BIBLE STORYLINE Ezra The Scribe LEADER S GUIDE PursueGOD.org Lesson Overview Today, we re going to learn about a guy named Ezra. Ezra was a Jewish priest and scribe. A scribe was just a fancy word for being a writer. Ezra knew God and he knew God s law. His job was to continue to teach the Jews about God even though they were captives living in another country. They were captives of King Cyrus. One day, the king decided to let some Jews go back to Jerusalem to rebuild their temple that had been destroyed. This was a big deal because the temple was like God s house at the time. If you wanted to worship God, you had to go to the temple to meet him. This is where the story gets interesting. Instead of choosing a smart construction worker or engineer to lead the temple project, God chose Ezra the writer to do it! Ezra was probably thinking, I don t know how to do that. Choose someone else! But, this is what the story of Ezra teaches us. God can use anyone to make a difference. Big Idea God can use anyone to make a difference. Key Question Why will God use you to make a difference? Memory Verse Ezra 7:27 Praise the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who made the king want to beautify the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem! Classroom Agenda 1. (5 min) PLAY: Let kids start working on Activity Page #1. 2. (5 min) WARM UP: What do you want to be when you grow up and why? (Tip: It would be cool to be a teacher or a police officer. There are lots of cool jobs out there and God has a special one picked out for you. ) 3. (5 min) PREVIEW: Write out the Big Idea, Memory Verse, and Key Question on a whiteboard. Have the kids copy it down on Activity Page #1 (if applicable). 4. (20 min) LARGE GROUP: Gather for songs and videos with other kids. Then return to class to finish this guide. 5. (2 min) RECAP: Read the Lesson Overview (see above). 6. (3 min) KQ: Answer the Key Question. (Answer: Because God created you for a special mission. (God created you with unique talents and abilities to carry out the plan he has for your life. So, whatever you re good at, remember to be a light for Jesus while you do it. Are you good at art or basketball? Can you sing or give a speech? Use all of those experiences to be a good example to those around you and point people to Jesus. That s how you will make a difference in this world.) Bonus Questions: Who created us with a special mission in mind? What are some of your God given talents? 4th-5th How can you make a difference on your sports team or in your group of friends? 7. (5 min) EXPLORE: Read Jeremiah 29:11.Who has great plans for our lives? What do you hope God has planned for you? (Answer: You are God s special creation and he has big plans for your life. So, pray for God to show you what he has in store for your life and work hard to do your best in everything you do.) 8. (10 min) PLAY: Choose a group activity from Activity Page #2. 9. (5 min) CLOSE: Share prayer requests and pray as a class. Encourage kids to use the Family Guide at home with their parents - and remind them to go online to pursuegod.org/kids to find this week s lesson video. 1
ACTIVITY PAGE #2 Teacher instructions: Choose an activity for your classroom. OPTION 1:CREATE A CHURCH CRAFT Instructions: Give each kid a church template (page 5) and a piece of construction paper. Have kids color and decorate the church. Then, have them fold the piece of construction paper in half and have them glue the church to one of the folded sides of paper, with the folded side at the top. Remind the kids that just like God used Ezra to make a difference, he wants to use each of them to make a difference, too. Supplies needed: Church template (pg. 5, pre cut, 1 per kid), Construction paper (1 sheet per kid), Crayons, Glue OPTION 2:BUILD THE TEMPLE TOWER CHALLENGE Instructions: Divide the class into teams of 4. Give each team 20 cups. When you say, Go!, have teams create their own temple tower using the cups. The team with the most creative temple tower wins. Supplies needed: Cups (20 per team) 2
STORYLINE Ezra the Scribe FAMILY GUIDE PursueGOD.org 3
ACTIVITY PAGE #1 Instructions: Color the picture. god can use anyone to make a difference Key Question Why can God use you to make a difference? Memory Verse Ezra 7:27 Praise the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who made the king want to beautify the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem! 4
BIBLE STORYLINE Ezra The Scribe GOD USED EZRA TO MAKE A GOD CAN USE YOU TO MAKE A GOD USED EZRA TO MAKE A GOD CAN USE YOU TO MAKE A 5