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Sunday, December 6, 2015 Comfort, Comfort My People Isaiah 40:1-11 Isaiah 40:3, 8 God s people were in exile. Through Isaiah s prophecy, God s Word brought comfort and hope to God s people. We receive comfort and hope from God s Word, too. The Exile Fellowship After completing this lesson, students will be able to: Understand the Babylonian exile by hearing the story of the exile. Demonstrate an understanding of the Isaiah text by using movement to tell a wordless version of the story. Formulate a method of comfort through fellowship by creating a word of comfort for another person. 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved 1

Activities a la Carte Activities Into the Story Comfort What comforts you? Bible Nuts and Bolts The Exile Why were God s people in exile? Supplies 5 min. A favorite food, stuffed animal, or other object that brings you comfort Whiteboard or large sheet of paper Marker Bible 5 min. Activity Sheet #2-13.A Printouts of maps and timelines Learning the Story Comfort, Comfort My People Use movement to tell the story! Living the Story Words of Comfort Share words of comfort with others. Additional Activities Every Valley Hear today s story in song! 15 min. Bibles 15 min. Strips of paper Pens or markers Bible Tape 10 min. Recordings of the Comfort Ye People and Every Valley movements of Handel s Messiah Method for playing recordings 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved 2

Activities a la Carte Activities Sand Art Make an art reminder of Isaiah 40:3. Student Bible Book: Comfort, Comfort My People Students continue their own Bible story book! Closing Prayer Supplies 10 min. Bibles Construction paper Tempera paint Paintbrushes Newspaper Colored art sand 10 min. Each student s binder Copies of Activity Sheet #2-13.B A three-hole punch Pens Markers and/or crayons A sample page (See below) 5 min. 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved 3

Background for Teachers Story Connections Last week, your students explored the story of Josiah finding a scroll. This week, your students will hear some of the words of the prophet Isaiah. The prophecy your class will explore today brought hope and comfort to God s people. God s people were in exile. Today s text enters the biblical narrative at the time when God s people were in captivity away from their homeland. As explored during the Bible Nuts and Bolts activity, the people of Judah were forced away from their homes to Babylon. Story Summary: Comfort My People The text in Isaiah 40:1-11 is familiar to many people. The prophecy from Isaiah reminds us that God is present and is coming. Sometimes this passage is used in the prophecies that look to the coming of the Messiah. (In Handel s composition Messiah, several verses of this passage are featured in the music.) This text brings comfort and hope to God s people who are facing trying times. As a people in exile, hope was not easily found. However, Isaiah s prophecy reminded the people that God was coming to them and would bring comfort and peace in the midst of their trials. Bible Nuts and Bolts: The Exile Today s story can be placed in the historical narrative during the time of the Babylonian exile. This exile, also known as the Babylonian captivity, lasted from approximately 605 BCE until about 539 BCE. During this time, many of God s people in Judah were exiled from their homeland and taken to Babylon. In Scripture, the texts in several of the prophetic books (for example, Isaiah and Jeremiah) brought words of hope to those who were away from their home. Story Themes Any passage of Scripture has innumerable themes and lessons for the student. However, a single lesson cannot cover everything. The following themes are the focus of this lesson. Through Isaiah s prophecy, God s Word brought comfort and hope to God s people. It is difficult to leave home for a place that you barely know; imagine how much more difficult it was for God s people to be forcibly taken from their homes by their enemies. Isaiah s prophecy brought comfort to God s people by reminding them that God was near and would be coming to rescue them. The words of this text remind God s people that God will always rule and the freedom given to them when leaving Egypt will always be there. Furthermore, the text reminds God s people that God s Word is forever it will never desert them when things change. We receive comfort and hope from God s Word, too. Just like the people of Judah, we also face many trials and tribulations in our lives. There are many events that make us feel sad, lost, or separated, both from God and from other people. However, Isaiah s prophecy remains true for us, too. Although things may change, and times may get tough, God s Word is forever true and God will always be present in our lives, no matter what. We can take comfort in the fact that our God will triumph and rule forever. Spiritual Practice: Fellowship We are not the only ones who need to hear God s words of comfort and hope. There are many other people in the world who need to know the words of God s love. Today s Living the Story activity will invite your students to think about who shares God s words of comfort and hope with them. Then, they will think about with whom they can share God s words of comfort and hope, too. 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved 4

Lesson #2-13 (3rd-6th) December 6, 2015 Lesson Plan Into the Story (5 minutes) Comfort What comforts you? You will need: A favorite food, stuffed animal, or other object that brings you comfort Whiteboard or large sheet of paper Marker Bible Before class: 1. Find a favorite thing that has comforted you when you ve needed it. This may be a favorite food, stuffed animal, favorite photo, or other object. During class: 1. Sometimes we go through periods of our lives when we need to be comforted. Maybe something bad happened to us, or maybe we are sad. When that happens, we might turn to something to make us feel better. 2. Show students your chosen object. Tell them about the object: where it comes from and how it comforts you. 3. We all have things that bring us comfort when we need it. What are some of the things that bring you comfort? Let s make a list. 4. Use the whiteboard or paper and marker to make a list of what might bring comfort to people. 5. Show students the Bible. There are many things that bring comfort to people. Sometimes these things come from this book right here. What is this? [A Bible.] That s right, it s a Bible. The Bible is full of words or stories that can help people when they are in need. Today s story has some words of comfort to God s people. 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved 5

Bible Nuts and Bolts The Exile (10 minutes) Why were God s people in exile? You will need: Activity Sheet #2-13.A Printouts of maps or timelines (see links below) Before class: 1. Make a copy of Activity Sheet #2-13.A. Practice reading through the story. 2. Print out copies of maps or timelines of the Babylonian exile for students to look at while you tell the story. You can find maps and timelines by searching Babylonian exile on Google or by looking at the following links: 1. http://www.biblehistory.com/map_babylonian_captivity/map_of_the_deportation_of_judah _timeline_of_events.html 2. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/history/babyloniamap.html During class: 1. Have you ever heard of the word exile? What does that mean? [Accept all answers.] 2. When someone or something is in exile, they are sent away from their homeland by another person or by a decree. Once, a long time ago, God s people were sent into exile and were away from their home for a very long time. 3. Show students the maps and timelines, and read the story from Activity Sheet #2-13.A. 4. How would you feel if you were exiled? [Answers will vary, but may include: sad, upset, scared, lost, etc.] 5. How do you think God s people felt when they were in exile? [Answers will vary, but may include: sad, lost, scared, mad, etc.] 6. Show students the Bible. Can we learn things from the Bible? [Yes!] 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved 6

7. God s people were probably sad and lost while they were in exile. They were without their home! Today s story brought comfort and hope to God s people while they were in exile. Learning the Story (15 minutes) Comfort, Comfort My People Use movement to tell the story! You will need: Bibles During class: 1. Give each student a Bible. Help them find Isaiah 40:1-11. 2. Today s story comes from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah was a prophet who brought God s Word to the people. Let s read the story together first. 3. Read the story as a group. Then, split students into small groups of three or four students each. With your small groups, I want to you read the story again and create a twenty second dance that tells the story, without using words. 4. Give groups about five minutes to create their dances. Then, invite groups to share their dances with the rest of the class. 5. After concluding the activity, use the following questions to discuss the story: 1. How could God s people find comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah? [Answers will vary, but may include: the passage tells them to find comfort, God is coming, God will lead and guide them.] 2. Why do you think Isaiah said these words of comfort and hope to people? [Answers will vary, but may include: to remind them that God loves them and is with them, to remind them that they are not alone.] 6. At the time of Isaiah s prophecy, God s people were in exile they were away from their home in an unfamiliar land. Isaiah s prophecy brought them hope and comfort during uncertain times because it reminded them that God would always be with them and be on their side. 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved 7

Living the Story (15 minutes) Words of Comfort Share words of comfort with others. You will need: Strips of paper Pens or markers Bibles Tape Before class: 7. Cut sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 paper into strips (about two or three per student). Strips should be 11 long by about 2 wide. During class: 1. There are times in our lives when we need the comfort of God s Word. Sometimes others need the comfort of God s Word, too. One way we share the comfort of God s Word with others is by being in fellowship with them and by telling them what we hear or read in the Bible. 2. Hand each student several strips of paper and a Bible. In the Bible, help students find Isaiah 40:8. 3. Let s read Isaiah 40:8 together. Read the verse. According to this verse, God s Word will always be there, no matter what happens. Let s make reminders of this verse both for ourselves and for others. 4. Invite students to write the verse on each of the strips of paper. Give each student a piece of tape and have them tape the strip around their wrist like a bracelet. 5. You may notice that you have more than one strip of paper. This slip of paper is for someone else you know who might need a word of comfort. You can give it to a friend, a family member, or someone else. When you give that person their bracelet, tell them about how Isaiah brought hope to God s people. By being a friend to someone else, you ll help them find comfort through God s Word. 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved 8

Additional Activities Every Valley (10 minutes) Hear today s story in song! You will need: Recordings of the Comfort Ye People and Every Valley movements from Handel s Messiah Method for playing recording Before class: 1. Find copies of the songs from Handel s Messiah. If needed, you can search for recordings of these songs on You Tube. During class: 1. Did you know that we can hear the words of today s story in song? These songs are from a longer piece of music called. These songs were written by the composer Handel. Let s listen to the songs and see how the lyrics are the same as the words of Isaiah. 2. Play the recordings for the class. 3. After the recordings, discuss the following questions: 1. How are the lyrics of the song similar to Isaiah s prophecy? [Accept all answers.] 2. How are the lyrics of the song different from Isaiah s prophecy? [Accept all answers.] 3. How do the words of these songs bring comfort and hope to people? [Accept all answers.] Sand Art (10 minutes) Make an art reminder of Isaiah 40:3. You will need: Bibles Construction Paper Tempera paint Paintbrushes 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved 9

Newspaper Colored art sand Note: This activity is messy. If possible, you may wish to do this activity outdoors or do this activity last so that cleanup is easier. During class: 1. Read Isaiah 40:3 from a Bible. In this Bible verse, we are reminded that God is coming and will always be with us. Let s make a reminder of this verse! 2. Place newspaper on your work surface. Give each student a sheet of construction paper and a paintbrush. 3. Invite students to use the paint and sand to make a picture that reminds them of the Bible verse. Students should paint on the paper and then sprinkle sand on top of the paint. 4. If you have time, invite students to share their pictures with the rest of the class. Student Bible Book: Comfort, Comfort My People (10 min) Students continue their own Bible story book! You will need: Each student s binder Copies of Activity Sheet #2-13.B on 8.5 x 11 cardstock paper or plain paper A three-hole punch Pens Markers and/or crayons A sample page (See below) Before class: 1. Create a sample page using the instructions below to demonstrate to students approximately what their page should look like. 2. You may copy the activity sheet onto the cardstock, or just have students write it all themselves. During class: 1. Hand out one piece of cardstock paper and a pen to each student. 2. Show students the sample page you made before class. 3. Today we are going to continue making our own Bible book! 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved 10

4. If you did not copy the activity sheet onto the cardstock, instruct students to write the name of the story on the top of their page (in portrait orientation) and write the passage underneath the title. 5. What are some of the important things we have learned from this story? [Answers will vary, see story themes for suggested answers] 6. On the bottom of your page, please write one or two important things that you have learned from this story. In the middle of the page, draw a picture from the story or illustrate one of your important things you ve learned. 7. When students are finished, have them put their names on the back and collect the pages. Three-hole punch the papers and put them in individual binders for each student to be kept at church until the end of the year. Closing Prayer Before ending class, make a point to come together to pray. Use the following or say your own prayer. Allow any students who would like to include a personal prayer to do so at the appropriate time. 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved 11

Lesson #2-13 (3rd-6th) December 6, 2015 The Babylonian Exile Once, a long, long time ago, the people of God took a journey. It wasn t a normal journey, though. This journey took God s people away from their homes and to a new land. They left their homes in Judah and were exiled to Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon. He entered Jerusalem (in Judah) and took the Judean king captive. He destroyed the temple and then began to destroy the city. Nothing was left after King Nebuchadnezzar took control. The king of Babylon didn t just destroy Jerusalem. Instead, the Babylonians began to rule over the people of Judah and many of them were sent into captivity in Babylon. This was not an easy time for God s people! They were forced away from their homes by strangers, by people who forced them to change their lives. The exile to Babylon lasted for over fifty years! When the exile ended and the people of Judah could return home, many did. Some stayed in Babylon and created their own new communities. The Babylonian exile lasted for a long time. However, the prophets brought words of hope to God s people during this time, and eventually the captivity was over and people could return to their homeland. The journey was difficult, but the people of Judah survived! 12 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved

The Story @ Home Narrative Lectionary, Year 2 Comfort, Comfort My People Last week, your student explored the story of Josiah finding a scroll. This week, your student heard some of the words of the prophet Isaiah. The prophecy your student explored today brought hope and comfort to God s people. Story Summary: Comfort My People The text in Isaiah 40:1-11 is familiar to many people. The prophecy from Isaiah reminds us that God is present and is coming. Sometimes this passage is used in the prophecies that look to the coming of the Messiah. (In Handel s composition Messiah, several verses of this passage are featured in the music.) This text brings comfort and hope to God s people who are facing trying times. As a people in exile, hope was not easily found. However, Isaiah s prophecy reminded the people that God was coming to them and would bring comfort and peace in the midst of their trials. Bible Nuts and Bolts: The Exile Today s story can be placed in the historical narrative during the time of the Babylonian exile. This exile, also known as the Babylonian captivity, lasted from approximately 605 BCE until about 539 BCE. During this time, many of God s people in Judah were exiled from their homeland and taken to Babylon. In Scripture, the texts in several of the prophetic books (for example, Isaiah and Jeremiah) brought words of hope to those who were away from their home. Story Themes Any passage of Scripture has innumerable themes and lessons for the student. The following themes are the focus of this lesson. God s people were in exile. Today s text enters the biblical narrative at the time when God s people were in captivity away from their homeland. As explored during the Bible Nuts and Bolts activity, the people of Judah were forced away from their homes to Babylon. Through Isaiah s prophecy, God s Word brought comfort and hope to God s people. It is difficult to leave home for a place that you barely know; imagine how much more difficult it was for God s people to be forcibly taken from their homes by their enemies. Isaiah s prophecy brought comfort to God s people by reminding them that God was near and would be coming to rescue them. The words of this text remind God s people that God will always rule and the freedom given to them when leaving Egypt will always be there. Furthermore, the text reminds God s people that God s Word is forever it will never desert them when things change. We receive comfort and hope from God s Word, too. Just like the people of Judah, we also face many trials and tribulations in our lives. There are many events that make us feel sad, lost, or separated, both from God and from other people. However, Isaiah s prophecy remains true for us, too. Although things may change, and times may get tough, God s Word is forever true and God will always be present in our lives, no matter what. We can take comfort in the fact that our God will triumph and rule forever. Spiritual Practice: Fellowship There are many other people in the world who need to know the words of God s love. Today s Living the Story activity will invited your student to think about who shares God s words of comfort and hope with them. Then, they thought about with whom they can share God s words of comfort and hope, too. 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved

LIVING THE WORD Try it @ HOME Last week, your child heard the story of Josiah finding a scroll in 2 Kings 22. In today s story, your child explored the words of hope and comfort brought to God s people during the Babylonian exile, which began at the end of Josiah s reign. Next week s story, found in Ezra 1:1-4 and 3:1-4, 10-13, concludes the story of the exile with God s people returning from their years in captivity. As you hear and study these Scripture verses each week, consider what God has to say to you and your family. Help your children to imagine what it would have been like to be the people contained in the stories. What is God s message to them and to us? Pick a time each day to gather together and read the following verses from an age-appropriate Bible. Engage in a few activities that help you better understand how God s words can bring us a message of comfort and hope. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Psalm 27:13-14 Isaiah 41:10 Romans 15:13 Philippians 4:6 Psalm 46:1 John 14:27 2 Corinthians 5:17 Set a stopwatch or timer for 30 seconds. Sit in silence for that time, patiently waiting for the timer to run out. Was it easy or hard to wait? Is it easy or hard to wait for the Lord? Take a walk (or travel) together somewhere as a family. How do you know that God is always with you wherever you go? Use household objects to make a joyful noise to God! Say please/thank you prayers as a family. Each person should share one please (prayer request) and one thank you (thanksgiving) to God. 2014-2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing - All Rights Reserved Create a blanket fort together. As you sit inside your fort, thank God for providing you with a place to go when you are in trouble. Make a heart mural to hang up in your house. How do you keep your heart from being troubled? Use play dough or clay to make something new. What do you think it means when people are being made new?