March 18: The People Gave Thanks to God (2 Chronicles 7:1-9)

To begin the session:

Download the “Great Dedication” worksheet here. Make a copy for each class member. Distribute them as class members arrive, asking them to complete it according to the written instructions.

After all have arrived and have had the opportunity to complete the exercise, ask class members to reveal the answers. They are:

1. 1. four score and seven years ago
2. conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal
3. we cannot dedicate. . .we cannot consecrate. . . we cannot hallow this ground
4. the world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here
5. that government of the people. . .by the people. . .for the people. . .

Title of the speech: The Gettysburg Address

Lead into Bible study by saying, “When a new building or site is opened, it is often done so with a dedication ceremony. Many centuries before the dedication of Gettysburg National Cemetery, another dedication ceremony was held. Let’s see what happened when the temple in Jerusalem was dedicated.”

To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:

Make copies of the lesson text for each class member. Distribute the copies, making sure each class member has a pen. Then ask class members to read through the lesson text, underlining phrases that describe what all the people/all Israel/ all the children of Israel/ all the Israelites did as a part of the dedication ceremony. Give them about five minutes to do so.

Have class members share what they found. Actions they may have underlined will include the people kneeling, worshiping, and giving praise and thanksgiving (v. 3), offering sacrifices (v. 4), dedicating the temple (v. 5), standing (v. 6), observing the festival of tabernacles (v. 8), and celebrating the dedication of the temple (v. 9).

Referring to the lesson commentary, discuss why each of these actions were a significant part of the temple dedication.