The Temple is Destroyed

Introduction

Begin by recapping what was taught in the previous lesson. Josiah was a good King, who kept G-d's laws. However, the kings who came after him did not love G-d and did not keep his laws. They made the Temple into a very unholy place. G-d sent prophets again and again to warn the Kings, but they refused to listen.

Main Activity

Then, something terrible happened. About BCE 580, the city of Jerusalem was attacked by an enemy army, the Babylonians.

Share with pupils the account of the destruction of the Temple from 2 Kings 25:8-17

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings
%2025:%208-17;&version=64 ;

Following discussion, pupils could:

• write / talk about a time when something they loved was destroyed.
• read Psalm 137 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20137;&version=64;
  or extracts from the book of Lamentations to find out how the Jewish people felt about the destruction of their Temple and their city.

Extension

Research contemporary news stories that feature exiled peoples.

Plenary

Continue the Temple timeline.