The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Haggai

  • Lesson 5: Ezra 1-5 and Haggai Zerubbabel Begins Rebuilding the Temple

    Key Verse

    And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

    —Galatians 6:9

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. Understand that sometimes we get tired of doing what God wants us to do, but we are never to quit! God has promised to honor our work – if we do not quit. In this lesson, we will see God’s people begin the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

    Emphasis: Christians should never become tired of doing what God has for us – even when the adversaries try to stop us. We are to complete what God has for us to do, knowing He will honor that work.

    Lesson Summary: As we begin this lesson, we remember that the people were carried captive in three definite movements. We will discover that the people were returned back to their homeland in three definite movements. We will learn of the first movement, led by Zerubbabel, today.

    Cyrus was now ruler in the land of captivity (remember the Babylonians were defeated by the Medes and Persians). We will read that God stirred Cyrus’ heart to send people home (to Jerusalem) to rebuild the house of the Lord. Not only that, but he sent many treasures back to Jerusalem with the people – including the vessels that belonged in the house of the Lord. The first group to return to Jerusalem was led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of David.

    Once they reached Jerusalem, Zerubbabel remained a leader. Jeshua (Joshua) was the high priest. These two men led the people first to rebuild the altar of the Lord. Then they laid the foundation of the Temple of the Lord. That was when the troubles began. Adversaries arose, and Zerubbabel understood they were not for God’s people, but against them. Zerubbabel would not allow them to help in the building of God’s house. These adversaries caused trouble for years, stopping the building of the Temple.

    God then sent His prophet, Haggai, to encourage the people to build the house of the Lord. First, he scolded them for living in their nice houses while the Temple of the Lord was not completed. He reminded the people that God was to come first. “7. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 8. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD” (Haggai 1:7-8). Haggai then encouraged the leaders to complete the Temple. Zerubbabel and Joshua stepped up and began work on the Temple again – and God kept the enemy from stopping them.

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 5 Questions

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 5 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this to children, the following is a craft idea to go with this lesson to help them remember it:

    We made scenes to remind us the importance of not quitting or be content, but to finish what God has us to do – much like Haggai encouraged them to finish the House of the Lord.

  • Lesson 11: Three Post-Exile Minor Prophets: Haggai – Malachi

    Key Verse

    “Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 1:3

     

    For younger children:  Hand out the first worksheet.  Help them complete the maze.  Review the memory verse with them.  Show them that just as they had to choose the right path on their maze, we must choose whether or not we will obey what God’s Word teaches.

    For Youth:  Ask the following: What happens when you make a wrong turn in traffic?  Can you get lost if you are traveling a new road and take a wrong turn?  In life we can’t always see what is ahead.  If we make a wrong turn, we need to immediately correct our course.  Today we see words of warning and encouragement from the prophets.  (Refer to the key verse.) They echo a call from God for the people to return to Him and he will turn to them.  Hand out the worksheet to reinforce the memory verse.

    In this lesson we look at the last 3 books of prophecy (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) are post-exile – after the people had been carried away captive and have now returned to their homeland.  These books take place in history during the time of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.  Once they returned, they had an important task ahead of them, but they quickly become tired.  God sent prophets to tell the people that God should be first and foremost in their lives. These prophets also, once again, reminded the people the importance of fearing God and obeying His commands.  They are reminded of the promise that the Messiah is coming, and that God isn’t finished with His people yet.  The Old Testament ends with a warning of a curse for those who do not remember the words of the law and the prophets.

    Today emphasize that we must choose to turn to God and not the things of the world. 

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 11 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 11 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    In any lesson, you may want to work on your coloring timeline – especially when it relates to the lesson.

    Review the 3×5 cards if you made them, practicing the divisions.  Focus on putting the Minor Prophets, emphasizing the last three, books in order for today’s lesson.

    Another idea for today would be to have blocks for the children to build with in class.  Remind them that the people had to rebuild the Temple, their homes and the walls around the city during this time.  The Minor Prophets spoke words of encouragement to them.

    Display the poster of the books of the Old Testament (may be downloaded from the Lesson 4 Blog). Review the Minor Prophets (showing them on the poster).  You may have them write or draw a picture of their favorite event from the last three of the Minor Prophets, or you may find a coloring picture that fits today’s lesson.  There are many free coloring sheets online.  Just type in a favorite and search away!  Another idea would be to have some building blocks for them to build with in class.  Remind them that the people had to rebuild the Temple, their homes and the walls around the city during this time.  The Minor Prophets wrote words of encouragement to them.

     

    Mural idea: 

    Have the students think about how faithful they have been in their walk with God.  Do they have Jesus in their heart?  (Be ready as teachers to briefly share the “Plan of Salvation.”)  If they are a Christian, do they read their Bible?  Do they obey what it says in God’s Word?  Do they realize when they are doing wrong?  How is their relationship with their family?  Ask some of these questions to help them take a look at their own hearts and lives.  God does – daily (remember Job 7:17-18?)

    On the wall you have chosen in your classroom to become a huge mural:  For this week, have them each choose a Post-exile Minor Prophet.  Have them write a few things (on a large puzzle piece or construction paper) that they learned that helps identify them from the other prophets. And/Or, have them write down one area in their life they will work on this week to try and live better pleasing to God.

    Continue to have them bring a picture, a news article, a poem they have written, a picture they may have drawn, etc. of something that is relevant to each week’s lessons.  Encourage everyone to participate.  Watch as it grows weekly, as they express what God is revealing to them through our study of how the Bible fits into His plan to help us become more like Him.

    Old Testament Bible Bookshelf