Activity

Let’s say the SuperVerse together: Nehemiah 8:10b:

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Read Nehemiah 8:2–4a, 5–6:

So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law. Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

The Bible passage I read gives a hint about the picture you will reveal when you connect the dots. Give each child an activity page and a pencil. Have them work on their page as you lead a discussion with the questions below. Children may then color their pictures.

Can you imagine standing from early morning until noon, about 6 hours? That is what the people did when they listened to God’s law. This included men, women and children!

Do we need to stand and listen to someone read God’s Law today? How can we hear God’s Word? No, we are blessed to have our own Bibles to read God’s Word for ourselves anytime!

Name some other ways besides reading that we have access to God’s Word. By hearing teaching or preaching at church, on the radio, TV, or the internet, CDs, or DVDs.

Because we have so many ways to read and listen to God’s Word today, do you think we sometimes take that blessing for granted; why or why not? Yes, with access 24/7 to God’s Word in so many forms, we can sometimes take it for granted and forget how important, vital and precious God’s Word is for us, and we should take it in every day.