July 10 in KidQuest and FirstLook

I hope you had a happy 4th of July this past weekend!  As we come off that celebration in our country, we are going to remember and celebrate a Jewish festival this week in KidQuest and FirstLook; here is a little bit more of a look into what your kids will be hearing about this weekend!

Several times a year the Israelites gathered together for a festival. In Leviticus 23:2, the Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed feasts … which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.’” These seven festivals are: Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Festival of First Fruits, Feast of Harvest, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths). They were times for the entire faith community to gather together to simply worship and celebrate. During the feasts and festivals, the Israelites ate, danced, sang, played instruments, prayed, and offered sacrifices to God.

The Feast of Passover was fulfilled by the death of the Messiah, the Feast of Unleavened Bread was fulfilled by His sinless sacrifice, and the Festival of First Fruits was fulfilled by the resurrection of the Messiah. The Feast of Harvest began with a great harvest of three thousand souls by the coming of the promised Holy Spirit, who continues to harvest souls today. The Feast of Trumpets will announce Christ’s return, the Day of Atonement will usher in His judgment of the nations, and finally, the Feast of Tabernacles begins the journey to our new home in a new heaven and new earth.

FEAST OF TABERNACLES WILL BE OUR FOCUS THIS WEEKEND
This feast was celebrated to remember God’s blessings in the wilderness as well as His continued blessings in their lives. For seven days they lived in tents or temporary shelters that they decorated with colorful ornaments. The New Testament significance of this reminds us that this life is temporary, and all our lifelong dreams, hopes, and aspirations will one day be fulfilled in our future home and inheritance with Jesus.

JUST FOR FUN
During mealtime this week, ask your children to think about some things they know to be true about God (e.g., His love, His mercy, His righteousness). Then go around the table and have each person share.

Talk with your children about the festivals God’s people celebrated in the Bible and how they spent time together remembering and celebrating God’s goodness. Share with them that one way the Israelites remembered was by thanking God for His many blessings. Then, read Ephesians 5:2–21. After you have read this portion of Scripture, spend some time as a family praying and thanking God for His goodness, His everlasting grace, and for bringing us into the kingdom of Jesus Christ, in whom we receive redemption and forgiveness of our sins.

Remind your children that they will remember and celebrate God’s blessings with their friends at church this week.