Family Worship

The People Rebuilt The Temple:    

The focus of this family time is to use five easy steps to teach your family that 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 does not dwell with His people through the temple. Instead, God dwells directly with His people through His Spirit. Jesus provided something better than the temple; He gives us Himself.


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

Borrow a Where’s Waldo? book from your local library or explore another hidden pictures book. Look up a hidden picture game online if needed. Track how long it takes for each family member to find the character. Award a prize for the family member who is the quickest to find Waldo. Talk with kids about how God dwelled with the Israelites in the tabernacle and the temple. Remind them that God, through His Spirit, now dwells directly with everyone who trusts in Jesus. 


To Serve

Ask your church if there are any cleaning, maintenance, or beautification projects that your family can complete for the church or someone in the church. Work as a family to gather supplies, organize volunteers, and complete the project. Reminds kids that God is not confined to a building, but the church building is a place where we can connect with God and with other believers. We attend, serve, and invite others to church because it is a place where we can hear the good news of Jesus.


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:

  • Zerubbabel (zuh RUHB uh buhl) led God’s people to rebuild the temple. When the foundation was complete, the people do? Sang songs to God.
  • The people kept working, but their neighbors told them to stop building, did they stop? Yes.
  • God sent prophets to talk to the people. The people said, “Keep building. God is with you.” So God’s people started to work on the temple again.
  • King Darius’ (duh RIGH uhs) helper saw God’s people working. He asked their leader Zerubbabel, “Do you have permission to rebuild this temple?” “Yes,” said Zerubbabel. What did the helper send to King Darius to find out if Zerubbabel was telling the truth? A letter
  • King Darius wrote back, “Do not try to stop the workers. Give them anything they need.” God’s people finished building the temple and then celebrated Passover and thanked God.
  • Christ Connection: God’s people rebuilt the temple where they could worship God. Years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to be with His people on earth.

Elementary Discussion

  • Zerubbabel (zuh RUHB uh buhl) led God’s people to rebuild the temple. When the foundation was complete, the people do? Sang songs to God.
  • The people kept working, but their neighbors told them to stop building, did they stop? Yes.
  • God sent prophets to talk to the people. The people said, “Keep building. God is with you.” So God’s people started to work on the temple again.
  • King Darius’ (duh RIGH uhs) helper saw God’s people working. He asked their leader Zerubbabel, “Do you have permission to rebuild this temple?” “Yes,” said Zerubbabel. What did the helper send to King Darius to find out if Zerubbabel was telling the truth? A letter
  • King Darius wrote back, “Do not try to stop the workers. Give them anything they need.” God’s people finished building the temple and then celebrated Passover and thanked God.
  • Christ Connection: God’s people rebuilt the temple where they could worship God. Years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to be with His people on earth.

Mission Moment

  • Tell the kids that Hudson Taylor spent a total of 51 years as a missionary to China. Explain that Hudson developed a plan to send missionaries to the interior of China. Teach kids that Hudson’s plan was named the “China Inland Mission” (CIM) and it was something very new at the time. Explain that he was also one of the first people to allow unmarried women to become missionaries.
  • SAY Some of the things that Hudson began in his CIM company changed the way missions was done in some areas. Some of these changes that Hudson began are still in place today. Hudson Taylor continued to work in China through difficult situations with his ministry. He faced his own health issues as well as the illnesses and deaths of some of his family members.


STEP 5. Pray!

  • Pray: God, thank You for sending Your Spirit to everyone who trusts in Jesus. We are glad that we don’t have to search for You or wonder where You are. Thank You that the Spirit is our Helper, our Comforter, and our reminder that You are living with and in those who trust in You. Amen.