Lessons for the Leader. Jesus Taught About Prayer

Transcription

1 Week of November 4, 2012 Lessons for the Leader Is prayer important? Is prayer powerful? Jesus is the Master Teacher. Read and learn about prayer from Him. Read Matthew 4: Notice where Jesus taught. The synagogue (church) was an important place then and now. We can learn when we gather together to worship. What else did Jesus do for the people? Was Jesus selective in whom He healed? Did many people come to Jesus? Are you selective in whom you teach? Read Matthew 5:1-2. Where did Jesus go? Why? Microphones were not available to amplify His voice. Nature helped Jesus speak to large crowds. With Jesus higher on the mountain, His voice could travel to the people. What did Jesus do while on the mountain? Read Matthew 6:5-8. What does Jesus say about praying? Does He condemn praying in public? He condemns selfish motives for public prayers. When you pray in public, do you try to impress people with your words or do you sincerely talk to God? Do you need to be seen praying? Do you need a special room designed just for prayer? No. Choose places where you can be alone with your Bible and God no people or electronic devices. God wants your undivided attention. Read Matthew 6:9-13. Note the simplicity of this prayer. When you pray, simply talk to God. Pour out your burdens, stresses, joys, dreams, and praises to God. Praise God, pray for others, and pray for God's leadership. Reread the questions at the beginning of this column. Prayer is important and powerful. Jesus wanted His disciples to be in a state of constant dependence on God and His provision. We can learn to pray in the same manner. What do these symbols mean? 1a Application Activities Format: Follow the numbers with arrows for a 30-minute, large group plus 20-minute Application Activities format. 1 Follow all the numbers for a 45- to 60-minute large group only format. Jesus Taught About Prayer Focus Passage: Matthew 4:23-25; 5:1-2; 6:5-13 Key Bible Verse: Matthew 6:6 Life Application I can learn to pray to God. Level of Biblical Learning (God) God wants people to pray to Him. Session at a Glance Introduction to Worship (6 to 8 minutes) Greet Children Play "Father, May I?" Worship (30 minutes/45 minutes) Welcome Children and Pray Sing "My Singing Is a Prayer" Sing "God Will Listen When You Pray" Learn the Bible Verse Match It Tell the Bible Story Sing "Come and Sing Praise" Present Offering and Pray Review the Bible Story Use Worship Guides Make Application Transition Application Activities (20 minutes) Wrap-Up (10 minutes) OK to copy. Page 1 of 23

2 Introduction to Worship 1aGreet Children Pull It Together Offering container Show preschoolers where to put their offerings. 2aPlay "Father, May I?" Pull It Together Masking tape Tape starting and finish lines on opposite sides of the room. Stand at the finish line to give directions. Teacher Tip Use various ways of moving: baby steps, giant steps, side steps, hops, jumps, and so on. Direct children to stand behind the starting line. Explain: "I'll call your name for you to do an action. You must first ask, 'Father, may I?' before doing the action. I'll answer, 'yes, you may' and you may do the action. If you forget to ask, you must go back to the starting line." Call a child by name to move toward you in a certain way (baby step, hop, etc.). Play as time permits. Remark: "We'll learn Jesus taught people about prayer. God wants people to pray to Him. We can learn to pray to God. When we pray, we can ask God to guide us in what we say and do." Worship 3aWelcome Children and Pray (3 minutes) Ask: "What are some ways you have prayed or seen people pray? (with eyes closed or open, kneeling, beside your bed, at the dinner table, hands clasped together, standing, head bowed, lying facedown, etc.) We can pray as we stand, sit, kneel, or lie down. When we pray, we don't have to use big or special words. Prayer is 'talking and listening to God.' God wants us to talk to Him. God wants us to learn to pray to Him. Let's pray, then sing songs about prayer." Pray. 4aSing "My Singing Is a Prayer" (DVD, 2 minutes) 5aSing "God Will Listen When You Pray" (DVD, 2 minutes) Jesus Taught About Prayer 6 Learn the Bible Verse (4 minutes) Pull It Together Paper, marker Print Matthew 6:6 from your preferred translation. Teacher Tip Print "Matthew 6:6 Paraphrase" (CD). Display and read aloud the verse. Say the verse in phrases, leading kids to echo. Say the verse while modeling positions to be in when praying (head bowed, eyes closed, head looking up, on knees, sitting, standing, lying down, etc.). Remark: "This Bible verse teaches us we are to pray to God." 7 Match It (5 minutes) Pull It Together Five Bibles, masking tape, scissors Print "Match Book Names" (CD). Print 1 set per 2 children. Cut apart sets of names. Open each Bible to a different book matching 1 on "Match Book Names." Place the Bibles on the floor around the room. Tape a rectangle on the floor beside each Bible. Teacher Tip Place children in larger groups and print fewer card sets. Distribute book names to the children. Instruct: "Find the opened Bible with the same Bible book name as the one on your paper. Place your paper in the rectangle shape beside the correct Bible." Invite kids to place their papers. State aloud each Bible book name. Comment: "Many Bible stories are from these Bible books." Display the Bible opened to Matthew. Say: "Our Bible verse and Bible story today are from the Book of Matthew in the New Testament. Let's open our Bibles to Matthew. Keep your Bibles open during our Bible story." Encourage adults to help the children. 8aTell the Bible Story (7 minutes) Open your Bible to Matthew 4. Say: "Look for chapter 4. Our story starts here." Allow time for all kids to turn to chapter 4. Tell the story. Page 2 of 23

3 Jesus Taught About Prayer Based on Matthew 4:23-25; 5:1-2; 6:5-13 Jesus traveled to churches to preach and make people well. People from far away came to hear and see Jesus. The people brought other people who were sick or in pain, and Jesus made them well. Everywhere Jesus went, large crowds followed Him. Say: "Our story continues in chapter 5. Turn your pages to chapter 5." Jesus went up on a mountain when He saw all of the people. The disciples went to Him. Jesus began to teach the men. Say: "Our story continues in chapter 6. Turn your pages to chapter 6." Jesus told the disciples not to pray to make people look at them. He said to pray quietly to God in a special place away from other people. Jesus told the men to pray like this: God, You are special. We praise Your name. Help us to do what You want us to do. Give us what we need each day. Forgive us when we do wrong things. Help us to forgive people. Keep us from making wrong choices. You are strong forever, God. Amen. 9a Sing "Come and Sing Praise" (DVD, 2 minutes) Connect: "Jesus taught people to pray. God wants us to pray to Him. We can pray to God." 12aUse Worship Guides (7 minutes) Pull It Together Worship Guides, pencils Distribute materials. Lead children to complete the activities on the Worship Guides. 13 Make Application (6 minutes) Instruct: "When we pray, we can stand, bow our heads, kneel, sit down, or lie down. What do you look like when you pray? Everyone pose [demonstrate] as if you are praying at church." Encourage children to pose. Comment on the poses. Direct: "Pose as if you are praying at home." Encourage poses and make comments. Say: "Let's pose in other positions we can be in when we pray." Lead children to kneel, sit with hands folded in lap, stand and look up, lie facedown or faceup, sit or stand with hands clasped together, look straight ahead (like adults driving), and so on. Close: "We can pray to God. Remember, praying is 'talking and listening to God.' Sometimes God answers our prayers by saying, 'yes,' 'no,' or 'wait' when we ask for something. We will not hear a voice like you hear me talking now. God puts thoughts into our heads or sometimes has other people say things we need to hear that answers our prayers. God wants us to pray to Him." 14aGo to Application Activities or Wrap-Up 10aPresent Offering and Pray (2 minutes) 11aReview the Bible Story (5 minutes) Pull It Together Bible, clear tape or paper clips Print "Teaching Picture 10 Prayer" and "Windows" (CD). Cut along dotted lines on "Windows." Clip or tape "Windows" over the teaching picture. Display the covered teaching picture. Invite a child to open a window. Ask: "What do you see in this window? How does the picture remind you of the Bible story?" Continue until children open all the windows and review the Bible story. Ask Yourself H N D What did the children hear about Jesus teaching about prayer? What will the children know they can do anytime, anywhere? What will the children do after learning they can pray to God? Week of November 4, 2012 Page 3 of 23

4 Wrap-Up (Large Group Only Format) 15 Sing "Oh, I'd Like to Be " (DVD, 2 minutes) 16 Review (3 minutes) Ask the review questions. Review Questions Why did so many people follow Jesus? (to be healed, to hear Him) Where did Jesus say was a good place to pray? (in a special place away from people) Does God need us to use special words when we pray? (No. He already knows what we need.) What are some things Jesus said when He taught His disciples how to pray? (God is special; praise His name; lead us to do what He wants us to do; give us what we need; help us forgive; keep us from making wrong choices; He is strong.) 17 Move Through Hoops (5 minutes) Pull It Together 4 hula hoops, tape, paper, marker, scissors Print the letters p, r, a, y on paper and cut apart. Tape each letter to a different hula hoop. Comment: "To pray means 'to talk and listen to God.' We don't have to use big words. We can talk to God about anything. He wants us to pray to Him. What are some things we can talk to God about?" Encourage answers. Conclude: "We can tell God how great He is. We can thank Him for things we have and the ways He takes care of us. We can pray for others. We can ask God for help." Choose four children to hold the hula hoops to create a tunnel for others to crawl through. Instruct: "We'll take turns walking or crawling through the hoops. Say the letter taped to each hoop as you travel through it." Invite boys and girls to take turns holding and moving through hoops. Remark: "We spelled the word pray as we moved through the hoops. Jesus taught people to pray to God. We can learn to pray to God. I am glad we can talk to God about anything." 18 Dismiss Children to Their Parents Wrap-Up (Application Activities Format) 15aSing "Oh, I'd Like to Be " (DVD, 2 minutes) 16aHighlight Application Activities (2 minutes) Call on several children to tell what they did in their Application Activities. darts d and Crafts Make Prayer Reminder Ribbons ddramatic d Play Fill Treat Bags dgames Do d Giant Word Searches dexploration d and Discovery Make Prayer Sticks Apply: "Our activities helped us learn we can pray to God." 17aReview (3 minutes) Ask the review questions. Review Questions Why did so many people follow Jesus? (to be healed, to hear Him) Where did Jesus say was a good place to pray? (in a special place away from people) Does God need us to use special words when we pray? (No. He already knows what we need.) What are some things Jesus said when He taught His disciples how to pray? (God is special; praise His name; lead us to do what He wants us to do; give us what we need; help us forgive; keep us from making wrong choices; He is strong.) 18aSpell Pray (3 minutes) Pull It Together Paper, marker Print pray. Display and read aloud the word pray. State: "Let's spell pray. 'P, r, a, y.' Now, you spell it without me." Point to each letter as kids say it. Challenge: "After each statement I say, stand and spell pray." Say the Bible verse, life application, and sentences from the Bible story. Conclude: "God wants us to pray to Him. Let's remember to pray each day." 19aDismiss Children to Their Parents *Giant Game Floor Mat ( ) may be ordered through LifeWay Christian Resources Customer Service Center at or online at Week of November 4, 2012 Worship KidStyle Preschool Edition Leader Guide 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Page 4 of 23

5 Application Activities Select from the following choices. Each choice is designed for 20 minutes of small group time. Pull It Together Bible, wide ribbon, glue sticks, scissors, embellishments (sequins, stickers, buttons, etc.) Print "Little Letters" (CD). Print 1 copy for every 6 children and cut apart the small letters. Teacher Tip Provide ribbon that is wide enough for the letters to fit vertically. Teacher Tip Looking for additional resources to enhance your teaching? Check out the Levels of Biblical Learning resources available at levelsofbiblicallearning Pull It Together Small paper sacks (1 per child), markers, individually wrapped treats (4 per child), glue sticks or tape, scissors Print "Prayer Cards" (CD), printing so each child receives a set of 4 cards. Cut apart cards. Hide individually wrapped treats around the room. Teacher Tips Assist children with writing their names on the paper sacks. Provide a snack for each child to enjoy after filling his bag. Worship Through Arts and Crafts Make Prayer Reminder Ribbons Begin with a simple prayer. Say: "We just talked to God. We did not have to talk in a loud voice or use a lot of words when praying. In our Bible story, Jesus taught us how we should pray." Lead children to say aloud the Bible verse (Matthew 6:6). Distribute ribbon, glue sticks, scissors, paper, and letters. Ask: "How do we spell pray? [Show word.] Pray is p, r, a, y. Let's make prayer reminder ribbons. Glue the letters in the word pray to your ribbons, then decorate the ribbons." Review the Bible story as children work. Ask: "What did Jesus say about prayer? What are some things for which we can pray?" Encourage responses. Say: "Take your ribbon home and put it where you can see it. Remember to pray to God each time you see it. Jesus taught about prayer. We can pray to God anytime, anywhere." Guide the children to help clean the area. Worship Through Dramatic Play Fill Treat Bags Ask: "What is prayer?" Say: "Prayer is 'talking and listening to God.' We can pray anytime, anywhere. God wants us to talk to Him about everything. In our Bible story, Jesus taught us how we should pray. Who has something you want us to pray about?" Pray for the boys' and girls' requests. Give each child a sack and marker. Say: "Write your names on your sacks." Assist as needed. Say: "I hid treats [display one] around the room. Each person will find four treats to put in his bag. Show me four fingers. [Pause.] Search and find only four treats. When you find four treats, come sit by me." Help each child find four treats. Distribute sets of cards, reading the titles on the cards. Say: "We learned to pray to God. We can pray about anything. We'll tape our treats to cards. Each card will help us remember someone to pray for." Help children tape their treats to the cards and put the cards in their bags. Say: "The picture of a family may remind us to thank God for our families and ask Him to help them. Take your treats home. Each day, before you eat a treat, look at the picture and say a prayer." Lead children to say aloud the Bible verse (Matthew 6:6). Close in prayer. Week of November 4, 2012 Page 5 of 23

6 Pull It Together Giant Game Floor Mat*, paper, marker, scissors Print "Giant Word Find" (CD). Cut apart letters and place in mat as directed. Print God, Jesus, and pray on separate papers. Teacher Tips Print each letter from the CD item on a separate paper. Lead kids to find the letters for the bonus words noted on CD item. Worship Through Games Do Giant Word Searches Place children in two teams. Call attention to the game mat. Remark: "This is a giant word search puzzle. Three words from our Bible story are hidden in the mat. The letters of the words are in pockets that touch above, below, or beside each other. I'll show a word to the teams. Teams will try to find the word in the mat, then stand on the letters." Show a card, reminding teams not to stand on the mat until they find the word. State the word once a team finds it. Ask: "How does this word (Jesus, God, or pray) help us remember the Bible story?" Invite responses. Continue with other words. Complete any of the options listed on "Giant Word Find" (p. 1). Lead children to say aloud the Bible verse (Matthew 6:6). Connect: "We found words in the puzzle from our Bible story. Jesus taught people about prayer. God wants people to pray to Him. We can learn to pray to God." Pray. Pull It Together Craft sticks (4 per child), tape, markers, paper Print pray, who, what, when, where on paper. Teacher Tips Provide tape for kids to tape their sticks together or envelopes to take sticks home. Invite kids to tape their sticks side by side and draw pictures on the blank sides. Worship Through Exploration and Discovery Make Prayer Sticks Say: "Jesus taught the disciples to pray. We read in Matthew 6:6 to pray to God. God wants us to talk and listen to Him. What did Jesus say about prayer?" Encourage responses. Remark: "Jesus said God will hear our prayers even if we speak quietly or use very few words. God knows exactly what we need." Distribute craft sticks and markers. Instruct: "Let's make prayer sticks. We'll write each letter of the word pray [point to word on paper] on the sticks. Put a p on one stick, an r on the next one, and so on until we spell pray when we put the sticks together." Assist children in writing the letters. Point to the other words on the paper. Say: "Let's write each word on a separate stick. The words are who, what, where, and when. Write who on the stick with a p. Continue to write the other words on the other sticks. Color your sticks after writing the words." Help as needed. Review the Bible story as kids work. Say: "Let's look at the words we wrote. Whom can we pray for? What can we pray for each day? Where can we pray? When can we pray?" Invite responses to all questions. Conclude: "We can learn to pray. God wants us to pray for ourselves and for other people." Pray. Worship KidStyle Preschool Edition Leader Guide 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. OK to copy. Page 6 of 23

7 Bill Meyers 1985 Convention Press. Printed in the USA. Jesus Taught About Prayer Matthew 4:23-25; 5:1-2; 6:5-13 Page 7 of 23

8 Windows (November 4) Page 8 of 23

9 Family, Friends, and Neighbors Church Children World Family, Friends, and Neighbors Church Children World Family, Friends, and Neighbors Church Children World Family, Friends, and Neighbors Church Children World Prayer Cards (November 4) Page 9 of 23

10 Pray to God. Matthew 6:6 Matthew 6:6 Paraphrase (November 4) Page 10 of 23

11 Matthew 1 Kings James 1 Chronicles 1 Samuel Matthew 1 Kings James 1 Chronicles 1 Samuel Matthew 1 Kings James 1 Chronicles 1 Samuel Match Book Names (November 4) Page 11 of 23

12 Pray P R A Y P R A Y P R A Y P R A Y P R A Y P R A Y Little Letters (November 4) Page 12 of 23

13 Directions Cut apart letters (pp. 2 12). Place letters in pockets according to grid below. G x z i w o p r a y d l m n o J e s u s The three hiddens words are God, Jesus, and pray. Bonus words for teams to find the letters randomly and stand on: man, woman, learn, play, good, dream, words, and zoo. Options: Call out letters, inviting two children to find and stand on the letters. Call out Bible book names that begin with letters in the mat. Invite children to stand on the beginning letters. Invite kids to stand on letters in their names. Giant Word Find (November 4) 1 Page 13 of 23

14 G x Giant Word Find (November 4) 2 Page 14 of 23

15 z i Page Giant Word Find (November 4) 3 15 of 23

16 w o Giant Word Find (November 4) 4 Page 16 of 23

17 p r Page Giant Word Find (November 4) 5 17 of 23

18 a y Giant Word Find (November 4) 6 Page 18 of 23

19 d l Giant Word Find (November 4) 7 Page 19 of 23

20 m n Giant Word Find (November 4) 8 Page 20 of 23

21 o J Giant Word Find (November 4) 9 Page 21 of 23

22 e s Giant Word Find (November 4) 11 Page 22 of 23

23 u s Giant Word Find (November 4) 12 Page 23 of 23