Children and the Bible 4 Explore Together 5 SAMPLE

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1 for Leaders January to March 2018 Children and the Bible 4 Explore Together 5 Session 1 In all you say and do 5 Bible passage: Acts 18:1 3; Colossians 3:12 17 Series 1 People Jesus met 10 Session 2 A man at work 12 Bible passage: Matthew 9:9 13 Session 3 A woman in need 17 Bible passage: Matthew 15:21 28 Session 4 A rich young man 22 Bible passage: Mark 10:17 31 Session 5 Light to live by 27 Bible passage: Psalm 119:9 16,105 Series 2 Isaac and his family 32 Session 6 Isaac is born 34 Bible passage: Genesis 18:1 15; 21:1 8 Session 7 Isaac and Rebekah 39 Bible passage: Genesis 24 Session 8 Jacob and Esau 44 Bible passage: Genesis 25:19 34; 27:1 45 Series 3 Jacob 49 Session 9 God speaks to Jacob 51 Bible passage: Genesis 28:10 22 Session 10 Jacob s family 56 Bible passage: Genesis 29:1 35 Session 11 Jacob goes home 61 Bible passage: Genesis 32,33 Session 12 God blesses Jacob 66 Bible passage: Genesis 35:1 15 Session 13 Joseph helps his family 71 Bible passage: Genesis 42:1 13 Songs and rhymes and Web resources for this issue 76 and 77 How to plan your session and Session planning template 78 and 79 Leading Bubbles children January to March 80 Syllabus preview April to June Light order form 82

2 for Leaders Series 1 People Jesus met Session 2 Session 3 A man at work Aim: To enjoy discovering that Jesus loves, accepts and welcomes us Bible passage: Matthew 9:9 13 A woman in need Aim: To be sure that Jesus came to help people Bible passage: Matthew 15:21 28 Session 4 A rich young man Aim: To hear what it means to be a friend of Jesus Bible passage: Mark 10:17 27 Session 5 Light to live by Aim: To be eager to find out what is in the Bible and what God is saying Bible passage: Psalm 119:9 16,105 ll-age A Worship All-age service: Bubbles recommends using Session 1 as the All-age service for this series. All-age service starters: free service starter downloads are available at or These are designed for the beginning or end of the service, to allow the whole congregation to share in the themes the children will be covering in their groups.

3 Introduction None of the Bible passages in this series is easy. The call of Matthew may not trouble us much, but the incident would have disturbed any onlooker. What on earth was Jesus thinking of, including in his band of disciples one of the hated tax collectors, despised as rip-off merchants and collaborators with the occupying Romans? The meeting with the Canaanite woman is even more surprising, for here Jesus seems harsh and exclusive except that by the end he isn t! If we had Jesus tone of voice and facial expression it might look different. It seems that he is not pushing her away but drawing out deeper faith and understanding. God had always intended to bless the whole of humanity and to do it through his chosen people, Israel (Genesis 12:1 3), and that only happens through Jesus, Messiah. The rich young ruler is problematic because wealth was seen as a sign of God s blessing and here Jesus says that it is a barrier to faith. That is still challenging today, especially when most users of Light are wealthy in world terms. For this man the challenge was too much. As we see in Psalm 119, God expects certain standards of behaviour and doing things his way isn t easy, but is always rewarding. Like the young man, we all have choices to make. Meet three people who met Jesus and see what a difference he made to their lives How far have we understood, and to what extent do we demonstrate the inclusive nature of God s love? How will we help our groups to see that for themselves? And how will we help them to know that it is faith, denying ourselves and obedience that brings us to God? The Big Bible Storybook Timeline New Testament Here is where this series fits in with The Big Bible Storybook Timeline. Practical notes for leaders: 1 Gather together the following basic kit of items that are regularly used in Bubbles sessions: Bubbles for Children, a Bible for your use, The Big Bible Storybook or another illustrated children s Bible, paper, cardboard or stiff paper, glue sticks, sticky tape, scissors (child-safe, plus a pair for adult use), crayons or colouring pencils. 2 Songs and rhymes used in the sessions are available from Tiddlywinks: Say and Sing, ISBN Web resources for the sessions are listed on page 77 and available from 4 More resources to help you to explore and enjoy the Bible with your group are introduced on pages 82 and Find out more about our Bible-based syllabus on pages 80 and 81. Series 1 People Jesus met Introduction 11

4 Session 2 A man at work Young children interpret everything they learn in the light of their existing experiences, so their understanding of Jesus approval of them will be influenced by their life events and encounters. This session includes activities to help you demonstrate your love, acceptance and welcome of the children as an introduction to the theme of Jesus inviting them to become his friends and followers. There will be opportunities, too, when they are encouraged to respond to Jesus in ways appropriate to their age not because they are good enough but because Jesus offers them his friendship. To plan your session... Choose a selection of, Bible time and God and me activities to make your session fun and memorable. You may like to use the Session plan, on page 79, to help in your preparation. options... Welcome snack Acceptance game Draw a friend Activity time: no time limit Activity time: 5 10 minutes Activity time: 10 minutes Aim: to enjoy being accepted and Aim: to feel accepted within the group Aim: to think about why we like and welcomed You will need: lively music (eg Audio welcome our friends You will need: a welcome place mat music from the Web resources) You will need: large sheets of paper, art for each child (page 16), drinks, cups, 1 Play the music and let everyone materials snacks (eg dried fruit, savoury biscuits, dance for a minute or so. 1 Say that you d like everyone to think fresh fruit cut into slices be aware of allergies), clean-up facilities 2 Turn the music off and introduce the about their friends. What are their game. Every time you turn the music names? What do the children like to 1 Let the children feel especially on, you will have a different thing for do with their friends? How do they welcome by providing a snack for everyone to do. Ask the group to try feel when their friends come to play? them to enjoy at some time during to do what you say each time. 2 Ask the children to draw a picture the session. (Remember to welcome of one of their favourite friends and those you find difficult to get along provide another sheet of paper for with too!) those who finish quickly. 2 Give each child a welcome place mat to decorate with crayons or felttip pens. 3 Seat the group with their place mats in front of them. Give out the drinks and then pass round the food to those who have finished drinking. 4 Sit with the children, chatting with them and listening to what they are saying. Use this time to get to know those who are new to your group or who are normally quieter: try not to have your attention taken wholly by those you already know well. 5 Allow plenty of time for this so that the children feel relaxed and accepted, but when they are ready let them move on to other activities. 3 Give a series of challenges all designed to help the children acknowledge each other in a welcoming way. Stop the music after a minute or so each time and give a new instruction. While the music plays they should: wave at everyone they pass, smile, say hello, blow kisses. 4 If any of the children find it hard to play the game, give them special attention by taking them around, helping them notice the other children s greetings and respond. Take time to help those whose social skills are less developed feel accepted as part of the group. Aim To enjoy discovering that Jesus loves, accepts and welcomes us Bible passage Matthew 9: As they work, encourage them to talk more about their friends, perhaps asking what they do that is fun or exciting. 4 As the children finish their drawings, show that you appreciate their efforts (even if the picture ended up being about something different entirely this is quite common for this age group and does not mean that the has not worked ). Show that you accept each individual and the work that has been done. 12 Session 2 7 January A man at work Matthew 9:9 13

5 Ready to use options... Bi ble time Using Bubbles Activity time: 10 minutes Aim: to enjoy discovering that Jesus loves, accepts and welcomes us You will need: Bubbles Big Sheet 2, The Big Bible Storybook or the story words from Big Bonus Sheet A or the Web resources 1 Introduce the Bible story by saying that Jesus had a group of special friends who went with him everywhere he went. Today s story is about how one of those people became his friend. Read A man at work from the The Big Bible Storybook or the story words from the Web resources. 2 Emphasise that Matthew was happy to go with Jesus, as soon as Jesus asked him to be his friend. Say that you have a picture that shows this happening. 3 Give out the Big Sheets with the puzzle-picture showing. Realise that the picture is not complete. Where can you find the pieces to fit in the gaps? Let the children find them and show them to you! 4 Assist, if necessary, with cutting out the puzzle shapes. Can the children line them up on the main picture? Now can they see what it shows? When they are happy that the picture is correct, let them stick the pieces in place. 5 Ask, What did Matthew do when Jesus said, Come with me. Did he stay or did he go with Jesus? Repeat the end of the story to make sure. Jesus wanted Matthew to be his friend and Matthew said yes! 6 Tell the children a little about when Jesus asked you to be one of his friends. When did you say yes? How long have you been a friend of Jesus? Are you happy to have Jesus as a friend? Explain that Jesus loves us all, just as he loved Matthew: he wants all of us to be his friends. Bubbles Big Sheets Activity time: 10 minutes Aim: to respond gladly to Jesus welcome and acceptance You will need: Bubbles Big Sheet 2, prayer from the Web resources (optional) 1 Look at the Living God s way pictures. Talk about what each one is doing. Say that Jesus wants us to live God s way. Can they point to children who are doing things God s way? Give help, but let the children make their own discoveries rather than give them the answers. 2 Remind the children of the picturestory on the other side: Matthew was not living God s way but Jesus welcomed him and wanted him to change. 3 Say an action prayer together. See the Web resources for a longer version. Jesus, you love me when I m helping at home... (Mime tidying toys.) When I help at home, you are pleased. Thank you for loving me. Jesus, you love me when I m cross... (Pull angry face.) When I m cross, you want me to change. Thank you for loving me. God and me You re welcome Activity time: 5 10 minutes Aim: to see that everyone is accepted and welcome 1 Welcome each child by name and say that you have a game for them to play. 2 Seat everyone in a circle and say that there are some very special people present. Go around the circle saying, Maisie is special; Jake is special, etc... until everyone is named including the adults. Sum up by saying, Everyone is welcome here. 3 Now play the simple game. Begin to describe one of the children. As soon as someone guesses who it is, encourage everyone to say hello to them. Say, Maisie, we re all glad you re here. 4 Continue in this way, taking care not to let the game drag. If you have a large group, either split into smaller groups or add actions for everyone to copy. For example, after each child is named, show welcome and acceptance by clapping hands, jumping up and down or drawing a big smile in the air. Tip for Leaders: If you are short of planning time, choose to include one of the Ready to use options for part of your session. Session 2 7 January A man at work Matthew 9:9 13 Ready to use 13

6 Options for children aged 3 to 5 years... Bi ble time Dramatised Bible story Activity time: 10 minutes Aim: to learn that Jesus loved, accepted and welcomed Matthew You will need: a storyteller, two adults in costume or puppets to act out the story, a table, coins 1 Introduce the two adult actors, saying they are pretending to be Matthew and Jesus. The actors mime the action of the story as you tell it, as follows: One morning, Matthew went to work as usual. He passed lots of people he knew in the street, but nobody smiled at him or stopped to have a chat. When he got to work, he sat down and opened his big book. All day long he sat at his table. People would come in to pay him money. You owe me lots of money, he would say and he d write in his book how much everyone had paid. Nobody smiled at Matthew. Nobody stopped for a chat. Nobody liked him. They knew that he took too much money from them. Sometimes they had hardly any money to buy food with, but Matthew had lots to eat, lots of clothes and a fine, big house. He had everything he wanted, but he had no real friends at all. Nobody invited him to come home with him. Nobody welcomed him. Nobody wanted him. One day, Jesus came to see Matthew. Matthew looked up. Come with me, Jesus said. And he smiled a big, welcoming smile. Matthew looked at his piles of money. He was rich and he loved money. But when he looked at Jesus, he knew that Jesus was not like other people. Suddenly he wanted to be with Jesus more than anything. And he knew that Jesus loved him. If I don t go with Jesus, he thought, I ll still have all my money, but no friends no one to love me. But if I go with Jesus, I ll have a friend who loves me. That s better than all the money in the world. Matthew stood up. He smiled at Jesus and went with him the friend who loved him and welcomed him. 2 Let the children interview Matthew and Jesus. If they are hesitant, start them off with a couple of questions: Jesus, why did you want to be friends with Matthew? or Matthew, what did you think when you first saw Jesus? 3 Sing this short song to Matthew. The tune is Hickory dickory dock : Jesus welcomes you! Jesus welcomes you! He loves you and he cares for you, Jesus welcomes you! 4 Matthew and Jesus can sing or say: Jesus welcomes me and Yes, I welcome you 5 It is important with any like this, where familiar adults take on other roles, that you allow time to explain to the children when they are pretending and when they are themselves. Welcome badges and song Activity time: minutes God and me Aim: to be assured that Jesus accepts us all You will need: circles of brightly coloured card about 10 cm diameter, PVA glue, brushes, safety pins, various dried pasta shapes, sticky labels 1 At the end of the, each child will have a badge with a label in the middle that reads Jesus loves me! Give out circles of card with the label on the front and write the child s name on the back. Read out the label. 2 Let the children decorate their badges with pasta shapes. (Inevitably, some will be glued on the label, but you can move them to one side before the glue dries.) 3 When they have finished, tape a safety pin to the back and leave the badges to dry. 4 Once the badges are ready to wear, remind the children what the writing says and pin the badges in place. Teach this short song (to the tune Hickory dickory dock ) to help the children remember: Jesus welcomes me! Jesus welcomes me! He loves me and he cares for me, Jesus welcomes me! Bi ble time Bible reading Help children take their first steps into Bible reading with Tiddlywinks: My Little Blue Book, which includes this Bible story. A man at work is in The Big Bible Storybook, available as a full-colour hardback, paperback or audio book for Bubbles-age children, featuring retold Bible stories from Bubbles and photographs of the Bible Friends characters. 14 Session 2 7 January A man at work Matthew 9: to 5 years

7 Options for children aged under 3 years... Bi ble time Welcoming Activity time: 5 minutes Aim: to experience being welcomed and accepted You will need: poster-size backing paper 1 Give out paper and crayons and ask the children to draw a picture of themselves. Help the children cut these out and stick them on a background poster with their names around the title, Welcome to [group name]. Leave space to add pictures of other children as they join you. Tell the children that everyone is welcome to your group. 2 Sing this welcoming song, to the tune of Tommy Thumb : Hello, Ben, hello, Ben How are you? Welcome, Ben, welcome, Ben, Jesus loves you. 3 Serve the children with a snack, saying each time, Ben, Jesus loves you just the way you are. Enjoy eating your food together. 4 Hold hands in a circle with the children and pray, Thank you, Jesus, that you welcome and love Bible story and praying us just the way we are. Then drop God and me Activity time: 5 10 minutes Aim: to enjoy discovering that Jesus loves, accepts and welcomes us You will need: play people, toy money, a house made from bricks or a box, healthy snack food (be aware of allergies and hygiene) 1 Tell the story with play people to represent Jesus and Matthew. Add more people and scenery, if available. Start with Matthew sitting down at a table with a pile of toy money and Jesus approaching. Matthew was busy counting his money. It was his job to collect money and count it. But he also liked to take a little extra from people to make himself rich. One day Jesus came along. He saw the money Matthew had taken from other people. What do you think Jesus said to him? (Listen to a few suggestions.) Jesus loved Matthew. Jesus said, Follow me. I want to be your friend. Matthew knew that if he wanted to be Jesus friend, he would have to change. He would have to say sorry for the money he had taken and stop cheating. But Matthew wanted to be Jesus friend. He wanted to be kind and generous like Jesus. So he left his big pile of money and said, Come and have dinner at my house. So Jesus had dinner with his new friend. (Move play people to house.) And Matthew stopped taking money from other people. 2 Explain, Jesus loved people who no one else much liked. He loved them as they were, but he wanted them to change too. Jesus loves us, even though we sometimes do naughty things. And he wants us to try and be good too. Let s pretend Jesus is here now and wants to have dinner with us. hands and turn so you are all facing outwards. Pray, Help us to be more like you. Playing with dolls Activity time: no time limit Aim: to discover that it is good to feel accepted You will need: dolls, teddies, blankets, spoons, plastic cups and plates 1 Provide the items suggested and any other doll-play items you have. Begin the play by suggesting that you take all the toys for a picnic. Once the game is under way, allow the children to develop it. (Both boys and girls enjoy playing with dolls and teddies, so avoid giving the idea that this is just for the girls.) 2 If necessary, steer the play gently to ensure that all the toys are treated equally and that all the children who wish to play are included. For instance, you could say, I wonder if Teddy would like something to drink, or Perhaps it s time for John to give the doll a ride. 3 You could comment when you see children showing love and acceptance to others. Should anyone spoil the fun for others, deal with the situation quietly, suggesting positive ways in which the child can contribute to the game instead. for Leaders Session 2 7 January A man at work Matthew 9:9 13 under 3 years 15

8 Photocopiable resource... for Leaders January to March 2018 Session 2 hello Scripture Union Session 2 7 January A man at work Matthew 9:9 13 Photocopiable resource