YEA Lesson Library
Come to God’s House
About This Lesson
Using the time when Jesus cleared the Temple, this lesson teaches the students about appropriate conduct at church.
Scriptures
Psalm 122:1
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
Isaiah 46:6-7
Mark 11:15-17
Mark 11:17
Luke 19:45-46
1 Timothy 2:7-8
1 Timothy 3:14-15
Words to Know
BLEATING - the sound that a sheep makes
The Lesson
It was the Sabbath day. Sandy was up and dressed early. She was excited about going to church with her parents. “Hurry, Daddy,” she said. “I don’t want to be late.” She picked up her Bible and YEA book. Sandy loved to go to Sabbath School to be with her friends. It was her favorite day of the week. She wanted to go to class by herself. She felt very grown-up with her own Bible and her own book. Sandy was six years old!
Sandy was the first one in class. She helped her teacher put chairs in a circle. She got out crayons and put them on the table. Sandy saw a table with boxes and cages on it. The teacher said they were animal cages and bird cages. Sandy wondered why they were in her classroom.
When everyone was there, the teacher asked if someone wanted to lead in prayer. Sandy said she would, but she wasn’t sure what to say. The teacher helped Sandy. Then everyone joined in the singing. This was Sandy’s favorite part. She loved to sing songs about Jesus. The teacher led them around the room as they sang, “Come and go with me to my Father’s house.” Their lesson was about going to church. She led them to their chairs. They sat in front of the table with the cages.
It was springtime—time to celebrate the feast of the Passover. Jesus went to the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was a beautiful building where people went to worship God.
God made very special rules for His house. He wanted people to know what they should and should not do. God’s rules are for our good. If we follow them, they make everything work better. Some people could go into certain rooms of the Temple. But, there was a room where no one except the High Priest could go. And he only went there once a year. God wanted people to come to the Temple to pray and to worship Him. They couldn’t see God, but they knew He was there.
Jesus knew people should be praying in the Temple. Why was it so noisy? He looked around at all the people. Instead of heads bowed in prayer, there were men waving money. They were not singing songs of praise. People were yelling, “Come buy my birds.” Bird feathers were floating in the air. There were sheep and cattle everywhere. The place smelled like animals!
Jesus was very upset. This was not right! He walked to one of the tables and turned it over. Money scattered all over the floor. He told the men to get the animals and birds out of the Temple. Sheep and goats were bleating. Doves went flying out of their cages. Can you imagine the noise? This was God’s house, not a market. They were to keep it clean, not make a mess.
Would you like your church building to be all dirty and full of animals next Sabbath? Is it right to sell things at church? God’s house should be a place where people come to sing and worship. It is where we learn about the Bible and the wonderful stories it contains. It is where we pray and thank God for the things He gives us. Jesus said when even a few people come to worship Him, He will be right there with them. We want to remember that when we come to Sabbath School and church. And act right when you come, because Jesus is here and it is His house.
Sandy thought about her Sabbath School lesson. She joined in singing the songs. She bowed her head when it was time to pray. She sat quietly listening to the message. She knew why Jesus had been angry when He went to the Temple. It is hard to listen and pray and sing with people doing the wrong things in church.
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for our church. Please help us learn how to act in your house. Thank you for being here with us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Psalm 122:1
Monday - Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
Tuesday - Luke 19:45-46
Wednesday - Mark 11:15-17
Thursday - 1 Timothy 3:14-15
Friday - Isaiah 46:6-7
Saturday - 1 Timothy 2:7-8
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Discuss what Jesus found in the Temple that made Him angry.
2. Tell what activities they do in church and Sabbath School.
3. Explain that Jesus will be there with us when we gather to worship Him.
4. Give examples of how we should behave in God’s house.
5. Recite the memory verse
Topics & Themes
Holy Conduct
Holy of Holies
Jesus, His Ministry
Jesus - Without Sin
Passover
Sabbath
Temple
Temple, Cleansing of
Worship God
Preparation
Before class, cut out pictures of sheep, cows and birds from magazines or coloring books. Adhere to a flannel board by attaching a small strip of double stick tape or sandpaper to the back. Also have pictures of someone praying, a Bible, and children singing (find at a Bible bookstore). The pictures will be used to list things that should and shouldn’t be in church.
Read the Students’ and Teacher’s lessons early in the week to give time for thoughts to connect. By studying every Scripture in the lesson, you will likely find additional information to enhance your lesson. “The enormous profits from the market booths inside the Temple area went to enrich the family of the high priest. Jesus burned with indignation at such a perversion of the uses of God’s House” (Hailey’s Bible Handbook, page 444).
Ahead of time, prepare a market stall using a cardboard box, to be used for acting out the story. Make a few sheep and goats out of cardboard and glue on supports so that they will stand up. Cut out several paper doves from white paper. A card table or folding table can be used for the moneychanger’s table.
It may be frustrating for the teacher to have hassles that come from spilled glue, broken crayons, and twisted tape. Be patient with these little people and you’ll find the rewards are worth it. Watch the eager faces of your students as they become totally absorbed in their activities. Look upon craft projects as wonderful teaching tools as well as being fun.
For today’s craft, cut out an outline of a church building from card stock. You will also need a shoebox. Cut the bottom off, leaving a half inch border. Tape a piece of wire screen to the bottom of the box to cover the opening.
How to Teach This Lesson
After opening with prayer, ask: If you came to church today and found sheep in the hallway and birds and cows in your classroom, what would you think? (Place animal and bird pictures on flannel board.) Would you wonder if you were in the right place? What if there was a man sitting at the door with a box who told you that you must have a certain kind of coin for the offering. How would you feel if you had to buy the coin from the man? Do you think it is okay to sell things in a church?
Begin to act out the story, using the props you prepared, voice inflection, suspense, and drama. You may want to include the children as merchants and moneychangers. The teacher or assistant will act out the scene. Come in as though you are entering the Temple. Shout: “Get out of here!” Knock over the table and market stall. Push the animals out of the way, and throw the paper doves up and away from you. Shout: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
Explain that animals were used as sacrifices at the Passover feast, but were not to be bought and sold on Temple grounds. When Jesus saw the moneychangers cheating people, He became angry. Ask: What did He do? The Temple and our church are called whose house? When we come to Sabbath services, who else is here?
Ask the children to list things that do not belong in church. Include animals and birds you have pictured. If they have difficulty, ask leading questions, such as: If you are coloring, should you fight over the crayons? Should you run down the halls? If the teacher is telling the story, should you be talking to someone else? Write the list on newsprint, allowing the children to add to it.
Now, list things that do belong in church. Place pictures of the Bible, someone praying, and singing children on the flannel board. Ask: When we pray, who are we talking to? Can you think of some things that you would say to God? Why do you think we sing songs in church? Is singing something like our prayers? Singing is an easy
way for children to retain what they have learned. It is like prayer, in that it gives us an opportunity to praise and thank God for who He is and what He has done for us.
Learning is part of our worship experience. Encourage kids to learn the memory verse each week. Go the extra mile to make learning fun for the children. Pictures and activities such as role playing will make the lesson come alive, and help them remember it. Each part of your class should be geared to helping children learn and worship.
Review Questions
Use an animal puppet, such as a sheep, cow, or bird to ask the questions:
1. How did Sandy feel about going to church?
2. What things did she take with her?
3. Why was Jesus angry when He went to the Temple?
4. When you are at Sabbath services, how should you behave?
5. Who is with us when we go to church?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Cover a table with newspaper. Give each child a smock (old shirt) to protect their clothing and a sheet of light colored construction paper. Place church building outline on construction paper. Hold a screen above the paper. Dip a toothbrush in tempera paint and rub the brush over the screen. When the paper is covered with paint specks, remove the outline. Allow paint to dry.
REACH Activity
Special Materials:
yarn, special assortment of pencils, pens, markers, pencil case, tote bag, Bible activities, butcher paper or large brown grocery bags, chalk, paper plate, yarn or string
1. Draw a picture of the memory verse, Mark 11:17.
2. Each day as you read the Daily Devotional, write what it tells you about loving and obeying God. Use your Bible notebook.
3. Divide a piece of paper in half the long way. On one side, list all the things that don’t belong in church. On the other side, list all the things that do belong in church. Use your YEA Students’ book to help you get started.
4. Sing: “Come and Go With Me” on page 83 of Kids Classics Collection.
5. On a piece of 11 x 17 drawing paper, draw a child. Cut out the child. Use construction paper to make “church clothes” to dress the child. Cut short pieces of hair-colored yarn and glue on the head. Use bright markers to draw the eyes and mouth. How we dress matters to God (1 Timothy 2:9). We want to wear our best to honor Him.
6. Find a canvas tote bag that you can dedicate just to church. Inside put a notebook, a pencil case (holding an assortment of pens, pencils, markers, etc.), a book of Bible word finds or Bible activities. Be sure to leave room for your YEA Students’ book and your Bible. Find a place for this tote bag so you’ll know where it is on Sabbath morning. Use the notebook, writing things, and Bible activities only on the Sabbath. This is your special Sabbath Bag. Being responsible for your Bible, YEA book, and Sabbath bag will really help your parents every Sabbath, both getting ready for church and at church. (See Notes, Explanations, and Materials Needed.)
7. Write a list in your Bible notebook of what you look forward to in Sabbath School. Write a thank you note to your Sabbath School teacher. Then share your list with family and friends.
8. Volunteer to say a prayer before or after Sabbath School next week. Write it in your Bible notebook if it will help you.
9. Jesus celebrated God’s Holy Days. Read with your family about how the feast of the Passover got its name in Exodus 12. Let everyone share their feelings about this special time of year.
10. Use a Bible map to find Jerusalem. Draw it in your Bible notebook and label other places, including bodies of water.
11. Use a Bible encyclopedia to find out more about the Temple in Jerusalem. Write the information in your Bible notebook. Share with family and friends.
12. Find the Ten Commandments. Write them in a special place in your notebook. Practice them until they are memorized. Share them with family and friends.
13. Make a mural of what Jesus must have seen when He walked into the Temple. Use butcher paper, any color, or large brown grocery bags, chalk or other kinds of color tools. Write the memory verse on the mural. Share with family and friends.
14. What if you were one of the people buying and selling in the Temple? How would you feel when Jesus walked in? Write your thoughts down in your Bible notebook.
15. Make a list of what is right to do during worship services at church. Make a poster of your list and share it with family and friends.
16. Using the word W-O-R-S-H-I-P, create an acrostic poem of how we should act in God’s house. Write it in your Bible notebook.
17. Use a paper plate to draw and color a globe. With a permanent marker write the memory verse on the plate. Punch a hole at the top and thread it with string or yarn. Hang it in your room. Practice the verse until it is memorized.
18. Sing: “Come Bless the Lord” on page 85 of Kids Classics Collection.
Song
Our Church Song (sing to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)
We pray, we sing at our church.
Learning is the key to life.
We are happy when we go.
Jesus loves to see us there.
We pray, we sing at our church.
Jesus shows the way to go.
Closing Prayer
Ask a child to lead in prayer, thanking God for their church and asking God to help them listen and learn their lesson, and learn how to behave in church.
Printable Pages
