YEA Lesson Library
A Closing Assembly
About This Lesson
This lesson draws the analogy of the last day of school to the Last Great Day (Eighth Day) and our response to it.
Scriptures
Leviticus 23:36
Ezekiel 37:1-14
John 14:1-4
Revelation 20:11-15
Revelation 21:3-7
Words to Know
LAST GREAT DAY - the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles-the closing assembly
CITIZENSHIP - acting in a way that is good for the people around you
The Lesson
Amy and Josh walked together to school. It was the last day of school for the whole summer. Amy could hardly wait to ride her bike and swim in the pool. Josh had plans to build a treehouse in the tall oak tree in their backyard. As they thought about al the wonderful things they were going to do that summer, Amy and Josh started walking faster. They could hardly wait to get to school this last day.
As the twins walked into their classroom, they could hardly believe their eyes. Mr. Lock had started taking down all of the bulletin boards and classroom posters. Everything was being put away. It was a mess!
As the day started, it was definitely not a normal day! There was an awards ceremony. Amy and Josh both received awards for reading so many books. Josh got a library award for being responsible for returning all of his books on time. Amy received a P.E. award for shooting the most consecutive baskets. Then came the last award: the good citizenship award. Only one student from each class was awarded this. So when the principal called Amy and Josh up to the front, it was quite a surprise. They both were given the award this year! The principal jokingly said that it must have been because they were twins!
The rest of the day was filled with learning activities, but students didn't sit at their desks and do any worksheets! No normal work of any kind!
At the end, Mr. Lock handed each student his or her report card. He told them to have a nice summer. Then the bell rang. Summer was here! YEA!
You have experienced the last day of school. It happens like this all over the country sometime from the end of May to the end of June. Since you know what this is like, you already know a little about what the Last Great Day is like.
It is the last holy day of the year. It comes at the very end of the Feast of Tabernacles — a week that is filled with worship, many sermons and Bible studies, and lots of fun. Although it has been a good week, it has to end. We must go home.
This is very much like our lives. Our lives should be filled with worshiping God, many sermons, attending Bible studies, and having a lot of fun. Although, overall, our lives are good, they have to end someday. If we know Jesus, then our lives have been good. If we have tried to live every day like He wants us to live, then our lives have been especially good. But whether we know Jesus or not, someday our lives will end. It's like Mr. Lock taking down all of the bulletin boards and putting everything away. It's done.
On the last day of school, there's no regular work. And that's what God told His people about the Last Great Day. No regular work was to be done. It was a day to come and worship Him. It emphasizes the end, the finishing of the Feast - and the finishing of what God is doing here on this earth.
The students are given report cards. We aren't given report cards on the Last Great Day of the Feast. Christians are judged daily on how we live our lives 1( Peter 4:17). However, "We shall all stand before the Judgment seat of Christ" (Romans 14:10) to give an account of how we have lived our lives.
The Last Great Day pictures the Great White Throne Judgment. After Christ returns and rules the earth for 1000 years, there will be a second resurrection of all the people who didn't meet Christ in the air. The books will be opened. Babies who have never had an opportunity to accept Christ as their Savior and people who have never heard about Christ will have their chance to learn of Him, repent of their sins, be baptized, and have their names added to the book of life.
Since the last Feast day is called the Last Great Day and is so meaningful, we should celebrate it with much joy! It pictures a time when God Himself will live with us in the new heaven and new earth. All things will be new.
When students have their report cards at the end of the school year, they are free! Many times students tear out of school and run all the way home! They are so excited.
If you're ever sad about leaving the Feast and your friends, think about what the Last Great Day means and how awesome it will be to live with Jesus Christ and God the Father in a world that knows no sickness, death, nor pain. At that time you'll know you've passed your tests and have a good report card. The best time ever awaits us. At last the home we've waited for will be here. How exciting! And you know what? I'm ready to run all the way home!
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I know there are areas in my life where I need to make a better grade. Please help me want to choose the right way and make better grades in the things that are really important to you.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday: Leviticus 23:36
Monday: Revelation 21:3-4
Tuesday: John 14:1-4
Wednesday: Ezekiel 37:1-8
Thursday: Ezekiel 37:9-14
Friday: Revelation 20:11-15
Saturday: Revelation 21:5-7
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Compare the Last Great Day with the last day of school and draw analogies.
2. State the Last Great Day is the closing assembly.
3. State the Last Great Day symbolizes the ending of one time and the beginning of another.
4. State there is a Judgment coming.
5. State that the Last Great Day is the greatest of all festivals.
Topics & Themes
Eighth Day
God’s Judgment
Great White Throne Judgment
Holy Conduct
Holy Days, Eighth Day
Millennium
Worship God
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students' and Teacher's, attendance and memory verse charts, star stickers, songbook, CD and player, colored pencils, crayons, markers, 1 x 17 white construction paper, poster board (optional), dry erase board, markers
Preparation
This age group may love the Feast of Tabernacles more than any other - their parents have time for them, there are activities especially for them with other children their age, it's new, it's different, and they can sense the spirit at the Feast of Tabernacles, even if they can't put words to it. So they are likely to be sad when the Last Great Day comes because they don't understand what an awesome thing this Feast represents. It is not a day of sadness; it is a day of rejoicing because a new heaven and new earth are coming and Christ and God the Father will live with us.
Juniors will understand the last day of school analogy, but even that may not help them understand the great joy we will feel on that final Last Great Day. So, when teaching this lesson, be very upbeat, using a high level of excitement.
Construct your own mansion (see Activity) to display during the lesson time. Talk about how what God has prepared for us is so wonderful that we won't want to go back to the way it was before. But sure to include lots of details in your mansion: fireplaces, swimming pools, toy room, etc. The children will make their mansions from construction paper; you may want to do it with poster board so they can all see what you've included.
How to Teach This Lesson
Report Cards: Ask: Do you like getting report cards? What is the best thing about report cards? What is the worst thing about report cards? What if you had to make a report card about this life, what would you grade? On a piece of poster paper, chalkboard, or dry erase board, make a report card for this life. Using input from the students, decide what you would grade. Then decide on a grade for each category. Categories might include: fairness, justice, pain and sorrow, joy and happiness, godly things, enough food, enough shelter. Talk with the students about the condition of this world. (This will take up a big chunk of the lesson time.)
The Last Great Day: Not much is known about the Last Great Day. There are very few verses in the Bible about it. The NIV Bible calls it A Closing Assembly. It is a time when the Feast of Tabernacles is over. It's done. But like a commencement ceremony in high school or college, it really isn't the end; it is just the beginning of the rest of eternity.
All Things New: Ask the students to help make a list of times in life when things are completely new: the last day of school, the last day before a move, the last day before a wedding, the last day before starting a new job, the last day before Mom has a new baby. All of these are life changes that give us a glimpse of how the Last Great Day is a symbol of how our lives will be completely different and far better.
Revelation 21:1-4: Read this Scripture aloud to the class. Explain that this is the time when a new heaven and a new earth come down from heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. All things will be new. Nothing will be old and worn out. This is a time when there will be no more pain or crying or death or mourning. All of that will be gone. And, we will be living with God.
John 14:1-4: Read this Scripture aloud to the class (or ask for a volunteer). Jesus has gone to prepare a mansion for us to live in with Him and with our Heavenly Father. It will be more wonderful than we can imagine. We'll be ready for it. We’ll definitely want to run all the way home.
Review Questions
1. How is the Last Great Day like the last day of school?
2. What is the only thing we know from Leviticus 23 about the Last Great Day?
3. The Last Great Day symbolizes the _____________ of all things.
4. Just as at the end of school you will get a report card, on the Last Great Day what's coming?
5. What should our attitude be towards the Last Great Day? What does it picture that should make you so happy?
6. Is it okay to feel sad that the Feast of Tabernacles is over? Why?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Making a Mansion
On one sheet of paper, draw the interior of the mansion. Draw the different floors with their furnishings (beds, bathtubs, dressers, windows, curtains, toys, kitchen appliances, TV, etc.). Then glue just the top 1/4 inch of a second full sheet to the first. On the top sheet, draw the exterior of the mansion and be sure to line up windows and doorways. Cut out the windows and doors on three sides so they will open and close, and reveal a glimpse of what is inside. Use crayons, colored pencils, or markers to make the mansion colorful inside and out.
REACH Activity
Back to the Bible: A Picture of Eternity
Revelation 21:1-4 is a beautiful description of the start of eternity. Read these verses. Then copy them in your neatest handwriting into your Bible notebook. Writing these verses will remind you of the goal, the promise of God, when you encounter difficult things in your life.
Journal Jot: The Reason Why
Do you know why your family and your church family observe the Eighth Day (Closing Assembly or Last Great Day) every year? If you do, write about it in your Bible notebook. Make sure you use scripture references to explain why it’s important to keep this holy day. If you don’t know, ask your parents to explain it to you. Then write this information down, with scriptures, so that you’ll remember the next time someone asks you why you keep this holy day.
Word Study: atsârâh
The word for “assembly” in the memory verse this week is the Hebrew word atsârâh. It means “solemn assembly (especially a festival), a festive gathering, a holiday meeting.” It comes from another word which means “to close.” (Source: Zodhiates’ NAS Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, 1990.)
Write this word, its definition, and the scripture reference in your Bible notebook.
Now spend some time thinking. Why would God have a closing assembly on the 22nd day of the seventh month? There are still five or six months left in the year. Why not have a closing assembly at the end of the year? I don’t know that anyone has a definitive answer, but it’s worth thinking about. What are we supposed to learn from that?
Just Toolin’ Around: The Closing Assembly
Using a concordance, find all of the times this phrase “closing assembly” is used in the Bible. There are not very many of them. Write down the scripture references and look them all up. Are all of them referring to the Eighth Day at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles? Share your findings with your family.
Did you Know? The Closing Assembly
There’s not much known about this holy day. It’s listed as one of the seven high sabbaths during the year, but it’s called either “the Eighth Day” or “the Closing Assembly.” And usually it’s very sad because we hate leaving the Feast of Tabernacles. We have enjoyed the Feast site, singing praises to God, listening to sermons, going to Feast classes, participating in activities - and now it’s time to go home. But that’s part of the picture. One of these days, when Jesus Christ comes back and sets up His kingdom on this earth, we will be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and we will be home - for eternity - with God the Father and Jesus Christ. What a day that will be!
Stretch It Out: Address Book
You will discover that the people you met at the Feast of Tabernacles will be life-long friends. You’ll want to stay in touch! Make a Feast of Tabernacles address book to take with you to the Feast. Use card stock for the outside. Use at least 5 sheets of typing paper on the inside. That will give you room to collect 20 names, address, emails, and phone numbers. Decorate the outside of your address book. Then remember to take it to the Feast with you!
Music Notes: There’s a Great Day Coming
This hymn is found on page 136 of the CEM Hymnal.
Will Lamartine Thompson wrote the text and music for this hymn, which was published in 1887. He also wrote "Lead Me Gently Home, Father," "Jesus Is All The World To Me," and "Softly And Tenderly.” Born in Ohio, he started writing secular and patriotic songs, but at age 40, he decided to write sacred songs. (Source: https://hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/quotthere039s-a-great-day-comingquot/)
Are you looking forward to the return of Jesus Christ? Can you think of scriptures which talk about what a great day that will be - and what God’s kingdom will be like? Sing this hymn and think about a world where there is no more pain or sorrow or death. Share this hymn with your family.
Questions?
Remember to write down any questions that you think of as you are reading your lesson, daily devotionals, or doing the REACH activities. Plan to ask your parents or your pastor these questions.
Song
"Come and Go With Me" is on page 83 of Kids Classics Collection. You may want to have the CD playing while you're doing the activity.
Closing Prayer
Lead the students in praying that Jesus will come quickly, that He will protect them through the difficult times that will come before He returns, and that we will earn a good report card in our service to Him.
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