The Wall Builder

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The Wall Builder / Nehemiah 1:4-5, 2:17-18, 4:10-23, 6:15

Bible Truth: Weak areas allow the enemy to attack,weak areas must be repaired

“Are you ready for the Joy of Discovery? Unlock the One Main Truth: It’s an adventure in the Game, a revelation in the Bible, and it will transform your Life. Let’s take one step closer to becoming a Champion for Eternity!”

In the Game: “You Looked for a Weak Spot to Break Through” 
In the Bible: “Nehemiah Repaired the Weak Spots in the Wall” 
In Your Life: “You Need to Repair the Weak Spots in Your Life”

1 GAME EXPERIENCE: Red Rover

  1. Arrange the children in a single-file line, starting with the shortest player and ending with the tallest. Alternate the direction by having the first child step to the left and the second child step to the right, continuing until two new lines are formed, with players evenly divided by size. 
  2. Have the players in both lines stand shoulder to shoulder, facing the opposite line. Maintain a distance of approximately 15 feet between the two lines.
  3. Instruct the players in each line to hold hands, spread out, and extend their arms to the sides, linking hands with the player next to them. This formation creates a strong “WALL.”
  4. Initiate the game by having the first team call out, “Red Rover, Red Rover, send ‘Raj’ right over.” The designated player, Raj, from the opposing team, looks and tries to find a weak spot to break through. If Raj successfully breaks through the wall, Raj selects a player from the team to join his side. However, if Raj is unable to break through, Raj becomes a member of the opposing team.
  5. Rotate turns between the teams, allowing each group the opportunity to call out, “Red Rover, Red Rover, send ‘Someone’ right over.” The game continues as players strategize trying to find the weak spots in the opposing wall. 

2 BIBLE DISCOVERIES: Gospel & Truth - Nehemiah 4:10-23

“Boys & girls, listen carefully. Can you uncover today’s powerful Bible Discovery? Ready?”

THE CIRCUMSTANCE: (Nehemiah 1:4-5)
Children today we are going to learn about a great man of God. How he led the Israelites by example choosing to labor, day and night, and never removing his weapon. In the historical city of Jerusalem, around 445 BC, there was a huge problem. The once-mighty walls of the city lay in ruins, leaving the people exposed to dangers from enemies. As the people looked upon the walls around their town,
they shed tears of sorrow. These walls were meant to keep them safe, but they saw only broken walls. Their enemies did not want them to rebuild the wall, and they told them, if they tried to rebuild the wall, they would destroy them. What could only a few do to fix the problem? Many gave in to fear and lost hope of ever living safely, within the walls of Jerusalem. Then in desperation, they prayed to God for
help. Should they have prayed first? Yes! We should always remember to always spray first when facing problems.

THE CHOICE:  (Nehemiah 2:17-19, 4:1-23)
Nehemiah was a man of prayer, he loved the Lord God with all of his heart. God told Nehemiah to go and help the people, to rebuild the wall. He obeyed God and went to Israel. Nehemiah gathered the people together and said. “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire . Come, let us build up the wall of Jerusalem.” The people responded with one voice, and said “Let us rise up and build.” They felt God move upon their hearts giving them strength and courage. They made the choice to follow God. Their enemies started to tease, laugh, and threaten them with physical harm, hoping to stop the work. During this time, Nehemiah’s leadership shone brightly. He placed the men around the broken walls and told them to defend their city. He spoke words of encouragement, urging them not to fear. “Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome,” he declared, “and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” In this moment of choice, Nehemiah’s faith and determination inspired the people to press forward.

THE CONSEQUENCE: (Nehemiah 4:17-18)
The consequence of their choice was wonderful. Despite the threats and challenges, they rebuilt the walls. Slowly the walls went up almost 40 feet high and eight feet wide around the Holy City of Jerusalem. This is the first time in the bible, Jerusalem was called the Holy City of Jerusalem, I wonder why? Let’s put our thinking cap on and think. Why? Could it be because everyone there was trying to follow God’s commandments? Despite being threatened they stood up and chose to follow God’s commandments. The Israelites also put twelve gates around the city for people to come and go from. Remember there were twelve tribes of Israelites and they put twelve gates around the city. Their unity was evident as half of them stood guard, protecting their fellow workers, while the other half labored to rebuild. (Children follow my hand motions sun and stars.) As the sun set and the stars emerged, the sound of the trumpet rallied them together. They recognized that their strength alone was not enough; their trust in God was key. “Our God will fight for us.” (Children shout as the Israelites did. “Our God will fight for us.” I didn’t hear you, shout it again “Our God will fight for us.”Great job!) Their strong faith and commitment were rewarded as God stopped their enemies’ plans and granted them victory. Nehemiah’s leadership was not just about repairing the wall, it was about instilling a  sense of purpose and unity. The results of their working together were two-fold. Physically, the walls were rebuilt, providing protection and security; spiritually, their faith grew stronger as they saw God working for them. With God’s guidance, the impossible becomes possible.” Boys and girls in your life, your character, your attitude, and your actions are like walls protecting God’s Spirit within you. You may have strong areas, but possibly you have weak parts. As we enter into prayer later, let’s pray about the weak areas in our lives that need help.

“Boys & girls, what did we discover about God in this Bible History? (Coaches: answers will vary.) Let’s become great discoverers by asking some fun & challenging questions. Ready?”

3 LIFE CONNECTIONS: Connecting Jesus to Every Child

(1) Bible  Truth Planted in MY HEART, Growing MY ATTITUDE

POWER WORDS:  “Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace.”  Nehemiah 2:17b

(2) Bible Truth Rooted in MY MIND, Leading MY CHOICES

? POWER QUESTIONS:

Game Questions:

  • How was the game played?
  • What parts of the game were easy for you? What parts were challenging?
  • Where did you try to break through the wall? (the weakest area)
  • That is just like what Nehemiah saw – if the walls are broken down and weak the enemy will be able to break through.
    Boys & girls, that sounds a lot like what we just discovered in the Bible!”

Bible Questions:

  • Circumstance: Where did the history take place, and who was there?
  • Choice: What important decision did [name] have to make?
    Was it a good choice or a bad choice, and why do you think [name] made that choice?
  • Did Nehemiah fix the strong parts of the wall or the weak parts? (the weak parts) How did he fix the weak parts? (together with all the families)
  • What were the walls protecting? (the temple – the dwelling place of God)

Life Questions:

  • In your life, your character is like the walls, and your heart is like the temple (God’s dwelling place). You might have strong parts in you character, like going to church and memorizing God’s word, but if you have weak areas in your character (anger, jealousy, gossip,…) those are areas the enemy can breat through.
  • Circumstance: When have you (today or in the future) been in a similar situation as [name] in the Bible history?
  • Choice: What would you do if you were in [name]’s situation? Have you ever faced a similar decision? What did you choose?
    Boys & girls, we should always make the right choice that will please God, let us tell God what is in our hearts right now.”

(3) Bible Truth Today Committed in MY SOUL, Inspiring MY ACTIONS

POWER PRAYER: Repeat After Me “Dear Jesus, I give myself to you, just like you helped the Israelites to stand for you, help me to stand for you. God my life, my character, my
attitude, and my actions are like walls protecting my heart, Jesus shows me the weak areas in my life, my character that need to be made strong.
“***Boys & girls, let’s be still and quiet, open your heart to hear God’s whisper.***”
(Coach, wait at least 14 seconds, allowing God to connect to every child)
Please help me repair the weak parts of my life and follow you all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name amen.

Ask the children what is their favorite worship song and then sing several worship songs with Strong & Powerful Worship Motions
(Click here for worship songs
“GameLife Strong & Powerful Worship Motions”)

Now, remember to share this truth,
practice this truth, and bring a friend back with you! Boys and girls, let’s go out as the
“Champions for Eternity” that God expects us to become!

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