The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Quarter Four

  • In My Heart

    “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

    Psalm 119:11

    Excerpt from The Biblical Path of Life – Year One Quarter Four, Lesson 6:

    “Walk in the Law of the Lord (Psalm 119):

      “Just as Moses reminded the people of God’s Law as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, we must know God’s Word as we walk in a Christian life. Then we can be as Psalm 119:1 tells us—“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.”

      “Notice these words: blessed means “happy”; undefiled means “blameless; upright in one’s conduct.” Who else have we studied that God called upright or perfect? Noah (see Genesis 6:9), Job (see Job 1:1), God told Abraham to be (see Genesis 17:1), God told His people to be (see Deuteronomy 18:13), as well as David (see 2 Samuel 22:24). These men (and God’s people) were blessed when they walked with God (Job was even blessed doubly when he continued with God through his trials).

      “Notice the first verse begins with blessed (which also means “happy”), referring to the one who walks in the “law of the Lord.” This is completely contrary to what we learn in the world today. Many times, we are taught that “rules are impossible to follow, so why try?” How about “rules are only guidelines” or “rules were made to be broken”? Do these sound familiar? These sayings teach us something contrary to what God’s Word teaches us. Psalm 119 teaches us that to be blessed (happy), we must walk in the law of the Lord.

      “Read Psalm 119:2–11. These verses encourage us to seek God with our whole heart (119:2). We are to respect all of His commandments (119:6). Psalm 119:4 tells us we are to keep God’s precepts (laws) diligently (meaning “wholly; speedily”). It does take work.

      “How can we do this? Read Psalm 119:9–11. Listen, seek God with your whole heart, don’t wander (stray from God’s commands), and hide God’s Word in your heart until it becomes a part of who you are. Be encouraged to read the rest of Psalm 119. Let it be an encouragement to those who truly seek to know and please God; to seek God’s heart (remember David?). This principle must be our hearts’ desire in order to walk with God. This Psalm was written by one who truly loved God and did not find His Law laborious. We should be happy to walk in God’s Law.”

      After reading the previous excerpt, consider that the main theme of Psalm 119 is the Word of God. Notice the descriptions of God’s Word given in the following verses: “1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 4. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. 5. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. 7. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 8. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. 9. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:1-9). In reading these verses, one can consider the multifaceted characters of the Word of God. See the following list of words which are frequently used for God’s Word throughout Psalm 119:

      • Law: (most frequently) means “teaching” whether it is the wise man who gently instructs a son, or God patiently teaching Israel. It is here we find just what God requires.
      • Testimonies: is as a witness emphasizing the content of God’s Word.
      • Precepts: a mandate from a superior (God) regarding the duties of those under Him (mankind).
      • Statutes: “to engrave” which implies permanent and unchangeable regulations.
      • Commandments: this word assumes the authority of the commander and the inherent necessity of obeying the content of the charge given.
      • Judgments: ordinances; decisions God has made as a judge in order to make earthly behavior conform to heavenly standards.
      • Word: God’s revelation; promises and revelations from the mouth of God.

      Having recognizing the importance of these words, one should understand the significance of obeying God’s Word (all of the Bible). “Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments” (Psalm 119:6). As we learn the importance of obeying God’s Word and living it out in our lives, we can learn how to abide in Christ. “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 2:28).

      It is at this point we should acknowledge the importance of the following verse: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). God’s Word is to become a part of who we are.

      Have you chosen to hide God’s Word in your heart until it becomes a part of who you are?

    1. Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

      “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

      (Colossians 3:16)

      The following is an excerpt from “The Biblical Path of Life – Year One Quarter Four”, Lesson 2:

      “Many of the Psalms were written when different men approached God in prayer because of circumstances surrounding them. You can see instances of great sorrow, admitted sin, repentance, hope and trust in God, faith, and a great love for God. Throughout Psalms, man’s prayers from the heart turn to singing in that prayer, ending with man praising God, revealing that the Psalms are not only prayers from the heart but songs as well. Some were written in praise and adoration of who God is versus who man is. So many of these hymns are rich in Israel’s history. If we know the history, we will better understand the circumstances surrounding many of these songs.

      “In the book of Psalms, we find God is infinite, sovereign. Yet despite man’s failings, God still communicates with man, and allows man to communicate with Him…

      “One of the most important things we can recognize from the first book of Psalms is the recognition of God and His dealings with mankind. Not only does God care about man, but He is in constant contact with him. We will look at Psalm 8 to help us understand just one recorded instance of God’s specific love and care for man. “3. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4. What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5. For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7. All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8. The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:3–9).

      “David began by reflecting again on God’s creation of the world. Such power; how could God even consider any dealings with man, let alone have a one-on-one relationship with man? (Visited here means “an action on the part of God which produced a profitable result for His people. The first time that word was used was in Genesis 21:1 when God ‘visited’ Sarah. She conceived the promised son, Isaac, when she was very old.”) God chose to reveal Himself to the people who became the nation Israel, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. He chose this family—Abraham and his wife, Sarah, who had no children—and gave them a child to show Himself mightily to them and to all of the world.

      “David then recognized that God made mankind just “a little lower than the angels.” Not only that, but He “crowned him with glory and honor.” God made man very special. He even gave mankind dominion over the creatures of the world (see Genesis 1:26; 9:2).

      “David ended this acknowledgement of God’s choosing to have a special relationship with man with these words: “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:9).”

      Understanding these things, consider the following verse: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). The following definitions can help in the understanding of this verse.

      • word of Christ: “refers to the revelation that Jesus brought into the world, which is undiscoverable except by God and the Scriptures”.
      • wisdom: “practical wisdom; sound judgment; good sense”.
      • teaching: “to advise or put in mind, as a tutor would do”.
      • admonishing: “to caution or reprove gently; to warn”.
      • hymns: “a song sung in praise to God”.

      This verse should help us understand the importance of reading and understanding the Psalms recorded so long ago for us. The Psalms are so much more than just songs sung as praises to God, by they are also to instill wisdom and good judgment in our hearts and minds to teach us how to live lives pleasing to God.

      Have you taken time to read and understand the Psalms, understanding that God wants to have a special relationship with you?

    2. Lesson 13: Remembering the Old Testament

      Key Verse

      Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

      —Psalm 40:7

      Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. We are to recognize that this verse is referring to Jesus who was to come. That is what the “volume of the book” is written about – Jesus. From the beginning all of the way through the Bible, we are to recognize that it is all and completely about Jesus. Remember that God promised immediately after man sinned, that Jesus would come (see Genesis 3:15). Throughout the Old Testament, God continued to remind His people – until Jesus was born on earth in the New Testament timeframe. That is why we are studying the Bible through from beginning to the end. It will be then that we can recognize that it was Jesus who was to come – for in the volume of the book (the Bible) it is written of Him.

      Emphasis: Through this study, we are to recognize that the Bible is about Jesus from beginning to end. In addition, we are to understand that the Bible teaches that we must know Jesus, and we are to obey God’s Word.

      Lesson Summary: This lesson is an opportune time to review what we have learned about the Old Testament. Use the following pages (and the charts in the front of your book) to remember what each book is about, and its’ placement in history. Be encouraged to recall as much information as possible. Most importantly, make sure you understand the flow of the history. As we learned of the failure of God’s people, be sure you understand that it was to help reveal the great need for Jesus. That is what the whole Bible is about: the need of a perfect propitiation for sinful man, which could only be met in Jesus – promised from Genesis 3:15. We today, are to recognize the need to have Jesus in our heart, believe in Him, and then obey God’s Word.    

      Remember that all of the Personal Books, Major Prophets, and Minor Prophets took place in the books of Genesis through Esther. We have tried to study them in historical order to understand the Old Testament even better. Once again, hold the Old Testament books from Genesis through Esther, helping you understand that all of the rest of the books left in the Old Testament take place within that group (timeframe).

      Y2Q4 – Lesson 13 in full

      Y2Q4 – Lesson 13 Questions

      Y2Q4 – Lesson 13 Children’s Worksheets

      If you are teaching this lesson to younger children, here are a couple of craft ideas to help them remember.

      We cut apart and glued the Old Testament Bible Bookshelf (found in the Children’s Worksheets) to help us remember the divisions and books.

    3. Lesson 12: Jesus in the Old Testament: The Promised One and His Messenger

      Key Verse

      John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

      —John 1:15

      Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. Understand that “John” in this verse, is John the Baptist (whom we will learn about in this lesson). His job was to tell the people that God sent Jesus – the Promised One that the people had been told God would send. Jesus, who came after John (for John prepared the way for Him), really was before John (remember – Jesus is God who has always been here. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). This may be difficult to comprehend. Recognize that Jesus is the Word).

      Emphasis: We are to recognize that Jesus is the One promised from the beginning, and to remember that Jesus came to turn our hearts to God. We are faithfully to go to church, for that is where we learn more about Jesus and how to obey His commands.

      Lesson Summary: In our next lesson as we end our study of the Old Testament, we will recognize that God’s people seemed unable consistently to live according to God’s Word. God had to keep sending men to remind them. With that understanding, we find that the Old Testament closed with a curse. Nevertheless, the promise of One to set man free from that curse was found throughout the Old Testament. In this lesson, we will remember, again, that God always keeps His promises.

      In Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, we read of a promise God made to His people to send a messenger who would prepare the way for Jesus (see Malachi 3:1-3). In this lesson, we will learn that messenger was John the Baptist (see Matthew 11:14: “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come”). He did the job God sent Him to do:  he prepared the way for Jesus.

      When Jesus came, He came to the Temple – just as God had promised. We will see that Jesus’ parents took Him to the Temple first, but as he grew, Jesus spent much time in the Temple and even the synagogues (where the worship and instruction of God took place). When He went, some people believed, but some did not. Nevertheless, Jesus never stopped going to the synagogues or the Temple. We will learn, by Jesus’ example, the importance for us to go to church today: for that is where the worship and instruction of God continues to take place.

      Y2Q4 – Lesson 12 Questions

      Y2Q4 – Lesson 12 Children’s Worksheets

      If you are teaching this to children, the following is a craft idea for this lesson to help them remember.

      As we remembered Jesus was the Promised One from the beginning, we made a nativity craft to help us remember.

    4. Lesson 11: Malachi: The Last Warning

      Key Verse

      For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

      —Psalm 5:4

      Key Verse Thought: Read today’s key verse. We are to remember that God does not like sin, and sin cannot stand in God’s presence. For that reason, God continually sent prophets to warn His people when they disobeyed God’s commands. In this lesson, will learn about the last prophet God sent to His people in the Old Testament – the final warning before a four hundred year silence of no new word from God to His people.  

      Emphasis: Christians are not to practice a religion as the priests in Malachi’s day were doing, but to live obeying God’s Word. Although going to church is very important (as we have learned), it is most important to live according to God’s Word. We should also have Christian friends to encourage us, and we should encourage them

      Lesson Summary: In our last lesson, we learned the condition of God’s people when Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem. God’s people, including the priests, had fallen deeply into sin. Nehemiah once again corrected the sin and prayed. 

      God sent Malachi with a message for His people, beginning with the priests who were just practicing a religion and not serving God according to His Word. The priests, and then the people, had fallen into sin once again. As we will learn, Malachi dealt with many of the same sins that Nehemiah dealt with in the lives of God’s people. Malachi was the last voice to God’s people before about four hundred years of silence. 

      God had Malachi remind the Jews of the great love God had for His people. The memory of Jacob and Esau was recalled – the love of Jacob and the hatred for Esau. Jacob loved and sought after the things of God, and Esau hated and despised the people and things of God. Yet, God’s people were not living as His people – for they sinned and did not even recognize how great their sin had become. God had a poignant question for them. “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? …” (Malachi 1:6). The people needed Malachi to show them how far from God they had fallen. Nevertheless, a few people still feared God. God saw that they encouraged each other often. God knew them and wrote them in a special book of remembrance. Remember, God knows the heart. 

      We will not only learn of the condition of God’s people and the words of correction, but the promises of which God reminded His people – especially the promise of the Promised One, Jesus.  

      Malachi was not only the last prophet call to God’s people before the four hundred years of silence, but also that call ended with a promise of a curse.

      We will learn a few details of the four hundred years of silence that came after Malachi, discovering some of the changes that took place among God’s people.

      Y2Q4 – Lesson 11 Questions

      Y2Q4 – Lesson 11 Children’s Worksheets

      If you are teaching this to children, the following is a craft idea to reinforce this lesson.

      We made a “Book of Remembrance” to help us understand the importance of fearing the Lord and thinking upon Him.

    5. Lesson 10: Nehemiah 7-13 Instructions for the People

      Key Verse

      But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

      —1 Corinthians 15:10

      Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. The first half of the verse is helping us understand that only one who has asked Jesus into their heart and life can live a life pleasing to God, and that is only because of grace. Grace means“the favor and good will of God undeservedly given to people; the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to a holy God.” Moreover, because it is an undeserved forgiveness of sin, Christians are to work harder than anyone else to please God, obeying His commands. We must remember that we cannot do it by ourselves. We can only do it with the help of God.

      Emphasis: We are to be strong as Nehemiah. He not only lived a life pleasing to God, but he led others to do the same. Christians are to recognize that we have God’s Spirit to help us and we are to be faithful to remove sin when we see it in our lives.

      Lesson Summary: In our last lesson, we learned how Nehemiah helped rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem, reinforcing the city. Not only that, but we learned of the many times the enemy’s plans were thwarted, and God’s people were able to complete the walls in fifty-two days.  

      Now that the city was reinforced and protected, it was time to organize the people. Nehemiah appointed jobs to people and selected men to be rulers in the city. The people gathered together and asked Ezra to read the book of the Law to them. After hearing God’s Words, the people began to live according to God’s Word. They celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. This was followed with a time of prayer. After acknowledging their sin, they made a covenant with God to obey His commands.

      The people drew lots to find out who would live inside of the city of Jerusalem, and who would live in the cities around. Then there was a dedication of the completed walls.

      Nehemiah returned to Shushan to serve the king again – just as he had promised. After a time, he returned to Jerusalem. When he arrived, he saw much sin – beginning in the house of the Lord. Eliashib, the priest, was friends with Tobiah (their adversary) and had allowed him to move into the Temple. The Levites were working outside of the city instead of taking care of the house of the Lord. The people were working, buying, and selling on the Sabbath – breaking God’s commands. They had intermarried with the nations around, again; for the high priest’s own grandson had married the daughter of Sanballat, the enemy of God’s people. Nehemiah removed and corrected the sins of the people. He prayed for God’s people.

      Y2Q4 – Lesson 10 Questions

      Y2Q4 – Lesson 10 Children’s Worksheets

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

      We cut out a copy of the Ten Commandments and made a book of the Law to help us remember the importance of knowing God’s Word and living according to what the Bible teaches.

    6. Lesson 9: Nehemiah 1-6 Rebuilding the Walls

      Key Verse

      … and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

      —1 Peter 3:15b

      Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse and understand that the way to have a ready answer comes by much prayer. In this lesson, we will learn of a mighty man of prayer named Nehemiah. When the people in Jerusalem did not know what to do, Nehemiah was always ready with a word of hope and encouragement for God’s people

      Emphasis: Today, we will learn that prayer is not only important for our own personal life to know what God wants us to do, but to also be an encouragement to others with a word of hope. 

      Lesson Summary: Zerubbabel led the first of the people back into the land of Israel. We then learned that Ezra led a second group from the land of Babylon into Israel. The Temple of the Lord had been rebuilt, but we will learn today that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and the gates were burned. No one had begun to reinforce the city of Jerusalem.

      A message of the condition of Jerusalem was delivered to a man named Nehemiah. He was the cupbearer in King Artaxerxes court. (Remember that King Artaxerxes allowed Ezra to lead a group into Israel.) When Nehemiah received the message, he immediately prayed. When the king recognized he was troubled and asked what it was, Nehemiah told the king his heart’s desire – to return to the city of Jerusalem and rebuild the walls and gates. Not only did the king send him, but gave him many supplies.

      When Nehemiah returned, he surveyed the damage. He reported to the people what needed to be done. The people agreed that the walls and gates needed to be rebuilt. So, they began. 

      And the enemies made themselves known. Today we will learn of the many troubles the enemies caused God’s people as they rebuilt the city walls and gates – and the many times the enemies plans were thwarted because of the prayers of Nehemiah and God’s people. 

      Even with the threats from the enemies to come in and kill God’s people, they remained to the task of building – many with sword or spear in hand. Nevertheless, God was with them, the gates were built, and then the walls were finished in fifty-two days.

      Y2Q4 Lesson 9 Questions

      Y2Q4 Lesson 9 Children’s Worksheets

      If you are teaching this to children, the following are a couple of ideas for a craft to help them remember Nehemiah:

      To help us remember that Nehemiah helped rebuild the walls in gates around Jerusalem, we built a “wall with gates” out of construction paper. We then added the verses Nehemiah 6:15-16 at the top.

    7. Lesson 8: Ezra 7-10 Ezra Restores the Relationship

      Key Verse

      … behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

      —Numbers 23:23

      Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse for this lesson. Have you ever sinned? Did you get in trouble? Do you think you have ever gotten away with something? It is important to understand that though one may not have gotten in trouble at that time, keep in mind that God sees and knows all. Be careful when you sin against God – for your sin will find you out!

      Emphasis: Christians are to prepare our hearts to serve God – no matter what task God may have for us to do. Remember: when the people of Israel sinned against God, their sin was made known. It was difficult to make it right.

      Lesson Summary: In our last lesson, we learned about Esther and the salvation of the Jews from certain death. If you think about it, without godly people like Daniel, Mordecai, and Esther about whom we have learned, the recognition of God by the people, and especially the kings, may not have been. Even in our more recent history, there are people who have made sure that future generations know of God and learn to trust in Him.  

      This week we will learn of Ezra. He led the second remnant back to Jerusalem from the land of Babylon. Before he left, he prepared his heart. He determined to go back to Israel to make sure God’s people not only had the written Word of God (for he was a scribe), but he wanted to be sure the people knew the Word of the Lord and lived it. He had no idea the challenge that lay ahead of him!

      King Artaxerxes (King Ahasuerus’ son, and possibly Esther’s son as well), issued a decree that any and all who wanted to return to Israel could go. Not only that, but he sent much silver, gold, and vessels for the house of the Lord. Ezra recognized the hand of God and the blessing of the king.

      Ezra made sure they had priests and Levites to return with them. Many of these he placed in charge of the great riches they were carrying into Jerusalem. 

      As soon as they arrived in Jerusalem, they found out that many of the men had married wives of the heathen nations around. Some even had children by them. Ezra was astonished and devastated at the condition of the people. He rent his garment and prayed. Ezra was ashamed of the great sin in which the people were living. As the people gathered, they acknowledged their great sin and were willing to do something about it. Ezra challenged the people to correct their ways. 

      The men who had married foreign women had to send them away – and the children born by them.

      Y2Q4 – Lesson 8 Questions

      Y2Q4 – Lesson 8 Children’s Worksheets

      If you are teaching this to children, the following are a couple of ideas for a craft to reinforce this lesson.

      One time we sewed a heart together with the top open, put stickers on the outside, and hid verses inside of it. Another time we made a heart frame with stickers and put the verse Ezra 7:10 in the center to help us remember how important Ezra understood that God’s Word is.

    8. Lesson 7: Esther: A Woman who Saved her People

      Key Verse

      Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

      —Psalm 64:1

      Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. Begin to understand the importance of prayer. We will learn in this lesson of one who was fearful for her life and the lives of her people – so they fasted, and God spared their lives. Although prayer is not mentioned in the book of Esther, knowing that prayer and fasting go together at times in the Bible, one may consider the idea that prayer was included with their time of fasting.   

      Emphasis: Be encouraged to recognize the power of prayer – and use that prayer to pray for the eternal lives by salvation for our friends and family.

      Lesson Summary: Remembering that we are studying the Bible in as close to historical order as possible, we will leave the book of Ezra for a week. The events that took place in the book of Esther happened after the seventy-year captivity and after a remnant had returned led by Zerubbabel. However, it also took place before Ezra led another group back to Jerusalem, and before Nehemiah returned to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. That places the timeframe for the events from the book of Esther in the middle of the book of Ezra.      

      There are only two books in the Bible named after women: Ruth and Esther. Esther is a most unusual book because God is never mentioned, and we see no miraculous intervention by God recorded. Nevertheless, we can most definitely recognize God working behind the scenes. Read a little insight we find in the book of Isaiah. “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:15).    

      King Ahasuerus was king of Persia (remember they defeated the Babylonian kingdom). When he sought for a new queen, Esther was chosen from all of the fair virgins of the land. Her cousin, Mordecai, who had raised her after her parents’ death, told her to keep her Jewish heritage a secret. When Esther became queen, Mordecai sat at the king’s gate, where he made an enemy – Haman. Haman had been promoted above all of the king’s princes, but Mordecai would not bow to him. Haman’s hatred turned from just Mordecai to all of the Jews in the land. He asked the king to sign a decree stating that all of the Jews in the land could be killed on a certain date. The king agreed. Mordecai mourned. 

      Mordecai sent a message that Esther must go to the king to plead for the Jews lives. After fasting and prayer by all, she went into the king’s presence, fearful for her life. Anyone who entered the king’s presence without first being called would be put to death – unless he held out the golden scepter. When the king saw Esther, she found favor in his eyes, he held out the golden scepter, and asked what she wanted – up to half of the kingdom. She asked the king and Haman to dinner. After the second dinner, she asked the king for her life and the lives of her people to be spared. When the king found out Haman’s plot, Haman was hung. Mordecai was elevated to Haman’s position and another law was written to circumvent the first law. God’s people were spared.

      Once again, we read a book in the Old Testament with a very familiar event. In this lesson, we will actually read much of the scripture. If you happen to be in a group or class, read them aloud together, for the events could never be retold any better than it was recorded in God’s Word.

      Y2Q4 – Lesson 7 Questions

      Y2Q4 – Lesson 7 Children’s Worksheets

      If you are teaching this lesson to children, here are a couple of craft ideas to go along with this lesson:

      One time we made a coloring book by cutting out the different pictures of Esther’s life and glued them into a construction paper book we made. Another time we used stickers of Esther to make a scene.

    9. 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.