CF Kids - 2's - Kinder Curriculum | Champion Forest

LIFE POINT:

People at church sing and thank God.

LEVEL OF BIBLICAL LEARNING:

People at church worship by singing, talking to God, and listening to Bible stories.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:

Ezra 2:68–3:13

BIBLE VERSE:

“Come, let us worship God.” Psalm 95:6

FOR THE WEEK OF:

June 14

LEADER BIBLE STUDY

CONTEXT AND COMMENTARY FOR PERSONAL STUDY AND PREPARATION

(For age-appropriate language, use the Bible story on the following page.)

In many cities, construction of new buildings is often seen as a nuisance that causes traffic delays and forces cars to navigate through tight rows of orange cones. Yet the same buildings that cause criticism while being built are often celebrated when they are complete. Some even hold ribbon-cutting ceremonies to mark the occasion, proving it is much easier to celebrate the finished product than the process involved.

When the Jewish prisoners of Babylon, held captive for nearly 70 years, returned home to Jerusalem, they immediately began to resurrect the city that had been destroyed. Inspired by God, King Cyrus decreed that the people return to rebuild the temple of “the God of Israel” (Ezra 1:1-3). Many of them were returning to a place they only knew through stories, while a few returned to the home they loved and remembered.

Rebuilding the temple was a massive undertaking, but the Israelites continued to worship throughout the entire process. They worshiped God through sacrifice, generosity, work, remembering what He had done, and through music by singing praises to Him with gratitude in their hearts.

When the foundation of the temple was complete, all the people erupted in praise. They sang, played music, and worshiped God with their voices. Scripture says their combined voices created a sound that could be “heard far away.” As you pray this week, thank God for walking with you through every season of your life. Ask for a heart of worship that can be “heard far away” so that your worship will reflect God’s glory to others.

💬 TELL THE STORY

Move to music. Give each child an egg shaker and play “People at Church.” Lead children to shake their instruments and move to the music. Then invite children to sit. Say, “People at church sing and thank God!”

Tell the Bible story. Show the teaching picture and open your Bible to Ezra 2. Say, “Today we’re going to hear about people who sang to thank God!” The bold lettering is for Twos, the whole lesson is for Threes–Kinder.

THE PEOPLE SANG — Based on Ezra 2:68–3:13

The temple had been torn down. The people had been far away for a long time, but now they came back. The people decided to rebuild the temple. They gave money, food, and other valuable things to help. Workers worked hard to rebuild the temple.

When the first part was finished, everyone celebrated! The priests put on their robes. The helpers played trumpets and cymbals. They sang, “God is good! God loves us!”

Everyone was so happy! Some people cried because they were so happy, and others shouted with joy. The sound was so loud, it could be heard far away. People at church sing and thank God!

Review the Bible lesson and Life Point. Ask, “How did the people thank God when the first part of the temple was done?” Say that people at church sing and thank God.

Learn the Bible verse. Display the Psalm 95:6 verse card. Read aloud: “Come, let us worship God.” Say the verse together. Invite children to clap along as they repeat it.

Pray and sing. Thank God for your church. Sing “People at Church” together.

Wrap up. Emphasize that people at church sing and thank God.

💡

BIBLE-LEARNING ACTIVITIES

ART

Give each child two paper plates. Let children decorate the bottoms with stickers, crayons, and markers. When finished, help children hold both plates together (decorated sides out) and play them as cymbals. Say, “The people played cymbals and sang to thank God! We can sing and thank God too!”

BLOCKS

Set up two areas — a “forest” with Lincoln Logs or craft sticks on one side and a building area on the other. Let children use toy cars or trucks to transport “logs” from one side to the other to build the temple. Say, “The people worked together to bring materials and build the temple for God!”

HOMELIVING

Set up a pretend store with a cash register, play money, baskets, and play food. Play soft worship music in the background. Let children shop and give their “offerings” to help rebuild the temple. Say, “The people gave what they had to honor God. We can give and thank God too!”

NATURE

Place a layer of rocks or pebbles in a sensory tub as the “foundation.” Invite children to explore the rocks, then use Magna-Tiles or blocks to build a temple on top. Say, “The workers laid the foundation for the temple and then everyone sang to thank God!”

PUZZLES & MANIPULATIVES

Provide lacing cards, stacking cups, Duplos, and a Read To Me Bible. Let children explore the materials freely. Sit alongside children and talk about the Bible story. Say, “The people worked together to build the temple and then praised God. We can learn about God and praise Him too!”