Signing This Quarter s Bible Verses

Transcription

1 Signing This Quarter s Bible Verses Your students will enjoy signing each month s Bible verse using American Sign Language. to teach the signs by watching the signing Teacher Tip on each month s Live B.I.G. DVD. March s Bible Verse We have found the Messiah. (John 1:41) We Found Messiah Circle your right index finger from your right shoulder to your left shoulder. Hold your left hand with the palm facing right. Draw the thumb and index finger of the right hand together. Then move your right hand upward beside the left palm as if you are picking up something. Place the thumb of your right hand under your middle three fingers and on top of your little finger to make the letter M. Hold the M at your left shoulder. Then move the M across your body to the right side of your waist. April s Bible Verse I am with you always. (Matthew 28:20) I With You Always Point to yourself with your right index finger. Fold down the four fingers on each hand, with thumbs remaining up to make the letter A. With your thumbs pointed up, bring your two hands together, showing that they are with each other. Point your right index finger away from yourself toward someone else. Hold your right index finger pointing up and make a circle with your index finger, indicating a circle that is never ending. May s Bible Verse The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Generosity Faithfulness Gentleness Self-control Make two fists. Cross your wrists, and press the fists over your heart. Hold each hand in a loose fist with the little finger held up to make a J with each hand. Pat the J hands up your chest, indicating high spirits and happiness. Place your right palm on top of your left palm. Turn your hands so that the left palm is on top of the right palm. Then move both palms down and to the sides. Fold down the four fingers on your right hand with the thumb remaining up to make the letter A. Move your thumbnail downward against your lips. Hold your palms facing your body with the right palm in front of the left palm. Move the left hand up and over the right hand so the hands exchange places. Keep the hands close to your body. Roll both hands from your heart, representing the goodness of the heart. With each hand make the letter F by placing your index finger on top of your thumb and holding the other three fingers up. Hold the left F under the right F. Tap the little finger side of the right hand on to the thumb side of the left hand and move the hands forward. Hold both hands out with the palms up. Gently open and close your fingers. Point to self. Then hold up both hands, each one in a loose fist with the index finger in a hook. Move the hands back and forth as if holding reins.

2 Ages 3 4 Written by Vicki Holdman and Lori Trupp Consultation Team: Tabitha Echols, Jaymie Derden, Melanie Gordon, Tina Rose, Wendy Thompson, Michele Ward Table of Contents 2 Beginning to Live B.I.G. 2 Basic Live B.I.G. Resources Music 4 Until the Rooster Crows 5 Follow the Light 6 These Are the Fruits March Peter: The Story of a Disciple 7 March Overview 8 Lesson 1 March 4, 2012 You Are the Messiah 18 Lesson 2 March 11, 2012 Wash My Feet 28 Lesson 3 March 18, 2012 Pray With Me 38 Lesson 4 March 25, 2012 Peter s Denial April Not the End of the Story 47 April Overview 48 Lesson 5 April 1, 2012 Palm Sunday 58 Lesson 6 April 8, 2012 The Resurrection 68 Lesson 7 April 15, 2012 Road to Emmaus 78 Lesson 8 April 22, 2012 Breakfast on the Beach 88 Lesson 9 April 29, 2012 The Great Commission May Stories of the Spirit 97 May Overview 98 Lesson 10 May 6, 2012 Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace 108 Lesson 11 May 13, 2012 Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Kindness, Generosity 118 Lesson 12 May 20, 2012 Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control 128 Lesson 13 May 27, 2012 Pentecost Supplemental Pages 138 Reproducible Pages 143 Living B.I.G. at Home 144 Storybook Assembly How are we doing? Send us your comments on the User Response Form at Spring 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 1

3 Beginning to Live B.i.G. Believe in God, believe also in me. (John 14:1) Welcome to Live B.I.G., a Sunday school adventure where children hear, see, and live their belief in God. What Is Live B.i.G.? It s children coming to know the love of God through Jesus. It s music, art, theater, dance, laughter, sign language, discussion, imagination, education, entertainment, sight, sound, cool graphics, hands-on activities, stickers, games, crafts, snacks, Bible stories, worship, prayer, and so much more. It s helping your children grow as children of God by taking what they learn from Sunday school into their everyday lives. Quarterly Kit Three B.i.G. Truths Every Live B.I.G. lesson is based on three big truths: God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God s great big world. As you teach, remember: these truths are not just for the children, they are true for you too! Our great big God created you and loves you. Live B.I.G. is an opportunity for you to grow in your faith and to live out your own belief in God. Basic Live B.i.G. Resources The Quarterly Kit contains three DVDs one for each month this quarter and a Music CD. Each DVD has the different segments you will watch each week (Backyard Time, Travel Time, or Picture Time) and Teacher Tips, as well as Praise Time, a monthly music video. The kit also contains the Leader s Guide, one Kids Book, and classroom decorations, including two Attendance Charts. Leader s Guide The Leader s Guide contains thirteen lessons for three months of Sunday school classes. Each lesson is self-contained, is creative, and includes ways to interact with the DVD segments. The Leader s Guide also includes copies of the Praise Time music, reproducible pages, and monthly Living B.I.G. at Home letters. Monthly Theme Pages Live B.I.G. is organized into monthly themes. At the beginning of each month s lessons, you will find a monthly overview page. This outline includes the Bible verse, the B.I.G. Idea, and the B.I.G. Theme for the month, as well as a list of the Bible stories for each Sunday in the month. The monthly overview also lists the DVD segments, music suggestions, and suggestions for planning ahead. 2 Abingdon Press.

4 The Lesson Plan Each week s lesson plan contains activities to introduce your children to the Bible story, activities to immerse your children in the Bible story, and activities designed to connect your children s lives to the Bible story. Each lesson includes reproducible activity pages. The weekly lesson plan also includes a Bible background page for the teacher, an activity/supply list, and a DVD summary. Live B.i.G. Statements Every activity in the weekly lesson plan includes a focus Live B.I.G. statement. Live B.I.G. statements are intended to guide your conversation with the children. Look for ways to informally connect these Live B.I.G. truths to what the children are doing. Throughout the Leader s Guide, you will see the Live B.I.G. dove bringing words of advice related to a particular activity. Paying attention to these side notes will help in your planning and will ensure greater classroom success. Kids Book You will need a Kids Book for each child in your class. The Kids Book contains a detachable page of activities or crafts for each Sunday, a weekly take-home storybook that contains the Bible story and activities to do at home, and a page of Stickers. Bongo the Bible Bird Puppet Children will be thrilled when Bongo the Bible Bird Puppet, featured on the Backyard Time segment of the DVD, comes to their very own classroom. Use Bongo to welcome your children, help tell the Bible story, sing with the Praise Time songs on the DVD, and encourage your children to learn the monthly Bible verse. Spring 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 3

5 Until the Rooster Crows 4 Abingdon Press.

6 Follow the Light Spring 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 5

7 These Are the Fruits 6 Abingdon Press.

8 March Overview March s B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. March s B.i.G. Theme Peter: The Story of a Disciple March s Bible Verse We have found the Messiah. John 1:41 Objectives Children will hear the Bible story about Jesus question to the disciples, Who do you say that I am? Children will learn that Peter recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Children will consider ways that they can tell others that Jesus is the Messiah. Children will hear the Bible story about Jesus washing his disciples feet. Children will hear that Jesus taught the disciples to care for one another. Children will learn that they can care for others as Jesus cares for them. March s Lessons March 4: You Are the Messiah, Matthew 16:13-18 March 11: Wash My Feet, John 13:1-9, 14 March 18: Pray With Me, Mark 14:32-42 March 25: Peter s Denial, Mark 14:26-31, 66-72; John 21:15-17 Children will hear the Bible story about Peter and the other disciples falling asleep while Jesus prayed in Gethsemane. Children will learn that even though Peter was not perfect, Jesus still wanted him to be a disciple. Children will learn that disciples pray for themselves and for others. Children will hear the Bible story about Peter denying that he knew Jesus. Children will realize that it is not always easy to follow Jesus. Children will choose to be faithful friends to Jesus. March s DVD March Overview Bible Verse in American Sign Language: John 1:41 (see Leader inside front cover) Teaching Your Children: Teaching Children to Pray Demonstration: Inside-Out People (March 4) Picture Time: Jesus Cared for His Friends and We Can Care for Others (March 11) March s Praise Time Song Until the Rooster Crows (DVD, CD, Leader page 4). Music Suggestions Play songs from the CD as children arrive. Sing the Live B.I.G. theme song (CD) as part of each week s closing worship. Plan Ahead Provide aquarium rocks to make Messiah Rocks! Tambourines on March 4. Collect hats representing different occupations for Backyard Time on March 4. Make a paper person for Inside-Out People on March 4. Provide Epsom salt and baking soda for a Foot Soak on March 11. Provide scented crayons or markers to make the Garden Prayer Mats, a more sensory experience for your children on March 18. Provide multicultural crayons or markers to make Prayer Cards on March 18. Assemble the story strips and rooster for Rooster Surprise on March 25. Provide feathers for rooster activities on March 25. Learn the signs needed for Sign Our Love to Jesus on March 25. Spring 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 7

9 Lesson 1 March 4, 2012 March s B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. March s Bible Verse We have found the Messiah. John 1:41 March s B.i.G. Theme Peter: The Story of a Disciple Lesson 1 You Are the Messiah Today s Bible Story Matthew 16:13-18 Three B.i.G. (Believe in God) Truths God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God s great big world. Objectives Children will hear the Bible story about Jesus question to the disciples, Who do you say that I am? Children will learn that Peter recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Children will consider ways that they can tell others that Jesus is the Messiah. Who do people say I am? Jesus asked his disciples. The disciples answered that many people believed Jesus was a great prophet, perhaps the greatest of all prophets. Then Jesus asked the even more important question But who do you say that I am? Peter, in a moment of divine inspiration, replied, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Peter often blew it, but this time he got it right! Peter s confession of faith was one of the high points in his life. And it must have been a great moment for Jesus to know that as the end of his ministry was drawing near, at least one person was beginning to understand the message he was bringing. Just what was it that Peter had understood and confessed? The title messiah means anointed one. Human anointing is an act of consecration in which fragrant oil is poured over a person s head as a sign of being set apart for special or important service, primarily as a priest or king. The Greek word for anoint is christos, from which the title Christ is derived. The Hebrew word is mashach, from which messiah comes. Peter recognized Jesus as the one anointed by God to establish God s kingdom. Jesus confirmed Peter s words, and told Peter that God had revealed this truth to him. Even so, Peter still did not understand the full implications. And although Jesus acknowledged that he was the Messiah, he knew that people would not understand. He sternly ordered his disciples not to tell anyone. The concept of a Messiah sent by God came from the Old Testament prophets visions of a special ruler who would come from King David s line. By Jesus time, this ruler was expected to be a strong military leader, overthrowing the Romans and restoring the glory of Israel. Neither Peter nor any of the other disciples understood fully that Jesus had come to be a different type of king. They were only beginning to learn that Jesus kingdom was a spiritual kingdom, a kingdom based on loving and caring for others and obeying God. Who do you say that I am? is the most important question that any of us will ever answer. Help your children learn what it means to say, Jesus is the Messiah. 8 Abingdon Press.

10 Activity Invite them in... (15 minutes) Welcome! Messiah Rocks! Tambourines Paper-Bag Rocks Messiah Manuscript Sign and Say... Into the Bible (30 minutes) TimeSaver EcoFriendly Backyard Time Hear the Bible Story Inside-Out People Walk and Sing... Into Life (15 minutes) Praise Time Closing Worship TimeSaver TimeSaver Activities that require little or no planning and only basic supplies. EcoFriendly EcoFriendly Activities that encourage responsible earth stewardship by providing options to use recycled or repurposed materials. DVD Summary: Backyard Time This week your children will explore the question, Who was Jesus? Ms. Lucy and Bongo dress in several outfits, and your children will guess who they are, based on what they say and do. Then Mr. Z reminds the children of this month s Bible verse: We have found the Messiah. Next, Mr. Z asks the big question Who was Jesus? Mr. Z helps the children name some of the answers to the question: a carpenter, a teacher, the Messiah. Your kids will hear that the name Messiah means the anointed one. March 4, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 9

11 Lesson 1 March 4, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. Welcome! Choose one or more activities to introduce your children to the Bible story. Invite them in... Supplies: Stickers, Attendance Chart, Leader inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television Do Welcome the children as they arrive. Give each child a Jesus and Peter Sticker to place on the Attendance Chart. Say: Peter followed Jesus. In our Bible story today, we will see that Peter learned that Jesus is the Messiah, a special kind of king, sent by God. Say: Our Bible verse this month says, We have found the Messiah (John 1:41). Encourage the children to say the Bible verse several times. Then help them sign the verse in American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Live B.i.G. We know Jesus is the Messiah, a special king sent by God. Messiah Rocks! Tambourines Supplies: Kids Book, crepe paper streamers or ribbons, scissors, two paper plates per child, glue, crayons, stapler and staples, colored masking tape, aquarium gravel Punch out the Jesus is the MESSIAH! and Peter is the ROCK! circles (Kids Book). Cut ribbons or crepe paper streamers into twelve-inch lengths. Do Give each child the two circles (Kids Book) and two paper plates. Have each child glue a circle onto the back of each paper plate. Let the children decorate around the edges of the plates with crayons. Help each child tape the streamers to the inside edge of one of the plates. Place the paper plates together and secure with staples around the edges, leaving a two-inch opening in the top. Plan to use the Messiah Rocks! Tambourines during the Bible story. Help the children pour aquarium gravel (little rocks!) inside. Close the opening with additional staples and cover the staples with tape. 10 Abingdon Press.

12 Say: When Peter learned that Jesus is the Messiah, a special kind of king sent by God (hold up the Jesus side of a tambourine), Jesus gave Peter a new name that means rock (hold up the Peter side of a tambourine). That s why we used tiny rocks inside our tambourines. Live B.i.G. Like Peter, we know Jesus is the Messiah, a special king sent by God. Paper-Bag Rocks Supplies: brown paper lunch sacks, recycled paper or newspaper, tape Do Allow the children to crumple recycled paper into balls and fill the lunch sacks. Once the paper sacks are filled, close them with tape. Add these rocks to your building center to use for the remainder of the month. Live B.i.G. When Peter said Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus gave Peter a new name that means rock.. Messiah Manuscript Supplies: Leader page 16, netting, scissors, crayons, glue Photocopy Messiah Manuscript (Leader page 16) for each child. Cut netting into small pieces. Do Give each child a Messiah Manuscript (Leader page 16). Say: In our Bible story today, we will see that Peter learned that Jesus is the Messiah, a special kind of king, sent by God. Say: M is the first letter of the name Messiah. (Point out the letter M.) Let the children decorate the M with crayons. Read the Bible verse printed on the paper to the children. Say: Peter was a fisherman before he became a follower of Jesus. When he was a fisherman, Peter caught fish in nets. Let s add nets to our pictures. Have the children glue the net pieces onto their pictures. Live B.i.G. Like Peter, we know Jesus is the Messiah, a special king sent by God. Sign and Say Supplies: Leader page 15 and inside cover, DVD, DVD player, television Do Have the children follow you as you tiptoe to your storytelling area and sit down. Teach the children to sign the Bible verse, We have found the Messiah (John 1:41). Say the poem We Have Found the Messiah (Leader page 15) and have the children sign the Bible verse each time it occurs in the poem. Live B.i.G. We can follow Jesus, the Messiah, just like Peter did. March 4, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 11

13 Lesson 1 March 4, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. Choose one or more activities to immerse your children in the Bible story. Backyard Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television, a collection of hats that represents various occupations (firefighter, nurse, and so forth), cloth or paper bag... Into the Bible Put all the hats in the bag. Do Say: We are going to play a guessing game. I have lots of different hats in my bag. I will take them out one at a time and place them on my head. Guess who I am, based on the hat I am wearing. Play the guessing game with the children. Say: Good guessing! Say: Now it s time to visit Mr. Z, Ms. Lucy, and Bongo for Backyard Time. Mr. Z has a large question mark, and Ms. Lucy and Bongo are going to challenge you to answer questions about who they are pretending to be. Let s see if you can guess who Ms. Lucy and Bongo are today. Show Backyard Time (DVD). Live B.i.G. We know Jesus is the Messiah, a special king sent by God. Hear the Bible Story Supplies: Bible, Leader page 15, Messiah Rocks! Tambourines made earlier (page 10) Do Show the children the Bible open to the Book of Matthew. Say: Our story today comes from the Book of Matthew in the New Testament of our Bible. While I read the story, listen for me to say the words Messiah and rock. When you hear one of those words, shake your tambourines. Give the children their tambourines. Read aloud Jesus Is the Messiah (Leader page 15) and have the children shake their tambourines as indicated. Pray: Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to be the Messiah, your special king. Help us tell others about who Jesus is. Amen. Live B.i.G. Like Peter, we know Jesus is the Messiah. 12 Abingdon Press.

14 Inside Out People Supplies: Leader page 17, DVD, DVD player, television, 12-by-18 construction paper, construction paper scraps, gluesticks, markers, scissors Photocopy and cut out Inside-Out People Heart (Leader page 17). Watch the March 4 Demonstration in the Teacher Tips (DVD). Cut out a inch circle from construction paper for the head. Fold 12-by-18 construction paper into eight equal sections, according to the demonstration. Cut out sections 5 and 8 and set them aside for arms. Fold sections 1 and 4 toward the middle to make a shirt that opens. Glue the arms to the back of the folded paper as shown on the DVD. Glue the head circle to the top of sections 2 and 3. (Note: Not sections 3 and 4 as said on the DVD). Cut a small triangle out of sections 6 and 7 to make pants. Draw a face. Add hands, hair, and feet using small scraps of construction paper. Open the shirt (sections 1 and 4) and glue the heart (Leader page 17) to the center of the person. Do Show the children the completed Inside-Out Person with the shirt closed over the heart. Say: In our story, we saw that Jesus knew what was in Peter s heart. Open the shirt and show the heart. Say: Peter knew in his heart that Jesus was the Messiah. Live B.i.G. Like Peter, we know in our hearts that Jesus is the Messiah. Walk and Sing Supplies: Leader page 15 Do Have the children stand in a circle. Choose one child to be Peter. Have Peter stand in the middle of the circle. Say: Let s pretend that Jesus is asking Peter, Do you know who I am? Sing Do You Know Who Jesus Is? (Leader page 15) to the tune of Do You Know the Muffin Man? Lead the other children in walking in a circle around Peter as you sing together. Let Peter choose another child to join him or her in the circle. Sing the song again and walk in the circle. Continue until every child is in the middle and there is only you to walk around. Live B.i.G. Like Peter, we know that Jesus is the Messiah. If you have a small number of children, you may want to make one Inside-Out Person for each child March 4, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 13

15 Lesson 1 March 4, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. Choose one or more activities to connect your children s lives to the Bible story. Praise Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television Do Say: Our song today is about Peter. You will hear Bongo crow like a rooster in the song. We will hear the story about Peter and the rooster in a few weeks. For today, let s pretend to be roosters and crow with Bongo. Play the song (DVD) and encourage the children to crow with Bongo. Live B.i.G. The story of Peter shows us that we can all be followers of Jesus. Closing Worship... Into Life Supplies: Stickers; Kids Book; Leader pages 15, 143, 144 Punch out a storybook (Kids Book) for each child. (Assembly instructions can be found on Leader page 144.) Photocopy March Living B.I.G. at Home (Leader page 143) for each child. Photocopy Jesus Is the Messiah (Leader page 15) to send home. Do Invite the children to gather for closing worship. Say: Let s remember what we know about Jesus. Listen to what I say. If what I say about Jesus is true, nod your head yes. If what I say about Jesus is not true, shake your head no. Jesus loves us. (Nod head.) Jesus is our friend. (Nod head.) Jesus was a firefighter. (Shake head.) Jesus drove a big truck. (Shake head.) Jesus tells us about God s love. (Nod head.) Jesus is the Messiah. (Nod head.) Give each child a Jesus Is the Messiah worship badge (Stickers). Say: (Child s name) knows that Jesus is the Messiah. Pray: Dear God, thank you for Jesus, the Messiah. Amen. Give each child a storybook (Kids Book), a copy of March Living B.I.G. at Home (Leader page 143), and a copy of Jesus Is the Messiah (Leader page 15) to take home. Live B.i.G. We know that Jesus is the Messiah, a special king sent by God Abingdon Press.

16 Lesson 1 Jesus Is the Messiah One day Jesus asked his friends, Who do people say that I am? Jesus friends said, Some people say you are John the Baptist. Some say you are the great prophet Elijah. And some say you are one of the great teachers. Jesus said, Who do you say that I am? The disciples looked at each other. Then Peter spoke up. You are the Messiah, Peter said. (Have the children shake their tambourines.) Jesus said, You are right, Peter! That is who I am. God has told you this. And you have listened to God! You will help build my church, and it will last forever! Your name is Peter, the Rock. (Have the children shake their tambourines.) Peter the Rock knew that Jesus was the Messiah! (Have the children shake their tambourines.) based on Matthew 16:13-18 We Have Found the Messiah We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) God s special king. We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) Let s shout and sing. We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) It s Jesus, God s Son. We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) He is the one. Do You Know Who Jesus Is? (Sung to the tune of Do You Know the Muffin Man? ) Do you know who Jesus is? Jesus is? Jesus is? Do you know who Jesus is? He is the Messiah! Yes, I know who Jesus is, Jesus is, Jesus is. Yes, I know who Jesus is. He is the Messiah! March 4, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 15

17 Lesson 1 Messiah Manuscript M We have found the Messiah. John 1:41 16 Abingdon Press.

18 Lesson 1 Inside-Out People Heart God Knows My Heart! March 4, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 17

19 Lesson 2 March 11, 2012 March s B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. March s Bible Verse We have found the Messiah. John 1:41 March s B.i.G. Theme Peter: The Story of a Disciple Lesson 2 Wash My Feet Today s Bible Story John 13:1-9, 14 Three B.i.G. (Believe in God) Truths God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God s great big world. Objectives Children will hear the Bible story about Jesus washing his disciples feet. Children will hear that Jesus taught the disciples to care for one another. Children will learn that they can care for others as Jesus cares for them. Jesus time on earth was drawing to an end. It was now measured not by weeks or even days, but by hours. What did Jesus choose to do on his last night? As the Scripture points out, having loved his own (John 13:1); Jesus chose to spend that evening with his closest friends in an intimate and tender gathering the Passover meal. But Jesus also had more teaching to do. Even at this last meal with his disciples, he had an important lesson for them. Foot-washing was a common courtesy in Hebrew culture. People wore open sandals (or even walked barefoot). The roads were dusty when dry and muddy when wet. It was customary for a servant to wash the feet of guests as an act of hospitality. In the room where Jesus and his disciples shared their last meal, though, there were no servants. So Jesus filled the role of servant when he took a basin and towel and washed his disciples feet. Peter objected. Foot-washing was servants work. Peter did not think it was appropriate for Jesus to take on the messy task of washing filthy, probably smelly, feet. However, when Jesus explained, Peter enthusiastically asked Jesus to wash him completely head and hands as well as feet! Jesus response to Peter taught several lessons: 1. Peter s body was clean, for he had bathed in preparation for the meal. It was only his feet that were dirty. Christians are cleansed through Christ s actions. Through our everyday activities, though, we pick up dirt along the way sins that need to be cleansed. We need to confess and repent of those sins. 2. Christian leaders are to be humble in spirit, willing to serve one another in love. Imagine what that night must have been like for Jesus. The disciples were unaware of what would happen in the next few hours, but certainly Jesus knew. What was he thinking as he gently and lovingly took their feet in his hands, tenderly cleaning and drying them? Did they look into his eyes? Did they see the deep love and sacrifice there? Did they understand what he was doing? Do we understand today the depth of Christ s love for us and the meaning of this simple yet profound act? Do we serve others lovingly as Christ did? The basin and towel have become a symbol of Christian service. Even young children can learn from Jesus act of service. Help the children see that through serving others, we can obey Jesus and be his friend. 18 Abingdon Press.

20 Activity TimeSaver EcoFriendly Invite them in... (15 minutes) Welcome! Washing Babies Dirty Feet Clean Feet Basin-and-Towel Paintings Sign and Say... Into the Bible (30 minutes) Praise Time Hear the Bible Story Picture Time Foot Soak... Into Life (15 minutes) Hearts and Flowers Closing Worship TimeSaver TimeSaver Activities that require little or no planning and only basic supplies. EcoFriendly EcoFriendly Activities that encourage responsible earth stewardship by providing options to use recycled or repurposed materials. DVD Summary: Picture Time The story of Jesus washing the disciples feet is the focus of this week s Picture Time. Through images of different kinds of footwear, your preschoolers will realize that shoes worn today are very different from the sandals worn in Bible times. People in those days had to wash their feet often, because the dirty roads kept their feet dirty. Just as Jesus washed his friends feet to show that he cared for them, your children can do things for people today to show care for them. March 11, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 19

21 Lesson 2 March 11, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. Welcome! Choose one or more activities to introduce your children to the Bible story. Invite them in... Supplies: Stickers, Attendance Chart, Leader inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television Do Welcome the children as they arrive. Give each child a basin-andpitcher Sticker to place on the Attendance Chart. Say: Our Bible verse this month says, We have found the Messiah (John 1:41). Encourage the children to say the Bible verse several times. Then help them sign the verse in American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Say: Our Bible story today tells about a time when Jesus, the Messiah, washed Peter s feet. The basin and pitcher on our Stickers can remind us of that story. Let s get ready to hear that story. Live B.i.G. Jesus, the Messiah, teaches us that we must serve others. Washing Babies Supplies: baby dolls, towels, baby wipes or small washtubs with soapy water and washcloths Do Say: The dolls in our classroom need a bath. Let s clean them. Invite the children to use baby wipes or washcloths to gently clean the dolls. Say: One of the ways we show love for babies is by washing them so they will be clean. In today s Bible story, Jesus washed Peter s feet and his other friends feet to show how much he loved them. Live B.i.G. One way Jesus showed love to his friends was by washing their feet. Dirty Feet Clean Feet Supplies: Leader page 26, clear adhesive paper, watercolor markers, baby wipes or washcloths and water Photocopy Leader page 26 for each child. Cover each page with clear adhesive paper. 20 Abingdon Press.

22 Do Say: These feet look clean. Let s make them dirty. Invite the children to use watercolor markers to scribble all over the feet. Say: Our feet are certainly dirty now. I wonder if they can ever come clean. I wonder if we can wash these dirty feet. Hand out baby wipes or wet washcloths and have the children wipe the feet clean. Say: Our Bible story today tells about a time when Jesus washed Peter s feet. Live B.i.G. Jesus washed his friends feet to clean their feet and show his love for them. Basin-and-Towel Paintings Supplies: Leader page 27, paper towels, scissors, paint smocks, watercolor pencils or crayons, bowls of water, brushes, gluesticks Photocopy Basin and Towel (Leader page 27) for each child. Cut paper towels into two-inch strips. Each child will need four strips. Do Have the children wear paint smocks to protect their clothing. Give each child a copy of Basin and Towel (Leader page 27). Invite the children to color the basin and the water with watercolor crayons or watercolor pencils. Demonstrate how to dip a brush into water and brush over the colored areas. The crayon or pencil will turn to watercolor paint. Show the children how to glue paper towel strips over the towel to create a threedimensional picture. Say: Today we will hear a Bible story about Jesus using a basin and towel to wash Peter s feet and the feet of his other friends. Live B.i.G. Jesus washed his friends feet to clean their feet and show his love for them. Sign and Say Supplies: Leader page 25 and inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television Do Have the children follow you as you tiptoe to your storytelling area and sit down. Remind the children how to sign the Bible verse, We have found the Messiah (John 1:41) (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Say the poem, We Have Found the Messiah (Leader page 25), and have the children sign the Bible verse each time it appears in the poem. Live B.i.G. Like Peter, we can follow Jesus, the Messiah. March 11, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 21

23 Lesson 2 March 11, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. Praise Time Choose one or more activities to immerse your children in the Bible story. Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television... Into the Bible Do Say: Our song today is about Peter. You will hear Bongo crow like a rooster in the song. We will hear the story about Peter and the rooster in a few weeks. For today, let s crow with Bongo. Play the song (DVD) and encourage the children to crow with Bongo. Live B.i.G. The story of Peter shows us that we can all be followers of Jesus. Hear the Bible Story Supplies: Bible, Leader page 25, doormat or carpet square or piece of paper, bowl, towel Place the doormat or carpet square next to the storytelling area, or make a doormat by taping a piece of paper to the floor. Do Encourage the children to stand up, wipe their feet on the doormat, and then sit back down. Say: It is time to listen to our Bible story. This story is about how Jesus and the disciples cleaned their feet. Open the Bible to the Book of John. Say: Today s story comes from the New Testament. It is found in the Book of John. Jesus wanted to eat a special meal with his friends. At the special meal, Jesus surprised his friends by doing something to show his love for them. Can you guess what Jesus did? Read the children the story, Wash My Feet (Leader page 25). Do the motions as indicated in the story. At one point, you will use the bowl and towel to pretend to wash each child s feet. Ask: How did you feel when I was pretending to wash your feet? Peter thought Jesus was too special to wash his feet, but Jesus taught him that no one is too special to do something nice for someone else. Can you think of something nice you could do for someone else? Live B.i.G. Jesus showed his friends that he loved them by washing their feet. 22 Abingdon Press.

24 Picture Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television Do Show Picture Time (DVD). Ask: How many kinds of shoes did you see? Can you count how many different kinds of shoes you have? Let the children name the different kinds of shoes they have, and help them count the number. Ask: What kind of shoes did Jesus friends wear? Say: Jesus washed Peter s feet and the feet of his other friends to show them how much he cared about them. Jesus wanted them to love and care for others. Ask: What are some ways we can care about others? (be kind, smile, pray for them, share food and clothing with them, and so forth) Live B.i.G. Jesus taught his friends to show love and care for others. Foot Soak Supplies: Leader page 138, equal amounts of Epsom salt and baking soda, two large mixing bowls, scissors, paper punch, 3-ounce plastic cups, quart-size zipper storage bags, ribbon Pour Epsom salts and baking soda into separate bowls. Photocopy the foot soak labels (Leader page 138), one for each child. Cut out the labels and punch a hole in the corner of each one. Do Say: In Bible times, there were no cars or trains or even bicycles. Most of the time people walked where they needed to go. Ask: Have you ever walked for a very lo-o-o-o-ng time maybe shopping with your mom or dad? How did your feet feel? Say: I am sure Jesus and his friends often had tired feet. They walked everywhere they went! And the roads were bumpy and dusty, or sometimes muddy. Ask: Who are some people you know who stand on their feet for long periods or who walk a lot? (mothers, fathers, teachers, hospital workers, cafeteria workers, mail carriers) Say: When my feet are tired or sore, one of my favorite things to do is to soak my feet. Let s make some special foot-soak mixture to give to someone who has tired feet. Have each child use plastic cups to scoop two cupfuls of Epsom salts into a storage bag, followed by two cupfuls of baking soda. Securely zip the bags closed. Then let the children shake the contents gently. Help each child use ribbon to attach a label (Leader page 138) to the bag. Say: Giving a foot-soak mixture is one way we can show love and care for others. Live B.i.G. Jesus taught his friends to show love and care for others. March 11, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 23

25 Lesson 2 March 11, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. Choose one or more activities to connect your children s lives to the Bible story. Hearts and Flowers Supplies: Kids Book, Stickers, tape, craft sticks Punch out the heart pattern (Kids Book), fold it, and tape the side. Punch out the basket handles, which the children will attach.... Into Life Do Say: Jesus taught his disciples to serve others. Let s make a heart basket and flowers that will remind us to help others like Jesus did. Give each child a heart basket and an I Can Serve Others heart Sticker. Let the children put the sticker on the heart basket. Help the children complete the heart basket by taping on the handle. Give each child six craft sticks and six flower Stickers that illustrate ways to serve others. Let the children stick one flower Sticker at the top of each craft stick. Help the children place their flowers into their heart baskets. Say: Take your I Can Serve Others bouquet home to remind you of ways you can serve others. Live B.i.G. We can love and serve others, like Jesus did. Closing Worship Supplies: Stickers, Kids Book, Leader pages 25 and 144 Punch out a storybook (Kids Book) for each child. (Assembly instructions can be found on Leader page 144.) Photocopy Wash My Feet (Leader page 25) to send home. Do Invite the children to gather for the closing worship. Say: Today we learned that Jesus showed his love for Peter and his other friends by washing their feet. Jesus wants us to love and serve others too. Give each child a Serve Others worship badge (Stickers), a storybook (Kids Book), and a copy of Wash My Feet (Leader page 25) to take home. Pray: Dear Jesus, please help us love and serve others as you did. Amen. Live B.i.G. Jesus wants us to love and serve others. 24 Abingdon Press.

26 Lesson 2 Wash My Feet Jesus and his friends were eating a special meal together. But there was a problem. They had been walking all day in the dusty streets. They did not have socks on. They wore sandals. What do you think their feet looked like? (dirty) What do you think their feet smelled like? (pee-yew! smelly) The friends looked around. (Turn your head back and forth.) Jesus looked around. (Turn head back and forth.) Usually a servant washed their feet when they came into the house. But there was no servant at this special meal. (Shake your head no.) So... Jesus stood up. (Stand up while the children stay seated.) He took the bowl of water and the towel. (Pick up the bowl and the towel.) He went to the first friend (Kneel down in front of a child and pretend to wash his or her feet with the towel.), and he washed his friend s feet. Then he went to the next friend. (Move to the next child. Continue around the circle until you get to the last child.) When he got to Peter, Jesus tried to wash Peter s feet. But Peter said, No way! You cannot wash my feet, Jesus! That is a job for a servant! Jesus said, Peter, I need to wash your feet. If you love me and want to follow me, you will let me wash your feet. Peter said, Of course, Jesus! I want to follow you! If that s what it takes, then wash my hands and my head too! But Jesus said, Your body is clean because you took a bath. Only your feet are dirty from the walk. And so, Jesus washed Peter s feet too. based on John 13:1-9, 14 We Have Found the Messiah We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) God s special King. We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) Let s shout and sing. We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) It s Jesus, God s Son. We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) He is the one. March 11, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 25

27 Lesson 2 Dirty Feet Clean Feet 26 Abingdon Press.

28 Lesson 2 Basin and Towel March 11, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 27

29 Lesson 3 March 18, 2012 March s B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. March s Bible Verse We have found the Messiah. John 1:41 March s B.i.G. Theme Peter: The Story of a Disciple Lesson 3 Pray With Me Today s Bible Story Mark 14:32-42 Three B.i.G. (Believe in God) Truths God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God s great big world. Objectives Children will hear the Bible story about Peter and the other disciples falling asleep while Jesus prayed in Gethsemane. Children will learn that even though Peter was not perfect, Jesus still wanted him to be a disciple. Children will learn that disciples pray for themselves and for others. It was Jesus last night on earth. After eating the Passover meal with his disciples, he knew the time was short, and he was compelled to pray. He and his remaining disciples (Judas had left) went to the Mount of Olives, a short distance from the eastern wall of Jerusalem. Gethsemane, which means oil press, was probably an enclosed spot within the many groves of olive trees located on the hillside. Luke tells us that Jesus often prayed there. Jesus asked his disciples to come with him. When they arrived at Gethsemane, Jesus said, Sit here while I pray. Then he took Peter, James, and John a little further into the garden. His disciples would have seen that he was distressed. They may not have understood the reason, but they surely knew that Jesus needed their support when he asked them to keep awake. Three times Jesus left to pray his agonizing prayer and then returned to find his disciples sleeping. Why could the disciples not stay awake? Were they drowsy from the Passover meal? Were they simply exhausted from the emotions of the week? Or were they somehow just unaware of Jesus mood and the imminent danger to their beloved teacher and Lord? When Jesus returned, he called out to Peter, Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake for one hour? Peter, the rock, had let his Lord down, leaving him to suffer alone in the darkness. Jesus cried out to God for mercy, using the intimate term Abba, which means Daddy or Papa. Meanwhile, the disciples slept until they were jolted awake by the shouts of soldiers. This is a difficult story. How often do we find ourselves so self-absorbed that we let others even our closest friends down? How often do we realize, too late, that we should have done something to help or could have done something differently? One focus of this lesson for the children is prayer prayer that strengthens us, sustains us, and connects us to God. Another focus, though, is the faithfulness of Peter. When Jesus needed Peter s support and watchful care, Peter failed him. The children know that they sometimes fail to do what they know Jesus wants them to do. Peter s story is important for them because it assures them that even when they are not perfect when they make mistakes or forget to follow Jesus Jesus still loves them, and they can be good disciples again. 28 Abingdon Press.

30 Activity TimeSaver EcoFriendly Invite them in... (15 minutes) Welcome! Garden Prayer Mats Times I Can Pray to God Prayer Flowers Sign and Say... Into the Bible (30 minutes) Hear the Bible Story Backyard Time Pray With Me Prayer Cards... Into Life (15 minutes) Praise Time Closing Worship TimeSaver TimeSaver Activities that require little or no planning and only basic supplies. EcoFriendly EcoFriendly Activities that encourage responsible earth stewardship by providing options to use recycled or repurposed materials. DVD Summary: Backyard Time Mr. Z is building a sailboat for Ms. Lucy as a surprise. He is in a hurry to finish it before Ms. Lucy returns from the store. He wants Bongo to help him, but Bongo keeps falling asleep. The situation reminds Mr. Z of the Bible story about Jesus friends falling asleep, even though Jesus asked them to stay awake while he prayed. Your children will see that it is important to be there for our friends and family when they need us especially when they need us to pray for them. March 18, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 29

31 Lesson 3 March 18, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. Welcome! Choose one or more activities to introduce your children to the Bible story. Invite them in.... Supplies: Stickers, Attendance Chart, Leader inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television Do Welcome the children as they arrive. Give each child a tree Sticker to place on the Attendance Chart. Ask: Do you remember our Bible verse for this month? Encourage the children to say the Bible verse: We have found the Messiah (John 1:41). Then remind them how to sign the verse in American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Say: Prayer is talking to God. Jesus prayed lots of times. Our Bible story today is about a time when Jesus prayed in a garden late at night. Jesus wanted Peter and two other friends to stay awake while he prayed, but Peter and his other friends kept falling asleep. Live B.i.G. Jesus always loves us and wants us to follow him. Garden Prayer Mats Supplies: Stickers, large construction paper, scented crayons or markers Do Say: In our Bible story today, Jesus asks Peter and two other friends to pray with him in a garden. Let s make garden mats to sit on. Give each child a large piece of construction paper to make the mat. Invite the children to decorate the mat with scented crayons or markers. Give each child the two flower Stickers. Let each child place the Stickers on his or her decorated mat. Say: Our mats look like beautiful gardens. Smell your mats. They even smell like a beautiful garden! Write (Child s name) s Garden Prayer Mat across each child s mat. Scented crayons or markers will make this activity a more sensory experience. They are available at school supply stores or discount stores, and at Plan to use the garden mats during the Bible story, with the Pray With Me activity, and in Closing Worship. Live B.i.G. Jesus asked Peter and two other friends to pray with him in a garden. 30 Abingdon Press.

32 Times I Can Pray to God Supplies: Kids Book, Stickers, paper plates, glue or gluesticks, brads Punch out a clock (with a hole for a brad) and arrows (Kids Book) for each child. Do Give each child a plain paper plate and a clock circle (Kids Book). Invite the children to glue the clock circle onto the middle of the paper plate. Help each child attach the hands (arrows) of the clock with a brad. Show the children how they can move the hands of the clock from hour to hour. Talk with the children about the things they do at different hours. Give each child four Stickers to place around the edge of the clock to indicate times when they eat breakfast, sleep, have lunch or dinner, and play. Say: Jesus knew that he could talk to God anywhere and at any time. Our Bible story is about a time when Jesus prayed in a garden late at night. Ask: When can we pray? Say: We can pray to God any time of the day or night. (Show the children how they can turn the hands of the clock to each hour of the day.) Live B.i.G. Like Jesus, we can talk to God anywhere and at any time. Prayer Flowers Supplies: Leader page 36, bright-colored paper, small paper plates, markers, scissors, gluesticks Photocopy and cut out two Prayer Flower pieces (Leader page 36) on colored paper for each child. Do Say: Jesus prayed in a garden. Let s make a Prayer Flower. Ask: Who are some people we need to pray for? Help each child write the names of at least two people to pray for in the center of a paper plate. Spell or write for them, if necessary. Say: When we see these names, it will remind us to pray for them. Show the children how to glue their flower petals around the edges of the plates. Live B.i.G. Jesus wants us to pray for others and for ourselves. Sign and Say Supplies: Leader page 35 and inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television Do Have the children follow you as you tiptoe to your storytelling area and sit down. Review how to sign the Bible verse with the children. Say the poem, We Have Found the Messiah (Leader page 35), and have the children sign the Bible verse each time it appears in the poem. Live B.i.G. Like Peter, we can follow Jesus, the Messiah. March 18, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 31

33 Lesson 3 March 18, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. Choose one or more activities to immerse your children in the Bible story. Hear the Bible Story Supplies: Bible, Leader page 35, garden mats made earlier (page 30)... Into the Bible Do Have the children sit on their garden mats. Open your Bible to the Book of Mark. Say: Our Bible story comes from the New Testament. It is found in the Book of Mark. As I tell you the Bible story, fold your hands together every time you hear the word pray. Read the story Jesus Prays in the Garden (Leader page 35). Ask: Why do you fall asleep? (because I am tired; because it is bedtime) Why do you think Peter kept falling asleep? (because it was late at night; because they had just eaten) Do you think Jesus was disappointed that Peter and his other friends fell asleep? Say: Peter did not do what Jesus wanted him to do, but Jesus still loved Peter. Jesus knew that even though Peter was not perfect, he could still be a good follower. Later, Peter had a new chance to show his love for Jesus. Pray: Thank you, God, for Jesus and his love. Amen. Live B.i.G. Like Peter, we know Jesus loves us and wants us to follow him. Backyard Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television Do Say: Now it is time to visit Mr. Z and Bongo in Backyard Time. Play Backyard Time (DVD). Ask: Did Bongo help Mr. Z? (No.) Why not? (He kept falling asleep.) Was Bongo sorry he let Mr. Z down? (Yes.) Do you think Mr. Z still loved Bongo? (Yes.) Ask: Does this story about Mr. Z and Bongo remind you of the story of Jesus and his disciples in the garden? Say: Mr. Z reminded us that we can pray for others and that God always listens when we pray. Live B.i.G. We know Jesus loves us and wants us to follow him. 32 Abingdon Press.

34 Pray With Me Supplies: garden mats made earlier (see page 30) Do Have the children spread their mats out on the floor. Encourage the children to lie down on their mats. Say: In today s story, Peter could not stay awake. He kept falling asleep! In Backyard Time, Bongo also kept falling asleep. Let s pretend to be asleep now. When I call your name, you will sit up on your mat. Say: Wake up, (child s name), wake up! After you call each child, have him or her sit up on the garden mat. Say: Mr. Z reminded us that we can pray to God anytime and that God will listen to our prayers. Let s say a prayer right now. Pray: Dear God, thank you for Jesus. We want to follow him. Amen. Say: Mr. Z also reminded us that we can pray for others. Ask the children to name people they would like to pray for. If they cannot think of any names, suggest that they pray for people in their families. Say another prayer, asking God to help the people the children named. Live B.i.G. We know God listens when we pray. Prayer Cards Supplies: Leader page 37, multicultural crayons or markers, scissors Photocopy and cut out the Praying Hands card (Leader page 37) for each child. Write the name of your class on each card. Do Give each child a Praying Hands card (Leader page 37). Help each child fold the card in half. Have each child choose a crayon or marker that matches her or his skin tone. Let the children decorate the cards with the multicultural crayons or markers. Help each child write his or her name inside the card. Say: Jesus often prayed for his friends. He wants us to pray for our friends too. Let s take a walk and pray for our church friends. Take the children for a prayer walk around the church. Stop outside every classroom or office door. Explain who is inside the room (or who works there during the week). Offer a short prayer for the person or persons inside. Then slip a card under the door. Continue until all the cards have been distributed. Live B.i.G. Jesus wants us to pray for others. March 18, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 33

35 Lesson 3 March 18, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. Choose one or more activities to connect your children s lives to the Bible story. Praise Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television Do Say: Our song today is about Peter. You will hear Bongo crow like a rooster in the song. We will hear the story about Peter and the rooster next week. For today, let s crow with Bongo. Play the song (DVD) and encourage the children to crow with Bongo. Live B.i.G. The story of Peter shows us that we can all be followers of Jesus. Closing Worship Supplies: Stickers, Kids Book, Leader pages 35 and 144, garden mats made earlier (page 30)... Into Life Punch out a storybook (Kids Book) for each child. (Assembly instructions can be found on Leader page 144.) Photocopy Jesus Prays in the Garden (Leader page 35) for each child. Do Invite the children to gather for the closing worship. Have the children sit on their garden mats. Say: Today we learned that Jesus wanted Peter and his other friends to pray with him. But they kept falling asleep. Poor Peter. He did not do what Jesus wanted him to do, but Jesus still loved Peter and wanted Peter to follow him. Later, Peter had a new chance to show his love for Jesus. Like Peter, we know that Jesus always loves us and wants us to follow him. Give each child a Pray With Me worship badge (Stickers). Say: Jesus wanted Peter and his other friends to pray with him. Jesus wants us to pray too. Remember that God promises to always hear your prayers. Pray: Thank you, God, for Jesus and his love. Amen. Give each child a storybook (Kids Book) and a copy of Jesus Prays in the Garden (Leader page 35) to take home. Live B.i.G. Jesus loves us and wants us to follow him. 34 Abingdon Press.

36 Lesson 3 Jesus Prays in the Garden After Jesus had eaten with his friends and washed their feet, he wanted to pray. (Fold your hands.) So Jesus took his friends with him to a garden called Gethsemane. Then Jesus asked Peter and two other friends to go deeper into the garden to pray. (Fold your hands.) When they got there, Jesus asked his friends to wait for him. Stay here, watch, and pray (Fold your hands.), Jesus said to his friends. Then Jesus walked over to a quiet place to pray (Fold your hands.) by himself. Peter and the two other friends tried to stay awake, but it was late at night. Peter and the other friends fell asleep. Jesus went back to check on his friends. He saw them sleeping. Wake up! Wake up! Jesus said to Peter and the other two friends. Can t you watch and stay awake with me for one hour? Then Jesus went back for a second time to pray. (Fold your hands.) When he came back to Peter and the other friends for the second time, his friends had gone back to sleep again. Wake up, friends. Wake up, said Jesus. I asked you to stay awake and watch with me. Jesus went away for the third time to pray. (Fold your hands.) When he returned for the third time, he found that Peter and the other two friends were asleep again! Wake up! Wake up! said Jesus. Someone is coming. It is time for us to go. Jesus was sad that Peter and his other friends had fallen asleep, but he knew God had heard him pray. (Fold your hands.) based on Mark 14:32-42 We Have Found the Messiah We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) God s special King. We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) Let s shout and sing. We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) It s Jesus, God s Son. We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) He is the one. March 18, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 35

37 Lesson 3 Prayer Flowers For each child, make two photocopies of the pattern on colored paper. 36 Abingdon Press.

38 Lesson 3 Praying Hands We prayed for you. We prayed for you. March 18, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 37

39 Lesson 4 March 25, 2012 March s B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. March s Bible Verse We have found the Messiah. John 1:41 March s B.i.G. Theme Peter: The Story of a Disciple Lesson 4 Peter s Denial Today s Bible Story Mark 14:26-31, 66-72; John 21:15-17 Three B.i.G. (Believe in God) Truths God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God s great big world. Objectives Children will hear the Bible story about Peter denying that he knew Jesus. Children will realize that it is not always easy to follow Jesus. Children will choose to be faithful friends to Jesus. Who was Peter? He was a successful fisherman who left his nets to follow Jesus. He was the disciple who recognized Jesus as the Messiah in a powerful confession of faith. And he was the one Jesus called Rock because he would become a building block for the church. Peter was a faithful follower. But there was a time when he faltered, when it looked as if he would not live up to the strong name that Jesus had given him. Just after claiming that he would never desert Jesus, even if it meant he must die, we see Peter at an all-time low. When Jesus was arrested, Peter denied knowing Jesus, not once or twice, but three times. At the Last Supper, Jesus told the disciples that he would soon be leaving. Sadly, Jesus knew that his disciples were not ready for what was to come. He said that even Peter would desert him, denying him three times before the rooster crowed twice. Peter, of course, proclaimed that would never happen. When Jesus and the disciples went to Gethsemane to pray, Jesus begged his disciples to stay awake and pray with him. Peter, along with the others, fell fast asleep. Then came Jesus arrest. Peter followed Jesus, but within moments, the first denial came. Before morning, just as Jesus predicted, Peter had denied Jesus three times. What did Peter feel when he heard that rooster crow? Was he overcome with grief and shame? Did he recall his bold words of just a few short hours ago? Did he think about the name, Rock, that Jesus had given him? We know that Peter wept bitterly. We can only imagine the depth of his despair at failing his friend and Lord so grievously. Of course, we know the story does not end there. Later, Peter declared his love for Jesus, and Jesus told Peter to feed and care for his flock. Peter would become the rock after all. How easy it is to relate to Peter s story. We all have fallen short and allowed our actions and attitudes to deny Christ. We impulsively act and do the wrong thing. We lack courage to speak up and say the right thing. We have selfish attitudes and motives. In all of these things, we deny Jesus, just as surely as Peter did. Children, too, can deny Jesus through their words and actions. But equally powerful is the certainty of God s gentle forgiveness and restoration when we repent. Jesus asked Peter, Do you love me? Jesus asks us the same question every day. If we do indeed love him, then we will follow and serve him. We will, like Peter, feed and care for Jesus sheep. 38 Abingdon Press.

40 Activity TimeSaver EcoFriendly Invite them in... (15 minutes) Welcome! Review Peter s Story Hear the Rooster Crow Sign and Say... Into the Bible (30 minutes) Backyard Time Hear the Bible Story Rooster Surprise Praise Time... Into Life (15 minutes) Sign Our Love to Jesus Closing Worship TimeSaver TimeSaver Activities that require little or no planning and only basic supplies. EcoFriendly EcoFriendly Activities that encourage responsible earth stewardship by providing options to use recycled or repurposed materials. DVD Summary: Backyard Time Mr. Z and Ms. Lucy are on a wildlife safari in the Backyard. They take photographs of the kids pretending to be different animals. When Bongo pretends to be a rooster, it reminds Mr. Z of the Bible story about Peter, who denied that he knew Jesus three times before the rooster crowed twice. Your kids will see that sometimes it is hard to be a good friend. But Jesus will always be a good friend to us. March 25, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 39

41 Lesson 4 March 25, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. Welcome! Choose one or more activities to introduce your children to the Bible story. Invite them in... Supplies: Stickers, Attendance Chart, Leader inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television Do Welcome the children as they arrive. Give each child a rooster Sticker to place on the Attendance Chart. Ask: Have you ever heard a rooster crow? What does it sound like? (Cock-a-doodle-doo) Who has been pretending to be a rooster in our Praise Time song? (Bongo) Say: Our Bible story today is about the rooster we have been hearing about in the song. It is about a time when Peter heard a rooster crow. Ask: Do you remember our Bible verse for this month? Encourage the children to say the Bible verse: We have found the Messiah (John 1:41). Then help them sign the verse in American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Live B.i.G. Today we will hear a Bible story about Peter and a crowing rooster. Review Peter s Story Supplies: Leader page 46, scissors Photocopy and cut out two copies of the review cards (Leader page 46). Do Mix up the two sets of review cards (Leader page 46) and place them face-down on a table or a rug. Choose a child to turn over one card. Then have the same child turn over a second card. If the pictures on the cards match, leave the cards face-up. If the pictures on the cards do not match, have the child turn the cards over again so that the pictures are face-down. Give the next child a turn. Help the children remember the story that goes with each picture. When a child turns over the rooster picture, tell the child that there is a rooster in today s Bible story about Peter. Live B.i.G. Stories about Peter show us that God can use people who make mistakes. Abingdon Press.

42 Hear the Rooster Crow Supplies: Kids Book, small colorful feathers, gluesticks, tape Punch out the rooster fold-over puppet (Kids Book) for each child. Plan to use the rooster puppets again in Backyard Time, Hear the Bible Story, and Praise Time. Do Give each child a rooster (Kids Book) and several feathers. Let the children glue the feathers onto the roosters. Help the children fold the page so that there is a rooster on each side. Tape the sides together, leaving the bottom open. Show the children how to put a hand inside the bottom opening. Point out the Bible verse printed on the cards and say the verse with the children. Say: Our Bible story today is about a time when Peter heard a rooster crow. It is the story we have been hearing about in our Praise Time song this month. Say the rhyme Cock-a-Doodle Doo! printed below. Cock-a-doodle-doo! Cock-a-doodle-doo! I know something special: Jesus loves you. From BibleZone Preschool 3: Jesus Lives! page 53. Have the children hold up their rooster puppets and say, Cock-a-doodle-doo! with you. Repeat the rhyme several times. Say: In this Bible story, the rooster s crow helped Peter remember that Jesus was his friend. Jesus is our friend, so let s make our roosters crow one more time. Encourage all the children to hold up their puppets and crow like a rooster. Live B.i.G. Jesus is our friend. Jesus always loves us. Sign and Say Supplies: Leader page 45 and inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television Do Have the children follow you as you tiptoe to your story area and sit down. Review how to sign the Bible verse, We have found the Messiah (John 1:41) (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Say the poem, We Have Found the Messiah (Leader page 45), and have the children sign the Bible verse each time it appears in the poem. Live B.i.G. Like Peter, we can follow Jesus, the Messiah. March 25, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 41

43 Lesson 4 March 25, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. Choose one or more activities to immerse your children in the Bible story. Backyard Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television, rooster puppets made earlier (page 41)... Into the Bible Do Have the children place their puppets on the floor or under their chairs. Show Backyard Time (DVD). Ask: What animal did Bongo pretend to be? (a rooster) Say: Let s make our roosters crow like Bongo. Have the children hold up their puppets and crow like roosters. Live B.i.G. Today we will hear a Bible story about Peter and a crowing rooster. Hear the Bible Story Supplies: Bible, Leader page 45, rooster puppets made earlier (page 41) Do Open your Bible to the Book of Mark. Our Bible story comes from the New Testament. It is found in the Book of Mark. I want you to help me tell the story. When I say, No, no, no! shake your head no. When I say, Yes, yes, yes! nod your head yes. And when I say, A rooster crowed, hold up your puppets and crow like a rooster. Read the children No, No, No! Yes, Yes, Yes! (Leader page 45). Lead the children in helping to tell the story. Say: I wonder how Peter felt when he heard the rooster crow. I wonder how Peter felt when he had a chance to tell Jesus that he loved him. Live B.i.G. When Peter heard the rooster crow, he realized what a mistake he had made. Later, Peter had a chance to tell Jesus he loved him. Rooster Surprise Supplies: Leader pages 139 and 140, scissors, tape, paint, paper plates, paint smocks, feathers Photocopy a rooster (Leader page 139) for each child, plus one more for your use. 42 Abingdon Press.

44 Photocopy one copy of the Story Strips (Leader page 140). Cut the story strips along the dotted lines, ending before the left edge. Do not cut across the solid line at the end of the dotted lines. Place a cut story-strip page on top of a rooster picture. Tape along the left-hand side. The story strips should cover the rooster picture. Put a small amount of paint on the paper plates, one color per plate. Do Show the children the story-strip page you have taped to the rooster picture without revealing the rooster. Say: We have heard many stories about Peter. These story strips will help us remember those stories. Underneath the strips is a picture of something we heard about in today s story. Can you guess what it is? Talk about each story strip with the children. After they remember each story, fold the strip back to reveal a piece of the picture underneath. Let the children guess what is on the picture each time you fold a strip. Reveal the rooster. Say: That s right! It is a rooster! Why do we have a picture of a rooster to help us remember today s story? (Peter heard the rooster crow after the third time he said he did not know Jesus.) Have the children put on paint smocks to protect their clothing. Give each child a rooster (Leader page 139) and several feathers. Invite the children to dip the tip of the feathers into the paint. Show the children how to use the feathers like paintbrushes to decorate the roosters. Place the pictures aside to dry. Say: When Peter heard a rooster crow, Peter was sorry that he had said he did not know Jesus. Later, Peter had a chance to tell Jesus how much he loved him. Peter knew that Jesus still loved him. Live B.i.G. When we see a rooster, we can remember the story of Peter and a crowing rooster. Praise Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television, rooster puppets made earlier (page 41) Do Say: Do you remember the name of the song we have been hearing this month? ( Until the Rooster Crows ) Let s listen to the song again and hear the story about Peter and the rooster. Play Until the Rooster Crows (DVD). Pass out the rooster puppets the children made earlier. Say: Now, let s listen to the song again. This time, sing along and make your roosters crow each time Bongo crows like a rooster. Play Until the Rooster Crows (DVD). Live B.i.G. We can sing and praise God with our voices and our rooster puppets! March 25, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 43

45 Lesson 4 March 25, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that the stories about Peter show us that God can use imperfect people. Choose one or more activities to connect your children s lives to the Bible story. Sign Our Love to Jesus Do Say: Peter was sorry that he had told people that he did not know Jesus. Later, Peter had a chance to tell Jesus how much he loved him. Like Peter, we can tell Jesus we love him. Show the children how to sign, Jesus, I love you. Jesus: Touch the middle finger of the right hand to the palm of the left hand. Reverse. I: Point to yourself with your right index finger. love: Cross your fists at the wrists and press them over your heart. you: Point out with your index finger.... Into Life Live B.i.G. Like Peter, we can tell Jesus we love him. Closing Worship Supplies: Stickers, Kids Book, Leader pages 45 and 144 Punch out a storybook (Kids Book) for each child. (Assembly instructions can be found on Leader page 144.) Photocopy No, No, No! Yes, Yes, Yes! (Leader page 45) for each child. Do Invite the children to gather for closing worship. Say: Peter loved Jesus, but he made a mistake when he told some other people that he did not know Jesus. Sometimes, like Peter, we make mistakes. The good news is that Jesus loves us and forgives us. Jesus is our forever friend. Jesus always loves us. Pray: Dear God, sometimes we make mistakes. We are sorry. We want to show our love for Jesus. We want to be friends with Jesus forever. Amen. Give each child a Be a Faithful Friend worship badge (Stickers), a storybook (Kids Book), and a copy of No, No, No! Yes, Yes, Yes! (Leader page 45) to take home. Say: (Child s name), remember that Jesus loves you and wants to be your best friend forever. Live B.i.G. Jesus is our faithful friend forever. 44 Abingdon Press.

46 Lesson 4 No, No, No! Yes, Yes, Yes! One night Jesus told his friends that soon they would not stick by him and be his friend. When Peter heard Jesus, he said, No, no, no! (Shake your head no.) Others may leave you, but I never will. Jesus turned to Peter and said, Yes, Peter. You will say you do not know me. Tonight before the rooster crows two times, you will tell others three times you do not know me. (Hold up rooster puppets and crow two times.) Peter said No, no, no! (Shake your head no.) I will always be your friend and stick by you. Later that night, Peter was not with his other friends. It was dark and Peter was afraid that he would be hurt or arrested because he was a friend of Jesus. Peter was trying to get warm by a fire when a young girl came up to him and said, You were with Jesus. Peter quickly shook his head and said, No, no, no! (Shake your head no.) I do not know him. Peter moved to another place and as he walked, a rooster crowed. (Hold up rooster puppets and crow once.) Soon another person said, This man is one of those friends of Jesus. Again Peter said, No, no, no! (Shake your head no.) I do not know him. After a little while, someone else saw Peter and yelled, You know Jesus. We can tell by the way you talk. Peter yelled at them and said, No, no, no! (Shake your head no.) I do not know him. Then a rooster crowed again. (Hold up rooster puppets and crow once.) When the rooster crowed the second time, Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him. Peter began to cry because he was so sad that three times he had told others he did not know Jesus. After Jesus died, Peter decided to go back to being a fisherman. But one morning, after fishing all night, Peter and some of Jesus other friends heard someone calling from the beach. It was Jesus! Peter jumped out of the boat and swam to the shore. Jesus and his friends ate breakfast together. After breakfast, Jesus said to Peter, Do you love me? This time Peter said, Yes, Lord, yes! Yes, yes, yes! (Nod your head yes.) Jesus forgave Peter. Peter knew that Jesus still loved him. based on Mark 14:26-31, 66-72; John 21:15-17 We Have Found the Messiah We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) God s special King. We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) Let s shout and sing. We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) It s Jesus, God s Son. We have found the Messiah, (sign the words we, found, and Messiah) He is the one. March 25, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 45

47 Lesson 4 March Review Cards John Messiah. the found have 1:41 We We have found the Messiah. John 1:41 John 1:41 Messiah. the found have We 1:41 John Messiah. the found have We 46 Abingdon Press.

48 April Overview April s B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. April s B.i.G. Theme Not the End of the Story April s Bible Verse I am with you always. Matthew 28:20 Objectives Children will hear the Bible story about the first Palm Sunday. Children will know that we remember and celebrate Jesus arrival in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday each year. Children will celebrate Jesus as the Messiah. Children will hear the story of the first Easter morning. Children will know that Easter is a special time for the church to remember that Jesus is alive. Children will hear the Bible story about two followers meeting Jesus on the road to Emmaus after the Resurrection. April s DVD April Overview Bible Verse in American Sign Language: Matthew 28:20 (see Leader inside front cover) Teaching Your Children: Using Music With Children Demonstration: Easter Seed Paper (April 8) Picture Time: The Resurrection (April 8) Picture Time: The Life of Jesus (April 15) Travel Time: Great Days of Service in Texas (April 29) April s Praise Time Song Follow the Light (DVD, CD, Leader page 5). Music Suggestions Play songs from the CD as children arrive. Encourage the children to move, celebrate, and praise as they hear Follow the Light (DVD, CD, Leader page 5). Sing the Live B.I.G. theme song (CD) as part of each week s closing worship. April s Lessons April 1: Palm Sunday, Matthew 21:1-11 April 8: The Resurrection, Luke 24:1-12 April 15: Road to Emmaus, Luke 24:13-35 April 22: Breakfast on the Beach, John 21:1-17 April 29: The Great Commission, Matthew 28:16-20 Children will know that Jesus is alive and discover ways Jesus continues to reveal himself to us. Children will hear the Bible story about Jesus cooking fish for the disciples after his resurrection. Children will hear the Bible story about Jesus asking Peter, Do you love me? Children will remember that Jesus always loves them and will forgive them. Children will hear the Bible story about Jesus Great Commission. Children will discover that they can be Jesus disciples by telling others the good news. Plan Ahead Order real palm branches from a florist for April 1. Provide plastic Easter eggs, small aquarium gravel, tiny jingle bells, and plastic coffee scoops to make New-Life Egg Shakers on April 8. Gather the materials needed for Easter seed paper on April 8 and practice making it. Provide sandpaper and mural paper to make a texture road on April 15. If available, bring fishing nets like those the disciples might have used for April 22. Set up a box to be a fishing boat on April 22. Provide a sand table, a tub of water, and a protective floor covering for April 22. Obtain a globe and a list of church-supported missionaries and where they serve for April 29. Provide large jingle bells for Go-and-Tell Stomp on April 29. Learn to sign the Great Commission (Kids Book inside front cover) for April 29. March 25, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 47

49 Lesson 5 April 1, 2012 April s B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. April s Bible Verse I am with you always. Matthew 28:20 April s B.i.G. Theme Not the End of the Story Lesson 5 Palm Sunday Today s Bible Story Matthew 21:1-11 Three B.i.G. (Believe in God) Truths God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God s great big world. Objectives Children will hear the Bible story about the first Palm Sunday. Children will know that we remember and celebrate Jesus arrival in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday each year. Children will celebrate Jesus as the Messiah. In the early first century, Palestine was a province of Rome. While the Jewish people chafed under Roman rule, the Roman authorities interfered in religious matters only if they felt Roman political power was being challenged. If the Jewish people paid their taxes and avoided any trouble, they were left alone. Passover, however, was a volatile time. The feast of Passover commemorated the mighty action of God in freeing the Hebrew slaves from Egypt. It fueled feelings of intense nationalism and a desire for liberation. Feelings were especially tense during this particular Passover. Word about Jesus had spread. Was this the Messiah they had anticipated for so long? When the population of Jerusalem swelled to hundreds of thousands of people during the week s festivities, Rome was noticeably uneasy. Extra soldiers were assigned to Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling court, knew that if Jesus were declared king, Rome would retaliate. They were poised to keep the political situation under control. As Jesus entered the city riding a donkey, those who welcomed him must have been surprised! The Messiah was expected to be a great military leader, who would conquer the Romans and restore Israel to greatness. Rather than entering on a stately horse, though, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 that the king would come humbly, riding on a donkey. Jesus was indeed the Messiah but he was a different sort of king than the people had looked for. This King, Jesus, came with peace and humility, ushering in a different sort of kingdom a kingdom of love, servanthood, and grace. The people welcomed Jesus by placing their cloaks on the road, waving palm branches, and shouting, Hosanna! and Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! (Matthew 21:9). Hosanna was a shout of triumph that means, Save us! The words of the people were from Psalm 118:25-26, a part of the Jewish Hallel, a set of praise psalms that were recited as a part of the family Passover celebration. The Romans and the Sanhedrin were both greatly troubled. They knew that there was something different about the Passover celebration this year. Neither was prepared for what would come during the next few days. 48 Abingdon Press.

50 Activity TimeSaver EcoFriendly Invite them in... (15 minutes) Welcome! Palm Praises Palm Painting Welcome, Jesus! Maze... Into the Bible (30 minutes) Cheer for Us Hear the Bible Story Palm Sunday Parade Backyard Time Three Cheers for Jesus Praise Time... Into Life (15 minutes) Easter Calendar Closing Worship TimeSaver TimeSaver Activities that require little or no planning and only basic supplies. EcoFriendly EcoFriendly Activities that encourage responsible earth stewardship by providing options to use recycled or repurposed materials. DVD Summary: Backyard Time The Backyard kids are playing their first baseball game of the season, and Bongo cannot wait! Before they leave, though, Mr. Z introduces this month s Bible verse: I am with you always. It reminds Mr. Z of the Bible story about Jesus entering Jerusalem, when everyone was so excited to see Jesus that they cheered for him. Give me a J! Give me an E! Give me an S! Give me a U! Give me another S! What s that spell? JESUS! Mr. Z reminds the children that the people shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David! and Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! April 1, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 49

51 Lesson 5 April 1, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Welcome! Choose one or more activities to introduce your children to the Bible story. Invite them in... Supplies: Stickers, Attendance Chart, Leader inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television, real palm branches Arrange real palm branches near the Attendance Chart. Purchase real palm branches from a florist. Do Welcome the children as they arrive. Give each child a palm branch Sticker to place on the Attendance Chart. Show the children the real palm branches. Say: Today is Palm Sunday. It is a special day when we remember a Bible story about Jesus. In the Bible story, the people welcomed Jesus into town. It was like a big parade. The people were so happy to see Jesus that they waved palm branches and shouted, Hosanna! as he rode a donkey into the city. Say: Our Bible verse this month tells us that Jesus said, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). Encourage the children to say the Bible verse. Then help them sign the verse in American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Live B.i.G. The people praised God for Jesus. We praise God for Jesus too. Palm Praises Supplies: Kids Book; real palm branch; crayons, markers, and chalk in different shades of green; tape Plan to use the decorated palm branches in Hear the Bible Story, Palm Sunday Parade, Three Cheers for Jesus, and Praise Time. Punch out the palm branch (Kids Book) for each child. Separate the slits along the sides. Separate out all the green crayons, markers, and chalk. Do Show the children a real palm branch. Say: Today is Palm Sunday. It is a special day when we remember a time when the people welcomed Jesus into town by waving palm branches and shouting, Hosanna! Let s make palm branches so we can use them to praise God for Jesus. 50 Abingdon Press.

52 Give each child the paper palm branch (Kids Book). Let the children decorate the branches with crayons, markers, and chalk in various shades of green. Show the children how to fold the palm leaf in half on the dotted line. Secure the handle with tape, as well as the ends of the leaf (but not the slits in the leaf). Encourage the children to wave their palm branches. Live B.i.G. The people praised God for Jesus. We praise God for Jesus too. Palm Painting Supplies: palm branches (real or paper), table covering, tempera paint, shallow containers, paint smocks, large sheets of plain paper Cover the table with paper or plastic. Pour paint into shallow containers. Do Have the children wear paint smocks to protect their clothing. Show the children how to dip the palm branches in the tempera paint and then use the branches like paintbrushes on the paper. Say: In today s Bible story, the people welcomed Jesus into town. The people waved palm branches and shouted, Hosanna! as Jesus rode a donkey into the city. Live B.i.G. The people waved palm branches to welcome Jesus into the city. Welcome, Jesus! Maze Supplies: Leader page 56, colored tissue paper (including green), scissors, gluesticks Photocopy the Welcome, Jesus! maze (Leader page 56) for each child. Cut colored tissue paper into small pieces. Do Give each child the Welcome, Jesus! maze (Leader page 56). Say: When Jesus rode a donkey into the city, the people waved palm branches in the air and shouted, Hosanna! Some people laid the palm branches on the ground to make a path for the donkey to walk on. Other people took off their coats and laid their coats across the path. Let s pretend to add palm branches and coats to the path that goes from Jesus and the donkey to the city. Give the children small pieces of colored tissue paper. Encourage the children to glue the pieces on the path of the maze going from Jesus to the city. Green pieces represent the palm branches, and other colors represent the coats. Live B.i.G. The people made a path of palm branches and coats for the donkey to walk on. April 1, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 51

53 Lesson 5 April 1, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Choose one or more activities to immerse your children in the Bible story. Cheer for Us... Into the Bible Do Ask: Have you ever been to a parade? What happens in a parade? Say: When the people saw Jesus coming into the city, they cheered for him. When I call your name, you can go sit in our storytelling area. As you walk into the area, we are all going to clap and cheer for you, just like the people in our story did for Jesus. Call out each child s name. Encourage the other children to cheer and clap for that child as he or she walks to the circle. Live B.i.G. It feels good when people cheer for us. Hear the Bible Story Supplies: Bible, Leader page 55, palm branches made earlier (see page 50) Do Open your Bible to the Book of Matthew. Our Bible story comes from the New Testament. It is found in the Book of Matthew. Say: In our story, the people shouted a word to Jesus. They shouted, Hosanna! This word is like saying, Hurray! Say: We are going to shout, Hosanna! as we hear the Bible story today. When you hear me say the name Jesus, wave your palm branches in the air and shout, Hosanna! Read the children the story, A Parade for Jesus (Leader page 55). Pray: Dear God, thank you for this special Sunday when we remember Jesus coming to Jerusalem. Thank you for Jesus. Amen. Live B.i.G. The people praised God for Jesus. We praise God for Jesus too. Palm Sunday Parade Supplies: masking tape, palm branches made earlier (page 50) Tape two parallel lines to the floor to outline a road. Do Say: Let s pretend that we are on the road with Jesus as he rides into Jerusalem. Choose one child to be Jesus. 52 Abingdon Press.

54 Have the other children stand on either side of the road with their palm branches. Encourage the children to shout, Hosanna! and wave their palm branches as the child pretending to be Jesus moves down the road. Give each child a chance to be Jesus. Live B.i.G. The people shouted cheers of Hosanna! when Jesus came to the city. Backyard Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television Do Show Backyard Time (DVD). Encourage the children to do the Jesus cheer with Mr. Z and Bongo. Ask: What did the people do when they saw Jesus? What did they say? ( Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! [Matthew 21:9]) Live B.i.G. We praise God for Jesus. Three Cheers for Jesus Supplies: Leader page 55, palm branches made earlier (page 50) Do Have the children move to an open area of the room. Say: Let s shout out our own cheer for Jesus. Read Three Cheers for Jesus (Leader page 55) with the children. Instruct the children to shake their palm branches like cheerleading pompons as you say the cheers. Encourage the children to shout, Yay, Jesus! and jump up high at the end of each cheer. Live B.i.G. We praise God for Jesus. Praise Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television, palm branches made earlier (page 50) Do Say: Our song reminds us that Jesus love will never end. Play the song Follow the Light (DVD). Encourage the children to sing along as they can. Let them wave their palm branches as they move with the music. Live B.i.G. We praise God for Jesus. April 1, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 53

55 Lesson 5 April 1, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Choose one or more activities to connect your children s lives to the Bible story. Easter Calendar Supplies: Leader page 57, crayons or markers Photocopy Easter Calendar (Leader page 57) for each child.... Into Life Do Give each child Easter Calendar (Leader page 57). Say: Today is Palm Sunday. Next Sunday is Easter, the special day when we celebrate that Jesus is alive. This calendar will help you count the days until Easter Sunday. Say: Butterflies are sometimes used to remind us of Easter. Help the children count the butterflies on the page. (8) Say: Color one butterfly each day beginning today, Palm Sunday. When all the butterflies are colored, it will be Easter Sunday. Help each child find and color the butterfly with the date April 1. Send the calendars home for the children to complete at home day by day. Live B.i.G. We praise God for Jesus and look forward to Easter. Closing Worship Supplies: Stickers; Kids Book; Leader pages 55, 143, 144, and inside front cover; DVD; DVD player; television Punch out a storybook (Kids Book) for each child. (Assembly instructions can be found on Leader page 144.) Photocopy April Living B.I.G. at Home (Leader page 143). Photocopy A Parade for Jesus (Leader page 55) to send home. Do Remind the children how to sign the Bible verse: I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). Give each child a Praise God for Jesus worship badge (Stickers). Say: (Child s name), remember Jesus loves you and is with you always. Pray: Thank you, God, for Jesus. Hosanna in the highest! Amen. Give each child a storybook (Kids Book), a copy of April Living B.I.G. at Home (Leader page 143), and A Parade for Jesus (Leader page 55) to take home. Live B.i.G. We praise God for Jesus and look forward to Easter. 54 Abingdon Press.

56 Lesson 5 A Parade for Jesus It was a special day. It was the day of a big festival in Jerusalem called Passover. Many, many people came to Jerusalem every year for the big festival, but this year was extra special. This year, everyone was talking about Jesus. (Shout, Hosanna! and wave your palm branches.) Some people talked about the miracles that Jesus had performed. Other people talked about how he had healed people who were sick and made blind people see! Still other people talked about the stories he told. Yes, many, many people were talking about Jesus. (Shout, Hosanna! and wave your palm branches.) Then people heard the news that Jesus (Shout, Hosanna! and wave your palm branches.) was coming into the city. All these people talking about Jesus (Shout, Hosanna! and wave your palm branches.) wanted to see Jesus. (Shout, Hosanna! and wave your palm branches.) Lots and lots of people started crowding into the streets. Clip-clop, clip-clop. What was that sound? The people looked down the road to see a little donkey walking towards them. The little donkey was carrying someone on its back. It was Jesus! (Shout, Hosanna! and wave your palm branches.) Some people waved palm branches in the air as they shouted to Jesus. (Shout, Hosanna! and wave your palm branches.) Other people laid palm branches on the road in front of Jesus. (Shout, Hosanna! and wave your palm branches.) Still other people took off their coats and laid them on the road to make a soft carpet for the donkey to walk on because the donkey was carrying Jesus. (Shout, Hosanna! and wave your palm branches.) Hosanna to the Son of David! shouted the people. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna to Jesus! (Shout, Hosanna! and wave your palm branches.) based on Matthew 21:1-11 Three Cheers for Jesus Jesus, Jesus, hear us shout. You re what this day is all about. Yay, Jesus! Jesus, Jesus, he s our friend, And his love will never end. Yay, Jesus! Jesus, Jesus, we love you, And we know you love us too. Yay, Jesus! April 1, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 55

57 Lesson 5 Welcome, Jesus! 56 Abingdon Press.

58 Easter Calendar Lesson 5 April April 1, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 57

59 Lesson 6 April 8, 2012 April s B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. April s Bible Verse I am with you always. Matthew 28:20 April s B.i.G. Theme Not the End of the Story Lesson 6 The Resurrection Today s Bible Story Luke 24:1-12 Three B.i.G. (Believe in God) Truths God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God s great big world. Objectives Children will hear the story of the first Easter morning. Children will know that Easter is a special time for the church to remember that Jesus is alive. Our celebration of the last week of Jesus life is called Holy Week. It was an eventful week. Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph on Palm Sunday; he taught in the Temple; he ate the Last Supper with his disciples; he prayed in Gethsemane; he was betrayed by Judas; and he was arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. Jesus closest disciples fled in fear, and on Friday, when Jesus died, it was primarily his women followers who witnessed his death. The Jewish sabbath began at sunset, so there was not time to complete the normal burial rituals. The women watched as Jesus body was hastily placed in a tomb hewn out of the rocky hillside. Although the details are different, each of the four Gospels reports that early on Sunday morning, after the sabbath was over, it was the women who were the first witnesses to the Resurrection. They came to the tomb to wash and anoint Jesus body, but the tomb was empty! Some people accused the disciples of fabricating the story of the Resurrection. However, since women were not allowed to be legal witnesses in those days, the disciples surely would have devised a better plan if they had intended to fool anyone. The fact that women discovered the empty tomb actually added credibility to the story! At the tomb, angels gently chided the women, reminding them that Jesus had told them what would happen. Yes, Jesus had spoken of his death and resurrection several times, but no one had wanted to listen. As the women and later, the other disciples remembered Jesus words, they began to understand. Remembering has been an essential part of our Christian faith from the beginning. The empty tomb on that first Easter morning does not prove the Resurrection. The empty tomb simply proves that Jesus was not there. The real testament to the Resurrection is through those who experienced the risen Christ, who was seen by hundreds of witnesses. Today, the Resurrection is central to our Christian faith. Through the Resurrection, God made clear that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Savior. Children have many reactions to Jesus death and resurrection. Some simply accept it without question, while others are disturbed by Jesus suffering and death. Help the children know that Jesus death is not the end of the story. The good news is that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive today! God, through Jesus, wants to be our best friend forever! 58 Abingdon Press.

60 Activity TimeSaver EcoFriendly Invite them in... (15 minutes) Welcome! New-Life Egg Shakers Butterfly Bags Easter Seed Paper... Into the Bible (30 minutes) Hear the Bible Story Review the Story With Music and Movement Picture Time Signs of New Life Praise Time... Into Life (15 minutes) Tell the Good News Closing Worship TimeSaver TimeSaver Activities that require little or no planning and only basic supplies. EcoFriendly EcoFriendly Activities that encourage responsible earth stewardship by providing options to use recycled or repurposed materials. DVD Summary: Picture Time Mr. Z promises to help clean out the boat, but he forgets. When he remembers, he feels bad because he broke his promise to Ms. Lucy and Bongo. Mr. Z s thoughts lead into Picture Time about Jesus resurrection. Your children will realize that although people sometimes forget to keep their promises, Jesus always keeps promises. He promised his followers that he would come back to life, and he kept his promise. We can celebrate today, just as Jesus friends celebrated. April 8, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 59

61 Lesson 6 April 8, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Welcome! Choose one or more activities to introduce your children to the Bible story. Invite them in... Supplies: Stickers, Attendance Chart, Leader inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television Do Welcome the children as they arrive. Give each child an empty tomb Sticker to place on the Attendance Chart. Say: Today we celebrate Easter! Jesus is risen! Jesus is alive! Say: Our Bible verse this month tells us that Jesus said, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). Encourage the children to say the Bible verse. Then help them sign the verse in American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Live B.i.G. Easter is a day to celebrate that Jesus is alive and with us always. New-Life Egg Shakers Supplies: small aquarium gravel, tiny jingle bells, two bowls, box lids or baking pans, plastic Easter eggs, plastic coffee scoops, masking tape or colored duct tape Place the gravel in one bowl and the jingle bells in another. Place each bowl inside a box lid or pan. This will catch any spilled gravel or bells to make cleanup easier. Do Give each child a plastic Easter egg. Give each child a turn to hold half of an egg over the lid or pan. Help each child put a scoop of gravel and one jingle bell into the half an egg. Plan to use the Egg Shakers during Praise Time. Keep the gravel and jingle bells away from mouths and noses. Put the egg halves back together and secure the closed eggs with masking tape or colored duct tape. Say: Easter eggs help us remember that God4711 plans for new life. When we shake these eggs, we will hear a joyful sound. Encourage the children to shake their Egg Shakers. Live B.i.G. We celebrate God s plan for new life because Jesus is alive. 60 Abingdon Press.

62 Butterfly Bags Supplies: Kids Book, colorful lunch-size paper bags, pastel-colored cotton balls, gluesticks Punch out the butterfly wings and face (Kids Book Page A) for each child. Do Give each child a bag and some cotton balls. Let the children decorate the front of the bags by gluing on colored cotton balls. Say: A butterfly shows us God s plan for new life. The caterpillar makes a cocoon. Then out of the cocoon comes a new butterfly. Let s make our bags into butterflies. Give each child the butterfly wings and face. Have the child glue the wings onto the back of the bag and the face onto the front. Live B.i.G. We celebrate God s plan for new life because we know Jesus is alive. Easter Seed Paper Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television, plastic canvas, scissors, 16-ounce water bottles with tops, water, cotton linter, measuring cup, colored tissue paper, flower seeds, plastic bowls, plastic cookie cutters in Easter shapes (one for each child), paper towels View the April 8 Demonstration (DVD) about Easter Seed Paper. Cut plastic canvas into six-inch squares. Fill a water bottle about half full for each child. Do Help the children follow these directions: 1. Put 1 4 cup of cotton linter into a bottle half filled with water. 2. Tear a two-inch square of colorful tissue paper into pieces, 1 4 inch or smaller. 3. Add tissue pieces and ten to twelve flower seeds to the water. 4. Screw the lid securely onto the bottle! 5. Shake the bottle for a minute or two until the pulp is mixed well. 6. Place a plastic-canvas square on top of a bowl with a cookie cutter on top. 7. Carefully pour pulp from the bottle into the cookie-cutter shape. 8. Gently push the pulp to the edges of the cookie cutter so it is evenly distributed. 9. Remove the cookie cutter. 10.Turn the canvas upside down on several layers of paper towel. 11. Gently remove the plastic canvas. 12. To grow flowers, place the seed paper onto soil and water it daily! Say: Easter comes in the spring when flowers grow from seeds. The growing flowers are a sign of God s new life. Live B.i.G. The miracle of flower seeds growing in the spring reminds us of God s new life! April 8, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 61

63 Lesson 6 April 8, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen.... Into the Bible Choose one or more activities to immerse your children in the Bible story. Hear the Bible Story Supplies: Bible, Kids Book, Stickers, Leader page 65, brads Punch out the tomb and stone (Kids Book) for each child. If desired, use a brad to fasten the stone in front of the tomb before giving it to each child. Place the four Stickers where you can easily reach them as you tell the story. Do Open the Bible to the Book of Luke. Say: Our Bible story comes from the New Testament. It is found in Luke. It is the story of the first Easter morning. Give each child a tomb (Kids Book). If you have not already done so, fasten the stone in front of the tomb with a brad. Show the children how to move the stone back and forth in front of the tomb opening. Then have the children move the stone so that the tomb is closed. Read the children the story Jesus Is Alive! (Leader page 65) and follow the directions for adding the four Stickers to complete the tomb pictures. Say: The three women ran to tell their friends that Jesus was alive. We can use our tomb pictures to tell our friends that Jesus is alive. Live B.i.G. Jesus is alive! Review the Story With Music and Movement Supplies: CD with slow quiet music, CD with happy lively music, CD player Do Have the children move to an open area of the room and stand in a circle. Say: Let s pretend we are the three women going to the garden tomb. We are feeling very sad. Show me how you walk when you are feeling sad. Play the slow quiet music and encourage the children to walk in place as if they are sad. Say: Now let s pretend that we are at the garden tomb. Stop the music and have the children stop walking. Say: Look! (Point into the distance.) The stone is rolled away! The tomb is empty! Where is Jesus? (Shrug your shoulders.) Jesus is not here! Jesus is alive! Let s run and tell the others. Jesus is alive! Play the happy music and encourage the children to run in place. Live B.i.G. Jesus is alive! 62 Abingdon Press.

64 Picture Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television Do Show Picture Time (DVD), which tells the story of the Resurrection. Say: The story of the Resurrection reminds us that even though people sometimes forget to keep their promises, Jesus always keeps promises. What promise does this story tell us that Jesus kept? (that God would raise him to new life) Live B.i.G. At Easter, we celebrate the promise that Jesus is alive. Signs of New Life Supplies: Leader page 66, scissors, optional: additional new-life pictures cut from magazines and physical objects to match some of the symbols Photocopy and cut apart the new-life symbols (Leader page 66). Hide the picture-symbols in places that the children can easily find them, without moving anything. Be sure that there is at least one picture or object for each child. Do Say: We see things every day that can remind us about new life. There are new baby birds, trees with new leaves and flowers blooming, butterflies, and grass growing. Encourage the children to name other things they see. Challenge the children to move quietly around the room looking for symbols of new life. Say: When you have found a symbol of new life, bring it with you to the circle. Talk about the symbols the children have found. Explain why each of them is a symbol of new life. Say: God brought Jesus back to new life. All these signs of new life can remind us that Jesus is alive. Live B.i.G. Signs of new life today remind us that Jesus is alive. Praise Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television, Egg Shakers made earlier (page 60) Do Say: Our song Follow the Light reminds us that Jesus love will never end. Say: Let s say our Bible verse. Jesus said, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). Now let s use our Egg Shakers and celebrate that Jesus is alive and always with us! Play the song, Follow the Light (DVD), as the children celebrate. Collect the Egg Shakers to use in Praise Time next week. Save the Egg Shakers to use again next week. Live B.i.G. We can praise God with our voices, with musical instruments, and with our bodies. April 8, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 63

65 Lesson 6 April 8, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Choose one or more activities to connect your children s lives to the Bible story. Tell the Good News Supplies: Leader page 67, crayons or markers, butterfly bags made earlier (page 61) Photocopy Easter Card (Leader page 67) for each child. Do Give each child a copy of Easter Card (Leader page 67). Let the children decorate the cards with crayons or markers. Say: Jesus kept his promise. He is with us always. Our Easter cards say, Jesus is Alive! Let s give these cards to someone to tell them the good news that Jesus is with us always because he is alive. Let the children put the cards in their butterfly bags they made earlier.... Into Life Live B.i.G. Jesus is alive! Closing Worship Supplies: Stickers; Kids Book; Leader pages 65, 144, and inside front cover; DVD; DVD player; television Punch out a storybook (Kids Book) for each child. (Assembly instructions can be found on Leader page 144.) Practice saying the Bible verse (Matthew 28:20) using signs from American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Photocopy Jesus Is Alive! (Leader page 65) to send home. Do Invite the children to gather for closing worship. Have the children sign as they say the Bible verse: I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). Say: This Bible verse is something Jesus said to his friends. We celebrate because we know that Jesus is with us always. Jesus is alive! Place a Jesus Is Alive! worship badge (Stickers) on each child. Pray: Dear God, thank you for Jesus. We are happy this Easter to celebrate because Jesus is alive! Amen. Give each child a storybook (Kids Book) and a copy of Jesus Is Alive! (Leader page 65) to take home. Live B.i.G. We celebrate because Jesus is alive! 64 Abingdon Press.

66 Lesson 6 Jesus Is Alive! It was early Sunday morning. The sun was just beginning to shine its light for the new day. Three women walked sadly through the quiet streets toward a garden. They were going to a tomb in the garden. A tomb is a place where they bury people. Their friend Jesus was dead. He was buried in the garden tomb. (Point to the tomb from the Kids Book.) As the women walked into the garden, they saw flowers beginning to open their petals to the sun. They heard birds beginning to sing their morning songs. (Let the children add the flowers, butterflies, bird, and tree from the Stickers.) But the women did not stop to smell the flowers or listen to the birds. They felt too sad. When the three women got to the tomb, they stopped in surprise. The tomb was open! The huge rock that made the door in front of the tomb was rolled away. The women quickly went inside the tomb, but the tomb was empty! Jesus was not there! (Show the children how to roll the stone away from the tomb.) Suddenly, the women saw two angels in the tomb. The women were afraid. Why are you looking for Jesus here in the tomb? asked the angels. He is not here. He is risen! Do you remember how he promised that he would rise on the third day? Today is that day. He kept his promise. Jesus is alive! The women ran out of the garden. They were no longer sad. No, they were excited! They ran as fast as they could to tell the others, Jesus is alive! Some of the people they told did not believe them. But Peter ran to the tomb to see for himself. When he saw that the tomb really was empty, he was amazed. based on Luke 24:1-12 April 8, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 65

67 Lesson 6 Signs of New Life 66 Abingdon Press.

68 Lesson 6 Easter Card Alive! is Jesus April 8, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 67

69 Lesson 7 April 15, 2012 April s B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. April s Bible Verse I am with you always. Matthew 28:20 April s B.i.G. Theme Not the End of the Story Lesson 7 Road to Emmaus Today s Bible Story Luke 24:13-35 Three B.i.G. (Believe in God) Truths God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God s great big world. Objectives Children will hear the Bible story about two followers meeting Jesus on the road to Emmaus after the Resurrection. Children will know that Jesus is alive and discover ways Jesus continues to reveal himself to us. Two followers of Jesus left Jerusalem and headed home toward the town of Emmaus. As they walked, they talked about what had happened earlier that day when the women had found empty the tomb where Jesus had been buried. While they were on the road, Jesus came near and walked with them. But they did not recognize him. He asked them what they were discussing, and they told him of all the events that had taken place over the last three days in Jerusalem. They told the traveler about Jesus death and about the hope brought by the women who had visited the tomb and found it empty. When the travelers reached the village of Emmaus, where the two followers lived, they invited the stranger to eat with them. They sat down to a dinner. The two companions then watched as the stranger blessed the bread and broke it. When this happened, their eyes were opened, and they realized that it was Jesus. This story may be seen as the first recorded observance of remembering Jesus as he told the disciples to do at the Last Supper. One said to the other, Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us? (Luke 24:32). Easter provides a perfect opportunity to refresh our spirits, renew our minds, and get really focused on our walk with Jesus. Jesus wants to walk with us, like he walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Unlike the disciples on the road, we cannot physically see Jesus. But when Jesus walks beside us, we can feel his love burning in our hearts. Our walks with Jesus are strengthened when we seek to spend time with our Lord. When we seek to walk with Jesus, we must spend time in study and prayer. Time spent in Bible study and prayer also makes us better learners and better teachers. Children can develop their own walks with Jesus. They can spend time learning about Jesus, and they can learn to make prayer a part of their everyday routine. Children learn best from example. When we seek to strengthen our own walks with Jesus, children will see the results. 68 Abingdon Press.

70 Activity TimeSaver EcoFriendly Invite them in... (15 minutes) Welcome! Walking With Jesus The Emmaus Maze Create a Texture Road... Into the Bible (30 minutes) On the Road to Emmaus Hear the Bible Story Praise Time Tell the Good News Count to Five, Jesus Is Alive!... Into Life (15 minutes) Picture Time Closing Worship TimeSaver TimeSaver Activities that require little or no planning and only basic supplies. EcoFriendly EcoFriendly Activities that encourage responsible earth stewardship by providing options to use recycled or repurposed materials. DVD Summary: Picture Time Mr. Z tells the story about Jesus meeting two followers on the road to Emmaus. Then Picture Time takes a trip through the life of Jesus. By using images that are ageappropriate for your preschoolers, Picture Time helps your children recall the birth and baptism of Jesus as well as important times such as Jesus calling his disciples, Jesus calling the children to come to him, and Jesus teaching, healing, and praying. As your children remember the life of Jesus, they can remember that Jesus is always with them. April 15, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 69

71 Lesson 7 April 15, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Welcome! Choose one or more activities to introduce your children to the Bible story. Invite them in... Supplies: Stickers, Attendance Chart, Leader inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television Do Welcome the children as they arrive. Give each child a road Sticker to place on the Attendance Chart. Say: (Child's name), I am glad you are here. Say: Our Bible verse this month tells us that Jesus said, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). Encourage the children to say the Bible verse. Then help them sign the verse in American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Say: Today our Bible story is about followers who discovered that Jesus was with them as they walked on a road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Live B.i.G. Jesus is alive and with us always. Walking With Jesus Supplies: Leader page 76, crayons or markers, instant-developing camera, clear tape, magnetic tape Photocopy an I Am Walking With Jesus picture frame (Leader page 76) for each child. If no camera is available, let each child draw his or her own picture. Do Give each child an I Am Walking With Jesus picture frame (Leader page 76). Invite each child to draw pictures around the edges of the frame to show some of her or his favorite things. Take each child s picture with an instant-developing camera. Tape each child s picture inside his or her frame. Place a piece of magnetic tape on the back of each frame. Say: Although we cannot see Jesus with our eyes, we know that he is with us wherever we go. Say: Take your picture home and put it on your refrigerator door. Remember that Jesus is alive and walks with you every day. Live B.i.G. Jesus promised, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). 70 Abingdon Press.

72 The Emmaus Maze Supplies: Leader page 77, crayons Photocopy Emmaus Maze (Leader page 77) for each child. Do Give each child a copy of Emmaus Maze (Leader page 77). Have the children complete the maze to get the followers to Emmaus. Say: Our Bible story today is about two followers who met someone special while walking on a road. At first, they did not recognize the stranger. But later, they realized that he was Jesus. They found out that it is true: Jesus is alive. Say: When the followers finally knew that the stranger was Jesus, they ran back down the road to Jerusalem to tell their friends that Jesus is alive. Use a different color of crayon to trace the maze back to the beginning. Live B.i.G. The followers on the road to Emmaus found out that Jesus is alive. We know Jesus is alive and with us always. Create a Texture Road Supplies: sandpaper, scissors, mural paper, masking tape, gluesticks Cut sandpaper into stepping-stone shapes. Do Have the children help you create a road to Emmaus in your classroom. Roll a long piece of mural paper across your classroom floor to the storytelling area. Secure the paper to the floor with tape. Show the children the sandpaper. Say: In Bible times, roads were made of dirt and sand. They would have felt sandy and rocky. Let s add sandpaper to our road to make it feel like a sandy, dirt road. Have the children glue the sandpaper stepping stones onto the road. Encourage the children to feel the sandpaper. Have the children line up at the beginning of the road. Option: Let the children take off their shoes so they can walk barefoot over the sandpaper. Say: When I say, Go, walk down the road to our storytelling area. When I say, Stop, everyone stop. Say: While we are stopped, we will all say our Bible verse together. Let s practice saying our Bible verse before we begin: I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). Say, Go! and have the children walk on the paper road. After a moment say, Stop! and then say the Bible verse with the children. Continue until everyone reaches the storytelling area. Say: Our Bible story today is about two followers who met someone special while walking on a road. They found out that it is true: Jesus is alive. Live B.i.G. Because Jesus is alive, we know that he loves us and is always with us. April 15, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 71

73 Lesson 7 April 15, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Choose one or more activities to immerse your children in the Bible story. On the Road to Emmaus Supplies: Kids Book... Into the Bible Punch out the two storytelling figures (Kids Book) for each child. Fold a set of figures for each child to make them stand. Punch out the Emmaus road picture (Kids Book Page B). Do Give the children the Emmaus road picture (Kids Book Page B). Say: Our Bible story is about two men who were walking on the road. Give each child a figure of the two men to move down their roads. Say: As they walked along, a stranger joined them. But he was really not a stranger at all. It was Jesus! Give each child the Jesus figure to place on the road. Let the children move all the figures down their roads, pretending that Jesus and the two men are talking. Say: The two men found out that it is true: the Lord has risen. They learned that because Jesus is alive, he is always with us. Live B.i.G. Because Jesus is alive, we know he is always with us. Hear the Bible Story Supplies: Bible, Leader page 75, Road to Emmaus picture and figures made earlier (above) Do Have the children stay seated around the activity table with their roads and figures in front of them. Have your Bible opened to Luke 24: Say: As I tell our Bible story, I want you to help me by using your road and your people. Read, On the Road (Leader page 75), and encourage the children to move their figures along the road as indicated in the story. Say: Wasn t that exciting? Who was the stranger? (Jesus) When Jesus left the two friends, what did they do? (They ran back to tell the others that Jesus was alive.) Live B.i.G. We know Jesus is alive. Plan to use the road and figures with the Bible story. 72 Abingdon Press.

74 Praise Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television, Egg Shakers made last week (page 60) Do Give the children their Egg Shakers. Say: Our song, Follow the Light, reminds us that Jesus love will never end. Let s say our Bible verse. Jesus said, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). Say: Let s use our Egg Shakers and celebrate that Jesus is alive and always with us! Play the song, Follow the Light (DVD), as the children celebrate. Live B.i.G. Because Jesus is alive, we know that he loves us and is always with us. Tell the Good News Supplies: Texture Road made earlier (page 71) Do If you chose not to make the Texture Road, have the children move from one side of the room to the other. Have the children move to the end of the road. Say: When the two followers finally knew that the stranger was Jesus, they ran back down the road to Jerusalem to tell their friends that Jesus was alive. Say: Let s move back down our road to tell the good news that Jesus is alive. I will call your name and tell you how to move. When you get to the other end of our road, shout, Jesus is alive! Call the children two at a time. Tell the children how to move down the road. You might have them hop, march, tiptoe, take baby steps, or take giant steps. When each pair gets to the end of the road, have them shout, Jesus is alive! Live B.i.G. Like the two followers in our Bible story, we can tell others that Jesus is alive. Count to Five, Jesus Is Alive! Supplies: mural paper, marker, crayons, curling ribbon, construction-paper scraps, gluesticks Place a piece of mural paper on the table or on the floor.. Write 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Jesus Is Alive! across the paper. Do Read the phrase 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Jesus Is Alive! to the children. Encourage the children to hold up their hands and count to five. Say: Our banner counts to five and then tells our friends that Jesus is alive. Let s add our five fingers to our banner. Have each child place a hand with fingers spread wide on the banner. Use crayons to trace each child s handprint onto the banner. Encourage the children to decorate the banner by gluing on pieces of curling ribbon and scraps of construction paper. Display the banner in a hallway where others will see it. Live B.i.G. We can tell others that Jesus is alive and with us always. April 15, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 73

75 Lesson 7 April 15, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Choose one or more activities to connect your children s lives to the Bible story. Picture Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television Do Call the children together to see pictures that recall the life of Jesus. Play Picture Time (DVD). Ask: What pictures did you see today? Encourage the children to tell stories about Jesus that they remember. Say: The two followers in today s Bible story ran back down the road to Jerusalem to tell their friends the good news that Jesus is alive. We can tell our friends stories about Jesus, like the stories we saw in our Picture Time.... Into Life Live B.i.G. It is wonderful to remember the stories of Jesus and remember that Jesus is alive and always with us. Closing Worship Supplies: Stickers, Kids Book, Leader pages 75 and 144 Punch out a storybook (Kids Book) for each child. (Assembly instructions can be found on Leader page 144.) Photocopy On the Road (Leader page 75) to send home. Do Give each child a Jesus Is Alive! worship badge (Stickers). Say: We can tell others that Jesus is alive. Say: We can whisper, Jesus is alive! Invite the children to whisper, Jesus is alive! Say: We can say, Jesus is alive! Invite the children to say, Jesus is alive! Say: We can shout, Jesus is alive! Invite the children to shout, Jesus is alive! Pray: Thank you, God, for Jesus. Thank you that Jesus is alive! Amen. Give each child a storybook (Kids Book) and a copy of On the Road (Leader page 75) to take home. Live B.i.G. We know Jesus is alive and always with us. 74 Abingdon Press.

76 Lesson 7 On the Road Two followers were walking down the road to a town called Emmaus. They had been friends with Jesus and they were sad because they thought Jesus was dead. (Have the children place the followers on the road.) As they were walking and talking, a stranger came by and asked, What are you talking about? (Have the children add the Jesus figure to the road.) Don t you know what has happened? one of the followers asked. Our friend Jesus is dead. And he was buried in a tomb. The other follower said, This morning, though, when the women went to the tomb, the stone had been rolled away from the door and the tomb was empty! The stranger kept walking with them and began talking to them about God and about what the prophets had said about the Messiah much like Jesus used to talk with them. (Have the children move the figures down the road.) Soon, the three of them came to the town of Emmaus. The two friends invited Jesus to stay with them. They sat down to eat their dinner. (Have the children move the figures off the road.) The stranger took the bread and broke it apart. He said a prayer for the food. Then the two friends knew who the stranger was. It was Jesus! Jesus was alive! Jesus left, and the two followers ran all the way back down the road to tell their other friends the good news. Jesus was alive! (Have the children move the followers figure quickly back down the road.) based on Luke 24:13-35 April 15, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 75

77 Lesson 7 I Am Walking With Jesus 76 Abingdon Press.

78 Lesson 7 Emmaus Maze April 15, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 77

79 Lesson 8 April 22, 2012 April s B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. April s Bible Verse I am with you always. Matthew 28:20 April s B.i.G. Theme Not the End of the Story Lesson 8 Breakfast on the Beach Today s Bible Story John 21:1-14 Three B.i.G. (Believe in God) Truths God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God s great big world. Objectives Children will hear the Bible story about Jesus cooking fish for the disciples after his resurrection. Children will hear the Bible story about Jesus asking Peter, Do you love me? Children will remember that Jesus always loves them and will forgive them. The disciples knew that Jesus was alive because they had seen him. However, they did not fully understand what had happened. No doubt their minds were full of unanswered questions. They were not yet clear about what Jesus wanted them to do next. So Peter and several of the other disciples had evidently returned to the comfortable life they knew best the life of fishermen. And then one day, they met Jesus on the beach. The best time for fishing on the Sea of Galilee is at night. But after an entire night of fishing, the disciples nets were empty. A voice called from the shore, No luck? Try the other side. It was not unusual for someone on the shore to have a better view of where the fish were than those who were out on the water. So the disciples, thankful for the help, cast their nets on the other side and, sure enough, their nets were now full. Then, in the pale light of the early morning, John recognized Jesus as their helper on the shore. It is the Lord! he said. Peter was unable to contain himself. He was so anxious to see Jesus that he leaped into the water, leaving the others to contend with the boat and the net full of fish. When Peter got to the shore, he found Jesus fixing a breakfast of grilled fish. Jesus was preparing to eat another meal with his friends. After the meal, Jesus spoke to Peter: Simon, son of John, do you love me? Three times Jesus asked Peter the question, and three times Peter responded, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. Perhaps Jesus asked Peter to declare his love three times in order to allow Peter to erase the pain he must have still felt at having denied Jesus three times on the night he was arrested. The relationship between Peter and Jesus was now restored, and Jesus commissioned Peter to care for and feed Jesus sheep. Peter was once again a rock, but now he was even more. Now, Peter was also called to be a shepherd, following Jesus and caring for those whom Jesus loved. What a great story of forgiveness and calling! Surely, Peter had been discouraged by his own weakness that led him to deny his love for Jesus. How easy it is for us to dwell on our mistakes. But just as Jesus had an encouraging message for Peter, he has a message for us as well: Yes, you have made mistakes. You will make them again. But do you love me? If so, repent of your mistakes, learn from them, and follow me once again. Help the children learn what you and Peter know: God has always used imperfect people to accomplish great things. God will use you and the children too. 78 Abingdon Press.

80 Activity TimeSaver EcoFriendly Invite them in... (15 minutes) Welcome! Sand Table Gone Fishing Fishing Nets Stuffed Fish... Into the Bible (30 minutes) Swim to the Bible Story Hear the Bible Story Dot-to-Dot Review Breakfast Is Served Backyard Time... Into Life (15 minutes) Praise Time Closing Worship TimeSaver TimeSaver Activities that require little or no planning and only basic supplies. EcoFriendly EcoFriendly Activities that encourage responsible earth stewardship by providing options to use recycled or repurposed materials. DVD Summary: Backyard Time Mr. Z, Ms. Lucy, and the Backyard kids are fishing, but not having any luck. Mr. Z recalls the Bible story about Jesus friends, who fished all night without catching anything. When Jesus showed up and told them to fish on the other side of the boat, their nets were full. Your children will see that having friends, especially a friend like Jesus, is more important than catching fish. April 22, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 79

81 Lesson 8 April 22, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Welcome! Choose one or more activities to introduce your children to the Bible story. Invite them in... Supplies: Stickers, Attendance Chart, Leader inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television, blue fabric, large box, paint, fishing nets or fabric net Set up the storytelling area to resemble a beach scene. Use blue fabric for water, a large box for the boat, and fishing nets or fabric net. Do Welcome the children as they arrive. Give each child a cooking-fish Sticker to place on the Attendance Chart. Say: Today we will hear a story about the disciples seeing Jesus after he was raised from the dead. In fact, Jesus served them breakfast! Say: Remember, our Bible verse this month tells us that Jesus said, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). Encourage the children to say the Bible verse. Then help them sign the verse in American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Live B.i.G. Jesus is alive, and he is always with us! Sand Table Supplies: play sand, sand table or plastic tub, measuring cups, scoops, funnels, spoons, large beach towel or piece of plastic Spread a large beach towel or a piece of plastic on the floor under the tub or table of sand. Do Let the children play freely at the sand table. Ask: Have you ever been to a beach? Say: Our Bible story today takes place on a beach. The disciples see Jesus on the beach. In fact, Jesus cooks breakfast for them! Ask: What do you think they may have had to eat for breakfast? When the disciples had breakfast with Jesus, they knew he was alive. Live B.i.G. Like Jesus friends, we know that Jesus is alive and that Jesus is always with us. 80 Abingdon Press.

82 Gone Fishing Supplies: tub partially filled with water, handheld fishnets (as for a pet fish), plastic fish, large beach towel or piece of plastic Spread a large beach towel or a piece of plastic on the floor under the tub of water. Do Let the children use handheld nets to catch the fish in the tub. Say: In Bible times, people used nets when they fished. Our Bible story today is about a time when Jesus helped the disciples when they were fishing. Live B.i.G. When the disciples saw Jesus, they knew that he was alive. Fishing Nets Supplies: Stickers, Leader page 86, crayons, yarn, scissors, gluesticks Photocopy a fishing net (Leader page 86) for each child. Do Say: Many of the followers Jesus called were fishermen. In today s Bible story, the disciples go fishing again. Jesus helps them catch 153 fish in their net! Wow! Encourage the children to add fish to the net. They can draw many fish and add fish Stickers to help fill the net. Then let the children color the picture. Help the children cut pieces of yarn to glue onto the lines of the net to make it three dimensional. Live B.i.G. Jesus helped his disciples catch fish. Jesus helps us when we need help too. Stuffed Fish Supplies: Kids Book, markers, sequins or iridescent metallic circles, gluesticks, stapler and staples, paper towels, clear tape Punch out the fish shapes (Kids Book) for each child. Plan to use the stuffed fish with Swim to the Bible Story and Hear the Bible Story. Do Give each child a blank fish shape (Kids Book) to decorate with markers and with scales made of sequins or iridescent circles. Place the two fish shapes back to back, with the decorated sides facing out. Staple 3 4 of the way around the fish. Crumple a paper towel and stuff it gently inside the fish. Finish stapling around the remainder of the fish. Place tape over the exposed staples to cover any sharp edges. Live B.i.G. These fish will remind us of today s Bible story. April 22, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 81

83 Lesson 8 April 22, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Choose one or more activities to immerse your children in the Bible story. Swim to the Bible Story Supplies: stuffed fish made earlier (page 81); beach props from Welcome! (page 80), especially a fishing net or towel... Into the Bible Do Say: Let s pretend our fish are swimming in the lake where Peter and his friends are fishing. Swim to our storytelling area, but be careful! Don t get caught in Peter s fishing net! Have the children pretend to swim with their stuffed fish. Chase after each child with the fishing net (or towel). If you catch a fish, let the fish (and the child) go to continue to the storytelling area. Have the children sit in front of the beach scene that you prepared for Welcome! Live B.i.G. We will use our fish in today s Bible story. Hear the Bible Story Supplies: Bible, Leader page 85 and inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television, fishing net or towel, stuffed fish made earlier (page 81) Review the signing of the Bible verse, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20) (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Do Open your Bible to the Book of John. Say: Our Bible story comes from the New Testament. It is found in the Book of John. Hold on to your fish as I tell the story. Be sure each child has her or his stuffed fish. Read the story Breakfast on the Beach (Leader page 85) to the children. Have the children place their fish in the net when you tell that part of the story. Say: When Peter and the friends ate the fish and bread Jesus cooked for them, they knew Jesus was alive and with them always. Remind the children how to sign and say the Bible verse in American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Live B.i.G. Jesus is alive, and he is always with us! 82 Abingdon Press.

84 Dot-to-Dot Review Supplies: Leader page 87, crayons or markers Photocopy Dot-to-Dot Fish (Leader page 87) for each child. Do Give each child a copy of Dot-to-Dot Fish (Leader page 87). Say: Connect the dots on your pictures. What do you see? (a fish) Say: In our Bible story today, Peter and his friends went fishing. At first, they did not catch anything. But then Jesus called to them from the shore and helped them. When we hear the Bible story, we will remember that the disciples were excited to know that Jesus was alive. Say: The disciples caught a lot of fish when Jesus helped them. Jesus also cooked fish over a campfire for everyone to eat. Let s decorate these fish to remind us of the story. Have the children decorate their fish with crayons or markers. Live B.i.G. When Peter and his friends saw Jesus, they knew he was alive. Breakfast Is Served Supplies: fish-shaped crackers, small paper cups, dot-to-dot pictures made earlier (above) Do Direct the children to the sink so they can wash their hands before eating the snack. Let each child use her or his dot-to-dot fish as a mat. Have the children sit down on their mats in the DVD-viewing area. Say: Jesus cooked fish for breakfast. Let s have fish for our breakfast. Give each child a cup filled with fish-shaped crackers. Pray: Thank you, God, for this fishy snack. Thank you for Jesus. Amen. Live B.i.G. When Peter and Jesus other friends ate breakfast with Jesus, they knew that he was alive. Backyard Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television, fish-shaped crackers from Breakfast Is Served (above) Do While the children are eating their fish crackers, play the DVD. Encourage the children to guess what each character caught with a fishing pole. Ask: What did Mr. Z say was more important to Jesus friends than catching fish? (having each other as friends, and having Jesus as their friend) Live B.i.G. Knowing that Jesus is alive and that he is our friend is the most important thing. April 22, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 83

85 Lesson 8 April 22, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Choose one or more activities to connect your children s lives to the Bible story. Praise Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television, flashlight Do Say: Our song this month says, He is alive as he can be. He s the Messiah; he s our friend.... His love for us will never end. Ask: Do you remember what the song is called? ( Follow the Light ) Turn on the flashlight and show the children the beam of light shining on the floor. Say: Let s follow the light as we sing. Play the song (DVD) and move the beam of light around the room. Let the children try to follow the light.... Into Life Live B.i.G. We can sing and praise God with our voices and our bodies. Closing Worship Supplies: Stickers, Kids Book, Leader pages 85 and 144 Punch out a storybook (Kids Book) for each child. (Assembly instructions can be found on Leader page 144.) Photocopy Breakfast on the Beach (Leader page 85) to send home. Do Invite the children to gather for closing worship. Say: In our Bible story today, Peter and his friends went fishing. They fished and fished all night, but they did not catch anything. Then they saw a man who told them to throw their nets from the other side of the boat. Peter and his friends did what the man told them to do, and they caught lots of fish. After the friends had pulled in all the fish, they knew that the man was Jesus. They knew Jesus was alive! Let s all shout, Jesus is alive! Place a Jesus Is Alive! worship badge (Stickers) on each child. Pray: Dear God, thank you for Jesus. We are so happy that Jesus is alive! Amen. Give each child the Bible storybook (Kids Book) and a copy of Breakfast on the Beach (Leader page 85) to take home. Live B.i.G. Jesus is alive! 84 Abingdon Press.

86 Lesson 8 Breakfast on the Beach One day Peter was with the other friends of Jesus. They were sad because they missed Jesus. Peter said to them, I am going fishing. We will go with you, said the friends. Have any of you ever been fishing? How did you fish? (with a fishing pole) Can you show me how you fish with a fishing pole? (Have the children act out fishing with a fishing pole.) In Bible times, Peter and his friends would not have fished with a fishing pole; they would have fished with a net. Let s pretend that this is a fishing net. (Show the children the net or towel.) They would put the net in the water. Fish would swim into the net, and then they would pull the net into the boat to get the fish. (Throw the net or towel out in front of the children.) Oh, no! Our net is empty! And that s what happened to Peter and his friends. They didn t catch any fish that night. How do you think that made them feel? (sad) Then they saw a man standing on the beach. The man on the beach asked Peter and the friends if they had caught any fish. They shook their heads no. The person on the beach told Peter and the friends to try throwing their nets on the other side of the boat. (Throw the net or towel out in front of the children.) When they threw their nets on the other side of the boat, the nets were suddenly filled with fish! (Have the children place their stuffed fish on the net or towel. Pull in the net full of fish.) How do you think that made the fishermen feel? (excited, happy) Suddenly, Peter s friend John realized who the man on the beach was: it was Jesus. He shouted, It is the Lord! Peter was so excited to see Jesus on the beach that he jumped out of the boat and swam to Jesus on the shore. Jesus had built a campfire and was cooking fish for breakfast. (Give each child his or her stuffed fish back.) Jesus and the friends ate fish and bread together on the beach. (Have the children pretend to eat.) After they ate, Jesus talked to Peter. Remember, Peter had said that no matter what happened, he would never betray Jesus. But do you remember what happened? (Crow like a rooster.) Peter made a big mistake. He said that he did not know Jesus. Do you think Peter was sorry? While they were talking on the beach, Jesus asked Peter, Peter, do you love me? What do you think Peter said? Yes, Peter answered. Yes, Lord, I love you! Then Jesus said, Peter, I have important work for you to do. Take care of all of my people. Peter and all the friends knew that this was Jesus. He really was alive! based on John 21:1-14 April 22, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 85

87 Lesson 8 Fishing Net 86 Abingdon Press.

88 Lesson 8 Dot to Dot Fish April 22, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 87

89 Lesson 9 April 29, 2012 April s B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. April s Bible Verse I am with you always. Matthew 28:20 April s B.i.G. Theme Not the End of the Story Lesson 9 The Great Commission Today s Bible Story Matthew 28:16-20 Three B.i.G. (Believe in God) Truths God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God s great big world. Objectives Children will hear the Bible story about Jesus Great Commission. Children will discover that they can be Jesus disciples by telling others the good news. For forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to hundreds of followers. Finally, the time came for Jesus to leave his disciples. He met them on a mountaintop in Galilee. The Gospel of Matthew records his final words there words that we call the Great Commission. Let s examine the components of the Great Commission. Authority Jesus is indeed the Messiah! He has authority in heaven and on earth. His instructions are neither suggestions nor requests; they are royal commands. Make Disciples To make disciples includes telling the good news to others. As people come to know Jesus, their lives will be transformed by the presence of God in their lives. Sometimes, we may find it difficult to talk about our faith with other people. First Peter 3:15 (GNT) tells us to Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you. Thinking through what we believe beforehand makes it easier to talk about our faith. Remember, too, that often it is not so much what we say as what we do that impacts people. Actions can truly speak louder than words! Of All Nations Jesus commissioned the disciples to take the good news to the whole world including the Gentiles and even the disliked Samaritans. Jesus still calls us to move beyond our friends, neighbors, and borders. The kingdom of God cuts across all linguistic, societal, and cultural barriers. As people of all nations are baptized into the family of God, lives are transformed and God s kingdom expands. Teaching Them Jesus taught his disciples, including us, how to live. The Great Commission calls us to teach what we have learned from Jesus to others. We are to mentor and be mentored, to live in community with one another, to teach and learn together what it means to be Christlike in our daily lives, and to communicate Jesus teachings to each new generation of believers. I Am With You Always We are not left alone to do the impossible; Christ is with us! This great promise reassures and empowers us. Jesus promises to be with us always, daily, forever. We are never alone, never left to our own devices, never without power or authority, never without hope! 88 Abingdon Press.

90 Activity TimeSaver EcoFriendly Invite them in... (15 minutes) Welcome! Globe Exploration Review Game Go-and-Tell Stomp... Into the Bible (30 minutes) Hear the Bible Story Go-and-Tell Signs Go-and-Tell Mobile Travel Time Praise Time... Into Life (15 minutes) Closing Worship TimeSaver TimeSaver Activities that require little or no planning and only basic supplies. EcoFriendly EcoFriendly Activities that encourage responsible earth stewardship by providing options to use recycled or repurposed materials. DVD Summary: Travel Time Bongo announces the Good News newspaper that tells about Jesus Great Commission. With this week s focus on the Great Commission, Travel Time takes your kids to visit a church in Texas that knows all about the Great Commission. Through their Great Days of Service projects, they find ways to show God s love in their community. Through painting houses for senior citizens and distributing care packages, the church members help others see the difference God has made in their lives, and hope that others will want to experience that difference in their lives too. April 29, 2012 Ages 3-4 Abingdon Press. 89

91 Lesson 9 April 29, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Welcome! Choose one or more activities to introduce your children to the Bible story. Invite them in... Supplies: Stickers, Attendance Chart, Leader inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television Do Welcome the children as they arrive. Give each child a globe Sticker to place on the Attendance Chart. Say: Today we will learn about Jesus telling the disciples to go tell others the good news that Jesus is alive. Say: Remember, our Bible verse this month tells us that Jesus said, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). Encourage the children to sign the verse in American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Live B.i.G. We can tell others that Jesus is alive and always with us. Globe Exploration Supplies: globe, small sticker dots, list of missionaries your church supports and where they serve Place a small sticker on a globe to indicate where you live. Do Ask: What is this? (Point to the globe.) Say: Jesus told his friends to go to the whole world and to tell everyone about him. Say: Let s find where we live. (Have the children find the sticker dot.) Say: People who go to tell others about Jesus are called missionaries. We are missionaries where we live, but some missionaries travel to other parts of the world. Our church helps those missionaries by praying for them and by sending them money and supplies. Name places where missionaries supported by your church serve. Find those locations on the globe. Invite the children to place sticker dots to mark the missionary locations. Live B.i.G. People who go and tell the good news of Jesus are called missionaries. 90 Abingdon Press.

92 Review Game Supplies: Leader page 96, scissors, recycled envelopes, crayons or markers Photocopy and cut apart a set of Review Cards (Leader page 96) for each child. Then photocopy and cut apart two more sets of the Review Cards (Leader page 96) to use with the review game. Do Place two sets of the cards face-down on the table or the rug. The object of the game is to match the cards. Have the first child turn over two cards. If the cards match, have the child leave the cards face-up and take another turn. If the cards do not match, have the child turn the cards face-down again and give another child a turn. (If only one child is playing, he or she simply turns those cards face-down and tries again.) Help the children remember the Bible stories that go with the pictures on the cards (palm branch Jesus entering the city on a donkey; empty tomb the Resurrection; Jesus with two travelers on a road two followers with Jesus on the road to Emmaus; fish cooking Jesus cooking breakfast for his friends on the beach; globe today s Bible story where Jesus tells his friends to tell the whole world that Jesus is alive). Say: These Bible stories help us remember that Jesus is alive and always with us. Give each child an envelope. Write the child s name on his or her envelope. Let the children decorate the outside of the envelopes with crayons or markers. Give each child a set of the review cards to place inside the envelope to take home. Encourage the children to use the cards to tell the story to their families. Live B.i.G. We know that Jesus is alive and always with us. Go-and-Tell Stomp Supplies: chenille stems (two per child), large jingle bells Do Give each child two chenille stems. Show the children how to thread a jingle bell onto each chenille stem. Then help each child wrap a chenille stem around each ankle to create two ankle bracelets, go-and-tell jinglers. Say the following rhyme and lead the children around the room as they stomp. End the movement in your storytelling area. Ring the bells (stomp, stomp) Ring the bells (stomp, stomp) Jesus said, Go and tell! (stomp, stomp) Live B.i.G. We can praise Jesus with our feet. Plan to use the jinglers again in Hear the Bible Story and in Praise Time. April 29, 2012 Ages 3-4 Abingdon Press. 91

93 Lesson 9 April 29, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Choose one or more activities to immerse your children in the Bible story. Hear the Bible Story Supplies: Bible, Leader page 95, go-and-tell jinglers made earlier (see page 91), review cards and envelopes made earlier (see page 91)... Into the Bible Do Encourage the children to wear their go-and-tell jinglers. Open your Bible to the Book of Matthew. Say: Our Bible story comes from the New Testament. It is found in the Book of Matthew. Hold on to your envelopes as I tell the story. Be sure each child has his or her envelope with the review cards inside. Tell the story Go and Tell (Leader page 95) to the children. Have the children find their review cards as indicated in the story. Have the children stomp their feet to make their bells ring on the refrain. Say: Jesus had an important job for his friends to do. We call the job the Great Commission. Say that with me: the Great Commission. Jesus friends were to tell everyone the good news that Jesus was alive and with them always. You may want to have the children take off their jinglers until time for Praise Time. Live B.i.G. Jesus is alive, and he is always with us! Go-and-Tell Signs Supplies: Kids Book inside front cover, tape, scissors Practice the signs (Kids Book inside front cover) for the Great Commission. Do Say: Jesus had an important job for his friends to do. We call the job the Great Commission. Let s learn some of the words from the Great Commission using signs from American Sign Language. Post the Matthew 28:19 signing poster (Kids Book inside front cover) on the wall. Teach the children the signs for go, tell, and all nations. Repeat the words and signs while the children sign with you. Live B.i.G. We can tell others that Jesus is alive and that he is always with us! 92 Abingdon Press.

94 Go-and-Tell Mobile Supplies: Kids Book, tape Punch out the map circle (Kids Book) and strips (Kids Book Page C) for each child. Do Ask: Jesus wants us to go and tell others about him. Who are people we can tell about Jesus? (friends, family, people at church, others?) Give each child a circle with pictures and a map (Kids Book). Ask: What do these pictures remind you of? (We are Christians; Jesus loves us; Jesus is alive; Jesus wants us to tell the world about him.) Give each child four strips that name places they can tell about Jesus (Kids Book Page C). Show the children how to tape the strips together to form links, interlocking them to make a paper chain. Then help the children tape the chains to the circle. Say: Jesus has an important job for us. We call this job the Great Commission. These paper chains will remind us to tell others that Jesus is alive. Live B.i.G. We can tell others that Jesus is alive and that he is always with us! Travel Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television Do Show Travel Time (DVD). Say: One way we tell others about Jesus is by helping them. Ask: How did you see the kids helping other people in Travel Time today? (scraping paint, making care packages) Can you say the Bible verse? ( I am with you always, Matthew 28:20) Live B.i.G. Jesus Great Commission encourages us to serve others. Praise Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television, go-and-tell jinglers made earlier (see page 91) Do Help the children put their go-and-tell jinglers on their ankles. Play the song, Follow the Light (DVD). Encourage the children to dance and celebrate that Jesus is alive. Live B.i.G. We can sing and praise God with our voices and our bodies. April 29, 2012 Ages 3-4 Abingdon Press. 93

95 Lesson 9 April 29, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories about Easter proclaim that Jesus is risen. Choose one or more activities to connect your children s lives to the Bible story. Closing Worship Supplies: Stickers; Kids Book; Leader pages 95, 144, and inside front cover; DVD; DVD player; television; globe Punch out a storybook (Kids Book) for each child. (Assembly instructions can be found on Leader page 144.) Photocopy Go and Tell (Leader page 95) to send home.... Into Life Do Invite the children to gather for closing worship. Say: We have talked about some of the missionaries around the world. Each of you will have a turn to spin the globe. After each person spins the globe, we will all say and sign the Bible verse together. Hold the globe steady and call each child to come and spin the globe. After each child spins the globe, invite everyone to say and sign the Bible verse, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). Then say the following encouragement to that child. Say: (Child s name), Jesus wants you to go and tell the world about him! After all the children have had a turn, say the following prayer. Pray: Thank you, Jesus, for promising to be with us always. Amen. Place a Go Tell Others worship badge (Stickers) on each child. Give each child the Bible storybook (Kids Book) and a copy of Go and Tell (Leader page 95) to take home. Live B.i.G. Tell everyone that Jesus is alive and always with us! 94 Abingdon Press.

96 Lesson 9 It was after Palm Sunday when Jesus rode the donkey into the city. (Have the children find the picture of the palm branch.) It was after Easter morning when the women found that the tomb was empty and that Jesus was alive. (Have the children find the picture of the empty tomb.) It was after the day that the two followers met Jesus on the way to Emmaus and realized that he was alive. (Have the children find the picture of Jesus and the followers on the road.) It was after the time when Peter and the other friends of Jesus ate a breakfast of fish and bread with Jesus on the beach. (Have the children find the picture of the fish cooking on the fire.) It was the time Jesus told his friends to go and tell the whole world that he was alive. (Have the children find the picture of the globe.) I have an important job for you to do, Jesus told his friends. I want everyone in all the world to know that I am alive and that I love you. I want you to go and tell. That is good news! Let s ring our bells to tell the good news. (Have the children stomp their feet to ring their ankle bells.) Ring the bells (stomp, stomp) Ring the bells (stomp, stomp) Jesus said, Go and tell! (stomp, stomp) Go and Tell Jesus also said, [Baptize] them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and [teach] them to obey everything that I have commanded you. That is good news! Let s ring our bells to tell the good news. (Have the children stomp their feet to ring their ankle bells.) Ring the bells (stomp, stomp) Ring the bells (stomp, stomp) Jesus said, Go and tell! (stomp, stomp) The friends knew this was an important job! But Jesus made them a promise. He said, I will be with you always! That is good news! Let s ring our bells to tell the good news. (Have the children stomp their feet to ring their ankle bells.) Ring the bells (stomp, stomp) Ring the bells (stomp, stomp) Jesus said, Go and tell! (stomp, stomp) Jesus has an important job for us to do too. He wants us to go and tell others that he is alive and with us always. That is good news! Let s ring our bells to tell the good news. (Have the children stomp their feet to ring their ankle bells.) Ring the bells (stomp, stomp) Ring the bells (stomp, stomp) Jesus said, Go and tell! (stomp, stomp) based on Matthew 28:16-20 April 29, 2012 Ages 3-4 Abingdon Press. 95

97 April Review Cards Lesson 9 96 Abingdon Press.

98 May Overview May s B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories of the Spirit promise us that the Holy Spirit is present in our lives. May s B.i.G. Theme Stories of the Spirit May s Bible Verse The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 Objectives Children will hear the list of the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5: Children will learn that the fruit of the Spirit are qualities that show others that God s Holy Spirit is in their lives. Children will consider ways that others can see God s Holy Spirit through their acts that show love, joy, and peace. Children will consider ways that others can see God s Holy Spirit through their acts that show patience, kindness, and generosity. May s Lessons May 6: Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace; Galatians 5:22-23 May 13: Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Kindness, Generosity; Galatians 5:22-23 May 20: Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control; Galatians 5:22-23 May 27: Pentecost, Acts 2:1-21, Children will consider how they can help others to see God s Holy Spirit through acts that show faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol. Children will hear the Bible story about the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Children will think about ways that the Holy Spirit helps us and guides us as we work together for God. May s DVD May Overview Bible Verse in American Sign Language: Galatians 5:22-23 (see Leader inside front cover) Demonstration: Pentecost T-Shirts (May 6) Teaching Your Children: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Travel Time: The Harp Lady (May 13) Travel Time: Ellie s Run for Africa (May 27) May s Praise Time Song These Are the Fruits (DVD, CD, Leader page 6). Music Suggestions Play songs from the CD as children arrive. Learn a fruit of the Spirit rap (pages 105, 115, 125, and 135). Encourage the children to move and praise as they hear These Are the Fruits (DVD, CD, Leader page 6). Sing the Live B.I.G. theme song (CD) as part of each week s closing worship. Plan Ahead Provide fruit (real or plastic) for a Fruit Memory Game on May 6. Provide a red T-shirt for each child and the supplies needed to decorate them for Pentecost. Have extra T-shirts on hand for children who may come between now and Pentecost (May 6, 13, 20). Provide snack ingredients for A Generous Gift on May 13. Provide fruit tea bags for a Mother s Day gift on May 13. Collect a variety of soft objects and prepare a large box for a Feel-It Box on May 20. Provide the ingredients needed to make Mad Dough on May 20. Plan for children of all ages to wear the red T-shirts they have been working on for Pentecost on May 27. Pick out the red crayons and red markers from your supplies to use on May 27. Cut yarn and crepe paper streamers to the proper lengths for Feel the Wind and Wind and Flames on May 27. April 29, 2012 Ages 3-4 Abingdon Press. 97

99 Lesson 10 May 6, 2012 May s B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories of the Spirit promise us that the Holy Spirit is present in our lives. May s Bible Verse The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 May s B.i.G. Theme Stories of the Spirit Lesson 10 Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace Today s Bible Story Galatians 5:22-23 Three B.i.G. (Believe in God) Truths God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God s great big world. Objectives Children will hear the list of the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5: Children will learn that the fruit of the Spirit are qualities that show others that God s Holy Spirit is in their lives. Children will consider ways that others can see God s Holy Spirit through their acts that show love, joy, and peace. Galatia was a region in Asia Minor where Paul founded several churches. The Galatians taught that while faith in Jesus was important, Christians must also follow all the Jewish laws, including circumcision, food restrictions, and observance of Jewish holy days. Paul emphasized the importance of holy living, but he stressed in his letter to the Galatians that just following rules missed the point. The point is to love God with our whole hearts. When we want to follow, God will change us from the inside out. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit virtues that will be the natural result of the Holy Spirit living and working in the hearts and lives of believers. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence that a Christian is growing and becoming more and more like Jesus. Paul names nine fruit of the Spirit, which can be divided into three groups. You and your children will focus on one group each week for the next three lessons: Lesson 10: Love, joy, and peace are ways Christians respond to God s love. Lesson 1 1 : Patience, kindness, and generosity are ways Christians respond to others. Lesson 12: Faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol are ways Christians respond when facing difficult circumstances. LOVE God is love (1 John 4:8, 16). Because of God s love for us, we are able to experience a fullness that overflows with love for others. JOY Joy is a response to God s love. Joy is more than simply being happy, though. While happiness comes and goes and is dependent on circumstances, joy is constant and is based on the comforting knowledge that no matter what, God is always with us. Christians experience joy not only during good times, but even during tough times as they focus on gratitude for God s love. As faith in God grows, joy increases. PEACE Peace is a state of trust, contentment, and satisfaction realizing that God loves us and will take care of us. Some may define peace as the absence of fighting or war, but the peace that is a fruit of the Spirit is much more than that. Peace is an inner quality that leaves no room for malice, spite, hatred, worry, or anxiety. When we are obedient to Christ and we begin to experience the fruit of inner peace, then we can begin the work of peacemaking in the world. 98 Abingdon Press.

100 Activity TimeSaver EcoFriendly Invite them in... (15 minutes) Welcome! See What Breath Can Do Fruit-of-the-Spirit Sticks Backyard Time... Into the Bible (30 minutes) Fruit Memory Game Hear the Bible Story Fruit-of-the-Spirit Turnover Praise Time... Into Life (15 minutes) Peaceful Painting to for Pentecost Closing Worship TimeSaver TimeSaver Activities that require little or no planning and only basic supplies. EcoFriendly EcoFriendly Activities that encourage responsible earth stewardship by providing options to use recycled or repurposed materials. DVD Summary: Backyard Time In a visit to the Backyard where Mr. Z, Ms. Lucy, and Bongo are trying to decide the best way to patch a hole in a float the children will hear how the Holy Spirit is like God s breath. Mr. Z introduces this month s Bible verse about how our lives reflect God s Holy Spirit: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The children will learn that the fruit of the Spirit are signs of God s presence in our lives. May 6, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 99

101 Lesson 10 May 6, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories of the Spirit promise us that the Holy Spirit is present in our lives. Choose one or more activities to introduce your children to the Bible story. Welcome! Invite them in... Supplies: Stickers, Attendance Chart, Leader inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television Do Welcome the children as they arrive. Give each child a basket-of-fruit Sticker to place on the Attendance Chart. Say: Our new Bible verse tells us how we can see God s Spirit in our lives. The verse is: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol (Galatians 5:22-23). This verse names the things God s Spirit gives us so that we can do the things God wants us to do. It is a long verse, but we will learn it a little at a time! Help the children sign the words love, joy, and peace in American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Live B.i.G. God s Spirit helps us do the things God wants us to do. See What Breath Can Do Supplies: Leader page 106, tape Photocopy People Roller (Leader page 106) for each child. Do Ask: Can you see your breath? Say: Sometimes you can see your breath if it is very cold, but most of the time we cannot see our breath; we can only see what our breath does. Say: God s Spirit is just like that. Breath is sometimes used to remind us that God s Spirit gives us life. We cannot see God s Spirit, but we can see what God s Spirit does. Let s see how breath can work. Give each child one People Roller (Leader page 106). Help each child roll the page into a tube and tape the edges together. Have the children place their People Rollers on a tabletop or an area of the floor without carpet. Show the children how to blow on their People Rollers to make them roll. Ask: Could you see your breath when you were blowing? (No.) Could you see what your breath was doing? (Yes.) 100 Abingdon Press.

102 Say: Sometimes we call God s Spirit breath. We cannot see God s Spirit, but we can see what God s Spirit helps us do. Live B.i.G. God s Spirit is always with us to help us do what God wants us to do. Fruit-of-the-Spirit Sticks Supplies: Kids Book, ribbons, scissors, gluesticks, craft sticks, tape Punch out the basket and fruit pictures (Kids Book) for each child. Cut brightly colored ribbon into streamers 12 to 18 inches long. Plan to use the Fruit-of-the-Spirit Sticks in Praise Time this week and in Lessons 11 and 12. Do Give each child the basket and fruit pictures (Kids Book). Have the children glue the fruit pictures onto the baskets. Help each child tape a craft stick to the back of the basket, with part of the stick pointing out below to make a handle. Say: These Fruit-of-the-Spirit Sticks can help us remember our new Bible verse. This Bible verse names the things God s Spirit gives us so we can do the things God wants us to do. The Bible calls these things the fruit of the Spirit. Show each child how to tape ribbons to the bottom of the basket. Say: Wave your sticks so the ribbons move. Keep waving, and let s have a parade. Smile and be happy as you move around the room. Encourage the children to wave their Fruit-of-the-Spirit Sticks. End the parade in your DVD-viewing area. Ask: How did the parade make you feel? (happy, excited, joyful) Say: Joy is one of the fruit of the Spirit. Live B.i.G. God s Spirit is always with us to help us do what God wants us to do. Backyard Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television Do Show Backyard Time (DVD). Say: When Ms. Lucy blew up the float, she showed how important breath is. Even though we cannot see breath, we can see how it makes things happen. Say: In our Bible story, the breath is God s Spirit. Mr. Z says that God s Spirit is like breath that gives us life. Ask: Mr. Z also told us about our new Bible verse for this month. Do you remember what Mr. Z said this verse is called? (the fruit of the Spirit) Say: It is a long verse! But we will learn it as we go through this month. Here are the things God s Spirit gives us so we can do the things God wants us to do: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Live B.i.G. God s Spirit is in us so we can do the things God wants us to do. May 6, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 101

103 Lesson 10 May 6, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories of the Spirit promise us that the Holy Spirit is present in our lives. Choose one or more activities to immerse your children in the Bible story. Fruit Memory Game Supplies: Bible, five to six kinds of fruit (real or plastic), tray, cloth or towel... Into the Bible Place the fruit on a tray and cover with a cloth. Do Ask: What is your favorite fruit? Say: Here is a tray with some fruit on it. Let s test your memories. Gather the children around the tray of fruit. Uncover the fruit and encourage the children to look closely at the tray for five seconds. Then cover the tray again. Have the children close their eyes (or turn away so they cannot see). Remove one of the fruits from the tray, hiding it so the children cannot see it. Have the children open their eyes and uncover the fruit again. Ask: Which fruit is missing? Continue to play until all the fruit is removed. Say: Each of you has a great memory! Say: Our Bible verse is about a special kind of fruit. It is not like the fruit on the tray. It is a special way of living that shows that we love Jesus. Say: Listen as I read our Bible verse. Hold up your Bible and read Galatians 5:22-23: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Say: Our Bible verse is really long, but we can remember it. We will start by learning only the first few words. Live B.i.G. We can learn a Bible verse, even when it is long! Hear the Bible Story Supplies: Bible, Leader page 105 and inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television Practice saying the words love, joy, and peace using signs from American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD) Abingdon Press.

104 Do Open your Bible to Galatians 5:22. Say: Today s story comes from the New Testament. It is in a letter instead of a book. It is called the Letter to the Galatians. In this letter, a man named Paul wrote about God s Holy Spirit. We will hear what Paul said in our Bible story today. Read the children Love, Joy, Peace (Leader page 105) and teach the children the signs from American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Live B.i.G. The fruit of the Spirit grows as we trust and believe in God. Fruit-of-the-Spirit Turnover Supplies: Leader page 107, scissors, masking tape Photocopy and cut apart two sets of the Fruit-of-the-Spirit Turnover pictures (Leader page 107). If there are more than eight children, you will need extra copies. Do Say: Today we learned about three of the fruit of the Spirit. Ask: What were they? (love, joy, peace) Show the children the pictures. Say: This picture shows a heart and helps us remember love. This picture shows a happy face and helps us remember joy. This picture shows a dove and helps us remember peace. This picture shows a fruit basket and helps us remember that Paul said love, joy, and peace are fruit of the Spirit. Have the children move to an open area of the room and stand in a circle. Tape a picture on each child s clothing. Each picture needs to be used on at least two children. Say: Let s play Fruit-of-the-Spirit Turnover. When I say the word love, everyone with heart pictures will change places in the circle. When I say the word joy, everyone with happy-face pictures will change places. When I say the word peace, everyone with dove pictures will change places. When I say fruit of the Spirit, everyone with baskets will change places. Play the game. Live B.i.G. Love, joy, and peace are fruit of the Spirit. Praise Time Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television, Fruit-of-the-Spirit Sticks made earlier (page 101) Do Give each child his or her Fruit-of-the-Spirit Stick. Play the song These Are the Fruits (DVD) while the children move, waving their Fruit-of-the-Spirit Sticks. Collect the Fruit-of-the-Spirit Sticks to use again next week. Live B.i.G. We can praise God with music as we remember the fruit of the Spirit! May 6, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 103

105 Lesson 10 May 6, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories of the Spirit promise us that the Holy Spirit is present in our lives. Choose one or more activities to connect your children s lives to the Bible story. Peaceful Painting to for Pentecost Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television, table covering, white tempera paint, shallow containers, paint smock, red T-shirts, cardboard, plastic bottle caps Watch the May 6 Demonstration (DVD) for the Pentecost T-shirts. Cover the table and pour tempera paint into shallow containers.... Into Life Do Have each child put on a paint smock. Shout (with arms waving around): Come on, girls and boys, it s time to paint! Ask (in a normal voice): Did I sound very peaceful? (No.) How do we feel when we are peaceful? (quiet, calm, still) Say (in a quiet, calm voice): Another fruit of the Spirit named in our Bible verse is peace. Let s paint peacefully and calmly on these T-shirts. Place a piece of cardboard inside a T-shirt for each child. Show the children how to dip a bottle cap into white paint and then onto a T-shirt to make nine circle prints arranged to look like a bunch of grapes. Set the T-shirts aside to dry until next week. Live B.i.G. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. Closing Worship Supplies: Stickers, Kids Book, Leader pages 105 and 144 Punch out a storybook (Kids Book) for each child. (Assembly instructions can be found on Leader page 144.) Photocopy May Living B.I.G. at Home (Leader page 144) for each child. Photocopy Love, Joy, Peace (Leader page 105) for each child. Do Say: Let s listen to a poem that will help us learn the verse. Do Fruit Frolic (Leader page 105) with the children. Place a Love, Joy, Peace worship badge (Stickers) on each child. Say: (Child s name), remember that God s Spirit is helping you have love, joy, and peace. Give each child the Bible storybook (Kids Book), a copy of Love, Joy, Peace (Leader page 105), and a copy of May Living B.I.G. at Home (Leader page 144) to take home. Live B.i.G. God s Spirit is always with us Abingdon Press.

106 Lesson 10 Love, Joy, Peace Paul wrote a letter to the people in a place called Galatia. He told the people how we grow when we learn about Jesus. We are like a tree that grows fruit, wrote Paul. But our fruit is not the kind of fruit we eat. It is not apples and bananas and grapes. Paul said, The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). That is our Bible verse! Today we will learn about three of the words in our verse love, joy, and peace. Our first word for today is love. (Teach the children the sign for love.) What does love mean? (caring for someone) God loves us with a great big love. What are some of the ways God shows love for us? (creating the world, sending Jesus) What are some ways we show love to God? (love others, come to church, hear Bible stories, pray) What are some ways we show love to others? (be kind, share, say I love you, give hugs) Love is a fruit of the Spirit. (Sign love.) Our second word for today is joy. (Teach the children the sign for joy.) What is joy? (feeling good inside) Joy is more than just being happy. Joy comes because we know that God loves us and that God s Spirit will always be with us. Only God can give us the kind of happiness that gives us joy. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. (Sign joy.) Our third word for today is peace. (Teach the children the sign for peace.) What is peace? (getting along with others, not worrying) Peace is the calm we feel when we remember that God s Spirit is always with us. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. (Sign peace.) based on Galatians 5:22 23 Love, joy, peace are words that show we care. So give a hug, (Hug yourself.) laugh out loud, (Put your hands on your stomach and shake.) then say a quiet prayer. (Fold hands in prayer.) Patience, kindness, generosity remind us what to do. Wait for our turn, (Stand still.) Fruit Frolic act with love, (Point to your heart.) and share with others too. (Move arms out, as if presenting a gift.) Faithfulness, gentleness, self-control are three big words to know. Trust our great God, (Cross your hands over your heart.) use kind words, (Cup hands around mouth.) and choose right as we grow. (Squat down and then stretch up tall.) May 6, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 105

107 Lesson 10 People Roller 106 Abingdon Press.

108 Lesson 10 Fruit-of-the-Spirit Turnover JOY LOVE PEACE May 6, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 107

109 Lesson 11 May 13, 2012 May s B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories of the Spirit promise us that the Holy Spirit is present in our lives. May s Bible Verse The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 May s B.i.G. Theme Stories of the Spirit Lesson 11 Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Kindness, Generosity Today s Bible Story Galatians 5:22-23 Three B.i.G. (Believe in God) Truths God is a great big God. God loves us with a great big love. We are part of God s great big world. Objectives Children will recall the list of the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5: Children will remember that the fruit of the Spirit are qualities that show others that God s Holy Spirit is in their lives. Children will consider ways that others can see God s Holy Spirit through their acts that show patience, kindness, and generosity. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit. These qualities are called fruit because they grow in the life of a Christian as naturally as apples grow on an apple tree or oranges come from an orange tree. As Christians live more and more closely to God through prayer, Bible study, and faithful living, the fruit of the Spirit are signs of the transformation brought about by faith in Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit within. Old Testament priests made sacrifices for the people at the physical Temple. In the New Testament, though, the focus shifts from the building to the lives of God s people. Now the Holy Spirit resides in us. The fruit of the Spirit named by Paul reveal what happens in Christians lives as they grow more and more like Jesus. In Lesson 10, you and your children focused on the first three parts of the fruit of the Spirit love, joy, and peace which are reflected in a relationship with God. In this lesson, you will focus on patience, kindness, and generosity qualities that are revealed in the way we respond to others. PATIENCE Patience is the ability to wait, especially when things do not happen as quickly as we would wish or in the way we would choose. Perhaps the hardest part is that patience includes waiting without anxiety or complaint! As we experience God s patience with us, we learn to show the same sort of patience with others. As the fruit of patience grows, tempers are less volatile, forgiveness becomes easier, and we are able to relax and enjoy life more. KINDNESS Kindness is seen as we care for and respect others, even those who do not show kindness to us. As the fruit of kindness grows in our lives, it develops into more than just a random act. The fruit of kindness becomes a constant habit. GENEROSITY God gives the Spirit without measure (John 3:34). God willingly and generously gives so that we can live lives of fullness and power, experiencing all the fruit of the Spirit. Because of the abundance with which God blesses us, we can give our money, our time, and our caring generously, not because God tells us to, but because we are so filled with God s Spirit that we want to give. 108 Abingdon Press.

110 Activity TimeSaver EcoFriendly Invite them in... (15 minutes) Welcome! Preparing for Pentecost With Patience Kindness Game A Generous Gift... Into the Bible (30 minutes) Wait With Patience Hear the Bible Story Basket Reminders Travel Time Praise Time... Into Life (15 minutes) Fruit-of-the-Spirit Teacups Closing Worship TimeSaver TimeSaver Activities that require little or no planning and only basic supplies. EcoFriendly EcoFriendly Activities that encourage responsible earth stewardship by providing options to use recycled or repurposed materials. DVD Summary: Travel Time The children will continue to learn about the fruit of the Spirit, focusing on patience, kindness, and generosity. They will meet a musician who uses her talents in a kind and gentle way. Travel Time introduces your children to the Harp Lady, who visits Vanderbilt Children s Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, to play for the children there. Your kids will see that when someone is scared or hurting, a kind act can often make that person feel better. May 13, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 109

111 Lesson 11 May 13, 2012 The B.i.G. Idea We believe that stories of the Spirit promise us that the Holy Spirit is present in our lives. Welcome! Choose one or more activities to introduce your children to the Bible story. Invite them in... Supplies: Stickers, Attendance Chart, Leader inside front cover, DVD, DVD player, television Do Welcome the children as they arrive. Give each child a basket-of-fruit Sticker to place on the Attendance Chart. Ask: Do you remember the first three fruit of the Spirit that we talked about last week? (love, joy, peace) Say: Today we will talk about the next three fruit of the Spirit. Say them with me: patience, kindness, generosity. Recite the Bible verse with the names of the first six fruit: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity (Galatians 5:22). Help the children sign the words love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and generosity in American Sign Language (Leader inside front cover, DVD). Live B.i.G. God s Spirit helps us do the things God wants us to do. Preparing for Pentecost With Patience Supplies: Leader page 116, red T-shirts painted last week (page 104), cardboard, card stock, scissors, table covering, white tempera paint, shallow containers, paint smocks, tape, brushes Photocopy a leaf stencil (Leader page 116) on card stock for each child and cut these out. Be sure to cut inside the line to make a stencil. Cover the table and pour tempera paint into shallow containers. Do Have the children take turns with this activity. Choose a child to go first. Have each child put on a paint smock. Place each child s T-shirt flat (with cardboard still inside) on the table. Lightly tape the leaf stencil around the painted grapes on the T-shirt wherever the child wants a leaf. Show the child how to brush white paint inside the stencil. Set the T-shirt aside to dry with the stencil still taped to the shirt. Paint with the next child. Say: Thank you for waiting so patiently for your turn. Live B.i.G. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit. 110 Abingdon Press.

112 Kindness Game Supplies: Leader pages 141 and 142, scissors, construction paper, crayons or markers, gluesticks, tape Photocopy and cut apart a set of Kindness Cards (Leader pages 141 and 142) for each child. Divide all the cards into eight stacks, one for each picture. Do Give each child a piece of construction paper. Let the children decorate the construction paper with crayons or markers. Show the children how to fold their paper in half. Help each child tape or glue two sides of the paper together to make a pocket. Have the children bring their pockets and sit down in an open area of the room. Show the children one of the Kindness Cards (Leader pages 141 and 142). Have the children get up, act out what is pictured on the card, and sit back down. Give each child a copy of that card to put in her or his pocket. Repeat the activity with another Kindness Card. Continue until you have given the children all the cards to put in their pockets. Say: You can take your pockets home and do these acts of kindness with your family. Live B.i.G. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. A Generous Gift Supplies: large resealable plastic bag; sandwich-size resealable plastic bags; permanent marker (for teacher use only); mixing bowl; plastic scoops or small paper cups; snack mix ingredients such as raisins, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and dry cereal Do Let the children take turns helping you pour the snack-mix ingredients into a large plastic bag. Seal the bag securely. Say: We need to mix all these ingredients together. Let s take turns shaking the bag. Remember, when you wait your turn, you are showing patience. Have the children take turns shaking the bag. Then pour the mix into the bowl. Give each child two sandwich-size resealable bags. Say: Let s be generous with this snack mix. You can make one bag for yourself that we will eat later. Then you can make a second bag to give away. Ask: Who would you like to give your second bag to? Use a permanent marker to write the child s name on one bag and the name of the person the child wants to give the mix to on the second bag. Help each child use a scoop or a paper cup to scoop the mix into both bags. Set the bags aside to use later in the lesson. Say: Thank you for being so generous. Live B.i.G. Generosity is a fruit of the Spirit. When selecting the ingredients, you need to be aware of any food allergies the children may have. May 13, 2012 Ages 3 4 Abingdon Press. 111