NAME Week 2 Today the children will learn the stories of the Israelites exile and the rebuilding of the temple found in Ezra and Nehemiah. Week 3 Today the children will learn the story of King Xerxes and Esther found in the final Historical Book Esther. Week 4 Today the children will review the Historical Books and learn the story of Purim found in the final Historical Book Esther. 1
Week 2 April 19, 2015 3 Introduction to exile 6 Fill in the blank 8 Colouring Page 12 Flip book Week 3 April 26, 2015 5 Drama activities 6 Fill in the blank 7 Esther the Queen maze 9 Decode colouring 10 Word search 11- Find the difference picture Week 4 May 3, 2015 4 Books of the Bible fill in the blanks 5 Drama activities 6 Fill in the blank 7 Esther the Queen maze 9 Decode colouring 10 Word search 11 Find the difference picture 2
Exile Read the question and/or Bible verse. Below each question draw a face that represents how you think the people were feeling in that situation. Share your face with the group and discuss how you think they felt. 1) Have you ever moved houses or started a new school? How did you feel? 2) The Israelites were in exile for 70 years, which meant they had to leave their homes and some of their friends and start over in a new place. How do you think they felt? 3) There are several passages in the Bible that talk about the 70 years of exile. Let s read Jeremiah 29:4-7 together. In these verses God tells the Israelites how they are to spend their time in exile. What does he say? How do you think the Israelites felt? 4) God goes on to promise that when the 70 years are completed He will come for the Israelites and fulfill His promises to bring them back. Let s read Jeremiah 29:11-14 together. What does God tell the people? How do you think they felt? 5) How do you feel knowing that God has a plan for you just like He had a plan for the Israelites? 3
Pentateuch Fill in the blanks with the correct books of the bible using the word box below. Leviticus Judges 2 Kings 1 Chronicles Ezra Genesis Joshua 2 Samuel Nehemiah Ruth Numbers 1 Samuel Deuteronomy Esther Exodus 2 Chronicles 1 King Historical Books 4
Activity The book of Esther was written so that Jews would never forget how God saved them from Haman s plan. Every year, in February or March, Jews around the world read the story of Esther during a special celebration called the Feast of Purim. Today, we can have our own Purim celebration! During the Purim celebration the Jews read through the story of Esther and every time they mention Haman, everyone stomps their feet to drown out his name. 1) Read the story of Esther (Chapters 7-8) from the Bible. 2) When Haman s name is mentioned, encourage the children to stomp their feet. Activity Read through the story of Esther in the Bible. Working together as a class come up with a plan to act out the story. When you have perfected your skit tell the large group teacher so you can plan a date to perform your skit to everyone. 5
Activity Fill in the blanks using the word bank. Two Temple Covenant Ezra King Xerxes Twelve Esther King Xerxes King Cyrus Feast of Purim Jews Hard Never Walls Death Cupbearer Jew 1) Who was King Xerxes right hand man? (Esther 3:1) 2) King who freed the Israelites from exile. (Ezra 1-2) 3) During the Feast of Purim the Jewish people read through the book of. 4) A special feast that celebrates God saving the Jews from Haman's plan. (Esther 9:18-32) 5) The Israelites found it to live up to God's standard. 6) How many books are found in the Historical Books of the Bible? 7) We are good enough for God. 8) Which King had a bad temper? (Esther 2:1) 9) Nehemiah helps rebuild Jerusalem's. (Nehemiah 2:11-20) 10) A priest in Judah and an expert in teaching God's law. (Ezra 7:10) 11) What was the penalty for appearing before the king when you were not invited? (Esther 4:11) 12) The Israelites and God made promises to one another. These promises were part of a. 13) Nehemiah was the for King Artexerxes. (Nehemiah 2:1) 14) What were the Israelites rebuilding? (Ezra 1:3) 15) Esther was a. (Esther 2:5) 16) How many dinners did Queen Esther hold for King Xerxes and Haman? (Esther 5:1-7) 17) Haman gave bad advice to King Xerxes and the king commanded that all would be killed. (Esther 3:13) 6
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Activity Use the code to colour the picture. 1 = purple 3 = green 5 = blue 2 = red 4 = yellow 6 = orange 9
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Find the Difference, Queen Esther Saves Her People Queen Esther talks to the King to save her people. Find what is different in each picture. 11
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