personally? John 3:16 TABLE OF CONTENTS Have you taken it real meaning of Administration Page 2 Lesson One Pages 3-5 Teaching Resources Pages 6-7

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3 Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 TABLE OF CONTENTS Administration Page 2 Lesson One Pages 3-5 Teaching Resources Pages 6-7 Lesson Two Pages 8-10 Teaching Resources Pages Lesson Three Pages Teaching Resources Pages Lesson Four Pages Teaching Resources Pages Lesson Five Pages Teaching Resources Pages 32-42

4 Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 WHAT ABOUT THIS RESOURCE? MY316 is a resource that is designed as a guide to teach children grades 4-6 how to use John 3:16 as a way to talk to their friends and family about the gospel using their personal experiences. Each of the five lessons will guide children through the process of understanding the meaning of the scripture verse and how they can apply it when they talk with family and friends. MY316 has components written for all ages. The benefit to using this component of MY316 is that this can be used in conjunction with the other age groups in your church. Your church family can participate together learning how to use this tool as a way to share their testimony with others and help them learn what John 3:16 can mean to them. HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE: There are five lessons plans written with age-appropriate activities for 4th-6th graders to guide them through the process. They will learn what each part of John 3:16 means, how to apply it personally, and how to share it with others. Each lesson will have a Bible Story and a Life Application with an Emphasis in four different areas: POWER, SHARING, PRAYER and SERVING. A Teacher Preparation page is provided at the beginning of each lesson that will guide you through the planning and preparation process. Teaching Resources are also provided for some of the activities to assist in preparation for the activities. A Teacher Challenge is given to encourage teachers to build relationships with their students during the duration of the study. At the end of each lesson are Extra Options which are designed to be used as an opening activity for a large group Children s Worship setting or as an activity that can be added to another small group class setting as a tool to teach children to share their testimony. Drawing John 3:16 with Kids is included in Lesson 2 but can be pulled out and used as a stand-alone activity for any class or event. This activity will teach kids to use a simple drawing explaining John 3:16 as they share their personal testimony. For God so loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 2

5 LESSON ONE: Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 Bible Story: Nicodemus Becomes a Follower of Jesus (John 3:1-21) Life Application: I can know that God loves me and wants a relationship with me. Emphasis: Introduce the idea that John 3:16 is personal for everyone. Help children understand what the verse means and how they can apply it to them personally. Be prepared to share the gospel to the boys and girls. Introduce the POWER of the verse, the emphasis of SHARING the verse and the importance of PRAYER and SERVING. Teaching Preparation 1. Prepare your heart for teaching by studying the Bible passage and praying, asking God to lead you to be the instrument for His message to the children. 2. Gather 3x5 index cards (1 per child), markers and stickers. 3. Wrap a large box with wrapping paper and bow. Wrap the lid separately so it can be removed. Under the lid, inside the box, tape a piece of paper with John 3:16 only written on it. Be prepared to use this item for each lesson. 4. Provide 4 tear sheets to be used in groups of 3 to 4 (or individually, depending on the number of children in the class). These sheets can be posted in various places around the room or on the floor. Provide markers for each group. Write one of the following questions/statements on each sheet: a. What is the most exciting or expensive gift you have ever received? b. List some of the gifts you have received. c. List some of the gifts you have given to someone else. d. What is a gift you have asked for but you have not received? 5. Make 4 sentence strips, one strip for each section of John 3:16. Write the phrases on each strip: a. For God so loved the world in this way: b. He gave His One and Only Son c. so that everyone who believes in Him d. will not perish but have eternal life. 6. Copy Response Cards (1 per child). 7. Copy MY316 Tracts (1 per child) or you can order MY316 Tracts by calling the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention at Teacher Challenge: During the week, send a postcard to each child welcoming them to the class and encourage them to work on memorizing John 3:16. 3

6 Teaching Procedure Class Introduction: As the children arrive give them a 3x5 card and have them put their name on it and decorate it if they choose to. Discuss the purpose of the class. During each one of our class times we will be using John 3:16 as our guide. As we work to memorize it, we will learn its meaning, what it means to us and how we can share it with others. We will talk about the Power of the verse, how to Share the verse, the importance of Prayer, and how we can Serve others. That is why the class is called MY316 and the most important thing we want to learn first is that God loves us! Power Up: Tear sheets with questions/statements Divide into four groups, one group at each tear sheet. Give the groups five minutes to answer the questions. Bring the groups back together to discuss their answers. After each group has a chance to share their answers, explain what the wrapped gift box is for. During our class times we will be talking about the greatest gift of all! God has offered us the greatest gift of all and he wants us to accept it and be able to share it with others. As we are learning each week, we will add something to the box. Open the box and show the inside of the lid and recite John 3:16 to them. Share the Info: Story of Nicodemus and God s Gift to Us Open your Bible to John 3:1-21. Read the passage to the children. After reading the passage, review by asking these questions: Who was Nicodemus and when did he come to visit Jesus? (a ruler of the Jews, at night, vs. 1) What did Nicodemus ask Jesus? What was Jesus answer? (How can anyone be born again? You must be born of the Spirit vs. 4-5) Explain that the Spirit is the Holy Spirit the spirit of God which brings a change in our heart. Who is God s Son and why did He send Him? (Jesus, because He loves the world, vs. 16) What happens to the person who believes in God s Son? (They will have eternal life, vs. 16) Begin sharing the gospel with the children. Explain that the gospel means good news, it s the message about Jesus, the kingdom of God and salvation. God has a plan for each of us and here s how it works: God rules. The Bible tells us God created everything, including you and me, and He is in charge of everything. (reference: Genesis 1:1, Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16-17) We sinned. We all choose to disobey God. The Bible calls this sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God s punishment of death. (reference: Romans 3:23, 6:23) God provided. God sent Jesus the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. (reference: John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9) Jesus gives. He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! (reference: Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 2:8-9) 4

7 We respond. Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. (reference: John 14:6, Romans 10:9-10, 13) The next question is: How do we respond to Jesus? Well here s the way: you say the ABC s of becoming a Christian. A Admit to God that you are a sinner. B Believe that Jesus is God s Son and accept God s gift of forgiveness from sin. C Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Note: There are many ways you can share the gospel presentation with children. This is taken from The Gospel, God s Plan for Me and the ABC s of Becoming a Christian, both are resources of LifeWay Christian Resources. Pray It: Personalize John 3:16 Ask children to get their Bibles and find John 3:16. After everyone has found the verse in their Bibles, ask for a volunteer to read the verse. Then ask for four volunteers to help you explain the meaning of the verse. As each sentence strip is read, have the volunteer tape it on a focal wall in order as it is read. Explain the meaning of each phrase as it is being posted. a. For God so loved the world in this way: Ask: Are you a part of the world? Who do you think is part of the world? b. He gave His One and Only Son Ask: Who is God s One and Only Son? What did God give His Son to do? c. So that everyone who believes in Him Ask: What are we being asked to believe? d. Will not perish but have eternal life. Ask: What does perish mean? What is eternal life? When you are finished discussing the meaning of the verse. Ask each child to come up and put their name card into the gift box. This will represent that Jesus gave His life for each one of them. Serve Others: Response Cards Give each child a response card and have them complete it. As you are passing out the cards tell them that this is a quiet time and no one will be talking unless they have a question for the teachers. When they are finished have them put it in the gift box and return quietly to their seats until everyone is finished. Closing: Encourage the children to start memorizing John 3:16 this week. Practice saying the verse together. End the session with a prayer thanking God for the greatest gift ever His Son Jesus! Hand out John 3:16 postcards to each child as they leave and encourage them to memorize it. Extra Options: Display the wrapped gift box. Open the lid and show the memory verse reference John 3:16 and the MY316 Tract. Present the gospel using the John 3:16 and the MY316 Tract. 5

8 Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 RESPONSE CARD Put an X on the statement that best describes your choice today. I prayed today and asked Jesus to be the boss of my life. I am already a Christian and prayed today for Jesus to help me be a better Christian. I want to talk to someone privately about becoming a Christian. I want to think more about becoming a Christian. My Name Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 RESPONSE CARD Put an X on the statement that best describes your choice today. I prayed today and asked Jesus to be the boss of my life. I am already a Christian and prayed today for Jesus to help me be a better Christian. I want to talk to someone privately about becoming a Christian. I want to think more about becoming a Christian. My Name

9 For God so loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 For God so loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 For God so loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 For God so loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

10 LESSON TWO: Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 Bible Story: Paul Tells a Mob and a King About Jesus (Acts 22, 26) Life Application: I can tell others about Jesus. Emphasis: Enable children to write and tell their MY316 Story using the MY316 Tract. Teaching Preparation 1. Prepare your heart for teaching by studying the Bible passage and praying, asking God to lead you to be the instrument for His message to the children. 2. Write John 3:16 on a large piece of construction paper or a poster board and make a puzzle pattern. Cut the puzzle pieces apart and store them in a sealable plastic bag or a large envelope. Make enough puzzles for groups of 2-3 kids. 3. Review the Drawing John 3:16 with Kids instruction guide. 4. Provide copies of the MY316 tracts (1 per child) 5. Make copies of MY316 Story (1 per child) 6. Post the MY316 icons posters around the room in random order. 7. Gather 9 x 12 poster board, or 9 x 12 construction paper, or CDs in a slip case (1 per child) 8. Secure a TV/DVD player. Set up the Leading A Child To Christ video, Segment #2, Leading a Friend to Christ (LifeWay resource item # ). Teacher Challenge: Send a postcard or , text or call all the children in the class and let them know you are praying for them. 8

11 Teaching Procedure Power Up: John 3:16 Puzzles As the children arrive, ask who can say John 3:16 from memory. Ask each child that memorized the verse to recite it for everyone. Give words of encouragement for those who memorized and continue to challenge the others to do so. Place the children in groups and have them work on the John 3:16 Puzzles. To add excitement, tell them you will time them to see you finish the puzzle first. Share the Info: Tell the Bible story in your own words using Acts 22 and 26. Ask each child to get out their Bibles and look up Acts 22, put a bookmark of some kind there and go to Acts 26. Begin telling the story of Paul witnessing to the mob and to King Agrippa and include these facts: Paul was in Jerusalem and was about to be put in prison because a riot had started. Just before the soldiers were about to take him to the prison Paul asked to speak to the people. Paul spoke to the people in the language they spoke after he had been given permission to. Paul shared with the people about what had happened to him when he was traveling to Damascus. At that time, Paul did not believe the people who were talking about Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Paul had been persecuting the people who were talking about Jesus. Paul told the mob that on his way to Damascus, Jesus spoke to him and asked him why he was persecuting people who believed in Him. From then on Paul changed and started learning more about Jesus and sharing his story with others. The mob listened to Paul but they would not believe him and they still wanted him put in jail Sometime later Paul had been taken to Caesarea where King Agrippa was visiting. King Agrippa had heard about Paul and he was interested in hearing the things he had to say. Paul spoke with King Agrippa and shared his story about what had happened to him on the road to Damascus. Ask the children: Who else did Paul share this story with? What verses do you find this story in? (Acts 22:6-21) King Agrippa heard every Paul was saying but he accused him of being out of his mind and he did not believe him. King Agrippa asked Paul if he was trying to persuade him to be a Christian. Paul said he wanted the king and everyone else who heard about Jesus to believe in Him. King Agrippa was not angry with Paul but he still did not believe in Jesus. Ask review questions: 1. What did Paul tell the people about why he had changed? 2. What did Paul do after he had changed? 3. Did the people accept what Paul was saying? 4. What different ways did the people react to Paul s testimony? Pray It: Begin by asking children to arrange MY316 icon posters in order and repost them. Share your testimony with the class. Pass out the MY316 Story worksheet and have the children fill it out. Guide them to learn to share their story by writing down what they experienced. Also provide the MY316 Tract to aid them in the 9

12 process of telling their story. Help them understand that they are to just write down what happened to them using the order of the questions and the MY316 Tract. Serve Others: Use the Drawing John 3:16 with Kids guide to explain to the children how to use the MY316 Tract. Then choose one of the three options to do with the whole group or arrange three centers and allow the children to choose the activity they would like to do. Option #1 Use the MY316 Tract to have each child practice telling their personal story using the MY316 Story worksheet. Also provide the MY316 Tract to share John 3:16 with a friend in class. Give everyone an opportunity to share their personal story. Allow them to share as they feel comfortable to. Some children will share right away and some will need time before they are ready. Encourage children to share but do not force it. Help children to be excited about their story and not afraid of it. Option #2 Have the children make their own MY316 Tract out of poster board, construction paper or an old CD covered with white contact paper. Use the outline in the MY316 Tract to print onto the poster, paper or CD. If using the CD, encourage the children to keep it in the paper sleeve to have it ready to use when they tell a friend about Jesus. Option #3 Show video segment #2, Leading a Friend to Christ. Closing: Place your personal MY316 Tract (poster or CD), in the gift box. Challenge the children to use their poster or CD this week to share their story with a friend and come back and share with the class what happened. Start a prayer circle by opening up with a prayer, Jesus, help me to share with this week about the greatest gift You have given me-you! go around the circle and have the dids say a name out loud of someone with whom they can share with. Suggest mom, dad, brother, sister, grandparent or friend. Extra Options: Enlist a leader to share their story using the MY316 Story and/or pass out the My Story worksheet and help the children fill them out. Another option: Use the Drawing John 3:16 with Kids guide and activity. 10

13 Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 Drawing John 3:16 with Kids Purpose: To equip kids with a tool that will help them share the good news of Jesus when they are talking and playing with their friends by using John 3:16. Explanation: Kids will be taught the meaning of each part of the verse by drawing pictures that symbolize each part. In the process of drawing each part they will be able to share what the verse means and what it has meant to them. Desired Outcome: To give kids a tool that will develop a strong faith foundation that will help them withstand the temptations and challenges they will face as they get older. Basically, give them a tool that will begin to help them turn to Jesus throughout their life. Teacher Preparation: Acknowledge what the Bible teaches about children and becoming a Christ-follower. Read Psalm 127:3, Proverbs 22:6, Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:16 to know what the Bible teaches about children. Be sure that you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. Review your salvation experience, your age, where you were, who helped you and what was your most memorable part of the experience. Commit to being prepared to share the gospel with children in age-appropriate ways. Know that children do not think in abstract terms so using symbolic language can confuse them and cause them to think something completely different than what you are trying to relay ( accepting Jesus in my heart can mean a Valentine heart or their physical heart that could cause them to be scared because it would hurt or be bloody). Remain conversational and not confrontational. Here s How: Ask the following questions: How many of you have already memorized John 3:16? Tell me some places you have seen John 3:16 posted. (if prompting is needed use examples such as: billboards and overpasses along the highway, handmade signs at sporting events, bottom of drink cups at fast food restaurants, i.e. In N Out Burger, shopping bags, i.e. Forever 21, tattoos on people, car bumper stickers) Why do you think this verse is so important? This verse completely tells us how God feels about us and what we need to do about it. Since this is such an important verse we want to be able to share it with others. In order to share it with others we need to understand what it means. So to help us understand what John 3:16 means, we are going to draw it. We are going to draw one part of the verse at a time to make one big picture. 11

14 Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 Directions: Draw each symbol and then write that part of the verse next to it on right side. 1. Draw a large heart big enough to draw things inside of it. This will symbolize God s love for us. To the right side of the heart write: For God loved. 2. Draw a globe of the world inside the heart (include mountains, trees, ocean, birds, people). To the right side of the heart write: the world in this way: 3. Draw a cross that reaches from the top of the heart to the bottom that goes through the world. This will symbolize how Jesus died on the cross. To the right side of the heart write: He gave His one and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish 4. Draw a squiggly line through the middle of the world from the left to the right. This will symbolize sin. Write the word SIN at the right end of the squiggly line. Give a brief explanation of the words believe, perish and sin. Believe means to accept God s gift of love, His Son Jesus, as forgiveness from our sins. (Acts 16:31-Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved ) Perish means to die, to be separated from God. (Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death ) Sin means something that displeases God. (Romans 3:23 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.) 5. Write the words Think Say Do next to the word Sin. Share that sin is anything you think that does not please God, anything you say that does not please God, and anything that you do that does not please God. Sin is choosing your way instead of God s way. Sin separates us from God. 6. Draw short little lines out all around the heart to represent that God s love is eternal. To the right side of the heart write: eternal life. John 3:16 Wrap Up: Be committed to reminding children over and over that you are available at any time to talk about Jesus and becoming a Christian or to talk and to pray together. Consider using a response card for an invitation instead of a show of hands to lower peer pressure. Have a follow-up plan. Read together Hebrew 13:5b and 1 John 1:9 in the child s Bible and underline them. Talk about how Jesus will never leave him, and even though is a Christian, there will be times when he makes wrong choices. God will always forgive him. Always encourage a child to talk with his parents/caregiver about his decision to become a Christian. 12

15 GOD SIN US JOHN 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. THINK SAY DO

16 Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 MY316 STORY For God: God is the creator of everything in the world, including people. He created the first two people to ever live on the earth. Their names were Adam and Eve. What were some of the things you understood about God that made you realize how powerful he is? So loved: God is love. He didn t just create Adam and Eve, he loved them. How did it make you feel the first time you understood that God loved you? The world: But he didn t just love Adam and Eve, he loves everyone who has been born since then. He loves all the people in the world. When you think about people in your life that God loves, who do you think about? That he gave his one and only son: Jesus is God s son and was sent by him because of our sin. Adam and Eve made a choice to disobey God and we have all made that same choice. Romans 3:23 says, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That sin separates us from God in this life and in the life to come. Jesus was sent to live a perfect life and his death paid the cost for everyone who will trust in him. What were some of the things in your life that made you realize you had sinned? That whoever believes in him: When you understand who Jesus is and what he has done, you can make a choice to turn your life over to him. You can accept His offer to pay for your sins and begin a relationship with God. Describe what it was like when you first believed that Jesus was God s son and could forgive you of your sins? Should not perish but have eternal life: Perish means to be separated from God forever. If you trust in Jesus your relationship with God starts on this earth and keeps going even after you die. Describe what it was like when you asked Jesus to take control of your life. I have, will you? Trusting in Jesus involves three important things. 1. Admit that you have sin in your life. (Romans 3:23) 2. Believe that Jesus is God s son and died to pay the price for that sin. (Romans 6:23) 3. Confess (say) with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. (Romans 10:9) What is the most exciting thing about your life since you decided to follow Jesus? What would you say to someone who is wondering if they should trust Jesus?

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18 LESSON THREE: Bible Story: Three Friends Prayed Life Application: I can pray for my friends. Emphasis: Focus on the power of prayer and praying for our friends who do not know about Jesus. Teaching Preparation Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 1. Prepare your heart for teaching by studying the Bible passage and praying, asking God to lead you to be the instrument for His message to the children. 2. Make copies of the worksheet Words in Daniel 3 (1 per child). 3. Make two signs to post on opposite sides of the room. One sign to say Agree and the other sign Disagree. Post the signs. 4. Provide a Three Musketeers candy bar (regular or fun size), and a snack size baggie (1 per child), permanent markers and prepared gift box. 5. Choose one activity or make stations for each activity and allow children to choose their activity. Option #1: Gather light colored rocks large enough to write a message on but be able to carry home (1 per child), and dark or bold colored permanent markers. Option #2: Gather brightly colored (8 x 10 approximately) craft foam sheets, poster board or construction paper. Also, foam or cardboard number 3 die cuts 3 to 5 inches. (1 per child), hole punch,12-inch piece of yarn or string, permanent markers, craft/tacky glue. Option #3: Gather 5 x 5 inch pieces of cardboard (1 per child), 1-inch magnet strips with adhesive (2 per child), rolls of various colors and designs of duct/craft tape, and masking tape. 6. Print three scripture passages on postcards: Colossians 1:9-12, Ephesians 3:14-19, 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (1 passage per card) 7. Provide postcards or greeting cards (1 per child). Print a message on each card for each child and mail it to them during the week. Teacher Challenge: Mail postcards to the children to remind them to be praying for their three friends. 16

19 Teaching Procedure Power Up: Provide the Words in Daniel 3 word search for early arrivers and/or as the class begins. Begin the class time by asking the children to share their stories about how they shared their MY316 Story with someone during the week. Be prepared to share your story as an example. Share the Info: Introduce the Bible lesson by asking, Has anyone ever heard of The Three Musketeers? Explain that The Three Musketeers is a movie and cartoon about three soldiers who were friends. These friends had a saying All for one and one for all! Ask the kids what they think that means? Tell them that no matter what, they had each other s back, they were a team. The Three Musketeers not only were friends, but also lived their lives for the same purpose and were together in good times and bad. Say: Today s story reminds me of The Three Musketeers because it is about three friends who lived their life with the same purpose, stayed together in good times and bad and always had each other s back. Tell the children to open their Bibles to Daniel 3 and follow along with the story. Read this paraphrase of the story or tell in your own words. King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue and he made a rule that when everyone heard the music they were all to fall down and bow to the statue. He told his leaders to send the word to everyone about what they were required to do and if they did not obey they would be thrown into a blazing furnace of fire! So, all the people obeyed the new rule the king had made. Except there was a problem. Some of the king s leaders did not like some of the Jewish men that the king had put in charge of Babylon. The three men were friends and their names were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The king s leaders knew that the three friends worshipped only their God and would not bow down to the king s statue. So they told the king that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not bowing to his statue. This made the king very angry! The king had Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego brought to him. He asked them if they had disobeyed his new rule and if they had he would give them another chance to obey. The three friends told the king that he did not need to give them another chance because they could not bow down and worship any other god but their God. The king got so angry that his face changed! He ordered that the furnace be lit seven times hotter than it usually was and that the three friends be thrown into it. The king had Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego tied up with ropes and had his soldiers take them right away to the fiery furnace. The fire was so blazing hot that it killed the soldiers that took them and they fell into the furnace all tied up with the ropes. Then the king jumped up because he thought he saw four men walking around in the furnace! He asked his leaders if they had thrown only three men tied up in the furnace and they said they had. Then the king said he could see four men walking around not tied up, and that one of the men looked like a son of the gods. The king was so amazed that he went to the door of the furnace and called out for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to come out of the furnace. He knew they were servants of the Most High God. When the three friends came out of the furnace, everyone could see that the fire had no effect on them. They were not burned at all. There clothes were not burned, their hair was not singed and they didn t even smell like smoke! King Nebuchadnezzar praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! He knew that their God had saved them from the firey furnace! The king changed his new rule and told the people that they were not to say anything bad against Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego s God and if they did they would be punished. Then the king rewarded the three friends. 17

20 Wrap up and review the Bible story by using the Agree or Disagree activity. Instruct the children that you will read the following statements and if they agree with it they are to stand by the Agree sign, if they disagree they are to stand by the Disagree sign. Ask kids to find the verses to support their answers. Agree or Disagree statements: I should always agree with my friends. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were on the same team (vs. 12) I should not do something wrong for my friend. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego lived for the same purpose (vs ) My friend needs to believe in the same God that I do. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were willing to stay together even if the outcome was bad. They had each other s back. (vs. 18) I should only have my friends back if I will not get in trouble. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego started praying to their God when the soldiers were tying them up? (vs. 20) One of the best things I can do for my friends is pray for them. God heard the prayers of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and was with them (vs. 25) I should only pray for my friends when we are getting along. God answered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego s prayers (vs. 28) Friends should be a team (not a sports team). God rewards obedience (vs ). Prayer is powerful! God is powerful! Pray It: As children transition to the activity say, Sometimes we don t always get along with our friends. As you grow up and go to different schools, you may not always have the same friends, but there is one thing we can do to be the best friend ever. We can pray for our friends so that we will live our lives with the same purpose, which is to follow Jesus Christ and know for sure that we will go to heaven when we die. Ask the children to think about three friends they are around who need to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. These friends do not have to be their best friend, but can be a classmate, a locker-mate, lunch room lady or anyone. Give each child a 3 Musketeer candy bar and have them carefully open the wrapper so that the inside of the wrapper can be seen. Give each child a permanent marker and have them write the names on the wrapper of three friends they can pray for who need to become a Christian. If they do not want to eat their candy bar, they can put it in the snack size baggie and take it home. Have each child place their candy wrapper in the gift box. Serve Others: Choose one of the three options to do with the whole group or arrange three centers and allow the children to choose the activity they would like to do. Option #1: Prayer Rock Instruct the children to write the names of three friends on their rock that they know need to learn about Jesus. They can also decorate their rock. Tell the children this rock is a reminder to pray for their friends. Option #2: Number 3 Reminder Sign Instruct the children to glue their #3 die cut to the center of their foam/paper sheet. Punch a hole at each top corner of their foam sheet or paper. Tie the ends of the yarn/string through each hole to make a hanger for their 18

21 sign. Use the markers to write the names of three friends they know need to learn about Jesus on the sheet/paper around the number 3. Tell the children to take their sign home and hang it somewhere to remind them to pray for their three friends. Option #3: Locker Memo Board Allow children to cover the cardboard pieces with the duct/craft tape. Use the masking tape to add the names of three friends they know need to learn about Jesus. Attach the magnets to the back of the cardboard pieces. Encourage the children to take their Memo Boards to school and put in their locker or hang them on the refrigerator door at home to help remind them to pray for their friends. Closing: Choose three children to read the scripture passage cards. Close in prayer by asking God to help you pray for each of your three friends and to be the best friend you can to those you are around. Extra Options: To emphasize the power of prayer have a Bible drill competition using the referenced verses: Colossians 1:9-12, Ephesians 3:14-19, 1 Timothy 2:1-4. After locating the verses, read them and discuss them. 19

22 WORDS IN DANIEL 3 A F G Y R B L S N F D P G H L R A S X E A I T O Y W O Y O U R O N L A E D W K H R P H A D L F U L R A W I R B N I O F X D C R C D L T C Y N W E K I E E M N I I W P W I A H O D B A E R K I D S S Y A K L F E M R H V V A C R I R G N I G A R D L R E E V Z S O B E V F N V E T H R O W S S E P F A L E B L A Z I N G R O H F X H C A R D A H S M L C U O N O U I X M A B O W Y A B X N Q D D W W N R O H F A Z ABEDNEGO BOW FLAMES SOLDIERS GOD MESHACH RAGING REWARD SMOKE THROW BABYLON POWER DANIEL FRIENDS FIRE HORN FURNACE KING PRAY SHADRACH THREE BLAZING WORDS IN DANIEL 3 A F G Y R B L S N F D P G H L R A S X E A I T O Y W O Y O U R O N L A E D W K H R P H A D L F U L R A W I R B N I O F X D C R C D L T C Y N W E K I E E M N I I W P W I A H O D B A E R K I D S S Y A K L F E M R H V V A C R I R G N I G A R D L R E E V Z S O B E V F N V E T H R O W S S E P F A L E B L A Z I N G R O H F X H C A R D A H S M L C U O N O U I X M A B O W Y A B X N Q D D W W N R O H F A Z ABEDNEGO BOW FLAMES SOLDIERS GOD MESHACH RAGING REWARD SMOKE THROW BABYLON POWER DANIEL FRIENDS FIRE HORN FURNACE KING PRAY SHADRACH THREE BLAZING

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26 LESSON FOUR: Bible Story: Honor Among Disciples (Matthew 20:20-28) Life Application: Honor and respect are gained when I serve others. Emphasis: Teach the children the importance of serving others. Teaching Preparation Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 1. Prepare your heart for teaching by studying the Bible passage and praying, asking God to lead you to be the instrument for His message to the children. 2. Bring 2-3 dozen unfrosted sugar cookies, frosting, portion cups for the frosting (1 per child), sprinkles, plastic knives to spread frosting, plates for frosting the cookies and plates for serving, napkins, frozen juice, pitchers and cups. (Ensure you have enough items for your class and another class to serve.) 3. Make 2 Allergy Alert signs listing items to be served. 4. Make preparations ahead of time to serve snacks to a class of younger children. 5. Enlist two people to do a foot washing (one to receive and one to serve). 6. Gather a large plastic tub, wash cloth, soap and a towel. Ensure water is available to fill tub for foot washing. 7. Have a camera available for pictures. (Be aware of church policies and procedures for taking pictures of children.) 8. Make a copies of Ways I Can Serve Others (1 per child). 9. Print words or phrases of John 3:16 on colored paper. Hide the words around the room. 10. Review the church and local school calendars. Choose two or three dates for the class to do a service project together. Teacher Challenge: Find a way to serve one of your student s families. Make a dessert, dinner or whatever the need is. Ask God to show you and be ready to respond. 24

27 Teaching Procedure Power Up: As children arrive have them start to decorate cookies. Enlist 2 children to make the juice, another 2 children to count out the plates, napkins and cups for each class. Set the snacks aside. Tell the children that during class time today they will be learning about serving others. One of the class activities will be serving another class the snacks they have just prepared. When they return they can enjoy their snacks. Share the Info: Tell the children that today s story is about a mother s request for her two sons. The story is about James and John and you will be reading from Matthew 20: Enlist children to act out the story as you read. You will need actors to be Jesus, the mother, James, John, and 10 disciples. After reading the Bible passage review the story by asking these questions: What did James and John s mother want Jesus to promise her? (For her sons to sit at his side, vs. 21) What did Jesus ask their mother in return? (Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? vs. 22) Ask the children if they know what Jesus means. Who did Jesus say would sit at his side? (Those whom his Father has chosen, vs. 23) What lesson did Jesus teach the disciples from these two brothers? (That whoever wants to become great must learn to be a servant, vs. 26). What does the Bible tell us Jesus came to do? (Not to be served but to serve other by giving his life, vs. 28). What did you learn from this story? Give everyone a chance to respond. Pray It: Prepare the children to serve the other class by assigning each person a job. The jobs can be things like carrying the tray of cookies, passing out cookies, plates, napkins, cups, pouring juice. Take pictures of the class serving. Use the pictures to show the parents and the church via church newsletter, website, Facebook, and/or posting in the classroom. (Ensure you are following church policies and procedures regarding the pictures.) When you return to your class, reassign jobs to different children and allow them to serve each other. Encourage everyone to participate in clean up. Serve Others: While children are enjoying their snacks, pass out the Ways I Can Serve worksheet. Children can work in groups or individually. Discuss their answers and decide on a service project they can do as a class. Utilize one of the dates you have found that works with the church and school calendars. 25

28 SERVICE PROJECT SUGGESTIONS At Church: Cleaning flower beds Cleaning vans Picking up trash Making cards for senior citizens Decorating a bulletin board or classroom walls At Home: Chores Helping with a younger sibling Practice using a certain set of manners for a length of time Taking care of a pet Cleaning out a vehicle At School: Being a friend Waiting your turn Helping someone when you see they need it Opening a door for someone Putting others first In Sports & Play: Being polite to others Not getting angry Encouraging those around you In the Community: Clean up a park Pick up trash when you see it Collect pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities Collect items for the New Life Pregnancy Centers Visit a retirement or nursing home Closing: Before praying ask the children to report on their week of prayer. Always be ready to share your story too. Ask them how they can serve the three friends on their prayer list. Ask each child to pray using this sentence: Jesus, help me to be a servant this week by. Allow the children to quietly finish the statement prayerfully. Extra Options: Plan a service project for the whole group to participate in. Use the ideas in the lesson plan or allow the children to brainstorm ideas. 26

29 ALLERGY ALERT!!

30 WAYS I CAN SERVE OTHERS List ways to serve in the following areas: When you are done, put a star by six things you WILL do! At our Church: At Sports or Play: At Home: In my Community: At School: Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 WAYS I CAN SERVE OTHERS List ways to serve in the following areas: When you are done, put a star by six things you WILL do! At our Church: At Sports or Play: At Home: In my Community: At School: Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16

31 LESSON FIVE: Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 Bible Story: Working Together to Bring a Friend to Jesus (Luke 15:17-26) Life Application: I can tell my friends about Jesus. Emphasis: Teach children the importance of sharing their story about how much knowing Jesus means to them. Teaching Preparation 1. Prepare your heart for teaching by studying the Bible passage and praying, asking God to lead you to be the instrument for His message to the children. 2. Make a copy of the Jeopardy Review Questions. Place in a folder or make a folder using a 11x17 piece of construction paper folded in half to hide the answers to the questions. 3. Using 8-1/2x11 inch cardstock, print one copy of each Lesson Title (Nicodemus Becomes a Follower of Jesus, Paul Tells A Mob and A King About Jesus, Three Friends Prayed, Honor Among Disciples - one title per page). 4. Using 8-1/2x11 inch cardstock, print four copies of each point amount (100, 200, 300, one amount per page). 5. Place Lesson Titles and point amounts in Game Board Grid lesson titles across the top row and the amounts in ascending order under each title. (Use the Giant Game Floor Mat, LifeWay item # or make your own grid using one solid color vinyl shower curtain and one clear vinyl shower curtain and duct tape or masking tape to divide the sections and attach the two curtains.) 6. Make a grid on an 8-1/2x11 inch paper with 9 squares in it. Make the squares large enough to draw a picture in them. Number each square according to the verses used in the Bible passage (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22-23, 24, 25, 26) in the upper left-hand corner of each square. Copy the grid (1 per child). 7. Gather two sticky notes pads, 3x3 size in two different colors. Make two sets of the Bible verse, John 3:16, putting a word or phrase on a page. Keep each set together. 8. Make sets of bracelet supplies with 12 inch leather lacing cord, black, red, white, yellow, and green pony beads (2 per child), scissors. Place materials in miniature resealable bags. 9. Place a bookmark in your Bible at Mark 5:19. Teacher Challenge: Send postcards to children to encourage them to continue telling their MY316 story 29

32 Teaching Procedure Power Up: Jeopardy Review Divide the group into three teams. Allow each team to take a turn picking a lesson category and an amount. Record the amounts for the correct answers. If a team does not have the correct answer they forfeit the points and the next team gets the chance to answer correctly. Share the Info: Four Friends Bring a Friend to Jesus In today s story we will learn about friends who would not let anything get in their way to bring their friend to Jesus. Hand out the picture grid and a pencil to each child. Tell children that as you read each verse of the story they will draw a picture or write a word about what is happening in each box. Read the Bible passage Luke 5:17-26, hesitating after each verse to give children time to draw or right. Combine verses 22 and 23 into one box. After you have completed reading the Bible passage ask the following questions to emphasize these points about the story: Are you sometimes afraid to tell your friends about Jesus? If so, why do you think that is? What were some of the obstacles the friends faced when they brought their friend to Jesus? Did the friends give up even though they faced large obstacles? Should we give up on a friend just because they cannot come to church with us the first time we ask? Should we keep trying no matter what the obstacles are we face? Did Jesus meet the need of their friend? We may not know what our friend s needs are, but Jesus loves them and wants to meet their needs. If we have a friend that needs to know about Jesus, should we tell them? What are some ways we can share about Jesus with our friends? Pray It: John 3:16 Bible Skill Activity Divide the children into two teams. Give each time a set of sticky notes with the words or phrases of John 3:16 (each SET a different color). Establish a start line and a wall to stick the notes to. Children will take turns putting one word or phrase at time on the wall in random order. The two sets will be mixed. Teams will trade colors. Team 1 will race for Team 2 s color sticky notes. One at a time, children will run and get the words and assemble the verse in order. 30

33 Serve Others: Evangelism Bracelets Pass out to each child two sets of bracelet supplies, one for them to assemble in class and the other to do with a friend. Begin making the bracelets by tying a knot in one end of the leather lacing cord. Add each color of pony bead in order explaining what the color represents. Black sin, all have sinned. Romans 3:23 Red blood, Jesus blood covers all sin. 1 John 1:7 White pure, Jesus washes away confessed sin. Psalm 51:7 Yellow Heaven, believe on Jesus and you will have eternal life. John 14:2 Green grow, grow in the knowledge of the Lord. 2 Peter 3:18 After each bead in placed on the string tie the cord around each child s wrist. Trim off excess cord. Tell the children that they can share about Jesus with a friend while they help them make their own bracelet. Closing: Read Mark 5:19. Ask the children to name things they can share with others that God has done for them. When they are finished, have the kids bow their heads and pray after you (silently). Dear Jesus, help me to go home to my friends and tell them what great things you have done for me. Help me to show them how much Jesus loves them. Amen. Extra Options: Give children time to share their MY316 Story or play the Jeopardy Review Game. 31

34 Have you taken it personally? discover the real meaning of John 3:16 REVIEW QUESTIONS: Lesson One: 1. Who was Nicodemus and when did he come to visit Jesus? (a ruler of the Jews, at night, John 3:1) 2. What did Nicodemus ask Jesus? What was Jesus answer? (How can anyone be born again? You must be born of the Spirt, John 3:4-5) 3. Who is God s son and why did He send him? (Jesus, because He loves the world, John 3:16) 4. What happens to the person who believes in God s Son? (They will have eternal life, John 3:16) Lesson Two: 1. What did Paul tell the mob of people? (His story about how he believed in Jesus) 2. Did the mob of people listen to Paul? Did they believe what he said? (yes, no) 3. What was the name of the king that wanted to hear Paul? (King Agrippa) 4. What did the King ask Paul? What was Paul s answer? (Are you trying to persuade me to be a Christian? Yes, he wanted everyone to be a Christian.) Lesson Three: 1. What are the names of the three friends? (Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego) 2. What was the king s rule and how did the three friends disobey it? (Everyone had to bow down to his statue, they would not bow to an idol) 3. How many people did the king see in the furnace? (four) 4. Who saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from being burned in the furnace? (God) Lesson Four: 1. What did James and John s mother want Jesus to promise her? (for her sons to sit at his side, Matthew 20:21) 2. What did Jesus ask their mother in return? (Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? Matthew 20:21) 3. Who did Jesus say would sit at his side? (Those whom his Father has chosen, Matthew 20:23) 4. What lesson did Jesus teach the disciples from these two brothers? (That whoever wants to become great must learn to be a servant, Matthew 20:26) 32

35 Lesson One Nicodemus Becomes a Follower of Jesus 33

36 Lesson Two Paul Tells a Mob And a King About Jesus

37 Lesson Three Three Friends Prayed

38 Lesson Four Honor Among Disciples

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43 Jeopardy Review Game Grid Lesson One Nicodemus Becomes A Follower of Jesus Lesson Two Paul Tells A Mob and a King About Jesus Lesson Three Three Friends Prayed Lesson Four Honor Among Disciples Use the Giant Game Floor Mat, LifeWay Item # or make your own grid. 41

44 SCRIPTURE GRID Luke

45 For God so loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.