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Preschool track
Overview of Ezra
God's people knew what it was like to be homesick. Many years before, they had been taken as prisoners from their homeland of Judah to Babylon, a place that was far away. While they were in Babylon, the Persians battled and defeated the Babylonians. Then Persia's King Cyrus did a surprising thing. He said that people of Judah could return home to Jerusalem and build a new temple for God. He even sent them home with treasures that the Babylonians had stolen from the old temple.
The book of Ezra is named for a priest who taught the people God's Instruction. The book begins with a list of the exiles who returned from Babylon (Ezra 1-2). It tells how Zerubbabel the priest built an altar for God and rebuilt the temple even when enemies tried to stop the work (Ezra 3-6). After the temple was finished, Ezra the priest returned to Jerusalem. He taught God's people to follow God's command (Ezra 7-10).
In Ezra you will see how happy God's people felt when they went back to their homes, started a new life, and worshipped God. Ezra shows that God helps people start over!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
The book of Ezra is named for a priest who taught the people God's Instruction. The book begins with a list of the exiles who returned from Babylon (Ezra 1-2). It tells how Zerubbabel the priest built an altar for God and rebuilt the temple even when enemies tried to stop the work (Ezra 3-6). After the temple was finished, Ezra the priest returned to Jerusalem. He taught God's people to follow God's command (Ezra 7-10).
In Ezra you will see how happy God's people felt when they went back to their homes, started a new life, and worshipped God. Ezra shows that God helps people start over!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Overview of Nehemiah
Nehemiah is an amazing story. Nehemiah was an Israelite man who was a servant of Persia's King Artaxerxes. Part of his job was to taste everything the king wanted to drink, to make sure nothing had been poisoned by the king's enemies.
One day the king noticed that Nehemiah was sad. Nehemiah told the king that his home city of Jerusalem was in ruins. The wall around the city, once strong and secure, had been destroyed. Without this wall, Jerusalem could easily be attacked and defeated.
This book tells how the king gladly sent Nehemiah back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. One night Nehemiah made a daring horseback ride around Jerusalem to see the damaged wall. Then he called the people together and helped them work hard to rebuild the wall. Enemies harassed them and tried to stop the work, but Nehemiah and the people kept building until the job was done.
When the wall was finished, the people praised God for helping them complete a difficult task. Nehemiah shows how to make a plan and work hard for God!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
One day the king noticed that Nehemiah was sad. Nehemiah told the king that his home city of Jerusalem was in ruins. The wall around the city, once strong and secure, had been destroyed. Without this wall, Jerusalem could easily be attacked and defeated.
This book tells how the king gladly sent Nehemiah back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. One night Nehemiah made a daring horseback ride around Jerusalem to see the damaged wall. Then he called the people together and helped them work hard to rebuild the wall. Enemies harassed them and tried to stop the work, but Nehemiah and the people kept building until the job was done.
When the wall was finished, the people praised God for helping them complete a difficult task. Nehemiah shows how to make a plan and work hard for God!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Bible Readings
Ezra and Nehemiah Prays for People (Nehemiah 1) Reading
These are the words of Nehemiah, Hacaliah's son.
In the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the fortress city of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came with some other men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.
They told me, "Those in the province who survived the captivity are in great trouble and shame! The wall around Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire!"
When I heard this news, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said:
"Lord God of Heaven, great and awesome God, your are the one who keeps covenant and is truly faithful to those who lone you and keep your commandments. Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer before you night and day for your servants the people of Israel.
"I confess the sins of the people of Israel, which we have committed against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have wronged you greatly. We haven't kept the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses.
Remember the word that you gave to your servant Moses when you said, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. But if you return to me and keep my commandments by really doing them, then, even though your outcasts live under distant skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I have chosen as dwelling for my name.' They are your servants and your people. They are the ones whom you have redeemed by your great power and your strong hand.
"Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in honoring your name. Please give success to your servant today and grant him favor in the presence of this man!"
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
In the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the fortress city of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came with some other men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.
They told me, "Those in the province who survived the captivity are in great trouble and shame! The wall around Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire!"
When I heard this news, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said:
"Lord God of Heaven, great and awesome God, your are the one who keeps covenant and is truly faithful to those who lone you and keep your commandments. Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer before you night and day for your servants the people of Israel.
"I confess the sins of the people of Israel, which we have committed against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have wronged you greatly. We haven't kept the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses.
Remember the word that you gave to your servant Moses when you said, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. But if you return to me and keep my commandments by really doing them, then, even though your outcasts live under distant skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I have chosen as dwelling for my name.' They are your servants and your people. They are the ones whom you have redeemed by your great power and your strong hand.
"Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in honoring your name. Please give success to your servant today and grant him favor in the presence of this man!"
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
I Wonder....
- How long it took Nehemiah to say the prayer?
- What sins did his family commit?
- What were the commandments?
- What is a covenant?
- Why can't it be men and women at the end?
- why the walls and the gates of Jerusalem were destroyed?
Discussion Questions
- What do you typically do first when you pray?
- Make a prayer journal and write at the top of every page, "Praise, Confess, Ask." Write/Draw down your prayers each day.
- When you pray to God. What ways do you pray?
- How many times during the day do you pray?
Video
Crossroad Kids' Club
This video is 4:29 minutes long
The Five Finger Prayer by St. Andrew Episcopal Church in Valparaiso Indiana
This video is 1:52 minutes long
Songs
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Toddler Worship (Five Finger Prayer) by Saddleback Kids
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Thankful by Lifetree Kids
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This song is 2:07 minutes long
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This song is 2:03 minutes long
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You Forgive Me by Lifetree Kids
This song is 2:53 minutes long
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God is Listening by Lifetree Kids
This song is 2:03 minutes long
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Prayer
5 Little Finger
Art Project
Mason Jar Prayer
Materials:
Adult Preparation:
Instructions:
Prayer Examples:
Scripture Examples:
*Taken from S&S Blog
- Popsicle sticks
- Mason jar
- Optional materials
- Christian wood pendants
- Liquid watercolor
- Paintbrush & cups
- Tacky glue or hot glue
- Burlap ribbon
- Acrylic paint
- Elmer’s glue
- Mod Podge
- Glitter
- Sticky gems
- Craft trim
- Variegated hemp roll
- Paper
- Markers
Adult Preparation:
- Gather materials
- Lay out materials
Instructions:
- First, you will want to add some color to your Mason Jar
- To get the sheer, matte look: Pour elmers glue into a paint cup. Add a few drops of liquid watercolor (choose from red, yellow, blue, green, orange and violet). Mix it in with the glue. Add more watercolor if you want a darker color. We used a little bit of blue to get a pastel blue, and a little bit of red to get a pastel pink. Use a paintbrush to brush the mixture onto the jar. NOTE: It will look streaky at first, but dries smooth.
- To get an opaque, shiny look: Pour arylic paint into a paint cup. You can mix colors if you’d like. Paint the entire jar, then wait until it dries. Add a coat of Mod Podge to prevent the paint from chipping off of the glass, and to add some shine.
- Embellish your jar however you would like. We added craft trim around the top of the jar, sticky gems, and some fabric scraps from an old tie dye shirt. You can wrap them around the jar and use tacky glue to hold them in place. We also cut some small pieces of burlap ribbon and wrapped it around the blue and purple jars. It’s best to use hot glue to hold this in place. For the pink jar, we wrapped colorful hemp around the middle. Be sure to start off with the string in the back and finish it in the back so it won’t show.
- Add some wood pendants. First, decorate them (some examples are in bullet points below). Use the colorful hemp roll to tie a larks head knot (find the middle of the string, make a loop, then pull it through) which is great for handing pendants. We also used hot glue to hold it in place
- Dove: Paint with white acrylic paint first, then added Mod Podge and sprinkle glitter over it before it dries.
- Cross: Paint with sheer gel paint to give it a rustic look
- Angel: For a natural look, don’t paint the pendant. You can add sticky gem, etc...
- Add a banner to label your jar. Use paper cardstock and cut out triangles. Then write the letters P-R-A-Y in marker. Glue the triangles to the twine with tacky glue. Wrap it around the jar. Now your Prayer Jar is done and ready to use.
- Add Jumbo Craft Sticks for a fun activity! See below.
- Gather some Jumbo Craft Sticks, and bring your group together to write specific prayers, positive sayings, things to be thankful for, or names of community groups you would like to pray for. You can even write Bible verses on the craft sticks if you’d like to introduce a discussion on a specific topic.
- Place the craft sticks in the Prayer Jars. When you are ready for the activity, each person will pull a craft stick out of the jar and follow what it says. This is a great activity to help both kids and adults with prayer, reflecting, and understanding the blessings God has given us.
- If you choose to relate this to a Bible Verse on these topics, we’ve listed some below.
Prayer Examples:
- Name a positive event that happened to you this year
- Share one prayer you have seen answered
- Give an example of a blessing God has given you
- Pray for a family member in need
Scripture Examples:
- “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
- “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18)
- “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)
- “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1)
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
- “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2)
- “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
- “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
*Taken from S&S Blog
Tips for Adults
Ezra tells the story of both good and bad times for the Israelite people. Long after the citizens of Judah had been taken as prisoners to Babylon, some now returned to Jerusalem to build a new temple for God.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Nehemiah tells the exciting story of rebuilding the wall around the city of Jerusalem. Even though enemies tried to stop them, the people of Jerusalem finished the wall.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Elementary Track
Overview of Ezra
God's people knew what it was like to be homesick. Many years before, they had been taken as prisoners from their homeland of Judah to Babylon, a place that was far away. While they were in Babylon, the Persians battled and defeated the Babylonians. Then Persia's King Cyrus did a surprising thing. He said that people of Judah could return home to Jerusalem and build a new temple for God. He even sent them home with treasures that the Babylonians had stolen from the old temple.
The book of Ezra is named for a priest who taught the people God's Instruction. The book begins with a list of the exiles who returned from Babylon (Ezra 1-2). It tells how Zerubbabel the priest built an altar for God and rebuilt the temple even when enemies tried to stop the work (Ezra 3-6). After the temple was finished, Ezra the priest returned to Jerusalem. He taught God's people to follow God's command (Ezra 7-10).
In Ezra you will see how happy God's people felt when they went back to their homes, started a new life, and worshipped God. Ezra shows that God helps people start over!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
The book of Ezra is named for a priest who taught the people God's Instruction. The book begins with a list of the exiles who returned from Babylon (Ezra 1-2). It tells how Zerubbabel the priest built an altar for God and rebuilt the temple even when enemies tried to stop the work (Ezra 3-6). After the temple was finished, Ezra the priest returned to Jerusalem. He taught God's people to follow God's command (Ezra 7-10).
In Ezra you will see how happy God's people felt when they went back to their homes, started a new life, and worshipped God. Ezra shows that God helps people start over!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Overview of Nehemiah
Nehemiah is an amazing story. Nehemiah was an Israelite man who was a servant of Persia's King Artaxerxes. Part of his job was to taste everything the king wanted to drink, to make sure nothing had been poisoned by the king's enemies.
One day the king noticed that Nehemiah was sad. Nehemiah told the king that his home city of Jerusalem was in ruins. The wall around the city, once strong and secure, had been destroyed. Without this wall, Jerusalem could easily be attacked and defeated.
This book tells how the king gladly sent Nehemiah back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. One night Nehemiah made a daring horseback ride around Jerusalem to see the damaged wall. Then he called the people together and helped them work hard to rebuild the wall. Enemies harassed them and tried to stop the work, but Nehemiah and the people kept building until the job was done.
When the wall was finished, the people praised God for helping them complete a difficult task. Nehemiah shows how to make a plan and work hard for God!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
One day the king noticed that Nehemiah was sad. Nehemiah told the king that his home city of Jerusalem was in ruins. The wall around the city, once strong and secure, had been destroyed. Without this wall, Jerusalem could easily be attacked and defeated.
This book tells how the king gladly sent Nehemiah back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. One night Nehemiah made a daring horseback ride around Jerusalem to see the damaged wall. Then he called the people together and helped them work hard to rebuild the wall. Enemies harassed them and tried to stop the work, but Nehemiah and the people kept building until the job was done.
When the wall was finished, the people praised God for helping them complete a difficult task. Nehemiah shows how to make a plan and work hard for God!
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
This video is 8:36 minutes long.
Bible Readings
Ezra and Nehemiah Prays for People (Nehemiah 1)Reading
These are the words of Nehemiah, Hacaliah's son.
In the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the fortress city of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came with some other men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.
They told me, "Those in the province who survived the captivity are in great trouble and shame! The wall around Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire!"
When I heard this news, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said:
"Lord God of Heaven, great and awesome God, your are the one who keeps covenant and is truly faithful to those who lone you and keep your commandments. Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer before you night and day for your servants the people of Israel.
"I confess the sins of the people of Israel, which we have committed against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have wronged you greatly. We haven't kept the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses.
Remember the word that you gave to your servant Moses when you said, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. But if you return to me and keep my commandments by really doing them, then, even though your outcasts live under distant skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I have chosen as dwelling for my name.' They are your servants and your people. They are the ones whom you have redeemed by your great power and your strong hand.
"Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in honoring your name. Please give success to your servant today and grant him favor in the presence of this man!"
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
In the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the fortress city of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came with some other men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.
They told me, "Those in the province who survived the captivity are in great trouble and shame! The wall around Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire!"
When I heard this news, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said:
"Lord God of Heaven, great and awesome God, your are the one who keeps covenant and is truly faithful to those who lone you and keep your commandments. Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer before you night and day for your servants the people of Israel.
"I confess the sins of the people of Israel, which we have committed against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have wronged you greatly. We haven't kept the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses.
Remember the word that you gave to your servant Moses when you said, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. But if you return to me and keep my commandments by really doing them, then, even though your outcasts live under distant skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I have chosen as dwelling for my name.' They are your servants and your people. They are the ones whom you have redeemed by your great power and your strong hand.
"Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in honoring your name. Please give success to your servant today and grant him favor in the presence of this man!"
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
I Wonder....
- How long it took Nehemiah to say the prayer?
- What sins did his family commit?
- What were the commandments?
- What is a covenant?
- Why can't it be men and women at the end?
- why the walls and the gates of Jerusalem were destroyed?
Discussion Questions
- What do you typically do first when you pray?
- Make a prayer journal and write at the top of every page, "Praise, Confess, Ask." Write/Draw down your prayers each day.
- When you pray to God. What ways do you pray?
- How many times during the day do you pray?
Video
Crossroad Kids' Club
This video is 4:29 minutes long
The Five Finger Prayer by St. Andrew Episcopal Church in Valparaiso Indiana
This video is 1:52 minutes long
Songs
|
Thankful by Lifetree Kids
This song is 2:03 minutes long
|
You Forgive Me by Lifetree Kids
This song is 2:53 minutes long
|
God is Listening by Lifetree Kids
This song is 2:27 minutes long
Prayer
Art Project
Mason Jar Prayers
Materials:
Adult Preparation:
Instructions:
Prayer Examples:
Scripture Examples:
*Taken from S&S Blog
- Popsicle sticks
- Mason jar
- Optional materials
- Christian wood pendants
- Liquid watercolor
- Paintbrush & cups
- Tacky glue or hot glue
- Burlap ribbon
- Acrylic paint
- Elmer’s glue
- Mod Podge
- Glitter
- Sticky gems
- Craft trim
- Variegated hemp roll
- Paper
- Markers
Adult Preparation:
- Gather materials
- Lay out materials
Instructions:
- First, you will want to add some color to your Mason Jar
- To get the sheer, matte look: Pour elmers glue into a paint cup. Add a few drops of liquid watercolor (choose from red, yellow, blue, green, orange and violet). Mix it in with the glue. Add more watercolor if you want a darker color. We used a little bit of blue to get a pastel blue, and a little bit of red to get a pastel pink. Use a paintbrush to brush the mixture onto the jar. NOTE: It will look streaky at first, but dries smooth.
- To get an opaque, shiny look: Pour arylic paint into a paint cup. You can mix colors if you’d like. Paint the entire jar, then wait until it dries. Add a coat of Mod Podge to prevent the paint from chipping off of the glass, and to add some shine.
- Embellish your jar however you would like. We added craft trim around the top of the jar, sticky gems, and some fabric scraps from an old tie dye shirt. You can wrap them around the jar and use tacky glue to hold them in place. We also cut some small pieces of burlap ribbon and wrapped it around the blue and purple jars. It’s best to use hot glue to hold this in place. For the pink jar, we wrapped colorful hemp around the middle. Be sure to start off with the string in the back and finish it in the back so it won’t show.
- Add some wood pendants. First, decorate them (some examples are in bullet points below). Use the colorful hemp roll to tie a larks head knot (find the middle of the string, make a loop, then pull it through) which is great for handing pendants. We also used hot glue to hold it in place
- Dove: Paint with white acrylic paint first, then added Mod Podge and sprinkle glitter over it before it dries.
- Cross: Paint with sheer gel paint to give it a rustic look
- Angel: For a natural look, don’t paint the pendant. You can add sticky gem, etc...
- Add a banner to label your jar. Use paper cardstock and cut out triangles. Then write the letters P-R-A-Y in marker. Glue the triangles to the twine with tacky glue. Wrap it around the jar. Now your Prayer Jar is done and ready to use.
- Add Jumbo Craft Sticks for a fun activity! See below.
- Gather some Jumbo Craft Sticks, and bring your group together to write specific prayers, positive sayings, things to be thankful for, or names of community groups you would like to pray for. You can even write Bible verses on the craft sticks if you’d like to introduce a discussion on a specific topic.
- Place the craft sticks in the Prayer Jars. When you are ready for the activity, each person will pull a craft stick out of the jar and follow what it says. This is a great activity to help both kids and adults with prayer, reflecting, and understanding the blessings God has given us.
- If you choose to relate this to a Bible Verse on these topics, we’ve listed some below.
Prayer Examples:
- Name a positive event that happened to you this year
- Share one prayer you have seen answered
- Give an example of a blessing God has given you
- Pray for a family member in need
Scripture Examples:
- “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
- “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18)
- “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)
- “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1)
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
- “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2)
- “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
- “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
*Taken from S&S Blog
Content for Adults
Ezra tells the story of both good and bad times for the Israelite people. Long after the citizens of Judah had been taken as prisoners to Babylon, some now returned to Jerusalem to build a new temple for God.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible
Nehemiah tells the exciting story of rebuilding the wall around the city of Jerusalem. Even though enemies tried to stop them, the people of Jerusalem finished the wall.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook