Nehemiah: The Gospel in the Gates – Miphkad Gate (Neh 3j)

1. HOOK:

• Song: The more we get together
  The more we get together, together, together    <hold hands in circle and swing>
  The more we get together, the happier we’ll be
  For Jesus is my friend                                                      <point at ownself>
  And Jesus is your friend                                                  <point at another person>
  The more we get together, the happier we’ll be

2. STORY: Gospel in the Gates – Gathering Gate (Miphkad Gate) (Nehemiah 3:31)

• Recap
  • We’re following the adventures of Nehemiah as he and the people of Israel work together to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem
  • There were 10 gates mentioned in the rebuilding of the walls. We looked at what these gates were used for and how they remind us of Jesus and His finished work on the Cross!
  • So far, we’ve covered the: <refer kids to slides or the posters on the wall during review>
    • Sheep Gate: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
    • Fish Gate: Jesus died and resurrected after 3 days (just as Jonah was in the belly of the big fish for 3 days).
    • Old Gate: Jesus makes us New Creations
    • Valley Gate: Jesus is always with us, even in the valleys
    • Rubbish Gate: All our good is rubbish compared to knowing Jesus (Jesus + nothing = everything!)
    • Fountain Gate: Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit
    • Water Gate: Jesus washes us clean with His word
    • Horse Gate: Jesus has won the victory
    • East Gate: Jesus is coming again soon

• Today, we are looking at the 10^th and final gate in this series — the Gathering Gate/Miphkad Gate
• Nehemiah 3:31 ³¹ After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, in front of the Miphkad Gate …
• “Miphkad” has several meanings: gathering (mustering) appointment, designated spot, numbering                                                            
• The Miphkad Gate led into the Temple courtyard, where people come together to worship God 

• <older kids> The word “Miphkad” is used in 3 places in the Bible:
  • King David counting his fighting men (census) (2 Sam 24:9, 1 Chron 21:5)
  • Appointment of people into positions by King Hezekiah (2 Chron 31:13)
  • A designated area of the temple for the burning of the sin offering (Eze 43:21)

3. LESSON:

What does the Miphkad Gate remind us of? Jesus brings us together.

<for older kids>

• Miphkad: designated area:
  • At the designated area of the temple, an innocent lamb was sacrificed for the people of Israel’s sins
  • At the Cross, Jesus, the Lamb of God was sacrificed for the sins of the world
  • Because Jesus paid for our sins and made us holy, we can come to God and God’s Spirit can live in us (we become His temple)

• Miphkad: gathering: 
  • God also calls us to be a body — not a lone ranger Christian.
  • Because of Jesus, we are one big family — different shapes and sizes, yet all One in Jesus.
  • While God’s Spirit lives in us, when we gather together, we can show each other the Jesus in us — we can encourage each other; when one falls down, the other can pull him up; when one is happy, they others can celebrate with him; when one is sad, the others can share their sorrow.
  • Jesus said, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matt 18:20)
  • It’s like a family gathering together at the dinner table (e.g. Daddy/Mummy ringing a bell or calling everyone to come to eat), instead of each person eating by themselves in their room.
  • That’s why we can come together as a big family every Sunday to celebrate Jesus … not just with mummy and daddy, but also with other aunties, uncles, grandparents and friends. That’s why we should come together as often as we can to hear about Jesus and what He has done for us.
  • And one day, when Jesus comes again, He will gather ALL of us together in front of His throne. What a wonderful family gathering that will be!
  • Rev 7:9  After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.
  • We are one family … all because of Jesus

• The Miphkad Gate reminds us that Jesus gathers us together.
• Memory Verse: Matt 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

<for younger kids>

• Story of Jesus and the children
  • Let me tell you a story about some children who lived a long time ago.
  • It was a normal day for the children in the village. They would be at home spending time with their family or playing together with their friends.
  • That day, their mother came rushing into the house. “Hurry children, hurry! Jesus is here! I want Jesus to touch you and bless you. He has done many amazing things for other people, especially those who are sick.”
  • The children jumped to their feet when they heard this. They had heard people talking about Jesus. He sounded like a very special and important person.
    The children rushed out the door. They saw many other children with their mothers rushing in the same direction. As they turned the corner, they saw Jesus!
  • Many people were around Him. The children started to make their way up to Jesus.
  • Then some men around Jesus started to turn people away. “Go away, Jesus is too busy to see the children. Go away!”
  • The children were disappointed and a little afraid. They started to turn back.
  • Suddenly, Jesus looked at those men and said, “Let the little children come to me and DO NOT stop them!”
  • Then as if a door had been opened, all the children made their way to Jesus. He wrapped His arms around them and prayed for them. It was a very exciting day for the children. They were able to see how much Jesus loved them. They got to see that Jesus wanted to spend time with them.
  • Jesus loves you boys and girls too. He loves you so much that He died and came back to life so that you could spend forever with Him. He really wants to be able to spend time with us when we are alone. And He also loves it when we gather together to sing praise to Him and learn more about Him through the Bible, just like today.
  • Miphkad means gathering together
  • We can gather together because Jesus brings us together.

• The Miphkad Gate reminds us that Jesus gathers us together
• Memory Verse: Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them.”
• Song suggestion: Jesus loves the little children

 4. ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS:

• Poster: The Miphkad Gate