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The Brave Maccabees: Heroes of Hanukkah

Possible Viewpont: Evangelical Christian

Title: The Brave Maccabees: Heroes of Hanukkah

Introduction:
Hello, kids! Today, we’re going to learn about a special holiday called Hanukkah, which is celebrated by our Jewish friends. We’ll discover the brave Maccabees, who are heroes from this story, and see how their story connects to Jesus!

The Story of the Maccabees:
A long time ago, in a place called Judea (which many of us know as Israel), the Jewish people faced a big problem. Some kings did not want them to practice their own beliefs and worship God in the way they understood. This made the Jewish people very sad because they believed it was important to love and obey God.

But there were brave people called the Maccabees. They were a small group of heroes who loved God very much. They decided to stand up for their faith and fight for their right to worship. With God’s help, they fought against a big army that was much stronger than they were. The Maccabees showed great courage, and after a hard battle, they won! They were able to take back their temple, which was a special place where they worshipped God.

The Miracle of Hanukkah:
After the Maccabees won, they wanted to celebrate and rededicate their temple. They found a tiny bit of oil, which was supposed to last only one day, but God performed a miracle! The oil lasted for eight whole days, enough time for them to prepare more oil. This incredible event is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days each year. During Hanukkah, families light a menorah, which is a special candle holder that has nine candles. They light one candle for each night of Hanukkah and one extra candle called the shamash, which helps light the other candles.

Connection to Jesus:
Now, let’s think about Jesus. He was a Jewish boy who grew up in a time when many people remembered the story of the Maccabees. Jesus understood the importance of faith, courage, and standing up for what is right, just like the Maccabees did. When we celebrate Hanukkah, we remember how God helped the Maccabees and how He helps us to be brave too.

Just as the Maccabees fought for their faith, we can also have courage in our hearts to share God’s love with others. Jesus teaches us to love everyone and to be brave even when things are tough.

Conclusion:
So, as we think about the Maccabees and Hanukkah, let’s remember that we can be brave and faithful, just like they were. We can celebrate our own beliefs and share God’s light and love with everyone around us.

Let’s pray together: “Dear God, thank you for the brave Maccabees and the miracle of Hanukkah. Help us to be courageous and to share your love, just like Jesus did. Amen.”

Thank you for learning with me today! Happy Hanukkah to all our friends who celebrate!

You Might Enjoy: The Festival of Dedication: Discovering the Historical Context of Hanukkah | The Festival of Dedication: Meaning and Significance of Hanukkah |

Worship Music for Lesson

1. “This Little Light of Mine” – A fun, upbeat song encouraging children to shine their light for God, reflecting the bravery of the Maccabees in standing up for their faith.

2. “Courage, My Child” – A song that teaches children about having courage in their beliefs and trusting God, relating to the Maccabees’ courageous acts.

3. “Be Bold, Be Strong” – An energetic song that encourages children to be brave and strong in their faith, reminiscent of the fearless spirit of the Maccabees.

4. “God Is So Good” – A simple and joyful song celebrating God’s goodness, perfect for young children to understand the blessings and miracles during Hanukkah.

Questions for Lesson

1. What important event does Hanukkah celebrate in Jewish history, and why is it significant?

2. How does the story of the Maccabees demonstrate bravery and faith in God?

3. Can you name a connection between the Hanukkah story and events in the New Testament related to Jesus?

4. How does the history of Hanukkah inspire you to be brave in your own life, especially when facing challenges?

5. In John 10:22-23, it mentions Jesus celebrating the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah). Why do you think this was important for Jesus and his message?

6. What does Hanukkah teach us about the importance of standing up for our beliefs, and how can you apply this lesson in your life?

Scriptures

1. 1 Maccabees 2:1-6
2. 1 Maccabees 3:1-8
3. 1 Maccabees 4:8-10
4. 1 Maccabees 4:36-59
5. 2 Maccabees 6:18-31
6. 2 Maccabees 7:1-14
7. 2 Maccabees 10:1-8
8. Daniel 11:32-35
9. Hebrews 11:32-34
10. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Object Lesson

Title: The Brave Maccabees: Heroes of Hanukkah

Objective: To teach young children about the history of Hanukkah, the Maccabees’ bravery in reclaiming the Temple, and the connection to Jesus in a fun and engaging way using props.

Props Needed:
1. A large menorah or a poster of a menorah (can be handmade with paper or cardboard)
2. Toy soldiers or action figures (to represent the Maccabees)
3. A small toy or paper representation of a dreidel
4. A few small stones or blocks (to symbolize the Temple)
5. A gold star or paper cut-out shaped as a star (to represent the Star of David)
6. Brightly colored scarves or fabric pieces to represent the banners of the Maccabees
7. A simple map (or drawn image) showing Judea and Jerusalem
8. A small toy or stuffed figure representing Jesus
9. A simple storybook or picture illustrations about Hanukkah

Presentation Steps:

1. **Setup**:
Begin by creating an inviting space for the children, laying out the props on a table or mat. Place the menorah prominently so it captures the focus.

2. **Introduction (5 minutes)**:
Gather the children around the setup. Start by showing them the menorah and asking if they know what it is. Explain that it is a special candle holder used during Hanukkah, which celebrates bravery and miracles.

3. **Story of the Maccabees (10 minutes)**:
Hold up the toy soldiers or action figures and introduce the Maccabees as brave fighters. Use the stones or blocks to represent the Temple that was taken away from the Jewish people. Narrate the story in a simple and engaging manner:

“A long time ago, there were some brave people called the Maccabees. They loved their home and wanted to keep their beautiful Temple safe. So, they stood up against the mean king who tried to take it away!”

4. **Interactive Element (10 minutes)**:
Invite the children to act out the story using the toy soldiers. Have them pretend to be the Maccabees protecting their Temple. Allow them to group around the stones as the Temple and use the scarves to represent banners of courage.

5. **Connection to Hanukkah (10 minutes)**:
Explain how the Maccabees fought bravely and, with God’s help, they won! They lit the menorah with just a little bit of oil, and it miraculously lasted for eight days! Demonstrate this by pretending to fill the menorah with oil using imaginary oil from a toy container, and lighting it with pretend flames.

6. **Connection to Jesus (5 minutes)**:
Show the stuffed figure representing Jesus and explain, “Many years later, a very special person named Jesus also taught us about love and faith. Even today, many families celebrate Hanukkah and remember the brave Maccabees!”

7. **Dreidel Fun (5 minutes)**:
Finally, show the dreidel and explain that during Hanukkah, people play games to celebrate. You can allow them a turn to spin a simple dreidel if you have one, or you can create a game using the stones or blocks.

8. **Conclusion (5 minutes)**:
Wrap up by encouraging the children to share what they learned about bravery and faith. You can give them a small sticker or paper cut-out of the Star of David as a reminder of the story.

Through storytelling, role-playing, and engaging with props, the young children will have a better understanding of the Brave Maccabees, the history of Hanukkah, and its connection to Jesus in a joyful and memorable way.

Craft Idea

Craft Idea: Maccabee Shield and Star of David

In this craft, children will create their own Maccabee shields decorated with symbols that remind them of bravery, faith, and the connection to both Hanukkah and Jesus.

Supply List:
1. Paper plates or cardboard (cut into shield shapes)
2. Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
3. Glitter or stickers (optional for decoration)
4. Decorative tape (like washi tape)
5. String or yarn (for hanging)
6. Scissors
7. Glue or glue sticks
8. Printouts of the Star of David and other symbols (like a menorah, or a cross for Jesus connection) to color or use as templates

Instructions:
1. Begin by discussing the significance of the Maccabees and their bravery during the fight for religious freedom, including their connection to Jesus who also stood for faith and truth.

2. Hand out the paper plates or cardboard cutouts in the shape of shields. Explain that these shields represent the courage of the Maccabees who stood firm in their beliefs.

3. Using markers, crayons, or colored pencils, encourage the children to decorate their shields. They can draw the Star of David in the center, color it in, or glue a printed version on their shield. Explain the importance of the symbol and its connection to both Hanukkah and faith.

4. If time permits, children can add other symbols on their shields, like a menorah or the cross, to represent their faith in Jesus. Discuss how these symbols convey bravery and devotion.

5. Allow the children to use glitter and stickers for extra decoration if desired, encouraging their creativity.

6. Once they have finished decorating, punch a hole at the top of each shield and attach string or yarn so that they can hang their shields up at home, reminding them of the bravery of the Maccabees and their commitment to their faith.

7. Wrap up by asking each child to share what their shield represents to them and how they can be brave in their faith every day, just like the Maccabees.

This craft allows children to engage creatively while reinforcing the lesson of bravery and faith during Hanukkah, connecting it back to their beliefs as young evangelicals.

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