Sunday Spotlight is where we share our Calvary Kids Bible lesson topic each week for kids of all ages. Use this lesson for a Family Night devotion or a preview/review time to talk about what your children are learning at Calvary on Sundays. These lessons correspond to the take-home cards your child receives each week. We post a new lesson here every Wednesday.

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Sunday, May 10

Lesson Title: Ezra Taught God’s Law

Bible Passage: Ezra 7-10; Nehemiah 8

Key Passage: John 20:31

Big Picture Question: What is the Bible about? The Bible is the story of God’s plan to save people through Jesus.

Lesson Summary

In His providence, God raised up Ezra to be a leader who realized the people of God needed to do more than just rebuild the buildings and walls in Jerusalem. If all the buildings and infrastructure of Jerusalem were completely rebuilt, but the people did not know God and His good commands, then all their rebuilding would be in vain. 
  
Ezra was a faithful scribe and priest who returned to Jerusalem with a clear mission: to teach the law of God to the people. Ezra 7:10 tells us that Ezra had determined to know the law, obey the law, and teach the law to the people of God in Jerusalem. Ezra's commitment and desire to teach the law was not merely to speak its truth; he intended to live the truth of it as well. 
  
From dawn until noon, Ezra read from the law of Moses, instructing God's people in His commands and reminding them of God's faithfulness. The response of the people to the reading of the law was overwhelming. They wept when they heard God's Word because they were confronted with the reality of their sin. Ultimately, the people repented of their sins and made a commitment to follow God's law. 
  
Ezra's commitment to living and teaching the law reminds us of the importance of devoting ourselves to knowing, understanding, and living out God's Word. This opens our lives to God's transformative work through His truth and the power of the Holy Spirit who conforms us into the image of Jesus. Through our study of God's Word, we also realize our absolute need for Him. God's Word reveals our sin and reminds us that we are incapable of saving ourselves. Because of God's faithful love, He sent His Son to take our sin upon Himself so that we can be forgiven and receive eternal salvation. 
  
Ezra’s ministry reminds us of the power of Scripture to transform lives. God's Word reveals our sin, leads us to repentance, and shows us the way to restoration. Point kids to see how followers of Jesus are called to know, understand, obey, and share God's words as they point others to the Gospel.

 
Christ Connection

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus taught and obeyed God’s Word, died for our sins, and came back to life to rescue us.
   
• Preschool: Like Ezra, Jesus also taught people about God’s rules. But Jesus did even more! He obeyed all of God’s rules perfectly, died for our sins, and came back to life.
   
• Kids: Ezra taught God’s law, and the people recognized their sin. Jesus came to fulfill the law, and He gives us power to turn away from sin through His death and resurrection. Through faith in Jesus, our hearts are changed so we can love and obey God.

Big Picture Question & Answer

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Preschool: What is the Bible about? The Bible is about God’s plan to save people through Jesus.
   
• Kids: What is the Bible about? The Bible is the story of God’s plan to save people through Jesus.

Key Passage

John 20:31  This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: These are written so you may believe Jesus is God’s Son. John 20:31
   
• Younger Preschool: These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah. John 20:31
   
• Older Preschool: These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. John 20:31
   
• Kids: These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31

Next week: The People Worshiped God (Nehemiah 7-13)

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And check out our playlist on Spotify — these songs are featured in our Kid Zone and Zone 345 worship time on Sundays. Sing along at home or on the road!

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