VERSES: Zechariah 1:1-14:21
MEMORY VERSE: Zechariah 1:3 "...Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of Hosts..."
BOOK TO REMEMBER: We have now completed memorizing all 66 books of the Bible. Review the books of the Bible as a class.
PRAYER: Thank God for His wisdom and knowing all things, including what is best for us.
SPECIAL SONG: The Books Of The Old Testament and The Books Of The New Testament (see March - Songs We Sing In Bible Class #3 on this blog. Click on orange circle to hear tune.)
VISUAL AID: Chalkboard or Whiteboard drawings of Activity below.
LESSON POINTS:
- Zechariah was a prophet of God who wrote fourteen chapters in his book called, "Zechariah." Zechariah is the most quoted Old Testament prophet in the New Testament. His name means "Whom Jehovah Remembers" and he was preaching and prophesying at the same time Haggai was preaching to God's people. There are only two months difference in Haggai's and Zechariah's books (Haggai 1:1 and Zechariah 1:1). Zechariah is written using figurative language which, to most people, is difficult to understand. The books of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation are written in this same type of writing style.
- Although some of Zechariah's book may be hard for the common person to understand, there is always something we can learn from each of the sixty-six books of the Bible.
- When we read this book, we can see that Zechariah had a series of eight visions from God.
- Some of the visions were concerning the temple and how God wanted the people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. While one of Haggai's messages to God's people was, "Build the temple!," Zechariah was also saying the same thing at the same time.
- Many of Zechariah's visions were concerning the coming Messiah which was Christ and concerning the church. Zechariah's visions from God looked to a future kingdom which was the church with a future king who was Christ.
- Important messages from Zechariah are:
- God is in control of everything.
- Finish the temple and good times will come back.
- Stop sinning! There were 'burdens' or judgments or oracles written against the Jews because of their great sin of idolatry.
- There would be a time coming when God would cut off the names of the idols out of the land and they would no longer be remembered.
- God can and will take care of His people.
- The common worldly phrase "apple of his eye" is found in Zechariah 2:8. The phrase only means that the one who is referred to in the verse was a special person. There are many phrases that the world uses like this one that have roots in the Bible.
Materials needed: 9" x 12" piece of any color construction paper, crayons.
- Hand out paper.
- Fold paper in half.
- Fold paper in half again.
- On outside cover, write "Zechariah, a prophet of God." and "Zechariah 1:1."
- Open paper once.,
- In top box, write "Zechariah had eight visions."
- In bottom box, draw two men. Write "Zechariah" and "Haggai" over each one of the men. Write "preached at the same time."
- Open paper completely.
- At top of paper, write "Lessons from Zechariah:"
- Trace lines, stopping just under "Lessons From Zechariah." Draw line under "Lessons From Zechariah."
- Box #1: Write "Build the temple!"
- Box #2: Write "God is in control!"
- Box #3: Write "Stop sinning!"
- Box #4: Write "God can take care of His people!"
- Color.
- Fold paper and take home.
