God gave people work to do.

Transcription

1 LIFE POINT God gave people work to do. Work Begins BIBLE PASSAGE Genesis 2:4-24 Christ FOCus Jesus came to do the work of His Father. LIFE ACtion Suggest to Parents: Give your child a simple task and work together as a family to complete it. Thank God for strong bodies that are able to work. bible PHRASE Work together. ephesians 6:7 LOBL Self LEADER BIBLE STUDY Work it s a four-letter word that some people despise and others relish. Do you recall your first real job? Work is a primary function for all human beings. God intended humankind to be stewards of His world and take good care of it. A steward is a manager of someone else s property. When God placed Adam in the garden of Eden, God instructed Adam to work the garden and watch over it. God expected Adam to be creative and industrious as he labored to tend the home God had given him. Later God provided Adam a wife to be his coworker in that endeavor. Unfortunately, Adam and Eve s disobedience to God turned their labors into drudgery. Christians are still called by God to work diligently to provide for their families, build a healthy society, and above all, glorify Him. Christians should instill the value of good work into the lives of their kids. How does your daily work help you accomplish God s purposes for your life? Does your job bring glory to God and make a positive witness for Christ? ConneCT TO FAMily Families using the Bible Studies for Life curriculum will learn about God s plan for people to work. Adults and students will focus on the good work God gave Adam in the garden of Eden. Kids and preschoolers will explore the account of God s creating Adam and Eve and assigning them to the work of caring for the earth and all living things. Younger preschoolers will learn that God gave people work to do. DATE OF USE image credit: istockphoto.com 10 Unit 1, SeSSion 1

2 BIBLE STORY ADAM s WORK Genesis 2:4-24 BIBLE STORY FOR 2s BIBLE STORY FOR 1s God made the sky, the water, trees, and animals. He made daytime for work and nighttime for rest. God made people Adam and Eve. God gave Adam work. God told Adam, Take care of the animals and plants and trees. God made the world and everything in it. He made the sky, the water, the trees and bushes, the flowers, and the animals. God made people, too. God made Adam first; then He made Eve. God looked at everything He made. It was good. God had work for Adam to do. One day God told Adam, Take care of the plants and the trees. Take care of the animals and give them names. So Adam began naming the animals. Adam may have heard something in the trees. He heard a chirping sound. Adam named the animal that made the chirping sound. Adam may have heard an animal in the grass say moo. Adam named that animal. Adam named all the animals, and he helped take care of them. GETTING READY TO TEACH Gather resources and materials needed for Bible-learning activities. Provide two or more Bibles in the room for preschoolers to use. Prepare Pack Items 1, 15, 18, 30, 31. (See instructions in 1s & 2s Leader Pack.) Cut off the front of a dog treat box. Cut it into two or three pieces to make a puzzle. Every week help children think about Jesus. Say His name often and talk about Him. This week s Christ focus is Jesus came to do the work of His Father. Notes Learning Activities Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. song Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. Track 1. Work Together Happily Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 11

3 bible PHRASE Work together. Ephesians 6:7 You will need: Animal Match Cards (Pack Item 18), wooden animal puzzles, dog treat box puzzle (See Getting Ready. ) Kids Activity Page, digital camera or cell phone camera Bible Story Picture: Adam s Work (Pack Item 1), Bible Phrase Marker (Pack Item 15), toy dog, clean pet brush, plastic bowl, small ball Baby wipes, child-size broom bible-learning ACTIVITIES WORK ANIMAL PUZZLES Christ Focus: Jesus came to do the work of His Father. Bible Focus: God told Adam to name the animals. Place the puzzles and Animal Match Cards on a table. Guide a child to complete the puzzles and match the cards. Point to the Bible and tell the Bible story. Talk about the job God gave to Adam. Remind the child that God planned for people to work. LOOK FOR WORKERS Christ Focus: Jesus came to do the work of His Father. Bible Focus: God gave all people work to do. Take children on a walk around the church. Talk to the children about the workers they might see. Stop when you see a worker, and lead the children to say thank you. Snap a picture of the person. Find a quiet spot to sit. Open the Bible to Genesis 2 and tell the Bible story. Comment that God had work for Adam and God has work for all people. Help a child complete the Activity Page. Guide her to repeat the Bible Phrase. PRETEND TO CARE FOR A PET Christ Focus: Jesus came to do the work of His Father. Bible Focus: God wants kids to work together with their families and friends. Place the marker in the Bible at Genesis 2. While children use the materials to pretend to take care of pets, ask them about pets at their homes. Thank children for helping care for their pets. Relate this to Adam s job of taking care of God s world. Show preschoolers the picture. Invite a child to open the Bible. Point to the Bible story passage. Comment that God gave Adam a very important job. Suggest that God also has work for us to do, such as take care of the pets at home. Talk about other ways kids can help. CLEAN THE ROOM Christ Focus: Jesus came to do the work of His Father. Bible Focus: I can work with others. Invite children to use a baby wipe to clean tables and chairs. Give another child the broom and show him how to sweep the floor. Sing the song Work Together Happily. After kids clean a while, invite them to listen to the Bible story. Tell the children 12 Unit 1, SeSSion 1

4 LIFE POINT God gave people work to do. they have been working. God has a job for everyone. MAKE AN ANIMAL COLLAGE Christ Focus: Jesus came to do the work of His Father. Bible Focus: Adam did the work God gave him to do name the animals. Tape several sheets of clear contact plastic to the table with the sticky side up. Guide children to stick the tissue paper pieces to the contact plastic. Talk about the animals Adam named. Relate the colors of tissue to the many different animals and their pretty colors. Comment that Adam named the animals because that was the work God wanted him to do. Notes Scraps of brightly colored tissue paper, clear contact plastic (cut in page-size pieces) image credit: istockphoto.com taste animal crackers Christ Focus: Jesus came to do the work of His Father. Bible Focus: God gave Adam a job to do. Invite a child to eat a snack after washing her hands. Talk about the animal-shaped crackers and name the animals. Remind the child that God wants everyone to work. God gave Adam the job of naming the animals, and God gives us work to do, too. Talk about the work young preschoolers can do at church and at home. Read the book What Do I Eat? Then talk with the child about people who work to take care of animals. BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Invite 2s to play a guessing game with you. Make an animal sound and ask if 2s can guess the animal they heard. Make the sound again. Continue playing for a few minutes. Open the Bible to Genesis 2. Show the Bible story picture and ask the children to tell what they see. Comment: The man s name is Adam. God gave Adam a job to do. Do you remember what job God gave to Adam? God told Adam to give each animal a name. Guide a child to pull an animal card out of the basket. Ask the child to give the animal a name. Say a prayer thanking God that Adam obeyed and did his job. Book: What Do I Eat? (Pack Items 30, 31), napkins, cups, animal crackers Bible Story Picture (Pack Item 1), Bible Phrase Markers (Pack Item 15), Animal Match Cards (Pack Item 18), basket bonus ideas! pick up pop beads with tongs play with nets and fish blow bubbles Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 13

5 LIFE POINT God shows people what to do. Listening to God BIBLE PASSAGE Genesis 6:9 8:19 Christ FOCus Jesus followed through with God s plan. LIFE ACtion Suggest to Parents: Play a game of Simon Says with your child. Give simple instructions. Mention that Noah listened and followed God s instructions. Help your child know that the Bible helps people know what God wants them to do. bible PHRASE Work together. Ephesians 6:7 LOBL Self DATE OF USE LEADER BIBLE STUDY In 2005 the city of New Orleans and the neighboring Gulf Coast were devastated by one of America s worst disasters. Hurricane Katrina smashed into the area bringing winds, rains, and floods. More than 1,800 people died, and damage was estimated at $81 billion. Disaster relief teams rushed into New Orleans with food and water, saving thousands of lives. Early in the history of the world, God saw that people had become morally corrupt. Therefore, He decided to destroy everything on earth, except for the family of Noah. Because of Noah s relationship with God, God commanded Noah to build an ark large enough to preserve his family and animals from the great flood God would send. Noah did as God commanded him. After decades, Noah finished the job. Finally, when Noah was 600 years old, he, his family, and the animals God sent to Noah all entered the ark. The group rode out the flood until the waters subsided. Can you imagine the difficulty Noah faced when God called on him to build the ark? Noah labored for over one hundred years to cut and haul wood for the ship. Through it all, Noah was obedient to God s directive. Thus, God saved the human race from total destruction along with thousands of species of animals. Has God ever given you a job to do even though you did not feel equipped to do it? Describe it. How does Noah s example demonstrate the long-lasting results of our obedience to God? ConneCT TO FAMily Families using the Bible Studies for Life curriculum will learn about God s plan for people to work. Adults and students will learn about the One for whom we work and our purpose. Kids and preschoolers will hear that Noah worked hard, obeying God and following His instructions for construction of the ark. Younger preschoolers will hear Noah s story and become aware that God shows people what to do. image credit: istockphoto.com 14 Unit 1, SeSSion 2

6 BIBLE STORY A JOB for NOAH Genesis 6:9 8:19 BIBLE STORY FOR 2s BIBLE STORY FOR 1s Build a big boat, God said to Noah. Make many rooms. Get animals to put on the boat. Get food and water. Noah built the boat. Then he and his family and the animals got on the boat. Rain began to fall. Drip, drip, drop. It rained and rained and rained. But Noah and his family were safe on the boat. Noah did the job God gave him to do. Noah and his family loved God and did what God said to do. One day God told Noah to build a big boat. Make the boat from wood. Build rooms in the boat. Noah followed God s directions and built the boat just the way God told him. Get every kind of animal, God told Noah. You and your family will take care of the animals on the boat. You will be safe. Noah put food on the boat for his family and the animals. Then God closed the door. Rain started falling. It rained and rained and rained. Water was everywhere. But Noah, his family, and the animals were safe on the boat. Noah did the job God gave him to do. GETTING READY TO TEACH Gather resources and materials needed for Bible-learning activities. Provide two or more Bibles in the room for preschoolers to use. Prepare Pack Items 2, 15, 16, 18, 28, 30. (See instructions in 1s & 2s Leader Pack.) From the Enhanced CD, print Bible Phrase Strips and Animal Shapes. Every week help children think about Jesus. Say His name often and talk about Him. This week s Christ focus is Jesus followed through with God s plan. Notes Learning Activities Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. songs Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. See lyrics inside CD cover. Track 1. Work Together Happily Track 3. God s Words Tra ck 11. Vegetable Soup Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 15

7 bible PHRASE Work together. Ephesians 6:7 You will need: Bible Story Picture: A Job for Noah (Pack Item 2), Book: What Do I Eat? (Pack Item 30), shredded paper, child s plastic rake, cardboard box Small shallow tub filled with small amount of water, plastic boats, small tea strainer, two towels, Enhanced CD Bible Story Picture: A Job for Noah (Pack Item 2), Tools (Pack Item 28), plastic tools, cardboard blocks Bible Phrase Markers (Pack Item 15), Animal Match Cards (Pack Item 18), plastic animal figures, plastic toy people figures, 3 or 4 shoeboxes, sturdy tape bible-learning ACTIVITIES RAKE HAY Christ Focus: Jesus followed through with God s plan. Bible Focus: One of Noah s jobs was to put food on the boat for the animals. Show a child how to rake the shredded paper and place it in a cardboard box. Suggest that the shredded paper looks like hay to feed an elephant or a horse. Invite a child to read the book with you. Point to the Bible story picture and comment that Noah listened to God when God told Noah to build a boat. PLAY WITH BOATS IN WATER Christ Focus: Jesus followed through with God s plan. Bible Focus: God told Noah to build a boat. Scoop water with the strainer and hold it over a boat. Suggest that the trickling water looks like rain. Invite a child to have a turn making rain fall on the boats. Open the Bible to Genesis 6. Tell the child that Noah had an important job to do. God showed Noah what to do, and God shows us what to do. Play the song Vegetable Soup. BUILD A BOAT Christ Focus: Jesus followed through with God s plan. Bible Focus: Noah worked to build a boat for the animals and his family. Place the toy tools and the matching tool cards on a mat in the block center. Prop the Bible story picture against the shelf. Lead a child to match tool pictures. Talk about how each tool is used. Suggest that the child use the plastic tools and blocks to build a boat. Point to the picture and remark that Noah may have used similar tools when he built the boat. Remind preschoolers that God showed Noah what to do. PLAY WITH ANIMAL AND PEOPLE FIGURES Christ Focus: Jesus followed through with God s plan. Bible Focus: Noah followed God s directions to build the boat. Place the marker in the Bible at Genesis 6. Tape the shoeboxes together to look like rooms in the boat Noah built. Place the boat, people figures, and animal figures near the block boat. As children match animal cards and play with the items, comment that God told Noah what to do. 16 Unit 1, SeSSion 2

8 LIFE POINT God shows people what to do. Tell the Bible story. Then lead children to repeat the Bible Phrase. MAKE A POSTER TOGETHER Christ Focus: Jesus followed through with God s plan. Bible Focus: God wants me to work together with others. Mount the poster board on a wall. Guide children to glue pictures and Bible Phrase Strips to the poster board. Point to a phrase and repeat the words. Relate the phrase to today s Life Point. Comment that children are working together to make a poster. Use the Activity Page to talk about the work God wants children to do. Notes Kids Activity Page, Bible Phrase Strips (Enhanced CD), magazine cut-outs of animals and people, poster board, glue sticks image credit: istockphoto.com PAINT ON ANIMAL SHAPES Christ Focus: Jesus followed through with God s plan. Bible Focus: God told Noah how to take care of the animals. Invite a child to choose an animal shape on which to paint. While the child works, quietly mention the Bible story. Remark that God gave instructions to Noah so he would know how to take care of the animals. Sing the song God s Words. Tell the child that God s words in the Bible help us know what to do. BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Toss the cube to a child seated in the circle. Say: Karina, show us how to do what you see on the picture. After the preschooler leads the group to do the action, say: You showed your friends what to do. God shows us what to do. He helped Noah know what to do, too. Ask the child to toss the cube to a friend. Then that friend can lead the group. After a few minutes, put away the cube and get the Bible. Say: Noah listened and followed God s directions. Tell the Bible story. Talk about the job God gave to Noah. Remind children that when they listen and follow directions, they are obeying God and doing the work He wants them to do. Sing the song Work Together Happily. Animal Shapes (Enhanced CD), paint smocks, washable tempera paint, paintbrushes Bible Story Picture: A Job for Noah (Pack Item 2), Action Cube (Pack Item 16) bonus ideas! work animal puzzles drop clothespins in a container play with a hula hoop with a friend Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 17

9 LIFE POINT We show love to God when we give. Giving with Joy BIBLE PASSAGE Luke 21:1-4 Christ FOCus Jesus gave His all His life for us. LIFE ACtion Suggest to Parents: Talk with your child about ways God provides for us. Show your child an offering envelope or money basket. Comment that you take money to church and offer it because you love God and want to help your church. bible PHRASE Be happy when you give. 2 Corinthians 9:7 LOBL Self DATE OF USE LEADER BIBLE STUDY The television preacher looked directly into the camera and said, If you will send me a large donation today, then God is obligated to reward you with good health and wealth. Such teaching interferes with God s sovereignty and misrepresents biblical principles on giving. Stewardship is a badly misunderstood and abused Christian doctrine. How Christians approach money is a major indicator of the level of their spiritual maturity. Sadly, most Christians do not understand this fact. Likewise, in Jesus day people had many misconceptions about giving and stewardship. Jesus took advantage of opportunities to teach spiritual lessons on this subject. One instance was the day He watched people give their offerings for the temple treasury. Wealthy patrons may have given a lot to impress those around them (including Jesus) with their generosity. Jesus apparently was not wowed by their contributions. Jesus was far more impressed with the amount given by a poor widow. She tossed into the coffer two copper coins, equal to about one penny in today s value. She might have given the smallest amount of anyone that day. Nonetheless, Jesus gave the woman a high compliment. He declared that she gave the most that day because she gave everything she had. What lesson was Jesus teaching by drawing attention to the widow s gift? Is God obligated to reward us with health and wealth when we give? Why or why not? ConneCT TO FAMily Families using the Bible Studies for Life curriculum will learn about giving. Adults and students will focus on giving until it feels good: understanding what we work for and giving on purpose. Younger preschoolers will hear that when we give, we show our love to God. image credit: istockphoto.com 18 Unit 1, SeSSion 3

10 BIBLE STORY a woman gave her money Luke 21:1-4 BIBLE STORY FOR 2s BIBLE STORY FOR 1s People went to the church. They took their money to put in the offering boxes. Jesus and His helpers saw many people bring lots of money to the church. Clink, clink. A woman put two coins in the box. Jesus knew the woman gave all the money she had. One day Jesus was at church with His helpers. They were watching the people come in with their money (offerings). The people had lots of money to give to the church. A woman slowly walked in. She went to the table where people were putting their money. Clink, clink. The woman dropped two coins in the box. The woman gave all the money she had to the church. But she was happy she could give her money. Jesus told His helpers, This woman has given more than all the other people because she gave all she had and did not keep anything for herself. GETTING READY TO TEACH Gather resources and materials needed for Bible-learning activities. Provide two or more Bibles in the room for preschoolers to use. Prepare pack items 3, 23. (See instructions in 1s & 2s Leader Pack.) Place two coins, colorful objects, and birdseed or rice in a clear plastic water bottle. Use heavy tape to tape the cap on the bottle. Use yarn to suspend a beach ball from the ceiling. Make a paddle by taping a wooden paint stirrer to a paper plate. Wrap the entire stick with tape to avoid splinters. Every week help children think about Jesus. Say His name often and talk about Him. This week s Christ focus is Jesus gave His all His life for us. Notes Learning Activities Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. songs Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. Track 5. Say Thank You Tra ck 9. What a Special Day Tra ck 12. Happy Helper Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 19

11 bible PHRASE Be happy when you give. 2 Corinthians 9:7 You will need: Bible Story Picture: A Woman Gave Her Money (Pack Item 3), offering container, offering envelopes, play paper money Dry nonsweetened cereal, yogurt chips, cheddar crackers, large bowl, small scoop, snack-size plastic bags, allergy sign for door, Enhanced CD Beach ball, paper plate paddle (See Getting Ready. ) Paper plates with happy faces drawn on them, paint smocks, washable fingerpaint, Bible Phrase Songbook (Pack Item 23) bible-learning ACTIVITIES GIVE AN OFFERING Christ Focus: Jesus gave His all His life for us. Bible Focus: We show love to God when we give. Place the play money, offering container, and envelopes with the Bible story picture. As children play with the materials, remark that the items remind you of money people give. Point to the woman in the picture. Comment that she showed how much she loved God when she gave her money at church. Tell children that people at your church give money. It is called an offering. Comment on ways the offerings are used. MAKE TRAIL MIX Christ Focus: Jesus gave His all His life for us. Bible Focus: We can be happy when we give. Give children turns pouring ingredients into a large bowl and stirring. Assist children in using a scoop to pour trail mix into bags. Label the bags. As children work, remark that people show love when they give gifts. Mention the woman who gave a gift of money. Jesus said she gave a good gift. Open the Bible to 2 Corinthians 9 and lead children to repeat the Bible Phrase. Play the song Happy Helper. Ask the children to whom they would like to give their trail mix. Tell children they are being kind when they give. GIVE A TURN Christ Focus: Jesus gave His all His life for us. Bible Focus: I can be happy when I give. Invite two children to play a ball game. Tell them they will have to take turns swatting the beach ball with the paddle. Remark that God wants us to give. When we do, we feel happy. Sing the song What a Special Day. FINGER PAINT Christ Focus: Jesus gave His all His life for us. Bible Focus: I can show I love God when I give. Give a child a paper plate to decorate with finger paint. As the child paints, talk about the happy face. Ask the child to name things that make him happy. Comment that God wants us to be happy when we give. 20 Unit 1, SeSSion 3

12 LIFE POINT We show love to God when we give. Suggest things other than money that we can give. Sing the song Be Happy When You Give (Songbook, Pack Item). FIND HIDDEN COINS Christ Focus: Jesus gave His all His life for us. Bible Focus: A woman showed love for God by giving all her money. Show the coin bottle to a child and challenge her to discover coins. Direct the child to move the bottle to see the coins hidden in the birdseed. Show the Bible story picture to the child. Jesus knew the woman loved God because she gave all her money. She did not keep any money for herself. Show the Activity Page to the preschooler and do the activity with her. Notes Bible Story Picture: A Woman Gave Her Money (Pack Item 3), coin bottle (See Getting Ready. ), Kids Activity Page image credit: istockphoto.com TOSS A BEANBAG Christ Focus: Jesus gave His all His life for us. Bible Focus: A woman at church gave all the money she had because she loved God. Lay the paper sheets in a row behind a tape line on the floor. Drop 1, 2, or 3 canning jar lids on each sheet. Direct a child to stand behind the line and toss a beanbag onto a sheet of paper. Guide the child to count the coins on the paper. Relate this to the woman at church who had only two coins to give. Repeat the Bible Phrase with the child. Then tell the Bible story. BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Sit in a circle and guide 2s to pass the offering container around the circle. Play the song Say Thank You. When the song ends, hold the container in your lap. Open the Bible to Luke 21 and tell the Bible story. Say: Jesus watched the people give money. He knew the woman gave all she had. He knew she loved God. Remind children that God wants us to give money and time to help people. Comment: God wants you to be happy when you give. Pass the Bible story picture around the circle for every child to see. Pray a brief thank-you prayer to God for people who give at church. 3 colors of paper, beanbag, 6 coins (metal canning jar lids), masking tape Bible, Bible Story Picture: A Woman Gave Her Money (Pack Item 3), Enhanced CD, offering container bonus ideas! make pudding with a friend work mixed-up puzzles draw with chalk Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 21

13 LIFE POINT God wants people to work together. Working Together BIBLE PASSAGE Exodus 35:4-35 Christ FOCus Jesus calls the church to join Him in His mission. LIFE ACtion Suggest to Parents: Include your preschooler in preparing a simple treat. As you work together, talk about how helpful your child is and how much you appreciate her. Remind your child that the people in the Bible worked together to build the tabernacle. bible PHRASE Work together. ephesians 6:7 LOBL Self DATE OF USE LEADER BIBLE STUDY Building a home can be a daunting task. Most people need a contractor. Many months of work may be needed for the contractor to get the blueprints just the way you want them. The details involved in planning and building a structure can be overwhelming. Because of the time, energy, and money in the project, you will rejoice when you finally move in! Moses called for the people of Israel to build the tabernacle to house the ark of the covenant and altars for sacrificial rites. Piece by piece the people assembled the materials needed for the construction and decoration of the sacred tent. The people were so generous they actually gave more than was needed for the job! Moses, the writer of Exodus, described the construction of the altars, the bronze basin, and the courtyard. He recounted each section s assembly starting with the tabernacle itself; then he instructed the people about building the ark and manufacturing the table and the lampstand. After taking an inventory of the materials used in the tabernacle, Moses told how the people made all the sacred garments and instruments for the priests who would serve (Ex ; 39). Did the people s investments in the tabernacle make it more important to them? If we invest in God s work today, will it be more meaningful to us? Why? ConneCT TO FAMily Families using the Bible Studies for Life curriculum will learn about spending wisely and investing what they earn. Kids and preschoolers will hear that the people gave so much money and resources to build the tabernacle, Moses finally had to tell them to stop giving. Younger preschoolers will learn that God wants people to work together. image credit: istockphoto.com 22 Unit 1, SeSSion 4

14 BIBLE STORY SPECIAL instructions Exodus 35:4-35 BIBLE STORY FOR 2s BIBLE STORY FOR 1s God told Moses He wanted the people to build a tent church. Listen, people. This is what God said. Get ready to build a special tent church for Me. God wants everyone to work together, Moses said. The people listened; then they went back home to gather things for the tent church and get ready to build. God had a special job for Moses. Tell the people to build a tent church for Me. God knew the size He wanted the tent church to be and the way it was to be decorated. The tent church would be very beautiful. Moses called all the people together. This is what God said to me. Take up an offering. Bring anything you have that can be used to build a special church for Me. Moses told the people: Everyone will have a job to do. God wants us to make the tent and a covering for it. The tent will have tall wooden beams and poles. There will be curtains and special lampstands. We will make a special courtyard. Moses gave more instructions. Some of you will make special robes and clothing for the church leaders to wear when they go inside the tent. Moses wanted the people to hear the special instructions God gave for building the tent church. It was important that the people work together to do what God said to do. The people went home to gather their offerings and get ready to build. GETTING READY TO TEACH Prepare Pack Items 4, 15, 16, 19, 24, 25, 26. (See instructions in 1s & 2s Leader Pack.) Make a tools puzzle. Draw outlines of toy tools on a piece of poster board. Every week help children think about Jesus. Say His name often and talk about Him. This week s Christ focus is Jesus calls the church to join Him in His mission. Notes Learning Activities Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. songs Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. Track 1. Work Together Happily Tra ck 12. Happy Helper Provide two or more Bibles in the room for preschoolers to use. Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 23

15 bible PHRASE Work together. Ephesians 6:7 You will need: Paint smock, bubble wrap (tape to a table), washable paint, aluminum pie pan, sponge brushes, white paper Action Cube (Pack Item 16), Kids Activity Page Bible Phrase Markers (Pack Item 15), cardboard box, a few items such as colorful fabric, smooth wood pieces, metal candlesticks, plastic vase Plastic tools, tools outline poster (See Getting Ready. ), Enhanced CD bible-learning ACTIVITIES MAKE BUBBLE WRAP PRINTS Christ Focus: Jesus calls the church to join Him in His mission. Bible Focus: People listened to the special instructions from God. Guide a child to brush paint over the bubble wrap. Then lay a sheet of paper over the painted surface to make a print. Remark that you and the child are working together. Comment that God wanted the people to work together to build the tent church. The people listened to Moses and followed God s instructions. Encourage the child to say the Bible Phrase Work together. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS Christ Focus: Jesus calls the church to join Him in His mission. Bible Focus: Moses told the people to follow God s instructions. Invite the children to play a game. Tell them they must work together. Invite a child to toss the cube and do the action shown on the cube. Tell the preschooler to show a friend how to do the action. Comment that God wants us to work together. Mention that the people worked together after Moses explained what God wanted them to do. Guide children in completing the Activity Page. PUSH A BOX Christ Focus: Jesus calls the church to join Him in His mission. Bible Focus: Moses told the people it was important to work together. Put the marker in the Bible at Exodus 35. Lay the materials inside the box. Invite two children to work together to push the box around the room. Ask a child to lift the Bible out of the box and open it to the marker. As children examine the materials, relate the items to things the people were told to gather for the tent church. Remind the children the people had to work together on the tent church. PLAY WITH TOOLS Christ Focus: Jesus calls the church to join Him in His mission. Bible Focus: Moses told the people God said work together to build the tent church. Lay the tools and the poster board on the floor. As children play with the tools, challenge them to match the tools to their outlines. Name the tools and describe how they are used. 24 Unit 1, SeSSion 4

16 LIFE POINT God wants people to work together. Tell children the people may have used tools to build a tent church. Say the Bible Phrase; then play the song Happy Helper. PLAY in A TENT Christ Focus: Jesus calls the church to join Him in His mission. Bible Focus: God told Moses to build a beautiful tent church for Him. Drape the fabric over a table to create a tent. As preschoolers read or match cards, tell the Bible story. Comment that God wanted the people to work together. God told Moses what the people needed to make the tent church beautiful. Sing the song Work Together Happily. Notes Large piece of fabric, Churches Match Cards (Pack Item 24), Book: God Planned for People to Work (Pack Item 25), Book Flaps (Pack Item 26) image credit: istockphoto.com MAKE A FABRIC COLLAGE Christ Focus: Jesus calls the church to join Him in His mission. Bible Focus: Moses told the people to use fabric for curtains and robes. Tape a sheet of clear contact plastic to the wall with the sticky side out. Suggest that children work together to make a fabric collage. Comment on the colors, patterns, and textures. Relate this to the items the people may have used to make robes and curtains for the tent church. Remind the children that God wants us to work together. BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Lead 2s to sit on the floor as songs play. Sing along for a few minutes. Say: I like to sing with friends at church. I like to see my friends following instructions and listening. Lead the preschoolers to follow your motions as you sway, clap, circle arms, and touch your ears. Open the Bible to Exodus 35. Say: Moses told the people about God s instructions for building the tent church. The people listened, then they worked together. Tell the Bible story; then show the Bible story picture. Invite 2s to take turns removing Bible objects pictures from the bag. Describe how these items remind you of the instructions God gave the people. Brightly colored fabric, clear contact plastic, tape Bible, Enhanced CD, Bible Story Picture: Special Instructions (Pack Item 4), Bible Story Objects (Pack Item 19), gift bag bonus ideas! use cookie cutters and play dough play with pop beads draw with crayons Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 25

17 LIFE POINT People can give and help do God s work. Everyone Works BIBLE PASSAGE Exodus 35:4 36:6; 39:32-43 Christ FOCus Jesus willingly gave Himself. LIFE ACtion Suggest to Parents: Spread a sheet over some chairs to make an indoor tent. Suggest that your child find special items to decorate the tent. Sit in the tent with your preschooler and talk about the people who worked together to build the tabernacle. bible PHRASE Be happy when you give. 2 Corinthians 9:7 LOBL Self DATE OF USE LEADER BIBLE STUDY The old church building was engulfed in flames as a fire spread through the wooden structure. The pastor and congregation stood nearby, watching sadly as walls began to crumble. Finally the old steeple, wrapped in flames, slowly fell from its lofty perch onto the inferno below. To the casual observer, it was just an old wooden church that burned on a cold winter night. For many in the congregation, the building was a sacred place where they became Christians, were baptized, married, raised their children, and eulogized loved ones. Despite their loss, the people knew that the church was not the building. So they all came together and, about a year later, worshiped in a beautiful new sanctuary. The people of Israel also worked together to build their new place of worship. When all the parts had been assembled, Moses inspected the finished tabernacle and blessed all those who had given and worked to build it. He commanded the people to put all the pieces together according to God s instructions. Each part of the tent and every piece of furniture were placed accordingly, and the priests were commissioned to do their holy work. The tabernacle became the place where God revealed Himself to His people. God was honored by the people s offerings of wealth and labor. Does the glory of God descend on churches when they worship Him today? How so? Can someone worship God alone? Why is congregational worship important? ConneCT TO FAMily Families using the Bible Studies for Life curriculum will learn about working for Christ. Adults and students will focus on believers working their plan with Kingdom purpose. Kids and preschoolers will hear that the people worked together to build the tabernacle. Younger preschoolers will hear that people can give and help do God s work. image credit: istockphoto.com 26 Unit 1, SeSSion 5

18 BIBLE STORY Building the TENT CHURCH Exodus 35:4 36:6; 39:32-43 BIBLE STORY FOR 2s BIBLE STORY FOR 1s We have work to do, Moses told the people. We must build a tent church. All the people brought things wood, stone, cloth, furs, spices. Work, work, work. The people worked together to get the tent church ready. Moses was glad the people worked together on the tent church. Moses called all the people together. He had an important message: God wants you to bring offerings to help build a tent church. Anyone who can work must help. God has made all of us with special skills so we can help. The people began to work. Some brought jewelry and ornaments. Others brought purple, red, and blue cloth. Others brought oils and spices. People worked together to put up the wooden poles and ropes. They put up the beautiful curtains. So many people helped that Moses said, Stop bringing gifts. We have all we need for the tent church. Moses was glad the people worked together on the tent church. GETTING READY TO TEACH Prepare Pack Items 5, 22, 24. (See instructions in 1s & 2s Leader Pack.) Cover a round oatmeal container with colored paper. Tape pieces of play paper money to the colored paper. Drop in a handful of nuts, bolts, and screws. Replace the lid and tape securely. Cover the container with clear contact plastic. Make a feel-and-guess box. Get a shoebox and put in these items: Bible Story Objects (coins and tools) (Pack Item 19), Tools (Pack Item 28), pieces of bright fabric, empty spice containers, and play paper money. Every week help children think about Jesus. Say His name often and talk about Him. This week s Christ focus is Jesus willingly gave Himself. Notes Learning Activities Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. songs Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. Track 1. Work Together Happily Track 12. Happy Helper Provide two or more Bibles in the room for preschoolers to use. Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 27

19 bible PHRASE Be happy when you give. 2 Corinthians 9:7 You will need: Churches Match Cards (Pack Item 24), decorated oatmeal container (See Getting Ready. ), Enhanced CD Book: What Does God Want Me to Do? (Pack Item 22), child s wagon, several empty gift boxes Bible Story Picture: Building the Tent Church (Pack Item 5), feel-and-guess shoebox (See Getting Ready. ), Kids Activity Page Read to Me Bible for Kids, paper towel tube, plastic shower curtain rings bible-learning ACTIVITIES ROLL A BOX Christ Focus: Jesus willingly gave Himself. Bible Focus: I can be happy when I give. Roll the container to a child. Comment on the sound you hear. Tell the child some building items are inside the container. Help another child match the cards and play with the tools. Relate the building items to the people s gifts for the tent church. Play the song Happy Helper. LOAD GIFT BOXES Christ Focus: Jesus willingly gave Himself. Bible Focus: Everyone can help do God s work. Turn in the Bible to Exodus 35. Remark that God told the people to bring offerings and other things for the new tent church. The people gave so much that Moses told them to stop. Encourage 1s and 2s to help one another load up the gift boxes and transport them to a pretend building site. As the children work together, name the items people gave for the tent church. Suggest that the people were happy to give. Read the book to a child waiting to load or pull the wagon. GUESS the GIFT Christ Focus: Jesus willingly gave Himself. Bible Focus: God wants people to give what they have. Hand the shoebox to a child, and invite her to lift the lid without looking into the box. Ask her if she can feel an item and guess what it is or represents. Show the Bible story picture. Tell the child that God said the people should give what they had. Some people gave fabric; others gave spices or a money offering. Remark that people at your church give money offerings to help. Guide the child to complete the Activity Page. Fit CURTAIN RINGS Christ Focus: Jesus willingly gave Himself. Bible Focus: People gave materials to make curtains for the tent church. Show a child how to slide the curtain rings on and off the tube. Mention that curtain rings are used to hang curtains. Relate this to the people giving fabric 28 Unit 1, SeSSion 5

20 LIFE POINT People can give and help do God s work. to make curtains for the tent. Show children the picture of a tent church (Read to Me Bible for Kids). Say the Bible Phrase. TOUCH textures Christ Focus: Jesus willingly gave Himself. Bible Focus: People gave fabric and other materials for the tent church. Invite a child to rub his hand over the fabrics to feel the differences. Comment that some textures are smooth and others are rough or bumpy. Relate the fabrics to the materials the people gave for the tent church. Open the Bible to Exodus 35 and tell the Bible story. Notes Shoebox covered with swatches of textured fabrics image credit: istockphoto.com Make bible marker GIFTS Christ Focus: Jesus willingly gave Himself. Bible Focus: I can give and help do God s work. Invite preschoolers to decorate index cards to make markers to give to adults. As children decorate markers, comment that people often make gifts for others. Walk with the children to an adult class. Encourage each child to give a decorated Bible marker to an adult. BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Use colored painter s tape to make a tape line down the hallway. In the classroom invite 2s to clap and chant the Bible Phrase. While you are chanting, another teacher should place the other items along the tape line. Put the Bible story picture and Bible at the end of the tape line. Take 2s on a walk to find things that could be used to build a tent church. Each time you get to an item, ask a child to pick it up and help carry it. When you arrive at the end of the line, sit on the floor and talk about the materials. Say: The people worked to build the tent church. Everyone took something special to use for the church. The people gave and gave and gave. They were happy to give. Continue the story, then lead 2s to repeat the Bible Phrase. Sing the song Work Together Happily. Washable markers, crayons, stickers, index cards Bible, Bible Story Picture: Building the Tent Church (Pack Item 5), 1-2 yards of fabric, decorative rope, pole or dowel rod, painter s tape bonus ideas! carry a backpack lie on a mat and listen to music play with bowls and spoons Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 29

21 LIFE POINT God said we are to rest after working. Time to Rest BIBLE PASSAGE Exodus 31 Christ FOCus Jesus bears our burdens and offers us rest. LIFE ACtion Suggest to Parents: Commit to a specific time this week that your family will rest. No work, practices, or technology allowed. Instead, relax and enjoy the time together. Tell your preschooler that God wants us to rest. Thank God for this break. bible PHRASE God said, "Work six days; then rest." Exodus 31:15 LOBL Self DATE OF USE LEADER BIBLE STUDY Athletic training can be difficult. Many teams often practice two or three hours daily in grueling heat. Basketball players run up and down the court with few breaks in the action. Gymnasts perform incredible feats of agility, pushing their muscles to extreme limits. No matter what sport, however, coaches agree on one thing: athletes need lots of rest. No matter how hard a competitor trains, if he does not get adequate rest, the preparation will be for naught. God commanded Moses and the people of Israel to plan, build, and assemble the tabernacle (Exodus 25:1 31:11). God also commanded the people to observe His Sabbaths (days of rest, from the Hebrew word shabbat meaning to cease or desist ). God insisted that the people follow this command by setting aside one day out of seven (and occasionally other special days) to do no work, but rest. God warned them that defiling the Sabbath or treating it as any other day would result in dire consequences (Ex. 31:14-15). Centuries later, Jesus criticized the Jewish tradition because the religious leaders had made the Sabbath a legalistic straitjacket. Jesus pointed out to His critics that the Sabbath was made for man and not the other way around. (See Mark 2:27.) The early church eventually made the first day of the week the Lord s Day in honor of Jesus resurrection and continued the Sabbath principle of rest and worship. In what ways should faithful Christians keep the Sabbath? ConneCT TO FAMily Families using the Bible Studies for Life curriculum will learn about God s plan for people to rest. Adults focus is Give Work a Rest, while students will learn it is important to rest on purpose. Kids and preschoolers will hear that Moses rested after working hard. Younger preschoolers will learn that God said we are to rest after working. image credit: istockphoto.com 30 Unit 1, SeSSion 6

22 BIBLE STORY Rest for Moses Exodus 31 BIBLE STORY FOR 2s BIBLE STORY FOR 1s God had special work for Moses and the people. God chose men to help Moses with the special work. God said: Moses, tell the people to work for six days. Then the people are to rest. Work six days; then rest. God loved Moses and wanted him to learn to rest. God talked to Moses. He said He wanted the people to build a beautiful tent church for Him. Moses and the people would have to work a long time to build the tent and decorate it. God said that some men would be Moses special helpers to get this work done. God knew that Moses would get tired from so much work. God said: Moses, tell the people they must rest when I tell them to rest. I am God and I know what you need. You are to work for six days. Then on the seventh day, stop working. The seventh day is always to be a day to rest. It is a special day, and I want you and the people to rest on that day. It is what I did when I made the world and all the things in it. Remember, work six days; then rest. When you do this, you will show you love Me, God told Moses. God loved Moses and wanted him to learn to rest. Notes Learning Activities Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. songs Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. Tra ck 6. Because God Loves Me Tra ck 13. I Count on My Fingers GETTING READY TO TEACH Provide two or more Bibles in the room for preschoolers to use. Prepare pack items 6, 17, 22, 25, 27. (See instructions in 1s & 2s Leader Pack.) Every week help children think about Jesus. Say His name often and talk about Him. This week s Christ focus is Jesus bears our burdens and offers us rest. Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 31

23 bible PHRASE God said, Work six days; then rest. Exodus 31:15 You will need: Bible Story Picture: Rest for Moses (Pack Item 6), People Figures (Pack Item 17) Old cell phones (batteries removed), working cell phone (optional), Unit 1 Bible Phrase Strips (Enhanced CD), large plastic cup, tube sock Bible, sleeping bag or mat; Books: What Does God Want Me to Do? (Pack Item 22) and God Planned for People to Work (Pack Item 25); Enhanced CD; Kids Activity Page Faces (Pack Item 27), Unit 1 Bible Phrase Strips (Enhanced CD), felt board or piece of felt cloth, geometric felt shapes, hook-and-loop fasteners bible-learning ACTIVITIES PLAY WITH BLOCKS AND PEOPLE FIGURES Christ Focus: Jesus bears our burdens and offers us rest. Bible Focus: God told Moses to work for six days, then rest. Tape stand-up figures to blocks and place them with cardboard blocks. As children play, talk to them about the kinds of work people do. Children may tell you about their father s or mother s work. Open the Bible to Exodus 31 and tell the Bible story. Comment that God wanted the people to work, but He also wanted the people to rest. Guide children to say the Bible Phrase with you. TALK ON the PHONE Christ Focus: Jesus bears our burdens and offers us rest. Bible Focus: God planned for people to work and rest. Slip the plastic cup inside the sock and drop several word strips in the cup. Invite a child to pull a word strip from the cup. Lead the child to repeat the phrase as he talks on the phone. Or use a cell phone camera to video the child talking. Show the video to the child. Remind the child that God wants people to work and rest. Rest is important. Sing the song Because God Loves Me. REST ON A SLEEPING BAG Christ Focus: Jesus bears our burdens and offers us rest. Bible Focus: God said people are to rest after working. Put the sleeping bag, Bible, and books in an out of the way spot in the room. Play the instrumental selections from the CD softly in the background. Invite a preschooler to rest on the sleeping bag and look at a book. Comment that God told Moses to work, then rest. God knew it was important for people to rest after working. Assist a child in completing the Activity Page. STICK and MOVE FELT shapes Christ Focus: Jesus bears our burdens and offers us rest. Bible Focus: Moses told the people God wanted them to work and rest. Attach a fastener to several face pictures and word strips. Encourage a child to place the pictures and shapes on the felt board. While the 32 Unit 1, SeSSion 6

24 LIFE POINT God said we are to rest after working. child works, point to a word strip and remind the child that God wants people to work and rest. Tell the Bible story. DISCOVER A PICTURE Christ Focus: Jesus bears our burdens and offers us rest. Bible Focus: God told people to work and rest. Lay the teaching picture on a flat surface and put the paint bag over it. Tape the bag to the table. Show a child how to use his finger to move the paint inside the bag to reveal the picture. Remark that the child discovered a picture of Moses. Comment that God told Moses to tell the people to rest after they worked for six days. Lead the child to say 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, then the word rest. DRESS in ROBES AND SLIPPERS Christ Focus: Jesus bears our burdens and offers us rest. Bible Focus: God said people are to rest after working. Arrange the robes, slippers, and the Bible to capture children s attention. Suggest that children try on the robes and slippers and look in a mirror. Talk about what time of day people usually put on these items. Open the Bible to Exodus 31:15 and repeat the Bible Phrase. Play the song I Count on My Fingers. Notes Bible Story Picture: Rest for Moses (Pack Item 6), gallon-size freezer bag with small amount of tempera paint poured in (Seal opening with heavy tape.) Child-size robes and slippers, nonbreakable mirror, Enhanced CD image credit: istockphoto.com BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Sit on the floor and begin to clap and chant: work, rest, work, and rest. Encourage 2s to clap and chant with you. Challenge 2s to clap fast as they say: Work, work, work, and then slower as they say Rest, rest, rest. Lay the Bible story picture on the floor where children can see it and talk about what is shown. Open the Bible to Exodus 31 and tell the story. Say: God told Moses to tell the people to work for six days. What did God tell the people to do after they worked? After 2s respond, say a prayer thanking God for rest. Repeat the chanting activity as long as children are interested. Bible, Bible Story Picture: Rest for Moses (Pack Item 6) bonus ideas! draw with chalk fold a blanket play rhythm instruments Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 33

25 LIFE POINT People love me. Loved BIBLE PASSAGE 2 Samuel 9:1-13 ChriST FOCUS Jesus does not spare His love for anyone. life LIFE ACtioN Suggest to Parents: Take your child with you to the grocery and let him choose items to give to a local ministry. Guide your child to know that caring about others needs helps them know we love and care about them. bible PHRASE God made us special. Psalm 8:5 LOBL Self Date OF USE LEADER BIBLE STUDY Scott Hamilton was considered by many to be the best figure skater of his day. His athletic ability allowed him to earn an Olympic gold medal. Later Scott faced what many people fear: cancer. He also had to deal with a recurring brain tumor. Yet Scott Hamilton came to realize he was not without hope! When his brain tumor was diagnosed, he learned that he had been born with it. The tumor inhibited his growth as a child, which was the reason his mother had enrolled him in skating. Without the tumor, Scott probably would have played other sports and missed the opportunities to excel in figure skating. His healing process taught him that through a strong relationship with Jesus, a person can endure anything. In the days following the deaths of King Saul and Jonathan in battle, David was finally crowned king of Israel. Jonathan had been David s closest friend, even while Saul tried to kill David. It was the custom for a new king to eliminate any other heirs to the throne, but David respected King Saul. When David became king, one of his first actions was to ask if any of Saul s family survived. David learned that Jonathan had a physically challenged son named Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth had become disabled after his father and grandfather died in battle. When word arrived that Saul and Jonathan had died in battle, Mephibosheth s nurse dropped him in her hasty departure from the royal palace. Mephibosheth s feet were permanently injured as a result. David ordered that Mephibosheth be brought to his house. David promised Jonathan s son that he would always sit at the royal table and would inherit his grandfather s estate. How can we help family and friends maintain hope when facing life crises? What is the basis of Christian hope? CONNECT TO FAMily Families using Bible Studies for Life curriculum will discover that God is with us. Kids and preschoolers will hear Mephibosheth needed hope and David showed it to him. Younger preschoolers will learn that David showed love to a friend s family. image credit: istockphoto.com 36 Unit 2, SeSSion 1

26 BIBLE STORY David Showed love 2 Samuel 9:1-13 BIBLE STORY FOR 2s BIBLE STORY FOR 1s David was a kind man. One day David told his helper, Find my friend Jonathan s son. Bring him to my house. The helper found the son and brought him to David s house. David said, Live at my house and eat my food. You are my friend Jonathan s son, and I will be kind to you. King David often remembered his friend, Jonathan. One day David asked his helper, Do you know anyone in Jonathan s family? I want to help Jonathan s family. Yes, said the helper. Jonathan s son. He was hurt when he was a boy, and he cannot walk. When David heard this, he told his helper to find the man. When the man came to David s house, he knelt down. Don t be afraid, David said. I will be kind to you because your father was my good friend. You may always live here and eat with me. GETTinG READY TO TEACH Gather resources and materials needed for Bible-learning activities. Provide two or more Bibles in the room for preschoolers to use. Prepare Pack Items 7, 15, 27. (See instructions in 1s & 2s Leader Pack.) Cut large arrows from poster board (see Enhanced CD). Use these to make a path across the floor. Every week help children think about Jesus. Say His name often and talk about Him. This week s Christ focus is Jesus does not spare His love for anyone. Notes LearniNG Activities Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. songs Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. Track 4. Tell Me Track 8. Who Loves Me? Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 37

27 bible PHRASE God made us special. Psalm 8:5 You will need: Faces (Pack Item 27) (select 4 pairs of faces), Kids Activity Page, basket Bible Story Picture: David Showed Love (Pack Item 7), small rolling suitcase, a few items of children s clothing, toy animal, small blanket Child s shoe with a textured sole, aluminum pie tin, washable paint, paint smock, paper Bible Phrase Marker (Pack Item 15), ribbon or crepe paper streamers, Enhanced CD bible-learning ACTIVITIES MATCH PICTUReS OF PEOPLE Christ Focus: Jesus does not spare His love for anyone. Bible Focus: God wants me to know people love and care for me. Place one of each picture pair in the basket. Place the other pictures faceup in a row on a table or the floor. Invite a child to look at the faces, then reach in the basket to find a match. Talk about people who love the preschooler and take care of him. Thank God for these people. Then sing the song Who Loves Me? Help another child complete the Activity Page. Remark that David showed love to Jonathan s son. PACK A SUITCASE Christ Focus: Jesus does not spare His love for anyone. Bible Focus: David shared his home with Jonathan s son. Invite a preschooler to open the suitcase. Ask him if he has used a suitcase. Ask him about the trip and what items he packed. Help the child fold a few clothes and other items and place them in the suitcase. Point to the Bible story picture as you tell the Bible story. Suggest that Jonathan s son may have needed to pack his clothes to take them to David s house. MAKE Shoe PRINTS Christ Focus: Jesus does not spare His love for anyone. Bible Focus: God made me special and gave me people to love me. Write the Bible Phrase on a sheet of paper. Guide a child to press the shoe into the paint, then make a shoe print on the paper. Note that people wear shoes to protect their feet and help them walk and run. Tell the story about a person (Jonathan s son) who could not walk well. Comment that God made us special and loves us. WAVE STREAMERS Christ Focus: Jesus does not spare His love for anyone. Bible Focus: David showed love to a friend s son; people show love to me. Place the marker at 2 Samuel 9 and lay the Bible with the toys. Play the CD. Invite children to wave streamers and walk around the room. Stop when you see the Bible. Open it to the marker and tell the Bible story. Remind preschoolers that David showed love to Jonathan s son, and people 38 Unit 2, SeSSion 1

28 LIFE POINT People love me. show God s love to preschoolers. Say the Bible Phrase, encouraging preschoolers to say it with you. Pretend to be a DOCTOR Christ Focus: Jesus does not spare His love for anyone. Bible Focus: David showed love to a friend s son. Arrange the items on a table. Sit near a child while she doctors the doll. Talk about a time when the child was hurt or sick. Ask who cared for the preschooler when she did not feel well. Tell the story about David helping the son of his friend, Jonathan. Sing the song Tell Me. FOLLow ARRowS TO A MIRROR Christ Focus: Jesus does not spare His love for anyone. Bible Focus: God loves me and made me special. Cut large arrows from poster board and arrange them on the floor to create a path to the mirror. Lay a Bible beside the mirror. Suggest a child follow the arrow path to get to the mirror. Point to the child s image in the mirror, and comment that you see someone who is loved by many people. Remind the child that God made him to be a special person. Open the Bible to Psalm 8:5 and say the Bible Phrase. Remark that people love us. Relate this to David s loving Jonathan and wanting to help Jonathan s son. Notes Toy doctor s kit, baby doll, stretch and gauze bandages Bible, nonbreakable wall or handheld mirror, large arrow cut-outs (See Getting Ready. ) image credit: istockphoto.com BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Invite 2s to play a game. Describe a child and wait for children to guess the person. Say: You are right. Did you know God made Jude special? Continue describing all the children. Then sing the song Who Loves Me? Ask a child to hold the picture. Say: Listen to a story about someone who loved his friend and wanted to do something for him. Tell the Bible story. Sing to the tune Mary Had a Little Lamb : People love me everyday, everyday, everyday, People love me everyday, They show God s love to me. Pray, thanking God for making every child special. Bible Story Picture: David Showed Love (Pack Item 7) bonus ideas! play with jars and lids look through binoculars work mixed-up puzzles Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 39

29 LIFE POINT People loved Jesus and welcomed Him. A Special Day BIBLE PASSAGE Matthew 21:1-11,14-16 ChriST FOCUS Jesus is alive and He loves us. life LIFE ACtioN Suggest to Parents: Sing the song Jesus Loves Me. Tell your child that when people know that Jesus loves them, they are happy. As a family, think of ways you can tell and show Jesus that you love Him. bible PHRASE People shouted words of love to Jesus. Matthew 21:9 LOBL Jesus Date OF USE LEADER BIBLE STUDY The Sunday before Easter is called Palm Sunday because of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As Jesus entered the city on the back of a donkey, He was greeted by throngs waving palm branches and shouting Hosanna to the Son of David! Matthew reminded us that this fulfilled a prophecy of the Messiah found in Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9. When Jesus arrived in the city, He healed the lame and blind. While the children shouted Hosanna! and the crowds witnessed the miracles of healing, the religious leaders grew indignant. The Jewish people thought the Messiah was going to liberate them and restore the kingdom of David. So when Jesus entered the city, the leaders fully expected Him to begin His earthly reign immediately. Of course, that was not God s plan. First Jesus had to suffer and die. His death was something the Jewish people did not expect, but it was absolutely necessary for our salvation. Beginning with Palm Sunday and during the week that follows, we trace the events of Jesus last week, including His last supper, His death on the cross, and most important of all His resurrection from the dead. Since Jesus did not establish His earthly political kingdom, does the cry of Hosanna still apply to our personal lives? How? CONNECT TO FAMily Families using Bible Studies for Life curriculum will hear about the glorious resurrection of Christ. Adults and students will center on the salvation that comes through the risen Lord. Kids and older preschoolers will hear about Jesus crucifixion and resurrection. Younger preschoolers will hear the story of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem and become aware that people who loved Jesus were joyful and happy. image credit: istockphoto.com 60 Special Focus

30 BIBLE STORY People welcomed JeSUS Matthew 21:1-11,14-16 BIBLE STORY FOR 2s BIBLE STORY FOR 1s Many people saw Jesus as He rode into the town. The people knew Jesus was special. They ran on the road ahead of Him. The people laid their coats on the road. Some spread tree branches on the road. Children shouted happy words because they loved Jesus. Jesus was happy to hear the words the people shouted. Men, women, boys, and girls stood by the road in Jerusalem. Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming! the people shouted. The people knew Jesus was special. Jesus rode on a donkey through the noisy crowds. The people laid branches across the road for the donkey to walk over. Some people laid their coats on the road. Jesus saw all the people. He heard the children shouting, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Hosanna, hosanna, they shouted. This was the children s way of saying, We love Jesus. Jesus was happy to hear the words the people shouted. He was glad the children welcomed Him in such a special way. GETTinG READY TO TEACH Gather resources and materials needed for Bible-learning activities. Provide two or more Bibles in the room for preschoolers to use. Prepare Pack Items 13, 15, 33. (See instructions in 1s & 2s Leader Pack.) Every week help children think about Jesus. Say His name often and talk about Him. This week s Christ Focus is Jesus is alive and He loves us. Notes LearniNG Activities Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. song Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. Tra ck 9. What a Special Day Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 61

31 bible PHRASE People shouted words of love to Jesus. Matthew 21:9 You will need: A few books about Jesus; puzzles Bible Times Fishing, Breakfast with Jesus, Jesus Reads the Bible Bible Phrase Markers (Pack Item 15), toy cars and trucks Bible Story Picture: People Welcomed Jesus (Pack Item 13), small branches or palm leaves, washable green paint, flat pan, paper, paint smocks Bible Story Picture: People Welcomed Jesus (Pack Item 13), Jesus Pictures (Pack Item 33), Kids Activity Page, cardboard blocks, basket bible-learning ACTIVITIES work WORK JESUS PUzzLeS/READ ABOUT JESUS Christ Focus: Jesus is alive and He loves us. Bible Focus: The people knew Jesus was special. Invite a child to choose a puzzle or book. Mention that all the materials help us think about Jesus. Open the Bible to Matthew 21 and tell the Bible story. Remark that the people loved Jesus and they showed their love by shouting words of love to Him. Guide the child to repeat the Bible Phrase. PLAY WITH CARS Christ Focus: Jesus is alive and He loves us. Bible Focus: Jesus traveled to Jerusalem where the people welcomed Him. As children roll cars and trucks, talk to them about going places in cars. Mention that Jesus rode a donkey into the city. Ask a child to find a marker in the Bible. Read the Bible Phrase. Sing the song What a Special Day. PAinT WITH LEAveS Christ Focus: Jesus is alive and He loves us. Bible Focus: Children were excited to welcome Jesus. Suggest that a child use a branch or palm leaves as a brush for painting. As the child paints, show the Bible story picture and talk about the branches and leaves people placed on the road to Jerusalem. Repeat the Bible Phrase and lead the child to say, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, hosanna. Explain that this was how the children welcomed Jesus. WALK ON A BLOCK PATH Christ Focus: Jesus is alive and He loves us. Bible Focus: The people welcomed Jesus. Make a path with the blocks. Place the following in a basket at the end of the path: Activity Page, Bible story picture, and pictures of Jesus. Hold a child s hand and help her balance as she walks on the path. When she reaches the end, show her the Bible story picture. Talk about the people showing their love for Jesus. Help the child do the Activity Page and say the Bible Phrase. Suggest the child remove the pictures of Jesus from the basket, line them up, and say Jesus, Jesus, welcome Jesus. 62 Special Focus

32 LIFE POINT People loved Jesus and welcomed Him. TALK ON TELEPhoneS Christ Focus: Jesus is alive and He loves us. Bible Focus: The people welcomed Jesus in a special way. Set two phones on a table. Use one to begin a conversation with a preschooler. As you talk, say that you are glad the child came to church today. Mention that at church you hear about Jesus and that He is special. Remark that the children welcomed Jesus in a special way. They shouted praises to Jesus. They shouted words of love. Guide the child in repeating the Bible Phrase. DRESS IN BIBLE Times CLOTheS Christ Focus: Jesus is alive and He loves us. Bible Focus: People shouted to show they loved Jesus. Assist a child in dressing to look like he is wearing Bible clothes. Show the child the Bible story picture and comment on the clothing the children in the picture are wearing. Give the child a leaf or branch to wave. Tell him to say Hosanna, hosanna! Encourage the child to look in the mirror as he shouts words of love to Jesus. Notes 2 old cell phones (batteries removed) or play phone Bible Story Picture: People Welcomed Jesus (Pack Item 13), strips of fabric, standup mirror, palm leaf or green paper branch image credit: istockphoto.com BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Play an instrument to the rhythm of the music playing on the CD. As 2s join you, say: Children were happy when they saw Jesus riding the donkey. Let s play music together and sing about Jesus. Give children instruments to play as the CD plays. After a few songs, collect the instruments and pick up the Bible story picture. Ask 2s to pass it around the circle. Open the Bible to Matthew 21 and tell the Bible story. Say a thank-you to God for sending Jesus to love and help us. Help children know Jesus was special and the people loved Him. Play the music again and continue playing instruments. Bible Story Picture: People Welcomed Jesus (Pack Item 13), Enhanced CD, rhythm instruments bonus ideas! read with glasses lace picture cards play with a pull toy Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 63

33 LIFE POINT I know Jesus cares for me. Valued BIBLE PASSAGE Matthew 8:1-13 ChriST FOCUS We can believe that Jesus cares about us and wants to help us. life LIFE ACtioN Suggest to Parents: Talk with your child about an answer you received to a prayer. Be as concrete as possible. Remind your child that God always wants what is best for us. Begin a prayer journal, naming people or situations for which your family can pray. bible PHRASE God made us special. Psalm 8:5 LOBL Self Date OF USE LEADER BIBLE STUDY Medical science has made incredible advances in the past century. Diseases that once were life threatening are now prevented or quickly cured. For instance, a few years ago it was not uncommon to see boys or girls wearing steel leg braces to walk. Many people were victims of polio. Medical scientists, led by Dr. Jonas Salk, discovered a vaccine that was given to all school kids. Soon polio was virtually eradicated. In ancient times, medicine as we understand it was nonexistent. Nonetheless, Jesus miraculously healed people. Matthew 8:1-13 offers two such examples. First, a desperate man with leprosy begged Jesus to heal him. Jesus immediately did so and ordered the man to go to the priest and be certified as physically and spiritually clean. As Jesus made His way into Capernaum, a Roman centurion implored Him to heal his stricken servant. Jesus consented to go with the centurion. However, the centurion, being a Gentile, did not regard himself worthy to have Jesus in his house. The soldier was confident Jesus could heal from afar because of His divine authority, which the centurion compared to his own authority as a military officer. Amazed, Jesus gave the centurion extremely high praise: I assure you: I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith! (Matt. 8:10). The servant was immediately cured. In what ways does God answer our prayers for healing today? Why does He not always do so? CONNECT TO FAMily Families using Bible Studies for Life curriculum will learn about God s power. Kids and preschoolers will hear a story about Jesus healing power and the hope of the centurion. Younger preschoolers will begin to sense and know that Jesus cares for them. image credit: istockphoto.com 40 Unit 2, SeSSion 2

34 BIBLE STORY A Man ASKed JeSUS to help Matthew 8:1-13 BIBLE STORY FOR 2s2 BIBLE STORY FOR 1s One day a man asked Jesus to make his sick helper well. The man knew Jesus could do this. Jesus told the man that He would go to his house. But the man told Jesus just to say the words. So that is what Jesus did. When the man got home, his helper was well! Jesus did what He said He would do. Many people followed Jesus. The people asked Jesus to help them and He did. The people learned that Jesus cared about them. One day a man went to see Jesus and told Him that a servant (helper) at his house was sick. Jesus said, I will go make him well. But the man thought Jesus was too important to go to the man s house. The man said, Just say the words, Jesus. The man knew Jesus could make the servant well without even going to the house! Jesus was amazed that the man knew this. Jesus said He knew no one else who believed like this man! Jesus told the man to go home. When the man got home, his helper was well! Jesus did what He said He would do. GETTinG READY TO TEACH Gather resources and materials needed for Bible-learning activities. Provide two or more Bibles in the room for preschoolers to use. Prepare Pack Items 8, 21, 27, 32, 33. (See instructions in 1s & 2s Leader Pack.) Every week help children think about Jesus. Say His name often and talk about Him. This week s Christ Focus is We can believe that Jesus cares about us and wants to help us. Notes LearniNG Activities Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. songs Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. See lyrics inside CD cover. Tra ck 7. Jesus Loves You and Me Tra ck 14. Through and Through Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 41

35 bible PHRASE God made us special. Psalm 8:5 You will need: Bible, large plastic interlocking blocks, Bible People Figures (Pack Item 32) Kids Activity Page, Faces (Pack Item 27), paper towel tubes (one per child), tape Washable tempera paint, aluminum pie pan, paint smock, paper plates, marker Bible, Bible Story Picture: A Man Asked Jesus to Help (Pack Item 8), Book: I Know (Pack Item 21), Enhanced CD, soft blanket, other books about Jesus bible-learning ACTIVITIES BuiLD with PLASTic BloCKS Christ Focus: We can believe that Jesus cares about us and wants to help us. Bible Focus: Jesus cared about people and helped them. As a few children fit block pieces together and play with the figures, thank the preschoolers for being kind to one another. Remark that Jesus was kind to people and helped them. Turn in a Bible to Matthew 8 and tell the Bible story. Comment that Jesus was glad the man knew Jesus could help. LooK THRoUGh A TUBE Christ Focus: We can believe that Jesus cares about us and wants to help us. Bible Focus: Jesus cares for people and He cares for me. Tape several face pictures around the room at children s eye level. Invite a child to look through a tube to find face pictures. Tell her to look for a friend in the room. Comment that Jesus loves that person. Assist a child in completing the Activity Page. Remind the child that Jesus cared for the man in the story and He cares for us, too. Lead the child to say the Bible Phrase. MAKE HANDPRINTS Christ Focus: We can believe that Jesus cares about us and wants to help us. Bible Focus: Jesus cared for people and helped them. Write the Bible Phrase on the paper plates. Guide a child to place his hand in the paint, then transfer a print to a plate. Tell the child that Jesus cares for him. Relate this to Jesus caring about sick people and wanting to help them. Say a prayer, thanking God for making us special and loving us. READ ABOUT JESUS Christ Focus: We can believe that Jesus cares about us and wants to help us. Bible Focus: Jesus cares for people and He cares for me. Spread the books and Bible on the blanket. Play the CD, listening for songs that tell about God and Jesus. Encourage children to sing along with songs they have learned. Show children the Bible story picture. Comment that Jesus was glad the man asked Him to help. Suggest that Jesus wants to help us and will. 42 Unit 2, SeSSion 2

36 LIFE POINT I know Jesus cares for me. Read the book to the children. DRESS IN BIBLE COSTUMES Christ Focus: We can believe that Jesus cares about us and wants to help us. Bible Focus: I know Jesus cares for me. While children examine the clothes, show them the Bible story picture. Point to the style of clothing Jesus and the man wore. Open a Bible to Matthew 8 as you tell about a man who asked Jesus for His help. Remind children that Jesus cares for them just as He cared for the man. ROLL A BALL AND TALK ABOUT JESUS Christ Focus: We can believe that Jesus cares about us and wants to help us. Bible Focus: God made us special, and we can learn that Jesus cares for us. Tape the pictures of Jesus to the ball. Invite children to take turns rolling the ball to one another. Point to a picture of Jesus. Remark that Jesus cares about people and loves them. Guide children to repeat the Bible Phrase as they roll the ball. Notes Bible Story Picture: A Man Asked Jesus to Help (Pack Item 8), a few items of Bible times clothing (children s robes, headbands, sandals) (Also see Make Bible Times Clothes instructions on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD.) Jesus Pictures (Pack Item 33), clear packing tape, large ball image credit: istockphoto.com BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Make a tape line on the floor around the room. Tape the Bible story picture to the wall at the end of the line. Tape pictures of Jesus along the path. Invite 2s to walk on the line with you. Each time you get to a picture of Jesus, lead the children to say: Jesus cares for me. After a while, sit on the floor and hold the Bible story picture. Open the Bible and tell the Bible story in your own words. Say: Jesus wants us to know He cares for us. Sing the song Jesus Loves You and Me. Then give each child a rhythm instrument to play while you play the song Through and Through. Play instruments for a few minutes, then set them aside. Say: You are having fun at church today. I m glad we can hear and sing songs about Jesus. God made us special and wants us to know Jesus cares about us. Thank God for sending Jesus to help people. Bible, Bible Story Picture: A Man Asked Jesus to Help (Pack Item 8), Jesus Pictures (Pack Item 33), Enhanced CD, clear packing tape, painters tape, rhythm instruments bonus ideas! sit in a box to read work puzzles make a bandage collage Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 43

37 LIFE POINT God will always love me. Accepted BIBLE PASSAGE Luke 15:11-32 ChriST FOCUS Jesus taught people about the Father s unconditional love. life LIFE ACtioN Suggest to Parents: With your child look at recent photos of family members. Name each person and comment on how much you love that person. Remark that family members love one another. Relate this to the love God has for us, His children. Tell your preschooler that God will always love her. bible PHRASE God loves us. 1 John 4:10 LOBL Self Date OF USE LEADER BIBLE STUDY You may know parents who have to visit a child in prison or watch their child waste away because of drugs or alcohol abuse. Apart from death, no experience could be more emotionally painful. On the other hand, seeing a wayward child turn to Christ and turn his life around is indescribably joyous. Jesus often taught using parables. Parables are true-to-life stories (unlike fables) to illustrate spiritual principles. In one of His best-known parables, Jesus told the story of a man with two sons. The younger son demanded his inheritance so he could leave home. The father gave the young man his share, and the son quickly squandered it in a foreign land. When a famine hit, the son, like many workers today, found himself out of money with few job opportunities. He worked by feeding pigs, the lowest level of humiliation for a Jewish person. Finally he came to his senses and staggered home to beg his father to forgive him and take him back as a lowly servant. Jesus described how the father saw his son coming and ran to meet him. That night the father threw a party in his son s honor. The older son of the family was indignant about the feast, and the loving father told him that his brother was dead but now he is alive (Luke 15:32). The father proclaimed that it was time to celebrate because his son had been lost and was found again. Who did the father represent in Jesus story? How does this parable illustrate the hope we have in Christ? CONNECT TO FAMily Families using Bible Studies for Life curriculum will look at the story of the wayward son and see its depiction of God the Father s love for mankind. Adults and students will focus on God in the home. Kids and preschoolers will learn that Jesus used parables to teach. Younger preschoolers will also hear that God always loves them. image credit: istockphoto.com 44 Unit 2, SeSSion 3

38 BIBLE STORY A SURPRise WeLCome Home Luke 15:11-32 BIBLE STORY FOR 2s One day Jesus told this story: BIBLE STORY FOR 1s A father had two sons. One son stayed home to help his father. The other son went away on a trip. The father was sad. After a long time the son who went on the trip went home. How happy the father was to see his son! The father said, Let s have a party. My son has come home! A father had two sons. One son stayed at home and worked hard to help his family. The other son wanted to go on a trip. He packed all his things. His father gave him money to buy what he needed. The father was sad when his son left. But one son was still home, and the father loved both his sons. After a long time, the son on the trip had spent all his money and did not have food to eat or a place to sleep. He hoped his father would let him come home. And that s what the father did! He was happy that his son came home. The father said, Let s have a party to celebrate! My son has come home! GETTinG READY TO TEACH Gather resources and materials needed for Bible-learning activities. Provide two or more Bibles in the room for preschoolers to use. Prepare Pack Items 9, 15, 17, 27, 32. (See instructions in 1s & 2s Leader Pack.) Cut a hole in the lid of a shoebox, making it large enough for a child to insert his hand. Place several objects in the box and tape the lid on the box. (See Biblelearning Activities. ) Every week help children think about Jesus. Say His name often and talk about Him. This week s Christ Focus is Jesus taught people about the Father s unconditional love. Notes LearniNG Activities Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. song Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. Tra ck 6. Because God Loves Me Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 45

39 bible PHRASE God loves us. 1 John 4:10 You will need: Bible, Bible Phrase Markers (Pack Item 15), crepe paper streamers, masking tape (If you are not allowed to put tape on walls, use an approved material for fastening streamers to the walls.) People Figures (Pack Item 17), Bible People Figures (Pack Item 32), Kids Activity Page Bible Story Picture: A Surprise Welcome Home (Pack Item 9), set of keys, comb, spoon, baby rattle, small plastic bowl, box with a lid (See Getting Ready. ) Faces (Pack Item 27), basket, 4 pair of shoes adult, child, toddler, baby bible-learning ACTIVITIES DECORATE FOR A PARTY Christ Focus: Jesus taught people about the Father s unconditional love. Bible Focus: A father loved his son and celebrated when the son came home. Cut crepe paper into 2- to 4-foot lengths to make streamers. Tear off short lengths of masking tape for children to use to hang the streamers around the room. Tell the children streamers are often used to decorate for a party. While children decorate the room, open the Bible to Luke 15. Comment that the father had a party to celebrate his son s coming home. It was a special day. Tell children that God loves us. PLAY with PeoPLE FIGURES Christ Focus: Jesus taught people about the Father s unconditional love. Bible Focus: God loves people. Show a child two figures, one representing Bible times and one present day. Talk about ways the people s clothing differs. Invite the child to group the people figures. As she works, recall the story. Assist the child in doing the activity on the Activity Page. Remind her that God will always love us. GueSS the ObjeCT Christ Focus: Jesus taught people about the Father s unconditional love. Bible Focus: God loves me and gave me a family to love me. Invite a child to remove an object from the box. Talk about each object and ask who in the child s family would use it. Connect the object or its use to the Bible story. Continue until all objects are removed from the box. Show the Bible story picture as you tell the Bible story. Comment that families are sad when children go away, but they still love the children. God loves us, too. He loves us all the time. TRY ON ShoeS Christ Focus: Jesus taught people about the Father s unconditional love. Bible Focus: God loves me and God gave me a family to love me. Place the shoes in a basket. Mix up four pairs of face pictures on the floor. Invite a child to match the faces. Suggest that God made every person and loves him all the time. Invite another child to match shoe pairs. Suggest a child try on the shoes. 46 Unit 2, SeSSion 3

40 LIFE POINT God will always love me. TOSS A BEANBAG Christ Focus: Jesus taught people about the Father s unconditional love. Bible Focus: God loves people. Lay the happy/sad pictures on the floor a foot apart. Give a child a beanbag to toss on a picture. Ask him to identify the expression as happy or sad. Mention the Bible story, noting that the father felt sad, then happy. Say the Bible Phrase and sing the song Because God Loves Me. Clean the Room Christ Focus: Jesus taught people about the Father s unconditional love. Bible Focus: We are special to God, and He will always love us. Invite a child and a friend to clean the room. Suggest that often when we invite people to our homes or we have a celebration, we clean the house. Comment that the father was so happy when his son returned. He had a party to show how much he loved his son. Tell children that we are special to God, and He loves us, too. Turn to 1 John 4:10 and repeat the Bible Phrase. Notes Bible Story Picture: A Surprise Welcome Home (Pack Item 9), two paper plates, picture of happy face and a picture of a sad face (Enhanced CD), beanbag Bible, paper towels, spray bottles, toy broom and dustpan image credit: istockphoto.com BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s As 2s come to the circle, direct them to be seated. Pass the box to a child and ask her to look inside. Ask: Do you see someone God loves? Yes, God loves Leanna. The Bible says, God loves us. Thank You, God, for Your love. Continue passing the box until every child has looked in the mirror. Open the Bible and tell the Bible story. Say: God wants us to be happy. He wants us to know He loves us. The father loved his son, but God loves us more than that. Sing the song Because God Loves Me. Show 2s the Bible story picture. Play the CD. Give the bows to 2s, directing them to pass them quickly to the friends next to them. Stop the music. Tell the children holding the bows to say the Bible Phrase. Play a few more rounds to ensure that every child gets to speak. Say a brief thank-you to God for His love. Bible, Bible Story Picture: A Surprise Welcome Home (Pack Item 9), nonbreakable hand mirror, shirt box (Fasten mirror inside box.), 3 colorful gift bows, Enhanced CD bonus ideas! stack nesting cups walk on a tape line pretend to shop for party supplies Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 47

41 LIFE POINT I can thank God for His love. Thankful BIBLE PASSAGE Psalm 138:1-8 ChriST FOCUS Jesus taught us to thank God for all things. life LIFE ACtioN Suggest to Parents: As a family, talk about ways to show thanks to God. Include your preschooler in the brainstorming. Then invite him to join you in thanking God for His love and care. Mention that David loved God and thanked Him. bible PHRASE God made us special. Psalm 8:5 LOBL Self Date OF USE LEADER BIBLE STUDY The kids in a small church decided they wanted to do something to reach people in their community. The kids shared their thoughts and finally chose to encourage church members to live out their faith by doing acts of service for others each day of a certain month. They called the project Thankful Hearts. The kids believed there was no better way to demonstrate the joy of Christ than simply serve others. Soon the entire town buzzed with excitement. David wrote dozens of psalms on various subjects. He addressed forgiveness, war, death, love, worship, and many other topics. One of David s favorite themes was thankfulness. Psalm 138 is a short, prayerful example of the attitude that should fill every believer s heart. David told the Lord that he would thank Him and sing praises to Him continually. David promised to bow in prayer to God in the temple and give Him thanks for His constant love and faithfulness. David thanked God for giving him strength. He declared that the kings of the earth would also give thanks and sing when they heard what God had done. David stated that although God is great, He always cares for the humble. David also thanked God for His protection and His eternal love. What are some specific things in your life for which you are especially thankful? What are some practical ways Christians can exhibit and express their thankfulness to God? CONNECT TO FAMily Bible Studies for Life sessions for all ages highlight thankfulness for God s love, protection, and provision. Adults and students will be challenged to see hope expressed and not be distracted. Kids and preschoolers will discover that we should give thanks and praise God. Younger preschoolers will hear that they can thank God for His love. image credit: istockphoto.com 48 Unit 2, SeSSion 4

42 BIBLE STORY David s Thank You Psalm 138:1-8 BIBLE STORY FOR 2s BIBLE STORY FOR 1s David loved God. David wrote songs about God. The songs told about God s love and care. David wrote, I love You, God. I will sing about You. David s songs are in the Bible for us to read. David loved God very much. Often David thought about how much God loved him and cared about him. David wanted other people to know how good God was to him. David wrote a song about God. David s song told about the ways God helped David, especially when he was afraid or sad. David wrote, When I talked to God, He heard me. God loved me and took care of me. God is good. I love God. I will sing about God. I will sing His name. GETTinG READY TO TEACH Gather resources and materials needed for Bible-learning activities. Provide two or more Bibles in the room for preschoolers to use. Prepare Pack Items 10, 17, 21, 23. (See instructions in 1s & 2s Leader Pack.) Every week help children think about Jesus. Say His name often and talk about Him. This week s Christ Focus is Jesus taught us to thank God for all things. Notes LearniNG Activities Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. songs Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. Track 5. Say Thank You Track 8. Who Loves Me? Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 49

43 bible PHRASE God made us special. Psalm 8:5 You will need: Cardboard box, glue sticks, magazine pictures of people Bible Phrase Songbook (Pack Item 23), children s rhythm instruments, Enhanced CD Bible, Bible Story Picture: David s Thank You (Pack Item 10), large ball People Figures (Pack Item 17), toy people figures, cardboard blocks, toy cars, Book: I Know (Pack Item 21) bible-learning ACTIVITIES GLUe People PiCTURes Christ Focus: Jesus taught us to thank God for all things. Bible Focus: David said thank you for God s love and care. Set the box upside down on the floor and scatter pictures of people on top. Invite preschoolers to glue pictures to the sides of the box. As children work, relate the pictures to people the children know such as parents and siblings. Open a Bible to Psalm 138 and tell the Bible story. Comment that David was thankful for God. David knew God loved him. Sing the song Say Thank You. PLAY musical INSTRUMenTs Christ Focus: Jesus taught us to thank God for all things. Bible Focus: David wrote songs and sang thank yous to God. Invite children to choose instruments to play as music from the CD plays. Listen for songs that tell about God s love and care or say thank you to God. After children tire of playing the instruments, ask them to sing with you. Select easy to sing songs from the songbook. Tell the children that God made us special, and we can thank Him. Roll a BALL Christ Focus: Jesus taught us to thank God for all things. Bible Focus: David s songs told about God s love. Invite a few children to sit in a circle to roll the ball back and forth to friends. Guide children to say Thank You, God each time they roll the ball. Put the ball aside and open the Bible to Psalm 138. Tell how David loved God and wrote songs. The songs David wrote are in the Bible for us to read. Show preschoolers the picture as you tell the Bible story. PLAY with PeoPLe figures Christ Focus: Jesus taught us to thank God for all things. Bible Focus: David s thank you reminds us to thank God for His love and care. As preschoolers enjoy block play and pretending with the figures, comment that God loves all people and cares about them. Tell the children that David wanted to thank God for loving him. David s thank you is written in the Bible. Show children the words of Psalm 138. Read the book to preschoolers; then sing the song Who Loves Me? 50 Unit 2, SeSSion 4

44 LIFE POINT I can thank God for His love. Make Thank You CARDS Christ Focus: Jesus taught us to thank God for all things. Bible Focus: David thanked God, and we can, too. Across the front of each card, write the words Thank You, God. Children can decorate the cards to thank God for family members, pets, food, toys, friends, and so on. Relate the children s thank yous to David s thank you in the Bible. GO ON thank-you WALK Christ Focus: Jesus taught us to thank God for all things. Bible Focus: We can thank God like David did. Take a few children outdoors to walk around the church. Notice God s creation and people you see. Stop, pause, and then say: Thank You, God, for. If you hear music or people singing while on the walk, remind children that David wrote songs to say thank you to God. Find a quiet place outdoors to sit with the children and tell the Bible story. Help children do the activity on the Activity Page. Notes White construction paper folded in half, colorful stickers, washable markers or crayons Sheet or cloth to spread on ground, Kids Activity Page image credit: istockphoto.com BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Spread the quilt on the floor and sit on it. As 2s come near, invite them to join you. Lead 2s to sing a song about God, such as God Is So Good. Play the CD quietly. Tells 2s: Listen with your ears. Do you hear music? Do you hear God s name? Listen to the songs, and let s sing, too. Sing along with the CD or sway and clap, encouraging 2s to follow your direction. After a few minutes, turn off the CD and hold the picture for 2s to see. Comment: We hear songs and music about God. We can learn that God is good to us. God was good to David, too. David wanted to thank God for His love, so he wrote songs to thank God. Turn in the Bible to Psalm 138. Point to the words as you tell the Bible story. After the story, ask 2s to join you in saying thank you to God. Remark: God loves us and cares for us. We can thank Him for His love. Quilt, Bible, Bible Story Picture: David s Thank You (Pack Item 10), Enhanced CD bonus ideas! type on a keyboard blow bubbles look at a church directory Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 51

45 LIFE POINT Jesus loves me all the time. Forgiven BIBLE PASSAGE John 18:15-18,25-27; 21:15-19 ChriST FOCUS Jesus loves us even when we deny or disappoint Him. life LIFE ACtioN Suggest to Parents: Notice when your preschooler appears to mess up. In his frustration, he may feel upset, angry, or doubtful. Encourage him by telling him everyone messes up; but we can learn to say or do the right thing the next time. bible PHRASE Jesus said, "I love you." John 15:9 LOBL Self Date OF USE LEADER BIBLE STUDY I am so sorry. I never intended to hurt you, but I know I was wrong to say what I did about you. Have you ever had to say that? We have each felt ashamed or embarrassed by something we said or did, but it s not easy to humble ourselves and seek forgiveness. Simon Peter was one of Jesus closest disciples. From the time Jesus called Peter from his fishing nets up to the night Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, He loved Peter. But Peter did something he had sworn he would never do: on the night of Jesus arrest, Peter denied he knew Jesus not once, but three times. Jesus was crucified, and on the third day, He rose from the dead. Peter was among those who saw the empty tomb and to whom the risen Lord appeared several times. Jesus knew there was unfinished business between Peter and Himself. Thus, one morning while Peter and the other followers were fishing, the risen Jesus appeared on the shore. Peter and the disciples ate the breakfast Jesus had prepared for them. As they ate, Jesus confronted Peter. Three times Jesus asked Peter, Do you love Me? (John 21:15). Peter s threefold humble confession of love for Jesus was made in reparation for his earlier threefold denial of Jesus. Why did Jesus tell Peter to feed and shepherd His lambs (sheep)? Why is healing our relationships important before we can serve God effectively? CONNECT TO FAMily Families using Bible Studies for Life curriculum will hear about fighting opposition, failures, and restoration. Kids and preschoolers will discover that even when they mess up, Jesus doesn t give up on them. Younger preschoolers will hear that Jesus loves them all the time. image credit: istockphoto.com 52 Unit 2, SeSSion 5

46 BIBLE STORY QueSTions for Peter John 18:15-18,25-27; 21:15-19 BIBLE STORY FOR 1s Peter and a friend went with Jesus to a courtyard. Someone asked Peter if he was Jesus helper. Peter said no. Two more people asked Peter the question. Every time Peter said no. Later Jesus asked Peter, Do you love Me? This time Peter said yes. One time, two times, threes times, Jesus asked Peter the question. And Peter answered yes every time. BIBLE STORY FOR 2s2 Peter and a friend were with Jesus. The friend went inside a courtyard with Jesus, but Peter stayed outside. In a while the friend went to get Peter. The men walked by a girl. She asked Peter if he was one of Jesus helpers. Peter said, No, I am not. Then Peter went to stand beside a fire to keep warm. Another person saw Peter and asked him the same question. Peter said no again. One more time someone asked Peter the question. Every time Peter said no. Then one day at breakfast, Jesus asked Peter a question. Do you love Me? Peter answered, Yes, Jesus, You know I love You. Jesus asked Peter the question two times, then three times. Every time Peter said yes. Three times no, three times yes. Notes LearniNG Activities Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. songs Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. Tra ck 7. Jesus Loves You and Me Tra ck 14. Through and Through GETTinG READY TO TEACH Gather resources and materials needed for Bible-learning activities. Provide two or more Bibles in the room for preschoolers to use. Prepare Pack Items 11, 32, 33. (See instructions in 1s & 2s Leader Pack.) Every week help children think about Jesus. Say His name often and talk about Him. This week s Christ focus is Jesus loves us even when we deny or disappoint Him. Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 53

47 bible PHRASE Jesus said, I love you. John 15:9 You will need: Bible People Figures (Pack Item 32), plastic people figures, cardboard blocks Read to Me Bible for Kids, puzzles Breakfast with Jesus, Jesus Fed the People, Jesus Reads the Bible Bible Story Picture: Questions for Peter (Pack Item 11) Jesus Pictures (Pack Item 33), tape or glue, 3- or 4-inch circles or squares cut from poster board, self-adhesive magnetic strips bible-learning ACTIVITIES BuiLD with BloCKS Christ Focus: Jesus loves us even when we deny or disappoint Him. Bible Focus: Jesus loves us and wants us to love Him. As preschoolers play with blocks, pick up a people figure. Tell the children that Jesus loves every person, including the children at church. Remind children that Jesus loved Peter and wanted to know if Peter loved Him. Guide children to repeat the Bible Phrase with you. WoRK Puzzles Showing JeSUS Christ Focus: Jesus loves us even when we deny or disappoint Him. Bible Focus: Jesus wanted Peter to love Him and remember Him. Assist preschoolers in working the puzzles showing Jesus. Tell children that Jesus wanted people to love Him and remember Him. Suggest that we can show our love for Jesus by reading the Bible, seeing pictures of Jesus, and singing songs about Jesus. Sit near a child and look for pictures of Jesus in the Bible. Repeat the Bible Phrase Jesus said, I love you. Chant and clap Christ Focus: Jesus loves us even when we deny or disappoint Him. Bible Focus: Jesus loved Peter all the time, and He loves me all the time. Begin chanting: Yes, yes, yes, I love Jesus! Yes, yes, yes, I love Jesus! Encourage children near you to follow your lead as you clap and chant. Change the chant: One, two, three, I love Jesus! One, two, three, I love Jesus! Tell the children that Jesus asked Peter three times to say he loved Jesus. Show preschoolers the Bible story picture, then tell the Bible story. MAKe a PiCTURe magnet Christ Focus: Jesus loves us even when we deny or disappoint Him. Bible Focus: Jesus loves me all the time. Write the Bible Phrase on one side of the shape cutouts. Give a child a picture of Jesus to glue or tape on a shape. Talk about the picture, remarking that Jesus loved Peter, and He loves us. Give the child a small piece of magnetic strip to apply to the back of his shape. Tell the preschooler he can put the picture magnet on the refrigerator at home to remind him that Jesus loves him all the time. 54 Unit 2, SeSSion 5

48 LIFE POINT Jesus loves me all the time. Sing the song Jesus Loves You and Me. Encourage the child to sing. Walk Around CoURTYARD Christ Focus: Jesus loves us even when we deny or disappoint Him. Bible Focus: Jesus loves me all the time. Make a large masking tape square on the floor. At each corner, stand a block upright. Lay the Activity Page inside the square. Invite curious children to walk around the square. Tell them the shape reminds you of a courtyard or patio with a fence. Relate this to the courtyard that Jesus and Peter were in when Peter was asked some questions. While you walk together, ask the children: Do you love Jesus? Ask three times. LiSTen to MUSic/ReAD BooKS Christ Focus: Jesus loves us even when we deny or disappoint Him. Bible Focus: Jesus loved Peter and wanted Peter to love Him. Play the CD tracks about Jesus while preschoolers look at books. Stop the music to read a book to a child or talk about Jesus. Tell the child that music helps us think about Jesus and reminds us to love Jesus. While the CD continues to play, help a child do the activity on the Activity Page. Notes Masking tape, cardboard blocks, Kids Activity Page Enhanced CD, books about Jesus, Kids Activity Page image credit: istockphoto.com BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Sit inside the large masking tape courtyard. Invite 2s to join you. When they are seated, open the Bible to John 18 and tell the Bible story. Hold the picture for the children to see. Point to Jesus, then to Peter. Say: Let s all stand. Now let s walk around the outside of the courtyard. Step inside the courtyard. Now step out. Lead the children in walking and stepping. Comment: Jesus and Peter walked to the courtyard. That is where someone asked Peter important questions. How many times did Peter say no? How many times yes? Play the song Through and Through while children walk and step a while longer. Bible Story Picture: Questions for Peter (Pack Item 11), Bible, masking tape bonus ideas! lie on a mat and listen to music work a Bible puzzle match pieces of colored paper or fabric Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 55

49 LIFE POINT People help me know about God and Jesus. Happy BIBLE PASSAGE Acts 3:1-10,16 ChriST FOCUS Jesus deserves praise and glory for all blessings. life LIFE ACtioN Suggest to Parents: As a family, make up a song to praise God. Use a familiar tune. Tell your preschooler that God wants us to love Him because He loves us. bible PHRASE God loves us. 1 John 4:10 LOBL Self Date OF USE LEADER BIBLE STUDY The center of Jewish worship in biblical times was the temple in Jerusalem. One prominent place at the temple was the gate called Beautiful. After the resurrection of Christ, Peter and John were working together to share the good news of Christ. Shortly after Peter s sermon, approximately 3,000 people believed and were baptized, and Peter and John went to the temple at the hour of prayer and sacrifices. As they entered the temple complex, they heard someone ask for help. In the crowd was a man who had been born lame, and his friends carried him there to the gate every day to beg. On this day, the man saw the two apostles and asked them for help. Peter compassionately responded that he had neither silver nor gold, but he would give the man what he had to give. At that point, Peter commanded the lame man to stand up and walk. The hopeful man took Peter s hand, rose to his feet, and walked away joyously. All who witnessed the event were stunned. They recognized that a true miracle had occurred one that Peter had performed, not on his own power but in the name and authority of Jesus of Nazareth. Do you think this miracle enhanced Peter s preaching in Jerusalem? What practical things can we do to enhance our sharing of the gospel? CONNECT TO FAMily This session in Bible Studies for Life curriculum highlights the hope that we have in Christ. Christians are instructed to share the hope they have in Christ. Adults and students will be challenged to go and let others see the hope they have in Christ. Kids and preschoolers will hear the story of Peter s encounter with the lame man and learn about the man s hope. Younger preschoolers will learn that people help them know about God and Jesus. image credit: istockphoto.com 56 Unit 2, SeSSion 6

50 BIBLE STORY Peter HeLPed a Man Walk Acts 3:1-10,16 BIBLE STORY FOR 1s Peter and John saw a man at the church gate. The man could not walk. He sat at the gate and asked people to give him money. Peter told the man he did not have any money. Then Peter said Jesus name and helped the man stand up. The man was so happy. He could walk. He ran through the courtyard thanking God. The people at the church were amazed. Peter told the people it was Jesus who made the man well. BIBLE STORY FOR 2s Peter and John went to the temple church. They saw a man at the gate. The man could not walk. When the man saw Peter and John, he asked them for money. (This is what the man did every day while he sat at the gate.) Peter and John looked at the man. Peter said, Look at me! I don t have money to give you, Peter said, but I do have something better for you. Peter then said Jesus name. Peter took the man s hand and helped him stand up. Right away the man s feet and ankles became strong. The man jumped and began to walk! All through the courtyard the man thanked God for this wonderful thing Peter had done. The people in the courtyard were amazed. Peter told the people, It is Jesus who made this man well. GETTinG READY TO TEACH Prepare Pack Items 7-12, 17, 21. (See instructions in 1s & 2s Leader Pack.) Place a small amount of hair gel and glitter in a freezer bag. Remove the air and seal the bag with strong tape. Every week help children think about Jesus. Say His name often and talk about Him. This week s Christ focus is Jesus deserves praise and glory for all blessings. Notes LearniNG Activities Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. song Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. Tra ck 6. Because God Loves Me Provide two or more Bibles in the room for preschoolers to use. Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 57

51 bible PHRASE God loves us. 1 John 4:10 You will need: Bible, child-size parachute or small bed sheet (spread on floor) People Figures (Pack Item 17), masking tape, gel bag (See Getting Ready. ) Bible Story Picture: Peter Helped a Man Walk (Pack Item 12), Enhanced CD Cotton balls soaked in familiar flavorings (vanilla, lemon, cinnamon, orange) (Put cotton balls in disposable plastic containers and poke holes in the lids.); Book: I Know (Pack Item 21) bible-learning ACTIVITIES LiFT A PARACHUTE Christ Focus: Jesus deserves praise and glory for all blessings. Bible Focus: Peter helped people know about Jesus. Show children how to hold onto the parachute and lift it up and down several times. As the preschoolers play, sing a praise song about Jesus. Open the Bible to Acts 3 and tell the Bible story. Emphasize that Peter helped the man know about Jesus. Talk with the children about people who help them know about Jesus. Move GEL IN A BAG Christ Focus: Jesus deserves praise and glory for all blessings. Bible Focus: Peter helped a man, and the man thanked God. Lay two or three people figures on a table and place the bag of gel on top of the figures. Tape the bag to the table on all sides to secure it. Guide a child to use her fingers to move the gel around in the bag. As she does, she will see the people figures. Point to the Bible story picture and remind the child that the man Peter helped thanked God. Say a prayer thanking God for loving us. MARCH to the MUSic Christ Focus: Jesus deserves praise and glory for all blessings. Bible Focus: It is important to thank God for loving us and sending Jesus to help. Play the CD and invite children to march around the room. As you march, sing along with the songs or note that some songs tell about Jesus. Remark that Peter helped people know about Jesus. Stop when you see the Bible picture. Comment that Peter helped the man walk, but Peter wanted the people to know it was Jesus who made the man well. smell scents/read Christ Focus: Jesus deserves praise and glory for all blessings. Bible Focus: People help me know about God and Jesus. Children may be curious about what is inside the containers. Invite children to sniff a container and try to identify the scent. You may have to give a few clues. Remark that we use our senses to smell, taste, hear, see, and feel. Relate this to using our senses to learn about Jesus. Read the book to a child. 58 Unit 2, SeSSion 6

52 LIFE POINT People help me know about God and Jesus. Thank God for people who help preschoolers learn about Jesus. WALK IN BIG ShoeS Christ Focus: Jesus deserves praise and glory for all blessings. Bible Focus: Peter helped a man walk. Encourage children to try on shoes and walk in them. Comment that walking in big shoes is fun. God gave us feet to walk. Relate this to the man who could not walk and sat at the gate every day. Point to the Bible and tell the children that a story in the Bible tells about a man who could not walk. Peter helped the man know about Jesus. CRAwl through a tunnel Christ Focus: Jesus deserves praise and glory for all blessings. Bible Focus: People help me know about God and Jesus. Sit at one end of the cardboard tunnel and blow bubbles. Urge 1s and 2s to crawl through the tunnel to get to the bubbles and pop them. Remark that the man at the gate could not walk. But Peter helped the man. Peter told the man Jesus was the one who made him able to walk. Help a preschooler do the activity on the Kids Activity Page. Notes Bible, several pairs of adult shoes Large cardboard box opened at both ends, bubbles solution, Kids Activity Page image credit: istockphoto.com BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Arrange Unit 2 story pictures on the floor behind a tape line. Invite 2s to toss a beanbag onto the pictures and together recall the story. Give every child a turn to toss the beanbag onto a picture. Put away the beanbag and open the Bible to Acts 3. Say: God loves us and wants us to know about Jesus. People teach others about Jesus. That s what Peter did. Tell the Bible story. Ask 2s: Who helps you know about Jesus? Guide the children to identify people who help them know about Jesus. Say thank you to God for these people. Sing the song Because God Loves Me. Unit 2 Bible Story Pictures (Pack Items 7-12), beanbag, painter s tape bonus ideas! water paint a box work puzzles play with pull toys Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 59