Seven reasons to teach our children about the Biblical feasts
1. Passover and the other feasts are not Jewish holidays. They are God’s appointed seasons. In Leviticus 23 God established the feasts, and He called them “My feasts.” They are God’s invitation to an intimate dinner with Him. The feasts were meant to be a preview of the wedding supper of the Lamb. And we are invited!
2. Learning about the Biblical feasts gives our children a greater understanding of the Bible and God’s redemptive plan because the feasts foreshadow the life and ministry of Jesus the Messiah.
3. Jesus and the New Testament believers celebrated the feasts; He is our example in all things. What we call “The Last Supper” was actually a Passover Sedar that Jesus hosted for His disciples.
4. Our children need to know that Jesus fulfilled each of the spring feasts at His first coming. Jesus is the Passover Lamb Who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus rose from the grave on the Feast of Firstfruits making Him the firstfruit of the promised resurrection of all believers (John 5:28-29; 1Cor. 15:20-23). Jesus baptized us with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
5. Jesus told His disciples to be waiting and watching for His return. Studying the fall feasts will help us in that since they reveal the second coming of Messiah Jesus.
6. God said some of the feasts are a statute forever (Lev. 23). That means we will be celebrating them in heaven. Let’s not wait until we get to heaven to learn about our spiritual inheritance.
7. Educating our children will instill in them a love and respect for the Jewish people and the spiritual heritage they have carried for thousands of years. The feasts are an opportunity for our children to taste a see that the Lord is good.
Resources:
A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays
: A 600-page, activity-based volume by Robin Sampson that works well as a homeschool curriculum or a seasonal guide. It covers the Hebrew roots, historical study, and specific instructions for feasts like Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
Messiah in the Feasts of Israel
: Written by Sam Nadler, this book explains how each feast is symbolic of Jesus as the high priest and sacrificial lamb. It includes present-day applications and is ideal for family or group study.
Rose Guide to the Feasts, Festivals and Fasts of the Bible
: A highly visual handbook from Rose Publishing that uses charts, maps, and timelines to simplify complex information.
Celebrate the Feasts of the Old Testament in Your Own Home or Church
: A classic resource by Martha Zimmerman that focuses on practical ways to observe these days in a modern setting.
Cathy Duffy Reviews +4
Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts,
:Written by Booker, Dr. Richard, this book give practical ideas to celebrate Jesus in each of the feasts, Destiny Image Publishers, 2009.
Books for Children
: An illustrated book for ages 4–8 that explores the feasts in a "Torah-led" context. It is available at Barnes & Noble (~$24.99) and Walmart (~$24.99).
Kids' Book of Bible Feast Days
: Written by Ramona Wood, this book uses textural collage and digital drawings to explain how Jesus is linked to ancient celebrations. You can find it at Books A Million (~$11.00).
Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights
: A "Big Golden Book" suitable for preschoolers that covers the destruction of the Temple and the miracle of the oil. Activity Books & Workbooks
For hands-on learners, these workbooks include puzzles, recipes, and crafts.
Bible Pathway Adventures: Offers specific workbooks for different age groups:
The Spring Feasts Activity Book
: Covers Passover, Firstfruits, and Pentecost for grades 3–6.
The Fall Feasts Beginners Activity Book
: Designed for K–2, featuring Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. It is available at DiscountMags.com (~$14.49).
Gather 'Round Homeschool - Biblical Feasts
: A 10-lesson mini-unit that walks through the seven Levitical feasts in the order they occur during the year.
Kindle Togetherness: Provides specific family guides for individual feasts, such as
(Passover) and
(Sukkot), ranging from ~$10.00 to ~$12.00.
Gather 'Round Homeschool USA