The Ten Commandments and the Feast of Tabernacles How do they connect together? Family Study Guide

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2 The Ten Commandments and the Feast of Tabernacles How do they connect together? Family Study Guide Sept/Oct 2016 While at the Feast of Tabernacles we get to experience in a small way a time in the future when Jesus Christ returns to this earth and sets up God s government. The Feast of Tabernacles, which pictures the time of the Millennium, is the seventh of the Festivals that picture God s plan of salvation for all mankind. God s Plan shows how God is building His spiritual family. The Millennium is the start of Jesus Christ s reign that eventually brings the fullness of the Kingdom of God. During this time when God s government is established, it will be based upon His Rules the Ten Commandments. People who obey these laws and live their lives based upon God s rules, will have peace and happiness. Questions and Discussions: Talk about the rules at school, in your city, or rules in your country. Rules are intended to help us get along, to be safe, to keep order, to help us learn, etc. Every family has rules. What are some rules that you have in your family? (clean room, brush teeth, bedtimes, treat family members nice, share, obey parents, take out the trash, don t talk to strangers) ü Why does your family have these rules? (for the good, health, safety, to keep peace in family) ü When you disobey the family rules, you get into trouble. What are some of the penalties for disobeying these rules? (restrictions, no TV, time outs, can t go out with friends, no phone) ü Discuss possible long term results that might come as a result of breaking the rules. (rotted teeth from not brushing; could become a thief in jail; could become a bully) Does God have any rules? What are some of God s rules? ü Possibly play Jelly Learns the 10 Commandments Why does God have rules? Deuteronomy 10:12 "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good? Just like your family s rules, God s Ten Commandments are there for our good! Ezekiel 20:11 TEV I gave them my commands and taught them my laws, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. 12 I made the keeping of the Sabbath a sign of the agreement between us, to remind them that I, the Lord, make them holy. 13 my commands, which bring life to anyone who obeys them. Deuteronomy 28:9 {NCV} The Lord will make you his holy people, as he promised. But you must obey his commands and do what he wants you to do. 11 The Lord will make you rich: You will have many children, your animals will have many young, and your land will give good crops. It is the land that the Lord promised your ancestors he would give to you. 14 Do not disobey anything I command you today. Do exactly as I command, and do not follow other gods or serve them. 15 {TEV} But if you disobey the Lord your God and do not faithfully keep all his commands and laws that I am giving you today, all these evil things will happen to you: People are blessed when they obey God. When people sin or disobey God, it causes problems in the world. Just like when you get in trouble when you disobey your families rules. 1

3 Sept/Oct 2016 God s Ten Commandments are based upon two guiding principles, based upon relationships: Ø Our relationship to God or love for God. Ø Our relationship with others or love for man. Lets imagine a world where society is based upon these two principles: 1. God first in people s lives, not putting other things, people, philosophies, etc. ahead of Him. a. Terrorists not blowing up children in the name of Allah. b. No false prophets or religious whackos. 2. No confusion regarding false gods or who God is. a. No worship of sticks and stones and religious images, etc. b. People not obsessed with physical things and possessions. c. No debts due to overspending on an idol that you just have to have. 3. People living God s way in actions, heart and mind as members of the Family of God. 4. Sabbath. People God centered. a. Looking to learn more about God to have a relationship with Him. b. No more burn-out on the job. Properly taking a day of rest. c. More time to build family relations. 5. Happy and whole families, with children honoring their parents. No abandoned elderly. 6. No murder. No abortions. No fear of terrorists. No armed forces to support. No soldiers in body bags. 7. No broken homes with adultery. No unwanted pregnancies. No sexual disease. 8. No stealing. No locks on doors. No identity theft. 9. No lying politicians. No false advertising. 10. No worries about people trying to get take what is yours thru coveting. No nations trying to take over other nations. God gives us all an opportunity to live good and happy lives by giving us His laws, the Ten Commandments. The more we follow these guidelines the better our overall lives will be. These Ten Commandments not only are principles to live by now, but will be the foundational rules for the future Millennium and on into the Kingdom of God. They are eternal! MEMORY VERSE: Leviticus 23:4 These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations [gatherings] which you shall proclaim at their appointed times. 2

4 Sept/Oct 2016 Possible Family Activities 1. Play: Jelly is Dreaming of the Kingdom: It's time for the Feast of Tabernacles! The Feast gets Jelly dreaming of a world of peace and harmony after Jesus Christ returns to establish the wonderful Kingdom of God. (Isaiah 11:6, Leviticus 23:29-43) 2. As a family, discuss some of the scenario situations (list is below) for discussions on how the Kingdom of God might be different from the world we live in today if people obeyed God s rules 3. Additionally you can find the Festival Booklets and Activity worksheets that you can download from the United Church of God: UCG Festival Youth Instruction webpage We hope that your 2016 Feast of Tabernacles proves to be very positive and successful at your location. - The UCG Educational Team 3

5 Sept/Oct 2016 Possible Class Activities 1. Play: Jelly is Dreaming of the Kingdom It's time for the Feast of Tabernacles! The Feast gets Jelly dreaming of a world of peace and harmony after Jesus Christ returns to establish the wonderful Kingdom of God. (Isaiah 11:6, Leviticus 23:29-43) 2. Makes copies of the chart that is below and have the children review each of the pictures and decide if the activity will be something that people will be doing in the Kingdom of God. If they are old enough have them note which of the Ten Commandments is being discussed. Another option is to review together as a group and discuss. 3. Have the children complete the Look Inside the Kingdom activity sheet and then discuss. 4. Use some of the Scenario situations for discussions on how the World Tomorrow might be different if people obeyed God s rules. 5. For the older group or teens ü As a whole group, discuss the ways individuals, groups, or nations say they are going to bring "change". Perhaps talk about the terms "social justice" or "coexist" and how they are used. ü Break the group into 5-6 smaller groups. ü Give each group a specific commandment or main topic elements of society from music, entertainment, to morals, to agriculture, to high finance, for discussion. Have the groups discuss together and prepare an in-depth analysis of how all that will practically change society in the world tomorrow based on how it changes our lives in the world today. ü Have each small group share with the whole group - a sound application of God s law then and now. 4

6 Below each picture indicate whether this will be in the Kingdom of God. Which commandment does the picture show keeping or breaking? Sept/Oct

7 Scenario Discussions Sept/Oct 2016 These are some situations that can be read for each of the commandments. There is one each for obeying and for disobeying. Mix them up when you discuss or make up some of your own. Tell which commandment is involved before you read it, then discuss how it is either broken or obeyed in the example. For a challenge, have children create their own scenario contrasting obeying and disobeying and then share. 1. Jake is careful to pray every morning before he gets busy. Sometimes Jan will do whatever her friend wants her to do even if she knows it s wrong. 2. Tommy visited a different church with his cousin. He shook his head when he saw someone praying to a statue. God wants me to pray to Him, not to a statue, Tommy said. Timmy liked the little altar with a picture of Jesus and a candle that he saw at a friend s house. He asked his mom if they could get one too. 3. Joey s teacher often said, Oh, my God. It bothered Joey, and he asked her to please stop saying it. Melissa heard her friend say Jesus Christ when she got mad. Melissa tried saying it herself next time something bothered her. 4. Bobby enjoys playing quiet games at home on the Sabbath before going to services with his family. John s friend offered him $5 to help him mow his lawn last Sabbath. John said Sure! because he really needs the money. 5. When Polly s mom calls her, she tries to hurry to find out why. Frank likes to run and hide when his mom calls him. 6. Joan tries to be friendly with everyone. Ginny gets mad at people a lot and often stomps away yelling I hate you! 7. Lori s parents have been married for 15 years and love each other more than ever. A man on the TV show decided he loved a woman he worked with. He left his family to go live with her. 8. Ann is always careful to ask her sister before borrowing things from her. Mary walked out of the store with a candy bar that she didn t pay for when her friend dared her to. 9. When Pete s mom asked who broke the mirror in the front hallway, Pete apologized. He explained he was playing with a ball and lost control. When Paul s mom asked who broke the hall mirror, Paul tried to blame his baby brother for throwing a rattle. It had really been Paul s ball. 10. Julie has fun playing at her friend Nancy s fancy house with her toys and computer. She s always glad to go home to her own small home and family. Jimmy couldn t wait to get to his friend Tony s expensive house to play with his toys and video games. He complained all the way home about his own crummy toys and tiny house. 6

8 LOOK INSIDE THE KINGDOM Activity Sheet Sept/Oct 2016 Directions: Fill in the blanks. Use the words or phrases at the bottom of the page to choose from. If you are not sure, be sure to look up the scripture. 1. When God sets up His Kingdom, what will happen to all the deserts around the world? And the desert shall and as the rose; it shall abundantly and, even with joy and singing (Isaiah 35:1-2). 2. Since God will also change the disposition of animals, who will lead the wolf, leopard and lion? The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a shall lead them (Isaiah 11:6). 3. What kind of place will the Kingdom be? Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be (Hebrews 12:28). 4. What will everyone do in God s Kingdom? And...everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to, the LORD of hosts, and to (Zechariah 14:16). 5. What can we become in God s Kingdom if we really try to obey God now? If you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a to Me above all people (Exodus 19:5). 6. How bright will your personality be in God s Kingdom? Then the righteous will forth in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43). little child rejoice blossom shaken worship the king shine special treasure as the sun keep the Feast of Tabernacles rejoice blossom ANSWERS: 1. rejoice, blossom, blossom, rejoice 2. little child 3. firm, stable 4. worship the king, keep the Feast of Tabernacles 5. special treasure 6. shine, as the sun 7