jesus uses an animal to help Him with an important journey. 9

10 Connect Games, songs, manipulatives, sensory and art activities are used to help children reinforce what they experience in DISCOVER. Use the connect blanket as a gathering place to give instructions and build relationships with the kids during times of question/answer discussion, sharing of experience, or prayer. Engage: Temple Build SUPPLIES (per small group) Building blocks or cardboard boxes (2 sets of 8) Painter s tape SET UP Place blocks or boxes together in a pile. Create a starting line with masking tape. RELATE After children have gathered, ask: What part of The Big God Story did we hear about today? Children answer. That s right. We heard how God was faithful to bring His people home to Jerusalem. What did the people do when they returned to their homeland? Children answer. They began to rebuild the temple, the place where they would meet to worship God. Though it was a very big project and took a long time to finish, God was faithful to provide all the materials the Israelites needed. Today we re going to play a game to remind us of God s faithfulness to help the Israelites finish the temple. Split children into two teams that will race against one another. On one side of the room, place the blocks or boxes in a pile. On the other side, line up children. One at a time, children will race to the other side of the room and retrieve a box or block. Once a child has retrieved a box, she ll race back to the starting line and stack her box or block on top of another one. Each child will take turns adding to the stack until all of the boxes are used. Have kids sit down and ask the wonder questions. If time allows let kids play again. If boxes fall, direct children to return the boxes or blocks to the original pile and start over. Time them to see how quickly they can complete their building. Consider having kids repeat the building to see if they can beat their previous time. Wonder Questions I wonder How did God s people feel when the king gave back everything that had been taken from the temple? I wonder How did the people feel when they were able to worship God together in the temple again? I wonder What would I sing to celebrate God for His faithfulness to me? 10

11 Enjoy Enjoy building relationships with the kids during this time intended for a snack break, restrooms and free play or video clip. Ensure that each child: Receives a small snack/drink Uses the restroom Has a little time to play and build friendships with you and the other children REMEMBER VERSE This is what the LORD says your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17 Remember Verse Definitions Redeemer: One who buys back. Jesus paid the price of our sin so we can have eternal life. Holy: Super special like nothing or no one else; perfect; only God is holy. Remember Verse Motions This is what the LORD says: Touch hands to shoulders. Lower hands as words are spoken. your Redeemer: Point forward with both hands and then open palms outward. the Holy One of Israel: Bring both hands together, flat against each other, in prayer stance, in front of chest. I am the LORD your God: Make L with right hand. Cross right hand over front of body from left shoulder to right hip. who teaches you what is best for you: Touch forehead with both hands and move hands forward. who directs you in the way you should go: Hold palms facing each other and move them forward in a snakelike motion. 11

12 Bless This time is set aside for leaders to spend a few moments blessing the children. A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement and guidance. We can offer a blessing in order to ask God s Spirit to overflow from the child s life in such a way that blesses others, while we can also pray a blessing over a child for the purpose of declaring God s protection, joy, or wisdom. Have the children place their hands out in front of themselves palms up. This is a posture that demonstrates an expectancy in receiving what God has for them. Close your time with a prayer of blessing over the children. RELATE. In God s Word, Lamentations 3:23 24 says: Great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. (Child s name), God is faithful. He will give you everything you need as you serve Him and others. 12