Who God is: The Spirit who gives us power

Transcription

1 Lesson 1 Acts through Revelation Ages 6-7 Unit 1: The Promise of the Spirit The Promise of the Holy Spirit Lesson Aim: To know the Holy Spirit s power helps us be witnesses, testifying that He rose from the dead, He lives now in heaven, and He will come again. PROPHETS AND PROMISES PART 1 THE WORSHIP, THE WORD, & THE WAY THE WORSHIP Who God is: The Spirit who gives us power THE WORD Bible Story: Acts 1:3-11 What He has done: Jesus promised to send the Spirit, so His disciples could be His witnesses. Key Verse: Acts 1:8 PREPARE Highlight in your Bible: [] Acts 1:3-11 [] Isaiah 43:10 Read: [] Teacher s Guide [] At-A-Glance THE WAY Christ Connection: Isaiah 43:10 BIBLE MEMORY VERSE Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty. I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Zechariah 4:6b, Joel 2:28a TEACHER TIP Complete THE WORSHIP, THE WORD, and THE WAY. If time allows, choose a Got Time? activity or create your own activity to illustrate the Bible Story, the Aim, or the Bible Memory Verse. (Grades 1-2) For your own encouragement this week, read John 14:5-27. Please join us in praying this week s Teacher s Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the promise of Your Holy Spirit. Help the children trust in You to keep all of Your promises. Give them faith to wait on Your promises. Amen. PRESET THE WELCOME [] Getting Started magazines, scissors, markers, poster board THE WORSHIP [] Scripture Reading Genesis 28:15 [] Bible Memory Verse Song Not By Might and related music [] Worship Illustration or Storybook Lesson 1 THE WORD [] Golden Bowl pencils & note cards, Bibles [] Timeline Jesus on Earth (33 A.D.) [] Map Jerusalem, Israel [] Conceal the Bible Story and Christ Connection Scripture references to be unveiled during THE WORD and THE WAY. THE WAY [] Daily Way Lesson 1 [] Treasure Treat Witness Card (blank note card), small pencil GOT TIME? Marshmallows (or any fluffy, white snack), drinks, napkins, plates, cups, large paper world map, paper, tape, pen or pencil, blindfold, shoe box or similar container, markers, scissors, strips of paper, decorating supplies, Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse poster, 24 pictures of the earth Resources: The additional resources referred to in this lesson and supplemental materials are available at To be a resource yourself, click on the Teacher s Blog tab to share your ideas with teachers worldwide. Page 1 of 10

2 1. THE WELCOME (10 minutes) Getting Started To spark anticipation, encourage arriving children to meet and greet one another with today s Meet & Greet Question: What s the best promise you ve ever been given? I WITNESS PURPOSE: To define witness and discover that Jesus called us to be His witnesses. SUPPLIES: Magazines with pictures appropriate for children, scissors, markers, poster board (or dry erase board) PREPARE: Cut or tear out action pictures with multiple people involved in the action from magazines. Write the following questions on the board: 1. What are the people doing in the picture? 2. What are the people wearing? 3. Do the people look happy or sad? 4. What noises do you think the people are hearing or what do you think the people are saying? SAY> A witness is someone who sees or hears something happen. Witnesses tell others what they have seen. In this game, each team will look at a picture and imagine what witnesses might say about it. Study the picture closely and then pretend you are the witnesses to what is happening in the picture. 1. Assign children to small teams of four or less. 2. Give a magazine picture to each team. 3. Teacher reads the four questions on the board. 4. Each team decides the answer to the four questions about their picture. 5. Each team brainstorms and decides what they would say as a witness to the scene in the picture. 6. Acting as witnesses, team members explain or act out the details of what they think happened in the picture. SAY> When you read Bible stories about Jesus, you are a witness to all the things Jesus did. He rose from the dead, He lives now in heaven, and He will come again. Let s find out what Jesus said you should do about what you have seen and heard about Him. Page 2 of 10

3 2. THE WORSHIP (15 minutes) Worship Theme: The Spirit Who Gives Us Power We worship the Holy Spirit who gives us power. The Holy Spirit is God. God is three in one: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Spirit helps us know what God wants us to do. The power of the Holy Spirit gives us the faith to believe that Jesus rose from the dead, lives now in heaven, and will come again. Jesus promised that His disciples would receive power when the Holy Spirit came on them. They waited for that gift, because they knew that God keeps His promises. Worship Elements: Designate a special corner or area for worship. Select songs that focus on the power of the Holy Spirit. Scripture Reading: Genesis 28:15 Lead a prayer to bless the offering: collect offering Perform Worship Illustration or read Storybook: Prophets & Promises Unit 1, Lesson 1 Unit 1 Song Suggestions: Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse Song: Not By Might Every Move I Make Spirit Of The Living God Father I Adore You Standing On The Promises Lord I Lift Your Name On High Friend Of God BIBLE MEMORY VERSE SONG Not By Might Zechariah 4:6b, Joel 2:28a (NIV) Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit. Not by might, nor by power, by My Spirit says the Lord Almighty. And I will pour out my Spirit. I will pour out My Spirit. I will pour out My Spirit. I will pour out My Spirit on all people, says the Lord. (Repeat 2 times) I will pour my Spirit on all people says the Lord. I will pour my Spirit on all people says the Lord. Sheet music and recordings available at Unit 1 Song Collection Suggestions: Cedarmont Worship For Kids Worship Jamz Worship Jamz 2 Shout Praises Kids Shout to The Lord Kids Friend of God Cool Hymns for Kids Page 3 of 10

4 3. THE WORD (5 minutes) The power of the Spirit will help us be Jesus witnesses. Transition: As you move from worship to instruction, change rooms or locations within a room to help redirect the children s focus to the Bible story. During this transition time, have each child write their name on a card and place it in the Golden Bowl. Before we read God s Word, let s go over our Class Covenant. A covenant is an agreement. Just as God made a covenant with His people, I ask each of you to make this covenant promise with me today. Listen as I read our Class Covenant. (Read Class Covenant.) CLASS COVENANT I will keep my on my teacher, my my in control, s on God s Word; knowing God is my goal. BIBLE TIMELINE If a Bible Timeline is available, point to The Birth of Jesus (Circa 0 A.D.), The Life of Jesus (Circa 0-33 A.D.), Jesus Died and Rose Again (Circa 33 A.D.) and Jesus Ascended (Circa 33 A.D.). For Bible Timeline Review information, see GOT TIME? Last time we learned that even as a newborn baby, Jesus was recognized as the King that God had promised to send. Simeon, Anna, the Magi, and evil King Herod knew who Jesus was. God sent Jesus to die for all the wrongs we have done. Then God raised Him from the dead. He lives today in heaven. Just before Jesus went back up to heaven, He promised to send His Spirit to give power to the Apostles. The Apostles were the twelve disciples Jesus chose to be His first witnesses. The book of Acts is about the acts of the Apostles who used that power to do amazing things in building God s church. God s church is everyone who believes in Jesus. Let s look in Acts to see exactly what Jesus did right before He went back up to heaven. If you brought your Bible, open it now and share with others. (Hand out spare Bibles.) Today s Scripture verse is behind the curtain (Or secret door, secret window, etc. Child unveils Bible Story Scripture reference: Acts 1:3-11.) Before we read, let s stand and ask God to open our eyes, ears, hearts and minds to His Word today. Who d like to pray that for us? (Child prays aloud.) Be seated. (Read Acts 1:3-11.) Page 4 of 10

5 4. THE WAY (13 minutes) The Holy Spirit gives us power to be Jesus witnesses. What did Jesus tell the Apostles to do in Jerusalem? (Stay in Jerusalem and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit.) Jesus promised that the Spirit would give them power to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. It was not by their own might or power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit that people believed in Jesus. If you had been there to witness Jesus life, death and return to heaven, what might you have told others about Jesus? (Respond.) There are three important things Jesus proved to the Apostles that day: 1. JESUS IS ALIVE. Jesus proved to the Apostles that He had risen from the dead when they saw Him, spoke with Him and ate with Him. As I reread Act 1:3-5, raise your hand each time you hear proof that Jesus had risen from the dead and is alive. (Teacher rereads Acts 1:3-5.) 2. JESUS IS NOW IN HEAVEN. Where is Jesus now? (In heaven.) Who were the witnesses that saw Him disappear behind the clouds? (The Apostles.) 3. JESUS WILL COME AGAIN. What did the two men who suddenly appeared say to everyone staring up into the clouds? (Jesus will return one day in the same way that He left.) GAME: PARTNER CLAP PURPOSE: Partners sit facing each other and clap each other s hands according to the rhythm below to remember the story from Acts 1:3-11. SUPPLIES: None SAY> The Apostles were witnesses for Jesus. What did they see Jesus do after He rose from the grave? For forty days all were amazed. He proved He was alive and then was raised. Let s play a clapping game to remember that answer. Each time we ll go faster! For for - ty days all were a - mazed. (Pat own thighs-clap) (Right hands meet - clap) (Left hands meet clap) (Both hands meet-clap) He proved He was a-live and then was raised. (Pat own thighs-clap) (Right hands meet - clap) (Left hands meet clap) (Both hands meet-clap) CHRIST CONNECTION Connecting the Old Testament, the New Testament and Us The Apostles knew that Jesus would keep His promise to send the Spirit. God has always kept His promises. See what God said about that over 700 years before Jesus went up to heaven. Everyone place your Bible on your laps. (Choose a child to unveil Christ Connection Scripture reference: Isaiah 43:10.) Let s find this verse. (Read Isaiah 43:10.) Page 5 of 10

6 THE WAY continued GOLDEN BOWL Revelation 5:8 The Golden Bowl contains names of classmates, a local church leader and a child in another nation. The Bible says that our prayers are like sweet smelling incense in the golden bowls at God s throne. So I m going to lift each one of you up to God s throne out loud as you pray for each person silently. Then we ll pray out loud the Lord s Prayer. (Matthew 6:9-13.) Let s pray. Lord God, we lift up to Your throne the name of each child here. We trust You to watch over us and our needs, the ones we say out loud and the ones hidden in our hearts. First, we lift up to You,, (read names in Golden Bowl). Now, we pray the prayer Your Son taught us. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. FINAL FIVE MINUTES When only 5 minutes remain, begin this segment. TREASURE TREAT Today, your Treasure Treat is a Witness Card and small pencil. Keep them in a safe place and when you see something happen that might help others know God better, write it down and tell someone be a witness! DAILY WAY CHALLENGE Did anyone bring in their completed Daily Way from last time? (Praise or reward those who returned Daily Way; collect in basket.) Take home this week s Daily Way. (Distribute Lesson 1 Daily Way 5-day Bible study.) Complete this at home and let God speak to you through His own words in the Bible. Return it and place it in our class basket. When we fill the basket, we ll celebrate with a class surprise! OFFERING OF ART Until it is time to be dismissed, make an Offering of Art. For your offering, draw a picture of the followers watching Jesus being lifted up into the clouds. The Offering of Art can be finished at home or given as an offering to the teacher for display. PRAYER REQUESTS As children work on their Offering of Art, ask how you can pray for them this week. Write individual requests in your teacher s prayer notebook. BIBLE MEMORY VERSE SONG Play the Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse Song in the background as children wait to be dismissed. Page 6 of 10

7 5. GOT TIME? If time remains, choose from theses activities which connect to the lesson. SNACK, GAME AND CRAFT SNACK: INTO THE CLOUDS PURPOSE: The cloud-like snack sparks discussion of witnessing Jesus ascension into the clouds. SUPPLIES: Marshmallows (or any fluffy, white snack), drinks, napkins, plates, cups ASK> A witness is someone who sees or hears something happen. Imagine how you might have felt if you witnessed Jesus telling you to wait for the Holy Spirit and being lifted up into the clouds. What do you think you would have done next? (Respond.) Jesus told His Apostles to tell the whole world what they witnessed about Him. You are witnessing Jesus words and actions when you read the Bible. Jesus wants you tell others what you ve witnessed! 1. Serve snack and drinks. 2. Child prays to thank God for the snack. 3. Ask each child to answer this question: What is the most amazing thing you ve ever seen? GAME: WITNESS TO THE WORLD PURPOSE: This variation of Pin the Tail on the Donkey helps children realize Jesus wants them to be His witnesses to the world. SUPPLIES: Large paper world map*, paper, tape, pen or pencil, blindfold ASK> What does Jesus want His followers to do about what they have witnessed? (Tell people all around the world.) When we follow Jesus, we have a special job. He wants us to tell others about Him. He wants everyone to know Him. Let s discover some of the places Jesus wants His witnesses to go. 1. Display map on the wall. 2. Help each child cut or tear a piece of paper approximately 1-inch square. Children write their name on their square and then stick a loop of tape on the back of the square. 3. Children stand in a line several feet away from the map. 4. Blindfold the first child. Spin the child in a circle three times. 5. Child walks to map and sticks his or her paper square to it. Child removes blindfold and reads the name of the country under or closest to the paper square. 6. Play until all children have taken a turn. 7. Lead a prayer for the witnesses of Jesus in each country that was touched by a paper square. *Option: If a world map is not available, sketch a map on the board, shine one on the wall using a projector, or ask children to help you sketch a world map onto a piece of poster board. Page 7 of 10

8 GOT TIME? continued CRAFT: GOD S PROMISES BOX PURPOSE: Children create boxes in which they can place promises from God. SUPPLIES: Shoebox or similar container (cardboard box, milk or soda jug, etc.), markers, scissors, strips of paper, pens, assorted decorating supplies (feathers, beads, shells, yarn, etc.), Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse poster PREPARE: For younger children, or if the boxes are made from very stiff material, pre-cut a slit in the top of the box. Write God Keeps His Promises where children can see to copy it. Display the Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse poster. ASK> What are some things Jesus disciples witnessed? (They heard and saw Jesus teach, perform miracles, die, rise from the dead, appear to many people, and be lifted up to heaven.) What did Jesus want them to do with all the things they had heard Him say and seen Him do? (Tell other people all over the world.) ASK> Each time you read the Bible, you witness something God has done. Can you think of other times you have witnessed God s work? (When He answers prayers, seeing everything He has created, when worshiping and learning about God.) This year, we are going to learn about the promises God made in the Bible. We will be witnesses to God s promises! Let s each make a special box where we can put God s promises. SAY> Our new Bible Memory Verse is a special promise from God. Let s put it in our Promise Boxes. God promised to send His Spirit to all of us. That means we will know He is close to us all the time! (Play the Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse Song in the background as children work on their boxes.) 1. Cut a slit, approximately 1 ½-inches long, on the top or side of the box. 2. Write God Keeps His Promises anywhere on the box. 3. Use the craft supplies to decorate the box. 4. Write the Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse onto a strip of paper. 5. Push the paper through the slit into your box. SAY> Each time you see or hear one of God s promises, write or draw it on a piece of paper. Then drop it in your Promise Box. You can open your Promise Box anytime to remember the promises God has made in the Bible. God always keeps His promises. Page 8 of 10

9 GOT TIME? continued BIBLE MEMORY VERSE ACTIVITIES MEMORY VERSE HAND MOTIONS PURPOSE: Children learn the Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse Zechariah 4:6b, Joel 2:28a. SUPPLIES: Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse poster ASK> This year we are going to learn about God s promises. Our new Bible Memory Verse tells us one of God s promises. What is the promise? ( I will pour out my Spirit on all people. ) We can t do the great things God wants us to do by just using our own might and power. We need God s help, so He promised to send us a special helper, His Holy Spirit. Let s learn some motions to help us remember Zechariah 4:6b and Joel 2:28a. 1. Children stand in a circle. 2. As you say the Bible Memory Verse together, do the following corresponding actions: Not by might flex arm muscles up Nor by power flex arm muscles down But by My Spirit point to heaven Says the Lord Almighty make an L shape with thumb and index finger, cross L shape from shoulder to hip as a royal sash. This is sign language for the word Lord. I will pour out pretend to hold up a jug and pour My Spirit point to heaven On all people spread arms wide AROUND THE WORLD PURPOSE: Children learn the meaning of the Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse. SUPPLIES: Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse poster, 24 pictures of the earth (Pictures can be computer printouts, magazine cutouts, or your own sketches. Pictures do not need to be identical.) PREPARE: Display Unit 1 Bible Memory Verse poster. Place earth pictures in a large circle approximately 1- foot apart from each other. ASK> God says He will pour out His Spirit. That means He will give His Spirit. Who will He give His Spirit to? (All people.) God wants to give His Spirit to everyone in the world! His Spirit comes to anyone who accepts Jesus as their Savior and forever friend. That s why Jesus wants us to go tell everyone about Him. We want everyone to know Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. 1. Each child stands next to an earth picture and turns to the right. 2. Say the Bible Memory Verse together. 3. On each word, children take a step to the next earth picture as they go around the circle. Page 9 of 10

10 GOT TIME? continued BIBLE TIMELINE REVIEW Review the recent Bible Stories studied to see the continuing story of God and His people. Hang the Bible Timeline on a wall or other visible location. Point to the Bible Timeline and ask the corresponding questions. The Birth of Jesus (Circa 0 A.D.) After the days of Queen Esther had passed, God sent no messages to His people for 400 years. Then, when the time was right, He sent His angels to announce the birth of King Jesus to Mary, Joseph and finally to the shepherds. What did the shepherds do when they saw baby Jesus in the manger? (They spread the word about Him and praised God.) After He was born, many people looked for Jesus. At the temple, both Simeon and Anna knew when they saw baby Jesus that He was the Savior and King that God had promised to send His people. The Magi followed the star to worship King Jesus. Even the evil King Herod knew from the scriptures that baby Jesus would be the most powerful King in the world! The Life of Jesus (Circa 0-33 A.D.) Jesus grew up to serve many people as their leader, teacher, healer, prayer warrior, miracle worker, and Lord. What is your favorite thing that Jesus said or taught? What is your favorite miracle that Jesus performed? Jesus Died and Rose Again (Circa 33 A.D.) God sent Jesus to suffer and die for all the wrongs we have done. Then God raised Him from the dead. Jesus Ascended (Circa 33 A.D.) After Jesus proved to many people that He was alive, God lifted Him up to heaven. What did Jesus tell His disciples right before He was lifted up? (To wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come in power and they would be His witnesses.) What is a witness? (Respond.) A witness is someone who has seen something and then tells others about it. How to create a Bible Timeline: 1. Print Lesson title or person s name with historical date (whenever available) on a card. Before each lesson, add that new card to the Bible Timeline. Specific dates and a confirmed chronological order of events covered in Units 1-6 are not available. On the Bible Timeline or Units 1-6, the events will be ordered as they appear in the Bible. 2. Attach card to wall or clothesline in the following order: Jesus was born (Circa 0 A.D.) > The Life of Jesus (Circa 1 33 A.D.) > Jesus Died and Rose Again (Circa 33 A.D.) > Jesus Ascended (Circa 33 A.D.) Page 10 of 10