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
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