RCCG LOWER JUNIOR ZEAL FOR 2023/2024 – AGE 4-5 TEACHER’S MANUAL – SUNDAY 15TH OF OCTOBER, 2023 – LESSON SEVEN (7) – TOPIC: WHO DESERVES GRATITUDE 5: GOVERNMENT

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RCCG LOWER JUNIOR ZEAL FOR 2023/2024
AGE 4-5 TEACHER’S MANUAL
SUNDAY 15TH OF OCTOBER, 2023
LESSON SEVEN (7)
TOPIC: WHO DESERVES GRATITUDE 5: GOVERNMENT

BIBLE TEXT: Nehemiah 8:1 -12:49
Nehemiah 8:1-12
[1]And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.
[2]And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
[3]And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
[4]And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
[5]And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
[6]And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
[7]Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
[8]So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
[9]And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
[10]Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
[11]So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
[12]And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them ……………..

MEMORY VERSE: Proverb 29:2 “When the righteous are in authority; the people rejoice”

CHILD RELATED TRUTH: Give thanks to your political leaders and thank God for Government.

INTRODUCTION: While serving as servant to king Artaxerxes king of Babylon Nehemiah heard that his people in Jerusalem are living in deplorable condition so he took permission from his master to go and rebuild the wall of the city of lerusalem. The king of Babylon did not only permit him, he also gave him money, resource materials and people to help him to rebuild the city of Jerusalem.

PROGRESSION OF EVENTS
A. After building the wall of Jerusalem, The people gathered together in the sheet and asked Ezra the scribe and priest to read the law of Moses to them. 8:1
B. All who could understand stood and listen attentively as Ezra read the law from morning until noon. (They were thankful to God that as a nation they can come back together again. They bowed down and worship God giving the his word and reminding them that he created beautiful world they live in psalm 107:8 says “oh that men would give thanks to the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men. Each and every, you should thank God for what he has done for you. These people were thankful to hear God’s word 8:2-5)
C. Ezra praised God and the people worshiped the Lord 8:6
D. The Levites moved among the people helping them understand the meaning of the law 8:7-8
E. The leaders told the people not to weep, because this was a holy day and should be celebrated 8:9 (Why do they cry? They were reminded of their sin as they heard the word of God. How do you feel in your heart when you know you have sinned? lt was because of sin that Jesus that Jesus died on the cross. The Bible says; but he was wounded for our transgressions He was bruised for our iniquities Isaiah 58:5 Because He loves you and me the perfect son of God took the punishment for our sin. He gave his blood when He died so that you and I could be forgiven on the third day Jesus arose from the dead. They were sorrowful for their sins).
F. Ezra encouraged them to go home, eat, give to the needy and rejoice and they obeyed 8:10-12
G. When elders met the second day they learn about the special feast from the Bible and in obedience they celebrated the feast, they prepared and dedicated the will.

ALSO READ: Open Heaven 15 October  2023 – THE LAND OF ENDLESS SUFFERINGS 

CLIMAX: Everyone around knew they were happy because they heard them praising God for making Jerusalem a city of honour. The same God has done special things for us as a nation in Nigeria we have many reason to show gratitude to God as a nation and to appreciate our leader. For example we have some celebration days too like:
a. Independence day October 1st
b. Labour day May 1st
c. Children’s day May 27th
d. Democracy day May 29th

CONCLUSION: You must always give gratitude to God and appreciate the Government of your country.

CHALLENGE: What are the ways you can give gratitude to Government? Honour your leaders, pray for them and obey rules and regulations.

INVITATION: like the Israelites they came together heard the word of God and repented, so also you too need to receive Jesus as your Saviour John 1:12.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL
SUNDAY PSALM 8:7-9
MONDAY PSALM 9:1-2
TUESDAY PSALM 9:3-4
WEDNESDAY PSALM 9:5-6
THURSDAY PSALM 9:7-8
FRIDAY PSALM 9:9-10
SATURDAY PSALM 9:11-12

Open Heavens 2021 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

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