Conquered
Babylon
Our journey together this year is exploring God’s Big Story in the Old Testament! We are almost through it! We started the year in the beginning learning about the first stories of God and God’s Creation. Next, we learned about the first leaders and families of God’s people. Then, we worked through the book of Exodus and heard the journey of Moses and the Israelites. Last unit, we headed into the era of the Kings & Prophets and the Israelites after reaching the Promised Land. Now, we are finishing out the Old Testament and will learn about the time that God’s people are in Exile and are preparing for the birth of their Savior.
It is encouraged that families watch the videos, read the texts, reflect on the summaries, respond to the questions and pray together. However, Club 56 participants can also do this on their own- you might need a journal for journaling some thoughts!
Invocation
Find your Club 56 Candle (or a Candle) that you can light.
Invocation: the act of inviting or welcoming or acknowledging that God is present in our space.
As you light your candle, say this invocation out loud: “I light this candle in the name of God, our Creator; Jesus, our Savior; and the Holy Spirit, our Inspirer. The three in one!”
Connect Video
Get a taste of this week’s theme by watching ONE of these videos!
Babylon’s Video
Reflection Questions:
- In your own words, how would you define exile? What can exile look like in our world today?
- How might someone in exile see the GODISNOWHERE phrase? What would you say to them?
Connect is a curriculum from SPARK that is specifically designed for 5th and 6th graders.
Read, Reflect & Respond
Take some time to dig in deep to the Bible!
Need a Bible? Contact Leah M!
Read the Text: 2 Kings 25:1-12
In verses 21-23, draw arrows away from the things that the people are doing. In verse 24 draw a river coming from the words justice and righteousness.
Reflect on the Summary:
“God’s people experienced many challenges in the Old Testament, including exile. Exile meant being forcibly removed from one’s homeland. God’s people were captured and taken to a strange new land in Babylon. They lived as prisoners, slaves, and second class citizens. They didn’t know the language or customs of their captors.
This passage describes one of the most horrific events in the life of God’s people. Ten years into King Zedekiah’s reign over Israel, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded Jerusalem—Israel’s holy city, which housed the temple of the Lord. The ensuing war lasted so long that God’s people ran out of food. The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and all the sacred artifacts. Zedekiah was captured, his family was slaughtered, and his eyes were gouged out. Eventually, God’s people were taken away to Babylon, a place that represented evil and godlessness. Thus began the Babylonian Exile.”
Respond to the Questions:
- If you had seen all these awful things happen, what would you say to God?
Remember (Club 56 Binder)
Our Club 56 Binders are for taking notes and helping us remember details in God’s Big Story!
Need a binder? Contact Leah M.
Get out your Club 56 Binder and find the green page with the shackles (labeled Babylon). Find the paragraph about why we are using a shackles to remember this story and read about it!
In the box or by the object, write important key words, people, events or notes that you want to remember about the first text you read.
Need help? Revisit the texts we explored today or read the paragraph at the bottom of the paper.
Prayer
“Loving God,
Thank you for being with us when we are sad after terrible things happen. Help us to be there for others when they are sad and need somebody.
Amen”
Benediction
It’s time to blow out or turn off your candle and go on with your day with a blessing.
Benediction: a blessing that sends you out on your day!
As you turn off your candle, bless the people in your home by saying,” May God bless you and keep you, may God’s face shine upon you and may God always go with you and give you peace!”
Quoted texts are revised from:
Connect Leader Guide. Unit 5—Conquered: Babylon. wearesparkhouse.org © 2013 sparkhouse. All rights reserved.
May be reproduced for local use only provided each copy carries this notice.