Family Worship

Zechariah gave hope:    

The focus of this family time is to use five easy steps to teach your family that Zechariah spoke a message of hope to God’s people. God would one day set up a new and better kingdom with a new and better King. God kept His promise by sending Jesus. Because of Jesus, we can have hope and forgiveness of sins by trusting in Him.


MEMORY VERSE: 

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in him.”

Jeremiah 17:7


Learn the Memory Verse together and say it throughout the week to help your family remember and apply what they have learned.


STEP 1. GATHER!

Use this time to begin Family Worship Night and have fun!


For Fun

Use colored paper or scrapbooking supplies to make “Encouragement Cards” for friends and neighbors. Write messages or Scriptures to give hope to each recipient. Distribute the cards to share good news and give hope to neighbors and friends. Talk with kids about how Zechariah’s message gave hope to God’s people and how Jesus brings hope to all who believe in Him!


To Serve

Work as a family to clean up an area of your city. Collect litter, rake leaves, or plant flowers to beautify the area. Afterward, talk about how God’s people worked to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Remind kids of the promise God made to build a new city that brings all nations together and heals all of creation. We can look forward with hope for that day!


STEP 2. WORSHIP!



  • Sing and have fun while worshiping then pray. Take a moment here to thank God for your family and your time together!! 

STEP 3. BIBLE!

Watch the Bible story video or read Zechariah 13–14 from the Bible or Watch:

Preschool:


Elementary:


STEP 4. DISCUSSION! 

Use these questions and points to have a conversation with your children about the Bible story. 


Preschool Discussion:

  • God’s people were finally home in Jerusalem to rebuild God’s what? temple.
  • God sent a prophet named Zechariah (zek uh RIGH uh) to give His people a message. What kind of message? A message of hope!
  • Zechariah said: “One day, people will worship only God. God will take away the idols. No one will remember or worship them.” Who should we only worship? God
  • God would give His people a new King and a new kingdom. Zechariah said, “The people will call out to God, and He will answer them. He will say, ‘You are My people,’ and they will answer, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ” Let’s say that together “The Lord is our God”
  • The new kingdom will have a new city—a New Jerusalem—that brings all people together and heals all of creation.

Elementary Discussion

  • On May 8, 1945, radio broadcasts and newspaper headlines announced that World War I had ended in Europe. Celebrations erupted all over the world as people heard the war had ended. After years of fighting, the people of Europe could celebrate this good news of peace! 
  • God’s people had been in exile 70 years when they finally received the news that they could return home. How do you think they felt? Back in Jerusalem, the people began rebuilding the temple, but some of the neighbors in the land didn’t want them to finish the temple. God’s people continued to face struggles, so God sent a prophet named Zechariah to give the people hope. Zechariah told the people that a day was coming when God would give His people a new King and a new kingdom. 
  • God sent Zechariah to deliver good news for His people. They could have hope for the future because they heard that God would be with them. God sent Jesus to be good news for all people! Everyone who believes in Him can now have peace and a hope for the future because He is the eternal King! 
  • Zechariah spoke a message of hope to God’s people. God would one day set up a new and better kingdom with a new and better King. God kept His promise by sending Jesus. Because of Jesus, we can have hope and forgiveness of sins by trusting in Him. 

Mission Moment

  • SAY The church Hudson led grew to 21 members. Later, Hudson became sick and went back to England to get well. While he was in England, Hudson continued to translate the Bible into Chinese. He began a ministry called “China Inland Mission” (CIM). Hudson continued to pray for more missionaries to volunteer to go to China. 


STEP 5. Pray!

  • Pray: Thank You, God, for sending good news to us! While we were still sinners, Jesus died in our place to save us from sin. Help us to know Him and trust in Him as Lord. All who believe in Him can have hope and forgiveness of sins. Amen.