Lessons for the Leader. God Cared for Jacob

Transcription

1 Week of June 9, 2013 Lessons for the Leader Name all the places you went this week. Did you ever stop to consider that, wherever you are, God is with you? How does that make you feel? Comforted? Frightened? Bewildered? In Genesis, we learn that God promised Jacob He would be with Jacob wherever he went. Read Genesis 28: Jacob set off on a long journey. While Jacob camped one night, God appeared to him in a dream. What promises did God make to Jacob? Do these promises sound familiar to you? While growing up, do you think Jacob heard about the promises God made to Isaac and Abraham, his father and grandfather? Read verses Do you think Jacob constantly looked over his shoulder to see if Esau was following him? How much rest do you think Jacob got using a rock for a pillow? This was no pleasure trip, for sure! In the dream, God reassured Jacob that He cared for him and would be with Jacob wherever he went. What was Jacob's response to God's promises? Jacob worshiped Him. When was the last time you worshiped God out of a sense of reverence and awe? Read verses Jacob not only worshiped God, he also made a vow to Him. Jacob vowed to honor God as He fulfilled the promises He made. Later in life, Jacob confirmed that God had always been with him, just as He had promised (see Genesis 35:3). Can you confirm to the preschoolers you teach that God has always been with you, just as He promised? What do these symbols mean? 1a Application Activities Format: Follow the numbers with arrows for a 30-minute, large group plus 20-minute Application Activities format. God Cared for Jacob Focus Passage: Genesis 28:10-22 Key Bible Verse: Genesis 28:15 Life Application: I can know God is always with me. Session at a Glance Introduction to Worship (6 to 8 minutes) Greet Children Make Pretend Rocks Worship (30 minutes/45 minutes) Sing "Whoa!" Sing "God Is Love" Welcome Children and Pray Learn New Words Introduce the Bible Story Tell the Bible Story Learn the Life Application Learn the Bible Verse Present Offering and Pray Sing "I Worship You, O Lord" Make Application Use Worship Guides Transition Application Activities (20 minutes) Wrap-Up (10 minutes) 1 Follow all the numbers for a 45- to 60-minute large group only format. OK to copy. Page 1 of 23

2 Introduction to Worship 1aGreet Children Offering container Show children where to place their offerings. 2aMake Pretend Rocks Small paper bags, recycled paper, tape, large container (box, basket, or garbage bag) Teacher Tips Use newspaper, newsprint, or recycled office paper. Encourage kids to work together to make many rocks to use later in the session (1 rock per child). Say: "Stuff paper into the bags. The teachers will help tape the filled bags closed. We'll pretend the bags are rocks or stones. When you make a rock, put it in this container [point]." Encourage kids to make rocks. State: "In our Bible story, Jacob used a rock for a pillow. Would you like to sleep on a rock?" Invite responses. Conclude: "Wow! Look at how many rocks we made. We'll use these later." Worship 3aSing "Whoa!" (DVD, 2 minutes) 4 Sing "God Is Love" (DVD, 2 minutes) 5aWelcome Children and Pray (2 minutes) Say: "I am so glad you are here. We'll have fun learning God is always with us. Let's pray." Pray. 6 Learn New Words (4 minutes) Paper, marker Print journey and vow on separate papers. Display journey. Say: "What does journey mean? [Pause for responses.] A journey is 'a long trip.' Who has taken a long trip? [Pause.] We'll learn about Jacob's journey in our Bible story." Display vow. Say: "This word is vow. A vow is 'a promise to follow or obey.' We'll learn how Jacob made a vow to God. Let's say the new words together." Point to each word, leading kids to repeat each one several times. 7aIntroduce the Bible Story (4 minutes) Container of paper rocks from step 2, Giant Game Floor Mat*, 20 sheets of construction paper, scissors, adult-sized T-shirts or kids' robes (1 per child), adult robes (1 per adult) Print "Life Application" (CD) and cut apart. Fill in pockets: columns 1, 3, and 5 blank paper; column 2 top to bottom: I, know, is, with; column 4 top to bottom: can, God, always, me. Cover "Life Application" papers with blank paper. Place shirts/robes to 1 side of the room. Say: "I need help putting stuff out for our Bible story." Invite a few kids to open the mat and place it on the floor. Enlist everyone to spread the rocks around and on the mat. Instruct: "Now, let's get our night clothes on. Everyone go to the shirts [point] and put one on over your clothes. Our Bible story takes place at night. We'll start our story here." Assist kids with putting on shirts or robes. 8aTell the Bible Story (7 minutes) Prepared items and clothing from step 7 Comment: "Our story begins with Jacob going on a journey (long trip). Let's take a journey around the room." Lead kids to walk around the room, stopping close to the mat. Instruct: "Everyone pick up a rock. Lie down on the floor and use your rock as a pillow. Listen to the Bible story." Encourage the children to lie down and listen to the story. Open your Bible to Genesis 28 and tell the story. God Cared for Jacob Based on Genesis 28:10-22 Jacob was on a journey. Nightfall was coming, so Jacob found a place to make camp. Jacob used a stone (rock) for a pillow and soon fell asleep. Page 2 of 23

3 Jacob had a dream. In his dream, Jacob saw a stairway reaching from the ground up to heaven. Jacob saw God's angels going up and down the stairway. God spoke to Jacob during the dream. God told Jacob that He would give him the land on which he was sleeping and all the land around him. God said that Jacob's family (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on) would be many. God promised to take care of and watch over Jacob wherever he went. When Jacob woke up, he knew he was in a special place. Early the next morning, Jacob placed the stone he used for a pillow as a marker or symbol. He poured oil over the stone and named the place Bethel (BETH-uhl). Jacob vowed to serve God if God took care of him and provided for him on his journey. Jacob also promised to give God one tenth of all that God gave to him. God took care of Jacob just like God promised. 9aLearn the Life Application (7 minutes) Completed mat from step 7, container for paper rocks Print "Teaching Picture 2 Jacob" (CD). Say: "Everyone wake up. Put your rocks in the container and sit on the floor." Collect rocks. Say: "On Jacob's journey, he used a rock (stone) for a pillow. While he slept, God gave Jacob a special message. God wants us to know that special message, too. Let's learn that message." Invite one child at a time to remove a paper from a pocket and check for a word, leaving the word in the mat. Continue until each word is revealed. Read aloud the message. Lead kids to say the sentence several times. Display the teaching picture. Ask: "What did Jacob see in his dream? (angels on a stairway) Who spoke to Jacob in the dream? (God) What did God tell Jacob? (God would give land to Jacob's future family and always be with Jacob.) God promised to always be with Jacob. God is always with us, too." 10 Learn the Bible Verse (4 minutes) Globe, paper, marker Print Genesis 28:15 from your preferred translation on the paper. Teacher Tips Print "Genesis 28:15 Paraphrase" (CD). Use a world map and beanbag instead of a globe. Display the globe. Say: "A globe is a map of the whole world. Let's take turns spinning the globe. Stop the globe with your finger for me to read what part of the world your finger lands on." Invite the first child to spin and stop the globe. Say: "You stopped on [read where the child is pointing]. Is God with the people there? Would God be with us if we went there? Let's read our Bible verse to find out." Display and read aloud the verse. Encourage kids to repeat the verse. Continue to invite kids to spin and stop the globe. Ask if God will be with us each time. 11aPresent Offering and Pray (2 minutes) Say: "Our offering can help people tell about God. People can learn God is always with them. Let's pray, thanking God for always being with us." Present offering and pray. 12 Sing "I Worship You, O Lord" (DVD, 2 minutes) 13 Make Application (2 minutes) Ask: "When is God with us? Shout 'God is always with me,' when I point to you." Ask: "Is God with us at church?" [Point to kids.] Lead kids to respond: "God is always with me." Repeat by asking about home, school, vacation, in the dark, and at the playground. 14aUse Worship Guides (7 minutes) Worship Guides, markers Distribute materials. Lead kids to complete Worship Guide activities. Say: "God shows love by always being with us no matter where we go. I'm glad He is with us." 15aGo to Application Activities or Wrap-Up Week of June 9, 2013 Page 3 of 23

4 Wrap-Up (Large Group Only Format) 16 Sing "Love Each Other" (DVD, 2 minutes) 17 Review (4 minutes) Scissors, tape, small suitcase Print "Journey Review" (CD), cut apart, and place the pictures in the suitcase. Say: "Jacob went on a journey. When I go on a journey, I sometimes pack a suitcase. What are some things I might pack? (clothes, shoes, soap etc.). Today, I packed questions!" Invite a child to open the suitcase and choose a question. Ask: "What do you see?" [Pause for answer.] Say to all kids: "Make the noise of a [name item] when you know the answer to the question." Read aloud the question. Invite kids who know the answer to make noises. Allow the child who chose the card to answer. Look at other kids and ask: "Is he right? Make noise if he is right." Verify answer. Repeat activity for the other questions. 18 Apply (4 minutes) Paper rocks from step 2, markers Teacher Tip Enlist a teacher to print the kids' names on the rocks. Give each child a paper rock and marker. Review: "The Bible says that, when Jacob woke up from his dream, he took the rock he used for a pillow and set it up to remind him that God would always be with him. Write the first letter of your name on your rock to remind you that God will always be with you." Encourage adults to help children write. Explain: "Let's make a circle. [Assist kids.] When I count to three, throw your rocks into the middle of our circle." [Count.] Say: "When I count to three, find your rock. When you find it, return to the circle." [Count.] Lead kids to say: "God is always with me." Repeat several times. 19 Dismiss Children to Parents Week of June 9, 2013 Wrap-Up (Application Activities Format) 16aSing "Love Each Other" (DVD, 2 minutes) 17aHighlight Application Activities (2 minutes) Call on several children to tell what they did in their Application Activities. darts d and Crafts Make Pocket Rocks ddramatic d Play Go on a Hike dgames Play d "Rock" Games dexploration d and Discovery Explore Rocks Apply: "Our activities helped us learn that God is always with us no matter where we go." 18aReview and Apply (6 minutes) Paper rocks from step 2, "Teaching Picture 2 Jacob" from step 9, markers Teacher Tip Enlist a teacher to print the kids' names on the rocks. Display the teaching picture. Direct: "Tell something about the Bible story." Allow children to respond. Give each child a paper rock and a marker. Review: "The Bible says that, when Jacob woke up from his dream, he took the rock he used for a pillow and set it up to remind him that God would always be with him. Write the first letter of your name on your rock to remind you that God will always be with you." Encourage adults to help children write. Explain: "Let's make a circle. [Assist kids.] When I count to three, throw your rocks into the middle of our circle." [Count.] Say: "When I count to three, find your rock. When you find it, return to the circle." [Count.] Lead kids to say: "God is always with me." Repeat several times. 19aDismiss Children to Parents *Giant Game Floor Mat ( ) may be ordered through LifeWay Christian Resources Customer Service Center at or online at **Worship KidStyle Preschool Music CD ( SUM) may be ordered through LifeWay Christian Resources Customer Service Center at or online at Worship KidStyle Preschool Edition Leader Guide 2013 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Page 4 of 23

5 Application Activities Select from the following choices. Each choice is designed for 20 minutes of small group time. Small rocks (1 per child), tempera paint, paper, marker, painting smocks, paintbrushes, containers of water, small paper plates or cups, tongs Print Genesis 28:15 on paper. Teacher Tips Dry rocks with a hair dryer. Print "Genesis 28:15 Paraphrase" (CD). Alternate Ideas Use permanent markers instead of paint. Squirt paint into a box lid and roll the rocks across the paint. Place paint in cups and distribute spoons. Kids can dip and scoop rocks in the paint cups. Place rocks on a lazy susan and spritz paint onto rocks as the table turns. Paper bags (lunch, grocery), yarn, hole punch, tape, scissors, round plastic lids, markers, glue sticks Print "Rocks" (CD), cut apart, and scatter on floor. Print "Hiking Gear" (CD). Print 1 canteen per child. Punch holes in bags as directed on CD item. Teacher Tips Provide snacks to enjoy on the hike. Invite kids to lie down, using the "Rocks" or rocks from Worship step 2 for pillows. Worship Through Arts and Crafts Make Pocket Rocks Say: "God was with Jacob everywhere he went. Let's make pocket rocks to keep with us in our pockets or somewhere at home. When you feel the rock in your pocket or see it, you can remember God is always with you." Lead each child to put on a painting smock and choose a rock. Instruct: "Paint your rock. Let the paint dry before adding new colors." Talk about the Bible story. Display and read aloud the Bible verse. Invite kids to paint extra rocks. Suggest kids give the extra rocks to friends and tell the friends the story of Jacob using a rock for a pillow. Ask: "Where are some places you go?" Encourage kids to respond (school, store, library, soccer field, home, etc.). Say: "Use the tongs to pick up your rocks and put them on the plates to take home. What will you remember when you hold or see your pocket rock? God is always with you." Assist with moving rocks. Say: "Clean your area, wash your hands, and take off your smocks." Lead kids to clean area. Pray. Worship Through Dramatic Play Go on a Hike Say: "Jacob walked on his journey. Let's prepare to take a hike. A hike is 'a long walk, especially in the country, woods, or wilderness.' We'll need a few supplies for our walk." Distribute bags, markers, "Canteens," plastic lids, glue sticks, and scissors. Instruct: "The bags will become our backpacks. The teachers will cut yarn for you to string through the holes on your bags. Cut out the canteen and glue it to the plastic lid. Color the backpacks and canteens." Help kids cut and glue, allowing time for kids to color. Enlist teachers to cut yarn lengths for backpack straps. Guide: "Everyone stand up and put on your backpacks and canteens. Let's go on a hike. Follow me." Lead kids in walking around the room, stepping on and reading aloud the words on the "Rocks." Talk about the Bible story. Say the Bible verse (Genesis 28:15). Say: "God told Jacob He would always be with him. God is also with us wherever we go." Continue the hike, inviting kids to lead. Pray. Week of June 9, 2013 Page 5 of 23

6 Brown paper lunch bags (1 per child), Worship Kidstyle Preschool Music CD**, CD player, tape, scissors Print "Rocks" and "Places" (CD). Cut apart and place "Rocks" and "Places" randomly in the mat. Tape starting and finish lines on the floor. Teacher Tip Invite 1 child to push the play button and another child to push the stop button. Magnifying glasses, scales (digital, produce, bathroom), measuring tapes, rulers, rocks (various sizes and weights), water, towels, paintbrushes Set up stations, putting rocks at each one: dmagnify: d magnifying glasses d dwash: water, towels, paintbrushes ddweigh: scales dmeasure: d measuring tapes, rulers Teacher Tip Make "rocks" by stuffing paper into paper sacks and taping closed. Skip weighing and washing. Paint with tempera paint instead. Invite kids to draw on bags and then look with magnifying glasses. Worship Through Games Play "Rock" Games Instruct: "Two kids at a time will hop together on the mat as the music plays. When the music stops, stand still. If you land on a word, we will all say 'God is always with me.' If you land on a picture, tell us if God is with you at that place." Choose the first two kids to hop and play. Change players each time until everyone participates. Talk about how God is with us everywhere we go. Encourage kids to name places they go that are not shown in the mat. Place kids in two teams, guiding teams to stand behind starting line. Give each child a bag, demonstrating how to open the bag. Say: "When Jacob awoke, he knew the place where he slept was special. He took the rock he used as a pillow and set it upright as a marker or symbol. Jacob named the place Bethel. This place was a special reminder to Jacob that God would always be with him. We will pretend these bags are rocks. When I say 'go,' the first person on each team will walk quickly to the finish line. Turn your bag upside down and get it to stand up on the floor [demonstrate]. When your bag stays standing, say 'God is with me!' Walk back to your team so the next person on the team can go." Repeat until everyone plays. Change moving actions (hop, skip, jump, crawl, etc.) for kids to return to retrieve bags. Collect the bags. Pray. Worship Through Exploration and Discovery Explore Rocks Say: "God promised to give Jacob the land he was sleeping on that night. God also promised that Jacob's family would be large and have many people. What did Jacob use for a pillow? (rock) Let's explore rocks at several stations." Explain the stations and then send kids to the stations. dmagnify: d Compare and contrast colors, cracks, and designs on rocks. dpaint d and Wash: Paint or wash rocks. Compare and contrast wet and dry rocks. dweigh: d Weigh one, two, or three rocks at a time. dmeasure: d Measure the length of a rock. Put rocks together in a long line and measure the length. Talk about the Bible story briefly at each station. Say the Bible verse (Genesis 28:15) as you talk with kids. Assist kids to rotate through the stations. Say: "God promised to give Jacob a big family. God kept His promise. God also said He would be with Jacob everywhere Jacob went. Jacob set up the rock he slept on as reminder that God would always be with him. When you see a rock, remember God will always be with you, too." Lead the children to help clean up. Pray. Worship KidStyle Preschool Edition Leader Guide 2013 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. OK to copy. Page 6 of 23

7 Douglas Klauba God Cared for Jacob 2006 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in the USA. Genesis 28:10-22 Page 7 of 23

8 I can Life Application (June 9) 1 Page 8 of 23

9 know God Life Application (June 9) 2 Page 9 of 23

10 is always Life Application (June 9) 3 Page 10 of 23

11 with me. Life Application (June 9) 4 Page 11 of 23

12 I am with you everywhere you go. Genesis 28:15 Genesis 28:15 Paraphrase (June 9) Page 12 of 23

13 How did God speak to Jacob? What did Jacob see in his dream? What did God tell Jacob in his dream? What did Jacob vow or promise God? How did God speak to Jacob? (in a dream) What did Jacob see in his dream? (angels going up and down stairs to heaven) What did God tell Jacob in his dream? (He would give Jacob the land around him, Jacob would have a big family, and God would take of him.) Did God keep His promise to Jacob? What did Jacob vow or promise God? (to serve God) Did God keep His promise to Jacob? (yes) Journey Review (June 9) Page 13 of 23

14 God is Rocks (June 9) 1 Page 14 of 23

15 always with Rocks (June 9) 2 Page 15 of 23

16 me. Rocks (June 9) 3 Page 16 of 23

17 Hiking Gear Canteen Pr int 1 copy (p. 2) per child on constrution paper and cut out. Glue canteen to plastic lid. Punch holes on either side of canteen. St ring yarn through holes and tie to make neckstrap. Backpack Pu nch parallel holes on both sides of a paper bag (lunch, grocery). Suggestion: Place clear tape on the areas to punch. This will make bag less likely to tear with use. Th read yarn through set of holes on one side of bag and tie. Repeat with the other side. Fold down top of bag to close. Hiking Gear (June 9) 1 Page 17 of 23

18 Hiking Gear (June 9) 2 Page 18 of 23

19 School Church Places (June 9) 1 Page 19 of 23

20 Store Library Places (June 9) 2 Page 20 of 23

21 Park Ball Field Places (June 9) 3 Page 21 of 23

22 Friend's House Beach Places (June 9) 4 Page 22 of 23

23 Campground Amusement Park Places (June 9) 5 Page 23 of 23