Week 440 · about 45 minutes
Ezra 1
Ezra 1 · Memory verse Ezra 1:7
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Queues the lesson plan, this story’s coloring page (Ezra 1), the matching word search and answer key (Ezra 1 word search), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a ribbon
Hold a ribbon. Read Ezra 1 in about four minutes, stopping at Ezra 1:7: “Also Cyrus the king brought out the vessels of Yahweh’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought out of Jerusalem, and had put in the house of his gods;” Ask, “What does this prop have to do with Ezra 1?” Let two children answer, then say the memory verse together.
Story script
Ezra 1 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that Yahweh’s word by Jeremiah’s mouth might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.
Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “All those who were around them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with animals, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered.” Ezra 1 opens with these words: “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that Yahweh’s word by Jeremiah’s mouth might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit…” The line to keep is Ezra 1:7: “Also Cyrus the king brought out the vessels of Yahweh’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought out of Jerusalem, and had put in the house of his gods;” Carry the word “cyrus” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is Ezra 1:7: “Also Cyrus the king brought out the vessels of Yahweh’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought out of Jerusalem, and had put in the house of his gods;” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in Ezra 1? Then try this: Read “Also Cyrus the king brought out the vessels of Yahweh’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought out of…” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.
Group game
Walk the room as if you are moving through Ezra 1. Every time you freeze, a child says one word from Ezra 1:7. The last child says the whole verse.
Craft
On a US Letter sheet, draw one picture from Ezra 1 and write Ezra 1:7 under it. Send it home as tonight’s reminder, not as a decoration contest.
Memory verse
Ezra 1:7
“Also Cyrus the king brought out the vessels of Yahweh’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought out of Jerusalem, and had put in the house of his gods;”
Take-home prayer
Father, thank you for Ezra 1. Help us remember Ezra 1:7 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.