Nehemiah is a remarkable figure in the Bible, but one that might not be celebrated as regularly as others. This lesson focuses on the restoration and celebration that we find in Nehemiah, and how it relates to renewal and redemption in our lives. Sometimes we make mistakes that can be easily fixed, but there are other aspects of ourselves that only God can restore. Encourage students to consider how we can look to God for strength and joy.
Nehemiah relied on God to accomplish the remarkable task of rebuilding the city wall of Jerusalem. The people involved made sacrifices and went to great lengths to finish the project, with the Lord’s help, and they rejoiced in God’s providence. This reminds us of how Jesus renews and restores our lives. The wall protected the city physically, and the blood of Christ cleanses and protects our spiritual features. We have the hope that all things are possible with God, and He can and will rebuild us from the inside out!
Sunday School Lesson on Nehemiah 8 for Children: Celebration for the Restoration of the Wall
Passage: Nehemiah 8:1-12
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade
Materials Needed: Construction paper; glue; markers or crayons; tape; scissors; decorative supplies; marshmallows; cups; paper bags; blocks or bricks; boxes; music; clay; Bibles.
Lesson Opening: This lesson focuses on Nehemiah, especially his role in rebuilding the Jerusalem wall and celebration of Scripture. To get thoughts started, use one of the following activities, or design some of your own.
- Tower building: to celebrate the wall built by Nehemiah and the people, engage students in a building activity. This could take place in several ways. Use blocks, bricks, or even large cardboard boxes as building materials. Make it a friendly competition by breaking students into teams and having them work to build the strongest, tallest, or most creative structure. You could also make this into a relay race and have kids run to pick up blocks before building. Or have younger students work individually or in pairs, rather than racing teams.
- Scripture recitation: As Ezra read the book of the law to the people, it’s important for us to read and listen to the Bible. Have older students take turns reading verses of Nehemiah, perhaps standing on a platform as Ezra did. Younger students can listen as the teacher reads.
- What’s the news? Read several headlines or news stories for students, and have them react with sorrowful or joyful expressions, depending on the story focus. Explain that the people were sad to hear of their sins, and then joyful when reassured that God was their strength.
- Work together: Time students doing a simple task (like doing a jigsaw puzzle or coloring a picture) by themselves. Then have students group up and do the same thing with help from others, to see how much faster teamwork makes the job.
- Obstacle Course: Nehemiah overcame a lot of obstacles to finish the wall. Have students race through an indoor or outdoor obstacle course to remember that God helps us get through obstacles.
Introduce the story of Nehemiah as a man of God who was empowered to do some amazing things, and through God’s help built a wall for Jerusalem.
Bible Lesson:
This passage is found in the book of Nehemiah, and takes place after the completion of the wall of Jerusalem. It’s a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the power of Scripture. You could act out the reading and hearing of the Law, or have students take turns reading the passage. Pause to discuss the story as you read it with students.
And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. -Nehemiah 8:1-3
If you have not already done so, explain who Nehemiah was and what his task was. Talk about how he worked for the king. When he heard that God’s people did not have a proper wall to protect the city of Jerusalem, he grew very sad and asked for permission to rebuild it. The king allowed him to do so, and with the help of God and the people, the job was completed in a remarkably short amount of time. Nehemiah faced opposition and challenges, but knew that God was with him and helped him.
After the wall was finished, the people gathered together to listen to God’s Word read out loud. In those days, not everyone got to have their own printed copy of the Bible, and not everyone could even read. Here, though, the people knew they needed to hear what was in the Book of the Law. Explain that the “Law” refers to the first five books of the Bible (Jews call it the Torah, Christians call it the Pentateuch). This would be Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Ezra was the priest responsible for rebuilding the temple and bringing God’s people back to worship. Nehemiah was continuing Ezra’s work. Reading the Law would have taken quite a long time. The people were probably listening for about six hours straight, but they paid attention!
Ask: How do you normally hear or read God’s word?
How and when do you pray? How does God help you in challenging times?
And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood.6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. 8 They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. -Nehemiah 8:4-8
Ezra was standing on a special platform so that everyone could hear him read. The responses of the people are notable here. They thanked God, prayed, and worshiped Him. This should be an example to us of genuine worship and appreciation for what God does for us through His word. Ezra and others made sure that people understood what they were hearing. Just like our pastors, they had a responsibility to help listeners comprehend what the Bible said.
Ask: What do you do if you don’t understand something in the Bible? What is your favorite part of a church service?
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. -Nehemiah 8:9-12
After hearing what was in the Book of the Law, the people realized that they had not always lived as God wanted them to. They wept because they were convicted of their sins and genuinely repented. But Nehemiah and Ezra encouraged them not to weep and feel sad. It was time for rejoicing and celebration. Their strength came from joy in God’s work. God provided for them and gave them His Law to teach and encourage. Upon hearing that encouragement, the people went away rejoicing and giving thanks for all that had happened.
Ask: What do you do when you want to celebrate? What makes you feel like rejoicing?
This passage (and the Nehemiah account entirely) is a wonderful reminder of how God provides for us. He gave Nehemiah and the Israelites the strength and ability to rebuild the wall in the face of challenge. He reminded them of who they were and who He was. And we can remember that our strength and joy are in Him. Just as the wall of the city was rebuilt, we know that God restores and rebuilds the broken things in our lives. He brings spiritual healing so that we know we are never too far from His love and salvation. And just as He was with Nehemiah, He is with us every day!
Close with prayer, thanking God for His strength and the joy we find in Him.