additional resources O my God, I trust in you. SESSIONS 1 5 Advent path instructions

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1 additional resources SESSIONS 1 5 Advent path instructions is session begins the season of Advent. For the next five weeks, the spiritual practice will be connected to the lighting of an Advent path. Find a place to put the Advent path where it is visible for the children, but not in the way of other activities. You will need five candles; one should be larger than the others. If your church has a tradition of using specific colors for Advent candles, you may wish to follow that tradition. Battery-operated candles may be used if traditional candles are not an option. Place the candles in a curving path in the shape of an S, ending with the larger candle. Greenery can also be placed between the candles to shape the path. SESSION 1 (available online at Psalm 25 script Copy and cut apart the following portions of a modified version of Psalm 25. Hand out a piece of the psalm to each child in the group who would like to read. For smaller groups: Invite children to read more than one portion of the psalm. 1. I lift my soul to you, O God. O my God, I trust in you. 2. Do not let anyone insult me. Do not let my enemies laugh at me. 3. Make me know your ways, O God. Teach me your paths of truth. I wait for you all day long. 4. God, remember the love you have shown your people. Out of your goodness, do not remember my sins. Forgive me when I do wrong. 5. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love. The friendship of the Lord is for those who follow. 6. Turn to me, O God, and be kind to me, for I am lonely and sad. Forgive me for what I ve done wrong. 7. May justice and goodness save me, for I wait for you, O God. Save Israel from of all its troubles. 84 / Additional resources

2 SESSION 1 (available online at Reflection questions Copy and cut out these questions to distribute during Explore (Create). We believe that the branch on the tree is Jesus. What would the tree Jesus sprang from look like? Check out Matthew 1:1 17 to read about Jesus family tree. What tree did you spring from? Who are the people who have helped you to grow as a child of God? What if our church was compared to a tree? Who or what would be the branches? The roots? The trunk? The leaves? SESSION 4 (available online at Word list Copy and cut apart these prompts for each child to use during Explore (Glow). Directions: Write down an example of each of these types of words. en use the words to complete page 12 in Glow. A name: Town #1: Town #2: Verb: Building: Noun (plural): Object: Animal (plural): Feeling: Verb + -ing: Movement + -ed: Feeling: Place: Directions: Write down an example of each of these types of words. en use the words to complete page 12 in Glow. A name: Town #1: Town #2: Verb: Building: Noun (plural): Object: Animal (plural): Feeling: Verb + -ing: Movement + -ed: Feeling: Place: Additional resources / 85

3 SESSION 3 (available online at Storyboard template Copy and cut out this template for use during Explore (Create). Once, I had to do this difficult thing... I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 86 / Additional resources

4 SESSION 6 (available online at Memory mix-up Make copies of this mix-up activity, one for each pair or small group of children, for use in Bible memory. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for surely he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. SESSION 11 (available online at Share the story cards Copy and cut apart these cards for use during Share the story. Person 1 Sorry, I can t come. I bought some land and I have to go see it. Person 3 Sorry, I ve just gotten married. I can t come. Person 2 I bought five pairs of oxen. I ll have to go try them. Sorry, I won t be able to come. Stranger 1 Stranger 2 Stranger 3 Additional resources / 89

5 SESSION (available online at Bible memory cards Copy and cut apart these cards for use in Bible memory, sessions You may wish to copy these onto card stock since they will be used multiple times. What is the kingdom of God like? It is like a mustard seed it grew and became a tree, He said therefore, And to what should I compare it? that someone took and sowed in the garden; and the birds of the air made nests in its branches. Additional resources / 91

6 SESSION (available online at Bible memory cards (continued) To what should I compare the kingdom of God? that a woman took until all of it was leavened. And again he said, It is like yeast and mixed in with three measures of flour Luke 13: / Additional resources

7 SESSION 11 (available online at Coloring page Make copies of this page for use during Spiritual practice. Additional resources / 93

8 SESSION 12 (available online at Scavenger hunt verses Copy and cut apart these verses for use during Explore (Move). Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. Ecclesiastes 11:7 I lift up my eyes to the hills from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.... The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. Psalm 121:1 2, 8 Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great.... You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth.... O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:1a, 14, 24 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:7 9 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78 79 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:4 6 Additional resources / 95