Contents. UNIT 1: We Remember Moses. UNIT 2: We Remember God s People. UNIT 3: We Remember God s Promised Land. Written by LeeDell B.

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1 Contents Written by LeeDell B. Stickler 2 Introduction 4 Resource Pak Contents UNIT 1: We Remember Moses 5 Unit 1 Introduction 7 September 2 1. The Basket Boat 13 September 9 2. God Speaks to Moses 19 September Moses and the Pharaoh 25 September Crossing the Sea 31 September Miriam Celebrates 37 Unit 1 Reproducibles UNIT 2: We Remember God s People 49 Unit 2 Introduction 51 October 7 6. In the Wilderness 57 October The Ten Commandments 63 October A House for God 69 October God Chooses Joshua 75 Unit 2 Reproducibles UNIT 3: We Remember God s Promised Land 85 Unit 3 Introduction 87 November Spies in Canaan 93 November Crossing the Jordan 99 November Jericho 105 November Choose God 111 Unit 3 Reproducibles Visit GrowProclaimServe.com/leaders to join the community with other leaders and find helpful weekly content and articles. Cover Credits: logo design by Marc Whitaker, MTWdesign; background and frog: Shutterstock, Julien Tromeur; cover design by Mark Foltz and Phillip Francis Photo Credits: pp. 1, 11, 20, 22, 28, 35, 39, 58, 84, 109, 117, 120: Ron Benedict; Mark Foltz: 21, 29, 32, 39, 96, 101, ; p. 126: Patrick Bresnan, Forest Woodward Art Credits: pp. 37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 48, 76, 80 83, 113: Marilee Harrald-Pilz/Storybook Arts, Inc.; pp. 41 (flame, bush), 44 46: Shutterstock; p. 41 (how-to diagrams): Gary Torrisi/Gwen Walters Agency; p. 104: Brenda Gilliam

2 Introduction The stories of the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan are some of the most exciting stories in the Old Testament of the Bible. Through these stories we can see the history of God at work in the lives of the people who eventually became God s holy nation. At the time when Moses was born, the pharaoh of Egypt felt no love for the Hebrew people. He was from a different line of kings than the one who welcomed Joseph and his family to Egypt a few generations earlier. This pharaoh saw the increasing number of Hebrew people as a threat to the political stability of Egypt and used everything within his power to put an end to it. All his best efforts failed. God had heard the people s cries and was ready to lead them from this intolerable situation. Once the people left Egypt, they found themselves in a totally alien environment. Many had never seen the sea or had to scrounge for food and for water. But it was during this time that the people came to trust God to provide for them. It was also here in the wilderness that a special covenant was made between God and the people. So now, if you faithfully obey me and stay true to my covenant, you will be my most precious possession out of all the peoples. (Exodus 19:5) After a generation of traveling about in the wilderness, the time had come for God to lead the people to their new home in Canaan. Moses had died and God had selected Joshua as the new leader. Moses had been a spiritual leader. Joshua would be their new military leader. God promised to be with Joshua in the same way that God had been with Moses. The Common English Bible The CEB is the primary Scripture resource for Grow, Proclaim, Serve: Middle Elementary resources. Have at least one CEB in your room for the children to handle. We also recommend having a copy of the New Revised Standard Version and the Contemporary English Version of the Bible. First and foremost, Grow is a Bible study for children. We believe it is important for children to know the stories of the Bible and value their contribution to their faith. The Bible is much more than a set of creeds or propositions. The Bible is testimonies from real people who have experienced God in their lives. This is particularly true with the stories that begin our new series. The Bible should also be presented in such a way that the children can discover meaning for their own lives from the stories. A child may never see a burning bush or hear God s actual voice, but a child can understand what it means to be called by God to do something important. Grow will provide opportunities for boys and girls to hear the Bible story, apply the Bible message, and then live out the message in their lives in concrete and age-appropriate ways. Children do not learn in the same way that adults learn. They need to experience the story with all of their senses. Choose activities that give them the opportunity to do this. Learning the Bible is more than memorizing a bunch of people and places and facts. It is a value system that the children will adopt because they have heard the stories and have made them their own. Grow, Proclaim, Serve: Middle Elementary resources are available in Braille on request. Contact: Braille Ministry, c/o Donna Veigel N. 91st Avenue #96 Peoria AZ ( ) 2 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

3 Grow, Proclaim, Serve: Middle Elementary, Bible Story Pak (one per child, one per leader) The Bible Story Pak involves the children in the Bible story and provides them with a connection between the story and real life. The colorful activities are agelevel appropriate, and Stickers for the attendance chart and other activities are included. Included in the Story Pak is a music songbook. Grow, Proclaim, Serve: Middle Elementary, Leader s Guide (one per leader) The Leader s Guide contains step-by-step instructions for each session. Leaders are encouraged to choose activities that best suit the needs of their children and the time available. At the front of each unit section is a list of the supplies that will be needed for those sessions. At the back of each unit section are reproducible pages that coordinate with the individual sessions in that unit. Grow, Proclaim, Serve: Middle Elementary, Resource Pak (one per group) The Resource Pak contains Bible verse posters, maps, and games that contribute to each session with the children. See back cover for Resource Pak contents. Also included in the Resource Pak is an enhanced CD-ROM with the music for the quarter. Included on the CD-ROM are vocal/instrumental and instrumental-only versions of each song, as well as printed music, word sheets, and PowerPoint word presentations for large groups. If you do not have access to a computer, the CD-ROM will play on a standard CD player. Track numbers for each song are provided in the session guide. Grow, Proclaim, Serve: Middle Elementary, Fun Pak (one per child, one per leader) The Fun Pak is a set of quick and easy craft activities that relate directly to each session. These activities are colorful, creative, and fun. They require few outside supplies and are aimed at the skill level of the Middle Elementary child. Fall Fall GrowProclaimServe.com 3 3

4 Resource Pak Contents Page Session Title 2, Attendance Chart 3 7 Climb Mt. Sinai Game Birthday Reproducibles Journey Map Cards Mission Well Can Wrap Bible Verse Poster and Cards (Unit 1) 10, Journey Map, Part A Journey Map, Part B Bible Verse Poster and Cards (Unit 2) Bible Verse Poster and Cards (Unit 3) Game Cube and Ten-Sided Die Using the Resource Pak Store all posters, gameboards, game cards, game cubes together by units. Punch out the map cards for the Journey Map. Store in a resealable plastic bag or envelope. Assemble the Journey Map by taping the two sections together. Mount the map on a piece of posterboard to provide a border for the map cards that you will add each week. Remove the attendance chart and place it on the wall near the entrance to your room. Cover the gameboard with clear adhesive paper to increase its durability. For added durability, glue the gameboard onto 1/4-inch artist s foam core board. 4 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

5 Unit 1 We Remember Moses Bible Verse But I will remember the LORD s deeds; yes, I will remember your wondrous acts from times long past. (Psalm 77:11) Leap of Faith God is with me when I need help. In this unit Session 1 September 2 The Basket Boat Bible story: Exodus 1:8-14; 2:1-10 Session 2 September 9 God Speaks to Moses Bible story: Exodus 2:11-30 (11-12, 15-17); 3:1-20 Session 3 September 16 Moses and the Pharaoh Bible story: Exodus 5:1 13:9 Session 4 September 23 Crossing the Sea Bible story: Exodus 13:17 14:29 Session 5 September 30 Miriam Celebrates Bible story: Exodus 15:1-21 CD-ROM Moses, We Remember Your Name Vocal/instumental and instrumental versions Music sheet with lyrics Printable lyrics PowerPoint lyrics We re on Our Way Vocal/instumental and instrumental versions Music sheet with lyrics Printable lyrics PowerPoint lyrics Growing in Leaps and Bounds (theme song) Vocal/instumental and instrumental versions Music sheet with lyrics Printable lyrics PowerPoint lyrics Leaper s Pointe (DVD) Session 1 The Basket Boat Meet the townspeople of Leaper s Pointe. Session 2 God Speaks to Moses Meet Ernie, the Mayor s new helper. Session 3 Moses and the Pharaoh Watch a tug of war between Moses and Pharaoh. Session 4 Crossing the Sea Gabby tells the story of how God helped the people cross the sea. Session 5 Miriam Celebrates Leaper s Pointe celebrates Make a Joyful Noise Day. Leaper s Pointe in Concert (DVD) Moses, We Remember Your Name Growing in Leaps and Bounds (theme song) Fall 2012 Unit 1 GrowProclaimServe.com 5

6 Supplies The Basics scissors markers (watercolor and permanent) crayons glue sticks construction paper colored copy paper stapler, staples paper punch tape (clear, masking) yarn pencils recycled newspaper plastic drinking straws lunch-sized paper bags posterboard scissors plastic beads chenille stems (a variety of colors) wooden craft sticks resealable plastic bags newsprint ribbon (variety of widths) cotton balls cotton swabs paper plates (variety of sizes and weights) Beyond the Basics Session 1 plastic dishpan plastic tablecloths towels small baby doll and blanket large basket blue and green fabric rolled mint candies chocolate kisses aluminum foil Session 2 plastic foam peanuts bowls cups potted plant or branches/ rocks/dishpan Christmas lights power strip with on/off switch Session 3 ingredients for unleavened bread griddle, spatula, serving plates napkins, hand sanitizer bread with leavening magnetic strip tape cardstock Session 4 cardboard sheets shallow baking pans, towels, plastic tablecloths cardboard tubes aluminum foil sea shells, flat marble glass stones, plastic containers (H inch deep), plaster of paris, disposible mixing container and spoon, sand and water Session 5 jingle bells shallow box lid 8-ounce paper cups metal washers (variety of sizes) utility knife Tips Session 1 The songs on the CD- ROM will also play on an ordinary CD player. The track numbers for the songs are provided in the session guide. Session 2 Choose one of the options (Reproducible 2a) on how to make a burning bush to use during the Bible story or worship. Session 4 Use only disposable containers for the sand casting craft. You cannot rinse the containers in a sink. Throw them away when finished. Session 5 Save the tambourines you make today for worship during the remaining sessions. Reproducibles for Unit 1 These begin on page Fall 2012 GROW Proclaim Serve Early Elementary Leader s Guide

7 The Basket Boat Bible Verse But I will remember the LORD s deeds; yes, I will remember your wondrous acts from times long past. (Psalm 77:11) Session 1 September 2 Bible Story Exodus 1:8-14; 2:1-10 Leap of Faith God is with me when I need help. Before You Begin The story of the Exodus is the signature event in the history of God s people. Every year at the festival of the Passover, the story is told and has been told for generations. Moses is lifted up as the character through whom God worked to accomplish this awesome deed. But in truth, the story is more a story of God than of Moses. God saw the need of the people. God responded. God provided the means for this event to happen. Had it not been for God s intervention, Moses might never have even survived his childhood. In this unit we will explore how God provides help when we need it. God was with Moses when he needed help; God will be with each of us when we need help too. The first people who helped Moses were the midwives who defied Pharaoh s orders to put to death any male child that was born to the Hebrew women. The second person who helped Moses was his mother who at great risk hid her son until he was too big to hide any longer. The third person who helped Moses was his sister Miriam, who kept watch as his little basket boat floated among the reeds of the river. She was also quick-thinking and courageous when she approached the princess with her suggestion for a nurse for the baby. The fourth person who helped Moses was the princess. Certainly she did not realize that the child she was holding in her arms would one day change the course of history for Egypt and for the world. Four helpers, four coincidences. Not very likely. God was actively involved in the life of Moses from the day he was born. God had plans for him that would not be thwarted by even the great pharaoh of Egypt himself. Think about the people in your own life who have been there when you needed help those people who watched over you, nursed you, protected you, and helped you become the person you are today. God surrounds each of us with people who nurture and help us all grow in faith. Don t forget to say thank you to those people. You are also going to become one of those persons for the children in your class. Someday the words you speak, the attention you give each child, your patient guidance will affect the destiny of one of God s precious children. Requires preparation. Fall 2012 Session 1 GrowProclaimServe.com 7

8 Grow Together Choose one or more of the following activities to do as the children arrive. Welcome the Children Supplies: Resource Pak pp. 2, 23; Stickers; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; offering basket Display the attendance chart from the Resource Pak. Greet the children as they come into the room. Show the children where to place their offerings. Give each child the attendance sticker for today. Play Moses, We Remember Your Name (Track #1) and Growing in Leaps and Bounds (Track #6) on the CD-ROM (or use the music videos on the DVD) as the children come into the room. Fun Pak Fun Supplies: Fun Pak p. 3, scissors, glue stick Have the children cut out and assemble the Nile River crocodile. Read the Bible verse together. The children may wonder what a crocodile has to do with the Bible story for today. Point out the Bible Factoid that tells about the different animals and plants that were found along the bank of the Nile River. Today s story takes place on the banks of the river. Hiding in Plain Sight Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 3 (Just for Fun), pencils TIP Bible Factoids provide interesting tidbits of information about Bible times, the land, or the culture. The Bible Story Pak has four story and activity pages for each session. They are marked for the date. Remove the sheets for September 2. Give the children the Just for Fun page and have them find the hidden objects. Point out to the children that the picture provides an artist s interpretation of the setting for today s Bible story. Ask the children what animals they think might have lived along the river s edge. Conversation Time Supplies: Resource Pak p. 4, tape, scissors, crayons or markers, dishpan of water, small basket, small baby doll Photocopy the cupcake and birthday gram for each child. Store to use as needed during the quarter. Identify those who have birthdays this week. Bring the children together. They can sit around a table or on the floor. Give them a chance to briefly share any news of the week. 8 September 2 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

9 Celebrate birthdays that have occurred or will occur in the coming week. Let the children who have had birthdays or will have birthdays decorate a cupcake to display on a wall. Before they leave give them the birthday greeting. Hold up the basket with the baby doll in it. Ask: Who do you think our Bible story for today is about? What is your first clue? Do baskets make very good boats? Why not? (They have holes in them.) Place the basket in the water and let the children observe what happens. Ask: What could we do to make this basket waterproof so the baby won t get wet? (Invite the children to come up with ideas.) Say: A mother has to be pretty desperate to use a basket such as this for her baby. When we read the story, I think we ll find out just what she did and why. Pray: God, thank you for these boys and girls. We are so glad they are here today. Help us to listen with our heads and our hearts. Help us to hear the message you have for us today. We want to grow stronger in our faith. Amen. Proclaim the Word Visit Leaper s Pointe Supplies: DVD, DVD player The DVD is optional and can be used in place of or in addition to the storytelling section of this session plan. The DVD also contains music videos for the children to sing and dance to. Place the DVD in the player. Locate Session 1. Invite the children to sit down where they can easily see the screen. Say: (whisper) Today we are going to visit the town of Leaper s Pointe for the first time. We will be dropping in every week to see what s going on with the people who live there. Today it seems that everyone in the town is being super quiet. That s why I m whispering. I wonder what s going on. Shall we drop in for a visit and discover why? TIP Today is the first use of the DVD. Give the children some background about the town and the people who live there. Use the inside cover of the Bible Story Pak. Interact With the Bible Story Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 1, baby doll, baby blanket, large basket, blue and green fabric or plastic tablecloths Place the blue fabric on the floor to represent the Nile River. Line one side of the river bank with chairs, the chair backs forming the reeds along the edge of the river. (Throw green fabric over them for added effect.) Assign these parts: Bible storyteller (a confident reader), the pharaoh, Moses mother, Miriam, the princess, and a servant. Wrap the baby doll in a baby blanket and place it in the basket. Act out the story. Fall 2012 Session 1 GrowProclaimServe.com 9

10 All About the Story Ask: Why did the pharaoh want to get rid of the Israelites? (He was afraid of them.) What was the first thing he did? (He made them work very hard.) Did that get rid of them? (no) What was the next thing he did? (He ordered his soldiers to kill all the boy babies that were born to Israelite women.) Did that work? (no) What did Moses mother do to protect her son? (She hid him until he was too big to hide any longer.) Then what did she do? (She put him in a basket and floated the basket in the river with Miriam to keep watch.) What happened next? (The princess saw the basket and found baby Moses. She took him home to raise as her own son.) Say: Moses life was saved by all the people God provided to love and care for him. Let s name them. (Have the children name the caregivers in order his mother, his sister, the princess.) God provides people who help us, too. Play Hide the Baby Supplies: Reproducible 1a, scissors, paper punch, yarn, clear tape Photocopy Reproducible 1a. Cut out the pieces. Fold the Pharaoh card in half and staple. Punch holes at the corners and attach yarn. Curl baby Moses into a tube and tape. Select one child to be the pharaoh. Place the ID tag around that child s neck. Have the children form a circle, standing shoulder to shoulder. Pharaoh stands in the center of the circle. The rest of the children will stand with their hands behind their backs. Give baby Moses to one of the children, who will conceal the baby in his/her hands. The children will begin to pass the baby Moses around the circle. When the pharaoh thinks he/she knows who has the baby, the pharaoh says Stop! and points to one of the children. If that child has the baby Moses, then the child and the pharaoh change places. If the child doesn t have the baby, then play continues. Pharaoh has three chances to find baby Moses. Play several times so that several children get a chance to be the pharaoh. Say: Moses mother protected her son from the pharaoh. She did not know just how important her son would become. Bible Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 4 The boys and girls will use the picture clues to fill in the words from the story. When the puzzle is complete, the children will reveal five letters that when they are unscrambled spell out Moses. Then have the children answer questions about the Bible that they learned from today s story. 10 September 2 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

11 Serve in Love Kid Connection Say: God provided many different people who cared for baby Moses. Circle the pictures of those people. (Pause until the children are finished. Then name the people.) God provides people who help you, too. Close your eyes and think about all the people who helped you just today. (Invite them to share.) Have the children look at the different times when they might need help. Then let them draw lines to the different people who might help them. Talk about ways the children can also be caregivers for others. A Gift for a Caregiver Supplies: Reproducible 1b, rolled candies (2 for each gift), individually wrapped chocolate kisses, clear packing tape or other wide tape, colored paper (yellow, pink), aluminum foil, craft glue or hot glue gun Make a copy of the directions for the gift for each child or pair of children. Cut yellow construction paper into 5 H-by-3-inch pieces. Cut pink construction paper into 1-by-3-inch strips. Assist the children as needed to tape the rolls together and complete the project. Hint: Place the wide tape sticky side up on the table and place the candy rolls end to end on top of the tape. Then roll the tape around the candy. Encourage the children to give this gift to a teacher who helps them. TIP If you use craft glue, you will need to let these sit at least thirty minutes to dry sufficiently. Worship Gather and Sing Supplies: Resource Pak p. 8; Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape; colored posterboard (optional) Remove the story pictures from the Unit 1 Bible Verse Poster. Display the poster in the worship area. Locate Growing in Leaps and Bounds on the CD ROM (Track #6) or DVD. This is the Grow Theme Song, which will be used each quarter. Play the song through one time. Hand out the songbooks and let the children follow along with the words. Say: Today as we learn about the journey of God s people, we begin a journey, too. We will be learning more about the Bible, about God, and about how we can grow in our faith. Our theme song is called Growing in Leaps and Bounds because that is how we will be growing our faith. Sing the song together. TIP Optional: Mount the poster on a larger sheet of posterboard for more display impact. Fall 2012 Session 1 GrowProclaimServe.com 11

12 If you have the DVD, let the children imitate the dance moves shown. Talk about the setting on the poster. Point out the pyramids and the Nile River. Invite one child to read the Bible verse for the unit and then have the group read it together. Spread out the five pictures and let a child select the picture that represents today s Bible story. Add it to the poster. (There is no specific place for the card.) Praise and Respond Supplies: Bible, Bible Story Pak Songbook, Resource Pak pp. 5, 10 15, tape, posterboard, envelope Tape the two sections of the Journey Map together. Mount on a large piece of posterboard. Punch out the map cards and store them in an envelope. Say: Today we begin the Great Journey of God s people. (Invite a child to find the Nile River on the map.) God s people are now slaves in Egypt. But we have met the person through whom God will work to lead them to freedom. His name is Moses and his story is found in the Old Testament of our Bible. The book is called Exodus, which means to leave. I think God s people will be leaving Egypt soon. I have no doubt it will be an exciting journey. Hand out the three cards for Session 1. Invite the children to read the content on the back. Then attach the cards to the edge of the map on the posterboard. Say: Today we saw how God provided people who cared for Moses and kept him safe. (Name those people his mother, his sister, the princess.) Introduce the song Moses, We Remember Your Name. Ask: According to the song, what will Moses become? (a leader, a servant) What will we remember? (his name) Sing and dance to the song. Pray: Dear God, we thank you for baby Moses and the people who cared for him. We know that you give each of us the help we need through the people around us. Thank you. Help us to remember to thank them, too. Amen. TIP If you are using the DVD, repeat the signing of the Bible verse together during this section. TIP Add these three Journey Map Cards today: papyrus reeds Nile River crocodile and hippopotamus Egyptian boat Put tape on one side of the card only so that it can be pulled back to read the information again at a later time. Plan for Next Week Make a Burning Bush (p. 16): Choose one of the options for making the burning bush (See Reproducible 2a.) We Remember Moses (p. 16): Photocopy Reproducible 2b. Cut the cards apart. When God Calls (p. 17): Photocopy Reproducible 2c. 12 September 2 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

13 God Speaks to Moses Bible Verse But I will remember the LORD s deeds; yes, I will remember your wondrous acts from times long past. (Psalm 77:11) Session 2 September 11 Bible Story Exodus 2:11-12, 15-17; 3:1-20 Leap of Faith God is with me when I need help. Before You Begin The Bible doesn t tell us much about Moses early life in the palace, but we can make certain assumptions: Moses would have received a good education. He would have had the riches of the realm at his disposal. He would have been exposed to the many cultures of the lands around him. He would have been given positions of trust and responsibility. He would have been raised as a virtual prince. How ironic that Moses would continue to identify with the workers who toiled for his surrogate father. When the brutality of the Hebrew people s lives confronted him, Moses reacted swiftly and without thought. It was a brutal act that changed his life completely. Moses became a fugitive, fleeing to the land of Midian. Even being a part of the royal household would not have exonerated him from a murder charge. He could never go back to the land of his birth for fear of reprisal. So Moses, resigned to this, made a life for himself in this new land. He married Zipporah, the daughter of Reuel, who provided him a place to live and a job. However Moses was not to live a quiet peaceful life in the sticks, working as a shepherd. God had chosen him to be the one through whom God would communicate and act. But Moses felt he was not up to the job. So God chose Aaron, Moses brother, to help him. Many adults lift up this story when they feel that they are being called into some form of ministry. This call is often referred to as their burning-bush moment. But children may not have had this experience and will be curious. They might ask: How do you know when God is calling you? How do you know what God wants you to do? If I don t see a burning bush, how do I know that it really is God? These are good questions...ones I m sure Moses probably asked himself when times got tough. But God was always there for him. Encourage the children to be open to God s plan for their lives. God can call them into ministry in ways that we can only imagine, and God will be with them and help them accomplish c what God asks them to do. Requires preparation. Fall 2012 Session 2 GrowProclaimServe.com 13

14 Grow Together Choose one or more of the following activities to do as the children arrive. Welcome the Children Supplies: Resource Pak pp. 2, 23; Stickers; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; offering basket Greet the children as they come into the room. Show the children where to place their offerings. Give each child the attendance sticker for today. Play Moses, We Remember Your Name (Track #1) and Growing in Leaps and Bounds (Track #6) on the CD-ROM (or use the music videos on the DVD) as the children come into the room. Fun Pak Fun Supplies: Fun Pak p. 5, scissors, paper fasteners Have the children cut out and assemble Moses and the burning bush. If you are using The Great Journey Map (Resource Pak), locate Egypt and Midian on the map. This is where the story takes place today. I Need Help! Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 3, pencils, markers, or crayons Have the boys and girls decide what kind of help is needed in each illustration and draw it in. (There is no correct answer.) Remind the children that all the stories in this unit are about how God provides help for us when we need it. Walk Backwards Race Supplies: 2 paper plates, plastic foam packing peanuts, 4 bowls, 1 cup for each team Mark two lanes across the room with masking tape so the children can see when they are straying off course. Divide the children into two teams. Have the players line up one behind the other. Give each team a bowl of the packing peanuts, a paper plate, and a cup. Set the other two empty bowls on a table across the room. Say: The object of this game is to take a handful of the peanuts, put them on a paper plate, carry them across the room, and place them in the other bowl. The player comes back and hands the plate to the next person in line. When the bowl at the starting line is empty, that team wins. There s only one catch. You can t walk forward, you have to walk backward. 14 September 9 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

15 After a team has emptied its bowl, ask the children to guess why they were walking backward in this activity. Conversation Time Supplies: Resource Pak p. 4, tape, scissors, glue sticks, crayons or markers, art supplies for decorating Identify each child that has a birthday this week and make sure you have a cupcake and birthday gram for them. Bring the children together. They can sit around a table or on the floor. Give them a chance to briefly share any news of the week. Celebrate birthdays that have occurred or will occur in the coming week. Let the children who have had birthdays or will have birthdays decorate their cupcake to add to the display. Before they leave give them the birthday greeting. Invite them to recognize any people in their life in the past week who have helped them. Recall how in the story of Moses last week, God provided several people who helped him. Because of those people, Moses was able to become the leader that God would soon need. Ask: What would you think if Pastor (fill in the name of your pastor) came into the sanctuary on Sunday morning without his shoes or socks? Say: In Bible times, the priests who served in the Temple went barefoot. There was a special reason for it. In today s Bible story you will discover why. Pray: God, thank you for these boys and girls. We are so glad they are here today. Thank you for all the people in their lives who help them to be the boys and girls that you want them to be. Help us to open our hearts and minds so that when you have a special job for us, we will be ready. Amen. Proclaim the Word Visit Leaper s Pointe Supplies: DVD, DVD player The DVD is optional. Use the DVD in place of the storytelling section of this session plan or in addition to it. The DVD also contains music videos for the children to sing and dance to. Use them as appropriate in your class. Place the DVD in the player. Locate Session 2. Invite the children to sit down where they can easily see the screen. Say: Today we re going back to Leaper s Pointe. Ernie Meeks shows up in town to be the mayor s intern. But he seems to have a problem with confidence. He really doesn t know how to be a leader and isn t sure he s up for the job. Let s listen in to see what he learns that changes his mind. Fall 2012 Session 2 GrowProclaimServe.com 15

16 Make a Burning Bush Supplies: Reproducible 2a, supplies for burning bush option (See Repro 2a) Choose one of the options for making the burning bush and collect the supplies. Plan to involve the entire group. Say: In our story today we discover a very important symbol. It s a symbol that represents what God wants us to do. It helped Moses determine what God s plan for him was. It will remind us that God will always be there to help us when we have important things to do. Place the bush in the storytelling/worship area. Interact with the Bible Story Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 1, burning bush (see above) Have the children sit so that there is space between them. Place the burning bush so that it is seen by all the children. Say: I want you to help me tell the story for today, not with words but with actions. Whenever we get to a word that is in dark type, I want you to do the motion. Read the story. Pause when you get to the words in dark type. Turn on the burning bush at the appropriate place in the story. All About the Story Ask: Why did Moses run away? (He had killed an Egyptian.) Why did he do this? (The man was beating one of the Hebrew slaves.) Where did Moses go? (to Midian) (Locate Midian on the Journey Map.) What did Moses do while he was living there? (He became a shepherd.) Do you think he was planning to spend the rest of his life there? What changed everything for Moses? (God spoke to Moses through a burning bush.) What did God want him to do? (Go back to Egypt and free the people.) How did Moses feel about that? (He felt that he wasn t good enough to do the job.) What did God tell him? (God promised to help him.) Say: Once again we see how God is helping. Let s name the people that God is helping. (God will help the people get free, God will help Moses speak to the pharaoh.) God never gives us a job without helping us do it. Bible Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 4 The boys and girls will see how much they remember about the life of Moses. We Remember Moses Reproducible 2b, scissors Photocopy the cards about Moses life so far. Cut them apart. Place the cards face up on the table. Say: Each of these cards shows an event or object from the first two stories about Moses. 16 September 9 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

17 Have the children study the cards carefully. Then have them close their eyes or turn away from the table as you remove one or more cards. Invite the children to identify the missing card or cards. Whoever guesses correctly can remove the cards in the next round. Serve in Love Kid Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 2, pencils or markers Ask: How did Moses know it was God talking to him? (The bush was not burning up; Moses heard God s voice.) What do you think God s voice sounds like? How are we supposed to know what God wants us to do? (Invite the children to think about this and share their thoughts.) Let the children draw a flame next to each statement they believe could be God talking to them. Then ask them to determine their criteria for the choice. Say: Throughout the Bible, God calls people in different ways. In today s story, God called Moses through a burning bush. We need to ready when God calls our names to serve. When God Calls... Supplies: Reproducible 2c, plastic drinking straws, masking tape, glue sticks, scissors Photocopy the activity page for each child. Have the children cut out the thaumatrope and color the flames. Then assemble according to the directions. When the children roll the straw between the palms of both hands, the pictures come together to make a burning bush. Say: Remember, when God calls, say yes. Worship Gather and Sing Supplies: Unit 1 Bible Verse Poster and Cards (See p. 11); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Play Growing in Leaps and Bounds on the CD or DVD. Say: Through stories in the Bible, we learn more about God and how to be faithful to God. As we learn these things our faith will grow by leaps and bounds. Fall 2012 Session 2 GrowProclaimServe.com 17

18 Ask: What important things did Moses learn about God today? (God has a plan for us, God will be with us when we are doing what God asks us to do.) Read the Bible verse for the unit together. Spread out the four remaining pictures and let a child select the picture that represents today s Bible story. Add it to the poster. (There is no specific place for the card.) Praise and Respond Supplies: Journey Map and Cards (See p. 12); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD- ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Invite one child to locate Midian on the map and trace a possible journey from Egypt to Midian. Talk about the kinds of geography that Moses had to cover. Talk about how long it might have taken to get to Midian and then to get back to Egypt. Say: Today we followed Moses to the land of Midian. He is there because he made a terrible mistake, and rather than face up to it, he ran away. But God had other plans for him. God wanted him to be a leader and lead God s people out of Egypt where they were slaves. Sing Moses, We Remember Your Name (Track #1). Talk about the events that are lifted up in the song. Pray: Dear God, we thank you for Moses. We know he made a mistake, but we also know that you loved him and had plans for him in spite of everything. We don t have to be perfect for you to call us to do special things. Help us to listen for your voice and when you call, help us to always say yes. Amen. TIP No new Journey Map cards will be added today. Review the four cards added last week as you discuss today s part of the journey. Plan for Next Week Make Origami Frogs and Race Them (p. 20): Photocopy Reproducible 3a. Practice making the frog ahead of time so you can help the children. Interact with the Bible Story (p. 21): Photocopy Reproducible 3b. Bible Verse Leap (p. 22): Photocopy Reproducible 3a. You will need one sheet for each child. Cut four lily pads from construction paper. Write the phrases from the Bible verse on the lily pads, one phrase per pad: But I will remember / the Lord s deeds; yes, I will remember / your wondrous acts / from times long past. Psalm 77:11 Make and Eat Unleavened Bread (p. 22): Set up a cooking station and a mixing station in the room. Plan to let the children measure out and mix together the ingredients. Adults should do the cooking. Growing in Leaps and Bounds (p. 23): Cut self-sticking magnetic strip into threeinch pieces. 18 September 9 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

19 Moses and the Pharaoh Bible Verse But I will remember the LORD s deeds; yes, I will remember your wondrous acts from times long past. (Psalm 77:11) Session 3 September 18 Bible Story Exodus 5:1 13:9 Leap of Faith God is with me when I need help. Before You Begin Most people forget that it wasn t Moses who actually talked with the pharaoh, but Aaron, his brother. That was God s concession to Moses reluctance. God provided a helper for Moses, who felt that he was ill-equipped for the job. In spite of who was doing the talking, the first confrontation with the pharaoh ended in complete disaster. Not only did the pharaoh refuse to let God s people leave to go into the wilderness to worship, but the pharaoh made it even harder for the people to do their work at all. The job was not going to be easy. But Moses and Aaron were just as determined as the pharaoh. They had one secret weapon that the pharaoh did not. God was on their side. Pharaoh s hardness of heart did nothing but bring misery to the people of Egypt. (No wonder they were so anxious to see the Hebrew people leave their land.) But God s power was greater than the pharaoh could even begin to imagine. Even the laws of nature bent to God s will. Rivers into blood, frogs, flies, illness, hail, darkness. How much could the people of Egypt endure? After the final plague when the angel of death took all the first born males of Egypt, the pharaoh finally relented. He knew he was defeated. The God of Moses was indeed more powerful than anything the pharaoh could conceive. The details of the plagues can be quite gory and upsetting for some children. We do not dismiss their importance to the story, but we try to tell them in a more general fashion. We want the children to recognize God s great power but we don t want them to see God as vindictive. Moses alone could not have done any of the things that happened without God. It is sad that it took so much destruction and suffering on the part of the Egyptian people for the pharaoh to give up. God provided what was necessary to help the Hebrew people become free. Children sometimes feel that they are asked to do the impossible. Remind them of Moses and how he must have felt. He must have been frustrated by the constant tug-of-war between God and the pharaoh. But God equipped him to do what was necessary. Whenever God calls, God will equip. Requires preparation. Fall 2012 Session 3 GrowProclaimServe.com 19

20 Grow Together Choose one or more of the following activities to do as the children arrive. Welcome the Children Supplies: Resource Pak pp. 2, 23; Stickers; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; offering basket Greet the children as they come into the room. Show the children where to place their offerings. Give each child the attendance sticker for today. Play Moses, We Remember Your Name (Track #1) and Growing in Leaps and Bounds (Track #6) on the CD-ROM (or use the music videos on the DVD) as the children come into the room. Fun Pak Fun Supplies: Fun Pak p. 7, scissors, glue stick Ask: Have you ever heard a frog? What does it sound like? Say: Let s all make the sound of a frog as loud as we can. (Let the children croak for a while.) Boy, was that noisy. Imagine an entire country filled with frogs frogs in the streets, frogs in your house, frogs in your bed and in your kitchen and wherever you go. I m sure it was a noisy and messy place. Have the children cut out and assemble the big-mouth frog. Let My People Go! Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 3 (Just for Fun), pencils Have the boys and girls follow the lily pad path. They will discover the phrase Let my people go! Remind the children that all the stories in this unit are about how God provides help for us when we need it. Have them watch for who needs help in the story today and what God did. Make Origami Frogs and Race Them Supplies: Reproducible 3a, green copy paper Photocopy the origami frog for each child. Practice making the frog. Have the children follow the instructions and fold the frog. Have the children put their initials on their frog for identification purposes. Place all the frogs on a starting line and see which frog can jump the farthest. Then have the children race their frogs to the finish line first. Say: In today s story, one of the ways God tries to convince the pharaoh to let the people go is to send a horde of frogs into the land. It sure would have convinced me, but it seems the pharaoh was a lot more stubborn than that. TIP Don t let origami intimidate you! Visit GrowProclaimServe. com/leaders to view a video showing how to fold the frog step by step. 20 September 16 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

21 Conversation Time Supplies: Resource Pak p. 4, tape, scissors, glue sticks, crayons or markers, art supplies for decorating Identify each child that has a birthday this week and make sure you have a cupcake and birthday gram for them. Bring the children together. They can sit around a table or on the floor. Give them a chance to briefly share any news of the week. Celebrate birthdays that have occurred or will occur in the coming week. Let the children who have had birthdays or will have birthdays decorate a cupcake to add to the display. Before they leave give them the birthday greeting. Invite them to recognize any people in their life in the past week that God provided to help them. Remind the children that Moses was able to become the leader God needed because of those people who provided help. Say: Today is the big face-off. Moses and Aaron arrive in Egypt to confront the great pharaoh. Something tells me this isn t going to be easy. Pray: God, thank you for these boys and girls. We are so glad they are here today. Thank you for all the people in their lives who help them to be the boys and girls that you want them to be. Help us to know that through it all, when you call us, you are there to help. Amen. Proclaim the Word Visit Leaper s Pointe Supplies: DVD, DVD player Use the DVD in place of the storytelling section of this session plan or in addition to it. The DVD also contains music videos for the children to sing and dance to. Use these during the Worship time. Place the DVD in the player. Locate Session 3. Invite the children to sit down where they can easily see the screen. Say: I can t wait to drop into Leaper s Pointe today. There s a big tug-o-war going on between the twins Harley and Farley. I wonder who is going to win. Interact with the Bible Story Supplies: Reproducible 3b, Bible Story Pak p. 1, scissors, wooden craft sticks or plastic drinking straws, masking tape Photocopy the puppets for the drama. Let the children color and cut out the puppets and attach a craft stick or straw with masking tape as shown. Fall 2012 Session 3 GrowProclaimServe.com 21

22 Assign parts. If you have more children than speaking parts, let the children be extras. Remind the children that God sent Aaron to speak for Moses because Moses felt he couldn t do a good job. Present the drama. All About the Story Use these questions or some of your own. Ask: What did Moses want the pharaoh to do? (Let God s people leave to worship God.) Did the pharaoh want to do that? (No) What did God do to try to convince the pharaoh to change his mind? (God sent nine plagues that would convince the pharaoh how powerful God was.) Did this work? (No) What finally changed the pharaoh s mind? (when God sent the angel of death) What did the pharaoh tell Moses and Aaron? (Get out of Egypt.) What did the people of Egypt do? (They gave them presents so that they would leave.) Say: God never gives us a job to do without helping us do it. Bible Verse Leap Supplies: Reproducible 3c, green paper, scissors, marker Photocopy the frogs with the Bible verse words on them. You will need one sheet for each child. Cut four lily pads from construction paper. Write the phrases from the Bible verse on the lily pads, one phrase per pad: But I will remember / the Lord s deeds; yes, I will remember / your wondrous acts / from times long past. Psalm 77:11 Cut the frogs apart. Scatter them on the floor (like the plague of frogs). Tape the lily pads around the room in a random order on tables or chairs. Say: On the word go, I want you to pick up one frog from the floor and find the lily pad that has the same phrase on it. Place the frog there. When all the frogs are placed, you will leap into the air and say the Bible verse. When the children are finished tell the children to find four frogs with each of the four phrases on them to take home. Bible Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 4, pencils The boys and girls will use the hieroglyphic code to see what the pharaoh learned after his struggle with God. Make and Eat Unleavened Bread Supplies: ingredients for unleavened bread, oil for griddle, griddle, spatula, napkins, water, hand sanitizer, example of bread that has leavening in it Set up a cooking station and a mixing station in the room. Plan to let the children measure out and mix together the ingredients. Adults should do the cooking. CUT LILY PAD FROM GREEN PAPER INTO A SHAPE SIMILAR TO THIS. Unleavened Bread 2 c. whole wheat flour 1 c. cold water 2 T. olive oil 1 tsp. salt Mix together the flour, water, olive oil, and salt. Form a dough. Knead for three minutes. Divide into golf-ball sized balls and flatten into thin rounds. Prick with a fork. Cook on a griddle on high for about ten minutes. Turn once. 22 September 16 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

23 Have the children clean their hands. Follow the recipe for unleavened bread (see page 22) with the children helping to mix and knead. Then allow them to shape their own individual ball of dough. Say: Most of the bread we eat today has yeast in it. Yeast, when mixed with flour and oil and water makes the bread rise and become lighter. (Let the children examine the difference between the two different kinds of bread.) It takes about an hour for yeast to work. When the time came for God s people to leave Egypt, they left in such a hurry that their bread didn t even have time to rise. Today, the Jewish people remember Moses every year by eating unleavened bread during the celebration of Passover. Serve in Love Kid Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 2, pencils or markers Ask: What is the most powerful thing you can think of? How do you know it is powerful? Say: When God sent Moses and Aaron back to Egypt, God had a job for them to do. One of the things the pharaoh learned during this time was just how powerful God really was. Recall the various plagues that God sent. Ask: What was the final plague that caused the pharaoh to let the people go? (The angel of death took the life of every first-born male in the land.) Don t you feel sorry for the people of Egypt? Look at what they suffered because the pharaoh didn t believe God was that powerful. Say: We can see God s power all around us. Have the children draw a picture of something they are familiar with that demonstrates God s power. Growing in Leaps and Bounds Supplies: Stickers, cardstock, self-sticking magnetic strips, scissors, glue sticks Cut self-sticking magnetic strip tape into three-inch pieces. Have the children put the Leaps and Bounds magnet sticker on cardstock and cut it out. Attach the magnet to the back of the frog design. Say: When we read stories from the Bible, we learn about God and how powerful God really is. This magnet will remind you of this and that God is always there when you need help. Fall 2012 Session 3 GrowProclaimServe.com 23

24 Worship Gather and Sing Supplies: Unit 1 Bible Verse Poster and Cards (See p. 11); Bible Story Pak Songbooks; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Play Growing in Leaps and Bounds (Track #6) as a signal for the children to come to the worship center. Ask: What did we learn about God from today s Bible story? (There is nothing more powerful than God. God is there for us and will help us.) Sing the song and use the motions suggested. Read the Bible verse for the unit together. Spread out the three remaining pictures and let a child select the picture that represents today s Bible story. Add it to the poster. (There is no specific place for the card.) Praise and Respond Supplies: Journey Map and Cards (See p. 12); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD- ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Invite one child to locate Midian on the map and trace a possible journey from Midian back to Egypt. Talk about how Moses and Aaron might have traveled. Say: Today Moses and his brother Aaron came before the great pharaoh of Egypt. Their job was to convince the pharaoh to let God s people leave. At first the pharaoh was unconvinced. Ask: What are some of the ways God through Moses and Aaron convinced the pharaoh to let the people go? What was the last straw? What did the pharaoh finally learn the hard way? (Nothing is more powerful than God.) Have the children sing and move to Moses, We Remember Your Name. Pray: Dear God, we thank you for Moses. You called him to be a leader and a servant and to bring the people out of Egypt. You were with him every step of the way just as you promised. Help us to remember that when you call us to do something, you will be there to help us. Amen. TIP If you are using the DVD, repeat the signing of the Bible verse together during this section. TIP Add this Journey Map Card today: temples at Karnak Put tape on one side of the card only so that it can be pulled back to read the information again at a later time. Plan for Next Week Can You Part the Sea? (p. 26): Cover the tables with plastic tablecloths. Place a towel in the center of each table. Place the baking pan on the towel and fill with water. Crossing the Sea (p. 28): Make one copy of the game cube. Assemble. Make several copies of the images from beneath the sea. Cut them apart and tape or glue them to the construction paper sheets. Place them randomly over the floor from one side of the room to the other. No image should be more than 12 inches from another image. 24 September 16 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

25 Crossing the Sea Bible Verse But I will remember the LORD s deeds; yes, I will remember your wondrous acts from times long past. (Psalm 77:11) Session 4 September 23 Bible Story Exodus 13:17-14:29 Leap of Faith God is with me when I need help. Before You Begin Scholars for years have been trying to piece together the route the Hebrew people took from Egypt to the Promised Land. However, over time (and a great deal of time has definitely expired), names and places change. If you look at a map of the region, the shortest route out of Egypt to Canaan would have been along the Mediterranean coast. But the Philistines, a war-like seafaring people lived there. God certainly did not want the people to face such a strong military challenge so early in their journey. Faced with such a challenge, the people might have just as easily have given up and gone back to Egypt. So, the most probable route was along the southern edge of the Sinai peninsula. This is the route that we have projected on our journey map. The first obstacle that stood between the people and freedom was a great body of water the Reed Sea. (The traditional use of the name Red Sea is a mistranslation. The Hebrew phrase yam suph means Reed Sea or Sea of Marshes and probably refers to sweetwater lagoons and swamps along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.) But a body of water is a body of water, and the people still had to get across some way. Once again in today s Bible story we see that even nature bent to the will of God as the waters rolled back and dry land appeared for the people to walk across. Like the Hebrew people who cried out to Moses and to God, middle elementary boys and girls eagerly believe that God can fix anything. It s easy to have faith when everything is going well, but when things are not exactly as children would like for them to be, there is the real test of faith. Why can t God make my grandmother well? Why can t God help my daddy get a job? Why can t God... simply fill in the blank. Learning to trust God, as the Hebrew people would soon learn, did not mean that there would never be times of trouble. Trusting God and depending upon God takes great faith. God knows best. God has it under control. But it may not be easy. By the end of their journey, God s people would have such faith. We want to model such faith for our children today. Requires preparation. Fall 2012 Session 4 GrowProclaimServe.com 25

26 Grow Together Choose one or more of the following activities to do as the children arrive. Welcome the Children Supplies: Resource Pak pp. 2, 23; Stickers; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; offering basket Greet the children as they come into the room. Show the children where to place their offerings. Give each child the attendance sticker for today. Play We re on Our Way (Track #4) and Growing in Leaps and Bounds (Track #6) on the CD-ROM (or use the music videos on the DVD) as the children come into the room. Fun Pak Fun Supplies: Fun Pak p. 9, scissors, glue sticks, pencils, blue copy paper, cardboard Ask: Have you ever been to the ocean? What s it like? What s on the bottom of the ocean? Say: God s people have safely escaped their bondage in Egypt. They are free at last. But not as free as they thought. Suddenly they find themselves caught between the pharaoh and his war chariots and a great body of water. Give each child the square of cardboard. Let them assembly their mini-diorama of the escape through the sea. Escape Through the Sea! Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 3 (Just for Fun), pencils Have the boys and girls follow the maze to find the safest route across the sea. Remind the children that all the stories in this unit are about how God provides help for us when we need it. Can You Part the Sea? Supplies: shallow baking pans (with sides), plastic tablecloths, beach towels, hand towels TIP There is an error in the directions for this activity. It should read: Cross out all the letters B, J, K, M, Q, and X. We apologize for the inconvenience. Cover the tables with plastic tablecloths. Place a towel in the center of each table. Place the baking pan on the towel and fill with water. Ask: What happens when you run your finger across the water? Can you make a path through the water so that there is dry space showing? Give the children time to try this. They will soon discover that no matter how fast they move their fingers, the water fills in behind them. Say: In today s story, God s people are stuck the sea on one side and pharaoh s army on the other. Let s see how God gets them out of that. 26 September 23 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

27 Conversation Time Supplies: Resource Pak p. 4, tape, scissors, crayons or markers Identify each child that has a birthday this week and make sure you have a cupcake and birthday gram for them. Bring the children together. They can sit around a table or on the floor. Give them a chance to briefly share any news of the week. Celebrate birthdays that have occurred or will occur in the coming week. Let the children who have had birthdays or will have birthdays decorate their cupcake to add to the plate. Before they leave give them the birthday greeting. Invite them to recognize where they have felt God helping them. Remind the children that Moses was able to become the leader God needed because God provided the help he needed. Say: God s people are free. Let s cheer! (Lead the children in a cheer.) The ordeal is over. Pharaoh is defeated... (Pause.) but maybe not. Something tells me that pharaoh is going to have another change of heart. Pray: God, thank you for these boys and girls. We are so glad they are here today. Thank you for all the people in their lives who help them to be the boys and girls that you want them to be. Help us to be helpers, too. Amen. Proclaim the Word Visit Leaper s Pointe Supplies: DVD, DVD player The DVD is optional. Use the DVD in place of the storytelling section of this session plan or in addition to it. The DVD also contains music videos for the children to sing and dance to. Use these as appropriate during your session time. Place the DVD in the player. Locate Session 4. Invite the children to sit down where they can easily see the screen. Ask: How many ways can you get across a river? A bridge? a ferry? a boat? swim? Say: Today in Leaper s Pointe, someone new comes to town. This new arrival needs to get to the other side of the river. But there seems to be a problem. Let s find out how they do it and what they learn. Fall 2012 Session 4 GrowProclaimServe.com 27

28 Interact with the Bible Story Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 1, cardboard tubes from wrapping paper or paper towels (two for the group or two per child, cotton balls, craft glue, aluminum foil Create the two columns that God used to guide the people. Cover one cardboard tube with cotton balls (column of smoke) and the other tube with aluminum foil (column of lightning). Each child can make one if you have enough cardboard tubes. Assign the Bible Storyteller part (confident reader) and the holders of the column of smoke and column of fire. The remaining boys and girls will be God s people. If you have space, have them line up one behind the other and stomp and march around the room as they do their parts. Use the instrumental version of We re On Our Way (Track #5). Then read the story. TIP If each child made a column of smoke and one of fire, go back and forth calling out either day or night and have the children hold up the correct column. Go faster and faster. All About the Story Use these questions or some of your own. Ask: How did God show the people where to go? (column of smoke during the day column of fire at night) Why did the pharaoh decide to bring them back to Egypt? (He realized that he had let a large work force leave the country.) What did God do to help them escape? (God parted the water of the sea for the people to walk through.) What happened to the pharaoh s army? (They charged into the sea, their wheels got stuck and when God rolled the water back, they were trapped.) Ask: What do we learn about God from this story? (God never gives us a job to do without helping us do it.) Crossing the Sea Supplies: Reproducible 4a and 4b, scissors, tape or glue stick, half-sheets of construction paper Make one copy of the game cube. Assemble. Make several copies of the images from beneath the sea. Cut them apart and tape or glue them to the construction paper sheets. Place them randomly over the floor from one side of the room to the other. No image should be more than 12 inches from another image. Tell the children that the images are things they d find on the sea bottom. Say: We re going to cross the sea. Step by step, God makes the way. Each of you will throw the cube and move to a picture that matches the image on the cube. The first person who makes it all the way across the sea, wins. Bible Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 4 The boys and girls will number the pictures from the story of Moses in the order that they happened. Once the pictures are numbered, then the children will go back through them and place a star next to all the times where they could see God at work. 28 September 23 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

29 Serve in Love Kid Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 2, pencils or markers Say: All of us have dilemmas in our life things we need help in solving. In today s story, God s people had a huge dilemma. But God helped them solve it. Let s look at each of these pictures and see if we can offer advice to these boys and girls. Remind the children that they can serve God by serving other people Make Sea Shell Sandcasts Supplies: seashells, glass marbles, decorative pebbles, disposable plastic containers (at least H inch deep) such as from frozen microwaveable dinners, sand, water, plaster of paris, disposable mixing container and spoon, permanent marker Gather the supplies for the sandcasts. Tip: Plastic trays from microwaveable dinners work well for this craft. They are disposable, are a good size, and some come in interesting shapes (See photo below.) Write a child s name on the bottom of each container with a permanent marker. Pour sand into each container. Make sure the sand covers the bottom to a depth of about H inch. Mix the plaster of paris with water until it is the consistency of heavy cream. Arrange the objects face down onto the sand. When each child is satisfied with the design, gently pour the plaster of paris over the shells, sea glass, pebbles, and other items. Set aside to dry. Leave the casting in the container until next week. To remove the sandcasting, hold the container over a newspaper or dishpan. The casting will pop out. Lightly brush the excess sand from the casting. Say: When God s people came to the edge of the sea and knew they were trapped, they blamed Moses for their predicament. They had not yet learned to trust that God would save them. This sandcast will remind you that when things look their very worst, don t give up on God. God is always there. TIP Do not dispose of extra plaster of paris down the drain or rinse containers in a sink. Throw mixing container, extra plaster, and spoon in the trash! TIP The children cannot take these home today. Place them in a safe location until next week. Worship Gather and Sing Supplies: Unit 1 Bible Verse Poster and Cards (See p. 11); Bible Story Pak Songbooks; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Play Growing in Leaps and Bounds (Track #6) as a signal for the children to come to the worship center. Fall 2012 Session 4 GrowProclaimServe.com 29

30 Ask: What did we learn about God from today s Bible story? (When God gives us a job to do, God will help us.) Sing the song and use the motions suggested. Read the Bible verse for the unit together. Spread out the two remaining pictures and let a child select the picture that represents today s Bible story. Add it to the poster. (There is no specific place for the card.) Praise and Respond Supplies: Journey Map and Cards (See p. 12); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD- ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Locate the map card for session 4. (the Egyptian chariot) Say: God s people are on their way. Let s sing about it. Introduce the song We re on Our Way (Track #4). Read through the words in the songbook. Sing the song together, moving around the room to indicate the movement of God s people out of Egypt. Use the Journey Map to locate Egypt and the path the people are taking to leave the land. Hand out the map card for session 4. Let a child read the information on the back. Then attach the card to the edge of the map. Say: After what happened in today s Bible story, I doubt that the people will have any trouble remembering Moses name. Sing and move to Moses, We Remember Your Name (Track #1). Pray: Dear God, we thank you for Moses. You called him to be a leader and a servant and to bring the people out of Egypt. You were with him every step of the way just as you promised. You were there during the day with a column of smoke. You were there at night with a column of fire. You were there on the bank of the sea. Help us to remember that when you call us to do something, you will be there to help us do it. Amen. TIP If you used the DVD, repeat the signing of the Bible verse together during this section. Plan for Next Week Make Tambourines for Celebration (p. 32): Decide how many jingle bells to provide for each tambourine. (Curling ribbon can be added as an option. See page 32.) Cut narrow ribbon into 6-inch pieces. You will need one for each jingle bell. Remembering Moses Windchime (p. 35): Photocopy the directions for making the wind chime. Adults only: With a paper punch, put five to six holes around the edge of the cup. With a craft knife, poke a small hole in the center of the bottom of the cup. 30 September 23 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

31 God s People Celebrate Bible Verse But I will remember the LORD s deeds; yes, I will remember your wondrous acts from times long past. (Psalm 77:11) Session 5 September 30 Bible Story Exodus 15:1-21 Leap of Faith God is with me when I need help. Before You Begin The miracle of the parting of the sea ends with a song of victory, a hymn of gratitude to God. Scholars recognize the songs of Moses and Miriam as some of the oldest poetry from the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible. Moses song recounts the entire story of how God freed the Hebrew people from Egyptian slavery. The song of Miriam voices the thanks and praise of the people. The Hebrew people were now united in their belief in God. Unlike before, they had a future as God s people. The response of the people was crucial. God s actions would have been unknown if there had been no human response and story to tell and retell to future generations. These two songs were probably used in worship for many generations. It was a way of reinforcing the story, a virtual singing history lesson, for the children of this culture. After all, there were no written records. Stories were passed on by the telling and retelling, or in this case the re-singing. This is called oral tradition. It was through this oral tradition and the celebration of the event every year at Passover that the people knew whose people they were and what they owed to God. Through these narratives, the people saw God s great power and gave thanks. Middle Elementary boys and girls would be glad to dance and sing their praises and thanks at every occasion. Everything is taught better when music is involved. Involve the body as well as the mind, and you have a fool-proof system. If only the multiplication tables and the capitals of the states could be set to music, how easy it would be in school! Our ancestors knew the value of music and celebration. How sad that our worship has become so quiet and in many cases non-participatory. Music speaks to the soul of the youngest and the oldest. Take advantage of this natural teaching/learning tool to add enthusiasm to your group time. Make today a celebration of Bible history. Requires preparation. Fall 2012 Session 5 GrowProclaimServe.com 31

32 Grow Together Choose one or more of the following activities to do as the children arrive. Welcome the Children Supplies: Resource Pak pp. 2, 23; Stickers; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; offering basket Greet the children as they come into the room. Show the children where to place their offerings. Give each child the attendance sticker for today. Play We re on Our Way (Track #4) and Growing in Leaps and Bounds (Track #6) on the CD-ROM (or use the music videos on the DVD) as the children come into the room. Fun Pak Fun Supplies: Fun Pak p. 11, scissors, shallow cardboard box or box lid Ask: Do you like to dance? Did you know that in Bible times, part of worship included singing and dancing. Say: Singing and dancing are a part of the celebration included in today s Bible story. Moses and Miriam and all of God s people give thanks to God for the new freedom they have. Have the children cut out and fold the dancing figures. Place the figures on the box lid and tap the box briskly with the fingers. Watch the figures dance around. Match the Tambourines Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 3 (Just for Fun), pencils Tambourines were a common musical instrument in Bible times. Have the boys and girls try to find the tambourines on the page that are the same. Watch out for those small differences. Make Tambourines for Celebration Supplies: sturdy white paper plates, ribbon, paper punch, jingle bells, scraps of art foam or colored paper, tambourine to show the children (optional) Say: The tambourine or frame drum is a rhythm instrument that is thousands of years old. A tambourine is played by striking the skin that is stitched across a frame with your bare hand. The frame is shaken to jingle the attached disks. Cut narrow ribbon into 6-inch pieces. You will need one for each jingle bell. Have the children decorate the front (bottom of the plate) of the tambourine with a scene from the story of Moses. Punch four to eight holes around the rim of the plate. TIP If you have a large group, you may want to punch fewer holes to save on jingle bells. Or attach fewer jingle bells and add strings of curling ribbon instead. 32 September 30 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

33 Tie the jingle bells to the holes with small pieces of ribbon. Set these aside until the storytelling time. Conversation Time Supplies: Resource Pak p. 4, tape, scissors, glue sticks, crayons or markers, art supplies for decorating Identify each child that has a birthday this week and make sure you have a cupcake and birthday gram for them. Bring the children together. They can sit around a table or on the floor. Give them a chance to briefly share any news of the week. Celebrate birthdays that have occurred or will occur in the coming week. Let the children who have had birthdays or will have birthdays decorate a cupcake to add to the display. Before they leave give them the birthday greeting. Invite them to recognize where they have felt God helping them. Remind the children that Moses was able to become the leader God needed because God provided the help he needed. Ask: What do you do when something you have looked forward to for years finally happens? Do you celebrate? Do you have a party? What do you think God s people are going to do now? Pray: God, thank you for these boys and girls. We are so glad they are here today. Thank you for all the people in their lives who help them to be the boys and girls that you want them to be. Thank you for all you do for us every day. Amen. Proclaim the Word Visit Leaper s Pointe Supplies: DVD, DVD player The DVD is optional. Use the DVD in place of the storytelling section of this session plan or in addition to it. The DVD also contains music videos for the children to sing and dance to. Use these as the children arrive or during the Worship time. Place the DVD in the player. Locate Session 5. Invite the children to sit down where they can easily see the screen. Say: Today is Joyful Noise Day in Leaper s Pointe. That sounds like my kind of festival. But there seems to be a shortage of some of the musical instruments. I wonder which ones. Whatever it is, I think we want to be a part of it. Interact with the Bible Story Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 1, tambourines (See p. 32) Divide the children into readers and dancers. Fall 2012 Session 5 GrowProclaimServe.com 33

34 Assign parts within the reader group. Give the dancers time to create a simple dance to use during the story. Everyone can use the tambourines at the appropriate place in the story. Read the story. All About the Story Ask: Why were God s people celebrating? (God had delivered them across the sea and saved them from the pharaoh s army) How did they celebrate? (dancing and singing) Why do you think the songs they sang told the whole story, one event at a time? Say: In Bible times there were no newspapers, no books, no Internet. There were no pencils and no paper. Clay tablets were hard to carry around. So the people made up songs and dances. They would sing these at special occasions over and over again. That way the people would remember the stories and the children would hear the stories, and everyone would remember what happened and what God had done. Let s Remember Moses Supplies: Reproducible 5A, tambourines (See p. 32) Say: We re going to remember Moses today. I will read a statement. If it is something that happened to Moses or something Moses did, then you will shake your tambourine and dance. If it is not something that happened to Moses or something he did, then you will stand very still. Use the statements on the reproducible page or make up some of your own. Bible Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 4, tambourines (See p. 32) The boys and girls will look up the different verses and match the musical instrument or instruments with the Scripture that names them. If the children in your group have limited reading skills, let the children work together in groups. Make sure at least one confident reader is in each group. Serve in Love Kid Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 2, pencils or markers, tambourines (See p. 32) Say: Today s Bible story is about celebrating. All of God s people celebrated the wonderful things God had done for them...so far. The journey wasn t even over yet. The promised land was still quite a way off. Ask: What do you think is the greatest thing God has done so far? As the children share, have them shake their tambourines for each contribution. 34 September 30 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

35 Ask: What are some of the things you would like to celebrate that God has done for you? As the children share, have them shake their tambourines for each contribution. Invite the children to write a song of praise to God. Let them use a familiar nursery rhyme (Mary Had a Little Lamb; Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) for the tune. Sing the songs together during worship. Remembering Moses Windchime Supplies: Reproducible 5b, Stickers, paper or plastic drinking cups, paper punch, yarn, metal washers (variety of sizes), craft knife (adults only), plastic beads Make a copy of the windchime directions for each child. With a paper punch, put five to six holes around the edge of the cup. Adults only: With a craft knife, poke a small hole in the center of the bottom of the cup. Give each child the directions for making the wind chime. Hint: Attach the yarn to the metal washers before tying it to the cup. If possible provide a way to hang the cups so the children can adjust the lengths of the yarn to allow the metal washers to clink against each other. Worship Gather and Sing Supplies: Unit 1 Bible Verse Poster and Cards (See p. 11); Bible Story Pak Songbooks; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape, tambourines (See p. 32) Locate Leaps and Bounds on the CD-ROM or DVD. Play the song through one time. Let the children dance and use their tambourines as they sing the song together. Say: Today we celebrate freedom. God s people are free. There s no army waiting to drag them back to Egypt. There is no pharaoh saying no. It s all because of God that this happened. God s power is awesome. Play We re On Our Way (Track #4) and let the children dance and play their way around the room together. Read through the words together. Let a child add the final picture to the Bible verse poster. Fall 2012 Session 5 GrowProclaimServe.com 35

36 Praise and Respond Supplies: Journey Map and Cards (See p. 12); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD- ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Locate the map card for session 5. (tambourine) Use the Journey Map to trace where the people have gone so far. Hand out the card for session 5. Let a child read the information and attach the cards to the edges of the map. Ask: What are some of God s deeds that we will remember? (Have the children recall those deeds from the story so far.) Sing and dance to Moses, We Remember Your Name (Track #1). Use the CD-ROM or the DVD. Talk about the different events from Moses life that are mentioned in the song. Pray: Dear God, we thank you for Moses. You called him to be a leader and a servant and to bring the people out of Egypt. You were with him every step of the way just as you promised. When you call us to do something, you are always there to help us. We thank you. We celebrate you. Praise God. Amen. TIP If you used the DVD, repeat the signing of the Bible verse together during this section. Plan for Next Week Walking in the Wilderness (p. 54): Photocopy Reproducible 6a, one for each child. Cut the words apart. Randomly scatter them (like manna) on the floor. Kid Connection (p. 55): Photocopy Reproducible 6b and Leader s Guide p. 126, one for each child. Our Mission: To Love and Serve (p. 55): Photocopy the directions on how to make the mission coin collector (Resource Pak p. 7). Gather and Sing (p. 56): Remove the cards from the Unit 2 Bible Verse Poster (Resource Pak p. 17). Optional: Mount the poster on posterboard to provide more display space. Hang in the worship area. 36 September 30 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

37 Reproducible 1a Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 GrowProclaimServe.com 37

38 Reproducible 1b 1. Place a wide piece of tape such as clear packing tape sticky side up on the table. 2. Place two rolls of candy on the tape, end to end as shown. Roll the tape around the candy. 3. Tape one edge of a 5 H- by 3-inch piece of yellow paper to the candy and wrap it around. Tape the loose edge down. 4. Tape a 1- by 3-inch strip of pink paper around one end over the yellow paper as shown to create an eraser for your pencil. 5. Fold a 2- by 3-inch strip of aluminum foil in half. Tape it around the pencil just below the pink eraser as shown. 6. Add the Thanks for all your help to the yellow area of the pencil. 7. Using a hot glue gun (with adult supervision) or craft glue, attach a foilwrapped chocolate kiss to the end of the pencil opposite the eraser. This becomes the pencil point. 8. Give this gift to a teacher or caregiver who helps you. Thanks for all your help Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 38 Fall 2012 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

39 Reproducible 2a Option 1: Supplies: large potted plant (such as Dracaena, Shefflera, Norfolk Pine, or Peace Lily), Christmas tree lights, extension cord with on/off switch Coil Christmas tree lights around the base of the plant, allowing the plug to extend over the edge of the pot. Attach the plug to an extension cord with an on/off switch. Turn the lights on when you get to that part of the story. v Option 2: Supplies: 4 5 leafy branches trimmed from bushes, plastic dishpan, rocks, Christmas tree lights, extension cord with on/off switch Tip: This is a good time of the year to trim back some bushes. Glean several stems that have a bunch of leaves on them to use in this project. Fill the dishpan about four inches deep with rocks. Press the stems of the branches into the rocks. Push them close together so that they look like one bush. Coil the Christmas tree lights on top of the rocks, letting the plug end extend over the edge of the dishpan. Attach the extension cord with the on/ off switch to the lights. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 GrowProclaimServe.com 39

40 Reproducible 2b Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 40 September GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

41 Reproducible 2c 1. Color the flame. Cut out the circles on the solid lines, leaving them connected. 2. Place the circles face down on a table so they look like a figure eight. Tape a straw to the bottom circle as shown. 3. Put glue on the back of the second circle and fold it over the straw. Press firmly around the circle, making sure the edges are glued. 4. Put your palms together with the straw between them. Rub your palms back and forth so that the straw spins quickly. Watch what happens to the picture. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 Sessions 1 5 GrowProclaimServe.com 41

42 Reproducible 3a Origami Hopping Frog 1. Start with the rectangular sheet of paper. The shorter sides will be at the top and the bottom. 2. Fold in half lengthwise and open out again. 3. Fold both the top corners to the opposite edge of the paper. Your creases should look like the diagram. 4. Where the diagonal crease meets in the middle, fold the paper backwards, crease well and open. 5. Hold the paper at the sides. Bring these points down to the center line then flatten. 6. Fold the uppermost triangles up and to the top point. 7. Fold the sides in to the center line. 8. Fold the bottom upwards so that the bottom end sits in the center of the top diamond. 9. Now fold the same part downwards, in half. 10. Turn over and add the Sticker eyes. 11. To make your frog jump, press down on his back as shown here. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 42 September GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

43 Reproducible 3b Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 Sessions 1 5 GrowProclaimServe.com 43

44 Reproducible 3c CUT LILY PAD FROM GREEEN PAPER INTO A SHAPE SIMILAR TO THIS. But I will remember your wondrous acts the Lord s deeds; yes, I will remember from times long past. Psalm 77:11 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 44 September GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

45 Reproducible 4a Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 Sessions 1 5 GrowProclaimServe.com 45

46 Reproducible 4b Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 46 September GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

47 Reproducible 5a Moses was born in the palace of the pharaoh. Moses mother saved him from the pharaoh by hiding him. When Moses was too big to hide, his mother sent him to live with his aunt. When Moses was too big to hide, his mother put him in a basket and floated him in the river. The pharaoh s daughter found baby Moses and decided to raise him as her son. The princess found baby Moses and turned him over to the soldiers. Moses grew up in the palace. Moses got into trouble for stealing money from the pharaoh. Moses got into trouble for killing an Egyptian who was beating a slave. God called Moses on the telephone and told him to get back to Egypt. God talked to Moses through a burning bush. Moses and his brother Aaron met with the pharaoh. Moses and his mother talked to the pharaoh. The pharaoh didn t want to let the people go. The pharaoh sent the people to live in Italy. God sent terrible plagues to show the pharaoh how powerful God was. God gave the pharaoh gold to convince him to let the people go. God led the people using a GPS system. God led the people with columns of smoke and fire. When the people got to the sea, God built a bridge for them. God parted the water of the sea so that God s people could cross over. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 Sessions 1 5 GrowProclaimServe.com 47

48 Reproducible 5b Remembering Moses Windchime 1. Cut a piece of yarn about 18 inches long. Wrap one end with masking tape. 2. Turn the cup upside down and thread the yarn down through the hole into the cup. Pull the yarn part way through as shown above. 3. Tie a bead onto the yarn about nine inches down. This will keep the yarn from pulling back through the cup. Pull the yarn until the bead rests against the inside bottom of the cup. 4. Tie a second bead on the other side of the hole as shown. Tie the largest washer to the end of the yarn below the open end of the cup. 5. Cut yarn into 10-inch pieces. Tie one piece to each of the smaller washers. 6. Attach each washer to the cup through one of the holes. The smaller washers should hang at the same level as the larger washer. 7. Attach the stickers of the stories of Moses to the outside of the cup. 8. Hang the wind chime outdoors or in a window. Whenever the wind blows and the washers clink against each other, remember Moses and the story of how God freed the people. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 48 September GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

49 Unit 2 We Remember God s People Bible Verse Because the LORD is good, his loyal love lasts forever; his faithfulness lasts generation after generation. (Psalm 100:5) Leap of Faith God is with me in times of change. In this unit Session 6 October 7 In the Wilderness Bible story: Exodus 15:22 17:7 Session 7 October 14 The Ten Commandments Bible story: Exodus 19:1 20:21 Session 8 October 21 A House for God Bible story: Exodus 25:1 31:15; 35:4 40:38 Session 9 September 23 God Chooses Joshua Bible story: Deuteronomy 31:1-2, 7-8, 23; Joshua 1:1-9 CD-ROM God s People Vocal/instumental and instrumental versions Music sheet with lyrics Printable lyrics PowerPoint lyrics We re on Our Way Vocal/instumental and instrumental versions Music sheet with lyrics Printable lyrics PowerPoint lyrics Growing in Leaps and Bounds (theme song) Vocal/instumental and instrumental versions Music sheet with lyrics Printable lyrics PowerPoint lyrics Leaper s Pointe (DVD) Session 6 In the Wilderness Ernie is studying for a test with a little help from Handyman. But Handyman s help is not exactly what Ernie wants. Session 7 The Ten Commandments Mondo Solo presents Rules to Live By at the theater in Leaper s Pointe today. He may have misunderstand a few rules. Leaper s Pointe in Concert (DVD) God s People Growing in Leaps and Bounds (theme song) Session 8 A House for God Gabby is having trouble following the directions to set up a tepee. It could be that she has directions for something entirely different. Session 9 God Chooses Joshua Merrilee remembers when her Nana said she wanted Merrilee to be the new mayor of Leaper s Pointe. Fall 2012 Unit 2 GrowProclaimServe.com 49

50 Supplies The Basics scissors markers (water color and permanent) crayons glue sticks construction paper colored copy paper stapler, staples paper punch tape (clear, masking) yarn pencils recycled newspaper plastic drinking straws lunch-sized paper bags posterboard scissors plastic beads chenille stems (a variety of colors) wooden craft sticks resealable plastic bags newsprint ribbon (variety of widths) cotton balls cotton swabs paper plates (variety of sizes and weights) Beyond the Basics Session 6 googly eyes hand held hair dryer 2 buckets of water towels utensils for cleaning water dirt, sand, dried leaves, grass, etc. Session 7 ball chain or metal shower hook rulers or paint sticks game markers beach ball Session 8 plastic table cloths baby oil frame for tent bean bag or soft ball white polyester fabric ironing board, iron fabric crayons Session 9 articles of clothing and other accessories Tips Session 6 To pollute the water in the buckets, use sand, dirt, leaves, gravel, food coloring, etc. Possible cleaning utensils are: strainers, slotted spoons, coffee filters, strainers, aquarium fish net. Mission Project for Fall 2012: El Porvenir. Learn more about the project at elporvenir.org. Create a collection container for the room using the patterns provided in the Resource Pak. Session 8 Have the children create the tent for worship by taping together plastic tablecloths using masking tape (or duct tape). Provide a frame for the tent by using portable bulletin boards or clothes racks. Prewash the fabric for the worship cloth prior to letting the children add their designs. Do not use dryer sheets as they leave a film on the fabric. Use only white or very light color fabric. Reproducibles for Unit 2 These begin on page Fall 2012 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

51 In the Wilderness Bible Verse Because the LORD is good, his loyal love lasts forever, his faithfulness lasts generation after generation. (Psalm 100:5) Session 6 October 7 Bible Story Exodus 15:22 17:7 Leap of Faith God is with me in times of change Before You Begin The Israelites were free from their Egyptian overlords, but they were not yet ready to be God s people. Entry into the Promised Land was still at least a generation away. In order to mold these people into the people of God, God led them on a round-about journey. The terrain was inhospitable; the soil was sandy. There was little vegetation for the livestock (or the people for that matter) and water was scarce. When the times got tough, as could be expected, God s people started to complain. Soon they directed their discontent at Moses and then at God. It was hard to be trusting and accepting when you were hungry and thirsty. God responded to the people by providing for their daily needs. Perhaps this was the reason God kept the people wandering for such a long time. These people needed to learn to trust God and to become dependent on God s bounties. God provided manna for them to eat. God provided ways to make the alkaline water in the region drinkable. God caused migrating quail to land in the camp for meat. God even caused water to flow from the desert rocks themselves. The wilderness journey became a forty-year lesson in trusting God during times of constant change. God created a world that can produce enough food so that all people can not just be fed and but fed bountifully. We live in a land where food is so plentiful that it is actually wasted. How can it be that there are people in the world and in our own country who are hungry and without the basic necessities of life? What s wrong with this picture? Why doesn t God provide for them? God does. And God calls us to be in partnership to make sure this happens. We are called to share our bounty so that everyone will have enough. Help the children live into this obligation to help others who are less fortunate. Our mission project for the quarter begins today. It is called El Porvenir and has to do with providing wells in a country that needs a clean and plentiful water supply. Check our website for more information and ways your group can reach out as the people of God. Requires preparation. Fall 2012 Session 6 GrowProclaimServe.com 51

52 Grow Together Choose one or more of the following activities to do as the children arrive. Welcome the Children Supplies: Resource Pak pp. 2, 23; Stickers; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; offering basket Greet the children as they come into the room. Show the children where to place their offerings. Give each child the attendance sticker for today. Play God s People (Track #2) and We re on Our Way (Track #4) on the CD-ROM (or use the music videos on the DVD) as the children come into the room. TIP Playing the music in the background will familiarize the kids with the melody line. Fun Pak Fun Supplies: Fun Pak p. 13, scissors, glue sticks, chenille stems, wiggle eyes (optional) Say: God s people have safely escaped from Egypt. Now what do they do? They ve already been gone for a while. The food and water they brought with them is beginning to run out. I wonder what God will do next. Taking these quail table blessings home will remind the children to thank God for all the many blessings they have received. What s for Dinner? Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 3 Children try to find all the quail that God caused to land within the campsite of the people. Say: For the next four weeks we will be hearing stories about how God s people learned to trust God during times of change. Conversation starters: How does your life change in the fall? at school? at home? What are some possible changes that might occur? Catch the Quail Supplies: recycled newspaper, hand-held hair dryer, extension cord Wad up several sheets of newspaper into balls. Place several of these balls on the floor in the center of the room. Invite one child at a time to try to pick up the newspaper balls. As the child bends down to pick up the ball, blow it away with the hair dryer. Ask: Was it easy to catch the newspaper balls? Why not? Have you ever tried to catch a bird? Could you do it? Why not? Do you think it would be easy to catch a quail with your bare hands? Even if it was very tired? 52 October 7 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

53 Say: In today s story, God provides food for the people, just as God promised. But the food arrives in very unusual ways. Conversation Time Supplies: Resource Pak p. 4, tape, scissors, glue sticks, crayons or markers, art supplies for decorating Identify each child that has a birthday this week and make sure you have a cupcake and birthday gram for them. Bring the children together. They can sit around a table or on the floor. Give them a chance to briefly share any news of the week. Celebrate birthdays that have occurred or will occur in the coming week. Let the children who have had birthdays or will have birthdays decorate their cupcake to add to the display. Before they leave give them the birthday greeting. Ask: When you are on a trip with your family, what happens when you get hungry? thirsty? tired? Say: God s people were now in a land that they didn t know. They didn t know which plants they could eat and which ones they couldn t. They were beginning to run out of water and didn t know where to find any. I m sure that life in the wilderness was not quite what they expected. Pray: God, thank you for these boys and girls. We are so glad they are here today. Every day new things happen to them. But we know you are with them during these times of change. Help them to face these changes with courage and confidence that you are always there. Amen. Proclaim the Word Visit Leaper s Point Supplies: DVD, DVD player The DVD is an optional resource. It can be used in place of the storytelling section of this session plan or in addition. The DVD also contains music videos for the children to sing and dance to. Use these during the arrival time or worship. Ask: Have you ever wanted something very, very much and yet you didn t get it? Did you ever wonder why you didn t get it? Say: Today in Leaper s Point we meet the proprietor of the Handyman Store sort of. The Handyman store is not your usual kind of store. It s a store where you always get what you need, but not necessarily what you want. Interact with the Bible Story Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 1 Assign the parts for today s story: the Bible Storyteller and Moses. Fall 2012 Session 6 GrowProclaimServe.com 53

54 When you get to the part that is spoken by the people, have the children stand up, put on their best weak, hungry, and tired look and complain. Just for fun, have the children stand in a line, one behind the other, and weakly trudge around the room as you play We re On Our Way. Then read the story. All About the Story Ask: What happened once the people were in the wilderness? (They soon ran out of food and water.) What did they do? (They complained to Moses.) Who did Moses turn to for help? What was wrong with the water they found? (It didn t taste good.) What did God tell Moses to do? (Break off a branch from a special tree and throw it in the water.) What was the next thing the people complained about? (They were hungry.) What did God do? (God provided bread and meat.) What do you think God was teaching the people? (To rely on God.) Say: Once again we see how God was there for the people. Their lives are changing. They are becoming the people of God. God promised to be there for them through it all. Walking in the Wilderness Supplies: Reproducible 6a, CD-ROM, CD player or computer, scissors Photocopy the words/phrases to the Bible verse, one for each child. Cut the words apart. Randomly scatter them (like manna) on the floor. Play God s People on the CD-ROM. Start and stop the music. When the music stops, each child will pick up ONE word/phrase. If a child picks up a phrase he or she doesn t need, then the phrase can be replaced on the floor and another picked up at the next interval. The first child to have a complete Bible verse wins. Say: God s people wandered in the wilderness for many years. During this time, the people had to rely on God for everything. Bible Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 4, Stickers As they place event stickers on the map of the journey, talk with the children about how the lives of the people changed now that they were away from Egypt and living a nomadic life in the wilderness. Serve in Love Kid Connection Supplies: Reproducible 6b, Leader s Guide p. 126, Bible Story Pak p. 2, map of the world, two buckets of water, towels, variety of items to pollute the water, utensils for cleaning the water, clean glass, ladle 54 October 7 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

55 Photocopy the information about water and note about the Mission Project. Ask: What did the people need now that they were far away from Egypt? (food and water) Why did they need this? (People need food and water in order to live.) What happened to the food and water they brought with them from Egypt? (It had run out.) Why do we need clean water? (Invite the children to share.) Hand out the Water Facts sheet. Go over the information that is provided there about why we need clean water. Place the buckets of water on towels on the floor. You will need one bucket for each team of two or three children. The towel will catch any splatter. Add the pollutants to the water. Give each team a set of utensils for cleaning. After about five minutes, dip water from each bucket into a clean glass. Ask: Would you want to drink this water? Why not? Did you know that there are many countries where this water is cleaner than the water they have to drink? Did you know that clean water is one of the biggest problems facing some countries in our world today? Our Mission: To Love and Serve Supplies: Resource Pak p. 7, Stickers, empty condensed soup cans, scissors, colored copy paper or construction paper Photocopy the directions on how to make the mission coin collector (Resource Pak). Have the children make the collector and put the information sheet inside. Say: Our mission project for this quarter is called El Porvenir, which means the future. Clean water means a healthier future for the people of rural Nicaragua. (Locate Nicaragua on a map.) In partnership with the people of Nicaragua, we help them build a future for themselves. Providing clean drinking water is the core of what El Porvenir is about; sanitation is necessary to ensure that the water is clean. In addition, we will help to provide health and hygiene education and reforestation. Read about the project in Kid Connection. Say: Water is something that all living things need in order to live. Because we are God s people and we care about all of God s people, we want all people everywhere to have access to clean water and healthy living conditions. TIP Ideas for polluting the water: Add pebbles, a scoop of dirt, dried leaves, sand, paper, etc. Possible cleaning utensils: strainers, sloted spoons, coffee filters, aquarium fish net Visit elporvenir.org for more information about the Clean Water for Nicaragua mission project. Note: Websites are constantly changing. Although the websites recommended in this resource were checked at the time this unit was developed, we recommend that you double-check all sites to verify that they are still live and that they are still suitable for children before doing the activity. Worship Gather and Sing Supplies: Resource Pak p. 17; Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape, posterboard (optional) Remove the cards from the Unit 2 Bible Verse Poster. Optional: Mount the poster on posterboard to provide more display space. Hang in the worship area. Fall 2012 Session 6 GrowProclaimServe.com 55

56 Play We re On Our Way (Track #4) as an invitation for the children to come to the worship center. Sing the song together. Then play God s People (Track #2) through one time. Read through the words together. Sing the song together, adding the motions. Say: Today the journey of God s people begins. They are free from slavery in Egypt. They are being led by God into the wilderness their destination, the Promised Land. They will learn a lot along the way. You can be sure their faith will grow as they travel on. Invite all the children to read the Bible verse for the unit. Spread out the pictures and let a child select the one that represents today s Bible story. Add it to the poster. TIP If you are using the DVD, repeat the signing of the Bible verse together during this section. Praise and Respond Supplies: Journey Map and Cards (See p. 12); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD- ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Use the Journey Map to locate Marah (sweet water), Rephidim (quail and water from rocks) from today s story. Hand out the cards for session 6. (tamarisk tree, quail) Let the children read the information on the back of the cards. Then attach the cards to the edge of the map. Ask: How has God shown love and loyalty to the people so far? Sing God s People one more time. Pray: Dear God, we thank you for the care you showed to your people as they escaped from Egypt and as they are learning a new life in the wilderness. We know you are with us when we have to deal with changes in our lives. You give us strength. You give us confidence. Most of all you give us your love. Thank you. Amen. Plan for Next Week Red Light/Green Light; Blue Light/Purple Light (p. 58): Make two copies of Reproducible 7a. Assemble the traffic lights as directed. Interact with the Story (p. 60): Photocopy Reproducible 7b. Cut apart the strips. Climb Mt. Sinai (p. 60): Photocopy Reproducible 7c. Cut the questions apart and place them in a basket or bag. Bible Verse Fun (p. 60): You will need one copy of Reproducible 7d. 56 October 7 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

57 The Ten Commandments Bible Verse Because the LORD is good, his loyal love lasts forever; his faithfulness lasts generation after generation. (Psalm 100:5) Session 7 October 14 Bible Story Exodus 19:1 20:21 Leap of Faith God is with me in times of change. Before You Begin As the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, God continued to provide for them. In Egypt they had led a hard but a dependable life. Here in the wilderness, things were considerably more insecure. They wandered from oasis to oasis with their flocks, following the column of smoke during the day and the column of lightning at night. Not only were food and water scarce, but there were also fierce desert tribes to contend with. Their day-to-day existence during this time of change was inescapably linked to the generosity of God. When God finally led the people to the base of Mount Sinai, God and the people renewed the covenant that had begun many generations before with Abraham and Sarah. This new covenant was outlined in ten life-giving laws. Today, we call these laws the Ten Commandments. The people were moving into a new phase of their life as a people of God. They were changing from a rag-tag group of slaves to a community of faith. Because of this change, God knew the people needed some guidance. It had been generations since they were in charge of their own destiny. The covenant with God, with the Ten Commandments providing the foundation, was a good start. Through this God called the people to live a life of holiness and justice. Middle elementary boys and girls have rules at home, rules at school, rules on the bus, and rules on the playground. In every sense, their lives are organized around a bunch of rules. Rules set the boundaries of adult expectations for them. Rules say what s fair and what s not. Rules tell them how to proceed. For this reason, children rarely associate having a good time with following rules. A certain amount of rule-giving is necessary for everyone s protection and safety, but the Ten Commandments are more than rules. They are laws. If the people belong to God, they must live by the commandments. God s laws set us apart from the laws of the world. God s laws challenge us to live in peace and justice with all other human beings. This is what it means to be part of God s people. Requires preparation. Fall 2012 Session 7 GrowProclaimServe.com 57

58 Grow Together Choose one or more of the following activities to do as the children arrive. Welcome the Children Supplies: Resource Pak pp. 2, 23, Stickers, CD-Rom or DVD, offering basket Display the attendance chart from the Resource Pak. Play God s People (Track #2) and We re On Our Way (Track #4) as the children come into the room. Greet the children individually as they arrive. Show the children where to place their offerings. Give each child the attendance sticker for today. Fun Pak Fun Supplies: Fun Pak p. 15, scissors, paper punch, ball chain or metal shower hook Have the children cut out and assemble the God s Top 10 cards as shown. Get Moses to the Top Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 3 Have the children solve the maze that gets Moses to the top of Mount Sinai. Red Light/Green Light; Blue Light/Purple Light Supplies: Reproducible 7a, crayons or felt-tip markers, scissors, tape, stapler, staples, two rulers or paint sticks Make two copies of Reproducible 7a. Cut out the two traffic signals and assemble as follows: On side A of the first copy, color the top space red; on side B, color the bottom space green. On side A of the second copy, color the top space purple; on side B, color the bottom space blue. Fold each copy on the dotted line. Tape a ruler or paint stick to the back of one side as shown. Then refold the paper and staple around the edges as shown on the reproducible page. Have the children follow these directions to play: 1. Select one person to be the Traffic Signal. 2. Have the rest of the children line up about fifteen feet away. 3. The Traffic Signal holds up the light with the red light facing the group. 4. When the Traffic Signal turns the green light toward the children, all the children begin moving toward the signal. 5. Whenever the Traffic Signal turns the light to red, all the boys and girls have to stop moving. Any player caught moving on a red light is sent back to the starting line. 6. The first player to touch the Traffic Signal wins the game and gets to be the Traffic Signal in the next game. 7. Turn the signal from red to green quickly or slowly. 8. After playing several times, subtly swap the traffic signals. 58 October 14 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

59 ASK: Who do you think decided that red means stop and green means go? Does everyone have to agree to this in order for a traffic light to work? Is this a law? What would happen if there were no traffic lights at all? Conversation Time Supplies: Resource Pak p. 4, tape, scissors, glue sticks, crayons or markers, art supplies for decorating, tape, scissors, posterboard (2 sheets), marker Identify each child that has a birthday this week and make sure you have a cupcake and birthday gram for them. Write the silly rules on posterboard and display them in the storytelling area where they can be seen. Bring the children together. They can sit around a table or on the floor. Give them a chance to briefly share any news of the week. Celebrate birthdays that have occurred or will occur in the coming week. Let the children who have had birthdays or will have birthdays decorate a cupcake to add to the display. Before they leave give them the birthday greeting. SAY: I have decided that we need some rules for our group. (Point to the rules.) So from here on in, this is what we ll do. (Place your hand on your head.) ASK: (Shout your question.) What s wrong with these rules? What would be some good rules for our group? As the children tell the rules, write them on another sheet of posterboard. As each rule is given, talk about the reason for having the rule. Take the silly rules down and replace them with the new rules. SAY: Today we are going to learn about the rules God wants us to follow. PRAY: God, thank you for these boys and girls. We are so glad they are here today. As we listen to the Bible story, help us to listen with our heads and hearts so that we can understand your message and grow in our faith. Help us to remember your rules and always try to follow them. Amen. TIP Post these rules in the storytelling area: 1. You must keep your right hand on your head at all times. 2. To go from place to place, you must hop on one foot. 3. Whenever someone talks, you must cover your ears. 4. Whenever you answer a question, you must shout. Proclaim the Word Visit Leaper s Pointe Supplies: DVD, DVD player The DVD is an optional resource. It can be used in place of the storytelling section of this session plan or in addition. SAY: I hear that Mondo Solo is at it again. He s laying down the law for his audiences. Shall we drop in to discover what s up? Play Story Segment 7. Use the questions from About the Story to summarize the event. Fall 2012 Session 7 GrowProclaimServe.com 59

60 Interact with the Story Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 1, Reproducible 7b Photocopy Reproducible 7b. Cut apart the strips. Give one strip to each child. If you have fewer than ten children, each child can have more than one commandment. Point out that God had led the people for a long time. But they were only about half way. They had a long way yet to go. (Point to Mt. Sinai and Canaan on the map.) Read the story. When you come to the actual Ten Commandments, let the children stand up and read their strips in order. All About the Story Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 1, Resource Pak p. 21 Assemble the ten-sided die. Make sure each child has a copy of the Ten Commandments. Ask: How many laws did God give us? (ten) What do these laws help us to do? (live together, and worship God) Why do you think God gave us these laws? (because God loves us) Have the children take turns throwing the die and saying the commandment that is represented by that number. Climb Mt. Sinai Supplies: Resource Pak p. 3; Reproducible 7c, game markers, scissors, basket or bag Photocopy the questions for the Climb Mt. Sinai game. Cut the questions apart and place them in a basket or bag. Place the Climb Mount Sinai gameboard on a table. Divide the children into four teams and give each team a marker to use as they climb up Mount Sinai. Each team will draw out a question and hand it to the leader, who will read it. If the answer is correct, players throw the dice and move. The first team to the top wins. Bible Verse Fun Supplies: Reproducible 7d, scissors Divide the group into three teams. Give each team one segment of the Bible verse for this unit: Because the Lord is good/ his loyal love lasts forever,/ his faithfulness lasts generation after generation. Have the groups say their segment (in order) in specific ways: as if they are running after quail, as if they are thirsty, as if they are watching a sleeping baby, as if they are talking to the pharaoh, as if they are celebrating crossing the sea, and so forth. Use images from the stories. 60 October 14 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

61 Bible Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 4 The boys and girls will draw a line from the commandment to a picture that shows what the commandment means. Serve in Love Kid Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 2, ball Have the children sit on the floor. Roll a ball to one of the children. If the child rolls the ball to another child in the group, say, You aren t following the rules. Roll the ball to another child and repeat the process. Since there are no rules, no one knows how to play. ASK: What s wrong with this game? (No one knows how to play.) What would make this game better? (If there were rules.) Let the children decide on a set of rules and then play the game. ASK: What are some rules that you have at your house? at your school? SAY: Rules are very important; they help us know what we can and cannot do. I will read some statements. Each one is a good rule, but if it is one of God s rules, then stomp (or stand up). Don t talk when someone else is talking. Don t run in the hallway. Always stop at a stop sign. Don t take what belongs to someone else. Look both ways before you cross the street. Don t commit murder. Wear a helmet when you ride your bike. Don t tell lies. Worship Gather and Sing Supplies: Unit 2 Bible Verse Poster and Cards (See p. 56); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Play We re On Our Way (Track #4) from the CD ROM. Hand out the songbook and invite the children to sing along with the music. If the kids need to shake the wiggles out, let them march around the worship area as they sing. Fall 2012 Session 7 GrowProclaimServe.com 61

62 Say: Today Moses and the people have reached Mt. Sinai. This is a special mountain. On this mountain God gave Moses ten laws that the people are to live by. We call these laws the (pause and let the children add Ten Commandments ). Invite all the children to read the Bible verse for the unit. Spread out the remaining pictures and let a child select the one that represents today s Bible story. Add it to the poster. TIP If you used the DVD repeat the signing of the Bible verse together during this section. Praise and Respond Supplies: Journey Map and Cards (See p. 12); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD- ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Play God s People (Track #2) from the CD-ROM or DVD. Invite the children to imitate the moves as they sing along. ASK: As God s people have been traveling in the wilderness, how has God shown loyalty to them? What has God done for them? What did God provide for them in today s story? How will these Ten Commandments help the people now and later in the Promised Land? Use the Journey Map to locate Mt. Sinai. Hand out the cards for session 7. (Mt. Sinai and clay tablets) Let the children read the information. Then attach the cards to the edges of the map. If you are doing the mission project El Porvenir [el POR ve NEER] set out the collection container on the altar. If the children have not yet placed their money in the container, invite them to do so at this time as you play the music. PRAY: Dear God, we thank you for Moses, who led the people out of Egypt. We thank you for the Ten Commandments that teach us how to live together. Help us to obey God s rules every day. Amen. Plan for Next Week Build the Tabernacle Game (p. 66): Photocopy Reproducibles 8a and 8b. Cut the pictures apart and tape each one to the center of a paper plate. Kid Connection (p. 66): Photocopy Reproducible 8c. Make a Worship Cloth (p. 67): Prewash fabric for the worship cloth. Do not use fabric softener. 62 October 14 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

63 A House for God Bible Verse Because the Lord is good, his loyal love lasts forever; his faithfulness lasts generation after generation. (Psalm 100:5) Session 8 October 21 Bible Story Exodus 25:10-22; 35:4-29 Leap of Faith God is with me in times of change. Before You Begin The very first house of God was not a house at all but a tent. It was called the Tabernacle or the tent of meeting. This was the place where Moses went to meet with God on a one-to-one basis. God s presence was indicated by a cloud hanging over the entrance to the tent. Those wishing to talk with God would go to the tent and Moses would act as an intermediary. The tent was portable, a very practical thing for a nomadic group of people as they traveled here and there at God s direction. There were three distinct areas- -the open court (the Holy Place) surrounding the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle itself, and an interior area (Holy of Holies) inside the Tabernacle where the sacred chest containing the Ten Commandments was kept. The Tabernacle was built and furnished with gifts from the people. (Remember all that gold, silver, and bronze that the Egyptian people gave the Israelites just to get them to leave the land?) The people also gladly contributed their skills and their time to build this special place of worship. During the long wanderings in the wilderness, the Tabernacle stood as a reminder that God was with them, in much the same way that churches located within the community signify God s presence there as well. The Tabernacle reminded the people that God was with them during this time of change. As the people built the Tabernacle, it was important that everyone took part. Each person contributed according to their skill and their generosity. Praise and worship was as much a part of the community life of God s people as food and water in the wilderness. Our time of worship is a community effort as well. This should also be true for the worship experience during your session no matter how short it may be. Set aside a special time each Sunday to acknowledge God in your midst. Provide sacred space that the children can decorate and make their own. Remind the children that honoring and praising God is what God s people do. Requires preparation. Fall 2012 Session 8 GrowProclaimServe.com 63

64 Grow Together Choose one or more of the following activities to do as the children arrive. Welcome the Children Supplies: Resource Pak pp. 2, 23; Stickers; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; offering basket Play God s People (Track #2) and We re On Our Way (Track #4) as the children come into the room. Greet the children individually as they arrive. Show the children where to place their offerings. Give each child the attendance sticker for today. TIP Place the Mission Well Collection Can in a prominent location so that the children have easy access to it. Fun Pak Fun Supplies: permanent felt tip markers, black construction paper, baby oil, cotton balls, recycled newspaper, glue sticks, scissors Cover the tables with recycled newspaper to protect them from the baby oil. Place the baby oil in small shallow containers so if any spills, it will be minimum. Conversation starters: What stories do you see in this window? Make a Special Tent for Worship Supplies: plastic tablecloths, masking tape, portable chalkboards or bulletin boards, clothes racks, or whatever else you may have to create a frame Have the children work together to make a tent for worship using the plastic tablecloths. If you need a larger tent, let the children tape together several tablecloths and drape them over portable chalkboards or clothes racks. Have the children gather in the tent to hear the story for today. Conversation Time Supplies: Resource Pak p. 4, tape, scissors, glue sticks, crayons or markers, art supplies for decorating Identify each child that has a birthday this week and make sure you have a cupcake and birthday gram for them. Bring the children together. They can sit around a table or on the floor. Give them a chance to briefly share any news of the week. Celebrate birthdays that have occurred or will occur in the coming week. Let the children who have had birthdays or will have birthdays decorate a cupcake to add to the display. Before they leave give them the birthday greeting. Ask: Have you ever been to Sunday school in a tent? 64 October 21 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

65 Say: In today s Bible story, God s people are told to build a house of worship for God but not a building, a tent. Why do you think a tent would be more practical than a building for God s people? Pray: God, thank you for these boys and girls. We are so glad they are here today. Each week we come together to praise you and to worship you. This has been going on for thousands of years, yet it is still a special time when we feel close to you and you can feel close to us. Worshiping you is something we need to do. Amen. Proclaim the Word Visit Leaper s Pointe Supplies: DVD, DVD player Tip: The DVD is an optional resource. It can be used in place of, or in addition to, the storytelling section of this session plan. The DVD also contains music videos for the children to sing and dance to. Use these during the arrival time or worship. Say: I just overheard some of the folks from Leaper s Pointe. They were talking about putting something together. It was supposed to be a teepee. But from the list of supplies they are gathering, it doesn t sound much like a teepee to me. I don t think a teepee has solid gold or goat hair, do you? Make sure the children are sitting where they can see. Play Segment 8. Interact with the Story Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 1, Reproducible 8b Photocopy the items for the Tabernacle two times. Save one set for later in the session. Cut the items apart. Assign the parts for the different items that went into building the Tabernacle. The children who are holding the different cards will read those parts. All About the Story Ask: What kinds of things went into the building of the Tabernacle? (linen, gold, silver, bronze, wood) What colors would you find in the Tabernacle? (blues and reds and purples) Where did the people get all the gold and silver? (from the gifts given the people by the Egyptians) What different things were in the Tabernacle that we don t have in our churches today? (incense burners, sacred chest with the Ten Commandments, and so forth) Why was the Tabernacle a tent rather than a building? (so it could travel with the people) Say: Once again we see how God is there with the people. The Tabernacle was placed right in the center of the camp. It reminds the people every time they see it that God is with them. Fall 2012 Session 8 GrowProclaimServe.com 65

66 Build the Tabernacle Game Supplies: Reproducible 8a and 8b, scissors, glue stick, paper plates, bean bags or rubber string balls, masking tape Photocopy the picture of the Tabernacle (8a) for each team of children. Cut apart the items used in the Tabernacle (8b). Tape each of the pictures of the different items onto the center of a paper plate. Randomly arrange the paper plates on the floor with about twelve inches between each one. Divide the children into teams. Give each team the copy of the picture of the Tabernacle. In turn, each team will try to toss a bean bag onto one of the paper plates. Teams will mark off each item on the Tabernacle as they hit their target. When all the items have been marked off, the team shouts the Bible verse: Because the Lord is good, his loyal love lasts forever; his faithfulness lasts generation after generation. (Psalm 100:5) Say: The Tabernacle reminded the people of God s faithfulness and loyalty. Bible Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 4 Say: In today s story we hear about a special place of worship that God told the people to build. This place of worship doesn t look anything like our churches today. In fact, worship in Bible times was very different. Children will draw lines from each item to how it was used in worship during that time. Conversation starters: How is this house of worship so different from the places worship that we have today? Serve in Love Kid Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 2, Reproducible 8c Photocopy the different symbols. You will need one set for each team. Cut them apart and place in envelopes. Divide the children into two teams. Give each team a set of symbols. Each team will select a runner to deliver the symbol to the leader. Ask: What is your favorite part of our church sanctuary? (Invite the children to share.) Did you know that every picture, every symbol used in our sanctuary has a special meaning? 66 October 21 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

67 Say: I will tell you what the symbol means, the teams will decide what the symbol is. Find the symbol and run it to me. The first team to get the symbol correct wins a point. The first team with five points wins the game. Use the explanation of the symbols in the right-hand column. When you have finished the game, have the children circle the items on the Kids Connection page that they have seen in their own church. Make a Worship Cloth Supplies: white 100% synthetic fabric large enough to cover the worship center table, fabric crayons, white copy paper, pencils, newspaper, ironing board, iron (adult use only) Prewash the fabric you want to use and do not use dryer sheets as they tend to leave a film on the fabric and make your transfer less permanent. Use only white or very light colors for the best results. Cover the work surface with the newspaper. Have the children draw a picture of themselves praising God. Do this with pencil first. Color the picture using the fabric crayons. Make sure the color is on thick with no white space showing except where intended. Iron the picture onto the worship cloth fabric. Tip: Remember, the design will be reversed when ironed on! So if the children want to write words, show them how to reverse their letters by writing the words on the back of the paper and then tracing over them on the front. When all the pictures have been added to the worship cloth, set aside for a special presentation during worship. Say: Our church is very special to us. It is where we come together as a faith family. It is where we celebrate each other and God. Our church reminds us that God is with us all the time in good times, in bad times. TIP Symbol meanings: angel/messenger of God star/the promised coming of Christ (star) rooster/peter s betrayal butterfly/jesus resurrection dove/the Holy spirit cup and bread/jesus last supper with his disciples cross/jesus crucifixion fish/disciples of Jesus lit candle/ God with us rainbow/god s promise to never destroy the earth tablets/the Ten commandments Worship Gather and Sing Supplies: Unit 2 Bible Verse Poster and Cards (See p. 56); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Play We re On Our Way (Track #4). Just for fun have the children march around the worship area as they sing the song. Say: Today Moses and the people are free, living in the wilderness. They have food and water. They have laws to help them live together. Now they have a special place where they can worship God, no matter where they travel. God s house will always go with them. Clear the worship center of any objects. Fall 2012 Session 8 GrowProclaimServe.com 67

68 Have the children gather around the worship cloth and hold onto the edges. Pray: Dear God, we thank you for being with us during times of change. Help us to be brave and to have courage in all we do. Amen. Add the Bible and the other items back to the worship table. Invite the children to read the Bible verse for the unit. Spread out the remaining pictures and let a child select the one that represents today s Bible story. Add it to the poster. Praise and Respond Supplies: Journey Map and Cards (See p. 12); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD- ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Hand out the map cards that go with today s story. (Tabernacle, the sacred chest, and the high priest) Use the Journey Map to locate the area across the Gulf of Aqaba from Midian. This is an approximation of where the Tabernacle was first built. Let the children read the information from the cards. Then attach the cards to the edges of the map. Ask: How has God shown love and loyalty to the people so far? How are the people showing love and loyalty to God? Sing and dance to God s People (Track #2). The song mentions some events that the children have yet to learn about. If you are doing the mission project El Porvenir [el POR ve NEER] set out the collection container on the altar. If the children have not yet placed their money in the container, invite them to do so at this time as you play the music. Pray: Dear God, we thank you for the care you showed to your people as they escaped from Egypt and as they were learning to live a new life in the wilderness. They knew you were with them every time they saw the Tabernacle they built for you. Help us to know you are with us too as we gather to praise and worship. Amen. TIP If you are using the DVD, repeat the signing of the Bible verse together during this section. Plan for Next Week Interact with the Story (p. 72): Photocopy Reproducible 9a. A Leader for God Is This... (p. 73): Photocopy Reproducible 9b. Cut the ribbon into 36-inch lengths. 68 October 21 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

69 God Chooses Joshua Bible Verse Because the LORD is good, his loyal love lasts forever; his faithfulness lasts generation after generation. (Psalm 100:5) Session 9 October 28 Bible Story Deuteronomy 31:1-2, 7-8, 23; Joshua 1:1-6 Leap of Faith God is with me in times of change. Before You Begin The wilderness experience of the Israelites took many years an entire generation to be exact. The people grew weary of their constant traveling and longed for a permanent home. Just where was this Promised Land anyway? And when would they get there? When the time came for God to lead the people into Canaan (The Promised Land), Moses was quite old. In fact, the Bible says he was 120 years old too old to be a military leader, which was what the people needed now. But Moses didn t want the people to forget their spiritual beginnings. In the Deuteronomy passage, Moses charged the people to remember all that God had done for them. Moses called for them to remain faithful to God and to remember the covenant between themselves and God. At this time, he also let them know that he would not be going with them, but that God had chosen for them a new leader, one who was more than equipped to handle the job. God and Moses had been grooming Joshua to take over the leadership responsibilities. Now the time was right. Joshua would face the task of getting the people past the gateway city (Jericho) and into the conquest of the land. God promised to be with Joshua, just as God had been with Moses. God did, however, caution Joshua that he would need to follow God s laws and be strong and courageous in all of his actions. Watch the play groups and activity groups. You will quickly see which of the children assume leadership roles. These are the children who take charge, establish the ground rules, and attempt to influence the other children into following along. In every group you will find one or two of these personalities. These skills will continue to be honed as that child gets older. Be aware that there may be negative leaders in your group. These are the children who seek leadership through constant disruption and acting out. Help that child receive appropriate affirmation for more positive leadership roles. Remind them that a good o leader emphasizes cooperation and positive outcomes for the whole group. Requires preparation. Fall 2012 Session 9 GrowProclaimServe.com 69

70 Grow Together Choose one or more of the following activities to do as the children arrive. Welcome the Children Supplies: Resource Pak pp. 2, 23; Stickers; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; offering basket Play God s People (Track #2) and We re On Our Way (Track #4) as the children come into the room. Greet the children individually as they arrive. Show the children where to place their offerings. Give each child the attendance sticker for today. Fun Pak Fun Supplies: Fun Pak p. 21, plastic drinking straws, glue sticks, scissors, tape Create the spinner with the two leaders Moses and Joshua. Throw out a few statements about what has happened so far and let the children identify whether it was Moses or Joshua that accomplished the task. Say: God s people didn t know that God had already decided that now was the time for the people to enter the Promised Land and they would do it with a new leader. TIP If you have the flexible tip straws, cut away that part prior to making the craft. Changes and Rearranges Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 3, pencils Say: Today we are going to talk about changes big changes for God s people, except that they don t know it yet. Change is not always easy for people. Sometimes there are big changes, sometimes little changes. Let s see how many changes you can spot between the two pictures. Conversation starters as the children work: Are changes always good? Can you think of a good change? a bad change? a big change? a little change? What s New on You? Supplies: articles of clothing and jewelry (hats, scarfs, necklaces, purses, sports equipment such as helmets or rackets) Divide the children into pairs. S elect one pair. One of the children will be the dresser and the other will be the model. Once the model has been completely dressed, he or she parades through the group. Then have the children close their eyes as the dresser makes a few subtle changes in the model s clothing. TIP Be cautious about using hats because of the danger of head lice. 70 October 28 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

71 The rest of the group is to discover what the changes are. Say: Sometimes change is fun. Sometimes change can be scary. But change is change and God will always help us deal with it. Conversation Time Supplies: Resource Pak p. 4, tape, scissors, glue sticks, crayons or markers, art supplies for decorating, newsprint, marker Identify each child that has a birthday this week and make sure you have a cupcake and birthday gram for them. Bring the children together. They can sit around a table or on the floor. Give them a chance to briefly share any news of the week. Celebrate birthdays that have occurred or will occur in the coming week. Let the children who have had birthdays or will have birthdays decorate a cupcake to add to the display. Before they leave give them the birthday greeting. Make a doodle on a piece of newsprint. Invite each child to add to the doodle until everyone has done something to it. Say: We began with a simple doodle. Each of you has changed it in some way to make it different. The finished product doesn t look anything like what we started with. Today the journey of God s people takes a different route too. Let s find out where all this change takes them. Pray: Dear God, thank you for these boys and girls. We are so glad they are here today. Develop in each of these boys and girls skills and abilities that will make them leaders for you in the world today. Help them to have courage and good judgement in all that they do so they will reflect you to everyone. Amen. Proclaim the Word Visit Leaper s Pointe Supplies: DVD, DVD player Use the DVD in place of the storytelling section of this session plan or in addition to it. The DVD also contains music videos for the children to sing and dance to. Place the DVD in the player. Locate Session 9. Invite the children to sit down where they can easily see the screen. Ask: Do you ever wonder how Merrilee became the mayor of Leaper s Point? Did she always want to lead the town? I wonder if someone else had set an example for her to follow? Fall 2012 Session 9 GrowProclaimServe.com 71

72 Interact with the Story Supplies: Reproducible 9a, Bible Story Pak p. 1 Photocopy the Two Leaders page (Reproducible 9a) for each child. Have them fold the sheet on the dotted line and staple on the edges. Then they can slip the pocket onto their right or left hand. Identify the two leaders as Moses and Joshua. Say: As I read the story, you are going to hear two names Moses and Joshua. Turn the picture to the front when I talk about that person. (Demonstrate how the children will flip their hands back and forth.) Read the story. All About the Story Use these questions or some of your own. Ask: How old was Moses? (120 years old) Is that very old? (yes) Do you think it was time to choose a new leader? Why? What kind of leader did God choose for the people? What did God tell Joshua about being a good leader? (be brave and strong) What did God promise Joshua? (God would be with Joshua just as God had been with Moses.) Say: The people were sad that Moses would not be their leader any longer. But they trusted Joshua, because God had chosen him. Leading and Learning the Verse Have the children line up one behind the other. Select a leader. The leader will lead the rest of the group around the room as they say the Bible verse together, using a movement of some kind. When you blow a whistle, the next child in line becomes the new leader and the old leader goes to the back of the line. The new leader changes how the rest of the group moves as they recite the verse. Continue until every child has had a chance to be the leader. Say: It s always hard when a new leader takes over. Everyone wonders what that leader will be like. But the people knew they could trust Joshua because God trusted Joshua and Joshua trusted God. TIP If you don t have space for movement, let the leader determine some kind of body movement, such as clapping hands, that can be done in a limited space. Bible Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 4 The boys and girls will connect the pictures and the statements from the story of the journey from Egypt. 72 October 28 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

73 Serve in Love Kid Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 2 Ask: Who is the leader in our country? Who is the leader in our state? Who is the leader in our church? Who is a leader in our group? What does it mean to be a good leader? Have the children circle the words that are qualities of a good leader. Talk about why those qualities are good and why the other qualities might not be good for a leader. Ask: As leaders for God, what are some of the qualities we should have? How can we use these qualities to serve and love God and other people? A Leader for God Is This... Supplies: Stickers, Reproducible 9b, 1-inch ribbon, colored posterboard, tape, scissors, glue stick TIP Let the children create their own medal and use these medals in the commissioning service during worship. Photocopy Reproducible 9b for each child. Cut the ribbon into 36-inch lengths. Have the children follow these directions: Cut out the circle pattern. Trace the circle two times onto posterboard. Cut the circles out. Place one circle face down on the table. Fold the ribbon in half and tape the folded area to the back of the circle as shown in the diagram. Put glue on the back of the second circle. Put the second circle on top of the first circle, sandwiching the ribbon between the two. Place the Bible verse sticker in the center of one of the circles. Decorate the circle. Cool Option: Posterboard comes in more varieties than just solid colors. Many teacher supply stories have metallic and holographic designs. These might be fun for the kids to use. Worship Gather and Sing Supplies: Unit 2 Bible Verse Poster and Cards (See p. 56); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Fall 2012 Session 9 GrowProclaimServe.com 73

74 Play We re On Our Way as the children arrive. Invite them to march around the storytelling area as they sing the song. Say: Today Moses and the people are free, living in the wilderness. They have food and water. They have laws to help them live together. They have a special place where they can worship God. Now they have a new leader. His name is Joshua. God has been with them through all the changes that have happened. God will continue to be with them. Invite the children to talk about all the places the people have been since they left Egypt and all the things that have happened to them. Invite all the children to read the Bible verse for the unit from the poster. Let a child add it to the poster. Praise and Respond Supplies: Bible, Journey Map and Cards (See p. 12); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape; lip balm stick; medals made earlier in the session Locate the map card for session 9 (soldier s shield). Use the Journey Map to locate Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula, and Canaan. Talk about how long it has taken and all the changes that have taken place since God s people left Egypt. Let a child read the information on the map card and add it to the map. Say: Today I am sending you out into the world to be leaders for God. You may never lead an army or a country or even a city. But wherever you go, you will be a leader for God. Invite the children to come to the front one at a time. Use a lip balm stick to put a cross on each child s forehead as you say: God says, I will be with you in the same way I was with Moses. I won t desert you or leave you. Be brave and strong. Go out and be a leader for God. (Place the medal each child made around his or her neck.) Play God s People (Track #2) on the DVD or CD. Invite the children to imitate the movements and sing along. Pray: Dear God, we thank you for the care you showed to your people as they learned a new life. We thank you for the care you show to us every day as we grow and change. Help us to be true leaders for God. Amen. TIP If you used the DVD repeat the signing of the Bible verse together during this section. TIP If you did the Mission Project, El Porvenir, have a special time of dedication of the money during worship in the session or plan to do it during the congregational worship time. Plan for Next Week I Spy a Bible Verse (p. 90): Photocopy the Bible verse words (Reproducible 10a) two times. Cut the words apart and place them in two stacks. We Stand for God Welcome Mat (p. 91): Cut clear vinyl carpet runner into a strip long enough for your group. Cut a slightly longer piece of clear adhesive paper. Gather and Sing (p. 91): Prepare the Unit 3 Bible Verse Poster. 74 October 28 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

75 Reproducible 6a Because the Lord is good, his loyal love lasts forever, his faithfulness lasts generation after generation. Psalm 100:5 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 GrowProclaimServe.com 75

76 Reproducible 6b 1. About 70 % of the earth s surface is covered by water. 2. Our bodies are made up mostly of water. A grown-up s body is about 70% water. 3. You can t live for more than a few days without water. 4. A healthy person should drink about 8 glasses of water per day. 5. Water that is not clean often carries diseases that can make us sick. 6. Clean water is necessary for animals as well as human beings. 7. The total amount of water on the earth is about 326 million cubic miles of water. 8. The average person in the United States uses anywhere from gallons of water per day. Flushing the toilet actually takes up the largest amount of this water. 9. The earth, like a terrarium, uses the same water over and over again. The water that existed on the earth millions of years ago is still present today. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 76 Fall 2012 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

77 Reproducible 7a Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 GrowProclaimServe.com 77

78 Reproducible 7b I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt. Do not worship any other gods. Do not make any idols to worship. Do not use the Lord your God s name in a bad or casual way. Remember the sabbath day and treat it as holy. Work for six days but rest on the seventh. Honor your father and your mother. Do not kill or commit murder. Be faithful to your husband or wife. Do not steal. Do not tell lies. Do not want what belongs to someone else. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 78 October GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

79 Reproducible 7c What baby was put in a basket in the river by his mother? (Moses) What was Moses sister s name? (Miriam) Who found Moses in the river and raise him as her own child? (Pharaoh s daughter) Why did Moses leave Egypt? (He killed an Egyptian.) How did God speak to Moses while he was living away from Egypt? (through a burning bush) Why did God tell Moses to go back to Egypt? (to deliver God s people from slavery) Reproducible 7d Who helped Moses speak to Pharaoh? (Aaron) What did Moses ask the Pharaoh to do? (Let my people go.) How did God lead the people in the wilderness? (with a column of smoke and a column of lightning) What did the Israelites have to cross to get out of Egypt? (the sea) How were they able to get across without a boat? (God parted the water.) What did the people do when they were on the other side of the sea? (they celebrated) What did the Israelites eat in the wilderness? (manna and quail) How did the people get water in the wilderness? (from a stone) Who gave Moses the Ten Commandments? (God) Name one of the Ten Commandments. Name another one of the Ten Commandments. What did the people promise? (to obey God s commandments) Because the Lord is good his loyal love lasts forever, his faithfulness lasts generation after generation. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 Sessions 6 9 GrowProclaimServe.com 79

80 Reproducible 8a Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 80 October GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

81 Reproducible 8b Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 Sessions 6 9 GrowProclaimServe.com 81

82 Reproducible 8c Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 82 October GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

83 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Reproducible 9a Fall 2012 Sessions 6 9 GrowProclaimServe.com 83

84 Reproducible 9b Cut the ribbon into 36-inch lengths. Cut out the circle pattern. Trace the circle two times onto posterboard. Cut the circles out. Place one circle face down on the table. Fold the ribbon in half and tape the folded area to the back of the circle. Put glue on the back of the second circle. Put the second circle on top of the first circle, sandwiching the ribbon between the two. Place the Bible verse sticker in the center of one of the circles and the word stickers on the ribbon as shown. Decorate the circle. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 84 October GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

85 Unit 3 We Remember God s Promised Land Bible Verse We will serve the LORD our God and will obey him. (Joshua 24:24) Leap of Faith I can choose to love and serve God. In this unit Session 10 November 4 Spies in Canaan Bible story: Joshua 2:1-24 Session 11 November 11 Crossing the Jordan Bible story: Joshua 3:1-17; 4:1-24 Session 12 November 18 Jericho (Thanksgiving) Bible story: Joshua 6:1-27 Session 13 November 25 Choose God Bible story: Joshua 24:1-28 CD-ROM The Mission Is Possible Vocal/instumental and instrumental versions Music sheet with lyrics Printable lyrics PowerPoint lyrics Growing in Leaps and Bounds (theme song) Vocal/instumental and instrumental versions Music sheet with lyrics Printable lyrics PowerPoint lyrics I Think About God Vocal/instumental and instrumental versions Music sheet with lyrics Printable lyrics PowerPoint lyrics Leaper s Pointe (DVD) Session 10: Spies in Canaan Mondo Solo is performing a one-man show, The Untold Story of Canaan. Unfortunately, Mondo stretches the untold truth a little too much. Session 11: Crossing the Jordan Harley finds several rocks down by the pond. Merrilee thinks they could be from a long-ago Leaper s Pointe monument. Leaper s Pointe in Concert (DVD) The Mission Is Possible Growing in Leaps and Bounds (theme song) Session 12: Jericho (Thanksgiving) Mondo is back with The Untold Story of Canaan, Act II. His one-man performance is sure to be fun, but will it be the truth? Session 13: Choose God Ernie is thinking about all the choices we have to make every day. He runs into Mrs. Finnanfeathers, who talks about little choices and big choices. She tells Ernie about the big choice Joshua made. Fall 2012 Unit 3 GrowProclaimServe.com 85

86 Supplies The Basics scissors markers (water color and permanent) crayons glue sticks construction paper colored copy paper stapler, staples paper punch tape (clear, masking) yarn pencils recycled newspaper plastic drinking straws lunch-sized paper bags posterboard scissors plastic beads chenille stems (a variety of colors) wooden craft sticks resealable plastic bags newsprint ribbon (variety of widths) cotton balls cotton swabs paper plates (variety of sizes and weights) Beyond the Basics Session 10 linen fabric red yarn bean bag or stuffed animal clear vinyl carpet runner clear adhesive paper Session 11 condensed soup can paper grocery bags rock stone clay shoe box wooden dowels blue fabric Session 12 whistle or bell large paper grocery bags recycled plastic water bottles colored electrical tape utlity knife tree branches 8 ounce paper cups Session 13 clear adhesive paper heavy duty aluminum foil cardboard sheets permanent markers primary pencils Tips All Sessions If you do not have access to a computer and printer, use the Songbook with the words to the songs for this quarter in the Bible Story Pak. Session 11 Recipe for Stone Clay 1 cup coffee grounds (used) 1 cup flour 1 cup salt 1 cup water Mix the coffee grounds, flour, and salt together. Add water a little at a time. If the dough is sticky, add more flour. Air dry or bake in 200 degree oven for 45 minutes. Session 12 If you do not have a single tree branch that will work for the Thanksgiving Tree, put several together, taping them with masking tape along the bottom edge. Reproducibles for Unit 3 These begin on page Fall 2012 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

87 Spies in Canaan Bible Verse We will serve the LORD our God and will obey him. (Joshua 24:24) Session 10 November 4 Bible Story Joshua 2:1-24 Leap of Faith I can choose to serve and obey God. Before You Begin Adults who read this Bible story from the Scriptures will probably begin by judging Rahab (our heroine for today) by her profession. Rahab is a prostitute and a Canaanite, so she can t possibly be a good person. This attitude begins from our modern day assumption that Rahab was able to choose her profession rather than having it foisted upon her by circumstances. In Bible times frequently a daughter was forced into prostitution as a way of providing for her family when it was deep in debt. There were no other alternatives for a woman in that culture. Obviously, Rahab s family was important to her. In our story for today, Rahab proved herself a true believer. She risked her life for the two men from Joshua s army who had come to her city to spy on them. Rahab truly believed (along with many others in the city) that the God of Israel was indeed all powerful and had given the land to the people who were camped outside the city. She acted on this belief by protecting the spies and misdirecting the soldiers who were searching for them. She, like other people included in this unit, chose God, freely. To be faithful to God is to both believe and do. In the story we tell the children, we do not introduce the concept of Rahab s profession. It is enough to say that she is a citizen of Jericho, lives in a house that is part of the wall around the city. Rahab recognized the power of the God of the Israelites and risked her life to save the men who came to the city. The men in turn promised that when the time came, they would save her and her family. It was a beneficial trade for both sets of people. If the subject comes up, deal with it briefly and with little fanfare. You ll be surprised how little attention it will create. Most children will be too embarrassed to ask many questions. Point out to the children that Rahab chose God. She was not a part of the people who had been freed from Egypt, but she believed. Your children are called to choose God as well. They have to choose God over and over every day of their life. We tell them the stories of God s people hoping that they will open their hearts to faith and choose to believe and live as God directs. Requires preparation. Fall 2012 Session 10 GrowProclaimServe.com 87

88 Grow Together Choose one or more of the following activities to do as the children arrive. Welcome the Children Supplies: Resource Pak pp. 2, 23; Stickers; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; offering basket, scissors, red yarn Play The Mission Is Possible (Track #3) and I Think of God (Track #5) as the children come into the room. Greet the children individually as they arrive. Show the children where to place their offerings. Give each child the attendance sticker for today. Tie a 6-inch piece of red yarn to the wrist of each of the children. Don t tell them what the yarn is for yet. Fun Pak Fun Supplies: Fun Pak p. 23, scissors, resealable plastic bag (for game pieces) Have the children create the game and divide into pairs to play. Ask: Did you know that there were spies or secret agents in the Bible? Did you know that the ones in our story today almost got caught? Look for the Red Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 3, linen fabric (optional) Say: Our main character in the Bible story for today is a woman whose name is Rahab. She has a house in the thick outside wall that surrounds the city of Jericho. She is a weaver and dyer. She uses flax to make thread which makes linen fabric. (Pass around the fabric swatch to let the children feel it and see the weave.) Red is a very important color in the story. So, let s look for the red. Conversation starters as the children work: What s your favorite color? Do you wear it a lot? When you see the color red, what do you think? Look at this piece of fabric. Can see the threads that run through it? This was not made by hand but by machine. In Bible times fabric was made by hand. Do you think it took a long time? Sneaky, Sneaky Supplies: bean bag or stuffed animal, masking tape Select one child to be IT. Have the remaining children stand across the room behind a masking tape line. The object of the game is for one child to sneak up and take the bean bag or stuffed animal without being caught moving. 88 November 4 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

89 I t will stand with his/her back to the children. The children will try to sneak up on IT. If IT turns around and catches someone moving, that child must go back to the start (or to jail). Give several children a chance to be IT. Say: In today s story, Joshua, who is now in charge of God s people, sends spies into Jericho to sneak into the city and scout things out. Conversation Time Supplies: Resource Pak p. 4, tape, scissors, glue sticks, crayons or markers, art supplies for decorating Identify each child that has a birthday this week and make sure you have a cupcake and birthday gram for them. Bring the children together. They can sit around a table or on the floor. Give them a chance to briefly share any news of the week. Celebrate birthdays that have occurred or will occur in the coming week. Let the children who have had birthdays or will have birthdays decorate a cupcake to add to the display. Before they leave give them the birthday greeting. Say: Up until now we have been talking about are God s people who came from Egypt, crossed the sea, survived in the wilderness, and are anxious to go to the land God promised. Today we meet a person who chooses to be one of God s people even though her people are about to be conquered. Pray: God, thank you for these boys and girls. We are so glad they are here today. At school, at home, at church, in the world, these boys and girls stand up for their faith and choose you above everything. Amen. Proclaim the Word Visit Leaper s Pointe Supplies: DVD, DVD player The DVD is an optional resource. It can be used in place of the storytelling section of this session plan or in addition to. The DVD also contains music videos for the children to sing and dance to. Place the DVD in the player. Locate Session 9. Invite the children to sit down where they can easily see the screen. Say: Our Bible story is an exciting story of spies and soldiers and an unlikely person who comes to the rescue. Mondo Solo is going to tell the story, but something tells me he s not going to get it right as usual. Let s listen to see what colossal mistakes he makes. Fall 2012 Session 10 GrowProclaimServe.com 89

90 Interact with the Story Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 1 Select children to act out the story as you read it. You will need: Rahab, the two men, the king, and the soldiers. Read the story. All About the Story Ask: Why did Joshua send spies into Jericho? (to find out how many soldiers they had) Who discovered that they were there? (the king) What did the king decide to do? (Look for them and arrest them) How did Rahab help them? (She hid them under a pile of flax and misdirected the soldiers) Why did she do this? (She knew that God was truly powerful and that the land belonged to God s people.) What did she ask the spies to do? (When the city fell, the men were to come to save her and her family.) When the spies returned to Joshua, what did they report? (The people were afraid of God s army and would not fight back.) Do you think the spies will keep their promise? Say: Rahab was not one of God s people, but she chose God. She had seen what God could do. She had heard all that God had done. She knew that God was more powerful than anything or anyone. She wanted to be on God s side. I Spy a Bible Verse Supplies: Reproducible 10a, newsprint, felt tip marker, scissors Photocopy the Bible verse words two times. Cut the words apart and place them in two stacks. Write the Bible verse for this unit on a piece of newsprint. Write large enough that the words are visible to children sitting on the floor. Read the verse together so that the children are familiar with all the words. Divide the children into two teams. The teams will select a child to be the spy on each turn. Make sure all the children get a chance. The spy will try to identify one of the words to the Bible verse without saying the word. For example, I spy a word that begins with the letter S. Of course the word will be serve. Or the spy might say I spy a word that has double letters. This word will be one of the will. Each team will have one clue per round. If the word isn t guessed, the turn passes to the next team. When a team has collected all the words, the game is over. TIP You may give the children some possible clue hints such as: the word rhymes with, or begins with a capital letter. (There are three of those, however.) It will take great finess for the children to key in on a single word. Bible Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 4 The boys and girls will look up the verse and connect the words in order as they go down the wall of Jericho. Conversation starters: What is the advantage of having a wall around your city? Do you think the spies were afraid? 90 November 4 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

91 Serve in Love Kid Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 2 Say: Rahab only knew about God from what she had heard that God did. She probably heard about the parting of the sea. She probably had heard about the plagues that came to Egypt. Maybe she heard about how God provided food and water for the people in the wilderness. Ask: Do you think Rahab was brave in doing what she did? Why or why not? Say: Rahab could have gotten into serious trouble if the king had found out what she did. She took a big risk in standing up for the God of the Hebrew people. Look at the boys and girls pictured here. Who is standing up for God? Who is not? Why do you think people choose NOT to stand up for God? We Stand for God Welcome Mat Supplies: Reproducible 10b, clear vinyl gripper back carpet runner (27 inches wide), colored paper, pencils, scissors, clear adhesive paper Cut clear vinyl carpet runner as long as you need for your group. Cut adhesive paper slightly longer than the runner. Divide the children into pairs. One child will stand on a piece of colored paper while the second child will trace around his or her shoe. Repeat. Glue the statement: We Stand for God to the center of the runner. Have the children glue their footprints to the runner. Remove the backing from the adhesive paper and cover the top of the runner. Smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles. Place the mat at the doorway of your room to welcome the children and other visitors to your group. Option: If the carpet runner is impractical, simply cut a strip of butcher paper long enough to accommodate the footprints of your children. Worship Gather and Sing Supplies: Resource Pak p. 20; Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape TIP If you do not have access to a computer and printer, use the songbook included in the Bible Story Pak. Remove the story pictures from the Unit 3 Bible Verse Poster. Display the Bible verse poster in the worship area. Mount it on posterboard to provide more display space. Play The Mission Is Possible (Track #3) as a signal for the children to come to the worship area. Then sing the song together. If you have the DVD, invite the children to imitate the movements of the kids on the screen. Fall 2012 Session 10 GrowProclaimServe.com 91

92 Say: Today two men went under cover into Jericho. Their job was to spy on the people of that city. They almost got caught and would have had it not been for Rahab. She was not one of God s people, but she had heard all that God had done and she chose God. The red cord on your wrist will remind you of Rahab and how at great risk, she chose God. Praise and Respond Supplies: Journey Map and Cards (See p. 12); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD- ROM; CD player or computer, tape Invite all the children to read the Bible verse for the unit. Spread out the pictures and let a child select the one that represents today s Bible story. Add it to the poster. Use the Journey Map to locate Jericho from today s story. Hand out the cards for session 10. (escaping from Jericho, walled city of Jericho) Let the children read the information. Then attach the cards to the map. Ask: Who served God in today s story? (Rahab served God by protecting the men who had come to Jericho.) How can you serve God in the coming week? (Invite the children to share.) Say: One of the ways we can serve God in the next week is to pray for others. Our new song for this month talks about how we should think of God in all kinds of situations. Play I Think About God (Track #5) all the way through. Let the children follow along with the words. Talk about all the different things they think about when they pray. Sing the song together. Pray: Dear God, Joshua chose to serve you and obey you as he became the new leader of God s people. Rahab chose to serve you and obey you when she protected the men who came to Jericho. We choose to serve you and obey you every day by what we say and do. Amen. TIP If you are using the DVD, repeat the signing of the Bible verse together during this section. Plan for Next Week Make Stone-Clay Stones (p. 94): Make a recipe of stone clay (See p. 94). Interact with the Story (p. 96): Make two copies of Reproducible 11a. Assemble as directed. Cross the River (p. 96): Photocopy Reproducible 11b. Cut apart. 92 November 4 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

93 Crossing the Jordan Bible Verse We will serve the LORD our God and will obey him. (Joshua 24:24) Session 11 November 11 Bible Story Joshua 3:1-17; 4:1-24 Leap of Faith I can choose to serve and obey God. Before You Begin The time had come for God s people to take their place in the Promised Land. However, there were already people living there, people who did not welcome the Israelites and did not want to share their already scarce resources. The passages include in today s Bible story mark the beginning of the conquest of the land of Canaan. This invasion was precipitated by the event in today s story the crossing of the Jordan River by the priests carrying the sacred chest. Joshua accepted the mantle of leadership and responded with immediate action prompted by God. The first obstacle was a body of water the Jordan River at flood stage. (Hmmm, does this sound familiar?) When God caused the waters of the river to roll back to allow the people to pass, it was obvious that God was with Joshua just as God had been with Moses. Also in this story, we are reminded of the importance of passing on the story. Twelve men, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, retrieved twelve stones from the center of the river and stacked them as a memorial to the event. It was not a monument to Joshua and his accomplishments, but a reminder to future generations of what God had done that day and the days past. Middle elementary boys and girls enjoy hearing stories about people they know and things they did in the past. Certain family stories are requested over and over and over again. Family albums provide countless hours of entertainment. Share your faith stories with the children. Encourage them to share their stories. The church has a treasure trove of stories. Find them out and tell them, over and over, and over again. God is at work in the world today. We, as Christians, choose to serve and obey God in all that we do. Requires preparation. Fall 2012 Session 11 GrowProclaimServe.com 93

94 Grow Together Choose one or more of the following activities to do as the children arrive. Welcome the Children Supplies: Resource Pak pp. 2, 23; Stickers; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; offering basket, 12 paper bags, recycled newspaper, tape Play The Mission Is Possible (Track #3) and I Think About God (Track #5) as the children come into the room. Greet the children individually as they arrive. Show the children where to place their offerings. Give each child the attendance sticker for today. Give each child a paper bag and have them stuff it with recycled newspaper. Tape it closed. You will need twelve bags. These will be the twelve stones in today s Bible story. Fun Pak Fun Supplies: Fun Pak p. 25; scissors; clean, recycled, condensed soup cans; plastic drinking straws; glue sticks or tape; rock Have the children cover the can with the stone paper. The stones have names written on them from the stories the children have been learning. Ask: (hold up the rock) What can you use a rock for? Did you know that in Bible times stones were used for all kinds of things? Say: In today s story, stones will help God s people remember. What Comes in 12 s? Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 3, art supplies and other objects in the room for counting Say: Twelve is a very important number in today s story. We have twelve stones and there is a reason for that. Invite the children to identify other things that come in twelves. Children who finish can gather together twelve of different items. Let them decide what in the room would there be at least twelve of. Make Stone-Clay Stones Supplies: used coffee grounds, flour, salt, water, mixing bowl, spoon, waxed paper, baking sheet, oven Prepare a recipe of the stone clay. Give each child a small amount of the stone clay. Have them shape the clay into a rock shape. Place the rocks on small pieces of waxed paper. (Have the children write their Recipe for Stone Clay 1 cup coffee grounds (used) 1 cup flour 1 cup salt 1 cup water Mix together. If the dough is sticky, add more flour. Air dry or bake in 200 degree oven for 45 minutes. 94 November 11 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

95 names on the waxed paper so they can distinguish their rock from the rest.) Place the rocks on a cookie sheet. Allow them to air dry or bake according to the directions. (You can microwave on high using short 10 second bursts until the clay is hard.) Say: These will be our special rocks. We ll take them home at the end of the unit to remember the stories of Moses and Joshua and all that God has done. Conversation Time Supplies: Resource Pak p. 4, tape, scissors, glue sticks, crayons or markers, art supplies for decorating Identify each child that has a birthday this week and make sure you have a cupcake and birthday gram for them. Bring the children together. They can sit around a table or on the floor. Give them a chance to briefly share any news of the week. Celebrate birthdays that have occurred or will occur in the coming week. Let the children who have had birthdays or will have birthdays decorate a cupcake to add to the display. Before they leave give them the birthday greeting. Ask: Have you ever been asked to do a job and you wondered if you really could do it? How did you feel? Did you need to be reassured in some way that you could do it? Say: That s what our story is about today. Pray: God, thank you for these boys and girls. You have so much you want us to do. Sometimes we feel that the job is bigger than we are. Show us the way. Show us that we can do your work in the world. Amen. Proclaim the Word Visit Leaper s Pointe Supplies: DVD, DVD player Use the DVD in place of the storytelling section of this session plan or in addition to it. The DVD also contains music videos for the children to sing and dance to. Place the DVD in the player. Locate Session 11. Invite the children to sit down where they can easily see the screen. Say: Rocks. Our Bible story for today is about rocks. One thing you don t want is rocks in a garden. While Gabby and Merrilee are removing rocks from the garden, our friends Harley and Farley have made an important discovery more rocks. But these rocks have letters on them, so they must be special. Let s find out what s going on today. Fall 2012 Session 11 GrowProclaimServe.com 95

96 After your visit to Leaper s Pointe, play the song The Mission Is Possible with the kids on the DVD. Read through the words together. Then invite the kids to imitate the motions on the screen. Interact with the Story Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 1, Reproducible 11a, blue fabric, paper bag stones (made earlier), small box, tape, scissors, two wooden dowels, construction paper Photocopy the picture of the sacred chest two times. Cut out and tape to the sides of a small box. Attach a wooden dowel to each side of the box by taping a strip of construction paper over each end of the dowel as shown here. Lay the fabric on the floor representing the river and the stones you made earlier as props. Place the stones in the river. Assign parts and read the story. All About the Story Ask: What important event was about to happen? (God s people were about to enter the land God promised.) When they formed a line, who was at the beginning? (The priests with the sacred chest.) Why do you think this was? (The sacred chest represented God s presence with the people. God would be going in front of them.) What stood in their way? (The Jordan River) What happened when the priests stepped into the water? (The water rolled back and there was dry land to walk across.) What does this remind you of? (God parting the sea for the people.) When everyone had crossed, what did Joshua tell the people to do? (Each tribe should get a large stone from the center of the river and build a monument.) What was this monument for? (to remind the people of what God had done) Say: The people were reassured. God was with Moses. Now God was with Joshua. Cross the River Supplies: Reproducible 11b, blue fabric, twelve stones (paper bags made earlier), tape, scissors, basket or bowl Photocopy the word strips and the how to carry directions. Cut them apart. Tape one word to each of the twelve paper bag stones. Place the stones in the center of the blue fabric. Cut apart the how to carry directions and place them in a basket or bowl. Place the stones in the center of the river. Have the children line up one behind the other. Each child will draw a direction from the bowl or basket. At a signal, one at a time the children will go to the river, pick up a rock and carry it back to the group in the way that the piece of paper designates. The next player cannot go forward until the prior player has returned with her or his rock. Once all the rocks have been retrieved, the children work together to put the Bible verse in order. TIP If you have a large group, divide the children into teams. You will need to have color coded rocks so that a team knows which rocks to retrieve and bring back to shore. 96 November 11 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

97 From the Story Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 4 The boys and girls will use the code to fill in the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Conversation starters: Why do you think the people were divided into tribes? How would this help once the people came to their new land? Serve in Love Kid Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 2, pictures of historical places within your area or more famous ones such as Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial Ask: What special holiday are we going to celebrate in about two weeks? (Thanksgiving Day) What special things do we do on Thanksgiving Day? (parades, special meals, plays or dramas re-enacting the pilgrims first thanksgiving) Why do we do this? (to remember the settlement of our country and how the pilgrims were grateful to help from the Native Americans that made it possible for them to survive in the new country) Say: We have special days all throughout the year to remember. (Invite the children to think of those days New Year s Day, Valentine s Day, Easter, St. Patrick s Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Columbus Day.) We also have built buildings that help us remember. (Show pictures of those memorials that you know of.) We do some of the same things in our church to remember. Have the children look at the pictures and determine what these objects or activities help us remember. Ask: How does remembering these people or events help us to love and serve God? (When we remember these things, we are more likely to understand why they are important and what God wants us to do.) We Remember Supplies: lunch-sized brown paper bags, recycled newspaper, masking tape, crayons or felt-tip markers Give each child one lunch-sized paper bag. Have them draw a picture on the outside of the bag of something special from church that they would like to remember. It can be a special celebration or event. It can be a person. Stuff the bags with recycled newspaper and tape closed. Squash and shape the bags so that they resemble stones. You will use these in the worship time. Fall 2012 Session 11 GrowProclaimServe.com 97

98 Worship Gather and Sing Supplies: Unit 3 Bible Verse Poster and Cards (See p. 91); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Play The Mission Is Possible as a signal to come to the worship area. Say: Today God s people began the next phase of their great adventure. They are on a mission from God. They are going to the land that God promised to them. They have crossed the Jordan River. (Locate the Jordan River on the Journey Map.) And they know that God is with them. Have the children imitate the motions on the DVD or sing the song using the CD-ROM and songbook. Invite all the children to read the Bible verse for the unit. Spread out the pictures and let a child select the one that represents today s Bible story. Add it to the poster. Praise and Respond Supplies: Journey Map and Cards (See p. 12); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD- ROM; CD player or computer; tape Ask: Who served God in today s story? (Joshua and the people) What did Joshua tell the people to build? (a memorial made from stones of the river) Why? (so the children would remember what happened that day) Invite the children to place the stones they created into a memorial and tell what their stone helps them remember. Say: Today we not only choose to serve and obey God, but we remember what God has already done for us. Sing I Think About God (Track #5) together. Pray: Dear God, Joshua chose to serve you and obey you as he became the new leader of God s people. Rahab chose to serve you and obey you when she protected the men who came to Jericho. God s people chose to serve you and obey you as they crossed the Jordan River. We choose to serve you and obey you every day by what we say and do. Help us to remember that. Amen. Plan for Next Week Make a Bottle Trumpet (p. 101): Photocopy Reproducible 12a. Prepare the bottles as directed. A Thanksgiving Blessing Tree (p. 103): Photocopy Reproducible 12c. 98 November 11 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

99 Jericho Bible Verse We will serve the LORD our God and will obey him. (Joshua 24:24) Session 12 November 18 Bible Story Joshua 6:1-27 Leap of Faith I can choose to love and serve God. Before You Begin The occupation of the Promised Land was a struggle from the very beginning. The first sizable city the Israelites encountered was the city of Jericho. Jericho was a walled city that stood strategically at the entrance to Canaan just across the Jordan River. For the Israelites to progress any farther meant that the city had to be defeated, decisively. As most children have heard at some time in their Sunday school life, the defeat of the city was one that went down in history. Songs were written and stories told. Obviously it was not a traditional battle in all senses, but an example once again of God s unimaginable power. Nothing short of God could have brought down those thick walls that surrounded the city. Even the people inside (Rahab for example) had already heard the rumors and had recognized the power of God. The opening salvo was dramatic. It was decisive. It was earth-shaking. It was a little weird. But it proved once again to the people that God was with Joshua just as God had been with Moses. There was no doubt now. Children might hear this story and marvel at the power of God. But they might also wonder why God who can do such amazing things would have the slightest interest in the struggles of their every day lives. But that is simply wrong. God loves us and cares about us, even the minutiae that fills our daily lives. Not only is God the architect of the universe, the partner of the sea, the provider of manna, and the one who brings down stone walls, but God is also the one who listens to small prayers, weeps with us when we are sad, and encourages us when we are discouraged. God is there to help us deal with all the events of our lives. What are we asked in return: Choose to serve and obey God. Where do we start? With the Ten Commandments of course. Requires preparation. Fall 2012 Session 12 GrowProclaimServe.com 99

100 Grow Together Choose one or more of the following activities to do as the children arrive. Welcome the Children Supplies: Resource Pak pp. 2, 23; Stickers; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; offering basket Greet the children as they come into the room. Show the children where to place their offerings. Give each child the attendance sticker for today. Play The Mission Is Possible (Track #3) and I Think About God (Track #5) on the CD (or DVD if you are using the video) as the children come into the room. Fun Pak Fun Supplies: Fun Pak p. 27, scissors, glue sticks, brown and tan construction paper, pencil. Ask: What special day is coming up this week? What are some of the special things we do to celebrate this day? Say: Today s Bible story is about a special event in the life of God s people. I m certain that they gave thanks for this great victory for many, many years. Conversation starters: What are some of the things you are thankful for? Sounds Good to Me Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 3, whistle, bell, any other object that makes a noise Play the variety of noisemakers that you brought. Say: Our world is filled with noise some loud, some soft, some pleasant, some not so pleasant. But in today s Bible story a group of special sounds makes all the difference in a strategic battle plan. Have the children look at the picture and identify all the different things that make noise. Stones for the Wall Supplies: grocery bags, recycled newspaper, masking tape Have the children work together to stuff the bags with the newspaper. Tape. Stack the stones to make a wall around the storytelling area. Say: In today s story, a wall comes down...not in the usual fashion, however. 100 November 18 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

101 Make a Bottle Trumpet Supplies: recycled plastic water or soda bottles, hacksaw or utility knife (adults only), colored electrical tape Using a hacksaw or utility knife, remove the bottom from each of the plastic bottles. Wrap the rough edge with tape so that the children will not get cut. Give each child a bottle and let them use the colored electrical tape to decorate it. Say: Our story today would not be complete without our trumpets. I m sure you can already guess which story we will be hearing. Conversation Time Supplies: Resource Pak p. 4, tape, scissors, glue sticks, crayons or markers, art supplies for decorating Identify each child that has a birthday this week and make sure you have a cupcake and birthday gram for them. Bring the children together. They can sit around a table or on the floor. Give them a chance to briefly share any news of the week. Celebrate birthdays that have occurred or will occur in the coming week. Let the children who have had birthdays or will have birthdays decorate a cupcake to add to the display. Before they leave give them the birthday greeting. Say: Joshua is ready. God s people are ready. God is ready. And we are ready? Today we go into the Promised Land! Pray: God, thank you for these boys and girls. We are so glad they are here today. We enjoy hearing the stories about Moses and Joshua and how you led the people to the Promised Land. The stories are exciting because we can see you at work helping the people. Help us to remember that you are in charge of everything. Amen. Proclaim the Word Visit Leaper s Point Supplies: DVD, DVD player The DVD is an optional resource. It can be used in place of the storytelling section of this session plan or in addition to. The DVD also contains music videos for the children to sing and dance to. Say: It looks like Mondo is at it again. This time he s staging a theatrical production called The Untold Story of Canaan, the Sequel. The first one wasn t that good. I wonder what the sequel is going to be like. This time I hope he gets his facts straight. Fall 2012 Session 12 GrowProclaimServe.com 101

102 After your visit to Leaper s Pointe, play the song The Mission Is Possible with the kids on the DVD. Read through the words together. Then invite the kids to imitate the motions on the screen. Interact with the Bible Story Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 1, grocery bag stones This story is all about the movements. Have the children construct the wall around the storytelling area using the bag stones. Read the story. Do the marching and blow the trumpets. Make a joyful noise. Have the children come back to the storytelling area and sit down. All About the Story Ask: How did Joshua know what to do to defeat the city of Jericho? (the leader of God s heavenly army) What did the people do first? (quietly march around the city wall one time for six days) Who led the way? (the priests carrying the sacred chest) What did the people do on the seventh day? (marched around the city seven times, then blew on their trumpets) What happened? (the wall fell down; God s people were victorious) What did Joshua remember to do? (rescue Rahab and her family) Say: Once again we see when God s people choose to serve and obey God, wonderful things happened. Seven Times the Fun Supplies: CD-ROM Have the children form a circle (if there s room). Play The Mission Is Possible. The children will move in a circle. When the music stops (do this frequently), the children will do a certain movement seven times. [Select the movement before each round.] Bible Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 4, Stickers TIP If you don t have the space to create a wall of bags, use what you do have plastic blocks, small wooden blocks, etc. TIP Some possible movements could be: stomp seven times, clap seven times, hop seven times, turn around seven times, or snap seven times. On the seventh time, the children will shout the Bible verse. The boys and girls will complete the review activity using the Bible and stickers to fill in the pictures on the journey. If your children are not confident Bible users, let the children work in pairs. Serve in Love Kid Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 2, Reproducible 12a and 12b, scissors, masking tape 102 November 18 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

103 Make one copy of the four ways of knowing what God wants us to do. Cut them apart. Cut apart the situation cards and place them in a basket or bag. Ask: How did Moses know what God wanted him to do? (God spoke to him through a burning bush. God spoke to him on the top of Mount Sinai.) How did Joshua know what God wanted him to do? (God spoke to him through a heavenly messenger.) How do we know what God wants us to do? Talk about the four main ways we have of knowing what God wants us to do Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience. Place the four words in different areas of the room. Read each of the situation cards. In each case the children will decide which way could be used to decide what God wants the person to do and move to that part of the room. A Thanksgiving Blessing Tree Supplies: Reproducible 12c, shapely tree branch, construction paper (fall colors), scissors, markers, paper punch, 8-ounce paper cup or soup can, recycled newspaper Say: All the time when God s people were traveling in the wilderness, they learned to trust and obey God. Today Joshua learned that when he trusted God and obeyed God s commands, he was blessed with a great victory. During Thanksgiving we spend time giving thanks for all of our blessings. We remember that when we serve and obey God, we too will be blessed. Have the children decorate the cup or can. Stand the tree branch (or branches) upright in the cup and stuff it with recycled newspaper so that it will stand upright. Use the leaf pattern to cut four to six leaves from construction paper. Have the children write on the leaves ways they can serve and obey God in the coming week. Cut yarn into 6-inch pieces. Punch a hole at the top of each leaf. Attach the yarn to the leaves and the leaves to the branches as shown in the directions. TIP If you do not have one tree branch, select several smaller ones and tape them together securely with masking tape. Worship Gather and Sing Supplies: Unit 3 Bible Verse Poster and Cards (See p. 91); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Locate The Mission Is Possible on the DVD or CD ROM (Track #3). Play the song as an invitation for the children to come to the worship area. Say: Wow! What a story! God s people defeated the city of Jericho with trumpet sounds and a loud shout. Once again God performed a miracle. What Fall 2012 Session 12 GrowProclaimServe.com 103

104 Rahab had told the three spies was correct. God had indeed given the land to God s people. Let s celebrate! Have the children march around the worship center blowing and making trumpet sounds with their bottle trumpets. When you ve marched around seven times, on the seventh time, blow the trumpets and have the children fall to the ground. Have the children sing the song together. If you have access to the DVD, let the children imitate the dance moves on the video. Invite all the children to read the Bible verse for the unit. Let a child select the story picture that represents today s Bible story. Add it to the poster. Praise and Respond Supplies: Journey Map and Cards (See p. 12); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD- ROM; CD player or computer; tape Use the Journey Map to locate Jericho. Hand out the cards for session 12. (ram s horn trumpet, traveling with the sacred chest) Let the children read the information. Then attach the cards to the edge of the map. Say: Before we leave today, I want us to shout-out seven thankful thoughts to carry with us during the coming week. As the children contribute, write them on a piece of newsprint or posterboard. Use the seven thoughts as a closing litany. Shout them out. Then after each one, have the children sign, Thank you, God. Sing I Think About God (Track #5) together. Pray: Dear God, we thank you for the care you showed to your people as they escaped from Egypt and as they are learning lived a new life in the wilderness. We thank you for Joshua, who became a great leader of your people. We thank you for your loyal love that has lasted for many, many years and will last for many years to come. Help us to serve and obey you always. Amen. Thank You Plan for Next Week Make a Choice (p. 106): Photocopy Reproducibles 13a and 13b. Set up the stations as indicated on each of the activities. Provide all the necessary supplies. Choose God Hanging (p. 109): Photocopy Reproducible 13c. Cut cardboard into 8-by-10 sheets. 104 November 18 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

105 Choose God Bible Verse We will serve the LORD our God and will obey him. (Joshua 24:24) Session 13 November 25 Bible Story Joshua 24:1-28 Leap of Faith I can choose to love and serve God. Before You Begin The Book of Joshua is a story of conquest and fulfillment for God s people. After their many years of slavery in Egypt and their many years of wandering in the wilderness, they were finally ready to enter the promised land. With the defeat of the city of Jericho the military campaign had begun. God s people, throughout their history, had a tendency to assimilate the culture in which they found themselves. Since we are dealing with cultures that were distinctly pagan, God s people leaned in that direction. They saw no problem with worshiping the gods of Canaan just to fit in and worshiping the one true God. After all, what could it hurt? But Joshua knew that the task of inhabiting the land of Canaan was not over yet and the people would need to be strong and faithful if they were going to be successful. So, Joshua called the leaders of the people to come to Shechem for a meeting. Joshua admonished them for their faithlessness and their disloyalty to God. He reminded the people of all that God had done for them since leaving their lives as slaves in Egypt. At the end of his address to the people, he told them You ve got to choose...god or the pagan gods of Canaan. There was no half way about it. Joshua also told them that in choosing to serve the Lord it must be wholehearted and sincere giving up all the other rival gods of the land. The people took it to heart and responded, We will serve the Lord our God and will obey him. The children have no concept of what it means to worship pagan gods. They are unfamiliar with the cultures and the times where this was the rule, rather than the exception. But they do understand what it means to put God first. Putting God first often means rethinking our priorities in life. Provide opportunities for the children to discuss times when they are called away from God. Be their guide and their mentor. Requires preparation. Fall 2012 Session 13 GrowProclaimServe.com 105

106 Grow Together Choose one or more of the following activities to do as the children arrive. Welcome the Children Supplies: Resource Pak pp. 2, 23; Stickers; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; offering basket Greet the children as they come into the room. Show the children where to place their offerings. Give each child the attendance sticker for today. Play The Mission Is Possible (Track #3) and I Think About God (Track #5) on the CD-ROM (or DVD if you are using the video) as the children come into the room. Fun Pak Fun Supplies: Fun Pak p. 29, 12-by-18 sheets of construction paper (Option: art foam), paper scraps (red, yellow, orange), glue sticks, clear adhesive paper, scissors, markers Say: Today we come to the end of our story about how God s people became a nation. They made a promise and we can make a promise, to put God first in our lives. Conversation starters: What does it mean to choose God? Have you ever done something that you know was NOT choosing God? Discover the Secret Word Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 3, crayons or markers Have the children use the coloring code to discover a secret word. (Choose) Make a Choice Supplies: Reproducible 13a, 13b, supplies for each station Photocopy the coloring sheet and the directions for the other choice stations. Set up the stations as indicated on each of the activities. Provide all the necessary supplies. As the children finish their Bible Story Pak activity, bring them together. Say: Today you can choose which activity you want to do for the next five minutes. Look at each one carefully, then choose. Once you have chosen an activity, you cannot swap activities. Children should have about one or two minutes to decide. Then have them stick with the activity for about five minutes. 106 November 25 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

107 Conversation Time Supplies: Resource Pak p. 4, tape, scissors, glue sticks, crayons or markers, art supplies for decorating Identify each child that has a birthday this week and make sure you have a cupcake and birthday gram for them. Bring the children together. They can sit around a table or on the floor. Give them a chance to briefly share any news of the week. Celebrate birthdays that have occurred or will occur in the coming week. Let the children who have had birthdays or will have birthdays decorate their cupcake to add to the display. Before they leave give them the birthday greeting. Ask: How did it feel to choose your beginning activity today? Did you make the right choice? Would you have rather chosen something else? Have you ever chosen something and then wish you had chosen something else instead? Say: Today s Bible story is about choosing choosing the right thing, choosing God. Pray: God, thank you for these boys and girls. We are so glad they are here today. We enjoy hearing the stories about Moses and Joshua and how you led the people to the Promised Land. The stories are exciting because we can learn from them and know what you want us to do. Help us remember all you have done for us and give you thanks. Amen. TIP Continue to use this birthday display for the rest of the year or begin a new display beginning in December. Proclaim the Word Visit Leaper s Point Supplies: DVD, DVD player The DVD is an optional resource. It can be used in place of the storytelling section of this session plan or in addition. The DVD also contains music videos for the children to sing and dance to. Say: When we drop into Leaper s Pointe, Ernie the intern is taking orders for lunch. It s amazing just how many choices you have to make just to order a sandwich. Those are easy choices compared to some choices. There s someone else in town who made a choice too. Let s see who it is. After your visit to Leaper s Point, play the song The Mission Is Possible with the kids on the DVD. Invite them to dance along. Interact with the Bible Story Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 1 This story is a drama. Assign the parts and let the children act out the story. Fall 2012 Session 13 GrowProclaimServe.com 107

108 All About the Story Ask: Why did Joshua call the people to come together? (to remind the people of God s power and of all that God had done for them) What did Joshua tell the people they had to do? (chose to put God first in their lives, choose to serve and obey God) After the people chose God, what did Joshua tell them they had to do then? (focus their heart on God) Say: Once again the people were called to choose God. Now that they were in the land that God had promised them, they had to commit their lives to God. Would You Rather... Have the children stand in the center of the room. Say: I am going to give you a choice of different things. Some will be easy. Some will be harder. You will move to my right side or my left side depending on the choice you make. Let s start with an easy one: cake (right) or ice cream (left) dog (right) or cat (left) broccoli (right) or brussel sprouts (left) football (right) or basketball (left) reading a book (right) or playing a computer game (left) walking on the moon (right) or walking on a cloud (left) flying like a bird (right) or hopping like a kangaroo (left) going to the fair (right) or going to a movie (left) making a gift for someone (right) or buying a gift for someone (left) Add others that might appeal to your children. Bible Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 4 The boys and girls will complete the acrostic using words that begin with the first letters of serve and obey. Do some of the letters together as a group or let the children work in pairs. When the children have finished, let them share some of their words. Serve in Love Kid Connection Supplies: Bible Story Pak p. 2 Ask: What does it mean to choose God? (Let the boys and girls interpret this for their own lives.) Say: Let s look at these boys and girls pictured here and read what is happening. Then you decide if that person is choosing God or not. How do we know what God wants us to do? 108 November 25 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

109 Talk about each of the pictures and let the children give reasons for their response to each one. Choose God Hanging Supplies: Reproducible 13c, heavy-duty aluminum foil, cardboard sheets, scissors, masking tape, soft lead pencils, permanent felt-tip markers, paper punch, yarn or ribbon Photocopy Reproducible 13c for each child. Cut cardboard into 8-by-10 sheets. Say: In today s Bible story Joshua tells the people they have to choose. If they choose God, then they need to love and serve God with all their heart. They need to put God first in all that they do. We are going to make a banner to take home to remind us to choose God every day. Cover the cardboard with heavy-duty aluminum foil (shiny side out). Tape on the backside with masking tape. Cut out the banner design I Choose God on the dark lines. Place the design over the aluminum foil rectangle. Place loops of masking tape on the back of the four corners to hold it in place as the children work. With a dull soft-lead pencil carefully trace the design. All the lines and dots should be traced. Remove the pattern. The design should be transferred to the aluminum foil on the cardboard. Color the design using permanent felt-tip markers. Outline any large spaces with a fine-point permanent marker if you choose. Punch two holes at the top and attach yarn or ribbon for hanging. TIP Watercolor markers will not work well on the aluminum foil surface. Worship Gather and Sing Supplies: Unit 3 Bible Verse Poster and Cards (See p. 91); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD-ROM or DVD; CD player, computer, or DVD player; tape Locate The Mission Is Possible on the DVD or CD-ROM (Track #3). Play the song as an invitation for the children to come to the worship area. Say: We ve come to the end of our story, but not really! There s a whole lot of Bible left to tell us about what happened to God s people before Jesus was born. But we ll save that for another time. Hand out the songbooks if the children still need them. Have the children sing the song together. If you have access to the DVD, let the children imitate the dance moves on the video. Fall 2012 Session 13 GrowProclaimServe.com 109

110 Invite all the children to read the Bible verse for the unit. Spread out the pictures and let a child select the one that represents today s Bible story. Add it to the poster. Praise and Respond Supplies: Journey Map and Cards (See p. 12); Bible Story Pak Songbook; CD- ROM; CD player or computer; tape Use the Journey Map to locate Canaan. Hand out the cards for session 13. (map of the twelve tribes, pomegranate and wheat stalks) Let the children read the information. Then attach them to the edge of the map. Review the story of God s people as you trace the journey from Egypt to Canaan. Recall the different places where God acted and helped the people overcome their various obstacles. Say: Every day we have choices to make. We choose which clothes to wear and what foods to eat. We choose whether to smile or be grouchy. We choose to be friendly or not so friendly. We choose to be obedient or disobedient. God lets us choose. It is up to us to choose God and choose to do what God wants us to do. Ask: What are some things we can do to show in the coming week that we have chosen God. Locate I Think About God (Track #5) on the CD ROM. Locate the song in the songbook and sing it together. Pray: Dear God, you are so powerful. We have heard the stories about how you freed your people from slavery in Egypt. We heard how you parted the sea to let them escape from the pharaoh s soldiers. We heard how you provided food and water for them in the wilderness. Then when you brought them to the edge of the land you promised, you helped Joshua defeat the Canaanites at Jericho. We know all the wonderful things you can do. We choose you. Amen. TIP If you used the DVD, repeat the signing of the Bible verse together during this section. Plan for Next Week This is the end of the fall quarter. If you have received your materials for winter, scan the first session and make preparations. Please take time to fill out the survey on page 125 and send it in. Your comments will help us make a better resource for you and your kids. 110 November 25 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

111 Reproducible 10a We will serve the Lord our God and will obey him. Joshua 24:24 Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 GrowProclaimServe.com 111

112 Reproducible 10b We Stand for God Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 112 Fall 2012 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

113 Reproducible 11a Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 GrowProclaimServe.com 113

114 Reproducible 11b We will serve the Lord our God and will obey him. Joshua 24:24 1. Between your knees 5. Between your ankles 2. Between your elbows 6. Push with your head 3. Behind your back 7. Kick with your left foot 4. Between your knee and elbow 8. Kick with your right foot Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 114 November GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

115 Reproducible 12a Scripture Reason Tradition Experience Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 Sessions GrowProclaimServe.com 115

116 Reproducible 12b Situations 1. When my family came for Thanksgiving, we had lots of plans. My cousin wanted to sleep late on Sunday instead of going to church. I remembered one of the Ten Commandments: Remember to keep the sabbath day for God. So we went to church instead. (Scripture) 2. My family enjoys going to church together during holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving. We do it every year. (Tradition) 3. My cousins are the same age as me. I invited them to go with me to Sunday school. They went with me last summer and they had a great time. (Experience) 4. I am a character in the puppet play this Sunday. I m Joshua. I made the puppet myself and it plays the main role in the story. They can t do it without me, so I really need to be there. (Reason) 5. Our church VBS is in June. I told my parents to make sure that week is open. I want to go. We will be learning about God and about the deep ocean. I had a great time last year and learned a lot. (Experience) 7. On Sunday morning in worship, we always say the Lord s Prayer. We have done this every Sunday that I can remember. When I said my prayers the other night, I realized that I knew the Lord s Prayer by heart. It helped me feel close to God. (Tradition) 6. My friend Amy got mad at me and began spreading rumors about me. This made me angry. I was going to spread rumors about her, but then I remembered a Bible verse from Sunday school: Treat others as you want to be treated. (Scripture) 8. My favorite television program comes on tonight. Tomorrow we have a big science test. If I study hard, I ll have to miss the program. If I watch the program I won t be able to study for the test. I want to do well in school. So I guess I ll study. (Reason) Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 116 November GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

117 Reproducible 12c 1. Place the branches in the cup or can. 2. Stuff the cup or can with newspaper until the tree branch stands upright. 3. Cover the newspaper with Spanish moss or straw grass. 4. Trace the leaf pattern onto the colored paper, then cut out the leaves. 5. Punch a hole at the top of each leaf, then tie onto the branches of your tree with yarn. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 Sessions GrowProclaimServe.com 117

118 Reproducible 13a 1. Draw a picture of your favorite story about Moses or Joshua. You will need: drawing paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils 2. Use the clay to mold an object that reminds you of one of the stories you have heard about Moses or Joshua. You will need: modeling clay, plastic work mat 3. Create a code and write a message to a friend using your new code. Tell your friend something about Moses or Joshua. You will need: code base, pencils, paper A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 4. Write a song about Moses or Joshua using the melody from either Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, or The Farmer in the Dell. You will need: pencils, paper Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 118 November GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

119 Reproducible 13b 5. Use the objects in the box to build a House for God. You will need: masking tape, wooden craft sticks, cardboard tubes, construction paper, plastic drinking straws, markers 6. Pretend you are Moses or Joshua and are writing a letter to a friend. Tell your friend about one of the marvelous things that God did to help the people. You will need: stationary, pencils 7. Chose a friend. Pantomime one scene from the stories of Moses and Joshua. Let the rest of the group try to guess which story you are presenting. You will need: biblical costumes (optional) 8. Complete the acrostic. Write a word that begins with each letter in the phrase: God Keeps Promises. The words should come from the stories of Moses and Joshua. You will need: pencils or markers, paper Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 Sessions GrowProclaimServe.com 119

120 Reproducible 13c I Choose God Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 120 November GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

121 Need Help With Classroom Management? Just Make Your Sessions Routine! Are you a list maker? Do you have a grocery list, a to-do list, or even a list of all your lists? Lists are common in our adult daily lives. They give us a sense of control, help us know what to expect, help our memories, and give us satisfaction (when we can mark something off). As helpful as lists are in our adult world, we often forget that they can be helpful for children as well. Providing children with a list of what will happen in your session will give your children a sense of control over the time they spend with you, and as a result, make classroom management easier to handle. An effective way to provide this kind of list for your children is to post a routine chart where the children can easily see it. The routine chart can have the added benefit of informing parents about what is happening during your sessions. A routine chart is easy to make. Simply photocopy and cut out the activity labels provided on pages Choose the number of labels needed for your sessions schedule. Glue the labels in order on the posterboard. If you want to make the chart adaptable, use hook and loop fasteners to attach the labels rather than glue. To make the chart sturdier, laminate the labels or cover them with clear contact paper. Glue the frog pointer onto a spring-type clothespin. Place the clothespin so that the frog points to the label showing the current activity. Choose a child to reposition the clothespin as you move from activity to activity. Children in all age levels can benefit from a routine chart. The use of a routine chart for classroom management Grow Together Proclaim the Word helps create an organized teaching-learning environment helps children feel comfortable because they know what to expect helps the children understand when a favorite activity will happen within the session lets the children realize that an activity must be completed within a certain amount of time re-enforces the children s concept of sequencing helps the teacher safely move children from one part of the session to the next gives children who react strongly to changes easier transitions from one activity to the next Serve in Love Pointer Worship Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 GrowProclaimServe.com 121

122 Grow Together Pointer t Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 122 Fall 2012 GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

123 Proclaim the Word Serve in Love Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. Fall 2012 GrowProclaimServe.com 123

124 Worship 124 November GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

125 Comments From Users Middle Elementary 1. Which resources do you use? (check all that apply) Leader s Guide Student Resources (Bible Story Paks) Fun Paks Music CD-ROM / Music CD Resource Pak DVDs Publicity Items (Banner, Postcard, and so forth) 2. Which quarter did you teach? Fall Winter Spring Summer Use the following scale to rate each of the resources: 1 = NEVER 2 = SOMETIMES 3 = MOST OF THE TIME 4 = ALL THE TIME N/A = NOT APPLICABLE 10. What was your least favorite activity this quarter? 11. Tell us about one faith experience in your group this quarter. 12. Did you find enough material for the time you had available? Yes No How much time did you have? Comment: 13. Did you see spiritual growth in your kids? (in prayer, eagerness about the Bible, their relationships with one another) Yes No 14. Any other comments? 3. Leader s Guide Easy to use Used a variety of learning styles Matched my current church situation Bible story was central to the session 4. Student Pieces Activities were fun for the kids Art was appealing Appropriate for the skill level of my boys and girls Encouraged growth in Bible skills 5. Fun Paks Creative activities that the children enjoyed Clear and concise directions Related to the faith experience of the session Age-appropriate for the children 6. Resource Pak Visually appealing to the children Games were fun and easy to lead 7. Music CD-ROM / Music CD Children enjoyed singing and moving to the music Music related to the sessions 8. DVDs Children enjoyed Leaper s Pointe Children enjoyed the music and movement videos The sign language of the Bible verse was helpful 9. What was your favorite activity this quarter? 15. How many children did you have in your group? 16. How many leaders did you have in your group for each age level that you taught? 17. What is the approximate membership size of your church? Under What area is your church located? Urban Suburban Small town Rural Name: Church Name: Church Address: City: State: ZIP: Address: Phone #: Please return this form to: The Children s Team 201 8th Avenue, South, P.0. Box 801 Nashville, TN If you have additional questions or comments please contact: Curric-U-Phone: Mon-Fri 8:00 am-4:00 pm CST, or Curricuphone@Cokesbury.com. Fall 2012 Sessions GrowProclaimServe.com 125

126 A Letter to Parents Our class is working together on a mission project called El Porvenir. El Porvenir helps people in rural communities in Nicaragua to have better lives by better the condition of life by developing clean water, sanitation, reforestation, and health education that the people can keep going by themselves. El Porvenir means future. Clean drinking water means a healthier future for rural Nicaraguans. During the month of October we will be looking at how important it is to have clean water. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere. 80% of the population lives in poverty, surviving on less than $2 a day. More than two thirds of Nicaragua s rural communities lack access to clean drinking water. Globally, contaminated water is the second greatest cause of infant mortality. An estimated 1.8 million children die each year as a result of illnesses linked to consumption of polluted water. Women and girls shoulder the burden of bringing water for all the household needs, often spending several hours a day carrying 40 pound buckets for kilometers. Access to clean drinking water dramatically improves family living standards, reducing disease and child mortality, freeing girls and women s time, as well as improving school attendance and performance. Our class will be collecting money to send to El Porvenir. Please send your child s offerings to Sunday school class during October. Thank you, See pictures and learn more about El Porvenir at elporvenir.org Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only Cokesbury. 126 November GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide

127 Answers for Bible Story Pak Session 1, page 4: 1-Pharaoh, 2-slaves, 3-soldiers, 4-basket, 5-river, 6-Miriam, 7-princess, 8-reeds. Answer in colored boxes: Moses What Do You Know..a, b, a. Session 2, page 4: he got into trouble, shepherd, burning bush, his shoes, He was standing on holy ground, go back to Egypt, free God s people, No, because he was just an ordinary person. Session 3, page 3: Let my people go. Session 3, page 4: God is more powerful than anyone. Session 4, page 4: from left to right beginning at the top row: 3, 6, 2, 7, 4, 8, 5, 1. Session 5, page 4: Psalm 33:2-lyre, harp; Isaiah 27:13-trumpet; Psalm 47:5-ram s horn; Psalm 150:4-drum, dance, strings (harp), pipe; 2 Samuel 6:5-zithers, harps, tambourine, rattle, cymbal; Joshua 6:5-ram s horn. Session 9, page 2: Good leaders: patient, helpful, a good listener, concerned about people, faithful to God, fair, thinks about others, does the right thing. Session 9, page 4: I will be with you in the same way I was with Moses. I won t desert you or leave you. Session 10, page 3: red shirts-2, red pants-2, red shoes-0, red hats-1. Session 11, page 2: Jesus died for us. (cross) God gives us many things. (offering plate) God is always with us. (candle) God s Word (Bible) Jesus-cup/bread seasons of the church year (vestments) Session 11, page 3: 12 is the answer for everything. Session 11, page 4: From top to bottom, left to right: Benjamin, Simeon, Asher, Manesseh, Reuben, Dan, Zebulon, Issachar, Ephraim, Judah, Gad, Naphtali Session 12, page 4: Exodus 2:3 (baby Moses in the basket); Exodus 3:3 (burning bush); Exodus 5:2 (Moses and Pharaoh); Exodus 8:2 (frogs); Exodus 12:13 (God s people); Exodus 14:21 (parting the sea) Exodus 16:4 (picking up manna); Exodus 20:1-20 (Ten Commandments); Joshua 4:9 (stone memorial); Joshua 6:5 (ram s horn trumpet). Session 13, page 2: Emily = No Chad = Yes Jenny = Yes Elizabeth = No Jesse = No Marilee = Yes Session 13, page 3: Choose t Session 1, Page 3 t Session 5, Page 3 Fall 2012 Sessions GrowProclaimServe.com 127

128 Answers for Bible Story Pak t Session 4, Page 3 t Session 6, Page 3 t Session 7, Page 3 t Session 7, Page 4 t Session 9, Page 3 t Session 10, Page November GROW Proclaim Serve Middle Elementary Leader s Guide