Bible Story Lessons

Many years ago before Jesus was born, Herod was king over Judea in Israel.  At that time, there was a priest named Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth, but they did not have any children and now were getting very old!  However, both of them were loved by God, because they obeyed Him and faithfully kept all God's commandments.

One day it was Zacharias's turn to be on duty at the temple and he went inside to burn incense (that's a sweet smelling powder that was burnt to make the temple smell nice).  As he was busy, an angel of the Lord appeared and this startled him and he became very frightened.

How would you feel and what would you do if an angel suddenly walked into the room? (Let the children respond).

The angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias, your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will have a son.  You are to give him the name John.  And he will be a joy to you and will be filled with the Holy Spirit from His birth, and will bring many of the people of Israel back to serve the Lord their God."

Zacharias asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this, since I'm an old man and my wife getting old?"  The angel answered, "I am Gabriel and I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to tell you this good news.  But, because you did not believe my words, you will not able to speak until the day this happens!

Meanwhile, the people outside the temple were waiting for Zacharias and wondering why he stayed inside so long.  When he finally came out, they realised that he had seen a something wonderful because he kept making signs to them but was unable to speak to them.

Wow!  Imagine not being able to say one word for nine long months!  Zacharias had to wait all this time until he was able to talk again.  What a terrible time it was as he pointed at things and waved his arms about trying to make people understand what he wanted!

I want you to close your mouths and without speaking a word, try and tell the boy or girl next to you that you need a glass of water and some food! (Let the children respond).  That was hard wasn't it?

In those days they didn't have a sign language and so Zacharias must have got angry and stamped his feet many times!  But, at last his time of duty at the temple was finished and he was able to return home.

It was time!  Zacharias paced up and down outside the door.   Suddenly he heard a baby's cry and rushed inside to see the son that his wife Elizabeth had given birth to.  Just as the angel had promised!

Their neighbours and relatives came excitedly into Zacharias' home to have a party and celebrate the birth of the baby.  They were going to name the baby after his father Zacharias, but Elizabeth said, "No, he has to be called John!"

The people started arguing and said, "But there is no one among your relatives who has that name."  They then made signs to his father to find out what he would like to name the child.  He threw up his hands and grabbed a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John."

Immediately Zacharias could speak again!  He began praising God and all the neighbours were amazed, so they spread this story throughout the the hill country of Judea.  Everyone who heard this wondered what the child was going to grow up and become.

In the meantime, Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and said, "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way for Him (Jesus), and to teach His people how to be saved through the forgiveness of their sins."

And the child grew and the God was with him.  He lived in the desert and ate locusts and wild honey.  Would you like to eat locusts, even if they were sweetened with honey? (Let the children respond).

But, God was preparing him and the day came when he started preaching to Israel as John the Baptist and prepared the way for Jesus to come.

Boys and girls, it's wise to listen to what God says.  And that is why we teach you every week in Sunday School.  God always keeps His Word and never lies.  Zacharias refused to believe God and lost his voice because of his unbelief.

God doesn't want you to be like Zacharias, and He won't make you lose your voice!  But, He does want you to listen and obey what He tells us to do in the Bible.  God wants you to trust Him and He will keep the many promises He has made to us in the Bible.  Just like God kept His promise to Zacharias and gave him a son.

God bless!