Week 946 · about 45 minutes
Zechariah 1
Zechariah 1 · Memory verse Zechariah 1:9
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Queues the lesson plan, this story’s coloring page (Zechariah 1), the matching word search and answer key (Zechariah 1 word search), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a cup of water
Hold a cup of water. Read Zechariah 1 in about four minutes, stopping at Zechariah 1:9: “Then I asked, ‘My lord, what are these?’” The angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what these are.”” Ask, “What does this prop have to do with Zechariah 1?” Let two children answer, then say the memory verse together.
Story script
Zechariah 1 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, Yahweh’s word came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, 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, “They reported to Yahweh’s angel who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked back and forth through the earth, and behold, all the earth is at rest and in peace.”” Zechariah 1 opens with these words: “In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, Yahweh’s word came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet,…” The line to keep is Zechariah 1:9: “Then I asked, ‘My lord, what are these?’” The angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what these are.”” Carry the word “asked” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is Zechariah 1:9: “Then I asked, ‘My lord, what are these?’” The angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what these are.”” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in Zechariah 1? Then try this: Read “Then I asked, ‘My lord, what are these?’” The angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what…” 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 Zechariah 1. Every time you freeze, a child says one word from Zechariah 1:9. The last child says the whole verse.
Craft
On a US Letter sheet, draw one picture from Zechariah 1 and write Zechariah 1:9 under it. Send it home as tonight’s reminder, not as a decoration contest.
Memory verse
Zechariah 1:9
“Then I asked, ‘My lord, what are these?’” The angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what these are.””
Take-home prayer
Father, thank you for Zechariah 1. Help us remember Zechariah 1:9 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.