Bible Passage: Nehemiah 1 4; 6 9 (Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls of Jerusalem) REMEMBER VERSE

Transcription

1 date: Bible Passage: Nehemiah 1 4; 6 9 (Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls of Jerusalem) REMEMBER VERSE Jesus answered... Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:9b God Brings His People Home SERVICE SCHEDULE Explore:: Welcome & Engage minutes Discover & Respond:: Large Group minutes Respond & Bless:: Small Group minutes ENVIRONMENT: MODELING Biblical content needs a practical living expression in order for it to be spiritually impacting. This environment serves as a hands-on example of what it means for children to put their faith into action. Modeling puts flesh on faith and reminds us that others are watching to see if we live what we believe.. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.

2 Inspire For most of my adult life I ve been in search of home not a quest for an actual place, but rather a state of being. One summer, I found myself in the customs office of the Cairo airport in Egypt. I, along with 10 others, was asked to teach at a ministry leaders conference in Alexandria. Before leaving the States, each of us was assigned an extra bag of supplies. One of these bags was accidentally left in the airport terminal. Unfortunately, the suspicious bag happened to be registered in my name, so I was sent to the customs office to retrieve the supplies it contained. I was terrified. No one was permitted to accompany me through questioning, identification, and inspection of the bag not even a translator. All I had with me were the clothes I was wearing and my passport, which was held by an Egyptian official. I was alone and vulnerable. Several possible outcomes played themselves out in my mind. I began to silently call out to God, Dear Lord Jesus, dear Lord Jesus over and over again. These three words brought me comfort. In that moment I realized, on the deepest level possible, that God alone could speak to my fear and reassure me that I was not lost. Peace came when I acknowledged He was with me and I with Him, regardless of my location. Jesus replied, If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him (John 14:23). Even in an isolated room in the Cairo airport, I was home. The Lord was my safe place. He reminded me to whom I belonged, regardless of my circumstance. As a result of this experience, I have a security and peace I did not possess before. My home is with Him wherever I am because He is with me. This truth offers me security and happiness beyond measure. It is my prayer that my story will be an example for others to know that our God brings His people home. Cristi Thomas TruWonder Team 2

3 Equip A longing for home is a familiar emotion. Nehemiah longed for the ancestral home that was promised to his people a safe and holy dwelling place where God s people could gather together to worship Him. Psalm 137 is a song of captivity beautifully reflecting the voice of the prophet Nehemiah. In its lines, the psalmist remembers the beauty of Jerusalem and grieves, feeling unable to sing the songs of the Lord because the people are living in a foreign land. Nehemiah was born in captivity and had not seen Jerusalem. Yet his heart grieved for his people and their separation from their rightful home. In Jerusalem, they would be truly free to worship the Lord God as a nation. Returning home would enable the Jewish people to live out their relationship with God as He intended. As a model to all nations, Israel would be able to reflect true relationship with the one true God. Nehemiah was a great man of prayer. He went before the Lord asking Him to make the necessary arrangements for the people s return to Jerusalem. He knew the city walls were critical. Without walls, the city would be unsafe and viewed as vulnerable to attacks. Even before the reconstruction was completed, the people returned to their beloved Jerusalem. The homecoming of the Jewish people was crucial to the arrival of the promised Messiah. When Jesus was born, God came near, embodying the truest model of life and relationship with God. When we see Jesus, we see God. When we follow His example, we re following God. His life allows all people to return from spiritual exile. God brings His people home. Further Resources Wiersbe, Warren Wiersbe Bible Commentary: Old Testament. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook. Walton, John H. (ed.) Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther), vol. 3. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing. Zodhiates, Spiros, ed The Hebrew- Greek Key Word Study Bible: New American Standard. Chattanooga: AMG Publishers. Mother Teresa Meditations from a Simple Path. New York: Random House. Remember Verse Motions Inspired by American Sign Language; demonstrated at and /aslweb/browser.htm Much of Israel was in exile for some 160 years due to Babylonian captivity. After the fall of the Babylonian Empire, the Persian Empire rose to power. Cyrus the Great gave permission to the Jews to return to their homeland. He also ordered the rebuilding of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem; its construction began in 536 b.c. Ninety-one years later, in 445 b.c., Nehemiah led the people in the reconstruction of the walls of the city, with the support and financial backing of King Artaxerxes (Queen Esther s stepson). The walls were completed 52 days later. 3

4 Support Let us all become a true and fruitful branch on the vine Jesus, by accepting Him in our lives as it pleases Him to come: as the Truth to be told; as the Life to be lived; as the Light to be lighted; as the Love to be loved; as the Way to be walked; as the Joy to be given; as the Peace to be spread; as the Sacrifice to be offered, in our families and within our neighborhood. Mother Teresa of Calcutta ( ) Oh, that we would be a true reflection of Christ in every aspect of our lives. Jesus is our model for life eternity present and eternity future. Jesus replied, If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him (John 14:23). As we dwell with Him and follow the example He sets for us, we can be a living and breathing testimony to the world of His Truth, Life, Light, Love, Way, Joy, Peace, and Sacrifice. How might God want to reflect Himself through you this week? Consider choosing one of the attributes in the preceding prayer and ask God to teach you and shape you as He abides in your life. May He use you as an example in your family and community as you trust and follow Him. 4

5 Lesson Overview Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare (Master Supply List under Resource Tab) Explore:: Welcome & Engage min. Exploration stations create space intended to transition children to lead them from the external world into an environment where they can commune with God, just as they are with all that they are. Focus Station: Home Is Where the Heart Is! (per table) child-sized furniture: kitchen, baby cradle, table baby doll(s), 1 2 doll-sized blankets, pillows, baby bottles picnic blanket kids magazines, children s books old telephone or cell phone pretend plastic food, empty cereal boxes, egg cartons, etc. (Note: When using emptied and cleaned food containers, be aware of any potential food allergies.) small plastic cups and plates, child-sized plastic tea set empty shampoo or dish soap containers dress-up clothes (dresses, pants, suit jackets, shoes, purses, etc.) Explore bin (Optional) Station 2: Let s Build It Together (per table) building blocks of various sizes (bristle blocks, linking logs, boxes, and plastic connecting blocks) toy cars, people, small traffic signals, trees, roadways (anything on hand for children to imaginatively create a city) Discover:: Large Group min. Facilitate interactive games, songs, and storytelling, allowing children to participate in discovering God s Word. Chloe (puppet or person) Chloe s Rules videos or scripts (see Resource Tab) preschool program theme song 2 upbeat worship songs (suggestion: Jesus by My Side, TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse) optional: countdown video Mail Time intro clip and image (see Resource Tab) Remember Verse image and cards (see Resource Folder) Mail Time envelope art printed and attached to a large envelope (see Resource Tab) Bibles (your personal and large children s) mailbox Wardrobe of Wonder intro clip and image (see Resource Tab) Wardrobe of Wonder Wardrobe of Wonder sound effect (see Resource Tab) (Continued) 5

6 Lesson Overview Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare (Master Supply List under Resource Tab) Discover:: Large Group (Continued) optional: silly hats for prop/hat box 2 small stools or chairs What sit: Map (see image in Resource Folder; print or use template to measure 24 x 17) The Big God Story intro clip and image (see Resource Tab) storyboard (suggestions: easel; rolling dryerase board; bulletin board; or Response Wall) Storyboard People Cutouts Master (see Resource Folder) removable glue dots characters: 3 actors (#1: Nehemiah, #2: Nehemiah s brother, #3: builder/ezra; consider using elementary students for drama team) 3 4 bricks (place in a pile downstage right) scroll (butcher paper rolled and tied with yarn, ribbon, or twine; place behind bricks onstage) optional: stool Respond:: Large Group Respond:: Small Group min min. Create space for children to respond to the Holy Spirit in worship and community. Further process the story through discussion and interaction with others, and respond to God in worship through creative expression. title image (see Resource Tab) or worshipful video loop worship song (suggestion: Look from Heaven, Hillsong Kids Super Strong God) Bible (suggest NIrV) Connect: Home Again, Home Again! (per small group) chairs (1 per child) TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse and CD player optional: self-adhesive notes or construction paper and tape, colored markers Create: My Home with You (per table/small group) paper crayons watercolors and paintbrushes water optional: instrumental music Bless:: Small Group 5 min. Bless the children that they may experience God fully and be a blessing to others. Wonder Questions Blessing/Remember Verse HomeFront Weekly 6

7 Small Group Explore:: min. SECTION Host/Small Group Leaders Exploration stations create space intended for wonder to pique children s curiosity and allow them to engage in hands-on experiences as they begin their time in worship. Focus Station Invite children to participate at the Focus Station (or optional stations, if available). Explore the materials with the children and engage them in open-ended questions about their observations. This will encourage them to explore and form questions on their own throughout the lesson. Station 1: Home Is Where the Heart Is! Although Nehemiah and other Israelites were settled in Persia, their hearts longed to be home in their holy city of Jerusalem. This week the Focus Station is a dramatic play station centered on home. Consider using a cozy corner of your room to create this station. Use the various items in your classroom or items from home to create an imaginative environment for children to interact and explore. Adjust the contents to best meet your needs and the supplies available to you. SUPPLIES (per table) child-sized furniture: kitchen, baby cradle, table baby doll(s), 1 2 doll-sized blankets, pillows, baby bottles picnic blanket kids magazines, children s books old telephone or cell phone pretend plastic food, empty cereal boxes, egg cartons, etc. (Note: When using emptied and cleaned food containers, be aware of any potential food allergies.) small plastic cups and plates, child-sized plastic tea set empty shampoo or dish soap containers dress-up clothes (dresses, pants, suit jackets, shoes, purses, etc.) Explore bin PREPARE AHEAD Gather all the supplies and place them in a large Explore bin. I used the little people/ animals we have and asked the children to show me what/who they have at home. They understood the question and were able to answer well. The Beacon SET UP In the designated location, place any child-sized furniture you ll be using. Place additional items accordingly. Spread the picnic blanket out on the floor. At one corner, place dolls, blankets, and pretend baby bottles. At the second corner, place the magazines, books, and pretend telephone/cell phone. The third corner can be set up as a kitchen with plates, food, and soap containers. Finally, in the fourth corner, place the dress-up clothes. ENGAGE Welcome children to the Explore Station. Encourage children to play, explore, and imagine. Allow the children to take the lead. Simply invite them to engage in the activity. 7

8 Ask: Who lives in your home? What can you do to make this more of a home? Where are you going? What are you doing next? Join in their fun and pretend play! (Optional) Station 2: Let s Build It Together Once given permission to return to Jerusalem, Nehemiah and the Israelites had a major project on their hands to restore the protective walls. Working together, and with God on their side, the people were able to finish the project in an amazingly short amount of time. SUPPLIES (per table) building blocks of various sizes (bristle blocks, linking logs, boxes, and plastic connecting blocks) toy cars, people, small traffic signals, trees, roadways (anything on hand for children to imaginatively create a city) SET UP Create some space on the floor in your classroom. If floor space is not an option, consider pushing two tables together to create a large tabletop space. Use blocks to create a large circle on the floor or tabletop. Then place all the items in the center of the circle. Kids loved Let s Build It Together! Impact Christian Church ENGAGE Welcome children to the Explore Station. Encourage them to build, create, and design with the items provided. Children may choose to build the wall higher, redesign it, or simply tear it down and build their own creation. As they re exploring, encourage their imaginative play by asking occasional questions about the things they re making and their process. For example: Tell me about what you re building. Is it a home, office, store, school? Ask about the people. Who lives there? What are the people like? Who are the people in their families? Have fun! 8

9 Discover:: min. Host/Worship Leader/Storyteller Children move into a large group setting and participate in discovering God s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences. Large Group SECTION The following instructions have been condensed, but if you d like more information about any of the components of the large group program, please see Putting It Together under the Resource Tab. Ponder Point God Brings His People Home Chloe s Rules Host/Worship Leader Begin large group by using Chloe (a puppet or person) to review the rules of your program. It s a great time to remind children how we can all be part of a loving community through the words we speak, sitting with our small group, and sharing. Add a theme song to your program for a fun way to help give identity to your large group program. Also choose two upbeat worship songs from a worship album that fits. The supplies you ll want to gather for this section are the Chloe s Rules videos or scripts (see Resource Tab), Chloe (a puppet or person), your preschool program theme song, worship music (suggestion: Jesus by My Side, TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse), and a countdown video (optional). Mail Time Host/Worship Leader Have children retrieve mail (the current Remember Verse from the Bible) from their mailbox. Review the meaning of the verse and any unfamiliar words with the children as they prepare to memorize it. Supplies to gather include the Mail Time intro clip and image, Remember Verse image (for projection and Mail Time envelope), Remember Verse cards (print and distribute along with HomeFront Weekly), Mail Time envelope art printed and attached to a large envelope, a Bible, a large children s Bible, and a mailbox. Discover is always a hit! Looking for the mail never gets old. The verse motions are great. The Beacon REMEMBER VERSE Jesus answered... Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:9b 9

10 Remember Verse Motions Jesus answered: Point to sky with both index fingers. Anyone: Open arms across chest until extended at sides. who has seen: Use index fingers to point to eyes. me: Point to sky with both index fingers. has seen: Use index fingers to point to eyes. the Father: Point to sky with both fingers. Wardrobe of Wonder Storyteller/Host/Worship Leader Hide the What sit connected to The Big God Story in the wardrobe. Together as a community, the children will discover the identity of this object as they begin to ask questions from their observations and experiences. You ll need to have ready a Wardrobe of Wonder, Wardrobe of Wonder intro clip, image, and sound effect (see Resource Tab), silly hats for the prop/hat box (optional), and two small stools or chairs. For this What sit you ll need a map (see optional image to show or print in the Resource Folder). What sit: Map After being taken into captivity, God s people lived in various regions throughout the new Persian Empire. Few had returned to their homeland. But God was faithful to His promise to gather His people from all over the world and bring them home. ASK (Insert child s name here), do you know what this is? Child answers. When would you use this? Why do you think a map is in the wardrobe? Allow children to give you some suggestions. What does a map do? Children respond. I wonder how the map will appear today in The Big God Story. Friends, what do you think? Let s find out because, do you know what time it is? What sit is always fun. A map was a good one. They could all touch it and point and many had something to say about it. The Beacon 10

11 Prayer of Release A Prayer of Release is a prayer asking God to remove any distractions that would get in the way of hearing from and responding to Him. As we pray, we dedicate this time to the Lord and quiet ourselves, so that we might hear specifically from Him. In this way, we are consciously laying aside our worries, successes, and requests for the moment. We ask to be filled with knowledge and understanding from Him, giving God His rightful role as teacher. Then as we move into Respond, we can better create space to interact with His Holy Spirit. The Big God Story Nehemiah 1 4; 6 9 Storyteller SUPPLIES The Big God Story intro clip and image (see Resource Tab) Bible (adult or children s to use during teaching) optional: Wardrobe of Wonder sound effect (see Resource Tab) What sit: Map (see image in Resource Folder; print or use template to measure 24 x 17) storyboard (suggestions: easel; rolling dry-erase board; bulletin board; or Response Wall) Storyboard People Cutouts Master (see Resource Folder) removable glue dots characters: 3 actors (#1: Nehemiah, #2: Nehemiah s brother, #3: builder/ezra; consider using elementary students for drama team) 3 4 bricks (place in a pile downstage right) scroll (butcher paper rolled and tied with yarn, ribbon, or twine; place behind bricks onstage) optional: stool Storyteller: Hello, friends! My name is (insert your name). It s so good to see you here today! Before we jump into The Big God Story, let s stop and ask God to teach us. Let s quiet our voices and rest our hands and feet as we close our eyes and talk to God. (Lead children in a Prayer of Release.) The last time we were together, we heard about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They trusted in God and chose to worship only Him, because He is the one true God. King Nebuchadnezzar threw the young men into the furnace of fire. But God saved them! The king was so amazed he told all the people in Babylon not to say anything bad against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Even though the young men were living in a land far from home, they were still able to follow God. As they worshipped Him together, they showed others how to follow God and worship Him too. Many years passed and the Israelites were still living far from their home in Jerusalem. Can you say that with me? (Children repeat Jerusalem.) Good job. (Optional: Tech: Cue Wardrobe of Wonder sound effect. Remove map from wardrobe and attach to front of storyboard. Place Storyboard People cutouts around map to illustrate how God s people were scattered from the holy city.) Most of God s people weren t living in Babylon anymore, but were now part of an empire called Persia with a Persian 11

12 Having bricks and a scroll as props was really effective. Mountainbrook Community Church I completely improvised! I find having props has worked well recently. So I found a special item from our classroom and used building blocks and the map. All the kids were able to build the walls with our big blocks as we talked about how God provided for Nehemiah and the Israelites. The Beacon king, new food, and a new way to live. Can you say that? Per-sia. That s right. (Actor #1, Nehemiah, enters stage right and sits on stool.) There was a man named Nehemiah who lived in Persia. He loved God very much. He would pray and talk to God about everything. One day his brother returned from a trip to Jerusalem. (Actor #2 enters. Brothers embrace and begin to interact.) He told Nehemiah the city walls around Jerusalem had been destroyed and the people who lived there were in great trouble. After hearing everything his brother said, Nehemiah was very sad. (Brother exits. Nehemiah drops to knees, weeps and prays.) He began to cry for his people and for God s holy city of Jerusalem. For several days he didn t eat or drink anything. (Actor #2 returns to give Nehemiah food. Looks at food, shakes head, waves it away. Actor #2 exits and Nehemiah continues to pray.) Instead he prayed to God. Nehemiah: O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, You keep Your covenant Storyteller (to children): What is a covenant? (Children answer.) It s a very special promise! That s right! Nehemiah prayed Nehemiah: You keep Your covenant of love with those who love You and obey Your commands. Please see and hear the prayers that I m praying before You day and night for Your servants, the people of Israel. During The Big God Story, I used small empty boxes that someone donated and had each child come up and lay his brick. This stuck in their minds. I heard a child telling his parents, We built a wall today! What a lasting impression. International Church of Las Vegas Kids really liked The Big God Story and the idea of home being with Jesus. Our Storyteller had the kids use the big blocks to help build the wall. The leaders liked having the kids physically engaged. Good Shepherd Church Storyteller: Nehemiah continued to pray to God for his people. (Nehemiah remains onstage, on knees praying before God.) He told God he knew they had sinned against Him. They had disobeyed God s commands and had even forgotten about Him. Nehemiah remembered how God told His people if they obeyed His Word, no matter how far away they were He would gather them together and bring them home to Jerusalem. Does God keep His Word? (Children answer.) Yes! God always does what He says He will do no matter what! So, Nehemiah went to the king. The king asked what he wanted. Before he answered, Nehemiah stopped and prayed to God. After he prayed, Nehemiah asked the king to let him travel to his home in Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. The king said yes and gave Nehemiah everything he needed to rebuild the walls! When he arrived in Jerusalem, Nehemiah traveled around the broken city walls to see what needed to be done. (Nehemiah looks out over children as if inspecting walls.) Soon Nehemiah, the priests, and the people who lived near Jerusalem began to rebuild the walls. (Actors #2 and #3 enter and begin to build wall with Nehemiah using bricks onstage.) Each family was given a portion of the wall to rebuild. Fathers 12

13 Optional Storytelling Suggestion Consider using the bricks and scroll as props/teaching aids while you storytell. (If you re using actors, have two actors build the wall with the bricks.) As you begin to talk about the people working together to build the wall, cross the stage (or teaching space) to stage right and pick up a brick. Continue talking as you walk to stage left and place the brick on the ground. Repeat the process with each brick. When Nehemiah begins to cheer for the people to encourage them in their work, give examples of what it looks like to cheer for someone. I wonder, what do you think Nehemiah said to encourage the people and cheer them on? (Allow children to reply; interact with their answers.) Finally, use the scroll as Ezra enters the story and begins to read God s laws to the people. (If using actors, allow the actor to enter and read as Ezra.) showed their children what to do and the kids got to help too! Families worked together to build and fix each part of the wall. It was very hard work. Let s build the wall together. Keep building until I say stop. (Encourage kids to build a wall. Model this by using your hands as bricks. Place one hand over the other in an upward motion.) The people worked with all their hearts and with all their strength. When they started to get tired, Nehemiah cheered them on, telling them to remember the Lord, who is great and awesome! Nehemiah: Don t get tired, keep building. God can give you the strength! Storyteller: Nehemiah prayed and asked God to give him strength to continue the work on God s special city and its walls. Before long, the walls were finished! Stop! It only took 52 days less than two months! That s pretty incredible! Let s all give a cheer Yay! Now that the walls were built, it was safe for all of God s people to live in Jerusalem again. (Actor #3 unrolls scroll and acts as Ezra as narrated.) When the people were together again, the priest named Ezra brought out the book that was filled with God s Law His Word to His people. He began to read it aloud so all the children, teenagers, and grown-ups could understand. When the people heard God s Word, they remembered God. They worshipped Him with songs of praise and had a party in God s honor to celebrate Him! God s people remembered God and remembered they were His children. God brought His people home. With God s people in Jerusalem again, they were able to worship God together again! It was their very own Remember & Celebrate! Just like God promised to bring the Israelites back to their home in Jerusalem, He has also promised to bring us to our new home someday. God promised us that someday, He would gather all His people those of us who know Him and love Him and take us to heaven to be with Him forever! Until then, God has placed us in different places, all over the world, so we can show everyone God s love. He can use us to show others how to know, love, and worship God. Then, even more people will become God s people and go home to be with Him forever! 13

14 Respond:: min. Worship Leader Children have the opportunity to respond to God and to what they have heard and experienced through His Word. Special attention should be given to create space for the Holy Spirit to minister to each child. Large Group SECTION The worship response time in large group varies from week to week. Some weeks the children will respond in worship through music, while other weeks are designed for more specific interactive expressions of response. This time is intended for children to freely express their worship as God s Spirit leads them. SUPPLIES title image (see Resource Tab) or worshipful video loop worship song (suggestion: Look from Heaven, Hillsong Kids Super Strong God) Bible (suggest NIrV) Worship-through-Response To prepare you to lead this time of worship response, read Nehemiah 9 (NIrV). Focus specifically on verses 5 9 to help frame this time of worship together. We know God always keeps His promises, no matter what! God promised the people of Israel He would bring them back to their home in Jerusalem. Did God keep His promise? Children answer. Yes, He did! And you know what? We can be God s people too! He wants each and every one of us to know Him and love Him! Someday, God will bring all His people home to be with Him in heaven! I wonder what will you say to God when you first get to heaven? Think about it for a moment. Let s all be still and think about what we would say to God. Pause. You know what? We don t have to wait until we get to heaven to tell Him these things. We can tell Him right now because God is here in this place! We can praise Him by saying our praises to Him out loud, just like the people did when they finished the walls in Jerusalem. When you hear the music start and you re ready, you can stand up and speak your praises to God. (Tech: Cue song Look from Heaven.) Worship leader can begin to model this posture of worship for the children. Then encourage the kids by saying: Let s stand and praise the Lord our God! He lives forever and ever! (reference Nehemiah 9:5b). As you sense the time of proclamation and praise is slowing, transition children into a time of corporate blessing and praise to the Lord. Consider using a shortened or paraphrased version of Nehemiah 9:6 8 (see below). Today as you close in blessing, have the children turn their palms up toward the heavens as a posture of worship, blessing the Lord for who He is. Our kids were eager to respond to God and share what they would say to Jesus in heaven. Kids shared sweet words to the Lord during this time. Mt. Paran North Church of God Lord, may Your glorious name be praised. May it be lifted high above every other name that is blessed and praised. You are the one and only Lord. You made the heavens. You made even the highest heavens. You created all the stars in the sky. You created the earth and everything that is on it. And You made the oceans and everything that is in them. You give life to everything. Every living being in heaven worships You. You are the Lord God. You have kept Your promise. That s because You always do what is right and fair. 14

15 Close your time of blessing by speaking God s Word out loud together. Have the kids say this phrase with you: Lord, may Your glorious name be praised forever! Children can echo. Amen. Dismiss children to small groups. To streamline large group dismissal, try dismissing one age group at a time. Give the children and leaders cheerful reminders of exit doors as they re preparing to leave. This could be a fun time to bring Chloe back to help with moving into small groups. Use her to remind little ones to stay with their Small Group Leaders, wait patiently for their friends as they walk out together, etc. 15

16 Respond:: min. Small Group Leaders Children have an opportunity to reflect (within the faith community) on what they have heard, and to respond to God individually or corporately. This time is focused on the wonder of God and the foundational Truth of His Word. Small Group SECTION Your small group time is designed to encourage conversations between you and your children about what God is doing in them. Some children will be more responsive when they re engaged in something artistic. Others will be more open once their bodies get moving. Choose from the options given here or use your own ideas. The Wonder Questions may be used to start conversations during any of these activities or in a quieter, more contemplative time. Connect: Home Again, Home Again! (Optional Game: 5 10 min.) After a time of responding to God on a personal level, increase the energy by allowing time and space for children and leaders to connect with each other in a lively largemotor-skills activity. Fun challenges foster unique opportunities for conversation and help to develop your faith community. SUPPLIES (per small group) chairs (1 per child) TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse and CD player optional: self-adhesive notes or construction paper and tape, colored markers SET UP Place the chairs in a circle. Set up the CD player and music. Great game! Lots of fun and easy for the kids to understand. Musical chairs was fun. However, next time we might do shifts. Playing musical chairs with 40 kids takes awhile. Mt. Paran North Church of God International Church of Las Vegas ENGAGE Invite children to join you in the circle. Explain how the game is played. This game is a fun version of Musical Chairs. You ll start by being seated in a chair. The chairs are home. When the music begins to play, you ll stand and begin to make your way around the circle of chairs. When the music stops, you must return home to a chair. Remove a chair each time the music ends. With each round, allow children to decide how they re going to move around the circle while the music plays (suggestions: hop, skip, twirl, leapfrog, crawl, walk backward, etc.). You can decide if you want to give children a chance to help control the music once they ve finished their round of the game. Repeat the game as time allows. Option for Older Children Draw various shapes and colors on self-adhesive notes (or larger construction paper) and place them on the chair backs. Children begin by sitting in a chair of their choice. Encourage them to look at the shape, color, or picture on their chair. While they re playing the game, this chair is their home. When the music begins, kids will make their way around the circle of chairs. When the music stops, children must return to their home seat. Celebrate their return and begin again. When children begin a second round, consider having them hop around the chairs. With each round that follows, change the mode of movement (suggestions: skip, twirl, leap, crawl, dance, etc.). 16

17 Kids loved using their imaginations and making a picture of heaven. Lots of creativity! Mt. Paran North Church of God Kids really liked painting what they thought heaven looks like, and it was a great question for parents. Good Shepherd Church Create: My Home with You Create is more than just a time to make a craft. It s a hands-on opportunity for children to give artistic expression to what God is doing within them. What is created can then become a physical reminder of time spent responding to God. SUPPLIES (per table/small group) paper crayons watercolors and paintbrushes water optional: instrumental music SET UP Place materials on the table. ENGAGE Welcome children. Today in The Big God Story, we heard how God provided His people with everything they needed to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. When the walls were complete, God s people were now safe in their new home. Just like God brought the Israelites home, He has promised that one day, He will bring us home to be with Him in heaven! I wonder what do you think heaven looks like? What do you think God s house looks like? Allow children to respond; interact with their answers. Those are great ideas. We re going to keep responding to God and all He has been teaching us. There are paper and crayons on the table. As you re thinking and imagining, you can draw a picture of what you think God s house looks like. When you re finished, you can add more colors to your picture with the watercolors. Encourage kids as they begin to draw. Play music quietly in the background. For younger children, consider asking them to describe what they think God s house looks like. As they re describing heaven, write their words on their paper with crayon or marker. Allow them to add to the drawing however they choose. 17

18 Small Group Enhancements Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users can find a quarterly TruWonder Timeline and images of people corresponding to each week s lesson on the My Lessons page under Extras > Small Group Enhancements. As you place the weekly people squares on the timeline, invite children to help you storytell. The provided questions will prompt further conversation about what children have been experiencing. They ll enjoy watching as the timeline fills week to week and their knowledge of The Big God Story grows. Wonder Questions Discuss the following questions with the children. Wonder Questions are meant to prompt further conversation about what children have been experiencing. They also invite children to ponder this truth and dwell with the wonder of God. Be sure to pause long enough after each question to allow the children time to wonder. Encourage them to share their unique perspectives with the group. Today in The Big God Story, we heard how Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, his home. The people had forgotten God, but then they remembered Him and worked to rebuild the walls. God has promised us that someday, He will gather all His people including you and me and take us to heaven to be with Him forever! I wonder How did the Israelites feel when they returned home? I wonder How would it feel to build the walls around a big city? What tools would I use? I wonder What song or words would I sing to God to celebrate after the walls were finished? I wonder What will it be like when I m home with God in heaven? I wonder How do I feel about God right now? 18

19 Bless:: 5 min. Small Group Leaders A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement and guidance. A blessing can be offered in order to ask God s Spirit to overflow from the child s life in such a way that blesses others, while it can also be prayed over a child for the purpose of declaring God s protection, joy, or wisdom. Small Group SECTION Today, send your little ones out with a blessing by praying Scripture over them. The time of blessing is an opportunity for children to practice another physical posture of worship. Have children place their hands out in front of themselves, palms up as if cupping them together to hold water. This is a posture that demonstrates our expectancy in receiving what God has for each of us. Read the Remember Verse over the children and then close your time with a prayer of blessing. (You may choose to read through the Scripture more than once as God s Spirit leads you.) Children, follow God. Make a habit of listening to His Word and trusting Him because He always keeps His promises. He loves you and has shown you the very best way to live so you can show others that way too. Jesus answered... Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:9b HomeFront Weekly: Be sure to send home the HomeFront Weekly for next week s lesson! This preteaching tool for parents encourages families to spend time in God s Word together before children arrive at church. HomeFront Monthly: Every four weeks we highlight one of the 10 environments. For each new environment, parents should receive HomeFront Monthly. This resource gives families ideas for how to create fun, spiritually forming times in their home setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives! Our kids love to pray and give thanks! Impact Christian Church 19