joy and thanksgiving -...

FOR THE LEADER

Joy and ThanksgivingNehemiah 3–6; 12:27-43

With a plan in place and the people encouraged to begin building, Nehemiah split the people into groups. In an amazing feat of organizational mastery, Nehemiah had 45 sections of wall and 10 gates all being constructed at the same time. It was no small task to rebuild these walls, since the wall around Jerusalem was about 8 feet thick and 40 feet high. Nehemiah and his workforce were up to the task. Unfortunately, not everyone present had the same thing in mind.

Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, which was near Jerusalem, was totally opposed to the rebuilding effort. Sanballat likely knew that if Jerusalem’s walls were rebuilt and the city was fortified, it could greatly jeopardize his political influence in Samaria and the surrounding region. Sanballat was afraid and responded in anger. Nehemiah had arrived from Susa with letters from Artaxerxes giving him permission to continue the rebuilding, but even with that Sanballat tried to discourage the building effort. He worked hard to get the other leaders with whom he had influence to join him in his ridiculing the Jews.

In the face of ridicule, Nehemiah responded with prayer. Nehemiah’s first thought was to turn to God for help and protection. God protected His people. Instead of tackling the problem on his own, Nehemiah knew that God would fight his battles. When Sanballat realized that Nehemiah was not deterred, he became even angrier and plotted war against Jerusalem. Again, Nehemiah turned to God in prayer asking for God’s deliverance from Sanballat and others determined to thwart the Jews’ progress.

Through the entire process of rebuilding, Nehemiah positioned the people in such a way that the city would be protected while the building continued. Even after the walls’ completion, Sanballat tried to intimidate Nehemiah, but Nehemiah trusted that God was faithful. In 52 days, the walls around Jerusalem were complete. God had protected His people.

Session 4Session 4: Joy and Thanksgiving

30 Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide© 2020 LifeWay

4

OVERVIEW

SESSION FOCUSTEXT TRUTHNehemiah led the people to do God’s work.

BIBLE STORYNehemiah 3–6; 12:27-43

BIBLE VERSEPsalm 100:4

CHRIST IN CONTEXTThe Book of Nehemiah tells how God used Nehemiah and the Israelites to rebuild and dedicate the walls of Jerusalem. God sent Jesus to rebuild the relationship between God and His people.

BIBLE SKILLS • Begin to understand how Bible verses apply to life.• Begin to recognize names of books in the Bible.

ARRIVAL ACTIVITIES (5 MINUTES)

As preschoolers arrive, offer choices of self-guided activities that set the stage for Bible explorations.

FAMILY AT HOMEPrint this week’s devotional page (Enhanced CD) to give to families.

▸▸ Build a wall with paper bags.

Tools: Bible, large paper bags, crumpled newspaper, packing tape

▸▸ After everyone has had an opportunity to do one or more arrival activities, direct preschoolers to Exploration Stations. (See next page.)

▸▸ Make yarn designs on sandpaper.

Tools: Bible, sheets of sandpaper, various lengths of colorful yarn, plastic bowl

▸▸ Match toy tools to outlines.

Tools: Bible; large paper or poster board; marker; toy tools (plastic hammer, screwdriver, saw, goggles, so on)

31Session 4: Joy and Thanksgiving© 2020 LifeWay

BIBLE STORY

NEW WALLS FOR THE CITYNehemiah 3–6; 12:27-43

Nehemiah told the people in Jerusalem that God would help them build the walls and gates in Jerusalem. So the people got busy.

Men began working. Some of the people built the gates—the Sheep Gate, the Fish Gate, the Fountain Gate, the Water Gate, and more. The men used wood beams and made the doors. They added bolts and bars to make the gates strong.

Other people built new walls to go around the city. Some people made repairs. Even when men in Jerusalem tried to slow down the people’s work, God’s people kept on. Nehemiah told the people, “Don’t be afraid. God is great, and He will help us.”

Finally, the work was finished. Nehemiah sent for priests to come to Jerusalem to celebrate.

Leaders marched on top of the wall. Musicians played instruments while the people climbed the steps up to the towers.

Finally, the people reached the temple. The singers sang praises because God had been so good to them.

Men, women, and children celebrated and gave praises to God! They were happy because God had been so good to them.

TEXT TRUTHNehemiah led the people to do God’s work.

BIBLE VERSE Psalm 100:4

BIBLE VERSEFrom the Bible text: Give thanks to [God] and bless his name. Psalm 100:4

Paraphrase:Give thanks to God and praise Him. Psalm 100:4

LEADER TIPYou choose! Are your preschoolers ready to learn memory verses? Decide which wording of the Bible verse you want to use with your group.

32 Explore the Bible: Preschool Leader Guide32© 2020 LifeWay

CIRCLE TIME

TOOLS• Bible• various small items related

to building (hammer, large screws, safety goggles, child’s toolbelt, hard hat, and so on)

PACK ITEMS 2 Story Picture: Building the

Temple 4 Story Picture: New Walls

for the City15 Bible Book Markers:

Nehemiah17 Bible Books Poster

CIRCLE TIME (10-15 MINUTES, DEPENDING ON YOUR AGE GROUP)

GATHER• Spread the building items on the floor in the center of the circle. Call on

children to name the items and what they are used for. Choose a child to try on the toolbelt, one the hard hat, and one the safety goggles.

• Ask children about construction they see in their neighborhood or on the way to church. Remark that it takes a lot of people working together to build things. Say: “Nehemiah encouraged people to build. Let’s hear what Nehemiah and the people built.”

HEAR THE BIBLE STORY• Show children Story Picture 2 (Pack). Say: “God’s people went back to

Jerusalem and built a new temple. The old one had been destroyed. Even the city walls and gates were gone. Nehemiah heard about this sad news.”

• Show today’s Story Picture 4 (Pack). Remark: “This picture shows the people celebrating after the new temple and walls and gates were rebuilt. It was a happy time.”

• Open the Bible to Nehemiah 3 and tell today’s Bible story.

PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS• Point to Nehemiah on the Bible Books Poster (Pack). Recall that a book in

the Bible is named for Nehemiah. The book is in the Old Testament.

• Open the Bible to Psalm 100:4. Read the verse aloud. Say: “The people celebrated when the building was finished. The people knew God was good and they praised Him.”

• Invite preschoolers to join you in singing the song “God Is So Good.”

PRAY• Thank God for being so good. Ask God to help us do His work.

• Sing today’s Bible verse to a simple tune: Give thanks to God, give thanks to God, give thanks to God, and praise Him.

33Session 4: Joy and Thanksgiving 33© 2020 LifeWay

EXPLORATION STATIONS

TEXT TRUTH Nehemiah led the people to do God’s work.

BIBLE STORYNew Walls for the CityNehemiah 3–6; 12:27-43

BIBLE VERSEPsalm 100:4

PACK ITEMS 4 Story Picture: New Walls

for the City

LEADER TIP!Make play dough using this easy recipe.

• 1 cup flour 1 tbsp. cooking oil 1/2 cup salt 1 cup water 2 tsp. cream of tartar food color (optional)

• Mix together and cook over low heat until dough pulls away from sides of pan. Pour out on smooth surface and knead until smooth.

EXPLORATION STATIONS (45-60 MINUTES)

Set up at least three stations to provide choices of multisensory activities and movement for busy preschoolers.

MAKE & USE PLAY DOUGH

Tools: Bible, fresh play dough

(see Leader Tip), play dough

tools

• If possible, plan to make

the play dough with

children in the classroom.

Supervise children as they

mix ingredients. Heat the

dough in a safe place away

from the children.

• Guide preschoolers to roll,

pound, sculpt, and create

what they wish with the

dough. You could suggest

that they make walls and

gates. Relate this to the

Israelites building new

walls and gates around

Jerusalem.

• Say: “Nehemiah led

the people to do God’s

work. When the wall was

complete, the people held a

large celebration.”

WALK IN A PRAISE PARADE

Tools: Bible, musical instruments, Story Picture: New Walls for the City (Pack), Enhanced CD

• Show children the Story Picture. Say: “Look at the people celebrating! Nehemiah led the people to do God’s work. When they finished building the wall, the people went to the temple. They worshiped God along the way. It was a happy time.”

• Lead children to play instruments and march in a parade around the room as the CD plays. Also sing familiar worship songs.

• Help children say the Bible verse from Psalm 100:4.


EXPLORATION STATIONS

SPONGE PAINT A PAPER WALL

Tools: Bible, kitchen sponges cut

into small rectangles, washable

paint, sturdy paper plates,

paint smocks, Preschool Family

Card, long piece of brown

heavyweight paper

• Pour paint onto paper

plates. Guide children to

dip sponges into the paint

then press sponges on the

paper wall.

• While the children work

together, open the Bible

to Nehemiah 3. Say: “This

is where we read about

the Israelites rebuilding

the wall. Nehemiah led

the people to do God’s

work. The people worked

together, then they

celebrated.”

• Show the picture on the

Family Card.

• Thank preschoolers for

working together.

PLAY WITH CONSTRUCTION

VEHICLES

Tools: Bible, several large trucks and other work-related vehicles, wooden log set, large plastic blocks, wide masking tape, 1 or 2 books featuring workers and construction

• Use the tape to make roads on the floor. Put the vehicles and blocks near the roads.

• Ask the children to think of something to build, such as a house or church. Guide the children to load trucks and deliver materials to the work site.

• Take a few minutes to look at a book and point to people working together.

• Say: “Many people worked to rebuild the walls and gates around Jerusalem. When everything was done, the people celebrated. They gave praise to God.”

PLAN A PARTY

Tools: Bible, crepe paper streamers, colorful napkins and plates, a few other party decorations, Activity Page

• Wave a streamer to get children’s attention. Talk about celebrating special occasions with a party. Remark that the people in today’s Bible story had a party. They celebrated the completion of the Jerusalem walls and gates.

• Invite children to think about an occasion to celebrate. Tell them to use the streamers, napkins, and plates to get ready for the party.

• Show the picture on the Activity Page. Comment: “The people had worked hard to rebuild the temple and build new walls and gates to protect the city. The people played instruments, marched, and sang praises to God.”

• Lead children to say today’s Bible verse.


NEXT HOUR

OPTIONS1. Continue activities from

the first hour. (Kids learn through repetition.)

2. Try something different. Choose two or three new activities.

TEXT TRUTHNehemiah led the people to do God’s work.

BIBLE STORYNew Walls for the CityNehemiah 3–6; 12:27-43The Bible story is printed on the back of the Story Picture.

BIBLE VERSEGive thanks to God and praise Him.Psalm 100:4

PACK ITEMS 4 Story Picture: New Walls

for the City29 Action & Path Gameboards

NEXT HOUR (MORE EXPLORATIONS FOR PRESCHOOLERS)

FOLLOW THE LEADERTools: Bible, Action Gameboard (Pack), beanbag

• Toss the beanbag onto the Gameboard and lead children around the room using that motion. Once everyone is around the room once, choose a child to be the leader.

• Continue following a leader around the room. Give every child a turn to be the leader.

• Open the Bible to the Book of Nehemiah. Say: “You did a great job following the leader and listening to instructions. Nehemiah was a leader. He led the Israelites to build a new wall around Jerusalem.”

SPELL BIBLE WORDSTools: Bible; magnetic letters; cookie sheet or other magnetic surface; index cards to make word cards (God, Pray, Nehemiah, Psalms); markers; Activity Page

• Lay the word cards on a table with the letters. Read the words to a child. Say: “These words are in the Bible, and all of them help me think about today’s Bible story.”

• Guide the child to look for letters that match those on a word card.

• Recall the Bible story from Nehemiah 3–6. Show the child the picture on the Activity Page. Say: “The people praised God and thanked Him. The walls and the gates were finished!”

STACK DOMINOESTools: Bible, sets of dominoes, Story Picture: New Walls for the City (Pack)

• Show children how to build walls with the dominoes. Children can stack dominoes on top of each other or place them side by side.

• As children play with dominoes, summarize the Bible story. Point to the block walls and the huge gate entrance.

• Say: “Nehemiah led the people to do God’s work. The Israelites worked together to build a new wall. It was a big job, but the Israelites did what they were told. They completed the wall!”


NEXT HOUR

LEADER TIPTo make rubbings, hold a piece of paper against the wall and rub gently with a crayon to reveal a texture.

WALK & DRAWTools: Bible, Activity Page, paper, large crayons

• Take a few children on a walk around the church or classroom. Stop at various places and make rubbings of the walls.

• Say: “Nehemiah and the people walked around the walls of Jerusalem.”

• Stop in a quiet location. Open the Bible to Psalm 100:4. Read the Bible verse to the preschoolers. Pray and thank God that He is good.

• Sing: We praise You, God, we praise You, God, we praise You, God, You’re so very good.”

CIRCLE TIME GATHER• Place a cardboard block in the

center of the circle. Give each child a cardboard block.

• Direct children to stack their blocks to make a tower. Thank the children for working together.

REVIEW THE BIBLE STORY• Say: “We worked together to build

the block tower. The Israelites worked together to rebuild the wall and gates of Jerusalem.”

• Review the Bible story as you show children the Story Picture (Pack).

PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS• Open a Bible to Psalm 100:4. Say

the Bible verse one word at a time and tell children to repeat the words with you.

• Next, say two words of the verse at a time, followed by three words and so on. Continue until children can repeat the entire verse.

PRAY• Ask preschoolers to share their

prayer requests.

• Thank God for who He is—good, kind, caring, and loving. Pray for the children’s requests.

Look for printable Next Hour helps on the Preschool Enhanced CD.

DON’T FORGET! Give every child this week’s Activity Page and Preschool Family Card.


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