Contents. UNIT 3: Teachings of Jesus 59 February The Lord s Prayer. UNIT 1: Jesus Is Born 5 December 5 1. Mary and Joseph

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1 Written by Judy Newman-St. John 2 Introduction 3 Resources You Will Want 4 Weekly Overview UNIT 1: Jesus Is Born 5 December 5 1. Mary and Joseph 11 December Mary and Elizabeth 17 December Jesus Is Born 23 December The Wise Men UNIT 2: Stories Jesus Told (Parables) 29 January 2 5. The Two Houses 35 January 9 6. The Mustard Seed 41 January The Unforgiving Servant 47 January The Lost Sheep 53 January The Forgiving Father Contents UNIT 3: Teachings of Jesus 59 February The Lord s Prayer 65 February Birds of the Air 71 February The Golden Rule 77 February Greatest Commandment 83 Reproducibles 110 Answers Cover credits: Bryce Damuth/Design, Inc., Kellie Green, Phillip D. Francis, Jupiter Images. Art Credits: pp. 10, 84 (bottom), 88: Robert S. Jones 2000 Cokesbury; pp. 27, 51, 92 (bottom): Robert S. Jones 2003 Cokesbury; p. 52: Brenda Gilliam 2010 Cokesbury; pp. 58, 68, 83, 90, 92 (top), 93 (top and bottom), 94, 97, 101: Robert S. Jones 2010 Cokesbury; pp. 66, 104: Barbara Ball 2009 Cokesbury; pp. 67, 96 (flowerpot): Barbara Ball 2003 Cokesbury; p. 78: Barbara Upchurch 1997 Cokesbury; p. 84 (top): Robert S. Jones 2004 Cokesbury; p. 85: Nancy Munger 2004 Cokesbury; p. 86: Robert S. Jones 2001 Cokesbury; pp. 87, 89: Barbara Ball 2004 Cokesbury; pp. 91, 99, 106: Robert S. Jones 2003 Abingdon Press; p. 96 (flower blossom): Lyn Martin 2003 Cokesbury; pp. 98, 100: Brenda Gilliam 2010 Cokesbury; p. 102: Robert S. Jones 2002 Cokesbury; p. 103: Jim Padgett 2000 Abingdon Press; p. 105: Lyn Martin 2000 Cokesbury; p. 107: Megan Jeffery 2003 Cokesbury; p. 109: Robert S. Jones 1998 Abingdon Press. Sign Language: pp. 14, 70: Robert S. Jones 1998 Abingdon Press; p. 43: Barbara Ball 2003 Cokesbury. Photo Credits: pp. 22, 76: Ron Benedict 2010 Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 1

2 Introduction Welcome to the winter quarter! Jesus Is Born: The first unit in this series of Bible stories contains the stories that tell about Jesus birth. The children will be eager to hear about Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, the shepherds, and the wise men all of whom play an important role in the life of Jesus. Stories Jesus Told (Parables): This unit contains Bible stories known as parables. These are the stories that Jesus told to help people know what God was like. These stories used familiar images and settings to help people understand. The children will find much to learn from each story. The story of the two houses help children know that Jesus teaches us to have a strong faith. The story of the mustard seed shows us that our faith grows. Through the story of the unforgiving servant, we learn to forgive one another. The story of the lost sheep assures children that God loves us and cares for us. The story of the forgiving father teaches us about God s forgiveness. The NRSV Bible Teachings of Jesus: The four sessions in this unit are four of the most famous teachings in the New Testament of the Bible. Your children will learn about the Lord s Prayer, the Birds of the Air (a part of the Sermon on the Mount), the Golden Rule, and the Greatest Commandment Rock Solid provides activities that address all the different learning styles. Think variety each week as you plan, and always plan more than you think you can do. Remember, you and the children are traveling on the same faith journey, learning about the awesomeness of God, about the transcendency of the Bible, and about how to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Have fun! Tools for the Job The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is the primary Scripture resource for Rock Solid: Early Elementary resources. Have at least one NRSV Bible in your room for the children to handle. We also recommend having a copy of the Contemporary English Version of the Bible. Rock Solid: Early Elementary, resources are available in Braille on request. Contact: Braille Ministry, c/o Donna Veigel N. 91st Avenue #96 Peoria AZ ( ) Visit IAmRockSolid.com 2 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

3 Rock Solid: Early Elementary (Ages 5 6), Bible Storybook (one per child, one per leader) The Bible Storybook tells the Bible story each week and gives the weekly Bible verse. Stickers are included for attendance and in storybook activities. New! Look for Bible Mazes and Bible Fun! Rock Solid: Early Elementary, Ages 5 6, Leader s Guide (one per leader) The Leader s Guide ties all the other resources together. This is where you will find step-by-step instructions to guide you through each session. Most of the sessions contain more activities than time will allow so that you may select activities that best suit your children s needs and your available space. Includes reproducibles. Rock Solid: Early/Middle Elementary, Ages 5-8, Resource Pak (one per group) The Resource Pak contains Bible story murals, puzzles, storytelling figures, Bible verse posters, and games that contribute to each of the sessions with the children (see back cover of this Leader s Guide for Resource Pak contents). Rock Solid: Early Elementary (Ages 5 6), Fun Pak (one per child, one per leader) The Fun Pak is a quarterly supplementary resource. Fun Pak activities may be used as additional activities. Using the Fun Pak each quarter will enhance the session, plus it will provide a fun experience for the children. A list of the supplies needed to complete the activities are found on the inside back cover. Recommended CD (one per group) Rock Solid Early Elementary recommends this CD from Integrity Music: Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love To Sing! (ISBN ) $10.98 Winter IAmRockSolid.com 3

4 Weekly Overview Unit 1: Jesus Is Born 1. Mary and Joseph Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1: Mary and Elizabeth Luke 1: Jesus Is Born Luke 2: The Wise Men Matthew 2:1-12 Verse: Luke 1:31, adapted Verse: Luke 1:46, CEV Verse: Luke 2:10 Verse: Matthew 2:10 Unit 2: Stories Jesus Told (Parables) 5. The Two Houses 6. The Mustard Seed 7. The Unforgiving Servant 8. The Lost Sheep 9. The Forgiving Father Matthew 7:24-28 Matthew 13:31-32 Matthew 18:23-35 Luke 15:1-7 Luke 15:11-24 Verse: Psalm 18:2 Verse: 2 Thessalonians 1:3, CEV Verse: Colossians 3:13 Verse: Psalm 100:5, CEV Verse: Psalm 86:5 Unit 3: Teachings of Jesus 10. The Lord s Prayer Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11: Birds of the Air Matthew 6: The Golden Rule Matthew 7: Greatest Commandment Matthew 22:34-40 Verse: Luke 11:1 Verse: Matthew 6:25 Verse: Matthew 7:12 Verse: Matthew 22:37 4 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

5 Mary and Joseph Bible Verse You will have a son, and you will name him Jesus. (Luke 1:31, adapted) Bible Story Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-24 FaithPoint Jesus is the baby that God promised. What You Need to Know Session 1 December 5 In the Bible-times culture, marriages were arranged early in a young girl s life. Mary knew that Joseph would be her husband because of a covenant made between their families. They had not as yet married, however; possibly because Mary was still quite young at the time. Mary was a devout Jew. She knew about the promise of the coming Messiah. When the angel said she would bear a son who would be called the Son of the Most High, Mary would have known immediately what the angel meant. She was to be the mother of the promised Messiah. The angel reassured Mary that his words were true by telling her that her cousin Elizabeth was six months pregnant. (Elizabeth was long past the age of childbearing.) This affirmed that what was thought impossible, with God, became a reality. Joseph was also a devout Jew. The betrothal covenant was as binding as a marriage. Mary s unexpected news was a legal reason for Joseph to put aside their agreement. This meant that Joseph would have to divorce her, but he would do it quietly. This spared Mary embarrassment and disgrace. However, with assurance from God, Joseph changed his mind. Now he had a new and totally unexpected role to play. With the continuation of Advent comes the excitement and onslaught of commercialism. The children will want to talk about what they want for Christmas and about Santa Claus. Gently turn the conversation back to Advent. Review with them that Advent is a time of waiting and that together we are waiting for the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Activities marked with contain options to use recycled or repurposed materials. Winter Session 1 IAmRockSolid.com Activities marked with may require extra preparation. 5

6 Arrival Fun SUPPLIES: Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2, 28, 31), Stickers, CD (optional), CD player, offering basket Greet each parent and child as they enter the room. Introduce yourself and tell each child that you are glad to see him or her. Play music as the children arrive. The recommended CD is Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love to Sing! Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Give each child a sticker of the Advent wreath with two purple candles lit, and show the child where to place it on the attendance chart. SAY: In our Bible story today, we are going to learn about an important message that was given to Mary and Joseph. It was the most important message anyone has ever received. Fun Beginnings The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group to introduce the Bible story. Fun Pak Fun SUPPLIES: Fun Pak 1, white glue, 7-inch paper plates, gold glitter, safety scissors Show the children step by step how to make the Good News Angel Centerpiece. An Ornament of Love SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 83, safety scissors, white and gold crayons, gold yarn or ribbon, gold glitter, white glue, paper punch Photocopy the pattern for each child. Invite the children to cut out their angels and color them. Let them add glitter to decorate. Music is a great addition to any group activity. Find songs in the recommended CD that your children will enjoy. SAY: Today is the second Sunday of Advent. There are three Sundays counting today before Christmas. Each Sunday of Advent we will make a special ornament to hang on our tree. The ornament we are making today reminds us that Jesus was born to show us God s love. Help each child as needed to punch a hole in the angel and add ribbon or yarn for hanging. 6 December 5 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

7 Make a Worship Cloth SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 84, sponges, adult scissors, purple cloth, small dishes of white tempera paint, newspaper Use the patterns to cut Christmas shapes from sponges. Place a large piece of purple cloth on newspaper. Show the children how to place the sponge in the paint and press the sponge onto the material. Friendship Time SUPPLIES: ball Help the children remember one another s names. Invite the children to sit or stand in a circle. Hold the ball in your hands. Teach the children the following words in rhythm: The Advent ball goes round and round. If you catch it, make this sound. Shout Hurray! and say your name, That is how we play this game. Pass the ball around the circle as you say the words. You may want to say the words slower and then faster to make the game more fun. When you say the last word, game, the child holding the ball shouts, Hurray! and says his or her name. Bible Time Get Ready SUPPLIES: pencil, index cards, one standard business-size envelope per child Write each of the following phrases on an index card: Mary will have a baby, Mary will name the baby Jesus, and Jesus will be the Son of God. Place each of the index cards inside an envelope. Shuffle the envelopes with the index cards with other empty envelopes (enough that each child will have an envelope). SAY: In our Bible story today we will learn that an angel gave a very special message to Mary and Joseph. Let s play a game to discover what that message is. Select one of the children to be IT. Have the rest of the children form a circle on the floor around IT. Give each child an envelope. Have the children pass the envelopes around the circle. When IT calls Stop, all the passing will cease. IT will try to decide which person is holding an envelope with a message. If IT identifies the person, the child will give IT the message to read and the child becomes the new IT. IT will have three tries to find a message; then IT will choose someone else to come to the center and be the new IT. Winter Session 1 IAmRockSolid.com 7

8 Enjoy the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 1, pencils or crayons Read the Bible story to the children. Invite the children to find six things that do not belong in a Bible-times picture. ASK: What did the angel say to Mary? (God blessed Mary and said she would have a baby. His name would be Jesus. He would be the Son of God.) What did the angel say to Joseph? (Mary would have a baby and his name would be Jesus. He would save all people. He would be called Emmanuel, which means God is with us. ) Bible Verse Fun SUPPLIES: none Ask the children to repeat today s Bible verse several times: You will have a son, and you will name him Jesus (Luke 1:31, adapted). Divide the group into two teams. Have the teams say the verse: First team: You will have a... Second team: son, First team: You will name him... Second team: Jesus. Practice several times, pointing to each team when it is their turn; then have the teams switch. Live God s Word Living as a Christian Kid SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 1 Invite the children to follow along with you as you read Living as a Christian Kid. ASK: Why was Mary special? (God chose Mary to be the mother of God s Son, Jesus.) Why did Mary accept her responsibility? (Mary knew that God was in control of her life and God would be with her.) Why is it important for us to tell the story of the birth of Jesus? (Accept answers. Help the children understand that all people should hear the good news of Jesus birth. Jesus is God s gift to everyone. Jesus was born to show us God s love.) 8 December 5 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

9 Be Messengers SUPPLIES: crayons, markers, pencils, paper SAY: The angel brought a message of good news to Mary and Joseph. You can be a messenger of God, too. ASK: What are some ways we can be God s messengers? (tell others about God s love, donate to a mission project, bring a friend to church, be a friend to someone who is lonely, pray with your family and friends) Invite the children to draw a picture, make an invitation, or write a letter to share with others as God s messengers. Worship Light the Advent Candle of Love SUPPLIES: Fall 2010 Resource Pak pp. 8, 25, CD (optional), CD player, clear tape Use the Advent Poster from the fall quarter. Place it in the worship area. SAY: Today is the second Sunday of Advent. The first Advent candle is called the candle of Hope. We lit the first purple candle to remember that people long ago hoped for a special king to be born to bring them peace. Jesus is that special king. Jesus gives us peace in our hearts. Today we light the second purple candle, the candle of Love. Jesus was born so that we would know God s love for us. Tape a second purple candle to the poster. Play a Christmas carol or hymn for the children to hear. Praise and Respond SUPPLIES: Resource Pak pp. 3, 9, 30, clear tape, Christmas tree, angels made during Arrival Fun Let the children add their angels to the Christmas tree. Display the Nativity poster. Invite one of the children to add the figures of Mary and Joseph. SAY: Today we learned that the angel gave Mary and Joseph a special message from God. Mary would have a baby and name him Jesus. Jesus would be the Son of God. PRAY: Dear God, we thank you for Jesus. We thank you for this Advent season. Please help us live as Jesus taught so that we can show your love to the whole world. Amen. Winter Session 1 IAmRockSolid.com 9

10 Extra! Extra! Angel Art SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 84, adult scissors, markers, crayons, white glue, white yarn, silver or gold glitter Photocopy and cut out an angel for each child. Cut strips of white yarn the length of the angel s skirt. Invite the children to decorate the angel s body by using crayons and markers. Ask them not to color the wings. Show the children how to glue the strips of white yarn onto the angel s skirt. Let the children add silver or gold glitter on the angel s wings. SAY: Today we learned that an angel came to Mary and gave her a very special message. Then the angel went to Joseph and gave him the message. Mary would have a baby. His name would be Jesus. He would be the Son of God. Peek at Next Week An Ornament of Joy: Photocopy the pattern (Leader s Guide p. 85) for each child. Enjoy the Bible Story: Assemble the Nativity Tube Figures and manger and stable (Resource Pak pp. 8, 12, 25, 32). Decorate Christmas Place Mats: Make a photocopy of the pictures (Leader s Guide p. 86) for each child. Place a sheet of white paper behind the reproducible when photocopying. 10 December 5 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

11 Mary and Elizabeth Bible Verse With all my heart I praise the Lord. (Luke 1:46, CEV) Bible Story Luke 1:39-56 FaithPoint We praise God for the gift of Jesus. What You Need to Know Session 2 December 12 Today s Bible story introduces a second baby into the story John, later known as John the Baptist. John will later play an important role in Jesus life. Elizabeth was Mary s relative and, according to the biblical account, predated Mary as a recipient of God s grace. Elizabeth and her husband had long given up on the expectation of children. Like Sarah and Hannah before her, Elizabeth lived with this reproach every day. Then once again God turned everything upside down. It seems like a rational thing for Mary, who is now also expecting a baby, to seek refuge with Elizabeth who would certainly understand the situation. Mary visits Elizabeth and only leaves to return to Nazareth just shortly before the birth of John. Surely she and Elizabeth shared their concerns and their joys as they went about the household tasks. They probably also puzzled over the unexpected gifts they were to receive. Christmastime can be stressful for both children and adults. There are so many different activities going on. Often regular bedtimes and routines are changed as parents try to fit in special events during this Christmas preparation period. For some families, Christmas is stressful because it emphasizes a lack of resources they may have to fill even everyday needs, regardless of the extra Christmas expectations of the children. It is important to know the families of the children in your group so you can be aware of any additional stress your children may be exposed to. Activities marked with contain options to use recycled or repurposed materials. Winter Session 2 IAmRockSolid.com Activities marked with may require extra preparation. 11

12 Arrival Fun 12 SUPPLIES: Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2, 28, 31), Stickers, CD (optional), CD player, offering basket Greet each parent and child as they enter the room. Tell each child that you are glad to see him or her. Play music as the children arrive. The recommended CD is Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love to Sing! Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Give each child a sticker of the Advent wreath with three purple candles lit. Show the child where to place it on the attendance chart. SAY: In our Bible story today, we are going to learn about Elizabeth, Mary s cousin. Elizabeth was going to have a baby, too, and Mary went to see her. Elizabeth knew that Mary s baby would be very special. Fun Beginnings The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group to introduce the Bible story. Fun Pak Fun SUPPLIES: Fun Pak 2, white glue, crayons, markers Let the children enjoy making cards to tell others how much they love Jesus. An Ornament of Joy SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 85, safety scissors, crayons, markers, gold yarn or ribbon, glue sticks, 6-inch round paper doilies, paper punch Photocopy the pattern for each child. Invite the children to color the ornaments following the color code; then cut them out. Have the children glue the ornament to the center of a paper doily. SAY: Today is the third Sunday of Advent. There are two Sundays counting today before Christmas. Each Sunday of Advent we will make a special ornament to hang on our tree. The ornament we are making today reminds us that Jesus brings joy to the world. Help each child as needed to punch a hole in the ornament and add ribbon or yarn for hanging. December 12 Music is a great addition to any group activity. Find songs on the recommended CD that your children will enjoy. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

13 Family Portrait Fun SUPPLIES: paper, crayons, markers Invite each child to draw a portrait of his or her family. Suggest that the children include grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other significant adults. Encourage the children to talk about their family members. Initiate discussion by asking questions such as, What is this person doing? or Why is this person special? Friendship Time SUPPLIES: paper, pencil, small paper bag Write each child s name on a separate piece of paper and put the names into a small paper bag. Have the children stand in a circle. Ask one child to be the angel and to stand in the center of the circle. Explain that the angel pulls out a name and says, You will call him [child s name], and skips [or some other action] around the circle to the child who was named. That child will become the new angel and pull out another name. Also explain that the angel may choose to say, You will name him Jesus, and everyone in the circle must jump up and down. Continue the game so that every child has been the angel and has his or her name called. Bible Time Get Ready SUPPLIES: none ASK: If you had wonderful news to tell someone in your family, who would you tell? SAY: In our Bible story today we will hear that Mary goes to see her cousin Elizabeth to tell her the wonderful news about the baby she would have. His name would be Jesus. Let s play a game called Going to See Elizabeth. We can all stand in a big circle. I ll say a line and then you say the line and do what I do. Going to see Elizabeth. Pack our bag. (Pretend to put things in a bag for a trip.) Load up the donkey. (Lift the bag up and tie it on a donkey.) Climb on the donkey. (Climb on the donkey s back.) We re riding. (Rock back and forth like you re riding a donkey.) We re riding. (Rock back and forth.) Going to see Elizabeth. Going up a hill. (Lean back.) Going down a hill. (Lean forward.) Splashing through a stream. (Slap your thighs.) Going to see Elizabeth. Get off the donkey. (Climb off the donkey s back.) Run to see Elizabeth. (Run in place.) Give her a hug! (Cross your arms and hug yourself.) We made it! (Wipe your brow.) Winter Session 2 IAmRockSolid.com 13

14 Enjoy the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 2, Stickers, Resource Pak pp. 8, 12, 25, 32, cardboard tubes, clear tape, glue sticks, adult scissors, posterboard Read the Bible story to the children. Invite the children to add four stickers to complete the picture. Assemble the Nativity Tube Figures. Display them in the worship area. Set up the stable and let the children add the tube figures of the angel, Mary, and Joseph. (Save baby Jesus, the shepherds, and the wise men for later sessions.) ASK: What did the angel tell Mary about Elizabeth? (Elizabeth was going to have a baby also. Even though Elizabeth was too old to have a baby, nothing is impossible with God.) What did Elizabeth say about the baby Mary would have? (Mary s baby would be a blessing to all people.) Bible Verse Fun SUPPLIES: none Ask the children to repeat today s Bible verse several times: With all my heart I praise the Lord (Luke 1:46, CEV). Teach the children American Sign Language for the words heart, praise, and Lord. Ask the children to say the verse and sign the words with you. Heart: Draw an outline of a heart on the chest using index fingers. Praise: Clap your hands several times. Lord: Make an L with the right hand. Place the L at the left shoulder and then move across the body to the right waist. Live God s Word 14 Living as a Christian Kid SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 2 Invite the children to follow along with you as you read Living as a Christian Kid. ASK: Why is baby Jesus important? (Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus was born to show us God s love and to teach us how God wants us to live.) Is it OK to give gifts and to receive gifts at Christmas? (Yes, but the most important thing is to remember the real reason for Christmas.) December 12 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

15 Decorate Christmas Place Mats SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 86, crayons, markers, safety scissors, white paper, glue sticks, clear contact paper Photocopy the pictures for each child. Invite the children to color the pictures and cut them out. Give each child a sheet of white paper. Ask the children to glue the pictures to the place mat to create their own designs. Let them add any extra decorations they desire. Help each child cover the front and back of the place mat with clear contact paper. Worship Light the Advent Candle of Joy SUPPLIES: Fall 2010 Resource Pak pp. 8, 25, CD (optional), CD player, clear tape Use the Advent Poster from the fall quarter. Place it in the worship area. SAY: Today is the third Sunday of Advent. The first Advent candle is called the candle of Hope. We lit the first purple candle to remember that people long ago hoped for a special king to be born to bring them peace. Jesus is that special king. Jesus gives us peace in our hearts. Next we lit the second purple candle, the candle of Love. Jesus was born so that we would know God s love for us. Today we light the third purple candle, the candle of Joy. The birth of Jesus brings joy to people everywhere. Tape the third purple candle to the poster. Play a Christmas carol or hymn for the children to hear. Praise and Respond SUPPLIES: Resource Pak pp. 3, 9, 30, clear tape, Christmas tree, Mary and Elizabeth ornaments made during Arrival Fun Let the children add their Mary and Elizabeth ornaments to the Christmas tree. Display the Nativity poster. Invite one of the children to add the figure of the donkey. SAY: Today we heard the story of Mary and Elizabeth praising God for Jesus. We praise God for Jesus. Jesus brings joy to each of us. ASK: Do you have a Nativity set at home? What does yours look like? Winter Session 2 IAmRockSolid.com 15

16 Have the children stand quietly in a circle and bow their heads. PRAY: Dear God, long ago you promised to send a Savior. This gave the people Hope. When he was born, he brought your Love into the world. Today we prepare to celebrate this special time with great Joy. Help us share the Hope, the Love, and the Joy of Jesus with all the world. Amen. Extra! Extra! Make Elizabeth s Welcome Bag SUPPLIES: paper lunch bags, decorations such as recycled Christmas cards and Christmas stickers, adult scissors, glue sticks, clear tape, crayons, welcome gifts to go inside the bags such as candy canes, wrapped gingerbread people, holiday pencils, or other inexpensive items Invite the children to decorate a bag to give to someone they visit, to someone who visits them, or to a family visiting the church. Tell them that Elizabeth welcomed Mary when she came to visit. When the bags are ready, let the children put one of each of the welcome gifts into their bags. Peek at Next Week An Ornament of Peace: Photocopy the pattern (Leader s Guide p. 87) for each child. Christmas Card Fun: Photocopy the card (Leader s Guide p. 88) for each child. Get Ready: Have a simple, inexpensive gift for each child (such as candy, a cookie, or a pencil). Act Out the Story: Bring biblical costumes for the children, which can be made with pillowcases or other pieces of fabric and rope or yarn. Place a sheet of white paper behind the reproducibles when photocopying. 16 December 12 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

17 Jesus Is Born Bible Verse I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. (Luke 2:10) Bible Story Luke 2:1-20 FaithPoint At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. What You Need to Know Session 3 December 19 Caesar Augustus, whose kingdom extended over all the Mediterranean world and Britain, called for a census. All citizens had to return to their hometown to be counted. No exceptions, not even for a carpenter and his new wife who was expecting their first child. The journey was hard, and circumstances were less than stellar. The crowd in the city of Bethlehem made it impossible to find a room, so Joseph and Mary spent the night in a stable. The stable may have been no more than a cave, or it may have been a pit dug in the floor in the lower level of the inn just outside the entrance to the public rooms. The manger was an open box for cattle food and was hewn from stone. How ironic that the King of Kings was born into such conditions! It is understandable that as he grew up, he would always care for the poor and the outcast. But the very heavens rejoiced the night that he was born, and their message was delivered in person to... shepherds on a hillside? The lowest of the low, the least significant of the village heard the heavenly choir: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to all whom God favors. Perhaps the greatest excitement for your children today is the anticipation of the gifts they will receive. Use this as an opportunity to help them understand why we have the tradition of gift-giving. Gift-giving reminds us of the greatest gift God gave us, the gift of God s Son, Jesus. One way of sharing the joy we have and God s love for us is to give gifts to persons who are important to us. Activities marked with contain options to use recycled or repurposed materials. Winter Session 3 IAmRockSolid.com Activities marked with may require extra preparation. 17

18 Arrival Fun SUPPLIES: Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2, 28, 31), Stickers, CD (optional), CD player, offering basket Greet each parent and child as they enter the room. Tell each child that you are glad to see him or her. Play music as the children arrive. The recommended CD is Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love to Sing! Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Give each child a sticker of the Advent wreath with four purple candles lit and show the child where to place it on the attendance chart. SAY: In our Bible story today, we hear about the night Jesus was born and about his first visitors. Fun Beginnings The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group to introduce the Bible story. Fun Pak Fun SUPPLIES: Fun Pak 3a and 3b, clear tape, glue sticks (optional), brown construction paper (optional), straw (optional) Show the children step by step how to make the stable and Nativity figures. An Ornament of Peace SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 87, safety scissors, gold yarn or ribbon, paper punch, crayons, markers, metallic stickers or washable tempera paint pads in several colors Photocopy the pattern for each child. Invite the children to cut out their crowns and decorate them. If you use paint pads, show the children how to make fingerprints in several colors to decorate the crowns. SAY: Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Soon it will be Christmas. Each Sunday of Advent we made a special ornament to hang on our tree. The ornament we are making today reminds us that Jesus was born to bring us peace. Jesus is also called the Prince of Peace. Help each child as needed to punch a hole in the crown and add ribbon or yarn for hanging. 18 December 19 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

19 Christmas Card Fun SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 88, crayons, markers Photocopy the card for each child. Invite each child to decorate the card. Help the children as needed to write a Christmas greeting inside the card. Friendship Time SUPPLIES: chair ASK: Where was Jesus born? (in a stable) What kind of animals were kept in a stable? (sheep, cows, doves, camels, goats, chickens, owls) SAY: Let s play a guessing game using these animals. I will pick one of you to be IT and sit in a chair. One at a time, we will come up behind IT and knock on IT s chair. IT will ask, Who is there? The child who is knocking will make the sound of one of the animals in the stable. IT will listen carefully and try to guess who is making the sound. If IT guesses correctly, the child and IT will change places. If necessary, let IT have three guesses before having another child take a turn. Bible Time Get Ready SUPPLIES: Christmas CD, CD player, small gift-wrapped box containing a gift for each child (candy, cookie, pencil, and so forth), gift bow Put a simple, inexpensive gift for each child in one small box. Wrap the box in festive paper with a beautiful bow. Have the children sit in a circle while you play Christmas music. Let the children pass the box around the circle. Stop the music and let the child holding the box say one thing he or she is hoping to get for Christmas. Start and stop the music several times so each child has a turn. SAY: In Bible times the people were hoping for something, too. They were hoping for a Messiah who would save them and bring them peace. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Messiah. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace.. Unwrap the box and give each child his or her gift. Winter Session 3 IAmRockSolid.com 19

20 Enjoy the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 3, Stickers, Resource Pak pp. 8, 12, 25, 32, cardboard tubes, clear tape, glue sticks, adult scissors Read the Bible story to the children. Invite the children to add stickers of stars, sheep, and a house to complete the picture. Continue using the Nativity Tube Figures. Add the figures of the shepherds and the baby Jesus. Display the figures in the worship area. ASK: Who gave Mary and Joseph a place to sleep? (a kind innkeeper) Where was Jesus born? (in a stable in Bethlehem) Who were the first visitors to see baby Jesus? (shepherds) What did the angel say to the shepherds? (good news of great joy, the Messiah had been born) What did the shepherds do after they saw baby Jesus? (They praised God.) Bible Verse Fun SUPPLIES: none Ask the children to repeat today s Bible verse several times: I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people (Luke 2:10). Ask the children to stand in a line. Invite the children to say the Bible verse with you. Assign one or more words of the verse to each child. Go down the line and have each child say his or her word(s). Repeat and have the children say the verse a little faster. Repeat. Then ask the children to say the verse with you again. If the children seem to have learned the verse easily, have the children exchange positions in the line and say a new word of the verse. Live God s Word Living as a Christian Kid SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 3 Invite the children to follow along with you as you read Living as a Christian Kid. ASK: Why did God choose shepherds to be the first people to hear the good news of Jesus birth? (God wanted to show that Jesus was born for all people for shepherds and wealthy alike.) Why is it important for us to tell the story of the birth of Jesus? (Help the children understand that all people should hear the good news of Jesus birth. Jesus is God s gift to everyone. Jesus was born to show us God s love.) 20 December 19 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

21 Act Out the Story SUPPLIES: biblical costumes, large box, straw or shredded paper, baby doll, rolled gauze Costumes can be made by draping fabric around the children. Pillowcases make excellent costumes by cutting an opening in the top for the head to slip through. Tie with a piece of rope, yarn, or fabric. Allow time for the children to act out the story. Help them remember the story from the beginning, starting with Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem. Worship Light the Advent Candle of Peace SUPPLIES: Fall 2010 Resource Pak pp. 8, 25, Christmas CD (optional), CD player, clear tape Use the Advent Poster from the fall quarter. Place it in the worship area. SAY: Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. The first Advent candle is called the candle of Hope. We lit the first purple candle to remember that people long ago hoped for a special king to be born to bring them peace. Jesus is that special king. Next we lit the second purple candle, the candle of Love. Jesus was born so that we would know God s love for us. Then we lit the third purple candle, the candle of Joy. The birth of Jesus brings joy to people everywhere. Today we light the candle of Peace. The birth of Jesus brings peace to all people. Tape the fourth purple candle to the poster. Play a Christmas carol or hymn for the children to hear. Praise and Respond SUPPLIES: Resource Pak pp. 3, 9, 30, clear tape, Christmas tree, crown ornaments made during Arrival Fun Let the children add their crown ornaments to the Christmas tree. Display the Nativity poster. Invite one of the children to add the figures of the shepherds and baby Jesus. SAY: Today we heard the story of Jesus birth. We praise God for Jesus. Jesus brings peace to each of us. ASK: What figures shall we add to our Nativity scene today? (Add baby Jesus, the shepherds, and the sheep. Save the wise men for next week.) Winter Session 3 IAmRockSolid.com 21

22 Have the children stand quietly in a circle and bow their heads. PRAY: Dear God, long ago you promised to send a Savior. This gave the people Hope. When he was born, he brought your Love into the world. Today we prepare to celebrate this special time with great Joy. Help us share the Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace he brings to all the world. Amen. Extra! Extra! Candy Cane Ornaments SUPPLIES: chenille stems (red and white), green ribbon, adult scissors SAY: We use candy cane ornaments on our Christmas trees and in our decorations to remind us of the shepherds who came to visit baby Jesus so very long ago. They are shaped like a shepherd s crook, and when you turn them upside down, they make the letter J for Jesus. Give each child four chenille stems: two red and two white. Show the children step by step how to make a candy cane. Hold the two red stems together at one end. Twist. Repeat with the white stems. Twist one end of the red and white stems together. Then twist both so that the colors go around each other. Twist the bottom ends together. Cut the green ribbon into 10-inch lengths. Help each child tie the green ribbon just below the bend of the candy cane. Peek at Next Week Epiphany King Card: Photocopy the card (Leader s Guide p. 90) for each child. Place a sheet of white paper behind the reproducible when photocopying. BIble Verse Fun: Before your group meets, photocopy and cut out six stars (Leader s Guide p. 89). Write a word from next week s Bible verse on each star. Hide the stars around the room. 22 December 19 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

23 The Wise Men Bible Verse They were overwhelmed with joy. (Matthew 2:10) Bible Story Matthew 2:1-12 FaithPoint The birth of Jesus is God s greatest gift to all people. What You Need to Know Session 4 December 26 Today is the day after Christmas. The children will find it hard to focus on much of anything other than the reality of Christmas. But the story of the wise men completes the cycle Jesus as God s blessing to Mary and to Joseph, Jesus as God s blessing to the shepherds and to the downtrodden, Jesus as God s blessing to the whole wide world. That is indeed worth celebrating. The Gospel of Matthew introduces us to the magi (or astrologers) who made their way to Bethlehem. The appearance of a new star in the sky was significant. It represented nothing less than the birth of a king, someone destined to be influential in the world. How right they were! For this, they were willing to travel not just days and weeks, but months and perhaps as long as two years to find him. Also significant was that these men were Gentiles. Consequently, they were probably unaware of the prophecy in the Jewish faith of a coming Messiah. For this reason, the story now crosses over from being sent to one particular group of people (the Jews) to being sent for the whole world. The gifts the wise men brought to the child Jesus obviously inspired the gift-giving tradition we associate with Christmas. The gifts they brought might seem strange to the children, but they were very appropriate for a king even a baby king. Help the children focus on the fact that it is the gifts we give that are important, not just ones we receive. Gift-giving at Christmas is in response to God s greatest gift to us. Activities marked with contain options to use recycled or repurposed materials. Winter Session 4 IAmRockSolid.com Activities marked with may require extra preparation. 23

24 Arrival Fun SUPPLIES: Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2, 28, 31), Stickers, CD (optional), CD player, offering basket Greet each parent and child as they enter the room. Tell each child that you are glad to see him or her. Play music as the children arrive. The recommended CD is Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love to Sing! Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Give each child a sticker of the Advent wreath with all of the candles lit and show the child where to place it on the attendance chart. SAY: In our Bible story today, we are going to learn about the wise men who traveled a long way to find Jesus. Fun Beginnings The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group to introduce the Bible story. Fun Pak Fun SUPPLIES: Fun Pak 4, white glue, yarn, adult scissors Show the children step by step how to make a Star Spinner. Sparkling Star Ornaments SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 89, adult scissors, safety scissors, posterboard, white glue, gold yarn or ribbon, gold glitter, paper punch, old Christmas cards with Nativity scenes or wise men on them Cut a star shape from posterboard for each child. Invite the children to cut pictures from old Christmas cards and glue one in the center of each star. Show the children how to cover the rest of the star with gold glitter. Help the children punch a hole at the top of each star and attach a yarn or ribbon for hanging. SAY: Today is the Sunday after Christmas. We have been making special ornaments to hang on our tree. The ornament will help us remember that the wise men followed a special star to find Jesus. 24 December 26 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

25 Epiphany King Card SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 90, crayons, markers Photocopy a card for each child. Invite the children to color the picture and words (to be the inside of the card) and decorate the card. Show them how to draw simple star shapes on the front of the card. Encourage each child to give the card to someone special and to tell the person that Jesus is God s gift to us. Friendship Time SUPPLIES: none The children may be tired and still excited from Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Invite the children to sit quietly with you and let them talk about Christmas. Ask questions such as: Where did you spend Christmas? Did you have visitors during Christmas? What is the happiest thing that happened to you during Christmas? Tell me about one gift that you received. Encourage the children to take turns talking. Do not insist that a child participate if he or she is quiet or does not wish to talk. Bible Time Get Ready SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 89, colored printer paper, adult scissors Make several photocopies of the star to create a star trail. Lay the stars on the floor in a path to the storytelling area. SAY: Please come to the storytelling area. To get here you have to follow a special path. Let s see if you can figure out the way to go. ASK: How did you know how to go? (just follow the stars) SAY: Our Bible story for today is about some men who followed a star not a whole bunch of stars like we did but one very special star. ASK: Where do you think the star was leading them? (to find the newborn king) Winter Session 4 IAmRockSolid.com 25

26 Enjoy the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 4, Resource Pak pp. 8, 12, 25, 32, pencils or crayons, cardboard tubes, clear tape, glue sticks, adult scissors Read the Bible story to the children. Invite the children to work the maze. Continue using the Nativity Tube Figures. Add the figures of the wise men. Display the figures in the worship area. ASK: What did the wise men see in the sky? (a large star) Who did the wise men ask about the child who was born to be king? (King Herod) What did King Herod ask the wise men to do? (come back and tell him where they found the child) What did the wise men do when they found Jesus? (They knelt down and worshiped him and gave him gifts.) Can you name the gifts the wise men gave Jesus? (gold, myrrh, and frankincense) Bible Verse Fun SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 89, adult scissors, marker Before your group meets, photocopy and cut out six stars. Write the words of today s Bible verse on each star: They / were /overwhelmed / with / joy / (Matthew 2:10). Hide the stars around the room where the children will be able to find them. ASK: The wise men followed a star to find the baby Jesus. The Bible tells us that when they found him, They were overwhelmed with joy (Matthew 2:10). I have hidden six stars in the room. When you find the stars, we can read today s Bible verse. Encourage the children to try to find the six stars. When all the stars have been found, help the children put the stars in order and say the verse. Live God s Word 26 Living as a Christian Kid SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 4 Invite the children to follow along with you as you read Living as a Christian Kid. ASK: Why didn t Megan and Riley want to go to the soup kitchen? (It did not sound like a fun way to celebrate Christmas.) What did they discover? (Being kind to others and helping others makes us feel happy.) Is that a good way to celebrate Christmas? (yes) December 26 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

27 Star of Bethlehem SUPPLIES: six craft sticks per child, white glue, thinned glue, glue brush, shallow dish, silver glitter Show the children how to make the star of Bethlehem. Give each child six craft sticks and show them how to glue two triangles. Once the triangles are complete, show the children how to overlap the triangles to form the special star that the wise men followed to Jesus. Set the stars aside carefully so that the glue will dry. The glue should be set by the end of group time. For a more decorative star, brush the front of the star with thinned glue. Then invite the children to dip the star in a flat dish filled with glitter. Worship Light the Christ Candle SUPPLIES: Fall 2010 Resource Pak pp. 8, 25, Christmas CD (optional), CD player, clear tape Use the Advent Poster from the fall quarter. Place it in the worship area. SAY: Jesus is born! The first Advent candle is called the candle of Hope. We lit the first purple candle to remember that people long ago hoped for a special king to be born to bring them peace. Jesus is that special king. Next we lit the second purple candle, the candle of Love. Jesus was born so that we would know God s love for us. Then we lit the third purple candle, the candle of Joy. The birth of Jesus brings joy to people everywhere. Then we lit the candle of Peace. The birth of Jesus brings peace to all people. Today we light the white candle, the Christ candle. Jesus is born! Tape the white candle to the poster. Play a Christmas carol or hymn for the children to hear. Praise and Respond SUPPLIES: Resource Pak pp. 3, 9, 30, clear tape, Christmas tree, star ornaments made during Arrival Fun Let the children add their star ornaments to the Christmas tree. Display the Nativity poster. Invite one of the children to add the wise men. SAY: Today we heard the story of the wise men who gave precious gifts to Jesus. Jesus is God s greatest gift to us. Winter Session 4 IAmRockSolid.com 27

28 ASK: What figures shall we add to our Nativity scene today? (the wise men) Have the children stand quietly in a circle and bow their heads. PRAY: Dear God, long ago you promised to send a Savior. You kept your promise and gave us your Son, Jesus. Thank you, God, for the greatest gift you have given each of us. Amen. Extra! Extra! Play a Review Game SUPPLIES: none SAY: Let s play a game and see how much you remember about the birth of Jesus. I will say a sentence. If what I say is correct, jump up and down and yell, Yay! If what I say is not correct, stomp your feet and say, Boo! Say the following statements one at a time to the children and ask for their response: An angel told Michelle good news. She would have a baby. The baby s name would be Jesus. Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem. Mary rode on a camel. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the inns were full. Mary and Joseph had to stay in a stable. That night Mary s baby was born. She named him Billy. An angel told shepherds the good news. The shepherds had been watching their chickens. The shepherds went to the stable to see baby Jesus. The wise men saw a star in the sky. They knew the star would lead them to Jesus. They followed the star and found Jesus. They gave him gifts of toys, games, and clothes. Peek at Next Week 28 My Parable Tree Storybook: Photocopy the pages (Leader s Guide pp. 91, 92 [top]) for each child. Place a sheet of white paper behind the reproducibles when photocopying. Matching Fun: Separate the Parables and Teachings Cards (Resource Pak p. 24). Friendship Time: Have one smooth rock for each child in the group. Write each child s name on a rock, and hide them in the room. Come Together: Prepare the Bible Verse Mural (Resource Pak pp. 5, 14, 16, 17, 19). Bring a tablecloth, pillows, and mats. December 26 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

29 The Two Houses Bible Verse The LORD is my rock. (Psalm 18:2) Bible Story Matthew 7:24-28 FaithPoint Jesus teaches us how to have a strong faith. What You Need to Know Session 5 January 2 Jesus was a good teacher. Not only did he use familiar events or objects as examples in his story, but also he would interpret the story for the listener. In the story of the two builders, the people who heard it would have known why it was foolish to build a house in one of the seasonal river beds. During the dry season, the sandy soil would have provided an easy building site, which would have been appealing. However, with the coming of the rains, the runoff water would rush through the wadi and carry the house away. Who wants to work that hard only to have the house crumble at the first sign of bad weather? This is equally true with a house of faith. We want our faith to be strong and weather the storms of life. Jesus said that in order to do this, we had to live according to his teachings. Comparing building a house to building faith is not a logical comparison for many children. One idea is concrete; the other is abstract. But children can understand the necessity of doing something the right way. They have seen houses being built. They know what it means to build a strong house that will stand up to a storm or wind or rain. Help the children make the connection between the two. A good faith foundation is built on many different things: reading the Bible, prayer, acts of service, using appropriate life skills, helping others, and of course attending Sunday school. Use the various activities built into the session to make this concrete for your boys and girls. Activities marked with contain options to use recycled or repurposed materials. Winter Session 5 IAmRockSolid.com Activities marked with may require extra preparation. 29

30 Arrival Fun SUPPLIES: Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2, 28, 31), Stickers, CD (optional), CD player, offering basket Greet each parent and child as they enter the room. Tell each child that you are glad to see him or her. Play music as the children arrive. The recommended CD is Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love to Sing! Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Give each child a sticker of the house on the rock and show the child where to place it on the attendance chart. SAY: Our Bible story today is about a wise man and a foolish man. One man built his house on rock; the other man built his house on sand. We will find out which man was wise and which man was foolish. Fun Beginnings The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group to introduce the Bible story. Fun Pak Fun SUPPLIES: Fun Pak 5, glue sticks, black or gray tissue paper, paper plates, white glue, clear tape (optional) Show the children step by step how to create the house on the rock. My Parable Tree Storybook SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide pp. 91, 92 (top), crayons, markers Photocopy the pages for each child. Invite the children to color the tree and grass on the cover of their storybook. Suggest they add birds and animals to the picture. Help each child as needed to write his or her name on the back. Let the children color the picture of the house. Have them place the picture inside the storybook cover. A page will be added to the parable storybook each week through Session 9. Then you will staple the pages together on the left side. SAY: Jesus told stories to teach us about God and how God wants us to live with one another. These stories are called parables. Today s parable is about the wise man and the foolish man. We will be hearing a new parable each Sunday in January and adding a page to our storybooks. 30 January 2 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

31 Matching Fun SUPPLIES: Resource Pak p. 24 Set out the Parables and Teachings Cards. Place all of the cards on the table facedown. The first player turns up two cards. If the cards match, the player removes those cards and plays again. If the cards do not match, the player turns the cards back over, and play passes to the next person. Play until all of the cards have been removed. Friendship Time SUPPLIES: smooth rocks (one per child), masking tape, permanent marker Write each child s name on a rock, using the masking tape and marker. Hide the rocks before your group meets. SAY: We are going to have a rock hunt. I want you to find the rock with your name on it and pick it up. If you find a rock with someone else s name on it, do not pick it up and do not tell. When all of the rocks have been found, ask the children to take turns holding their rock up and telling everyone their favorite Bible story. It is all right if the children repeat one another. Save the rocks to use again later in the session. Bible Time Enjoy the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 5, pencils or crayons Read the Bible story to the children. Invite the children to find and circle the tools hidden in the picture. ASK: Why was one man wise? (He wanted a house that would be safe and strong so it would stand against all types of weather. He built his house on a rock.) What happened when it rained and water rushed against the house? (The house stood strong because it had rock under it and the foundation was strong.) Why was the other man not wise?(he did not worry if the house had a strong foundation, and he built his house on sand.) What happened when it rained and water rushed against the house? (The house fell and was ruined because it had sand under it and the foundation was not strong.) How does Jesus want us to build our lives? (Jesus wants us to hear and obey God s Word. The Bible is God s Word. The Bible tells us how God wants us to live.) Winter Session 5 IAmRockSolid.com 31

32 32 Bible Story Fun SUPPLIES: none If you are familiar with the tune of The Wise Man Built His House, sing it for the children and invite them to sing along. Otherwise, simply speak this action story and invite the children to make the motions with you: The wise man built his house upon the rock. The wise man built his house upon the rock; (Alternate left fist and right fist tapping each other.) and the rains came tumbling down. (Fingers make rippling motions downward.) The rains came down, and the floods came up. The rains came down, and the floods came up; (Fingers make rippling motions downward. Then move hands up, side by side, palms facing up.) and the house on the rock stood firm. (Fists tap each other.) The foolish man built his house upon the sand. The foolish man built his house upon the sand; (Brush hands as if cleaning sand off them.) and the rains came tumbling down. (Fingers make rippling motions downward.) The rains came down, and the floods came up. The rains came down, and the floods came up; (Fingers make rippling motions downward. Then move two hands up, side by side, palms facing up.) and the house on the sand went splat! (Clap loudly.) Bible Verse Fun SUPPLIES: large smooth rock, CD (optional), CD player Hold up the rock. Have the children repeat the Bible verse with you. SAY: When we live as Jesus taught us to live, our faith will be as strong as this rock. Play music and have the children pass the rock around the circle. Stop the music frequently, and have the child who is holding the rock tell some way he or she can live as Jesus taught. Give suggestions if any child needs help: love others, be kind, share, give to people who need help, pray for others. January 2 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

33 Live God s Word Living as a Christian Kid SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 5 Invite the children to follow along with you as you read Living as a Christian Kid. ASK: What gives our lives a strong foundation? (strong faith in God) What are things we should do to have a strong faith? (Read the Bible and pray every day.) Rock Paperweights SUPPLIES: rocks, newspaper, acrylic paint, paintbrushes Ask the children to get the rocks they found in the rock hunt. Invite each child to make a rock paperweight. Remove the masking tape on each rock. Place the rock on newspaper and paint with acrylic paints. Let the rock dry thoroughly before moving. Worship Come Together SUPPLIES: Resource Pak pp. 5, 14, 16, 17, 19, clear tape, tablecloth, pillows, mats, snack food Prepare the Bible verse mural. Attach the pictures over the Bible verses at the appropriate places with tape. Create a space in the worship area that will be beneath the Parable Tree. Create a picnic area using a tablecloth, pillows, mats, and some snack food. Invite the children to come to worship by singing the following song to the tune of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean : I know there s a tree in the forest. A tree that will help us to know the stories that Jesus told others, the stories that help our faith grow. Come sit. Come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree with me. Come sit, come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree. Winter Session 5 IAmRockSolid.com 33

34 SAY: Jesus was a special teacher. His stories told the people how God wanted them to live. Here is our Parable Tree. Each week we will find the picture that reminds us of the story for today. Invite a child to lift the picture of the house. Say the Bible verse together. Praise and Respond SUPPLIES: none PRAY: Dear God, we thank you for Jesus and the stories that he told. Help us live as Jesus taught and build a strong faith. Amen. Extra! Extra! Group Rock SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 95, large brown grocery bag, newspaper, paper, crayons, masking tape, glue sticks Invite the children to wad up balls of newspaper and stuff them inside the bag rock. Seal the bag closed with masking tape. Let the children cover the rock with the words that describe how Jesus teaches us to act. Ask the children to draw pictures of ways we show love to one another and attach them to the rock. Peek at Next Week Continue My Parable Tree Storybook: Photocopy the halfpage (Leader s Guide p. 92 [bottom]) for each child. Place a sheet of white paper behind the reproducible when photocopying. My Faith Is Growing! Flowerpot: Cut 1-inch by 4-inch strips from green construction paper. Photocopy one flowerpot and one flower blossom (Leader s Guide p. 96) for each child. Come Together: Leave the tablecloth, pillows, and mats in your room throughout the winter quarter for this activity. 34 January 2 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

35 The Mustard Seed Bible Verse Your faith in God and your love for each other keep growing all the time. (2 Thessalonians 1:3, CEV) Bible Story Matthew 13:31-32 FaithPoint Jesus teaches us that our faith grows. What You Need to Know Session 6 January 9 The mustard plant is an annual herb in the Middle East that is more of a shrub than an actual tree. The seed is very small (hardly bigger than a speck), but the resulting plant can be as tall as nine or ten feet. The shrub from the mustard seed often provides shelter for native birds of the area. Once again, Jesus is using a familiar object (the mustard plant) to help people understand the growth of God s Kingdom. The mustard plant may start very small, but it grows into something quite substantial. The same is true with God s Kingdom. The Kingdom may begin small, but it will grow into something great something beyond the imagination. Children have a difficult time with abstract ideas and images. Talking about God s Kingdom and how it grows is more easily taught by using examples taken from our daily lives. If possible have a mustard seed to show the children to help them see how very tiny the seed really is. Help the children understand that the remarkable part of this story is that the tiniest seed grows into a very large tree. The session teaches us that by sharing God s love with others, we help God s family grow. We want the children to know that they (even as small as they are) can do something to share God s love. It is very important to early elementary children to feel big. We want to emphasize what they can do rather than what they cannot do. Activities marked with contain options to use recycled or repurposed materials. Winter Session 6 IAmRockSolid.com Activities marked with may require extra preparation. 35

36 Arrival Fun SUPPLIES: Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2, 28, 31), Stickers, CD (optional), CD player, offering basket Greet each parent and child as they enter the room. Tell each child that you are glad to see him or her. Play music as the children arrive. The recommended CD is Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love to Sing! Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Give each child a sticker of the mustard tree and show the child where to place it on the attendance chart. SAY: Today we are going to hear another parable that Jesus told. Parables are stories that teach us about God. Our story today is about a tiny seed that grows into a huge tree. Fun Beginnings The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group to introduce the Bible story. Fun Pak Fun SUPPLIES: Fun Pak 6, clear tape Show the children how to open the bird nests to reveal the words. Read each of the words. Continue My Parable Tree Storybook SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 92 (bottom), crayons, markers, parable tree storybooks begun last week Photocopy the half page for each child. Invite the children to color the tree, grass, and birds. Have them place the picture inside the storybook cover. SAY: Jesus told stories to teach us about God and how God wants us to live with one another. These stories are called parables. Today s parable is about a tiny mustard seed that grows into a very large tree. This story teaches us about God s Kingdom. God s Kingdom is wherever God s love is shown. God s Kingdom is like the mustard seed. It is growing too. We will be hearing a new parable each Sunday in January and adding a page to our storybooks. 36 January 9 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

37 Enjoy Seeds SUPPLIES: mustard seeds (available with most grocery spices), apple seeds, melon seeds, sliced apples, sliced melon, napkins Purchase mustard seeds. Slice apples and melon and remove the seeds. Show the children the apple and melon seeds and then let them enjoy eating the fruit. Then show the children the tiny mustard seed. SAY: This tiny seed grows into a large tree. That is how our faith grows. It starts out small and grows into something very special. God can use each of us, no matter how small we are, to make God s Kingdom grow. Matching Fun SUPPLIES: Resource Pak p. 24 Set out the Parables and Teachings Cards. Invite two or three children to play a game of concentration. Friendship Time SUPPLIES: none Invite the children to join you and sit in a circle. Encourage them to think about ways they are growing. Accept answers after each question. ASK: Can you wear the same clothes or shoes you wore last year? Is there a song that you have learned this year? What is a Bible story that you did not know last year? SAY: We are growing in many ways. Our faith is growing too. Bible Time Enjoy the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 6, Stickers Music is a great addition to any group activity. Find songs in the recommended CD that your children will enjoy. Read the Bible story to the children. Invite the children to add seven stickers to complete the picture. ASK: What did the farmer plant? (a tiny mustard seed) What did it become? (a tree reaching into the sky) What did the tree become? (a special home for the birds) Where is God s Kingdom? (wherever God s love grows) What can we do to make God s Kingdom grow? (share God s love with others) Winter Session 6 IAmRockSolid.com 37

38 Bible Story Fun SUPPLIES: none Play this game to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell. Start with one child in the middle and the other children holding hands and walking in a circle around the child. The child in the middle chooses a new child to bring to the middle with the new verse. The newly chosen child chooses the next child for the next verse and so on. A seed on the ground, A seed on the ground, Watch and see how God s love grows, A seed on the ground. The seed begins to sprout, The seed begins to sprout, Watch and see how God s love grows, The seed begins to sprout. The sprout grows a branch, The sprout grows a branch, Watch and see how God s love grows, The sprout grows a branch. The branch fills with fruit, The branch fills with fruit, Watch and see how God s love grows, The branch fills with fruit. The farmer picks the fruit, The farmer picks the fruit, Watch and see how God s love grows, The farmer picks the fruit. The mother buys the fruit, The mother buys the fruit, Watch and see how God s love grows, The mother buys the fruit. The family eats the fruit, The family eats the fruit, Watch and see how God s love grows, The family eats the fruit. The birds come to nest, The birds come to nest, Watch and see how God s love grows, The birds come to nest. Bible Verse Fun SUPPLIES: none Ask the children to repeat today s Bible verse several times: Your faith in God and your love for each other keep growing all the time (2 Thessalonians 1:3, CEV). Invite the children to stand in a circle, say the verse, and do the motions with you: Your faith in God (fold hands in prayer and then hold arms apart, palms up) and your love for each other (put your arm around the shoulder of the person to your right) keep growing all the time. (with arms up, wiggle and stretch up high) 38 January 9 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

39 Live God s Word Living as a Christian Kid SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 6 Invite the children to follow along with you as you read Living as a Christian Kid. ASK: What can you do to help God s love grow? (tell people about God and Jesus, invite people to Sunday school and church, pray for others, show God s love to people) My Faith Is Growing! Flowerpot SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 96, adult scissors, safety scissors, construction paper, crayons, markers, glue sticks Cut 1-inch by 4-inch strips from green construction paper. Photocopy one flowerpot and one flower blossom for each child. Show the children how to glue the flowerpot to a sheet of construction paper, leaving the top of the pot open. Insert a flower stem (green strip) into the pot and glue it to the paper. Glue the blossom to the stem. Invite the children to color the pot. ASK: What are some things we can do to help our faith grow? (pray, go to Sunday school, read the Bible, be kind to others) Worship Come Together SUPPLIES: Resource Pak pp. 5, 14, 16, 17, 19, tablecloth, pillows, mats, snack food As the children mention things they can do, write their ideas on the flower blossom. Continue using the Bible verse mural. Create a space in the worship area that will be beneath the Parable Tree. Create a picnic area using a tablecloth, pillows, mats, and some snack food. Invite the children to come to worship by singing the following song to the tune of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean : Winter Session 6 IAmRockSolid.com 39

40 I know there s a tree in the forest. A tree that will help us to know the stories that Jesus told others, the stories that help our faith grow. Come sit. Come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree with me. Come sit, come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree. SAY: Jesus told the story of the mustard seed to help us understand how our faith grows. Our faith starts out small, but it can grow to be large and strong. Invite a child to lift the picture of the bird resting in a mustard tree. Say the Bible verse together. Praise and Respond SUPPLIES: none PRAY: Dear God, we thank you for your love. Please help our faith grow to be large and strong. Amen. Extra! Extra! Jump Up and Shout SUPPLIES: none SAY: Let s scrunch down and be tiny little seeds. I will name some actions. If these actions are not the way God wants us to live, then stay where you are. If these actions are the way God wants us to live, let s jump up and shout: Our faith keeps growing all the time! Say your prayers. Help your mom or dad. Say mean things to someone. Go to Sunday school. Say something nice to someone. Help someone. Peek at Next Week Continue My Parable Tree Storybook: Photocopy the halfpage (Leader s Guide p. 93 [top]) for each child. Place a sheet of white paper behind the reproducible when photocopying. Mad Silly Putty: Prepare the silly putty ahead of time according to the directions on p January 9 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

41 The Unforgiving Servant Bible Verse Forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you. (Colossians 3:13) Bible Story Matthew 18:23-35 FaithPoint Jesus teaches us to forgive one another. What You Need to Know Session 7 January 16 Jewish law was very specific regarding personal relationships, especially those concerning forgiveness. There were prescribed ways for people to deal with one another. For example, the law said that one person had to forgive another person only three times. In conversation with Jesus, Peter suggested a magnanimous seven times. How shocked Peter must have been to discover that Jesus considered even that not enough. In today s parable, Jesus tells a story about a servant who asks for and receives forgiveness from the king for a substantial debt. The same servant however, when given the opportunity, does not forgive a much smaller debt from someone who owed him. By not forgiving, the first servant was showing himself to be ungrateful for what he had just received. To do so over a considerably smaller debt made it doubly bad. That is the reason for the king s harsh judgment. What Jesus proposed to the people was nothing less than a gentle revolution. If we expect God to forgive us, then of necessity we must be prepared to forgive others no matter how many times an offending event occurs. In the life of an early elementary child, all should be fair. They know when they have been wronged, and most of the time they know when they have done wrong. Help the children understand that saying I m sorry should reflect a desire not to do the offending action again. Activities marked with contain options to use recycled or repurposed materials. Winter Session 7 IAmRockSolid.com Activities marked with may require extra preparation. 41

42 Arrival Fun SUPPLIES: Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2, 28, 31), Stickers, CD (optional), CD player, offering basket Greet each parent and child as they enter the room. Tell each child that you are glad to see him or her. Play music as the children arrive. The recommended CD is Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love to Sing! Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Give each child a sticker of the bag of money and show the child where to place it on the attendance chart. SAY: Today we are going to hear another parable that Jesus told. Parables are stories that teach us about God. Our story today is about a man who would not forgive someone who owed him money. Fun Beginnings The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group to introduce the Bible story. Fun Pak Fun SUPPLIES: Fun Pak 7, clear tape or glue sticks Show the children step by step how to make a Hug and Forgive Card. Continue My Parable Tree Storybook SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 93 (top), crayons, markers, parable tree storybooks Photocopy the half page for each child. Invite the children to color the picture. Have them place the picture inside the storybook cover. SAY: Jesus told stories to teach us about God and how God wants us to live with one another. These stories are called parables. Today s parable is about a servant who would not forgive someone who owed him money. Jesus said that God expects us to forgive others. We need to forgive not once or twice or even four times. We need to forgive over and over. We will be hearing a new parable each Sunday in January and adding a page to our storybooks. 42 January 16 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

43 I m Sorry Pockets SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 97, safety scissors, glue sticks, crayons, markers Invite the children to color and cut out the pocket pattern, pocket front, and small hearts. Show them how to glue the side and bottom edges of the pocket. Invite the children to put the I m sorry hearts inside the small pocket. Encourage the children to give the I m sorry hearts to people they want to apologize to. Matching Fun SUPPLIES: Resource Pak p. 24 Set out the Parables and Teachings Cards. Invite two or three children to play a game of concentration. Friendship Time SUPPLIES: none SAY: God wants us to forgive one another. Teach the children the American Sign Language for I m sorry and You re forgiven. Have the children stand in a circle. The first child signs, I m sorry. The second child signs, You re forgiven. Then the second child turns to the next child in the circle and signs, I m sorry. That child responds with, You re forgiven. Continue around the circle. Bible Time I m Sorry You re forgiven. Enjoy the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 7, pencils or crayons Read the Bible story to the children. Invite the children to find ten gold coins hidden in the picture. ASK: What happened when the servant begged the king to be patient about the money that was owed him? (The king excused the debt and the servant did not have to pay the money back.) What happened when a fellow servant asked the first servant to be patient about the money owed him? (The first servant said no and had the fellow servant thrown in jail.) What happened when the king heard what had happened? (The king had the first servant thrown in jail.) Winter Session 7 IAmRockSolid.com 43

44 Bible Story Fun SUPPLIES: none SAY: God wants us to forgive others. This means we should not stay angry when someone hurts us. God loves us and will forgive us when we make mistakes. Have the children stand up. SAY: Do you think God wants us to forgive someone just one time? (No, the Bible says to forgive many times.) Can you think of a number for me, like five or two or seven? I will say, How many times can (child s name) forgive? Then (insert name) will say, I can forgive (insert a number) times. Then we will all try to hop that many times. Let s try it and see how we do. If someone says a large number, jump until you or the children tire and comment on what a large number it was. ( That number was so big that I can t jump that many times! ) Continue for several rounds. Bible Verse Fun SUPPLIES: none Ask the children to repeat today s Bible verse several times: Forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you (Colossians 3:13). Have the children sit in a circle. Select one child to be IT. (Remove IT s chair.) Have IT go to a child in the circle and say: Forgive each other. Have the child in the circle answer: just as the Lord has forgiven you. If the child answering can say the second part of the Bible verse without smiling or laughing, then IT must go on to someone else. If the child in the circle smiles or laughs, then the two children swap places. Live God s Word 44 Living as a Christian Kid SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 7 Invite the children to follow along with you as you read Living as a Christian Kid. ASK: What did Jack discover about forgiving? (Forgiving feels better than being mad.) How do you feel when you forgive someone? (Accept answers.) January 16 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

45 Happy Face Cookies SUPPLIES: refrigerated cookie dough or undecorated sugar cookies, canned frosting, plastic knives, napkins, M&M s Buy refrigerated sugar cookie dough or make your own undecorated sugar cookies. Slice the dough into circles and cook in the oven. When cool, let the children spread frosting over the top. Show the children how to use two M&M s for eyes and several for the smiling mouth. Ask the following questions and have the children respond, Forgive that person! What do you do when someone steps on your toe? What do you do when someone takes your place in line? What do you do when someone says something mean to you? What do you do when someone breaks your favorite toy? What do you do when someone hurts your feelings? Remind the children that apologizing and forgiving can make people happy. Worship Come Together SUPPLIES: Resource Pak pp. 5, 14, 16, 17, 19, tablecloth, pillows, mats, snack food Continue using the Bible verse mural. Create a space in the worship area that will be beneath the Parable Tree. Create a picnic area using a tablecloth, pillows, mats, and some snack food. Invite the children to come to worship by singing the following song to the tune of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean : I know there s a tree in the forest. A tree that will help us to know the stories that Jesus told others, the stories that help our faith grow. Come sit. Come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree with me. Come sit, come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree. SAY: Jesus told the story of the unforgiving servant to help us understand how God wants us to live. Jesus teaches us to forgive one another. Invite a child to lift the picture of the king and servant. Say the Bible verse together. Praise and Respond SUPPLIES: none PRAY: Dear God, we thank you for Jesus and the stories he told. We thank you for forgiving us when we do wrong. Please help us forgive others. Amen. Winter Session 7 IAmRockSolid.com 45

46 Extra! Extra! Mad Silly Putty SUPPLIES: red food coloring, liquid starch, Elmer s white glue, measuring cup, plastic bag or airtight container Prepare the dough before your group meets, and keep it in one big lump. Multiply the recipe as needed for your group. Recipe: 1 cup Elmer's white glue, 1 cup liquid starch, red food coloring Put glue and food coloring in a plastic container. Add starch a little at a time, stirring constantly. Keep stirring until the mixture holds together like putty. Test with your fingers. If the dough is too sticky, add more starch in small amounts until the silly putty is smooth and rubbery. Store in a plastic bag or airtight container. Invite the children to break off a handful of silly putty. SAY: Everyone gets mad. It s how we handle our anger that matters. We are going to make mad silly putty. If we feel angry, hurt, or mad, all we have to do is take the putty out of its container. We can pull it (demonstrate each description), stretch it, and bounce it. And while we are doing all these things, we can be praying to God for the ability to love and forgive. God wants us to forgive others, not just once or twice, but over and over. Peek at Next Week 46 Lost Sheep Bag Puppet: Bring white lunch-size paper bags. Photocopy the pattern (Leader s Guide p. 98) for each child. Place a sheet of white paper behind the reproducible when photocopying. Get Ready: Make photocopies of the sheep pattern (Leader s Guide p. 99). Write each child s name on a sheep and hide the sheep around the room. Bible Verse Fun: Cut out squares of different colored construction paper (only one green square). The Lost and Found Lamb: Cut a paper towel tube into 3-inch lengths and cut black chenille stems in half. If possible, cut out the body, head, and heart patterns (Leader s Guide p. 100) for each child. January 16 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

47 The Lost Sheep Bible Verse The LORD is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever. (Psalm 100:5, CEV) Bible Story Luke 15:1-7 FaithPoint Jesus teaches us that God loves us and cares for us. What You Need to Know Session 8 January 23 The story of the lost sheep is one of three parables that deals with something that has been lost. The three stories all have the same theme: something is lost; then it is found; everyone celebrates. These stories were told to a group of Pharisees (religious leaders) who could not understand why Jesus spent so much time with the wrong sort of people. A truly righteous person of that time would never lower himself or herself to associate with the likes of those whom Jesus spent time with. But Jesus stories pointed out to this group of holier-thanthou men that heaven rejoiced when these sinners returned to the fold. There was no person who did not merit being rescued. Jesus wanted the people to know that each of them was important to God. God seeks people out, just like the shepherd who searched for his sheep. God rejoices in the rescue of just one person, like the shepherd who rejoiced when his sheep was found. Children want to feel loved and protected. Knowing that Jesus is like the good shepherd who takes care of his sheep can help children understand God s love. Your children may have had little experience with sheep or shepherds. For those who are not familiar with sheep or shepherds, try bringing the idea of a shepherd caring for his sheep to the children in a more personal way, like that of caring for a pet. If they do not have a pet, they have experienced needing help or being able to help someone else. They can understand that a shepherd keeps his sheep safe and protected. Activities marked with contain options to use recycled or repurposed materials. Winter Session 8 IAmRockSolid.com Activities marked with may require extra preparation. 47

48 Arrival Fun SUPPLIES: Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2, 28, 31), Stickers, CD (optional), CD player, offering basket Greet each parent and child as they enter the room. Tell each child that you are glad to see him or her. Play music as the children arrive. The recommended CD is Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love to Sing! Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Give each child a sticker of the sheep and show the child where to place it on the attendance chart. SAY: Today we are going to hear another parable that Jesus told. Parables are stories that teach us about God. Our story today is about a sheep that was lost and then was found by its shepherd. Fun Beginnings The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group to introduce the Bible story. Fun Pak Fun SUPPLIES: Fun Pak 8 The children will enjoy playing the Matching Sheep Game. Continue My Parable Tree Storybook SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 93 (bottom), crayons, markers, parable tree storybooks Photocopy the halfpage for each child. Invite the children to color the picture. Have them place the picture inside the storybook cover. SAY: Jesus told stories to teach us about God and how God wants us to live with one another. These stories are called parables. Today s parable is about a shepherd who searched for a sheep that was lost. When he found the sheep, he was so happy! Jesus said that every person is important to God, just like the sheep was important to the shepherd. God loves and cares for all people. Next Sunday we will add the last page to our storybooks. 48 January 23 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

49 Lost Sheep Bag Puppet SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 98, white lunch-size paper bags, white paper, safety scissors, white glue, cotton balls Photocopy the bag puppet pattern for each child. Cut white paper into 2-inch by 8-inch strips for the legs. Each puppet will need four. Have the children cut out the head. Show the children step by step how to glue the head and feet to the bag as shown in the directions. Invite the children to glue cotton balls at the top of the sheep s head. Matching Fun SUPPLIES: Resource Pak p. 24 Set out the Parables and Teachings Cards. Invite two or three children to play a game of concentration. Friendship Time SUPPLIES: chair, lost sheep bag puppets (optional) Ask one child to be the shepherd and sit in the chair. Have the other children stand behind the shepherd while holding their bag puppets. Let the children take turns tiptoeing up to the shepherd and helping their puppet say, Baa, baa, baa. The shepherd will try to guess who each sheep is. If the shepherd guesses correctly, the sheep becomes the next shepherd. SAY: In Bible times the sheep would know the voice of the shepherd. The sheep felt safe and secure with their shepherd because he cared for them. Bible Time Get Ready SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 99 Before your children come to the room, write each child s name on a sheep pattern and hide the sheep patterns around the room. SAY: I need your help. I have misplaced my sheep somewhere in this room. Each of my sheep is very important to me, and I can t seem to find my sheep anywhere. I would like you to help me find it. (As each child finds a sheep, call out the child s name written on the sheep and jump up and down in excitement.) ASK: Have you ever lost something very important? How did it feel when you knew you had lost it? How did you feel when you found it? Did you celebrate like I just did? SAY: Our Bible story today is about a shepherd who had one hundred sheep. When one sheep was lost, the shepherd was unhappy even though he still had ninety-nine sheep left. Let s read the story and find out what happened. Winter Session 8 IAmRockSolid.com 49

50 Enjoy the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 8, Stickers Read the Bible story to the children. Invite the children to add four stickers of sheep to complete the picture. ASK: How did the shepherd know a sheep was missing? (He counted his sheep.) What did the shepherd do? (He went in search of the lost sheep.) What did Jesus tell us about God in this story? (God loves and cares for each of us just like the shepherd cared about his sheep.) Bible Verse Fun SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 99, CD (optional), CD player, construction paper, clear tape, adult scissors Tape squares of various colors of construction paper on the floor in a large circle. Be sure that only one square of paper is green. Tape one picture of a sheep as a part of the circle on the opposite side from the green square. Ask the children to repeat today s Bible verse several times: The LORD is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever (Psalm 100:5, CEV). SAY: Let s pretend we are walking around our sheepfold. Invite the children to join hands and go around in a circle, stepping on each piece of paper. Play the music and then stop suddenly. Whoever is standing on the sheep pattern is the lost sheep. Whoever is standing on the green square is the shepherd. The shepherd must run to the sheep and lead the sheep around the circle and then put him or her back in the sheepfold (anywhere in the circle). Play several times so everyone can be a sheep or a shepherd. Live God s Word 50 Living as a Christian Kid SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 8 Invite the children to follow along with you as you read Living as a Christian Kid. ASK: Have you ever lost something or someone you love? (Accept answers.) What will God do if we are lost? (God will search for us until we are found.) Why? (God loves us.) January 23 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

51 Sheep Snacks SUPPLIES: large and miniature marshmallows, pretzel sticks, napkins Invite the children to use marshmallows and pretzel sticks to make a sheep s body and legs. Have them use a miniature marshmallow for the head. Attach the head to the body with a small pretzel piece for the neck. Say a prayer of thanks before eating. Worship Come Together SUPPLIES: Resource Pak pp. 5, 14, 16, 17, 19, tablecloth, pillows, mats, snack food Continue using the Bible verse mural. Create a space in the worship area that will be beneath the Parable Tree. Create a picnic area using a tablecloth, pillows, mats, and some snack food. Invite the children to come to worship by singing the following song to the tune of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean : I know there s a tree in the forest. A tree that will help us to know the stories that Jesus told others, the stories that help our faith grow. Come sit. Come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree with me. Come sit, come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree. SAY: Jesus told the story of the lost sheep to help us understand how much God loves and cares for us. Invite a child to lift the picture of the sheep and shepherd. Say the Bible verse together. Praise and Respond SUPPLIES: none PRAY: Dear God, thank you for Jesus and the stories he told. Thank you for loving us and caring for us. Please help us follow your Word in all we say and do. Amen. Winter Session 8 IAmRockSolid.com 51

52 Extra! Extra! The Lost and Found Lamb SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 100, 3-inch cardboard tube, adult scissors, paper punch, white glue, cotton balls, black chenille stems, google eyes, small container, cotton swabs Cut a cardboard tube into 3-inch lengths. Cut black chenille stems in half. If possible, cut out the body, head, and heart patterns for each child. Follow the assembly instructions on p Show the children step by step how to make the lamb. You may need to punch the holes and help each child put the chenille stems in to create the legs and attach the heart. SAY: Have you ever lost anything that is really special to you and then found it later on? How did it feel to find something you loved that you thought was lost? This is how God feels when we follow God s Word. Sometimes when we don t follow God s Word we feel lost and alone. When we follow God s Word, God is so happy because we are all very special to God. Peek at Next Week Music is a great addition to any group activity. Find songs on the recommended CD that your children will enjoy. Feast Collage: Bring grocery ads and food magazines for the children to cut. Bible Story Fun: Bring a child s robe or man s colorful shirt, child s sandals or slippers, and a fancy costume ring. Also bring a tray of cheese and crackers or fruit slices. Piggy Pockets: Photocopy the pig s face and feet and the Bible verse (Leader s Guide p. 101) for each child. Place a sheet of white paper behind the reproducible when photocopying. 52 January 23 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

53 The Forgiving Father Bible Verse For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving. (Psalm 86:5) Bible Story Luke 15:11-24 FaithPoint Jesus teaches us about God s forgiveness. What You Need to Know Session 9 January 30 Throughout this unit we have seen how Jesus used stories to teach people what God is like. Today s story, sometimes known as the Prodigal Son, helped the people understand more about God s grace. The two brothers in the story represent two kinds of people those who are always faithful and never go astray, and those who stray but return to being faithful. Many people identify with the older brother. He didn t squander his inheritance. He didn t go off to parts unknown and live a wild and crazy life. The father never threw a big party for him, but the father assured his older son that he had been appreciated and that, while he did not test his father s love, the love was still there for him all the time. Hopefully, all of your children will have experienced the wonderful feeling of being loved and nurtured by caring parents, grandparents, or guardians. The Bible story today uses the image of the forgiving father to help children understand that God loves them so much. Relating God s love to the love of a beloved parent or caretaker will help the children better understand God s love. Remind the children that we all make mistakes. We all do some things wrong. But when we sincerely ask God to forgive us, God loves us and will forgive us. Activities marked with contain options to use recycled or repurposed materials. Winter Session 9 IAmRockSolid.com Activities marked with may require extra preparation. 53

54 Arrival Fun SUPPLIES: Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2, 28, 31), Stickers, CD (optional), CD player, offering basket Greet each parent and child as they enter the room. Tell each child that you are glad to see him or her. Play music as the children arrive. The recommended CD is Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love to Sing! Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Give each child a sticker of the prodigal son and show the child where to place it on the attendance chart. SAY: Today we are going to hear another parable that Jesus told. Parables are stories that teach us about God. Our story today is about a father and son. Fun Beginnings The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group to introduce the Bible story. Fun Pak Fun SUPPLIES: Fun Pak 9, crayons, markers, pink tissue paper, adult scissors, pencils with an eraser, white glue The children will enjoy making the Thank You for Forgiving Me Card. Complete My Parable Tree Storybook SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 94, crayons, markers, parable tree storybooks, stapler, staples, clear tape Photocopy the half page for each child. Invite the children to color the picture. Have them place the picture inside the storybook cover. SAY: Jesus told stories to teach us about God and how God wants us to live with one another. These stories are called parables. Today s parable is about forgiveness. A son leaves his father s house and lives in a way that is disappointing to the father. But the son decides to come home and admits his mistakes to his father. The father forgives his son and welcomes him home. Help the children complete their storybooks by stapling the pages inside the cover on the left side. Put a strip of tape over the staples to protect the children s fingers. 54 January 30 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

55 Feast Collage SUPPLIES: grocery ads, food magazines, posterboard or construction paper, safety scissors, glue sticks Invite the children to cut out pictures of foods they like. Have each child create a collage by gluing the pictures to a piece of posterboard or construction paper. Assure the children that the pictures may touch or even overlap. SAY: In our story today we will learn that the father had a party and served a delicious feast when his son came home. Matching Fun SUPPLIES: Resource Pak p. 24 Set out the Parables and Teachings Cards. Invite two or three children to play a game of concentration. Friendship Time SUPPLIES: none Ask the children to sit in a circle with you. Ask each child to pick a word that starts with the same sound as his or her first name (for example, Wiggly William, Serious Sally, Laughing Linda). The word may or may not describe the child. Be prepared to give suggestions if any child needs help, or ask the children to make suggestions. Have the children tell everyone their new name. Go around the circle and see if you can repeat all the children s new names. Encourage the children to help you remember if you need help. If time permits, let some of the children try to remember and repeat the new names. Bible Time Enjoy the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 9, pencils or crayons Read the Bible story to the children. Invite the children to find ten ways the two pictures are different. ASK: What did the younger son want to do? (take his share of his father s money and go away to do exciting things) What happened? (He ran out of money.) What did he do then? (He got a job taking care of pigs.) After a while, what did he decide to do? (Go home and be a servant in his father s house.) What did his father do when he returned home? (His father welcomed him home and celebrated.) 55 Winter Session 9 IAmRockSolid.com

56 Bible Story Fun SUPPLIES: child s robe or man s colorful shirt, child s sandals or slippers, fancy costume ring, tray of cheese and crackers or fruit slices, napkins Invite the children to act out the story. Ask one child to be the son, one child to be the father, two children to be servants, and the remaining children to be pigs. Remind the children of each part of the story as they act it out. At the part when the son feeds the pigs, have the children pretending to be pigs make pigs sounds such as oinking and snorting. When the son returns home, have one servant get the robe, ring, and sandals to put on the son while the other servant gets a tray of snacks to serve to everyone as part of the celebration. Bible Verse Fun SUPPLIES: seven balloons, CD (optional), CD player, permanent marker, large piece of paper Ask the children to repeat today s Bible verse several times: For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving (Psalm 86:5). Blow up the balloons. Write one word of the Bible verse (For / you, / O LORD, / are / good / and / forgiving) on each balloon with the marker. Write the Bible verse on a large piece of paper and put the paper where the children can see it easily. Play music and invite the children to bounce the balloons and keep them in the air. When the music stops, help the children as needed to arrange the balloons in the order of the Bible verse. Say the Bible verse together again. Live God s Word Living as a Christian Kid SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 9 If you have fewer than seven children, write more than one word on a balloon. Invite the children to follow along with you as you read Living as a Christian Kid. ASK: Why was Sadie upset? (She had made a bad mistake.) Why didn t Sadie want to tell her mother what she had done? (Sadie was afraid her mother would not love her anymore.) What happened? (Her mother forgave her.) What did Sadie learn about God? (God would forgive her for making the mistake if she would ask God to forgive her.) 56 January 30 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

57 See p. 58 for directions for making Piggy Pockets in which to carry the pig chow. Eat Pig Chow SUPPLIES: pretzel sticks, Chex cereal, M&Ms, raisins, miniature cookies or crackers, peanuts, resealable plastic snack bags, large bowl, spoons After the children wash their hands, let them take turns adding and mixing the ingredients to make pig chow. Encourage the children to skip over any ingredient they do not like or are allergic to. SAY: In our Bible story today, the son got a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry that he would have gladly eaten the pigs food. Invite the children to scoop some pig chow into a snack bag. Say a prayer of thanks before eating. Worship Come Together SUPPLIES: Resource Pak pp. 5, 14, 16, 17, 19, tablecloth, pillows, mats, snack food Continue using the Bible verse mural. Create a space in the worship area that will be beneath the Parable Tree. Create a picnic area using a tablecloth, pillows, and mats. Let the children bring their snack food. Invite the children to come to worship by singing the following song to the tune of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean : I know there s a tree in the forest. A tree that will help us to know the stories that Jesus told others, the stories that help our faith grow. Come sit. Come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree with me. Come sit, come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree. SAY: Jesus was a special teacher. He told the story of the forgiving father to help us understand that God loves us and forgives us when we make mistakes. Invite a child to lift the picture of the pig. Say the Bible verse together. Praise and Respond SUPPLIES: none PRAY: Dear God, we thank you for Jesus and the stories he told. We thank you for loving us and forgiving us when we make mistakes. Amen. Winter Session 9 IAmRockSolid.com 57

58 Extra! Extra! Piggy Pockets SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 101, 7-inch paper plates, crayons, markers, adult scissors, safety scissors, paper punch, yarn, glue sticks, pig chow (see p. 57) in resealable plastic snack bags Photocopy the pig s face and the feet and the Bible verse for each child. Cut an inexpensive 7-inch paper plate in half for each child. Invite the children to color the back of the paper plate halves. Give each child the Bible verse and pig s face and feet to color and cut out. Show the children where to glue the face, feet, and Bible verse to the back of one half of the plate. Show the children how to put the two halves together with the front side of the plates facing. Help each child as needed to hold the halves together and punch holes around the edge of the plate. Give each child a 32-inch piece of colorful yarn. Show the children how to sew around the edge of the plates and pull the thread tightly to hold the plates together. Loop the yarn a second time at each of the top holes and tie a knot. Tie the two ends of the yarn together to create a handle for the piggy pocket. Place Pig Chow that is in a resealable plastic snack bag inside the piggy pocket. SAY: Today we learned that the son was so hungry he would have gladly eaten the pigs food. When he went home, his father forgave him and welcomed him back. When we ask God to forgive us, God forgives us because God loves us. Peek at Next Week Prayer Reminders: Photocopy the picture (Leader s Guide p. 102) for each child. Place a sheet of white paper behind the reproducible when photocopying. 58 January 30 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

59 The Lord s Prayer Bible Verse Lord, teach us to pray. (Luke 11:1) Bible Story Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4 FaithPoint Jesus teaches us how to pray. What You Need to Know Session 10 February 6 Prayer was an important part of worship in Bible times. It was the one way people could commune with God. If a person lived in Jerusalem, prayer was performed at the Temple. Those who were not in the holy city would open their windows toward Jerusalem and pray facing the direction of the Temple. This was done three times a day at 9:00 a.m., noon, and 3:00 p.m. At that time the typical prayer position (or posture) was standing up with arms lifted toward heaven and palms up. The men often wore prayer shawls that were placed over the head and shoulders during times of prayer. Prayers were public, and some of the religious leaders took great pride in their long and showy prayers. The disciples noticed, however, that Jesus didn t exactly follow the regular way of prayer. In fact, he talked to God much more often than was required. Besides, Jesus often sought secluded locations where he could talk to God. The disciples were curious. One day a disciple said, Lord, teach us to pray. The Bible story for today is the lesson Jesus taught. This lesson also included the Lord s Prayer, which gave the disciples an example of what prayer should be like. Most important to this session is the example of Jesus. He not only taught his friends to pray but also prayed often himself. Because young children often learn by imitation, it is important that the children learn prayer not only from the example of Jesus, but also from examples of the adults in their lives. Pray often for and with the children in your group. Be aware that some of your children may not have adult role models who pray. Be deliberate about including prayer in your group time. Activities marked with contain options to use recycled or repurposed materials. Winter Session 10 IAmRockSolid.com Activities marked with may require extra preparation. 59

60 Arrival Fun SUPPLIES: Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2, 28, 31), Stickers, CD (optional), CD player, offering basket Greet each parent and child as they enter the room. Tell each child that you are glad to see him or her. Play music as the children arrive. The recommended CD is Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love to Sing! Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Give each child a sticker of the praying hands and show the child where to place it on the attendance chart. SAY: Our Bible story today is about Jesus and his disciples and a special prayer he taught them. Fun Beginnings The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group to introduce the Bible story. Fun Pak Fun SUPPLIES: Fun Pak 10, five paper fasteners for each child Show the children step by step how to make A Prayer Caterpillar. Praying Hands Fun SUPPLIES: construction paper, safety scissors, large piece of paper, pencil, decorative items (such as glitter, confetti, torn art tissue paper, white glue, crayons) Give each child a sheet of construction paper. Place the child s right hand on the lefthand side of the card. Make sure there are no spaces between any of the fingers. Trace. Place the child s left hand to the right of the right hand. Make sure the little fingers touch. Trace around this hand. Encourage the children to trace one another s hands. Have each child cut out the two hands except down the middle where the two hands meet. Show the children how to fold the paper in half so that they look like praying hands. Write today s Bible verse on a large piece of paper and put it where the children can see it easily. Ask the children to write the verse on the inside of one of the hands. Let them decorate the hands as desired. 60 February 6 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

61 Matching Fun SUPPLIES: Resource Pak p. 24 Set out the Parables and Teachings Cards. Place all of the cards on the table. The first player turns up two cards. If the cards match, the player removes those cards and plays again. If the cards do not match, the player turns the cards back over and play passes to the next person. Play until all of the cards have been removed. Friendship Time SUPPLIES: chairs Help the children put their chairs in a circle. (Then remove one chair.) Select one child to be IT. While the other children are seated, have IT walk around the circle saying, I m praying for, and name one of the children. Each child that IT names must get in line behind IT and follow him or her around the circle. Once IT has a few children following, have IT say, Amen. At this point, all of the children who are standing are to try to get back to their chair. The child who is left standing becomes the new IT. Continue playing until several children have been IT. SAY: Jesus teaches us to pray for one another. Bible Time Get Ready SUPPLIES: Bible SAY: Isn t it wonderful that we can pray to God every day? We can pray to God anytime, about anything, anywhere. I would like for us to pray and thank God for the many things God has given us or has done for us. I am going to pass a Bible around the circle. When it comes to you, hold the Bible and tell us one thing you want to thank God for. Each time, all of us will say, Thank you, God. Pass the Bible around the circle and prompt the children to respond. When the Bible has gone around the circle and is returned to you, ask the children to bow their heads. PRAY: Thank you, God, for each one of these boys and girls. I am so glad they are here today. Amen. SAY: In the Bible we can find a special prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. We still say that prayer today. Winter Session 10 IAmRockSolid.com 61

62 Enjoy the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 10, Stickers Read the Bible story to the children. Invite the children to add a praying hands sticker beside each picture that shows times they pray. ASK: What do we call the special prayer that Jesus taught his disciples? (The Lord s Prayer) Bible Verse Fun SUPPLIES: none Invite the children to sit in a circle with you. Ask the children to repeat today s Bible verse: Lord, teach us to pray (Luke 11:1). Encourage the children to tell you some people or things they would like to pray for, and write each thing named. Lead the children in a responsive prayer. After each thing you name as a prayer need, have the children respond with the Bible verse: Lord, teach us to pray. Leader: We can pray for. Children: Lord, teach us to pray. Leader: We can pray for. Children: Lord, teach us to pray. Leader: We can pray for. Children: Lord, teach us to pray. Repeat until you have said all the things the children named. Live God s Word Living as a Christian Kid SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 10 Invite the children to follow along with you as you read Living as a Christian Kid. ASK: What do you call God when you pray? What are some things you pray for? What are some things you thank God for? Is there a special time or place that you pray to God? 62 February 6 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

63 Prayer Reminders SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 102, clear tape, crayons, pencils SAY: We can pray to God anytime, about anything. We will make reminders to help us remember to pray often. Invite the children to color the picture. Have each child write his or her name on the line in the first sentence. Help each child as needed to write the things or people he or she wants to pray for. Show the children how to fold the reminder on the dotted lines and tape the edges together to make a triangle shape. Worship Come Together SUPPLIES: Resource Pak pp. 5, 14, 16, 17, 19, tablecloth, pillows, mats, snack food Continue using the Bible verse mural. Create a space in the worship area that will be beneath the Parable Tree. Create a picnic area using a tablecloth, pillows, and mats. Let the children bring their snack food. Invite the children to come to worship by singing the following song to the tune of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean : I know there s a tree in the forest. A tree that will help us to know the stories that Jesus told others, the stories that help our faith grow. Come sit. Come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree with me. Come sit, come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree. SAY: Jesus was a special teacher. He taught his disciples a special prayer that we call The Lord s Prayer. Invite a child to lift the picture of the praying hands. Say the Bible verse together. Praise and Respond SUPPLIES: none SAY: Jesus taught people a special prayer that we still say today. Let s pray it together: (Say each line of The Lord s Prayer on p. 64; have the children repeat it after you.) Winter Session 10 IAmRockSolid.com 63

64 Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. From The United Methodist Hymnal #896. Copyright 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House. Extra! Extra! Say It With Your Body SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 103 Teach the children each of the movements. Invite the children to say the prayer and move with you as a way of praising God. Peek at Next Week Fun Pak Fun: Have the following supplies available: glue sticks, white glue, wooden spring clothespins, adult scissors, clear tape, and self-sticking magnetic tape. Hand Birds: Cut construction paper into 4-inch squares, one per child. Bible Verse Fun: Cut drinking straws into 1-inch pieces. Make a photocopy of the hearts (Leader s Guide p. 105) for each child. As an option, you can photocopy the hearts onto red paper. Place a sheet of white paper behind the reproducible when photocopying Nature Collage: Bring magazines showing pictures of nature. 64 February 6 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

65 Birds of the Air Bible Verse Do not worry about your life. (Matthew 6:25) Bible Story Matthew 6:25-33 FaithPoint Jesus teaches us that God cares about us. What You Need to Know Session 11 February 13 In the Bible story for today, Jesus describes God as the Creator and Sustainer of all life. If God cares for birds and lilies, then certainly God will also care for and provide for God s people. Perhaps this particular sermon could possibly have been directed not only to the crowds who came to listen, but also to Jesus disciples who had left everything homes, families, occupations in order to become like Jesus, traveling teachers. This certainly was not a lifestyle that encouraged the accumulation of things. But according to Jesus, people should not worry about food and clothing, because life is more than just the basic needs. Jesus was not saying that these basic human needs are unimportant. Neither did he mean that we should not work or be diligent. Anyone who watches birds knows that they are very hard workers. What Jesus was pointing out is that when we choose to follow Jesus, we have but one priority in life: God s will. Everything else is secondary. Our children come from a variety of family situations. Be sensitive to the fact that some children may be anxious and concerned about their basic needs (food, clothing, shelter). Sometimes, we, as Sunday school leaders, are the only significant adults in a child s life. By our faithful attendance, our warm smiles, and our caring ways, we teach our children about God s love and faithfulness. Activities marked with contain options to use recycled or repurposed materials. Winter Session 11 IAmRockSolid.com Activities marked with may require extra preparation. 65

66 Arrival Fun SUPPLIES: Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2, 28, 31), Stickers, CD (optional), CD player, offering basket Greet each parent and child as they enter the room. Tell each child that you are glad to see him or her. Play music as the children arrive. The recommended CD is Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love to Sing! Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Give each child a sticker of the bird and show the child where to place it on the attendance chart. SAY: I am glad you are here today. Jesus told people that God loves them and would take care of them, just like God takes care of the birds of the air. Fun Beginnings The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group to introduce the Bible story. Fun Pak Fun SUPPLIES: Fun Pak 11, glue sticks, white glue, wooden spring clothespins, adult scissors, clear tape, self-sticking magnetic tape Show the children step by step how to make the Valentine noteholder. HAPI Mission Notes SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide pp. 94, 104, safety scissors, crayons Photocopy the card base for each child. SAY: For the next two weeks we will be collecting money for our mission project. We will be helping build a playground for children who live in a country called Haiti. We will work through a group called HAPI (Haitian Artisans for Peace International). The letter we send home today will explain what we will be doing. Give each child the heart card base. Have them cut it out and fold it on the dotted lines. Invite the children to add their own decorations. The mission project for this quarter begins today. See p. 94 for the address to which to send donations. Today we begin our playground project for the children of Haiti through HAPI (Haitian Artisans for Peace International). We are helping to build a playground in an area called the Peace Park. After the earthquake on January 12, 2010, the Peace Park became more than just a play site for the boys and girls. At first many of the people gathered at the Peace Park to sleep because they were afraid of the buildings. Even as new buildings were being built, the Peace Park remained a food distribution site and a meeting place for the Peace Pals. (The Peace Pals are young people between the ages of 5-15 who are learning to become peacemakers through understanding and respect for the diversity of all human beings.) Our contributions to HAPI will help to 66 February 13 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

67 Puzzle Fun SUPPLIES: Resource Pak p. 21A Separate the pieces to Birds of the Air Puzzle. Invite the children to take turns adding pieces to the puzzle. Hand Birds SUPPLIES: construction paper, adult scissors, safety scissors, pencil, glue sticks, markers, crayons, paper punch, yarn Cut construction paper into 4-inch squares, one per child. Trace each child s hand twice on two sheets of colored construction paper. (The fingers should be together, thumb out.) Let the children cut out the hands. Show the children how to accordion fold the 4-inch square of construction paper for the tail. Then show them how to glue the body halves together with the tail glued inside. Invite the children to draw a beak and eyes on the bird. Punch a hole in the top of each bird and tie yarn through the hole. Let the children hang their bird where the breeze will make the birds flutter. Friendship Time SUPPLIES: none SAY: Let s play a game. We are going to go around the room, and I want you to stand up when it is your turn, turn around, and name someone who loves you OR someone you love. Play this game until every child has had a turn. Bible Time Get Ready SUPPLIES: none Invite the children to play this game: Begin by saying, I m going on a trip and I will need to take (name an item). Then have a child say, I m going on a trip and I will need to take (name the item you said and add a second item). Encourage all the children to play until the list becomes so long no one can remember all the items. SAY: In our Bible story today, people followed Jesus up the mountain. After a while, the people began to worry about what they would eat, what they would drink, and what they would wear. Let s hear what Jesus said to the worried people. Winter Session 11 IAmRockSolid.com 67

68 Enjoy the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 11, pencils, crayons Read the Bible story to the children. Invite the children to connect the dots and color both pictures. ASK: What did Jesus say to the people? (Do not worry. God cares for you even more than the birds and flowers. God knows everything you need. God will take care of you.) Bible Verse Fun SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 105, adult scissors, safety scissors, red markers, drinking straws, paper punch, red yarn, red paper (optional) Cut drinking straws into 1-inch pieces. Optional: photocopy the hearts onto red paper. Ask the children to repeat today s Bible verse several times: Do not worry about your life (Matthew 6:25). Give each child a photocopy of the Bible verse hearts. If the hearts are not on red paper, let the children outline each heart and color the words on the hearts with a red marker. Invite each child to cut out the hearts. Help each child as needed to punch two holes in the top of each heart. Show the children how to string yarn through the pieces of straw and the hearts to create a Bible verse necklace. Live God s Word Living as a Christian Kid SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 11 Invite the children to follow along with you as you read Living as a Christian Kid. ASK: Why did Violet s mom give away her clothes and shoes? (She wanted to help a woman who needed them.) Who helped Violet and her family have the food they needed? (friends in the neighborhood) SAY: God knows everything that we need. Sometimes God guides people to help other people in need. 68 February 13 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

69 Nature Collage SUPPLIES: magazines showing pictures of trees, mountains, flowers, birds, animals, and meadows; safety scissors; construction paper; glue sticks SAY: God created a beautiful world full of flowers and birds and animals. God cares for each of us, and we are an important part of God s creation. Invite the children to cut or tear out pictures and glue them onto construction paper. Make Birdseed to Eat SUPPLIES: raisins, dry cereal such as Cheerios or Chex, miniature marshmallows, chocolate chips, granola, large bowl, spoons, small paper cups Invite the children to help you combine the ingredients in a large bowl. Let the children spoon some of the mixture into small paper cups. While the children work, encourage them to tell you the things in creation they most enjoy. Give thanks for God s creation before enjoying the snack. Worship Come Together SUPPLIES: Resource Pak pp. 5, 14, 16, 17, 19, tablecloth, pillows, mats, snack food Continue using the Bible verse mural. Create a space in the worship area that will be beneath the Parable Tree. Create a picnic area using a tablecloth, pillows, and mats. Let the children bring their snack food. Invite the children to come to worship by singing the following song to the tune of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean : I know there s a tree in the forest. A tree that will help us to know the stories that Jesus told others, the stories that help our faith grow. Come sit. Come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree with me. Come sit, come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree. SAY: Jesus was a special teacher. He teaches us that God loves us even more than God loves the birds and flowers. God will take care of us, just like God takes care of the birds in the air. Invite a child to lift the picture of the bird. Say the Bible verse together. Winter Session 11 IAmRockSolid.com 69

70 Praise and Respond SUPPLIES: none Teach the children to sign: God cares for me. When I get up in the morning, I know God cares for me. When I am at school learning important things, I know God cares for me. When I am playing with my friends, I know God cares for me. When I eat a healthy meal with my family, I know God cares for me. When I close my eyes and go to sleep each night, I know God cares for me. PRAY: Dear God, we thank you for Jesus and the stories he told. Thank you for loving us and taking care of us. Amen. Extra! Extra! Feed the Birds SUPPLIES: chenille stems, o-shaped cereal String o-shaped cereal onto chenille stems. If possible, go outside and attach the chenille stems to limbs of trees. To make the bird feeders longer, attach two or three chenille stems to each other. Be sure to remove the wire when the cereal is gone! Peek at Next Week Golden Rule Mobile: Make a photocopy of the mobile pieces (Leader s Guide p. 106) for each child. Place a sheet of white paper behind the reproducible when photocopying. Do to Others Card Game: Photocopy and cut apart a set of cards (Leader s Guide p. 107) for each child. Inchworm Advice: Prepare a 6-inch circle pattern for the children to use. 70 February 13 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

71 The Golden Rule Bible Verse Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Matthew 7:12) Bible Story Matthew 7:12 FaithPoint Jesus teaches us to treat others as we want to be treated. What You Need to Know Session 12 February 20 The Scripture that we know of as the Golden Rule is found in the middle of Jesus teachings about prayer (ask, seek, knock) and what it means to be a follower of Jesus (the narrow gate). He is responding to the rules of the day that set out prescribed punishments for certain behavior. For example, if someone stole a sheep and sold it, then the thief (when caught) had to give the owner four sheep. If the thief was unable to do that, then the thief would be sold into slavery by the sheep s owner. The punishments were severe and irrefutable. Jesus was telling the people: There s a better way to live. If persons respond in kind and loving ways only to those people who treat them in kind and loving ways, how hard is that? The better (and harder) road is the one that Jesus recommends treat all people in the way that you want to be treated, that is, in kind and loving ways. Fairness is an important issue with early elementary children, and by fairness they mean equal treatment. They can be helped to focus on their treatment of others by being reminded of the kind of treatment they themselves appreciate. They are eager to mimic the values of adults and will practice caring actions as they see such actions modeled by you and other adults who are important in their lives. Take every opportunity to tell your children that because God loves all of them very much, God wants them to treat one another in loving ways. Activities marked with contain options to use recycled or repurposed materials. Winter Session 12 IAmRockSolid.com Activities marked with may require extra preparation. 71

72 Arrival Fun SUPPLIES: Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2, 28, 31), Stickers, CD (optional), CD player, offering basket, container for HAPI donations Greet each parent and child as they enter the room. Tell each child that you are glad to see him or her. Play music as the children arrive. The recommended CD is Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love to Sing! Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Provide a separate container for HAPI donations. Give each child a sticker of the golden ruler and show the child where to place it on the attendance chart. SAY: In our Bible story today, we are going to learn about an important rule that Jesus teaches us. Fun Beginnings The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group to introduce the Bible story. Fun Pak Fun SUPPLIES: Fun Pak 12, clear tape or glue sticks Show the children step by step how to make A Golden Ruler Reminder. Golden Rule Mobile SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 106, safety scissors, clear tape, crayons, markers, yarn, paper punch SAY: Today we will learn how God wants us to treat one another. It is called the Golden Rule. Our mobile will remind us of ways we should treat one another. Give each child a photocopy of the mobile pieces to color and cut out. Have the children punch holes in the black circles on each piece. Have the children tape the ends of the Bible verse strip together. Help each child as needed to attach a picture to the Bible verse strip. Use different lengths of yarn to attach the pictures. Talk about each of the pictures as you work. Tie yarn through both holes at the top of the Bible verse strip. Tie a loop in the ends of the yarn to create a hanger for the mobile. 72 February 20 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

73 Do to Others Card Game SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 107, adult scissors Photocopy and cut apart a set of cards for each child. Give each child a set of the cards that have been scrambled. Invite the children to match the cards that show a situation that needs help with cards that show what would be a helping action for that situation. Friendship Time SUPPLIES: none SAY: Jesus taught his friends an important rule that we call the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule is: Do to others as you would have them do to you. That means if we want other people to be a friend to us, we should be a friend to them. Invite the children to stand in a circle. Teach the children the song I Want a Friend to the tune of Skip to My Lou : I want a friend so what should I do? I want a friend so what should I do? I want a friend so what should I do? I ll skip to my good friend (name). Choose a child to begin the game. Have one child skip or gallop around the inside of the circle while everyone sings the song. On the last phrase, name a child in the circle. Have the skipper move to the child named, shake hands, and exchange places.the child named becomes the new skipper. Continue the game until each child has had a turn around the circle. Vary the movement by substituting the words hop, jump, or tiptoe for the word skip. Bible Time Get Ready SUPPLIES: none Invite the children to tell you ways they like to be treated. Then ask them to tell you ways they do not like to be treated. SAY: In our Bible story Jesus teaches us to treat others the way we want to be treated. Sometimes we have to be kind even when someone is not kind to us. Winter Session 12 IAmRockSolid.com 73

74 Enjoy the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 12, pencils or crayons Read the Bible story to the children. Invite the children to find eight things that do not belong in a Bible-times picture. ASK: What did Jesus say we should do when someone treats us badly? (be kind to that person) Why? (Perhaps that person will change because of your kindness.) Bible Verse Fun SUPPLIES: none Have the children form a large circle with you and hold hands. Invite them to say today s verse with you several times: Do to others as you would have them do to you (Matthew 7:12). As you repeat the Bible verse, move around in a circle. Then release your left hand and begin to coil inward, slowly leading the children on your right hand in a spiral inside the circle. Continue to say the Bible verse as you move in a circle. When you reach the center of the circle, turn around and begin to lead the children in a reverse spiral. Children following the incoming spiral will pass the outgoing children walking in the opposite direction. To end, have all the children move back into a circle and say the verse one more time together. Live God s Word Living as a Christian Kid SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 12 Invite the children to follow along with you as you read Living as a Christian Kid. ASK: What did Paige notice about Colin? (He did not have any milk.) What did Paige think she should do at first? (ignore Colin) Why? (If she bought milk for Colin, she would not have the money to buy ice cream at lunch.) What did Paige do? (She bought milk for Colin.) What extra kindness did Paige do for Colin? (She gave him half of her cereal bar.) 74 February 20 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

75 Enjoy a Snack SUPPLIES: golden raisins, apple juice, paper cups, napkins Let a child hand out napkins. Give each child several golden raisins. Pour apple juice into a paper cup for each child. Tell the children that today s snack is gold colored to help us remember the Golden Rule. Say a thank-you prayer before eating. Worship Come Together SUPPLIES: Resource Pak pp. 5, 14, 16, 17, 19, tablecloth, pillows, mats, snack food Continue using the Bible verse mural. Create a space in the worship area that will be beneath the Parable Tree. Create a picnic area using a tablecloth, pillows, and mats. Let the children bring their snack food. Invite the children to come to worship by singing the following song to the tune of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean : I know there s a tree in the forest. A tree that will help us to know the stories that Jesus told others, the stories that help our faith grow. Come sit. Come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree with me. Come sit, come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree. SAY: Jesus teaches us to treat others the way we want to be treated. Invite a child to lift the picture of the golden ruler. Say the Bible verse together. Praise and Respond SUPPLIES: CD (optional), CD player SAY: In today s story we learned how God wants us to live. It s called the Golden Rule. Have the children respond with the Bible verse to each statement: I am kind to people. Do to others as you would have them do to you. I share the things I have with others. Do to others as you would have them do to you. I care about people who are lonely or sad or sick. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Winter Session 12 IAmRockSolid.com 75

76 I show love to others. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Choose a song the children enjoy singing. PRAY: Dear God, we thank you for Jesus. Please help us remember that we should treat others as we want to be treated. Amen. Extra! Extra! Inchworm Advice SUPPLIES: 6-inch circle pattern, different colors of construction paper, safety scissors, pencils, clear tape, glue sticks, crayons, markers SAY: Today we have been learning how God wants us to treat one another. It is called the Golden Rule. We will use Inchie to help us remember the Golden Rule. Invite each child to use the circle pattern to cut out a head from construction paper. Let the children draw eyes and a mouth on the head. Have the children trace around their hands five times. And have them cut out each hand pattern. Help each child as needed to attach the hands and head as shown here with tape or glue. Write Love, Be kind, Care, Share, and Give where the children can see them. Have them write one word on each hand section of the inchworm s body. Remind the children that these are ways the children can live by the Golden Rule. Peek at Next Week 76 Make Heart Rubbings: Cut large heart shapes (Leader s Guide p. 108) from textured materials such as plastic canvas, corrugated cardboard, bubble wrap, or sandpaper. Bible Verse Fun: Photocopy the body parts (Leader s Guide p. 109) so that each child has one. Place a sheet of white paper behind the reproducible when photocopying. Heart Wreath: Use the large heart pattern to cut several hearts from different colors of construction paper (Leader s Guide p.108). Each child will need six hearts. February 20 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

77 Greatest Commandment Bible Verse You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart. (Matthew 22:37) Bible Story Matthew 22:34-40 FaithPoint Jesus teaches us that loving God is the most important thing we can do. What You Need to Know Session 13 February 27 In the Great Commandments in Matthew 22:35-40, Jesus combined Deuteronomy 6:5, called the Shema, and Leviticus 19:18b. Jesus answer, as so often happened, came in response to the question from a Pharisaic lawyer who was trying to test Jesus. Teacher, he asked, which commandment in the law is the greatest? The question of which was the greatest commandment seems to have been raised often by the rabbis. The content of Jesus answer was not new; what was new was how he redefined how we should love God. Love for God manifests itself not only in following the law, but also in expanding our love to others. If we love God, we will love our neighbors; when we show love to our neighbors, we are also showing our love to God. Hopefully, the children you teach are experiencing love through faithful and caring relationships with their parents, family members, teachers, and caregivers. It is important to explain to children with specific examples of ways that we can show love. Young children also need the love for self that Jesus describes as the measure of loving actions toward others. Ironically, their self-love is learned from love shown by significant adults in their lives. Their self-image is determined largely by messages they receive about themselves early in life. These messages will have a long-lasting impact on each child s ability to give and receive love. Each time you teach, think of specific ways that you can share God s love with your children. Activities marked with contain options to use recycled or repurposed materials. Winter Session 13 IAmRockSolid.com Activities marked with may require extra preparation. 77

78 Arrival Fun SUPPLIES: Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2, 28, 31), Stickers, CD (optional), CD player, offering basket, container for HAPI donations Greet each parent and child as they enter the room. Tell each child that you are glad to see him or her. Play music as the children arrive. The recommended CD is Ultimate Bible Songs That Kids Love to Sing! Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Provide a separate container for HAPI donations. Give each child a Love God heart sticker and show the child where to place it on the attendance chart. SAY: In today s session Jesus teaches us about love by giving us the greatest commandment. Fun Beginnings The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group to introduce the Bible story. Fun Pak Fun SUPPLIES: Fun Pak 13, white glue, different colors of tissue paper, chenille stems Show the children step by step how to make a Heart Suncatcher. Today is the last Sunday to collect donations for the HAPI project. See p. 94 for the address to which to send donations. 78 Make Heart Straws SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 108, safety scissors, crayons, markers, drinking straws Photocopy two small blank hearts for each child. You will need two straws for each child. Give each child two hearts to color and cut out. Help each child fold each heart in half vertically. Make a horizontal slit in the fold about ½-inch long near the top of the heart. Make a second slit in the fold near the bottom of the heart. Show the children how to slide a drinking straw in one slit and out the other slit. SAY: Hearts remind us of love. Today we are learning that Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and to love others. You can use one straw when we have a snack today. You can give the second straw to someone to show that person how much you love him or her. February 27 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

79 Puzzle Fun SUPPLIES: Resource Pak p. 21B Separate the pieces to Love the Lord Puzzle. Invite the children to take turn adding pieces to the puzzle. Make Heart Rubbings SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 108; heart shapes cut from textured materials such as plastic canvas, corrugated cardboard, bubble wrap, or sandpaper; adult scissors; plain paper; clear tape; crayons with paper removed Friendship Time SUPPLIES: none Use the large heart pattern to cut heart shapes from textured materials. Use a loop of tape to secure the hearts to the table. Tape plain paper over the hearts. Have the children use the sides of crayons to rub over the hearts. SAY: Jesus teaches us to love God and to love one another. Ask the children to sit in a circle. Ask one child to be IT and stand in the center of the circle. Have IT begin to describe someone in the circle that he or she loves. (Suggest they use descriptions such as a boy who is wearing a red shirt. ) When the child being described recognizes himself or herself, that child jumps up and says, That s me! Then that child becomes IT and play starts again. Gently encourage the children to include everyone in the circle. Bible Time Enjoy the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 13, pencils or crayons Read the Bible story to the children. Invite the children to find ten ways the two pictures are different. ASK: What did the man ask Jesus? (What was the greatest commandment?) What did Jesus say was the greatest commandment? (Love God.) What was the next greatest? (Love your neighbor.) Bible Verse Fun SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide pp. 108, 109, adult scissors, bag, chairs Photocopy the body parts so that you have one for each child. If you have a small group, make enough copies that each child has two different body parts. You will need one copy of a large heart. 79 Winter Session 13 IAmRockSolid.com

80 Ask the children to repeat today s Bible verse several times: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart (Matthew 22:37). Help the children put their chairs into a circle. Remove one chair. Show the children the heart and body parts as you put them in the bag. Ask one child to be IT and stand in the center of the circle. Have each child in the circle take one (or two) pictures from the bag. To play the game: IT will say the Bible verse up to the word heart. IT will then complete the Bible verse. If IT uses the word heart, everyone must change places and IT tries to get one of the empty seats. If IT says any other body part (hands, feet, mouth, ear), then the children holding those pictures exchange places and IT tries to get one of the empty seats. The child left standing becomes the new IT and gives his or her pictures to the previous IT. Live God s Word Living as a Christian Kid SUPPLIES: Bible Storybook 13 Invite the children to follow along with you as you read Living as a Christian Kid. ASK: What did Jamie and Jeremy do at church? (They helped get ready for the homeless families who would be staying at their church that week.) What did they learn? (When we show love to people, we are showing God s love to them.) Love Prayer Litany SUPPLIES: large piece of paper, markers Invite the children to help you write a prayer litany. SAY: Jesus told us to love God with all our heart. Let s think of the reasons why we love God. Save the prayer litany to use during worship. At the top of the paper write, God, we love you because... and tell the children what it says. Help the children think of reasons. Write their reasons as though speaking to God. For example: because you created a beautiful world or because you give us families who love us. 80 February 27 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

81 Enjoy a Snack SUPPLIES: cups of juice, heart straws the children made, cheese, crackers, napkins Let a child hand out napkins. Let the children enjoy eating cheese and crackers and drinking juice with their heart straws. Say a thank-you prayer before eating. Worship Come Together SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 94, Resource Pak pp. 5, 14, 16, 17, 19, tablecloth, pillows, mats, snack food, HAPI offering Continue using the Bible verse mural. Create a space in the worship area that will be beneath the Parable Tree. Create a picnic area using a tablecloth, pillows, and mats. Let the children bring their snack food. Invite the children to come to worship by singing the following song to the tune of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean : I know there s a tree in the forest. A tree that will help us to know the stories that Jesus told others, the stories that help our faith grow. Come sit. Come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree with me. Come sit, come sit. Come sit neath the parable tree. SAY: Jesus teaches us to love God with all our hearts. Invite a child to lift the picture of the heart. Say the Bible verse together. ASK: What did Jesus tell people to do in today s story? (love God with all their heart, love their neighbor as themselves) How do we do that? (Invite the children to give examples of ways they can love God and love others.) Remind the children of the HAPI offering. SAY: The money you donated to the HAPI Project is one way of showing our love for God and our neighbors. Since the earthquake in Haiti, the Peace Park has been used for many things. At first people gathered there to sleep. Then a church congregation started meeting there. Then the park was used as a place where food was given out to hungry people. Before long there will be a VBS program there. Many, many people will benefit from having the park. The Peace Park you are helping build will become a favorite place for children to play. Children will enjoy the park with their friends and families for years and years. Winter Session 13 IAmRockSolid.com 81

82 Praise and Respond SUPPLIES: prayer litany the children helped you create Invite the children to pray the litany with you. Have the children say the words, God, we love you because..., and you complete the sentence with one of their reasons. Repeat this until all of the reasons have been read. End the litany together saying, Amen. Extra! Extra! Heart Wreath SUPPLIES: Leader s Guide p. 108, adult scissors, markers, crayons, glue sticks, paper plates, different colors of construction paper Use the large heart pattern to cut several hearts from different colors of construction paper. You will need six hearts for each child. Give each child a paper plate, a set of hearts, and the Bible verse heart. Show the children how to glue the hearts around the edge of the paper plate. Have them color the Bible verse heart and glue it onto the center of the plate. Invite the children to add heir own decorations inside the paper plate. Optional: Make one wreath for the group. Let each child write his or her name on a heart and add any extra decorations. SAY: Jesus teaches us to love God and to love one another. Peek at Next Week You will begin using the Spring 2011 resources next week. You will want to plan ahead! Read the information about the Celebration Cross on p. 83 of the Leader s Guide. Look through the Resource Pak and separate the items so they are ready to use. Look at the session plans and make photocopies of items you will need. Separate the Fun Pak pages and Bible Storybooks so they are ready to use each week. (Tip: Put the storybooks or Fun Pak pages for each week in a separate folder. You will be ready when the first child walks in!) 82 February 27 Don t forget to fill out the online survey telling us about your group. Go to Your feedback is important to us. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

83 Reproducibles An Ornament of Love (Session 1, Leader p. 6) Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 83

84 Make a Worship Cloth (Session 1, Leader p. 7) Angel Art (Session 1, Leader p. 10) 84 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

85 An Ornament of Joy (Session 2, Leader p. 12) G = green T = tan Y = yellow W = white Br = brown P = purple B = blue G = green T = tan Y = yellow W = white Br = brown P = purple B = blue Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 85

86 Decorate Christmas Place Mats (Session 2, Leader p. 15) Praise God for the gift of Jesus! 86 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

87 An Ornament of Peace (Session 3, Leader p. 18) Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 87

88 Christmas Card Fun (Session 3, Leader p. 19) 88 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

89 Sparkling Star Ornaments (Session 4, Leader p. 24) Get Ready (Session 4, Leader p. 25) Bible Verse Fun (Session 4, Leader p. 26) Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 89

90 Epiphany King Card (Session 4, Leader p. 25) Wise Men worshiped Jesus. So can we! 90 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

91 My Parable Tree Storybook (Session 5, Leader p. 30) This book belongs to My Parable Tree Storybook Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 91

92 My Parable Tree Storybook (Sessions 5 & 6, Leader pp. 30, 36) Your faith in God and your love for each other keep growing all the time. 2 Thessalonians 1:3, CEV The LORD is my rock. Psalm 18:2 92 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

93 My Parable Tree Storybook (Sessions 7 & 8, Leader pp. 42, 48) The LORD is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever. Psalm 100:5, CEV Forgive one another; just as the Lord has forgiven you. Colossians 3:13 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 93

94 My Parable Tree Storybook (Session 9, Leader p. 54) For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving. Psalm 86:5 HAPI Mission Notes (Session 11, Leader p. 66) Come Together (Session 13, Leader p. 81) If you did a HAPI mission project, you may want to coordinate with other children s groups in your church to send the donation. Go to their website ( and click on the Donate button, or send the money to: HAPI P.O. Box Grand Rapids, MI (Indicate playground in the memo line of the check). 94 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

95 Group Rock (Session 5, Leader p. 34) Share Give Help Love Care Be Kind Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 95

96 My Faith Is Growing! Flowerpot (Session 6, Leader p. 39) 96 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

97 I m Sorry Pockets (Session 7, Leader p. 43) Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 97

98 Lost Sheep Bag Puppet (Session 8, Leader p. 49) 98 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

99 Get Ready & Bible Verse Fun (Session 8, Leader pp. 49, 50) Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 99

100 The Lost and Found Lamb (Session 8, Leader p. 52) Cut a cardboard tube into 3-inch lengths. Cut out the pieces for the lamb. Paint the outside of the cardboard tube with white glue. Wrap the body around the cardboard tube. Glue down any loose edges. Punch holes at the four s. Tear cottons balls into small pieces. With cotton swabs, paint the body with glue. Cover the body with the bits of cotton, leaving the shaded space for the head. Cut a black chenille stem in half. Thread the half stems through the holes at the top and the bottom as shown. Color the heart message. Punch holes at the s. Attach the heart to the lamb s legs as shown. Attach the head to the front of the lamb s body at the shaded area. God loves us always. lamb s body Sheep Head goes here. 100 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

101 Piggy Pockets (Session 9, Leader p. 58) For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving. Psalm 86:5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving. Psalm 86:5 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 101

102 Prayer Reminders (Session 10, Leader p. 63) Dear God, will pray every day. Today I pray for Thank you for loving me. Thank you for hearing my prayer. Amen. 102 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

103 Say It With Your Body (Session 10, Leader p. 64) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. Text for The Lord s Prayer from The United Methodist Hymnal #896. Copyright 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 103

104 Your child s leader will send all donations to Haitian Artisans for Peace International. HAPI Mission Notes (Session 11, Leader p. 66) Donations will be collected by your child s Sunday school group through February 27. To learn more about the HAPI project, go to Artisans.com Today we begin our playground project for the children of Haiti through HAPI (Haitian Artisans for Peace International). We are helping build a playground in an area called the Peace Park. After the earthquake on January 12, 2010, the Peace Park became more than just a play site for the boys and girls. At first many of the people gathered at the Peace Park to sleep because they were afraid of the buildings. Even as new buildings were being built, the Peace Park remained a food distribution site and a meeting place for the Peace Pals. (The Peace Pals are young people between the ages of 5-15 who are learning to become peacemakers through understanding and respect for the diversity of all human beings.) Our contributions to HAPI will help build a playground for the boys and girls who live there. Having a safe place to play will bring a small bit of normalcy to their lives. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 104 ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

105 Bible Verse Fun (Session 11, Leader p. 68) Do not worry about your life. Do not worry about your life. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 105

106 Golden Rule Mobile (Session 12, Leader p. 72) Do to others as you would have them do to you. Matthew 7: Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

107 Do to Others Card Game (Session 12, Leader p. 73) Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 107

108 Make Heart Straws (Session 13, Leader p. 78) Make Heart Rubbings & Bible Verse Fun(Session 13, Leader p. 79) Heart Wreath (Session 13, Leader p. 82) You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart. Matthew 22: Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

109 Bible Verse Fun (Session 13, Leader p. 79) Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 109

110 Answers Session 1, Pages 2-3 Session 4, Pages 2-3 Session 7, Pages 2-3 Session 5, Pages Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

111 Answers Session 9, Pages 2-3 Bible Mazes, Page 1 Session 12, Pages 2-3 Bible Mazes, Page 2 Session 13, Pages 2-3 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Winter IAmRockSolid.com 111

112 Answers Bible Mazes, Page 3 Bible Fun, Page 1 Bible Fun, Page 2 Bible Mazes, Page 4 Bible Fun, Page 3 Bible Fun, Page 4 Storybook Answers Storybook 10, pp.3 4: All pictures should have a sticker beside them. 112 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. ROCK SOLID: Early Elementary, Leader s Guide

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