Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 19 20; 31:1 2; 2 Samuel 9:1 7 (David and Jonathan s Friendship) REMEMBER VERSE

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1 date: Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 19 20; 31:1 2; 2 Samuel 9:1 7 (David and Jonathan s Friendship) REMEMBER VERSE Cheer each other up with the hope you have. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIrV) God Shows Us His Love through Others SERVICE SCHEDULE Explore:: Welcome & Engage minutes Discover & Respond:: Large Group minutes Respond & Bless:: Small Group minutes ENVIRONMENT: FAITH COMMUNITY God designed us to live in community and to experience Him in ways that can only happen in proximity to one another. The faith community serves to create an environment to equip and disciple parents, to celebrate God s faithfulness, and to bring a richness of worship through tradition and rituals, which offer children an identity. Our love for each other reflects the love we have received from God.. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.

2 Inspire Come join us for a night of vision. The words on the invitation were simple. I, along with hundreds of others, was invited to gather to celebrate what God had done through our beloved camp ministry. In addition to celebrating the previous year, we had the opportunity to share in the vision for the year to come. Sounds of dinner, music, conversation, and prayer filled the air. Nothing was as sweet as the sharing of testimonies. People from eight to 80 years of age shared their experiences. Jesus changed their lives during their time at camp. Regardless of whether they attended adult or family retreats, kids camp, or a study intensive, these people met with God and were forever changed. As I celebrated the faithfulness of God with the donors and alumni who were present, my soul was renewed. Hundreds of people made financial sacrifices so that thousands of people could experience the love of God. He used the offerings of faithful men and women to show His love to others and continue the heritage of God s faithfulness on this mountain. Not only were the lives of those who attended the camps and retreats changed because of the faith community, but those of us who gathered to celebrate were also changed. My heart couldn t help but worship God. He reminded me that the community of believers is a unique and bright spot in this world. He reminded me there is nothing so great as experiencing the love of the living God in and through the lives of others. I was celebrating the work of God through His people. Cristi Thomas TruWonder Team 2

3 Equip It was an unlikely friendship that exhibited the love of God. Jonathan was the heir to the throne; David was anointed by God to succeed King Saul. So unlikely in fact was their friendship, the writer of 1 Samuel described it as an archetypal friendship. He wanted to eliminate any future rumor of rivalry to prove beyond doubt that the man who displaced Jonathan from the throne was in fact his best friend. Jonathan showed no jealousy toward David. The men formed a lasting friendship immediately. When King Saul enlisted the members of his court to aid in the death of David, Jonathan thwarted his father s efforts. King Saul was so intent on killing him, David was left with no options. He had to leave the king s court. Saul s own children took every necessary measure to protect David from their father. The threat of treason loomed, but the family took the risk. Further Resources Wenham, Gordon J., Alec Motyer, Donald A. Carson, R. T. France, eds., New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Westmont: InterVarsity Press. Gill, John Exposition of the Old and New Testaments: Complete and Unabridged. Paris: The Baptist Standard Bearer. Remember Verse Motions Inspired by American Sign Language; demonstrated at and /aslweb/browser.htm Before parting, David made a covenant with Jonathan. A simple friendship does not need a binding agreement made before God; however, both were men of importance in Israel. In all likelihood, there would be political rivalry between the two families the house of Saul and the house of David. In many societies a situation such as this could have led to political assassinations or even the total destruction of one of the families (New Bible Commentary, 1994). David promised to show unfailing kindness to Jonathan as long as he lived, and to continue such kindness to the rest of his family. The two friends parted ways, scarcely seeing one another from that point forward. David was crowned king after he received news of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. Keeping the covenant he made with his friend, David showed the Lord s kindness and love to Jonathan s remaining family for all of his days. 3

4 Support God shows us His love through others. It is the love of God that binds us together as a faith community. And over all of those good things put on love. Love holds them all together perfectly as if they were one (Colossians 3:14 NIrV). How have you experienced the love of God through the people He has placed in your life? In what way did you respond? Why do you think God chose those particular people at that particular time? Think about the impact each had on your life. The body of Christ and how it works is a mystery and is so countercultural. When it works as God intended, we re different and unique people living in harmony, loving selflessly, and choosing a life of interdependence over independence. What binds us together is the same love that Jesus shares with His Father. Jesus prayed: I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name the name you gave me so that they may be one as we are one (John 17:11). Consider writing a note to someone God used in a significant way to demonstrate His love for you. Before sending the note, spend some time praying for the recipient. Ask God to reveal more of His love, and in so doing, may He use you to be a blessing as you have been blessed. 4

5 Lesson Overview Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare Explore:: Welcome & Engage min. Exploration stations create space intended to transition children to lead them from the external world into an environment where they can commune with God, just as they are with all that they are. Focus Station: Bull s-eye (per table) 1 x 1 piece of felt (or flannel) or 4 squares of felt in 2 different colors permanent marker scissors glue 3 ping-pong balls 9 strips of Velcro masking tape Explore bin (Optional) Station 2: My Special Friend (per table) blank paper crayons or markers chenille wire (multicolor) yarn fabric scraps child-safe scissors glue optional: wiggly eyes Discover:: Large Group min. Facilitate interactive games, songs, and storytelling, allowing children to participate in discovering God s Word. Chloe (puppet or person) Chloe s Rules videos or scripts (see Resource Tab) preschool program theme song 2 upbeat worship songs (suggestion: What Do You Know?, TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse and Hey, Jesus Loves Me, Songs from Studio K or Shout Praises! Kids 4) optional: countdown video Mail Time intro clip and image (see Resource Tab) Remember Verse image and cards (see Resource Folder) Mail Time envelope art printed and attached to a large envelope (see Resource Tab) Bibles (your personal and large children s) mailbox Wardrobe of Wonder intro clip and image (see Resource Tab) Wardrobe of Wonder Wardrobe of Wonder sound effect (see Resource Tab) optional: silly hats for prop/hat box 2 small stools or chairs (Continued) 5

6 Lesson Overview Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare Discover:: Large Group (Continued) What sit: Toy Arrow (see image in Resource Folder) The Big God Story intro clip and image (see Resource Tab) smooth stone (Storyteller place in pocket) Respond:: Large Group Respond:: Small Group min min. Create space for children to respond to the Holy Spirit in worship and community. Further process the story through discussion and interaction with others, and respond to God in worship through creative expression. title image (see Resource Tab) or worshipful video loop Response Walls heart shapes (1 per child; see Resource Folder) magnets bucket sweet instrumental worship song optional closing song: In This Life, TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse Connect: Love Will Keep Us Together (per small group) ball of yarn paper heart (6 in diameter) Create: Sharing His Love (per table/small group) 4 x 2, 2 thick foam core Sharing His Love Template (see Resource Folder) permanent marker bowl Pound-a-Pattern Pegs (see p. 15 for purchase option) or colorful golf tees chenille wires or yarn Create bin Wonder Questions Bless:: Small Group 5 min. Bless the children that they may experience God fully and be a blessing to others. Blessing/Remember Verse HomeFront Weekly 6

7 Small Group Explore:: min. SECTION Host/Small Group Leaders Exploration stations create space intended for wonder to pique children s curiosity and allow them to engage in hands-on experiences as they begin their time in worship. Focus Station The kids enjoyed the Bull s-eye game. It was relatively easy to set up and they got practice in playing and taking turns. Peninsula Covenant Church We substituted cottonswab blow darts (cotton swabs in a straw, shot at an airsoft target). This was easier and tons of fun. Voyagers Bible Church The kids loved the Bull s- Eye game. Making it out of felt worked much better. 1st Baptist Church of Hemet Invite children to participate at the Focus Station (or optional stations, if available). Explore the materials with the children and engage them in open-ended questions about their observations. This will encourage them to explore and form questions on their own throughout the lesson. Station 1: Bull s-eye David awaited a message of stay or go from Jonathan, in regards to his safety with King Saul. It took accuracy on the part of Jonathan to properly place the arrow and send the correct message. Children will have the opportunity to practice hitting a target. SUPPLIES (per table) 1 x 1 piece of felt (or flannel) or 4 squares of felt in 2 different colors permanent marker scissors glue 3 ping-pong balls 9 strips of Velcro masking tape Explore bin PREPARE AHEAD To create a simple target, draw a bull s-eye on the felt (or flannel) square with a permanent marker and cut out. Wrap each ping-pong ball with three strips of Velcro (looped side of fabric fastener, not soft side). Place all materials in an Explore bin. Alternative bull s-eye: Choose one color of felt as your base. Then, with another color, cut a large circle and glue to the base fabric. Follow with a smaller circle of felt of the first color. Glue the smaller circle inside the first circle. Repeat until complete. SET UP Attach the bull s-eye to the wall. Make three masking-tape lines on the floor in front of the bull s-eye. Place the first line three feet from the wall, the second line five feet from the wall, and the third seven feet from the wall. Set the ping-pong balls on the first line. ENGAGE Welcome kids to the Explore Station. Encourage kids to play the game. Challenge them to try to hit the bull s-eye from the three-, five-, and seven-foot lines. Ask the children: How many tries did it take for you to hit the bull s-eye? Was it easy or hard? Where were you standing when you hit the target? How did you feel when your ball made it to the target? 7

8 (Optional) Station 2: My Special Friend This station helps children think about their closest friends, giving them a reference point to hear about David and Jonathan s friendship in this part of The Big God Story. SUPPLIES (per table) blank paper crayons or markers chenille wire (multicolor) yarn fabric scraps child-safe scissors glue optional: wiggly eyes SET UP Place all items in the center of the table. ENGAGE Invite the kids to join you at the table. Begin drawing a picture of a special friend in your life. Invite the kids to join you by drawing someone special in their life; encourage them to draw a special friend. Ask: Tell me about who you re drawing. What makes a friend special? Do you like to spend lots of time with this person? Who is one of your closest friends? How did you meet your friend? What do you like best about your friend? What kinds of things do you like to do with this person? As they finish their drawings, point out the other materials you ve made available for them to embellish their pictures. 8

9 Discover:: min. Host/Worship Leader/Storyteller Children move into a large group setting and participate in discovering God s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences. Large Group SECTION The following instructions have been condensed, but if you d like more information about any of the components of the large group program, please see Putting It Together under the Resource Tab. Ponder Point Chloe s Rules Host/Worship Leader God Shows Us His Love through Others Begin large group by using Chloe (a puppet or person) to review the rules of your program. It s a great time to remind children how we can all be part of a loving community through the words we speak, sitting with our small group, and sharing. Add a theme song to your program for a fun way to help give identity to your large group program. Also choose two upbeat worship songs from a worship album that fits. The supplies you ll want to gather for this section are the Chloe s Rules videos or scripts (see Resource Tab), Chloe (a puppet or person), your preschool program theme song, worship music (suggestion: What Do You Know?, TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse and Hey, Jesus Loves Me, Songs from Studio K or Shout Praises! Kids 4), and a countdown video (optional). Mail Time Host/Worship Leader Remember Verse Definition hope: expecting what our good and perfect God has promised Have children retrieve mail (the current Remember Verse from the Bible) from their mailbox. Review the meaning of the verse and any unfamiliar words with the children as they prepare to memorize it. Supplies to gather include the Mail Time intro clip and image, Remember Verse image (for projection and Mail Time envelope), Remember Verse cards (print and distribute along with HomeFront Weekly), Mail Time envelope art printed and attached to a large envelope, a Bible, a large children s Bible, and a mailbox. REMEMBER VERSE Cheer each other up with the hope you have. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIrV) 9

10 Remember Verse Motions Cheer each other up: Wave arms above head, then jump in the air on the word up. with the hope you have: Extend arms out in front of body. Draw them together and cover heart on the word have. Wardrobe of Wonder Storyteller/Host/Worship Leader Hide the What sit connected to The Big God Story in the wardrobe. Together as a community, the children will discover the identity of this object as they begin to ask questions from their observations and experiences. You ll need to have ready a Wardrobe of Wonder, Wardrobe of Wonder intro clip, image, and sound effect (see Resource Tab), silly hats for the prop/hat box (optional), and two small stools or chairs. For this What sit you ll need a toy arrow (see optional image to show or print in the Resource Folder). What sit: Toy Arrow Jonathan and David formed a plan to use an arrow to signal David. If the arrow landed close to the place David was hiding, it was safe for him to stay. If it landed far from him, David was to take this as a sign that he needed to leave. God used the friendship of these two men to show them His love. ASK What did you find in the Wardrobe of Wonder today? Children will answer. Have you ever seen an arrow? How is an arrow used? Interact with children and their answers. Who uses arrows today? I wonder, how do you think the What sit fits into the part of The Big God Story we ll hear today? Let s find out because, it s time for 10

11 Prayer of Release A Prayer of Release is a prayer asking God to remove any distractions that would get in the way of hearing from and responding to Him. As we pray, we dedicate this time to the Lord and quiet ourselves, so that we might hear specifically from Him. In this way, we are consciously laying aside our worries, successes, and requests for the moment. We ask to be filled with knowledge and understanding from Him, giving God His rightful role as teacher. Then as we move into Respond, we can better create space to interact with His Holy Spirit. The Big God Story 1 Samuel 19 20; 31:1 2; 2 Samuel 9:1 7 Storyteller SUPPLIES The Big God Story intro clip and image (see Resource Tab) Bible (adult or children s to use during teaching) smooth stone (Storyteller place in pocket) Wardrobe of Wonder sound effect (see Resource Tab) What sit: Toy Arrow (see image in Resource Folder) Hello there! Friends, when we know God and follow Him, we become part of His family. We share things we know and love about God with one another. We sing praises and worship Him together. What else do we do as part of God s family? (Allow kids to share ideas.) Good thinking. Before we go any further, let s stop and ask the Lord to teach us. (Lead children in a Prayer of Release.) Look what I found in my pocket. (Remove smooth stone and show children.) What do you see? (Allow the children to answer.) A smooth stone, that s right. What part of The Big God Story had a smooth stone? (Children answer.) David put five smooth stones in his pouch when he volunteered to fight Goliath. David put the first stone into his slingshot and swung it round and round. Zoom. The stone flew out and smacked the giant right on the head. The Lord won the battle and His people were free from the Philistine army! Who fought the battle for David? (Children answer.) God did! That s right. His Spirit was with David. God used a young shepherd, his slingshot, and one smooth stone to defeat Goliath. God is so powerful! It wasn t long after the battle when King Saul s son Jonathan and David became best friends. Do you have a close friend? (Encourage kids to answer.) Sometimes God shows His love for us through our friends. That s just what God did with David and Jonathan. King Saul gave David a very important job in his army. When David went into battle, he won. God was with him. The soldiers and the people in the kingdom loved David and sang songs celebrating his victories. Well, King Saul didn t like this, not one little bit. He became so jealous and angry that he began to think of ways to kill David. He even told Jonathan to kill David. But God was with David. Do you think Jonathan did what his father the king told him? (Children answer.) No. Jonathan knew David had done nothing wrong. He loved David and didn t want anything bad to happen to him. David and Jonathan made a promise to one another. David promised Jonathan that he would always be kind to Jonathan and his family. David promised he would 11

12 Consider using an imaginary bow and arrow to shoot as you storytell through this section. Choose a volunteer to act as the servant boy. Tell the child that together you ll be pretending to use a bow and arrow. When you get to the part of The Big God Story where Jonathan shoots the arrows, shoot your pretend arrow across the room, away from the children. Ask the volunteer to go to the place where the arrow landed and bring it to you when you (in the voice of Jonathan) call for the arrow to be returned. Thank the child and encourage him to return to his seat. The Big God Story following the David and Goliath story into David and Jonathan was a great transition. We also had the kids make each other a picture for a friend. International Church of Las Vegas be as kind as the Lord is! Wow! That s a big promise. Do you think David would be able to show this love and kindness on his own? (Children answer.) No way! That s something only the Lord can do. God can show us His love through others! David and Jonathan made a plan to keep David safe from King Saul. Jonathan said, Go and wait by a certain stone in the field. When I return, I ll shoot three arrows like I m practicing my shooting. Then I ll send a boy out there to find the arrows. If I say to him, The arrows are on this side of you. Bring them here, then you come. That will mean you re not in any danger. But if I tell the boy, The arrows are far beyond you, then you must go. That will mean the Lord is sending you away. The two men said good-bye. Remember your promise, Jonathan called. He returned home to see what he could find out, and David hid in a safe place. David found the stone and waited, just as he and Jonathan planned. When Jonathan returned to the field, he took a servant boy with him. He said to the boy, Run and find the arrows I shoot. (Tech: Cue Wardrobe of Wonder sound effect.) Friends, do you know what that sound is? (Children answer.) That s right. We ve found our What sit in The Big God Story! The arrows are what Jonathan used to warn David about King Saul s plans. I need someone to help me with the next part of the story. (Choose a volunteer; explain what they should do.) Let s find out what happened next. As the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow far beyond him. The boy came to the place where Jonathan s arrow had fallen. Then Jonathan shouted to him, The arrow went far beyond you, didn t it? Hurry up! Run fast! Don t stop! Then David knew he must leave. King Saul was still angry and wanted to kill him. He was sad to leave his best friend. After the servant boy returned to town, the two men hugged each other and cried as they said good-bye. Jonathan said to David, Go in peace. In the name of the Lord, we have made a promise. We ve promised to be friends always. Then David left, and Jonathan went back to town. God used Jonathan to show His love to David. He protected David from the king s terrible plans. Years passed, and one day David was given the news that Saul and Jonathan had died in a battle. David cried for Saul, and he cried for Jonathan. Then David was crowned king. He remembered the promise he made to his dear friend. David found Jonathan s son, Mephibosheth, and gave him all the land that belonged to Jonathan. He also set a place for Mephibosheth so he would be able to eat at his table every night for dinner! David kept his promise to Jonathan by showing God s kindness. God used David to show His love to Jonathan s family. Friends, David and Jonathan were best friends. They cared for one another. God showed His love through these men. He can use the people in our lives to show us His love. God can also use us to show His love to others. That s what being a family is all about. 12

13 Respond:: min. Worship Leader Children have the opportunity to respond to God and to what they have heard and experienced through His Word. Special attention should be given to create space for the Holy Spirit to minister to each child. We tried the Response Wall for the first time. The kids were very interested in it and my leading team wants to continue to use it each week. That s a big win for me. Peninsula Covenant Church This was a great lesson! Each element was super fun! I loved the large group response. Our kids always like it when we use the Response Walls! They re one of my favorite ways to respond. Mt. Paran North Church of God We made the hearts different sizes, shapes (squiggly, frilly), and colors so the kids were eager to pick out a heart that fit them. We opted to use With All My Heart, from Little Praise Party CD. It fit really well for this time. Good Shepherd Church Large Group SECTION The worship response time in large group varies from week to week. Some weeks the children will respond in worship through music, while other weeks are designed for more specific interactive expressions of response. This time is intended for children to freely express their worship as God s Spirit leads them. SUPPLIES title image (see Resource Tab) or worshipful video loop Response Walls heart shapes (1 per child; see Resource Folder) magnets bucket sweet instrumental worship song optional closing song: In This Life, TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse Worship-through-Response God loves you and God loves me. One of the ways God shows us His love is through the people in our lives. When someone loves us it s because God has given him love to share. Love comes from God. He fills our hearts with love. The more we give His love away, the more His love fills us up. When you think about God s love for you, what do you want to tell Him? Is there something you want to ask Him? Today we re going to spend some time in prayer using our Response Walls. (Direct children to the wall by standing and demonstrating what they ll do as you explain it to them.) After we pray together, when you re ready, come to a Response Wall. Then take a heart shape out of the bucket and put it on the wall with a magnet. After you ve placed it on the wall, cover it with your hand and take a moment to talk with God. You can thank Him for His love, talk with Him about someone you love, or anything else you would like to share with Him. (Demonstrate this for the kids.) After you re finished, come back and sit down with your small group. Let s talk to God right now as we worship Him together. Pray with the children, opening this time for response to God s Spirit. Cue the instrumental song in the background to help facilitate the moment and place on a loop. After you pray together, allow for some silence (music still playing low) so the kids can hear from God as they prepare to worship at the Response Walls. After a moment or two, dismiss children to the Response Walls. When it seems that most of the children have returned to the group, close your time with a prayer of corporate blessing. Dismiss children to their small groups. Consider playing the song In This Life, TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse as kids are exiting. 13

14 Respond:: min. Small Group Leaders Children have an opportunity to reflect (within the faith community) on what they have heard, and to respond to God individually or corporately. This time is focused on the wonder of God and the foundational Truth of His Word. Small Group SECTION Your small group time is designed to encourage conversations between you and your children about what God is doing in them. Some children will be more responsive when they re engaged in something artistic. Others will be more open once their bodies get moving. Choose from the options given here or use your own ideas. The Wonder Questions may be used to start conversations during any of these activities or in a quieter, more contemplative time. Connect: Love Will Keep Us Together (Optional Game: 5 10 min.) After a time of responding to God as a group, allow time and space for children and leaders to connect with each other in a lively large-motor-skills activity. Fun challenges foster unique opportunities for conversation and help to develop your faith community. SUPPLIES (per small group) ball of yarn paper heart (6 in diameter) ENGAGE Have the kids join you in a tight circle on the floor. Ask the children: Who has a name that starts with the letter A and is wearing the color red? Change the question to fit your group. Great! You get to start our game. Each of us will finish this sentence: My name is, and I love Give the children an example by finishing the statement with the name of a child in the circle, hold on to the end, and then roll the ball of yarn to the child who is starting the game. Remind children that answers can be different. Okay now, (name of child starting game), it s your turn. You get to finish the sentence. My name is, and I love After the child answers, encourage him to roll the yarn to the next person. Hold tightly to your section of the yarn and roll the yarn ball to someone else. Don t let go! Continue with this question until each child in the circle has had a turn. For round two, change the statement to: God loves me all the time! Repeat the game. Encourage kids to keep holding on to the yarn. For round three, change the statement to: God shows me His love through If you have time, continue the game and add your own questions. (Tip: If the kids find it difficult to hold on to the yarn, have them lightly wrap the yarn once around the toe of their shoe before they roll it to the next person.) After the third round, have all the children hold the web of yarn tightly and lift it about a foot or so off the ground. Let s see if we ve shared enough to keep the heart on top. Place the heart in the center of the web. Encourage the children to work together, moving their individual pieces of yarn or where they re sitting, to keep the heart from falling to the floor. If the heart falls to the floor, play another round. This time let them make up questions to ask one another. 14

15 Helpful Hint Today the children will be introduced to new materials for the Sharing His Love creative response. Sometimes the excitement of new materials can distract children. Consider keeping the materials in the Create bin and starting the activity with the dialogue in the Engage section. Then present the materials to the children. Engaging in the time of response will be easier once kids have had the opportunity to become familiar with the new supplies. Then you ll find they ll jump in with ease and focus on the response. Suggest making the pattern really big and using pushpins to do the yarn. Good Shepherd Church We traced the pattern onto aluminum foil using a wooden etching stick. They could then decorate their picture after tracing. We folded their template in half. They colored one side and saved the other side for a friend or other loved one to color. They were sharing His love by sharing the job of decorating the drawing. Peninsula Covenant Church We copied the pictures and had each child color and take home their own. Impact Christian Church Create: Sharing His Love Create is more than just a time to make a craft. It s a hands-on opportunity for children to give artistic expression to what God is doing within them. What is created can then become a physical reminder of time spent responding to God. SUPPLIES (per table/small group) 4 x 2, 2 thick foam core Sharing His Love Template (see Resource Folder) permanent marker bowl Pound-a-Pattern Pegs (discountschoolsupply.com) or colorful golf tees chenille wires or yarn Create bin PREPARE AHEAD Gather materials. Cut foam into 11 x 17 pieces (one per table of four children). Print the Sharing His Love Template from the Resource Folder. Using the permanent marker, trace the images from the template onto each piece of foam core. Or, you may prefer to adhere the template to the foam core. Across the top of the foam core (above the drawing) write God shows us His love through others. Place all materials in a Create bin and set aside. SET UP Set the foam core in the center of each table. Place the pegs or golf tees in a bowl after you ve introduced the Create response. ENGAGE Welcome children. Today in The Big God Story, we heard how God shows us His love through others. Who did God use to show David His love? Allow kids to answer. Jonathan, that s right. How did Jonathan show God s love to David? Encourage kids to answer; interact with their answers. What about David? How did God use David to show Jonathan love? Interact with kids answers. God has given us so many wonderful people who love Him and love others. God shows us His love through the people He places in our lives. Who are the people who love you? Children answer. Who gives your (mom, dad, grandparents, siblings) the love they show you? Allow children to answer. God does, that s right. Together we re going to create something to remind us that God uses His people to show His love as we care for one another. Before you begin, pray over the children for their time of creative response. Then invite children to create the image on the foam core. Encourage kids to push the pegs or golf tees into the foam, following the lines of the drawing. Once the people and the heart 15

16 Small Group Enhancements Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users can find a quarterly TruWonder Timeline and images of people corresponding to each week s lesson on the My Lessons page under Extras > Small Group Enhancements. As you place the weekly people squares on the timeline, invite children to help you storytell. The provided questions will prompt further conversation about what children have been experiencing. They ll enjoy watching as the timeline fills week to week and their knowledge of The Big God Story grows. have been outlined with the pegs, invite children to connect the pegs using chenille wires or yarn wrapped around the base of the peg head. You may choose to hang or place this in your room as a reminder of what the kids experienced today. Be sure to save this response to hang it your Create gallery during your next Remember & Celebrate weekend. Wonder Questions Discuss the following questions with the children. Wonder Questions are meant to prompt further conversation about what children have been experiencing. They also invite children to ponder this truth and dwell with the wonder of God. Be sure to pause long enough after each question to allow the children time to wonder. Encourage them to share their unique perspectives with the group. During today s part of The Big God Story, David and Jonathan became close friends. They made a promise to each other and cared for one another. God used these men to show His love to them. I wonder What was David thinking while he waited in the field for Jonathan s arrows? I wonder How does God show me His love through others? I wonder How does God s love feel? I wonder How do I show God s love to others? 16

17 Bless:: 5 min. Small Group Leaders A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement and guidance. A blessing can be offered in order to ask God s Spirit to overflow from the child s life in such a way that blesses others, while it can also be prayed over a child for the purpose of declaring God s protection, joy, or wisdom. The Power of Blessing Use this time to allow both volunteer leaders and parents to participate in blessing each child before they conclude their time together. Invite parents into the time of blessing at the end of the service, and encourage them to continue to bless their children throughout the week. Small Group SECTION Today, send your little ones out with a blessing by praying Scripture over them. The time of blessing is an opportunity for children to practice another physical posture of worship. Have children place their hands out in front of themselves, palms up as if cupping them together to hold water. This is a posture that demonstrates our expectancy in receiving what God has for each of us. Read the Remember Verse over the children and then close your time with a prayer of blessing. (You may choose to read through the Scripture more than once as God s Spirit leads you.) Children, may you trust and know the love of the Lord. He is your hope and your strength. May you know that He has freely given you His faithful love forever. (reference Psalm 33:22) Cheer each other up with the hope you have. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIrV) HomeFront Weekly: Be sure to send home the HomeFront Weekly for next week s lesson! This preteaching tool for parents encourages families to spend time in God s Word together before children arrive at church. HomeFront Monthly: Every four weeks we highlight one of the 10 environments. For each new environment, parents should receive HomeFront Monthly. This resource gives families ideas for how to create fun, spiritually forming times in their home setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives! 17