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The Lord had always promised that the people would return to their land someday. After 70 years in exile, many of the Jewish people finally returned. Zerubbabel led one group back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Ezra led another group back to teach the people and restore God’s Law.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Ezra 1-10

Outline:

1. A group of Jews leaves captivity and returns to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. (Ezra 1-6)
2. Ezra leads another group from captivity to restore the law in Jerusalem. (Ezra 7-10)

Tips for teaching children:

• Build a temple with wooden blocks or Lego
• Help children make a scroll and write a letter to God thanking him for keeping his promises.

Tips for teaching adults:

• If you wish, you could show this brief video explaining some of the significance of The Cyrus Cylinder. This piece of archaeology directly connects with the story of the Bible in Ezra and in 2 Kings.
• Since this book is too long to read during the class time, encourage the class members to read it before they come to the class.
• Questions for discussion:
  • What questions do you have for God about this story?
  • Why is the rebuilding of the Temple in the book of Ezra important to the life of the community?
  • What were some of the things in the book that stood out to you and why? Get the other class members to engage in the conversation.
• Have each class member write on a piece of paper a sin of unfaithfulness to God or the church, they want to confess. Wad these pieces up and throw them into a waste bin. Then call on someone to pray a prayer of confession for these sins but end the prayer with thankfulness, forgiveness and renewal.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Return to Jerusalem-Temple & Law

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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King Xerxes now ruled Persia. Because he had deposed his queen in a drunken feast, a search was made throughout the kingdom for a new queen. Under the direction of her cousin, Mordecai, Esther was put forward and chosen. Not knowing that his beautiful queen was Jewish, Xerxes fell in with a plan to destroy the Jewish exiles living in his land. Queen Esther saved her people by revealing her Jewish origins to the king and convincing him to let the Jews defend and protect themselves.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Esther 1-10

Outline:

1. Esther becomes queen.(Esther chapters 1-2)
2. Haman attempts to destroy Mordecai and all the Jews. (Esther chapter 3)
3. Esther saves her people. (Esther chapters 4-8)
4. The Jews defend themselves and celebrate. (Esther 9-10)

Tips for teaching children:

• Make a crown.
• Provide paints so that children can paint a portrait of Queen Esther.
• Write talents or gifts on individual cards (cooking, singing, money, etc.). Have children take turns picking a card and then explaining how that gift might be used to help God’s people.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Plan an evening together with the class that reflects 9:13 – feasting and giving of gifts. Traditionally the book of Esther is also read at Purim but have the class read it before the evening. On the designated evening, eat together and follow with the exchange of a gift that takes its theme from Esther. As host, prepare another traditional Feast of Purim food, Hamantaschen (ears of Haman) – triangular shaped pastries. Here’s a link to the recipe: https://bellyfull.net/hamantaschen-cookies/
• Just enjoy the evening together talking about what you have learned from your reading of the book. You may want to especially discuss 4:13-14 and 6:13 and what these verses have to do with the idea of the providence of God. Where else in the book is the providence of God possibly seen?
• End the time by reading Romans.8:28 and thanking God working in our lives.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Queen Esther

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

Send us Fan Mail

The Medo-Persian Empire conquered the Babylonian Empire. Darius was the new ruler of Babylon. When he saw that Daniel had served Babylon well, he appointed him a government official for Medo-Persia. Soon, he considered putting Daniel in charge of the whole government. Other jealous officials plotted against Daniel and put Darius in a position where he was forced to have Daniel thrown to the lions. God saved Daniel from the lions and caused Darius to show respect toward the Lord.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Daniel 6
• Colossians 3:23

Outline:

1. The king’s officials are jealous of Daniel and trick the king into making a law to trap him. (Daniel 6:1-9)
2. The king reluctantly has Daniel thrown into the lion’s den. (Daniel 6:10-18)
3. God protects Daniel’s life and the king punishes those who tricked him. (Daniel 6:10-18)

Tips for teaching children:

• Help the children make a craft depicting lions.
• Sing the song “Good Old Daniel”
• Discuss Daniel’s work ethic and how he was a good official for the king because he worked as if he were working for God. Talk about Colossians 3:23 and what our work ethic will be.

Tips for teaching adults:

• This is a story that should be read during class. Since there is quite a bit of dialogue, I would suggest dividing up the reading into parts. Choose someone to read the narration, and other class members to read the parts of Darius, the other advisors, and Daniel.
• If you know the song “Rescue Me” (by Keith Lancaster), I recommend singing it during class time. The theme of the song fits the lesson today. It even has lyrics about “lions."
• Praise & Harmony Singers "Rescue Me"
• Rescue Me by Tim Parish (with musical notes)
• Use these questions for discussion: 1) Why could Daniel continue his regular devotion to God in the face of this threat? 2) What can we learn about Daniel’s character from this story? What character or actions of Daniel do you need to imitate?
• Daniel’s courage didn’t begin in the lions’ den—it was formed long before. What spiritual discipline(s) can you practice regularly that will help shape your faith so that you can respond faithfully in times of crisis?
• End with a prayer asking God to help us rise to the challenge of practising our faith consistently and faithfully, so we can respond to times of crisis and threat as Daniel did.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Daniel and the Lions

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org