God’s people had been living in Babylon for 70 years. Some of God’s people had died in Babylon. Some of their children and grandchildren were born in Babylon and grew up there. But Babylon was not their home. Fortunately, the Lord did something miraculous in the king’s heart. He prompted King Cyrus to issue a decree: All the Jewish exiles are free to return to their ancestral homes.
(3 minutes) READ Ezra 1-2
Ezra 2:64-65 says nearly 50,000 people traveled back to Judah. When they got to Jerusalem, they began working to rebuild the temple that the Chaldeans had destroyed. Zerubbabel led God's people back to the temple to rebuild it. The temple was the place where God met with His people on earth. Jesus came to earth to rescue God’s people. One day, Jesus will return to restore a greater home for all of God's people, and we will spend eternity with Him.
Help your kids understand that the temple was designed to point to Jesus. We meet with God not through a building now, but through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
(1 minute) REVIEW one of these doctrine memory questions, or the month’s memory verse by having your kids repeat it after you.
Gospel Project Big Picture Question: How can we obey God? We trust God to give us strength to obey Him.
Northstar Catechism: Why do we give? We can give because everything we have is a good gift from God
Memory Verse: Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. Daniel 2:20-21
(1 minute) PRAY and ask for Jesus to return as King!
Additional resources can be found in the Gospel Project for Kids app under Unit 16 - Session 4.