This was one of the best things our family ever did.

We began studying this as part of our homeschooling, and turned into a whole family study that we invited friends and extended family to join us in. I’ve even used this material in a women’s Bible study at church.

I love it! (and can I say, I am not affiliated with this company at all…just love the product!)

Biblical Holidays Study

The basis for our study and activities was this book: A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays. It is one of the most complete activity resource guides I’ve ever seen.

It is full of background information including Scripture references and Jewish tradition. Lots of family activities to choose from…from super involved celebrations to super simple.

Recipes, crafts, games, and even complete cross-curricular unit studies for homeschoolers.

Because we started in the fall, with the beginning of school, we actually studied the holidays out of ‘order’. You see, the spring holidays point to Jesus’ first coming, and the fall ones to his second coming.

Spring Holidays

Passover & the Feast of Unleavened Bread

Passover remembers the deliverance from Egyptian bondage. An unblemished, firstborn male lamb was sacrificed. Leaven symbolizes sin. Unleavened bread speaks of sanctification. Jesus was slain on Passover as our sacrificial lamb, releasing us from bondage. He is the ‘bread of life’.

Day of Firstfruits

This holiday reminded the Jews that God gave them the land, and the harvest belonged to him. 1 Corinthians 15 tells us that Jesus is the Firstfruits. His resurrection was the first of the harvest.

Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)

Fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits, a remembrance of the giving of the law took place. Fifty days after Jesus arose, the Holy Spirit came upon believers, writing the law on their hearts.

Fall Holidays

Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) and the Day of Atonement

Two separate holidays, but celebrated just 10 days apart, these are the holiest days of the Jewish year. Unlike other holy days, they don’t celebrate a season or historical event, but are a time to look inward towards spiritual growth. We are told that Christ’s return will be with the blowing of trumpets. And on that day, atonement will be made for sin.

Feast of Tabernacles

Historically, this holiday was to be kept as a remembrance of the Israelites dwelling in tents in the wilderness as they wandered on their way to the promised land. When Christ returns and establishes his Father’s kingdom on earth, God’s covenant with Abraham to give his descendents the promised land will be fulfilled.

During the course of our year studying these holidays, we did some fun things.

We prepared and celebrated a Passover meal

Had a large group over for a Feast of Trumpets feast

And found a movie about the Feast of Tabernacles (it’s called Ushpizin).

We also did lots of reading and studying. As with any Bible study, if it differs from your family’s interpretation of Scripture, it’s a great opportunity to talk about those things.

This is one of the most complete resources I’ve found, and it has activity ideas for all ages. It would be phenomenal if you do family devotions. I also think this would be a fun study to do with a Sunday school or Wednesday night class at church, or with a homeschool group.

Do you have a group in mind to use this study with?

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