Dear Parents, We hope the following summary of the Sunday School lesson will help you in discussing the lesson with your children and working through this booklet together.
Ezra & Nehemiah
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Nehemiah 1:2-2:10 BIBLE STORY SUMMARY: Nehemiah met with some men who came from Jerusalem with news that the walls to the city had been broken down, and the gates burned so that they had no protection from the people around them. Nehemiah was very sad so he mourned and fasted, and prayed about what to do. When he prayed he remembered God’s promises and Israel’s unfaithfulness. At great risk to himself, he let the needs of his people be known to the king, and the king granted his wish to go to Jerusalem to repair the walls, and provide for his journey and materials for the work. LESSON FOCUS: We need to be sad for the things that make God sad. When God calls us to do something for Him, He also provides the things to make
it happen.
Nehemiah’s Heart Is Broken For Jerusalem
We are a part of God’s plan—He does His work through people.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT GOD:
Obey God’s Call
God loves His people and wants to provide for htem.
God does His work through people; He does not usually do things directly Himself.
I spread out my hands to You; My soul thirsts for You like a parched land.
RESPONSE:
This Week’s Memory Verse:
It is easy to be indifferent to the suffering of our world and those around us. We need to see the world with God’s perspective and then live our lives accordingly. When prompted by the Holy Spirit, we need to let our live for God show through the attitude and actions of our heart.
Psalm 143:6
Copyright 2009 Berean Baptist Church 309 E County Road 42 Burnsville, Minnesota 55306 952.432.7168
January 27, 2013
Monday—Sad News For Nehemiah
Read Nehemiah 1:2-7
Nehemiah was eager to hear news about Jerusalem from his visitors. What was the news? Choose three of six.
Saturday—This Week’s Puzzle L
R
J
N
L
P
C
E
T
T
U
W
V
I
P
V
L
T
F
E
D
R
L
T
Y
I
S
R
R
I
Y
U
A
U
G
H
T
Y
V
Q
Z
F
A
K
H
I
J
P
W
B
L
E
G
L
B
U
Y
H
J
O
T
E
S
T
W
Z
V
M
V
O
E
L
G
M
V
G
F
M
J
E
F
Q
X
I
D
T
A
B
D
V
V
U
X
M
C
U
P
B
E
A
R
E
R
O
X
How long did Nehemiah cry over this news?
Q
E
F
L
H
S
P
Q
A
Z
H
M
O
G
Z
A. A few minutes
S
E
T
A
G
D
Z
I
I
J
L
G
K
S
Y
U
H
K
M
A
K
X
L
B
Z
Q
L
E
U
X
D. A month
P
I
Y
S
I
F
G
E
V
C
P
I
N
Y
I
What are some things that make God sad, even today? List two.
O
A
O
U
O
W
Q
B
K
S
J
F
D
I
J
1. ____________________________________
A
Q
D
C
N
F
I
U
Q
M
G
L
B
K
U
2. ____________________________________
W
R
X
L
O
U
I
H
E
Y
I
G
Q
U
D
T
M
M
W
O
F
V
E
V
H
H
B
K
W
U
____ The wall was broken. ____ The gates were burned. ____ The people did not obey God.
____ A celebration was planned. ____ A bumper crop was harvested. ____ More people were moving to Jerusalem.
Nehemiah responded to the news: “When I heard these things, I
_______________
down and _______________________.”
B. A couple of hours C. For some days
Do these things make you feel sad too?
Yes No
BROKEN
CUPBEARER
GATES
GOD
NEHEMIAH
PRAYED
SAD
WALL
Recite Read your verse three times!
Tuesday—An Important First Step
Friday—God Calls Us to Listen and to Action Do you think God could have fixed the broken wall and built the gates without Nehemiah’s help?
____ Yes
____ No
____ Not sure
Read Nehemiah 1:5-11
After Nehemiah heard the news about Jerusalem, what did he do right away?
Wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes Nehemiah trusted God to take care of him and listen to his concerns. He knew that God could solve the problem. Yet God also called Nehemiah to get involved.
Prayed to God Packed up and went to Jerusalem Gathered a crowd of people to protest
What did Nehemiah do to prepare? He prayed and asked God for guidance He gave careful thought about what would be needed to fix the wall and gates He asked the king for help He set out to get the work started
When we pray, we know God is listening. Many times, God answers prayers by getting us involved in the solution! Are you listening to God to hear what He wants you to do?
Are you watching for things that make God sad?
What did Nehemiah pray about? A. Forgiveness for the Israelites B. Guidance on what he should do C. Kindness from the king to give Nehemiah what he needed to help the Israelites D. All of the above During this time, Nehemiah prayed:
_____ Only on the feast of the Unleavened Bread _____ Day and night _____ Once in awhile _____ On special holidays Do you pray about things day and night? Circle. Yes
Do you look for ways to get involved and help others?
Are you ready to help when God calls?
No
Sometimes
When you feel sad or troubled about anything, God wants to hear about it right away! Write a sentence prayer and tell Him what makes you feel sad. Dear God:
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Read Nehemiah 1:11-2:3
Wednesday—Nehemiah and King Artazerxes Nehemiah had an interesting job as a
__________________________ .
Thursday—Nehemiah Makes His Request The king asked Nehemiah what he wanted. Before Nehemiah spoke, what did he do? “I
What was he responsible for?
Polishing the king’s cups to keep them sparkling Carrying the king’s drinking cup for him wherever he went Testing the king’s food and beverages for poison One day Nehemiah brought the king his wine. What did the king notice? “Why does your (face, clothes) look so (joyful, sad) when you are not ill? This can be nothing but (happiness, sadness) of the (heart, mind).”
Read Nehemiah 2:1-10
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ to the God of heaven.”
Who was with the king as he listened to Nehemiah?
The governors The queen The royal dog The builders Draw a line from Nehemiah to the request he made of the king:
“Send me to the city of my fathers so I may rebuild it.”
Circle how Nehemiah felt as the king spoke:
“May I have an army to protect me?” “May I have letters to the governors for safe travels?”
“May I have timber from the king’s forest for the city gates and to rebuild the wall?”
“may I have your royal ring?” Did the king grand the request to Nehemiah? Circle. Yes
No
Not sure
Is there a request you want to ask God?
Practice saying this week’s memory verse. Can you do it without peeking?
Dear God, Please hear my request: ___________________________. Thank you for listening to my prayer. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.