YEA Lesson Library
Disconnected Bones
About This Lesson
This lesson teaches about the first and second resurrections and gives reasons for why the first is the better resurrection.
Scriptures
Leviticus 23:36
Isaiah 51:6
Ezekiel 37:1-28
John 1:1-15
John 7:37-39
2 Peter 3:9
Revelation 21:1-7
Words to Know
UNIVERSAL SALVATION - the teaching that every person who has ever lived will eventually be saved and inherit eternal life.
SINEWS - tendons
The Lesson
Do you like creepy, gross things, or do they scare you? Are you afraid of cemeteries? What if an angel appeared to you and told you to go out to the nearest cemetery and wait for instructions. You went out there and saw a lot of disconnected human bones scattered all across the landscape. What would you do? Would you scream and get out of there as fast as you could? But what if that angel wanted to give you a guided tour through this valley of bones? Would you still be with him? What if he said, "I want you to preach to these bones?" Would you say, "Not me, man, I've got other things to do."
There is a very interesting story in the Bible where the Spirit of the Lord carried the Prophet Ezekiel to a valley full of old, dry bones. He was given a guided tour through this cemetery and saw human bones scattered all over the place. No, this wasn't Halloween where people hang paper skeletons on their doors or in trees. Something much more important was happening - and it's for real. When it happens, it won't be spooky or scary, it will be awesome!
The one guiding Ezekiel through this cemetery asked Ezekiel, "Can these bones become people again?" Ezekiel didn't have the answer to that question. So he told Him, "Master God, only you know that.
"He said to me, ‘Prophesy over these bones. Dry bones, listen to the Message ofGod.’" Would you feel a little crazy talking to a bunch of Disconnected Bones lying in a valley? If God told you to, would you preach to them? The story continues..
"God, the Master, told the dry bones, 'Watch this. I’m bringing the breath of life to you and you'll come to life. I'll attach sinews to you, put meat on your bones, cover you with skin, and breathe life into you. You'll come alive and you'll realize that I am God! . . . They stood up on their feet, a huge army" (Ezekiel 37, The Message).
What do you think is really happening here? When dry, disconnected bones put on skin and sinews and begin to breathe, what kind of people are they? Dead people don't breathe. This means they are no longer dead; they are alive - a huge army of people. This story is about a resurrection from the dead. But you may say, our lesson in this book titled "The Signal" was about the resurrection. How can this be?
Revelation 20:5 speaks of "the first resurrection." That was what your lesson titled, “The Signal" was about. In other words, today, we’re learning about a different resurrection - a second one.
But who are all of these people - these Disconnected Bones? Ezekiel 37:11 answers that question. "These bones are the whole house of Israel." These are people who died without knowing God - without ever being converted. When these bones are made to live, these people are going to think they have no hope. But God is so merciful, He will give them hope. God says, “You will know I am the Lord. I will put my Spirit into you, and you shall live and return home again to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have done just what I promised you" (Ezekiel 37:14).
Have you known people who have died, maybe a baby, a grandparent, or a friend, who did not know God and had never been baptized? Have you wondered what will happen to them when Christ returns? "The Lord is not slack concerning his promises, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). The Bible does not teach universal salvation where every last person who is ever born will be saved and enter eternal life. But it does teach a God of love and mercy who has a plan to give every person who has ever lived a chance for salvation. This is only part of the lesson we are to learn from the Last Great Day.
So what are your advantages of being in the first resurrection rather than being some of the dry, Disconnected Bones that are resurrected? The people who will be in the first resurrection get to spend one thousand years with Christ before all of these Disconnected Bones in today's lesson are resurrected and live again. Hebrews 11:35 speaks of a"better resurrection.” Would you agree that being resurrected to live a thousand years before another group of people are resurrected would be a better resurrection?
Those who are resurrected at Christ's return will be able to enjoy one thousand years in God's Kingdom before this prophecy in Ezekiel 37 is fulfilled and these Disconnected Bones come back together, flesh and muscle adhere to them, and they start breathing. Then they are taught God's way, become converted, and receive God's Spirit. So it really matters - it matters a thousand years worth of exciting living - if you repent of your sins, obey Jesus by being baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit now.
Think about it. Do you want to be some of those Disconnected Bones that dry out in the grave for a thousand or more years, or do you want to be a part of the most exciting time in human history? It's your choice? What will you do?
Student Prayer
Awesome God and Father,
Your plan to give everyone an opportunity for salvation is so wonderful and merciful. Thank you for showing me that there are two resurrections. Help me to do everything I can to be in the first, the better resurrection.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - 2 Peter 3:9
Monday - Ezekiel 37:1-15
Tuesday - Ezekiel 37:16-28
Wednesday - John 7:37-39
Thursday - John 1:1-15
Friday - Revelation 21:1-7
Saturday - Isaiah 51:6
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Name all seven holy days in the Bible.
2. Explain the difference in the first and second resurrection.
Topics & Themes
Dry Bones
Eighth Day
Holy Days
Holy Days, Eighth Day
Resurrection
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students' and Teacher's books, attendance and memory verse charts, songbook, cassette tape or CD, music tape, timer, butcher paper, markers, crayons, recording of the song, "Those Dry Bones" (You should be able to get this at a Christian bookstore or online on YouTube.)
How to Teach This Lesson
After opening the class with prayer, divide the class into seven divisions. Have one person from each division draw one of the slips of paper that has the seven holy days on them. Explain to the class that since this completes this year’s lessons on the holy days, that you want them to go to the butcher paper and draw a scene that they feel will explain the particular holy day that was on the strip of paper they drew. Tell them how many minutes they have and set a time. When the timer rings, ask the students to take their seats in the semicircle.
Debrief - Ask: How did you feel about depicting the particular holy day that you were given in the form of a drawing or mural?How was this experience like or unlike other aspects of your life? How will this activity help you to remember the names of holy days and their order? How will this activity help you to remember the meaning of each of the holy days? Who knows where all of the holy days are listed (book and chapter) and are commanded to be kept in the Bible? Ask the students to turn to Leviticus 23 in their Bibles. Instruct each group to find the verses that commands the holy day they drew on the mural to be kept. Read it aloud to the class, and write it above their mural (Passover - Leviticus 23:5, First Day of Unleavened Bread - .v 6, Last Day of Unleavened Bread - v. 8, Pentecost - vs. 15 -21, Trumpets vs. 24-25, Atonement vs. 27-32, Feast of Tabernacles - vs. 34-36a, Last Great Day - v. 36b).
Disconnected Bones - Who were all the dry, Disconnected Bones Ezekiel saw in the valley? What happened to those bones when he preached to them? Now play the recording of "Those Dry Bones." Explain that this is a Negro Spiritual about this prophecy in Ezekiel 37. Ask: What is this prophecy about? What would you say is going to happen to all of these bones? When do you think this will happen?
First and Second Resurrection - Why is the first resurrection called a better resurrection? Why is God going to have a second resurrection? Who do you expect to see in the second resurrection? Is this something you can rejoice about and look forward to on the Last Great Day? Why do you think this is called the greatest day of the Feast? What are you going to do to make sure you're in the first resurrection?
Background - It will help add understanding about the Disconnected Bones if you will read Ronald L. Dart sermon notes under Background aloud to your students.
Teacher-Directed Activity
Allow every student the opportunity to recite the holy days of God.
REACH Activity
Memory Verse Spotlight: 2 Peter 3:9
Look up the word “perish.” Write down the Greek word and its meaning. Then find three other Scriptures where this word is used. Do you think this word means physical death or spiritual death? Why? What other scriptures would you use to support your view?
Where in the World? The Valley of Dry Bones
Ezekiel 37 records a very odd occurrence: a valley of dry bones coming back together with sinew and flesh and skin - and life! But who are these people? Why would they be brought back to life? What causes them to live? What is the timeframe of this event? Write about this in your Bible notebook.
They Did What Back Then? Dry Bones and Dead Bodies
Read Jeremiah 16:1-13. According to this passage, what is a possible explanation for there being an entire valley full of dry bones? Then read the read of the chapter. Does God leave His people without hope? How do you think this ties to Ezekiel 37? Write about this in your Bible notebook.
Making It Mine: Death and Resurrection
Have you ever been close to someone, but then they died? Was their death sudden or expected? Does it make your loss any less? Why are you grieving? Do you think they are in a place of suffering right now? Is grieving normal? (YES!) Is it okay to grieve? Do you think you will ever see this person again? Does that make a difference in your grieving? Do you talk about the person who died? Do you remember the good times you had? Do you like the picture of the Eighth Day - of seeing your loved one again? Write about this topic and the hope that we all have in Jesus Christ.
Worldview Collisions: Life After Death
Wow! There are all kinds of ideas about what happens to someone when they die.
One view says that we die and that’s the end. We return to the dust.
One view says that we are reincarnated and come back as something else, like a cow, if we have really been good, or a bug, if we have been really bad.
One view says that we all have eternal life now. If we are bad, we will live forever, tortured in an ever-burning hellfire. If we are good, we will live forever with God in heaven.
One view says that, if we have a relationship with God, we are given eternal life to live forever with Him after the return of Jesus Christ.
What do you think? What scriptures would you use to support your belief?
Questions
As you’re working through the YEA lesson, Daily Devotionals, doing the activity, or reading the Bible, be sure to write down any questions you have. That way you’ll remember to ask someone. Also remember to share the really interesting things you’re learning with family and friends.
Song
"I Win Enter His Gates" is on page 87 of The Group Songbook.
Closing Prayer
Ask the students to join hands. Ask each student to give one thing about today's lesson that they will remember. Now ask for a volunteer to lead in prayer thanking God for His love and mercy and that He has a plan to bring many sons to glory.
Printable Pages
