9. 1. 2024 Sunday school
Luke 1:5,6
1. Hello, friends!
Welcome to Sunday School today!
Look at these angels.
Did you know that God used to send angels to people?
Daniel saw an angel, and so did Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus. Angels came to deliver God’s messages to people.
Today, we’ll meet a man named Zechariah
who also heard good news from an angel.
Did you know that Zachy’s name means the same as Zechariah?
2. Who was Zechariah?
Let’s read the Scripture:
"There was a priest named Zechariah... Zechariah and Elizabeth truly did what God said was good. They did everything the Lord commanded and told people to do. They were without fault in keeping his law." (Luke 1:5-6)
3.
Zechariah was a faithful man.
This means Zechariah always read the Bible, thought about it, and lived according to what it said.
God’s Word was always the standard of his life. And he always prayed to God.
4.
Zechariah loved reading the Bible. The bible said that God would send the Messiah to the people of Israel.
God promised to send us a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace!
5.
Do you remember we sang a song named “Prince of Peace” last Christmas?
Who is the Prince of Peace?
(They will probably answer "Jesus.")
Yes, Jesus is the Prince of Peace and the King of Kings!
6.
One year, two years... Jesus still didn’t come this year.
Ten years, twenty years... 100 years, 200 years, 400 years!
No matter how long they waited, Jesus did not come.
During this time, Israel was conquered and ruled by other nations and had to endure hard times.
“Oh, life is so hard every day. Who cares about God’s Word now?”
People began to forget God’s promises.
But Zechariah was a man who lived according to God’s Word.
So he always prayed for Jesus to come.
“God, it’s been 400 years, but we are still waiting for Jesus!”
7.
Then, an angel appeared.
"Zechariah, don't be afraid. God has heard your prayer.
You will have a son, and you will name him John.
He will prepare the people for Jesus(the Lord)'s coming."
8.
What? Unbelievable!
I will be a father? But I am too old to be a father!
When Zechariah couldn’t believe this, the angel told him that he would be unable to speak.
From that moment, Zechariah couldn’t say a word.
9.
Zechariah finished his duties at the temple and went home.
And guess what? Elizabeth, his wife, became pregnant!
A few months later, they had a baby.
People wanted to name the baby Zechariah after his father, as it was the tradition at that time.
10.
"Stop! He is not Zechariah; his name is John!"
Zechariah brought a big sketchbook and wrote, "The baby’s name is John."
Suddenly, Zechariah’s tongue was loosened, and he could speak again.
11.Zechariah was the father of John the Baptist.
John the Baptist helped people turn to Jesus and repent of their sins.
He also baptized Jesus.
Do you remember how the people of Israel waited a long time for the Messiah, Jesus?
They waited for Jesus for 400 years.
Zechariah was one of those who waited for the Messiah, Jesus, his entire life.
Zechariah’s name means “The Lord has remembered.”
God remembered His promises, and He remembers those who are waiting for the Messiah, Jesus.
Let’s also wait for Jesus with a righteous and blameless heart, just like Zechariah.
Let’s pray.
Heavenly father,
You are listening to our prayer.
Thank you for listening to us.
And we know you remember all of us.
Thank you for remembering us.
We prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
