Reference: Ezra 1-6
Story Summary:
God stirred up evil King Cyrus' heart to make a law that let the Israelites return home and rebuild their temple. He had the people give them building supplies as they left.
Jeshua and Zerubbabel lead the people as they rebuilt the temple. First, they rebuilt the altar. They began again to offer sacrifices to God. They were afraid of the countries around them as they built, but they kept building anyways. Soon, they finished the foundation of the temple.
Then the nations wanted their plans to fail. They bothered and scared them, so the builders stopped their work for a long time until King Cyrus died. But God sent two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to encourage the people. They resumed their work.
Tattenai, the governor of the land they were building in, didn't think they had permission from the king to rebuild their temple. He sent a letter to the new king, Darius, asking him to look to see if King Cyrus really had made a law letting them go. King Darius had people search for the old law and it was found. Darius sent Tattenai back to the Israelites with his royal treasures to help them finish their work on the temple.
Big Idea and Motions: God knows our problems and takes care of us.
God knows - tap your temple
Problems - put your hands on your cheeks and look worried
Takes care - hug yourself
Us - point to yourself with both thumbs
Verse / Motions: Psalm 46:1-2, ESV - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear...
God - point up
Refuge - form a roof over your head with your arms
Strength - flex your arm muscles
Help - pretend to reach down and help someone up from the ground
Trouble - punch your palm
Fear - put your hands on your cheeks and look scared
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What special building had been destroyed before our story started? // The temple.
Who changed King Cyrus’ heart and mind? // God.
What did Cyrus’ law let the Israelites do? // Go and rebuild their temple.
Who were Jeshua and Zerubbabel? // The two men who led the builders
What part(s) of the temple did they build first? // The foundation and the altar
When nations around the Israelites scared them, what did the people stop doing? // Building the temple.
Who were Zechariah and Haggai and what did they do? // Prophets who encouraged the people to keep building
What did Tattenai send a letter to King Darius about? // Search for a law that allowed them to build the temple
What did King Darius search for and find? // King Cyrus’ law that said the temple could be rebuilt
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/wKbAwq
Resources - https://goo.gl/dIvFD2
April 24, 2016
April 17, 2016
OT 74 Daniel in the Lions' Den
Reference: Daniel 6
Story Summary:
King Darius of Babylon selected 120 leaders to help run his kingdom. He selected three other leaders to be in charge of all the other leaders. One of them was the Israelite, Daniel, who did his job better than everyone else. The king put him him charge of his kingdom.
The other two leaders became jealous of Daniel and looked for a way to get him into trouble. They knew Daniel worshipped the one true God and could use that to get him. They convinced King Darius to sign a law that said people could only pray to Darius for 30 days. Daniel disobeyed this law, praying to God three times a day in front of an open window. The two leaders saw him do this and told King Darius. Even though he didn't want to, King Darius was forced to punish Daniel for breaking the law. He ordered that Daniel be thrown into a den of lions.
In the morning, the king came to the lions' den. He called out to Daniel, "Has your God been able to save you?" Daniel answered, "God sent his angels to shut the mouths of the lions." The king had Daniel taken out of the lions' den. The king made a new law: that everyone should respect Daniel's God.
Big Idea and Motions: Obey God first, then others.
Obey - hold your arms in the shape of an “O” above your head
God - point up
First - hold up one finger
Others - gesture your arms widely around you
Verse / Motions: Acts 5:29, ESV - But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
Peter - stand boldly, with your hands on your hips (since Peter was the leader)
Apostles - Hold up the index finger on both hands. Bounce them to the side, as if they’re walking, with one following the other *
Answered - make your hand talk like a puppet
Obey - form an “O” above your head with your arms
God - point up
Men - point to yourself
* This is the ASL Sign for “Disciple.”
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What was the king's name in today's story? // Darius.
How many leaders did he put in charge of his kingdom? // Three.
Who was Darius' best leader? // Daniel.
Why did the two leaders want to get Daniel in trouble? // The king put him in charge, he did his work so well
What law did the other two leaders tell King Darius to make? // Only can pray to him for 30 days.
What did Daniel do? // Pray by his window 3 times a day.
What happened to Daniel because he disobeyed King Darius' law? // Thrown into a lion's den.
How did God save Daniel? // He sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths.
Who did Darius praise after God saved Daniel? // Daniel's God, the real God.
What happened to the two other leaders? // They were thrown into the lions’ den.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/SZUv0X
Resources - https://goo.gl/KnJ7Bm
Story Summary:
King Darius of Babylon selected 120 leaders to help run his kingdom. He selected three other leaders to be in charge of all the other leaders. One of them was the Israelite, Daniel, who did his job better than everyone else. The king put him him charge of his kingdom.
The other two leaders became jealous of Daniel and looked for a way to get him into trouble. They knew Daniel worshipped the one true God and could use that to get him. They convinced King Darius to sign a law that said people could only pray to Darius for 30 days. Daniel disobeyed this law, praying to God three times a day in front of an open window. The two leaders saw him do this and told King Darius. Even though he didn't want to, King Darius was forced to punish Daniel for breaking the law. He ordered that Daniel be thrown into a den of lions.
In the morning, the king came to the lions' den. He called out to Daniel, "Has your God been able to save you?" Daniel answered, "God sent his angels to shut the mouths of the lions." The king had Daniel taken out of the lions' den. The king made a new law: that everyone should respect Daniel's God.
Big Idea and Motions: Obey God first, then others.
Obey - hold your arms in the shape of an “O” above your head
God - point up
First - hold up one finger
Others - gesture your arms widely around you
Verse / Motions: Acts 5:29, ESV - But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
Peter - stand boldly, with your hands on your hips (since Peter was the leader)
Apostles - Hold up the index finger on both hands. Bounce them to the side, as if they’re walking, with one following the other *
Answered - make your hand talk like a puppet
Obey - form an “O” above your head with your arms
God - point up
Men - point to yourself
* This is the ASL Sign for “Disciple.”
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What was the king's name in today's story? // Darius.
How many leaders did he put in charge of his kingdom? // Three.
Who was Darius' best leader? // Daniel.
Why did the two leaders want to get Daniel in trouble? // The king put him in charge, he did his work so well
What law did the other two leaders tell King Darius to make? // Only can pray to him for 30 days.
What did Daniel do? // Pray by his window 3 times a day.
What happened to Daniel because he disobeyed King Darius' law? // Thrown into a lion's den.
How did God save Daniel? // He sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths.
Who did Darius praise after God saved Daniel? // Daniel's God, the real God.
What happened to the two other leaders? // They were thrown into the lions’ den.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/SZUv0X
Resources - https://goo.gl/KnJ7Bm
April 10, 2016
OT 73 King Nebuchadnezzar's Second Dream
Reference: Daniel 4
Story Summary:
King Nebuchadnezzar had a special dream with a message from God. He asked all the wise men in his kingdom to tell him what it meant, but only Daniel was able to do so.
In his dream, a huge tree stretched to the heavens. Animals and birds ate of its fruit and rested in its shade. Then an angel came and ordered the tree be cut down, but a stump left behind. The angel ordered that Nebuchadnezzar be made to live like a wild animal for seven years.
Daniel explained that the tree in the dream represented Nebuchadnezzar. He was a great king, but he would be made to live like an animal for seven years to learn that God is the king over all, even a king like Nebuchadnezzar.
As Nebuchadnezzar walked amongst his palace, he bragged about his great kingdom. Then God spoke from heaven, saying Nebuchadnezzar would live like an animal for seven years, to learn that God is the true king. He was driven from his people. He thought and lived like an animal. His hair and nails grew long.
After seven years, the king's mind became clear again. He gave praise to God as the real king over all.
Big Idea and Motions: Jesus is the King of kings.
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
King - pretend to put a crown on your head
Kings - hold your arms up and then bow forward
Verse / Motions: Psalm 47:7, ESV - For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!
God - point up
King - pretend to put a crown on your head
All the earth - trace a large circle in the air with your hands
Sing praises - sing these words, gesturing up like an opera singer
Psalm - pretend to play a guitar
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Who had a dream in today’s story? // King Nebuchadnezzar.
What big thing did he see in his dream? // A big tree.
What did the angel say to do the tree? // Chop it to a stump.
Who told King Nebuchadnezzar what his dream meant? // Daniel.
Who did the big tree in the dream represent? // King Nebuchadnezzar
What did King Nebuchadnezzar brag about? // How great his kingdom was
What troubling thing was going to happen to King Nebuchadnezzar? // Live like an animal for 7 years.
What happened to King Nebuchadnezzar when he lived like an animal? // Long hair and nails, ate grass
Why did God do this to King Nebuchadnezzar? // Because he thought he was the greatest king, not God
What did King Jesus do for us? // Died and rise again for our sin.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/1KjNi4
Resources - https://goo.gl/At2cpz
Story Summary:
King Nebuchadnezzar had a special dream with a message from God. He asked all the wise men in his kingdom to tell him what it meant, but only Daniel was able to do so.
In his dream, a huge tree stretched to the heavens. Animals and birds ate of its fruit and rested in its shade. Then an angel came and ordered the tree be cut down, but a stump left behind. The angel ordered that Nebuchadnezzar be made to live like a wild animal for seven years.
Daniel explained that the tree in the dream represented Nebuchadnezzar. He was a great king, but he would be made to live like an animal for seven years to learn that God is the king over all, even a king like Nebuchadnezzar.
As Nebuchadnezzar walked amongst his palace, he bragged about his great kingdom. Then God spoke from heaven, saying Nebuchadnezzar would live like an animal for seven years, to learn that God is the true king. He was driven from his people. He thought and lived like an animal. His hair and nails grew long.
After seven years, the king's mind became clear again. He gave praise to God as the real king over all.
Big Idea and Motions: Jesus is the King of kings.
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
King - pretend to put a crown on your head
Kings - hold your arms up and then bow forward
Verse / Motions: Psalm 47:7, ESV - For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!
God - point up
King - pretend to put a crown on your head
All the earth - trace a large circle in the air with your hands
Sing praises - sing these words, gesturing up like an opera singer
Psalm - pretend to play a guitar
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Who had a dream in today’s story? // King Nebuchadnezzar.
What big thing did he see in his dream? // A big tree.
What did the angel say to do the tree? // Chop it to a stump.
Who told King Nebuchadnezzar what his dream meant? // Daniel.
Who did the big tree in the dream represent? // King Nebuchadnezzar
What did King Nebuchadnezzar brag about? // How great his kingdom was
What troubling thing was going to happen to King Nebuchadnezzar? // Live like an animal for 7 years.
What happened to King Nebuchadnezzar when he lived like an animal? // Long hair and nails, ate grass
Why did God do this to King Nebuchadnezzar? // Because he thought he was the greatest king, not God
What did King Jesus do for us? // Died and rise again for our sin.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/1KjNi4
Resources - https://goo.gl/At2cpz
April 3, 2016
Catechism Question 66-67: What is baptism? What is the purpose of baptism?
Answer: The dipping of believers into water, as a sign of their union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection.
Question 68: What is the purpose of baptism?
Answer: The dipping of believers into water, as a sign of their union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection.
OT 72 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Reference: Daniel 3:1-30
Story Summary:
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a 90 foot tall statue made out of gold. When many musical instruments were played, his officials were to bow down before the statue. If anyone refused, they would be thrown in a fiery furnace.
Three of the king's wise men were God's people who had been captured: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When the instruments were played, they refused to bow down before the gold statue.
The three men were brought to King Nebuchadnezzar, who told them he would give them another chance to bow down before the statue. However, the three men told the king that they would never bow down to the statue. They told the king that God could save them from the furnace.
This angered the king. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter. The men were tied up and thrown into the furnace. It was so hot, the soldiers with them died.
To the king's amazement, the three men freely walked around the furnace, with a fourth person with them. So the king ordered them released. He praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for being able to save them from the furnace.
Big Idea and Motions: Jesus came to rescue us from sin.
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Rescue - pretend to reach down and help someone up from the ground
Sin - two thumbs down
Verse / Motions: Romans 5:8, ESV - ...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God - point up
Love - put your hands over your heart
Us - point to yourself with both thumbs
Still sinners - two thumbs down
Christ died - form a cross with your forearms
Us - point to yourself with both thumbs
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Who were the three friends in today’s story? // Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego
What did King Nebuchadnezzar build? // A 90 ft. tall gold statue
When the music played, what were the people supposed to do? // Bow down, worship the statue
What was the punishment for not bowing down to the statue? // Thrown in the fiery furnace.
Did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego worship the statue? // No.
Why didn’t they bow down? // It would be breaking God’s commandment
What did Nebuchadnezzar do when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow? // Heated the furnace hotter, had them thrown in.
What happened to the soldiers who threw them in the furnace? // They died
What happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the furnace? // Untied, not harmed, walking around with a fourth person
What did Nebuchadnezzar say about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s God? // No one can say anything bad about their God.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/8OGMrn
Resources - https://goo.gl/sTfJJ3
Story Summary:
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a 90 foot tall statue made out of gold. When many musical instruments were played, his officials were to bow down before the statue. If anyone refused, they would be thrown in a fiery furnace.
Three of the king's wise men were God's people who had been captured: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When the instruments were played, they refused to bow down before the gold statue.
The three men were brought to King Nebuchadnezzar, who told them he would give them another chance to bow down before the statue. However, the three men told the king that they would never bow down to the statue. They told the king that God could save them from the furnace.
This angered the king. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter. The men were tied up and thrown into the furnace. It was so hot, the soldiers with them died.
To the king's amazement, the three men freely walked around the furnace, with a fourth person with them. So the king ordered them released. He praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for being able to save them from the furnace.
Big Idea and Motions: Jesus came to rescue us from sin.
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Rescue - pretend to reach down and help someone up from the ground
Sin - two thumbs down
Verse / Motions: Romans 5:8, ESV - ...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God - point up
Love - put your hands over your heart
Us - point to yourself with both thumbs
Still sinners - two thumbs down
Christ died - form a cross with your forearms
Us - point to yourself with both thumbs
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Who were the three friends in today’s story? // Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego
What did King Nebuchadnezzar build? // A 90 ft. tall gold statue
When the music played, what were the people supposed to do? // Bow down, worship the statue
What was the punishment for not bowing down to the statue? // Thrown in the fiery furnace.
Did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego worship the statue? // No.
Why didn’t they bow down? // It would be breaking God’s commandment
What did Nebuchadnezzar do when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow? // Heated the furnace hotter, had them thrown in.
What happened to the soldiers who threw them in the furnace? // They died
What happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the furnace? // Untied, not harmed, walking around with a fourth person
What did Nebuchadnezzar say about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s God? // No one can say anything bad about their God.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/8OGMrn
Resources - https://goo.gl/sTfJJ3
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