Respond:: 5 minutes. Connect:: minutes

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1 date: LESSON OVERVIEW Josiah Receives God s Word 2 Kings 22 23:23 Explore:: min. Discover:: min. Respond:: 5 minutes Bless:: 5 minutes Connect:: minutes Ponder Point: God s Word Has Power Josiah became king at the young age of eight. He was a good king and did what was right. The Word of God had been neglected for so many years that it was missing from the temple. When King Josiah found it he made sure the people were taught the ways of the Lord. The people of the kingdom made a promise to follow God s Word. They destroyed their idols and fixed up the temple where they would worship the one true God. God s Word is full of powerful things.. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children s ministry leaders.

2 Inspire When I was a child, my family did not attend regular church services. It wasn t until I was a teenager that I really even considered my faith or lack thereof. At the age of 17 I began to question what religion and faith in God was all about. I believed that God was real, but I wasn t sure where or how to find Him. My heart ached for the same kind of relationship with the Lord that many of my friends and family talked about, but I just couldn t figure out how to make that happen. One day, I was discussing matters of faith with a close friend. I explained to her how I had been feeling and asked her about her own religious practices. She told me that she was a Christian and that her family attended church every Sunday. She invited me to join them, but in the meantime, she suggested that I start to read the Bible. Reluctantly, I agreed. I wasn t much of a reader at the time and from the limited exposure I did have to Scripture, I found it boring and hard to concentrate on while reading. Nevertheless, I committed to giving it a try. That night, I sat down next to my bed with a dusty Bible that had been pulled down from the top of our family bookshelf. Not sure where to start, I just opened it and began to read wherever the pages fell. As I read the stories about Jesus in the New Testament, I was amazed at what I found. The pages came alive for me. I couldn t put it down. I felt like the words had been written just for me. Each portion of the story struck me in a different way. When I then read through the book of Romans, I knew that Jesus was the answer to everything I had been searching for that God had created me to have a relationship with Him. I was changed because of the power of God s Word His living and active Word. The power I experienced through the Scriptures that night are just as powerful today! God s Word has power yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Alyson Crockett TruBlessings Team 2

3 Equip King Josiah took the throne at the unusually young age of eight. His father, King Amon, was evil and had been assassinated by his own officials. According to the account in 2 Chronicles 33 34, after the assassination of Amon, the people of the land rose up against these officials and made Josiah the next king. Because of his tender age, Josiah would have had many political advisers and advocates who worked alongside him. Perhaps it was one of these advisers who recalled stories of King David and stirred Josiah s heart toward the one true God. Though Scripture is not clear on how he began his walk with the Lord, we know that in the eighth year of his reign, at the age of 16, Josiah made a definite commitment to follow God (2 Chronicles 34:3). In the twelfth year of his reign, Josiah made the decision to begin the temple restoration. The temple had evidently been neglected for quite some time. Though we don t know the extent of the damage, it was six years later when he sent Shaphan to ask Hilkiah, the high priest, to count the money that had been collected there (2 Kings 22:4). Shaphan returned not only with the collected funds, but with something much more than valuable than anything Josiah could have expected. He explained that Hilkiah had given him a book that was found in the temple. Neither Shaphan nor Josiah seemed to have any idea of what the book contained. As Shaphan began to read the book, it had an immediate impact on Josiah. God s Word is powerful and pierced Josiah s tender heart. He was immediately ashamed of his people and afraid of the judgment he knew was coming. The power of God s Word combined with the mercy of God s delayed wrath prompted Josiah to continue the restoration project with a new fervor. It was because of the power of God s Word in Josiah s life that we read in 2 Kings 23:25 that there has never before, nor after, been a king like Josiah who ruled according to the Law of Moses. 3

4 Support During the time that Josiah took the throne, Judah was in a prolonged period of disobedience. Whether the book had been purposefully hidden by one of the evil kings before Josiah, or whether it had been set aside and forgotten in the dust, is unclear. The Bible doesn t tell us where the book was when it was found during the temple restoration, only that it was found. And when Josiah heard God s words read to him, He was immediately impacted by their power. His life would be forever altered by what he heard. Today, God s Word is more accessible to us than ever before. The Bible has been translated into over 450 languages and is widely available on bookshelves, computers, and even now on mobile devices. Where is your Bible right now? Find your copy and grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a good read. Choose a part of The Big God Story you haven t read in a while. Perhaps you will choose the account of creation, the flood, or the miracles of Jesus. Whatever you choose, approach your time with a heart willing to hear from God in a new and powerful way. 4

5 Lesson Overview Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare Explore:: Small Group Discover:: Large Group min min. Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship. Facilitate interactive games, songs, and storytelling, allowing children to participate in discovering God s Word. Option 1: Letter Can plastic tray empty container with a plastic lid (example: baby formula can, butter container, snack chip can) knife or scissors Alphabet cookies Option 2: Dough Letters plastic tray play dough alphabet cookie cutters Transition Song: The Cleanup Song from TruBlessings Worship Welcome TruBlessings Theme Song from TruBlessings Worship Hamilton puppet Hamilton s house The Big God Story Respond:: Large Group 5 min. Create space for children to celebrate God together in worship through music. Song of Celebration Suggestion: B-I-B-L-E from Favorite Bible Songs: Sunday School Songs, Songs of the Bible & Hymns of Praise from Wee Worship Bless:: Small Group 5 min. Bless the children that they may experience God fully. (for the blessing) snack 5

6 Lesson Overview Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare Connect:: Small Group min. Games, songs, manipulatives, sensory and art activities are used to help children reinforce what they experienced in large group. Option 1: Letter Bracelets Big Letter Beads (available at www. discountschoolsupply.com) yarn or tipped lacing yarn (available at www. discountschoolsupply.com) scissors transparent tape, if yarn does not have plastic tips Option 2: Hot and Cold Bible Option 3: God s Word Has Power MP3 or CD player B-I-B-L-E song table covering large piece of butcher paper marker finger paints wet wipes Hamilton s Box of Fun God s Word Has Power coloring page (see Resource Folder) box or basket to hold objects large floor puzzle 5 to 6 piece puzzles play dough large wooden lacing beads small parachute and foam balls The Cleanup Song from TruBlessings Worship 6

7 Explore:: Small Group SECTION min. Host and Small Group Leaders Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship. Option 1: Letter Can 2 s Supplies plastic tray empty container with a plastic lid (example: baby formula can, butter container, snack chip can) knife or scissors Alphabet cookies PREPARE Empty and clean the can. Cut a hole in the top of the plastic lid with the knife or scissors so that the alphabet cookies can fit through. Set up Set the can, cookies, and Bible on the tray. Engage Invite one child up to the table at a time. Hold up a Bible. What is this? That s right, the Bible. When we open up the Bible, we see that it is full of words. Open up the Bible and show all of the words. All of the words are made up of letters. We are going to fill up the can with the letters. As the child fills up the can, talk to her about what letters she is putting in. 7

8 Option 2: Dough Letters 3 s Supplies plastic tray play dough alphabet cookie cutters Set up Place the play dough on the plastic tray. Have the Bible next to the tray. Engage Invite one child at a time to join you at the table. Let s open up the Bible and read what s inside. Read a verse or two to the child. The Bible is full of words made up of letters. Can you help me make some letters out of the play dough? With the child, make different letters from the alphabet. You might want to spell out God or love. Children move into a large group setting and participate in discovering God s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences. Transition Song: The Cleanup Song from TruBlessings Worship Story Spots Story Spot refers to an item used to mark the place where each child sits. Consider using carpet squares, small circle-shaped rugs, or large sturdy place mats. When children hear the transition song, cue them to choose a Story Spot, place it in the large group gathering space, and sit down. At the close of your time together in The Big God Story, encourage children to return their Story Spots to their original location. 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. Welcome Large Group SECTION Supplies TruBlessings Theme Song from TruBlessings Worship Hamilton puppet Hamilton s house Hi, kids! Welcome! I am so excited to be here with you today. Let s all celebrate God by singing and dancing together! (Play the Opening Theme Song from TruBlessings worship and lead kids in dance and celebration.) AS YOU BEGIN STORYTELLING As you begin the storytelling section of Discover, have a volunteer available to be Hamilton the Hedgehog using the puppet you provide. Or you may choose to act as the storyteller and the puppeteer. Encourage Hamilton to come out of his house. Consider having a facade that is part of your stage/teaching area. This facade can act as a puppet stage to conceal puppeteers. However, if this is not an option, if children see the volunteer with the puppet on his/her hand, encourage the volunteer to interact with Hamilton and the children. Their participation will help kids to see the puppeteer and puppet as separate characters. Ponder Point: God s Word Has Power Wow! That was great! Now, everyone, take a seat it s time to hear part of The Big God Story! Hey, boys and girls, do you know who loves The Big God Story? That s right! Hamilton the Hedgehog! Shall we call him and ask him to join us? (Children will answer.) On the count of three, let s call him together. Are you ready? One, two, three. Hamilton, where are you? (Encourage the kids to call for Hamilton.) Hmm I don t think he heard us. Maybe he is reading his favorite book in his house. Let s try one more time. Hamilton! (Have a volunteer available to be Hamilton the Hedgehog and walk the puppet out of his house holding a Bible. It s okay if the children see the volunteer with the puppet on her hand.) Hamilton, it looks like you brought a special book with you. (Hamilton nods up and down.) Friends, this book is special it s The Big God Story. Are you ready to hear this part of The Big God Story? (Hamilton nods excitedly.) Me too! But before we get started, do you know where we can find The Big God Story? (Have Hamilton nod his head and gesture to the Bible.) That s right the Bible. God gave us the Bible so we can learn about Him. It s full of things that help us to get to know God. We read the Bible to learn about God and His Son, Jesus. And I know that you love to dig, dig, dig right into God s Word to find out what He has to say to us. Isn t that right Hamilton? (Have Hamilton nod his head.) Let s all stand up and sing our Bible Song together. 9

10 The Big God Story is written for a two- to threeyear-old audience and can be told in its entirety for an older audience, but may need to be shortened if the class is on the younger side. 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 ask to be filled with knowledge and understanding from Him, giving God His rightful role as teacher. We can begin to model this posture of prayer with the children in our care. To lead two- to three-yearold children, pray a simple prayer thanking God for His presence and asking Him to teach you as you gather together. For example: Thank You, God, for being with us. We ask that You would teach us today. Bible Song (sung to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb ) Now it s time to hear God s Word Hear God s Word Hear God s Word Now it s time to hear God s Word So let s look in the Bible As the song ends, have children return to their Story Spots. Hamilton can model this for the children by sitting quietly as he listens to The Big God Story. The volunteer can return him to his house with his little face peeking out, or she may choose to sit quietly with him throughout the storytelling section. The Big God Story Josiah Receives God s Word 2 Kings 22 23:23 SUPPLIES SET UP Place the Bible near the Storyteller. ENGAGE Before we get started, let s pray and ask God to teach us today. (Lead the kids in a Prayer of Release as you prepare to hear God s Word.) Last week in The Big God Story, we learned about a boy named Josiah who became king. Josiah loved God so much. Josiah was a good king, and when he grew up, he always did what was right. One day, the king s helper brought him something very special. Do you remember what that was? (Hamilton nudges the Bible toward the Storyteller.) That s right Hamilton it was God s Word, the Bible. The king s special helper opened the Bible and read it. Let s open it together. God s words are important, and they are powerful! Powerful means something is very, very strong. Can you show me your big muscles? (Make big muscles with your arms along with the children.) Whenever you hear me say that God s words have power, let s make strong muscle arms together. Are you ready? Let s take a look in The Big God Story. King Josiah listened to God s words. They were big words; they were powerful words. (Make big muscle arms with the children.) God s words told the people about 10

11 God s love and how to obey Him. Josiah s family did not obey God. This made him very, very sad. Can you show me your sad face? Good job! His friends did not love God either. Let s make a sad face again. (Make a sad face with the children.) So the king called his friends. Come and hear God s words, he said. Everyone listened to God s words. They were big words; they were powerful words. (Make big muscle arms with the children.) God s words told the people what He wanted them to do. This time, do you think they obeyed? (Let the children respond.) Yes! They did. They promised to love God and obey Him. Let s all make big happy faces. (Make a happy face with the children.) King Josiah and his friends had work to do. They cleaned the temple and fixed it. Hamilton, what s a temple? (Hamilton shakes his head from side to side.) A temple is the place where God s people went to worship Him. Let s all stand up and pretend to sweep the temple with brooms. (Stand up with the children and pretend to sweep.) Great job! Best of all, Josiah and his friends listened to God s Word and decided to worship Him. They loved Him so much. Do you know why? Because God s Word has power! Let s make muscle arms. (Make big muscle arms with the children.) When we read The Big God Story, we can learn more and more about God and His great big love for us. Have the children say good-bye to Hamilton as he goes back into his house. Thank him for coming and being a part of The Big God Story. 11

12 Respond:: 5 min. Worship Leader Children have the opportunity to respond to God as they celebrate Him within the faith community. Large Group SECTION Song of Celebration Friends, we just learned that God s Word has power. God gave us a very special book called the Bible. We are going to learn a song all about the B-I-B-L-E. Let s stand up and sing our praises to God. Lead kids in a celebratory worship song. Suggested song: B-I-B-L-E from Favorite Bible Songs: Sunday School Songs, Songs of the Bible & Hymns of Praise by Wee Worship. Bless:: 5 min. Small Group Leaders This time is set aside for leaders to spend a few moments blessing the children in their small groups. Small Group SECTION 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. Children, God has given us a special book called the Bible. May God s Word help you know God and follow Him. Open a Bible and read Psalm 119:105a: Your word is a lamp to my feet. Snack: If you would like to tie in the snack with the lesson, you can give the kids alphabet cereal or crackers. As the kids eat, sit down with them and engage them in conversation. Make sure to consider any food allergies or check with parents ahead of time. 12

13 Connect:: min. Small Group Leaders Games, songs, manipulatives, sensory and art activities are used to help children reinforce what they experience in large group. Option 1: Letter Bracelets SUPPLIES Big Letter Beads (available at yarn or tipped lacing yarn (available at scissors transparent tape, if yarn does not have plastic tips PREPARE Cut the yarn into one-foot strands, one for each child. If you bought regular yarn instead of the tipped lacing yarn, wrap each end with tape. SET UP Place the beads in the middle of the table. Give each child a piece of yarn. ENGAGE Invite the children to join you at the table. Today in The Big God Story we heard about King Josiah reading God s Word to the people. They learned that God wants them to love Him and obey Him. We are going to make a word bracelet with letters. The letters will remind us about God s Word, which has power! Option 2: Hot and Cold Bible SUPPLIES Small Group SECTION SET UP Hide the Bible somewhere in the room. ENGAGE Invite the children to join you in the middle of the room. We learned about a very important book. Do you know the name of the book? Children will answer. That s right! The Bible God s Word. We have hidden the Bible somewhere in the room. We are going to play Hot and Cold to find it. We need to all stay in a group and walk around the room looking for it. If we get close, I will say Hot, and if we are far away from it, I will say Cold. Let s start looking! 3 s 13

14 E X P LO R E D I S C OVE R R E S P O N D B LE S S C ONNECT N OT E S : Option 3: God s Word Has Power SUPPLIES MP3 or CD player B-I-B-L-E song table covering large piece of butcher paper marker finger paints wet wipes PREPARE Get the MP3 or CD player ready with the music. Write God s Word Has Power on the butcher paper. SET UP Put the table covering on the table. Place the butcher paper on the table and place the finger paint around the paper. ENGAGE Invite the children to join you around the table. This paper says God s Word Has Power. We have learned in The Big God Story all about that power. We are going to listen to a song and finger-paint on the paper. Talk with the kids about the things they heard in The Big God Story today. Friends, God s Word tells us all about God s love. Does God love you? Allow the children to respond. Yes, He does. How big is God s love for you? Encourage the kids to answer. Sooooooo big! God s Word tells us all about God s goodness. Is God good? Let the children respond. Yes, He is good all of the time. Who made you? Kids will answer. God did. Is God always with you? Allow the children to respond. Yes, He is. All of these things are true, and we can read them in the Bible! Turn on the music and demonstrate to the children how to paint. Ongoing Connect Option Hamilton s Box of Fun Invite the kids to your circle time area and sing together: Hamilton s Box (sung to the tune of Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone? ) Where, oh where is Hamilton s Box? Oh where, oh where can it be? It s full of fun toys that we sure like a lot Oh where, oh where can it be? Pick one or two kids to help find the box or basket. Once it s found, you can place it in the middle of your circle time area and invite the kids to come and explore what is inside. Ask: Come on over, everyone! What fun things can we explore today? Let s take turns playing with things and even play together. 14

15 Hamilton s box of fun is a reccurring activity that can be used each week. Some options have been provided to help you create your own box of fun. Each quarter the suggested supplies for Hamilton s Box will be refreshed. Be sure to check the Resource Folder every week for the most recent coloring page. When it s time to put the toys away, cue the kids with a Cleanup Song. (Choose a fun song that your children will recognize as the Cleanup Song each week, possibly with a circus theme or other recognizable sound that is different from other music.) Hamilton s Box of Fun This is a fun resource to encourage the kids to interact with each other by sharing toys and using their imagination with different objects. This activity can be utilized at the beginning or end of the service, if time permits. SUPPLIES God s Word Has Power coloring page (see Resource Folder) box or basket to hold objects large floor puzzle 5 to 6 piece puzzles play dough large wooden lacing beads small parachute and foam balls The Cleanup Song from TruBlessings Worship SET UP Put a variety of fun objects/toys in the box. Hide the box or basket somewhere in the room. Clean the objects each week after use. 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. TruBlessings will spend two weeks on the same part of The Big God Story and Ponder Point, and each Weekly covers four weeks worth of lessons. It is designed to trifold with an editable field that allows you to fill in the dates for the weeks that will be covered. 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 homes setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives! 15