1st-3rd Grade Kids Study Guide Unit 21, Session 5: The Temple Was Completed

TEACHER BIBLE STUDY With the encouragement of the prophets and Zechariah, God’s people resumed the work of rebuilding the temple in . Approximately 15 years had passed without progress. At this time, Darius was king of Persia. The Persian Empire was vast, so Darius appointed governors over the provinces. A man named watched over the province that included the land of .

Tattenai noticed the work of God’s people, and he was concerned. He sent a letter to King Darius. “Is this allowed?” he asked. “The people say that King Cyrus said they could rebuild the temple and the city. Please investigate this matter.”

King Darius did investigate, and Cyrus’s decree was located in the Babylonian records. Darius instructed Tattenai to allow the people to rebuild the temple and the city. “In fact,” Darius wrote, “give them whatever they need from the royal treasury. And if anyone gives them any trouble, he will be punished.”

God had turned the heart of the king for His people’s favor. (See Proverbs 21:1; 6:22.) The people completed the temple. They dedicated it joyfully and observed the Passover.

God declared in :9 that the glory of this would be greater than the first. This prophecy was fulfilled by the presence of the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus said that He is greater than the temple. (Matthew 12:6) Charles Haddon Spurgeon explained, “He who dwells in the house is greater than the house in which he dwells.”

In Christ, we find the substance of which the temple was a shadow. The Lord was not confined to a building, yet God lives fully in Christ. (See Colossians 2:9.) Jesus is our high priest. He entered the most holy place for us. (Hebrews 6:19-20) The priest offered the blood of animals, but Christ offered His own blood once and for all. (Hebrews 9:25-26) He gives us access to the throne of grace. (Hebrews 10:19-22)

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: The Temple Was Completed Bible Passage: :24–6:22 Big Picture Question: Why did the people rebuild the temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God. Key Passage: Zechariah 9:9 Unit Christ Connection: God saved His people who were in physical captivity as He would one day send Jesus to save and restore His people who are in spiritual captivity.

1  2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 21, Session 5: The Temple Was Completed

Transition Time Welcome time Activity sheet/Table Centers Session starter (10 minutes)

Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (1 minute) Timeline Map (3 minutes) Big picture question (1 minute) Sing (4 minutes) Key passage (4 minutes) Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Prayer (4 minutes)

Table Time Timeline map (1 minute) Bible story review (10 minutes)

Large Group Review / Activities Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW The Temple Was Completed Ezra 4:24–6:22

When God’s people returned to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s temple, they built the foundation of the temple. But their enemies didn’t want them to build the temple. God’s people didn’t want any trouble, so they stopped. God sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the people. So the leaders— and Jeshua [Joshua]—started working on the temple again. At this time, a governor named Tattenai (TAT ih nigh) saw the rebuilding had started again. Tattenai worked for King Darius (duh RIGH uhs), the king of Persia. Tattenai had been put in charge of some of the land, including Judah. Tattenai talked to Zerubbabel and the others working on the temple. “Do you have permission to rebuild this temple?” Tattenai asked. Tattenai sent a report to King Darius. While he waited for an answer, God’s people kept building.

2  2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 21, Session 5: The Temple Was Completed

This is what Tattenai’s letter to King Darius said: “To Darius the king—This letter is to tell you that the people in Judah are building the temple of the great God. They are working very hard and will complete the temple soon. I asked them if they had permission to rebuild the temple, and they said King Cyrus gave them permission. Please search the royal records to see if this is true. Then please write us back to let us know what you find.” King Darius read the letter and told his officials to search the royal records for Cyrus’s order. They found it—a scroll with a record from King Cyrus. This is what was written on the scroll: “Let God’s temple be rebuilt. It will be a place to offer sacrifices. Let its foundation be rebuilt.” King Cyrus had also ordered for the cost of building the temple to be paid for out of the royal treasury. He ordered all the gold and silver things that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the first temple to be returned to Jerusalem. So King Darius sent a letter back to Tattenai. He gave this order: “Stay away from the workers in Jerusalem. Don’t bother them, and don’t try to stop them. Give them whatever they need. And if anyone tries to destroy God’s temple, may God destroy that person!” Tattenai and the other officials obeyed King Darius’s order. The Jewish leaders kept building, and they finally finished the temple of God. What a happy time that was! The people celebrated and made offerings to God. They chose priests and assistants to serve in the temple. Then God’s people celebrated the Passover. They killed the Passover lamb and ate the Passover meal. God’s people were so happy because God had changed King Darius’s heart so that he wanted to help them. Now the temple of God was finally complete.

Christ Connection: God’s people rebuilt the temple so they would have a place to worship God. Years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to be with His people. Now God dwells not in the temple, but directly with His people. Because of Jesus, we don’t need a temple anymore.

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: The Temple Was Completed Bible Passage: Ezra 4:24–6:22 Big Picture Question: Why did the people rebuild the temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God. Key Passage: Zechariah 9:9 Unit Christ Connection: God saved His people who were in physical captivity as He would one day send Jesus to save and restore His people who are in spiritual captivity.

Welcome time Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group.

3  2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 21, Session 5: The Temple Was Completed

Arriving Activity: Too Long paper (optional) markers or crayons (optional) As kids arrive, invite them to share things that seem to take forever. Examples might include going to the doctor, waiting on food at a restaurant, a school day, and so forth. You may also choose to provide paper, and let the kids draw something they think lasts a long time. Then talk about it. Say • After returning from to the promised land, God’s people seemed to be taking forever to do something God asked of them. We’ll see what in a moment.

Activities/Table Centers (5 minutes) Table centers (Miscellaneous Activities) “Brick by Brick” activity sheet / Bible Story Coloring Sheet, 1 per kid pencils, markers or crayons Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page. Say • After years of building, God’s people were getting closer to completing the temple. We’ll see if they finished it in today’s Bible study.

If time remains, allow kids to complete the coloring page provided with this session.

Session Starter (10 minutes) Option 1: King/Queen, may I? tape Play a variation of “Mother, May I?” Tape a long start line and finish line. Choose a volunteer. The volunteer will face away from the rest of the kids, who will be lined up at the start line. Choose a kid who will ask, “King/Queen, may I?” followed by a request to move forward. For instance, they might say “May I jump forward three times?” Give them four request options: jump, skip, walk, and crawl. The volunteer may approve or deny the request by saying “Yes, you may,” or “No, you may not.” Before the game, tell the volunteer one of the four options that he may not deny. If a kid requests that option, the volunteer must approve. The first person to reach the volunteer replaces him. Repeat as time allows. Say • God’s people faced a challenge from a Persian official as they rebuilt Jerusalem. We will see if they were granted permission to continue.

Option 2: Worship List paper pencils Provide each kid with a piece of paper. Invite the kids to list ways they can worship God. See who can come up with the most. Keep in mind that kids can worship God in just about anything they do. Talk about how worship is more than singing. It is about the heart or motivation behind why we do something. For younger kids, you could instruct them to draw a way to worship God or talk about different ways all together.

4  2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 21, Session 5: The Temple Was Completed

Say • The Israelites had failed to give God all their worship in the past. In today’s Bible story, they finished a special place to worship God.

Transition to large group

LESSON Session Title: The Temple Was Completed Bible Passage: Ezra 4:24–6:22 Big Picture Question: Why did the people rebuild the temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God. Key Passage: Zechariah 9:9 Unit Christ Connection: God saved His people who were in physical captivity as He would one day send Jesus to save and restore His people who are in spiritual captivity.

Countdown countdown video (on provided DVD with lesson videos and worship) Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for the lesson and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (1 minute) level [Large group leader enters with a level.] Leader • Does anyone want to guess what this is? It’s called a level. It does exactly what it’s named. It makes sure something is level. Do you think it’s important to make sure something you build is level? Of course! If not, it might fall over. In construction, several types of levels may be used because building a level surface is so important. The Israelites were rebuilding Jerusalem. It was important for them to do it right, but they struggled to get it done. In today’s Bible story, they finally completed a very important building.

Timeline Map (3 minutes) Timeline Map (small group visual pack – copies provided for Table Time Review) Leader • For the last several weeks, we have talked about how God freed His people from Babylonian captivity so they could return to the land God had promised them. God also promised to punish a group of people who mistreated the Israelites when they were attacked by Babylon. This group of people thought of themselves as better than the Israelites, even though they were distant relatives. God judged them because of their pride. Why did God judge Edom’s pride? Pride steals God’s glory. In the meantime, God used a Persian king to release His people to go back to the promised land. God promised the people they would return to the land even before they were captured.

5  2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 21, Session 5: The Temple Was Completed

How did God keep His promise to the Israelites? God changed King Cyrus’s heart so the Israelites could go home. The Israelites struggled to return to the lives they had left behind. They failed to honor God by completing their work on a new temple. They didn’t put God first. How can we honor God? We can put God first in our lives. God sent another prophet named Zechariah to encourage His people. Zechariah saw eight visions about how God would bless Israel. In the midst of his visions was one very important message. What was Zechariah’s message? Zechariah spoke about the coming Messiah. Many years later, the people still had not completed the temple. Would another problem keep them from completing it?

Big picture question (1 minute) Big Picture Question: Why did the people rebuild the temple? - 11x17 poster provided Leader • We really have only one way to answer that question. You need a Bible. I hope you brought one. The original temple took seven years to build, but it had taken more than double that time to rebuild. Why continue? Well, that leads us to the big picture question. Why did the people rebuild the temple?

Sing (4 minutes) Worship Song: “Broken Hallelujah” (on provided DVD) Leader • Imagine if you left your home for a trip, and you returned to find your house and all your stuff was destroyed. Do you think that would be hard? Yes, but you would know you still had your family and God to depend on. That’s the situation God’s people were in. God had promised they would rebuild the temple to be even better than the first one. Sing together “Broken Hallelujah.”

Key passage (4 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Zechariah 9:9 (provided) Worship Song: “Look” (on provided DVD) Leader • Even though it didn’t seem like a time to celebrate, Zechariah told the people they should celebrate and be happy because a King was coming who would save them. Let’s look at our key passage. Show the slide or poster of the unit’s key passage, Zechariah 9:9. Lead the boys and girls to read the verse together. Sing together “Look.”

Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) “The Temple Was Completed” video (on provided DVD) , 1 per kid Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Leader • So, do you think the people finally completed the temple? Let’s find out! Open your Bible to the . Let’s pay close attention to our big picture question, Why did the people rebuild the temple? Show the video “The Temple Was Completed,” or choose to tell the Bible story in your own

6  2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 21, Session 5: The Temple Was Completed

words using the script provided. For a shorter version of the story, read only the bolded text. Leader • After messages from God through Haggai and Zechariah, the Israelites set out to finally finish the temple so they would have a special place to worship God. They had been working on the temple for so long, a new Persian king and governor were in charge. The governor questioned whether the Israelites were allowed to build the temple. The king checked the royal records and found King Cyrus had given the Israelites permission. King Darius not only allowed them to keep building, he offered them supplies and protection. The people finally finished the temple. They were happy and celebrated together. Why did the people rebuild the temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God. They gave offerings and assigned people to serve as priests and take care of the temple. Then they celebrated Passover, a holiday reminding them of how God had freed them from slavery in Egypt. Ask the following review questions: Which two prophets told the Israelites that they needed to finish the temple? (Haggai and Zechariah, :1) What was King Darius asked to do? (determine whether the people were allowed to rebuild the temple, Ezra 5:17) What response did Tattenai receive from King Darius? (Let the Israelites continue to build the temple and give them the supplies and money to do it, :7-10) What did the people do once the temple was complete? (celebrated, gave offerings, appointed priests, observed Passover; Ezra 6:16-19) Why did the people rebuild the temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God.

Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Unit 21, Session 5 - Discussion Starter Video (on provided DVD) Big Picture Question: Why did the people rebuild the temple? - 11x17 poster provided Leader • Can you only worship God at church? Watch this video. Show the “Unit 21 Session 5” video. Leader • Can you only find God at church? No! Where can you worship God? Anywhere! Jesus died and rose again so we could have access to God anytime, anywhere. We don’t have to wait until we go to church or ask someone to go before God for us. When we repent and trust in Jesus, we can pray directly to God wherever we are.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions. If this is not possible, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

7  2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 21, Session 5: The Temple Was Completed

Prayer (4 minutes) Big Picture Question: Why did the people rebuild the temple? - 11x17 poster provided Show the big picture question slide or poster. Leader • Let’s all say the big picture question and answer. Why did the people rebuild the temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God. Invite two or three kids to say the big picture question and answer together. Then, invite one or two more kids to join. Continue until everyone is saying it together. Before transitioning to small group, make any necessary announcements. Lead the kids in prayer. Pray that God will lead the kids to worship Him wherever they go.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

8  2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 21, Session 5: The Temple Was Completed

TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: The Temple Was Completed Bible Passage: Ezra 4:24–6:22 Big Picture Question: Why did the people rebuild the temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God. Key Passage: Zechariah 9:9 Unit Christ Connection: God saved His people who were in physical captivity as He would one day send Jesus to save and restore His people who are in spiritual captivity.

Bible story review (10 minutes) Tip: Divide children into small groups for table time. Each group should include an adult leader at the table. Bibles, 1 per kid Timeline (small group visual pack – extra copies provided for Table Time Review) Big Picture Question: Why did the people rebuild the temple? (11x17 poster provided in classroom) tape Encourage the kids to find Ezra 4 in their Bibles. Help them as needed. Say • Is Ezra in the or New Testament? (Old Testament) In which division of the Bible is Ezra found? (History) What does Ezra describe? (the Israelites’ return to their homeland after being held captive in Babylon) Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today’s Bible story is on the timeline. Review the Bible story provided using the bolded text, or summarize the story in your own words. Invite the kids to form a square and mark their spots with pieces of tape. They will have formed a “human temple.” As you summarize the story, encourage the kids to leave their taped spot and find another one each time they hear the word temple. Say • The Israelites celebrated because they had completed the temple. It wasn’t easy and the temple took many years to complete, but God provided everything they needed because He wanted the people to have a place to worship Him. Show the big picture question slide or poster. Say • Why did the people rebuild the temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God. We don’t need a temple to worship God. Jesus came so each of us could be a temple. When we repent and trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells in us. We can worship God anywhere we go.

9  2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 21, Session 5: The Temple Was Completed

LARGE GROUP REVIEW AND ACTIVITIES

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Temple Square” Key Passage Poster: Zechariah 9:9 (provided) dry erase board and markers tape paper Make sure the key passage, Zechariah 9:9, is visible for each child, either as the printed poster or written on a dry erase board. Read the verse together. Say • God returned the Israelites to their homes and gave them everything they needed to rebuild the temple because God wanted to be with His people. Why did the people rebuild the temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God. In our key passage, God told His people of a time when He would send a Savior to make all things right again. He would send Jesus. Outline a small temple replica on the floor by taping a square with a smaller square inside as the door. Form two or more teams. Choose a volunteer from each team to attempt to toss a paper wad onto the temple square. Then, the team may choose a volunteer to recite the key passage. If successful, the team gets one point if the paper wad doesn’t land on the temple, two points if it lands in the outer square, and three points if it lands in the door or inner square. Give each team a turn. Continue playing as time allows.

Activity Choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Tape Art masking tape paper Form groups of three or four kids, and give each group a roll of masking tape. Invite them to use their tape to design on the piece of paper a place where they could worship God. Let each group talk about their design and share a way they could worship God. Say • Worship is not just singing. We worship God each time we obey Him, talk to Him, and read His Word. The Israelites needed a temple to worship God. Why did the people rebuild the temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God. We don’t need a temple to worship God. Because of Jesus, we can worship God anywhere.

10  2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 21, Session 5: The Temple Was Completed

Option 2: Bridge Craft small paper plates paper strips chenille stems straws markers or crayons scissors hole punch stapler Give each kid a small paper plate and a 3-inch-wide strip of paper. Before the session, cut several straws and chenille stems into 3-inch pieces. Make sure the paper plate has a white bottom. Encourage the kids to use green and blue markers or crayons to color the bottom of the plate like a picture of the earth. Invite them to color the strip of paper like a bridge and write Jesus across it. Punch three holes on each side of the “bridge” an inch apart. Staple the ends of the bridge to the rim of the plate, forcing it to stand up in the middle. Insert a 3-inch straw piece into each hole. Connect the bottom and top of the straws with the chenille stem pieces to complete the bridge. Say • The Israelites needed a temple to form a bridge between them and God. Why did the people rebuild the temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God. Now, all anyone needs is Jesus. He is the bridge we all need to be able to worship God.

Prayer and Clean-Up (5 minutes) Say • Before we leave, let’s say the big picture question and answer. Why did the people rebuild the temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God. If time remains, take prayer requests. Pray for each child by name, asking God to help each kid find a way to worship Him everywhere he goes during the week.

Clean-Up Room

11  2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

Instructions: Count the bricks on the wall that are the same shape and color. Find the counted number of each brick to the right. Write the letter beside that number in the blank above that brick at the bottom.

UNIT 21 • Session 5 • Younger Kids Activity Pages © 2013 LifeWay Christian Resources. The Exiles Returned © 2013 LifeWay The Temple Was Completed Ezra 4:24–6:22 © 2013© 2013 LifeWay LifeWay Christian Resources. Family Journal Page The Exiles Returned The Temple Was Completed Gather building blocks, play dough, or graham crackers and Ezra 4:24–6:22 icing for each family member. Guide family members to create Preschool a building of their choice and share with the family what Key Passage: Zechariah 9:9 they designed. Record the type of building each family member Big Picture Question: Why did the people rebuild the created below or take a picture and attach it to the journal temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God. page. Talk about why the Israelites rebuilt the temple. Name Christ Connection: God’s people rebuilt the temple so they would have a place to worship God. Years later, places your family can worship God. God sent His Son, Jesus, to be with His people on earth. People don’t need to go to a temple anymore to meet with God. Jesus is with us wherever we go.

Kids Key Passage: Zechariah 9:9 Big Picture Question: Why did the people rebuild the temple? The people rebuilt the temple to worship God. Christ Connection: God’s people rebuilt the temple so they would have a place to worship God. Years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to be with His people. Now God dwells not in the temple, but directly with His people. Because of Jesus, we don’t need a temple anymore.

Unit 21 • Session 5 OK TO PRINT Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

Unit 21 • Key Passage Poster (ESV) OK TO PRINT The Exiles Returned ª-JGF8BZ